The burnt-orange Bentley Bentayga sped down the road.
"Why did you come?" Ai asked, looking at Heiji.
"I had some business in Tokyo, so I stopped by to see you on the way."
Miwako Sato had a fever, so Heiji had to come. He stopped here first since it was on his route.
Ai looked at him, a little upset. "You haven't come in a long time."
Heiji gave a small smile. "A lot happened, so I couldn't make it."
"But you didn't even call once."
Ai stared straight ahead. Her calm eyes carried a trace of irritation and something like disappointment.
"Next time, if I forget, you can call me."
Ai looked at Heiji as if he'd said something ridiculous. "Why would I be the one calling you?"
Her tone had that stubborn pride to it.
Heiji smiled helplessly. "Alright. I'll call you every two days. How's that?"
"I didn't ask you to," Ai said.
She turned to the window and watched the scenery slide past. The corners of her eyes softened, and she quietly looked pleased.
Heiji smiled and parked in front of a steakhouse.
"Let's go. Time to eat."
Heiji led Ai inside and picked a seat by the window.
"What would you two like to order?"
A waitress walked over politely.
"Ai, you order."
Ai nodded. She picked up the menu and ordered without hesitation.
Soon, the table was filled with food.
While they were eating, Heiji's phone suddenly rang.
"Hello? Heiji, have you eaten yet?"
Miwako Sato's voice came through, soft and a little weak.
"I'm eating right now. I'll bring you something in a bit."
Ai's hand paused. She lowered her head and kept eating in silence. Hearing Heiji on the phone made her feel annoyed for no good reason.
Heiji put the phone down and looked at Ai, puzzled. "Ai, why do you keep stabbing your steak?"
The steak on Ai's plate was nearly shredded by her fork.
"The steak is too big," Ai said, lips slightly puffed in defiance.
It was barely half a palm-sized.
Heiji stayed with Ai for a full two hours before driving her home.
"Mr. Heiji, thank you for bringing Ai back again," Mei Haibara said with a polite smile.
Heiji returned an easy smile. "It was on the way. Ai, I'm heading out."
Ai glanced at him. "Remember what you said." After that, she turned and went inside.
Miwako Sato was lying quietly in bed. Her face was slightly flushed, not from embarrassment, but from the fever.
She held her phone in her hand, opening her eyes now and then to stare at the screen, a little dazed.
She was waiting for Heiji.
The cold and fever left her foggy. Her eyelids felt heavy, and sleep kept pulling her down.
In her half-dreaming haze, she felt someone come close.
She snapped her eyes open, alert for an instant. Then her expression brightened.
Miwako struggled to sit up.
Heiji set the things he brought on the table. He carefully pulled Miwako into his arms and let her lean against his chest. He pressed a hand to her forehead and frowned. "Didn't they say your fever went down?"
Miwako didn't answer.
Heiji looked down, and something warm rose in his chest.
Miwako had already fallen asleep. She was exhausted, but she had forced herself to stay awake just to wait for him. Now that he was here, her body finally gave in.
Miwako slept on. Heiji chatted with Miwako's mother for a while, then went to the bedroom when it got late.
The next day, Miwako's lashes fluttered as she slowly woke.
Her brows knit slightly. Someone was holding her. But she understood who it was immediately, and a happy smile spread across her face.
She opened her eyes quietly and looked at Heiji's sleeping face. Her cheeks warmed, and she leaned in to give him a light kiss.
The arm around her waist tightened. He pulled her in, and their lips met fully.
After a moment, Heiji finally let go of Miwako, who was catching her breath. He smiled slightly. "The fever's gone."
Miwako shot him a look, still breathing a little unevenly.
"Are you not getting out of bed yet?"
He looked down at her.
Miwako Sato usually looked sharp and professional. Seeing her like this, relaxed and soft, felt completely different.
"No."
She pouted slightly, wrapped her arms around Heiji's waist, and pressed closer.
"Then we'll sleep a bit longer."
Miwako nodded, closed her eyes, and drifted off again. By the time she woke up, the sun was already high.
"Was I dreaming last night?"
Heiji wasn't beside her anymore, and disappointment flickered in her eyes.
She got out of bed and froze mid-motion while getting dressed.
A package was sitting on the table.
Joy flashed across Miwako's face. She hurried out of the room. "Heiji—!"
She nearly bumped into her mother.
"Careful. You just recovered, don't get too worked up. Heiji's making food. Relax."
"Mom…"
Seeing her mother's expression, Miwako's face warmed again.
"Heiji's a good man. He's worthy of my daughter."
To parents, their children always come first.
Miwako smiled but didn't explain anything. After a few words with her mother, she quietly went to the kitchen. Watching Heiji move around as he cooked, her eyes filled with happiness.
Her heart felt light all morning.
Miwako wasn't the type to just wander around, so Heiji drove her to Tropical Land.
Since it was a workday and a school day, there weren't many people there.
"Heiji, let's go on the roller coaster."
Miwako stared at it, her eyes full of anticipation.
Heiji nodded. "Let's go."
He took Miwako's hand and led her toward the ride.
The roller coaster shot out of the tunnel at high speed, screams trailing behind it.
No matter how capable someone is, having someone beside you can make you let your guard down.
Even though Miwako was a police officer, she still tensed up. She gripped Heiji's hand tightly, and her eyes showed a hint of nerves.
Even after getting off, her face was still flushed.
"Put your hat on. You just got over your fever. Don't stay under the sun too long."
Heiji helped Miwako put her hat on, and she smiled sweetly.
"Heiji, let's go to the Tropical Jungle. I heard there are fireflies there."
"Fireflies?"
"Yeah. I heard they raise them there on purpose. They're supposed to look amazing at night."
"But what's there to see during the day?"
"I've never seen what fireflies are like during the day. Come on, let's go look."
Even while completely focused on Heiji, Miwako's personality hadn't changed. When she decided something, she pushed for it.
Heiji had no choice but to let her tug him toward the Tropical Jungle area.
Suddenly, Officer Takagi walked toward them from the opposite direction.