Chapter 35: Clandestine In Vaults Part 3: End

"Sena…I'm actually…"

And that's when he stopped, hesitating.

"You're what, Reiji?" Sena said, wiping a wet eye with the back of her hand.

Reiji looked down at the girl before sighing.

"I'm betrothed…to Tsubasa."

She froze and looked up at him with widened eyes. "What?" she whispered frantically.

He nodded.

"H-how long?"

"The year after you left."

"That long!" she shrieked.

Reiji flinched. "Yes…"

"R-Reiji…" Sena looked as if she was about to hyperventilate.

"Sena. Sena, look at me," he commanded, gripping onto her shoulders.

"No!" She pushed him away. "Y-you're…You've been lying to me all this time!"

"Sena…"

"I…I need time for my mind to wrap around this," she exhaled, bringing a hand to her head. Her knees began to buckle, and then collapsed underneath her. Reiji was quick to kneel down to catch her from completely sprawling across the floor.

"Sena," he pleaded, "let me explain. Please."

The small girl was about to retort, but when she saw his icy blue eyes beckoning to her, filled with remorse and desperation, her heart ached. For him. For her. Now that she got a better look at him, she could see that he appeared more disheveled than he would let anyone see him as. Normally he was keen on keeping his looks orderly, but he was far too distressed to bother acknowledging how he looks.

His hair wasn't slicked back like usual. Instead, strands stuck before his eyes and natural ringlets hung around his earrings. This made him seem younger in a way, more boyish. Not an adult imitation. This reminded her of Reiji back when she last saw him before heading to Canada. The old Reiji. And Reiji looked roguishly handsome, unlike his typical suave features that had Hanako chasing after him.

Sena felt uncomfortable. For all this time, how can she not notice how handsome her friend was? And what's more, there was a bigger reason why Reiji was suited to be Tsubasa's husband.

A handsome boy. A beautiful girl. They belonged together.

She reached for the white hair strand that ran behind one ear and gave it a gentle tug. "Okay," she murmured, "I'll listen."

"Thank you," he whispered. He hugged her and said, "I really didn't want to get betrothed, you should know. In fact, I protested, even directly to my father."

Sena was actually shocked by this. Reiji adored Goru! He practically worshiped the ground he walked on. Hearing Reiji going against his father's orders was like seeing Agon going gay for a boy—it's that bewildering.

"Did you really?"

She felt him nod against her shoulder. "Yes I did. He wasn't pleased by my actions, I'd say."

"I…would have never pictured you to ever rebel against your father."

"Kaa…I am an adolescent, after all. All teens have something to rebel for."

"True."

"Despite what I tried, I was ignored. This engagement was supposedly the good for the clan."

"How?"

"Come on, Sena. You should know already."

"No—well, I mean, I do know that once you two are married the clans are united and thus stronger…But what I'm wondering is that why would Goru-ji feel the need to make the Zoro Clan stronger when it itself is strong already? There has to be some other reason, right? He wouldn't do this unless he was a power-crazy loony."

"The Zoro Clan isn't that great as you picture it to be."

Sena was surprised. "What?"

Reiji casted a mildly amused glance. "I guess you really don't know."

"Well? Tell me then!"

"Sena, there had always been stronger clans out there, ready to overpower the weaker ones. It's like…a game, if you will. And in the end, the winner would take all. It's been like this for centuries."

"If that's the case, then why hadn't the Nora Clan taken over the Zoro Clan?"

"Nora and Zoro have a strong relationship, and had it that way for decades."

"What happened to the whole thing being a game?"

"You can have alliances in games, can't you?"

"But what if they backstab you?"

He shook his head. "That's not going to happen, especially when they arranged the wedding."

Sena's face fell when she heard that last bit. "Oh yeah."

"The Zoro and Nora Clan plan to be united as the Zukara Clan. If things go well, the Zukara would be permanent, and I would ascend as the first boss of the family." He paused. "Apparently, it's a great honor."

"About being the first to lead a new family?"

"That, and I would be one of the youngest bosses out there, I'd say."

This reeled her back. "Wh-what?"

Reiji gave a small sigh. "Two bosses can't lead a family, so an heir must step up."

"So when the wedding is over…"

He nodded grimly.

"B-but they can't do that! You're just still in high school!"

"Sena, the underworld is very complicated, but it must be followed through. Besides, there are much younger bosses who started before me."

"That's not the point," she protested. "Why can't they let your father or the Nora Clan's leader lead?"

"Two united clans need a new influence, not to have a leader that had led one clan."

He proceeded telling her about the ways of the mafia, but it sounded all mush to her. Sena couldn't listen anymore.

"I'm sorry, Reiji," she said, looking down, "but…I don't want to hear it right now. Maybe someday, but not today."

"Of course."

"Sena?"

"Yeah?"

He cupped her face, looking at her solemnly. "For all that I had done to you…I wish to apologize."

"It's just…It's fine, I guess. I mean, I…I would have much preferred you telling me first before then. It just hurts to know that you don't trust me, Reiji."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay, I promise. Just—just please don't lie to me again, Reiji, whether it's big or not." Sena tried to smile, but the weariness overtook her. "I'm your friend, and friends are always there for one another."

"Thanks Sena. You really are a great friend." He snaked his arm around her shoulder and brought her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

"Oh shut up. I already forgiven you, moron," she snorted, hitting his chest.

He smirked. "What? Not going to give me one of your childish grudges again?"

"Nope. I'm too mature for that."

He snorted, and then chuckled. "Ah, I sure would like to see the day."

"Yeah, well," she drawled, cracking her knuckles. "I feel rather vengeful at the moment, so I'm going to tickle you."

"N-no, Sena, Sena—Sena, don't you DARE! SENAAA!"

As the two friends had always done, they made up just like that. They placed their sorrows and grudges behind them so that they may start anew.

But Sena had a feeling that Reiji's secrets didn't end here.

Next Chapter: Time to get worked up for the game with the Americans! AKA, intense training…