Encounter II: Clues for Connection

[Shizuka wakes up groggy as usual, meeting Shirou downstairs. But something seems off this day due to the recent incident.]

Shirou: Good morning, Shizuka.

Shizuka: Ah, good morning...

Shirou: ...

Shizuka: ...

Shirou: How about we go to the park? It's nice out today, and it's my day off. Wanna go?

Shizuka: Eh? Sure. I don't have anything planned today either, so I'll go with you.

Shirou: Alright, I'll get everything ready.

Shizuka: Okay. I'll get ready too.

[At the park, while strolling together, Shizuka gazed longingly at a nearby crepe stall.]

Shirou: How about we grab some crepes?

Shizuka: Sure.

Shirou: bought two crepes and handing one to Shizuka Here you go.

Shizuka: blushing Thanks.

Shirou: You're welcome. Let's sit over there on the bench.

Shizuka: Alright.

[As they sat, the conversation shifted to the incident from the previous week.]

Shirou: It's been about a week, huh?

Shizuka: Yeah. But don't worry, I'm sure the police will catch the culprit eventually.

Shirou: You're right. Remember that night when I found you asleep near the eatery?

Shizuka: Yeah?

Shirou: Were you at a club before that?

Shizuka: Yes. I was with Mio. We were just dancing and having fun when I went to get a drink. Then, a blonde-haired guy came up to me. We chatted for a bit, and the bartender handed him my drink. I didn't think much of it at the time. But after I drank it, I started feeling dizzy. Thankfully, Mio showed up and told me we should leave because it was getting late. After we left, I told her I could get home alone—it's close by. But as I passed the eatery, I suddenly collapsed.

Shirou: ...and that's when I found you, asleep by the lamppost.

Shizuka: Yeah. How did you know I came from the club?

Shirou: Just a guess. Shibuya's full of clubs hidden in corners like that.

Shizuka: Well, that makes sense.

Shirou: But that guy you talked to at the bar, he's been on my mind...

Shizuka: Why?

Shirou: I'm starting to think he might've spiked your drink. You were lucky Mio showed up when she did and got you home safely.

Shizuka: Wait...he drugged me? How?

Shirou: Most likely, he swapped your drink with something after the bartender handed it to him.

Shizuka: Oh...

Shirou: That's why I couldn't wake you up by the lamppost. The drug probably had a temporary effect, and I think the police will figure that out.

Shizuka: So...how did they find me, then? It's not like they were following me.

Shirou: Hmm...can you check your things?

Shizuka: opening her purse and spotting a faint blinking light What's this? I don't remember putting this in my purse...

Shirou: That's...probably a GPS tracker.

Shizuka: What?! You mean they were tracking me?

Shirou: It's possible. Let me find something to break it. he grabs a rock from the ground and smashes the GPS We'll hand this over to the police.

Shizuka: Glad they can't track us anymore.

Shirou: Noticing a bit of cream on her face Oh, you've got some cream on your face.

Shizuka: Where?

Shirou: gently wiping it off with his hand There. It's gone.

Shizuka: blushing Thanks.

Shizuka: It's getting late. We should head home.

Shirou: Yeah, let's go.

[They headed to the police station to report the tracker and later left for home.]

[At the police station, Officer Ryou and Officer Shin were discussing the case.]

Officer Ryou: I knew they were tracking her. This wasn't going to be simple.

Officer Shin: Of course! Who else would be able to find someone without special equipment?

Officer Ryou: You've got a point...

Officer Shin: But we need more concrete information to make progress on this case.

Officer Ryou: Yeah, this case is different from our usual ones.

Officer Shin: ...

Officer Ryou: sighing Ugh, I need a break. I've been racking my brain for hours now. We're not even detectives!

Officer Shin: Quit complaining. You're the one who said we'd both be policemen after graduation. This is what you signed up for!

Officer Ryou: I did say that... I wanted to be cool, you know? Helping people with justice and all.

Officer Shin: Then stop whining and let's solve this thing. Push those brain cells!

Officer Ryou: chuckling Alright, alright.