chapter 14

Today is Shinichi's day off and his Birthday. so he went at the abandon museum and he got a brand new phone. He dial Shiho's number,  he still remember her phone number because he's good at memorizing things. It takes a few rings before she can finally answer.

"Hello?" She asked on the other line.

"Hey Shi..." He said.

"Shinichi?"

"Yeah it's me. Sorry I wasn't able to text or call you because my team didn't allow me to use phone, I asked Kaito to buy me a new phone so I can reach you out." He sincerely said.

"Is that so? Thank you." She simply said.

"Shiho I'm here in our place. Can we meet? I'll wait you here."

Meanwhile...

Shiho's heart is throbbing fast.

'Our place?' Her thoughts.

She feel happy hearing Shinichi's voice again. She's happy because he didn't need to apologize why he's not reaching out since they're not a thing but he just did. She really wanted to go and meet him but then she realized that Shinichi already know about her and Jin.

"I can't. I'm sorry." She said.

"Oh.. why? Did something happen?" He worriedly asked.

"Everything is fine, It's just my headache so I wanted to take rest instead of going outside." She said.

"I... understand."

"Thanks." Shiho ended the call.

She then see Fujiko is standing nearby her.

"He's asking you out?" She asked.

"He just want to meet me in our pla— no he just want to meet."

"Aww you two have your own place?" She smirked as she teased her.

Shiho roll her eyes.

"C'mon! Talk to him. Meet him!" She smiled.

"You can explain to him." She added.

Shiho just look at her.

"Fine! I'm not gonna say anything now. I'll be going somewhere if you need to talk just call me." She said and leave Shiho alone now.

Shiho sighed. She keeps looking at her phone screen, hours passed she decided to call Shinichi.

"Can we meet?" She said.

"Yeah. But are you ok now?"

"Ofcourse. I'll see you there." She hang up the phone.

She wear an oversize sweater hoodie and gets the painting she made yesterday. She gets some alcoholic drinks and put inside her car. She decided to use an old car that attracts no one. 20 minutes drive and she's finally there. She see Shinichi is smiling at her in the main entrance, he walk towards her and help her getting her things.

"You brought alcoholic drinks?" He asked while staring at the bottles.

They walk upstairs and he put down the bottles on the floor.

"Today is your birthday so you deserves a drink." She smiled.

He chuckled.

"I'm glad you still remember." He smiled.

"I can't forget." She smiled at him.

She sit down on the floor and he sits down on the floor as well.

"Would you like to come with me later? I will celebrate my birthday with my parents in our house." He asked.

She looks at him and he's smiling.

"It's a family bonding so I don't think I should be there." She said.

"No actually Kaito will be there too because Mom invited him to come."

Shiho open the bottle of one alcoholic drink she brought and started drinking it. He watched her drink and She looks at him, she stopped.

"What?" She asked.

"No-nothing."

"Are you turn off?" She smiled.

"No—"

Shiho put her index finger to Shinichi so he can shut up. She gently touch his lips, he's stunned and blushing at the same time.

"Do you like me?" She asked and stopped touching his lips. She then look straight in his eyes.

"Yes." He answered without a doubt.

Shiho smiled.

"Even I slept with Jin before?"

Shinichi is surprised when she said that.

"Do you still like a wh*re like me?" She asked again.

Shinichi sighed.

"You're not a wh*re." He calmly said.

"Then what am I?"

"He's an abuser and you're just a victim but you're not a wh*re. Please don't say that. Don't you ever down yourself just because he tells you something you're not." He looks deeply in her eyes.

Shiho's trying not to cry. He's the only guy who told her that. When her ex boyfriend Higo knew about it, he calls her a sl*t and other names, he's ashamed by her. Shiho is staring at Shinichi.

'Why is he so kind? Why he's not judging me? I slept with a married man but why he's still not making me feel that I am a shameful human being on earth?' Her thoughts.

"Why? Why are you not judging me?" She asked.

"I can't judge a person because I'm not a God, I'm just a human who made mistakes in life too." He smiled.

"In every mistakes we made, we learned a lesson. so it's alright, don't feel bad Shi." He added.

Shiho hugged him and tears escaped from her eyes. He just let her cry and afterwards she stopped crying. She let go of him.

"I have a gift for you." She said.

He looks at her.

"Really?"

"Yeah. There!" She pointed at the gift on the corner.

He stand up and walk towards it to pick it up, he went back to his seat.

"What's this?" He asked happily.

"Can you guess?" She asked.

"Hmm... maybe a poster in a frame?"

"Close but not a poster."

"Then maybe it's your picture that I can display on my bedroom?" He chuckled.

"You got it right!"

"Wow! Really?" He said excitedly.

He started to open the gift.

"No. It's actually my nude and I frame it for you."

He suddenly blushed and stop opening the gift. Shiho laughs.

"I'm kidding. C'mon open it now." She smiled.

He smiled at her and continue opening and he saw the abstract painting of himself.

"Wow this is so beautiful. Did you paint it?"

Shiho nods.

"Thank you so much for your effort. Wow..." he can't stopped smiling.

"Did you love it?" She asked.

"Yeah I love you... I mean it.. no.. no... what i truly mean is that I loved it. The painting." He panicked.

Shiho giggles and he can't stop blushing. She rest her head on his shoulder.

"I didn't grew up with a family. My real Mom didn't care about me to be honest. And my Dad... he's never been a father to me. He provides everything I needed but that's all. I never study in a real school because all my life I've been home schooled. I never experience prom and other normal teenager things. I grew up with maids and with Fujiko. I only value few people in my life. That's Fujiko, she's not just a manager to me but she's like a cool mom I never had. My friends... Akako, Heiji, Momiji and Saguru. Sometimes they're mean but they're honestly got my back. They never judge and insulted me and when I'm in trouble they never fail to support me." She opened up.

He's all ears to her.

"And I also treasure you Shinichi." She said.

She held his hand.

"I like you because you're not the same guy I knew. You're too decent for me to be honest... you're kind, sweet, funny, amazing just the best guy I met in this industry. And when I'm with you I feel calm and happy. Even I knew we're not a real thing I am happy in your side when we're fake dating. I enjoyed every moments I'm with you." She softly said.

"Me too." He said.

He stand up and offer his hand. She looks at him.

"Let's go. I'll show you something." He smiled.

She take his hand and they walk outside together.