6 months after the black organization was destroyed
Shiho is living a normal university life like any other girl her age. She chose to live in America with her aunt and cousin. That afternoon, Miyano Shiho was enjoying her solitude in the middle of the park, watching children play.
"Hi, miss, can I sit here?" the voice startled Shiho, and she looked at the owner of the voice who was smiling cheerfully, sitting beside her.
"Furuya-san," Shiho said, wanting to hug the guy but feeling it would be awkward. Since the day the organization was destroyed, she had never seen this blonde guy again. He had only called her once to make sure she took the antidote and offered her a new identity. Even when she went to America, Rei didn't come to the airport. Their relationship wasn't that close.
"How are you, Miyano-san?" Rei asked, showing genuine concern.
" As you can see, I'm still alive, right? Is the NPA still watching me? Why are you here?" Shiho asked, taking her turn to question Rei.
"Can't I visit my partner? Honestly, you're still under our surveillance. Of course, we are working together with the FBI here, and Akai Shuichi will also be watching over you," Rei replied.
"Partner, huh? Ah, your wounds, are they all healed?" Shiho said, observing Rei from his face to his strong body. Shiho vividly remembered when she went to the organization's hideout, Rei was injured all over. She wanted to approach him at that time, but then Gin ran towards her and got shot while protecting her. That incident shook Shiho deeply.
"Of course, it's been 6 months since that day. How about you? Are you still blaming yourself for what happened?" Rei asked.
" In fact, Gin died protecting me, and I am the creator of that cursed drug, the drug that has killed many people. I want to apologize to all of them, Furuya-san. Not just to Gin, but to the people who became victims of that drug, to the people who loved the victims. So, regarding the guilt, it will always follow me for the rest of my life, I regret it," Shiho explained, bowing her head sadly.
"We can't change the past, Miyano-san. Besides, you have realized that your actions were wrong, and that's what matters," Rei said, smiling at Shiho, who smiled back gently at him.
"Do you have any regrets, Furuya-san?" Shiho asked, looking into his blue eyes.
" If I were to make a list, I have so many regrets. First, I regret letting my parents and Akemi go, I also regret the deaths of my friends. I lost 4 of my buddies, the five of us were always together since we entered the police academy. 8 years ago, Hagiwara Kenji, my friend, died while defusing a bomb," Rei smiled sadly as she remembered her friend.
"7 years ago, the four of us still gathered together in front of Hagi's grave. Our respective divisions' busyness separated us, but when the commemoration of his death came, we gathered at his grave to pray together. The following year, Matsuda also fell while defusing a bomb, followed by Wataru Date, who also fell while on duty. And the last remaining was just me and Hiromitsu, my childhood friend. We both infiltrated that organization. In order to protect me, he lost his life. Losing them is the biggest regret in my life, Miyano-san," Rei continued.
"You never talk about your personal life, nor about these friends of yours, Furuya-san," Shiho said, staring at the blond man.
"I wanted to become a police officer so that I could meet Elena-sensei again. In the academy, I met them, Hagiwara Kenji, Matsuda Jinpei, Wataru Date, and my childhood friend Morofushi Hiromitsu. Maybe I was your age back then, it was really fun being in the police dormitory with them," Rei continued.
"We were all so naive back then, full of energy and dreams. We tackled every challenge together, supporting and pushing each other to become better officers. We fought hard, laughed even harder, and built unbreakable bonds that I thought would last a lifetime'', Rei said.
"But life can be cruel," Rei added sadly. "One by one, fate took them away from me."
"I carry their memories with me every day, and it's my duty to live a life they would be proud of," Rei said, his voice resolute. "I won't let their sacrifices be in vain. I will honor their memory by living each day to the fullest, fighting for justice, and helping those in need."
Shiho looked at Rei with a mixture of sympathy and understanding in her eyes. She reached out, gently placing her hand on top of his. "Furuya-san, I can sense the pain and sadness in your words. Losing friends is never easy, especially those who have been by your side for so long. I'm sorry for your loss."
Rei's eyes filled with gratitude, appreciating Shiho's empathy. "Thank you, Miyano-san. It's been difficult for me to talk about these things, but you've made it easier for me. Sometimes, I feel guilty for surviving when they didn't. I often wonder if there was something more I could have done''
Shiho's voice was gentle as she replied, "I understand that feeling all too well, Furuya-san. It's natural to question ourselves in moments of loss."
Rei nodded slowly, absorbing her words. "You're right, Miyano-san. We can't change what has already happened. All we can do is learn from our mistakes and strive to make things right in the future. That's why I became a police officer, to not only seek justice but also prevent more tragedies from occurring."
Shiho smiled, the genuine warmth reaching her eyes. "I admire your determination, Furuya-san. It takes strength to carry such responsibility and use it to make a positive difference. Your friends would be proud of you."
" Yes, and Miyano-san, you must also live your life well for the sake of those who love you, Miyano-san," Rei continued, wiping her tears.
"You're right, Furuya-san, I'm sorry for reopening your old wounds," Shiho, who had been listening to Rei's story all along, also started crying.
"It's okay, remembering them once in a while isn't a bad thing. Don't cry anymore, I've already stopped crying," Rei said, smiling cheerfully at the girl with brown hair.
"You know, when we were in the organization, everyone praised your intelligence, and when you appeared as Amuro-san, I couldn't believe you were Bourbon. You're too emotional, especially compared to Shu-nii, who used to be your rival," Shiho said, and Rei chuckled softly.
" Emotional, huh? You're right, especially when it comes to Akai, I really hate him," Rei continued.
"But you guys are amazing partners. You, Shu-nii, and Kudou-kun, thanks to you, the organization could be defeated," Shiho said with a thin smile.
"And Miyano-san, without you, I don't think we would have succeeded," Rei added.
"What do you imagine Bourbon to be like, Miyano-san?" Rei continued jokingly.
"Well... according to the rumors, he's handsome, intelligent, quick in decision-making. I don't know, I'm not really interested in anything other than my research," Shiho answered.
"Alright, thank you for your compliment, Miyano-san. I've heard it many times," Rei replied.
" Eh, it's not me saying that, it's just from the rumors going around, you know," Shiho replied somewhat curtly, her face slightly red. Rei smiled faintly at the girl's reaction.
"How long have you been staying here, Furuya-san?" Shiho changed the subject.
"Only 3 days, I arrived yesterday, and tomorrow I have to go back to Japan. Honestly, I prefer being in Japan," Rei said, winking one eye.
"Your stay is so short," Shiho replied, and Rei just responded with a smile.
"Now come on, accompany me, Miyano-san. Let's take a leisurely walk, then have dinner with me tonight, will you?" Rei pleaded with a pouting face like a little child. Shiho laughed out loud seeing that and lightly hit the man.
That day they spent time together, Rei told some cases he had handled with his friend at the police academy. Shiho felt so free being herself when she was with the Japanese police officer. Rei also escorted Shiho back to the Akai family's house.
"Thank you for today, Furuya-san. I hope your mission goes smoothly," Shiho said, then entered the house. Rei just smiled and waved his hand at her, waiting for her to enter the house completely.
"My mission is finished for now, Shiho-chan. I hope you can live a normal life and let go of your guilt," Rei smiled and returned to the hotel where he was staying. At that time, he was actually on leave from his duties at the NPA.
The next day, before returning to Japan, Rei met with his eternal rival, Shuichi Akai.
"Furuya Rei, you came here to meet Shiho secretly, didn't you? If Shiho didn't tell me, you wouldn't have informed me either," Akai said.
"Who do you think you are that I should inform you?" Rei replied curtly.
"Huh, the organization is already destroyed, can't we make peace?" Akai retorted.
"Let's get straight to the point. I have a flight in one hour, you must have entered here with your FBI ID, right?" Rei said.
''Alright, what is your purpose in meeting Shiho? It's already clear that we are the ones who will be monitoring her while in America," Akai explained.
"I came here not on behalf of the NPA, I came as a friend of Shiho, so the FBI doesn't need to worry, I'm just on vacation," Rei replied seriously.
"A friend? You and Shiho? Do you have feelings for her, Furuya?" Akai asked.
"Yes, I am interested in her, I like Miyano Shiho," Rei answered firmly.
"You better forget and get rid of those feelings, Shiho loves Gin. You know she's not interested in romance, Furuya," Akai replied firmly.
Rei paused for a moment, his expression turning serious. He knew deep down that Akai's words held truth, that Shiho's heart belonged to Gin. But his feelings for her were genuine, and he had always hoped that someday she would see him in a different light.
"I understand that,Akai. But that doesn't mean I can just turn off my feelings," Rei responded, his voice carrying a hint of determination. "I value Shiho's happiness above all else, and if being by her side as a friend is what brings her joy, then I will gladly accept that role."
Akai studied Rei for a moment, his gaze piercing and intense. "Remember, Furuya, protecting her means more than just being physically present. You need to be prepared to make sacrifices for her well-being, even if it means suppressing your own desires."
Rei nodded, acknowledging Akai's advice. He knew that protecting Shiho, whether it was from danger or from emotional turmoil, would require strength and selflessness. And he was willing to go to great lengths for her.
As the time for Rei's departure drew near, he and Akai exchanged a silent understanding. Their rivalry may have been fueled by their different allegiances, but in the face of a shared concern for Shiho's safety, they were willing to put their differences aside.
With determination in his heart, Rei left for the airport. Though his feelings for Shiho remained, he accepted that their bond would be one of friendship rather than romance. And as he boarded the plane back to Japan, he couldn't help but hope that one day, he would see her smile genuinely, even if it wasn't because of him.