Welcome back to Cherry Jade! My heartfelt thanks to everyone who Faved & Followed, and a big special THANK YOU to these lovely people for their feedback~!: Yeahboyy, Einklley, Yatzee, Guest, and PhoenyxOfTheMuses!

So this chapter was originally going to be a whoppin' 15k+ words, but I decided to cut it into two parts instead 'cause it's just too freakin' long ya'll. Rest assured, PART II should come out in about a week after some further polishing ('cause honestly that's where the really heavy parts are gon' be).

So for now, let's start light with Mikey and Reiya's not-date, the budding of first love, uncovering more of Reiya's past, and minding the unsettling sense that good things always come to an eventual, unpredictable end.

For this chapter's tidbits:

※ Rallentando is a musical term from the Italian word 'rallentare' which means "to slow down or reduce speed", a mode of tempo that dies away, but keeps going only to either transition back into the original tempo, or into a new one.

※ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm, and occurs when the median nerve is compressed by intense pressure. On the other hand *snickers* Chronic Tendonitis causes inflammation or irritation of a tendon from repetitive overuse or injury. The pain fades in time, but returns when the tendon is agitated or strained.

※ Mezze culture dining is a social dining experience where food is meant to be shared with a group rather than having a plate for each person. It features an array of small plates or tapas, which makes up an entire meal ranging from vegetarian to meat items.

※ Kawasaki's nighttime factory viewing is a famous tourist spot within the Kanagawa Prefecture that stretches along the Tokyo Bay. It can be viewed from both the land and the sea, with regular periodic tours. I encourage ya'll to look it up as not only is it going to be mentioned here, but it's also a very pretty sight.

※ And lastly, first-future Mikey is tall and if you disagree then you're wrong.

〖 Chapter Three 〗

Rallentando of a Fickle Fate
(PART I)

After taking a bath and changing her clothes, Reiya went out and spent the rest of the morning in the hospital to get her hand checked. Just as she expected, it was near unsalvageable. She developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome, her chronic tendonitis had worsened, and now it would have to be rehabilitated for at least a month. To top it all off, her left hand had to be splinted and put in a cast.

However, this bleak outcome did very little to dampen her mood. She was still very much on cloud nine after spending the morning with Manjiro (not to mention after all the caffeine she downed). She only hoped that he and the next person she intended to see wouldn't worry too much about it.

She sent a quick text to Mrs. Tachibana as she went out of the hospital, notifying her for a visit before setting off to buy lunch for the two of them. When Reiya reached the Tachibana household, the older woman immediately embraced her the moment she saw her, the two of them holding each other as they cried.

It was incredibly liberating to have someone to cry with, especially when that someone shared the exact same loss. Reiya was further consoled by the fact that Mrs. Tachibana always treated her like a daughter, giving her encouragement and affection throughout the years when she received very little from her own mother. She spent the rest of the afternoon with her, the two of them drawing strength and comfort from each other's presence, and she did what she could to help with the funeral arrangements and other pressing matters.

When it was finally time for her to go, Reiya was reluctant to part with Mrs. Tachibana, especially after knowing that she was going to be alone for a while as Mr. Tachibana had his hands full with the investigation. In a sense, he was dealing with his grief in his own way.

"I'm sorry I can't stay with you tonight, auntie," Reiya said as they walked together to the door.

"It's all right. I'm more worried about you. Will you be okay on your own with your hand like that?"

"Oh, yes. I'm actually going to meet up with someone," she answered with a light shade of red dusting her cheeks. Reiya couldn't help getting all warm and tingly at the thought of Manjiro, and knowing that he was going to pick her up soon was enough to fill her stomach with a flurry of butterflies.

Mrs. Tachibana's smile turned the slightest bit mischievous. "Oh my. Did you finally get a boyfriend?"

"H-he isn't my boyfriend!" Reiya blurted out with a flustered wave of her hands. Mrs. Tachibana gave her a knowing look, prompting her to sheepishly admit, "At least…not yet? I-I mean, I just met him!"

The older woman began to laugh, and even though Reiya wanted to crawl into a hole for saying something so embarrassing, hearing her laughter was definitely worth it.

"You've always been so indifferent when it comes to romance but he must be quite the man to send you all aflutter," Mrs. Tachibana teased.

"I-I don't know, auntie…" Reiya's eyes dropped down to her feet as she contemplated her newfound feelings. "He's the type of guy I've never encountered before. He was really intimidating at first, but…he's really kind. He looked after me when I temporarily lost myself, and made me smile when I lost hope. There's a lot I don't know about him yet but I really, really like him."

"That's fine, it's perfectly normal for you to be uncertain," the older woman answered in a soothing, motherly tone that instantly comforted her. "People aren't always who they seem to be at first so it's okay to be cautious. What's important is their intentions, and before you make the mistake of giving up, you just need to take your time getting to know more about him."

"You're right. Now I can barely wait to see him," Reiya replied with a shy yet giddy chuckle.

"You must tell me all about him soon," Mrs. Tachibana said as she placed her hands around Reiya's shoulders, her gaze softening. "Be brave, Reiya-chan. Go and secure your happiness. Hina would want that for you. I'm sure…that she would be very happy to know you found someone who'd always be there for you."

Reiya felt her breath hitch. The words meant more to her than she expected, giving her a reassurance she didn't know she needed.

"Thank you, auntie. I'm not afraid anymore," Reiya replied with a wobbly smile, her voice breaking slightly. "Because now I have Hina-chan watching over me."

Mrs. Tachibana smiled and bit her lip against a tremor of emotion as she gave her a nod of approval, both of them teary-eyed as they exchanged one last embrace. Reiya promised she'd come again the next day before leaving. She decided to drop by her day job's office and Café Ad Meliora on the way home, successfully securing paid-leave from both workplaces.

And her day was just bound to get even better.

Reiya knew it wasn't technically a date, but that didn't stop her from preparing for it like it was. She took an aromatic bath, applied some light make-up and even repainted her nails before puzzling over what to wear. She didn't know where he was taking her so Reiya decided to dress casually, donning on a simple yet elegant mignonette-colored blouse with mid-length frilled puff sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, a pair of form-fitting denim Capris pants, strappy leather kitten heel sandals, a thin golden chain choker adorning her neck, and of course, her signature cherry earrings.

She applied a spritz of white musk perfume as she gave herself a thorough once-over in the mirror, nodding in satisfaction before slinging on her braided round-straw crossbody bag and heading out to wait for Manjiro outside the building after receiving his text, telling her he'd be there in ten minutes with his bike.

As she stood with her hands clasped tightly together, Reiya drew in a shaky breath, the butterflies in her stomach practically dancing in anticipation. Soon she heard the distinct roar of a motorcycle engine and the butterflies were no longer moving in idle flutters but spiraling out of control.

'Pull yourself together. You're not a teenager anymore and this isn't a date.' She squared her shoulders and willed her nerves to relax just as a motorcycle emerged down the road.

And there he was, wearing a white full-face helmet and looking like a prince on his faithful steed with his striking figure looming over the bike's singular beaming headlight. Reiya approached just as Manjiro slowed to a stop. She was relieved to see that he was casually dressed as well, clad in a white denim jacket, a black v-neck shirt, black cargo pants, and a pair of black slingback sports sandals.

She couldn't help from smiling timidly as he took off his helmet and looked at her with a smile, instantly becoming aware of a profound connection between them. His gaze slid over her and she felt it like a caress, leaving an electrifying heat in its wake.

But then Manjiro saw her splinted hand and the smile faded away. He carefully reached for it, studying it silently as he held it in his palm. His expression was gentle as he lifted his gaze to hers.

"Did you wait long?"

Reiya shook her head, giving him a reassuring smile amidst the tumult of her racing heartbeat. "I'm all right," she answered self-consciously before letting her eyes wander over to his bike. "That's one sweet looking ride, by the way." She placed a speculative hand to her chin, continuing on in a businesslike tone, "I must say, I was quite enamored by your XP5620 but it looks like it has a solid contender."

That brought a smile on Manjiro's face again. He chuckled and carefully released her hand. "This one's called a CB250T, or the Babu, as I call it," he said with a crooked grin. "And unlike the XP5620 it can take you out for a real ride. What do you say?" he asked as he regarded her with hooded eyes. "Ready to go on a little adventure with me, Cherry-chan?"

Reiya giggled, thankful for the dim evening light for masking the redness in her cheeks. "I'll be in your care."

"The place I have in mind is a little far, though. That okay with you?"

"I don't mind at all," Reiya readily told him. But perhaps some of her confusion showed for he gave her an elusive half-smile and pressed a finger against his lips in a gesture of secrecy.

"Not here, remember?"

Reiya blinked in surprise but didn't question it.

Manjiro jerked his head towards the backseat as if to say "Hop on" and offered his hand as she mounted the bike, steadying her as she sat behind him. Then he gave her a red half-face helmet with a clear visor before putting on his own helmet. Reiya immediately followed, noting that the helmet was new and flushing with gratitude for how considerate he was.

"Hold on tight," Manjiro said over his shoulder, voice sounding muffled as he righted the bike and revved up the engine.

Reiya slid closer towards him, her face hot and heart hammering hard against her chest as she wrapped her arms around his midriff. She'd never experienced this kind of physical closeness with a man before and it was a revelation. She could barely restrain herself from purring at the feel of him beneath her hands, around her arms, against her chest...so warm and firm and absolutely pleasant to hold.

They took off into the night, and as they zoomed through the streets with the world reduced into nothing more than strips of formless colors and blurry sounds, Reiya found herself gradually melting into him, neither knowing nor caring wherever he was taking her.

For dinner, Manjiro took her to a place called Yiasou, a restobar that boasts of Mezze culture cuisine located near the banks of the Kawasaki Port. The interior was very stylish and cozy, combining Mediterranean style of dining with modern aesthetics, resulting in a smoky, rustic ambiance.

They opted to dine upstairs on the rooftop terrace where there weren't a lot of people, the lush space decorated with an array of exotic plants and sleek wooden furniture, while dozens of fairy-lights streamed across the open firmament.

The two chose a table by the parapet where they had a panoramic view of Kawasaki's renowned industrial zone, the complex cluster of factories appearing like a fortress made of a thousand stars.

"How beautiful," Reiya commented dreamily. On the other side of the table, Manjiro leaned forward and casually propped his chin on top of his fist, his features softening with a languid smile as they both stared out into the horizon.

"Never gets old," he murmured.

"Do you come here often?" Reiya inquired, steering her gaze back to rest on Manjiro's figure. He looked so relaxed and serene that it was drawing her in, making her fold her arms over the table and slide a little further towards him.

"Whenever I feel like going off the radar," Manjiro confirmed quietly. "Although I haven't done it lately…but I used to hang around the dock a lot when I was younger. Just me and my trusty Babu…"

For a moment he looked so faraway, drifting into the memories of the past, prompting Reiya to try and envision a younger Manjiro standing at the edge of the harbor all by himself. She felt a stirring sympathy at the image, bringing to attention the first part of his sentence. It made her wonder just what kind of things could possibly provoke him into wanting to disappear for a while.

"But it's my first time going to this kind of place," Manjiro said as he swept a quick glance around their surroundings, the warm welcoming light from the fairy-lights playing over the golden layers of his hair. "I've always thought it looked cool every time I passed by but I never had a good reason to stop over." He looked at her and smiled. "Until now."

Strokes of gratified pleasure thrummed everywhere in Reiya's body. She was smiling so widely she actually felt the dimple in her left cheek. "Then it's a first for both of us. And as promised, our dinner's on me, okay?"

"Nuh-uh," Manjiro replied with a pout, a childish display Reiya didn't expect but found herself utterly charmed at. "It wasn't a promise and I told you, you don't have to pay me back."

Reiya held his pouty stare as she mulled over how to convince him. In the next second she perked right up, regarding him warmly with a cheeky little smile. "Then how about…I pay for the food, and you pay for the drinks?" she wheedled. Seeing that he still wouldn't budge, Reiya tactfully added, "And for the dessert, as well."

It was the perfect solution. She would pay for the bulk of their meal without curtailing his pride by not having him pay for anything. The waiter appeared shortly after and they settled into the exciting prospect of choosing what to have for dinner.

It was by far the best night out Reiya had ever experienced. She couldn't remember the last time she enjoyed herself this much, or ate such exquisite food comprised of smoked chicken souvlaki, halloumi fritto misto, a selection of juicy sausages, fried feta cheese saganaki, and a platter of assorted pastries and savory pies, all while she was in the company of the most compelling man she's ever met.

Manjiro was a gifted conversationalist, engaging her in various amusing topics that genuinely captured her interest. He was worldly, confident, and roguishly funny, while also being humble and sensible.

Most guys Reiya met would always try to assert themselves to look superior but he was different (not that he'd ever need to assert himself, Reiya reflected privately). It wasn't just his ethereal good looks. There was just something about Manjiro that made him impossible to overlook or ignore, a captivating quality that seeped into every word, every move, every glance, and every smile.

His gentle pursuit and relaxed steady interest was both flattering and comforting, and he was exceptionally charming as they bantered back and forth, making her laugh as if it was some self-appointed quest of his, not stopping until she was pink-cheeked and breathless.

Before she knew it they were already down to the end of their meal, fondly noting that Manjiro had a sweet tooth when he practically drank his dessert. For drinks, he ordered a mango vodka cocktail while Reiya opted for a tall glass of fresh cherry juice, nearly vibrating with excitement when she saw it on the menu.

"You really like cherries, huh," Manjiro commented after they clinked their glasses together, drawing back with a warm twinkle in his eye as he watched her take her first sip.

"All because of Viomaru," Reiya replied with a reminiscent smile. "I might be biased, but I swear it's the most beautiful violin I've ever seen and heard. When I asked my dad what made Viomaru so different from the others, he said it was because it's made out of cherrywood. Cherrywood has less internal friction than most hardwoods and is both light and stable. Because of that, it has more volume and a unique set of tonal qualities, producing a deep and rich sound, while also being clear and sweet."

"It does have a unique sound," Manjiro agreed, chuckling amusedly at her dreamy expression. "I think it's one of the reasons why I could never forget it."

"It really is quite unforgettable," she said feelingly. "I think my obsession with cherries started after that. And then I learned of its symbolism and I liked it even more."

"What are they?" the blond asked before taking a sip of his cocktail, his brows slightly lifted as he regarded her with genuine curiosity.

"Cherries symbolize sweetness, prosperity, revival…and letting go of one's pain, accepting that life is short and ever-changing, but also full of sweet surprises." A poignant smile touched Reiya's lips. "Sentiments I've always admired…yet only began to appreciate and understand until very recently."

She raised her glass to her lips and met Manjiro's gaze over the rim, feeling her heart race in that exhilarating rhythm again as he looked at her, his face soft and absorbed. They drank from their respective glasses at the same time.

"No wonder you've been wearing those earrings for years," Manjiro stated afterwards with a grin.

That earned him a bemused smile. "How did you know?"

"Well…I couldn't help but notice how they looked pretty worn out last night," he said as he drew the straw between his lips. "But it was obvious that you take good care of them."

Reiya smiled and self-consciously lifted a hand to touch one of them. "I'd buy more if I could find the very same ones again, but even if I did I don't think I could just part with these since…" her smile dimmed, "since they're the last gifts I'd ever received from my dad."

She could still remember that day, her thirteenth birthday, just her and her dad, Yunagi Kaname, going out to celebrate. He had brought her to a bright and colorful district in Tokyo where he used to hold his gigs, the two of them strolling through the streets when she saw the earrings being displayed inside a certain store. Kaname bought it for her right away, personally putting them on her ears with a huge grin on his face.

"The last," Manjiro repeated lowly, and glanced at her with a meaningful look in his eyes.

Reiya saw that he understood. And it touched her so completely that she didn't want to withhold anything from him. She knew that she was safe with him, her past and her thoughts…and her heart.

"He died when I was fifteen," she explained, maintaining a matter-of-fact tone of voice. "Dad was a pro musician, and he died outside of Japan during one of his musical tours, somewhere far away…He and my mother were already divorced during that time, and so I didn't even know until a month later. All I could think about doing then was taking Viomaru with me and running away with one song in my mind." She flashed him a knowing, slightly playful smile then. "Can you guess what it was?"

Manjiro held his cocktail glass in one hand, slowly swirling what remained of it with a lazy spin of his wrist when she posed the question. He paused and held her gaze, the low warm light catching in the depths of his eyes, making it look like the illumination came from deep within.

"Conus' Violin Concerto."

Reiya gave him an approving smile. Her gaze fluttered downward as she sheepishly admitted, "I actually didn't like it at first. As a child…it sounded so difficult and angry to me. I didn't understand why Dad liked it so much. He never told me. But as he kept on playing and playing…I slowly found myself falling for it, too. And when I played it on that rainy afternoon…I think I finally understood."

"What did you understand?"

"It's a beautiful gateway out of grief."

Suddenly it occurred to Reiya that they had been talking in hushed, intimate tones. They couldn't seem to take their eyes off each other, and she wasn't quite sure who had done it first but they were suddenly leaning over the table with barely any distance between them.

From an outsider's perspective, it seemed as if the two of them were under a spell, so enraptured by the other that everything else but them simply didn't exist at the moment.

To Reiya's delight, Manjiro took her to Higashi Ogishima West Park after dinner, where they had a closer view of Kawasaki's grand industrial complex of glittering factories. It was even more magnificent up close, the extravagant illumination casting faint hues of tinted smoke to rise up into sky while the intermingling reflection of multi-colored lights streaked across the inky black waters.

They stopped by the rails after ambling along the park, and Reiya briefly closed her eyes as she took in the ocean's revitalizing scent, letting the breeze pass over her and relishing in the way it carded through her unbound hair. Manjiro settled by her left, casually resting his elbows on the rails.

"I've never even heard of such a beautiful nightscape before," Reiya commented as she opened her eyes again. She sent him a fond but mildly concerned smile. "Thank you for taking me here, Jiro-kun, especially when you seemed to have your hands full with work this morning."

He ducked and shook his head with a small smile, keeping his gaze on the ocean below them. "It's nothing. If there's one thing I like about my job it's that I can get away whenever I want."

Reiya laughed. He had mentioned that his work revolved around managing various businesses and manufacturing investments, but he didn't specify and she wasn't quite certain what his hand was in the entire enterprise.

"That makes you sound like the boss," she quipped.

For a split second Manjiro tensed, and then chuckled as if conceding the point. He turned in a half-circle to survey her with an idle smirk, keeping his left elbow on the rails and crossing one foot behind the other as he pocketed his right hand. "What about you? You mentioned you worked at a Foreign Service agency and part-time as a barista. Isn't it going to be hard with your injury?"

It didn't escape Reiya at all that he purposely avoided the subject. 'He must really hate talking about his job…I wonder why?'

Suddenly her attention was caught by his tattoo, the black ink contrasting so sharply against his ivory skin that it burned through the corner of her eye. She struggled to stifle a shiver as a disconcerting thought rose to the forefront of her mind. 'Maybe it has something to do with the Yakuza? Or is it…'

"Well…" Striving for a relaxed tone, Reiya lifted her splinted hand as she recalled what the doctor told her that morning. "My chronic tendonitis worsened and I sprained my wrist. But it's been through worse, actually, so I'm quite used to the pain now. And the doctor said it'll be back to normal after a month of rehabilitation. I also got paid-leave from both my jobs so I'm going to be all right," she beamed.

Manjiro's eyebrows lifted when she mentioned her condition but slowly eased down again when she smiled. "I see…so it wasn't just because of what happened last night," he said, his voice soft with concern.

Her smile wavered. Reiya was about to lower her left hand when she saw him reach for it. Stunned, she let Manjiro cradle her hand in both of his. The palms of his hands and the pads of his fingers were textured with calluses, leaving delightful trails as he stroked his thumbs over the back of her hand, down to the tips of her fingers with astonishing tenderness. She held still for a moment, too flushed and fascinated to speak, her skin greedily absorbing the warmth of his careful touch.

"No…" Reiya managed eventually. "I got caught in a traffic accident twelve years ago. It was raining heavily that day. I went to get Viomaru checked after getting him wet when a car suddenly came out of nowhere. I managed to evade most of the impact, but…I wasn't fast enough," she finished in a whisper, swallowing against the sudden tightness of her throat as her mind sifted through the painful memories.

His hold tightened reassuringly, anchoring her, effectively eroding the tightness in her chest, and Reiya continued with newfound strength.

"I'm lucky I made it out alive, though. It was really hard at first but completely manageable. The only problem was that my left hand never truly recovered…and I wasn't supposed to play the violin ever again."

Manjiro's eyes widened slightly and he looked at her with this odd light in his eyes like he's solved something. "I thought it was weird why you aren't a violinist anymore with your skills…" he murmured speculatively.

"I've come to terms with it, eventually," she said. "It broke my heart, but it also helped me see past through my obsession. It made me see things in a new light, and I found new things to love, which paved the way for what I have today. But Viomaru and classical music will always hold a special place in my heart...even if I can't play the violin anymore."

"But you did last night," Manjiro said slowly.

"Yes," Reiya admitted with a rueful chuckle, once again remembering how ridiculous she had been. Slowly he let her go and she turned away towards the sea. "Running away with Viomaru…Just like what happened when I found out about my dad's death, it was the only thing I could think of to feel better again."

Manjiro returned to his original position by the rails, hunching over and resting his head on top of his folded arms. She joined him on the railing, leaning over and holding onto it.

"You see…my best friend just died in an accident about two days ago. Her name was Tachibana Hinata and she was someone irreplaceable to me. I wanted us to be together forever…but Hina-chan and her brother somehow got involved in a dispute involving Toman—"

"What?"

Manjiro's voice was quiet, but the singular word was uttered with such abrupt vehemence that he might as well have shouted it. He strained up to his full height and was tense all over, his eyes wide and unblinking as they slid back to hers.

"What is it, are you okay?" Reiya hesitantly asked, worried and a little startled by the sudden change that came over him.

Manjiro blinked and hastily averted his gaze as if looking at her suddenly became very hard. "Yeah. Sorry, I'm okay. I'm just…" he broke off and ran an agitated hand through his hair.

After a long uncomfortable silence, Manjiro released a taut sigh and slowly brought himself to look at her, his expression grave and utterly humbled. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Cherry-chan. I really am."

Reiya was stunned. She was baffled as to why he looked so remorseful but moved that he sympathized with her loss to such an extent.

"Thank you, but you don't have to apologize," she told him gently. "It was very unfortunate but it was something that none of us expected, after all."

Reiya saw him visibly relax at the reassurance, but deep down she knew that he was not at all consoled. They both turned their attentions to the scenery as if by some unspoken agreement, lapsing into a silence that was both pensive and tense, while the rhythmic rustling of the ocean waves mingling with the distant hum of activity from the industrial zone filled the space between them.

"Do you hate Toman?" Manjiro suddenly asked, his voice hauntingly low.

Reiya hadn't expected the question, and yet somehow she wasn't really surprised. She fixed her gaze ahead as she considered how to answer it. At face value, it was easy to say that she hated Toman; for what they did to Hina, for everything else they did. But as she paused to put her feelings into perspective, Reiya found it wasn't that simple at all. That what she felt for the notorious gang wasn't really hate.

There was more to it than that.

"I don't know," she finally said.

Manjiro held his silence and Reiya perceived that he was waiting for her, that her answer wasn't enough, and that he knew she wasn't done yet. He wasn't even looking at her, but all the same she felt the intensity of his scrutiny. Her pulse quickened with a sense of foreboding, telling her to choose her words carefully.

Reiya grappled with the disconcerting tangle of emotions as she attempted to identify them and what they meant, measuring out her words as her eyes wandered over the horizon, almost as if she could will the answers to magically appear before her.

"I'm angry at them," she began earnestly. And once she did she felt her nerves settle and subside, emboldened now that she decided to just come out and be honest with it. "If it wasn't for Toman…my best friend wouldn't have died. But before that I was indifferent. Even way back in middle school when gangs and delinquents ran amok in the streets, I simply didn't care. They lived in a world that was completely opposite from mine so I pretended they didn't exist. I didn't care because they didn't matter to me, and it's been that way for years. But now someone very dear to me lost her life because of them…"

She sighed and pushed herself away from leaning on the railing, instead holding on to it with both hands as she looked down into the ocean. "I'm angry at Toman, and perhaps disappointed, because they could've lead better lives than cause trouble for everyone around them. But in the end there's really nothing I can do about it." Reiya paused and smiled wryly, while her eyes began to glaze over. "It's ironic, really. Hina-chan said resenting something or someone can get very tiring. That there's nothing to be gained from hating something I can't change. She's right, of course, but now she's gone, and I should hate the people who took her away, but I don't...I can't…because it's pointless."

"It's not pointless," Manjiro interjected as he finally turned his head to look at her, his expression hard. "For everything they've done…Toman deserves to be hated."

"Perhaps…" Reiya said quietly. She moved to clasp her hands behind her and slowly turned around before resting her back against the rails. "But I really don't want to hate anyone anymore. I've realized that it makes me into an unpalatable version of myself. Someone unrecognizable, someone I don't like…But I am very sad. Sometimes I feel like my heart is broken beyond repair…and sometimes I let myself break and bleed out. But I also know it's not the end for me just yet." She turned to the blond beside her and grinned with all the reassurance she could muster. "Both my dad and Hina-chan wouldn't want to see me live with an emotional limp forever. It's not easy, but what's important is you keep trying, isn't it?"

Manjiro looked at her as if he was spellbound, the glittering pinpricks of multi-colored lights being reflected in his eyes like tiny constellations.

"You're strong."

Reiya felt her cheeks tighten with a blush. She never really thought of herself as strong. After all, she was just doing what she could to improve her own circumstances, quietly going through each day and hoping blindly for better days. But right now Manjiro looked so proud of her, so awestruck, that it made her chest swell with pride, filling her with encompassing relief that all her efforts to reach this far were not in vain after all.

"So you're not mad at Toman anymore?" Manjiro playfully asked as he leaned sideways against the rail, once again emitting that dangerous allure she found so attractive.

She wasn't about to melt under such pressure, however. Reiya flashed him a fuming pout and answered in a mock-grim voice, "Oh I am! In fact, if I ever meet a Toman member I'd give them a piece of my mind! But then…"

He cocked his head to the side. "But then?"

"But then I'd probably ask them why they did it," she remarked thoughtfully. "And then I'll tell them that it's not too late to start over again. Surely there are some of them that don't want to live as a criminal for the rest of their lives."

Manjiro gave her an arrested stare, before huffing out a rueful smile. "No…but it's better that you don't meet any of them at all."

Instantly concerned about the solemn way he put it, Reiya was about to ask when a sudden powerful gust of wind swept out from the open sea. She braced herself and nearly stumbled, momentarily clenching her eyes close while her hair whipped wildly in the air.

Manjiro immediately shrugged out of his denim jacket and wrapped it around her, pulling the edges together, keeping his hands there before bringing her with him as he turned his back against the sea, his taller, sturdier body protecting her from the ongoing onslaught.

Dazed, Reiya kept her eyes closed, shivering pleasantly in response to the warmth of his jacket and the alluring masculine scent it gave off. She could feel the back of Manjiro's knuckles brushing lightly against her stomach, making her nerves prickle with dizzying heat. She was taller than the average Japanese woman, making them nearly of the same height, but Manjiro still had at least three inches on her and her heart thundered in her ears as she became unbearably aware of the magnetizing force of his body, the underlying power it contained. She wanted to press herself closer against him, wanted to be surrounded in all his warmth and strength.

How ironic it was that a man could make her feel so nervous and yet utterly safe at the same time.

When the tumultuous winds finally died down, Manjiro released his hold on his jacket and reached out to steady her with one hand, his grip careful and secure.

"That came out of nowhere," he commented lightly before looking over her in swift assessment. "You okay?"

"Yes, I—" Reiya broke off with a self-deprecating laugh as she became aware of her disheveled hair. "Oh dear. It's all over the place."

A particular lock partially obscured her vision and she was about to flick it out of her face when she saw Manjiro's hair, prompting her to burst into a fit of giggling laughter. "Yours, too!" she gasped in between while she shakily cleared her own strands from her face and tucked them behind her ears.

"Eh? Really?" Bemused, Manjiro obligingly lowered his head as Reiya reached up to smooth his tousled hair. She took acute satisfaction at finally having to touch his silky locks, her fingers lingering more than it should.

Reiya breathed out a satisfied "There," the moment she was finished, looking so pleased with herself that Manjiro couldn't help but laugh, his eyes glittering with mirth and a dazzling intensity that made her toes curl inwards. His jacket began to slip from her shoulders and Reiya hurriedly clutched one edge with her right hand, looking up at him with pink-cheeked uncertainty. "O-oh! This…"

Manjiro shook his head and pulled the edges close along the front with a soft smile, inadvertently bringing himself closer towards her. "Keep it on. It's getting kind of late, and I really think I should take you home now."

Reiya blinked in surprise. "Oh, r-right."

She scolded herself for sounding so disappointed as they made their way back to his motorbike. She knew their wonderful not-date would eventually come to an end but that didn't necessarily mean it was going to be the last.

Or was it?

The ride back to her apartment was a literal blur. It was almost like Reiya was underwater, her heart and thoughts heavy as she mulled over what Manjiro said after she told him that she didn't really want to go home yet. He had responded with a quiet chuckle, his smile blank and his face slightly averted.

"You're not made for the night life, Cherry-chan. And you're at risk the longer you stay with me."

Thoroughly disconcerted, Reiya clung to him the entire time, and if Manjiro noticed that her hold around him was tighter than necessary he didn't show it. But he did give her hands gentle pats of reassurance every time they stopped at a red light, which was vastly unfair because it was getting her hopes up.

They stopped at the end of the street where they were partially bathed underneath the ray of a streetlight. Reiya lifted her head and looked around with a puzzled glance. Her apartment was still half a block away and well within their sight, but the literal and figurative distance caused her worries to resurface with full force.

"This is as far as I can go," Manjiro said in answer to the silent question that hovered in the air as he twisted back to assist her dismount, his voice sounding unnervingly flat from within his helmet.

Reiya reluctantly got off and handed her helmet back to him after pulling it off, putting on a pleasantly impassive expression now that there wasn't anything to hide her from his piercing gaze. "It's all right," she answered calmly, even as her heart began to thrash like a trapped bird in a cage.

The electric dreamlike connection between them was rapidly slipping away like sand between her fingers. Reiya had noticed that he suddenly became guarded and oddly vigilant the moment they left Kawasaki Ward, and now she had the unsettling sense that Manjiro was pushing her away. Something along the lines of keeping her safe…but why? Was that even really the reason? Or was the attraction only on her side and everything was just a game to him?

'No.' Reiya pushed the dismal thoughts away, remembering what Mrs. Tachibana said about intentions and making the mistake of giving up. 'Be brave. Jiro-kun isn't that kind of person. It's all up to me now.'

Emboldened, she caught his eyes beyond the visor and held his gaze in an unwavering, concentrated stare, while a small affectionate smile slowly crept up to her face.

"Jiro-kun…today is one of the best days of my life. You see, it's been a day full of first times for me…It was my first time waking up at a stranger's house, and my first time having Taiyaki for breakfast. It was also my first time eating Mediterranean food, and the first time I've ever seen just how beautiful factories could be in the night time. Today's the first time I've ever ridden a motorcycle, too, and the first time I went out with someone I've only known for a day."

Reiya paused, momentarily distracted by the way his face began to change from placidity to being vaguely alarmed, while his chest rose and fell softly with deep, uneven breaths, his hands clutching hard around the handlebars.

"This is…the first time I've truly felt this happy after such a long time," she continued, voice growing soft but also confident. "After everything that happened…I don't think I truly believed that life held any sweet surprises for me until I met you, Manjiro-kun."

As if the mention of his name flipped some invisible switch, the blond pushed the bike's kickstand into place with the heel of his foot and turned the engine off before tugging his helmet off. His eyes were warm but slightly anxious as he searched hers, and she wondered if he felt the same irresistible pull that she did, an inexplicable need that could only be remedied by more closeness.

The night deepened around them, the luminous calm underscored by the sparse symphony of crickets and the wind combing through the leaves of a nearby tree, and broken by the ominous weight of Manjiro's words.

"Cherry-chan…I won't be seeing you anymore."