detective x family - HEIZOU.

[ ♣ ] -- ch 3 .. plan

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"No need for the formalities. Just call me Heizou."

Two empty foam containers sat on the clear glass table, save for the crumbs scattered across its surface. A pair of bamboo chopsticks sat beside each container, unaligned near its setting.

You were enamored by the fact that Heizou agreed to take part in your "goal", yet you were slightly suspicious that he would choose to take this as a way to repay this "debt" (and still refusing to call it a real debt.)

The two of you got to know each other over the quick dinner, exchanging interests, habits, pasts (although Heizou had been forced to improvise his script) until your phone chimed.

As you left the table to attend a call at 20:30 on the dot, your boss immediately began to heatedly lecture you. "... and good riddance一I heard something happened on your end, a car crash, or so I hear. You promised me you weren't going to involve yourself in these incidents!"

"And what, am I to ignore the situation and let the people die?" you asked, crossing your arms and spinning on your heel.

Your boss lowered her voice, to a barely audible whisper over the speaker. "We are being watched at this very moment, Thorn Princess, if we were to lose you to the police of all一"

"Listen, I am clearly not here to cause further trouble. Does helping someone from a car crash make things worse for us?" you retorted, crossing an arm over yourself while pacing the hallway.

"Yes, yes it does. A face recognized by the public is the last thing we want. If you make ONE mistake..."

"... I hear you, boss一" A loud clatter sounded from the kitchen, startling you. Why is he in my kitchen??

"... Is someone with you?" Your boss sounded dangerously calm about this. "I thought you lived alone. That was our agreement, yes?"

You sighed deeply, walking over to the kitchen. "I was going to explain that to you. I'll call in an hour." You reluctantly hung up, entering your kitchen with a frown that soon turned into a look of surprise.

To your amazement Heizou had already cleaned up the table and the dishes, properly composting or tossing the right objects. He was already dusting off his hands when he noticed you standing in the doorway, gaping at him. "Sorry about that noise earlier," he muttered, beginning to wipe off the countertop with a cloth.

"Not at all一but you should be seated, or at least lying on your stomach to let your back wound heal instead of moving around," you reminded him. "Doctor's orders."

Heizou sighed as he recalled that moment where the doctor had recommended to him that he take very good care of the wound. "It would be impolite if I sat around lazily."

His ulterior motive was to charm you through housework一however, you seemed more concerned than thankful for his kind gestures.

"You can help by sitting around lazily and healing," you insisted. "I wouldn't want you to be in pain further."

"No, I'm fine, really, I can一" But in almost an instant his feet were lifted off the ground as a pair of arms held him up high by the waist, careful not to irritate his back. "AAAAAAH"

He was gently set down on a couch, turned over on his side. He looked up, meeting a pair of eyes that leveled with his. "You didn't bandage it. Let me see it."

"... See what??"

You gestured to his back. "If you're alright with it."

"My back?" He was quiet when you nodded. "You're sure?"