Nothing to Forgive

“Is this what I think it is?” Fuyuki asked after a few minutes of reading silently.

“What else?”

Feng Liwei leaned on the desk before them, his head almost touching the life-like animation.

“It’s not that I didn’t believe it exists,” Fuyuki replied, almost apologizing for doubting him. “I’m just surprised that you’re willing to show me such a document of your own accord without me asking for it.”

“I’m not showing it to you for free,” he reminded him sternly.

“I know,” Fuyuki nodded slowly. “But I didn’t expect you to show me something like this. Some people would kill to get their hands on this. It makes me wonder just how important the person you are looking for might be if you are willing to give up such a top-secret document in exchange?” he asked seriously, to his surprise feeling bitter sadness upon thinking this over and realizing it.

“Why do you think so?”

“Well, at first glance there aren’t many differences between the current and the new version. Their features are basically the same. There is only one major difference,” Fuyuki said and pointed at the 3D model, enlarging it to see every detail. “It’s no longer a wristband. I’m not a scientist but to me, it looks more like a small chip implanted in the index finger. It’s more convenient to use but less convenient to live with, if you forgive my words.”

“I have nothing to forgive. As I said previously, our goals are similar.”

“I still don’t get it,” Fuyuki said after a few seconds of observing the Major’s expression. “You’re in a high position. With your authority, you could veto this new invention so it won’t be implemented.”

“Nothing is that easy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t only depend on me.”

“If you can’t then I’m no use to you either. So my question still stands.”

“Don’t belittle yourself so much! Besides, I’m not giving up anything.”

“Wha--...” said Fuyuki, turning his head in surprise to look at the person standing next to him.

“As I said, it’s an exchange,” Feng Liwei interrupted. “I’m sure you know a way to make use of this information without causing anarchy but still prevent this happening.”

Fuyuki was astonished at the Major’s faith in him. He should be glad that such a high-profile person values him this much. It almost made him forget that tightness in his chest when he thought about the person, whose mere existence is worth this much. But he couldn’t help thinking that something was not right. There must be a catch in it.

“Okay, let’s say I help you,” Fuyuki said after much thinking. “If I do, I’ll need some proof to make my contact believe me, so we can move forward with our plan.”

Hearing this, Feng Liwei tapped on the image projected before them and seemed to type in some command. A few seconds later he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. It was the only device he had that he considered safe to use for not-so-legal purposes. Of course, someone like Feng Liwei could find out his number easily.

“I’ve just sent it to you. It’s still encrypted and you won’t be able to decrypt it. Not even with your ability,” he added as if guessing Fuyuki’s thought. “The moment you let me meet the person I’m looking for, I’ll decrypt the file for you and you can use it.”

They were no longer looking at the image projected in the dark room. Their eyes were illuminated by the lights emanated from the image hiding part of their faces.

“It’s a deal,” Fuyuki said finally, offering his hand as a sign of agreement. A handshake was still one of the most common ways, albeit old-fashioned to show it but no matter how common it was it still made Fuyuki uneasy.

After that certain moment when he clung to this person as if his life depended on it, and it most certainly did, and even kissed him, he didn’t expect that touching his bare hand would feel this... Intimate.

He looked at him with an expressionless face trying not to show any emotion but he still couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart as their skin made contact. Is it because now he can see his face while their skin touched unlike while kissing? He wasn’t sure but he still became a little embarrassed and let go of the hand holding his after a few seconds. 

“Then I’ll... Show you to the door, so you only need to get out of the garden alone. Unless you want to stay,” Feng Liwei said in a low voice, looking straight into his eyes.

“Let’s go then!” Fuyuki said quickly and turned to leave.

He was glad that the room was mostly dark, so Feng Liwei couldn’t see him blushing. He wasn’t sure if he misinterpreted what he said or not but even thinking about it made his face feel hot. So, he had no alternative but to quickly go in the direction of the door but didn’t expect an obstacle before him making him almost fall over.

“That’s a chair. The door is over there,” he said after catching his arm at the last minute.

“Thanks. Are you coming?”

Fuyuki watched as Feng Liwei closed the file of the projected image, destroying every sign of their conversation before joining him to go out of the room. The room was in complete darkness now but he still managed to walk flawlessly without bumping into or stumbling over anything, unlike Fuyuki. But then again, this was his room, so who would know the arrangement of its furnishing better than him?

It doesn’t matter. It’s still embarrassing. I can’t convince him that I can be useful if I act like a fool. Unless he likes fools.

But why would he like fools?

Anyway, I’m not a fool.