Hiding In Plain Sight

Sushi Is A Nice Last Meal

Shuichi entered the office only to be attacked by his uncle who wrapped his arms tight around his nephew. "I'm so glad you're okay, and I'm so sorry for leaving you."

"It's okay Uncle, I understand why. Ayaka helped me escape."

"I shouldn't have put you through that-"

"No, Uncle, you had no choice!" Shuichi smiled, stepping out of the hug to see the pained expression on his uncle's face. "I understand why you left, and I don't blame you at all for it. Anyway, life isn't fair."

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Shuichi lost focus on the case he stared at his desk, tapping his pencil against the wood repeatedly. He was supposed to be sorting through a pile of papers, but his thoughts distracted him. "What's the matter?" His uncle snapped the boy from his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.

"Hm? Oh, sorry, got distracted," Shuichi mumbled, sorting some of the papers.

"There's something wrong, do you want to talk about it?" His uncle put down his work, turning to his nephew who continued to attempt to distract himself from the thoughts.

"I miss Ayaka. Part of me hoped that we'd be friends and stick together if either of us needed help, but she just... left." Shuichi sighed, putting down the papers and leaning backwards, staring at the concrete ceiling with pain.

"Shuichi, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear but please listen to me," the man took Shuichi's closest hand in his. The assistant turned to face his body towards his uncle, expecting the lecture that was about to come. "As an Ultimate, you have no choice but to not trust anyone. You're on the run not just from the police, but from the entire Japanese government. You can't escape the country, you have no choice but to stay here, so you need to assume everyone is out to get you."

"What about you Uncle? I trust you," Shuichi argued, the thought of living his life devoid of trust and friends emptying his soul.

"Sometimes, even that isn't the safe choice. I might make a mistake and endanger you, so you need to use your own judgement and choose when to make your own choices. Just know that if you ever do go against my suggestion, I'll never be upset, because you need to do what you think will keep you alive."

If I don't have anyone to trust... Shuichi's thoughts raced around his mind at a mile a minute, his world crashing around him. His future flashed before his eyes, where he'd be back to throwing up his food, starving himself and cutting up his body like children making paper snowflakes. I'm alone, and I always will be.

"I'm sorry Shuichi, I didn't mean to make you feel worse." His uncle pulled him into his arms, instantly giving Shuichi the feel of safety and comfort. "You know I'll always be here for you, I'm not going anywhere and I promise that as long as I'm alive I'll do my best to keep you safe."

Shuichi sniffed, wiping the single tear that dripped down his cheek as she smiled at his uncle. "Thank you."

"Ignore your work, let's go out for lunch." Shuichi frowned, confused at the proposition as he watched his uncle stand from his desk. "I know I say that work should be finished before you take a break, but just this once, okay? Do you want sushi?"

"Okay, sure let's go," Shuichi jumped to his feet, making no attempt to hide his childish excitement. He didn't enjoy eating, as he used to throw up what little food he ate months prior, but he loved spending time away from work with his uncle, who made him feel happy and safe. The two made their way out of the office and downstairs so the man could talk to his secretary about he and Shuichi leaving the office for an hour break.