<<04- Ace of Spades. >>

    It’s two days after the old man incident. I’m in my room, staring at the ceiling when I heard an argument from the outside. It was Ryouta. He was talking to someone on the phone.

    “Shut up! I don’t want to hear that from you!” he yelled. “No! Leave me alone!” then he went silent and footsteps faded.

    I frowned. Wow, Ryouta can yell like that too? I mean, of course he can but he sounds so gentle all these while. And I don’t want to imagine how he’s gonna be if someone ever angers him. A knock came on the door and Nijimura came in.

    “Nijimura!” I grinned and waved at him happily.

    He closed the door behind him and sat on the bed in front of me. “How’s your fever?” he asked softly.

    “Fine as ever!” I grinned. “Oh, by the way was that Ryouta in front of my room just now?”

    He hesitated but eventually nodded. “Um yeah. He has some problems with his family. It’s better if you stay out of it.”

    I nodded. “I hope everything’s okay.”

    He looked away. “I hope so too.”

****

    I was roaming around the mansion when I bumped into Ryouta. He quickly muttered a ‘sorry’ and left. I scratched my head in wonder and looked down.

    “Eh, Ryouta, your pho—“

    He was gone. Sighing, I took the cellphone and ran after him. When I turned at the corner, I immediately came to a halt as I saw Ryouta with an elderly woman, which I presumed is his mother. She was glaring at him. I quickly turned my heels and walked back to my room. Maybe later.

    “Yana.”

    I halted and turned around. “Ryouta? Weren’t you with your—um, the woman, I mean.” I said.

    Ryouta chuckled. “You were stalking me?”

    “No! I just happened to pass by. Anyway, here’s your phone.” I said and handed him the smartphone. He nodded and took it.

    “Thanks.”

    “Was that your mother?” I asked.

    He hesitated then averted his gaze away from mine. “Hm.” Was his response.

    I knew better than to pry further so I just nodded at him and walked away, towards Nijimura’s office. I passed by two maids who were chatting and giggling to themselves. “Um, excuse me!” I called out. They turned their heads and bowed when they saw me.

    “Do you know where Nijimura’s office is?” I queried.

    “Just walk straight to the end and climb the stairs. Nijimura-sama’s office will be on your left.” One of them said.

    “Ah, thank you!” I smiled and scurried away.

    “Why did his wife call him Nijimura?” I heard them said.

    “They are not married yet!” the other replied.

    “Eh?!”

    I rolled my eyes and climbed the stairs, panting when I reached the top. “Damn you for building such high stairs! I’m tired!” I groaned and walked to my left. I knocked on the door.

    “Come in.”

    So I did. The door was well oiled so there wasn’t a creak when I entered. His office was huge! Bright blue wallpaper with sweet fragrance of I doesn’t know what flower it is but it smells good. To my left is calligraphy writing framed on the wall with the kanji ‘Heiwa’, which means peace. To my right is a couch with a small coffee table. Under it is a mocha-colored carpet and then there are cabinets, shelves and boxes.

    Nijimura looked at me. “What brings you here, Yana?” he questioned. I went to in front of him and banged on the table.

    “I can’t do this anymore!” I said. “I need to do something! Or I’ll be as fat as my chicken back in my grandma’s house!”

    “Oh,” he smirked. “Then, I’ll let you help me.”

    “YES!”

    He pointed to a stack of papers on the coffee table and I went to sit cross-legged in front of it. “Fold them into paper cranes.”

    “WHAT?!”

    “You heard me.”

    “Am I…. am I in a nursery or something?”

    “No. You’re in my office.”

    Despite my refusal, I started to pick one of the papers and dug my memories on how to fold a crane. “Nijimura.” I called out and begin my job.

    “Hm?”

    “Why did you declare me as your wife back then, when the old man tried to put me under him?” I asked. He went silent so I glanced at him. I thought he’d be all shocked; eyes widened and such but no, he was focusing on his laptop, frowning and scrolling,

    “Because if I told him you are merely my fiancée, he’d snatch you away in no time.” He finally answered.

    “Meaning?”

    “You see, in the Mafia system we’re living, a party has the rights to use someone from other party as an underman. If for example, we were mere friends, the other party could just snatch you away with 25 conditions and agreements from both sides. But if we were engaged, the other party will have 10 conditions in order for them to use you but that is with agreements from both sides. If we were married, there are only 5 conditions they could offer to you. I am sure you will not be fooled with those 5 conditions so I told him you’re my wife. And we got married in the room secretly.”

    I nearly choked. “What!? That sounds so wrong!”

    He shrugged. “I just said whatever’s on my mind.”

    I sighed. “So you’re saying that I’d probably agree to one of those 10 conditions if you told him we are only engaged?”

    “Sort of.”

    “Well maybe. Provided that I’d be doing something, as in combating, instead of folding paper cranes like a nursery kid here.”

    I could feel him glaring daggers at me even without looking. “I was just joking Nijimura.” I said.

    “As a punishment for your so-called joke, you’ll be folding 1,000 cranes.”

    I pouted. “Meanie!”

    “1,200 then.”

    “I. HATE. YOU.”

    “2,000.”

    “NIJIMURA!”

    “2,170.”

    “Now I regret not going with that old man.”

    “3,000.”

    “Double regret.”

    “4,000.”

    “Ugh.”

    “4,001.”

    I threw a crane at him.

    “4,004.”

I groaned and continued folding as he chuckled in triumph. Arguing with this blockhead is pointless!

****

    By the time for dinner, my fingers were already aching and I wasn’t that hungry. Ryouta weren’t there. “Where’s Ryouta, Shintarou?” Nijimura asked.

    “His mother fetched him earlier before dinner.” He replied.

    “So suddenly?”

    “His mother was trying to get him to agree to an arranged marriage with that rich girl from Okinawa. I bet he’s having dinner with the family.” Midorima added.

    “Ryouta’s gonna get mad. I suggest Yana not to talk to him until he settles down.” Akashi said.

    “Oh, uh sure.” I nodded.

    After dinner, Akashi and Midorima went back to their own rooms while I headed back to Nijimura’s office along with the owner. We continued our jobs in silence. After some time, I glanced at the clock. 11pm.

    “Nijimura, are you not going to sleep?” I questioned without looking at him. Silence replied instead. I turned my head and smiled when I saw how adorable he is when fell asleep on the table. I got up and approached him. I took a file, which is quite heavy and flipped through the pages.

    Something cold grabbed my hand. “Caught you stalking m—“

    Acting out of surprise, I yelped and smashed down the file.

    “OI!”

    I took a step back, releasing the file. “Oh s-sorry!” I apologized.

    Nijimura rubbed his head, wincing.

    “Go to sleep. It’s getting late.” He said.

    “Oh…. Hai hai~” I waved at him and turned my heels.

    “You’ll be continuing your job tomorrow at 10 sharp after breakfast.” He reminded.

    I scowled. “Yes sir.”

    I exited his office and descended the stairs, heading towards my room. On the way, I met Ryouta who was staggering and used the wall as his support. A few steps forward then he fell to his knees. I rushed to him. Akashi told me not to talk to him but….

    “E-eh Ryouta, you okay?!” I queried. He held my sleeve tightly. He smelt awful. His face was red and he was sweating a lot. He reeked of alcohol. Okay, maybe he’s drunk.

    “Yana….” He mumbled.

    “Shut your mouth for now because you are so stinky. I’ll be guiding you to your room and you have to wash yourself, kay?” I said and placed his arm around my shoulders before literally dragging him to his room. It seemed to take a million years and I wondered why there aren’t any butlers or maids passing by to help me.

    He coughed and I heard him sobbed. “I…. made…. mother.. cried..” He muttered. I almost halted but continued my journey when his legs totally gave out. Oh someone save me he’s too heavy ;_;

    “I told you not to talk.” I said and twisted the doorknob before entering his room. Surprisingly, it’s neat and thank goodness his bed was near.

    “Do you want to shower or vomit or something?” I questioned. He shook his head as an answer and I threw him to the bed, panting then turned on the air conditioner.

    “I think you should lose some weight.” I commented, massaging my back.

    “I don’t want…. That girl…. I want…. To stay…. With Shuzocchi….” He said. I sat on the floor and rested my chin on the bed. He covered his eyes with his forearm.

    “I don’t want…. Mother…. To cry…. But.. I don’t want…. To get…. Married….” He continued. I kept silent, allowing him to pour it all out.

    “Yana…. You don’t…. understand…. Father left me with Mother.. she’s carrying the burden.. all by herself… she survived…. The business world.. alone…. And she.. wants me…. To get married.. for her job…. To get easier…. She kept…. Sending.. her men for me…. She kept.. hurting me.. so that I’ll leave Shuzo..cchi…. But I don’t want... what should…. I do…. Yana…..?”

    I patted his arm. “You should tell your mother properly that you don’t want to get married. Or you can tell Nijimura, I’m sure he’ll be able to help your mother if needed. And the girl…. If you really have no choice, then try to get to know her first. We start things from scratch and so do love. If you feel like you want to help your mother by marrying the girl and you don’t feel like you’re ready to get married, then start by getting to know the girl and going on dates and so on. Love is a seed that will grow. If she’s meant for you, then things will work out.” I replied.

    “Kaa-san….” He trailed off and departed for Dreamland. I patted his head and left the room.

    “I’M GONNA HAVE A GREAT MASSAGE IN THE SPA TOMORROW FOR SURE!” I told myself and walked to my room.

    “Yana?” a voice called. Gulps, I turned around and saw Akashi.

    “I’m sor—“

    “Thank you for taking care of Ryouta. He’s soft when it comes to girls. When we tried to help him, he usually push us away but thank you for sticking up with him.” he said.

    EH O.O AKASHI SAID THANK YOU IT’S AN ACHIEVEMENT! *v*

    “For your information, it’s not that weird for me to say ‘thank you’, you know.” He said.

    HE CAN READ MINDS TOO ;_;

    “I’m not. You’re saying it out loud.” He stated.

    I covered my mouth. “Huh?! I did?”

    He sighed and walked away. I giggled to myself and skipped happily to my room. Before I could enter, another voice greeted me.

    “Yana.”

    I turned my head. “Nijimura?”

    All he did to me was a pat on my head, gave me a smile and, “Good night, dear.”

    I blushed. “Stop flirting.”

    He chuckled. “Ah, you saw me through.”

    I pushed his back. “Good night forever, boss! See you tomorrow.”

    “You just said forever.” He said.

    I rolled my eyes. “Bye.” Then shut the door.

[A/N: HAHAHAHA I REALLY DON’T KNOW HOW TO END IT XDD LOL ANYWAY I THINK THIS STORY IS FUNNY AND ASDFGHJKL-LY WEIRD.

BUT ANYWAY, DEDICATING THIS TO retardedinpajamas BECAUSE I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES THAT SHE FOLLOWED ME AND VOTED FOR THIS STORY ;_; SENPAI NOTICED ME FINALLY (I’m a fan of her since long ago yes I am creepy) (lol are you my senpai? I’m 16 XD I hope you are) XD I’VE BEEN RUBBING MY EYES TOO MUCH YOU KNOW XD

LOL AND HEY YANA //WAVES// MY SHIP IS SAILING SO HIGH AND WAIT TILL KURT ARRIVES //WINKS WINKS//

Love, Ryuuki <3

By my leave, mortals….]