Chapter 2: It's Tsukino-san

Hello, my old heart

How have you been?

Are you still there inside my chest?

I've been so worried

You've been so still

Barely beating at all

-Hello My Old Heart by The Oh Hellos

Because even though they weren't in high school anymore, heartbreak and grudges can still exist. They can still eat you little by little.

And they were swallowing her whole.

Blue eyes met grey eyes crossed path again. Both were still uneasy and tense. But this time, blue was suddenly so unsure of the situation.

Why was she here?

Of all the people why her?

It had been his first day of being reassigned into a new district and lo and behold, his first case was this.

He hadn't seen it, but her eyes they were staring at him such vehemence and fury.

Her upper lip curled slightly in distaste.

Blue eyes may have met grey eyes more than once, but that didn't mean he knew her.

It started out like any other day. She was out of the house, ready to go to work. She worked in a school as a nurse. It was more of a daycare place since only kindergartners went there.

She was on her way to the little school when Naoki almost bumped into someone.

"Kuroko-sensei"

"Tsukino-san, Kuroko-kun is fine." It was one of the teachers she got along with. Blue haired like someone she knew, but this time those eyes were different.

They were refreshing.

The day had ended and she was relieved. Only one kid had managed to injure himself. A red-headed boy that was running around with scissors had scrapped his knee when he fell down.

Compared to that one time that she had to nurse six kids, this was definitely a good thing.

Poor boy was crying his eyes out though.

"Tsukino-san—"

"Naoki-san is alright." She replied instantly. It was a given who was calling her. Everyone else either called her nurse-san or Tsuki-chan. Both were rather annoying for her, but who was she to argue with so many.

"I'll be bringing all the kids to their parents now. Is it alright if I take Seijuuro-kun with me?" He asked her tilting his head.

"Of course, Kuroko-kun." Was her reply, but the teal headed boy leaned in forward and told her "Tsukino-san, I think there is someone by the door who wants to see you though."

She raised an eyebrow indicating to elaborate.

"It was a guy with grey hair. I believe he claimed to be your brother or relative. But, he wanted to see you at once."

All at once, she felt herself go weak.

How could he have found her?

How?!

This—this—this wasn't possible.

This was fucked up.

And all at once, she felt herself crumble.

At the end of the day, there were two pairs of grey eyes in her house.

One hers, the other his

It was such a stupid move on her part to ask him to leave the school.

Of course, the grey haired bastard didn't consent. So, in desperation, she told him to come with her to her house to resolve the matter like two adults.

The bastard just smirked and almost scoffed. "Sure by me" was the reply and then she found herself cornered in her own house.

Naoki was ready to punch the living shit out of him, but then he caught her arm and twisted it… and twisted it. His grip was too tight and she couldn't help screaming.

His face was way too close.

Fuck this.

How did she get into this messed up situation.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck it all.

He was so close.

Just a bit more and he would have won.

Just a bit—

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Naoki-san! I heard someone scream. Was it you? Are you alright?" Each word was emphasized and loud. Naoki almost sighed of relief, but then she realized if people were to see—if he were to get caught—if people found out…

Then just what exactly would people think of her?

That was how they ended up in the police station.

She was thankful that her neighbour was particularly helpful, but alternately, Naoki still labeled her as nosy.

It was because of her that the asshole didn't get too close, but it was also because of her that she had to let the said asshole go.

Aomine cleared his throat. "So, Naoki, your neighbour was—"

"Tsukino-san would be more appropriate, Mr. Policeman." She retaliated. It was better to de-establish the ties that were already set.

Better to burn the bridges than wait for them to collapse. Naoki thought to herself.

"Ha? Naoki, what the hell?"

A police officer with a badge like everyone in the damn place pacified him "Oi, oi. If you're too friendly with our ladies, you're gonna piss of the chief." He was standing up right beside Aomine's desk and the more he spoke, the more annoyed the ganguro became.

Said police officer had glasses and asked her politely "Sorry for that Tsukino-san."

His glasses glinted. Was it only her who caught that? "Your neighbour was telling us that she heard you scream and dragged you here because she believes that there is domestic violence in your house. Would you mind telling us your side of the story?"

"Of course not, my brother left his papers on the floor. I slipped on them and screamed. I'm really sorry if I scared you or anyone, Muziki-san, but I just twisted my arm awkwardly. That's why I screamed."

The officer standing up did not believe her at all.

Imayoshi Shouichi could hardly listen to the crap she was sprouting. It was obvious that she was still afraid. Terror was written all over her face and her eyes had been darting around and then she had been staring at the exit for every minute she thought they weren't looking.

But what really happened?

Did someone break into her house?

Ah, this was difficult indeed. No doubt if they went to her house they wouldn't find signs of forced entry. Muziki-san, her neighbour, had already confirmed that her front door was locked, the windows were closed and none of them were broken.

Apart from that, there weren't any other screams that sounded like a fight. Was it really a case of domestic violence?

Maybe her brother had hit her?

But the neighbour had said that he wasn't there and that he would still be at school at this hour.

Sketchy. Everything about her said scenario was sketchy.

Possible, but sketchy.

"Well, by the law of parsimony, that seems like the most plausible answer. But.." His glasses glinted again. This time Naoki could see his right eye staring right at her.

"Just to be on the safe side" he continued "Aomine. Sakurai. It would be better to escort these two ladies back to their homes. Especially with the fact that it's already pretty late."

She glanced toward a window. How could she have lost track of time? It was already night. It took them longer than expected to actually accept her made up story.

"Ah, what a bother." The first mumbled.

"I'm sorry that I'm escorting you."

This was gonna be a long night.