You're Under Arrest Fan Fiction ❯ A Biker's Obstacle: to Ride or to Love ❯ Episode 1: Difficult Consideration ( Chapter 1 )

A Biker's Obstacle: to Ride or to Love

Episode 1: Losing a Chance

Legend:

Word = denotes character thought

Word = denotes time, setting

|Word| = denotes sound effect

BokutoPolice District, Cafeteria

The men and women of the police force in the district were enjoying the self-served cafeteria food in their lunch break. From one table, Natsumi, Miyuki, Saori, and Yoriko chatted merrily as they ate.

"Delicious! This cafeteria should add more to these meals," Natsumi said as she set down her now-empty bowl of teriyaki noodles. She wiped her mouth with a tissue and crumpled it into a small ball.

Her partner Miyuki rolled her eyes.

"|Sigh| Natsumi, there's a big budget on this cafeteria, so don't complain. At least they provide us meals daily on the job," she said. She was eating a piece of cheesecake.

"Heh, heh, ok, I get your point. Oh, speaking of which, Nakajima sure looked down today. I wonder why he left early?" Natsumi wondered.

"I'm sure he needed a deserved rest from his duty, Natsumi-sempai, like all of us. The look on his face told us so," Saori said.

"Saori is right. But, I have a strange feeling he may be hiding something from everybody. Interesting… maybe he's been thinking of you, eh, Miyuki?" Yoriko grinned, nudging Miyuki on her sides.

"No, it's not like that, Yoriko! Don't assume so hastily!" Miyuki protested, with a slight blush on her cheeks. Her eyes looked downward on the table.

"So, so, Miyuki… oh well, it's like you to deny stuff about him when you're asked about him, eh?" Natsumi joined in the teasing.

"Natsumi!" Miyuki stared at her aghast.

"No, no! Nakajima-sempai is a respectable officer in this district! I'm sure he doesn't mix business with pleasure. Even if he and Miyuki-sempai are in a relationship, they should keep it to themselves!" Saori proudly said.

"Saori, not you too? |Sigh|" Miyuki dejectedly said. She couldn't help but fall to her co-workers' teasing. She thought a bit about Nakajima. As a friend, yes, she'll always consider him as that. But as someone more than a friend? That question was given with mixed answers.

"Hey, have any of you seen Aoi? How come she didn't join us?" Natsumi asked. She eyed around, looking for her.

"She had a small errand to run for the chief. She said it was okay to go on without her," Yoriko said, adjusting her eyeglass. She sipped a cup of ice tea and looked at Miyuki.

"I find it a bit strange for Nakajima to leave early, but I guess he has some important things to take care of."

"Miyuki-sempai, how long have you and Nakajima-sempai been on a relationship? It looks like everybody in the precinct is rooting for the both of you!" Saori wondered.

A deeper shade of red etched on Miyuki's cheeks as she looked for the right words to protest. Her partner patted her back and winked.

"Eh… Nakajima and I aren't on a relationship, Saori-chan. We're just good friends, that's all. Besides, we don't have some time to… know each other better. Oh, Natsumi, look at the time! Come on, we have to go on patrol, now! Well, see you all later!" Miyuki stood up and dragged along her partner.

Natsumi smiled awkwardly at Yoriko and Saori and waved a quick goodbye.

"Hey, Miyuki! Wait up!"

Yoriko sighed.

"Ah… it's just like her to be busy on the job whenever she's asked about him. So, I guess that leaves you with some free time!" she rubbed her hands with anticipation as she looked on Saori like a stalking wolf.

"Eh? Y-Yoriko sempai, w-w-what do you mean?" Saori asked.

Eee… I'm getting a bad feeling about this!

She dreaded on what her co-worker was planning.

"You'll be my partner for this small party we're going tonight! We're going to see some cute looking guys who're dressed neat! So, so… I guess you won't take no for an answer, yeah?"

"Eee… Yoriko sempai!"

Miyuki and Natsumi were on their usual patrol around Bokuto district, riding on Miyuki's patrol car, the Honda Today. Miyuki sighed as she drove.

What's with Nakajima today?

"What's the matter, Miyuki?" her partner asked.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. Just feeling a bit tired."

"I bet it has something to do with Nakajima, eh?"

Miyuki was caught surprised by the suggestion, but quickly maintained her face to look busy with her driving.

Natsumifelt she had hit the mark.

"Ah, so it is him!"

"N-no, it's not like that! I was just wondering why he had that sad look as he turned in his patrol report to the chief today. And I didn't see him eat lunch in the cafeteria," Miyuki furrowed her eyebrows in thought.

I guess he needs some time off from his duty like me.

"Sad? That's unusual for him to be that way. Maybe he's in one of those mood swings from too much work."

"I don't think so, Natsumi. But there's something I can't put though…"

"Huh? And that would be?"

"I feel as though he seems to be hiding something important."

"It'd be rare for him to turn serious at something important. Then he's been thinking a lot about you… good!" Natsumi lightly punched her partner's arm as she teased her.

"Natsumi!" Miyuki exclaimed, a small blush appearing on her face. Her partner couldn't help but laugh at her embarrassment.

Zapper Automobile Repair Shop

Nakajima's bike screeched to a halt as he parked it in front of the station. Taking off his helmet, he went inside the opened garage and saw Honda Okane, a good friend of his father, Daimaru Nakajima, making repairs to a sports car.

"Honda-san, good afternoon!" Ken greeted.

"Oh? Ah, Ken, nice to see you so soon. Off duty today?" Honda asked. He wore his mechanic suit and looked messy; oil stains were all over his suit and he reeked of automobile metal.

"No, I decided to go off early after a morning patrol. Is my dad around?"

"Yes, he's inside along with your mother."

"How's Megumi?"

"She's bright in school. Everyday when she comes home, she can't stop talking about how her school life is going."

"From the sound of that, I think she's happy as usual."

"Yes, you're right. Ha, ha. Well, I have this car to repair with."

Ken looked at the damaged sports car.

"Isn't that a Mitsubishi Lancer XL 500? From the looks of this, it could run quite well."

Honda smiled.

"Yes, it is. This belongs to a drag racer who will be taking part in a drag racing competition held near Bokuto Bridge."

"You don't mean the 3rd annual drag race held there?"

"That's the one. He'll be driving this car in the race. I'm doing this as a favor to him. He also told me that I could tune it up to my specifications if I want."

"I see. I'll be sure to stop by and watch the race. Well, I'll see you then," Ken waved to the mechanic and headed inside the shop.

Inside, Ken looked around for his father and stepmother, Sena Hime.

Not in the counter. I guess inside the dining room then.

He went to the room and opened the door.

|CREAK|

"Hey dad and, um, mom," he greeted. He found his parents eating lunch.

"Oh, Ken! I'm surprised to see you home early. Had lunch?" Daimaru asked.

|GRUMBLE|

Ken looked down his grumbling stomach in slight embarrassment and sighed.

"Actually, I kinda forgot to have lunch in the precinct today. Can I join in?"

"Sure Ken-chan! I've plenty of meals cooked for you in case you were coming here," Sena happily said. She dragged her stepson lovingly to his seat.

"Ah, mom, please, I was about to do that!" Ken protested.

"No, no! I want you to sit and relax. I'll be back in a second," Sena walked to the small kitchen nearby and picked up a few plates of food.

Having a stepmother 26 years his father's junior (Daimaru is around 50 years old, and that makes Sena 24) didn't bode well for Ken. It made a somewhat awkward thing for him to address his stepmother, for she could pass up to be a suitable girlfriend for him (Ken is 23 years old).

"Here you are, Ken-chan, eat up!" Sena set down the plates to her reluctant, but hungry stepson.

"Lunch!" Ken started eating his served lunch.

"So, Ken, what brings you over here today?" Daimaru asked.

Ken stopped for a minute and replied, "Nothing much, just decided to get off early after a morning patrol today."

"You feel tired from your job? You kinda sound like it."

"Huh? Well, I suppose you're right, I do feel tired from my job now and then. But today, it's just to get away from it for a while."

"Have you heard of the 3rd annual drag race held near Bokuto Bridge?"

"That? Well, Honda-san and I were talking about it a moment ago before I stepped in here for lunch."

Daimaru took out a cigarette from a pack in his pocket and lit it with a lighter. Having smoked it a few times, he blew out a whiff of tobacco.

"Ah, this feels good once in a while," he saw the annoyed look on his wife's face, "don't worry about this, it's just one smoke, dear. Let an old man enjoy this moment at least."

Senarolled her eyes over in defeat.

"That better be just one smoke, Daimaru."

Ken chuckled at the loving sight of his parents. He coughed to get their attention.

"Where was I? Oh, the race! Sena, I mean your mother, Honda, Megumi, and I will be going there. Do you want to come along?" Daimaru asked.

"When's the race going to be?"

"It'll be during the 1st week of next month, June."

"Maybe I'll be there. I'll try to catch up."

"You have plans on that week, Ken-chan?" Sena wondered.

"Huh? I don't know. But I'm sure the chief will get the other officers and me in the precinct to monitor it. Standard police routine, you get the picture. By the way, has Honda-san had lunch?"

"Yes, he took it quite early. I'll be picking Megumi up from the school at 3:00 PM in the afternoon. If you want, you can rest here."

"Thanks for the offer, but I was just dropping by to check up on everybody here," Ken finished his lunch, "Lunch was delicious, mom."

"You're welcome, Ken-chan. I can lend you the recipes for them if you're trying to cook them by yourself," Sena suggested.

"Sure, it'd be great. I've got to go home to my place now, mom," Ken stood up from his seat and fished out his motorbike keys from his pocket.

"Ok, wait here. I'll go get them from my drawer," Sena left to get her recipes in the bedroom.

Daimaru noticed his son's uncertain look on his face. He snubbed his cigarette on an ashtray and eased his dark sunglasses.

"Ken, what's with that look? Is something wrong?"

Ken scolded himself inside for making his worry obvious. He looked at the wall in silence.

Seconds passed by. The wall clock in the room was the only thing making a sound.

|TICK| |TOCK|

Daimaru sensed a problem brewing from him. Before he could speak to break the silence in the atmosphere, Ken spoke.

"Dad, I'm thinking about… quitting the force."

"What?"

"I'm going to resign becoming a cop. I'm considering a different job to take."

"Is that so… why is that?"

Ken removed his sunglasses and looked at his father.

"This may sound stupid, but to me it's been an emotional problem that has been bugging me since I became a traffic cop here in Bokuto district. Dad, it's about Miyuki and me."

Daimaru's eyebrows were raised slightly in amusement and his mouth curved upwards. He heard rumors flying around in Bokuto police station (courtesy from Yoriko) about his son being romantically linked to Miyuki Kobayakawa. After a chance meeting with her through his wife's many dinner invitations, he liked her. Of course he rooted his son to go after her, seeing she'd make a fine wife for him in the near future.

"Dad, what are you smiling at?" Ken asked, confused at his reaction.

"A love problem, son? I keep telling you --- don't waste your chance! She suits better to you. Your mom and I are hoping some grandkids from you both."

"Dad! That's not what I meant!" Ken blushed embarrassingly.

"Ha, ha, ha… alright, I see you're serious. Go on," Daimaru shrugged off the comedic atmosphere and turned concerned.

"Dad, everyday I try to find the courage to ask her. And at the worst times, I had to do that. She's beautiful, smart, and dedicated to her job. Me, well, I've been doing my best as a traffic cop and making sure nobody gets hurt here. I'm glad of that."

"So?"

"But I feel as though I'm not worthy of her. Deep down, I… love her with all my heart. Look at this, Dad, I love her but I don't have the guts to say it to her face! And I'm getting tired of taking so many chances to do so and seeing them wasted. I feel that kami-sama has given me a curse. I'm a fool…"

A tear ran down on Ken's cheek.

"Ken…"

Daimaru hadn't expected this to happen. Of course, hearing and seeing his son's misfortunes in catching the girl's heart would be that on his mind, but hearing this changed all that.

"Here are the recipes, Ken-chan, you should try them ---" Sena stepped in and saw her stepson crying, his eyes on the floor, "Ken-chan? What's wrong?"

"Oh, mom… it's nothing. Ha, ha, just a man-to-man talk I'm having with Dad. So these are the recipes inside this notebook?" Ken took a notebook from her hands and wiped off his tear.

"Yes, but just half of them. I can't let you know all my secret recipes, can I? Those are what I usually cook for everybody here," Sena replied.

Why did he cry? Something's wrong with him.

"Thanks. Oh, look at the time. I'll be leaving now. Thanks for the lunch, Mom," Ken grabbed his helmet and wore his sunglasses. As he was about to leave, he faced his father, "Dad, I'm not sure when I'll do this, but I'm considering it. But, I want to hear your thoughts about it, and Mom's also. Bye."

He closed the door and went to his bike parked outside.

"What was that all about, Daimaru? And what did he mean by that?" Sena asked her husband.

Daimaru's eyes lingered at the door Ken closed. He looked at his wife and took a deep breath.

"Sena, I think our son might be making a drastic decision in his life here."

"What are you saying?"

"|Sigh| Ken is…"

He let her in on the conversation he just had with him before it was interrupted.

Wearing his helmet, Ken hopped on his Kawasaki KLE-400 dual-purpose bike and started the engine.

|VROOM| |VROOM|

"Ah, Ken, where are you off to?" Honda asked, after coming out from under the car he was repairing on in the garage.

"Oh, Honda-san! I'm going back to my place and hit the sack," Ken replied.

"Well, take care then."

"See you."

With a last rev up on his bike's handle, Ken speeded off to his apartment.

BokutoPolice District, Women's Locker Room

"|Yawn| Patrol has gotten tiring today," Natsumi muttered as she changed into her civilian clothes, "Miyuki? Let's eat outside!"

"Sorry, Natsumi, but I'm heading home instead. Go with someone else," said Miyuki, done changing into her clothes. She closed her locker and carried a small purse.

"|Sigh| Ok, I'll see you home later then. Aoi! Are you free tonight? Let's eat!" Natsumi said to the cross-dressing police officer next to her.

"Well… alright," Aoi replied.

"Speaking of which, where's Yoriko and Saori?" Miyuki asked.

"I heard that she took Kana along with her to another of those fancy parties she knows about," Aoi said.

The three women giggled at the thought of the remark.

"Well, I'll be leaving now. Don't stay up late, Natsumi," Miyuki waved her partner goodbye as she left the room.

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry," she said, waving back. She glanced back at Aoi with puppy dog eyes.

"Aoi… please treat me to dinner! I'll pay you back next week!"

Aoismiled nervously with an anime-style sweatdrop on her head.

Kobayakawa/TsujimotoResidence, an Apartment in Bokuto District

Miyuki locked the door after her and removed her shoes. She wore her slippers and turned on the lights. She saw the kitchen sink cluttered with dirty dishes.

"Natsumi can sometimes be lazy at chores," she said to herself. She proceeded to wash the dishes next.

After, she headed to the bathroom and turned on the faucet in the bathtub for a warm shower. She opened a small cabinet and took out a towel. Then, she took off her clothes and went inside the bathtub.

"Ah… relaxing…" she took in her refreshing shower.

Having cleaned herself up, she went to her room with her name on a small sign posted on the door. She took out a fresh set of clothes from her drawer. As she closed it with a more push unknowingly, a small picture frame of Ken Nakajima posing with his bike fell down to the floor.

|CRACK|

"How careless of me…"

She saw a small crack in the frame. She looked around for the traffic charm Ken gave to her in the "ordered" date back then and found it lying on the floor.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Check the 3rd episode, first season of the series for info about the "ordered" date, in case you're wondering about it.

"Nakajima…"

Miyuki's heart was filled with dread and confusion.