Title: Replacement
Author: Sicilian Maiden
Pairing: Narumi Ayumu/Yuizaki Hiyono
Fandom: Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna
Theme: #11—gardenia
Rating: G
Disclaimer: All characters of Spiral are the property of Kyou Shirodaira; I allege no possession of said characters. I only request to take them to over-rowdy soccer games and force them to play at gunpoint.
Summary: Who knew that changing his flowers would make him so happy?

-o-

The birds were singing, there weren't any clouds in vast blue sky, and the sun shone brightly, sending its warm rays down upon the green grass below. You could say that today was a perfect day.

But that would be a lie.

Narumi Ayumu stumbled out of the shower stall, mumbling curses as his toe became better acquainted with the edge of the toilet. Firmly wrapping a fluffy towel around his waist, the young detective smeared the built-up condensation with his hand, a clearer picture of himself appearing on the mirror.

Damp auburn hair was matted to his face, his cheeks slightly flushed from being in the steaming water. Yet again grumbling about God knows what, Ayumu trudged to his room where he picked out the clothes he would wear. In the midst of pulling on a pair of khaki pants, the teen panicked—wait, panicked? Yes, panicked—when he heard the sound of his doorbell being rung.

Tripping on his way to the large window of his bedroom, Ayumu sighed. There, standing patiently at his door was the reason that he had cursed today; a young, honey-haired girl was situated at his doorstep, two overstuffed bags in each hand. Oblivious to the somewhat dark looks being thrown at her, the girl began to sing the ever popular song that was always playing in her head.

"I wish time-travel was real," the young detective murmured. If there was one thing that Ayumu wished he could take back, it was mentioning to Hiyono, that he was thinking of redecorating his apartment.

Shifting the weight of her bags, Hiyono pressed the doorbell once more, its musical chime sounding through the young man's apartment.

"Coming," Ayumu called from the hall. Making his way past the kitchen, Ayumu wondered if he could possible make a break for it. Could he really just not answer the door and pretend he wasn't home? Maybe if he—? No, he couldn't do that... could he?

Reaching for the brass doorknob, Ayumu realized all too soon that it was too late to turn back now. Twisting the knob in his hand, the chestnut-haired male braced himself for the deafening scream he predicted would come. Feebly pulling at the door, Ayumu mentally winced at the thought of loud-mouthed Yuizaki Hiyono coming in to his humble abode and trashing all of his belongings. Ayumu was greeted with...

...Silence?

What? Where was the screeching, "Ayumu!", the thousands upon thousands of questions, the two boxing animal puppets, the hurling of priceless family heirlooms, the poisoning of his water? Okay, maybe that was going to far but... Seriously, why was she not acting wild?

"Morning Ayumu," Hiyono smiled warmly at her partner-in-solving-crime. Casually brushing past him, Hiyono set the four bags on the diningroom table. The young newspaper reporter opened one of the bags, rummaged around in it, and produced two burnt-orange, plush pillows which she fluffed before laying them on either ends of the couch.

Realizing that Ayumu hadn't returned her greeting, Hiyono tried again. Happily, she called, "Good morning Ayumu!"

"Uh... oh, good morning."

"Well," the caramel-haired girl placed her hands on her hips in a defiant stance, "looks like we got a lot of work to do. Come over here."

Obeying the girl's command quickly, for fear of enraging and thus, summoning the more hyperactive personality, Ayumu jogged over to Hiyono.

"I've got to get some more things, but I'll be back in no time. I brought a number of furnishings to place around your apartment. You can pull out what you like and put them wherever you want." Hiyono waved her hand around pointing to various spots that could use, for the lack of a better term, a "woman's touch".

"Be back soon," she called as she exited the flat. Ayumu sat on the newly furbished couch glaring menacingly at the four innocent looking bags. After a minute, the brunette uttered a few choice words before commencing with his stare down once again.

This continued for roughly ten minutes before, finding that his own curiosity was getting the better of him, Ayumu stood and marched over to the baggage. Peering inside one, the young detective found that Hiyono had brought much more than just pillows. A few new rugs and blankets were folded neatly in one bag. In another, trinkets and a few pictures that Hiyono had taken of the duo. The third bag held cook books (like he really needed more... yeah, like a hole in the head), a framed painting of cheerful scenery, and shiny curtains that looked rather expensive.

Just as Ayumu was about to examine the contents of the last bag, Hiyono burst through the door, two wrapped items in her hand.

"Hiyono? What are those?" Ayumu couldn't contain the question.

"Oh these? Well, ones a gift for you, the other's something that I thought you needed." The brown-eyed girl placed the first of the two objects in his awaiting hands. It was pretty large and heavy. Evaluating the dense, circular gift, Ayumu bounced it lightly in his hands.

"Are you going to open it or not?" Hiyono asked while she pulled out the set of curtains that Ayumu had seen in one of the bags.

Started—but not completely shocked—by Hiyono's boldness, Ayumu quickly tore through the packaging only to see a shiny, black wok looking back at him. A large smile quickly spread over his face; he had really wanted a new wok.

Ever since Hiyono had miraculously broken the handle on his old wok, the auburn-haired male had been meaning to buy a new one—he never got around to it.

"Um... thanks." Being as he was, Ayumu did feel rather awkward thanking the usually hyper girl. He didn't know why, but suddenly, he felt a stranger in his own house; he felt alien to this new, calmer Hiyono.

"Sure, no problem," Hiyono called over her shoulder as she pulled the brown paper from the other item. While she nimbly removed the packaging Hiyono continued, "I thought you might like a new one. Think of it as a belated birthday present."

"But Hiyono, you got me an apron for my birthday," the brunette protested, though he didn't mind the new cooking utensil.

Agitated that he was putting up an argument over a gift, Hiyono turned sharply, hands firmly on her hips muttering sternly, though comically, "Then think of it as the second half." Not seconds after she had spoken, a large, goofy grin spread across her features.

"Hiyono," Ayumu sighed, "that wasn't funny."

"Aww, but I was trying so hard to be like Ayumu when he gets serious during a case," Hiyono sputtered between giggles and gasps for breath.

"Oh ha, ha. Very funny."

"I thought so."

"So," the young detective placed his new wok on the counter before continuing, "what else have you got up your sleeve?"

Feigning innocence, Hiyono turned her large, caramel eyes to Ayumu, "'Up my sleeve?' Why, whatever are you talking about?"

Ayumu sighed in defeat. He should've known that the honey-haired girl wasn't just going to pop up at his doorstep, throw some bags at his feet, and then leave. No, she would sit and pester him until he was nearly driven mad. Noting that Hiyono had finished unwrapping the other item, his attention was drawn to the crystal object that she was practically cradling in her hands. The sun streaming in from the windows reflected of its prismatic glass momentarily blinding the brunette.

"Is that—"

"—my mom's vase? Yes," Hiyono finished Ayumu's sentence as though she could read his mind. "I thought that your apartment could use an fresh change."

"Oh." Ayumu breathed, currently stunned at Hiyono's tranquil appearance. With the warm rays of the sun flowing behind her, her golden hair glowed making it seem all the more golden. Her face was slightly flushed; he didn't know why; her lips parted in an inaudible sigh, her honey-colored eyes shimmering in the new light. Her entire self seemed to give off an unearthly, ethereal radiance.

It was as though, for a mere second, the girl before him was not the same annoying, hyperactive, inquisitive reporter but an untouchable goddess. Then, Hiyono turned from the light and made her way across the room subbing her toe on the corner of the table; the airy, elegant being before him transformed back into the klutzy, girlish highschooler.

Though it was short lived, Ayumu longed to see that part of her again.

'What!? Why am I talking like this? It's just Hiyono; nothing special.' No matter how hard his head tried to tell him that, his heart spoke deeper, more intimate whispers.

Placing the vase on the edge of the counter, Hiyono walked back to the diningroom table to rummage through a bag. Somewhat gleefully, Hiyono pulled a long, cream-colored box out of said bag. A florist's insignia was printed on the lid.

Realizing what was in the box, Ayumu snapped, "Hey, what's wrong with my flowers?" He demanded a good explanation.

Hearing Ayumu's complaints, the girl quickly explained, "Irises are such gloomy flowers; they represent your past and your brother. Irises were always associated with Kiyotaka and the Blade Children. Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that I met Kousuke, Rio, Ryouko, Eyes and even Kanon. I'm so glad to have met them all and somewhere, deep down, I'm sure you are too.

"But in order for you to move on in your life and look toward your future, you must put your past behind you. You need to move forward with your head held high and a smile on your face. Yes, things will not always be easy, but I'll be at your side to help you succeed," here Hiyono smiled, "In order for you to achieve all that you can, you need to let go of everything you once based yourself upon and let bygones be bygones. Even though it may seem trivial now, changing out the irises just might give you the boost you need."

Happy with her speech, and seeing that Ayumu was truly at a loss for words, Hiyono opened the box to reveal a bouquet of white gardenias. Gently, she pulled the flowers from the box and brought both them and the crystal vase to the sink. Humming to herself, Hiyono filled the vase with water before placing the fresh arrangement in side it.

Ayumu was speechless. Yes, the bubbly reporter always had a way to shock and amaze him but now... now, there were no words to describe her and her actions. He could get used to this new Hiyono and didn't mind if she wanted to stay awhile—he didn't mind at all. In fact, he outright encouraged it.

Hiyono placed the new flower arrangement on the side table next to Ayumu's phone. Sensing someone behind her, the honey-eyed girl spun to see a very pleased Ayumu. A wave of confusion swept over her followed by other emotions: surprise, wonder, understanding, acceptance, and was that love?

Looking down at her, Ayumu watched Hiyono's cheeks flush from his sudden movement. Slowly, the auburn-haired male lowered his head, his lips touching her forehead. This kiss was tender, something he'd once thought he couldn't be. He mentally laughed as he blamed his new found softness on the girl in front of him. Maybe his lips lingered a little too long but the young detective didn't mind and apparently, neither did the reporter.

Slowly pulling away, Ayumu whispered, "Thank you Hiyono. For everything." Ayumu smiled down at Hiyono before enveloping her in a gentle hug. Just as she was getting used to the warm sensations the close contact had created, the feeling was gone. It may have been quick, but it was definitely enough for Hiyono—for now

Grasping another bag, he inwardly laughed leaving the flabbergasted female standing in the middle of the room, her fingers lightly touching the spot on her forehead; the one place that the warmth seemed to stay. Hearing a chuckle from across the room, and realizing that that sort of sound didn't come from Ayumu on just any occasion, Hiyono snapped back to reality, quickly making her way to Ayumu's side. Once there, her hands immediately flew to the sack as she began to pull furnishings out of her "Mary Poppins's-like bag".

Ayumu looked on with amusement. Who would've thought that today would turn out as it did. The young brunette surely didn't though he wished every day could be like this.

He would have to have Hiyono come and redecorate his apartment more often.

-o-

Well, there you have it. The first of 30 Kisses for Ayumu and Hiyono. I love Spiral dearly but it nearly broke my heart when I saw the fanfics, or lack of, on ff. I read some, loving the way different authors told the relationship differently (though with relatively the same results... n.n) and I decided to join the ever growing bandwagon. Hope you enjoyed this kiss; there will be more to come! Please leave a review—constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!

Ciao Bello!