Gion, Kyoto

(02:51pm)

This sucked.

I still couldn't believe that Yi Jin Yeong was Jesam. He wasn't as ruthless as his brother, nor was he as greedy as his father. But based on the stories I heard, he wasn't any better.

I didn't know what to make of it all.

"Please talk to me."

I didn't answer, instead I turned my head farther away from him.

"You've been avoiding me for days, without letting me explain."

You've been busy spending time with my father, anyway.

After the incident in Roppongi late last week, I hadn't seen Jin Yeong much – nor Mikihito. Jin Yeong, or should I say Jesam, was with my father and brother all weekend, meeting with the rest of the clans. Nobody ended up getting killed, fortunately.

Weird, though. Why did I feel like a part of me died?

"I didn't think we'd see each other again," he went on, referring back to that time in Seoul. "I thought there was no point in telling you about my heritage. But then I found out about the alliance... All I could think about was seeing you again."

"And you did," I replied, determined not to look at him. "But still you didn't say anything."

"I was about to." His tone dropped cold when he added, "But that saekki beat me to it."

Turning my head, I scowled at him. I disregarded the fact the he looked good wearing a suit in broad daylight. He looked mature and a different kind of badass.

I almost gave in and melted at the sight of him but I was too angry. Plus, this kimono I was wearing was suffocating the heck out of me.

"Don't call Mikihito-kun that," I snapped. "He was just protecting me."

Jin Yeong gave me a dubious look. "He knew damn well I wouldn't hurt you. He only wanted you to lose your trust in me."

"I wonder why," I said sarcastically.

"Me, too," he muttered, frowning and ignoring my sarcastic remark. "Pretty ballsy of him to offer a marriage on a whim and go against your father, his own superior. It's treason."

"He wants what's best for the clans," I argued, feeling the need to protect Mikihito.

Jin Yeong shook his head. "His clan."

I raised an eyebrow, turning my body slightly to face him. "He was also protecting me from marrying someone against my will."

Our eyes locked as he met my stare. His head tilted in mocked wonder.

"Aren't you forcing yourself to marry him so you won't end up with me? Isn't that doing something against your will?"

I looked at him head on. "I didn't know it was you."

"Would it make a difference?"

"I don't know." I flashed him a sweet smile. "The Jin Yeong I know didn't want any part of the 'family business.' Now I find out him and the notorious Jesam of the Triple Tigers are the same person. What am I supposed to think?"

He crossed his arms, before sighing and looking away. "There's no point in running away. They're my family no matter what. Blood is blood. I only embraced it."

My eyes wandered towards the open doors, watching the trees outside the garden. Kyoto wasn't as crowded as Tokyo, but they also didn't fall behind in their technology. There were so many temples around that I didn't even want to bother counting them all.

It was the perfect mix of tradition and innovation.

At the moment, we were at a traditional Japanese house hidden in Gion, the entertainment district of Kyoto where restaurants, geishas, and old-looking streets were. Much like our dojo in Asakusa, this was hidden in with lots of trees at the border to keep outsiders away. Inside was pretty huge, with a garden, koi pond, and cherry blossom trees (though they weren't in season).

The house was stretched out like a castle, and we hadn't seen the rest of it yet. We were only asked to stay in the living area where they usually greeted guests and served them tea.

We were sent here, by the way, by my father to ask for the blessings of the Elders.

See, when the heads of the clans give up their positions in Tokyo, they go to Kyoto to retire and enjoy the rest of their living days peacefully. They earn the title of being an 'Elder,' like wise old consultants of the clans in times of need.

They were specially respected. That was the reason why Jin Yeong and I were here, for the Elders to officially give their approval of the marriage. It was all for formality at this point.

My eyes unintentionally wandered to Jin Yeong. He was also staring out, with a calculating look on his face. In a short period of time, he earned the reputation of being the 'black sheep' of the Triple Tigers. What unimaginable thing did he do to earn that?

"I guess you're no different than your father."

It was a low blow, but it slipped out before I could stop myself.

"No," he refused adamantly, his eyes staying on the koi pond outside. "I do things my way."

"What's the difference?"

"I don't prey on the weak."

I snorted, rolling my eyes. "How noble."

"I try," he said, with a little smirk.

Shifting a little in my kneeling position, I told him, "I'm surprised your father let you have your way."

He shrugged. "We had a deal."

I stopped moving, waiting for him to elaborate more. Slowly, he turned his head away from looking outside and towards me. His eyes found mine and I had to adjust my foot to keep myself in balance.

"I had three conditions before I agreed to 'quietly' obey his orders into marrying you," he stated. "One of them was to let me lead my territory without his meddling."

"And he agreed just like that?"

From what he told me, his father was much more stubborn than that.

"He didn't want the alternative." He paused and flashed me a crooked smile. "I can be quite a handful when I want to be."

I was quiet for a moment, letting that sink in. I was brought back to my questions on what sort of things he did to become infamous, especially now that he basically told me everything he had done was by his own will.

When he didn't continue, I spoke.

"What are the other conditions?"

He didn't answer right away. He only watched me, like he was preparing himself from my reaction to whatever he was going to say next.

I braced myself. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like what I was going to hear.

"The Busan deal..."

I closed my eyes, breathing in. Yup, definitely not happy.

"I knew it," I mumbled. "No wonder Papa wouldn't hear me out."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, sounding like he really meant it. "I thought I was helping you. I told them that we would be married eventually, so what was the big deal? They wouldn't have agreed with it otherwise."

I was so proud of that deal, too. I thought I had accomplished something big, something no one had ever done before. Turned out, they only agreed because Jin Yeong told them to.

I guessed I endured all that humiliation for nothing.

It took a moment before I could trust myself to speak. I had to take several deep breaths to calm myself down. I didn't want to show him how much that information hurt me.

I showed enough vulnerability already.

"What's the last condition?" I asked, achieving the indifferent tone I aimed for.

Again, he didn't answer me straight away. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked like he was hesitating, causing me to frown in suspicion. Could the last condition be worse?

Eventually, he opened his mouth to say something. But it was too late.

There were footsteps nearing the room where we were. After a little while, the Elders came into view and entered in their kimonos. Jin Yeong and I bowed low to show our respects. When they accepted it, we straightened up.

After that, the long and boring tea ceremony began.

"Do you want to go around Gion?"

Jin Yeong and I were outside, finally finished with our mission in Kyoto. I wanted to go back to Tokyo as soon as possible to lock myself in my own world, but a part of me wanted to stay. I wanted the freedom away from my father.

Yeah, I know.

The Elders were here. The thing was, they were technically retired. They mostly minded their own business, especially here in Kyoto. This was like their territory.

But staying here didn't mean I wanted company.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion as I looked at the dashing human being in front of me. I hated how I still admired how good-looking he was.

I mean, I could be mad and attracted to him at the same time, right?

"What do you get out of it?" I demanded.

He shrugged, unbothered. "I get to spend more time with you."

"Why?" I frowned. "We'll be stuck together for the rest of our lives, anyway."

I didn't wait for him to respond. I left him standing there and started walking in the other direction of the old-looking street. I felt like I was literally walking in history with the colonial era buildings surrounding us.

Jin Yeong caught up with me easily, though.

"Ah, so you won't be eloping with the saekki anymore?"

My feet came to a halt, as I glanced at him sharply. "I didn't say that."

A grin appeared on his face. "Sure."

He looked so smug and confident right now that I wanted to punch him where it'd hurt the most, if only I didn't know that he'd easily dodge it. Besides, I was wearing a kimono.

Wanting to escape from his scrutinizing stare that was awakening the giddy dragons in my stomach, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Fine, let's go."

Crap. Did I just agree?! Uuuuuggggghhh, Yuuuuukkkiii.

Whatever, I'd just have to roll with it.

I turned my back to him and began walking. I heard him chuckle behind me before calling out my name in that carefree voice I missed so much.

"Yuki."

I looked over my shoulder, and asked, "Nani?" What?

"Neo gwiyeowo, neo geugeo ara?" You're cute, you know that?

I blinked, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks, while he was just there with the biggest most adorable smile ever.

"Uso!" Liar!

I faced my front again, walking faster. His laughed boomed behind me. It wasn't long before he caught up to me and patted my head.

"I'll earn your trust again," he promised softly. "No matter what it takes."

When I didn't reply, he sighed and looked around the old street.

"Do you think we'll spot any geishas around?"

Curiosity getting the better of me and thankful for the change of subject, I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking for geishas?"

"I've never seen one."

"They won't go for you," I told him, with a straight face. "They have high standards."

"Just as well." He grinned. "I prefer girls who resemble Sadako," he added, before looking at me and winking.

My jaw dropped, and I watched as he laughed while he quickly ran away backwards because he knew I'd hit him if he stayed close.

"Yuki," he called, from about ten feet away. "You know why I worked so hard to take charge of the Busan territory earlier than I was supposed to?"

I thought about it, tilting my head. "In preparation for the alliance?"

He chuckled, and shook his head. "Ani." No.

"Why, then?"

With a soft smile, he said, "I wanted to be worthy of you."

And just like that, the giant force field I had around me to protect myself against him was penetrated by his mere words.

And just like that, he got me to admit to myself that no matter how hurt I got, how angry I was, how betrayed I felt... my feelings for him didn't waver.

And just like that, I realized that maybe I was in love with him.

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Next update: Wednesday