Disclaimer: Misaki Kirihara, Hei/Li Shengshun and all other characters from Darker Than Black belong to Tensai Okamura and the other various entities involved with the production of the manga and anime. I do not profit from this piece, nor is any copyright infringement intended by it.
A/N: This is just a little drabble I thought of after watching part of the first season of Darker Than Black. It's also the first time I have written anything for this fandom, so I apologize for any canon-compliance issues/OOC/etc. Enjoy!
Misaki Kirihara hadn't expected to bump into him in that store again. She had only stopped in for a few things—a couple pairs of trousers to replace ones she ruined in the field.
They stopped, exchanged pleasantries. Let a bit of awkward silence pass until the growling of her stomach cut through the quiet.
She blushed, slightly embarrassed by her noisy stomach. "Say, I'm starving. You want to get something to eat?"
"Sure," he replied with a shy nod. "I know a place, if you don't mind a little walk."
Misaki reached into her pocket and, with a slight jingle, pulled out a set of keys. "I can drive, if you'd prefer."
A couple hours, and several tall stacks of empty bowls later, Misaki and Li sat lazily against the bar.
Li looked at the decent-sized stack of bowls sitting in front of her with wide eyes. "Wow, you eat a lot for a girl."
She smirked. "You eat a lot for . . . well, anyone."
Misaki laced her fingers and reached up, stretching her arms towards the ceiling. Then with a contented sigh, she rose from her seat. Li followed suit, walking with her as they exited the ramen shop.
"Well," she said, glancing at her watch, "I have to run. This was nice, though. Maybe we can do this again sometime."
Li smiled shyly, an odd, distant look in his eyes. "Yeah, maybe."
"Do you need a ride?"
He shook his head. "No thanks. I live nearby."
"All right then. Good night." Misaki made her leave, turning to waving as she walked away, not noticing her proximity to the curb. Her foot slipped off the edge of the sidewalk, and she began to tumble to the ground.
She braced herself, but instead of unforgiving asphalt, she fell into a warm, firm body. As she looked up, her gaze met his deep blue eyes. They were so intense, so focused. . .
The slightest of jolts ran up and down her spine—an accidental slip of a minute bit of power on his part. She had no idea, thinking instead the sensations were all in her head; her proximity to a relatively handsome man causing her to imagine things.
"Are you all right?" he asked, helping her to her feet.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just . . ."
"Just what?" Those dark eyes were curious, questioning. What was she going to say? Hey, you're pretty hot. Want to go back to my place? No, that would be stupid. Besides, she hardly knew the guy.
Misaki pulled away, trying to ignore her odd reaction to him. "It's nothing. I really should be going. That's all."
"Okay. Well, see you around, Misaki." She doubted he believed her, but was thankful he didn't pry.
"See you, Li."
She opened the door of the blue sedan and climbed inside, watching in her rear view mirror as he walked away.
On an Astronomics report the next morning, BK-201 was reported to have been active for a fraction of a second the previous evening at approximately 21:00 in the southwest sector of the Shinjuku district. The activation was too weak, too brief for a more specific location to be discerned.
Misaki could not help but wonder.