Chapter 21: It Can't Be Over

                                    

                                          
-The Next Day-
We found ourselves in a hotel room in a different city. Leaving Yokohama was not our desire, but the situation at hand made it impossible to stay. An executive and his second in command turning into traitors – that's certainly an issue Mori would want to erase.
I chose to step out to pick up some food for us, which also provided Osamu with some time alone. It's not every day that your best friend dies. Speaking of best friends, I wonder what will happen between Katsumi and me. It would probably be best to give it some time. 
Re-entering the hotel, I called out to my husband. "I'm back."
"Hey." The brunette sat on the edge of the hotel bed with two bottles of sake resting beside him. "I'd like to discuss something with you."
Taking a seat right next to him, I took his hand in mine. "What's up?"
"I don't see an easy way to put this, so I'll just say it. We need a break."
"A break? From what?" I don't get it. We have our break from the Port Mafia now, since we left. 
"We need to break up."
"What?" Tears formed in my (e/c) eyes, as I squeezed my husband's hand tighter. "Why? You told me that you loved me this morning. What has changed since then?"
Letting go of my hand, he held my face. "I do love you, I swear, but..."
"But what?"
"Odasaku said that I should become a good man. I know that I've been a terrible boyfriend and husband, using your emotions against you. The reason I became your boyfriend wasn't even because I loved you."
What?
"You're saying that everything you did and said was just a lie?" I attempted to back away, but Osamu's grip on my face tightened.
"No, it was just the beginning. I just wanted to know what it was like to be loved, and by chance I ended up falling in love with you after the first month and a half. Getting to see the side of you that had nothing to do with the Port Mafia helped me feel closer to you. Not once have I lied when I told you that I loved you. I don't expect you to believe me, but it's the honest truth."
 I attempted to dry my eyes, but the waterworks wouldn't stop. "If that's true then why are you dumping me."
"I want to focus on becoming a good man," Osamu revealed. "This won't change anything, I know that, but I want to right my wrongs. Especially for all the pain I caused you. Don't worry, we're not getting divorced, and it shouldn't be for too long."
"If that's what you want then." I grabbed his wrists, pulling his hands away from my face, before wiping away my tears. "So, this is your way of honoring Oda's final wish?"
"Yeah, it is." He turned his head to look out the window, refusing to meet my eyes. "I'm also planning to meet with someone who might be able to give me work where I can save people. You're invited to come, of course."
"Okay, I'll go with you."
The bandaged man yawned, grabbing the extra blanket from the closet and laying it on the ground. "I'll set up my camp here." He must've noticed my upset expression coming back, since he looked at me with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I know you said that we're not together anymore, but could you still sleep up here with me." My face flushed with embarrassment. 
He chuckled, before throwing his stuff back on the bed. "That's right. I forgot that you have trouble sleeping alone." His smile soon turned into a smirk. "Don't try anything though."
"Last time I checked you were the one who always did that." I huffed, throwing the covers over me. I tried to wear a poker face, but that was only when I faced him. Though, I wasn't too sure if he could hear me silently crying right next to him. I said we would get through this together, so why push me away?
-Two Weeks Later-
Gradually, I came to terms with the reality that Osamu and I would not reconcile. He insisted it wouldn't be for long, yet it was uncertain how much more time it would take. In any case, he discovered the whereabouts of a high-ranking government official's evening outing, and we decided to pay a visit.
	"I never thought I'd find such an important member from the ministry here." Osamu remarked, as we sat across from the man. "All by yourself in a cheap bar, how very lonely."
	"Wait, are you-"
	"Now, now, have a drink." The brunette interrupted, taking the bottle and pouring the other man some of the alcohol from inside. 
	"I heard rumors that you two disappeared and gone underground for a while," the man stated, taking a drink. 
	"I guess you could say we're back on the job market," he smiled. "I was hoping you might've heard of some good job openings."
	"I could offer you two a job with us, would that interest you?" The man in the yukata asked.
	"I'm afraid that wouldn't work for me," Osamu chuckled. "I don't care much for workplaces that have a lot of rules."
	I hate to break it to him, but I doubt that there are any jobs without rules.
	"Then what exactly are you looking for?"
A glimmer appeared in the eyes that I remembered to be devoid of any light. "Somewhere we'd be able to help people."
The man appeared surprised, then offered us renewed hope."I wish I could tell you I'd help you out, but you two have a very assorted history. You'll need another two years underground for a clean slate. But after that, I just may have a lead that would interest the two of you."
	"Well, let's hear it then," I spoke up.
	Pulling out a fan from his sleeve, the man covered his mouth as he spoke. "I happen to know of an armed organization of gifted individuals that take on cases residing in a legal gray area. The president of the company is a great man of integrity. I have a feeling you two would like him."
	Osamu leaned forward. "Will I be able to save people?"