Chapter Text
When did it start? That tiny little feeling, something lodged inside your chest. It was sharp. Pulsating even.
It's not often your words fail you either, not since you overcame the bulk of your social anxiety as a child.
And yet here you are, standing still and afraid, at the sight of the neon sign that reads 'Love & Sincerity'.
Growing up your parents didn't exactly shy away from you being the 'odd' one of the family. More reserved than the others, and certainly much more frail, you felt like you were encased in glass. Or maybe made of glass? Whatever the metaphor, your emotions we're just as delicate as your body. Maybe that's what made you such a good match with your Daemons.
On the summer of your ninth birthday, your mother declared that a cruise ship experience was necessary! This seemed strange given that nobody cared about cruises or travelling, but she was probably afraid you'd never get a chance to see anything like this. Five peaceful days flew by, and by now you had developed a routine. Swim in the pool in the morning, get a mediocre lunch from the fancy buffet, and lounge on the deck as your parents bathed in the sun and you would play random games with your sister.
As the grey clouds paraded in over the ship, dozens ran inside, following their intuition well. Your family just couldn't recognise it in time - the way that the ship swayed more than it ever had, or that pit in your stomach as you realised no sky just off the coast of Fukuoka would ever look like this. The fall was instant; face first into the hardwood deck slathered in the salty water that was raging its way onto the boat. As your world began spinning and the buzzing of the waves and yelling drowned out your sisters calls of concern, you felt the jolt of the vehicle. Was there some God punishing you? Perhaps you really were having an encounter with Umibozu? Regardless of who was responsible, was your fate sealed?
You just couldn't find footing. Not in this storm, which is perhaps an understatement. Storms are predictable, caused by the weather, but this? This was divine intervention, you thought, as you plummeted of the side of the deck and towards the ocean below.
'Anyone else would have found the strength to stand' you berated yourself.
'Anyone stronger could have ran away the moment they fell' the rush of blood that gushes from your nose blurs your vision as you sink.
'Anyone faster should have reacted in time'.
You could swim, but how do you find the strength to do so in this situation? The pressure is too strong, water too cold, heart too heavy. As you sink and it fills your lungs, the water feels almost natural. Like this place was where you belonged. The impact of your fall earlier left blood pouring out, straight into the water, finding its way to a dormant shell being guarded by a lone fish. Before you had time to mourn your own life, you had been saved, miraculously carried to the surface by something otherworldly.
That unique pact of yours with your daemons became quite useful. It was never really clear why, but after a few close encounters, it became clear that the dormant sea slug which had settled into your heart was no longer detectable as a daemon. In practice, only the Medaka stood out as a Daemon, and that small shell you kept in your pocket felt like nothing more than a decoration.
Leaving your Daemons at home was a smart decision, this bar was crawling with competent masters. Weirdly enough though, this didn't feel like the right spot. Sure, there were some intimidating individuals staring you down, but that was probably more related to you not knowing what to wear and being by yourself than anything. There were plenty of normal folk here, from the staff to the customers. This wasn't some secret underground ring, it was a business after all.
But then you sensed it. That presence, rumbling beneath your feet, so close yet infinitely far away. The footsteps travel down the hall, confident and determined, almost like he quite literally owns this place. How can you approach him? Kagemoris aren't known to interact with common folk exactly, and how can you get him alone to listen to your idea?
With equal parts frustration and determination, you saunter over to a staff member who you think might just buy it, and comment calmly 'I need to speak with Jin.'
A bold faced lie of course, but it works for you so who cares. He asks you to sit in a small dingy room just off the back of the staff hallway, a far-cry from the quality of the actual bar. It's a little bit cold, but you can stomach it for the sake of what you're doing.
Miraculously, it only takes about five minutes for Jin to enter the room and take a seat opposite you. It's probably your lack of daemons which makes this situation approachable, but the feeling that you might be swallowed at any moment lurks in the back of your mind.
'You asked to speak to me?' Blunt. Unsurprising for him.
His gaze is somehow even colder in this room, like he could dispose of you in a moments notice. It's difficult to notice past those glasses if there's even a speck of warmth in his eyes to any part of this world, although you can't blame him. You only know of the Kagemoris through whispers and rumours that have transmitted from daemon to daemon.
'I did' you respond about as casually as you can. It's hard to maintain any respect in this line of work, but you like to think you've cultivated the perfect personality, a trustworthy mix of authority and humility.
'I appreciate you taking the time to see me.'
It's like his eyes actually gloss over at his formalities, so you skip to the good part.
'I wanted to ask for your help in something, a quid pro quo lets say', the slight tilt of your head engages him like bait. You do seem trustworthy after-all, a 20s something woman by herself in this establishment?
'I don't take on personal requests-' he starts, but you interrupt with 'it's not a clean-up job.'
He pauses. You know you shouldn't have displayed your knowledge so soon, but what choice do you have?
'What makes you think I clean up?', his voice is a little deeper. You're both treading water and acting like you can't swim, wondering if the other will fall for it.
'Your friend beneath us.' you answer honestly, or a fold, as some would say. Really, he has no reason to suspect you can see Daemons, but here you are writing it all over your forehead. 'It really is a personal request for you- not your pair or your family.'
Confused, he asks 'What could you possibly want from me?'
'I need you to pretend to be my partner...'
'Pardon?'
Well he doesn't seem annoyed, or maybe he does, you wouldn't really be able to tell anyway. He is expressive enough but you two just simply aren't that close after 40 seconds of talking to discern what 'angry' really looks like on that face.
'I need someone to fill the role of my partner for just one night.' you repeat reluctantly.
His expression is more blank now than anything else, like you'd stunned him '...why?'
'Well it's a bit complicated-' you start to ramble, but he swiftly interrupts you.
'-no nevermind that, why are you asking me?'
Oh. Well that was the easiest part to explain actually.
'I don't have many bargaining chips, so I needed to approach someone who would actually find it useful to strike a deal with me. And well, it's hard to explain what I do unless you have daemons yourself.'
Jin nods, finally understanding your position in this deal. It wasn't about getting him specifically, it was about asking someone who might have even the slightest chances of saying yes.
'Plus,' you continue 'you're around my age, have fairly respectable mannerisms, and are just the right level of attractiveness where nobody will look down on me, but nobody will find it unrealistic either.' He maybe scrunches is face just a little bit at that last one, unbothered by the comment but confused on why you even mentioned it in the first place.
'What exactly are you offering in exchange?'. Jin can't believe he's even considering this.
'A favour. Any favour - although ideally it's not mundane.' you pull a small conch shell out of your pocket, shining briefly in the luminescent industrial lamps above you. Its sharp edges have been dulled, but the unique detail and grooves indicate it was very much a real, physical object. As you slide it across the short plastic surface that separates you and your "suitor", you go on to explain the significance.
'If you blow into that even once, I'll show up and be at your command.'
'For how long?'
'As long as I want.'
'That doesn't sound like a very good deal.' Jin picks up the conch and examines it as though he's never been near the sea before. Realistically he's probably just trying to see how it's related to your Daemons, but for a brief moment you do find his intrigue to be endearing.
'I'm a woman of my word, if you ask me to get something done then I'll do it.'
'This just sounds like an excuse for you to find my location'
'Must you be so cynical?' you sigh deeply, more in frustration after you realise that you knew he'd be like this. He isn't a fool, anyone who shows up unannounced should be questioned with such a strange offer like this. But it's surprisingly hard to find a respectable daemon master who might consider your offer, so you try again.
'Really you should use this in a last ditch effort, and if you're already dying, what's the harm in trying your luck and trusting me?' you put on that sweet voice, but he might as well be diabetic with how he avoids it.
Jin raises one eyebrow and asks 'you think you can save me like that?'.
'I know I can.' your confidence is unwavering, almost a little intimidating with how much you believe in this offer.
'Look, I can't reveal all my cards, but surely the fact that I came here without my daemons shows to you that I know how to get out of tough situations. Maybe you think I'm full of shit about what I can offer, but I'm not asking for military aid, just an evening of lying.' You raise your hand defensively as though your act is innocent. 'Besides, it's one free dinner.'
'I haven't even gotten to that part yet. Why exactly do you need a fake date?' Ah yes, the slightly more difficult to explain part.
'Let's just say I have a couple of clients who I need to believe that I am settled into this life in Tokyo well.'
'Being vague isn't going to help you.' okay and now he's actually frowning, wonderful.
'Can't I have a little bit of privacy? You're never going to see these clients again, and they don't wield Daemons so you won't be in any physical danger. It's purely a social thing to consolidate my position in the real world outside of my job.'
'And your job is...?'
'I'm a contractor.' You answer bluntly, 'I create written documents that confirm the nature of parties... but they're often ones that involve Daemons. They're binding of course, it's a little bit difficult to explain'
'Like living transfer pacts?'
'Close...?' you sigh 'it's more complicated, and these days I've been taking on more freelance jobs as a bodyguard'. Surprisingly, he doesn't look you up and down to question this, maybe he's just really woke and thinks women can do anything.
'All you need to know is that I really do think this could be of use to you. Just...give it some thought okay?' you pleade.
When you get home, you can't help but squeal into a pillow on the sofa. You did it!! You convinced that stubborn man to do you a favour- a favour you really needed. It's unfortunately obvious that he doesn't trust you, but you can't blame him. At the very least, he trusts you enough to recognise that this isn't a trap. He set up a second meeting with you at Love & Sincerity so you can outline the expectations and provide some context, but really you're just excited to be outside and talk to someone again. You'd heard rumours that the Kagemoris are sheltering one of the special twins, but the only way that concerned you was if it was going to be a distraction to Jin on this special night. After all, you weren't just hoping he'd show up, you needed him to appear and be convincing.
Then came the big night, you had caught him up on how to behave, but he really didn't need much training in that department. You were right after all, he is a respectable man who feels a lot of weight for the responsibilities he takes on, and this weird deal was no exception. Ever since you've given him that shell, it's like he felt ever so slightly indebted to you; his tone was nicer and more patient with whatever it was you said. He didn't really know about your daemons, nor how you happened to find them. Private matters and whatnot. All that really mattered was that this would be a peaceful bit of social manipulation.
You tried to not keep him busy for too long, especially since you weren't intending to keep this dynamic beyond the favour you owed, but he listened diligently to your thoughts whenever they did come up. What to wear, the location, the exact meal to order. None of your intricate planning seemed to bother him, and it was a relief to say the least. You'd already given him that conch shell after your first encounter, to act as a guarantee of sorts that you had no problems committing to this. You pulled up to a discrete location, not far from the Kagemori manner to pick him up. It seemed easiest that you would drive after all, one less thing for your new guest to deal with.
He entered the car in an almost graceful manner, a classic three-piece suit on his body was no surprise by this point. Although, you can't help but notice that this one seems a little fresher, almost like it had been cleansed of whatever cleaning duties he had done before.
'You clean up well' you joke as you gesture to his freshly shaven stubble, a play on his family activities as well, of course.
'I do it on the first of the month' He responds dryly. Great, a light-hearted joke and now he thinks you assume he's done everything for you. You clear your throat and ask 'You sure you're still okay with this? Once we're there I don't want you backing out.'
'A deal is a deal, I wouldn't change my mind now.'
'Great great...thanks again.'
'Don't thank me until I've done my part.'
The drive is a little awkward, and makes you feel more stiff than you originally did in this fitted dress. Floor length and a dark-red satin that subtly matched the undertones in your hair. You felt great! Well- kind of. There was this small part of you that felt this damned Kagemori was somehow showing you up.
His cologne was subtle but impressive, or maybe it was the one he wore normally? Either way, it suited his calm presence. Not to mention his polished shoes, real-leather belt, and slightly disheveled haircut; all of which were somewhat charming? As he leaned back in that older chair of your aged but respectable car, you felt intimidated that he might not fit the role after all. He was respectable sure, but maybe a little too respectable. And nobody wants to be shown up by their date, right?
Pulling into the restaurant was easy, but working up your courage to get out of the car seemed impossibly difficult. Jin didn't make that difficult though, he just... got out? Before you had time to really process it, you rip the band aid off and swing the door open into a loud THUD as the door slammed into something. That thing? Jin.
He was walking around the front of the car to open your door, and you had somehow completely missed that and just smacked his shin so hard you might as well go park in the disabled bay right now.
'OH MY GOD' you exclaim under your breath as you rush to his side. He's stood up, but leaning against the slightly dusty hood of your car, grimacing at the pain.
'Jesus- why were you there?!' you whisper in a panic.
'Ng- I- was trying to open your door for you...'
'...I'm so sorry.'
'I'll be fine. I've taken a machete to the ankle.'
Right, he probably has had worse injuries. But you also imagine that the person who did that wasn't about to ask him to pretend to be their partner for the evening. Thankfully, he knows how to put on a brave face and you shamefully hold onto his arm as you stroll into the venue.
You had barely given your name to the waiter, who had asked for your reservation, when that unsettling voice re-appears.
'Darling! You actually made it-' she steps closer.
'You know, after you couldn't attend the last two, I was worried sick.' Her cold hands wrap around you as you loosen your grip from Jin's arm.
'You could have at least called!' You hug back.
And as you do, you glance over at your "date", recognising a subtle hint of horror and fear that you know nobody else would pick up on. For the first time this evening, Jin had realised that these clients were your family.
That twinge of guilt buried itself into your mind back there. Technically you never said 'We aren't going to be seeing my family' so it wasn't exactly a lie... And technically your parents and sister have all been contracted under you as clients at one point in the past... But even still, you know deep down that it was wrong of you to hide it.
You can't even really explain why either. You say that it isn't because you're embarrassed, but the way you avoid his eyes right now highly suggest otherwise. He isn't even glaring or frowning, well, not anymore than he normally is at least. He just has a resting face that lacks any amusement or light in his eyes, but they can get used to that.
Your mother guides you both to the table 'I had no idea you we're actually bringing a guest this time! What happened to-'
'I told you, that ended months ago.' you cut in.
'Right, where are my manners~' Her voice is sickly sweet, and she really hasn't aged much. Returning to her own seat, the rest of the table greets you. Your father extends a polite but firm handshake to Jin, introducing himself as Mr Shinomiya. At the same time, your sister wraps her arms around you, a light squeeze at the shoulder as you nod politely to her partner, Kanzaki. He's only a little bit older than your big sister, Kanae, and he always gave off that air of formality. At least, he did around you.
Jin pulls out your chair for you, and you take that brief window of everyone settling down to introduce him before things get too intense.
'Everyone, this is Kagemori Jin, my partner.' All you can do is hope for the best.
'Oh my, Jin dear,' your mother gushes instantly 'Thankyou so much for coming- it's been so long since my dear has been to a family meal and I was wondering what she was up to.'
'A Kagemori hm?' Your father interjects, 'Say, I've heard that name before in Tokyo...'
'Ah, we run quite a few different businesses.' Jin answers, his first proper sentence since you entered the building. You shamefully look up at him, but he doesn't seem as phased by the realisation that you tricked him at the start. Or maybe he just has a really good poker face...
'It's a pleasure to meet you all.' He really is the perfect fake boyfriend.
Before you can really prevent it, Kanae pipes up. She seems quite calculating, but really she's just nosy and drags her words out a little too long like she's gossiping. 'Say Jin-ny...', great, a nickname.
'I haven't heard you be mentioned before, you two keeping things quiet?'
'It was just while we figured the early things out, I figured it would be intimidating introducing a new person to her family, so I asked for us to talk things out until we we're both ready.' That's awfully kind of him to take the fall, although there aren't exactly any repercussions for him saying this since this is the only time he will ever see them.
'Mhm, he's been very understanding.' you add. The least you can do is try to act like a team. 'It's only been short but we've worked through a lot on our own' an understatement if I've ever heard one.
The conversation seems to drift off into more useless drivel about the state of the world and the occasional comment from your mom about how you should really buy a house. But for the most part? You've convinced them. Jin seems a bit nervous, so you lightly squeeze his knee as if to say 'it's okay, they don't know.' but that really only puts him more on edge as he lightly bashes it against the intricate wooden structure holding up the marbled tabletop. Got it: keep your hands to yourself. You get by on casual comments, a light joke here and there, and very intense nodding as they each share stories about where they had been. It's not that you didn't miss this, because you did. You just... didn't see why it mattered that you we're alone for most of these dinners.
Before you have time to dwell on how unfair it felt, the worst question had been thrown at Jin, not you like last time. Which was weird- because this question was always directed at you first.
'Any long term plans together, Jin?' your mother asked. Maybe to most ordinary families this was an innocent question, but for you, it had been the source of your past two break-ups. And never for the reason most would have thought.
If your past two relationships were a sign of anything, it was that you had a type. The sickly sweet, romantic type. They would buy you flowers, walk you everywhere, make sure you went to bed together with a warm drink and, worst of all, always saw you in their future. Whether it was kids, marriage or buying a house, those men had fallen for you far quicker than you'd ever wanted. And when it came time to share a fancy dinner with your mother, and she asked you 'Dear, do you have any long term plans with him?' it was your hesitant silence that was loudest. The look on your face as your mouth quivered and you realised you wanted to run away all over again.
Had she learned? To ask you partner instead and put them on the spot? You had already blindsided Jin by deceiving him about the intentions of this deal, but now your own mother has outdone you and blindsided you BOTH?
You can feel you're voice shrivel and die inside your throat, when you want so badly so speak up but your lips quiver. It wasn't that you we're afraid of the answer, or even of them finding out the truth about who Jin really was to you (an acquaintance at best), it was that for the third time in a row you felt like you we're still the person holding yourself back.
But Jin clears his throat, and answers, far more eloquently than you ever could, by saying 'We've talked about it a little bit, but I think it's too soon to really say.' What? Was his vague answer simply reflective of the fact that he was a paid role? Or could he actually tell what was really on your mind?
The plates are nearly empty by now, scraped up across long conversations about the economy and Kanzaki's newest hobby that you could not care less about. You thought about bolting out of the door before anyone could make this any worse, but you'd ruin your family's chances of dining here again. Realistically, Jin's answer was perfect.
You both agreed beforehand that you were "5 months in" which seemed perfectly reasonable. It lined up with your last break-up well, explained a lot about your career, and even on his side of things it wouldn't have been impossible if anyone did try to dig into it. As far as you could tell, five months wasn't a lot of time together. Maybe your past two relationships (at 13 and 8 months) should have warranted you wanting a bit more out of them, but in this situation there was no reason to be upset with what Jin said.
But your family just didn't get that. They we're worried about you, and your partner was the only aspect of life you ever connected to them with. Maybe it's because you felt some duty to them to prove that you could live your own life? It's not like you could bring over friends and introduce them to your family as proof that you know how to be a real adult, even if you did have any. And so, you started dating. Finding these perfectly sweet men who you did like, but just didn't actually envision much of a future with. All they've ever known is you finding these amazing men to be with, those guys that would sing your praises every morning and night. And then there's that Kagemori sat next to you...
By this point in the evening his hair is slightly scruffy, and his beard is fairly clean, but maybe not to their taste. He's had a fairly dead-pan expression throughout the entire meal, and naturally had very little to say as the newcomer. Sure he's refined and respectable, but not really in the way that your family ever cared for. They didn't ever actually care about that sort of respect, they just wanted someone to cherish and protect that little girl they still see you as, right? And now, he's gone and delivered the final blow, by confirming that you two we're not as serious as your past partners.
'Come again?' Kanae finally asks 'too soon?' with a polite smile, but it's laced with irritation and acts as a warning shot more than anything.
You're not sure if Jin is actually dense, or just sick of this polite talk all evening, but he doubles down with 'It's only been five months and I don't get to see her that often. I don't want to commit myself to any plans without having asked her first.'
Delivering it with that same dead-pan expression only makes it seem like a challenge to the rest of them. 'Still, it's good to be on the same page right?' Kanzaki chimes in. You would ordinarily glare at him getting involved, but he's been here for so long you can't blame him.
'Surely you must have similar ideas at least?' your father adds.
In this short burst of a conversation, your eyes dart back and forth between them all. You can practically hear it, Jin wondering why you haven't said anything.
'Don't you care about my daughter?' says your mother. The final blow.
As you go to stand up, to defend your partner and announce your departure, he commands their attention even quicker as he declares 'I care about your daughter plenty. If you all hadn't spent all night ignoring her and rambling on about pointless information, maybe you'd realise she's got a lot more going on in her life here.' He calls a waiter for the check and continues:
'She is a fine young woman with her whole life ahead of her. I don't care if she wants a future with me, another man, or one all by herself. What matters is that you all seem far more preoccupied with her hypothetical life then the one she's actually living.' As his card goes through, he stands and gestures for you to take his hand.
Maybe it's the embarrassment or shame that force you to your feet, maybe it's the admiration and slight hint of attraction that pull you towards him. Whatever it is, you take it and run as far as you can. Not literally of course, you have formal attire on and you're in a nice restaurant, but the adrenaline is undeniable as you step down the carpeted hallway.
You couldn't bring yourself to look at your family during that confrontation, if you could even call it that. It only took one evening for him to grow fed up with the people you love the most. You make your way with him to the car in silence, and as you reach the side he announces 'I'll drive.' as he opens that passenger's door for you. Is this just how Kagemoris do things?
He starts to cruise through the quiet streets of Tokyo until he asks, 'Mind if we take a detour?' in a slightly calmer voice. Great, you've embarrassed a Kagemori after lying to him and now he's going to kill you to act like it never happened. You nod anyway, not like he couldn't just swallow you whole right now. To your surprise, he drives to a quiet little kid's playground, or maybe it was just his go-to murder spot.
Your fitted dress is certainly a stark contrast to the sad, grey equipment of this child's area, but given how late it is that won't be a problem. You walk with him and sit on the swings after he's already sat down. The words bubble up, and before you can stop yourself it's out.
'I'm so sorry.'
'So sorry for all of it really- the lying, the way they spoke to you-'
You keep rattling on.
'I wasn't trying to deceive you I just didn't think properly-'
'Hey.'
You look up. You finally look into his eyes, past the lenses and into the way he stares right back at you.
It's soft. Gentle even.
'...hey...' you whisper back, your hands clench tightly around the cold metal of the swing naturally, as if you could ever ground yourself after the events of tonight.
'I appreciate the sentiment, but you don't owe me an apology.' He's staring, like really staring at you. You can look around if you want, but it's hard to escape the grasp of his gaze.
'You're too nice for your own good. It's going to make you sick.'
'...Pardon?' a slight laugh escapes you, maybe out of awkwardness more than anything.
'Your...clients. They have a tendency to ignore what you want because you're worried about bothering them.' Who ordered a damn therapist?
'So what? I don't mind.' you retort like a child.
'Clearly you do.' Jin sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, like he really is talking to a child. 'I don't know what exactly you have going on, but they will keep overstepping boundaries if you keep appeasing them.'
'It's not appeasement,' you answer 'I just... I have nothing in common with them.'
'Nothing?'
'Yeah...nothing. My daemons have become my whole world, and... when you can't see daemons it just...'
He nods understandingly, after finally connecting the dots. Before this encounter, Jin knew that your clients couldn't see daemons, but now that he knows it's your family who is missing such a big part of your life?
'Is that enough of an excuse to let them treat you like that?'
'It- it's not an excuse-'
'We can play this game all night.'
As you groan in frustration and kick the ground below the swing slightly, you could have sworn you heard a light laugh coming from the occupant of the other swing. Whoever that could be.
'I get that I shouldn't have blindsided you like that, but you can't act like you know anything about my family-'
'I'm talking about you here. Not them.'
'And you don't exactly know me either-'
'Is that such a problem?'
'Of course it's a problem! You're making all these assertions about me and what I'm like.' Your arms naturally fold themselves in frustration.
'Is it an assertion if I just watched it first hand?'
'Oh yeah? How exactly did you see me then hm?'
'You never interrupt the conversation.'
'Well that's because I'm polite' you retort.
'Exactly, you think that being nice means having your needs not met.'
'Talking in a conversation about shitty politics isn't one of my needs.'
'But talking is. You love to talk.' Oh.
He's right.
In fact, this moment at the park felt far less stressful, even after the whole ordeal of the night. What made him think that? Was it that meeting you had when you couldn't stop yourself?
'So?' your voice is a little quieter this time. 'Don't you also like to talk?'
'Not much.' Right, you should have known that.
'I don't think that one aspect is enough to assume I'm letting people walk over me.'
'You let me drag you out of that restaurant just fine-'
'That! That!' shit. 'That was not the same!' You finally get it out.
'How so? You don't know me, and I can tell you don't like me more than your family.'
'You just seemed like the lesser of two evils in that very brief moment.'
But deep down, you recognise what he's saying. He doesn't even know about those past two relationships that you went along with for the sake of feeling stable. You did enjoy being with them, but you could hardly see yourself bickering with them like you are right now and making up. They worshipped the ground you walked on, but sometimes you just wanted to walk hand in hand with someone.
'Who made you my shrink anyway? Deal's done, I'll drive you home and you can keep the shell until you need to use it.'
As you finally stand up and walk away from the swing set, Jin hurriedly steps off to stride over and loosely wrap his hand around your wrist. 'I thought I was your fake date for the night' he answers quietly 'Is this night over?'
Damn him and his weird guilt tripping technique, you thought. Damn him and the way that he looks at you when the conversation gets too real. Damn him, damn the Kagemoris, damn your family and god damn it why is he still looking at you?
'Yes - it's over' you shake his hand off. 'I don't know what game you're playing Kagemori, but I can operate just fine on my own.' Well, that was way colder than you intended, but his know-it-all attitude was starting to piss you off. Who does he think he is telling you that you're too kind? And that being too kind is such a bad thing?
But he doesn't object. He follows you to the car, getting into his passenger seat and puts his seatbelt on. Well now it doesn't feel so good... It felt like you just yelled at a man for no reason. So before you even turn the car key, you turn to face him and sincerely confess:
'I'm sorry. I didn't appreciate you calling me out.'
'No need.' his dismisses you naturally, almost like he expected it.
'Just glad to see you express what you actually wanted for once.'
'Damn you...' you mutter as you realise what he did.
And again, it sounds like that foreign entity laughing quietly to himself has found its way into your car. Perhaps its a daemon?
The drive back is quiet, sure you hate being told how to live, but you feel a bit better knowing there wasn't really any bad blood between you. Just two very awkward individuals pretending that evening did or did not happen. As you arrive outside the Kagemori manor, you realise something.
'Oh my god- give me your details so I can pay you back!'
'Pardon?'
'Your bank details- you paid for that dinner.'
'It's nothing-'
'Kagemori Jin I am serious! I do not want you paying for that meal'
'What meal?'
As Jin starts to undo his seatbelt, you lock the car door and he turns to you with a blank but mildly displeased expression, as if to say 'really?'
'You shouldn't have to pay for that meal'
'And yet I choose to.'
'Want me to hit you? Just write down the details or I will personally be sliding cash under these damn gates!'
'Look, consider it my charitable act-'
'Not. Helping.'
'I have enough money to cover-'
'You're being to nice and letting people walk over you!' You finally throw at least part of his words back on him, although it doesn't really hit the same.
'I'd argue you're being overly nice by trying to pay for something you can't afford.'
'I CAN afford it!'
'If that we're true you'd have rented a boyfriend.' Oh - so he did think about that.
'Maybe I wanted it to be you!'
'If that we're true you'd let me pay for dinner.'
'That doesn't even make any sense!'
The lightest smile slips past your lips. This selfish man doesn't give a damn about your future, just like he said back at the restaurant. In the here and now, you feel it. How he looks at you, how he listens to your words, how he tries to understand you without pushing you for more information.
'What if you pay me back by taking me out some other time?' Jin asks quietly.
'I'm not really trying to keep the whole fake dating thing going for my parents-'
'Your family doesn't have to be there. And it doesn't have to be a date.'
'...huh?'
'Just, give it some thought' and with that he leans over to unlock the car door with the press of a button, drops a small piece of paper with some digits on, and hurries out of the car before you can process.
Your ridiculous deal had ended with a night of love and sincerity.