To XXX: I'm sorry that you're disappointed because Rin is not present in this story...but it's what I had decided. Still, I'm thankful that you've enjoyed the first few chapters. :)
To 'Guest' who reviewed on Chapter 44: I'm really happy that Arisa and Sesshomaru's interactions made you excited. :)
Chapter 45:
"Mom! Jin! I'm going."
"Alright, good luck with your exams." Her mother said, while Jin only waved.
"Thank you! Where is Ayame-nee san?"
"She left early this morning."
"I see…well then, see you later!"
As soon as she stepped outside, she quickly looked for Sesshomaru since he didn't return to her room last night after scolding her.
Is he really that angry...?
Then, she found him dozing calmly under the big tree, and she smiled a little.
"Sesshomaru…"
"I see you're doing well already."
Arisa gasped. "So you were awake…"
"Your movements are too loud." He replied, still with his eyes closed.
What? But I approached him as quietly as I can…!
"Oh, really. Sorry about that—"
"Arisa."
"What!?"
"Do your best."
Her eyes widened at his sudden response. "Huh….?"
However, Sesshomaru didn't answer.
I didn't hear that wrong, right…?
"…I will. Thank you." she softly replied, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. She then slowly dashed off with a big smile on her face.
I hope I'm not dreaming.
Sesshomaru saw her off with one eye open. Soon, a small smile formed on his lips, but it disappeared right away.
Ah. What am I doing?
As soon as Arisa went home, Sesshomaru was standing on their gate, waiting for her. He was looking at her with a stern expression.
"What's with that face? I just got here and you're not in the mood?"
"We are going back, now."
"Aren't you going to ask how I did in my exams?"
"I know you did well."
She looked at him suspiciously, and he sighed.
"Your expression says it all."
So it was that obvious…
"Let's go."
"Wait a second!" she yelled and grabbed his wrist.
"I am done with your fancies. You're fine now, so we're going."
"Umm…please allow me to treat you to something."
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"I mean...you've been considerate enough for me…and you even helped me get better…"
"You do not have to do anything."
"Please, Sesshomaru…! Arisa continued to plead, and tightened her grip on his wrist. He frowned at her, but somehow, he couldn't let it go when she was looking at him like that.
"Make it quick."
"Alright!" the young lady exclaimed, and immediately dragged Sesshomaru along.
"Where are we going? Carrying you there will be faster." Sesshomaru suggested while walking their way into the heart of the city.
"You can't! People will find it weird. You'll get the whole world's attention too." Arisa quickly answered and faced him. She was now walking backwards.
He let out an exasperated sigh and was about to say something, but then he noticed a vehicle rushing on its way towards Arisa. His brows drew together, and he gritted his teeth. Before she could react, he swiftly snatched her onto him – just a minute before the fast vehicle went past them.
Arisa was shocked at the car's speed. She looked up at Sesshomaru, who was still gazing at the car from a distance.
Just now…if it weren't for him…I may have ended up in a drastic accident.
She then realized that she was being hugged by Sesshomaru, and it made her heart pound. She immediately yanked herself away from him, taking his attention. But he looked a little surprised as well, much to his confusion.
That was embarrassing…
"…thank you, Sesshomaru." She said, and soon, she blushed lightly.
He was looking at her impassively, but he was actually curious at the face she was making right now. Nevertheless, he chose to brush it off.
"Your world is more upsetting than Naraku."
"Are you kidding me? Naraku is a lot more dangerous, for your information!"
"So, what would you like to eat, Sesshomaru?" Arisa asked thoughtfully when they reached the central part of the city teeming with cafés, restaurants, malls, shops and many more establishments. Though he looked complacent about it, he was actually shaken inside by the modern environment.
"That food you gave me at your place last time."
Arisa paused for a while to think.
"Ah! You mean, curry…?"
"…"
"You don't want anything else…?"
"Curry will do."
And here I was, excited to let him have coffee and some dessert.
"Okay. Let's head to that restaurant then. I heard they make delicious meals, including curry."
Arisa said as she advanced for it, and Sesshomaru just followed her at his own, graceful pace.
The moment they sat on a table and had finished ordering, they began to catch people's attention.
'Wow…it's my first time to see someone with long, silver hair.'
'Look at that kimono. It looks like it's from the ancient times.'
'Is he wearing a costume or something?'
'Is he someone from another dimension?'
'Where did he get those facial tattoos?'
Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind, but Arisa knew that he could hear them all, and could even sense their eyes on them.
"You really made me come and linger in a place swarming with humans."
Arisa gave him a short, nervously laugh.
"Sorry, Sesshomaru…we'll leave right after we eat."
"Hmph. Just this time, I am going to put up with humans and their ludicrous assertions."
"That is much appreciated…"
The food they ordered finally came, and the curry was steaming hot.
"Eat up, Sesshomaru!" Arisa said with excitement, and the dog demon went ahead and took a spoonful.
"Well, how is it?" she asked, watching him chew with her eyes glistening expectantly.
"Not bad." He casually replied.
"That's great, then! I am so glad I chose this restaurant."
Sesshomaru paused for a while, and then continued to talk.
"My taste buds prefer your mother's preparation."
Her eyes went round at his remarks.
"You're not joking, are you?"
"Do I look like I am joking?"
"…fine. I'll tell that to my mother later."
I totally didn't expect that…if only I asked earlier so we could've just bought the ingredients and have my mother do the cooking…
Sesshomaru refrained from eating for a while, and observed Arisa as she happily got her spoon and started eating. Her expressions made him feel light-hearted, though he wasn't fully aware of it.
Arisa felt Sesshomaru's eyes on her, and it caused her to suddenly become conscious of herself.
"Sesshomaru! You should eat your curry before it gets too cold…"
He quickly looked away, and continued to chow down on his food smoothly.
Hell? Why were my eyes fixed at her like that?
"Say, Sesshomaru…" Arisa asked as they walked back together.
"What."
"What do you think of my sister…Ayame?"
She became nervous as she waited for Sesshomaru to answer.
"She's a human who is more annoying than you."
Urk…
"You're so mean to the core...! But what I'm saying is...do you feel anything for her?"
Sesshomaru looked at her with complete disapproval.
"Do not ask me nonsense questions. I do not have it in me to feel for humans."
Arisa was clearly disappointed at his response, as she was also rejected at the same time.
As I thought…oh well. It was too good to be true. I'll just have these feelings for myself then…and let time erase it.
"If you're talking about that incident under the tree, it was merely an accident. She forced herself to me and then said she liked me." he continued, as if he was demanded of an explanation.
"What…? You knew that I saw that?"
"Your actions were too evident for me to not notice."
What an instinct. So Ayame nee-san already confessed her feelings…
"I shunned her right after. I do not tolerate foolish words and manners such as that."
"I…see…"
So if I do confess as well, he'll cast me out?
Arisa immediately imagined about having to forget Sesshomaru and not being with him.
No, I can't! I don't want that…! I don't care if I am a coward for it. I'd have it as unrequited love rather than being permanently dropped by him!
Arisa was quiet throughout their stroll, and Sesshomaru found it weird.
Why is she suddenly like this? Is she feeling down because of how I responded to her sister?
He attempted to ask and confirm about it, but he was too hesitant… until they reached their gate.
Forget it. Let her be.
"I'll just…grab my things." Arisa said quietly and proceeded to their house.
"Do it quickly. Also…"
Arisa slowly faced him, waiting for his statement.
"Don't forget to tell that to your old woman." He said with a mellow expression, and then quickly went ahead into the forest.
"Oh…! Right." She replied languidly and sighed.
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