I've been trying to remind myself to update now that I have all this time, since a vast majority of us are on lockdown (And I do hope everyone is safe). Please enjoy the new chapter.


Chapter 7: Politics?

Len's P.O.V.

10:22 p.m.


My focus was on my phone screen as I sat back on my couch, keeping an earphone in my left ear; speaking to Gumi as I continued to scroll through TokiGram. "Dude, I tried to split some time to work on our homework, and it's seriously not even that hard." I nonchalantly told her. "I didn't finish it right away because I got too tired and took another nap, but I'm just throwing it out there."

"I figured. I went over the section he told us to go over, and either we're too smart, or he really tried to make it seem like it was hard when it's not" she snicked through the phone. "But seriously though, how did your date go? You didn't text me a damn thing all day."

"Sorry" I murmured. "I've actually been tired all day, so I didn't really get a chance to talk to you about anything except now. But overall, lunch was cool. We mostly talked about our jobs and a little about our family. Apparently his dad is into politics; I wouldn't know right away who he was because I like to avoid that type of stuff."

She gave a slight grunt before saying, "Politics? How? Kaito doesn't look like he's associated with a family such as that; no offense towards him."

I sat my phone down for a second and began laughing. "He really doesn't, but I believe him because he said he voluntarily decided to do his own thing. It's not like he has a choice anyways. You can't really have this political image and have a ... hot, rebellious looking son compared to your other kids."

"I know he has a sister, but does he have a brother?" She then questioned. My eyes widened all of a sudden once I realized that he does have one.

"He does! We should stalk them online and see what they look like, cause last time I checked, he mostly post pictures of him being out, with his friends, and like one picture of his sister." I then mentioned as I hopped on my phone once again to start typing in his name on the web. "Not trying to say I stalked Kaito, but I was a bit curious." I murmured underneath my breath.

"Don't feel bad. We all lurk sometimes" she snickered.

Almost immediately as soon as I typed in his name, an article regarding his father popped up. It was a stern looking man with deep-red hair, matching his eyes, neat and shoulder length. A woman held his arm, close at his side. She had the same hair and eyes as Kaito, matching his sisters features as well. Her hair was placed in a neat bun, glasses on the brim of her nose, a very light shade of pink on her lips to compliment her gentle smile. His parents look like they're elite.' I couldn't help but think to myself as I scrolled down to read the headline.

"Akito Shion celebrates the opening of the new grove in the 88th district of Japan, bringing in a rounded estimate 62,000 new job openings for the working-class."

"His family is rich, without a doubt." Gumi had finally pipped up. "In all truth, I wonder why he would allow himself to get disowned. He could be relaxing at home and go to school full-time instead of working a minimum-wage job; so I can only assume that there's a deeper reason. It's not like either one of us has the rights to ask him. We both still barely know him, ... along with others too, apparently." She then said, making me question her.

"What do you mean "others" ?" I rose a brow.

"If you scroll down a bit, there's another article that talks about his second son; assuming it's Kaito. It's more of rumors speculating around him and his family. I guess his dad told the media that he's supposedly studying abroad, but the media is pushing that it may be a lie, and that his dad has some secret. Like even when you type in his dads name, it shows pictures of him and his wife; even Kaito's sister and the other brother, but not him." She paused for a second. Although Kaito told me a bit about him and his family, it still seems as though there's a deeper reason. Especially now that we're kind of snooping around for information.' I couldn't help but get off the internet once I heard the information, because Gumi was right.

I don't feel like it's my place to dig this deep. As much as I can play around and be sassy, I wont push something he doesn't want to talk about on his own free-will.'

I took a deep breath and exited off the internet. "Well whatever happened, it's damn sure not our business." I then said. "Anyway, speaking of family; my mom totally texted me an hour ago about me not going with them for breakfast. Like, it's not like I'm avoiding them, buuut, I'm too busy being an adult." I then laughed .

"And being an adult consists of you cursing when you have to wake early, drag yourself to a shitty job, attend some classes that costs money in order to leave your shitty job, getting drunk with your bestfriend every Margarita monday, and not getting laid-" Gumi sarcastically pointed out.

I only scoffed and leaned back in my seat. "You forgot to mention me struggling to pay bills" I then added on. "I hate to say it, but I think I should get a side job. It's really not fun forcing myself to be a cheapskate."

"Well, it's never fun penny-pinching all of the time, Len. But you always know that if you need some extra cash, I can have you working around the shop on your spare time." She then told me. But right before I can say anything, she continued. "And no. This isn't some way to get you and Kaito to be closer. When you two work together by coincidence, just keep it work-related. Focus on your bills and that's that."

I couldn't help but sink a little lower on my seat and sigh. '... I know getting another part-time sucks, but I'm really not in a position to complain.' And with that thought lingering, I agreed. "Alright. I'll text you my schedule so we can work around it, but for now, I need to get some rest for tomorrow. I have work early in the morning and I gotta make sure to catch the bus on time."

"You know you could try asking Kaito for a ride since his shift isn't till the afternoon" She tried suggesting.

Almost immediately I scoffed, "The fuck I will ask for a ride from him! I don't want him thinking I'm comfortable with him like that."

It was then that she scoffed back, "Len, I'm 100% sure you're going to wake up and still be tired to the point you'll change your mind about it. And you need to stop playing hard to get. You two already are showing some signs of chemistry."

"You call me being drunk and hanging out with him after having a hangover, chemistry? Well then my zodiac sign much be a whiskey bottle, and his a 300 mg ibuprofen" I snickered. "But seriously, I'll talk to you once I'm on my break tomorrow." I then said. And with that, she said goodnight before hanging up the phone.

'A ride to work? Yeah right?'

6:03 a.m.

I'm so mad at myself, I'm so mad at myself, I'm so mad at myself. I annoyingly held the phone up to my ear as I sat up in my bed, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

"...Damn, do you know what time it is?" His deep, tired-filled voice said to me as he finally picked up the phone.

It took all of me to take a deep breath and say, "...I was kind of wondering if you mind giving me a ride to work. I forgot to go to bed early and I really need time to get ready without being late."

It felt like rocks being thrown at my chest as I uttered each and every single word. 'Ugh, this is the fucking worst. I wouldn't even be calling him if Gumi didn't pop the damn idea into my head. But she was right. I'm tired as living hell!'

"I mean I guess, but just a heads up, can you call or text me the night before? Or were you too shy to ask me when we were out together?" I sensed the smirk through his voice.

I rolled my eyes as I leaned over towards my nightstand and turned the lamp on. "I'll be ready in thirty minutes." And with that, I hung up immediately.

He's even ready to tease me early in the freakin' morning.