reinasescape:

Summary: Marriage is a wonderful chapter of life, but when something unexpectedly happens to the leading lady, what does the male protagonist do? Masahi never expected to find marriage a part of his story, but ever since she found her way into his life, he couldn’t see him life without it. She’s been gone for nearly 7 years now. Can he bear to close the book and say that their story’s done? As a medical examiner, he isn’t new to death, but when it’s her name on the death certificate, can he put his pen to the paper?

Part 4: The Person I Can’t Forget

For other parts: Masterpost

You followed the flashy man into the building, and when he opened the door, it was an onslaught of noise. It looked like a madhouse with everyone talking at once. There were officers on phones left and right, people rushing by with papers, some gesturing, and others helping regular citizens.

“This way,” he gestured.
“This is Detective Suzuki from Missing Persons, she was in charge of the case.”
“Nice to meet you,” you bowed to the woman.
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Tadanobu Nomura. I’m the Deputy Chief here.” Your eyes widened as you accepted his business card. But this person was so young and brightly colored, not exactly your image of a police chief. You never thought he would be someone so important.
“I’m so sorry. I must’ve been rude.”
“No problem,” he smiled amicably. “Anyways, I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Detective Suzuki. I’ll check up on you later.” With a wave, he disappeared as suddenly as he appeared.

“Please sit,” the detective gave a kind smile. “We’d just like to ask you a few questions. Will that be alright with you?”
“Alright.”
“First off, what is your name?”
“Eri Sato.”
“And how old are you Miss Sato?”
“32 this year.”
“Do you live near here?”
“No, I came into the city for a visit. I actually live about 2 hours away by train.” All the questions seemed innocent enough, but you didn’t know how they would help with a missing person case. You must’ve seemed a little tense, because the detective smiled and changed subjects.
“Do you happen to have any children?”
“Yes I actually have a son, he just started elementary school.” As a doting mother, you were always willing to talk about your son. The detective looked a few years younger, and you could see her own wedding ring on her left hand.
“Do you also have children?
“Not yet, but we plan to.”
“They really make such a wonderful difference in your life.”
“You look like a kind mother.”
You laughed. “You mean I must talk too much about him.”
“There is nothing wrong with talking about your children. It means you love them.”
“I hope he’ll think that too.”
“I’m sure he will.” You could feel yourself relax as you talked about Kou’s latest endeavours.
“Oh that’s a beautiful ring. I remember that style being quite popular because it was easy to engrave. In fact, my husband had ours engraved.
“Mine is too.”
“Oh is yours your wedding date too?”
“Yes…” you smiled politely, but it had been one of the things you couldn’t remember, and it did bother you. You didn’t know if it was your wedding anniversary, dating anniversary, or some other obscure date. The only clue you had about your husband was the initials engraved on the band.

The 2nd Unit Misfits watched from the other side of the room, peering in at the two women like children clumsily eavesdropping. None of them said a word despite the looks they were getting. They stared at her like they were seeing a ghost. It was Eiki who broke the silence.
“She looks exactly like _________.”
“So Nomura wasn’t seeing things,” Tennoji muttered.
“Well it’s not like we can just go up and ask her,” Hanai said bitterly.
“You can try,” Eiki said hopefully.
“Go charm her Katsuyuki,” Asano nudged.
“I’m a married man now.” Kyobashi protested, but it was weak. They had lost one of their own so long ago, and they had long accepted it. It was hard on the 2nd Unit though. Each one of them went into work knowing that day they could die on the job, but a vanishing act off the side of a mountain was another story.
“Like that’s ever stopped you,” Asano murmured.
“I am monogamous now. I have no intention of changing my relationship status any time soon.
“Should we call Himuro then?” Asano asked quietly.
“And how disappointed would he be if that wasn’t her? You know he’s still searching.”
“It’s not like we wished she was dead or something. Are you even sure it’s her?”
“Who else could look that much like a capybara?”
“Are you still on that Eiki?”
“There’s no mistaking that face.”
“Hey, are you sure you’re not just seeing what you want to see because you don’t want to think she might be dead?” Hanai was being realistic. When the others gave him a look, he quickly said, “No one wanted _________ to be dead. I’m simply saying…”
“Stop being such a downer,” Tennoji complained.

After a bit of small talk about marriage and children, you were thoroughly puzzled. Wasn’t the city police too busy to be sitting around and chatting.
“I don’t know how I am helping anyone.”
“Well. It’s a difficult subject to brooch.” You looked at her still confused about what was happening. “Ms. Sato, you said you have a memory gap.”
“That’s right.”
“We think that there is a possibility your husband might be still looking for you.”
“No…My husband’s dead.”
“Well we can verify things better with fingerprints,” the detective offered.
“Wait a minute. This isn’t what I agreed to. I know who I am.”
“It would help us eliminate a possibility.”
“I don’t think I’m comfortable with this. If you’ll excuse me.” You got up quickly and bowed, doing your best to make your to the exit. It was then you passed by the flashy Deputy Chief.

“Leaving already?” he asked smiling, but the smile quickly disappeared when he saw the distress visible on your face, and you simply bowed to him, before quickly walking away.

“Wait.” But Detective Suzuki stopped him and shook her head. She waited until you were out of earshot before looking at Nomura. “I know she’s your friend, but these cases are different with adults. Sometimes when you find them again, they don’t want to be reunited with their families. All you can do is tell Dr. Himuro that she’s safe and hope he’ll move on.”

But Nomura knew that for his childhood friend, it wasn’t that easy.

- - - - - - - - - - -

The two hour train ride gave you too much time to think about it. Your head reeled with the cacophony of thoughts. Your husband alive? Was that even a possibility? According to the rest of the community, you had lost touch with your family after you left for university, and now you were back. Sure your parents really wanted you back, but that didn’t mean they would lie about this right? After all he’s the father of your son. Glancing at your watch, you made it back in time to pick up your son from school.

Seeing your son run up to you at the school gates, you crouch down, hugging him tight.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong Kou. Nothing’s wrong.” But you only held him tighter.

The thought of it haunted you even after you got home. You couldn’t stop thinking about it. Had your parents lied and what about your husband? Was he really out there? Was he really still looking for you? You robotically brought the chopsticks up to your lips.

“Eri, Eri.”
“Huh?” looking up you saw both your parents and son staring at you. “What?”
“Kou-kun was telling us about the new song he learned in school today.”
“Oh sorry. I’m a little out of it.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yea, it’s fine.”
“You know you can tell me or your father anything. If anything’s worrying you, we’d be willing to listen.” You gave your mother a smile.
“Thanks Mom, but I’m really alright.” Looking at your mother’s smile, you couldn’t think badly of them. They loved you so much. There must be an explanation.
“Is it work? Are your students giving you a hard time?”
“No they’re great. They really are.”
“Alright then…” Your mother reluctantly gave up. But you flashed her a smile.
“I’m just tired that’s all.”
“Well you should go to bed early tonight then. Let me take care of the clean up.”
“No mom, you’re tired too. I can do it and Kou-chan can help me.”

You looked down at your hands. Unlike your parents who hands were rough from work outside, yours were still kept white and smooth. They hadn’t wanted you to work outside with them, and when you pressed and pressed, your mother gave you gloves to protect your hands. There was no doubt in your mind they cherished you and Kou. Turning your hand up you looked at the tips of your fingers. The police had wanted fingerprints.

A couple mornings later, you were still looking at the pads of your fingers. You couldn’t get the thought of your husband off your mind. What kind of man had you married, and how long had he been looking for you? Why hadn’t he found you? Was he kind? Was he caring? So many questions filled your mind.
“Mommy, your natto looks weird now.”
“What?” Looking down you saw it had turned into a mess from overstirring.
“Eri, you seem off these days. Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”
“Just thinking Mom.”
“It’s too early for Spring Fever, not that you didn’t have your fair share of it when you were younger.” Your father laughed.
“You’d daydream until we wondered if you were sleeping with your eyes open.”
“Mommy can do that?”
“Yea, it’s your mother’s superpower.”
“Dad. That’s not funny. Don’t tell Kou things like that. How am I going to get my son to respect me?”

It wasn’t long before you found yourself again in front of that large white building. You looked at the business card again. Like before, there was still the hustle and bustle of busy people in and out of the building, but this time you had an appointment. Unlike before when you were guided in, this time you would make your own way in. It was all by your volition now. If anything bad happened, you could only blame yourself. But you had to know. If the man you married was still out there and looking for you, you needed to find him for yourself.

hifftn:

Seeing a CG with Hiroshi in a leather jacket gave me all kind of ideas and I blame @nitelotus at least partly for this. It’s slightly kinky, not too much, but I wanted to warn you anyway - since warnings make it just so much more exciting ;)
Smut maid army: @bluebenz2005, @obiwanmcprobie, @clairese1980, @button-kitty, @wickedtiff, @slipister, @lmpblue, @sweetpandaprincess, @xcoticallyxquizit, @autumnlovesotome, @amavanna

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Snuggled against the broad back of your boyfriend you are enjoying the wind that roars in your ears, almost just as much as the roar of the engine somewhere under you. The vibrations of the motor bike seem to travel directly into – no no no, focus in the ride! It’s been a long time since you and Hiroshi had some time alone together, but now you have wrapped up that long and difficult case and even if you and Hiroshi don’t have a day off together you can still go on a ride with his Harley after work.
That’s why you are racing with him through this warm summer night, the lights of the city long left behind, the moon and the stars over your heads spend just enough light that you can see the landscape flying by. It’s like dreaming.
You wrap your arms tighter around his waist, his leather jacket warm at your cheek. You love the smell of it, the old leather and Hiroshi’s scent mixed together to something utterly comforting and soothing.
Suddenly he pulls over and the bike rolls towards a small clearing. You hop off and wait for him to tell you why you have stopped. He taps on your helmet and you take it off while he does the same.
“Look over there,” he says and points away from the street. You turn around and see water glittering. The stars and the moon are reflected, the movements of the waves makes them sway on the ground and stay fixed on the sky. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
“Wow…” you mutter and he steps behind you to wrap his arms around you. The night air around the lake is chilly, but his chest pressed against your back is warm. “I would never have guessed that there is a place like that around here.” You are so awestruck that you whisper.
“Yeah, it’s pretty hidden,” he whispers too, but right next to your ear and it sends a shiver down your spine.
“How hidden?” you ask after some seconds.
“If you go over there you can’t be seen from the street,” he answers and points towards a group of trees next to the lake.
“And have you brought me here with an ulterior motif?” you ask further, teasingly this time.
“Hmm…” he hums in your ear. “Maybe…” With that he nibbles your earlobe and you squeal before you wriggle out of his arms and start running towards the trees. He follows you with a grin.  

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