Disclaimer: I do not own City Hunter or its characters.

Author's Note: I am behind the estimated schedule... Again! I am truly very sorry for not giving you the double update I said I would. :(

I don't mean to give excuses but this is the first time ever I have written fiction from a third person perspective. I even thought of changing the format of the story, but then it would be all distraught and this is kind of my chance to get better at this sort of writing style. For now, let's see where the story goes like this. I have been so taken up by other distractions and by mourning over the City Hunter '91 finale in Asia that I don't know how to approach my own story anymore. But I am not going to leave the story incomplete because that gives me a headache and it would be injustice to at least that one person who checks for updates on this one anxiously. But it might take me more than a few days to put up the upcoming chapters. No more quick updates. Life, life, life! Urrgh!

If you have any suggestions for improving this story, do not hesitate at all to PM me or mention it in your review/s. Any kind of feedback is always welcome. :)

And I urge you to ignore the errors and spelling mistakes in the previous chapters. Some dumb idiot deleted the docs from my doc manager. What kind of a stupid person does that?! Me, of course. My apologies. :3

Also, it would be superb if you could check out my other story. It's called "XYZ Strikes Again: Don't You Dare Touch The Kids". Thanks. :D

Glossary: *Ojisan -a Japanese title for 'uncle'

CONFESSION OF A SWEEPER: JEALOUSY ALWAYS WORKS

[Ch. 4]

Ryo was a bit drowsy that morning. He was reading the newspaper when a particular article caught his eye.

"Renowned World Explorer's Artefacts To Be Auctioned "

After the highly successful International Treasure Hunt, Gabimaru Shinji is all set to auction his precious belongings in an eagerly anticipated exhibition. Gabimaru-san had defeated his old friend and rival Takahara Akatsuki at the International Treasure Hunt. The money he won was donated to Japan's biggest charity which works for people disabled in natural calamities...

'This Shinji seems to be quite a nice guy', Ryo thought as he folded the newspaper neatly. A familiar fragrance captured his attention and Ryo closed his eyes in response. His drowsiness blew away as that fragrance filled the room. Kaori walked out of that room into the kitchen, humming a song. Ryo opened his eyes to take in her sight. She looked happy and he was sure that she had showered just a while ago. He smiled at the sound of her cheerful humming. She walked back out of the kitchen and Ryo changed his expression immediately. Kaori glanced over at him, "Are you going out today?"

Ryo looked up at her, "Not really. Why do you ask? Wait a... Are you wearing make up?"

Kaori tried not to grin, 'Yes! Just like Shinji said -Ryo noticed the change in my appearance'

She cleared her throat, "Yes, I am. I am going out with Shinji-san on a walk"

Ryo asked, trying to show his disinterest, "Well, haven't I told you before that wearing feminine clothes like these and all this whatever-it-is you have done can make you vulnerable in an assault?"

Kaori smirked, "We are not working on any case at present. And I am going out on a date. I don't exactly see your point"

Ryo stood right next to her and observed her face, "But why are you wearing make up? You don't see me wearing any make up..."

"What is that supposed to mean?!", Kaori gnashed her teeth but remembered Shinji's words:

"Act a little cold towards him, Kaori-san. He must notice that you have changed a little"

Kaori did as she had been told. She sighed heavily and started to walk towards the door, "I don't really have time for this, Ryo. I will see you later"

Ryo was trying to take in this sudden change of behaviour, 'Why is she so calm today? Calm or... indifferent?'

The doorbell was answered by Kaori, "Coming!"

She opened the door and greeted Shinji. Shinji gave her a warm smile, "Hello. How are you today, Kaori?"

Kaori looked abashed. Shinji winked at her and Kaori understood the signal. She tried to grin, "Oh yes, Shinji! I am very well today. Nice day, isn't it? Let's go for that walk"

Shinji smiled at Ryo, "Good morning, Saeba-san. How are you?"

Ryo said cheerily, "I am as handsome as ever, Shinji-san. I just turned twenty this year. What else do you expect? Ahahaha!"

Shinji and Kaori didn't look amused at all. Ryo turned around with sweat on his forehead, "I guess, I will go to my room and read some mokkori magazines. English, probably. Or should I read a Japanese one? So many to choose from..."

Kaori planted her feet firm and took her typical stance: gritted teeth, enraged face and a hammer aimed at Ryo. She was about to throw it Ryo's way but Shinji held her hand causing her hammer to disappear. He whispered to her, "Kaori-san, don't. You have to act cold, remember?"

Kaori took a deep breath and walked out with Shinji, "Bye, Ryo"

His stomach seemed to be in a knot. He didn't even bother to turn around to look at her. This was the first time Kaori seemed so distant from him. He could endure all the swear words, all the nagging and all the hammers she gave him, but not this cold treatment. Ryo passed a hand through his hair,

'I will just go down to the shooting range. But I have to follow Shinji. What the heck... Get yourself together, Saeba'

He knew well that most of the times his shooting practice was just a way to vent out his pain and frustration. Something very peculiar had hurt him a moment ago, but he didn't allow his mind to accept that.

"You did very well today, Kaori-san!", Shinji raised his fist proudly in the air.

Kaori continued walking, "Thank you. Now that we are away from my house, I believe you can let go off my hand"

Shinji blushed and released her hand from his. He smiled at her, "Your hands are very soft. They don't seem to be affected by hard soaps and by handling weapons"

A blushing Kaori smiled at him, "Thank you, but I hope you haven't forgotten that..."

"That I can't have your love?"

Kaori was surprised. She looked at his face pitifully. She tried to comfort him, "Shinji-san..."

Shinji screeched loudly as his foot got hit against a roadside post. He held his foot and jumped in pain.

Kaori rubbed her forehead, 'Every single time...'

"Are you alright?", she asked, truly concerned. Shinji adopted a gallant pose and straightened himself. He adjusted his glasses and looked at her sideways, "Never been better"

SPLAT! A flier stuck to his face, ruining his moment. Kaori walked ahead, "Let's find you some place to sit"

He freed himself from the rascally flier and followed her into a nearby park. They found a vacant bench and Kaori was the first one to sit. She looked around at the scene. There were people around, typical Shinjuku crowd. Shinji sat next to her and observed the way she smiled at the children playing around. Her face was so radiant; her smile being the prettiest thing he had ever seen.

'How can Saeba-san overlook something so beautiful?'

Kaori asked, "Shinji-san? What do we do next?"

Shinji recovered, "Uh, as discussed yesterday, we have to see if Saeba-san follows us today. If he does follow us, we can move to the second phase of our plan"

"What is that?"

"We are going to act as a couple on a special occasion. I have an event coming up. All the 'treasures' me and my late Uncle have acquired on our travels are going to be auctioned at a grand event"

"Really? But why would you do that?"

"To be honest, I am tired of antiques and ruins. I want to sell those pieces so that I can start my tourism business. I am going to keep some of those though, specially two favourites of my Uncle. He wanted me to have them"

"I see"

"So, the second phase comprises of us declaring that we are dating each other. It also includes being physically comfortable with each other. Touching, holding hands, walking arm-in-arm, slow dancing, ki..."

Shinji slipped into one of his old fantasies. He was smiling like a kid on Christmas.

"Shinji dear, how was work today?", a pregnant Kaori kissed his cheek as he entered their home. He put an arm around her waist,

"Boring, because you weren't in front of my eyes". Kaori giggled as he pulled her closer. Their five kids came running to greet him,

"Papa! Papa! Papa!"

"Don't worry. Papa has brought chocolates for all of you...", Shinji dreamed on out loud.

Kaori stared at him, 'What is wrong with him? One moment he was telling me about declaring our relationship, and the next moment he is making feminine and childish voices'

Shinji snapped out of it and found Kaori glaring at him, "Uh, uh, ahh... Kaori-san, you didn't happen to hear anything, did you?"

"Nothing much", Kaori narrowed her eyes, "Just you having a conversation with your imaginary family"

He laughed, "Sorry. It's nothing. Just, just forget about it. It's nothing important. It's a silly thing that happens to men all the time"

Kaori asked, "Okay, if you say so. You were telling me about the second phase, remember?"

"Oh yes. So, the second phase includes us going public with our 'relationship'. We are not exactly going to use the words like dating, boyfriend, girlfriend and all that. Our response on being asked about our relationship should be as simple as this: Yes, we are seeing each other"

"Yes, we are seeing each other?"

"Exactly. Because if we introduce ourselves to others as boyfriend and girlfriend, it will ruin the third phase of our plan"

"Third phase?"

"Yep. The third phase is about you abandoning me"

"Why so?"

"Because once you abandon me, Saeba-san will think, 'Oh. So she does not like him. That means I still have a chance. Alas! How close I was to losing her! I don't want to lose her again. I better tell her what I feel'. You see the point here? We have to make Saeba-san privy to his feelings about you. But he has to follow us around first, give us an indication that he is kind of jealous and wants to know what's going on"

Kaori looked downwards. She smiled sadly, "I don't think he will follow us around, Shinji-san"

Shinji was concerned, "Of course, he will. What makes you think otherwise?"

"I... I am still not sure about this. It's like Ryo takes me for granted. He knows that whatever he does, I will never leave him. And that's the truth, actually. I will never leave him. Besides, I have been his partner for quite a few years now. If he were to follow us, I would be the first one to know".

She reminisced, "It's like that time he followed me and my sister around..."

Shinji was curious, "You have a sister?"

Kaori smiled, "Yes. Yes, I do have a sister. Her name is Sayuri. She is a famous editor in New York"

"That's nice. I didn't know you had a sister"

'I didn't know that either'

"Is she as beautiful as you are?", Shinji tried to flirt. Kaori gave him a smile of dismissal. She looked at Shinji as he opened his mouth to speak again. But a baseball was thrown his way and it got stuck right in his mouth. The kids who were playing with it came running to him and apologised, "Sorry. We are very sorry. We did not mean to disturb you, Ojisan"

Shinji pulled out the ball and breathed heavily through his mouth. He smiled, "It's alright. Don't worry. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Wait a minute..."

He cleaned the ball with his handkerchief and handed it to them. "Don't get anymore saliva on that ball, okay? Have fun"

The kids thanked him and rushed off to resume their game. Kaori said, "I think, we should go some place which is more safe for you"

Shinji gave her a nervous grin, "If you say so..."

Shinji looked around himself again. He asked,

"Are you sure this is where we should be, Kaori-san?"

It was a Shinjuku district famous for shopping. Flocks of fashion crazy women flooded the streets and shops. There were posters and boards outside every shop describing their summer offers. Kaori was looking at a dress outside a shop. She answered Shinji's question, "We have to lure the prey to show himself. If there are attractive women around, he will spring into action soon enough"

Shinji looked confused, "Prey?"

Kaori nodded, "The national shame of Japan -Saeba Ryo, the pervert"

Shinji exclaimed loudly, "Oh! So that is why you brought me here! To lure Sa..."

Kaori stopped him by stuffing his mouth with a cotton candy. She paid the baffled vendor and asked Shinji to follow her into the shop. Kaori was casually looking at the dresses while Shinji was looking in every direction for a glimpse of Ryo. Kaori whispered, "Shinji-san! Don't be so obvious. Act natural, understand?"

Shinji nodded. He quickly jumped over to a mannequin. It had a beautiful sundress, white in colour with pink cherry blossom design on it. Shinji said aloud,

"Kaori! How about you try this one on? It will hug your curves very neatly. And this neckline will show off your ample breasts..."

Kaori tried to gather herself up from the ground. The people around were whispering to each other.

"Is he her husband?"

"Young people these days, I tell you. They have no sense of being in public"

"What a sweet couple!"

"I think that girl's butt is cuter than her breasts"

Kaori stood up and glared at Shinji,

"Do you mind accompanying me to the trial room?"

"S-sure", he stuttered.

WHAM! Shinji had been hammered in the wall. Not many people were around the trial room to see his dishevelled state. Kaori burst out,

"What is wrong with you?! Do you have no shame?! Acting natural does not mean commenting about my body! Have you been spending time with that pervert behind my back?!"

Shinji was holding an ice-pack to his head as he and Kaori were walking along the pavement. Kaori said without looking at him, "I am sorry. I overreacted, I guess"

"No. It's not your fault. I deserved this one"

"It's... it's just that I am not used to people, specially men, commenting about my body"

Shinji tried to cheer her up, "Well, you better get used to it. Because once Saeba-san tells you that he loves you, he won't mind complimenting you every now and then"

Kaori blushed, "I don't know if that's ever going to happen"

Shinji coughed, "Even if Saeba-san doesn't compliment you, I will keep doing that. But before I do that, I will make sure to wear a helmet"

Shinji's silly jokes and antics made Kaori laugh. They were still walking when Shinji noticed a cafe,

"Kaori-san, let's grab a coffee here"

Kaori turned her neck in the cafe's direction. She read:

"Cat's Eye Cafe"

She made a run for it, making Shinji run along with her. He asked,

"Kaori-san, why are we running?"

"To get away from this place. Don't stop"

"But why?"

"You can say that there are some gossipy women inside. They can be quite nosey", she tried to shrug it off with a laughter.

"You know them?"

"No, no, no. No. Not at all. I have just heard of their reputation. That's all"

Kaori was panting. She supported herself by placing a hand on Shinji's shoulder. Shinji tried not to grin, 'Her hand is on my shoulder. She might cling to me for support any moment...'

Kaori straightened up, "That was quite a run, right?"

Shinji hid his disappointment, "Oh. Oh yes. Do you want me to fetch you a glass of water? There's a lemonade stand over there"

She was about to answer when a woman behind them shrieked, "Pervert! Pervert! Somebody get him!"

Kaori and Shinji turned around at once and looked for any signs of Ryo. Kaori tugged at Shinji's shirt, "This way!"

She looked determined to find out if it was Ryo. She led Shinji into the Cat's Eye Cafe. Miki and Kasumi were standing behind the counter. Kaori asked, "Miki-san, Ryo was here, wasn't he?"

Miki was surprised at Kaori's demeanour, "Oh, yes, he was. But he came in here for just a minute or something and ran out without saying a word"

Kaori dashed out with Shinji, "Thank you, Miki-san. I will see you two later!"

Miki and Kasumi watched both of them as they hurried out of the cafe. Visibly confused, Miki said, "Who was that guy?"

"I don't know. But he looked handsome", Kasumi added.

"Yes, yes. I agree. Could he be Kaori-san's boyfriend?", Miki said.

They looked at each other, excited about the new gossip.

"Cheers!", Shinji raised his glass. Kaori grinned and continued drinking. Shinji continued, "I knew it! I knew it that he would follow us. Now we can proceed with our strategy. Here, Kaori-san. Have another drink"

Kaori put her glass on the table, "No, thanks. I am good"

"Come on! We are celebrating. It's not like I am going to try some tricks if you get too drunk"

Kaori grinned, "Ha. You wouldn't dare. Okay. But just another one"

Shinji refilled her glass and got up, "Le... let me grab some more ice"

He walked to his refrigerator to get the ice. Kaori asked him once he was back at the table, "Say, Shinji-san, now what?"

"Hmm. Now, now we... Now we will go out publicly. I have a rock climbing date planned for us tomorrow. You don't mind that, do you?"

"Nope. But what do we do there?"

"You leave that to me. If Saeba-san follows us there too, we can say that we are on the right track. Because day after tomorrow is a very important day for me. It's the day of the event I told you about. I want you to be my date for the event, Kaori-san. Would you accompany me to that event?"

"Sure. As long as it is just for our plan's sake", Kaori grinned.

"Hmm, hmm. I understand"

Kaori stood up, "That's enough celebration for me. I have to go home now"

"Stay, Kaori-san. Imagine how Saeba-san will be jealous when he knows you spent the night at my place! It will be our secret that you were sleeping in another room"

Kaori smiled politely, "I understand that you are trying to be helpful. But I have to go home. Ryo must be waiting for me. It'll take me a lot of time to prepare dinner though. I think, I will just buy some dinner on the way home"

"Don't bother. Just stay here. Saeba-san will be okay", Shinji stumbled over his carpet.

Kaori explained, "Sorry. But I expect Ryo to be home every night. I would seem like a hypocrite if I didn't do the same"

"Alright. But, I am not going to let you go home alone this late. Let me walk you home".

Shinji searched for his shoes. Kaori said, "No need for that. I will be fine, Shinji-san"

He put on his shoes, "Fine? Don't you know how unsafe it is for gorgeous women like you to be out alone at night? Let me tell you about that one time when I saved one of my girlfriends from some hoodlums..."

Kaori and Shinji were chatting as they walked under the night lights of Shinjuku. Kaori concealed her laughter as Shinji sang a song for her. She grinned, "You have had more than your quota of wine"

"I know. Alcohol doesn't fare well with me"

On reaching her building, Kaori walked to the door and turned around to look at Shinji. He was smiling at her as if he was in a trance. Kaori said nervously, "Well, this is it. Good night, Shinji-san. Thank you for the beautiful time"

Shinji took a step forward. He was really quite drunk but he seemed sober. The take-out dinner was hanging in a plastic bag from Kaori's wrist. Shinji took Kaori's hands in his and kissed them. He looked up at her, "You are a very, very, very beautiful girl, Kaori"

Kaori blushed heavily as he let go off her hands. He smiled and turned around to go, "Good night"

Kaori watched him as he took a right turn to walk to his place. She walked inside, blushing at his sudden action.

'He is such an idiot. But a nice one'

She walked upstairs to her appartment and knocked on the door.

'Ryo must have been waiting for me. He gets so mad if dinner is not ready on time'

She waited for him to open the door. On waiting for another 10 minutes, Kaori decided to use her keys.

'Maybe he fell asleep'

She walked into the appartment and put the dinner bag on their table. She called,

"Ryo? Where are you? I am home. Ryo?"

She looked into the kitchen, her own room and every other room on the floor.

'Maybe he really is asleep in his room'

Kaori walked to his room and gently opened the door to avoid waking him up. But he wasn't in his own room either. She searched all the rooms, even looked for him in the basement. After giving up her search, Kaori occupied a chair at their dining table.

'So, he is not at home. He won't spend the night outside. He knows that I hate it when he does that. But he must be hungry. I should wait for him till he comes back'

The sunrise was due an hour later when Ryo walked into his appartment. He looked around the place. Kaori had fallen asleep. Her head was on the table, supported by her arm. There was a bag from the nearby restaurant lying next to her.

'Probably dinner', Ryo thought. He walked to his room in utter silence. Shedding off his clothes and trying to digest all the liquor he had just consumed, Ryo fell flat on his bed. He found it hard to fall asleep. Truth remained that he was tired from following Kaori and Shinji around all the day. During his spy mode, he also had to witness how Shinji made her laugh, how she held his arm as they ran out of the Cat's Eye Cafe, how she smiled at him and how she let him kiss her hands at their doorstep. He flipped over to the other side, trying to keep his eyes shut. After he set some traps around Shinji's appartment, he went straight to his favourite bar. He drank heavily until his vision blurred. He goofed around with the dancers to get over that strange feeling he hated. Jealousy. He despised getting jealous over someone else's feelings towards Kaori.

'She is just your partner, moron. Sleep!'

But his mind showed him the images he was trying to forget. Kaori's hand on Shinji's shoulder.

'I want to be the only shoulder she ever leans on'

Ryo sat up straight as soon as he realised what he had thought just a second ago.

'Shut up. Just shut up'

He tried again to go to sleep. But it was useless. He had to get some sleeping pills from his cupboard. He swallowed two pills with a dry gulp and went back to bed. Now he was assured that he would have a good sleep. A sleep good enough to make him forget about Shinji and Kaori for a while, and to give him the energy to act normal later that day.

'As if nothing happened... As if I don't feel a thing'

***** BANTER TIME! *****

Miki: You can at least tell us his name!

Kasumi: Or his relationship with Kaori-san!

Me: Ladies, please. I... *liar mode on* I myself don't know who he is...

Miki: *bangs her fists on my table* Lie! That's a big fat lie like your face!

Me: Hey!

Kasumi: What's the harm in telling us?! It's not like we are going to tell Saeba-san about him.

Me: Saeba-san knows him...

Miki: Oh my... A love triangle?

Me: No. I hate love triangles.

Kasumi: He is so good looking... Where did Kaori-san find him?

Miki: I wonder about that too. Did you see his eyes? So dreamy...

Umibozu: *clears his throat while standing behind the counter*

Kasumi: *innocently* You should try our cinammon soy latte. It's a hit with many customers.

Miki: *even more innocently* And we have a special on sandwiches today. What would you like?

Me: *poker face*