I apologize that the next chapter won't be up for a while... :(

"What do you mean by that?" Kumiko asked with a frown.

The redhead in front of her stared at her with the same impassive look and repeated himself. "Go out with him Friday night and me Saturday night." Shin frowned at her when she stared blankly. "Go on both dates and we'll see which one you liked better. I already know I'm going to win so what's the big deal?"

"When did it become a competition?" She asked with a frown of disapproval.

He rolled his eyes. It had been a competition since the day she uttered his name.

"Then say no to one of us. If you pick me you can spare him the loss." He smirked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"You're ridiculously cocky." She muttered, crossing her arms tighter over her chest and deepening her frown.

He smiled and said nothing before turning to look out into the distance. She stared at him suddenly thinking that he looked very serene. She calmed and turned to look out over the bridge and down at the water below.

"Cocky." He repeated, scoffing. "Really? Is Shinohara ridiculous too?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw her look over at him. "He seemed to like his own proposal. He said I'd never win."

Her mouth dropped. Shinohara had agreed and arranged this? Shin's face turned to hers just as a breeze blew messing up her hair but not his. He stared at the piece of hair that flew and landed by her lips. His hand snaked out quickly, moving the piece of hair away and gently tucking it behind her ear. She flushed and he smiled.

"Saturday at 5." He said, running his hand through his hair.

She put her hands on her hips as she watched him saunter off the bridge with a smile. His hands had magically ended up in his pockets again and she sighed, remembering that he was still in danger. She frowned as another piece of hair flew by her mouth. She ignored it, turning the other way and starting towards her neighbourhood. She began to wonder how could she go out with Shinohara and then Shin the next night?

That just felt so wrong to her but she admitted to herself that she couldn't reject either of them. She couldn't reject Shinohara just when her unrequited love was about to become reciprocated. He was realizing her potential. He was willing to give her a try even with a Yakuza family under her belt and a police job under his. He was going to try things out with her and he was such an amazing person. She couldn't give the chance to go out with him up. She wouldn't let herself.

Then there was Shin. She had to admit, he was pretty amazing. He was intellectual, sophisticated when he wanted to be, supportive and he'd loved her for a very long time. He'd managed to wheedle her into a date and he'd even gained respect and a future 'place' in her family. He'd admitted he'd loved her and he'd pushed her on when no one else had. He'd helped her and she owed him a lot. A date was the least she could do with helping to keep her secret, a place in school and with his friends and rushing to save her a few times. Nope, she couldn't reject him either. She was starting to like him, maybe even to...

"Kumiko-chan!"

She turned around another blast of wind hitting her in the face as Shinohara ran up to her with a smiling face. She flushed and tensed as he put his arm around her waist. Her senses began to jumble up when he leaned down quickly, closing his eyes and placing his lips over hers. There was a horrible lump in her throat as he straightened, scooped her hand up into his and began to walk on like nothing had happened. Did that really just happen? Did he just kiss her... Were they... holding hands.

"Where were you heading?" He asked, wanting to break the silence.

The communication between them remained nonexistent. She was still shocked and now she was becoming a little upset with herself. She didn't know what emotion she was feeling at the moment. The lump in her throat had sunk down and became unnaturally large in her stomach. She twisted her mouth unhappily. Why hadn't that been as amazing as it should've been? It was Shinohara... The tall, dark and amazing Shinohara that everyone, including her, had panted over for so long. Yet, she couldn't deny that there had been no spark when he'd kissed her. She touched her lips wondering if it was just because it was brief and she hadn't expected it at all?

"Were you going home?" He asked, looking to the side and down at her. He watched her nod, still touching her lips. He smiled, happy she liked it. "I'll walk you home and I'll call you tomorrow." He said and watched her nod again.

It would be pleasant to say the walk home was silent but it wasn't. The noise of all her thoughts going through her head, mixed with the music and the screaming of nearby stores and their customers gave her a headache. Holding his hand made the thing in her stomach even heavier and the kiss goodbye made her flush not with embarrassment but with anger at herself. Why wasn't it as good as it should be? Why couldn't she just enjoy it? It was all because of him, wasn't it? Him. That stupid redhaired son-of-a...

"Kumiko! Welcome home!"

She faked a smile and let herself be ushered in by Kyo.

Dangerous men in bright suits sat around a table and shoved papers towards one another. They grumbled at each other, sometimes in agreement and other times not. The discussion over the papers, and the pictures moved into a dead end and then the sounds halted. Had they found the answer or was this one of the many leads that had led to nothing? The discussion stopped and some of the group disbanded, off to follow leads and get drinks.

A tall man, with grey hair and dark eyes entered the room. Many men bowed slightly, uttering his title with respect. The man walked towards the head of the table and sat down, grabbing a picture from the middle of the table. He held it up, pointing a finger to it. Many men nodded.

"That's Katsuyuki. He's been running a underground drug operation. He sold drugs to a few kids, made them promise to play as the Young Master and in turn, promised them a part in his business."

"Why?"

"We're not sure. We're going to talk to him and investigate his schedule. It seems he was gambling for a very long time but it suddenly stopped before the Young Master's incidents."

"I see." The old man asked as he eyed the men around the table.

"We've got men from Kuroda and Sansetsuko going to check him out. We intend to find out where he was gambling. After that, whatever happens, happens."

The old man nodded. "That young man cannot die in this process, do you hear me? I've decided... that he will indeed be my successor."

There was applause all around and then silence as the old man coughed and stood.

"Medicine." He explained and excused himself.

Awkward glances passed around the room and the air of mystery was left as the sliding door closed and the infamous Kuroda Ryuichiro left the room.

Everything was perfect.

The music contributed to the perfect mood that had been set. The candlelight that flickered across their faces and the wine that made warmth rise in both of their stomachs allowed them to share a close moment of intimacy. Shinohara stared at Kumiko, his eyes warm, seeming to feel the romance. When she opened and closed her eyes, the candlelight made the shadows of her eyelashes elongated and the shimmer around her eyes glitter. He was absolutely dumbfounded. He had finished his meal but she hadn't finished hers. She sat there, toying with her food, lookig shy and elegant. He smiled at her timidness as she brought a bite up to her mouth.

She looked up at him when she had finished the food in her mouth. She forced a smile and began to wonder what she should say. She was astonished at how romantic and amazing this night had been. Shinohara had treated her like a princess and she had loved it. She had loved the pampering and all the gourmet food she'd tried but acting so prim and proper as to not disappoint him was getting a little hard. She felt herself begin to fidget and she focused on finishing the food on her plate. She blinked, holding her eyes closed a little longer than usual as she tried to savour food that was tasting dull and this beautiful night that was making tense.

"Are you all right, Kumiko?" He asked, sensing a little of her discomfort.

She nodded. "I'm just a little shy and overwhelmed." She murmured, trying to sound gentle.

"I get it. I had a nice time tonight." He said softly, sipping his wine again.

Again, she nodded and took another bite of food. She was forcing herself to eat it now and eat it in a proper way. She had no appetite and the only thing that had been on her mind was how amazing and how grateful she should be for this chance and how much she was screwing up. She wondered what the date with Shin would be like... It could be anything... She smiled, knowing he was a little less than predictable. She knew whatever she predicted, she'd probably be wrong. He'd blow her out of the water. She smiled some more.

Warmth entered his heart as he watched her smile. Hatred entered Shin's as he watched them looking so cozy. He held back a growl. He didn't want her to be enjoying it this much. Maybe, he'd have to change his plans up. Maybe, she liked to be dined like this. He should make her feel like a woman, yeah. He frowned, he'd thought his idea would work so well but apparently, for once, he was wrong. What had made her so damn happy anyways? She'd been looking so discontented with the night and now she was smiling like a fool. He frowned and stood up.

"Bullshit." He mumbled.

Kumiko's eyes flicked up, looking towards the door of the restaurant. The door was silently closing, a figure she hadn't been able to see left. Her eyes switched back to Shinohara who was looking at her with love and happiness. She flushed. This was special, she should be appreciating this, not thinking of tomorrow night with Shin.

She tried to keep her genuine smile but it faded in the car ride home. She shifted in her seat, wondering what Shin was doing and how he was getting ready. She smiled as she stared out of the window.

Her phone began to rang. She frowned and muttered an apology before answering her phone.

"What is it, Kyo? That's fu-" She furrowed her brow remembering Shinohara was next to her. "Freaking ridiculous." She finished. "Did we get Katsuyuki? What'd he say?" Her mouth dropped as she listened to the rest of the story.

The car stopped and she nodded, opening the car door, waving goodbye and still listening intently to the phone. Shinohara blinked.

"Brutal..." He whispered, feeling a little rejected.

"I see... I'm home, let's talk inside about this girl." She murmured, closing her phone and forgetting all about Shinohara and thinking all about Shin. "I'm not going to be jealous!" She screamed into the phone. "I swear to you, I'm not going to be jealous of some wimpy little girl!"

"Good Kumiko. Jealousy is a sin. There's something about this girl you should know. Come with me." A voice said from behind, and her grandfather walked out from behind. She nodded and said a goodbye before following her grandfather to a dark car and sliding in. She wondered if this was going to be a dangerous visit somewhere... She was in heels and a red dress... She frowned, not understanding anything at all.