TMiL Alterverse
Pride And Survival (part 8)
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Tantei A stopped swinging the scythe and paused to inspect his 
handiwork so far. A few rows off, Ainoko was helping out with a 
scythe of her own.

"How're you doing?" she called out to him, smiling.

"Great," Tantei A called back, "I feel like the Grim Reaper."

"You'll get used to it." Ainoko shouted across the rows of wheat 
they were currently harvesting. 

"Something I'm looking forward to." Tantei A rolled his eyes, 
"The day I get used to gathering wheat instead of criminals."

"What was it like?" Ainoko asked. "Gathering criminals I mean."

"Very exciting in a falling off a cliff sorta way." Tantei A 
replied. "Its also very rewarding when you hear that people can 
sleep at night because some sadistic jerk has been put away and 
you know you're the one who got them there."

"Why'd you quit?" Ainoko wondered. "It sounds like a wonderful 
job."

"I'd still have it if I could." Tantei A replied, returning to 
his work with the scythe.

Ainoko could tell he didn't want to discuss the matter any 
further and decided to drop the subject. 

They worked together in the field a few more hours, making the 
occasional small talk to pass the time. Finally, Ainoko put her 
scythe away.

"Would you mind if I made dinner for you before I head home?" 
she asked.

"I don't want to be a bother..." Tantei A hedged.

"You're not." Ainoko smiled. "I'd love to make dinner for you. 
At least then you'll have a nice meal all ready for you when 
you're finished."

"I like the sound of that." Tantei A smiled. "Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome. " Ainoko replied as she headed into the house 
to prepare dinner for Tantei A.


By the time Tantei A was finished and his own scythe had been 
put away, Ainoko had a nice old fashioned Japanese vegetarian 
dinner made for him.

"I know you're probably used to meat, but its not a good idea to 
eat heavy stuff after you've been working in the sun all day."

"Concerned for my health, hmmm.." Tantei A smiled. "You know, if 
the town gossip were to hear you talking like that, they might 
think you liked me or something."

"Oh no!" Ainoko laughed. "We can't have *that*!"

Tantei A joined in. 

"I have to get home." Ainoko apologized. "If I stay any later, 
the town gossip will have a field day. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'd like that. But you don't have to," Tantei A told her."I 
don't wish to take time away from your own schedule. Surely your 
family must need your help."

"With three grown sons of their own, I think they can spare me." 
Ainoko shrugged. 

"Okay, then." Tantei A told her. "I don't suppose I can talk you 
into staying for supper?"

"No," Ainoko replied, "I have to get home for dinner. Our family 
likes to eat together. I would have invited you, but my 
sister-in-law is visitting with my two nieces so..."

"You don't have to explain," Tantei A smiled. "Its okay. 
Besides, I'll meet them at the barn dance, right?"

"Right."

Tantei A took a bite of the meal Ainoko had prepared him. "This 
is delicious." he told her. "Excellent job."

"Thank you." Ainoko blushed. "I have to go now. But, like I 
said, I'll see you in the morning." She left the house and 
returned to own home.

Tantei A finished the meal she'd made him, savoring every bite 
as though it were a gift from the kami. Then, he washed the 
dishes and retired to the living room to relax for the evening.