The sparkle in his eyes

chapter 9

Atsushi pov

Another one done. I say proudly to myself as I put aside another pile of paperwork and chug down my fifth cup of coffee today.

As I took care of Akutagawa a week ago, I caught something from him. As I wasn't able to work, everything was awaiting me once I returned. At least the "ability stealer case" has been assigned to Dazai and Chuuya.

I pick up another pile of papers, that is even bigger than the last one with a loud sigh. Ah, this one looks like a profile of one of those "thieves". It won't hurt if I take a quick peek, right?

I quickly read some of the information. Nothing special, really. Nothing me and Akutagawa wouldn't be able to handle if we would be prepared this time.

Hm... Seems like one of them is from Slovakia. I never heard of that country before. I know that there is a country named Slovenia but Slovakia?

I fling a bit in my seat as I feel Kunikidas hands on my shoulders.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I take a deep breath, trying to calm down my racing heart.

"Its alright. Do you need something?" I look up at him with a smile.

"No. I just wanted to inform you that I'm leaving. Will you stay over-hours today?" 

I nod, looking down on all the paperwork that is left.

"I see. Don't forget to lock the door and close the windows." he puts on his coat and turns to me one last time. "And don't overwork yourself."

He waves me goodbye and I smile to myself. "Don't overwork yourself". That sounds funny coming from him. When I come to think about it, sometimes he acts like a single father. And sometimes he even secretly brings sweets to me and Kyouka if Ranpo doesn't find them first.

Akutagawa pov

As I walk through the streets, suddenly I find myself standing outside of the agency building. I went for a walk because I needed to clear my head and I ended up here subconsciously. 

A dim light is leaking through the curtains down on the street. It seems like someone is still working over-time today.

Now I have a chance to go talk to Atsushi. But maybe hes not even there. I'm not going to risk an unwanted turmoil. Atsushi is maybe fine with me but his colleagues probably don't like me much.

I sit down on a nearby bench. If he's there, he will have to come out sooner or later.

As the time passes, I start to notice the little details around me. The small crack on one of an old buildings across the street, a small scoop of snow on a tree branch above me and a child running across the street, falling eventually. I roll my eyes. 

Come on Atsushi, come out already if you're there. I'm bored and the child's cry is annoying. I cross my arms on my chest. The temperature doesn't add to it even in the slightest, as a cold February breeze gets deeply under my skin. I'm going to get sick again like this.

Luckily, after a few hours I've been freezing out here, I see the lights turn off in the agency windows. Now, I just hope it's him. I breath out a sigh of relief as I see those silver hair. He looks tired as he slowly walks away wrapped in a warm brown coat. He doesn't seem to notice me.

My heart thumps in my chest way too fast to my liking. This will be probably the first time I'll apologize and thank to somebody. I walk behind him for a while, not wanting to look like a stalker. I follow him into a park that he walks through. He sits down on a bench, letting out an exhausted sigh. Now I can play it off like I just bumped into him.

I stand nearby for a few minutes before approaching him. He looks at me with surprised eyes as I tower over him.

"Can I sit down?" I ask while pointing at an empty place next to him. There it is. I can't back off now.

He nods with look full of hope and a undertone of pure surprise. I slowly lower myself next to him. 

I have to admit, it's a beautiful view out of here. Yokohama is unusually beautiful this time of the year.

I have a lot to say but I'm not really sure how. Luckily, he breaks the silence first.

"So... I see you're a lot better." I cross my legs, taking a deep breath.

"Yes. Actually... Thank you for taking care of me. I... Appreciate it." I feel my cheeks heating up a bit. There it is, I said my genuine "thank you" for the first time in my life. 

I told what I wanted and I think it's time to storm off again.

I stand up, trying to get out of here as quick as possible. As I take a few steps, I hear Atsushi call out after me and I stop. "It wasn't problem at all, Akutagawa."

I look at him over my shoulder. He has his usual calm smile, but it looks more genuine this time. His cheeks are flushed from the cold and his eyes sparkle in the dim light of a lamp above the bench.

"It's getting late. I should go home as well so Kyouka won't worry about me. She's been acting quite weird last few days." he stands up, standing besides me as we both walk off together, side by side.