09. RINDOU AND MITSUYA
——
You'd like to blame it all on the alcohol. Hell, it was all the alcohol's fault. But even so, you haven't even had a sniff of it to lay all the blame to the innocent alcohol.
Gripping his shirt, you cowered behind Rindou, eyes tight shut. Embarrassment making every fiber of your being cringe.
What the heck were you thinking saying all those things in front of everyone? In front of Rindou? In front of Draken? Well, Draken isn't a big deal. But seriously? In front of strangers?
When you shouted 'He's mine' in a demanding manner, it was fine and all but that's not how it ends. You even cupped his cheeks and kissed him, like an animal in heat.
It was a tad late when you realized how you acted.
Rindou doesn't mind in the slightest as he pulls you away from his back to try and make you show your face to the bunch of band members.
How can you even show your face?
"This is my girlfriend, Y/n," He said nonchalantly, as if nothing happened.
Senju, who was the first one you laid your eyes to, had her big round eyes staring at you. And was that a spark of interest lingering on her glassy orbs?
She clasped her hands, "Oh wow! She looks so pretty! Kind of makes me think how you're able to make her yours."
Rindou shook his head, not minding what the woman said. He pulled you towards his seat, letting you sit between him and Sanzu. All you could do was lower your head.
Everyone was talking to each other yet you couldn't hear them anymore, swallowed by your own thoughts. Still embarrassed about earlier. If earth could just swallow you whole, you wouldn't even complain!
Your train of thoughts broke when you heard a tap beside you. Sanzu's nails tapping on top of the table.
"Hey, Y/n," He mumbled and you looked at him, eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not gonna fuckin' steal your boyfriend away, so you can chill your ass off."
"Uhm…"
"Also, soulmates ain't just about trying to romance each other. There's a whole ass classification of soulmates, whether it be romantic or platonic. Well, if he's single I could go for some romance but heck. I ain't got no time for some drama and shit."
Jaw dropped, literally. He didn't strike you as someone who'll explain his thoughts or anything like that. But as he opens his mouth, scar stretching, you unconsciously smile.
He's right. Soulmates could also be platonic. And maybe that's the case for the two of them.
"Hey, what are you two talking about, huh? Care to share?" Senju teased, directing it at the both of you.
"We're talking about her jealous ass here."
"What the—"
You felt Rindou's hand on your thigh, gripping on it. It wasn't painful, it was comforting even.
"Well, actually I don't care about Haru-niichan, but Y/n, can I have your number?" Senju pulled out her phone and slid it towards you. "Please?"
"Senju, what are you trying to do?"
"Friendship?" She shrugged, blinking at Wakasa beside her.
"I know for a fact you don't mean that."
"Ugh! Fine. If only she ain't got a boyfriend."
"Well, you should fuck off." Rindou chuckled, moving his hands up to your leg.
Draken was silent all night, he only talked to Wakasa and Sanzu and never even tried to speak to you. Not that you wanted him to. It's the best course, actually. Both of you pretending not to know each other, pretending you both aren't each other's mistake.
Your unexpected night ended. You got close with Senju and talked about things you don't usually talk to with your friends before. She's comfortable to talk to and you can absolutely be yourself around her. She's cool and stuff!
Rindou wrapped his arm around your waist, assisting you so you wouldn't fall face flat on the ground.
You're drunk and couldn't even recognize your own boyfriend. Everything looks blurry. One thing you could recognize was his faint voice whispering in your ears.
"Let's get you home. You'll have some explaining to do—"
You turned to him, catching him off guard. With your pointer finger, you silenced him. "Shh, Rin~ You're so handsome tonight! Do you want some blow—"
Panic covered his face as he pressed a palm on your lips, "Hey, we're in public. Your voice is too loud."
"If you can't wait to fuck 'til home, there's a motel nearby! Just go rent a fucking room!" Sanzu shouted in a slurred voice before he got in Senju's car, the woman driving.
You didn't mind the place, the weather or even the time. You stared longingly at Rindou's face. His eyebrows furrowed, confused in every single way. Lips red from the liquor he drank, twitching as if he wanted to say something. And eyes trained only at you.
"I'll take you home."
"Why? You don't want me to sleep over? Hmm?"
With a sigh, he carried you in bridal style, throwing you on the backseat of his car. "You seriously have a way to drive me crazy!"
—
"I know you don't want to talk about what happened, but Y/n, I missed you."
You were dumbfounded. It was beyond your belief that one day, he'll seek you and say those words you longed to hear years ago. But not now.
Not now that you're finally over.
You bit your lips, fingers playing with each other under the table. "Mitsuya, you know we're over. It's been years—"
"I know. It's just that… that's how I really feel. Five years, five years I tried to find ways to contact you and talk to you again but you're out of reach. You're gone."
"...I wanted to get away." Away from you.
Mitsuya closed his eyes for a moment, as if contemplating whether to say it or not. And in the end, his strong emotions ruled him.
"Y/n, I know I'm not in the place to say this but I still love you." It was straight forward, he didn't intend to beat around the bush and waste each passing second like a stupid man. "Do you think we could try again?"
You wanted to let out a sarcastic laugh. He still loves you, he says.
You hurt him, you 'cheated' on him, you betrayed him, you left a scar on him. Everything that you wanted to forget was completely linked to him. Everything sad, complicated and happy was all him.
How could you go back to him when you've had enough?
You've had enough nightmares of Mitsuya crying because of you? You've had enough conscience trying to blame yourself for hurting him. You've had enough of happy memories turning into sad ones. You've had enough of it.
The truth is that you indeed love Mitsuya so much to the point that you thought you wouldn't be able to move on, but Rindou happened. Rindou was able to make you forget about your pain, he was able to alleviate all your worries. He was able to make you realize you deserve to love again.
You shouldn't be with Mitsuya Takashi anymore.
Even if you don't have Rindou, you simply don't have the right to go back to his arms. You hurt him once, you wouldn't risk hurting him twice.
You stood up, hands shaking as you grabbed Ren on his arm, "I'm sorry, Mitsuya. But we're already over."
—
"Tonight? Are you sure we can go?" Hinata asked, shy as she grasped her little pink purse on top of the cafe table.
Aimi smiles from ear to ear, "Of course, Hina! You're a close friend of Y/n, and I like you and Yuzuha. I absolutely want both of you to attend my bachelorette party as well as my wedding!"
"Really?" Yuzuha asked who's sitting beside Hinata.
"Ey, I already said yes!"
Tonight will be both Aimi's bachelorette party and Ran's bachelor's party. Both the bride and the groom would enjoy the night.
You're here at a cafe with Rindou and Aimi, getting breakfast, but you've met Hinata and Yuzuha along the way. Since you already mentioned that you'll introduce them to him, you invited them for a cup of coffee. And there you are.
"Back to Y/n and his model boyfriend, though!" Hinata squealed again, eyes going back and forth from you to Rindou. Her eyes squinted, "Are you holding hands under the table?"
Yuzuha chuckled beside her and Aimi couldn't help but laugh, "Oh please! I'm sure they are. Last night, Y/n called me asking where the heck my cousin is. I thought she's genuinely asking about my dumbass cousin but she's just trying to figure out if Rindou and my cousin are together. Seriously, these two! I couldn't picture them breaking up."
"Aimi!" You tried to stop her rambling, but you know for sure she won't stop.
They're right though. Rindou's fingers were intertwined with yours. Squeezing from time to time.
"Oh yeah!" Aimi stopped rambling and snapped her fingers, "Can you girls join me out for shopping? I got to buy something. And you, Rindou, you can back yourself. You'll see Y/n tomorrow."
Before you could even say goodbye to Rindou, Aimi had pulled you away with Yuzuha and Hinata.
From a distance, all Rindou could do was scratch his nape. He looked at the table and was about to ask for the bill when he noticed you left your phone at the table.
He didn't mean to pry over your personal messages but when a notification popped on the screen, he couldn't help but tap on it. It was a message from Mitsuya. He had no idea that Mitsuya even had your phone number.
With squinted eyes, he scanned through the messages. You haven't replied which calmed his jealous ass but it doesn't change the fact that he's pissed off after reading tons of messages from him.
Y/n, can we please talk again?
One last time, I promise.
Can we meet again?
Y/n, please. I just want to catch up and fix things between us.
I won't bother you after this, so please.
A visible nerve popped on his forehead. Was Mitsuya bothering you? And that, of course, Rindou didn't like.
—
Yuzuha was uncomfortable around you. It wasn't a speculation anymore, rather, it was confirmed.
When you sat beside her with a champagne on hand, she instinctively tried to move away. It didn't go unnoticed, of course, but you choose not to confront her. You didn't really intend to.
"Are you enjoying the party?"
The bachelorette party was on-going. Aimi having the best night of her life in front of a huge crowd, congratulating, talking and having fun with her. Soft mellow music played in the background because that's what the bride preferred. The lights were dim which helped because Yuzuha won't be able to see whatever expression you had.
Her fingers clenched around her glass, "Yeah. How about you?"
"Of course, I do."
Silence filled the gap between you.
Then she said, "Y/n, I'm sorry."
You couldn't understand what the 'sorry' was for. You turned to look at her but she's only staring at the floor, biting her lips. "It was my fault."
"Your fault?"
She looked up, though dark, you could somehow see the little spark of tears trailing on her cheeks. "I just… I liked Mitsuya back then. I didn't mean to hurt you both."
You battled internally if you should say something but decided not to.
The night deepened and only her sobs kept you company making you even more confused.
While at Ran's party, Rindou was staring at your phone. Scrolling back and forth from the messages Mitsuya sent. He couldn't believe everything he read. He's just pissed, so pissed he wanted to punch someone.
"Mr. Mitsuya, I'm glad you came." Ran immediately greeted Mitsuya once he arrived at the party venue.
Rindou sat on the round table with Ran, Sanzu, Draken, Wakasa and a couple more of common friends. He just wasn't expecting Ran to be so fond of Mitsuya. He narrowed his gaze at the newly arrived man.
Man, his nerves were snapping.
"Do you guys know Mr. Mitsuya? He's the one who designed Aimi's wedding gown and my suit. He's a nice guy."
"Ah, thank you, Ran. You should just call me Takashi."
"Ah, oh yeah. I shouldn't be so formal. Well, let's all enjoy the night!"
Rindou rolled his eyes at his brother. How the heck will he enjoy the night with Mitsuya in the same space as him. Just seeing him smile makes his blood boil.
"By the way, Ran," Rindou heard Mitsuya say, "Have you been in contact with Y/n?"
"Hmm, yup. Why? Something wrong?"
"Ah, it's just I wanted to talk to her about something but she's not picking up my calls—" And that's actually the last string of patience Rindou had.
Before Mitsuya could finish whatever he had to say, Rindou pulled him away and punched him straight to his face. He didn't know if he had broken some teeth, but he wished he did.
"What the fuck, Rin!" His brother shouted, but he didn't mind. All he could think about is that he'll teach Mitsuya a lesson on how to leave a taken woman alone, especially not his woman.
"Leave Y/n alone."