Chapter 18: Impulse Affection


My eyes slowly opened when I felt something warm pressed on my cheek, it was blurry at first, I tried to blink it twice before my sight became normal and saw Kaname's worry expression.

"I got you Rina..."

"Kaname-san..."

I whispered and managed to smile in relief. His feature turned solemn when he saw something on my face, I think the wound on my right cheek was the cause. Since his hand was already resting on my cheek he gently wipes the frozen blood.

"Are you hurt somewhere else?"

"Well, my right foot hurts somehow..."

I sighed and tried to move my body, I think I was stuck here for several minutes that I didn't even know I lost consciousness. I used my both arms as support to lift my upper body but Kaname's tender hands stop me from moving.

"Don't push yourself, I need to get you out of here and let Masao-nii check you."

Was all he said, I yelped a little when he lifted me up unexpectedly.

"This is more faster, besides you can't walk in your condition Rina. Now, hold onto me tightly so you won't fall."

I sighed again and bobbed my head in agreement, I encircled my arms around his neck and rested my chin on his shoulder.

"Is this fine?"

"Yes, that's good."

"Sorry, I've cause a lot of trouble today..." I whispered again. I felt his hands tightening for a moment before he tilted his head causing his cheek to touch mine.

"You have nothing to sorry... It's just fate. I was glad Yusuke came back immediately to tell us what happened. Now I'll glide down slowly so do not move Rina... Okay?"

"Hm."


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"I don't see anything wrong with the bone so I think you have a light sprain Rina, all you have to do is rest for few minutes and the pain will fade away soon."

I inwardly sighs in relief before beaming at Masaomi. I felt Ema's hand on mine and when I looked at her she was still brimming in tears, even though they can't see it she wanted to cry in happiness after she saw us coming back in the hotel. I soothingly touch her hand in return and smile.

"Thank you so much Masaomi-san..."

"You should thank Kaname instead."

I looked at the said monk and noticed his still concern expression.

"Thank you Kaname-san, I'm truly grateful."

The corner of my mouth turn up almost feeling the band aid on my cheek, I was glad it wasn't deep Masaomi said and it won't leave a mark after it heals. My smile faltered when he remained quiet.

"Kaname-san? Are you alright?"

"I just don't like a family getting hurt, I don't want to see any misfortune befall in this family..."

A thin line formed on my lips, I saw how the look on Masaomi and Natsume's faces changed momentarily and remained quite also, I caught Ema's curious look but she didn't say anything about Kaname's cryptic words.

Have something happened with them before Ema get into their family?

A misfortune...

Family...

My expression became soft suddenly at that thought. "Thank you for considering me as a family Kaname-san..."

"The moment Ema introduced you to us you've been already a part of our family Rina..." Masaomi said this time, I glanced up at his handsome face and can't help but smile sincerely at his touching words.

"I'm really sorry Rina, because of me you were hurt..."

Yusuke, his regretful look made me sigh again and place my hand on the top of his head, ever since Kaname brought me back in the hotel he never left my side. "Well, technically it was my fault Yusu-kun... not just only I made you guys worried but also I didn't warn you that something isn't right about the weather. So nothing to say sorry..."

I grinned, hoping to alleviate his sad mood and softly stroke his head (surprised at how soft his red hair was). His eyes avoided mine before he took my hand. "I'm still gonna say really am sorry." He said sincerely and placed my hand on his cheek for few seconds and then let me go. I blinked my eyes in confusion because his unexpected action made me blush a little, seriously that was really a sweet gesture Yusuke made so far...

"I'll bring her to her room then."

Natsume broke my reverie before I heard Masaomi's agreement.


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I was left under the care of Masaomi and Ema, even though I didn't show it I'm kinda dissapointed that I won't be able to watch the idol brat's concert, I never heard him sing and in spite of his arrogance I'm really curious about it. We are still having a nice chat when Kaname entered and told Ema that she got a phone call from her father, she promptly excused herself and left me and Masaomi in my room.

"It's unfortunate that I'm not going to see Futo's live concert..."

I said sighing at the same time.

"I'll inform him about the incident, all you have to do is rest and tomorrow you might be able to walk properly again..."

I nodded my head before closing my eyes in contentment.

"Ne Masaomi-san... Thanks for staying for few minutes... I never mentioned it to you but your presence really made me calm."

I muttered before opening my eyes and gazed at his gentle feature.

"I'm glad to hear that." His eyes landed on my wounded cheek. "I'll give you a special cream to heal that wound on your cheek faster and leave no mark..."

"Thanks... You're really kind."

"By the way I heard also what happened this morning..."

I groaned and my face flustered at the mentioned of my unfortunate occurrence this morning. "Please don't remind me about it, I was really caught off guard that time. Though I'm glad I was rescued by Ichino."

Masaomi raised his eyebrows. "Ichino?"

"Ahh... It seems they didn't mention that part, Ichino was my former classmate."

"Well, whoever he was I'm still thankful to him that he came in time of your need."

I flinched a little with the last part. "Yeah... He always do that before... until he lied to me."

I suddenly lost in my thought when I remembered how Ichino and I became friends at first until it turn more than that. He was such a good guy, too good that it never occured to me I wasn't enough for him... That he used me to...

I jerked when I felt a warm hand on my cheek, I didn't noticed that Masaomi moved from his chair and already seating on my bed

"You're upset... I don't know what happened between the two of you but please... Don't made that kind of face it really bothers me for some reason."

He said concern etched on his handsome face.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I heaved a huge sigh before grinning widely at him. "Is this better?"

His gentle demeanor came back and tenderly caressed my cheek. "Smiling suits you best..." He whispered and slowly took his hand away. "Oh right, the onsen in this hotel has an indoor bath so you should go in later since I reserved it already."

Just hearing him say that made me happier. "Thank you so much! I really needed a bath after what happened..." I chuckled.

"Don't push yourself too much. Then have a good rest, we will going to Futo's live concert and we'll come back after..."

I shook my head in understanding and watched him walk out my room. I heard voices outside though but I didn't quite catch their words before I heard the closing sound of the door, suddenly a yawn escaped my lips and decided to have a short nap before taking a bath at this onsen.


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"Ahhh... Damn this feels so good."

I sigh in contentment as the warm water touch my body, I think every part of it is being massaged even the pain in my ankle was surprisingly gone for a moment. At least this day isn't going to end a disaster...

I leaned my head on the wall and closed my eyes to relax. Kaname and Masaomi are both very gentle and considerate, I never thought I would see this side of them especially Kaname. I'm still wondering what's behind his words a while ago but I'm in no position to dig in furthermore with their family background, whatever it is, it seems it was a sad disaster in their family.

Just like mine...

My deep thought ended when I heard the sound of shower being on. My eyes snapped open and saw somebody taking a shower. I thought Masaomi reserved this onsen, why was there someone in here beside me? My expression turned alarm when I noticed his back figure and inspected the lean and firm muscles of the intruder, my eyes widened because obviously it wasn't a girl and the only person I knew who has long wavy hair is...

I swiftly turned my back after he turned the shower off and heard his light foot steps coming towards my direction, I heard the splashed of water and can guess he also went in to the tub to relax.

"Hi Rina."

I winced, too embarrassed to look at him. "I.. I thought you're with them Hikaru-san?"

"Well, I was in the middle of watching when I decided to take a bath."

Even though I'm not looking at him I can clearly imagine his annoying smirk. My god! I never thought he would go this far teasing me, this is too intimate!

"I-I see..."

"By the way, I heard they are going to launch fireworks at the Christmas tree on the ski slope area at around ten. If your ankle isn't hurt anymore, would you like to come and see it?"

"Yeah! Sure!"

It almost sounded a squeak to me when I answered and still didn't look at him, I bet he was having fun at my uncomfortable situation. I twitched in annoyance hearing his light laugh before I heard the gushing out of water and felt a move on my side, I almost panic when I saw him beside me suddenly.

"This is embarrassing..." I muttered, blushing furiously. "I should head first." I said trying my best to cover my assets. I glanced at his face and grateful that he still has consideration closing his eyes. I didn't wait for his answer and swiftly move away but I yelp in surprised when he grabbed my arm and pulled me gently beside him again, what bothered me is we're too close than before to the point that I can even feel his warmth at this closeness.

"Hikaru-san! What do you think you're doing?!"

I asked shockingly and jerked when I felt his hand rested on my wounded cheek, my red face became even redder because of the way his heated yet concern gaze looked at me. "You should be more careful... It saddened me when you get hurt Rina."

My eyes widened at his statement, he was using his serious male tone to me that sends weird sensation at my gut but even in this kind of situation I managed to reply at him. "Uhm... Thanks for the concern Hikaru-san, I'll be more careful next... time." I think my heart skip a beat when I noticed how he looked at me starting from my lightly parted lips, to my nose up to my eyes. I don't know how long we've been in that position but I can feel my breathing started to become ragged in my opinion which made me want to slap myself in this weird and inappropriate situation I'm in.

"Now head along, I think they'll gonna launch the fireworks soon."

He said before letting me go, is it me or his voice became husky?

After those words slipped from his mouth the spell broken, I blinked my eyes and immediately got out of the water and forgotten he was still looking at me.

"Watch your step..."

I heard from him again. I nodded my head and exited without uttering a word. I stayed in my room for a couple of minutes trying to calm my heart beating. I seated on the bed and closed my eyes trying to process everything this day's events...

This is a bigger one problem.

I shook my head to clear my mind and decided to change a proper outfit. It took few minutes when I get a grip of myself and bravely enough that I made a decision to confront Hikaru with his sudden odd behavior, as much as I'm concern I have an idea why he was doing this and I'm gonna be lying if I say I'm not affected by it.

It took me another several minutes of pacing back and forth in my room when I made up my mind and promptly got out of my room to go and talk to him. I don't know if he came back already but I went to his room nonetheless and knocked. "Hikaru-san..." It was quite for a long moment so I concluded he was still taking a bath and decided to wait at the living area. I was about to leave when the door opened revealing the half naked man I'm planning to talk. I almost choked in surprise and my face turned overly red again. "W-Wha..." I stammered, he cocked his brows at my reaction before his amused laugh snapped me. "So-Sorry! I.. I didn't... I mean I was gonna... Uhm talk but it seems... Uhhh."

"Calm down Rina... I don't understand if you keep mumbling like that."

"I want to talk to you but I'll just wait at the living room!" I almost want to slam my face on the floor because the way I said those words almost sounded a squeak for my taste. "I'll see you later-!"

He grabbed my arm again, dragging me inside his room and closed the door before cornering me with his both hands that are resting beside my head. My breath hitched at his hovering form. Goodness! He was fucking half naked! If you want me to be specific he was topless and he was only wearing a pants! Only in his pants which means his naked! chest almost on my face.

I cleared my throat and tried to act normal before looking at his face, what made the situation even worse is the dim light of his room that gives a sensual vibe in the air. I mentally smacked myself at that thought and focused at Hikaru's face again. "Hikaru-san, you're acting strange." I gulped. He didn't answer me for few seconds and suddenly felt his light touch on my bangs before going down to my chin and lifted my face. "I..d-don't know what made this odd behavior but I'm guessing you are acting like you have something special feeling for me. Am I right?"

He quirked his lips in amusement. "Always a straightforward huh...but that's one of your charm. I'm glad I don't have any hard time to tell you what's obvious."

My eyes gone wide. "You're seriously...?"

"Yes Rina... Just like my brothers... I felt the same way with you maybe even more." He whispered underneath his breath almost giving me a shiver at the hoarse voice. "I say, I'll give you time to choose, but bare in mind this is a competition from now on." His serious demeanor almost gave me a heart attack before I saw him move away, releasing me finally and softly tugged me beside him, he opened his door again and smiled at me. "I'll see you later then."

I blinked my eyes trying to process what he said before I quickly walked out the room and didn't even look back at him but I heard his chuckle and his room's door closing. I was breathing hard and clutching my chest so hard. What he did was too much for me, too much!

"Damn...he...he was so mean! Ugh oh my god, I'm trembling I need to sit down first. Yeah, I need to calm... Woo!"


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I walk through the elevator still daze at what happened.

Hikaru was... Really gorgeous and sh*t! What am I thinking? snap out of it Rina, you're not like this!

I sighed again and pressed the ground button, the door closed automatically but stopped when somebody's hand jerk inside to stop it. When it opened again Futo's form flash in my sight. "Futo? I thought you have a concert?"

"It's finished, besides, I heard about the incident so I rushed in here to meet you." He said as he entered the elevator and went to my side.

"I guess it's a success then." I said before staring outside since through here the Christmas tree is visible from our sight. "It's a shame I didn't get to watch your concert." My tone somehow teasing but honestly I was being sincere.

"Yeah... I was sad and dissapointed."

I cocked my eyebrow at his serious tone. "Well sorry for dissappointing you I got this-"

"It's not your fault, Yuusuke was just too stupid that's why..."

I frowned at his mean words. "It's not his fault okay? I was also at fault."

He clicked his tongue in annoyance but remained quiet and saw how he placed his hands inside his pant's pocket. "Sorry... I didn't mean to snap." He muttered underneath his breath. He stared at me again as lifted his right hand and rested it on my cheek.

What's with them touching my cheek? It's not really a big wound in my opinion. "I just don't like the idea of you getting hurt... Even so I'm glad you only had a small wound and sprain."

"Uhh thanks for the concern Futo, and stop doing that kind of face I'm not used to it." I tried to tease him again as the corner of my lips tilted upward.

He didn't comment on that but in a split seconds he came back to himself again and suddenly put his hand beside my head while the other rested on my back trapping me in my position.

"And he's back..." I rolled my eyes.

"I told you I was sad not to see you during my concert... Let's say I need a compensation for that."

He whispered in my ear before I felt him bit it, nearly jumping me from surprise at the act. "Futo!" I warned while blushing, this brat is really crossing the line. I can feel the quivering of his body as I heard his chuckled through my ear.

"I must say Rina, I like you calling me that way... It turns me on."

My face became even redder and about to retort when I felt his hand on the back of my neck and slowly leaning my face to him.

"Now I have to get my compensation..."

He quietly said bringing his face closer and closer to mine. I hitched when I felt his breath on my lips but the sudden flash of light both froze us from our spot, Futo released me softly as we both saw someone from the other elevator on the right since it was made of glass, he immediately press the opened button and Hikaru's form came into our view, he was holding his phone and I'm guessing he's the one who took the picture.

"This picture is really a big scoop for a public figure like you Futo..."

"What are you planning to do?" Futo seriously asked.

"Maybe if I sell this to weekly magazine or something it might sell well don't you think?"

He said while still looking at his phone, a playful smirked gracing his mouth. Futo hissed in irritation and tried to take it from him.

"Don't fuck with me-!"

Quickly Hikaru caught his hand and his teasing mask became serious.

"You are the one fucking around here... It's not good for your social standing brat."

My jaw dropped literally, it was my first time seeing Hikaru displeased like this. I guess Futo was caught off guard also but he recovered fast and heard his light laugh in the background.

"So you finally show your true nature huh."

Hikaru hearing this smiled at his younger brother. "You should show your true self also Futo." he said before entering the elevator. "We'll, see you later..."

He pressed the closed button and smiled at me this time.


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I awed in amazement when I got a better closed look of the huge Christmas tree, I saw Ema and the others staring at the tree and I gradually went to her side making her jerked in surprise but smiled in the end when she recognized me.

"Ema-chi..."

I greeted, her face brightened. "Rin-chan, glad you made it. Hikaru-san told me he was going to tell you about this fireworks display."

"Yeah... He did." Almost giving me a heart attack at what he did, both in the bathroom and his room.

"It seems that we made it on time."

I heard Hikaru said that as he went in between Masaomi and Natsume's side.

"How was your foot? Does it still hurt?" Masaomi looked at me while asking with a tone of concern.

"Nope, I can't still walk properly but the pain is bearable." I smirked.

"That's a relief then..."

"They will launch the fireworks in few seconds, have you seen Fuu-chan?"

Kaname asked while staring at his wrist watch.

"Right here..."

The said guy showed up behind Yuusuke making the red hair jumped in surprise. "..what the... You shouldn't do that brat!"

"What? That actually scared you? You've been so soft Yuusuke."

"What? Me? Soft? Are kidding me brat? Maybe you're referring yourself."

"Whatever, you jump like a scared child."

I rolled my eyes when they started their mini banter but it was stopped immediately when the dark sky lighted by colorful fireworks. Ema and I stared in admiration and joy before my best friend's gaze held mine. "Merry Christmas Rin-chan." She softly stated and held my hand.

I beamed at her also. "Merry Christmas to you too Ema-chi." before I returned my eyes upward again.


Edited: 05-03-18