..:MICRO-FICTION LIBRARY:..

Koichi kicked off his dress shoes and leaned back in his favorite chair. He rubbed his tired eyes in a futile attempt to fight his exhaustion -- it had been a long day, with the phones ringing nonstop at the station he was currently assigned to. Lupin this and Lupin that. He didn't resent any updates on his famous enemy, because that meant he was one step closer to arresting him, but he couldn't fight off the fact that he was completely and thoroughly exhausted. Emerging from the shadows of their modest home, a hand turned on the light. Koichi saw Emmy standing there, with a small, sympathetic smile.

"Long day?"

The inspector's eyes fluttered in protest, then calmed as his vision got used to the bright light. His lips curved into a grin when he saw her approach.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be in bed soon."

"Okay," She replied, "But at least let me give you a kiss."

Shortly after her response, Koichi closed his eyes and pursed his lips in anticipation. Instead of meeting her's, a small chocolate was placed instead. He opened his eyes in surprise, then opened his mouth and ate the small treat. Emmy couldn't help but to giggle at his reaction.

"Alright, for real this time." She then leaned towards him and gave him a gentle, comforting kiss. She could slightly taste the sweetness of the chocolate on his lips.

She then walked away, heading back to their bedroom. Koichi watched her as she faded into the shadows, happy that he got both: the candy and the real deal!

The inspector's attentive eyes examined every piece of information that was scattered on the worn surface of the desk. There was no way Lupin and his gang could be robbing so many locations at once, but, a logical explanation for this series of crimes had yet to surface. Koichi tore through the evidence obsessively, wondering if there was something he might've overlooked. Suddenly, he heard the door open, making him temporarily snap out of his hunt for a smoking gun.

"Sorry about the wait!" Emmy said as she entered the office, carefully navigating the well-packed room as she held two hot, takeout coffee cups, "You wouldn't have believed how busy it was at the café..."

The man smiled as he watched her approach, "No matter the location, it's always like that in the afternoon," He replied as he took one of the drinks from her, "Thanks for picking up the order." He paused, and as he looked at her, he fully noticed the second cup. An eyebrow of his rose curiously, "When did you start drinking coffee?"

Emmy held her beverage with both of her hands as the heat that emanated from its container warmed her. She shrugged, "Recently, maybe around a week ago," She answered, "It's a flavor I've never really explored before, and you're always drinking it..." Her voice trailed off as she brought the lid closer to her lips.

Koichi couldn't help but to be slightly amused by her comment. He never envisioned her liking coffee -- despite being a diabetic, the woman was known for her love of anything sweet. He always assumed that his preference for black coffee had permanently scared her off of the drink. Following shortly after her response, he similarly brought his drink to his lips. As the couple shared their first sip, it quickly ended with both of them nearly spitting out their beverages in surprise.

"Ugh! Why is it so bitter?!"

"This tastes like syrup!"

The two then paused, with both of their faces being dusted with a faint shade of pink.

"Oh, you must have gotten my gingerbread mocha..." Emmy sheepishly murmured as she traded drinks with her husband.

Koichi eagerly drank a generous gulp of his black coffee to mask the sickeningly sweet flavor. As the taste dissipated, he looked at Emmy as a similar look of relief washed over her face after she sipped her order. He couldn't help but to ask, "You... don't actually like coffee, do you?"

She shook her head, "Not at all," She confessed, "But when it's prepared like a hot chocolate, I'll like any brew you hand me!" She grinned as she eagerly took another drink of her beverage.

Her answer didn't surprise him in the slightest, but at the same time, he wondered why she would persist in drinking it if she had to take such desperate measures to make it palpable. At the same time, Emmy pondered why anyone would drink something so horribly bitter daily. Regardless of what brew or flavor their drinks were, it certainly woke the two up, and not just from the caffeine, but also the shock of a mixed-up order!