Remnants in smouldered ashes

Chapter 18

As common courtesy, he prepared some tea and biscuits to go well it. His thoughts running deep within the hour as he waited patiently.

A notification alerted him of the inspector's arrival, bringing him to climb up the steps and greeted her as he commanded to open the door.

As the door slid open, Ginoza was met with a mellow inspector.

"Please come in," he gestured, taking note of her expression.

"Mm," she nodded as she entered his quarters.

He sat on the two seater couch on the edge just as she settled onto the other side. An unconscious move having to sit at a well off distance between the two of them.

"Thank you for coming," he said solemnly. "I know that this might take a while, but is it alright if you listened to what I have to say?"

"Ginoza," Akane gave him a small smile. "Why are you being so formal with me? It's alright. I'm here, so please tell me what's wrong."

Her assurance was met with a nod as he began.

"I'm sorry about what happened a few days ago. Perhaps by now you must be sick of having to put up with someone as difficult as me."

"Ginoza, it's alright," she bluntly said. "I promise I won't get upset."

His lips made a little smile.

"Sorry. This whole thing, it's still very new to me."

"It's okay," she urged. "Take your time."

He took a deep breath.

"I was afraid," his voice was low and trembling as he admitted. "I was afraid that I would hurt you. I didn't mean to yell at you and make you upset. You know how society works, if you're a latent criminal, you're no longer a human being in their eyes. I know that you don't think like that. It's just that..."

"It's just that?" she parroted his words in anticipation.

"At that moment, I really wanted to have you," he continued, his clenched his hands, unable to face her as his eyes were fixed to his feet. "I wanted to make you mine... But when I saw you right then and there, I was immediately reminded of where this might lead us."

His voice trembled in his conviction, unaware that Akane had shuffled closer towards his side.

"What would have happened if a child were to be born from that?" he continued. "I understand that there are other methods, but, there's no guarantee of that it's a 100 percent reliable. I... If a child would be born from my own selfishness... A child of a latent criminal..."

"Ginoza."

"I would never be able to forgive myself; having you carry my sins after everything you've done for me."

Before he knew it, he felt her hands on the side of his face. He turned his head towards her and found her face in a close proximity to his own. Her lips brushed onto his lips and whispered;

"Nobuchika."

He felt his cheeks flush as her breath warmed his lips. The sound of his name from her own tongue was enough to slowly crumble the convictions in his heart. She pressed her lips onto his own, the sound of lips smacking and the unevenness of her breath tickled his ears.

"Thank you," she said in a hoarse whisper when they parted. "For always worrying about me."

"Akane," he felt his heart beating loudly in his chest.

"If that happens," she added. "I will give it all the love I could give."

He motioned himself backwards, taken aback by her words.