Blooming Promises

His jaw tightened. "I should've taken that kids report more seriously. I shouldn't have let Tadashi go in there alone. I should've noticed he was injured. All of it... It's on me."

Akari stared at him, at the scar that had slightly faded with time but still heavy with the regret it carried. She slowly reached her hand out and placed it over Jun's scar. "It's not your fault."

Jun flinched slightly as she touched his scar - a part of him that never got shown any affection. 

"I don't think you did anything wrong." Her hand warm against his cheek.

Jun swallowed. "I should've paid more attention... Asked more questions..."

Akari's voice was gentle but certain. "You did everything you could." She paused, treaded carefully. "I'm sure Tadashi feels the same."

His breath caught. He wanted to argue, to list every mistake he noticed when he replayed the events, to tell her every moment he should have done something differently. But the words pressed at the back of his throat.

Akari's thumb softly brushed over his scar. "Those mistakes that you keep punishing yourself over are not things to be ashamed of. You were overworked and exhausted, but you still showed up and did your best."

"That's the thing..." He started softly. "I felt like something was wrong with that kid's report, but I chose to ignore it. To pass it off. To focus on other cases."

"Knowing something feels off doesn't mean you know what the right answer is."

Jun shook his head slightly. "A detective is supposed to listen to those feelings."

"A detective is also human." Her voice was soft. "You tried to do what you believed was needed most in the moment."

Jun's chest tightened, a familiar knot of guilt twisted inside. "What if I make a mistake like that again? What if I make the wrong call again and-" He stared at her, a cruel dark feeling of fear settled as his voice cracked. "And what if I lose you too...?"

Akari's face softened as she stepped closer, hand still gently against his scar. "You've done a good job of keeping me safe already, all things considering. Isn't that enough to warrant some confidence?"

"I didn't do that much for you."

"You did more than enough." Akari reassured. "For me and all the other people you've saved."

"I couldn't save everyone... And that echoes louder than those I could save."

Akari cupped his face with both hands. "Then I'll be even louder."

For a moment, Jun just stared at her, caught off guard by the unwavering certainty in her voice - a steadiness he wasn't used to.

Akari didn't hesitate. She drew him in, one arm sliding around the back of his neck as she guided his head to rest against her shoulder. Her other hand traced delicately through his dark strands of hair.

Jun closed his eyes and allowed himself to lean in, his forehead tucked near her collarbone as he breathed her in. After a moment, his arms slipped around her in return, careful at first then it grew more tender, as if afraid to let go.

Jun let out a slow, shaky breath he didn't realize was trapped within him. His gripped tightened at her back as if making sure she was still there. "I'm scared to lose you..." His voice was quiet and rough with emotion he had kept buried for too long.

"You won't." Akari pulled him in ever so slightly as if to reassure him. "I'm not going anywhere."

After a while, Jun slowly pulled back, just enough to meet her eyes. His hands lingered at her waist, reluctant to let the space grow between them. 

For a while, he just looked at her. The golden light of the sunset cradled her in a magical glow; her natural blue eyes shimmered like the sea around them, her cheeks and lips were like delicate pink petals. Being with her, looking at her, holding her, all tugged at his heart sharply. He didn't realize just how special she had come to mean to him.

Jun leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers, his voice low. "Stay by my side, Akari."

Akari's hands rose to cup his face, gently caressing his small scar along his jaw. "I will. I promise."

He leaned into her touch, resting his hands over hers. The knot of fear and guilt didn't disappear, but it loosened just a little - replaced by the quiet reassurance of her presence as her promise bloomed between them.

-

As the two of them walked side by side back to their hotel, neither spoke. They didn't need to. The words and emotions lingered between them, filling the space more than a conversation could.

Jun felt his pocket buzz, but he didn't want to disturb the moment. 

But the buzzing didn't stop. Text after text, then call after call - persistent and urgent. 

Reluctantly he pulled out his phone and answered the incoming call.

"What?" Jun answered.

Kota's voice came through over the phone. "Gosh, I've been trying to contact for ages. Stop screening my calls."

"I wasn't screening your call." He glanced at Akari. "I was busy..."

"Were you on a date?" A smirk clearly heard in his voice.

"What are you calling for?" Jun then stopped in his tracks as he listened to Kota over the phone.

Akari stopped beside him, a flash of worry in her face. She tried to search his face for answers, but his expression was unreadable.

When Jun finally hung up the phone, he turned to Akari with a soft smile. "Congratulations Akari. You're safe now."

"What?"

"Hana and Ritsu have been arrested. Any member of the Hanakai Network that might be left are not people to worry about." Jun explained. "It's over."

"It's over...?" She repeated the words as if questioning the credibility.

Jun nodded. "You can go back to your regular life or start over. You're free to do whatever you want."

Akari stared in disbelief. She couldn't believe it was finally over. After months of torment and anxiety. Just like that? It was finally over? 

Suddenly, they heard uneven footsteps approaching them. "Miss Akari!"

They both turned to see Kei running in the distance.

When Kei finally caught up to them, she bent forward, hands on her knees as she struggled to catch her breath. She hadn't run very fast nor were they that far from the cafe, but she was exhausted nonetheless. "M-Miss Akari... T-The group chat... H-Have you seen it?" Her words came out in broken breaths.

Akari's stomach tightened in anticipation as she pulled her phone out. Jun's hand instinctively went to her back for support.

Akari's eyes widened at the message in the group chat from Tsukasa:

After the new year, I expect everyone back to work. The scandal is over and supporting Akari's comeback will take top priority when and if she decides to return. We must be prepared.

Another message from Tsukasa popped up, private this time:

Akari, the team and I would like to support you again in your career. However, we understand the traumatic events you have gone through and if you wish not to come back or to take more time off then that is perfectly acceptable. Just know, your team is waiting whenever you are ready.

Akari blinked, taken aback. "I can still be an idol...?"

Jun's eyes softened. "You can do whatever you want."

Kei finally caught her breath, a bright smile on her face. "I don't want to pressure you Miss Akari, but I hope you'd give us a chance to work with the real you."

A small smile tugged at Akari's lips as she turned to Kei. "I'll think about it..."

Kei pushed her blonde hair out of her face. "That's all I ask!" Her eyes drifted slightly catching Jun's hand on Akari's back.

Jun noticed Kei's eyes and quickly withdrew his hand, hoping she didn't quite catch it.

A knowing smile formed on Kei's face. "Miss Akari... Whatever decision you make. Please do what will make you happy." She glanced at Jun then back to Akari as she backed away. "I hope to see you after the new year."

Kei quickly turned to leave before Akari could respond. "She left awfully quickly..."

"We should get going too." Jun said quietly, slightly embarrassed he got caught.

Akari nodded and fell into step beside him.