Chapter Text
***Time Stamp: March 17th ***
”No fucking way!”
”Yes fucking way. You lost Kuramochi and now you have to pay the price.”
”Fuck, but I have to steal that?”
”Yup.”
Yōichi looked at the leader of his gang of delinquents. It was true that he lost at the dice game and everyone that played knew that there was a batsu game at stake, but he never thought that he would lose. He never threw snake eyes in his life, but there it was, two ones staring up at him, mocking him.
”Ugh, fine I’ll do it.”
The four boys he was with cheered. They all loved to watch the batsu games that their gang did. It was never a dull moment and usually they ended up rolling with laughter on the ground till their sides hurt. Usually it was Yōichi doing the laughing, but not this time.
”Alright tomorrow after school I’ll go.”
”Why not now Kuramochi?”
”Cause five guys in a candy shop or even near one is suspicious as fuck!”
”How would we know you really stole it then if we aren’t there to witness.”
”Cause it’s more embarrassing to pay for something like that idiot!”
The four other boys nodded in agreement.
”Alright, but if you aren’t back at the meeting spot by five we are gonna come look for you and then there will be a bigger punishment.”
”Yeah yeah. Look, I gotta get home now. See you guys tomorrow.”
Yōichi waved the guys off and headed back to his house trying to figure out how to get out of this batsu game.
”Fuck it, I’ll just get it over with and be more careful next time.”
*
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*
After school Yōichi parted from his gang and headed into town to complete his mission. He was trying to decide what store to steal from. He could choose the kombini, but he could run into someone from school there. Plus if he got caught it was would be awkward with the walk to school every day. The market didn’t sell specialty candy like that either. He wandered around and ended up in the shopping district. He looked at his watch and saw that he had a little over a half hour left.
”Maybe I’ll get something to eat first.”
The smell from all the little stalls lining the street was making his mouth water. Fresh croquettes and Takoyaki were being offered along with containers of sizzling karaage, and steamed buns of all varieties. Yōichi had decided to go with the karaage when he saw a candy shop he had never noticed before. The entrance was not very big and it didn’t have a flashy display to bring people in. Forgetting about his stomach Yōichi wandered into the store.
”Holy shit!”
Yōichi felt like the kids in the that movie about the candy maker where you could eat everything. All four walls of the store were covered in every kind of candy. There were bins of loose candy that came by the pound, chocolates, candy kits, snacks, and some candy that Yōichi didn’t even recognize. The best part was the object of his batsu game was there not far from the entrance. Yōichi looked around and saw no other customers in the shop. Not even a worker.
”Piece of cake.”
Yōichi walked up to the shelf and picked up that item he needed. He tucked it under his arm and looked around again. Still no one, not even at the register. Yōichi quickly made his way to the door. He was almost through when he heard a voice.
”Not gonna pay for that huh?”
Yōichi heard a voice, but looking around did not see anyone.
”Up here stupid.”
Yōichi looked up in shock and saw a man on the ladder that was arching over the doorway. It was so tall that he never even noticed it. The guy was wearing glasses and a smirk that held a lollipop stick. Yōichi decided to make a run for it since the guy was so high up he would never make it down in time to stop him, but as he was passing under the ladder he felt something grab the collar of his gakuran and suddenly he was off the ground. He looked up to see the guy still on the ladder, but now holding a handle that was connected to the hook that Yōichi was dangling from. The item he was stealing fell to the ground in his surprise.
”What the fuck man, do I look like a fish to you?”
”Nope, you look like a punk brat I just caught stealing from my shop.”
”So what are you gonna do about it?”
Yōichi tried to put on a tough act.
”Well I’m going to leave you here while I go call the police.”
”Wait, what?”
The guy descended the ladder and picked up the candy from the ground. He looked at the box and started to laugh.
”What?”
Yōichi didn’t let his attitude drop even though he was scared.
”Oh this is going to be hilarious when the police get here.”
The guy ignored anything else Yōichi said and walked over to the counter. He heard him talking to someone on the phone and then he hung up.
”So now we wait.”
Yōichi watched the guy pull up a stool and sit down. He grabbed a magazine and started to read as he dropped the empty stick from his mouth into the garbage and replaced it with a new lolipop. Yōichi was powerless to do anything now but wait, be arrested, and humiliated.
*
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*
”Officer 181. Officer 181. Sawamura do you read me?”
”Officer 181, I read you loud and clear boss!”
”Sawamura, I told you to stop calling me boss.”
”Right boss, sorry boss.”
There was a grumble on the other side of the speaker for a moment.
”There seems to be an incident at the Sweet Tooth Candy Shop in the shopping district. Check it out for us.”
”You got it boss! Sawamura over and out!”
”Aww does that mean you have to go Officer Sawamura?”
”It does, but duty calls. I’ll come visit you kids again tomorrow!”
The kids at the preschool waved goodbye to Eijun as he left the play area of the place and headed to the place the captain mentioned.
”Goodness I hope nothing bad happened. A candy shop is a place for everyone to come and relive their childhood or enjoy their current childhood. No one should be upset in a place like that…well unless the kids want candy and their parents say no cause it’s almost dinner time or it’s too expensive or…”
Eijun mused to himself as he continued his walk. He waved to shop owners that he knew as he went. The neighborhood as a whole was a quiet one and nothing really bad ever happened other than a lost pet. It was a pretty easy shift for Eijun each day. As he got closer he could smell some amazing scents from all the food stalls.
”Eijun-kun.”
Eijun turned and saw two familiar people from his university days.
”Good afternoon Harucchi! Furuya-san.”
Eijun had gone to uni for two years before he moved onto the police academy. Even though it had been only a short time he made friends with the Kominato brothers, Ryōsuke and Haruichi. Ryōsuke was a year ahead and Haruichi was in the same class. He also made friends and rivals with Furuya Satoru. They were both vying for the younger Kominato’s attention, but when Eijun decided to join the police academy Satoru got closer to Haruichi and ultimately won his heart. Eijun was only a little bitter about it now. The year he graduated he got an invitation to their signing ceremony where Satoru became part of the Kominato family registry. It was hard for Eijun to let go of his first love, but he was happy for Haruichi. Now it was only a dull ache deep in his heart.
”Where are you off to?”
Eijun walked up to the counter of the butcher shop that belonged to the Kominato family for three generations. Ryōsuke was at uni taking business classes so he could take over the shop when their dad retired. Haruichi offered to do the same, but Ryōsuke didn’t want to steal his little brother’s dream of being a clothing designer. Haruichi still works part time in the shop though to help out.
”I got a call there was some trouble at one of the candy shops so I’m going to check it out.”
Eijun leaned on the counter and made eye contact with Haruichi while talking. At uni Haruichi was very shy and hid his eyes with his hair style, but now he had them in full view and Eijun could feel his heard flutter.
”Hey.”
Eijun and Haruichi both jumped as Satoru put a large knife down into the block of wood just behind the counter. He walked over wiping the blood from whatever he just cut on his apron. Satoru was a tall and quiet man, but he did have an intimidating aura when he wanted to.
”Shouldn’t you get going then Officer Sawamura.”
Eijun bristled a bit. Satoru won so why was he being such a dick? All Eijun was doing was talking to Haruichi. There was nothing wrong with that. Eijun was about to say something when someone appeared from the door in the back.
”Sawamura, I thought I heard you out here.”
Eijun stepped back and removing his hat bowed to the older Kominato brother.
”Good afternoon Aniki senpai.”
Ryōsuke laughed as he walked up to the counter.
”Need something for dinner tonight? We have a special on tripe right now.”
”I do have some red miso at home. I could make stew if I had some tendon as well! Yes senpai, I will take some…ah, but first I have to get to the Sweet Tooth Candy Shop.”
”Everything alright with Miyuki?”
”Miyuki?”
”He owns the place.”
”Ah, not sure. I just know we got a call from there so I’m on my way to check it out.”
”So you should go then.”
Eijun had the urge to stick his tongue out at Satoru right now, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to look childish in front of Ryōsuke.
”Well I’ll wrap it up for you so you can come back and pick it up when you are done and I will throw in some fatty pieces for stock.”
”Thank you Aniki senpai! I will stop by and let you know what happened as well!”
”Take care Eijun-kun.”
”I will Harucchi!”
Eijun turned to leave just as Satoru grabbed Haruichi’s hand forgetting to take off the stained glove that he was wearing and linked their hands together.
”Bye Officer Sawamura.”
This time Eijun had to stamp down the want to give the ebony haired man his middle finger. That was certainly not something an officer of the law did, no sir. Instead he bowed again to Ryōsuke and replaced his hat. As he turned and walked off he heard Haruichi yelling at his partner to stop treating Eijun like that and that Satoru grabbed his hand with the glove on which was gross. Eijun chuckled a little victory laugh as he made his way to the candy shop.
*
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”How long does it take for the cops to get here?”
”Don’t know. Maybe they had other calls more important.”
”Well I hope they hurry up and get here soon!”
”Why? Itching to get arrested kid?”
”No, my neck is hurting from the hook you megane bastard!”
The man laughed just as the door to the shop chimed.
”Excuse me. You called for a…Oh my, what kind of display is this?”
The police officer walked in and saw Yōichi hanging in the doorway. He moved around him and observed him.
”Doesn’t that hurt your neck son?”
”Yes it does and don’t call me son!”
”Officer…”
The Eijun turned around to see the shop owner walking towards him.
” Sawamura Eijun and you must be Miyuki-san.”
The owner stopped and tilted his head a bit.
”Did I say my name on the phone?”
”No, but I am friends with the Kominatos. Ryō-san says to say hello.”
The shop owner nodded and held out his card.
”Ah, well Officer Sawamura, Miyuki Kazuya at your service.”
Eijun bowed and accepted the card.
”So what can the Shinjuku Police do for you today Miyuki-san?”
”You can get rid of that for me.”
Eijun looked as Kazuya pointed at the kid dangling in the doorway.
”You need help taking down that display?”
”He’s not a display, he’s a shoplifter.”
”No way! What did he try to steal and wait…why is he hanging there? He said that he it hurts.”
Kazuya was a little confused at the police officer’s reaction. He grabbed the box off the counter and showed it to Eijun. Eijun looked at the product and then the boy and then back at the product.
”You tried to steal toilet candy?”
Yōich turned bright red hearing the name of the stupid candy he was told to steal. Why did they make DIY toilet candy in the first place?
”IT WAS A BATSU GAME!”
Yōichi shouted making both men jump and started to wiggle all over the place. The place the rod was sitting on started to move.
”Hey stop that or you will…”
It was too late for Kazuya’s words. The rod came off and Yōichi hit the ground hard. It was only about three feet, but the impact was sudden.
”Ow, fuck!”
”Oh my God!”
Eijun ran over to the boy and knelt down beside him.
”Are you alright citizen-san?”
”No I’m not alright! I just fell from a hook and…did you call me citizen-san?”
”You said not to call you son.”
Yōichi could not believe this guy. How clueless was he?
”Just call me Mochi alright?”
”Alright. Where does it hurt Mochi-kun?”
Yōichi winced as he felt his ankles a bit and then seethed in pain.
”I think I sprained my ankle.”
”He’s fine. He’s just trying to avoid getting arrested.”
”Arrested? Why would I arrest Mochi-kun Miyuki-san?”
”Uh…cause he tried to steal from my shop?”
”Yes and than you hung him up by a hook and he fell. We call that child…wait, how old are you Mochi-kun?”
”Seventeen.”
”…child abuse Miyuki-san! Now I am sure that we can come up with a compromise that will make everything alright. How much is the toilet candy Miyuki-san?”
Again Yōichi cringed hearing the word toilet. He looked out the window and just happen to see his gang peeking in the window. They were pointing to the cop next to him and laughing.
”Bastards.”
”Huh? Did you say something Mochi-kun?”
”No Sir.”
”There is no reason to be so formal Mochi-kun. Officer Sawamura is fine!”
”But isn’t that formal any…”
”Officer. You wanted the total of the candy?”
”Yes Please Miyuki-san.”
”750¥.”
”Alright, so in order to make up for that, tomorrow after school you will work for a few hours for Miyuki-san.”
”EEEHHHH?”
Eijun jumped as both of them shouted at the same time.
”How did you…”
”There is no way I’m…”
Eijun held up his hand to silence them both.
”While it is clear that Mochi-kun did try to steal, it was under the duress of the batsu game. Miyuki-san did apprehend him, but now he has gotten hurt and that would have to be explained to his parents.”
Yōichi didn’t even try to explain to Eijun that not only weren’t his parents around, but they would not even care. Kazuya said nothing not wanting to get involved with this mess any further.
”Alright fine, the kid can work one day for me and I’ll forget about the stealing.”
”Great! Now let’s get Mochi-kun up so that his ankle can be properly examined.”
Yōichi felt a hand slipped under his arms and he was lifted off the ground by Eijun. He hobbled a bit trying to put weight on his foot, but it didn’t work.
”Shit, it really is sprained.”
”Were you pretending before Mochi-kun?”
Kazuya smirked and Yōichi gave him the finger.
”Alright you two, play time is over. Miyuki-san, close up the shop and accompany us.”
”Wait…why do I have to go too?”
”An incident report has to be filled out…unless you want us to say you hung a minor up by a hook and let him fall and…”
”Alright alright! Fuck.”
Kazuya stomped over to the counter and took off his apron. He grabbed his keys and walked back.
”Let’s go.”
”Take Mochi-kun’s other side.”
Kazuya grumbled, but he did what he was told and they walked out the door. Kazuya locked it and then the three of them gingerly moved down the street to the hospital.
*
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”It’s a high ankle sprain?”
”What’s that Sensei?”
The doctor looked from the officer who arrived with the teenage boy as well as another young man. He wondered if they were step brothers.
”It’s a certain kind of sprain you get from a high jump that is landed poorly.”
”Say from three feet?”
The doctor looked at the boy and nodded.
”Yes that is very possible.”
”So how long will it take to heal?”
The doctor looked at the young man.
”Well if it is properly taken care of, it could heal in six weeks to three months.”
”THREE MONTHS?!”
The doctor jumped a bit when both boys shouted. The officer put a hand on the teenager to quiet him down.
”That is an extreme case, but it can happen.”
”Great. I’m so screwed.”
”What’s wrong son?”
Yōichi ignored the doctor calling him that.
”My parents are gone for business for the next six months and I live in a six floor building and the elevator is broken.”
”Oh dear! That is terrible news! I know! You can stay with Miyuki-san while you recuperate!”
Both Kazuya and Yōichi whipped their heads around and stared wide eyed at Eijun.
”Well since Mochi-kun did get hurt in your store, even though it was a complete accident, it is the best way for you to make up for it. You would not want to leave a minor to his own devices when he is injured would you Miyuki-san?”
Kazuya was seeing red and grinding his teeth now. Living with this brat for possibly three months? He would go nuts!
”Ah…sure, that would not be a problem. My place is on the ground floor after all.”
”Great! Well then that is settled. I’ll arrange the finances and you two and catch a cab home. Tomorrow I will help Mochi-kun get his things from his apartment.”
The doctor nodded and gave the information for taking care of the sprain as well as a prescription for the pain. He then watched the unusual threesome leave the hospital.