The Bad, The Bidder, and the Daughter (KBTBB)

Ota: Seventeen

The sound of shattering glass and wooden tables collapsing as they hit the marble floors filled the large study of the Rikudoh manor.

"I'm done! We can't keep going on like this! I can't keep getting sucked into this!"

Kanato ran his fingers through his chestnut hair in frustration, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? It takes two to tango! I'm the one that actually wants a relationship!"

"You don't think I do?!"

"Just ask your parents, god damn, how hard is it?!"

Asuka bit her lip to refrain from shouting, "You really don't know what you're talking about. My mom has drilled the 'no-dating' policy into me since I started grade school."

"But why do you care so much about it? At this point we both know you have feelings for me. All I want is to make it official. I want to be able to hold your hand in the halls and kiss your cheek in the park. Look, I love the spontaneous meet-and-sleeps we have, but it's not fair to you or me! And I'm pretty sure that your mom would be even more upset to find out you and I were sleeping together all the time without any commitment."

"What makes you think I'm not committed to you?" The blonde asked, glancing up at Kanato through her eyelashes.

His eyes widened, "What do you mean?"

A sigh escaped her, "Just because we don't have an official title doesn't mean I'm not committed to you. You of all people know how many people ask me out on a weekly bases. I don't even entertain them with coffee anymore. I don't make any excuses about 'maybe later.' I don't want anyone else. Right now, you're it for me."

Kanato's eyes widened, "...I want to believe you. God, I want so badly to believe that. I'm... I'm in love with you, Asuka."

She froze.

There were three options floating around in her mind.

One, she could run away.

Two, she could lecture him about the fact that they're both only sixteen and don't know what anything yet.

Or Three...

Asuka threw herself on to the brunet, which in turn caused him to fall in to the nearby sofa.

"W-what?"

She silenced him with her lips, pulling his shirt closer to her. Kanato melted in to the kiss and began running his hands all over her back.

"Asuka..."

"Kanato!"

Crashing their lips together in rhythmic passion, Kanato lifted Asuka and gently carried her to his room.

...

The blonde looked up at the boy from her position wrapped around his arms, head lying on bare chest, "Kanato... I... we..."

His eyes met hers and nodded, "Yeah."

"We need to 'break up'," they spoke in unison.

...

KANATO POV

"What do you mean she hasn't been with you guys for three days? That's the entire duration of your stay so far!"

Ume sighed over the phone, "Look, she told us to call her by some fake name if anyone asked and not to worry about anything and that she was fine.  So we gave her her luggage and checked her out like she asked. I trust her. Uncle Kyohei trusts her. So does Mizuki, but she's annoyed that she doesn't get to do those type of things."

My brows furrowed as I ran my fingers through my hair, "But what could she possibly be doing? And why a fake name?"

I could practically see my cousin shrugging over the phone, "Maybe she found some guy she liked but wanted to ensure a no-strings-attached kinda deal? I mean, you and her..."

"She's not the type to do that with just anyone! And not a word about that our... former arrangements. I'm over it. We're fine as friends."

"You haven't spoken to her in weeks and you freak out at mere possibility of her being with another guy. You still love her."

I groaned, "Let's not talk about this. I gotta go."

Another sigh, "All right, but when we get back I expect you to be honest with me- and yourself. Love you, bye."

"Bye."

A beep signified the end of the call.

I rolled over and painted my face into my pillow. Of course I was still madly in love with Asuka. How could I not me? Just thinking about her long blonde hair, even it was bleached, it was still magnificent and always soft and always smelt like coconut and peaches... but that was nothing compared to the scent of her skin. Always so soft and so deliciously vanilla scented. Oh and her eyes. So mysterious yet so warm and inviting. Saying 'Hey, you want me? Come and find me.'

I bit my lip harshly so I wouldn't think about it.

Of course, Asuka had more than just her looks to her. She's crazy intelligent, considering she got a scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in the prefecture. She's kind and compassionate. And great with children too. I knew the moment I saw her interact with her little brother and sister that she'd be an amazing mother.

Ugh, I need to stop thinking about her that way.

She puts her milk in before the cereal. She's tone deaf. She only likes cats. She puts vinegar on shrimp chips. When we went to the cinemas together she brought tiny ketchup packets to drown her popcorn in. She snores and steals the covers. When she gets angry she acts like she's better than everyone.

But she is better than everyone...

No, I remind myself, she chews so loudly it sounds bolts and nails in a blender.

But she gave the sweetest peach flavoured kisses with said mouth...

I let out another groan and I crossed my legs to prevent anything from... happening. I was not in the mood. I just wanted Asuka.

Who cares if she's got serious commitment issues and doesn't cover her mouth and nose all the way when she sneezes?

I don't.

I'll provide her with as many tissues as she needs for the rest of my life.

She might not be every one else's perfect. But she's mine. And I won't let anyone else have her. I promise myself I'd marry that girl. And I plan on following through.

Ume might not know where she is, but Asuka and I have emergency locators in each others phone.

I turned it on and waited a few moments for it to process.

One.

Two.

Three-

Asu..ka?

My breath stopped. No, she's probably fishing or something. There's no way... unless...

Did Asuka try to drown herself?

I bolted up and ran to my driver. I'd explain everything later. I needed to get to Tokyo. And to get there in time I'd need to use the helicopter. I might get grounded for life, but Fuck it.

I won't risk Asuka being dead.