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CHAPTER SEVEN:
More like a dysfunctional family.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

               Within a few hours, Aki had almost drawn Chuuya to understanding the hype behind his ex-partners infatuation with suicide. Perhaps, he had met Aki once, maybe even just fleeting, and that was enough for him to hyper-fixate on the idea of death. She was a nuisance. An absolute pain in the ass. She was supposed to be shadowing him—helping him out, but instead, she either sat on his desk, fiddling with the stationary or made a mess of his office. She would pull a book out, and instead of putting it back in its place, would leave it elsewhere in the room and she never put the lids back on his pens. She sighed a lot too, as if her mere existence was such a bore—or rather, Chuuya was. It was driving him fucking crazy.

                  After exactly four hours, twenty-three minutes and fifteen seconds, Chuuya had enough. He had gotten up from his seat whilst Aki was drawing doodles on his paperwork and announced they had somewhere to be. Glad to leave the office, Aki didn't question it, and excitedly hopped off the desk. She followed Chuuya in skips, swinging her arms back and forth. Bat-shit, Chuuya thought, bat-shit crazy.

                   Aki followed him through the halls until they came across a lounge area. The doors were already cracked open and Aki could hear muffled voices of people talking. Chuuya barged in, opening the door wides as he took Aki by the shoulders, "Alright, it's your turn now. You punks can babysit the demon. I've had enough." He announced upon entering, leading Aki into the room as though he was herding sheep.

                    Aki's lips parted into an 'O' shape, "This is rather quite rude." She said in an offended tone, finding her eyes narrowing. She was not some toy to be passed around. Mori's orders had been strict—he was supposed to be the one keeping an eye on her, no one else. Aki didn't want it to be anyone else.

                    "I don't give a shit," Chuuya fired back at her, his hands still clamped on her shoulders. He looked around the room that consisted of Tachihara, Higuchi, Gin and Akutagawa. "One of you has gotta take her or I swear to fucking God, I'm launching myself out of the next available window." Oh, so dramatic.

                    Higuchi, who was sitting beside Akutagawa on a red sofa perked her head up, a surprise look on her face, "But the Boss said—"

                   "I know what the Boss said. But you've gotta help me out, man," Chuuya spoke over her pleadingly. Slowly but surely, Aki began to grin. Had she really annoyed him that much? Was he at his breaking point already? She thought he would last a bit longer, but nevertheless, a win was a win. "It's like babysitting a toddler. I haven't got a single piece of paperwork done. You gotta take her." He was practically begging. Of course, he could order them to watch over the vexing woman, but that wasn't really his style.

                    The three exchanged glances. Akutagawa sighed heavily, and then coughed into his hand, "Only because you have paperwork to finish." He said with a nod, giving Chuuya a look that told him this would not be a regular thing. He wasn't a babysitter by any means and he had no intentions of getting to know the Seismic Manipulator—though, her abilities did have him curious. But still, Akutagawa majorly respected Chuuya, so he wasn't above helping him out.

                   Chuuya sighed in relief before pushing Aki further into the room, "Stay away from me for the next couple of hours." He ordered as Aki turned to face him, tucking her hands behind her back, putting a smile on her lips but she didn't say anything. The smile bugged Chuuya and it made him let out a small tut. God, even the slightest thing she did irked him.

                      The ginger turned to leave, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets, "Bye, Nakahara! See you soon!" Aki called after him as she gave an enthusiastic wave, like a mother sending her child off for his first day of middle school.

                    In retaliation, the man stuck his middle finger up at her from over his shoulder. Aki smirked.

                     "I don't think I've ever seen Chuuya that worked up before." Higuchi spoke her thoughts aloud. I have, Akutagawa thought to himself. There was only one person who had managed to irk Chuuya Nakahara so badly—his former partner, a man that Akutagawa held very high regard for. Chuuya wouldn't allow anyone to speak his name to him though, otherwise it would send him into a fit of rage. Aki, however, seemed to be a very close competitor.

                 Tachihara scoffed from where he was standing by the window, his cellphone between his fingers, "I'm sure he's just intimidated by her beauty. Guys like that don't know what to do with a beautiful woman," He said, brushing a hand through his hair, a smug smile on his lips. Aki arched an eyebrow at him as he stepped towards her, offering his hand. "Names Tachihara, we didn't really have the chance to talk after the meeting since the Boss sent you off with Nakahara." Aki took his hand, giving it a firm shake. Despite his profession, his hands were pretty soft. He was also the man that had been with Chuuya in the alley—but he wasn't about to say that aloud.

               "Akira, but you can call me Aki," She said, giving a big toothy smile. "So, what're you all up to? Plotting your enemies demise?" She asked, giving a suggestive wiggle of her brows.

                "We were in the middle of debating who's turn it was to go grocery shopping," Higuchi told her, reaching up to rub at her temple. Huh? "Tachihara refuses to admit it's his turn." Grocery shopping. The Elite of the Port Mafia did their own grocery shopping? Aki felt her eye twitch. She had never went grocery shopping in her life, the idea of it is excited her. It was something so mundane, so civilian, but she had always wanted to do it whilst playing pretend that she was a normal person.

                "Because it's not my turn. It's Akutagawa's." Tachihara argued, throwing his hands up.

               "Wrong." Was all Akutagawa said.

               "Actually..." Gin spike up in a quiet voice. It was the first time Aki had heard her speak and she was thoroughly surprised by the sound of the young woman's voice. It was quiet—and sincere, the total opposite of Akutagawa's. It went completely against her rugged appearance. "Aku, it is your turn." Akutagawa's head snapped upwards, silver eyes boring holes into his sisters skull.

               "Traitor." He hissed.

             Aki held her hand up, like a middle schooler in a classroom, "I'll go," She suggested, surprising those in the room. She took a glance around. "Actually, why don't us girls go? We can talk shit and bond." She said with a wiggle of her eyebrows, looking between Gin and Higuchi. There was such a contrast between them, Gin, being tall, dark and mysterious, and Higuchi being tiny, blonde and an open book.

                 "That's actually not a bad idea," Higuchi said, putting her hand to her chin. She turned fully to Aki. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal. Gin, get the shopping list and let's go!"

              Aki was pushing a trolley through the supermarket. Her eyes were like flying saucers as she took it all in. There were endless rows of food stacked as high as the eyes could see, vibrant coloured packaging and big red sale signs. She felt like Christmas had come early—though, she couldn't actually ever remember celebrating Christmas. Apparently, the Port Mafia had a credit card that was passed between the members of the mafia, solely for buying in groceries and other things that would be shared between the members. How considerate of Mori, Aki thought to herself.

             Aki picked up a packet of sugar-coated gums, turning to Gin with wide, sparkling eyes, "Can we get these?" She had asked that question in an excited tone over and over again. Having the freedom to choose the food she wanted was liberating—she didn't want big fancy meals, she wanted candy. As much of it as she could possibly get her hands on.

             Gin glanced up from the shopping list in her hands and then to the shopping cart that was already stacked pretty high—the majority being the sweets Aki had relentless been asking for, "S—Sure." Gin agreed shyly, unable to turn down the woman who had quite clearly missed out on a lot within her twenty-two years of life.

Aki had almost dropped dead when she first seen Gin after the women went to her room to change. She wasn't wearing her usual attire, and instead, a pretty white dress with her long black hair flowing down her back. And the mask was gone, showing soft and delicate features. She looked like a regular, beautiful civilian. But beautiful nonetheless.

             "Yippee!" Aki chucked three packets into the shopping cart.

            Higuchi returned from her mission to find the specific vitamin yogurts Akutagawa liked, holding a stack of them in her arms. She tossed them into the cart, adding to the array of things they'd had. It seemed like everyone in the Port Mafia had very different tastes, and it showed in that one shopping cart.

             The three walked down the isle together, heading in the direction of the checkout. Passer-by's stared at them in awe—because of course they would. They were three gorgeous women, which made eyes draw towards them naturally.

Aki perked up a little, "So, do you guys like working at the Port Mafia?" She curiously asked. She hadn't asked the two to go shopping with her for the heck of it. She knew she had to get closer to Mori's people if she were ever going to assassinate him. And she planned on using the two women for information.

             Higuchi squirmed, "I do," She said, though there was a grimace on her face that Aki picked up on. The blonde diverted her gaze. "Though, sometimes, I do question my ability to work for the Port Mafia. I don't have a special ability, all I can do is shoot a gun. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm just in everyone's way." She admitted, her eyes trained on her feet as the three walked together.

              "You're not in anyone's way," Gin told her softly, touching the woman's arm. Aki spared a glance between the pair. It seemed like the Port Mafia memembers genuinely respected and cared for one another—which was something Aki wasn't used to. She wouldn't have minded if any of her co-workers dropped dead, in fact, she would have preferred it. Gin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear but it slipped back out, "As for myself, I like it at the Port Mafia. I mean, Aku's there, and we all work together pretty well. I couldn't see why I wouldn't like it." She continued in her gentle tone. It was hard to hear her from how timidly she spoke.

                "Jeez," Aki said, diverting her gaze. "You all seem like one big happy family." She said in a quiet, bitter voice. She was disappointed. She had hoped that they despised one another the way she despised her co-workers. She couldn't understand how they could be so friendly with one another, none of it made sense. Back at the Double A, any of Aki's co-workers would have happily double-crossed her, along with being more than happy to stab her in the back. Literally.

               Higuchi inhaled sharply, momentarily closing her eyes, tucking her hands behind her head, "More like a dysfunctional family." What the fuck is this feeling? Aki's chest felt tight, like it could explode at any moment. She wanted to hit something, smash it to absolute pieces. Nothing made sense.

               Gulping down the feeling welling in her throat, she put a smile on her face, it was fake, but the women beside her didn't know her well enough to pick up on it, "So, who do you think is the richest in the Port Mafia? Excluding Mori, obviously." It was an attempt to change the subject, to get rid of the sunken feeling in her chest. What the hell was it? Jealousy? Hatred? Anger? Sadness? Aki couldn't tell. She hadn't felt things such as common emotions for quite some time.

             Higuchi thought about it, "Hmm, I mean, Hirotsu seems like a pretty rich guy. His boots are real leather and his suits are always tailored to fit him. Not to mention his nicotine addiction. Dude must have a good amount of cash." She said. Aki had noticed that. The older man presented himself very well, but then again, most of the Port Mafia did. The only person who dressed somewhat casually was Tachihara; in his green combat jacket liked with fur, white T-shirt and black jeans.

              "Chuuya's pretty rich," Gin spoke up, forcing herself to participate in the conversation. She was shy, and talking to people didn't come easy to her—but with the wide smile on Aki's lips, she felt a little relief. "He's really into expensive wines. Like, really expensive wines." Aki pulled an impressed face at that.

                "Didn't know the midget had an ounce of class in him." Higuchi choked on her own spit at hearing Aki speak of her superior in such a belittling way. Though, she couldn't say she was so surprised after witnessing the pairs interaction. It seemed like how they thought of each other was completely mutual.

              "Akira, he's your superior—"

             "No one's my superior," Aki interrupted Higuchi's attempt at scolding her. She gave a careless shrug. "Not the Gravity Manipulator and especially not Ougai Mori." She said, sticking her nose in the air. Gin and Higuchi exchanged glances, but there was a slight smile on their lips. They thought that with Aki around, things at the Port Mafia were about to get a lot more interesting.

AUTHORS NOTE.

chuuya's idea of hell would 100% be aki and dazai in the same room together—with that door locked. poor guy would go INSANE.

— taylor xx