Tangerine ~ Bullet Train

28 - "You deserve more."

Tangerine was unable to hide his nerves, yet he tried his best to do so. He moved his foot up and down under the table as some form of stress release. Yuina was getting back inside with a peaceful expression on her face. He couldn't help but think about who had called her and why it felt like she had made some decision.

'I'm sorry,' Yuina said with an apologetic smile whilst she took place across the brothers again. 'No problem,' Lemon said before stuffing some chips in his mouth. Yuina didn't know if she had to mention her aunt calling her and they didn't ask her about it. Sooner or later she had to tell them what plans she had made for herself. 'Thank you for the phone,' she said to the brothers, 'and the food.'

'It was the least we could do,' Tangerine replied politely. He still seemed to think of all this as them getting her in trouble, but Yuina didn't think so. It was her own decision to step in, even after knowing it would be dangerous.

In the silence that followed, Yuina tried to find a way to bring up her decision. 'So,' she started, 'where are you heading now?' Tangerine felt his heart tightening again. Why did she ask that question in that tone? Why did she emphasize on "you", as if it were certain they would split up now? 'We haven't decided yet,' Lemon replied, shrugging. He honestly didn't care about where to go next; he never had, as long as it was with his brother. Tangerine used to think that way, too, but he couldn't help but care about it now. 'Will you continue doing your... current job?' Yuina asked, not knowing how to call their profession. 'Guess so,' Lemon shrugged.

'I was thinking,' Tangerine said, ironically without thinking, 'maybe the train derailing and the outcome of the event saving our butts is a sign to stop doing it.' Both of his companions looked at him questioningly. Yuina felt a rush of hope through her body. If they wouldn't do these dangerous jobs where people would die anymore, it was a whole lot safer to keep talking to each other. Lemon couldn't believe what he heard. It was not that he enjoyed doing these jobs so much, it was just that they didn't know anything else. For as long as he could remember they were passing time doing these schemes. 'Sure,' he said, laughing indignantly. 'You're gonna take a fucking boring job at an office, working nine 'til five?'

Tangerine looked at his plate and shrugged. He didn't know what to do. Up until this point he had never thought about changing his ways, then Yuina came around. She made him want to think about these things. She made him want to be a better person, someone who was worthy and deserving of being cared for. 'I don't know,' he replied to his brother whilst still looking down, 'I just know I can't keep living this way.'

'Are you doing this for princess over here?' Lemon asked annoyed, nodding at Yuina. It was not that he was angry at her, she knew, it was just that Lemon didn't know who they were if not hired thieves and assassins. Tangerine didn't know either, but the thought of being with Yuina made him want to find out. Still, he didn't know how to answer his brother. He couldn't just let his vulnerability show and agree with him, letting her hear all that, could he?

'Where are you heading?' Lemon asked, looking at Yuina. 'I... just spoke to my aunt on the phone,' she replied. 'I told her about the fight with my mom and my decision to stay away from home for a while, so I can find out who I am and what I want to do. She offered to let me stay with them, in a town near Tokyo.' Lemon nodded. 'And you took it.' There was no surprise in his voice. 'Yes, I took it,' she replied. Lemon crossed his arms. 'So far coming with us and finding some role for you.' Was he really insulted right now? Yuina couldn't tell. 'Look, I'm sorry to be begging you to let me stay first and deciding otherwise now, but I think Tangerine is right: I think this is a sign to stop doing this. To make your way out of these dangerous circuit.'

'And what if we don't want to stop?' Lemon countered, narrowing his eyes. Yuina felt frightened by the very thought of them ever getting in another position like they were in yesterday. 'Then... I can't stop you,' she replied in a sad voice, 'but I won't be joining you, either. I don't know what path lies ahead for me, but I just know this isn't it.'