detective x family - HEIZOU.

[ ♣ ] -- ch 5 .. undercover 2/2

- ♣ -

"Are the watermelons in season?" the detective asked as the cashier neatly packed his items into his bag.

No one was exactly sure why he went to the farthest checkout counter in the store, but most assumed it was to avoid a long lineup. But asking if watermelons were in season when it's the midst of August?

Yet the cashier answered with a smile, returning the bag to Heizou. "Yes."

He thanked the cashier and headed for the door with his things, and took a route through a dark alley to reach the hospital.

Speaking in code was an efficient and successful way to communicate with his coworkers without revealing his identity. He intended to visit Kazuha in his hospital room, just to check in and give him an update on what's happening.

A familiar nurse stood outside Kazuha's room, which Heizou recognized as another undercover coworker. He waved politely and was let into the room, warmly welcoming Kazuha with a bag full of snacks.

"It's about time!" the angry ash-haired man groaned. "That was such a stupid car accident."

"Ah, so you've awoken! ... I know, I know, I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again," Heizou added when he noticed Kazuha's eyebrows knitted together in fury. He took a seat next to his friend's cot.

"Uh-huh, and it never will. The doctor said I might not be able to walk properly again," Kazuha said coldly. "It isn't going to heal."

The detective tensed up at this, his eyes quickly moving from his friend's frustrated expression and his x-ray sitting nearby, which showed a completely severed bone and a few notes on the side about broken nerves. A half-full glass of water sat on the edge of his desk, perhaps a day old.

Heizou folded his hands in his lap, unsure how to break the tension. "So... how long are you staying?"

"They want to monitor my leg while it heals. No attempt at walking for at least a month. But I can still write letters out, so I'll be sending daily "fuck you" messages." It was clear Kazuha was pissed off, and for Heizou it was rare to hear him speak this way.

"Woooow, I feel honoured." Heizou rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, do whatever you came here for. Fill me in on what you've done since I almost died."

Heizou sighed at his friend, knowing he'll be getting a lot of his attitude for a while. "As for good news, I found a wife."

Kazuha sat upright, his eyes blown wide open. "Already??"

"It was quick, right? No one can resist my charm!" Heizou argued with a snicker, ruffling Kazuha's hair in hopes to brighten the mood. "Not even you!"

Kazuha did as little as a pitiful smile, holding back a laugh. "Does she even like you?"

"I'm sure she will," Heizou declared boldly. "However the bad news is, I'm afraid I no longer want to have any part this mission. Not because I hate my 'wife', but because I would very much prefer to not deal with Sara's affairs. I'm sure we're on the same boat, would you not be impatient with a plan you weren't fully in on? I'm not even sure this plan will work, because this approach is not my preferred one.  I could call my 'wife' now and break off my deal-"

"Don't. If you quit now, this is the last time she's tasking you with a case," Kazuha warned the detective. "And may I remind you, imagine how hurt your wife will be if you call it off so dismissively. Plus, the price you'll have to pay when the group discovers your selfish actions. What would Shinobu think of yo-"