Remnants in smouldered ashes

Chapter 12

Ginoza stopped at his tracks on his way to the office. For the second time, he saw the senior inspector asleep and defenceless. This time she was sleeping in the lounging area by the balcony entrance.

It's been two weeks since they returned from SEAUn. With the lack of manpower within the CID, Division 1 had been busier with the amount of cases they had been dealing with. Their involvement with the conflict within Shamballa float was just the tip of the iceberg. Needless to say that the amount of work had begun to overwhelm the entire team.

And so it came to no surprise that Ginoza would find Tsunemori working overtime. The amount of work that piled up had given them little to no opportunity to have a proper conversation.

Maybe this was for the best, he thought, despite the pain in his chest that told him otherwise.

He knew that he was taking advantage of the situation. With Karanomori's words hovering over his head here and there, it made it difficult for him to face her. The amount of work they had to do was a good reminder that the only reason he still remained in the CID was only for the sake of catching criminals. Had it not been for that position, he would have remained within the isolation facility. It had also proved to him that it was good distraction from his own feelings.

With the summer drawing to a close within the next few weeks, the chill of autumn had already begun to creep in the wind. He took off his jacket and draped it over the front of her shoulders to keep her warm. With Tsunemori fast asleep, he could only presume that she had been in the office since the night before. Light purple bruises could be seen under her eyes.

That's not good. She needed to take care of herself a little bit more.

Although it's commendable to have her dedicated to her job, there was a limit to how much she could take.

He looked at his wrist-link to check the time. His shift was going to begin in a matter of minutes. But he couldn't afford to leave her in the lounge alone even though the MWSB tower was the safest place she'll ever be. He considered waking her up, but judging from her eyes, he felt that she deserved to remain undisturbed. Having to be torn between leaving her alone and risk being late for his shift, he couldn't decide just what he could do.

"... -san..."

She muttered under her breath.

"Tsunemori?"

He said quietly.

Seeing her shoulders under his jacket rise and fall steadily, he decided to sit next to her.

I suppose being late once in a while shouldn't be too problematic.

With her small figure asleep before him, a fragment of his brain conjured up the image of her in his arms. Her leaning against him as he caressed her hair and cheek. Him dipping his head towards her to meet her lips with his...

His bionic arm held his flesh arm. The metal fingers slowly squeezed the muscles of his arm to hold himself back till he writhed in pain. When it did, he let go, expecting that it would leave him marks. He needed to be reminded. That not everything should be as he hoped it could happen.

"...mi...san..."

She muttered again.

The man took one good look at the sleeping figure. Her uttering the last two syllables gave away just who it was that haunted her dream.

"... Don't... go..."

That bastard, he thought. It wasn't like she could ever forget him within that instant. He should have expected this. Seeing Kougami after three long years, only to have him leave would be enough to leave another emotional dent on her.