The second floor of the detective office was lit by the glow of computer screens. It was only Aiko and Emi that remained to finish up the last bits of data entry before the rest of the crew returned tomorrow morning. Their fingers clacked on the keyboards as they relentlessly entered detail after detail.

“You know Emi, when I joined the detectives I didn’t think there’d be this much paperwork involved,” said Aiko leaning her head back and spinning in the desk chair.

“Tell me about it,” Emi replied with a monotone voice. “It’s getting pretty late and there’s still a good bit to work on. Let’s go downstairs and take a little break. Grab a cup of coffee and such.”

“You don't have to tell me twice!” said Aiko, bolting up from her chair.

They headed downstairs and poured lukewarm coffee into a couple of paper cups. “Creamer?” asked Emi as she poured a generous amount into her own cup.

“Yes please.”

Emi finished doctoring up their stale coffee and they moved over to a couple of foldable chairs surrounding the table.

Aiko sat down with a sigh.

“It’s been hard hasn’t it? asked Emi.

“What’s been hard?”

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“The job. Being a detective isn’t always saving people and solving interesting cases is it?”

“No, but after my couple months of interning here, I knew what I was getting myself into. Aside from the occasional late nights filled with boring data entry, I love this job.” Aiko paused and took a sip of her coffee leaving a small pink half-circle around the edge of the cup. “There are really good perks. Free gym membership, self-defense lessons, and the pay too.”

“Oh Aiko, you’re far too serious. All of those things don’t matter if you never go out and do something fun.”

“You do have a point. It’s been a while since I hung out with friends or really went out and did any serious shopping.”

“Why don’t you go do something this weekend?”

Aiko put her finger on her chin and looked up in thought. “You know, maybe I will. I keep seeing people posting about a club online lately. I could use some dancing and drinking.”

“Who knows, you might even meet a guy or two.”

Aiko giggled. “Emi, you always know just what I’m thinking. Anyway, it just so happens that a guy from an online site asked me out.”

“Just comes with the insight of being a detective,” Emi replied while shrugging her shoulders and putting on a smug look. Who’s this guy, huh?”

”He’s not my usual type. Just someone from a dating app. He looks like the type that can pay for my drinks and show me a good time though.” They shared a laugh. “Do you want to come out too? I bet you could use a night out as well.”

“No I’m much too busy. You go have fun. Besides, I wouldn’t want a to be a bother like last time.”

Aiko’s face went pale as she recalled holding Emi’s hair back as she lost her lunch in the restroom. It wasn’t often, but when Emi partied, she really didn’t know when to stop.

“That settles it. I’m going out this weekend!” Aiko said with a smile.