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—— Perhaps it was a mistake for you to return.
For the fifth time since you stepped off the grounds of the train station, you sigh. It wasn't an extremely sunny day, nor was it an extremely gloomy sky. It's just the right one, where the sun is still visible within the gaps of the white clouds, giving enough shade for people. It's the type of sky that can put many in a good mood, except that it couldn't put you in a good mood.
It's not like the sky is there to brighten your day anyway, but still --- you're in a delicate mood. One where you feel at a loss, not knowing whether you should proceed to go where you're going or just return to where you previously came from.
Sighing again for the sixth time, you took out your phone and stared at the last text message of the person whom you trusted to pick you up, given that you didn't know where to stay yet. After all, you returned to Shibuya hastily, with barely any plans or thoughts. In fact, you still haven't properly processed the situation in your head, but here you are, standing out in the open, exposed to the world, and mingling in a bustling crowd instead of being a shut-in inside your room.
"You look very lost, darlin~"
Jumping in shock at the flirtatious voice, your eyes immediately throw a glare at the person who spoke, only for your hard and cold gaze to soften upon meeting a familiar pair of violet eyes. A surprised gasp left your lips as you approached him, your eyes filled with excitement.
"Ran" You called out quietly, with a bit of confusion and relief.
The young man smiled and nodded, reaching out to place his hand on your head. "Hey there, darling. Long time no see. How's your trip in Kyoto?" Despite his questioning, it was obvious that the young man obviously wasn't interested in the topic when he handed you a chocolate, smirking. "Hope I didn't make you wait for too long."
"Where's Rin?" You couldn't help but ask, glancing around and frowning a bit upon seeing no signs of the said man.
"Rindo was a bit busy, so he told me to pick you up instead."
Accepting the chocolate from him, you felt your tense nerves relax a bit after getting an explanation from the older man on why his younger brother, whom you are close with, cannot pick you up, even though he promised you that he would be the one picking you up the moment you return.
It's not that you aren't close to or comfortable with the older Haitani, but Rindo was the one you bonded with the most. The younger Haitani knew you like the back of his hand, and respected you as much as he respected his older brother. After all, you're Rindo Haitani's benefactor, and not long after, he accepted you as a younger sister, blood related or not.
Ran Haitani is the ruler of Roppongi, alongside his younger brother. It wasn't an overstatement to say that this person is dangerous, and the reputation he holds has reached your ears from different sources, both from his younger brother and from other people. He induces fear in people, intentionally or not, because of his authority over many gangs as well as his strength.
You feared him long ago, back when Rindou first introduced you to his only family member, Ran. You thought the older man would be as you expected: arrogant, egoistical, violent, harsh, and unmannered. However, you were quick to throw caution to the wind when Ran cheerfully welcomed you and treated you without any coldness, even going so far as to invite you into his usual routine of going into salons oftentimes.
Ran Haitani considered you his little sister. Not immediately, but after a few years, it shows.
"Let's go. I parked my bike at the lot." Ran didn't waste any time asking for your bag, quickly grabbing it and walking off like a boss, which he is to many. "Catch up, darling~ We don't want ya staying 'n here for much longer."
Ran knew you dislike crowds, preferring to stay in the comfort of your own home, reading things that would make you squeal while drinking coffee like some kind of starved ghost who would die without a huge dosage of coffee.
A scowl left your lips, but you followed his steps quickly, grasping the end of his white sleeves. "Rin said he's free; why is he suddenly busy?" you couldn't help but ask, frowning a bit in disappointment since the younger Haitani, who is older than you by a year, promised you he'd pick you up.
Ran hummed, smiling. You didn't see how his eyes gleamed with mischief for a second before he answered, "You see, the house was quite... messy. Rindo was worried you'd get stressed at the sight, so he decided to be such a nice person and stay so he could clean up."
"Doesn't sound like Rin." Was your quick reply to Ran, who laughed immediately, breaking his acting as he turned to you with a lighthearted smile.
"You don't have to worry your pretty head about it, darling. He's really cleaning." Ran chuckled as you both reached the lot. He handed you a motorcycle helmet, causing you to feel a bit surprised while wondering to yourself, Just when did Ran Haitani own a helmet? Ran saw your surprise and thought it was about Rindo, causing him to sigh before speaking calmly. "C'mon, 'm not lying. Won't you know it if we hurry home?"
'...Home.' The word was quite too much to take, but as you stared at Ran, you saw how he didn't show any signs of difficulty saying that word to you. Your eyes obviously showed your emotions because Ran flicked your forehead, causing you to quickly snap out of your daze.
Quickly masking your emotions and flustered state, you grabbed the helmet and placed it on your head, fumbling at the straps.
"Let's go?" Ran smirks at you, tying your bag into his bike as he watches you strap the helmet clumsily.
Getting into his bike, you were quick to rest your hands on his shoulder, mumbling words to him. "Alright, let's go home now."
You bit the inside of your cheek as you stared at the sky, feeling slightly peaceful for a moment and losing all your negative emotions from earlier.
