Anime: Nanbaka
Requested by: Kanimelove

(Y/n)'s POV

"P-please, give it back. I-"
"What? This pendant? It looks expensive. Probably worth something good. What do you say we sell it?" Jay (made-up character) asked.
"No! That-"
"I don't care what stupid sentimental meaning this thing has. I just want the money."

From a very young age, this raven-haired boy had been unreasonably harsh to me. I hadn't the faintest idea what I did to stimulate his anger but nothing, nothing, ever seemed to quieten his rage.

"Hey, who did you get this pendant from? Your boyfriend? Or perhaps a secret admirer?" he asked.

I trembled slightly as he backed me up against the wall. Dangling the necklace from his fingers, he turned his head towards me. His jade-coloured eyes met my terrified gaze as he waited for an answer.

"...it was from my deceased parents..."
"Oh really? You wouldn't mind me selling it, right? I'm in debt. I need the money."
"...why are you always treating me like this?..."
"It's not my fault that you're an easy target."
"Oh, what's happening here?"

We noticed a long-haired male standing at the end of the alleyway, his cap hiding his eyes. I stood a couple of steps back as Jay glared menacingly at the man who had interrupted him.

"That's none of your business. Get lost," he exclaimed.
"I believe that pendant belongs to the girl. Give it back to her."
"Why the hell should I follow your orders?"
"Ojou-chan, do you want that pendant back?"
"E-eh? Of course..."
"Well then, it'll be my pleasure getting it for you."

I jumped as he aimed a punch towards Jay. He stumbled backwards before charging towards the mysterious male seemingly with...the intent to kill. I held back a scream as they neared me, Jay's fist mere centimetres away from my face.

Soon enough, the fight ended with the blonde male holding my necklace in his hand. Jay cursed under his breath before shoving past and going back into the open.

The man walked towards me and reached over to clasp the necklace around my neck. Although blood dripped from a cut on his cheek, he still managed to grin and ruffled my hair.

"There you go, ojou-chan."

My words caught in my throat. He was attractive, I had to admit that. Without warning, he lifted my chin up with his finger, making me meet his judging gaze.

"Heh, you're pretty cute. What's your name?"
"*blush* (Y/n)."
"I'm Uno. Want to go on a date?"
"E-eh? But-"
"Oi, that's where you were! Were you flirting with girls again?! How many times do I have to tell you not to wander off on your own?! If it happens again, this'll be the last time I take you guys out to the city!" yelled a bald man.
"Aww, come on, Hajime. You're making me sound like a disobedient child. I was just helping (Y/n)-chan."
"Do you know this girl?"
"Of course I do. She's my girlfriend."
"What? I'm not-"
"Don't worry, (Y/n)-chan. This guy's my guard. You don't need to feel worried about dating a criminal."

I felt Uno slip his hand into mine as he interlaced our fingers. A dark blush crept onto my cheeks. I couldn't become flustered over something so small, let alone fall for a criminal...

"Is what he said true?" asked the man named Hajime.
"Stop questioning her and let us go on our date already."

Uno pulled me away, and into the busy streets. A group of three people stood to the side, like they were waiting for him. He greeted them with the ease of a best friend.

"This is Jyugo, Nico and Rock."
"Nice to meetcha," Rock greeted.
"Ne (Y/n)-chan, you're not actually Uno's girlfriend, are you?" asked Nico.
"N-no."
"But it's Uno. What did you expect?" Jyugo exclaimed.
"I wanna go to the theme park. Hajime said that we'd only have today we have to hurry," Nico said while pushing all four of us towards the bus stop.
"(Y/n), you do know which stop we get off, right? It's been years since we came out and Jyugo's the only Japanese person here but he's as clueless as a duck," commented Uno.
"*laughs* Don't worry, I'll help you guys. I owe you one for before."
"I didn't help you because I wanted something in return. You seemed helpless and I can't leave a girl alone when they're in trouble."
"In other words, he's a hopeless flirt who goes out with any cute girl he finds," Rock added.

~At the amusement park~

After paying for the tickets, I handed them to the others. They thanked me before looking around in awe. Awkwardly ushering them towards the rides, I followed just a few steps behind.

Uno turned to look at me before slowing down to match my pace. I glanced at him from the side but his gaze was on the floor, almost as if he was deep in thought. He suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder, making me jump from the unexpected action.

"Y-yes?"
"That guy who stole your necklace...how long have you known him for?" he asked.
"Ever since we were children."
"I think he might have a crush on you."
"Eh?! That's-"
"Has he gotten mad when you talked to other boys?"
"Y-yeah but..."
"Was he nice to you before? When you were children?"
"Not really..."
"My instincts are always right. There's no need to doubt them."
"T-then why did you drag me along? Is it really just because you like to flirt with girls?..."
"Because you're you."
"What's that supposed to mean?..."
"You...had a brother, right?"
"I don't have many memories of him. He died when I was young. I was told that he got shot."
"I knew him...and he gave me this before he died."

He passed me a picture. The people inside...that was me as a baby and my brother just a few years older...

"'Look after her for me', he said. I met him when I visited Japan with a few friends..."
"B-but how can you tell that that's me? I'm-"
"My instincts are always right."

I continued to stare at the photo.

"So I thought, what better way to look after her than to keep her by my side? Even if you oppose, I made a promise to a friend and I don't plan on breaking it."
"Oi! Uno! (Y/n)! We lost Nico!" Rock exclaimed.
"Eh?! You were supposed to be with him! Hajime's gonna kill us!"
"Sorry!"
"Let's continue with this conversation later. We have a friend to find."

Glad to be relieved of such serious matters, I agreed. Although searching for his friend was more important than my confused state of mind, I couldn't help but feel intrigued by Uno and his relationship with my brother.