As they walked back to Akama's place after finishing shopping for dinner, Miki couldn't help but being reminded of how much Akama was respected by anyone he encountered. He was very friendly and had a certain charisma, a quality that she had always admired in him.
"You seem to know everyone. I guess you haven't changed much! Still the chief that we all knew!" commented Miki as they walked up the stairs towards his studio apartment.
Akama laughed at the comment. "What is that suppose to mean?.. This is my area and I always shop there. Of course I would know them and being single, I often run out of food and make so much trips to the grocer so it's best to be friend with them to make my life easier too"
"Single?.. I thought.. " Miki couldn't contain her surprise but Akama was quick enough to pick up her thought.
"Why the surprise? I was always travelling. I didn't have time for any relationship.. Ahh.. We're here!" explained Akama and with that he opened the door to his studio.
"Mind the mess, I wasn't expecting visitors"
For the first time Miki took a look around the studio. So unfamiliar. Although they all used to live in the same quarter but each had their own space and she never entered their bedroom. She never had the need to. Afterall, they have always met and hang around the lab.
Akama's place was a very compact one bedroom studio with modern kitchen and living room overlooking the amusement park. It was not as messy as she expect it would be. It was actually very neat with only few mount climbing gears scattered near the sofa. Akama quickly dropped the shopping bags in the kitchen and gathered his gears and stored it away.
For the first time since she met Akama today, she suddenly felt awkward and was very aware of them being alone together in a man's place. No enemy to watch out for, no strategy to discuss. And somehow ever since Akama mentioned that he was not seeing anyone threw her out of balance. It shouldn't matter. But somehow it made her feel funny and actually relief at the fact. Something that she was quite annoyed with herself for feeling that way. What is wrong with her?
"Miki! Are you ok?" Akama's voice quickly dismissed all her thoughts. She nodded and forced a smile at him.
"You seem so occupied! Here, take a seat. Let me make you some tea while I try to clear out all this stuff"
"No! I'm fine! Here.. Let me help. Just tell me where everything goes. Its a nice place you got here, Akama" she said following him to the kitchen area and started storing away the groceries and drinks.
"Thanks. Not so bad huh? I love the view. It brings back memories." Akama pointed at Miki to take a seat and brought out drinks from the fridge. He handed a cold can toward Miki. She looked out of his window to see the big ferris wheel and smiled at the sight. It brought back memories indeed.
"Look at the time! I wonder if Kuroda is coming. We spent quite a while shopping" said Akama looking at his watch.
"Hmph! That man!.. He'd better be!" Miki swore to herself. "He still so easy going and I'm just surprise he's actually still in contact with Sayaka"
"They make a good pair though. He just love being around kids and she's very good with them. Together they're a match" said Akama which sent Miki to a giggle fit at the thought of Kuroda and the preschoolers. "True! True!"
"So Miki, when do you need to move out of the dorm? In case you need any help.. I'm free. Just let me know and don't even think twice if you need help, just call me or drop by now that you know where I live. I mean it" said Akama casually as he started setting up the table. "I didn't want to ruin your mood by reminding you what just happened today but thought I should be clear on letting you know that I'm here to help and you're not alone."
For a moment Miki was lost for words. She didn't know what to say to that.
"I'm sure Kuroda would be there for you too. And I'm sorry we all lost contact for a while. But let's all keep in touch from now on and look out for each other." Akama looked straight at her, smiling. It was so sincere and comforting that tears started swelling up in Miki's eyes and she quickly wiped them away.
"Gosh! Sorry.. I'm such a cry baby today!" She apologised shyly. Akama just smiled gently and patted her head softly. "That's ok. You're allowed to cry. It probably will make you feel better afterwards. I promise I won't tease you for it" he added lightly making Miki chuckled instantly just as the door bell ring.
"About time..!" Said Akama loudly as he open the door for Kuroda and found him standing and grinning.
"What took you so long, Kuroda?" Accused Miki straight away as Kuroda entered the room and took a seat across the table helping himself to the can of drink infront of him.
"Sorry guys.. Took a while to take them all back. But I'm here now." He said to Miki cheerfully. She just shook her head in disbelief before rolling her eyes at him.
" So Akama, I like your place! Its nice and so convenient. I should move to this area", said Kuroda as he look around the room. Akama joined them at the table and open a can too.
"Actually next door is empty and also a studio above me. If you are serious.. Then just move here. I'm sure will be glad to have you as a neighbour, Kanpei" said Akama holding out his can for a toast followed by Miki and Kuroda.
"Cheers guys! What a day!.. " Exclaimed Miki excitedly. She turnd on the grill set and starts grilling the meat they bought just now while the guys were busy talking about rental prices and studio details. She tuned out until she heard her name was mentioned a couple of time.
She looked up and found both of them were looking at her occasionally while talking so seriously.
"In case you both forgot.. I'm still here! Don't talk behind my back" warned Miki turning the meat before walking to the kitchen to get some sauces and plates.
It was quite amazing how after few hours of meeting them and with just Kuroda present, the atmosphere changed. It was as if they never lost contact the last 5 years and she suddenly felt so relaxed and at ease. She even felt comfortable enough to wonder around the kitchen as if it was their quarters' kitchen. Just like the old days when she just helped herself around the kitchen while the boys lounged and talked about their days.
"Let's eat boys!" said Miki handing them the sauces and plates. That quickly grabbed their attention and they stopped talking instantly.
"Let's! Let's! Ahh..Smell so nice..!" Kuroda grinned widely.
"Well.. Let me just say again how glad I am to meet up with you guys after all this time. Itadakimasu!" said Akama. Both Miki and Kuroda nodded in unison. "Itadakimasu!"
-
Dinner was great. Everyone seems to be at ease and they were laughing and looking back at some of the memories over fighting Deathdark and moments that some of them will never forget. More often than once, each one of them almost lost their life at some stage and how they have each others back when it comes to difficult situation. It's truly a nice little reunion with Aoyama and Kijima missing.
"So what's for dessert?" asked Kuroda patting his full belly.
"I have chilled watermelon. Just perfect for this warm night" suggested Akama walking toward the fridge.
At the suggestion, Miki suddenly lost in her own giggle fit which makes Kuroda and Akama confused. "Sorry guys .. After all deathdark talk and the thought of watermelon somehow make me think of the Suika Mozoo. That Watermelon monster!" She can't help contain her giggles and this time Akama and Kuroda join too. "Baka!"
"By the way since its summer, what do you guys say if we going to the festival together. it will be fun. I even heard that there will be a special celebrity appearance doing mini concert. It should be great" suggested Akama. Miki's eyes glittered with excitement at the idea. "Oh! What a great idea! I'm in! I'm in!" She said excitedly which makes Akama laugh and Kuroda just smiled considering the idea.
"Come on, Kuroda! You can ask Sayaka too! It will be fun!", plead Miki looking at Kuroda which makes Kuroda grin cheekily at the suggestion.
"What is this? Why do I have to bring Sayaka hhmm? Whats wrong with just three of us? Are you suggesting a double date? " Kuroda nudged him playfully.
As soon as he said that Miki dart him a cushion that went straight to his face. "Cut it out already!"
"Double date if actually fine by me", Akama said in between laughing at the sight of Miki and Kuroda that has been teasing each other since they met this afternoon.
Miki shot him a warning look while Kuroda who almost falling from his seat after avoiding Miki's aim straight away gives Akama a high five.
"Wow! Did you hear that, Miki? You'll be his date for the day. Oh look at that smooth move..!", Kuroda teased further grinning at both of them. "If only Aoyama is here, he won't give you that much freedom", said Kuroda elbowing Akama lightly.
Akama just laugh at the comment. He suddenly feel so relax joking around and being playful and just enjoying the moment rather than always trying to control the situation and making sure everyone in focus. He start to understand why the rest of the guys are so light hearted and easy going. Its more fun to be this way. All those times he was being the leader of the group while the four of them sharing cars and mostly together means he's been missing out on all the fun.
"Arghh both of you better stop it!", Miki yelled in frustration. She quickly took a cushion and aim it perfectly at both Kuroda and Akama.
"Oww!" Akama picked up the cushion that just hit him in the head and look at Miki intriguingly "What's wrong with being my date for the day? Do you have a problem with that?"
Miki still boiled over the thought of both them enjoying the moment at her expense. And she can hear Kuroda start making whistle noise and mimicking a cheerleader moves behind Akama's back. She almost burst out laughing while trying her best to look angry. But she can't help it, she finally laugh out loud and give them both a hug.
"Oh you two!.. I won't hear the end of it, will I?" She let out a big sigh before she look at Akama "Of course I have no problem being your date for the day. But just so you know I have a very high expectation of my date. Can you live up to it?" challenged her back.
It shouldn't be a problem. A date and two friends hanging out won't be much different anyway. And she shouldn't feel guilty or wrong. It's not like it's against the rule of anything. Beside, they're no longer a comrade. He told her himself that he's single and she know for a fact that she's definitely single. If they're teasing her and hoping she would feel awkward then two can play the same game. She decided.
Akama looks surprised at her response and again Kuroda makes a whistle sound. He really enjoying this. He really didn't expect Miki would dare him that way.
"Don't worry princess Miki, I will be the best date possible. Its a date then?", Akama winked at her after recovering from his surprise.
"It's a date!" Miki winked back ignoring Kuroda who noisily making a wolf sounds now.
"Wow! Ahhaha I actually was just joking about it guys. Didn't think you both take it seriously but hey.. Let's have a great time at the festival. I guess you guys leave me no choice but to ask Sayaka then. I was thinking just the three of us..." said Kuroda apologetically and couldn't finish his sentence as he felt a light punch on his arm and his back at the same time knocking him over.
"Too late!" Akama and Miki said in unison before they burst into laughter.
"Aaahh.. I'm so full and laugh so much. Your sofa look so inviting right this moment" Kuroda throwing himself on to the sofa.
Akama starts clearing up the dishes and pass it on to Miki who starts washing them in the kitchen sink.
"You're more than welcome to crash in for the night. But I had to take Miki home. Can I borrow your ride? I'm too lazy to open the garage" Akama tossed him a blanket that he grab from his bed.
"Aah.. Sorry it's been a long day with the kids. I guess I'm tired. I take your invitation to crash in. Thanks Chief!" Kuroda put his feet up making himself comfortable at the sofa. "The keys are just near the TV stand. I ride a motorbike here. Hope you guys don't mind"
"No worries! Make yourself at home." Akama grabbed the keys and went to the kitchen to find Miki. "Don't worry about the rest. Just leave it. I better take you home before its too late. Kuroda is crashing here tonight. You must be tired too"
Miki just nodded in agreement. It's been a long day and emotionally its been like a roller coaster ride. She followed Akama towards the door and look at Kuroda who's already asleep. If only she's a male, she would suggest crashing in too.
Akama handed her a jacket that she recognise straight away. Its his red jacket that he used to wear during the Sentai days. The jacket has endured lots of tricky situation.
"It maybe summer but its getting cold at night. Kuroda lend me his motorbike so I thought you might need a jacket or else you might get sick. Sorry about the jacket, it maybe old but at least its clean. I'm not done with laundry just yet" explained Akama closing the door behind them.
Miki just smiled at the gesture and wear the jacket straight away. It's warm and comfortable. Another side of Akama that she admired was his thoughtfulness. He even suggested them to nurse Deathkiller back to live when they all prefer to leave him to death. Afterall, Deathkiller was their enemy.
"Just tell me where you live and we should be there in no time" Akama took a guess at Kuroda's motorbike which is easy since its the only black motorbike in the parking lot and start the engine signalling Miki to hop on.
She told him the address over the engine noises and hang on to him as soon as he hit the road. Its a few train rides away but with Akama on a motorbike at night time, they were there within 10 minutes.
Akama stop at the gate and let Miki step down. "Here we are. So I guess this is where you live, huh?" Miki nodded.
"I better make my way back then. You better go in. I'll see you soon"
"Drive carefully! I'm really looking forward to the festival" she said reminded Akama on his suggestion earlier.
"Thanks for today", she added.
"No worries! I won't forget the festival and Miki..." he trailed
"hmm?" Miki smiled to him
"It was great seeing you today" said Akama smiling back at her before he starts the engine again and signalling her to go in. She just nodded and run inside knowing if she insist on waiting, Akama would never leave too.
"Oppss .. His jacket!", exclaimed Miki as soon as she realise she still wearing his jacket. But as she turn around she heard him turning around and disappeared into the night.
"I guess.. Next time then", she muttered out loud and walked in to her room.
-
"Morning, Kuroda! Help yourself to a coffee. I bought some bread just now, sorry its not a fancy breakfast" greeted Akama as he saw Kuroda coming out of the bathroom the next day.
They get along very well back in the Sentai days and to Akama, Kuroda is very much his right hand person. Among the boys, he also feels the closest to Kuroda for some reason. After coming back from taking Miki home last nite, he found Kuroda was awake and they ended up talking till late over beers.
"Ah.. Thanks!" said Kuroda gratefully reaching for a cup of coffee. "I'm really considering moving here. I'm actually was looking around for a good place to move since my building will go through a major renovation soon and the area is not as convenient"
"Have a look at the place next door or the floor above. See if you like it. Hopefully it's still vacant", suggested Akama. Kuroda nodded in agreement.
"What about Miki? Are you serious about what you told me last night?" Kuroda put down his coffee and helped himself to the varieties of bread and sandwich Akama seems to bought for their breakfast.
Last night in between their talk, Akama has suggested to help rent out one of the vacant apartment in his building for Miki temporarily until she has her own plan on where she wants to go or do. "I guess I am serious. I saw how troubled she looked yesterday and she try her best to hide it but ... ", recalled Akama at the sight of her face the first time he called her out at the amusement park.
"We can't really offer for her to stay with either of us and I have no clue on her financial situation so while there's a vacant place here it just seems the most convenient solution. And if you decide to move here as well, at least if she needs any help she has two of us", explained Akama while Kuroda listen thoughtfully. Akama seems to think through this before he even suggest.
"I guess it might work. But do you think she will take it? She might get offended for all we know. You know Miki, she's quite tough and independent. And how are you going to afford everything?" Kuroda can't help but voiced out all his concern as he think through Akama's idea.
Akama let out a big sigh. "I'm not a hundred percent sure how she would take it. The idea just came across when she said it's a nice place and when you mention the thought of moving then it dawn to me about the vacant space. The rest I haven't really think it through. She might actually have her plan already. Who knows.. " Akama admitted honestly.
Kuroda sense the concern Akama has in his voice and tapped his shoulder to show his support.
"Don't worry Akama. The idea come out of your good intention to help as a friend, regardless how she take it, it's the thought that counts. Yosh! I'll help too then. Let's help our friend together" Kuroda said smiling at Akama.
Akama look up at Kuroda who still smiling showing such an understanding and support. All of sudden he felt better about the whole idea.
He took Kuroda's hand and gave a firm grip. "Ah! Let's do this!" He said gratefully. "Thanks Kuroda!"
"First let's see if the space is still available or not and we can decide then. If both apartment available then I'll get the top so Miki can move in next door", said Kuroda as he walk to the kitchen to put his coffee cup in the sink.
"We can organise this today so that way I could plan my time to move as well. Are you working today, Akama?"
"Not today. I'm quite flexible with work. What about you?" Akama followed him to the kitchen bringing all the plates and cups left at the table.
"Well.. Quite flexible too depends on the research. But I can easily arrange my work schedule", said Kuroda.
"Wow! You must be so good that they let you do that!" Akama chuckled at his own comment. He remember that Kuroda is a very sharp person and indeed good at what he's doing. He even came up with the new weapon, golden spear using the new metal discovery. Its not a surprise if Kuroda would landed a very good job doing what he did best.
Kuroda just laugh at the comment.
"Have we met, chief?" he said sarcastically. "What about you? Now that you don't travel anymore, what are you working on?"
"I was travelling and doing what I love best the last five years. But I did it mostly as an expedition team. It was great! All expenses paid for and I get paid for doing just what I intent to do, paid or not paid. Its quite interesting actually. It's all started when I did my first trip and bumped into a group of archaeologist from Japan and help them out. And I guess it's just a job one after another. People start contacting me when they plan for an expedition trips and somehow they must got my contact details from previous researcher. And now I'm doing freelance work with an agent who handles things like that" explained Akama nonchalantly.
Kuroda look at Akama in disbelief "What a lucky break! How cool is that?!"
Akama has always been helpful even with strangers and that's how he met Prof. Honggo as well during one of his trip overseas. He helped Prof. Honggo jeopardising his own life even when he doesn't know Prof. Honggo back then. And Akama has an appeal that makes people put their trust in him instantly. Kuroda always admired Akama that way. He really has a lot of respect for Akama.
"Yeah.. Lucky I guess!" said Akama humbly and busied himself by washing the dishes. "So, shall we come down to the office and ask for keys?"
"Yeah, let's!" Kuroda agreed and with that both make their way out.
