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Higuchi stood in front of her mirror and put her lemon earrings in. It was her day off today, and the weather was great, so she decided to go for a stroll through town. She wore her favorite dress; in fact, it was the only dress which couldn't be associated with work. The upper part of the sleeveless one-piece was white and a bit ruffled, whereas the skirt waved freely around her body, the deep blue color reminding her of the night sky. But instead of stars, there were lemons spangled across. The broad collar was made of the same fabric as the skirt. She spun around twice, and a smile spread over her face as the dress billowed out around her.
“I’m off,” she said, already halfway through the door.
“Ah, Nee-san, wait!” Her little sister called her back. “Today’s the lemon festival, so lemons are on sale. Could you buy some? I’d like to make cupcakes again soon.”
“Yes, of course. Do you need help to make the cupcakes?”
“No, it’s okay. You’re always so busy with your work, I’d like to do you something good from time to time as well.”
Higuchi smiled.
“Alright. I’ll bring the lemons.”
She really had the best little sister in the world.
As Higuchi stepped out of the door, spring greeted her with a lovely breeze and the smell of crocuses. She took in a deep breath and adjusted the grip on her purse, before making her way to the center.
Their apartment was situated in the outskirts of town, since rent was cheaper there. It was quite a way from her workplace as well, but Higuchi preferred knowing her little sister as far from danger as possible. It was her duty to look after her, and she would never be able to forgive herself, should something happen to her.
Small puddles adorned the streets here and there; dwindling reminders of last night’s rain. The sun’s rays broke on the surface, making them shine as if they were diamonds embedded into the asphalt. Children were playing on the street, and Higuchi watched them smiling while making her way downtown.
“Having a day like this every now and then isn’t so bad,” she thought to herself.
Despite it being still early, the mall was already packed with people as she arrived. She looked around and noticed a lot of stands offering lemonades or ice cream. Maybe she’d try some later.
“Look, Kyouka-chan, they’re selling ice over there!”
“I want to try some.”
Higuchi looked to where the voices came from and spotted two familiar figures. When she saw the weretiger, her hand immediately went for her purse to make sure she hadn’t forgotten to bring her gun. But she couldn’t just attack them in such a crowded place. Plus, it was her day off, and she wanted to enjoy it. So, she decided to simply follow them for now.
The two of them bought ice and strolled through the mall, Higuchi following a few feet behind. She would slow down at times or stop at certain shops to not be too obvious, but she never lost track of the two. While at it, she bought a sandwich for lunch and a few lemons (they came at a 40% discount). When the silver-haired boy stopped suddenly, she turned to the closest stand and pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear, pretending to study the goods.
“Would you like a free sample of our drinks, madam?”
“No, thank you. I’m… Hirotsu-san!?”
Her eyes went wide as she saw the commander of the Black Lizards standing behind the counter of the booth with an apron over his usual white dress shirt.
“Why are you selling lemonades at the mall?”
The older man let out a long sigh.
“There has been a minor misunderstanding and as it appears, I now am stuck with this task. But…” a light smile spread over his face, “taking a break like this once in a while is not so bad.”
“I see.” Higuchi looked for the two kids and noticed that they had moved on. “I have to keep going.”
Hirotsu-san handed her a cup.
“Have some. It is free.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Higuchi-kun.” He seemed to ponder telling her something but decided against it in the end. “Have a nice day.”
“Thank you. Have a nice day as well, Hirotsu-san.”
She gave him a short bow, before catching up to the Agency’s members. When she was close enough, she slowed down again and took a sip of her lemon-flavored drink.
“Ah, this tastes great. It’s really refreshing.”
The kids continued her stroll, before entering a game shop. Higuchi sat down so that she could see the shop’s entrance and stretched out her legs. She let her glance wander around.
“Ah, that lemon ice cream looks good too… Lemons, lemons… Ngh… They’re great, but they also remind me of that science-obsessed Kajii-san…”
“You’re quite obsessed, as well, beautiful lady.”
Higuchi jumped at the sudden voice beside her ear and almost dropped the bag with the lemons. She met brown eyes, and an amused grin when she spun around.
“You’re that traitor, Dazai.”
“That’s correct! I’m so touched that you remembered my name!” He theatrically threw his arms into the air. “I knew it! If I were to commit a double suicide, it had to be with you!”
Dazai got down on one knee and took her hands in his like he did at their first meeting.
“Would you reconsider dying together with me?”
Higuchi pulled back her hand.
“What do you want?”
His face turned serious as he sat down next to her, invading her personal space.
“I would appreciate it if you would stop stalking our junior staff.”
“I wasn’t stalking anybody. I’m on my day off.”
She wasn’t sure if the lie would work on this man, but it was worth a try.
“I’ve seen you following them for hours. You were definitely stalking them and let me tell you, you suck at this. I don’t know how you managed to survive in the Mafia this long, but you’ll die sooner rather than later if you keep sticking your nose in affairs that don’t concern you. Consider this a warning.” He got up. “Oh, and by the way. The lemon ice cream doesn’t just look good.”
With these words he disappeared. Higuchi stared after him, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. She hadn’t noticed him following her at all. He could have killed her anytime if he’d felt like it. The mere thought made her skin crawl. What a terrifying man.
Her gaze drifted to the game shop, but three people blocked her view. Higuchi froze as she saw the black-haired man in front of her.
“G-Good afternoon, Boss.”
Violet eyes looked at her. She made quite the scene the last time she met him face to face, and although everything turned out alright in the end, she wasn’t sure if he had forgiven her.
“Ah, Higuchi-kun, isn’t it? I see you’re enjoying your day off.”
His answer took her aback.
“How do you know it is my day off, today, Sir?”
She couldn’t he imagine he’d memorize all his subordinates’ free times.
“Well, I don’t think you’d be going to work dressed like this, am I right?”
A smile spread over his face, yet Higuchi felt an almost icy feeling crawl over her skin.
“Th-That’s right…”
The blond girl at the man’s side watched her with a silent smile, but her blue eyes were full of spite. Higuchi’s whole body was tense to the point of bursting, and Chuuya-san watched her with an almost pitying look in his eyes.
“Boss, I think we should be going.”
“You’re right. Let’s go, Elise-chan. Higuchi-kun,” he gave her a nod, smiling, “enjoy the rest of your day off.”
He turned and went on, Elise following behind him without sparing her another glance. Chuuya-san gave her a short nod before following the other two, carrying a mountain of bags.
Higuchi let out the breath she’d been holding and sat back down before her legs could give out under her. It took a while to calm her racing heart. When she felt like getting up again, she strolled around the mall to walk off the shock, hoping she wouldn’t run into her boss again.
Instead, she found a crying child. She kneeled in front of the boy smiling.
“Did you get lost?” she asked softly.
The boy looked at her with teary eyes and sniffed.
“I was looking for my sister,” he said sobbing. “And now I can’t find her or my parents…”
Higuchi held out her hand.
“Shall we look for them together?”
The boy nodded and placed his small hand in hers.
“What does your sister look like?” she asked as she got up.
“She has short, black hair,” he said and cleaned his nose with his arm, “with a pink bow in it. And she wears a white dress.”
“Do you remember where you last saw her?”
“In front of the fountain.”
“That’s very helpful.” Higuchi smiled. “I’m sure we’ll find her.”
“Really?”
She nodded.
“I promise.”
The boy smiled lightly, and they made their way towards the fountain. Higuchi looked out for a little girl with a pink bow and a white dress.
“Onii-chan!!”
A squeaky voice echoed through the mall.
“Momo!”
The boy let go of Higuchi’s hand and ran towards his sister who sat on a man’s shoulders. The man took her off his shoulders and placed her down gently. Higuchi watched the sibling’s reunion smiling before looking to the man, only to realize she knew him.
“Chuuya-san?”
A shiver went down her spine and she looked around to see if Mori-san was in the vicinity.
“Yo, Higuchi. Don’t worry, Boss already returned with Miss Elise.”
She let out a relieved sigh.
“You found the missing sister?”
Chuuya-san looked at the children.
“She ran into me crying and said she’d lost her family, so I offered my help.”
“Onii-chan, this man is suuuuuuuper strong!!”
“Really?”
The boy looked up at Chuuya-san who had a proud grin on his face.
“I bet I could lift both of you up at the same time.”
“No way!”
“Wanna try?”
The children nodded. Chuuya-san bent down and placed the children on his shoulders, carefully securing them with his hands. Then he got back up. The boy held on to Chuuya-san’s hat which didn’t move an inch. He was probably keeping it in place with his gravity manipulation.
“Woow!! This is so cool!!!”
A bright grin spread on the boy’s face while his sister squealed excitedly.
“See? Told you so. Make sure to look out for your parents.”
“Yes!”
They found the parents after a while, and the boy turned to Higuchi to thank her. She ruffled his hair gently.
“Look after your sister, so you won’t lose her again, okay?”
The boy nodded eagerly.
“I will!!”
They bid farewell and Higuchi watched smiling as the family went their way.
“You’d be a great mom.”
“A m-mother?!”
An image popped up in Higuchi’s mind; a small Akutagawa running towards her with a wide grin, happily calling her “Mom”. Naturally, she fainted.
When she came to work the next day, she immediately noticed something was off. First, Akutagawa-senpai greeted her. With words!!!! Not just the usual nod but words!!!! And was that – was that the hint of a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips????!!
During their morning mission he asked her to stay back which was nothing new, but he asked her to do so, so that she wouldn’t put herself in danger. Higuchi had no idea what was going on, especially since the mission wasn’t dangerous at all. But she thanked whatever gods were responsible for this development because Senpai finally noticed her!! And he cared for her well-being!!!
When they got back from their mission, they met the Black Lizards’ commanders in the common room. Tachihara almost murdered her with his looks while Gin slid her a little note saying ‘Congratulations’. Higuchi turned to Hirotsu-san to ask him what this was all about but before she could open her mouth the door was kicked open.
“WHY ARE PEOPLE SAYING I KNOCKED UP HIGUCHI??!”
All eyes turned to the fuming executive.
“I – what?!”
Why should she be pregnant by Chuuya-san? If she were to bear anybody’s child, it would be Akutagawa-senpai’s but that wasn’t the point here.
Hirotsu-san cleared his throat and explained the situation.
“You were seen at the mall telling her she’d be a good mother and then she embraced you.”
“Who told you that shit?!”
The Black Lizards trio looked at each other, and Chuuya-sans face went blank as he seemed to understand their unspoken message.
“DAZAI!!!!!”
It took almost two weeks to clear up the misunderstanding.