Love Letter From Thief X: Just A Little Bit of Your Heart

Chapter 9: Learn to Love

        The next morning, they snuck into the Kujo house, going into the basement which was a secret passageway filled with water. “According to this map I found, the storehouse is down that way.” Takuto said. “First, we need to do something about this river.” Atsumu said. “Don’t we have diving gear?” Ariana asked. “We do.” Hiro said. “Quick! Someone’s coming!” Kenshi said. “Kujo? It’s us!” Takuto called out. The voice gave off an accent. “Wait! It’s Italian!” Riki said. “Mamma mia!” Ariana said. “This is no time to play around, it’s an enemy attack!” Atsumu said.

        The enemy threw a smoke bomb that surrounded the Black Foxes. “Don’t breathe it in!” Riki said. “I’m out this bitch!” Ariana said and threw herself in the water. “Oh right… I just remembered… I can’t swim!” She said and drowned underwater. “Ariana!” A familiar voice called out and jumped in after her.

         She was out cold, but slowly opened her eyes. “Am I alive?” Ariana asked. “Ariana! Stay with me!” Hyosuke said. “Because you’re… All I need.” Ariana said faintly and coughed. “You ok?” Hyosuke asked. “Hyosuke..?” Ariana asked. “Are you hurt anywhere?” Hyosuke asked. “I’m fine.” Ariana said. “Good.” Hyosuke said rubbing her back. “Did you guys really just sneak into my basement?” She looked down. “Well… We heard that there were suspicious people hanging around here, so-“ Ariana said. “You should’ve told us.” Hyosuke said. “I know, but the guys told me not to. They didn’t want to worry you.” Ariana said. “We’re not strangers!” Hyosuke exclaimed. “Sorry… By the way, where are we?” Ariana asked. “This is the basement that leads to the storehouse.” Hyosuke said. “So… How did you save me?” Ariana asked. “I just had a strong feeling. It’s like I felt like something happened to you, so I ran over here.” Hyosuke said. “Sorry…” Ariana said. “When I reached the basement, Boss told me that you jumped in the river and drowned yourself. Then I just… Jumped without thinking.” Hyosuke said. “Sorry about that… It was my fault that I got us into this mess. I didn’t want to take the risk of accidently breathing in that smoke, so I just jumped in without thinking.” Ariana said. “Don’t do anything that’ll put yourself in danger.” Hyosuke said. “Sorry…” She said again. “I could’ve lost someone important to me again… I was really scared. I just didn’t want you to go missing like my parents did!” Hyosuke said and embraced her. “Please… Please don’t leave me…” 

        She gently petted his hair. “I’m not going anywhere. Please stop shaking. It’s ok… Nothing is here to hurt you.” Ariana said. “I can’t help it…” Hyosuke said. She could see that he wouldn’t stop anytime soon, and hugged him back. “Jokes asides, I really am starting to have feelings for you. I’ve never been able to talk to someone like this before, and no one ever noticed the hole in my heart.” Hyosuke said and broke the hug. “I shouldn’t… Get too close to people…” “What do you mean..?” Ariana asked. “Just… Give me space.” Hyosuke said moving away from her. “Hyosuke Kujo!” Ariana said grabbing onto his sleeve. “You shouldn’t say that. Of course no one would notice, because you always close yourself off!” Ariana exclaimed. He looked at the other direction, not saying anything. “I could tell that you were a little jealous of me, because I have friends I can lean on. They help me, because they know I want their help. Think about it… Was there people who wanted to do something for you? Who held their hand out to you..?” Ariana asked. “There are a lot of people who are important to you. It’s not the kinds of relationships you can just decide to make when you feel like or stop it when you feel like it either!” His eyes widen. “You can’t just distance yourself from people who truly care about you!” Ariana exclaimed. “Ariana…” Hyosuke said. “I want you to trust me, and I don’t want you to say such sad things like that.” Ariana said. Without responding, he hugged her once more. “I’ll try.” Hyosuke said quietly. “Good.” Ariana answered. “You taught me something important. Thank you.” Hyosuke said.

         While still in each other’s embrace, the water began to drain. “Look at that.” Ariana said. “Come on.” Hyosuke said grabbing her hand and making it out of the basement. “Hyosuke!” Taiga called out. “Brother!” Hyosuke said. “You had me worried Hyo.” Taiga said. “Sorry…” Hyosuke responded. “I think there’s something in my eye.” Atsumu said. “Really, Boss? Let’s get out of here.” Hiro said. After all that, they all went outside, and a car came and parked in front of the house at the same time.

         A woman in the passage seat came running out. “Hyosuke! Taiga!” The woman called out. “Is that..?” Ariana asked herself. “Mom!” Hyosuke called out. “You remember me.” She said. “Of course I do! I've been looking everywhere for you.” Hyosuke said. “I’m sorry your father and I put you through so much.” She said. “I understand why you did it. I wanted to see you for so long. I’m happy… That you’re finally here.” Hyosuke said. “Welcome back.” Ariana said.

        An older man finally came out of the car. “Dad!” Taiga called out. “Taiga, Hyosuke. I’m sorry we worried you.” He said. “You’ve grown so much…” She said petting Hyosuke’s hair. “I’m older now.” Hyosuke said. “You used to be the baby of the family, and now you’ve grown into a fine young man.” He said. “Baby.” Takuto said snickering. “Could the tsundere stop laughing, please?” Hyosuke asked with an unamused face. “I’m not! That’s Riki!” Takuto said. “He’s definitely talking about you.” Riki said patting Takuto on the back. “I-Idiot!” Takuto said blushing. “Takkun’s not tsundere, he’s extremely tsundere.” Hiro said. “You little-!” Takuto exclaimed. “Guys, cut it out.” Atsumu said. “For real.” Ariana said. “Mom, this is the great-grandaughter of the Japanese Leonardo da Vinci.” Hyosuke said. “Nice to meet you, my name is Ariana Hanasaki.” Ariana said bowing. “She’s temporarily living with us until she finds a new place.” Hyosuke said. “Ariana…” The Black Foxes said. “Oh yeah, I didn’t tell any of you… I’m temporarily living here.” Ariana said. “Ariana, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.” She said. “Thank you, Mrs. Kujo.” Ariana said. “So, we heard that the threat of those devils who were after the treasure is gone, and we have all of you to thank for it. I’m truly grateful.” He said. “Don’t worry about it. We just wanted to protect the art.” Riki said. “Can we go down to the basement?” Takuto asked. “Yes, come on in.” He said. “Don’t take anything, got it?” Hyosuke asked teasingly. “I’ll never do that!” Takuto said. "This reminds me of the mystery of Eren Jaegar's basement." Ariana thought. “Ariana… Just admit it… You liiike him~” Hiro said teasingly. “I do not!” Ariana exclaimed. “Liar.” Takuto smirked. “You know, there’s no rule against inter-thief dating.” Atsumu said. “I’m gonna cry! Stop it!” Ariana said.

         A large rumbling sound came below everyone’s feet. “The door’s opening!” Hyosuke said. “Let’s go.” Hyosuke's dad said, and all of them slowly went to the entrance.