CHAP 2 : JUST ONE MINUTE
- Where is it? Where?! – Shinichi rushes for something
- Is this? The birthday invitation from Angelina, who has a quite close relationship with Green...- Shiho frowns, waving the green card. She seems to have read it already – to somebody...
- Give it back to me! – He snatches the card out of her hand.
- I read it. Sent to me.
- But you're sick, u can't go anywhere.
- Don't worry, I don't like those places. You should go instead! You're well-known anyway.
- Absolutely! I'll go there on your behalf...- Shinichi seems to be glad. Of course that expression can't escape Shiho's eyes.
- Your hands are covered with powder, from butterflies? A little on the card as well.
-No...it's pollen. This morning when passing by the garden I accidentally slipped and fell on some flower beds...
Shinichi is bad at lying, especially something related to Shiho's safety. Shiho frowns at him, but he avoids her look and makes another excuse to get back to his room. She asks another question:
-Shinichi, you haven't been in contact with her for nearly 1 year. Don't you miss her? You are Shinichi now...
- If I kept thinking about her all the time, I would fly back to Japan. I want to surprise her a little. – he smiles.
-Uhm, ok.
Shinichi can't understand what she's thinking through those moody eyes, but he tries not to notice it anymore. Because he has more important things to do now. As soon as the door is slammed, he contacts Green right away.
- Green, an invitation was sent to Shiho this early morning, but I was the first to receive it.
- So did I. The people invited are almost Angelina's friends and 's co-workers in scientific community.
- Did you find the things along with the card? The dead bodies of butterflies with torn-off wings...
- No, there wasn't something like that!
- I had to clean them up. Apparently someone is aiming at Shiho! I guess something bad is waiting for her to come there so I'll go instead.
Fortunately she doesn't like parties and for precaution of BO, she had me go on her behalf.
- Who do you think stands behind this scheme?
- Maybe Bourbon, who is willing to make us pay for the old debt. He is the only one whose whereabouts is still unknown after BO was mopped up. As the bridge, he was assigned by Gin to monitor and escort the contraband shipment to Los Angeles 3 years ago. In that fierce battle at Haido port, I was honored to join the FBI.
- Ok, so we'll get there on Sunday night. We won't let Shiho be in danger at all costs!
- I got it!
...
On the days before the party, Shiho always stares at Shinichi as trying to find out something, causing him creepy. And Green's quick "evaporation" irritates her.
"Whenever you miss me, feel free to call. Whenever! I'll listen to whatever you say, even the silliest things!"
Green once snatched Shiho's celphone, saved his number on it and repeated that line over 9 times, which drove her crazy. So many time she presses the call button but hangs up at once and sighs. How silly!
For the first time an icy Shiho is that irritated when someone is not around...
For the first time she misses someone that bad!
...
Shiho gently press her ear against the phone without hanging up. The first time she makes a call to Green feels so strange. His warm voice on the other end makes her lips unconsciously smile that she doesn't even know.
-Shiho-kan, it's the first time you call me!
- Green, it's me...- she doesn't fix his "Shiho-kan" as usual
- What's going on?
- No, nothing...
- So I'm hanging up now. I'm very busy this time!
Then he does hang up, bringing about the lost feeling growing inside her. He said that he loved her, but what did he do with her first call?
Calling back right away and screaming at the guy despising her until his eardrum is pierced! It seems to be the most effective way to quell one's anger.
That's the way...Ran Mouri does!
But Shiho doesn't.
Even though she really wants to know why that "Shiho-kan" guy could do so, she stays silent.
Has he...had someone else?
It doesn't concern me!
...Shiho shakes her head. She has decided not to care about any guy, not to have special feelings for anyone!
Why is she thinking about him?
But her rational mind has knocked it away!
Shiho sighs...She can't love anyone, can't bring trouble to anyone!
…..
…
[Sunday night, Brentwood restaurant...]
The intellectuals with luxurious customes attending the party can make anyone admire. Most of the guests here are well known by most of citizens in Los Angeles for their outstandingly high IQ. They can change the world's civilization with their great inventions and scientific work.
Shiho and Green are among those people, with the magical antidote to APTX 4869
Green Bolton attends the party quite early, waiting for Shinichi while taking a small sip from a glass of Sherry wine in his hand. With an attractive face and a luxurious black suit, a lot of girls crowd around him. They start talking, joking and flirting with him with the American voice as sweet as honey.
- Ain't you with "someone"? – a flashy girl jokes, perhaps Angelina's friend
- Someone...who?
- Good pretence – another girl says – Let me make it clear. Do you have a girl friend?
- Of course I do. My girl friend is very beautiful! – he smiles happily.
- Yes we think so...- they seems frustrated at his unflinching answer. – Anyway, may we know her name?
- Tinker Bell!
His gentle shrug and unexpectedly brief answer stupefies them. Here come the O-shaped eyes and A-shaped mouth.
- You were expected to answer properly!
- I'm not kidding! She has a gorgeous sandy hair and sharp eyes. She is quiet and pretty cool...
- Since when I've become your girl friend?
- ...
Green leaves his words unfinished and turns around when he hears a voice...familiar.
-Shi...ho...
Shiho is standing in front of him, wearing a light purple ball dress with pretty curves on it that Yukiko bought for her on a shopping day. She crosses her arms, glances at the man who's just havered.
- Are you talking about me with these girls?
He doesn't answer, immediately pulls her out the party room in front of the witness and wonder of other people. Until they encounter the corner at the end of the hallway near the exit door, Green pins her shoulders against the wall.
-Green...it hurts! – Shiho grimaces.
- Why are you here? – Green becomes serious, which worries her a little.
- Why not? I was invited!
- I mean, where is Shinichi?
- He...has unexpected business tonight.
- Don't lie! What did you do to him?
-...Sleeping pills. If I hadn't made him take it, he would have done so to me...You and that idiot are taking risks at this party, ain't you? Something unusual...something related to me!
- Don't be silly! Nothing happens! – he said – I need you to go home right away, leave here by the exit door...
-I won't!
Shiho pushes his hand away resolutely. Looking deep into her eyes, he understands what she means. She never runs away or makes other people sacrifice for her.
That's one among reasons he loves Shiho!
-Please...don't make me a coward always given shelter!
-Ok, I'll tell you the truth. You're right, this place is very dangerous, and this luxurious party for sure is a TRAP! So PLEASE GO BACK!
-You know I'll never run away! – Shiho frowns when catching his tender look.
-...So please answer this question...
- Don't force me!
- Shiho, do you love me?
-….
Shiho just stands there quietly, looks down and sticks her look to the heels in the same color with her dress. She can't face him anymore.
He gets that, gets all the jumbled feelings hidden behind her cold and sharp eyes, even those eyes are not on him at the moment. He lifts her chin gentlely.
-I seem to raise difficulties for you!
- I know it's only a joke...
- I'm not joking! I don't want you to dodge me! – He closes his eyes, puts his hands on her face and his forehead adjacent to her. Shiho is slightly startled.
- I'm fine. What are you doing? It's weird...- Lucky for her it's dark so he can't see how she is blushing.
- Just a little more, Shiho! I won't make you go home. I will protect you from the worst things!
- Somebody can see us!
- Please...just one minute...
-….
It seems that the punishment would come as a result, such as a terrible slap as hell...if it were not Green Bolton.
Shiho stands there, enjoy the warmth of his forehead with the soft sandy hair, at the same time closes her eyes to feel the warmth from his protecting hands. The more he loves her, the more she fears. She doesn't want Green to face dangers because of her.
He is way too kind and honest! He doesn't have any responsibility in protecting her!
One minute?
Well one minute is ok!
That's all he needs...
….
- Green, one minute's passed...- Shiho whispers.
- Oh... thank you! – He lets go of her with regret and looks at her again, smiling – You look great tonight!
Green takes out a beautiful gift from his coat pocket that he's brough along. He peels it off, revealing a small sparkling crown inside.
- My gift for Angelina Sergey. And a string of pearls from Shinichi.
Shiho looks into his handbag containing Shinichi's gift as well. – But...why did you peel it off? Don't you give it to Angelina?
- Hm, I had my assistant Rosalie buy them all, but I think the crown has found its owner! – He pins it on her sandy hair.
- That's not ok. I don't need it... – Shiho's about to take it out but Green stops her.
- Don't do that, it look better on you than Angelina!
- But...How about the gift?
-I have another gift for her. Don't worry! – Green put his hand on her shoulder.
- Promise me you won't do something risky! – Shiho's face is full of anxiety.
- If you want so, my heart is always beating for you! - he smiles again and says...flirting words – Shiho-kan, if you want to feel my special existence...put your hand on the left chest!
Green turns back to the joke-loving guy as he usually is. Sometimes Shiho wonders what the real Green is...especially now Green is putting his mouth close to her ears and whisper some words that make her creepy
-Be cautious of anyone approaching you from now on, even me!
An absolute warning for Shiho before they rush into the land of Death together...
