i always knew that this would never end
Prologue 1
i always knew that this would never end
“With some shifting around, I think it’ll go smoothly, Partner.”
Naruhodou stopped in his tracks as Asougi’s smooth voice gently tugged him from whatever daydream he had been indulging in. The sun had begun to set, the last few rays that peeped over the horizon seemed to have dedicated themselves in framing his friend’s determined shape and highlighting his ever fluttering headband. His usually dull hazel eyes seem to brighten in the setting sun, and Naruhodou found himself getting lost again, there was just something about how-
“Hey, Naruhodou!” Asougi playfully flicked his forehead. “Did you hear me?”
Naruhodou startled, obsidian eyes growing fearful for a second before settling into annoyance. He desperately tried to ignore the mischievous grin blossoming on his friends face, how it differed so much from the formal smile he gave to others, as if the world was only enclosed of them two, and everyone else was not, and would never be privy to.
“Um you said that your wallet never felt emptier after ordering all those pork cutlets for me…”
Familiar laughter rang out like a shimmer of sunlight on a bleak day, hearty and warm to Naruhodou’s ears. It coated him like a thin veil.
“You never change, food always on the mind eh? No, I was working out how to get you on the SS Aclair.”
“Oh, that.”
Naruhodou shifted his stance slightly, pulling on his sleeves out of habit. The SS Aclair, Asougi’s exchange trip. Wasn’t that the reason Naruhodou has tried so hard to get a not-guilty verdict? The exchange trip that seemed to darken yet also bring fire to his friends eyes. Asougi’s words from earlier rang clearly in his head.
“I can’t do this without you, partner, I need you every step of the way. Even if you don’t want to be an attorney, isn’t London worth seeing?”
As usual, Naruhodou had trouble expressing just how much he would have missed Asougi when he went on his exchange trip, and that to be with him instead of pining for a year was a blessing. He trusted that Asougi had understood this, the small smile that graced his lips as he waited for a response indicated as much.
Asougi’s smiles always won him over- though he would never admit this, he was too easy to read already.
Despite his quick alacrity at the prospect of not having to endure his best friend’s absence for a year, Naruhodou had some doubts. Wouldn’t he get in the way? And anyways, how would Asougi smuggle him on the ship? And what about the student budget, would it be enough to feed all three of them- since his legal assistant was supposed to come as well, no? Asougi had said it was fine, and he wasn’t the type to hide stuff like that from him (well…usually?) And he knew that, realistically, there was no reason to worry. But still. The thoughts persisted. He slowly faded back into the conversation Asougi was trying to have with him- for once he hadn’t seen past his facade of slow nodding and ‘hmm’s’- suggesting that he was distracted as well. Which was rare- but Naruhodou stopped himself before going down another rabbit hole of thought and instead concentrated on Asougi’s words.
“As, I was saying, It’ll be easy enough. I mean it’s not like they can see inside the suitcase. And you’re not supposed to open them either. Though I’ll double, no- triple lock it just in case. And I know you tend to worry so that should ease your mind a little.”
While he had no idea what a suitcase had to do with the situation, Naruhodou nodded.
“Come on let’s go home, we still have some time to fine-tune the details.” He nudged Naruhodou playfully, indicating for them to start moving again.
Asougi went forward, face settled in ease as, to him at least, the road seemed clear. The sky had begun to darken, and the familiar chill of the winter was beginning to settle on them, enveloping them in its icy, dry embrace. But despite this, the last hints of sun felt pleasant on their backs. The purple and dark blue bleeding over the horizon told of things to come, at a slow approach.
But Naruhodou didn’t walk forward. He stood there, patting down his collar.
His best friend, ever patient, stopped on the road and waited for him. But when Naruhodou didn’t come, he walked back, brow slightly furrowed. Was it possible for the flicker of a headband to come off as irritated?
“Naruhodou-“
“I lost it!”
It was rare to see Asougi with a blank face, with absolutely no idea what was going on. If he wasn’t busy fretting he may have indulged in it.
“My student badge!”
“…Again?”
He nodded briskly, hands digging into his pockets once more, already knowing that they were empty. He turned them inside out and back again.
“Do you have it?”
“Naruhodou, why would I have it? I’m not a thief.” His eyes were cold but his lips were twitching at the corners. His hands subtly passed over the pockets in his trousers and uniform, despite his assurance earlier.
“I must have lost it in the courthouse-can we go back?”
A long sigh emitted from his friend, causing the air between them to grow cloudy. For a wild second, Naruhodou forgot what he was, or where, or what he was doing. Asougi’s presence was suddenly overwhelming and he forgot what he was worrying about for a split second. Asougi didn’t notice, or if he did, he didn’t say anything.
“Fine, I’ll accompany you, wouldn’t want you fumbling around in the dark later, at least not on your own. Come on, the courts should still be open.”
“O-oh! Thank you Asougi!”