An Honour Student's Study (Yukino and Shaun)

In the familiar classroom that our young detective spends her scholarly life, she writes notes down in her wolven gray notepad-- solving problems from past lessons in order to prepare herself for exams and tests and ultimately find success in life. The young and bright Yukino Matsunaga was testing her mind, finding the weaknesses in her thoughts that would lead to the wrong answers and failure. She knew that she couldn't fail under any circumstances. The expectations of her loving mother were so meaningful, she couldn't just let her down after all that they'd been through.
The tall girl swept her raven locks over to the side, past her shoulders to clear her vision. This mental training was not only for her exams, but also to further her investigative skills. Problem solving was a must-have skill in her line of work, and to not build on that skill would be to let the answer slip through her fingers. Icy blue eyes flicked between words and numbers as she solved difficult math problems one after another, tucking into a neatly prepared ham sandwich as she did. This kind of solving was child's play to her advanced mind, the kind of mind that belonged in a college and not in a high school. So beautiful and interesting the young woman looked, and yet something about her was indeed quite strange. As though she were the most likeable person in the world, and yet was untouchable to those who stood before her.

Shaun Newmann walked along a corridor, trying to eat the chicken wrap in his left hand, skim through the documentation papers in his right, and find a specific classroom at the same time. Since two of those actions simultaneously required him to use his eyes, he wasn't having much success.

Ten minutes ago, after a (well-deserved) lecture on bringing food to the library, the woman running it told him that while all copies of the book he was looking for were already borrowed, there was one in classroom 3-D that he could use, "but not while eating!". Which was why he was eating his wrap right now, since if he waited for later, lunchtime would be over too soon.

There it is!
His eyes finally found the "3-D" plaque on a wall, and so he swiftly opened the door, took a step in... and then froze, realising someone was already there.
After a few awkward seconds, he attempted to smile, apologising:
"Um... Sorry. I wasn't expecting someone other than, perhaps, a teacher, to be here. I just need to grab a book - would that be alright?"

The young detective's eyes flicked from her book to the boy who had almost gone completely stiff at entering the classroom. In what was almost an instant, the strange aura had faded away from her personality as a clear smile made itself known on her face.

"But of course." she spoke amibly, twirling a pen in her dexterous fingers. "After all, I don't run this classroom. I can't stop you from getting a book out of course. Which book are you looking for?"
The young woman's question lacked any teasing or annoyance at the boy's entry and interruption. In fact it was pure and most clearly friendly. She seemed truly kind to help a stranger out of the blue like that.

Welp.
That meant that his lunch has turned into an Important Social Interaction, didn't it? Which in turn meant he actually needed to make conversation without preparing for it. Which was embarassing.
Oh well, he decided a second later. It's probably for the best. That thesis said this way is more efficient, and I can always strike one ICI from the list.
So, he made conversation.
"Well, you can't stop me, but you can look annoyed, and that's almost as effective", he said, browsing the shelves. "And I kinda doubt you won't be able to stop me the normal way, with the way you look."
He trailed off and paused for a few seconds, upon realising he didn't actually answer her question, added:
"Ah - the book. It's a-about psychology - or, to be more precise, about what ancient philosophers though psychology was. The Dawn of Psychology is the name. Have you seen it?"

"There's an old saying." the Girl Detective replied somewhat ominously. "Never judge a book by its cover."
Yukino gave a rather interesting smirk as she stood up and pulled a large textbook from the small bag on her chair. The cover read "The Dawn of Psychology" in bold italics.
"Is this the book you're looking for?" she asked as the young woman waved the book in her hand. "It's a rather interesting book, perfect for my mental practices. It makes interrogating subjects far easier for me. After all, the first step is learning how people think."
The smirk that she gave had turned into a rather plain and bright smile as she held the seemingly needed psychology book in her hand.

The opportunity is perfect Yukino thought to herself.

"Ah, haha. Yeah. That was clever. What with.. grabbing a book.. and saying a book quote. I get it. That's a pun", he almost mumbled, accepting "The Dawn".
There goes the embarassment. Long time no see, old friend. This sentence alone sounded like someone put it through a woodchipper, strapped all the ballast from a hot air balloon, and then...
And then this train of thought was instantly abandoned, as a small part of what he just heard finally registered itself. "Wait, interrogating subjects?", he repeated, surprised. "Are you gunning for law enforcement? Or - no, wait, you sound like you speak from experience - you're a Cadet, correct?"
He smiled as he finished this theory, happy with a guess well made.

"You judged by the cover." Yukino laughed at the boy's little guess.
The Girl Detective grinned at the embarrassment of the boy. She leant backward and sat on her desk, writing something into a smaller, night-black notebook. She quickly finished up as she slipped the notepad back into her small bag.
"Actually I'm already a detective in business." she giggled. "Yukino Matsunaga."
That name sounded rather familiar. The second-year honour student who worked as a detective on the side. Her name was rather known around the school faculty, and she was held in high regard by her peers.
"You can just call me Yuki though." the young woman smirked. "I'm not a Cadet, nor am I a part of the official law enforcement. Though I have worked alongside them at points."

Ouch. That stung.
"...You have to admit that was a reasonable guess", he defended himself, trying to put the book under his shoulder while still holding the paper. "There are a lot more Cadets that high school detectives in this school. Although... you're in a classroom that's not in the annex... you're right, I jumped the gun here."
He sighed a bit upon realising that.
"Anyway, my name is Shaun Newmann, with two Ns. I'm a college second year here, majoring in Computer Science. People are usually either impressed by or jealous of my grades, but it clearly wouldn't be the case here."
The end of his introduction was punctuated by the noise of "The Dawn of Psychology" dropping on the floor. Smiling awkwardly again, he put the paper in his backpack and picked the book back up.
Best first impression there, Shaun. Eleven out of ten. And minus ten million for common sense.

"Hm..." The young woman looked Shaun up and down before giggling at his nervousness. "You know I can read you like that book there?"
She quickly planted one leg over the other as she sat in front of him. Despite being at least 3 years under him- and likely weaker than him in power, she exuded an almost dominating aura. The aura of one that could easily mess with you the moment you slip up.
"If you have cases that need solving and you don't want to tell the police." she said. "Then you call me. I will fight for those in need. It's my duty as a detective."
She smirked as that strange aura came from her once again. There was something...off about her. She called herself a detective and a lawbringer, and yet she felt nothing like the Cadets did. There was some kind of tell that let him know that.

"Well, at least my first cover-reading was correct".
He said that remark with a smile, but a hint of unease was creeping into his voice. "You definitely could've stopped me from grabbing that book, even if it was on the shelf and not on your table. And thanks for the offer - though, I feel like lost and found would be the extent of any of my future brushes with the law..."
He trailed off, casting a quick glance toward the door.
"A-nyway, the lunch is over soon, and my wrap still remains unconquered..."
He took a step back.
"So... I really must be going... Thanks for the book! The chat, as well!"
And with that, he was gone.

Yukino smiled and returned to her work, continuing to write down problems and solve them in a sequenced repetition. She knew that she'd likely be seeing him again. He was an interesting one to say the least, and worthy of keeping tabs on. Plus the fact that Yukino could likely use his friendship to her own advantage.


I am thou, thou art I
Thou shalt be blessed in future through the Hermit Arcana

The Hermit Social Link has been established with Nervous Classmate

Sheesh, exhaled Shaun after getting out of the detective's sight. That was unexpectedly scary. And more embarrassing than normal. And a bit humiliating, though that's on me.
He was definitely crossing out two ISIs at the same time for this.
Although... he had to admit he was kind of curious about her. And it was clear that he didn't need to worry about her being a dull and boring conversationalist. And it would force his social skills to do or die.
Wait, I am not seriously considering it. Am I?
But he was, and a small part of his brain was already thinking: "Conversation Partner GET!"


Thou art I, I am thou...
Thou hast forged a bond with a person of the Justice arcana.
However, that grants you no power, for you still haven't broken through your chains of enslavement.
Nonetheless, a Link has been established with Yukino Matsomething (I Need To Look It Up And Write Down Later), Scary Highschool Detective And A Potential Conversation Partner.

Thankfully, another part was already beating that one with a "DANGER LION DO NOR FEED" sign, so at least he wasn't completely going crazy.