Author's Note: This little series will just a four-part collection on Akira and Ann, living up to their reputation (to put it simply. Since I suck with summaries and titles). Basically, just some four, sort-of-linear short stories of Ann and Akira breaking bad (using the word 'bad' very loosely here, by the way). This is the first part. Enjoy!

crook & coquette
i

"This is a bad idea. We should go back."

"I thought you wanted this."

"I do! But.. I feel guilty about class.."

"Mishima will fill us in."

"I was actually looking forward to English, too. You're such a bad influence."

"You asked me to. Also, you don't need English if you're already good at it."

"Do you think the Boss would know?"

She's not listening to me.

Akira paused for a while, remembering that Chouno-sensei is actually quite a difficult teacher to deal with; Kawakami-sensei has been completely powerless over her

Then again, he did notice that his English teacher, despite her sharp tongue and deadly gaze, was a closet hopeless romantic. He reckoned a bold, chivalrous anecdote to swoon her. Perhaps even tell her that he and Takamaki are two outcasts in love; us-against-the-world kind of thing. He wouldn't even have to lie. I'll just drop by the faculty later, then.

"I doubt it." he answered with an arrogant grin.

Ann playfully shoved his face away from her with a hand. He held her wrist and placed it against his cheek, smirking.

"Everyone knows now," she whispered. The long-running rumor of she and Akira dating existed since the spring. She ought that the gossip makers are already congratulating themselves, for fiction turned into fact. Not that she and Akira were hiding it, but they weren't broadcasting it either. Having been on the limelight for all the wrong reasons were enough.

She giggled. "I wonder what they're thinking about us."

"That we're dating," Akira could care less of what his peers are thinking of them now, for his mind was elsewhere. The two of them hid at the school's rooftop, their former hideout. Ann was sitting on top of the table, with him on the seat - one platform below her. For a long time his pupils remained at the corner of his eyes, staring at her limbs. He closed his eyes and leaned the side of his head on her thigh. He inhaled deeply, opened his eyes again, and was greeted by the clear blue sky and the city skyline. His eyes rested on the scenery.

"and also doing things," he added with a soft chuckle. The noise in his head ran out of volume. It has been so long since he felt such peace and quiet.

"Tut, tut. Of course you'd love that," she teased with a smirk. She reached her hand to him.

"Mhmm." he felt her hand massage his hair.

Ann giggled as he nestled his head on her. Her fingers continued to play with his curls, relishing the softness. The weight of his head and body relying on her own forced her to centralize her gravity to the ground. To see Akira in such a vulnerable position was refreshing.

Like a cat, thought Ann. She felt him adjust again for his own comfort. Speaking of cats.. "I hope Morgana isn't too upset."

During lunchtime, Morgana pranced away from Akira's bag upon hearing his plan with Ann. The recent reveal of their relationship seemed to have upset him more than what Akira expected; he reckoned Morgana's reaction wasn't just because they were dating. Perhaps it's the thought of him and Ann skipping class, like some clichéd troublemaking crime couple – Lupin and Fujiko in Japan, then Bonnie and Clyde, as what the Hollywood films would call it – was an incredibly romantic notion (at least to Morgana). He wouldn't be surprised if the cat also daydreamed about it at some point.

"I'll talk to him." he replied.

"The Boss.." she was still worried that Sakura would get to hear this misconduct. Ann knew very well that while Sakura-san is kind, she also thought he wasn't going to tolerate their behavior. Akira's, even more. "he might hear about it too. So do the others," she added as she turned her head around to scan the area. Nowadays she was getting this nagging feeling that Makoto and Futaba was observing them, too. Somewhere. Somehow. During meetings. Or classes. Maybe even in the shadows..

"Don't worry too much." Akira playfully tickled her knees, startling and interrupting her thoughts. She pinched his ear softly, telling him not to do that. He rested his head again once more on her thigh, closing his eyes. "Don't worry," he repeated. "I'll handle them."

She went down from the table and sat beside him, holding his hand. "I'll be there with you, too." she affirmed. The blond leaned in and kissed his cheek. Akira responded by shifting from his seat as his body pointed towards her. He leaned his head against her neck, hiding his face. Almost as if she was cradling him. Her cheeks turned pink, nonetheless welcomed him in her arms. His breathing was mellow; one's pace when asleep. She took off his glasses and hooked it at the round of her collar.

Akira realized how tired he was. Now seemed like the perfect time to get some uninterrupted rest with their momentary bliss.

"Ann.." he muttered against her neck. "stay for a while, okay?"

"I'm not going anywhere," replied Ann as she leaned in against him to have both of their weights supported. She pursed her lips, thinking what he actually meant.

Akira adjusted into a more comfortable position, his cheek now resting just below her collarbone. "I mean, don't move around."

"Umm.."she studied their position as they both rested in the longchair. "why?" She felt his lips curve up against her skin.

"I like it this way." he breathed. Ann glanced at the figure next to her, his eyes were already closed. A smile crept on her lips.

"Okay." she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her cheek on the raven curls. Her eyelids now feel heavy. Slowly she closed her eyes, as the blue sky, the ring of the school bell and the scent of Akira's fabric conditioner fade from her senses. They both forget the world, delighting in their well-deserved break together from being masquerading thieves.

Even if just for a moment.