Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: Versus

Shorter and I stopped trying to hide our newly formed relationship, though we weren't rubbing it in everyone's faces.

We slept next to each other, we'd peck a kiss every now and then, and held hands whenever we'd go anywhere. It just became the normal. A week passed, and the part for the truck had arrived, but there were still a few kinks to work out. Ash was the only one with any complaints about that, but it was out of his control.

"A shoot-off..?"

I raised a brow as I looked down at Ash from my sun bed, which, in reality, was just the top of the truck with a damp towel draped across the surface. Still, I felt mighty up there, above him.
"Yep. Speed, quantity and distance. I'm bored, and all you're doing is lazing around like an obese house cat."

Offended, I sat up and placed a hand on my chest, my glare seething.
"If you don't take that back, I'll sharp shoot that goddamn tongue out of your mouth..!" Max popped out from where he had been tinkering beneath the hood, glancing between the two of us.
"Ash, don't be an asshole. (Y/N)...He's kind of right, minus the obese part."

The audacity.

Huffing, I hung my legs off the edge, giving the blond my worst stink eye.
"Fine, but if I win, I want you to tell me more." I didn't elaborate, but I didn't have to. He knew exactly what I meant.
"Fair. When I win, you have to transfer the entirety of your bank balance over to me. Deal?" He extended his hand, but I had to take a moment to do the math.

That's...at least twenty thousand bucks..!

Papa had been generous towards me when it came to money. Each month, he would gift me an allowance, on top of paying for my rent and other living expenses. The only things I would ever actively purchase were art supplies, so I had a lot saved to fall back on, if ever needed.

"W..wait...if that's the case...then I also want your gun. If I'm betting that much, I think it's only fair." Finally, I caused him to hesitate, but after some thought he jabbed his hand out further.
"I'm willing to stake that." His palm was warm when our hands met in a shake. The same hand that would likely cause me to lose.

"Alright then. Help me down, and we can duke it out." Ash took a step back, clicking his tongue as he turned to walk around the truck.
"And throw my back out? As if. Call your boyfriend to come serve you, Princess Puppy Dog." My teeth ground together as I glared after him, the nickname causing my fists to clench. Glancing over to the porch, I stuck out my bottom lip, batting my eyes in the direction of the asshole's new best friend.
"Eiji? Help? Please?"

Once the ravonet had helped me down, I went inside to change out of my dress, only just having finished zipping up my jeans as Shorter wandered into the room.
"I know, I know. I forgot to knock. My bad." He chuckled, though it faded off when I snatched my gun from the dressing table. "What's going on? We in trouble?"

It was like his finger was poised over a switch, ready to take action if necessary, but I quickly put him at ease as I shook my head.
"Nah, Ash challenged me to a shooting skill test." I explained, checking the magazine before stuffing it into my waistband. "One thing I do remember from our childhood is that we both had the same tutor, so this could get interesting."

Even before agreeing to the bet, I knew I had a very slim chance at beating Ash. I hadn't really seen him in action properly, but the rumours were colossal. Sure, I could hit targets, and I was a seasoned pro when it came to those shooting games at carnivals, but doubt was unavoidable when going up against somebody like Ash.

"Seems like a waste of ammo, in my opinion..." Shorter scoffed, stepping in front of me and wrapping his arms around my middle so I couldn't get out of the room. "What're the stakes?" Huffing into his chest, I squirmed a little, though I was quick to give in and hug him back.
"Answers and his revolver if I somehow win, and he wants all my money."