Chapter Text
Kashima approached the corner even more slowly and quietly than last time. This time she would not be caught. Normally she did not really worry about anyone seeing her. She was a shadow of the night, perfectly hidden, and on a good mission.
But somehow whenever she went to visit the ladies of this housing complex it was like she had lost all spark of mystery that normally surrounded her the moment she passed the guardhouse. That guy was the only one that really took it upon himself to be a nuisance. Well, at least he was doing his job protecting those lovely ladies.
Kashima got past him this time. That made her even more sure of her theory that the guard could only stop bad people.
Now less cautious she snuck up three stories, around two corners and just as she was about to open the door that led to the apartment that was her target today she heard heavy footsteps behind her. And they were coming closer quickly!
Instantaneously she disappeared behind the next corner and hid in the shadow cast by two smaller walls. Peeking from behind one of them she waited for whoever was going to appear. The footsteps halted, not in sight yet and it sounded like the person was checking on something. Then suddenly, they quickened their pace and came around the corner.
Kashima swallowed. It was him. Now of all times. She hid her bag in the corner and got ready to sprint should she be spotted.
Surely the steps were coming closer and closer and from the corner of her eye she made out the corner of the blue uniform jacket. It was him! And he was faster than expected. Adrenaline started rushing through her veins and her fingers formed fists. Flight was not an option anymore. Only two more steps.
She held in her breath and pressed herself even further into the shadows. Eyes wide open, when all of the sudden a strand of brownish hair, followed by a strained face, and a blue uniform came into view.
And went by.
Kashima let her breath out only a few seconds later, after he had disappeared through the next door. This was rare, normally he was basically able to smell where she was. At least that was another one of Kashima’s theories, he was scary.
Anyway, her job had been abandoned long enough. Quietly again, she grabbed her stuff from behind her, and snuck back to her target.
“Kawazaki Minori.” Yes, this was the right place. She placed the flowers and letter in front of the door and pressed the doorbell. Then, she was gone faster than the wind. It was not about the satisfaction of seeing the receiver of the message, even though Kashima liked that part too, but just the fact that her job made girls feel better was enough for her.
This time though, she stopped before leaving the premises and snuck up to the guard house. She had a weird feeling and she knew it was madness to play with fire like that.
But the guard had looked somehow... disturbed. Like, even more disturbed than usually, and Kashima had to know why. Just before the danger-zone, she took in a deep breath. Her instincts were never wrong. She had the same curling feeling in her stomach as when she saw a heartbroken princess.
A quick glance couldn’t hurt? If it was nothing she could just go and never be seen again.
Well, of course only until she had this housing complex on her list again, which was very often lately. Still, he would never see her of course and… she was getting off track.
The windows were alight, so there was probably someone there. Now, how could she peek inside without him detecting her? This was the hard part.
Suddenly Kashima noticed a window a bit higher up, a really small one, probably to allow airflow in summer but it was perfect. The trashcans just below should do the job to reach it as well. Excitedly she climbed the cans trying not to make a sound. She was on a roll today.
When she had reached full height Kashima crept over to the little window to the guard’s room and spied in. She saw a desk right under the window where one greeted customers now the wood was barely visible. Paper in all kinds of colors lay spread out on it, some red or yellow seemingly indicating urgency. The room itself did not have a lot of things to show for. There were shelves, a trashcan, a coffee machine, a calendar. Nothing special really.
The guard sat at the table face in his hands, his whole body was tense as if he was thinking something through. He must have problems with his loved one! Maybe Kashima was able to help! She was about to scream down her window to let him know that everything would be okay, when she realized that first of all, that would probably not be a good idea since he normally was not happy to see her and did not stop to hear what she had to say. Furthermore, he was now looking at a red piece of paper as if he could rip it apart any second.
Kashima pressed her nose against the window to see more clearly. But it was impossible to decipher from up there. It looked troublesome enough. Maybe he had trouble with his boss because people were bullying him...
Then it hit her. Of course she could help, even without screaming or talking. It was her job after all! And her emergency kit was still unused. So why not?
She searched around in her bag and found what she was looking for. Then she carefully climbed down the trash cans even more quietly than usual, made sure she had all her stuff and let herself sink to the floor. Crawling slowly she got closer and closer to the door. The door opened outwards so she put her little surprise besides the door and readied herself to sprint.
Instead of the sound of a starting gun Kashima screamed at the top of her lungs: “Surprise” and was off. Just after she passed her first corner, she heard yelling behind her. He must have found it.