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Ryutaro was supposed to be a one-time thing.
Even his name was just "the first that came to mind" for father. This was wearing a man's clothes, a man's identity, for the sake of a dear friend, because nobody else was willing to protect her. After Ryutaro's success, it would be back to Susato forevermore, wouldn't it?
And in all the hectic time between travelling back to Britain and then returning once more with Mr. Naruhodo, she had settled back into her role so easily. Although she was capable enough as a lawyer, being a judicial assistant was what she had trained so long to be - not being in the spotlight but being an integral support. She intended to return to Japan with him as one, too, and until the very moment they stepped off the boat.
Because Rei was right there at the docks, and called out her name as soon as she spotted her, rushing over to welcome them home. Just as the sun set on the horizon, the sun rose from Rei's warmth - the sparkle in her eyes.
"Rei! I hadn't expected you to be here when we arrived," Susato said, blossoming at seeing her.
"I couldn't miss you coming home for anything. I've missed you so much!" Rei replied.
And, see - everything's that little bit brighter when she's with Rei, that she could almost forget that Ryunosuke's with them, too. Almost. They're strangers to each other but it's only the briefest of introductions before Rei turns her eyes to Susato again, adoring, and Susato sees something in it she's never been so sure of before.
When it was Ryutaro she was talking to, it couldn't have been more obvious. When bashfulness brought Rei to cover her mouth with her hands, when admiration brought her to clasp her hands and lead forward - she kept doing these little things with her hands. These things happened with Susato, too. It was never like that for anyone else.
"Naruhodo-san," Susato starts, when they have a spare moment among the hectic life they've returned to. "There is something I'd like to speak to you about."
"Oh? What it it?"
"I'm not sure if you were made aware, but last year, I took on a case while posing as your cousin," she explained.
"You... took on a case?" Then, a moment later. "M-my cousin!?"
It wasn't the easiest of explanations, but it was the proper thing to do.
So she asked father if he still had Ryutaro's uniform - he did - and then she sought out Rei at the lab.
She remembered the words perfectly. It felt a little silly, to play it like this, but it was all worthwhile to see Rei flush:
"I'm the great defence lawyer, Ryutaro Naruhodo," she said, "and I'm going to take you out to a milk bar tomorrow!"
And so, against expectations, Ryutaro got to go on a date with Rei, sharing kakigori at a milk bar. It wouldn't be the last.
