#kouguchi

For how they're in the same organization, they feel really far in the story. They're like, in two completely different narratives. That's probably why this ship hasn't popped in my head despite me really liking these two individually.

I thought about them and thought about them some more. They're definitely the type to have a 200,000+ word count for their relationship.

It's making stuff up time.

So they probably heard of each other and see each other sometimes but they don't interact.

Until one rainy day where Higuchi is about to just go running in the rain to go to her car and then Kouyou shows up behind her like some apparition. Her umbrella covers both of them as Higuchi's hand instinctively reaches for a gun. She offers to walk Higuchi to her car and Higuchi initially politely declines because she's an executive while Higuchi is some mix between a bodyguard and an assistant but she insists so Higuchi relents. She's ominously waving as Higuchi drives away.

With that meet-cute(?) done, more stuff happen (wow so descriptive) and they interact more often 'coincidentally'. There'd be this mystery as to why Kouyou is interacting with Higuchi specifically and this would be the nail in the coffin to Higuchi thinking she only liked guys because she thought of the possibility that Kouyou was pursuing her and felt her heart go doki-doki (boom-boom) because Kouyou is a little forceful about it and Higuchi seems to be into that.

On Kouyou's side, she's going through a lot. The reason why she's getting closer to Higuchi is because of plot and lore and Mafia stuff but then she starts feeling feelings towards her. She's reminded of that man that tried to run away with her, she's reminded of Kyouka leaving her in the dark to be saved by the light. She's reminded of the fact that she's loved despite losing and the fact she's lost despite loving.

More things happen and eventually, it's raining again and Kouyou picks Higuchi over whatever motive she originally had. It sucks for her because it seems that love again is the reason why she's in pain. But then, Higuchi picks up her umbrella sword thing and holds it over her.

This time, her love is going to stay with her. The end. Or something.

Anyways.

“There have been sightings of Ichiyoku near the docks. You, you, you two and you, you’ll be going there to make sure they know it belongs to the Port Mafia.

“The three of you will be visiting Kuriya-san to ensure he has his monthly protection fee. He’s been acting rather nervous, and we want him to know that as his friends, we’re concerned about him.

“...And would you be willing to check in on the Bermuda situation?”

Tachihara stared at Higuchi. His nose twitched with disdain. “Like hell. If there’s an issue, he’ll handle it, Nee-san.”

Higuchi can’t help the flush that comes to her face. “I never said he couldn’t. I don’t even know who this ‘he’ you’re talking about is.”

Tachihara snorts in disbelief. The two of them absolutely know who “he” is—Higuchi’s boss, Akutagawa Ryuunosuke. Ever since she joined the mafia, she had had an odd, obsessive level of loyalty to him. This was unmatched by anyone in the Port Mafia as far as she was aware. As far as anyone else was aware, as well.

“Besides, I firmly believe that the mission going well. I simply like to keep tabs on my coworkers.”

Tachihara barks out a laugh. “Yeah, right. When was the last time you kept tabs on me?”

“You tend to show your face often enough that I don’t have to,” Higuchi retorts. “And besides, you’re constantly boasting about your missions anyways. I don’t even have to ask, because you’ll simply tell me.”

His mouth gaped open, his smirk dropping. “Hey, I don’t boast!” An awkward smile works its way back onto his face. “It’s not boasting if it’s true, anyways.”

She gives him a flat look. Her point made, she turned away to focus back on those before her that she had been delegating. However, all of the groups had already merged and begun planning for their various missions.

In other words, her work was done.

Technically.

With Akutagawa away for this mission, she had found herself swamped with additional responsibilities in the form of an emailed list. While these were far from unfamiliar—she prides herself on her competence, after all—managing many people was a long and tedious task. It required a lot of thought and planning to ensure the right members were assigned to a job.

She was running on five hours of sleep over the past few days and a daily bottle of Lipovitan. Normally, she wouldn’t touch the stuff, but if she wanted to keep on top of everything that Akutagawa had assigned her, she needed to stay awake and energized.

Every time she took it, she ignored the warning label. She’ll stop taking it once he’s back.

Seeing that for now her delegating was done, she slipped the bottle out of her jacket, preparing to unscrew it. Maybe it’d make her feel more awake for all the reports she had to draft about the last few missions she’d initialized, for scheduling meetings with their weapons suppliers, for…

She tips the bottle into her mouth, letting it slide down her throat with a mild cough. As she lowers it, her gaze meets that of a dignified executive’s.

Ozaki Kouyou.

Almost immediately, she has to fight the urge to spit the drink out, the liquid spasming in her throat. She wheezes, smacking her chest and trying hard not to keel over in the process.

Kouyou wasn’t her boss. Kouyou, however, was one of the most graceful, powerful and impressive women in the Port Mafia—the only woman executive. Even though they rarely saw each other, Higuchi had a certain level of respect for the woman. She also knew that Kouyou tended to be more traditional. She could hardly imagine her approving of her chugging an energy drink like this—she’s probably thinking, look at this fool. Drinking an energy drink. Why, green tea works perfectly fine. How lowly of her. As a representative of the Port Mafia, she should know better.

Something taps Higuchi under the chin. “Are you alright?”

It’s a fan. Kouyou stands before her, her face betraying nothing. Meanwhile, her fan is lifting Higuchi’s chin up slightly.

Her face grows red. “I—oh, I’m—” She stumbles backwards, bowing as deeply as she can once she has created space between them. “Kouyou-sama, forgive me. I am fine.”

Though she can’t see the expression on Kouyou’s face, she can see her kimono slowly approaching her. “You’re… Toiguchi-san?”

“Higuchi, Kouyou-sama.”

“Ah. My apologies.”

Higuchi remained bowing. As long as the kimono was in view, she was determined to stare at the ground.

However, Kouyou did not appear to be moving.

“Higuchi-san, you may stop bowing.”

Higuchi’s eyes flicker from side to side in contemplation before she slowly raises herself. She still avoids eye contact with Kouyou. However, this is more of a challenge than before, as the woman has come yet closer to her.

It was awkwardly quiet between them. Higuchi didn’t know whether it was her place to say something, and Kouyou was remaining quiet, merely looking at her.

Finally, the executive breaks the silence.

“You look exhausted, Higuchi-san.”

Higuchi keeps her lips tightly shut together.

Kouyou leans in closer. “You’ve been overworking yourself,” she hums.

Carefully averting her eyes, Higuchi stammers, “Well, I… with Akutagawa-senpai out on his business trip, I’m responsible for his work.”

“You cannot be responsible for his work if you are not responsible for yourself.” Kouyou clicks her tongue disapprovingly. “Your performance is reliant upon your health.”

“Respectfully, Kouyou-sama, I am trying to be as responsible as I can.”

“And that wasn’t a bottle of Lipovitan-D I saw?” Through her peripheral, Higuchi can spy Kouyou’s continued disapproval. “You’ve had one each day.”

“Not typically.”

“Right now, you are. How much sleep have you been getting?”

“I’m awake and doing my job, Kouyou-sama,” Higuchi weakly argues. “Sleep isn’t what gets work done.”

Kouyou doesn’t stop staring at her. She can still feel the same level of scrutiny that she’s been faced with for the past minute. Even so, she continues to look away.

“Come with me.”

Higuchi blinks quickly. “Yes, ma’am?” It comes out more of a question than she’d like it to, and her grimace surely tells the executive that.

There’s no verbal response. Instead, Kouyou turns and begins to walk away. Higuchi quickly walks after her, quickening her pace as necessary to remain near the executive without being too close. “Higuchi-san, you are quite the oddity in the Port Mafia, are you not?”

Not quite the direction Higuchi was hoping this conversation would go. “I have been… called that,” she responds awkwardly. She fights the urge to ask if that’s a problem.

“It’s quite rare for someone as emotionally-involved as yourself to remain with the Port Mafia. Most can’t handle it.” Kouyou glances back at her, taking her appearance in. “Most like you hardly last weeks, let alone years as you have. Why is that?”

Ah. The million dollar question everyone asks. Higuchi smiles politely. “I have pledged my loyalty to the mafia, Kouyou-sama. It wouldn’t be much of a pledge if I left.”

“How did you join the mafia?”

“Just like anyone else, I suppose.” She had no intention of sharing anything beyond that. “What about you, Kouyou-sama? How did you join?”

“As you say, just like anyone else.” Kouyou quietly huffs, a sort of laugh. “Come, then. We shall go out.”

Higuchi blinked. “Kouyou-sama, I have work I must do.” Going out wasn’t on her to-do list from Akutagawa.

“You will be getting paid for going out—it’s still mafia business. If you are that much concerned, delegate the delegating. It did not seem like you had much of any left.”

Higuchi began chewing her bottom lip nervously. If she went with Kouyou, she was still getting work done—plus, Kouyou is in a higher position of power than Akutagawa, no matter her thoughts. It was also true that for now, she had little to assign. That simply meant that task was done, though, and not that the others were.

And yet, ten minutes later, she was sat in a sleek black car across from Kouyou, an anonymous chauffeur driving them away.

Higuchi drummed her fingers on her lap, finding comfort in the rhythm. Her mind was whirling with questions for Kouyou. Can I be debriefed? Will I be provided information about the job? Is it with a client? Why am I being called instead of someone else? Why wasn’t I given further forewarning about this possibility?

Each sounded less and less appropriate for a subordinate of her rank.

“We have a few stops to make on our day trip,” Kouyou suddenly informed her. “First, we shall be visiting one of our business fronts to ensure all is well. Secondly, we will be meeting with a client at their personal business. Finally… a walk for surveillance.”

Though Higuchi kept a straight face, confusion was consuming her mind. Visiting a business front could be delegated. Meeting with a client hardly seemed appropriate for her if Kouyou was present—perhaps she was serving as a bodyguard. And then a walk?

She nods. “Yes, Kouyou-sama.”

Kouyou’s lips twist upward in a smile. “Good.” With no warning, she adds, “You seem like a lovely woman, Higuchi-san. I look forward to spending this afternoon with you.”

Higuchi fought back the cough in her throat. “Thank you, Kouyou-sama. It is truly my pleasure,” she responded hoarsely, nodding her head once more.

The drive feels like forever with the thickness of discomfort. At least, until they stop before a restaurant.

Higuchi quickly steps out of the car in order to hold the door open for Kouyou. The executive reaches her hand out as she emerges, and Higuchi takes it, almost as if she were guiding her out of a carriage.

As they step into the restaurant, Higuchi could swiftly feel the ambiance becoming warm and comfortable. A host smiles at them as they pull their shoes off. “Welcome, Kouyou-sama.”

The restaurant is small, intimate. Most of the guests there give a casual air, but the informal clothes they wear are that of expensive labels. This was one of the finer restaurants the mafia owned, Higuchi was swiftly realizing.

Why on earth was she here? Wouldn’t Kouyou rather be here with one of her fellow executives, like Nakahara Chuuya? Or someone wiser like Hirotsu? It was increasingly making less and less sense as they were seated.

Even so, she waited a few seconds before blurting out, “So why are we here?”

“We are here to ensure business is running smoothly as usual and to have lunch.” Kouyou arches a brow. “Is that alright with you?”

Higuchi’s eyes widen. “Of course!” Far be it from her to deny an executive, no matter how confused she was. “Is this the first time you’re visiting this restaurant?”

Kouyou chuckles lightly. “No. This is one of my favorites that we own,” she responded. “While the clientele are nice, it doesn’t feel as stiff as some of our other locations.”

Higuchi wouldn’t have much of a baseline for that. Her meals typically consist of take-out—not because she can’t afford nicer, but rather that it’s cheap, easy, and tastes good.

She replies with an “I can understand that” in spite of her lack of knowledge.

If Higuchi didn’t know better, though, she’d think this was a casual hang-out between friends.

“Higuchi-san, I heard you have a sister?” Yes.

“Higuchi-san, how often do you wear your hair down?” Not often.

“Higuchi-san, I think you’d look lovely in a kimono.” Huh?

While she could choose to be cagey with her responses, it still didn’t take away from the fact that one of her superiors was… well, being friendly. For lack of a better term to call it. For lack of a certain term to call it, actually.

Mixed signals was an understatement.

She’s almost grateful when their food arrives, leading to quiet between the two of them. She can’t help glancing at Kouyou, taking in the grace with which she was eating. It was remarkable how a woman could be so ethereal in all manners of behavior.

Kouyou’s cherry-like eyes flicker up to Higuchi from her food. “Does your food taste good?” she asks.

Higuchi nods. “Ifh rehufh kooh.”

Kouyou blinks. “Excuse me?”

She quickly swallows her food. “It’s really good,” she repeats. Her cheeks heat as she processes what she did. “Sorry, I don’t always speak with my mouth full.”

Kouyou smiles. “I’m glad you’re enjoying, though your manners are…” She trails off before shaking her head. “Unimportant. What is important is that you like the food.”

“It’s nice to have something more fresh.” Rather than something pre-processed, which makes up most of her diet.

The moment Higuchi finishes her food, Kouyou stands from her seat. Higuchi quickly gets to her feet as well. When they exit the restaurant, the car is already waiting, ready.

She speeds up her pace so she can grab the door, and receives a warm smile in thanks.

The visit with the client goes quick. Kouyou hardly has Higuchi do a thing. “Stand there, look intimidating, and you’ll be perfect.” Though Higuchi would hardly consider herself intimidating (Tachihara with his stupid band-aid certainly is, even if she’d never admit it out loud), standing with a stoic expression was a talent she’d mastered.

Then. The walk.

It was… odd.

“Cherry blossoms? What is there to look out for here?” Higuchi asked. It was a beautiful path, lined with cherry blossom trees, but there was hardly anyone in sight. It wasn’t a good vantage point, it didn’t seem to mark any territory… what were they even surveying?

Rather than answering, Kouyou asks, “Have you heard of the term ‘cherry-picking’?”

“Cherry-picking?”

“It’s an English phrase. It sounds pretty, doesn’t it?” Kouyou walks over to one of the trees, gazing up at it. “Cherry-picking… it’s choosing the best on purpose.”

Higuchi averts her gaze. Clearly, Kouyou wasn’t doing that.

Kouyou looks over her shoulder at Higuchi, a soft smile on her face. Beneath the cherry blossoms, she looked like a spirit. Her red hair and eyes like that of cherries, her kimono the color of the blossoms. She was lovely to behold.

“When I was a young girl, I thought cherry-picking meant something different,” she said. “I thought of that today, you know.”

Higuchi blinked. “Oh?”

Kouyou turned her head back, leaving her face hidden. “I believed it to be finding something small, something sweet and peaceful despite everything else.” Her hand reaches for a petal floating down from the branches, though there’s no true intent to catch it. “I thought that such a phrase could only be positive.”

“Is it not?” Higuchi asked. “Having the best is nice, isn’t it?”

“When it comes at the cost of others, not as much.” A small sigh floats back to her. “Today’s cherry-picking was that of my youth, Higuchi-san. Something small, something nice to provide peace through the chaos you are in.”

Higuchi’s mouth gapes open before slowly closing.

I re-used the clothes I used for Higuchi for the fem lineup ver. thing I did of Harukawa's latest art with the boys in traditional clothes with mythological elements or aka that art where Chuuya's biceps bewitched the masses.

Kouyou looks like an ace attorney character here, my bad.

I keep putting in flowers but they end up being hard to see pfft.