CoAi Week 2024 (Aug 1-7) - Almost Strangers

By Crystal Snowflakes

IV. Promise

As soon as she stepped out of customs and into the bustling airport, she could see him through the crowd. She should've been surprised, but at the same time, part of her had been expecting him.

They'd exchanged a few emails here and there since she'd left Japan, mostly seasonal greetings that were never more than polite exchanges and brief updates on their lives. It was never anything of importance. And neither of them ever acknowledged their last conversation or how awkward it had been.

How was it that after all this time, the mere sight of him still made her heart flutter and pulse quicken? Just seeing him brought back her memories so vividly that she felt her breath catch in her throat as she watched him, standing amongst the hordes streaming all around him.

He didn't notice her. At least not right away. And she took the opportunity to take in his appearance.

Despite being away for almost a year, he didn't look much different from the last time she saw him. His jawline was a little broader, his hair a little longer—looking a bit like he needed a haircut soon—but it was still undeniably him. His attention was drawn somewhere else, and she took the time to admire the way his jacket fit perfectly around his slender frame.

He seemed relaxed in a way she hadn't seen before, like he was comfortable in his own skin. Maybe things had finally fallen into place for him. And maybe she had made the right choice when she'd decided to stay as she was and not take her second chance at life for granted.

For a fleeting moment, though, she wondered if he would even recognize her. She hadn't grown taller, but she had let her hair grow longer, and her face was a little more angular now. Not to mention the pair of glasses she wore now, which was more of a comfort than a necessity.

And then he looked up, his eyes meeting hers across the terminal. A grin broke out over his face immediately, and despite everything, she found herself smiling back. He started walking towards her, and she stepped forward to meet him halfway.

Unexpectedly, he swept her off her feet with an enthusiastic embrace. She realized then that she had to accept the fact that she'd never be taller than him ever again.

He smelled like freshly laundered linen, coffee, and something so uniquely him—like home. And the revelation nearly sent her spiralling into an emotional tailspin. Selfishly, she buried her nose against his shoulder and inhaled deeply, breathing in the familiar scent—just for a moment.

It wasn't until that very second that she realized just how much she'd missed him. More than she'd thought possible.

She pulled away from him slowly, their gazes meeting, and his eyes were just as she remembered them: bright and piercing. And it was almost strange to see him this close, like seeing herself through his eyes. For a long moment, they simply stood there gazing at each other.

It was only then that he noticed the pair of glasses perched on her nose, and a small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Hey there, stranger," he said.

She found herself smiling back involuntarily.

Somehow, even though they'd barely communicated with each other in almost a year, it didn't feel any less natural to be standing with him together in the middle of the airport.

"Hey, you."

Without prompting, he reached down to grab the handle of her suitcase, pulling it alongside him, and she let him. He'd always been a gentleman, and she was too tired to argue. Instead, she fell into step beside him to make their way out of the terminal.

"How was everything?" he asked, casting an inquisitive glance at her direction.

The door slid open automatically as they approached it, and the early evening breeze was cool and refreshing against her skin. She glanced up, the sky overhead, streaked with flecks of pink and orange and purple where the setting sun began its descent towards the horizon. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply, enjoying the crisp air. It was enough to make her head spin, and the homesickness that she'd been experiencing these last few months suddenly washed over her.

There wasn't a thing in the world she wanted more at that moment than to go home and hug the Professor before curling up in her bed.

"Fine," she responded, opening her eyes to look towards him, hoping her voice didn't waver too noticeably. "It wasn't home, though."

And if he noticed, he gave no sign of it. "Are you staying for good this time?"

Part of her had toyed with the idea of studying abroad for her bachelor's degree so she had a reason to be away for another few years, but now that she'd left, she knew she couldn't do it again. Not anymore. She wouldn't be able to bear being apart from the Professor for a few more years.

Seeing him slowly age through video calls when she was half the world away had hurt, but she knew nothing would compare to how she would feel if he'd gotten injured by accident and she wasn't there to help him.

"Probably not until after I graduate," she answered, careful not to give too much away.

He pressed his lips together briefly, nodding, but the look on his face darkened just a little, and she felt her heart drop to her stomach. "Has the Professor told you?"

She blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor, feeling like she was experiencing a sudden emotional whiplash. "About what?"

"Vodka."

The unexpected name sent her thoughts into overdrive, jolting her back into reality faster than she could process. Her fingers tightened subconsciously around the thin fabric of her sleeve. Vodka had always been the less menacing one, and she had been thankful that he was the one who got away and not Gin, who would stop at nothing to get even with her.

Even so…

"No," she responded, forcing herself to keep her tone neutral even though her mind was suddenly reeling. Maybe she could study abroad and take the Professor with her and—

"Probably because he didn't want to worry you," he said softly. There was no judgement in his words, only understanding and sympathy. "He's got the Company chasing after him, so I wouldn't worry too much."

She nodded, swallowing past the lump that was quickly forming in her throat. "Thanks." She didn't trust herself to be able to say anything more, and she tried to ignore the growing tightness in her chest, trying instead to focus on the present.

His hand—warm and strong and calloused—rested lightly on her hand, thumb brushing against her knuckles. The gesture was strangely comforting, and she allowed herself a few moments to bask in the solace emanating from the contact.

"But I just… I wanted you to know that I'll protect you no matter what." His voice dropped a notch lower as his gaze fixed intently onto hers. "Even as Shinichi. I promise."

Wordlessly, she continued to stare up at him, finding the intensity in his eyes almost too much. She hated how much he made her feel safe. Hated how much she believed in him, trusted in every word he said. But most of all, she hated knowing that a part of her—a small part of her—would never stop longing for him.

Because how could anyone else treat someone who was so flawed like her with such kindness? How could she ever grow out of it?

Tears stung at the back of her eyes, but she forced them back, blinking repeatedly to try to get rid of the burning sensation behind her eyelids.

"I never doubted you for a second," she finally managed to choke out, forcing a smile onto her lips even though she knew he was seeing right through it. "I guess it's a good thing Shiho stayed gone then."