Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ Tozasareta Kokoro (Locked Heart?) ❯ Locked Heart 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Locked Heart Three

~*~*~*~

Tsuzuki hasn't talked to me for practically the whole day. When I woke up this morning, he just left a tray of breakfast at the bedside table. So I just ate it then went over to the staff meeting room for our briefing about this 'urgent mission' that he and Tatsumi-san argued about last night.

Again, at the staff meeting, he didn't even do so much as look at me. He kept on feigning attention throughout the entire briefing. I mean, let's face it, Tsuzuki was never the type to actually pay attention at staff meetings. He'll do everything; even give the weirdest of excuses, to escape those "boring sessions" as he unrightfully labeled them.

Even until now that we're walking on the sidewalks of the town where we're supposed to investigate, he still wouldn't talk to me. Fine. Silent treatment it is then. If he has no plans of talking to me, then I won't either.

It's not that I'm being sadistic or something. It's just, I know his reason for acting like this. He's still upset about me consenting to doing this mission when he tried so hard, yes even go as far as argue with Tatsumi-san, to keep me from doing a case while I'm still on the road to recovery. Stupid idiot. Why does it matter to him so much? I mean, hey, this is my life right?

So, why all the fuss?

It's just me. It's not like I'm a very important person or something. I'm just one of those common shinigami. The only thing different about me, I suppose, is my empathy, which, more often than not, is just a burden. Not just to me, but all the more for those around me. That's why, even until now, I find it hard to understand why they care about me so much. I have nothing to give.

Nothing.

Because I'm weak.

Because I'm just a child.

I drowned so much in my gloomy thoughts that I tripped. Only children fall by stumbling over their own foot, and that's what I just did. Wonderful. And to add up to my shame, a stranger caught me. Splendid. I'm invisible, I don't exist, and right now, I'm slowly vanishing, disappearing into oblivion… I wish.

"I'm sorry…" I shyly mumble, not even daring to look at who caught me. I can't bear the shame.

"Are you okay?" His voice is smooth, gentle. I can feel his sincerity too.

How can he genuinely worry over someone who he'd just met?

More importantly, I think I should get up. It's embarrassing enough that he's holding me in his arms right now. Then I hear hastened footsteps coming nearer. Tsuzuki's running towards us, with an expression on his face that's beyond worried.

"Hisoka! What happened to… you?" Tsuzuki looks at me then the stranger, eyeing him with suspicion.

"I… fell over." And I can feel my cheeks burning again. "And he helped me."

"Oh. Thanks." Tsuzuki smiles at him wanly and helps me up.

"My pleasure." The stranger simply states then walks away.

He didn't even give me the chance to thank him.

~*~*~*~

Except for that little incident earlier, there was no interaction between my partner and me again. We're still looking for the apartment where we'll be staying. And did I mention that in order to get there, we have to pass through the Crimson Bar? It's the high-class establishment where Tsuzuki and I are supposed to go undercover, him as a bartender and me… as a dance instructor. Don't look at me like that. You should know by now that I tried to put up a fight to have our roles switched, but obviously I lost. Tatsumi-san clearly emphasized that the management was looking for teenage dance instructors. For what reason, I wish I knew.

Speaking of which, I think we're here now. Classy. The building is made up of 20th century glass-and-metal structure, and the bright and different colored lights give a fine accent. When we stepped through the automatic door, the furnishings stunned me. The out of the ordinary, irregularly shaped chairs and tables made the entire building much more lively than the usual dull and boring bars.

"Excuse me, sirs. May I help you?" I snap out of my daze as a man in crisp black tux inquires with a smile.

"We would like to speak to your management. Can you take us to them?" Tsuzuki answers politely.

"Right this way please."

~*~*~*~

We step up through the wide, transparent spiral staircase as we are being led to the manager's office. We stop in front of a metal door and the guy that accompanied us rings the doorbell. After a minute or so, another person in black tux opens the door and lets us in.

Inside, the person behind the wooden desk, presumably the manager, greets us with an examining look. It only lasted for a moment. Afterwards he smiled at us and asked us to sit down.

"So, you must be our new employees. Shinozaki brothers, Kenji and Sho I presume? Welcome. It takes a bachelor to pass our requirements you see. So I have high expectations from you… especially you, young one."

And he focuses his gaze on me. It gives me the creeps, but I try my best to look impassive.

"Riya-kun, would please show Shinozaki-san here the necessary things he has to get acquainted with for bartending. Meanwhile, I would like to spend some time to talk to Shinozaki-kun about his new job."

I don't like this. Me, alone with this… suspicious person? Tsuzuki, please don't leave me.

"As you wish." The guy who let us in a while ago approaches Tsuzuki and leads him out of the room. Tsuzuki simply stands and follows him. He tried to hide it, but I saw him glance at me before he closed the door behind him.

"Well now, it seems that we're alone in here, Sho-kun."

He stands from his desk and comes to take a closer look at me.

"Could you please stand up? I'd like to take a closer look at your physique."

That request made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. But I reluctantly obey.

He walks around me and looks at me from head to foot… staring at every inch of me far longer than necessary.

"Perfect… your body… it has a slim and yet very elegant frame, giving you the shape of a young girl's…"

And I feel myself blushing. I don't know if I should take that as a flattery or insult. I didn't have much time to think because the next second, I felt myself being violently pushed on top of the table and pinned down.

"You know, I always give special trainings to cute boys like you."

And he caresses my cheek, while his other hand traps my hands overhead. Then he starts to play with the button of my pants. I don't like this… I really don't like this. Someone… anyone… please, help me.

Where are you? Tsuzuki…

"Lay off, maniac."

The manager lets go of me and abruptly turns to the person who interrupted his fun.

"He's my responsibility. So you can't touch him." The new arrival states coolly.

"Hmph." And he grudgingly releases me.

He walks out of the room, shutting the door with a loud bang… leaving me alone with yet another stranger.

I hastily jump out of the table and stand at the corner of the room, away from this person as far as I can. I feel my arms unconsciously rise and I hug myself protectively.

"We meet again, boy."

I look up to him upon recognizing his voice. He's the one I met outside earlier. Oh you know, the one who caught me.

"Oh, by the way, sorry about that. That guy's really just a maniac. But don't worry. As long as you're under my care, he can't lay a finger on you."

I want to say 'thank you'. It's the least I can do for him having helped me not once, buttwice already. But I can't. Maybe it's got something to do with my feeling terribly weak right now. I feel like I'm going to pass out any moment.

"Hey… are you okay?" he asks.

I guess I'm not. I feel my hands hugging myself tighter. I'm shivering a lot again.

He removes his white coat, which I just noticed that he was wearing all this time, and very carefully wraps it around me. And I feel myself being pulled into an embrace.

" Tis okay now. No one will hurt you."

I feel secured in his arms. Somehow, I sense something unnatural about his feelings that flow into me, unlike those that I feel from Tsuzuki, and yet I can't help but relax under his touch.

"Yes, I'm actually excited to…"

I abruptly pulled away the moment I heard voices when the door opened, and my eyes widened upon seeing who just came in.

"Tsuzuki."

~*~*~*~

Hehehe. Was that a cliffhanger or what? *evil smirk*