Drip. Drip. Drip.
Droplets of water fell from the multiple cracks, dripping into the dented metal cans set across the floor.
Rain thrummed from outside, followed by the loud clang of an old window. The air felt cold, almost freezing as small hands dunked a piece of cloth into a clay bowl. She wrung the fabric tightly, water sloshing back into the bowl before the cloth was folded over.
"Is everyone asleep?"
Mismatched eyes glanced towards the heap of small bodies slumbering in the corner of the chilly room. She nodded, spreading the wet cloth across her woman's forehead. "Yes, they're all asleep."
Her mother sighed softly. She lay on a thin futon, covered up with tattered blankets and quilts. Her milky white hair splayed around her head, over the thin ragged towel. "You should sleep too, Rumi."
"I'm fine, mumma." Rumiko gently rubbed the damp cloth over the woman's forehead.
She watched as water dribbled down her mother's temples and disappeared in the thin towel laid beneath her head. Rumiko took the cloth off. "Are you feeling any better?"
"I feel like my body is on fire," her mother muttered. Pale blue eyes stared up at the cracked straw ceiling, hearing the window bang noisily outside and water drip into the cans set on the floor.
The woman raised a hand, placing it down on her round belly. "I just hope your brother is alright."
Rumiko glanced from the heavy stomach to her mother's pale face. She dipped the cloth back into the bowl.
Her mother closed her eyes as the damp cloth was draped over her forehead once more.
Rumiko crossed her legs, hands falling in her lap. She stared down at the cold floor. "I'm sorry for getting you sick."
"It's not your fault." Her mother responded, smiling ruefully.
"But-but," Rumiko started, gripping her stitched up gray skirt in tiny fists. Her eyes darkened in regret and guilt. "If I hadn't made you come out in the rain like that, y-you wouldn't have—"
A hand curved along her cheek. Rumiko sucked in her bottom lip, blinking her watery eyes. Her mother had shifted onto her side, the wet cloth flopping down on the side of the futon. She patted Rumiko's cheek affectionately, and the girl unclenched her fists, feeling the feverish heat radiating off her mother's palm.
"You fret too much," her mother huffed.
Rumiko sniffled, lips tugging into a smile when the woman caught her nose gently between her warm fingers and playfully shook her head. "Ah, how dare my little girl worry so much. You'll get wrinkles on your pretty forehead!"
Rumiko giggled, grabbing her mother's forearm. She smiled and pressed a kiss to the inside of the woman's wrist.
Her mother beamed at her, face still flushed and hot. She laid down on her side, tucking an arm under her cheek.
Rumiko retrieved the cloth again, dipping it back into the bowl full of water.
"We're almost out of rations," her mother muttered quietly. She watched Rumiko twist the cloth, water dripping back into the bowl. The woman glanced at the cold, empty stove behind her daughter's back. "I hope your father will be back soon. The harvest is almost ready."
"He said he'd be back by next Friday," Rumiko reminded, holding the cloth.
"Please lay on your back, mumma."
The woman obliged, holding her bulging tummy with both arms and carefully settling back on her spine. She kept her eyes on the ceiling, counting the leaking cracks her husband would have to fix once he reached home.
Rumiko hummed, sliding the damp cloth over her shoulder again.
"I planned to go peach picking in Nakamura-san's field too," her mother mumbled more to herself. "They give good money on the labor."
"I can go instead." Rumiko offered.
"I don't think…" her mother's eyelids slid shut, a crease between her brows. "I don't think that's a good idea, Rumi."
Rumiko cocked her head to the side, perplexed. "Why not?"
It's not safe. Her mother smiled wearily.
"Well, if you were to go somewhere," her mother spoke softly. Her breaths came out as puffs of white clouds. "Then who'd take care of me and your little brothers and sisters—"
A cough rattled through her entire body. Rumiko shifted onto her knees, eyes darting across her mother in panic as the woman doubled over, clutching her mouth with both hands as another cough jostled her forward.
("I want to do better. For you, and them. For our family.")
The office was quiet when he entered the room, pushing the door open all the way in before he let go of the doorknob. His hand flitted across the wall, flicking on a switch. Fluorescent lights flickered briefly, illuminating the entire room in a pale yellow.
Haru stepped deeper into the room, glancing down at his stopwatch as the door fell shut behind him.
Like always, he was the first one here. His arrival was routine— ever since he had been demoted to the third division, he had realized that his colleagues weren't so keen on being punctual when it came to office timing.
"It's not like we're required to do much work," Kiyomizu had admitted quite frankly when he had found Haru sitting in the waiting room. The elder man twirled the keys around a pudgy finger, smiling kindly. "Don't stress yourself too much, Katou-kun. Get some of that morning sleep why don't you?"
"Crime never sleeps," Haru had answered back, brows furrowing when Kiyomizu simply shook his head and unlocked the door.
The next day Kiyomizu pressed the keys into Haru's palm, smiling and patting while completely ignoring the surprised look Haru sent his way. "Keep these, Katou-kun. So you won't have to wait for anyone."
Haru wrote his name on the attendance board. He dropped his dry umbrella into the metal basket with a rattle, shrugging out of his tan jacket as he made his way towards his desk.
Draping his jacket on the back of his chair, he plopped down in his seat.
Aureate eyes swept over the rest of the empty cubicles as he listened to the clouds rumble outside.
"Alright," he muttered, reaching for the stack of files on his desk. His hand landed on a small pale notepad, tugging it towards himself.
"Let's get to work."
The scrapping sound of a pencil and the occasional swish of paper filled the office. Thunder rumbled faintly, golden eyes casting a short glance to the darkening scenery outside the windows every now and then.
Maybe bringing an umbrella today was a good idea.
Click.
Haru heard the door open behind him. He glanced down at his watch, brows furrowing when the flashing digits showed that it was still far too early for any of his coworkers' arrival.
The jacket hanging off his chair rustled noisily as he twisted around.
A stack of files entered his line of sight, and he rapidly blinked at the pair of dainty arms carrying them.
"Good morning, Katou-san!" Narumi chirped, gently kicking the door shut behind her.
Haru blinked again, pencil and notepad frozen in hand as Narumi walked over to his side. She carefully placed the stack of files on his desk, the folders green instead of blue this time.
She peered across the empty office before turning to face him, those heterochromatic eyes round and bright under the fluorescent lighting of the room. "You're the only one here?"
"...yeah." Haru answered, slowly leaning back in his seat. He placed the notepad and pencil back on the desk and crossed his arms consciously. "I… usually am the first one here."
He menatlly winced at the awkwardness in his tone. The corner of Narumi's lip twitched upwards, mirth coloring her features.
Haru held his breath, watching her push the files to the corner of his work desk.
She hoisted herself up, plopping down on the side of his desk. Haru felt his ears growing hot, trimmed nails digging into his folded arms as Narumi smoothed out an invisible crease in her black pencil skirt. She crossed one leg over the other, all thin black stockings and black office heels.
Blood rushed up to Haru's head, his jaw tightening as Narumi clicked her mauve painted nails atop the yellow notepad. He stiffened as the front of her shoe barely grazed his shin.
A playful smile tugged her lips.
"I suppose you take your work quite seriously."
This little game— or whatever it was— Haru didn't find himself too familiar with it. His mind shifted back to the memory of the texts being sent back and forth between them for the past few days. Namely, a couple of casual greetings and pictures. Narumi shared photos of little things— Hoshino scowling at her, a sign of a newly opening ramen shop, or the pictures of her dainty hands after she'd painted them a vibrant color.
Haru hadn't meant to respond. He would simply look and put his phone away. And yet, somehow unconsciously, he still found himself replying. Small words, compliments, a set of cute emojis he had downloaded because Narumi used them profusely.
Until one day he felt bold enough to send in a picture himself.
A little stray cat had caught his sight during a stakeout with Kambe. Thin, lean with puffy pale brown fur and golden eyes, the feline sat cleaning itself under a cherry blossom.
Haru had snapped a photo, feeling a bit self-conscious under the pinpricks of Daisuke's observing gaze. The photograph came out slightly blurry—"I wasn't aware you were fond of cats, Inspector." "Haah?! None of your business!"— and after several failed attempts, Haru sent a better looking one anyway.
A few moments had passed. Anxiety had gradually gripped him and he had started contemplating that maybe he should delete it till he had the chance—
Beep.
|Shiro
awww! he's so cute! (≧◡≦)
A smile had touched his face. Haru's eyes had softened and his heart swelled a little in his chest.
Daisuke had observed him silently from the driver's seat.
|Shiro
he kinda looks like you tho katou san ;3 so cute!
Haru's face had gone a little warmer before Kambe had piped up, asking him in sheer amusement if he was enjoying texting during work. Haru had broken into an instant argument— more angry at his heart, warm and tender in his chest, over just a mere text.
I don't deserve to feel like this.
The sharp tip of a heel brushed against his ankle. Haru's breath hitched, snapping him back to the present. He gripped his arms tighter.
Mismatched eyes flickered, and Narumi rested her hand atop his notepad firmly. "Katou-san?"
You shouldn't be here. The words nestled themselves on his tongue. Something stopped him from speaking. It reached through his ribcage, clutching his heart in a vice grip and making him grit his teeth. Not with someone like me.
He stared down at the petite hand resting atop his notepad. Her pinkie had been painted with black glitter, shimmering unlike the rest of her mauve colored nails.
"Would you like to go to that ramen shop—"
"Shiro-san," Haru said finally, voice stiff and tight. Something bitter pooled within his chest and his heart lodged in his throat. "I think I told you to stop doing this."
He lifted his head, meeting those round curious eyes. Narumi inclined her head, looking bemused. "Stop doing what exactly?"
"... you know," Haru said through clenched teeth, "this…"
Stop messing with me.
Haru bit the inside of his cheek until the pain throbbed out to his gums.
"Did your colleagues set you up to this?" Haru blurted indignantly. Annoyance slipped into his tone, covering the stutters of his heart. "Is that it? Is this some sort of stupid dare they gave you?"
That would explain it— this game. The way she was tip toeing around him, those mismatched eyes shimmering and the soft touches of her hands that lingered across his skin and sent his thoughts tumbling into a muddled mess. He must look so stupid. Maybe some of those first division bastards were laughing at him from behind the office door right now. Treating him like a joke.
Haru won't let anyone treat him like a joke. His heart wouldn't be a part of anyone's prank. He would make sure of it.
"Katou-san," Narumi blinked, her brows creasing in confusion and bewilderment. "I'm very sorry but I don't know what you're talking about."
"Why are you here?"
The words snagged on something in Haru's throat, finally leaving his lips and tugging a dull ache within his chest.
Narumi stared flatly, and he gazed back, his posture stiff.
"To…" she drawled, arching a brow before gesturing towards the file stack behind her. "Deliver the files?"
"Yes, I know that but," Haru sighed, wearily rubbing his face. He looked at her, and his lips thinned into a grimace.
"Why are you really here, Shiro-san?" Haru asked carefully.
Narumi fell silent, observing his expressions.
"Is…" Haru swallowed cautiously, "is it for Kambe?"
He watched her shoulders tense momentarily, a fleeting look of alarm flickering across her face. If he hadn't been working in the force for so long, he would've nearly missed it.
Ah. The realization sunk ponderously in the pit of his stomach. Haru felt his lips curl into a bitter smile. So it was for Kambe afterall.
"If you want to know about Kambe, then just ask me." Haru said airily, easily, smoothly— like the loud thudding in his chest was nothing but trivial noise.
He reached for the notepad.
"I can help you if you want so just stop… stop."
Stop pretending like you care.
A hand shot out, clasping around his wrist. Golden eyes flared up in surprise, and Haru halted immediately.
Narumi lifted a brow, scooting closer till her shins brushed along his knees.
"If you would let me explain," She said calmly. For such small and petite fingers, her grip was impossibly strong around his wrist.
"I came here to see you, Katou-san."
Haru stared flatly, dumbfounded. A soft smile touched Narumi's face, and she squeezed his wrist gently.
"It's because I like you." She admitted.
Haru's lips parted slightly, not uttering a sound. He simply stared at her. She gazed back, calm and quiet.
A moment of silence passed between them. Thunder rumbled from outside, rain finally hitting the glass paned windows with a loud splatter.
Scarlet slowly seeped into Haru's face, and he spluttered incredulously. "Wh-what?!"
Narumi cocked her head to the side, her brow arching upwards. "I said I like you, Katou-san—"
"D-Don't say that out loud!" Haru hissed hushedly. He tried snatching his wrist out from under her grasp. Narumi's grip remained resolute, firm and relentless for such small hands.
His heartbeat echoed wildly in his ears. "How can you even- even—"
Like someone like me.
"Katou-san," Narumi frowned. "My words are simple and easy enough. Are they really so hard to believe?"
Haru squeezed his eyes shut. His tensed posture slackened, and he slouched back in the chair. Amber eyes peered up into blue and green, and Haru grimaced.
"It's-its not that it's hard to believe," he lied smoothly, speaking over the thud and silence of his own heart. "It's just that you're so-so…"
Narumi traced the inside of his wrist with her thumb coaxingly. Haru briefly wondered if she could feel his thundering pulse.
"… Pretty," Haru uttered, flushing in realization when Narumi's lips curled into a teasing smirk.
"P-Pretty amazing!" He added swiftly, the hot crimson on his cheeks darkening even more. "I..I was moved by what you did, back at the subway."
Narumi watched him scrutinizingly.
Haru thrust a hand through his hair, ruffling the already tousled locks. A heavy sigh left his lips. "A bit angry that you didn't care about yourself back there and went in to save that woman. You weren't afraid to act, Shiro-san. You weren't afraid of the consequences and you did what you thought was right."
Like a true hero.
"While I just stood there." Haru stared down at his lap, fingers curling into a loose fist. "I didn't take the risk. I'm… I'm…"
Narumi's brows furrowed even more, lips pressing together as she watched Haru close his eyes. A deep sigh escaped his lips, and his eyes flitted towards the floor ruefully. "Such a disappointment."
Can't even hold a gun. "I only hurt people," Haru muttered. There was a hiss of a gunshot in the back of his mind, flesh hitting the floor and blood splattering across pale bank tiles. His chest tightened.
"Just a failed cop afraid to do what's right." He muttered under his breath.
Silence descended in the room. The rain thrummed along the glass windows, accompanied by the faint ticking of the old wall clock.
The slender fingers encircling his wrist loosened. Haru clenched his jaw, staring down at his brown shoes.
"Katou-san."
Haru blinked, raising his head tentatively and Narumi leaned back on her palms, sitting straight on his desk. Heterochromatic eyes regarded him calmly. "You don't give yourself enough credit."
Narumi tipped her head to the side, her expressions schooled into impassiveness.
"You were the only one there to save that woman while everyone else was filming."
Haru frowned in protest. "I'm an officer. It was my duty—"
"Rushing to her help doesn't fall in your current rank's duties," Narumi interrupted sternly. She bounced her shoulders in a casual shrug. "Any other person would've brushed it off and let someone from the first division handle it. But…"
Mismatched eyes met molten gold, and Narumi shifted a little closer. Her lips curved into an assuring smile. "You still went to rescue her." Nearly knocked into me too. "You were there and I'm sure that you would've jumped in to save her whether I was present or not."
Haru set her with a scowling look. "How can you be so sure—"
"I met that woman on the train," Narumi reasoned. Haru paused, perplexed. "I knew that she was pregnant."
Narumi shrugged once more. "So you can label that as a reason for why I saved her."
And that I knew the gun was fake. Her mind supplied silently. Narumi brushed the thought away as soon as it came, an easy smile touching her lips.
"So don't sell yourself so short, Katou-san!" She smiled warmly, patting his hand. "You're a great person. You're always helping others."
She sat back up, grinning. "I heard about the recent train incident too. If it weren't for you and Kambe-san, my colleagues would have shot down that boy right then and there."
Haru frowned.
"Hell, even I would've—" Narumu pursed her lips, mulling over her words once. She looked at him. "You saved that boy from shooting everyone in the Fujimoto case too."
Haru watched her as she gripped the sides of his work desk, teetering closer. "What I'm trying to say is…"
A hand reached ahead, and Haru stiffened as Narumi flattened her palm against his chest. She set him with a stern look.
"You may not think much of yourself." She peered down in those wide golden eyes. "But you actually have something better than everyone else."
"Wha—"
"It's your heart, Katou-san." She gently pressed at his chest. His heart thrummed under her touch. Heat crept up the back of Haru's neck, and Narumi's eyes flickered.
"Your heart is rich with kindness for everyone."
It's going to get you killed. Narumi grinned faintly, shifting and sitting before him. Her legs dangled between his knees.
"Even for the people who don't deserve it."
Haru stared at her, unblinking. Narumi gazed back, and his heart stuttered, warmth blossoming across his face as she leaned closer.
Warm vanilla perfume curled around him, his heart pounding within his chest until he could feel the ghost of her peppermint breath fanning across his lips.
.
.
.
.
.
Click.
Kiyomizu hummed an old tune, stuttering inside the office. He paused, eyes slightly widening behind his round glasses. A smile curved his lips, and he chirped gleefully.
"Shiro-chan! What a pleasant surprise!"
Narumi stood near the edge of the work desk. She smiled amiably, smoothing out the ends of her tight skirt. She clasped her hands behind her back. "Kiyomizu-san, good morning!"
Beside her, a little away, Haru sat hunched forward on his work desk with the tips of his ears burning crimson. He cleared his throat gruffly, steeling his voice into a sense of calmness.
"Morning, Chief."
"Ah, I see Katou-san is at it again," Kiyomizu chuckled lightly. He gave Narumi a radiant smile. "He gets here before any of us, you know? I even handed him the keys. Boy sure likes to work."
"Oh?" Narumi feigned surprise, casting a low glance sideways.
Under her seemingly nonchalant gaze, Haru squirmed a bit in his seat.
Her eyes trailed over the warm blush coloring his neck, reaching up to the tips of his ears. The corner of her lip curled slightly, and she turned to Kiyomizu. "Katou-san shouldn't be so hard on himself."
Kiyomizu sighed. "That's what I keep telling him."
He caught sight of the folders set atop the desk, and he offered a lopsided smile. "I see you've brought him even more work."
"Please blame Takei-san for that," Narumi said sheepishly. She took a step forward, not glancing back at the detective sitting on his work desk quietly.
"It was nice to see you, Kiyomizu-san. Have a good day." Narumi moved towards the door. Her hand clasped around the doorknob, twisting it and she smiled amiably while Kiyomizu brightened up. "Have a good day as well, Shiro-chan!"
Heterochromatic eyes shifted towards the back facing her, sitting before his work desk and hunched over silently. Her fingers tightened around the doorknob. She parted her lips, contemplating for a second before her grip went lax.
"You too, Katou-san." Narumi called out airily.
A soft grunt answered, acknowledging her farewell without bothering to turn.
Narumi stepped out into the empty hallway, clicking the door shut behind her. She continued to stand there, hand curved around the silver doorknob. The pitter patter of rain had gone silent, the world falling quiet momentarily. Her gaze fell to the wooden flooring, looking down at her reflection.
A crackle filled her ears, followed by a loud guffaw.
"What the fuck."
Narumi traced the doorknob with her fingertips as the voice continued laughing. "What a fuckin' wimp. Have you heard of anything that fucking stupid, Rumi? The guy's such a puss—"
Don't call him that. The words never left her lips. Narumi cut in anyway. "He didn't… really have to say all that."
"Talk about being that much of a loser. It's fuckin' hilarious."
Narumi's lips curled into a frown. Mauve nails dragged around the knob idly.
"And look at you, handling that dimwit so perfectly." The man snickered tauntingly. "Boohoo, the loser can't even make himself useful. Hell, if you'd waited any longer, the crybaby would've asked you to hold his hand while he balled his eyes out. Fucking disgusting."
I would've held it. The thought slipped in her mind, unbidden.
"Damn, the way you gave that feel-sy speech though. It felt so fuckin' real. Could've fooled me even."
Right. Narumi stepped away from the door, gaze lingering on it a moment too long before she made her way forward. The clicks of her heels echoed off into the hallway.
"This is why I'm so proud of you." The voice continued arrogantly. "You've gotten so good at this gig, it doesn't even feel like you're actin—"
Tap.
The line fell silent instantly. Narumi exhaled loudly, a frown on her face as she plucked the communication device out from her ear and tucked it into her back pocket.
The rest of the day looked promisingly quiet.
Her job included taking commissions to kill the rich and corrupt. She'd always been satisfied with it because there was no logical explanation on how one could be so rich without crushing down the rights of the lower class. Each currency note dripped with the blood of an innocent, deprived of their right and left to starve while the rich marched around in their shiny suits and heavy pockets.
Her own bank balance was a proof of this— brimming with so much money earned from slitting throats and poisoning expensive wine glasses.
Among all the severed necks and bleeding bodies, there was never a word of anything of what she had heard today.
Katou had accepted that he was weak, that he wasn't good enough. Men didn't do that—well, all the affluent men she had crossed paths with never did at least. They all had hurt people, and those people wanted to hurt them back.
So they paid her good money to do it for them.
But a heart laid out so bare intrigued her.
Unless Katou was playing the pity card. She never had to deal with that. Maybe that was how the common working man expected to lure her in since there were no glittering diamonds or gigantic mansions under his name.
Just measly words and forlorn eyes.
No. Katou didn't seem like that type. Instead he was too honest, too thoughtful with his selfless smile and soft honey eyes.
She had caught him carrying an old woman's grocery bags a few days ago, holding a child's hand and helping him search for a lost dog. Heard how he had jumped into an armed van and saved a criminal while risking his own life.
There were those shy, baffled little waves he gave her too when she smiled brightly at him from across the bustling halls. Or how rough hands had clasped around her wrists, startling her when her arms were held down and he had glared down at her with flushed ears and a scolding look.
She couldn't quite put her finger down on this peculiar feeling.
"You went to the MCPTF's office today."
Narumi chewed around the tomato slice in her mouth, eyes flickering over to the set of mauve irises staring at her quietly. She swallowed down the bite, nodding her head. "Yes, to deliver Takei-san's files."
Ryo's expressions remained stoic as he sat beside her on the lunch table. There was a distant rumble of thunder from outside, echoing through the bustling cafeteria momentarily.
"You've been," Ryo began questioningly, "getting a bit too comfortable with the third division lately."
Narumi glanced down at the bowl of katsudon placed before him. Ryo had taken a few calculated bites, letting it get cold in the cool afternoon air. Narumi tapped her fork against her empty salad plate. "They're all good people."
"You went against protocol and covered the Fujimoto murder case with them." Ryo frowned deeply.
Narumi leaned back in her seat, regarding him coolly. She briefly considered the option of disposing him— his wariness could make things difficult in the future.
"The important thing is that we apprehended the murderer in the end?" Narumi shrugged. Her fingers idly traced the sharp thin blade strapped to her thigh, concealed beneath the black skirt. "Takei-san excused me anyway."
"You still broke protocol," Ryo scowled, folding his arms. He glared down at the bowl before him. "… I assume Katou-san went with you as well?"
Narumi observed him quietly, waiting for him to take his chopsticks and begin eating. He didn't.
"Yes, Katou-san was very helpful," Narumi said casually. Her eyes remained fixed on him, taking in the way his lips curved downwards in distaste.
She contemplated testing her theory. "He was the one who stopped the kid from shooting everyone. It was very impressive."
Heterochromatic eyes flickered, taking in the way Ryo gripped his arms before frowning down at the bowl.
"Yeah," he muttered, "he is."
Narumi propped an elbow on the table, shifting around to face him fully. She was met with Ryo's frown that only seemed to deepen as she dropped her chin in her hand.
"Katou-san," Narumi began easily, her steady gaze lingering over his face for any kind of reaction. "Used to be in the first division before, didn't he?"
Ryo tensed. Mismatched eyes glimmered, dropping to the way his hands tightened into loose fists.
"Who told you that?" Ryo inquired, slipping back into his professional façade.
Her knuckles digging into her soft cheek, Narumi shrugged. "I heard it from some of the staff."
"Names?"
"It's not nice to snitch, Hoshino-senpai."
Ryo shot her a glare. "Don't call me that—"
"Have you worked with Katou-san before?" Narumi interrupted. Ryo balked, a flicker of wariness on his face. It egged on her curiosity.
"…yes," Ryou answered after a pause. There was a look of confliction in his eyes, gaze falling back to the lonely bowl. "I have."
"Why'd he get demoted?" Narumi asked, concealing the curiosity in her voice.
Ryo turned his head to stare at her. She gazed back, undeterred. A scowl graced his features and he glanced sideways. "It's not my place to tell."
Narumi stifled a snort, eyes shifting from Ryo's careful stare to the forgotten bowl before him. "Understandable."
"I come bearing gifts!"
Ryo rolled his eyes, sitting back in his seat. Akari grinned down faintly at them from where he stood near the table, holding onto a tray of food, a can of coffee and a water bottle tucked under his armpit. He placed the tray before an empty chair, then held out the water bottle. "Sorry for the wait. The cafeteria's a bit busy this time of the day."
"All good," Narumi beamed up at him, taking the water bottle from the offering hand. "Thank you very much, Akari-san."
Akari flushed slightly, fumbling over his words. Ryo rolled his eyes once more. Narumi noted the way he relaxed in his seat, easing up to the amiability in the air. Akari plopped down in his chair, setting down the coffee can before Ryo who simply glanced at the wall clock.
"We've got just a few minutes left till break is over. So hurry up."
"Eh?! But I just got here, Hoshino-san!"
Ryo sighed. "Then hurry up and eat—"
"Are you going to eat that?"
Mauve eyes blinked in confusion. Ryo paused, turning his head while Akari shifted in his seat and Narumi placed the water bottle aside. Her gaze dipped down to the forgotten bowl briefly before flickering up to meet Ryo's flat stare.
"So are you?"
Her words finally sunk in, and Ryo shook his head. "No, I'm not hungry."
Fingers reached out, hooking onto the side of the bowl. Narumi tugged the bowl near herself, ignoring the flat stares being directed her way. She plucked a pair of plastic chopsticks, taking them apart before dipping them into the cold broth.
She didn't bother with the traditional meal greeting.
"It's not nice," she swirled her chopsticks in the katsudon, "to waste food."
Her chopsticks dug into a thinly cut slice of meat.
Narumi lifted the slice to her lips. Her lips parted wide and she clamped down on it with her teeth.
She chewed around the morsel thoughtfully, swallowing and offered a practiced smile, clicking the chopsticks on the side of the bowl.
"Thank you for the meal, senpai."
Rain showered down, hitting the wet pavement and making the sidewalk shimmer. A distant clap of thunder echoed, filling the air as she held her hands out, feeling the droplets hit her open palms like tiny pebbles.
Narumi tilted her head back slightly, squinting against the onslaught of raindrops showering down on her as the building of the Metropolitan Police Department loomed behind her. She stood under the angry, dark clouds, watching pedestrians scurry off into shelters. Some clicked open their umbrellas, walking down the slick wet pavement.
Rain had always felt good to her. Clean and pure even if it soaked her to the bone, making her clothes cling against her skin.
There's a vague memory of her mother hurriedly tugging out turnips from the field back at the farm, muttering quickly about the rain as she filled the basket. Once inside their small house, her mother would praise the blessed rain. Praised the clouds for their tears and how they showered and nourished the seasonal crops.
Narumi watched the growing puddles thoughtfully, raindrops hitting her like tiny bullets.
"Shiro-san!"
Footsteps approached her quickly, nearing her side, and her gaze tore away from the furious raindrops to meet worried golden hues.
Narumi clasped her hands behind her back, head cocking to the side innocently. She leaned ahead, a strand of wet hair stubbornly slipping out from behind her ear where she had it tucked in.
"Everything alright, Katou-san?"
Haru paused, the scrunch of his brows loosening as his gaze dipped down, past her dripping chin and neck and halting over her chest where her soaked white shirt clung a bit too tightly and showed off the dark maroon color of her— her—!
His eyes instantly snapped to the street before them, face flushing crimson. Haru sputtered, fingers tightening around the handle of his umbrella. "Wh-Where is your blazer?"
Narumi snorted silently, looking back into the rain once more. "Hoshino-senpai accidentally spilled some coffee on it. He insisted that he would take it for a dry clean."
"You shouldn't be standing out here like this."
"Why?" Narumi let her eyelids slide shut, head tipping back as she reveled under the touch of the cool raindrops. She grinned cheekily. "Don't like what you see—"
There was a rustle of fabric, something warm settling over her shoulders and surprised mismatched eyes rose upwards as Haru smoothed his jacket along her shoulders.
"You're going to get sick," he grumbled, holding his umbrella between them. "Oi, stand a little closer so you don't get wet."
Narumi blinked quietly, peering up at him through dripping lashes in silent astonishment. Haru groused under his breath, shuffling near and guiding her under the shelter of the umbrella. She clutched the lapels of his jacket— the ragged, cheap fabric smelling like fabric softener but warm—and Narumi mumbled, tugging it closer. "Thanks."
Haru didn't hear her over the rain. "You were going to the parking lot?"
Narumi felt the fabric once more between her fingers. "No, I was on my way to the bus stop actually."
His brows knitting together, Haru held the umbrella a little higher. "I was going there too. Come on."
Narumi nodded slowly, shrugging up the warm jacket over her shoulders once before she fell in step with him.
Raindrops drummed atop the taut, transparent canopy of the umbrella, dripping down the tips. Silence descended on them, nothing but the prattle of the heavy rain and the water splashing under their feet. Narumi loosened her grip on the fabric, forcing herself to not stare at him as she gazed ahead.
"They haven't given you a car yet?"
"No," she answered, rainwater sloshing around her heels. "I still gotta wait a few months for the car."
"Huh," Haru's brows creased in thought. "They gave me a car in the second week if I'm remembering it right."
She heard him curse under his breath for the unintentional slip up, a sudden alarmed look on his face as he tensed, waiting for her to question his statement. Narumi let it slide, smiling amiably. "Do you like the rain, Katou-san?"
Haru's shoulders slackened and he shrugged. "Eh, it's fine I guess. A nuisance if you're walking home."
"To city folks it is," Narumi said airily, slipping a hand out and gilding her fingers through the curtain of rain around them. "It's a blessing for the crops really."
Haru cocked his head curiously. "You're from the countryside?"
"Yeah," Narumi admitted with an easy smile, slipping the jacket up her wet shoulders as her eyes sparkled. "Don't look like a country girl, huh?"
Haru scratched the side of his head nervously. "Not really."
Blue and green peek upwards, past the umbrella held over their heads and towards the dense gray clouds gathered in the sky.
"The rain is a great blessing," Narumi murmured softly.
Her mind tugged back to the memory of watery rice fields, mud caked around boney ankles and a cold, dripping rooftop. "It washes away all the dirt and it cleans the crops. It helps the farmers without really meaning to, but just by being."
She peeked sideways as Haru let out a hum in agreement, looking up at the dark sky thoughtfully. "Mhm, well when you put it that way then yeah you're right."
Narumi teetered closer, eyes glimmering half in curiosity and half in amusement when he didn't inch away from her like always. Maybe it was because of the umbrella he held, sheltering them from the rain. Or maybe he didn't want to pull away.
Narumi chose the first. It suited him better.
"It's raining a lot," she mused loudly.
Her small shoulder pressed flush against his arm. A smirk curled her lips when scarlet began gradually creeping up to the tips of Haru's ears. She held back a snicker.
"Y-Yeah," he muttered, staring ahead into the onslaught of raindrops.
The sidewalk ended in a curve, a bus waiting at its end. Haru waited briefly as Narumi climbed up the first few steps before he snapped the umbrella shut. He stepped into the bus as well, tipping his head in greeting to the driver.
Passing by a few seats, Narumi slid into the window seat. She turned, patting the seat beside her. "Over here, Katou-san."
Haru held the dripping umbrella away from himself, carefully seating down beside her.
"What's your stop?" Narumi inquired.
"Uh, Adachi. It's the fifth one I think."
"I can't tell if that's far or not," Narumi laughed. "Mine's the last stop though."
The mechanical door hissed close and the bus rattled beneath their feet, swaying slightly with the motion before it drove ahead smoothly. Narumi had the jacket wrapped around her like a cape, holding the front closed in each hand. She watched the raindrops thrum against the window, dripping down the clear glass.
There's a rustle behind her, and she felt Haru shift in his seat.
His voice reached her ears. "I'm sorry."
Her eyes peeked up into molten gold, and Haru offered an apologetic smile, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I shouldn't have…" He let out a heavy sigh, looking away from her. "I shouldn't have dumped everything on you like that back there."
Narumi thought back to the third division office, his face flushed and pulse fluttering under her curled fingers. She pursed her lips.
"I'm glad you shared your feelings with me."
Aureate eyes swivelled back to her in surprise.
Narumi gazed down at her lap, gripping the corners of the jacket. She raised her head, smiling softly despite the way white hair clung to her damp cheeks.
"I confessed my feelings too." She didn't expect the words to flow so smoothly. For a lie, this confession felt too… close. Like she had let herself be bare just like the man sitting beside her, his heart left vulnerable on his sleeve.
Ready to be taken, to be cherished, to be broken.
Like a complete fool.
"It's nice to know that you trust me," Narumi laughed, a light breezy sound. It felt genuine to her. "Well, enough to be so honest with me, Katou-san. I appreciate it a lot."
Maybe being a fool wasn't so bad.
"W-Well," he rubbed the back of his reddening neck, a soft smile tugging his lips. "It takes a lot to confess too so I'm glad you were so clear about your feelings as well."
Narumi hummed, touching the fabric of the jacket hanging off her shoulders once more. The material felt worn out but soft and warm on her fingers.
She dropped her hands in her lap, and pressed her fingertips together, looking down at them. "I wish you'd be brave with me too."
A teasing smile tugged her lips as she waited for him to start stuttering again. She stifled her laughter, continuing to press the pads of her fingers together. "I'd like you to be honest with me as well, Katou-san."
There was a brief pause.
"Do you really want me to be honest with you, Shiro-san?"
His voice didn't hold the kind of flustered stutter she was anticipating, rather it leaned more towards hesitance and thinly veiled curiosity. Narumi nodded her head as if giving permission. She folded her hands in her lap.
"I've noticed," Haru said tentatively, "that you have this look on your face sometimes."
Facing away from, Narumi rolled her eyes. She held back a snort, expecting him to continue with some cheesy pick up line that she had heard too many times—
"Like, you're far away. Just somewhere else."
Narumi blinked once, then twice, turning her head slowly and meeting Haru's quiet assessing stare.
"It's like you're here," he continued on, her eyes watching the way his lips moved around every word. A flash of long, flowy golden wheat fields flared behind her eyes, a crow with a crooked neck lying motionlessly near muddied boots. "But you're thinking about somewhere else."
There was a soft lull, and Narumi listened to the steady rumbling of the bus, the warm beat of her own heart.
How do you know— Narumi steeled her slipping emotions, feigning a cheeky grin as she winked. "Ah, so you must look at me a lot to know what kind of looks I'm giving, huh, Katou-san~?"
"Wh-wha— No!" Haru flushed furiously, eyes widening on the implication.
"I didn't mean it like that!"
"I'm kidding!"
A giggle left her lips. Narumi leaned her head against the window, watching his frowning warm face lazily. Cold seeped in through her clothes from the chilly glass and Narumi's eyelids slid shut.
I'm here. Her hand consciously pressed against her chest, and she calmed under the quiet beat of her heart.
I'm exactly where I want to be.
"Search for her!"
"Did you see where she went?"
"The brat was just here!"
A chorus of yells echoed through the air. Her back flattened against the cold wet bricks even more, and she pressed back against the wall of the well. She curled her arms around her knees, ducking her head.
I want to be smaller. Her knees pressed harder against her drumming chest. I don't want them to see me.
Rumiko held her breath, listening as the shouts eventually faded away. Once there was no sound except for the chirping of wild birds and the rustling of leaves, she stretched her legs along the hot ground.
The front of her ragged dress had been bunched up, held between her fists. She carefully settled the clenched fabric down.
Ripe, pink peaches gazed back at her from within her lap. Her mouth watered instantly. Rumiko scooped up a peach in her hand, running the pad of her thumb across its plump surface before she lifted it to her mouth.
Chapped lips parted before her teeth sunk into the peach.
So good. She breathed blissfully, chewing around the juicy fruit in her mouth.
Within seconds she had gobbled up the entire fruit, sweetness on her tongue and pink juice dripping down her small fingers. Her tongue slipped out, licking across her bottom lip as she stared down at the bunch of peaches resting in her lap.
One more. Rumiko grimaced, scowling at the thought. Her fingers clenched the front corners of her dress once more, carefully bundling it up again.
Once assured that the peaches won't be damaged by her movements, she stood up. The well she had been hiding behind had left the back of her dress clinging onto her back. Her hair was a little damp too but it felt cool under the summer sun, the earth sizzling under her bare feet.
A few minutes of walking around the water-brimmed rice fields, she could see the top of her small house.
Her eyes glittered excitedly and she skipped ahead.
"Mumma!" A bright grin tugged her lips, hands grasping the ends of her dress in a tight hold. "Look what I broug—"
Foreign voices filled her ears. Rumiko halted swiftly, listening for a heartbeat longer before she quickly ducked behind the empty barrels set beside her house.
"I'm so sorry for what she's done." Her mother spoke from a distance.
Her heart thudded away in her chest when another voice spoke. "We're gonna let it go this time. Control that brat of yours."
"Thank you. Again, I apologise deeply for what she's done—"
"She's stealing from our garden. Next time she does it, we ain't gonna spare her."
"I am so very sorry. Let my husband come back and then I'll pay you—"
"Put a leash on your kid first."
Her mother began a string of apologies once more, only to break into a fit of coughs. Rumiko sat crouched behind the barrels, heart hammering against her ribcage as she heard the man curse loudly.
A few seconds of silence passed. Her breath tugged past her lips when footsteps neared her. She peeked up tentatively, meeting a pair of pale blue eyes. Rumiko swallowed thickly.
"Rumi," her mother frowned, standing before her. "What have you done?"
Rumiko stood up gingerly. She stepped around the barrel, facing her mother. Her chest tightened when those pale eyes dropped to the fabric bunched in her hands.
"You-you," her mother said in a daze, "really did steal…"
The patched up dress was held out hurriedly. Ripe pink peaches rolled around the fabric and Rumiko's heart dropped to her stomach when her mother flinched away.
"I got them for everyone!" She blurted, throat dry. "It's-it's for everyone—"
"I can't believe you stole."
Rumiko stared as her mother pressed her fingertips to her lips, a look of utter disbelief on her face. Her cheeks were still flushed from the fever, breaths a little ragged as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Rumi. Rumi, why?"
I was hungry.
"… what do you mean why?"
Her mother's eyes cracked open, startled. She stared incredulously as Rumiko scowled, tiny fists curling tighter around the ends of her thin dress. "Why do they get to eat while we starve?!"
"That is not for you to decide!" Her mother's frown deepened.
"We haven't eaten anything for three days!" Rumiko snapped back. "They're not going to eat it all anyway. They have so much—"
"That doesn't give you the right to steal!"
Rumiko stared widely as her mother shook in sheer anger, her face flushing even more. "A body nourished by stolen morsels cannot be expected to do anything good. I would rather starve myself to death than—"
"Would you let your children die too?"
Pale eyes regarded her incredulously. Rumiko gazed back, heart in her throat. The peaches hadn't felt so heavy till now.
"Dispose of them." Her mother finally said. The woman curled her hands around her round belly, voice forcibly calm. "Don't bring that stolen fruit anywhere near our family, Rumi."
Rumiko watched her mother turn and walk away, leaving her out in the blazing heat and holding onto the heavy peaches.
Small fingers unfurled slowly. Peaches fell onto the hot earth, rolling around bare feet. Rumiko slackened her jaw, sharp breaths escaping her lips.
A sharp pang of pain rippled through her empty stomach, and she felt pinpricks behind her eyes.
Wordlessly, the girl sank to her knees. A hand reached out, picking one of the fallen peaches and Rumiko stared down at it. It looked blurry, a bit torn at the side from the fall. She rubbed her thumb along the bruised part. Pink juice trickled down her palm.
Clutching it with both hands, she brought it near her mouth and bit into it.
Fat tears dribbled down her cheeks as she hungrily bit into the flesh of the plump fruit over and over again. Bitten nails dug into the sticky skin of the peach, and Rumiko swallowed down the bites roughly.
I will not starve.
There's a hand grazing her shoulder, warm and steady before it settled down and shook her gently.
"Shiro-san?"
The pillow under her head fidgeted— pillow?
Mismatched eyes fluttered open, staring at the row of empty seats before her. The pitter patter of rain from outside filled her ears and Narumi cocked her head to the side, hands lying in her lap as she turned, blinking in an attempt to clear her vision.
Haru smiled warmly, scarlet tainting his ears as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Your stop is gonna come soon."
Narumi let the words settle in her mind. She mulled over them briefly, digesting the statement before realisation colored her eyes.
I fell asleep. Her gaze flickered from his shoulder where her head had been resting moments ago, then shifted onto the rosy blush adoring his face. Her fingers furled loosely in her lap.
Narumi refused to gape openly, stunned how she had left herself so vulnerable. She absently traced the blade strapped under her skirt, relieved when it was still there.
Her gaze swept across the bus swiftly, a single burly looking man sitting in the back seat while the rest remained empty.
Blue and gray immediately snapped towards her right, and she blurted. "You didn't get off at your stop?!"
"I was going to," Haru sighed, leaning back and smiling weakly. There's a flicker of nervousness on his face, and he glanced sideways, mumbling. "But you were fast asleep and I couldn't just leave you here with the bus driver and the guy in the back…"
Narumi stared, dumbfounded as he went on muttering while rubbing the back of his head.
Her eyes trailed over the ruffle of his sandy hair, the blush dusted across his face and the ragged jacket around her grew very warm for some reason.
This man…
There's a gentle tug in her chest, a rush of blood against her skin and warmth pooled within her ribcage. She clamped her mouth shut, speechless.
….is he really like this.
The bus came to a stop. Haru paused in his mumbling and Narumi broke out of her reverie, both of their gazes swivelling over to the driver who honked loudly, glowering back at them with clear irritation.
Haru frowned back at him, standing up. Narumi shrugged the jacket around her shoulders more, following after him as they got off the bus.
With a click, the umbrella puffed open as soon as their feet touched the pavement.
Narumi arched a brow in confusion when Haru held the umbrella over their heads, tipping the handle her way.
"Here," he said, inching away from the rim of the umbrella.
Rain showered down his shoulder, and Narumi's eyes flared up in surprise. She pressed closer hurriedly, brows knitting together. "Katou-san! What're you doing—"
"You're gonna need it if you're gonna walk home from here," Haru suggested, continuing to hold out the umbrella. He looked ahead into the rain, and squinted his eyes. "I'll just wait nearby. Any idea when the next bus comes?"
Narumi chewed down her bottom lip, brows furrowing even more. "In… two hours."
Haru groaned softly, rubbing his face with a hand. She peeked up at him, a frown marring her face when he shrugged reluctantly.
"Eh. That's okay. Text me when you get home?"
Normally, she would have teased him about his use of words— "text you when I get home? Oh~? Am I your girlfriend, Katou-san?" And then his face would catch fire and he'd sputter explanations in that adorable way of his that had her laughing heartily.
The rain continued thronging the sidewalk, hitting the earth like tiny bullets and reminding her of wet rice fields— of home.
Her hand silently reached upwards, slender fingers curling around the handle. Narumi noticed how bigger Haru's hand was than hers, rough and calloused as her wet fingers brushed across his tan skin.
He had the kind of hands that had surely saved so many lives, always helping and giving and serving. Too kind against her own hands that had felt blood dripping down smooth skin, crimson and lukewarm.
Narumi's breath came out a little airily. She blinked in a daze when Haru spoke something that didn't quite reach her ears. From the bright smile he awarded her with and the fondness of those gold eyes, she could only assume he was bidding farewell.
No. She hammered down the words creeping up from her heart, reaching past her throat and settling down on the tip of her tongue. Don't say it.
Mismatched eyes watched him step away, turning and shifting as Haru turned his back to her and began walking down the sidewalk— away from her.
Rain poured down on him mercilessly. His hair dampened, white shirt clinging against his back when she heard him curse the weather loudly.
Stop. Her legs moved on their own, one step after another. The voice in her mind sounded suspiciously like a certain man she knew. Stop. Stop. Rumi, don't—
Water splashed beneath her heels, her stockings dripping wet and sticking against her shins like a second skin. She quickened her pace.
A hand shot out, fisting into the back of a soaked white shirt.
"Katou-san!"
Haru halted, twisting around in surprise. Narumi mentally cursed herself from shouting so loudly, clenching the back of his shirt tighter.
She tipped the umbrella higher, tugging incessantly at the wet fabric in her fist.
"Would you…" she spoke over the roaring of life in her chest, peering up into his startled eyes.
"Would you like to come over?"
A\N: I apologize for the delay of this chapter 'cause I had exams this month ;w; I wanted to post something for Haru's bday too but alas exams had me so busy.
*I really wanted to explore this side of Haru, the more insecure side of his. It was pretty fun to write tbh so I hope you guys enjoyed it as well c: this chapter surprisingly got out of hand with it's length so I'm cutting it down a bit. ^^;;
*the train scene Narumi talked about was a reference to episode 3 of the anime where the train hostage situation occurred. The lost dog and the armed van reference was from ep 4 and 1 of the anime.
I also have a snippet of a Halloween!AU written out. I wrote it during the time when the Halloween themed official art came out for the show consisting of Vampire Daisuke and Werewolf Haru.
As a spinoff to do that, we have Narumi as a witch in this AU ;3
supernatural!au: patting a wolf.
Gloved fingers threaded into sandy blond locks, fingertips pressing gently against his scalp as she ruffled the head of fluffy taupe hair playfully. Narumi giggled when the twin dog ears twitched in annoyance.
"Narumi-san," Haru growled as she ran her fingers through his hair over and over again. "What're you doing?"
"I'm petting you," Narumi chirped, hovering before him as she patted his head affectionately.
Golden eyes watched how her heels were inches away from the ground, hovering in the air before his gaze shifted upwards to meet her wide smile. Haru huffed, arms crossed as he stood there with her hands in his hair. "And why are you petting me?"
"Well," Narmui hummed, tapping a finger on a floppy dog ear and giggling when it drooped down on his head. "Because it seems like you are enjoying it very much, Katou-kun~"
"Eh?!" Bigger, rougher hands clamped down on her wrists.
Narumi's feet hit the floor with a soft click as Haru tugged her back down before him. A smile touched her face as Haru rubbed his thumbs in short circles along along insides of her wrists, looking amused. "And how can you tell that I'm enjoying it?"
Narumi cracked a sly grin, peeking behind him. "Your tail's saying it all."
Haru blinked dumbly, twisting around and staring at the way his tail wagged wildly behind him. A blush exploding across his face, he cleared his throat coolly, only to scowl when Narumi burst into a fit of giggles.
"Oi, don't insult me like this." He complained, pouting childishly.
"I'm not insulting," Narumi snickered teasingly. Mismatched eyes gazed upwards into sulking golden, and she shrugged. "It just looks very cute, that's all."
Haru frowned, setting his hands on his hips. "I am not cute."
"I dunno, Katou-kun." Narumi said thoughtfully, heterochromatic eyes sparkling in mischief as she lifted into the air again. "But I think that you are very cute!"
Her hands sunk into his hair once more, fluffing up the already tousled locks. Haru glowered, but she could see his tail swinging back and forth again as he relaxed easily under her touch.
The corners of her lips curling upwards into a smirk, Narumi scratched the back of his left ear. "Aww, who's a good boy?"
Haru froze, ears perking up in shock. "N-Narumi-san, don't say that!"
"It's alright," she coaxed, lovingly patting his head. "There's no one else to see you here, Haru. You don't have to hold back."
"Th-that's not—"
"No need to be so embarrassed," she continued carding her fingers through his hair, smirking as his tail swung around more swiftly. A faint blush crept up the back of his neck. "Now, who's a good boy~?"
Haru grumbled something under his breath, face hot with embarrassment. Narumi smirked cockily, feigning innocence as she spoke up in confusion. "Ah, what was that, Katou-kun? I couldn't hear you properly."
"I said I'm a good boy!" Haru finally hissed out, face flushing crimson when Narumi laughed breezily, fingers knitting in his hair.
"Yes, you are!" She cooed, gloved hands tangling into soft sandy locks. "You are a good boy!"
Arms snaked around her waist, tugging her in close. Narumi paused as Haru buried his face in her chest, his fluffy tail swaying crazily behind him. He propped his chin up against her bosom, wide golden eyes staring up at her desperately.
"It's me, right?" His arms tightened around her waist. Haru spoke hurriedly, cheeks flushed. "I'm a good boy, right?!"
Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, and Narumi's gaze softened, a pink hue coloring her cheeks. "Yes! You are the bestest best boy, Haru!"
His tail, poking out from the end of that baggy black jacket, wagged gleefully behind him. Narumi wrapped her arms around his head, laughter bubbling past her lips as she hugged him tight.
"You are my good boy!"
A\N: Thank you for reading~!