As soon as I realized what was going on, which really only took about 2 seconds, I tried with immense effort to push him away. He was holding my face in his hands as he fiercely kissed me like there was no tomorrow, and I just wouldn't have it.
"Hey!" I protested as I finally got him to realize I was pushing him off. "We can't do this. This is wrong." I sounded a bit flustered to myself, but could you blame me? Then I was able to taste it – something sour and strong, like alcohol. "Are you DRUNK? I have to go. I'm sorry, I just -" I was already getting up to leave when he grabbed my wrist and turned me back around.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what…I'm sorry. But thanks."
"THANKS? This can't happen, alright? I can't do this, especially not right now. And what's wrong with you, getting drunk on your aunt's funeral?"
"Hey, calm down, it's not like we did anything…"
"That's what the arsonist says when he's caught LIGHTING THE FIRE."
"Aishhh…" he rubbed his hand over his face, as if suddenly tired. "Alright, you're right, I'm sorry. It was inappropriate timing. I'd better get going." I was too dumbfounded to speak, noticing that my jaw was slightly open as I watched him walk away.
What…just…happened?
I arrived at the party in a daze, my feet aching after all that walking in heels. I only got to glance around the well lit room bustling with jolly people for about 5 seconds before Ichiro found me.
"Hey, you made it." He smiled buoyantly, looking absolutely adorable in his blue dress shirt with a green necktie.
"Barely," I winced, bending slightly to take off one of my shoes. I was still in the entryway, so not many people were around. I groaned as I stretched out my foot.
"Have you been wearing those all day?" Ichiro asked, concerned.
"Unfortunately. I hate funerals by the way. Oh, and people too." I sighed, feeling that overwhelming feeling of frustration that was a result of Hyo Yeoung's near-assault.
"..Uh…did something happen?"
"Yes. You know what, I think I'm just gonna go home actually. I'll say hi to Heiji and Kazuha first though, where are they?"
"Eh, over there somewhere flirting. I dunno." He shrugged, completely unconcerned with their whereabouts.
"Oh. Well in that case…nah, I'm too lazy to go searching for them on second thought. I'll see you later, alright? Goodnight -"
"Hey, wait. I'll walk you home." I glanced up after putting my shoe back on.
"Are you sure?" He gave me one of those "duh" looks.
"Honestly, I've been waiting for you to show up all night. I don't know any of these people and have no idea why I came," he complained in a dull voice. I giggled to myself.
"Well look on the bright side: without me here, there's no possible way you could have gotten into trouble." I winked at him with a smile, then started for the door. He grinned broadly, following close behind me.
We had only been walking for maybe 2 minutes when I started to groan again. I stopped walking abruptly and Ichiro continued on for a second before he realized I had halted, turning back to look at me curiously. I sighed a heated sigh, then reached down to take my heels off once again, this time for good.
"Long day?" Ichiro asked. I caught up, but was moving much slower now. I nodded.
"Very long day…" I wasn't sure if I should bring up what the worst and most confusing part was. Probably not, I decided. Only if he asks.
"Was the funeral…alright?"
"Was it alright?"
"You know what I mean…did everything go smoothly?"
"I…suppose…"
"Meaning…?"
"…Hyo Yeoung tried to make out with me." Ichiro almost tripped over his own feet.
"Wh-what?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's no big deal, he was just really messed up with his aunt's death and all…he apologized, so don't make a big thing of it."
"Did you crack his skull for it?" Ichiro asked eagerly. I shot him a look.
"Of course not! I set him straight, told him that we weren't going to go that way, ever, and then he left."
"Damn."
"Chiro!" I scolded.
"What? He has no business kissing you!"
"It meant absolutely nothing, so whether he did or not is irrelevant," I protested defiantly. He rolled his eyes.
"If he does it again I'll have to…" he grumbled under his breath. I chose to ignore him. We walked in silence for a few moments.
"Hey, Chiro."
"Hm?"
"…Can I get a piggy back ride?" I asked tentatively. He laughed.
"Are you crazy! You want me to carry you all the way home? On my back?"
"Well sure, how else would you?" I shot back. "Pleeeeeeeeeease…" I pleaded. He sighed.
"Alright, fine. Hop on." He had his knees bent a little, his arms stretch behind him to catch me. I hitched up my skirt slightly, then jumped on. His hands were extremely warm as they held me under my thighs, causing goosebumps to rise all over my skin. My arms were loosely around his neck, and I let my heels dangle from one hand carelessly as I leaned my head against his.
"I always forget how light you are…"
"What's that supposed to mean!"
"N-nothing! It's just…when you think of carrying a person, doesn't that sound heavy compared to…I dunno…carrying a box of something of reasonable weight?"
"Don't try to come up with some lame explanation, you just called me fat, jerk!" I teased, laughing along with him.
"I'm not, I swear."
We continued to joke like that until I got home. I was able to go to bed peacefully that night.
"…So what you're saying is…you are anxious to testify. Excited even."
"Yep."
"Are you lying?"
"Now, Ito-sama, would I lie to you?" I asked in a sickly saccharine voice. She shook her head as if to say "what am I going to do with you."
"The sooner Gin and his stupid partners are put in the big house, the better. I think I'll be able to sleep once I know he's finally in his place. I mean, I would be better if he were dead but I'm not gonna be the one to murder him…"
"Do you think you'll be able to respond effectively during the trial?"
"Effectively? Sure. I'm the proof, right? It'll be a piece of cake," I waved her off nonchalantly.
"Well, if you're sure…I guess I can clear you to go to Tokyo. You'll be going with your friends that were there too, right?"
"Like I'd ever go by myself again…" I muttered sarcastically. She ignored me.
"Alright. I'm giving you the go ahead then. Be safe. Don't get into trouble."
"Haiiii," I answered lazily, getting up to slip on my shoes.
"See you in a week, then." I nodded, but didn't return the smile she was giving me as I took my leave.
It really didn't matter whether my therapist wanted me to go to Tokyo or not; we were leaving tomorrow regardless. And I really was excited to take part in the end of that horrible organization but at the same time…would be able to answer the questions they fired at me? It wasn't a matter of knowing the answers really, but being prepared to give those answers was a whole other thing…
And what about Ichiro? I knew that everything that had happened – him being shot, him not being able to do anything about me being attacked – wasn't just some boring even that he could casually throw over his shoulder in an effort to forget. We were both suffering from that experience, but I had to wonder if he was going through it with more trouble than I was…I knew him well enough to know that he doesn't like to trouble people with his problems. He was undoubtedly nervous about this trial, and I was afraid that it could quite possibly break him.
Of course, that could also happen to me but…oh well.
The next morning, I had my tiny carryon suitcase ready as I hurried to get out the door. I had woken up late after having only fallen asleep 2 hours before my alarm was supposed to go off, and the only reason I slept at all was because I hadn't for the past two nights. My mother came out of her room, completely dressed and composed for the day as I rushed past her with a toothbrush hanging out of my mouth while I was hopping on one foot to pull my sock on. She raised an eyebrow at me lazily, but didn't say anything, heading into the kitchen.
I can do this, I thought, I can still get to Ichiro's place on time to meet up with everyone, I just have to –
The doorbell rang. I sighed heatedly as I quickly spit into the sink, rinsing my mouth out sloppily before I wiped my face and ran into my room to grab my suitcase. I called out "coming!" as I rushed down the hall to the front door. My mom was just about to open it when I nearly ran into her to get to it first.
"Aigoo, you annoying little -" Just as I opened the door she smacked me on the back of the head. "Don't be so irresponsible!" I winced, rubbing the back of my head in front of my audience of Ichiro, Heiji and Kazuha, who all watched with caution.
Well actually, Ichiro was trying not to laugh, but Heiji and Kazuha didn't exactly know what was going on.
"And don't get into trouble while you're there! If I have to spend another 13,000 yen just to see you lying almost dead in a hospital bed again you'll have more than death to worry about!"
"Ommaaaa," I groaned. "I'm already late. I'll be fine." She made one of those "tch" noises of disgust at me before she returned to the kitchen. I shook my head and sighed as I pulled the door shut behind me.
"Alright. Are we ready to go?" Heiji asked carefully.
"Yeah…sorry I'm late, I woke up like 20 minutes ago."
"Sheesh, we waited for you for forever!" Heiji complained noisily.
"Shut up, aho! You only arrived 5 minutes before we left to find her! Ichiro and I were gonna go find you first!" Kazuha defended me indignantly. I hmphed and took the lead to the bus stop proudly as Ichiro laughed.
Once we were seated on the plane, I felt my stomach lurch uncomfortably. We were really about to do this. This could be it.
"Are you alright?" Ichiro asked as he buckled his safety belt.
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."
Author's Note: If you haven't done the poll, please do it either as a review or an email if you can. I'd like a few more answers at least before I finally decide what her career should be :] Reviews are also appreciated of course! Thanks for readingg~
