Author's Note: Here is chapter 8. I hope you all enjoy it.
Yusei just stood on the balcony as he put a hand to his cheek. He could feel the soreness from when Aki had slapped him. He wasn't aware that a few tears had streamed down his cheek and dropped onto the floor. It had more to the fact that Aki wanted nothing to do with him anymore. There was nothing but emptiness where his heart used to be. Aki had long taken it from him when he had fallen in love with her. He was never going to give his heart to another girl. Aki Izayoi was the only one he had ever wanted from the moment he saw her that day when she came out from those balcony doors.
It wasn't easy for him to reveal stuff about his past and he knew Aki believed him. He only could blame himself; he took it too far to express his feelings for her. And he hated himself because he couldn't say the words 'I love you' to the woman he was in love with. Even trying to explain his actions to Aki, his voice wouldn't have fully gotten out the words he wanted to say. You think something so easy wouldn't be so hard to express. Yusei was always a person that relied on action rather than words. It was just something that was always easier for him. He never thought he would have to worry about the difficulty of trying to win over a girl's heart. And actions he shows may not always works.
Despite their deal being off, it he was going to stop him from keeping her safe. Perhaps over time Aki will come to love him or at least that's what he hoped for. He had to prove how much she means to him. That it was more than using her for his sexual pleasures that he had original intended from their agreement. After all he particularly had forced himself on her all the times they did have sex; it might as well have been rape. So he could even blame Aki for hating him because he couldn't control his desires. Yusei didn't even care about her feelings as he basically used blackmail in order for her to agree to it. He had admitted to himself that it was something now he considered a shame. If it was over a month ago, this was something he wouldn't even consider but Aki was slowly changing him.
Yusei knew it was getting late and he had a lot of work to do in the morning to win Aki over.
Of course the first thing he had to do was talk to Martha. As he took her advice and it didn't work but he had to leave up the fact that he was making sexual advances to her by touching her body. It was something he wasn't comfortable talking about with his foster mother. And if Martha find out she would scold him about not respecting her. He could hear it over and over again as it repeated in his mind.
He took one last look at the starry night sky as he took a deep breath before heading back to his room. While Yusei walked passed Aki's room he could hear her crying, it only made this whole thing more painful. It was the last thing he wanted to happen when he confessed his love to her; he just envisioned the whole thing without so much difficulty in his mind. Yusei just continued walking as he climbed up the stairs to the attic. He didn't sleep too much that night as the nightmares only seem to get worse as it now had Aki rejecting him in them.
Aki woke up to the sound of birds from her opened window. She sat up with her hair messy from tossing and turning all night. It was more on a nightmare she had recently been having about someone kidnapping her, this was the partly the reason she had went to the balcony in the first place. Before she had her talk with Yusei and he made sexual advances towards her. It was then Aki remembered that she had told Yusei that she hated him. And it was something she had regretted telling him. She was just angry at the moment as her emotions were building up and it just came out. She was still mad at him forever as Aki still believed he just wanted her for sex. That was the reason he was distrustful towards her as far as she was concerned. It still appalled her that she was something just to fulfill his fantasies. Aki would say 'I'm sorry' for saying she hated him but only he apologized first.
She looked at the mirror to her long hair was all messed up as she grabbed a brush before placing it in a side ponytail. Aki looked through her suitcases to see if she had anything that didn't show off her body too much. Both because she didn't want Yusei looking at her and Aki wanted to dress more appropriately with all the orphaned children around. Luckily she had a whole bunch of clothes she had brought along with her on this trip. It was hard to find what to pack when she wasn't sure on the conditions they would be traveling in.
Aki had put on a short sleeved, high necked red dress with black stockings and put red high heels on. She sighed knowing she had to face Yusei sooner or later. But the thing was that she wasn't ready to face him just yet. Aki could only pray he was still sleeping as her mind drifted to him being in nothing but his boxers as he exposed his bare muscular body-no it was wrong for him to think that way. She had finally gotten her freedom from their agreement. It was wrong to visualize anything sexual about their relationship anymore. Aki took a deep breath as she shook her head and went out the door.
Yusei was in the kitchen as he was helping Martha chop up vegetables for the stew for later. It was going to put into a large pot as there were so many people to feed. And it wasn't going to hurt to have leftovers, so there was a lot to do in the preparation. And Martha wanted to get lots of things done before the impending storm was going to hit. They were listening to the radio while it was still quiet before all the kids eventually came like a herd of animals. Yusei remembered those times as kid very fondly. Of course Crow, Jack, Kiryu and himself were little troublemakers that had always caused Martha endless worry. It was not that they were trying too but even then the four of them had a need for adventure.
Once he turned fifteen was when he decided it was time to start getting his revenge and attempt to find his father's killer, of course Crow, Jack and Kiryu weren't going to let him do it alone. That's when they decided to form the gang Team Satisfaction. It was from that point their reputation grew during their search. Namely as they were considered dangerous as they wouldn't hesitant to hurt or even kill people to get the information they required. It was when he was nineteen years old is when he had saw Aki for the first time. And he was smitten for over two years, trying to have every opportunity just to get a glimpse of her, Yusei had admitted that he spent his time basically stalking her when he wasn't focusing on his missions.
It would make things worse if Aki even knew that he use to sneak up to her room to watch her sleep and had even taken a pair of panties as treasure for a keepsake. Yusei just didn't care that his infatuation for Aki had blinded him to a point. To him it was more of a forbidden love as she was the daughter of a Senator something that worked with the government. People that he was appalled by and we dead set against as they were after those like him who saw his gang as criminals. It was part of the reason he had to keep his feelings for her a secret. He didn't want his enemies to use his feelings for her against him or want to put her in danger. Yusei heart had stopped for a few moments when he heard Aki's voice on the other end of the telephone to speak with him. Being she was from the upper class, he had always assumed Aki had called him for sex. As she had mentioned that Aki wanted to pay him for his services. As he heard that most of the rich people wanted to fulfill their sexual desires and she wanting to have sex with a bad boy with his reputation. It was part of the reason he had convinced the rest of the gang that it was just a meaningless call and eventually go on patrol. Yusei wasn't going to give up the chance to make love with the girl of his dreams if he had the chance too.
Yes, he was disappointed when Aki just wanted to hire him, his gang for protection. Just seeing what he deemed the most beautiful girl in the world in person. Part of him just wanted to just rip her clothes off and ravish her at that very moment. And it didn't matter if she wanted too or not. Despite the fact Yusei knew the practical side on how wrong it was to think such things. But he wasn't following his heart as his mind got the better of him. He choice to take advantage of her and agreeing to have sex with him in exchange for protection. Yusei didn't care about her feelings during that time as he was in paradise as he was able to get ahold of her naked body. Their bodies becoming one as he was able to kiss every inch of her. And more or less she couldn't turn him down due to their agreement. Everything has changed with Aki breaking the deal. But this time he wanted to earn her respect and if they did make love again it would be different.
"Yusei, you seem tired. What happened last night?" Martha asked in concern for health as she put a hand to her shoulder. "You know it's not good to stay up late hours. Is this a frequent habit with you boys?" She quickly grabs Yusei's ear as Martha pulled him down to her in frustration. "Just because you four have left home doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want when you're in your old home. I will not tolerate it." It was this type of scolding is the reason that Yusei never wants to tell her what he did with Aki. And the fact that she would not endure anything they did if they were in their home. So he was partly relieved that Aki was angry at him because that means they couldn't have sex. That didn't mean he wouldn't try to get her to agree to it again if he got the chance but with different terms involved.
"Well I had a nightmare and I ended up talking with Miss Izayoi. I don't think it's wise to pull my ear when I have a knife in my hand Martha." Yusei defends himself as he clutched his teeth in pain. Martha let's go in the realization of it as she smirked in happiness at thought of him spending all night talking with the girl he loved "Oh the two of you alone together in the middle of the night! How romantic is that?" Martha eagerly asks as she put a hand to her cheek in excitement. "So what do the two of you talk about?"
"I just followed your advice, I talked about my past." Yusei informs her as he begins cutting more vegetables. He appeared to become more depressed as he turned his head to try to hide it. Yusei honestly wanted to forget about what happened. The images of last night still repeated in his head like a record player. That it was his fault that he had ruined his potential relationship. If he had the chance to go back in time and do it all over again, he would in a heartbeat. Yusei had gone too far in revealing his feelings through his actions that made him appear like his normal perverted self. "And she got mad at me. After I tried to confess my feelings for her-"
"Oh honestly boy, have you learned nothing. I told you to get to know her. Learn who she is as a person before you go and attempt at confessing your feelings. She may have gotten the wrong idea with your actions." Martha told him as she put her hands to her hips as she continued with lecturing him. Yusei wanted to listen but he wasn't really in the mood to hear any of it. Her advice just wasn't working in winning over Aki's heart. Yusei knew he would have to attempt to do things his own way.
"You can say that. But it's easier said than done especially with a girl like Miss. Izayoi. She's from the upper class district. And I am just from a powerful gang is the slums of the lower class Martha. Even if I did win her affections, what do I have to offer her?" Yusei remarks in realization that even if he did win Aki's love. What did he really have to offer her?
She wouldn't want to live a meaningless exist with someone like him who was a powerful and feared gang leader. Her reputation could even be ruined and Yusei wouldn't that to happen. Not that it mattered as she chose to seek him out in order to get help on finding her father. And he knew that was the thing that would fully win over Aki's affections. The problem is he needed to get more information on more recent whereabouts.
"If this girl is really important to you then none of that should matter, for either of you. Love is something that happens. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, even ugly or beautiful as long as you're happy with each other." Martha explains to Yusei as she gently taps her foster son's shoulder. Yusei stops cutting as he looks up at Martha. "I know that in your own way you'll find a way to win her heart, it's just going to take time. But she will eventually see how special you are Yusei."
"Thanks Martha." Yusei addressed as he put down the knife and gave a smile. And he also had to deal with the other problem. Trying to prevent Crow from pursuing Aki, he already knew as soon as she woke up that his friend would be nearby. Even with his flirting with other girls, Aki seemed to be the girl he had his eyes on. And he feared that he could get Aki to have sex with him. He was a real charmer with women in comparison to him. But that's the only thing he really seems to want with girls. He feels accomplished after getting beautiful girls into bed with him. Crow didn't even care about having an actual relationship with her. That was the difference between the two of them.
Meanwhile, Aki had slowly walked down the stairs as she looked around and sighed in relief as she tried to avoid Yusei. Little did she know that Crow was nearby as she made her way to the couch and sat down. Aki had taken a book she was reading not really paying attention to her surroundings. Crow looked at her as he rubbed his hands together eagerly as they finally had a chance to be alone. And seeing her in clothes that didn't show off that body of hers just made her so much more attractive. Any guy would just want to picture that naked body underneath and Crow just wanted some of it. Crow felt his pleasure wouldn't be satisfied until he had her. She was more like the ultimate prize as someone of his status.
Before he could make his way to her however there was a knock on the door. Crow clenched his teeth in frustration as his alone time with Aki could be ruined before he got a chance to talk with her. "Yeah. Yeah, I am coming!" He begrudgingly mutters as he went over to the door and opened it. His eyes widened to see Jack and Carly, both of their hair was as messy as Crow tried to hold in his laughter but couldn't control it as he held his stomach. "What's with your hair Jack? You're always the one so propped."
"Well ummmm . . . it's just helmet hair." Jack begins to blush as he tried to make an excuse. Not long before they had made their way to the orphanage so Carly can get her interview with Aki. Jack and Carly had a lot of time on the road having sex. Even getting some action before they had made their drive there but they didn't bother fixing their hair. "YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT!" Jack yelled out as he pushed Crow aside who was still laughing. "I am going to go fix my hair. The speed can really do a number on you."
"Aki, there you are?" Carly happily expressed as Aki looked up from her book. She tried to put on a straight face as Carly had sat down next to her. "You promised me an interview. Don't think that you were going to get away from me so easily."
"How did you even know I was here?" Aki questioned as she left her bookmark in as she closed her book and placed it on lap. "We we're so careful to make sure that you didn't follow us."
"It sounds like you don't want an interview." Carly answers, she appeared to be almost offended by Aki's response to the whole situation.
"Whatever, if I give you this interview then you'll leave me alone, so let's get this over with." Aki replied with a sigh. As much as she didn't want to deal with an interview with any reporter, at least Carly getting the scoop she wanted would satisfy her. More importantly she would stop chasing her because the more Carly followed her, the greater the danger she was putting herself in by the enemies that were after her. she would have a guilty conscious if Carly was put in danger because she refused to do something. "Go get your camera and we'll get started."
"Thank you so much Aki Izayoi, you won't regret this I promise you." Carly happily gleamed in excitement as she rushed out the door to her truck. Aki could see her opening the door and saw that Jack had come out to help her with equipment that was too big for her. She didn't know Jack too well but he didn't seem like the type of person that would do this sort of thing. She wore a helmet while riding on the back of Yusei's D-Wheeler without any problems, and then it occurred to her that perhaps they may secretly be in a romantic relationship and were fooling around before they came to the orphanage.
"That girl is filled with so much energy; Jack certainly knows how to ignite the fire in her." Crow smirked as he crossed his arms and shook his head. Aki just blankly stared at Crow with the look of confusion on her face, was it a secret that everyone knew about but acted like they didn't? That seemed to be the case so Aki thought it would be best to not ask any questions.
It took around forty five minutes for the interview to be over. Aki sighed in relief as she was finally finished answering everything she could to please Carly. The reporter jumped up and down in excitement as she turned off the camera that was sitting on its stand. "Well if everything is all taken with this interview. Perhaps I'll get something to eat in the kitchen. It certainly smells good." Aki smiled as she stood up as she fixed the skirt of her dress as she pulled it down. Quickly walking off she went down the hallway as Carly went back to her camera.
"Now let's watch the video!" Carly squealed excitedly as she put her eye to the back of the video camera, she clicked the replay button, everything was all black, she began to panic. Her worst nightmare had come true, she left the lens cap on the camera lens. "I forgot to take the lens cap off the video camera! Now I have nothing to show, I promised I wouldn't bother Aki Izayoi again" Carly cried out as she sunk her head in misery. "So I can't ask her again after she just went through all that, I had a chance to get the scoop of a lifetime and I just blew it." She went to her knees while hugging herself. Crow just shook his head before going over to her.
"Everything will be okay Carly" Crow encouraged; he couldn't bear to see a woman in despair. It just wasn't in his nature to ignore it. He wasn't a completely heartless person that just wanted to have sex with girls. Not that he would even try when Carly was Jack's girl for one thing, and Carly wasn't beautiful enough for him to even want to try. "I am sure you can get another interview if you explain the situation to her"
"You-think so." Carly weakly responded while looking up.
"Yes I am positive; Miss Izayoi doesn't seem like the type of person… I mean I don't know her well enough to really say, none of us do." Crow added as he put a hand to his chin.
"Perhaps I should wait a bit before I ask her again, she doesn't need to go through an hour of boredom again" Carly answered as she slowly began to sit up. "Thanks Crow, I didn't expect someone like you to cheer me up. Honestly, I thought that Jac-I mean someone else like Martha would" Carly formed a blush as she quickly tried to change the subject. She couldn't let anyone know about her romantic relationship with Jack, they both agreed that it would be too embarrassing if everyone knew about it.
"Hey, that's what friends are for" Crow replied with a smile. Carly just nodded her head in agreement as she shyly grinned, even though they weren't the best of friends, being shy- it was hard for her to talk to people. Carly never showed it in front of the camera as it was the place where she felt the most comfortable.
"Thanks I guess" Carly answered in confusion as she didn't know how to respond otherwise. They didn't really consider each other friends despite him being Jack's best friend. It had more to with the fact that Crow never bothered to talk to her that much, let alone the rest of Team Satisfaction. In fact Carly had always felt they were more annoyed by her presence.
They only tolerated her because of Jack, he probably threatened to beat them up if they weren't nice to her. It probably had to do with the fact that she was a reporter. Even if her boss didn't really consider her one unless she got a big scoop, it was the reason she wanted to get an interview with Aki Izayoi, mainly to do with the fact that most reporters struggled to even get one with her to begin with and she would finally be recognized. "I guess I'll have to wait another day" Carly sighed knowing she wouldn't have any luck getting another one from her right now.
Meanwhile, Aki had made her way to the kitchen, she quickly turned around as she saw that Yusei was with Martha in the kitchen. The last thing she wanted to do was to speak to Yusei after what happened. She didn't even want to in the same room with him. Aki prayed that Martha wouldn't notice her but it was too late. She could hear Martha's voice call over to her to come over. "Oh good Miss Izayoi… you can help Yusei with the stew I am making for dinner." She eagerly addressed, Martha developed a plan for Yusei and Aki to be alone together.
"No really it's okay" Aki told her as she put a hand behind her head, she backed away slowly. "I see you're already busy helping him, so I will just go back to reading my book"
"Oh nonsense" Martha insisted as she took Aki's arm and pulled her over, she gave her own apron. "As you can see an old lady like myself can get exhausted easily so I would appreciate it if you can take over for me" Aki didn't really seem to be buying the whole thing and it was clearly more of a set up so she could be alone with Yusei. That was something she wasn't fooled by at all. The question going through her mind was whether or not Yusei had asked her to leave so it could happen, perhaps in his attempt to talk to her again after he made those sexual advances towards her in order to get her into bed.
"I'm not really much of a cook" Aki addressed, she continued to protest in another attempt to get out of it. "I could barely tie my own shoelaces by myself, it's just not my thing"
"Well if you want to be a proper wife one day, then you really should be learning these things. It gives you skills you need to survivor, so it is a necessity" Martha replied grabbing a hold of Aki's hands as she told her all this.
She saw it more as a way to convince her as a reason so she could remain alone with Yusei. Even though Martha was never married, she knew that it was important to never give up if you find that special person, she knew that her foster son has found it and Martha had every right to make sure that Yusei and the girl he loved ended up as a couple. "...And Yusei here will be able to show you how, isn't that right?" Martha winked as she tried to get Yusei to agree with her. Yusei blushed as he shyly turned his head away, Aki was already angry with him so this made the whole thing more embarrassing. "Well I'll just leave the two of you to it then."
Martha gave a smirk as she walked away and left Aki with blank expression on her face, it remained silent between the two of them for a minute.
Aki upset and stressed with the whole situation started to cut the vegetables into large pieces. She didn't know the proper method of cutting as everything normally would have to be in even pieces. Yusei turned to look at her though rather distraught as he put down the knife. He knew that she would either back away or smack him for what he was about to do. As he wrapped his strong, muscular arms around her waist as he gently reached out and touched her arms.
"Yusei, what are you doing?" Aki stopped as her voice had the tone of annoyance. She couldn't make it more clear but Yusei didn't really care all that much. This was the closest he had to holding her in his arms again as he smelled her perfume as he took a whiff of her neck that was inches from his nose. It was smell of vanilla and jasmine, the fragrance was intoxicating to him. He had to resist the temptation of wanting to kiss her all over as he wanted to respect her. After all he was trying to slowly win her over and he couldn't force himself on her. Yusei wanted to show respect and his care for Aki. And only would have sex when she wanted too. It didn't make it any harder for him as he missed those moments when they were kissing and holding their naked bodies all night, with nothing but his dreams to accompany him.
"I'm just showing you the proper way to chop the vegetables, you've made them too big" Yusei advised Aki, who just gave a groan because she didn't need this type of thing especially with what she considered a pervert like Yusei nuzzling so close to her. She just saw it as an excuse to hold and touch her because Aki wouldn't want allow it. She didn't even want right now as Aki's face continued to blush as he could feel the heat of their bodies press against each other. Especially as he helped her chop the vegetables so they were smaller and more even in size. "See just like that"
"Well I don't need any help." Aki addressed in annoyance, her face was going even redder as her heart was pounding out of her chest. She wanted to shake off these feelings and wanting to get it out of her mind. "Now get off me." She yelled at him as Aki dropped the knife and took his hand and removed from her waist. Yusei stepped back a bit wanting to give her some space as she turned around Aki had nearly fell over due to Martha cleaning the floors. Yusei tried to catch her as their lips lingered on each other as they landed on the wooden floor. Both of them did enjoy it but at least Aki didn't want to admit there was anything. As far as she was concerned there weren't any feelings there.
"Don't think I was kissing you or anything, we just fell." Aki pulled back as she had accidently kissed and she didn't want Yusei to get the wrong idea or anything. She had put a few of her fingers to her lips as Aki blushed. "I still hate you!"
"I know" Yusei told her though you could hear the tone of disappointment in his voice. As he crawled up off his back and sat up. Yusei was in a bit of pain but he chose to ignore it. It was namely because he was so much more focused on talking to Aki. He had to get her to listen to him about what happened the previous night. "Listen Aki we need to talk about what happened last night, the reason I kissed you was because-"
"Save it, Yusei! I told you I don't want to hear it, you're just nothing but a pervert, I don't think you will ever change. I almost think you will say anything to get me to have sex with you. I said our deal is off, frankly the protection is not worth it if you're going through all this. I honestly thought you'd care about me." Aki sadly tells him, she turned her head as she tried to hold back tears.
"I do care about you Aki, it's not hard to understand that" Yusei assures her as he moved around a bit so he was sitting on his knees. He reached out and attempted to touch her shoulder but Aki pulled away not giving him the chance. She was clearly still hurt by what had happened the previous night.
"I don't even know what to believe anymore, like how do I know the story you told me about your past is true or not. For example you could have been saying those things to me for sympathy sex. I had men try that on me prior to you and of course it failed. But when you told me that-"Aki had stopped herself not wanting to finish the sentence. Why did it bother her that she was willing to have sex with him because she was turned on by his story? It was more that she hated herself because it was a feeling of lust Aki didn't want have for Yusei. And he only continued to use her for his own personal sex toy. It was something she didn't want to be. "I think you have no respect for me at all."
"That's not true!" Yusei attempted to argue but Aki had stood up with him following in pursue. He wasn't going to give up on confessing his love for her. This was as good at time as any for her to understand his feelings go beyond just using her for his sexual pleasures. That he truly loved her with all his heart. Then Aki would understand on why he was defending his actions in the first place. "You just let me explain on why I kissed you. First off it has nothing to do with our deal"
"Then why?" Aki asked as she crossed her arms as she stopped and glances over at him. She was tapping her foot as she waited for an answer. But before Yusei could get a chance to say those three words he's wants to tell her. "Why did you have to kiss me so badly last night? That it goes beyond our agreement we had made."
Crow comes into the kitchen as he takes out some of the ceramic plates and puts at the large dining room table. "Guys the kids are finally up. So we need to get everything ready." Both of them turn their heads to look over at him. As Crow waved his arms over for them come over and help him. Aki gets a whole bunch of the cups that were already cleaned as Yusei grabbed the utensils and napkins.
"Can we talk about this later?" Yusei whispers so only Aki could hear him.
"Maybe" Aki responds, not bothering to even look at him as they joined Crow. Yusei had to get a moment for them to be alone. He just stared at Aki as they circled around the table. He had to think of a plan that would win her over. At this point he felt like nothing was ever going to please her. Yusei knew it was completely hopeless, but he still had a chance.
Author's Note: Well as you can see Yusei and Aki are starting to talk it out. But it may still take a long while before that could even happen. Especially if people keep interrupting Yusei's attempts to confess his feelings for her. The thing for me is it's still too early in the story for him to do so. I hope you guys understand that and are patient with Yusei and Aki's romance. After all I considered this more of a slow burn. So things may not happen as they appear.
Anyway please let me know what you think of the chapter. I mean the whole chapter. Not just the Yusei and Aki part.
Your reviews mean so much to me. So I want to thank all those who been reading and leaving a review. I love to read your views on the chapters. It makes me feel special and that I am doing a great job with this story.