I asked, keeping my emotions steady as I tried to stop the tears from spilling.

Kaito: You left work early. You didn't say goodbye. You were gloomy on the ride back from the mission. You okay?

Me: I am fine.

Kaito: Really? Then why are you in the rain?

He pulled away and looked at me.

Me: I was waiting for the last bus to take me home. It is coming in the next 5 minutes.

He raised his eyebrow and gave me a skeptical look. I could tell he did not believe me.

Kaito: Zayla. I will ask again. What's wrong?

Me: I said I am fine.

Kaito: Zayla, stop lying to me.

Me: I am-

I closed my eyes as the tears I tried hiding from Kaito began falling.

Me: I received a call from my parents' neighbor during the mission. My dad was admitted to the hospital because he nearly experienced a heart attack. I told him that I could only come to see him after work but he accused me of being a bad daughter. 

Kaito: ...

I opened my eyes, my tears streaming from my eyes, locking eyes with Kaito. I wished to hide this vulnerable part of myself from Kaito, but I couldn't. My voice strained, full of emotion, I spoke.

Me: Kaito...?

Kaito: Yes?

Me: Am I a bad daughter?

Kaito: Not at all, you are a wonderful daughter who cares for and loves her parents, Zayla. You don't need to worry about all those words - they mean nothing. They don't describe you at all. That neighbor has no clue what he said to you.

My tears continuously flowed down, and Kaito pulled me into another hug again. He patted me slowly, as if unsure of what to do. Sure, he was a workaholic who only cared about saving lives but I was glad it was him. The last bus came through and stopped by the bus station. I looked up at the bus; its open doors waiting for me to walk in. The driver looked at us and my tears fell again and placed my head on Kaito's shoulder.

Kaito: (to the driver; Japanese) We are okay. Thank you.

The driver then drove off and the rain intensified. I wanted to push Kaito away, to tell him to go home before he got wet, but as much as I wanted to, a part of me wanted him to stay.

And so he did.

Kaito: So you had to leave early because your dad nearly faced a heart attack?

Me: Yes. I took a three-day off to be able to check up on him. Sorry, I didn't tell you.

Kaito: That's okay - you did what any child who loves their parents would do. No hard feelings.

Me: (crying) But... if I didn't answer the call... maybe I am a bad daughter...

Kaito: Not at all Zayla. Let's be grateful that your Dad is fine and that nothing bad happened.

The rain's intensity did not waver. It had been an hour since Kaito saw me and stayed with me, comforting me until I calmed down without even worrying about him catching a cold or being wet by the rain. I slowly pulled away, wiping the teardrops off my face, and looked at Kaito. He had a unique look in his eyes - one of sympathy, though I still wished he never saw me in my vulnerable state, I was still grateful that he stayed with me.

Me: You should go home Kaito, I took so much of your time and your clothes are wet - you have to go back to the station tomorrow as well-

Kaito: Enough worrying about me rookie.

He patted my head.

Kaito: I need to get you back home.

Me: I am fine, I stay two blocks from here. 

Kaito: The rain has intensified, Zayla - are you sure about walking in this rain?

Me: Of course! I am strong like an ox.

Kaito: Try fooling someone else, but not me.

He stood up and took my bag and started walking in the rain. I stood up and ran up to him.

Me: Where are you taking my bag?

Kaito didn't say anything, but rather took my wrist and dragged me all the way to his car.

Me: Kaito-

Kaito: Get in.

Me: But I am soaking wet!

Kaito: Doesn't matter. Stop questioning me and just get in.

Me: (folding my arms) Says who?

Kaito: (smirks) Says your mentor.

I got in the car and looked around.

Me: Do you have a towel? My wet clothes could stain your car.

Kaito: Don't stress about it. It's lived through my many wet days.

Putting on my seatbelt, Kaito started the car and drove away. I looked out the window most of the time, my mind registering how intimate being in his car was. He switched on the heater and I thanked him, settling into my seat but not too much. Before I knew it, I was in front of my apartment building.

Kakari Building

Me: (surprised) You know where I stay?

Kaito: Of course. You filled in your address when accepting your internship invitation, remember?

Me: (flushed) Right.

Opening the car and walking out, I looked at Kaito and smiled at him. 

Me: Thanks Kaito, for tonight.

Kaito: Anytime.

I was about to close the door when Kaito called out.

Kaito: Hey, Zayla?

Me: Yeah?

He then lifted his hand to me. I looked at him, puzzled.

Me: Kaito...?

Kaito: High five.

Me: (smiles) High five.

Bidding him goodnight, I closed the door and ran to my apartment building in the heavy rain. Walking into the busy ground floor, I greeted the elderly women sitting by the cafe.

Elma: (Japanese) Zayla, welcome back.

Me: (Japanese) Thank you.

Elma: (Japanese) Who brought you home in a black SUV? Your boyfriend?

Kaito as my boyfriend?

Me: (Japanese; flushed) No! No! It's my mentor at the fire station!

The ladies exchanged glances and I knew they didn't believe me.

Me: (Japanese) Besides, he doesn't see me in that way.

Elma: (Japanese) Continue fooling yourself girl, but that doesn't look like it to us.

I could feel my heart pounding as I processed every word they said. Thanking them once more, I quickly dashed upstairs using the staircase.

Elma: (Japanese) If only she knew how he really felt...

I reached the second floor and unlocked my apartment door. A wave of warm, vanilla-scented air filled me with contentment. I removed my shoes, hung my wet bag, removed my phone, and then changed into my pajamas. I walked up to my glass wall and watched the heavy rain pour down. My mind replayed all the events that happened that day. The call, sneak out but most importantly, how Kaito stayed with me. Elma and the other ladies were always interested in my love life, but tonight, I really wanted to believe their words for once.