[FANFIC] Eidetic

[macymacymacy]

Title: Eidetic
Author: macy
Pairing: Amakusa Ryuu (Yamada Ryosuke) x Minami Megu (Shida Mirai), Class Q Ai~
Genre: Friendship, Angst, Romance
Rating: G
AN:
- UNBETAed
- TGQ spoilers.
- post-TGQ series. been years since the hades case. just think of the present kamiyamashi as you read.
- merged events/facts from the anime, drama and from RL shida and yamada.
- for shinju because you were down yesterday... cheer up! :)




-Ryuu-

"Ryuu!" He heard her call. But before he knew what was happening, he felt her body slam against him, pushing both of them down to the ground.

"Me--" He tried to say, feeling disoriented. Megu was on top of him, but she wasn't moving.

"Megu!" Kyuu's frantic voice rang through the cold silence of the night. It sounded so far away yet so loud. It echoed in his mind as he felt hot liquid trickle down him.

Ryuu felt numb as Kazuma hovered over them looking as lost as he felt.

"Kinta! Hurry! We need to get her to the hospital!"

-

She opened her eyes and the first thing she said was his name.

"Ryuu..."

He was surprised and it was only when Kinta lightly nudge him that he gave a response.

"I'm okay." He said quietly, feeling a bit irritated at her. Here she was, almost bleeding to death because she took the gunshot directed at him and still, she was worried about him.

She turned to him and visibly relaxed at his sight. One smile, and Ryuu felt his irritation vanish. She's okay. And as long as she's okay, she can be as annoying as much as she wants.

Kyuu had started fussing over her then, and Ryuu was left to watch.

Megu was as cheerful as any other day and Ryuu was somehow reassured. Her doctor had said she was safe from danger. The bullet hit by her sides but luckily no vital organ was injured. She broke her rib, so she needed to stay at least a week for it to heal naturally but that was all.

It was as if nothing happened. But one change did come to his notice. Megu... it was as if she's hiding something. She was tensed and her glances lingered.

It seems she does it unconsiously. Ryuu noticed she kept looking at him and Kyuu. But mostly him. She would stare at him and something would flash in her eyes. Then, as if realizing what she was doing, she would hurriedly look away, putting her cheerful mask on once more.

Because it was clear to Ryuu that it was a facade, this cheerful Megu.

Because he realized what is it that flashed through her eyes everytime she looked at him.

Fear.

And this bothered him greatly.

He looked at Kyuu once but the guy didn't give any indications that he noticed something odd.

Ryuu couldn't help but wonder.

Why?

Of course, with his background, it wasn't something new that some people fear him. Adding to that, his cold demeanor wasn't helping either.

But she knew him. They had been together for years now.

This was Megu. Their Megu. Their Megu who they had worldlessly agreed upon on protecting.

Too soon and they already had to go with Ryuu's questions still unanswered.

Ryuu had followed as Kinta and Kazuma hurriedly went out of the room; both having prior appointments. But Ryuu stopped just as he stepped out the door when he realized Kyuu didn't follow them. He was about to go back inside when he heard Kyuu's voice.

"What's wrong, Megu?"

So he noticed after all.

"What do you mean?" He heard Megu say in an energetic voice. The same voice she had use the whole day.

"You seemed worried." Kyuu said.

It was like the time during their first case together. Their exam for Detective School. Nothing changed. Kyuu was still the one there besides Megu, trying to comfort her, and he was still here seemingly so far away from them, feeling useless on the sidelines.

"Why would I be worried? You guys already caught the perpetrator, right?" Megu said, energetically still.

There was a pause and then Kyuu said, "You seemed worried about Ryuu."

Ryuu was surprised at this. She was worried about him?

It was a long while before Megu spoke.

"I can't really keep anything from you, can I?" She muttered almost inaudibly.

Ryuu waited and he knew Kyuu was waiting as well for her to continue.

"Remember when I told you about my photographic memory?" She asked.

Ryuu didn't hear Kyuu respond but Megu continued so he figured he nodded.

"Well, that's about it, really." She said.

"What do you mean?" Kyuu asked.

"It's not just Ryuu's..." She said. "Yours too, and Kinta's and Kazuma's."

He heard her let out an audible sigh. "Memories of the times I thought I'd lost you guys. It keeps coming back. And you know how it is."

"It never fades away." Kyuu said.

"It's as vivid as when it happened. It's as if it's happening all over again... And I'm scared that it won't stay just a memory." She said so softly Ryuu almost didn't hear her.

Ryuu let this register. So it wasn't fear of him. It was fear for them; for him.

He heard her let another sigh out and then she continued talking.

"Ryuu... the image of him taking that knife for you, the look on his face during the Hades case, that dreadful night during the cursed violin case, and now the moment he was almost shot. It keeps replaying on my head." She said quietly and then they were silent for a while.

He then heard her laugh. It wasn't her usual laugh; there was no humor. "I don't know what's with him but it's like he's always morbidly in danger. Everything seems to happen to him."

There was a hesitant chuckle from Kyuu. "I guess it comes from being Hades' grandson." He said. His tone wasn't offensive. On the contrary it sounded fond that Ryuu unconsciously smiled; as if they were sharing an inside joke.

"I guess." Megu said, amusement in her voice.

"About Ryuu..." Kyuu started but Megu interupted.

"It's still no."  Megu said quickly.

"But--"

"It's not gonna happen, Kyuu. Just shut up about it." She said, sounding irritated.

Ryuu was confused at what they were talking about. He was waiting for some more clues but the two had kept their silence.

After a while, Megu laughed again. Ryuu felt this time was a genuine one.

"Don't overexert yourself in trying to find solutions, Kyuu." She chided playfully. "This is one case you needn't solve."

A pause and Kyuu said, "I don't want to help you as a detective. I want to help you as a friend."

Ryuu frowned at this. Because this was something he can't seem to do. Solve mysterious disappearances and murder cases? Sure, he can heandle that. But a friend's problem? He'd need some help himself with that.

"You already did." Megu said softly. "It's a bit refreshing saying this to someone. Thanks for listening."

Another pause and Ryuu heard Kyuu said, "You're welcome."

"Okay, so now those are out of the way. Seriously, go home now. Visiting hours is almost over." She said, giggling a bit.

"Is it?" Kyuu asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes, you've been here forever. Go and bother someone else now." She said jokingly.

"Well, I guess I'll go..." Kyuu said rather awkwardly. "I'll see you."

"Un." Megu said. "Mata ne."

At that cue, Ryuu had started walking away as well. He didn't want to be caught eavesdropping.

He wasn't fast enough, though. Before he could turn to a corner, Kyuu had called out his name.

"Ryuu!" He called as he hurried to him.

Ryuu didn't really know what to say but it wasn't necessary because Kyuu never asked him why he was still there.

They walked silently out of the hospital. It was a bit awkward to Ryuu but it didn't seem like Kyuu noticed. He was deep in thought.

When finally, they reach Kyuu's street, he spoke.

"Ryuu..."

"Yeah?"

"You know..." Kyuu started. "You don't have to be too guarded around us. You can trust us, we're your friends. Well, at least relax around Megu. She genuinely care for us; for you..." He said, his eyes unfocused.

"And you..." Kyuu started saying but then the taller guy blinked and looked panicked. Awkwardly and hurriedly he said, "Just wanna tell you that. Ja!" He said and ran down the street.

Ryuu stayed still at the same position for a while, his mind filled with so many thoughts.

-Megu-

When she had opened her eyes, she was shocked to see her first visitor of the day; Ryuu.

He was sitting in a stool right by her feet, just looking at her. She didn't know what to make of it.

When he noticed she was awake, he abruptly stood up while she made a show of sitting up.

"Ryuu..." She said in a whispered surprise.

"Ohayou. There was no training for today." Ryuu explained.

Megu nodded curtly. This wasn't unusual. Training had replaced their 'classes' after they had become fully-fledge detective (though it's just the name that changed, really). And more than their 'classes', 'training' is not something you'd call 'constant'. It was more of entertainment to them, actually; a way to keep their minds busy and their bodies in shape when there's too much time before the next real case arrive.

But that wasn't why Megu was surprised.

She, a very gifted and experienced detective, was having a hard time finding the reason why Ryuu was here, visiting her so early in the morning and on his own. She wasn't doubting Ryuu's friendship or care for them, but it just wasn't like him.

Ryuu is not expressive. He's not someone who goes out of the way to show his friends affection and care. On the contrary, he tries very hard to hide it, maybe thinking it can be his weak point. Or maybe he's just simply lost when it comes to things such as feelings and emotions.

So understandably, Megu was flabbergasted. Though of course, she was happy he was here all the same.

For a few seconds, the two of them just stared at each other, both not really knowing what to do.

Megu was thankful when Ryuu had cleared his throat. He went to the table and took a paper bag.

"Here." He said as he passed it to Megu.

"What's this?" She asked, feeling more confused.

He shrugged and said, "You can open it."

Megu did, feeling grateful for something to do. She was feeling very awkward.

She opened the bag and took out a box. It was a bento. She looked at Ryuu wonderingly but he didn't say anything so she just continued to open it.

She blinked at the sight of the food before her. It was all her favorite food in that box; from tuna dishes, to tomatoes, to mango slices.

Megu beamed at Ryuu and said unwittingly, "I love you so much!"

This seemed to surprised both of them, but Megu was quick to recover. "Arigatou gozaimasu!" She said cheerfully. "Can I eat them now?" She asked, unabashed.

Ryuu gave her one of his rare smiles and nodded. "While it's still hot." He said.

Megu gave him a wide grin and clasped her hands. "Ittadakimasu!"

Ryuu sat down the stool once more as Megu dig in, looking very happy. Ryuu just watched her, a small smile never leaving his face. While she ate, she started chatting with him talking about everything and nothing; complaining about hospital food, praising the bento, and overall gushing at her favorite food, tuna. They chat for a long while, even after Megu finished eating. The awkward air around them vanished and it just felt natural that the two of them were there, sharing a conversation.

It was mostly Megu just talking, but Ryuu was a very good listener and at times, he shared some stories as well. It was a first, and Megu was disbelievingly happy that it was actually happening. They even ate lunch together, with Megu not saying even one complaint about the food. Firstly, because she had a hearty breakfast and secondly, because she was happy with her company.

They didn't notice the time until Megu's other visitors came. Kazuma and Kinta had come together around 2pm. Megu couldn't believe she and Ryuu had actually shared the whole morning together. She had remembered vividly that she woke up at exactly 9:38:13 AM and she knew Ryuu must have arrived earlier than that.

She knew both Kinta and Kazuma were surprised to see Ryuu there but they hid it well.

"I see you're feeling better." Kinta said, nonchalant.

"Yeah, you looked as if nothing happened." Kazuma said. "Can you leave the hospital soon? You know Kyuu's a pain when he's worried." He complained, though Megu knew he was genuinely concerned.

"If I can have my way, I'll be home right now, taking a long and relaxing bath." Megu said, trying to sound normal. It was a feat since all the awkwardness she felt at her first sight of Ryuu came back. It seems this was the same for Ryuu since he had become very quiet.

"Ah, Megu." Ryuu called.

"Yes?" Megu winced as her voice crack.

"I think I'll be leaving now. I have... uhm, another appointment." He said quietly.

"Oh, okay." Megu said, feeling a bit disappointed. "Thank you for visiting and for the bento."

Ryuu smiled at her.

"Well, see you." Kazuma said.

"Ja." Kinta said.

Ryuu nodded and silently exited the room.

When he was gone, Megu let out an audible sigh.

There was a pause wherein both Kinta and Kazuma raised an eyebrow at Megu. And then Kinta let out a hearty laugh and Kazuma started shaking his head.

"You two sure are amusing." Kazuma said, smiling teasingly.

"What?!" Megu said, indignant.

-

For the next few days, this is what happened. Megu was left to wonder. Everyday, she would wake up finding Ryuu already in his stool, waiting for her to wake up. Everyday, he brought her bentos filled with her favorite foods prepared in soft dishes appropriate for her who was still in the hospital. They would talk for the entirety of his stay, and he would only go when someone else came to visit. It was the same everyday and everytime he was going, it was with an air of someone at a lost of what to do.

"Do you know what's with Ryuu?" Megu couldn't help but ask aloud one time. Kazuma and Kinta gave her a look and she raised her eyebrow at them.

Kazuma sighed but offered an explanation. "Well, I guess he just wants to pay a debt."

Megu looked at him in confusion. "Debt?"

"People like Ryuu have a strong sense of pride." Kazuma said. "Remember that time when he was hospitalized? Didn't you help him eat then? I think --well, this is just an assumption-- but I think he thought that was a very great show of kindness on your part. He might think of that as a debt, and people with a strong sense of pride hates debts..." He said shrugging.

Megu think this over. It wasn't impossible this was the case, but still, she couldn't help but think it's different. It didn't feel like someone paying debt whenever she was with him.

"That may be true." Kinta offered. "But if you think about it, this is Ryuu. Sure, he has pride, one reason why he could go and rebel against his grandfather. But he isn't someone who would be bother with debts, at least I think that would be the case after Kyuu talked to him; that time before the Hades case. He's a smart guy, he might not be used to showing feelings but he does consider us as his friends."

"So, what do you mean?" Megu asked, desparate for a reason. Being a detective, she wasn't comfortable when she can't understand something.

Kinta grinned at her with meaning. "Well, I guess it's just really his way of showing he cares."

"Oh..."

"But." Kinta said before Megu could comment. "Look at it this way. Ryuu is someone not fond of showing emotions."

"Yeah?"

"Mostly he shows his feelings with subtle shiftings of his eyes. And you wouldn't notice it if you don't know him and if you don't looked straight at his eyes at the right moment."

"Right..."

"And a smile from him can mean thousands of emotions." Kinta said. At this Kazuma smiled in amusement but Megu was still at a lost.

"What is your point?" She asked, sounding annoyed now.

Kazuma intervened, answering the question. "Well, if a smile from him means a thousand emotions. What would consecutive visits, bentos of your favorite foods, hundred smiles directed at you, and actually talking to you, opening up to you, could mean?" He said.

"Maybe he really wants to show he cares... or maybe he wants to show something else." Kinta said in a nonchalant tone.

Megu wasn't convinced, but couldn't help but blush at the implication.

-

It was a surprise for Megu when the next morning she had opened her eyes to see Kyuu, instead of Ryuu, by her bed.

"Kyuu..." She acknowledged as she sat up. She looked behind him, hoping to see Ryuu but she was disappointed.

"Ohayou!" Kyuu said, annoyingly energetic. Megu wasn't really in the mood.

Kyuu didn't wait for her reply though, and passed her a paperbag. Megu blinked, surprised.

"What's this?" She asked.

"Ryuu asked me to bring it to you. He have patrol duty today so he couldn't come. He said he'll try, though." Kyuu explained.

"Oh." Megu said, now feeling much better.

"Thank you." She told Kyuu, smiling now.

Kyuu grinned back. "So how're you feeling?" He asked.

Megu shrugged. "Can't say I'm enjoying my life here... but my injuries are fine. Healing so very slowly, but healing all the same." She said as she opened her bento.

She sigh in satisfaction at the smell of her food.

"Wow!" Kyuu said, looking at her food.

Megu closed the box at this. "They're mine!" She said, playfully.

Kyuu pouted. "That's unfair. How come Ryuu makes you bento and never makes me one? I'm supposed to be his best friend." He complained.

But Megu started at his words. "Ryuu made this?" She asked.

"Eh? You didn't know?" Kyuu asked in return. "Yeah, he likes cooking. He actually asked me what your favorite food was."

"He asked you..." Megu said, taking this in.

"Yeah, I think he'd come to terms after I told him about your--"

Kyuu abruptly stopped at this, his eyes widening.

Megu caught every word and she glared at Kyuu.

"About my?" Megu urged, her glare intensifying.

Kyuu was shrinking under her stare.

"Uhmm.. I--"

"Kyuu. What. Did. You. Tell. Him?" Megu said in measured tone.

"Now, Megu, calm down. It wouldn't be good for your health if--"

"Start talking. NOW." She said in cold fury.

And Kyuu cracked. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to slip up! But that night we talked about your memories, I was so distracted that I didn't realize!"

"You told him?!" Megu exclaimed, looking shocked and murderous.

"I-I-I kinda told him you're in love with him and I kinda told him that he should start making a move cause I know he's in love with you, too and it's been years and both of you think it'll never happen and everyone knows it will and I'm so sorry! Don't kill me!" He said, cowering.

Megu stared at him in shock.

Kyuu cautiously looked at her, never daring to move.

"What did you say?" She asked.

"I'm sorry!!!" Kyuu said.

"No, you... Ryuu likes me?" She asked, only considering the possibility now. Because of all the people, it was really Kyuu who knows him best.

"Ah, yeah..." Kyuu said quietly and quickly; relieved that Megu had somewhat calmed down but cautious that she might snap again. "And so he made you bentos..."

"That was the reason? He made me bentos so he could show he likes me? That was him 'making a move'?" Megu asked, feeling giddy and silly and amused at the moment.

Just then the door opened and in came him.

Ryuu.

The room were silent for a full minute.

"Did something happened?" Ryuu asked. "Megu, are you okay?"

Megu stared at him. It was curious to see him like that. Ryuu looked as calm and collected as ever but Megu noticed the slight scrunched of his brow and the light curve of his lips downward. He was really worried.

"I'm fine." She said, breathless, and gave him a smile.

He relaxed somewhat.

"Right." Kyuu had intervened. "I better go see Kinta. Ja!" He said and swiftly escaped.

The two were silent until they heard Kyuu's footsteps fade away. Then Ryuu turned to Megu.

"What was that about?" He asked, going to his stool.

Megu just shook her head, shrugging the issue away.

"I thought you had patrol duties?" She asked, effectively changing the subject.

"Hongo-sensei called Team A instead." He explained.

Megu smiled and nodded.

Ryuu's eyes moved to her hands.

"You haven't eaten breakfast yet." He said.

But Megu ignored this and just looked at him.

Ryuu raised a brow at her.

"What is it, really? Is there something on your mind?" He asked. And Megu could only appreciate now how the past few days changed them somehow. She could never have imagined hearing that simple sentence from Ryuu before.

"There is, actually." She said honestly. And for a second, she thought she saw panic in Ryuu's eyes.

'Still not comfortable. Some things will never change.'

"Can I help?" He asked.

She smiled. "I was wondering why you bring me bento everyday." She asked, straightforwardly.

"Oh." Ryuu said, taken aback. "You don't like them?"

"No!" Megu said quickly. "I love them. But it's just a wonder..."

Ryuu was quiet for a while, looking at the floor.

"Well, I thought it'd make you cheer up..." He said almost inaudibly. Then he looked at her. "I'm sorry I caused you pain, not just physically but emotionally." He said, bowing low at her.

"Ryuu..?"

"I heard your conversation with Kyuu..." He said apologetically. "I'm sorry about the bad memories and about making you worry. I thought I'd made it up if I could cheer you up with the bento." He explained.

"Oh." Megu said, feeling like her heart has plummeted down her stomach. "So that's what it is..." She said, trying  not to sound disappointed.

"And I thought..." Ryuu continued. "I wanted to help you solve that problem as well. Not as a detective but as your friend."

Megu smiled sadly at this. "It's okay, Ryuu. You don't have to worry about that."

"But I do worry. And I thought of a solution." He said.

Megu looked at him. "You did?"

He shrugged. "Well, I don't know if it would work, but I thought the bento would be the start. That maybe if I could give you more happier memories, then the scary ones wouldn't resurface as much." He explained.

And now that Megu thought about it, she realized she hadn't seen her nightmares in the duration of her stay in the hospital.

"Ryuu.. I think it worked." She said, now sporting a genuine smile.

He smiled Megu's favorite smile. "Yokatta." He said.

"Thank you." Megu said. Irrationally, she felt like crying.

Ryuu frowned. "There's still something else that's bothering you..." He said.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." Megu said, trying to smile.

Ryuu's frown deepened. He moved closer to her, sitting on the side of her bed.

"What is it?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.

Megu stayed quiet but looked away. She was afraid the tears would start falling.

She knew it was silly. She'd known all along, accepted it long before. She shouldn't have hoped.

"I'm sorry." Ryuu suddenly said.

Megu looked up, surprised.

"Is it me again? Am I giving you more sad memories?" He asked, looking upset.

"N-no. It's not--" But she couldn't lie. It was true. It was another sad memory of him, but it wasn't his fault.

"I'm so sorry." He repeated, bowing this time. "How can I make it better?" He asked.

"I... No, Ryuu. It's not your fault. I'm just... I'm just being sentimental is all. Don't worry about it." Megu said hastily.

Ryuu frowned at her, unconvinced.

"I want to make more happier memories with you... Is that not enough?" He asked, not in the least emotional, more calculating.

"It's more than enough." Megu said but then trailed off. She looked at him with a puzzled look. "Ryuu.. what do you mean about making more happier memories with me?" She asked.

"I know I can't possibly erase the bad memories I gave you. So I want to give you happier ones." He said.

"Happier ones... with me?" Megu asked.

Ryuu blinked, looking confused. "Well, I don't really know if I can give you a happy memory of me if I'm not with you." He said, as if that was obvious.

Megu closed her eyes trying to clear her mind and then she snapped, now annoyed at Ryuu. "Okay, let me just get this straight." She said. Ryuu waited.

"Are you implying or is it just my wild imagination... you like me?" She asked, trying not to blush out of sheer embarrassment.

She was too taken aback when Ryuu had started blushing as well.

"I thought you already knew..." He said, barely audible.

"Oh." Megu could only say.

But she couldn't help but smile.

"And you? Do you..?" Ryuu suddenly asked, looking as embarrassed as Megu felt.

It was the sight of him looking so lost and so uncertain that convinced her that yes, he did feel the same.

"Yes." She said firmly. "I do. I thought you knew..."

Finally, he smiled and relaxed. And then he said. "I had some situational evidences but it was never enough. And you know... innocent until proven guilty." He said sheepishly.

Megu laughed and then she pulled him more closer to her. Ryuu looked surprised but she just grinned at him.

"You caught me red-handed, detective." She said, pulled him and closed the distance between them.

-Kyuu-

Kyuu made an audible groan as he watch his two friends.

"What?" Kinta, who was besides him by the door asked in a whisper.

"Doesn't it bother you?" Kyuu asked back.

"What, them finally kissing? It's a relief, I tell you. It's been so frustrating all these years." Kazuma, who was on Kyuu's other side, said. He was holding a camera pointed at the two inside the room.

"Besides, you knew all about them all along, right?" Kinta said.

"Well, who doesn't?" Kazuma followed.

"You're actually the first one to notice, and from what we've heard, you're directly the reason for this turn of events." Kinta said, letting out a chuckle.

"But it's like watching your brother and sister make out! With each other!"

fail is fail. /shot.

AN:
-they're Team Q now. so Team A is Class A. :)

Thanks for reading anyway~!