Just as Yamawashi had never refused his requests before, Yamawashi did not refuse this time either.
He had been mentally prepared for this; the only reason Yamawashi would suddenly propose a relationship when he was in trouble was for this, what other reason could there be?
It wasn't actually the most suitable time, because Yamawashi still had unhealed wounds, Yamawashi seemed to think he was only doing this because he needed help, but they continued nonetheless.
He thought he would be on the bottom, but Yamawashi had handed all the initiative over to him. He was fully prepared for the fact that the other party was his creditor, he had been cautiously observing Yamawashi's reactions. At the moment they truly joined together, he saw Yamawashi's furrowed brows; having little experience with this, he offered an explanation that better fit his persona: "I've never tried it with a man before, did I hurt you?"
Yamawashi pursed his lips and shook his head, saying nothing.
That person was always that quiet, at all times. His breathing was lighter than the sound of turning pages, as if such a person did not exist in this world at all.
All was silent, the streetlights outside the balcony extinguished on schedule without making a single sound. Hiromitsu Morofushi raised his head, realizing that the sky had already begun to brighten. In the unique tranquility of this early morning, he suddenly realized that he actually knew more about Yamawashi than he had thought.
He didn't know what kind of "sincerity" would be enough to win over Yamawashi, but he had to ensure that the person making the decision was none other than himself.
He didn't know Yamawashi well enough, but he might be able to provide the correct answer.
Having gone all night without sleep, this actually made Hiromitsu Morofushi feel that his mind was even clearer. He went out to buy breakfast, when he returned, Yamawashi was washing up.
He proactively offered a greeting but was ignored, though Yamawashi did not ignore his breakfast.
.. This was all thanks to Scotland, who might not have had any breakfast if he were still in the hands of Public Security.
While eating on both sides of the dining table, Hiromitsu Morofushi noticed that the bandage on Yamawashi's right hand was wet; it must have come into contact with water just now while washing up.
Yamawashi seemed to be very skilled at enduring pain, his expression always calm and emotionless. His scars were hidden beneath his clothing; only very occasionally could one catch a glimpse of his true physical condition from his exposed skin.
Hiromitsu Morofushi's chewing slowed down unconsciously.
His hand must have been injured that day when it smashed through the car window; it was unknown whether all the glass shards had been picked out afterward. His gaze traveled up from his bandaged right hand, Yamawashi was wearing a black turtleneck today.
It wasn't the first day he noticed that Yamawashi's dressing style had changed.
In his memory, Yamawashi mostly wore neatly ironed shirts, when the weather turned cool, he would pair them with trench coats in low-saturation colors. They met so infrequently that he felt he had never even seen Yamawashi wear the same outfit twice.
His hair seemed to have grown a bit, slightly covering the edges of his ears; in the past, it was..
The person opposite him suddenly stood up. Hiromitsu Morofushi swallowed the bread in his mouth and stood up as well. "Let me help you take care of that."
The words were spoken without any context, meeting his gaze, he added a beat later, "It would be better if you re-dressed your hand."
Yamawashi agreed to the same routine as when he had invited him to breakfast; first, he directly ignored him and walked away, but then, when he casually mentioned Scotland, Yamawashi suddenly changed his mind.
Hiromitsu Morofushi didn't want it to be this way either, but he couldn't just leave it alone; he had a vague feeling that Yamawashi didn't take care of himself as meticulously as he had once thought.
By the time he returned with the medical kit, Yamawashi had already unwrapped the old bandage.
The small wounds were exposed to the air. Hiromitsu Morofushi cupped the hand in his palm and, after a careful inspection, used tweezers to pick a small shard of glass from just below the ring finger's knuckle. He sighed, but since Yamawashi already looked impatient, he had no choice but to speed up the process.
The bandages covered the skin bit by bit, the dressing was finished, yet Hiromitsu Morofushi did not move. Although he believed in his heart that this would be useless for Yamawashi and that Yamawashi would not be bribed because of it, he could not completely rule out that possibility.
After all, it was the same face.
.. It must be the same person; I almost got sidetracked by Yamawashi.
I had already followed the instructions to have that guy change his bandages, yet he was delaying by not letting go; he must have an ulterior motive.
Aotsuki pulled his hand back as that guy suddenly leaned in close.
He said expressionlessly, "Do you want to die?"
The impostor immediately raised his hands to create distance: "I'm sorry."
Aotsuki frowned as he watched the figure carrying the medical kit walk away.
That guy looked like he was in a great mood, probably because he had some scheme waiting for him.
If he is planning to get revenge for his actions yesterday..
Aotsuki pressed his temples.
Originally, he had truly intended to kill that policeman.
If he could have tolerated such threats and restrictions, he wouldn't have left the Organization to become a mercenary back then.
There were many reasons for deciding to let that policeman go, but a major part of it was considering Scotland's situation. Scotland's current status remains unclear, if his relationship with Public Security deteriorates, Scotland might be treated poorly.
Giving this Safe House to Scotland was intended to provide Scotland with a better living environment; on this matter, his attitude would not change.
That night, Aotsuki received a photograph.
The white walls offered no clues to the specific environment or location, the chairs were the most common style imaginable. The person in the photo had a face that was all too familiar; only the book held in their hand offered a hint of something special—it was the first volume of the detective novel he had been reading a while ago.
His focus on Scotland was his flaw. He had never thought of hiding it, nor did he intend to remain uninvolved; since they were still lovers, he had an obligation to be responsible for Scotland.
Slightly long gray hair covered his eyes when he lowered his head, making it impossible to see his specific gaze, but it was likely a cold and calm expression. Hiromitsu Morofushi was a bit nervous; he wasn't sure if Yamawashi would question the identity of the person in the photo, but fortunately, after looking down at the photo for a long time, Yamawashi only asked an ordinary question.
“Does he.. know the answer?”
I will arrange for someone to deliver the second volume to him," Hiromitsu Morofushi said. "As long as you cooperate with me to complete a simple task, Scotland will know who the killer is.
Yamawashi agreed, almost without thinking, his gaze still fixed on the photograph in his hand, without even asking what he needed him to cooperate with.
Hiromitsu Morofushi thought that Yamawashi was so busy rescuing Scotland that he hadn't looked at the second volume of that novel, to the point that he still didn't know that the so-called murderer, who seemed to be far away, was actually right before his eyes—the detective himself, who appeared to be behind bars.
Author's Note:
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Chapter 14
When he received the news from Yamawashi that the matter had been successfully completed, Hiromitsu Morofushi was meeting secretly with Matsuda Jinpei. He was secretly shocked by Yamawashi's efficiency; he put down his phone and continued to ask, "Besides that, did he do or say anything else?"
It wasn't that he hadn't seen twenty-six-year-old Matsuda Jinpei before, but this was the first time he had seen the Matsuda Jinpei who had avenged Hara Kenji. It was a subtle difference that was hard to put into words; perhaps it was the same principle as when Yamawashi insisted he wasn't from Scotland—once a person completes something they have long yearned for or have been unable to let go of, they become different.
Matsuda Jinpei crossed his arms, thought for a moment, then shook his head.
He was very silent; no matter how much I interrogated him, he didn't say a single word the entire time." Recalling what happened that night, Matsuda Jinpei slowly ground his teeth. "That guy's combat ability is incredibly strong, his speed is almost inhuman. Once he gets close, he's hard to resist, every single move he makes is a lethal strike. I thought he was coming to kill me..
As he spoke, he changed his posture, sitting up a bit straighter, bringing up the subject that even made him unable to hide his suspicion: "But he didn't. After tying me up, he stared at me for a while, then just left me there."
Hiromitsu Morofushi looked thoughtful.
Yamawashi spared Matsuda because he had taken Scotland's situation into consideration, but he always felt as if he had overlooked something.
Yamawashi was too of few words and excessively decisive; the things he spoke were always fewer than what he thought. For instance, when Yamawashi proposed a relationship, it certainly wasn't just because he saw that Scotland was in need of help at that moment, nor was his belief that Scotland wasn't his true self solely because Scotland would unconsciously look at Yamawashi. Yamawashi's leniency likely had other contributing reasons that led to the sudden change of mind.
“What is that man's identity?” Matsuda Jinpei asked. Without waiting for an answer, he leaned back casually against the chair, shrugged, said, “I know the rules on your side; if it's inconvenient to say, then forget it.”
Hiromitsu Morofushi looked apologetic and skipped over that question. "I've dragged you into this mess, I'm sorry."
“Hey.. what are you talking about? Without you, I might have gone looking for them.” Meeting an old acquaintance, as if someone else were still by his side, Matsuda Jinpei's gaze fell upon the chair beside him. After a moment of silence, he said, “Anyway, I should be the one thanking you. If there's anything I can do to help, just contact me. I'm on standby anytime.”
Hiromitsu Morofushi suddenly realized that something was wrong. If the intention was merely to issue a warning, there would have been no need to investigate Matsuda Jinpei, or even to go into such detail regarding Hara Kenji. Although investigating an active-duty police officer was not a difficult task, for Yamawashi, it was completely unnecessary.
Before leaving, Hiromitsu Morofushi gave a final, uneasy instruction: "If he comes looking for you again, don't think about anything else—immediately ask him what kind of liquor he likes to drink."
Matsuda Jinpei did not understand the meaning, but he could guess that this was a secret code for saving one's life, so he nodded in agreement.
By the time they each left through their respective doors, the sky had already grown dark.
Hiromitsu Morofushi put on his hat. He had intentionally chosen this time to meet Matsuda Jinpei to make it easier to hide; even though Yamawashi was not in Tokyo right now, he still had to be on guard against others.
The Organization is divided into different factions, as a steadfast neutral party, Yamawashi is essentially an enemy to all of them. Just as Yamawashi said on the balcony that night, the codenames Scotland and Yamawashi are deeply intertwined; once that protective umbrella is lost, he will find it impossible to move even a single step, at least in the beginning.
Time was precious, he did not intend to waste his energy on unnecessary matters, nor did he want to encounter variables with extreme unknown risks. Therefore, in essence, he and Yamawashi were in a relationship of mutual restraint; it was only because Yamawashi cared for Scotland far more than he cared about wasting time that he was at a disadvantage and subject to his coercion.
Turning into a small alley, which was in the opposite direction of the Safe House, he had an appointment to meet a second person tonight in addition to Matsuda Jinpei.
On the road, he checked the message from Yamawashi again, typing and retyping, only to realize that just as Yamawashi used to accept whatever he said in the past, Yamawashi would now hate whatever he replied. Giving up on refining his words, he sent a reply using a normal tone and phrasing.
It showed as read, but Yamawashi did not reply.
Ever since he simply admitted that he was not Scotland, Yamawashi's taciturnity had extended to his phone.
Stowing away the phone, Hiromitsu Morofushi strode across the intersection.
Yamawashi is a very useful person.
This description is not polite or respectful enough; Yamawashi is a person, not a tool, but the term is very fitting.
When Yamawashi first stepped in to resolve a trouble for him, he had already experienced the power of that umbrella being opened without reservation; with Yamawashi's intervention, anything could become simple.
Yamawashi's ability, fame, status were an unimaginable boost to him in the past; even now, he could not help but marvel at Yamawashi's efficiency and standard.
Later, he stopped using Yamawashi's connections too frequently in order to maintain this deal over the long term; at that time, he believed Yamawashi would certainly be of use again at more critical moments, that was indeed the case.
It wasn't that he hadn't considered breaking up with Yamawashi, but he didn't intend to be the one to initiate the breakup. Until the moment Yamawashi died, they were still in a relationship. Since then, whether for the sake of the mission or for personal reasons, he has never had another lover.
Yamawashi's death monopolized all of his fantasies and perceptions regarding lovers. If a lover had to reach such an extreme to be considered worthy, he could not imagine himself ever treating anyone the way Yamawashi had treated Scotland. He had to find an answer; perhaps, with only the justice in his heart, he could only imagine himself being so wholeheartedly dedicated to his duties that he would willingly sacrifice himself.
Walking into this bar, which rarely saw new customers, Hiromitsu Morofushi walked straight toward the bar. Even though he had deliberately tried to keep a low profile, as he approached, the person he had an appointment with waved at him.
“It's been a long time since we've had a drink together. Bourbon won't be coming, will he?”
Hiromitsu Morofushi skillfully poured a glass of liquor, sat down, said helplessly, "Is it really necessary for you two to go to such extremes.."
“You'll have to ask him about that. But in terms of individual ability, I still admire him.” The person sitting next to him didn't beat around the bush, their tone carrying a hint of teasing. "You and Yamawashi have truly reconciled this time, haven't you?"
Hiromitsu Morofushi raised his glass and clinked it against Rye's. "I suppose so."
Oh.." Rye dragged out the sound, "Congratulations.
Hiromitsu Morofushi smiled, without going into much detail.
He had been waiting for Akai Shuichi to come find him.
The more mysterious it was, the more it invited investigation; he wanted to know the intelligence regarding Yamawashi, the other undercover investigators were naturally no exception.
Although the process wasn't smooth and their current interaction can hardly be called harmonious, the problem with Yamawashi has, for the time being, been resolved.
The spiciness of the whiskey spread across his tongue, Hiromitsu Morofushi carelessly played along with the probe, subtly including private information to remind Akai of the issues within the FBI.
Rye's identity being exposed and Yamawashi joining Public Security happened less than a month apart; the benefits of having another reliable ally remaining within the Organization must surely far outweigh the benefits of forcing him to flee the Organization.
He might not have been completely without a premonition that Rye was an undercover agent, he believed that the other man certainly wasn't without any inkling either. Although it was inconvenient to directly admit their identities, maintaining this indirect alliance of mutual vigilance and reminders was enough to accomplish many things; after all, their goals were the same, they had never had any conflicts of interest or stance within the Organization.
It was Rye who suggested this drink, Rye was the first to leave. Hiromitsu Morofushi watched the long-haired man in the knit cap depart, then ordered another drink from the bartender.
The undercover agent hidden within Public Security has been detained, so the identity exposure incident in early December will not happen again, Yamawashi will not die to save him.
This also meant that once December 7th passed, Yamawashi would become the greatest variable in his life after his rebirth.
He did not understand Yamawashi. Yamawashi's current cooperation was merely an unavoidable compromise due to Scotland being controlled by Public Security. If he had any other way to deal with Yamawashi, he would never have revealed his true identity.