AN: And here is my post-chapter 171 ficlet, as promised. I def feel like this one is unfinished, but I don't know where I could take it that wouldn't have Ren going into complete Kuon mode. Can't wait for the new manga chapter though! It's why I've been writing/posting fic.
Freak on a Leash
Ren reached out and grabbed a champagne flute from the table that Yashiro was leaning against. He emptied the glass in one long swallow, the bubbles tingling down his throat. His profile faced Yashiro as he set the glass firmly back on the table, staring at his fingers curled at the base of the glass, forcing them to relax and let go.
"Yashiro, I need you to do me a favor." Ren could feel his manager's curious yet cautious gaze on his jaw and closed his eyes. "I need you to make sure Kijima and I don't cross paths again tonight." He felt his fingers tense once more and relaxed them again one by one, muscle by muscle. "I'm sorry. I know it's a party and this isn't what you came to do but-" he swung his gaze back to Yashiro expecting to find that ubiquitous look of patient frustration only to see his manager-turned-confidant gazing at him with sympathy.
"I get it, Ren. I'll keep an eye out." His face was suddenly determined and professional, the signature look he used to carry before the president introduced the LoveMe section to LME. "And if I spot her without him? " Here Yashiro's eyes got that particular sparkle that had plagued him since the inception of those pink uniforms. "Should I do a little nudging? Give you a signal?" Ren sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No, that won't be necessary. I don't think she's too keen to be in my company tonight. I think I'm the last man she wants near her at all." With this last remark, Ren downed another glass of champagne and walked away from anymore of his manager's questions.
Questions that would only remind him of the way she'd looked when he tapped her shoulder to get her attention. She'd cringed away from him as if he'd attempted to ravish her. When he'd apologized for startling her, she merely brushed it off and excused herself to return to Kijima's side. He watched uncomprehendingly as she curled her arm in his and Kijima stroked her fingers with his other hand. He had to walk away before he did something ridiculous, but he didn't trust himself to stay away so he'd gone looking for Yashiro to act as his leash.
It didn't help that she looked beautiful and that he'd all but exposed his every vulnerability to her only days before. His heart felt raw and the tenuous hold he had kept on Kuon was quickly slipping ever since he'd let him out during the omurice incident. How was he going to avoid Kyoko all night? Would Yashiro actually be able to stop him if he decided to go after Kijima after all?