Disclaimer: The characters of Psycho-Pass belong to Production I.G. and Funimation.
Day Six
The next day Akane finds the room empty.
Well, that isn't unexpected; yesterday he was almost back to his normal strength, at least strong enough to lift her to her feet.
Despondency overwhelms her.
Yesterday, in that moment he looked into her eyes, she thought she could see her affection for him mirrored in those grey orbs.
But then, pretending nothing had happened, he rejected her.
Why?
With all her intelligence, she cannot comprehend this frustrating inconsistency.
"Ah, Akane-chan. Coming to see your Enforcer?"
Akane almost jumps out of her skin.
The blonde woman is leaning against the wall behind her, both hands in the pockets of her pristine white gown.
"Karanomori-san! Yes- No! Kougami-san is not my Enforcer."
The analyst quirks her brow. Crossing her arms casually, the blonde smiles. "From what I've seen these few days, I bet he is."
Akane feels a large amount of blood rushing to her face. "What!? How- oh..."
How could she forget about the cameras?
"Don't worry. There's no record."
"...Thank you."
The doctor takes a cigarette from a box and lights it. "You know, sometimes men can be quite infuriating."
"..." Not knowing what to say, Akane just gazes at the empty bed longingly.
Exhaling a puff of smoke, the older woman continues. "They can be unreasonably stubborn. Especially if they think it's our best interest."
Then the last pieces of the puzzle fall into their places, and the fact strikes her like a blow.
He thinks he's not good for her?
Now she is really angry. Who is he to decide what's good or bad for her? And more importantly, how dare he think so little of himself?
She must rectify this possible nonsense at once.
"For your information, Shin-chan's probably in his living quarter."
Akane bows briefly. "Thank you, Karanomori-san."
The smoking doctor shrugs with her trademark grin. "Just don't forget you owe me an indoor swimming pool."
Giggling softly, she replied, "I won't."
Now that she is in front of his door, she cannot muster the courage to knock it.
What if he really isn't interested in her? Confronting him will only embarrass herself and damage their already iffy relationship.
But then, to just leave the matter like this will not solve anything.
Steeling herself, she raises her hand and knocks the door.
It opens slightly, revealing Kougami in his normal shirt and pants. From the look on his face, it seems he knows why she is here, but he asks anyway.
"How can I help you, inspector?"
There is no chickening out now.
"May I speak with you? ...About what happened yesterday."
"Tsunemori, I don't thi-"
"Please hear me out, Kougami-san", she cuts him off and pushes past the door. Shutting the door behind her, she leans against it. "I- I've been thinking."
Biting her lips nervously, she continued.
"Although I'm almost a decade younger than you, I'm not a child anymore. Please do not treat me like one."
She looks steadily into his eyes, which are now widened in surprise. His silence encourages her to go on.
"I know what I want, and I know where my happiness lies."
Timidly reaching out to touch his hand, she whispers.
"And it's you. It has always been you, Kougami-san. Always."
Now he seems totally at a loss for words. At least he hasn't refused her yet.
She takes his hand into hers, marveling at the sense of security his strong hand can provide. Whether her feelings are requited or not, she will always be safe with him. He has always been there for her, and, she believes, always will be.
"If you don't want me, I'll respect your feelings. If it is so, please tell me once and for all."
With that, she lets go of his hand.
Silence stretches between them, becoming heavier with every passing second. Then finally, he reaches out his hand.
Just when she is about to give him up, thinking that he's going to ruffle her hair again and pretends nothing has happened like yesterday, his long fingers gently comb unruly hair from her forehead before resting on her cheek.
Her heart skips a beat at the look in his grey eyes. Never before has she seen them so gentle and... may she say affectionate?
Before she can think further, his lips are on hers, wiping away all her thoughts.
His kiss, gentle but possessive, is beyond anything she has ever dreamt of. His other hand presses at the small of her back, guiding her closer. Akane responds shyly, circling her arm around his neck and presses herself against him.
After a small eternity, they break apart, their foreheads barely touching.
"You're too precious, Akane." His voice is thick with emotions. "I don't want to hurt you."
Tears of joy are threatening to spill over her cheeks. Those three little words mean more than any declarations of love she has ever heard of.
Tiptoeing, she tentatively presses her lips on his and whispers, "That's for me to decide, Kougami-san."
What she is going to say next is sealed away by another kiss.