(A/N: I don't own the anime nor the song Gold Rush by Taylor Swift that inspired this chapter. Only this fanfic of mine.)
CHAPTER 5
Gold Rush
By: Aztec999
THE ORIENTATION PROGRAM WENT SMOOTHLY with the new batch of newly hired policemen and women at the MPD. Most of the welcoming speeches were done by the Chiefs of the First, Second and Third Division – even if the MCPTF department were most likely the administrative and secretary of the first two divisions due to their lackluster reputation in the branch itself.
Ever since that "heart to heart talk" with Haru like the mature adults that you both should be, your "friendship" with him went smooth sailing. The "incident" between the two of you was never mentioned and he'd greet you amiably when you see each other down the halls or even in the office cafeteria during lunch period. Of course, you still have both circle of friends that you both stick with but a few times would slip in and sometimes you both walked beside each other after working hours, talking about light and random tidbits of your lives than usual. Just like friends.
You didn't even know the feeling the engulfed you at the last thought. And you don't pay any attention to it either. You ignore the gnawing feeling within of you. The niggling thought of becoming something more has been on your mind lately. And for what? Pursuing something more complicated with him? Like a relationship? That line of thought made you paused.
No. No. No. No. Just plain no.
Why ever complicate things when both of you already resolved the elephant in the room? Your growing friendship with him is steady and slowly becoming more solid. You don't want to add more confusing and risky things between the two of you or you might have an awkward interaction again if it won't go well.
You are still mulling over your thoughts when a tap on your shoulder made you flinch instantaneously.
"Penny on your thoughts?" Your coworker, Mary, held an amuse look on your face.
You tried not to blush at being caught red handed. "Nope. It's just that this printer is being funny again." You tried to complain as you watched the machine sputter out a sheet of paper rimmed with faded and dotted lines of black and white.
"Better call the tech team again to fix it." Mary sighed dramatically before throwing you a mischievous grin again. "But I swear you're being too spacey these days. Also, don't deny it. I've seen you 'round previously with Inspector Katou from the MCPTF walking around the block last Tuesday."
"So? It's a normal thing of hanging out between two friends. What's wrong about it?" You rolled your eyes but you kept your gaze on the printer, not risking looking at her directly or else you'll be a blushing mess in an instant.
"What? I didn't say anything wrong about it. Why you're getting defensive about it?" She held a teasing tone to her voice.
"I'm not defensive! I'm just saying that there's nothing wrong with two friends hanging out after work!" Your voice rose an octave as the tips of your ears started to tint with pinkish hues. The other people nearby started to look at the both of you from their desks, staring at you curiously at the slight noise that you've made.
You quickly scooped up the papers that were out of the printer, feeling the embarrassment creeping up on you at the slight commotion you've made and the attention that you were getting from your coworkers.
"Just leave it be Mary. Don't put any other intrigues behind them." You rolled your eyes as you darted away to hide your crimson cheeks.
"You can hide from me, but you can't hide your own feelings from yourself!" Mary replied cheerfully but you chose to ignore her remarks as you continued to walk away and went back to your own cubicle, placing the stack of papers in your desk and letting out a deep sigh.
Slumping down on your swivel chair, you've tried to immerse yourself in your own work and ignored the pesky ramblings of your own heart and your befuddled thoughts about the personal matters of your life. It would just give her probably a migraine or further complicate things which she does not want to.
You hardly notice that it was becoming a routine for the both of you.
Like sensing each other's presence when you've passed one another at the silent hallways and you would greet each other like it was nothing but a casual friendship over the years. When you both just met in unexpected circumstances that blossomed into something sincere and natural camaraderie between the two of you.
Or even the automatic action of waiting for each other outside the building for a few minutes after work and would throw in a simple wave of acknowledgement before falling into step with one another, blending into the bustling crowd of people who're rushing into transportations going back to their homes. It seemed like a routine for the both of you and neither of you seemed to notice about it. Or if you both did, it didn't really disturb any of you.
"So, you ever try flying a kite before?" Haru broke the silence as a red kite passes them through at the sky. You watch it gracefully match the breeze of the air.
"Sort of. I try it a few times when I was a kid." You responded casually.
"Yeah. Kite brings a lot of memories." Haru replied wistfully before it washed away when a thought suddenly passes through him. "There's the upcoming Hamamatsu festival soon. We're on a patrol duty that day. Interested to come after work?" He asked you, striving for a casual tone.
You tried not to overthink about it. 'It's just friends doing the common thing of hanging out.' You reason to yourself inwardly.
"Sure. I've heard that there will be a parade and fireworks in there as well." You smiled.
It might be your imagination but you swore that you've seen Haru's eyes sparkled for a few seconds before it was gone quickly and was replaced by a casual look.
"Then it's settled. I'll be seeing you on that day (y/n)-san."
You couldn't help but to look forward on that day as well even if you berated your foolish heart for doing so.
THE BUZZING CROWD AROUND THE STALLS added a more festive air of freedom to the festival itself. You walked around the sea of people as you tried to find the golden eyed Inspector who invited you to the event in the first place.
"I'm glad you came." The familiar casual but baritone voice made you turned around and you came face to face with the smiling figure of Haru who was holding two sets of cotton candy. He walked towards your direction and handed the pink floss of cotton candy to you.
Gleaming, twinkling
Eyes like sinking
Ships on waters
So inviting I almost jump in
You gladly accepted it and couldn't help but to return his sunny smile in equal gaiety. "Of course. I'm not the type of friend who ditches out at the last minute." You replied jokingly, offering him a lopsided grin.
I don't like a gold rush, gold rush
I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush
I don't like that anyone would die to feel your touch
Everybody wants you
Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you
Walk past, quick brush
I don't like slow motion, double vision in rose blush
I don't like that falling feels like flying till the bone crush
Everybody wants you
But I don't like a gold rush
Haru beamed at you and you belatedly realized that his name utterly suits him since his smile alone is reminiscent of a bright sunny morning in the middle of the Spring. The golden specks in his eyes seemed to silently entrance you as they gleamed with genuine mirth and sincere happiness. You felt as if the time stood still as your eyes mapped out his features, drowning out the noises around you and they shrink into faint, distant murmurs around your head.
What must it be like to grow up that beautiful?
With your hair falling into place like dominos
I see me padding across your wooden floors
With my Eagles t-shirt hanging from the door
At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit
And the coastal town we wandered 'round had nevеr seen a love as pure as it
And then it fadеs into the gray of my day old tea
'Cause it won't, could never be
"Katou-san!" Kamei's vibrant voice broke the spell that seemed to bewitch you for a moment and you quickly darted your eyes away from him and focused your attention to the cotton candy you're holding, inwardly praying to Gods that he'll not notice the stupid expression on your face earlier. What the hell is wrong with you? You could only give yourself an internal shake and berate yourself quietly for behaving like an idiotic teenage girl who's in stupor in front of their crush.
'Cause I don't like a gold rush, gold rush
I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush
I don't like that anyone would die to feel your touch
Everybody wants you
Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you
Walk past, quick brush
I don't like slow motion. double vision in rose blush
I don't like that falling feels like flying till the bone crush
Everybody wants you
But I don't like a gold rush
Your mind came into a screeching halt because of that. Crush? With Haru? Seriously? That would never—.
"We're looking for you earlier Katou-chan to see if you can join us at the newly opened barbecue stand a few blocks from here." Saeki's sweet voice permeated your senses and oriented you back to the present reality. "But seeing that you're with someone—."
"Is this your new date Katou-san?" Kamei cut off Saeki's words with his usual blunt question.
"Kamei! Stop asking rude questions!" Saeki sounded scandalized.
You could feel your cheeks burning and you didn't dare to look at all of them directly. You're just thankful that you're still holding the cotton candy and pretending that it's the most interesting confectionary on Earth as you focused your whole attention to that.
"Stop making (y/n)-san uncomfortable guys. We're just hanging out here. Don't put any colorful meaning behind it." Haru tried not to sputter and kept a straight face despite the tinged of pinkish hues at the tips of his ears.
"Sorry about that man. And (y/n)-san it's nice seeing you here by the way." Kamei shot you an apologetic smile to which you tried to return despite your unease and the wild beating of your heart inside your chest.
"That's fine. I can take a nice joke anyway." You laughed sheepishly.
"Just don't take him seriously (y/n)-chan. His mouth is faster than his brain sometimes." Saeki cast you a rueful smile.
"Hey!" Kamei tried to protest before he was interrupted by Daisuke's cool and calm voice.
"Inspector Katou. (Y-n)-san. We'll be on our way. We don't want to impose and trouble you on your…friendly association at the kite festival further. We'll be on our way and we'll be both seeing you around tomorrow at the office."
You swore that you can see the faint smirk on Daisuke's lips before it was replaced quickly with an indifferent expression. That conniving deviant. You tried to calm yourself and muster up the courage not to blush once again at the implication of his words.
"Likewise. See you guys tomorrow." You gave them a wave of goodbye to which Haru did as well.
They waved back and left the two of you in the middle of the stalls.
Once they were alone together again, a beat of silence passed between the two of for the next few seconds. You honestly didn't know what to say since the awkwardness still runs through you. How could even Kamei mistake if for a goddamn date? You're just thankful that your coworker, Mary, wasn't even here or you wouldn't hear the end of it.
You heard Haru clearing his throat and that caught your attention, looking at him fully. He was trying to give you a reassuring smile to dispel any awkwardness between the two of you and you return it sincerely.
"So wanna go at the other side of this place? I mean, the fireworks will start soon so we could get a good spot of available seats if we're early." Haru's hands were both tucked behind the pockets of his jeans and offered you a sheepish look at your direction.
That look alone made your heart somersault inside your chest because of how cute it was. You inwardly gulped and tried to banish the thought away, not trusting yourself on where it's going.
What must it be like
To grow up that beautiful?
With your hair falling into place like dominos
My mind turns your life into folklore
I can't dare to dream about you anymore
At dinner parties
I won't call you out on your contrarian shit
And the coastal town
We never found will never
See a love as pure as it
'Cause it fades into the gray of my day old tea
'Cause it will never be
"Sure." You agreed easily and it made him relieved. You both walked side by side together encased in a comfortable silence until the two of you found a good spot at the front to watch the fireworks that will paint the sky in a joyful manner after the event itself.
Unbeknownst to the both of you, Haru's hand had laid on top of yours unconsciously while he's mesmerized at the sky.
A good feeling engulfed your senses and you both watched the fireworks that dazzled up the sky afterwards, coloring it with pleasant promises and hopeful dreams for tomorrow.
And no matter how you tried to suppress it, your heart can't help but to anticipate and get used to the nice feeling that's slowly blooming within you.
Gleaming
Twinkling
Eyes like sinking ships
On waters so inviting
I almost jump in