Mazzie my BETA is super COOOOOOOOOOL and GREEAAAAAATTT ~~~~ QAQ Thank you

And thank you readers for sparing your time reading my fanfic QvQ

Comments are definitely and absolutely welcomed for me to improve my plot and writing for you guys ~~~~

Fate, my dear, please enlighten me the joy of unavoidable, miserable and tragic-humorous encounters of frenemies

You got caught of teasing me ... Run, devil devil, run run, devil run

Watching every motion in my foolish lover's game~

On this endless ocean ... turning and returning ...

[Casa di Eros Lounge, 9:34 PM]

Dim lights, colorful neon chandeliers, fantasy beauties...the most beautiful view in Sunset City...

And of course those would mean nothing without music and singers.

A gypsy woman told my momma, before I was born

Twelve bar blues are played and bodies start to sway

You got a boy-child comin', gonna be a son-of-a-gun

Enjoy the fun as if no one except you spun the heels on fire

Gonna make these pretty women, jump and shout

Make your surrounding kneel and moan some howling

And the world will only know, a-what it's all about

Why'know I'm here

Everybody knows I'm here

And I'm the hoochie-coochie man

Everybody knows I'm here

The foreign blonde woman walked through a mirror door, looking stunning in a burgundy wine cabaret dress. A black and white striped corset hugged her perfectly around her waist, and she wore an expensive soft fur around her neck and shoulders. She strutted confidently, moving elegantly as she made her way towards the bar, and her voice was like velvet when she announced her arrival with a light mood.

"How's our Birdy doing?" she asked with a smile.

Takao Kazunari turned around and greeted his boss with a gleeful smirk.

"Couldn't be better," he sang as he slid the Moulin Rouge he'd just finished making to the blonde woman. "Ya're late, Alex," he trilled with his usual joyful and joking tone. "Someone's been keepin' ya busy, I suppose," he teased with a slight giggle.

The woman called Alex raised her brow, eyes gleaming wickedly dangerous. "Oh, you little..." she pouted a bit at the teasing.

"I'd say there's a certain couple bickering like a mouse and cat that like chasing each other twenty-four seven. I'd even go as far as saying they discreetly flirt with each other, though I don't think that would be considered flirting to be honest. It's more like friendly sexual harassment."

Alex grit her teeth bitterly while taking large sips of the cocktail. "Why can't they just get on the bed and leave this beautiful single woman alone? Tsk!"

Takao shook his head and sweetened his voice as he sympathized, "Poor lady."

"Any news from my babies?" Alex asked, changing the subject.

The black haired male looked flabbergasted. "Babies?!" he cried out in shock. "I thought ya were single?!"

That earned Takao a cuff straight to his head. "Idiot! You know who I'm talking about!"

Takao Kazunari chuckled. "Just wanna mess with ya a bit. Actually, Tai-chan just called twenty minutes ago and well, he left a message...which leads to my question ta ya right now: Can I join?"

Alex gave the younger male a skeptical look, hoping that she did not mishear anything. "What did Tiger say , Birdy?"

"… Code red"

"Pfffffff ~ !"

Alexandra Garcia spit her drink in Takao's face as soon as the words left his mouth.

"W-Wha…Wh-Wh-What?! WHAT?"

Takao slowly rubbed his face dry, a serious expression comically appearing on his face, and nodded firmly as Alex widely rolled her blue eyes. Her jaw was left open in surprise.

There was a long pause before Alex spoke again.

"Holy shit. It's been like…five, six years?" her grip on the glass tightened. "You'd better be telling the truth, Birdy."

A low chuckle of mischief escaped through Takao's lips. "So am I allowed ta join the fun if this is 9999999.99% hot juicy and tasty, but true information, Alex ?"

"…This could be extremely unsafe, you know," Alex mumbled, almost to herself. "Even crazier than the last massacre where there were eleven local enemies plus six foreign pigs and two half-breed damn Europeans…though I must say those creatures were sexy as hell. God forgive me for wanting to have some fun riding those things," Alex murmured in amusement with unhidden wicked enthusiasm. Her voice was taking on a more mysterious tone.

Reaching his hand out from his apron pocket, Takao flipped out five twenty dollar bills and waved them in the air.

"That's why I'm still upset FYI, Alex," Takao began with an air of mischief. He wore a wicked grin as he continued. "I could've become an unbeatable legend, both ridin' and kickin' records back then. Ten times the bet, in cash, three minutes thirty five seconds at least ta sweep the bitch off the table and ta knock 'em flat on their ass."

Alexandra Garcia grinned widely as she finished her Moulin Rouge and she gently placed her purse on the bar countertop. "Four couple's tickets for a 3-week holiday in Hawaii, luxurious accommodation, high-class food buffet included, Queen & King Penthouse and extra massage, sauna service..." she could not help but crack a victorious smile. "Four minutes ten seconds and throw in some extra threats."

There was another long pause while they gazed at each other, almost as if they were sizing each other up.

And then they both burst into a fit of giggles. "Giheeheehee~"

From afar, every single employee, including the band and singers, all shivered at the almost haunted and twisted aura that surrounded the scene in front of them. They all knew that their female boss and their funny, yet sinful manager were going to hand somebody their ass, directly and cruelly and especially without mercy. Their dark snickering and moody faces were enough to make them cough out blood and faint in an instant.

The door of 'Tenshi Oashisu' opened and the clinking sound of the wind-chime bell echoed as a tall figure in a grey hoodie made his appearance in the tavern.

"Good evening, Master," he greeted.

Sun beamed at the person who just stepped in. "Checking in early, eh, Teddy?"

"It's Kiyoshi or Teppei for you, Master," Kiyoshi corrected with a chuckle.

Sun gave him a playful wink. "You know too well that I'm not going to cooperate so easily, Teddy." Sun threw Kiyoshi a white striped uniform. "Wear this for the time, would you?"

The brown haired smiled ruefully since he knew exactly what was in the owner's hand. "Master, how many times do I have to tell you to stop this 'Emergency Lifesaver'? Also, this uniform upgrade process should be decided once and for all. I can't be a cost-free model! Where's my bonus?!"

Sun skillfully juggled cocktail shakers between both hands, then poured out three shaker tins to form a sparkling mahogany liquid into a wine glass. His fingers delicately touched the edge of the glass as he placed a slice of kiwi on the rim. Then from out of nowhere, a tiny bottle of golden color appeared on Sun's hand. He gently dropped the contents of the bottle on the ice cubes floating on the surface, and didn't forget to sprinkle some jasmine herbs in it. Finally, he knocked three times on the countertop

"This is your compensation, Odile's Despair for table number nine, please, Teddy," he said cheerfully, singing out the nickname. "Sell that honey sweet smile and get the tips! All yours today!"

Kiyoshi exhaled and offered Sun a knowing smile. He turned to make his way towards the changing room, but he halted when he heard Sun speak again.

"I'll pay the laundry fee for one month. Try to put up with it and I might slide some extra in your envelope."

There was a bit of a melancholy tone to what Sun was implying and Kiyoshi took a moment to think about what he just heard.

Kiyoshi then chuckled, "Roger that, Master." … So it happened again, huh …

"Forget about the bonus, is the problem with the color of the official uniform or how it looks?"

Sun did not utter a word in response but puffed out some air and Kiyoshi closed the changing room door.

Kagami stared skeptically at the two people standing at the bar serving drinks. His brow was furrowed something fierce.

Both of the men at the bar were dressed in ridiculous clothes. Instead of tuxedo suit, they were both in identical shoulder-less, long-sleeved cotton turtleneck shirts with a striped pattern and a long zipper on the front and…True Religion jean shorts with military boots.

"Hey, Taiga!" Kiyoshi greeted cheerfully with a beaming smile.

Kagami startled as soon as the person spoke and nodded in return, a signal that he recognized Kiyoshi's presence. Sweet Jesus, it was not everyday Kiyoshi-san wore that kind of clothes, and it was not a sore sight to eyes at all. In fact, it was the complete opposite. He had a pretty damn nice pair of legs that Kagami was always a little jealous of.

Kagami abruptly shook himself out of stupor and interrupted his own thoughts. He turned his full attention to Sun. "What is going on, Sun?"

This definitely had something to do with his trouble-making brother.

The olive haired man finished another order and gave it to Kiyoshi before he answered Kagami without turning to face him and locking himself onto his next task. This time he needed a Tequila Sunrise and two Daiquiris. "Change of atmosphere, of course, baby."

Kagami narrowed his eyes. "What have you done with the uniforms? And don't 'baby' me."

"Can't an old man strive for changes sometimes? I'm the owner for God's sake!" Sun whined.

Kagami harshly slapped Sun's arm.

"Ouch!" Sun cried out in surprise. He was being overdramatic and even pretended he was going to cry from the pain. "That hurts, Tai-chan!"

"You're not an old man, Sun. You're well on your way, but not quite there yet," Kagami replied with a jibe, not showing any sympathy for having hurt his friend. "What happened with the real clothes? This is a family tavern-lounge serving the middle-high class of Sunset City. Where are those refined, navy blue cotton luxury suits? Don't you dare tell me you forgot to bring them back from the laundry shop! I saw them this morning!" Kagami scolded.

Sun turned away with a childish pout. "…No! Uh...uumm..." It was written all over his face that he was never going to say what really happened.

Understanding too well what he meant to say, Kagami glared irritably at the male beauty until Kiyoshi suddenly returned and pet Kagami's head.

"It's alright, Taiga" Kiyoshi said fondly as he took his hand off Kagami's head. "I don't mind so much. In fact, this babe can boost up our profits like a piece of cake," Kiyoshi snickered in amusement. "On the other hand, I really want to ask you guys something…"

"What is it?" Kagami asked. Talking to an adult like Kiyoshi-san was way more comfortable than speaking to a man-child like Sun.

Kiyoshi hesitated for a moment and considered whether or not he should answer what was asked of him. Instead of verbally expressing his own muddled thoughts, however, the brown haired man tipped his head and flicked a discreet gaze outside of the lounge.

He was super fucking annoyed by the anxiety he was struggling to smother.

His hands were shaking and sweating, and even if the night was not as cold as others he's experienced, it sure was not a hot and humid night of fall.

Aomine looked inside and recognized Kagami Taiga. The man was fully seated on the…

Fuck it…

So this explains why he had to use the walkie-talkie, huh, Aomine thought.

He went on to think about how strong Kagami must be. He had to be, seeing as lifting oneself required strenuous effort, and Kagami seemed to be doing so effortlessly. It was just a glimpse, but it was enough to fuel Aomine's fantasies. He thought about his strong arms, tough shoulders, and-

Damn it!

This was probably the first time Aomine wanted to bleach his mind to cleanse himself of his perverted thoughts and tie down everything on his anatomy south of his waist.

Kami…he did not just get half-hard and a mild case of blue balls from the mere sight of that man.

It was insanely ridiculous!

Well, it was just as insane as the fact that he came back.

That's right.

He fucking did come back.

[Flashback]

A punch was thrown accurately at Aomine's face, sending the man to the ground spectacularly.

"Aomine Dai-chan! How could you?" Momoi's eyes were wide in horrified disbelief. "You actually hit a handicapped person?!"

Aomine's jaw dropped in bewilderment, his frustration overtaking the pain on his face. "What the—no! No, no, no! No, Satsuki! Are you nuts?! I don't hit people who are disabled! Ever!"

Momoi squinted her eyes looking like she didn't believe a word he said, "You just said that you hurt a handicapped person, Dai-chan."

"Yeah! Emotionally! I hurt that person's feelings —I didn't fucking hurt them by hitting them physically! Did that ever occur to you? The hell kind of person are you taking me for, Satsuki!?" Aomine was offended.

"Oh…" the cotton-pink-haired girl sheepishly whispered, not a verbal apology, but Aomine knew her well enough to know that's what it was.

"But you still deserve at least a slap, Dai-chan," she said, trying to find some kind of justification for her suddenly punching Aomine straight in the face. "You hurt someone's feelings!"

Aomine just grimaced and grumbled a cuss word, rubbing the sore place on his face. He did not deny what Momoi said, seeing as the truth was being laid out in broad daylight. He gave Momoi an uncomfortable growling confession, "That's why I need your goddamn annoying social abilities for everyday communication. What I've done is leaving a sick after-taste and isn't going away."

Momoi sighed. Of course her idiotic childhood friend offended someone with his shamelessness and lack of verbal manners. Worst of all, it was a handicapped person—someone who probably already had a million and one things to think about. Sometimes Momoi wondered how the stubborn jerk lived to see more than twenty years of life, what with his annoyingly arrogant, reckless and wild personality that constantly tested people's patience way past their limit—and all his life he never got scratch on him! There had been times when Momoi suspected a parasitic alien had burrowed itself in Aomine's brain and had taken to launching some weird protective globe around him, hypnotizing those nearby into not damaging him. And yet his ability to behave politely had never improved.

"So you, with your unfiltered mouth, insulted and hurt this poor, unsuspecting person," Momoi concluded.

Aomine shook his head a bit. "No. I think it was my reaction to finding out about him that caused all of the mess."

Momoi frowned when he said it, but didn't say anything and just looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain himself.

"I was hitting on him, Satsuki" Aomine bluntly blurted out, feeling a bit embarrassed as the whole confession was unwillingly coaxed out of him. Damn, Satsuki was good.

"Him?" she inquired patiently. Nosily.

"Yes, him, Satsuki!" Aomine snapped. "Not her, if you must know."

"You were teasing him around with your infamous natural-born playboy personality, with a specific goal in mind, weren't you?" Momoi furiously accused Aomine, a dangerous gleam shone in her eyes.

It unnerved Aomine, but he wasn't going to let her get the best of him. "No… y–yes. No! I mean, yes— Shit— It's… Yes, probably, but not exactly like that, so no?" He floundered, not really knowing how to defend himself. Satsuki had him all figured out. "You make it sound like I only wanted him because I've never been with a...you know, handicapped person, or whatever. But I don't really plan to play 'the game' where I get him in my bed and vanish right after."

"You're making it sound more unbelievable the more you keep talking, and also convincing me you're actually more guilty than I first thought, Dai-chan," Momoi deadpanned.

"Fuck! I know, alright. Just…" Aomine fidgeted uncomfortably. He was frustrated by Satsuki's questioning and accusing, and she was stressing him out. She knew exactly what he wanted to say and how to make him say it, all with one look. He was in a deadlock, so he finally broke when he said: "Okay, I'll admit it. I really want to sleep with him."

"Twisted pervert," Satsuki said automatically, like she had been expecting that answer.

"Thanks for the compliment, Sa-tsu-ki," he broke up her name like it was an insult. "The main problem was this, okay? I made a not so positive expression when I saw his…well, er… permanent chemical minefield."

Momoi didn't say anything for a good long moment while she tried to figure out what exactly Aomine meant. Although, she already had a pretty good idea about where this conversation was heading.

"And what exactly was it about him that you offended?" Momoi asked as she took a deep breath in order to steady her mind. She suddenly didn't feel so well.

There was another silence between the two until Aomine answered unsurely, "His legs. They, ah, don't...work...very well."

For a long time Momoi didn't say anything, and Aomine was almost overcome with an eerie sense of dread. He was not looking forward to her reaction, and when it came, he realized he had been right to be intimidated by her.

Momoi cuffed the back of Aomine's head and slapped him hard on the cheek she hadn't punched earlier.

"OOOWW!" Aomine howled in pain. "Motherfuck—! What the actual fuck, Satsuki?!" She could hit him like a damn horse kicking him in the gut. Now his face both throbbed and stung.

"That's for treating people like objects!" Satsuki said in a loud voice. "How could you?! What were you even thinking, Dai-chan? Of all people! You had to go and insult someone who probably already gets enough from strangers on the street!" the pink haired girl cried in despair. "I can't believe I'm affiliated with you!"

Momoi groaned dramatically as she continued with her scolding. "…Oh my Kami… Let me guess," she said connecting all the pieces. She really did have Aomine all figured out. "You tried to woo him, he refused. Judging by your massive arse ego, you also refused to leave him alone in peace, lured him out of his shell, paid sweet, tempting court to him until he had this teeny tiny hope flared up, he showed you his legs, and you immediately made up a poor excuse to run. Am I right?"

His silence confirmed her suspicions.

"So it is like that, huh?" Momoi asked, raising an eyebrow, both accusing and disappointed. "Shame on you, Dai-chan. Shame. On. You."

Aomine felt guilty, which was probably what he needed. He could always count on Satsuki to keep him grounded, so he hesitated a bit before telling her the whole story. "Well…"

"What now?" Satsuki snapped. "Please don't tell me things are actually worse than I already think they are, Dai-chan."

"…I didn't even say a word at that moment…no excuses or anything …" Aomine spoke under his breath, shifting his gaze, feeling uneasy. He was afraid to meet Momoi's gaze, considering her mood, and he didn't have to look up at her to know she still wore her mean glare.

"We were both silent," Aomine continued after she didn't say anything. "I finished my drink and got out of the tavern. Without saying anything at all. The end."

Aomine finally looked up at Momoi, waiting for her to say anything but she just looked at him for a few seconds.

"Take care Dai-chan. I'm going," Momoi said suddenly and picked up her folders and immediately turned to the door to exit the room.

Aomine's eyes widened in shock. He could not believe what he was witnessing. "What?! No! You agreed to help!" He tried reaching out to catch the pink haired girl's arm.

Momoi turned around and shot a piercing glare at the tanned man, making him recoil a bit. "Dai-chan," she addressed the blue haired male in a firm tone.

"W-What?"

Momoi sighed heavily and she closed her eyes then opened them again as her turned her entire body to face him fully. Placing both of her hands on Aomine's shoulders, she said in an exasperated voice, "Seriously, it's very, very, very simple. A sincere apology."

Aomine narrowed his eyes and his mouth twitched. "Apology?" he grumbled. "Remind me again why I asked for your help in this situation, Satsuki? Cause I'm freaking regretting it right this moment," he grumbled again as if apologizing were the most disgusting thing he could do.

Momoi slapped Aomine's arm hard. He wondered if she would ever stop assaulting him, but didn't voice it since somewhere deep down he felt he deserved it.

"Well, what did you expect me to say, Dai-chan?" Momoi reprimanded. "You made the biggest, most massive fat-arsed mistake in history. There's no returning for this, I'm telling you. You've hurt him in the worst way possible. What's more, you went on to further disrespect him by not even making up a poor excuse as to why you were avoiding him!"

The more Momoi elaborated, the deeper Aomine's frown became.

"Dai-chan," Momoi said and Aomine continued to listen attentively. "You'd make anyone who witnessed or heard about this assume that you didn't think that man was worth an explanation. And he probably thinks you were freaked out because of his condition, which is at least partially true. Judging from his silence towards your reaction, though, I can probably guess that you're not even the first person he's met and been rejected by. In fact, I'm positive he has a repetitive history of this happening to him for him to be that peaceful and polite to you and not punching you into a pulp like anybody else might have done. The worst thing you could do is openly showing him you pity him."

At this, Aomine let out a heavy puff of air and felt as if he had aged ten years. He felt his bones ache when he thought about the disaster that was to come in the foreseeable future.

"Then I don't think a normal 'I'm sorry' will help much, Satsuki," Aomine was mentally exhausted, and to make matters worse the heavy throbbing in his head returned to disturb him. It felt almost as if it wanted to slice his brain in two.

"How come you've never failed at dealing with all other strong competitors of BLAU LUNA? Did the bad manners help you or the wise interactions, Dai-chan? And yes, you blockhead. It is what a normal human being do when they realized they did something bad to other people. They would apologize. They sincerely apologize with all their heart, Aomine Dai-chan," Momoi said as she shook her head. She sounded as if she were speaking to a child. "If the problem is too hard to solve, you go back to the classical basic."

What you've done is unforgivable. A simple sincere apology is the only way, seeing as there are no other solutions that could work their charm to reverse an extremely complicated, irreversible spell. Go back, pack up the basic necessities, build up your shelter and pray that you will survive this storm. Momoi had made herself clear enough, Aomine thought.

Aomine shook his head lightly. He felt numb as he whined, "I am so dead."

"No, you're not. But in some way, yes, Dai-chan. You will soon have R.I.P carved somewhere on your body."

[End of flashback]

R.I.P on my body, eh ? … Not bad at all, Satsuki … Not bad at all …

Aomine couldn't stand still, so he paced, never straying too far from his preferred spot right in front of the tavern. If he had to do it, he must do it the right way. Fuck this up and his life might as well be a confirmed death sentence. There was no point in loitering around and having cold feet. Yet, as soon as he met those ruby eyes—and then the damn wheelchair put its face in the picture—waves of guilt rose up like a tsunami and just crashed down over him, drowning not only every light of hope that he'd be forgiven, but also drowned his courage to converse directly with Kagami again, let alone mutter out an apology.

At lost for what to do next, the blue haired man let out an exhausted groan and buried his face in shame, the other hand massaging his forehead. There were tons of documents waiting for him at home but he could not care less. He had to say his apology. But how? He didn't even have the courage to take one step into the lounge.

"Good evening, Sir!"

"Whoa! Shit!"

The voice scared the shit out of him. Looking up, he saw a pretty big brown haired male with hazelnut eyes and some, dare he say it, extraordinaryclothes. Almond colored eyes gazed at him, and with a polite manner, the man spoke again.

"I couldn't help but notice you were trying to walk yourself into the ground right outside the tavern," he teased. "Would you like to come in for a bit while you wait for your partner? You don't have to buy any drinks! It's colder than usual tonight, so I figured you could use some heat to make it go a little better."

Aomine didn't say anything. His heart was beating furiously at the invitation.

…going inside...

…apology…

"Sir?" the brown haired giant asked.

"Then," Aomine answered after a few seconds, making up his mind to enter the lounge. "Sorry for the bother."

"Great!" the man said cheerfully with a smile.

Aomine could smell the smooth, peaceful scent of butter cream and jasmine that was emitting from the man. It was oddly strong, not so much his scent, but the entire essence of that man. Aomine sensed that he was strong enough to steady everything that was beating or moving, yet the richness of the scent itself was not overwhelming at all. It was the perfect amount.

Aomine Daiki broke into a slight cold sweat and his eyes narrowed a bit to evaluate this Alpha in front of him.

He was in awe as he stood in front of the rarest power that appeared in an Alpha — The power of 'silence.'

The moment Aomine walked in with Kiyoshi, a certain pair of ruby orbs instantly made their way straight to them. How could his mere existence bring so many waves of emotion inside of Kagami, and fluctuate so sharply and messy to the point where he felt that they were all going to shatter in dust of ashes from exhaustion?

That man was the first man ever who, for some reason, did not need any effort to ruthlessly destroy and take over his soul.

Even though his attitude was nonchalant, Kagami did not know how long he had left until he totally broke. His being, his wounded heart, and everything were considered vulnerable when it came to Aomine Daiki.

What was that man doing here? Again.