Reluctant Hero

8. Kaito's loss

"Kid."

Kaito turned and faced the entrance of the quiet alley, fully knowing the source of the low and gruffy voice without even having to think. He stared at the man walking towards him, both of his hands deep inside the pockets of his trench coat. Kaito was half guessing there was a gun in one of the pockets. Or maybe both. Ready for any attack if any threat was found.

As for Kaito himself, he had his hands shown as his arms were crossed, clearly signifying I'm not your threat, even if mutually they never once trusted each other.

Not now. Not ever.

"You're early." Snake snarled as he closed the distance with heavy footsteps, his eyes glinting a dangerous light under his usual fedora hat. "I'm surprised, because you do seem rather busy lately."

Kaito tried hard not to flinch at his words and only tightened his arms around his chest. He... couldn't be hinting about his previous meeting and the favour he did for Aoko, could he? There were many risks Kaito was willing to take, but he wasn't confident enough to allow the risk of Snake knowing her existence (Even if there wasn't much difference to the bastard he already was, the least Kaito could do was to prevent one life to be ruined).

He should have worn a disguise when he met Aoko in the restaurant.

Kaito took in a slow breath to stall time. He needed to be careful with the context of his words. "I have my own things to do."

"Like taking Gozu down and his other, pesky businesses?" Snake glared at Kaito over his nose. "You're supposed to focus on what's necessary."

Oh. So it was about that. The ache on his shoulder fell away. "What's wrong with getting rid of him? Isn't he an eyesore to you too?"

"Yes. But he's not your job scope."

"Then shouldn't you be grateful that I'm doing extra work? I'm not even charging you anything."

"I rather you focus on your goal: our goal." Snake narrowed his eyes. "There's no time to waste."

Kaito sighed. "Isn't that why I'm here now?"

That put things back into perspective for Snake as his temper died down, just a bit. He pulled out a folded paper from his trench coat and passed it to Kaito. "This is your next steal."

Kaito opened the note. Gentle Tears. Owner: Fujisaki Hiro.

"Deliver the jewel to me immediately after you're done. Deadline is next Tuesday." Snake said, his tone spelling a warning sign that Kaito knew pretty well. "I don't want any failures."

Bored, Kaito stuffed the note into his pocket. "And have I ever failed?"

"No. But everyone is bound to have their firsts."

"K." Kaito waved him off and trudged out of the alley.

He knew Snake was watching his every move as he departed, so having no choice, he had to waste some time roaming around the streets aimlessly, just to get rid of the possibility that Snake and his men were on his tail. He was already late for Aoko's meeting, but if that would lower the risk of jeopardising her safety, it was worth it.

After a couple of more turns and minutes of walk, Kaito thought it should be safe to head over now. He slipped into a random shopping mall's restroom and quickly changed into his usual nice-man disguise before jogging to the location he prompted Aoko in the text. From afar before he reached, he spotted her by the ticketing booth, one foot tapping on the ground as she glanced at her phone. She looked just like any girl standing outside the cinema, impatiently waiting for her boyfriend who's late for the date

Date?

He almost wanted to laugh until he stuck his hand into his pocket and felt the note Snake gave him.

The reminder killed all the happy enzymes within him.

"There's no time to waste."

Right.

Squaring his shoulders, Kaito took a deep breath and walked towards Aoko.

"Hello."

Aoko spun around. She looked surprised, then disappointed (he couldn't figure out why), and then she finally scowled.

"You're late. Again." She said, her eyes squinty and cu—

Kaito glanced away, quickly brushing off the thought before his brain could process the word. "Sorry." Was all he knew to say as his mind drew close to a blank.

Blank? His mind had never been blank.

But it did. Just for a brief second.

Maybe, even if irritatingly so, Snake could be right; everyone is bound to have their firsts after all.