A/N: I have made a few changes in the last two chapters. Saki is 23 years old in the current story timeline, and Kaori is in high school. So, if you could read the previous chapters again, that would be great. Yeah.
Thank you to all of you who read this story and give feedback on it. It is very much appreciated. Special thanks to neha borkar & ScriptAngel for their never ending support. And, luca-kohai333…
I understood your review quite well. Your English is not that poor. And I am thrilled to know that at least someone listens to the theme music I suggest! Thank you very, very much. :D

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


Saeko: I Thought I Was Your Girlfriend

Maybe I shouldn't have stopped my car here. I am looking at Makimura and the girl in silence. She is looking at me with a hint of surprise in her eyes. Makimura is glancing at her and then back at me, repeatedly. He clears his throat after a moment and says to the girl,
"Saki-kun, this is my partner – Saeko Nogami"
She bows to me with a little smile,
"Hello"
So formal. I smile and nod,
"Hi"
"And Saeko, this is my friend – Miss Saki Nogawa", Makimura tells me. She must not be someone important, because he has never mentioned her before.
I can't help but notice the hesitance in Makimura's voice as he turns to me,
"What are you doing here?"
"That's what I should be asking", I smirk and fold my hands. Realization strikes him and he turns to Miss Nogawa,
"Saki-kun, sorry. I have to go now"
"You must not apologize. Farewell", she bows.
My, my. This girl is a traditional Japanese female. She bows to me too before opening the gate and walking to the big house near the beach. I look at Makimura,
"This is the first time that I have ever seen you forget about me"
"I am sorry", he says and walks towards the car.

We decided to keep Makimura's car parked near that house. And when I said that he must be a regular visitor to the house to feel at liberty to leave his unattended vehicle there, he just shrugged. I drive my car as he sits brooding over something in the seat next to me. I say, mischief evident in my tone,
"That girl is pretty"
"She is just a friend", he explains.
I try my best not to grin and ask,
"Your only lady friend?"
"What? No. You are my friend too"
"I thought I was your girlfriend"
"And I thought you were Ryo's girlfriend"
"Come on", I frowned, "You can't be jealous of Ryo. You know how he is"
"I am not jealous. I am just saying", he smiles to himself.
Makimura and I have been only on a few dates. But, that is because we spend most of our time together at work. There are so many differences in our personalities that it is hard to maintain a romantic relationship. But, he is the best man I have ever known. And nothing is more comfortable than falling asleep with your head on his shoulder. In fact, that's how it all started for us. For now, I think I will tease him a little about that 'friend' of his.

"Did you used to date Miss Nogawa?", I ask.
"No. Her father was best friends with my father. We both have been friends since childhood"
"Hm. She does seem like the girl next door, best friend type"
"She might be quite 'simple' and 'homely', but she is a very nice person. And she was a child protégé. She is the youngest person I know to have a Masters degree at the age of 23", he seems quite offended.
"Oh. Is she a scientist then?", I ask with curiosity.
"No", he replies, "She is a high school teacher"
"How is that possible?"
"Wh-how… why are we even talking about her?", he says, without looking at me.
I drop the bomb,
"Does Ryo know about her?"
"No!", he jerks his head towards me. His expression returns to normal as he notices the one on my face. I have pulled my lips close together and I am trying not to laugh. He straightens his glasses and says,
"Ryo doesn't know about her. And he shouldn't"
"Why not?"
"Because if he finds her attractive, which he will, he will pester her"
"So what? She seems nice. Maybe they will fall in love and settle down"
"That wouldn't be in your interest though, would it?", he says.
He knows how to shut me up.

"You could at least tell me why you made me wait for an hour outside Onoda's office", I say, as we wait at a traffic signal.
"I am sorry about that. I was driving towards the building and I saw Miss Saki walking along the road and I stopped the car on the sidewalk to go and greet her"
"Illegal parking, hm?", I raise an eyebrow.
"But", he sighs and explains, "Right when I was walking towards her, I saw a car rushing towards her with full speed. I leaped and pulled her out of harm's way"
"Oh. I am sorry. Are you okay?", I look at him worriedly.
"I am. Don't worry", he assures me, "I was going to take her to a hospital but she became conscious again. So, I gave her a lift home instead"
I tease him again,
"Couldn't you just have got her a cab? Because, you know, I was waiting?"
"She was going to walk all the way home…"
"Really? That is like three miles"
"I know. So, I insisted that I drive her home. She was reluctant at first…", he looks at me curiously. I smile at him overtly. He gives in,
"I forgot about you. And I am sorry for that"

I keep quiet for a while. It is somewhat disheartening that Makimura forgot about me, but it was for a good cause. And he did not do it on purpose. But… would Ryo have done the same? No. What am I thinking? I need to stop thinking about Saeba.
Makimura asks me,
"What did you do there for an hour?"
I reply,
"I was waiting in the lobby. Onoda had another appointment. Actually, I went there to apologize to him because I can't be there for his brother's wedding next week. We have to go out of town for that Lodos Mafia case, remember?"
"Yes. I remember", he adds, "You used to date Mr. Onoda, didn't you?"
A corner of my mouth lifts in a half-smile,
"That was in high school. And what do you care?"
"Just curious", he simpers.
"And", I say as I remember, "There is a party at the house tonight for Reika's selection into the Tokyo police force. You are invited"
"Sorry, but I can't make it"
"Why not?", I ask.
"Kaori is going to cook sushi for the first time tonight. She wants me to be there for the tasting"
"Well, because that involves your sister, I can't talk you out of it, right?"
"You can try"
"Should I?"
"No", he smiles. And I do too. Family man Makimura - so different than...

There is not much work for me to do at the office today. I just had to complete some paperwork about a homicide Makimura and I finished investigating this week. It does not come as a surprise that he is excellent at what he does and that he gets the job done as soon as possible. The surprising thing about him is that he is one of the youngest officers in the Tokyo Police Department to rise to the rank of detective even before completing twenty-five years of age. Everyone is very impressed with him and his modus operandi, especially, my father. When I rejected another suitor this month, I had an unusually awkward conversation with him.
"Saeko, Saeko, Saeko – this is the fourth bachelor you have rejected this month! What is wrong with you?", he pulled at his own hair.
I said calmly,
"Nothing is wrong with me, Otousan. You know well why I rejected all of them"
"Oh, yes, you rejected all of them because you don't care about what I think and you want to maintain this 'untamable shrew' image of yours!", he exclaimed and banged his fists on the table.
I rolled my eyes,
"Would you rather have me marry a weakling? I want a man who is stronger than me. Why is that such a big problem to you?"
"Marriages don't work on strength, Saeko. They work on love, respect and understanding. This young man - whom you sent flying through the air – works in the Interpol. He is not only a respected and talented officer, but also a well-mannered and responsible gentleman. He will make a great husband to some fortunate girl someday"
"It sounds as if you like him more than I do", I raised an eyebrow. He gritted his teeth at me, but his anger subsided in a second. He looked at me earnestly,
"Saeko, you are my daughter. I want only the best for you"
"I know that"
"Is it so that you love someone but are afraid to tell me? Believe me, I won't oppose you if the man is worthy of you"
"No", I looked away, "I don't love anyone"
"Not even Makimura Keiji?", he asked hopefully.
"No, Otousan. Makimura is just my partner. That's all", I lied. I like Makimura but it is too soon to think of marrying him. Besides…
"Then, do you like that pervert Ryo Saeba? That gun for hire?", he frowned. I stood up and said defensively,
"Why does everyone think that I love Ryo?"
I stormed out as Otousan kept calling after me. I become quite edgy these days whenever someone mentions Ryo. And it's no use asking myself why I do that.

I look at my wrist watch right at 7:00 pm. My shift has ended for today. I walk over to the detectives' cabin. Some officers greet me on the way. I find Makimura discussing something over a file with another officer. He excuses himself to the other one on seeing me. I ask,
"Are you sure you don't want to come to the party?"
"Yes", he replies.
"Why don't you like parties?", I ask as we walk out, side by side.
"Because there are always better things to do"
"Well, when are you going to teach me the back throw of the knife? I have been practicing it myself but it's not as easy as it is effective", I swing my arm to give him an idea.
"Tomorrow", says he, "We will practice in the shooting range"
"How about a hotel?", I suggest playfully.
He gives me a repressed smile,
"That will have to wait. A shooting range would be apt for now"
I shrug and smirk,
"Your loss"
"I have to go now. Bye", he says and walks ahead. The incident with his friend Saki flashes through my mind. I catch up with him,
"Do you need a lift, Makimura Keiji?"
"No, thanks", I will take a cab.
"Why? I mean, I am going the same way. I could drop you where your car is parked"
"I have some place to go before I retrieve the car. Have fun at the party. And tell Reika-kun that I said 'congratulations'. Bye", he leaves without another word. I stand near the entrance of the department building and watch him walk away. He is good at keeping secrets. Or perhaps I'm just being paranoid and that girl is really just a friend to him.

I know it is wrong of me to do this, but his diligence in not sharing much information about this Saki of his is quite disturbing. So, I find myself bunking off my own sister's party and waiting across the street where Miss Nogawa lives. Fifteen minutes have passed when I see Makimura exiting a cab and walking towards the gate of Saki's house. He disappears out of sight and reappears after ten minutes. Someone is walking him to the gate. He is grinning widely at that person. The moonlight falls on them as they get closer to the gate. So, it is Saki after all. They seem to be exchanging a goodbye. She walks inside as soon as Makimura drives away in his car.

Okay. This does it. I know someone who will want to accompany me at the party. I hope you are at your apartment, Ryo.


***BANTER TIME***

Me: Hideyuki-san visited you tonight, didn't he? (points accusingly at Saki)
Saki: (confused) Yes, he did. But it was only for a few minutes. He didn't even sit down.
Me: What did he do then?
Saki: He had stopped by to take his car back. And when he discovered that Yuka has a fever, he talked with her and the other children for a while.
Me: Oh.
Saki: Why do you ask?
Me: I dunno (shrugs).
Saki: Would you like to stay awhile for some ice-cream? I made it myself (smiles innocently).
Me: NO! I mean, no, thanks. I will pass. I have a cold. (awkward smile)