Days Without Sun

Contract

Aikawa was at a complete loss, stunned speechless by this turn of events.

Akihiko moved around her unsteadily though the gun in his hand never wavered.

Stepping over to his previously discarded pants, Akihiko bent over carefully and retrieved them. He drew them on awkwardly with his free hand after moving back over to one of the walls to brace himself.

"I'm sorry, Aikawa-san."

Aikawa blinked a few times. She was still trying desperately to wrap her mind around all that had happened.

She stared hard at Akihiko, this man she'd worked with for years and had considered a friend. She was not truly afraid that Usami would shoot her, despite the fact she'd just seen him do a number of things she would have never dreamed possible.

Rather than fear, what Aikawa felt most was sorrow and a simmering anger.

"Akihiko, what are you doing?" Her voice was quiet, but calm. She used Usami's first name for the second time since their reunion in Korovin's lair: she figured having a gun drawn on her gave her the right to be personal.

"Please, Aikawa-san... I need you to understand..." Akihiko ran long fingers through his sweat-soaked bangs. "I can't... I can't leave him... However he is..."

As long as she'd known him, Usami Akihiko was a man, who, while publicly composed, lived a private life governed by his passions. She knew how much Misaki meant to Akihiko and also without a doubt that he would not be dissuaded.

She sighed heavily and glanced over at Augusto.

The detective was lying much stiller now, though his breath was still labored and his body trembled intermittently with Tasered aftershocks.

Her heart broke for this good man who had been trying to serve them. She looked over at Jadir.

And all Korovin's victims...

"Santo Justino will be out for a bit... there shouldn't be any lasting physical effects."

Aikawa turned back towards Akihiko. Though he still looked awful, he seemed more composed. His rasping voice was far from its usual sensual drawl, but even with its clipped cadence, it too sounded stronger.

Another deep sigh escaped Aikawa. She bowed her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. She felt a quiet fury well in her chest at the thought of all she'd sacrificed in her personal life to nurture the fictional lives of others... and the real people around her.

And now this...

Aikawa felt certain Augusto would be unlikely to forgive her for aiding Usami after Akihiko's treacherous action here. She shook her head.

"What would you have me do, Sensei?"

Akihiko looked momentarily stunned by Aikawa's acquiescence, but he did not allow himself to linger in question.

"Trust me... Please, Eri..."

"Aikawa-san," Aikawa corrected letting Akihiko know she wanted no intimacy in this betrayal of Augusto. "Make no mistake... I am not happy with you, Sensei."

Akihiko nodded solemnly. "I understand."

Like hell you do.

"So?" Now that she had reached a decision, Aikawa did not want to draw things out.

"Korovin is dead... or he will be shortly. He's no danger now." Even as he said this, however, Akihiko's eyes were inextricably pulled to the man's stilled form. "Santo Justino will be safe here... until he recovers."