Hohoemu no Kawaii Akuma Episode 6

Diagnosis: Lovesickness

This chapter contains a jealous girl and bubbling feelings. And oh, I used an OC here. Hope that's okay with you…


Fine sneezed for the umpteenth time. She tucked her freezing body in the thick blanket and sipped the hot chocolate Rein gave her.

It's already past 8:00 in the evening. Shade arrived to deliver some clothes to Bright. The handsome blond is currently changing in the living room, of all places.

"Seriously, what happened to you guys?" Shade groaned as he marched in the kitchen.

Fine sent him an apologetic look and a small smile. "We we're chased by some thugs so we ran for it," she softly answered.

Shade sighed and flopped on a chair. "That guy literally attracts anything, even muggers," he remarked with irritation dripping in his tone.

Fine tensely giggled. "Sadly, yes…"

Wow. I hear some street dialect. Rein sweat dropped.

"But jumping in the river is unbelievable," Shade scolded, narrowing his eyes.

"I know…" Fine shrank on her seat.

"Hey, don't scold her," Bright broke in the conversation. He made the girls shriek because he walked in, shirtless.

Shade huffed. "I'm not scolding her. And just wear the damn shirt, will you?!" he yelled, covering Rein's eyes.

Bright cluck his tongue and pulled on the sweatshirt.

"You could have called the police," Shade grumbled.

"It's not fun that way," Bright replied in a singsong tone.

Shade snapped. "This jerk. What would you do if something happened to her?" he screeched, pointing to Fine.

Bright dropped his crimson eyes on the cited girl. Fine was startled by the sudden attention.

"Eh? Are you hurt?" The blond worriedly asked, their faces just a breath away.

"N-no, I-I'm…" Fine gasped at the proximity of their bodies.

"You're too close," Shade muttered, pulling the blond guy by the hood of the sweatshirt.

"Anyway, this shirt looks good on me. Can I have it?" Bright asked, grinning.

"Shut up," the addressed guy instantly objected.

Shade crossed his arms across his chest and sternly looked at Bright. "Ahh, just don't think about jumping on rivers again," he counseled.

The handsome blond pouted like a child refusing to eat vegetables.

Shade felt veins pop on his forehead. "Don't look at me like that or I'll kill you. I'm asking while I'm being nice," he hissed through gritted teeth. Bright groaned.

"Do you know how much trouble I went through? I didn't know what to tell the police. I just told them a large whale mysteriously appeared in the river," Shade ranted.

"Since when did I compare with a whale?" Bright argued.

Shade looked at him from head to toe. "Well, if we look at a different angle, you sure look like it," he blatantly commented.

Bright clenched his fists and gruffly spoke. "I'll pulverize you…" he evilly laughed. Shade returned a demonic smile. The twins sighed. It's really hard to deal with children.

"Hurry and finish up. We're being a nuisance to Rein and Fine," Shade instructed.

Bright blinked. "Are you going to give me a ride home?" he asked.

Shade arched an eyebrow. "Do I have a choice?" he spat.

Bright laughed derisively. "Shade, are you my mom?" he taunted.

Shade felt every blood cell in his body reach the boiling point out of anger. "Rein, get me a rope…"

A few seconds later…

"I said I'm sorry. The rope's unnecessary…" Bright bargained as he was forcefully dragged out of the house.

"Shut up," Shade huffed and shoved the grinning devil in the backseat of the car.

"See you tomorrow, Fine!" Bright exclaimed, smiling warmly.

"B-bye…" Fine mumbled softly and waved a hand. She watched the car as it drove off before returning inside the house.

Why am I stammering so much today? She sneezed violently.

On one hand, Bright seems more cheerful today. Not like his usual grumpy attitude.

Fine entered the living room and saw Rein gathering Bright's discarded clothes. "Oh, is this Bright's cellphone?" she asked. Fine examined the item in her sister's hand and recognized that it is Bright's.

"Ah, he forgot it," Fine replied.

"Just give it to him tomorrow," Rein suggested with a wink and gave her the phone.

Fine nodded in reply and proceeded to her room.

Several hours passed and she still couldn't get a wink of sleep. She pressed a palm on her forehead.

"What is this? Why does my face feel so warm?" She muttered under her breath.

Her hand moved to her chest, feeling the unsteady rhythm of her heart. "Am I having a fever?" His face keeps on appearing in her mind. "Why do I feel this way whenever he comes to mind?" Her eyebrows knit in confusion as she asked herself repeatedly.

She mulled over the possibilities of her catching a cold and probably…

Her eyes widened in realization. I-it can't be…!

She counted on her fingers. It has been… how many? Two weeks? Is that enough time to fall in love? Well, time never mattered in love. Love comes naturally. It arrives when it's least expected.

She kept on looking at his phone until dawn arrived.

Fine took a quick shower, put on her uniform and saw her image on the full-length mirror.

"Ah, great, I didn't sleep," she grumbled as she perused her sleep-deprived face. Bright's phone rang unceremoniously, surprising her.

"Eh? Someone messaged him," Fine felt nervous all of a sudden. She swiped her thumb on the phone's screen and a message from an unknown source popped up.

"Darling, can you pick me up at the store? You see, my car broke down."

"?!" Fine was too shocked that the phone slipped on her fingers. She sighed in relief after catching it. The phone looks costlier than their daily expenses summed up after all.

She slumped on her bed and absentmindedly tied her neck tie. "He said he's not dating anyone. Is it perhaps his…?" she mulled over it, feeling a tinge of hurt as she did.

Fine gasped after a realization hits her. "Oh no, I shouldn't be reading someone else's message…"

"Fine, hurry. First subject is at 8:00," Rein's voice echoed, dropping her senses back to present.

"I'll be there in a minute!" Fine answered and stuffed the phone in her pocket.

Why am I even thinking of him?! She clenched her teeth and gathered her notes in a hurry. She even wore mismatched socks. She tried to compose herself before rushing downstairs but to no avail.

Mou, what's happening to me?!


The twins barely reached the school before the bell rang. Shade was waiting by the lockers with a scowl on his face. Rein was pulled out of there before she could even remove her shoes and wear her indoor slippers.

Fine tossed her shoes in the locker and suddenly, the moment in which Bright helped her put on her slippers flashed in her memory, distracting her line of thoughts.

"Ah, Kazehaya-san. I just stumbled upon Camelot-sensei and she said she wants to talk to you in the office," Mirlo softly spoke beside her. In spite of the brown haired girl's timid approach, Fine was still stunned.

"Just me?" Fine queried, regaining her composure.

"Hmm, she didn't mention other names…" Mirlo replied tenderly.

"Ah, I see. Thank you," Fine smiled. Mirlo returned a smile and bowed before heading to the opposite direction.

Fine inhaled sharply before heading towards the faculty.

"Kazehaya-san, you barely passed all your subjects this quarter," Camelot's rigid tone welcomed her.

Fine quietly sat and scanned her grades.

"You have to double your efforts so you can enter in a good university, understood?" The old teacher advised.

"I understand. Thank you, Camelot-sensei," Fine answered with a nod. She exited the room in complete silence then proceeded to her classroom with a miserable look on her face.

"Aw, this is bad. Dad will make me transfer schools if this goes on," She droned. Her eyes suddenly caught a tall guy with lean sturdy physique, wavy, gold hair and flawless skin, walk towards her direction. It's none other than—

"Ah, Yasuhiro-kun!" She called out. No response. Completely ignored.

"Didn't he hear me?" Fine frowned. Some friends greeted him along the hallway and he greeted back. How come he can hear them?

Fine inhaled sharply. "Y-Yasuhiro-kun!" She spoke louder and jumped around to receive his attention.

Waving both her hands, she almost yelled, "Yasuhiro-kun!"

"Yasu-chan?" She tried.

"Hey!" She shouted, stomping her feet towards him. "Are you ignoring…me," she strained to look angry but he just passed by like she's nothing but a pillar.

Fine moped. "What is he doing? Is he messing with me?!" She cried, wanting to pull her hair out of its roots. She closed her eyes shut and took a deep breath before following him.

She walked behind him and cleared her throat. "Bright…" she softly called, blushing profusely.

"Yes?" He finally acknowledged her presence.

"I knew it! You're playing around again!" Fine snapped.

Bright chuckled and ruffled her bangs. "No. I just thought we agreed to call each other by our first names," he sneered.

Fine sighed. "Okay…" As if there's something I can do with it. She inwardly adds."Anyway… p-please do me a favor!" She said it louder than intended. Her hands quickly clamped her mouth.

Bright looked up and mused. "Is it worth my time?" he plainly asked.

Fine lets out a small 'eh' before answering, "I-I don't know. But, please help me," she pleaded, palms pressed together.

"What is it?" He leaned against the railing and calmly asked.

"Please help me study. I'm fine by myself but this time I have to—" she explained but Bright interrupts her.

"Okay. When do we start?" He smiled.

Fine paused to process his words. "Eh? Ah, I-I mean, this Friday afternoon. If it's okay with you…"

"Of course it is," Bright casually answered, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Fine tilted her head to the side in confusion. "Thank you…" she mumbles softly. Her eyes studied his face. Is there some hidden agenda? Why is he so kind today? This is too good to be true...

"Is there still anything you need?" He asked.

"Ah! Your phone! You left it in the living room," Fine fumbled on her pocket and pulled out his phone.

"Oh, thanks. I was looking for it,"

"You're welcome. Well then, ah, see you around…"

"Yeah…"

Without another word, Bright turned around and waved a hand. While Fine was once again drowned in her thoughts, Bright felt really troubled for the first time.

Should I make her stop making those faces? Bright inaudibly cursed and clamped a hand over his mouth. He grimaced but his face is really red.


"Hoho, Bright agreed to tutor you?" Rein squealed.

"Y-yeah… I was surprised he agreed that fast without asking anything in return," Fine explained.

Rein looked up and mulled over it. "Maybe he's trying to win your heart," she remarked. Fine blushed.

"Huh? That's impossible…" the redhead blurted out.

Right?

Days flew fast and she didn't get to see him often.

Bright had been busy with mock exams and college entrance tests. He's one of the students who are going to graduate earlier than everybody else after all. She often saw him sleeping in the library. And sometimes, he has been doing some errands for the teachers such as teaching in the lower years. And oh, he just gained a new fun club because of it.

"Kyah! Bright-sempai is heading this way!"

"Maybe, he'll teach us Math too?"

"I hope I got lower grades so I get him to tutor me…"

Some female lowerclassmen gushed shamelessly whenever he passes by. Bright simply grunts in irritation and strides inside the room with the signature scowl on his face.

Fine sighed. He should at least show some kindness. He'll never change. On second thought, he only shows that subtle kindness to me .I feel so privileged—Wah, what am I thinking?!

I'm just tired... yeah, just tired... She tried to convince herself.


Friday arrived without Fine noticing it.

She checked if everything's prepared. She even asked Rein to help her fix herself.

"Fine, just give me a call if you need anything!" Rein called out before leaving.

"Okay!" Fine answered cheerfully.

She checked the time and there are still a few minutes before the expected time. She pressed a palm on her chest, feeling her heart hammer deafeningly. Her feelings are too obvious and she's allowing herself to show it.

An hour already passed and he's still not around. Fine flopped on the couch, eyes glancing at the clock then at the front door.

"Where is he? That guy, is he playing around again?" She grumbled. Her phone suddenly rang.

Sender: Big Boss

"Fine, I'm sorry I made you wait. Uh, there's somewhere I have to go to right now. Can we reschedule and meet up next time?"

She felt an unexplainable pain shot through her chest.

"It's okay. See you around school…" her fingers trembled as she texted back.

Fine looked through the window and felt restless. Her fingers dialed his number.

"Yes?" he answered. His silky, baritone voice sounded like music to her ears.

"Ah, uh, where are you right now?" Fine hesitatingly asked.

"Huh? Ah, I'm meeting someone in Vermaugh, you still remember? The restaurant where we had our dinner date,"

Of course I do. So, it was never a fake dinner date to you… Fine bit her lower lip.

"Y-yeah…" She sniffed.

"Hey, are you crying?" He worriedly asked.

"No! Ahaha. I just sneezed," she replied. Fine heard shuffling sounds on his side.

His voice returned a few seconds later. "Oh, she's here. Just ask me if you need anything,"

I need you.

"Fine?" he asked.

Fine snapped out of her thoughts. "Ah, y-yeah. I'm reading the notes right now. I'll just ask you if I have questions," she answered in a false bright tone.

"Okay. I'm hanging up," he mumbled.

"Okay."

Fine dropped her phone and felt tears stream down her cheeks. "Wh-why am I crying?" her lips quivered as she spoke. She contacted Rein.

"Rein, can I join you study? Well, uh, Bright will not make it…" She couldn't suppress a sob.

"No, no! It's okay. I'm all right… Ehehe," She assured and ended the call.

Her shoulders slumped in a sigh. "Ah, I'll stumble upon Vermaugh along the way," she breathed out, allowing the tears to flow.


"Oh, so Bright has a girlfriend…"

Ami Ueno, one of Japan's top models, teased as she observed her cousin's face. She looks like in her mid-twenties; long, harvest-gold tresses tumbled on her waist, rouge-painted lips curled to a smirk. She is Bright's cousin and was always mistaken as his girlfriend because of their closeness.

"She's not my girlfriend," Bright denied for the nth time.

"Really? Did friends keep pictures and mementos too, darling?" The woman taunted, waving Fine's childhood picture.

Bright scowled. "Stop calling me that. It sounds gross. Plus, give it back!" he roared, gathering the attention of other customers in Vermaugh. The woman snatched Fine's picture on his wallet while he was busy giving orders.

Ami laughed mockingly and lifted Fine's picture in the air. "All right, I'm sorry. Anyway, so my offer still stands here and I want to hear your answer," she asked.

"It's still no," Bright instantly answered.

"Eh, why?" Ami frowned.

Bright rolled his eyes and sighed. "Ugh, stop pestering me," he hissed. "Is this all that we're going to talk about? I canceled something important because of this," he adds.

Ami feigned surprise. "Oh, so you a canceled a date," she squealed.

"It's not a date," Bright snapped. His angry expression made him look devilishly handsome.

"Ah, young love," Ami sighed, aggravating her cousin further.

"Don't tell me you fought with your husband that's why you called me here," he scoffed.

Ami sneered. "Bingo. I need someone to listen to my rants," she beamed.

"You conniving woman. I'm going home," The handsome blond huffed as he stood.

"Ehh, don't leave me here!" Ami whined as she grasped his arm like an anchor. Bright groaned in annoyance.

Fine lets out a shaky breath as she watched the entire scenario. Her fingers digging on her palm.

"Reservations, maam?" the maître d politely asked her.

"No, I just have to see someone…" Fine answered, her voice cracking.

"Are you okay, maam?"

"Yes, I'm sorry," Fine shook her head and stared mutely at Bright and at the ravishing, young lady.

She clutched on the strap of her bag for support. Taking in deep breaths, her feet slowly inched closer to their table.

What am I doing? Stop! Don't go any closer! She screamed in her head but her body wouldn't follow.

Bright eyes grew wide upon seeing her. "Fine?" he called. Fine shuddered upon hearing her name.

"Oh my…" Ami gasped and slowly removed her arms around Bright.

Fine forced out a laugh. "H-hi! Bri—Yasuhiro-kun!" she cheerfully spoke but her voice cracked.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, eyebrows pulled together to a frown.

Fine lifted her face and saw worry in his eyes. "I was about to study but I stumbled upon Vermaugh along the way so I thought…" she was in the middle of explaining when her tears resurfaced.

She bit her lower lip and messily wiped her tears with her knuckles. "I-I'm sorry!" she blurted out and stormed away.

Bright opened his mouth to speak but the words are stuck in his throat. "That idiot…" he muttered. His rigid stare dropped to Ami who shuddered in return.

As soon as Fine reached their home, she collapsed on her bed and started to cry – quietly this time.

"I'm so stupid… why did I do that?" she mumbled against the pillows. At that moment, she knew she's no longer able to deny what she knew deep down.

"I must have looked like an idiot back there…" she sniffled.


Evening came and our favorite dark blue haired guy was bombarded with desperate calls and frantic messages from Bright.

A few minutes ago, the only thing heard in his peaceful room was pencil scraping against his college application form. Everybody knows he's busy and yet the annoying, blond devil had the guts to disturb him.

Shade grew tired of the phone ringing every now and then. With a tired sigh, he swiped his thumb on the answer button.

"Damn you, go die! You're harassing me with your pesky phone calls, you idiot…" he lashed out.

"Yeah. Hello to you too…" Bright glumly replied.

Shade scoffed. "What do you want, you crappy guy…" he gruffly asked.

"I made a girl cry…" Bright muttered on the other line.

"That's not new. Is that all you have to say? I'm hanging up…" Shade uninterestingly stated.

Bright took a deep breath before breaking the news. "It's Fine… I made her cry…" he muttered,guilt evident in his tone.

His dark blue eyes closed to slits. "Where are you bastard, I'll kill you…" he snarled.

"I'm serious here…" Bright sternly spoke.

Shade leans back on his chair and exhaled deeply. "Apologize and make up for it. Remember, the timing is important. Don't force her to forgive you. But if anything goes wrong, kidnap her."

"Okay, thanks," the blond answered quickly.

"Hey, idiot I'm just kidd—" Shade was interrupted as Bright already ended the call.

"That idiot, what did he do this time?" He sighed.

"Who are you talking to?" Rein whispered softly as she hugged him from behind.

Shade smiled and pressed his lips on her forehead. "Just a stupid guy with a loose screw."


Fine cried as she flipped her notes for the tenth time. "What's with this book? I don't understand anything…" she sobbed, trying to register the unfamiliar words written on every page. She suddenly heard loud scrapes and shuffles near her window. Her eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as she stared and listened at the disturbing sound.

She slowly got up from her seat and grabbed something which can be her weapon in case it's an attacker. Lightly pulling the curtains, she took a defensive stance but saw nothing. She blinked and scanned the surroundings, there's nothing to see. She dropped her weapon and proceeded to close the window.

"Hey," she suddenly felt something warm brush on her neck. Her body automatically froze in shock.

"Eh-EHHH—mmmphh…" She screamed but was muffled by a large hand covering her mouth.

"Quiet. Do you want Rein to see us like this?" Bright hissed, glaring down at her.

She shook her head frantically. Bright sighed and removed his hand. Fine gasped for air and coughed as she held her throat.

"What are you doing here? And why did you do that?!" She yelled in protest. Bright frowned but soon remembered that he's the one at fault.

"Want some melon ice cream?" he offered, obviously dodging the question.

"Stop joking around," Fine spat, grabbing the bag from him.

The handsome blond unceremoniously sprawled on her bed and hugged a pillow. "Well, it's still Friday, right?" he notified, pointing at the clock as it strikes 9:00 pm. "So, technically our meeting is not over yet," he reasoned out, shifting on his position to face her.

Fine's shoulders sagged in a sigh. "Ah, y-yeah…wai— we did not talk about tutoring the entire day!" she exclaimed.

"But it was included in the terms and conditions," he casually informed, feigning innocence.

"We're not talking about appliances here…" Fine face-palmed.

Silence fell over between them.

"Oh, your room looks better now…" he comments, attempting to break the silence.

Fine looked at him and inhaled sharply. "Bright," she mumbled softly. She can feel every muscle in her face tense up as he looked back at her.

"Hmm?" he hummed, averting his eyes.

Fine lowered her head and chewed on her lower lip as she carefully voiced out her thoughts. "I'm sorry earlier. I didn't know you were on a date," she apologetically spoke.

Bright fixes his eyes on the ceiling and sighs. "It's not a date," he breathlessly stated, making Fine snap out of her daze.

"Eh?" She managed to squeak out.

Bright chuckled softly and glanced over the pictures hanging on the wall. "That's my cousin. She fought with her husband for who knows how many times already. She's taking care of Altezza right now," he explained, grabbing a photo and stuffs it in his pocket while Fine's busy processing her thoughts.

"Ah, I see…" she mumbled, sighing in relief.

"We're you jealous?" Bright bluntly asked.

"No!" Fine spluttered.

"Yes, you are," he teased, pinching her cheeks playfully. Fine glared.

"So, where do we start?" he asked, slumping on the chair and grabbing her notes.

"Ah, wait, let me sort out the reviewers," Fine proposed. Her eyes caught the red, braided chord tied around his left wrist.

"Ahh! That braided chord, you still have it?!" she yelped, grabbing his arm to inspect it. She's too amazed that she failed to notice that she's almost sitting on his lap. Bright placed an arm on her shoulder, gently pushing her away.

"Y-yeah… so get off…" he mumbled and inaudibly cursed. A blush crawled its way up to his ears.

Fine finally noticed that she unconsciously crawled on his lap. "S-sorry…" she muttered and jumped off.

"Your face looks funny," he taunted and forced out a laugh.

Fine felt tears burn her eyes. He really does not spare her from embarrassment. "I-idiot! Stay there! I'll just get something to eat!" she retorted, scrambling on her feet as she struggled to get out of there.

She can hear Bright's blithe chuckle resounding in her room.

As soon as Fine left, Bright placed the back of his hand on his face in attempt to cover the blush. He looked at her picture and a smile tugged his lips. I'm glad you went there…

Fine pressed her palms on her cheeks and was sure she's blushing profusely. Before heading back to her room with a serving tray in hand, she thought, I'm glad you went here…


In the middle of studying … Fine found a strange item in the bag of ice cream.

"Bright, why do you have a rope?"