In front of the business hotel, the late afternoon air carries a lingering cold. Snow half-melted into slush, reflecting the muted glow of Tokyo city.
Renji sits by the car while scribbling a few short lines in his notebook.
"—Yo, Renji!"
"H-Hey? Kouga-san…?"
He looked at the man. Kouga approaches with confident grin. The long scar running from his neck down beneath his fine-black-shirt catches the eye whether he means it to or not.
"Fancy meeting you here." He leans against the hood of Renji's car without asking, pulling out and light up a cigarette, then smoke curls into the cold air between them.
"You stuck at waiting job too, Kouga-san?"
"Yeah. Picking up Shinpei later."
"Oh… he's inside with Reika-sama…?"
"Nope. He's at Koshigaya today."
"…That's… like almost an hour from here, this is Minato, man…"
"Nothing I can't drive, heh!"
Kouga gave unconcerned shrug, flicking off his cigarette, letting the ash carried by the wind.
Renji gives a small, crooked smile, and then notices bold color in Kouga's other hand.
That a bouquet?
Before he can ask—
"Sooo, how's life at the princess's mansion?"
"Uh… it's alright, but…"
"Hmm?"
"But… Jin-san could tone down on his morning drills."
"HA, haha! he's the one training you? Must've been rough on your ass, buddy."
"No kidding… you've been there too, Kouga-san?"
"Not a chance. I'm not under that guy. Just worked few gigs with him few times, and that was enough to know he's a pain."
"…Eh, I… I see…"
"Come on, bet you think that way too."
"Well… yeah… I don't even know what's going on behind his everlasting scowl…"
"You're not the first to wonder, chillax."
Another slow drag. Another plume of smoke. Then Kouga leans to Renji slightly, with playful smile.
"Hey… how's it going with Reika-san?"
"Reika-sama? Same as usual, I guess…?"
"You're with her all the time and that's it? Nothing fun to share?"
"…Fun? Like what…?"
"Don't know, like, her tired face. When she lets her guard down. Stuff like that." Kouga waves his cigarette lazily.
Oh… he means that kind of thing, huh…
Renji pauses and thinks.
Moments do come to mind—small, fleeting ones. Rare yawn she didn't hide. The way her tone shifts when she's annoyed. The occasional sharp remark that's more playful than it sounds.
Even that one time she overslept like a baby…
And maybe a few others he's not sure he should even think about. In the end, he just says—
"…Honestly, nothing interesting…"
"Whaaattt… That's boring, dude…"
"Haha… just usual schedule routine, more or less…"
"Renji, brother… You don't appreciate your privilege as her personal driver." Kouga shakes his head like he's dramatically disappointed.
"…I do, just—"
"If it were me, I'd ask what colors she wears, what she likes, what she crave, what kind of accessories she prefers, and the most important thing—her preference in bed."
"Whoa—yeah, I'd get shot if I were to ask that last one."
"Getting shot by a beautiful lady? Best way to die, my friend, haha!"
"…Nah… still not going for that…" Renji just chuckles as he closes his notebook and tucked it inside his coat.
"Haaah… lucky bastard. I'm dried driving old men all the times. Meanwhile, you've got to be with Reika-san… and Shira-san too. Damn how I wish I could be in your shoes…"
…When you put it like that… it does sounds amazing…
Renji keeps that thought to himself, settling for a wry laugh.
The lobby doors slide open in front of them. The women of the topic step out with elegant composure, walking closer to the car. And stopped until they noticed Kouga.
He straightens immediately, peeling away from the car like Renji was never there, flicks the cigarette into a nearby bin with impeccable accuracy.
"Good afternoon, my ladies. What a lovely coincidence." He dips into an exaggerated bow.
"…Seiryuu-san…" Reika's tone carries a faint hesitation.
While Shira doesn't bother hiding her displeasure. "What are you doing here?"
Watching the scene unfolds, Renji remembered their reaction back then.
…Come to think of it… she reacted like this too when I mentioned I talked to Kouga-san…
"My, my, how cold. I'm just here to express my feelings." He turns to Reika, offering the bouquet he held this entire time with unfazed smile. "Red roses for you, intensely beautiful in full bloom—fitting for Valentine's."
Aaah… so he's here for this reason, huh…
Renji nodded to himself. Shira glares at the bowing man. Reika only stares at the flowers for a moment, clearly unsure what to do with it.
Instead, Shira doesn't hesitate, she steps forward and snatches it from his hand.
"Well? You're done, Kouga?"
He lets out a small laugh, raises his face while fixing his collar.
"Wow, you're the one accepting my feeling Shira-san? Bold… Oh well, I suppose I can make do with you."
"—If you have nothing more to say, get lost."
"Heh." Kouga steps back, turning away—then pauses just long enough to throw one last line over his shoulder.
"Reika-saaaan… think about my offer, yeah? I'm serious about our marriage."
…Wait—what??
"Know your place! Kouga." Shira raised her tone, her hand squeezing the bouquet in her hand, crushing the stems inside.
Renji eyes still widen at his declaration, Kouga just laughs and walks off, passing him with that same grin.
"Later, Renji-kun."
"…Y-yeah." Renji watches him disappear into the crowd.
"Tch, that man is always—Reika-sama, do you want this?" Shira lifts the bouquet slightly.
"I don't need it." Reika lets out a tired sigh, then walk to the car.
"Fine." Shira sets it down under a nearby tree like it's nothing and follow suits.
"G-good afternoon—I mean, evening, guys…" Renji fumbles, opening the door for them. Both women slip inside without a word.
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As the car pulls into traffic. Reika finally speak.
"Renji. What did you talk about with him?"
He stiffens not because of the question, but more from her chilling undertone.
"Uhhh… N-nothing much?"
"Answer me."
"O-okay… H-he just came up suddenly, asked how I've been at the mansion… then asked what it's like being your driver… that's all…"
"Then, what did you say?"
"I said… 'quite alright' across the board."
What he thought would be long interrogation, it's just stopped there. Renji glances at the mirror timidly, both of them are looking at each other, something unspoken passing between them.
"…A-am I… not supposed to talk to… Kouga-san…?"
Another long pause. Then Reika gives a small nod, and Shira answers for her.
"Not really, just don't talk too much around him, Renji."
"…Got it…"
"Brush him off if he got too personal."
"…Is the guy bad news?"
"—He's not good news." Reika answers this time.
"Well noted, ma'am..."
"Just stay professional when you're with him." Shira adds and closed the conversation, still, Renji let his mumble out of his mind a bit too loud.
"But Kouga-san, huh… as Reika-sama's husband—"
"—He's not. That man just loves spouting nonsense like it's a fact." Reika cuts him off, irritation slipping through her emotion.
"…O-oh…"
Shit… stupid me stepping on a landmine…
Silence returns—longer, colder this time. Renji glances out at Ginza's streets, painted in red and pink between the white, Valentine's vibes everywhere.
…Yeah… today's Valentine…
He clears his throat. Trying to ease the mood, but somehow his tone almost copied Kouga's.
"Ladies… no chocolate for your special someone today?"
Shira exhales sharply with clear displeasure. "His stupidity rubbed fast on you, huh?"
…And shit… another obvious landmine…
"N-no, I'm just kidding… Sorry…"
"Haaah… so childish," Reika mutters, gazing out at the city.
"Please… sorry, forget it… I humbly, deeply regretted what I said… for real…"
"…Hmm." Looking around, Reika glances at her wristwatch, "Never mind the chocolate, let's get dinner around here."
"Well, we're early today anyway… anything in mind, Reika-sama?" Shira asks while checking on her phone.
"I do need a change of mood too. Since this is Valentine and all, I guess some place will have nice desserts on their menu…"
"We're near Maison Ermez, their selection is quite decent."
"…Right, that place, huh." Reika nods. "Renji, head there."
"Okie-dokie, ladies…"
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The glowing golden-glass five stories building sits inside a high-end, luxurious complex.
Renji parks on the basement, before he could open the door for them, both passengers step out on their own.
Reika stretches lightly, easing her shoulders. "Mggh, Haahh… now, it's been a while since we had time out like this, huh Shira…"
"…Heh, yes."
Renji lingers by the car, ready to stay behind and see them off like usual, until Reika gestured at him with a small nod.
"Let's go, Renji."
He points at himself like he just being accused. "Eh? Me?"
"Feel free to stay if you're not hungry."
"I-I'll go. I'm going. I am hungry…"
A faint smirk from Shira as he trailed behind them like a stray cat.
When the lift open, the reception floor greets them with polished floors and warm lighting.
"Welcome. Reservation name?" One of the attendants bowed and asked.
"We don't have one today, is it full?" Reika asked with casual authority.
"Ah, unfortunately, yes. Only VVIP rooms remain."
"No problem, we'll take one."
"Understood, then fill your name here, and our waiter at the 5th floor will escort you to your table."
Reika writes three names. Renji notices how she writes his name and frowned his brows.
You know my name, so why the friggin heck you write mine using hiragana? Reika Hiraga-sama…
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