***Notes: Thank you to Nani, Flowerqueen, RozyIris, Poki, Guest51, Cookie, Cola, Lulu, Coco, Hana, Anon B, ImpracticalDemon and all other guests for your comments and review! I apologize for the long update. Thank you for sticking around. Your comments brighten my day and they encourage me to keep writing. I appreciate each and every one of you.
Chizuru peeled a small bright orange, her fingernails digging delicately. Kazama watched her through the side of his eye, slowing down his pace so they could walk side by side.
"The school should have a compost trash can," Chizuru suggested, throwing away the peel.
Kazama scoffed, lifting his nose just a bit up in the air. "It would never work," he sneered with confidence. "Too many stupid people don't even bother recycling, so why would they bother to separate their trash?"
Chizuru shrugged, smiling brightly at him. "Other countries like Italy do."
Kazama pursed his lips, the right side curling into a smirk. He always found her innocence so endearing. Chizuru, even now, was still ever so naive, and Kazama's heart skipped a bit faster at her again.
She split the orange evenly, offering one half to Kazama. He waved it off, shaking his head.
"Oh, my God, don't be such a pansy," Chizuru said, rolling her eyes at him. She shoved his half up to his lips, pressing just hard enough for a bit of droplets of juice to squeeze out. Kazama winced, taking a small step back but wrapped his lips on a slice. His tongue darted out, licking the tip of Chizuru's fingertip. Chizuru squealed, her body jolted in surprise. "Uh, you can feed yourself."
Kazama gently grabbed her wrist and shoved the rest of the slice into his mouth, his tongue sliding against her two fingers. His crimson eyes locked with her wide brown eyes.
He chewed slowly, his smile growing with each bite. "Pretty sweet," Kazama chuckled, licking his lips as he stared at a speechless Chizuru. He watched her cheeks turn a beet red.
Chizuru peeled another slice, this time taking a bite for herself. She coughed, spitting out the orange. "Oh, God, you liar," she groaned, her face crinkled in pain. "It's so fucking sour."
Kazama laughed as he watched her throw the rest of the orange into a trash can. "I wasn't talking about the orange, you know," he said, licking his lips.
Chizuru rolled her eyes, playfully slapping his arm.
They reached the front of the school, both hesitating to part ways. Kazama casually glanced at his watch. "It's barely noon," Kazama observed, clearing his throat. "Did… Did you want to come over to my place?" He said slowly, trying desperately not to sound like a pervert. "To… To plan stuff."
Chizuru looked at him, her hand clutching at the strap of her purse. "Oh, uh," she stammered. "The guys are hosting a barbecue today."
Kazama's eyes fell to the floor and he cleared his throat again. "Oh, right. I saw the flyer on a bathroom stall," he coughed, feigning disinterest. How could anyone taking a piss miss the flyer? "Shinsengumi Stakeout. But spelled like 'steak.' Super clever," he scoffed, rolling his eyes at his last sentence.
"You should come," Chizuru invited, flashing him a smile. Kazama's neck jerked at her sudden words, but his face remained emotionless.
"Hard pass," he answered, deep and serious.
As much as he wanted to spend more time with her, he had vowed to never step foot at the Shinsengumi Headquarters again. The last time he came near the house, he was with his two friends, Amagiri and Shiranui, and the three of them looked like thugs attempting to kidnap a helpless damsel. It didn't help that he was slightly drunk, begging for Chizuru to come home with him. And then of course, Heisuke, the protective Chihuahua, picked a fight with the wrong guy.
Chizuru moved in closer, still smiling at him. "I mean it. You should come and hang out. With me."
"No. You know they hate me, right?" Kazama turned his head away from her, his own words wounding him. He could count the amount of friends he had with one hand, so he wasn't exactly the type of guy who made friends, but the thought of being hated at all didn't sit well with him.
Chizuru continued to close their distance and clutched to his arm. "That… That was a long time ago."
Kazama clicked his tongue. "A year is hardly a long time ago."
"It's long enough for things to change," Chizuru whispered, a sigh escaping her lips.
"No thanks," he retorted, shaking his head. "I'd rather burn in hell than be near your purple-eyed demon boyfriend."
Chizuru froze, dropping her smile. All the colors from her face sucked out like she just saw a ghost. "He… He won't be there."
Kazama arched an eyebrow, his arms crossing against his chest. "Why? Is it his turn to patrol the campus?" Kazama barked, laughing at his own terrible joke.
"No. I mean he's no longer there," Chizuru explained, her eyes glued to the floor. Talking about Hijikata was a sensitive subject. Uttering his name put Kazama in a foul mood and as he watched Chizuru squirm and hesitant, naturally, he wanted to press on.
Kazama grabbed Chizuru's chin, turning her head to look up at him. "What do you mean he's no longer there?"
Chizuru's eyes glazed, unable to contain the tears gathering within them. "Hijikata transferred to another school."
Kazama's face softened, wiping the tears that fell on Chizuru's face. There was a spark of hope that ignited in him, a flicker he wanted to wash out immediately. And it was far too easy for him to let go instead of holding onto it.
"I guess this explains why you have so much free time to spend with me," Kazama said, his tone harsh. A part of him wanted to take back those words knowing they were bitter sentiments. He wanted Chizuru back, but not because his rival left her, but as her first choice.
Chizuru shoved his hand away and pushed him hard. "You're such an asshole." She turned her back from him, stomping away.
Kazama chased her, not really running after her, but lunging forward enough to grab her hand and pulling her in. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, trapping her into a tight hug. "Don't go."
Chizuru turned around, burying her face into his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist. The last time she hugged him like this was their breakup. Like she had not really wanted to let him go. But this time was different. She wasn't crying and the floor wasn't coming out from under him. Kazama clutched back, rubbing circles on her shoulders, stirring old feelings in both of them.
"I can still be your friend without having to be buddies with them," Kazama broke the silence. "I'm not making you choose. Not anymore." And he meant it. He wanted to tread lightly. Wanted to keep Chizuru close to him.
Chizuru finally looked up, her eyes glistening. She continued to hold him, her fingers pulling the soft cotton that clung to his body. "But it would make my life easier if everyone got along," she said softly. "Please."
God, she was stubborn. And she never made it easy for him. A simple word uttered from her lips commanded him like he was trapped in a love spell.
"Look, I'm not going to promise I'll be there," Kazama sighed, his lips brushing the top of Chizuru's head.
They held each other for a few more minutes, the afternoon sun rays shining on them like a spotlight from the gods.
"My car's that way," Kazama said, tilting his head to the side. His hands found their way to her waist, his fingers gripping the curves. Chizuru's hips pressed against his and she arched her back to look up at him.
He could spend hours getting lost in her dark brown eyes, like a predator watching a prey in an endless savannah.
The Shinsengumi Headquarters was not a frat house; Isami Kondo made sure of that. When he founded the Shinsengumi Securities five years ago, he had hoped to recruit young men eager to protect the campus and promising them scholarships to the university if they joined his group. It was perfect on paper. The dean of Tokugawa University agreed on the contingency that the campus was completely safe.
But nothing good lasts forever, and when the Ochimizu found its way to the students, the dean threatened to rescind the deal. "A student died on campus," the dean reminded Kondo. "How can we trust you to do your job?"
It was easy to confuse them as a fraternity though. Their headquarters was situated at the end of Fraternity Row, lively and boisterous as their neighbors. The dean gave them the most worn-down brownstone in the neighborhood—a generous gift if you asked him—and though it needed numerous repairs, it was good enough for them.
Kazama parked his Jaguar a block away from the street. He contemplated taking an Uber, but he wanted a quick getaway in case shit hit the fan at the Shinsengumi house. And the chances of one of those dogs picking a fight with him were pretty high.
His body froze mid-step, and his legs wanted to turn back around. It wasn't like he made a promise to go, Kazama thought. He pictured her smile dropping. Eyes glazed with tears. And the sound of her stifled whimpers. God, he couldn't bare to hurt her again. His feet moved toward the house reluctantly.
The smell of burnt meat wafted into the air, reaching just outside the street sign of Fraternity Row. There was a raucous of deep laughter mixed with high-pitched giggles coming from the backyard.
A Sunday cookout in the backyard—how barbaric, Kazama thought. A glass of merlot on his balcony, with Chizuru on his lap, was more of his style.
Kazama rang the doorbell twice. He was certain he'd be waiting outside for a few hours before anyone would hear, but the door swung open almost immediately.
"Welcome to... Oh, it's you." Heisuke's grin quickly changed into a straight line. He looked the same since he last saw him, with his hair pulled into a ponytail and still much shorter than Kazama. The boy was still a puppy.
"I'm here to see..."
"Yeah, yeah. She told us," Heisuke interrupted. He stepped to the side, widening the door to let Kazama in. "She's upstairs in her room. First door to your right."
Kazama nodded, acknowledging the young man's presence. Heisuke's eyes narrowed, his body locked into a pounce like he was ready to attack him.
"You know, we'd do anything for Chizuru," Heisuke snarled, closing the door behind him. "Don't confuse our hospitality as a truce. I won't hesitate to fuck you up if you hurt her."
Kazama rolled his eyes, exhaling a long deep sigh. One step inside the house and the hostility couldn't wait. "Amagiri says hi," Kazama clapped back, flashing him a smirk.
Heisuke's eyes flew open, his ears burning red with anger. His hands were in a fist and he pulled his right arm back, ready to swing, when another arm grabbed him from behind.
"Now, now, Heisuke, be nice to Chizuru's guest," Harada teased, putting his arm around the young man. The auburn-haired man locked eyes with Kazama, giving him a sinister smile.
"Congratulations on your reward," Kazama said. "Guarding a sign is quite an accomplishment," he continued, his tone oozing with sarcasm. God, he just couldn't help himself.
Harada's smile remained intact. He chuckled, slapping Kazama's back and putting an around his shoulders like an old high school buddy. He pulled him close so his lips brushed the shell of Kazama's ear.
"You're here because we let you," Harada whispered. Kazama squirmed, trying to get out of Harada's vice-like grip, but the man was stronger than he expected.
"We never promised to make your life easier. You got that?" He warned, slapping Kazama's back again, this time with more strength. It was definitely going to bruise in the morning.
Harada shook him a few times, laughing like he told a funny joke. "All right now, buddy. Eat shit and die, okay?"
"Heisuke! Sano! Where the fuck are you guys? The girls are waiting," a deep voice echoed out of the kitchen.
Fuck, he needed to go upstairs before the rest of the gang comes in to greet him.
"We'll be right out, Shinpachi! We're just taking care of a little vermin right now," Harada yelled out.
"Heisuke, take this asshole to Chizuru's room," Harada instructed. "And make sure the door stays open."
Kazama rolled his eyes. I knew this was a bad idea, he said to himself. Fuck. But there was one thing that was clear: They were all doing it for Chizuru. Whatever it was.
Kazama followed Heisuke up the stairs, the floorboards creaking with each step. Goddamn, this house was old. Her door was decorated with sakura petals, obviously hiding the blemishes of wear-and-tear. It was most likely hand-painted by her. Heisuke lightly knocked.
"Come in!"
Heisuke opened her door, wide enough just to pop his head in. Kazama leaned against the wall next to her door. He could hear David Bowie's "Lazarus" playing on her speakers.
"You have a visitor," Heisuke said, his voice bubbly. The effect Chizuru had on these guys was amazing, Kazama observed. He pondered for a second if she had that kind of control on him as well. Probably.
"W-What?" She squealed. Kazama moved off the wall and stood at her doorway. Chizuru's eyes lit up when she saw him, sparkling in surprise.
"Chizuru, I'm heading back to the party. Holler at us if you need anything," Heisuke yelped, giving her a flirtatious wink.
Heisuke turned to face Kazama, back straight and head tilted up to look him in the eyes. His eyebrows furrowed and his lips were thinned into a line. The cheery demeanor gone. "Keep… the fucking door… open."
Chizuru sat up on her bed, legs crisscrossed with her laptop in front of her. Kazama sat down right next to her, on the edge, his legs firmly planted on her floor.
"I can't believe you came." Chizuru smiled sheepishly. She batted her eyelashes, cupping her cheeks as if she was cooling the blush growing on her face. "I really can't believe it."
Kazama sighed. This girl. "I didn't think I had a choice."
Chizuru giggled and grabbed his arm nearest to her. She snaked her arms around his and rested her head on his bicep.
She took his hand and planted a kiss in the middle of his palm. The warmth of her lips sent a shiver to Kazama's body. His fingers stiffened as he held his breath.
Her lips continued to move, peppering him three lingering kisses on his wrist. His heart pounded against his chest like it wanted to come out. If she didn't stop, he was going to die. But he didn't want her to stop. It had been over a year since he felt her kiss, and it took all his strength to keep himself from grabbing her face and crashing his lips against hers.
"You chose to come, Kazama," she said softly, her eyes peeking from behind the brown strands that framed her face.
Their fingers intertwined, palms kissing each other. Kazama exhaled, his lungs finally working. "I guess I'd do anything for you."