Chapter Five
The nip of mid-November air bit through Rei's black leggings as she stepped off the bus near her father's office. She wore a black knee-length skirt, a white blouse, and a red jacket with enough weight to block some of the chill but still dressy enough for a business meeting. The fact that Father called her, wanting to meet, already roused her suspicions. If he dragged me out this way just to remind me of the offer on the table, I'll scream.
Rei walked to the office building, greeted by security, "May I help you, Miss…"
"Hino, Rei Hino," she bowed politely, "I'm here to see assemblyman Hino."
"Elevators are around the corner – fifth floor, suite 575," the guard handed her a visitor pass.
Rei clipped the pass to her jacket collar and took the prescribed path. As she reached the elevator, she paused, wondering what the hell she was doing here. You're looking for answers, answers you can't get otherwise. She called the elevator, waited for the door to open, and she then boarded for the short ride up. The doors opened, and she was standing before the door to her father's campaign office.
Rei entered, and was greeted by Dad's secretary, "Good afternoon, Rei," the woman greeted with a smile too big for her face.
"Good afternoon," she bowed in response, "I'm here to see my father."
She gestured down a short corridor. "Last door on the left."
Rei walked the distance, knocking on the door as politely as possible. The door opened, and she stepped inside. Father sat behind a solid wood desk. While the view from his corner office was not as impressive as that of a higher floor, it was impressive nonetheless. "Hello, Rei," he didn't rise from desk.
"Hello, father," she bowed, stealing a quick look at the other man in the room. He was average height and build with short, black hair. Despite the nonchalant appearance, there was an air of menace about the other man.
"Please," Father gestured to the chair in front of his desk, "have a seat."
Rei reluctantly took a seat, noticing the other man was remaining between her and the door. "To what do I owe this honor, father?" Ten to one he wants me to sell the shrine again.
"You look tired, Rei," he said without affect.
"Niiname-no-Matsuri is next week," she replied, expecting the annual ritual to go over her father's head. "After that, it will be time to get ready for the New Year's celebration. This is busy season for us."
"Rei, your grandfather's devotion to the temple was admirable, as is yours," Father paused, measuring her, "You are a young woman with a still potentially bright future…"
"I have one, as a priestess," she cut him off, much to his annoyance.
"Rei, do you really think this is the life your grandfather wanted for you? Do you think your mother would –"
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Rei became heated at the mention of Mom. "You!" she heaved, "You gave up the right to tell me anything about mom when you abandoned her and me so you could sit here and be a big, important politician!"
"Show some respect, young lady!" Father stood, pounding his hands on the desk.
"I will not!" Rei stood, shouting. "You keep acting like you're doing me a favor, but you're just trying to line your own pockets!"
"How dare you!"
"I dare!" Rei retorted, slamming a hand on the desk, "You used Grandfather's death, hoping I'd throw in the towel and sell the shrine cheap! Let me guess," she raised a pointed index finger the way she would as Sailor Mars, about to burn him, "you needed it cheap! What did you do, promise to sell it low-ball in exchange for some campaign contribution?!" Rei straightened herself, "Well, too damn bad! It isn't going to happen now or ever!"
Rei didn't wait for a reply as she turned and stormed out of the office, past the suit standing at the door. Rei fought tears the whole time she walked from the building, enroute to the train station. She was about to let go when she realized she was being followed. Dammit, really?
She turned her head just enough to see the suit from the office following her. He now wore dark mirror sunglasses, and she also noticed he was wearing leather gloves. Rei increased her pace, her dress shoes hardly fit for speed walking. Rei rounded a corner away from the man. When she stole a look back, he was half the distance he had been.
Rei frantically reviewed in her head the local area, trying to remember if there was a police station nearby. Her eyes scanned looking for any patrol officers and found none. While her feet struggled, her heart thundered like a runaway train. He was only a few meters back now.
Salvation came with a neon sign that said: The Kunoichi's Secret. The front windows had mannequins in undergarments that would have made Grandfather blush. Now's your chance, go! Rei cut through the crowd and into the door before the man could grab her. As hoped, stepping into a lingerie boutique was something a would-be kidnapper would not want to be seen doing.
"Welcome to the Kunoichi's Secret," a store associate bowed in greeting with a smile too wide for her face. "What can we help you find today?"
Oh crap! Rei had only rarely gone shopping for lingerie with Makoto – at a traditional department store. This place, on the other hand, was nothing but lacy little things that ranged from the relatively practical to fantasy items meant for salacious evenings. Racks of bras, panties, sleepwear, and other exotic beauties dotted the store. The décor was made to look traditional, if nothing else, giving guests the illusion of having stepped back in time. "I uh…."
"Are you shopping for yourself or someone else?"
"Both!" Rei blurted out in a panic, trying to think of a convenient story. "My boyfriend and I… it's going to be our first holiday season as a couple… I was looking for something to surprise him with!" Rei prayed her lies weren't plain as day on her face. Is it really a lie? You've shared a bed every night for almost 2 months. You've gone out together. Is this really such a jump?
"I see," the associate stated, "does he have anything he likes particular?"
"Umm…" Rei could tell her cheeks were turning increasingly dark red, "… he likes rock n' roll, he likes… the Sailor Guardians!" I am such an idiot!
The saleswoman's eyes lit up, "I think I might have something that fits the bill," she gestured for Rei to follow. They walked past rows of lacy panties, several mannequins with garter belts, and other festive items Rei couldn't recognize. "Ah, here we are, our newest addition," the saleswoman smiled.
Rei stood frozen in shock. The racks contained fantasy garments stylized to look like the Sailor Guardian uniforms she and the others wore. Rei stared at the skimpy set of panties with a red frill to mimic the skirt of her uniform. The corresponding bra had a red bow, a sailor's collar, and a red heart pendant with the Mars symbol on it. Oh my.
"Given your darker color hair," the woman continued, "I'd suggest Sailor Mars for you." Oh, if you only knew! The transformations made it difficult for people to recognize them, even if they had photos held up side by side.
"I'll take it!" Rei said enthusiastic. She looked back toward the door, looking for her would be stalker, not seeing him. "I will also need to shop around here a bit."
"Of course, I'll put a set aside for you up front," saleswoman confirmed sizes and took the garment up front.
As the saleswoman walked away, Rei eyed a few festive things for the holidays. She pulled out her phone and prepared to dial Yuichiro, but she remembered he was the only trained priest at the shrine today, although a few students were helping out. Rei instead dialed Makoto. "Hello?"
"Makoto, I hate to be a pain, but I need a favor."
"What's up?"
"Some guy followed me from my Dad's office. I ducked into a lingerie boutique, but I'm worried he'll follow me again the second I leave. I know it's a pain…"
"Send me the address and I'll be there!" Makoto insisted.
Rei did so and resumed shopping. By the time Makoto arrived Rei had checked out after gathering a few more items. "Rei, are you hiding some guy in your back pocket?" Makoto asked as she eyed the boutique's collection that ranged from the cute to the completely erotic.
"Oh, you know," Rei shrugged it off, "just a little retail therapy. Besides, I shouldn't kiss and tell!"
"Rei, if you're shopping here," Makoto inspected a lacy thong on display, "I don't think kissing is the extent of it!" She giggled.
"You should see the Sailor Scouts collection in back," Rei winked, "Now, let's get the hell out of here."
They exited into the chilly late afternoon autumn air. "So, what's this douche-lord look like?" Makoto asked as she eyed the crowed.
"Tall, dark, humorless," Rei scanned and failed to see him, "Wears a sharp suit and sunglasses… and leather gloves."
Makoto curled her brow at the last statement. "Rei, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?"
"Father was trying to get me to sign over the shrine to him so that he could sell it well below market value to some property developer."
"Why would he want to sell it cheap?"
"My guess," Rei shrugged as they walked through the crowed, "he was hoping to score a big campaign contribution by brokering the deal."
"You said tall, dark, and ugly with a cheap suit and sunglasses, right?
Rei's heart jumped at the question, "Yeah…"
"He's following us again," Makoto stretched her neck as they continued to walk, "Would you like this clean, or would you prefer to send a message?"
"Makoto, this isn't a game!" Rei chided.
"No it isn't," Makoto took them around a corner, "you see that ink on his neck?"
"What?!"
"He's Yakuza, Venom Scorpion," Makoto grabbed Rei by the arm.
"Venom Scorpion!" Rei's bladder bounced. The gang had shown up in Japan a few years ago. By all accounts, they hand their hands in drugs, prostitution, and money laundering. What in the hell has my father gotten us into!
"He's still on us," Makoto said as they crossed the street, "Here's the plan, we duck into the alley, I put him in a chokehold, and you beat the shit out of him until he pisses blood."
"Makoto!" while Rei was capable at Karate and Makoto was just as good at Jiujitsu, the thought of violence was still abhorrent.
"Now, Rei! And call him a perv as you do it!" they rounded the corner into the alleyway between buildings, "Anyone asks, he tried grabbing your ass!"
She has a plan for anything! Rei ducked behind a dumpster, ready to strike. Makoto, meanwhile, stood in the middle of the alley, stretching her neck. From her vantage point, Rei could see the man approaching, "Where is the girl you were with?"
"I don't like your tone, punk," Makoto replied defiant, grinning like a crocodile.
"Bitch!" the man slapped Makoto with a backhand across the face, "Where the hell is Ms. Hino!"
Makoto held the side of her cheek, audibly sobbing. Rei almost stepped in until she realized it was an act – crocodile tears turned into sinister laughter. The man wound up to hit her again; this time, Makoto seized the man's arm, locked his elbow, and threw him face-first into the alley wall. "PERVERT!" she screamed.
As Makoto pulled the man off the wall into an arm-lock, Rei emerged from her hiding spot, channeling fiery rage she'd kept for her father for a long time, "You goddamn," ramming a fist into the man's guts, "ass-grabbing," she hit him in the guts again, "PERVERT!" she screamed as she landed a third blow to the man's face, shattering his sunglasses and sending them to the alley floor.
The man's head recoiled and blood was dripping from a cut above his eyebrow. Rei spied a tattoo of a scorpion on the man's neck – he was yakuza for sure. Makoto let his arm go and he dropped the ground on both knees. He made a quick skittering and ran for his life through the alley.
The two just stood and watched the mouth of the alley for several seconds. "I have to admit," Rei heaved, "that felt good!" Both of them started laughing.
"Come on, let's book in case he decides to call the cops on us," Makoto took her by the arm and they ran down the opposite end of the alleyway. They got lost in a crowd, gradually making their way to the bus stop, all the while watching for more suits in pursuit. No one followed.
Even after boarding the bus and riding back to the temple, Rei was still on edge, eyeing each and every person that got on and off the bus until they reached the shrine. No other men she could recognize boarded, and none of the passengers sported ink on their necks.
Arriving at the temple took some of the fear out of Rei. "All right," Makoto said, eying her smartphone, "my ride should be here any minute."
"You got an Uber?"
"Reserved a cab," Makoto shrugged, "Call me old-fashioned."
"I see," Rei nodded, "You sure you don't want to wait in the temple?"
The bright image of headlights and the yellow top lights of a taxi came into view as Rei asked. "Nah, this one is mine!" She got into the cab, "Call me tomorrow!" Makoto called as the cab pulled away.
Rei remained out in the cold, holding an unexpected bag of skimpy lingerie. What are you doing, girl? Do you really think there is a future with this? She stared down at the bag. Yuichiro no doubt would salivate if he saw her wearing anything contained within. Of course, he tended to salivate over her regardless of what she was or wasn't wearing. Is it really fair to him to hold back?
Rei began walking toward the temple quarters, the sound of her shoes reverberating in the now cold night air. She did love Yuichiro, but even almost two months after their little arrangement started, she couldn't bring herself to say it. Despite going to places they'd never been before, it still wasn't easy even fantasizing about what could be their future. Did Mom and Dad start like this? Am I setting myself up to repeat history.
She entered the living quarters, careful to lock the door behind her as she kicked off her shoes. As she walked toward the kitchen, she could hear Yuichiro talking with someone. Rei instantly slowed her pace, stretching her hearing out. "Rachel, if I thought there was any other way I would!" he sounded exasperated. Rei tiptoed closer to the kitchen, seeing Yuichiro pacing the floor, oblivious to her presence. "Rachel, if it's a matter of money, I can see about talking to my father; he's hired your dad before," he continued, "Just promise me… promise me you'll talk to your father and/or Jimmy."
Rei could hear a muffled response. "All right," he continued, "good talking to you, too. Bye." He ended the call.
Rei chose the moment to reveal herself, "Who was that?" Dear god, is he seeing someone else!
"Yuichiro Kumada!" Rachel Moore still sounded spirited as ever as she said his name, "How have you been?"
"Complicated," Yuichiro chuckled, "That's my best term for it."
"What have you been up to? Last I heard you were at some shrine in Minato City."
He paced the kitchen of the shrine living quarters as he spoke, "Actually, I'm training to be a Shinto priest."
"A priest?" Rachel sounded genuinely surprised.
"How is Jimmy?" he changed the subject.
"He's… good," he noted her cagey response.
"And your dad? He asked.
"Somehow, he still hasn't managed to get himself killed with all the cases he takes on."
"Rachel, about that…"
"About what?"
"I need help… the kind of help your father or Jimmy usually gives."
"Yuichiro, what have you gotten yourself into now?" Rachel scolded.
"It's complicated…"
"More complicated than Chiyo?" Just the name of his deceased ex-girlfriend twisted a knife in his chest. Even years later, just her name spoken could punch him in the guts.
"Yeah, a lot worse, in fact," he mulled their situation. There had been several instances of minor vandalism of the wall outside the shrine and a few instances of suits following them the last few weeks. With the winter holidays approaching, Yuichiro worried about escalation.
"That was pretty complicated."
"I remember," he sighed. Given Chiyo's sudden death and the argument he had had with her in the preceding hour, the police had been investigating Yuichiro as a murder suspect. Thankfully, Jimmy had cleared his name, pointing out the lack of evidence to the police.
"Care to enlighten me?"
"Rachel… I think the shrine I work as is being targeted by the Yakuza."
A long pause followed, "Yakuza? Are you safe?!"
"At the moment, they just seem to be harassing us."
"Us?" Rachel accented, "You are with someone?"
"Something like that, it's complicated; I'm pretty sure she's their target."
"Yuichiro, you should involve the police."
"Rachel, we got nothing to go on, and this might involve some powerful people," he explained.
"Powerful people?" she balked, "What the heck is going on exactly?!"
He began pacing. "Rachel, if I thought there was any other way I would!"
"I can't make any guarantees with something this big. Dad and Jimmy are kind of laying low right now."
"Rachel, if it's a matter of money, I can see about talking to my father; he's hired your dad before," he continued, "Just promise me… promise me you'll talk to your father and/or Jimmy."
"All right, I'll talk to them," Rachel replied. "I've got to go, I'll be in touch," she hesitated, "It was good talking to you."
"All right, good talking to you, too. Bye." He ended the call, noticing Rei standing just outside the kitchen. She was still dressed in her traditional black and red, looking like a business woman coming from a meeting. The bag under her arm, on the other hand, hinted something more frivolous.
Unfortunately, the look on her face was anything but frivolous. Her mouth hung down and her cheeks stained red, "Who was that?"
Ah crap, she thinks I'm playing around! "Rei," he raised his hands, preparing to be slaughtered, "Rachel is just an old friend."
"How old is this friendship?" she was unmoved.
"Back to high school, her and her boyfriend, Jimmy Kudo, and I were all classmates for a while," he raised his hands in protest.
"Jimmy Kudo…" Rei paused, her face changing from irate to puzzled, "Where do I know that name?"
"You ever hear of the teen detective?" he asked.
"Wait, you mean, the Jimmy Kudo?!" Rei's eyes widened so far that Yuichiro was worried they might roll out of their sockets.
"That's right, and Rachel's father, Richard, runs a detective agency," he explained, "My dad's company has done business with both of them before."
"Why the sudden desire to involve them?"
"Rei," he braced, "Your father called earlier."
"When?" her stare turned icy.
"About an hour ago," he said, "He warned me if I had any good sense that I'd use it to convince you to take the offer."
"Well, that's just swell," she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I'm sensing the meeting didn't go well?"
"No, it didn't," she shook her head, her long black locks bouncing as she did so. "You were right, by the way."
"How?"
"About father being involved with the Yakuza."
"How do you know?" he closed the distance so that only a few centimeters separated them.
"One of the men at the meeting," she said, "He followed me afterwards. Makoto and I had him follow us into an alley. There was a scuffle…"
"I'm assuming you came out on the winning side?"
"We whipped his ass," she said with an enthusiasm Yuichiro hadn't seen in Rei for some time. However, her look became somber soon after, "He had a scorpion tattoo on his neck. I checked; it is the same type worn by the Venom Scorpions."
Yuichiro let out a long, low whistle. "They're bad news."
"Do you think Jimmy and your friend's father can crack this?"
"They've done more with less," he shrugged, "Rei…"
"Yes?"
"Rei, if we do this, it means airing some very dirty laundry. People might go to jail. I don't want to pressure you into accepting their help…"
"Yui…" she put a hand on his lips, "… I accept my father is an asshole and probably a criminal who is associating with even worse criminals. There isn't going to be a stupid, happy moment when he comes to his senses and tries making this all up to me!"
"Rei," he took her hand, "I just want to be sure we're both on the same page, and it sounds like we are. But just realize you could end up ending your father's career, possibly sending him to prison."
Rei slowly took back her hand and massaged her eyes, "Dammit, I know… I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I'm all caught up in this; hell, my brain instantly went to you seeing someone else when you were talking to your friend Rachel!"
"Rei, it happens," he turned his palms up. "I should have told you about Rachel and Jimmy before calling them."
"You think we actually will need their services?"
He nodded, "Yeah, I do. If we're being followed and threatened by Yakuza, things are likely to escalate."
"You think I should involve the others?" Rei asked.
"The Sailor Guardians?" She nodded to his question. "I don't know. I mean, this could get pretty dangerous."
"Yuichiro, might I remind you; I've faced down world-ending threats before."
"Your right," he raised a hand in surrender, "I totally forgot."
"All the same, I appreciate the concern," she sighed, letting her shoulders sag.
"Hey, Rei…"
"Yes?"
"You feel like going out to unwind a bit?"
"Out?"
"The Crown Game Center, like the old days."
"Yui," she tilted her head, scrutinizing him, "are you asking me on a date to an arcade?"
"I mean," he raised his hands as if trying to ward off attack, "call it what you want." Smooth, way to sound like an idiot!
To his surprise, Rei didn't bite his head off. "All right," she nodded, "but you do realize this is starting to push the limit of friends with benefits, right?"
He nodded, "Just because our friendship has benefits attached, doesn't mean we have to stop doing things as friends, either."
"This is true," she giggled for the first time in recent memory. "All right, a date at the arcade it its! Let me change into street clothes."
A date… I'm going on a date… with Rei… I'M GOING ON A DATE WITH REI!
An hour later, Rei and Yuichiro were standing side by side, light guns trained on their targets, and blasting though waves of baddies on an arcade shooter. Rei smirked, watching her high score handily topping Yuichiro's. "How did you get this good?" he gasped, trying to keep up.
"I keep seeing my father's face," she giggled, not stopping her rate of fire. Rei couldn't remember the last time she'd played the game, maybe back in high school with Usagi.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side!" he laughed, still shooting semi-crooked.
"Excuse me," one of the arcade workers said as he approached.
"What's up, we're not over time, are we?" Rei asked.
"No, but the manager would like a word when you have a moment."
"Manager?" Rei and Yuichiro turned to see their old friend, Motoki Furuhata waving from behind the front counter.
"You want to take a break?" she asked.
"Sure," Yuichiro nodded. They set their light guns down and walked to the front.
"Hey, you two!" Motoki greeted with a smile, "I didn't know you were a couple!"
"We're not," Rei protested, feeling like a right jerk for saying so, "I mean, we're only here as friends."
"Just two friends hanging out for some much-needed gaming," Yuichiro added.
Just two friends that have been sleeping together and having sex night after night for the past two months. Emotion swirled Rei as Yuichiro spoke. She was happy with the arrangement they'd made thus far – it was safe. As she glanced at Yuichiro from the corner of her eye, part of her became dissatisfied. She wanted more. She wanted what Usagi had with Mamoru.
"Gotcha!" Motoki either didn't catch what was going on or quietly ignored it. "Though, I need your help."
"Help?" Rei and Yuichiro said in unison.
"A mutual friend needs help getting ideas for the coming holidays," Motoki checked his watch, "and he'll likely be online soon. Follow me!"
They hurried back into the office where Motoki had his laptop on the desk with a video chat up. A beeping noise indicated an upcoming message. Motoki tapped a button and a familiar face filled the screen, "Rei, Yuichiro! This is a surprise!" Mamoru hadn't changed in the few years since she'd seen him last. He was still boyishly handsome and still had the smile that cause Usagi and other women to melt. But not me. While attractive, Rei felt nothing more for him than she might have felt for a brother if she'd had one.
"Mamoru, long time!" Yuichiro greeted, "To what do we owe the honor?"
"I need ideas," he said.
"For?" Rei asked.
"I'm going to be coming home this holiday break," he said.
"Home… as in Tokyo?" Rei asked.
"Yup!" he beamed. "I'm trying to get ideas for something romantic to do with meatball-head," he laughed.
"You still call her that?" Yuichiro shook his head.
"It's become a term of endearment," Motoki explained.
"Where you going to be staying?" Rei asked.
"With Motoki; my apartment is still sublet through the end of med school."
"I mean, winter can be a tricky time to find fun stuff here in Tokyo," Rei said.
"How do you two like skiing?" Yuichiro asked?
"Skiing?" Mamoru replied, "Well enough. Usagi can be a bit of a klutz, but even she enjoys it!" he laughed.
"What you got in mind?" Motoki asked.
"Do you remember that resort in Hokkaido where my parents have that ski lodge?"
"Yeah," Mamoru said with a curious tilt of his head.
"I can talk to the manager about arranging a deal on one of the cabins, I'm sure." Yuichiro pulled out his phone and started texting.
"Isn't that high occupancy season?" Mamoru asked.
"We always have something in reserve," Yuichiro winked in a way Rei had not seen before. "You never know when my dad needs to curry favor with someone." His phone dinged in reply. "When are you coming out?" Mamoru provided the date, the week of Christmas. Yuichiro did some texting, for several moments and spoke, "I'm emailing you the details now. The cost is pretty nominal."
There was a pause on the other end as Mamoru clicked several times, "Whoa, for real?!"
"Well, what good is it to be able to pull favors if not for friends," Yuichiro shrugged. "The other email is the reservation manager, she'll get you completed!"
"Yuichiro, I- I can't…"
"Consider it a holiday gift," he winked, exchanging smirks with Motoki.
"Thank you! Just… thank you!"
"Just what did you gift him?"
"A killer deal on a ski cabin in Hokkaido," Yuichiro answered.
Rei felt a flush of jealousy, but did her best to quell it. It's a gift for friends, not him waving it in your face! All the same, part of Rei wished she was going to some ski cabin this holiday. The fresh air would do wonders for her stress level.
"Rei, you all right?" Motoki asked.
She hadn't realized that she'd spaced out, "Fine, sorry!" she raised her hands in front of her, "Sorry, just got a lot on my mind with the winter holidays coming up!"
"You are going too hard core, Rei," Mamoru chuckled, "Perhaps you could use a vacation!"
As Mamoru spoke, there was a mild flush in Yuichiro's cheeks. "You, okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," he yawned, "just tired, myself." Rei had trouble distinguishing if the yawn was real or fake. Rei checked her watch – it would be 2100 by the time they got home if they left now.
"It probably is time for us to call a night," Rei said, toes tapping in her shoes. Rei's heart was racing as her conflicted mind wandered places she'd dare not go. They said their good byes and made the trek to the bus stop back to the temple.
As they got back to the temple, Rei could see graffiti scrawled on the front gate again, "Oh no," she sighed.
"Rotten punks," Yuichiro groaned. "You want me to call the police?"
"We'll file a report first thing in the morning," she sighed. The night had been full of promise, and now, it was as if everything had been doused in cold water. They reentered the shrine living quarters in silence, except for the thundering of Rei's heart.
"Rei, did I say something wrong earlier?" Yuichiro asked.
"No, what makes you think that" she asked, genuinely confused.
"You just seemed closed off since we talked to Mamoru…"
"I'm sorry," she rubbed her eyes. "I swear I had a good time. It's just between the vandalism and other stuff, I'm a bit overwhelmed."
"What other stuff?" he asked. "Something you need to get off your chest?"
Rei's heart assaulted her ribcage. There was a lot she needed to get off her chest, including the form-fitting bra she was wearing – from one of the sets she purchased earlier. "I…" she paused, eyeing his handsome features. I can't go on like this! "How about," her heart climbed her throat, "we talk about that," she gave a faint nod, hoping this wasn't going to ruin things. "I'll be a few minutes," she walked past him into her room, closing the door behind her.
She stood before her bedroom mirror. Rei reached down, unsnapped the button of her jeans and dragged down the zipper of her fly. The material of her jeans separated, revealing the sleek black material with matching black lace hugging her womanhood. This is stupid! Is it? You've chosen to have sex with him many times; is there some prohibition on looking sexy for him?
Rei let her jeans fall to her ankles. She turned, eyeing the body-hugging garment as it accented the curve of her hips and butt. She posed slightly in the mirror as she stepped out of her jeans. He'd want to see this. Hell, you want him to see it! Rei gripped the red sweater and the t-shirt she wore under it. No, not complete. She pulled her shirt and sweater overhead. Her pale skin reflected in the mirror with the thin black outline cradling her breasts – giving them a full and elevated appearance. No, too forward, make him work for it.
Rei picked up the red sweater and separated it from her t-shirt. She scurried to get back over her head and arms, and checked herself in the mirror again. Enough skin, but not so much that this becomes a quickie! Rei blushed as she pulled back the covers on her bed and turned on the bed warmer. The cold of the room nipped at her skin, but she also didn't want to heat things up too soon.
She sprawled out on her stomach, one knee bent. My god, am I really doing this? There was a knock at the door, "Come in!" she called out. The door slid aside, and Yuichiro froze statue-still except for his eyes. He scanned her from her legs, to her butt, and up to her eyes. "Be honest, is this a good look for me?" she asked, "Or is it too much?"
"It," his mouth dropped, "it's perfect! In every way!" His jaw returned from the floor, and he cracked a massive grin. He half-tilted his head, "Rei, I don't seem to remember you having such an ensemble."
"A little something I picked up while dodging the Yakuza," she said, letting her bent leg come down. "This isn't pushing the rules of friends with benefits, is it?" she asked with a tinge of nerves. If all goes well, we won't just be friends with benefits.
"I don't seem to remember any prohibition," he closed the door behind him, turning off the light as he walked towards her, "on being sexy for one another," he winked, eye twinkling in the milky moonlight coming through the window. "I consider it the ultimate benefit of the situation," he slunk onto the bed on his side facing her.
"Good, I'd hate to ruin a good thing," she winked. "So, you going to stare all night, or are you planning on seducing me?"
"Stare for a bit," he moved closer, looking down at her exposed legs, "then seduce!" He placed a hand on her thigh and began stroking back and forth, light, teasing at first. Rei shivered and goosebumps crawled along her skin. Moisture was starting to form in her core. His hand moved in longer, firmer strokes along her hamstrings. His fingers wandered up from her tight to her buttocks. Fingers gently traced along bare skin, then pushing lace and elastic up, and eventually sneaking under the garment.
One finger traced just a bit too close to her centerline, "Yui! Leave my ass-crack alone!" Rei shook at the too-intimate contact. Definitely not doing backdoor play!
"Shit, sorry!" he withdrew the hand.
"It's fine," she rolled onto her side closer toward him. Rei took his hand and placed it over where he'd been on her butt, "just, stay out of there!" she giggled. His naughty hand began working her rump back and forth again.
"You're so beautiful!" he said breathless.
"There is more to see," she teased as she pulled at his t-shirt. "Don't forget to explore!" His shirt came up and off first. The next thing she knew, their lips were pressed together and tongues were wrestling. Rei went from cold to hot all over.
"Rei," he moaned her name as he stroked up from her butt, up the small of her back. He traced her spine in search of her bra clasps under the sweater.
"Yuichiro," she moaned in return to his mouth. By now she was wet and ready to go, but they weren't done just yet. Her hands slithered down his chest, down his stomach, clawing at his belt, and finally sneaking under material until her hand encased his dick.
"AHHH!" he arched his head back and his manhood became steel. Rei toyed with him back and forth. "You… are so…so NAUGHTY!" he heaved with a breathless grin.
"Admit it," she smirked in return, "you enjoy me like this!" She stroked back and forth on his length
"I enjoy you all the time," he groaned, throwing his head back again. "If the Sacred Flame had shown you doing this a few months ago, I wouldn't have believed it!" His free hand worked on her bra clasps.
The mention of the Sacred Flame rewound Rei's memories back to a few weeks before Grandfather's death, seeing herself in the flames, screaming in what she thought was agony. Now, she couldn't be sure if it had been agony or her screaming in ecstasy. "I think we've played around enough," she withdrew her hand and began undoing his button and fly. As she worked, the clasps on her bra released, and the tension holding her chest relaxed.
Yuichiro dragged the red sweater up, and Rei wriggled free as it slipped overhead and up her arms. He took the straps off of her arm, exposing her. As the bra came off, her hands began tugging down his jeans and boxers. He pulled back, pulling off the last of his clothing. As he returned, he kissed up along her thighs, up along her stomach, and then back down to just above the waistband of her panties. "It's too bad," he sucked and licked along her waistline, "that we have to take these off you." His hands snuck back up her buttocks, hooking his thumbs under and around the lacey material, and dragging it off her in a slow, savored movement.
"Why is that?!" she chuckled and shivered as panties came off and his lips continued to scan along her waistline.
"Because they look so damn sexy on you," he kissed lower, approaching her pubic mound. Is he about to do what I think he is! "Of course, you can be damn sexy regardless of what you are or aren't wearing." Rei's legs pressed apart. She felt her folds being spread and the silky sensation of his tongue crossing within them.
"Oh god! Yui—" Rei screamed as she drove her head back on the pillow and her fingers clawed at the sheets. He ran through her folds again, eliciting another short screech.
"Just relax…" his warm breath against her womanhood made goosebumps erupt throughout her skin. He traced his tongue through her folds, tracing around her clitoris, "…and enjoy!"
"Wha-what are you doing?!" Her hips bucked up and down, and she felt the pressure of hands under her butt holding her to him. Oh gods!
"I take it you've never gotten head before," he laughed, "I am told it's quite the experience." He pressed his face to her, lips sucking, tongue lapping. Rei couldn't do anything but squirm, moan, bounce, and occasionally scream as he went down on her. The pleasure became overwhelming, and Rei began unconsciously fondling her breasts as the excitement built. Her head thrashed side to side as orgasm drew near.
The wave hit like a spring snapping under tension, and Rei let out a high, staccato scream. The pleasure between her legs pulsed, and Rei let out an even longer scream. "AHHHH!"
He gave one last swipe, making her undulate with an aftershock, before he pulled back. "So, did you have fun tonight?" he grinned, wiping his mouth with his forearm.
"Y-yes!" Rei continued to lay splayed out and staring frozen up at the ceiling as her brain tried to comprehend what her body had just experienced. The room's chill began to combine with the cold goosebumps crawling up and down her skin. Yuichiro just stared, smiling as she lay completely exposed. Even a few weeks ago, she might have found it creepy. Now, she wanted him to see her like this. "Take a picture, it will last longer!" she teased.
"I'd like that," he brought a finger to his chin, "but I'm not a big fan of taking nude photos. They could never do you justice!" He chuckled as he admired her, "Goddamn, you are so fine!"
"Thanks!" Rei blushed at the compliment. "Although…"
"Yes?"
"I thought we were going to have sex," Rei raised an eyebrow.
"We still might," he winked, "but let me clean my mouth out really quick!" He exited the room, completely bare ass naked. She heard water running and the brushing of teeth. After a minute or two, he returned, wearing his smile and nothing else. "Tell you what, roll onto your stomach."
Rei eyed him skeptical, but did as commanded when she saw what looked like a bottle of lotion in his hand. Rei felt the cold fluid on her back, chased by the heat of his warm hands. "What's this about?"
"You never have been massaged by a man?" he asked.
"In point of fact, I haven't," she said. His fingers were amazing, working the tight bands of muscle on her back like clay.
He straddled over back of her, the warm of his body a pleasant contrast to the cold of the room. "Is this okay?" he asked.
"Perfect!" she moaned as he moved up and down her spine. "Yuichiro, I need to be serious for a moment."
"You need to be serious as we're both naked and I'm massaging you?"
"Yeah," she blushed in embarrassment.
"You want me to stop?"
"No," she protested, "continue, but I need to ask something."
"Ask away," he said as he continued his massage.
"What changes," she paused to moan as he came up by her shoulders. "What changes if we decide we're not just friends with benefits?" He's making me wet again!
"You mean in a relationship?" he asked. She nodded in reply. "Well, there is the risk that we will become emotionally attached."
"What do you mean?" she asked, turning her head to see him over her shoulder.
"I mean, if we end things, it would be an actual break up, not just two friends indulging. It means real feelings could get hurt."
A fair risk. "I see," she said, "what else?"
"Well, we'd also have to acknowledge each other as boyfriend and girlfriend."
It doesn't sound so bad! "Does it change us hanging out a lot?"
"Absolutely not," he replied, "if anything, it might increase our time together."
"Does it mean still getting backrubs from you?" she asked.
"Of course!" he paused, "Although…"
"Although, what?" she asked as she rested her head on the pillow.
"Well, the sex would become lovemaking," he added.
"There is a difference?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"You betcha," he continued to massage up to the back of her neck.
"How is that?" She asked.
"Sex," he worked a stubborn knot in her shoulders, "is merely the act of sticking part A in to part B. That one is all about your own enjoyment!"
"And lovemaking?"
"That," he slowed his tempo but pressed deeper, "requires an emotional connection. Lovemaking is about making your partner feel good."
"Do you love me, Yuichiro?" she asked. Her heart began building in tempo as she asked.
"I—yes!" Yuichiro blurted out, not considering the implication of the answer.
Rei smirked as he paused nervously. In the past, she might have shut him down just for saying it. However, knowing someone in this world loved her, cared about her, was the most incredible thing she could think of. "All right, I'm glad that part is out of the way!" she grabbed his leg and rolled the two of them until he was on his back and she was over top of him.
"Rei, what are you doing!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.
"Do you accept me as your girlfriend?" she asked as she climbed up. Visual inspection confirmed he was ready.
"Yes," he replied.
"Good, then I accept you as my boyfriend," she climbed over him, straddling his hips. "To seal the deal," she snatched his penis and positioned him, "let's make love!" Rei drove herself downward, swallowing the length of him in one fluid motion.
"Rei!" Yuichiro moaned and thrashed his head side to side as she rode him. The feeling of him bare inside her warmed her as pleasure built. "Rei, what about protection!" he yelped as she continued without a care.
"I'm on the pill," she said. Whatever little concern Rei had about birth control failing gave way to desire.
"Rei, if something happens!" he exclaimed.
"Then we'll deal with it," she assured him, "but I don't think it will." She looked down, admiring him. "Just for once, be reckless with me!" Rei leaned back, closing her eyes, and biting her lower lip as she moved up and down.
"Rei, Rei," he moaned her name as his head began shaking side to side. His hands began tracing her thighs, her ass, her stomach, up to her breasts, and back down. His touch bounced back and forth between wispy caresses to firm massaging.
"Yui…" she heaved breathless, countless sensations began overwhelming Rei. As Yuichiro's pressure built within, Rei reached down to touch herself. "Ah…ahh….AHHH!" She moaned his name on repeat as her channel tightened around his twitching cock.
Yuichiro squeezed her ass firmly and let out a deep groan as he came inside her. Rei continued to move up and down and touch herself, her own pleasure surge arriving moments later. She spasmed with him, both letting out screams, and then there was quiet. Rei floated as ecstasy swirled around her. She let herself fall forward onto his body. As she landed, Yuichiro softened and slid from her. "Damn!" she huffed in a whisper.
"Damn," he said with a breathless laugh. "So, still glad you declared us to be a couple?"
"Yes," she heaved, catching her breath as he put his arms around her.
His fingers ran through her long, silken hair. "Good," he held her tight.
"Yuichiro, we do have to talk about that," she spoke, grim reality overcoming passionate afterglow.
"Second thoughts?"
"No, but we should probably not be open about our relationship," she cautioned, "If father or his Yakuza dogs were to find out, they might start targeting us as a means to an end."
"They probably already know, but I understand your concern as well," he said. "If anyone asks, I won't tell them that we are lovers."
"Y-Yuichiro…" Rei whimpered.
"Yes?" he eyed her with concern.
Don't do it! Don't do it! "Say you love me," she whispered to his lips.
"I love you," he whispered back without hesitation. The words were everything she'd wanted to hear for most of her life.
"I love you, too," Rei replied before losing herself in the warmth of his kiss.
Author's notes: hello everyone, and thank you for reading. I hope this chapter keeps you warm if you're reading at time of publication. The next chapter will overlap with Love is Snowblind. I'll probably release sometime in mid to late February. Thanks for reading again! Stay healthy, stay safe, and I'll see you next chapter.