Ichigo hummed happily, having established his alibi. Currently, he was flipping a pancake, with help from you of course, the best he could cook by himself was heating up ready made soup. He had, however, been improving, after going to rehabilitation for so long, and with your help, he could more or less make out his surroundings. Though it was still far from being able to see, and he still needed a mobility cane in many cases, it was much better.

"We're having someone over today." Ichigo broke the silence that was hanging in the air as you and him ate pancakes topped with strawberries. You almost choked at the news. "But-"

"It's someone I want you to meet, and someone who wants to meet you. Besides, we can't have a birthday party with only us two, right? As good as that sounds." You had completely forgotten, though he wasn't here at the time, but it had been Ichigo's birthday. You started to apologise, but it was hushed by Ichigo.

"Anyway, she should be arriving shortly, we owe it to her that the pesky detective is out of our way now." As he said that, there was a sharp knock on the door, barely audible. Ichigo stood up, and made his way out of the kitchen.

The person was a lady who seemed significantly older than Ichigo, though her features resembled his. "Y/n, this is my aunt, Naomi. Auntie, this is y/n." You stood up, lowering into a slight bow, "it's a pleasure to meet you."

"There's no need for formalities, I've heard a lot about you." She pulled out a chair with a gloved hand and took a seat. Ichigo did the same. You felt as though it would be rude to ask why she was wearing gloves indoors, so you kept your mouth shut.

"I'm not sure how much Ichigo here told you about me," she emphasised his name, "but I was also his teacher, we work together now." She slowly started to take off her gloves, revealing scarred and warped skin. She noticed you staring. "Take this as an example, you're lucky to have gotten away with a few bruises, he really likes you, you know."

Ichigo blushed like a schoolgirl at the last part. You, Ichigo, and Naomi spent the afternoon discussing various things, mainly on the topic of you. It felt nice to have a normal conversation about where you grew up, what school was like, etc etc. It even ended with a cake.

"No present?" Asked Ichigo.

"The present was me taking care of your issue for you," Naomi snapped at him, though it was obvious the two were close.

"Where're the candles?" You asked. Naomi and Ichigo looked at each other, froze in silence for two seconds, and laughed, but you didn't get the joke.

"You're really trusting this guy with candles?" Naomi wiped a tear from her eye. "The last time he was allowed candles, he took one, put it in front of a hairspray can, and tried to set fire to his neighbour's house!" They both laughed heartily at the story, and as sick as it made you, you found yourself giggling involuntarily too. "Of course, it didn't go amazingly well, houses usually have brick covering the whole wooden structure, so he settled for the yard instead, he got off easy, he couldn't be held responsible because of his age.

"Work is a different story though, he doesn't mess around, that much at least. He's one of the best in our establishment." Naomi had started cutting the cake. "I bet you're curious, I did teach Ichigo the basics, but he only specialised in what he does because of his own research. My area of expertise is mechanisms, they're great when it comes to people who owe us, you'll be surprised how quickly someone can cough up money when they can see that they're about to die."

If the you before meeting Ichigo could see you right now, laughing and joking with maniacs, you would be disgusted, but present day you was enjoying yourself way too much to care about that. Later into the evening, Naomi left, and you and Ichigo started getting ready to sleep.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't give you any presents, but you can ask me for any type of clothes and I can make them for you," you said eagerly. Ichigo smiled, pulling the covers up.

"If you want to give me a present that badly, then you could give me something right now."

Maki was found dead in a ditch. They had to run tests to identify her, as her body had been too disfigured by now hardened substances which were found to be wax and aluminium. Considering the obsession she had with Ichigo Satou, it was only natural that he would become a prime suspect, but was quickly ruled out with his limited ability.

Whoever had done it was clearly experienced, and well, Ichigo just didn't fit the picture. Besides that, the places where Ichigo had been seen and the place where Maki was found didn't match up when cctv footage was checked. The person found dumping the body had a female body, though it was contradictory that someone who was clearly experienced enough to leave no evidence would make the mistake of revealing their body type.

With Ichigo off the list, the main suspect was once again y/n l/n, considering that Maki had been investigating you, sorry, but you seem most suspicious.

Either way, Maki's boss felt strange without her around. She was one of, if not the, best detectives he had known. Without really knowing what possessed him, he dialled a phone number.

After a few exchanged words, there was a pause. "Could you repeat that please?"

"Ichigo Satou, red hair, orange eyes, visually impaired, writes books for a living."

"Sorry, sir, but no such person exists."

A few more words were exchanged, most of which were of confusion. It would seem another meeting with Mr. Satou had to take place soon.