The truth is out - the truth that Daisy is actually Kurosaki's identity all along is now an undeniable fact and even though it brings forth a certain degree of fear in Teru's heart, she felt that underneath it all she had suspected that unspoken truth all these time.
The reality was loud, brash and unyielding in the form of an open music box on the floor, playing the tune she has come to love during a car ride with Kurosaki. Time after time. If Kurosaki was 'Daisy' all along, the person that had been her pillar of strength was synonymously Kurosaki. Time after time. The one she confided her own idiosyncrasies and flaws, who accompanied her with endless patience was Kurosaki himself. Time after time. The one she loved was also the one she depended on, time after time.
And he knew, he knew about her somewhat secretive feelings - OH MY GOD! HE KNOWS!
She felt the ground fall away beneath her feet and a wave of panic coursed through her veins. She had eagerly been sharing all the embarrassing nuances of being in love with Kurosaki - with Kurosaki! How would she face him now that she knows the truth?
She recalled his crying face during that fateful night. He had trembling hands and a clearly shaken mind and by just looking at him Teru felt wretched with pain. All she wanted to do then was to protect him from the fear and pain that is driving him up a wall. If he knew what she had discovered in his absence, where would this lead them to?
A cold shudder shivered its way down her spine, it was not caused by the raging thunderstorm beyond the windows, it was pure fear. If Kurosaki knew, he might fall apart. He may be a tyrant at times but beyond that, he hid a fragile side. If he had to unravel the secret due to the forced circumstances, he would be overwhelmed. Teru recalled his crying, shrivelled form and shuddered once more. She really, really wants to protect him even if she knows not what she has to protect him from.
In her absent-minded state, she saw him return home and she worked hard to keep her face passive and behave the way she usually does. But, what was normal? She could not figure which is which anymore, everything felt forced and fake and she was living out an inevitable lie. Keep calm, keep calm.
And then she saw red, a stream of blood and the pain slowly registered in. Her finger was bleeding, when and how did it happen? Did she blow her cover? Is he going to realize? Would he panic, would he get mad, what would happen?
'TERU! Oi, Teri, grab a hold of yourself. Are you alright?' He took her hand and she saw a glimpse of panic in his eyes, even though the room was dark she could feel warmth through their contact. 'Damn it, I can't find anything to stop this bleeding in the dark.' Without any warning, Teru was snapped out of her reverie when Kurosaki brought her finger to his lips and he licked her wound. Oh gosh. Her heart drummed loudly as he tried to stop her bleeding, and she squinted her eyes to see his expression but it was impossible in the dark. 'Okay, the bleeding is now controlled. It isn't too deep a cut, can you try to stand up? We'd wash the wound and then dress it properly.'
He wound his arms around her waist and steadied her against the sink, she felt Kurosaki's arms wrap around her sides as he washed her wound under the tap. Her cheeks pinked up at their involuntary contact - her mind finding it impossible to focus on pretending that she does not know Kurosaki's double identity.
Sanity and calm left her completely when he lifted her over his shoulder and he tried to carry her in the dark, she felt such temptation to just go with the flow and admit her love for him. That's when she hit her head against the ceiling and she was struck awake. For Kurosaki's sake, she needed to stay calm. He left her briefly to fetch a first-aid kit and she tried her best to cool her head. Breathe, exhale, breathe, and exhale.
When he was finally alone, Kurosaki ears were filled with the mad poundings of his heart and his hand shook and faltered, making it impossible to search for the first-aid box. He had unconsciously done it again, before he could stop himself he had brought her finger to his lips and - ARGHH! He dropped the torchlight he was holding, if the lights came on now, he would surely be a frightful sight. A blushing male in mid-twenties would make disturbing scene, CALM DOWN NOW, KUROSAKI!
With much difficulty, he finally tracked the first-aid kit and returned to help Teru dress her wound. She was careless, and so was he, to let her cut her hand in his kitchen and then became prey to his crazy antics just what was he thinking. Whenever he is by her side, his aloof nature dissolves and he finds his emotions on a rollercoaster - nothing else mattered more than her safety. Ever since he became her Daisy, he admired her strength and intelligence from a distance. But at such a close distance, when she was inches from his embrace, all he wants to do is hold her safely in his arms so no harm can come to her. Since when did he get to become this possessive, how unbecoming?
When Teru prepared to turn in for the night, her mind raced through the course of events like an endless loop. His touch, his warmth and that gentleness witnessed by no one else but herself. Kurosaki was her very own Daisy, and she realized that despite all the apprehension that surfaced with today's event, she felt blessed.
Daisy, I'm in love with you. She mindlessly keyed the words into her phone and after staring at the screen blankly for an hour until eventually she saved the message into her draft box and closed her phone. Someday, she would tell her these very words herself.
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-Hello!-
I hope you liked the chapter!If you liked my writing, I'd be very happy to receive a Review or Rating (Fav or follow) because these motivate me so much, heh :D
