Chapter 9: An Unforeseen Call
"Y-Y'know when you said throw something on, I didn't think it'd be so…," I try to find the appropriate word or phrase to use.
"Casual?" Yuka guesses. My brain arrived at not slutty but I'll keep that to myself.
"Yeah… that's the word," I say. Before me, she stands dressed in a zipped up black track jacket with matching pants, her bright sunny hair tied into a big ponytail. Makes me feel like I'm not looking at the same woman.
"Expected something super slutty, didn't you?" She smugly smirks.
"I wasn't gonna say it aloud but yes," I answer.
"Well, I can gladly oblige to be just that," she completely unzips her track jacket, revealing a sleeveless black crop top that shows off her midriff and practically levitates thanks to her busty chest. Geez. If I were to crouch down, my eyes would see the glorious underboob city! Such power must remain sealed!
"L-Let's keep it the way it was instead," I say, hastily zipping it back up for her.
"How about halfway as a compromise?" She questions, unzipping it to a point where just her chest is out. That just makes her breasts an even bigger focus!
"Definitely not!" I object, resetting the zipper to its original state.
"Afraid of me getting other guys' attention?" She teases.
"I just don't want them looking for the wrong reasons let alone approaching you," I answer.
"Ooh, that sounds really possessive, Sato. No need for that as cute as it is. You seem to forget I can break human bones like it's nothing if a problem arises," she giggles.
"W-Whatever! Do as you please then," I sigh, looking off to the side.
"Saaatooo," she mutters deeply, laying a hand on my left cheek and making me look her in the eye. "I'm not gonna go off and mess with other guys. We're hanging out together, not separately. Besides, I seriously doubt any of them would be able to satisfy me like you do," she says with a sincere sweetness.
"Y-Yuka," I stutter, blushing.
"Falling in love yet?" she whispers, looking deeply into my eyes with her kakugan.
"Y-You wish and quit it with your eyes! It's cheating and you know it!" I say.
"I… I love you, Sato," she says in a cute voice while feigning her nervousness, her eye contact not breaking.
"A-Anyway, we need to get going," I pull away and put my back to her. Damn it! I know she's bullshitting but it's still working!
"Aren't you going to say it back, Sato baby?" She asks, pretending to be upset.
"Joke's over, Yuka," I respond, managing to put my foot down using a modicum of seriousness in my voice.
"Hmph! You're no fun," she says. Just in the corner of my left eye, I can see her pouting.
"I was gonna keep my mouth shut but if I may give some criticism on your attire, don't you think you're wearing too much black?" I question, looking over my left shoulder.
"Don't you think it's a little tacky to be going outside for fun in that super plain white blazer and black shirt combo you tend to casually wear around the house? Talk about no effort," she fires a shot back at me.
"Touché," I sigh. "It does help keep my gun concealed though so I'll use that as my defense for not wearing something else."
"I've been wondering about that. Are you even supposed to have that gun?" She inquires.
"Of course not," I answer. As much as I'm proficient with guns, I do wish Juuzou would've stolen my quinque for me instead. Maybe that can be arranged at some point to get Raijin back into my possession. Just to have it for peace of mind.
"How about you just leave the gun here and if something happens, then I'll take care of it? There will be trouble if it happens to fall out of your pocket," she says.
"That's why I've got a holster on. Remember that I'm an ex-CCG agent so I always practice the utmost safety with my weapons. Besides, what if you get overwhelmed? Am I supposed to just sit there and painfully spectate? Not on my watch," I reason.
"Awww! You really care about me!" She exclaims, hugging me from behind and egregiously pressing her chest against my back.
"W-Whatever! Let's get going already," I say, trying to ignore it. Hopping in my car, we drive off. Not even five minutes pass by before my phone starts ringing. I've got the feeling this is another one of Touka's reminders about the book for Hinami.
"Gonna ignore it? If it's Touka, then y'know she's gonna be pissed," Yuka chuckles. I sigh deeply and take a quick look around for any signs of police. Let's get this over with. Picking up my phone, I audibly gasp. T-That's… the same number from when Juuzou visited recently! I-It can't be a coincidence! I hastily answer and hold the phone to my right ear.
"H-Hello?" I say.
"It's been so long hasn't it, Kira?" My eyes widen in shock and confusion as that question and voice enter my ear, drilling deeply into my brain. I-It… can't be! One of the few people who can utter that name without the painful sting it usually gives me. T-The one who made the hellish prison I was stuck in at least a little more bearable to continue living each day! S-She's been alive all this time?! Please… please let this be real!
"R-Ri… Ri… Ritsu!" I exclaim, my left hand tightening its grip on the steering wheel while tears rush down my cheeks.
"I… I missed you so much!" Ritsu says, her voice trying not to sob.
"I missed you too, damn it! Please, Ritsu… I want—No, I need to see you again asap!" The urge to yell continues to build in my throat but I manage to fight it back.
"Unfortunately, it's gonna be a while before we can meet again. I'm so sorry!" She apologizes. As soon as I'm about to respond, she hangs up. No! You can't just hang up on me after that! I immediately try to call her number back only to receive her automated voicemail message. Damn it! I take a deep breath and exhale to compose myself. Should've taken those pills today. No need to get upset. What matters is that she's alive. I'll wait as long as I need to if it means we'll reunite eventually.
Wait… so if Ritsu just called me then Yukari was being truthful. Yuka… is Yuka. Why does that put such a pit in my stomach?
"Yuka. I just got good n— Y-Yuka?" Turning my head, I notice that she's already looking my way with her kakugan on. Was she staring at me this whole time? Distress and anger try to hide from forming on her face.
"What's wrong?" I ask, worried.
"That was… Ritsu on your phone, right? She's alive? I… heard that correctly?" Yuka questions, trying to stay calm.
"Y-Yeah," I affirm. She suddenly leans over from her seat to lay against me.
"T-That's great. I'm happy for you," her words get muffled as she buries her face in my chest. A part of my shirt gets increasingly damp with the tears she didn't want me to see. Without another thought given, I throw my left arm around her to comfort her.
"Yukari. Ritsu's not gonna change anything. I won't kick you out," I assure her.
"That's not the problem. It's… just… never mind. Please just… let me stay like this right now," she says softly.
"Sure thing," I say quietly. I think I'm already understanding this pit I have. I'm beyond happy for Ritsu to still be alive yet also a bit upset. I guess… I was really hoping for Yuka and Ritsu to be the same woman. Is it my curse to always be burdened with making difficult choices?