Chapter 16: Calm Night.
Kuro and Saber were on their way towards the Tohno Mansion, where Akiha was waiting for them. During the walk, the Servant decided to ask the detective about his relationship with his Master.
"Takagi, you seem quite close to Kazuki." The question made Kuro turn his head to him.
"Yes, I am." he replied "Let's just say he had helped me quite a bit in the past." He then thoughtfully cast his gaze downwards.
"Is something bothering you?" Saber asked.
"I can't help but be worried about him." the detective earnestly replied, his concern easily conveyed through his voice "He's a good boy, and sadly, it's people like him who always end up devastated the most from occurrences like this..." All Saber could do was nod in agreement and reassure him.
"This is something no one could possibly withstand by himself, but Kazuki is not by himself. Don't worry, I'll do whatever I can to protect him." Hearing that statement, a faint smile appeared on the detective's features.
"I know you will." he said "And I thank you for that. Know that the both of you can always count on me." the Servant smiled back.
"He's lucky to have a friend like you." he commented.
They didn't know, however, that someone was watching them while were walking. A woman with long red hair and turquoise blue eyes, standing atop of one of the buildings in the street. Her expression was troubled and filled with concern as she watched them. Then, she walked away.
Meanwhile, Kazuki Aokage was already not too far from his house. He had come a little late because of the police superior's questioning, but he had warned his friend beforehand and he knew that she was waiting for him.
"I'm home!" he said as he entered.
"Welcome back, Kazuki-kun!" Sayaka greeted him with her usual cheery voice and her warm smile "How are you?"
"Oh, I'm doing fine, thank you." the gray-haired youth replied. "What about you?"
"Oh, I'm fine, thank you!" she said, then she asked "Did something happen today?" Kazuki had expected that uncomfortable question and, once again, answered in a way he felt safe enough with.
"Some policemen had stopped me to ask me some questions." Even that simple answer was enough to make worry seep into the girl's teal eyes.
"What?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern "Why did they do that?" Kazuki smiled reassuringly at that.
"Don't worry, they didn't suspect me or anything." he explained "They were just asking me if I knew anything about a case they were investigating." His words managed to calm down Sayaka, as her sigh of relief showed.
"Thank goodness..." she breathed out.
"Sorry to make you worry, Sayaka." the gray-haired youth said.
"It's alright." Sayaka replied, smiling warmly "At least nothing bad had happened to you." Kazuki couldn't help but smile back.
"Ok, let me just freshen up, then I'll join you for dinner." he said, to which the red-haired girl nodded.
Meanwhile, Kuro and Saber had arrived in front of the gates of the Tohno Mansion. Kuro rang the entrance bell, and it wasn't long before Akiha opened the door and saw the two visitors. In particular, she didn't expect to see a certain person behind the gate.
"Kuro?" she murmured, breathlessly. The word of stupor, however, reached Kuro's ears.
"In the flesh." he tenderly smiled. The heiress couldn't help but smile back, a slight blush adorning her features. Then she turned to the man dressed in a kimono.
"I take it you're Aokage-kun's partner..." she said.
"Yes, I am." he replied, nodding at her. Akiha then turned to her door.
"Kohaku, open the gate!" she called "We have guests!" From behind the mansion door, the amber-eyed maid obeyed and the gates opened, letting the detective and the Servant in.
"How have you been managing, Kuro?" Akiha asked, with concern in her voice, as soon as he got closer to her. He couldn't help but smile warmly.
"Did you miss me that much, Akiha?" he tenderly replied, making her blush.
"How could I not?" she replied "Especially knowing your job." At that, the detective hugged her.
"Don't worry." he murmured, caressing her hair "As long as you're with me, I have something to return to."
"Kuro..." she murmured as well, leaning into his embrace. After some time, they separated and entered the mansion, along with Saber.
Meanwhile, Kazuki had washed himself and was ready to join Sayaka for dinner. The two talked while enjoying their food.
"So, how did your meeting with Tohno-san go?" he asked. Sayaka's smile didn't waver, and so his concerns were already quenched before she replied.
"It went well. I told you, Akiha-san and Auntie Kohaku were doing just fine."
"I'm glad to hear that." he replied, almost as if sighing in relief.
"And you?" she asked "How did your day go, police aside?"
"Oh, it went just fine, thanks." he said. Sayaka simply smiled and the two kept eating. After some time, Kazuki spoke up.
"You know, Sayaka..." he said, making his childhood friend look at him "While I was walking back home, I couldn't help but think about the time we shared as kids..."
"Kazuki..." the teal-eyed girl replied, nostalgia clearly audible in her voice "The same had happened to me. While I was walking home, I saw two kids playing in the park, and I couldn't help but think about how much we used to play in that park." A melancholic smile made its way on the gray-haired youth's features.
"Time sure flies, doesn't it?" he murmured.
"Yes…" Sayaka replied. "But we're still here."
"Yes, that's true..." he replied.
"And I want to keep it that way..." he thought.
"Ah, Kazuki-kun!" she asked "Are you taking care of the origami owl I gave you?" At that question, Kazuki smiled.
"Yes, I am." he replied "It's in my room, above my desk." She simply smiled back in response. While the two friends resumed eating, Kazuki looked at the night sky through a window nearby. An almost full moon was shining in the infinite blackness. Sayaka turned her gaze to the night as well.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" she commented.
"It's a dark night, tonight..." he replied, not seeing any stars in the sky. Sayaka turned to him and giggled sweetly.
"Silly boy." she said, her voice cheerfully soothing "It's because we're surrounded by light. Night always looks darker if you see it from a lit place." The youth chuckled at the statement.
"Yeah, that's true." he replied "But it makes you wonder, there are things that can't be seen when you're in the light, but can be seen in darkness..."
"That's what they say..." the teal-eyed girl replied, moving a strand of hair behind her ear. Kazuki then turned to her.
"Say, does your father have a book about constellations, by any chance?" he asked, with a smile on his face.
"Yes, he actually does have one." she said, smiling back "I've gave it a read once. It was soooo big! I had read only a few of the constellations in there." Kazuki chuckled at his friend's statement. At that, Sayaka's cheeks inflated in a pout he couldn't help but find cute, only to melt in a sweet smile shortly after.
"Well, after all, the only limit to things like constellations is our own imagination, which draws them in the starry sky..." she said.
"I couldn't have said it better." the gray-eyed youth replied. Sayaka's eyes turned back to the seemingly empty night sky.
"This world is just full of wonders..." she said, thoughtfully "I wish to get to know the most I can and see as many marvels as I can."
"You're definitely your father's daughter." Kazuki commented, with his faint smile still on his face. They both knew that his father was a proficient researcher and an avid eater of knowledge. It was to be expected for his daughter to share his boundless curiosity.
"Well, of course!" she replied. "Of whose else, if not his?" Her deliberately hilarious answer made both the youths laugh heartily. All the distance Sayaka had felt between her and her old friend seemed to disappear in those precious moments together.
"I'm sure you will grow to be a magnificent woman, Sayaka." Kazuki earnestly said. After all, not only she shared her father's mind, she also possessed a big heart. The compliment tinged the teal-eyed girl's face with a color close to her hair.
"Th-Thank you, Kazuki-kun." she replied, smiling sweetly "I'm sure a great future will be in wait for you, as well." At those words, Kazuki's smile almost wavered.
"I do?" he thought "I have serious doubts about that..." However, he was considerate enough not to betray his concerns and make the girl worry again…
Meanwhile, in the Tohno Mansion, Akiha, Kohaku and their guests were gathered. The heiress had decided to let Kuro and Saber join her and her maid for dinner.
"What is your name, sir?" Akiha asked to the Servant.
"Please call me Saber." he replied.
"Well then, Saber." the heiress continued "What is it that Aokage-kun is facing?"
"Something that could affect the entirety of this town if it isn't stopped as soon as possible." Saber seriously replied.
"I see..." Akiha said, with a nod of understanding. Kuro tensed up a little, knowing how serious the conversation was getting. "Can you tell me more?"
"Well, there are 6 other beings like me." the swordsman explained "Berserker, who had appeared 6 months ago from what I've heard, was one of them." Akiha listened at his explanation. "Kazuki and I will be investigating on the remaining 5. Not everyone of them might be hostile, however."
"I hope so..." the heiress said. "From what you have just claimed, you're not human, are you?"
"No." he replied "I'm a magical being bound to Kazuki." Akiha nodded in understanding, when Kohaku, who was listening with a focused expression until then, decided to intervene.
"Saber-san, I must ask, are you a fan of kimonos, by any chance?" she cheerfully asked "You look like you come from the ancient samurai times!"
"Kohaku!" she was tartly called by her mistress "Be more respectful!"
"There's no need to scold her, Akiha." Kuro objected. "She was just trying to lighten up the mood."
"Yes, I do understand that..." Akiha replied, some concern visible in her eyes.
"Besides, she did bring up a fair point." Saber added "Since it would be best to keep a low profile, I need a less showy attire to move around more easily." The heiress nodded in agreement.
"I can help you pick up some nice clothes, if you wish!" the amber-eyed servant cheerfully suggested, to which Saber nodded in compliance.
"Yes, please."
The dinner went on peacefully, and Saber and Kuro thanked Akiha and Kohaku for the food.
"Your cooking is outstanding, Kohaku-san." the swordsman commented.
"I'm glad you liked it, Saber-san!" Kohaku cheerfully replied "Now, please follow me. I'll help you pick a good attire!" The Servant silently complied and followed her while she went to the room that once belonged to Shiki Tohno. While looking at them, a slight hint of sadness could be seen in her eyes.
"Akiha..." Kuro murmured, quickly understanding the woman's feelings, and sat by her side, gently pulling her in an embrace and making her gasp in surprise. Then, she smiled, leaning in his embrace.
"Sorry, Kuro." she said.
"Don't worry about it." the detective reassured "I understand." Akiha's smile slightly widened.
"You're always this understanding." she commented "That's one thing I have to be grateful to your job for." The statement made the detective chuckle.
"Sometimes, a detective's quirks can be useful outside work, too." he said "That much, I won't deny." They stood there, one in the arms of the other, in blissful silence.
In the meantime, Kohaku showed her mistress's guest a set of casual clothes.
"Look at this, Saber-san!" she cheerfully said "Why don't you try them out! I'm sure you would look great in them!" the Servant shook his head.
"There's no need." he said, then he closed his eyes and a slight light enveloped his clothes, and when it disappeared, he was dressed in those very casual clothes, a white shirt and blue jeans, leaving the red-haired maid speechless.
"W-Wow..." she uttered, breathless from surprise "So, when you said you were a magical guy, you meant it..." Saber merely nodded in response. Kohaku ran her eyes along his new attire, her usual cheerful smile adorning her features.
"I have to say..." she commented "You look dashing in that!"
"Many thanks." Saber replied, with a faint smile of his own, slightly bowing. "So this is something normal to wear..."
"Yes!" the maid confirmed "And even good-looking. Do you feel it's comfortable enough?" The Servant nodded in response.
"No need to worry." he replied "It's just fine." Kohaku nodded at the remark with her signature smile.
Meanwhile, Sayaka was peacefully spending her time with Kazuki, who had seemed much less distant than she feared. Eventually, the time for her to head back home came.
"Thank you for visiting me, Sayaka." the gray-haired youth said. "I always appreciate it!" The teal-eyed girl chuckled.
"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?" she replied "It's always a pleasure for me." The gray-haired youth couldn't help but smile warmly at her remark.
"Have a good weekend, Sayaka." he wished her.
"Thank you, Kazuki-kun." she replied "Good weekend to you! I'll see you soon!" After Kazuki gave her a quick nod, she began to walk away from his house, under his warm gaze, which was concealing thought and concern.
Once his old friend was away from the place, Kazuki took his mobile phone and dialed Akiha Tohno's number., before putting the handheld device close to his ear. After some time, the heiress was disturbed from her reverie with Kuro by the sound of her phone and replied to the call.
"Hello?" she replied.
"Tohno-san, it's me, Kazuki." she heard on the phone.
"Aokage-kun?" the heiress replied, in slight surprise, before rapidly regaining her composure "I take it Saber can safely head to your house now."
"Yes, that's right." the youth confirmed. "Thank you so much for the help!" Akiha smiled faintly.
"Don't mention it." she said "Have a good night, Aokage-kun!" With that, she closed the call. Saber and Kohaku came back from the room, the former quickly understanding that his Master had called.
"Tohno-san." the Servant said "i heard you talking on the phone. I take it Kazuki has called." The heiress replied with a calm nod.
"I understand." Saber said "Many thanks for your hospitality, Tohno-san. I must take my leave, now."
"Do you wish me to accompany you, Saber?" Kuro asked.
"No need to, Takagi." the Servant readily replied. "Right now, you need to be with Tohno-san. I'll be going there on my own." After taking in his words, the detective nodded in agreement. After giving him a faint smile, Saber began walking away.
"Takagi, Tohno-san, Kohaku-san. Have a good night." he calmly said while he got past the mansion doors.
"Thank you very much, sir!" Kohaku cheerfully replied, with a bow, before closing the mansion doors behind him. Feeling uneasy, Kuro walked to the nearest chair and sat down.
"I just hope he and Kazuki can handle this." he said. Akiha, understanding the detective's concern, walked near to where he was sit, and sat next to him.
"Are you worried about Aokage-kun?" she asked, making him turn to her. He could only nod in confirmation. The heiress held his hand reassuringly.
"I understand." she said "I'm worried, too."
"He's not prepared for this." Kuro murmured "What had happened with Berserker is a good proof of that..."
"What's worse..." the heiress added "He has always fought against his demons, the parts of him that he fears, always trying to make sure that the ones he cares about are not involved, but this time he will be able to do very little to protect them from this, and when even one of his dear ones will be involved in this event, he might very well end up shattered because of it..." Kuro silently nodded, holding her hand.
"Which is why he can't do this on his own." he said. Akiha then held his hand tighter and looked at him reassuringly.
"Aokage-kun isn't involved in this on his own." she said, with a calm smile "He has us, as well as his partner. We're involved in this as much as he is..." While she was speaking these reassuring words, the detective smiled back to her.
"Yes, that's right..." he said. "You've been helping him out for quite some time now, haven't you?" Akiha calmly nodded.
"Ever since his grandfather had passed away." she confirmed, then she held his hand tighter and looked in his eyes with an almost pleading gaze, a slight blush adorning her cheeks.
"This might be selfish of me, but..." she asked "Could you stay here for the night?" Kuro gazed at her lovingly.
"That's something I could never refuse..." he said, before leaning closer and kissing her. The heiress was quick to reciprocate. After some moments of bliss, they separated and looked in each other's eyes.
Meanwhile, Saber was heading to where his Master was, following his Master's trace. It wasn't long before he found Kazuki waiting for him at the door of his house. The gray-haired youth greeted him with a bow.
"Welcome to my house, Saber." he said, with a slight smile, then, he noticed he was wearing a different attire. "Has Tohno-san provided you with casual clothes?".
"Her maid had recommended me this attire during my stay." Saber explained, with a nod.
"Good choice." he commented, then he turned towards the entrance "Please, come on in." The Servant obeyed and followed him as he entered his house. They then went upstairs, in his room.
"Now we need to get some rest." Kazuki said "You stay there, I'll be laying down my second futon." As he opened his closet and took a rolled up futon from it, Saber shook his head.
"You don't need to care this much for me, Kazuki." he objected. "A Servant is no more than a tool for his Master's goals."
"You're no tool, Saber." Kazuki replied. "You're my partner. I don't know how far I would be able to go without you. It's only fair that I care for you in return."
"Kazuki..." Saber breathed out, understanding that his Master would not have taken any further objections. But Kazuki was not saying everything.
"Besides..." he thought "It may be silly of me, but you remind me of someone I held dear..." He unrolled the futon and laid it next to his bed, before taking off his upper clothes and putting them in his drawer.
"Thank you, Kazuki." Saber said as he laid down in the futon. As his Master got in bed as well, he didn't fail to notice his troubled look. "I understand how concerned you must be, but we won't be able to act if we are not ready." His words made the gray-haired youth turn to him.
"Right." he said, slightly eased up. "Good night, Saber." the Servant smiled slightly at his Master's peace.
"Good night, Kazuki." he replied, as both of them slowly fell asleep.
Meanwhile, at the Tohno Mansion, Kuro and Akiha were lying down in her bed, facing each other.
"I'm so happy you came to see me, Kuro..." The heiress whispered with a warm smile, wrapped in the arms of her man.
"It's been a month or so..." he murmured back "And that's already too much for me." The statement made both the lovers giggle. The two then looked in each other's eyes and slowly closed the distance between their faces until their lips met and locked in a passionate kiss. For some time, they indulged in their moment of bliss, holding each other tight, before slowly separating and looking at each other with smiling faces.
"I'll never leave your side. Or Kazuki's" the detective promised, to which the heiress smiled lovingly.
"I know you won't..." she replied, her hand on his cheek "Good night, Kuro..."
"Good night, Akiha." Eventually, they slowly drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, basked in each other's warmth.
A man was lying in his futon. A boy, little more than a child, was knelt at his side with countless tears streaming down his face, holding his hand.
The man's face turned from the ceiling to the little boy, while he's holding his hand back.
"Kazuki..." he muttered, looking in the boy's eyes "Please, listen to me..." Hearing those words, the crying boy stood at attention.
"You're not a monster… I want you to remember that..." he continued, as the boy stood silent. "As long as you have something to protect… You will be reminded even after I'm gone..." At those words, the boy shook his head.
"How…?" he objected, tears still overflowing from his eyes "How will I be able to go on without your guidance?!" In response, the old man tried his best to smile at him.
"Don't say that..." he said, gripping the boy's hand "You already have places you love… Things you love… Friends you care for… Don't you?" The boy hesitantly nodded.
"I tried teaching you… How to use what you have..." he continued. "I wanted to teach you… As much as I could… But you don't need me… To love all those things..."
"Grandpa..." the boy uttered, still crying
"Love… As long as you have that… You'll know you're not a monster..."his grandfather said. Then, as he slowly closed his eyes, he asked one last thing of him. "Live wisely… Search for your happiness… And no matter what… Protect your humanity… Don't let anyone take it away from you..."
"I will, grandpa..." the crying boy said, lowering his head "I promise..."
Then, the old man's hand stood lifeless in the ones of his grandson.
A past memory resurfaced in Kazuki's sleep, in the form of a dream. The memory of a promise etched in his heart, which he had been doing his best to respect...