a/n: *bows deeply*

I apologize for not updating for the past few weeks... but in my defense, college is being a pain in the , and to think that school had started only a month ago..

but anyways, here's the next chap after teh long wait!

and thank you for the new subs!!!

srsly though... you guys are still reading this??? haha

This is what life should be. A best friend who would come through fire and hail just to be there for you, friends who would accept you no matter who you are, and someone who promised to never let you go even if means facing up death on the face. Yep, this is what life should be.
 

“Sehun, please give Tao’s chopsticks back to him before he manage to magically make his wushu stick appear and beat your up.” Seirin sighed.
 

Sehun scoffed like the child he was but put said pair of wooden eating utensils back, Tao making a sour face at him. Apparently, Sehun had been trying to prank Tao by hiding the latter’s chopsticks and making him ask the waiter for another pair, knowing that Tao’s Korean is not that perfect yet. And that the latter would sometimes be extremely shy and probably won’t ask for another.
 

“You’re so mean.” Tao pouted.
 

“And you’re such a crybaby, Tao. That’s why no one believes you can fight and beat everyone up.” Sehun rolled his eyes.
 

“Martial Arts is not used to hurt people, Seh-”
 

“I know, I know.” Sehun cut Tao. “But it wouldn’t hurt using the knowledge so the bullies would back off a bit. I mean, isn’t that why those kids at mom’s school go there anyways? So those who knew them would know that they know how to deliver a karate chop, and then the bullies would back off.” he argued.
 

“I’m so sorry if you had such a rough childhood, Sehun.” Tao feigned sympathy. “It isn’t your fault that you’re often mistaken as a girl and guys are drawn to you while girls who like them hate you.”
 

One thing that Seirin had realized this past few weeks that she had been around the kid is that Tao could be the cute little brother one minute and then turn to a complete sarcastic sass the next. Tao and Sehun’s bickering is fun to watch, really.
 

Sehun glared. “Shut up before I poke your eyes out with my chopsticks and ask the chef to fry them for me.”
 

“I dare you.” Tao smirked.
 

“Kids, please stop. No fighting on the table.” Seirin reprimanded. As much as she adores the two, she could feel a headache coming if she let them bicker. No one would believe that the two are best of friends, not with the way they are glaring at each other.
 

“Yah, the two of you stop it before I throw you out myself.” Kris warned when they ignored Seirin.
 

“Are they always like this?” Chen asked, amused.
 

Seirin just smiled fondly, “Apparently, yeah. They’re like an old married couple, really.”
 

“More like middle school kids.” Chen chuckled. “You remember that time when you beat up that boy back in 3rd grade? You broke his nose! And then his father was so pissed he nearly sued you.” he laughed, the crinkles on his eyes showing in his mirth.
 

“Hey! It was his fault. He should have never provoked me.” Seirin defended.
 

“Why? What did he do?” Sehun turned to them, halting from bickering with Tao who also had perked up at the mention of Seirin beating someone up.
 

Seirin gave Chen a warning glance, she didn’t want anyone knowing how she had been such a ‘fighter’ when she was a kid. But Chen, ever the most reliable friend as always, ignored her. He eagerly turned to Sehun and Tao instead and started telling them the story of her ‘glory days’ as a yakuza child.
 

“If I remember correctly, Sei just walked up to him during lunch and threw him her knuckle. The poor boy’s nose needed to be tended in the hospital and he was absent for a few days so it would properly heal up. He never talked to Sei again after that, didn’t even cast her a glance.” Chen imparted with a grin, as it telling the story of someone getting beaten up is so funny.
 

“Oh, noona, you’re such a badass.” Sehun shook his head, mouth forming an ‘o.’
 

Seirin slapped Chen’s arm. “You are such a liar!” she hissed. “That kid insulted my mom. And he told me how my family is the worst there is just because my grandfather is the head of Raijin. What did you expect me to do? Just sit there and take it all?”
 

“But your grandfather is not exactly the best there is. Right?” Chen pointed out.
 

“Are you really my friend, Chen? Why are you doing this to me?” Seirin gaped.
 

Chen just waved a hand in the air, laughing at her. “You know I love you, Sei. Never doubt that.”
 

Sierin rolled her eyes. She never doubted Chen. Even in those occasions that Chen had to lie to her, she never doubted him. Because she knows that Chen had to hide some things from her, for her own safety. Such is the life they had grown up in, and they had to learn how to trust the other even if sometimes it’s blindly. And besides, it’s not as if Seirin didn’t have to lie to Chen either. Their families are not enemies, but they are not friends either; they had yet to establish an alliance. In the world they are living, or at least what Seirin used to live in as she tries to insist to herself, being complacent is the worst thing to do. Everyone is an enemy, every friend is a rival.
 

“The two of you grew up together, right?” Kris asked, face emptied of all emotions. “I’m just curious. Do your families have business with each other?”
 

Seirin frowned at Kris. He had not asked about her family before, at least not how the clan works. Of course she knows that Kris has some information about the clan, he works for Joonmyun unofficially so he was bound to. But he never asked her about those things, why ask Chen then?
 

“Well, as far as I’m aware, we do not. My father may have some business with Kurosaki-sama’s associates, but no, there’s no direct business with him. Why?” Chen replied coolly.
 

“Nothing, really. As I said, I was just curious.” Kris answered, the stoic blank look still on his face.
 

“Well, you should know, Kris-sshi, that you shouldn’t poke where you’re not supposed to. Curiosity killed the cat after all.” Chen smiled.
 

Seirin put a hand on Kris’ leg under the table, squeezing it a bit to get his attention. She knows Chen too much, and that small smile is a warning. She doesn’t want Chen and Kris fighting. Even if she knows that it’s some kind of wishful thinking since the two are on the opposite sides of the law; just how it is with her and Kris. But even so, they could still try to get along. Right?
 

Kris turned to her, his lips twitching up a bit into a small reassuring smile. She sighed in relief. She hopes that it doesn’t have to be always like this between Kris and Chen, that they would eventually find it easier to be around each other. She likes Kris a lot, she likes his family a lot. And if Chen and Kris didn’t get along, it would be like juggling two fiery balls with your bare hands. The two just have the same strong and stubborn personality that Seirin doesn’t think that they’d be buddy-buddy anytime soon.
 

“Oh… I can see sparks everywhere!” Sehun smirked. “Tao, you could referee. I'll tally scores.”
 

“Shut up, brat.” Kris rolled his eyes at his brother before leaning into Seirin to say something.
 

Seirin was relieved that Kris finally let go of the tension. But what he whispered into her ear had her face burning and she could imagine that different shades of red tinting her features.
 

“Honey, I know you’re worried about me and your friend, but if you don’t take your hand off my leg I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stop myself from attacking you.” Kris said in a low whispery voice that sent shivers down Seirin’s spine.
 

She immediately retracted her hand and slapped Kris’ shoulder in defiance. She tried to cover her flushed face by glaring at her…boyfriend. Ah, that word just make her so giddy she could dance around even if it’s embarrassing.
 

“.” she hissed.
 

Kris chuckled and pinched Seirin’s cheek. “You are so cute.”
 

“I am not cute! I’m a yakuza, dang it!” Seirin huffed, turning away from Kris and poking her food with more force than needed.
 

She wasn’t angry or anything, it’s just she’s annoyed she can’t control herself around Kris. Especially now that they are… official. It was easier back then, at least she wasn’t conscious with every action that she does. Now that she’s Kris’ girlfriend, she’s not sure how to act. Kris is probably one of the most flawless person she had ever encountered, at least for her. And knowing that fact is not helping boost her confidence. She had never been one to easily get along with people, that was more of Chen’s forte. She doesn’t really know how to act friendly to others easily, how much more awkward would it be to Kris’ girlfriend?
 

Kris’ warm hand started rubbing her back, just out of sight from the other people on their table. Sehun and Tao were eagerly asking Chen questions about what kind of business the older guy’s father has, and Chen answered happily. Chen, like Seirin, is an only child; the two of them both craved that feeling of having a sibling, that’s why they easily get attached to younger people like Tao and Sehun. And seeing that Chen is enjoying himself talking to the two makes Seirin feel warm inside.
 

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to tease you.” Kris said, soft enough that it was the only two of them who heard him.
 

Seirin smiled and shook her head. “I was just being ridiculous. It’s fine.”
 

“I will try to get along with him. For you.” Kris stated sincerely.
 

If there are no other people in the restaurant, Seirin is pretty sure she’s going to kiss him. But she settled with brightest smile she could muster; she’s not sure if she’s ready to do PDA yet.
 

“Yah, in case you forgot, this isn’t a date, okay? Stop being lovey-dovey with each other!” Sehun tutted.
 

Seirin giggled and stuck her tongue at Sehun playfully. “We are not, Sehun, just leave it.”
 

Sehun scoffed playfully and finished up his food. Soon their plates were empty and there was nothing but idle conversation between Chen, Tao and Sehun, Seirin listening at the light bantering with Kris’s hand intertwined with hers under the table. It’s a peaceful night and if only there would many more of times like that in the future, Seirin couldn’t help but dream with a contented smile on her face.
 

Just as the chatter died down, Tao and Sehun started being restless once again, being the kids they were.
 

“It’s too early to go home. Can’t we go somewhere and have fun? It’s not as if we have school tomorrow.” Sehun whined. “Noona, let’s go to noreabang!” he piped up.
 

“Noreabang? What’s that?” Seirin frowned.
 

“It’s karaoke, Sei.” Chen answered her.
 

Seirin nodded her head in understanding. She wasn’t that interested since she can‘t hold a note even if her life depended on it, but it would be fun. And then she suddenly remembered something. “Hey! I think that’s a good idea! Don’t you know Chen has a really good voice?” she grinned.
 

“He does?” Sehun looked at Chen.
 

“I don’t!” Chen retorted. “Let’s go somewhere else. How about some amusement park?” Chen tried to change their decision.
 

But it was 3 against 1 and Chen found himself standing on stage with the lights dimmed low around the place, an eagerly waiting crowd below the him. Seirin is grinning widely, ignoring the glares Chen was giving her. Sehun suggested that they go to Lay’s place and then he went straight to Lay’s office to talk to the owner. A few minutes later, Sehun got out of the office with an almost sinister smirk on his face.
 

And then the boy dropped the bomb on the unsuspecting Chen. Chen had to sing onstage and Sehun had already arranged it with Lay. Chen was dark with defiance but Seirin had managed to convince him using the aegyo tricks she had learned from Sehun and Tao.
 

“Go, Chen!” Seirin shouted along with cheering crowd.
 

The place is fully packed, just like couple of times that Seirin had been here. The last time had been memorable too, what with Kris’ kiss and confession. The memory still make Seirin blush and feel hot on the face, it’ll probably always will, and she’s thankful the place is dim or the blush on her face would be apparent for everyone to see. Kris sitting beside her is not helping either.
 

The music started, a soft melody that was familiar to Seirin’s ears. She’s pretty sure that she had heard Chen sing this song before. He never sings publicly, and only relents when Seirin asked him to, so the handful of times that Chen had sung, Seirin remembers, maybe not the songs, but she does. It’s not until the chorus part that she remembers what song it was; Chen’s favorite, Confession of A Friend.
 

The whole place seemed to have been in a trance as Chen sang soulfully; couples started dancing on the platform below the stage. Chen’s voice is really amazing, and Seirin was awed like always. She smiled up at him proudly, clapping with the rest of the audience. She had never met someone better than her best friend. Well, she might be biased, but she doesn’t care. For her, Chen is the best there is.
 

Their eyes met as the song faded away and Seirin thought she saw something peculiar in Chen’s expression, but her best friend flashed her that gentle smile so she brushed it off. Why would Chen look sad when there was nothing to be sad about? Maybe it was the aftereffect of the song he had just sing.
 

“Wow. He’s really good.” Tao sighed.
 

“I know. If he wasn’t busy helping his dad with business, I’m pretty sure he would’ve accepted those offers from big entertainment companies.” Seirin said proudly, watching as Chen went off the stage and got swallowed by the crowd.
 

The band who plays regularly for the club invaded the stage once again and Sehun dragged Tao to the dance floor where they killed some pretty awesome moves. Seirin gaped at the two, Tao was decent in dancing, limbs coordinated even if he was towering above everyone else. But Sehun, the kid was like water, every move fluid and beautiful.
 

“Stop gaping at my brother, I’m getting jealous.” Kris chuckled beside her.
 

Seirin just laughed. “Well, he’s pretty awesome.”
 

“It’s no wonder. Mom’s really good at dancing.” Kris nodded.
 

“Really? So it runs in the family?”
 

“Not really. I have two left feet and unlike dad, I can’t hold a tune.”
 

“Aww, someone’s bitter. No worries, I still like you even if you’re not as talented as your family.” Seirin teased, poking Kris’ side.
Kris got hold of Seirin’s hands, his long fingers easily clasping both of her wrists as he pulled her closer to him, a playful smirk on his handsome face. “Maybe I can’t dance or sing. But there’s something else I pride myself with.”
 

Seirin could feel her heart pound faster at the close proximity between them, but she smiled playfully, getting in the flow. She would enjoy herself tonight, with her friends, with Kris. “And what could that be, Mr. Two Left Feet?”
 

Kris’ face is inches from hers and she could feel his breath on her cheeks. She’s partly aware that he’d be seeing how flushed her face was, but the only thing she cares about is how close his lips was to hers.
 

“I’m good… at this…” Kris replied in a whisper and before Seirin realized what was really happening, his lips was on hers in a soft, gentle kiss.
 

They’ve kissed before, and Kris wasn’t Seirin’s first kiss either. But there was just something about him that makes her chest pound and her knees weak. It they were not sitting down, she’s pretty sure her knees would give up on her.
 

She didn’t even realize that Kris had already let her hands go, opting to cup her face with one hand as the other slipped around her waist to pull her closer. She s her own hands around his neck as he deepened the kiss, nipping at her lips. She briefly wondered when she had started being daring to not even care that she was kissing someone publicly, even if it was her boyfriend that she was kissing, and that the people around them were ignoring them anyways, not that they would notice anything else but the music on the dim place.
 

“I think we should stop now…” Kris panted as they parted for air. “You tempt me too much, you know that?”
 

Seirin giggled at the slightly flustered look on Kris’ face. She traced the contours of his handsome face with her finger. She can’t believe that this perfect guy chose her. She’s nothing but a prisoner of the world her grandfather had chosen to live. She was no one special and was practically endangering Kris and his family by seeking Joonmyun’s help. But there goes Kris and captured her interest, and he asked to try this relationship with her. Who was she to say no? It’s what she had always wanted, a life where she has someone to hold onto, to trust, to be with. And Kris is just so wonderful that she can’t help but think that she’s dreaming. If she was, then she hopes she’d never wake up.
 

Kris started chuckling. “That tickles, you know.”
 

Seirin didn’t even notice that her fingers had been drawing mindless shapes on Kris’ face as she trace and retrace the smooth skin. Kris had his eyes closed as Seirin’s index finger hovered over his left eyelid, the two of them still sitting close to each other even after the mind-blowing kiss earlier.
 

On normal circumstances, being intimately close to someone would have taken Seirin aback. She had never been comfortable with skinship, even with Chen. But with Kris, it felt comfortable being enveloped in his arms. It’s warm and safe. And as she looked into his blissful face, she can’t help but wonder if she only like this person so much… or she had already fallen in love…
 

She doesn’t know what love feels like, but if it’s that feeling of completely giving your heart and trust to someone, caring for them without inhibitions, and wanting to be around them to the point where it hurts even just imagining the possibility of being away from them… then maybe she was. Maybe she is in love.
 

“Stop staring at my face, I know I’m handsome.” Kris smirked, slowly opening his eyes. He frowned a bit when he saw the confusion on Seirin’s face. “What? Is something wrong?”
 

Seirin didn’t answer, cupping Kris’ face instead. She gave him a chaste kiss and when she pulled back, there was a question on Kris’ eyes.
 

“What was that for? Not that I’m complaining of course.” the smile on Kris’ lips was soft, though the confusion on his eyes never left.
 

“It’s just that I was asking myself if…” she trailed.
 

“If what?”
 

If I’m really… in love with you. Thinking about it is easier than trying to say the words. She’s not sure herself if she is in love with Kris. And what if Kris is just attracted to her? What if that attraction died down and she had already been so deep? She knows it’s selfish, but she doesn’t want to get hurt. She can’t start stripping her heart bare and give it to Kris in a platter, and then get hurt in the end. She’s confused about her own feelings. She’s scared of what it might bring. Why is it so hard to fall in love?
 

Wait, she’s not even sure if she is in love.
 

Before Seirin could speak her thoughts though, someone stood in front of the booth they were in and got her attention. Her blood ran cold when she realized who it was, or at least who she guessed the person was.
 

There were several men conspicuously surrounding the booth, and when Seirin’s eyes found the spot where Sehun and Tao were dancing, she could make out men who were keeping their eyes on them too. Chen, on the other hand was not in sight and she assumed that he was either at the bar, in the bathroom or just lost in the crowd.
 

“Kurosaki-san.” the man wearing a sleek black suit bowed to Seirin. When he straightened back up, there was that familiar cold look of the people who Seirin had grown up to hate.
 

“What do you want?” she asked, hoping that Kris didn’t feel how her hands were trembling. The way he pulled her just a little bit closer made her realize that it wasn’t only her hands that were shaking, but her whole body.
 

“Kurosaki-sama wants to talk to you.” the man replied.
 

Seirin felt like the world had collapsed on her. Her grandfather wants to talk to her. That means he was here. That means he found her.
 

She can’t help but wonder if everything had really just been a dream. And now she was finally forced to wake up.
 

 a/n: I can't believe i just wrote this... *sighs*

but, hey! Confession of a Friend by 2AM... gosh, it's like my themesong... haha, yeah... my lack of love life ...

anyways, i'm happy... it's all that matters...

see you around, darlings...

and don't forget to comment!!! (upvote??? *winks*)