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Kaiji glanced at her phone, nervously. It was almost 9pm – where was her date?
She didn’t expect much from a profile that had a picture of some gorgeous beachside instead of actual photos, but had been pleasantly surprised when the faceless profile offered “Dinner? My treat?”.
Who could say no to free dinner and a date on Valentine’s Day? Definitely not Kaiji Itou.
And now Kaiji found herself in a comfortable, but cute navy blue dress, her normally messy hair tied up, and some makeup her roommates Chang and Maria had slapped onto her face. They were better at that kind of stuff then her, but still Kaiji felt a little… unnatural in makeup. Even dressing up this much was a stretch for her, but then again, so was going on dates to fancy restaurants with strangers she had barely spoken to. Red flags abound- their conversation on the app had been brief but pleasant before the invitation, Kaiji didn’t know what her match looked like, or her full name for that matter… but free dinner is free dinner, and she had done much riskier things in the past…
“Ma’am, might I offer you something else to drink?” The waiter asked, snapping Kaiji out of her thoughts. She glanced at the water on the table and shook her head.
“No, this is okay for now- My date should be here any minute.” Kaiji smiled, though had a feeling she was getting stood up- and she definitely couldn’t afford anything on the menu…
The waiter pursed his lips, as if sensing this might be the case, but nodded politely.
“Let me know if I can get you anything, then.” He said shortly and bowed before leaving, giving Kaiji a chance to sigh in relief once he left. Kaiji took another sip of her water and pulled her phone completely out of her purse and onto the table. She opened the dating app and checked the status of her last message- a simple “Here!” that had been sent almost 45 minutes ago and remained unread…
She opened her messages and sent a quick message to her roommate groupchat-
K: I think she’s a no show…
C: Oh no! I’m so sorry
M: Wat? Shes still not there? Wtf that’s so rude. When was her last message?
C: Maybe she’s just running late- has she said anything?
K: Just the address of this place and the time. she hasn’t read my “here” yet tho… If she doesn’t show up by 9, I’m just going to go hit a club or something and try not to have my night be a total waste.
K: How’s ur date going?
C: That sounds like a good plan- just be careful. And somehow Maria’s actually pulled together a really nice evening
M: GOOD stay out later I plan on wining and dining my date <3
K: lol ok. Ill be fine, I can recognize Teiai goonies like the back of my hand. I’ll just find some dumb sap and stay the night there. Will text whatever address.
Kaiji’s phone continued to ping messages, but she tossed it back in her purse and drank back the rest of her water. It certainly wasn’t fun being painfully single while your roommates were banging in the next room, but Kaiji had to admit- Chang and Maria made for quite the cute couple, and with everything they had all been through together… well, it she didn’t mind that much, but it was frustrating having a constant reminder of her singleness.
Her leg began bouncing under the table impatiently as she ran her finger along the rim of her water and glanced at the clock across the dining room, over the heads of other couples dining and smiling and flirting… and 9PM finally came. Kaiji officially decided she had been stood up.
She stood up and pulled on her jacket, as the waiter came by, looking at her with pity as he grabbed her empty glass.
“No show?” He commented politely, and Kaiji shook her head.
“Yeah, it seems.” She shrugged. She hadn’t been expecting much anyways- beyond a free meal.
“Well then, his loss for missing out on such a beautiful woman.” He smiled and Kaiji realized she was being flirted with.
“Ah, yes, well, there’s plenty of ladies out there… Thank you, have a good night…” Kaiji smiled and the waiter blinked, a bit surprised, but nodded politely as she turned and left the restaurant. Back out on the street, Kaiji let out a sigh of relief. Even if her date had shown up, Kaiji had a feeling they probably would not have meshed too well- they seemed to be in vastly different tax brackets, and rich people tended not to like dating down… unless it was a fetish thing. And it usually was an emotionless relationship, at least in Kaiji’s experience. Though the money was nice…
A shiver passed through her as she walked down the street, a cold February breeze cutting between the streets and making Kaiji pull her jacket tighter as she pulled out her phone and pulled up her maps app and searched for a watering hole. Just as she found a place within walking distance, within her price range, and seemingly LGBT friendly (What insane luck- especially in japan…), a notification made her come to a full stop on a street corner.
Miss H: Hey, sorry, got caught up with a work thing- will be there soon.
Kaiji groaned as she opened the dating app and quickly typed a response.
Kaiji: Oh, sorry I just left : (
Miss H: Ah
Miss H: I see
Miss H: Well… did u still want to meet up or no?
Kaiji couldn’t help but scoff loudly. Was this girl serious? She just got stood up and had the audacity to act as if she was being snubbed. Still… Kaiji was hungry and promised dinner… even if she sucked at least it was free food.
Kaiji: Sure, I’m almost at this other place tho- you ok with a change of location?
Miss H: Let me check. What’s the address?
Kaiji quickly texted the address of the bar she was headed to, and smirked. This might scare her off… or give her some more reasonable first-date-suggestions in the future at least. Kaiji continued walking, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it in the cup of her hand, protected from the wind as she walked. Her phone pinged again.
Miss H: Oh, I’ve been here before. It’s a dump. You sure this is where you want to meet?
Kaiji: I’m almost there anyways. I can get us a table and order something for you if you want.
Miss H: Don’t bother.
Kaiji: You sure?
Miss H: Yes. Just meet me outside.
Kaiji scoffed again, amazed at how snobbish this “Miss H” was coming off. Whatever, she was paying, and if she didn’t like it, well… then they wouldn’t have a second date. Kaiji scoffed as she arrived at the bar- but blinked in surprise as she realized how crowded it was. There was a lineup outside the door, as as Kaiji passed the doors to get in line, she realized it was definitely more of a nightclub then she realized. From the blinking lights and loud music, she realized this probably wouldn’t be the greatest venue for a first date… they would probably never hear eachother over the music. However, as Kaiji’s interactions with Miss H were going not so great, that might not be a bad thing. She got to the back of the line and pulled out her phone.
Kaiji: In line. It seems a bit packed.
Miss H: Line? Don’t bother, just wait next to the door and the bouncer, I’m almost there.
She stared at her phone, confused. Don’t bother? Miss H did say she had been here before… maybe she knew the owner? It didn’t seem like the kind of place that would have a reputable owner… actually, despite the Teiai chase officially ending almost a year ago now, Kaiji got a flicker of her old paranoia- but a trendy gay bar was probably the absolutely last type of establishment Teiai would own, that was for sure. Regardless, Kaiji got out of line and walked up to the door, ducking into the shelter of the building next to the club, avoiding the huge bouncer’s suspicious glare. She took a few final drags of her cigarette, and as she was crushing it against the wall, a flurry of chatter from the lineup made her glance up.
A long, sleek, black limousine was pulling up next to the club on the crowded street, and as a man in a black suit stepped out from the driver’s seat and jogged to the back to open the door, Kaiji felt a ball of ice form in her stomach.
Fucking Kazuya Hyoudou stepped out of the limo, flicking her shoulder-length brownish orange hair over her shoulders, and pulling her sunglasses down with a single finger to inspect the building. She was wearing a very smart dark blue suit- not the one Kaiji had seen before, but a more formal, clean looking suit, though her trademark scarf and sunglasses were still staples of the outfit. She almost looked normal. Well, as normal as the daughter of the richest woman in the world could look normal.
Kaiji simply stared at her, a deer caught in the headlights. After so much work she and Chang and Maria had put into running away, after everything they had been through… fucking Kazuya Hyoudou shows up to the one gay bar within walking distance-
“Kaiji! Babygirl, there you are!” Kazuya smiles her wide, flashy teeth at her as she spots Kaiji trembling in the shelter and steps onto the sidewalk.
“You always do like the more edgier places, eh? Well, whatever, it’s just nice to see you again after so long. Why don’t we go inside? It’s cold as shit out here.” Kazuya smiled and wrapped her arm around the stunned Kaiji’s waist. She barely processed what was happening as Kazuya herded her into the club, nodding at the bouncer who stepped aside easily for them. The music and lights were loud and flashing, but Kaiji barely noticed anything until she was pulled into a couch next to Kazuya in a private corner of the club- VIP, of course. Some supermodel pushed a drink into Kaiji’s stunned hand and it was only after Kazuya snapped her perfectly manicured fingers in front of Kaiji’s face did she snap out of her stunned daze.
"Miss H… H for…"
"Hyoudou of course." Kazuya finished her sentence, sipping some fruity looking drink. It looked strange in her hand, dressed so nicely. Kaiji gripped her drink tightly and took a deep breath.
Ok, one shot at this.
Quick as a flash, she threw her drink at Kazuya, mid-sip, who spluttered and coughed in surprise as Kaiji leaped up from the couch and dashed out of the vip lounge onto the club floor, trying to push through the shoulders. For the first time in a long time she was thankful she was lanky and boney as she elbowed people out of the way.
Kaiji had to pause, looking over everyone's heads as the flashing lights and loud music disoriented her, she scanned the seemingly endless crowd for the red glow of an exit sign. Her heart lurched as she spotted it, and, ignoring the sounds of squealing and shouting as Kazuya's goons pushed through the crowd behind her, Kaiji pushed through the crowd towards it.
The red glow of freedom. She would dash out into the street, run for a few blocks best she could in her heels, and duck into some back alley or bar. Then she would have to call Chang and Maria, they'd have to pack up again and run, and restart in a new city, again. Who knows how far away, since Teiai would probably call the search for them back on…
Kaiji was running through everything she was going to do as soon as she reached the exit and escaped into the night when she felt someone grab her arm and pull her sideways. Kaiji stumbled and almost tripped but let out an audible "oof!" When her back hit the cold brick wall of the bathroom. The music was muted outside and Kaiji heard a voice snap;
"Out!"
Before she could fully catch her break, Kaiji felt a few women slip past her and out of the club into the bathroom, muttering concerns as the door slammed behind them.
Kazuya grabbed the straps of Kaiji's dress and pushed her against the wall pushing her nose into Kaiji's face as she sneered.
"That was very rude, Itou. And uncalled for." Kazuya hissed.
"Hardly, I'd say it wasn't enough." Kaiji snapped back. "After everything you've put us through, there's definitely more I'd like to do to you."
Kazuya smirked, and cocked a well groomed eyebrow and Kaiji felt a flush cross her face.
"Oh really? I didn't think you'd be one to put out on the first date." She smirked and Kaiji scoffed.
"So what was your plan? Corner me in a nice restaurant where you didn't think I'd make a scene? Wrap me up in a bow and present me to your mother?"
Kazuya chuckled, and shook her head.
"Not at all, honest. In fact, finding you isn't my mother's top concern anymore." Kazuya smirked as she ran her finger along Kaiji's collarbone, a hungry look in her eyes.
"No, Kaiji, this was going to be a genuine date if you weren't so goddamn impatient!" She finished her croon with a snarl and punched the wall beside Kaiji's neck, making her swallow nervously.
"Why the hell would you want to go on a date with me?" Kaiji huffed, keeping the tremble of fear out of her voice. Kazuya shrugged, returning her hand to Kaiji's shoulder gently. Kaiji watched her finger draw little circles on her bare shoulder and suppressed a shiver.
"Why not? You're the perfect woman, Kaiji, exactly my type- wicked smart and you don't take shit from anyone. When Teiai got word you were on a dating app we own, I made an account right away and based on what you saw, you liked me too, eh?" Kaiji blushed at her words. Complimented by Kazuya Hyoudou… not exactly how she thought her night was going to go.
"I liked free dinner." Kaiji snapped back, feeling her confidence return as Kazuya's touch remained gentle. She ran her fingers up Kaiji's neck, earning a shiver as her cold fingernails ran along the muscle. Kaiji swallowed and met Kazuya's hungry gaze.
"I want to..." Kazuya breathed lightly, and bit her lip, her gaze flicking down to finish her sentence. Kaiji felt her heart beating in her throat as she waited to see what the other woman would do. Kazuya did a lot of evil things, but Kaiji had been confident she was not the kind of woman who would… hurt her like this, right?
"I want to become a woman worth your time."
Kaiji blinked in surprise and met Kazuya's eyes.
"Worth my time?" Kaiji frowned, confused as she watched Kazuya's expression tighten and frustrate. "I'm... so confused. First time we met you tried to kill me and Chang and Maria… and then you cyberstalk and catfish me, almost punch a hole through a wall, grope me, and now you're saying you want...what?"
Kazuya let out a frustrated growl and pulled her hands off Kaiji, stepping back to let her breathe a bit. Kaiji hugged her arms to herself defensively, but watched Kazuya curiously as she walked over to the bathroom sink and splashed water on her face.
"Old habits die hard, Itou. I'm trying my best but it's really hard to change when you are in an echo chamber of yes-men." She growled and glared at herself in the mirror. "As far as the cyberstalking and catfishing… well, if I had been honest, would you have come?"
"... Definitely not. I would have assumed it was a trick." Kaiji said slowly, watching Kazuya suspiciously. "I'm still not entirely sure it isn't. I'm waiting for one of your goons to burst in and toss me in the back of a car never to be seen again."
"Pfft, they wouldn't do that unless I told them to."
"I'm aware. Actually, that makes me more worried."
"Oh." Kazuya looked a little crestfallen at that and took a deep breath, steadying the tension building up in her shoulders. Kaiji tensed, prepared for another outburst but was surprised when she heard Kazuya whisper-counting down from ten. Kaiji waited until she finished before continuing.
"So, you actually really wanted to ask me on a date?" She kept her voice neutral, to hide her surprise- right now, surprise would probably come off as arrogance to the already wound up woman. "Why?"
Kazuya shrugged and wiped her hands on a paper towel, turning around to lean against the counter as she spoke.
"Like I said. You're my type." Kazuya shrugged nonchalantly, but avoided looking at her. There was definitely more to it, but as Kaiji bit her lip, she realized there was only one way to find out.
"So… if, and this is a very hesitant if…" Kaiji warned, raising a finger, "...if I agree to go on a date with you, will you promise me Chang, Maria, and I will be safe and Teiai won't be knocking on our door and kidnapping us?"
"Yep!" Kazuya jumped up quickly, an excited look passing across her face. Kaiji cocked an eyebrow, unimpressed with how quickly Kazuya responded. Kazuya seemed to sense her suspicion and relented with a sigh.
"Ok, no, I can't. But if that happened, it wouldn't be my fault. I explained to my mother everything that happened at one-poker but she wasn't impressed with me, so I'm on a … timeout so to speak. I won't rat you out to her though! In fact, I can protect you from her!" Kazuya offered quickly.
So Kazuya had gotten in trouble with mother Hyoudou after all… Kaiji wasn't surprised, though she doubted the "timeout" was anything like she had experienced growing up. Still, Kaiji couldn't help but believe Kazuya. She had that desperate, excited look on her face, the same one she had seen during the survival game when she was actually telling the truth… but this was still the person who invented the survival game in the first place. What was she thinking? Going on a date with Kazuya? That was like a lamb walking into a Wolf's den. Suicidal.
But if Kazuya was telling the truth, then maybe… maybe even if Kazuya was dangerous, this could work. She would have some idea of what was happening in Teiai as far as the search for the three of them, instead of having to guess all the time. Plus, a free dinner.
"...fine, we can go on a date." Kaiji relented and Kazuya clapped her hands excitedly.
"Oh, good! I'll call my men and get them to-"
"Ah, ah. If we're going on a date, we are going on a normal date. No fancy murder restaurant. We are going to get dinner at a reasonable, public place." Kaiji interrupted sharply, "And it's going to be just us. No henchmen."
Kazuya scoffed, and rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms across her chest like a pouting child.
"Fine, if that's what you want. Lets at least take my limo, it's freezing out."
"Nope, we're going to walk and talk like normal people. Or we can take a taxi- at your expense of course." Kaiji smirked, the idea of a nicely dressed Kazuya in a scummy taxi almost impossible to imagine.
"...fine, but you better put out." Kazuya grumbled as she pulled out her phone and began tapping away. Kaiji felt herself flush and wrinkled her nose.
"Not gonna happen. Now get your goons out of here so we can leave in peace."
"Already told them," Kazuya said, the sound of a message being sent playing from her phone as she closed it. "And we will see about that. I can be quite charming, you know." She smiled as she opened the bathroom door to the club. Kaiji rolled her eyes.
"I'm aware of your 'charms'." Kaiji huffed as she exited the bathroom, giving Kazuya a sharp look. "You're gonna have a hard enough time convincing me you're not still a psychopath. Why not focus on that for now, and then I'll consider actually calling this a real date?"
"Whatever you say, miss Itou." Kazuya smirked as she followed after Kaiji into the club.