Akito froze for a moment, his thoughts coming to a screeching halt. His heart was once again beating wildly in his chest, and his feet twitched to burst through the gate and into the safety of his house. But despite it all, he schooled his features into a calm but slightly angry expression and turned around.

“Yoshida,” he said, and as soon as the words left his lips, his body took on the relaxed posture of someone utterly unafraid. His face filled with the easy confidence he was known for.

Rein narrowed his eyes, “Based on our very personal interactions of late, you could call me Rein, don’t you think?” he smirked, “Himura Akito, was it?”

“Where are your men?” Akito asked him, looking him over in a purposefully invasive way, “Didn’t bring them along?”

“No,” Rein was unfazed by the scrutiny, “I want you all to myself.” he said, stepping closer. Then he dipped pale fingers into Akito’s lapel to pick a twig from it, smiling at the slight hitch in his breath, “Unless of course, you’re into that sort of thing.”

Akito clenched his jaw against the twinge in his gut. The words set off a series of sordid images in his head, completely against his will. At a time like this? What the hell was wrong with him?

“Keep your perversions to yourself, Yoshida-Kun,” he snapped, pushing Rein forcefully away. 

“Oh, touchy touchy,” Rein sniggered, all too aware of Akito’s discomfort.

This was the first time Akito had seen Rein up close. The angle of his cheekbones, the hint of danger in his voice, his captivating eyes and the threat of violence in the lines of his body… it all overwhelmed Akito’s senses. Akito was finding it hard to concentrate on what Rein was saying.

“Well…” A self-satisfied smile pulled at Rein’s full lips, “It looks like I have caught your interest, Himura Senpai,” he said. “But you really have been seeing things you aren’t supposed to, no?”

“I’m not interested in you or your personal life. You can beat up all the people you want.”

“I have faith in your judgment,” Rein waved his hands dismissively, “you clearly have excellent taste. Nice cologne, and in just the right amount.” He peered behind Akito, at his house, “By the way, how many of you in your family? Brothers, sisters, anyone you would want to keep safe?”

“What…?” Akito stiffened, heart hammering in his chest.

“Good, you understand.” Rein smiled.

Anger rushed through Akito’s body, at the heart of it was fear. What the hell was he doing? This guy was dangerous. He clenched his fist as a fierce wave of protectiveness overcame him, and launched at Rein. Rein parried his punch easily, but Akito managed to grab him by the collar and smashing him into the compound wall. 

“Threaten me all you want,” he seethed, “leave my family out of it. I don’t care if you’re Yakuza or not, I will kill you.”

Rein was quiet for a while, expression indecipherable. Then he burst out laughing. It rolled through Akito—cruel and sharp. 

“Scary!”

Akito unhanded him like he was radioactive. And turned to go home.

“See you at school, Himura Senpai.”

The gate clicked shut and Akito walked inside with that line snagged under his skin.