Disclaimer: I have no license to prove that Digimon belongs to me.
Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews I received from the readers. I try my best to keep the characters IN character. I know some of you out there are so critical about that part. Read away!
Trapped in the Core
By: Lady Lara Croft
[2] Reminiscence
The apartment door was left ajar. Slowly, the lights were turned off as a young man emerged from his simple shelter, the keys of his dwelling jingled on his right hand. His left hand attached with the silver doorknob and with no effort at all shut the door. He slipped one of the keys inside the slit of the lock that qualified perfectly. After twisting the doorknob and testing the door securely, he pocketed his keys and followed the pathway toward the two sets of stairs. Kouji was clad in navy blue Adidas sportswear and his face in a happy mood, all set to start his day.
Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, he performed some lunges as well as some basic stretching before starting his morning jog. He placed his hands on each side of his hips and inhaled the fresh scent of morning and exhaled as he prepared for his jog. A slight breeze touched his right cheek and closed his eyes, savoring the peaceful morning. After checking his watch he began walking on the sidewalk, parallel his apartment.
Within a block or so, he was already jogging while he greeted some neighbors who walked his way. There was an elder couple, Mr. and Mrs. Yukinara who humbly looked after his dog when he visited his brother several years ago for a week. He waved at them and said a simple 'hello'.
Then he passed by Mrs. Nakamura, a physician, whom he admired, not because of her beautiful face but because of her good sense of humor. She always had her way of bringing a nice smile on Kouji's face. In fact, Mrs. Nakamura reminded Kouji of his own mother and maybe that's why he felt close to her. She was very nice to talk to, easy to get along with, and very respectful of others.
Fifteen minutes have passed when he reached a high school, and decided it was best for him to improve his sprinting skills. He ran behind the school and surely enough there were other morning joggers running around the field.
He rested for a minute or so as he caught his breath. A mother and father trailed behind a little boy who ran unsteadily in between the white lines of the field. "Keep running! You're doing a fine job son!" Kouji heard, as the father encouraged his little son. In response, the little boy kept running and gave a thumb up. The mother waved back at her son and also gave a thumb up. Kouji smiled at the family who ran together in a fine morning like this one.
Following his short little break, he ran into the field and positioned himself in between two white lines. He lowered himself, his left knee in almost a right angle condition, his right foot and leg located slightly behind the left leg, parallel to the other leg. His palms barely touched the ground; he put his head down and put it back up. He breathed three times. He was ready to sprint. Making sure he was in a running stance, he counted until three under his breath and sprinted as fast as he could just like a real athlete.
His heart pumped rapidly as his leg muscles worked tirelessly. He could hear himself breathing heavily but he wasn't going to stop. He sprinted fifty feet, his heart still pumping like crazy. Then he reached one hundred feet and no way was he giving up. As he ran closer to one hundred and fifty feet, he could feel the warmth of his face combined with the cool wind that approached him. It felt refreshing to him. It felt cool and it felt…so nice. He pondered, Almost there. I'm almost done. And with all his strength and energy, with his heart pumping so fast, and his leg muscles laboring continuously, he completed his two hundred feet sprint.
He walked for twenty feet and repeated the whole procedure three more times. When he was done, he looked at his watch that read 9:00 AM. He was long ready to leave the field. Feeling so content with the sprinting he had done, he walked back home but stopped at Lori's Café.
His eyes wandered around him as he looked at the houses and shops he passed by. They weren't that intricate like the ones in Tokyo City. Everything was just plain and simple, the way he liked to live. The neighborhood wasn't too big. He probably knew most of the residents in his area. The place was just right.
His hands were safe inside his pockets as he arrived at Lori's Café. He spotted a Police vehicle parked in front of the coffee shop as he entered the place. Right in front of him stood a Police man who waited patiently in line. The Police heard Kouji enter the café and greeted him a single nod, and likewise with Kouji.
"You've been running?" the police asked him.
"Yeah. It's a nice morning. I didn't want to waste it." I wonder if he's always like this. Talking to anyone he meets. Maybe he's just being nice, he looks friendly to me, Kouji thought to himself.
The other man nodded and looked back up ahead. Then he returned his attention to Kouji. "Mind if I ask if you're a long distance runner or sprinter?"
Kouji answered, "Not at all. I sprint just for fun. I want to improve my running." The cop just nodded. "So how do you like your job? Officer…"
"Inaei. Police Sergeant Lance Inaei," he said as he introduced himself. "It's pretty fun actually, once you get used to everything."
Kouji nodded and tilted his head sideways to the right to gesture the lady over at the counter was ready to take his order. Lance turned around and ordered a latte while Kouji ordered a frappucino. While they waited for their order, they took the little amount of time they had for an opportunity to converse with each other.
"So what do you do?"
"I used to work over at some electronic company, but I quit two months ago. It's not my type of work. So, what's it like for you?" replied Kouji.
Kouji's new friend chuckled and prepared for an answer. "To tell you the truth, I love my job. It's what I've always wanted to do and to be, ever since I was a kid. My father was killed when I was seven years old. And you might be thinking that I wanted revenge for that and yes, you're partly correct. But my father's death wasn't the only reason why I chose this job. It was for the children. I've read a lot of newspaper articles where kids were the main targets of violence and I want to do something about it. I want to bring justice to them because I believe that the kids today would do something great in the future. Being a cop means a lot to me. But of course, you can never be too careful on the job."
"That's true. It sounds interesting as well as dangerous," replied Kouji who took his frappucino from the counter and drank it.
He kept listening to Lance's reason of joining the police force. The joy was that he wanted to protect the innocence of the children, and the risk was getting killed or being shot at. Kouji's interest in Lance's job grew. He wondered what it would have been like if he wore the same uniform that Lance put on, or how it felt to use police gadgets. No, I don't think that's me. It's just a thought though, it wouldn't hurt trying to imagine myself become a police, he pondered as he continued to listen.
"I do what I do best. And if I died on the job, then I'll know I was doing the right thing and it's part of the whole cop thing. It's either you live to tell the tale, or you die for a good cause. I'd choose dying for a good cause…there was that time, the Chief suspended me. I didn't want to be suspended because I thought I was the best they ever had. I was hardheaded back then and so I quit for some time. I wanted to find something else to do but nothing worked for me.
So, the time came when I had a good talk with the Chief and honestly confessed to him that I wanted my badge back where it belonged, with me, and not in his office. All he did was laugh at me. He knew I'd be coming back around and gladly returned my badge on my palm. I guess I got lucky with my situation. I was only suspended and not kicked out. That's about it though."
"Luck was with you that time," the black haired boy replied looking at the time. They had been talking for nearly half an hour and Lance wrapped up their conversation.
"Well I have to get going. And stay out of trouble kid. I wouldn't want to cuff you up like the other bastards in this area."
Kouji merely laughed and nodded. "Don't worry. You may never know that I could be your future partner."
Lance chuckled and patted Kouji's shoulder. "You're all right kid. You're all right. And I won't be surprise if you ever make it in Headquarters. Take care of yourself." With Lance's last words, he walked out of the coffee shop and drove away in his vehicle. Kouji thought he was all right for a police, he was actually a kind talker, very polite.
"After all this time, I forgot to tell him my name," he said as he scratched his head. "Oh well that's all right. It has been a fine morning for me anyway. Maybe next time I see him I'll tell him my name." He took another sip of his frappucino before he too walked out of Lori's Café. Before returning to the direction of his apartment, he glanced back where Lance's vehicle sped off and said, "Police Sergeant Lance Inaei. Not bad for a cop…"
. . . .
Kouji's eyes quickly shot open. He lay comfortably on his couch; a blanket was wrapped around his body. It took him a minute to recall where he was. His eyes surveyed the area he was in and remembered he chose to sleep in his living room, inside his very own apartment.
He had been dreaming the day he met Lance at the coffee shop. But for a minute there, he felt as if he had been reliving that day. He felt he just met Lance yesterday and within a blink of an eye he was gone. "I remember that day…I will never forget it," he said to himself. He missed his partner. No. He missed his friend. He still couldn't believe he was dead and he'd never see him again. They would never work with each other side by side, nor would they eat their lunches together and talk about their day. It was over.
Kouji gazed at the clock above the TV. The sun was at its highest peak at 2:00 PM in Sendai. He had been asleep for nearly half of the day. The windows across him allowed light to infiltrate the lonely room. He reached over the center table that cradled the TV remote on its edge, defending his eyes from the sunrays with his bare arm. He sat up and pushed the button that eventually turned on a 27-inch black box. He ran his nimble hand through his ruffled hair, flipping the channels on the television.
"Good afternoon viewers and welcome. This is Izumi Orimoto, live from NHK Broadcasting Station, otherwise known as Japan Broadcasting Corporation. Stock prices had gone up since yesterday and surprisingly enough, it's still increasing as we speak, or shall I say, as I speak."
Japan's Women's Soccer team defeated North Korea 3-1. And what a game it was last night! Erika Niyama stated after triumphantly winning, "We did all our best to win. I know I was injured 11 minutes into the game, but that didn't stop me from encouraging my teammates. Soccer is my life and so is winning." To the fans out there, the women's soccer team will be holding a soccer session in two weeks. We'll keep you posted about this remarkable event.
In other news, report from the unfriendly incident that took place two days ago, Sunday, February 17, took the public by surprise. Since its establishment in 1987, Central Bank had never been the target for any armed robbery until two days ago. Aiko Liyama's family, the victim who died, is still waiting some words from Sendai Headquarters. They have yet to track down the crime lord who assembled the robbery. Tomorrow, Wednesday, there will a special tribute to Junsabucho (Japanese for Police Sergeant) Lance Inaei over at Sendai Cemetery. Friends as well as family are welcome to attend -"
Kouji terminated the TV before the newscaster could add more to his memories. He didn't have any contact with anyone since the burglary.
And then, he remembered his family for no particular reason. He moved out of his dad and step-mom's house two years before he entered the police force. He wanted to call them and fill them in on the information, but he guessed that the news got to them first before he did, with his rational conclusion he took his mind off it. But suddenly the phone rang. Laziness clung to him but he had to answer the phone. He stood from the couch and marched toward the phone.
He picked up the receiver and spoke, "Hello?"
"Son! Are you all right?"
"Dad? Is that you?"
"Yes son. I called to see how you are doing? I'm sorry your step-mom couldn't talk to you right now. She's at a meeting. But I'm here."
Kouji fell silent for a minute. He didn't want others to feel sorry for him. But this was his family and he knew they cared about him, especially his dad even though when he was younger they weren't on good terms. But that was the past. He answered, "I'm fine dad. Not the best assignment I've had but it's nothing I can't handle. I don't want you to worry about me ok?"
He heard his father sighed on the other side of the phone. His son Kouji Minamoto had long grown up. He wasn't the little boy he looked after anymore, but he will always be his son.
"I know I shouldn't worry Kouji but I'm your father. I'm glad you're all right, that's all that matters to me. I was shocked about the news. I knew how close you and Lance was. I remembered the first time you were out patrolling with him around Sendai, he showed you tricks to determine the bad guys, and you told me that. Well, I won't take up your time son. Knowing you're all right make me happy."
"Thanks for calling dad. Take care."
"Bye son." Click. Kouji returned the receiver back on its resting-place. A slight smile formed on his lips. Deep down he really missed his dad. He knew he cared about him.
He returned to the couch and sat down as he threw his head back. He closed his eyes as another set of ringing was initiated.
He looked at the phone and mumbled, "Who could it be now? It better be someone worth talking to." He gave up his serene place on the couch and took the effort to answer the phone. He was surprised to hear the voice on the other line.
"Kouichi?"
"Kouji. It's been so long. I'm sorry about what happened. I have missed talking to you since both of us have been busy."
Kouji's emotions were mixed. He felt so happy his brother called yet at the same time he felt sad because his brother addressed the unfortunate incident. "News spread like grass fire doesn't it? I appreciate your calling though."
"Yeah. Tell me you're all right. I'm worried about you."
The other boy smiled. "I'm fine brother. Thanks for caring."
"Anytime. Aren't you supposed to be at work right now?" Kouichi asked anxiously.
Kouji hesitated before answering. Should he tell him the truth about his resignation? Or should he make up some other story?
"I'm off duty today. I asked the Chief if he could give me a day off."
"Oh. Well I'm glad you took the day off. You should get some rest. Sorry for our quick conversation but I have to read this DNA sequence here at the lab. I'll call you some other time. Bye Kouji."
"Bye Kouichi."
He stood there as his hands let go of the receiver. He recalled the day he contacted Kouichi to tell him about his new job as a police. Kouichi couldn't believe it but he sure as hell was happy for his brother. He said being a cop wasn't that bad at all, especially when you're paired up with a decent partner. Lance was patient with Kouji and he was thankful for that. Kouichi would joke around saying; "If I were Lance I don't think I'd have enough patience for your temper." Kouji would laugh at his brother's little joke. He didn't mind it at all.
While Kouji entered the police force, Kouichi on the other hand also associated with the police back in Shibuya. He worked at the lab most of the times. Often he worked with forensics but usually he could be seen in his own lab a couple blocks down near Shibuya's Ward Office, he was a biotechnologist, as some of his colleagues there called him. Kouji was proud of his brother's job.
. . . .
By the time he stepped out of the shower, it was already 4:30 PM. His towel hugged around him just below his waist. Droplets of water fell from the tips of his hair as it landed on his bare chest.
He looked at the face that stared opposite him in front of the mirror. He rubbed his left eye gently and examined his face. He took another towel that hung behind the door and dried his hair as much as he could. After doing so, he tossed it inside the hamper. He turned off the light and proceeded in his room.
He pulled out a light blue shirt and blue sweatshirt, along with his boxers and dark blue pants. He closed the door to change into his new clothes.
When finished, he appeared looking fresh. He walked over to the fridge and inspected what foods were edible and what could be piled inside the garbage. He held the door open and stared at the inside of the fridge. Nothing looked inviting to his eyes. To his disappointment, he grabbed a coke can and shut the door. He concluded to eat outside. He felt he shouldn't risk his health for the old food that was kept in the fridge.
Kouji grabbed his keys on the center table and headed out. He drank his coke as he locked his door. He walked down the two sets of stairs that waited for him and went directly to the bus stop. He thought pizza would be a good choice to satisfy his hunger and that's where he was headed. The pizza place was ten minutes away from his place. While on the ride, he thought about the pizza he wanted to order.
Pepperoni pizza sounds good, there's also cheese…hmm…but I've had too much of that. Maybe I'll get a combination or pineapple and ham. Nah, I'll stick with pepperoni, though Kouji as his head met the window of the bus.
The bus stop a few feet away from the pizza place as he hopped out of the transportation.
"Same as always," he said, looking around the crowded place. He could barely see where he was going since there were so many people all over the place. He squeezed himself the crowd trying hard to enter the pizza place. He wanted to get in, order his pizza, and get out as quickly as he could, but chances are, he may be stranded for a couple of minutes.
After much effort of pushing and apologizing to people he ran into, a rewarding pizza made his day. He sat inside the pizza place as he ate two slices of pepperoni pizza and another coke.
Just as he was about to take a bite from his second slice, a hand grabbed his shoulder. With his quick reflex and intuition, his right hand caught the wrist of the stranger's hand on his shoulder and twisted it. He heard a cry of pain from the owner of the hand.
"Oww! Minamoto stop that!" said the voice. Kouji looked over to see the stranger on one knee. He was in pain. When he realized who it was, he released his grip.
"My bad Derucci," he apologized. Derucci, a man of blonde hair and hazel eyes at the age of twenty-seven, was a Senior Officer who worked with Lance and Kouji at the station. Kouji didn't recognize him for a minute since he wasn't wearing his police uniform.
"I just came by to say hi to you since I saw you. You didn't have to break my wrist," Derucci said as he sat across Kouji tending to his wrist.
"Well, good to see you too. How's work been without me?" he questioned as he finished the last bite of his second slice. Kouji wondered if the rest of the squads actually talked about him or if they just let it go like the whole incident happened years ago.
Derucci sighed. "Everyone but the Chief wanted you back. A couple of our guys were protesting. They said what happened wasn't entirely your fault and the Chief should have given you a break. But of course, we really can't say anything since we don't know if the commission was exclusively from the Chief. If it was from him, then, we'll have to make the Chief reconsider about your resignation. The boys are giving the Chief such a hard time ever since he kicked you out."
Kouji laughed as he sat back. "Sounds like you're all having fun over there without me. Too bad I'm missing all of it."
"Well, I'm also here to tell you that we caught one of the crooks last night. Luck was with us. He was trading some money for drugs in an alley near Central Bank and who happened to check the place out again but me."
"Much props to you. Did you guys make him sing yet?"
"I tried to but my partner Ohika beat the shit out of him."
The younger man laughed. He couldn't believe what he just heard. "You mean, little boy Ohika did that? Well I'll say. He's not much of a wimp as I thought he was!…But that's good news for me. You guys keep up the good work. I'd catch those criminals if I wanted to but I have no authorization."
"You've always been the one to follow the rules Minamoto. I'm proud of you. I'll tell the boys not to stop annoying the Chief. You're one hell of a guy."
"Thanks Derucci. I'll be going now. I'll see you around." Kouji got up and was ready to leave.
"Yeah. You going to the cemetery tomorrow?" Derucci asked before Kouji completely disappeared from his sight.
"I'm going all right. I'll see you boys over there."
More to come…