kiddo

chapter fourteen

I bounce my leg unconsciously, anxiety slowly knotting up my chest. Houses and trees fly past as I look out of the window, colors blending together as my eyes lose focus. 

Suddenly I feel something gently come down and caress my thigh, stopping its nervous fidgeting, Keishin's deep voice questioning, "Everything okay?"

My head swivels to my side as I glance over at him, steering wheel in hand, comfortably navigating the streets of Miyagi.

"Mhm," I hum as I start to pick at the skin around my fingernails, chest still tight as my heart races.

"You don't have to be nervous," he assures warmly, quickly glancing over before focusing back on the road, "I'm just having a quick chat with Yū, no need to worry."

I let out a sigh and rest my shoulders, anxiety easing away slightly, "I know. I just want to be there too."

"Come on, it's me. I'm amazing at everything," he teases, eliciting a smile to tug on my lips.

"Yū can be very protective," I admit, "I just don't want to tarnish anything between the two of you."

The car pulls up to my familiar road, slowing to a stop on the side of the road.

"It'll be fine," he promises as he catches my gaze, hand squeezing my thigh in assurance.

I chuckle and mutter, "You know, you look really good when you drive."

"You noticed?" he teases with a coy smirk, "I was trying so hard. Just for you."

"Bitchass," I mumble as I click my tongue, shaking my head with the roll of my eyes.

"Mhm," he hums as he shifts towards me, waving his fingers lazilly as he says, "Come here."

I grin and comply, elbows resting on the center console as I lean in, slowly taking his lips in mine. It's a short kiss, but it still manages to leave me breathless as I pull away. 

He smirks, eyes resting on my face, "Good girl."

With a glance back up I catch his gaze, a small blush peppering my nose as I try to not get flustered.

With a grin he taps my nose, quickly shifting his attitude as he unbuckles himself and climbs out of the car, leaving me with my mouth hanging open in bewilderment. 

"You coming?" he questions and I snap out of it, hurrying to grab my stuff out of his car.

After walking around I stop, asking, "You're sure I can't be apart of the conversation?"

"Nah," he smiles as he shakes his head, "I want to talk to Takinoue alone."

With a shrug I give up, going to hug him before heading into the house.

"Hey," I hear Yū greet from the couch as I open the door.

"Good afternoon," I chuckle, walking through the doorway and pulling off my shoes, "Ukai's waiting outside to talk with you."

"Okay," he sighs as he rolls off the sofa, quickly stepping into some slides and walking to the parked car outside.

 I start to my room, but after a pause, curiosity getting the best of me, I turn and look out of the kitchen window, watching as Keishin leans against his car and Yū crosses his arms. I can't hear anything, but with analytical eyes I try to decipher what they could be saying. 

For a while, both display a calm and collected body language, so I begin to think I overreacted, but when Yū suddenly raises his voice and starts gesturing aggressively my head shoots up, brows furrowed as I try to grasp the situation. His back is towards me so I can't see his face, but I can hear him shouting from inside the house, and when I look at Keishin his gaze is on the ground, looking like he genuinely wants to die.