Puppet

CHAPTER 11:


Darkness cascaded over the bedroom of Kiyoshi’s apartment. Kiyoshi had been brought back to his home. Luke sat before Kiyoshi, gently brushing Kiyoshi’s bangs out of his eyes. The two had shared two unimaginable kisses; neither knew what to make of it. Nothing else had happened, though, which made Luke feel dissatisfied, but as he sat there, gently touching the bangs of this sleeping boy, a new feeling entered his heart. Something which he did not believe yet was worried that if he did not believe, then he’d regret it. Luke just watched, then sitting still as he watched Kiyoshi’s chest rise and fall in a peaceful motion. Kiyoshi’s tattoo was glowing. Kiyoshi was not screaming in pain, not any more. Luke leaned closer to Kiyoshi, then, moving his lips over to give Kiyoshi a light kiss on the forehead. Then, leaning his lips close to Kiyoshi’s ear, Luke softly whispered:

“I’m sorry that I hurt you,” Luke moved his head up after hearing Kiyoshi give off a pleasing sigh in his sleep. Luke stood to leave, but before doing so he turned back to the sleeping figure of Kiyoshi and whispered some final words, “I promise that I’ll never hurt you again.”

--

Kiyoshi awoke to the sound of happily chirping birds outside his window. Opening his eye, Kiyoshi took a glance around, seeing that he was back in his apartment. What had happened the night before? Kiyoshi shot up, then, realizing that he remembered not falling asleep in his bed. He remembered falling asleep in another’s bed; Luke’s bed. Remembering what had happened; Kiyoshi slowly brings his fingers to his lips. He remembered flying through the air with the Ivalyn woman, who had brought him back to where Luke had first brought him. Kiyoshi remembered finding himself in front of Luke again, the man who had done damage to him. But that night was different then before. Luke wasn’t aggressive, arrogant, or crude. He had been soft, gentle; Kiyoshi even noticed that Luke’s face resembled sadness, especially Luke’s dark brown eyes. Kiyoshi didn’t know what to think, but his mind mainly concentrated on one particular subject; a kiss. He and Luke had shared a kiss, followed by a second one. Kiyoshi felt a blush creep over his cheeks. The first kiss: so magical and breathtaking, the second kiss: even better then the first. Kiyoshi couldn’t believe his own thoughts when a small smile crept over his lips.

Kiyoshi took a glance down at his bare chest; he glanced at the P-shaped tattoo. Then, as Kiyoshi moved his hand over the tattoo, he couldn’t help the long awaiting sigh that escaped his lips as he leaned back on his bed. Kiyoshi was amazed by this sudden change, but he slowly began to wonder that, perhaps in a way, his meeting Luke was destiny, or perhaps something else? With that smile still on his face, Kiyoshi looked over towards his dresser, and then his mind began to go wild.

“Shit,” Kiyoshi stumbled out of his bed, “I’m going to be late for work!”

--

Officer Wakehiko looked over past résumés of those wanting to work as an OOP officer. He let out an irritated groan, and then slowly rubbed his sore neck. It had been one long morning so far and morning wasn’t even close to becoming afternoon. Not only is Officer Wakehiko gloomy about all of the résumés, but whether or not Kiyoshi would show up for work. Leaving his trashed desk, Officer Wakehiko opened his officer door and shouted:

“Akina,” Akina turned her head towards her boss, “Has he shown his sorry face yet!”

“Sorry,” Akina shrugged her shoulders, going to answer the ringing phone, “He hasn’t come in yet, but he hasn’t called either…hello this is OOP, what’s your emergency?” Officer Wakehiko gave out a large sigh as Akina went back to her duties. Shutting his door, Officer Wakehiko went over to his window and peeked out of it.

“Kiyoshi,” Officer Wakehiko thought in a grumble, “You better show yourself today.”

--

Akina gave out a loud growl after hanging up the phone. She got stares by most officers in the building. Topper, Kiyoshi’s current partner, gave off a giggle.

“Rough day?” Akina glared up at Topper, who was drinking some morning coffee.

“Duh,” Akina sighed, readjusting her pony-tail, “Damn phone has been ringing off the wall. We could really hire some new officers. Sir Wakehiko is glancing at some of the applications now.”

“Yeah,” Topper nods, taking a sip of his coffee, “Well let’s hope he hires someone good.” Topper headed back to work and Akina let out another sigh of annoyance. Just then, though, the doors to the office opened and when Akina looked up to see who it was, a bright smile formed over her face.

“Kiyoshi,” Akina waved, giving off a slight blush, “You’re back!”

“I promised I would be,” Kiyoshi giggled, setting his coat on the rack and then strolled up to Akina, “Didn’t I?”

“Wow,” Akina gave off some giggles, covering her mouth with her hand, “Somebody is cheery. Are you feeling better?” Kiyoshi set his hand over his tattoo, though it was covered by his uniform. He nodded his head before smiling brightly.

“Yes,” Kiyoshi nodded, “I’m doing great.”

“Kiyoshi,” Kiyoshi and Akina turned their heads at Officer Wakehiko, who had just immerged from his office, “There you are. Finally back and still a tad late.” Kiyoshi gave off a jolly laugh, which made all officers turn their heads in shock.

“Sorry sir,” Kiyoshi answered. Officer Wakehiko blinked a couple of times, trying to adjust this strange person before him. Where the hell did Kiyoshi go? Who was this fake? Officer Wakehiko let off a laugh of his own.

“Well you’re here now, so…” Officer Wakehiko hands Kiyoshi a folder; Kiyoshi takes it acceptingly, “Ready for a new case?”

“Sure,” Kiyoshi skims through the case, nodding his head, “Another missing case, huh? Alright,” turns to Topper, “Ready to get on the case, partner?” It was Topper’s turn to look shocked. He finished sipping his coffee, then grabbed for his jacket while giving Kiyoshi a nod.

“Sure thing,” Topper answers as he headed out. Kiyoshi was right on his tail, but not before waving goodbye to everyone in the office first.

Just as soon as Kiyoshi and Topper were out on the case, the office grew quiet. They all just stared in shock from Kiyoshi’s sudden hyperactive state. He was just so jolly. After a long silence, Akina spoke in a joking way:

“I think it was because you brought him donuts…”

--

“Well,” Officer Wakehiko threw some papers down onto his desk as he sat before a man, “From all résumés I’ve seen so far, yours is the best one.” Taking a sip of his beverage, Officer Wakehiko set it back on its coaster before grabbing a pen, ready to write. He gave the man a smile. “So, according to your résumé, you’ve worked in as an officer before, correct?”

“Yes,” answered the man, “I’ve worked as an officer for almost ten years. I worked in America, though, before I came over here.”

“Mm hmm,” Officer Wakehiko nodded, draughting down the information the man gave to him, “So what exactly did you do?”

“I worked mostly in training,” the man answered, “but I did large cases: went undercover, held arrests, have been in near death experiences,” the man continued, “I can handle pretty much anything thrown at me.” Raising an eyebrow, Officer Wakehiko looked up at the man with a non-believable look.

“Anything,” asked Officer Wakehiko. He got a smirk from the man sitting before him, who answered:

“Anything.”

--

Kiyoshi couldn’t believe how fast the day had gone. Work had actually been enjoyable. Besides that, Kiyoshi got better acquainted with Topper. Kiyoshi had always believed Topper to be an annoying, very shaky man, but in fact he was extremely calm, pleasant, and fun to talk to.

“Wow,” Topper laughed as he and Kiyoshi parked their hovering vehicles, “What a psychotic case that was.”

“I know,” Kiyoshi laughed back, removing his helmet in the process, “That woman was absolutely disgusting.”

“Sometimes,” began Topper, “I just don’t understand people.” Kiyoshi chuckles as the two men entered the OOP building.

“You said it,” as Kiyoshi and Topper walked in, Officer Wakehiko was just coming out of his office.

“Ah Kiyoshi and Topper,” Officer Wakehiko motioned the two over to him by snapping his fingers, “Just the two men I wanted to see.”

“What’s up,” Topper asked as he and Kiyoshi walked over to Officer Wakehiko. Officer Wakehiko grinned at the men.

“I hired someone new today,” Officer Wakehiko pointed at Kiyoshi and Topper, “And he’s going to be a part of your team. He’s really good, too, came from America and did lots of difficult training. He’ll be like a tutor for you two.”

“But,” Kiyoshi began, “we don’t need a tutor.” Officer Wakehiko shook his head, opening his office door.

“I want you two to meet him,” Kiyoshi felt saddened by this sudden need of a tutor, but he went along with it. The three entered to face a man, well the man had his back turned to them. “Kiyoshi and Topper,” Officer Wakehiko spoke as the man stood, “Meet your new partner.”

“Hello,” the man turned around and Kiyoshi’s face drew confusion as to who he saw. The man smiled at his two newest partners, took a quick bow and introduced himself, “It’s a pleasure meeting the both of you. My last occupation was an officer in America. My name is Luke,” the man, Luke, looked towards Kiyoshi and gave him a wink, “Luke Ashford.”

*End of Chapter 11*