Red Queen // The Mechanic Series #1: Sano Manjiro [UNDER REVISION]

Chapter 13 [Revised]

As Arisa drove through the streets of Shibuya that day, her mind is a wrecked mess. Mikey's soft and longing gaze and the way he brought her palms to caress his face in such yearning manner, stirred up some unknown sensation in her soul.

Lie.

It wasn't unknown.

It's a feeling that Arisa wanted to forget the most and burry six feet under the ground if that's even possible. The redhead's emotions are in total chaos beyond repair and she might explode anytime soon.

She badly wants to chase Mikey away from her life and yet she found herself bounded to him again. Is it a curse? Or she's being punished because of the sins she had committed?

Arisa laugh bitterly by that thought when her memory drifted to another man that said the exact same words as Mikey but failed to prove it.

He took advantage of her vulnerable state and made her feel protected, safe and loved. But, in the end, everything is just a facade he played so he could grasp to that power that Arisa is the only key.

Fortunately, Arisa woke up to that illusion he pathetically thought she would never know of.

And now, the one whose holding the leash is Arisa.

Baji was still unconscious that time because of the sedative shot, while Takemichi was fast asleep too because of the painkiller Rio gave him when she treated him. His broke rib is not that bad, but it was painful.

Their resident medic reassured them that the two males would wake up later that day probably before dinner.

It was around 4 o'clock in the afternoon when the Arisa, Kiyori and Akira decided to start to prepare for dinner. They are feeding men so she had to make it extra.

If you're wondering why they are the only ones cooking, the answer is Iseul is the worst in the kitchen among them. She can't make anything besides egg roll. Rio can make a simple dish like curry, but there was one time she almost burnt their house when she forgot to turn off the stove that made Arisa ban her from the kitchen.

Kiyori is assigned to make the seafood dishes while Akira is making the meat ones and Arisa did the liberty to make the desserts. Their kitchen is fortunately spacious enough for the three of them to move freely.

Moments later, the three girls finally finished cooking and went to their separate rooms to freshen up. They cannot welcome their guests smelling like raw food, anyway. So, the remaining ones are tasked to set up the dinner on their yard.

Meanwhile...

Toman founding members decided to meet up the shrine at 5 o'clock on the dot before they go together to the girls' pad.

Draken literally took Kazutora with him at his home because they know for sure that he won't come to his own accord.

"I can walk on my own, damn it." Kazutora grumbled when the talk vice continued to drag him towards the shrine.

"I know," Draken replied, keeping his hold on the shorter boy's back collar. "And I also know you're one hell of a runner like a tiger you are." He added with a small chuckle.

"Ah, finally! What took you so long?!" Mikey exclaimed as his lips puckered with a pout. He literally went to the shrine at 4:30 PM, too excited to see Arisa. If they arrive early, he might get the chance to see the redhead cook, but to his dismay, his friends arrived exactly at the time they arranged.

"Do you know how stubborn this guy is?" Draken deadpanned and settled Kazutora on his own feet. "He almost jumped off of the bike." The Vice could only facepalm. If his arms are not long enough to prevent Kazutora from jumping while driving, their childhood friend might be in ICU right now.