Just a few hours later, I was already back at Ran's apartment. This time I had chosen to wear a casual outfit, in contrast to the one I had worn the night before. I was quite nervous about meeting his brother, thinking about ways to make a good first impression.
I was startled when the doorbell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts, but Ran told me it was probably the food he had ordered. While he busied himself opening the door, I took a look at my phone.
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It was true that I was supposed to be in class right now, but I had determined that this was more important. I couldn't say no to Ran.
Sarah and I had forgotten to tell each other how our dates had gone, so to her, the fact that I was skipping class probably meant I hadn't spent the night alone. I was still smiling at my phone, typing a reply, when Ran re-entered the great room with a paper bag in each hand.
-What are you laughing at?
He asked me with a smirk.
-Nothing.
I quickly put the phone back in my pocket, fearing that he would somehow end up reading Sarah's message. Ran's smile then vanished from his face as he stared off into the distance for a second, as if coming to a conclusion that hadn't crossed his mind before.
-Can I ask you something?
He asked hesitantly, with a slight frown. I nodded in response.
-Are you seeing someone...?
He looked as if he had cut himself off, as if trying not to screw up and say something he shouldn't have. I figured he was about to say " someone else" and I couldn't help but smile, half excited and half ready to tease him.
-Are you jealous?
-I'm not. I was just... wondering.
I knew he was lying. Ran was probably being honest when he told me he hadn't lied to me about his life because his expressions really did give him away. For a moment the nightclub guy crossed my mind, but I concluded that it was something from the past. And, to be honest, I probably wouldn't even count it as "seeing" someone.
I opened my mouth to answer when the doorbell rang again. Filling the room with a strange tension, Ran and I looked at each other for a few seconds before he headed for the door. When he left, I let out a sigh I had been holding back. I fixed my clothes and hair as I heard the door open and Ran greet his brother.
A smile broke out on my face as I heard their footsteps approaching, ready to make a good first impression, but it quickly faded as Ran returned with someone following behind him.
A long purple mullet, downturned eyes, arched eyebrows...
For a few seconds, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but once I became aware of the way his expression matched mine, eyes wide and brows furrowed, I realized it was really him.
What the hell is he doing here?!
-Do you guys know each other?
Ran's question quickly brought me back to my senses. While my head was still full of questions, I forced myself to regain my composure again, fast enough that Ran could only have caught my shocked expression for a second.
-No! I was thinking he looked... that he kinda looked familiar, but I don't think so.
My eyes then met his again, trying to find some sign of complicity, but his expression hadn't changed much. Luckily, Ran was focused on me. He chuckled before replying.
-Well, people always tell us we look alike. It could be that.
That was the moment my eyes shifted from him to Ran and I felt my stomach curl into a knot. I was so surprised by his presence that I didn't even realize that the man in front of me was actually Ran's brother.
I couldn't believe what was happening. Was this a fucking prank? What were the odds that these two were related?
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ran discreetly nudging his brother, probably trying to get him to introduce himself. What Ran didn't notice was the way his brother was still frozen, staring at me. His expression suddenly changed as he took a few steps towards me, now poker-faced, but yet his eyes were piercing my soul.
-Rindou.
He introduced himself as he extended his hand, looking down at me.
-Y/N. Nice to meet you.
My gaze strayed to the tattoo on his neck, identical to Ran's.
Bonten's symbol.
I realized then that I hadn't seen him without a turtleneck before. Was that the reason? He was now wearing a gray suit and matching vest with a black striped tie, the same style as the ones Ran always wore.
When my eyes landed on his again, I couldn't read his expression. What could possibly be going through his mind?
Rindou took longer than he probably should have to let go of my hand. When he finally did, Ran told us to sit at the table while he brought some things from the kitchen.
I expected the mullet man to say something to me in the time his brother left us alone in the room, but he didn't. Still, his eyes never left mine.
I tried to find the words, but Ran walked back in before I could, oblivious to the tension that had reigned in the room ever since his younger brother had walked through the door.
As he set the dishes on the table, Ran planted a kiss on the top of my head, but my eyes were still fixed on Rindou, who, for the first time since he had arrived, tore his gaze away from me, gritting his teeth so briefly that I thought I might have imagined it.
-Now that I think about it, I think I know why I look familiar to you.
I was taken by surprise when he finally addressed me, looking back at me with narrowed eyes.
-Do you?
I replied, confused.
-Yeah. I think I saw you partying last Saturday. We even talked, but you were probably too drunk to remember.
No. No. No. What the fuck is he trying to do?
I cursed him in my mind before putting on a fake innocent smile.
-I think you're confusing me with someone else. I didn't go out last weekend.
Rindou shot me one last defiant look without saying anything.
This lunch had just started and I already couldn't wait for it to be over.
