Last of Her Kind

#18: Slowly But Surely

Time Skip

Park Bench

"Fushimi-kun said we'd be seeing each other as often. It's already the 5th month and I haven't seen him at all", Aki said and sighed. It's another summer. She's already in the second year in the university. 

"Hmmm? What is this? Are you actually waiting for him to appear out of the blue?", Riko elbowed her. "Not like-", Aki paused. Riko covered her mouth and had a wide grin. "I can ask Akiyama if you like", she teased.

"Can I join as well?", one of their male classmate waved walking towards them. He was the department's darling. He has blonde hair and a prince charming aura. Aki and Riko mentally felt like going blind with such amount of light he is emitting. "Oikawa-san, fancy meeting you here", Riko smiled and waved back. Aki just gave a polite bow of the head as she removes Riko's mouth.

"I'd be your partner tomorrow in the blood extraction. We can have our practice at my place. What do you think?", Oikawa Rei winked. "Don't worry Oikawa-san. I won't make it difficult for you", Aki assured. "You're really not that fast to pick up, aren't you?", Oikawa sighed and sat beside them. "Oh, Akiyama is calling for me. I'll see you around", Riko patted Aki's head.

She left with the two on the bench. Aki doesn't feel really comfortable around Oikawa. Even if females swarm around him, Aki has that instinct not to be so involved. "You don't hang up with us so much. Do have some kind of work... Like that?", Oikawa asked. The lady is dying to disappear. "I'm not used to the noisy street and also places", Aki informed. She doesn't want to say more. "Eh? Why not. With you in a party, I think it wouldn't be so boring at all", Oikawa forced himself into the conversation. "I thank you for this conversation. I need to go, I still have my shift", Aki stood up and bowed. Oikawa just shrugged and leaned on the bench. He clearly sees her uninterested stares at him. What an odd lady. He's been extra to her these days but she wouldn't soften for him.

Coffee Shop

Aki entered and changed into her uniform. After being toured by Riko in the inner city, she was stun with the serenity of the coffee shops she visited.

"Something strong", someone ordered. Aki, who is in the counter, was confused of such order. She felt nostalgic about the sound of the voice. It was demanding and also somehow rough. She turned to face the customer and her eyes widened.

"Fushimi-san", her eyes turned teary. The man clicked his tongue and sat on the high chair in front of the counter. "What are you doing? The customer already gave his order", the manager noticed. Aki moved and prepared a black coffee. She sighed and smile.

He's no longer drinking canned coffee.

She took a peek on him and saw that he fattened up. He also have a lively skin color. He doesn't look pale anymore. She served the coffee and wore a huge smile. "Fushimi-san, where have you been?", Aki asked. Fushimi ignored her and just looked at the cup of coffee. Aki controlled her temper.

"I finished my degree", Fushimi answered. Aki jaw dropped. "No way. It was just like... One semester", Aki commented. "Who do you think am I?", Fushimi put a teasing face. Aki felt relieved that he's making that kind of face.

"What time does your shift ends?", Fushimi asked. "7pm", Aki answered right away. She felt ashamed for answering too fast but she was also surprise on how she's eager to spend a time of conversation with Fushimi. "That's three hours from now", Fushimi looked at his watch. "You're not on your uniform today", Aki noticed. "I told you. I went back to Scepter 4 but not as one of the front liners", Fushimi clarified.

Kusanagi messaged him to meet at that coffee shop. He must have staged it. Fushimi watched Aki served the other customer with smile on her face. Her shift ended. Fushimi is also done hacking some illegal websites.

Aki went out from the locker room and saw that Fushimi is no longer there. She sighed in disappointment and went outside. "I wish he could have stayed more", Aki said under her breath. "Because?", Aki was startled to see Fushimi leaning on the wall. "Ah... That was...", Aki flushed. "What's with you being in a coffee shop?", Fushimi asked then started to walk.

Aki doesn't know where he is leading her but still followed. "I just had some free time this semester", Aki informed. "Heh", Fushimi turned to look at her and continued walking. "You grew taller, Fushimi-san", Aki noticed. "Did I?", he asked.

Street

The car lights kept passing by. "Where are we going?", Aki finally asked. "Nowhere", Fushimi answered. Aki was dumbfounded and stopped walking. "I just want to wander aimlessly with you", Fushimi said without looking at her.

Does he miss doing it with Misaki?

"Aimlessly wandering, you say", Aki gave a wide smile. "That's also fine with me", Aki grabbed on his hand and led the way. They ended up in the arcade house. "Huh?", Fushimi had a grumpy look on his face.

"I want to try it", Aki clasped her hands together. She was ashamed with Hina and Riko since they doesn't look so interested with a childish activity. "I haven't tried this", Aki scratched her nape. She was just risking to see if Fushimi would actually agree. Surprisingly, he entered the arcade house.

Arcade House

The two played a lot of games. Fushimi insisted in paying for their token coins. They almost played everything.

They didn't do well with basketball. "Hey, can't you see the basket? ", Fushimi clicked his tongue. Aki is doing her best to shoot the ball. Fushimi went behind her and held her hand up. "This is how you do it", Fushimi helped her shoot the ball. Aki gulped and felt the warmth of Fushimi.

They also whacked some mice on the holes. Fushimi was doing it as if he already memorized the pattern of the holes. "You are terrifying, Fushimi-san", Aki commented.

They raced on car games and also did shooting games. Fushimi was able to win a large carrot pillow. He threw it to Aki. "You can have it", he said then led the way out.

Ishikawa's Apartment

"You didn't tell me that you're also coming here", Aki stood in front of the door with Fushimi.

The door opened and Nobu saw the two of them. "Come in", Nobu had a big smile. He hugged Fushimi as if he was his son. Aki just smiled and helped Erina prepare for dinner. After dinner, Aki went to take a bath. Erina also went to bed.

Fushimi and Nobu were left on the living room.

"I wasn't mistaken when I decided to keep you from my superior. Fushimi-kun, its really good to see you alive", Nobu remembered picking him up. He was bloody and worn out after an all out battle with the police. "I owe you a lot, Ishikawa-san", Fushimi said with a slight embarrassment.

"For you to be friends with my daughter, that's something that is more than enough as a payment", Nobu smiled.

Chapter end.