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.

49. How To Get What You Want - Part Two

Author's Note: Heyyyy, happy holidays and all of that! I'm sorry I was late. Got caught up with life stuff. It's funny that I'm just talking to myself at this point, but I enjoy imagining some people in the future reading this one day and wondering who I am. Anyhoo, hope this serves as a great happy new year's eve/day gift to you all and here's to an amazing 2024! Truth be told, I think I'll write a third part for the next update, before resuming back to regular programming. Writing from Soujiro's POV is fun and all, but I really need to finish this fic sometime in the new year, so that kinda goes without saying! Rated M+ for sexual content.

Enjoy and see you next year!

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"Am I out of my head now
For wanting more than love?"

- Elise Trouw

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It doesn't matter if he ignored me last night.

It doesn't matter if he's going to continue playing this game with me.

None of that matters to me.

One thing's for sure.. is that I will get through to him somehow.

It's only a matter of time.

"You came."

"Yeah."

It's study hall period for the both of us. I tried being social with Kenshin this morning despite him ignoring my text message last night. But all he could do was grumble one word answers to me as well as avoid me as much as possible. I dialed things back a bit, just to play it safe; I didn't hung around in the hallways to wait for him to arrive like I did the other day. And I didn't follow him around too closely like I've done during the first day here. But I still made sure to apply some pressure. I asked him during our classes together if I am going to see him. He would ignore me or buff me at first with his usual deflections, or would just roll his eyes at me. But eventually, I think I did manage to crack something into him.

Gosh. I don't know what I did, but during one class before study hall period started, he looked at me in a way that interested me.

We were having a pop quiz and I was the first student to finish it. I got up from my desk to hand in my paper to the teacher for them to grade it, and when I turned around to go back to my seat.. there Kenshin was, looking up at me from where he was sitting at, clearly in awe at the speed of my way of going through the questions on that quiz.

Is he perhaps jealous of me?

I look at him as he looks at the table with a slight frown on his face. I straighten up in my seat before I perk up happily, "What should we work on first? I'm looking at our class schedules as a reference, so maybe we should do the easier ones first? I don't exactly know which of these classes are your favorite, so I wondered if you could make a hierarchy out of them so that we can work from top to bottom."

Kenshin turns his head to look down at what I'm scribbling on, which is a homework assignment for our Biology class. His eyes glazed over at me with remarked boredom before muttering in jest, "Oh yeah, Biology gets me rock hard out of all of them."

I roll my eyes with a scoff, "Tell me about it. I hate this so much."

"What? Don't tell me!" Kenshin gasps in a mocking tone, "The school's valedictorian sucks in the subject of science?"

I nod with a shrug, "Yeah, I really don't like it. I much prefer humanities over this, and I also enjoy studying law. I was thinking of going to law school, but now I don't know."

I used to have really stupid dreams. When I was a small boy and had that dog while living abroad, I knew that I wanted to become an animal rescuer or even a doctor so that I could take care of more dogs. But there was no way that Father would have ever allowed me to do that. He said I would either study business or law, or even do both. But nothing else was good enough for him. He needs me to take over the enterprise someday, and a medical degree would obviously be an odd choice to doing just that.

Still..

Kenshin doesn't need to know that.

"Shit, you mean you still haven't decided which major to pursue? Time's running out, kid."

I look at him as he places his hands behind his neck while leaning on his chair chair casually. He has his eyes closed now. I blink at him curiously, gripping my pencil in my hand for some reason, "Have you decided what you wanted to study after you graduate?"

It's not that I care, honestly..

It's just..

He snorts as a response, not adding anything to it. Never the less, I pressed on with a confused frown, "So, you really don't care where you want to go after high school ends?"

It's just that, for some reason.. Kenshin just looks like someone who needs help.

My help.

"I mean.." He shrugs one shoulder reluctantly, "I have plans. They're not extravagant like yours are, but.. I have plans."

And I'm going to help him.

"Care to tell me?" I place my pencil down, deciding that I've squeezed the life out of the poor thing for too long already.

He peeks through one eye at me, processing what I just said, before opening his other eye to snarl at me, "Beat it. Let's just do the homework so that I can get caught up and not get suspended."

I beam at him happily, "Oh, don't you worry about that, Kenshin! We'll get you caught up and it'll be so easy, you'll nearly sleep your way with my help!"

That's right. My help. If I can help him with this, he can help me in return. It's only natural.

"We'll see about that." He sounds really unconvinced, scoffing from the side. I deflate a bit, worried that this study hall period might be a rough one if he keeps giving me attitude like this. Never the less, I take a deep breath to calm myself down before I slide the paper that I wrote before he arrived here at the library with the list of our class schedule, "Good. Now, care to tell me, of the nine period classes we have here, do you like from most to the least?"

He looks over it, scanning the paper with his eyes. Those beautiful, beautiful gorgeous eyes. I stare at the side of his face as he studies the paper I handed him, feeling my breathing stuck to my throat.

He really is something.

Maybe I'm the one who should be jealous of him.

"Uhhh," He turns back to me with an arched eyebrow and slowly leans back in his chair, "I would lie and pick a class, but really, lunch will always be my favorite."

Oh, give me a break. I stare at him like he's an idiot. He starts to laugh under his breath with the way I'm looking at him now.

"Okay, okay!" He laughs harder and waves his hands in front of him with a playful yet defensive air, "Um, philosophy is my most favorite of all, for sure. Art 101 is my second favorite, since my hands are relatively skilled for, well.. anything, really. And the teacher's bad ass as hell. Foreign language in English is certainly another one, and even though the teacher doesn't like me, she appreciates what I give in anyway. Japanese History comes in fourth, Intermediate Mathematics is okay for fifth, Gym is easy but it can suck my ass for all I care.. and then of course, Biology is my least favorite."

While he's answering my question, I write down the numbers next to the names of the classes on that piece of paper, placing "1" next to philosophy as his most favorite. I couldn't help but smile secretly to myself at that. Kenshin's no dummy, even if he likes to pretend that he is. I think he's a lot smarter than he lets on, for some reason. I have to wonder if maybe it's a self-esteem issue on his part. Or maybe he enjoys playing up the bad boy image, just so that he can hold on to his friends and not end up all alone.

He already lost his parents. And his step dad might not stick around, depending on how old he is.

So I guess I do get where he's coming from.

We both have a role to play, after all.

Kenshin suddenly breaks into my stream of thoughts with a question: "Hey, how come you aren't taking any of the college electives? Those will really cut down your hours spent in university once you graduate.. right?"

I flinch. We both sit there quietly for a moment, and I can feel his eyes burning through me. Oh shit. Oh fuck. He really is a lot smarter than he looks. He just caught me in a white lie. Come on, Soujiro, think of something! Just as I feel like he's about to open his mouth again, I turn to him and surprise him with a great big smile, "It's no big deal, but I asked my father if I could just take it easy in my final year of high school so that I can focus on broadening my social network before I head off for college. I can work my ass off once I'm there, but for now, why not just.. take a breather, you know?"

He gapes at me, confused and unsure if he can buy into that. But it's only half the truth. I've been meaning to take it easy while I still can. University is no easy feat, especially for what I am planning to study. I'd have to go to a graduate school after my undergraduate studies are over and everything. I want to have fun and live it up while I'm still young and able. And of course, have amazing sex with a beautiful boy before I have to dive my head into a sea of academic papers and numerous books to grind through. What's wrong with that?

Plus.. I can't juggle taking college-level courses in this school and playing pretend with Kenshin at the same time. One of these things have to be perfected..

And I'm choosing him.

"Of course. Gotta have fun with the glue sniffers and rubber burners before running for Japan's government office!" He sneers at me acrimoniously while rolling his eyes at me. I sigh quietly, just looking at him. He can be such an ass. He then looks at me in all seriousness again before adding, "Well, if you are deadass about helping me out with my homework.. I can help you out with the social scene, no problem. I know the best people for a party or for a dime bag. You can count on me."

"Of course I can." I hum with a flirtatious smile, catching just in time at the way his pupils once again dilate before he blinks it away quickly, "Now, place your philosophy homework here so that we can get started. We can finish that paper first, and then we can go out for lunch together next period so that we can work on your English assignments. I know a great sushi place around here."

He exhales tiredly, still in denial over the way he just looked at me a quick second ago, "Fine."

We went straight to work. While I'm editing his rough drafts, Kenshin reads an assgined book about ethics. When we're not talking or snipping at each other like aggravated dogs, I'll admit, we actually seem to have a natural flow working together as a team. We were both quiet and dutifully working on the materials for the rest of the study hall period. We got a lot done in a short period of time, and before we know it, the bell rings to signal the end of fifth period. It is now lunch time for the two of us, and we both head out of the school buildings to enter the parking lot. I see him fidgeting his phone while walking, and I do feel curious as to who he's talking to..

Maybe he's telling his friends that he'll be missing in action. I have to wonder if he included my name in that text, but decided to not ask him about it.

We seem to get along a little bit better than before.

Why mess it up?

As we walk up to my car, I hear him groan in a sulky tone all of a sudden. I turn to him, blinking. He looks at me exasperatedly and shakes his head slowly, "Of course you'd have a car like this."

I blink a couple of times, before I smirk and wink at him as I twirl my car keys around my finger, "Jealous?"

He rolls his eyes at me and ignores me, walking straight towards the passenger side of my car. I look onward at him with my smirk still plastered over my face. Okay, maybe I'm pushing my luck in making him envious like this, but I have to admit: it's a lot of fun seeing him flustered over my wealth like this. If I could impress him enough time, he'll have no choice but to wanna jump into bed with me. It's one thing to get a guy like him to admit to wanting to have sexual relations with an average guy. But it's another to show him a guy like me—young, smart, handsome, and rich beyond his wildest imagination—and ease his mind to the idea if he can see how impressive I am in the first place.

We soon arrive to a sushi restaurant. I've already eaten at this establishment before with my father, and we were both impressed with the menu selection and the overall vibe there. So of course I had to take Kenshin there with me to introduce him to fine cuisine. Kenshin looks at everyone in the restaurant with a remarked shyness, his cheeks blooming with the tint of scarlet as he evades the patrons' eyes that are staring at him. Okay, so maybe he isn't exactly dressed for the occasion. He looks like a fucking gang banger in this place..

But I like it. He's my gang banger.

I manage to get a hold of a waitress that works there and whisper something into her ear. All I had to say was that I am the son of Tsukino Seta, and she immediately rushes into getting us upstairs to a really nice table near this giant window that overlooks the entire town below us. She does her introductions and hands us the menu, filling our glasses with water and citrus slices to begin. I look on in time at Kenshin as he stares at the water in front of him, as if he had never seen a cup of water with lemon and lime in it his entire life. The waitress walks away and Kenshin closes his eyes, taking a moment to think before he talks again.

"You come here often?" He takes a sip of his glass of water, which relieves me somehow. For a moment there, I thought he would get riled up over how ritzy this place is trying to be over with the water. Although, I don't think there's anything special about water with citrus slices before.. but, I guess maybe he's just not used to that.

"Oh, yeah, during the first week of my father and moving in here, we go here a lot for lunch time. They have the best sushi selection here."

"Tch!" He scoffs, and I already am on edge as he gripes at me, "The local talents around my neighborhood has the best sushi selection in town. Don't underestimate us poor folks."

"I wasn't?"

He starts talking in a pretty low voice to himself, muttering and looking beyond annoyed already as he looks towards the window, "Whatever."

I study him carefully with one hand resting on the other. I suppose he thinks that I believe him to have come from trash in contrast to all the rich people I used to hang out with. I mean, don't get me wrong; I like my old friends. We still talk online and on the phone with them from time to time. But the old never interests me as much as the new does. The thing about me is, is that if you and I don't talk often, I have a tendency to forget about you eventually. It's nothing personal. It's not that I have a fleeting heart, or that I don't treasure what we had. I just get bored easily and would rather go after what's in front of me or what's yet to come.

And the boy that's sitting right in front of me.. he interests me. He's unlike anything I've ever come to know before.

And that excites me.

"Are you always this defensive?" I challenge him, tilting my head to the side. Kenshin doesn't respond to me, opting to keep his hardened gaze out the window. I straighten up my head again, "Oh. I see. So it's just with me that you are this defensive. Got it."

He has just his eyes looking back at me as I take another sip of my water. I continue: "But you know, I understand it at the same time. Can't trust anybody in this forsaken world, sometimes."

He closes his eyes again as if to make a point, "Eeyup."

We stop talking, and I continue to observe him quietly. When I saw his pictures around a year ago, I had the idea that he was going to be this ruffian who refuses to yield to anybody. His leather jacket and devil-may-care attitude, even online, would prove so. But I didn't think he would be this insufferable in real life towards me. I thought people like Kenshin would be more interested in anything or anyone that's beyond the pale, since he seems so anti-establishment in general. But maybe I have to be harder on myself, and maybe I come across as more conservative than I let on.

It's not my fault that I have to present myself as ordinary, or "family friendly", or traditional. Truth be told, there are things I believe in that might anger Father if he knew what they are.

Like..

The fact that maybe it is natural and normal that I am like this towards other boys.

I blink away from my thoughts and look at Kenshin as he sighs silently to himself, still looking over the city from below us. I don't know what I'm going to do if it turns out that Kenshin doesn't like guys like I do. It would mean that all of this was for nothing. And to be honest, even I don't know why I'm doing all of this just so I can sleep with him; I can sleep with any other guy I want. Maybe not all guys out there for obvious reasons, sure, but.. I was never without much variety when I had to stay in Russia, for example. Guys think I'm hot. Guys liked sleeping with me. I have enough notches on my belt to prove it so. I shouldn't have any problem replacing Kenshin if he doesn't want me like that.

.. And yet..

I couldn't help it.

"Is being the bad ass really that satisfying of a life to live? Something maybe you can add to your philosophy paper." I hear myself say it with my mouth before my brain could even stop itself, and I hold my breath, shocked at my own audacity.

...

Where did that come from?

Kenshin whips at me in anger before he starts yelling, "Why did you moved here from Tokyo? What is it about this place, and my high school, and my fucking friends, and me specifically, that you find so interesting? Why are you trying so damn hard to win my approval? Why us? Why me?!"

The restaurant falls silent. The only thing I could hear, in the midst of my mild surprise from Kenshin's outburst, is the hushed whispers from the patrons as they look on over at our table suspiciously. I can feel my eyes waver as Kenshin's pinched facial expression glares back at me, my heart quivering. Maybe he doesn't like me. Maybe he never will accept me for who I am. Maybe this is going to be a life lesson for me to finally try and work together with someone who's a lot like my father; someone who can never embrace the fact that I can only feel sexual attraction towards members of my sex, and knows it so.

...

Well, if that's how it's going to be, then that's how it's going to be. There's no fighting it. It is what it is. I never came here for love or anything like that. So, I have to steel myself from Kenshin's nonsense. I gulp, closing my eyes to steady myself, before I open my eyes to look at him blankly. He blinks rapidly as I start shaking my head with a muted smile, "Why. Why. Why. Humanity couldn't continue on if we couldn't ask such questions starting with that word. Why, indeed."

One of his eye spasm from my inane rambling, "Are you mocking me?"

"Heavens, no. I'm merely adding on to your tirade of questions, is all. But truthfully, my father had to move here to arrange some business with a merging company that is located here."

"Which company?"

"Acom."

"That credit card company?"

I smile at him in response.

"That's nice and all, but what about my other questions?"

"What other questions?"

He gripes and looks like he was just about to stand up from his seat when, right on time, the waitress comes bouncing back to our table with a cheerful disposition, "Hi again! Are we ready to order, or do you gentlemen need some more time?"

Kenshin grunts and looks up at her, beyond flustered that she caught him right as when he was about to cause a reckless scene. But I, already educated on the fine art of social grace, smile at her delightfully, "The usual. My father and I always had that one dish when we came here for lunch, remember?"

She blushes and giggles apprehensively, "Oh, of course, of course! I'll be right back with that, thank you so much!"

She takes our respective menus before dashing off to get us our meals. We are left alone once again, and I observe intently as Kenshin watches the waitress going off in some other direction. He scowls and shakes his head to himself, as if in disbelief over what just happened. I smile, entertained by the hot head. You can clearly see the way his brain ticks from the way he expresses himself, and I have to wonder if he's also aware of just how tumultuous his feelings are. My smile fades away from that thought.

Is he even aware of that at all?

He looks back and glares at me, silently asking me to continue. I shrug casually as I answer, "We moved here because of the merge, and I want to have a normal high school experience before I graduated. We looked for the perfect school for that, and decided yours was the best out of all the others. You act like your school is a prison, but really, it has a wonderful faculty and many of the students are working hard for their grades. It's not that bad as you make it out to be. And really, you might think I'm some poor little rich boy who doesn't know how to have fun.. But you'd be surprised what I have up in my sleeves."

"Like what?" He belittles me.

How do you get what you want?

It's easy.

Just lie.

I start counting on my fingers as I go through each and every small 'fact' about myself, "I know how to throw a good party. I know how to get the best drugs for people who ask me nicely. I know how to roll a joint and work a glass bong. I know how to vandalize property and get off scotch free even if the cops do catch me. I know how to steal things even if I have the money for it. I know how to fuck―"

"―Aw, jeez!" He propels his hands outwards, "I didn't need to know about that last part!"

I couldn't help but giggle at him, which peeved him off from the way he looks at me again, "And I want to win your approval because you're the coolest bad ass I've ever seen in my life! You just do what you want, no questions asked. I admire that so much. It's so refreshing."

Of course, this time, I wasn't lying. Kenshin really is the coolest person I've ever seen in my life.

He doesn't respond to that compliment, of course, opting to instead glare at me with remarked bitterness. I chuckle airily to myself, resting my chin on the palm of my hand as I look out towards the windows now, "If you don't believe me, Google my father's company. It's all there. And I tried adding you on Facebook. Did you checked it yet? You can research us all you want to see if my story checks out. I mean it. I encourage your skepticism and you finding everything about me to see what I'm all about. I'm more than okay with that. Alright?"

My eyes flicker back towards him, and I see it once more—his eyes shrinking before slowly expanding again, completely stumped and stupefied. At that moment, I am reminded of one of the boys I've had sex with around a couple of years ago, after the incident regarding Okita. That other guy looked at me as if struck by thunderbolt, and he took it upon himself to keep talking to me during our class meetings with our counselors down at the camp we were both stuck with. He almost annoyed me with the way he kept following me around, until one night, I decided to let my whims carry me away and just let him fuck me behind a car somewhere outside. He told me I was the most beautiful boy he's ever seen in his life, and that if this is what it feels like to be truly sick..

That he never wanted to be cured of it.

I remember staring at that guy like he was crazy, but honestly.. that was one of the best sex I've ever had, and it really stuck to me when I had to go back home to Father.

Is it possible to be sick and loving it?

Kenshin gulps and nods his head reluctantly, "Fine."

I chuckle under my breath at him, looking back out towards the window once again. I decide to leave the poor guy alone for a little while. I want him to enjoy the meal without my constant badgering. God knows how much I've probably worn him down by now, and it's only maybe the second or third day since I've met him so far. I watch him secretly as he is served by the waitress his sushi meal, and how hard he tries to not express too much delight or impressed as he carefully chews his food. I take mental notes of the way his eyes frown or the way his nose crinkles as he fights against any signs of a smile overcoming his face as he tries a new roll or a new piece on his plate. It's adorable and it makes me crazy..

Fuck it, I want to talk to him again!

As he finishes the last sushi roll, I chirp happily to get his attention on me again, "Well now, that was nice, wasn't it? Let's start with the English homework, okay? Luckily for you, it's just one worksheet to translate a few phrases, is that correct?"

He looks spooked the second I started talking to him, but he quickly steadies himself to question me, "How'd you know that?"

"I e-mailed the teacher last night."

He grimaces and shivers with a groan, "Ugh, I can't believe teachers are so eager to write the students back like that."

I laugh to myself, "Come on, give me that paper, and I'll help!"

I don't wait for his response before I scooch my chair over to sit by his side, and he looks at me with shock. He then softens into reluctance and embarrassment as he is forced to get his homework assignment out from his book bag to place it over the table to begin. I lean over close to his side and watch him as he does the English homework, and somehow, someway.. I can feel his body stiffening right next to me. I mean, I am pretty physically close to him at this point. I bet he can smell my cologne that I've chosen to wear today, just for him. Despite the closeness, though, he doesn't remark or react negatively to me, and just tries his best to focus on his work.

It's so nice, being this close to him. If he can see how good I can treat him when I take him out or how high his grade point average will become soon enough, he'll have to thank me for it. He'd have to do whatever it takes to keep the perks coming to him. I would hum anytime he gets something wrong on his assignment, and he'd snip at me, but then I would ignore it and point out the correct answer to him. And even though he could just as easily stand up and walk away from me, or smash a plate over my head for being so annoying..

He didn't do it. He just does what I say, and complies peacefully.

If he keeps being peaceful like this already in a short couple of days, he'd have to be ready for sex by the end of this week. I smile secretly at that thought, lightly grazing my shoulder right over his. He stiffens up again, grunting. I wish I could do more, but that would be all I can do for today.

No worries.

I'm patient.

We drove back to school, and the rest of the day felt painfully boring for the most part. I go back home and feel at least a bit good about myself. Father is surprisingly home right now, but he's busy chatting on the phone with one of his clients. I greeted him as I come from the garage and into the kitchen where he's enjoying a mid-day cup of tae, but he merely whisks his hand at me to brush me away. One of the maids, of course, turns around and asks me how school was, and I chat with her for a bit. Father could not stand the noise, though, and took it upon himself to remove himself from the kitchen and head straight into his bedroom where he locks the door. I watch on quietly, feeling a sense of heaviness in my chest.

I don't show this on my face, though. Like I said a thousand times before..

I'm used to this.

I soon head back to my bedroom to focus on my own homework. It's going to be a challenge to juggle both my academic grade along with Kenshin's. But I'm determined. I think I'm smart for as much as I'm worth. I have to, anyway, if I'm going to become a world-renowned CEO someday. I go through my readings and my papers, and soon it is supper time. Father apparently had to leave to meet up with this supposed client, but I had a nice meal to cap off the evening without him. And before I knew it, it was night time and time for bed.

I hear a buzz from somewhere in my bedroom just as I come out of my bathroom, wiping a towel through my wet hair from the shower. I blink, looking at the light that's coming from my phone. I walk over to my desk and see that it's a text message from Aoshi.

Kenshin lives in this address. And just to remind you: Don't even think about it.

I close my eyes, my smile spreading over my face all the while. My heart is filled with light at having this piece of information now. I text him back to thank him, and he leaves me on read. Poor guy's probably swamped with work, so I let him be. I slip into my bed and turn out the lights, determined to get some shut eye.. Yet, after more than two or so hours of tossing and turning, I soon realize that I can't sleep. Something in my chest feels funny. Or maybe it's my lungs? I feel myself quietly wheezing into my pillow, and I realize, much to my horror.. that I'm having an itch for a smoke.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. I did actually had a few cigarettes borrowed from Sanosuke and Yahiko after we smoked weed together the night I met Misao. But I didn't think it would get me addicted this quickly. I grumble, sitting up to rub my eyes miserably. Maybe there's a convenience store nearby? I look through my phone to check the nearest one. There's one near that small bridge where we all had a toke up, about twenty minute away by foot. I can't wake everyone up with much ruckus, so I've decided to sneak out. I put on a nice white shirt, pants, and my favorite shoes to then head out quietly.

The temperature is thankfully not too bad. It's surprisingly warm for October. I feel safe walking away from the mansion and into the street. It does not take long until I see the lights of the city and the small bridge to cross over from my world into their world. Into Kenshin's world, actually..

People walk past me and I look up and around me. If Father knew what I was doing right now, he would kill me. But I feel deliciously mischievous. For now, I just don't care about consequences. I smirk to myself, enjoying the view of what Kyoto looks like at night all on my lonesome. I finally find the convenience store, and it looks to be open. All I have to do is grab my box of smokes and then I'm out of there. I open the glass door to enter, determined to do my objection as quickly as possible..

I pause from where I stand in the door, my breathing stuck in my throat. From one end of the store where the cash register rests upon, is a young man yelling at the cashier for a manager. But what makes this young man so different from any other young man, is the fact that he has long, red hair, tied up in a ponytail. He is sporting his usual menacing attire, and his voice could not be anymore familiar. There is a hushed silence for a beat before I brave myself to call out to him softly.

"Kenshin."

The world stands still. No one says a word. The cashier looks at me curiously before he looks back at his patron with a raised eyebrow, probably wondering if we know each other. Kenshin doesn't say anything or move a single muscle from where he stands. Is he in shock? Did something happened? Maybe Kenshin can't afford the groceries he's put on the check out table in between them. Oh. I see, then. I cautiously start walking up towards them, my hands curling into fists in case the redhead decides to take a swing at me or something more crazy.

"How much?" I smile at the cashier confidently, catching the young adult by surprise. My eyes take a quick second to look at the side of Kenshin's face, which is now nearly as red as his beautiful mane.

"21,390 yen in total." The cashier replies simply. Holy fuck.

I whistle, blown away from that price. What is going on? I'm guessing it's a running tab. Is it Kenshin's tab? Or maybe it's his stepdad. This is interesting. Never the less, I nod and smile wider, "It's on me. Here. And can you add that blue box of cigarettes there, too? Thanks."

Kenshin still doesn't turn to look at me or say anything at all. He looks like he wants to fucking die right there next to me. He must be so mortified by the way this situation unfolded tonight. Gosh, I really did not mean to put him on the spot like this so openly like this in public. I look at the side of his face as the transaction is being performed by the cashier, moved by his embarrassment.

How I would do anything to lean in and kiss that cheek. Brush my lips against his, if only to let him know that I'm right here for him.

But alas, I keep to myself, the cashier finishing everything up and handing Kenshin his bag before handing me the receipt and box of cigarettes for me. I hear a hushed thank you from Kenshin and, before I could properly react, he's already on his way to rush off out of the store to leave me behind.

"Yeesh," The cashier tuts his lips, "The least that guy could do was say thanks. Asshole."

I look at the door that Kenshin very nearly ran out of in stunned silence. I mean, he did thanked me, but.. could he have at least waited for me? I grunt, frowning, before my teeth starts to grit against each other. I ignore the cashier behind me and start to also rush out of the store to catch up with Kenshin, determined not to let him get away from me.

I knew he lived closed by. I knew that this is probably the convenience store he might hang around. I just didn't think I would catch him tonight like this.

But still..

Couldn't he just be a little more fucking grateful to me?!

"Hey, wait up!"

Kenshin must've heard me from up ahead, because all of a sudden, his pace is picking up speed. I start to do a light jog to finally catch up to him, and he still looks just as stunned as ever. I understand that maybe he's still gun shy around me, but.. I mean, couldn't he at least be more thankful for what I did just back there? It's like he still doesn't trust me at all. What's going on?

"Sheesh! You're really on your way to somewhere important, huh?" I force myself to smile despite the way my lungs are contracting painfully inside of my body. Maybe it's not such a good idea to take up smoking just to make a cute guy impressed.

"Yeah, no shit, Sherlock." His voice is surprisingly tense and biting right now, "It's the middle of a school night."

"But why are you at that convenience store so late at night? Did something happen?" I am actually being genuine when I ask him that. Did his stepdad do something to him? What even happened between them tonight?

"Nothing happened. I woke up from a bad dream and realized my fridge was empty."

Right. Like I'm supposed to believe that. My eyes tighten at him in suspicion despite his own evading mines and keeping them up ahead to ignore me.

"Um," I frown, perplexed by what I'm hearing, "I just.. I thought your father would be responsible over that―"

He precipitously quits walking before he starts confronting me, "And you? Why the fuck are you at the convenience store so late at night? Did you fucking followed me there? Huh?!"

I am taken aback, lifting my hands up in front of me in a defensive fashion. Great. Just what I needed tonight; the guy I'm trying to have sex with biting my head off during the late hour. I just know I'm not going to have a good night's rest unless I can get him to calm down.

"I was itching for a smoke, but couldn't find my cigarettes. So I thought, I needed to buy a new pack, and then I accidentally ran into you," I start to back up with my hands still up, "Seriously. I didn't even knew you were going to be there."

His facial expression softens to one of pure confusion now, "..You live nearby?"

"Almost. Just over that small bridge, the one where we all hung out under, remember? Just pass over it and then it's ten minutes by car to get to my mansion."

Now his face opens up to one of mild offense. Or maybe it's jealousy. Or genuine surprise by the way he scoffs quietly to himself. A mansion, he's probably thinking. I've obviously haven't been to his house yet, but I'm guessing he's never step foot inside of a mansion before. Every time I have these moments with him, I find myself intrigued in peeling a layer back to this guy's inner world; how small his world truly is, yet how vast and intelligent he really is deep down. If only he would let me come closer to him, I can show him a whole new world out there..

A world much better than his own.

He finally takes a moment to take a deep breath and calms himself down before mumbling, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak. I'm just stressed out, that's all. School is such a buzzkill this time of the year, after all."

"Of course." I brave myself in taking a cautious step towards him now, "I understand."

Will he let me come close to him?

...

Maybe not.

His eyes widen ever so slightly at how I try to come closer, and so he takes it upon himself to take a step back to keep his distance from me. The way he grips his plastic bag filled with his grocery—that I lovingly paid for—sends a curious spike of pain inside my chest. I blink, caught off by this emotion. What is this feeling? I blink rapidly, trying to put myself back on balance. I smile at him courteously and he grunts, taking a second to watch me carefully before he slowly starts walking. I follow by his side promptly, letting him have his moment of silence as we walk on together peacefully this time.

I look up and around me. Like I said before, this Kyoto place ain't half bad at all. I actually have come to like this place a lot. Even if getting to know Kenshin has proven to be quite a challenge for me, I can at least say that finding companionship with his other friends have been nothing but a blast so far. They're all so different from me, but complimentary to me at the same time. Plus, in a way, I feel that we are more alike than we might appear from a first glance.

If only Kenshin could realize that.

"So, um.."

I blink my thoughts away in time the second I hear Kenshin's soft and unsure voice breaking into my thoughts.

"You are from Tokyo, huh?" He finishes his question with his eyes closed and brows knitted together, as if he was trying to hide something from me a minute ago. I could only guess what at this point. I look at him for a moment before I smile.

"Yup, that's right. I really miss it, but I actually like this place, too."

"Huh. I see."

We keep on walking. The streets are softly lit by the street lamps above us, and I am careful in taking mental notes of the boy next to me. The way the golden light above him burns his scarlet tresses into one of glowing amber, like the flickering flames of a dying campfire in the middle of a cold, dark night. How his eyes bloom into a silvery, lavender storm as he looks on ahead with determination, and the way his lips would part ever so slightly along his brows knitting together whenever he'd have a thought entering his mind. How beautiful his teeth looks whenever he would bless me with the opportunity to open his mouth just a little bit..

How I'd long to taste his tongue. I bite my lower lip and force my eyes to look on straight ahead as well, ignoring that familiar shiver down my spine.

We finally reach the small bridge. That damn bridge that separates the likes of me from the likes of him. I lean over the bridge barrier to look on at the running black waters underneath us, letting my mind wander. I feel like I've taken this too far already. What am I going to do if it turns out that Kenshin will never let me touch him like that? Am I going to have to then spend the rest of this semester trying to hide my sexual attraction towards him? I wonder if there's other guys in this school who could let me play with them. There has to be at least one repressed gay guy who would love to have a guy like me having sex with him.

My train of thought is interrupted once more from Kenshin's voice. That same, damn, satin-soft voice. I wasn't even aware that he's standing right by my side and had his back pressed against the bridge barrier, just so that he can look like a bad ass by watching the city lights in the distance from over his shoulder.

Fuck.

I change my mind.

I have to have him. No other guy, not even the cutest, shyest gay guy, could ever match up to this angel that's standing right next to me.

Nobody. Period!

"Do you miss it?"

I look at him, caught off guard by that question. Miss what, exactly?

"Hm?"

"Tokyo."

Oh.

"Home is where my heart decides. Not of origin."

I've never had a home. I've never had a family. I've never had real parents or felt a real sense of belonging, no matter where I go. Kenshin hums with a nod of his head and doesn't respond, but I think he gets it. I wonder if he ever feels these same feelings that I have. Of never belonging. Of never feeling at one with other people in the truest sense. Of being an outsider, and always feeling on edge around other people because of it. Of always having to lie and putting on a fake smile just so that no one could ever find out who I really am, deep down.

Because the truth is always uglier than the fables I could spin around at my will.

...

But what if.. what if I could create my own world? And then invite Kenshin into it? Even if he doesn't want to stay in it forever.. At least, just for a short while.. I could pretend to not be an outsider.

"Would you ever consider visiting it?" I nervously tuck some hair behind my ear, my smile unsure if it should make a full appearance on my face as I do so. I'm scared that he will say no. I'm scared that all of this really is all for nothing..

I'm scared that this imaginary world I want to create will never manifest.

But then, he answers me with a nonchalant tone, "Maybe."

...

And just like that, I exhale quietly to myself, feeling relieved.

That's good to hear. I giggle to myself and start slanting over the bridge barrier, looking closer into the icy cold waters down there. I could jump, you know. I could jump and kill myself right now if I wanted to. I never had the guts to and I don't know if I ever will have the courage to. But maybe that could be my ticket out of my personal hell, and knowing that it's always an option in the back of my head..

Well, let's just say.. It's enough to keep me sane these days.

I feel Kenshin's hand on my shoulder dragging me back so that I don't accidentally fall over, "Hey, don't be stupid, you idiot! You're gonna fall!"

I take a surprised look at his hand before they train themselves onto his own equally shocked expression. I couldn't help but laugh now, "Relax, you're such a worrywart for a bad ass!"

He grumbles and takes his hand back, "Fine, then. Jump for all I care."

There is a breadth of silence between us. A single, cold wind brushes past us. Maybe he's serious? Maybe he wants to see what I can do? Well, alright, then! I'm game! With one shoulder shrugging, I go, "Alright!"

He grunts in surprise as I climb up on the bridge barrier and start to walk with my arms outstretched wide, trying to balance myself as I take one ginger step after another. As long as I keep my balance, I should be fine. I've actually had a lot of training done at home by a specialized teacher to teach me how to balance books on my head for finishing school, so this is a no brainer. But in Kenshin's eyes, he looks up at me like I am the craziest mental patient he's ever seen. He hurriedly places on hand on my thigh (Ugh! Yes!), and another on the small of my back to help me (God, yes!). I bite my lower lip to hide my smirk, keeping my eye on my goal: To not fall over and kill myself accidentally.

Although.. maybe a tiny part of me does not mind if I plunge myself into the murderous tides that run underneath this bridge. Maybe then, my lifelong suffering will be long over. I guess this is why I don't feel so afraid tonight.

Kenshin starts crying out helplessly, "Hey, come on, cut it out! This isn't funny. You could get killed!"

Aww. He cares for my safety. Whatever.

I halt and look down at him—quite literally—and I smirk at him, "You're such a bitch, you know that? I won't get hurt, and I've done this many times before."

"Oh, that does it!" Before I could react, Kenshin grabs onto my shirt and jeans so that I can fall right into his arms. My eyes are wide and I grab onto him to steady myself. In any other television show, this would be the perfect part where the two main characters kiss. But that's not happening tonight. He grabs onto the front collar of my shirt to then point with his other hand right into my face, "You really have some balls for being daddy's rich kid. Do that kind of shit again, and I promise that you will want to move back to Tokyo once I'm through with you. Got it?!"

"Sheesh, alright." I takes a determined step back to unlatch his hand from my shirt collar before I sit back up on the barrier. I take my phone out from my jean pocket and start trying to find specific pictures, "I want to show you something."

"If it's porn, go fuck yourself with it. I'm out of here. Peace."

Kenshin turns around to get his grocery bags from off the ground to prepare himself to go home with them, when I launch myself off of the barrier to shove my phone right in front of his face before he is able to lean all the way back up from his crouching. He halts, staring at the phone screen. I start swiping my thumb across the screen to start showing him photos of all of his friends with their brand new gifts: Sanosuke, Yahiko, Kaoru and Megumi. He grunts softly to himself, completely blown away by what he's seeing. His friends obviously look extremely happy. They look the happiest they've ever been.

And it's all thanks to me.

Now it's your turn to thank me, asshole.

I smile bitterly to myself at that thought before I take my phone back into my pocket, "Please, Kenshin. Can't you see how well we all get along as a group? Can't we get along like them, too?"

Please. Please just say yes.

Please.

Kenshin cautiously turns himself around to face me with hesitation, unsure of how exactly to respond to that. There is another deafening wind blowing past us, enclosing us into a dark world where it is just the two of us, staring at each other. I look on at him and though I'm unsure of how exactly I look from the outside looking in.. Kenshin looks at me like he just got caught with his hand inside the cookie jar. It is quite a weird look on him, and I'm not sure of how to take that. Is he ashamed? Too proud of being thankful for making him or his friends happy? Is he really that ego-driven that he would rather lie and pretend that none of this is happening instead of being thankful about it? He lets his eyes fall to the ground, his cheeks taking on a reddish hue now.

What is so embarrassing of letting someone like me into your life?

...

Maybe..

...

No way..!

Maybe he is attracted to me, after all?!

At that sudden realization, I start to bargain with him. I couldn't help myself. I knew that it's now or never. I straighten up and start to speak with determination now, "Your friends like me, Kenshin. I buy them what they want and they're ecstatic of finally being able to have what they desired, but couldn't afford before. I'm actually taking Megumi out shopping this Sunday to a luxury makeup store, and we'll pick Kaoru up to visit a really nice tea store of her choosing. She wanted to go so badly many times before, but her parents could never afford it. Until I came along and told her that it's on me. I wish you could hear the glee in her voice when she told me thank you so many times, Kenshin. Maybe then, you'll be able to see.. That I'm really not out to get you. I promise. And your grades? No problem. I'll help you until your teachers won't even recognize you by the end of this year."

It's out there now. My peace offering in the form of an olive branch. Or rather, in the form of money and the promise of academic success. There's just no way he could reject me now. He has to realize that he needs me if he wants to lead a happier life. You need me, Kenshin. It's obvious to everyone by now. Kenshin still stands there, looking at me like I just took a shit right in front of him. I guess I should be used to that look by now.

And so, I continue on with my bargaining: "And like I said before.. You can look me up all you want. Do a background check, for all I care. I have nothing to hide from you. I just like you. A lot. I want to be your friend. You're someone who doesn't care about fitting in. Fitting in was all I was taught as the most important thing to do in this life.. next to breathing, of course. You're out of this world, Kenshin. I want to join you with the stars and we can do so many crazy things together. We'll have so much fun. I have the money, and you have the connections. Can you imagine the mayhem?"

At least sprinkling in some truth wouldn't hurt. I was actually serious when I said that I admire him for always sticking up for himself or for what he thinks is best for himself or his friends over whatever schmuck tries to tell him. I was always taught to just do as I am being told to do, no questions asked. If I do want to do something for myself, it was always on the down low.

He still isn't responding, so I take it upon myself to end this entire thing by lifting my hand up towards him for him to shake, "Truce?"

He gazes at my hand uneasily, still seemingly unsure of himself. There is another breadth of silence between us, and I start to feel my teeth enclosing my lower lip in anticipation. Please. Please say yes. Please. It took him several seconds, but he reluctantly lifts his own hand to take mines into it, shaking it once with a pump. I can hear him make a soft sound from his mouth, but then closes it before either one of us can react to it in time. Touching his hand is sending electrical sparks inside my arm, and I look at him, already feeling heat inside my head.

If I was braver, I would simply pull his arm to myself and let him hug me. Let him hold me. Touch me.

But I didn't.

Don't lose your cool, Soujiro. Not yet.

I slowly let go of his hand, wishing I could instead yank it towards me so that we can make out here in the middle of the bridge. There is no one around us, and we could have definitely gotten away with it. But all in due time. He looks up at me and I smile at him, as if reassuring him further. He looks into my eyes for a moment before nodding, "Truce."

I watch him as he promptly turns around to walk away from me, leaving me standing there all alone on that small bridge. I could barely let myself move a single muscle as I watch this beautiful boy walk away from me, his form shrinking smaller and smaller the farther he travels from me. My heart is beating so fast that I can only lay a hand over it to soothe it, my smile on my face almost hurting. Either I'm smiling too much, or it's too cold out here. Maybe it's both. I giggle to myself and start walking the other way back home, my heart now singing in joy.

He trusts me!

I burst out into more giggling as my back hits my mattress back at home. I was very careful and quiet when I snuck back in here, but I think I'm in the clear. I grab my phone from my back jean pocket and immediately start to text Kenshin, deciding that I want to hear from him one last time before I go to sleep.

Thank you. :) I promise you won't regret this.

I don't think he'll reply to me this time either, so I place my phone on the charger before undressing. Someone must've turned on the heater in this place, because it's way too hot for pajamas right now. I think I'll sleep in the nude tonight. I sit on the mattress and cover my body up with the blankets when I hear my phone vibrating on my night stand. I blink, grunting. No. It can't be. I look on towards the phone and I see a new text message. I retrieve it from the night stand and a startled gasp escapes my lips.

It is him!

you're on thin ice, soujiro. don't forget that.

I smile soundly, my heart soaring. He replied to me!

Absolutely. I completely understand. You have my word.

Fine. Goodnight.

Night. Will you join me again for study hall?

Sure.

:)

What are you smiling for? Smilies are for girls and faggots.

A startled sound escapes me and I blink rapidly at my phone screen. Ouch. Well, okay, then. That's a word I've definitely heard once or twice before in my life. And I know it's pretty derogatory. I know someone hurled that over my head when around the time I started going to school abroad in Germany, and I've never really recovered from that ever since. Especially since Okita also heard that while I was standing right in front of him. I'll never forget the look on his face when the perpetrator walked away, laughing his head off at our stupefied expressions towards each other.

So to hear that from Kenshin..

Well, no time to get offended or mad at him now. We're getting along and I can feel ourselves pulling toward each other closer thanks to tonight. So, I better not disappoint him. I text him back: Ouch! Which girl or faggot ruined your life enough to hate on happy faces?!

There we go. That should do it. I feel my stomach doing a little flip of nervous joy as he immediately texts back.

I don't know. I think it's my step dad. He likes drawing on happy faces on all my lunches when I was little.

Again with the step dad thing. Maybe I'm not the only one with the daddy issues after all. It could definitely be something I can use as leverage. Okay, maybe that sounded bad, but can you blame me for using whatever methods necessary? I really want this to work. I really want all of this to happen. Maybe he can tell me a little more about his private life and we can become closer.

Hiko. Does he hurt you?

lol?

Like, what does he do that make you so angry like this?

Thin. Ice.

I sigh, giving up for now. This guy. I chuckle under my breath while shaking my head. Always next time.

Alright, alright. I'll ease up on the smilies if you seriously show up for study hall today, k?

K

Night. For real. Tonight was.. interesting.

Indeed. night.

I now sight with content, smiling at my phone. Even though I already saw him tonight, I wish he could be here with me right now. We could snuggle up here in the bed and kiss each other happily. Among other things. I bite my lower lip as that pulse hits my lower groin all of a sudden. I guess maybe I could give myself a little bit of pleasure before I go to sleep. I think I deserve that after my hard work so far this week. I place my phone back on the night stand before lying all the way down on my mattress and reaching towards my little friend downstairs. Time for some fun.

...

"That was a good study, wasn't it?" I beam at him once the study hall period is over and the bell rings for our lunch next.

Kenshin could only shrug. I'm guessing mathematics is also the bane of his existence. I'm lucky that I have at least some grasp of it, thanks to all the nice tutors I've gotten my entire life at home. But I know Kenshin never got the same opportunities as I have, so I can't exactly push him to become the star pupil in just a few weeks. This is something that is going to take at least a good few months before his grade point average starts to really curve up, and have the teachers take notice of his new behaviors.

"Do you want to go to that sushi restaurant with me again, Kenshin?"

Of course, I know this is all temporary. I think once Kenshin is able to learn all the studying tips I have for him to keep up with the rest of his classmates, he and I might not have to do these daily trips to the library anymore to study together. But it's been fun, and so I can't complain.

"Nah. I think our friends miss us and want to see us for lunch. Do you mind?" His eyes averts the other way for some reason, not wanting to make eye contact with me.

And yet..

Maybe there's more I can do to make him dependent on me from today all the way to our graduation date. To the point where he can't help but want to see me every single day. But what can I do?

"Not at all. It's your group, after all."

I guess I still have to think about it.

We went to the cafeteria to eat lunch with his friends. We were having such a great time, even I brought up the fact that I still own my teddy bear from back when I was just a baby. I told them all about Colonel Snuffles and enjoyed the very sight of Kenshin trying to keep a secret smile to himself on the side while his friends and I are laughing loudly over the story. As we all continue to converse, I could not help but notice that Kenshin keeps his eyes downcast on his lap and seem to be preoccupied with his phone. I wonder who he's talking to, or what he's looking at. I can feel myself wanting to ask, but decide against it. I am opting to just keep my lips sealed so that I don't mess up what we have going on.

We're getting along, and that's what's most important.

Maybe I can ask him if he would like to study some more? I guess I could ask him over to my place, but I don't know if Father would be there or not after school. I'd rather not get caught. I want Kenshin to see my place when that man is gone and I have all the time in the world to relax with Kenshin in there. I guess we could go to a local library, but he might clown on me for it.

I know! I'll try Facebook! He'll have to say yes to that, right?

"Hey, Kenshin, I know you're probably busy after school, but I'm wondering if you want to study on Facebook with me to tackle those last few assignments. You're just about done, and then you'll be a free man this weekend. How about it?"

Will he say no to that?

Kenshin smiles demurely and mumbles, "Sure."

Which.. Oh god. I just want to hug him! He looks so cute! I inhale and hold my breath, trying my best not to squeal or make any strange sounds that will surely make the redhead disgusted with me.

Of course, I couldn't help but coo at him, "Oh, what was that? Is that a smile I see?"

Kenshin grimaces at me slightly before playfully punching me in the arm.

"Oww!" I laugh, rubbing my arm where he hit me.

"Don't get too comfortable with me, Seta. Remember. Thin, ice."

Okay, maybe I need to dial it back a bit.

"Thin ice. Got it." I shoot him a wink, which made him sigh with remarked aggravation, to which I giggle at his expense.

"Say, would you be interested in coming over to my mansion on Friday for a house party? I already invited your friends and they are ecstatic to come. We're desperately hoping that you'll say yes."

Father won't be home, on account of him apparently having "met" someone and is going to spend overnight at her place. Whoever she is, I don't really know, and I don't really care.

"Um.." He looks downward as we keep on walking together, "I don't know. I'll have to wait and see today to find out what Hiko will be up to."

I watch him carefully. I don't get it. What's with this guy? Most normal guys at his age wouldn't care what their dads are up on a Friday evening. Especially if it's to an awesome house party at some fancy mansion. Especially when the dad in question isn't even his biological father! Is there really something going on between him and his stepdad? And more importantly, why isn't he telling me the truth about that?

I feel like all this time of studying him and helping him and having a near intimate night with him on that small bridge was all for naught. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, I finally nod and reply, "Of course, I understand. No pressure. Text me later, okay?"

I did not wait for his reply before I pretty much rushed off without him. I really don't want him to see my face at how disappointed I am with him so far. I mean, for fuck's sakes, I spent a good chunk of my credit card on his fucking friends and his stupid groceries last night, and he's still keeping me at a distance? I am not in the mood to scream at him or have him yell at me, so I continued on my light jog to get to where I am supposed to go. I pretty much lost Kenshin behind me since he wasn't interested in catching up, so by the time I got to one particular hallway where I know will lead me to the gym, I stop to catch my breath around the corner.

I lean my forehead against a locker, gritting my teeth and shutting my eyes in pained frustration. This guy's going to kill me. I just know it. The dick better be worth all this trouble.

I finally manage to calm down after half a minute of deep breaths and continue on walking. I see, up ahead, a small group of strange looking fellows hanging around. Don't they have a class to go to? Maybe they're skipping. Well, that's responsible. I continue on walking and I see them taking notice of me coming up near them; especially this tall looking guy who is sporting long hair tied up in a ponytail. He smirks at me, but it's not a friendly looking smile at all. I can feel my lips turning dry for some reason, yet the instincts to make nice immediately kicks in and I smile at him politely.

Which.. wasn't exactly a good idea.

"The fuck you lookin' at, cocksucker?"

I flinch back, startled. I am standing with that group just behind me since I passed them, and I freeze where I stand. I did not just hear that. There's just.. no fucking way. Do I even know who these people are? I take a moment to carefully look at them from over my shoulder, and they start cackling at my shocked expression.

"We heard about you!" One of them starts to chuckle even louder now, "You're that new rich kid everybody's been talkin' about!"

"What's wrong? Got too boring living it big so you transferred over?" Another one jeers, making the other boys start laughing. The ceiling starts to spin from above my head and my face goes cold.

How did they..?

...

Maybe they call any other guy cocksucker for no reason? There's no way these people I've never met before know of my.. well.. inclinations. My face feels hot all of a sudden and my knees buckle, grabbing my pant leg out of nervousness.

"We're just teasing," The tall one starts to speak with a smooth tone, coming up to where I am standing to smirk down at me, "Although.. It is strange that someone like you is in this joint. One has to wonder what's going on. And we're going to find out."

Kenshin..

I..

I..

"I.." My voice sounds so thin and unsure that it only makes the guys start laughing again at my expense. They start to circle around me, sniggering at my stunned and frightened expression. I already feel so overpowered and let my head fall and wrap my arms around myself. I hope that them beating me up just this once will make them go away forever afterwards. I should be used to this. This isn't new for me. I have always, always been a target for other guys my age.

"Hey."

The voice is calm, but so confident and already on edge with annoyance with what they're witnessing. The group stops to turn around, to see who in the world dared to interrupt their fun. I peer through my bangs and come to find, much to my relief and joy, that it's none other than Kenshin Himura. He stands there with a brave look on his face, openly challenging the group with just his eyes alone. We are quiet for a moment before I hear the tall one chuckling ominously to himself.

"Well, well, well. Kenshin Himura. I haven't seen you in a while." The tall one smirks, "How's Hiko? Still a bumbling drunken fool with no employment to speak of? What a tragedy."

...

Oh. I see. So his stepdad is a drunk. I should have known. I gulp, sinking into myself further as I hear the taller one cackling harder at Kenshin as the latter stares him down.

"What's your fucking problem? What did Soujiro ever do to you?" I hear Kenshin confronting him, which angered the hooligans.

"Uh uh uh!" I hear the leader of this group tutting with his mouth, "Not so fast, you loose cannon. Before you and Soujiro here reunite, I would like to propose something to you that will be of interest."

No response. I let my eyes flutter close. Come on, Kenshin. Now is not the time to play your little silent treatments.

"Hmph," The leader scoffs, "Rude. But I don't expect much from trash like yourself, of course."

I can literally hear Kenshin smirking as he sasses back, "Look who's talking."

"Hey, you watch your fucking mouth, y'hear?!" The guy right next to me bellows out, which made me jump and take a step aside to get away from him. Of course, that only made the other weirdo step closer to me in order to keep me tightly in the center of the group to place me under hostage. I look through my bangs again at where Kenshin is standing, my heart racing against my chest.

Kenshin..

"You should curb your little lap dogs if you are going to use them, Shishio," I hear Kenshin sighing, "Their yapping are annoying me already."

This Shishio guy now chuckles at his opponent's snipping comments, "You sure talk a lot for someone who has nothing of worthwhile to give back to society. But then, why is it, that you want to protect little Soujiro here? Isn't he the son of that head corporate for the Seta Enterprise? One has to wonder why he is here, and why we should even trust him. Is it not something that is playing on your mind, Battousai?"

Ah. There's that word again. Trust.

Kenshin replies, "Of course. But that's my dealio and not yours to fuck with. I'll deal with Soujiro on my own. You and your little boys can go and rape other people all you want. Sooner or later, they will find out what you did to all those girls."

.. What?

I grunt with a startle, looking up at Kenshin as if not believing what he just said. I then carefully let my eyes scan the entire group where I am in the middle of now, my skin feeling cold at this realization. I don't feel so good. I think I'm going to throw up.

"What was your proposing idea?" Kenshin now asks Shishio, who takes a moment to hum to himself while rubbing his chin.

"Hm. We have been getting into some small time messes these days, but we figured that if we had someone strong like yourself in our group, we could take over this school as we see fit. Can you imagine, Battousai? Students cowering in fear as our shadows extend through the hallways, and we can obtain anything we desire without compromise. I could even get you a better girlfriend.. No doubt your break up with Tomoe two years ago still lingers on your mind."

Tomoe. His ex-girlfriend. I can feel a strange sort of sour feeling inside my chest as I grip my lower lip between teeth. For someone that I am only interested in having sex with and nothing else.. hearing Kenshin's past does seem to have hurt me just a little bit.

Maybe I'm just envious that he gets to have girlfriends and actually enjoy relationships with them, whereas I can't even get hard when I had to kiss one as a dare. Some people got it all, I swear. I guess maybe part of my attraction to Kenshin is that I want to defeat him or bring him down a notch.

I feel very competitive with him.

At the mention of his ex-girlfriend, Kenshin takes one warning step forward as he growls, "You watch your mouth.."

"Be very careful of your next move, Himura," Shishio seem to have said this as both a warning and as a command to get his group ready with the way they all seem to take on a fighting stance right now, "My boys here will rip you apart in no time. Think before you take another step."

The silence is deafening. Everyone's got their eyes on each other and appear ready to kill. I look at Kenshin as he does his own fighting stance from where he stands, and I realize that this couldn't be his first fist fight or his first time getting beaten up. Kenshin really is from a tough background, unlike me. He was probably taught how to defend himself by Sanosuke or by Aoshi when they were all younger, and now Kenshin is all grown up and can take down anyone if he wants to. I let my eyes swoop quickly once again at all of these ruffians; they look so menacing with the way they are now smirking at the young redhead, salivating at the thought of killing him right this second.

Kenshin.. Don't let them get to you..

Kenshin.. I can't stand to see you get hurt..

Kenshin..!

"Kenshin!" I nearly spring from where I stand towards Kenshin's direction, and at that hot second, everyone jumps into action. I freeze as I see violence erupt quickly in front of my eyes, hands and fists and blood flying everywhere. My eyes widen at this sickening scene, but more importantly.. my eyes are in awe at the finesse of Kenshin's fighting abilities as he successfully takes down each and every one of his opponents like it's nothing. As they all retreat to the ground and are now groaning in pain, Kenshin hacks and spits on the side while he watches Shishio. It all happened so quickly, but Shishio flashes a look towards me and lunges towards me. I shut my eyes with a gasp, but all I hear is Shishio crying out in pain as Kenshin got to him first. I carefully peer with one of my eyes to look at Shishio, who is now writhing and grabbing onto his bleeding head in pain.

Kenshin..

I look at Kenshin, who is now outstretching his hand towards me.

Kenshin..

I quickly leap towards him and grab onto his hand, letting him pull me roughly into his side so that I can hold onto his waist with both of my arms. I can hear him taking in shallow, ragged breaths, his skin glistening from perspiration. The smell of the soap he used this morning before coming to school. I can feel my head swimming in both sheer panic at what just happened, as well as how secretly mesmerized I am over his hot guy who can actually walk the walk when the situation calls for it. He really is a bad ass in every sense of the word.

Okay. It's official. I guess I do have a little crush on him. So sue me!

We both watch on in anticipation as Shishio sits up with a struggle, chuckling as if all of this is just a fucking joke. His head is bleeding profusely. I wonder what he's going to do about all of this mess. I guess maybe he'll have to dip and leave school grounds, lest he ends up having the teachers call the cops on him. Maybe his idiot friends will follow suit, too. God, is it really true what Kenshin said about them being rapists? Sickening! I gulp quietly to myself at that thought, my eyes wavering in fear.

"I should've known the power that rests inside of you, Battousai. You've beaten us fair and square, but you know I don't do fair. I'll get you for this." Shishio still has that sickening grin on his face, blood still seeping over his face. I grip Kenshin's waist tighter, afraid that Shishio will suddenly bolt up and try to get the both of us.

"M-master Shishio..!"

I blink as I see one of his comrades waking up from unconsciousness and tries to crawl over to Shishio. I hold my breath as Shishio simply punches his friend right into his face, making the latter fall limp to the ground once more. Shishio then takes his hand back to shake off the pain from doing that, his cold eyes staring at me dead on. Almost as if telling me that he'd love nothing more than to do the same to me, too. Oh my God. I softly whine into Kenshin's neck as he promptly rubs my shoulder to try and calm me down, and at that moment, I hide my blushing cheeks from the both of them.

I hear Shishio grimacing at us looking like this and sneers, "What are you, fucking each other? Don't make me vomit, Himura. You and I both know that you are into the ladies here. I'll let the lads here come up from their own slumbers, but you and I will have a score to settle. I'll make sure of it."

"Name the place and time, and I'll be there to fucking end you." Kenshin says with a threatening tone, though I don't dare to turn around to look at him or Shishio right now while my cheeks are still hot to the touch.

Shishio sniggers, "Huh! You're fun to play with. Let's see how long you'll stand on those two legs, though. Until then.."

I turn my head around just in time as he walks on with a limp, down the hallway and turning around on a corner to make his escape. What a pathetic asshole. I grunt in surprise as Kenshin grab onto my forearms and barks into my face, "What the fuck is the matter with you?! Do you say hello to every fucking person on Earth? Do you know who those people are?!"

"Yeah, scary!" I flinch at his yelling, but then cast my eyes downward in a more submissive fashion, "I'm.. I'm sorry, Kenshin. I didn't know who those people are. I smiled to that Shishio guy, but then.. but then.."

"Forget it. I don't want to hear it. Can you just," Kenshin pinches the bridge of his nose exasperatedly, "Can you just not talk or look at everyone you see? This isn't your prep school where everything is rainbow and butterflies. There are really dangerous people in this school. People that wouldn't mind seeing you bleed dry. Just stop talking to everyone you see. If you're curious about someone, just come ask me about them first, okay?"

I grunt, just looking at him outright. This guy.. really is amazing. I guess my little crush on him is well warranted. He's truly a softie once you get past his tough exterior. I have to wonder how many times he has protected those who are weaker than him, and how often he has gone out on a limb in order to keep his family and friends safe. I think the only way I could ever really protect someone is through financial means; Kenshin, on the other hand, knows how to get his hands dirty when the situation calls for it. I gape at him, absolutely mesmerized by this guy..

"Thank you. I knew I was right about you." I smile at him softly, prompting him to blush as he stares at me wide-eyed.

"What do you mean?"

I giggle at his cute blushing face, "I mean.. When I saw you for the very first time, I knew I could be safe with you. You're real. I know I said that already, but it's true. I don't have to fear anything or anyone when I'm with you. You're.. You are―"

Kenshin immediately grabs my wrists to get them off from his waist in a stupefied stupor, "―Just stop talking before this gets any gayer than it has to be. I saved you, you're thankful, I get it. Let's just go to gym class before the teacher hurls us both to hell."

.. What?

I open my mouth to stay something, but that guy zips away from me like a bat flying out of hell. I gaze at his back, completely stunned. What was that all about? All I did was thanked him and complimented him. I wasn't being.. gay. Or maybe I did looked gay? I blush, grunting. Oh. Oh no. He better not decide to put more space between us now that I've acted this way! I've worked too hard to get him to trust me!

"Wait up, Kenshin!" I call after him helplessly, rushing on after him despite his quickening pace to get away from me.

Later on during that same gym class, I am stretching inside the gymnasium along with Sanosuke and Yahiko. Kenshin is already doing his lap around the place along with a few other students, on account of him "not needing to stretch at all just to run around". I am left to tend to my own muscles all by myself. I huff, a bit peeved off by this situation. Seriously, what is with this guy?! He did something nice to me back there with Shishio and his gang; of course I am going to be nicer towards him. Naturally so! So then, why is he being such a distant ass towards me again?

I don't get it.

Why?

"The guy's just weird with affection," Sanosuke shrugs, standing up from his stretching session, "Can't even hug him without him bursting into flames."

Yahiko chuckles, "Yeah, he can't even accept hugs from the girls, either. I swear I get more action than him, but honestly.."

"Ch'yeah," Sanosuke sneers, "Like that would ever happen. Kenshin's been around the block and seen way more pussy more than any one of us at this point."

My chest thumps and I gulp, "Oh.."

"Hm?" Sanosuke peers down over me from where he stands, "What's the matter?"

"Don't tell me you're jealous of the guy," Yahiko sniggers, "I'm sure he can help you find a girl to get your freak on."

Ugh. Please. Stop talking!

I giggle awkwardly, "G-gosh, guys, that's really not needed. I'm doing just fine with the ladies around here."

"Oh yeah?" Sanosuke leers at me weirdly, "Got any phone numbers yet?"

"Just don't go after Tsubame!" Yahiko grumbles, "That girl belongs to me."

"I thought Misao's the one for you." Sano rolls his eyes.

"Yeah. But I bet she already got dicked down by Aoshi, so that's a no go." Yahiko sighs.

"Trust me," I put my hands up as I chuckle nervously, "As much as I like the girls here, I just haven't found anyone that I am interested in yet. Misao and Tsubame are completely off limits for me!"

"Well, alrighty, then," Sanosuke cracks his neck casually, "But if you ever do need help getting some hole to pole, I'm your man."

Ugh. Jesus Christ..

"So!" I clasp my hands together, wanting to change the subject, "Did you know that Kenshin saved me from Shishio and his friends before gym?"

"No shit?" Sanosuke blinks at me.

"You didn't get hurt, did you?" Yahiko looks on at me worriedly.

"No! They couldn't even place one finger on me because Kenshin beat the shit out of all of them!" I sigh, "He's amazing at fighting, that guy!"

"Yeah," Sanosuke grins, "Courtesy by Yours Truly."

"You taught him?" I smile at him in awe, "He's so good thanks to you!"

"Eh," He waves his hand to brush off my compliment coolly, "Most of his moves must've come from his own. He's very independent, that guy."

"He takes no order from anybody." Yahiko nods.

"I wanted to thank him for saving me today.. But.." I deflate, looking down at my lap forlornly, "He got weird when I was thanking him before we came here for gym. It was.. strange."

"Well," Sanosuke turns to look at Kenshin, who is still doing his laps around the gymnasium, "If you do wanna thank him, I'd say you should thank him again at your party this Friday night."

"That party is gonna be so cash!" Yahiko grips his fist in front of him happily.

"You think he'd like that?" I blink at Sanosuke.

He smirks, "Trust me. He gets embarrassed easily, but the guy's a sucker for sweet words. All you gotta do is get him somewhere in private and just lay it on him. He probably became chicken shit because you're both at school right now and he hates being caught by someone else at a moment like that, so it has to be a private event."

"Yeah, man," Yahiko gets up with a grunt, "Your house is huge, ain't it? Just find yourselves in a quiet corner somewhere and just thank the guy. He'll appreciate it."

I look at them, "Huh. I guess.. Maybe you two are right."

"He'll be your best friend by the time the weekend rolls in," Sanosuke looks back at Kenshin who is now laying his hands on his kneecaps, trying to catch his breath from all that running, "Then again.. He's my best friend. But you can come in second place."

"I thought I was your best friend, senpai." Yahiko pouts at him like a puppy dog.

"Shut up." Sanosuke punches him on the shoulder, making the shorter male laugh.

I snigger to myself quietly, watching the two joke around with each other. So I guess that's what I should do, then. I should have a private conversation with Kenshin during my party on Friday night, and then he'll have to let me come closer to him again. It's the perfect plan. He'll be impressed by my big house and all of my fancy toys that he'll get to see, too. I laugh as I watch Sano and Yahiko mess around each other before the gym teacher blows his whistle to tell us to knock it off. I secretly watch Kenshin as he looks over at all of us with a blank expression on his face from a distance, and I have to wonder..

What in the world is that guy thinking?

The school day ended and now I'm at the shopping mall with Kaoru-chan. I don't think Father is home right now, seeing as how he hasn't texted or called me to ask where I am. First we went to her favorite tea shop to get her some boxes before we stumbled upon a boutique store. I smile as Kaoru picks out a pretty outfit at the store we are both in right now; a nice brown floral printed dress. She keeps gushing over it, and I keep urging her to try it on so that I can buy it for her. She could not look more happy upon hearing that, and she nearly skipped her way to the nearby dressing room to do so. I wait nearby on a comfortable couch that rests near the entrance of the dressing room and look through my phone. I gotta get home soon after this so that I can study on Facebook with Kenshin. Thankfully, Kaoru's in love with the dress, so I brought it for her before promptly taking her back home.

"You sure you can't stick around, Soujiro?" Kaoru leans over the window of my car door with a pout. You know, even though I only like guys, Kaoru's actually not that bad looking at all. She should be having a boyfriend by now with a face like that.

I deflate comically, "Gosh, I wish! But I promised Kenshin to study with him online so that he can get caught up with his homework! I don't wanna see him fall behind, y'know?"

Her face softens up with a smile, "Soujiro.. Thank you. Really. For everything. I really don't know how I can thank you for this.."

I beam at her, "Please! You don't need to do anything at all except show up at my house party on Friday! That's all I want!"

She giggles, "Okay! Drive safely!"

I arrive back into my room and let my bag retreat to the floor with a sigh, feeling exhausted from today. Shopping with girls can be fun, but it's also tiresome for some reason. I think what happened today at school was pretty intense, and no doubt that maybe Kenshin is thinking the same right now. I wonder if he's even up for our online study session on Facebook after what happened with Shishio. I think I can let him off the hook just for today so that he can take a break. I log on to Facebook on my laptop anyway to chat with my new and old friends alike, catching up with everybody's lives like I always do.

I like people. I like them a lot. I almost can't live without them.

.. Well.. At least.. I like most of them..

I hear a ping sound from my laptop and I see that I've received a new direct message from Kenshin Himura. My heart leaps and I quickly open it. Maybe he's not so tired and can study with me after all. I read and re-read the message, feeling my shoulders tensing up and my lower lip being bitten in between my teeth anxiously.

He's asking about my mother.

Hey Soujiro. Hope you're well. I checked out your father's website. It's pretty neat. I'm just wondering, could I check your mother's eulogy page? I can't find her anywhere and I am curious about who she was to raise such a nice kid like yourself. :-)

Is that a smiley face he's using? Eugh. It isn't very becoming of him. I grimace at the screen, shaking my head. What is up with him? And why does he care so much about my mom, all of a sudden? I bite my lower lip harder as I start taping my finger against my desk, thinking on what I should do. I could lie to him. Or maybe stall him somehow. Truth be told, I don't know much about my mother. Thinking about her makes my heart feel heavy. I don't like being reminded of my own past so much as I would like to just forget about it. I'd rather focus on what's ahead of me instead of being anchored back to the past.

All it does is hurt me more than help me. It's like I don't really have a lot of happy memories to reminiscent like other people do. And maybe that's not fair. But it is what it is.

I type on my laptop to respond back to him: Hey Kenshin. I just wanted to say thank you for saving me today. Omg I was so scared, tf was that? Shishio's a creep! Ummmm my mom's name is a weird one, honestly. My dad never really told me her name. He said she changed it legally one time, so her real name is lost on me. When I asked him before what her new name was, he didn't seemed to wanna tell me about it, y'know? It's so fucking stupid lol but there you go.

There. That should do it. I should focus on my studies and my homework anyway. Right as I was about to exit out of that page, though.. he quickly writes back to me.

Aww come on, Souji. You can trust me, right? I really wanna know her name. Can you get it for me? Is your dad around? Can't you ask him?

Shit. Fuck. No, I can't get that for you! I can't let my dad know what's going on between us! He'll kick my ass if he knew I was trying to sneak around with another guy again. I would've had my life ended already thanks to what happened between me and Okita, so it's only natural that I'd be hesitant. I stare at the screen, chewing on my bottom lip. This can't be good. I can't let Kenshin know too much about me. I have to keep my distance. If he knew too much, he would expose me.

And I won't allow that.

I type back: I'd love to talk more about this but I'm a little busy right now. Is that okay, Kenshin?

Sent. My stomach starts to quiver as I see the "read" on the bottom of my direct messaging bubble. I look towards the red exit button to plan my escape, when the immediate pinging sound made me jump out of my skin for a moment. I blink rapidly at the new message.

Aw it's fine and all but remember that it was YOU who said you had nothing to hide. Just be sure you have your info the next time I see you. If you won't help me, I can't go to your party Friday night. Capiche?

Oh god, I feel nauseous. I grunt, looking at the screen as my vision blurs and focuses in intervals. I touch my waterlines to make sure that I'm not crying, and to my relief, I wasn't. At that, I grit my teeth with a nervous grunt. What is with this asshole's issue with me? Seriously. I do understand feeling the need to make sure that someone like me isn't trying to hurt him or his friends, but.. this all seems a little too much. I'm not asking for immediate trust already in our first week together, but he's treating me like I'm some kind of monster that needs to be shot with a tranquilizer before it does something bad.

And I'm not a monster.

I just..

I gasp with a startle as I hear another ringing tone from my laptop and look on with shock as Kenshin messages me once again: Hey, Soujiro. Please tell me that I'm not going crazy for no reason, ok? Because YOU said that you were willing to be open with me and now? You're just quiet for no reason and I know you're busy, or maybe that's a lie too, idk, but can you please answer me? YOU'RE NOT BEING FAIR RIGHT NOW.

I exhale, feeling my face growing hot. I continue to look at that screen as my embarrassment runs deeper inside of me. Am I embarrassed because of me, or him? This guy really is a loose cannon! Shishio was right. I shake my head slowly, at a loss for words. What an absolute fucking dickhead! With slightly shaking hands, I type the following message:

I think you need to chill. Srsly. I will tell you about my mom later. Bye.

Sent. I quickly exited out of that webpage before Himura has the chance to respond to me. And as the wallpaper looks back at me, I realize.. I might've been too harsh with him, and panic quickly sets in. Oh no. What have I done? Should I have been nicer? Should I have given at least a tiny bit of information about my mom to get him off my back? Well, of course not! I can't let him know every single little thing about me! Me relaying information about my dead mom was already too much! I deflate, looking at my lap with reluctance.

.. But maybe.. maybe he just.. cares about me?

...

I smirk and chuckle airily to myself. Nah. No. There's no way. Kenshin only cares about his friends and no one else. We just met. I couldn't possibly mean anything more to him than just some weird guy who keeps hanging off of him. Once we both get what we want from each other, we will slowly start fading away from each others' lives and move on. That's the way it is. That's the way it should be.

But still..

Now I have to wonder if he'll even come to my party Friday. Knowing what I know about him so far, that's probably a negative. I can't believe it. I deflate completely, sighing. Great. Now I have to continue with my charade by not canceling the party, because otherwise, it'll look suspicious to everyone else. I invited Kenshin's friends, but I've also invited people from our other classes, too. Everyone's looking forward to coming to my mansion to have the party. I look up at the ceilings above me in exasperation.

I don't care about seeing anyone at the party.

I just want to see him.

Kenshin..

I totally fucked up.

...

Suddenly, I erupt with a scoff. You know what? Screw him! He doesn't have to come to my party after all! I think I've done more than enough trying to help him this week. And if this is how he wants to pay me, so be it! At that thought, I feel my phone vibrating on my desk table and check to see who it was. My eyebrows jump up in curiosity. It's Kaoru again.

Hey Soujiro! xx Just wanted to thank you again for today. Mom and dad were so surprised to see the new dress and they totally loved the teas I got them! I'll bet the guys would love the tea also. Let's hang out again soon with Megumi and Misao, okay? :-D

I smirk. At least someone's appreciative of me. Unlike some people. God. I really need to stop thinking about him.

Omg haiiii Kaoru-chan! ^.^ I'm so glad that you love all the gifts today! I had so much fun shopping with you. I def wanna hang out with you and the other girls again soon. I'm glad your parents are happy to see the new dress also. They weren't too worried about the price, did they?

Oh no lol I mean they were a bit shocked but then I explained about making a new friend at school who's got lots of money, and at first they got really worried because they thought you were trying to, like... buy my love? And I said NOOOO Soujiro's just my friend, we don't like each other like that! And anyway, I like someone else, so it kinda goes without saying! :P

Oooh, who's your crush? ;)

Not tellingggg

Lol that's fine. But I'm glad they liked your dress. You looked super nice in it.

Thank you! I should get you a present!

To the guy who already has everything handed to him? That would be fun. :D

Well, Soujiro.. what do you want?

I look at my phone screen, my lips pressing against each other. The one thing I want more than anything is to get Kenshin to trust me. But how? How in the world could she help me with something like that? I'm already on thin ice with him.. Hell, with that argument we just had, I probably already fell right through it and now I'm in freezing waters. I take a few seconds to ponder over this, before I texted back.

To be honest, Kaoru-chan.. I'm worried about Kenshin. He and I just had a little fight on Facebook just now, and I'm scared that he's really mad at me right now.

mad at you!? why, what did you two talked about?

Well.. he asked about someone in my life. My mom. She passed away when I was a little boy.

Omg, Soujiro! I'm so sorry to hear!

It's okay. I'm more or less over it. But he seems to be very interested in learning more about her, and I didn't wanted to remember her, so.. I kinda snapped at him to just drop it and he is probably pissed off rn. He accused me of hiding secrets from him when it's just not that at all. I mean, wouldn't YOU want to keep some things in private to yourself if it's not anybody else's business? I just met you guys. I don't want to make you guys uncomfortable with things like that! I like you guys!

awwww we like you too! i'm going to have a talk with kenshin today. as a matter of fact, i am going to visit his house right now, just to see what he has to say.

Please don't be too mad at him, Kaoru. He's only looking out for you and the gang. He has good intentions.. he just, doesn't think I do, too.

Well, to me, this is just unacceptable. You're new here and you should be treated with respect. I am gonna go over there right now and have a chat with him, okay?

Just.. don't bring this conversation up. I don't want him to feel ambushed.

Oh don't worry! I'll be nice and calm with him. He always listens to me. We go way back! :D I'll talk to you later, Soujiro! xox

Bye Kaoru :3

I turn off the screen of my phone before placing it back on my desk. That went better than I expected. I sure hope this won't make Kenshin hate me more than he already has, though. I shut my eyes at that thought, sighing. Man. I don't know how I'm going to fix this. I open my eyes again at that phone again, the screen peacefully black and silent. I could.. call him.. or text him.. or send him a Facebook DM.. before Kaoru gets to him first. I reach over to my phone, and just as my fingers are able to touch my phone, my hand stills itself in suspension just above it. I grunt, feeling my eyes waver as I stare at that phone before slowly retreating my hand back.

.. No. I'll let Kaoru do damage control. It's too soon for him to hear from me. If he's going to be mad at anyone, it's better that she takes the heat instead of me. Selfish? Maybe. Better than getting more in trouble with him, though.

Ugh..

This means I'll have to avoid him for the rest of this week. I can't let things get any worse between each other if I keep pestering him. I've already pissed him off royally and then some ever since my first day here. I'll have to lay low for a while until he calms down completely before I make my next move. I lean back against my chair with a groan, rubbing my temples. This has to honestly be the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and my life has been nothing but trouble. I don't know how far I can keep up with this if it's already this bad during the first week!

Like I said once before.. the dick better be worth it for all this trouble.

The next day at school, Kenshin and I made a point to avoid each other. I even went the trouble of taking all of his friends out to eat without him, just so he can have time and space from me. I know maybe that was a dick move on my part, but a side of me still feels hurt and angry that he's still so shitty towards me. Especially when it comes to the matters of my mother. He had no right to corner me like that on social media of all places, especially since we still don't really know each other. I don't like talking about my mom in general; she is dead and she is never coming back. What's the use of talking about the past?

I'd rather just forget and play pretend.

And so, I kept my anger and bitterness inside for the rest of the day, and before I knew it.. it was Friday night. Father was gone as expected, and I let the help go home early. I made sure to prepare for everything for the party, and luckily since my father and I knew how to impress guests, all I had to do was hook up a sound system to play the loud music for tonight. I hooked it up to my laptop so I can connect my favorite party playlist, filled up snack bowls and alcoholic drinks, and I was good to go.

I went inside my bathroom and looked at myself. Just like every other day, I am dressed like the good boy that my father raised me to be. I smile at the reflection in the mirror before my smile fades away. Out of nowhere, I feel the urge to flip the reflection off with my middle finger. Not tonight. Tonight, I'm going as the real Soujiro Seta. After a shower, I purposefully mess up my hair for an effortlessly cool, bedhead look with some texture pomade and hairspray before going into my closet and grabbing an outfit that would surely give my father a heart attack: A tight red shirt with a band name on it, tight black jeans with rips and tears on them, a black studded belt, and some Chuck Taylor shoes. If I had some makeup, I would've looked exactly like some of my favorite punk rock artists that I listen to on the down low, but I don't. So, this will have to do for tonight.

The first to arrive were Sanosuke and Yahiko, surprisingly enough. They seemed very excited about tonight and had brought their own cases of beer. Sano brought some strobe lights to go with it, too. Where in the world did they get a hold of that? I guess they really are bad asses. I gulp to hide my discomfort but laughed it off when they asked me what's wrong. A night of some underage drinking shouldn't bother me too much. I'm here to have fun and to hell with my dad's rules. I want to let my hair down completely for once. I've earned this. I deserved this.

I deserve to have some fun!

Soon, more and more guests arrive as the evening hour spikes. It is quickly getting dark out and soon the house came to life with chatter, laughter, loud music, and people dancing foolishly. My classmates kept talking to me and I am having a great time. I still don't see a certain redhead anywhere, but I suppose I shouldn't let that bother me. Even though I'm sure Kaoru and the rest of the gang tried to talk to him, that guy's got a bigger ego than he lets on. He probably won't show up, and I need to accept that. Maybe I'll even score with another cutie tonight, if I am lucky to stumble upon a bi-curious guy waltzing around here. There's so many cute guys here tonight, and I'm having a blast chatting with them!

Pretty soon, a great song from Pretty Vicious comes on, and everybody starts to holler and really start throwing it down, lights flashing everywhere with the bass thumping against the walls. I think I've done a great job with this party by the look of things. I am in the midst of getting myself a drink, when I see my kitchen door swinging close. Oh, is there a new guest arriving? I better go say hi, then. I down my drink before heading in there when, as soon as I see a flash of red hair, I stop dead in my tracks. He has his back turned towards me and seems to be in deep thought. Judging by his clothes, there's no mistaking it.

It's him.

Kenshin.

He.. actually came.

"You're here." is all I hear coming from my lips, my hands forming into nervous fists by my sides. Kenshin flinches from where he stands before carefully turning around to look over his shoulder at me. His eyes widen a tad at who he's now facing, and he holds my gaze for a while. I hold his, the silence between us deafening. My heart is now racing. His eyes scan me from top to bottom, analyzing my outfit. This is not my usual go-to attire whenever I go to school, so he's probably wondering why I look so different. I feel my body stiffening as his eyes slowly scan upwards back on my face before holding my gaze again, turning his entire body around to face me.

"Yeah."

Despite how mad I am at him.. his voice is so sexy at night. I gulp, feeling myself getting aroused but I blink it away, "I've been meaning to talk to you today, but I wasn't sure on how to open up the dialogue."

I watch as Kenshin leans his chin all the way back and sighs exasperatedly at where this conversation is already swerving into, "Seriously, Soujiro, just drop it. Okay? I'm fucking sorry for what I said Thursday about your mother. You're right, okay? You deserve your privacy and I need to chill out. Maybe there are things I shouldn't meddle with even if I have the right to probe for my friends safety."

.. Is he fucking serious?!

"Safety?" I challenge him, already on edge. He looks surprisingly nervous now by the way he's looking at me.

"Yeah.. I mean.." He looks the other way to avoid my gaze, "I don't trust strangers. That should be obvious to you by now."

Oh hell no. Now he's finally gone and done it. I step forward while placing my hand on my chest as I growl at him, "I thought we've gone over that! I'm not a stranger to you anymore, Kenshin! I know we've only known each other for almost a week, but damn you, asshole! I helped you with your fucking homework, didn't I? I made your friends happier than they've ever been, haven't I? So then, what more do you want? What more do you need?!"

You're nothing but a thankless, selfish, pompous dickhead!

He looks shocked for a split second before he glowers at me. He leans away from the kitchen counter behind him before pointing his finger in my face, "Fuck you. I never asked for your help, or your money. You wanna be with my friends? Fine. Just don't talk to me anymore if it can be helped. Cause I sure as fuck don't need you in my life. I'm going out for a smoking break, so don't follow me."

...

You know what?

Fuck you.

I regret ever meeting you!

"Yeah, that's right!" I feel my face heating up while placing my hands on my hips while he brushes past me, bellowing as loud as I can, "Just fucking run away like you always do!"

The kitchen door swings in and out as I nearly sob to myself, clutching my hand over my lips to quiet myself down. Although nobody has heard that commotion with how loud the music is, I still feel the need to quiet myself down. I shut my eyes as I start to cry, feeling hopeless. There's just no fighting it. We're too different to ever get along. He's not going to like me and I sure as hell will never like him in return. I should just accept defeat and stop being such a sore loser about it. Kenshin will have to be the one guy I could never get with, and I have to accept that.

I wipe the tears off my face, still sobbing silently. I think I need a drink. I walk back out into the large living room where all the people are having fun, ignoring my now glassy eyes and reddened face. I look to the side at the snack table where there's more beer cans. I am just about to head on over there when the front door slams open and I turn around to see a few more unfamiliar faces coming in with a giant keg on their shoulders. I blink at them, frowning.

"Who are those guys?" I shake my head to myself, but Sanosuke steps right next to me while nodding his head.

"Yeah, hope you don't mind, Soujiro," He sniggers, "It's just some guys I know from a skate park. They're a little older than us and can legally drink, so I asked them to bring in some more booze."

"From a keg?!" I turn around to face him in sheer panic. He chuckles nervously.

"Come on, man, join us!" He snakes his arm around my shoulders to start walking us both towards where the keg is now being set up at another table nearby, "Just put your face under that little faucet and I'll turn it on for you."

I look at this keg, and decided: Fuck it. I'm going to do it. I nod with determination and I place my kneecaps on the carpeted floor, turning around so that my face is directly under the keg's tap faucet. Everyone gathers around and smiles down at me, cheering me on. I feel my face spreading out into a smile also, despite the tears still hot inside my eyes. Fuck it. Fuck everything. Fuck the rules, fuck the craziness of it all, fuck my father.

And more importantly.. fuck Kenshin!

"Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!" People start to chant as Sanosuke turns on the faucet and my tongue is met with the crisp sweet taste of the beer, chugging and making sure I don't choke on it. It lasted for at least a minute before I start waving my arms in front of me, and Sanosuke stops the tap on command. Everyone then starts to clap and cheer some more as Yahiko steps in to help me stand up, and I wobble slightly, the room spinning inside my head.

"Whoa, easy there, champ!" Sanosuke hollers with a chuckle.

"Yeah, take it easy before you hurl." Yahiko slaps my shoulder in a friendly manner, obviously having fun with this.

I turn towards someone who is holding a plastic cup of some type of alcoholic drink in his hand. Without thinking, I immediately reach for it, take it right out of his hand, and swing it up towards my lips, to the shock of everyone around me. The alcohol burns through my throat, but I shut my eyes to keep myself from freaking out over it. I down the entire thing down in that one swing, and I immediately realize that it is not beer at all. I think it's something else. Something stronger.

I look at Sanosuke, who's staring at me wide-eyed now, "I need some fresh air. Don't follow me."

He grunts, not knowing how to respond to that. But much like Kenshin's fashion, I promptly walk off as everyone whispers to each other, wondering what has taken over the party host tonight. Not that it should matter to me, honestly. I'm just a rich guy with a big house and lots of money. I highly doubt they would like me much at all if I was just some regular guy; people are just shallow like that. Maybe my looks will be enough to keep people's attention on me at first, but if they knew who I truly am or what my ultimate limitation really is..

They just wouldn't like me anymore.

It's always been like that.

So why should I be surprised that Kenshin saw that in me first and decided to reject me immediately?

I come outside, the air crisp against my skin. I gulp and groan, unsure if what I had done tonight was even a good idea. I mean, turning this mansion into a house party is already a mistake in of itself, but the drinking on top of it surely didn't help. And now, there's a guy out there who's mad at me because I won't take no for an answer. I have to ask myself if maybe I really am being a fucking creep at this point. Maybe Kenshin is right. Maybe he does deserve the right to take things slow between us. I thought the guy I had sex with in Russia who would not leave me alone was annoying too until he finally got to fuck me in the parking lot. So who am I to act offended just because Kenshin is probably trying to keep his distance from me?

He shouldn't have to be forced to get fucked by me until the timing feels right. He should feel comfortable with this entire idea and let it come naturally. At that thought, I hear something; something flickering in the distance. Like someone lighting up a cigarette. I freeze, a realization slowly dawning on me as to who I can guess it out there inside that labyrinth maze.

Kenshin.

He did said that he was going out on a smoking break. That has to be him. It can't be anyone else. I carefully start to walk towards the start of that labyrinth, the air around me cold as I wait for him to come out. As I wait for him, thoughts start flying inside my head. I know I said what I said about respecting his wishes. And I know that it's true that I should give him time and space to come to me when he's ready to confess that he's attracted to me. I know that. I know all of that.

But despite all of that..

Despite all of those completely rational thoughts..

I still feel it.

That burning feeling of rage inside my chest.

I want to hurt him.

I want to make him feel how I feel.

He had no right to take all of my help towards me and flinging it back into my face.

Who does he think he is?

It took at least a couple of minutes of sheer anticipated suspension, but as I see a familiar dark figure coming around a corner and into my line of vision.. I quickly walk up towards him and push him down to the grass with all of my might, my face no doubt flushed with anger with the desire to avenge myself. He had no right at all to point his finger in my face like that back in my kitchen. He had no right cussing me out or ignoring me or walking away from me whenever he feels like it. He had no right! No right at all! And I'm going to straighten this out between us once and for all!

To hell with it all!

The second his back hits the ground, I immediately leap onto him to sit on his stomach and grab him by the collar of his shirt. I pull his face close to mine, growling under my breath. At that, he immediately growls back, "Get the fuck off of me, you fucking creep!"

"Not until you apologize to me, you son of a bitch!" I glower in anger before pinning his arms against the ground to prevent him from hitting me or flee from me. He struggles and writhes underneath my grasp, obviously pissed off by the way everything is developing tonight.

I don't care, though. He deserves this, and more.

"To hell with that! I'm never going to say I'm sorry to someone like you!" He damn near screams at my face, which takes me a back by his passionate fit. Does he seriously hate me that much? I exhale, tears burning inside my eyes.

"All I ever wanted was to be your friend! Why can't you accept that? Why do you have to make everything so hard?!" I scream right back in his face, and now it's his turn to look taken back from my emotional outburst.

There is then a two second rebound where he is back to being menacing as usual before he yells at a much louder volume than me, "Get your Fatal Attraction ass off of me!"

Ugh, this idiot! I grit my teeth and shut my eyes before pushing my forehead against his own to pin him down even further, which only made him even more angrier as he continues to screech, "Get the fuck off of me or I will scream!"

With my eyes now flashing open to look at his own, I mutter, "Scream all you want, that music is going to drown everything. You're mine."

At that, everything freezes. He stops struggling and lies there very still, not daring to move a single muscle. I keep my forehead and my hands pinned against him, closing my eyes again to concentrate on making sure he doesn't try to move swiftly from underneath me. I guess when Kenshin's in shock, his bodily strength leaves him and he is vulnerable to any danger that tries to embark on him. He's a great fighter from what I've seen, but I guess I'm his biggest weakness. Maybe he's just afraid of hurting me with his own strength? I may be a total cardio bunny, but he's got some muscle tone on him that could render me defenseless against his violence. Never the less, as the seconds ticks by and I don't hear him say anything anymore.. I slowly begin to rise my head up away from his forehead, blinking down at him.

Did he just.. gave up already?

Well.. that was quick. I expected more fighting spirit from him.

I couldn't help but giggle silently to myself at the absurdity of it all before I ask him in a quiet tone, "Are you done?"

His only response is a death glare. I couldn't help but snicker harder at his expense. Kenshin does not look happy in the least bit. I open my mouth to say something, but decide to close it back up again, letting myself have the opportunity to just watch him instead. He continues to glare at me for a few moments before his entire face relaxes with a sigh, though it obviously doesn't sound like relief to me. More like annoyance at how everything came to be tonight. And to be honest, I feel the same way. I wish things ended up differently between us. Maybe I'm regretting how I went about things with him since the very first day. I shouldn't have tried so hard. I shouldn't have pushed him so much. I should have been more patient with him. More kind..

The air is sweet with the melody of insects singing in the distant. I'm honestly surprised to hear them at this time of the year, since the temperature is slowly dipping more and more each week. They should have traveled elsewhere to a warmer climate by now. But I guess even Mother Nature can be confused herself. So much in my life hangs by a thread that this world tries to balance, and when the world is just as chaotic, I don't feel at peace within myself. Might explain my craziness, now that I think about it. If only the world was different. If only people were kinder to those like myself. If only I could have been born at a time and place where my sexual orientation could be embraced as normal instead of a sign of moral decay.

I would give anything to be in that world..

I look at Kenshin's face, his eyes now taking a tone of confusion. Even I'm confused of me just sitting here, staring at him. We gaze at each other intently for a while. My heart suddenly picks up speed, and a pleasurable throb aches inside my nether regions as my eyes takes in the beauty that lies beneath me. His beautiful eyes. That gorgeous face. Those lips that are now calling to me..

...

I shouldn't..

I blink softly at his lips.

I couldn't..

I close my own eyes.

I wouldn't dare..!

But it was too late.

My lips connects with his and I let my passion run wild into the night. I kiss his upper lips before doing the same with his lower lip, dragging my tongue against it. His body freezes in shock at what is happening right now. He couldn't even muster a single sound as I continue to kiss his lips, a shiver running up my spine as I can feel myself already harden with arousal. Fucking hell, his mouth tastes so good. I am too weak to stay away from him, and I've decided, fuck it, I'll have my night of pleasure with him. I start to french kiss him by slipping my tongue inside his mouth, moaning softly with pleasure.

I love this. So much.

When I thought things would get hot and heavy, though, Kenshin uses all of his strength to sit all the way back up, the speed of it all knocking me down straight on my back. He glowers and spits out, "What the fuck was that?! Are you a homo or something?!"

Gosh, I haven't heard that one in a while.

I sit up completely and let my eyes swoop down to catch, just in time, the sight of his obvious boner inside his pants. Kenshin could tell that I noticed with the way his face starts to burn up with a seething blush, struggling to stand up. I am way too fast, unfortunately; with just a quick motion of actions performed by me, I have his kneecaps stuck on the ground as I have one arm around his waist and the other trying to open his belt and jean zipper. He is bumbling like mad before crying out my name to stop doing this, smacking the sides of my head with his hands and even pulling on my hair. Weirdly enough, it doesn't hurt that badly on account of him trying to reel back his actual strength against me, just like he did before.

Is he really that afraid of hurting me? I couldn't help but smile at that thought.

Maybe he likes me back, after all. Maybe he has a little crush on me, too. How often do you wish to go around hitting your crush?

Unless you're an actual psycho, of course.

I finally manage to pull his jeans and boxers down, his boner nearly bouncing out and hitting me in the face, and I gaze at it in wonder and in lust.

It's so big..

I feel myself salivate as I smile sickeningly at it, rousing Kenshin to blush even deeper than before. Before Kenshin could react properly in time, I lean in and swirl my tongue around the head of his cock, groaning at the back of my throat at how good it tastes. His mouth is so delicious, and now this? His cum probably tastes like sugar at this point. Kenshin groans in pleasure as well but tries to bite it down by gnawing on his fist instead, looking down at me with horror as I start to lick and suck on his cock. I look up in a horny daze at him as I smile at him, licking underneath his cock meanwhile with much vigor. His eyes flicker back in pleasure for a split second, his body flinching at the sensations I'm giving him with my hungry mouth and tongue.

He loves this. I can feel it. I know it. I continue to pleasure him orally, and he soon stops pulling at my hair to run his fingers through it instead, which earns my body another shiver of pleasure from that. God, I bet the sex would drive me fucking insane once I can get his cock inside of me! I moan as I continue to deep throat him, enjoying the way he keeps sighing and groaning meanwhile. He tilts his head back and continues to rub his fingers against my scalp, and I swear I can feel pre-cum oozing out from my own cock.

"Soujiro.."

His voice sounds so soft and sweet when he said that. I don't know if he meant to say my name like this while I'm sucking on his cock, but I'm so glad he did. I'm so happy. I'm so happy, I swear I could die. This is all too much. More tears sprang inside my eyes as I stop sucking on his cock to lean in and lick his abs and torso, his body flinching once more as I whisper wantonly, "Kenshin.."

We look at each other, tears sliding down my face. He grunts, frowning in confusion over my reaction right now. I don't know what's come over me. I guess I'm just happy and relieved that it finally happened. I suppose I am a lot more impatient than I realize. I mean.. I waited an entire year of this, so I think my reaction is normal. I've been dying to have him like this since the very first time I saw his pictures online. I guess I am just that addicted to guys. I gulp at that thought, not liking where it's heading..

Does this mean that I'll never be able to like girls?

Does this mean that I am incurable?

And does this mean that Father will never love me?

I close my eyes, deciding to think about these things some other time. Right now, I have to make this guy cum. I am dying for his taste. I want to know what his seed tastes like. I go down on him some more and I shiver each and every time I hear him whimper or sigh or moan in pleasure, until soon he couldn't take it anymore and finally orgasms inside my mouth. I drink it all happily, enraptured by how amazing it tastes to me. I slide his cock out of my lips and swallowing the last of his cum, I erupt into a tiny hiccup as it slides down my throat messily. I wipe the remainder of it from my chin and Kenshin looks on at me, waiting for me to say something. Anything.

I look at him for a moment, studying him. He looks back at me, waiting. I smile at him sadly, "You said I should be completely transparent, right?"

His eyes widen and he nods at me to continue. I smile at him, just watching him as his face grows more confused and anxious at what I'll say next. He looks so cute no matter what face he pulls. Finally, I look down at my lap for a moment before training my eyes back at his face again.

How do you get what you want?

It's easy.

Lie.

"I love you, Kenshin."

He gapes at me in deep shock now, not knowing what to say. Did he hear me? I guess he did. He just can't believe it. Well, whether or not he believes me right now, it doesn't matter. It's out there now and I can't take it back. All that matters is that I finally started something new between us. I forced things to go faster and farther tonight. Now he won't be able to look at me anymore without remembering this night and how good it felt. He'll be wondering and daydreaming about this night and won't help but want more. I sit back and wipe my chin again as more saliva and cum sneaks it's way out from the side of my lips and I laugh.

"H'oh, man! You came a lot, didn't you?"

Kenshin snaps out of his staring at me and hurriedly pulls his pants up before standing up completely, his face flushed so much it matches his beautiful hair now, "W-why did you.. did you..?!"

"Aw, come on, Kenshin!" I laugh harder at his face, "It's all in good fun, right? You enjoyed it, and so did I. For all the shit I've been given you, surely this would be a nice compensation, right?"

"What the fuck does that―" He shakes his head at me incredulously over my ludicrous behavior, "No! This isn't right! You can't just.. You can't just force yourself on someone like this! It's just.. I won't.."

He stops talking as I look at him now with worry. He's not going to press charges against me, will he? As fun as all of this was tonight, the last thing I need is to get in legal trouble with the police. Father will surely be extremely angry at me if it ever comes down to that. I don't think Kenshin's the type to do that, though. Maybe he'll get his revenge some other way. I bite my lower lip and cross my arms in front of me, trying to think of what other possibilities is possible when it comes to this loose cannon. I sure hope I did not started a horrible chain of reactions from tonight.

Is it too late to say that maybe I'm starting to regret doing this?

"Soujiro.. Do you really.." Kenshin mumbles as his eyes flickers downward in a surprisingly meek fashion now, "Do you really love me?"

I look at him in silence.

No.

No, I don't love you.

Of course I don't.

I just want to use you.

"Well?!" He gripes at me, and I smile at him.

"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"

"You don't," He thrusts out his hands out at me before they both point back towards himself, "know me!"

"I do, in fact, know you," I roll my eyes at him and I smile at him in a sardonic tone now, "It has been almost a week, but you opened up to me better than you have on the first day of meeting me. Your friends have already accepted as part of their clubhouse. And, well, there's really not much you can do about that without looking like a psycho to them. Right? Kaoru told me during class about your little freak out with her and Sano. How embarrassing."

He is struck by my callousness right now. Even I'm a little surprised by my cruel words right now. What's gotten into me? I guess it doesn't matter. I smirk at him and he starts to seethe from where he stands. Shaking his head at the ridiculousness of what's transpired tonight, he tries to walk around me to get away from me like he always does, but I stop him by taking his shoulders into my hands. He smacks my arms with his own with a fierceness, his face twisted into a hateful and disgusted scowl at me. I don't react, and he looks genuinely surprised by that for a moment. I don't care. I don't care if he thinks I'm weird or gross anymore. I got what I wanted from him, and he knows it.

Plus.. I can destroy his reputation with this dirty little secret we have together now.

He wouldn't want that to happen.. would he?

Exactly.

He tries to push me off of him but I simply grab the sides of his face with my hands and pull him towards me to kiss him. He yelps helplessly into my mouth, grabbing my forearms to try to shove me off of him again. But my kissing him seem to have weakened him considerably once again, and he lets me do what I needed to do with him. Maybe a part of him enjoys kissing me, or maybe he's still afraid of how much he'll hurt me if he lets himself go full strength against me. I'm flattered that he cares so much in so little time. I break away from the kiss, looking into his eyes. He looks so red again, and I smile secretly to myself at the power I have over him now.

I whisper against his lips, "I just love you, Kenshin. Okay?"

I give him one last peck on the lips tonight before I walk away from him, without once turning around to see what I've done to him. It doesn't matter anyway. I won. My face is spread into a self important grin as I walk through the sea of people who are still drinking and partying like mad, and I venture my way up the stairs to ignore all the people making out with each other. I'm not the only one who got lucky. I head into my bedroom after unlocking it with my key and locking it back once I'm in. I need a moment of privacy at a time like this.

I pant as I take off my pants and boxers, my own boner springing up proudly and throbbing with heat. Sucking Kenshin off was the hottest thing that's happened to me this year. I need to relieve myself now. I let myself fall on the mattress right on my back, staring at my canopy that drapes over my bed as I start to stroke myself, faster and harder as I breathe heavily to myself. I wish I could do more with Kenshin. I wish we could have gone further. But I couldn't risk getting violently assaulted if I tried to force him to fuck me, so this will have to do for now. I let my eyes close with a flutter as I can feel my orgasm nearing dangerously close, daydreaming about how amazing Kenshin will feel as he slides that delectable cock inside my hole. How good he'll sound groaning while he plunges himself into me over and over again. How hot his cum will feel inside my desperate body..

Fuck!

I cry out with my body flinching intensely as I cum hotly all over my stomach, some of it even going up as far as on my throat. I gasp and groan helplessly as the orgasm ripples through my sweaty body, my cock twitching in my hand as it keeps shooting off the remaining semen from the intensity of it all. I try to catch my breath, my eyes opening up again to stare up at the ceiling.

Fuck..

I exhale, smiling.

I think I'll get even more drunk tonight as a toast for celebration.

...

The next morning, I got up bright and early to welcome in my cleaning crew. I'm surprisingly not as hungover as I thought I would be. Guess that's the perk of being so young. They knew of my plans last night and just dutifully tidied up the place before I paid them all for a job well done. They left and half an hour later, Father arrives home. The place is as spotless as always, and he is none the wiser. We chatted about some inane subjects and once he retreats into his bedroom to shower, I head back into my own bedroom to also shower and start the day. I whistle happily as I wash my hair and enjoying the hot water caressing my skin. I feel so proud of myself, honestly. Yes, I had to be incredibly callous and manipulative to get what I wanted, but I did it and I had lots of fun.

I wonder if Kenshin did what I did last night also. I wonder if he touched himself to the memories of me swallowing his cock. I made sure to practice until I was perfect. He must of been blown away by my techniques from last night. If I ever find out he did touched himself to me, I'll have to do whatever I can to touch him down there today. Or maybe suck him off once again. I want to give him more pleasure. I want to drive him insane with desire. I want him to look at me with nothing but lust and desperation in his eyes after this weekend is over. I want him to keep touching himself to the thought of me, just like I keep touching myself to the thoughts of him.

The more I please him, the more I will destroy him. Bit by miserable bit.

And I love knowing that.

I won't stop until he's on his knees, begging for absolution.

I wonder what the gang is up to today. I already want to see Kenshin again. Maybe I can steal another kiss from him before the weekend is over. Or maybe something more. I have breakfast with Father and he then announces that he has to go visit some friends to show him a nearby country club, and I told him to have fun. After he leaves and I am home all alone again, I whip out my phone to text Sanosuke.

I'm bored as fuck. Let's go to the zoo today. I'm paying.

Sent.

I get on with my usual grooming before dressing up in a white polo shirt underneath a navy blue cardigan, relaxed fit jeans and my favorite boat shoes. A spritz of my favorite cologne that no doubt has driven Kenshin crazy by now, and I'm ready to go. I check my phone and see that Sanosuke responded back enthusiastically and will head down to a bus stop near his house, and I call for a limo service. After the driver drops me off nearby, I walk for a few minutes until I see the gang up ahead, still waiting for the metro bus to arrive. I smile and wave to them, everyone perking up at my timely arrival.

Everyone except, of course, Kenshin Himura.

He looks at me with a new remarked shyness in his demeanor, and looks away from my eyes. I am in front of everyone as we share pleasant greetings with one another, one by one, until my eyes land on Kenshin. He looks at me with subtle nervousness in his eyes, as if begging me silently to not, under any circumstances, so much as even hint to the guys as to what we were up to last night. I smile at him, but this time, it's not a friendly one. It's a smile that warns him to behave, or else. He evades my eyes once more, appearing more submissive before me than ever before.

I love having the upper hand this time.

Let's see what I can get away with today.

---

(To be continued.)