The weather was just fine until it suddenly turned into a typical winter day. While people ran to hide beneath buildings entrances, Akemi continued running to her boyfriend's flat where she could find shelter in his embrace. She felt cold as thick drops of rain soaked every bit of her clothes.

Dai was practically living in her apartment so she never felt the need to visit his. But lately, his visits lessened and he barely spends the nights with her anymore. Akemi felt him changing. He was detached from her, being always in thought as if he was in another world. She thought maybe it's just a phase, he was introverted and he could get like that sometimes. Yet, she was determined to revive their sparkle, hence this surprise visit.

She finally got to his flat. Shuichi didn't take long to answer the door. His eyebrows rose at the sight of his girlfriend who was soaking wet. Her teeth were chattering but that didn't prevent her from smiling.

"Hi!" She greeted enthusiastically.

"Akemi! What happened to you?" Dai asked, pulling her to the inside by her shoulder and pushing the door behind her close.

"It was sunny, I decided to walk here and I had no umbrella so you can guess the rest." She said, barely able to stop her teeth from hitting one another as she spoke. Shuichi's hand that was on her shoulder could feel her bones shaking.

"You're gonna catch a cold if you stay like this. You need a hot shower."

"That would be great." Akemi agreed.

Within a minute, she was standing in the shower with warm water covering her pale skin. Akemi was enjoying the warmth, she was humming a happy song, feeling so excited about spending the evening with her boyfriend in his apartment.

Shuichi readied some clothes for Akemi then took a turn to the kitchen to make some tea. To improve her immunity, he thought. He grabbed the tea kettle, and with that, his thoughts started to wander.

The past few weeks were quite confusing for him. He's been training Shiho and she was slowly yet dangerously taking over his thoughts. Through all of that, he never stopped loving Akemi. She still meant the world to him but he was cheating her and he hated himself for it. Every time his eyes lay on her sincere, loving face, his heart would break a bit, enough that he started avoiding her. But now she's here, in his apartment.

Shuichi brought a hand to his temples. He never thought it to be easy, loving two women at the same time and he never was a man to play this game. The love in Akemi's eyes hits him like daggers when he thinks about his doings. He does not deserve it!

He was meant to use Akemi to get into the organization and leave her soon as he's in before they form attachments. But he couldn't let go because he fell in love with her. He was being selfish all of this time. He allowed himself to stay with her until now despite knowing that the longer he kept it the more it'll hurt her to learn the truth. And then, what will his love do her when she realizes that he's an FBI agent that had tricked her all along?

Through their time together, Dai was nothing but good to Akemi. But now Shiho is messing with his mind again. It was an alarm, a reminder that he should stop his selfishness and free Akemi so she could find the one she merits. She deserves better than him.

Shuichi decided that it's time to put an end to their relationship even if it hurts him. His decision was purely out of concern to Akemi. It was for her sake, to prevent her any further pain in the future. He will not do it today though, she came here excited about spending some quality time with him and he will give her just that.

A while had passed before Akemi showed up in the kitchen again, wearing an oversized hoodie.

"I made you some tea." Shuichi handed her a steaming mug.

Akemi thanked him. She turned back to the living room and crossed her way to the balcony where she could watch the rain while she sipps her warm drink. Soon, her boyfriend followed her. She felt him hugging her from behind, sending her a nice warm feeling. Now, this is her shelter! Nothing in life could make her feel better than being between Dai's arms. That's why she would much rather run in the rain to get to him than waste time waiting for the rain to stop!

Shuichi closed his eyes and enjoyed their moment together, he will certainly miss this in the future...

(~~~)

Do you know the feeling of being happy? Of feeling pure happiness without it being clouded by any other emotion? That's how every minute spent with Dai felt like to Shiho. It's been days since they started training together (They changed the location from Dai's apartment complex to another place to avoid Gin's suspicion). Those days were the first time she ever feels this happy in her entire life! When she goes to meet him and realizes that she has him for herself for the next hour; that was her favorite time of the day!

It's not that Dai was lively and chatty, mostly he's quiet. Except for the training, he doesn't really talk about much. But something about his presence near her lights her up inside and gives her happiness she could never know without him being close.

More than once Shiho got lost in his deep green eyes. Sometimes, she would just stop and stare, she observes the way he moves -effortlessly looking handsome- knowing that that's as far as she could ever get. Sometimes she feels scared that he'd notice her feelings. Other times, she feels guilty for having those feelings, knowing that she has no place in his life. He was still seeing Akemi and she does not want that ruined. But why does she keep on loving him dammit? Why can't she let go?

Maybe because he made her feel good? With Dai, she felt equal as a human being. She felt like someone of intelligence and self worth. There were no masks, no lies, no manipulation, no threats…

Gin was the first and only man in her life. Before, she'd always thought that what he did to her was normal, that all relationships were supposed to be that way. Even his exaggerated violence and possessiveness, she thought they were parts of his personality that she needed to accept. But no, that's not how it was supposed to be.

That realization made Shiho loathe Gin for what he took away from her. He deprived her of the warmth and love of a relationship and trapped her into a web of fear and, threat and submission. He had ruined her life. She reached the point where she couldn't hide her feelings anymore. She does not want him anywhere near her, she does not want to see his face or hear his voice or even the mention of his name anymore.

Good thing Gin wasn't in Japan. He didn't visit Shiho for days until one Friday evening. They were sitting in her living room when she decided to speak what's on her mind.

"Gin, I've been thinking for a while and I...I think we should break up." Shiho said. Her heart shook on the inside as the words left her mouth. She never dared to say them before, but back then she was numbed, now her hatred intensified that it became unbearable to have him lay his filthy hands on her.

Gin stared at her impassively for a long moment. He remained silent, wrecking her anticipating nerves.

"Why are you suddenly asking for this?" He calmly asked.

"It's not really sudden-"

"It is sudden to me." He glared at her in silence before adding sternly. "...Why?"

"I think you know the answer to that." She said in a low voice.

"No I don't know, tell me."

"It-it's because of all the things that you did, Gin... Y-you've been screwing me over for some time." She stuttered.

"I've only been good to you, Sherry. If I did something bad then you brought it on yourself, I wouldn't harm you without a reason. But what made you want to break up now? Did something change?" Gin was still uncharacteristically calm. Unlike Shiho who felt him playing mind games on her.

"Nothing is changed, I just had enough."

"If this has been the case for so long then why are you telling me now of all time?"

"Because I was thinking about it and I finally decided that I want this...Whatever this is-" She motioned with her hand not sure the word relationship was suitable.

"Our-relationship." Gin said with emphasis.

Shiho swallowed hard. She knew he does that when he's angry but went on with all her courage. "..I want it over."

"Okay… Okay." Gin muttered. He nodded as he looked away from her. He let out a sigh then suddenly turned to her again, adding with a louder voice. "Okay."

Shiho joined her hands on her lap to keep them from shaking. Having Gin act so calm scared her. His calmness was always a false alarm, it always precedes a storm, and the anticipation of it happening wrecked her nerves. She was preparing herself to use her training in case he attacks her, she had no doubt that he would.

Gin got up from his place and slowly walked to where Shiho sat. He kneeled down in front of her to meet her gaze.

"You should've told me that earlier. I wouldn't have forced you to be with me against your will, Sherry." He said, moving a strand of hair from her face and placing it behind her ear.

He was looking at her face intently, examining every bit of it, taking in every detail for his memory. He loved Sherry, so much he can't think of a life without her.

Shiho looked him back skeptically. Gin reacting so maturely, so calmly, this was too good to be true. Is he gonna do something now? Is he gonna kill her? Or worse, get back at her by hurting Akemi?

"Goodbye, Sherry." Gin mumbled, interrupting her thoughts. He pushed himself forward and print a kiss on her cheek before standing up to his feet.

Shiho had just let out a breath she was holding when she heard him add.

"But remember that you're still mine. And if I can't have you, then no one else could."

Her face twisted again with restlessness. Now that's the Gin she knew!

(~~~)

After months of not working together, Shuichi was surprised to receive a message from Gin asking him to meet. He was resting at home when he received it and did not question it. He just put on his jacket, grabbed his gun, tucked it in his pants then headed out to the meeting place.

The agent carefully walked inside the warehouse. He found Gin to be alone inside, although he's usually accompanied by vodka. Now the FBI's orders were clear; no getting on Gin's bad side. Nevertheless, Shuichi's hands couldn't help but form tight fists.

"Rye." Gin's voice echoed through the place.

"Gin."

"This is the last time you hear that word. You lost your codename, Dai Moroboshi, and you're back to working with your old crew effective tomorrow."

"Who decided that?" Dai asked.

"I did." Gin replied.

"Then you can take that decision and shove it up your ass."

Gin grinned dangerously. "It's always a pleasure to meet nobodies, little flies like yourself, who grow out of proportion and start thinking they could do whatever they want. Well too bad that I am your fucking superior and I am the one to decide."

"Not this, Gin. You have no saying in this one." Shuichi shook his head.

Gin's eyes flashed with anger as Dai continued to approach him. It all started going downhill with Sherry ever since Dai had appeared, it was him that's been feeding her the ideas of leaving, and eventually, he got to her. Maybe Dai's been trying to make Gin appear as the bad guy to make himself the hero. Maybe he's done all of that just to get Sherry to himself. But Gin won't give him the satisfaction of it. He won't allow his Sherry to be with another man. He'll make Rye pay for everything! If he can't send him to hell because of Boss, he will bring hell to his life instead.

"You fucker, you were the one to manipulate Sherry to end things with me." Gin snapped when Dai reached him.

Shuichi was surprised to hear that she did. He almost lost his poker face as he fought hard to suppress a smile.

"So that's what this is about! What she did is quite expected if you ask me. She doesn't need anyone to tell her to do it because it's the obvious thing to do."

"IT'S NOT. SHE LOVES ME! But you contaminated her thoughts with your bullshit."

"She loves you? Don't make me laugh. I didn't have to 'contaminate' her thoughts, you saved me all the work, Gin. You hurt her, you threaten her, you beat her up… It was only a matter of time before she stands up to you."

Dai's calmness and subtle smile hit a nerve for Gin.

"You bastard." He hissed dangerously before swinging his arm to hit Rye, but the latter caught it with his palm.

Shuichi has been trying to follow the FBI's instructions. But now that Gin had attacked him, he lost his last bit of self control. He couldn't forgive Gin for what he did to him and he had to make him pay back.

The agent kneed Gin in the stomach and when he stumbled back, he went on kicking him.

Gin quickly regained his balance. He got up and punched Dai on the chest with one hand with the other descending to his gun. Shuichi grabbed his wrist preventing him from reaching it. He held Gin's forearm tightly with both of his hands and dived his knee in it, breaking his bone. Gin didn't want to show pain but he couldn't prevent a short groan from leaving his mouth.

Shuichi didn't stop. He pulled the gun out from Gin's pocket and placed it on his forehead.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you." Dai's voice was low and steady.

Gin opened his mouth but it was a rhetorical question as it seems, for Rye lifted his arm and hit Gin with the gun. Gin's head banged on the wall behind him in response. Shuichi pinned him there, he punched his jaw from the left, and then from underneath. It felt so satisfying!

With every punch, Gin felt dizzy and lightheaded. He had a concussion from being hit so hard on the head, that and the broken arm made it impossible for him to attack back. Gin reached for the other gun he had wrapped on his ankle. Shuichi realized it, he grabbed Gin's wrist, stopping him again and turning him around by locking his arm behind his back.

"You want me to break this one too?" Dai asked, referring to his arm as he pressed him against the wall. He grabbed Gin's silver hair and forced him to turn to the side and face him. "You-sick-fuck. If I hear you ever come close to Shiho again, I'll kill you with my own hands. You think she loves you? The only feelings she has for you are hate and contempt... Oh, and in case you need to take someone down in the future, make sure to do it yourself like a man and not send people to drug them when they turn their back." Shuichi harshly said before leaving the warehouse.

Gin was barely able to stand with the concussion making everything sway around him. There was blood running down his forehead and he felt exhausted. Soon as Rye left, he slid down the wall with his back propped against it.

If there is anything that Gin hates, it's disrespect! He'd always been feared and respected by everyone around him and it was for a reason, he had an iron fist that would ruthlessly turn who stands on his way to history. But Rye disrespected him, he had him on the floor defeated for the first time in his life and Gin wasn't yet ready to accept this fact. He sighed and closed his eyes as a loud ringing sound installed in his ears.

Sherry was the best thing in his life, the love of his life. She was the only person to ever make him feel like this. She ignited new feelings in him, things he'd never felt before. Gin was so infatuated by her that he became too protective of her. He wanted to protect her and what they have together, and he did just that. He had her where she belonged, with him, until Dai came and crashed it all. And now, he won't rest until he kills him!

(~~~)

Akemi was sitting on the couch hugging a pillow as her leg shook on the floor. She heard the key turning. It must be Dai. He told her earlier that they need to talk.

Seconds later, Dai was standing in her living room. From his hoodie to his military boots, everything he wore on that day was black, making his green eyes shine.

"You said you wanna talk. Is everything okay?" Akemi asked. She did not smile as usual. Instead, she looked worried as if she'd sensed something bad was going to happen. She knew Dai well and knew that he had changed, and knew that the words 'we need to talk' never bring good news.

Shuichi did not want to do it, but he couldn't continue cheating her any longer when she gave him everything. He rambled a few sentences at first, but Akemi knew that they were not the reason for his message. She asked him to stop beating around the bush, and he drew in a deep breath in response.

"Akemi...We've been together for over two years and you were the best thing that happened to me through that time. But it just doesn't feel right anymore..." He said heavily, gaze alternating between her eyes and the floor. The words barely came out of his mouth and he felt pained to say them. "I think we should break up."

"What!" Akemi cried, surprised. She felt as if she was submerged in a cold, dark well. She stayed silent for a while before smiling. This must be a joke, it can't be true! "…Wha-what do you mean we should break up? Why?"

Dai's eyes slowly lifted from the floor to her.

"I'm sorry, Akemi but… I haven't been feeling well lately. I have some problems and… I don't think we should be together anymore."

Looking at his deadly serious face, Akemi shook her head in denial.

"Well, if you're having problems then tell me what's wrong. Maybe I could help."

Her trying to help him only made it worst. Shuichi was the one asking for the breakup but he felt like he was breaking himself with every word that he said. He escaped her gaze before looking at her again.

"You've done enough already... You've been the greatest girlfriend a man could ask for. You've always been too good for me...I don't deserve you. So maybe it's better that you find someone else." Shuichi said with clear bitterness. His last sentence made Akemi's faced wrinkle with pure agony.

"I don't want someone else. Dai kun, I thought we're doing fine. Whatever made you think it's better that we break up, I'm sure we can work it out together." She said, clinging to the hope of him staying. Dai was a big part of her life. She relies on him for everything and she loves him a lot. The idea of him leaving scared her. She wasn't yet ready to live without him after their two years together.

"We can't...I'm so sorry." He whispered hesitantly.

Akemi dropped down her gaze. She stayed silent for a while trying to absorb what he said. It took her aback and pained her to the core. She was in denial, still refusing to believe his words, but she couldn't force him to stay any more than she'd already tried.

"Can you at least tell me why?" Her voice shook.

How could he even explain? He loves her but has feelings for her sister? Does that even make sense? Shuichi felt his head throbbing. He lifted a hand and ran it through his loose hair, holding his head for a moment. His heart was aching at Akemi's sight and he wished he could take what he said back.

"I told you I'm having some problems."

"You're having some problems!" She repeated with an unconvinced tone. Dai had his share of problems through the past 2 years and few months they spent together and he never asked for a breakup.

"We're not the same as before, Akemi. We've changed." He started explaining.

"We did not change-"

"I changed." Shuichi interrupted. Akemi stared at him in silence, barely able to keep her tears from falling.

"...It's someone else, isn't it? You found someone else." She said, after a moment of silence.

"I did not find someone else." He calmly replied.

The brunette stepped closer to him. Standing at the height of his shoulders, she raised her head to meet his eyes.

"Then did you stop loving me?" She feared to know the answer but dared to ask.

"I still do, you're very important to me. But that doesn't deny that we need to break this off."

"Liar! You don't love me anymore."

Akemi felt a lump form in her throat. Shuichi sensed her voice shocking and could clearly see her eyes starting to glimmer.

"Akemi-" He called softly.

"NO... If you love me, then you wouldn't lie to me. Don't you think I could feel it? Your mind always wandering somewhere else, you're barely with me anymore. I could feel you thinking about someone else."

Shuichi escaped her gaze for a second before looking back at her again.

"Look Akemi, I didn't lie to you. I still love you and I have never been with someone else but you. I just need to be alone, alright? I can't go on with this relationship. You didn't do anything wrong, it's just me and I'm sorry."

Akemi was struggling to keep herself from breaking down in tears. She was upset, hurt beyond belief, her whole life was crumbling apart, but she needed to stay collected in front of him. She looked at him for a long moment, trying to absorb, to comprehend, to accept what he was saying.

"I understand." She nodded before turning away from him and leaving towards her bedroom.

Her eyes, her voice, they all reflected her pain clearly despite her wanting to hide it. Shuichi saw through them, he wanted to chase after her and hug all of her pain away but he couldn't. Instead, he placed the key to her apartment on the coffee table and left.

Soon as she heard the door close, Akemi broke down in tears. The pain was too big for her to handle. Only Dai could cause her pain as deep as this. Because he was all the way inside her heart he was the only one that could shatter it like this.

When Shiho learned about what happened later, she felt furious at Dai for causing her sister such misery. Akemi was a total mess after his leaving. Shiho had enough and decided to go to him and make him regret it, it was the brunette that convinced her otherwise. Akemi made Shiho promise that she won't talk to him about it. She already tried to make him stay and he seemed like he'd made up his mind. She doesn't want to force herself on him, not after he had left her...

(~~~)

As weeks went by, Shiho watched Akemi lose her light and laughter and it pained her to the core. She felt really bad for her sister but no less bad for herself. After all, Dai didn't just leave Akemi, he abandoned her as well and she hated him for it.

Shiho stopped her contact with him after promising Akemi to not talk to him about the breakup. She was expecting him to contact her instead -they trained together 5 days a week so he had to call her at some point- but Dai didn't call her at all for two weeks.

Dai had certainly proved that she's just a girlfriend's sister to him. Akemi was what mattered and she came with the package, so now that he no longer dated Akemi, nothing held him back from disappearing. But does she mean this little to him to not even consider calling her once? This particular thought troubled Shiho and made her anger at him grow. She really wished she could go beat him, if only she hadn't promised Akemi!


Next chapter: Things take a horrible turn with Gin. It's the 20th chapter so it has an important development for our story :D

Till then, have some nice days ;)