Chapter 59: 59
Well, that stuck in Yuki's brain. He rolled his hands over his face, snorting over Renji's remarks. A scoffed resounded from his mouth, that of full disbelief.
"You know what? You're a real piece of shit, Renji. You walk around this place with your chest puffed like you're some kind of god just because you've got money. But all I see is a spoiled little brat who thinks owning a percentage of something means you own people too. People shouldn't be owned!"
Renji's jaw clenched. His posture stiffened on the bed. At first he pretended not to hear Yuki's remarks. Lazily, he rolled to the other side of the bed, the headphones half on his head. "Excuse me?"
"Yeah, you heard me." Yuki stepped closer, his eyes locked on Renji. "You act like the world owes you something just because you can toss cash around like confetti. But deep down? You're just a lonely kid who thinks being an asshole makes him powerful."
Renji stood slowly from the bed, his tall frame now level with Yuki's. The controller dropped from his lap and hit the mattress with a dull bounce. He took a step forward, nose to nose. "Oh please," Renji scoffed, his lips curling into a smug, poisonous smile. "Who the fuck are you to tell me I'm an asshole?"
He jabbed a finger against Yuki's chest, and slowly slid the finger up to his jaws giving him a pathetic tap on his jaw.
"An asshole is the one who's gonna pay you to tutor him, remember? So if I'm the spoiled rich brat, what does that make you? A fucking lapdog. So get the fuck back to the study room and wait until I'm ready."
The words hit Yuki like a slap. His body tensed, his fists instinctively clenching at his sides.
"You entitled son of a—"
But before the next word could leave his lips, Renji gave a slow, mocking clap. "There it is. The real Yuki. The guy who can't take being reminded that he's just a glorified babysitter."
Yuki stepped even closer, his face mere inches from Renji's. Yuki had lost every inch of respect he had for Renji knowing the true color of this asshole. "You think you're untouchable, huh? That your money shields you from consequences? That people like me are beneath you?"
Renji shrugged. "Not think. I know."
A bitter laugh escaped Yuki's throat. "Well let me tell you something, Renji. The world doesn't revolve around your damn shares or your mommy's influence. One day, that rug's gonna get pulled right out from under your designer loafers, and when it does? There won't be anyone left to pick your sorry ass off the floor."
Renji's eyes narrowed, cracking his knuckles against the other. A vein popped at the side of his jaw with a grin spreading across his lips. "Try that motivational poster crap on someone who gives a shit."
"You will," Yuki said coldly. "Sooner than you think."
It was a long stare at each other and Renji was the first to break it. He rolled his eyes dramatically, then turned away as if Yuki wasn't worth the argument. "Get out, Yuki. Before I do something I'll enjoy."
"You won't," Yuki muttered under his breath but turned around anyway, making his way to the door.
"That's right. Walk away like a good little errand boy." Renji's voice tuned into a childish taunt, clapping his hands still with a smug on his face.
Yuki paused his hand on the door handle. He turned his head just slightly, not enough to fully face Renji, but enough to let his next words land heavy. "The fuck you'd see!" The door flew open, Yuki left the room and the door came slamming back into its hole.
Renji staggered backwards, his face lit up in amazement. He gazed at the door and then at his bed which had the controller on it. "Fucking loser." He muttered loudly, throwing his arms up in the air as he made his way into the closet to find his viping stick.
Renji popped the cap off his vape with his teeth, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud that curled like a middle finger into the air. "God, what a joke," He mumbled aloud, grabbing a hoodie off the rack and tossing it onto the bed.
He flew onto the bed, widening his legs and returning to his game consort.
******
"Damn asshole." Yuki sighed, leaning against the staircase rail, one hand gripping the polished wood and the other buried in his pocket. His head was lowered, bangs falling onto his forehead, casting a soft shadow over his eyes. "Why bother arguing with him?" he muttered under his breath. "Fucking narcissist with a god complex... I swear if he wasn't paying—ugh."
He kicked the bottom stair lightly with the toe of his shoe, releasing another frustrated exhale.
"Yuki?"
Yuki blinked, startled slightly, then turned to see Kaito standing at the base of the stairs with both his hands underneath a silver tray. "You don't look so good. The lunch is prepared. How about you get Renji?"
Yuki straightened but shook his head, eyes averting from Renji's room door to the stairs. To fucking hell with Renji, no one upset him more than that brat. "Nah. He said he ain't hungry." Yuki twisted a lip out from his mouth and Kaito paused, his eyes scanning Yuki's face, probably noticing the subtle strain on his face.
Due to the heavy weight on his palms, he didn't push further and nodded casually. "No problem. Mind coming to eat, then?"
Yuki hesitated for a moment, his lips pressing into a tight line, before giving a slight nod. "Yeah. Sure."
He followed Kaito down the stairs, their steps light against the marble flooring. The dining room was not less from being luxurious and warmly lit. Dishes lined the table—grilled vegetables stacked neatly, miso-glazed tofu, pickled sides, rice, and the main attraction: seasoned shredded pork glazed in a thick gravy syrup.
Yuki sat down across from Kaito, picking up a pair of chopsticks. Just as he reached out to scoop some rice, he heard the sound of soft footsteps entering behind him.
"Seriously?" a familiar, slightly annoyed voice said. "I wanted to take a nap, but you two just had to ruin it with your argument."
Yuki froze, half a spoonful of rice mid-air, then turned his head.
It was her.
The girl from earlier—the one with the jammed car roof and that stubborn, no-nonsense look in her eyes—was now pulling out the chair beside him.
She took her seat gracefully, reaching for a bowl and severd herself some pork before heading to the rice. Yuki shifted his gaze from her, his breath hitching with embarrassment.
'Now she is going to think of me as a pervert because I thought she wanted a fuck.' He adjusted on the dining chair, his legs crossed over each other nervously as he settled his cutlery on his right side.
Just a brief flash in his mind connected all the dots together. The system promised him women falling at his feet, could hearing their thoughts also be an upgrade and WIN for him? He zoned out of his thoughts, carefully staring back at the lady.
"You are looking at me weirdly again..." She picked up the pork with her fork, pushing it into her mouth and munching out. She didn't have much on either, just a large sweatshirts that had her nipples standing erect behind. "I never got your name..."
"Yuki..."
"Sayuri." There was silence from her end as she munched on more meat until she was satisfied. "I'm here for the week. Aunt Katashi needs me for something, how about you?"
"Um, tutor..."
"Oh, I see." She kept quiet letting her words digest into the awkward atmosphere. "When we were outside, how did you know what I was thinking of?"
Yuki froze again, the rice turning to paste on his tongue. He swallowed, hard.
"H-how did I know?" he echoed, trying to sound casual as he picked up a piece of tofu. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Sayuri tilted her head at him, one eyebrow raised. "Hmm."
Yuki could feel her stare burn through his temple as he focused on chewing like it was the most serious thing he had ever done. He didn't dare look up. His fingers were slick with nervous sweat around his chopsticks.
She didn't press the question. Instead, she let out a breath, leaned back in her chair, and pulled her phone from the pouch of her sweatshirt. Her nails clicked lightly against the screen as she tapped through something, scrolling with one thumb.
Then, without looking up, she said, "There's a party tonight. Downtown. I've got two tickets."
She glanced at him now, her eyes unreadable. "You wanna come?"
Yuki blinked, chopsticks paused midair. "Party?"
"Don't think too much. It's either a yes or no, and if you are worried about skipping today's tutorial, then um, sorry I guess..."
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