Conditions--GinxHiguchi

Chapter 14

The next day is quiet.
When I walk into the meeting room the entire place is rearranged with new furniture. In the corner Gin and Haruki are talking quietly.
"Morning." I say. Haruki replys, "morning," while Gin starts reading some reports instead. I stand there for a second before going to my seat.
My stomach churns as I glance at them together and I quickly look away.
Gin didn't greet me.
She always does with a hint mischief but today she didn't even look at me. I don't know why I'm so annoyed.
I should be happy that she won't sexually harras or annoy me any more. Yet for some reason I can't bring myself to smile.
The door opens again and Yoko walks in; she greets Gin and Haruki and gives me a death stare before sitting down. Before I would have given one back but now I've lost the will. I'm alone in this room.
*
Everyone files out the room after the meetings finished. The day after tomorrow is the day of the operation. Usually I would feel nervous but now I just feel numb and cold.
As Gin walks out the room I call,"Gin! Wait."
But she continues walking. I run and grab her sleeve; she stops.
"What is it?" She asks looking down on me. I catch my breath for a second before straightening up.
"You know what it is! You've been ignoring me all day, why? What have I done!?" I shout.
"What have you done!?" She spits. "Are you the one who should really be asking this question?"
I gape at her. "Yes, what have I done to make you angry?" I ask in desperation.
She scowls and says," why should I tell you?"
I grab her collars and scream into her face,"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"
The silence is piercing.
She stares at me before quietly saying,"let go of me."
I blink and release her collars.
"I appreciate that but I don't plan to get involved with anyone. Ever. I plan to live my life alone." She then turns and walks down the corrider.
I tighten my fist.
Thwap!
Gin's ebony eyes widen as I punch her in the jaw. She collapses against the wall and I lean over her and say," why do you have to do this alone? I will always be there for you whether you like it or not."
Her eyes glitter.
I press forwards,"you don't need to bear the burden, like akutagawa senpai used to. I know you two are similar but..."
I'm cut off as Gin plants her foot in my stomach sending me flying into the wall. As I'm choking for breath on the ground, she gets up and says,"I don't want to hear that from you. Never say anything like that again and don't come near me."
Her shoes don't make a sound on the floor and before I can recover she's gone.
I bury my head in my hands, why can't I do anything for her! All I do is make her hate me and sad.
*
Today I wandered around the underground. It's getting late now though so I better head home.
"........Higuchi?"
I turn around at the sound of someones voice, hands braced on my gun. The sound of coughing comes out from to the fog. My mind goes blank as I see Akutagawa walking towards me.
"Akutagawa senpai." I say and lower my head.
"What business do you have around here?" He asks coughing into his hand.
"Nothing, I was just wondering around."
"Is that so?" He puts his hands in his pockets. "Are you the one who is causing my little sister so much misery?"
I shift uncomfortably.
"As I thought." Akutagawa says." She never did have a taste for ordinary women though, so I can hardly be surprised. So Higuchi, do you know why my sister is sad at the moment?"
I start to reply no but the word gets caught in my mouth. The reason suddenly hits me and I mouth yes.
"Good." Akutagawa says."I do not have the time to be meddling in my sister's affairs."
"Thank you senpai." I say bowing my head.
"Do not call me senpai any more." Akutagawa says as he retreats back into the fog." For that is now Gin and she hates to be compared to me."
My eyes widen at that. What a fool I've been. I start to walk back to the building eventually picking up pace and then flat out sprinting. I don't know if she will be there but it's worth a try. I need to get my message across to her.
This time.
For sure.
Reaching the door I yank it wide open and stumble into the room to see a wide eyed Gin sitting at the desk, staring at me in surprise.