Previously...
You tried to shrug your shoulders, but the spirit was too heavy. As soon as you reached Doumeki's family temple, the ayakashi squirmed and let go of your tired body. You exhaled in absolute relief but felt dizzy and stumbled forward. You readied yourself for a face plant on the ground and shut your eyes, but didn't feel any pain. Curious, you opened yours eyes only to realize you're being taken bridal-style and moving to Doumeki's front door. Exhausted, you slowly closed your eyelids and drifted off.
~Random Narrator's POV~
Later that night, you regained conscience bit by bit. 'Voices. I can hear voices. Where the Hell am I?' Your eyes fluttered open, seeing darkness. 'Still night, I guess…' You sat up carefully; you don't want to feel that awful vertigo again. Looking around, someone's sitting by the wall, apparently sleeping, yet uncomfortably. Frowning to whoever was there, you heard footsteps approaching your futon, and turned to see Doumeki with a bowl of water in hands, a towel hanging loosely around his arm. You smiled sweetly and spoke in a low voice, not wanting to disturb the sleeping guy.
"Hi, Shizuka. Care to tell me why am I here at your house, I suppose…?"
"Watanuki brought you after you fainted. He said there was an ayakashi on you, therefore you were really tired. He was really worried about you and refused to leave before your arousal."
Doumeki said while sitting down beside you, with that calm look on his face. You nodded in understanding. You heard some shuffling and looked at the direction of the sound, seeing Watanuki rubbing his eyes tiredly before letting out a soft yawn - that sounded absolutely adorable! To you, at least.
"Watanuki, why did you stay? Shizuka would've taken care of me, now you'll get a wryneck for sleeping that way."
You scolded as he put his glasses on. Of course it made you happy how concerned he was about you, but you were concerned about him too! He glanced at you with his blue eyes and smiled sheepishly, crawling to where you were sitting. And that mere approximation made your cheeks go a light pink before you could send the blood back down. He spoke, not before sending a dirty look towards Doumeki, who was actually unfazed by it. But then again, when wasn't he unfazed by anything?
"Idiot."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING IDIOT, MORON?! Anyways, are you okay, Erin?"
You stood silent, the words sinking in for a moment. Another moment went by and you eyed Watanuki surprised as he was eagerly waiting for your answer and frowning ever so slightly and you managed to mumble out.
"You… Called me by my first name…"
"Ah! I'm sorry!"
After all, despite his stubborn and irked demeanor towards Doumeki, Watanuki was one of the most gentle and well-mannered teenager you've ever met. What a heinous flaw to call you by first name basis when he didn't even asked you beforehand! First name treatment was used when the person is close to you and doesn't mind being afiliated with you; sure you were friends, but what if you didn't find it appropriate for him to use your first name instead of your family name? He never wished to get you mad at him or to make you think he was being disrespectful, he was just so troubled about your health and didn't even notice when he blurted out your first name; and without honorifications! He kept apologizing and moving awkwardly around the room; his arms flailing beside him wildly as he looked really worried that you'd be angry and he babbled nonsenses until you laughed soflty and shook your head.
"It's okay, shush! You can call me Erin if you want, I don't mind! Even Shizuka calls me Erin…"
'And it sounds good when you say it too…' Mentally adding that, you shrugged your shoulders as Watanuki scratched the back of his head, looking down - well, he was sort of ashamed of his pathetic panicked act. Breaking the tension - that apparently was felt only by the poor Watanuki - your stomach growled loudly and you blushed a new shade of red. Coughing in your hand to mask your stigma for that perfect timing your stomach had, you turned to Doumeki with an awkward laugh.
"Hey, Shizuka, um… Is there something to eat?"
"No. But Watanuki can cook."
Both of you eyed the part-timer hopefully. Naturally, he could cook a few things for you, he was always doing that kind of thing anyhow... He glared at Doumeki but sighed in defeat, turning his gaze to you - he would never deny a request from you.
"What do you wanna eat?"
But before you could respond, Doumeki said he wanted inarizushi, making Watanuki's Kuda Kitsune squeal in delight – after all, Kuda Kitsunes really do love fried tofu. Watanuki started to rant about how he asked you and not Shizuka while the slim creature made its way to you. You tilted your head and extended your hand to the little fox, which happily wrapped itself around your arm. You chuckled, causing the arguing males - or male, as Doumeki put his hands on his ears while Watanuki yelled at him - to glance at you as you petted the fox's head.
"Hey there, little one! So, you're always protecting Watanuki, huh?"
The little animal nodded its head and kissed your cheek. You giggled in response as it made its way to your neck, forming a furry necklace. You looked down at it and grinned.
"How do I look?"
"Hm."
Doumeki nodded and you snickered, eyeing Watanuki inquisitively. How can one be so kissable without even trying?! He blushed madly and turned away, muttering a 'looks good'. You put the back of your hand on his forehead and compared to your temperature, and as nothing seemed wrong, you replaced them on your lap as a confused expression formed itself on your features.
"Hm… Watanuki, you're all red, but you don't have a fever… Are you feeling ill?"
Watanuki widened his eyes in realization. 'I like her.' Honestly, this boy was an oblivious one, wasn't he? Now it was so obvious he truly liked you as more than a friend he almost slapped himself. All the times when you looked at him with those big violet eyes that glinted innocently and he felt his heart race; when you'd hug him out of the blue and justify simply, "I thought you needed one", as the boy tried to hide how much he wanted to hold you a little more, though he never understood why, it just felt right to have you in his arms. He thought about every single moment in which he could've figured out that he liked you - no, that he loved you - and yet he remained oblivious to his own feelings until this very instant. Glancing back at you, he gulped when his heart fluttered merrily at your worried smile; his nearly non-existent doubts fading away when you tugged on Doumeki's sleeve and Watanuki's heartbeat fastened in jealousy.
"Hey Shizuka, I don't think he's okay… Can I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"Okay."
And with some effort, he made Watanuki get out of the room, the pipe fox following him close behind. Watanuki was boiling, envy overflowing in all directions as he decided to eavesdrop behind the door. He glued his ear there, listening intently to any sort of sound. He heard a suffling sound as you spoke first.
"Yuuko told him about the soul mate thing… I don't think he's reacting all too well to that…"
"He's an idiot."
"*giggles* I know. But I am one too, I guess that's why I love him… *sigh*"
The eavesdropper heart skipped a beat and he was overwhelmed by joy; his latter bersek forgotten in the middle of his happiness ocean.
"Shizuka, what am I to do? I already told him he can be with Kunogi-san, but you have no idea how much it hurt to say that… I wish Yuuko hadn't told him about this. I bet he sees me as an obstacle now… Argh! Damn it! *punches the wall in frustration*"
"Like I said, he's an idiot. *chuckles* Well, you always have me."
Watanuki's rage grows even more, though he is surprised that Doumeki can do something 'emotional' such as chuckling. Just think of the boy's reaction if he had seen Shizuka winking at you.
"*laughs* I know, but you're destined to be with someone else… She's really cute, actually. It'd be love at first sight if you'd seen her like I did in that dream of mine. You don't belong to me, Shizuka. Just as Watanuki's heart."
"*grunts* But I want you…"
And Watanuki's self control flew away with the wind. He jerked the door fully open and snarled at Doumeki, whose arms and body were trapping you between him and the cold wall. You were blushing feverously and close to protest, but Watanuki's outburst got in the way. Doumeki turned back with a blank face.
"Idiot."
The part-timer stormed into the room and pushed Doumeki aside, putting an arm around your waist protectively before glaring at the other male, now on the wooden floor.
"Don't you dare touch her."
"Why? You don't want her anyhow, go run after Kunogi."
"Who said I don't, moron?!"
You craned your neck to see Watanuki's face. He was dead serious. He glared at Shizuka menacingly, his hand was firm around your form and a scowl seemed to be fixated on his face. A tiny little drop of hope appeared inside your heart and your saucer sized eyes examined him for any hesitation or regret.
"You… You like me?"
Your voice was breaking, despite your efforts to stay strong. He stared into your dark orbs almost as though staring into your very soul. Could it be that this sweet and caring boy had finally comprehended that you loved him and he returned your feelings?
"No."
Your heart shattered as you found the ground interesting somewhat. 'Why did I even create hope? Idiot! There's no way he will ever-'
"I love you."
A/N: Hey guys! I don't even know if you're reading this, but if there is a good soul that is following this story, thank you! Aaaaaand I'm terribly sorry for not posting on a regular basis. This year is gonna be a tough one for me, so I'm not sure if I'll have the time to write the whole story and update... Well, I'm not abandoning this, of course not, but the updates will take a little long to happen... Until now, I had the plot written, and I still have some more, but I didn't fix some mistakes yet so I can't post it right now. But don't lose your faith in me! Just be patient, I beg you! Thanks again for reading! ^-^
