8: Shinji

The ringing of the gate bell puts a pause to the video game Leilyn and the boys are currently playing in the game room. Zoranne’s voice relays the message, distracting them from their mission. The foursome remove their gaming helmets, holding them in either in their hands or under their armpits.

“Ms. Leilyn. Mr. Shinji is here.”

“Who?” Jason questions.

Leilyn smiles. “Let him in.”

Leilyn drops her helmet on the glass table before walking slowly over to the living room, the boys following behind her. When the woman – dressed in a short skirt, silk thigh highs and crop top today – reaches for the door, someone is already standing there. With a grin, she slides the door open.

“Shin!”

“Lyn-Lyn!”

The strange man grabs Leilyn and pulls her into a bear hug. The boys look at each other in confusion, Rick mouthing ‘Lyn-Lyn’.

“It’s been so long!” The man raises her up, seemingly without effort. Heck, with those impressive muscles of his, Leilyn might not even weigh much to him. And damn is he tall!

From the way she’s being lifted up, Leilyn can easily see his car packed in the driveway.

“Shin, I just saw you five days ago.” Leilyn deadpans, still in the air.

“It’s not the same thing~”

The man gently drops Leilyn to her feet and ruffles her hair. Seeing as it’s free from its usual braid, her hair becomes wilder. The woman slaps his hand away, drawing a wide grin from the man.

Shinji drops his backpack on the floor and Ro – the waist height helping robot – picks it up and takes it up the stairs, which is now set in escalator mode, and into one of the guest rooms. Said man suddenly sets his eyes on them.

Those sharp eyes, which are a beautiful blue star in color, sends a sudden shiver crawling down the spines of the teenagers. His grin turns creepy and sharper, and his eyes narrow into slits, giving him a more dangerous look and aura.

Zack squirts his eyes subtly at him. Has he seen this man before? He feels as if he has.

“Oh~ And who might you all be?”

He walks over to them in a calm, calculated manner. The boys gulp, feeling unsettled. When he reaches them, he pauses. He tilts his head, eyes dissecting them and piercing into their very souls.

Zack suddenly remembers where he has seen this man. He’s one of the men in Leilyn’s pictures.

“Well?”

“Um- hi.” Jason takes a step forward. “I’m- I’m Jason Saturday. They are Zack Smith and Richard Powers.” He gestures at himself before jerking a thumb at the teens besides him respectfully. “It’s nice to meet you.” He raises his hand towards him, but he’s ignored. The man just stares at his hand with impassive eyes, before they settle back on his face.

“Shinji~” He purrs in a mock cheerful tone; his voice cold and emotionless. His lips stretches into a wide, unsettling grin and his sharp eyes gaze down at them with icy and deadly intensity.

Jason and the other two boys chuckle nervously. Jason’s outstretched hand finds its way to the back of his neck, rubbing it nervously.

Behind Shinji, Leilyn rolls her eyes in exasperation as she notices right away what he’s trying to do. The woman promptly slaps the back of his head, the sound resonating in the room.

“Itai! (Ouch!)” Shinji exclaims, holding the back of his head with his hands. The teens couldn’t help just wince in sympathy. “Sore wa nani no tamedeshita! (What was that for?!)” Shinji turns and faces Leilyn.

“Karera o kyohaku shiyou to suru no o yameru. (Stop trying to intimidate them.)” Leilyn says with a sigh.

“Demo watashi o son’nani tsuyoku tataku hitsuyo wa nakatta! (But you didn’t have to hit me that hard!)”

Leilyn gives him a dry, deadpan look. “Anata wa asashindesu. Guchirania de. (You’re an assassin. Stop whining.)”

Shinji gives her a pout, making her roll her eyes again.

“Don’t mind this gekitekina baka (dramatic idiot). Let me do the introductions.” Leilyn heaves an exasperated sigh. “Boys, this is my brother, Shinji Shirogitsune. He’s the father of my nephew, Hidemitsu.”

Shinji’s grin becomes wider – if that is humanly possible.

“Brother?” Zack – sweet, precious boy that he is – asks with a confused frown. “But you two don’t look alike, and I see nothing similar about both of you. Is he your adoptive brother?”

“Kinda.” Leilyn wiggles her hand. “I see him as a troublesome little brother.” That gets her a pout from Shinji. “And seeing as he’s my brother-in-law-”

“Former brother-in-law.”

“I just continue to call him brother.” Leilyn says, as if she wasn’t interrupted for a second by Shinji.

“Wait, he was married to your sister? Isn’t that weird?” Jason asks with a confused look.

“Brother, Jason. He was married to my older brother, Damien. The one over there.” Leilyn points at Damien on the portrait behind the boys. The teens turn to see who she’s pointing at.

“What happened? Did you guys divorce or something?” Zack – who seems to be the only one with the balls to ask these intruding questions without fear – asks with a frown.

“I wish.” Shinji replies. The boys turn back and they were met with a strained grin from him and a thin smile from Leilyn. “It’s a better alternative than him being dead.”

The teens grimace with grim faces. Oh…

”Anyways.” Leilyn starts, breaking the awkward silence. “Shinji, these are the boys I told you about. Please, try not to kill them.” Leilyn ends with a deadpan look.

Shinji just cackles, his creepy grin coming back full force. Leilyn just roll her eyes, slowly walking over to the kitchen.

“What will you three like for-” The caramel skin taps her watch and a tiny holographic screen appears with the time. “Lunch?”

Leilyn’s question has Shinji brightening up with excitement. The same can be said for the teens.

“And before you all say anything-” Leilyn has a finger up, a hand on her waist. “You’ll help me to prepare them. Although I hate people being in the kitchen with me as I cook, I keep making exceptions for you all.” She looks at them with an impassive look. “Now, bring your asses over here.”

The all make their way over to her, following her into the kitchen. They all make three different lunch together, having fun along the way. It doesn’t take long for the boys slightly warm up to Shinji and said man stopped looking at them with a terrifying look in his eyes and on his face.

After they are done eating – and keeping the leftovers in the fridge for later consumption -, they retire back to the game room. The boys begin a new game with Shinji, while Leilyn sit on a couch and work on something, holographic screens surrounding her. She type and swipe away, face squeezed with concentration.

Two hours later, around four in the evening, finds the five of them in town, taking a stroll (courtesy of Shinji, who’s shocked that they haven’t left the house in five days). Shinji is reintroduced to the town again, the boys showing him the same places they showed Leilyn. Like Leilyn, Shinji get stares from people.

At 6’5 – almost 6’6 - the Aesianese is a sight to behold. He has on a skin tight shirt that’s tucked in his leather pants, black boots and grey bomber jacket. His icy-platinum blond hair is in a neat bun being held up by a long, metal hair pin, fringes shadowing his eyes, and a long bang fanning the right side of his face – kissing the stubbles on his chin. The left side of his head is plaited backwards, while the back of his head – the very back of it – is shaved. Paired with his ears, eyebrow and lip piercing, Shinji look exquisite.

The man definitely catches everyone’s attention, along with Leilyn, who has on a tight, leather, pencil mini skirt and a designer, off shoulders crop shirt, and a pair of stylish heels and gold bangles. Her classic length hair is still free from its usual braid and it flows down her back in its full wavy-curly glory.

After their walk, they head to the mall. Shinji and the boys get a lot of snacks, making Leilyn to roll her eyes in exasperation. She leaves them to their snack hunting devices and walks into a boutique. She gets some comfortable clothes for the four of them – with the help of Zoranne of course.

Once they are done, they have six hovering carts filled with stuffs. Leilyn gives a deadpanned look at the four males before her; who have five carts besides and before them.

“What?” Shinji asks with a shrug. Leilyn’s cocks a brow. “I’m going to stay here for a while. I might as well grab some snacks.”

Leilyn rolls her eyes again before she proceeds in walking out of the mall, the males in tow. They get to the parking lot and begin to offload their goods into the boot of a car. Once they are done, the carts hover back into the mall on their own. They are about to enter when Leilyn releases a cuss.

“Fuck.” The woman face palms.

“What’s wrong?” Shinji asks with a cocked brow.

Leilyn heaves a tired sigh before looking at the four males. “I forgot to get something. Can you guys give me some minutes to go get them?”

“No problem, Mrs. Lyn.” Jason replies with a grin. The two other teens agreed with a nod.

“Go do ya shit, sis~ We’ll wait here~” Shinji jerks his head at the mall, his sharp, wide and toothy grin still in place.

Leilyn nods. “If it gets too hot, or you get tired of standing, you can stay inside the car. Zoranne will open it for you and switch on the air condition.”

When they give her nods of understanding, the woman nods again before walking back into the mall.

The four males stand under the cool sun, discussing rapidly about their next move for their next virtual game mission. They stand chatting for what seems to be like six minutes when the sudden appearance of two other teens disrupt their discussion.

“Fuck.” Jason mutters angrily under his breath. Shinji and the two others blink at him in confusion at his sudden change of mode. The blue haired boy just jerks his head sharply behind the three of them and they turn back.

Once Zack and Rick set their eyes on the incoming teenagers, they too both let out various tones of a muttered “Fuck.”

Shinji’s eyes narrows a bit, his grin no longer on his face. A sharp, tight and wide smile takes over his lips and he hums. “Boys?”

“They are the pastor’s kids from this town’s church.” Jason hisses out, eyes still trained on said teens.

“They give off this creepy vibe that makes a shiver run down my spine.” Zack says, folding his arms. “And not a good kind.”

Rick just adjusts his glasses, eyes narrowing.

The teens – a boy and a girl – finally make it to the foursome. They are dressed formally. The girl is in a long yellow and white long sleeved gown that reaches her knees; her dull, brunet hair is ironed flat and reaches her shoulder blades. The boy slightly looks like her, with the same hair and sable eyes with an unsettling glint in them. He’s also dressed smartly in well ironed blue jeans and grey shirt. Under said shirt is a hidden necklace of sort. Same with the girl.

“Hey Jason!” The girl bashfully waves her hand, a light blush on her cheeks as she stares at Jason.

“Airaela.” Jason nods curtly at her. “Aeron.”

“Jason.” The boy nods at him before nodding at the other teens. “Richard. Zack.”

Rick and Zack jerks their head.

“Hello, and good evening.” Aeron says with an incline of his head at Shinji, drawing his sister’s attention to the adult. “I believe we haven’t met. My name is Aeron Rogers.”

“Airaela Rogers.” The girl looks at Shinji intently, her eyes not straying from his form.

“Jin.” Shinji’s smile stretches in annoyance – not like they knew that. His sharp eyes become sharper, making the teens in front of him to avert their eyes.

“Are you perchance their friend?” Aeron asks.

“Acquaintance.” Shinji replies curtly, his tone ever cheery.

“I see.” The teen nods in understanding. He settles his gaze on Zack, a hint of pity shining in his eyes. “I heard about your parents, Zack. My deepest condolences.”

Zack eyes narrows, arms folding. “Don’t be. And besides, they are not dead. They might survive.” He shrugs.

“Amen.” Airaela says, clasping her hands together in prayers.

Shinji and the boys stare at her with different expressions on their faces.

Airaela drops her hands back down. “So, what are you boys doing here?” She asks. “And, if I may, where are you boys staying? Jason, your father’s been worried about you, and Richard, your mother’s bothered about your whereabouts.”

The teens inwardly roll their eyes, Jason especially. If those drunks and junkies are really worried about them, they would have come find them. After all, it’s not like they hide who they hang out with.

“Was she at least sober this time?” Rick cocks an eyebrow. Airaela’s silence answered his question. “Typical.” ‘

“And mine?” Jason asks. Airaela slowly shakes her head. Jason scoffs, folding his arms. “Pathetic, as always.” He spits out.

“Jason.” Airaela says softly as she walks up to him, putting a hand on his folded arms. Jason tenses at the invasion of his space and narrows his eyes at the girl. “Just give him some time. Same for you Richard. I know it’s hard for you three, but things will be okay.”

Jason grunts, dislodging Airaela’s hand away. He takes a step back, body still tense. Shinji honestly couldn’t blame him. There’s something wrong with the vibe these two emit. It is… unsettling.

Behind the two teens, an adult male and female were making their way over to them. The woman looks like the carbon copy of the Aeron while Airaela definitely got her looks from the man.

“Airaela. Aeron. There you are.” The woman says with a smile.

The moment they get closer to them, Shinji suddenly tenses and releases a deep, rumbling growl. The family of four go stiff, their eyes going wide. The four take few steps back, their eyes settled on Shinji, who’s outright sneering at them, teeth bared and expression dark. Jason, Zack and Rick take some steps backwards, eyes wide in surprise as they look on.

“Mr. Sh- ah… Jin?” Zack calls out, voice unsure.

“Why are you here?” Shinji growls out. He stands with his arms folded, never removing his eyes from the nervous family of four.

“Please, wait.” Mr. Rogers says as he raises his hands placidly at the sneering man. “We mean no harm.”

“I highly doubt that, knowing your lot.” Shinji spits out. “I’ll ask one last time; why are you here?”

“Please, we really mean no harm.” Mrs. Rogers says with a pleading voice. That gets a disbelieving scoff from the icy-platinum blond man. “This place is where we can fully blend in. It’s one of the peaceful place we have come across, and it’s the last place they will search. Please. You of all people should understand.”

“No, I do not.” Shinji grunts out, his sneer ever present. “To be frank, I give zero fucks about your activities, Wild Users. Just keep your hunts and worship to yourself and do NOT call the attention of them. We already have them on our asses. Do not fucking draw their attention here. Watch yourselves, if not…” Shinji’s lips stretches into a demented grin and his facial expression changes into an equally bloodthirsty one.

A shiver runs down everyone’s spine; even those who were just passing by. The Rogers’ nod curtly in understanding. Jason and his friends just watch on in confusion, perplexed about everything going on before them.

They all are focusing on themselves that they didn’t notice that Leilyn has returned.

“Umm… what’s going on here?”

The boys are the first to turn back, second to Shinji, whose usual wide grin is suddenly back on his lips. The Rogers’ snap whip their heads to look at her, their eyes going wide in disbelief and shock.

“Hey, Lyn-Lyn~!” Shinji says cheerfully.

The woman’s eyes narrow in suspicion. A sudden gush of wind blows by, making her hair to sway softly and gently in the breeze. Leilyn holds three shopping bags in her left hand, while the other gently tucks her hair behind the back of her ear from obscuring her vision. Her eyes move from the teens to Shinji, then to the still gawking family of four. Leilyn blinks, tilting her head a little.

“Yes?” Leilyn raises a brow. “May I help you?”

Shinji and the boys turn to face the Rogers’ again. Shinji’s grin becomes sharper as he looks at them with narrowed eyes.

The Rogers’ are still looking at Leilyn as if she just hung the moon and stars, creeping Leilyn and her teenage boys in the process.

“A Blessed.” Mr. Rogers mutters. He takes some steps forward, eyes still staring intently at Leilyn. He’s stopped however by a deep growl from Shinji. Mr. Rogers steps back, hands going up.

“Shin?” Leilyn blinks at her brother in all but blood in confusion.

Shinji snarls at the family of four one last time before walking over to Leilyn. He grabs the bags from her hand, using the other to steer her to the car. Zoranne opens the driver’s door and Shinji gently pushes Leilyn inside, who’s still voicing her concerns, and closes the car door gently.

“Boys, let’s go.” Shinji jerks his head at the teens as he walks around the car and stands at the front passenger side of the car. The teens hurriedly comply, wanting to leave the presence of the Rogers’ fast. Shinji’s still staring intently at the individuals in question.

“I will only give you this warning once: stay away from her or pay whatever crazy idea you’re cooking with your lives.” Shinji says, his eyes flashing eerily for a second. “You failed once and you all were left off the hook. Try that bullshit again and I personally will end you all.”

With that being said, Shinji’s eyes goes back to their normal shine, and he gets inside the car.

“Drive.”

Leilyn squints at him with a slight frown for some seconds before complying.

The ride back is filled with silence. The boys are unsure of what just happened, and are honestly afraid to ask. Shinji is tight lipped, eyes still narrowed and body still tensed. Leilyn is… well, she’s blank. Just totally silent and impassive.

They make it back to Leilyn’s house in no time. The parks the car in the driveway, coming out of it with grace. Shinji goes out next, the bags in his left hand, and following his lead are the boys. The boot of the car opens, and Leilyn wastes no time in grabbing the amount of bags her hands could carry. When she walks away from the opened boot, Shinji takes her spot and picks up some bags in his other hand. The boys pick up the remaining bags, the boot closing shut as they did.

When the boys enter into the house, they’re met with the sight of Leilyn and Shinji – who have both dropped their bags on the counter – having a stare down. They just stand awkwardly in the background, unsure of what to do or say.

After a full two minutes, Shinji finally caves in with a sigh. “Later.” He says with a bland tone.

Leilyn cocks a brow at him before nodding. She grabs the shopping bags – the ones she held when Shinji had his show down with the Rogers – and starts making her way towards the stairs.

“You boys start arranging those while I go drop these in my room. I’ll come back to help immediately I change. After that, you three grab your personal things and go to your rooms and change into something comfortable. I’m going to beat your asses in a mission.” She says with a grin aimed at them.

“Pfft. Like you can.” Shinji snorts, a wide, toothy grin on his lips.

“Challenge accepted, Mrs. Lyn.” Jason says with a grin.

An amused smirk takes over Leilyn’s lips as she stares at the males before her in amusement.

“Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you all.”

Shinji and the boys snorts as one. With an amused shake of her head, Leilyn makes her way upstairs while Shinji and the boys arrange the groceries where they are meant to be.