Chapter Text
Hope sprung eternal. Hence, he always hoped that one day, when he burst into the Saeba apartment, and he did it quickly enough, he might find Kaori in a state of partial undress, relaxing on the sofa, waiting for him with an inviting smile (okay, the last one was a stretch, but one never knew). He liked looking at her, especially when Ryo wasn’t around. But lately the guy was always around, and Kaori was always so tense.
This time, he hoped Ryo was around, though. Because he was feeling restless and he wanted to go out and party like the old times—another thing Ryo refused to do lately, which was beyond strange—and he needed a party buddy.
So, as per his usual, on one end hoping to find Kaori alone, on the other hoping Ryo would finally stop sulking (for no obvious reason, mind you!) and go cabaret-hopping with him, late one Friday afternoon Mick entered—loudly—into the building, bounded—again, very loudly—up the stairs, and quickly and extremely loudly opened the Saeba apartment door.
“Yoohoo!” he yelled in exuberance. “I’m in the mood to party! Who’s coming with me?!”
His party mood dimmed somewhat on seeing his friend on the couch, a dark scowl on his face, glaring daggers in his direction, and Kaori quickly disappearing into the kitchen with a feeble offer of coffee thrown over her shoulder. She didn’t even look at him. Mick pouted.
“Is this the way of coming to visit?” Ryo snarled. “What the hell do you want?”
He was a little taken aback by the venomous tone and palpable rage coming at him in waves. “Okay,” he said with a slight smile on his face. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Beside you busting in here like you own the place?!”
Mick cocked his head, considering. “Yes. You’ve been snarly for months. It doesn’t look good on you. What’s wrong?”
“None of your business. Fuck off.”
Mick grinned. “Oh, I see. You haven’t gotten laid, huh?” He looked quizzically toward the kitchen, where Kaori suddenly was suddenly overcome by a coughing fit. “Need a help in there?” he called, taking a step forward, when Ryo stood up, blocking his path with a murderous expression.
“She doesn’t.” He forcefully turned him and pushed him toward the door. “And you’re leaving.”
Mick dug in his heels. “Not without you.” He shook off Ryo’s grip and danced out of his reach. “Come on,” he cajoled. “You know you want to go out with me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Oh, come on, you need to lighten up, get out of this funk.”
“I’m not in a funk,” Ryo snarled.
“Sure you are. That’s what happens when you don’t get laid.” He grinned. “Come one, Kabukichō is waiting. I bet you’ll feel better in the morning.”
Ryo stared at him for so long and so hard, Mick started to worry. It was obvious an inner debate was raging.
“Careful,” he chuckled. “You might just burst a cog.”
Ryo’s features suddenly smoothed out, and he seemed to stand taller as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “Here’s the truth, Mick. I don’t want to go out with you. I don’t need to go out with you. I’m getting laid, as you so tactfully expressed yourself, just fine, thank you very much.” His eyes twinkled as he looked over his shoulder toward the kitchen, a sweet smile playing on his lips. “And I would like to get back to it, so if you would kindly fuck off.”
As if in a trance, Mick turned toward where Ryo was looking and saw her. Kaori stood in the kitchen doorway, her eyes enormous, her obviously well-kissed mouth slightly parted, lips puffy and glistening. Her cheeks were pink, but beside her obvious blush, there were reddish spots of whisker burn, a small, purple mark was forming on her neck, and the upper three buttons of her blouse were missing as she clutched it closed over her breasts.
“Oh,” he said numbly. “I see.”
“Good,” Ryo said and walked to Kaori, circled her waist with his arm, and kissed her temple. “Now get lost.”
“Right away.” He grinned. “You kids have fun.” He saluted and sauntered out.
On the way down the stairs, he grinned. It was about fucking time, really. The only problem was now he had to find someone else to go cabaret-hopping with him.