Behind The Border (TO BE RESUMED SOON)

III

– ...So, let me pair up with you, Makishima Shogo, – the resolve in my voice showed how serious and determined I was. After talking so much without a stop I'm now feeling all the energy drained from me.
– You...What was that just now? – Shogo looked at me in a true bewilderment and snickered almost ready to burst out laughing.

I knew it. He would just treat me like another "sheep". Just laugh me off. I was way too careless...

– You're from Bureau, as far as I remember, and here you are... saying all this, to me, the one your colleagues are after, the one who should have been killed for 2 years already? – he said in amused tone, – I honestly didn't expect such a turn of events. Finally, someone broke out from the cage called Sybil system, huh? That's very, very laudable, Tsunemori Akane. I'm looking forward to what are you planning to do next.

I couldn't believe my ears.

Makishima Shogo POV

– Do you mean-
– Yes, that's what you think it is. I can assume you have some skill to persuade me in almost no time.

This lady... She's got plenty of guts and determination to voice her opinion so openly. Her words weren't trivial though. They were of the one who'd been lied to and manipulated since very birth, who has been suppressing their feelings in order to keep their sanity image but who still would stay true to themselves and not give up. Among so many empty shells it's easy for me to sense it. And this rare sight I'm witnessing right here couldn't not make my heart flutter. What was the time I was in the same state? I can not even recall. Tsunemori Akane is incredibly interesting. Somehow... I felt from the first time we met she had something that was making her different from everybody else, like... A flicker of the soul. Something that shows it's still alive. The flicker that one day would just flare up in a huge flame and break loose from under her 'icy-cold approach' mask. That's why I wanted to test Akane, to see what she's capable of. It turned out rather disappointing at the first take but I continued to investigate her. And now I'm assured she'd be a pretty nice companion since we're after the same goal.
Oh, God, look at her face! What a precious palette of emotions! That means she is deadly serious about her intentions, after all. Very well.

Tsunemori Akane POV

After hearing what Shogo said I barely could hold my excitement. What made him come to such a decision so fast? And I came back to senses only when I heard the voice of my newly-fledged comrade.

– Since it's decided I have to take care of one more thing.
– And that is..?
– I owe you a big 'thank you' for helping me to stay alive and escape back then. Don't think I forgot that.

Oh, right. It was me who hindered Kogami to capture him.

Makishima Shogo... I hated him so much. He took my friend's life right in front of my eyes... He's terribly arrogant. He kills people so easily and with such a pleasure on his face as if it's his hobby. Arrogant, senseless jerk - that was my assumption back then... But yet something made me attracted to him. Out of all people! Maybe that was his goal he voiced not once. I think anyone who finds someone who shares the same or almost the same thoughts would feel that way... Strangely enough, there're many more reasons to avenge and finish Makishima off as soon as possible than to let him stay alive. But from some certain moment,  from another one day we met him face to face I felt I couldn't find strength to kill him. Even with a normal gun. My heart... Would throb painfully just at the thought of him dying. I still can't fully explain why is that. This strange feeling was a mystery to me.

We chased after Shogo who eventually tried to run away riding a big cargo truck. Risking everything I clinged on its very end and after some time tried to stop the driving by shooting through one of its tires. The truck lost control and crushed... Then I remember clearly Shogo's silhouette climbing from the car wreck, a throbbing pain in my temples as he violently stepped onto my head. Just at the moment he pointed gun at me, I, still able to move, stretched my shaking hand and grabbed his leg. Shogo tried to shake it off but my grip was tight, persistent.. White-haired guy was genuinely perplexed but too worn-out to react with sarcasm or humiliation.

– What the hell are you doing? Leave me alone already...
– M-Makishima... The way... Go there... Change...The route... So Kogami won't find you...
– Excuse me?
– P-please, do it... Just go in that direction... Which leads to the... Highroad...
– Ahahaha, – he laughed wearily, – What has gotten into you??I lack physical power already, what's the point...
– Please..! He'll come..! He'll come here soon! Just go..! I will catch up... With you... Soon...
– Fine. I don't know what you're plotting but if only you stopped being so annoying... – he muttered to himself and left in the direction I showed him.

Timing was good. Kogami was still on his way and by the time he arrived I managed to get up and regain my strength.

– Are you alright, Akane?! Those scratches..!
– They're nothing Ko-san... It's good. I can stand and walk.
–  Where's he?
– I don't know.

Pretending. It may look like nothing's wrong but I still felt as if I was betraying my fellow colleague right behind his back. But something told me I should do that anyway... Lie in order to save Shogo. So eventually the thing is we decided to split up with Kogami to investigate the complete opposite side of the path Shogo was actually making. I convinced Kogami we'll do it faster if we try all the possible ways of white-haired man's escape... It's gonna be alright though unless my colleague realizes searching in that area he went to useless. But, luckily, I managed to find Shogo and then take him to the safe place in order to tend to his wounds. That was also the time I gave him an advice on a further escape route which would be best for him. We've agreed to meet up once he arrives at the city. He promised to text me when he does that. Was I out of my mind that day? Most probably yes. Was I regretting my actions? No.

– Let's go, – Shogo suddenly grabbed my hand and began to walk towards the exit, dragging me along. Although being skinny he's incredibly strong...
– B-but where?
– Hush. Keep silent for now. There is one place on my mind that I want to show you. It's also a good chance to get each other better, – he looked back at me, – Don't stand here. Come on.

I simply nodded and followed after him.

"Since when he's become so considerable?"