Puppet

CHAPTER 34:


The two entered work casually. Luke offered Kiyoshi a chance to hang his jacket first. Kiyoshi gave a smile, then thanked Luke as he removed his jacket and hanged it on an available hook.

As Luke hung his own jacket, Kiyoshi gave a wave to the smiling Akina. Luke then gave her a wave, as well. The two walked up to her and gathered their daily assignments.

Paperwork was difficult, but Kiyoshi feels that he’d be safer staying in office for a while.

“Here Kiyoshi,” Akina handed Kiyoshi his paperwork, “And here’s Luke’s assignment.”

Kiyoshi took a small notice. Akina was not making eye-contact with him. He wondered if she still was upset that he had turned her down. He knew that the crush she had on him was almost unbreakable, but he was hoping she’d still be his friend, and talk with him. “Um, Akina,” Kiyoshi softly speaks, “How are you doing?”

Akina lifted her head; surprised by Kiyoshi’s sudden question. She gives him a pleasing smile. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“Good,” Kiyoshi’s speech nearly stutters. He taps on his given folder, and gives off a little cough, “Well—uh—I’d better get to work.”

Akina nods her head. Once Kiyoshi has his back to her, Akina stares sadly as he retreats over to his desk. Luke was already hard at work at his own desk. Akina hadn’t even noticed the tiny gasp that past through her lips, but somebody else did.

“You still have a crush on Kiyoshi, don’t you?”

Akina’s heart nearly leaped out through her throat. She took a deep breath before glaring up at Topper. “Is it that obvious?”

“I mean Jesus Christ, Akina,” Topper sighs, “You have got to get over him. He obviously doesn’t have feelings for you.”

“Great, thanks for that tip. It was very reassuring.”

“Akina,” Topper leans forward, his face a few inches from Akina’s, “Listen to me, alright? Give up on Kiyoshi. There are plenty of other fish in the sea! Ahem—or in your case, men in the—I mean on the streets. That fits.”

Though she giggled at Topper’s cuteness, Akina kept the frown. “I don’t know,” Akina leans back, feeling a bit shivery discussing this with Topper, “It’s just so hard, you know?”

“Well then,” Topper moves to sit on the desk, gathering stares from other officers, including Kiyoshi and Luke, “If I change things around will you consider forgetting Kiyoshi and moving on?”

Moving her coffee cup away from Topper’s sitting behind (best to avoid spills of coffee all over work papers), Akina gives Topper a quizzical stare. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Topper smiles up at the ceiling, and gives off a chuckle, “I was just thinking that maybe in order to get Kiyoshi off your mind you should try getting a drink with a different guy.”

Giving a tiny smile, Akina folds her hands and leans further back in her work chair. “And who would want to get a drink with me?”

Topper begins to shake, but he keeps his cool. “Well—with—with me…”

Akina places her hands over her mouth in bewilderment. She couldn’t believe what she just heard, and nearly gave off a small chuckle. She wasn’t sure why, but Akina never saw Topper as the cute, innocent, dating type. She always saw him as one of those guys who only cared for going to strip clubs and whistling at the undressing strippers. “Hee, hee, are you serious?” Akina began to giggle, but once she noticed Topper’s face beginning to droop, she knew, “Oh my God, you are serious…”

“Well yeah,” Topper smiles, “Just think about it okay? You don’t have to give me an answer right away.”

Akina couldn’t give Topper an answer, anyway. She could only nod her head, taking in the suddenness of Topper’s almost lovey dovey personality.

“Hey Topper,” all turn their heads to Officer Wakehiko, whom immerged from his office, “Don’t you have something to do?”

Topper gave out a laugh, and hopped off the desk. “Yes sir,” Topper salutes, “Right away.”

Officer Wakehiko snorted at Topper’s joke, but he knew he enjoyed them every now and then. Glancing about the room, Officer Wakehiko smiled to see his favorite of all, Kiyoshi, hard at work at his desk. Though he was halfway across the room, Officer Wakehiko gives Kiyoshi a thankful nod before heading to the back filing room.

--

The day was quiet; peaceful, but the time seemed to go even slower then the racing tortoise from the popular children’s story. Akina kept her eyes on the phone, just hoping it’d ring. It’s funny, usually when it rings off the hook Akina wishes to throw it to the ground and stomp its wires out. Now, she realized just how much she enjoyed answering calls, for it made the time fly by faster then it was. It left her un-bored. Giving a sigh, Akina turned to glance at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi was typing on his computer. Akina then turned to Luke, who was busily jaunting down some words on a blink piece of paper. Akina turned her head to her final curiosity; Topper. He looked about ready to fall asleep, though he tried to keep his attention focused on the computer screen before him.

She was unsure as of why, but Akina found herself coming to a standing position.
She moved away from her desk and made her way over to Kiyoshi. “Um Kiyoshi,” Akina whispered low enough so only Kiyoshi could hear her, “Can I tell you something?”

Looking up from his work, Kiyoshi took a small break by saving his work and leaning on his desk. He gave Akina a pleasant smile. “Sure Akina, what is it?”

“Well,” Akina whispers, “its Topper. This morning he sort of, well, asked me out.”

Akina saw Kiyoshi’s eyes widen. “Really? Wow that’s…” Akina knew it. This was a bad idea. She should not have told him anything. “That’s awesome, Akina.” Akina was left confused and shocked.

“What,” Akina blinks, “What did you say?”

“I said that that’s awesome,” Kiyoshi smiles, actually cheery about this news, “Did you say yes?”

“I haven’t given him an answer yet,” Akina fidgets with a strand of her pink hair, “You mean—you aren’t mad?”

“What? Mad?” Kiyoshi scratches his head, “Why would I be mad?”

“Uh,” Akina was unsure herself. Why would Kiyoshi be mad? She suddenly felt foolish of herself. She was hoping Kiyoshi would feel jealous, but instead he was very happy for her. She shook her head, “Never mind, Kiyoshi. I think I know the answer I’ll give him.”

“Well good luck,” Kiyoshi grins, “Either way…”

“Thank you.” Akina moves away from Kiyoshi. She couldn’t believe how selfish she was, what with trying to obtain something from Kiyoshi. Topper was right, she needed to release her love from him, and start over. “Hello Topper.”

Topper’s eyes shot wide open. He had had his eyes closed and was nearly toppling down over his desk. “I wasn’t sleeping, I swear!” Topper rubs his eyes, and sighs. “Oh, hi Akina.”

“Hey Topper,” Akina smiles, “I’ve been thinking about this morning, and just want you to know I have an answer.”

“Okay,” Topper’s attitude brightens, “So what’ll it be?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Akina took a final glance at the man she once loved. He would never return her love. Smiling, though saddened, Akina gives Topper a small nod. “I’d love to.”

--

Akina was glad that Topper was excited about her answer. She would be having a drink with him once work was over. She felt almost happy now, though she hoped she was doing the right thing. That soon left her head, though, by the sight of a panicky looking Luke. “Hey Luke,” Akina skips over to him, “What’s wrong?”

“Akina,” Luke said, “Where’d Kiyoshi go? I didn’t see where he went!”

Akina was taken back by Luke’s strange behavior. She’s not seen him act so nervously before. “Relax,” Akina smiles, “He’s in the filing room.”

Without giving Akina a ‘thank you’, Luke rushed past her and towards the filing room. “What in the world,” Akina whispers while rubbing her chin, “What was that all about?”

--

“Shit,” Kiyoshi yells. Millions of papers found their way from a box to the ground. Kiyoshi leans down and begins to pile them back into the box, “Stupid…” Hearing a door opening and closing, Kiyoshi turned his head to see Luke standing behind him. Finishing piling the papers into the box, Kiyoshi came to a stand and turned to face Luke. “Luke, what’s wrong?”

“Kiyoshi,” Luke moves over to his puppet, “Damn it, you scared me!”

The box fell from his arms and the papers scattered once more when Kiyoshi was attacked by one of Luke’s strong hugs. “Luke please,” Kiyoshi tries pulling away, “Please stop worrying about me. I’m safe, see?”

“I’m sorry,” Luke says softly, “I can’t help myself. I don’t know—I do not know what’s come over me lately.”

The filing room grew quiet. Luke had his hand placed over Kiyoshi’s cheek. Soon the silence broke, however, by fiddles of laughter escaping Kiyoshi’s mouth.

Luke gave him a queer look. “What’s so funny?”

“I’m sorry,” Kiyoshi laughs, “But I just thought how cute you are. I actually love how much you care for me now.” Kiyoshi moves his hand to touch Luke’s, wishing it’d never leave his cheek. “I know it’s difficult for you to say to me Luke. Hell, you’ll probably never say these words to me, but I know that I can say them to you. Luke, I love you…”

These three words made Luke tighten. He gave Kiyoshi a relaxed stare before lowering down for a kiss.

Kiyoshi was taken back by the kiss. He turned to the entrance of the filing room, scared that somebody might walk in. However, he began to melt away and deepened the kiss. He parted his lips, making entranceway available for Luke, who entered happily. Kiyoshi let off a tiny gasp as Luke pushed him up cabinets of files. Without hesitation, Kiyoshi wrapped his arms tightly around Luke, and rubbed his back as the two joyfully tasted each other’s sweetness.

--

Tightening her grip around the newspaper, Akina began to bite her nail. What were those two doing back there?

“Akina,” Officer Wakehiko walks up with Topper behind him, “Is something wrong?”

“You look awful,” Topper frowns, “What’s wrong, Akina?”

Topper was worried it was him. She had said yes to him, but was she thinking second thoughts? Topper receives a thankful answer.

“It’s Luke and Kiyoshi,” Akina said, “Luke went to see Kiyoshi in the filing room, and it’s been about five minutes. They’ve not come out yet. I’m starting to worry because of that.”

“Five minutes,” Officer Wakehiko groans, “Well, would you feel better if we all go and checked to make sure they’re all right?”

Akina gives Officer Wakehiko and Topper her widest smile. She did not want to go back there alone. “If you don’t mind?”

The three moved together towards the filing room. It was cold back there, and Akina gave off a shiver, but that didn’t prepare her for what she, nor the other two, was about to witness.

Akina opened the door to the filing room, and barged on in. She had a smile on her face. “Kiyoshi, Luke, is everything…” Akina could not finish her sentence, for the sight she saw was too—indescribable for words.

Parting their lips with a final ‘smooch,’ both Kiyoshi and Luke were just as stunned as their three friends. Kiyoshi could feel his cheeks reddening, and quickly wiped away some spit that had exited his mouth during the kiss.

“Whoa,” Topper laughed; the only one who found this amusing, “Holy shit…”

Without another thought, Akina swiftly turned from the sight and vanished. Topper, giving off a loud sigh, chased after her.

Officer Wakehiko, however, stayed behind. He crosses his arms, and gives the ‘hiding’ couple his best glare.

“Sir,” Kiyoshi’s voice stutters, “Let us explain…”

“Oh you’ll explain alright,” Officer Wakehiko motioned the two boys to follow, “Come with me to my office, and let us have ourselves a little chat.”

*End of Chapter 34*