Bewitching Illusions

Book 2: Jiro Takeshi

Finally, I have arrived in Atlantis. I can smell the fresh sea breeze and hear the birds chirping away in the background as I stare at the intruder. The intruder with golden hair. A high school boy, perhaps. Holding a bouquet of red roses in his hands. 

What the hell was that i***t doing in front of Yuki's house? I was several meters away from him and hid my presence well. The man, or whatever he was, looked around. He had sharp senses, that I could tell. More acute than a normal human. Is he also a citizen of Belmore?

Impossible, he was not on the list. I had memorized every resident of the city, and I was certain that this was the first time I had seen him. The boy knocked on Yuki's front door. Her mother went out and opened the door. "A handsome golden-haired visitor for our unica hija!" I could hear her shout even though I was far away. They sure were excited.

I mean, wasn’t every day someone visited Yuki especially on her birthday. This was probably the only outsider who visited her house. I stared as Ulysses came out and sized up the boy. Yuki followed and introduced her guest to her dad. Kaede Oda. I took note to research that man later. 

They let the stranger inside their house and were conversing loudly when I made my presence felt.

"Speaking of... Jiro! Come over here!" Ulysses shouted and I opened their house door, knowing that was my cue to enter.

And then I saw her. She looked so pretty in her pink dress. Her favorite color, though I know that she chose that because she was an absolute father's girl who wanted to match outfits with her dad. Ulysses was wearing a pink polo shirt and black cardigan pants. He had been domesticated over the years. He only wore his extremist costume when he fought in Dragon's Lair.

We dined all together, but the center of everyone's attention was the golden boy. He was an annoying person, that I could tell. He smiled at her and I watched as she dared to smile back. I could feel my nails biting into the palms of my hands, especially when they both stood up and Yuki asked for permission to take a stroll with him. 

She didn't even take my gift. She left the pink box in the lounge chair like it was something with no value to her now. I wanted to shout at them both and rip their faces. 

"Hey Jiro, I thought you have a scheduled fight today. How was it?" Louis asked, trying to be polite by opening up a small talk. 

"I lost," was all I said as I tried to follow Yuki and her companion with my eyes. They were so far from the house now. At this rate, I would not even be able to see their shadows for a few minutes.

"Worried about her, aren't you?" Louis was really smart. A smart jackass. 

I didn't answer but concentrated my senses on tracking them both.

"No. Why the hell should I care if she has a boyfriend now?" I asked. My tone was sharp and angry.

Louis just laughed. "They look good together, don't they?" He was trying to push his luck too far.

"Of course they do, a stupid baka for an i***t of a guy." I stood up and left the house, banging the door behind me.

I heard Louis laughing at me as I followed the two idiots wherever they might be.

________

"Thank you for coming today." Yuki blushed. How dare she blush in front of a stranger! Someone who’s not even family! 

I tried my best to control my bloodlust as I looked at her pink cheeks. She had always just shown me that side of her. The side that blushes. 

It should still be that way. But instead, she was having the same expression in front of the golden-haired boy. 

"I should be the one to thank you. For inviting me on your special day." The cerulean-colored eyes never left hers. 

He looked like someone mesmerized by her beauty. A stupid smile was constantly plastered on his face.

Then I saw the golden-haired boy tuck the loose strands of Yuki's hair back behind her ear. 

That was the last straw. 

No one. No one touches what is mine.

With lightning speed I was suddenly in front of them, interrupting the stupid scene.

"If you wanted to flirt, you shouldn't do it so close to the house. Unless of course, you wanted your guest's head to roll." 

"We… we're not flirting." She stumbled with her words as she felt my bloodlust shoot through the roof.

"Even if we are, is it your business?" The man did not flinch as his eyes met mine.

I could tell something was seriously wrong with this guy. I know he felt my bloodlust, which was directed to the both of them at this instant. 

Any other guy would have cowered in fear. But he kept his cool, challenging me even.

Did he think his strength would somehow match mine? Not only is he a mere high school student, he is not even a citizen of Belmore.

"It is my business. Because she is my family." I met his challenge and looked at him with all the ferocity I can muster.

"Jiro." Yuki interrupted our exchange, she looked at me with pleading eyes. 

I tore my eyes from them for I couldn't stand what I saw. She was about to cry. She was about to cry trying to stop me from killing this boy.

That is when I left.

I ran as fast as my feet could carry me, far, until I reached the shore, where the ship was docked. I slammed my knuckles against the sand and the nearby buildings collapsed at the impact. I was lost in so much hatred for both of them.

That baka. She was falling for the i***t golden boy. Right in front of my eyes.