The conclusion!
The warning sign was that the lobby was crowded. A company gathering had been diverted here, or some other excuse which Kougami doubted. Night had already fallen, and it was time to capture a fox. Whether these people were Yanase's conspirators or not, it could be determined afterwards.
He placed his hand on Akane's lower back, murmuring in her ear. "Let's move."
"Right." They hastily wove through the gaps, to the concierge desk. The wait for the card keys was excruciating, followed by the elevator ride upwards. But they weren't stopping, instead headed for the stairs. Yanase's office was located on a hidden half floor, part of a renovation upon her purchase of the building.
Akane unzipped her bag, passing over one of the Dominators. He gripped the handle and the automated speech was almost nostalgic. The elevator opened, but the hallway was empty. A scan on her end confirmed no biological signatures. Together, they proceeded to the furthest wall, where the passage was located.
As soon as he opened the door, he caught a snap of crimson light, a motion sensor going off. Immediately, he grabbed Akane, bracing his arm around her torso. The wooden stairs suddenly folded, and the floor of the closet dropped. An irritating defensive measure, installed by its paranoid owner. He was frowning at the dark ceiling when her hand slipped around the back of his head, bringing his face down.
His heart raced. Was she trying to-?
A blast above ended that thought, and by the time he registered the mounted artillery in place of a security camera, Akane had fired a Decomposer shot. The machinery crumbled in a blue haze, but it certainly wasn't the only one. They had to find cover. And they did have access to a place. They rushed towards the room, disabling more security guns, and the door slammed behind them. He briefly checked both of them for injuries; he had a singed sleeve but nothing else.
Akane persuaded him to remove his jacket, before the Holo disguises were dissolved and she contacted her team through her wrist device. Meanwhile, he investigated their hiding place. It was larger than a typical guest room; a sitting area with a kitchenette, a spacious clean bathroom, and a separate bedroom…with a king bed. Were they placed in one of the honeymoon suites? He didn't know whether he wanted to confirm it or not.
"All clear." He relayed.
"Thank you. The others are trying to infiltrate the security system and locate Yanase. What about SAD?"
He peered at his messages. "They think some of the immigrants are on the premises, trying to evacuate them safely. Are we stuck here?"
"As part of lockdown measures, unfortunately. Mika didn't want the risk so she forced a hard reset."
A new text popped up and he fought back a smile. "Gino told me not to drive you crazy."
"A little late for that…"
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"No, I'm just thinking out loud. Anyway, I'll send a Pillbug to travel through the vents and support the others." She activated the bot, and it skittered up the cream-colored wallpaper into a ceiling grate.
"Thanks. Keep me updated." He peered past the curtains, but there was no balcony or railing to scale. Too far to jump, and since they were in the middle of the city, zero chance of rescue by flight. They were stuck. However, he was oddly calm, his perception straying instead to her presence and movements.
She'd sacrificed her life and reputation, in order to protect the law. Her voice had sounded thready when he first visited, stronger over the months, but he noted how thin she became. She had winced at the sunshine upon her release, looking as if she was about to weep at the taste of a good meal. She deserved to have space and to enjoy the world after so long. That was what he'd been telling himself. If he thought she was cute while admiring the cherry blossom petals or finishing a bowl of noodles, he wouldn't let it show. And then, he dove straight into this tempting fantasy of marrying her. An idiot's behavior, indeed.
"Not much else to do, until there's a new development. I guess we'll have to wait patiently." She stood beside him, close enough that he could discern the scent of light citrus. She smoothed her hair, and the ruby ring glittered under the lamp light.
Gruffly, he said. "You can take it off, if you want."
And in return, her challenging stare fixed him in place. "Well, I don't. It may have been for the job, but I'm too attached now. Besides, you don't actually want me to stop wearing the ring."
His gaze drifted. "That's…I did say understanding people was your strength."
"Kougami-san, won't you be honest with me?"
Now, he regarded her with the full force of his attention. She looked endearing, with her pleading eyes and her lips in an inviting curve. Against his will, his voice sounded hoarse. "You already know I'll do so with my actions. What you're asking for will change things between us. If you're prepared, don't run away."
"In that case, you shouldn't run either." She reached for his hand, interlacing their fingers.
A thrill surged beneath his skin, right to his chest; it reminded him of a rainy night, eight years ago. He knelt, sweeping under her slender legs, and lifted her. "Then, no point in standing by the window."
"This is familiar, except without the handcuffs." She nervously laughed. "It's been on my mind; why'd you place the other cuff on your wrist?"
"Ah…I don't know." He grimaced. An inadequate answer. "Maybe, I had accepted I wanted to be with you, for better or worse. My clumsy attempt at expressing how I feel." Gently, he lowered her onto the bed but her touch moved to pull him in.
"So, you should take responsibility for your clumsiness."
And at long last, he kissed her.
This was an ironic end to their pretend engagement, but she couldn't complain. She could tell he was still exercising restraint, his mouth closed and surprisingly tender. She lightly bit down, an encouragement, and he made a low deep sound that warmed her entire body. Instantly, she wanted more. She pulled him down, but he resisted, an unspoken question in his dark gaze.
"Right now, I just want you." She insisted. "You can be slow or gentle later."
He seemed to relax, then his mouth widened in a smirk. "Agreed. I'll be thorough." He grabbed his collar, wrestling out of his shirt.
She quickly unbuttoned her blouse and nearly snapped the zipper of her skirt, throwing them off the edge of the bed. She was eager to help with his belt buckle, though he had paused. And she remembered why, a little pleased.
His eyes darted all over her, and then, red crept up his ears. "Didn't know you wore these things."
Admittedly, she had caved and bought a few lingerie sets. This one was deep burgundy, the bra embroidered with a floral lace pattern and the panties held together by artful strings. She cheekily replied. "I was told I like to tease."
He swallowed, his throat working. "Then, it's my turn. I'm unfair after all." His callused hands landed above her knees, spreading them apart.
Cool air washed over her exposed folds. Oh. She forgot about that feature. Reflexively, she tried to sit up, about to protest, when his forehead pressed against hers. This kiss was rougher, demanding her full attention or she'd drown. His touch was purposeful on her skin, caressing up and up. A soft but unmistakably slick noise caused her to gasp, and he didn't relent.
He braced above, his leg sliding between hers as he pinned her wrists. In this position, she was completely vulnerable. The kiss was a further distraction, and she gave in. She was aware of the stretch, his advances and exploring turns, preparing her as he said, her own excitement. His tongue stroked the roof of her mouth as his finger curled inside, in simultaneous identical motion. Her head spun.
"Make it easy. I've got you." He rasped in her ear. Damn it, why did he have to be sweet? " Almost there. Akane."
She broke, using each syllable of his name as he pried that orgasm out of her. She was still shivering when she opened her eyes. But he wasn't smug or proud. He looked…a little in awe? Stunned, like he couldn't believe she came from his fingers. Then, he tilted his head, the recognizable contemplation mixed with the newer heat of interest.
Unable to bear it, she asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I was getting ahead of myself, thinking about how I want to see every variation of your face in bed."
"...Kougami-san, you're absolutely ruthless."
"Funny, I don't remember you calling me that a minute ago."
Her cheeks burned, and without a good verbal retort, she unhooked her bra and accepted the slight slackening of his jaw. She resisted the urge to cover herself, keeping her chin high even as the belt came off. The last of their clothing was discarded, and he tore open a condom, a souvenir from the bathroom. Her imagination hadn't done him enough justice; he gave a firm twist for security and she was going to remember that particular sight forever. Her left hand tangled within his hair, her brilliant crimson emblem of victory as she gladly welcomed him.
Not slow and not gentle. Her nails scored his broad back, and she was certain there'd be bruises mimicking his fingers on her hips in the morning. But she didn't care. Heat and strength, force and provocation. Years of admiration, frustration, and mutual understanding - converging into the inevitable. This was what she needed, and he was hers.
His thrusts became uneven, a swear punctuating his heavy breaths. She stroked the nape of his neck, and took the initiative in kissing him. He hissed and drove against her; she found a smaller peak and crested it, squeezing him for all she was worth.
The stickiness was the first thing she noticed when her mind had settled again. She must have wriggled because he slowly slid out of her, rolling off. She exhaled; already, she felt empty and wondered if it'd always be like this. A shadow fell over her, and her gaze languidly drifted to him. He was carefully studying her reaction.
Did he think she was regretting it? Idiot. She leaned in, using her teeth to imprint a circle in his shoulder. At his grunt, she turned on her other side and clarified. "A ring of your own. For now."
His arms looped around her waist, his thumbs caressing underneath her breasts, and she could feel the vibration of his voice when he echoed. "For now."
The haze was shattered by an incoming message, thankfully a text. Yanase had been barricaded in her office, coaxed out by Arata and Kei. The immigrant workers were accounted for and pending transfer to mental rehabilitation. A success, on all counts. And a formal close to the undercover mission.
If anyone was curious why they had their Holos back on, they didn't ask.
The following week, Akane submitted a request for personal time off. She tidied her desk, the cool silver chain around her neck shifting with her movements. The ruby dangled under her shirt, before resting once more on her chest. The elevator descent was quiet, and she didn't spare a backwards glance at the tower.
The parked car was a block away, and she entered through the unlocked passenger side. "Sorry about the wait."
"It's not like I would have left." Kougami was obviously amused, watching her fasten her seatbelt. "This trip wouldn't mean anything without you."
"The same line of thought with the job we just had." She wryly pointed out.
"Exactly. Ready?"
"Yes." Her hand tightly gripped his, as they drove away.
