Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze

Ryan drove through the streets of Tokyo as the sky turned reddish hues, reflecting the city lights like a sea of pulsating neon. The car engine vibrated in harmony with the hypnotic rhythm of Kavinsky - Nightcall, his favorite song, echoing softly through the interior of the vehicle.

He was relaxed, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the door, when he felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. He sighed, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"It's wrong to use your cell phone while driving..." he murmured to himself, a wry smile appearing on his lips. "But if that's the case, I'm already all wrong for driving without a license..."

With an agile movement, he pulled out his cell phone and swiped the screen to see the message.

Kuroi: "YOU LITTLE SCAMP! YOU TOOK OFF WITH MISS RIKO'S CAR! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS FOR GETO TO GET SAFE TRANSPORTATION!?"

Ryan let out a smug chuckle and recorded an audio message, his tone full of provocation:

"Relax, Kuroi-san. I just borrowed it to take a friend home. Don't worry, I'll return it when I go on my date with Riko-chan."

He sent the audio and smiled to himself, already anticipating the inevitable indignant response. And, as expected, Kuroi immediately began typing.

Kuroi: "DATE!? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING OF DOING WITH RIKO!?"

Even though it was just a simple message, Ryan could practically hear Kuroi's scandalized voice, imagining his expression of frustration and embarrassment.

Even more pleased, he chuckled softly as he put his cell phone on silent.

"Kuroi will have to remain curious for a moment..."

It was then that his eyes caught Alya leaving school, as dazzling as ever. Her long silver hair shimmered in the afternoon light, and her blue eyes wandered restlessly around, searching for him. She held her backpack in front of her legs, moving with natural grace, even without realizing it.

Ryan parked the car smoothly, lowering the window with a carefree smile.

"I wonder if this beautiful silver-haired girl would accept to go for a ride with me?"

Alya gave a slight jump of surprise, bringing her hand to her mouth before widening her eyes.

"R-Ryan!? W-whose car is this?"

Her gaze quickly analyzed every detail of him. The tailored beige overcoat, the fitted black vest that highlighted his silhouette, the impeccable white shirt, the high collar and elegant tie adorned with a bluish brooch. It was a composition of imposing presence and sophistication.

Without realizing it, she murmured in Russian:

"Как красиво..." (How beautiful...)

Ryan, who caught every syllable, just widened his smile.

"Come on, get in. The traffic is already starting to pile up."

He unlocked the door for her, who hesitated for a second before blushing and quickly entering, closing the door and adjusting her seatbelt.

"D-do you have a driver's license?"

Ryan lowered his shoulders and narrowed his eyes, feigning indignation.

"Geez... Don't you trust me?"

Alya swallowed hard and looked away. It wasn't exactly a matter of trusting him, but...

"Why didn't you come to school today? And why are you dressed so..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "...so formally?"

As Ryan checked the mirrors before leaving, he could hear the murmurs around him. The chatter among the students was inevitable.

"Oh my God! Isn't that Alisa-san?"

"A-and isn't that Kuze-kun?"

"S-so she's the type who likes rich guys!?"

"I always theorized that they were dating!"

Alya squeezed her eyes shut, her face completely red as she hugged her backpack against her chest.

"K-Kuze-kun! I got in without thinking! Now everyone is having a misunderstanding!"

Ryan, with a mischievous smile, kept his eyes on the road.

"Misunderstanding? Huh... what misunderstanding?"

She pursed her lips, making an adorable pout before murmuring softly:

"Baaka..."

Ryan couldn't hold back a short laugh.

"So? You said you had something to tell me."

Alya took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.

"Look... You agreed to be my vice-president, so... I wanted you to accompany me to the student council meetings."

Ryan cast a discreet glance at Alya as she spoke, her voice slightly hesitant:

"...It's just that, you've been missing a lot of classes lately..."

He returned to focusing on the road, his hands firm on the wheel, but a wry smile appeared on his lips.

"Don't worry, Alya... I said I'd help you become president of the student council, didn't I? And that's what I'm going to do."

He raised a finger, emphasizing his next sentence, his voice full of carefree confidence.

"You're going to make it. Not because of me, but because you're amazing. The most I'll do is give you a little support... And about the classes, you don't need to worry about that either. All these 'absences' are being explained in the director's office, and I'm paying for it with homework."

As he said this, he slightly shifted his gaze out the window, his thoughts flowing with a touch of irony.

"In reality... I'm not doing anything. But technically it's not a lie that the school is helping me, thanks to Gensei's influence... And, let's be honest, I'm saving everyone's skin, which is still work..."

Alya became shy, her voice coming out in an almost trembling tone:

"T-thank you... Kuze-kun..."

Ryan noticed how she glanced at him sideways, only to quickly look away, as if she were afraid of being caught in the act. She fidgeted with her legs, and sometimes bit her lower lip, an involuntary gesture that revealed her growing anxiety.

He smiled smugly, the provocative tone in his voice.

"Do you remember last night?"

Alya let out an embarrassed squeak, almost an adorable mew, her face exploding in a reddish hue that contrasted perfectly with her silver hair and blue eyes.

"H-Hunyaa!"

She covered part of her face with her hands, shaking her head in embarrassed denial.

"N-n-no need to remind me of that!"

Ryan chuckled softly, the amusement evident in the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Why not? In my opinion, it's something to be remembered..."

His sly smile only made Alya look away even more, her cheeks puffed out in a frustrated pout.

"Mouu~"

She was silent for a moment, before murmuring, her voice filled with a touch of cute frustration:

"What are we, blockhead? You're making me fall in love and I don't even know what to do..."

The sentence came... in Russian.

Ryan blinked, surprised, as he quickly processed the words. His heart gave a slight stumble. Damn it. Should he show that he understood Russian? This could completely change the dynamic between them.

He took a deep breath, his gaze taking on an unusual seriousness.

"Alya...

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