With a yawn, Shiho rested on her desk chair looking fairly bored. She glanced through the window next to her, that's when she noticed someone on the ground floor that turned her boredom into interest. The scientist quickly brought her face closer to the glass examining him. A man like him can't be mistaken, it's Dai san!
It didn't take Shiho long to turn to her laptop again. Dai had abandoned her and her sister so why should she care that he's here? She tried to convince herself of that except that her eyes couldn't help but drift back to the window. She found herself typing nonsense. Who was she kidding? She won't be able to focus while Dai's presence distracted her.
Shiho closed her laptop and focused her full attention on Dai. The fact that he was standing there in the same building as her made her feelings turn into a rollercoaster. She felt like she wanted to talk to him and fight him. Shiho wanted to see him closely, but why does she miss him when he made it clear that she has no place in his life? She even felt disappointed as she watched him leave towards the parking lot.
Shiho rested her forehead on the glass in thought. So he had a meeting with that blonde guy and now he's leaving. It's no longer like the old days when he'd stop by her office to say hi.
"Hey!" A deep voice cut through the silence sending a shiver down her spine. The scientist turned on her chair only to find Dai standing by her office door.
Shuichi examined her from his position. God, he had missed her so much and was glad to finally see her!
"You seem to be much centered with the view outside your window. Were you maybe... keeping an eye on someone?" He asked.
"I have better things to do." Shiho retorted.
She was not in the mood to play his games. Time did calm her down but seeing him closely was enough for her anger to reappear. She got up from her seat and walked up to him. Now that she was in front of him, she no longer was sure she could keep that promise she had made her sister.
"So you finally decide to show up after a month without contact and this is all you have to say?"
"How's Akemi doing?"
"Why do you care? She's not your girlfriend anymore." Shiho snapped at him.
"It's more complicated than that. Leaving her doesn't mean that I stopped caring for her." His voice was low. Shiho could detect a hint of sadness in it.
"That doesn't change the fact that she's been hurting because of you, and you didn't care to check up on her once."
"I wanted to, but I thought it would be better if I stay away and allow her some time for herself. I understand that she doesn't want to see me after what happened."
"If you truly cared to check up on her without her seeing you then you would've called me. Why didn't you call me?" Shiho asked. She seemed to calm down a little for her tone was soft this time.
It was a sentence she chose carefully to say. It cut her deep that he didn't care for her but she didn't want her words to expose her feelings, so she hid her accusations subtly behind this sentence.
"I considered that too but I knew you'd be angry at me as well."
So that's it! That's all he has to say for the pain he had caused her! Shiho wanted to scold him, to ask him what she meant to him, to ask if he'd missed her, but she was in no position to ask any of those questions. He was clearly here for Akemi and she couldn't force herself as a topic of discussion.
He always comes to her to ask about Akemi whether what gift he should get her? Or why she's mad at him? And Shiho was bound to help him every time. This time is no different, she'll just take the back seat and help them work their relationship like she always does, ignoring her own feelings.
With a nod, she averted her gaze from him and down to the floor.
"What do you want now?" She asked in a low voice.
"You still haven't answered my question."
"She's not good. She tries to hide it but I could tell that she's not." Shiho answered him honestly.
Shuichi scowled. Leaving Akemi was hard for him as well, he still believed it to be the right thing but it hurt him to hear that she's suffering.
Shiho met his gaze again. She could see in his eyes how he cared for her sister, she cursed herself for loving him when he and Akemi loved each other that much.
"I'm sorry. I wish there's something I could do..." He mumbled. "I think it's better if I go now, sorry to take your time."
Watching him turn to leave made Shiho clench her teeth. She still didn't get a single word out of him to ask about her and now he's leaving! All this time she's been hurting when he didn't care to say a stupid 'how are you'? He's just gonna disappear from her life again and she had no idea when he'll reappear again. Maybe never.
"Is this the last time that I see you?" She blurted thoughtlessly just to keep him a bit longer. Dai turned to her.
"What made you think that?"
"I don't know. You disappeared for a whole month without a trace, who knows when I'll next see you."
"That depends on you. If you want to see me then I'll be around. I only disappeared because you didn't want to see me."
Shiho thought for a moment before adding hesitantly. "...Who said that I didn't?"
"I've known you for two years, Shiho. I'm sure if you'd seen me any time earlier you wouldn't be as calm as you are now." He smiled faintly.
Oh well, he was right in a way, she probably would've kicked him out of her office without listening to him if he'd come to her two weeks ago. Shiho stood silent for a minute as those thoughts ran through her mind. She was staring at him in silence with her blues blinking to be covered by her mascara covered lashes. And Dai was staring her back in silence.
"I missed you." He suddenly muttered.
Shiho felt her cheeks immediately heat up. Just three words from Dai were enough to satisfy her. Only the words that come from him could affect her on such a deep level, only a look from his eyes could make her feel so much joy.
She was happy to hear that he cared, but that doesn't deny the fact that she was not willing to show her enthusiasm, not after he'd left her for a month. Shiho suppressed a smile and gave him one of her mean looks.
"Well, what's socially acceptable to say is 'me too', so I'll say that."
Turns out, Shiho couldn't contain her excitement for long since a grin split her face soon as she finished her sentence. She smiled... And Dai reciprocated immediately.
This was the first time he sees her smile in over a month, she looked beautiful! Shuichi felt relieved that she was no longer mad at him. He missed her so much through the past weeks and was so glad to have their friendship restored.
(~~~)
Since that fateful encounter with Rye, Gin has been isolating himself from everyone. He was never defeated like this before. He didn't want anyone to see him in the condition he was in, and he didn't want anyone to know he'd lost to Rye. So he took his time to recover alone. His grudge towards Dai grew more than ever and he was plotting to get him. Gin felt like he wouldn't rest unless Rye dies. But he needed to be careful! He needed to plot it stealthy for Boss to not notice, and for Rye's death to pass unnoticed, Gin needed time to think of a good plan.
He hasn't met Sherry since their breakup and although he wanted to see her badly, he never caved in to those emotions. Today, however, he had some work in the lab. His business was in the Lab's basement but he couldn't stop himself from riding the elevator to the fifth floor just for the sake of seeing her.
She was his guilty pleasure and dammit did he miss her! He won't talk to her though; he'll just look at her from afar to refill his memory with her beautiful face. But what Gin didn't expect was how looking at her would make him feel.
Shiho walked out of her office. She was wearing her lab coat and held a file in her hand, she was absorbed into rechecking its content. She looked healthier than the time Gin last saw her; her hair looked glowing, slightly moving up and down with every step she took, her skin looked gorgeous and her lips stole Gin's mind with their movement as they silently read what was written on the paper.
Gin stood in his place next to the elevator. His eyes were open wide following the scientist. Usually, they'd look dead, but now they were all want and desire. All the feelings he's been ignoring resurfaced again, they were even stronger now that he knew he couldn't have her. Gin had a strong feeling in his gut that drove him to change his plan from looking at her from afar, to taking a closer look at her face.
How could the mere seeing of a person ignite in him such strong feelings? How is that even possible? His Sherry was the embodiment of irresistibility!
Shiho disappeared into another office giving Gin a chance to move his eyes away. He turned his head and headed to her office. The place smelled like Sherry, it only helped ignite his feelings more. Gin took a look around and then proceeded to sit on her desk chair. He turned it to face the window as he waited patiently for the scientist to get back. It didn't take long before she did.
When he heard her enter the office, he slowly turned on the chair to face her. Gin's lips twisted into a grin as his deep voice welcomed her.
"Hello, Sherry!"
"Gin... When you said goodbye the last time I thought I won't be seeing you again." Shiho said, not looking as pleased as he was.
"I did say that, but I had work in here today and I'm a loyal man to my friends, Sherry. When I pass by from their place of work, I stop by to say hello."
Gin had his back resting on the chair. He was moving it slightly left and right while keeping his hands behind his head, reflecting superiority.
"How sweet of you!" She smiled mockingly. "That's been noted from you, Gin. Can you give me back my chair now? I have work to do."
Gin brought his hands down from the back of his head, ignoring her request.
"There's another reason that I came here. It's been so long since we last spoke, so how about we grab a drink together later?"
Shiho felt sick. Just when she thought she got rid of him forever it seems he's going back to his old ways as if nothing had happened.
"Gin, we already went through this and I didn't change my mind. I still want us to be apart."
"Who said something about getting back together?" He suddenly stood up. Gin took some steps and stood in front of her. "I just want to have a drink with you as friends, do you have a problem with that?"
Shiho crossed her arms. "Is that what we are now? We're friends?"
"I was hoping that we're more than that." His voice was low when he said that before continuing with a louder tone. "But that's in the past now. I'll be in Brooklyn bar later…"
"No, Gin, I'm not interested."
"At seven." Gin continued confidently as if he didn't hear her declining his offer.
"I'm not coming, Gin." Shiho confronted.
Gin stared at her fiercely. He suddenly held her by her elbow and pulled her closer to him with a tight grip.
"I'll wait for you… At seven… Brooklyn bar."
(~~~)
Shiho walked back and forth next to her floor to ceiling window. She glanced at the clock on the wall, it was already seven o'clock (It was a Saturday and work ended early in the Lab).
She kept thinking about Gin's offer. Shiho felt that if she goes to meet him, she'll be sucked in his old loop without being able to get out again. But the way his narrowed eyes looked at her when he said he'll wait for her kept coming back to her memory, and after years of abuse, she couldn't help but feel terror whenever Gin gives her that look.
She kept walking restlessly. Her eyes kept glancing back at the ticking clock and her mind kept thinking about Gin. It was already 7:35. He must be furious, he hates it when people are late, he hates waiting, she knows.
Shiho thought; Gin said that he does not want back together, they'll be going out as friends, so maybe she could just go as a 'friend'. In fact, that would be a good thing for her. Ending things with Gin while keeping a friendly relationship is far better than making him an enemy by ignoring his invite, and God knows how much Gin hates that. At least, going will put her tormented soul at ease because right now she felt threatened, she felt like he could break her door at any moment to punish her for ignoring his offer.
After a long quarrel with herself, Shiho decided to go.
By the time she got there, it was already 8:10. Shiho did not expect to find Gin. Surprisingly, she found him sitting at the bar with a glass of whiskey in front of him. She walked in confidently and sat on the stool next to him. Her overwhelming scent preceded her and flooded Gin's nostrils.
Shiho kept silent and Gin didn't turn to face her, but the distinctive scent was enough for him to confirm her presence. It was not just the perfume, it was how it interacted with Sherry's skin. No one else could smell as good as her even if they wear the same perfume, his Sherry was the only one in the world!
"You're late." Gin sternly said.
"I got held up doing something." Shiho answered, hoping that he won't ask further questions about that.
"I was about to head home."
"Good thing that you didn't then." She said, before turning to the bartender who approached them. "I'll have a glass of sherry."
Gin took the opportunity to turn her way and examine her. Sherry looked glowing! The red elegant dress fitted her perfectly and the v neck only added to her breathtaking look. She suddenly turned to face him again.
"So we're friends now, huh!" Shiho casually added, trying to revive the conversation.
"Actually, Sherry, I've been here long enough. I think we should head home."
"But I just got here."
"That's your problem. You were the unpunctual one." Gin gobbled what was left in his glass then turned to her. "Should we go to your place or mine?"
Shiho's look turned into a fierce glare. "May I remind you that we're just here as friends."
"So what! We could be just friends… with… some benefits." Gin grinned.
Realizing that the meeting was taking another turn, Shiho moved on the barstool uncomfortably. She should've seen that coming, it was stupid of her to believe they could share a normal relationship.
"Umm, we shouldn't be having this conversation."
Gin brought his face closer to hers. "You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to be having this conversation."
His words leaped Shiho to her feet. "Gin, I only came here because you made it clear to me that we won't. You said we're going out just as friends."
"That was a load of bullshit and you know it. You're a smart woman sherry, don't play stupid it doesn't suit you."
"No I guess I messed up this time, I took the stupid decision of coming here." She said before turning on her heels and leaving.
Gin threw some bills to pay for the drinks then rushed behind her. He watched her as she threw her black jacket on her shoulders before getting outside. When he got out after her, the cold breeze enveloped him. Gin could feel the cold through his pants, he couldn't imagine what Sherry must be feeling wearing a short dress.
He fastened his steps towards her and held her by the hand. Shiho stopped walking and freed her hand from his grip immediately. Without saying a word, Gin took off his long coat and placed it on her shoulders. When she tried to take it off, he stopped her.
"Don't! You know that you need it, Sherry. Come on now let me drive you home."
"I'll wait for my driver."
"Your driver wouldn't expect you to be heading home this fast, it will take him a while to come back here to pick you up. It's too cold for you with that dress, come on."
"No, Gin I'll wait." Shiho interjected stubbornly. She grabbed the phone out of her purse to call the driver. "I can give you your coat back if you want."
Gin held the phone from her hand and threw it back inside the purse before snatching it from her hand.
"Give me back my purse!" Shiho frowned. But Gin was already walking his way to the Black Porsche that was parked a couple of meters away from them.
Shiho stood in her place in rage as she watched him drive his car and stop it in front of her. Gin bent and opened the passenger's seat door. The redhead just glared at him with her chin up. Her phone and money were in that purse, she won't be able to get home without them. After hesitating for a while, she got in.
The drive was filled with silence as both of them didn't talk. Shiho was turning to look out the window and Gin was focusing on the road. When they finally got to her apartment complex, Shiho got off the car, but for some reason, Gin did too.
"Here is enough, Gin. I can walk in by myself." She dryly said.
"What kind of a man will that make me if I don't ensure you're protection? I've seen how men were looking at you in the bar, Sherry. I don't want you to be harassed on your way to your apartment." He smirked.
"Cut the bullshit, that's not why you want to walk me in." She hissed.
Sherry had no idea that her rejection only tempted Gin more, that and the shots of whiskey he had earlier made his emotions think for him. Gin held her by the elbow and started dragging her towards the main entrance.
"How many times do I have to tell you to clean that nasty mouth of yours." He hissed back.
Shiho walked along with him. She could've used her training to escape his grip but she preferred not to. She still wanted her connection with him to be peaceful and she wanted to keep her new skills a secret so that she could take him aback if he ever dares to hurt her again. Walking her to the apartment wasn't really that big of a threat, unless he tries to pull something on her, then she'll certainly react.
When she finally got to her apartment, Shiho handed Gin his coat and started pressing the password to her door while making sure to hide the board so that he wouldn't see the numbers. When the door opened, she turned to him.
"I'm safe in here. Nobody will hit on me in my own apartment so you can go." Shiho walked inside sending him a final glare with the door in her hand. "Good night, Gin." She dryly said while pushing the door to close it.
Gin studied her face. She looked so beautiful he could safely call her the most beautiful woman to ever have existed. In a fast move, he placed his foot between the door and the wall preventing her from closing it. Shiho fought to close it from the inside but Gin outstrengthened her. He got inside and held her by the shoulder.
"Gin-" Shiho started warningly with a deep frown splitting her forehead. But Gin interrupted by pressing his index gently to her lips.
"Shh… I know what you're going to say." He softly said, expressions softened. "I know I haven't been the best to you of late, Sherry… But, I'm sorry. There. I said it… I'm sorry."
Gin ran his fingers through her hair while staring into her eyes. The frown on her face seemed to have disappeared. Sherry looked him back surprised. This is the first time she ever hears Gin apologize, not just to her but to anyone. This might be the first time Gin apologizes to anyone, and he seemed to truly mean it.
Sherry's proximity was exercising its magical effect on Gin. He wanted her so badly and longed to kiss her lips.
"Let's start over, okay?... We have had chemistry from the second we first met, remember? So let's start over, Sherry. Let's pick up from where we started." Gin's voice was louder this time, but with each passing moment, the desire grew and became more evident in his voice. It was deep and low, interrupted by his breaths.
Gin's words were true. They did have chemistry from the first time they met. And then on their first night together that was supposed to happen only once but turned into a ritual that they do every now and then. It wasn't really a relationship, it was more like a fling that they shared from time to time, a sexual relationship, no more no less. It was like that until Gin decided to take it to the next level, he started treating Shiho like his own property without giving her a way out, he suffocated her for years with his paranoia and possessiveness. She's had enough and she won't accept being sucked into that again.
"We can't go back, Gin." Shiho finally said with a low voice.
"Shh!" Gin hushed her again, lowering her jacked down and exposing her bare shoulder. He brought down his head and started printing light kisses on it. He inhaled deeply for the scent he had missed. The mere kiss on his Sherry's shoulder was better than any other joy in life.
"Gin." Sherry called, placing her hands on his shoulders. She dared to push him back for the first time in her life.
Gin raised his eyes to meet hers with his breathing heavied. He'd already crossed the point of no return, he wanted her and he wanted her now! Gin pulled her closer and lowered his head to her neck. He dived in there and started kissing her skin.
"No, Gin!" Shiho pushed him away, depriving him of his favorite pleasure once more. "Please, just leave." She softly said.
"What do you mean leave? Don't fuck with me, Sherry. You've been leading me on to this the whole night. You came to me yourself wearing this dress and now you're saying that you don't want this?"
"You said-"
"I don't care what I said. I didn't force you to come to the bar, I didn't force you to wear this but here you are wearing it." He raged.
"You're sick." Shiho muttered while moving away from him, but Gin caught her and dragged her back to where she was standing behind the door. He pinned her wrists to the wall with one hand and held her chin with the other, forcing her to look at him.
"Don't you understand? I love you, Sherry…"Gin started slowly. It was the first time Shiho sees him like that, he looked sincere, for once in his life Gin didn't reflect superiority, for once he looked weak and helpless. "I love you! I love you! I LOVE YOU." He said, voice getting louder with each time he repeated it. He hated that he loved her.
Shiho just looked at him without responding. The only things heard in the room were Gin's inhales and exhales.
"…Say something." He mumbled, withdrawing the hand that held her chin.
Soon as he did, Shiho turned her head to the side without giving him an answer. Gin felt furious. He drove a fist in the wall behind her before lowering his head down to her neck and kissing it again. Shiho struggled to free her wrists but she couldn't. That's when she realized it was time to bring out her secret weapon. There's no way Gin will let things end peacefully, he's always been violent so only violence will stop him.
Shiho brought her knee up and dived it into his stomach, she then swung her now freed fist and punched him on the face. Gin didn't even try to block her as he stood there taken aback by the sudden attack. He had no idea Sherry had such skills, and even if she did, he never expected her to use them on him.
Shiho felt so satisfied for punching him, this was the first time she ever gets to him. While Gin stood startled, she tried to open the door and leave, but Gin grabbed her by the hair and wrapped his arms around her. Both of Shiho's arms and her fragile body were encircled by Gin's long arms now, her legs were of no use with him behind her. Shiho felt trapped and it frightened her.
"I always tell you that you never cease to surprise me, Sherry. That's why I keep on coming back, to see what new things you have for me." He muttered in her ear.
Gin turned and dragged her to the couch. When he got there, he threw her down violently and landed on top of her. He pinned both of her wrists down and brought his face to her neck again, kissing it. He's been deprived of her for a long time and now he felt hungry for her. Nobody could give him such pleasure in life, what was he thinking when he accepted the breakup? He's never gonna give her up again.
Gin kept printing kisses on Shiho's skin while she kept struggling underneath him.
"No…NO!" She yelled in terror. This can't be it. This will bring her back to point zero. No, Gin had never forced her into this before, this will wreck her even more than she already was. She can't let it happen.
In a last attempt to escape, Shiho bent her leg and placed her foot against Gin's hip pushing him away. When his grip weakened by her move, She used her training to free her wrists. She then rapidly rolled to the side, falling off the couch to the ground. Shiho got up fast and ran outside the door without looking back.
The redhead's limbs were shaking and she could barely stabilize her breathing. She ran to the elevator and anxiously waited for it to close before Gin comes and grab her back. Luckily, he didn't come after her in the hallway. The elevator finally closed and brought her down.
Shiho rushed out of the building. She kept walking aimlessly, just wanting away from her apartment. The weather was too cold but adrenalin didn't let her feel any. And although her face had a neutral expression on it, tears flew down her cheeks uncontrollably.
She kept walking until she reached an intersection. That's when she stopped. She was barely hearing anything from the traffic around her, all she could hear was ringing in her ears. Shiho wasn't even aware where she was and had no idea where she was going, she was just frozen on the sidewalk, looking ahead without seeing anything. Her eyebrows suddenly drew in the middle. Why does pain keep on following her even when she tries to end it, why?
A cold breeze pulled her out of her chock, and for the first time in a while, she was aware of her surroundings. Shiho thought for a moment; Where could she go? She felt scared and lost. She needed safety. That's when Dai crossed her mind. She needed to be with him.
She looked around and saw a convenience store to her left. Shiho dived her hand in the jacket's pocket and found some bills in there, they should suffice to buy her something.
(~~~)
It was one of the rare times Shuichi manages to fall deeply asleep. But to his luck, the door was knocked, and being the light sleeper he was, his eyes flickered open.
Shiho's hands were like pieces of ice on the door. Dai opened after a moment. His hair was messy and his eyes were heavy from sleep, but they grew soon as they landed on his unexpected guest.
"Shiho? What are you doing here?" He asked, voice a bit hoarse.
"It looks like I interrupted your sleep. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I'm not a big fan of it anyway." Dai held the door open and motioned to her to get inside.
"Yeah, I noticed. You're almost awake at every hour of the day." She said while walking in.
"Anyways, what brings you here?" Shuichi asked as he joined her in the living room.
Shiho lifted the six pack of beer she brought to his face. "I hope you're in the mood for this!"
"I guess so." Shuichi shrugged. Although he promised himself to never get drunk while with Shiho, he didn't mind getting a beer. He's used to much stronger alcohol so a beer won't really affect his perception.
Shuichi took the six pack from her. He unpacked it in the kitchen and opened two bottles before going back to the living room. He handed Shiho one and started drinking the other.
The two sat on the couch and chatted for a while.
Shiho didn't want to mention what happened earlier to Dai. She had enough of showing her weakness to him. He's done enough already by training her. Now she has to deal with her problems herself, no more getting Dai involved, not after what happened to him the last time when Gin abducted him.
Shuichi, though, was able to sense something was wrong. Shiho didn't look like she was here just to hang. He knew she was trying to cover up something. Maybe something Gin related. He had no idea what circumstances made her come to him, but what he knew was that she looked so sad and exhausted despite the firm expression she was using to hide it.
"Are you okay?" He asked at one point.
"I'm, I'm good." And she replied.
He was positive she was lying. When will she learn that it's okay to expose her weakness? Why does she have to always act strong in front of everyone while dealing with hardship all alone? Shuichi thought. But he'll surely make her spill the beans!
When he finished his beer, he got up to bring himself another.
"Ah, I have a bottle of Gin by the way, do you want some?" He suddenly asked.
Just when he mentioned Gin's name, Shiho's face turned towards him in a fast motion and she fixed her widened eyes on his.
"Aha." He pointed at her. "That look on your face. You're not okay Shiho and it's because of Gin."
"Are you seriously going to use this on me?" She looked at him, unimpressed.
"I think I just did."
"Oh wow, how smart!"
"I know." His lips lifted at the side.
"For the record, I am being sarcastic. I'm saying this because maybe you have trouble telling sarcasm and truth apart, since you would use such a stupid method to build conclusions."
"That's not a stupid method. It's a psychological trick that surpasses the filters of your mind and gets answers straight from the subconscious. If Gin weren't to be on your mind right now, you wouldn't have had that reaction."
"Why do you always do this?...Can't you just be satisfied with what I tell you? Why do you always try to find other things behind my words?" Shiho asked, irritated.
"Because you're a liar, Shiho. You always lie to me so I had to get creative."
Shiho sighed. She turned away from him to look ahead of her and took a sip from her beer.
"Look, Dai san, I came here to have a good time so please don't ruin it for me. Let's not talk about this for the rest of the evening, okay?"
Dai didn't answer, he just turned on his heels and headed to the kitchen before coming back with another beer in his hand. When he came back, he found that Shiho had took off her jacket. Shuichi examined her as he walked. The red dress looked so good on her, and the red lipstick looked like it was made just for her lips. Shuichi could've sworn she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, but he'll never say it out loud.
Despite her beauty, he still sensed her sadness. The agent had enough of it. He approached her and squatted down in front of her so that their faces would be on the same level. Shuichi searched her gaze.
"I can't do this, Shiho. I know something's wrong and I…What is it you're not telling me? If you don't want to tell me then fine, but don't deny it and pretend that everything's okay."
Shiho stared back into his greens silently. She hated being in this position, being weak and defeated.
"Don't you trust me?" Dai went on softly.
"I do…" Her voice was so low.
"Then why do you keep on hiding things from me?"
She swallowed hard. "It was, Gin...He came to my apartment and… and then he tried to…" Her lips pressed together tightly before she continued. "...Force himself on me...But I stopped him and ran away."
Shuichi's face suddenly softened to a sympathetic expression. He somehow lost all words, no word on his mind was suitable enough to be said. His hands cupped her cheeks before proceeding to move behind her back, pulling her closer to him and hugging her tightly.
Shiho didn't realize how much she needed to hug him until she felt his strong arms wrap around her body. Her vision started to blur. She closed her eyes tightly getting rid of the excess water, relieved that he couldn't see her face with her head resting on his shoulder.
Being close to Dai made Shiho feel safe. Maybe he'll manage to make her forget, too. But in order to forget…
"Dai san, let's not talk about him anymore, at least for tonight." She said when they broke the hug.
"But-…"
"Please! I don't want to think of him."
Dai nodded silently. He thought for a moment, how could he make her forget? He himself was not able to get her words out of his mind. But then he had an idea that might help them brighten up the mood.
Shuichi disappeared from Shiho's sight. Not so long after, the sound of music tickled her ears. Shiho recognized the song and smiled weakly. So even his taste in music was perfect!
She grabbed her beer again, got up, and crossed her way to the balcony to inhale some fresh air. When she walked back to the inside she found Dai standing behind her. The redhead slid the balcony's door close then turned to him.
"Do you know how to dance?" He asked.
"I… No, not really." She answered. Being born in an organization, one doesn't really get a chance to learn such things.
"So now apart from self defense, I'll have to give you some dancing lessons as well. Add that to your list." Shuichi said, hoping to take her mind off what was bothering her. "This reminds me of the time..."
Dai kept talking, telling her a story about his days in university, but Shiho wasn't really listening. She was gazing at his face, following every movement, every wrinkle that appeared from his smiles and frowns as he told the story. She could tell he was doing his best to make her forget, at least for the next hours that she's with him. He always does his best to help her and she loved him so much for it.
Suddenly, her focus shifted. From the horror of the past hour and being taken against her will, to the pleasure of being with the one she truly loves and longes for.
Shiho was surprised at herself. Why is she having these thoughts after what happened to her earlier? But she couldn't stop them, Dai was standing in front of her, still talking, and he looked so damn good. Even his smell was good, may God help her with this.
As if she was driven by an invisible force, Shiho took a step forward reducing the distance between them and printed her lips on his, shutting him up midsentence.
At first, Shuichi froze in his place. He was taken aback by her sudden kiss. But then his brain restarted working again. He was not planning to let this happen again. He pushed her away and took a step back.
"This is not right Shiho. You're drunk."
"Yeah, I guess I'm... I'm drunk." She said. Shiho turned to face the balcony, leaving Dai standing behind her and avoiding the embarrassment of looking him in the eye. She wiped her lips with her hand.
She was not drunk! How could she be after drinking half a beer? She was in her complete senses but she wanted to kiss him. She agreed she's drunk only to save herself the humiliation. Dai's rejection hurt her. It's not even the first time she kisses him and with him being sober this time, he'll certainly remember it clearly. How will she be able to face him in the future with such humiliating history between them? What was she thinking? She better apologize now to save what could be saved.
"Dai san, I'm sorr…" Shiho started as she turned around to face him again, but she stopped talking when she found that Dai had taken a step towards her while she was facing the balcony. It surprised her. He was standing too close to her now and she didn't know how to react to it. She just looked at him confused.
Shuichi tilted his head and gently took her lips, feeling their softness and their sweet taste.
Shiho stood startled. She wanted this for as long as she could remember but had always thought it was unachievable. But now they were kissing, Dai came to her, he chose to, he wanted her, and he was surely sober this time.
She reciprocated his kiss, full of devotion. The kiss that started softly deepened as their bodies melted together, hers into his.
Shuichi had wanted this for so long but always thought it was wrong. This time though, he couldn't help it. He caved in for his wants ignoring the voice of reason. He kissed Shiho, unleashing his love for her. But although he wanted Shiho badly, he had to make sure that she really wanted him too, that she's not just having a fling that she'll regret. She's just been through a traumatic experience, this might be all the effect of her shock and there's also his history with her sister, so maybe it's better that they don't continue what they have started.
Shuichi broke the contact of their mouths. He was barely able to when he wanted her so badly.
"Shiho…" He called her name through his quickened breathing. "This is wrong… You'll regret it tomorrow."
"I won't." She shook her head with her breathing heavied, then swallowed. "You're not seeing anyone, I'm not seeing anyone. So what's wrong with it?".
Their faces approached again and they passionately kissed for another time, this one didn't last long before Shuichi drew away again. Shiho just needed him to shut up and kiss her, but Dai had other thoughts.
"...You had a shock! This is because of what happened with Gin earlier… I-"
Shiho interrupted him by pressing her finger against his lips, she found them warm and reddened from hers. She could see the battle raging within him. He didn't want to take advantage of her and wanted to make sure she wasn't going through a fling to escape her problems. Shiho respected Dai for that, she even liked it, but only as long as he gave in to her eventually.
"You think this is about Gin?... It's not, Dai san, I want you."
Shuichi didn't need to be told twice. He wanted Shiho. He wouldn't know what would've happened to him if she'd listened to his warnings and left. He was staring deeply into her blues he could see how much she wanted him too. How come he's been oblivious all of this time? It's only now that he realized it, now it was so clear in her eyes.
His hands ascended and cupped her cheeks. Shuichi's head was tilted down to face her, lips almost touching.
"I want you too, Shiho." He whispered, before kissing her again.
Shiho's legs were barely able to support her, she pressed her back against the balcony's door behind her to gain support. Dai's words were like a song to her ears. Did she die and go to heaven? This was so good to be true for a person who used to receive one pain after another, this is the first time she gets a good thing in life.
Shuichi brought his head down from her face finding her skin and kissing her passionately. Pleasure spread through Shiho. Her hands which were in his hair descended down to his shirt unbuttoning it. Dai lifted his head up and kissed her lips again as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back passionately. Shiho felt like the entire world fell away and nothing but their bodies together remained.
In a swift, unexpected move, Dai lifted her up, wrapping both her legs around his waist, and he carried her into his bedroom. Shiho kept kissing him on the way, with her eyes closed and her mind in a place where nothing mattered, nothing except Dai with her...
Happy New year!
This fanfic is coming to an end so soon, I hope you all have been enjoying it so far.
