Chapter 2 - Jenga
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As Roronoa drove them to his place, she couldn't shake her anxiety. It wasn't because of his lack of direction. Something had changed between them, and she didn't know what or why. Throughout their two years as partners, they had always respected each other's privacy.
After their awkward breakfast, which he spent mostly staring at her and coddling her, she couldn't sleep.
They usually worked night shifts, so she had gotten used to sleeping during the day, even on her days off to prevent constant exhaustion. The thought of him viewing her as a fragile woman who wasn't cut out to be a cop kept her awake.
In a daze, she followed him to his building and up the stairs.
He opened the door to the dimly lit apartment. The only source of light was a triangular-shaped lamp. It appeared oddly vacant.
Hugging her bag to her chest, she made a few steps forward and immediately bumped into something.
Memories of the previous night flooded back when she stumbled into darkness and narrowly escaped death.
...Not fit to be a cop... Not fit to protect anyone... Just a scared, pathetic woman...
She grasped for air, her stomach churning.
A hand grasped her shoulder and she almost dropped her bag.
"Are you cold? I can crank the heat up."
"J-Just turn on the light, Roronoa." His touch brought her back to reality, and the air finally filled her lungs.
Don't be ridiculous, Tashigi.
She took a deep breath and tried to relax.
The living room is in pretty decent shape, she noted as he switched on the light. The thing that came into focus was the moss-green velvet couch that she had collided with. She also noticed the lamp beside it, which was shaped like an omusubi rice ball.
Oh, Roronoa... She smiled.
Glancing to her left, she saw the unpacked boxes and a twinge of sadness pierced her. She still hadn't gotten around to unpacking the kitchen boxes.
Shows what kind of cook I am, she thought wryly.
But she knew why they refused to grow roots. They dreamed of promotion and working somewhere else. This was just a temporary dwelling. And for the first time, Tashigi believed they had something in common.
Her place didn't feel like home either.
A massive plastic Christmas tree dominated the space in front of the window. There were three decorations on it. Two of those were promotional alcohol merchandise—a keychain and a bottle opener. The third decoration was a small, handmade onigiri ornament.
This wasn't what I had in mind when I said to put a personal stamp on it... She put her bag of ornaments and decorations down, tying her hair into a ponytail.
"I've got my work cut out for me."
Roronoa frowned. "It's just a tree. Calm down."
"Christmas is not just a tree. It's the whole place and the mood... and your place reeks of gloom."
"This is what I get for inviting you into my sanctuary..." He shrugged, with a fake dejection. "I'll return the favor when I visit your place." He folded his arms over his chest. The white henley shirt he wore accentuated his biceps.
Has he gotten more muscular? He's overdoing it.
"You're not getting near my place." She said it half-heartedly, crouching down to her bag.
"Hmmm... You're only making me want to see it more."
"If you're so desperate to visit a woman's place then maybe you should work on your attitude."
"What woman?"
She shook her head. It was too early to get into one of their pointless annoying matches.
"More work, less chatting R-" When she turned to face him he was already beside her.
T-Too close!
"Yeah, yeah." He grumbled. "What do I hafta do?"
Tashigi drew her lower lip between her teeth.
Her heart was pounding fast and she could feel her ears burning.
Things had definitely changed.
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After an hour of arguing about where to place the ornaments and nearly toppling into the Christmas tree while attempting to string the lights, they took a break. Roronoa found her clumsiness hilarious, but he caught her before she fell.
He handed her a glass, and she accepted it without hesitation. The feeling of shame remained, and her heart was beating incessantly. She took a sip, trying to calm her nerves, but it was difficult to look him in the eyes.
Absurd thoughts kept creeping into her mind, and she couldn't hold them at bay, no matter how hard she tried.
We just work together. This is a part of a bet. We had a near-death experience and this is why this whole wretched day is bizarre. I'm sure we'll be back to normal tomorrow.
The strong taste of alcohol left a burning sensation in her throat. Her eyes watered as she broke into an intense coughing fit.
"Are you trying to kill me?" She managed to utter.
"Oh, shit." He rushed to get a glass of water. "Didn't know you're so sensitive, Glasses."
He drained his cup while she was recovering.
See? He's back to being a jerk.
"What's with all the boxes, Roronoa?" She tried to get back on track.
"Didn't have a chance to unpack. It's a hassle."
"Don't tell me you keep your swords in the boxes. That's criminal."
"Nah. They are in my bedroom. Wanna see?"
"Su-Maybe later." She bit her tongue. If this day was going to be weird then it was best to finish the work and go home.
"We should continue."
As she searched through her bag, she stumbled upon her handcrafted ornaments. Memories of past Christmases with her loved ones flooded her mind, instantly lifting her spirits. In her family, it was a tradition to create and gift ornaments to others, spreading joy and happiness.
Placing them on his tree, she mumbled, "I hope you get what you wish the most."
She stepped back to admire their handiwork. The tree sparkled with warm lights, and his place finally exuded a holiday atmosphere.
"It's really something," he uttered.
Tashigi stared at his face.
His face was soft and his eyes reflected the Christmas lights. An overwhelming desire to run her fingers through his hair overtook her, but she quickly pushed the impulse aside.
"Feeling the Christmas spirit yet?" She placed her hands behind her back.
"Hmm, I might need a little more convincing." His smile had a peculiar warmth that made her stomach tingle.
"Let's see," Tashigi pondered, peering at his kitchen. "How about some hot cocoa and a classic Christmas movie? I can whip up a batch for you."
"Hell no. I'm not seventy."
"It's not about age," Tashigi explained. "It's about embracing traditions. Let's think of something you'd enjoy."
"I don't have cocoa. Or movies," he added.
"Um... Okay. Well, maybe you can watch your favorite movie and sip on your… whatever that was. Now that your place has a touch of Christmas, you can kick back and relax."
She began gathering her belongings when he touched her shoulder again.
"But isn't the whole point of traditions to share them with someone?"
She stared at him for a little too long, causing him to shift his gaze elsewhere.
"What?" His cheeks were faintly flushed.
He drinks too much.
"No... It's nothing. I'm surprised. That's true. You can find something you'd enjoy doing for Christmas and share it with other people. As long as you have fun."
"I have Jenga."
"Sorry, what?"
"Jenga. Wanna play?"
She looked at her watch. The weird day was about to end so it was fine, right?
"Sure."
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Darn it, Roronoa. You always make me do stupid stuff!
When it came to Roronoa, drinking was always involved. She had never played drunken Jenga before, but she couldn't refuse his challenge. After thirty minutes, she started feeling a little tipsy. Meanwhile, he appeared completely sober, except for the redness that had spread on his neck, and she was certain he had downed more of his concoction than she had.
It was the only source of entertainment he had, though. The dude didn't own any physical copies of movies. Moreover, the only channels available on TV were sports channels. She started to wonder how he spent his free time.
Sleeping and the gym, I guess? She sarcastically responded in her mind, watching him unbutton the top button of his shirt.
"Wanna crash here tonight?"
"Huh? No." She answered quickly. "I'm used to being awake."
"But you're wasted."
"I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not." She accidentally knocked over the tower with her elbow. "Fine, maybe just a little bit," she admitted with a chuckle, trying to clean up the mess she made.
"You're a lightweight," he teased, helping her out. "Don't nag at me later, sayin' I forced you to drink and then kicked you out."
"I won't, geez. What kind of person do you think I am?"
He shrugged. "I don't know, maybe someone who can't handle their liquor."
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I prefer to enjoy a drink or two without going overboard. I'll just call a ride."
"Fine."
They sat side by side on the couch as she waited for her taxi to arrive. The place was starting to grow on her. Colorful lights danced on the ceiling, and she started drifting off. As she closed her eyes, she felt a caress against her cheek.
"Oh, sorry. Did my ride arrive?" She was caught off guard, but she was certain that he had touched her. It was fleeting, but the warmth remained.
"Relax. I was just checking to see if you had fallen asleep. You can still change your mind."
"I'm fine. Your couch is just very comfortable." She stated it lamely, trying to change the subject. Alcohol was amplifying the absurd thoughts, and her heart constantly betrayed her.
" 'Course it is. I picked the one that would be the most comfortable when you drop onto it."
"Y-You drop onto it?"
"Yeah. I'm dead tired when I come home, so I just collapse onto it."
Now I see why it's so close to the door.
"Don't tell me you picked it by throwing yourself onto each one to test it out?"
"How else would I test it?"
Tashigi frowned. "Why am I not surprised? I bet you also took a nap on one, and the poor staff had to kick you out."
"Nah. I had my friends with me. Nami dragged me out of the store before 'I could damage more stuff.' I don't see why she cared since it was my money."
Tashigi was aware that he had friends, but she didn't realize there was a woman in the group as well.
She began to consider the possibility that maybe he wasn't lying about the dates. Maybe she was the only one who felt like the victim of the night shifts. She didn't have many other needs besides the basics. Love, lust, and sex were not things she prioritized. She felt like an alien again.
We really have nothing in common, huh?
Her eyes fell to the tree again as the melancholy stung deep within.
"I forgot the treetopper." She uttered.
"Huh?"
"The star… It goes on the top of the tree. I can't believe I forgot it." As she got up in a rush, sharp pain shot through her head, making her stagger backward, but she managed to keep her balance. The room began to spin around her, and she saw why she didn't fall. His hand was around her.
"I'll do it." His voice was low and soothing.
She gazed up at him. Flushed cheeks made him look so handsome. Perhaps it was the alcohol talking, but she grew to think of him as a part of her life and not just someone she worked with.
She rose on her tiptoes, pausing a mere inch away from his lips.
Not fit to be a cop... Unable to protect... Just a scared, fragile woman...
She hung her head down.
What were you about to do? Sexually harass your partner? Throwing yourself at him like a desperate woman? That's despicable and punishable—
"Hey." He lifted her chin.
"You're right, I think I had a bit much—"
"Why'd you stop?"
"Huh?"
He closed the gap, pressing his lips against hers in a quick kiss. Satisfaction unfurled in her belly like warm chocolate.
"I… I'm—" She began, but didn't know what to say.
He kissed her hard and deep. His impatience, although stupefying, gave her some confidence. She allowed herself to melt into him as their tongues intertwined with one another.
But… What if it's just an alcohol daze? Maybe he just had an itch to scratch, and she was in the vicinity?
The moment her cell phone chimed, she let her doubts win. Her body became rigid, and she interrupted the kiss.
"M-My ride," she blurted out.
"Stay." He laid his lips against his ear, making her shiver.
"I can't. If I stay… Things will get complicated."
"Yeah." He racked his fingers through his hair. "Rules, right."
"Roronoa, no, that's not… Let's not do something stupid because of alcohol, okay?"
She tried to summon reason, but his face lost trace of the previous passion.
"Can you walk?"
"Y-Yeah."
"I'll lead you out. Lots of stairs." He grunted, not looking at her.
As they made their way down the stairs, a heavy silence hung between them. Tashigi couldn't collect her thoughts. Her head throbbed with pain.
"Roronoa?" She realized that he was holding her hand.
"You better hurry up. It's cold." He let go and she stood there like a fool gazing at her abandoned hand for several moments.
"R-Right." She tried to smile, but she couldn't. "I'm sorry," she said to the wind, as she entered the cab.
They briefly locked eyes before he quickly turned away and hurried into his building.
Tashigi's stomach sank.