Twice a Day

Chapter 3: An Interesting Gardening Option

By the time you'd followed him outside, he was already standing on your roof. "Mr. Kushieda?" The wind drowned out half your voice, but he must have heard it somehow, as he glanced down. "What--"

It was too late, and you watched his movements in shock. He seemed to have only left the ground for a second, but in a single leap he'd cleared half the branches that were tap-tap-tapping away at your poor shingles. But how? You stared dumbfounded at the fallen sticks before remembering. The sword. HIS sword. You looked up just in time to see him close the sheath with an audible click. To top it off, while you'd been looking at the ground, he'd sliced the other half, with the sun touching your roof for the first time in forever. It was strange, seeing the sky above your red roof, but you found that the image was wonderful. Especially with Goemon framed in the center.

You wobbled in place a second more, still recovering from the way his sword moved so quickly it seemed to cut light itself. That... Was crazy. That was a real swordsman.

He leapt down from the roof, right in front of you, and a little closer than you'd expected. "Consider it a thank you." Your eyes looked ready to pop out of your skull when you met his. He looked a little surprised at your silence, but in a much more reserved way than you'd seen before.

"That--" You froze, a smile bubbling up. "That was amazing! No wonder you needed that sword so badly, you're like a... like an artist with that thing!"

Goemon smiled, a very transparent one too. It was a smile filled with sincerity, so much that you felt your own grin grow beyond your control. "It was only fair to return your kindness."

"Grandpa is gonna be so relieved once he sees this," you mumbled, not minding whether or not he could hear.

"Your grandfather? I was under the impression your relatives were all far away."

You turned to him. "Most of them are, but my grandpa is just on the other side of the mountain! Heck, it's barely an hour walk if you know the right paths."

Goemon paled. "I-... I see!" he said stiffly. "Are you both... close?"

"He's really the only family that seems to support me while keeping my feet on the ground, so I would say so!"

"In that case, ah... G-Give him my regards."

You beamed. "Of course! Thank you so much Mr. Kushieda!"

Just like that, Goemon disappeared into the thick forest again.

"What do you MEAN we have to postpone it?!" Lupin cried. "It's only the whole reason we came to this blip on the map!"

Fujiko had given up speaking to Goemon altogether. "Jigen, can you please tell him he's even stupider than I realized?"

Jigen turned to Goemon. "She says--"

"My hearing is fine, Jigen." Goemon turned, not letting his true panic show in his actions or on his face. "I just have a bad feeling about this. I would rather we take our time."

Despite being covered, Goemon felt Jigen's eyes shoot him a look.

If only you knew. As Lupin had stated, Goemon and company were only here for one reason, the usual reason in fact: A job. Your grandfather owned a priceless heirloom clock, passed down through the years, and of course YOU knew about it, but you never paid it much mind beyond what time it displayed and occasional thoughts about when you'd be receiving it.

Goemon wasn't sure if you knew the rumors that the clock contained gears of solid gold and silver, or that the interior was lined with more gold. Goemon was absolutely sure you didn't know that the elusive Lupin the Third and his wacky rag-tag team of buddies wanted it. Or at least, Lupin and Fujiko did.

With little further arguing, Lupin and Fujiko gave up. Only a few days, no more. At least it was better than the original plan of stealing it tomorrow night. Maybe Goemon could see if you really, REALLY liked that clock, or if you minded just giving it to him? Sometimes people weren't attached.

However, once in private, Jigen prodded. "It's about the girl we ran into, isn't it?"

Goemon flushed, eyes wide. "Pardon me?! No, it is not."

"Uh huh, right... Nothing to do with you not paying attention to any debriefings. That mentioned the old man having a granddaughter. Mhmm."

Goemon grimaced at him. "Did they? I... I would have noticed that."

Jigen shook his head. "I won't say anything."

"You-- Why? What do you want to gain?"

"Nothin'. You know I don't wager a lot on jobs with an 'alleged' treasure. That clock'll probably be filled with plastic and wood, not much more. Steel, if it's old enough, but that's generous."

Goemon calmed. "Not a word."

Jigen grinned and stuck out a hand. "Not even a peep."

They shook on it.

Goemon hoped you weren't too busy tomorrow.

--Author's Note: The schedule got a little twisted, but now we're back on track! Sorry for the mixup, and also thank you to my requests for being patient while I'm on a teeny break, you guys are so great!--