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legacy-by-darkryuu · 1 year

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Remaster: Step Toward the Future, Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Comfort

Also available on Archive of Our Own

Rating: M/Adult

Warning: Sexual content.

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“Oh my God, this dress is gorgeous, Jill.”

Jill smiled sheepishly as Popuri gazed at the long blue formal dress with spaghetti straps deep cut in the chest area…

“Mother didn’t go all out for once. I’m glad though” Jill sighed, relieved.

“Like you need any fancy stuff. It’s absolutely perfect.”

The week had come and gone quickly. Her mother had sent her a dress some time mid-week and she was just trying it on the day of the event. She had other concerns.

“I wonder if Cliff’s even going…” Jill laughed nervously.

“He’s seemed jittery and irritable all week” Popuri sighed.

Indeed he had. She asked if he had a tuxedo and he nearly bit her head off before quickly apologizing, making an excuse, and leaving.

…She should have known. “He doesn’t want to be with me” Jill murmured.

Popuri gawked, “What! Jill, no, something’s obviously bothering him. You just have to get it out of him.”

“I know…he’s so guarded.”

“You could screw it out of him.”

Jill gaped and threw a pillow at Popuri as she laughed. Jill crossed her arms and blushed, pouting. “I will not ‘screw’ anything out of Cliff.”

“You two haven’t yet, right? Maybe he’s just frustrated” the pink-haired woman teased.

Jill smirked and rolled her eyes, “I mean, is that my business?” “Of course not, sweetie, not even slightly” Popuri assured, “But just know, he’ll be clay in your hands.”

Jill snickered before jumping when there was a faint knock at the door. Since they were in her bedroom, it had to be Cliff. While it seemed like a big step, she’d recently given him a key. Popuri stood and answered it. Cliff entered, seeming about to say something but stopped. He gazed at her, his mouth open before he murmured, “…Oh my God, you’re beautiful.”

Jill blushed but countered, “And you’re definitely not wearing a tuxedo! We leave in less than two hours!”

He opened his mouth again before slamming his lips shut. “I, uh, was just never good at putting a tie on…can you help me?”

She blinked at him before nodding. That was an excuse but, well, at least he seemed prepared to make a concession. Popuri raised an eyebrow but headed for the door, “You two have fun! Good luck, Cliff!”

Cliff winced and Jill hooked his arm, smiling, “You’ll be fine.”

She kissed his cheek and he smiled sheepishly at her. Picking up her makeup case, Jill shoved it into her purse, grabbed his hand and ran along, using her other hand to keep her dress from dragging on the ground. They received stares as they arrived at the Inn, probably wondering what had her running around in a long formal gown. She followed Cliff up the wooden stairs, the location almost more like a lodge or cabin to her than a hotel, and quickly slammed his door shut. “Where is it?”

“Um…closet. I’ll get it.”

Jill watched, a little startled, as he pulled out what seemed to be a very expensive Armani suit. Weird, Cliff never seemed to be the designer type. She almost cringed when he threw it carelessly on the bed, staring at it. Hell, forget her father, Cliff wasn’t going to win any points with her mother treating Giorgio that way. She leered as Cliff made absolutely no moves to put it on.

“Jeez! It’s not going to bite you!” Jill replied, rushing towards him.

Grabbing the edges of his shirt, she tugged it over his head. She paused, staring at his naked chest. Oh.

He had very nice shapely muscles, which was somewhat surprising, little light freckles on his shoulders. Standing completely still, she just watched, her cheeks flustering. His bare chest softly rose and fell as he breathed unevenly. Well, it…it wasn’t like she wasn’t interested in the content of Popuri’s recommendation. Cliff swallowed. “Jill…?”

In a blind passion, she pushed him against the nearest wall and kissed him. He groaned softly and returned the dizzying kiss, wrapping his arms around her. Exploring his mouth with her tongue, she found her priorities madly shifting. She wildly pressed her lips down his neck before it…crossed her mind.

One of the two whole boyfriends she’d had, she’d gotten to touch a little. It didn’t last but maybe a minute because he was horrified one of her guards would show up and kill him. So, really, well, aside from a few calls with Kai he ceased before she could even feel, she’d never…Cliff inhaled when she slowly slid her fingers down his pants. “Is…is it okay to?” “Y-Yea…” he whispered. Jill bit her lip, pulling away from their kiss to look down, stroking his…very impressive length. He curved into her touch. This…could be very interesting.

“Oh my God, what are you two doing?!”

What the hell?! Jill quickly jerked her hand away and turned toward the door where Ann stood, holding sheets. Cliff blushed and grumbled, “Wow, the door was locked. Don’t you think you should knock?” “I thought you were gone and usually there’s nothing going on around here to warrant knocking” Ann countered, giving them a look as if they had committed one of the cardinal sins. Ha! That was funny.

Embarrassed all the same, Jill felt her cheeks fluster before quickly walking around Ann to exit. “C-call me if you need help, Cliff.”

Standing outside, she leered as Ann sauntered out, cutting her eyes at her. Yea, Jill figured by the time Ann got the gossip out, she and Cliff would have been completely naked and possibly having a threesome. This stupid place.

“Jill…?” Cliff called weakly.

She sighed and walked in, finding Cliff had pulled on the suit. It was definitely tailored, it fit him far too well. Why…did he have a custom-tailored Armani suit? About to question, she stopped when he smiled at her, holding the tie out. “Help.”

God, Jill, stop being so nosy and judgmental. People had suits. Just because it was expensive didn’t make it suspicious. Maybe he had bought it for himself or it was a gift. He wasn’t…poor?

…Honestly, she wasn’t sure what Cliff was. He didn’t have a job, she could say that for a fact, but he was definitely paying for a room here at the Inn and not to mention for food. Where was he getting income?

Pressing against his chest, she started to hook the tie. Staring down at her, he took her hand and kissed it.

“We’ll…finish later, I hope?”

Eh? Jill blushed, pouting, “I-If we do, it can’t be here. I don’t want people walking in just because.” He grinned, buttoning his coat, “Deal. Almost makes this night worth it.” With a pout, she swatted at him, “Look, my papa can be a little…concerned but this night should go well. I know he’ll like you.” “Oh, I hope so” he smiled softly.

…What? He didn’t seem concerned about meeting her father at all. What was the matter then? Questioning if he had other concerns, he simply sighed. “Let’s…just get this nightmare over with.”

What?

____________________________________________

Yagami Yamada usually didn’t deign to come to these sorts of events. After all these years, he still felt uncomfortable around the affluent even being in their league now. It was less important for him to ‘schmooze’ being a doctor but for his wife, this was a part of her business. For her, he sucked it up.

Well, tonight there were other reasons he was attending.

Ask him when she was his little princess if he thought she wasn’t on track to find a goal she loved and Yamada would have declared the idea a lie. No, God, not everyone knew what they were going to do, not by a longshot, especially at eighteen. He’d simply been very lucky. Alas, being he worked odd jobs and even his wealthy wife had worked at Jill’s age, he expected at least that much.

Jill had been working at a salon or something during her last year of high school but, strangely, quit once school was over and had been doing pretty much absolutely nothing. Her twin brother had literally tried the exact same thing far earlier in his school career by dropping out in his freshman year. It took Yamada and Dana cutting off his allowance and explaining that if he weren’t at school, they weren’t funding him goofing off. Tony came full circle, thankfully, but Jill ought to have known they couldn’t look like hypocrites and let her get away with it…

All the same, he’d been the only one who really, really hadn’t wanted his only daughter to go and run this farm. It sounded good in theory but his children were city kids. He was a city kid. Sending her to farm just seemed like a punishment. Not to mention, being that she was completely on her own? She had access to ‘boy troubles’ and they’d found her quickly.

Yamada lightly leered as he sipped a glass of white wine, standing in the large banquet room of the Izumi estate. He had gotten to spend some time with Jill a while back and he was happy she was coming. That was, until Tony advised it was so he could meet her boyfriend.

Boyfriend. He guessed he’d been a boyfriend once. Dana and his situation was endlessly more complicated though and he didn’t have to deal with protective fathers. Just terrible ones. Now though, he was going to have to…assess someone and see if they were right for his only daughter. Squeezing the bridge of his nose, he shook his head. Dana had been speaking with someone before she strolled over and took his arm.

“Any sign of her yet?”

“Not yet…”

“I’m sure he’s a perfectly charming young gentleman” she assured, petting her silver dress down.

Yamada snorted, “He better be.”

Dana smirked at him before smiling somewhat, looking out at the crowd. Yamada followed her gaze and found she’d finally tracked down the host of this event and the only other reason Yamada felt okay being here. Izumi Craig was shaking hands with someone, a bored blonde woman on his arm.

“He’s still with her” Dana sang lightly under her breath, taking a sip of her sauvignon blanc.

“So it seems” Yamada murmured. Yamada looked up when the rest of their children came over, dressed in their custom Yagada suits of varying hues. Koji, adorned all in black, sighed. “She’s late…”

“Apparently” grunted Tony, wearing navy with a black undershirt and blue tie.

Before Yamada could remark, Craig had fast stepped beside them, a very forced smile on his face as he folded his hands behind his back. Yamada couldn’t help smirk at him. He met Izumi Craig back when they were in college, his first real encounter with a half-American, half-Japanese man like himself. Craig had always been rich but was laid back and friendly. Somehow, he dabbled into politics with this type of disposition and was well-received by his base supporters. They’d been friends for a long time and Yamada had come to know him quite well in over two decades.

“You have terrible taste in women, Craig” Yamada chastised. “Yamada” Craig said through his smile, “She’s a robot, she can hear everything.” It may have been a little misstated to say Craig had ‘terrible’ taste in women. He just did not choose women that were compatible. He tended to hover to very curt, blunt, stubborn women. The traits in and of themselves weren’t bad just Craig required some understanding and his significant others were not even slightly giving on that front.

The woman in question came over, giving them all looks. She was a young looking woman of model proportions with long blond hair and ocean blue eyes. Craig continued to smile like someone with a knife at his back. “Katherina, you remember my good friend, Yagami Yamada, and his wife, Dana.” “Oh yes…Yagada, correct?” Katherina drawled, side-eying Dana. Dana smiled though her eyes narrowed, “Yes. Charmed.” His wife was like a dagger ready for the jugular so Yamada quickly smiled at Koji, hoping the more perceptive of his sons noticed his ‘mayday’ signal. This would get ugly if allowed to advance. His child of darkness blinked languidly, drinking what appeared to be scotch, “Mama, you should go speak with DeLoren La Vie about that collaboration you were talking about before someone else jumps on. She just walked in.” Thank God, his wife’s attention quickly shifted when the acclaimed model and fashion designer entered, walking over without another word. Thank goodness Koji was always quick on his feet. Craig also exhaled and looked to Yamada, “W-Well, c’mon, Yamada, if I can’t convince you to sample my aged bourbon, let’s get another glass of wine.”

Yamada groaned, “I’d love to but I have to stay somewhat sober. My daughter is bringing a man to this event for me to meet.”

“Jill?” Craig echoed, shocked, “A boyfriend? With you and these sentinels?”

“Yes” he sighed.

“That’s too bad. I’ve told you for years I have a no-goodnik son I wanted her to meet” Craig snorted.

Yamada raised a brow, “Oh yea, how is that whole deal going?” Out of the corner of his eye, Yamada noticed Shin, Koji, and Nelly seem consecutively startled. Koji glanced between them, all three of them seeming confused. Hmm?

Before Craig could answer or he could question what his sons had recalled, Shaun nodded toward the entry, “Hey, there’s Jill.”

They all looked up and Yamada raised a brow. Jill was walking in, yes, but with…Craig’s son?

…What? Craig looked shocked, “Cliff?”

There was literally no way. Jill spotted them, waving happily as she almost seemed to be dragging the aforementioned ‘no-goodnik’. “Daddy!”

“Hello, dear. You look lovely” Yamada smiled, pulling her into his arms.

Cliff was behind her and staring decisively at his feet. Craig stared before he cleared his throat. “Cliff…this is a surprise.”

“Mm.”

Jill pulled away from him to look at Cliff, puzzled, “So you do know Craig-san, Cliff…?” He supposed it was odd but, despite having some fairly closely aged children, Yamada and Craig never actually entertained the idea of their offspring playing together. Really, this was probably the third time Yamada had seen Cliff in all the boy’s twenty years of life. It was no wonder Jill didn’t know how wildly coincidental this was. Cliff himself looked a little irked, drawling, “Yea.” “A-Ah, yes, Jill, Cliff is my oldest child. This is a…wild coincidence” Craig smiled awkwardly. Naturally, Jill was startled. One doesn’t just stumble across their father’s best friend’s son and happen to date them without knowing. Especially after the slight efforts Yamada put in place to make sure they didn’t actually meet given what Craig said about his son. “O-OH. I-I mean, I thought the Izumi part and him being blond, there was a possibility, but…”

Cliff didn’t say anything but nodded briskly. Katherina looked at him with the same droll expression she gave Dana. “Since you finally have him here, Craig, you should convince him to stay. Then maybe Kira will stop calling you.”

Oh dear. Craig winced and glowered at the woman, “That’s enough, Katherina. Why don’t you go mingle?”

She gave him a look before sauntering away. Terrible, terrible taste. Cliff frowned before bowing, “Yagami-san, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you from my father and Jill.” “Oh, yes, same” Yamada smiled quickly. Well, terrific. This was certainly a wrench, he was expecting to drill information out of him about his intentions and now he ended up being his friend’s kid.

Tony leered, quiet, as he probably didn’t suspect this either. Cliff forced a smile, seeming peaked, “Excuse me a moment. I’ll go get you something to drink, Jill…”

“A-All right.” He quickly escaped and Jill looked to Yamada and Craig, confused, “…I thought you said Craig-san’s son was in school, that’s mostly why I dismissed the possibility.” Rubbing his forehead, Craig smiled weakly, “He…was in school. I suppose it wasn’t exactly his cup of tea. U-Um, he’s a good boy though, promise. I was just telling your dad I always said you two should meet.” “I always said ‘no’” Yamada tacked on. Jill smirked some at him, “Really, papa? He is a good person.” “Oh yea?” Tony interjected, crossing his arms, “What does he do?” “Do?” “You know, you’re working the farm. What does he do?” Mayday again. Jill appeared cross, “I don’t know. I’m sure he does something though, he always has food and shelter.” Tugging his cufflinks, Yamada glanced to Craig knowingly and the man had that crazy politician smile again. “Haha, yes. Excuse me a moment, I’ll be right back.” Craig made his way to the general vicinity of the drinks and Yamada sighed faintly. While he was a trifle more comfortable given the relation, he knew Cliff wasn’t without his issues. It was just where that ‘understanding’ issue of Craig’s significant others showed through the most.

____________________________________________

Cliff figured his father would come over and he just kept his gaze straight forward as he retrieved some wine, smiling somewhat at one of the servants who gushed that he was looking well. His father, on the other hand, looked aggravated, “Cliff, are you actually working? Or are you still living off the money I sent you before you dropped out of college?”

“Is that really your business?” Craig threw his hands up, clearly exasperated, “I don’t understand you. You must have seen what I was talking about to know you have a good woman and an opportunity to really flourish with her!”

Rolling his eyes, Cliff muttered, “Maybe. I’ll be fine, thanks.”

“Can we talk about this or are you still going to be spoiled out of control?” The hell. Cliff glared hotly, “I don’t know why it’s ‘spoiled’ to expect my father to not abandon his wife and children to the slums and not go off and marry a Russian model to forget all about us.”

Craig’s eyes narrowed and Cliff was growing angry when the man directed him to a corner he used to recall he had a Tonka car in. That was before they got kicked to the curb to Wasaba. “Cliff, I am sick of this.” “Oh, are you?” “Yea, I am” Craig countered coolly, “You’re old enough to be using some deductive skills there, son, but I’ll help you out this once. Do you recall that, until you were around seven, that we lived in East Wasaba?” … “Well, yea, I don’t know what the deal with that was--” “Yea, you don’t. And you don’t know that I was getting robbed, your mother was getting robbed, and I felt my children were at risk so I pleaded with your mother to come here to raise you all. That’s probably where you’re getting a little puzzled, son.” Cliff leered, ready to demand why he felt like he needed to give a recap of everything he lived. “You lived here and got a little spoiled with your circumstances up until you were fifteen, correct, son?” “Yes, and--” “And you weren’t working, you weren’t looking for a career path, and you were having a great time partying and having fun with your school friends.” Ugh. “Now you sound like mom.” “Bingo.” …What? “Cliff, your mom was the reason we lived in East Wasaba until you were seven. She has a deep-rooted resentment against all this, all the…wealth. And when she saw you, footloose and fancy free, at the age of fifteen, she demanded that I take you, Nyoko, and Kyoko back to East Wasaba. I refused, especially because of your baby sister. We weren’t in the bad area of East Wasaba but that meant that the ones that were came looking for us. That’s not what I wanted.” “…What are you trying to say?” “I’m trying to say, Cliff, is that under no circumstances would I be divorced from your mother right now. You can check public records, you can see who issued those dissolution papers, no matter what she told you. It wasn’t me, it was her. And she wanted full custody of you three and I didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in Hell. So, if you’re mad at anyone for pulling you out of your cushy life, be mad at her.”

Craig came a bit closer, clearly a bit annoyed about this. “She moved you, Nyoko, and Kyoko into the worst part of East Wasaba to give you a life lesson. I can show you piles of returned child support checks she refused to cash from me. And whatever nonsense she rattled on about me wanting a ‘rich wife’ and leaving her, or cheating on her because she wasn’t rich, she must have mutated from me wanting my children to have the best in life and being safe.” Cliff stared at him. He really…wanted to say that all sounded like bull. Like, he really, really wanted to.

…Except, yes, the second they were out of here and back in Wasaba, his mother essentially did tell him to get a job or else. He recalled pleading with her that he wanted to continue school but she pretty much refused him. And, he couldn’t deny that he had called his father to beg him to either pay for his schooling or let him come back. Seeing as with the custody agreement the latter was out of the question, his dad had directly paid the East Wasaba High School so he could continue his education. Cliff’s mother…had been livid about that for no good damn reason.

…What the hell? “W-Well, why didn’t you fight for us then?” “Cliff, that is my main offense in all this. I just looked at how the law was stacked and I knew it wasn’t going to look good for me. Plus, I’m a politician? A judge would say I didn’t have the time to domestically raise a child. And maybe I didn’t but you are right, I could have tried. At the very least, when…when I saw your mother was dead serious, I could have come back and tried to protect you all. I just…didn’t really see where it would have done any good.” Sucking his cheek, he glared around. “…So, I’m just supposed to be okay? I had to go to school and work eight hour jobs, dad. I went to school for eight hours and I turned around and worked for eight hours because-because she just didn’t like seeing me not have to work? Is that it?” “Cliff…” “I don’t ever want to work again, you understand? Fuck, you’re right, this makes perfect sense because that’s exactly what mom wants: us to work ourselves to death for the rest of our lives. She’s done it to Nyoko and she’ll probably do it to Kyoko too. But I’m just supposed to accept that?” “Son” Craig groaned, dragging his hands down his face, “I understand, all right? And I will give you another loan so you can be away from your mother. But at the end of the day, even though I inherited this place, I still go to work. And I will tell you right now, Cliff, even though Jill had to come across the ocean to have a position, I know for a fact that she works her ass off. It’s the system and we have to work with it.” …Ugh. Craig’s eyes closed some, directing his head back toward the crowd. “Let’s get back. Just think about it, Cliff.” Sure. He followed back toward where Jill was chatting with her brothers and felt ill. When he turned eighteen, he shocked and probably disappointed his mother deeply when he said he wanted to go to college. In reality, he just needed to get out of her domain so he could have a damn break. He, begrudgingly, asked his dad to pay his tuition again so he could study communications. And, somehow, he guessed he was such a spoiled brat he neglected to realize his dad did so without question and gave him a hefty allowance.

Unfortunately, now thinking about it, his father was right. If Cliff or Nyoko asked the man for something that wouldn’t have directly put money in their hands, he could do it. Cliff and Nyoko were now able to get money from him because they had their own accounts. Terrific. Their mother would rather see them work to the bone to put food on the table than have a father that could provide it. Great.

It was still plausible his father cheated on his mother. As he’d discussed with Kai, rumors sprinkled around that his dad was sleeping around with someone else. That could have been her final straw and his dad was still trying to cover. Except, yea, his version also sounded way too plausible. This was a nightmare.

Jill turned and smiled at him when he came back to her side. And his dad was also right, he’d heard about the Yagami family even outside of the man’s glowing references. They worked and they worked hard. Around three years ago, her older brother surmounted death on a freak accident while overseas but still was a member of the military and the police when he didn’t even need to. Jill worked really hard on the farm, even when it was something she didn’t want to do. And Cliff…refused to work. …His dad would probably give him a substantial loan. Not even a loan, a gift. But fact of the matter was he owed Doug enough that he’d be back in the hole immediately. He…had no choice. “Cliff, why don’t you show Jill your old room?” Craig suggested, handing Jill’s dad a glass of wine. He had an old room still? Jill gushed, “Oh, I do wanna see!” Cliff smiled mostly for her and led her up the stairs, noting most of her brothers had dispersed to mingle but Tony was still hovering, irritated. Weird…he really had thought the older ones were going to be the issue. It did honest to God surprise him to see all of their family pictures still up on the wall. The ones of him and his siblings anyway. He guessed even if his dad admitted he’d still be married to his mom, the man had to be angry with her. How does someone not even allow a willing participant to support their children? The cheating…it was the only thing that made sense. Such a flash from the past. He entered his bedroom which was neat. Dusted, and otherwise the exact same. The Green Day poster he had was still up on the wall and the Gamecube was still settled under his television. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he felt angry again. All they left with were some clothes. Mom had packed them… “This is cute” Jill complimented, sitting on his bed, “I wonder how we missed each other. I mean, I know you’re in the old money end but I had a friend at least two houses down.” Cliff sat beside her, wondering. He had actually crossed Kai only once or twice and his family home was like two blocks over. “…Guess we weren’t looking for one another?” “Maybe” she chuckled, rubbing his hand. “That, and when my parents divorced, I moved to East Wasaba with my mom and sisters when I was fifteen” he muttered.

“Oh” she murmured.

Gripping her fingers, he pursed his lips. “…Can I tell you something, Jill? After Kai, I guess I can tell what kind of guy you’re expecting.” “What?” “…So my mom, she’s…she’s old school, you know? Like, if you have time on your hands, you shouldn’t. You should be working. So, when we left here, she forced me to take a job to ‘support the family’. While she worked part-time, she made sure to make me the breadwinner because that’s what she expected. I…was under the impression my dad wasn’t supporting us but he made a good point tonight that my mother would never accept exorbitance. It…it doesn’t make character.”

Jill tilted her head as he swallowed, “I wanted to finish school. Like, my mom didn’t finish high school and now she’s only qualified for odd jobs. I at least thought that far ahead, that while labor jobs are necessary, I could be at least be working the white-collar jobs and making enough to support everyone. But…even though my dad paid for school, didn’t mean I didn’t have to work a full-time job.” “Full-time? You mean to say you went to school for eight hours then went to work for eight hours?” Jill gawked.

He nodded grimly, “I was so tired on my two days off, I didn’t even feel like doing anything. I…I had a part of my childhood taken from me and…to be honest, Jill? When I got to college, I got a lot of freedom and I was almost instantly on academic probation so I dropped out and have been enjoying that freedom ever since.” Jill groaned, “…So you don’t work.” “I can barely stomach the idea.” “I understand that though, Cliff” Jill assured. He shook his head, “…I don’t think you can, Jill. I heard about your dad, he’s been working since he was eleven, did not have days off, and worked longer to boot. And he’s never actually stopped. And your mother works and your brother works and your other brothers will and you do. Kai is also old money and works. You know the system has worked it out that way that you have to but I’m…I’m not there yet.” His girlfriend gave him a look, “…So how are you affording rent and food then, Cliff?” “…Kind of asking Doug to let me skim and pay it when I can and taking all my meals by tacking it on that bill?” Cliff groaned, burying his face in his hands. Jill shook her head, glancing off, “…You’re going to have to work, Cliff, but…there’s no need for you to keep racking up that bill. You can stay at the farm until you find what you want to do.” …Eh? Cliff’s eyes widened, shocked, “W-What?” “You know that there is a job you can love, right? That’s why my papa is able to still work after all this time too, Cliff, he loves his job. And, even if you don’t love it, well…find something you can tolerate and respect.” “Y-Yea, of course” he whispered, nervous, “But…I meant more the living with you thing?” “Oh yea. Well, just think of it as us being roommates. There are other rooms you can stay in until…well, I’m sure we’ll get comfortable sharing eventually” she flustered.

Oh, right. Kneading his hands, he smiled shyly, “Th-That would be great. And maybe the inspiration I need because I already feel like a mooch.” She snickered and kissed his cheek, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. C’mon, let’s go back to the party.” He followed her, a little…relieved. And, when he saw his father, though he was still suspicious of the man having angered his mother into her leaving him, he even felt a little better about him too. Yagami Yamada patted his shoulder near the end of the night, smiling, perhaps on his third glass of wine. “I am relieved that you’re Craig’s son and I know where you’re coming from. But you’re still with my only princess and I swear to the Earth and above I will destroy you if you harm a hair on her head. We understand?” Eep. “Y-Yes, sir.”

That was it though. The brothers were still side-eying him suspiciously, especially Tony, but didn’t make any…additional threats. Her mother was very laid back in comparison. It…wasn’t that bad an evening, he thought, pouring his fifth glass of scotch.

Maybe this wasn’t such a nightmare.

____________________________________________

Cliff was staggering a bit as they arrived back in Mineral Town, having just made the last ferry. Tony was very reluctant to let Jill leave but conceded, advising her to be careful. Always the worrier.

She was admittedly a little distracted by Cliff but Koji approached her to tell her, in December, he was going to be finished with college. Now he wasn’t certain if he wanted to start his masters or just start to work. She wasn’t sure what to advise him, she…was just struggling to find her own way. “Whatever it is, nii-san, I know you’ll do what’s best for you.”

She spoke more with Cliff on their way over and advised he should give the money his dad gave to Doug and check out tonight. He agreed.

…Was this a mistake though? They’d only really been together for almost two months.

But, then, they’d been friends longer and her friend needed her. So, she followed him back up the steps of the old Inn. He was able to pack well despite seeming a little drunk. Probably because he didn’t actually have that many things, everything fitting into two suitcases. They came back down the steps and Doug was getting ready to call it a night, the redhead stretching. He raised a brow at them, probably having heard from his daughter they were about to screw around some hours ago. Cliff counted out thousands of g’s, sighing, “Hey Doug, here’s your money. I’m, uh, checking out now.” “Oh. You heading back?” “No, Jill’s letting me room at the farm for now until I can find a job.” Doug gave him a look. It wasn’t a disapproving look either, it was more like ‘lucky dog’. Men.

Hugging herself in the brisk Autumn night, she smiled at all the colorful leaves, honestly a little taken with how the town looked. The stars were so much clearer here than the city. When they got to the door, Cliff was already equipped with a key to enter, tugging his bag up the steps of the porch. Smiling some when he entered, he leaned down and gave her a kiss. “Thanks again for this, Jill.” “Of course” she blushed, toeing off her shoes, “U-Um, it’s been a long night so why don’t you just sleep with me until I get your room prepared tomorrow?” Cliff nodded, stretching, “Yea, I’m pretty sleepy…” While Koji of all people shouldn’t have been addressing other people’s drinking habits given he used to walk around drinking almost a hundred percent alcohol from the bottle, he had pulled her aside to remark that Cliff was knocking them back pretty quick there. She had made the remark about his habits but Koji shook his head. “Unless I wanna get fucked up fast, I pace myself. I don’t drink a whole bottle in twenty minutes.” …Perhaps. She went to the bathroom and took off her dress, hanging it up and putting on her pajamas. Starting to walk out of the room, she paused. Well…maybe…not pajamas? She did have this blue lacy thing she’d tried on that she bought some months ago that might be cute…cute though? She was going to sleep.

However, she did strip down and put it on. While she didn’t have Popuri’s breasts, she did notice that they were actually pretty large. She’d not really thought much about it, really, until some of her mom’s friends at the party commented on how they had very similar body shapes. Her mom was very curvaceous and if she was anywhere near that…

Meh, it didn’t matter. Her body was what it was and it was…well, it was kind of horny and curious right now. Going to the door, she called softly, “Cliff? Are you out there?” No reply. Heart racing, she opened the door, wondering if this was going to be like one of those soap opera moments where she ‘surprised’ her beau.

Of course not. Cliff was stretched across not her side of the bed, already snoring, stripped down to just his Armani pants. Sleeping in Armani pants. Her mom would hate him.

Disappointed, Jill meandered over and pulled the blanket from underneath him to cover him up in the cold air. Kissing his temple, she wished him ‘sweet dreams’ and lied down herself. Oh well, Jill, the opportunity was definitely available any time now.

She was living with her first boyfriend.

____________________________________________

…Holy shit. Izumi Cliff stared, his eyes glued wide open, at the absolute goddess beside him who was fast asleep. What the hell? He…remembered they got home some time, he checked out at some point from the Inn, packed his things, and came here. After that, he had no idea what would put him beside Jill in lingerie in the same bed. He licked his lips, gnawing the bottom one when she turned on her back, her hands above her head. Grazing his eyes across what was showing of her body, a part of himself felt like an idiot because it looked like he missed out last night. Getting up, he went to brush his teeth after using the bathroom. Splashing water against his face, he stared at himself in the mirror. His skin was a little sallow lately… Cliff gave his cheeks a good slap and wandered back to the bedroom. He paused when he found Jill sitting up, stretching, “Mm, morning, Cliff.” Holy shit, she was completely naked under that thing. “…Morning, baby. I, uh, I’m kind of kicking myself because it looked like you had plans for me last night that I would have very much wanted to be a part of.” Blushing, she pouted at him, “Well, I’m sure you were tired.” Smiling a bit wickedly, he wandered toward her and leaned down to kiss her lips. Pulling away, he nipped at her jaw, “I’m not tired now…” “I have to go feed my animals and water my crops now” she stuck out her tongue, standing, “…We have time now.” “Definitely” he smiled.

Watching her saunter away, Cliff stretched back across the bed.

…No, dummy. This. This was where he could not be just lounging and relaxing. He’d look like the scum of the Earth just lying here while his girlfriend got up at seven in the morning to work.

Jill wandered out in her flannel shirt and overalls with a thicker overcoat, humming as she skipped out of the door. He gazed after her absently. And happily at that. Putting on some jeans and a t-shirt, he went to the kitchen and started to make her breakfast. An omelet and rice, he nodded, warming the kettle for tea or coffee. For today, he…he could at least do this much.

After about an hour, Jill came back in, shivering a bit. He set the plates on the table, wondering if she’d be the type of person to scoff at him for being the one making breakfast. Instead, she smiled happily, “Oh, thank you, baby, I’m starving.” Relieved, he sat across from her and smiled as well. “Well, I hope you like it. It’s been a while since I cooked for anyone else.” Ah, his enigma girlfriend. They were from affluence, their breakfasts were supposed to be complicated and extravagant. She ate omelet rice like it was the best thing ever. He…was curious. “Can I be honest about some more stuff with you, Jill?” “I always want honesty, sweetie. What’s up?” Twiddling his fingers, he cleared his throat, “Um, so, I…I got really spoiled when we moved to my grandparent’s old house, y’know? Like, we had cooks and maids and this gigantic mansion and it was just…it was great. I could sense it from Kai a little bit, you know? That he’s a rich kid. And if my aversion to work isn’t a sign, I am a former rich kid. But you? You…you freakin’ came from a big ass mansion to a tiny farmhouse at ease. You’re so humble and laidback too. Like…I find that strange.” Jill picked up her coffee, blinking at him, “My papa is from Wasaba. My mom is the rich one from Wensi but she isn’t the type that stresses over the glitz and glamour. She wanted to be able to have what she wanted and do what she wanted. They’re very down to Earth. We never had maids or cooks or butlers. My brothers made me breakfast up until I could make it for them too. We did our own cleaning—except the floors, my dad always hired someone since we didn’t do well with the whole shoe removal thing before we enter the house. So, I guess, while I did have an ‘aversion’ to coming here for other reasons, the idea of a task never bothered me.” Mm… “But, isn’t that one reason you’re here? You couldn’t really find anything?” She groaned, “Yea. But it wasn’t a dislike of doing anything, it was just that I couldn’t come up with anything. There’s so many options that my privileged family can help me to attain that I got a little lost.” “…And now?” “Still no idea” she laughed, “I bet it’s because I’m creatively inclined. I want to write and do art but that doesn’t come off very stable.” “But I bet you’d be great at it” Cliff encouraged.

“Maybe…” Reaching out and kissing her hands, he winked, “How about it? We can be hippies in a little cottage, painting pictures and doing pottery with our little weed garden in the back.” Jill snickered, swatting at him, “I’ll leave those extracurriculars to my brothers. Besides, are you even into pottery?” “I mean, I would definitely not be our breadwinner with my asymmetrical masterpieces but--” With another laugh, she stood, “Well, we’ll keep that on the backburner. I’m going to go take a shower.” …Damn, he took a shower before he started breakfast. “O-Oh, okay. Want me to wash your back?” “Down, boy, you’ve already got enough brownie points from breakfast” she winked, going into the bedroom.

Oh, man. Almost skipping to the bedroom after he heard the bathroom door close, he sat patiently on the bed. Maybe he was just taking it out of context though, she could have just been flirty. About to go see what Popuri was up to, he looked up when the bathroom door opened. Like this morning, he gaped lightly when she appeared with a towel wrapped around her, her hair still a bit damp. She gazed at him shyly, “Um, I think you’ve done it before, Cliff, but I-I’m a little nervous.” Swallowing the lump in his throat, Cliff inhaled when she dropped the towel, revealing just this…crazy level of perfection he couldn’t even fathom. ‘Perfection’ was subjective but to this subject, he was looking at it. Aroused already, he stood, planting his hands on her naked hips. “…I will be absolutely gentle and if you feel you don’t want to, just…just tell me, okay? I can stop.” Hugging her to his body, Cliff kissed her, lifting her the small few feet away to lie her in bed. Jill flustered, rasping when he nipped along her jaw, “Y-You have condoms, right?” “Mmm…” Pulling away was agony as he went to his bag to fish them out of a case he had. He hadn’t had reason to use them here but…well, better safe than sorry. Tugging off his shirt, he climbed on top of her, returning to his task at ease. She flushed as he kissed down her chest, wrapping his tongue around her nipple. Fuck, he was hard, he thought hazily, clumsily reaching down to undo the button in his jeans. Jill looked down almost curiously and he smirked. “Sorry if it’s a little…unimpressive.” “I wouldn’t really know” she joked. She gasped, when he reached between her legs, gingerly fingering around her clit. He whispered into her ear, “Am I hurting you?” “N-No” she mumbled, “J-Just not used to someone else doing this.” Grinning, he purred, “You should let me watch sometimes to see if I’ve got it down…” “Perv.” He bit his lip, finding she was getting wetter and…he fumbled for the condom, rolling it over his cock. Jill looked briefly panicked but he stroked her hair. “I’ll pull out when you need me to, just let me know.” She closed her eyes but nodded. Kissing her softly again, he pushed inside and…

“A-Ah” she choked, clenching his shoulders. “D-Does it hurt?” he sputtered. “N-No.” When he was sure she wasn’t pulling his leg, he started to…thrust, in and out, rolling his hips against her. Jill moaned, hugging his neck tightly, her ankles crossed at his back. Oh man, hold on Cliff, let…let her get off first…

His eyes rolled back, groaning as the minutes ticked by. Her first time, Cliff. Don’t let this be…a…dis…

“Nnn” he groaned loudly. Something like ‘ecstasy’ came to mind. Cliff was about ready to throw in the towel, not sure how he was holding it together for this long, when Jill started to shiver, her head falling back against her pillow. “A-Ah! Ah!” Oh, perfect, he trembled, pleased as they both came. Jill was shaking, covering her face as he pulled out, resting on his back beside her. Taking the condom off, he looked to her as her chest heaved, a pretty glisten of sweat all over her body.

“You all right, baby?” he asked, reaching out to stroke her hair. Jill didn’t respond at first but nodded, “Y-Yes.” “Did I…did I hurt you?” “No.” Brows furrowing, he sat up on his side. She opened her crystal blue eyes, smoothing her hair back, “…No, it was-it felt good. Like, really good. Like, I kind of get why my brothers are master manwhores.” Cliff chuckled huskily, kissing her, “Good, I was worried…” Turning on her side, she hugged his waist and closed her eyes. “Let’s just lie in bed today…” “Oh my God, yes” Cliff breathed contently.

She giggled and after a few minutes went to sleep, her jaw slackening a bit.

His…dad was right. This wasn’t anything he needed to fool around and mess up. This…this was good.

He needed to make sure he kept it that way.

____________________________________________

“Oh my God, you did it?” Yagami Jill sighed, sitting on the couch with Yamachi Popuri, drinking tea. Cliff had run off to do something or the other so she called and told the woman about…it. Instead, she came over to hear the ‘good news’. “Yes, we have…screwed, as you say.”

Popuri smiled smugly, “Was he good?” “I mean…after we woke up, we did it like two more times. He’s pretty good for me not having a point of comparison” Jill sighed airily.

“Wish you’d done it with Kai now?” Jill gawked, aghast, “What? No! Well…I mean, when we were pseudo-dating, at the time, it might have been interesting but it hasn’t crossed my mind since I’ve been with Cliff.” Popuri nodded, blowing into her mug, “Think Cliff is ‘the one’?” Oh. “I…I do like him a lot but it seems kind of soon to call something like that. Like, my parents have had hella luck making that commitment at eighteen but it seems impractical nowadays.” Smiling, Popuri suddenly twirled the half-heart necklace around her fingers. “You know, that reminds me. I just remembered your brother gave this to me as a promise ring type of thing. He asked me to marry him when we were ten. Things were so innocent then.” Jill just smiled, having not informed the woman that Koji had taken that promise VERY seriously up until he found out she, once upon a time, had a boyfriend. Then, disillusioned, he went into full blown slut mode. “Haha, yea, he’s, uh, something. So, any men you’re interested in?” “In this town? No way” Popuri’s nose wrinkled, “Any guy here is someone I would have grown up with. Any guy I’ve dated has been from outside of here.”

“A-Ah.” With a smirk, Popuri rolled her eyes around, “Of course, now you’ve got me realizing I have had a hell of a dry spell.” “Well, maybe someone new will pop up, just for you” Jill assured. “It’d be nice…” Popuri sighed. Jill looked up when the door opened and Cliff…sauntered in.

While she’d only known him for almost a year now, she had started to notice his little…swagger when he was drinking. Just why on Earth had he gone to get a drink? Granted, it was five o’clock, it was just…odd that that was his ‘something to do real fast’. He smiled at her, leaning over and kissing her cheek. “Hey, babe.” “Hey…what’s going on?” she asked slowly. “Hmm? Nothing? Oh, hey, Po.” Popuri nodded at him as he wandered into the kitchen, “What do you want for dinner, Jill?” “Um…whatever you like. I can make it since you made breakfast.” “No way, I got it. You guys relax.” …Okay, maybe he just went to have a drink. That…that wasn’t unusual. Her brothers had LOTS of drinks, after all. Reassuring herself, she turned back to Popuri to resume their conversation. The woman’s red eyes had narrowed some in Cliff’s direction. There…was a certain level of knowing behind the orbs and Jill didn’t know how to take that. “Popuri?” “Hmm?” “Is something wrong?” “Oh, no. Don’t mind me” Popuri blinked, looking back to her.

…Hmm.

Jill hummed, smiling as she brushed her personally favorite cow, Viola. She was always so calm and peaceful and didn’t give her a fit with the milking. Looking around, she snuck the cow a treat, whispering to her, “Our secret.” As if aware this needed to be a silent transaction, Viola ate it swiftly and with minimal noise. So cute. Throwing the blanket back over Viola’s back, having purchased blankets for all of her livestock, Jill nodded at her completed work. Good. Heading back out into the November air, Jill shivered. It was a little colder on this island than it was in the city which she found crazy. Alas, they were closely surrounded by water so it was mostly that ocean breeze, she assumed. It definitely made her run faster into her house, that was for sure. Shutting the door quickly behind her, Jill looked around. A fire was blazing and she smelled herbs. She smiled and took off her coat, hanging it on the rack by the door. “Cliff?” “Hey, welcome back, baby” Cliff called.

Walking into her kitchen, she found her boyfriend had prepared a pot of chicken noodle soup. He was scooping it into one of the striped bowls her sister-in-law, Lyla, sent from her store and preparing a cup of tea. Giving her a kiss, Cliff grinned, “Let’s get you warmed up there, lady. I have a few ways I can think of.” She smirked and smacked his arm, thanking him as he set the bowl on the table in her spot. “Cliff, I hate to break your heart but I’m on the days when my uterus reminds me I don’t have an inhabitant.” “Damn!”

The sex was good. Like, spectacularly good. For the last month and a half, he was easing her into…new experiences. Recently, though she had been horrified by the very thought, he went…well, South on her. It was nice and though she did not have the expertise, she was slowly learning to return the favor. He was so patient with her. She wasn’t really comfortable entertaining a blowjob as an idea when she was younger and here she was trying to pull one off. Cliff would just laugh and say she was being too hard on herself. He…he never did get his own room. Just…there was something suspicious she just couldn’t quite put her finger on about him.

Sipping her broth from the large spoon, she looked up with a frown when there was a knock at the door. Perhaps Popuri. Cliff jumped up from his place, wiping his lips, “I got it.” “Thanks, sweetie.” He opened the door…and she was a little shocked to see one Yagami Koji standing there with a duffel bag.

Sirens. Like the sirens from Kill Bill? Those were erupting in her head as her overprotective older brother stared absently at Cliff, “…Is there a particular reason you’re over here at ten in the morning?” “U-Uh--” “L-Lay off, Koji. What are you doing here?” Jill stammered, standing. Cliff backed away to allow Koji in. That was all it took. Jill could only watch with dread as Koji’s dark eyes locked onto everything in the room for analysis. It was going to be a quick study because there was very little reason for Cliff’s jeans to be on the floor in front of the couch. “Koji, Cliff is living with me, okay? I’m helping him out during a tough time, that is all” she volunteered.

“Oh-ho, I doubt that ‘that’s all’ in any way, imoto” Koji said dryly, giving Cliff a look, “…I said I gave my blessing and I try not to backtrack on my word. Internally, I am ready to rip your tongue out of your mouth but I am going to be a man of my word.” Shaking her head as Cliff smiled nervously, Jill could tell Koji really was barely holding it together. “Koji…what are you doing here?” He hugged her, kissing the top of her head, “Well, I might need a little getaway to figure out my life too.” Eh? “O-Oh? I thought you decided on grad school? And I thought you didn’t graduate until December.” “I don’t graduate until December but I took finals last week. And I’m struggling, really. I’m being pulled in two different directions” Koji shrugged. So… “So…you want to stay here?” Koji blinked languidly, “Well, yea, prior to me finding out about the shacking up deal. I can go stay at the Inn, it’s no biggy.” “W-Well, no” she blurted, “J-Just, what was wrong with your apartment?” “Keiba and Domon won’t be done until Spring, early Summer. And it’s no use in me sticking around, the school doesn’t offer the business management program I want. Also, I get very distracted in a college setting, capiche?”

Leering, Jill drawled, “So you can’t stay there because you’ll be partying instead of thinking about your future.” “I’ll think about it, sure, but I’ll be splitting my thoughts” Koji shrugged.

Cliff was giving her a frantic look, like, was she really going to let her crazy older brother move in? “Koji…I have a boyfriend…” “Don’t remind me.” “And he is going to be in this house” Jill continued, “I am going to need you to accept that. And not threaten him just because you feel like it. Please.” Koji rolled his eyes, “I will not make his life a living hell, promise.” Staring at her brother, she groaned, “Fine. Let’s put you in a room upstairs.” He followed her up the stairs and stared around, “…It looks so much different as an adult.” Jill smiled, “You’re really the only one that visited when you were old enough to remember. What’s different?” “I dunno…just seems so much more empty now” he murmured. She frowned, walking into the room nearest the bathroom, “But wasn’t grandpapa always on his own?” “I guess that was the interesting thing about him, he somehow always made it feel like this place was lived in” Koji mused, stuffing his hands into his pocket, “And no offense to you, I mean, you have the main bedroom on the first floor so…” ‘Mayday’, she thought dryly as apparently more gears turned in his head. “…He’s sleeping with you, isn’t he?” “Koji--” He shook his head, squeezing the bridge of his nose, “…I am going to work through this, Jill. As long as you tell me everything is going well, I am going to make it.” “It is.” “Okay.” Snickering, she hugged his waist, looking up at him, “I know you’re not but I am honestly pleased and shocked at your restraint.” “Yea…you sure you don’t like women? I like women.” “And boy, do you” she stuck out her tongue, “I would advise against going playboy mode in this town, Koji, people talk.” Koji snorted, rubbing her shoulder, “And when the hell has that stopped me? No, I’m not going ‘playboy’ mode because I need to focus on my game plan and I doubt there’s one woman here that will catch my interest.” …Right. He yawned, snatching sheets from the bed, “These are probably ancient so I brought some with me. You go on back and reassure your ‘boyfriend’ I won’t kill him. I’ll tidy up.” “You sure?” she pouted. “Positive. And I’ll help you with the farm so I’m not completely mooching here.” She smiled at that, heading for the door, “You don’t have to but I would appreciate it.” …Cliff did make her breakfast and dinner, she accepted. Just…that was pretty much all he did? Apparently, Ann was doing his laundry at the Inn. She still did the basic cleaning and…

Jill groaned. Koji would go postal if he saw her working in the field for hours and come in to wash dishes, sweep the floors, and do laundry while Cliff cooked one meal and watched television. For every bit of partying Koji did, he made sure laundry and folding was done, homework was done, and cleaning was done. The younger of them acknowledged Koji, Nelly, and Shin as their almost full-time caretakers back home. And here she was, babying an adult when Koji had been doing those things since he was five?

Cliff was standing in the kitchen, horrified. Probably about the wrong thing too. “Jill, your brother—your brother is going to kill me.” “Yea, I was just thinking about that” she droned.

The blond groaned, burying his face in his hands, “Well…he did say he wouldn’t make my life a living hell.” “Oh no, sweetie” Jill chastised, “You have to get used to Koji talk. That meant he wasn’t going to terrorize you. That was his way of getting around not promising to not threaten you.” “What!” She was…hesitant. “Sweetie, um, you know our…honesty moments?” “Yea…?” Jill sucked her cheek, tilting her head a bit, “Um…like, my nii-san? He’s kind of like my Superman a bit, y’know? Like, he’s always gone above and beyond for me and my siblings, no matter what I say about all his promiscuous habits. We always came…first, you know?” Cliff nodded. Okay. “So…maybe if you can…wash dishes for me, I’d appreciate it?” “What?” he echoed, his brow rising. “Cliff, I know you’re trying to find your place and get past everything that happened but, right now, things aren’t very even between us. You cook and that is terrific and I love it but, you see, there are days when I spend five hours in the field and then have to come in to wash dishes, do laundry, and clean. It just…doesn’t feel very balanced.” He blinked. Oh God. “…I mean, isn’t that what you were doing before I got here?” “…For myself?” He smiled. It was strained though. “So…I’m still mooching in your sight?” “What? No--” “I…I can go back to the Inn, Jill, it’s no big deal” he said quietly. What?? “Cliff, I’m just saying—no, fo-forget it. I-I was just suggesting. You’re right, I’ve…I’ve been doing this all along.” She sat back down to her cold soup and continued to eat, a bit panicked. Jeez, she…she was just asking, he didn’t have to bail. He didn’t say anything but she heard him walk out the door. What…? After thirty minutes, she was washing the dishes silently and groaned, not able to help smirking when Koji came downstairs with his CD player loud enough she heard one of his favorite bands, Korn, playing. Wake the fuck up.

…Yea. Koji moved his headphones, “Imoto, you think it’s cool if I get a little of this soup? I’m starving.” Jill leered, “Koji, you are my brother, I’m not starving you and you don’t need to ask.” “My girl.” She snickered as he got orange juice out of the refrigerator, pouring himself a glass. “What happened to pretty boy?” Grimacing, she shrugged, “He had to go run an errand.” Koji scooped a cup of soup out before his brows furrowed, “Didn’t you get up at six in the morning to go take care of animals? Go sit down, I’ll get those after I finish eating.” Oh boy. “Nii-san--” She groaned again when he shooed her away. Yea, this…

This wasn’t going to be good.

____________________________________________

“Nell, I’m going to kill this motherfucker.” “Koji, you’ve been there literally three hours.” Yagami Koji sat outside on the shipping bin near the entry of the farm, smoking a cigarette with his cell phone pressed to his ear. He had been trying to quit lately but nah, he’d need it as long as he was staying here. “Jill thinks she’s being slick, hiding that she’s got a damn mooch living with her” Koji grunted, “He ran off for two hours and came back fucking tipsy. At fucking 12 o’clock in the day, Nelly? On a Thursday?” Nelly groaned, “So…he’s an alcoholic or is he an alcoholic? Because as much as I would like to talk, we’ve not never done that ourselves.” “Yea, that’s why I haven’t killed him yet. I’m not that much of a hypocrite.” “Just try to hold it together, Koji. We both knew this day would come” Nelly droned. “Just I didn’t think it’d be this fast.” Seriously. Koji kneaded his temple after he wedged the phone against his shoulder. “…I am going to have to observe, I can’t help it. And that’s going to be a distraction but maybe once I get a feel for what’s going on, I’ll relax and start focusing on what I need to do.” “…Koji?” Eh? He looked up, confused by the strange voice, before his eyes widened.

…Oh shit. She smiled some, tilting her head, “…Koji, right? Or are you the brother? Sorry.” “U-Uh, yea. Um, Nell, I-I’ll call you back” Koji stammered, closing the phone. It was…in the very back of his mind. The very back…that he would see her again. She had the same long thick pink hair, pulled back with a black headband. Currently she had on a long black pea coat and a scarf. What…threw him into a very confused stupor was in the very minute bit of skin he could see, she appeared to be wearing the necklace he gave her. He…he would have thought she’d gone off by now. “Oh, I’m sorry, you probably don’t remember me” she said. “W-What? N-No, no, I-I remember you, Popuri…” She smiled more and…oh shit. “How have you been? Jill talks about you all the time.” Oh, so Jill knew about her and didn’t tell him, huh? Koji smiled, admittedly a little…anxious? “U-Uh, I’ve been well. How about you? And your mom?” “Oh, we’re doing okay. Still about the same from when I last saw you, actually” she murmured. …What? Koji was in disbelief. “…You mean…he’s not…back yet?” She shook her head. What the hell? “I-I’m sorry. That was probably very insensitive.” Popuri waved a hand, “Oh no, it’s just interesting you remember at all.” Well… she smiled again, suddenly pulling the heart necklace out. It…was a bit tarnished but it was still in good condition. “You remember these?” Yea, and he was just glad his was hidden under all his clothes. “Uh, ha, yea.” “I was just telling Jill about how I just remembered it was your ‘engagement’ present to me. I thought about how sweet and innocent that was. I’ve been wearing it for the last few years, actually.” …Oh. “W-Well, um--” “Koji, I thought—oh my God.” He sent a bland look toward the door when Jill popped out to probably chastise him about smoking but instead found her secret talking to him. His sister looked shocked and Popuri was obviously confused, “What’s wrong, Jill?” “U-Uh--” “Popuri and I were just catching up, imoto” Koji smiled, blinking at her. Jill also smiled but he could see an edge of guilt. Meh. He relaxed his face, nodding, “It’s cold out here, Popuri, you should head in. I’ll be in as soon as I finish this cigarette. I still wanna hear about everything.” “Oh, all right” she nodded, smiled, “Are you visiting?” “Uh…vision quest kind of deal. I might be here for a few weeks.” “Oh, cool! Well, I’ll see you inside” Popuri gushed.

He nodded, watching her walk into the farmhouse before taking a very long puff off his clove cigarette.

Yea, nope. This wasn’t going to be good.

____________________________________________

End Notes (Mostly for rereaders):

So this is one of my larger edits, of course. If you remember, Cliff’s dad calls him out in front of Jill for not having money. And, Cliff’s motives in the original were more aligned with the game. However, not that I can’t Youtube it but I have…no recollection of why Cliff wasn’t able to get a job without your help? He was shy and not confident or something. And, if I’d written Cliff that way, it’d make sense, but he’s quite confident and buoyant here. So I came up with this…spoiled thing for now. Generally, this is making him a lot less likeable to me but evolution to come?

Talk about a squicky smut scene in the original, man. Cliff was not being kosher, yo. But that was like my VERY FIRST smut (or as ye old one’s call it, ‘lemon’) and it definitely needed to go entirely.

So yea, I know I am ENTIRELY rocking up the Popuri and Koji introduction but it’ll work, promise. And I decided in another story that it makes no sense for Popuri to have to be five years younger than Koji so they’re the same age now.

Koji was listening to Korn’s Wake Up. And I started to listening to all my 2000s music to keep myself in the era and got entirely distracted XP

#story of seasons fanfiction #harvest moon fanfiction #darkryuu #writing #fanfiction #step toward the future #claire x cliff #story of season #harvest moon #bokumono #smut #tw: sex

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