Mr. Omocha watched as Kaku happily tidied up around the store. "So, Kaku...how long have you been married to that lovely wife of yours?" He stroked his mustache.
Kaku thanked his CP9 training once again, as he managed to hide his blush. "She's my highschool sweetheart, but we just got hitched recently!" He smiled, wanting to laugh at how easy it was to pretend to be Kate's husband.
All I have to do is say what I wish were real...
Mr. Omocha laughed as he stood beside Kaku, pulling a golden pocket watch from his pocket. "That's like me and my Delilah." He opened the pocket watch, revealing a black and white picture of a young couple. "She passed a few months ago from cancer. She used to help me run the shop...and it's become evident that I'm lost without her in more ways than one." He sighed before smiling up at the shipwright. "It's tough...but I'm happy to have experienced someone so wonderful for so long... you'll understand when you get to my age." He patted Kaku's back. "You've got a good one too!"
Kaku smiled to himself as he continued to clean.
I sure do.
Tyson blew on the fingers of his left hand. "It hurts!" He was seated on the grass of the court yard with Kate, Heart and Timmy watching.
Kate wore hemmed skinny jeans, white sneakers, and a white t-shirt. "That's good! It means you're getting calluses! Once they get really thick; you'll be able to play for days on end!" She laughed as Tyson examined his fingers.
Heart knelt and grabbed Kate's hand. Even though they had just met; Heart felt comfortable with Kate, as she was the only older female figure around the orphanage. "Kate, can I see your fingers?" She gently pulled Kate's left hand towards her.
Kate nodded, opening her left hand.
Heart gasped as she brushed the tips of Kate's fingers. "They're so hard!"
Timmy and Tyson joined Heart as they examined Kate's hand.
Cutter entered the courtyard, unsure of what was happening. Before he could speak; Tyson began to pull him towards Kate. "Cutter, you gotta check this out! Maybe she's got the same dev-"
Cutter pulled his wrist away. "What the hell are you doing, kid?!" A pack of gum peeked out from inside his pocket, catching the attention of Timmy and Heart. The other two children began to try and take the gum, while Tyson continued to pull him towards Kate.
Kate laughed as she watched the chaos, unsure of how she could help...or if she wanted to.
Serves him right for being such a grump all the time!
Her laughing was interrupted by a scream escaping from her mouth as Cutter came flying towards her.
The knight tried to regain his balance but failed, opening his hands to brace his fall.
Kate fell onto her back. Cutter seemed to roll midair as he landed to the leftof her, his right hand clasping her left.
What the hell...
His blood rushed as he felt her hand, flashbacks of Bacha's interpretation filling his thoughts. He squeezed slightly before pulling away. "You brats have gone too far this time!" He rolled up his sleeve.
Kate knew Cutter was probably going to blow his top, and she had to save the kids from his wrath somehow. She brushed herself off before standing back up. "Well, my shift is over! I'll be back in two days, so keep practicing until then!" She waved as she began to walk out of the courtyard.
The kids let out disappointed groans as they waved goodbye.
Cutter walked ahead of Kate back towards the exit. He looked back at her. "I'll walk you to the Inn." He fought with himself, unsure of why he was doing this. He kicked himself for seeing Bacha, feeling as if her interpretation was nothing but a mere coincidence that had put unnecessary thoughts in his head.
Kate nodded happily. She had gotten lost yesterday, as well as on her way to the orphanage, despite her map. "That would be great, thank you!" This would also save the kids from an inevitable scolding.
Kate walked in front of him, making additional markings on her map. "So, Cutter...do you visit the orphanage often?" She turned back to face him. Every step he took had authority to it, and his presence was intimidating... but the more she spoke to him, the less afraid of him she was.
Cutter avoided making eye contact, staring at buildings as they passed them. "Yeah. I go almost every day after work." He wasn't sure what Kate would think of that.
Kate lowered her map, surprised by his answer. "Oh really? No wonder the kids like you so much!" She laughed, thinking about earlier events.
The knight scoffed. "It's for work. I've been tracking a crime group called the Red Ravens...they're interested in buying the land the orph-" He stopped in his tracks, and quickly pulled Kate's shoulder to turn her to face him.
Kate's eyes widened as Cutter stared her down; his face mere inches from hers.
I spoke too soon!
Cutter's intensity made Kate almost tremble.
He examined her face, his eyes not straying for a second. "If you're part of them, you'd better tell me now. I'll find out eventually." He felt foolish for not having thought of the possibility sooner.
Kate shook her head slowly, trying not to look suspicious.
Am I blinking too much?! Should I say something?!
Cutter grabbed her wrist to take her pulse as stared a few moments longer.
She's not lying.
He then began to walk again as if nothing happened.
Kate looked at him in disbelief, having seen someone do that before. "Wait... where did you-" she froze as he snapped his head back at her.
He's terrifying... maybe I'll ask Kaku later...
Cutter didn't want Kate asking any more questions regarding the Red Raven gang as it was confidential. "No more questions. We're almost there." He turned away, signaling Kate to stay silent.
Once the Inn, Cutter immediately began to head back. "I'll see you in 2 days."
Kate waved, still afraid to speak. She quickly snapped out of her trance.
I need to make dinner before Kaku gets home!
She rushed upstairs, completely forgetting about what she wanted to ask Kaku.
Kaku beamed as he walked through the door, taking a whiff of what was being cooked. "Hiya, Kate! Is that stir fry I smell?" His uniform was jeans, a red t-shirt and a train conductor style hat. There was a denim apron he also wore, but that was left at the shop.
Kate laughed, happy he was home. "Not quite! I'm making lasagna!" She continued to laugh. Despite the size of his nose; she knew Kaku had a very poor sense of smell.
The shipwright laughed as he covered his face with his hand. "I need to find out how to work this thing!" He tapped his nose as he went to change out of his clothes in the washroom, a fresh pair of clothes in hand.
They happily ate their dinner, and talked about their first days of work before getting ready for bed.
They laid with the pillow in between them. Kaku wearing his work uniform for tomorrow, while Kate was in an oversized pink tshirt.
Kaku looked over to Kate's side, hoping she was still awake. "...Kate?" He waited anxiously for a reply.
Kate was barely awake as she answered. "Yes?" She rubbed her eyes.
He took a breath. "Are there any...illnesses in your family?" He thought about the story Mr. Omocha had told him, and couldn't imagine the pain he must have felt.
A yawn escaped from Kate before she couldn't answer. "Nope, none that I know of." A few moments later, she was fast asleep.
Kaku smiled, hearing her faint snoring through her pillow.
He knew that they could never have what Mr. Omocha and his wife had. Their island stay was temporary, and their relationship was a disguise. Not to mention he'd be leaving Water 7 soon.
But maybe one day, once he grew old and was no longer a cipher pol agent...he could find her again.
Maybe one day he'd be free.