platonic empathy • atsukyo fanfic •

vi. partner

  🐯🌸PARTNER🌸🐯      

"It probably won't happen, but there's always the possibility of unexpected consequences."  -Nakajima Atsushi, writer

Kunikida-san greeted Atsushi with his eyebrow terrifyingly arched so high, he could only smile nervously back at him and his sweat gone cold since it was only silence that descended between the two of them. It was not really obvious because Atushi overslept through their promised meeting today in the cafe or his dilemma of finding someone (okay, the former Math teacher needed someone, he is an eligible bachelor to marry but it seemed that his ideals were not working well in favor of him, why don't he try some marriage interviews? Japan needed more children for the future! ...and besides, the hurdle is too high for others - so impossible to reach.)  or maybe his pain in the ass partner, Dazai Osamu who is currently out of sight - probably because of his suicidal activities (obviously, attempts) was part of the reason  but no, those reasons were not right in the spot but because it was because of someone, yes, a girl with such innocent face sitting beside Atsushi feigning ignorance.

Kyoka Izumi was sipping tea in a cup in a relax manner while being nonchalant over Kunikida-san's eyebrow, Atsushi felt an overwhelming jealously of such behavior. Anyone would be easily disturbed and uncomfortable but in her case, it was the opposite. Atsushi uncomfortably shifted in his seat and looked  with wry smile for a brief second towards Kyoka as if prompting her to do something but she didn't caught what was Atsushi's smile was implying and he ended up looking to Kunikida's growing anger, puffing out smokes out of his head. 

Her perfectly stoic face was a big slap to Kunikida's face but despite over Kyoka's stoic face, Kunikida-san's anger never faded and he even loudly stomped his clenched fist in the table, Atsushi jumped from his seat, startled by the sudden sound. He shrieked like a girl in fright - well, this is Atsushi. 

Jumping in his seat was the most embarrassing scene he had caused all his life while his companion was being absorbed by her own world, he felt pissed (just a little) , it was as if she was not part of the blame of his embarrassment. All he could to subdue his anger was by taking deep breaths for seconds - Kunikida-san's final thread of patience then was cut off and that no speech rule when angry of his (written in his ideal notebook) was broken. 

"Atsushi," he said simply but no, it may seemed that way but it was filled with venom and sarcasm. Atsushi could only let his palm sweat becoming clammy and gulp harder for what was to come for both him and Kyoka - it was always a bad news to let yourselves to knock your senpais knowingly for the first time. 

"Uh, yes, Kunikida-san...?" Atsushi managed to squeak out of his constricted throat and started his occasional stares at Kyoka (a distress flare signal.) 

"Can you thoroughly explain as to why, a bounty criminal is with you today? If yes, then why did you forgotten about our meeting yesterday?" Kunikida's voice were heightening in volume in every word he said in a blunt and direct way, Atsushi could not help but looked down on his feet below the table. It felt like a bullet had ran through him, right straight into his heart but something was wrong. He was feeling regretful and at the same time, he was not. Strangely, he wanted to fly his fist and connect it to Kunikida's face, it just hit Atsushi's patience already and Kunikidas' statement was below the belt. He stood, facing Kunikida and as his fingers curled into fist but was startled  probably not Atsushi was not expecting but Kyoka stood in her seat, abandoning the tea in her hands and bowed so slowly that it emitted sincerity that both of them were startled in her actions - Kyoka bowed towards Kunikida. 

Kunikida's features started to relax from his vented  anger earlier, the minute he saw the girl sincerely bowing even without words accompanying her it was clearly conveyed and Kunikida acknowledged of her being regretful of her being unwanted. The sigh emitted from Kunikida's mouth and scratched his head in sort of submission to the two. 

It seemed that the two of them were ready to face the consequence of their actions, they were  breaking the law and faced it head on without regard of anything. Not even Kunikida's or anyone from the Agency could stop them from their decision. Their actions were not produced because of their romantic involvement to each other, no, it was because they somehow felt a connection between them. 

Kunikida knew that, the moment when he saw Atsushi actually frustrated at that time - they let Kyoka with them to coax her to reveal some relevant information to Agency's own benefit. Kyoka was nothing but a criminal in their eyes - nothing more than that. 

Atsushi was moved probably that time when they found her together with Yosano-sensei in the train, he did not only felt something but had chosen to do something out of it. He was an admirable kouhai, Atsushi was in Kunikida's eyes.It was irrational, illogical and idiotic to someone who are so wise and firmly believes in the enforcement of law to the eyes of someone like that. No one could do that, few people chose to act in their own feelings.

Atsushi's anger immediately evaporated when he heard Kunikida's sigh and saw him being accepting of their situation. He could not help but show his happiness and smiled - "Thank you, Kunikida-san." Kyoka on the other hand was still bowing, she was so sure that she was despised but her heart was relieved and smiled. 

Kyoka was not used to smiling - that memories only existed in the past but together with Atsushi - she felt that her face will be stretched in the end of the year from excessive smiling. There will be no days that her face will not smile again, probably.

Clearing his throat disrupted Kyoka and Kunikida from their thoughts, Atsushi was tapping his shoes and arched his eyebrows looking at Kunikida. The clueless Kunikida shrugged towards Atsushi's strange behavior and asked, "What?" 

"Say sorry Kunikida-san to her, now."

It left an agaping mouth to Kunikida. His emphasis on the word startled Kunikida. This Atsushi was never seen before, Kunikida took out his notebook taking note of it. He would never want to encounter this brat's wrath again, not when he knew his boiling point now. Dazai should come to know this, he thought while writing, he nodded his head, which exhausted Atsushi's energy but he thought through it, Uwah, I might have took this so seriously, Kunikida-san's is still my senpai though...I was rude, sweat started to profusely form in his back, nape, forehead and almost his all parts of his body, he could feel the beads falling down. Since he was sweating back and forth, Kunikida looked at Atsushi's preparation to yawn but instead of a yawn, it was a big, loud sneeze. 

Kyoka froze, instantly look towards Kunikida with a widening eyes conveying that she didn't know what to do in times like this and all she could do was send looks and ask for help. Kunikida knew exactly what to do, looped Atsushi's arm in his neck for support while walking towards the door and proceed for Atsushi to be checked by Yosano-sensei. But it seemed that Atsushi didn't want to be taken away, his eyes almost closed, mumbled something under his breath. 

"Ha? What are you trying to say?" 

"Say...say..."

"Geez, spit it out." 

"Say sorry."

Kyoka stunned and frozen in her place didn't know what to say and after processing the words in her mind, she shook her head. 

"Go back when you're already fine," she said, looking at Atsushi with a reassuring gaze like a...mother. 

🐯🌸🐯🌸🐯

"Just what happened to this kid?" Yosano demanded after Atsushi, almost dying in his state in Kunikida's side and now tucked in the bed. 

"This kid is so reckless. I was supposed to tell him that he needed to go to a mission alone but founded himself a partner though I'm not sure she'll be accepted...considering our Agency's reputation..." Kunikida said almost sighing in every word he said. 

"She? Don't tell me..." 

"My thoughts exactly," their eyes were trained to Atsushi, sleeping soundly in his bed. 

  🐯🌸🐯🌸🐯