Then, in the next second, he witnessed a person being transformed right before his eyes.
“How's that?” Matsuda Jinpei reached up to push the sunglasses on his face with a hint of smugness. Watching Furuya Rei's expression slowly crack, he felt that his trip hadn't been in vain.
Even the shame of pretending to be a cat in front of his peers had lessened quite a bit.
“For real?” Furuya Rei said, stepping forward. He raised his hand and gave Matsuda Jinpei's cheek a hard pinch.
A red mark was quickly left on his skin.
“What are you doing?!” Matsuda Jinpei cried out in pain. Upon discovering that Furuya Rei was reaching for the cat ears on his head again, the cat tail behind him lashed out with extreme speed and equal force, slapping against the back of Furuya Rei's hand.
“Tsk.” Furuya Rei let out a sound of dissatisfaction, clutching his hand.
"What exactly are you being dissatisfied about, you rude guy?" Matsuda Jinpei showed an expression of restraint, while the tail behind him had already begun to bristle slightly.
"Who exactly is this rude person who comes uninvited in the middle of the night?" Furuya Rei disagreed with Matsuda Jinpei's claim, but he soon reacted, a smile appearing on his face.
"Oh, I almost forgot, you're just a little kitty-cat now." Emphasizing those three words with deliberate weight successfully provoked Matsuda Jinpei's anger.
Is that so?" Matsuda Jinpei revealed a sinister smile: "If you want to verify what's real and what's fake, my fists can do that too.
"Childish temper," Furuya Rei mocked, while rolling up his sleeves.
*
..
“What a truly touching reunion.” Kisaragi Chiyo clapped her hands expressionlessly, blatantly lying.
Beside him was Matsuda Jinpei, who felt so guilty he could have practically buried his head in his curry rice, Furuya Rei, who sat opposite them, mindlessly stuffing the same kind of curry rice into his mouth.
Of course, Matsuda Jinpei's portion was a special low-salt, low-oil version prepared by Morofushi Hiromitsu.
How should I put this.." After hearing that, Morofushi Hiromitsu couldn't help but press his hand to his forehead. "A development that is not surprising at all.
"In that case," Kisaragi Chiyo suddenly thought of the person and the cat who, just like them, had started fighting the moment they met at Kaedokan.
You two have such a great relationship," Kisaragi Chiyo couldn't help but sigh. "It's a pity that Hara didn't come.
“As for Hara.." Morofushi Hiromitsu spoke hesitantly, his gaze drifting uncontrollably toward the top of Matsuda Jinpei's head, where triangular cat ears were standing up amidst the curls.
"It's a dog." Kisaragi Chiyo didn't feel like she had said anything surprising at all.
"Ah.. it's a dog." Morofushi Hiromitsu nodded with a dazed expression.
"Congratulations, congratulations, you now have both a cat and a dog." In truth, Morofushi himself didn't even know what he was congratulating them on; he simply blurted it out involuntarily after thinking about the three of them living happily together.
Thank you." Kisaragi Chiyo nodded with a calm expression. "If there is an opportunity, I hope to invite you and Mr. Furuya to our wedding.
"Eh?" Three shocked voices rang out simultaneously.
Matsuda Jinpei, who had been eating intently, looked up in shock: "A wedding?!"
Furuya Rei felt as if Matsuda Jinpei had stolen his lines. He cast a complicated gaze back and forth between Kisaragi Chiyo and Matsuda Jinpei, he certainly hadn't forgotten what the young man had mentioned about being a member of the Matsuda family.
"When do you two plan to.. hold the wedding?" Furuya Rei managed to squeeze out those three words with difficulty. He still hadn't recovered from the shattered worldview of his colleague dying and turning into a cat, in the next second, he was caught completely off guard by the relationship between Matsuda and Kisaragi Chiyo.
Not to mention a wedding!
Matsuda's wedding! Even the class president hasn't finished his marathon of love, yet Matsuda is actually having a wedding!?
Ghost! It's incredible! It's simply unbelievable!
Furuya Rei looked at Matsuda Jinpei with an expression of surprise, then he realized that the other man's expression was also one of total shock, as if he had just been hit by a windfall.
"Wait, why.. so suddenly?" Matsuda Jinpei was somewhat at a loss. He felt that Kisaragi Chiyo truly was someone who only made a splash when she acted; had they skipped too many steps between them?
They hadn't even officially confessed their feelings to each other or confirmed their relationship as lovers; how could they have fast-forwarded straight to the wedding stage?
Oh, I was just mentioning it in advance." Kisaragi Chiyo slowly popped a piece of potato into her mouth. "It's probably something in the future plans, not quite that soon.. at least, not until some problems are resolved.
"I was just a bit curious as to why you would suddenly bring this up." Matsuda Jinpei stole a glance at Kisaragi Chiyo's face, after confirming her casual attitude, he felt an indescribable mix of anticipation and disappointment.
So it was something for the future.. Matsuda Jinpei thought to himself, but the image of her wearing a white wedding kimono uncontrollably surfaced in his mind.
"Matsuda, you're smoking.." Furuya Rei revealed his bright eyes. He looked down at the curry rice, which was still more than half-full, suddenly felt full.
I've just cleared up a few things," Kisaragi Chiyo said, her eyes cast down as she used a spoon to mash a piece of potato. "It's better to confirm certain things.. Gen, you're even more insecure than I imagined.
"What does that have to do with the original?" Furuya Rei asked, having no understanding of the relationship between the three of them.
"Oh?" Kisaragi Chiyo raised her eyes, her misty gray eyes gazing at the ignorant Furuya Rei, as she revealed a smile.
Didn't I say?
Looking at the smile on the young man's face, Furuya Rei suddenly felt a prickle of unease in his heart.
Me, Matsuda, Hara.
The three of us are in a relationship.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Thanks to all the little angels for your support, mwah 030
Chapter 106
The curry rice Morofushi Hiromitsu made was delicious; before leaving, Kisaragi Chiyo had even specifically asked him for the recipe.
"Chocolate?" Kisaragi Chiyo looked at the recipe written on the back of the supermarket receipt, her gaze paused slightly when she saw one of the ingredients.
"The secret to making curry taste richer is adding chocolate; both dark chocolate and milk chocolate can add a different flavor to the curry." Morofushi Hiromitsu smiled warmly at him, his eyes curving into crescents.
"Don't worry, I served a separate portion for Matsuda earlier." As if having read his thoughts, the handsome man with black hair and blue eyes winked at him. While speaking, his gaze drifted slyly toward Matsuda Jinpei standing nearby, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
"Cats shouldn't eat chocolate; I always keep that in mind." Morofushi Hiromitsu's observational skills were sharp enough; as Matsuda Jinpei looked over warily, he instantly wiped the sly expression from his face, replacing it with a look of solemn seriousness.
“Kisaragi, Matsuda.” Morofushi Hiromitsu looked at them with a gentle gaze, a kind smile curling his lips.
"I am truly grateful to you both this time." The black-haired, blue-eyed man subconsciously pressed his hand against his chest; in Kisaragi Chiyo's description, his self after death, having become an evil spirit, had a massive bullet hole in his chest.
What does it feel like when a bullet passes through your heart? Is it a sensation of intense pain? Or is it instant death?
Even though the demon the young man spoke of was also him, he had not personally experienced all of this and ultimately could not empathize with it. While feeling relieved that his own death had been averted, a belated sense of fear and guilt rose in Morofushi Hiromitsu's heart.
Brother, Zero.. someone is constantly waiting for him to come back.
It's not as if you didn't provide compensation." Kisaragi Chiyo waved the recipe written on the receipt in her hand. "The curry rice was delicious, thank you for the treat.
Once I return, you can have Hara try following the method written on it.
"I hope I can make curry that's just as delicious." After Kisaragi Chiyo said this, Furuya Rei, standing on the other side, wore a look of pure envy.
Well, although he had barely managed to accept the somewhat chaotic yet harmonious romantic relationships of his peers, he still couldn't stand the pink, bubbly aura overflowing from these two just by them standing there.
Even as a third party who only appeared in the conversation, the original's presence was incredibly strong. Furuya Rei truly could not imagine what kind of blindingly intense chemical reaction would occur when these three were together.
Well then, I won't take up any more of your time." Morofushi Hiromitsu smiled and waved to the two of them, "I wish you both a safe journey.
Don't forget, you too." Matsuda Jinpei extended his fist and lightly bumped it against Morofushi's, "See you in the future.
See you in the future.
Although he knew the road ahead would be fraught with many hardships and obstacles, thinking of the future that was so highly anticipated, Morofushi Hiromitsu felt that perhaps everything would go much more smoothly than he had imagined.
One day, he will personally travel to the future that Matsuda described to him; it will certainly be very interesting.
"Alright." Watching Matsuda and the young man's figures drift further and further away until they completely vanished from sight, Furuya Rei also prepared to say goodbye to Morofushi Hiromitsu.
After all, since Scotland had defected while undercover, he was still in a period of being closely monitored by the Organization due to the fallout, so it wasn't wise for him to have too much contact with his close friend. If the Organization were to follow the clues and find Morofushi Hiromitsu through him, he would certainly hate him for it.
“Take care, Hiro.” Furuya Rei's voice carried a hint of reluctance. Once they parted ways this time, it would likely take more than half a year before he could clear his suspicions and regain the organization's trust.
Don't worry, Zero." Morofushi Hiromitsu was actually feeling quite optimistic right now, he patted his friend's shoulder comfortingly. "Haven't you already asked your subordinate to arrange a new place for me?
The Organization will think that I have already escaped back to the Metropolitan Police Department, yet the mole within the Metropolitan Police Department will be unable to find any trace of me from the inside. If that happens, he will only suspect that I am already onto him, he will be filled with anxiety.
"Do you already have targets in mind for the mole within the Metropolitan Police Department?" At the mention of this, Furuya Rei's expression instantly grew several degrees colder.
"Well, I have a few suspects.. but I can't say for certain yet." Morofushi Hiromitsu narrowed his eyes, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
Even without concrete evidence, a man with a guilty conscience will easily trip up under a bit of external pressure, revealing his tracks amidst suspicion and unease.
I see.. I understand." Furuya Rei looked at the smile on his friend's face and immediately understood, "Leave this to me. Until you are completely safe, you'd better not get involved in that matter.
Then I'll leave it to you, Furuya Rei." As he spoke, Morofushi Hiromitsu sighed again, pointing to the dark circles under his own eyes, said with a hint of teasing, "But while you're being serious, don't forget to ensure you get enough rest. Always remember that your health is your greatest asset.
Our esteemed Chief.
*
There were hardly any people in the station late at night; the few that appeared were ghosts who, disliking crowds, had come out to play during the quiet hours.
Some liked to pretend they were fish, performing a waterless butterfly stroke on the station lobby floor; others, perhaps driven by some inexpressible sense of retaliation, dragged their long tongues along, licking every handrail in the station from end to end.
Kisaragi Chiyo: ".."
Kisaragi Chiyo closed her eyes tightly, wearing an indescribable expression, decided that she would definitely maintain a safe distance from the station handrails in the future.
"When I was a human, I was suppressed by society; after death, I can liberate my true nature without any inhibitions." Matsuda Jinpei lowered his eyes and took a step back, making way for the ghost that was pretending to be a fish.
What about you, Matsuda?
The lightbulb above their heads was dim, flickering occasionally due to a loose connection. A few white-gray moths, drawn by the light, clung to it, flapping their wings silently as they observed the two people below.
"Me?" Matsuda Jinpei raised an eyebrow upon hearing that, his teal eyes appearing with a soft hue under the dim, flickering light.
Kisaragi Chiyo's heart stirred as she looked at him; he reached out and gently hooked her fingers, only to have them grasped by the Curly-haired man's hand a second later.
"I'm much the same." Matsuda Jinpei squeezed Kisaragi Chiyo's cold fingertips, occasionally scratching her palm through her glove.
Whether in life or after death, models, boxing.. as long as you pour your attention into one thing, you can temporarily forget all other troubles.
"Of course, I used to smoke, but I've quit now." Matsuda Jinpei thought back to when he used to smoke most heavily; even one pack a day would have been considered a small amount.
“The nicotine in cigarettes can stimulate the release of more dopamine, giving a person a brief sense of relaxation and pleasure.. but isn't this behavior just another form of self-numbing?” Kisaragi Chiyo tried to pull her hand away from the other man's grasp, but after several attempts, she was unsuccessful.
"Let's be honest with each other." Matsuda Jinpei lowered his eyes, staring into the young man's misty grey eyes, his expression turning somewhat serious.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
"Can't I just want to have a chat with you?" Kisaragi Chiyo countered.
“Of course you can.” Matsuda Jinpei laughed. He lowered his head, leaning close to the youth's face, brushed his nose against the young man's cheek. His low, laughter-filled voice fell against his ear, accompanied by warm, moist breaths.