I apologize for being so late with the update but to makeup for that I decided to finish the story and post all the chapters at once
Ryou sighed as they reached the mall. Akefia and Kek were talking to each other and Malik and Bakura holding hands. She was behind them, watching the happy couples with a bittersweet smile.
Malik insisted on the group going even after her and Bakura had just been made official. They had taken the train there, keeping relatively silent as they went.
She was happy for them. She really was. But she couldn't help but wish for her own happiness too. However hers involved… she looks at Kek and Akefia. She wouldn't come between them. After all whenever they would flirt with her it was never serious.
When the huge shopping plaza came into view Malik turned her gaze onto Ryou. The blonde grinned mischievously. "Oh lil Ryou~".
Ryou twitched a nervous smile. "Y-yes?" Malik wrapped her arms around the other girl's neck coming close to her face.
"What's your bra size?" Akefia whips his head around to look at the two girls. Eyebrows raised and curiosity on his face.
Ryou's face turns beet red. "W-why are you asking?"
Malik brings her arm around her waist. "Because I wanna buy you something nice. You got me and Bakura together so I want to repay you. Since I figured you won't spill who your crush is, I could buy you something for when you're together with them or to seduce them." She wiggles her brows.
Bakura frowns. "Why are you trying to buy my sister lingerie?"
Malik turns to Bakura a cheeky grin on her face. "Because Bakura darling while I get her something you can get me something." She flutters her lashes. Bakura scowls. "I'll buy you something but you're not getting my sister anything."
Malik pouts.
"Can I get her something?" Akefia chimes in and Kek elbows his ribs. Ryou blushes deeper. Bakura rolls his eyes. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response."
Bakura grabs Malik's hand. "Lets go."
Malik skips up to him and Akefia offers his hand to Ryou. She blinks at her face still flushed. "Come walk with Kek and I. You've been falling behind." Ryou hesitates. Feeling her heart flutter as she reaches out and clasps his hand. He smiles at her making her heart almost burst as she brings her between Kek and him. She tried to remember not to think like she was but all rationality she formed flew out the window as Kek took her other hand.
"So what's the plan? Any specific stores to go to?" Akefia asks.
"I don't really give a shit. We can always window shop." Bakura grumbles.
Kek looks up at the mall sign. "Is this the one that has the puppies?"
Ryou's eyes sparkle and her head shoots up the same time Akefia's does. "Puppies?" They echo excitedly.
"You're not taking anymore pets home Ryou." Bakura scorns.
Ryou pouts. "I only want to look."
Kek thinks. "Are we splitting up?"
"We can just walk around together for now. If we want to split up later we can and we'll meet up at the pet shop" Bakura says. "Everyone agree?" The others nod and they walk inside the bustling mall.
The group arrived outside a dimly lit store with music playing loudly from inside. They decided to go in and explore separating once inside. Ryou looked around at the shirts. Finding nothing in particular. "Ryou look," Akefia calls her attention. Ryou looks over at the male and finds him with a large black and white flower clip in his hair. He puckers his lips and winks at her drawing a laugh from the girl.
"You look lovely with it." He grins.
"Thanks babe," he wiggles his brows. Her cheeks darken a tad and she smiles at him. Ryou's attention turns the display next to her. Her eyes look over the different chokers for sale. Her fingers reach up to one. A piece of black lace with a gemstone hanging in the middle.
"What do you think of this?" Ryou asks Akefia. He comes to her side looking over her shoulder at the jewelry.
"Uh, Ryou, you know what chokers mean right?" Ryou looks up at him and blinks waiting for an answer. "They mean you suck dick."
Ryou turns away. "Well In that case," she grabs as many off the rack as she can.
"Ryou no!" Akefia grabs the giggling girl and brings her to Bakura. He lets go of her in front of her twin while Malik stops her own shopping to look. "I'm sorry Bakura but I've tainted your sister."
Bakura looks at Ryou who holds the chokers in her hand smiling. "What did you say?"
Ryou tilts her head innocently. "I didn't say anything."
"She said she sucks dick." Akefia proclaims.
"I said no such thing." Ryou gasps feigning innocence. Bakura rolls his eyes.
"You grabbed the chokers after what I said."
"They're on sale."Akefia narrows his eyes at the girl catching on to what she was doing. "You minx."
She smiles innocently. "I have no idea what you mean."
He wraps his arm around her neck bringing her in. She squeaks as he messes up her hair. She giggles as he lets her go.
"Are you guys done?" The four turn to see Kek. His own few items in hand. "I am" Ryou chirps going over to put back the extra accessories.
The others finish up, purchasing what they got and leaving to the next store.
Malik brings the group into the lingerie store dragging Bakura off leaving the other three alone. She goes deeper into the store. Finding the most risque things that barely passed as underwear.
Malik sifted through the drawer filled with panties. She lifted a pair up to show Bakura. They were made of thin red strings. "Look!" She wiggles it between her fingers. To her disappointment Bakura's attention was in the direction they left Ryou. Malik smacks his leg. "Hey," he looks at her and the underwear then back to his original spot.
"Get them if you want." He says shortly. Malik frowns throwing the underwear back in the drawer standing.
"You're suppose to pick them out." Bakura doesn't respond. Malik's brows furrow and she turns his face to look at her. "What's wrong?" She says gentler wrapping her arms around his neck.
Bakura turns his rustic eyes towards her.
"It's… nothing." Malik rolls her eyes.
"What is it?"
Bakura sighs through his nose. "Something's up with Ryou."
"Well she's definitely not as shy anymore." Bakura shakes his head.
"No, it's not that. I'm actually glad about that. Normally she would be clinging to me, I never minded it but I'm glad she's more confident." He pauses. "Ryou, is hiding something. There's been a few times where I see her looking upset. I don't think she knows I saw."
"What do you think she's upset about?"
He shrugs. "I have no idea."
"Want me to talk to her?"
"No, I'll talk to her." A few moments pass and Bakura wraps his arms around his girlfriend's waist. "Why don't we get something for you?" Malik smiles. She leans forward and bites his lip before kissing him fully.
"Well, boyfriend, why don't you find something?" Bakura looks over the displays.
"You'll have to show me them on later, okay?" Malik smirks. "If you make them good enough."
"Let's get started," he says arm around her waist leading her to where he caught his eye.
Ryou looked around blushing at some of the items. Akefia looks in interest at a few things while Kek stays by Ryou. Ryou sifts through a few things. Looking at the underwear that was more modest yet pretty. She felt her heart thundering in her chest as she felt Kek's presence over her shoulder. If she were bolder, like Malik, she would turn this into a flirting moment. But she couldn't, if she started flirting back to the two of them, she wouldn't know what she would be able to control.
She shuts the drawer in front of her and stands giving a shy smile to Kek. "This isn't my kind of store, I'll be right back, I'm going to go get a drink." Ryou says, going to the exit. As she gets there, a man walks in front of her. She ducks her head. "E-excuse me." She says trying to go around them. Instead he steps in her way, blocking her path.
"Hey, sexy." He purrs making her skin crawl. Ryou looks up at the man. He gives her a smirk. Ryou swallows. "C-can I please get by?"
"Why would you want to do that? We can have some fun." Ryou takes a step back.
"I-I don't want to." Ryou says turning away from the man. He grabs her shoulder and Ryou pulls out of it. She stumbles back and hits Akefia's chest. He steadies her as Kek comes on her other side.
"Can we help you?" Kek says to the man. He sneers back at Kek.
"I'm here for her not you." He turns his attention to Ryou who stood in front of her companions. "Come on sweetie, why don't I buy you something to wear?" Ryou tenses before Akefia's hand on her own calms her.
"No." She says firmly. He scoffs at her. He looks at Akefia and Kek then Ryou.
"Oh I get it. These two are fucking you already. You're a slut." Akefia squeezes her hand in comfort and to restrain himself. But it's Kek who speaks.
"Say one more word and you're going to regret it." Ryou looked at Kek who held such malice in his eyes she was glad it wasn't directed at her. Fortunately, he could see it too. He sucked his teeth and walked out of the store. Ryou sighed in relief. She took Kek's hand in her spare one, not letting go of Akefia's yet. "Thank you," she said gently. Kek nodded. "How about we get Bakura and Malik and go see the animals," he offers.
Both Ryou and Akefia nodded excitedly at the notion. Ryou goes to slip out of the two boys hands but they hold tight. She smiles softly to herself. Only once would be okay right?
"I can't believe how cute that puppy was! He was so small and fluffy." Ryou squeals.
"I know! I thought it was just a cloud at one point!" Akefia coos.
Bakura rolls his eyes at the two in front of him. "They weren't that cute." Ryou spins around gasping. "Kura how could you say that?" Akefia shakes his head in disapproval.
"Ryou I think these are ground for disowning." Ryou nods solemnly. "I believe your right. Looks like I have no twin now."
"Tragic."Bakura deadpans at the two while Malik laughs. "Kura don't act like that Persian kitten didn't make you happy."
He scoffs. "It was alright." Malik shakes her head. The group made it to their stop awhile ago. Now the sky was lavender and deep blue as night crept up. They wouldn't care but it was a school night and Ryou would scold them if they stayed out later. They stopped at the intersection.
"Guess it's time to split up." Akefia says. He looks at Kek. "I'm going with you." Kek and Bakura kiss goodnight and smile while Ryou smiles at Akefia and Kek. "See you tomorrow." Kek smiles softly. "Yeap." Akefia pulls Ryou into a hug.
"See you minx." Ryou smiles at the nickname.
"Am I being left out of a hug?" Kek asks. Ryou hugs him as well cherishing the warmth. When she pulls away she goes to her brother's side as Malik joins her own. They go their separate ways. Each group looking up at the sky and enjoying the memories of the day.