Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER SIX: Always Around

Several days had passed, and now I was feeling lower than ever.

The cause: Papa never showed up.

I knew I should never have gotten my hopes up about him coming to the gallery night, but after the whole kidnapping situation I was sure he would at least make an appearance. I stood alone for over an hour waiting for him, but I knew I wouldn't see his portly frame walking through those doors. It was just some crappy college open night, and he had more important things to do, I knew that. The same went for Arthur, who was probably busy helping him. It didn't matter, or at least, I pretended it didn't.

I floated over to my small exhibition and leant against the wall as I watched people study my charcoal messes before wandering on to more colourful artwork. I had expected as much. I wasn't one to try to go all out on things like drawing. I preferred it to remain raw.

"Excuse me, ma'am! I like this very much! Very much!" I kind of jumped as a man called out to me from across my designated space, and I hurried over to him. He was referring to my latest piece, the one I had worked on for the remaining days after I had been returned home. The lynx.

"Oh, thank you very much, Sir." I gave him a soft smile, but I felt a little awkward. This elderly man was rather odd. He was dressed in traditional Chinese garments, and his ebony moustache trailed below his chin in two long wisps. His hair was plaited and swung over his shoulder like a rope, and he just beamed at me as though he was excited to just exist in the world.

"What does it represent? Such darkness and charisma! Very beautiful!" He looked between me and the drawing expectantly and I rubbed my arm nervously.

"Uh...well, I just had some inspiration jump at me recently..." I admitted, which wasn't exactly a lie. He hummed in aknowledgement and reached out to trace the frame, which had me become even more sceptical.

"If you ask me..." He turned and stared me dead in the eye, lifting the edge of his small cap to reveal a lick of purple. "...it looks a lot like Ash..."

"Sh..Shorter?!" I yelped out in surprise, and many people stopped and turned to glare at the girl who made such a ruckus. The man, who I now realised was Shorter in an incredibly deceptive disguise, chuckled and brought a finger to his lips to shush me.

"Well, sue me for wanting to check out some of your work! I'm not here on business, don't worry, sweetheart." He winked and I felt sweat begin to gather across my brow. There was a criminal, the same one who had taken me hostage, standing only a foot or so away from me, and I couldn't even bring myself to call for help.

"I..I don't want you here..." I whispered as I took a small step backward, and he frowned.
"I just wanted to show my support...and I guess apologise for everything...Ash caused a real mess..." He mumbled whilst scratching the fake hairs on his chin. "I'll leave if you want me to...I said what I needed to say and saw what I wanted to see..." He went to walk away, but I couldn't leave it at that. Quickly, I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back, leaning in as close as I would dare.

"T..tell me where I can find you guys...i..if I...look..." It wasn't a question, but he waver in my voice seemed to amuse him to no end.
"Nuh-uh! I won't give away my big secrets to somebody who's not quite over the fence yet! Not even a pretty girl like yourself! I'm always around, so I'll find you when you get yourself some much needed answers..." He slipped out of my grasp and gave me a small bow before starting to waddle off like some elderly man. "Huítóu jiàn!"

I gawked after him, and I began to feel incredibly nauseous. They were always going to be watching me until I did what Ash had asked, even if he himself was behind bars. Their loyalty was strong, I'd give them that.