...FALLING FOR MY ANIKI chapter 12...
Title: Falling for My Aniki
Pairing: TaNakamaru
Genre: Romance (with a splash of Drama, Crack and Action)
Rating: PG-15 … it’s totally safe!
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don’t own any of the JE boys in this fic. *sniffs*
Summary: Koki just graduated from college and in his hopes of finding a good job that would take him to his dream of becoming Japan’s number 1, stumbles to a group of yakuzas instead. His monotonous life takes a new turn as he meets his new boss. Meanwhile, Maru is the only heir to one of Japan’s most powerful yakuza clans. He keeps running away from his family until Koki, the new member of the mob, comes and gets assigned to be his personal bodyguard. Now, stubborn Maru meets his match… a more stubborn Koki.
Author’s Notes: This fic is dedicated to snow_guardian… I owe this plot to you hunny… Thanks for letting me write this. Hope you like it!
PROLOGUE | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11
When Yuichi walked out of his room and into the kitchen to fix breakfast, Koki was already leaning on the counter with a cup of steaming coffee in his hand. Yuichi walked to the dish rack and took his mug to get his own coffee.
“Ohayou.” Koki greeted quietly when Yuichi stood next to him to pour some coffee.
“Ohayou.” He greeted back finding nothing more to say. He still can’t get the courage to look at Koki after what they just did. Plus the fact that he can’t let Koki see those eyebags that have formed since he wasn’t able to get some sleep. He walked back to the dining table and sat on a chair, his back facing Koki.
Koki just stared at him, thoughts getting mixed up inside his mind. Part of him was saying that Yuichi was definitely still in shock and Koki didn’t know if it would be the right time to confess but the other part of him was telling him that Yuichi must be confused and might be waiting for an explanation. He decided to go for the latter option and sat across Yuichi. “Can we talk?”
When the taller man nodded, Koki continued. “Yuichi, about last night…”
“Maybe it’s best if we just forget about it. It was just a spur of the moment thing anyway, right?” He suggested the thought nervously as it was the reason why he had stayed up all night.
Koki shook his head violently. “Of course not!” the sudden rise in his tone made Yuichi finally look up at him. “I love you.”
Yuichi gulped, he looked into Koki’s eyes and saw his reflection in those dark round pools.
“I don’t intend to surprise you with such abruptness. But I guess I’ve been keeping this long enough.” Sincerity resonated in Koki’s voice as he moved to take Yuichi’s hands, full of hope that Yuichi would finally understand what he was conveying.
It was only mere seconds when Yuichi pulled his hand back. “I’m sorry.” He uttered ever so sadly and looked away not wanting to see hurt replace his reflection in Koki’s eyes.
All the hopes that Koki held in his heart started to slowly drain away.
“Last night… I don’t regret it. Not a single second of it… but…”
BUT. Koki hated the damn word now. It always contradicts whatever is first said and even though he was happy about what the other just said, he knew it would be quickly negated. So he prepared himself, this has got to be the most painful rejection ever.
“I’ve seen this coming already and all possible things where this may lead. I’ve thought carefully about them last night. Koki, I’d be lying if I say that I don’t like you back. I like you and I’m happy when you’re around. But…”
“But what?” Koki finally voiced out, being unable to make sense of Yuichi’s reasoning. Yuichi likes him too, he can’t see what was holding him back.
“Koki, I can’t return your feelings the way you want me to. I… I don’t even know what love is! I can’t be a lover if I don’t even know how to love. All my life, I’ve lived for myself, responsible for no one else but me. How am I supposed to take care of someone else? I am not even affectionate. I will just fail you and all of your expectations of a lover and I’ll only end up breaking your heart. In the long run you’ll get tired of me and my childishness and we’ll be destroying what could’ve been a lifelong friendship. Koki, I don’t think I can cross that line. I’m sorry.” By the end of his speech, a lone tear fell from the corner of his eye.
“It’s okay.” Koki lied. Deep in his heart he knew it wasn’t but Yuichi was crying. How could he be mad when all he wanted to do was comfort the other and let him know that he shouldn’t feel bad? “It’s really okay. You don’t have to feel bad. I’ll be fine.” He reached to rub the other’s shoulder.
“I’m really sorry, if I can only offer you my friendship.” Yuichi looked up at him in guilt.
“That’s enough for me. I’m contented just to be by your side.” Koki lied again. But he’d rather be the one in pain instead of Yuichi.
“I’ll still be the same Yucchi, the same Aniki…” Yuichi offered with an uncertain smile. “We can go on like the usual, ne?”
Koki nodded bitterly, his words and actions contradicting his feelings. “Yup… the usual.”
“Thank you…” Yuichi smiled and moved to hug him. Koki sighed; it was a comforting friendly hug and nothing more.
~**~
Koki is not the person to easily give up. After what happened, Koki still held on to the small ounce of hope that one day Yuichi would learn to love him back. It was difficult to carry on everyday, seeing Yuichi go around the house normally just like they have agreed but Koki would rather have that than Yuichi avoiding him or anything like that.
For a while, Koki resolved in concentrating with his other duties in the clan. In a span of two months, they have managed to extinguish the Sasaki clan who had been causing serious trouble in a neighboring district. The whole plan of taking over that small group was directed by Koki under Haru’s supervision. Little by little the Boss had been entrusting Koki to do heavier duties with the help of Haru and Mori, being the eldest members of the clan and having the most knowledge on the systems and activities of the yakuza mobs in Japan.
All the work had Koki’s mind somewhere else as he was also often dragged by the Boss to different functions and gatherings involving underground business. And little did he know that it was him who was already avoiding Yuichi.
~**~
“So, where are you headed today? You’re getting busier and busier.” Yuichi remarked as he served lunch. Koki was in a formal suit again giving him the idea. It had been weeks when Koki was given work again and the chances that they see each other in the small house have decreased.
Koki nodded. “There’s a big auction this afternoon and the Boss was invited to take part. A lot of rare items are up for bid. Boss said only the most powerful can take hold of them.
“Sounds cool.”
They continued with lunch and just when Koki was about to stand up, Yuichi quickly pushed him back on his seat. “Wait. I have to something for you.” Yuichi smiled sweetly and Koki nearly fell off his seat.
The taller man went to get something from the refrigerator giving Koki time to compose himself again. When Yuichi came back he had a pink strawberry cake with him and settled it on the table.
“Happy Birthday!” Yuichi greeted cheerfully.
“Eh??” One. Two. Three seconds then Koki gaped and slapped his forehead. “Shoot. I totally forgot!”
Yuichi laughed on cue and was joined by Koki a little later.
“How did you know?” Koki asked after they tired out from laughing.
Yuichi stopped slicing the cake to look at Koki and answer the question. “Maa~ Uncle and Juri called this morning to greet you but you were sleeping like the dead so I just told them to call again.” He proceeded slicing the cake and placed a slice on Koki’s plate. “Eat up… I made that early this morning. That’s refrigerated cake since I don’t have time to bake.”
“It’s okay… still very delicious.” Koki declared reassuringly. Just then Koki’s phone rang loudly. He looked at the screen before picking up. “Yo!!! … Arigatou!!! Hai.. Hai… Ja… I have to go to work now.”
“Was that Uncle?”
Koki nodded with a smile, obviously happy to have talked to his family. “Ja, I have to go to the mansion now. We’re leaving in a while. We can eat the rest of the cake when I get home.”
“Gomen na… I don’t have any gift for you.” Yuichi mumbled as he started cleaning up the table.
“Ii yo… You just made me a birthday cake. That’s the first homemade cake I’ve had in my life.”
“Usou…”
Koki just snickered.
“Ahhh!” Yuichi exclaimed then clasped his hands together. “Maybe I can grant a simple birthday request… But it has to be simple, ok?”
Koki smirked but quickly shook his head. “Haha…” he forced a laugh, “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“No, it’s okay… As long as it’s possible for a human to fulfill it, then I’ll find something until you get home tonight.” Yuichi cocked his head to side in a very cute manner that Koki thought he might just go give it a try.
Koki breathed out. “Okay, but you don’t have to force yourself. If you don’t want to it’s totally fine… And promise me that you won’t get mad. Remember, you forced me…”
Yuichi nodded. “So… what is it?” he waggled his eyebrows for encouragement.
Koki cleared his throat. “…”
“…”
“KISUSHITE” and Koki immediately threw his hands over to protect his head just in case Yuichi tried to whack him.
Yuichi only gaped and blinked for the first three seconds.
“Hahaha... I was just joking. Forget it. Ja, I’m off now.” Koki quickly ended the awkward scene and went for the door to leave but Yuichi had caught his wrist. When he spun around to look at the older man, he was met by those same luscious lips.
It wasn’t too long nor too quick. Just enough for Koki’s liking. When Yuichi pulled away, he quickly pushed Koki out of the house. “Only because it’s your birthday.” And then the door was shut.
Koki was still in shock, not expecting Yuichi to do it at all. It was only when Mori yelled from the garden that he snapped back to reality. And then he pranced his way to the large mansion happily.
__to be continued__
A/N: I think from here, it will be 4 more chapters left and we’re done… *sweatdrop*