iii: ee-er ee-er!


Natsu and Lucy sat across from each other in a booth in the diner that Natsu chose to eat at, of all places. If it were up to Lucy, she would have choses a much more...cleaner place.

Flies were flying around as the cooks cooked in the kitchen and the customers ate in the diner. No one seemed to mind the flies, meaning that the flies were a common occurrence. The floor and even some of the tables were sticky with spilt drinks and food was left on the floor. One of the lights in the back corner flickered.

Lucy hugged her school bag to her chest as Natsu happily looked through the menu with no care in the world.

"Once again...you're positive that you want to eat here, right?" Lucy asked Natsu, swatting a fly away.

"Yep! This is my favorite place to eat at! I'm always here!" Natsu answered with a smile.

Ugh...commoners, Lucy thought bitterly, looking down at the menu.

There was a sticky but shiny spot on the menu. It had to be food grease. Lucy refused to touch it. However, she was hungry. But she also wasn't sure if her stomach would agree with the food options. She's looked around. The big portions were intimidating.

She shook her head. The faster we get down to business, the faster we can leave!

She dug into her school bag and brought out a filer. Then, she opened the filer and pulled out a packet.

"Please review the terms and conditions of this contract before you sign," she said, placing the packet on the table in Natsu's direction.

Natsu blinked. "Huh? Contract?"

He grabbed the packet and flipped to the very last page. "Damn! 32 pages!?"

Lucy pulled out a pen. "I spent all night typing it out so if you read it, it would make the hours of sleep I lost worth it."

"What's this contract even for?" Natsu asked.

"Oh, did I not tell you? I've chosen you to be my boyfriend," Lucy answered nonchalantly.

The 32-page contract slipped out of Natsu's hands as he stared at Lucy with widening eyes. "...huh?"

"Yeah. You will be my boyfriend. But don't worry, I don't actually have feelings for you. This is all for research purposes," Lucy responded.

Natsu's expression went from surprise to confusion. "...huh?"

Lucy tucked a piece of her golden blonde hair behind her ear. "I want to learn the Art of Romance. Don't ask why. I have my reasons."

Natsu pointed at himself. "So...why me?"

Because for some reason, whenever I'm with you, I get ideas for my novel, Lucy thought as she shrugged. "You're just the best candidate. Plus, I heard that you're always willing to lend others a helping hand. So please help me out."

Natsu looked down and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah...I just can't help you with this."

Lucy frowned. "Why?"

He looked up at her. "I just don't want to be in a relationship."

"We're not actually going to be in a relationship. We're just going to do things that couples do and learn from them," Lucy said. "I even have a whole calendar of things for us to try!"

"Just like how you have your reasons for wanting to learn this so-called 'Art of Romance,' I have my reasons for not wanting to be with anyone," Natsu answered.

Lucy crossed her arms. "I know that out of everyone in the school, you're one of the very few that have not confessed to me. Are you saying all this because I'm not your type?"

"You're a very attractive girl-" Lucy blushed, "-but I'm not in a position where I can date anyone," Natsu said.

"But we're not actually dating!" Lucy cried.

"Does it matter!?" Natsu cried.

A preppy waitress on skates rolled over to them. "Hi! I'll be your waiter for today! What drinks should we get y'all started on?"

Natsu and Lucy were silent as they glared at each other. The preppy waitress was pushed away by the cold aura emitting from them.

"...I'll...just come back..." The waitress skated away.

Minutes passed. The glaring continued.

Then, "Ah. Duh." Lucy dug into her school bag and pulled out a thick envelope. Then, she placed it on the table in Natsu's direction.

"What is this?" Natsu asked, taking the envelope.

He opened it and peaked inside. Then, he closed it and frowned. "Seriously? You're bribing me with money?"

"Money makes the world go round, doesn't it?" Lucy responded. "Besides, I'm desperate! Is one not enough? I have another one."

She pulled out a second envelope and handed it to Natsu. Natsu shoved both envelopes into his school bag. Lucy smiled.

"So? Does this mean that you'll do it!?" Lucy asked eagerly.

Natsu stood up. "Nope!"

Lucy blinked. "Then why did you take my bribes?"

"Because free money," Natsu answered, leaving the booth.

Lucy quickly grabbed her pen, the contract, and her school bag and stood up. "Look! When someone bribes you, you do what they want in return! Have some decorum!"

"I got none!" He called out from behind as he exited the diner.

Lucy was about to exit the diner to run after him but she decided against it as she's too classy to run after a boy, especially in this day and age. She watched him disappear into the bustling city through the window that the booth they were sitting at was against. That guy is an asshole!


In the not-so nice part of town stood a bodega called The Dragon's Liar. Anything you needed was there, just as any usual convenience store. The neon "open" sign was flickering as two middle aged men Wakaba and Macao sat on the curb, smoking and day drinking away.

"How's that boy of yours doing?" Wakaba asked Macao who rolled his eyes.

"Sassy for no damn reason! He used to want to be like me! Now he looks down on his old man!" Macao ranted as Wakaba took a puff of his cigarette.

Wakaba laughed before coughing out the smoke in his lungs.

A wicket smile crossed Macao's face. "Karma for laughing, old man!" He looked up and saw a familiar pink haired teen in a school uniform from a high school far from this neighborhood approaching.

"Natsu! You're back late!" Macao called out.

Wakaba also noticed him. "Nats *cough cough*!"

Natsu approached them with a smile. "Hi Uncle Wakaba and Macao!"

"Yeah! How was school!?" Macao asked.

"Well...it went," Natsu answered before entering the convenience store.

The shelves were full. Above, one of the lights flickered. A TV was in the corner, playing the latest hot music videos. The current music video was a song by the popular boy group called the TriMen. Natsu turned down one of the aisles and caught his father, Igneel Dragneel, taking inventory of the items on the particular shelf. Igneel was so focused on his work that he didn't even notice that his son was standing there, watching him.

"Just get a part timer," Natsu said.

Igneel glanced up before going back to counting and writing on his clipboard. "Why should I spend unnecessary money on a part timer when I have three sons?"

"Because the eldest son basically emancipated himself from the family, the middle son is supporting his own family, and the youngest son is still in school," Natsu answered, sitting down.

"The youngest son also betrayed his father by getting a job somewhere else," Igneel said without looking up.

Natsu sported a tight smile. "But I help you pay the bills, don't I?"

"You can also help me pay the bills by working for me," Igneel said.

"But would you pay me?" Natsu asked.

Igneel stopped his writing. Then, he threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Ahh! That's rich!" Igneel cried, harshly patting Natsu on the back to the point Natsu fell forward and hit his head on the shelf. Unfortunately, a few of the items on the shelf fell.

Igneel immediately stopped laughing and handed Natsu the clipboard. "Clean that shit up and take the rest of the inventory."

Natsu reluctantly took the clipboard and Igneel stood up and made his way to the cash register. As he did, a customer casually entered the store.

I hate taking inventory, Natsu mentally grumbled as he grabbed a bag of chips that was one of the items that fell off of the shelf.

From the corner of his eye, he watched the customer walk back and forth and up and down aisles. He peeped that the customer shoved a few packs of gum and Mentos into his pockets but presented that he didn't notice. It wasn't any of his business, after all. Then, the customer grabbed a family size pack of chips and attempted to shove it down his jacket. The rustling of the bag caught Igneel's attention, prompting Igneel to look up.

"What are you doing!?" Igneel demanded.

"Shit!" The customer ran out.

Igneel jumped over the counter and chased after the customer. Wakaba and Macao, who were still sitting out on the curb, began to cheer after Igneel.

"Yeah! Get his ass!"

"Give him hell!"

However, Igneel could only go so far. He wasn't as young as he used to be. And so, not even a minute later, he turned around and ran back into the store. Wakaba and Macao were still watching the spectacle.

"Ah, damn. He let another one go."

"Maybe he'll catch the next one next time."

"Natsu! Catch that thief!" Igneel ordered, panting heavily as he crouched down to catch his breath.

Natsu stood up so his father could see him over the shelves. "Dad, what if that guy had a gun on him?"

"But..." Igneel straighted up and smirked. "What if he didn't?"

Natsu blinked. Then, he sighed and walked over to the front counter. "Just get a part timer. It would mean more eyes on the store and you can send them to run after thieves."

"This store has been opened for what? All your life? And I've gotten by just fine without having to spend unnecessary money!" Igneel said proudly as Natsu placed the clipboard on the counter.

Natsu gets his optimism from his father but whenever he's with his father, he often finds himself being the straight man between the two of them, much to his own surprise. He was about to remind him that he wasn't young anymore when he remembered his little "date" with Lucy.

He took off his school bag, placed it onto the counter next to the clipboard, and pulled out the two envelopes full of money. "This should cover us for a while."

Igneel blinked as Natsu walked over to him and handed him the envelopes. He gasped as he felt how heavy they were. "Damn! Did some rich man pay you to not date their daughter or something!?"

"Eh, it's more like the opposite I guess?" Natsu responded, walking through the "Employees Only" door behind the front counter to make his way to the apartment on top of the store.

"Wait, wait, wait!" The bright smile on Igneel's face outlined his smile lines as he eagerly followed his youngest son. "You got yourself a crazy rich girlfriend!? What's her name!? She go to that school of yours!? When can I meet her!?"


"So? How did it go with Natsu yesterday?" Levy asked Lucy as they entered the school.

Lucy sighed and rolled her eyes. "Waste of time."

The thing is, the whole student body had been curious about Natsu and Lucy's relationship ever since Lucy asked Natsu out to eat yesterday. The students were crowded around the halls, acting like they were minding their business when really, they were paying close attention.

"How was it a waste of time?" Levy asked, entering the classroom with Lucy.

Groups of students ran to the doorway and the window of the classroom to see what Lucy was going to say. Lucy sat down at her desk and Levy sat on top of the desk. The students in the classroom stopped their conversations and moved closer to listen to the conversation.

Lucy noticed the attention she was getting. "Um, should we talk about this at another time?"

"But I really want to know! I couldn't sleep last night because I was so curious!" Levy cried.

Lucy gestured to everyone listening. "But we have company."

Immediately, the students separated and pretended they were all doing something else. A bunch pretended to be wiping the blackboard at the front of the room, fighting each other over space. The students at the windows pretended they were wiping the windows. One student even used another student as a broom as they pretended to sweep the floor.

Then, Natsu entered classroom, clueless as to what was going on. "What's wrong with everyone?" He wondered out loud as he made his way to his desk.

In order to get to his desk at the back of the classroom, he had to pass Lucy's desk. As he did, Lucy suddenly grabbed his wrist and tightened her grim. Natsu looked down at her and saw her attempting to beg him with her eyes.

Please, please, please...! She pleaded with her eyes.

With his free hand, Natsu pulled Lucy's hand off of him. "No."

The eavesdropping students heard this.

"He told her no!?"

"What the fuck happened!?"

"Are they dating or something!?"

"How dare he tell our goddess no!?"

"What the fuck is going on between them!?"

Sensing the situation building, Lucy swiftly got up from her desk as the students charged at Natsu as if they were all bulls. First, it was a couple of students. Then, it was a group. Soon, it quickly grew into a crowd.

"Woah! Calm the fuck down!" Natsu cried as the crowd bombarded him way too many questions for him to answer. However, he noticed that there was a theme to the questions so he gave them his honest answer. "No, Lucy and I are not a couple so stop asking!"

The students grew quiet. Then, the questions began again a second later.

"Why aren't you and Lady Lucy a couple!?"

"Lucy never asks anyone out!"

"What makes you so special that our beloved goddess chose you instead of me!?"

"Don't fucking lie, Dragneel!"

The students were rapidly closing in on him and it got to the point where Natsu had to stand up on a desk. But even his place on the desk was not stable. Very quickly, the desk began to shake under the students who were still demanding an explanation from him. From his place on the desk, he made eye contact with Lucy.

Help! Your minions won't leave me alone! He told her with his eyes.

Lucy carelessly shrugged and mouthed, "Should've said yes." Then, with Levy following her, she left the classroom.

He found himself completely taken aback and he nearly fell off of the desk. She's evil! She's diabolical! That nice girl act she puts on is fake!


Sting Eucliffe took a puff on the blunt in his hand and exhaled the smoke with a long, drawn out sigh. He slumped in his place in the passenger seat of the old car that was zooming down the nighttime streets of the city of Magnolia. Loud music blared from the speakers to the point where it felt like the car was going to break down.

"Do any of y'all have a phone that I can borrow?" Sting asked over the deafening music.

The driver of the car, Rogue Cheney, did not even bother to spare Sting a glance. "I do have my phone but why should I give it to you?"

"Please! I really need it!" Sting cried before craning his neck to the backseat.

Natsu was laying in the backseat, scratching the back of his neck with his pencil as he tried to complete his math homework. His school bag was on the floor of the car and an English textbook was peeping out. In annoyance, Natsu groaned and closed his math textbook.

"The math not clicking?" Sting asked Natsu who shook his head and reached for the blunt in Sting's hands.

Sting passed Natsu the weed and watched as Natsu took a puff. "You have your phone?"

Natsu exhaled. "Yeah. What about it?"

"I need it," Sting said.

Without sparing a second thought, Natsu reached into the inner pockets of his black suit jacket draped over the chair and handed it to Sting. Smiling like a kid in the candy store, Sting grabbed the phone and sat back in his seat. Natsu leaned back down in the backseat and took another puff.

The math homework was giving Natsu hell, but the day he had at school was hell x10. Never before has he ever dealt with hat amount of attention and curiosity about him before and it was getting to him. He closed his eyes and allowed the weed to calm his nerves that were still on fire, even hours after the school day had ended. In a few more hours, he would have to deal with another school day and that means day 2 of people bothering him. And people who bother others are extremely curious people. The last thing Natsu needed was curious people.

"Yukino...Yukino..." Sting grumbled, typing the one and only number he bothered to memorize into Natsu's phone. It hadn't been updated in nearly 4 years but as long as it can still make calls, it didn't need to have the latest update. "Rogue, turn down the music!"

Rogue rolled his eyes and complied with a grumble.

Sting sulked as he waited for the person on the other line to pick up. Then, when he heard a feminine "hello?" on the other line, he sat up and smiled.

"Yukino, baby!" Sting cried.

Yukino Agria, the girl on the other line, groaned. "Sting! What the fuck!? I literally blocked you! Leave me alone!"

"Baby, please stop being mad at me!" Sting cried.

"Why!? I have every right to be mad! What are you doing right now anyway!?" Yukino asked.

"I'm at work!" Sting cried."

"And what exactly is your job?" Yukino asked.

"Something that I can't tell you, babe!" Sting answered.

"Because you're cheating on me and fucking some other bitch!" Yukino yelled.

Tears streamed down Sting's face. "I'm not cheating on you, baby! I swear! I just can't tell you what I'm doing!"

"Sounds like the excuse of a guilty man to me!" Yukino cried. "I just don't understand! Why can't you be honest with me!?"

"Baby! Please don't be mad at me!" Sting wailed.

"That fucking crybaby..." Rogue grumbled to himself as he judged Sting.

They approached a bridge and thankfully, there wasn't a lot going on in the area. And at this time of night, nobody should be out and about anyway except for a couple drunks.

Rogue parked the car a few steps away from the bridge. "Sting, hang up. We got work to do."

"But I'm not done!" Sting whined, snot running down his nose as went back to his phone call. "Yukino, baby! Please stop being bad at me!"

Rogue glared at Sting before he turned to the backseat. Natsu was slowly drifting to sleep as the blunt burned away in his hands.

"Wake up!" Rogue barked at the youngest who jumped and nearly dropped the blunt. Rogue took it out of his hands and took a puff. "We're here."

Natsu sat up and got out of the car around the same time Rogue did. Sting was left in the car to tearfully beg his girlfriend for forgiveness.

"Let's get this over with quickly," Rogue told Natsu, putting the blunt out before walking to the trunk of the car. Natsu followed, quickly slipping his suit jacket on.

They popped open the trunk, revealing a man who was tied up in duct tape. His mouth was duct tapped and he was shaking vigorously, Tears and snot decorated his face and he immediately started wailing through the tape when he saw Rogue and Natsu.

"Cry all you want. It doesn't change the fact that you've pissed off the wrong people," Rogue told the man as he buttoned the cuffs on his neatly ironed back suit.

Natsu loosened the tie that he wore with his suit before he dragged the man out of the trunk. Rogue grabbed the man's legs while Natsu handled the upper part. The man tried to squirm as he whimpered through the tape on his mouth but Natsu and Rogue kept their grip on him tight. The man's squirming grew more and more aggressive the closer they got to the bridge.

In a twisted way, Natsu found himself relaxed as he and Rogue handled the squirming man. Usually, people find their jobs stressful but his job has slowly become therapy for him. This was a situation he could control. He could also act without the fear of revealing a side of him that had to be hidden. Out here, he was not Natsu Dragneel, but at the same time, he was. He was just the version that wasn't a facade.

"Question: How big of a splash do you think he'll make?" Natsu casually asked Rogue as if they were old men talking about the weather.

"Does it look like I care?" Rogue answered with his signature "I don't want to be here" look on his face.

Once they made it to the bridge, Natsu and Rogue counted to three before they swung the man over the bridge. Natsu watched as the man flew down before his body made contact with the cold water below. Bubbles rippled in the river below them before they disappeared. The body did not resurface.

"Sweet. Now we can leave," Rogue said, turning around to return to his car.

Natsu shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants as his tie blew against the wind. Absolutely no one can know about this hidden life of his that he even has to hide from his own father. That's why at school, he makes sure he doesn't make people curious about him. He puts out a certain persona that allows people to feel comfortable around him to the point where they don't feel the need to know much about them because they believe they know everything about him. But ever since Lucy came into the equation, suddenly people are interested in his dating life. He frowned. At this rate, people may even start to get interested in his personal life and he absolutely cannot have that. He worked so hard to "conform" into the school environment and suddenly, in just one day, his efforts would be worthless. So what else can he do but conform some more and give the people the truth that they are looking for?

"Fine." He clenched his fists in his pockets and his gaze over the river sharpened. "I'll fucking do it if it means it will get people to leave me the fuck alone..."

Because if people don't leave him alone, they would eventually find out that he's part of the yakuza.


Random Fact: After telling myself for years to watch Atlanta, I've finally sat down and started to watch it and I'm loving it! I'm getting soooooooo many ideas for this story...hehehe

Wassup!? It's ya gurl sugarsugarrush!

I know I said weekly updates, but I guess I jinxed myself or something cuz things got busy QUICK. But no worries! The winter break is coming! That means I should hopefully be able to finally work on this story for real! Once again, I won't make any guarantees, but I'll try to release chapters whenever I can!

The story is finally getting started!

Also, another important thing to put out: I've been doing a lot of research on the yakuza in order to get the story right but the Japanese yakuza is hella complicated. It's actually a lot more complicated than I thought, to be honest. So, some things that I put in may or may not be accurate in the yakuza world for the sake of this story. In fact, it may feel more American gangster-y and drug cartel-y than yakuza-y but I'll try to do my best to make this as close to the yakuza as I possibly can.

Also, the City of Magnolia in this story is a big, bustling city, like New York or Tokyo or something. Think of a modernized version of the Magnolia from the manga/anime with more places in it.

Reviews:

Guest: Thank you so much!

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Alright. It's finals week here and I gotta study for my three finals that are back to back so I have no choice but to end things! I hope y'all continue liking this story! It means a lot to see reviews and the favs and follows! Don't forget to PM me or leave me some reviews! Later, yo!