Last of Her Kind

#19: Lost In The Labyrinth

Ishikawa's Apartment

Aki woke up and opened the door. She went to the kitchen to get something to drink. Her throat dried up. She placed the glass on the sink and walked back.

She heard someone clearing his throat. She ran to her room and out some shorts under her long tshirt.

Fushimi read the newspaper as he drank the coffee that Erina prepared before she went out to exercise with the old folks in the park. He clicked his tongue.

What a careless girl.

Akihabara went out and poured out milk. She saw some toasted break and random food on the table. Did her mother prepared this much? "Are you fine with the food?", Aki remembered how high standard Fushimi lived the past few months. "I tried not being able to eat for a week. There's a food on the table. How can I possibly complain?", he replied without looking at Aki.

"I'd be going to school later. Are you going to stay here?", Aki asked again. Fushimi ignored her question and continue reading. "Your arms has bruises", Fushimi noticed. "That's from the practical training and my part time", Aki smiled.

University
Department Entrance

Oikawa waited for Aki but he backed off when he saw a man behind her. "Hey, Ishikawa-san. I see an unfamiliar face", Oikawa tried to approach her. "Ah, he's...", Aki wasn't sure how to introduce him. If she says Fushimi is her friend, isn't that arrogant of her. "I'm her father's friend", Fushimi informed. Oikawa sighed in relief. "See, Ishikawa, I will also be your partner for the internship this upcoming semester. I look forward with that", Oikawa winked.

Aki just fake her laughter and enter the department building. Fushimi stopped in front of her room. "Oh, Fushimi-san. What brought you here?", Riko slapped his back. She's acting familiar already. She learned a lot about Fushimi from Akiyama. "Then, thank you for walking me until here", Aki shyly thanked him.

Aki and Riko entered. "What was that?!", Riko clapped. "I don't know. He just volunteered to walk me to school", Aki covered her flustered face. She was doing her best to act normal. "Eh? Isn't this just like high school drama?!", Riko elbowed her. "What are you saying? It's Fushimi-san. He would never do something romantic like that", Aki said with a sad tone. "Then, why did he do it?", Riko hummed. "Maybe... As a thanks?", Aki sighed.

Coffee shop

Aki entered for her shift. She was surprised to see Fushimi working on his laptop. She was grabbed by her manager. "Hey, who is that hottiee?!", she shook Aki. The girl just laughed and went to change her clothes.

"Your order, Sir?", Aki went near Fushimi. "You", Fushimi answered immediately. Aki dropped the menu. "Ishikawa-san", the manager glared. "Sir, what would you like to order?", Aki thought she heard something different. Fushimi went to the manager and talked to her. The manager gasped and just nodded.

"Ishikawa-san, go change your clothes", she ordered. After a while, Aki sat in front of Fushimi. "Manager told me that you asked for my leave. Is there something I could do to help you?", Aki sat nervously and stiffly. "Talk to me", Fushimi closed the laptop and stare at her eyes.

Eh?! What does he mean?!

"Like, about?", Aki faked her laughter. "Anything", Fushimi crossed his arms. Aki gulped and saw his blue eyes. "It's a little difficult to talk about something random",Aki sighed. "Like... What happened during the 5 months?", Fushimi looked away. Aki smiled and gave the details. "That Oikawa-person... Is he your lover?", Fushimi asked straight forwardly. Aki choke on his words. The manager came and served blueberry shake and cake. Aki was puzzled. She left them afterwards. "No. He's a classmate of mine. Plus, he's our department prince. I have no match for him", Aki stated ger thoughts. "That person is the one who's no match for you", Fushimi corrected. Aki tilted her head.

"A caged bird like him doesn't know how fearless you are in the face of danger", Fushimi commended. Aki felt like her heart is going to burst. "He's clearly into you. Once he gets to know more about you, he won't miss the chance", Fushimi stirred his coffee. "But..", Aki doesn't like how fushimi is forcing him into her. "Why are you opening this up?", Aki asked. Fushimi flicked her forehead. "Ishikawa-san.. Nobu-san told me that he wanted to have a grandchild soon. Seeing you, I pity him", Fushimi said with a poker face.

"I'd... Its my problem. You don't have to concern yourself with it", Aki pouted. "I'd concern myself. You've pried in my life more than what's just needed", Fushimi raised his glass. Aki wanted to see Fushimi without glasses. She wonder what he looks like. Her hand suddenly reached out to his face and pulled his eyeglasses. "Hey", Fushimi clicked his tongue. Aki's eyes widened to see him. He does not fail to surprise her with everything about him.

"Amazing", Aki commented. "Oh, isn't this Fushimi-kun and Ishikawa", Akiyama saw the two of them. Riko is clinging on his arm. Aki put Fushimi's glasses back. "Akiyama-san, Riko. Fancy meeting you here", Aki nervously laughed. Fushimi watched her reaction. He saw her looking at Riko's hand clinging unto Akiyama.

"We'd be going somewhere", Fushimi pulled Aki by her sling bag and left.

"Are they?", Akiyama pointed. Riko just shrugged.

Street

Aki just stared down the ground. "Jealous?", Fushimi teased. "Nope. Why would I?", Aki denied  "Hmmm. You used to like Akiyama before. Well, I can see why", Fushimi nodded.

"That was just in the past... Right now..", Aki stopped and covered her mouth. She might stupidly say something again. Fushimi waited but she never continue what she was about to say. "Did you just leave Kusanagi-san with the company?", Aki asked. Fushimi nodded. "And your mother?", Aki asked again. "She's doing well. She calls... Sometimes", Fushimi responded.

Fushimi paused causing Aki to bump on his back. She made a distance and apologized. "Want to hold my hand?", Fushimi offered. "Huh? Why would... I?", Aki is nearly going to faint. "You really look jealous with Akiyama and his girlfriend", Fushimi turned to look at her. Aki slowly reached out to his hand. "You're warm", Aki smiled. "Creepy", Fushimi grabbed on her hand and pulled her closer. A piece of metal went flying to them. "That could have chopped your head off", Fushimi informed. Aki is leaning on his chest and holding unto his hand.

"I'm truly sorry. The machine broke", one worker bowed very low to apologise. He was sweating looking at Fushimi's poker face. "Leave", Fushimi ordered and he did so.

Aki was about to stand straight when Fushimi pulled her closer. "Fushimi-san?", Aki looked up and saw that the guy is already looking down on her. "You're really a walking hazard", Fushimi smiled. It was something that Aki also saw at Misaki's recordings.

"You're unfair, Fushimi-san", Aki commented. "Huh?", Fushimi lets go of her but Aki jumped on him and hugged the guy tightly. "Don't disappear out of the blue again", Aki just cried. "See, you're really jealous with Aki-", Fushimi didn't finish his words. "I'm not. I'm just so happy that you're here again. Riko doesn't spend much time with me already. That's why I had my part time job. I was frantically looking for you everywhere. Its just so lonely without Fushimi-san... That's what I thought", Aki continued crying.

Fushimi was just frozen. He looked at the metal that flew a while ago. "Ishikawa. Are you like that because you pity me? Why do you care so much?", Fushimi gently push her away but Aki hugged tighter. "Because I love Fushimi-san. I love every perfection and imperfections that you have", Aki burrowed her face on his chest. Fushimi flinched and stared down.

Chapter end.