Akito hadn’t expected Rein to barge in like that, it was his father’s funeral. But there he was, in Kimiko’s living room with a Joker wannabe lingering by the door. Well, there was nothing to be done, so he just smiled.

When Rein smiled back, reserved and more or less unaffected, there was a twisting in Akito’s chest that felt an awful lot like guilt. He wouldn’t let it show, not even a modicum, because Rein would catch it instantly.

“Are you alright?” Rein asked Suzuna and she nodded. Affection softened his eyes. The girl hugged him again, and he held her cautiously, like he was afraid she was going to push him away. Why was he being so transparent? He wasn’t usually this easy to read.

“So…” Suzuna said then, taking his bandaged hand and turning it over, “The Oyabun’s let you in again?”

“Mmm…” Rein’s face became absolutely blank for a few seconds, like a marble mask, then he smiled blindingly bright, “I will be sure not to let her down!”

Kimiko huffed beside Akito. Face flushed and fists clenched, she was angry. And like all her other feelings, it was so plainly apparent on her face that it bordered on obscene. 

She had been on edge ever since Suzuna had appeared. Always looking for a way to ask him questions about Rein but refraining because she did not know if their relationship allowed for things like that yet. She wanted Akito to find out if he had any professional involvement with the Yakuza or not. It was obvious by the way she was treating his friendship with Rein like a business partnership they couldn’t talk about.

It didn’t seem like she had any doubts about Akito’s interest in her though, or about his sexuality. Somehow, she found Suzuna to be a greater threat than Rein. In fact, she didn’t think of Rein as a threat at all, at least not in a romantic sense.  How could she think Akito would be interested in a high school girl? It showed how much Kimiko was really capable of understanding him.

“Kimiko,” Rein said softly, as he walked up to them, “I owe you a great debt, and you are free to collect it at any time. I will do everything in my power to repay you for this kindness.” He bowed a full ninety.

Akito could see that Kimiko was unsure of how to react. Would she hold on to her revulsion in the face of such politeness? 

This was Rein. He could stand on a mountain of corpses, bloody sword in hand, and still look convincingly guiltless. Such was the power of a pretty face in the possession of someone talented at wielding it. It was doubly disarming when his sentiments were real. This time they were. Akito could see it. 

Kimiko didn’t stand a chance.

“It’s nothing,” She said, averting her gaze from his fierce sincerity, “she’s a pleasure to have around.”

In the past two days, Suzuna had told Kimiko a great deal about herself. And the knowledge that the girl had no active participation in the Yakuza and had only been a victim, had doubled Rein’s guilt in her eyes. Akito did not understand why. But he knew she had some kind of plan to free Suzuna from Rein. Akito was dying to see her attempt.

“You too, Akito, for taking me to the hospital,” Rein said to him, “your mother was very kind during my stay.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Akito said, Kimiko turned to him in his peripheral vision and squeezed his hand. “And don’t make us worry like that again…” Akito made his voice trail off, “I had almost given up hope at one point.”

That was such a good performance, Akito would have bought the act himself.

“An occupational hazard.” Rein shrugged, barely sparing him a glance. “We will be off then. Come on, Suzuna.” 

Suzuna’s shoulders sagged a little, the poor thing had gotten quite comfortable there, “I have some things to take along, I’ll be back,” she said, heading up to the room she had been staying in.

Kimiko cleared her throat to break the silence that followed. “Um…Rein?” She began, “I…I don’t think Suzuna should go with you.”

Rein raised an eyebrow, “Pardon me?”

“I have learned about her state. She told me herself and I don’t think she deserves to live in that kind of environment when she clearly doesn’t want that life.”

Rein just stared for a long time, as if he was making sure that Kimiko was doing what she was doing, then he huffed a laugh, and it was menacing. So menacing.

“And what makes you think you have a say in it, Amai-San?”

“She doesn’t want to go,” Kimiko nervously continued, “she hates it with you. I can see it in her face. I…I won’t let you take her.”

“Oh?” The green haired man behind Rein smiled, clutching the gold handle of his Katana, he looked at Rein as if he was expecting him to draw his sword and hack Kimiko to pieces. But Rein stood still.

Akito could see Kimiko’s trembling, and to be honest, the crazy man made him anxious too. He wondered if he should intervene. Rein’s expression had gone flat, and for a second, Akito wondered if he would stop the guy at all should he decide to cross a line.

“This will be the eighth time she changes schools in the last year,” Kimiko continued, her voice taking on a tremor, “a new house every three months, and no matter where she goes, your people still find her because you guys are everywhere.