Fic: The Best Policy (Part 2)
Title: The Best Policy (Part 2/5)
Pairings: Koyama/Shige, Shige/Tanabe Satoshi, implied Kurosaki/Tanabe Satoshi
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~4,000
Prompt: #014 - Lie
A/N: Written for Conny and je-prompts
Summary: One day, Shige wakes up to find himself trapped in the world of the Kurosagi drama, with no idea how he got there, and no idea how to get out.
Brown, surprised eyes that Shige knew all too well stared back into his own, and both his heart and the world around the two of them came to a standstill.
"Koyama...?"
Before Shige could say anything else, Koyama let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a squeak.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I got your shoes all dirty!”
He reached into his pockets, searching until he came across a slightly squashed packet of tissues, and bent down to start wiping the coffee off of Shige’s shoes.
It was lucky he did, because it gave Shige time to consider the situation - what were the chances that this was actually Koyama? Knowing his luck, they were little to none. Now that he thought about it, he remembered that Koyama had been in Kurosagi for an episode, as an Akasagi. Which raised more questions: was he stuck here before the series? After the movie? He had no idea. Koyama’s character was meant to be in jail if this was after the series had taken place. But he couldn’t just go and ask Koyama - Satoshi? - out of the blue if he’d been to jail recently. Maybe he’d ask Kurosaki once he got back to the apartment. As long as he got his money without any trouble, Shige doubted he’d care whether or not any of clients sounded like they were a nutcase.
Meanwhile, Koyama had stood up, and was looking at him guiltily.
“I’m sorry.” He said again, “I didn’t mean to just go and run into you. I hope your shoes are alright.”
Shige shook his head. “No, it’s my fault. I wasn’t paying any attention to what I was doing. I apologise for making you spill your coffee. Are you alright?”
Koyama nodded. “I’m fine. Sorry again.”
He was about to leave, Shige realized with a shock. It was definitely Satoshi, not Koyama. There was no sign of recognition in his face or behaviour. To him, Shige was only a stranger, and he was going to follow the usual protocol for when you bump into a stranger in the street - apologise, make sure they’re okay, apologise some more and then walk away, never to meet again.
But Shige couldn’t just let him go. It was Koyama… Well, not Koyama, Satoshi, but they shared the same face, some of the same little mannerisms, and no doubt had a similar personality. And if he walked away now, what were the chances they’d see each other after this? He had to stop him.
“Um, wait.” Shige blurted out, just as Satoshi started to walk off. He stopped, and turned back to look at him. “I… um… I’m sorry that I made you spill your coffee.” Shige continued.
“It’s no problem. Really.” Satoshi shook his head. “It wasn’t expensive or anything.”
“No, but… It’s really my fault.” Shige said, desperately searching for a way to keep him from leaving. Then, hit by a sudden stroke of genius, “Do you have any urgent appointments right now?”
Satoshi smiled, puzzled, but shook his head. “No, I was just taking a stroll. Why?”
“Uh, well… I was just thinking, why don’t I buy you a replacement coffee to make up for that one just now?” Shige couldn’t believe what he was saying. Inviting this man who thought he was a complete stranger out for coffee; normally he’d never even consider doing such a thing. He wasn’t even sure what kind of reaction he was going to get.
But Satoshi’s smiled changed from puzzled to one that the real Koyama often shared with him - all crinkled eyes and funny bottom teeth.
“You don’t need to, but thank you for offering. That’s really kind of you.”
“No, please.” Shige insisted, hoping that he didn’t sound too desperate. “I don’t have anything else to do today, and I’ll feel bad if I just let you go.”
Satoshi chuckled, and brushed his bangs out of his face. It made Shige’s heart flip-flop - no matter what world it was in, Koyama always looked so beautiful. “Well if you’re sure, how can I refuse such a kind offer?” Satoshi said, and Shige did his best not to let out an audible sigh of relief. “You can choose the place, if you like.”
“Ah… no. I’m… well, I’m new around here, so I don’t really know any good cafés or anything. You can decide where to go.”
Satoshi nodded. “Oh, how long have you been here?” He asked, as he steered Shige in the direction he wanted to go.
“Since yesterday morning. I just moved into a little apartment last night.” Shige replied, mostly honestly. And then to avoid further questions, said, “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Kato Shigeaki.”
“Tanabe Satoshi.” Was the reply, eliminating any remaining possibility there was that this could be Koyama. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Shige responded.
The café Satoshi chose was small but busy, and he found an empty table while Shige went to order a latte for him. It used up the last of the change he had left from the internet café, idol magazines he’d purchased yesterday, and the rent that had gone to Kurosagi. In fact, he was cutting it so close that he didn’t have a yen to spare to buy something for himself. He was going to have to think of a way to get food for himself soon if he wanted to live long enough to get back to his own world.
“Aren’t you getting anything for yourself?” The first question he received from Satoshi upon the arrival of the lone latte to their table.
Shige shook his head. “I’m not really in the mood for anything.” He lied, although he was beginning to become faint with hungry. “I’ll just get a glass of water.” He hoped that Satoshi couldn’t hear the rumbling of his stomach.
They spoke surprisingly amiably for a pair who’d ‘never met’ before today as they drank their beverages - Shige had never been so grateful for a simple glass of water before - and Shige found that Satoshi was more similar to Koyama than he’d first anticipated. He supposed it made sense. The character hadn’t been around long enough to develop a proper personality, and so most of it must have been ‘borrowed’ in some way or other from Koyama to give him enough characteristics to function like a real person would. In a lot of ways, this made it easier for Shige to interact with him, but by the same token, it also meant that he couldn’t help but feel the same way for Satoshi as he felt about Koyama - he felt the same sense of ease, and the same butterflies in his stomach that he experienced every time he was together with his best friend.
Once Satoshi had nothing but foam left in his coffee cup, Shige tried to get up the courage to suggest they exchange cell phone numbers. If he didn’t, the whole point of this invite would be for nothing, but he couldn’t think of a way that wouldn’t seem too forward - they’d only just met, and in his world, it usually took Shige at least a week before he even suggested a number exchange to anyone.
But fortunately for him, Satoshi beat him too it.
“Thanks for this.” He said, smiling again, and making Shige’s heart thump wildly again. “If you don’t mind, would you like to give me your cell phone number? It’s been fun talking to you.”
“Uh, sure.” Shige replied, almost unable to believe his luck. He typed it into the phone, and Satoshi sent him a mail - he actually received it despite his phone coming from a different reality, which was relieving - so Shige could get his number in return.
And when they parted outside the quaint, little shop, with its cosy, smoky interior, Shige felt a little less alone.
---
“How much for the information this time?” Kurosaki asked, the same way he always did, as he took the brown envelope from Hayasa.
“40 million.” Katsuragi replied, and Kurosaki wrinkled his nose and clicked his tongue.
“Way too steep.” He muttered, but accepted it anyway. This was just business as usual. It wasn’t until he’d finished leafing through the information and was getting ready to leave that he thought to ask.
“Old man. Have you ever heard of a guy named Kato Shigeaki before?”
Katsuragi didn’t reply and kept stirring his tea as though he hadn’t heard. But then his brow creased and he pursed his lips in thought.
“Hmm… the name sounds familiar.” He finally said.
Kurosaki tried not to act as though he was too interested - the more interested he was in a case, the more any information he wound up buying seemed to cost. But then Hayasa intervened.
“I think you might be thinking of Kano Shigeaki.” She said, in her usual soft but matter-of-fact tone. Katsuragi snapped his fingers.
“Ah, you’re right. Kano Shigeaki.” He chuckled to himself, as though he found his mistake hilarious. “A complete novice. Fodder for the police. You wouldn’t be interested in him.”
“You’re getting senile.” Kurosaki told him, voice dry. It was amazing that he could immediately remember how much to charge him for information, but fell short when it came to remembering names. “So that kid must really be who he says he is.”
“Hm?” Katsuragi looked over the counter at him with his usual half-interested expression.
Kurosaki smiled wryly at him.
“I met someone interesting yesterday.” He said, flicking Katsuragi a photograph as he got up to leave the restaurant. “Some kid named Kato Shigeaki who doesn’t exist.”
As he walked home, Kurosaki digested the new information he’d just received. Not the 40 million yen information in the brown envelope. That was standard fare - a fake company swindling smaller ailing businesses out of their hard earned cash. The kind of operation that put a lot of people out of business, but could easily be put out of business themselves. No, Kurosaki was thinking about Kato Shigeaki, the mysterious non-existent boy.
He was now 100 percent sure he wasn’t a swindler and 99 percent sure he wasn’t a cop or undercover detective. Even if he was operating under a alias, if Kato was anyone important, he was sure that Katsuragi would have heard his name, whether it was fake or not. Anyone he didn’t know of didn’t count as a threat in Kurosaki’s book.
As for his story, despite how farfetched it was, it was almost crazy enough to be true. After all, the point of lying was to deceive someone, and to be able to deceive someone, they had to believe you first. Despite all that, he’d left a photo of Kato with Katsuragi for good measure - Kurosaki knew that his interest had been piqued, which meant he’d go to lengths to find out his identity - and so if there was any information to be dug up about the supposed Kato Shigeaki, he’d have it within a day or two at the most.
When he got home, it was just starting to get darker and colder, and he found Shigeaki huddled under a blanket on the balcony.
The boy looked at him hopefully as he walked up the stairs - why, Kurosaki wasn’t sure. He pointedly ignored him, walking into his room and shutting the door. He placed the information in a safe spot, so that it wouldn’t get lost in the jumble of other stuff strewn all over the place, then got ready to go out again. He needed to go shopping.
When he came out again, Shige was fending off his fluffy black cat with his foot, obviously trying to stay as far away from it as possible.
“First you sleep on my balcony without permission, and now you’re harassing my cat.” He said. “If you keep making trouble, I’ll have to evict you.”
“I’m allergic.” Shige defended himself, clearly agitated. “And I’ve paid you money for a measly 3 nights outside, so stop complaining about it already.”
He looked like he was going to say more, but at that precise moment, his stomach let out a long, low rumble. Shige winced, half from embarrassment and half because he was so hungry that the growling was painful.
“Your stomach is louder than your mouth.” Kurosaki said, and Shige flushed.
“I gave you all the money I had.” He said, his tone defensive. “So if I die of starvation, you’ll have only yourself to blame.”
Kurosaki shrugged. “Thanks for warning me. I’ll try not to feel too bad about it if you do.”
Shige sniffed, unimpressed by the comment, but he didn’t say anything else, so Kurosaki left. Shige let out a long sigh, and tried not to feel too forlorn. He really wanted to get on Kurosaki’s good side, because if he didn’t then he wasn’t sure where else he’d be able to turn.
Shige’s mind was troubled, but he must have fallen asleep somehow, because he was startled awake by the sound of something landing very close to his face. He struggled to sit upright, his mind still foggy from just waking up.
“You can have it.” Kurosaki said, and Shige squinted, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Have what?” He asked in a dopey voice.
Kurosaki gestured towards him, and Shige looked down to find a large packet of shrimp crackers lying in his lap. Kurosaki had clearly just thrown them at him.
“I thought I’d try a new flavour, but they’re disgusting. I figured you wouldn’t mind what flavour they are if you’re starving though. Enjoy.” He said, and then disappeared back inside his room.
Shige grabbed the opened box, and pulled what was inside it. It was a plastic bag, containing the shrimp crackers advertised on the box - unopened.
Shige’s heart suddenly felt a little lighter, and he started to chuckle. Kurosaki had bought them for him.
It surprised him that someone like Kurosaki who could swindle the pants off some of the most devious and intelligent criminals in the world had managed to make such a simple mistake. But then again, it wasn’t as if anything awful was going to happen if he managed to overlook some things in his everyday life. He was probably so busy thinking about his next big plan that he made all sorts of little mistakes when it didn’t matter.
Whatever the case was, Shige was touched. Maybe there’d be some way he could convince Kurosaki to let him stay here without rent after all. Whether or not there was, he’d still keep looking for a job, just in case.
---
“I met someone interesting today.” Satoshi told his sister casually over dinner.
“Is she rich?” Was Misaki’s immediate reply. Satoshi laughed, genuinely amused.
“Actually, he’s a he, not a she.” He said, and Misaki’s brow instantly creased.
“Satoshi, what have I told you?” She said, and it was apparent from her expression that whatever it was, she’d told him more than once before. Warning and exasperation both showed clearly in her tone.
“I’m not planning to swindle him, sis, I promise.” Satoshi replied. “I don’t even think he’s rich. From what I can gather, he barely has enough money for coffee. There’d be no point.”
His sister looked at him suspiciously. “Alright.” She finally said. “But remember when I first said you could get into this business, you promised me not to get in trouble. And if you fall in love with one of your targets--”
“Then it’s all over. I know.” Satoshi finished, trying to reassure her. “I’ll keep my word. I’m being careful. I know that if I get into trouble then you might too.”
Misaki sighed and massaged her temples. “I do trust you. It’s just that… remember that you’re lucky. You can swindle any girl you like without getting attached to her. Don’t let that go to waste.”
Satoshi nodded. “I promise, I promise.” He said. Then, “Actually, I bumped into someone on the street today, and spilt my coffee. He took me to buy a new one, but I don’t think he could really afford it.”
“Why not?” Misaki asked, after swallowing a mouthful of fish.
“He said he didn’t feel like anything, and just got a glass of water. But his stomach was growling the entire time, so he must have been starving.”
His sister smiled at him. “You’ve gotten good at noticing little details like that. I’m impressed.”
Satoshi grinned down at the table. “I have to be able to.” He replied modestly. “Or else I can’t do my job properly.” He fiddled with his cutlery and pushed his food around the plate, feeling too lively and bubbly to be properly hungry. Misaki could tell this, but she didn’t chastise him.
“So, what was interesting about this guy…?”
“Kato Shigeaki.” Satoshi replied, and he seemed a lot happier than Misaki could remember him sounding in a while. “I don’t know… But someone who would pay for something for a complete stranger must be incredible, right? Doing that kind of thing without expecting anything back... It seems amazing.”
Misaki couldn’t help but smile. Her little brother may have been working in a less than honest job, but he still hadn’t lost all his innocence.
“Maybe he does want something from you.” She suggested. Satoshi cocked his head.
“Eh, what? But I only just met him. What could he want from me?” He asked, genuinely baffled. “I don’t get it.”
“Well, people like you can sense each other somehow, right?” She asked, and Satoshi’s cheeks went slightly pink.
“What do you mean people like me?” He asked, a little tongue tied, and unable to look his sister in the eye. “If you mean that he… there’s no way he can tell.”
Misaki laughed under her breath at her brother’s discomposure. “You’re right.” She agreed. “He really must be an incredible person.”
---
“Congratulations.” Shigeaki awoke the next morning to the sound of Kurosaki’s voice.
“For what?” He asked, stretching his stiff, cold limbs.
“You really don’t exist.” He said, and then repeated, “Congratulations.”
“It’s not really something to congratulate me on.” Shige said around a yawn, blinking blearily. “But if I don’t exist, I guess it means it’s okay for me to stay here without paying rent.”
“Ha!” Kurosaki laughed in his usual humourless, single-syllable way. “You’re not lucky enough for that.”
Shige’s face twitched slightly, but he’d long learnt not to argue with Kurosaki’s character. There was no way to win. Instead, he decided to ask, “So, what convinced you?”
“Finally got around to checking you out, but there was no information anywhere. So either you’re very clever at hiding yourself, or you really don’t exist.” Kurosaki replied.
It suddenly clicked in Shige’s head - he must have gone to Katsuragi to get him checked out. And suddenly, a great idea dawned in Shige’s head.
“The guy you asked about me…” He asked on impulse. “He owns a restaurant, right?”
Kurosaki’s eyebrows rose, which Shige took to mean that he’d actually managed to surprise him.
“He does.” He said slowly, drawing out the words and already sounding suspicious. Shige sighed.
“You don’t need to use that kind of tone. It’s just that I need a job, and it’s hard to find one when you don’t have any I.D or proof of existence. So I was just wondering…”
“Well, I can’t employ you for him.” Kurosaki said, “I don’t own the place, so you’ll have to ask him yourself. Well, I’ve got to go. And don’t forget that tonight’s your last night, so make sure to move out promptly.”
Shige scrambled to his feet, and followed Kurosaki down the stairs.
“Hey!” He called after him, “I don’t know how to get there. Can’t you take me?”
Kurosaki spun around once he reached the bottom of the staircase, and Shige stumbled to a halt in order not to crash into him.
“I wasn’t planning on going there today in the first place, and I don’t have to time to be chaperoning you, so you’ll have to wait.” He explained, and it sounded like his patience was growing thin.
But Shige wasn’t giving up so easily. He was getting desperate. He had hardly been warm in days, his clothes were beginning to get dirty, and he was starting to smell a bit. “It can’t be that much trouble, can it? Look, if you take me now I won’t bother you again. I promise.”
Kurosaki looked like he was thinking about it, and at one point it seemed like he was going to say no again. But then he sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Alright, but I’m not going to wait around and babysit you after I drop you off, okay?” He said, and Shige nodded.
“Thank you.” He said, “I appreciate it.”
They walked in relative silence, but neither of them really minded. Both of them were comfortable in a quiet atmosphere, despite their constant bickering. Yamapi had never been this argumentative, and it still felt a little strange to Shige. However, he was determined to adjust. After all, he didn’t know when he’d be able to get back to his reality. Or if he could.
The idea depressed him, so he did his best not to think about it anymore.
True to his word, Kurosaki didn’t even go into the shop with him.
“This is it.” He said, and then walked off without even a “Good bye” or “See you later”. He mixed in with the throng of people walking the streets, and soon disappeared.
Shige swallowed and looked over the exterior of the restaurant. It had never seemed so daunting or looming in the show, but then again, he’d never had to go into it alone when he’d been watching it on television.
The urge to run was almost overwhelming, but after spending so long trying to get Kurosaki to actually bring him here, running away would be incredibly counterproductive. Instead, he gathered his courage and walked into the store.
It was deserted, which wasn’t surprising considering that it was so early in the morning, but it still made Shige feel awkward. He knew that Katsuragi or at least that woman who worked here was probably looking at him through the double-sided glass, but he couldn’t be sure.
“I’m sorry, is anyone here?” He called out, knowing that there was but not being able to think of anything else to say.
There were a few seconds of silence, before Hayasa suddenly popped out.
“Hello.” She greeted him, and Shige jumped in fright. She smiled slightly, but didn’t laugh. “Are you looking for someone?”
Shige nodded, unable to think of anything appropriate to say. Hayasa provided that for him.
“What would your name be?” She asked, and Shige felt himself start to flush. He knew he wasn’t really under pressure, but he felt tense.
“Kato Shigeaki.” He said, and he could have sworn he saw recognition dawn in her eyes.
“Did Kurosaki bring you here?” She asked, seeming a little friendlier. Shige nodded again, but didn’t speak, and so she continued, “Are you here to see Katsuragi?”
“I… Yeah.” Shige said, somewhat dumbly. “I am. Is that okay?” He swallowed and fidgeted, while wishing that he wasn’t so obviously nervous.
Hayasa didn’t give him a direct response, but instead began to walk away. “Come with me.” She said, and led Shige behind the double-sided glass mirror to where he could only assume Katsuragi was waiting.
He was right. The old man seemed even frailer in person than he had on the TV, but he gave Shige a warm smile. It didn’t make him feel any more confident, but somehow it did make him a little less petrified.
“Hello.” Katsuragi greeted him, teeth flashing in the faint light of the shop. “Kato Shigeaki, was it?”
“Um, yes. Yes, that’s right.” Shige said, staring at the ground, somehow unable to look him in the face. “I’m… pleased to meet you.”
Katsuragi nodded, and then spat something into a bowl, not the kind of man who was worried about making a good first impression.
“I’m pleased to meet you too.” He said, “I’ve been hoping that I would.”
Shige swallowed again, wondering if he’d just walked into a viper’s nest.
But if he had, there was no backing out now. Shige steeled himself, and slowly raised his head to look Katsuragi in the eye.
“I…” He began hesitantly, “I have a request for you.”
Next Chapter
---
This is why you don't want me to write fics dedicated to you: I write the first chapter, and then you get the next installment 7 months later.
Pairings: Koyama/Shige, Shige/Tanabe Satoshi, implied Kurosaki/Tanabe Satoshi
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~4,000
Prompt: #014 - Lie
A/N: Written for Conny and je-prompts
Summary: One day, Shige wakes up to find himself trapped in the world of the Kurosagi drama, with no idea how he got there, and no idea how to get out.
Brown, surprised eyes that Shige knew all too well stared back into his own, and both his heart and the world around the two of them came to a standstill.
"Koyama...?"
Before Shige could say anything else, Koyama let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a squeak.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I got your shoes all dirty!”
He reached into his pockets, searching until he came across a slightly squashed packet of tissues, and bent down to start wiping the coffee off of Shige’s shoes.
It was lucky he did, because it gave Shige time to consider the situation - what were the chances that this was actually Koyama? Knowing his luck, they were little to none. Now that he thought about it, he remembered that Koyama had been in Kurosagi for an episode, as an Akasagi. Which raised more questions: was he stuck here before the series? After the movie? He had no idea. Koyama’s character was meant to be in jail if this was after the series had taken place. But he couldn’t just go and ask Koyama - Satoshi? - out of the blue if he’d been to jail recently. Maybe he’d ask Kurosaki once he got back to the apartment. As long as he got his money without any trouble, Shige doubted he’d care whether or not any of clients sounded like they were a nutcase.
Meanwhile, Koyama had stood up, and was looking at him guiltily.
“I’m sorry.” He said again, “I didn’t mean to just go and run into you. I hope your shoes are alright.”
Shige shook his head. “No, it’s my fault. I wasn’t paying any attention to what I was doing. I apologise for making you spill your coffee. Are you alright?”
Koyama nodded. “I’m fine. Sorry again.”
He was about to leave, Shige realized with a shock. It was definitely Satoshi, not Koyama. There was no sign of recognition in his face or behaviour. To him, Shige was only a stranger, and he was going to follow the usual protocol for when you bump into a stranger in the street - apologise, make sure they’re okay, apologise some more and then walk away, never to meet again.
But Shige couldn’t just let him go. It was Koyama… Well, not Koyama, Satoshi, but they shared the same face, some of the same little mannerisms, and no doubt had a similar personality. And if he walked away now, what were the chances they’d see each other after this? He had to stop him.
“Um, wait.” Shige blurted out, just as Satoshi started to walk off. He stopped, and turned back to look at him. “I… um… I’m sorry that I made you spill your coffee.” Shige continued.
“It’s no problem. Really.” Satoshi shook his head. “It wasn’t expensive or anything.”
“No, but… It’s really my fault.” Shige said, desperately searching for a way to keep him from leaving. Then, hit by a sudden stroke of genius, “Do you have any urgent appointments right now?”
Satoshi smiled, puzzled, but shook his head. “No, I was just taking a stroll. Why?”
“Uh, well… I was just thinking, why don’t I buy you a replacement coffee to make up for that one just now?” Shige couldn’t believe what he was saying. Inviting this man who thought he was a complete stranger out for coffee; normally he’d never even consider doing such a thing. He wasn’t even sure what kind of reaction he was going to get.
But Satoshi’s smiled changed from puzzled to one that the real Koyama often shared with him - all crinkled eyes and funny bottom teeth.
“You don’t need to, but thank you for offering. That’s really kind of you.”
“No, please.” Shige insisted, hoping that he didn’t sound too desperate. “I don’t have anything else to do today, and I’ll feel bad if I just let you go.”
Satoshi chuckled, and brushed his bangs out of his face. It made Shige’s heart flip-flop - no matter what world it was in, Koyama always looked so beautiful. “Well if you’re sure, how can I refuse such a kind offer?” Satoshi said, and Shige did his best not to let out an audible sigh of relief. “You can choose the place, if you like.”
“Ah… no. I’m… well, I’m new around here, so I don’t really know any good cafés or anything. You can decide where to go.”
Satoshi nodded. “Oh, how long have you been here?” He asked, as he steered Shige in the direction he wanted to go.
“Since yesterday morning. I just moved into a little apartment last night.” Shige replied, mostly honestly. And then to avoid further questions, said, “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Kato Shigeaki.”
“Tanabe Satoshi.” Was the reply, eliminating any remaining possibility there was that this could be Koyama. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Shige responded.
The café Satoshi chose was small but busy, and he found an empty table while Shige went to order a latte for him. It used up the last of the change he had left from the internet café, idol magazines he’d purchased yesterday, and the rent that had gone to Kurosagi. In fact, he was cutting it so close that he didn’t have a yen to spare to buy something for himself. He was going to have to think of a way to get food for himself soon if he wanted to live long enough to get back to his own world.
“Aren’t you getting anything for yourself?” The first question he received from Satoshi upon the arrival of the lone latte to their table.
Shige shook his head. “I’m not really in the mood for anything.” He lied, although he was beginning to become faint with hungry. “I’ll just get a glass of water.” He hoped that Satoshi couldn’t hear the rumbling of his stomach.
They spoke surprisingly amiably for a pair who’d ‘never met’ before today as they drank their beverages - Shige had never been so grateful for a simple glass of water before - and Shige found that Satoshi was more similar to Koyama than he’d first anticipated. He supposed it made sense. The character hadn’t been around long enough to develop a proper personality, and so most of it must have been ‘borrowed’ in some way or other from Koyama to give him enough characteristics to function like a real person would. In a lot of ways, this made it easier for Shige to interact with him, but by the same token, it also meant that he couldn’t help but feel the same way for Satoshi as he felt about Koyama - he felt the same sense of ease, and the same butterflies in his stomach that he experienced every time he was together with his best friend.
Once Satoshi had nothing but foam left in his coffee cup, Shige tried to get up the courage to suggest they exchange cell phone numbers. If he didn’t, the whole point of this invite would be for nothing, but he couldn’t think of a way that wouldn’t seem too forward - they’d only just met, and in his world, it usually took Shige at least a week before he even suggested a number exchange to anyone.
But fortunately for him, Satoshi beat him too it.
“Thanks for this.” He said, smiling again, and making Shige’s heart thump wildly again. “If you don’t mind, would you like to give me your cell phone number? It’s been fun talking to you.”
“Uh, sure.” Shige replied, almost unable to believe his luck. He typed it into the phone, and Satoshi sent him a mail - he actually received it despite his phone coming from a different reality, which was relieving - so Shige could get his number in return.
And when they parted outside the quaint, little shop, with its cosy, smoky interior, Shige felt a little less alone.
---
“How much for the information this time?” Kurosaki asked, the same way he always did, as he took the brown envelope from Hayasa.
“40 million.” Katsuragi replied, and Kurosaki wrinkled his nose and clicked his tongue.
“Way too steep.” He muttered, but accepted it anyway. This was just business as usual. It wasn’t until he’d finished leafing through the information and was getting ready to leave that he thought to ask.
“Old man. Have you ever heard of a guy named Kato Shigeaki before?”
Katsuragi didn’t reply and kept stirring his tea as though he hadn’t heard. But then his brow creased and he pursed his lips in thought.
“Hmm… the name sounds familiar.” He finally said.
Kurosaki tried not to act as though he was too interested - the more interested he was in a case, the more any information he wound up buying seemed to cost. But then Hayasa intervened.
“I think you might be thinking of Kano Shigeaki.” She said, in her usual soft but matter-of-fact tone. Katsuragi snapped his fingers.
“Ah, you’re right. Kano Shigeaki.” He chuckled to himself, as though he found his mistake hilarious. “A complete novice. Fodder for the police. You wouldn’t be interested in him.”
“You’re getting senile.” Kurosaki told him, voice dry. It was amazing that he could immediately remember how much to charge him for information, but fell short when it came to remembering names. “So that kid must really be who he says he is.”
“Hm?” Katsuragi looked over the counter at him with his usual half-interested expression.
Kurosaki smiled wryly at him.
“I met someone interesting yesterday.” He said, flicking Katsuragi a photograph as he got up to leave the restaurant. “Some kid named Kato Shigeaki who doesn’t exist.”
As he walked home, Kurosaki digested the new information he’d just received. Not the 40 million yen information in the brown envelope. That was standard fare - a fake company swindling smaller ailing businesses out of their hard earned cash. The kind of operation that put a lot of people out of business, but could easily be put out of business themselves. No, Kurosaki was thinking about Kato Shigeaki, the mysterious non-existent boy.
He was now 100 percent sure he wasn’t a swindler and 99 percent sure he wasn’t a cop or undercover detective. Even if he was operating under a alias, if Kato was anyone important, he was sure that Katsuragi would have heard his name, whether it was fake or not. Anyone he didn’t know of didn’t count as a threat in Kurosaki’s book.
As for his story, despite how farfetched it was, it was almost crazy enough to be true. After all, the point of lying was to deceive someone, and to be able to deceive someone, they had to believe you first. Despite all that, he’d left a photo of Kato with Katsuragi for good measure - Kurosaki knew that his interest had been piqued, which meant he’d go to lengths to find out his identity - and so if there was any information to be dug up about the supposed Kato Shigeaki, he’d have it within a day or two at the most.
When he got home, it was just starting to get darker and colder, and he found Shigeaki huddled under a blanket on the balcony.
The boy looked at him hopefully as he walked up the stairs - why, Kurosaki wasn’t sure. He pointedly ignored him, walking into his room and shutting the door. He placed the information in a safe spot, so that it wouldn’t get lost in the jumble of other stuff strewn all over the place, then got ready to go out again. He needed to go shopping.
When he came out again, Shige was fending off his fluffy black cat with his foot, obviously trying to stay as far away from it as possible.
“First you sleep on my balcony without permission, and now you’re harassing my cat.” He said. “If you keep making trouble, I’ll have to evict you.”
“I’m allergic.” Shige defended himself, clearly agitated. “And I’ve paid you money for a measly 3 nights outside, so stop complaining about it already.”
He looked like he was going to say more, but at that precise moment, his stomach let out a long, low rumble. Shige winced, half from embarrassment and half because he was so hungry that the growling was painful.
“Your stomach is louder than your mouth.” Kurosaki said, and Shige flushed.
“I gave you all the money I had.” He said, his tone defensive. “So if I die of starvation, you’ll have only yourself to blame.”
Kurosaki shrugged. “Thanks for warning me. I’ll try not to feel too bad about it if you do.”
Shige sniffed, unimpressed by the comment, but he didn’t say anything else, so Kurosaki left. Shige let out a long sigh, and tried not to feel too forlorn. He really wanted to get on Kurosaki’s good side, because if he didn’t then he wasn’t sure where else he’d be able to turn.
Shige’s mind was troubled, but he must have fallen asleep somehow, because he was startled awake by the sound of something landing very close to his face. He struggled to sit upright, his mind still foggy from just waking up.
“You can have it.” Kurosaki said, and Shige squinted, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Have what?” He asked in a dopey voice.
Kurosaki gestured towards him, and Shige looked down to find a large packet of shrimp crackers lying in his lap. Kurosaki had clearly just thrown them at him.
“I thought I’d try a new flavour, but they’re disgusting. I figured you wouldn’t mind what flavour they are if you’re starving though. Enjoy.” He said, and then disappeared back inside his room.
Shige grabbed the opened box, and pulled what was inside it. It was a plastic bag, containing the shrimp crackers advertised on the box - unopened.
Shige’s heart suddenly felt a little lighter, and he started to chuckle. Kurosaki had bought them for him.
It surprised him that someone like Kurosaki who could swindle the pants off some of the most devious and intelligent criminals in the world had managed to make such a simple mistake. But then again, it wasn’t as if anything awful was going to happen if he managed to overlook some things in his everyday life. He was probably so busy thinking about his next big plan that he made all sorts of little mistakes when it didn’t matter.
Whatever the case was, Shige was touched. Maybe there’d be some way he could convince Kurosaki to let him stay here without rent after all. Whether or not there was, he’d still keep looking for a job, just in case.
---
“I met someone interesting today.” Satoshi told his sister casually over dinner.
“Is she rich?” Was Misaki’s immediate reply. Satoshi laughed, genuinely amused.
“Actually, he’s a he, not a she.” He said, and Misaki’s brow instantly creased.
“Satoshi, what have I told you?” She said, and it was apparent from her expression that whatever it was, she’d told him more than once before. Warning and exasperation both showed clearly in her tone.
“I’m not planning to swindle him, sis, I promise.” Satoshi replied. “I don’t even think he’s rich. From what I can gather, he barely has enough money for coffee. There’d be no point.”
His sister looked at him suspiciously. “Alright.” She finally said. “But remember when I first said you could get into this business, you promised me not to get in trouble. And if you fall in love with one of your targets--”
“Then it’s all over. I know.” Satoshi finished, trying to reassure her. “I’ll keep my word. I’m being careful. I know that if I get into trouble then you might too.”
Misaki sighed and massaged her temples. “I do trust you. It’s just that… remember that you’re lucky. You can swindle any girl you like without getting attached to her. Don’t let that go to waste.”
Satoshi nodded. “I promise, I promise.” He said. Then, “Actually, I bumped into someone on the street today, and spilt my coffee. He took me to buy a new one, but I don’t think he could really afford it.”
“Why not?” Misaki asked, after swallowing a mouthful of fish.
“He said he didn’t feel like anything, and just got a glass of water. But his stomach was growling the entire time, so he must have been starving.”
His sister smiled at him. “You’ve gotten good at noticing little details like that. I’m impressed.”
Satoshi grinned down at the table. “I have to be able to.” He replied modestly. “Or else I can’t do my job properly.” He fiddled with his cutlery and pushed his food around the plate, feeling too lively and bubbly to be properly hungry. Misaki could tell this, but she didn’t chastise him.
“So, what was interesting about this guy…?”
“Kato Shigeaki.” Satoshi replied, and he seemed a lot happier than Misaki could remember him sounding in a while. “I don’t know… But someone who would pay for something for a complete stranger must be incredible, right? Doing that kind of thing without expecting anything back... It seems amazing.”
Misaki couldn’t help but smile. Her little brother may have been working in a less than honest job, but he still hadn’t lost all his innocence.
“Maybe he does want something from you.” She suggested. Satoshi cocked his head.
“Eh, what? But I only just met him. What could he want from me?” He asked, genuinely baffled. “I don’t get it.”
“Well, people like you can sense each other somehow, right?” She asked, and Satoshi’s cheeks went slightly pink.
“What do you mean people like me?” He asked, a little tongue tied, and unable to look his sister in the eye. “If you mean that he… there’s no way he can tell.”
Misaki laughed under her breath at her brother’s discomposure. “You’re right.” She agreed. “He really must be an incredible person.”
---
“Congratulations.” Shigeaki awoke the next morning to the sound of Kurosaki’s voice.
“For what?” He asked, stretching his stiff, cold limbs.
“You really don’t exist.” He said, and then repeated, “Congratulations.”
“It’s not really something to congratulate me on.” Shige said around a yawn, blinking blearily. “But if I don’t exist, I guess it means it’s okay for me to stay here without paying rent.”
“Ha!” Kurosaki laughed in his usual humourless, single-syllable way. “You’re not lucky enough for that.”
Shige’s face twitched slightly, but he’d long learnt not to argue with Kurosaki’s character. There was no way to win. Instead, he decided to ask, “So, what convinced you?”
“Finally got around to checking you out, but there was no information anywhere. So either you’re very clever at hiding yourself, or you really don’t exist.” Kurosaki replied.
It suddenly clicked in Shige’s head - he must have gone to Katsuragi to get him checked out. And suddenly, a great idea dawned in Shige’s head.
“The guy you asked about me…” He asked on impulse. “He owns a restaurant, right?”
Kurosaki’s eyebrows rose, which Shige took to mean that he’d actually managed to surprise him.
“He does.” He said slowly, drawing out the words and already sounding suspicious. Shige sighed.
“You don’t need to use that kind of tone. It’s just that I need a job, and it’s hard to find one when you don’t have any I.D or proof of existence. So I was just wondering…”
“Well, I can’t employ you for him.” Kurosaki said, “I don’t own the place, so you’ll have to ask him yourself. Well, I’ve got to go. And don’t forget that tonight’s your last night, so make sure to move out promptly.”
Shige scrambled to his feet, and followed Kurosaki down the stairs.
“Hey!” He called after him, “I don’t know how to get there. Can’t you take me?”
Kurosaki spun around once he reached the bottom of the staircase, and Shige stumbled to a halt in order not to crash into him.
“I wasn’t planning on going there today in the first place, and I don’t have to time to be chaperoning you, so you’ll have to wait.” He explained, and it sounded like his patience was growing thin.
But Shige wasn’t giving up so easily. He was getting desperate. He had hardly been warm in days, his clothes were beginning to get dirty, and he was starting to smell a bit. “It can’t be that much trouble, can it? Look, if you take me now I won’t bother you again. I promise.”
Kurosaki looked like he was thinking about it, and at one point it seemed like he was going to say no again. But then he sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Alright, but I’m not going to wait around and babysit you after I drop you off, okay?” He said, and Shige nodded.
“Thank you.” He said, “I appreciate it.”
They walked in relative silence, but neither of them really minded. Both of them were comfortable in a quiet atmosphere, despite their constant bickering. Yamapi had never been this argumentative, and it still felt a little strange to Shige. However, he was determined to adjust. After all, he didn’t know when he’d be able to get back to his reality. Or if he could.
The idea depressed him, so he did his best not to think about it anymore.
True to his word, Kurosaki didn’t even go into the shop with him.
“This is it.” He said, and then walked off without even a “Good bye” or “See you later”. He mixed in with the throng of people walking the streets, and soon disappeared.
Shige swallowed and looked over the exterior of the restaurant. It had never seemed so daunting or looming in the show, but then again, he’d never had to go into it alone when he’d been watching it on television.
The urge to run was almost overwhelming, but after spending so long trying to get Kurosaki to actually bring him here, running away would be incredibly counterproductive. Instead, he gathered his courage and walked into the store.
It was deserted, which wasn’t surprising considering that it was so early in the morning, but it still made Shige feel awkward. He knew that Katsuragi or at least that woman who worked here was probably looking at him through the double-sided glass, but he couldn’t be sure.
“I’m sorry, is anyone here?” He called out, knowing that there was but not being able to think of anything else to say.
There were a few seconds of silence, before Hayasa suddenly popped out.
“Hello.” She greeted him, and Shige jumped in fright. She smiled slightly, but didn’t laugh. “Are you looking for someone?”
Shige nodded, unable to think of anything appropriate to say. Hayasa provided that for him.
“What would your name be?” She asked, and Shige felt himself start to flush. He knew he wasn’t really under pressure, but he felt tense.
“Kato Shigeaki.” He said, and he could have sworn he saw recognition dawn in her eyes.
“Did Kurosaki bring you here?” She asked, seeming a little friendlier. Shige nodded again, but didn’t speak, and so she continued, “Are you here to see Katsuragi?”
“I… Yeah.” Shige said, somewhat dumbly. “I am. Is that okay?” He swallowed and fidgeted, while wishing that he wasn’t so obviously nervous.
Hayasa didn’t give him a direct response, but instead began to walk away. “Come with me.” She said, and led Shige behind the double-sided glass mirror to where he could only assume Katsuragi was waiting.
He was right. The old man seemed even frailer in person than he had on the TV, but he gave Shige a warm smile. It didn’t make him feel any more confident, but somehow it did make him a little less petrified.
“Hello.” Katsuragi greeted him, teeth flashing in the faint light of the shop. “Kato Shigeaki, was it?”
“Um, yes. Yes, that’s right.” Shige said, staring at the ground, somehow unable to look him in the face. “I’m… pleased to meet you.”
Katsuragi nodded, and then spat something into a bowl, not the kind of man who was worried about making a good first impression.
“I’m pleased to meet you too.” He said, “I’ve been hoping that I would.”
Shige swallowed again, wondering if he’d just walked into a viper’s nest.
But if he had, there was no backing out now. Shige steeled himself, and slowly raised his head to look Katsuragi in the eye.
“I…” He began hesitantly, “I have a request for you.”
Next Chapter
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This is why you don't want me to write fics dedicated to you: I write the first chapter, and then you get the next installment 7 months later.