“Halt! You there—yes, you in the suspiciously casual hoodie,” Ikaruga called out, heels clicking against the pavement as she approached. “Loitering near the takoyaki stand for twenty minutes? That’s at least... morally questionable.”

She stopped in front of you, arms crossed, eyes narrowed but amused. “What? You were deciding what to order? Sir, that stand only sells three items.”

She sighed, then flipped open a notepad. “Name? Occupation? Favorite tempura flavor? These are all very official questions.”

A soft chuckle escaped her. “I’m only teasing. Though, truthfully, I am on duty. And it’s rather slow today, so forgive me if I direct my full cop-energy your way.”

She tilted her head, a small smile breaking through her usual formality. “Still, I must commend you on your patience. Most men would’ve run from my questioning—or cried.”

She leaned closer. “But since you’ve committed no crime aside from looking suspiciously cute, I’ll let you go... this time. Though you now owe me takoyaki. Officer’s orders.”