The Space Between Us

The older woman returned with a soft knock, waiting longer than before to open the door. She entered slowly carrying a tray with freshly brewed tea and a small assortment of snacks - mochi, chestnuts, and rice crackers.

"Thank you for your patience. The room will be ready soon." She set the tray on the table by the window. "Please have some snacks as you wait."

The older woman bowed politely and quietly slipped out of the room.

Akari and Jun moved to the window, settling on the cushions laid out. Outside, the night had taken over. A lake reflecting the soft moonlight, the large trees swaying gently with the mountain wind, and the occasional curl of steam from the outdoor springs floating past. 

Akari wrapped her hands around the warm teacup as she gazed at the night of the mountain. "It's so quiet here..."

Jun sipped his tea. "That's why I brought you here."

"Do you come here often?"

Jun shook his head. "It's my first time here. Michi would always brag saying her in-laws owned the perfect onsen, but I never had the time or desire to go before."

"Her in-laws...?" Akari tilted her head. "Then was that?"

"Michi's mother in-law." He rubbed his temples as a sigh escaped his mouth. "I have a feeling they did some scheming together..." He mumbled to himself.

"You and Michi must be close." Akari said oblivious to the words under Jun's breath.

"Not really. We were just on the same team back when I was a detective. She was my superior and made me do all her grunt work." The memories brought irritation to his voice. "I was always busy, and sleep deprived because of her, so she owes me now."

"Can't imagine you as the type to do grunt work."

"She didn't give me much choice. She's annoyingly persistent and ridiculously stubborn. She would follow me everywhere." 

"Must be where you learned it from."

He glanced at her, eyebrow raised. "What's that supposed to mean?"

A small teasing laugh escaped her lips; the first genuine playfulness she'd shown him. 

Jun blinked, taken aback by the first sound of laughter from her. "You think I'm stubborn?" He asked, amusement tugging at his lips.

Akari titled her head, a small smile plastered on her face. "Maybe just a little."

He let out a defeated breath. "You're not one to talk though."

Akari's eyes widened slightly in playful offense. "Me? I'm not stubborn."

Jun shot her a look - the kind that screamed he disagreed.

It was enough to make her laugh again, soft and light. "Fine... Maybe I'm a little stubborn..."

He nodded, satisfied. "That's for sure."

Akari rolled her eyes, but she was smiling - really smiling. Not the kind she forced to the public, something different. Something softer, relaxed, genuine. Something real. Jun watched it, the way her face softened and lit up when she let herself be something other than the persona she created. He couldn't stop himself from smiling at it.

A knock came to the door again.

The older woman slid the door open just enough to speak to them. "Your other room is ready for you."

Jun nodded to the woman. "Thank you." He turned back to Akari. "I should go settle in and you should get some rest."

Akari's lips parted, a small instinctive protest in her chest. She wanted to tell him to stay. To sit with her longer. To not be separated. 

But the words got lost in her throat.

All she managed was a slight nod.

Jun got up slowly, moving carefully with his wound. He grabbed his bag with a wince he tried to hide. He didn't want her to see, but she did. She always did.

He paused at the doorway as if debating to say something. But instead, he offered her a small shy smile. "Goodnight Akari. Thank you for tonight."

"Of course... Goodnight..."

Jun stepped out and slid the door shut with a soft thud that echoed louder in both of their chests than it should've.

-

Akari lay on her futon, staring blankly at the ceiling. The room was warm, peaceful, safe. Everything she should've needed to fall asleep. But her eyes wouldn't shut, the silence weighing more than expected.

Every time she tried to sleep, her mind drifted to Jun.

The way he looked at her.

The way his hand rested on her waist.

The way he got unexpectedly shy.

Her cheeks warmed as she remembered how close they were. 

She pulled the covers over her head, forcing her eyes shut. I think I'm reading into it too much...

-

Jun lay on his back, his side throbbed with every breath, but that wasn't what kept him awake.

It was her.

Her hands delicately tending to his wound with more care than he thought he deserved.

Her eyes when she told him he didn't have to protect her all the time.

Her laugh, the surprising light sweetness that escaped her lips when she let herself relax.

But the moment that replayed the most was when he forced himself to leave.

He wanted to stay, even just a second more.

But he didn't want to push her. Not after everything she's gone through lately.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed aggressively.

He looked at the caller and sighed as he answered. "What?"

Michi's voice chimed from the other end, far too cheerful. "Well, hello to you too. I was expecting more of a happier tone, but then again who am I talking to."

Jun closed his eyes. "What do you want Michi?"

"I heard." She continued smugly. "That you completely threw away the opportunity I gave you."

His jaw tightened. "So, you did do it on purpose."

"Would you have made a move if I hadn't?" A smirk heard clearly in her voice.

"What makes you think I want to make a move?"

Michi laughed. "Oh please. Don't mock me. I know you Jun. You couldn't be more obvious."

Jun ran a hand through his hair. "I'm just keeping her safe because she needs it. That's all."

"Yeah, and I do five loads of laundry a week for my kids because it's fun." Michi deadpanned. "Ignore it all you want but it won't make it any less true."

"Goodnight Michi..." His voice dropped low.

"Goodnight you stubborn idiot."

He hung up before she could try to tease him more.

I just want to keep her safe, that's all... He exhaled deeply, his moments with Akari replaying in his mind. Is that really all it is...?