Episode 68

"It won't work out"

"I know"

Alex rolled around, getting somewhat playful with the rolling chair in Aoi's office.

"Besides you're literally gambling with someone you don't know" Alex said.

"It's still better than Kei's plan of declaring the proofs fake" Aoi shrugged and pulled at the chair, stopping him from rolling in circles.

"If I didn't know you better" Alex put his arms on Aoi's shoulders, tying them around her neck and pulling her close in "I'd think you're trying to get me killed here" He said.

Aoi leaned in and whispered close to his ear "Then what do you say?"

Alex smirked and playfully tied his legs around her waist.

"I'm...still here..." Kei spoke up, sitting on the couch.

"There's a witness to our affair!" Alex said dramatically.

Aoi smacked his head "Don't say misleading things"

Alex let her loose whilst chuckling a bit.

"I'm kinda surprised Akio san let you come on your own" Alex said.

"From what I've heard from Natsu, he's quite over protective" Aoi said looking a bit surprised herself.

"My..psychologist...recommended... making visits..outside on my own..." Kei answered a bit cheerfully at his own little effort.

Alex and Aoi both made a dumbfounded expression and stepped to the corner.

"He's like a child on his first errand"

"I'm pretty sure daddy is nearby watching over him"

The two engaged in backbiting in the corner of the room.

"I...can...hear you..you..know.." Kei said with a half confused smile.

"Did you drive by yourself?" Aoi asked.

"Yes... I can't...take...public transport...yet" Kei answered, he'd just made progress in getting out on his own, though hiring a cab or using public transportation was still too much.

Aoi noticed he'd worn gloves and when he came in he was wearing sunglasses and a mask too, though he took it off. Human contact was still a bit too much for him if made suddenly or without permission.

Alex got up from the chair and stepped to Kei's side

"Can I?" He asked and Kei nodded.

Alex sat near him, slowly taking his arm in his arms and resting his head on Kei's shoulder whilst holding his hand cheerfully, intertwining his own fingers with Kei's.

Kei remained still, he wasn't uncomfortable either, as long as he was mentally prepared for it, he could easily handle it. Besides Alex was always like this, he was kind of used to.

"I'll take care of those videos for you... I promise" Alex whispered "I will not let what happened to me, happen to you as well"

Alex referred to the time back in high school when Liliya and her friends leaked his videos. Aoi realized it, she lowered her eyes a bit tragically whilst stepping towards the window for some air.

"What...are...you...going to do.... Don't...put yourself...in trouble" Kei panicked a bit, he didn't like the sound of that, besides he might not have known Alex longer than Aoi but he knew one thing for sure and that was Alex's reckless behavior.

"Well it seems, he's worried for you afterall" Aoi said, pointing down from the window. Alex and Kei got up too, walking to the window.

"Wah.. Overprotective daddy" Alex mumbled getting Kei all embarrassed while he looked down the window seeing his Akio san waiting by his car outside the building.

The girls were a bit older for pram now so he had to use toddler harnesses to keep them in a reachable distance.

"I'll...just..." Kei's face was completely flushed, he ran away leaving Alex and Aoi behind.

A few minutes later, he was downstairs standing with Akio.

"Ah, Ah, it's too obvious on his face" Alex sighed.

"What is?" Aoi asked.

"Didn't you notice?" Alex shrugged, Aoi looked at him, in a bit of confusion "A few days ago he just went off at everyone, almost killing us just because he was mad at Akio san and now look at this scene..he's all blushy, he's being cute and excited to see Akio san and he's wearing a ring"

"He's what?!" Aoi reacted at the last part mostly, she squinted hard while looking down but couldn't see anything, besides Kei was wearing gloves too.

"Idiot, you can't see from that far, I noticed it because I held his hand" Alex sighed.

"So they're basically official" Aoi had a light tint of red on her face and a little smile that wouldn't be evident to someone who didn't know her long enough but since Alex did, it surprised him a bit, though he smiled more evidently than her.

"Idiot, they have long been official" Alex said with a smile.

"What about you?" Aoi asked, Alex blinked.

"I don't know, what we are right now, but I'm sure we're something big" Alex said cheerfully, though he did have a bit of a moment of confusion for a few seconds, he really questioned what it was that he felt for Zhuang. Afterall, for them it was Adrian that lead to their starting.

"I wonder if I'd dare fall in love again.." Alex mumbled.

Aoi heard it but didn't say anything.

Her gaze was more fixed at another person down there.

He stood outside a cafe there wearing a cap and a hoodie while looking at the window where Aoi and Alex stood.

Aoi's eyes met with his.

He momentarily stood there looking at her until Alex suddenly hugged Aoi from behind.

"What are you looking at?" Alex asked Aoi.

Though the guy turned away just when Alex was about to look at him.

He walked off on another path.

"Who's that?" Alex asked since he couldn't see the guy's face.

"A gamble"

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"You...shouldn't... Have..."

"I'm sorry, I just got worried"

The girls were fixed back in the safety seats, Kei drove while Akio was in the passenger seat.

"Besides, the girls should have a chance to have some family time with their parents" Akio rested his head back, kind of looking back at them lovingly, they'd fallen asleep because of the car's movement.

"Should...we..." Kei was about to say something.

"Kei san, let's go on a date" Akio said to Kei's surprise. He turned red to his ears but had the widest smile on.

"Where...to?" Kei asked.

"How about the beach? The girls could play there too and we can have our own time as well.." Akio suggested.

"Then....let's stop...by a...store first.." Kei suggested turning the steering. They could use a few things before heading out there.

The car stopped at the parking of the convenience store. Kei was sitting in waiting for Akio to get the things though Akio just sat there.

"Kei san.. Why don't you go?" Akio suggested.

"Eh...what...me?" Kei asked nervously.

"Yes, kindly buy some swimming shorts, swimsuits and swimming rings for the girl, you know our sizes" Akio said.

Kei hesitated a bit nervously fiddling with his fingers.

"Kei san" Akio raised his hand, showing him the glittering ring in his ring finger "I'd like it if my husband to be could do this chore for me"

Kei became flustered yet gleamed with excitement. He nodded containing his smiling face though he couldn't help but smile upto his ears. He got out of the car and headed inside the store by himself.

At first he adjusted his cap a bit, trying to see the less crowded routes, then he proceeded.

He went to the relevant sections and picked out some swimming trunks for Akio and tiny swimsuits for the girls.

He then looked at the swimming rings, picking them out for the girls.

He was balancing stuffs when the person before him startled him.

"Doing some shopping out here Kei?" She said and Kei backed up a little bit.

"Why don't you accompany me for a little?"

"I...don't...want to" Kei said, he tried to move from the sides but the woman blocked his way.

"Come on, don't you remember me? I'm Liliya, I might not be that older than you but I'm still your aunt by relationship" Liliya said, though Kei clearly recognized her especially judging from his reaction.

He dropped the things and almost tried to escape as a priority, though with a sudden movement, Liliya grabbed at his arms, somewhat pinning him against a rack.

"Stop being so dramatic kid, hear me out.." She said, though seeing Kei's face had her completely shocked too, what was this?

Why was he behaving this way? Could it be he's....

The thought made her grin.

"It's true! You're psychologically unfit! This means you're completely unfit for any normal functioning let alone making important decisions of the estate!"

Kei started hyperventilating and this sadistic woman was completely enjoying it.

"I never knew my nephew grew up to be so adorable" She whispered whilst purposely cornering him and invading his space to make him panic, his legs started buckling and he seemed unable to stand on his own.

"Stop it" Another voice came from behind. A guy with a cap and sunglasses walked forward grabbing Liliya's wrist.

"Oh you were here too, Ian" She said.

"Please leave" Ian said rudely

"Who do you think-" Liliya let go of Kei, letting him slide down and curl up in a corner and proceeded towards Ian a bit aggressively though to her surprise the boy kissed her instead.

"I'll pay you back properly for this... Just for now, please leave" Ian said suggestively.

Liliya was taken by surprise but then she chuckled and shrugged walking away, taking in on his offer.

"It's a deal then"

She left first.

Ian squatted down to the curled up Kei "She's gone.. Take deep breaths, you can calm down"

Kei was already breathing hard but for some reason he followed what the guy said and took deep breaths while slowly raising his head to look at the guy.

Ian collected all the stuff that Kei had dropped.

"Let me help you to the counter with this" Ian said and stood up "If you're comfortable with it.."

Kei stared at him for a little but then composed himself little by little. He eventually stood up and nodded shyly.

Ian took the things to counter for him while Kei paid for it with his card.

"Here you go" Ian handed the packed bags to Kei "You're a big guy, I think I don't have to carry it for you"

"You're... Ian.. Strauss?" Kei asked the guy, to which he turned his head and nodded.

"It seems I'm your brother in law, Uzawa Keitarou" Ian responded to his surprise.

Kei did wonder how he knew him or how'd he know where he was or what did he have to do with Kirihara Liliya and all but he ended up saying something completely different than what Ian had expected.

"Please..take...care...of my..sister" Kei bowed politely and took his stuff "Thankyou...for today..."

He said and simply went out leaving Ian completely shocked and being unable to process the mind of Kei.

"Hey" Ian followed him out with a sudden gush after a brief moment of confusion.

Kei paused briefly to look back at him.

"Can we talk?"

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**Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse// Victim Blaming// Violence**

((Proceed at your own risk or simply read the last part))

"Heya girly"

The familiar voice surprised her as she entered the place.

"So you still live in this shithole" Alex stood up stepping on tins, boxes and other residues of eatables. The place had broken furniture, mirrors and it was dirty all over. It really looked like a shithole.

"Only you can be brave enough to walk in here knowing what I can do to you" Liliya said taking off her upper shirt leaving the vest on and hanging it over a chair.

She tied her hair in a ponytail and turned the fan on before laying on the bed.

"Say where are you getting money from? How are you living?" Alex asked sitting on the bed as well.

"What, you worried?" She asked resting her eyes.

"Are you committing to theft again?" Alex asked to which the woman suddenly got up and pushed Alex back against the bed.

"YOU REALLY REALLY HAVE THE NERVE TO COME IN HERE ALONE"

She cracked up, releasing a huge wave of pheromones.

The pheromones of his fated pair, Indeed felt intimidating and he had no control over his body, he obviously reacted the way she wanted. Though he did not waver, he looked very much relaxed. He lifted his arms opening them to her.

"Do that thing you love the most"

He whispered to her shock.

She punched him in the face.

"B--CH YOU DARE!" She became angrier "YOU THINK I'D FORGIVE YOU IF YOU CRAWL BACK RIGHT NOW? I'LL F-KIN BREAK YOUR ARMS AND LEGS AND KILL THE B--TARD YOU SOILED YOURSELF WITH!" She yelled in his face punching him in the stomach multiple times till he coiled up coughing.

He took the punches until she calmed down and then suddenly her mood went down and she lifted him in a hug.

"I'M SORRY, I HURT YOU AGAIN, BUT YOU MADE ME DO IT... WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THINGS THAT MAKE ME HURT YOU? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE LOYAL?" She spoke hugging him tightly "YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU RIGHT?"

Alex obviously knew this pattern better than anyone. He somehow put his arms around her too even though it hurt so much.

"But" She parted soon after Alex put his arms around her "Doesn't change the fact that you cheated on me and had a kid with some other b--tard!"

"You don't have to concern yourself with the two of them, it just happened as a one night stand, I got stuck with him because of the kid but now I don't have to, afterall I have your mark, you can claim me anytime" Alex said calmly cupping her face.

"Not enough, how'd I know you won't run away again?" She spoke crazily.

"You can have my word" Alex said to which she suddenly broke into laughter.

She laughed till her stomach hurt and then got off the bed laughing. Alex got vary, he didn't understand her reaction until she got herself a steel rod from the cabinet.

"YOUR WORD?!" She laughed dragging it against the floor "I'LL BELIEVE IN YOUR WORD WHEN YOU CAN'T RUN ANYMORE, SO HOW ABOUT WE BREAK THOSE LEGS OF YOURS" She said tilting her head with a crazy gleam in her eyes.

Alex almost defensively crossed his arms over his head.

Even though he was alot more muscled than her now and could easily fight her off if he'd wanted but his past trauma awakened and he subconsciously went on defense; that and the pheromones she was releasing as his fated pair were intimidating enough to freeze him up.

She raised the metal rod up to strike him but someone stopped it half way into the air.

"Not you again!" She said almost whirling to turn back and punch the guy behind her but he dodged just in time, though it knocked off his cap.

"I THOUGHT WE HAD A DEAL!" The guy yelled.

"Ian...Strauss?" Alex mumbled as he moved his arms away.

"AND I TOLD YOU I'D BREAK HIS LEGS ONCE I GET MY HANDS ON HIM!" She yelled back.

"TRY THAT AND I'LL BREAK YOURS INSTEAD!" Ian threatened pulling at the rod too. It was like a war of tug between them.

Alex couldn't comprehend the situation but he was anyhow thankful that this guy came in time.

Though it seemed the game of tug wasn't going anywhere.

Alex got up and pulled out his cellphone in order to call the cops but in a moment Liliya let go of the rod and while Ian lost balance; she pulled a gun harnessed to her ankle and covered under her pants.

She pointed it towards Ian who stopped, Alex stopped as well.

"Lili, calm down, put the gun away, where'd you get that anyway?" Alex tried to calm her down.

"PUT THE PHONE AWAY! RIGHT NOW! TOSS IT HERE!" She yelled.

"Okay okay, calm down.." Alex slowly put the phone down while she kept her eyes on both him and Ian. He slid it over to her, she kicked it far away using her foot.

"If you do anything to him, I swear you'll die by hands first!" Ian mumbled with clenched fists.

"Stop it kid, don't anger her!" Alex scolded Ian who seemed to not realize the gravity of the situation.

"Alex Alex Alex, do you really think I don't know why you really came here babe? You think I wouldn't notice you turned my house upside down to find something, it's a pity I came back at the wrong time and you couldn't escape"

She chucked, suddenly going from panicked to calm

"You always do this, making me want to hit you" She sighed.

"You're just a sadistic psycho, don't blame him for that" Ian mumbled again to which she made a round about kick and kicked him in the ribs. He almost spat due to the pressure.

"IAN!" Alex called out angrily, this boy was literally annoying an armed person. If anything, he was more worried that the boy would get killed before him.

"Just hand over the thing that you took from my house, baby" Liliya said politely to which Alex clenched his teeth and eventually pulled out the USB he was hiding in an inward secret pocket inside his shirt.

She reached in still keeping a check on Ian and closed up to Alex, snatching the USB from him while keeping the gun pointed at Ian.

"Hey Liliya san" Ian spoke again and Alex almost wanted to pull this boy's hair.

"Just keep quiet!" Alex tried to whisper to him.

"Do you know my major in college?" Ian said. Though she didn't care, she was checking up if the USB was hers or not.

"Hush! Stop being suicidal here kid! Stop speaking!" Alex said, literally being annoyed

"Lili, this is between me and you, so let the kid leave, he's got nothing to do with me!"

Alex's statement made Liliya go into another fit of laughter.

"NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM, HE SAYS, NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM!" She laughed.

Ian had his head bent.

"Don't you dare..." Ian whispered.

Alex seemed completely puzzled.

"Nothing to do with him, ah this is so hilarious!" She wiped her tears from all that frantic laughter

"Look at him being all oblivious to your affection even though you're sacrificing so much for him.." She said. Ian had his fists clenched.

"Shutup!" Ian spat angrily while Alex looked at the two of them, it appeared that the two knew something he didn't.

"What is it? What are you both hiding from me?" Alex asked.

"Nothing to do with him? Do you even know who he is?" Liliya still couldn't stop laughing at the irony of it.

"I SAID STOP!" Ian yelled.

"HE'S YOUR FREAKIN YOUNGER BROTHER!"

Liliya yelled and in the blink of an eye Ian lurched forward at her trying to grab hold of her gun.

Alex's eyes widened, he dared not blink or breathe

Liliya pressed the trigger as the young man came at her.

The sound of a gunshot echoed through the place and the young man dropped to the floor while the woman grabbed her stuff and made an escape.

There on the bed; Alex sat completely frozen, his lips shivered as words barely escaped along with his held back breath.

"Brother...?"