Chapter 24c: Freedom
It has been ages since I could go around unsupervised. It used to be unbearing to be in what amounted to a cage, but it seems you can get used to anything; even being stuck inside an institution for all of your days.
For now, I'll just consider it one of the perks of graduation.
Normal teens are allowed to go out, so it only makes sense that I'd also be allowed to do this now that I've graduated. Yet it takes every bit of my my inner strength not to feel like I am breaking the established rules that I've gotten used to.
It is weird.
I have lived in this area for a year now. Yet it feels like I am on a day trip, visiting some strange place.
Is it just because I don't know the city? Or is it because I lack a familiar, endlessly babbling distraction by my side to break up the silence?
And yet, even without the distraction, I manage to get lost, both in my thoughts and as to where I went. Eh, I'll find my way back. Hopefully before this heat gets to me; I really should have taken a drink with me. Or asked for some allowance.
Ugh.
There's some shade over there on that little wall; I'll just lay down on there for a bit. Enjoy the breeze. Watch people going about their meaningless days. And go easy on my feet that aren't used to walking so much.
I've been dozing off a bit when suddenly someone taps me on the shoulder. Rather instinctively, I lash out in self-defense, but my brain catches up in time to stop my fist from traveling too far.
Still, it travels too far to throw my balance off; I was resting on a tiny little ledge after all. Crap. The fact that the hand that woke me ends up steadying me is a small relief.
Said hand belongs to a police woman. She seems fit. Not particularly old. Nice blonde hair, nevermind that she also fills out that uniform pretty well. Oh. And a kind enough expression.
"Ah... hello miss. Good morning."
My voice is a bit hoarse. Can't be helped. It goes with being parched.
"This is a no-loitering zone, kiddo. Where's your parents?"
I smile awkwardly.
"Not here. I stay in the institute due to .. a situation in my family."
Telling a lady cop you punched your father into a coma? Yes. Let's not. I don't want any trouble.
As I move to sit up, I feel a bit whoozy, and it probably shows as her hand moves to my shoulder to steady me.
"Hey kid, did you drink anything? And eat properly? Do you have any food with you?"
She seems concerned. I'm not sure why; she isn't a nanny, is she?
"Nah. I didn't bring any. I was only going for a walk."
Telling her I got lost on my first occasion out of the institute sounds so lame. I wouldn't tell Setsuka, nevermind a pretty woman like her.
"Well, you are an idiot then."
She rolls her eyes as she nudges me off the wall before talking into her radio in some sort of code. Her being the law and all, I end up doing as she says. Frankly, I feel far woozier than I thought. But she's the law. And pretty.
Before I realize, she's got me tightly pinned at the shoulder, and I'm marched to a nearby terrace.
"Let's sit there and have a late lunch, okay?"
She sounds a lot kinder right now than she did a moment ago, and she ends up talking to the server who wanders off to do god-knows-what.
"But lady, I don't date older women..."
She seems flabberghasted by my response, then bursts out in laughter.
"I don't usually date younger boys. Nevermind buying them a drink; you really are going to give me a bad name by having me treat you, you know that?
It is only when the waiter comes rushing up with some sandwiches, glasses and a whole carafe of icy water that it all starts to make sense to me.
This police lady must really, really like me. Wow. Look at that gorgeous smile. So much like Setsuka's when she grows a little bigger. So pretty.
What an amazing first date.