~To The Story~
"...What is this?"
Karma looked at his plate of omelette with skepticism. The omelette itself is fine and dandy, it's what was ontop that threw him off a bit. Used with ketchup, there was a badly drawing of a flower with a smiley face. At least, Karma thinks it's a flower. Hench why he had to ask.
"It's a flower." You smiled, sitting next to Karma with your plate of an omelette and having a similar drawing on it.
"Flowers don't have faces."
"That's what makes it cute." You pouted when you hear the lack of amusement in Karma's voice.
"Yeah, cute." Karma lazily smiled and picked up his fork. "You don't have to pretend to act like a wife if you don't want to."
"I-I wasn't trying." You flushed. "I just wanted to make you breakfast..." Besides, it's the least you could do since he is letting you live here and agreeing to marry you.
You saw Karma poking at the omelette, specifically at the drawing, as if he was silently threatening it that he will eat it if it were to attack him.
"... Don't poke your food." You sighed.
It was your idea to have breakfast with Karma in the mornings. It's a good chance to spend some time with him and get used to the presence of each other. Since Karma is talking to you like a normal person now, you're not nervous about having to strike a conversation with him.
"I always put cute drawings on my omelette," You said sheepishly, already using your fork to cut one end of your food. "Although... a flower is the only thing I can draw. But if you don't like it I won't do it to yours."
"Nah, you don't have to. Otherwise, I can't make fun of it."
Your cheeks puffed, frowning at the redhead as he ate his breakfast with an innocent expression. When he acts like that, you sometimes question if he really is a Yakuza boss or not. The ones you met were always old and pretty cold at times. This guy looks like he just wants to have fun.
"At least you're a better cook than you are at drawing."
"Oh." You fought back a smile. You were half expecting him to find some flaw in your cooking like in your drawing, but here he is, eating every bit without a hint of hesitation. "Thanks."
"I don't often have... er what you call it...? Home-cooked meals? So this is a nice change of pace." Karma commented, his fork picking up another piece of the omelette.
"What do you normally eat then?"
Karma chewed then swallowed. "Typically snacks."
Karma does not want to rely on someone to cook for him. He can fend for himself and take whatever there is in the kitchen and that goes for anyone else who lives here.
You furrowed your brows. "That's not good for you." Should you cook for him more?
Karma half shrugged. "Don't worry about me. Anyway, speaking of things that aren't good for me." He began. "I'm having an annoying pest come over later today."
Annoying pest?
"Um... Okay." You said, thinking that would be the end of the subject, but apparently, it wasn't 'cause Karma went on, his voice dropping into a more serious one.
"Now, I don't want you to meet him, but because I do business with his dad and him, you're bound to cross paths with him."
Karma did say that there are some things you're gonna have to learn if you're going to be his fiancée. Guess meeting the people he does business with him should be one of them.
"Alright, I don't mind." You said. "But..."You pursed your lips. "You kinda make it sound like you don't like him?"
"No, no, I don't like the guy," Karma's eyes narrowed. "I absolutely hate the guy." Your eyes flickered to how Karma was gripping the fork which was stabbing your poor omelette.
You suddenly felt a little queasy about the harshness he used for his tone of voice just by bringing the guy up.
Remaining calm, you said, "hate is a strong word, Karma."
"Not strong enough," Karma said bitterly, losing his grip on the fork. "You'll understand if you had to deal with him as I had."
"Is he a Yakuza boss or something?" You asked.
"Nope. He's the heir to a successful hotel. Ever heard of the classic 5-star hotel Kunugigaoka?"
"Oh, of course." You smiled. "I've only seen the inside on the ads, but it looks amazing nonetheless."
"Yes, well, his dad owns it and he is next to the throne as you might say," Karma explained. "Whenever he's unavailable, it's his prodigy I have to address to. Like today." His shoulder slump just a tad.
"Why... why don't you like him?" You reluctantly asked, thinking you were going to have to open up some kind of old wounds.
"I just don't. Plain and simple." He answered, taking a spoonful of the egg and eating it.
There's gotta be more to it. How can you just simply hate someone? Surely there has to be a reason. Right?
"Did something happen between the two of you? You were half expecting for him to either ignore you or to get at least upset for you being so nosy.
However, what you weren't expecting was for him to humour you a teasing smile. "Are you expecting to hear some sort of tragic back story?"
"Tragic? No." You paused and then furrowed your brows. "... Is it tragic?"
"Nope. Far from that." Karma eyes glazed off from your orbs. There was no huge, tragic backstory as to why he and Asano don't get along. Although, this might give him a chance to talk badly about the guy.
"Our hatred for each other stems all the way back when the two of us went to the same high school." He continued on and you listened. "In the beginning, it started out as a petty rivalry. Our grades were the best in the school."
"You got good grades in school?" The words came out of your mouth so easily and it did sound like you didn't believe him.
Karma eyed you with an offensive stare. "What are you implying?"
"Uh." Your lips morphed into a nervous smile, knowing you said something to offend him. "It's just uh... you don't come across as someone who takes schoolwork seriously. You seem more like a delinquent if you ask me."
"Oh, I was a delinquent. I got into tons of fights, I skipped class and slacked off, I even committed a few vandalism here and there. But that didn't mean I was an idiot. My grades were top-notch, mind you. Which is why I never got expelled." Karma said with a cocky tone. "I take pride in knowing my grades were better than the norms." He grinned childishly yet proudly. "If I was stupid, I wouldn't be as successful as I am now if I was some brainless rich kid."
He's a successful Yakuza boss, has a violent history and he seems confident with his level of intelligence. That's a dangerous combo.
"So besides your grades, I'm guessing you weren't a good student." You stated with a small smile.
"I was the worst," Karma says without any shame. "Though, I suppose that's one of the reasons Asano hates me. You see, unlike me, that guy, well, basically is the opposite of me. By that, I mean, he took school seriously. He showed up to all of his classes, took part in any event and made sure it runs smoothly. He was like the king of the school. And when a King like him sees a delinquent like me having grades that are on par with his, it must have infuriated him."
Karma then laughed merrily, finding it amusing how his mere existence angers Asano.
"Anyway. Because of our dynamics, we just ended up hating each other throughout the years and trying to one-up each other. A year after graduation his dad hired me. When he found out, he was pissed. You could say he hates the Yakuza."
"Ah." Your eyes went back to your own plate of the omelette. "So this all started 'cause of a petty rivalry?" You mused. Your spoon picked up a scoop of your breakfast.
"I know it sounds trivial, but, trust me, he's just an easy person to hate," Karma said. "He is one arrogant, two face bastard." He sneered. "He may seem nice but it's all an act."
"Hm..." You slowly nodded, lightly frowning a bit.
"Why do you sound disappointed? I already told you it wasn't a traumatic back story."
"Oh, I know." You said. "I was just hoping there would be some kind of spice into the story. I was expecting you to tell me that the two of you liked the same girl or something like that. Or I was thinking this will turn into a betrayal story. Like, the two of you were once friends but then somewhere along the line one of you betrayed each other?"
"Heh" Karma almost let out a laugh and smirk. "Quite the imagination you have. Though I'm a little offended that there was even a chance for you to think I was ever friends with this dude. I would never be friends with someone like him and neither should you."
"Given what you said about him I don't think I will." You assured him. Before you were going to take another bite of your omelette, your eyes caught Karma's empty plate. He finished a lot sooner than you expected.
"What time is he coming over?"
"Around 4:30," Karma answered.
"And are you sure it's okay if I'm there?"
"Why not?" Karma shrugged. "I know I said already that he's a bastard, but I'm sure he'll be less of an asshole if I have an innocent girl with me. Which is the main reason why you'll be joining us."
"... I feel used."
-😈-
You settled the tray onto the table and being careful not to spill any tea from the teapot. Knowing that this heir will be here very soon, you went out of your way to make some tea.
You were still unsure of what Karma and this Asano person have to talk about. He never made it clear. Oh well. It shouldn't be anything that concerns you. Especially if it's anything business-related.
"Hello, (y/n)-san." Nagisa greeted you when came into the living room. "You made tea? That's nice."
"I thought a beverage like tea would help bring out a more civilized discussion." You said, with a meek smile.
"Karma and Asano-kun are going to need that." Nagisa sighed. "If it's possible." He muttered.
It would seem as if Nagisa knows some of Karma's and Asano's history. It made you wonder if he has ever witnessed any dispute the two of them had in the past?
"You don't have to be here if you don't want to," Nagisa assured you. "I don't want you to be caught in the middle when the two of them were to start an argument."
"No, it's fine." You smiled. "I want to meet anyone who Karma does business with."
If you're going to be the wife of a Yakuza boss, you should at least become familiar with some of the people Karma interacts with because of his job. Also, you couldn't help but get a silent message from him. 'Don't leave me alone with that guy.' Maybe that was all in your head?
Regardless, you decided to stay. You don't like two face people and weren't really looking forward to meeting this man after what Karma told you. But you are an adult, so you were going to act like one and be civilized.
"Speaking of Karma, where is he?" You asked, realizing that you haven't seen Karma since breakfast. You'd figure he'd be around by this point since Asano would be coming by.
A sheepish smile formed on Nagisa's face. "Taking a nap."
You sighed loudly. "Of course he is." You annoyingly huffed out some air. "He knows he's having a guest over today. Why is he slacking off now?"
Nagisa chuckled. "This normally happens... especially whenever he has to see Asano-kun."
"Nagisa~" Nakamura hollered from outside of the room. "He's here! It's your job to greet his majesty!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming." He casually turned and left the room, looking down at his wristwatch and mumbling something about Asano being on time as always.
"His majesty?" You mumbled to yourself. He is an heir, so that nickname does seem to suit him.
While Nagisa went to go greet the guest, you stayed here and try to make sure there was nothing out of place. Geez, you were certainly acting like a wife.
Soon, Nagisa came back into the living room with a new person you have never met before, but you are aware of the name. This young man could only be Asano.
"The Boss is not here yet by the way."
"That's not surprising." The stranger spoke. His voice was velvet and level headed.
He was tall. He had strawberry blond hair and flawless skin along with violet eyes. He was someone you've never seen before, yet at the same time, you've felt like you have seen his face before. You were quick to note how similar he looked to Karma.
Trying not to show how taken aback you were to his appearance, you made the effort to introduce yourself.
"Hello. My name is (y/n) (l/n)." You greeted with a small head bow and a gentle smile. "I'm Karma's fiancée."
"Ah, so he wasn't making it up," Asano said, though more to himself than to you.
"I'm sure he has no reason to lie to everyone about getting engaged." You said with a smile and a light-hearted laugh.
"Hmph." Asano crossed his arms. "Well, truly, you have no idea how insidious that guy can be."
'Oh, trust me. I know.'
"Why don't you sit down?" Nagisa gestures his hand towards one of the sofas. "I'll go get the Boss." One of Nagisa's hands reached into his suit and took out a magazine that appeared to be rolled a thousand times. With a small smile, he left as he was rolling up the magazine.
You have a pretty good guess what he's going to use that magazine for.
When Nagisa left, Asano manoeuvred his way to one of the sofas and took a seat.
"Sorry about Karma's tardiness." You said apologetically to the strawberry blond. You walked over to the tea set and poured him a cup.
"That's all right," Asano calmly assured you, accepting the cup. "I'm used to it. It's a trademark of his."
The physical similarity between Asano and Karma is certainly uncanny. Yet, by looking at Asano, there is a vast difference. The one thing that most stood out to you was how his mannerism was. He walked with purpose, he wasn't as laid back as Karma and spoke with some politeness.
"I hope Akabane is treating you well."
'Not the first three weeks.' You thought to yourself as you moved to sit on the sofa in front of him. Thinking it would be pointless in telling Asano about those three weeks, you decided on keeping your thoughts to yourself. It's water under the bridge now.
"He has." You smiled, clasping your hands together.
"Honestly, I feel bad that you have to take care of a child like him," Asano said, taking a sip of the tea.
You chuckled, reaching out to pour yourself a cup. "I don't feel that way at all." You softly blew at the hot liquid before taking a sip.
'Maybe Kataoka-san does.' You thought.
"Hm. How long have you've known Akabane? I've never seen him with a woman ever before. Nor did I think he was into dating."
"Not long actually. We met over three weeks ago a couple of days after I moved in here. This whole engagement is all arranged for business purposes." You explained.
"That makes a lot of sense," Asano breathes out. "I was just going to ask what evil spirit possessed you into marrying that maniac."
"I'm still trying to adjust to his antics." You chuckled. "I know you don't have the best experience with him, but so far with me, the two of us get along just fine."
"No, I didn't have the best experience with him." Asano quietly sighed. Not wanting to talk about Karma and bring out his ugly side to you, he decided to change the subject. "Thank you for your kind hospitality by the way." He smiled at you.
Wow, he has such a charming smile, two-faced or not. You remember for always falling for guys like him a couple of years back. You didn't care back then, because you wanted to be in a relationship that badly.
A grimace slipped up, revealing it on your face.
"Something the matter?" Asano asked, noticing the subtle change of your face.
You immediately went back to your normal self and hurriedly waved him off. "Haha, yeah, everything is fine. I just suddenly remembered something I'm not too fond of."
You took more sips of your tea to avoid Asano's questioning stare. You scold yourself to stop thinking about the past. It's meaningless to think about your past relationships.
It wasn't long for Karma to finally come into the room.
"I see you've met my cute fiancee."
Your eyes flickered to where Karma is and saw how it was obvious he was taking a nap before. The biggest evidence was the messy red locks that he was trying to comb over with his fingers and his bored eyes follow up by a yawn.
"Yes and so far she's more well mannered than you. Which it raises the question on you how you got her to agree into this arranged marriage." Asano's eyes fell to yours. "Blink twice if he's blackmailing you."
"N-no one is blackmailing me." You sheepishly smiled, wanting to brush off what he as a joke. "Haha..."
Karma plopped down next to you. "Blackmailing an innocent girl? Is that how little you think of me?"
"I don't expect anything good to come out of a criminal, so yes." Asano then scoffed. "Blackmailing is even a hobby of yours, is it not?"
"Yes, of course. I'm not gonna deny that." Karma smiled. "A hobby of mine. And a tool for you and your father to use to keep your family's name clean, huh? Don't act like you're the innocent one." His smile twisted into a mocking one.
Asano's neutral and composed face broke into a scowl at the Devil. Your (e/c) orbs flickered to the two young men. Their glares were another trait these two shared. Glares that can freeze hell itself.
"We're getting off-topic." Asano recomposed himself, yet the tension still hung in the air.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right, the sooner you finished scolding me, the sooner you can get out of my manor."
"You're not some child being punished, Akabane," Asano said venomously. "I'm not here to simply scold you-"
"Oh, hey you made tea." Karma chirped.
"Karma..." You muttered in low scold but he already has a teacup in hand and ready to take slow sips.
"You're wasting my time, Akabane." Asano scowled.
"Hm? Oh, sorry, not sorry." Karma laughed, settling the tea back on to the table after taking a few samples.
He was just like this for the first three weeks. You couldn't help but feel a little bad for Asano having to deal with this kind of behaviour every time.
"Go on." Karma let him talk.
"I'm not here to simply scold you. Can you at least take responsibility for what happened? How can you let one of your goons just kill a cop willy nilly?"
You froze. This is what they wanted to talk about? A murder?!
"He was a corrupt cop," Karma said with an uncaring shrug. "Why do you care?"
Is it okay for you to be listening to this sort of thing? Then again, neither of them seem to care if you were listening to this. Guess it showed you how much power these guys had and were confident to know that you'll keep your mouth shut. You weren't stupid. You know you'll get nothing out of this if you were to go to the police. Not that you would and for a corrupt cop no less.
"Oh, I don't care and I'm for one disgusted when I found out what he did to all those women," Asano said with a levelheaded tone. "It's where he was killed that I care about."
"Hm?" Karma hummed feigning ignorance to annoy Asano. "Oh, right~! The crime scene is just at the back of the hotel, right? Haha, sorry. One of my guys had a personal grudge with this dude since he did assault his girl. I only gave him a few bonks on the head as a punishment since he was careless of where he killed him. Sorry about that."
Obviously, that half-assed sorry was not enough for Asano.
"Well, thanks to one of your goons, the guests at the hotel have grown apprehensive. Especially with that rumour going around of the fact that the killer worked inside the hotel." His eyes narrowed in on the redhead.
"Maybe your guests would be less on edge if you didn't show your face around so much~"
"Would you take this seriously! You're their leader. If one of your members made a mistake then that's on you."
"Good grief." Karma sighed annoyingly. "What the hell do you want me to do? Do you want my head as an apology?" His thumb swiped across his neck as it was a knife. "What is done is done. The rumours will eventually die down. Karasuma-san will handle the rest of the murder case."
"Of course you aren't going to take any responsibility for this." Asano scoffed.
"Hey, I did all that I can do," Karma argued back then let out an annoying tick. He, to, hated the fact that he was wasting his time on Asano. He may seem lazy at times, but the redhead at least has work he wants to get done for the day.
"Alright how 'bout this. I heard you're looking for a new pianist to play live in the restaurant." The redhead put an arm around you, bringing you closer to his frame much to your confusion. "Did you know my lady here is skilled on the keyboards."
"Eh?" You blinked.
"I don't know if you remember, but I was at your piano recital not too long ago." How could you forget? He was the only good looking guy there. "You were really good." He smiled at you.
"Um..." You forgot to speak for a moment there for some reason.
"Akabane, I can't take your word for it. She can be mediocre at best."
Due to irritation from the strawberry blond's words, one of your eyebrows twitched. Mediocre?! He hasn't even heard you play. Now, you're the type to brag, but you do know where your skill is at and it is not mediocre!
You moved away from Karma's arm and his oddly satisfying male scent. "I've been playing since I was 4 and I've been performing since the age of 10." You held back a glare. "I'm anything but mediocre."
"See?" Karma grinned. "You don't have to take my word for it. (Y/n) would be good enough for now until you find a permanent replacement. Having a pretty girl performing would lessen the tension in the hotel right?"
Wait a second. Who said you agree to take the job? Should you object? You were about to, but.. then again, it's not like you were completely against this. Playing again in front of people does spark a bit of excitement in you. It couldn't hurt, can it? Also, you'll be doing this for Karma.
Asano's violet eyes lingered on your frame. He seemed hesitant having to accept you, a stranger, into this job. Though he noted how confident you sounded when you said about your skills. It couldn't hurt to let you play once to see what level you stand in his books.
Asano let out a long sigh eventually. "... Fine. Can you perform tonight?"
~End Of Chapter~
Will I ever get tired of writing Karma annoying Asano in any of my fanfics? ...No 🤭