Title: A Will and A Way
Fandom: Detective Conan
Pairing: Miwako Satou & Wataru Takagi
Theme: #13- flight
Word Count: 4224 words
Rating: T
Disclaimer: DC is not mine! I owe it all to the great Gosho Aoyama-sama. –bows-
Summary: It's new years eve, but Takagi isn't in no mood to celebrate. Who would be when they find out that their loved one was leaving for Hong Kong without their knowledge? Will Takagi make it in time or not- that is the question.
It was the 31st of December. The first division of the MPD, as they had been doing annually, had rented a room in one of the karaoke bars downtown.
Exuberance reigned as the officers temporarily traded their handcuffs and case reports for some long sought-after merriment. Some of them, the perfect example being Officer Chiba, were happily wolfing down on the countless snacks that were set on the main table.
Others, meanwhile, found pleasure not in eating but in drinking. Unlike in the previous years, the choices were not limited to beer, soda, and sparkling water, as Shiratori, much to everyone's delight, had brought along with him one of his nicely aged French wine.
On the other hand, some of the braver (and most likely drunken) souls took the floor and belted out tunes on the karaoke, with a number of officers excitedly cheering them on.
In the upper left corner of the room, right beside the door, four of the law enforcers seemed oblivious to the noise. They were gathered around a small square table, their minds caught up in a game of Go Fish- and one of them was Officer Takagi.
His sweat dropped as his opponents gave him those long, intimidating looks. It was his turn once again. He decided to examine his situation first. The officer was down to his last book, and in his hands were three 2's cards.
All that's keeping me from victory is a 2 of hearts card, he concluded. And this card might be in one of his opponent's hands. He had to choose wisely.
"Got any 2s?" Takagi asked the guy on his left side.
Suspense gripped him as the guy looked through his hand for one- and much to Takagi's joy, he did have one. He grinned from ear to ear as he took the card from him.
"Hey, what's with that look?" the officer who was opposite him asked.
"Don't tell me you-," the other asked in disbelief.
"You did, didn't you?" interrupted the third.
"Sorry guys," Takagi said as he set down the cards on his hand in front of him to complete his last book.
The three gaped in awe. "That's the third time in a row!" they cried out in unison.
Takagi just laughed while scratching his head sheepishly. He'd taught himself early on to remain humble in times of victory; but deep in his mind, the guy was dancing and screaming.
"So, what should we play next?" the man opposite him asked as he consulted his watch for the time. "We still have two good hours to kill."
The last statement made Takagi consult his own watch. What the- it's already 10?
"How about hearts?"
"or Black Jack?"
"Strip Poker?"
Laughter erupted. Ideas were exchanged back and forth, but Takagi's mind was too preoccupied to take part in them. He looked at his phone, half-expecting to find a new message; but there wasn't any. I wonder what happened…
"Hey Takagi, are you alright?" One of his co-workers had noted the troubled expression on his face.
"Ye-yeah, I'm ok," he replied. He glanced at his watch again before adding, "I'm just curious as to what is taking Satou-san so long. She said that she'd be here…I wonder if something happened on her way here?"
The happy atmosphere vanished the moment he finished speaking. Everyone stared at him critically, as though he had admitted that he was gay or something else that was equally appalling.
Yumi, who was at that time singing her out on the karaoke, fell silent, as her eyes seemingly began to water. The room's ambiance grew heavier as the minutes passed; everyone kept still, waiting for someone to make the first move.
"Di-did I say something wrong?" Takagi stammered.
He waited for what seemed like an eternity for some kind of response. Finally, Shiratori, who was chatting with Megure at the far side of the room, stood up. The grim look he had made Takagi feel uneasy. He was about to walk over to him when Megure, who moved his head from side to side, grabbed his arm.
"I'll handle this," he told Shiratori.
Megure walked over to Takagi, gestured towards the door, and went outside. He obeyed his orders promptly, cringing as numerous sets of eyes followed him before he closed the door.
"WHAT?!"
The young keiji's voice echoed throughout the vicinity. Some of the officers left inside mumbled to themselves; others remained silent as they tried to listen in.
"SATOU-SAN LEFT FOR HONG KONG?!"
His ears refused to believe what he had heard.
"Well, not exactly left, since her flight, if I remember correctly, is still at sometime past 11," Megure corrected.
No, he'slying. It can't be… Takagi's heart sunk; his mind was racing. He stood in silence as the chief inspector continued to explain. "Her aunt's condition was getting worse, and since her other relatives were far too busy to take care of her, so Satou-kun's mom decided to help, bringing her daughter along with her."
Takagi continued to stare at him, too overwhelmed to say a word.
"She told me not to tell you this until tomorrow, but seeing that it's better for you to find out now, I decided to do so." The officer wouldn't budge. "And besides, her absence isn't permanent. Satou-kun will come back in a few days, a week, maybe a month or even a year; it all depends on her aunt's health," he added.
"But why didn't she tell me. Why?" Takagi asked, raising his voice.
Megure stepped back, startled by the normally timid officer's reaction.
"Listen, I know this is hard for you, but I'm sure that she has her own reasons for keeping this from you. Maybe…maybe, she didn't want you to get hurt…," he reasoned, trying to offer consolidation.
"Get hurt?" The idea sounded so absurd to him. "I'd rather know, my mind at peace with her absence, than to spend each day despairing over how I missed the chance to say goodbye to her, to see her for possibly the last time…," he muttered softly, his hair obscuring his face.
It was there that a thought hit him: maybe it wasn't too late.
Takagi looked up, newfound determination burning within him. "If there's a will, then there's definitely a way," he said in straight English before turning around and sprinting towards his car.
Megure didn't need to ask where he was off to, as it was quite obvious.
"He chased after her eh?"
The chief inspector turned his head around; it was Shiratori.
Megure sighed before answering his question. "I'm afraid so. But that's pretty expected of him."
"Yes," Shiratori replied, a car engine roaring to life in the background. "That's our Takagi-kun alright."
"Do you think he'll make it?"
Shiratori paused for a bit, rubbing his finger on his chin as he thought. "Maybe yes, maybe no." His eyes narrowed as he continued. "But I sure hope he does. There's no telling what he'd do to himself if he didn't."
Outside, people were eagerly awaiting the coming of the New Year. They all had their own ways of passing the time: some chattered animatedly, others stared complacently, perhaps pondering on what they had done with their lives in the current year. As for Takagi, he couldn't care less. All he wanted right now was to get to the airport and to bid a proper farewell to his love.
He thought back to the once puzzling question that the woman in question had asked him the day before, while he was driving her home.
xxx
"Hey Takagi-kun."
"Hmm?" he responded, not taking his eyes off the road.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course you can. Ask away!"
From his peripheral view, he saw that Satou had rested her head on the window. It took her some time before she finally spoke, "If I leave one day, to some faraway place, for an indefinite amount of time…" She paused briefly, trying to fight the hesitation she felt. "Would you forget about me and look for another?"
Takagi immediately looked at her and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Will you?" Satou repeated, firmer this time.
He began to feel uneasy. Sure, his partner was right beside him, mere inches or so away; but despite the close proximity, she seemed so distant, so far away from him.
"Never. I don't have any reason to do so. We maybe miles apart; but distance isn't enough to wane away love. I'll wait for your return, no matter how long it takes." Takagi assured her.
"That's good to hear."
Satou was smiling, but her tone said otherwise.
For the rest of the ride, no words were spoken, as they were no longer needed.
xxx
The car stopped as he reached a stoplight. Takagi took this opportunity to grab his phone and make a quick phone call. Who knows, he might get an answer. There was nothing to lose, after all.
One ring. Two rings.
Come on, pick up, he thought to himself.
xxx
Down at the airport terminal, things weren't going so well. For some people, that is.
"Can you believe it? The flight got moved to 12:15!" a middle-aged lady complained to her daughter, who was sitting on a bench with a vacant look in her eyes. The lady began rambling on about this and that; but her companion didn't seem to care, much to her disappointment.
"Are you even listening Miwa-"
Her question was cut off when her daughter's phone, which she held firmly in her hand, started ringing. Satou stared at it for moment, thinking of whether to accept the call or not.
"Aren't you going to answer that?"
Her mother was eyeing her suspiciously. She had to make up her mind now. "No," she said, her finger pressing on the off button on her phone.
She swallowed hard. "It's nothing important."
Her quavering voice betrayed her statement, though.
xxx
Back inside the car, Takagi pounded on the dashboard as he heard an all-too-familiar voice that he didn't want to hear at all. "Sorry, the person you are trying to contact cannot be reached. Please try your call later," the operator spoke in a technical manner.
Not the type to give up so easily, the keiji was about to redial- but alas, the light already turned green, and he wanted to reach the airport in one piece. He put his phone back into his pocket and sped off.
He had already mapped out in his head the fastest route to take. If I take the fly over and use the southern route, I'll be able to get there after around thirty minutes.
The clock read 10:23. If things went according to plan, then he might make it before they boarded the plane. It was at that point that his tendency to imagine the worst popped in.
What if I don't make it?
As much as he wanted to avoid it, he knew that the question would hit him sooner or later.
Takagi weighed the possible yet highly improbable consequences.
I'll never forgive himself, that's for sure. Or maybe I could, but it would take a whole lot of time…and sessions with a psychologist too.
For the first few months, Satou will call often- but as the months go on, she'd call less and less, until we totally lose touch.
I'll slip into depression, refusing to eat and enjoy life. I'll spend hours staring at the phone, hopelessly waiting for a call that will never come. My family, friends, and co-workers would at first worry about my health; but later on, when they realize that their efforts have little effect on me, they'd advise me in a straightforward manner to move on, to let go, to get a life.
They would tell me the inevitable fact that there are many fish in the sea, that Satou wasn't the only woman in the world. I'll immediately deny this and continue living in despair. Eventually, I'll lose my job, as I lacked the enthusiasm to work. I would stay at home, watching sports programs on TV all day, easily regaining the weight I lost in my now long passed depression phase. I'd rely on the money that my ever so generous father would send me to go through life.
One day, the only woman that I loved would return home. I'll find meaning in my life once more. This sense of purpose would be short-lived, though, as Satou would look at me in disgust as I rush to her side. "What happened to you", she'd tell me, her eyes wide in shock. After a tad long explanation, she'll forgive me and give our relationship another chance. We'll try to rekindle the once burning flame buried in the depths of our hearts; but sadly, it has long run dry. Eventually, she'd leave me, with an excuse that it just couldn't work out.
I will spiral down to depression again. And just when I thought that life couldn't get any worse, I'll realize that it, in fact, can. I'll see her one day, walking in the park, fingers intertwined with some good-looking guy. Of course, I'll try to get away from that painful sight; but she'll spot me and motion for me to come over. We'll have an awkward conversation, talking about mundane topics like the weather. I'll then find out that Satou and that guy beside her were going to get married soon, and that I was the best man. I'll put on a mask and pretend about how happy I am for them; but deep inside, my spirit was crushed. When I reach home, I'll decide that I couldn't take any more of this; I'll try to kill myself. In the end, though, my cowardliness would get in the way.
Determined, I'll try some more: sleeping pills, hanging, jumping, you name it. But I will lack the courage to push through every time.
Then it will hit me one morning: that this was what destiny had planned for me, that I can't do anything to stop my fate, that my plight was, and forever will be fruitless. I'll painfully throw all my memories with her away, and finally follow my friend's advice to move on already. I'll attend the wedding, and live through life with enthusiasm again. A new job I'll surely get.
I'll spend countless nights with different women; but none of them could give me that feeling of happiness that I had longed for, that only Satou had given me. In time, in my desperation to love and to be loved, I'll settle down with a woman, most likely one of my colleagues, that I obliged myself to devote the rest of my life on.
We'll make love, have kids, and grow old together, just like any couple. My existence will only be a matter of waiting for the children to grow and for death to come knocking at my door.
Takagi brought his inner monologue to a close. "This isn't going to happen, not on my watch."
A glint of hope showed itself in the form of an 'International Airport' sign overhead. He sharply swerved to the overpass to his left. Beyond it was the stretch of road that will send him straight to the airport.
A few minutes later, he could already see the dark blue rooftop of the building. His watch now read 10:48. It looks like he may be able to make it after all- "Damn it!" – or maybe not.
The stretch of road that he had been literally dying to see was there all right; and on it was a platoon of a wide assortment of cars, with their back lights emitting that ominous red glow.
Traffic. This is just great!, he thought sarcastically.
Takagi's sedan eventually joined in on the growing platoon. He pounded on his horn in frustration, but quickly realized that it wasn't doing any good. He sighed before fixing his gaze on the road ahead, using the airplanes zooming overhead as his motivation to wait.
And wait he did. It took well over 40 minutes of inching along before he finally caught sight of what was causing the congestion. Two SUV's had crashed in the middle of the road. Two seemingly drunken men, presumably the owners, were having a heated conversation, with a security guard trying to control the two.
Takagi couldn't help but glare at them. If only they were careful enough, then he could've been with Satou right now.
Just as he was about to lose hope, a nondescript sign on his right lifted his spirits. Valet Parking, it read in bold, red letters. It was already 11:34. He had to ask fast. Sure, it would cost him a fortune; but all that mattered to him now was to get to the airport in time.
Without wasting a minute, he veered the vehicle to his right, handed his keys and credit card over to the airport employee who walked over to him, and ran as fast as his feet could go.
A brief five minutes later, Takagi reached the building's foyer. Panting, he felt undoubtedly tired; but his strong will kept him going. He rushed inside, completely forgetting about how huge the damn place was.
He paused for a moment to think. Who was he kidding; he didn't even know which flight or airline Satou was in! He knew where her destination was, though, so that was better than nothing.
Attention all passengers of Japan Airlines Flight Number 285, destination: Hong Kong, you may begin boarding at gate 7 now. I repeat, passengers of Japan Airlines Flight Number 285, destination: Hong Kong, you may begin boarding at gate 7 now. Thank you and we wish you all an advanced happy new year, a voice in the PA system boomed.
"Shoot," was all the male keiji could say after hearing the bad news. His gut told him that this was the plane that he was after. He could be wrong; but at times like this, he had no choice but to trust his instincts. Without second thoughts, he dashed madly to the gate mentioned.
xxx
Inside the lounge, passengers were already lining up to get in the plane.
"Miwako-chan, it's time to go."
Her mother tapped her shoulder lightly. She responded by tilting her head up, which made her watery eyes visible. Satou stared at her mother for a moment before biting her lips, and, when she couldn't hold it any longer, let her tears run down freely.
The older of the two bent her knees and rubbed her back to console her. Satou fixed her gaze on the floor and continued to sob uncontrollably. She remained in this position until her mother placed her hand on her chin and gently lifted it up, which made their eyes meet.
"You don't want to leave now don't you?" she asked.
Satou nodded weakly.
"You want to stay here in Japan?"
Another nod.
Then came the inevitable question. "Why?"
"I, umm, I-I-because…"
For the first time in years, the female officer was at a loss for words. Much to her surprise, her mother seemed amused by this, as the response that she got was a laugh.
"What's so funny?"
She then smiled cheerfully at her. "Well, whatever your reason, you'd be sure that I'd respect it," she looked at her sympathetically before continuing. "I decided to bring you along with me because I thought you could use a break from work, with law enforcement being a 24 hour job and all. It looks like I was wrong, though. I guess I should've asked you first…but then again, it's not yet too late…"
"Kaa-san…"
Satou got to her feet.
"So, are you coming with or not?"
xxx
Takagi was gasping for breath by the time he got there. It appeared that all of his efforts were wasted, though, as the lounge was now completely empty, except for the guard standing by the entrance.
He didn't know what to do. For a moment he considered making a scene, begging the guard like some kind of a madman to let him into the plane, to bid Satou a proper goodbye. Thankfully, he still had some of his common sense left. He opted to just get out of that place and head to a bar, or any other place where he could just lose himself in. He'd figure out what to do from there, he thought.
He made his way back to the parking area, all the while sighing for the nth time.
He could hear the exultant cheering of crowds as the countdown for the new year dwindled down to the last 10 seconds. "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!" they exclaimed in high spirits.
Colorful fireworks painted the once jet black, starless sky.
Takagi smiled weakly as he stopped for a moment to take in the beautiful sight. He had always enjoyed watching those sparkling lights explode in the sky- but not today. He stared up a little longer, until a passing plane dampened his mood once more.
xxx
Inside the plane, Satou's mother was watching the spectacle of lights too, but with an aerial view. "It's pretty nice to watch fireworks from planes eh?" she asked the person beside her, who quickly nodded in agreement.
xxx
Back on the ground, the disheartened officer's eyes followed the aircraft as it drifted amidst the fireworks. "Sa-satou-san. I know you can't hear me, but I promise that I'll wait for you." Takagi gulped. "No matter how long it'll take; hell, I'd even wait for an eternity if I have to!"
"Sorry to break it to you, but you don't have to wait at all."
The man froze. He slowly turned his head around, and when he saw who exactly was behind him, looked back at the opposite direction.
The person behind him panted. "Sorry I took so long. High heels weren't made for running, after all."
Silence.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be inside a plane, leaving for Hong Kong right now?" Takagi asked coldly, his body still facing the opposite direction.
"I told my mom I wanted to stay. And she allowed me to," Satou reasoned.
Takagi's hands clenched. "Yo-you didn't have to do that."
"But I wanted to. I really do," she affirmed. "And for the record, I'm right behind you, not in front of you." Satou walked closer to him, but she stopped mid-step when Takagi suddenly turned around, grabbed her by shoulders, and pulled her towards him, the gap between them barely an inch apart.
"Promise me. Promise that you'll never leave me again."
The policewoman just stared at him, waiting for his next words. Her cheeks were now burning red, thanks to their too close for comfort proximity.
"But if it can't be avoided, then tell me. It will break my heart; but I'd rather know."
"Idiot."
Takagi's face took on a puzzled expression.
"Why should I leave when all I want is right here with me," Satou reasoned.
The firework's booming could be considered as a visual metaphor of what was going on inside Takagi's head at that minute. "Happy new year, Satou-san," he muttered before closing the gap between them, in an unmistakable kiss. They both closed their eyes as their hands found their way into each other's neck and waist.
After a few seconds, they pulled back to catch their breath. "Happy new year too, Takagi-kun," Satou answered back, pulling her partner towards her for another kiss.
xxx
2 weeks later, Satou's mom finally called her up.
"How are you doing Miwako-chan? Did you receive your luggage already?"
"Yes, it came a week ago. How are you?"
"I'm doing great! I just got back from a tour in Victoria's Peak. The view up there is just wonderful, if I do say so myself!"
Satou's eyes turned into a half-moon shape. "I thought you went there to take care of Aunt Sayuri and not to go on some tour?"
"Well, she had a doctor's appointment today…and I had nothing to do, so why not enjoy the city life for once?"
"I guess that's alright. How is she?"
"The doctor told me that her condition was miraculously turning for the better. In fact, I may be back home sooner than expected!"
Satou smiled. "That's good to hear. But are you sure you want to go back here in Tokyo? You seem to be enjoying your stay there too much."
"You're right. But as they say, all good things must come to an end."
Haha, I knew it.
"Well, I better get going now. I still have some work to be done. Take care!"
"Wa-wait a second!"
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"I forgot to mention that your Aunt Sayuri's neighbor is a good-looking-"
Satou sighed. "No thanks, kaa-san," she interrupted.
"But Miwa-"
"I said no," she said firmly.
"Fine then. Suit yourself. You better have a man by the time I get back! Bye!"
"What?! Hold on-"
The phone hung up before Satou even got the chance to reply.
On the other end of the line, her mother put the phone back on the receiver, and sighed in disappointment. "Oh, Miwako, can't you listen to me just this once!"
Belated happy new year everyone! School time's drawing in, and I wanted to update before it's officially over. So yes, this is the plunny brought about by watching too much K-dramas (My Girl, to be specific) and reading too much of Veronika Decides To Die, from which I got my inspiration for Takagi's 'interior monologue scene' from.
*happy dance* This long, dramatic fic also marks my '1/3 of the way there' benchmark for the 30 ways challenge! 5 more and I'll be halfway there. Took me so long. *throws confetti*
As always, reviews are loved. Ah, I can't stress that enough. xDD But enough of my chattering. 'til next update!
AU REVOIR~