Eisuke's POV

I woke up the next morning to find myself alone in my room.

Eisuke: "Was this whole thing a dream...?"

I looked around to see everything as it was last night.

(No... It couldn't be...)

Just then, I heard a sizzling noise and then suddenly, the smell of coffee filled the room.

Eisuke: "Definitely not a dream."

I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up..

/ / /

I got into the room where I usually do my work, slipping into my purple button up shirt as I walked. Ayame was in the kitchen, frying pan in hand. Without turning to look at me she said..

Ayame: "Good morning Mr. Ichinomiya, breakfast is almost ready. Please have a seat until then."

(How did she know I was standing here? I don't think I was too loud or anything... Well, maybe she's trained to notice these small details.)

I sat on the couch, buttoning up the last button just as she comes up to me, a tray of breakfast in hand.

Ayame: "Do you have a preference with your coffee?"

Eisuke: "... Three cubes of sugar with a lot of milk.."

Ayame: "Hm.. So you're the sweet type of drinker huh.."

Eisuke: "S-shut up. No one asked you."

Ayame: "Hai hai.."

She giggles as she makes my coffee, setting the mug in front of me.

Eisuke: "..."

I carefully picked up the mug and took a sip, savoring the wonderful taste of the coffee.

(Note: I love coffee XD)

(Not bad..)

I thought as I took a bite of the fluffy omelette.

Ayame: "Is the coffee okay? And the breakfast?"

Eisuke: "Hm? Oh, it's good, thank you."

Ayame nods and heads back into the kitchen. The sound of running water and the sound of a pan making a small bang into the sink was heard.

(... Isn't she going to eat?)

Eisuke: "Hey.."

Ayame: "? Hm?"

The water stopped running as Ayame poked her head out from the corner.

Ayame: "Is something wrong?"

Eisuke: "Aren't you going to eat?"

Ayame: "Mm, don't worry about it. I'll make something later."

Eisuke: "I see."

Ayame nodded and started washing the dishes again. Minutes later, she came back in, wiping her hands on a towel.

Ayame: "Do you have to leave the hotel for whatever reason?"

I quickly ran my schedule in my head.

Eisuke: "Not today. I do have a meeting tomorrow around noon that I would need to leave the hotel for."

Ayame: "Alright then. Please let me know when you would like to leave and such."

Eisuke: "... You're not used to this are you?"

Ayame tilts her head slightly, clearly confused by my question.

Eisuke: "You're a mobster. You're probably used to giving orders, not taking them."

Ayame: "Sometimes we have to change ourselves to blend in a situation. I have acted not like a mobster before just to solve an investigation. This is nothing.."

She explains as she looks off in a distance, perhaps reminiscing the past. She looks back at me with a small smile.

Ayame: "However... Never had I ever had to be a bodyguard for someone before. So this is my first.. I know how to use weapons so please do not worry about that. I'll protect you even at the cost of my own life."

At that, I paused mid-eating.

Eisuke: "Why would you go through such lengths? Why did you decide to help with my situation when you don't even know me? To say that you'd protect me to the point of dying for me should something happen."

Ayame: "If someone such as you were to get killed, everyone would be devastated. You got friends here who would miss you. You're a hard and successful worker. You'd done so much for all of these people. If I were to die, people wouldn't care. A mobster is a mobster after all."

She shrugged at what she said last, as if she'd said this a million of times before.

Ayame: "And plus, I owe everything to Soryu. He was always there for me when I fell so many times... When the Flamed Phoenixes were in jeopardy, Soryu and his group would always give a lending hand. The things they do for us.. How they did it... Tells me that they aren't doing these things because of our alliance but because they care. That they see us as humans instead of mobsters. At least that's what I think.. And this is the least I can do for Soryu. You're his friend aren't you? If I were him, I would do anything I can to protect you and the others. It's not that easy to get friends with the lifestyle I have chosen.. I can tell he really appreciates you guys for supporting him and being friends with him.."

Eisuke: "... Do you like Soryu that much?"

Ayame: "Like Soryu..."

Ayame has a thoughtful look on her face as she mutters this.

Ayame: "... I admire him. That's all."

Eisuke: "I see."

(Is that so..)

Ayame: "Well enough about that.. Do you think you can help me think of a job title? I don't think I can go around telling people that I'm part of the mafia. Should people ask.."

Eisuke: "Oh right.."

(Even if she's gonna pretend to be my girlfriend.. We still have make sure we can fool everyone that we're dating. What if I made her work here? That way, she can also investigate around for anything suspicious without looking suspicious.. And I can casually check up on her to see how she's doing, flirting around to deceive the people of course.)

Eisuke: "Come with me."

I stood up and grabbed her arm, making way towards the door.

Ayame: "H-hey! What are you---"

Eisuke: "Just shut up and follow me."

I replied and yanked her into the elevator, the doors closing with a small ping.

/ / /

Ayame's POV

Ayame: "You gotta be kidding me.."

I mumbled in disbelief as I was staring at what I was wearing in a full length mirror. Eisuke, who was standing behind me, chuckles.

Eisuke: "Heheh, I think it suits you."

I huffed in annoyance and glared at him through the mirror.

Ayame: "Wanna explain to me why the hell am I wearing this maids outfit. Working at your hotel no less, Mr. Ichinomiya?"

I said his name with an annoyed spat but he just kept looking amused.

Eisuke: "It'd be easier for you to investigate around, being able to gather information without looking suspicious no? And besides,"

Eisuke smirks as he turns me towards him, inching his face closer to mine.

Eisuke: "Don't you think that this'll be interesting? A relationship between the owner of Tres Spades and a maid?"

I quickly advert my gaze, attempting to hide my flushed face.

Ayame: "I... Well... I guess you have a point. Fine. I'll work here as an undercover."

Eisuke: "Good. You'll be given permission to be able to work in the penthouse. This outfit will show others that you're the only one who is given permission to go to the top floors. I'll fire the other one since there's no reason to have two maids."

Eisuke's POV

Ayame: "... The other one...?"

Ayame thinks for a few seconds, frowning for some reason when she'd reached the answer.

Eisuke: "Do you really dislike Suzuki for some reason?"

Ayame: "That's not.."

Eisuke: "Then why do you always have a look of distaste when you see her?"

Ayame: "I've only saw her once."

Eisuke: "Yeah.. But when I said her name just now, you frowned."

Ayame: ".... I'm just concerned."

Eisuke: "About.."

(Suzuki?)

Ayame: "For Soryu. Until I see that that woman can prove herself to be worthy of being Soryu's future wife, she is nothing but a woman who solely relies on him for protection."

With that, she click-clacked away. Leaving me standing there speechless.

End of this chapter, sorry!! ^^;

It's New Years Eve guys! Hope everyone's doing alright ^.^ ❤️❤️❤️🙂

~KohanaAyame