[-][L-N+][P-1x1] Even if Loving You is a Crime (now playing)

[BrokenScreamBox]

"That's why I said I'm not at the right age to have relationships," Utsuki said, walking a little more slowly. "Besides, my life's pretty much full of photography. I won't have time for finding The One."  

[edluver1992]

Kenichi snorted again. "I thought photography was just a hobby. Are you seriously going to make a career out of this?"  

[BrokenScreamBox]

"Yeah. I'm sure taking pictures of scenery isn't such a bad job," Utsuki replied, thinking about what would happen in the future. "If I can't do that, then I could probably find some other job that has to do with photography. Maybe I can be a newspaper journalist or something."  

[edluver1992]

"Then, wouldn't you want someone to be there for you? You don't want a boyfriend or a girlfriend to run to when your job gets too much?"  

[BrokenScreamBox]

"If I wanted a girlfriend, I would have actually put effort into impressing a girl," Utsuki answered, and then he froze slightly. "Why did you say 'boyfriend'?"  

[edluver1992]

"In this day and age, it's safer to ask about both," he said offhandedly. "Just covering all my bases, you know? I've been cursed out more than once for asking about the opposite gender when it was the same gender. It hasn't been pleasant."  

[BrokenScreamBox]

Utsuki was about to say something else, but then he saw his home. There was a car waiting outside, which meant Dad was home. Since when was he able to come home early?  

[edluver1992]

Kenichi grinned. "See you upstairs, kid," he stage whispered and dove into the bushes, making his way to Utsuki's balcony.

Chief Kizai was waiting for Utsuki in the kitchen, sipping an old cup of coffee.  

[BrokenScreamBox]

Utsuki walked into the house, but he didn't go up to his room. Instead, he went to the kitchen where he figured his father was supposed to be. He wondered what the chief wanted.

"Hey, Dad. Welcome home," Utsuki greeted, though rather reluctantly.  

[edluver1992]

"There was a robbery at the natural history museum today," he father told him without returning the greeting. "Several witnesses placed you at the scene. Some even had the ridiculous notion the robber knew you. It was, of course, the same criminal I've been chasing for three years now. The video cameras proved it. Why would witnesses say the robber knows you? Were you there?"  

[BrokenScreamBox]

"Ah, I only stumbled upon the robbery," Utsuki explained almost frantically. "Curiosity got the best of me, is all. There's no way the robber would know who I am." Going to a museum really was a mistake. He should have went to a less important building or something if he knew this would happen.  

[edluver1992]

"Really, Utsuki? Don't lie to me. Witnesses said that the man looked directly at you several times while he was speaking. Utsuki, what were you doing at the museum without telling me where you were going?"  

[BrokenScreamBox]

"I just felt lonely being at home all day," Utsuki admitted. He felt like a guilty child who stole cookies from a jar. "Besides, taking pictures of things makes me feel closer to Mom. Is that so wrong?"  

[edluver1992]

"Taking pictures is for girls, Utsuki. You were supposed to be studying with your tutor today, and then training for the unit."  

[BrokenScreamBox]

"Dad, why can't you accept that I want to be a photographer? I'm sure I'm not the only guy in the world who wants to take pictures of scenery."