The Outsider

by starazure

Kenshin is an aimless student who has nothing to look forward to in life. He and his friends receive a surprise when they must welcome a new student to their high school; the refined, young and attractive Soujiro Seta. While everyone is taken by his charms, Kenshin is suspicious of him. Some things, however, are better off undiscovered. Dark fic, AU, non-canon, yaoi, hard lemon.

48. How to Get What You Want - Part One

A/N: Good grief! Finally completed this first part of Soujiro's POV! I'm sorry if it took a while, life was once again kicking my ass! I am unsure how many parts this will have. I'm guessing maybe two more for a triology of sorts, but we shall see. I think I'll only go as far until the part where Kenshin and Shishio got into that fight after school, but again, we shall see. Rated M+ for scenes of sexuality. Enjoy! I'll take a week-long break after this, and then the next update should be up on Sunday, December 17th. Happy holidays!

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"Got a case of it all
Nearly burning me up
In the atmosphere, how to get what you want
How to disappear"

- Elise Trouw

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It has been a year since I've been raped by Okita.

Life moved on like sequential still frames rather than its usual fluidity that makes its existence so magical in the first place. There are gaps in my memory that my brain forgot to fill in, simply because it was neither important enough to stick around, or so terrible that it would be better to never call it out by its name ever again. Truth be told, my new brain feels surprisingly nice, despite its fuzzy quality right now. I would dissociate time and time again, and that would be a good enough reason to stay home from school. And at just sixteen years old going on seventeen, of course I would rather be free from my responsibilities like this.

Father is way too busy to even notice or care about these absences. I don't see him around home much, and after what had happened between us and the Souji family, it was as if my dad had decided to be even more distant from me. I don't know how I should feel about his behaviors right now, to be honest. On one hand, a part of me understands why he feels too awkward to be around me after subjecting myself to something sexual with another boy. But yet on the other hand..

That one time wasn't by consent.

So then, why can't he come closer to me and comfort me the way a father should?

Between school work and trying to stay normal despite the trauma, my father hired a psychotherapist to come visit our home twice a week for me to unload onto. Out of everything my father has done for me, this is the most helpful he's been so far; therapy has been very insightful with coming to terms with what had happened to me. I am careful in how much I relay to this psychotherapist. I don't tell him about my convulted sexuality. I don't tell him that I was basically in love with Okita before he raped me. I don't tell him about all the times I've kissed boys before meeting Okita, or how afterwards, the sexual activities I've done with other guys during my time at that school in Russia. I could never understand why people would think that putting people of the same sex in the same room together is a good idea in the first place. Especially if they know of our natural inclinations towards the same sex.

And most of all.. I never told my therapist that I was more or less in a relationship with Okita.

I feel so ashamed at how hypersexual I had become after Okita Souji. I mean, I did made out with at least a few boys before I met him. But, it was like what had happened to me switched something deep inside of me. I became wild and crazy with a bunch of guys after that whole ordeal. I couldn't say no to any guy, no matter what he wanted from me. He wanted a kiss? Sure thing. He wanted me to blow him behind a car? Done. He feels like sticking it inside of me someplace outside? No problem.

Eleven guys used me. Not counting Okita, who was my first time at real sex. I'm surprised I haven't caught any diseases so far. I had to check myself into a clinic on the down low, and even had to make up a lie that I was being such a horn dog with all the girls at my school. I was scared that I had somehow contracted herpes, or something worse. But thankfully, everything came back negative, and I am in the clear to go back to life with a clear conscious.

Of course, I couldn't tell the therapist about any of this. I just tell him that I have been battling a lot of sexual fantasies of being 'taken' again. Which is almost true. I don't know if this is just how trauma changes the brain or what, but in a weird way.. I kept dreaming up of all the ways that I would be taken advantage of, and how much it made sense for me to enjoy it. I thought that, if I could turn a negative into a positive, then I'll learn to somehow turn my trauma into something good.

It has to make sense, right?

"Not exactly," My therapist writes his notes down before grumbling, "I'm afraid we've got some more work to do."

Work. If my dad wasn't so obsessed with work, would I have turned out differently? If dad wasn't so crazy about his long term plan of building his empire into something that will take care of us for many years on end, could I then be a much happier son instead? Instead of bein a fuck up? I've grown tired of the word 'work' thanks to him. No matter what I do with myself, nothing ever works out.

"Well, then," My therapist places his notepad down after our hour long session is over, "I'll be back to check up on you next week. Have you've been doing your journal assignments like I've asked you to?"

I nod, "Yes, sir."

"Good. And what was your last entry about?"

Desolation. Annihilation. Ruin.

I smile mutely, "About my plans of taking over Father's company."

My therapist watches me, his smile almost veering into the smugness category, "Good."

Good. How I've long for something good. How I've ached to become something good, too. Ever since Okita hurt me in that way, nothing has ever felt good for me afterwards. The pleasures of life—from the way the sun used to kiss my hair whenever I would go outside, to the way it felt to eat something sweet and swim in its decadence—no longer gives me any meaning. Not even thinking and planning for the future, something that used to excite me so much back then.. is now something I feel it has turned off inside my head.

No matter what I try to do, it's just no good.

I am still not happy.

I am still not good.

Still.. I try.

I try to fill up my calendar with things to try and take my mind off of things. Even though I'm not having such a hot year right now with schoolwork, I do try other things to prepare for my future: Like reading every book I could find in my father's lounge room, or from the local library. Coming back home to Tokyo after what had happened does help in keeping things peaceful inside my head, since at least I get to do it in the place that I call home. I was born and raised here, after all. It's only within the past several years that my parents took me around the world and have me study in different countries. And this is all while my dad continued to work hard at the enterprise. When you're powerful like he is, you'll have clients everywhere who are more than happy to accommodate your family while doing international work with you.

I was never without any lack of anything. I am the luckiest boy in the world. I tell myself this.

I got to stay in so many awesome places over the years. They were the years that helped shape my confidence in the way I talk to people. Even though my sexuality remains a sore point for me, I would just play pretend and acted as the happy-go-lucky kid that would disarm most people I come across with. Kids weren't mean to me or suspected much about me until I was around twelve years old, when I started experimenting with kissing. Most were boys, save for maybe one female friend who thought I wanted to be her boyfriend when I clearly didn't. But the bullying definitely peaked around the time I was living in Germany and had gotten to know Okita.

It was like the older I got, the harder it became to hide who I truly am.

Like cancer, it grew until everyone around me noticed.

Between reading lots of books, I also took up fitness. Since I'm so rich, of course this meant I had access to Tokyo's most prestigious gym. It was the perfect place where I would venture into whenever I needed to work out or to relax in the spa rooms. Sometimes I would chat with the locals or the new visitors who would swing by every so often. But for the most part, I just focused on what I needed to do in order to stay fit and trim. Father used to poke fun of my chubbiness when I was really little, and it really stuck to me. I vowed to never look like that again, because then I'd have to work twice as hard to get on his good side.

His good side..

Funny. It feels like, even at my best, he's still not happy with me.

Still.. I try.

I love running on the treadmill or in the track room, and sometimes I would swim in the indoor pool area. There were times when I would walk by the weight room and take a peak inside to see what's going on, but I would always be met with a very embarrassing moment; seeing guys taking off their shirts whenever they got too sweaty during power lifting, or the sounds they made when they would hit the racks with those incredibly heavy sets.. they all proved to be very difficult for me to resist. Just the hint of their defined abs or pecs were enough to make me shiver silently in arousal, and then I would realize how fucking stupid I looked drooling over them from a distance. I made it a point to avoid that room and changed in the closed shower stalls whenever men would come inside the locker rooms to get naked.

I don't want to feed into my addiction, after all..

Naturally, since I'm working out often at the gym, I've also took up cooking. Father and I were practically raised by the help, so Mrs Oguni would let me watch her as she tends to the meals she would prepare for us every day. Although my dad would usually stay out most nights to eat at restaurants with his high class clients, I would eat healthy meals at home. Being back in Tokyo, I haven't really been too successful with making any new friends on account of me being pretty out of it during class, so I've gotten close with Mrs Oguni. She helped me with learning how to cook eggs, vegetables, rice, meats, fish, soups, and more.

Pretty soon, I got the hang of it, and it was a lot of fun!

Little by little, these lifestyle changes have helped a lot with the aftermath from the assault I've suffered through the year prior. I definitely look and feel a lot better these days. I am aggressive in the pursuit of self improvement. I have also been reaching out into the world and started to look at people in the eye again, though I am apprehensive when it's a cute guy around my age. I vow to never, ever let another guy take advantage of me again. Father worked too hard to get me the lifestyle I enjoy today, and it's only fair that I will continue to carry his torch after he retires from the enterprise for when I take over as his predecessor.

I won't let any guy steal my attention away from my future goals ever again.

I won't.

...

But then.. Life had other plans for me.

It happened about a week after my seventeenth birthday. I was lounging around at home after school when I got a notification on Facebook of a new friend request. I click and see that it's from some guy named Aoshi Shinomori. The name sounds a little familiar to me. I accept and I immediately message him, asking him who he is. It took maybe fifteen minutes afterward while I was web surfing before Aoshi messaged me back. He said that we met when we were younger around once or twice before, because his dad is a distant friend of my father. Upon looking through his recent pictures, it couldn't be denied anymore; I do recognize him. When I met him many years ago, we were only little boys. We got along well for the most part, but the contact between us became so sporadic, that naturally, I forgot about him.

I guess he didn't forgot about me, though. He recalled how nice I was to him, and he remembered how much his own dad wanted him to work for my father someday. And so, it was through that connection, that our families stayed in contact for years afterward. He recognized my name and picture that my dad uploaded in his own page, and searched for me out of curiosity. And now, here we are, playing catch up on Facebook. Aoshi is now starting college and studying here in the city of Tokyo. I asked him about what it's like to be in college and how he's enjoying Tokyo so far, obviously proud of my home place and enjoy hearing what other people have to say about it.

His answer totally surprised me, though.

He said he really missed his home back in Kyoto, and how awesome it would be to go back to it someday. I have never been there before. I asked him questions about it. He says it's just a place that he's always held close to his heart, because it was where he was born and raised in. That, and how amazing the people in it are. It really surprised me to read these words from him; I remember him being a particurarly quiet kid, who doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve at all.

Other than that, he's been awfully busy with his studies, and he's also doing an internship with another company. He hardly has time to do much socializing, but does keep in touch with his old friends back in Kyoto everyday through social media. He's studying for cybersecurity, and hopes to be able to have a job with my father. I told him that I'll do anything to make sure he gets his foot inside the door, since we have known each other for a long time now. He thanked me for that, and we messaged each other here and there afterwards.

Weeks went by. I am getting better at school again, and it seems like I am slowly getting back into the groove again, especially in terms of being able to relate to people again. People here in Tokyo can be a bit arrogant at times, but I've learned to bite my tongue, smile, and get along with them anyway. Father taught me that it's important to "kiss people's asses", because someday they will prove to be of use to you in the future. I always take heed to this advice, and soon I started to making new friends again. There is still that very small, hidden core of sadness inside of me, but I became good at letting it fester inside my headspace instead.

I want to be good.

I want this to work.

I want to be happy.

...

And then one day.. I saw it.

A picture.

I came back home one evening after spending some time with my classmates, and saw that Aoshi had uploaded a photo on his timeline. It's an old photograph of himself when he was younger, and he has his arms wrapped around two other younger boys. One of them was a brown haired guy who's smiling like a goofball, much to the sheer annoyance of Aoshi next to him. And on the other arm.. was a redhead who looks into the camera with some reluctance, and I can't tell if he's genuinely annoyed that he had to be in this photo, or if he's just trying to look sad on purpose. His eyes were a brilliant shade of lilac, and he is wearing a dark skateboard t-shirt along with shorts, clearly into that type of sports.

Despite his unfriendly expression, though.. I find myself drawn to him. I asked myself, who is this guy? I decided to message Aoshi immediately, and thankfully, he promptly returned my message with: Oh. That's just Kenshin Himura.

Kenshin Himura.

I could feel a flutter inside my stomach as I use the search bar to look through Aoshi's friends list, and in just less than a minute, I find Kenshin's profile. Right there, his profile photo sends even more excitable tremors inside my body, because he looks so goddamn handsome. His hair is much longer now than what I saw in that old picture, but his eyes are just as intense as they were back then, too. My heart starts beating as I read through his profile, and luckily, he had a good amount of information on it. I learn that his birthday is on June 20th, 2000, marking him as a Gemini. I learn that he's really into the punk rock scene, and sports a leather jacket to show for that. His photos are mostly of his friends, and they all look just like the type that Father warned me against; low class thugs who enjoy breaking the law for fun.

I learn that Kenshin hardly mentions even one thing about his own family. I wonder if he has a mother or a father, or if he's being raised by someone else. I learn that Kenshin enjoys playing the guitar, though he's far from perfect. I learn that he has a childish dream of somehow making it in the music business, but that he doesn't have the drive to practice daily for it. I learn that he likes doing sketches of random things, and enjoys smoking cheap cigarettes. I learn that he posts little poems on his profile, as well as angry rants about the unfairness of his own life, or about society as a whole. I learn that he never left Kyoto, and that's just how he likes it. Everything he wants and needs, he's got it right here, and doesn't need any more than that.

He seems so opposite of me.. and yet..

Every day, after school, I would look through his profile. I never sent him a message. I wouldn't even dare send him a friend request, either. I never sent anything to his friends, though I do keep an eye on them. I just contended to secretly spying on him, and feeling myself wild with giddiness when he would update something on his timeline. Which, honestly, wasn't as often as I wanted. Still, it was good that he had this page for quite some time, because I had no problem digging into his past. I read every single comment from him sent to other people. I realize what a jokester he can be sometimes. I'd also read comments from other people under his photos. Girls would leave their phone numbers for him, and that would make me grunt in uneasiness. I would look through his reactions under other people's photos or comments, as if any little thing would point to a new layer of his otherwise complex personality.

In other words.. I became fucking obsessed with him.

I've been going at this for months and months now. When school gets boring, or when I feel sad that my dad is distant or too busy to pay any attention towards me, or whenever I am plagued with memories of Okita or other terrible things.. I always go on Kenshin's page and let my addiction run wild. It was a welcoming break in an otherwise dull yet painful routine that is my life.

One day, I was looking through some old posts of his, and found one that really surprised me. In it, he wrote a rant about how stupid rich people are. He wrote about how he thinks the world would be so much better if billionaires didn't existed. He doesn't really see himself as a social justice warrior or anything, but he clearly has it out for those who are well endowed in the financial department. He said that although he doesn't have a lot of money, he's glad he's not like one of us useless, pompous fuckups that nobody else likes deep down. He's got twelve likes on that post and a few of his friends agreed with it, clearly blowing hot air into his ass. I looked at my laptop screen, stunned and miffed at all of this. What exactly does he have against people like me?

I don't know why.. but after discovering that, I took it personal.

If that's how he truly feels about people like me or my father, then I suppose I should pay him a little visit.

I know it's not going to be easy, though. I have no connection to Kyoto and neither does the rest of my friends or family. I don't think Father has any business connections there, either. So I knew this was going to be a little tricky. What can I do to convince him to let me come to Kyoto? There has to be something I can do. I mull over this for days on end, thinking and tinkering it inside my head. Whenever I would catch a glimpse of my father inside our home, I would watch him carefully, trying to dissect anything I can out of him with just my eyes alone. My old man, always busy with his job. He, who is perfect in everybody else's eyes. He, who can turn moldy, rotten shit into spun gold whenever he feels like it.

...

He, who holds a terrible secret.

I open my eyes. White ceilings look back at me as I lie on a chaise lounge. The air feels pleasantly crisp inside this room where my therapist uses for our biweekly sessions. It's a beautiful summer day, and I passed my junior year with flying colors. Now we are on summer break to prepare ourselves for our final year of high school. My therapist scribbles on his notepad, just as he always have done before, while I quietly continue to gaze at the ceilings above me. It's almost the end of June, and I smile secretly to myself, knowing exactly what that means.

It's almost his birthday.

Suddenly, I said to my therapist out loud, "I've made a new plan."

He stops scribbling, looking at me with a mildly surprised expression. But he quickly comes back with a mumble, "And what is that?"

I look at him before I smile cheerfully, "I want to study in Kyoto. There's a good high school there that I would like to assimilate into, before I have to come back to Tokyo so that I can prepare myself for college."

He observes me quietly.

"And your father is okay with this?"

"Father doesn't know yet."

"Why not?"

"I thought about it just a few days ago."

"Yet.. you have no problem relaying this to me."

"Only because I trust you."

His face opens up slightly into something softer. Clearly he is moved by the honey that spills from my lips. I hold his gaze, my smile letting him know that he has nothing to worry about.

"Will you tell your father that you do want to move to Kyoto?"

"Only at your discretion. I trust no one else."

He nods, writing all of this down. I turn my head back on straight to look back at the ceiling, its white tone now taking on a warmer hue from the sun outside of the window. All of a sudden, the future looks clearer to me. All of a sudden, I am excited about this new road that opens up right in front of me. All of a sudden, I desire something deep that won't go away until I get it inside my hands.

How do you get what you want?

"But, Soujiro," My therapist clears his throat so that I can turn my head towards him again, "Although a few schools in Kyoto seem promising.. many in that area hold a lot of schools that aren't exactly as.. well, how do I put this.. as high quality as the schools here in Tokyo. Why do you want to spend your last year as a high school student in a school that is not up to par to your standards?"

It's easy.

Just lie.

I beam at him happily, "I want to put it on my curriculum vitae that I've spent a year with disadvantage youth to leverage it for my university enrollment."

The wheels begin to turn. My plan is now embedded itself inside the ground so that it will soon grow something beautiful. I have my therapist onboard and I can use him against my father if need be. I didn't even have to have sex with him in order to do so, either. A first, considering that I thought my therapist would actually swing that way. It's a relief, honestly; he's way too old for me to get in bed with, anyway. Regardless, I leave that session feeling much more confident about my idea, and I continue on with my life afterwards.

I kept going with my self development. I made sure to visit the gym at least three times a week to work hard on my cardiovascular health, especially since I want to look really good for Kenshin. Just picturing his eyes vividly inside my head keeps me going these days. I avoid eating anything greasy or unhealthy, and even started a skin care routine. I have some female friends who were helpful about it, and gushed that they're glad that they finally have a guy friend who's actually into that kind of stuff. According to them, most boys don't care much about their looks, which is so disappointing. Those girls are always clamoring over celebrities who clearly take care of themselves, and I study their reactions carefully.

What makes a young man attractive?

"Father," I one day come into his room while he's working on his laptop, "May I borrow one of your credit cards today? I'd like to get an early start for school shopping."

"Hmm?" He stops clacking on his keyboard to look up at me with one eyebrow cocked, "But school won't start for at least another eight weeks."

"I know. I just want to grab all the good stuff before everyone else gets to them."

He chuckles, "Well, son, you are aware that the clothing we buy aren't exactly accessible to at least ninety-five percent of the population, don't you?"

"Yes. But.." I close my eyes, appearing demure, "I'll be sad if the other five percent look better than me."

He laughs quietly, prompting me to open my eyes to look at him again, "Well then. My wallet's inside my jacket right next to you. Take the blue diamond one."

"Thank you, Father."

I went to the most prestigious shopping center Tokyo has to offer. I spent the entire day with an image consultant as he helps me find the perfect clothing to go with my body type, my skin tone, my hair and eye color, and so forth. I spent my entire life letting my parents pick and choose which clothing I should wear, and I could count on one hand the articles of clothing or jewellery I've worn on my own accord. And though I always looked just fine, I knew that for what I want right now, looking "just fine" is not enough. I want to look dazzling. I want to look amazing. I want to look to dashing.

I want to devastate Kenshin when he first sees me, before he succumbs to his desires over me.

His pain will become my pleasure.

After shopping, I went on home. Days went by, and I keep checking in on Kenshin's profile page. There is a new development while I was out shopping, and it was a photo album uploaded by one of his close friends. I clicked through them; apparently today, Kenshin and his friends went to the beach together. They looked like they had a lot of fun. My stomach drops when I realize that Kenshin left a comment on the friend's page of where the album was and it reads: so glad i skipped summer class for this lmao. let's light up again soon.

Oh. There it is. That feeling of anger and jealousy inside the pit of my stomach. I hope Kenshin wasn't messing around with someone during that little trip. The comment seem to have gone to any one of those other faces in the pictures. There were two other guys, not counting Kenshin, as well as three girls. By lighting up, I'm guessing they also smoked weed. That looks like fun. I deflate with a sigh, staring at his new photos. He looks so good. It's too bad he refused to take off his t-shirt despite going into the ocean to splash around with his friends.

I'm not one to do drugs, truth be told. I don't even smoke cigarettes. I don't drink unless it's under the supervision of my father, such as when we are in a corporate party thrown by someone else. But it looks like Kenshin is the wild type. He has pictures of himself smoking and drinking beer with his pals, and I would probably bet that he has done more than just weed. I was always too afraid to do things like that, since I know my dad would surely catch me in the act and probably end my life. He still doesn't know about all the boys I've slept with either, after all; adding drugs on top of that would just aggravate everything.

But then..

If this is how Kenshin is.. maybe this is who he's attracted to, as well?

Then, that's no problem. I can change. I can be whatever Kenshin wants me to be. I can become perfect in his eyes. I'll do whatever it takes. No problem.

If there's one thing I have learned reading through his friends' profile pages, is that they are all childhood friends who deeply care for one another. It is something that I have never experienced before, despite the amount of so called friends I've acquired in my life. My shallow connections pale in comparison to the closeness that Kenshin has with these people. And for that, it twists my stomach even more with envy.

Maybe a part of me does hate this guy.

It's now four weeks until the end of August, and that's when schools are about to begin. I don't have a lot of time left. It's now or never. I've spent the day out with some friends before returning home to find father enjoying a glass of wine in his study room. I've borrowed at least several books by now from that place, so I feel at home once I step foot inside of it. Father hardly ever catches me in the room, though, so he looked a little surprised to see me. There is a fireplace turned on for the evening, since he enjoys keeping the mansion crispy during the summer time. I waltz in and give me salutations to him with a bow.

"Hello, Father," I straighten my back up to smile at him brightly, "How was dinner?"

"It went well," He blinks, swirling his wine steadily in his hand, "You ate with your friends?"

"Mm-hmm. Tsubaki's mother said hello."

"Ah, yes. Be sure to invite her for our next dinner party soon."

"She'd love that," I sigh, walking closer into the room to get near the fireplace now where he also stands near it, "It's too bad that it might not happen soon."

"Hm? What ever do you mean by that, son?"

I quietly observe the roaring fire. How it moves and cackles against the wood.. It makes me realize the depths of my passion towards Kenshin. I still have not spoken a word to him. I have never met him face to face. Yet somehow, somewhere, deep inside my heart.. I know that I have to meet him. I don't know why that is. Am I angry at him for what he said on Facebook? Am I jealous of his free spirited nature? Do I resent him for having close friends who care about him deeply? I guess it's all three of these at once. I think, seeing him acting out in ways that I want to, without a care in the world.. makes me indignant of having to live in these current circumstances.

I want to hurt him.

I want to make him see how I see.

I want to destroy him.

"I mean.. I want us to move, Father."

Silence.

"Move? Whatever for?"

I look back at him. He gapes at me, clearly confused about where I'm going with this. I guess it's time for me to pull out my choice of weapon in my arsenal. I smile at him with just my eyes, and take a couple of steps closer to him, ".. I know what you're hiding."

I open my eyes just in time seeing him staring at me, stunned at what I just said. He grunts, gripping his wine glass. But then he relaxes, chuckling and looking at his side to avoid my eyes, "Hiding something? I am not hiding anything.."

The fire cackles loudly.

"You are. I know what it is that you're doing. And quite frankly, Father.. I find it a little worrying."

His eyes flicker back into my own, and finds my facial expression gravely serious over the implications. He knows exactly what I mean by all of this. He subjected me to the cruelest thing a father could ever do to his own child. The fire snaps and pops, dancing wildly in front of us with its passionate blaze. After that tense yet silent agreement between us, father retreats back into his bedroom for the night and starts planning our move. He called up my school to let me know that I won't be returning for senior year, and that we are to move someplace else. It wasn't long until I started seeing moving vans outside, hauling all of our expensive stuff into them. Father and I stayed at a beautiful hotel while the moving people worked on everything, and then we were off to Kyoto.

It all happened so fast. I don't know how or why, but my dad already got us a place near the small city; a gorgeous, European chateau inspired mansion that is surely the talk of the entirety of Kyoto. It is beyond beautiful. When you're a billionaire, nothing is off the table, and everything can be done with just a snap of your fingers. It took us a couple of days for all the furniture to be moved in. After all is said and done, we are finally enjoying our new home.

One morning, Father asked me which school will be to my liking, thinking I'll be interested in going to yet another expensive institution just like I always have done before. But based on my little research, the high school where Kenshin goes to, is where I said I want to go to. Father has no clue about Kenshin or my plan, but he was struck by the mediocrity of that school. And so I start my threats again, while also bringing up my therapist's recommendation that I try a sensible school this time so as to put it in my curriculum vitae for college. That seem to have won over him. Or maybe it was the threat being repeated again that made him quickly agree to it. Never the less, he enrolled me, and now I have to wait for school to begin.

However.. it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

"Apparently, they want to interview us since they've never given service to people of our kind before," Father scoffs, slapping some document papers on top of his desk where I stand in front of, "Honestly, Soujiro, all of this would have gone much easier if you just go where you are accepted."

"But what would be the fun in that?" I quip with a giggle, "This is just a small challenge that I could use for university, Father. You always said I should take any experiences or opportunities that come my way for that, right?"

He grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose where his reading glasses sit, "They've obviously never had a student who is anything like you. You're an honors student whose father runs one of the biggest companies in Asia. So of course they're suspicious and wondering why they're being picked."

"They obviously don't have a lot of confidence in themselves," I shrug, "Which is sad. But something I can change, for sure."

He turns to me, frowning, "And how will you go about doing that?"

"I can just help the students there. And the teachers as well. If possible, I can even run for Student Council. Now there's something I can add to my resume for college."

He chuckles, still not buying it, "Well, if that's how you want to see it, I won't stop you. But do be warned that this will be the last time I am moving you around for fun. If I ever catch you getting in trouble again.."

"Father," I laugh politely, "Please, don't worry about it. I am going to focus on my study and keep my head down. All I ask is that you enroll me into this particular school no matter what it takes."

My eyes look up at him, and his pupils dilate from the way I stare at him. Clearly, those last few words I uttered from my lips are in the form of another threat. If he doesn't do what I say, then his secret is out. Secret that would take down his enterprise faster than he can blink. And so, he gets to work; after more than a week of correspondences and paperwork being filed, the superintendent, Shinpachi Nagakura—along with the school principal Mr Saito Hajime—visits our home. They were immediately swooned by the help waiting on them hand and foot, and by the way my father made sure they were comfortable and enjoying themselves with the finest wine and spirits. When I came into the living room to meet with them, they were also impressed by my good looks and charms, as well as my previous school records. They could not believe their luck.

After just an hour or so of us getting to know one another, Mr Nagakura agreed to have me enroll and to start school at their building in a few weeks.

I spent the rest of the summer still cyberstalking Himura while preparing myself in all ways possible for our fateful meeting. I felt too excited to sleep during most nights. Whenever Father would go out to meet business clients or for some other reason, I take it upon myself to start exploring Kyoto, anticipating the moment that I may come across my red haired prince charming. But it's been proven a lot more difficult than I thought; most places I enjoy going to obviously caters to a higher class of people like myself, so I never ran into him. I could start exploring the more seedy areas, to see if I can somehow catch him in those haunts.

But then.. I might end up in trouble, or hurt.

And so, I spent the rest of the weeks enjoying what's left of my summer vacation.

Of course, life continues to spoil my happiness. When there was only a week left, I received an email from the superintendent that there's been a major flood in the school building, resulting in a lot of property damage. There was a huge storm that hit Kyoto, and it scared all of us when it happened. Minus my father, who tried to stay stoic through it all. But even he was a bit concerned about his business clients when it happened, because the last thing he needs is losing money and connections. There's water damage everywhere in Kyoto; streets had been flooded and the stores had to close down for maintenance. It was scary.

Luckily, this meant that Kenshin had more time on his hands to update his online page. He uploaded pictures of what he saw outside of his house, and it looked like he lives in the countryside near the grand city of Kyoto. I have to wonder what his house looks like, since he refuses to upload any photos of it at all. Comments abound left and right from his friends and school mates, all of them going crazy about how great it was that summer vacation have essentially been extended. I chew the inside of my cheek at that, clearly unhappy with this turn of events. I was so ready to meet him, and all life continues to do is shit on me.

After a couple of weeks of being at a standstill, the school finally opened back up in the middle of September. I was ready to enroll. And yet once again, life decided to trip me up. About a couple of days prior to the official re-opening of the school building, I slipped and fell while venturing out somewhere, and broke my ankle. I was at a gourmet food store when it happened. I wanted to buy some snacks and drinks as yet another way to butter up Kenshin. I was so caught up in these mental fantasies of him being excited to meet me, that I clearly did not see the caution sign on the floor due to a previous spill. I stepped right on it and fell like the rightful idiot I am.

The hospital that I ended up in was nice. I had to literally spend my birthday over there, which was such bullshit. Dad was not happy at all. I am finally an adult, and this is how I'm celebrating it. Father always makes sure I receive the highest quality care that his money can buy. I was in a leg cast and told that I'll be ready to walk around like normal if I can give myself at least a month's rest. I was beyond devastated when the doctor told me this, since this means I have to wait even longer now before I get to meet Kenshin. Regardless, I abide to his rules, and stayed home to rest. Father had to correspond with the school principal to let me use the online school resources so that I can finish my work from bed, and luckily, I was allowed to based on these unfortunate circumstances. I seriously felt so depressed on the inside.

For my birthday that I did not had the opportunity to celebrate it like normal, Father paid several of my old friends' plane tickets to have them come over and have a party at our place. We had a great time, and it was good to see some old faces again. They would tell me how much they missed me back in Tokyo, and to please visit them when the school year ends. Some are convinced that I moved here because I am already enrolled in a university for an extra early start, and they were star struck by the fancy schools around here. I, of course, let them have their ideas up in the air, since I can't let them know about the real reason as to why I moved here.

They wouldn't understand. How could they?

Afterwards when everybody went back home and life rolled on like normal, I am given some brand new credit cards by my Father for my birthday. Since now I am of legal age, I can buy whatever I want. I had a think of things about what it is I want to do with these cards. And then it hit me; what's something I could enjoy, that will also make Kenshin enjoy alongside with me? The answer is so simple: sex toys. One day while home alone, I got on my laptop, went to a website with an innocent sounding name, and brought a bunch of shit on it. Lots and lots of bad shit.

In less than a week, still in my leg cast, I received my new toys. I put most of it away in a black box to hide it, and start to "practice" with a couple of them in there. If I wasn't spending an evening fucking myself with a dildo, I was giving a blow job on another one, pretending that it was Kenshin's dick. I had to learn from message boards and online articles on how to give the perfect blowjob. Most seemed to be catered to women, but I ignore it. Any advice is honestly good enough for me. Soon I learned how to deep throat the toy, as well as learning how to look passionate about slobbering all over it.

I really, really want to be perfect for Kenshin.

At long last, the leg cast came off and, at my doctor's discretion, was told that I can finally go to school in person. By now, it's the middle of October. I feel anxious that something else will come along and ruin my plans. In the morning, I try my best to keep everything under control: I start by waking up an hour earlier than usual. My father is still fast asleep, so I stay quiet. I start by taking a nice hot shower, really taking the time to do my skin and hair routines. Coming out, I put on some more skin care products so that I look impeccable for today. I go into my walk-in closet to fetch my outfit of the day, which is a very nice navy uniform. It's not too severe that I could be mistaken for a boarding school student, but still nice enough that I'll surely stand out to make Kenshin notice me. I like that it brings out the color of my eyes, and God knows I want him to look into them when he finally sees me.

A touch of my most expensive cologne, and I'm ready to go.

After breakfast, I got into my car and start to drive towards school. My heart keeps banging against my chest and my stomach is doing flips, but I try to keep calm with a smile. I can't back out now. It's now, or never. All of my hard work and patience is leading me up to this moment. I check in at the receptionist office, to remind them that I am a brand new student that transferred from a Tokyo prep school. Everyone seems so swooned by me and I am polite as can be. I want all of this to go down as smoothly as possible, so I take extra care in appearing interested in everyone right now. It's one of my many natural gifts, after all.

They don't have to know that I am only interested in getting to know Kenshin.

They ask me to wait and I do. In a few moments, my new homeroom teacher, Mrs Kita, introduces herself to me in the office before leading me back to where I am supposed to go. We walk down the hallways together as the rest of the students hurries off into their respective homerooms. Once we are in front of her classroom, she instructs me to wait so that she can make her morning introductions first. I oblige, and wait outside. The door is close, but I can still hear her voice from the other side. Students are chattering among themselves, and my stomach seems to dropping in intervals knowing that the one person I wanted to meet all this time, is there.

At least, I hope he's here today..

Mrs Kita starts her roundup: "Alright, settle down, children, settle down and take your seats! We've received a new student of the highest caliber, and we'd like for you all to be on your best behavior for today!"

The students start to whisper and clamor to each other, wondering who it is that transferred over. My hands starts to form into fists before releasing them. Come on, Soujiro. You can do this. It's just like how you practiced for all these months now. Father made you take private lessons from presentation masters so that you can give your best speeches yet. Don't let him down now. The students continue to talk to each other before Mrs Kita raps her desk with what might be a ruler or something else from the sounds of it. I hear her talking again.

"Class, I cannot even begin to tell you about my excitement in sharing this opportunity to become the homeroom teacher of our brand new student. Hailing from the great city of Tokyo, this student represents one of the most prestigious companies of the Asian continent: The Seta Enterprise! As you know, it is the one organization responsible for international travel and enforcing important business deals, entailing Japan to join hip to hip with other grand countries such as Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, among many others. A good portion of Japan's wealth is because of this student's father. And so, I want to formally introduce to you all―"

I open the door at once, the class dipping into silence as I do so. I start walking inside the classroom, with all eyes on me.

Including the ones I wanted to see so badly.

Kenshin.

"―To Seta Soujiro, of the Seta Enterprise."

I make way to the front of the front of the class, right where the large chalk board hangs behind me. There are a lot of students here, people who are far different than the ones I had to deal with in the past. This is so exciting! I love having to go through big changes like this! This is going to be a lot of fun. At that thought, I smile broadly and that made some of the female students start to coo and giggle among themselves, whispering about how cute I look right now. If I was any other guy, that would send me straight to the moon. These girls are also unlike anything I've dealt with before, but they seem pretty nice.

I don't want any of them, though.

I only want one person.

I open my eyes to scan in the back of the class, where I see a small group of friends sitting around each other. And right in the corner of the class, as if doing all he can to refuse to be even in the center of his friend group, is none other than Kenshin Himura. I recognize those beautiful eyes anywhere. My heart begins to quicken. He gapes at me curiously, and so do the rest of his friends. They start to whisper to each other in secret. Kenshin must've said something funny to them, because soon the dark haired boys starts to chuckle out loud. Which of course, caught the teacher's attention on them before she smacks her ruler against her desk. Despite the loud noise, though, I keep my eyes squarely on Kenshin, making note of his gorgeous features.

He sneers at me ever so slightly, probably wondering why the hell I am staring at him for.

"Well, I should've known that the school's misfits already have something to say. Sanosuke Sagara and Kenshin Himura, perhaps the two of you care to show Soujiro the ways around this facility for the rest of the school day."

"Are you sure, Mrs Kita?" The tall, brown haired male that sits near Kenshin responds in a mocking tone, which made the rest of the class erupt in a muffled laughter.

Never the less, Mrs Kita shoots back: "But of course! As far as I'm aware, you and Mr Himura here are just one detention slip away from an in-school suspension, so if I catch wind that you don't do this one assignment, rest assured that you will not see the light of day again!"

I catch Kenshin nearly roll his eyes to the back of his skull, but fights against it. Ah, so we are a bunch of rebellious students, aren't we? His friend slumps in his chair further with a pout, and Kenshin catches my eyes again with his own, clearly not happy with me existing here in the first place. I smile at him arrogantly, knowing that I've got protection on my side. He's got nothing on me and he knows it. He glowers and looks at his own crossed arms over his chest before Mrs Kita turns to me and asks me to tell the class more about myself.

"Thank you for that fine introduction, Mrs Kita," I bow to her before I turn towards the rest of the class again, "My name is Soujiro Seta, if that hasn't already been established. My father is the head CEO for the Seta Enterprise, where we help business organizations in negotiating complex deals and work on the security against fraud and money laundering. In a way, we are the middle men between two companies who desire to work something out for all involved, and my father has taught me the ethics of the Seta Enterprise since I was just a young boy. I hope to follow in his footsteps someday. I'm here because I want to have the normal high school experience at least once, before I graduate and head off into university. Having been in boarding schools and private institutes my entire life, I just felt that something in my life was missing. Then I realized what it was‒I want to be among people like yourselves, because really.. it's just so intriguing, and I want to hopefully unite the awkward gap between different social classes. I hope to be your friend."

I nearly jump out of my skin—as did the rest of the class—when someone bursts into a loud fit of laughter. I look up in shock to see that it came from Kenshin, and he tries to reel his laughter in as much as he can, yet fails to do so. Everyone looks on between me and him awkwardly, and I can even feel Mrs Kita fuming right next to me. I guess this is something they are used to by now; this guy probably gives them nothing but grief each and every day.

...

Or maybe not? Maybe people around here do like him. Maybe he is a lot of fun. He finally stifles his laughter and looks at the front of the class, his face not betraying his own sheer embarrassment of what he had just done. His eyes bore into my own and I hold his gaze, and right at that moment.. I see it. A flash of his eyes scanning up and down at me before continuing to hold my gaze. I bite down my smirk and opt to just stand there quietly as Mrs Kita turns back towards me and tell me to sit near the front row where an open desk sits at. I do as I am told before she does her roll call.

I know that look from anywhere.

Kenshin is attracted to me.

"Mr Himura!" Mrs Kita slaps her ruler against her other open palm after home room ended, "Clearly I cannot control you as well as the police officers can, but I expected better behavior from you. Especially since you've been out sick the entirety of last week and I've pardoned the absences, I would've liked something kind in return. Since you have Japanese history next period, as do Soujiro, the two of you will walk together. According to his schedule, he actually has all of the same classes as you do. Some will call this fate, but I think it's karmic punishment."

"Karmic.." I turn just in time as Kenshin mumble angrily to himself, his eyes fluttering towards the floor. I wonder what's on his mind? And what ever does Mrs Kita mean by karmic punishment? I guess she really does hate the guy. I look at him carefully, taking notes of how absolutely handsome he is up close and personal. He dresses quite menacingly, which I guess serves as a way to keep people from bothering him, but all it does is cause a stir of passion inside of me as I let my eyes undress him from where I stand.

"Hmph! Mr Seta, I am so sorry that you have to face this sort of debauchery on your very first day of this school. This male bravado that Kenshin and his friends share do not reflect the sanctity of our alma mater. And even though I assigned this especially to Kenshin here to make up for his missing work, I do feel sorry that you have to be stuck all day with him. If you need to change certain classes to stay well away from him, I can write a personal letter to our head principal."

Kenshin..

His eyes flicker back up into my own and, on a quick reflex, I turn my eyes towards to Mrs Kita before they get any weird ideas, "It is really no trouble, Mrs Kita. I think we will get along just fine, just like the opposing ends of a magnet. I think, maybe, perhaps.. I could be a permanent study tutor to Mr Himura if he needs any help with his school work, and in return, he can help fill up my social calendar with his friends. I'm sure my father may have already filled you in on my feelings of loneliness since we moved here to Kyoto."

"Oh, yes!" Mrs Kita lays a hand on her heart, her smile veering on towards bittersweet, "We will make absolutely sure that you will have many friends here at this school, Soujiro! Mr Himura here will also make sure of that, won't you, boy?"

Kenshin glares at her but her icy stare made him quickly back down with a defeated sigh. Mrs Kita looks pleased with herself, and she nods, "Well now, then, off you two go! Don't want to be late for your first period class!"

"Thank you, Mrs Kita." I bow to her in a formal manner before catching up with Kenshin, who seemed to be itching to get away from the two of us already. He continues on walking as I finally catch up by his side, looking at him. Now that I'm right next to him, he smells like cigarettes. And, well.. he just smells like someone who doesn't have a lot of money. I'm not saying he smells bad or anything. But he just seems to not come from a lot, if you catch my drift. I gulp quietly, grunting and looking on around this place instead of his face. If there's one thing I know I have to do, no matter how hard it gets, is to not lose my cool around him.

Despite this, though.. I can feel him looking at me.

Come on, Soujiro, play it cool..

We finally reach our very first class of the day, which is Japanese History. Some students have already arrived in the class, talking and laughing with their friends. Kenshin walks on to the back of the class and, against my better judgment, I continue to follow him. Mrs Kita did say that I am supposed to stay by his side, even if I'd rather take a seat a little further up front. What's up with this guy? Does he really hate school that much? I mean, I'm by no means a huge fan of having to memorize boring details, but I have a future to plan for. As he picks his spot to sit down with a slump, I take the desk in front of him before turning around to smile at him.

His eyebrow twitches in annoyance. I smile wider with a giggle. That made him snap at me, "What?!"

Sheesh.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to the teacher?" I want so badly to just reach over and kiss him, but I hold back. I hold his gaze instead, which made his irises expand quickly before he blinks it away rapidly. Man, am I good or what? I doubt he even noticed himself blinking something inside of him since it happened so quickly.

Which is fine.

I don't mind playing with his mind for a bit before I make my move later on.

He frowns at me, muttering, "Why can't you do that yourself? I'm not your mom."

"No you're not, but your homeroom teacher insists that you show me around as much as possible." I tuck some of my hair behind my ear, "Besides, I don't even know his name, and I don't want to be rude."

Kenshin's eye twitches, exhales in annoyance, and starts to look around the room. Probably for the teacher in action. His eyes stop at a group behind me for a couple of seconds before he points his chin in that general direction, "Talk to those girls. They'll show you the ropes to this class and about the teacher."

I stare at him, dumbfounded. What's with this guy? Only a moment ago, he looked like he found me attractive at the very least, but.. now it's like he wants to get rid of me? I turn around, seeing a group of female students whispering and giggling to each other, probably because I'm fresh meat in their eyes. Ugh, gross. I gulp, trying my best not to grimace at them, before whipping around to face Kenshin again to shake my head, "No. I don't want that. I'm sure they're nice, but I'd rather have you show me the ropes."

His eyes take on a venomous tone in them now, muttering between clenched teeth, "Why?"

I tilt my head gently to the side, smiling mutely, knowing that he's going to love what I'm about to say next: "Because I feel safe with you."

There it is. A tiny, quiet confession from me. A way to bridge the gap between us already on the first day. A step forward in my plan to get what I want from this guy that's sitting right in front of me. He gapes at me, aghast at my audacity. His lips thinned into a line as he presses his lips together, trying not to say anything at first, and I watch him in concern as his face ever so slowly takes on a pink tint.

Is he going to—?

"—You're an idiot." His words cut sharp and hot into my thoughts, shaking me at my core.

I look at him, hurt that he's taken such a negative stance against me already. What did I do? Why isn't this working? Am I not good looking enough for him or something? Guys in general never rejected me this quickly before; I am always careful in selecting and choosing who I give my affection or sexual attention out to, since I know most people are straight in general. I make sure that the guy I make a move on is at least open to some boy action.

Have I read Kenshin all wrong, then? Is he as straight as an arrow and already knows that I am trying to come onto him?

...

Well, there's only one way to find out. I'll just have to keep pushing my luck and see if he crumbles. It's not like I have to marry him or have anything permanent with him. He said something offensive online and I think he should pay for it. It's as simple as that. At that thought, I bounce back with a quip, "Well now! If I am, then I guess I'll have to stay by your side, right? I'll need your expertise to get myself around this school. You seem like the very smart type."

Kenshin scoffs and crosses his arms against his chest defiantly, looking elsewhere so that he can ignore me. I look at him, just to drink in his handsomeness. He looks even better than he does in his pictures. I mean, he's quite photogenic in general, but it doesn't hold a candle once you get to see him in the flesh. His hair is especially amazing; long and red, a rarity among the students here. Kenshin is like gold dust, and like a hunter who has come across a rare bird, I know I will have to do all I can to get into bed with me.

The sooner I can do this.. the better.

The teacher finally comes into the room, and Kenshin abruptly stands up from his chair. I grunt, clumsily getting up from my own chair to follow him to the front of the class. Apparently the teacher's name is Mr Yoshi, and as soon as Kenshin introduces me to him, I turn on my usual charms to win the other guy over. It was pretty easy for me to do, and he seems charmed by me immediately. He asked me questions about where I am from, what my father does for a living, and if I like the school so far. I answer each of these questions with ease, and after a couple of more pleasantries shared, Kenshin and I go back to our seats for class to begin.

After class ended, Mr Yoshi calls out while I was about to walk out of the class at the end of the period, "Mr Himura, I've emailed you your missing assignments. Don't be afraid to reach out if you need any assistance!"

Wow. Rebellious and irresponsible.

"Oh, no need, Mr Yoshi! I'm going to be his study buddy!" I wave a hand in his direction goodbye, "But we'll contact you if we're stuck on something for sure!"

Mr Yoshi beams at me in pride, and I close the classroom door behind me before following Kenshin. He's still doing that thing where he tries to hurry up to try and get away from me, but I don't let up in my hunt. I am soon right back on his side, and he continues to ignore me. For our second period class, we have Art 101. I love art, don't get me wrong. In another life, I could very well see myself thriving in a creative career. I think people who draw and paint are especially wonderful, and I have a tendency to romanticize their life. I've always read books on the lives of artists who lived hundreds of years ago, and how they enjoyed traveling whilst working on their crafts. I wish my life could be something like that. I could do something I love, traveling without a father who controls everything about your life, and getting to have lovers that you don't have to feel ashamed of having.

What a life.

Kenshin introduces me to another teacher for this class, leaning against the wall nonchalantly as he speaks, "Sir, this is Soujiro Seta. He's new."

"Seta Soujiro. I've heard of you. From the Seta Enterprise? Not bad. Must be nice having caviar every night." This teacher shakes his head at me with a low laughter, catching me off guard. He hands me a blank piece of paper from his desk, "Here, your first assignment will just be to tell me a little bit about yourself. A short paragraph would do, and I don't need all the details. I don't need to know about your bed wetting accidents when you were six years old."

My cheeks burn red hot at that last part. Okay, so maybe I did had a bit of a bed wetting accident when I was younger. I actually remember having to go to a pediatric doctor because they were worried of me still peeing the bed at that age. I think I was maybe around ten to twelve years old. Whatever it was that they concluded, they never told me, and neither did my dad.

Anyway.

"Thank you, I will get to it immediately. Come on, Kenshin!" I walk away with the paper, determined to nix that embarrassing conversation by the bud before that guy embarrasses me any further. I'm not gonna let anyone get in the way of my plans of getting Kenshin to fuck me if it's the last thing I do. I refuse to let my hard work go down to waste. I find my seat and, surprisingly, Kenshin takes one right next to me.

Okay. We're getting somewhere, at least?

As I work on my assignment, I secretly keep stealing glances at his own work. He took a moment to pause before he starts sketching, and he decided to draw a giant eyeball. I wonder what that means. Maybe he's into drawing weird things like that. I actually like it a lot. I would scribble down about my past childhood, obviously opting to omit out any dark secrets, like what happened between Okita and I, or the fact that I don't have a mom around me anymore due to her terminal illness. Or the fact that my dad is a distant asshole who's got his own secrets up his sleeve, and me being too afraid to investigate as to what those could be.

He hurt me severely once before. That's all I need to know. I don't need to know any more than that.

Doing so would just break me.

And anyway.. it doesn't matter. The past doesn't matter. The past doesn't concern me. What matters is right here, right now.

Kenshin and I went to our classes for the rest of the day together, and slowly, little by little, his attitude towards me cooled off from its abrasiveness. Maybe it's because I am careful in my wording, or maybe it's because I try not to stare at him anymore. He did what he was supposed to do—introducing me to the teachers of these classes—and then would just ignore me during the classes. Even though it's my very first day at this school, I make it a point to write my notes down whenever the teachers taught their materials. It would do me well to be prepared for any surprise pop quizzes this week.

It's finally lunch time for us.

"You know," Kenshin grunts as we walk out of the cafeteria kitchen after we got our lunches together, "You don't have to follow me this time for lunch. There's other way cooler kids to sit next to. That table over there has the rich nice kids that they would love to meet you."

He points out the table, and I look at him, perplexed by his insistence of getting rid of me as soon as possible. Frankly, I've never met someone so eager to lose me like this before. It's enough to make me a little less confident in myself now. Like I said before, I know exactly how to make guys hot and bothered whenever I want. To meet someone so opposive towards me is brand new to me, honestly. I can't help but feel just a bit hurt by this.

Does he find me disgusting? Unattractive? Annoying? I thought he would like me. I continue to stare at him, and he takes his finger back, looking at me in equal confusion.

"Are you retarded or something? Serious question." He leans his head to one side, blinking at me. Despite my hurt, he looks so cute when he does that, and I can't help but giggle.

"No. I know what you're trying to do. But.." My eyes flutter shyly to his chest now, "I do appreciate spending time with you so much so, that I was wondering, if maybe, for just today.. I could sit with you and your friends? Just so we can get along a bit better. I don't want the rest of the senior year to be awkward for all of us. Don't you agree?"

"Well, yeah," I look up just in time to see his eyes fly over to his group of friends now, "But, come on, now, be serious. You're the CEO's fucking kid.. of the Seta Enterprise. You're rich. I'm not. You're beloved by all of society. I'm not. My friends aren't, either. We're practically trash next to you. Don't you think you deserve better than that?"

Playing humble, are we?

Fine, then.

"Wake up. I'm not leaving. Can't you accept that?" I smile at his stupefied expression, and I walk away from him towards his group of friends, looking up at me with shocked expressions on their faces. I guess this is something they're not used to. I don't let it deter me. I set my lunch tray down and sit down, looking over my shoulder to smile at Kenshin, who stood there looking completely lost right now.

Finally, he sighs and reluctantly walks on over, evading his friends' gazes as he takes his seat across from me and next to his taller friend, Sanosuke, who immediately cut in with: "Hey kid, you lost? Richie Rich table is that'ah way."

I chuckle good naturedly, "I'm not lost. I don't want to sit at that other table. I've grown disenchanted with the upper class right now."

"So, are you really that rich?" A dark haired girl asks me sheepishly, her face taking on a rosier hue for some reason. Ah, this must be Kaoruchan. I remember her photos. Must be the shy type, I'm guessing. Kenshin gapes at her, offended that she's actually curious about me.

Never the less, I answer coolly, "I guess I am. Father and I live in a really nice home and we are never scarce of anything."

"So then.. why sit with us?" Sanosuke asks, his eyebrow cocking upwards in a curious manner, "We don't really have anything to offer you."

"Of course you do. All I want is to be your friend." I shrug casually with a muted smile. The guy still doesn't look like he's buying it, though, with the way his eyes frown deeper at me.

Another dark haired girl—whom I can only guess her name is Megumi—that seems to enjoy dressing up boldly, shakes her head and scoffs, "Well, if that's the case, I hope you got yourself a good lawyer, because we are always up to no good."

The shy Kaoru suddenly pops back in with a slightly defensive tone, "B-But! We all have something good to give back at the same time. Take me, for example; I'm actually leader of this school's debate team. And Miss Megumi here is also the leader of the cheer squad for this school. We like to raise charities together when the school allows us to, so, even if we do terrible things sometimes.. I like to think we can absolve ourselves with the school stuff, you know?"

Ah. So she's probably the smartest one of this group so far. Too bad I'm about to take her title away. I beam at her, acknowledging her at the very least, before turning towards the guys of the group now, "What about you guys? Surely you guys can't be all that bad!"

"I'm a botanist." A black haired, olive-complected male in the group responds as he stretches his arms and drapes them behind his head. If I recall correctly, this must be Yahiko. I watch in time as Kenshin smiles smugly to himself while the taller one laughs covertly, obviously in on some secret joke between them. If I hadn't known any better, I'd say they were making a joke about smoking weed.

I've never done it before, honestly. But I can play pretend, no problem.

Sanosuke shrugs with a sigh, "Yeah, well, sometimes, I help out at the town's animal shelter. I fucking hate it when people abuse these poor dogs, so.."

I smile brightly, "Those are all really great things. I don't think of you guys as misfits at all! What about you, Kenshin?"

Again, I catch it in time as Kenshin's pupils change size. This time, they turn into pinpricks for a split second before he covers it up with a cough behind his fist, muttering, "Uh, I don't do.. anything, really."

What is he playing at? I know you do things, Kenshin. I was literally stalking you for at least a year before this day has come. You go out and you have fun. You play the guitar, and you enjoy partying with friends. Maybe you're not this super outgoing, extroverted person, but you're obviously well-liked among your peers here. I don't understand why he wants to play humble for. Is he really that desperate in making me lose interest in him?

It's just not working.

"It's true. Kenshin sucks." Sanosuke sneers in jest, earning him an elbow smack-in by Kenshin into his rib cage, "Ow!"

One of the girls decides to have a conversation amongst each other, yet are still loud enough that the rest of us guys stop and look at them, "Ugh, Kaoru, I saw the cutest pair of shoes down at the mall this past weekend and I wish to all hell I had the balls to steal them. I could even get you a pair in your size, cause heaven knows your parents can't afford much."

As Kaoru is about to respond after some stammering and blushing on her end, I jump in, "You mean the mall next to that hospital a few minutes drive from here? Which store is it? What do the shoes look like?"

Megumi frowns at me in confusion, "Um, yeah? Why, what's it to ya?"

"I'd like to buy these shoes for you." I smile cheerfully, and then wait as the table falls into a deep silence. Everyone looks on at me in shock, Kenshin especially so. He looks like he's practically begging me quietly with just his eyes alone to please say something like, just kidding, or got'cha, or something else to that effect. But I only smile soundly, taking a bite of my lunch as they all contemplate on what to say next.

Megumi appears unnerved by my audacity before she blurts out, "Um, those shoes are kinda pricey and.. besides, you don't know any of us!"

If only you knew.

I reply, "Please, I insist. How much do they cost? Maybe we can pick them up after school together?"

"I-I think.. they're around five thousand yen.." Kaoru starts to stammer even harder than before, "Really, Soujiro, you really shouldn't―"

"―It's done." I interrupted her, obviously not interested in waiting for her to stop talking, "I'll see you guys at my locker after the last class ends today. It's locker number one hundred."

Everyone gapes at me in stunned silence once more as I continue to eat my lunch. You know, for a supposed mediocre school, the food here ain't that bad. Suddenly, Yahiko jumps in with his own wish, "H-Hey, guy? I could sure use, uh, a new glass bong!"

I smile with a hum while chewing my food, and he looks at all of his friends with a disbelieved smile. This is obviously brand new to them. Even the slack jawed Sanosuke wants in on this with the following: "Can I have a new motorcycle helmet? Mines broke."

My eyes flash towards Kenshin just in time as he looks at his taller friend with a harsh expression on his face. Have I stepped on a boundary here? I thought he'd be happy that I'm going to buy things for his friends. He should be thanking me for this. What's going on? I continue to look at him, waiting for him to make a wish for me to grant it true..

But he doesn't. He doesn't at all.

I look at Sanosuke who looks at me expectantly, and I quickly giggle so that he doesn't find out why I'm staring at his friend like this, "Sure, why not?"

I hear a sound of someone getting up from the table, and I look up to see it's Kenshin. I grunt in surprise as he openly glares at me with pure unadulterated hatred before he turns around and walks away from the table, ignoring the protests from his friends. My heart flutters in my chest as I try to come down from the heat of that moment of having to stare into his eyes like that. I have never seen someone look at me with so much disgust before..

Which says a lot, being victimized before by people who thought I was born the wrong way.

I watch helplessly as he disappears through the double doors of the cafeteria that leads back into the hallways of the school.

The rest of the day felt.. awkward, to say the least. Kenshin made it a point to really ignore me and stay as far away from me as possible. And since I didn't wanted a fight to break out, I also left him alone. I contended myself to getting to know the other teachers on my own, as well as the other students who are clearly more interested in me than he is. I know that the first day is not always how one imagines it to be, but I really thought Kenshin would be at least somewhat open towards me. Especially since I have the money to get him and his loved ones whatever they want.

What does he want, then? If it's not friendship or money, how can I let him lower his walls around me so that we can have sex soon?

I went home after the shopping trip to the mall with the girls ended. Kaoru and Megumi could not stop thanking me over and over again for the new shoes, and since we have exchanged numbers, they obviously left me messages to read once I'm home. Father is missing in action, and I suppose he let the help go home early for the day since they all cleaned up the place quickly before dinner time. I am all alone in this mansion. I know it's something that I should be used to by now; when you have a rich and powerful father, you have to understand the dynamics of this sort of thing. Money comes from working long hours and as far away from family life as possible. Socializing is something he does when he knows he can mix business into the fun, somehow. Every second counts towards making profits, and he drills this into my head since I was a little boy.

He taught me that if you want something, you have to go get it. No matter what it takes.

.. Still. I just wish I could have a normal family who would welcome me home after school.

I lie on my bed, sighing. It feels like it's been a long day today. Kenshin did not look the least bit happy about my existence at all today. I look at my text messages, where I read a new one sent to me by Miss Megumi: Just wanted to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOUUU for todayyyy! Kaoru could not stop freaking out about her new shoes either. Let me know if you wanna chill later xoxo

Hmm. I wonder if there's something I can do to alleviate this situation. I text Megumi back, wondering what she's up to. She responds back promptly that she's heading over to another friend's place to pick up something before she meets up with the "idiotic dudebros", obviously referring to the males of the group. I ask what are they going to do tonight, because my dad isn't home and I feel lonely, being new here and all. She quickly got back to me and asks if I'd be down to smoke weed with everyone, and I quickly accept the invitation.

Like I said.. I never smoked weed before.. but there's always a first time for everything.

Right?

"Yo, Kenshin, I hope you didn't mind, but since the other guys couldn't make it.. we decided to invite Genie In The Bottle over here. I wanted to talk to him about Tokyo since he's from there and all, and we got curious!" Sanosuke sniggers to himself as I stare into the eyes of Kenshin Himura, who could not look more shocked from where he stands even if he tried. Kenshin's eyes frown deeper into mines, as if trying to ask me some questions.

Questions like, who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose here?

I delighted in answering those philosophical questions with a flirtatious wink from me, and he recoils slightly in deeper shock from that. Or maybe it was disgust. Either way, I don't let it get to me, and take another hit of the blunt. Despite this being my first time smoking weed, I think I got it down to pat just by looking at the guys smoking it first before handing it to me. Who said you had to perfect smoking in a few months or years? It can be perfected right from the very first time doing it, I think.

"Why is he here?" Kenshin snarls at his poor friends while placing his hands on his hips, before he screeches in a fit of impatience, "Well?!"

Sanosuke answers with a little shrug, "He gave Megumi his phone number after he brought her and Kaoru the shoes, and they really wanted to see him again, so.."

Do they always have to answer Kenshin's bitch fits like this? What does he get out of this? Does he enjoy being their fucking dictator? I glare at him secretly as Megumi goes on to reply to him now to try and diffuse this situation, "He was just, like, really nice to me and Kaoru and it's just so unusual to be treated so kindly like that, and I'm not just talking about these shoes. But well, take a look at them and tell me you're not dying on the inside over how gorge they look on us!"

She then twirls from where she is, showing off her brand new shoes that I used my money on to appease to Kenshin. If he could only see what I can bring to the table, he wouldn't be such an insufferable little fuckhead right now. I bite the inside of my cheek as he looks at Megumi in a shade of annoyance now, his back turned slightly towards me now to try and keep his emotional distance from me.

"We're really sorry, Kenshin. Things kind of just happened." Kaoru now comes into the conversation, and having her try her best to also try to calm this down made Kenshin look at her with a softer disposition now. I wonder if Kaoru is usually the one that tries to tighten the leash around Kenshin's neck when he's barking and trying to bite everyone.

"Hey, hey, check out what this guy gave me today! Doesn't that shit look so awesome?!" Yahiko slides on over to Kenshin's side to show the red haired firecracker his phone to show him the picture of said gift I got him.

Even Sanosuke sheepishly states: "Yeah, I mean, come on, even Soujiro pre-ordered my helmet and I should be getting it in a couple of days. Harley Davidson."

You see, Kenshin?

You see how valuable I am to your group?

So then.. why are you trying your best to push me away?

"Well, I'm sure really fucking happy for all of you getting what you want, but I thought we were way too proud to accept free handouts from the likes of him!" Kenshin points at me from over his shoulder with his thumb.

Asshole. I'll show you.

Now it's my turn to slide up to Kenshin's side to beam at him cheerfully, "Dear me, I sure am sorry that I didn't get you anything, Himura. I didn't want to assume things about you and get you something that you wouldn't like. So I figured I'd come hang out with you tonight, and get to know you a little more, so that I can get you the perfect gift. Is that alright?"

Kenshin looks at me, offended through his core. He then scoffs before turning his head to look at the rest of his friends to promptly ignore me, "Where is Misao? Wasn't she supposed to be here tonight?"

Why can't you pay attention to me instead of that girl? I can feel the nail of my thumb digging into the inside of my palm as I look at the side of his face. Yahiko replies to Kenshin's question with an eye roll, "Aoshi's back in town."

Kenshin grunts from where he stands, "What? Shinomori? He's back? He just moved back here in Kyoto?"

"Yeah, didn't he text you?" Megumi chuckles airily at Kenshin's stupefied expression.

I guess it can't be helped. I told Aoshi about my plans and he thought I was fucking crazy. He told me that there's no way that Kenshin would be interested in someone like me. He didn't mean it in a bad way, as he so carefully elaborated while we were texting back and forth; just that that he knows that Kenshin's the proud, stubborn type, and would never go as far as to wreck his reputation by sleeping with someone of the same sex. But I begged Aoshi to at least please pretend that he doesn't know me for when I do arrive in Kyoto, because either way, he's going to end up in so much trouble now that I've told him about all of this. He reluctantly agreed to it and promised not to tell a soul.

Megumi continues: "Well, anyway, yeah, he's probably with Misao and you know how devastated she got when he had to go away for university. The girl's got it bad for him!"

"I'm actually happy that he's back here, he was always really nice to me and to us." The demure Kaoru murmurs softly to herself with a smile as if she was remembering something sweet between all of them. It's actually crazy that I know the guy who all these people knew for all of their lives.

It really is a small world.

Maybe that's a sign that all of this was meant to happen.

"He sounds nice. I'd like to meet him sometime." I giggle innocently, playing dumb fox. Even though I know better, I turn towards Kenshin again to bait him into talking to me again with a question, "Did you knew him for a long time, Kenshin?"

But alas, the red haired rebel decides to ignore me again. So, his friend Sanosuke steps in to answer on his behalf before things got too awkward, "Yeah. Aoshi was his first best friend before I moved in here over a decade ago. We hung out almost every day, the three of us, and he was a couple of years older than us, so we saw him as our older brother. Misao always had feelings for him but he never looked her way. Tragic."

"That's why she never let me pork her!" Yahiko exhales as if realizing something Earth shattering, "It all makes sense now!"

"Shut up." Sanosuke jeers at the shorter male as Megumi rolls her eyes as well.

"Hey, pass me that joint," I hear Kenshin says as he points to the joint that is now being held by Miss Kaoru, "I think I'll go home after a buzz."

What?! No!

"Why?" Kaoru hands him the joint, clearly also not happy that he's decided to cut his visit so soon like this.

I watch carefully as Kenshin takes a hit of the joint and contemplates quietly to himself for a bit. We all stand and look at him as he finally mumbles with a stream of smoking escaping between those delectable lips, "It's nothing. I'm just worried about Hiko and need to check up on him."

Hiko.

I have never heard of his name before. I'm assuming this is someone that Kenshin lives with. Is Hiko his father, then? Or maybe an uncle or a brother? From the way he said his name, though, it is definitely someone that Kenshin holds a lot of contempt and resentment over. I would never call my own father by his first name, especially not with such a bitter tone of voice. I guess this is something I'll need to look into if I'm ever going to sleep with Kenshin soon.

Every little bit of information counts.

I brave myself to ask, "Hiko.. Is he your dad? Is something the matter with him?"

Everyone looks on at me like I've just pulled out a gun or something. Kenshin then turn back towards me and snapped, "That's none of your fucking business. You and me are worlds apart and you will never step foot into my life or in my issues. My problems aren't your fucking problems. Capiche?"

Alright. So it is a sore spot for him. That's fine. I can use it as a bargaining chip. I look at him totally emotionless, trying to take reign of my own emotions before I shake my head, "I was hoping you could stick around. I was going to tell your buddies about me. Since, you know, you were rightfully suspicious of some new kid who suddenly brought all your friends fancy gifts without knowing the first thing about himself.. right?"

Kenshin softens considerably at that, one of his eyebrows arching up confusingly, "I.. Yeah..?"

I promptly and without hesitation take the joint from Kenshin's hand to take a hit of it before I continue, "You wouldn't have guessed it just by looking at me, but I too hate my father for many reasons, as well. He's far from perfect and I sometimes don't like him at all. Money can't buy you real happiness."

Sanosuke snorts, "Yeah right, like the fuck it can't!"

"It hella brought me and Kaoru happiness today!" Megumi squeals, making Kenshin grimace at her.

I exhale the smoke to the side and I frown at the space in front of me, "I'm not kidding. It buys you things, and maybe experiences that you otherwise couldn't afford before. But it can't buy you what really matters."

Because what matters most, is getting what you want. The one thing that money can never buy, and what people all want to achieve deep down: the feeling of belonging somewhere.

Or rather, the thrill of having something that money cannot buy, period.

"Oh?" Kenshin smirks while crossing his arms with a defiant gait, "And what exactly really matters in life, oh great sama?"

"Ooooh, this is gonna be good!" Yahiko takes the joint from me, all the while as I look at Kenshin with annoyance now.

"Tell me something, Kenshin," I can feel myself smiling disdainfully as he shoots a sour look in return, "Are you always this insufferable, or did someone had to beat you senseless until you became like that?"

The crowd coos in union. Kenshin couldn't help laugh, "That's a good one! Did they teach you that in finishing school?"

And this is why I'm here. To finish this brat's life for what he said about people like me and my father.

"At least I was trained correctly. When's the last time someone curbed you and taught you to stop shitting on the street?" My upper lip curls up with a mocking sneer, and Kenshin takes a sharp inhale while biting the inside of his cheek to hold himself back.

Uh oh.

Is he going to yell at me? Hit me? Beat me senseless?

At that, Kaoru starts to cry out, "Guys, knock it off already! People can hear us and they will call the cops!"

Kenshin and I glare at each other openly, my hands curling themselves into fists. I have never been in an open fist fight before, but if it has to come down to that, then I think I can do it. The air grows thick with animosity now, and I can even see Megumi's eyes enlarging in concern as we look at each other back and forth.

"Aw, come on, Kaoru, let them rip each others' throats out, they'll feel better afterwards!" Yahiko quips, flicking off the last bit of that joint into the river next to us.

"I've got a better idea," Kenshin turns away from me and starts walking on ahead of the group to get away from us, "I'll just go on home immediately. Goodnight."

"Aw jeez, come on, Kenshin!" Sanosuke groans, "We were just kidding!"

"What if Aoshi and Misao shows up here later? Don't you want to say hi to him, at the very least?" Megumi quickly asks to see if she can stop Kenshin from walking away, but the red head continues on as if he hadn't heard her.

Or care, really.

Jesus Christ.

This guy..

I couldn't help it but sigh, disappointed by how all of this unraveled. I meant to do that to myself, really, but Kenshin must've heard me, because he suddenly stops dead in his tracks. Oh. Oh no. What now? The rest of the group hums curiously and blinks at his back, wondering what he'll do next. Kenshin stands there without moving for quite a while, as if lost in thought. I wonder what he's thinking about. I guess he's not happy that I'm not here. But then, why does it seem like everyone else have no problems with me being here, and yet.. this guy, that I've been yearning to meet for all this time.. wants absolutely nothing to do with me?

I don't understand.

Why isn't he happy over me being here?

Why?

Finally, Kenshin looks over his shoulder to glare at me. I grunt, surprised at first by the iciness in his glare. But then, I scowl back, and we share a zing of murderous hatred towards each other again.

"If Aoshi does come here later, give him my number," Kenshin turns his head straight on again to avoid my eyes, "He can text me and we can all make plans for the weekend."

The group starts protesting again, but Kenshin continues on walking away, throwing a peace sign with his fingers as a sarcastic way of telling us goodnight for now. I release the inside of my cheek out from between my teeth, blinking and realizing in mild surprise that I had been holding onto that part of my mouth for all this time. I continue on to watch quietly as Kenshin's form shrinks smaller and smaller the further on he walks, and a part of me feels a pang of pain inside my chest that not once he turned around to look at me. My new friends soon stop their protesting when they realize that Kenshin wasn't coming back at all for tonight, and they all collectively sigh and groan in annoyance.

"Soujiro, I'm so sorry!" Kaoru immediately starts bowing down like crazy with a blushing face to accompany her shame, "Kenshin's always been a bit of a stubborn mule, but.. he's never been this mean to anyone before, I swear! I apologize for his behavior! Please don't stop being our friend!"

"Yeah," Sanosuke grimaces slightly to himself as he rubs the back of his neck bashfully, "He's just feeling a little shy around you because you're the new flavor of the month, and he gets testy whenever we pay more attention to something or someone other than him. He's stubborn as shit like that. Don't take it personal."

"Honestly, this is all my fault," Megumi sighs while shaking her head, "I don't mean to make this sound bad, but I shouldn't have invited you out here like this so soon. Kenshin's territorial and he just needs time to open up to you."

"Besides," Yahiko walks up next to me to place a friendly hand on my shoulder, "Once you get him a gift, I'll bet he'll loosen up."

"Tch, yeah," Sanosuke sniggers, "Like maybe a glass bong or something."

"No way! I asked for that first! He'll have to pick something else!" Yahiko blows a raspberry with his tongue at Sanosuke.

"G-Guys," I chuckle nervously, raising my hands up to get them to calm down already, "It's fine, really. I think it's going to take a bit of time for Himura to warm up to me, and I totally get that. Really. It's fine."

"We do still feel kind of shitty about it, though," Megumi twirls a ribbon of hair between her fingers absentmindedly, "Honestly, kid, if you really want to get through to him.. The guy's real big on vulnerability. He will never admit that, though, but.."

"Yeah," Kaoru sighs with a happy smile, looking up at the great dark skies above us, "Each and every one of us got close to Kenshin once we told him something about ourselves and made him feel like he could also let his own walls down for us, too. It's a sight to behold once you see it, honestly."

Megumi eyes her carefully but doesn't add anything onto what Kaoru said. Never the less, before I could even react to what I just witnessed, I hear someone from the distance calling out to us from faraway: "Helloooo-ooooo! We are here to part-ay!"

We all turn around to see two figures walking up to us. Shadowy and dark at first, but once they come closer, we can tell that it's a tall male walking alongside a shorter, much bouncier female, who is now waving at us happily. I straighten up with a quiet grunt, immediately recognizing the male. He looks at me in return, but doesn't change his facial expression. Aoshi Shinomori. He knows of my plans and he knows his role to play. He and his female companion are finally in front of us and she hugs each of the others before looking at me with a wide smile.

"Well, hi there!" She giggles, "I'm Misao! And who might you be?"

I bow with a polite demeanor, "Soujiro Seta, from Tokyo. I just moved here."

Aoshi doesn't say anything, opting to just stay silent as I come back up from my bowing. Never the less, Misao smiles soundly at this and clasps her hands together, "Oh, wow! We have a new friend! This is so cool!"

"Yeah, too bad you're both late," Sanosuke grumbles, "We ran out of the weed."

"WHAT?!" Misao nearly screams as I inch back with a wince, "Why didn't you all wait for us?!"

"We were! You two are just mad slow!" Sanosuke barks back at her, earning her a look of disgust towards him.

"Enough." Aoshi's voice is calm yet cutting in its harshness, making the two shut up immediately as they look at him carefully. He turns to me and I look back at him while lightly biting down my lower lip, as if quietly telling him to please stick to the script before he says anything that will give us both away. He sighs, and looks around instead, ".. Where is Kenshin?"

"He left." Yahiko shrugs apathetically.

"Oooooh, that little bitch!" Misao seethes, curling her fists, "I was so excited to see his face when he sees Aoshi because it's been forever since they've caught up!"

"Relax, he's just off to check on his stepdad," Megumi sighs while pinching the bridge of her nose exasperatedly, "And he got in a little tiff with our new pet here, so it's only natural that he'd be gone by now."

"Ugh!" Misao gripes but then takes in a deep breath to calm herself down before she turns to me with a bright smile, "So! You said you were from Tokyo?"

I can feel myself smiling at her. I like her. She seems nice. I can see why Aoshi was interested in her for a while now based on my casual research behind his back regarding his own life. I giggle, "Yeah! I loved living there, but I needed a change of scenery. I love going to new places and meeting new people. And honestly, I don't regret moving here one bit now that I've met you guys!"

"Awww, you're so cute!" Misao gushes.

"And he got us presents!" Yahiko nods like a little kid that just discovered the wonders of pooping all on his own.

"No way!" She exhales with wide eyes, "What did he get you guys?!"

"So far, a motorcycle helmet," Sanosuke points to himself so that she can follow along before he points to the respective gift recipients, "A glass bong, pairs of shoes for those two ladies, and now he's planning on getting Kenshin something next."

"That's.." Misao shakes her head slowly in disbelief, "So amazing! Are you rich or something?"

"Kinda." I blush shyly.

Fuck. I guess I ought to get her something, too.

"His dad's got more money than God," Megumi smiles smugly, showing Misao her brand new kicks as the latter coos in awe over them, "Go on, now, make a wish!"

"Well, I have been dying for some new makeup!" Misao scratches the side of her face while chuckling coyly, "But that's fine, you don't have to—"

"—It's alright," I smile with my eyes at her now, "I'll buy you it. No problem at all."

"See what I mean!" Megumi breathes with excitement now, and Misao starts to squeal as she looks back at her in amazement.

"Soujiro!" Misao comes to my side to wrap her arm around my neck like we are now the bestest friends in the entire world despite just meeting for the very first time, "You are now officially a part of our gang! Welcome aboard!"

You know what they say.. there's power in numbers. Maybe having Misao on my side will get Kenshin to lighten up.

We hung out more that night. Yahiko and Sanosuke showed pictures of what they wanted and asked from me to Misao, could not be more wow'ed by it. She was still gushing over the new shoes that I brought for Megumi and Kaoru also, and then she showed me pictures on her phone on the cosmetics she wants me to get for her. We had a great time together. Soon, the cold weather bothered us too much, and Sanosuke announced that we should all head home for a night cap. Misao, Aoshi, and I walked together for a little while as she asks me more questions about Tokyo left and right, and I answered them politely and with enthusiasm, which she seems to appreciate.

I told her that I think I pissed Kenshin off a lot, and felt bad about it. She told me not to worry about him, and that she'll think of something to bring us both together so that we can become better friends. Then she told me something interesting:

"Kenshin won't trust anyone at first. You just have to show him your own hand about something that has hurt you," Misao nods gleefully as we cross over a small bridge, "Because otherwise, he'll never make any moves in the friendship department. Trust me, I know! It was hard for me to get through to him at first. He never made it easy for me. But now look at us!"

"The other guys back there said the same thing," I shake my head with a chuckle, "I guess I should show my vulnerable side, after all."

"Yes! That's it, that's exactly it!" Misao giggles.

Aoshi doesn't say anything to me at all, and I'm glad for that.

I'm back home, and Father is still not around. Either he's not home, or he's in bed early and does not want to be disturbed. There were a couple of the help tidying up the place, and greeted me as I entered the mansion. I head back into my bedroom and lie on my bed in the dark, thinking about what I experienced today. Meeting Kenshin was not what I expected at all, to be honest. I mean, I know he is supposed to be the intimidating type, judging by those social media pictures. But I did not think he would be so mean to me at the same time, either. I thought he'd be at least a little more open minded, or at least not as judgemental.

But so far.. he reminds me a lot of the people I went to school with previously before. Close minded. Judgmental. Ready to attack at anything that looks even slightly different than what they're used to..

...

But then.. Maybe the guys are right.

Maybe I just need to show Kenshin something about myself. I wanted to present myself as this perfect being so that he could fall for it, but I guess Kenshin is not the type to be swayed by perfection. I must've went at this in all the wrong ways. I should have been at least more humble from the start. So then, that's what I should do; switch up my strategy and go about this in a new way. That's no problem. After tossing and turning for what felt like forever, trying to ignore the sounds of Kenshin's angry voice ripping inside my ear drums.. I let my eyes flutter close and let sleep wash over me for a new day ahead of me.

Kenshin..

The next morning, I arrive at the school building extra early so that I can wait for Kenshin to arrive. I lean on a locker right next to the homeroom door and fiddle on my phone as I wait. Sanosuke, Yahiko, Megumi, and Kaoru all came in and talked to me for a bit before heading on in. They wondered who I was waiting for, but I told them I wanted to apologize to Kenshin for my behavior last night, and they seemed glad to hear. Sanosuke reminds me to just be myself and that I'll be on Kenshin's good graces in no time. I awkwardly laughed at that and told him thanks.

It's not like I want to be Kenshin's little friend forever or anything. I just want to have fun with him. And once I get my fill.. I can go back to my life and take over my father's company in a few years' time. Just like how I've always planned it..

Oh, here he is!

I put my phone away as soon as I see a familiar figure walking into this hallway, and as soon as he looks up and sees who is waiting for me.. his eyes squinted and his mouth forms into a very subtle scowl. Oh crap. I guess he still hates me a lot. It's either that, or he seriously woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I gulp, straightening up my back as he comes closer. Despite his menacing clothing and expression, however, he still looks so handsome up close like this. I ignore the small pulse inside my pants from that thought. Not now. Not while he's still jittery around me.

I have to earn his trust first.

"Kenshin," I edge off from the locker from behind my back, "Can we talk for a minute? I think I've said some things last night that I shouldn't have and I just wanted to apologize. Is that alright?"

Kenshin gapes at me, clearly not amused. Regardless, he answers, "It's going to take something harsher than a few mean words to hurt me."

My eyes widen at that as he continues with a more stern expression, "Not to mention, it's going to take something more than your petty apologies in order for me to forgive you. And I don't mean gifts or money, either."

I quickly nod in agreement, "I completely get it. I was way out of line since the very first day. I am more than happy to do whatever it takes for you to feel more comfortable around me whenever I talk with your friends. We're getting along really well, and we had tons of fun last night. I don't want to lose them as my friends already, and they want you to feel better, too. They missed you when you were gone. I can tell who's the real leader and that's definitely you, Kenshin."

His eyes tightens more at me, and he doesn't say anything for a while. My stomach is dropping, wondering if he's going to yell at me again. I should hope not. I don't feel like getting in trouble with the teachers like this so soon. He then wraps his arms around himself carefully as he gives me a once-over, "I'll think about it. The one thing I need from you is to leave me alone for the rest of today. Got it?"

Ugh. Fine.

"Of course." I tilt my head at him curiously, "Tell me, I was wondering: Who is taking care of you?"

I catch in time at his eyes widening in a snap, as if caught with his pants down around his ankles. Interesting reaction.

".. I hope it's not a strange question, but you seemed negative on the subject of your father and I'm curious about that." I finish my question, making sure I hold his gaze.

"Step father," He corrects me, trying to ignore (or maybe still unaware?) of that micro expression he did just one moment ago, "He's my step father. I don't know my real father at all, or if he's even alive anymore."

I look at him with hesitation now, ".. And your mother?"

"She's no longer with us. She's dead."

...

What?

His mother is dead? Just like mines is?

My stomach flips and I look at this boy in front of me. I have never met anyone who has a dead mother. I feel so lonely in this world because of that fact. All I have in my life is my father, and even he feels so faraway from me. I don't really see much of my extended family members either. They seem way too busy in their own little world to care about the son who is lucky enough to inherit the company that has turned my father into a legend. I guess they think that, as long as I have my wealth and as long as I get to take over the empire someday, why would he need anything else?

Having power really does feel pretty shitty, though. I'd trade some of my money away if it means I can have more intimacy with other people in general. Instead, I live a life all alone.

I straighten my head upright again, "Oh. Kenshin.. I'm.. I'm really.. really sorry to hear about that. I can't even imagine going through that pain."

Now it's Kenshin's turn to stare at me in silence. He looks genuinely surprised by what I just said, and isn't sure on how to respond to that. Maybe he's not used to people showing him sympathy to his mother's passing like this so soon. I'm guessing he was never without any support from his friends growing up, but to have someone like me expressing how much it pains me to hear of his mother's passing.. it must be new for him. We must be looking at each other for at least nearly a minute, and I don't want us to be late for class, so I clear my throat to make him snap out of his thoughts.

Of course, I would do almost anything to have me look at me like that for just a while longer.

Kenshin closes his eyes before he asks me: "What about you? Your mother, I mean."

I smirk and shake my head, looking off to the side as I speak in a low voice, "She's dead and long gone, too. She was so very sick, and so very beautiful. I'm still so angry at how it all happened. My father should have done more.. way more than I know he could have."

Kenshin grunts and his eyes are blinking rapidly at what he's hearing, "How did she died?"

I shake my head slowly, "Leukemia. My father was having an affair while she was in the hospital. Bastard."

We are both quiet, me looking off into the distance while I can feel his eyes burning a hole into me. The seed has now been implanted. I showed him my hand, and he'll have no choice but to show me his soon. I already got his friends gifts, and I really hope that maybe doing just a little bit more will be all I need to finally get this guy into bed with me. As long as I move slowly and carefully, I will get what I want in the end.

Because that's what my father taught me. Because that's what always worked for him.

The classroom bells finally ring to signal all students to promptly head back into their homerooms. I open the door and look back at Kenshin with a small smile, and he hesitates as he looks at me with eyes that still looks to be in shock over what just happened. I don't want him to know what it is that I am planning to do to him right now. Right now, all I want is for him to trust me. He nods and quietly walks on ahead of me to enter the homeroom, and right there, I catch his scent. The smell of cigarettes. The smell of some type of deodorant or after shave. The clean smell of the shampoo that lingers in his tresses.

I ignore that silent shiver going up and down my spine as he keeps on walking before I close the door behind me to follow him.

You will soon be mine, Kenshin..

The rest of the day drags on. I make it a point to keep sitting in front of Kenshin or right next to him for all of our classes. The teachers are well aware of our being partnered up as study buddies, and they seem much more relaxed around Kenshin now that they know I am in control. I wonder how often Kenshin has gotten in trouble with the teachers before I moved in; how many times he has been in detention, or have gotten suspended, or very nearly even expelled from this place? As every class ends for the day, I exchange email addresses with the teachers so that they can send me over the missing or late work for him.

Kenshin, meanwhile, is always in a hurry to get to the next classroom. Or rather, I should say, in a hurry to get away from me.

Kenshin did came out later after one class, though. Its for Introduction to Philosophy. The teacher asks him to wait up for her, because she wants to share a quick word with him. I kept on walking out because he looked at me like he wanted to kill me, since he knows that I was going to stick around and be a pest. I lean on the lockers outside of the class and wait for him. I actually love this class a lot. I'm quite a huge fan of the esoteric works from Descartes and Kant, so it is nice to have an actual class on the subject. I know I'm going to get more philosophy classes once I've graduated from high school, but I need this credit to shave it off for university. I'm honestly surprised that Kenshin seems into this subject more than the other classes, though; maybe he's really into introspection or something. I guess he is the introverted type, despite his other more rowdier friends that he spends a lot of time with.

I wait after the Philosophy class ended for Kenshin. He is in there talking to our teacher, Mrs Motoki, for maybe a couple of minutes before I see him walking out of the door. He sees me lying against the locker and, thinking he'll stop to talk to me again.. He instead turns to the left and starts walking with the other students, deciding to ignore me once more. I huff quietly to myself, smirking. Damn bastard. I hurry up and catch up to him, walking shoulder to shoulder with him again.

"Going home?" My voice seems out of breath from doing that quick run to catch up with him, which made him look at me in confusion for a quick second before he turns back to face forward with a deadpan expression.

"Duh."

"What? What about your homework assignments? I can help you catch up, y'know."

"I don't need any help. I can do it at home."

"Are you sure about that?"

As soon as I asked that, Kenshin immediately stops walking. I stop just a step ahead of him, looking at him from over my shoulder. His bangs are covering the top half of his face and I can see his shoulders trembling now. Uh oh. I prepare myself as he finally looks up at me with his fists by his sides now gripping, and he gripes forcefully, "Don't baby me, alright? I said I can take care of myself. I'm a lot more intelligent than you think!"

A couple of students also stop walking to look on over what the commotion is about. I smile at them awkwardly and Kenshin shoots them a venomous look, prompting them to stiffen up in fear before scurrying off. I guess the guy's got a big reputation here of being a total nightmare. Ugh. What have I've gotten myself into? Is all of this even worth it just so I can get myself off with him? Maybe I need more therapy.. or better yet, a lobotomy so that I can forget about this asshole.

Never the less, I walk up right in front of Kenshin and place my hands over my hips, tilting my head to the side with a self-confident smirk and arching my eyebrow at him, "Okay. Prove it. Prove to me just how smart Kenshin Himura is by coming to the library with silly ol' Soujiro Seta. As the straight A student of his previous high school, I insist on this challenge."

Kenshin speaks through gritted teeth, "You don't give up, do you?"

I shrug, "If that weren't true, I'd be a high school drop out right about now."

Kenshin groans while rolling his eyes with frustration, "Look, I appreciate your concern, but just because we had a little 'Good Will Hunting' moment together, it doesn't make us good friends all of a sudden. And I already just said that I can do the damn homework assignments at home. Who even goes to the library anymore? Back off."

"Yeah, but imagine the opportunities and all the great schools that will beg for you to come to their campuses after you graduate from here. All the big names and the glamour that comes with having a fancy degree on your wall. Can you imagine how proud your step father Hiko will feel when he learns that you'll bring pride to the family name?"

He observes at me blankly, clearly not buying my speech one bit.

I can feel my smile faltering for a quick moment, but then I bounce back with more fervor, "Come on, join me! I promise you won't regret it when I can raise your grade point average to a perfect score in just a few months time!"

"Oh?" He crosses his arms in front of his chest with a smirk on his face, "Is that so? Why should I trust a complete stranger to helping me with that?"

"Kenshin, I'm not a stranger anymore! I've met your friends, I've told you something about myself, and we see each other during classes. You know me by now, right?"

He still doesn't buy into my glib and his eyelids lowers to express the sentiment. I deflate with a huge sigh and nearly throw my arms out to the sides, groaning. This guy's impossible!

"Fine, Kenshin. Can we at least exchange e-mail addresses or better yet, our phone numbers so that we can work on the homework assignments together?"

I nearly flinch when he starts laughing harshly, "Whoa ho hoooo! You're not getting my details right off the bat just like that, y'hear? You're gonna have to try a little harder to convince me if you want it so badly, alright?"

Like I said.. Impossible!

I reply sulkily, "Fine. Do you want to maybe have a late lunch with me somewhere? I'll pay."

He shows his open hand to my face as he walks past me, "Goodbye, Soujiro. Go be a little creep some where else."

I grunt as I watch him walk away from me now, disappearing into the sea of traffic of people who are trying to go home. I sigh, giving up for today. I guess it can't be helped. This is definitely going to take me a while before I get on his good side. I wonder what gave him this much trust issues. I know his home life is probably not that great, but what's so bad about having a stepfather? Is it because he's living in poverty? Is it because he's still taking both of his parents' death hard? Maybe someone hurt him. Someone close to him.

I wonder if maybe he's been in love before, like I have with Okita.

Had his heart broken hard like Okita has done to me.

I watch Kenshin's back as his figure gets smaller and smaller the more he walks away from me.

I go on home. As I head into the kitchen for a quick after school snack, I bump into a butler there who offered me a cup of tea he just brewed. I take the cup back into my bedroom to enjoy along with a small bowl of fruits and cheese. I begin my usual e-stalking by looking for Kenshin's Facebook page, just as I always have. I nearly choke on my tea when I realized that Kenshin privatized his page. What?! What happened? What changed? I look at the words "profile privated" on my laptop screen, my heart quickening and my stomach dropping.

Did he do this? Was it meeting me that made him suddenly privatized his page? When did he do this? The last time I was able to look at it was a couple of days before I entered the school building the very first time. I could maybe see that he privatized it for any other reason, but.. what if it's me? What if he realized what an absolute creep I am and quickly changed the page settings as a precaution?

I gulp, feeling my skin going cold. I don't like this. What could he be hiding from me, now? What if he's talking to his friends and they all agreed that he should make his page private now? I exhale, trying to think of something. Come on, Soujiro, think!

...

I know. I'll text Misao. I hurriedly fish my phone out from my jean pocket and start texting her: hey misao! it's me, soujiro! :D

OMG HIIIIII! ^0^ SORRY I WASN'T AT SCHOOL TODAY, I FELT A BIT OFF THIS MORNING AND DECIDED TO SKIP LOL. HOW WAS YOUR FIRST DAY?!

Jeez, lay off the caps lock, girl.

yeah school was great lol i love all of it. you guys go to such a great school here, i felt so sad that you didn't come around today. how are you? are you with your boyfriend rn?

oh gosh no, he did went on home last night lmao. i could get him to come back later on today if you're thinking about chilling with us. he seemed to like you!

If only you knew the truth as to why that is.

awww he seems cool too! yeah, why don't we hang out later? i was going to invite kenshin, buuuut... we still seem to not get along well :/

OHH THAT BUTTHEAD! don't worry, i'm going to fix dis. want me to give you his deets? i swear, he's such a stubborn asshole that it's better that i just give you all of his contact details if you want!

Well, that was quick. I blink at my phone before chuckling. I love Misao.

you don't think he'll mind? :(

BOY WHO TF CARES! sometimes with kenshin you gotta be a little rough so that he can take you seriously, you know? that's how he got to respect aoshi and sanosuke and yahiko and even us girlies. you gotta learn how to just.. take things by the horn with him. he knows how to steamroll over people, so you gotta be more aggressive, yanno?

Aggressive. I think that's the perfect word for how I should be. I've been acting a little too nice with him. I should just learn to be more aggressive about this. I continue on texting.

you know something.. you're right. i should be more aggressive. thank you so much, hon.

sure love! here's his number, 0X-XXXX-XXXX, here's his email, and his facebook url. all high school students profiles have been privatized recently because of safety issues, so just send him a friend request!

Oh. Thank God. I thought.. Never mind.

THANK YOU SO MUCH MISAO! let's hang out together, i am SO bored!

yeah you know what fuck it let's chill lmao i'm going to see if we can go to my favorite karaoke bar tonight. you like karaoke, don't you?

are you kidding me? i love singing! i'll be there, just text me the details soon!

WHEEEEEEEEE ^-^ I WILL! TALK VERY SOON! xoxoxo

Perfect! All Misao has to do is convince everyone to do karaoke and I'll pick up the tab. I'm sure she'll force Kenshin to go also, one way or another. Great. I'm already so excited. I look at the private page of Kenshin's page and shake my head with a smirk. You won't be getting away from me that easily, Himura. I check the time and see that it's almost four in the afternoon. I'd love to be able to see him at least in an hour or so. Let's see what Misao can cook up with. In the meantime, I do my homework assignments.

Later on, my phone vibrates, and it's Misao again. She says that everyone, including Kenshin, has agreed. I reply back that I'll go ahead and rent out the nicest room in town for our karaoke. She sounded so happy in the text message that I couldn't help but smile. I wish Kenshin could be more like her; more grateful, more thankful, and more importantly, more nicer! My smile fades a little from that thought.

Is he always going to keep resisting me? Treat me like shit?

Why do I try so hard with him?

I get dressed in warmer attire before taking my car to head out into the city. Thanks to the wonders of technology, all I had to do was pay everything through an app and got everything ready to go. I was the first to arrive in the building to check out the place. The room looks very big, with a bright red couch that swirls into a circle and can carry around ten patrons on it. A nice plasma TV is seen mounted on the wall among the latest machines for our singing sessions. I even got a waiter to bring a round of hot tea for my friends. Soon, Sanosuke and Yahiko both arrive to see me.

They were so wow'ed by the place that they couldn't help but freak out. This kind of luxury is clearly all brand new to them, and they kept thanking me over and over again for it. Soon Kaoru, Tsubame (Who I now learn is on "talking terms" with Yahiko), and Megumi arrive together and even they couldn't help but squeal like crazy. They begin drinking the tea and start the machines, waiting for the others to arrive. My stomach is trembling despite my best effort to appear cool and nonchalant. The gang goes through one song together and are already having a blast, and I watch them all in silence with a smile on my face.

The door opens and I turn in time to see that it's Misao and Aoshi, the former looking like she's ready to scream in joy at all of this. It took several seconds of the two coming over to sit down on the red couch before the star of the show finally shows up..

Kenshin.

Immediately, he screeches, "What the fuck!?"

I flinch. The rest of the gang, now huddled up together on the couch, all seem to hang onto each other for dear life as Kenshin stands towering over them, his eyes glowing amber with fire. I am sitting right next to Aoshi, who seems completely unfazed by Kenshin's angry outburst. I guess he's used to it by now. I wonder when I'll be able to do the same.

"Whose idea was this?" Kenshin's voice sounds surprisingly even despite his yelling just a moment ago. The gang shrinks back further into the couch, trembling. They suddenly shoot their fingers right at Misao, who gawks at them in pure rage at their betrayal.

"Thanks a lot, you guys!" Misao cries out, her eyes also now glowing with anger. I look at Kenshin as he takes a deep breath in order to calm down before I take it upon myself to play damage control.

"Don't worry yourself to death, Kenshin!" I exclaim with a joyful tone, "I promise not to bother you tonight. Cross my heart!"

Kenshin groans wearily before walking on over to the couch to plop himself down. Well, at least we won't be strangling each other! I guess he's tuckered out for today and just wants to get this over with. I sure hope he at least appreciates me renting out this big room for us tonight; not that I mind, of course, but it isn't exactly cheap to the average person. And he should know that. I scoff quietly to myself, taking a sip of my tea. Aoshi keeps a close eye on me meanwhile.

"What should we play next?!" Misao gushes as the other female patrons also beam at the large television screen in front of them.

"I can't sing worth shit!" Yahiko moans, leaning his head over the edge of the couch behind him.

"Oh, shut up and try!" Megumi gripes, "Soujiro must've spent a fortune on this room, and I'm not going to waste it for one measly second of it!"

"Gold digger." Sanosuke mutters under his breath, but Megumi still heard him on account of her smacking the back of his head with her hand, "Ow!"

"Stop it, you guys!" Kaoru's voice is a little louder than normal, grabbing everyone's attention on her now, "Let's.. try to get along for once, please!"

"Alright, alright." Sanosuke grumbles.

I smile at my friends as they clamor over the song list and how amazing everything looks so far tonight. They couldn't help but kept bringing me into their little arguments or conversations on who is the better singer of them all, or which song they should go for next, or how often I do karaoke back in Tokyo. I am filled with so much joy at my new friends having a good time. Everyone seems to be having a blast..

Everyone except, of course, Kenshin.

He keeps growling to himself while looking at his own crossed arms. I stare at him as he tinkers with his thoughts inside his head. How I long to reside inside his head and find out what he's thinking right now. What complex accusations he'll try to brew up in order to get me exiled from the group. But I'm no fool. I know exactly how to work people to get them to do exactly what I say or want them to do; it's just one of my many natural talents.

Kenshin finally catches me looking at him, and I don't budge. I smile at him, but he doesn't smile back. His eyes tighten at me suspiciously, his form being interrupted in my line of vision as Sanosuke keeps swinging forward on the couch to yell at something at the television screen, or Megumi leaning in to get her cup of tea again. Even with everything going on right now, I am in love with the way he looks. Those beautiful violet eyes. That smooth complexion. That long, red hair of his that I long to reach out and touch..

He will be the death of me someday, I swear.

It's best that I just not get myself attached to him.

It's only logical.

His friends try to get the moody brat to join in on the fun. As much as Kenshin tries to play up the bad ass part, he does seem to care a lot over what his friends thinks of him. He joins in, albeit reluctantly so, singing either too quietly or too slowly to catch up with the words on the TV screen. Soon everyone just gave up and leaves the poor guy alone.

"If only your voice was as good as your fingers!" Sanosuke chortles, Yahiko sniggering right next to him.

I snap out of my daydreams from that comment, "Fingers?"

"Kenshin can play the guitar." Yahiko fills me in with a nod of his head.

"No way!" I gasp, pretending I don't already know about that.

So he is going to be amazing in bed. I can hardly handle my own saliva pooling inside my mouth that threatens to leak out from the corner of my lips. I swallow it, just in case. I wonder if I should ask what else he's good at? Maybe something that has to do with his tongue. Holy fuck, I really need to calm down before I pitch a tent in front of everyone.

"I better go home now." Kenshin suddenly announces as he gets up carefully from the couch before dong a quick wave of his hand. I grunt, opening my mouth to tell him to wait or to not go, but he's already walking off as he always does, not bothering to wait for anyone or anything. I watch helplessly as he opens the door to walk through it, my heart pounding painfully as soon as the door closes shut with a click.

I blink once or twice before I huff, already peeved off. I couldn't help but chuckle bitterly to myself, "Is he always like this..?"

"Huh?" I hear Sanosuke now, and I turn to him as he responds with a shrug, "I don't know. He's not super outgoing like the rest of us are. He shows up and then is the first to dip."

"He's a total introvert." Megumi sighs.

"Yeah," Kaoru smiles awkwardly as Tsubame also joins in with her own blushing smile, "We're kinda used to it by now."

"But don't sweat it, bro," Yahiko pats me on the shoulder in a friendly manner, "He'll come around. He's probably shy right now because you're the new kid on the block."

"Yeah! And you have his number now, so you should totally text him later on!" Misao quips with a cheerful smile to lighten up the mood further.

Aoshi contributes absolutely nothing to this conversation, exhaling smoke from his cigarette. His eyes tells me all, though. He expects that I don't try and fuck things up or try to out him for helping me. I let my eyes flicker away from his before anyone catches any ideas.

"Yeah," I nod, looking at the television screen now, "I'll text him later. I just.. I just hope he's okay."

Sanosuke snorts, "Yeah, don't worry about him. He'll be alright."

Kenshin..

After a few hours of us messing around, the gang finally feels tuckered out and decided to go home. It's a school night, after all. And so, I bid them all adeau before heading on home myself. I arrive at my place to find myself all alone again, and I turn on the lights in the mansion to see if maybe Father is in his bedroom. But as usual, there is nothing that would indicate it so, since his double doors appear slightly open and is dark inside. I sigh, swinging my backbag off from my shoulders to drag it behind me with just one hand.

What a day.

I wish I could say that I feel closer to Kenshin after waiting for all this time since I've met him, but.. I don't think we are. Not by a long shot. I go into my bedroom to turn on the lights, realizing that it's about a quater to nine in the evening. I guess I should get ready for bed soon. I take my nightly shower and do my usual routines, since I still feel the need to look perfect for Kenshin despite his reluctance towards me. I figure, if I can keep pushing harder and harder, he'll have come around eventually.

He just has to.

He's gotta.

"Haah.." I pant, stroking myself once I'm back in my bed while damp and naked, "Uhn..!"

The best thing about life right now is how often my father goes away from this place. What was once something that made me feel really bad deep down, is now something that offers me peace and relief instead. Now I have the space and the freedom to go behind his back with this new boy in my life right now. Now I can just be myself and not have to worry so much. As long as I present myself as the perfect student and the perfect son out towards the outside world, I can be the Godless heathen on the down low.

I squirt some more of lubricant over my cock as I continue on stroking its length with unhurried fingers, feeling myself salivate over the mental pictures playing inside my head. The sheer memories of Kenshin, like how good he smelled this morning when he told me about his biological parents. Or how good he looks whenever he thinks deeply about something, or how hot he looks when he's angry. My breathing hitches as I imagine him kissing me feverishly or how good he must taste down there, once I have the opportunity to finally suck on his cock. How good he'll feel once he's inside of me..

Kenshin..!

"Argh, ugh!" I whimper with pleasure as I finally cum inside my hand, a shiver going up my spine afterwards. God, that was so good. But I bet it won't even hold a candle to how amazing the sex will feel with Kenshin once I manage to get to him like that soon. It's only a matter of time of when at this point.

I clean up after myself before dressing up in pajamas. I grab my phone and punch in the numbers that Misao gave me, and send Kenshin the following text message: hey, it's soujiro. :-) will you be at the library tomorrow for study hall?

The blue bubble swoops in on my screen, and I wait. And wait. And wait. The "sent" message beneath my text message still stays on there for a while, and I continue to wait. Will he text back? Is he already asleep? He must've been pretty tired today. I wonder if his stepdad is giving him shit and he can't be anywhere near his phone right now. Nothing seems to change on my screen, and I finally sigh, giving up. I place my phone next to my leg as I tuck myself into the bed properly, when I notice something moving from the corner of my eye. I look down and my stomach flips.

Read 9:11 PM

I hastily pick up my phone and stare at the screen, my heart beating quickly. He's awake? He read my message? Is he going to respond to my message now? I can feel my lips spreading into a smile, and I wait. And wait. And wait. But nothing changes. There's no new bubble popping up on my screen or anything. All he did.. was read my message.. and decided not to respond. I deflate, my smile also fading away. And then I scoff, shaking my head at this nonsense.

What a pompous dick!

I'll make him pay for it, if it's the last thing I'll do!

You'll see!

I place the phone on the charger and shut off the lights, wrapping the blankets around me and turning away from the phone with an annoyed huff. Fucking imbecile. Never in my entire life did I had to do so much for someone like this. Everyone likes me! Or at least, most people find me likeable. Anyone who didn't liked me, disliked me because they thought I was gay. And I'm not gay! I just have daddy issues or something. Something very bad must've happened to me that made me turn out like this. And I'll "enjoy" this sickness for however long I can get away with it, until it's time to grow up and settle down with a girl someday.

Yeah. That's right. A wonderful life, with a really nice girl, a family, and a company that will make me millions every single day. What more could a guy like me want?

I don't care if Kenshin doesn't like me. I just want his body and that's it.

He could drop dead for all I care.

He'll see.

---

(To be continued.)