7/8

Haru wasn't sure if Sugimura was convinced of her so-called apprenticeship to Akechi, but as the boy detective's fame grew and flourished her fiance certainly liked to crack jokes about it.

"Maybe you can go on talk shows too, Haru," he would say, a thin grin forcing his lips. "I'm sure you could become some sort of idol if you tried hard enough, like that ridiculous Akechi."

Akechi had been stringing her along to some of his work commitments as of late, just to keep up appearances in the unlikely case that Sugimura was curious to her whereabouts. She would usually just stand in an alleyway, perched against a wall as Akechi disappeared to do… whatever it is he did. She would just play on her phone or watch the clouds while he was gone.

Akechi had recently been interviewed on a popular talk show, and his fame skyrocketed shortly afterwards. Sometimes people at school approached Haru to ask if she knew Akechi, how she knew Akechi, what was he like, was he cute in real life… She always answered their flurry of questions to the best of her ability, but no matter what the fangirls always seemed irritated by the end of their conversation. As if she was holding out on them.

Haru glanced down at her phone just as it vibrated in her hand, snapping her out of her thoughts.

AKECHI: I hope you're doing well.

AKECHI: Has your fiance given you any more trouble?

Haru felt a swell in her chest. She couldn't ever remember someone being so concerned about her to ask things like that on a regular basis.

He really cares about me.

HARU: Please don't worry about me!

HARU: I'm okay.

AKECHI: That's good to hear.

AKECHI: :)

AKECHI: Do you think he's convinced yet?

She pondered that question for a moment. To be completely honest, she wasn't sure if Sugimura even cared anymore… But did she want Akechi to stop taking her to work with him? She decided on a lukewarm response.

HARU: I can't really say.

AKECHI: Then how about this:

AKECHI: Tonight I'll be heading to Shinjuku to speak with someone. Would you like to come with me?

AKECHI: We could grab a bite to eat afterwards, of course. It shouldn't take too long.

Haru hesitated only slightly before responding. She had never actually been to Shinjuku by herself, let alone at night. But in the end she decided was confident enough in her own ability to stay out of trouble. Plus, Akechi wouldn't be gone for very long, so...

HARU: That sounds great. What time?

As they discussed the details of when and where to meet, Haru felt a fluttering in her chest that wouldn't go away. This was how she always felt when she was thinking about Akechi, and thinking about seeing him later on that same day… It made her so incredibly happy. He made her so incredibly happy.

It did make her a little sad to think about the fact that while Akechi likely had hundreds of friends that he chatted up and hung out with often, Haru only had him.

"Isn't it strange how Ichiryusai Madarame was apprehended just a few days after we went to his exhibit?" Haru remarked offhandedly as she and Akechi walked side by side.

It was a little late, around seven-thirty, and it appeared that the nightlife Shinjuku was notorious for was beginning to bloom into its fruition. As a group of gangly-looking men started approaching the pair Akechi quickly ushered Haru over to his other side, shielding her from their view.

"That is rather odd," he finally responded once the men were out of hearing distance. There was a certain clip to his voice that she couldn't quite place, and this was probably the fourth or fifth time she had heard it from him. He didn't expand any further on that statement, and Haru assumed that in that case he must not want to talk about it.

So she expertly switched the topic. "Is the business you have here, um… classified?"

The cinch in Akechi's voice disapparated as he let out a familiar pleasant chuckle. "Ah, yes. I suppose it is. Sorry about that."

"Oh, no, I understand," she looked up at him with a smile. "I know your work is really important, so…"

He stopped rather abruptly in front of a sleazy building lit up haphazardly with neon lights draped over boarded windows. "This is the address, but..." Akechi trailed off, looking a little unnerved by the state of the building. He glanced around. "I'm not sure if you should stay outside by yourself."

Haru couldn't help but feel a little frightened at the prospect of being alone in this sort of area, but she really didn't want to become a burden on Akechi's work. He had a job to do, after all, and she…

"I'll be fine," Haru mustered up the words despite her voice wavering slightly with unease. "You can go in, Akechi-kun."

The boy detective hesitated, then offered an amiable nod. He waved his cell phone in the air. "If anything happens, notify me immediately, okay?"

Haru smiled back and dipped her head into a nod, allowing Akechi to walk forward and enter the building's front door, leaving her standing awkwardly on the sidewalk.

She sighed once realizing she was now entirely alone and moved slightly ahead to rest her back against the outside wall. She nestled her phone between her hands and mindlessly scrolled through a little game she had downloaded earlier that day specifically for this event.

She wasn't very good at video games, and after nearly fifteen minutes had passed Haru couldn't believe she was still on the first level. As a small noise of frustration escaped her lips, Haru's ears perked up at the sound of a gruff chuckle coming from a few feet to her right.

Her head raised instinctively and she let out a tiny yelp at the sight of two men in dark jackets radiating ghostly presences that she hadn't noticed at all. She looked around, wondering if maybe she had been standing so close to the building that these men would think she was somehow affiliated with it, and was about to explain she was simply waiting for a friend when the shorter of the two guys spoke.

"Are you a high school student, sweetheart?" the man asked, not even waiting for a response before continuing. "We have a job where you can make some serious cash fast."

"Um… no thank you," Haru mumbled out a response, her clammy hands struggling to firmly grasp her cell phone. She wondered if this was an appropriate time to call Akechi, or... Maybe they'll just leave once they realize I'm not interested.

The taller man shot her a toothy grin. "Come on, it's an easy job. You don't want easy money?"

"No, I don't." Haru responded, tracing her gaze downwards and scrolling down with one shaky finger to find Akechi's phone number.

Both of the men exchanged glances, eyebrows raised. "What, is she saying she already has money?"

"If she doesn't want any, then she must already have it."

Haru slowly inched herself backwards, clicking on Akechi's name and bringing the phone to her ear. Her eyes widened as she heard the staticky tone informing her that Akechi hadn't picked up her call.

Her mouth opened as the men began closing in on her, yet no words stumbled out. She wasn't even exactly sure what they were going to do to her… rob her, maybe? She hadn't meant to brag about her wealth, but it certainly seemed like it came off that way...

They stopped in their tracks as the sound of footsteps approaching from behind drew nearer and nearer. Haru tried leering over their towering shoulders when she heard a voice that, despite being accustomed to, shocked her in this situation.

"What are you pieces of scum doing badgering my fiancee?"

What on earth is he doing here…? Haru wondered, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

The two men were shoved roughly to the side as Sugimura came running up to Haru, tucking her underneath his shoulder in a protective manner as if she were a wounded bird. He turned to face the men with a snarl tugging at his lips. "I'll sue if you don't leave, vermin!"

They shared a short glance before quickly making their way out through a neighboring alleyway, swiftly disappearing into the darkness.

Sugimura then moved to face Haru, her expression still trapped in a state of shock from the strange series of events that had just occurred before her. "What the hell were you doing out here alone, you stupid girl?"

Her eyes widened at his insult, her face slowly contorting into a grimace as she breathed in the vile scent rafting from his mouth: the distinct smell of alcohol that she now knew almost too well.

"S-Sugimura-san…" she addressed him quietly. She didn't want to sound too abrasive. "Have you been drinking?"

Sugimura shuffled his fiancee out from beneath his shoulder and shot her a seething glare. "Why would you ask me that?"

"I-I just…" she eyed the tousled hair atop his head that struck her as off. It's usually slicked back…

Sugimura let out a frustrated groan. "Why do you open your mouth, Haru? Why do you even speak? You would be so much more pleasant as a mute."

His cruel words almost made her wish that she had taken her chances with those unsettling men. How had he even seen her standing there? Why was he even in Shinjuku in the first place? His shirt had the first few top buttons undone, the pale skin of his chest appearing through his attire. His appearance was ragged, disheveled… She couldn't help but wonder about the likeliness of Sugimura simply running into her by accident two times now.

"Why are you so mean to me?" Haru couldn't fight the hurt in her voice, her legs trembling as tears billowed up in her eyes. If he was drunk, then maybe this was how he truly felt about her…? She didn't want to be a burden for the rest of her life. She wanted to be happy with him and in turn make her father happy, but sometimes he could make it so difficult… She knew she needed to try harder, but it was so nearly impossible when he had such a lack of respect for her…

Sugimura grabbed hold of her wrist, much tighter than he ever had before. "Mean to you? You ungrateful little…! I apologize for saving you from some good-for-nothing thugs - "

"Sugimura-san - " she struggled against his grip.

"For always paying for your meals and expenses - "

"My wrist, you're - "

"For telling you how much I appreciate your beauty, how much I desire you - "

"It hurts, I - "

Haru felt a snap inside her wrist as her fiance's voice rose greatly in volume. "And you're pestering me, an adult, for going out on my own and having some fun? I know damn well a prissy, uptight bitch like you won't be putting out for as long as I live, so who are you to judge what I do in my free-time?"

Her eyes were shut tight as the searing pain coursed through her entire arm, numbing the area as a sob spilled out from between her lips. Sugimura didn't let go, seemingly unaware or uncaring of the discomfort he was causing her until they could hear footsteps approaching quickly. He threw her hand back in one swift motion, eliciting another yelp from his fiancee.

"What's going on here?"

Haru dimly registered in the back of her mind that Akechi had somehow appeared right in front of her but her focus was still on cradling her throbbing wrist to her chest.

"Just a domestic dispute," Sugimura responded quickly. "Are you the one that decided to let my fiancee roam around Shinjuku by herself? You're aware of the danger she was in from some lowlives taunting her?"

"I simply had some business to take care of. Haru often joins me on my work endeavours."

Sugimura scoffed at the mention of her name. "Yeah, well, next time keep a better eye on her because I will not be keeping my end of the deal if I'm only receiving sloppy seconds from this marriage contract - relay that message back to your father, my dear Haru." He aimed those words directly at her instead of Akechi. "I'll be leaving now. I look forward to the next time we see each other, my fiancee. Hopefully you'll have learned a thing or two by then."

Haru's eyes shot open just in time to watch Sugimura compose himself enough to walk steadily into a neighboring bar across the street from them. She didn't breathe out until he had disappeared through the doors. Learned a thing or two? What on earth could he possibly...? Why had he done that to her poor wrist… it hurts… She suppressed a groan of pain as Akechi approached her.

"Are you okay, Haru?" Akechi's voice was gentle compared to the harshness exuding from Sugimura's.

"Yes, I…" she found herself lying quite easily. "I tried calling you, but…"

Akechi stiffened noticeably. "I'm very sorry. My business associate asked me to turn off my phone as soon as I entered the building, so I…"

Haru shook her head. "It's okay. I was just being careless, and thankfully Sugimura-san was around to save me, so…" her words trailed off.

The word thankfully had felt bitter on her tongue.

The boy detective's eyes took in her expression as if he were analyzing it, his gaze eventually drifting to her cradled wrist. "May I see it?"

Hesitantly Haru offered him up her arm, hissing in pain when contact was first made. Akechi took it into his own hand as he shined a light from his cell phone to examine the physical extent of her injury. She winced when she glanced at it; swelled up much larger than her other wrist and bending in places that seemed unnatural.

"Your fiance did this." Akechi's words were firm and unwavering.

It wasn't a question, but still she panicked to find an answer. "Um, no, I just tripped and fell back and - "

"I watched him do it. You don't have to lie." Akechi's expression looked rather troubled. "Sometimes I fear for your safety and I can't imagine that you don't as well. Isn't there any way you can call off this engagement?"

Haru paused before answering, her voice proving itself to be unsteady. "I-I don't know… Sugimura-san and I never really dated or anything, you see…" she glanced over a little nervously at her friend before continuing. She had never discussed this aloud with anyone, after all... "The truth is, my father is a CEO that has grown bored of businesses and wishes to delve into politics. Maybe you recognize the name, but the Sugimuras have a lot of influence in the political field…"

She was sure that the boy detective could put things together easily enough, but she ventured further into her spiel anyways. "So my father arranged this coupling between Sugimura-san and myself and in return he will of course gain political favor from their family. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it before, it's just kind of… um…." Haru's words slowly transitioned into mumbles, her head hanging low.

Akechi probably hates me now for keeping this whole stupid thing a secret from him, dreadful thoughts began entering her mind. It's not that I wanted to lie, it's just… embarrassing to talk about…

Talk about what? The reality of her situation? The truth that she was little more than a bargaining chip within her father's life? A puppet to be played around with and manufactured to his whims?

Haru flinched as she felt a hand settle on her shoulder, then eased into it. The touch was comforting in a way she wasn't familiar with.

"Why don't I escort you home?" Akechi said quietly. His voice was warm and friendly again, greatly lacking in the anger that she had expected. "I'll buy you something to eat on the way."

Her lips moved in protest. "Akechi-kun, that's - "

Akechi took her good hand into his own as he began leading her down the way to the subway station. "That's alright, Haru. I insist."

When Haru returned home nearly an hour later, she was very surprised to see her father lounging leisurely on the sofa.

He didn't acknowledge her at all when she stood in front of him so Haru cleared her throat loudly. Her wrist was hanging limply by her side, dark bruises tracing the area where it was likely fractured.

"Father."

He glanced up from his phone to look at her, a little irritated. "Yes?"

"I…" her mouth went dry for a long moment before her courage snuck up again. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

She had at least captured some of his attention. Her father placed his phone face-down in his lap, allowing her to continue.

Her heart was beating rapidly inside of her chest as the words were spat out, turned desperate by the realization that he was finally listening to her for once. "I-I don't want to be with Sugimura-san anymore!"

There was complete silence as her father's mouth went agape, eyes widening, then narrowing into slits as he snapped, "Explain yourself."

"Father, I'm scared of him." Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she voiced her own thoughts for practically the first time in her life. "He's really mean to me and he even hurt me today - look it, look what he did to my wrist!" Haru gently moved her fractured wrist into view, glancing around frantically to gauge her father's reaction.

His expression didn't change. "Did you do something to fall out of his favor?"

Haru hesitated before speaking. "He got so mad at me for just asking him a simple question, and - "

Her father shot her an icy glare. "So it was your fault, then? Haru, do you have any idea how important this connection is for me? You will single-handedly ruin my - our entire lives if you do one more thing to mess this up." He stood up from his seat. "You have already agreed to this marriage! Sugimura-san is a good man and whenever you're not doing your absolute best to pester and provoke him maybe he will be more agreeable towards you. I'm not listening to your stupid little selfish chattering any longer!"

Her father left the room abruptly, slamming the door behind him as he walked upstairs to retire to the master bedroom.

Feeling quite drained after that encounter, Haru monotonously trekked down the hall to her own bedroom. She gently shut the door behind her, becoming slightly startled by a bing from her cell phone.

FATHER: If that wrist is still giving you trouble in the morning, find one of the servants and have them care for it.

FATHER: Don't bother me again.

Haru collapsed into her comforter and cried.