The Viper Gang

"Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipppp." Akari persisted in slurping on the straw, despite his drink nearly running dry. The sound echoed in the air, underscoring his discontent.

Letting out a sigh, Ryoichi attempted to address the underlying tension. "I already listened to your request and paid for your food here," he reminded Akari, subtly alluding to his efforts to bridge the gap between them.

Having completed their daily duties at the workshop, the two friends had sought refuge in a burger fast food restaurant for the evening. Akari's resentment lingered, resulting in the silent treatment he had been giving Ryoichi. As they sat together in a booth, their meals now finished, a heavy atmosphere enveloped them.

“You should have hired someone instead of Ayano,”

“You two have a special connection.” Ryoichi’s eyes glimmered.

“Ayano-san and I are not like that.” Akari declared, resolute in his denial.

“No, of course you two aren’t.” Ryoichi chuckled as they stood up to leave. “Anyway, please give it a chance. Let’s try a month first and see how it goes, alright?” Ryoichi tried to hype Akari up for it.

"Fine," he finally relented, his voice carrying his frustration. "Let's give it a month and see how it goes."

“Thank you!”

Leaving the fast food restaurant, Akari and Ryoichi stepped out into the calm suburban streets. The streetlights bathed the neighborhood in a warm glow, casting gentle shadows on the sidewalks. The air carried the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers from nearby gardens, mingling with the distant chirping of crickets.

As they strolled along, engrossed in their thoughts, a trio of men in dark jackets came into view up ahead. As the two walked passed Akari's shoulder inadvertently collided with one of the men. The force of the unexpected impact sent Akari stumbling backward, his balance faltering. He could feel himself losing control, the ground rushing up to meet him.

"Watch where you're going, pipsqueak!" the man bellowed, his voice laced with hostility.

Before Akari could react, Ryoichi swiftly reached out a helping hand, pulling him back to his feet. Akari's eyes locked onto the man, a fiery glare mirroring his frustration.

“Akari, are you alright?” Ryoichi stood between Akari and the hooligans while Akari eyed the man with an angry stare.

"I'm fine," Akari muttered through gritted teeth, his body tensed with indignation.

Ryoichi's voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "Vipers... Don't confront them." The name alone carried a weight of danger and unease.

However, the man who had knocked Akari down seemed to recognize them. He hesitated, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Wait a moment. Don't these two seem familiar?" he pondered aloud. "Ah! He's the guy from that repair shop! Isn't he with the gang?"

Ryoichi's face darkened, his voice strained. "You're mistaken," he retorted, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I just work at the shop."

Refusing to back down, the man's hostility escalated, his voice dripping with venomous certainty. "Don't lie to us. I recognize both of you! The one behind you is definitely a member of the Tiger gang!"

With a forceful shove, he attempted to push Ryoichi aside, intending to confront Akari directly.

“Don’t you dare touch him!” Ryoichi's protective instincts surged forth, his fist instinctively lashing out to defend his friend. However, the agile Viper member evaded the blow and swiftly retaliated, delivering a devastating knee strike to Ryoichi's stomach. Pain pierced through Ryoichi's body, forcing him to crumple forward and collapse onto the unforgiving pavement.

"Ryoichi!" Akari's cry of concern was abruptly cut short as the other Viper member launched a vicious kick, sending him crashing to the ground. The impact stole his breath, leaving him vulnerable and disoriented.

"Finally, we can get some payback from that stupid arcade loser," he sneered, his words laced with malicious satisfaction as he leaned over Akari. The weight of their previous encounters hung heavily in the air, filling the moment with a dangerous mix of fear and trepidation.

“Leave him alone,” The third individual in the back spoke out. The voice was familiar to Akari but he couldn’t identify their face in the dark night.

“Yes, young master!”

A hand extended down, offering assistance to Akari. As the young boy's eyes traveled upward, they fell upon a serpent tattoo that coiled around the stranger's forearm. When Akari’s gaze finally reached the figure's face, his eyes widened.

“Akari Inmura,” Shinji had a calm smile on his face. “What a coincidence meeting you here.”

♦_______✭❀✭_______♦

Akari's senses were immediately assaulted as he stepped into the bustling night club. The pulsating rhythm of the music reverberated through the air, intertwining with the vibrant energy of the dance floor. Neon lights bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of colors, casting an otherworldly glow on the moving bodies that filled the space.

Navigating through the crowd, Shinji led Akari through the electrifying atmosphere. The mingling scents of perfume, alcohol, and sweat wafted through the air, creating a heady concoction that hung like a veil over the club even as they ascended to the second floor.

Reaching their private booth, Akari exhaled a sigh of relief. The dim lighting cast a seductive ambiance, with strategically placed spotlights highlighting select areas of the room. Tinted dark glass doors shielded them from prying eyes, providing a sense of seclusion amidst the club's bustling energy.

As Akari settled into the booth, his senses gradually adjusted to the new environment. Soundproof walls and tinted dark glass doors helped muffle the noise, creating a relatively secluded space.

Shinji settled into the booth, taking a sip from his drink with practiced ease. The dim lighting cast intriguing shadows on his face as he leaned back against the cushioned seat, exuding a relaxed aura. Crossing one leg over the other, he displayed a casual yet confident posture, his hands resting on top of each other, fingers instinctively interlocked in a secure clasp.

“I really don’t like noise but this place is probably the best place for us to talk in private,” Shinji remarked, his voice cutting through the music. He placed his drink gently on the table between them, its presence a small anchor in the swirling sea of activity around them.

“Please leave us be,” Shinji motioned to his imposing bodyguards, indicating that they should leave the room. The two hulking figures hesitated, their eyes darting back and forth uncertainly, torn between their duty and Shinji's request. Sensing their hesitation, Shinji reassured them with a calm yet authoritative voice, "I assure you, there is no need for concern. They pose no threat."

Nodding their heads, the guards quietly retreated, closing the glass doors behind them. A sense of solitude settled over the booth, isolating them from the outside world. With a sigh of relief, Shinji turned his attention back to Akari and Ryoichi. His smile was warm and inviting, hoping to ease their apprehension.

“I apologize for my friends’ earlier behavior. I can assure you I mean no harm. I just wanted a chance to talk to you.” He looked at Akari with a smile.

Akari remained cautious, his guard still up. "What is it that you want to discuss with me?" he inquired, his tone tinged with suspicion.

“I confess, even before our encounter on that group date, I already knew about your affiliation with the Tiger gang,” he admitted, confirming Akari's earlier suspicions. “I also know about how you’re treated there.”

“What do you mean?”

Shinji's gaze met Akari's with a mixture of empathy and shared experience. "I understand that you dislike being treated as a child, yet they persist in treating you that way," he revealed, his voice filled with genuine empathy.

Akari’s eyes widened upon hearing this. “How do you know—”

Shinji held up a hand, interrupting Akari.

"It's no different for me," Shinji continued, his hand returning to rest on his leg. "As the son of the Viper gang and burdened with these looks," he gestured to his own features with a hint of self-deprecation, "they all see me as some sort of prodigious prince. The constant attention and adoration, particularly from the female members and servants, can be overwhelming."

Akari's initial skepticism wavered as he listened to Shinji's words. Conflicting thoughts swirled in his mind.

"Is he bragging or genuinely sharing his concerns?" he wondered. Akari exchanged a glance with Ryoichi, who seemed to be grappling with similar thoughts.

"Regardless, I see a kindred spirit in you, Akari Inmura," Shinji declared, his tone earnest. "We share a similar plight within our respective gangs. That's why I want to get to know you better."

"Akari, we shouldn't trust him," Ryoichi muttered in Akari’s ear. "I don't understand his motives. It feels like he's just playing us."

Akari pondered his friend’s words as he stared at the son of the Viper gang’s leader. Shinji had a charming calm smile on his face.

Ryoichi was right. Akari couldn’t read Shinji’s intentions or motives at all. He would have to tread carefully around him.