Rafael and Kanna had been eagerly awaiting their senior year of high school, hoping to make the most out of every opportunity. As they sat in class on an ordinary day, engrossed in studying for upcoming tests, Erina suddenly entered the classroom. With barely any acquaintances by her side, she recognized Rafael as a familiar face and decided to approach him. Intrigued by her presence beside him, Rafael noticed that Erina was struggling with algebra homework due for submission next period. He observed as she nervously flipped through the pages of her notebook while he prepared himself mentally to help his fellow peer find solutions to all problems alike - not without difficulties however!
Rafael politely offered his assistance to Erina, a young lady who seemed in need. As she bowed her head in appreciation, Rafael couldn't help but notice a hint of cleavage peeking through the neckline of her blouse. However, he quickly redirected his attention towards more important matters and proceeded to review Erina's notebook while diligently checking on her homework. It was clear that Rafael valued academic excellence and didn't allow anything else to distract him from helping out someone in need.
As Rafael inspected Erina's answers, he couldn't help but feel impressed by her accuracy. "Your responses are spot on," he complimented as he handed back the notebook to her before she made her way back to her seat. While his own girlfriend diligently studied for their upcoming exam beside him, Rafael was struck with a moment of introspection.
Once the test had ended and recess began, most of the students hurried outside for some fresh air and a break from studying. Not wanting to leave just yet, Rafael chose instead to remain in his seat lost in thought while his girlfriend went about enjoying herself outdoors.
It wasn't until Jiena approached him that he snapped out of it and became fully present once again. Her serious gaze upon him caused an involuntary dryness in his throat as they engaged each other in conversation at their desks.
"I want you to tutor Erina in English and Math," Jiena requested her brother. "She's struggling with those subjects, but I promised to help her. Unfortunately, Dad asked me to accompany Mom and Kyoko in Tokyo so I couldn't meet up with her for our tutoring session. Can you substitute for me?"
Rafael eagerly replied, "Of course! Helping out our company by helping your friend is no problem at all."
Jiena was overjoyed upon hearing this response that she hugged Rafael tightly - a gesture of appreciation that surprised him greatly.
"You never embraced me before!," Rafael exclaimed.
"That hug symbolizes my heartfelt gratitude towards you," Jiena explained gratefully as she pulled away from the embrace. "Erina will be coming over to our place for the tutorial sessions though."
With sincerity gleaming on his face, Rafael assured his sister: "I'll take care of everything."
Rafael gulped his bottle of water as Jiena revealed the study location. "At our home?" he asked with surprise, taken aback by the unexpected suggestion.
Jiena sighed deeply before speaking again, her words laced with a warning to Rafael about their dad's perverted behavior. "As if Bianca isn't there," she said sharply, fixing Kanna with an intense gaze and willing her brother to behave appropriately during their study session.
Kanna felt uncomfortable hearing Jiena speak like this but remained silent throughout the exam period. She tried hard to concentrate on answering all the questions on time.
As soon as the bell rang signaling them it was over for today and they could leave, Kanna quickly packed up her things without looking at Rafael or saying goodbye. But suddenly from behind came footsteps rushing after her - It was Rafael chasing down his girlfriend who continued walking fastly away in oblivion. He caught up with Kanna at the stairs leading out of school campus."Why wouldn't you wait for me?" breathlessly panted when finally reaching beside--her cold reaction left him worried about what had just happened between them moments ago.
"What's going on? Tell me," The concerned boyfriend asked while placing his hands softly around Kana's shoulders trying desperately get
Rafael's voice was soft and reassuring as he spoke, "My sister Jiena will be flying to Tokyo with our mother soon. She expressed her concern about my mother facing difficulties adapting to the new environment. So, I decided to help out." Rafael paused briefly before continuing," Besides, why would I even think of looking at any other woman when you are everything that matters to me?" The intensity behind his words showed just how much he felt for her.
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Despite seeming relaxed after Rafael's promise to tutor Erina, Kanna's mind quickly became consumed with thoughts of her boyfriend and the tutee. Unable to shake this feeling, she followed them all the way to Marino residence.
Her anxiety compelled her to bring along some friends as reinforcements for what could become a stakeout. As they watched from afar, their protracted vigilance leading them into boredom; Pepper asked in exasperation "Why don't we just go home? You're being paranoid."
Kanna let out a deep sigh," I just want reassurance that nothing will happen between those two." Glancing through the window at Rafael and Erina taking lessons on couch only served as temporary solace. It was then Bianca appeared from her room looking stunning as ever but ready for departure handing off car keys before announcing in passing "I'm going to fetch Muro and Marla at the airport. Dad won't be coming home tonight because he'll be staying Pyeongchang for two days."
"So, will you bring us some food?" Rafael queried.
"Sorry, I have already made dinner for you and Erina. But if you're still feeling hungry, why not cook something yourself?" Bianca replied before departing with Rafael and Erina from the house where they were alone. While this was happening, Kanna along with her friends concealed themselves behind bushes, so as not to be detected by one of Marino's potent heirs. After Bianca had left the village limits, Kanna and company reappeared and discreetly observed Rafael and Erina."
Rafael and Erina were huddled on the floor, focused on imparting mathematical knowledge inside the Marino household. Even though it was already seven in the evening and chilly, with the air conditioning unit making it even colder indoors, they persevered despite feeling cold. "I could switch off this air conditioner," Rafael suggested as he fiddled with his remote to lower its intensity into fan mode.
Erina grasped his hand and objected firmly: "No need for that. Let's stay put." Without any reservations about her decision, Rafael resumed their tutorial while offering some refreshments from their kitchen to keep Erina energized during math problem-solving exercises.
"I'm all done!" Erina cheerfully exclaimed, raising her hands.
"Very good, now let me check," Rafael took the notebook and started checking the answers, while trying to correct the wrong answers, he slowly leaned his cheeks in to Erina, slowly he turned to the lass, accidentally kissing her in the lips, the two were bewildered of the gesture that lasted for a second or two.
Outside the Marino residence, Kanna's whole body tensed up as she took in everything around her. Her face changed from its neutral expression to a dark shade of red in an instant. She clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug into the palms of her hands causing some pain. The anger inside of Kanna simmered and began to rise rapidly as if set on fire by a blazing flame. Her two friends noticed this and quickly held onto both arms, firmly preventing any possibility of physical outburst towards her boyfriend's place which only made Kanna angrier but also kept herself composed at the same time. Despite trying hard not to burst out with rage, she couldn't help feeling hurt thinking about what could have been happening within those walls without even giving them all another thought?
Kanna flashed a wide smile and prepared to give the gate of Marino Mansion a swift kick, as her arms were held on both sides by her two companions. However, she immediately paused when she observed that her friends had begun to shiver.
"Why are you shaking?" Kanna asked her friends, noticing the visible trembling in their bodies. As she turned around to face what was causing them distress, a wave of sudden fear washed over her as she found herself standing face-to-face with Bianca, Muro and Marla.
"What brings you here?" Marla questioned bluntly while staring at Kanna and her entourage intently. Kanna felt uneasy under their scrutinizing gazes.
"Well- uh," she faltered for words momentarily before finding the right ones "your brother invited me here."
Muro spoke up calmly with his arms crossed sternly against his chest. "If he extended an invitation to you then why aren't you already inside?"
Bianca took charge signaling towards her siblings telling them to proceed into the house carrying bags of groceries they had just purchased from town nearby. Turning back toward Kanna's direction Bianca spoke sharply making sure that this would be remembered well by everyone present: "Are you eavesdropping on us? You ought to know our home is equipped with state-of-the-art security measures even stalkers couldn't bypass."
Upon hearing the disturbance, Rafael and Erina emerged from Marino Residences. Rafael was taken aback by his girlfriend's fierce gaze of anger. Rather than causing a scene, Kanna walked away with Rafael following her. As they proceeded further, Rafael attempted to clarify and inquire why she had spied on them when he suddenly grabbed Kanna resulting in her resisting and hitting him across the face. "I didn't mean it!" pleaded Rafael.
"Are you kidding me?" exclaimed Kanna, clearly angry. "Looks like you enjoyed it or something."
"Yo, I'm so sorry," Rafael said apologetically.
Kanna replied while walking away with poise: "Let's both put some space between us. You do whatever you want and I'll do my own thing."
"Fine then, leave!" Rafael spat at his girlfriend. "What a childish brat.
Back at the Marino residence, everything was already fixed and ready to go. The table looked great with all of the delicious food laid out on it. Muro and Marla had just finished tutoring Erina for now so they decided to tag along as she headed towards the bus stop. Rafael strolled wearily into their home feeling a sense of exhaustion cloud his mood making him feel quite down in spirits but he managed to drag himself over towards the dining table where he sat down rather gloomily awaiting dinner time.
"I can tell you guys had a pretty big fight," Bianca handed her brother a beer.
"I didn't realize she tailed me all the way here," Rafael grunted, shaking his head.
"I shouldn't have left you alone with her," Bianca sighed taking a gulp of beer "Anyhow; Jiena would like you to keep an eye on her till she comes back."
"Where did Jiena go?"
"She traveled from Tokyo to Seoul for some conference; and it's funded by the school. She'll be back in about seven days or so."
"How about yourself?"
"It's been my secret before but Jessica will join this small local beauty pageant soon."
"Jessica is merely six years old, does Dad know anything about your plan yet?"
"If he knows it already then we're done for, but if ever do mention that I told him this idea he might kill us both Rafael." Binaca warned as she pointed at him with one finger.
"Well alright then, if that's what makes yo happy then I'm backing up whatever decision came out from your mind." Responding while still having fear inscribed over his face due to how threateningly expressive his little sister could become.
The following day, Rafael plopped down at his desk and started studying for the next lesson. Suddenly, Erina appeared out of nowhere with a letter and some chocolates in hand. She smiled sweetly at him while passing the treats over. "Hey there, uhh R-Rafael," she blurted awkwardly before continuing nervously, "W-would you maybe wanna grab dinner tonight?"
Without even thinking twice about it he answered back eagerly saying "Absolutely! Where are we headed to though?" "It's this swanky joint at the mall called Lifestyle," squealed Erina excitingly as she exited the room. Turning around towards Kanna who was minding her own business by studying notes nearby; Jude then sauntered in clutching onto roses which left Rafael perplexedly staring onwards.
"Hey Kanna, want to hangout tonight?" Jude offered while offering the flowers.
"Sure!" Kanna replied without any second thoughts. "Meet you at the mall at 5 pm!"
Rafael and Kanna looked at each other with jealousy, making everyone around them tense. Bianca walked by the classroom and noticed everyone staring at the former couple. Out of curiosity, she grabbed Eugene and Casey to take them aside for a chat.
"What's up with Rafael and Kanna?" Bianca wondered aloud, as Eugene and Casey looked at her expectantly.
"Rafael has a date with Erina, while Kanna said yes to Jude," Eugene explained.
Bianca shook her head in concern. "Looks like we need to do something before they both get hurt." She let out a sigh but then grinned mischievously at the others when asked what she was going to do. Without answering them directly, she simply left the room.
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Bianca went up to Cookie, one of Erina's friends, and asked her in a chill way about Erina's plan. Bianca already knew they wouldn't tell her anything.
"Hey girl, what's Erina planning?" she said. The girl turned away from her scared that something might happen to them if they spilled the beans; so Bianca had to grab Cookie by the shoulder and turn her around forcibly creating fear in poor old Cookies eyes!
"Hey, don't worry about Erina. If you don't tell me what's up, I might have to throw some hands though," she warned.
"Uh, Erina likes Rafael and she wants him to be with her instead of Kanna. She's working with Jude to make it happen," the girl said scaredly after what Bianca told her.
"Cool! Exactly what I was looking for," said Bianca. "No worries; it's just between us."
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Kanna was at the lifestyle mall where she took a seat on a bench, anticipating Jude's arrival. While Rafael came and sat on another bench nearby her, they both waited patiently for their partners to show up but were left waiting even after two whole hours had passed. Kanna got back up from her seat when six or seven men encircled her.
"You're alone," one of the men said, "Wanna come with us?"
"No way!" Kanna yelled and tried to leave but got her arm grabbed by one of the guys.
"Hey, try us," said some dude while Kanna was trapped. Then Rafael showed up and beat them all up like it was nothing. One of the goons even had a knife but Bianca took care of that by slamming him on the ground with her crazy claws."
"Quick, take Kanna and run!" Bianca shouted. Rafael immediately scooped up Kanna and dashed to safety. They ended up at a nearby pond while Bianca stayed behind to deal with the fight. She kept her distance from Rafael, still mad at him for something undisclosed.
"What do you want me to do?" Rafael asked, as the girl wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "I didn't mean to hurt you; it was just an accident that night. You know how much I love you! Why would I even fall for her trap?"
"Then prove your love," Kanna challenged. Rafael grabbed her shoulders and kissed her, their lips tasting like bubble gum while she wrapped her arms around his neck in complete enjoyment.
"You love me and I forgive you," Kanna said softly while crying. "I'm yours forever," Rafael promised, holding Kanna's hands and looking into her eyes.
After a bad date, Rafael and Kanna reconciled at the mall pool. Bianca was sitting calmly on a bench drinking beer like nothing happened - surprising both of them!
"What happened to those ugly guys?" Rafael asked.
"They all ran away when I showed them my gun," Bianca replied, flashing her Walther PPK. "Thanks for being an awesome sister."
"Aww, thanks. That's what siblings are for - helping each other out!" "I owe you big time now."
"No worries, it was my fault for leaving you and Erina alone in the house. Consider it payback."
"So... besides saving us from those dudes, did anything else happen?" Bianca took a sip of water before answering: "Well, turns out Jude and Erina were plotting against you two. But I put a stop to that nonsense."
"Wow, really?" Kanna was stunned by what she heard and leaned in to hear more.
"So Erina kissing Rafael was all planned, huh? And they were using Jiena's trip as an opportunity for a date too." Bianca smirked. "But I messed up their plans!"
A few hours earlier, Bianca found out about the plan. She quickly left with Jude and went towards Almeida's guarded compound. Since she was skilled enough to handle any gangster, she brought a pistol, Wakizashi sword and a hidden blade on her wrist for safety reasons. After reaching there, she threw caltrops at the Almeida-owned vehicles which caused their tires to be blown off. Then Bianca drove her ninja bike speedily into Amano residences where she locked all doors and gates so that Erina stayed inside until eight in the evening while everyone else remained beyond her control.
Both shock and amazement, that was the reaction of Kanna and Rafael upon hearing what Bianca did. Her surprising actions have defied her reputation as one of the elite tough girls in the block, leaving everyone speechless.
-----chapter end-----