The Space Between Messages (Ch. 59)
You should have known something was off the moment Shoko told you she was taking you out for a âbachelorette dinnerâ and insisted you dress nice.
You really shouldâve known something was up when Emily showed up on a Friday night.
You blinked at her from the doorway, still half in disbelief.
âYou traveled halfway across the world to come to my bachelorette dinner?â
She grinned like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
âWhat kind of maid of honor would I be if I missed it?â she shot back, already stepping inside and grabbing your arm. âNow come on. Shoko said sheâd meet us there.â
âNope,â she said, dragging you along. âNo thinking. Just vibes.â
That alone shouldâve concerned you.
She called an Uber before you could ask too many questions, giving the driver the address like she had it memorized.
You spent the ride trying to piece things together, but Emily refused to give you anything usefulâjust vague answers, a suspicious smile, and a âyouâll see.â
You did not like youâll see.
When the car finally slowed, you glanced out the windowâ
The building didnât look like a restaurant.
It was tucked away on a quieter street, set back just enough to feel selective. The exterior was sleek and understatedâdark stone, clean lines, no flashy signage. If anything, it looked too minimal, like it didnât need to advertise itself.
The only indication that this was the right place was a discreet plaque near the entrance and a pair of sharply dressed attendants standing by the door.
Soft lighting spilled out from inside whenever it opened, warm against the night, accompanied by the faintest hint of musicâlow, rhythmic, almost⌠heavy.
She was already getting out of the car.
âWhat?â she said, entirely too casually.
âThis doesnât look like a restaurant.â
She shut the door, smoothing down her outfit like she belonged here.
âMaybe itâs just⌠exclusive,â she said.
You exhaled slowly, stepping out onto the sidewalk, your flats making soft, quiet taps against the pavement as you took in the place one more time.
You had expected something upscale. Candlelight. Maybe wine. Something quiet.
You had not expected this.
A hostess stopped you at the entrance before you could even fully process where you were.
âPhones stay in your bags,â she said smoothly. âAnd masks are required for all guests.â
ââŚMasks?â you repeated.
She smiled faintly, already holding out a tray.
âPrivacy is part of the experience,â she added.
You stared at the mask, then slowly turned your head toward Emily.
ââŚI already donât like where this is going.â
âOh, I love where this is going,â she said immediately, already reaching for one. âThis is giving rich, secret, slightly illegal energy.â
âRelax,â she cut in, grinning as she looped the mask over her ears. âWorst case scenario, we hate it and leave. Best caseââ she gestured vaguely toward the doors with a sparkle in her eyes, ââwe have a story.â
ââŚIf I get kidnapped, Iâm blaming you.â
âNoted,â she said cheerfully.
You lifted the mask, tying it into place. The silk settled softly against your skin, light but strangely grounding.
Emily leaned in, giving you a once-over.
âOkay,â she said, approving. âMysterious. A little dangerous. Iâm into it.â
You huffed under your breath.
The moment you stepped inside, you froze.
The lighting was low and golden, soft enough to blur the edges of everything but intentional enough to highlight exactly what it wanted you to see. Velvet booths curved along the walls, deep and shadowed, creating little pockets of privacy that felt far too intimate for a public space. The music was slow and heavy, a steady, rhythmic pulse that you could feel more than hear.
And then your gaze lifted to the stage.
Men were already dancing.
Not chaotic, not rushedâjust controlled. Smooth movements that followed the music exactly. Hips shifting in time, shoulders rolling, bodies turning just enough to catch attention and hold it. Nothing about it felt accidental.
Your face heated immediately.
Your phone was in your hand before you could think.
You: A strip club?? Seriously??
Shoko: Private one. Best in the business đ
You stared at the screen.
Another message popped up.
Shoko: Got held up at work but Iâll be there soon. Donât have too much fun without me.
Shoko: Itâs your bachelorette party. Come on. Live a little.
You looked back up at the stage.
Then back at Emilyâwho was already grinning like sheâd been waiting for this exact moment.
ââŚIâm going home,â you said again, weaker this time.
âNo, youâre not,â she laughed, grabbing your wrist and pulling you toward a booth. âSit down. Breathe. Youâre fine.â
A shot glass was pressed into your hand.
You stared at it. âI donât really drink.â
The burn was immediate, sharp and unfamiliar, dragging a small cough from your throat as it went down.
Emily beamed. âSee? Already better.â
âI hate that,â you muttered.
She poured anyway. By your second shot, the warmth had begun to spread through your chest. By your third, your shoulders had loosened, the tight coil of tension easing just slightly.
The music felt heavier now. The lights softer. The room⌠closer, and then the lighting shifted again.
Two men approached your table.
One stepped in front of you, stopping just a few feet away. He was tall, broad-shouldered, his posture calm but steadyâlike he didnât need to try to hold your attention.
His dark hair was tied back loosely, strands falling around his face. The mask covered his eyes, leaving the dark stripe across his nose visible.
He looked at you, not moving yet.
The second man circled behind your chair, quiet and precise, taking his place just out of your direct line of sight.
"Bride-to-be?" the man in front of you asked.
âOur client paid extra,â he said, voice dipping slightly, âto make sure you get special treatment tonight.â
Beside you, Emily made a delighted, strangled sound.
You reached for another shot.
The man in front stepped closer, slow and unhurried, until he stood right in front of you. His hands rested lightly on the back of your chair, caging you in without actually trapping you.
His hips shifted with the music, steady and controlled. Nothing exaggeratedâjust a smooth rhythm that matched the beat.
You shifted back in your seat, your fingers curling into the seat as your attention fixed on him.
Behind you, the second man moved in closer. You could feel him nowâjust behind your shoulder, close enough that the air shifted when he leaned in.
"...You're tense," he murmured.
There was something about his voiceâsomething familiarâbut your thoughts felt slow, unfocused.
In front of you, the first man didnât break rhythm.
One hand slid from the chair to your waist, steadying you as he leaned in again. His other hand dropped to the hem of his shirt.
He pulled it up in one smooth motion, timed perfectly with the music, the fabric lifting and disappearing over his head.
He didnât pause to let you react.
His shoulders rolled once as he tossed the shirt aside, and he stepped in closer again, the movement seamless, like it had always been part of the dance. His hands found your waist, then slid upward along your arms, slower this time.
Every movement felt measured.
Behind you, the second man shifted again, closer now. He stayed just out of reachâbut close enough that you could feel the difference. His hand hovered near your shoulder, then drifted just slightly lower, still not quite making contact.
You were caught between them.
Movement in front of you.
Another man had stepped in front of Emily, and even with the mask, there was something immediately distinct about him.
Dark hair, neatly styled, only slightly out of place from movement. A tie hung loosely around his neck, like he had come straight from work and never quite left that mindset behind. His posture stayed straight, composedâalmost out of place in a setting like this.
A small gavel rested in his hand. He idly rolled it between his fingers as he stepped closer, the motion absentminded but deliberate.
Emily leaned forward, her mouth actually falling open for a second as she took him in.
ââŚoh, Iâm definitely guilty,â she said, a little breathless, clearly not even trying to hide it.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly beneath the mask, and then he movedâ controlled, his attention fixed entirely on her.
Emily looked like she might actually combust.
Back in front of you, the man dancing on you kept his movements steady, his attention fixed on your reactions. Behind you, the other man spoke againâlower this time, âRelax.â
And suddenly, it clicked.
You turned your head, trying to see him properly. âI know that voice.â
There was a brief pause, then he stepped back.
But he had already moved away, shifting toward Emily instead.
She was sandwiched between the two of them.
On one side, the man with the loosened tie leaned in, still carrying that same composed, almost clinical presence despite everything. The gavel turned once in his hand before he brought it to a still, his attention fixed entirely on her.
On the other side, the blond man stood close, his movements precise and measured. Even with the mask, there was something unmistakably put-together about himâclean lines, controlled posture, the kind of presence that didnât need to try very hard to stand out.
Emily looked between them, eyes wide, clearly thrilled.
âOh my god,â she laughed softly, leaning back into the seat. âOh, I win.â
She didnât even try to hide how pleased she was, glancing from one to the other like sheâd just won the lottery.
Still, there was something about the blond man that felt unmistakably familiar.
It wasnât just one thing.
It was the way he stoodâstraight, controlled, like even here he refused to fully relax. The way he movedâmeasured, precise, every shift of his body deliberate without being showy.
Your eyes widened slightly as it clicked into place.
âNanami?â you blurted, sitting up a little straighter. âNanami Kento!?â
The man in front of Emily went completely still for a split second. Then, just as quickly, he continued like nothing had happened. But you caught itâthe tension in his jaw, the faint color rising along his neck.
You stared at him, then let out a slightly unsteady laugh.
Emily leaned toward you, not even looking away from him.
âWhoever he is,â she whispered, completely serious, âheâs hot.â
She waved you off immediately, not even looking at you.
You let out a soft, disbelieving laugh.
After a moment, he stepped back from her.
âI should continue my rounds,â he said smoothly.
Emily grabbed a napkin, scribbled something down quickly, then leaned forward and slipped it neatly into the waistband of his pants.
Her hand lingered for just a second.
He paused, then let out a small, genuine laugh before catching himself and stepping away.
Emily leaned back, clearly pleased with herself.
Eventually, the attention shifted away from your table. You sank back into the booth, your head a little light, your body warm. You looked down at the drink in your hand.
ââŚI donât even like drinking,â you muttered.
Then, after a brief pauseâ
Shoko did eventually show up.
Lateâof course she did.
Hair slightly out of place, jacket half-off her shoulders, already lighting a cigarette as she slid into the booth like she owned the place.
âMiss me?â she asked lazily.
Shoko only grinnedâand within minutes, she had two men on either side of her, completely unbothered, completely at ease, like she had walked into exactly the night she had planned. One leaned in close, murmuring something against her ear while the other traced slow, lazy patterns along her arm. She laughed, low and amused, tilting her head back like she was having the time of her life.
You watched her for a moment, shaking your head slightly, another drink loose in your hand.
A small, quiet thought lingered in the back of your mind, your thoughts drifting back to Satoru. Over and over again. You couldnât shake the feeling that something was off, that there was something he wasnât telling you.
And with everything going onâwith Kai, the council, Mei Meiâbeing here felt⌠wrong.
Like you werenât supposed to be here at all.
As if she read your mind, Shoko nudged a drink into your hand.
âRelax,â she said dryly. âIf youâre going to spiral, at least do it with alcohol.â
You let out a quiet huff of a laugh despite yourself, then tipped the glass back in one go, the burn sharp as it went down.
You pressed your lips together, exhaling slowly.
âŚAt least there was one thing you could laugh about.
Out of everything that had happened tonightâ
Finding out Nanami Kentoâthe composed, impossibly put-together, always-serious man you knewâhad a secret life like this?
You snorted softly into your drink.
That was going to live in your head forever.
By the end of the night, you were drunk.
You werenât much of a drinker to begin with, and the steady line of shots Emily had kept pushing toward you had done their job far too well.
The world felt warm and soft and just a little unsteady. You laughed the entire way out of the club.
You barely remembered getting into the car. The ride back passed in a blur of laughter and half-finished conversations.
Emily was still riding the high of her night.
Shoko looked entirely satisfied with herself.
âAnd tomorrow,â Emily said, turning in her seat to grin at you, âbridal brunch.â
âMm,â you hummed, already halfway melted into the seat. âMimosaâŚâ
Shoko snorted. âYou are not surviving mimosas.â
âIâm fine,â you mumbled.
They dropped you off at the estate, helping you out of the car as you wobbled slightly on your feet.
âText us when youâre inside,â Emily said.
âDonât fall,â Shoko added dryly.
You waved them off, already fishing for your keys.
âIâm fine,â you repeated.
You were absolutely not fine.
You barely made it up the steps before fumbling with your keys, squinting at the lock like it had personally offended you.
ââŚWhy are there so many keys,â you muttered, turning the wrong one twice before huffing in frustration.
Before you could figure it outâ
Standing in the doorway like heâd been waiting for you, his black blindfold already in place, stark against his pale skin. His white hair caught the soft light behind him, tousled just enough to look effortless, and even without seeing his eyes, you could feel his attention settle on you completely.
He had known you were there.
You took one step forwardâ
You didnât even have time to react before his arm came around your waist, steadying you effortlessly, pulling you upright against him like it was instinct.
âCareful,â he murmured, voice low with amusement.
You blinked up at him, your vision just slightly unfocused.
âJust got here and already falling for me?â he added, clearly entertained.
Then immediately huffed, pushing lightly at his chest.
âPsh. Donât touch me,â you mumbled, swaying just slightly. âIâm engaged.â
Soft. Amused. Completely unbothered.
âOh, really?â he said.
You nodded seriously, already pulling away from him and stumbling toward the couch.
You collapsed onto it, sinking into the cushions with a dramatic sigh.
âThatâs too bad,â he said, following after you.
You turned your head slightly, staring up at the ceiling.
âHeâs soooo stupidâŚâ you slurred.
âIs that so?â he asked, tone light but curious.
âMm yeah,â you mumbled. âStupidly handsomeâŚâ
He crouched slightly, reaching for your shoes.
He slid them off gently, setting them aside.
âSoâŚâ he said, voice turning just a little more amused, âhe sounds incredible.â
You waved a hand vaguely in his direction.
âHe is,â you said, your voice softening just slightly. âSo perfect⌠too perfectâŚâ
Then you squinted at him, suddenly serious.
âShhh,â you added, leaning in slightly like you were sharing a secret. âDonât tell him I said that.â
âHis ego is already huge,â you continued, frowning slightly. âSomeoneâs gottaââ you hiccuped, blinking slowly, ââkeep it in check.â
You watched him for a second, your expression softening, your eyes lingering on his face just a little too long.
ââŚMissed him,â you murmured, almost to yourself.
His gaze sharpened, something quieter settling beneath it.
âDid you?â he asked, softer now.
You nodded, already curling into the couch, your voice fading as sleep began to pull at you.
Your eyes slipped closed.
He watched you for a moment as you melted into the couch, your words softening, your body going lax with exhaustion and alcohol.
âHow was your bachelorette dinner?â he asked, voice light, but there was something underneath it. Curious. Probing.
You made a small sound, barely coherent, shifting slightly where you lay.
ââŚwas good,â you mumbled. âLots of⌠music⌠drinksâŚâ
He huffed a quiet laugh, reaching out to steady you as you started to slide sideways.
âYeah,â he said dryly. âI can tell.â
You squinted at him, your eyes unfocused but intent, like you were trying very hard to remember something important.
ââŚstrippers,â you added.
A very brief, very telling pause.
ââŚShoko,â he muttered under his breath.
You were too busy nodding to yourself like that explained everything.
He exhaled slowly through his nose, then reached down, slipping an arm around you.
âAlright,â he said. âUp you go.â
You made a soft protesting noise as he pulled you to your feet, immediately leaning into him, your balance nonexistent.
âEasy,â he murmured, steadying you, guiding you forward.
âWhereâre we goinââŚâ you slurred.
You squinted at him, then tilted your head slightly, studying his face with far too much focus for someone who could barely stand.
ââŚyouâre kinda hot,â you informed him.
âMhm,â you said, completely serious.
He shook his head, amused, and continued walking, guiding you into the kitchen.
He pulled out a chair and sat you down gently, making sure you were steady before stepping back.
You watched him, slow and a little unfocused, your gaze narrowing slightly as you tried to figure out what he was doing.
ââŚwhat are you doing,â you asked.
He didnât answer right away.
Instead, he loosened the collar of his shirt, rolling his shoulders once like he was settling into something.
A slow smile tugged at his lips.
âYou said there were strippers, right?â he said.
Something in his expression shiftedâsubtle, but unmistakable.
âYeah?â he said softly.
âLet me show you how itâs actually done.â
Your eyes widened slightly. âOhââ
He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, and a slow, heavy beat started playing from the counter. The teasing look on his face disappeared, replaced by something more serious. He stepped closer until you could feel his body heat.
He stood in front of you, effortless and overwhelming. Even with the black blindfold covering his eyes, he was impossible to look away from. His snow-white hair fell in soft, uneven strands across his forehead, catching the dim light like spun silver. Sharp cheekbones, a clean jawline, and a mouth curved in a smirk that promised trouble.
"Ready for the main event?" he murmured, his voice low enough to settle deep in your chest.
Before you could answer, he moved.
He straddled your lap smoothly, like heâd done this beforeâlike he knew exactly how to take up space. His knees settled on either side of your thighs, his weight grounding, steady. Your hands flew to his shoulders without thinking, fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt.
It started easyâa smooth roll of his hips that sent a sharp pulse through your body.
His hands came up, framing your face. His thumbs brushed along your cheekbones as he moved, his focus unmistakable even through the blindfold.
âSâŚSatoru,â you breathed, your head falling back against the chair.
He let out a quiet, dark chuckle. âThatâs just the warm-up.â
Without breaking rhythm, he reached down, crossing his arms as his fingers caught the hem of his shirt. He pulled it up in one smooth motion, the fabric dragging over his torso before disappearing over his head.
He wasnât bulkyâjust lean, defined. The muscles of his chest and abdomen shifted with every movement, subtle but impossible to ignore. A faint sheen of sweat caught the light along his skin.
Your hands slid down his chest as soon as his shirt came off, like you couldnât help it.
ââŚyouâre not real,â you murmured, fingers dragging over his skin. âThis isâthis is actually unfair.â
âYes,â you insisted, leaning into him more. âYouâre tooâeverything. Itâs rude.â
His chest pressed against yours, and this time you didnât just reactâyou pulled him closer, clumsy but intentional.
His hands moved to the back of his head, fingers working at the knot of his blindfold.
For a split second, you saw his eyesâbright, piercing blue, darkened with something intense enough to steal the air from your lungs.
You blinked at him, a little dazed. âYour eyes are⌠sâprettyâŚâ you mumbled, squinting slightly like you were trying to focus. ââŚcan I have them?â
His hand came up slowly, fingertips grazing your cheek as he steadied you, his touch warm against your skin.
âTheyâve been yours,â he said softly.
Your lips parted like you were about to argue, then you just nodded instead. ââŚokay. Good.â
Then he leaned in close, his lips brushing your ear.
A second later, soft fabric slipped over your vision as he tied the blindfold around your head. Darkness settled instantly, and everything else sharpenedâthe sound of his breathing, the warmth of his body, the faint movement of air as he shifted.
You felt his weight lift from your lap. The absence was immediate
âHeyââ you said immediately, a little too quick.
âIâm here,â he murmured.
You heard him move behind you. Felt it nextâhis presence close at your back. His hands found your wrists in your lap.
âHands behind the chair,â he said quietly.
You obeyed and heard a soft click as handcuffs locked around your wrists. You tested them. They were real. You were blindfolded and handcuffed, completely at his mercy.
His lips brushed near your ear, his breath warm.
âPerfect,â he murmured. âNow⌠youâre mine to play with.â
A second later, he was back in front of you.
You exhaled, almost relieved, leaning into him as much as you could with your hands restrained.
âThere you are,â you murmured.
âMm,â you hummed. âLittle bit.â
His hands slid along your arms, your sides, slower now, more purposeful. Without sight, everything felt strongerâcloser, heavier. You followed each touch instinctively, your head tipping slightly, chasing the feeling.
"Did they touch you here?" he breathed, his voice a ghost against your skin.
He pressed a soft, open-mouthed kiss to that spot, and a shiver wracked your body. You shook your head, a mute, desperate motion.
"Good. Cause that's mine." He kissed you again, a little harder this time, a possessive brand, âYouâre mine.â
His hips rolled against yours, slow and controlled, drawing a soft sound from you as your body moved with his.
âMine to kiss,â he said quietly, his lips trailing down your neck, lingering at your pulse.
You let out a shaky breath, leaning back to give him more space. âSatoruââ
His hands slid from your waist, up your ribs, his thumbs brushing the undersides of your breasts.
You pressed into it instead of pulling away, a soft, unsteady laugh slipping out of you. âYouâreâmmâdoing that on purpose.â
He huffed softly, but didnât argue.
His thumbs brushed higher, just enough to make your breath catch again.
He shifted, his weight pressing you more firmly into the chair. Then he leaned in to the base of your throat. You felt the hot, wet tip of his tongue press against your skin, right over the frantic pulse point there.
You choked out a soft sound as his tongue moved slowly up your neck.
âOhâfuckââ you breathed, your whole body tightening as you followed the motion instinctively.
By the time he reached your jaw, you were already tilting toward him, chasing him without thinking.
âDonâtâdonât stop,â you murmured, barely holding onto the words.
He hovered just short of your lips.
âSay it,â he whispered.
âYours, Satoru, IâmâIâm yours.â
âMm.â he said softly. âmine.â
His hand came up to your jaw, steadying you, angling your face just slightly as the kiss deepenedâslow at first, then more demanding, like he was seeing how far youâd follow.
A soft sound slipped out of you as his mouth moved from yours, dragging along your jaw, then lower.
âMm,â he hummed against your skin.
His lips pressed just beneath your ear, lingering before trailing down your neckâunhurried, thorough. Not teasing anymore. Claiming.
You tipped your head back instinctively, giving him more room.
âThatâs it,â he murmured.
The pressure of his mouth deepened, warmer now, firmerâeach mark intentional, one after another, enough that you knew theyâd still be there in the morning.
Your breath stuttered, your body shifting against him without direction, just following wherever he led.
âYouâreââ you started, then broke off into a breathless laugh. âYouâre notâmmâplaying fairââ
His hands moved with more certainty nowâno hesitation, no testingâlike heâd already decided how the night was going to end.
The world blurred at the edges, narrowed down to heat and movement and the way he kept you exactly where he wanted you, again and again, until thinking stopped feeling important at all.
Until you couldnât keep up with him anymore.
By the time he finally slowed, your body felt heavy, spent in a way that left you barely able to hold yourself upright.
You sagged forwardâand he caught you immediately.
âEasy, California girl,â he murmured, softer now, guiding you down against him as he shifted back, letting you settle across his chest.
You didnât even try to move.
ââŚcomfy,â you mumbled, already half-asleep.
His hand came up, slower now, brushing through your hair, smoothing it back from your face like it was second nature.
Your breathing started to even out, your weight fully relaxed against him.
For a moment, he just watched you. You made a soft, incoherent sound, your face pressed into his chest.
ââŚNanamiâs a stripperâŚâ
--------------------------------------------
Your bachelorette dinner ends up being a strip club. what now.
leave immediately like a sane person
stay but judge everyone silently
take the free drinks and mind my business
become emily
Voting ended onApr 29
tangentwithtanner
snowghoul
ellievsbear
pixelskylines
jacobvanloon
izzy806