-Imitation Black-

On Wednesday afternoon Reiichi found herself standing outside a private apartment complex, both hands full with her things. Apparently she was to attend the Valentino showcase as well, which Lavi thought it was most appropriate to tell her only yesterday night. Then again, she was supposed to know that her attendance was necessary from the beginning—Kanda said something similar before. But tt didn't really matter because she had one of the many unworn dresses in her closet anyway. Staring at the deep brown mahogany door, she tried to find a doorbell for her to press but there wasn't one.

After staring foolishly for a while, she decided to knock.

The door opened a minute later, but the one who opened it was not the person she was expecting. Anita was clearly female, but the person standing by the doorway was most certainly male and familiar. Liquid golden eyes, handsome features pulled to a lazy smirk and the unmistakable dark skin—Tyki Mikk. Only, he had a stubble on his chin like he hadn't shaved in a while, his hair in unruly curls and red rimmed glasses adorned his face.

"Reiichi," Yes, that was definitely him. No one else pronounced her name like so. "Did you miss me?"

She blinked in shock for a good few seconds before sighing in resignation. "Not as much as I would have liked," she muttered. "Am I at the right house?"

"Yes you are," he smiled, opening the door wider for her to enter.

In the side of the complex was even more impressive than she expected out of Anita. It felt very homely, with the majority of the décor made out of expensive wood. A Persian carpet lined the floor, feeling ridiculously soft beneath her bare feet. The corridor she was walking through had various art canvases hung against the white wall. Finally they came to the living room where a huge television screen took up one corner, and a beige couch took up another. In between, a low table much like Kanda's held a bowl of fruits. Tyki moved to pick an apple from the bowl, flipping it casually in his hand.

Anita was nowhere in sight and she realized she was alone with him. She tensed slightly, suddenly she feeling as though this was just a trap set by him to get her alone.

"Have a seat," he gestured gallantly to the couch.

She sat down because the things she was carrying were killing her arms. Tyki took the bags, placing them on the table.

"Where's Anita-san?" she asked, eyes scanning about to familiarize herself with the place.

"Taking her sweet time in the bathroom," he replied, sitting down beside her.

He took a bite from the apple, licking in a somewhat sensual manner as he ran his tongue across his palm to lap up the excess juice. She shifted slightly away.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm her escort for the night," he shrugged, then paused and cocked his head at her. "Why are you so fidgety?"

She glared slightly, annoyed. As if he didn't know. It was his fault that she still couldn't get over the fact that he did something quite unforgivable.

"Reiichi…" he turned fully to face her, setting down his bitten apple on the table as he did so.

His voice was low, dark, and seductive. His eyes were gleaming brighter than ever, and a smirk was curving on his lips. He advanced closer, first an arm sliding on the edge of the couch behind her frame, then his body was coming nearer—a cold jolt rushed through her veins and she backed away from his predatory movement.

She found herself pressed against the side of the couch soon enough, a panicked head snapping up to meet his intense gaze. It was different from the charming smiles he usually wore. This was one much darker, much more dangerous. She froze, a chill seizing her lungs as her jaw set tightly in place.

The grin stretched even wider when he noted her fear, revealing his gleaming white canines. His other hand was deceivingly gentle on the edge of the couch, effectively trapping her.

"I think it's time for lesson number two…" he whispered low, head ducking lower with every intention to kiss her again.

Her mouth ran dry, but she had enough mind to push his chest rather harshly away. Unfortunately all it did was to abide time for her. He barely moved away, only that he was looking at her rather amusedly, now with an even more determined glint in his eyes.

"M-Mikk," she tried to hiss, but it came out as more of a stutter. "Stop it,"

It wasn't fair. He was attractive, cool, and suave. She did like his conversational skills, but not his touching habits. He was the more experienced, playboy extraordinaire, she was the innocent girl. What gave him the right to try and seduce her? She knew he didn't even like her that way (or did he even like her at all?).

Thankfully, another presence entered the living room and bopped Tyki's head rather painfully.

"Tyki Mikk," Anita frowned, hands on her hips in a white bathrobe, ignoring the Tyki's low mutterings to himself. "What are you trying to do?"

"I just wanted to give her a little kiss," he defended, shifting away to the other end of the couch, allowing Reiichi to sigh in relief as her personal space enlarged.

"Was it unwelcomed?" She looked rather angry, her tone was strict.

"Of course not—"

"I'm asking the girl, Tyki," Anita was now glaring at him. He wisely kept his mouth shut. "Did you want him to?" she turned to her, tone soft.

"No, I did not," Reiichi likewise shot Tyki her own glare, trying to cool her rapid heartbeat.

"There you have it,"

Tyki rolled his eyes."Well, you never complained—"

Anita gave him an even more withering glare under which he faltered beneath. "A gentleman, you call yourself," she snorted. "It appears your skill is severely lacking these days,"

He sighed at the direct insult. He would never understand women. Firstly, why Reiichi even protested was beyond him. It was probably the first time a girl actually tried to stop his advances. Willingly. He wasn't losing his touch, was he? Now…was he actually doubting himself? Strange. So strange. And now Anita was scolding him for something he knew she herself wouldn't have minded. Where was the logic in that?

"I am so sorry about him," Anita began, cocking her head towards the model sitting languidly at his end of the couch like nothing occurred. "God knows he'd die from the lack of intimate physical female contact,"

Reiichi smiled faintly. "It's okay. You came in time,"

"Tyki, go clean yourself up," Anita ordered, and then frowned again. "Especially that facial hair of yours,"

"Yes, m'am," he waved a backward hand casually, getting up to saunter to the bathroom.

"Remember to do comb your hair!" she reminded as he walked away. "And don't you dare wear that hideous pair of fake glasses!"

In his defense, the pair of glasses was not hideous. Granted, he was not in his best presented state at the moment, but it didn't mean he didn't know how to dress himself. He shook his head. He would have thought Anita would have stopped her mothering habits on him, especially now that he was an experienced lady killer, ahem, famous model.

Well, at least he preferred her company over his brother's any day.

Anita was looking absolutely fantastic as she stepped out of the limousine, with white strappy heels. The lavender print of the outfit matched well with her fair complexion, and the obi particularly showed off her curves femininely. Her exposed back was clear and smooth, revealing her sculptured shoulder blades. Gold bangles clanked on her slim wrist, and like-coloured dangly earrings were worn. Red lipstick and her twisted bun braid made her look sultrier than ever as she smiled for the dozens of cameras that clicked the moment she put her foot on the red carpet.

Reiichi in contrast, was freaking out like hell on the inside. Compared to Anita, she was just wearing a simple off the shoulder emerald dress that flared out at the waist and came to her knees. She was feeling so inferior and overwhelmed at the number of people waving enthusiastically at their tinted limousine windows.

When Lavi said she was attending the Valentino showcase, she honestly expected something like the Yves Saint Laurent one she had gone a few weeks ago. That one was a lot more low key and private. For this one, there was a red carpet walkway to the entrance, complete with security guards at the sides trying to keep photographers and screaming fans and interested non attendees at bay.

Tyki had exited the vehicle first, and the deafening declarations of love from his fans were nothing short of frightening. He shot a charming smile to some random direction, and sharp squeals emitted from the masses. He helped Anita out first, her posture erect and confident as she smiled for a shot before stepping away to allow Reiichi to step out.

Tyki grinned, holding a hand out. Normally she would have declined, but she was sure the media would say something about it, so she placed her hand in his. His warm hand held hers reassuringly, steadying her as she winced when the sudden flashes blinded her eyes. Yes, she was so not used to this.

"Tyki Mikk!" A reporter from the side waved enthusiastically at him, hand with a microphone stretched out. "I see that you're escorting two ladies tonight," he winked. "What's the special occasion?"

Tyki smirked, adjusting his arms so that he could guide them both. "The lovel y Anita-sama has always been one of my favourites," he answered, earning a playful smack from her. "And this is Reiichi, who has of late, caught my interest…"

Reiichi refrained from rolling her eyes and coughing. The reporter turned to her, curious. "You are Lavi Bookman's cousin, aren't you?"

"Yes…"

"And also Kanda Yuu's designer at the moment," he continued, a fire lighting up in his eyes. His notepad was out and ready, pen poised. "There are also rumours that you made the outfit Anita-sama is wearing at the moment. Is this true, Kuroshi-san?"

"Yes it is," she confirmed, finding her voice to answer.

"I would say she had me pleasantly surprised," Anita added in, winking at Reiichi. "She is one to look out for in the coming scene,"

"Y-yes, Anita-sama!" The report held on to her every word like the gospel, for any comment out of the head of Vogue Japan could potentially veer the entire fashion industry in any way she wanted.

"REI-CHAN~" the very familiar voice cut through their conversation.

Her cousin in a crisp black suit and tie, hair styled wild and a camera slung around his neck unabashedly ran towards her and hugged her tightly, scaring the heck out of Tyki and Anita.

"You look so pretty—wait a moment," he stepped back and took a picture quickly before she could even react. "Aww, you're so cute, I don't wanna let you go~" he launched forward again, rubbing his cheek against hers. "I haven't seen you for so many hours! It's been a torture standing here by myself!"

She laughed, an embarrassed smile on her lips as she tried to make him stop. They were in public, and the public had hoards of paparazzi taking pictures of the moment now.

"This is my one and only beloved cousin!" he declared to the reporter who was watching the scene with shinning eyes. "She is the one whom I will love forever and forever—"

"Lavi!" she tried to get him to stop rambling, but he merely kissed her cheek in response. He was being overly affectionate today.

Lavi smiled at his cousin, liking the way a true smile came back on her lips. She sounded so flat on the phone yesterday night, and…his gaze slid to the other male standing beside her watching them with a disturbed expression (Tyki couldn't help but notice Lavi was acting exactly like his deranged brother around his niece)…she had been in the presence of a deadly pervert. He frowned at Tyki.

"I thought I said one kilometer, Mikk," he pouted almost playfully, because the media was around. His words though, were more menacing than he sounded.

"I guess you forgot to apply for a restraining order, Bookman," the model shrugged.

"Boys," Anita cut in, eyeing the two, immediately sensing the hidden messages. "Whatever it is, take it outside,"

Reiichi had the urge to comment that they were outside, but she figured that would be digging a grave for herself.

"Lady Anita," Lavi took Anita's hand and brushed it across his lips gently, "Thank you for taking care of my kin,"

Anita chuckled in response. "My offer still stands, Lavi Bookman. Vogue could really use a photographer such as yourself,"

"I will decline as usual," he bantered playfully. "Yuu especially needs constant supervision from me,"

"Kanda Yuu…" she mused thoughtfully. "He hasn't paid me a visit for a while,"

Lavi snickered inwardly. The last time Kanda was dragged to Vogue, Anita had thought it was particularly fascinating at how androgynous he was. He had been forced into a traditional elaborate geisha outfit complete with the make up while Anita marveled at uh, how well he looked the part. Needlessly to say Kanda was holding some negative impressions about the lady.

"You could always ask Rei-chan to bring him along," Lavi shrugged, "He'll come,"

"Oh?" Anita asked, "Why is that so?"

"Because…" he whispered low, almost conspiratorially, that all three of the others leaned closer to listen. "Yuu is an overprotective boyfriend—"

"Lavi!" Reiichi hissed, slapping his arm. "Will you stop giving people ideas?"

"But it's the truth~!" he whined, clutching the sore spot on his arm.

"It's not!" she denied, face heating up just a bit as Anita started to nod her head and give her a knowing look.

Even Tyki was having the 'I knew it all along' expression. She glared at Lavi for the so not welcome plantation of ideas into their heads.

"My, my, Rei-chan, you're actually blushing!" Lavi teased. "I never said he was your boyfriend, Rei-chan," he waggled his eyebrows, grinning triumphantly. "Could it be?"

She tried really hard to keep her face serious and indignant so as to not betray her actual thoughts. She was horrified, because there was a possible chance that she was really blushing and not just a tease by her cousin, and she knew exactly why. For that one short moment, she had actually imagined…

Oh no.

No.

"N-no!" she answered, annoyed. Honestly her cousin was not making it any easier for her to forget Kanda and his mysterious ways.

"Still," she huffed, "You implied it,"

Lavi petted her head soothingly as he tried to cool her down. "I'm just kidding, you know that,"

"We'll make a move first," Anita smiled, tugging on Tyki's arm as a shout from another reporter on the other side caught her attention. "I'll see you two later,"

"Yeah, sure," Reiichi waved to them, only to pause in mid wave as Tyki sent her a smirk and wink before he turned away.

"Why that Noah…" Lavi muttered, glaring at the model's back.

"Cool it, Lavi," she sighed, linking her arms with his. "I'm with you,"

They walked in together, past more flashes of blinding light as Lavi occasionally stopped to pull her to pose. As they entered the marquee and cool air-conditioned air soothed over their forms, she asked the question that was bugging her ever since she saw her cousin.

"Where's Kanda?" she questioned, carefully keeping her voice neutral.

"He's walking the runway," he replied, then paused, looking at her. "Didn't he tell you?"

"No…"

They had barely spoken since yesterday actually. After the extremely awkward moment in her workroom, dinner at home was just as quiet. For some reason she couldn't bring herself to talk with him, and he seemed to react the same way.

She was declaring herself mentally insane by now. What had changed? Why was she suddenly aware of Kanda when they had been living and working together for a while now? It was fine in the beginning, but now she was not sure. It wasn't him, she knew. It was her. She was getting all jumpy and nervous for reasons unknown. Then in her mind, there was this whisper of thought that knew why she was feeling this way. Still, she refused to acknowledge it.

She just could not.

Once or twice she caught him giving her a particular unreadable look, and then a sigh and he never bothered to look at her again for the rest of the night. It was fine by her actually. The source of her current problem was Kanda, so if she avoided him for a while, maybe the weird feeling she was having would go away.

But she didn't expect to feel strangely empty at the same time.

"Lena-chan is modeling too," Lavi was saying. "Too bad Allen-chan couldn't make it. I'd bet he wanted to see Lenalee dressed up like in his wildest fantasies—"

Reiichi would have said that Lenalee wearing Valentino clothes was probably not one of Allen's uh, wildest fantasies, but she let him ramble on, because it helped to distract her from her own traitorous thoughts.

The inside was different than what she expected. The people in it, though, were what she expected— the rich fashion-obsessed. There was no stage, but the chairs were lined in such a way that there was a zig zag runway that cut through the seating area. Lavi led the way to the front, plonking down to one of the seats in the middle and urging her to do the same.

"Rei-chan," Lavi peered at her, stopping in mid rant about something else she wasn't paying attention to. "Are you okay? Are you sick?" he pressed his forehead to hers, eyebrows knitted in concentration.

"I'm fine," she tried to say, but he was still looking at her worriedly when he pulled back.

"You feel a little warm, but that could be due to the air conditioning…"

"Lavi, really," Reiichi gave what she hoped was a smile.

He leaned back to his own chair, but she could tell he was unsatisfied. "You can talk to me about it, you know," he murmured, fiddling with his camera. "Especially if it's something about Yuu,"

Her breath got stuck upon his words. Did Lavi know already or was he just guessing? But precisely because it was about Kanda, that she was a little hesitant to tell Lavi about it. She had already ran over a few scenarios in her head, but all the reactions that she would predict her cousin to give were not what she wanted to face at the moment.

"I…"

Her words were cut off when the room suddenly dimmed, signaling the beginning of the showcase. Funny, she hadn't even heard people scuttling to their seats nor the customary announcement before the show began.

A spotlight shone on one end of the walkway, where Reiichi spotted Tyki and Anita sitting. A pale lean leg stepped onto the runway, and the light fully engulfed the figure. The audience was kept stunned as Lenalee stood upright, coy smile to her pouty lips and twirled her finger in one of her pigtails. The dress she had on was simple, white and pure. A faint diamond outline began from the center of just below her chest, and it expanded across her body, creating a symmetrical pattern that accentuated her slim figure. The long sleeves emphasized a demure girlish look and it was complete with silver heels.

Confident, Lenalee glanced around the audience for a few seconds, then stepped forward and began the runway walk. Whisperings murmured in the crowd, and Lavi whistled to himself as he readied his camera for a good shoot. She was looking like an angel sent from heaven today.

Her walk was graceful, elegant, beautiful. Like Kanda, Lenalee's strut on the runway was so different from her usual strides. It was starting to intimidate Reiichi, for she had no idea how different she was with Lenalee until today. Granted, she wasn't as pretty as the model, but the Chinese seemed like a far away figure from her now…and Kanda felt even further.

Soon, the Chinese model had reached half way through the pathway, directly in front of where Lavi and Reiichi were sitting. Lenalee smiled for Lavi's camera, and then directed her gaze towards the other end of the walkway. The spotlight on her dimmed while it brightened at the other end. A shiny brown leather shoe peeked out from behind the curtains, stepping onto the runway.

Silence was hushed once again as the undoubtedly most anticipated model of the showcase posed, chin up proud, a small smirk on the edge of his lips. Decked in a tailor made pristine white beige suit and black tie, Kanda was a picture of contradiction – hot and cool, passive and aggressive, handsome yet delicately beautiful. The pale shade of his clothes stood out from the millions of black suits in the audience. His fringe was gelled back, revealing his forehead and the rest of the hair was bound loosely at the nape of his neck in a white ribbon. He adorned black sunglasses on his pretty face, eyes hidden from the world yet the little smile on his lips was enough to get people swooning.

Hands in his pockets, he strode with manly assurance towards Lenalee in his usual Kanda way of modeling – with purpose, power and poise in every step. The whisperings had risen again, and now badly muffled appreciative giggling mingled in the noise. Once Kanda was in the middle with Lenalee, they posed back to back, heads tilted back in a picture perfect moment.

Reiichi's own heartbeat was thundering in her own ears as she watched the models in their element. It was difficult to make out what exactly the others were saying, and it was also difficult to breathe normally at the moment. The first time she had watched Kanda on the runway, it was incredible, she would admit. It was obviously top notch work, after she had compared it to the many others on the runway. This time was no different. There was just a special aura that it was just so…Kanda Yuu.

Kanda unnoticeably looked in her direction for a moment, but she caught it because she was just watching him so intensely that upon her discovery, it was getting just a little bit scary to know. She couldn't tell if he intended to look this way, or if he was looking at Lavi, and she just felt quite stupid hoping that maybe, maybe he really was looking at her then. Soon enough, both models continued their path in opposite directions, and other models of the designer had already begun modeling on the runway.

The show went on.

Reiichi knew the showcase was quickly coming to an end when she saw Kanda for the fifth time, this time, solo on the walkway to close the session. It wasn't that she was counting, but she remembered all the outfits he wore because every look was unique and opened her eyes to various ways she herself could create such pieces. She particularly liked the dark green satin neck cuff he wore in one of the outfits. It drew attention towards his perfectly sculptured collarbone, overriding the overly simplistic light blue dress shirt and navy outer coat, plus the demin shorts he had on.

It made her realize that the reason why he was so popular and demanded –his looks—was actually something she shouldn't have brushed aside like she did in the beginning. It sounded incredibly dumb, but it dawned upon her that everything that his work entitled, from the image that he portrayed in pictures or any certain vibe he needed to pull off, he needed his kind of face and body to pull it off. She just could not imagine any of the other models she had worked with before doing what Kanda was doing at the moment with the same...standard.

Since when had she become so biased in her point of view regarding him?

If only the past her could meet the her now, she would surely be branded as a first class hypocrite.

Kanda had on a classic inky black suit, his hair flowing freely behind him as he walked. The inner pleated white shirt was buttoned up neatly to the neck where a bowtie was attached. The slim black pants were tapered to the ankles, finished with light brown loafers.

"He looks kind of cute with the bowtie, don't cha think?" Lavi commented more to himself because he didn't really expect a reply as he concentrated on waiting for the right moment to capture a "cute" picture moment.

Finally the Japanese model reached to area in front of their seats for a customary pose. He leaned his weight on his right leg, hand in one pocket as he gazed out into the dozens of flashing lights. Kanda flickered his gaze to his best friend who was making some weird impatient moments with his hands, one finger poised over the capture button of his camera. Kanda inwardly shrugged as he really didn't get what his photographer was trying to convey—as usual—so he turned to the other familiar person beside him. Her face was in his direction, but averting her eyes from him, he noticed.

It was really starting to bother him because he really did not know what the heck was going on with her. Why the sudden change in demeanor in regards to him? Was she harboring some grudge because he didn't apologise? She just felt really distant, for some reason, and it was getting very irritating.

His tips twitched a little in annoyance, but he kept his cool and turned to continue his stride down the walkway.

Lavi sat back, satisfied as he scrolled back to the picture he took with deft fingers just not a moment ago. He was waiting for the perfect expression to adorn the model's face, and he clicked just before Kanda turned to go. The picture was nearly adorable, because it was Kanda and a bowtie plus a very unnoticeable pouty look.

But looking at the picture closer, Kanda looked a little…depressed.

…

Nah, that must be the bad lighting.

After the show, Lavi brought Reiichi backstage, saying that they were waiting up for Kanda and Lenalee to have a celebratory late dinner, just for fun. Dinner sounded fine, and Lenalee's company sounded pretty fine too, but the thought of having dinner with Kanda was giving her a churning queasy feeling in her stomach. You eat dinner with him like every day, she reminded herself, mentally chiding the ridiculousness of the situation. She sighed inaudibly as Lavi pulled her through rows and rows of clothing and busy people who ignored them until they came upon an empty hallway with lockers. Lavi glanced around; trying to recall which direction was the model changing rooms.

"Rei-chan, wait here," he told her after a few seconds of quiet contemplation. "I'll go find Lena-chan and Yuu,"

"Mm okay," she nodded disinterestedly, busy trying to sort out her mind.

Once Lavi's steps were no longer heard, a black figure stepped out of the shadows, a predatory smirk gleaming in the light. Reiichi didn't notice for she was staring at the ceiling now, counting the number of cracks on the old concrete, and she nearly shrieked when she found herself face to face with someone clearly Portuguese.

Reiichi breathed heavily, then narrowed her eyes. "Are you stalking me?" she demanded.

Tyki looked affronted for a second, walking closer to her. "No," he denied. "I was merely waiting for an opportunity to talk to you privately, which is especially difficult given that guard of yours,"

"Stalker," she muttered under her breath nonetheless. "So, what is it?"

Tyki sniffed at the name calling, but placed a direct gaze upon her as he moved.

"Are you in love with Kanda Yuu?" he suddenly asked bluntly.

The question caught her off guard. "W-what—?"

What was it with people always assuming that she was with Kanda? At least Tyki went along the lines of 'love' and not 'attached together'. It was slightly different. That aside, it wasn't helping her own situation any. A faint hot sensation started to trail upwards to her neck, but she kept it cool. Of course I am not in love with him, she mentally chanted, for if that really happened, Lavi would say 'in your face' to me and I'd never live it down.

"Are you, or are you not?" he hummed, hands in his pockets.

"I am not," she answered immediately.

Tyki surveyed her, thinking. There was no hesitation in her voice like she was really sure, but he when he was watching her during the showcase, the way she looked at the Japanese was obviously different. Maybe Road had been ranting too much to him about the romance novels she loved to add in her own twisted sense of love. He could admit he was a sadist at heart, but he preferred live partners, thank you very much. His niece was just odd.

"Then you won't mind going out with me," he smiled. "Officially,"

The pause that came after that was so still that the air wasn't even moving. How the heck did Tyki come to such a nonsensical conclusion? "I don't see how that works,"

"Think about it," The model sighed as though obvious. "You'll be entitled to the best of both worlds. Your darling cousin will obviously never let you go, yet we Noah are willing to give you whatever you want, since you're part of the family. The Earl really likes you, you know," he added.

So this was about the thing between the companies…she should have known.

"Plus, the media would be in such a frenzy," Tyki smirked, lips curling to something nearly predatory and hungry. "Wouldn't that be fun?"

Fun?

It was a game, Reiichi realized. Everything was a game to him. Right from the start when she was introduced to him, he was playing the nice gentleman, but he pushed his boundaries as far as he could, slipping his fingers into her dress, then kissing her—it was all to see what were her limits.

"But I don't even like you," she insisted. "And you don't like me either,"

"That's where you're wrong, Reiichi," he sauntered closer. "True, you may not be as visually appealing as I like, but—" he paused in his steps, now right in front of her.

His cologne was particularly distinct at this point, a certain smell that reminded her of rich people wearing gold chains and drinking hard liquor—it just wasn't the same…

The same as who…?

"I particularly find your defiance interesting,"

Tyki leaned closer, and she took a step back reflexively, but he held her shoulders to keep her in place. His lips brushed past her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "How long, I wonder, would it take for you to fall in love with me?" he murmured in his deep baritone.

He placed a slight kiss against the joint of her jaw just below her ear, causing a complete shutdown in her brain system as she stiffened even further, barely breathing.

"It's a simple choice really," he whispered. "Why not have fun with me, instead of risk being eliminated when the Earl loses his patience?" He leaned back, face back to its charming grin, but his tone slipped into something more ominous. "Did you ever wonder where the girl who did you a disfavor in our restroom has gone?"

Reiichi took a wavering step backwards, eyes widening as she instinctively knew there was an implication behind his words, but her thought process was halted at the moment. The gears in her head refused to move, and her fingertips were getting cold.

The girl…restroom…

Matsumoto…Junki…?

One second there was Tyki smiling innocently at her waiting for her answer, the next moment

She was facing someone else's back, with Tyki frowning rather distastefully at the person in front of her. There was a strong grip that was tightening around her wrist, and it was at the point where it was starting to hurt.

Kanda stood glaring, looking extremely pissed off with one hand forcing her to stay behind him, while the other arm outstretched in a protective gesture in front of her.

"What the fuck are you doing?" the Japanese spat, eyes burning with the promise of death.

"I am not obliged to answering you, Kanda Yuu," Tyki turned away, hands back into his pockets casually.

"Don't fuck with me,"

"Well, Reiichi," The Portuguese began, walking away from them both. "Since he doesn't mean much to you, I'm sure you won't mind if we kicked him off the chessboard, would you? After all, it's just a game,"

He turned back towards them both, winking. "Nothing personal," he gave a backhand wave as he sauntered out of sight.

"What the fuck was that?" Kanda turned on her immediately once they were alone.

If she could think at the moment, she would have answered him, but by this point as she feeling rather drained. There was just too much to think about. About Matsumoto Junki…true, where was she? She assumed the blonde was still in the Black Academy, but then again, there was no way that girl would have missed something like a Valentino showcase, especially if Kanda was walking for it, and she didn't see hide nor hair of her tonight.

Since he doesn't mean much to you, I'm sure you won't mind if we kicked him off the chessboard, would you?

Then who was this…he? Kick him off the chessboard?

Are you in love with Kanda Yuu?

…Kanda? So they were targeting Kanda? That meant he was…Kanda was…

No, no, no.

Wait.

Think.

Tyki couldn't be serious in the literal sense, right? It was probably just a challenge to his model status.

Calm down, breathe.

"Rei?" Kanda was scanning her, frowning, but his voice dipped to something softer.

What could Kanda do if she told him what he said? Fly off his top? Beat up Tyki? The press would have a field day, sure. But ultimately that would change nothing. The Noah would still try to get her to their side, for reasons she still could not comprehend. In fact, it might make the situation even worse, because the Noah would now have a legitimate excuse to attack.

"It's nothing," she finally replied, trying to pry the hand that was still gripping her.

Kanda paused at her answer, his bad mood dipping even worse. First the presence of the fucking Noah was enough to egg his urge to kill something in sight, and now when he's just asking for a simple answer he gets some vague brush off even though he was being, well…concerned…

Right. Just fucking alright.

"…Nothing?" He glared at her with such intensity that she flinched. "You expect me to believe nothing happened?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes," she insisted, a defensive complex to his harsh accusation. "Just…leave it, okay?" she sighed tiredly, not wanting to deal with this at the moment. She needed to think, sort, and rationalize first. She couldn't do this now. "I don't want to talk about this with you,"

"Why?" Kanda demanded, eyes blazing with deep seated irritation and fury. "You have some secret affair with the dickhead that isn't worth telling me about?"

"Oh come off it, Kanda—"

"So what's the fucking game that you're playing with him?" he asked again, pulling her roughly closer to him as she attempted to move away.

"I'm not playing some stupid game with him!" Reiichi yanked her arm away, clenching her fist to her chest.

"Well," Kanda snorted in disgust. "Then why are you always meeting that fucking Noah?"

"He's the one coming on to me," she hissed, eyes frustrated and blazing with exasperation.

"Did I not say to avoid him then?" he goaded her, a hollow smirk of triumph on his lips. "Why do you never goddamn listen—"

He was making it sound like all of it was her fault. She grinded her molars, a stuffy feeling clogging up the bridge of her nose as her eyes pricked at his accusation.

"—It wasn't enough the first time, was it?"

Reiichi had her fist clenched so hard and shaking that her nails threatened to cut into her own palm. How dare he…? How dare he insinuate that she actually wanted Tyki's advances? His cruel suggestion was tearing a sharp pain through her chest as a sour feeling settled in her stomach. It wasn't like she was the one who actively sought out Tyki, nor did she want a second time.

"Did you enjoy it?" he sneered. "I saw him touch you and you just fucking let him?"

She couldn't say anything. She just couldn't. She wanted him to stop. The retorts were just stuck in her throat. No, she never enjoyed any physical touches from Tyki. How could she, when she felt so cold whenever he touched her. It was never like…like…

Like what?

Like who?

Her vision was starting to blur as tears of frustration started to collect. What could she say when she didn't get it herself? Kanda continued to train his accusatory glare at her while he waited for a protest or the sort, but nothing came. Her head was lowered, eyes shadowed by her bangs.

"Since you value that asshole so much…" he finally spoke, voice low. "Why don't you let him fuck you while at it?"

Kanda walked roughly past leaving her behind, bumping shoulders but not caring if she stumbled at the impact. He was livid, aggravated, but most of all, disappointed. What had he been expecting, really? Maybe a word of gratitude, or an apology…not some submissive acceptance to his purposeful provocation.

He shouldn't have acted on his emotions when he saw the Noah with her he knew, but the flash of infuriation and displeasure was just too great. There was something clearly wrong when Reiichi wasn't moving when Mikk was invading her personal space, and for a moment he had jumped to the conclusion that Tyki had maybe broken her in some way. Rage coursed through his veins in that particular moment and the next thing he knew was that he was in a glaring contest with the said asshole, but he noticed that the wrist he was grasping was trembling, and rather badly at that.

Something that the fucking bastard said was definitely important.

Reiichi was scared of something.

But if she didn't want him to tell him something so simple, then it was really her own fucking fault. Couldn't she trust him, for once?

He trusted her—after all would he have let meet Tiedoll in the first place? Very few people were privy to his past, and all of them were after he had known them for several years. Maybe it was just all one sided. What was it about him that Reiichi couldn't just depend on? Had he not already proven his own worth through various incidents?

Why couldn't she just tell him when he was just asking so simply?

He also hadn't forgotten about the fact that she had been ignoring him for nearly two days now. She couldn't still be hung up over his comment, could she? Was it like a payback? Since he didn't offer any information about his involvement with Lulubell, she didn't want to do likewise with Tyki. But that was stupid.

Of all people, Reiichi should know…she should know how this Noah…thing affected him.

She should have known.

Clenching a fist, he randomly punched a dent in one of the lockers, the clang of metal vibrating angrily through the hallway.

Reiichi watched Kanda stomp angrily away sickly. Tiredly, she slipped off her heels and slid slowly to the ground, leaning her back against the lockers, not caring if she dirtied her dress. She couldn't stand any longer, for she was completely exhausted. Her head felt like it was stuck up in the clouds—woozy and floating with no purpose. She felt worse than that day she watched him drive off, a heavy load in her gut tearing at her. The urge to call him back was strong, and the urge to run after him was even stronger, but she didn't. She trained her gaze blankly into the opposite wall.

She didn't even know she was crying until a cool gust of wind blew through the hallway and her tear stained cheeks felt cold. Wiping her eyes furiously she bit back a sob and nearly choked. Alone, the silence was just ringing in her ears, taunting her. Fumbling with her purse, she managed to find tissues to clear her nose. Only when she half heartedly wiped her tears away did she remember she was wearing make up, most of which had probably smudged. She took out her small mirror to examine.

Sure enough, the face that stared back was in a mess. Her eyes were not yet red but they looked slightly puffy. The eyeliner she wore smudged at the edges of her eyes and some dribbled to her cheeks when they got caught in her line of tears. She cleaned her face, feeling better as it became devoid of makeup. Rubbing her bare arms, she wallowed in misery and ever tightening of her windpipe. Just his very words were enough to strike a sore chord in her.

Why was she so affected by him to the point that she cried?

Since he doesn't mean much to you—

It was the second question she hadn't found the answer to, but now it was so clear. The reason was pretty simple. Everything he did just mattered. He was just so important that he meant a lot. It was beyond the point of just an acquaintance, a friend, a confidant…

It was scary. So scary.

Just so incredibly scary because it just felt she wasn't the same anymore. She didn't have the same control over her emotions as she usually did. They were now on a roller coaster downhill with unexpected twists and turns that she could not prepare herself for. It was getting out of hand, but the worse thing was that she didn't know what to do about it.

Because everything he said just seemed to hurt so much, it hurt so much to the point that she wished she never met him in the first place.

It hurt because she…

She…

It was starting to add up. All of it would make sense. The nervousness she felt around Kanda especially whenever they were alone, the constant worrying over how he'd react if she said something and hence why she hadn't spoken to him for the past two days, the tingly jolts she was getting the times when he was too close for personal comfort, how happy she had been when she realized he really cared, why she had been thinking about him so much recently, and perhaps the most obvious one of all was the latest development of her feeling like her heart was being ripped into two when he was accusing her of liking Tyki when it had been him all along—

She liked him.

Are you in love with Kanda Yuu?

She wanted to laugh bitterly. If only Tyki hadn't asked her the question, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way. Maybe she would have never realized just how significant he was to her now. Liking someone was supposed to be a joyful thing, wasn't it?

So why did she just want to cry, and cry some more?

Owari.

As for the outfits described in the Valentino's showcase, they are actually real pieces by the designer. They can be found on Valentino's website itself. It was pretty interesting browsing through the collections there…

The fight rationale:

Both of them are thinking in different wavelengths and thus not understanding each other at all.

For Kanda, he just wants to know what Tyki said to her by purposely aggravating her while Reiichi is more hung up on the actual words that he's saying. Actually now it sounds like a stupid fight D:

FINALLY. THIS CHAPTER IS OVER.

I had a lot a lot a lot of trouble writing this because this chapter is really important. It's a turning point, basically, and if it doesn't sound plausible for Reiichi to like Kanda, then the whole fic falls apart. It's a little different from what I hoped to write, but I find that I can't change it anymore so…here it is.

Who ever said liking someone was happy thing? Honestly it had brought me more troubles than it was worth it.

Now the other tricky part is Kanda…