DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Get Backers or any of the characters. (And if I did, I'd distribute it for free...)
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Ban listened to Himiko's voice, not really paying attention to what she was saying. The sound of it soothed him.
How did I end up out on dinner with her? He wondered. I was just going to walk around.
"Ban? Ban!"
Ban looked up. "Sorry, Himiko. I'm still a little out of it, after the blast and all."
Himiko smiled sympathetically. "It must've been bad. Ginji told me you were actually in the hospital."
Ban shuddered dramatically. "Don't remind me..."
"Why did you ask me out Ban? And on such short notice?"
"It was long overdue. And I really missed you."
I did miss her. At least that's not a lie.
Himiko colored slightly. "Oh, ok. It's just, sometimes, you make people feel you don't really care, Ban."
Ban looked really sad for a moment. "But you know I do, right?"
Himiko smiled and nodded. "So do I, Ban. Now what do you want for dessert?"
He got back to the hotel they were staying at around eleven. He felt worn out. They had finished dinner around nine-thirty, and driven about for an hour. Himiko had looked radiant that night, one of the rare occasions where she'd worn a dress. She'd blushed prettily as Ban had hugged her good night. She looked so happy. I'm an asshole for doing this.
"Ban-chan! How was your date with Himiko?"
"I thought you'd be asleep by now, Ginji."
Ginji grinned widely. "No, Ban-chan, I wanted to hear all the details!"
Ban chuckled softly at his enthusiasm. "It was just dinner and a drive."
"I know that, Ban-chan, you told me when you called. Did you guys, you know, kiss?"
Ban shook his head. "Not that it's really of any concern to you, but no, we didn't."
"Oh, ok." Ginji looked disappointed.
Ban smiled to himself. "I did hug her good night though."
Ginji brightened up. "That's so sweet, Ban-chan!"
Ban felt a pang of guilt. I'm lying to everyone I care for.
"If you say so, Ginji. I'm going to bed now."
"All right, Ban-chan. Good night!"
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Ban missed the closeness he and Ginji shared sleeping in his car or the Honky Tonk. He tossed around in his bed for a while, and then gave up trying to sleep. He left a note for Ginji on his nightstand and went out to his car. He got in and revved up the engine. He sat there for a while listening to its soft purr and turned it off. He got out and walked around for a while, finally ending up in the park near Honky Tonk.
Sighing softly, he lay down on the grass. The night sky was exceptionally clear, the moon a shapely crescent between the stars. However, Ban was too preoccupied with his thoughts to notice.
I can't remember the last time things were so complicated. Not even when Yamato asked me to- but this isn't about him. It's about Fuuchouin Kazuki. Ban couldn't deny the warmth the name brought along with it. You know what you have to do, Midou Ban. Get over him, he told himself sternly. You know he's never going to feel the same way.
Yet, that annoying, small voice wished over and over he would.
Ban thought of all the times he'd been with Kazuki. One of the most vivid memories was on the roof with Shido, retrieving the Stradivarius. He looks almost unearthly at night.
A picture of Kazuki flashed across his mind, lying in bed with his hair fanned around him, bathed in moonlight. He forced it out of his head. Stop it! You're supposed to be getting over him, not fuelling further fantasies!
Ban really didn't feel like going to back to the hotel that night. So he made himself comfortable on the grass, and willed himself to sleep.
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Ban was aroused out of his slumber by dawn's chill and the sound of birds awakening. He got up, stretched, and walked to the Honky Tonk. He frowned slightly at the bells as he opened the door.
"Well, you're up early today." Paul was sitting behind the counter, sipping coffee.
"I couldn't sleep. Coffee, black." Ban sat down on a stool.
Paul poured out a cup and pushed it towards the Get Backer.
"Thanks, Paul."
"So, how did it go with Himiko last night?"
Ban looked up in shock. "What? The entire city knows?"
Paul laughed. "Ginji called Natsumi as soon as you told him. I got it from her."
Ban rolled his eyes. "Seriously. Those two..."
Paul smiled as he agreed silently. He thought Ginji and Natsumi were cute, the way they were so involved in each other. The bells jingled as the door opened. Ban didn't look up from his coffee.
"Three coffees, black, Paul. We have an early job today." Juubei's voice was a little raspy from the cold morning air.
Ban looked discreetly through the corner of his eye. Juubei, Kazuki and Toshiki were sitting at a booth. Kazuki's hair was done they way Ban loved it, the usual string-bound hair in the front, but the rest of it hanging loose down his back.
"So, Midou, how are you now?" Toshiki asked from his seat.
"Fine, as always," Ban replied curtly.
Kazuki's lips tightened. "Back to business, guys. The painting's probably still hung in the gallery from last night. That's where the security is best."
Ban laughed.
"Is something funny, Midou-san?" Kazuki sounded very annoyed.
Ban walked over to the booth and leaned into the trio, hands resting on the table. "You're talking about the art exhibit at the National Art Gallery, right?"
Juubei nodded. "One of them was stolen from a dead artist's apartment. His wife wants us to get it back."
Ban smirked. "Yesterday was the last night of the exhibit, Bidding starts today."
The three looked a little confused. "Get to the point," said Toshiki.
"The security might be tightest at the gallery," Ban continued, "but paintings are normally kept somewhere dark and closed as soon as they go off public exhibit. Preserves them better. Try a basement or something." With that, he walked out.
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The Honky Tonk café was abuzz with life that evening. Looks like everyone from Ginji's old gang's here. Ban looked around. One by one, he studied them all.
Ginji, of course, was laughing and talking with everyone. Juubei and Sakura were sitting close together at the next booth. They were engrossed in an intense conversation. Kazuki and Toshiki sat opposite to them. Kazuki seemed lost in his thoughts, while Toshiki just looked bored. Emishi was, of course, up to his usual antics, this time juggling apples. Natsumi was watching him with great amusement while trying to keep track of all the orders. Shido and Madoka sat quietly together, looking content and holding hands. The door opened, interrupting Ban's reverie. It was Himiko.
"Hello, everyone!" She seemed to be in a good mood. Everyone returned her cheerful greeting.
She scanned the room, smiling as her eyes met Ban's. She walked over to his booth and sat across from him.
"Hello, Ban," she said softly, covering his hand with hers. Ban fought the urge to pull his hand away and forced himself to smile at her.
"I had a really good time last night. Think we can do it again, Ban?"
Don't say yes. Don't lead her on, you bastard.
"Of course, Himiko. Maybe a movie next time?"
Her eyes lit up as she nodded. Ginji walked over to them and sat down next to Ban. "Heya, Himiko!" he greeted her happily.
"Hi, Ginji."
"Did you guys have fun last night?"
Himiko blushed slightly and smiled. "Yes, and Ban wasn't mean even once," she joked.
"I'm never mean to you, Himiko," Ban replied just as Kazuki and Toshiki walked over to them.
"Thanks for the tip, Midou-san." Kazuki looked withdrawn. Ban longed to ask him what was wrong.
"Yes," agreed Toshiki, "they were in the storeroom at the back."
Ban looked at Toshiki, carefully avoiding Kazuki. "Just a bit of common sense, really."
"Thank you, anyway, Midou-san." Kazuki's voice forced Ban to meet his eyes. They seemed sad. Kazuki turned to Ginji. "Come with us Ginji, and give them some privacy."
"All right, Kazu-chan!" Ginji was up and gone before either Ban or Himiko could say anything.
Himiko looked at Ban in mild surprise. "Did you tell everyone about last night, Ban? That's so unlike you."
Ban smiled. "No, I just told Ginji. Apparently that was enough."
Himiko laughed. "So what were they thanking you for?"
"Just an obvious flaw in their plan that I pointed out."
"You helped them? Voluntarily?"
Ban shrugged. "They needed all the help they could get."
"No really," she went on, "I thought you lived to watch them make mistakes."
Ban frowned and turned away, hurt. "Is that what you think, Himiko? That I like seeing other people fail?"
"Ban, no, I didn't mean it like that. I was just kidding."
"Don't say things like that even as a joke, Himiko. It's really not funny."
"I'm sorry, Ban," she apologized.
"A sorry doesn't change what you said, you know." Ban didn't know why he was being so vindictive.
"Ban, why is it bothering you so much?" Himiko looked very concerned.
"I don't see what it has to do with you, really." Apologize. Now. Before she walks away.
Himiko flared in anger. "Fine, if that's how you really feel, Ban, good night."
As she got up and walked out the café, Ban called after her, "Good night, Lady Poison."
A hush fell upon the room. Ban went back to his drink, ignoring everyone else. Ginji and Natsumi approached him warily.
"Did you guys fight, Ban-chan?" Ginji asked softly.
"Just a spat, Ginji. Nothing serious."
"You sure?" asked Natsumi.
Ban nodded. "I'll call her and make up soon. You guys go back to having fun."
"All right, Ban-chan." Ginji sensed his partner wanted to be left alone.
The conversation around them was picking up as the awkwardness lessened. Ban glanced at Kazuki. The longhaired man was looking at him with an almost pleased expression. He blushed and turned away quickly when Ban caught him looking.
Damn Fuuchouin. He looks so happy my life's screwing up. Anyone else would've had his sympathy. He must really hate me...
For the first time in his life, Ban felt devastated.
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Wallowing in self-pity was not Midou Ban's style. He dealt with life's blows by keeping himself busy with work and moving on. He was a realist, as his manner so clearly showed.
A week had passed since the incident at the café. Ban had called Himiko and apologized the next day, blaming his bad mood on his recent injury. She believed me. I lied so blatantly, and she believed me.
The entire week had been filled with and endless stream of jobs. When people didn't come to them, Ban took it upon himself to walk the streets and find a job. They had finished three jobs that day. Even Ginji with his endless supply of enthusiasm was worn out.
"Enough, Ban-chan! I'm exhausted." He complained, "And it's not like we need money very badly."
"Ginji, you shouldn't slack off just because we have money." Ban was equally tired as they both flopped into their usual booth.
"Hey guys!" Natsumi smiled at them, "you both look terrible."
"Ban's been making me run around all week, Natsumi," Ginji pouted.
"Oi! Stop complaining," said Ban.
"He's right, Ban, slow down," said Paul, "and now that my tab's paid, I don't need to tell you guys to work more."
Neither of them heard him. They were both fast asleep.
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I'm trying very hard to get a plot to pick up, but I seem to be wandering every now and then. This was a lot longer than my usual chapters, almost twice as long. I try to keep them around a 1000 words usually.
Thanks to ryuuen kurai for being so nice! And thanks to everyone else reading this!
If all goes as planned, they should have the "Talk" in the next chapter. But I don't really want to leave Ban and Himiko hanging. Sweet confusion. lol, I'm being very nicely reminded by my boyfriend I'm a drama queen. I'll have chap 6 up tomorrow!
Kerian