The knock on the door made Sayaka jump off her seat. She was too deep in her thoughts. Blowing an irritated sigh she stopped marking those papers she was working on and walked herself towards the door.

"Coming!" She half yelled, still feeling annoyed. There's nothing like an interruption while you're in the middle of something.

"Yes?" She yanked the door open and let out a loud gasp when she realised who stood there. She felt her cheek warmed at the sight of her neighbour. The last time she saw him was that afternoon he declined Kei's invitation for dinner.

"K..Kan..pei?!" Stammering through her words.

"Hey neighbour," Kuroda grinned. His eyes openly scanned her from top to bottom. His eyes twinkled with amusement.

She mentally checked herself only to realise she wore glasses, her hair surely messy from all those times she ran through it in frustration at small mistakes her students made. She finally glanced at herself and what she's wearing. She felt her cheek grow hotter as she took in her oversize shirt, lounge pants and hello kitty slipper.

"You look cute, by the way," Kuroda chuckled. "Is this a bad time to drop by?"

She shook her head a few times while trying to find her words. "Sorry I didn't know it's you...or I would at least change .."

"Gee, I'm flattered! You would dress up for me. But this is priceless! You got a hot teacher look goin..ouch!" He stopped mid sentence when she quietly pinched his arm. His easy going nature broke the ice. She was glad for it.

She shook her head and let the door open wider. "Come in and make yourself comfortable."

He did and closed the door behind him. His eyes were scanning around the room taking notes of everything it seemed. She smiled and gestured for him to sit.

"What were you doing? You don't seem to be happy answering the door.. I was tempted to turn around and come back later," he teased.

"Just working on school papers." She shrugged and disappeared to the kitchen. "Do you drink Coffee? I'm making one for myself. Do you want one?"

Kuroda watched the papers in front of him. "Err... Sure, if you don't mind"

She reappeared a few minutes later with a tray full of things. He stood up and grabbed it off her hand instantly. She smiled at him gratefully. It's still hard to believe that Kuroda Kanpei was in her apartment. Her heart was beating furiously at the sight of him.

"Glad you dropped by. I need a break." She told him. "So how are you? What are you up to? What brings you here?"

Kuroda openly laughed at her many questions. "That's a load of questions."

She closed her eyes and wished the floor would open up right there and then. She sounded like a blubbering idiot. Even to herself.

She grabbed her cup of coffee and motioned Kuroda to do the same. She needed to get herself together.

"Sorry.. It's been a while since we saw each other." She confessed openly. "I feel like there's too many questions and so many things to say at the same time."

Kuroda nodded in full understanding.

"I'm back for good. I'm no longer in special forces, if that's what you wanted to know. How are you? Still working as a teacher, I take it?"

She nodded.

"I teach primary school now." She told him. "What about you?"

"Ah… I have a special appointment working at Takushoku University. Research and things like that."

"That's amazing! Please stay for dinner if you have no plans tonight so we can catch up properly."

"Is Tsuchiya Kei coming today?"

"He doesn't live here, you know." She took a sip of her coffee. "Do you prefer for him to be here?Will that make you comfortable to stay for dinner? Should I call him to come over? "

Kuroda nearly choked on his coffee at her last question.

"No! No! wasn't looking for him."

"No?" Sayaka raised her eyebrow cheekily.

He chuckled and shook his head in clear amusement.

"So, what happened to Goggle V?"

The mention of his Special Ops secret mission name made him look up to find her gaze. If he was surprised by the turn of the subject, he didn't let it show. He just shrugged. It's about time they addressed the pink elephant in the room.

"It's all over. For good." At her doubtful look he added, "Goggle V disbanded. We're back to our normal civilian life now. No more secret missions. It's all over. New unit will be formed but that will have nothing to do with any of us."

"Oh!" A mix of emotions running through her face. "So you are staying next door, not just temporary then?"

He chuckled. "So far no plan to move again."

"I see. Then what about Miki?"

At the mention of her colleague, Kuroda looked at her. He didn't even think they even knew each other. Sure they met but he couldn't recall their interaction more than just necessary given the circumstances then. So it was intriguing for her to remember Miki.

"What about her?".

"Is she part of the new unit? Do you guys still keep in touch?"

He shook his head regretfully.

"Not sure why we didn't. But when it's over, I think we were all just glad it's all over and went our separate ways." He shrugged again. "Why do you ask about Miki?"

Sayaka suddenly turned her attention to the cup in front of her. She's avoiding his gaze. How interesting.

"Nothing. I always think she's beautiful and so young to be tied up to such life and demand. She's young isn't she?"

Kuroda let out a belly laugh. "Are you trying to tell me I'm old?"

"It's not like that." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway... I just ask because I thought you're close to her. So I'm wondering what will happen now that everything is over."

Kuroda looked amused at her comment. She sounded almost jealous. She mentioned Miki with attributes such as young and beautiful after all. Could it be that she's actually trying to figure out his relationship with Miki and find out if there's any romantic connection?

"Ignore me. I'm being nosy." She shook her head dismissively, suddenly feeling embarrassed by her probing. "It's none of my business, really."

"Actually now you mention it, I should put more effort into staying in touch with her. Maybe look her up ..." He folded his arms and stared at her straight with a smile still plastered on his face.

"Right. " she pointed at the cake plate in front of them. "More cake?" Eagerly trying to change the subject.

Kuroda grinned even wider at her sudden need to change or stop the conversation.

He was smiling to himself when suddenly the front door opened. And at the sight of the person standing there, his smile disappeared.

"How many times have I told you to lock the door?" Kei shook his head and stopped when his eyes landed on Kuroda's Shoes. His eyes searched the room and he put his hands up in a wave-like gesture.

"Kanpei!" Kei greeted him cheerfully. Kuroda just nodded without a word.

"Kei?.." Sayaka looked surprised and slightly annoyed. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I wasn't planning to come at all but I thought I could help prepare materials and finish off the report." He explained and raised his eyebrow curiously. "What are you doing here, Kuroda Kanpei?"

"I invited Kanpei for dinner." Sayaka answered and turned to Kuroda. "You don't have plans right?"

"Gee, Sayaka.. give the man a break." Kei chuckled and stopped when Sayaka scowled at him.

"I don't have plans. Thanks for inviting me." Kuroda said quickly.

"Great!" Sayaka said a bit too excitedly. "Kei, don't you need to be somewhere else? I don't need help with my papers."

Kei looked amused. He tried not to laugh at Sayaka's eyes that tried to send signals.

"I don't have plans either. My plan was to help you but if you don't need my help then the least you can do is feed me before you send me off my way."

Kuroda watched her crestfallen face before she masked it with a smile. There's hope for him.

"Well, I hope you get to know each other well while I prepare dinner. Don't talk about me behind my back. These walls are thin."

Kei openly laughed at her warnings. Sayaka rolled her eyes at Kei before making her way to the kitchen.

It was obvious that Kei knew Sayaka well and they were very much comfortable with each other, although they never showed any reference of being a couple, which was intriguing for Kuroda.

"It was a fateful day." Kei grinned as he told the story about how they met. "If I wasn't late that day, I wouldn't be sitting next to her. We had to pair up and do many activities together. It was quite fun."

Sayaka laughed at the memories. "It was a surprise to know that we work in the same area too. What a coincidence."

"Fate huh?" Kuroda half whispered subconsciously.

"Do you believe in fate, Kanpei?"Sayaka eyed him.

Kuroda blinked before facing her. Did he?

Afterall he was chosen to be Goggle V and was told pretty much it's his fate. And never he regretted the day Makoto bursted into his club and took him to the lab. He wouldn't meet the rest of his teammates.

"You could say that" He smiled tightly at the thought of Sayaka's fate with Kei.

"Well.. I don't believe it." Sayaka crossed her arm on the table. Both Kei and Kuroda eyed her.

"You don't?" Kuroda looked surprised at her statement. Normally girls do. She shook her head and smiled.

"What about love at first sight?" Kei asked.

"Lust at first sight is more like it." she grinned at Kei and he laughed.

"Red thread legend?" Kei probed and this time she laughed.

"It's a myth!" She smiled again.

"Soul mate?" Kei probed further.

"No such thing." she laughed louder and Kuroda couldn't help but smile too. He's in awe.

"Destiny?" Kuroda's turn to ask. She smiled wider and shook her head.

"We create our own destiny. At least that's what I would tell my students."

"Wow!" Kuroda and Kei said in unison.

"I do believe in one thing though.." She chuckled and they both leaned in showing their interest to hear it.

"What.."

"I believe in second chances." She beamed at Kuroda and for a second he thought his heart skipped a beat.

Kuroda groaned as he massaged his temple. Stepping out of his apartment, he glanced at Sayaka's door.

Both Kei and Sayaka obviously shared a lot of history. Over the past 2 weeks since he moved next door, whenever Kei was over at her place, Sayaka always invited him over. As painful as it may be, he just couldn't say no especially if that means he got a taste of her cooking.

But after every single dinner he spent at her place, he ended up cursing himself. For a few nights now, he avoided their invitation and purposely went out knowing Kei would be over. He busied himself with work the last few days and came home to face a cold reality that she's next door with another man.

He couldn't sleep all night and his mind was occupied with the girl next door and wondered why he thought it was a great idea to move in next to her after all this time. Though there was that night where he heard her scream in the middle of the night. He wondered if she ever recovered from that fateful day four years ago. It's not something she signed up for. If only she never knew him.

He let out a heavy sigh. The guilt of that day still haunted him. He was glad to see her doing ok. He wasn't sure what to expect the moment they saw each other again, but the way she called his name, and those tears in her eyes. There was genuine happiness there.

He caught her looking his way during dinner that made him question everything that was presented in front of him. Maybe there's more platonic to her relationship with Kei than he assumed. He needed to know where he stood with her. She's worth fighting for.

"All is fair in love and war. May the best man win." He muttered to himself.

Kuroda smiled to himself and rubbed his palm together. He's always been a fighter and not one to back down without giving it all.

It was past midnight by the time Sayaka was done with her work and realised she had skipped dinner. It's no wonder her stomach protested loudly. It's so typical of her to be so engrossed in her work, researching for materials and reading articles that she forgot everything else.

She looked at the time and let out a curse when she remembered her pantry was pretty much empty. Unless she's happy with drinking more coffee to fill her belly, she would need to go to the mini mart at the corner of the apartment.

Taking off her glasses, she grabbed her jacket, a wad of cash from her wallet and pepper spray just in case.

It crossed her mind to check if Kuroda was still awake. It would be nice to have him walking with her at this hour. Going to the mini mart at odd hours was nothing unusual for her but normally Kei was around.

But Kuroda's apartment was dark. No light coming out of it which probably means he was asleep.

She braced herself and went down anyway. The mini mart was only a 5 minutes walk. The road was a well lit area. Nothing was going to happen. And one thing for sure, she's hungry.

In no time she was walking back to her apartment with a bag full of food.

She was about to take the stairs when she heard footsteps trailing behind her. On pure instinct, she quickly ran up the stairs and took the chance to look behind her. She let out a loud gasp when she saw three men were looking her way and they half ran toward the stairs.

Knowing it's not a great sign, she ran faster towards her apartment and fumbled with her keys. The footsteps were sounding closer and she dropped the key as panic set in.

The men didn't make much noise as they reached the top of the stairs and pretty much cornered her. One of them was leering at her.

She dropped her bag of food and made a dash towards Kuroda's apartment desperately, hoping he would hear her before anything could happen. She turned her back at his door and let out a shriek to find the men were right behind her.

One of the men was trying to grab her when the door opened and she fell right to a wall of muscles. Kuroda's bare chest to be precise. He placed his hands on her arms to steady her.

"Ka...n..pei.." She stammered. A sense of relief went through her. She would be safe.

He pulled Sayaka in and stepped out of his apartment, shielding her from them all.

He looked as if he just woke up but his gaze was fully alert as he took in the men before him. His stance and the way he looked at each one of them was enough to send shivers up Sayaka's arms. He looked like he's ready to rip those men apart with his bare hands. He looked furious.

"You have three seconds to tell me why you're all chasing her." Kuroda said quietly. Almost too quietly.

"Back off, man. This has got nothing to do with you." One of the men warned.

"This has everything to do with me." He walked a step towards those men. "You guys have no idea who you're messing with. Now I asked you one more time.. What was your deal chasing her in the middle of the night?"

"Who the hell are you?" Another stepped forward. He sure got balls.

"You're testing my patience," Kuroda growled.

The men truly didn't stand a chance. He charged towards them and before they could run or duck, Kuroda twisted and launched a back kick that was done in a split second.

The three men groaned as they all hit the ground at the same time.

"Now.. Talk!" Kuroda grabbed one of them by the hair, gripping it hard and ready to push it to the ground just as hard if he refused.

"Go to hell!" The man spat.

"After you," Kuroda snorted. He slammed the guy's head to the ground with a sounding thud. The man screamed in agony but Kuroda didn't let go of his hair which he pulled back once again, ready for round two of the head banging.

Two of the other men stood up and were about to charge at him but Kuroda moved faster as he swiped their legs once again. Another scream was heard.

"Keep it quiet, will you? Everyone is sleeping already... Geeeshh!" Kuroda shook his head clearly amused.

"SSS...stop!" The guy he held waved his hands in surrender. "We didn't mean harm."

"Sure! I believe you" Kuroda pulled his head higher so he could see him face to face. "Just like you gotta believe me when I say I won't slam your head to the floor again"

He was about to slam that man's head when his friend half yelled. "We saw her walking in this hour at night. so.."

"So you chase after her and scaring her?"
Kuroda let go of the man's hair. It was so greasy. He refused to wonder when that guy's last hair wash. He wiped his hand on that guy's back shirt. It's only fair. His own grease anyway.

"We just want to know her.. And she's pretty.."

He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence because he was out cold on the floor as Kuroda's punch strikes him.

He turned to the other two who froze on the spot. Too cowardly to move or say anything after witnessing the head banging game.

"Take him away. And leave now before I change my mind."

They both scrambled to their feet before he could let out a sigh. They half dragged their friends.

"Listen carefully and listen well. I don't want any of you to come around or go anywhere near her ever again. If you do, you will get really up close and personal with the ground or sleep under it. Get it?" Kuroda warned them.

He watched as they all stumbled on the stairs trying to get away from him as fast as they possibly could. He glanced at his own apartment and shook his head in disbelief. He shuddered at the thought of what could happen if he wasn't living next door and Kei wasn't around like that night.

He glanced at her shopping bag near the door, left explained why she was out and about. He needed to have a long talk with her. She should at least ask him to accompany her. What was she thinking?

What a night.

"Are you ok?" Kuroda asked Sayaka the moment he entered his own apartment. She looked as if she's going to cry. But she managed a small nod and rubbed her arms nervously.

"You don't look ok." Kuroda sighed. He went to grab a chair for her. "Here, have a seat. You look like you need something warm. Hot chocolate? Tea?"

Kuroda went to wash his hands and grab a T-shirt to put on.

Sayaka didn't say anything, probably still shocked. Her body shook with tremors.
"Hey... It's ok. Everything is ok now. You're safe here." Kuroda said softly as he patted her head like she would normally do to her students. She glanced at him and found him staring back with a smile that reached his eyes.

Kuroda has always been that genuine person who cared about others and their well being.

A sob broke through and she covered her face instantly.

"Sayaka..." Kuroda was stunned at the sight of her tears flowing through her fingers. But she just shook her head violently, unable to stop her sobbing.

Living a tough life, women's tears didn't move him much. His friends and comrade, Akama might buy into that act especially Aoyama. They're both such a softie when it comes to women, their tears and their pleas. Kijima was softie too despite being the most rough. He cooked and the kids loved him as well. And the women pampered him.

It's not the case for Kuroda. Kids were his weaknesses. He can't stand seeing kids in trouble or distress. It's probably why he admired Sayaka and understood well and even respected her to protect those kids back then. But something about Sayaka and the pain he caught in her eyes before those tears flowed in, startled him to the core.

He wished for her to stop but not sure what to do or what to say. He's really not good with women in tears.

His best experience was with Miki, and the lab girls. But they're more like work colleagues. And Miki was more like a little sister than anything. And despite her femininity she was one tough cookie. If she ever cries that actually means she's mad enough to kill you. So her tears were more like a pre-warning to run as far as you can from her. At least that's what he thought anyway. Not that he had many chances to witness Miki's tears. And most likely Aoyama would be the first to lend his shoulder to cry on. Those two were close. Even though he always caught her looking secretly at Akama.

So there he was, facing an uncontrollable sobbing girl. Sayaka somehow brought out the alpha male in him. The cavemen kind. He ran his fingers through his already messy hair and let out a quiet groan.

Maybe Sayaka heard it and mistook it for something else because suddenly he heard her muttering a broken apology through her unstoppable sobbing fest.

Listening to her apology made him even feel like screaming, so instead he grabbed her and let her cry on his shoulder. He patted her back awkwardly and heard her chuckle.

"Better?" He asked, still patting her. She caught his hand in her palm and pulled away from him before nodding shyly. Did he do it too hard?

"Th... Thanks Kanpei, '' she said in between her sobs. She even tried to smile.
"I'm such a mess right now. Thanks for everything."

"Don't even mention it. You're probably hungry.. Shall I cook something for you?" He pointed the chair not far from where they stood.

"I don't want to trouble you more than I already did." She sat down anyway. Finally registering his words. She gave him a skeptical look , "You cook?"

He laughed.

"By cooking, I mean I turn on the kettle and pour it over instant ramen."

"To be perfectly honest, I've actually lost my appetite." She gave him a shaky smile.

"I could take you to a ramen stall that I know is still open. It's probably better than instant ramen. Shall we go?"

She glanced at the clock on his wall. "It's almost 2 am, Kanpei. I think I should let you go back to sleep. I should go home."

"Don't go to bed hungry. That's what the saying goes, no?" Kuroda smiled, making her chuckle at the misquote.

"Don't go to bed angry." She corrected while he just shrugged. "Thank you, Kanpei."

He let her drop all the groceries at her place before they both locked up and headed for the garage where he parked his motorbike.

"It's quicker this way. I can get you back in bed in an hour or so." He grinned at her and noticed her blushing. He wondered what was in her mind.

Sayaka held on to him and was once again grateful that he was there in her time of need tonight. Her mind raced back to how shaken she was earlier and the look of concern in his eyes.

Ever since they met again, there's an aloofness about him. A guarded wall that showed a little of the guy she used to know. He was cordial to her.

Whatever happened to that carefree, easy going guy she knew? But then again, she couldn't blame him if they never would be like how they used to be around each other. After all, she betrayed him in the worst way four years ago.

What happened tonight transported her back to those fateful days.

She was in her first year of teaching. Kuroda would visit and come along with her sometimes during school excursions. She appreciated her support and help and the kids loved him and enjoyed being around him. Kuroda was a natural among kids. Something about him that made kids trust him easily.

One day, he came late just as the bus was about to depart only to apologize profusely that he couldn't make it. He had errands to do. Little that she knew, that very day their bus was attacked and hijacked. They were held hostage in a cave under the mountain way. It was a scary experience. The kids were crying, she was terrified and their driver was tortured in front of her. It was a great attempt on their part to disclose her relationship with Kuroda and to lure him there. She begged them to let the kids go in exchange for herself. But they wanted Kuroda and they had planned on using her as bait.

That was the day she came to learn that Kuroda was part of the infamous special force called Goggle V. A special unit that combated a lot of terrorist groups that were creating havoc lately. No one knew who Goggle V was. It was a special force with special missions. No one even knew their headquarters. But they were highly respected by scientists and the police forces who were rumored to work alongside them. Trained by foreign special forces to master the air, land and sea combat.

Five carefully selected people were recruited and the special force was formed. She heard about them on the news but never in her wildest dream did she actually know them in person. Imagine her shock and surprise when her kidnappers claimed that Kuroda was agent Black. Well known strategist of the team to their enemies and apparently fiercest fighter among the agents.

They insisted for her to lure him to them in exchange for the safety of the kids. When she refused outright, they injected the driver in front of her with something that made him delusional and out of control. They promised to do the same to the kids if she refused to cooperate to bring Kuroda to them. She had no choice but to agree.

He came as they predicted he would. It broke her heart to lie to him when he came to her rescue. He came alone. Not as Black the agent but as her friend, Kuroda Kanpei. He promised her that he would get her and the kids out of there safely. What could 1 man do to save a group of kids? What if he fails? She couldn't risk it. It took everything in her not to break down there and then knowing what she was about to do in exchange for the kids safety. She could never forget his face when she held him at knife point. He realised she didn't trust him to save those kids and instead agreed to hand him over to his enemies. She nearly killed him.

They injected those same poison to his arm and she watched as he suffered through it. She couldn't stand it any longer and begged them to release the kids only to realise they never intended to release the kids in the first place. She was a bait regardless of her cooperation.

That's when Kuroda also learned about the deal she struck with the enemies. But instead of blaming her, he fought even harder to protect her and the kids. He defended them all with all his might.

His comrade came to save them just in time and make sure they're safe. Later on, he came to visit the kindergarten with his team. They spent a day playing with the kids and to ensure they were all alright. She apologised so many times afterwards and being Kuroda, he forgave her and even dismissed it. All forgiven and forgotten in his book.

However, She couldn't forgive herself for betraying him and nearly killed him in the process so she carried the guilt with her ever since. It haunted her in more ways than one.

Regardless what all counsellors she saw afterward said to help her overcome her guilt. And she did it to the most trusting and protective person like Kuroda. Her friend. Someone who came to her aid alone even if that seemed like a suicide stunt that would put the kids in jeopardy.

That was the last time she ever saw him. He stopped coming around after that. She never heard from him ever since. His number was disconnected. She didn't know where to find him until recently.

And tonight it reminded her how once again he came to her aid. Shame and guilt was rolling into one. The more he tried to comfort her, the more guilt she felt.

She'd always hoped that one day she would get her second chance with Kuroda. She would make things right. She owed everything she had for him who stood by her in her worst moment. He saw the worst of her and he still stood by her.

"Sayaka? we're here." She felt his hand tapping gently on hers.

"Huh?" She immediately let go of his waist. She didn't even realise, she was probably holding on to him a bit tight. How embarrassing! What would he make of that?

"Are you ok?" He studied her face with an unreadable expression.

She couldn't face his scrutiny any longer. She nodded while he helped her get off his motorbike. She took the helmet off her head and her hair immediately fell around her covering her face thanks to the wind. She could hear him chuckling at the sight of her. She must look terrible! Would she be forever a mess in front of him? What's wrong with her?

"Ohh Kanpei! I'm a mess. You've seen me at my worst and I did nothing but put you in trouble. I'm so bad.. I " she stammered through her sobs that seem to start all over again.

"Let's get something to eat and we can talk." He suggested. But his consoling voice snapped something in her. She ran her fingers through her hair. It was all tangled up from being trapped in the helmet.

"I don't think bad of you... " he couldn't finish his sentence because Sayaka turned away from him. Tears freely running down her face. Her hair was messy from her hands running through it over time. Her lips quivered silently. She's too vulnerable and there's nowhere to run.

Kuroda held his hand out to reach her but she stepped back almost instantly.

"Please..." She closed her eyes. She looks troubled. "Don't be nice to me... You did more than enough for me and I'm forever a mess in front of you.."

He watched her for what seemed like an eternity to Sayaka. When She finally couldn't bear his searching gaze, she made a few steps to run. Somewhere. Anywhere. She should have just stayed home and let the high emotion run dry eventually.

She felt his hand on her arm, gentle but firm enough to stop her at her track.

"Look, something obviously bothers you. Don't you think it's time for us to talk?" His eyes watched her carefully. She avoided his gaze and stared at the floor instead.

She felt his hand on either side of her arm, moving her around so she was facing him. And he gently shook her and indirectly forced her to look up to him.

"I don't think what just happened is the cause of your distress. I think..." He let out a loud sigh. "What happened in the past still bothers you."

She nodded. He could see tears swelling in her eyes again. This time he just wiped the corner of her eyes with his finger. The movement caused the tears to free falling down her cheek instead. She looked beautiful and vulnerable.

"So let's just talk about it. Let it all out in the open so we can move past it." He wiped her tears and held her chin up to hold it captive. Not much choice for her but to look directly into his eyes.

"I can't move past it... I'm reliving it daily!" She half yelled at him. He saw the pain in her eyes and it pained for him to see that.

She has been consumed by guilt all this time? He thought she would blame him for putting her through it. Not the other way around. He was the one with guilt. The thought of both of them, each with their own guilt for the past four years, made him shake his head from the irony of it all.

She was about to say more but Kuroda just grabbed her and held her in his embrace. Letting her cry on his shoulder and let it out.

"Shhh... Stop it. Sayaka! You're torturing yourself with the past. I'm ok. You're ok. We are ok." He said as she cried louder.

"No... I.."

"You're trapped back then. You had your kids as priority. They left you with no choice. I got it. I understood. I won't say I would do the same but I have seen friendship betrayed over food. At least you got those kids in mind." Kuroda had to laugh at the thought of Kijima and Akama fighting when he was cornered by Mazurka, their enemy, over a promise of food. "Those kids were lucky to have you then."

"But..."

"Not but! Yes I was disappointed you didn't trust me enough to save you but I get it. I totally do. And I don't blame you at all. If anything ... I blamed myself for not coming with you on that bus as I promised. Or else it would be another different story. Seriously, Sayaka, stop blaming yourself! Because I don't."

"Then why do you stop coming around and ..."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had his choices too.

"I realise just how much jeopardy I put you and those kids through all because you knew me. I had to distance myself from you or something like that would bound to happen again. I was Black. I got enemies. And you have seen it first hand just what they were capable of." He let out a sigh. "They knew you meant a lot to me. I won't put you through it again and won't risk it. Even if that means losing you and missing out on what we could have."

"What could we have?" She tilted her face to look into his eyes.

He wiped her eyes with his fingers and smiled.

"Surely you know that I don't see you just as a friend. I like you too much to be just a friend."

She blinked a few times. Her cheeks grew red as what he's trying to say sank in. Was that a confession?

"Kanpei.." She was speechless. He watched her face grow red again. He winked at her.

"Are you feeling better now? Shall we eat?" He raised his eyebrows at Sayaka. He was obviously making light of the situation. It wasn't a love confession after all. Good thing she didn't jump into conclusion and make a fool out of herself.

She nodded gratefully and let him lead the way towards a small eatery that was still busy with people.

Kuroda was right. The ramen was tasty and she was happy that he insisted for her to eat instead of coming home to her apartment and settling with instant ramen.

She didn't realise until later that Kuroda didn't mention the incident anymore and instead they talked about their neighbourhood and what he should know. He made her feel comfortable and at ease not to mention safe given the hour they were out and about.

True to his words, they made it back home within an hour.

"Remember to come over anytime you want to go to minimart or anywhere when it's late.." Kuroda said as they arrived in front of her apartment. It was almost 3 am. She yawned a few times already. She must be exhausted from the whole ordeal and lack of rest.

She nodded tiredly though a smile still plastered on her face.

"Thank you again for everything, Kanpei. You even paid for supper." She bowed politely but he tapped her forehead with his finger lightly. His eyes crinkled with laughter.

"Don't mention it. You didn't charge me for all those homemade dinners after all. I will take you to a proper dinner next time." He smiled and gestured for her to go inside her apartment. She just nodded and turned to her place before closing the door.

"Lock the door." She heard him say this before she heard him entering his own apartment. These walls were truly thin.

She went to shower and clear up all her work that she left all over the table. It was a good thing it's the weekend. She would at least get one more day to rest properly after what happened tonight.

As she was about to get to her bed, an impulse thought made her approach the wall that separated her apartment and his. She rapped a few taps on it softly. G-N. Good Night, Kanpei. She smiled to herself.

She smiled wider until her cheek was hurt when she heard a tap on the wall. S-T. Sleep Tight. That morning she fell asleep with a big grin on her face.