The Path We Take

The morning mist hung around the mountains outside, drifting past the window as the first light of day poured into the room. Akari awoke slowly, she lay curled up in the futon, listening to the peaceful lull of the springs and the songs of the mountain birds.

Her thoughts suddenly turned to the person across the hall.

Jun.

I wonder if he's okay...

She pushed herself up, tying her yukata a little better before stepping into the hallway. 

She paused outside his door, knocking quietly. "Jun...? Are you awake?"

No answer.

She hesitated for a moment before carefully sliding the door open and slipping inside.

Jun was still asleep.

He lay awkwardly on his back, the exhaustion from his injury was painfully obvious. His breathing was slower and deeper than usual. His hair disheveled and a faint line of sweat on his brow.

Instinctively, Akari's hand reached out to feel his head, warm but not feverish. She glided her fingertips across his temple, brushing aside the messy strands of hair.

Jun stirred.

His eyes blinked open, unsure if he was dreaming. Then his confusion turned to soft surprise.

"Akari...?" His voice rough with sleep and pain. "You're here..."

Akari pulled her hand back, flustered. "I-I just wanted to check on you... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to wake you."

He let out a breath that could've been laugh. "I'm glad you did."

"Huh?"

He shook his head lightly, a faint smile on his lips. "Nothing. Shall we get ready for the day? There's somewhere I want to take you."

-

After breakfast, they returned to their own rooms to prepare for the day.

Akari looked through the bag Jun had brought for her, carefully taking out the neatly folded clothes.

She finally looked at everything he brought. Knee length dresses and skirts, tights, pants, sweaters, a coat, and a pair of ankle boots.

All she could was just stare. 

These weren't just clothes he randomly picked out. They were stylish, coordinated, thought out carefully. It was also exactly the sort of outfit she would choose for herself if she had the luxury to wear what she wanted.

How...? Am I that predictable...? Or is it just a coincidence?

She lifted a skirt up to herself, then a dress, then a sweater, even looked at the boots. They all seemed as though they would fit her perfectly.

She slipped the clothes on one layer at a time. The skirt landed above her knees, the tights hugged her legs warmly, the sweater settled softly on her shoulders, and the coat completed the overall look.

She shouldn't have felt this flustered wearing something he picked out. But she did. It was just a lucky guess... That's all... Still, she couldn't deny it, wearing something he chose personally felt unexpectedly intimate.

A light knock came to the door.

"Akari? You ready?" Jun's voice was quiet but clear.

"Y-yeah." She called back, grabbing the boots in her hand.

When she opened the door, Jun's eyes widened for a brief second - just enough for her to catch it before he corrected his expression. 

"It fits well..." He said trying too hard to hold back a smile.

"You pick really well..." She turned away, looking at the rest of the clothes he brought. "How did you know what to get?"

"I saw you staring at these types of clothes in Michi's closet that one day we went." He said too casually. "So, I grabbed the ones that would fit you and then bought some more." 

"You saw me look at them?"

He nodded. "I figured these would be more comfortable for you anyway. You look very uncomfortable in all the clothes you wear as a celebrity."

"What makes you say that?"

Jun titled his head. "Every time I saw you in your public outfits, your shoulders always looked too tense. Like you're bracing yourself, trying to prevent exposure."

Her breath caught. He noticed that? I didn't even know I looked like that...

"What about the sizes?" She asked.

He leaned against the door. "I just took note of the clothes and shoes you wore on that first night at my place. I got it wrong the first time I got you clothes, but it was easier this time because of that."

Akari stared at him, stunned by how casually he spoke and how carefully he had been paying attention. 

Jun noticed her surprise, a small proud smile threatening his face. "Come on. Shall we go?"

-

The mountain air was crisp as they walked outside. Jun led the way down a narrow trail, the path surrounded by towering trees, their scent sharp and earthy, mingling with the faint aroma of the onsen nearby.

"Be careful." Jun said, offering his hand. "The path is slippery here."

Without thinking, she grabbed ahold of his hand. His grip was warm and firm, steadying her instantly. She let him guide her over the slick stones, careful steps matching his as the path curved around a slippery slope. 

Once the ground leveled out again, neither of them pulled away. For a moment, they walked together - hand in hand.

Jun glanced down at their joined hands, a shy moment of realization crossed his face. He gently let her have her hand back. "You okay?" He asked, trying to be casual.

"I'm okay. Thank you." 

The trail continued gently downward, revealing glimpses of the valley through the trees. Sunlight slipped past the leaves, sparkling down on them as they walked.

After a bit of a walk, the trail opened to reveal a lake. Its surface was shimmering in reflection of the morning sky and the frosted mountain slopes that cradled it.

They stopped at the edge of the path, letting the scenery wash over them.

"It's beautiful..." Akari whispered, her eyes sparkled as if reflecting the lake itself.

Jun looked at the view and then to Akari, taking in her face of admiration. "Yeah... Beautiful..."

For a while, they simply stood there, the world quiet around them, just two people surrounded by the lake and mountains. Not a celebrity. Not an ex-detective. Not two people involved in a case. Not people in hiding. Just two normal people.

"Would you like to walk around the lake?" Jun asked, breaking the silence.

Akari turned to him, eyes lighting up with excitement. "Can we?" 

A warmth spread through Jun's chest. "If that's what you want then of course we can."

Side by side, they walked along the trail, as if it were made for just the two of them.

-

Nearly halfway down the trail, Jun's pace started to falter. His steps slower, breath uneven, and the pauses to admire the view lingered longer than before.

Akari noticed the way his hand pressed at his side. "Jun, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He said with a smile a little too forced.

Akari stopped in her tracks. "You're hurting, aren't you? Let's turn back."

Jun hesitated, a flicker of stubborn pride crossed his face. "We can keep going. I'm okay really."

"No." She said firmly, placing a hand on his arm. Her gaze insistent. "I don't want you getting worse. Please let's just go back."

"Don't you want to walk around the lake?"

She smiled softly. "We can do that another day. We have time. I much rather do it when we both can enjoy it."

He looked at her, conflicted, but the exhaustion was becoming unbearable. After a long pause, he let out a defeated sigh. "Alright..."

-

The moment they slid the door open to his room, fatigue and pain took over him.

Akari helped him to the futon. "You should rest."

He tried to brush it off. "It's okay. I just need-"

"Jun." Her voice sterner than normal. "Rest."

He looked at her for a moment, thinking of a response, but complied in the end.

She helped him ease back onto his pillow, adjusting the blanket over him. He watched her with half-lidded eyes, sleep threatening to pull him under any minute.

"You should rest too." He said weakly. "You've had a rough time lately."

"I'll stay just until you fall asleep and then I'll go rest."

"You don't have to."

She smiled. "I want to."

The corners of his mouth tugged upward faintly. "There's some books for you in the bag if you want it."

"Books?"

"You said you liked to read when you were younger and that you liked being outdoors. I don't know if that's still your taste, but that's what I had to work with."

Akari looked through Jun's bag, finding an array of books inside. Just how much did you plan...

"I didn't know what you liked so I grabbed a few different genres." Jun added casually.

"Thank you..." A warm flutter filled her chest. Taking her to the onsen, the clothes, the walk, and now the books. It was more than she expected, more than she felt like she deserved. "Jun... Why are you doing so much for me...?"

No response.

Akari turned towards him. Sleep had taken over him. His breathing evened out, and his features softened in a way she wished she saw more.

She settled on the floor beside him, one of the books opened in her lap. She let herself get lost in the story as his breath hummed in the background, slowly lulling her to sleep.

Before long, the book slipped from her hands, and she drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

-

The room was quiet when Jun woke. The first signs of evening appearing outside.

For a moment, he didn't move, letting himself settle into the comfortable haze between sleep and awaking. His side was still sore, but less sharp than before.

He felt something soft resting against his shoulder.

Jun opened his eyes fully and froze.

Akari was there - curled up beside him, her cheek resting lightly against the edge of his pillow. 

His chest tightened - not from pain, but from the unexpected closeness.

She was peacefully asleep. The soft rhythm of her breathing, the slight rise and fall of her shoulders, the faint scent of her hair - it all made his heart stutter in a way he didn't expect.

For a long moment, he simply watched her, careful not to move or disturb her. Every instinct in him whispered to protect her, to stay still and let her rest.

He shifted just slightly, careful to avoid touching her, and adjusted the blanket around them both. The warmth from her body seeped through the fabric, combining with his own. 

She began to stir, her eyes fluttered. Jun's gaze softened, but he didn't say anything.

When Akari's eyes finally opened, she blinked slowly against the dim light. When she realized where she was, her cheeks quickly flushed.

"Jun..? I didn't mean-" She quickly sat upright and tried to back away, but he reached out a hand and gently stopped her.

"It's alright." He said quietly. "You were tired. I don't mind."

Her hands froze in her lap, unsure of where to place them. "I didn't realize I fell asleep..."

A gentle smile traveled to Jun's face. "I know... But I'm glad you did."

Jun slowly, deliberately, reached out towards her, brushing away her hair from her face. "Would you like to go to the onsen?" He asked softly, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary on her cheek. "I heard it's beautiful at night."

Akari blinked, forcing herself to breathe normally. "I'd like that." She managed to whisper.