Matsuri Hino © Vampire Knight

Pairing: Kaname/Zero

[ Alternate Universe ]

A Sweet Taste of Love

[ Chapter 3: Root of Resentment ]

He couldn't do it. He just couldn't do it at all.

It's been approximately a month since he had reunited with, not only his sister, but also with his first love, however, he just couldn't do it.

Kaname Kuran couldn't bring himself to just accept the fact that the man who used to wake up earlier than four in the morning just to practice making chocolates now hated chocolates– he couldn't accept it at all.

The man he fell in love with, fell out of love with the thing he loves the most.

The irony of it all, goddamn it.

There's no way he's just going to accept something unacceptable like that. He won't do it at all without putting a fight– without finding out the reason behind Zero Kiryuu's sudden change of heart, at least.

Kaname was brushing his teeth when his phone buzzed, indicating that somebody has dropped him a message. Gargling off his toothpaste and putting away his toothbrush, he pulled a towel from the rack, dried his hands and the lower half of his face and checked his phone out.

"Big brother! I'm sorry! I don't mean to bother you and all, but I promised Zero I'd pick him up today so he's expecting to be picked up. I really want to, but something happened to my car. I've already called Hanabusa-senpai, please don't worry about me anymore. It's just that, is it okay if you pick Zero up for me? I'll send you the address to his university if it's okay."

Pick Kiryuu up huh...

'This is my chance...' those words suddenly rang in Kaname's mind.

Realizing that this is like an opportunity for him to at least get one step closer into finding out why Zero quit, almost matching the speed of lightning, he texted back, "Sure. Anytime. Please stay safe though, Yuuki."

Immediately, he received a reply, "Great! Thanks, big brother! Here's the address to Zero's school: –(insert address here)– It's around 31 blocks away from our house. And okay, I'll take care. Love you!"

And with that, off did Kaname go.

Driving within the speed limit, Kaname kept his eye on the road. But as he did, he forgot not to look for the silverette his sister requested him to pick up within the crowd of people walking by the pedestrian.

Going a little further, finally, he spotted a silver haired lad. Confirming that this man that caught his vision is indeed the one he is looking for, he half-parked his car in front of the lilac eyed boy who seemed to be waiting for something, or someone– Yuuki most probably.

Seeing that he was looking his way, Kaname opened his window and looked back at his former underclassman.

"Yuuki sent me to pick you up. She had car troubles." the brunette plainly explained after earning a look of confusion from the other.

Snorting, Zero made his way to the passenger side of the car and welcomed himself inside. Upon closing the door, Kaname began driving off.

"I liked you", in the midst of silence, Kaname randomly blurted out.

The sudden outburst had caused Zero to twitch, "What the fuck?" he couldn't help but to mutter in disbelief.

Analyzing his sentence, the brunette realized his mistake and corrects himself, "I mean... I liked your chocolate. It was the second best chocolate I have ever tasted, next to my father's that's why... I find it to be quite a waste that you have decided to quit– and have grown to hate it too, not to mention."

Zero pursed his lips slightly at the comment. This said by someone who was a renowned chocolatier in the making at that time, he would be lying if he said he wasn't, even at the slightest, flattered. Ahh, but comments even from someone with such reputation didn't matter now.

Not after what had happened upon his return...

Words like these are useless now.

He clenched his fists.

Useless.

Even though driving, Kaname kept an eye on Zero and did not fail to notice the gestures he made after his comment.

There was so much bitterness in his reaction. And that drove his curiosity crazier. What kind of happening could have possibly be bitter enough to suck the living sweetness in the man sitting beside him?

As much as he'd want to know, it pained him to see the silverette look so bitter, so he decided to bluntly put the topic aside, "I heard you're taking Fine Art now. I bet you would make a great artist."

Silence.

Just when Kaname was about to resort to saying something like, 'Great weather' or something awkward like that, finally, Zero spoke. "I..." he started.

"I don't know."

It wasn't much, but it was enough to make the brunette feel less tensed at least.

Minutes of awkward silenced passed. Finally, they reached their destination. Entering the fancy-looking establishment, they were both welcomed by Yuuki, who was in a table with Aido. Somehow, the two seemed a little two nervous than they're supposed to. And Kaname didn't like the feel of it.

Taking a seat across Yuuki, automatically beside Zero, Kaname couldn't shrug that feeling off. It was an annoying feeling, the one a father gets after finding out that a man is about to take his baby girl from him. Honestly, it felt as if–

Oh god no.

They are not going to–

"We thought we'd let the two of you know first before anybody else..."

Are they actually going to–

"We've finally set a date– for our wedding."

For our wedding

After those words came out from Yuuki's mouth, there was a loud screech and a bang– the screech from the chair that was suddenly moved and the bang from the table which was suddenly slammed.

"My..." Zero began, now standing with a darkened expression.

"I need some air. My head hurts. Congratulations though."

Allowing those words to come out from his mouth, simply, the silverette walked away.

Kaname blinked, worry quite evident in his eyes.

What the hell just happe–

A memory of Zero in France suddenly flashed in his head.

It was then when they were finally getting along. He was telling on how he loved his sister so much when Zero told him that his sister reminded him of someone very special to him.

"I guess I'm lucky that I got paired with you. They say you're, if not the best, then, one of the best chocolatier trainees here. The person that I like... likes chocolates a lot. I want to make her happy, that's why I'm here. And to be paired with you, I'm expecting to learn a lot."

No way...

At the realization, almost immediately, Kaname ran after Zero.

The person Zero liked was Yuuki.

And possibly, she could also be...

The answer that will satisfy his curiosity in regards to how Zero came to be.

[ End of Chapter 3 ]

Author's Note: Happy new year to y'all.

It's not that I hated last chapter, I just... well... LOL, I guess I just didn't enjoy writing it much. (LOL) And, I'm not going to drop this story or anything so, to those who are worrying, don't worry. You have my word. (I might update late though.)

[ Thank you for reviewing, perfectly flawed woman, Kai Hoshizuki, vv, itachi . naruto47, FreakyMe99 and irmina.]

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Your favorites, alerts and reviews totally mean a lot to me.

Hope you stay tuned. Till next time.