Delinquent's Crescendo

Chapter 9: Friends or Not

[Ao pov]

We all sat in the room in silence. There was clear tension as Ririka was upset by my appearance. I know she isn't usually like this, but somehow I provoked her, and I don't know how.

"Ririka, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"

"Frr-Freind?" She laughs

"We aren't friends..." I sigh

"Uhh... can I leave?" Fumi questioned

"No, not until we welcome her in!" Hitomi returned with another wine glass, placing it in front of me gracefully. She was about to grab the wine to pour it but was stopped as Ririka grabbed her wrists. "I'll do it..."

Hitomi nodded and sat down beside her. Ririka began to pour the liquid, filling up the glass. Her eyes weren't focused on it, however, but on me, she didn't even notice the wine beginning to overflow and spill on the table below.

"Ririka!" Her mother said it loudly.

*ahhh...*

She exhaled, relaxing a little bit, and she had Fumi wipe up the excess wine. I picked up the glass, taking a sip.

"Do you like that wine?" She asks

"Yeah, it's fine," I told her.

"It would be a shame if something happened to the wine, you know."

I looked at her, knowing she didn't have what she was implying happen. She isn't that type of person. She is a decent girl, but I feel as if she has a rough upbringing, which is how most delinquents work.

*bzzz...*

Ririka's phone vibrated, and she snatched it up. "Hajime is with Kanade."

Hajime is with Kanade-chan. That can't be good. I want to say Banchou is forcing her, but then again, she clearly seems to be attached to that woman for some bizarre reason.

"Ririka-chan, we should pretend to be friends!" I declared suddenly

"Eh?" The woman scoffs.

"You see, my close friend Kanade-chan is hanging out with Banchou, and I don't think you want that to happen!" I said

"Look Ao I won't help you with your little crush on Kanade. I don't want to, and I don't think your involvement with Banchou will change anything. It won't trust me. It definitely won't. You need to realize that you can't make a deal with me that would make me want to be your friend."

I have no idea how to get this to work out. I want Kanade-chan to be happy, but in order to do that, she will want to be friends with Hajime, something I really don't want to be honest with.

I had an idea. "What if I offer my body?"

"Your body?"

"Yes, my body!" I reply

"You'd have to be an idiot to not take this up, Ririka. You know I'd be very proud of you if you agreed with those terms!" Her mom said

"Ao-kun, fine, but we are doing things on my terms in exchange for your body. I won't tell Kanade that you have a crush on her, and I won't interfere in whatever is going on between Banchou and Kanade."

"Ao-kun?"

"Yes, I'll tell you that from now on it is semi-formal, not that you really deserve my formality."

"Got it," I said.

Hitomi leaned in and whispered into Ririka's ear. The girl nodded in response.

"We need to discuss more terms. You need to give me your body whenever I want you, no matter where or when."