[Fanfic] The Kiss Thief 3/4

[mikunicchi]

Nino disappeared like he had never existed. There was no sign of him and he never returned to Aiba’s house either. When Aiba called Ohno in the morning to ask him where Nino is, Ohno’s voice cracked while he told him that he might have done something to hurt Nino. Aiba’s worried voice told him that he was coming over immediately.

When Ohno hung up the phone, he once again laid down on his purple sofa. Why did he even have to bring that up? He had been curious about Nino and when he asked Matsu-nii he told him that they had caught an interesting little thief. Ohno and Matsuoka were connected through family. Matsuoka’s father worked together with Ohno’s father so whenever Ohno wanted to ask something, Matsuoka, who had a weird sense of justice, helped him.

This time was no different and he told him some things about Nino too. Apparently, Nino was a very famous thief. Not because of his skills but because of his policy. He wouldn’t steal from old people, he wouldn’t steal more than he actually needed and the damage he caused was almost always directed to not-so-good people. Matsuoka even joked that he could have been a modern Robin Hood if he wanted. He also said if you simply followed the people Nino stole from, you would be able to get to a much bigger crime.

After that, Ohno got more curious about Nino, hiring a detective to find out more about him. The detective managed to track Nino to his orphanage times. Ohno wasn’t pleased by what he heard about the orphanage that Nino grew up in.

The orphanage that Nino used to live in was closed down a few years after Nino had left that place. However, he managed to discover a few dirty parts of the orphanage. Using children as test subjects, or simply selling them to politicians who needed transplants. Abusing the kids was probably the most innocent thing on their long list. He even felt proud that Nino managed to save himself from that orphanage.

His doorbell rang, cutting off his train of thoughts. He stood up from his where he was sitting to open the door.

“Are you alright, Oh-chan?” Aiba asked as soon as he saw Ohno’s face. Ohno averted his gaze. “Is Nino alright?”

“I don’t know…”

“Did you fight?”

“Not like that but… well… I said some things that Nino apparently didn’t like…”

Aiba didn’t say anything as he wrapped his arms around Ohno to soothe him. “Don’t worry, I am sure Nino will forgive you.”

“If I ever manage to see him again,” Ohno murmured.

“You will,” Aiba tried to reassure Ohno, but he also had a feeling that finding Nino wouldn’t be easy. “Tell me about it.” And Ohno told him. Everything except some parts of Nino’s past that he thought he would hate if Ohno told Aiba. Aiba’s face saddened as he listened to him.

“You should bring him back, Oh-chan,” Aiba said in the end. “You should bring him back no matter what.”

Ohno nodded determinedly. “I will.”


***


However, things were easier said than done. Ohno really had no idea how to bring Nino back. As far as he knew, Nino didn’t have a cell phone. And even if Nino had one he never mentioned it to them. He also didn’t know where he lived or anything else like that. He tried to visit that ramen stall where he first met Nino, but of course, it didn't work.

He even thought to hire that detective again to find Nino but somehow he knew if he did then he would lose Nino completely. He was very lost when he stumbled and bumped into someone. “Oh, I am sorry-” he started but froze mid-sentence. He was face-to-face with the yakuza -the Oida family, he reminded himself- who had kidnapped him.

“Oh, ain’t you the little rat?” The yakuza who kidnapped him smiled disgustingly, and before Ohno could make a move he grabbed his wrist. “So you are still loitering around here,” he said with narrowed eyes. “I heard your friend managed to escape from the police… Thanks to him, some of our men got caught!” He hovered over Ohno. “Let’s have you pay in his place,” was the last thing Ohno heard before a heavy object hit the back of his head and Ohno lost consciousness, once again.


***


Nino felt beyond horrible. He felt lost, sad and tired as he looked over the wall of the abandoned building which he called ‘home’. Well, it didn’t feel like ‘home’ after he lived together with Aiba for three weeks. He had run away… How pathetic! Nino wasn’t angry at Ohno. Not at all, he had all the right to investigate Nino’s background. What he hated here was merely his own past, which he wasn’t proud of. He knew he couldn’t hide it for a long time but he didn’t want Ohno to find out like that… He didn’t want Ohno to pity him. He wanted Ohno to see him as Nino. Not some kind of pitiful random guy.

He rubbed his face in irritation. He was aware that his reaction was a bit dramatic. Well, probably more than a bit… But he really hated the fact that Ohno knew what kind of person he was. He remembered Ohno’s words when they were talking: You are a clever man, and you are a thief, but you are not that bad. You also hate being a thief and you haven’t tried to do anything while you are staying with us. You care about Aiba. You are a bit lost, also hesitant but you have a soft heart and you are very considerate.

He didn’t think he was like that. He was clever, though it was more that he had to be clever. He was a thief, and being a thief was bad. Yet, he always tried his best to minimize the damage. Yes, he hated being a thief and yes, he hadn’t tried to do anything while he was staying with Aiba. Yes, he cared about Aiba. Yet, he disappeared without saying anything to him. Yes, he was lost. Because it was the first time that someone understood Nino like that. He was also hesitant because he wasn’t used to people being kind towards him. However, he still doubted the soft heart and considerate part.

Nino groaned. He felt exposed, irritated, sad and happy. His emotions were a mess and he honestly wanted it to stop. He took a deep breath, deciding to voice out his own thoughts about Ohno.

“You are weird,” he started. “You love involving yourself in things that are none of your business and that irritates me sometimes, well, most of the time. But I am also grateful to you for not minding your business…” he smiled. “You sleep a lot, no matter when or where. You draw beautifully yet you say it’s just a hobby for you. You have no sense for the furniture. Your house is so irritating and I swear I will never visit again if you don’t move somewhere with an elevator,” he chuckled. “You seem like you think too much but you aren’t thinking about anything most of the time. You are silent but you are good at observing. However, you are still an idiot when it comes to love relationships.” He stopped for a moment before he could voice the last thought in his mind. “Your lips were so soft and I think I would like to taste them again,” he completed his sentence with a crimson face. “And I can’t walk away before I see you once again,” he finished his thoughts, with a new resolution. You should at least dump me properly, he thought as he stood up from where he was sitting.


***


Nino knew there was something off. Before he turned the corner that led down the street to Paradise, Nino felt uneasy. There was something in the air, and even if there wasn’t any panic he was sure something was terribly wrong. He just hoped it wasn’t about anyone he knew while he hurried towards Paradise.

When he saw Aiba, Sakurai, and Matsumoto together with Matsuoka, he literally wanted to punch himself. He ran towards them, ignoring the fact that Matsuoka could arrest him at that very moment. “Aiba!” he called out, trying to get their attention. He pushed two police officers aside and he rushed his way towards Aiba. “What’s going on!?”

“Nino!!” Aiba left Sakurai’s arm and hugged him strongly as if trying to protect Nino from something. “Where have you been?!” Nino realized that he was trembling.

Nino pushed him away to look at his face. “Forget about that!” he said sternly. “What happened?”

“Ohno is missing,” Matsumoto answered on behalf of Aiba.

“He isn’t missing! He was kidnapped!” Aiba snapped. “Why are you so calm about this!? They can harm Oh-chan!”

“We don’t know where they took him Aiba,” Matsuoka explained. Nino looked at him. His voice was calm but his expression couldn’t be described as anything but wrath. His lips were pressed together firmly and he was squeezing his fists.

“Explain,” Nino demanded, not even caring about anything.

“Some people witnessed a bunch of yakuza taking a small man somewhere forcefully. One of the chefs of the food stalls called the police and the description fits in Ohno,” Sakurai explained. He seemed a bit steadier than the others.

Food stalls? Yakuza? Shit.

“Nino?” Aiba brought him back to reality.

“Don’t worry, Aiba-chan,” he smiled reassuringly. “He will be fine.”

Aiba blinked in surprise a few times. “This is the first time you called me like that…” He murmured.

Nino laughed a little.“Sorry about that.” And he turned to Matsuoka. “I know I am already indebted to you, but would you lend me your strength once again?”

Matsuoka raised an eyebrow. “What can you do when we can’t even find them?”

“Well… I know how to make my way in,” Nino stated calmly.

“And why would I trust you? A thief?” Matsuoka asked seriously.

“Because sometimes the bad guys are the only good guys we get,” Nino answered truthfully.


***


Ohno opened his eyes with a groan. The back of his head was in pain and the situation was so familiar that he wanted to laugh. When he tried to move his limbs, he found that he was tied firmly to a chair, again! What kind of person got kidnapped by the same yakuza twice?! He sure didn’t have any luck.

“Finally awake!” The same yakuza who had kidnapped him three weeks ago was standing in front of him with the same disgusting smile of his. The only difference on the man’s face was the dangerous light that sparkled in his eyes. “Did you really think that you could get away like that?” the man whispered close to his face. Ohno hated having him that close. “I have to admit that the little rat of yours is clever. Too bad for him that he couldn’t get me arrested!”

The man backed away a little, finally giving Ohno a chance to see his surroundings. The place looked like a basement. There were no windows and the ceiling was so low that it made him feel claustrophobic. There were a lot of cardboard boxes everywhere.

“That little friend of yours…” the yakuza started. “I am sure he will come to save you.” He licked his lips in a way which made Ohno sick to his stomach. “I will make both of you learn not to mess with the Oida family!”

“He won’t come!” Ohno said strongly. “He is not my friend, I am saying again! You got the wrong person!”

The man let out a creepy laugh. “Sure,” he said between his laughter. “He is not your friend. I got it. Then let’s call him your bitch? How about that? I am sure he is wonderful in bed. He was really famous before he became a thief anyway. I don’t think he’s forgotten those skills!”

“Shut up!” Ohno shouted angrily. “You don’t know anything about him!”

“But apparently, you know a lot of things about that little rat, don’t you?” The man leaned over, showing his teeth. “Let’s wait and see what that little bitch of yours will do.”

“He is not a bitch! And I will never let you touch him, ever again!” Ohno yanked at his ropes once again, failing to untie them.

“You are funny,” the man said, taking a syringe out from his pocket and uncovering the needle swiftly. “Let’s have some fun while we’re at it,” he said as he leaned closer to immerse the needle into his arm roughly, injecting the tube immediately. Ohno hissed with pain. “We were having a hard time finding guinea pigs for our new drugs, you know… Be honored to taste it before anyone else.” Those were the last words of yakuza as he took the syringe out of his skin.

The drug was strong. And soon Ohno lost consciousness once again. The last thought that crossed his mind was Nino’s adorable smile from a night ago.


***


When Nino first found the house, some people were going in with a black briefcase just like in those movies. Nino knew very well that the briefcase contained nothing but money. It was either he was too blinded by the money or the Oida family was really good at hiding but Nino had no idea it was a yakuza office when he first went into that two floored private building. However, this time, Nino knew what kind of place he was going into so he was extra careful. Nino slid into the office quietly, knowing that if they caught him there, they would definitely kill him. He made his way towards the room where the main office and safe were located. The lights were still on and he knew there were people inside the room. So he moved as silently as he could towards the room, placing his ear to the door for a moment.

If this were a drama, they would start talking about where they took Ohno right now, he thought, but this wasn't a drama and they were of course not talking. Nino waited, hidden in the shadows, getting impatient with every passing minute. He had no idea where they took Ohno and that irritated Nino. So after ten minutes of waiting, he decided to use a different method. He chose to trust Matsuoka. He placed the listening device between the door and its frame, hoping that they won’t realize it until he found Ohno, and left.

He had no idea where they took Ohno but Nino had to start somewhere so this building would be the first place. He had to bet on his luck which was later not that bright. The main office of Oida family was slightly out of the town and it was far from people’s eyes.

He searched the second floor which contained the main office of the Oida family, finding nothing. There were several other rooms which didn’t seem important but Nino still searched them too. Then he moved to the first floor where a living room and a kitchen were located. He searched every corner until he heard a voice. He quickly hid behind a couch, secured with a wall and lots of shadows.

A door by the kitchen opened and a man came out, grumbling. Nino leaned over to see who had come. The dim light revealed a man who was tall and very brawny and Nino recognized the features of his face and the tattoos that showed through his unbuttoned shirt immediately. It was him! It was the same yakuza who kidnapped Ohno and beat Nino up three weeks ago. Nino narrowed his eyes. Matsuoka told him that they managed to arrest three of the yakuzas on that night so he knew only two managed to escape. He confirmed them by the photographs that Matsuoka showed him and he was sure that this one was not included in those photos. Nino clenched his teeth as he looked at the man. Probably, he was the leader of that group. The man climbed the stairs slowly and lazily, and as soon as he disappeared from Nino’s sight, Nino stood up and made his way to the door that the man came out of.

He slid through the door silently only to face very narrow stairs in front of him. It must lead to the basement, he thought; hope suddenly rising in his heart. Why would that man come out of the basement if he didn’t have anything -or anyone, he wanted to hope- hiding in there? He carefully walked down the stairs, step by step, making sure that he wasn’t making any noise. He also didn’t forget to listen for noise up the stairs in case the man decided to come to the basement again.

The basement was dark, so he had to take out his small but very useful flashlight. The place was small. The ceiling was low and the place contained lots of cardboard boxes and Nino honestly didn’t want to know what they contained. Cautiously, he made his way around the boxes and soon his flashlight landed on someone. Someone who was tied to a chair firmly. Nino didn’t even need to look at his face to know that he was Ohno. Thanking the heavens for this miracle he rushed to Ohno’s side, kneeling down in front of him.

“Ohno! Ohno! Oh-chan! Gosh, wake up!!” Nino shook him strongly, trying to control the volume of his voice at the same time. Suddenly he remembered to call Matsuoka and his men. He quickly took out the cell phone that Matsuoka gave him. He cursed under his breath when he saw the notice of no signal. “I said wake up! Oh-chan!! Please, we don’t have time for this, please! Please!” He continued to shake him until Ohno creaked an eye open slowly and with great effort. His eyes were fogged over and they couldn’t focus on Nino for a while.

“Nino..?” Ohno’s voice was hoarse and it dawned on Nino finally. Drugs, he thought. He felt his heart sink.

“Oh-chan! Oh-chan, look at me!” Nino whispered as he took Ohno’s face in his hands, making him look only at him. “I am here, concentrate on me, okay? I will definitely save you!” With that, he took out his pocketknife to cut the ropes around his body. Ohno’s body fell forward and Nino caught him firmly.

“Nino,” Ohno mumbled again. “Thanks…”

“Shh… We can talk when we got out,” Nino replied as he placed Ohno’s arm around his neck and secured him close to his body by holding his waist firmly. He helped Ohno climb the stairs as silent as possible. He managed to get out of the basement, but before he could reach the main gate, suddenly the lights went on. Cursing his luck, Nino turned around, just to find the yakuza in front of him.

“Our little brave rat returned,” the same man from before said, a disgusting smile on his face.

“You sure have some rotten hobbies,” Nino shot back. “Kidnapping the same man again? What a lame thing to do.” he clicked his tongue and he casually put his hand into his pocket.

However, this time, the man, took out a gun and pointed it towards Nino. “Your hand, out, now!” he ordered. “I won’t buy the same trick again!”

Nino gulped as he took out his hand from his pocket. “You sure are no fun,” Nino said. “At least let this poor guy go. Your business is with me.”

The man laughed. “Do you really think I would do that?”

Nino sighed. “I don’t, but no harm in trying,” he shrugged.

“Move away from the door, now!” Silently, Nino moved out of the doorway while trying to keep Ohno out of the gun’s range. He had already caused enough harm to Ohno, so he refused to add a gunshot to the list.

“Nino…” Ohno whispered in his ears. Somehow, his voice sounded more stable than before.

“Shh,” Nino managed to whisper back. He squeezed his waist, hoping that it was reassuring enough.

“Stop whispering to each other!” the man snapped.

“Geez! Calm your tits man! I am not going anywhere as you can see!” Nino said while rolling his eyes. He wasn’t trying to piss off the man but he could at least buy some time with it. “And come on! Killing me won’t make you gain anything.”

The man laughed. “So you are trying to negotiate now?”

“I am just being rational here,” Nino shrugged. “I break into your precious office twice, and you haven’t noticed it until it’s too late. I think you could make good use of this very talented thief you know.” The man stopped as if considering for a moment so Nino pushed more. “You can’t make good use of a dead thief.” Please, please! Matsuoka! Please hurry!! He prayed to the heavens, though it wasn’t like he could do anything but praying in this position.

“But I feel like you would demand something,” the yakuza told him with narrowed eyes.

Nino shrugged. “Nothing much,” he started and then pointed Ohno. “Just let him go, and I will be yours.”

“Nino-! Don’t do that-!” Ohno tried to protest weakly but Nino shut him up with a glance.

The yakuza let out another laugh which irritated Nino. “You really care for that guy, huh?” he said. “I am sorry about that kiddo, but I can’t hire you,” the man smirked. “And I also can’t let you leave this place alive,” he finished, and Nino watched him pulling the trigger in slow motion. With incredible speed that even surprised himself, he pulled Ohno to himself, pressing him to his chest and covering him with his own body.

A lot of things happened at the same time. Nino heard a loud bang from the door and two gunshots almost at the same time, and he felt a burning sensation on his right side. He hugged Ohno stronger than before and closed his eyes, waiting for the fatal strike but nothing happened. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and as his senses returned to him, he realized that they weren’t alone in the living room anymore. Matsuoka was standing there together with a bunch of police officers. The yakuza who shot Nino was lying on the floor, his gun a few meters away from him, struggling against the powerful grip of the police officers.

Nino felt the adrenaline that was rushing through his body slowly disappear as he realized that they had been saved, and he loosened his grip on Ohno. Ignoring the pain in his side and the blood soaking his black t-shirt and jeans, Nino looked at Ohno, who was looking back at him with worry. Nino rubbed his cheek with his left hand. “You are not hurt?” he asked and Ohno shook his head weakly. Knowing that, Nino felt relieved from the bottom of his heart and let himself lean on him heavily, making both of them sink down to the floor.

“Nino?” he heard Ohno’s worried voice.

He looked up and chuckled slightly. “I am glad you are not hurt,” he said, trying his best to not to make him panic.

Ohno’s eyes widened as he felt a wet sensation on his hand. “Call an ambulance!” Suddenly Ohno heard Matsuoka’s voice, as he shouted for the police officers who were taking care of the yakuzas.

Nino’s sight blurred. “Oh-chan,” he whispered. “Don’t look like that,” he said with a weak smile and turned his head towards Matsuoka. “Keep him safe,” he said finally before his consciousness slipped away.


***


Nino groaned as his senses returned to him. A slight beeping sound could be heard in the background and he could feel that he was lying in a soft bed that wasn’t Aiba’s. He forced his eyes open. His throat was so dry that he craved some water more than anything. He tried to move a little but stopped at the tingling pain on his right side.

“Nino?” he heard a very familiar voice. It was Aiba. “Oh my god! You are awake,” Aiba said as he stood up from his chair and entered Nino’s line of sight. He looks tired, Nino thought. “Thank God, you are alright! You both scared me to death!” he said pushing his glasses up a bit to wipe his tears.

“...ohno…” Nino managed to whisper.

“What?” Aiba leaned a bit closer.

“Ohno,” Nino repeated, this time his voice clearer.

“Oh!” Aiba smiled a little at Nino. “Don’t worry, he is alright. Well, the yakuza apparently drugged him but he is alright now. Doctors looked after him, and you should be worried about yourself! They had to do a transfusion for you!”

Nino sighed with relief as soon as he heard that Ohno was fine. He was sure that he could deal with the pain in his side, as long as Ohno was safe. “Water?” Nino asked suddenly remembering his need for water. Aiba moved to the bedside table and poured a glass of water, granting his wish. He helped Nino to drink a few sips and let him lie down again just before they heard a knock on Nino’s door.

The door opened, revealing Matsuoka. Nino stiffened, making Matsuoka laugh a little. “Don’t be that scared, kiddo,” he said calmly as he approached his bed. He came closer to the bed and bowed, surprising Nino. “Thank you for saving Ohno,” he said earnestly.

“It was my fault-” he started but Matsuoka cut him off.

“People like you are admirable. Trying to save a stranger is really admirable, young man,” he started, confusing Nino. “No one would try to save a stranger when they simply saw him being dragged by yakuza on the street. So take the credit and shut up.”

“Um… I really don’t get what you mean,” Nino said.

Matsuoka took out a paper from the inner pocket of his jacket and put it in front of him with a paper. “Please sign your testimony,” he said calmly.

Nino took the paper and read it out loud. “I (Ninomiya Kazunari) saw a man (Ohno Satoshi) who being dragged by a yakuza and followed them. When the yakuza dragged the man (Ohno Satoshi) into a house I called the police. Their arrival took a while so I decided to go in and search the house. I found Ohno Satoshi in the basement but when I tried to save him, we got caught by the man who dragged Ohno Satoshi into that house…” Nino looked up to Matsuoka. “What?! This is ridiculous!”

Matsuoka gave him an irritated glance. “Shut up and sign it already, brat. This is my thanks to you for saving Ohno. He is like a little brother to me,” he said. “But if I hear that you are stealing again, I will throw you in jail with my own two hands.”

Aiba chuckled. “Matsu-nii is really soft-hearted!”

Matsuoka shot him a glance and Aiba immediately shut up, this time making Nino laugh. “Then I will gladly accept it, Matsu-nii,” Nino said, signing the papers and returning them to Matsuoka.

“Who told you that you could call me that?” Matsuoka said, slightly annoyed.

“But everyone calls you that!” Aiba protested.

Matsuoka sighed in irritation. “Fine, do whatever you want,” he said, finally leaving the room while Aiba and Nino were still laughing.


***


The next time Nino woke up, he found none other than Ohno beside him.

“Hi,” Ohno said sheepishly as he saw Nino’s eyes open.

“Hi,” Nino said in return, feeling very relieved at finally seeing him.

“How are you?” Ohno asked.

“I am fine,” Nino started and added. “I guess.”

“I am glad you are fine,” Ohno said truthfully.

“And you?” Nino asked seriously. He was slightly afraid of Ohno’s answer.

However, Ohno chuckled softly. “I am fine, thanks to you.”

“I am glad you are fine,” Nino said, not averting his eyes from Ohno’s. A moment of silence fell between them. Nino was too hesitant to do anything even though he wanted nothing but to reach out and hold his hand. Well, he also wanted to do many more things but both his hurting side and his shyness forbade him from doing anything. However, he knew that he couldn’t let things go like that.

Nino had no experience with the kind of love which made his heart beat faster, yet, apparently, he was in love with Ohno. He wanted to know him, he wanted to spend more time with him. He started to admire him and he felt safe when he was together with him. It was a different kind of safety from the one he felt when he was together with Aiba. He wanted to stay with them but he eventually knew that he had to leave when his arm is healed. He was at least prepared for it. Leaving Aiba hurt, but leaving Ohno was impossible. He realized it the moment when he heard that Ohno had gone missing.

Nino cleared his throat. He had to say it. He had to. He was still too scared to voice it but he decided that he wasn’t strong enough to keep it inside. After all, he was too close to losing him once. “You know,” he started, slightly hesitant but still he managed to put a playful mask on his face. “It was the best haul of my life,” Nino told him like he was letting him in on a secret.

“Which haul?” Ohno asked curiously, tilting his head a little with a small smile on his face.

“My last theft,” Nino answered seriously.

Ohno let out a soft laugh. Nino decided that he liked the sound of Ohno’s laugh very much. “You sure? You were beaten up pretty badly in the end,” Ohno reminded him while he still continued to smile. He was too adorable with those wrinkles next to his eyes.

Nino couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, that was for the one before the last.”

“And what was the last?”

“The kiss that I stole from you,” Nino smirked.

“Oh…” Ohno said, blushing uncontrollably. The sight in front of him was irresistible for Nino. God… Don’t make me forget what I wanted to say, Nino pleaded to heavens.

He cleared his throat once again before continuing. “Good thing that I don’t steal things that I don’t need.” He was trying to sound nonchalant but instead he was sure that he sounded desperate.

“You needed that kiss after all,” Ohno reasoned, nodding as if he was approving some kind of proposal. “You were trying to hide.”

Nino tried his best to not to spoil it. “Well, that’s true. But I really enjoyed that kiss.” Ohno looked at him as if he was trying to decipher a code as Nino continued. “And I am glad I didn’t steal anything that I didn’t need until now.”

Ohno stared at him blankly. But Nino was determined to continue. He was trying his best to ignore the possibility of rejection but he knew that he would be doomed if Ohno really rejected him.

“And well, I plan to steal more, you know,” Nino continued giving his best to it. A silence fell between them as Nino let Ohno understand what he actually wanted to say. A simple, I like you, please be my boyfriend would be perfect but he was already at his limit. He was simply too shy to say those words to Ohno. He was sure that Ohno could see the pink ears of his.

“Why? You don't need to hide anymore,” Ohno said finally, breaking the silence. He was confused and Nino could clearly see that.

Nino gulped, forcing himself to talk. “Of course, it’s not for hiding this time,” he said finally, cursing himself for taking a really roundabout way for a confession. Sudden thoughts and realizations hit him at that very moment. Questions like what if he is not into men? What if he is not into me? What if he refuses to be with a thief like me? What if?! What if?! He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath to shut the questions out. He gathered his courage once again and turned his head to look at Ohno, only to be welcomed by two soft eyes.

Ohno was smiling. He was smiling to him challengingly, and almost mischievously. “Then what for?” he asked, leaning closer to him and giving Nino the last push that he needed.

“Let’s say that you are simply addictive,” Nino smirked and leaned forward.

“That means you need my kiss?” Ohno asked him. Their lips were inches away and Nino could feel Ohno’s soft breath on his lips.

“You have no idea how much I need it,” was the last words of Nino before he sealed the kiss passionately.

Ninomiya Kazunari was a thief with policy. He wouldn’t steal from old people, he wouldn’t rob anywhere on weekends, and of course, he wouldn’t steal anything he didn’t need. The first kiss he stole from Ohno Satoshi without knowing how much he actually needed it had saved his life more than once. He wanted to give thanks to his stupidity for trying to rob a yakuza office, to the heavens for making the silent guy sit at that ramen stall and to destiny for bringing them together. That stolen first kiss now, allowed Nino to steal more from Ohno. And he indeed planned to do just that. God have mercy on him.

Part 4