Chapter Text
Monday. 12:01 AM.
A buzzing vibration reverberates against the coffee table. Its illuminated screen brightens up with a picture of a sleeping detective. Strands of his snowy hair fan the bed. A dried drool mark trails down his cheek, dribbling over the pillow he's hugging close.
The photo alone draws a smile on Reki's face.
He lets his phone silently ring until it stops. Cold beads of cherry coke drip down his chin after another sip. He likes the way it fizzes against his tongue, ecstasy exploring his tastebuds. Even if the caffeinated beverage will inevitably fuel his restlessness. Once the drink is empty, he crushes the aluminum can under the sole of his shoe.
Another heavy weight dumps itself on the couch. Shadow grimaces, gulping down a long sip of his gin. "Can't you just use the front door like a normal person?"
"If I wanted to take all the fun out of it, yeah."
"Blah, blah blah. It's always gotta be something fun with you."
Reki picks up the smushed alloy, bouncing the can off his body like a hacky sack. It hops from his shoulders to his elbows, ricocheting off his knees and aimed into the nearest trash can. Bored, Shadow leans his cheek against his fist watching the showy display. He has become unimpressed with his little tricks after a long while. The metal can clanks inside the bin, and Reki takes the pleasure in lazing down the halls into a closed, void room after.
"Sure," Shadow raises his voice into the empty halls. "March in like you pay rent, too, why don't ya!"
Wooden steps creak underneath Reki. The apartment is old, but it isn't like it's on the verge of collapse. Otherwise, he never would've crashed here. It hasn't been long enough for dust to collect on the walls, but Reki didn't feel the same comfort he used to get when he stayed here.
"You kept my room the way it was, anyways," he shouts back, sliding the handle of the closet. "And all my clothes."
A disarray of his colorful shirts and hoodies string along the hook of hangers. The fresh scent of citrange has been long gone since last week, all left for the hazed air of aged grove permanently tainting the closet. The day's energy is starting to sap from his body, but he couldn't find it in him to rest yet. Or at all. Not until this whole plan of his finally pulls through. He didn't spend the last two years of his life sketching a blueprint for nothing. He's already made it this far. There's no turning back now.
Not that it was even an option.
Reki divides his clothes apart down the middle. The light behind him reveals the creviced scratches on the wall behind it, marked down by age. If one is a little more observant, they would've notice the faulty barrier in just one touch. He pushes a hand against the ragged surface, eliciting a creak when sliding the partition aside. It glides easily into a slip, revealing an entirely different decor on the other side.
It's a hollow, hidden compartment he constructed in himself. Don't let anyone say he isn't resourceful.
In it lies his own version of the murder board Langa has. However, there are some slight changes. The list of victims. The M.O. Every single newspaper piece bludgeoned with red marker lines, and a spool of different colored yarns scattered over the evidence into his own understanding. So what if he likes to color code? It makes everything so much easier.
Green yarn for the information he understands—a reason behind the murders, or, the why people who were killed were killed. Yellow for the ones he is still confused, but still working, on—the...'Red Phantom's...last or current known whereabouts, or his next victims. The blue yarn is just pretty to use. Reki can't blame himself for wanting to use it, it came with the pack.
Finally, the red yarn, of course, is for the ones he doesn't understand. The one he has absolutely no clue or idea of what comes next. There's only one string for that, though—What happens after the real killer is caught.
Reki doesn't see himself changing the color of the string anytime soon.
Shelved stacks of rolled papers underneath the murder board remain untouched since the last time he was here. He has viewed the writings inside it so many times, he can recite every line and letter from the back of his hand. Underneath that shelf stands another. On it, a box of memory chips pile themselves inside with an old VHS camcorder.
A heavy stone sits on his chest just thinking of the tapes. Snippets of its film would unwillingly force themselves to appear in his dreams from time to time. He doesn't need to watch those again either. He doesn't, but...he can't stop himself from thinking of it.
Reki reaches into the box for one of the cards, already knowing what video lies within it. Dread claws its way into his chest. The rational voice in his head begs for him to put it back, but his hands are already inserting the chip into the camera.
Maybe just...just one more time...will be okay...
As he waits for the camcorder to turn on, Reki can hear his own breathing suffocate his ears. Just... The train wreck in his hands could stop if he just close the camera, but he couldn't let go of it. Nightmares inside these films consume his dreams of that night, and the night after that. Endlessly. And every single time he wakes up, it doesn't stop. Because it was real. It happened. These bloodied videos are proof of it. Just stop. The first time he watched these footages, his hands wouldn't stop shaking. Stop watching it! Now, they're as stiff as the cardboard box the videos are carried in.
Stop...!
Low rackets of steps mixed in with grumbling makes Reki almost lose his grip. The camcorder nearly slips, but his reaction is quicker. He hurriedly crams the camera back on the shelf, and slides the inner wall closed. He steps out of his closet, and shuts the closet door along with all his secrets inside behind in ease.
Shadow barges into his room with an unattractive belch. "Ya know, what's the point of keepin' all your stuff if you don't even sleep here anymore?"
"I think you should lay off the gin, my friend. I've only been gone for a couple weeks," Reki casually flops back on his old bed, away from the closet, to draw any attention away from it. At the same time, the heavy pebble from before dispels along with his words. Mindless talking always makes him feel a little lighter.
"And you should get your own place," his former roommate berates.
Ambers eyes lazily track the dust particles floating around them. "You know why I can't, Shadow."
"Yeah whatever," Shadow grumbles, leaning his weight against the doorframe. "You freeloader."
Ignoring his nagging, Reki pinches his fingers together uselessly in the air. "I like to call it, 'house freelancing.'"
Like he has his fingers plugging his ears, he drowns out the incessant badgering about 'bills' and 'due dates' from Shadow as white noise. Something about responsibilities or mooching off of him like a sticky sponge. Even Langa doesn't prod this much. Well, it isn't like Reki gives him any chances to.
Actually, he doesn't scold him for anything like that at all. Instead, Reki's the one telling him to take care of himself more properly. He's surprised his house didn't turn out to be a pigsty before he came. He wonders if Langa ever tried cooking dinner himself in the kitchen. If that were to ever happen, the detective would either be calling the fire department, or end up covering the smoking stove with a fire extinguisher. The thought alone brings a light chuckle that hurts Reki's cheeks.
"—Are you even listening to me?" Shadow snaps his fingers in front of his face, bringing him back. "Stop that! You're creeping me out."
Reki swats his hand away, and swings his body upward. "Hey, we have a deal. A thief for a roof, remember?" he jabs a finger into Shadow's sternum, "You wouldn't have half the stuff you needed for your little experiments if I hadn't gone to steal it for you."
"Yeah, well, I need some more," Frustrated, Shadow scrubs a hand over his orange tuft of hair. "As you saw, I just happen to ran out."
"Done and done," he nods, "I'll have it delivered tomorrow."
"Doesn't make you any less of a bloodsucking leech."
"Oh, come on!" Reki whines with an exaggerated gesture. "Now that Kazu's gone, I should be number one on your best friends list, shouldn't I? That means I have full obligation to be a freeloader."
"Yeah," Shadow strides in front of him, "And a cheapskate."
Slouching over his knees, Reki doesn't need to look up to know what face Shadow was making. He doesn't mind either way, it's just how he is. It's probably contorted with that same old concerned frown. Kind of like how a disappointed parent acts when their child didn't cook the rice when they were told to. No matter how frightening Shadow tries to make himself out to be, underneath all the hardcore makeup, lies a doting mother hen.
In the end, Reki has to remind himself he doesn't need a mother hen to look after him.
Locks of red cascade over his eyes to shadow the coldness in them. The dark tone lacing his voice betrays him. He doesn't need the concern from someone who is. Not from Shadow. Not from Langa. Not from anyone. As much as he doesn't want to say out loud, the very last thing he needs is someone thinking he's incapable of taking care of things himself.
For years now, he's done nothing but just that.
A snigger above catches Reki off guard. He whips his head up, sparing the same contempt to face Shadow. With the reputation Reki carved himself out in the past couple years, he knows of how he strikes a core in the hearts of others. All people's habits are readable in that aspect. Every itching twitch, every subtle glance, every disgruntled noise or stutter—Reki trained himself to dissect all these ticks to discern the intentions behind them.
In other words, no one would ever want to play poker with him. He's fully aware how a single stare of his could make a room grow cold.
Reki's hardened stare digs into grey pupils. "Don't you know who you're talking to?"
The room's silence brings a distance between the two. Shadow folds his arms in a gruff breath. If Reki is to describe his expression now, it's definitely unamused.
"You're not that scary."
A silent challenge from Shadow"s relaxed stance irks a nerve in Reki. Not fear, no. Rather, it irritates him. He pillows his chin on a fist while his other arm drags over the fabric of his pant leg. "I'll have you know, people are very afraid of me," he muses boredly.
Shadow rolls his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause when people meet you, you always have this crazy look in your eye screaming trouble," he shivers, "If you stare at people like that, who'd ever trust you?"
Shrugging, Reki playfully runs his fingers over the bulk tucked under the hems. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
A smile forces itself to creep on his face, spared of any happiness or truth. He's starting to remember why Shadow puts him on edge sometimes. Suddenly, the light weight wrapped around his calf fits so comfortably under his pant leg, yet still feels unfamiliar.
"Just face it," a dark silhouette casts over Shadow as he looms over. "Under all that attitude, you're just a baby with a knife."
Reki unsheathes the blade out in lightning quick speed. Launching himself off his bed, he sidesteps behind the towering man before he can blink. Time slows down around him when he moves. His fingers flip the hilt in an experienced haze, and the sharp tip lingers over the skin of Shadow's neck.
"Am I?"
He can hear Shadow's stifled breathing hold. His other hand presses into the older male's shoulder, pressuring him to stay still. In this position, a normal person or a simple civilian would be cowering over their body, bargaining for their life to be spared.
Instead, his captive only exhales an irritated groan. "Put that thing away," Shadow grumbles, patting the hand threatening him. "You'll hurt yourself."
Nimble fingers curl tighter around the metal handle. Reki's teeth bites down on his bottom lip, tearing off a thin layer. Out of all people, his old roommate just had to be insusceptible enough to see through his aimless warnings. Shadow just had to let his pampering nature indulge into the redhead's life. It psyches him off his game.
Reki really hates to be the one being read.
"Ugh," he scowls in distaste. In a single coordinated move, Reki draws his knife away from his neck. "You piss me off!"
The knife habitually spins in between his fingers. He walks backwards until his back hits the wall, and sinks his entire body down to the ground. He really doesn't like it when his true intentions are read.
Shadow rubs his neck where the sharp blade inhabited seconds ago. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"
A thumb lightly runs along the edge of his blade. It brings a strange comfort in him. "If it was anyone else, they'd be shaking in their knees," Reki feigns an exaggerated gasp, accusingly pointing the tip at Shadow. "Are you a masochist? You sick freak!"
"No more than you are." Another wince from Shadow makes Reki almost want to nearly fake stab him a second time.
Reki messes around with the glint of light hitting the blade, shifting the glare until it shines on random a spot on the floor. He returns the knife tucked under his pant leg. No matter how much he tries to hide it, Shadow has always been one to see past through his facade, one way or another. He knows fully well Reki wouldn't hurt him. Nothing fatal at least, and not without reason.
Besides, after striking his own records of his identity, Reki doesn't have many people he can turn to. Legally, that is. But if he hadn't met Shadow that time, he wouldn't get as far as he would be right now. With his plan, of course. That's the only reason why he even initiated contact with him in the first place. There's no need or time or...benefit...from gaining anything more than an acquaintanceship with Shadow. Definitely nothing...
As much as Reki has spent time crafting this mask of his, he feels Shadow always trying to make attempts to break through them. Whether it was just the doting motherly side of him emerging, or his naturally nosy nature, it couldn't budge Reki. But even then, he wouldn't allow himself to. He wouldn't lower his walls down for anyone.
Well, Reki hums thoughtfully, Maybe not just anyone...except...
Shadow knocks on the wall for his attention. "So how long are you going to keep pretending?"
"Pretending?" Reki slaps on a wide grin. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me of all people," Shadow pushes profusely. "I saw the uniform when I was cleaning up the other day. I thought you quit."
His smile is wiped away in a single twitch. The defensive walls around Reki just added another brick full of height. He shot up from where he sat. "You went in my—"
Shadows placates the rising anger in him with a hand up. "Relax, I didn't touch the wall. Only saw the uniform, I swear."
A not so subtle glance at his closet sends Reki off balance. He'd be lying if he said there's nothing to hide, but there is a reason why he demolished an entire hole in the wall to hide what he's been working on. Not to mention, he almost forgot about the uniform ever since he shoved it back in the closet after putting it on for the first time in...a while.
"I just needed an in, that's all," is Reki's vague response, "And it's not just pretending, Shadow—"
He walks past him, and slides the closet door open again. Shifting the hangers aside, his gaze narrows down at the dark blue garment tucked in the middle. His fingers drag through the wrinkled blazer, which needs another long ironing. The pinched, visible empty space void of his old badge stands far too noticeable, even to the naked eye. It started gathering lint from sitting there, unused. Even if it's only been a couple weeks.
"Helping 'S' solve their cases, living with Langa, all this excitement...this is probably the most fun I had in years," Reki sighs. It's been a while since he's been part of the game. The rush of the mystery, the tingle in his veins when his brain is itching to expose undelved secrets…Now that he's gotten another taste of it, part of him doesn't want to let go.
"You can't keep playing detective. Not anymore," Shadow grimly reminds him. "You may not be the real Red Phantom, but you're still a criminal."
Reki clenches onto the poly cotton fabric of old authority. Just several years ago, he sported on this old, misted uniform with pride. He wore that cap proudly just like any other uniformed officer. Honor bestowed on him after working for his hard earned place. To become the detective he promised his four year old self. All that's left now is the harsh gunfire of bullet hammering along with the fresh iron scent of blood bleeding after.
"A criminal born in the shadows can only find comfort in the shadows," the voice behind him drones.
Closing the door to lock away any lingering memories left, Reki swallows down the thick lump in his throat with a halfhearted chuckle. "What a lame quote."
Shadow smirks. "Says the one saying philosophical nonsense all the time."
"That may be how he thinks, but that's not how I think," Reki chews down on his lip again, daggers stared at his feet. His nails crushes deep crescents into his arms. If he is to let go right now, he's afraid his whole body would start trembling again. "If I thought that way that night, I would've been the one killing people instead."
The stinge of his skin draws a wince from Reki. His arm pulls away, shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets, not minding the blood he drew. He never liked to dwell on the past, which is ironic, considering how long he's been chasing after it for so long.
Shadow eyes at his behavior, but doesn't say anything. He sighs. "You never did tell me what happened."
"It's nothing you need to know," There's nothing Reki wants more than to end the conversation now. He heads for the window, and unlocks the latch. "I just came by to tell you about Kazu. I know you have beef with him, and I heard he was going to hurt you. So, I just made a choice."
The clasp opens with a shacky click, and Reki pushes the window open. For a brief moment, all his worries and memories are washed away by the cold winds. He swings one leg out the window before Shadow speaks up again.
"Thanks, Reki."
Reki snaps his head up at the older man, and smiles. It's not often he gets to hear any word of gratitude from Shadow, or at all. Not even when he commit thefts to uphold his end of the deal, or does his share of chores and cooking when he lived in this apartment.
"Don't thank me, thank the detectives," Reki shrugs, "They're the ones who figured it out."
"I still can't believe you used to be a cop."
"I used to be a lot of things."
Reki drums his fingers on the windowsill, peering over the ledge of the apartment. He inhales the soothing cool breeze of the city. His breathing wanes along with the soft thrum across his chest. Cars honking from the distance echo in the midnight skies. The early buzz from drinking the cherry cola earlier almost flushes all the nerves out from his system. There are barely any pedestrians in these empty streets. If he is to let go of the window right now...
A ping distracts him before his thoughts can wander down that road again. He reaches in his pockets, and his heart warms at the text coming with it.
'Are you alright? If you're not going to come back home, I'm going to start cooking my trash ramen now.'
Reki smiles down at the bubble text of words spoken so formally. Well, at least he didn't sign his texts. Honestly, how did that detective ever manage to survive this long without a proper health? The first couple days he spent intruding into his home alone while Langa was at work, Reki found at least four empty bottles of energy drinks in his bedroom alone. Under his bed. His periwinkle looks might fool outsiders into thinking he's some kind of foreign prince, but as far as Reki knows, it definitely isn't the fantasy they dream of all the time.
No one would ever know how much Langa neglects his own well-being, but still will make an effort to look out for others first. They wouldn't know how the strands of his azure hair would stick out, even when he ties it up when he's working late nights. Or how when Reki cooks him dinner, his cheeks puff when he'd scarf down his entire plate faster than a starving chipmunk.
Above all that, Reki already knows just how amazing a detective Langa is. Miya aside, he's one of the youngest and brightest officers Okinawa has to offer. Considering he's a detective of the 'S' precinct already speaks volumes for itself. It was one of the reasons why Reki chose Langa for his plan after all. Chose to trust. Competent in his talents, refined in his skills, cares deeply for his friends to the point where he would harbor a presumed murderer just to protect them...
Everything Reki wishes he himself could be. Maybe if they met under different circumstances, things could've been different. Hell, they could've been working together. But, like every other dream, everyone wakes up sooner or later. Reki just happened to snap out of his daydream earlier than planned.
Before he can send a response, Shadow notices his quiet stupor. One flit at the phone in Reki's hands connected all the dots for him.
He snatches the phone out of Reki's hands, ignoring his protests. "Don't get too attached," Shadow warns him, "We both know you're not really good at doing that, but for this case, it's best if you don't get too close."
Reki ignores the sting of Shadow's words being forcibly shoved down his throat. The stone in his stomach from earlier became ten times even more heavier. He nabs his phone back, holding the screen tightly to his chest. "I should go now."
Without texting back, he shuts his phone off and shoves it back in his pocket.
Shadow silently leans against the wall. "You really goin' to sleepover at that cop's place again?"
"Yup," Reki answers with no hesitation, both of his legs clinging onto the window ledge. "Langa just doesn't really know how to cook for himself." Over his shoulder, he throws Shadow a sincere smile. No tricks or any sign of detestation behind it the genuine curl of his lips. Out the window, Reki kicks himself up, and disappears into the dark night.
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17 Years Ago
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"Again."
A crackling thud smashed into the ground after a small body connected with the dirt. Electricity shot across the nerves, writhing. A painful cry screamed over the intimidating words disguised as encouragement.
"Again."
Seven year old Reki heaved deep breaths in and out. Not even he could find the strength to stifle this show of weakness yet. He propped himself up on elbows. "Can I please take a break?" The taste of iron was really going to spoil his appetite. "Mom said she was gonna make salt broth ramen for dinner!"
The man who took him down only laughed, and offered the child a hand. Reki foolishly took it in stead, and hauled himself up.
"Rule number one, kiddo," the man smiled devilishly. "Only trust yourself."
In one fell swoop, the man shifted his weight to the side, and brought Reki over his shoulder. All Reki could see in the next few seconds was green in the sky and blue on the ground. His back kissed the grass, wind exiting out of his lungs.
"Dad!" Reki whined while he hunched over, coughing. "That hurts!"
His dad laughed heartily once more, and pulled him back up with no tricks this time. Their matching blaze of red hair were both matted down with sweat and dirt. The vibrant green of their backyard stretched out in front of them into a spacious field. Minutes, hours—Reki had no concept of time to how long they've been at it with just the two of them.
He often enjoyed spending this so called 'quality time' with his father, but it doesn't mean it doesn't get any less tiring each time. While most kids dread the thought of puberty, he couldn’t wait for his height to reach the cookies on the top shelf, without using the kitchen drawers as a stepping stool.
Panting breath after breath, Reki allowed his body to melt into the ground. He splayed his limbs out, grass tickled against his unscathed skin. Cerulean blues decorated in clouds moved ever so minuscule when his amber pools trail after them. If only he could, he would lay here and stare at nothing for hours. He could even fall asleep like this.
His father plopped down beside him, water bottle devoured in giant gulps. "Listen here, Reki," he gasped, handing the bottle to the little boy. "There's no other strength you can rely on but your own. Even me. Your mother's job and mine isn't as easy as it looks. Don't try to push yourself so hard so fast."
Reki downed the rest of the drink in a single swallow. The bottle squeezed under his small fingertips, crinkling louder and louder. Doesn't his father trust him enough to know he can handle it? If it's only the matter of strength, then all he needs is to grow stronger. Right? Is that how it works?
"I'm going to become the greatest detective of all time, dad!" Reki exclaimed, crushing the plastic loudly. "If I don't train myself this hard, I'll never be able to catch up to Ri—"
A hand smacked down over the fabric of his thighs. His father frowns. "Hey, what did I say about comparing yourself to—"
The opening back gate interrupts the two them along with a high, warm voice. "I hope you boys aren't roughhousing too much!!"
While Reki rubbed the spot his father hit, his mother greeted them with a beaming grin. His father ran up to her in a flash. Her short caramel hair bounced around as his father picked her up in his arms.
" Lieutenant Hide, sir!" She giggled as she's swung around, "What's gotten into you?"
“Buh-Mmm…happy-nnnn…” Hide mumbled happily…”Ain’t misbehavin…I’m savin’ all my love for you…”
Hide hummed the song under his breath, waltzing around his beloved wife. "Lieutenant Masae," he bowed dramatically, a savoring the taste when he tested the name. He pressed a kiss on top of her hand. "Congratulations on your promotion, my lady."
Reki blushed at the overly display of affection in front of him. "Gross..." he hid a laugh behind his hand, embarrassed for having to witness such a lovely scene. He can spar with a man twice his size, but he feels far too young to see his parents stuck in their honeymoon stage.
"Oh, come on, now, Reki," his mother hushed. Her badge shined over her uniform when she was moved around, fumbled over the sudden display of affection. She was the strongest woman Reki knew, but when it came to Hide or her family, everything work related is thrown outside the fence. She would do anything for them. Finally, his father let her go. She brushed any wrinkles out of her dark blue fabric, and sighed.
Masae crouched over to him, and wrapped her arms around Reki's small frame. Tiny hands tightened around her plump body, burying his nose into her comforting warmth. He loved it best when his mother came home. Even after a long day of work at the precinct, her scent never changed from the grime of the precinct. She always came home smelling like cinnamon.
When his mother pulled away, she tucked a wild strand of his hair behind his ear. Her round eyes took in the entire backyard, searching. "Where's—?"
"He's already inside!" Reki read her mind, excitedly answering for her. "He got tired of training."
Hide ruffled his hair messily again. "Yes, but he managed to beat me under fifteen minutes today.”
"Hey!" Reki swatted at him like a buzzing fly. "Just because you're bigger than me don’t mean you're invincible."
Determined little legs ran across the yard from rock to rock, retaining his center of gravity balanced just as he always practiced. On the other side of the yard, the trail of rocks led up to one giant one as tall as their house. He climbed up the rock wall, feeble pleads from his mother flew over his head. His fingers gripped any crevice he reached, and pulled his weight up until he reached the top. Every time he does it was more exhilarating than the last.
"Watch me!" Reki felt tall when he stood, looking down at his parents with a bright smile. "I'll be strong enough to take care of myself," he shouted his words at the top of his lungs, echoed against the winds. "And Riku, too!"
Tucking his body in, Reki rolled forward, embracing the gravity pulling him down. Neither his mother or his father stopped him. Then again, there was no need. He skillfully landed softly on the grass into a squat with excited breaths.
Masae giggled at her son's antics, while Hide clapped approvingly for his arrival.
"Of course you will," his father exclaimed. "I'm counting on it. You really do take after me, Reki."
Reki warms at the compliments, joy swelling his chest. It was always his father's words that affected him the most in the best of ways. The three of them together head inside to the back of the house for dinner. It's been a long day for the entire family, and nothing satisfies Reki more than to end the day with a nice dinner made by Masae Kyan.
"And another thing," Hide turned to his wife with a disapproving frown. "Salt broth again, hon? Too much of that trash ramen is gonna stunt Reki's growth, y'know? Not to mention his health."
A part of Reki felt like something sank. "But I like that trash ramen," he pouted.
"How 'bout a steak bowl instead, kiddo?" Hide offered, "I bought some the other day."
The aforementioned child twiddled with this fingers loosely. He was really looking forward to having salt broth tonight. "Well..."
Before Reki could say anything, Hide tousled his hair again into a more disheveled mess. "Tell you what, son," he said, "If you manage to take me down quick, I'll give ya a little surprise."
"Surprise?!"
Reki immediately perked up, any emerging despondency all but forgotten. Without another sound, he paused in his steps, and counted his breath. Sneaking behind his old man's back, he quickly propelled himself from the ground with all his strength, five feet into the air. Tiny arms wrapped themselves around a thick neck, and Reki pulled the weight down to his level on the ground. In just a few seconds, Hide ended up in the same position he drove Reki in before, with his back muddied into the grass.
"Oof—!" Hide squawked out, dirt painting his shirt. The all-knowing mischievous smirk staring down at him was clear and evident on Reki's face. For a young kid like him, he already was, and always will be, thinking one step ahead.
" You've been holding out on your old man, huh?" his father groaned, "You sneaky son of a—"
"Never reveal your last trick until all cards are off the table!" Reki recited out loud proudly.
A soft laugh broke between the two rowdy males. "You forget, Hide, he's my son too," Masae stopped him, nonchalantly tiptoeing over her husband’s defeated figure before she entered the house. "Just what are you saying in front of a child?"
Hide chuckled, brushing the dust off his pants when he stood up. Trailing after the muscled figure, Reki skipped happily to his side.
"I should've expected it," Hide opened the door, watching his eldest son wrap himself in the warmth of their home. "You've got your fathers' looks, but your mother's brains."
13 Years Later
A brightly lit auditorium shone lights down on the new graduates on stage. Scattered applaus ricocheted from every direction, and Reki stood tall and proud in the middle of it. A synchronous echoed thump of soles traveled across the platform into ears. In all this commotion, nothing was louder than his heart pounding in excitement.
On the podium, their superior officer sending them off congratulated each and every one of them. The woman tipped her cap off, her voice booming into the microphone over the noise.
" Thank you all for coming out this evening," she smiled, turning halfway to gaze into the line of uniformed individuals, including Reki, behind her. "To uphold the law and to protect the cities in our prefecture, we are proud to present our new recruits...Welcome, cadets, to the Okinawa Police Force!!!"
The applause grew louder. Reki and his neighboring colleagues who he has grown close with over the past six months in the police academy bowed to both the veteran officer and their audience.
"We look forward to working with you!" they chanted together.
They took another bow, finally concluding the ceremony. Every officer, now equipped with official badges adorning their chests, acknowledged each other before exiting the stage. They talked amongst themselves off, building connections, and Reki wasn't any different. A few of the officers wished him luck and vise versa, shaking their hands and congratulating one another.
While Reki spoke animatedly with one of his peers, someone tapped on his shoulder. He whipped his head back to meet the woman who spoke at the podium just moments ago. Her penetrative gaze shot bolts of electrified fear into her subjects, but Reki was impervious to her stare.
"Inspector Kiriko!" Reki beamed, instinctively fixing his posture with his shoulders back. "I'm excited to be working alongside you now!"
"Always the firecracker, aren't you?" Kiriko chuckled, "Even after six months of my grueling training, that part of you hasn't changed a single bit."
"That was nothing," which was only half true, Reki admitted, "But it was very educational. The real thing starts now."
"You're your parents' blood, alright," a smile graced her full lips in remembrance. Reki tried to laugh off her comment, ignoring his heavy heart.
Kiriko nodded, tucking a stand of her wavy red hair behind her ear. "We got some exceptionally young talent coming in our ranks. You included, Reki," she patted his shoulder, pierced violet pearls staring deeply into him. "I expect great things from you. Both of you."
Pride swells vastly in Reki's chest. "I won't let you down, inspector!"
Kiriko smiled, and waved him goodbye. Before her, Reki has never met anyone as strong as his parents. Since entering the academy, a lot has changed for him, regardless what she said. He met a lot of characters in his time here. Different people with different strengths. Testing his own strength.
Reki's fingers ran over his new badge. The cold metal cools his warm skin, but it does nothing to quell the lingering doubts he had.
Just how much more could he be able to grow?
"Hey, you alright?"
Spinning around to the voice, Reki was greeted by a very familiar face. His smile brightened much more at the face wearing the same uniform as him. The curls of his mocha brown hair bounced over his nape. Nodding, Reki adjusted his cap when his bangs got caught in his eyes.
"Yeah...yeah..." Reki breathed, "I guess I'm just a little nervous."
The man mirrored the same toothy grin. "Don't sweat it, Reki. We've been dreaming about this since we were kids, and now we're on our way," he clapped a hand on Reki's back. "Can you believe it!?"
Together, they stroll over to the refreshments table. Reki tipped forward from the contact, laughing. "You don't have to tell me twice. I've been training for this..."
The hand slammed down with more force. "You mean we've been training for this," the man stuck out his bottom lip. "You think after sharing a room for the first time for six months, you'd know a person more."
"Whatever," Reki rolled his eyes, "Just don't come crying to me if we don't get assigned to the same precinct."
The man pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?" Reki only responded with a shrug and a childish tongue sticking out. His fellow new recruit ignored him, far too used to his nonsense after all these years. " By the way, which station are you aiming for?"
Reki snorts. "'E,' obviously," he answers smoothly.
A quick double take almost made the other trip over his own legs. "But didn't you want to be an 'S' detective?"
"I did. And I will...hopefully."
A small pang shot through Reki at the prominent police station. Growing up in the years does a real number on his childhood dreams, doesn't it? He read up every single available documentation and reports of important investigations 'S' has ever solved. He knew and respected the official ranks of his superior officers who stemmed their careers from 'S.' Ever since he was little, he wanted to become one of those officers. They never cease to amaze him.
"If I'm ever good enough to reach the legendary Detective Joe or Detective Cherry's caliber. They're so awesome!" Reki rambled honestly, "Have you heard of that string of bank robberies they took down last month? Or that marijuana trafficking ring Captain Adam—"
"Come on!" his bunkmate objected profusely, "You're way smarter and more resourceful than those two combined!"
Even though you're much more clever than me, Reki's intrusive thoughts couldn't help but add.
"I wouldn't go that far," Reki brushed the thoughtful idea aside, flushed. "But first, I'm willing to play the long game to get there."
The man narrowed his golden slits, humming under his breath. " Then, I guess we're each other's competition."
"We’ve always been each other’s competition," Reki grabbed a water bottle from the table, taking a long sip of the cool drink. " After all, I can't keep holding my little brother's hand for the rest of his life." He offered the half drunken bottle to the man, and smiled. "Right, Riku?"
Flows of midlengthed toffee hair loosely swayed around in a little ponytail. Golden shades of his pupils reflect the same embers as his own. Riku shook his head, and grabbed for his own bottle.
He's finally starting to rely on his own, huh? Reki pondered inwardly, Good for him.
Unlike him, Riku took sequences of tiny sips from the bottle. He gasped out a sigh, tugging on the white collar of his uniform. It was hard for Reki to believe the two of them made it this far out together if he wasn't here to see it himself. Still, he was glad to see it happen. For a moment, he was worried Riku might've graduated sooner than him. Even though Reki was the older one.
"So..." Riku started, becoming a bit more conscious of their surroundings. His fingers tapped against his bottle, nervous brows knitted together. "Are you gonna send a letter to mom and dad about the ceremony, or...?"
His words trailed off, but Reki already caught on before he finished. The stone in his heart from earlier plummeted down to his stomach. He was hoping they could derail from talking about this just for today, but he guessed it was just wishful thinking on his part. He just didn't want to think about anything negative today of all days.
"You know it's too dangerous to write them while they're undercover," Reki smiled sadly, "Only they can contact us."
Even if he was expecting the answer, Riku didn't disliked it every time his question was dodged. Or, it was probably the fact he didn't mind how vague Reki was determined to be. He wasn't afraid to express that, either. "Damn...how long is it supposed to last anyways? It's already been three years."
The bottle crinkled in Reki's hand when he squeezed the last drop out.
"We just have to be patient. I'm worried too, but they'll be fine. They're capable," Reki said, straight from the script he would tell himself every night. He tossed the crushed bottle into the nearest recycling waste bin. "Besides, that's why you wanna get into 'E' too, right? Since the precinct has jurisdiction over the operation, we might get a glimpse of what's going on."
Riku nodded, finishing his drink until it was empty. If anything, Reki understood more than anybody how much his brother missed their parents. It was the type of zero contact mission, not something unfamiliar to the two recruits. But, it was the first time both Hide and Masae have been gone for this long without speaking to them in person.
"What's the investigation about, anyways?" Riku asked.
"Don't you remember?" Looking off for any walls with ears, Reki pulled the man to a more secluded space from the other cadets. "We're not supposed to talk about it but..." he took one more look, and lowered his voice. "They're infiltrating a drug cartel," he whispered.
Riku leaned in attentively, "Do you know which one?"
"And you say you want to become the best detective when you have the attention span of a gold fish."
"Just tell me, nii-chan!"
"You're already twenty, and you're still callin' me that?"
Reki laughed heartfully at the contorted face of his brother, even while punches landed on his arm. " Alright alright!" He settled down, catching his breath. "I t's still in its early stages, but..."
He took a subtle glance to the side, seeing Inspector Kiriko speaking with the other recruited officers. Families talked loud enough to drown the tiniest pin drop.
Reki whispered until his voice was barely audible. "I think they're calling it Rock Candy. You know why it's called that?"
"Because people who made it had a sweet tooth?" Riku almost flinched under Reki's glare, and surrenders. "Okay, I'll bite. Why do they call it a Rock Candy?"
"Because the drugs are crushed into crystals," Reki demonstrated with his hands, "Until they look like pop rocks."
He paused on purpose to add a little dramatic flair. Reki may or may not have snooped into 'E's' database in order to find this out, plus the word spreading on the streets was a dead giveaway. A simple hacking, really. Through his parents computer that is. Not to mention their growing reputation, but just as he said, it was still in its early stages. When he first found out about this, he thought of how creative criminals have become with naming their drugs. It...spooked him out, so to speak. Riku, on the other hand, did not receive the message.
"Now that's just lame," Riku scoffed, "Who would ever get so wrapped up in Rock Candy?"
"Do you even hear yourself right now?" Reki pulled back, pushing his brother's cheek away. So much for a melodramatic reaction. "Besides, they'll probably take that cartel down in a few months."
...Is what he was expecting for, anyways. He knew his parents could handle themselves, but it didn't mean Reki still didn't worry. Pushing the subject aside, they decided to leave it that. Every passing day, the possibility of their parents being in danger doesn't escape from either of their thoughts. For their mother, they couldn't not worry, even if neither of them could never beat her in combat. Their father, on the other hand...
While Reki still had his reluctance, he worried for his father, too. They were still family, no matter how hard he pushed the two boys growing up. But if that were the case, then a part of him wouldn't regret how the last words they shared were screamed at each other's faces.
Crunch.
"Whatever," Riku sighed, "Let's just promise one thing. No matter which precinct either of us end up in, we won't stop until we become the best detective."
He held his hand out with a challenge embarked in front of him. A rivalry with no words needed to be spoken. While he wasn't one to make a lot of promises, Reki had already decided what he wanted to do.
"Who do you think I am?" Reki smirked, and clasped his hand into a firm shake. "Just know I don't plan on backing down."
Riku shivered with the same excitement, and laughed. With their words signed and sealed, they walked back together to their former classmates. It was their graduation ceremony too, so might as well enjoy it before the real work began. Play hard, and when the time is up, work even harder. But, it was time to set their troubles aside, for now. The rest of the new recruits welcome the two infamous Kyan brothers to join them out for drinks, which neither of them denied.
Crunch.
As Reki laughed off with new friends and future coworkers, every step he took cracked the floor below him. Every footfall exhorted a fissure under its wake. The ground started to shatter like fragile glass. Before he knew it, the scenery turned pitched black before his very eyes as he plunged into the empty void...
...Red painted his vision.
Heavy breaths was all he could hear. From whom it belonged to, he didn't know. He couldn't tell. His vision blurred when the repugnant scent of a metallic aroma reached his nostrils. He didn't realize it was because of the tears until something wet pooled over his eyes, and dripped down his cheeks when his lashes couldn't hold back anymore.
The room grew smaller until walls scratched his ears. The boulder in his stomach turned into metal, lodging itself into his throat and rendered his mouth dry. His mind swam in muddy water, and his body refused to stop trembling.
The gun in his hand never felt so heavy.
"N-No..." his voice cracked. "S-Stop, pl—"
A guttural cry broke through walls. "You're dead now, kid—!"
"NO—!"
BANG.
"N-No...ngh..."
Langa tears his gaze from his laptop screen at the noise. Pausing, fingers hover over the keyboards mid-typing. The still life remain unmoving in his bedroom, save for his second company. In the dim lit room, he can't make out much other than his unfinished typed report, but his ears could not deceive him this time.
"Gugh..."
The detective swivels around in his chair, and peers over his shoulder to the lump of mass on his bed. Did that come from Reki?
Tempted by his curiosity, Langa tiptoes carefully to the bed. It isn't a big distance from his desk, but he can feel the inclination of his insomnia taunt him.
A slight burn surges across his cheek, and Langa's fingers fly over the bandaged cloth stitched on his skin. The singe was much worse when he took a shower earlier, but the injury now started to settle as the hours ticked by. Speaking of which…
Reki came home much later than he expected. When Langa jokingly told him he already had his dinner, there was a considerable lack of criticizing and complaint to almost be concerning. It threw him off, so to speak. He didn’t once chide him about eating fatty foods, or offer to intrude in his personal space as he worked. In fact, right after Reki took a shower, all he did was steal yet another one of Langa's pajamas, and passed out on his bed. Out like a light.
Now, he's murmuring unintelligible sounds against his pillow in his sleep. Instead of writhing, it's more like discomforting facial twitching, which would've been barely noticeable unless Langa looks very close. It looks like an uncomfortable position to be in.
So even criminals can have nightmares, huh?
Langa tilts his head to the side, watching him. The sleeper's dark brows knit together so deeply, his scrunched nose contorting his whole face. Light fabric of the oversized shirt rides up his hip, exposing a light scar running along his skin. Langa never noticed that blemish before. Reki has his hands tuck close to his chest, as if he is shielding himself from the nipped air. A drop of cold sweat slips from his forehead, and his quivering lip is caught between his teeth.
"Mmh...pa..." Reki mumbles, his nose twitching again. His shoulders tense as it shrugs up his neck, fingers curling simultaneously. Reki lets out a small squeak, his body shivering in his uncovered state. A piece of his ruby hair slips over his closed eyes. The bags under his eyes are a lot more prominent upon a closer look. His dark eyelashes tick behind his hair, lids tighten in each convulse under his murmured stress.
He just looks so...vulnerable.
Langa freezes, his fingers hovering in the air. Quickly, he jerks his hand away before it could touch Reki's hair.
Just what was he about to do?? What is he thinking?! His body just...moved unconsciously with a mind of its own, but he had a small urge to brush the messy locks back. Maybe even soothe out that troubled expression of his.
Just what could he be dreaming about?
Quietly, Langa reaches over the foot of the bed, and grabs the hem of their shared heavy duvet blanket. Cotton fabric rumples in the soundless room. He pulls the sheets over Reki's body, and calmly tucks it in just over his chin. Reki barely shifts under the new added weight of warmth, but his features seem to loosen up from the action.
Langa sighs, and stands up to go back to writing his report. For it to be turned in later that same day, he is going to use up more of his sleeping hours to finish up.
But, before he could walk off, a tug on his shirt forces him to stop. When he turns back, Reki's eyes are still closed, and still in a deep sleep. It's only his fingers steeling a firm hold on him.
"You really are a big baby," Langa whispers with a trace of fondness. Seeing Reki like this, he almost forgets how energetic he really is during the day.
With little movement, the detective manages to slip away from his fingers. There is an instinctive thought in him wanting to do something about it. His light footsteps carry him back to his desk. He grabs his laptop, and switches the ceiling lights off, leaving only the lamp next to the bed open. Langa tiptoes back to the bed, and climbs in under the covers as silently as he can. Weight controlled, dipping himself ever so slightly to not rouse the sleeping dragon.
As soon as he's comfortable, he settles the unwritten report on his lap. The unconscious weight next to him shifts again, and Reki turns to his side. Mumbling again, he wiggles closer besides him. An arm encircle themselves around Langa's torso, and a soft head of hair nestles against his side.
It surprised him, how endearing the gesture feels. Maybe he’s gotten used to his presence. Maybe it’s because he knows how Reki has zero respect for the boundaries between the two of them. Maybe it's because they've been sleeping together like this since they met, but Langa is quite used to having the extra heat cozied up to him. It's become...kind of like a second nature to him. And it might be the case for Reki, too.
Like a wave of wishful relief, every line of distress distorting Reki's face melts away in content in an instant. The small whining noises cease, replaced by a calm, steady breathing. Langa watches the mop of head nuzzle in search for comfort from him. He looks much more relaxed now.
"That's better," Langa mutters under his breath.
He carts his focus back to the dim screen in front of him, unblinking eyes force themselves to stay open. He shakes off any drowsiness in his head away. Wriggling his hands, Langa tightens his ponytail to keep any disarrayed strands off his face. The only sound he hears is the keyboard clacking under his fingers along with Reki's soft, peaceful snores.
EARLIER THAT EVENING
“No one to talk with…All by myself…”
Dripping in the inked night, the stars overlooking the city sprinkle across the dark canvas in its own animosity. Tonight, the high rise buildings could look so little from the bird’s eye view. Cars are nothing but a blip of light in the blackness of roads, and faint golden lights of the headlamps shine over the lines of grey pavement. The nearest stand filled with selling sweets wads its enticing scent in the air to wandering customers. Or whatever people is left in the night.
“No one to walk with, but I’m happy on the shelf…”
Just above that stand, a figure sits comfortably on top of one of those sky scraping buildings, acting as another star overseeing the city. It’s a respectable distance from any suspecting eyes and visible light, but the man on the roof was nothing but a shadow to those below him.
His lean arms prop themselves behind him, and his legs feel the lightweight gravity as the dangle over the summit. Rubber shoes kick over the empty space in front of him like a child on a field trip, humming a song under his gruff breath. A gust of wind dances the ends of his cherry red hair as he inhales the calming ambience the busy metropolis below him brought. He really wants something from that sweets stall right about now.
“Ain’t misbehavin’…I'm savin’ all my love for you…”
Engraved in the depths of his mind, he couldn’t quite get the song out of his head. He wonders if the jaywalkers running across to get some desserts from that booth could hear him from up here.
“Like Jack Horner…” he raises his voice, leaning his weight forward, “In the corner…”
Pushing himself up, he skillfully balances himself on the ledge of the building on his two feet. “Don’t go nowhere…” Arms set out on either side of him, he nonchalantly strides along the farthest corner of the roof. “What do I care?!”
He spins along the gutter, air filling his unpleasantly lightheaded mind.
“Your kisses…Are worth waiting for…!” he giggles to empty nothing, as the customers of the desserts stand lessens one by one. “B-B-B-Believe me…” he blubbers.
His head ticks the seconds going by, humming the tune warming the tip of his tongue. He really loved this song. Peering over the edge again, the little ants on the streets diminishes bit by bit back to their colony. To their homes, to their loved ones, to their families…
A regretful twinge strikes through the man at families. Who knows how long since he last saw his own…Laughing along to stories of the day at dinner time, the technical echo of televisions blaring across the living room, or the nagging nuisances of his blood telling him to do laundry…
With the lack of customers in sight, it appears the vendor of that sweets stand decides it’s time to turn in. The top of the man’s head moved around his work station, caging the desserts back into their displays for tomorrow’s income.
The fiddler on the roof mutters the next lyrics as he clutches onto the side of the building. He wants to get something before he shuts down for the day. “I don’t stay out late…” he climbs down the same way he climbed up, clinging onto the boundary where the ledge meets the window sill. “…Got no place to go…!”
A quiet grunt pushes out of his chest when he hauls himself off, planting his feet solely on the ground. Not even the gravel under his shoe is heard. He watches the seller shut the lights of his market down, making him the last worker to turn in for the night.
“I’m home about eight…” the man swings his body around with his hand scratching the walls, advertently cutting off the other man’s path. “Jus’ me and my radio…”
“Oi!” the taller male curses when he bumps into the singer with an ungrateful stare. “Watch where you’re goin’, you brat!”
Under the shadows of the streetlights, a mystified shiver shudders beneath the man’s skin. The other man before him only huffs, tilting his head at the shorter.
“Ain’t misbehavin’…” the man laughs, his husky voice growling the thrum of his lilting tone. He twirls a sharpened blade between his fingers when he screams the next words with a crazed twitch in his smile.
“SAVIN’ MY LOVE FOR YOU…!”
The agonized cry never left the vendor’s vocal chords when his blood painted the brick walls with his innards, dripped in a deep crimson red.