ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇɪɢʜᴛ

୨⎯ Fluttering of Once That Halted ⎯୧

I didn't know what I would get into. Either belonging to my dark past or belonging to the future that holds heights of my unforeseen dreams. To be honest, I just wanted to find out what I desire to be. I wanted to prove to myself that I can do better than to be the face of my old self. I no longer want to hold onto it as if my life ends there.

I have promised my younger self from eight years ago that I shouldn't linger with anybody else aside from myself and that I should only rely on my own abilities. Other than that, I may as well entertain them for a bit just like how I was entertained in the past. I won't make a fool out of myself any longer.

"Hello, Mari?" I dial her number as I walk down a concealed back street with a dimly lit street lamp. "Don't expect me to come back this evening at the mansion. I'll be heading somewhere. I left some money on the drawer, so treat yourself!"

"Huh?! Y/n-" The call then abruptly ends. I place my phone back inside of one of the hand pockets of my leather jacket. A few walks later, I see a glimpse of a bouncer standing by the door to greet any guests to come by. I also hear a soothing sound of shouting and agonizing screams. It looks like the house is all riled up tonight.

As I get inside the house, I sit by the far back where seats are usually left untouched. The ring in the middle is always crowded with much reason and that is to watch the magic of the brawl. The heart of the house is the brightest spot of the building literally and figuratively. Up there I see two fighters going against each other's necks.

"Seems like the match has started." I utter quietly to myself. Drinks flying by offer to me and it all goes down to my stomach. Its sweet and bitter taste colliding with one another makes my skin crawl though I am just here to satisfy myself. To alleviate the exhaustion from work.

"Oh! Y/n is that you?"

"Huh..?" I swiftly turn my head to the voice's direction and immediately run to him. "Seishu!"

His warm touch contacts my arm, grasping it with his gentleness. "It's nice to see you again. Oh, I didn't know you were still into this. I thought you quit gangs and stuff a long time ago?"

"It's not like I'm fighting, right?" I chuckle softly. He does the same after hearing my response. "Well, why don't we catch up on each other's lives while we're at it?"

Before I realize, we have spent about two hours, almost three I think, taking turns as we narrate certain parts of our lives that are worth telling. I can't stop talking, laughing with him, and staring back into his eyes. How I miss this feeling of comfort of an old friend I knew so much back then. How I wish Yuzu is here to join us.

Seishu then glances at his phone and the tender smile on his face gradually fades. "Looks like I have to leave already, Y/n."

"What's with the frown? I can always see you again, right? Here," I hand him one of my supplied business cards. "If you want to see me, this is where I usually am. Don't worry, I can always make time for you, Inui Seishu."

He bursts out laughing with tears overflowing from his eye sockets. "You're still the same Y/n that I know! Thanks. I'll be going now. Take care, Y/n." Seishu got off the chair beside me and walked casually towards the exit. My smile sends him off until I can no longer see him.

I turn to face back and exhale a breath that I unintentionally held. Maybe I was pushing my emotions back so it wouldn't flood? Well, it's all swimming in the alcohol now. It won't be easily remembered no matter how much it calls for attention.

My interest goes back to the ring, the heart of the house. I watch from where I am and can't help but notice this one contestant who is flashy as ever. His hair's shaded purple with black streaks coming down from the top of his head. This reminds me of someone... hmm. No. It's not worth digging it out of the grave, Y/n.

I watch his every move. His dodges, his blocks, his fierce attacks. Everything is so smooth to watch. It is simply pleasing to the eyes. "Heh." I scoff lightly. "It's obvious he's toying with his enemy. Holding back his strength like that. Who does he think he is?"

I chug down another shot of alcohol down my throat as if the burning sensation has already made my senses dull, but before I can even gulp it all down, I begin to choke aloud as I hear the emcee of tonight's event holler atop the stage, "And the winner is... Haitani Rindou!"

I stand up from the chair with my hand wiping the alcohol that ran down my lips while thinking to myself, I have to get out of here fast! I don't want to get involved in this. Not with him on the loose. It will just...

The emcee continues to speak with the volume booming, "Alright, folks! Let us once again clap it up for Haitani Rindou. You did an amazing performance out there, champ. Do you have any words of encouragement before you leave the stage?"

Rindou takes the boosted microphone hanging from the ceiling and says with a huge grin on his face, confidence-or arrogance is more fitting-fueling his behavior, "I'm kinda bored with fighting men all the time. Are there any females present in the crowd? If so, come on up the stage and show me what you've got! Of course, there is a reward waiting for you."

Just hearing his attempt to sound and look lustful makes my spine shiver. It definitely is in his nature to be playful... with women, that is. I hate his guts for it. I absolutely hate it.

"Ah! That woman over there who's walking towards the exit. Somebody stop her!" Rindou exclaims as he points to my direction. I instantly knew he's referring to me. Of course! Who else could he be talking about?!

The bouncer then takes a step forward and glares at me with intent. "Sorry, madam. Looks like you're gonna have to turn around and go up the stage. We can't turn away our valued guest's request, can we now? Up the stage you go."

As awkward as it already is for the crowd to be staring at me, waiting patiently for me to have a response, I don't want to return home with a dent of injury in any part of my body since I have scheduled meetings and such in the upcoming days.

I act like I'm an obedient girl as I walk up the ring. I didn't expect that I would take part in the ring one day. Ugh, do I even have the strength right now? After all the alcohol I drank, I... can't tell.

"Hi there." Rindou says with a light smirk on his lips. Oh? He's not talking on the mic. What are his intentions..?

He continues to speak to me like a gentleman, "I've been wanting to have a conversation with you right when I came on this ring. I can't help but to keep my eyes fixated on you. May I know your name?"

I stare at him with disgust reflecting on my eyes. Sighing, I take off my leather jacket. The crowd immediately goes wild upon seeing my unpredictable actions. Am I planning to talk using my fists? No. It is just getting hot here.

Rindou then holds me by my chin as he fixes my eyes onto his and says with almost a whispery voice, "Oh, that's for later. You have to be patient to earn your reward."

"Wha-?!" I exclaim. Without any hesitation, I grab his wrist and pull it away from my face. This guy... Is he playing with me? Has he forgotten what he did to me eight years ago?!

I click my tongue, saying, "Don't you want some kind of performance? Look at the crowd. They already look satisfied. Good bye."

"You know." He pauses my feet. "I kinda miss the feeling of being with a beautiful woman like you. Care to have dinner with me tonight? If you know what I mean." Rindou casually winks at me after his out of the blue offer. He truly is one of the worst people to live this far. How do I get out of this mess?

An idea then appears in my mind. I grin at him and say with an innocent look on my face, "Alright then. But as you can see, it is so hot in here! Can you take me to somewhere cold and private where it's only the two of us? I can show you the true meaning of being with a woman."

Rindou reaches his hand out to me. "I have my car waiting outside. Let's get to know each other more there."

How I hate his guts.

Rindou escorts me outside the ruckus house and we both enter his car. He is about to start the engine with his hand approaching the car keys but I stop him as I hold his cheeks with my warm palms. I turn his face towards me and gaze at him with enchantment.

I lean my face closer and closer to his until I pause with an inch between our lips. "You were asking for my name, right?"

"Hmm? Ah, that can wait. I can feel you asking for it." Rindou smirks even more. Asking for what? This pervert isn't going anywhere with me.

"Your name was, uhm, Rindou was it?" I try to start a conversation hoping he would somehow get the hint of this whole situation. He scoffs lightly, "Why? You don't want to accidentally scream another man's name while we're at it?"

I have a tendency of becoming overly competitive when I'm being provoked and this is where I jump over the line. At that moment, I switch over to his place, sitting on his lap as I firmly hold on top of his shoulders. He then holds me by my waist. Is it due to his muscle memory? Now, I can clearly see him blushing as red as a fresh wound.

Now that I'm sitting on top of his laps with my legs apart, I whisper alluringly, leaning closer to his left ear, "My name is Y/n and I am not here to entertain you, Rinnie."

♥ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...