Ladders ( Hashigoはしご)

Chapter Three (Dai 3-shō)

 I got home and immediately jumped into the shower. My hands trembled as i brushed my hair. Red locks fell down onto my tank top. I heard my phone buzz and ring a couple times but I didn’t bother to check who it was. I decided to leave my hair down as I slipped the brush back into the draw beside me. I paced to my closet, shuffling through pounds of clothes. I slipped a pink t - shirt over my head and pulled on some blue skinny jeans that hugged me tight. I shoved my phone back into my pocket and stuffed at least three pieces of gum into my waiting mouth. Red flats glided on my feet and a matching scarf wrapped around my neck as I ran out of the door. The cold air of the cafe hit me like a kick to the stomach. Goose bumps formed across my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention. I searched the multiple round tables scattered throughout the small cafe. It smelled quite nice in there. Coffee fumes penetrated my nose while the sweet aroma of bagels baking entered next. I finally spotted what i was looking for. Makishima Saito.

 

 He had been a close family friend ever since we had moved in. He mainly only played with my brother but we developed a slight interest for each other as the years went by. While my brother buried himself in his studies ,he ignored his best friend. So came up to the plate and we developed our own friendship.  I don't know what I would have done with most of my life without Maki-Chan and Kyo-Kun by my side. He apparently met my gaze because he smiled directly at me. I gave a sheepish smile back. I stammered over to him and took a seat in the cold steel chair. ‘’ Konnichiwa utsukushī.’’ I nodded at him nervously. ‘’ Yo.’’ I said several seconds later. A waiter came and gave us menus. We looked over the flimsy piece of paper in front of us. ‘’How was your day?’’ he asked peeking up above the menu. ‘’ It was fine.’’ I smiled and looked back down at the list of mediocre meals. ‘’Working on any cool cases? Serial killers? Professional robbers?’’ I giggled at his remarks. ‘’No no. Missing Persons case.’’ He chuckled a little. I looked up curiously. I placed my menu on the table. ‘’What is so funny about hundreds of missing people?’’ He shook his head and placed his menu down too. ‘’Nothing, nothing at all. I just never knew the sweet little Akane from so long ago could grow up to be working on such big cases as this one.’’ I blushed at his comment; my cheeks were burning and cold sweat was forming on the back of my neck. He smiles wide at me and at the same time his eyes twinkled. It was a magical

moment.

 

Eventually we ordered our meals and ate the Dango that we had ordered. We caught up on our work and personal lives. He seemed very interested in how my father was doing. He also asked how the family has been since mother was gone. I told him that we felt a little empty but other than that, all was good. Alarmingly, my phone  rang and vibrated frantically in my pocket. I jumped at first, startled by my loud ringtone. I got up and slipped my phone from my pocket as i went outside. I leaned my back against the wall and answered the call.

 

‘’Hello?’’ I breathed into the phone with a sigh. ‘’Akane,can you come over my place?’’ The voice was small and sweet. I realized it was Kyoko. ‘’Um, Kyoko. Is everything ok?’’ Muffled sounds boomed in the background. Her breathing was loud but calm. I waited patiently for her reply. ‘’I just need you down there. Please?’’ I paused and looked through the window at my date who sat by himself at the table. My head thumped against the wall as i gave my answer. ‘’Ill be there in twenty minutes.’’ She said thank you and hung up. I didnt want to interrupt our lovely evening, but if it was related to work, it was serious. I slipped in through the glass door and walked over to collect my things. Kyoko's house was surely not in walking distance and my bus ticket was at home. I placed my hand on his after he finished filling out the check. The waiter came and quickly swept it up into her hands. ‘’Can you drive me somewhere? A friend from work called and she needs me at her house.’’ He seemed a bit surprised but that soon passed. ‘’Yeah, sure. Come on, i already payed.’’ I thank him and we left the Cafe with full stomachs and repressed memories of our so called date.