S C A N D A L

Chapter One

"What do I know about love? It is cruel, inexplicable, and has the power to destroy a person. It was my biggest disappointment in life and I never wanted to hear the word again. Every time I fell in love, I had to count the fact that everything could end. I'll get hurt then people would say...that everything happens for a reason."

Bullshit.

Shiro watched as his cousin dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief, watching an old romance movie filled with nothing but angst from start to finish. Irritated, he threw a pillow on his face.

Yoshi glanced at him with a scowl. "What's wrong with you?"

"Go get something to eat. I'm starving!"

"Go get it yourself! Are you really going to spend the whole day moping inside your room? I told you the guest next door already left this morning. Geez..."

Still not convinced, Shiro turned to the side of the bed, buried himself under the blanket, and tried to sleep. Even though he had done nothing since morning but sleep, so much so that his whole body was practically screaming to be awake now.

Yoshi noticed his cousin's brooding mood and let go of a tired sigh. "Oi, Shiro. Stop sulking, okay? So, what if he saw you naked? Not like you'll meet again. Tokyo is a diverse city and you'll meet a lot of weirdoes."

Shiro didn't stop pouting. "Where have you been when I needed you? You're supposed to keep an eye on me."

"I'm your cousin, not your babysitter! You're a grown-ass adult and you're also taller than me. Tell you what, I'll go down and bring you some ramen. You want to taste an authentic Tokyo ramen, right?"

"How is it any different from the ramen in Ehime?"

Yoshi gave him a withering glance. "I'm doing my best here. Kindly appreciate, onegaishimasu. Wait here and watch movies."

Shiro peeked from under the blanket and heard the door shut. Exhaling loudly, he sat on the bed and thought of the event that unfolded last night.

┏━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┓

When the door clicked shut behind that rascal of a man, Shiro leaped from the pool and wrapped himself in the dripping towel. Weakly, he sat on the bed and was lost in his thoughts for a few moments, and felt his heart pounding frantically in his chest. He couldn't believe what just happened!

In all his life, no one had ever seen him naked in this age. Not even his parents! That man had no dignity. No sense of honor. NO SHAME. Shiro's mind was returning to that scene and wondered what else could he have seen. The answer---EVERYTHING.

Blushing furiously, he went to his baggage and pulled out whatever clothes he could find first. He didn't care anymore if the colors did not match. In his mind, he prayed and hoped never to see that horrid beast again! Even if they did meet at some point, Shiro wondered if he would recognize him. But him...he would always know him.

Shiro could never forget those round, gentle dark eyes. That shaggy, messy hair. His rakish smile. That man was overwhelmingly handsome...and just as dangerous.

He dressed quickly, scarcely caring for his appearance and only wished to have clothing in his body. Who cares if his fashion was out of place in this city? There would be plenty of time for primping and he'd rather do that to impress his mother than impress any man. Certainly, NOT THAT MAN.

Shiro immediately shook his head. Why was he even thinking of him again? To think that he was just in the next room...

As he glanced toward the door with a frightened expression, it suddenly unlocked and opened and he automatically dived to the bed, keeping the pillow close to his chest in an attempt to protect himself.