Chapter 10
I can't remember exactly when it happened. And more importantly, how it happened. It just did and I didn't even notice a thing. All I know is that I just woke up one day and knew- for sure- I felt this way. And nothing could ever change it.
Not a single day passed that he never crossed my mind. As I wake up in the morning, the melodic chirping of birds remind me of his soft and quiet voice. The lush green leaves plant visions of his brilliant green gaze even as I close my eyes while relishing the splash of warm water on my face in the shower. And as I drink coffee, I'm almost tempted to dip my fingers in the light brown liquid, blindly thinking that if I did I would feel his soft silken hair.
Ah… I'm hopelessly lost in you…
"And hopelessly at Tatsumi-san's mercy if you don't work!"
At the sound of his mellow voice I gracelessly fall off my seat. Oww…
"Hi- Hisoka! How long have you been there?" I can feel heat rising in my cheeks.
"Don't fret, I just came in. I didn't hear any of your monologue and don't need to for me to know what you were talking about. Honestly, don't you think of anything but food?"
If he only knew how wrong he is.
Better get up while he pulls a chair beside mine and settles down. He picks the scattered papers all over the desk and carefully compiles them all inside a folder. What a neat freak.
"Are you done reading through the reports?" I'm not even halfway done yet. Geez, why does Tatsumi always torture me with this kind of idle work?
"Yes." How can he say that so casually? Oh right, that's my partner we're talking about. From the minute Tatsumi hands the papers to us, he memorizes everything written in it even just after one glance. His brain is an amazing thing. No, wait, everything about him is.
"But I'm just wondering…" He slightly frowns. "Why do you think Tatsumi-san asked for our help in studying all these documents?"
"Well, you're not allowed to do fieldwork yet. Watari will kill him if he lets Kaichou assign us another case because your recovery period's supposed to last one month, right?"
Knowing Tatsumi, he probably wanted to maximize all the manpower he can get. And when we came back, he must've noticed that Hisoka's already well enough to handle paperwork, so he settled for this. Well, I have to admit Hisoka's one of the brightest detectives we have. He's always a great help in linking the clues and completing the puzzle.
"Besides, this way it would be easier for Ayase too. Since he knows who's dealing with his case, maybe Tatsumi's hoping that Ayase will feel comfortable with us and eventually tell us what happened that night."
"I guess you're right…" Hisoka replies absently, staring at the open window.
"Why do you ask?"
His bangs sway when he shakes his head.
"No, nothing… Just… I was just thinking if… What if Tatsumi-san actually wanted us to do fieldwork? But then he can't… because of me…" He softly conveys.
Just one look in his shuddering eyes and I can already tell how he feels. Damn it, why does he always think of himself that way?
"You'll get used to it." You're not as useless as you think…But he doesn't look convinced. "If it's any help, then let me tell you this, you were wonderful on your first case even though you were new to the business."
That's right… Muraki almost killed me with that demon he summoned. Better take note to try and find out how a mortal like him has that ability. Oh but it's Muraki anyway… nothing you can't expect from that guy. Especially evil things.
I was just lucky because at that crucial moment, Hisoka let me synchronize with him, no matter how painful and mentally exhausting it was- setting aside that he was also seriously injured at the time.
"We encountered… a really tough opponent there, and I would've never made it out alive- er, all right I mean- if you hadn't been there." That much- and perhaps even more- he deserves to hear from me. "You're the best partner I've ever had." Walk closer to him and touch his cheek.
As expected, a silent blush answers my gesture.
The discreet 'ting' of the oven suddenly breaks our locked gaze. He pushes the chair backward and hastily gets up, "Breakfast is ready. I… I'll go set the table."
And he practically runs to the kitchen.
)-0-(
"So, where are we going to meet him?" Hisoka asks.
"At the port." Better make sure the door's locked. "Right, let's go!"
Last night, Ayase called us and said he wanted to take us somewhere. He didn't say where exactly, but left us with a rendezvous point. He said he'd meet us there at eight in the morning, so after eating breakfast we took off at once.
At the port, we quickly spot Ayase sitting at the third bench from the lamppost nearest the entrance. Really, who'd miss that mop of hair bright as the morning sunshine and that even brighter smile.
"Tsuzuki-san! Hisoka-san! Over here!!!" It's amazing how his arm manages to keep itself attached to its owner as Ayase waves at us a bit too enthusiastically.
"Sorry. Did you wait long?" Smile sheepishly at him.
"Nope. Just arrived here a couple of minutes before you did. So, are you ready?" Ayase chirps excitedly.
"Yes, but where are we going?" I've been dying to ask. And Hisoka looks just as curious.
"To a nearby islet. I always go there when I want some time alone to paint. There's a festival that's held there at this time of the year, but not many people know about it so the celebration is simple. But it's very beautiful." Ayase grins.
If it's an islet then that means we have to cross the sea. "But how do we get there?"
"Um… we have a private yacht." Ayase smiles timidly. "My dad and I used to go there all the time." For a moment there was a glint of sadness in his blue orbs, which soon fades when he smiles at us. "All aboard!"
So we go onboard, Ayase on the lead followed by Hisoka and me tailing behind them.
"It's impressive that you know how to maneuver a yacht at such a young age. I don't even know how to ride a bike." Never had the chance to learn that when I was young.
Hisoka snorts. "How could you learn that when you're clumsy enough to trip over your own foot?"
Ah… I remember that time all too clearly. We were rushing to EnmaCho because we were already late. In my haste I tripped and fell over but Hisoka threw his arms around me in an attempt to help me regain my balance. I guess he forgot that I'm heavier than him so I ended up dragging him down with me. But I managed to stay up on all fours so that I won't crush my little partner below me. And that day, Watari just happened to be conveniently passing by. So naturally, the whole division found out about the incident.
"I recall that last time I did, you caught me." Wink. See my partner's cheeks turn red.
"You two are so cute together." Okay, make that very red. It's amazing how such an innocent comment from Ayase can make all the blood in my partner gather to his face.
"I always watched my father whenever we went for a cruise, so when he decided to teach me I was very eager to learn. This is probably one of the most precious things I'll remember him by." Ayase's smile is just trying to mask the obvious tone of longing in his voice.
He positions in front of the steering wheel and looks down at a picture of three people. I can't see. Move forward a bit to take a closer look. There's a man carrying a five-year-old Ayase who's wearing a sailor's costume. He must be the father- a tall man who looks like Tatsumi with his stunning blue eyes and dark hair. But I doubt I'll ever see EnmaCho's secretary with a boyish smile like that. And to their right is… his mom. She has long and wavy silvery blond hair and green eyes. She has such a fair face that looks even more captivating with her timid smile.
"Let's go!" Ayase beams. He may have inherited his mother's looks, but I think he has his father's eyes and bright, carefree smile.
)-0-(
It's been a long time since we've been out to the sea, and back then we were on a case. Besides, it wasn't exactly what I'd call a pleasant cruise. Anything but. Especially for my partner…
I'm just glad that this time, we're back to relax and enjoy ourselves. Hopefully. Hisoka sure looks like he's enjoying himself anyway. He's been out there in the porch overlooking the see since the yacht started to gather speed, before it finally glided over the calm water steadily. The way he's leaning on the railings looking so lost in thought makes me want to run out there and hold him tight.
"Tsuzuki-san"
"Yes?"
"Um… the trip's kind of long. Why don't you and Hisoka-san have something to eat? I prepared some sandwiches earlier."
Food! Oh Ayase, you're an angel!
"Great! I'll call him in." And maybe I'll proceed with that 'hold him tight' plan of mine.
As the yacht steadily cruises on the surface, the wind rushing to my face makes me feel drowsy. Hisoka's eyes are narrowed to shield it from the cold autumn breeze. His blond strands blown back by the wind are almost touching my nose and I can't help but sniff it. I guess Hisoka's scent just intoxicates me.
Maybe it won't hurt if I try to get a bit closer. Just to smell him better and…
"Tsuzu-- Ow!"
"Why did you turn all of a sudden!?" My poor nose.
He's rubbing his nose too. Must've really hurt.
"Well, excuse me! I was just about to ask if you wanted something to eat because I wanted to get a glass of water." How sweet… My Hisoka's always thinking about me.
"But I just changed my mind."
Fine.
"Just what were you trying to do huh…?" Hisoka looks at me, slitting his eyes.
"No- nothing! I wasn't trying to steal a kiss or something!" Okay, that was just a slip of the tongue. I swear!
Hisoka's speechless, but his face is very red and that alone is worth a thousand words. He's avoiding my eyes again. He turns away and looks out to the sea as though it was the first time he had seen one and it happened to be the most interesting sight in the world.
Right, I almost forgot. "Um… Ayase said we might as well have some snacks first since it'll take a while before we get there."
Without another word, he walks back in.
)-0-(
Ayase temporarily stopped the yacht for a short break. He was a bit worried that the engine felt hotter than usual, but he dismissed it, saying it was probably because he forgot to do the regular maintenance required for quite a while now. "Maybe it just needs a bit of time to cool off."
We ate in silence, mostly because even though it has subsided considerably, there were still hints of red on Hisoka's pastel cheeks, and partly because he just decided to ignore me for the rest of the trip. Silent treatment part two huh? So be it. It's not so hard to ignore him. "Hmph!"
And so I did.
That is, until now when something rests on my shoulder. "Eh?"
Hisoka had fallen asleep. Not surprising since he slept late last night. He didn't go to bed until past midnight- when he finished reading all those documents Tatsumi sent for us. Oh, that's right… Ayase doesn't know about it yet. But I think now's not an appropriate time. I'll just tell him about it after this trip.
"So Ayase, why did you decide to take us out?" I've been wondering and I think now's the perfect chance to ask.
Ayase just smiles at me. A smile so like his father's. Speaking of smiles, I wonder how Hisoka would look like if he did.
"You saved my life. Twice. So I wanted to show my gratitude. At first I wanted to give you a gift, but since you're… um, you know… not exactly alive anymore, what good will ephemeral things do? Then I thought I should give you something you could bring with you when you go back. A memory." He looks at my partner then smiles brighter. "I bet you two will love it. It's something you can keep forever- in your hearts."
"Sounds nice." Nod at him. "Now I'm looking forward to it even more."
)-0-(
I think I dozed off too, because the next thing I know, we're moving again.
And Hisoka's not beside me anymore. "Hisoka?"
"He's outside." Ayase tells me while keeping his eyes on the sea.
Stretch and yawn. Ahh… it always feels nice doing that after a short nap. "Are we there yet?" I walk over to him.
"Look." He points to a hazy mass of green ahead of us. "That's the islet already. We'll be there in no time."
"Ooohhh…" So that's where we're headed for.
Better let Hisoka know.
"Hisoka! Look!!!" Great, I sound like an excited little kid rushing to meet my mother after a tiring day at school. "We're almost there! I can't wait!"
"You're acting like a-- AH!" Hisoka falls into my arms and instinctively holds on to my shoulders when a loud bang erupts from inside, shaking the yacht and making him lose his balance.
What the hell just happened…?
"Ayase!!!" Hisoka breaks into a dash and hastily opens the sliding doors. He coughs violently when a black smoke wafts from inside. Without bothering to stop to even his breathing, he steps in and calls out to Ayase.
"Kuso…"
Why is it that when I look forward to something good it always turns out to be a disaster?
"Hisoka! Ayase!"
Thank goodness. There they are. Hisoka's holding Ayase's right arm over his shoulder to steady the latter, as they walk away from the blazing engine.
"We… we have to get… out of here…" Ayase struggles to speak between coughs.
"Tsuzuki, the explosion caused fuel leaks. We must leave before the entire yacht blows up." Hisoka explains for Ayase's sake. "We'll have to swim to the shore."
"But you can't swim!" Okay, my tone was harsher than intended but…
"I'll manage…" He argues, voice slightly shuddering with hesitation.
"But Hisoka-"
"Tsuzuki!" He retorts, eyes now fully determined. Darn it, he won't even give me the chance to argue! "We need to go or Ayase might die here!"
And that makes my full attention turn to Ayase.
"Well… all right."
I guess we have no choice.
We ran for the porch and closed the sliding doors to reduce the smoke coming out from the yacht's burning interior, before it suffocates us to death. I let Ayase go first after he assures me for the tenth time that he knows how to swim. What, I had to make sure!
And now there are only Hisoka and me left.
"Now remember, take a deep breath and inhale as much air as you can. When you're under water, use your mouth to breathe and do it very, very slowly. Don't exhale too much air all at once or else you'll have no reserves until we resurface and gasp for breath. Okay?" I know I'm babbling these instructions all in a panicked rush, but we don't have time.
He seems to have understood though, because he's nodding. Good.
"And one more thing." Take his hand and hold it tight. "Don't ever let go." A smile forms at my lips when I feel a soft answering pressure.
"At the count of three then."
We'll make it…
"One"
We have to...
"Two"
Because after that, I…"Three!!!" And we jump into the water, feeling the chill rush into and spread all throughout my body.
I don't know for how long I've been kicking and paddling now, or if we're even going at the right direction. All I know is that I have to swim, swim, swim! For both our sakes.
Damn it… I think we dived in a little too much. Now I'm finding it hard to swim back up. And even though Hisoka's really light, I can't deny that I'm still supporting the weight of two people and that doesn't make the task at hand any easier.
Have to resurface…
Need air…
I can't let my partner down…
What's this…?
I could vaguely feel hands tugging at my shirt.
And those hands pull me closer…
Hisoka's face appears in front of me then he draws my head to him and captures my lips…
And breathes.
Then his hold on me loosens as I feel his body go limp.
)-0-(
tbc?
=w= erm… sorry for the late update. But I won't abandon this fic. I swear! ;;