CHAPTER 12 #2
“Perhaps, although it’s not clear from the Onmyōryō’s database because the info is classified.
But I got their personal addresses and needed to send a few officers ahead to check on them.
If they’re home, I’ll speak with them myself.
” Shinji’s brows drew together. “Here’s the thing.
The entire team was supposed to be having days off, which is why the Onmyōryō failed to look for them earlier. ”
“Makes sense.”
Shinji put the bowl of whipped cream aside and started chopping the fruit. “They’re probably mobilizing now, but I thought I’d get ahead of them.”
“Well, obviously I approved your request,” Teruo said as he grated the carrot. He trusted Shinji made it for a good reason. “But by the time I left the office, there was no word on their whereabouts.”
“And I’m not sure there will be.” Shinji stared at the cutting board, his fingers gripping a persimmon until he squashed it.
He clicked his tongue, then ate the persimmon and picked up another.
“All I have tying these people to the rest is a photograph, but that means nothing unless I have confirmation that they’re part of the team. ”
The kitchen fell into a tense silence with only the sound of the microwave as it heated the sliced carrots.
“It’s time to confront Commissioner Horiuchi,” Teruo finally said. “We have to find out if she is on our side or the extractor’s side, especially now that we know she is their leader.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Shinji said as he spread cream on the slices of bread. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Actually…” Teruo rested his hip against the counter. “I think I should talk to her.”
Shinji looked up and his throat bobbed in a choking swallow. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Is there any point to pretend anymore? Despite our efforts, Horiuchi has a classified file on me. She’ll likely find out everything soon enough. There’s no point in delaying the inevitable, not when we genuinely need her help.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be okay.” Teruo picked up another pan and started preparing the salmon and mushrooms. “I faced criminals. Got shot at. Got stabbed too. The Onmyōryō and their empty threats don’t faze me anymore.”
“They should.”
“So you keep saying. You, the superintendent, Nakajima.”
Shinji closed his eyes for a moment and drew a breath. “What did Kazuya tell you?”
“That they’ll poke me with needles. Fun times.”
“Yeah, they probably will.” Shinji fidgeted with the sliced strawberries and persimmons, placing them on the whipped cream with trembling hands.
Teruo’s heart ached for being the one to cause Shinji so much fear, so much grief, but finding the criminal was important. If giving himself away helped catch the criminal, he was okay to do it.
“I find that hard to believe,” Teruo continued. “Are they gonna drag me by a leg to the Onmyōryō castle to do tests? Let them try, see what happens.”
“At this point, I can’t tell if you’re brave or reckless.”
“I’ve always been a charming mess of both.” Teruo winked.
Shinji gave him a small smile, although he looked unconvinced by Teruo’s confidence.
In all honesty, his confidence was more veneer than truth.
He would be stupid not to be wary of the Onmyōryō.
They were people who had too much control over too many things and seemed to make decisions on a whim and had powers that Teruo couldn’t see, but which turned Shinji into a ball of glowing anxiety.
It was these supernatural powers that worried him more than anything else. The TMPD also suffered from similar issues of misplaced focus, overconfidence, and plenty of discrimination, so he was used to dealing with that. But it was difficult to tackle something his eyes couldn’t see.
Teruo took the carrots out of the microwave and set then set them aside. Then he added tuna, mayo and seasonings, mixing them together. “Maybe we’re misunderstanding Horiuchi and she’s on our side.”
Shinji raised a brow. “Quite an unexpected statement.”
“Look at it this way: she’s been at the TMPD for a few months already, but made no movements against us even though she clearly knows about our situations.”
“I think you’re forgetting she closed down all the healing rooms. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I don’t trust her.” Shinji slapped the bread on top of the second layer of cream, then pressed. “She’s got an agenda and she’s waiting for the best moment to strike.”
Teruo pointed to the sandwich. “Don’t kill it. It looks tasty.”
Shinji blushed. “Sorry. Got carried away.” He wrapped it up and placed it in the fridge to chill. “We have to be careful with her.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t trust Horiuchi. I just need to work some sort of arrangement with her, that’s all.” He nodded toward the finished food. “Help me with that.”
Shinji turned the heat off and they plated the simmered eggplant and bell peppers, then the salmon and mushrooms. Teruo grated some radish on top.
“I’ve never thanked you,” Shinji hand, and threaded his fingers through Teruo’s. “For being so supportive and not leaving, despite the mess I got you in. Anyone else would’ve disappeared by now.” His eyes were glistening with tears. “Thank you.”
“Hey, c’mere.” Teruo cradled him in his arms and kissed his lips. “I’d never do that. I love you and no matter what life throws at us, we’ll face it together.” He poked Shinji’s cheek lightly. “You’re stuck with this grump.”
“I love my grump. The best and most handsome grump!”
Teruo thought he was going to melt into a puddle. Shinji’s fingertips brushed against his cheek and jaw, and he kissed Teruo again, slow and sweet, his lips peppering little pecks down Teruo’s throat. It made Teruo’s heart drum so hard in his chest he felt it might burst.
Shinji pulled back, and they set the table. The aroma of homecooked food was incredible, but the best of it was enjoying everything with Shinji. When it was the dessert’s turn, Teruo felt the full blast of Shinji’s stare on him as he took a bite from the sandwich.
“It’s delicious,” Teruo said. “Definitely not getting indigestion,” he joked.
Shinji let out a huge sigh of relief. “Well, we’ll see about that later.”
“Don’t be so skeptical. It’s not going to happen. The sandwich is fantastic.” Teruo wolfed it down, and after wiping his hand, he reached for Shinji’s across the table. “I’m proud of you.”
Surprise flickered on Shinji’s features and he chuckled. “Now when I think about it, seems like it was a rather stupid thing for me to have fixated on for so many years.”
“Nothing stupid about it. We all have our own inner battles. Just because yours is about cooking doesn’t make it less valid.”
Shinji’s cheeks flushed, and he squeezed Teruo’s hand. “Thanks.”
Teruo leaned back in the chair, patting his belly. “I’m stuffed.”
A mischievous smirk spread across Shinji’s face. “Unlikely. I’m the only one who can properly stuff you.”
An incredulous but amused gasp escaped Teruo. “You perv!”
Shinji sniggered and there was nothing more adorable than how pleased with himself Shinji looked whenever he surprised Teruo with one of his raunchy jokes.
After putting the leftovers in the fridge, they headed up to the bedroom and threw themselves on the bed. Outside, night had fallen, and the tree branches swayed in the rainstorm. A featherlight touch of Shinji’s hand brushed against his chest, skimming slowly up to his chin.
Rolling onto his side, Shinji moved closer and pressed a kiss to Teruo’s cheek, nipped his earlobe and traced his lips down Teruo’s throat. His warm breath ghosted Teruo’s skin as Shinji continued kissing his chest and abdomen. A soft moan escaped Teruo’s lips, relishing Shinji’s touch.
Then Shinji kissed his way back up and gave Teruo a big smooch on the lips.
“I love all of you,” Shinji said, and warmth spread through Teruo. “All of your body… except your toes.”
That made Teruo blink in confusion. “Oi. What have you got against my toes?”
“Sometimes, at night, when you spoon me, you tickle my ankles with your toes and it’s annoying,” Shinji explained in his most saccharine voice.
“An unlikely scenario.” Teruo wiggled his toes. “Show me more evidence to support that accusation.”
“Uh oh. He’s in detective mode,” Shinji whispered to himself.
Teruo did his best to remain serious and not burst into laughter. “Doubt you can even feel my toes. You sleep like a log. I have to shake you in the morning to wake you up while your heavy metal phone alarm blasts through the house.”
Shinji snorted. “It’s not heavy metal…”
“Sure sounds like it. I think you’re dreaming about being tickled and blaming it on my toes. My toes are innocent until proven guilty.”
“All right, chief. We’ll add the toes back on the list of things I love about you, but if you tickle me again…”
“You’re dreaming,” Teruo insisted, unable to stop grinning.
“My dreams are sexier than tickling, okay?”
“Sexier, huh? Do I appear in those dreams?”
“Yes. You do wondrous things with your tongue.” He stuck his own tongue out in demonstration and Teruo’s cheeks turned red.
“You kinky brat!” Teruo pinched his nipples, and Shinji let out a breathy moan.
“More of that, please,” Shinji teased, and he moved even closer until their bodies were flush against each other on their side.
Teruo captured his mouth, biting and tugging as his fingertips traced the ridges of Shinji’s abs before making their way around to the waistband of his boxer briefs. He slid his hand underneath the fabric and flattened his palm on the firm curve of Shinji’s ass, blunt nails digging in greedily.
Shinji inhaled a sharp breath before he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding smoothly against Teruo’s, while his hand explored Teruo’s body. Each trace sent a dull throb to Teruo’s cock, and he pulled his shorts down just enough to release his erection, then did the same with Shinji’s underwear.
The moment their skin touched again, Shinji held onto Teruo’s hip, wanting to leave as little space between them as possible.
Teruo moaned as Shinji gripped his cock and worked his palm over Teruo’s length from root to tip.
His teeth grazed Teruo’s jaw, and he trailed wet kisses all over Teruo’s neck.
Teruo snaked his hand to wrap it around Shinji’s shaft and stroked, drinking in the moans and gasps Shinji made against the crook of his neck.
“Like that?” Teruo asked.
“Love that,” Shinji whispered and kissed him again.
Teruo’s hand glided, squeezing, tracing his thumb over the wet slit, savoring the needy way Shinji writhed against him. A shuddering gasp shook him as Shinji quickened his pace, and Teruo mirrored him until their knuckles rubbed in hot friction as they stroked together.
Only a glint from the streetlights made its way inside, bathing them both in its pale-yellow glow.
Teruo gazed at Shinji’s frame on the bed, a sheen of sweat glistening on his shoulder.
Soft moans escaped him and when their eyes met, Teruo’s heart felt so full of love.
They held each other’s gaze as they stroked their erections, and it was hot and tender at the same time.
Pleasure coiled within Teruo and he spilled in Shinji’s hand with a quiet grunt. Shinji’s own climax came soon after, his body arching with his orgasm.
A satisfied sound left Shinji’s lips and nuzzled Teruo’s nose, pressing a little kiss on his lips. He whispered sweet words of praise and love in Teruo’s ears, his arms wrapping tight around Teruo.
But the last few days’ fatigue was catching up to them, and Teruo grabbed some wipes from the nightstand to clean them up.
Just as he finished, all of a sudden Shinji sat straight up in bed.
“You startled me,” Teruo said. “You okay?”
Shinji’s attention was focused outside, beyond the small space in between the curtains. “There’s someone outside the house. A supernatural.”