A/N: I'm back, baby! This was out a bit longer than expected, but here ya go anyway.
"Each friend represents a world in us,
a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
-Anais Nin
Friday
It had been four days since Yuri first met Serena. So far, he had lots of fun with her. Every lunch time, instead of eating with his brothers, he would go to her little camp where Serena would always be waiting. He still doesn't have her full trust, but he's getting there.
Right now, he's about to tell her about an employee he had eyes on (even though he had no feelings for this person, he did this on purpose to stop himself from falling for Serena) ever since he got employed–Masumi Kotsu.
As he went in her little 'house', she was sniffing what seemed like white stuff in a small packet. His eyes crossed. "Hey, Sere… What's that?" he asked.
She was shocked; she forgot he came every lunch. "Y-Yuri! It's, uh, nothing." She hid the packet in her jacket's pocket.
"Give it to me." He demanded.
"N-No, I—"
"I said to give it to me. Don't make me be the one who'll take it from you."
She huffed. "Tch, fine," she said, handing him the packet.
"And never, NEVER buy any more of this shit."
"You're not my mom!"
"I don't care. When I say you stop, you stop, got it?!"
"…fine."
As soon as the convo ended, he took a matchbox and went out.
"What are you gonna do with that?"
"Burn it. I can't dispose of it properly nor throw it in a trashcan 'cause you'll see it," he deadpanned. "I don't care how much you spent on this; you probably even used my money."
Serena didn't stop him, he was right; she did use his money, the money he gave her through his very rare generosity. And who cares, she can just buy some more of those anyways.
She watched as he made fire with some boxes and dead leaves then when it started, he threw the packet in it.
"Now that that's done, can I ask you a question?"
"Sigh, what."
"There is this uhh… girl at work. Her name is Masumi Kotsu," he said, feigning a sweet voice and a blush.
"Yeah, what about her?" She said nonchalantly, as if she didn't care. And even though she did, it's not like she can stop him. "Well, I need dating advice. I'm too shy around her."
Serena was surprised, shy? That doesn't sound like him at all. "Ask for her… number, or something, that's a good start."
"I said I'm too shy."
"But you act like an asshole around me, yeah. VERY shy. C'mon, you stole things with me all the time. You weren't so shy then, were you?"
"No, what I felt was guilt." Nah, it's not. "Still, I just—" Serena cut him off, "Okay, that's it. Where do you work?"
"Why do you want to know that!? Knowing you…"
She just grinned. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course not!"
"Pf, just tell me."
"…Leo Corp."
Not that she was surprised or anything, (I mean, Leo Corp. is the biggest corporation in the country as of now) but, 'That's my family's… sigh, never mind, but my other brother also resides there as the CEO… and the other one as a detective of the security department. I don't want to meet them, but I have to help this guy… sigh.' "Okay then, let's go."
"Go where…?" Yuri didn't like where this was going.
"To Leo Corp, duh," she answered, walking away. "Come on!"
Yuri's eyes widened. "You… wouldn't dare…"
Serena had a sly smirk on her face. "Oh, I dare alright."
'GREAT,' Yuri thought. "Fine, right behind you…" He growled.
Leo Corp.-A few minutes later
Serena walked in casually, before she was stopped by a guard.
"Sorry, Miss. Unless you're going to meet someone or if you're an employee, you're not allowed to enter," he said, not even looking at her.
"She's with me, Shingo," Yuri said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am." When he looked at her, his eyes turned into hearts. "May I ask what your name may be, oh beautiful maiden?" He said, taking her hand and kissing it.
"My name is Serena. And if you've paid attention, I'm a homeless person," she said, not hesitating to gag while snatching her hand before he could plant another kiss.
Yuri subconsciously and instinctively went in front of Serena. "Please let us pass."
Shingo looked at him in the eyes, Yuri did so too.
Serena did a relatively loud cough. "EhEM, Yuri, want to get a girl, or not?" Serena asked.
Hearing that, Shingo giddily stood back, as knowing this isn't Yuri's girl made him happy. "You may both pass," Shingo politely said with a bow.
"Thank you very much," Yuri said. When Yuri passed by him, Shingo forcefully pushed him with his shoulder. Yuri decided to ignore it before he'd pick a fight with anyone.
"So where's the girl, Yuri?" Serena asked, rubbing her hands together like some sort of villain.
"Sigh, follow me."
"Yuri?" Someone distant said.
"B-Boss!" Yuri exclaimed.
"Big bro…!" Serena hesitated. Reiji gave her a death glare. Seeing that, Serena shrugged.
Yuri looked at her. Then at Reiji. Then at her. "W-What?"
Reiji sighed. "Serena."
'We, of course, just had to run onto him,' Serena thought.
While the two were just standing there awkwardly, Yuri said, "How are you both even related to each other…?" while observing, analyzing them.
"Yeah, how am I related to you?" Serena repeated.
Reiji just sighed at the two. "I see you both have met."
Serena nodded. "We have… wait…"
"Well I'm off. And we're just related, okay?"
"I know, but…" Yuri insisted.
Reiji sighed. "We can talk about this another time. For now, I have to get to work. And that goes for EVERYONE in here!" He exclaimed. "And Serena, stay out of trouble while you're here."
"Sure, big bro!"
"Thank you." He then walked away.
Serena took Yuri. "Well, let's find her."
After some walking, they found Masumi in a separate office. As Reiji's secretary, she was in an office signing some papers. "There, that's her."
"Okay."
"Now, she—"
Without warning, Serena walked straight to her office and said, "Hey, you're Masumi, right?"
"…Yes…?" Masumi answered, a bit confused.
Yuri can be seen waving his hands "no". 'I KNEW that this was a very bad idea. SERENA PLEASE DON'T—' he thought.
Serena smirked. "Well, I have a friend,"
"Don't even DARE…!'
'Oh, doesn't he remember what I said earlier? I totes DARE.'
"I think you know him, his name is—"
Before she could finish what she was about to say, Yuri pulled her away. "Ehehehe, I'm sorry if she's bothering you," he spoke, "My, my, Serena. I've been looking everywhere for you! Again, I'm sorry if she bothered you."
"Oh! Nah, it's fine," Masumi said.
"Let me go!"
"Well, we have to go now. Bye! I am hungry,"
"More like hangry…" Serena murmured.
"Shut it," Yuri said, dragging her away as she swore. A lot. Also, very, very loudly. "He likes you!"
"Shut. Up."
Leo Corp.-Cafeteria
They were ordering their lunches while talking about what happened. "Ooh! Ooh! Yuri, can I have a cheeseburger!? Pleeeaaase?"
"No. You eat what I can get, I have limited lunch money, since my brothers and I divide our cash. Equally."
"Aww… fine. So anyway, why'd you pull me away? I was about to confess your love to her, for you."
"I think I can do that myself, thank you very much."
Serena smirked. "Then what'd you need me for?"
"Nothing!" Yuri yelled, shaking his head. "If only you were SOMEHOW not Reiji's sister, you'd be dead," he said, moving his finger across his neck as emphasis.
"Heh, I don't really even care for him."
"The food is too expensive right now… let's go," Yuri said, trying to change the topic, but it's true, the food was a bit expensive right now.
"Go where? To a restaurant? If you're trying to dine and dash, I'm your guy—girl," she said proudly, pointing to herself.
"No," he said. There's no way in hell that he'll dine and dash, unless he has no choice. "I'm never doing that. I have a friend, Dennis, he has a small coffee shop."
"Aww man, thought we were gonna have some fun. You're boring. Still, don't change the subject. Why are you so shy to talk to Masumi, yet freely goof off and are so condescending towards me?" She lightly punched his shoulder.
"Ouch, stop." Yuri didn't want to tell her his honest answer, but she didn't say he had to be. "Because I'm not sexually (romance, not the other thing) attracted, nor want to build a 'long-lasting relationship' with you," Yuri lied, walking away.
"While with her, I feel bound to be committed, feel like I can't… live… without her," he said. "I dunno."
She was annoyed beyond relief.
Walking beside him, she said, "Ohh, what am I, then? Am I just an annoying friend tagging along like some sort of parasite?"
"Yes," he answered clearly, smirking. "I mean, you're annoying, and a person I've actually quite considered my… friend. While still acting like a parasite."
She gave him a bored look, before seeing…
A blue-haired midget half a foot smaller than her, aka Sora, was running in their direction. "Hey, boss! Wait!"
Seeing him, Yuri walked faster, not wanting to talk to the blue-colored pineapple.
"Wait! Can I come with you!? My co-workers don't want to be with me." He panted.
Serena looked at Sora. "…Who's he?"
"My annoying lollipop-sucking assistant… " Yuri grimaced.
"Why?"
"He thinks I'm his mentor and all–which is actually quite convenient as I can get him to do almost anything–but he's just way too annoying!" "Come on! I don't want to talk to him…"
But she wouldn't walk. "He might have something VERY important to tell you. He might have some dating advice!" She said, approaching Sora.
"Don't tell him!"
"Let him go with us, maybe I won't."
"Hmph. Fine." He stopped and groaned. "C'mon, Sora."
As if he regained all his peppy energy in a matter of milliseconds, he yelled, "ThankyouThankyouThankyou! You have no idea how happy I am!"
He looked at Serena. "And thank you for convincing boss. He's usually a hard guy to be with."
Serena looked at Yuri. "Hard, huh. He acts all stupid when with me."
"That's because you don't take me seriously!"
"Who are you, anyway? I haven't seen you before." Sora said, looking at Serena. "Waiiit, maybe you're boss's girlfriend!" Sora concluded.
"No, I'm not/she's not." Yuri and Serena both said in sync.
'What is it with people always making that conclusion!?'
"Really? You both look like you're made for each other. I saw you both in the offices sending signals to each other with… who was that… Miss Masumi? Yeah, her." Sora said.
"Well, you see, Yuri here—"
"Hey, we're out! Let's continue walking to the coffee shop and not talk about what happened," Yuri said, emphasizing not and the last two words.
"Don't, interrupt me, Yuri. Ever."
"Yeah, I want to know what happened! You were both acting weird, and boss actually looked nervous," Sora piped before taking a candy bar from his pocket and opening it. "Yum."
"Can I have some?" Serena asked.
Sora gave her a death glare, "Sorry, miss. I'm all good and fun to be around with, buut I never, and I mean never share any of my candy."
"Sheesh, fine."
Nonetheless, Serena kept trying (and failing) to tell Sora about Yuri's feelings (whilst still asking him for candy), Yuri interrupts/stops her, Sora comments, and the whole process starts over again, until they finally arrived at the shop.
Macfield Coffee Shop
'Finally. I can't ever leave them alone…' Yuri thought.
"Yuri? You're here again," Dennis said as he lifted his fist.
"Yeah, food at work is expensive… again," Yuri said as he fist-bumped Dennis.
"You always say it's expensive." Dennis looked behind him, seeing two people giggling like maniacs. "And you brought some friends? That's… new."
Yuri looked at them, "Don't mention it." He sighed. "The girl is Serena, someone I met a few days ago. The other one is Sora, my assistant."
"Someone you just met a few days ago? Are you sure?" Dennis teased.
"Yes, Den-den. Just a few days ago."
"Hmm, another girl to manipulate, Yuri? I thought you stopped a while back."
Yuri looked at the two. "She's… I dunno, a bit, different? And I still do, Den-den. Just not as much."
"Well okay, then. Anyway, I'll lead y'all to a table for four," Dennis said.
"Thanks, man. Serena, Sora, c'mon," Yuri called. "By the way, what're you guys all giggling about?"
"Oh, nothing." Serena brushed off, still giggling. "Nothing you should know about anyway," Sora continued as he and Serena did a high-five.
"Anyway, have you ever thought that," she started, looking at Sora specifically, "eating a lollipop is basically swallowing your flavored saliva?"
Sora's heart did a particularly loud ba-bump before his eyes widened and looked away guiltily. "N-No… I never thought of it that way…"
"I like the way she thinks," Dennis said, laughing.
"Another aspect I like but also hate about her." Yuri sighed.
As they sat on the table, Dennis asked for their orders, after he got them, he went back to his kitchen to let his employees do their thing, then he went back to their table for a little chit-chat.
"So, Serena, how'd you meet Yuri?" Dennis asked. "I want to know, too!" Sora piped.
"Hm? It was a complicated first meeting, actually. We accidentally bumped into each other then had an argument because…" She remembered that she actually got beaten up which was the cause of their mini argument.
"…of something," she concluded. "So anyway, the food here is great!"
"Oh, thank you." Dennis laughed. "What do you do for a living?"
This piqued Yuri's interest. Yes, they talked, but he wanted to see if she had a job. Though the joyride gave him a bit of an idea.
"I'm a college dropout, you should know that. I also only walk neighbor's dogs… sometime," she said. "Yuri, can I have another hotdog?"
"No. One is enough."
"You're a college dropout? Huh, that's why you're… well… like that."
"Yes, Sora. And at least I know what to do and isn't just some lame office worker."
"Wha-? I don't even work in an office! I work in a laboratory of the Science Department as the Chief's–well, Yuri's–assistant!"
Serena just looked at him boredly. "Well, at least I don't work for an annoying asshole."
Sora and Dennis almost choked on their food after hearing that. Dennis even chuckled a bit; never has anyone directly insulted Yuri like that. She might've even put herself in trouble.
"At least I'm not a NEET, airhead."
"Oh please, at least I don't spend, like, nine hours a day in a boring lab, Lily."
"Pff. I enjoy my work and laboratory just fine, you neanderthal."
Dennis and Sora were stunned. "Should we stop them…?" Sora asks.
The carrot-top just shrugged. "I-I… I dunno."
Serena just continued. "Hah! Even so, you're probably as useless as the 'G' in lasagna!"
"Bitch please, your birth certificate is an apology letter from the condom factory."
"I think we should stop them before this turns into a brawl," the pineapple said.
"Yeah, we should," Dennis said, standing up. "Wow, that… ehm, uhh, can Yuri and I have a private talk, with each other?" Dennis asked. "Oh, and please, don't even try to spy on us."
"Uh, sure. I don't see anything wrong with that." Sora shrugged, finishing his ice cream.
"Why, you don't approve of my mouth?"
Dennis shook his head. "No, nah, not that."
Yuri looked at Dennis suspiciously. "Sora, watch out for Serena, okay?"
"'Kay."
Yuri and Dennis went to the back of the shop. "She is, indeed, different. But my dear Ra, HER MOUTH; YOUR MOUTH! You're both definitely made and are perfect for each other, please tell me you plan on hooking up with her, man!"
"That's one thing I like about her–her potty mouth, but," Yuri gave him a low, not-so-menacing and rarely normal glare, "you took me back here all to tell me that….?"
"Yeah, and I don't mean hook up with her then dispose when she's not needed anymore like with the many other poor people you 'disposed of' in the past, I mean really hook up with her!"
"Pff, the idiot took me out on a fucking joyride!" Yuri exclaimed. "It was also with a car we stole."
Dennis smiled, bewildered. "W-Wow. Just wow. And as if we didn't used to do that."
"Yea… anyway, I am thinking of that–hooking up with her, and as you see, she…" he looked in the direction where Serena sat, she was making some sort of fishing pole or something with the plastic straws then used it to poke Sora, which annoyed the latter.
"...is different than most people I've met and encountered in the past which makes her quite interesting. I try to 'mask' myself, but she somehow gets me to take it off."
"And because of that, she also manages to reach something within me that, I myself don't really understand," he concluded honestly. "I feel a bit attracted to her, somehow. Maybe, I can't quite understand how to really comfort a person emotionally, only using what I learned to know how one feels, or why one feels like their heart gets crushed when someone they 'love' or 'cared so much for' dies, maybe I can't connect to anyone emotionally nor have I wanted to try, but for her and how different she is–even of her obvious bad habits and lifestyle, just maybe, I will."
"She might even be the person I'd willingly put my 'mask' down for, to see how she'd react and tolerate it."
"That's a terrible, bad, and extremely foolish idea, but yeah, do it."
"Yeah… I'm tired of pretending I'm not evil; though, she probably already knows."
Dennis chuckled at his statement. "Funny how a person like you would even try to do what you said last and the sentence before it. Most that're like you just see people as 'animals' and use them to their advantage, then leave them when they are of no purpose, ignoring how the other person would feel."
Dennis shook his head, looked down and sighed amusedly. "Just… unbelievable."
"She also makes me think about her and myself. Before, before any of that."
"The sort of things we did in the past?"
"Yes. Nothing but a lost soul who has no one else to rely on, but… family. But even with family, we still struggle." Other people would feel a pang on their heart, but Yuri felt none of such.
Sora now pulled the straw-rod-whatever and destroyed it. Serena went to him and started to shake him vigorously.
"Shi—Serena, no!" Yuri ran to them. "And she also always somehow knows how to get my FUCKING undivided attention!"
"Heh, she indeed has." Dennis walked over to them.
They then continued to eat, Yuri finally giving in to Serena's request for a second hotdog. All four of them also happened to enjoy each other's company. Serena didn't know she'd even ever have friends again, especially since people usually avoided her because she's homeless, and secretly, a thief, and… something else.
But then Yuri and Sora had to go back to work.
They said their goodbyes to Dennis before Serena walked the other two back to the building, but when the four of them parted, the peppy vibe they had was gone.
When Sora went into the building first, as Serena told Yuri something.
"Hey, before you leave, can I tell you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"I… can't meet with any of you guys tomorrow, that includes you," she said sternly.
Yuri found this a bit suspicious. "…Why?"
"I'm gonna meet one of my sisters, so I'm gonna be fine," she pleaded. Even though they only met each other a few days ago, she knew he had an unshown caring and protective side in there.
"Fine." Yuri growled.
"And don't even try to follow me," she said, walking away.
'...I might find and follow you anyway.' Yuri thought, walking off.
After all this, Dennis went back to his shop. Sora went back to checking the gas. Yuri continued his research. Serena went home.
Kurosaki's Apartment-Serena Rin's Shared Room
Serena looked at the room through the window. Seeing that nobody was inside, she entered (the window).
She slowly put her foot on the side table so as to not make a sound.
It was a success, so far. As no one had entered.
'Okay, all I have to do is change my clothes, and I'm outta here!' She thought, quietly taking her parka off.
And if you don't know, Serena isn't actually going to go with one of her sisters, no, she was going to meet someone tomorrow in an abandoned warehouse east of the city. A lot of "Businesses" are always happening there, yet has never been found out due to the lack of resources.
For now, she should just change into some new clothes. The city actually offers paid showers (soap shampoos included) for homeless people, at 25 cents per 5 minutes, so as long as you bring clothes and have money, you're fine. Serena usually just wears the clothes to "bring" them there and won't have to go back.
The only thing you'll have to left, is to wait for your turn.
And it usually stinks (literally and figuratively) in there because it's crammed full of stinkin' homeless people, and the best time to go there is at night; knowing that she'll just wait it out in her hideout.
She then left after she changed, successfully unnoticed and stealthy as ever.
Night-Serena's Hideout
After she stood in line for like, 10 minutes, she finally had the satisfaction of taking a nice, good, and most importantly, a relaxing bath.
She was now in her hideout, combing her hair before going to sleep.
"Nya~"
"Huh, hey Mist," Serena happily said, picking her up. "Who's my most bad-a lil' girl?"
Misty pretended to ponder before answering, "Mreow!"
"That's right, the one and only–Misty! Just like her name, she is as groggy to understand, and hard to see right through, but once it has calmed down, it's as beautiful to look at as can be, ain't that right?"
"Meow!"
"Yeah, my precious little Misty."
"Hm, you seem to like cats, and a lot at that," A girlish yet grim voice mentioned.
Serena quickly turned. "Who's there!?"
"Hm, just a cat of the moon who's been looking after you. Honestly, the others had better masters, take Sonata, for example. She got Yuzu."
"What? J-Just show and explain yourself!" Serena demanded, unfaltering personality still not lost.
"Hmm, nah. Not now. And I'm quite surprised you ain't that spooked. Bye, nya~!"
"Wait!" With that, a figure seemed to float by while she stared at the moon. "Huh…?"
She looked back. Misty seemed to see the same thing she did, as she had her eyes as big as a basketball. "You saw that too, Mist?"
"M-Meow…" She answered, shaking a bit.
After that, she slept, ready for whatever the world may bring tomorrow, while thinking about the figure from earlier. "What…? Was that…" She said, yawning as she closed her eyes.
'Don't worry, Master. I don't think she actually wants to hurt you. And if she will, I'll protect you,' Misty assured.
A/N: Oh, this is my present to ya'll, btw. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance!
-01
