This chapter is the longest so far, but it's very important to the story. For that reason, it's divided into 4 small parts named after the main character of each part. I hope you enjoy!

(Part 1: Akemi)

Akemi was sitting on the couch hugging a pillow. Her left leg kept shaking on the floor. Her heart was already beating faster than normal, but it got faster when she heard the key turning. It was Dai kun, she knew. She invited him earlier and now he's here.

Seconds later, Dai was standing next to her in the living room.

He was wearing a shirt under an unzipped hoodie, jeans and military boots. Everything he wore that day was black. His green eyes shone through his dark choice of clothing.

"Is everything okay? You sounded tense on the phone" He asked. The fact that she didn't smile like she usually does was enough for Shuichi to expect bad news.

Akemi had already rehearsed what to say, but now that Dai was in front of her, she forgot everything. She drew in a deep breath. One week had passed since she found out about him cheating. She was upset, hurt beyond belief, her whole life was crumbling apart, but she needed to confront him while calm and collected.

"Dai kun, do I mean anything to you?" She finally asked, eyes burning holes in him.

Shuichi frowned at her question, "Do you even need to ask?" he responded immediately.

Akemi stood up and walked to him. Standing at the height of his shoulders, she raised her head to meet his eyes.

"Then why?" she asked. Her face wrinkled, reflecting an unbearable pain.

Shuichi looked at her perplexed. He still had no idea what she was talking about. He figured that she had realized he's an FBI agent that's been using her to get into the organization. Although his face was still impassive, he felt his muscles tense a little. If Akemi knows then who else would know? His whole mission will be ruined.

"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about" He replied, calmly.

"I know you're having an affair" Akemi was trying so hard to keep herself from breaking down. She didn't want to look weak in front of him, not after what he did to her.

Shuichi let out a breath he was holding. So he wasn't uncovered. It's just her suspecting him like the last time, but he didn't really cheat so he doesn't have to worry.

"I don't know from where you get those ideas, Akemi! You're becoming paranoid "

"Paranoid? I found her hair in your shower drain!... For how long did you think you can get away with it?"

"Wait, what hair?"

"Blonde hair! I know its Vermouth's..." Akemi said. Pain obvious in her voice.

"It's not Vermouth's hair" Shuichi shook his head.

"Then what? What is it? What kind of bullshit excuse will you come up with this time? What kind of explanation would explain having a woman's hair in your shower?"

Shuichi really couldn't explain it. The blonde hair belonged to Jodie, his FBI partner.

A week ago was Akai's birthday, but since he was undercover (Moroboshi's birthday was on a different date) Shuichi expected not to receive any happy birthdays until Jodie called him stating that she's in Japan. Jodie didn't want him to be alone on his special day. She still loved Shuichi even after he'd broken up with her and she deeply cared about him. And that was reciprocated from Shuichi's part too, he cared about her and respected her a lot.

And although it was not like Shuichi to take such risks, he welcomed her in his apartment. After all, he lives alone and he never gets any visits from anybody. The only people that do visit him are Akemi and Shiho, but they very rarely come, and they call before they do. Yet Jodie took her precautions, she came to the apartment wearing a wig and big sunglasses.

It was planned that they spend the evening together and then Jodie will head back to the hotel where she left her belongings. But as the evening proceeded and it got late, and with both of them having too many drinks, they decided that she should spend the night at Shuichi's. And that's how her hair winded up in Shuichi's shower.

Unable to find an explanation that would please Akemi, Shuichi kept silent.

"Having trouble forming a good lie? " Akemi added, looking disappointed "Just as I'd expected… Just don't bother with it, it won't work this time"

"Look Akemi, I didn't cheat on you" Dai started, calmly.

"Then whose hair was it? And how did it get in your shower?"

The agent felt his head throbbing. Shuichi lifted both of his hands, he ran them through his hair and held his head between them for a moment.

There's no way he's getting out of this unless he tells her the truth, but he could never tell her about his true allegiance, not after two years of infiltration. He dived too deep that he'd accept sacrificing Akemi just to keep his infiltration successful.

Again, his silence has put out her last glimmer of hope. Akemi looked at him pained, feeling the lump in her throat growing, but she still held her tears back "Why didn't you break up with me? If you didn't like me anymore then why didn't you break up with me? How could you be so cruel?"

"I'm not… I know that this is hard to believe but I didn't cheat on you" Although he was cornered, Shuichi didn't want to admit to something that he didn't do.

"You're still lying to me even after what I found?" Akemi asked. She was so hurt by what he did, but was even more hurt by him not admitting to his doing. Does he think she's that stupid? He must think that he could lie to her again and she'll go back to him and apologize like the last time when she did. He must've laughed at her stupidity back then.

"I'm not admitting to something that I didn't do"

"Then explain to me how did that hair get into your shower?"

"I would explain to you… but you won't believe me"

"Maybe I would. Try me"

Shuichi stayed silent again.

"...You know you've hurt me so much, Dai kun… But what hurts even more is that you keep on lying to me… Don't you have at least a bit of conscience to admit to what you did?" Akemi said before turning away from him and leaving towards the bedroom.

Her eyes, her voice, they all reflected her pain clearly despite her wanting to hide it. Shuichi saw through them, he wanted to hug all of her pain away but he couldn't. His mission is the priority, he needs to remember. Shuichi placed the key to Akemi's apartment on the coffee table before turning and leaving.

Akemi broke down in tears soon as the door closed. She felt her body ache, her heart and her guts and her lungs. They all physically hurt her with every sob, consoling her tormented soul. Akemi was so absorbed in her own problems she forgot it was a Sunday. So when 12 am ticked and Shiho showed up at her door, she still looked like a total mess.

Shiho was horrified when her older sister opened the door. Akemi's eyes were red and puffy from crying so much. Her whole face was flushing and her lips were trembling, she threw herself in her younger sister's embrace as her sobs intensified.

"Akemi what happened?" Shiho asked, gently walking to the inside while hugging her sister.

"Dai Kun" Akemi spoke in Shiho's shirt.

"What happened to him?" Shiho's heart almost fell to the ground. Could it be Gin hurt Dai after she'd broken up with him?

"He was cheating on me with Vermouth all along" Her sobs intensified even more. Akemi's heart felt like burning. The pain felt unbearable to her, she could neither accept it nor handle it.

"That can't be! Dai san is not-"

"He's a liar Shiho, he's been lying all along. I found her hair in his shower drain"

Shiho felt her sister's pain, but she still couldn't quite be convinced. She was so confident in Dai's love for Akemi.

"Did you talk to him about it?" she gently asked, running her delicate fingers through the brunette's hair.

"Yeah…" Akemi stopped and sniffed "…We broke up this morning " She buried her face in her sister's shoulder again, crying her heart out.

"I'm so sorry!" Shiho whispered.

The redhead held her sister like that for a while. She then brought her to the kitchen and washed her face gently before proceeding to make her a cup of tea.

When Akemi calmed a little, Shiho asked her about Dai's reaction to the whole thing. She was surprised to know that he didn't explain anything, he just kept silent.

It took Shiho sometime to absorb what she learned. She always thought highly of Dai, she admired him and wished to be with a man like him. He was always so caring for both her and Akemi. She was convinced that he loved her sister so much, convinced that he's not the kind to cheat, he who felt guilty for their kiss despite him being drunk and her being the one to initiate it, the one that told her before he'd never cheat on her sister because he loved her. But what Akemi found could only mean that he cheated, and his silence only confirms that further.

Shiho felt disappointed, betrayed and sad. The only person that represented light in her life has turned out to be as dark as the others. She wondered if she's feeling this bad, how could Akemi be feeling? She really hated how he made her sister suffer.

Hours have passed with Shiho keeping her sister company. She didn't leave the apartment until she tucked Akemi in bed and made sure she fell asleep. It wasn't until midnight that she left. She found her driver in front of the building waiting to drive her home, but Shiho was not planning to go there.

The car kept driving under the moonlight, and with every meter it got closer to the destination, Shiho's anger grew even more.

(Part 2: Shiho)

Shuichi expected to get no sleep after his fight with Akemi. He could barely get any on good days let alone the day of a breakup. It didn't help him that he hadn't slept yesterday either. He felt tired and laid in bed only to rest his bones. His phone vibrated. He reached for it on the nightstand and found a message from Shiho that read 'meet on rooftop in 5'.

Dai and Shiho never train on weekends, but Shuichi knew well why she wanted to meet him now.

He sat up, rubbed his eyes, walked out of the bedroom, wore shoes and carelessly put on a jacket before heading to the roof. His long hair was loose and messy from tossing and turning in bed but he didn't get to look in the mirror to realize it.

When he got to the rooftop, he found Shiho standing by the fence looking at the city underneath her. Shuichi walked towards her.

When she heard his steps, Shiho turned to face him. Her eyes burnt holes in him. She noticed his messy hair and sleepy eyes and it made her blood boil. While her sister suffered all day long, he was here sleeping.

Shuichi finally got to her. Fueled by anger, Shiho lifted her right hand and slapped him but Dai held her wrist right before she could touch his cheek. She immediately freed her wrist out of his grip.

"You son of a bitch!" She hissed. Lifting her other hand and attempting to slap him again, but he held it too.

"I did not cheat on her, I-…"

"Don't" She yelled, forming two fists to her sides "Cut the bullshit already, she found her hair in your shower, what more does she need to get you to admit? A sex tape?"

Shuichi looked to the side, he sighed before turning to her again "I know it's hard to believe but I didn't"

"Then whose hair was it? And how did it get in there?"

Shuichi kept silent. Shiho took a step towards him, she hit his chest with her formed fist. This time Shuichi didn't stop her.

"She's been crying all day and you were here sleeping like a dog" Her punches intensified, Dai took a step back to avoid them, Shiho took a step forward approaching him again "Why did you do that? Why?"

Shiho was so angry, not just for her sister but for herself, he was her hope, and it hurt her to realize that he's not who she expected him to be.

When one of her punches landed on his jaw, Shuichi went back to taking defense. He held her wrist in his hand again.

"I did not cheat" He said, firmly.

Shiho held his wrist with her free arm, she turned her body around in a way that he spooned her and then drove her elbow in his arm causing him to let go. It was him that taught her this move to escape a wrist hold, but now his lessons were used against him.

"Liar! I can't believe you fooled me!" She punched him and got blocked again "I saw you with my own eyes with Vermouth in the warehouse, but you lied to me and I believed you"

"That day, Vermouth came up to me, nothing happened between us since"

"Enough!" Shiho yelled, diving a fist in his shoulder. He truly got on her nerves for not admitting what he did. He was covering a lie with another lie instead of taking responsibility "Just admit it"

"No!" Shuichi frowned.

That made Shiho furious. She lifted her leg to kick him, but Dai held her foot in the air causing her to lose balance and almost fall backward. That's when he pulled her by her shirt, keeping her standing.

That didn't keep Shiho from trying to slap him another time, taking the opportunity of his left hand holding her shirt.

Shuichi was barely able to dodge it this time since her fingertips touched his cheek. His lips pursed and he ran out of patience. He held Shiho by her shoulders and brought her down to the floor. He laid her down there and pinned her wrists to the ground to keep her from throwing anymore punches.

"I'm not admitting to what I didn't do" He said, face too close to Shiho's.

"If you didn't do it then explain how her hair got in there" She looked at him daringly.

"It's not her hair"

"Oh! It's another woman's hair?" he eyebrows rose "That doesn't make what you did any less bad, you're still a cheating bastard"

"Goddammit Shiho, I told you I didn't cheat on her" he yelled as she struggled to free her wrists from his hand with no result.

"If you didn't then explain"

"I can't, alright!" Dai paused for a moment. Shiho didn't speak too, they just stared at each other in silence before he added with a lower, softer tone "But I didn't cheat… You believe me, right?"

Shiho kept silent, focusing her eyes on him. Shuichi kept his face close, waiting for her to answer.

Shiho finally answered, shaking her head "No… I don't" she said.

Dai freed her wrists. He created a fist and sent it to the floor next to her "Ugh" he yelled, before leaving the roof and heading back down to his apartment.

Shiho sat up and watched him leave. His eyes looked open like a child's when he pinned her down, she could see his determination to convince her of his innocence, she could see he was truthful. But logic was against him for her argument couldn't be interpreted otherwise.

Somehow, the way he acted made her question herself. If he were to really cheat, why would he care so much about proving his innocence, why would he be so angry for being called a cheater? But then why doesn't he explain?

Shiho thought for a moment. Dai was an enigma to her, she doesn't get a lot of things about him, like the fact that he kills people although he doesn't want to. She'd always asked him why and he never explained it. Maybe this is something just like that, where he can't explain what happened.

She knew how much he had respect for women. He couldn't tolerate her dating an abuser so he can't be an abuser himself. He'd warned her a lot about Gin's manipulation so he can't be a manipulator himself.

Shiho got up from the ground and headed down.

Before going to where her driver was waiting, she made a turn to Dai's apartment. When he opened the door, she glared at him "I don't know why you're doing this… It doesn't make sense that you won't explain yourself but I have a feeling that you're telling the truth… I hope that I'm right… I won't think of you as a cheater, Dai san, but I won't think of you as innocent either, not until you explain it… But if I turn out to be wrong, then I'll make you regret it"

"Really! What are you gonna do to me?" Dai asked nonchalantly, holding the door with his hand.

"I could do a lot of things to you…" Shiho started with a serious expression before noticing Dai's face that split into a smile, he proceeded to let out a short laugh. That's when she realized what her words could've meant. Her eyes looked at him annoyed "Pervert!"

(*)

Days had passed since the breakup, and Akemi had not heard a word from Dai. Shuichi has found it useless to go back if he couldn't explain himself, so he preferred to stay away. He instead focused on the infiltration and the organization's work. He hasn't seen any of the sisters since that awful Sunday.

Akemi slowly recovered from the breakup. She returned to her job in the bank and started going out with her friends again. But her wound was too big to be healed in a couple of weeks. She was forcing herself to all activities without genuinely enjoying anything. She was like a zombie, a present body and an absent mind that wondered about Dai on every second of the day.

Shiho was enjoying Gin's distance from her. He had disappeared ever since the day she'd broken up with him and she had no idea where he was. On the other hand, she felt bad for her sister who was still suffering the consequences of the breakup. She could see the sadness in her eyes each time that they meet. Shiho didn't tell Akemi that she believes Dai, telling her without having concrete evidence won't fix anything, especially now that he's away. Shiho tried to avoid talking about him all together instead.

Shiho was sitting at her desk. Mornings have always been the most boring part of her day, they only involve paperwork. She rested her back on the chair to take a little rest. Shiho glanced through the window to her right, that's when she noticed a man on the ground floor, one with long dark hair and a body of an athlete. After not visiting the lab for over a month, Dai has finally come.

Shiho brought her face closer to the glass examining him. He was standing with another guy, a blonde one, but he was so far away from her sight to notice the details of his face. How she missed his face!

Shiho turned back to her Laptop again, she started typing in the hope of getting Dai out of her mind but she couldn't help but glance back through the window. She wasn't focused on work and she found herself typing nonsense. Who was she kidding? She won't be able to focus with Dai's presence distracting her. The scientist closed her laptop and turned her full attention to the window.

Shiho missed Dai so much despite everything he made her sister go through. So when she saw him leaving towards the parking lot, she felt like a part of her had left with him. She really wanted to see him closely and talk to him, but his work is done and he left. She felt disappointed for that. It's no longer like the old days when he used to stop by her office to say hi.

"Hey!"

Wait! Did she hear that right? The scientist turned on her chair and found Dai resting his body against the door frame. He looked so good.

Shuichi examined her from his position. He was truly happy to see her. Who was he kidding? He came here just for that reason, meeting Bourbon was just a lame excuse he made to convince himself that he's not here just for Shiho. But God he had missed her so much and was glad to finally see her face.

"You seem to be much centered with the view outside your window. Were you maybe, keeping an eye on someone?" Dai teased. He went on when she didn't answer "…Someone handsome… with nice, long hair…"

"You do know that I have better things to do than that" Shiho said before getting up from her chair and walking up to him "…You never change do you? Still as cocky as they come"

"I'm not cocky, I'm confident"

"Well, you have a little too much of it… Also, stop flirting with me"

"I'm not even trying" He replied coolly. Ugh, she even missed his quick comebacks. By that time Shiho was standing right in front of him.

"Good! Cause I'm way out of your league"

"Well whose cocky now?" He said.

They both smiled before opening their arms and hugging one another. One month without seeing each other was too long for both of them.

"How's Akemi?" Dai asked when they broke the hug.

"She's had better days…" Shiho replied. When she noticed his face starting to scowl, she decided to change the subject "Now tell me where you have been for the last month?"

"Working on missions, otherwise in my apartment"

"Really! Then why did you stop calling me for the training?"

"I thought you were mad at me because of the whole thing with Akemi... I thought I'd wait for you to call but you didn't"

"I waited for you to call me too... But when you didn't, I thought you didn't want to train me anymore, since you and Akemi were through" Shiho said, her voice kept getting lower with every word.

Shuichi placed both of his hands on her shoulders "I thought I told you this before, you're not just a girlfriend's sister for me, Shiho. You're my friend!"

Her eyes ate him as he spoke "Then we're still on for the training?" she asked.

"Sure!"

Shiho's lips twisted into a smile. She just gained back the best part of her day! "When do we start then?"

"Whenever you want!"

"Tonight?"

"Tonight it is"

(Part 3: Gin)

Gin had always thought of himself as the best, the strongest, the smartest, he had full confidence in his skills and the results he was making only helped to strengthen those beliefs in him. But Rye managed to break his arrogance. Gin had isolated himself for a while to recover. He didn't want anyone to know that he lost to Rye. His grudge towards the latter grew more than ever and he was plotting to get him. But Gin had to be careful, he had to plot it stealthy for Boss to not notice. It's one of the very rare times Gin goes against Boss's orders, but he felt like he wouldn't rest unless Rye is dead, and for his death to pass unnoticed, Gin needed time to think of a good plan.

Gin hadn't met Shiho for weeks, ever since the day they broke up, and although he wanted to see her badly, he never caved in to those emotions.

Today, however, he had some work in the lab. His business was in the Lab's basement but he couldn't stop himself from riding the elevator to the fifth floor just for the sake of seeing Sherry. She was his guilty pleasure and he missed her. He won't talk to her though, he'll just look at her from afar to refill his memory with her beautiful face. But what Gin didn't expect was how that will make him feel.

Shiho walked out of her office, she was wearing her lab coat and held a folder in her hand. She was looking down at it, absorbed into rechecking the content for one last time. She looked healthier ever since she went back to training with Dai. Her hair looked glowing, slightly moving up and down with every step she took. Her skin looked gorgeous and her lips stole Gin's mind with their movement as they silently read what was written on the paper.

Gin stood in his place next to the elevator. His eyes were open wide as they followed the scientist. Usually, they'd look dead but now, they were all want and desire. The feelings he's been ignoring for the past weeks resurfaced again, they were even stronger now that he knew he couldn't have her. Gin had a strong feeling in his gut that drove him to change his plans, from looking at her from afar to going to her and looking closer at her face.

How could the mere seeing of one person ignite in him such strong feelings? How is that even possible? Just one look at her and talking to her becomes inevitable. His Sherry was the embodiment of irresistible.

Shiho disappeared into another office giving Gin a chance to move his eyes away. Gin turned and headed to her office. When he got there, he took in a deep breath, it smelled like his Sherry and it only ignited his feelings more. He took a look around and then proceeded to sit on her desk chair. Gin turned the chair to face the window as he waited patiently for the scientist to get back. It didn't take long before she did.

When he heard her enter the room, he turned on the chair to face her. His lips twisted into a smile as his deep voice welcomed her "Hello, Sherry!"

Shiho's face didn't look as pleased as Gin's, in fact, she looked disappointed.

"Gin!... When you said goodbye the last time I thought I won't be seeing you again" She said.

"I did say that" Gin was playing with the chair, moving it slightly left and right as he spoke, back resting on the back of the chair and hands behind his head reflecting superiority "…But I had work in here today, and I'm a loyal man to my friends, Sherry, when I pass by from their place of work, I stop by to say hello"

"How sweet of you!" she smiled sarcastically "that's been noted from you, Gin. Can you give me back my chair now? I have some work to do"

Gin brought his hands down from the back of his head but stayed on the chair.

"There's another reason that I came here… It's been so long since we last spoke Sherry, so how about we grab a drink later today?"

Shiho felt sick. This can't be happening, just when she thought she got rid of him forever it seems he's going back to his old ways as if nothing had happened.

"Gin, we already went through this and I didn't change my mind. I still want us to be apart"

"Who said something about getting back together?" Gin suddenly stood up. He took some steps and stood in front of her "I just want to have a drink with you as friends, do you have a problem with that?"

Shiho thought for a moment "Is that what we are? We're friends?"

"I was hoping that we're more than that" His voice was so low when he said it, before continuing with a louder one "but that's in the past now… I'll be in Brooklyn bar later…"

"No, Gin, I'm not interested!" Shiho said.

"At seven!" Gin added confidently as if he didn't hear her declining his offer.

"I'm not coming, Gin" she confronted.

Gin stared at her fiercely before holding her by the elbow and pulling her closer "I'll wait for you… At seven… Brooklyn bar"

(*)

Shiho walked back and forth next to her floor to ceiling window (It was a Saturday and work ended early in the Lab). She glanced at the clock on the wall behind her, it was seven o'clock.

Shiho kept thinking about Gin's offer. She didn't want to go meet him, she felt like if she does, she'll be sucked in his old loop and won't be able to get out. But the way his narrowed eyes looked at her when he said he'll wait for her kept coming back to her memory. Is she scared of him again? Of course, she is! She might have learned how to mask it, and how to stand up to him, but after so many years of abuse, she couldn't help but feel terror whenever Gin would approach her.

The clock kept ticking. Shiho kept walking back and forth restlessly. Her eyes kept glancing back at the clock and her mind kept thinking about Gin. It's already 7:35, he must be furious, he hates it when people are late, he hates waiting, she knows.

Shiho thought, Gin said that he does not want back together, they'll be going out as friends, so maybe she could just go as a 'friend'. In fact, that would be a good thing for her. Ending things with Gin while keeping a friendly relationship is far better than making him an enemy by ignoring a friendly invite, and God knows how much Gin hates that. At least, going will put her tormented soul at ease because right now, she felt threatened, she felt like he could break her door and walk in at any moment to scold her for ignoring his offer.

After a long quarrel with herself, Shiho decided to go.

By the time she got there, it was already 8:10. Shiho did not expect to find Gin, but to her surprise, she found him sitting at the bar with a glass of whiskey in front of him. She walked in confidently and sat on the stool next to him.

Her overwhelming scent preceded her and flooded Gin's nostrils with a distinctive smell.

Shiho kept silent and Gin didn't turn to face her, but the sweet scent was enough for him to confirm her presence. It was not just the perfume, it was how it interacted with Sherry's skin, no one else could smell as good as her even if they wear the same perfume, his Sherry was the only one in the world.

"You're late" Gin sternly said, taking a sip of his drink.

"I know! I got held up doing something" Shiho answered, hoping that he won't ask further questions about that.

"I was about to head home"

"Good thing that you didn't" She said, turning to the bartender who approached them "I'll have a glass of Sherry"

Gin took the opportunity to turn her way. Sherry looked glowing. The red elegant dress traced her curves perfectly and the V neck only added to her breathtaking look.

"So we're friends now…" Shiho said casually, turning to face him "What did you want to talk about, friend?"

"Actually, Sherry, I've been here long enough, I think we should head home now"

"But I just came in here" She looked at him perplexed.

"That's your problem. You were the unpunctual one…" Gin gobbled what was left in his glass then turned to her again "…Should we go to your place or mine?"

Shiho's eyes burnet holes in him "…May I remind you that we're just here as friends"

"So what!" Gin grinned "We could be just friends… with… some benefits"

Realizing that the meeting was taking another turn, Shiho moved on the stool uncomfortably. She should've seen that coming, it was stupid of her to believe they could share a normal relationship "Umm, we shouldn't be having this conversation"

Gin brought his face closer to hers "You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to be having this conversation"

Shiho got up from the stool and faced him "Gin, I only came here because you made it clear to me that we won't. You said we're going out just as friends"

"That was a load of bullshit and you know it. You're a smart woman sherry, don't play stupid it doesn't suit you"

"No I guess I messed up this time, I took the stupid decision of coming here" She said before turning on her heels and leaving.

Gin stood up, he threw some bills to pay for the drinks then rushed behind her. He watched her as she threw the black jacket on her shoulders before getting outside. When he got out after her, the cold breeze enveloped him, Gin could feel the cold through his pants, he couldn't imagine what Sherry must be feeling wearing a short dress. Gin fastened his steps to get to her and held her by the hand. Shiho stopped walking and freed her hand from his grip immediately.

Without saying a word, Gin took off his long coat and placed it on her shoulders sheltering her from the cold breeze. When she tried to take it off, he stopped her "Don't! You know that you need it, Sherry… Come on now let me drive you home"

"I'll wait for my driver"

"Your driver wouldn't expect you to be heading home this fast, it will take him a while to come back here to pick you up. It's too cold for you with that dress, come on"

"No, Gin I'll wait" Shiho said stubbornly. She grabbed the phone out of her purse to call the driver "I can give you your coat back if you want"

Gin held the phone from her hand and threw it back in the purse before snatching it from her.

"Hey, give me back my purse!" Shiho frowned. But Gin was already walking his way to the Black Porsche that was parked a couple of meters away from them.

Shiho stood in her place in rage. Gin drove the car and stopped it in front of her, he bent and opened the passenger's seat door for her. Shiho looked down at him with her chin held up, her phone and all of her money were in that purse, she won't be able to get home without them. After hesitating for a while, she got in.

The drive was filled with silence as both of them didn't talk. Shiho was turning to look out the window and Gin was focusing on the road. When they finally got to her apartment building, Shiho got off the car, but for some reason, Gin did too.

"Here is enough, Gin, I can walk in by myself" She warned.

"What kind of a man will that make me if I don't ensure you're protection? I've seen how men were looking at you in the bar, Sherry. I don't want you to be harassed on your way to your apartment" He smirked.

"Cut the bullshit, that's not why you want to walk me in" She hissed.

Sherry had no idea that her rejection only tempted Gin more, that and the shots of whiskey he had earlier made his emotions think for him. Gin held her by the elbow and started dragging her towards the main entrance "how many times do I have to tell you to clean that nasty mouth of yours" he hissed back.

Shiho walked along with Gin. She could've used her training to escape his grip but she preferred not to. She still wanted her relationship with him to be peaceful, and she wanted to keep what she learned a secret so that she could take him aback by her new skills if he ever dares to hurt her again. Walking her to the apartment wasn't really that big of a threat, unless he tries to pull something on her, then she'll certainly react.

When she finally got to her apartment, Shiho handed Gin his coat and started pressing the password to her door while making sure to hide the board so that he wouldn't see the numbers. When the door opened, she turned to him.

"I'm safe in here, nobody will hit on me in my own apartment so you can just go" Shiho walked inside sending him a final glare with the door in her hand "Good night Gin" she dryly said while pushing the door to close it. Gin studied her face. She looked so beautiful he could safely call her the most beautiful women to ever have existed. In a fast move, Gin placed his foot between the door and the wall preventing her from closing it. Shiho fought to close it from the inside but Gin outstrengthened her.

Gin got inside and held Sherry by the shoulder.

"Gin-" Shiho started warningly, a deep frown splitting her forehead. But Gin interrupted by pressing his index gently to her lips.

"Shh… I know what you're going to say" He softly said, expressions softened "I know I haven't been the best to you of late…" Gin's voice lowered to a mere whisper when he continued "… But, I'm sorry. There. I said it… I'm sorry" He ran his fingers through her hair and looked her in the eye. The frown on her face seemed to have disappeared.

Sherry looked at Gin surprised. This is the first time she ever hears him apologie, not just to her but to anyone, this might be the first time Gin apologizes to anyone. And he seemed to truly mean it.

Sherry's proximity was exercising its magical effect on Gin. He wanted her so badly and longed to kiss her lips.

"Let's start over, okay?" Gin's voice was louder this time, but with each passing moment, desire grew and became more evident in his voice, it was deep and low, interrupted by his fastening breaths "We have had chemistry from the second we first met, remember? So let's start over, Sherry, let's pick up from when we started"

This was true. Gin and Sherry have had chemistry from their first meeting. At first, Shiho only intended for it to be a one night thing to feed her desire for a man like Gin, he was handsome, smart, and was a stern leader with the ability to protect her from other members. With time, that one night thing had turned into a ritual that they do every once in a while. It wasn't really a relationship, it was more like a fling that they shared from time to time, a sexual relationship, no more no less. It was like that until Gin decided to take it to the next level, he started treating Shiho like his own property without giving her a way out, he suffocated her for years with his paranoia. She's had enough and she won't accept being sucked into that again.

"We can't just go back…" Shiho finally said with a low voice.

"Shh!" Gin hushed her again, lowering her jacked down and exposing her bare shoulder. Gin brought down his head and started printing light kisses on it. He inhaled deeply for the scent he had missed. The mere kiss on his Sherry's shoulder was better than any other joy in life.

"Gin" Sherry called, placing her hands on his shoulders. She dared to push him back for the first time in her life.

Gin raised his eyes to meet hers with his breathing heavied. He'd already crossed the point of no return, he wanted her and he wanted her now! Gin pulled her closer and lowered his head to her neck, he dived in there and started kissing her.

"No, Gin!" Shiho pushed him away, depriving him of his favorite pleasure again. "Please, just leave" she said softly.

"What do you mean by leave? Don't fuck with me, Sherry. You've been leading me on to this the whole night. You came to me yourself wearing this dress and now you're saying that you don't want this?"

"You said-…"

"I don't care what I said, I didn't force you to come to the bar, I didn't force you to wear this but here you are wearing it" Gin yelled.

"You're sick" she whispered. Moving away from him, but Gin caught her and dragged her back to where she was standing behind the door.

He pinned her wrists to the wall with one hand and held her chin with the other, forcing her to look at him.

"Don't you understand? I love you, Sherry…"Gin started slowly. It was the first time Shiho sees him like that, he looked sincere, for once in his life Gin didn't reflect superiority, for once in his life he looked weak and helpless. "I love you! I love you! I LOVE YOU" he said, voice getting louder with each time he repeated it. He hated that he loved her.

Shiho just looked at him without responding. The only things heard in the room were Gin's inhales and exhales.

"…Say something" he said, withdrawing the hand that held her chin.

Soon as he did, Shiho looked away from him to the side, not even caring to give him an answer. Gin felt furious. He drove a fist in the door behind her before lowering his head down to her neck and kissing it again. Shiho struggled to free her wrists but she couldn't. That's when she realized it was the right time to bring out her secret weapon. There's no way Gin will let things end peacefully, he's always been violent so only violence will stop him.

Shiho brought her knee up and dived it into his stomach, she then swung her fist and punched him on the face. Gin didn't even try to block her as he stood there taken aback by the sudden attack. He had no idea Sherry had such skills, and even if she did, he never expected her to use them on him.

Shiho felt so satisfied for punching him, this was the first time she ever gets to him. While Gin stood startled, she tried to open the door behind her and leave, but Gin grabbed her by the hair and wrapped his long arms around her. Both of Shiho's arms and her fragile body were encircled by Gin's arms now, her legs were of no use either with him standing behind her. Shiho felt trapped and it frightened her.

"I always tell you that you never cease to surprise me, Sherry. That's why I keep on coming back, to see what new things you have for me" Gin said in her ear.

He turned and walked to the couch while dragging her. When he got there, he threw her down violently and landed on top of her. Gin pinned both of her wrists down and brought his face to her neck again, kissing it. He's been deprived of her for a long time and now he felt hungry for her. Nobody could give him such pleasure in life, what was he thinking when he accepted the breakup? He's never gonna give her up again.

Gin kept printing kisses on Shiho's skin. Shiho kept struggling underneath him. "No…NO!" she yelled frustrated.

This can't be it, this will bring her back to point zero, no, Gin has never forced her into this before, this will wreck her even more than she already was, she can't let it happen.

In a last attempt to escape, Shiho bent her leg and placed her foot against Gin's hip pushing him away. When his grip weakened by her move, Shiho used her training to free her wrists from him, she then rapidly rolled to the side and fell off the couch to the ground. She got up fast and ran outside the door without looking back.

Shiho's limbs were shaking and she could barely stabilize her breathing. She ran to the elevator and anxiously waited for it to close before Gin comes and grab her back. Luckily, he didn't come after her in the hallway. The elevator finally closed and brought her down. Shiho rushed to the entrance and got out of the building.

The redhead kept walking aimlessly, she just wanted away from her apartment. The weather was too cold, but adrenalin didn't allow her to feel any. And although her face had a neutral expression on it, tears kept flowing uncontrollably from her eyes.

Shiho kept walking until she reached an intersection. That's when she stopped. She was barely hearing anything from the traffic around her, all she could hear was ringing in her ears. Shiho wasn't even aware where she was and had no idea where she was going, she was just frozen on the sidewalk, looking ahead without seeing anything. Her eyebrows suddenly drew in the middle, why does pain keep on following her even when she tried to end it, why?

A cold breeze pulled her out of her chock, and for the first time in a while, she was aware of her surroundings. Shiho thought for a moment; Where could she go? She felt scared and lost. She needed safety. That's when Dai came to her mind. She needed to be with him.

Shiho looked around and saw a convenience store to her left. She dived her hand in the jacket's pocket, she had some bills in there, they should suffice to buy her something.

(Part 4: Dai)

For once in his life, Shuichi managed to fall deeply asleep. But to his luck, the door knocked and being the light sleeper he was, his eyes flickered open.

Shiho's hands were like pieces of ice on the door. After some time Dai opened. His hair was a mess and his eyes were heavied from sleep, but they grew soon as they landed on his unexpected guest.

"Shiho? What are you doing here?" He asked, voice hoarse from sleep.

"It looks like I interrupted your sleep. I'm sorry"

"Don't be, I'm not a big fan of sleep anyway" Dai held the door open and motioned to her to get inside.

"Yeah, I noticed. You're almost awake at every hour of the day, I was starting to believe you were some vampire" She said while walking in.

"Anyways, what brings you here?" Shuichi asked as he joined her in the living room. It was a Saturday and they had no training scheduled.

Shiho lifted the six pack of beer she brought to his face "I hope you're in the mood for this!"

"I guess so" Shuichi shrugged. Although he promised himself to never get drunk while with Shiho, he didn't mind getting a beer. He's used to much stronger alcohol so a beer won't really affect his perception.

Shuichi took the six pack from her. He unpacked it in the kitchen and opened two bottles before going back to the living room. He handed Shiho one and started drinking the other.

The twosome sat on the couch and chatted for a while.

Shiho didn't want to mention what happened earlier to Dai. She had enough of showing her weakness to him. He's done enough already by training her. Now she has to deal with her problems herself, no more getting Dai involved, not after what happened to him the last time when Gin abducted him.

Dai, on the other hand, was able to sense something. Shiho didn't look like she was here just to hang. Shuichi knew she was trying to cover up something, maybe something Gin related. He had no idea what circumstances made her come to him, but what he knew was that she looked fragile, so fragile and sad despite the firm expressions she used to hide it.

"Hey, you okay?" Dai asked at one point.

"I'm, I'm good!" and Shiho replied.

He was positive she was lying. When will she learn that it's okay to expose her weakness, why does she have to always act strong in front of everyone while dealing with hardship all alone? Dai thought. But he'll surely make her spill the beans.

When Shuichi's beer was over, he got up to bring himself another.

"I'm sure I had a bottle of Gin somewhere" He suddenly said.

Just when he mentioned Gin's name, Shiho's face turned towards him in a fast motion and she fixed her widened eyes on his.

"Aha" he pointed at her "that look on your face, you're not okay Shiho, and it's because of Gin. Did he come back to you?"

"Are you seriously going to pull this off on me?" she looked at him, unimpressed.

"I think I just did"

"Oh wow how smart!"

"I know" his lips lifted at the side.

"For the record I was being sarcastic… I'm saying this because maybe you have trouble telling sarcasm and truth apart, since you would use such a stupid method to build conclusions"

"That's not a stupid method, that's a psychological trick that surpasses the filters of your mind and gets answers straight from the subconscious. If Gin weren't to be on your mind right now, you wouldn't have reacted that way"

"Why do you always do this? Can't you just be satisfied with what I tell you? Why do you always try to find other things behind my words?"

"Because you're a liar. You always lie to me so I had to get creative"

Shiho looked away from him and took a sip from her bier "Look, Dai san, I came here to have a good time, so please don't ruin it for me. Let's not talk about this for the rest of the evening, okay?"

Dai didn't answer, he just turned on his heels and headed to the kitchen before coming back with another beer in his hand. When he came back, he found that Shiho took off her jacket. Shuichi examined her as he walked. The red dress looked so good on her, and the red lipstick looked like it was made just for her lips. Shuichi could've sworn she was the most beautiful women he's ever seen, but he'll never say it out loud.

But despite her breathtaking beauty, he still felt she was sad and lost.

The agent had enough of it. He approached her and squatted down in front of her so that their faces would be on the same level. Shuichi searched her gaze.

"I can't do this Shiho. I know something's wrong and I…What is it you're not telling me? If you don't want to tell me then fine, but at least don't deny it and pretend like everything's okay"

Shiho's vision moved between his green eyes. She hated being in this position, being weak and defeated.

"Don't you trust me?" Dai went on softly.

"I do…I do" Her voice was so low.

"Then why do you keep on hiding things from me?"

Shiho swallowed hard "It was, Gin. He came to my house and… and then he tried to…" her lips pressed together. She didn't finish her sentence but Dai understood "...But I fought him and ran away"

Shuichi's face suddenly softened to a sympathetic expression. He somehow lost all words, no word on his mind was suitable to be said. He cupped her cheeks and then moved his hands behind her back, pulling her closer to him and hugging her gently.

Shiho hugged him back. It made her feel safe, it made her feel protected. She was in need of it. Maybe he'll manage to make her forget, too. But in order to forget…

"Dai san, let's not talk about him anymore, at least for tonight" She said when they broke the hug.

"But-…"

"Please! I don't want to think about him"

Dai nodded silently. He thought for a moment, how could he make her forget? He himself was not able to get her words out of his mind. But then he had an idea that might help them brighten the mood.

Shuichi disappeared from Shiho's sight. Not so long after, the sound of music tickled her ears. Shiho recognized the song and smiled weakly. So even his taste in music was perfect!

Shiho grabbed her beer again. She got up and crossed her way to the balcony, sticking her head out and inhaling for some fresh air. When she walked back to the inside she found Dai standing behind her. The redhead slid the balcony's door close then turned to him.

"Do you know how to dance?" he asked.

"I… No, not really" she answered hesitantly. Being born in an organization, one doesn't really get a chance to learn such things.

"Me neither" Shuichi said, hoping to take her mind off what was bothering her "I mean I used to years ago, but then…"

Dai kept talking, telling her a story about his days in university, but Shiho wasn't really listening. She was gazing at his face, following every movement, every wrinkle that appeared from his smiles and frowns as he told the story. She could tell he was doing his best to make her forget, at least for the next hours that she's with him. He always does his best to help her and she loved him so much for it.

Suddenly, her focus shifted. From the horror of the past hour and being taken against her will, to the pleasure of being with the one she truly loved and longed for.

Shiho was surprised at herself. Why is she having these thoughts after what happened to her earlier? But she couldn't stop them, Dai was standing in front of her, still talking, and he looked so damn good. Even his smell was good, may God help her with this.

Shiho took a step forward reducing the distance between them before printing her lips on his, shutting him up midsentence.

Shuichi was not planning to let this happen again. He pushed her away and took a step back "This is not right Shiho... You're drunk"

"Yeah, I guess I'm... I'm drunk" She said. The redhead turned to face the balcony again, leaving Dai behind her, avoiding the embarrassment of looking him in the eyes. She wiped her lips with her hand.

No, she was not drunk, how could she be after drinking only half a beer? She was in her complete senses but she wanted to kiss him. She agreed she's drunk only to save herself the humiliation. Dai's rejection hurt her. It's not even the first time she kisses him and with him being sober this time, he'll certainly remember it clearly. How will she be able to face him in the future with such humiliating history between them? What was she thinking?

"Dai san, I'm sorr…" Shiho said as she turned around to face him again, but she stopped talking when she found that Dai had taken a step towards her, it surprised her. He was standing too close to her now and she didn't know how to react to it. She just looked at him confused.

Shuichi tilted his head and gently took her lips, feeling their softness and the sweet taste of her red lipstick.

Shiho stood startled. She wanted this for as long as she could remember but had always thought it was unachievable. But now they were kissing, Dai came to her, he chose to, he wanted her, and he was surely sober this time.

The redhead reciprocated the kiss, full of devotion. The kiss that started softly deepened as their bodies melted together, hers into his.

Shuichi had wanted this for so long but always thought it was wrong. This time though, he couldn't help it. He caved in for his wants ignoring the voice of reason, he kissed Shiho, unleashing his love for her. But although he wanted Shiho badly, he knew that his wants might ruin the relationship of the two sisters who had only each other in the dark world they lived in.

"Shiho…" Shuichi broke the contact of their mouths. Shiho loved how he called her name through his quickened breathing "This is wrong… You'll regret it tomorrow"

"I won't" She shook her head, breathing heavied. If she doesn't take this chance, she'll never get another one. Because she'll never do this to Akemi if she and Dai get back together. "We're both single, aren't we? So what's wrong with it?".

Their faces approached again and they passionately kissed for another time, this one didn't last long before Shuichi drew away again. Shiho just needed him to shut up and kiss her, but Dai had other thoughts.

"Shiho..." It was hard for Shuichi to break this kiss, but he felt like he had to tell her this to clear his conscience. Shiho looked like a beauty queen as her blues blinked at him. Dai looked at the balcony behind her to stop the temptation of kissing her again "...You had a chock! This is because of what happened with Gin earlier… I-"

Shiho interrupted him by pressed her finger against his lips, they were warm and reddened from hers. She could see the battle raging within him. He didn't want to take advantage of her and wanted to make sure she wasn't going through a fling to escape her problems. Shiho respected Dai for that, she even liked it, but only as long as he gave in to her eventually.

"You think this is about Gin?... It's not, Dai san... I want you"

Shuichi didn't need to be told twice. He wanted Shiho. He wouldn't know what would've happened to him if she'd listened to his warnings and left. He was staring deeply into her blues he could see how much she wanted him too. How come he's been oblivious all of this time? It's only now that he realized it, now it was so clear in her eyes.

Shuichi cupped Shiho's cheeks. His head was tilted down to face her, lips almost touching. "I want you too, Shiho" He said, before kissing her again.

Shiho's legs were barely able to support her, she pressed her back against the balcony's door behind her to gain support. Dai's words were like a song to her ears. Did she die and go to heaven? this was so good to be true, for a person used to receive one pain after another, this is the first time she gets a good thing in life.

Shuichi brought his head down from her face finding her skin and kissing her passionately. Pleasure spread through Shiho. Her hands which were in his hair descended down to his shirt unbuttoning it. Dai lifted his head up and kissed her lips again as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back passionately. Shiho felt like the entire world fell away and nothing but their bodies together remained. Dai suddenly lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist and carrying her into the bedroom. Shiho kept kissing him on the way, eyes closed and mind in a place where nothing mattered, nothing except Dai with her.

Happy 20th chapter :D

This fanfic is coming to an end so soon, I hope you all have been enjoying it. Thank you to whoever has made it this far with the story, I love you all!

I'm kinda late to the party but I hope 2020 will be a good year for you. Make sure to eat well, accomplish more and smile often ;)