AN: Thanks for over 50 reviews! You guys are seriously awesome. This chapter was kind of hard to write at some points, but I hope it's good nonetheless.
This chapter is around 100 words longer than the last one :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Junjou Romantica or anything to do with Junjou Romantica.
One week later. Miyagi was pissed because even after an incident like that, it was impossible to find anything useful from it. He asked neighbours if they knew or have seen anything about it, but all he got from them was the fact that they heard a loud smashing noise about an hour after Shinobu and Miyagi had left for Miyagi's apartment on that day.
Miyagi and Shinobu successfully worked together to clean everything up and were able to move back in. Kei was pretty quick to hire somebody to replace Shinobu's broken window, and Shinobu's father had even gotten some people to drill bars over each and every one of Shinobu's windows, with the permission of the landlord.
They were also about to repaint over the threat message written on the wall, but Miyagi found out that when he scrubbed hard enough, the marker stuff would actually washed away.
It seemed like they were back at the very beginning again, which annoyed Miyagi. To Shinobu, however, it seemed as though that the brat was actually enjoying the whole mess. Even though he still never smiled once, he just seemed to be happier for some reason.
The only thing Shinobu really couldn't stand was when his father insisted that they would broadcast what had happened on the news. For safety purposes, they didn't show Shinobu over television, but they did request that anyone should call if they knew anything about it. And so far, there were no calls.
It was Friday afternoon when Miyagi and Shinobu walked back to Shinobu's apartment. Miyagi had just picked the boy up from school, and when they first arrive back, the first thing Shinobu did was lie soundly atop the couch.
"Are you tired, Shinobu-chin?" Miyagi asked, sitting himself down on the arm of the sofa.
"...Yeah," Shinobu muttered.
"Long day?"
"I had a test that I didn't even know we were going to have."
Miyagi sighed. "Don't you ever pay attention in class?"
"... No," he admitted tiredly against a pillow.
"That's apparent."
"You made this pillow smell like you," Shinobu muttered, nuzzling into it.
"Oh? What does that smell like?"
"Cigarette."
Miyagi chuckled before saying, "I thought you said that you hate the smell of cigarettes."
"I do."
"Then why are you still inhaling it?"
"..." Silence. "... Lately I've been able to tolerate it better."
Miyagi stood up and said, "You can sleep now if you want to."
"I'll sleep here..." Shinobu murmured. '... Where Miyagi sleeps,' his mind added.
"Hey... don't actually start to like the scent of cigarette smoke. I don't want you to start smoking and jeopardize your health," Miyagi huffed, making his way into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and checked to see what beverages they had.
He could've really used a beer... Of course, Shinobu wouldn't even be allowed to have alcohol in his house, since he's still underage. Miyagi was so glad that he showed Shinobu how to shop normally for groceries. They still always bought plenty of cabbage or some other kind of vegetable, but at least they had a variety of food and drinks to choose from.
After pouring himself a glass of juice, Miyagi crept back over to Shinobu and sat on the floor next to him. Violet eyes gazed down at the blonde mob of hair and he began to wonder if Shinobu had actually fallen asleep.
"Shinobu-chin?" The man was able to see one of the boy's eyes, but it was shut closed. He was also breathing slowly, yet quite steadily. "Shinooooooobuuu-chiiiin?" Miyagi silently whined.
He waited for a response, and snickered to himself when there was none given.
'Can someone really fall asleep so quick?' He set his glass of orange juice down on the coffee table and rested his arm along the couch, right next to Shinobu's sleeping form.
He gazed at the snoozing blonde before him, then after a moment, he hesitantly shifted his arm up and touched his hair somewhat feather-like. He wondered what anyone would possibly want from Shinobu. Or why they would go as far as to break in and destroy everything.
Miyagi hated the sound of the Shinobu he knew being targeted. He also didn't want the boy to be touched by anyone or even be spoken to by anyone that neither he or Shinobu knew.
Miyagi furrowed his eyebrows and began petting Shinobu's head in light, gentle strokes. He watched as the shade of Shinobu's face (of what he was able to see) turned into a shade of pink and Miyagi exhaled softly through his mouth.
Miyagi had never really felt as strong about other clients as he did for Shinobu, but it was no wonder. He and Shinobu had really grown close during the past little while— a month and a day and a week, to be exact. To be even more precise, it was 39 days since Miyagi met Shinobu.
In the early years of Miyagi's career when he would be a bodyguard often, 39 days together with a client was barely anything. He'd often spend over 90 days with a client, but even so, Miyagi felt closer to Shinobu than all of them... even though he had the worst start with the kid.
It was probably because Shinobu was the most interesting and constantly entertaining, not to mention incredibly fun to tease. Shinobu was also cute, but of course that had nothing to do with it.
At the abrupt sound of the door bell, Miyagi snapped his head sideways in the noise's direction, and pulled his hand away from Shinobu's head. He lazily picked himself up and dragged himself over to the door. Watching Shinobu rest for those few minutes made him somewhere drowsy himself.
He opened the door without any hesitation, and his eyes widened in utter surprise as he took notice of Shinobu's family at the door. There were three members, and each one of them was carrying containers of food or wrapped up objects.
"Hello, officer," a rather cheerful-looking woman, most likely Shinobu's mother, greeted. "Mind if we come inside?"
"... Sure..." Not knowing what they were there for, Miyagi stepped aside for the group to come in. He waited for a moment for someone to tell him what was going on. It could've been a family union or special occasion, or maybe they were all just bored and decided to drop by.
"Where is Shinobu?" The youngest one of the group asked, annoyed. Miyagi could guess that it was Shinobu's sister who he briefly heard of. Shinobu's parents filed into the kitchen to set down their things and the young woman scanned the room for her little brother.
When she finally spotted Shinobu lazily lounging on his couch, she approached him and yelled, "Shinobu! Wake up!"
Shinobu didn't budge.
"Get up!" she obnoxiously exclaimed, kicking the side of the couch while balancing a large tray of something in her hands.
If anything, it had only made Shinobu clutch onto the couch even tighter. Before Shinobu's appearing-so very loving older sister did anything too rash, such as killing the poor boy, Miyagi stepped in with much of his bravery.
"I can get him up," Miyagi confidently stated. He grinned when he noticed Shinobu's small back tense up. Stubborn brat.
Miyagi knelt down beside the sandy mob of hair and brushed some away from his ear. He leaned forward, Shinobu's sister analyzing with curiosity, and he blew softly into Shinobu's ear. Shinobu's body flinched when Miyagi first began to do it, then took on the uncomfortable feeling.
Miyagi snickered when he managed to emit a low, irritated groan from the boy that only Miyagi himself was able to hear. He began to blow harder, but after a split second of it, Miyagi quickly reacted when Shinobu slapped his hand over his ear.
"Dammit, it feels WEIRD!" he exclaimed, slowly and groggily sitting up on his bum. He turned to his sister, who just stood there, totally unimpressed. "What do you want? Why are you guys here?" he demanded, exchanging glares with the woman.
"Manners, Shinobu-chin..." Miyagi muttered, barely audible to anyone.
"You know why we're here, Shinobu," the sister huffed, placing her weight onto one leg.
"..." Shinobu didn't say anything and instead averted his gaze elsewhere. Miyagi, however, was still in the dark.
"Why are you guys here?" he inquired.
"Shinobu's nineteenth," the girl muttered.
"... Birthday?"
She sighed, annoyed. "What else?"
Miyagi bonked Shinobu on his head and muttered. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Shinobu huffed and said, "You never asked about my birthday."
Miyagi's brow twitched as he said, "Wouldn't you think it were only to be natural that I'd want to know when—"
"Shinobu's a brat," the moody woman stated. "He doesn't—"
"Shut up," Shinobu grumbled.
"Manners—"
"You, too!" the, apparently, birthday boy snapped at Miyagi.
"Geez, Shinobu. Even after we went through all the trouble of bringing dinner over," she huffed. "Look, I even helped mum make this for you." She carefully balanced the aluminium tray over one hand, resting it right against her chest, and pulled the lid off with her other hand.
Inside the tray revealed the most beautiful batch of lasagna Miyagi had ever gawked at. He immediately became mesmerized by such an appetite-inducing sight as his mouth began to water due to his now famished condition. Sure it was just a batch of lasagna, that might not even be warm anymore, but the smell of it was fresh, alluring, delectable― basically it was impeccable at making Miyagi's taste buds begin to crave it.
He hadn't even realized that to his fellow buddy, Shinobu, him staring at the lasagna made it appear that he was staring at something else, instead. He also didn't happen to notice the intense, ready-to-kill glares emitting from Shinobu, either.
The young boy snapped, "Well, you didn't have to do or cook anything!"
"Well, I did," Shinobu's sister grumbled, closing the lid. With his view blocked, Miyagi snapped out of the temporary state in Lasagna Land and resumed focus with what was going on at the moment. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your bodyguard, Shinobu?" the lady asked.
"No!" was Shinobu's immediate response. Miyagi bonked his fist against the brat's head again.
"I'm Miyagi Yoh," he introduced, letting his arm fall back to his side.
"Takatsuki Risako," she said back, smiling sweetly. "Our father has spoken fondly of you, Yoh-kun."
Shinobu's hand twitched and Miyagi chuckled his dorky one. "Thank you," he said with slight flattery.
"You work a lot longer and harder than most of his staff. You're a good success," she said.
"Nah, it's not that hard, actually. Anyway―"
"I'M GOING TO THE RESTROOM!" Shinobu announced, loud and clear, as if everyone just needed to know. He cast a nasty and spiteful glance towards Miyagi, before storming off, evidently pissed for no apparent reason.
"... What's his problem?" Risako inquired, stunned at such rude behavior. Although it wasn't much of anything new, coming from her brother.
"I... have no idea," Miyagi responded, sort of taken aback.
He wasn't too blunt to not notice that the boy was angry at him. He didn't know why though.
"Let me carry that for you, Risako," he offered, trying to be a gentleman. When Risako handed him the tray, he was even able to smell the food through the foil lid.
Barely noticeable from around the corner wall, Shinobu stared (or spied) at his older sister and bodyguard. Miyagi was placing the lasagna onto the table with Risako standing a little ways behind him. They then turned to the kitchen to check on how his parents were doing. Together.
'Stupid old man.' Shinobu marched into his bathroom and shut the door, restraining himself from slamming it. As much as he knew it most-likely wasn't true, it just looked so much like Miyagi was staring at Risako's chest when she revealed her food. Why was Risako holding it so close to her chest, anyway?
Shinobu turned the tap on and began to wash his already clean hands, since he really didn't need to use the toilet. He just hated being in that setting; Risako smiling too sickly sweet for Miyagi, and then Miyagi acting all nice and gentleman-like towards her.
Miyagi hardly acted so nice to Shinobu, so why for Risako? When you got to know the woman she was hardly any nicer than Shinobu was.
Pissed, annoyed, and purely frustrated, Shinobu switched off the running water and dried his hands off with a clean, white towel hanging near the shower.
'That old man better not be interested in her... and she better not be interested in him.' If Miyagi and Risako really were in the very slightest way attracted to each other, then where would that possibly leave Shinobu?
Miyagi hadn't really ever seemed to be romantically interested in anyone, so it was probably nothing. Although, Risako was never too scared to take the initiative to express interest a man whom she liked...
Shinobu tensed up, suddenly wondering why exactly he was so against their being together. He took a moment to calculate what could possibly go wrong:
First, there could be attraction. Risako would ask Miyagi out at dinner, in front of everyone.
Second, Miyagi would make his decision. His boss would be watching, and since that boss also happened to be Risako's father, Miyagi would accept since he wouldn't want to risk his job or impression.
Third, they could date. Miyagi would finish the case with Shinobu's stalker and move on. Since Shinobu was Risako's brother, Shinobu would also be seeing a lot of Miyagi. But Miyagi would be more interested in chatting with Risako than with Shinobu. He'd slowly start to forget about their time spent together.
Fourth, they would get married. Shinobu would get stuck with having to see them together all the time, Miyagi would hardly care about Shinobu at all, and no one would give a shit. After all, Miyagi would rather have Risako to spend his time with, so why bother with a brat like Shinobu. The end?
NO!
Absolutely NOT the end!
Shinobu would absolutely refuse to let Miyagi forget about him. Even after Miyagi finishes his job at Shinobu's apartment, Shinobu wouldn't loose contact with the man whether he liked it or not.
'All I have to do is make sure they don't get too close to each other,' Shinobu told himself, tousling his hair with his hands. He came out of his bathroom with confidence, and returned to his uninvited family. A whole bunch of mouth-watering food was already set on the table, along with the silverware and plates.
Already sitting at the table was a bored Risako and his father. Shinobu could've guessed that Miyagi was most likely helping out his mother in the kitchen with whatever she was doing.
When his father noticed Shinobu's gloomy presence reappear, he encouraged, "Come sit beside your sister, Shinobu!"
Both Shinobu and Risako glared at the poor old man, yet he still smiled as though nothing was really wrong. Shinobu faked a cough onto the back of his hand and strolled to the chair at the end of the table, more away from Risako.
Although... if he were to sit there, his mother would want to sit beside his father, leaving Miyagi to sit beside Risako. Shinobu instead huffed irritated, and yanked the chair next to Risako out, and plopped himself down onto it. He propped an elbow over the table and planted his cheek into his palm, as his father began conversation.
"So, Shinobu, is school being good to you?"
"The usual." Shinobu didn't care that his father wasn't even sure what 'the usual' was like, since Shinobu hadn't really told him anything about university.
"Getting all your homework done?"
"I suppose."
"Has anything happened since you've gotten broken into?"
"... Not that I can think of."
Risako groaned, "You're so secretive, Shinobu."
"I'm answering everything!" Shinobu snapped.
"Sure, without giving any thought to each of your answers," she huffed, annoyed.
Shinobu slouched forward a little and sighed as his mother and Miyagi reemerged from the kitchen. His mother gracefully sat down beside her husband, after planting a peck on his cheek.
Miyagi was carrying that large tray of his mother's special lasagna recipe, that he seemed to have oh so suddenly become infatuated with. He didn't notice Shinobu's ongoing consistent glares as he set the lasagna down on the table with the rest of the delicious food, then sat down.
Shinobu fell out of his annoyed state when he felt a boney elbow nudge into his sensitive side.
"Why do you keep looking so grumpy?" Risako whispered to him. "Stop it; it's rude."
"... Mgnmnuhgah..." Shinobu muttered sheer gibberish back at his older sister.
His old man let out a breath of satisfaction. "Is this the time when we sing Happy Birthday?" he asked.
"Oh god..." Shinobu slumped even further down into his seat. He couldn't understand why his family couldn't just grasp onto the fact that he was no longer a little kid. Just like everyone else at the table, he was a smart, responsible, level-headed, cool, respected, and all the above adult.
"Happy Birthday's always sung when there's a candle-lit birthday cake. Not when you're about to eat dinner," Mrs. Takatsuki corrected her husband.
"I hate singing Happy Birthday..." Risako muttered, deciding to be the first to take any food from the table. A bunch of salad was plopped onto her plate. Shinobu had never seen the point in dieting.
Unable to refrain himself any longer, Miyagi reached out and gently placed some of Shinobu's mom's and Risako's appealing lasagna onto his bare plate as the older couple also engaged with the food.
It was silent for a bit, as everyone began to fill their plates, but Shinobu couldn't help but feel grudgingly towards his loyal bodyguard and loving elder sister. He kept thinking that Miyagi might, even just a little bit, like his sister.
There shouldn't have been anything wrong with that, and it was also none of Shinobu's business. But...
"Yoh-kun, pass me the salad dressing," Risako said.
Miyagi's violet eyes scanned the table around himself, until they soon landed on the dressing. "Sure..."
Even if it were just Shinobu's mind making up reasons why those two shouldn't be together, he was worried that it could possibly change his and Miyagi's own relationship. Shinobu just didn't want to risk that happening. And maybe it was just jealousy, but Shinobu found it quite annoying and was feeling upset.
Shinobu looked to his left where he spotted a bowl of delectable-looking spicy chicken. He took the bowl and plopped a wing onto his plate, then turned to Miyagi.
"Want some?" he offered sweetly.
"Sure. Thanks, Shino-chin," Miyagi happily accepted.
Shinobu's brow twitched uncomfortably at the stupid nickname and he took the tongs in his hand. "Do you want a breast or a thigh?" he inquired, pissed off, as he unwillingly began to feel as though Miyagi was choosing between breasts or thighs of a human instead of some chicken.
"A leg is fine," Miyagi merrily responded.
"You sure?" Shinobu asked, trying his best to keep his cool and jealousy under control. "My mom makes the breast really big, tender, and juicy," he informed through awkward, gritted teeth. He always thought tits were gross. Sometimes he wondered about his sexual orientation.
"Thank you, Shinobu," Mrs. Takatsuki said, smiling with flattery. "I've never heard a compliment come from you before."
Risako muttered, "I helped too."
Shinobu turned his sandy head to glare at his sister and Miyagi sighed, poking his fork into one of the chicken tits while Shinobu was a tad distracted.
He took a nibble and commented, "It's very hot," referring to the spices used.
Shinobu thumped the bowl back down onto the table. 'And the bastard says that right after neesan said she helped making it. Stupid perv.'
Risako chuckled sheepishly and confessed, "I think I put in too much spices... I hope it's not too bad."
Miyagi smiled, to Shinobu's utter distress, and said, "Nah, it's really tender like Shinobu said."
"Of course you'd think so," Shinobu muttered darkly. Miyagi gave a questioning frown, Risako's elbow nearly ripped it's way into Shinobu's side, and his parents seemed to be having their own little conversation about gas prices or politics or whatever adults liked to talk about.
Risako huffed, "Grow up."
"I did!" Shinobu proclaimed. "I just turned 19!"
Miyagi swallowed some lasagna and said, "I think it's great that you're 19, Shinobu-chin. Just two more short years until official adulthood."
Shinobu flushed lightly, rather pleased that Miyagi wasn't picking on him with his sister. Or at least Miyagi wasn't picking on him at that moment.
Risako smirked and said, "Just think... it's already been 19 years since mom and dad's condom broke."
Miyagi nearly choked and Shinobu exclaimed, "That's not true! They wanted me, right?" Shinobu turned to his gawking parents for some much-needed comfort. "RIGHT?"
"What was that, Shinobu?" Mrs. Takatsuki asked, not having a clue of what Shinobu's sudden outburst was for.
"Risako just said that your condom broke 19 years ago!" Shinobu repeated, shameless and annoyed.
When his parents didn't respond and averted their eyes towards their plates, Shinobu's spirits were completely downed.
"Told you," he heard Risako remark beside him, forking some ranch-drenched lettuce into her mouth.
Mrs. Takatsuki cleared her throat and said, "And in almost 5 more months, it would be 30 years since a certain other condom would've broken."
Risako snapped her head upright, away from her plate. "Wait... what?" she asked like an airhead.
"Mom just said that you were the first mistake," Shinobu informed, smirking on the inside.
"Bratty kid," Risako huffed.
"Fat cow."
"I'm not fat!"
"Then why are you dieting?"
Miyagi sighed and said, "Stop fighting, you two. Geez, you guys bicker like siblings." Miyagi blinked at his own statement and Shinobu rolled his eyes towards Miyagi, completely unimpressed, as Risako did the same.
"..."
Risako said, "We are siblings, in case you've forgotten."
"Dummy," Shinobu muttered, scooping a bunch of meat into his mouth.
'Loving family,' Miyagi thought sarcastically, bringing some more lasagna up to his mouth. 'I haven't bought him a present...'
Shinobu stared at the fancy, black tuxedo being presented to him, from a finely-wrapped box. Shinobu blinked before touching the fine threads and smooth fabric. Somehow, it was a bit extravagant for his 19th birthday.
"Why do you guys know what size I am?" Shinobu asked his mother, who sat down on the sofa next to Risako, across from where Shinobu sat. Miyagi and his father were standing behind them.
"We guesstimated," Mrs. Takatsuki replied.
"You mean you've estimated," Shinobu sighed.
"No, we guesstimated."
Shinobu heard Miyagi snicker and he sighed, putting the expensive tux down. "I'm going to get a glass of water," he muttered, perching himself up onto his two feet.
"We still have a few more presents for you, so hurry back," his mother called as Shinobu walked away. He went past Miyagi, giving the man no eye contact. Miyagi watched as the smaller figure disappeared into the kitchen.
Annoyed, Miyagi also excused himself and stalked off after the younger one. Shinobu was angry... and Miyagi didn't understand why. The boy was behaving more distant and Miyagi wasn't particularly liking it. He stood at the door frame as he stared at Shinobu chugging down a full, tall glass of water.
Shinobu wiped his mouth dry against his sleeve and refilled his glass right up to the very top again. He raised it to his mouth again, but this time Miyagi approached him and pressed his fingers carefully around the rim of the glass. He placed it on the counter top and turned to the angry Shinobu.
"What's that for?" Shinobu grumbled, reaching out towards his drink again.
Miyagi frowned and used himself to block Shinobu's way of getting to it. Shinobu glared at him so Miyagi placed his hand at the back of Shinobu's cute head, stroking gently. He knew that Shinobu liked it when he touched him like that.
"You're acting weird," Miyagi said, flat-out.
"How so?" Shinobu's face was a bit pink.
"You keep giving me these dirty looks. You're hardly speaking to me, and don't even bother looking at me when you walk past," Miyagi said, moving his hand to the side of his head and caressed Shinobu's cheek.
"So what? I don't have to talk to you or look at you. Or smile whenever I do look at you."
"Look, just tell me whatever I did wrong. I don't want you made at me on your birthday," Miyagi said. Shinobu merely stood there, averting his gaze. Miyagi just knew that there had to be something that was causing Shinobu to act like this.
"Shinobu-chin?"
Shinobu was fuming as he slapped Miyagi's hand away from himself.
Miyagi was astonished when Shinobu snapped, "This is what's wrong!" Just a split second after, Shinobu roughly and painfully reached up to Miyagi's chest, tweaking Miyagi's left nipple through his shirt. Miyagi didn't see it coming, and stepped back, seeing Shinobu's emotionally pained expression.
"..."
Shinobu whispered, "Ass..." and left to go back to his family. Miyagi didn't bother stopping him or comforting him, as he knew it would be useless. He couldn't even tell what had happened, but he had give the boy some time... and then do something about it.
Miyagi mentally cursed and took the glass of water that Shinobu was about to consume for himself, chugging it all down to the very bottom. Miyagi stepped out of the kitchen again after wards, seeing Shinobu about to open yet another gift from his parents.
Miyagi placed a hand onto his boss's shoulder, grabbing his attention, and Mr. Takatsuki turned around to smile at Miyagi's returned presence.
"Something the matter, officer?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I'll be going out for a bit," Miyagi said, glancing over at the door.
"What for? Smoke break?" his boss guessed.
"Nah. I just need to go buy something. I'll be back in around half an hour," Miyagi informed.
"I see. We'll see you soon then."
Miyagi smiled in place of thanking him, and went to the door, taking a final glance at Shinobu, and slipped out.
Strolling around the street, Miyagi was brainstorming on what to buy Shinobu for his birthday. It was difficult because he had no idea what the kid liked or wanted. Also, he had to choose wisely so it wouldn't look bad compared to the expensive gifts his family was showering him with.
He glanced into the windows of many stores, but nothing was really catching his attention or seemed like anything Shinobu could possibly want. It also bothered Miyagi that Shinobu was pissed, but he promised himself to deal with that later.
For the moment, Miyagi just wanted to buy the brat something so he wouldn't feel bad about not getting him anything. Miyagi almost walked past a big toy store, but stopped dead in his tracks when something awfully big and familiar caught his attention. He turned to the clear window and came face-to-face with a big panda bear.
What made the panda different from regular pandas was that weird mustache. This was the same panda that Shinobu wanted from their trip to McDonald's a while back. Miyagi wondered if Shinobu was still even interested in that panda bear. The kid never really did get to have one after he generously gave his own miniature one to some little girl.
After staring directly face-to-window-to-face with the big, stuffed panda bear for literally five whole minutes, his eyes finally drifted downwards to the price. 25,000¥ Seriously? For a stuffed toy the size of a fifth grader, he had to pay that much? Was Shinobu really worth it?
Miyagi ran an annoyed hand through his hair and smirked. Of course Shinobu was worth it... even if the kid did have anger issues and constant glares, Miyagi was quite close to him and his brattiness.
Having made up his mind, Miyagi marched into the toy store that was filled with children, with all his pride. He hoped Shinobu would like it.
To Miyagi's relief, the shop owner offered to wrap up the stuffed creature. But before he did so, Miyagi noticed the shop was selling some sewing supplies at the counter. So to make the gift a bit more personal, Miyagi decided to stitch some stuff onto the back of the bear. In small letters, Miyagi hand stitched:
To Shinobu-chin,
After today, I hope you will stop being pissed at me. Happy 19th birthday. Even though you're almost a man, you'll always be seen as a boy through my eyes.
Love, Miyagi :)
Upon finishing that final stitches on the smiley face, Miyagi wondered if he should have just gotten someone else to write it for him. He had never even touched a sewing needle throughout his entire life and it came out pretty obvious.
'Whatever,' he thought, paying to the manager after sitting in a corner, quietly sewing with himself, for nearly half an hour. That was when he realized that he was running much later than he intended to.
He quickly drove, almost sped, back to the apartment building and parked in the parking space. He grabbed the wrapped up panda bear in his two arms, and noticed that Risako was at her father's car, taking something out of it.
Curious, Miyagi crept over to her and saw the big birthday cake being taken out from the back seat.
"Looks good," Miyagi commented from behind her. She jumped slightly, unaware of his presence up til then and turned to him.
"You should have told me you were standing there," she breathed.
Miyagi chuckled and said, "Sorry... I'd offer to bring that up for you, but my hands are already full." he looked down at the gift and Risako laughed.
"Is that for Shinobu?" she asked, hardly able to see through the plastic wrap.
"Yeah... a last-minute present for him," he admitted. He really wished that Shinobu would have told him about his birthday beforehand.
"Ah. I'm sure Shinobu will appreciate it," she said, smiling brightly. "If you chose the right gift, he might even like it."
"Well if he doesn't like it, that's not my problem."
"You know, Shinobu's wondering what's taking you so long right now," she said. "You never told him that you were going out, and he's wondering what you were doing."
Miyagi blinked. "Really?"
"You sound surprised, "Risako said.
"Nah. It's just that he's sort of angry at me for the time being," he sighed.
"Hm? Why's that?"
"He won't tell me."
Risako sighed. "That figures. He hardly tells anyone anything. But whatever it is, he'll get over it," she assured.
"I know. It's just some momentary thing that's bothering him." Miyagi smiled.
"Speaking of that kid, how's he doing? Is he doing good in school still?"
"He's at the top of his class. Or at least that's what he tells me. I was looking through some of his marked tests and assignments once, and he received perfect on all of them." He paused for a moment, recollecting his memory, before saying, "Some of them he got bonus marks."
"Shinobu has been perfect in school ever since elementary. We offered to let him study at an elite university in a different part of the country. He wouldn't been able to have so many opportunities," she sighed.
"So why didn't Shinobu go?" Miyagi curiously inquired.
"That brat claimed that he didn't want to move away from his hometown. Kind of a waste of opportunity, if you'd ask me."
"Well it would probably be difficult to be alone and far away from family and friends."
"He wouldn't have been alone. We have an aunt who lives there... but maybe that's part of the reason why Shinobu didn't want to go." Risako shrugged.
"What's wrong with your aunt?"
"Oh... nothing's wrong with her, but she likes to collect a bunch of droolly dogs. Shinobu hates dogs."
"I like dogs..." Miyagi said, smiling.
"I do, also."
"German Shepard's, in particular."
"Pomeranian's are cute." Risako grinned.
"We should go back up. They're waiting for that cake," Miyagi reminded, suddenly remembering it himself.
"That's right..."
"Risako's taking her time fetching that cake," Shinobu's father muttered, craving something sweet for his taste buds to savor.
"I hope she didn't drop it on her way up."
"Where the hell is Miyagi?" Shinobu whined, not even able to prevent himself from cursing in front of his parents.
"I'm sure he'll be back soon," Mrs. Takatsuki said, optimistic.
Shinobu groaned, laying down on his back, over atop his couch. Miyagi never left his side without telling him first before. He was worried that Miyagi might have actually been mad at him for physically hurting him. He never pinched Miyagi before― or anyone, for that matter.
Shinobu just kept on finding himself so against Miyagi being in the least interested in his sister. And when Risako first took the lid off of the lasagna, she was holding it so close to her chest that it made Shinobu's mind believe that Miyagi was mesmerized by her tits instead of the lasagna.
It was a mistake that could've happened to anyone... Right?
Shinobu wanted to apologize, but Miyagi left without even saying a word! His father told him that Miyagi was going to go "buy something," but what was possibly so important that he had to ditch him on his birthday? A pack of cigarettes? A haircut? A damn porno mag?
Shinobu groggily got up and went to the restroom to piss. While he was using the loo, he thought he heard the door open. Hoping that it was Miyagi, he quickly washed up his hands and barely bothered to dry them up.
When he arrived to the living room again, his face nearly paled when he saw Miyagi and Risako coming out of the kitchen together. Risako was carrying a big birthday cake, while Miyagi was bare-handed.
Miyagi smiled when he took notice of Shinobu and said, "Come eat your cake, Shinobu-chin!"
Shinobu frowned, but gloomily joined them, nonetheless. He still definitely felt pissed when he saw those two together. He couldn't understand why exactly.
It was 8:30 in the evening when they finally left. The moment they closed the door on themselves, Shinobu felt Miyagi's eyes were laid on him. It was complete awkward silence for a second, then Shinobu went off in the direction of his bedroom.
"I'm going to bed," he finally said. Then Shinobu heard footsteps shadowing behind him.
"Wait, Shinobu-chin. It's still very early," Miyagi mentioned.
"It's late enough," Shinobu huffed. He placed a hand on the doorknob to his bedroom and tugged the door inches open, only for it to be pushed back shut.
"Don't try to avoid me," Miyagi muttered. Shinobu frowned and tried to shove past the bigger man, but Miyagi was too quick to plant his hands on either side of Shinobu's head, creating sort of like a barrier.
"What?" Shinobu snapped, feeling slightly intimidated by the older cop.
"Why are you angry? Whatever I did wrong, I sincerely apologize for it, but can't you at least tell me what it is that's bothering you?"
Shinobu kept attempting to put on a strong face by scowling into Miyagi's eyes, but Miyagi looked like he was easily able to tell Shinobu was intimidated. After more silence. Shinobu deeply flushed and his eyes widened when Miyagi's head neared closer to his own.
"Well?" Miyagi pressed.
Shinobu turned his head to the side, breaking eye contact with Miyagi. "I... just... don't like it."
Miyagi blinked. "You don't like what?"
"When you and Risako... look compatible." Shinobu swallowed nervously and said, "Like a couple."
Miyagi quirked a brow and asked, "You think I'm interested in going out with your older sister?"
Shinobu blushed some more and stuttered. "W-Well it's just that... Y-You know what? Forget it. It's nothing."
But Miyagi didn't budge. "I have no idea what got that idea lodged up in your empty little head, but I have absolutely no intention of becoming involved with your sister. And I'm certain she feels the exact same way."
Shinobu twisted uncomfortably. "Yeah... I get it. It's stupid so lemme go now," he muttered, trying to figure a way out of Miyagi's arms.
"I guess that's what comes out of assuming such things, right, Shinobu-chin?" Miyagi began smiling and grinning, making it seem like he was actually enjoying Shinobu's utter embarrassment.
"Yeah, yeah," Shinobu huffed.
"You even pinched me. Aren't you silly."
Shinobu frowned and Miyagi chuckled.
"I'm friggin' sorry so let me go to sleep now."
"Wow, I actually heard an apology from you."
Shinobu shot a scowl at Miyagi and demanded, "Well what about you? You completely just left without even telling me! You were gone for like an hour!"
"I'm glad you reminded me about that," Miyagi said, smiling. Shinobu gawked as his hand was taken into Miyagi's larger and rougher one, as he got led to the kitchen. Shinobu blinked at quite a large object wrapped up in plastic wrapping material with a big, red ribbon sitting on the floor.
"What... is this?"
"Happy birthday, Shinobu-chin," Miyagi replied, ruffling up Shinobu's hair. "Go open it," he encouraged.
Shinobu went forward and knelt down in front of it. He tore down the wrapping and stared at the mustache panda. He blinked and asked, "Isn't this expensive?"
"After receiving so many, much more expensive gifts from your family, you're asking if this is expensive?"
Shinobu laid a hand on the panda's head. "Well I know that they can actually afford it."
"Gee. Thanks, brat," Miyagi muttered with sarcasm. He couldn't help but smile adoringly at Shinobu examining the stuffie.
Shinobu took it in his hands and turned it around, taking a look at the backside. That was when he noticed the messy stitching that Miyagi sewed onto it earlier.
He read it in his head and frowned. "You jerk."
Miyagi smirked and said, "It's the thought that counts."
"Well it's not exactly the most thoughtful thing you could've sewn onto here," Shinobu huffed.
"I would've bought a card and written it on there, but I figured this way you wouldn't be able to sell or trade it if you ever grow tired of it."
"Well aside from that, your sewing skills suck," Shinobu bluntly stated. "Your technique is all wrong, it's all messy, and you didn't secure it well enough so it won't come undone."
Miyagi's brow twitched. "What makes you think you could do any better?"
"Duh. I took a sewing class in high school once. I wanted a Food's class, but after the first lab we did, they transferred me into a sewing class." Shinobu sighed, moping at the memory.
"Ah..."
"I think it was because I almost set the oven on fire..."
"Probably," Miyagi sighed.
Shinobu gently pulled at the panda bear's ears a couple of times. He then stood up and walked directly into Miyagi's warm chest.
"Thank you, Miyagi," he said, feeling Miyagi wrap his arms around his shoulders. Shinobu gripped onto Miyagi's back, nuzzling into Miyagi's smooth neck.
"Do you like it?" Miyagi asked.
"Mm hmm," Shinobu lazily admitted.
Miyagi patted Shinobu's head. "Can you smile for me then?"
"Huh?"
"I want to see you smile for once," Miyagi said. "You've never smiled in front of me before."
Shinobu pulled away from Miyagi's warm hold, yet didn't smile. "I can't just smile when someone randomly asks me to."
"Once is all I'm asking."
Shinobu picked up his new mustache panda plushie and tightly hugged it. "I like your gift... but I can't. It wouldn't be very natural, anyway."
Miyagi grinned. "Fine, then. I'll just wait for one naturally."
"Dork," Shinobu huffed, making Miyagi laugh. "I'm really tired. I'm going to sleep now."
After bidding a good night to each other, Shinobu scrambled into his bedroom, still holding onto his stuffed animal. Out of all the presents he received, Miyagi's present was no doubt the one Shinobu treasured the most.
Shinobu sat over on top of his bed with his laptop opened in front of him. It was a while since Shinobu had last checked his e-mails, so he quickly wanted to delete the crap and read what was good before he went to sleep that night.
As usual, there was many junk e-mails. There was also some chain mail, which Shinobu was quick to delete, and random messages from some friends. He opened a message from his aunt that lived elsewhere in Japan, which greeted him a happy birthday.
The teen quickly whipped up a reply message and sent it. He then clicked on something from an e-mail address he wasn't too aware of. It didn't have a subject, but after clicking on it, it just looked like a dumb gay porn add. Shinobu nearly clicked the delete button, but something written at the top caught Shinobu's attention.
It read, 'Happy 19th birthday, Takatsuki Shinobu. Fancy seeing our mentioning on the news.'
Shinobu looked around the page for any other text, trying his hardest to ignore the naked gay men, but it didn't turn out to be an add. It was an annoyance from his fellow stalker, most likely. Shinobu would have deleted the message in a split second, but he figured that something like this could help Miyagi find the culprit.
Instead, Shinobu just exited it and turned his laptop off. He would be sure to tell Miyagi about it later. He tucked it into his drawer then turned to the gift that Miyagi had given him. He began poking at the ears some more, and instantly his mind became filled with nothing but thoughts of Miyagi.
Shinobu had to talk to Miyagi about something the next day. Something that he had to get off his chest.
Almost as if the panda were Miyagi, Shinobu tightly hugged it and nuzzled against it. Before he let himself fall asleep, Shinobu had to get up and turn the lights off. He then crawled under the covers and fell asleep squeezing the bear. He fell asleep, thinking of Miyagi. And wanting to be with Miyagi. Then, he dreamed of being with Miyagi...
To Shinobu's joy, the next day was a non-school day. He sprang right out of bed and tossed on a random outfit that consisted of loose jeans and a black sweater. He then went into the bathroom and did whatever had be be done in there.
When he arrived in the living room, Miyagi was already up as usual.
"Morning," Shinobu greeted, joining him at the table.
Miyagi smiled. "Good morning. Did you sleep good last night?"
"I slept with the panda."
Miyagi chuckled and took a sip of some plain, black coffee. "That's cute," he remarked afterward.
Shinobu flushed lightly and looked down at his hands sitting on his lap. "Miyagi, I need to talk to you about something."
Miyagi blinked and set his coffee down. "What's wrong?"
"Well... F-For a while now, I've been feeling really funny," Shinobu began.
"Because of the break-in?" Miyagi inquired.
"No... A little bit before that happened. And..." Shinobu took a breath. "I've only been feeling this way towards you."
"What does it feel like, exactly?" Miyagi asked.
"I don't know how to describe it exactly but..." Shinobu took in a deep breath and continued. "I get really happy just thinking about you, I'm always anxious to see you, you're constantly on my mind, I get jealous when you're with others, I like it when we hold hands or hug―"
"I-Is that so?" Miyagi awkwardly took a gulp of coffee.
Shinobu nodded and finally returned eye contact with Miyagi. "So after doing some research and asking my friends, I've finally come to a conclusion as to why I've been feeling like this."
"Wait―"
"I'm in love with you, Miyagi."
AN: OH SHIT! Is this another cliffhanger? Yes, it is! I'm sorry about that. Shinobu finally confessed his feelings for Miyagi :) It might have been kind of rushed though. Or more like it was completely out of nowhere. Lol, at least I made him say it.
This chapter was kind of hard to write, I dunno why.
Any kind of review is highly appreciated :D
