SADISTIC STREAK

Disclaimer: I do not own Skipbeat!

Chapter 3

Cain was bored.

He was trying to study his script when he noticed that Setsu was putting on her boots and getting ready to go out. Today, she was dressed in figure-hugging pants that rode low around her hips. Her belly button played peek-a-boo under a deconstructed black biker jacket that opened up to reveal her lace-edged top. It was relatively tame compared to her other outfits, but she was still attention-grabbing nonetheless.

"Setsu, come here," he called as Setsu gathered her bag.

Curious, she obediently came closer to the bed where Cain was lounging on. He gestured for her to lean closer. Then he reached out and wordlessly touched her cheek while keeping his eyes trained on his script.

Setsu endured it for a moment as Cain caressed her face and ruffled her hair. This was the way Cain usually showed his affection to her. When it looked like he wasn't about to stop anytime soon, Setsu pulled Cain's hand away with some exasperation.

"Nii-san! Look what you did to my hair! Just when I was about to step out already!" she complained.

"You're leaving me here all alone?" he asked. He finally tore his eyes from the script and looked at her. To Setsu, he looked like an upset puppy (a BIG, dangerous-looking puppy, more of a wolf-cub, mind you... but a puppy nonetheless) that was being left behind.

"I'm just going to the grocery store to buy something for our dinner," she explained, softening her tone.

"Okay then," Cain said as he got up from the bed.

"Wuh? Where are you going?" Setsu asked bewilderedly. She watched as Cain haphazardly threw the script on the table and retrieved his jacket.

"Out. I'm going out with you," he airily replied.

o-0-o-0-o

As Setsuka, Kyoko has learned to strut confidently in skimpy outfits. She can handle sleeping in the same room as him. Apparently, she can even walk in on his bath without batting an eyelash. But there was still something she couldn't quite handle as Setsuka yet... and that was being spoiled rotten by Cain.

"Nii-san, I thought we were going to the grocery store," Setsu faintly said, trying to dig her heels to keep from entering the chic-looking clothing shop. From the look of the store front display, there was no doubt that they were selling high-end, and therefore expensive clothes in there.

Cain stopped pulling at her hand for a moment and beamed at her. "Later. It's been so long since I took my darling little sister shopping. I'm pretty sure I owe you a TON of outfits to buy," he said with a dazzling smile.

For Kyoko, his dazzling smile only meant one thing: she was about to be NG'd. She wasn't behaving as what is expected of Setsuka, thus her senpai was not happy with her at all.

She mechanically walked towards the shop. "Why didn't you say so earlier, Nii-san? I'm SOOO EXCITED to get a new outfit! I'm getting bored with my old ones already," she said in a (fake) happy tone.

Ren hid his amusement at Kyoko's poorly hidden discomfiture. She was the first woman he'd ever known who desperately didn't want to be spoiled by him. Too bad for her, he was looking forward to doing just that.

She grabbed a little strappy thing from the rack. "This looks cute," she said although she hardly glanced at it at all. Cain silently thought she must have picked it due to its size, not how it looked. She probably thought it would cost less since it was just about the size of a handkerchief. Apparently she was mistaken, judging by the shocked look she wore as she stared at the price tag.

"Um, maybe something el..." she started to say when Cain cut in.

"Yeah, that looks cute. I want to see it with this one," he selected a random item from the skirt rack and gave it to her. Then he turned to the attendant who had been trailing behind them and flashed his gold credit card.

"Can you assemble a dozen outfits for her to try? I want something that really suits my lovely little sister," he curtly said.

The attendant, who had previously been a bit reluctant to get close because she felt too overwhelmed by the odd couple who just walked in, was now all smiles. They were apparently loaded, the gold credit card was proof. And upon closer look, the guy was pretty handsome, too, in a scary kind of way. It was a shame he already had this drop-dead gorgeous girl already. But wait, didn't he say she was his sister? The attendant looked at him with renewed interest until he turned around and gave her a piercing glare. She scurried off after the sister who was heading for the dressing room. Maybe it was better just to stick to her job after all.

Cain looked around the store for a while before settling himself on the couch. He should have brought his script with him, he thought. He was starting to feel restless when the dressing room curtain finally parted.

Setsu strutted out in a black leather tube dress accentuated with metal studs. It displayed a nice amount of cleavage and a whole lot of leg. Ren was instantly captivated.

"Do you like it?" she asked, turning around for his inspection.

"Sure," he casually replied. He was glad his voice came out steady.

"I'm starting to like your shopping idea, Nii-san. Thank you for bringing me here!" Setsu said brightly, but he noticed that she averted her gaze and was gritting her teeth when she said it. She was lying through her teeth, he thought in amusement.

Each time she came out with a new a outfit, his heart rate got faster and faster. He started wondering if he was the one getting tortured here. To pass the time and also to keep himself grounded, Ren mentally compared the outfits she was trying on to Kyoko's usual pink LoveMe uniform. His opinion on the jumpsuit she usually wore for work got worse and worse with each new outfit she paraded for him. By the time they had reached the seventh outfit, Cain had reached the conclusion that it would be best to burn the jumpsuit as soon as possible and modify one of the outfits to be the new uniform. Now wouldn't that be nice, he thought.

After some time, he noticed that Setsu was staying in the dressing room longer than usual. He was about to inquire if something was wrong when she stuck her head out from behind the curtain. For a moment, he saw Kyoko's embarrassment sneak through before she snapped Setsu's character back in place.

"Ready for the last outfit?" she teased him.

"Show me," he nonchalantly replied.

He almost felt like he was suckerpunched.

She was wearing the very first item she grabbed in the store. As he thought, the majority of the piece was just about the size of a handkerchief. The black cloth was held in place against her chest with thin straps that criss-crossed around her back & neck. Other than that, her rib cage & back was left bare for all to see. He realized that the leather mini skirt she was wearing was the one he had picked up for her earlier. It conformed to her hips like a second skin and made her legs seem longer than usual. To finish the look, the attendant had found some bangles and silver accessories to complete the outfit.

"... so... what do you think?" she asked, turning around slowly. After doing a full 360 degree turn, she stopped and faced the large mirror the attendant had wheeled out for her to examine her reflection. With her back towards him, Cain took his time to enjoy the nice view of her bare back.

"Nii-san? Which outfit should we choose?" she prompted while trying to sound nonchalant. She decided it was best to get this over with so they can leave. Who knows, Cain might suddenly decide to make her try some more outfits. She was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to hold her embarrassment for one more second if that happens. The way he gazed at her made her feel like jelly... not just her knees but also her brain as well.

"We'll take all of them," Cain smoothly said as he handed over his credit card. Kyoko blanched, and then finally resigned herself to the situation. She pasted a smile on her face.

"Awww... Nii-san spoils me too much," she giggled.

"I guess it's alright to wear this when I go grocery shopping. Hmmm... maybe when the weather gets a bit warmer though, or else I'll definitely catch a cold..." Setsu rambled to herself. Cain suddenly had a vision of a line of men trailing Setsu as she went from aisle to aisle in the grocery store. She did have a habit of sneaking out on her own to buy the groceries after all.

"On second thought..." he said as he glanced at the pile of clothes again.

"Thank you, Nii-san!" Setsu happily said as they walked out of the store. She cheerfully clutched his arm while holding the paper bag with their purchase. Out of eight outfits, Cain agreed to buy only one if Setsu promised to never go grocery shopping without him. Of course she readily agreed.

Cain glanced at the contented-looking girl by his side. She was the one who agreed to his demands, but why did he feel like he was the one who lost to her? Oh well, he did have fun today... and surely there'll be other chances to spoil her. Someday.

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Hi! Thanks to those who gave feedback so far! I'm glad you like my first two one-shots. Hope you like this, too! I've been writing these as a change of pace from my other skip beat fanfic "Agent Wallflowersan". No, it's not a spy story. Check it out if you can, please.

Again, I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks!