Arise to the Surface (1)

In the late evening, as the temperature dropped below 20 degrees Celsius, the cool autumn air set in. A gentle breeze carried fallen leaves, sending them dancing through the night. After a small and private celebration, Yoko and Shouichi closed up the shop and returned home safely. Now, they sat idly in front of the television, watching random shows and engaging in trivial conversations.

Shouichi soon realised that Yoko had not completely returned to her former self. There were moments when she visibly appeared uncomfortable. He had been carefully tiptoeing around sensitive topics, wary of triggering her fragile emotional state. The awareness of how brittle and delicate the human mind could be dawned upon him.

Suddenly, his smartphone, resting on the table, began to ring and vibrate. He instinctively picked it up and glanced at the screen. "Akiyama Suzuki" was calling.

"Who's that?" Yoko cast him a brief glance.

"Just a friend. I might need to take this," Shouichi replied with a white lie. Who knew what Suzuki had to say? It could be something too sensitive for his mother's current state of mind.

He hurried out the door before answering the call.

"Good evening, Akiyama-san," Shouichi whispered.

"Hello, Shouichi-kun." The officer's voice was authoritative and stern, a clear indication that she meant business.

"Is there anything you need, officer?"

"Is your mother with you right now?" She asked, her tone softening slightly.

"Nope, I'm outside the house."

"Then come out past the fence. I'm just around the corner." Suzuki's voice was accompanied by faint shuffling noises, suggesting she was walking as they spoke.

"Oh, okay…" He obediently followed her instructions.

Once Shouichi stepped through the metal gate, he spotted the beautiful officer a few metres away. Unhurriedly, he walked towards her. Akiyama Suzuki was dressed in her usual blue uniform, complete with her utility belt and police cap. Though her expression screamed exhaustion, she still carried an undeniable charm. From the look of her, she must have come straight from the precinct.

"Akiyama-san, how's it going?" Shouichi greeted her with a shallow smile.

"Hi, kiddo." She responded with a quick wave.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I just wanted to update you on Kasunagi's case."

"Oh… that." Shouichi nodded, his fists clenching slightly in anger at the mere mention of that disgusting name.

"Since he's a repeat offender, he'll be locked up for a really long time…" She began to explain.

"That's good, right?"

"Yeah… except it might not be a jail cell." Suzuki hesitated, avoiding his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Shouichi promptly asked, confusion crossing his face.

"His lawyer is pretty cunning. They plan to plead insanity. If he's labelled a patient, he'll likely be sent to a mental hospital instead…"

A heavy silence fell. Anger filled every fibre of his being, barely contained.

"That man deserves a fate worse than death! How could he get to live comfortably in a hospital when my Yoko…" Shouichi bit his lip bitterly before continuing, "When my Yoko and I can't even live normal lives without fear and terror?"

"I know how you feel… but we tried for the past two weeks…" Suzuki grimly recounted, her voice laced with frustration.

"How many years would I be looking at if I killed him myself?" Shouichi muttered, staring blankly into the empty street, cocking his head slightly. His tone was chilling. His predatory gaze sent a shiver down Suzuki's spine — those were the eyes of a killer. The eerie composure he carried bred fear in her heart.

"Shouichi-kun, you can't think like that! Then you won't be able to stay by your mother's side. Please reconsider." Suzuki raised her voice, desperate to steer him away from such a dark path.

"You're right. That was just an intrusive thought," Shouichi said with an unsettling smile. "Sorry for making you worry for no reason. I have no intention of pursuing Kasunagi anymore." His voice was eerily monotonous, his gaze still piercing.

"You really scared me there…" Suzuki pressed a hand to her chest, feeling her heart pounding.

"Please don't mind me. I'm sorry," he said, bowing gracefully. Then, lifting his head, he asked, "Is that all, Akiyama-san?"

"Y-yes… that's everything." She hesitated, almost reaching out to console him but stopping midway. Her mind was clouded with hesitation.

Shouichi stepped closer, his height making him seem even more imposing. Suzuki looked up at him, her eyes pleading. She rested a hand on his shoulder, and in response, he gently placed his over hers. It was a natural gesture — comforting yet oddly intimate.

Suzuki's breath hitched. Her heart raced. If he moved even slightly closer, she might just fall deeper. Deeper into the abyss.

"Sorry!" Suzuki suddenly yelped, blushing furiously and stepping back.

"That's alright… I'll be taking my leave then." Shouichi turned and walked away, his frame tapering in the dim light.

Suzuki watched him go, her hands covering her feverish cheeks. "What was that?! I didn't expect him to get so close!" She agonised over their near-intimate interaction. "The air around him… it used to be bright, youthful. Now, it's like the midnight sky, dark yet scattered with flickering stars. It gives off such a dark and masculine vibe…"

***

A week passed without any trouble. Yoko seemed to have returned to herself. Observing her closely, Shouichi could tell she had mostly recovered, yet he couldn't shake a peculiar feeling lingering in the air around her. It was as if something was there; something he could feel in his heart but couldn't define. Since that incident, all his thoughts had been occupied with her, all his prayers devoted to her.

If he believed everything could simply return to its original state, he was gravely mistaken. A shattered glass could never be truly restored, and the human mind was no different.

Dressed in his usual school uniform with an apron on top, Shouichi pan-fried sausages, eggs, and bacon. He carefully placed the cooked meats onto a slice of square bread, decorating it with tomato slices and lettuce — a simple yet delicious breakfast.

"Morning, Shou-kun…" Yoko's drowsy voice echoed down the hallway.

"Hi, Yoko-san." Shouichi glanced at her. She looked dazzling as ever, her fluffy hair slightly dishevelled, wearing a long black gown that complemented her healthy frame. Yawning, she shuffled towards the kitchen table.

"Smells so good! What are you cooking?" Yoko sat down, kicking her feet playfully like a child.

"English breakfast. I used to make it back in Melbourne," He replied flatly, stirring the pan.

"Woah! Really? My mouth's watering already." Her sleepiness was quickly replaced with excitement.

"Would you like an OJ?"

"What's an OJ?"

"Huh? Oh, orange juice."

"Okay!" She nodded enthusiastically.

As Shouichi poured two glasses of chilled juice, Yoko followed and placed them on the table.

Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek.

"Huh?!" Shouichi flinched, rubbing his blushing cheek. "Didn't expect that."

"That's my thank-you kiss. Fufufu~" Yoko grinned playfully, skipping back to her seat.

"Let's eat," Shouichi announced.

"Thanks for the food!" they chanted together, diving into their breakfast.