Relationships are interesting. A guy pursuing you for months. Trying to catch your eyes. Getting your attention. Small gifts here and there. A couple meals were shared. Gradually he warms the heart. Sharing some close feelings. Sharing kisses and time together. Day in and out. One month turns into seven. With these innocent playful and misguided feelings.

  Were they real at any point or all was cold coercion?

  Shin looked at me with a nervous sorry face. Those deep blue eyes hiding from mine.

  He bowed much deeper than Yukari. Expressing how deeply sorry he felt. His stance told me that he was doing this out of obligation. Though, he also seemed to be aware of it. That this is something that needs to be done.

  “I am so sorry! So sorry to deceive you and toy with your feelings Rory! I deserve much more than a punch.” Shin bowed deeply trying so hard his words stumbling on the apology he was making. “I don’t have any gifts to give out to you but the truth.” Shin said to me his eyes flinching as he stood again. Shinichi Lawyet looked like he was about to get into some kind of trouble. He was visibly nervous.

  “My brother told you that this was on his orders and that still doesn’t excuse me from following something so wrong. I intercepted your personal life and pretended to be close to you to get information from you and for that I am very sorry!” He apologized again. Bowing deeply in regret.

  My expression was still. Eyes watching him very closely.

  “As an apology I will tell you the truth why we have done this to you.” Shin said to me his eyes for a second met with his brothers but he immediately looked at me. I could see this all was very unsettling because Reigen showed an interesting expression. Panic.

  “What are you doing?” Reigen asked, alarmed.

  “Rory does not know a single thing! In this whole time there was zero proof. She is only a student. She needs to know this.” Shin looked rather hard at his brother. Openly disobeying him.

  I raised an eyebrow at their interaction but said nothing.

  Reigen looked like he would burst from anger at any point. Trying his hardest to hold his posture. Nothing was going his way and he did not like it.

  “Go ahead.” Reigen said. His lips pursed.

  Shin turned to me. Took a long breath.

  “Your father killed someone in this town many many years ago and fled.” Shin said. “He escaped his fate and disappeared for years. Hiding behind powerful people that we can’t touch.” Shinichi explained their reason for all of this.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  I only stared. Not blinking. Not saying a word. Conflicting emotions arose but I pushed them aside for now. I wanted to give the taste of my anger towards Shin first.

  “All we seek is justice.” Shinichi kept going. The most serious eyes he ever had. “You are someone we are intended to use to get to him.”

  Reigen’s expression said this was true. Puzzle pieces slowly coming into place. I understand the stare I was given moments ago from Reigen. The animosity and not believing any word I said. His actions and words confirmed that what Shin was telling me was the truth.

  “You’re kidding…” I shook my head. Not believing the words said.

  “It’s the truth.” Reigen confirmed.

  I ignored Reigen’s words.

  “How did it feel? To be with me like this? Every moment we shared…the kisses…your concerns…every emotion? All just a plot to follow your brother's orders? Whoring yourself out like a prostitute.” I looked into Shin’s eyes. Doubling down on him. I wanted to know. I wanted him to feel this. To regret every decision he made with me. To point out this pathetic person he was.

  “Of course! I felt bad!” Shin said. “To us you are dangerous. This is the measure taken out of this concern. I…I didn’t want to do it but there was nothing else we could do…” Shin tried to rationalize their decision.

  “Stop thinking of your brother but look into my eyes!” I spoke up loudly. Demanding him to look at me.

  Shin slightly jumped but nodded and looked at me.

  “I will not accept your apology!” I said to him clear and straight.

  Shin looked at me with a sorry face.

  “You can look at me with those eyes forever and understand something.” I said strictly and continued. “Because I am a woman…it does not mean you can play with my feelings.” I said loudly and angrily. And continued doubling my anger. “Because I am a daughter of someone doesn’t mean that I am him!” I said it loudly.

  “I am sorry…” Shin shamefully looked down at his feet.

  “No! Keep looking at me. Do not avert your eyes!” I said angrily.

  Shin looked up again. He was uncomfortable but followed my words.

  “It’s obvious from this who you really are! Shinichi Lawyet." I said. “I truly regret that you misguided me like this. To let me believe you are someone special…” I said. My eyes stared at him intensely. I looked at him. A child of someone he was. A brother of someone. Shackled under the family's ties doing shameful deeds for them. I scrutinized him. Looking down at him.

  “Pathetic. Disgusting.” I said. “I won’t take your apology. I don’t need it.” I finished giving me my words.

  I was done.

  No other words I had left for him. I could yell. Hit him again but all that won’t change a thing. What is done is done. It’s over with him.

  Then I turned over towards Reigen.

  “You are even worse than your brother but I won’t berate you.” I said. “I hate you and want to do nothing with you. I won’t help you find Sano. Come at me again and I will make sure to do everything to make sure to be in your way. Insert myself in your world and make sure you regret ever crossing me!” I warned Reigen.

  I saw the kind of city Akasia was. The Big Three influence. If he comes at me I will stay and turn their worlds upside down. That was a promise.

  Reigen saw how serious I was. That I meant every word.

  “You can go now.” Reigen said to his brother.

  Shin only nodded. And quietly left. Doors opened and closed.

  I did not look at him. I did not care if he was there or not. Not anymore. He can crawl back where he came from. We were officially done with each other.