We left the office side by side but with no interaction other than bidding each other good night.
It must have been around eleven to have so little traffic. There was practically nobody walking on the streets.
I covered my face with my scarf and rubbed my hands together.
I could stop for a quick snack, right?
I haven't eaten ever since breakfast, and the stomach was demanding for sweets. There was a nearby bakery around five minutes from here.
No, but it's probably closed.
And the only stores open are the fast-food restaurants. It's too much work having to hold a bag full of grease home. Eating in was not an option.
You never know who's watching you in the building.
I rubbed my hands again, losing feeling of my fingers from the cold. It was supposed to rain tonight. And I think I forgot my umbrella back at work.
It's too much work walking back though...
"You take this route as well?" I stiffened at his voice.
"I thought you lived over there," I pointed to the other direction.
Akechi shook his head and caught up to me.
"No, I live right around the corner," He replied.
That's where the train station is, right? How could he handle all the noise in that area? It's always busy on weekdays.
"Oh, well, that's close to our workplace," I sighed, feeling my breath freeze from the cold.
"It is very convenient," He nodded.
We both walked in silence yet again. He wanted to say something. He keeps giving me these glances when I wasn't looking. What could he possibly want?
I waited a couple minutes.
Silence.
That was until they spotted us.
A group of girls squealed from across the street. Then, our faces were hit with the flashlight of their cameras as they tried to get a photo of Akechi.
I raised my arm and hid my face, not wanting to be exposed to the media. I don't want to be in the media. My image as a detective runs at risk if they find out Akechi and I are partners.
It's always how things go.
The boy gets all the attention and opportunities while the girl is practically forced into a society where all that matters in life is your image rather than success.
"They seemed to have found me... How wonderful..." He sighed. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes and saw him pull out my umbrella.
"You forgot it on your desk. I wanted to give it to you," He said, noticing my questionable look before opening the umbrella and hiding us with it. "Let's avoid them before they have the chance to cross the street."
So we ran.
It wasn't until we made it to the park when we stopped running. Running in heeled boots wasn't comfortable. I kept tripping over them, trying to keep up with him.
I sat on a bench and doubled over my knees, trying to catch my breath. Akechi was leaning over the bridge to get fresh air.
"How do you handle such fans? I'd die if they chased me like this every time I'm outside," I huffed.
"You get used to it after the fifth time..." He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry I had to get you involved in such a mess-"
"No, we didn't know it would happen. At least you weren't alone this time," I chuckled and walked over to him. I could see my apartment building from here. The lights from the other apartments were what was lighting up the park, other than the very dim lanterns hung over the bridge.
There was a gazebo in the middle of the park's river. Not many go there, for some odd reason. Then again, this park is normally empty.
I always went there after a bad day. And today, it was needed more than ever.
This counts as one.
Definitely.
"Akechi, follow me," I grasped his hand and led to the gazebo. He almost tripped on the path across the river but he caught himself before falling.
"What is this? Are you going to kill me?" He mused, obviously teasing. It's the first time I've ever heard him so carefree.
"Killing you would be such a drag," I crossed my arms and leaned over the ledge.
He hummed and stood besides me. We stared at the sky. The moon wasn't out, but the twinkling stars made up for it.
The cool breeze hit my face, making me close my eyes and take in the sounds of nature around us.
"Do you like it here? I always come here whenever I get bored. It helps me focus and get my mind off of things."
"I see why. It's a nice place," He agreed.
I nudged his side, making him flinch.
"Don't give this place away. I've already had my favorite cafe taken from me because of your food blog reviews," I grumbled.
"A-ah, sorry... The food there was tasty, I couldn't help but blog about it," he raised his hands in defense.
Normally, I'd be scared being alone with a boy. After what I've been through, I couldn't help but be cautious of my actions.
But around him, my body relaxes almost instantly. I notice his attitude seems to change around me. It's more quiet and sincere.
We were silent. All we heard were the crickets chirp and the wind blowing against the water underneath us.
How long would it take until they transfer me? My last agency took almost two months before sending me here. Maybe this one will be longer? I hope so. I didn't want to leave this place.
It is a nice area. There's very little crimes and a lot of wonderful places to visit like this one.
And the weather was better than Shibuya. There's less sun and more cloudy weather. Like that cloud up above.
Is that the shape of a cat?
How adorable. I want a cat-
I heard him reach out and tuck the stray strands of hair behind my ear. His gentle touch sent shivers down my spine as he pulled away and pretended nothing happened.
My lips were sealed shut, practically crying my thanks to God as the darkness surrounding us hid my face.
Was I blushing?
Why do I want to smile?
Shit, this guy is a player! I knew it-
But I've never seen him flirt to the girls at our workplace. He's always kept his distance. And instead of talking to the fangirls, he ran from them.
Wait...
Could this be considered a date?
He's showing affection to me. That's how two people out on a date would act.
He makes the move and I have to follow.
Am I ready?
What if he doesn't like my affection?
He's going to leave me. And then I'll deal with the snickers of my coworkers as he gossips about my embarrassing moment last night.
"Hey! How about the weather? It's very... cloudy?" I bursted out, trying to laugh my anxiety off. It died down at his expression.
He was clearly wanting me to proceed.
"Yes, it is very nice today," He responded awkwardly.
Awkwardly? The Goro Akechi doesn't get nervous. He's always cool and collected like me.
"Do you want to talk about something else?" I looked down and grabbed the ledge.
We both talked about our personal life. What we did on our free time and watch online.
He likes to watch mystery shows. I said I liked the same, not wanting to admit that I watched memes for a living.
Occasionally, his fingers brushed against mine rather coyly. At first, I wanted to pull away. But after some time, I didn't care.
I just couldn't believe he was actually shy. It's such a rare moment for both of us.
I turned to him, letting my right hand fall inside the pocket of my coat before I raised my hand to touch his cheek.
He closed his eyes, preparing for my touch until I suddenly shifted it to his bangs.
"You have a little peach blosson stuck on your hair. Let me get it from you," I said. I couldn't help it. It was funny when I thought of it.
"Thank you. I would have kept it there for who knows how long?" He laughed. It was almost to throw off the awkward mood.
The edges of my lips rose to a small smile.
"That's why you need me to babysit you," I teased him and placed my head against his shoulders.
Success.
"You're a few months younger than me, aren't you?" He tilted his head.
"Yes, but I'm more mature than you."
"But you're smaller than me."
I looked up at him, about to say something but the only thing that came out was:
"Oh yeah? Well, you're, well, something!"
Then laughed together for a couple minutes until his phone rang. He hang his head to the side when I pulled away and fixed my coat.
"Hello? Now? It's too late for me to- Fine, take it as a favor," He ended the call before turning back to me. His eyes casted downwards before he fixed his tie.
"I have to leave. Something urgent came up and I have to be there," He sighed.
I nodded in understanding, feeling a bit bummed out. When will we have a night like this? Next week? Month? Or maybe never.
But, it's how life works. I can't go up to God and put a bullet on his head. That's just absurd.
Unless...
No, that happens in video games and movies.
"Shall I walk you home?" He offered his arm, to which I gladly took.
He walked me home until we made it to the front of my apartment building. I seperated from him and gave him a smile.
"Thank you for walking me home. It's been a nice night despite what happened at work today."
"Yeah, it's the least I can do after everything chaotic today," He said. "Do you want me to walk you up to your apartment too?"
Raising on my tiptoes, I planted a kiss on his cheek and offered him a smile in which I couldn't resist wiping off my face.
Something inside me stirred. It was like a magnet was twisting and forcing my gut to pull away but I distracted with his soft hair.
"No need to worry about me. It's best you leave. I wouldn't want you to be late," I managed to say without wanting to laugh.
He was stunned.
A critical hit!
Haha!
I won this round!
Akechi stood still for a good minute until he got himself out of his trance. I waved him goodbye before leaving to my apartment.
As I walked in, my phone vibrated.
Will you accompany me to a cafe I found? You know, to make up for tonight?
Just as I was about to reply, I remembered.
The fucker has my umbrella.
;3