A/N: Belated Happy Valentines! How are you all doing? I hope you enjoyed Valentines day with your special someone. If you don't have one (like me), I hope you still did other things to make yourself happy. Kekeke. I didn't want to be bitter so I stayed home last 14 and prepared myself some feel-good foods. And I was supposed to upload these chapters last 14 so I could greet you all on time but someone ruined my plan (unexpected visitor). I wasn't able to finish these on time so here goes.

First commenter goes to TalithaSaphh again btw. Kekeke. And a warm warm welcome to a new reader; Danae K.

TalithaSaphh: Welcome and thank you. I'm glad you liked it. Yep, Hiruma would not forget to ensure her safety, and of course she'd miss him. That's what she gets for wavering. Lol. I kinda missed Cerberus and I bet he needs his air time. Kekeke. Here are more chapters to help you get by before the next update. Kekeke. You should really check on that password thingy. Haha. Your review was posted btw. The three guest were yours right?

V: I see. I was trying to check English translations of all their songs and I quite more interested on how their songs have their own stories. It makes me want to get serious in me learning written Japanese. I understand some verbal due to anime addiction but written is different. I would love to learn to read written text and really understand Japanese language so I could interpret their songs properly. I'm glad you loved the last chapter btw. Here's some more HiruMamo to warm our hearts this Valentine.

GreenChariot221: You'll get what you're waiting for. Kekeke. I bet we needed these two during this month of hearts so I did my best to write their lovey-dovey scenes. I hope you enjoy these chapters because I've prepared something special. Lol. Take your time though. Read slowly but surely. Kekeke. I'm already excited to continue Jealousy btw; stories for it keep staying in my mind lately.

Lady Yori: Thank you, happy new year as well. And yep yep. He deserved it. Lol. Look forward to his ultimate punishment. And about the masks, yep many resorted to homemade and cloth masks. Thankfully the government took action and disposable masks are once again available in a more pocket-friendly price. About the vaccine, you're right. There are already people selling fake vaccines. According to news, some were even caught in China.

crecentomoon: I hope you are doing well. Yes, we have to be grateful we still have a job. A lot of workers were laid-off due to the pandemic and it's hard to find work when companies are closing. And no worries, as long as you leave a review when you're around is fine. And I hope you're situation gets better soonest. I'm relieved that I couldn't call it hell yet but I feel like I am dying inside. This pandemic had made me give up a lot of things and me losing motivation nowadays is what scares me most. It's like I'm just existing but not really living the life I ought to live. Lol. I'm too disappointed in many things that I couldn't even cry even if I wanted to. I feel like I'm losing my emotions as well.

Danae K: Welcome to this fic! I'm glad that you like it. I have other HiruMamo fics too, just click my name and you'll be redirected to my works. I hope you'll enjoy my other fics too and leave a review once you've read it. And don't worry, your English is fine. It's not like we're in an English class so no need to worry. If there are words you can't understand, try using google translate so you can have it in Spanish. I've read HiruMamo fics written in other language thanks to phone features of auto-translate. And you can comment it btw so I can elaborate on what I meant by it. We all have things we're good at and bad at.

Chapter 48: Attention (Part 1)

Mamori was elated when Hiruma finally returned. But somehow her expectations were shattered. She had run to hug and kiss him upon realizing she wasn't hallucinating. Sure they kissed but he didn't kiss her as long as he used to. She thought he would hold her longer and kiss her hungrier than usual, but instead, his kiss was rather reserved compared to how he does it before. It was like he was avoiding her company. Somehow, it made her feel a bit lonely and disappointed. It was like she was being treated coldly.

Did something happen? Was the purpose of his travel not accomplished? But if it's him, she knew he wouldn't return if he didn't get what he wanted. What was he up to anyway? He said he would tell her everything once it's over. Hopefully, it wasn't something dangerous. Thank goodness he wasn't hurt or anything.

When he got out of the bath, he was clad only in a towel and his body was steaming. Was the water too hot? She eyed his exposed skin to check for any injury that his clothes might have hidden. She eyed him from head to toe and found none. Then her eyes lingered at his Adam's apple, his neck, his broad shoulders, toned muscles, his hard chest, and his delicious-looking abs. She wanted to lick the drops of water sliding seductively down his abs. She wanted to touch and kiss and lick and suck at his body like he does to her all time. She felt her core ache and tighten with desire. Somehow he was oozing with more male pheromones than usual. Or was it her imagination?

"Should I remove my towel?" she heard him say and she turned red at the realization that he caught her looking. He had a smug grin all over his face and it embarrassed her even more. "Go and get dressed. The food is ready," she replied as she rushed to the dining table to hide her embarrassment. What was she thinking about?!

"Come on, didn't you want to see more?"

"I don't." She was already getting plates to indicate that she's ready to eat; desperately trying to escape his teasing.

They had breakfast together and Mamori enjoyed watching how he unknowingly lavished the meal she prepared. She was relieved that he seemed to have missed her cooking at least. He also smelled the coffee longer than usual before drinking it. The look of him savoring it was priceless. She was relieved that he at least missed the things she does for him. If he hadn't, then there must be something wrong.

On her side, she missed even his loudness and cussing. Does he not miss her at all? Then she recalled how she scolds him often. Maybe not. It must be refreshing for him to be rid of her scolding once in a while. She almost sighed but realized it would be rude and disrespectful to the bountiful food on their dining table.

As their meal ended, he asked how was the team so she updated him with what went on while he was gone. He looked quite satisfied with her report. They processed and analyzed new data from the team's daily practices to check on the players. They analyzed videos from the scouts' group and planned on strategies for the next matches.

After talking about football for long, Hiruma finally asked, "What about that bastard, did he ever bother you again?" He was eyeing her as if ensuring that she wouldn't try to hide anything.

"If you mean Yagami-kun, he hadn't. Maybe he finally decided to stop," Mamori replied. She couldn't help but notice how he scowled when she said her stalker's name. After that Hiruma went to pick up his laptop, leaving Mamori in wonder of what comes next. Honestly, she was quite a bit disappointed that he didn't even ask what she was up to during the days and nights he was gone but she wouldn't want to tell him that there was a time she went and cleaned his guns anyway (though he would surely notice).

To the young woman's dismay, her boyfriend was totally engrossed in his laptop after breakfast. She doesn't know if he was working, catching up with school activities, or doing his kind of stuff. He looked so focused that she couldn't even ask. She thought they would at least have some quality time after getting separated that long. Maybe he'd tell her what he had been busy with and explain the details like he promised. Maybe they'd watch a movie together. Maybe they would kiss a lot and makeout. But none of it happened. With all his naughtiness before, she thought they would make-out right when they'd start kissing but he avoided it. Did he not miss her at all? Was she the only one missing him so much she wanted to jump him? If he did miss her, how could he be satisfied with just a kiss?

After washing the dishes, Mamori went on reading a novel to show him that she wasn't busy at all. But hours passed and nothing. He was busy. Period. She brought him snacks and coffee and told him to rest his eyes but his only response was "mm". Thankfully he did drink the coffee and ate the snacks. More time passed and she had to prepare lunch. She decided to prepare another dish that he preferred. She thought that maybe she was being a needy girlfriend and she didn't want to be one so she did other things to distract herself. It irked her thought that even after lunch, he went back to his laptop yet again. They even barely had conversation while they were eating. He did say that what she prepared wasn't half bad and she should make it more often. And like the girl that she was, that made her happy.

It looked like he had no time for her so Mamori went to take a bath for the second time that day (she already took a bath early in the morning). She took longer than usual since she had nothing to do. She was done with football, school activities, she had no plans to go out today, the novel she was reading wasn't exciting, and her boyfriend is busy. She would have taken longer if she didn't hear Hiruma yell, "Oy, fucking woman. The fuck are you doing in there? Get out of there." She finished up and realized she forgot to get fresh clothes. She always wore clothes before getting out of the bath when Hiruma is around. Even if he is her boyfriend now, she didn't want to send him the wrong signals. Not that she minded if he gets distracted today and grab her when he sees her clad only in a towel. "Did you need anything?" she asked upon getting out. The surprise in his eyes when he saw her made her female pride real proud.

"Ho, trying to seduce me?" Hiruma smirked playfully.

"I am not. I forgot my clothes in my room. Hmmp," and she stomped to her room. She could feel his eyes following her. She gulped as she locked her room. She had felt a strong desire from his gaze that she had almost stopped and let him look all he wants. If he had followed her and removed the towel she wouldn't have minded.

She was in front of her mirror, checking how she looked and trying to calm down so the blush on her face would vanish when she heard her doorknob tweak. Her eyes widened. He followed her! But she had locked the door. She looked back and forth from the door to her reflection in the mirror. Should she go and open it? But that clearly means she was inviting him in. And in her state, it was like saying 'come on in and do as you please to me.' She pretended to have not noticed it and proceeded to get clothed. If he would knock or ask her to open it then she would, but if he doesn't then she wouldn't. She finished drying her hair and all but there wasn't a knock. She suddenly felt embarrassed to go out of her room but she was thirsty due to the long bath.

"Teasing me eh?" Hiruma grinned at her when she opened her door. He was back with his laptop on the couch.

"I am not," Mamori replied and hurried to get her much-needed water. She could feel his eyes on her again until she was finally safe in the kitchen. It was like having a wild animal watch its prey carefully before attacking and devouring it. She shivered at the thought. Somehow, she wouldn't mind him devouring her. She blushed at her thought and mentally slapped herself for malfunctioning. Something must be wrong with her. All she had been doing today was thinking of him and missing his playful naughtiness. She tensed nervously when she heard him call out, "Hey come here."

"Do you need something?" she asked upon exiting the kitchen. She had stopped walking and he noticed. The first thing she saw was that he had closed his laptop. Now that she has his attention, she was suddenly nervous. Was it because they were apart for a week? She was usually comfortable around him. Or was it due to the thick sexual tension in the air? Now that she knew he is craving, she couldn't help but be self-conscious.

"The fuck are you standing there for? Come here," he tapped the space beside him on the couch and her heartbeat went wild with nervousness and excitement. She started walking but he got impatient with her slow pace. She was nervous after all.

"What is it you want to say?" he asked upon reaching her.

"Eh?" Mamori looked up to him innocently. What does he mean?

"You have been following me with those eyes since I arrived. What do you want?"

"N-nothing." Now she's flustered. She didn't know she had been looking at him for too long, of course, he would notice.

"Did that bastard do something after all?" he had cornered her against the wall so she couldn't escape.

"No. Nothing happened. Really." She's getting more flustered. He was too close. She could feel his body heat and smell his minty breath. Seriously, what's wrong with her? Thinking of such things when he is worried about her wellbeing.

"Then was it Agon. Did he try to do anything again?"

"Eh? No, he didn't. Agon-kun was busy with his ladies. He did try to ask me on a date almost every day but he wasn't as pushy." Agon did try to kiss her (thankfully Yamato and Akaba were there) but if she would tell Hiruma now, he might do something and they have a match coming up.

"You dare you lie to me?" Hiruma lifted her chin and was eyeing her as if saying 'I won't let you get away with it if you keep this up'. Now they are nose to like how they usually are when they are debating.

Mamori looked away. Of course, he would know. Sena and her friends told her that she's not a good liar. She doesn't lie often anyway. "He tried to kiss me."

"That bastard! I told him to behave himself." He had already fished his phone to call the offender but Mamori snatched it. You learn some skills when you are around one Hiruma Youichi.

"You don't have to do anything. I already told him off. So did Yamato-kun and Akaba-kun. They stopped him before he could do it and he gave up easily. I think he was just testing me," Mamori quickly explained.

"Why are you covering up for him?" now he is eyeing her darkly and Mamori couldn't help but feel like shrinking. It made her quite happy though that he seemed to get jealous. It's kind of cute.

P.S. I hope you all have the patience to read my Author's Note since from time to time I'm asking for opinions regarding the next chaps or next work. And if you are also reading my replies to other people, then you are learning more about me and my works. Kudos to all those who read all my notes (and even read my replies to others). You know that I am also expressing my thoughts and experiences on a lot of things here.

I know melodramatic authors are kinda tiring but I salute those who have the patience who not only reads but also takes part in the creation by expressing themselves. I am not complaining, I am just saying. Lol. I must have ate something bad today. Gotta go and refresh to make myself feel better. This is what happens when I can't travel. I need the beach and the mountains and rivers (and it's been a year). Lol. I was on an eating spree yesterday but it wasn't helping. Sigh. And I don't have a lover anymore to make me feel better. Hahaha. I must be going crazy.