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═══ CONFESSIONS ═══

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ON THE DAY WHEN IT WAS Chifuyu and Baji's turn to watch over Akiko, the mystery of where Kazutora had disappeared to was solved. Days had passed, leaving everyone worried, suspecting the worst. It weighed down especially hard on Akiko and Baji. Baji felt at fault because he hadn't properly watched out for his friend, whereas Akiko was very much against the idea of anyone sacrificing themselves or being harmed for her sake.

"He called late last night," said Baji. He stood in front of the window, the expression on his face matching the gloomy weather. "He struck a deal with Hanma."

Akiko gawked at him. "He what?!"

"What deal?" Chifuyu demanded to know.

"Apparently, Hanma is in contact with Pandemonium. He reports back to them and takes their orders. Being under Pandemonium's protection and the nice sum of money they offer, seems to lure in a lot of the smaller gangs, too. Hanma offered Kazutora to work as a spy for Pandemonium."

"And he accepted?" Akiko asked, eyes wide in disbelieve. "Why?"

For the first time since Akiko had stepped foot into the Bajis' home, the ravenette turned around to face her. His face spoke of nothing but utter trust and faith in Kazutora.

"You don't know Kazutora like I do. You don't know what he went through. Of course you wouldn't understand his reasons."

More level-headed than his captain, Chifuyu took to explaining the situation. Just like Baji trusted Kazutora, his trust in Baji was unwavering.

"Kazutora had a difficult childhood. It was Baji who helped him deal with the trauma. I guess you being here has opened up old wounds and now, Kazutora is hell bent on stopping Hoshino on his own. He couldn't do much as a kid, but now he wants to take his chance."

"Kazutora isn't stupid," added Baji. "He knows what he's doing. He's already working out a plan."

Reluctant to admit it out loud, Akiko began to see where the boys were coming from. Not only could Kazutora gather intel by being in touch with Moebius and Pandemonium, he would also be able to stop important information from being leaked and assure that no other mole had found its way into Toman's circle.

"If we're smart about it, we can set up a trap," Akiko thought aloud. "If we can find a place and a time and a way to lure them in, we can confront the upper echelons of Pandemonium."

She slid off the sofa and stood next to Baji. "Think about it. We could turn the tables and win the upper hand!"

"Slow down, Kiko," Chifuyu said, looking between Akiko and Baji. "This could put Kazutora in danger. We have to be careful. These are grown men we're dealing with. They have access to firearms and control most of the gangs in Tokyo. We can't run headfirst into danger."

"I like the way you're thinking," Baji told Akiko, deliberately ignoring Chifuyu's warning. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well, for starters we need bait to lure Pandemonium out of hiding. If they think it isn't worth it, the upper echelon wouldn't waste their time and send another gang to deal with it, most likely Moebius. But if it's something that piques their interest or that is important to them, they won't want to miss out on it," Akiko proposed, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

Chifuyu furrowed his eyebrows. "But the only time someone like Hoshino and Kurayami interfered, was when you were involved."

Akkiko nodded, pushing her discomfort to the back of her mind. "Exactly. That is only because I will inherit the firm when I turn eighteen. The firm is crucial to Pandemonium. They earn most of their profit from illegal deals that the firm is involved in. My existence alone threatens all of that. If we use me as bait, they won't hesitate to show up. They will want to see with their own eyes that the threat is eliminated."

Immediately, Chifuyu and Baji rejected her idea.

"No way."

"That's out of the question."

"Are you insane?"

"That would be suicide, Kiko!"

"Besides, Mikey won't allow it," Baji claimed. "When it comes to family, he doesn't go easy on anyone."

"Which is exactly why Mikey will want to be part of it," retorted Akiko, smiling triumphantly. "With Kazutora reporting false information back to Pandemonium, they will think that Mikey and I are in different parts of Tokyo. They had to create a diversion before, all just to get to me. He can launch a surprise attack on them. He might be young and short compared to a grown man, but he has an advantage with his speed and expertise in fighting."

Chifuyu eyed her suspiciously. "What happened to wanting to fight this battle alone?"

A smile tugged at Akiko's lips when she met Chifuyu's gaze. "I promised Mikey we would fight as a family. The other day, I came to realize something important. It changed my mind. Going into this battle alone is wrong. But I also won't let you fight it for me. We will face this challenge together."

"You've changed," noted Chifuyu. He, too, was smiling. "You seem more confident."

"That's what happens when you spent time with me," Baji proudly stated and ruffled Akiko's hair.

"Whatever," she huffed, rolling her eyes at the ravenette.

"Have you eaten yet?" Baji asked. "Let's go for some peyoung yakisoba. I'm starving."

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──── ˚✩ ༘*ೄ˚ ────

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BLUE SKIES FADED INTO SHADES OF ORANGE when Chifuyu and Akiko strolled down the street together. They had just parted ways with Baji, who claimed to have some business to tend to. But Chifuyu refused to take Akiko home just yet, saying she had wasted enough of her time sitting inside. With the promise of treating her to some ice cream, he had successfully convinced her to go to a nearby park with him.

"What made you give that kind of promise to Mikey?" Chifuyu asked out of curiosity.

Shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, Akiko closed her eyes in delight as the cold deliciousness melted on her tongue. She took a moment to think about her answer. There was no doubt Chifuyu would try to talk her out of learning how to fight. He wanted to protect her, and she had grown too fond of him to refuse him. But she also couldn't lie to him.

The mere thought of a lie leaving her mouth was sinful to Akiko.

"After Kurayami's last attack," she began to say, "I felt so weak and small. I have to depend on others to make it through the day. And I hate it. I hate it so much because it puts everyone at risk. But if I learn to protect myself, you won't have to worry about me anymore."

"Do you seriously feel that way?"

Slowing down his steps, Chifuyu fell slightly behind Akiko. Too preoccupied with her ice cream, the girl only registered it after a long moment. She glanced over her shoulder confusedly. A soft expression had taken residence on Chifuyu's face, and the second her amber eyes locked with his green ones Akiko's cheeks tinted a deep shade of pink.

"You could be the strongest fighter in the Kanto region and I would still worry about you, Kiko," admitted Chifuyu.

They stood a few feet apart from each other, in the middle of the park, surrounded by trees and flowers, basking in the light of sundown. Chifuyu found that her eyes resembled burning embers as they reflected the orange sunlight and he almost lost himself in them. With slow strides he closed the distance between them.

He wiped some ice cream from the corner of her mouth, licking it off his thumb. Akiko stared at him, lips slightly parted. Despite having been in a close proximity to Chifuyu several times before, her heart still pounded in her chest and nearly gave out at the loving look in his eyes.

'When did he start looking at me like that? No one ever looks at me like that. And why does he have that kind of effect on me?'

"Why?" she asked. The question came out as a whisper, too caught up in the moment.

"There's something about you. I've only read about it but never experienced it," Chifuyu responded quietly. His eyes flickered across her face, absorbing every detail they came across, lingering on her lips a little longer before gazing back into her eyes.

Considering Chifuyu mainly indulged in the pleasure of reading romance manga when it came to pastime activities, Akiko had a hunch what the boy was hinting at, but she wasn't willing to get her hopes up just yet. There was a connection between them, undoubtedly. Yet having been fooled and lied to by her own family, Akiko had become weary of who she gave her heart to.

"What is it?"

Suddenly, Chifuyu grew nervous. He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. This was as much an unexplored territory for him as it was for Akiko. Chifuyu knew that life could not be compared to a work of fiction, and he had learned that things rarely ever worked out the way you planned them. If he wanted this to work in his favor, he would have to be honest and straightforward.

Easier said than done.

"Why are you so nervous?" Akiko tilted her head to the side, eyebrows furrowed.

"Well, you see, it isn't every day that I try to confess something to a pretty girl," Chifuyu said, voice slightly unsteady.

Akiko couldn't help laughing.

"W-what are you laughing at?" His shoulders slumped as he felt disappointed, suspecting he had already failed. "I'm ridiculous."

Her laugh transitioned into a soft smile. "You are far from being ridiculous. You are just about the sweetest boy I have ever met."

A sparkle lit up his green orbs. "Really?"

"Yes, really. Don't bring yourself down about anything. You're pretty amazing. It's not everyday a cute boy comes along and saves a girl he doesn't know."

Now, it was Chifuyu's turn to blush. A smile had settled on his face. Akiko's words had fed into his confidence, giving him the push he needed to speak the next words.

"There was something about you that drew me in from the start," he said. "It's not because I wanted to play the hero, or because I was sympathizing with you. It was your determination that impressed me. After years of living under Hoshino's reign, you still had a lot of fight left in you. I admire you for that."

Akiko shook her head with a deep sigh. "There's nothing admirable about trying to run away. I never actively tried to stop him. You're the one who can fight. You can protect the ones you care about. I can barely protect myself."

"You're stronger than you know, Kiko," Chifuyu stated. "If I were in your shoes, I don't know if I could have made it this long. Have faith in yourself."

She tilted her head down.

'Why is he trying to make light of the situation? I've been nothing but pathetic. What does he see in me?'

"My life has been cursed before I was born. If you get too close to me, the curse will hit you too. You've seen what happened that night. It could have hit your mother or you. So, tell me, Chifuyu ... why me?"

Chifuyu blinked, unsure of what she meant. "Kiko?"

"Why do you keep me close?"

When Akiko raised her head, her eyes were glossy. Her amber eyes that Chifuyu had admired a minute ago when they had sparkled happily as she enjoyed ice cream, were now windows to her soul, unveiling the broken parts. Chifuyu felt his heart growing heavy.

"Because I like you, Hoshino Akiko. You are strong and smart and beautiful. You have fought this battle alone for fourteen years. But now that I'm here, I will make sure you get the happy ending you deserve," Chifuyu proclaimed, feeling his chest fill with pride.

"It's okay if you don't -"

Before Chifuyu could finish his sentence, chestnut brown hair concealed his view, small hands clawed at the back of his shirt, warm breath hit the crook of his neck and a petite body pressed against his. Breath caught in his throat, Chifuyu was surprised by the sudden embrace. Akiko clung onto him like her life depended on it, not caring about the ice cream dropping to the ground.

"I ... I do ... like you."

Timidly, Akiko lifted her head off his shoulder and peaked at his face, finding the same loving look in his eyes.

One arm wrapped securely around her waist as a hand ran through her hair, brushing some strands behind her ear before settling on her cheek. Neither was willed to look away. Neither felt the desire to disconnect.

Slowly, their faces inched closer. The tips of their noses were touching, still staring deep into each other's eyes.

And then, a phone rang.