DON'T WORRY! I GOT A STORY FOR THE IMAGE ABOVE LATER IN THE STORY TOO! NO IMAGE SHALL GO UNEXPLAINED IN THE EPILOGUES O^O

im high.

Daryl's PoV

Four months have passed since Yui and I began dating and since I joined the Ice Dragons. It was awkward at first, but it didn't take long for people with common goals to get along. Especially someone like--

"Sir!!!"

I struggle not to rub my ears at his usual enthusiastic voice, I turn to him, "Yeah?"

Ryosuke beamed at how causal my response was, "I've gathered the materials you asked me to find, sir!"

"Oh, that's great! Thanks for your hard work." I pat him on the shoulder while he hands me a thick stack of papers, "Also, you don't need to call me 'sir', I'm not your superior or anything."

"But sir--"

"Ryosuke." The air in the office intensifies when Yui walked through the door, "Please reconfirm the budget this month. Genpou-san, please deliver the morning meeting notes to my desk. Shizuka-san, connect a video call to the Bell Crickets in ten minutes, I promised Li Yan I'd speak with her today. Samejima, would you mind making me a cup of coffee?"

"Not at all." Samejima replied without a single complaint and turned right around to get to his task. All the other members acted the same way.

The amount of authority she's gained in such short time was unbelievable. People listened to her because she was reasonable and organized. If I couldn't hear the sound of her voice, I'd imagine it was her father speaking.

"And you." She made eye contact with me, "Come to my office in an hour."

I nodded back at her and watched her retrieving figure. Since she doesn't usually like public displays of affection, our relationship is strictly business outside of our alone time.

I went back to my own desk, then start to go through the stack of papers Ryosuke just gave me. Although I do work as a member of the Ice Dragons, I also never stopped investigating my mother's homicide. 

I finally narrowed down to a few people after these past few months, then got Ryosuke to give me full and complete information on them. After comparing these with father's old files, finding the actual culprits should be just around the corner.

There was a lot to read. Before I knew it, an hour has passed.

I knocked once on the door and then opened it without waiting for a response. I closed the door behind me then took a seat in a chair across from her. I ask, "How were they doing?"

She understood what I was getting at without any further explanation, "Better than ever, Li Yan has finally gotten some sense to actually start arming herself with judo." She closed the laptop in front of her and laced her fingers underneath her chin as she spoke to me, "What about you? Found your people yet?"

We communicated easily with neither of us being direct on any of our subjects. 

"I'm almost there." I say, mirroring her gesture, "All I need to do now is compare files."

I stare directly at the surface of her desk in front of me unblinkingly. I sense she felt the boiling rage behind my calm façade as she opened her mouth again, "When you do narrow it down, I'd like to go with you to pursue them."

I raise my head, but then one look in her eyes and I know that she's not letting me talk her out of anything. I smile a little, "Alright."

~~

I stood up abruptly from my desk, sending the papers from my hands and on the desk flying. I don't waste another second as I fling on my jacket.

Even from the short time they've known me, when the members all saw the look in my eyes as I made my way through the guest area towards the door, they know I'm heading out with the intent to kill.

Even more so when Yui follows behind me with the same look in her eyes.

Half an hour later, I pin a man to a wall by binding his wrists behind his back and pushing his neck down, clenching my hand around it. She stood beside with a loaded gun pointed at his temple. Both of our expressions were dangerously calm and our eyes showed a clear wave while the man pants rapidly in fear of his life. Around us, three other men laid silently on the concrete ground, motionless, with a pool of blood still seeping under each of them.

"I-I-It was for the money! I swear! I didn't even know that woman!" The man answered frantically when confronted by the homicide they committed, "C-Come on! I thought you guys, of all people, would understand. You're from the mafia, right? You've killed for money and territory, haven't you?! You've tricked tons of people for personal gains, haven't you?!"

His words caught me by my weakness. Images of the people who fell down in front of my gun flashed through my head and the deafening sound of bullets after bullets being fired echoed in my mind. 

I was only ten years old when I made my first kill. After having missed several shots since I was inexperienced, I fired a shot that pierced through the man's glabella. I still remember how the blood oozed out of his fatal wound and the way his eyes looked. 

Why did I kill that man again? I was pushed out into the field after father mumbled something about that man failing to pay back all the money he owed us. So, I did once kill for money.

"Shut your mouth hole." Yui suddenly said, clicking off the safety of her gun, "Don't lump us together with the likes of you."

"Are you saying that you're justice?! Gimme a break! You kill, just like I do!" The man yelled as best as he could while his face was all pressed up against the wall.

"Let me ask you, why did you kill that woman?" She proceeds to ask, I watch her intently, not sure what she's doing.

"For the money, I told you." The man responded, seemingly equally as confused as I am.

"And why are we here now, killing you?" 

His eyes widened, "F-For revenge...."

"Get it through your thick skull," She pressed the gun right up to his temple, then grinned at him and repeated, "Don't lump us together with the likes of you."

"It's game over." I finally found my voice. As soon as I spoke, Yui fired. The body fell limp to the ground, joining his accomplices.

"...Thanks." I mumbled in a low voice as we weave through the alleys. We couldn't walk on the streets because our clothes were covered in blood.

"For what?" She asked, a puzzled expression on her pale face, but I don't speak further. After watching me for a few more seconds, a small smile stretched onto her lips, "Daryl, you're blushing."

"You're imagining it." I respond and quickened my pace, I hear her faint laughter that she tried to suppress. 

Back at the hotel, we showered separately and changed into fresh clothes. I dried my hair with a towel while I walked into Yui's room.

She laid horizontally across her bed, with her damp hair dangling off of the edge of the bed. Her stomach that is covered up by her robe rose and fell as her eyes were closed. 

I place my hands on both sides of her head, while our faces were still upside down to each other, and whispered against her lips, "I can tell when you're pretending to be asleep, you should know that by now."

She popped open her eyes, "You can't expect me to initiate everything, can you?"

"Oh ho? What exactly do you want me to initiate here?" 

"I don't know. I never had to do anything in previous relationships." She stated without batting an eyelash. I dismiss the uncomfortable feeling in my chest when she said 'previous relationships'.

"Should I be grateful that you're actually putting effort into this one?" I ask with a quirked eyebrow, masking my unease perfectly. 

"No, I'm just always doing what I felt like doing." She responded in her usual calm voice.

The next thing I knew, I was kissing her while still in our upside-down position. She sat up and brushed her damp hair aside, then softly put her smaller hand against my cheek. The loving look in her eyes made me want to pounce on her and just lose track of time while we're together.

I leaned in again, landing continuous pecks on her lips while she did the same. I deepened the kiss and tugged on her bottom lip with my teeth.

Just then, her phone chimed.

Trying to ignore it, she parted her lips.

Her phone chimed again. 

My eyes snapped open to find hers open as well. Pulling apart, we sighed but then chuckled a little at the same time. 

"Who texted you? Put their name on my To-Kill List." I grumbled, she giggled at my reaction, then picked up her phone that was charging on the bedside table.

"Huh. I haven't heard from him in months." Her mumble made me peer at her phone over her shoulder, she showed me her phone.

'From: Hikaru Ryuichi'

Her ex-boyfriend? Not even since they weren't actually dating. Why's he texting her now?

'Hey it's been a while'

'Are you free? I kinda wanna talk. Don't worry I'm not trying to get back together with you'

Yui texted him for a few minutes before explaining the situation to me, "He remembers that I live in Tres Spades. His father stayed here along with him for a few days, and today's the last. He wants to talk, apparently."

I read through their texts again, he did say he wasn't trying to get together with her again. She looked at me, I glanced back, "What?"

"Do you want me to go?" 

I sat back up straight slowly, "Sure, I don't mind... you wouldn't be feeling awkward?"

"Nah, we weren't actually dating." 

"Where?" I ask while her phone chimes again.

"...In his hotel room." 

I swear my vision went red for a second. But since Yui wouldn't be feeling awkward or anything meeting with him just to talk for a little bit, who am I to tell her not to go? She has her own freedom. Besides, they'll probably speak in front of the room, not inside, right? Right?

"Alright," I say, masking all of my inner unease, "How long do you think it will take?"

"No more than an hour, at most." She states while she heads to her walk-in closet, "Wait here, okay?"

I nod back, one hour isn't that bad. She came out of her closet with a dark blue hoodie, skinny jeans, and her hair tied up.

"Yui." I said as her hand landed on the handle of the door. She turned around.

My eyes darkened, "Bring your gun with you."

~~

It's been two hours.

My position has switched from laying on the bed, sitting on the bed, dangling off the bed, laying upside-down on the bed, laying on the floor, to pacing around the room.

What could possibly have taken so long? Is he keeping her there? No, she would be able to get out herself, for sure. Wait, what if there were other armed people in the room? No, no, the hotel security is better than letting guests with weapons in. 

I was left with only my wild imagination as time ticked on. She didn't respond to text, and calls only went to voice mail. If this goes on, I might lose my mind.

Yui's PoV

"He actually approved? Congrats." I respond as a proud smile plastered itself on Hikaru's lips. After speaking in his room for a few minutes, we decided to come out to the boardwalk in front of the hotel building. But I think I left my phone on the tabletop of his room.

Oh well, it should be fine, Daryl seemed cool about it when I asked him. And if anyone in the office can't reach me, they'll automatically call Daryl.

"Yup, I can finally shake off any thoughts of being a lawyer and follow my dream." Hikaru says, "That sounded cheesy, but it's true."

He finally took the courage to confront his father, and he succeeded, after four consecutive months of begging.

"I thought it was only fair to ask how you were doing lately, since you helped me out so much." He continued, then added before I could speak, "I know it was a deal, but still, you went out of your way to console me when times got too hard for me to handle, and I'm very grateful for that."

He was referring to the short time when I stayed at his house. At that time, I thought I'd need to stay with him for a while, so I wanted to maintain a good relationship as friends when we were not in public.

"I can't deny that I find you fascinating and that I might actually come to like you if our deal went on for longer." He admits while looking me in the eyes, "but I know you have a life now, and you found your family, which is great for you. I... Can we be friends? I can get you free tickets to my future national football games!"

I laughed at his attempt to get rid of our awkward atmosphere, "Of course, Japan's future best wide receiver."

--

I got tackled into a hug from behind as soon as I returned to my room. 

"Daryl?" I ask, surprised, at his tight grip around me. 

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"Nothing much, we just spoke about how his father approved of his dream and--" I open my phone to find his missed calls and text message. I rest on my hand on his, "Were you that worried about me?"

"I honestly thought it would've been fine, if only you didn't take three hours." He nuzzled his face into my neck and mumbled, "My imagination ran wild. It isn't hard to imagine worst-case scenarios when you're from the mafia."

I shuffled, then turned around in his embrace and hugged him back at just tightly around his waist, burying the side of my face into his chest. I whispered, "...Sorry."

"Mm-hmm." He hummed into my hair, "How do you plan to make it up to me?"

I knew he was only joking by his tone, and that he's saying it's not my fault, but I raised my head and gave his lips a short kiss, "Pick up where we left off?"

The grin on his face says it all, "That works."

Daryl's PoV

Three days have passed, and I haven't even seen Yui since. It seems that she's always out on duty when I'm in the office, and always in the office when I'm on duty. I guess life really is busy.

"Sir!" I turn around to Ryosuke's cheery voice. He was being more enthusiastic and happy-go-lucky than usual, it was starting to creep me out.

"Good morning, Ryosuke." I greeted with a wave.

"Princess told me not to tell you, but--!" He started, but got cut off by Samejima slamming his hand to his mouth, "Mmff--! Mmmmph!"

"Don't worry about it, this guy's just sugar-high!" Samejima says quickly before dragging him away.

Is she on some dangerous mission and not telling me about it? That was the first thought that came to mind. I head to the training room since I was done my paperwork. I haven't even seen her here lately, is she preparing for it in private so I wouldn't find out?

But what exactly could that be?

My mind was full of different possibilities the entire time, I wasn't focusing at all. Nearly all of my shots went to 8 or lower, which usually were all 10s.

When I finally missed the next target completely, someone spoke from entrance, "Now that's unusual."

I turn my head to find Yui's father, Soryu, standing by the doorframe. He seems to see what was on my mind. I put down the training gun and nod back at him in greeting. 

"Yui hasn't been assigned anything lately, if that's what you're wondering about." He guessed it in one. I felt slightly embarrassed that it was so obvious I was thinking about his daughter.

"Do you happen to know where she's been? I haven't seen her in a couple of days." I ask in a respectful tone. There was still an aura of awkwardness between us when we speak; after all, I was brain-washed into thinking he was my biggest enemy for more than a dozen years. 

A secretive smile cracked on his lips, "Don't worry, you will this evening."

He left without another word, leaving me confused on the spot. What the heck is going on? I recall Ryosuke's eccentric behavior just moments ago and can't help but think that a lot of people are hiding something from me, including Yui.

Not knowing what to expect, I continue firing shots at targets, only to keep missing most of them.

That evening, when I got back to the office, it was all dark. That's strange, nobody's usually out at this time.

At the same time I flicked open the lights, confetti's popped open in my face, thanks to Ryosuke and Samejima, they both yelled, "Surprise!!!"

My mind was blank and my face blanker as I stared at all the people in the office; some of them had party hats on while others wore funny ties that had prints of unicorns or cakes all over them. I tried to remember if there was any special occasion today, but nothing came to mind.

"Whaaat? No reaction?" Someone whined at the back, "C'mon, Daryl, it's your birthday!"

Wait what.

Oh yeah, I think it was this month. 

"Ah, right, thanks. I completely forgot." 

I can tell everybody was disappointed with my lack of excitement. I scan the room, before I could ask where Yui was, someone cheered, "No worries! You'll cheer right up after you see all of our presents!"

I give them credit for bouncing back so quickly.

A series of neatly wrapped boxes were stacked on a table nearby. Wasn't a birthday party supposed to start with a cake? Shaking it off, I unwrapped the boxes one by one under expectant gazes.

From one of the boxes, I pulled out a pair of handcuffs. This is supposed to be a present, how? 

From another one, I pulled out a pack of bullets.

I turn to them and smiled as best as I could, "These are all very... useful!"

"That's what we aimed for! Haha, get it? Aimed for? Bullets?" 

Ryosuke laughed at the pun, ignoring the rest of our silence.

"Alright, alright! You'll definitely love this one!" 

I look up to Samejima's voice behind a huge box wrapped in sky-blue ribbons. The box was about as high as my waist. I swear, if this box is gonna be filled with rifles, I'm going to lose it.

What I would've never suspected was, as soon as I untie the biggest bow on the top of the box, it fell open and Yui's big, blue eyes stared back into mine.

That was not all; as she slowly stood up, I got a full view of the dress she was wearing. It completely went against her usual style as it had laces around the edges, a large bow in front of her chest, one at each side of the puffy short sleeve, and she was wearing a tiara with a white rose clipped on the side of it. 

She wore the necklace that I gave her when I first asked her out. The unusual soft blush and embarrassment on her face only made her look simply more adorable.

"He's smiling, he's smiling!" I could barely hear Ryosuke's exclamation as I tuned everyone else out, I couldn't take my eyes off her.

"I-I-I was forced into this!" She stammered, but I couldn't care less. In fact, I should thank whoever did this later. 

With an uncontrollable amused grin tugging at my lips, I swept her up and carried her bridal style. I whisper in her ear, "What have you done. I'm not sure if I can keep holding back if you continue to do cute stuff like this."

"I told you! This wasn't my choice!" She denied firmly, even though I'm pretty sure it took her these few days to find this dress. She can be such a tsundere sometimes.

While I whisper things into her ear to make her blush more, in the corner of my eye, I see her father reaching into his pocket, but then got stopped by her mother.

He probably feels like killing me right now, doesn't he?

"Go, go, go!" With encouragement from Yui's mom, everyone shuffled out of the office while constantly glancing back with meaningful grins. It took Ryosuke, Samejima, and Yui's mom to finally get her dad out of the place, too.

When the door shut behind the last person out, the room became so silent, I could hear her rapid heartbeat. She was acting so nervous, I couldn't help but think she thought about that. 

I chuckled out loud and she finally seemed to relax, knowing I'm not thinking the same thing she was. I kissed her hard on the side of her head when she punched me on the shoulder with force.

Despite that, she responded right away when I tilted my head and kissed her fully on the lips. Taking my time, I move my lips against hers softly, genuinely grateful to her for organizing this entire thing. I haven't had my birthday celebrated in thirteen years, it meant a lot to me that she cares.

Seeming to get my unspoken message, she put her arms around my neck and matched my pace.

A little while later, I pulled back.

"Is something the matter?" She asked when she saw my pained expression.

"Nah... it's just that, my arms are really starting to hurt...."

~~

Yui's PoV

I sat in between his legs and his arms wrapped around my waist as I checked my email. We were sitting on my bed, both in bathrobes. His head rested on my shoulder.

I squeaked a little when he suddenly huffed a breath on my nape, my phone slipped out of my hand and dropped onto the carpet.

"How'd you know it was my birthday? I don't think I've ever told you before." He hummed into my neck, then nibbled on it softly.

"Um, y-you've mentioned it once. When I was still your target, you said you'd be twenty years old in a few more months." I explain as best as I could, his actions came to a halt, "Also, my dad found your birth certificate in the old building, so..."

He paused for a good few seconds, "...You remembered that?"

"Everything you've ever said left an impression on me, I don't even know why. I still remember the first thing you've ever said to me.... Heh, our first conversation was pretty funny if you think about it." 

He fell silent again. Just when I felt like I've said something weird, he lifted his head and whispered sincerely into my ear, "Yui... I love you."

A shiver went down my spine when I heard those words being directed to me in a romantic way for the very first time.

"Hmph, you made me wait four months for that, what do you have to say for yourself?" I turn my head around and tossed him a challenging smirk even though flowers were literally blooming inside me out of happiness.

To my surprise, he didn't take it as a joke at all. With the gentlest expression and most serious glint in his eyes I've ever seen, he replied with resolution, "If loving you was a crime, I'd be a world-wanted criminal."

Giving me no chance to react to that, he placed his fingers on my cheek and brought my face up to his. He caressed my cheek as he showered tender pecks on my lips non-stop. 

In the middle of the quiet night, the illuminating moonlight flooded into the dim room as he slowly deepened the kiss. My body began to feel hot and soon we tumbled onto the bed.

When we both stopped to take a breath, I breathed out subconsciously, "I...I love you, too."

A satisfied grin stretched across his attractive lips as he planted one last kiss on my eyelid. 

He proceeded to wrap us together in the blanket, then held me tightly against him by the waist, pressing my back against his chest.

I snuggle into his embrace and rested my hands on top of his, trying to suppress the grin that's continuously growing, "Hmm, good night."

"Yeah... I'll finally get to wake up next to you. Good night, Yui."

-------------------------

Guess how long this was???? 4170 words >:3

And it's 9:40pm, I barely made it within my time zone on Friday XDD

Augu--//September 2nd, 2016

Next one will be up in a week :3 probably

Thanks for reading

-Lily

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