I wanted to post Minuet first, but I haven't posted in a long time and this has been ready for a while, so I decided to post it before, I'm working on the next Minuet chapter, though. There's an image for this chapter in Ao3.
Also, the site has been not giving me notifications of anything, it says it's a problem with my mail, that the bot can't send the automatic notifications, anyone else had this alert when you entered your account? I already listed the ff bot as friends, but still no notifications.
Chapter 14
Escape
Up at the first floor of the store, the table where Edo signed autographs has a sign plate with "on break" written while the queue of fans complained, the guards fending off some rebels who scurried to try and pass the limit-off tape. A voice buzzing in the communicator on the ear of one of the many suit clad, sunglasses generic guards.
[Did you find him yet?]
"We're having problems here!"
Afar from the crowd, a man stood across the street, his glassy dark-brown eyes staring creepily at the long queue. He was dressed in pure white, holding an envelope sealed with white wax adorned by fancy, round filigree borders and an old-styled "S" in the middle.
A woman in a white dress stopped beside that man, whispering something in his ear, never once his gaze left the hordes of people. Instead, he folded his arm out, offering the letter to the strange lady. She accepted it, holding it into both hands, then slowly turned to look at the queue of people.
As if sensing her gaze, in a hive mind connection, people all over the queue, dressed in white, sent their attention to that single person across the streets and nodded in compliance. Dispersing from the waiting line, they started entering the store as normal clients, everyone else was too busy to realize something awry was happening.
On the underground parking lot, Edo faces a conundrum, his brows raising in a judging and sarcastic manner:
"Did I hit a jackpot of news right here?" he scoffed, to dispel the dense mood. "Is this some sort of romantic, secret fling? Or are you importuning the lady?"
That's the girl from before isn't it? The one who used sign language, is she also wanting an autograph from him?
"I thought you had an autograph session," Ryo retorts with the same amount of cynicism in his voice. "Did you run out of fans?"
Rie can only switch glances between them both, afraid that one of them will just jump at the other and brawl right there as this rivalry sparks fly from their blazing eyes. The scent of almond in the air, presumably from Edo's perfume mixed in with Ryo's lemony cologne, she was dizzy with all the smells and the situation.
"I hate to do this, but my autograph session is cancelled for the time being."
"And here I thought you were their dearest idol," his chest puffs up a bit as he laughs hoarsely. "A bit mean to leave fans hanging, no?"
"As if you hadn't done this yours-" he puckers his lips, holding back the retort, in respect to the girl. "I don't have time for this now!"
Dashing a step, his body staggers when a rough voice calls him out:
"Are you in trouble, Edo Phoenix?"
Edo bit his lips momentarily, swirling around with a soundly huff, his eyebrows plunged down, fists clenched, his nails pressing his palm, he stopped himself before a cut opened. That taunting, disrespectful smirk of Ryo just aggravated him. In all time he could be meeting the man, did it have to be now?
"What are you doing here in a dark garage with this poor girl?" he retorts between his teeth, walking back many steps, standing proud in front of Ryo, unfazed by their height difference. "I was going to let it pass since I don't have time to waste here, but I can't just let go, can I?"
His eyes flashed to the pink-haired girl quietly standing on the side, she swung her head as if to say there wasn't any problem, but at this point, an argument was unavoidable.
"Are you in trouble or not? It was a simple question. I'm not threatening you."
Ryo laughed at the jumpiness of his rival, but Edo remained silent, squinting his eyes just a tad, as if analyzing the purpose behind his words.
The door of the garage opened and closed with an echoing slam, startling them, an electric current of panic flowed in Rie's veins, an ominous sensation crept on the hair of her body, bristling it. Ryo simply prodded his head to Edo, as if asking what's going on.
"Damn, they've caught up to me!" he gnarled with a click of his tongue.
The other two exchanged a concerned glance, but Edo didn't want to be involving anyone else into his problems, much less owing a favor to anyone. His contempt was such that he didn't notice Rie approaching until his arm was grabbed, she shoved him behind the thick pillar of the garage with an arm, he only gawked in shock. Putting a finger to her lips, she asked for his silence, covering for him. Ryo also cast a last glance at him, going along with her scheme.
Sinister steps reverberated through the darkness, of shoes squelching while an unassuming figure approached: a man, although his clothes were the most pure white, contrasting with the dim garage, his stare was rather empty, it waved between the teal-haired duelist and landed on the girl, a sketch of a reaction as his eyes twitched momentarily, looking at the frame on her hands.
"Excuse me, have you seen someone else passing by here?"
"No, I haven't," Ryo said, fearless of any backlash.
"Ah," the man's eyes shifted down, like he was assessing ancient memories stored in his brain. "Hell Kaiser, isn't it? I don't have any business with you, but I'm sure someone passed by here just a moment ago. They had to, this is the only way to exit downstairs."
"I've said that I didn't see anyone," Ryo folded his arms, a menacing aura pouring out from his steady posture. "Are you calling me a liar?"
"Tell me," the man stepped ahead. "If you were to be seen here," his relentless steps sounded closer and closer. "Alone with a girl, in secrecy, how much more would your reputation drop?"
Then, he was right in front of Ryo. His eyes were a vacuum of brown, lifeless as though his mind was absent, even though he was eloquent enough to make a point. Edo sweated bullets, his fingers scratching the concrete of the pillar, his legs felt tempted to jump in, but he stalled them upon the loud, reverberating voice of Ryo:
"Didn't it already hit the bottom of the barrel?" he sneered, his calm was more disrupting to the man.
"Did you see someone pass by here?"
Giving up in pursuing the point further with the duelist, his gaze now centered around Rie who had been silently standing there, she quivered slightly at the mention, denying with her head. The man's eyes narrowed, it took a second, Ryo's smirk disappeared when suddenly, the arm of that man lashed in her direction, he seized her wrist, caring not for anyone around, yanking it so fiercely the autograph frame flew away like a frisbee, swirling as it slid far on the ground.
"If you didn't see anyone," he brushed his nose on her fingertips, inhaling profoundly, creeping her out. "Why is it that you smell like him?" his eyes darted into hers, a twisted void abiding them. "Like Edo Phoenix."
A chill ran down everyone's spines, Edo leaped out of his hideout by instinct, he had to intervene, his mouth gaped open to raise his voice and stop the man, shouting from the bottom of his lungs:
"Hey! Let go of her!"
Ryo reacted just as quickly, clutching the man's wrist, so strong their limbs trembled, until he let the girl go.
"Watch it where you lay your sleazy hands," his eyes sharpened viciously. "Loser."
The man flinched, his vision blurred for a moment, then, in a blink of an eye, the ceiling was in his sight, his back hitting the rocky, uneven ground with a thud.
"I don't know what you're on about wanting to see Edo Phoenix," Ryo looked at the man from above, a shadow covering partially his face, a glint of annoyance there as he raised his chin high, a haughty tone. "But keep your hands away."
Rie gasped at the scene, covering her mouth with both hands, Edo was equally shocked.
Sitting on the ground slowly, unaffected by the force he was just thrown into the ground, the man stared right into Ryo's eyes. The duelist frowned, an inner tremor insurging into his chest. Edo darted ahead, but hampered his feet at a loud yell:
"Stay back!"
He slid his feet back in a half circle, stunned at the sudden warning, Ryo kept his eyes on the man ahead the whole time.
"This guy is under the effect of narcotics, don't come any closer if you don't want your pretty face ruined," he mumbled the next part, troubled. "You too," he stretched his arm over to the side, tugging Rie back slightly and standing in front of her.
"I do not understand, Edo Phoenix is your enemy, why are you shielding him? I have no business with you, Hell Kaiser Ryo, do not stand in my way."
"You're high, aren't you?"
Edo swallowed harshly at the statement, he knew it wasn't about drugs or anything from this world, in fact he just started believing in the whole supernatural aspects of whatever was in the body of that man, if he could call him a human still. A vessel for something else.
"Edo Phoenix," the man walked a step ahead. "You cannot hide from-"
"We're not finished yet," Ryo shot his palm onto the man's chin. "You come closer, I'll put you down to the ground again."
The man stumbled back, his vision splitting, staring at him like he was an eyesore, yet he didn't fall. "Did you know that your involvement with the underground could ruin your career in the pro-league?"
His voice was bland, but there was this manipulative undertone as he tried to pull at Ryo's mind strings. If it's about manipulation, Ryo knows someone who fares way better at it, Saruyama's face came to his thoughts.
"How can you ruin something that doesn't exist?" he mocked himself, smirking acidic. "Besides, which do you think would sound more dramatic? Someone with a bad reputation like me being involved in the underground as everyone already suspected or a guy who assaulted a poor, defenseless, mute girl while in a manic episode moved by illegal substances while chasing his idol? I'm sure you can tell which of us will sound worse here."
"Enough!"
Ignoring the points raised, he dashed onwards, shoving his hand like a knife aimed at Ryo's neck. Side-stepping the attack, a cut opened on the uncovered skin atop the turtleneck collar and a few strands of hair were scissored along, flying into the air. The duelist scowled and held the man's wrist again, in a contest of strength, veins popped out of his skin, pushing Ryo back.
He let go of the man momentarily, but grabbed his arm immediately after, twirling it in such an angle he elicited a scrunch on the man's expression. It wasn't over yet, pulling the man closer and slamming his hand onto the shoulder, he relocated it with a crack.
The sound of the bones misplacing caused a twitch and a quiver on Rie, her hands jumping up to her ears, to block it in reflex, however the man didn't complain or cry in pain, like he was so numbed by whatever influenced him he couldn't feel any of it.
"You try to get past me again, I'll break your leg next," it wasn't a joke, that flame burning in his eyes told he'd up and do it. "Get lost."
Stepping back, holding his loose arm, the man simply glared at Edo. "You cannot escape forever, we will find you and the Light will reach you," then, he looked at Ryo with crazed eyes. "There will be a time for you to meet the Light too."
"Light? What are you-?"
"Farewell."
Plodding backwards, his feet dragging excruciatingly slow on the ground, he extracted both bemused and grossed out stares from them as he mingled with the darkness, disappearing, the door of the garage only opened and closed once again. Ryo's shoulders leaned down a tad after the tension dissipated, he turned his feet to the side, seeking for Rie, his expression became stoic, his eyes softening while looking at her.
"Are you alright?"
Nodding reluctantly once, she kept her fingers entangled close to her chest, her shoulders arched up tensely. Edo's voice soared from behind them:
"I am very sorry for that," he bowed to the girl in a gentlemanly manner. "It wasn't my intention to get you caught in this, if only I knew you were here, I'd have ran somewhere else and dealt with the problem myself."
"And here I thought I got myself into a hole, but it seems like you're deeper in the gutter, that guy isn't gonna give up on you."
"You bet that," he sighed resigning wearily.
"I assumed that's more than just a passionate fan? He mentioned others. Is this a new cult of yours or what?"
There was a hint of curiosity in Ryo's gaze, but Edo knew he wasn't one to pry for fun and gossip. They're both better out of this.
"I don't have time to explain it now. I have to go before they come after me."
"Do you have a way out?"
"I'll figure it out in a sec," he looked around, visibly nervous, despite the confidence he imbued into his own words.
"If you need to run from other crazy fans, I can bail you out."
Rummaging the pocket of his coat, he pulled out a key for a vehicle. Bamboozling the ring connecting it to a keychain around his fingertip.
"You can't be serious," he was so exasperated his breath shook.
"One condition," ceasing the play, he grabbed the key with a clink as metal hit metal. "I want a duel."
"And couldn't you just ask this by normal means? Why do you need to make it sound like extortion and strike a bargain now?!"
He exclaimed in disbelief, not only the appearance but his methods and even way of speaking seem to have changed compared to when they last saw each other.
"I don't want the media fussing around like flies, I want a true duel, just between us, no cameras."
"Given your current reputation, this sounds like a trap to get me into a venue I'm not interested in. However, I do agree the media can exaggerate…"
Besides, I don't have many options now. With the Society of light chasing me… can I really escape without being noticed and involving innocent people in this?
"Aren't you a bit too cocky now? I could blow up the fact you'd been meeting someone."
"You?" he snickered, his brows curling up like he heard a joke. "Aren't you too righteous for that? I doubt you'd put this girl in trouble, would you?" he gave a snarky smirk.
Rie's panicked gaze landed on Edo, her eyes so broad and her skin so pale he felt bad just for causing her so much distress. He'd not want a civilian involved in the media, it was more than enough to deal with the whole Mizuchi x him ludicrous theories.
Edo inhaled for a long second, he was being looked down upon for being lawful, but reading between the unsaid lines, he grasped Ryo wasn't really insulting him, but meant he trusted him enough to not even bother mentioning the issue or whatever Edo witnessed there.
"Fine, we'll get to that duel sometime later, give me the key!"
The teal-haired duelist tossed out the object speedily, too strong even. But Edo caught it midair in front of his face, flinching at the design of the keychain: a silvery metal Cyber Dragon, both sides bulking up with the details of every repartition.
Now that's some love, couldn't he do it for his fans too?
Ryo smirked like he was a devil Edo just struck a deal with. No matter where he goes, he's surrounded by a bunch of weirdos and all those people with insane stories wanting to duel him. Part of the job.
"The motorcycle is in that direction," he pointed his thumbs to the right. "Silver paint, plate CYBER END. I want it back by tomorrow."
"Demanding, aren't we?" Edo knotted his brows at the other man. "How do you trust I won't crash it anywhere?"
"Don't you have a yacht? I'm sure you can ride a simple bike," his muffled snigger sounded more like a provocation. "You don't need to duel me then, but I'll be looking forward to your invitation."
"Invitation? You just squeezed a duel out of me, not that I mind training, but are you even on par with my level? Or are we going to repeat the same circus from back then?"
The question wiped that smirk out of Ryo's face, Rie shivered at the prospect of a fight starting there, but Ryo didn't move a single muscle, that vapid expression of his covering his true emotions again. On the other hand, she didn't expect Edo, who was so friendly to the fans, to be so fiery to other duelists. Is it the competitive spirit in the duel world?
"Well, I owe you one Ryo Marufuji," Edo ended the conversation, walking off, a probing gaze cast at his opponent. "We'll see each other again, for the duel."
Rie followed his silhouette disappearing into the inner area of the garage, startled when a pair of footsteps crackled the sandy, dusted ground. Ryo picked up her signed board, approaching slowly, offering it back to her, the tension built up on her shoulders released.
"You went through a lot to get this, don't just drop it, hold it tight."
Her stare remained on it idly, a flick of understanding crossing her thoughts when she looked into his collected gaze.
Those were not the eyes of someone bearing a grudge. Ryo went as far as helping Edo Phoenix escape and he clearly doesn't mind the autograph, he's beyond that. What he's looking for is not something as petty as attention.
A pint of a disappointed shame burbled in her, flushing her cheeks, for even considering for a moment that Ryo would bear resentment due to her actions or to how fans treated him. Her lips wrinkled all over, a tad frustrated at the unfairness of his current situation, but isn't it hard for everyone out there? He's no different.
"Is there anything wrong? Did you get hurt anywhere?" he let out a low grumble, doing guesswork about her fixated stare on him.
That's right, Rie, you should know him better.
Leaning on, she nudged the cuffs of his overcoat, calling his name with quiet lip movements.
"Ryo."
Even if everyone thinks differently…
Supporting her phone on the frame, she wrote to him. [I may have gotten this autograph from Edo Phoenix for work,] a smile blossomed on her face, thinking fondly of him as she put her feelings into those words. [But you're my favorite duelist.]
… I'm on your side, Ryo.
Wrapping herself around his arm, she brought it closer, cuddling from the side, her hair plying softly as she leaned her head onto his shoulder briefly. His body jolted as she pressed herself against him, not that he minded the smoothness of hers, but what was this all about?
From afar, Edo glanced over, the image as she hugged Ryo flashing on the eyeshield of the silver helmet, averting his eyes to the way ahead. It was inappropriate to look. That guy? Who'd have thought? He smiled to himself, powering the motorbike and rushing off on the streets, driving with the wind as people watched him speed up with a roar of the gear, passing by like a comet.
When Rie stepped away from him, whatever troubled her mind dissipated along with the tension that polluted the air before, she was back to her normal self, but the fact she solved it all on her own, inside her mind bugged him for as he couldn't understand the issue in the first place.
She had this gleam in her eyes at him as if he was the coolest man in the world, and he didn't even show his awesome machine like all those silly teen magazines Fubuki suggested to him during their early years about "how to impress the girl".
"Are you leaving now?"
She confirmed with a sway of her head as they walked on the sidewalk, towards the exit ramp.
"Unfortunately, I can't give you a ride home, that's a shame," he lamented bitterly. "But I can still pay you one if you want."
[Thank you, but I have to work.]
The sunlight from outside illuminated their faces, basking it warmly as civilization was at sight, her energetic typing gave off this vibe she was stoked for some reason.
[I'll tell you about that conversation with your manager later, but where is he?]
"He's settling some partnership deals, so I came alone today."
Crooking a brow, she was about to comment on it, but a message came in time, notified on her screen, the color of her skin fading, her brows twirling upwards afflicted.
"Rie?" he called concerned, she simply turned the screen his way.
[Tonight the meeting point will be changed. Come earlier at 21. The address is…]
Ryo squinted his eyes, he vaguely remembers seeing the address somewhere else, but where was it? Before quelling those doubts, his own phone rang, unnecessarily loud, he plucked it out of his pocket, answering immediately.
"Saruyama? Why are you calling me out of nowhere?"
[You'll be meeting Roger today, the place is…]
While listening to that irritating voice of his manager, he glanced over at Rie, she understood what he meant: they're in trouble. But what can be done now?
21 o'clock,
Two bouncers in black suits opened the door of the nightclub to let Ryo in, he glanced over at both, fastening his coat before entering, the loud music from inside ringing in his ears. The flashing lights and dizzying beats bring up a reminiscence.
He's been here before. Wasn't this the same place where he got drunk and went home alone? After that he received a good earful from Saruyama. What else happened here? His memory is foggy, but he has this sensation he's forgetting something intriguing. The alcohol seems to have washed it away.
Right behind him, Rie enters, followed by two guards. Her composed long, strapped black dress didn't fit the ambience much, not that the people dancing on the platform cared. He thought it too soon, one of the men grabbed her arms and swirled her to another direction:
"Hey, where are you going?"
"Changing room, we'll bring her up once she's ready," he quickly spouted out, dragging her as she looked over her shoulder, her jaw gaping in a plea for help.
The remaining guard called out loud, overcoming the noise of the music all around them.
"Come with me, the host is waiting."
Frowning at the man, he glanced back, but Rie and the guard had disappeared, a bead of sweat rolling down his face.
She'll be okay, right?
They went upstairs, a scene flashing on his mind at the clinking sound of the metal steps: he slid his hand on the railing to support himself while drunkenly making his way up to the upper floor, the area where VIPs meet.
The doors to the toilets on the sides and the main gates towards a sealed area with a golden sign plate above it, it's all the same way he remembers, but this time, he'll find out what's beyond the gates.
Both the men who were guarding the entrance bowed to the one guiding him as he showed a keycard, they opened the path.
There's a corridor ahead, red walls padded with velvety wallpaper patterned with golden filigrees, dark-wooden doors, it's like a completely different place. The smell of many perfumes mix in the air, like many candles of different scents were lit at the same time, as well as cigarettes and alcohol. Good quality alcohol, he can tell.
It's nauseating, but he held his urge to puke back, he smelled worse things in the underground. The doors are all the same, with golden handles and sign plates with names on it, except one: the one he's guided to is called "Leisure room", a double door, at the very end of the corridor.
Coming from Roger, he's not keen on guessing what it's used for, but he saw a "Meeting room" on the way. The guard knocks, announcing their presence before receiving permission to enter.
The place wasn't large per se, the walls were covered by a blue paisley print wallpaper, making the room darker. The two couches were long three-seaters, made of brown leather, divided by a center table of glass. A glass case with an assortment of expensive wine was tucked to the wall behind Roger's couch.
He sat on the couch at the right, a stunning blonde woman by his side, patterning the collar of his white shirt under his high-end brown suit with her lipstick as she made a trail of kisses on his neck, her long, golden curls flinging with each move.
Ryo endured the scene, to not scowl. The woman wore nothing but a jet-black underwear, except even less as her breasts were supported by what seemed to be only wires of a bra, pushing her chest up, and her panties consisted of strings on the back, her whole butt out as she hugged the arm of her contractor, purposefully shifting in way so Ryo could also appreciate the sight, his eyes twitched slightly at that.
"Kid! How have you been?!" he shouted so loud Ryo's ears rang. "Oh, sorry, I meant, Mr. Ryo."
"I'm fine."
Flaring his nostrils, he sighed heavily, averting his gaze. The night is starting really awesome and he sure hopes this isn't an "uniform" they'll force Rie to fit into either, the idea of someone exposing her intimate parts for the world isn't very appealing to him.
"Girls," with a snap of fingers, he called out, from the darkness occulting the corner of the room, two women came out after what sounded like the click of a door. "Help him."
Ryo looked at the black-haired on the right and the brown-haired on the left, they both used some short night gowns transparent on the upper and lower parts, it gave him a glimpse of their detailed anatomy, but he didn't dare to stare, flinching as they both put their hands over his shoulder, grabbing the lapel of his coat, pulling it to the sides efficiently.
"Hey, stop it!" he grumbled frustrated, attempting to free himself, but they managed to seamlessly undress it.
Roger laughed, slapping his own thighs. "Don't worry, they're just making you more comfortable."
Bowing to Ryo, they hung his coat on a hook at the wall near the entrance, going back to the hole where they came from.
Ryo sat on the couch across Roger with a hefty plop, folding his arms in a bad mood, taking a peek around, the ceiling lights were so yellow and dim he could barely see the darkness besides the crystals hanging from there, both Roger's and the woman's perfume making an unpleasant mix of scents, a red, small candle burned atop the table, there were already two glasses, ice melting with low crackles there and leftovers of the whisky that came from the half-drank bottle on the side, watermarks everywhere on the glass.
Aside from the food plates filled with treats and bite-sized snacks, there was an empty basket. Roger quickly glanced over him before briefing:
"You can leave your cellphone there, put it in silent mode, I don't want interruptions."
Ryo pressed a few buttons before tossing it there.
"Bored, boy?"
Roger slapped the couch a few times, in high spirits, just as he opened his mouth, the doors creaked open again, this time, Rie was roughly shoved into the room, pursing her lips contemptfully at the aggressor.
Her garments were a tight silky red corset with thick black stripes and generous frilly brims that sparkled subtly, pulling her chest up and flattering her waist perfectly; black panties to match, attached to stockings that had darker and more transparent stripes, made of a thin fabric. He gawked in pure awe for a moment, until she sent a deadly glare at him.
Such a killing intent oozing from her like she would punch the next person in front of her for stuffing her in those scanty clothes again, buckling in her legs so no one had the vision of whatever was under the see-through cloth of her panties, putting both hands and her phone in front. He averted his eyes as quickly as possible, not wanting to take blame for that.
"Here she is! Your escort!" Roger clapped his hands, whistling.
Rie stomped by in a sour mood, her body flung back, a hand wrapped around her wrist. She gaped looking at Roger who smirked like the fun had just started.
"How 'bout you sit here and meet your dealer, girly?" tapping the empty spot beside him on the couch, he invited.
The woman beside him gave him a light slap on the shoulder, he giggled mischievously.
"Don't be jealous, Jess."
"Is this necessary?"
Ryo intervened, she switched her glance to him, her eyes flickering as the nervousness stocked up under her skin, making her blood simmer.
"Impatient, huh? You drilled her too much into the bed and miss it now? I understand," he dropped ice cubes into his mouth, gargling and crunching it with his teeth. "I have been in your position before."
He guffawed at his own bad joke, pulling Rie abruptly to sit there, she fell with a thud, his handprint bright red on her wrist. Roger wiped his hand around his bearded chin, the smell of cigarette exhaling form his mouth, Rie winced disgusted.
Wrenching her cellphone from her grip, he threw it into the basket on the table, without her permission.
"Now, how about you serve me some dose and give a cup to Mr. Ryo there, too?"
He took two small cups for shots, hitting it to the table in front of her, and sliding the whiskey bottle closer.
"Hurry, hurry! Like this, girly."
Seizing her hand onto his, she resisted for a second, but couldn't the next, he guided it to close around the whiskey bottle, forcing her to fill the cups, smirking wickedly.
"See? Done! How can you call yourself a hostess if you can't even do this?!"
Shaking off his head, he wobbled his hand towards Ryo, she propelled herself to stand up and serve the drink, but he blocked her way with his arm, tugging her back onto the seat again.
"Not you, girly, Jessica here will serve the guest, yes? She will show you how it's done."
The blonde woman got up, taking the cup, instead of delivering it to him, she sat down by his side, her chest jiggling as she leaned onwards, posing the cup in front of him, swaying it like a bait, he spared but a glare, an unhappy one. Had Rie seen more creases on his scowl before? Even though that woman is basically naked, it didn't entice him in the least.
"Roger, if you called me here to fool around, I'm not interested."
"Ah, come on," he rolled his eyes. "The boy needs a massage, Jessica! He's tense!"
Nodding with a smile, she puts the cup on the table, her fingers landing on Ryo's shoulder, a powerful shiver of aversion running through his body as his shoulder arched up, bouncing away her hands.
"Do not touch me!" his tone was incisive, his torso skidding slightly to the side, to make distance between him and that woman. "Roger, if you're not discussing business, I'm out of here!" he pointed his index accusingly at the man, then at Rie. "And I'm taking my escort with me!"
"Your escort, huh?" he let out a low, muffled laugh that dwindled soon. "Jessica, you can come back, it seems Mr. Ryo is in a bitter mood today. We should give him a minute."
"Aww," she clicked her tongue, fawning as if his attitude bordered cuteness, puckering her lips and planting a quick peck on his cheek before leaving.
Ryo grunted and rubbed the area, the dark-red lipstick staining his palm.
"A wayward one, aren't you?"
Roger slapped her butt as she came back, swinging her backside at him and giggling at the prank. Rie had to turn her eyes away, disgusted at the whole role playing. Her gaze flickering afflicted, seeking shelter on Ryo, his glare narrowed, even more frustrated at the whole situation. Of course, he's troubled too, is this the type of people who come to the underground?
The expression Ryo had now was far more scary than when he smirked against opponents in a duel or against mere delinquents, his green orbs were fulminated in wrath, an intense aura coming off from him, like he'd crumble this whole room with it if he could. Rie's heartbeats were cramped on her chest. If only she could do something to help him now.
"You weren't just satisfied with the pictures, so you had to take the whole package, huh?" Roger cupped Rie's face with a hand, shaking it briskly, hurting the bones of her jaw. "In my opinion, she lacks some experience, but if that suits your tastes…"
"I'm very satisfied, thank you," he retorted in a collected tone, but it was visible on the grave lines under his eyes, that was the limit of his patience.
"Calm down, I'm just joking. I'm not gonna take her to bed."
He raised his hands up to the sky, pretending his latest action wasn't meant to provoke Ryo, and he did notice a pattern there. Compared to their first meeting in which Ryo kept composure through the whole conversation, now he was much more restless and angry even.
"If you care this little, leave me alone," supporting himself on the table, he stood up, his shadow overlapping on the table menacingly.
"Talk about a boring guy," he massaged his temples. "And I thought you were a bad entertainer," he tapped Rie's shoulder lightly. "Get up, girly."
Ryo's blood froze a moment there, his breath stalled at that command when Roger stood up, grabbing Rie by the arm, his mind foreseeing the start of a slap and worse aggressions. Much to his relief, Roger simply pointed the finger at him:
"Sit down, boy, you just need to relax! Look, if you're so bothered, I'll give in the word for you that there's nothing off, as for you," he put an arm around Rie's shoulder, issuing an order. "Come here with me."
The duelist's expression shut off, his fists clenching as he followed them with eyes, as Rie cast a glance over her shoulder to him, her brows twirled up in worry. Ryo's control held by a thread about to snap as he visualized himself just walking up to them, grabbing Rie's hand and leaving that sordid place.
He killed that urge sitting back on the couch, watching as Roger walked her to the cupboard at the wall, sliding those sleazy hands down the top of her head repeatedly, in a fake gesture to assure her.
"Now, let's prepare a drink for him, Mr. Hell Kaiser is very stressed and needs some help."
He pinched a strand of Rie's hair between his fingers, scrubbing it, sensing the sleek texture. She jerked at the sudden move, he smirked delighted at her discomfort.
He snickered amusedly while opening the glass doors of the cupboard, watching Rie gulp while glancing at him from the sides, in fear. Taking out a bunch of different bottles of colored glass, he supported them at the top of the cupboard, taking a single glass cup from there and a long, thin spoon.
"Watch closely, girly,"
He opened the bottles and proceeded to make a cocktail of drinks so expertly, like he'd done it many times, she winced at it as the aroma spread, is he trying to make Ryo faint with that amount of alcohol or what?
Handing the spoon to her, he wagged his hand, encouraging her to stir the blend. "The drink will soften him a little, but you need to do your part."
Sending a distrustful glance at him, she hesitated until he coated her hand underneath his again, clunkily forcing her to stir it quickly.
"This is how you do, see? Now…"
He slid his hand atop her hair one more time, stopping near her nape, seizing a handful of her hair, the strands entangling and straining around his fingers as he pulled her head slightly back, her mouth opening unwittingly in pain from the strands threatened to be plucked out of her, her breath hitching as he lowered himself so he could speak by her ear:
"I'm done with your incompetence, I know you dropped a drink in this very night club once, I know everything about your past, where you work and where you live, but today, missy, you either get him to drink this or you'll be dispatched off and we'll substitute you and give him a worthy escort, understood?"
Ryo lurched onwards on his seat, his hands clutching around the stuffing of the couch as he prepared to get up upon the odd scene as he saw what seemed like Roger pulling at Rie's hair a tad forcefully, but a finger touched his lips, alarming him.
Jessica smiled mischievously before sitting by his side, her hand lasciviously gliding over the curves of his chest, he shifted position, clearly uncomfortable at the unwanted intimacy.
"Just a minute, don't be so rushed," she bent forward and he synchronically bent backwards.
"How many times do I need to repeat to not touch me?!"
Taking her wrist and pushing her arm away, he elicited a chuckle, then she got up, curving her lips in a exaggerate pout, putting her hands to her chest, complained in a melodious voice:
"So scary~"
Roger finally started to talk to him again, disclosing the true reason he was called here in the first place:
"Look, I don't have any stakes in this. But you have to convince your manager everything is fine, because he came to me and asked me to do something about this," he poked his finger onto Rie's temple, so strong her head bounced back.
She massaged the place he touched, a red mark left there, her nose wrinkling at him for the disrespect, her legs glued together, her shoulders shrinking inward as she moved some centimeters away from the man.
Ryo's eyes turned bloodshot, he worked so hard to avoid this and he made every possible arrangement he could, then why is this happening? Again, he's lost to the power of those people? Kicked into the pit, just like usual, as if he's a dog ready to obey? No way.
Rie's brows were furrowed up, it was just the lighting, her eyes shimmered, filled to the edges with tears, she wasn't less tired than him of all this, but lashing out right now would help neither of them, would it? That hot blood inside him turned cold gradually, he drowned that dissatisfaction.
As soon as the tension swelled up again, Roger slapped Rie's back, making her stagger forward while juggling with her own balance to keep the liquids of the cup intact, her expression consternated as she walked towards Ryo, from the low sigh he let out, of relief as she finally was fred from spending a night beside that man, she felt guilt nibbling even worse inside her.
Ryo had this inkling feeling as he gazed into her, that something was very wrong. The bulky droplets of tears gathered at the reddened brims of her eyes and her stiff posture as she sat sideways and offered him that cup.
"I don't want to drink today," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Rie's eyes darted at the other man from across the couch. Roger scoffed, raising his brows and prodding his head, reminding her of her task. When she focused onto Ryo again, he gaped, realizing something indeed was wrong. But whatever Roger did, it distressed her.
Taking his hand, she guided it until he got a grip on the cup, a controversial curl of her brows up, the saddened glint in her orbs accentuated by the dim lighting in the room. She didn't mean to force him to swallow that, but at the same time, she took his other hand until he held the cup fully, her cold palms blanketing his, shaking subtly.
"Fine," he blurted out, imbuing annoyance in his tone. "I'll drink it, you're the one that will pay for it later anyways when we are alone…"
Even when he acted with such confidence, saying those unbefitting words in this pretend game, it was obvious to her that this isn't Ryo. He's putting himself through this role of a tough man because of their "audience".
Rie's heartbeats knocked on her ribs viciously, she heard it from inside her ears, her chest harrowed by the pressure built up in the room as Ryo brought the cup closer to his lips, her gaze broadening, her lips opening on their own to alert him not to do it in that millisecond. He noticed her antsy behavior, didn't he? Despite that, is he really going through with it?
The duo of adults sitting across from them sniggered, anticipating the moment, Rie's hair bristled, static, she took a deep breath, getting hold around his hands again, yanking the cup her way so strongly that part of the drink splattered on the couch.
"Hey, what are you-"
He had no time to question as she pulled the drink closer, her neck bending as she dropped it down her throat in a soundly gulp, Ryo flinched, seizing the cup back, finding resistance.
"What's wrong with you?! I said I'd drink!"
There was real irritation in his tone as he spouted it, aggravated by the laughter of the two other people who found the situation too priceless to intervene. He challenged her silently in a tug of war, but Rie played smart. Instead of attempting a fight she couldn't win, she bent down and drank it right there, forcing his hand to turn the cup for another gulp, coughing hoarsely after.
"You-"
He bit the words midway, standing up as she finally stole the cup from his hands. She stood up too while glancing over at him with an eye and stepped back, gobbling down more of the drink with squinted eyes, the liquid descending with a blistering sensation.
Squeezing her eyes shut as the blood simmered in her veins, she coughed a few times more. Once her eyes opened, the image of Ryo standing in front of her split apart in many twilights and she was only halfway done with the cup, her fingers so numb it just slipped down, glass shattering everywhere as it collided, blowing the alcohol smell into the air, she coughed when the dryness overcame her throat, suddenly the room around waved and twisted, there was this unbearable heat coming from inside her, her bangs soaking wet in sweat.
Roger laughed, slapping his leg continuously, so hard his stomach hurt. "She did it! This girl!" he bent over himself, wiping the small tears from the corners of his eyes.
Ryo frowned at the man, genuinely pissed at the insensibility, his hand encasing Rie's shoulder as she stumbled on her own feet there, her body bounced away from his hand, he shielded her sides.
"Roger, what did you put in this drink?"
"Just alcohol!"
"Roger, don't kid me, was there any drug in there?!"
As he demanded more and more details, Roger laughed aloud, ordering his escort to go and clean up the mess on the ground. After a few minutes of discussions, Rie swayed, Ryo got a firmer hold on her, helping her retrieve some balance.
"Look at me."
Lifting her chin with a finger, he landed a hand on her cheek, staring into her eyes, her pupils so dilated like the veins of her whole body widened at once to let blood through, her cheeks colored with a strawberry red tint.
"Why did you drink it so quickly?"
Her mouth opened so sluggish he inquired inwardly just how many seconds it took for her to listen to the question.
"Forget it, just sit down for now."
He shook his head, in part disapproving of her attitude, those round innocent eyes of hers following his slightest move, letting him guide her to the seat and obediently staying where he asked her to. In this state, he'd better take her out of here.
"Alright, let's get back to business," Roger took another shot, gulping it down, exclaiming refreshed.
Jessica came and deposited yet another drink mix in front of Ryo, as if to make up for the broken one, he answered her with a deep furrow of brows, she chuckled and retired to her seat, letting Roger take the lead.
"You know, Saruyama, that snake you call a manager, he was really worried about you."
"Worried?" Ryo digressed at the choice of words. "You mean he was 'worried' I was doing my job?"
"Something like that," he wagged his hand as if it was an unimportant detail. "He was the one suggesting you have a free and fun night, right? But turns out he didn't actually want it to happen. Go figure."
"Oh, I have figured Saruyama out, yes."
He glanced over to the side when Rie dragged the new cup near her, puffing her cheeks and hiding it from him as he eyed it, he raised a brow at her determination in not letting him have it.
"I get it, so this is the trick, you're good at this, girl," he swung his finger towards her in approval. "I understand your tastes, Mr. Ryo. The seemingly timid, cute ones are a good choice, always fierce in the inside, huh?"
"Would you refrain from getting distracted this often in a conversation?" Ryo shouted from over his seat, Roger sniggered at the reaction.
"Listen, I don't agree with Saruyama's paranoia of wanting to completely end your fun, you know me, I'm all for fun, but," he entwined his fingers, playing a thumb war with himself. "There are times we must know when to stop and reevaluate, and if something's taking you astray from the path, you have to decide what to do."
"Are you gonna give me a sermon?" he squinted his eyes defiantly. "I'm aware of my duties, I don't need you or Saruyama reminding me of it."
"I believe you, really," he sneered, not in irony.
"Why do I need to prove myself in anything? I have a contract and I get to do whatever the hell I want."
Roger burst into laughter again at that earnest tone of his, at the naivety of that statement too.
"That's not how it works, Mr. Ryo. You do a single suspicious move, and all the eyes are on you, this is how the world goes~" he said in an almost singing tone, slapping and patting the leg of his escort.
"Ah, yeah, and fucking in a hotel room the whole night is clearly suspicious," Ryo narrowed his eyes even more. "Spare me from the hypocrisy, I'm not a peon of yours to be under scrutiny like this."
"You're right," he conceded, taking a scrumptious shrimp from one of the trays and slurping it, talking in between his chewing. "But, you know, if there's any risk that you won't be making money for a silly reason, people will be concerned," he shrugged off. "You can fuck this beauty the whole day if you want," he pointed his thumb at Rie, sniggering. "Not my problem. But if your manager comes to me to complain and asks me to deliver a message, I'll do it for him."
Ryo's frown increased more if that was feasible, at that same moment, Rie leaned onto the seat, approaching him to check if he was alright, though she was clueless to the whole conversation that just happened in front of her.
"Not now, Rie!" he shoved his hand up in a stop.
A sheepish smile blossomed on her lips, stunning him. She took his hand on hers and pressed his palm against her cheek, closing her eyes in delightfulness at the skin to skin touch. Were his hands always this big and warm? She gave a wet smooch to the sides of his palm. His eyes widened open, he retracted his hand instantly, scowling at the man.
Roger's guffaw burst into the air, he tried to hold back, but failed and had no qualms of making fun of the pair of youngsters.
"She's just too funny! I get what you like in her, very charming. She legitimately tried to gorge the whole thing super fast! What did you think would happen?"
Ryo took Rie's hand and got up, towing her along. "Roger, we're through here!"
Rounding his arm on her back, he tugged her forward, she shook herself, almost hopping in place, excited as to where he'd take her, missing that the point was to get away from that club.
"Through? But we didn't even-"
Ryo yelled, snapping at him. "You called me here for a business talk and I don't like to blur the line between business and pleasure. Plus I don't owe any explanation to any of you, and that's the end of the story, if you or Saruyama don't like my actions, that's your problem!"
"I mingle business and pleasure the whole time!" he admitted, shrugging off, stealing a giggle from his escort. "And your girl is much more fun like this! Who'd have thought a bit of alcohol could do miracles?"
"I don't have time to squander here! I would do better by spending my time dueling in the pit!"
"Come on, she drank it on her own will, I didn't tell her to do it, why don't you just sit, relax and-"
"From now on, you be sure my schedule will always be full for you!"
He grabbed their phones from the basket, his coat before the man even opened his mouth and stomped his way to the door, casting a glare that glimmered in fury.
Rie waved at him before she was pulled along and the door closed with a slam. Roger sat there laughing to himself, he didn't dislike the attitude, that's how you survive in such a place like the underworld. Taking his own phone from the inner pocket of his suit, it rang a few times.
"Saruyama? Yeah, it's me. Well, your duelist just stormed off my office," he paused, listening to the other side and scoffing. "I think you're cornering him too much, how 'bout you let him free? The boy just wants fun, let him have it, he won't be young forever."
He blinked strongly, pulling the phone away from his ear as though the call ended abruptly, the woman hooking his arm with hers.
"Are you sure this is fine?" she scrunched her nose, whispering in a half mockery. "I think that boy is a virgin."
"Honestly, he could be using her only as a pretty table to put his beloved cards for all I care, people have fetishes, it doesn't matter as long as he pays me what is due."
"Wow, you're so amazing!"
She praised sultrily, caressing his chest exactly like she did with Ryo, but the man seemed pleased as he corresponded to that. Even with his guest leaving earlier than expected, he no longer had intentions to pursue the questioning.
Outside that room,
The guards watched perplexed Ryo dragging Rie along with him, wondering what happened for him to leave so suddenly, even more surprised at the tottering steps of the girl. He laced his hand around her waist, to keep her balance as she walked, but instead of standing straight, her body tilted to the side, using him as a support, her fingers clinging to the hem of his shirt, her head snuggling onto his chest as she happily followed him.
"S-stop that!"
He exclaimed flustered, pushing her head away with a few fingers, afraid to touch her too much and give the wrong impression. Her light touches sent a tickle all over his body, his muscles tensed on their own, why is he so responsive to it anyways?
As if it wasn't enough she'd tag along wherever he would take her, she's acting all lovey-dovey like they're going out on a date. Was there really just alcohol in that drink? Still, he kept an arm firmly around her.
The stairs down were dreadful, his sight blurring and extending the path much longer than it was in reality.
"To the elevator, it is," he mumbled to himself.
Plunging a finger to the button to call the elevator, he waited a long minute, wandering his gaze around the room and ceiling in a fit of impatience until he felt observed. That pair of blue marbles staring at him, admired at his face.
"What are you looking at?" he snarled, his brows furrowed unwittingly. "We're not in the amusement park, there's a serious problem ongoing here, get a hint…"
Instead of being scared or separating herself from him, she simply giggled, as if he told the funniest joke in the world, the wrinkles on his shirt tightening as her fingers grasped it harder.
He sighed resigned, no point in arguing with a drunkard. "You're so wasted, Rie…"
At last, the elevator arrived. It was a relief when he heard the sound of the doors closing behind him, no interruptions and no men in suits or strangers stalking and chasing them.
A shiver coursed through his body when her icy fingertips sneaked under his shirt, drawing ascending lines towards his chest.
"Rie, stop!"
He grabbed her hand, yanking it far from him, but she chuckled at his reaction, her fingers getting a hold of the hem of his long sleeved shirt.
Plucking a phone out of his pocket, he took Rie's hand and rerouted upwards, placing it atop her palm.
"How about you have this instead of me?"
She held it for a second, her lips unsealing in a personal realization as she stepped back. He then gasped at the fact he never pressed the command to go down, cursing himself while pummeling the button to the ground floor until it lighted, laying his back against the wall of the elevator as a shake took place in the whole metal structure, his coat hanging from his arm swayed a bit.
"Why did you even think it was a good idea to swallow all that? You didn't need to… I'm pretty sure I have more resistance to drinks than you do…"
His stare focused on the upper wall across, until there was a chime announcing their arrival at the destination, the door opened smoothly, but just as he moved onward to leave, he felt a soft pull on his cuffs. Turning around, he faced an angst filled expression, Rie's mouth was slanted down.
Her lips battered subtly to call him. "Ryo."
Scenes flashed in her mind, the back of her brother, her father and even of another boy's indistinct silhouette, all going different ways, not looking back, leaving her alone. The sheer terror in her father's eyes as he offered her to pay the debt.
[Will you also ditch me like everyone else when I'm not useful to you anymore?]
Tears gathered as she fluttered her lips to call him again, her eyes faltering, suffering at the hypothesis, so infatuated with him, her fingers reaching out to his chest slowly, her legs bruising against his; his hand slipped onto her back as his other hand supported her elbow, preparing to make distance between them, his blood seething inside him.
The door of the elevator closed again, but he was far too distracted to pay attention to details.
Useful? What is she-?
Approaching a single step, she leaned on, he stumbled back as the tips of her fingers pushed him incisively, his back hitting the wall, shocked at her flip, his coat slid down, flopping to the ground with a hefty thud as it folded.
[If it were me in your place, I would never leave you alone.]
She dropped her phone right after, it clacked soundly but neither of them seemed to care about it.
Bringing her face closer, he had to bend his neck down a bit while she stretched hers to look him into the eyes, waiting for an earnest answer, suddenly there was this rush of blood coming up his face, a complete flush, not that her face looked less pink. His heart couldn't bear it, those infatuated orbs of hers that caused it to pace faster.
Before he mustered the words for an answer, she planted a kiss onto his chest, he trembled, in a good way, even though there was a layer of fabric protecting it. Her fingers delineated his torso from down to up, appraising him as if he was a piece of art, coming up to his face, her thumb brushing on his skin delicately, complimenting his features. His throat cramped, a wave of heat assaulting his body.
Muffled voices soared from the side, coming from the elevator door as it opened automatically, he slapped the panel button in reflex, sending the elevator off again. He didn't want to be interrupted, not now and he couldn't care less about the complaints as they cussed at him because this girl who is clinging to him so affectionately, just confessed, with no words how much she liked him.
"Don't do this."
His voice came out shaky, she stopped in the middle of another kiss to his chest, looking up, defying his command, she proceeded to kiss his shoulderbone. Admittedly, the whole sight was arousing, of her plump curves jumping out of her attire in the right places, the gloss on her lips leaving translucent mouth-shaped stains on his clothes, if he'd let her be, just how far would she go on loving him like this?
Is this what she's been thinking? That I'm using her to dispatch her later? I wasn't aware of it this whole time…
He's eager to find an answer and troubled too as her lips come so close to his that her breath brushes on her face, making this harder on him. He'd love to let it happen, really, but…
"I said stop!"
Getting a hold on her shoulders, he pulled her away brusquely, her brows curling up disheartened, her gaze lowering, her grip softened there, she'd given up is what he thought, until she brought her face closer again, resting her forehead on him, shifting position until her cheek was flattened against his sturdy chest, closing her eyes restfully, like his arms were the most peaceful place in the world to be in.
She's so hammered, still…
He used to be flawlessly immune to her charms, despite his soft spot for her, yet look at him now, being all fuzzy over her drunk self. Sighing troubled, he glided an arm around her waist, a hand pushing her head against his chest, stroking her hair as he bent over, his arms surrounding her silhouette tightly, he planted a peck on the borders of her ear, his chin standing atop her shoulder.
Being with me is not safe at all…
"I wouldn't leave you alone either, Rie."
She squished herself by rubbing her forehead onto him, her arms so neatly wrapped around him, he wondered when she'd ever let him go, he had this will to decree rules of distance, but as she raised her head, beaming as happy as when she got that gift from him, he couldn't voice himself and deny her anything she'd ask.
Rie, is this really how you feel towards me? I…
He sealed his lips shut, staring at her thoughtfully, his expression becoming a blank, a single, minor wrinkle between his brows. He wasn't so oblivious as to not catch the gist that she had a crush on him with all the blushing, jitteriness and her constant interest in him, but he never questioned the depth of her feelings, or perhaps, he was reluctant in finding out the truth.
His daydreaming broke apart when the chime of the elevator rang again, the group of enraged people he left behind throwing complaints at him.
His mind was still busy basking in the tingling sensation left in his chest. Grabbing his overcoat, Rie's phone and her hand, he left at the sound of those frustrated voices of accusation.
Somewhere,
Rie blinked her eyes open, the ceiling still a blot of shapes. The sunrays intruding the room warmed her skin. She clutched the white pillow, her legs entangling with a swish around the cozy, jet-black blankets even more, wishing she didn't have to get up, her eyelids closed willingly.
There's work… get up, Rie. Work? Why did the alarm not ring?
Her brain had a communication failure. What was she doing last night again? A faint scent of lemon waltzed into her nostrils as she breathed and another familiar, comfortable aroma that she's met many times, her finger twitched, she shifted around underneath those layers of fluff, opening her eyes to the world.
This doesn't smell like my room, but it's so nice… Did Haru spray perfume near the door again? No, wait… Haru isn't…
Waking in a flinch, she sat up, her hair frisked to the sides, the whole world turned around, she braced herself, both hands sinking on the firm mattress, a headache assaulted her, her sight dividing in two, the smell that was so awesome before made her nauseous.
Buckling her legs in, leaving waves of crinkles on the blankets, she held her head with both hands, squinting her eyes until the pain was subdued, having a more clear sight of the surroundings. The high-end cloth made a zipping noise as her nails slid on it.
The sheets covering her were dark, the bed too and her surroundings were not familiar in the least, from the wooden board floor to the white ceiling and even the fancy in-built lights. A surge of panic churned her innards.
Where am I?
Last she remembers, she chugged down that drink in a short amount of time, then she was unbearably dizzy for a while and finally, everything faded to black. Did Roger kick her out of the room or send her somewhere?
Sweeping her legs to sit at the edge, the blankets fell off her lap, she gasped surprised at the amount of exposed skin from her thighs, her clothes today were different, she was dressed in an oversized white shirt with a hoodie, her semi-transparent panties from the corset set underneath it were fully covered, although the shirt barely reached down her backside, only her fingertips and nails stuck out from under the long sleeves that pooled around her wrists naturally as she moved.
Whose clothes are this?!
The second shock arrested her senses, she jumped out of the bed in a hurry, roaming her gaze around to see nothing, not even a hint of where it could be. The dizziness from the previous night came back, staggering, her body unable to bear it, the insides of her stomach coming up to her mouth.
She covered her mouth, hurrying to the first door at sight, holding back it all as her face turned blue, but just as she opened the door, humidity invaded the air, the noise of water running flicked at her ears, ringing on her eardrums.
Turning to the right, to the source of that sound, she flinched at the scene: beyond the glass walls boxing the shower area a man stood, water cascading down his back, tracing the slightly toned muscles and bones with a rattling noise.
With a short gape, noting her presence, he closed the water valve and turned around, an impeccable silence permeated the room. Her eyes widened more and she paled upon meeting his sharp gaze, swallowing roughly back everything inside her mouth, screaming inwardly.
"Hey," he spoke uninterestedly, like this was but a minor incident. "You're awake."
With a soaking wet hair, the silence was broken by the dripping water falling and joining the puddles swarming around his bare feet, there he was, the Hell Kaiser Ryo, standing in all his glory, like he came to the world.
Rie, is this another of your dirty dreams?! I sure hope it is!