Luke "Alluring Gaze"/Rewards
Scene 1: Shopping Street
After stowing the invitation in your purse, you step out of a client company.
After a few steps, you spot someone familiar.
You: Luke? What a coincidence!
Luke: (Name)! Hey!
Maybe it's just you, but he looks pretty happy.
Luke: It's still working hours. Are you visiting clients?
You: Kind of, but I already finished. How about you? Are you here for shop business or for an investigation?
Luke: An investigation, of course. I've been getting more requests lately. People are finally noticing my skills.
Luke: Hey, does your law firm wanna enter a long-term partnership with me?
You: I can't make that kind of decision.
You: If we ever need anything, you'll be the first person we call.
Luke: It's a deal. No takebacks.
You: You got it!
Seeing Luke in high spirits also brightens up your mood.
You always feel more energetic when he's around. Maybe his clients also feel the same way.
You: Oh, is your case related to X—Er, that?
Luke: No. It's about that company over there. They're having a banquet next week.
Luke points towards the building you had just left.
Could it be...
Luke: This case is to attend the banquet.
Luke: I rarely go to these sorts of events, so I'm a little—
Luke is interrupted by the ringing of his phone.
He makes an apologetic gesture and somewhat frantically answers his phone.
Luke: It's done already?
Luke: Okay, I'll be right over! No, it's fine. Wait for me there.
Luke hangs up and has a remorseful look on his face.
You: If it's urgent, you should go.
Luke: *sigh* I wanted to chat with you more. I just lost all of my motivation for work.
You: As if. The Detective Pearce I know isn't a slacker who runs from work.
Luke: Haha, you got me there.
Luke: I recently made two interesting gadgets. After I'm done with work, come by my store and try them out.
Luke: I'll be heading off. Remember to contact me if you need anything!
You: Sure... Oh!
You suddenly remember the invitation that your client gave you. As thanks, they invited you to attend if you had the time.
You: I knew it!
You open the invitation and see that it is for next week's banquet.
You: The banquet you're going to is also—
You look up while talking and realize that Luke is already gone.
You: ...He already left.
Scene 2: Home
After a full day's work, you return home. You look at the invitation and suddenly realize something.
You: These kinds of events usually have a formal dress code...
You: That means Luke's also going to be dressed up!?
While imagining how Luke would look in a suit, you receive a call from him.
You: Luke? Done with work already?
Luke: Not yet, but it's break time right now, and I suddenly felt like calling you.
Luke: Are you working right now? Am I disturbing you?
His tone suddenly becomes cautious.
You: Not at all. I already finished work and went home.
You: Luke, I have a question for you. Do you know how to dance?
Luke: Dance? Why are you asking me this all of a sudden? There are many kinds of dances. Your question's too broad.
Luke: I know the basics of the waltz and tango... I'm probably considered a novice.
You: I never knew that you could waltz... That's perfect. I want to—
Luke: Sorry, something just came up. I'll call you back later.
Before you can finish, the call abruptly ends.
You: I was cut off again...
You: Oh well. Guess I'll just have to surprise him!
Scene 1: Hotel Banquet
You had specifically went to a stylist to ready up — this is a client's invitation, after all. You want to leave a good impression.
You: This is like an investment into my career.
There aren't too many guests around. You might have arrived a little early.
You: Since this is for a case... Luke should be here early too, right?
You look around, not seeing Luke's face amongst the guests.
You: ...
Thinking back on the few times you've seen him since reuniting, he usually dresses pretty casually.
You: But today's different right? Wouldn't want to miss him in formal attire since there might not be another chance...
You: Alright, I'll take the initiative and look for him myself!
After greeting the hosts and walking around, there was still no sign of Luke. You end up exchanging business cards instead...
Scene 2: Banquet Food Section
You: I got a lot of business cards. It's not entirely a waste of time, I suppose.
You stand near an inconspicuous corridor off to the side, leisurely observing the guests.
You: Most of the guests have arrived, but there is still no sign of Luke... Is this not the banquet he's attending?
???: Miss, how can I help you?
A familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice suddenly resonates behind you.
You turn around, unexpectedly finding the face you've been searching for all this time.
You: Luke...
Luke is donned in an ironed uniform and a perfect smile. The light on his hair resembling scattered stardust.
You find yourself at a loss for words for a while at how different he looks compared to his usual self.
You: ...
Luke: Champagne for you?
You: Um... Thank you...
You take a glass of champagne, the scent of it mixing with the sweetness of roses in the air. You begin to blush again.
You: Luke, I...
As you hesitate on what to say, he seems to know what you're thinking and starts speaking.
Luke: It appears that you require someone to assist you and answer your questions.
Luke: I am happy to be of service.
As he finishes speaking, Luke slightly tilts his head in one direction, purposefully winking.
Looking in the same direction, you notice that it's the stairs to the second floor of the venue.
You: (Luke didn't identify himself, so he probably doesn't want his cover blown.)
You: (He's hinting at the stairs... Does he want me to go up there?)
You: I understand. Thank you.
Luke: Please excuse me.
With a slight bow, he turns and disappears amongst the guests.
With the glass in hand, you calmly walk towards the direction Luke had hinted at.
Scene 3: Banquet Staircase
Luke: I gotta hand it to you, (Name). You easily understood what I was hinting at.
Luke's eyes suddenly widen, as if he has just remembered something.
Luke: No wonder you asked if I knew how to dance... Is it because you were coming to the banquet today?
You: Well, that's not the only reason.
His usual messy hair is now well-kept, making that baby face of his look much more mature.
The unfamiliar feeling that appearance of his gives you is making your heart race for some reason.
You: By the way, why aren't you even a bit surprised to see me here?
Scene 1: Hotel Banquet
You: By the way, why aren't you even a bit surprised to see me here?
You: Did you know in advance that I was attending?
Luke: Not at all! I only found out when I was investigating the guest registration list.
Luke: When I had called you, I had planned to ask for your help. I even prepared an invitation for you.
Luke: I thought about it some more. You'd only be able to attend after work, so I thought it'd be better for you to rest instead.
Luke: I'm still surprised to see you here. But this is still an investigation, I don't want to blow my cover.
You: Blow your cover? So that's the reason you're dressed up as a waiter?
Luke: Yep.
Luke: I came up with several ideas, but waiter seemed most fitting. It's inconspicuous and lets me move around easily.
You: Wouldn't it be safer to pose as a housekeeper, like in movies and games?
Luke: No way! Janitors and cleaning staff can't get close to guests.
You playfully use your elbows to poke Luke, deliberately teasing him.
You: You sure it's not because janitors aren't as handsome?
Luke: Of course not!
You: Haha, I know you're extremely serious about work. Just messing with you.
Luke: Speaking of dressing up, you...
Luke: Today, you... look really good.
You: So I don't normally look good?
Luke: Um... No, no, you normally also look good!
Luke: You just look much better than usual today! I'm not really good with words...
You: Don't be so nervous. I'll take your compliments. Thank you, handsome waiter boy.
Luke: ...
You: Is the plan still the same as what you told me over the phone?
Scene 2: Flashback (Your Home)
Luke: Sorry for having to cut the call so suddenly, Haejin. So, where did you say you were going again?
Not long after, Luke called back again.
You: I've been wanting to learn how to dance, and was wondering if you wanted to join me.
You decide not to mention going to the banquet, and continue to tease Luke for a while longer.
Luke: Dancing? Well... if it's just the basics... maybe I can teach you...
He stumbles on his words.
You: Sure.
You: So, speaking of your case, did you finish it yet? You won't have any other unexpected emergencies, right?
Luke: Rest assured, it's not anything dangerous this time. It's just a little trickier in places.
You: Is there anything I can help you with?
Luke: I'll have to think about that... I can tell you about the case first though.
Luke: I've looked into this for a while. Someone's using his position for kickbacks, causing my client a hefty loss.
Luke: My client's identity is sensitive. He doesn't know who the culprit is, nor does he have any evidence.
Luke: So that's why my client had me conduct the investigation, but the target is too well hidden...
Scene 3: Present (Hotel Banquet)
Luke: It's the case I mentioned the other day. My initial investigations put him at this banquet.
Luke: I thought that it'd be easy to get to him disguised as a waiter, but he's extremely wary. I can't get close.
You: I see...
You: So, is that person your target?
You point to the person raising a glass in the center of the hall.
Luke: That's him, but how did you know?
You: I guessed. He came for legal consultation at our firm before, asking questions about moving assets abroad.
You: Something seemed off about him. Celestine found him too unsettling and refused him, but he was persistent.
Luke: Heh, so my target almost became your client?
Luke: Lady Luck must be smiling down at me for us to meet here like this.
You: Well, have you finished thinking about whether you need my help or not?
Luke: It seems I do need your help.
Luke: I had thought that organizers only invited business partners to these sorts of receptions, so it'd be easy for you to approach him as a guest.
Luke: But he's been to your firm and was refused as a client... Carelessly bringing that up will only put him on guard.
Luke: But you can help me get information from his associates. He couldn't have taken care of the kickbacks himself.
Luke: Oh, right! Before that...
He extends his right hand. A small metallic object shines in his palm, it looks[sic] a small pendant.
You: What's this? It's so intricate. It's surprising how this is made into the shape of a rose.
Luke: Allow me to introduce to you: an earring device with GPS and micro audio transmitting features.
You: Earring? When did you start wearing earrings?
Luke: I don't This is specially prepared for girls, and now's just the right time to use it.
