By Zephyria 
“Aren’t you leaving yet, Prosecutor?”
Chrissy gave a bitter smile to the assistant prosecutor who poked his head in to ask.
“There are still some documents I need to review. You go ahead and head home.”
“Shall I, then?”
The assistant prosecutor smiled, looking pleased, and turned away with a light step.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Prosecutor. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Once alone again after the exchange, Chrissy turned his gaze back to the documents. Only two days were left. He was about to tell Nathaniel that he would take a taxi. It was because there were simply too many documents to review due to the new case he had been assigned.
He couldn’t take them with him.
Since the volume was too large and it made no sense to take official documents to a place that wasn’t his own home, he decided to stay in the office and get as much work done as possible. Taxis were plentiful, after all.
Checking the time, it was about the moment Nathaniel would be leaving work. Chrissy found the number on his phone and called him.
♪♪♬♩♪♬♪……
“What is it?”
Nathaniel answered the phone abruptly, though it didn’t feel like Chrissy had waited very long. Because the timing was faster than expected, Chrissy unconsciously let out a short breath.
“Yeah, have you left yet?”
“I’m on my way.”
Hearing the voice on the other end, Chrissy continued, “Right.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner. I’ll be late today, so go back first.”
Nathaniel didn’t react immediately. He remained silent for a moment, as if chewing over Chrissy’s words, before speaking in a tone slower than usual.
“Go back first… what do you mean by that?”
Chrissy tilted his head in confusion and repeated, “Exactly what it sounds like. Go back first. I’ll head to your place on my own.”
“……And the reason?”
Again, he asked after a pause. Chrissy answered while flipping through the documents in front of him.
“I have a lot of paperwork to go through. I took on a new case.”
“You may bring them with you.”
“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
Gently declining Nathaniel’s offer, Chrissy added, “The volume is too much, and it doesn’t make sense to bring these to your house, which has nothing to do with the case. It’ll only be about two or three hours, so go ahead. It’s not that late.”
“It will be past midnight.”
Nathaniel spoke again. Chrissy had thought he might not accept it easily, but he was more stubborn in trying to persuade him than expected. Feeling a strange sense of bewilderment, Chrissy ended the call firmly.
“This happens often, so it’s fine. Sorry for the late notice; I’ll see you later.”
He hung up without dragging it out any further. As the surroundings suddenly became quiet, he felt an odd sense of awkwardness.
Was I too blunt…?
The thought suddenly occurred to him, and Chrissy shook his head in belated panic. What kind of nonsense am I thinking? I just told him the facts.
It would be best to focus on work. He wanted to finish quickly and go rest. The bed Nathaniel provided was truly soft and comfortable. It didn’t even compare to his own creaky, cheap mattress. He was grateful just that it didn’t make noise, but a bed that embraced his body so cozily…
It must be expensive.
It was a mattress he would never lie on again once the promised week passed. It was a shame, but it couldn’t be helped. That’s why he had to finish his work quickly and make the most of the remaining time. He steadied his mind and focused on the documents again.
“Haa.”
It was just as he finished one thick file and rubbed his shoulder with one hand. Suddenly, he heard footsteps in the hallway. Who is it? Was there someone else staying this late besides me?
It might be the security guard. Without thinking much, Chrissy picked up his mug, only to find it empty and let out a short click of his tongue. As he stood up to brew some coffee, he suddenly realized the footsteps were getting closer.
He froze in place and listened intently. He wasn’t imagining it. They were clearly approaching the office where Chrissy was alone. The sound of footsteps echoing in the empty hallway—quiet, but certain. Soon, the color drained from Chrissy’s face.
No, get a grip. That won’t happen anymore.
He squeezed his eyes shut and then snapped them open, glaring at the door. There’s no reason for that man to come looking for me. That was a long time ago. Remember what he said. I’ve grown too much. I’m no longer a target for that kind of thing. So get a grip, it’s not him. Those footsteps are probably…
…Eh?
Suddenly, it felt as if his mind cleared. When he felt he vaguely—no, perhaps certainly—knew the identity of those footsteps, the unpleasant feelings vanished and his vision became clear, as if a fog had lifted. It was certain. There was no way he was mistaken. Because these footsteps…
Without hesitation, Chrissy approached the door and flung it open. There stood a man with one hand raised as if he were about to knock; he paused and looked down at him. Seeing him, Chrissy couldn’t help but smile, his eyes curving as he saw the man he had expected.
Because these footsteps belonged only to this man.
“Welcome, cripple.”
At Chrissy’s words, Nathaniel, who had been standing still, let out a small chuckle.
“Your welcome is quite passionate.”
As he spoke, Nathaniel held out a large paper bag that had been tucked under the arm of the side holding his cane.
“What’s this?”
Chrissy took it instinctively and opened it to find it filled with wrapped sandwiches. Unable to understand the situation, Chrissy looked up at him again, and Nathaniel spoke.
“I thought about asking what you wanted to eat, but it was too much trouble.”
So he just bought every variety. Flustered by the unexpected situation, Chrissy stood there blinking blankly before snapping back to his senses and taking a step back.
“Come in, for now.”
“Excuse me.”
With a brief greeting, Nathaniel bowed his head and stepped into Chrissy’s office. Click. The customary sound of the cane echoed through the quiet office. The man with the cane stood before Chrissy’s desk in a couple of steps and slowly looked around. Chrissy placed the bag of sandwiches on the desk and turned around.
“Is coffee okay? The quality isn’t great, but…”
It was of a quality that couldn’t even be compared to the nameless coffee Nathaniel Miller drank, but since it was all he had, it couldn’t be helped. At Chrissy’s question, Nathaniel gave a very slight nod. Unsure if it was because he was reluctant or if he was just like that, Chrissy turned and headed to the kitchenette. The assistant prosecutor didn’t usually like other people using his primary space, but this time it couldn’t be helped. While searching for the beans, putting them in the machine, and waiting for the coffee to brew, Chrissy briefly organized the current situation in his head.
Why did that man come all the way here?
Of course, the answer to this question could only be given by Nathaniel Miller. Chrissy returned to the office holding a paper cup of coffee in each hand.
Nathaniel Miller was still standing in the same spot. He still possessed an almost unreal feeling. That man had been in that exact spot when they first met, too. As the past suddenly came to mind, an unfortunate detail flashed through his head.
The condoms…!
As he remembered those naughty items he habitually kept in his drawer, his heart began to beat wildly. Just as he felt cold sweat beading at his temples, Nathaniel suddenly stepped closer to him. Smoothly, yet with a definite purpose, like a snake draped over a tree branch approaching its prey.
“Thank you.”
Nathaniel whispered in his characteristic low voice as he took the coffee from Chrissy’s hand. The moment those long, strong fingers brushed against Chrissy’s fingers as if caressing them, Chrissy stopped breathing entirely.