Date: September 11
Place: Kyoto Headquarters
[Cedrick]
My tensed body suddenly felt lighter as I slowly marched towards her. As I got closer with every step, I found myself progressively running to her side.
"Hi there!" I greeted, the corner of my lips curling up as my left hand landed on her right shoulder. I flinched, my eyes closed as a reflex at her sudden turn. And her hands that were holding big chunks of files came flying right before my eyes.
"What the— Cedrick?" her puzzled tone released me from my guard of blocking her swing, my arms shielding my face.
"What's with your reflex," I weakly say as I puckered my lips.
She sighs, lowering her hand, "Other than that— What are you doing here?" Ignoring my remark.
Unconsciously, slightly tilted my head to the side as I thought hard about why she would ask that but coming up with no answer.
"Are you slacking off?" her tone shouted satire but her blank expression said otherwise.
"What do you mean," I retorted and explained my side. "I came out because of some errands," she only turned her back and continued walking. Thus, I wanted to prove that I wasn't lying as I showed her some lists.
I quickly followed in her footsteps as I raised my watch, almost shoving it on her face. "Look," a small hologram floats just above my watch. A long list of the new gadget's prototype pictures and descriptions of Haru's request were displayed.
He told me that it was just at least two but when I went and packed it up, there were actually six things.
Her eyes shifted to my other arm where I was carrying a suitcase that had all of the items on the screen that I just flashed her.
"Why'd you get more work for us," she let out a silent groan as she scratched the back of her head.
"I can say the same to you—" I pointed at the files she was holding.
Then she let out a scoff, "I guess work just loves us." Her expression softened as her mouth started to move, she was giggling. Those feminine and sweet sounds pulled a bell in my ears as I felt it heating up.
Her dainty but calloused hands slowly covered her smiles, as her eyes twinkled along with her shiny yet slightly chipped lips.
I can imagine my finger bouncing off of her soft lips as for that gloss, I would love to feel and lick it off her.
Reality pulled me back as I felt my face getting flushed. I instantly faced the other way to hide from her gazes. "Well, at least that's not a black file," I diverted my thoughts as I commented to not make her suspicious of anything.
[Rei]
I noticed his face turning away before he gave that relieved remark. But just after a few minutes, his gaze returned to look ahead.
The silence kept my eyes fixated on him but his were staring at the floor.
From time to time, he'd either touch his lips or lick it. That's when I start rummaging through my pocket. "Here," I offered him my lip balm that I use daily. It was getting quite chilly lately, so I guess they dry up rather quickly.
"What?" his face displayed utter confusion about my intention.
"Use my balm," I reached for his idle hand and placed it on his palm. "Aren't you licking your lips because they're dry?" I questioned.
"Thanks," he whispered, turning away to probably use it. It took him a while to look back at me.
His lips looked hydrated while his whole face down to his neck glowed red.
"Are you sick?" I was about to measure his temperature through his forehead with my palm but he only caught my attempt and gently put it down.
"No, I think I just ate something spicy earlier," he awkwardly laughed then piped down before extending his hand to return the balm.
Ate? But he wasn't this red earlier.
"Keep it," I crumpled his fingers to grip the balm. "It's practically new, I only used it once or twice. But I hope you won't mind," I explained as he must have needed it more than me.
[Cedrick]
Once? Even twice? Indirect kiss?
I HAVE BEEN SO SHALLOW FOR THINKING OF SUCH A THING.
I feel so ashamed.
[Rei]
"About later today's mission—," I was cut short of announcing it being held off.
"That reminds me, won't Kikoe need precautionary items when we go out?" he asked.
"Maybe just the simple and easy-to-carry items will suffice," I gave a suggestion. "He won't need to come forward anyway, we'll do all the fighting and moving," I explained.
"But won't he need one just in case there is a need to step up and help us?" his curious questions and over-thinking are making it hard for me to state what I wanted to actually report to him first before the others find out.
"Believe me, he doesn't need to do that," I replied. "Besides, he doesn't have the skills nor the experience to fight," I explained clearly.
"What does that mean?" he stopped in his tracks and only waited for my answer.
"He can't fight," I say in a questionable tone.
"Why?" he kept the questions coming.
"Because," I prolonged. "He's from the Support Division," I say flatly.
"He's from what?!" started shouting and the other people from the hallway started to take notice of our presence. "I thought that was a joke!" He stated.
[Cedrick]
"Did he look like someone who jokes on that situation?" She raised an eyebrow.
"No," my voice went silent. "It was fine if he was from the Custodian Division," I started putting my thoughts into words. "But, support," my volume started to sound as if I was whining. "You know the risks and—," she looked at me with an uninterested look that my instincts just started to shut down and let her talk.
"But, nothing. He just has to fill in the slot anyway," she sighed and started to pick up her pace. I matched her speed and reverted our attention to the files that she was holding.
"Then what's that?" I asked to end the silence.
"Cecillion gave it to me," glaring at the people who were giving her the eye. Thus I did the same thing and saw their heads turning away from us, fast. "We'll be postponing our current one and will be focusing on this one," she tapped one of the white files that she was carrying.
"Don't tell me that Kikoe's also participating here?" I had to make sure as I'm certain that nothing easy comes out of their office.
"He'll be safe," she assured but I wasn't in the slightest convinced.
"Rei," I took a few fast steps to open the lounge's door for her to go in as I followed behind. "Please, you haven't even tested or taught him anything yet," I protested but it all fell on deaf ears.
Noel and Kikoe only looked in her direction before mine, who seemed to have a one-sided argument.
She continued to ignore me and decided to have a conversation with the other two. I just sat back on her desk to do the paperwork that was as tall as the mountain just as I left it.