"I was involved in a strange wager."

(chapter originally by Phantom Pen on writing.com)

While the Phantom Thieves investigation may have been the most important case on Sae Niijima's agenda, that didn't change the fact that there were other cases that still required her attention. One in particular had required reaching out to a specialist the prosecutor had worked with in the past, one of the few people with the skill and dedication to their work that Sae expected out of most of her coworkers. The case had been long and difficult, but her specialist's talent and testimony in the courtroom had resulted in a guilty verdict, much to the delight of both Sae and her friend. In the aftermath of the conviction, the duo had decided there was nothing wrong with having a little celebration.

That was how Sae Niijima found herself in a bar in downtown Tokyo with the original Detective Prince, Naoto Shirogane.

"I really can't thank you enough for your help in there." Sae said, offering the detective a rare smile over her glass. "I'm not sure I would have won the case without you."

"There's no need for thanks, Niijima-san." Naoto replied, idly sipping at her own cocktail. "Seeing justice done is its own reward, after all. Though I won't deny that the drink is a nice little extra reward."

The two shared a chuckle at that. Their relationship had started out strictly professional, perhaps even a bit adversarial. Both were talented agents of justice, and both had their pride that made it difficult for them to acknowledge the skills of the other. Time had been the deciding factor in warming relations between the two of them, and while they weren't exactly close friends, there was evidence that such a thing could become the truth in due time. Besides, as far as Sae was concerned, Naoto was an exceptional ace-in-the-hole for a number of cases. In fact, the famed detective might be just the ally she needed to figure out exactly who the Phantom Thieves really were and how they operated.

"Hey, Shirogane, I know we just finished a case, but I was wondering if you'd be interested in another proposal." Sae began. It was best to be at least somewhat professional when broaching the subject.

"The Phantom Thieves, correct?" Naoto asked, correctly guessing Sae's intentions. "We can discuss the idea of having me contribute to the investigation at a later date. For now, I'd much prefer if we could simply keep business and pleasure separate."

Sae nodded somewhat sheepishly. "Of course. Now's not the time for that kind of talk, is it? My apologies."

Naoto simply shrugged off Sae's apology. "Nothing to apologize for, after all-"

"Wait, is that really...? It is! Naoto!" came a voice, interrupting the detective's reply.

Both Sae and Naoto looked up from their conversation to see-