Hi everyone! I decided to open the story again, hope that I'll have the time for it to end. Or the ones who already read this chapter before I moved it from the story, it's nearly the same except for minor changes in favor of the following chapters
Two months later…
„Heiji. Run. Faster!" Kazuha yelled at the person behind her.
„I…am….running…a..as….fast..as...I…can! Stop….yelling….at….me," Heiji replied breathless. Suddenly, he stopped and smashed his loading on the ground.
Kazuha also stopped and turned around. „What are you doing? The train's gonna drive away in a minute! Move!"
But Heiji didn't move. He based his hands on his thighs and gasped for air. Looking up, he glared at his girlfriend. „I'm trying… to get your luggage,… which seemed… like carrying bricks in it,… into your train…. Without any help!" he replied bugged, still partly out of breath. „So, either you carry your luggage on your own… or you stop bugging and give me time to recover!"
„But the trai…," Kazuha started but got silenced by his icy look. After a short time, Heiji straightened himself ponderous and heaved the heavy loading along the station platform. „Seriously, that's not normal," he uttered between clenched teeth. „Did you take everything you own in this? Am I going back into a complete empty flat?"
„Noooo," Kazuha replied offended. „I need everything in it. You can't understand that."
„Probably not, because I'm not mental," Heiji muttered with a glance to the person who walked in front of him. When they arrived the train, Kazuha got in first but slammed the door right after her so Heiji crashed into the closed door.
„Oh, damn it Kazuha!" He yelled accusing, holding his nose. „Couldn't you pay attention! I was right behind you!"
„Oh, I'm sorry but I thought that's what mental people do, right?" she replied with honeyed voice.
„Ohhh, you've heard that…," was the smartest response he had to offer.
„I'm not deaf," came the icy reply. „So, since I got the train, you're free to go now."
„What? You're not saying goodbye?"
„I don't want you to be seen with a mental person," Kazuha replied peeved, crossing arms in front of her chest.
„Oh, come on! Don't be angry! We won't see each other for two weeks," he tried to smooth-talk. He put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer until her crossed arms were the only thing between them.
„I'm gonna miss you," he whispered.
„It's just two weeks," Kazuha commented slightly annoyed.
„Maybe, but I'm gonna miss you beside me when I wake up in the morning," he continued, kissing her tenderly on her mouth. A suspicious look was the only response he got. „And I'm gonna miss being with you during the day," he placed another kiss on her cheek. Kazuha's face started to soften. „And I'm gonna miss having you in my arms when I go to sleep," his lips wandered to her ears. „And I'm gonna miss…," he whispered the rest of the sentence in her ear. Kazuha's eyes widened while her cheeks started to burn. „Heiji!" she shouted half embarrassed half bemused, slapping him playfully on the chest. Then he saw his chance and kissed her fully on the mouth. Kazuha slung her arms around his neck and met his lips with eager demand. Their kiss increased in intensity as his hands moved lower, slowly cupping her tushy and queezing the buns.
„Oh yeah, I'm gonna miss that!" he sighed heavy breathing after releasing her lips, causing Kazuha to chuckle.
„But we're going to have much private time…" Kazuha added before kissing him again and taking his upper lip teasingly between her lips. „…after that when we drive to the hot springs in the tochigi prefecture."
„Yeah," he smirked wolfish before raising an eyebrow. „But only if you stay quite, remember? Otherwise, we have the whole gang with us. They're crazy when it comes to resorts. And they gonna stuck on us like bubblegum."
„I won't!" Kazuha replied outraged. „I'm not a blabbermouth!"
Uh-oh, time to go, Heiji thought. „Yeah, you're right," he answered off-handedly. „Seems that the train is going to set off any second. I'll better go. Love yu!" Heiji jumped off the train and closed the door behind him without giving Kazuha a chance to respond. He turned around and waved with a bright smile while Kazuha looked at him with a raised eyebrow before turning around in search of a seat.
Two weeks later…
Can't believe that, Heiji grumbled while sitting crossed arms on his seat.
„Hattori, are you done with the newspaper?" Shinichi asked from the place behind him. He just handed the paper over without a word.
„Hey, may I have the sports part?" Makoto asked from his place on the other side.
„No prob, just wanna take a look at the soccer results," Shinichi replied.
Heiji's expression darkened while sinking into his seat. How could this happen? He had a casual chat with his mom on the phone. Nothing special. Then she asked how long Kazuha will stay at her mom's in Kyoto as if she hadn't already known. Then she got the idea that he could come over to Osaka when Kazuha's visit is over and they could stay for a few days. Heiji declined a few times but she got really persistent until he explained that they want to visit Shiobara Onsen in Nasushiobara. Then she got the great idea that she and Heizo and also Kazuha's father could join them. Shizuka declared that she's gonna plan everything and hung up, leaving her son open-mouthed without a chance to counter.
Shortly after, Shizuka called Ran and asked if she and Shinichi might join the trip since Kazuha and Heiji gonna be there, too. And somehow, Sonoko and Makoto also got attached to this crazy excursion. Instead of a romantic vacation with his girlfriend, Heiji was faced with a group trip including his parents, her father and two other couples. He ogled with leaving the train at the next station but Kazuha would kill him. Even more because he ordered her to keep quite but couldn't hold his big mouth.
When the group arrived at the ryokan, Heizo and Shizuka had been already there and greeted them in front of the entry. Mr. Toyama was picking his daughter up in Kyoto and will arrive in half an hour.
While the others walked in, Heizo stopped his son. „Heiji, I expect appropriate behaviour of you!"
Heiji frowned before an amused smirk crossed his face. „Of course, otōsan! I won't spill my meal and share my toys with the other kids."
„Don't try to mock me, son!" Heizo replied sternly. „I mean your behaviour to one of my oldest and dearest friends."
„Toyama-san? But what do you mean? I've never been disrespectful to him," Heiji declared confused.
„You're in a relationship with his only daughter."
„Umm…yeah. So?"
Heizo sighed deeply. „Look, I can't dictate your life in Toyko and what you two doing there. But I won't allow any unappropriate behaviour in his visual and hearing range. As long as you two aren't married, you won't do anything to his daughter that dishonor him, understood!"
„What?! Are you mad! No way! I'm not…." Heiji yelled furious.
„Are you planning to dishonor me too? In front of my friend?" Heizo interrupted him with a harsh look. „When you have serious intention with Kazuha-chan, I give you the good advice to not offend her father."
„But how? I mean we share a room here? I…" Heiji felt more than overwhelmed by his fathers demands.
„Oh, that's not a problem. Your mother already changed the sleeping arrangements. You're sharing a room with Makoto-kun and Toyama-san," Heizo explained while walking into the traditional Japanese inn.
„I do what?!" Heiji shouted perplexed against the closed door. He was so angry that he kicked his luggage a few metres away. This is gonna be the worst vacation ever.
After taking a look into his room, a nice one in traditional japanese style, Heiji went on the terasse to take a look at the surrounding country. Only three minutes of peace were granted him before…
„Heiji! What the hell is going on here?!" Kazuha stormed to him with a deadly look. „First, my father called me and said that he's picking me up for the hot springs, then he said he, your parents, Ran-chan, Shinichi-kun, Sonoko-chan and Makoto-san are joining our trip! But the best part was when the woman at the reception told me that I'm sharing a room with Sonoko-chan instead of you! What is going on here!?"
For a moment, Heiji was very tempted to jump over the balustrade and just run. He sighed and turned around to face the furious woman. „'zuha…," he started.
„Don't even try to soothe me, Heiji! Tell me what is going on!" she baffed.
„I…umm…accidently told my mother…"
„HEIJI!"
„But I had no choice! She knew you were visiting your mother and wanted us to come to Osaka since you're not far away. I had to. She complained about me not visit them enough and so on…."
„Oh, Heiji! Do you be taken by surprise that easy?" Kazuha groaned annoyed.
„Hey, she's my mother after all," he defended himself.
„Mr. Smart Detective!" she snorted mocking which earned her an pissed glance from Heiji before sighing relenting. „Okay, okay! But why the room-change? Don't you want to share a room with me or what?"
„So I couldn't wake up in the night freezing because someone snares the duvey? No way!" he replied sarcastic. „Of course not!" he continued in a normal tone. „It was my father's stupid idea. He thinks your father will get mad at me when we ..you know.. into his immediate proximity. That I dishonour him."
„Oh, that's nonsense! Otōsan isn't like that. I should know it," Kazuha said determined.
„But you're his little girl. That's complete different. He's talking with my father about other things than with you."
Yeah like he already wanted to hand me over to you with 17 but couldn't get your dad on board, she smirked. „I'm telling you it's not true. I know him. And I will prove it to you by changing the room arrangements. Come on," She got his arm and pulled him in the direction of the entrance but Heiji didn't move.
„Maybe, we should leave it like that," He replied unsure, shrugging. „It's just for a few days."
Kazuha sighed surrendering, taking place on a bench near by. „Do I have a chance when you also taking their side? Can't force you to share a bed with me, or can I?" she asked with a wink, making him chuckle. „But I won't change my behaviour for their liking, understood?!" Kazuha added.
„Course not!" Heiji replied, taking place beside her and put his arm around her. „So tell me about your mom? How's she doin'?" Kazuha snuggled against his side, her head resting on his shoulder while talking about the newest stuff that had happened since there last phone call.
After exchanging the lastest news about each other, they started to share tender kisses. But their sweet loneliness got interrrupted…
„Hey Kazuha-chan!" someone yelled behind them.
„Goddamnit! Not her," Heiji muttered annoyed against Kazuha's lips.
Suddenly, Sonoko jumped on the bench beside the couple. „Couldn't you find another seat like, I don't know, Timbuktu?!" Heiji grumbled, pulling Kazuha closer to him as if he already knew what will happen next.
„You can have as much place as you want in a minute, detective freak! I'm not interested in your company, I want Kazuha-chan," Sonoko replied unaffected.
„Well, too bad because…." Heiji started but Sonoko kept talking as if he wasn't there.
„Ran-chan and I want to go to the hot springs before dinner. We found a beautiful one with a small waterfall. Please, join us! It's not like you're missing something important here," she made a snappy sidelook to Heiji which he quoted with a snort.
„A waterfall?! Really?!" Kazuha asked excited.
„'zuha!" Heiji shouted reproachfully.
„Oh, come on! It's a waterfall….," Kazuha pleaded in Heiji's direction who made a grumpy face, then giving Sonoko a sidelook which said that she will come in a minute. Sonoko grinned and left.
„Come on, Heiji!" she snuggled closer to him. She stroked over the sheer fabric of his shirt while caressing the soft skin of his neck with the tip of her nose. „It won't be long." His answer was a mild murmur, while his fingers wandered up and down her side. „You know…," she whispered in his ear. „…just the two of us going to the hot springs would also be nice, wouldn't it? Diving into the water without any fabric on and enjoying the relaxing heat and other things…" A look into his face showed that she already won him for this idea. „..but since you also invited our family and friends, it would be more appropriate to go with the girls, right?" with these words, Kazuha got up and walked over to the entrance, leaving Heiji completly baffled behind.
„Oh my god! What did you say to him?" Sonoko chuckled while watching Heiji's gobsmacked face.
„Nothing important! Just teasing him a bit for making our trip so special," Kazuha smirked and walked with Sonoko to their room.
„Wow, never saw that saucy side of you. I like it! Maybe that crosshead had some positive influence on you!"
„Maybe!" she smiled a bit abashed, noticing it for the first time herself.
„Ahh, this is just great," Sonoko sighed pleased while diving into the hot water.
„Oh yeah! I could stay here forever," Ran smiled happy, then adressing to Kazuha. „You chose a great place for vacation – so peaceful and lovely."
Kazuha's answer was an undefinable murmur while leaned her head on the pool edge with eyes closed.
„Yeah, and romantic. Just perfect for a proposal," Sonoko added.
You're right. I think a lot of couples get engaged here. It's the atmosphere, somehow," Ran replied.
„Yeah! And I think that Makoto will do the same," Sonoko smiled mischievously.
„You think so? Did he indicate something?" Kazuha asked curiously.
„Nooo! But I have a plan," Sonoko's smile got even bigger.
Ran and Kazuha changed a look and stood up in synchronism. „I think I'm done here. Water's too hot," Kazuha declared. „You're right, Kazuha-chan! We should leave," Ran agreed.
„Ohh, come on! That's mean! I didn't say one of you would be involved," Sonoko shouted. „I just thought I could push him into the right direction and I need advice, please!"
Ran sighed. „Alright, but we won't do anything stupid. Your plans have the tendency to be a bit …"
„Lunatic!" Kazuha remarked with a raised eyebrow.
„Pah!" Sonoko replied snippy. „I think the problem was that my plans were too smart. I need something simple."
Ran and Kazuha exchanged a doubting look.
For dinner, everyone changed into yukatas and took place into the communal dinning area. Kazuha was a bit late and took place between Heiji and Sonoko, eyeing the people in the room up. Beside her own companions were also a group of four people around her own age and older ladies on their large table. Shizuka buttonholed with the two women while Makoto and Ran had a lively dicussion with the young group.
„Heiji," she asked with hushed voice, facing her boyfriend.
„What?!" he asked mouth full, spiting a bit food while turning around.
„Oh, God! Could you please not eat and talk at the same time?" Kazuha replied in disgust.
„'cuse me!" he responded peeved after swallowing. „Stop asking while I'm eating. Problem solved!" and put another bit in his mouth while Kazuha rolled her eyes. „Not gonna wait ages," she commented dryly. „Who are these guys?" she pointed to the group with a head movement.
Heiji chewed lengthy before swallowing with a cheeky grin. „They're students from Kyoto and want to spent a few days relaxing here like us. Seems that they're in the karate club of their university. That's why Makoto-san and Ran-chan sit with them."
„Ohh, what a coincidence!"
„Tell me about it! This one," he pointed to the girl who was in an obviously animated chat with Makoto," recognised Makoto-kun the moment he took place and they talked nonstop until now. And…," he pointed beside Kazuha, smiling mischievous,"…guess who doesn't like that at all."
Kazuha turned around, looking at Sonoko who ate her meal silently with a sulky expression. „You seriously find that amusing, don't you?" she asked him reproachful.
„You kiddin', right?...Oh, come on!" he continued after seeing Kazuha's blaming look. „They just talk. It's Sonoko-chan's fault when she misrenders it. She's always over the top."
„You can talk! You're more like her than you think!"
„I'm absolutely not! I can easily interpret a situation the way it is."
„Maybe for a case, but it's different when feelings are involved."
„I can also separate that", he replied self-confident.
„Oh, really! Like when you thought there was something between me and Sousuke-kun instead of the actual fact: that he likes Mio-chan. Or on the Ebisu-bridge where you thought I was having a date with my former neighbour. Or when you thought I was ogling with the hot magician who turned out to be a murderer…."
„Did you say hot?!" Heiji raised an eyebrow at her.
„That's the only thing you heard, isn't it?" Kazuha chuckled.
But Heiji didn't answer, just turned and gave his full attention back to the meal, expressing the same sulky face like Sonoko on Kazuha's other side. She couldn't suppress a smile by that picture. But after some time, it got really frustrating. Heiji acted snippy for the rest of the evening and Sonoko was to busy acting jealousy for a nice chat so that Kazuha was more than happy when a few of the group decided to go to bed, giving her the opportunity to escape her sitting arrangement. The men decided to take a late bath in the hot springs while the women enjoyed the evening at the terrace.
Sonoko, Ran and Kazuha sat together with Tamake, the female student from Kyoto.
„Oh, and you're doing aikido, Kazuha-san. This is so awesome! You know, I couldn't live without karate. So good for de-stress. What are you doing for a sport, Sonoko-san?" Tamake asked.
„Shooting at people who annoys me! Also very de-stress," Sonoko replied with blank expression.
The three girls looked at her in confusion until Ran tried to laugh her comment off. „Sonoko-chan has a very special kind of humor."
„Umm, right…," Tamake replied still a bit confused. „So, how do you know Makoto-san? I only saw him at tournaments. He's such an awesome fighter. Unbelievable!"
„He's my boyfriend! And we're gonna get marry soon," Sonoko answered snippy.
„Oh, really. Congrats! He didn't mention it…"
„Why should he mention that to a complete stranger," Sonoko baffled.
„Sonoko-chan!" Ran hissed angry while Tamake looked to the side, obviously feeling uncomfortable.
Kazuha had enough of this awkward atmosphere. She went upstairs heading to her room when she suddenly run into Heiji at the corridor. He seemed to come straight from the hot springs, the tips of the hair in his back still wet.
„Oh, you're already back? Wasn't it good?" she asked surprised.
„Yeah, but my father started lecturing me again so I left earlier and took a walk. It tires me," he sighed slightly annoyed, his gaze wandering to the side.
„Hmm, so you wouldn't be interested into a night walk with me, do you? The atmosphere is somehow tense here. Some quite time might be great and since I bumped into you…." She smiled teasingly.
„Are you sure you want to go with me? Maybe the hot magician might be more suitable for that," Heiji commented snappy.
„Is he already out of prison?" Kazuha asked in pretended anticipation but only received an icy look. Heiji turned her back on her and walked to his room. „I'm going to bed. Night!" he said without looking back at her.
„Oh come on, Heiji! Heiji!" she called behind him but he disappeared in his room, closing the door soundly. She sighed heavily before entering her own. God, seems that everone's going crazy here. Well, I may just as well go to bed before Sonoko comes and complains about Makoto and that girl.
Ten minutes later while she was brushing her teeth, Sonoko stormed in the room, griping loud.
„Whaaat?" Kazuha stuck her head out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in mouth.
„I said: that skank will regret ogling at my man!" she replied with saturnine look.
„Wouldn't overdramatisize the situation. I believe Makoto-san gets a lot of attention from other women but it seems that he doesn't take advantage of it. He's not a womanzier and loves you very much. Just calm down! And tomorrow, the world looks totally different again, " she called before rinsing out the mouth. Sonoko's reply was an angry snort.
„Just don't do anything you'll regret," Kazuha sighed while walking to her futon and snuggled under the sheets.
„Oh, I won't," Sonoko commented, walking in the bathroom. „But I think that Tamake-chan will regret a few things when I'm done with her," she yelled into the room.
„Oh, god!" Kazuha groaned, buring her face in the pillow. Worst vacation ever!
Next morning, Sonoko was already about to leave when Kazuha woke up. „Mmhh, where are you going so early?" Kazuha asked dozily, just one eye open.
Sonoko froze in the movement, looking caugth in the act. „Umm, I…I want umm..just take a walk," she replied cagey.
„With food?" Kazuha saw a box behind her back. „Is that Imagawayaki?"
„Umm…no," Sonoko murmered before slipping out of the room. Kazuha was slightly bewildered but decided to not bother about Sonoko's craziness and lie down again for a bit.
There was a knocking on her door, the moment Kazuha left the bathroom, ready to go upstairs for breakfast. When she opened, Heiji stood in front of her with an expression only someone who knew him very well and for a very long time could understand. He felt sorry for his behavior from the day before and knew that he overreacted but also didn't want to admit that. Admit that he became extremely jealous when it came to her.
„So…, do you wanna come down for breakfast, don't you?" Heiji finally asked, watching her closely. But before an answer could have given, Heiji's gaze wandered down the hallway then pushed Kazuha into the room before he also rushed in and slammed the door shut. He eavesdropped intently for around 30 seconds before sighing in relief. But the gladness didn't last long. The next second, something hit soundly against the door, missing his head by a hair's breadth. Heiji ducked automatically, looking into the direction where the item came from. A furious Kazuha was sitting on the ground, looking daggers at him while holding one of her sneakers, ready to throw.
„Wow, Kazuha! Calm down! There is no need to…" he started, holding his hands in an appeasing gesture.
„Oh, I don't think so, you baka! You pushed me on the ground and storm into my room like a maniac!" she shouted, stil furious.
„Ohhh!" was his lame response. He didn't notice what he had done. His only concern had laid on dissappearing from the hallway. „I'm sorry! I just say my parents coming out of their roo…" he couldn't finish the sentence because of another shoe he had to dodge for.
„You're hiding because of your parents?! Are you nuts?!" Kazuha pulled herself up.
„It's not just my parents! It's because of my father. He…" Heiji tried to defend himself.
„Oh please, Heiji! Not that stuff with the room-sharing again! You're a grown-up and…" she sighed annoyed.
„No, not that!" he interupted her, sounding a bit like a pouting boy. „I mean, it's not just that." He sighed heavily and skidded down on the ground, leaning his back against the door. Kazuha moved over and took place beside him. „Heiji, what's wrong?" she asked softly with concern in her eyes.
He watched her for qiute a while with a hard to read expression before cupping her cheek and let his lips brush gently against hers, warm and soft. The kiss was gentle and tender, the touch as light as a butterfly but still enough that a warm tingling feeling was running up and down her body. Heiji broke the kiss and looked into her eyes with an expression that made her heart melting.
Kazuha had always thought that she knew every side of her best friend but since the resumption of their relationship there was a complete new level of openness between them she never imagined to be possible. But showing his vulnerable side was something, Heiji never liked. He always covered it with snappy comments or denial. Now, he not just showed it to her, he also turned to her for comfort. A progress, she could only explain with the new form of intimacy they now shared.
Heiji pulled her into his lap and laid his arms around her, his head into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. Her fingers strocked comforting through his hair, massaging the scalp. They sit there for quite a while without saying a word, just enjoying the silence and each others closeness. He was the one who broke the innocent togetherness by starting to place kisses on her neck. „Is that a new perfume?" he whispered hoarse against the soft skin.
„Umm,… no. Just something… they offer at the hot springs… we were…. yesterday," Kazuha replied, distracted by his caressess. Her hands found its way into his shirt, stroking down the skin on his back. „Hmmm," he muttered against her neck, the vibration created an eciting shiver down her body. „I like it," his head turned up, facing her lips with half-opened eyes before bending down for a kiss. Coaxing her to open her mouth a bit wider, he touched the tip of his tongue to hers. Heiji opened his mouth and slid his tongue against hers, tasting her, relishing her flavour.
„I think we should skip breakfast," he murmered breathless against her mouth.
„But I'm hungry!" Kazuha replied with an overacted pout. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, not expecting that reaction. „Well, we can eat later somewhere else," he said a bit irritated, trying to kiss her again but Kazuha hold him back by putting her fingers against his lips. „But here, they have the super yummy traditional breakfast," she opposed.
Now, his face showed a really pissed expression. „Goddammit, woman! I'll buy you whatever you want later," he grunted against her hand. Kazuha couldn't keep a straight face by seeing his reaction and started to giggle. When seeing his bewildered face, the laughter increased.
„You're really drivin' me crazy, you know!" Heiji sighed, half annoyed half amused.
„I know," she replied, still giggling a bit. „I'm sorry." To make up for her little prank, she started kissing him again, tempting him to continue the path they started earlier. The persuasion didn't need much time. His hands glided down the curves of her body, sending wild shivers down her spine while his lips claimed hers passionately.
A sudden scream and the breaking of glass made them stop in their movements. „What was that?" Kazuha asked perplexed.
„I think it came from the dining room downstairs," Heiji suggested with a worried look, already standing up. They made their way to the room where breakfast was served, finding a complete chaos. Plates were on the ground, people standind around, talking across each other. At one side of the room, a knot of people was formed around a person who laid on the ground. Kazuha recognized her as Tamake, the student from Kyoto. While Heiji headed to the group, she went to Sonoko who stood a bit apart, who had focused her attention at the girl on the ground.
„Sonoko-chan! What happened?!" she asked worried. When Sonoko turned the head to look into her eyes, Kazuha's worry increased. Despite the typical emotions during that kind of event, she saw panic in her friends expressions. And guilt.
„Sonoko-chan? What have you done?" she asked alarmed, her voice nearly a whisper.
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