Thank you for leaving a review, Noir-Alvarez, and thanks to all of you who put to favorites and/or follow this story. They are very meaningful to me. This chapter will be quite a long one. What I can say is thank you and hope you enjoy the chapter.

CHAPTER 4

Flings and Dwindled Trust

:-:

"Do what you like. I have my own heart and will."

—Sousuke to Rin

:-:

"You finally know you should thank me." Rin comments as he cuts a large chunk of steak on his plate, slipping the piece into his mouth. "Tastes amazing . No mackerel is better than steak, after all."

They are sitting at one table in the steak house. Sousuke has invited Rin there and offered to pay for him as a thank-you for helping him getting close to Makoto before. It is a relaxing Sunday, just around the lunch time, and both of them are off-duty.

Sousuke nods his head in silent agreement, munching his steak in delight. Rin is probably the only one who can see through Sousuke's outward expression. Sousuke may look grumpy, like what he's currently eating is a piece of garbage, but Rin knows that he's actually in the cloud nine, with rainbows and flowers and probably Makoto. That's just how much Sousuke loves meat.

"So I heard about your heroic act several days ago. How was it?" Rin asks while spreading more butter over the meat.

"Those two guys were hired by someone. They didn't even know their boss. They attempted a murder and now sentenced to jail. At least that's what I've been told." Sousuke stabs his meat a little too hard with the fork. He mumbles something under his breath that Rin fails to hear.

"What?"

"Dammit. He needs a bodyguard." Sousuke grunts. "Before you say anything, not me. I'm not a damn bodyguard. Makoto's safety is not my business."

Rin rubs the nape of his neck. "Man, if Makoto hears that, you will probably hurt him. Wait..." a grin stretches on his mouth, "did you say 'Makoto'? So you guys are on the first-name terms now?"

Refusing to reply, Sousuke puts a chunk of meat on his tongue. He looks slightly embarrassed, and Rin can't help but tease him a little more.

"Putting that aside, did you make Makoto fall for you?" Rin gives a friendly grin to his best friend.

"Didn't seem like it..." Sousuke replies with food still in his mouth. His teal eyes are hidden behind the eyelids.

Rin crosses his arms in front of his chest. "He was not at all impressed?"

"He just said I'm like this town's hero or whatever." Sousuke swallows his food, looking nonchalant.

"Ah, I see." Rin smiles wider, "A hero, he said? That might be a sign, Sousuke. A code."

"Your train of thought, Rin," Sousuke says, looking straight at him, "is so very shoujo."

The grin curved on Rin's mouth vanishes in a split second. "Say goodbye to Makoto's album that you often borrowed from me."

Sousuke almost coughs. "What?"

"Do you think I don't know? I know you've been borrowing that cd every single day whenever I wasn't around. I know you too well, Sousuke." Rin lifts his chin, munching on his own food.

"That... that's..."

"And I know you're too prideful to buy your own copy from the music store."

"Damn you. I'm paying your steak."

"Because Makoto is extremely popular among the women, from little girls to old grandmas."

"Rin, one more word, and you will have to prepare your own cash."

After raising a glass of water to his lips, Rin washes the steak aftertaste from his mouth. "Request the bill. We still have another round."

Finally, Sousuke smiles. Hanging out together with Rin on Sunday is almost like a ritual. It is a day when they have their fun and forget any work-related stuffs. They don't even need to make an agreement. Every Sunday on 11 A.M., Sousuke and Rin have dressed up and been ready for an outing. On Sousuke and Rin's term, Sunday is Buddy's Day.

When they're finally out of the steak house, Sousuke looks up at the sky. Makoto said he loves to see the sky, and ever since then, Sousuke have found himself somewhat fascinated by it, too.

:-:

Their next round is a music store. More or less, Sousuke can guess that Rin is trying to make him buy Makoto's newest album. Well, his shark-teethed buddy will never be able to persuade him to even lift up his wallet to pay.

At least that's what Sousuke has previously thought.

"Sousuukee." Rin nudges him, voice a little too loud—exquisitely adjusted to reach the store owner's ears. "You should buy that album for your mother ."

He snorts. "You're right..." he says, playing along, "I guess this will be enough to make up with what I've done for her. Good idea, Rin." Sousuke takes a copy of Makoto's album, staring at the cover. Unlike his previous album, Makoto doesn't smile so openly on the cover. His hands are holding each other, raised up in front of his chest. He's wearing a black suit with red tie. His green eyes droop down, protected by his long and dark eyelashes. His soft lips curl in a perfect curve of a half-smile. The whole feature brings out the elegance of him.

Sousuke's heart is struck with an arrow the moment he sees that cover. He doesn't realize his mouth has parted open that saliva is threatened to flow out. He always thought that only an adorable image of Makoto smiling and tilting his head can bring out the shameful side of him, but he realizes that it may potentially have another type of trigger.

"This isn't my fault that you look like an idiot staring at the cover." Rin's voice halts his fantasy to wander around.

"It's..." Sousuke sighs, "nah. I was just thinking." He brings the cd case to the cashier. "I bet my mother will love this."

"She will. Who doesn't like Tachibana Makoto?" Rin suppresses a laugh.

"Not my cup of tea." Sousuke lies. He doesn't know why he's lying, since Rin knows better. Perhaps it's simply to regain his pride in front of the nonchalant store owner who tends the cashier.

Once they make their way out of the store, Sousuke feels like a burden has been lifted up from his shoulders. He doesn't expect himself to be so happy now that he has his own physical copy of Makoto's recent songs, and that results in him subconsciously grinning like a fool.

This time, Rin doesn't tease him. He's smiling for his best friend, secretly enjoying Sousuke's little fling. It's been a while since Sousuke showed so much excitement over something or someone. He often observes his best friend whenever they're together.

From what Rin has gained from his observations, Sousuke had seemed a little bored with his life. Reading murder cases, chasing after criminals, wasting his time in the office with a cup of coffee (often bland, since it's that coffee you get from the police station), watching their comrades getting promotions (he assumes because they're new to the job, that's why getting a higher rank isn't possible), and secretly borrowing Rin's porn magazine (he just knows it. He's a neat person, and he knows when someone takes his belongings and returns them in a different position).

There were crushes in Sousuke's life, of course. Sousuke had made contact with many women—from simply nice, beautiful, elegant, or even naughty ones. No matter where the girl was coming from, or how the girl dressed up and behaved, he always treated them like queen, kissing them like a daddy does for his little girl, escorting them with the carriage (well, his motorcycle), and always leaving them in front of their homes before midnight (like Cinderella).

Sousuke never stayed longer. He never spent a single night with a girl. He was always careful, treating his partner with honor, didn't budge by any temptation, until he dumped them or was dumped. Each relationship was actually a trial. In the end, none of them pass his little test to deserve a kiss on the lips, let alone giving away his virginity.

Despite his needs to satisfy his sexual desire once in a while, Sousuke is actually very picky. A committed relationship is something he seriously takes, and he won't share such relationship easily. Sousuke is as hard as coral, prideful, and doesn't easily invite someone in to the privacy area of his life. In fact, Rin is the only person who has the access to that, but they've been together since a long time ago that the thought of dating Sousuke feels like dating your own brother. Rin is also having difficulties to help him find the best partner.

Until several months ago.

A little TV attached near the ceiling of their office was on. Tachibana Makoto was focused on the screen, sitting comfortably on a chair. His lips almost touched the microphone, hands holding a guitar. His fingers strummed the guitar while melodious voice flowed in a gentle stream, every breath taken and magnified by the microphone made the song even more tranquil. It was the best performance Makoto had done on screen. That's the first time Sousuke saw Makoto, and Rin could see the teal-eyed man was enthralled. He couldn't tell if it was Makoto's virtuosity or his attractive physical appearance, but it affected Sousuke in a way he couldn't decipher. It affected him in a different way than those women have ever done.

Ever since then, his porn magazine was untouched. Rin could see from the search history of their shared laptop that Sousuke had been browsing about Tachibana Makoto, legally downloading several songs by him, and spending more of his time with earphones attached. Sometimes Rin caught a faint blush on his cheek whenever they saw magazine covers featuring Makoto, some posters, or him on the TV screen.

Sousuke is being lovestruck by a certain brunet for several months already, and he was never like that before that Rin is starting to doubt Sousuke's actual self-control. With a silent commitment to watch over his best friend, Rin started to take action. Good thing Makoto is his friend, and Rin can't see a better opportunity to bring true happiness for his best friend, probably for a longer, committed term. Sousuke clearly deserves someone extremely valuable that he's mandated to treat with honor, as he himself is a man with golden heart, and Rin hasn't found a person more pure-hearted than Makoto.

That drives Rin to constantly check his phone and pull his best friend around, asking him to buy a pack of double chocolate popsicles and forcing him to sit by the large fountain in the middle of the shopping district. Rin immediately sits beside him, flashing a meaningful grin.

Sousuke raises his brow, then lifts his pack of popsicles with squinted eyes.

Rin just grins at him. "As your best bud, I've prepared a surprise for you."

:-:

"We're sorry! Have you waited long?" A familiarly sweet voice.

Eyes widen, Sousuke lifts his head, spotting Makoto standing before him, wearing a green shirt and dark blue trousers. Blue striped scarf loosely tied around his shoulders. He was holding Haruka's hand, who's sulking behind the brunet. The blue-eyed man was wearing a dark blue striped shirt and black trousers.

"No, not at all. We just arrived here, too." Rin smiles to them and stands up.

Just what the hell is happening here?

"Sousuke, Rin. Have you eaten lunch yet?" Makoto takes a glance to Haruka before averting his eyes back to them. Makoto smiles gently at him.

"Of course. We've even bought an ice cream, actually." Rin answers, nudging Sousuke's shoulder to stand up.

"Fuck this shit." Sousuke hisses in a whisper. Rin has once again arranged something without his knowledge. Sousuke is ready to strangle his best friend, with more force than necessary. Fortunately, Makoto has once again failed to hear his series of curses.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing." Sousuke tightens his knuckle to this certain deja vu feeling. Sunday should be Buddy's Day, with him and Rin only. He doesn't mind Makoto, of course. Well... this isn't so bad after all.

"Good thing me and Haru have eaten our lunch." Makoto's green eyes spot the paper bag Sousuke is holding. "You guys just came out from the music store?"

Sousuke's mouth twitches. "Well... yeah..." he looks away, completely silent.

He can hear Haruka sighs, muttering something under his breath.

"I have a recommendation, only if you like rock genre. Do you know Aquafire? It's a rock band. My friend Tsukuda Mamoru is the lead singer. You should listen to them. They're great." Makoto says. He doesn't seem curious to know what Sousuke has bought.

"Never heard of it. I guess I will check it out, then." Sousuke takes a breath of relief.

"Makoto likes chocolate. Share that double chocolate popsicles with him." Rin whispers near his ear.

Sousuke grunts in annoyance, but he will play along.

"Oi, Makoto. You like chocolate, right? Sousuke bought double chocolate popsicles, so why not share it with you?" Rin's grin is wider than necessary.

"Eh? I thought you're going to share it with Rin, Sousuke. Why did you buy double, then?" Makoto looks at the pack of popsicles on Sousuke's hand. Sousuke can see that Makoto is gulping, lips pushed together as if to suppress his saliva. The brunet seems tempted, and Sousuke is almost turned on by the small gesture.

"First I want chocolate, but after we've bought the ice cream, suddenly I thought I just want to buy a particular vanilla ice cream from another shop." Rin helpfully answers.

"I see. That's unfortunate, then." Makoto suddenly turns to Haruka, "Haru has bought a double soda-flavored popsicles as well."

Sousuke has thought he won't easily get disappointed over small things, but he does. He unconsciously grits his teeth when Haruka pulls up a pack of popsicles from his small shopping bag and hands it to Makoto. Smiling, Makoto takes the pack and tears it open, splitting the popsicles in two and shares one to Haruka.

Rin's eye twiches. "Hold on a sec!"

"Huh?" Makoto tilts his head a little in confusion, looking unbearably cute that Sousuke has to look away to hide a faint blush on his cheek.

"Haru. I want soda, too. Makoto, why don't we exchange our treats? Since your favorite is chocolate." Rin takes Sousuke's pack of popsicles and tears it open.

Haruka looks somewhat annoyed. "I bought this with Makoto."

"Yeah—I know, Haru. You're always sharing soda popsicles with Makoto. Share it with me, just once in a while. We're buddies, too, right?"

Haruka snorts, but his ocean blue eyes shift to Makoto. The brunet is staring at the chocolate popsicle on Rin's hand, looking like a tempted puppy. "Fine." Haruka finally says.

"Wha—alright. Rin, here's your share." Makoto chimes in delight, handing his soda popsicle to Rin and receives the chocolate ice cream. Sousuke watches the entire scene, eyes focused on Haruka.

He can clearly see that Haruka just simply loves his best friend, just like he loves Rin. In case Haruka hates him, it probably has something to do with Makoto. Sousuke isn't too bothered to find out what is it. As long as Makoto seems comfortable spending time with him and vice-versa, he won't let Haruka stop him. It's not like he's going to do harm to Makoto anyway.

:-:

They spend the day watching a movie and playing in a game center. The movie they watched together told the story of a young athlete, fighting the best he can to fulfill his dreams despite being handicapped. Rin cried when the credits rolled. Haruka has brought a pack of tissues, and Rin is the only one who used that up.

Playing in the game center was fun, and Sousuke hadn't expected Makoto's fascination toward games. Makoto looked like a completely different person when he's playing. Still with his usual smiles, but those green eyes shined differently. If Sousuke has to dig his brain for a term explaining Makoto's expression, he would find yandere as the term that fits him well. Not only his expression, but Makoto is indeed the kind of player he would want to avoid as opponent in any kind of games, especially something to do with shooting and strategy.

Everything is going well, except Sousuke hasn't got much opportunity to have a chat with Makoto. Haruka is always there, and Makoto doesn't seem to talk much to either Rin or Sousuke. He's a chatterbox only to Haruka, expressing his opinions in pretty much everything. Every time Makoto starts a conversation with Sousuke, Haruka is always there to interrupt.

When they are walking together around the shopping district, Makoto stops in front of a pet shop window, looking at a certain kitten displayed behind the glass. "He looks so sweet."

Sousuke is now convinced about Makoto's special love for cats.

"Oi, Sousuke." Rin has stopped beside Makoto, watching the little black kitten rubbing its ears with its paw. "This one looks like you."

"What?"

"You're right, Rin. Look. He has black fur and teal eyes." Makoto laughs, "What a beautiful eyes, and he's adorable, too. Your eyes are beautiful, too, Sousuke."

Sousuke feels heat rush on his face. "Uh..." he doesn't know how to reply.

"Makoto, why don't you take it home? It can be a new friend for Mizu and Sora, too." Rin grabs Makoto's wrist and pulls him to the door of the shop. "Sousuke, Haru, come inside."

Watching Rin and Makoto enthusiastically enter the pet shop, Sousuke takes a glance at Haruka. The man with dark blue hair eyed him for a while before looking away. Sousuke does the same. He takes a step toward the shop door, and Haruka's voice stops him.

"Yamazaki."

Sousuke sighs and turns. "What?"

Haruka is looking down at the ground. "Thank you for what you've done for Makoto several days ago." With that, he walks pass Sousuke and enters the shop without giving him another glance.

Sousuke finds himself smiling before following Haruka.

:-:

"He's so very adorable." Makoto is giggling as the teal-eyed kitten rubs its head on his chest. "His fur is soft, too." He lifts the kitten higher, and the kitten affectionately licks his chin.

"He is adorable." Rin's hand carefully reaches the kitten. The little kitten suddenly hisses, his body tenses in alarm. In a split second, a nasty little scratch is visible on Rin's hand. "Urgh—the hell?" Rin holds his wrist, "Oi, Sousuke! Your kitten is not at all adorable!"

"How is that my fault?" Sousuke watches them in clear interest.

"Whaa—Rin, are you okay?" Makoto holds the kitten a bit tighter. His face shows genuine concern.

"Makoto." Rin's eyes burn up, "Seriously, are you always hiding a catnip in your clothes or what?"

"No way. Why would I do that?" Makoto starts to giggle again when the teal-eyed kitten purrs and rubs its head to Makoto's neck.

Rin sighs, turning to Sousuke. "In case you're curious, animals are attracted to Makoto. It's always been that way, particularly dogs and cats. They're all nice to Makoto, no matter their actual temper. I don't know why."

Sousuke smiles wider. A person who loves and is loved by animals is usually nice. Well, Makoto is indeed nice. He had expected Makoto to be arrogant before they met in person, but that proves to be wrong.

"I think that means you have to smile more, Rin." Makoto tilts his head, radiating his sunshine smile. Sousuke won't be surprised if that smile can make flowers bloom. Rin looks at him in awe.

"There's no way I will smile your way—it's like an idiot."

"Rin, that's cruel." Makoto closes his eyes and lifts his chin, cocking his head upward. "Well, maybe I will take this sweet kitten home."

Against his will, Sousuke's heart leaps in happiness.

"Makoto. I found another kitten. It's orange, your favorite color."

Haruka's voice blocks Sousuke's heart while it does a leap, making it stumble and crash.

"Huh? Really?" Makoto immediately puts the poor teal-eyed kitten back to its crate. He's now gazing at a very cute kitten with cheery orange fur. "How sweet and adorable."

Sousuke concludes that every kitten is adorable for Makoto, no matter its shape or form.

"Let me hold her." Makoto carefully lifts the kitten up from its crate. Sousuke crosses his arms. Seems like Makoto can easily tell if a cat is male or female without really looking at their bottoms. "She's very nice, too." Makoto says, enjoying the little affectionate touches from the kitten.

"Every dog and cat is nice to you. We can't really tell their true nature if you're the one who hold them. Give her to me and we shall see her true self." Rin moves his hand toward the kitten. To his surprise, the kitten is indeed good-natured. She purrs adorably toward Rin, and that's enough to captivate the redhead's heart. "Take this one." Rin nods in approval.

"Oi, Rin." Sousuke calls softly, just above whisper.

"Unfortunately..." Makoto reluctantly returns the orange kitten to its crate, "I'm currently saving up my money for something I really want."

Haruka, who's currently watching the marine fishes swimming around in their aquarium, immediately looks up, his attention sealed to Makoto. Sousuke can see a little concern in his eyes.

"Huh? What is it?" Rin casually asks, oblivious of Haruka's change of expression.

"Well, it's a secret." Makoto blushes, "I can't tell you. At least, not now."

Sousuke wants to ask Haruka about it, but he's sure he won't get any answer. Perhaps it's Makoto's relative being sick and hospitalized that Makoto has to save up? He can't really tell and thinking about it is just a waste of time, so Sousuke drops it off.

:-:

"How's your day?" Rin kicks off his shoes before entering their room further. "You enjoyed it. I can tell."

Sousuke removes his watch. "Rin, if you're making an appointment, you should tell me."

"I've said before, I want it to be a surprise. Next time, I'll make sure there will be just the two of you. We have to search for new clothes next Sunday, just in case you guys will be going for a date."

Sousuke snorts. "As if."

"You're a jerk, Sousuke. Stop pushing people out of your life and denying your own feelings." Rin approaches him, slamming his hand over the desk beside Sousuke. His eyes are razor-sharp. "Because I can see that Makoto is starting to get interested in you, in case you're not aware. He blushes more often than usual over things that involve you. Despite his words, I can tell he's really wanted to take that teal-eyed kitten home rather than the orange one. If you're playing along with my plan just to dump him in the end, Sousuke, I swear it's not only me who will hunt you down."

"Yeah. Nanase will probably cut me to pieces with his kitchen knife, but you can't force me." Sousuke's teal eyes glint like sword steel. "I've said before, I'm not planning to go further than mere friendship. Do what you like. I have my own heart and will."

"Damn you." Rin grits his teeth, "Really, what's your problem?"

"Want me to tell you my problem? Fine, I will. Rumors, Rin. I'm not going to get serious with someone who's having mental illness."

A sharp pain stung his cheek as Rin's fist crashes to his face. Sousuke doesn't do anything to fight or resist, letting the pain seeps deeper into his cheekbone, but he won't let it touch his heart.

"Jerk!" Rin's blood is obviously boiling, "You're a bastard! Are you just playing with his feelings?" Rin kicks the desk beside him in frustration, "Because I will tell you—Makoto is not a damn slut! Get someone else, idiot! I won't help you anymore!" He storms off toward the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

Sousuke looks up at the ceiling, his mind wandering off on his own. He's somewhat grateful that Rin wants to believe his shitty reason. There's this uncomfortable feeling inside him that what he has said may reveal itself as truth.

:-:

In the middle of the night, Sousuke can hear Rin is talking over his cell phone. He's too sleepy to care, but once he hears Makoto's name, he forces his eyes to open.

"Calm down, Haru. Yeah, I will go there. Just calm down." Rin says as he stands up, leaving the sheets of his bed messy.

"'Sup...?" Sousuke's voice is hoarse. He doesn't bother to utter a full word.

"None of your business." Rin places his cell phone on the desk and starts to change.

"Bullshit." Sousuke finally says, "What's happening?"

"Shut up and sleep. I said it's none of your business." He grabs his motorcycle key, preparing to go out.

Sousuke forces himself out of the bed, grabbing Rin's arm before he goes. "Tell me."

His best friend turns to him. Despite the traces of rage on his face, Sousuke can see concern on his face. "Makoto's missing." He says flatly, "Now go back to bed."

"Like hell I will! Wait for me." Sousuke takes his motorcycle key. His heart beats against his ribcage. Fear penetrates through his chest. He suddenly remembers about the two people near Makoto's house who attempted a murder.

:-:

Makoto is never good with alcohol, but he ordered a vodka anyway. He watches the stage as he carefully takes a sip of his vodka. The alcohol, the luminous lights, and the loud music are making him dizzy. Makoto smiles as he's starting to lose himself. His back leans against the bar, arm rests on the surface, fingers impatiently drumming on it.

"You're cute." Someone sits beside him. Makoto's green eyes meet with a pair of beautiful silver eyes, glimmering like christmas stars. He realizes that she's a woman near his age. Her wavy, honey-colored hair was pulled up in a bun, with strands of hair loosen up and fall on her neck and near her ears, exquisitely framing her beautiful face. Her face is flushed. It looks like she's drunk as well.

"You're very beautiful." Makoto comments in all honesty, smiling seductively. The woman seems pleased, leaning her body nearer to Makoto. She places her palm on Makoto's chest.

"I like you. You're definitely my type." She says, "You're incredibly sexy. I wanna taste your lips." She moves her plump, glossy pink lips closer to Makoto. The brunet laughs softly, his breath leaving her lips damp with faint trickles.

"Like dew..." She smiles, "Fresh dews. Pretty, pretty green eyes. Now let me kiss you."

Makoto pushes her away, gently. "I have to go."

She pouts. "Tell me your name. Give me your number."

"Oh, you will know my name. Shortly." With flushed face, Makoto stands up, leaving her behind and toward the stage. The song is over, but the drum keeps going and the guitarist keeps strumming.

"Thank you! I am Tsukuda Mamoru, and we hope we'll see you again next week. Before we're going off-stage, we have an unexpected guest star."

Makoto slips himself between the crowd, walking toward the backstage. He's easily drunk, and the vodka has done its job to make Makoto's heart feels lighter. No more invisible boulders burdening his shoulders.

"Please welcome our special star Tachibana Makoto!" Mamoru flashes him a dazzling smile. Fake smile. Everything about Mamoru is fake.

Makoto takes some steps up the stage, flashing his best stage smile. Also a fake. As Mamoru hands him the microphone, he feels his palm rubbing Makoto's back, as to ease him from stage fright. Makoto's finger moves up, lightly tugging the metal piercing his ear. His hand grabs the microphone, lifting it closer to his lips.

"My name is Tachibana Makoto." He scans the crowd with his droopy, somewhat sleepy eyes. "Tonight, let me entertain you with some songs I've written by myself. Please enjoy Rage On and Dried Up Youthful Fame."

After a brief stage code, Makoto's head feels even more lighter when he tightens his grip around the microphone. Taking a breath, Makoto delivers the beginning of the song in a growl, and finally the loud music starts behind him.

As the crowd cheers over his confident, powerful singing, Makoto realizes that he, too, is probably a fake, as he doesn't know who he is anymore.

Notes:

Thank you for reading this story up until this point. Reviews are very much appreciated. For any one of you who's also reading and following my other fic titled Surfing Their Tides, I have planned that story to be next in line for update.

I hope I will see you again on the next chapter. Warm regards from Gariell. ^w^