Disclaimers: I don't own anything but this chapter is mine.
A/N: I want to apologize for taking a very long time to update! _ Making you guys wait wasn't my intention. I've been pretty busy with work lately—getting promoted and stuff and more workload. But don't worry since I'm planning to continue this story and I hope you guys will be with me until the end.

Now, let's get this show on the road. :D

-;-

No one was able to know how much pain Ayuzawa Misaki has seen, how much torture she had undergone and how many deaths she had witnessed.

-;-

Thirteen:

"What the hell? What do you mean you and Shizuko won't be returning to the dorms until tomorrow morning?"

I was mentally panicking at the thought of spending my night all alone in the dormitories. Although Hino dorm is probably the safest place out there, the thought of being all by myself in a ridiculously huge room is something that doesn't ring quite right to me. And the hollow sound the vacant spaces in our room makes whenever a strong gust of wind blows has been bothering me ever since day one.

"Relax, you loser." Sakura snorted from the other end of the line. "We were supposed to tell you this last week but I guess we both forgot about it. Since we share the same Bio class although we have different schedules, our Professor got our permission last week to join the Biology convention today. It's sort of like an evening event so the school booked a hotel room for us."

"And you forgot to tell me about it? I was planning to cook tonight."

"Don't be such a nag. We'll bring souvenirs—hold on a sec." she got me on mute for about two minutes and when she returned, she seemed to be in a hurry and told me that she's hanging up. "I'll call you later!"

"Wait—but!"

And the line went dead.

I stared at my phone blankly and, slightly pissed, threw it into my bag. I've got to hand it to them. They totally forgot that I was waiting for them at the front building and now, they suddenly went ahead and ditched me. Totally great.

"Whoa, you looked pissed." Aoi, who was waiting for me along with Takumi in our previous spot, lolled in amusement and jumps up before dusting himself from grass. "Who bullied you?"

I frowned at him while rummaging through my bag. "No one. I'm going back."

"To the dorms?"

I rolled my eyes. "Obviously. See you tomorrow, you all. I'm taking the bus."

"You don't have to do that. We're returning to the dorms as well." Takumi, who was quiet all the time, says before standing as well. He got my books scattered on the ground along with his stuff and walks ahead of us the parking area; leaving Aoi and I surprised.

Bemused, Aoi glanced at me. "Did you two made up?"

"I'm not riding in his car alone. You're coming with me." That and I grabbed him by the arm and drag him to follow Takumi's wake.

.

"How stu—pid."

I ignored Aoi who was currently on the back seat and continued rummaging through my bag. Of all days that I can misplace my key card, it has to be now—when both Shizuko and Sakura are away. When I found my wallet—which is where I am usually stashing all the important identification and access cards that I own—and flipped all card holders open, there was a big, fat nothing.

Nothing.

My frustration escalated into murderous rage.

"Did you check all of your pockets?" Takumi asked calmly, the sound his fingers were making as they tapped against the steering wheel is confusingly distracting. "Bag pockets?"

"I've checked them already. They were not there. It's usually in my wallet—or my ID." I checked my school ID again but the ID holder is empty—aside from my school ID. "I'm getting frustrated."

"You're aware that the school doesn't have any spare keys, right?" Aoi, from the backseat, says again. "You have to make a request—and the approval will be coming from New York."

I turned to him, pissed. "Yes, Aoi. Thank you very much for that information. I'm also quite aware that your family is a huge benefactor of this University—and that you donated these keys for a higher-profile security."

"So, you did lose it?"

"I didn't!" I was utterly frustrated and Aoi is not being very helpful as of the moment. "I probably misplaced it somewhere—I probably left it in my lamp desk."

"How smart." Takumi, who's been silent for a while now, commented condescendingly.

I glared at him. "Very helpful."

"Don't get mad at us. It's not our fault that you're very neglectful."

I gave up searching; knowing that I wouldn't be able to find it. I'm confident that the key wasn't lost. But I'm quite sure that I left it hanging around the dorm. I exhaled. "Well, I can sleep on the library."

Aoi snorted "Shut up" the very same time Takumi muttered "No way."

I frowned, frustrated. "Well, I'm pretty close with the school nurse so I guess I can request to sleep on one of the beds."

"That won't work." Takumi says disdainfully. He glanced at his watch in obvious irritation and starts grabbing his stuff from his dash. "Well, we don't have a choice, don't we? Get your stuff. You can stay at our room."

"What—no! I can't, you pervert—"

"Oh, please." I was surprised when he mildly smacked me with one of his books. "I'm not interested in you in that sort of twisted way you're thinking."

I glowered at him though when he stared at me from head to toe which suggested otherwise. "You pervert…"

"That's twice now, isn't it?" he commented sardonically and unbuckled his seatbelt before jumping out of his car. I was quick to get out as well and hesitantly followed him and Aoi. I've never imagined myself ever sleeping in his room—even if it was a shared dormitory room—and now that I am, I'm starting to get confusing and embarrassing thoughts. The walk towards their dorm room was in complete silence apart from Aoi's soft humming. In a way, it made me feel at ease knowing that he's with us.

Heaven knows that I could never be at peace alone with Usui Takumi.

No matter how hard I damn try. With him, everything is just turmoil.

All three of us walked in silence to their dorm room. When we reached their floor, Takumi slid his keycard to the niche. The door made a soft buzz before Takumi pushed it open and ushered me in.

It felt like a horror movie waiting to happen as I entered his turf.

"Living room." He says before removing his coat and hangs it on the coat rack. Aoi proceeded on running off to his room after dumping his shoes on the shoe rack and slams the door shut behind him.

My forehead creased. "What's up with him?"

"He's a messy guy. He'd probably arranged his room."

Takumi shrugged, his eyes a dark and penetrating shade of emerald as he undid two buttons of his uniform; exposing the smooth and pale flesh of his collarbone. I shamelessly ogled at it and when he cleared his throat, I was quick to look away—pretending as though I was busy checking out their admittedly so neat room.

I turned to him after I spotted the large and comfortable dark blue sofa-bed. "I think I'll be comfortable in that."

"You're stupid to think we'll let you sleep in the living room."

"No, I mean it. It's fine. I used to sleep in the living room as well if I can't sleep in my room back in our dorm—although it gets a bit chilly during the night."

He rolled his eyes, turning his back on me and drops our stuff on the table—an odd sensation ran over my spine at the mere mention of the word our—and heads straight to the room right next to Aoi's. "You can sleep in my room. I have an extra futon."

"No, I—"

"Shut up, Ayuzawa." He says, eyes still dark before he turned away and entered his room. I glanced around their semi-dark room and quickly yet hesitantly entered his room, startled when I realized that he was changing. My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at the sight of his naked back while he was in the middle of putting on a shirt.

I let out a startled eeped! and quickly stumbled out of the room, ignoring Aoi who throw me a confused glance before laughing as he headed out straight to the kitchen.

"What an idiot." He muttered with a roll of his eyes, opens the fridge and grabs a bottled water. "You peeked, didn't you?"

"I did not!"

"You did." Takumi, who appeared out of nowhere, says with a roll of his. He has changed into comfortable shirt and sweatpants before occupying the vacant chair right across me. "I've got extra clothes in the room. You can change into them if you want."

"Er… I can sleep in my school clothes. I don't really mind."

In front of me, Aoi snorted. "Please. Don't be such a wuss, Ayuzawa. Just changed into comfortable clothes. Looking at you makes me uncomfortable. We have private bathrooms in here so you can either use mine or Takumi's."

"I'll use yours." I said quickly and runs off to Takumi's room where he left the clothes he intended for me to use. I stared at the semi-darkness that was his bedroom. It was neat and simple. In the middle of the room was his bed cluttered with his pillows and blanket. At the corner of his room was a small desk where his laptop and speakers are at. On the same desk are his books and other study materials.

I inhaled the masculine scent emanating from his room. Everything about his room screams out masculinity. The scent… the color… the fixtures.

In silence, I snatched the clothes from his bed, not wanting to stay in his room any longer when I heard the soft click of his door. Stunned, I turned to the direction of the sound—startled to see Usui Takumi leaning by his doorframe. Light flooded his semi-darkened room when he flipped the switches.

"S-Sorry. I didn't mean to stay here longer."

"Just use the bathroom here. And stop acting like I'm going to strike at you." His voice was dripping with slight irritation as he walked past me and towards a closet, pulling out a few face and body towels before throwing it at me. "You can use those. They just came from the laundry."

"Er… thanks." I got the towel and the clothes, gathering them all in a pile and made a beeline to the bathroom, wondering if I should make a dash towards Aoi's room and when I realized that I'd probably just pissed Usui Takumi further, I decided to simply shut it and retired to the bathroom.

This is going to be a very long night.

.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I spotted Usui Takumi seated by the living room—his brownish blonde hair tousled and his eyes a deep and sultry shade of emerald green; reflecting some sort of emotion that I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from him. What faint light coming from the lamp shade right next to him—aiding him to read the book on his lap—casted a somewhat eerie glow on his inhumanly handsome face.

He was so… so beautiful.

"Thank you." He muttered sardonically, an amused expression in his emerald eyes as he snapped his eyes back to the book he was reading; a lop-sided grin playing on his lips. "Though I'm not sure if I really want to hear such a compliment."

I let out a startled gasped. Cursing myself for the unintentional slip. These past few days, I couldn't help but notice that whenever I'm around Usui Takumi, the thoughts overflowing inside my head seems to be slipping out of my mouth automatically. I jumped when he slammed the book he was reading shut and glances at me, eyes hooded and intense.

"Why are you still awake?"

I shrugged. "I can't sleep." Must be the nerves. "What about you?" When he tapped the book he was reading, I nodded dumbly. I stood there awkwardly, wondering if I should go back to his room instead of pushing with my initial plan to spend a few hours on the couch to relax myself.

"What are you doing here… if you don't mind me asking?"

I wanted to tell him that I don't mind. But something tells me that things might get tons awkward if I voiced out those forbidden thoughts. From now on, I must consider the fact that his life might be placed in peril every time I'd open my smart mouth and blurt out incorrect answers.

"Bed's too comfortable, I guess." I muttered while dusting off invisible dirt from his shirt that I was wearing. And for some unknown reasons, even his shirt that I was wearing seemed disconcertingly soft and comfortable against my skin. "I'm not used to sleeping somewhere else other than my bedroom."

He rolled his eyes at that. "Blame yourself."

"Thanks." I muttered sardonically, fingering the hem of his shirt—looking at anything except him. For some unknown reasons, I was afraid that if I looked into his eyes, I'd end up blurting out something I'm not supposed to.

From the spot he was occupying, he exhaled. "Come here."

I was quickly on the offense. "What the hell—no."

"I'm not going to bite you, Ayuzawa. I'm just telling you that if you want to take a seat, then come sit with me."

I bit my lip—feeling momentarily guilty—and quietly look around; wondering if Aoi is still awake. When I didn't sense his presence apart from his soft snores, I hesitantly walked towards him and occupied the open spot next to him. He shuffled a bit, giving me more space and starts reading his book again.

Unconsciously, I scuttled closer to him for warmth. "What are you reading?"

"Management." He muttered; emerald eyes focused on the particular page he was reading. "Just scanning mindlessly. Nothing has really caught my interest so far yet."

"Why are you still awake?"

Takumi shrugged. "Can't sleep. Must be the nerves."

"What do you mean?"

"To have someone in my room." I glared at him over his response, planning to punch him if his words had a double meaning behind it only to flush beet red when I realized that he seemed truly bothered about it. I noted the faint tinge of pink on climbing up from his neck to the tips of his ears and mentally cringed away out of embarrassment.

I was quick to tear my eyes off him. "I told you I can use the couch."

"I know you've already establish your belief that I'm a bastard but I'm not that much of a bastard to let you sleep on the couch." He stared down at me, emerald orbs boring into my eyes and for a moment, odd emotions started pooling in my head… flowing down to my chest—nearly blocking my breathing area.

I ended up catching my breath as I continued staring into the dark pools that was his eyes. He was so… so beautiful. I've never seen a… human being as beautiful as someone like him. My eyes roamed on his beautiful face, noting the faint tinge of pink coloring his face… feeling the very sudden spike on his temperature that it was almost burning my own skin. As soon as I was down appreciating his face, my eyes trailed down to his lips. It wasn't every day, after all, that I was able to study his features up close.

Unconsciously, my thin fingers lifted to caress his slightly parted lips. His lips were full and soft yet very masculine at the same time. His warm breath fanned my fingers and face and an embarrassing thought quickly erupted into my train of thoughts.

Crap, I wanted to kiss him…

Usui's dark chuckle echoed in my ears and my entire being was quick to refocus. When I realized my instant and unconscious slip, I was quick to lean away, covering my mouth as blood climbed up my face.

"Oh, crap."

He chuckled again but to my surprise, before I could further lean away, he was faster when he caught my wrist, gently prying it away from my mouth… brushing it softly against his lips.

More blood inched up my face over his unexpected actions.

His lips continued brushing against my knuckles… pressing butterfly kisses over my highly sensitized skin. I wanted to yank my hand away but I couldn't seem to find the strength to do so as I allowed him to do whatever it was that he's trying to do. What dim light from the lampshade casted an eerie glow on his face; sharpening and heightening his lovely features.

"There's something about your eyes…"

His sentence snapped me out of my reverie, dragging me back to my own version of reality. Momentarily, I panicked at the thought of getting revealed. This was the exact moment that I was trying to avoid. I've failed to avoid this when Shizuko and Aoi cornered me. I failed the third time when I had no other choices but to reveal it to Sakura. I am not going to fail again when it comes to Usui Takumi.

I was quick to pull my hand back but to my surprise, Takumi refused to let go.

"Your eyes are glowing." He said, eyes all set on finding out whatever answer it was he's trying to seek out. And when my sight chance upon a reflective object, I was startled to see that my eyes are, indeed, glowing. Alarmed, I quickly covered my eyes with my hands, trying to hide the proof of my inhumanity but again, Takumi was fast as he stopped further attempts of hiding and escape.

I cursed mentally when I felt my eyes heat up. Crap, what's happening to me?

"I knew that there's something off about you." He says, forcing me to face him—blocking any attempts of me running off to his room. I gasped when he held my face and forced me to look at him.

I snapped my eyes shut; afraid of what my gaze can do to him and imagine my surprise when he suddenly pushed me down the seat and sat on my stomach. "What the hell are you—mmp!"

I struggled violently when he clamped my mouth shut with his huge hand; unable to shut my eyes anymore due to our very compromising position. "Stop screaming, woman. I'm not going to hurt you."

I continued to struggle and when I realized that he wouldn't be letting me go easy, I gradually stopped thrashing about and glowered at him… glowering at my own reflection in his emerald eyes—taking note of the fact that my eyes had that monstrous almost-yellowish gold glow reflected in his eyes.

It's over… I've been exposed.

"I'm going to let you go." He says; his hand over my mouth gradually loosening, his eyes searching something within me—a silent confirmation of my obedience and agreement—and when he realized that I'm not going to punch him to the fiery pits of Hades, he lifted his hand off my mouth though he didn't remove himself from me. "I need an explanation."

Regardless of the truth that I've been exposed, I still proceeded with the denial. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Takumi glowered at me. "I'm not an idiot, Ayuzawa. You are different."

"I-I'm not." But boy, he's right. I know I am… and I've been struggling for the past years to deny the fact that I am not the same as everybody else. "I-I'm still me… I know I am."

"What are you?"

"I can't… answer that." Oh God, please, get off me!

"Why not?" his grip on my wrist tightened that I could no longer hide it when I winced. "What are you, Ayuzawa?"

"I can't tell you!"

"Tell me." He urged; his eyes smoldering into mine.

And nobody can imagine how much I wanted to tell him—how badly I wanted to tell him regardless of the consequences that I may face. I wanted to tell him… and for some odd reasons, I wanted to share the pain with him… especially that he seems to be asking for it. But I know that I couldn't—not when it will place his life in great danger. I glared at him—or at least, I tried to.

Despite feeling cornered, the anger was still present. And how much I wanted to charm him into submission—to hypnotize him to simply forget what happened today. I knew it was wrong to come here. I knew it was wrong to get this close to him—even if this was the closest I could get to him. Every step I take only puts us in a perilous situation.

And I know that I have to do something. Heaven knows that Usui Takumi will never dare let me off—not when he finally has inkling on what I am.

I refocused my gaze—noting the faint glow of my eyes through my reflection in his emerald orbs. Once again, I felt as though I was being sucked in. Mentally shaking my head, I tried to push past the fog that was blocking my brain that was preventing me from thinking coherently. "If I show you… I have to kill you."

"Whatever it is that you're planning to do, I will prevent you from doing so." His words were precise but firm and gentle at the same time. For a moment, I was brought to the realization that I was powerless against him. "I need to know… even if it kills us both."

"I… can't…"

His grip on my wrist tightened. And when he realized that I was about to thrashed around again, he was quick to intercept my actions as he wrapped his long legs around mine, completely preventing me from moving.

"Let me go!" I nearly screamed at his face.

"No!" he shot back; anger coloring his green pools as his fingernails dug against the skin on my wrist. But I couldn't feel any pain anymore. And it felt crazy knowing that I'd prefer this kind of pain more than anything else. "What are you, Ayuzawa?"

Mentally I hit myself over the urge of exposing myself. I stared into his eyes, trying to see some sense in him because I couldn't find one in me, and nearly gave up. There was just something about his eyes as well that drags me deeper into the void of sin… towards the point of no return. And I cursed myself for being so weak against him—for being so powerless against him—when I've been repeatedly telling myself that he does not have any effect on me.

I'm such a hypocrite.

"Let me in…" His voice snapped me out of my reverie. "Let me see…"

I tried to resist him again. "N-No…"

"Let me see, Ayuzawa." He whispered as he leaned forward, the tip of his nose skimming on my cheek; his breath fanning against my ear as his lips strayed on dangerous and sensitive areas of my face. "I'm not going to run away…"

I snapped my eyes shut when Usui Takumi pressed a butterfly soft kiss against my temple; feeling the electricity run rampant all over my sensitized skin. His warm breath fanned my heated skin and when I resurfaced from the turmoil of sensations and met his dark, hooded eyes, I couldn't help but feel the blood rushing on my veins.

My eyes refocused on his parted lips and, instantly, I snapped my eyes shut. Ayuzawa, this is not the right time to think about wanting to kiss him! Get a hold of your frickin' thoughts!

"Ayuzawa, please?"

"I…" I couldn't resist him. I just knew I couldn't. "I'm…"

"Tell me…"

I was temporarily blinded when bright lights flooded the living room. Aoi's suspicious voiced echoed from the dim hallway as he stared at us in plain suspicion; his eyes narrowed like that of a cat's. "What are you two doing?"

.

I need to leave here. I need to go somewhere far. I need to—

"Oh, shut up for a moment, Ayuzawa." Aoi hissed at me as he paced inside his room; phone on hand—contemplating whether he should place a call or not.

I stared at him, realizing that I've been unconsciously blurting out whatever's in my head and quickly clamped my mouth shut. Slowly, I snapped my eyes shut as well, trying my best to calm myself by breathing in and out.

I am almost exposed. Almost. If it wasn't for Aoi, I would have been exposed already—more exposed than I've ever expected to Usui Takumi. The person I least wanted to feel exposed. And I'm not very happy with his attitude right now. And those stupid thoughts I'm having of wanting to kiss him. Heaven's I need to control these foul thoughts. I can't be around him while thinking that I always wanted to jump him!

Focus, Ayuzawa!

"You were almost exposed! It was a good thing I decided to cut into your conversation." Aoi was still furious in front of me. "I thought you can handle him." He glanced at me from head to toe. "Shouldn't have underestimated him."

I frowned at my so-called friend. "Very helpful, Aoi."

"He's going to ask questions." he reminded me; eyes suspicious. "A lot of questions. We couldn't keep him in the dark forever. Crap, Kaga's going to kill us. She's hell-bent on keeping him out of it."

I bit my lip anxiously. This was the sort of situation that I've been avoiding the most. I didn't mind that Aoi, Shizuko and Sakura found out about my secret. But for Usui Takumi to sniff around my past? My monstrosity? Unacceptable. I'd rather boil live puppies than let him in to my secret.

You're an idiot, Ayuzawa. The reason why you wanted him out is because he makes you vulnerable.

I snapped my eyes shut. No, I don't want to go over that thought. I can't go over that thought. Because if I did... who knows what might end up happening.

"Ayuzawa, you okay? You're not planning to leave, right? If worse comes to worst, I'm quite sure Takumi will keep the secret as well. It wasn't like you wished to carry such a burden. Shizuko and I will defend you."

I exhaled. I didn't want it to go that way as well. If worse comes to worst, I didn't want my friends to pick sides... knowing that there's a possibility that they will pick the monster. I eyed Aoi and smiled weakly. "Thank you."

"You're making that face again."

"What face?"

"That face as though you're pushing us away. You did that to me before. It hurt. I wouldn't be caught admitting this... but you really hurt my feelings that time."

The thought of wanting to comfort him engulfed my entire system. Of course I was well aware that I hurt him. But during that time, I know in myself that I have to hurt him… in order to protect him. But things are different now. I can't just… set aside their feelings in order to save them. Sometimes, trying to be selfless adds more harm than help.

I simply exhaled and reach out to touch his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Aoi shrugged. "It's in the past. Just don't ever do it again. Anyway, we have a bigger problem at hand."

I know what he's talking about. Usui Takumi. Just the mention of his name is enough to send shivers in my spine. And I hated it—hated that he possess such power over me. I turned to Aoi again. "It doesn't look like it but I'm panicking."

"We should call Shizuko."

"I-I… I don't know." Because it was the truth. I didn't know what to do… and I didn't want to rely on Shizuko—not when they're away from us. I eyed Aoi again. "He's going to ask a lot of questions I'm not ready to answer yet."

He was about to respond to that when a low rap on the door caught our attention. I turned to Aoi, feeling extremely helpless and cornered, but he simply shrugged his shoulders and contemplated whether to answer the door or not. He exhaled. "Dammit, evading him won't keep our heads from rolling. I can feel his bad mood in here."

"What should we do?"

"He won't stop unless we give him the answers he wanted to hear."

I let out a frustrated exhale. The problem is he knows too much. And he wanted answers that I couldn't simply give out. He's well aware that I'm not… human. If he knows more… if he ended up getting more information I'm not even allowed to disclose, his blood will be in my hands forever.

"I don't want to be the one who ends up killing him." I told him in barely a whisper. It was the only thing I could muster. "Aoi, you know the consequences. If he ends up not being able to handle it, it's sure death for him." Like the rest of you.

"He's not going to die. You're not going to kill him."

"I'm not even sure if I could keep you and the others alive." I washed my hands over my face; feeling the frustration climbed up from my toes to my brain and, without a single thought, approaches the door.

"Ayuzawa, what are you planning to do?!"

I ignored Aoi and headed out to the door, nearly pulling it off its hinges when I roughly pulled it open. I stumbled back for a moment when I was hit with the direct force of Usui Takumi's face and, for a moment, I was stupefied.

Dammit, get a hold of yourself, Ayuzawa!

He looked right straight into my eyes as well—as if he was searching for something—and upon finding it, he spoke. "I was wondering how long you were planning to stay locked up in Aoi's room? When are you going to answer my questions?"

Dammit! Either I will use my ability to hypnotize him to forget what happened tonight—which is against my moral beliefs—or I will give him the answer he wants… which is against the rules our clan has set up for us to live normally.

I clenched my fist tightly; feeling the odd beating of my heart as I stare deep into his penetrating, emerald eyes. "Will you give me a moment?"

His forehead creased but only slightly. "How long do you need?"

"I'll talk to you during Lunch period."

He seemed to have contemplated it for a moment before he nodded in agreement. "Lunch Period it is, then. I'll wait for you at the Gym." That and he finally turned away from me. But I swear he was clenching his fist… and that emotion in his emerald eyes screams at me—as though he wanted to say something… do something, but he couldn't do so.

Mentally, I cursed. Now what?

Behind me, Aoi was still restless. "How are you planning to deal with this? Shizuko's going to explode. There is no way we can do damage control."

I ended up shaking my head. "There will be no such thing as damage control. This time, even if it kills me and Usui Takumi, I have no other choice but to reveal everything."

.

The sound Shizuko's finger made while she tapped the table by the library was unnervingly disturbing. I wanted to tell to stop doing that until I realize I was doing the exact, same thing.

I pulled my hand back from the table and cross it over my chest. We have less than an hour before Lunch period and now we're spending our free time sitting around (in mental panic) instead of talking it out by the Library—where, hopefully, Usui Takumi wouldn't find us. As far as I know, he's still out for soccer practice.

"This is challenging." Shizuko says after a long period of excruciating silence. "He's not going to stop unless he gets his answers."

"I'm not ready for that." I muttered without thinking. "I-I don't… I don't know what to tell him."

Shizuko glared at me and I winced instantly. I know she's mad. But what else is there to do? I was a cornered animal! "I've had no other choices. I'm not the one who ditched in here."

She glowered at me again before exhaling. "If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't even leave in the first place."

"Yeah. Forget the convention—it's frickin' boring!" Sakura says with a roll of her eyes. When I simply stared at her, she shrugged and went on with checking her pretty, manicured nails. "But what you did is dick move, Ayuzawa. Seriously? You're planning to meet him without actually thinking about what sort of answers you'd give him?" she rolled her eyes one more time. "Dick move."

"Very helpful, Hanazono." Aoi says and turns to me again. "Well, there's no point in blaming each other. He's already found out about it. We've got no other choice but to expose everything to him—or he'll blow a fuse."

We were in the middle of that conversation when we all jumped after Hideki dumped his bag on the floor—his arrival went unnoticed by all four of us; even Shizuko. He uttered a small apology after seeing us all jumped in sync before occupying the empty space next to his stoic girlfriend. "Sorry to surprise you guys but do you have any idea why Takumi is in the warpath?"

I cringed at the mention of his name and quickly got myself preoccupied with the book I was reading—fake reading since nothing's registering in my head. I could almost feel everybody's eyes on me and I nearly breathed out a sigh of relief when Shizuko spoke.

"What's up with him? Did he… mention anything?"

Hideki-kun shrugged. "Nothing much except he said he wanted to obliterate everyone."

I cringed one more time and stares at Shizuko in obvious panic. She let out an exhale after meeting my eyes and busies herself with her homework. "Apparently… he found out about Misaki last night."

I was shocked by the very sudden exposure. Somehow, I couldn't help but gazed at Shizuko in an obvious mixture of shock and betrayal. Not that Hideki wasn't aware but he wasn't that aware. He didn't even know what exactly I am since Shizuko insisted he should be kept away from it. And to be so suddenly exposed like this… it was overwhelmingly unsettling.

Hideki stared at me for a moment—his eyes wide and confused at the same time—before he breathed out when realization dawned on him. He squared his shoulders and opens a book nonchalantly. "It's an unavoidable thing, isn't it?"

I was surprise by the lackluster response and was quick to drop my gaze from Hideki when Shizuko kicked me from under the table. I glanced at my wristwatch worriedly and darted a quick glance to the entrance of the Library; feeling extremely unsettled that any moment now, the person I'm dreading the most might suddenly walked in those doors.

I cursed mentally. It really was like a horror movie waiting to happen.

"I think I need a minute." I finally said and was quick to grab my coat and book bag.

"Where are you going?" Aoi looked like he was planning to strangle me. "You're not planning to ditch, aren't you?"

"No. I'm just… rest room."

I didn't wait for any of them to interrupt me anymore and was quick to turn on my heels and run off to the nearest exit. Unfortunately, no matter how big the Library was, rest rooms are still located at the end of the hallways. I kept my eyes down the floor yet remained vigilant on my surroundings. Last thing I want is to end up coming across Usui Takumi in the middle of this chaotic hallway.

I could almost imagine Usui Takumi's expression once he learns of the truth about me. And for some odd reason, I could almost hear my disorganize heartbeat just at the thought of seeing him disgusted at me—at what I am.

Quickly, I ended up shaking my head. This is not the time to get bothered—and awfully confused—over Usui Takumi's reaction. I need to plan my counter attack. If he ends up insisting that I'm trouble, I don't have much choice but to retaliate. I did this before… when I ended up exposed as well. It was very easy but would require me a lot of energy and time. I need to come up with an excuse to not be at school for a few days—an emergency… a very sudden death in the family… an accident at school that I need to get away from.

I could almost feel the hairs on my stand on its end.

I have to erase their memories of me—of all of me.

The thought of not being their friends anymore after getting this far was enough to bother me. Clenching my fist tightly, I willed myself to return to reality. Being friends with them is not my reality. It was not a reality for me.

It will never be.

"Damn him."

"Who?"

I was instantly frozen when Takumi's voice echoed right beside me. Heck, I didn't even notice that he'd already approached had he not spoke. Instinctively, I was quick to be on the defense. I shouldn't have left the Library. "None of your business."

"You're right. But odd as it were, I want to make everything about you my business."

I was on the edge of my seat—even though I was standing—when he said that. But I know better than to fall over the words of someone who was going to be responsible for my eviction from this place. And I know I shouldn't linger too much in his words… not when I'm about to erase his memories—all of it—about me.

The anxiety pressed against my chest and I struggled to ignore it.

For his safety. For his safety.

I walked briskly away from him; trying to resurface from the wave of emotion he had caused and redirected myself to my original destination. He was right next to me in a second; still following me like a dog.

I growled at Usui Takumi. The pressure of being right next to him is enough to knock me breathless. "Stay away from me."

"I can't do that. You know that." And for some odd reason, his voice was laced with some sort of emotion that I couldn't seem to understand. "And you promised me answers."

I glared again. "That was against my will."

"I need answers, Ayuzawa." When I continued walking briskly, I was startled when Takumi grabbed me by the elbow and dragged me towards a deserted part of the hallway; almost slamming me against the wall.

I tried to break free yet maintained the anger as I glared at him daggers. If only he would stay away, I wouldn't have to feel this way—I wouldn't have to doubt my mission and I wouldn't have to doubt myself… nor break all my promises of being on my own. I struggled to keep away from him but for some unknown reasons, it was as though my body was betraying me and only my mind was the only one struggling to keep distance from him.

"Give me some answers here, Ayuzawa. I don't wanna be in the dark." His voice was low and velvety and held a lot of promises that I didn't want to believe. "What are you?"

For the very first time in my life, I didn't know how to answer that frequently asked question.

"What are you?" he repeated; his grip around my elbow tightening. "Tell me."

"I…" My eyes trailed down to his parted lips inches away from my face and, as quickly as I could, shook my head to clear my brain. "—I don't understand what you're asking me about."

"You don't know how to answer such a simple question?" when his eyes darted down to my lips, I mentally panicked.

I was not ready for this—I'm a thousand years too early for this. This was not something I anticipated when I came here. This wasn't even something I've ever considered the moment I stepped in this place. And how much I hated Usui Takumi for tearing down these barriers and making me doubt myself and my promise on sticking to my own. I panicked even more when his cool breath fanned against my face and to see his face just inches away from mine was enough to give me a cardiac arrest.

He was so… so beautiful. How could a man be so unsettlingly beautiful? It was as though he was the one who holds the curse—and not I. His eyes… they were so, so beautiful. Without thinking, my free hand moved on its own to touch the sharp line that was his jaw. I could almost feel the muscles in his chin moved as he tense momentarily under my fingers. But it was as though the interactions of our bodies were so natural that his usual tension dissipated instantly as he relaxed under my touch.

His hand that was touching my elbow slowly slid up to my forearm; gently caressing the exposed skin of my arm. And the… sensual sensations he introduced to my suddenly heated skin sent almost erotic vibrations reverberating from the tips of my toes, up to my thighs and further up in my head.

The feeling felt so corporeal and I was shocked that, instinctively, I was reacting positively to him. And simply touching him like this was enough to satisfy what… hunger was trying to manifest the moment I first laid eyes on him.

"Damn it…"

My mind went back to reality when he spoke and I was quick to let my hand drop from his face. But as though he expected my reaction that he was quick to intercept my hand and held it firmly in his; gently pressing it to his face… almost touching his soft lips.

Damn it, I want to touch him.

Takumi chuckled darkly before shaking his head. "You're very vocal with your feelings, aren't you?"

It took me a full minute to realize that I idiotically blurted out what I've been thinking. Swiftly, I yanked my hand back and put a considerable distance between us. But, as if it was the most natural thing to do, he took one step forward; trying to maintain the proximity. I glared at him again. "I'm warning you, Takumi…"

"We're past all evasiveness now, aren't we?" he says sardonically; but the tell-tale signs that he's pissed were very obvious. "You suck at lying, Ayuzawa. But if you still don't want to admit it to yourself, I'm more than willing to do it for you: there's something between us."

I was quick to clapped my hands over my ears; trying to drown out his voice. Because the more he tries to say something stupid, the more I'm starting to believe that there really was something between us—and that it could be everything but casual. And to hear it coming out of his lips was enough to drive me insane and believe all the impossible words he was saying.

"I didn't like it." he continued; eyes dark and brooding. "But we have to find a way around it. And it means I will also need some answers."

Frustrated, I turned to him and clapped my hands over his lips; willing him to just stop talking. The denial was quite apparent and heavy in my eyes. And to my surprise, when I chance upon my reflection in his suddenly wide emerald eyes, I was startled to see that—again—my eyes was a glowing shade of molten amber.

Darn it! How could my body be reacting so positively from just his stupid words?

Takumi was quick to slap my hand away; eyes equally heated and heavy-lidded. "You can't evade me forever, Ayuzawa. This whole dodging thing wouldn't get us anywhere."

"Maybe it's because I didn't want to tell you that's why I've been trying to avoid you! Unfortunately for you, you can't seem to understand body-language."

"You're right. I couldn't seem to understand body-language. However, this is the only thing I understand whenever I'd caught you looking at me."

And before I could even understand where he's going, I was startled when his other arm snake around my waist and lifted me closer to his body. His eyes searched mine for a moment—my eyes wide and glowing and terribly inhuman—and, as though he found what he was searching for, dipped his head downward and captured my lips. Usui Takumi's mouth was hot and soft and sensual. And, ridiculously, I only struggled for a minute before my resolve melted away; my body molded into his almost by instinct.

"Damn it.' he muttered against my lips as his arms wrapped tighter round my waist; almost crushing me to his chest as if the proximity wasn't enough.

My hands were quick to lie on his hard chest; tracing his heated skin underneath the thick fabric of his uniform and, by instinct—always by instinct—slid my fingers inside to touch his shoulder blades; digging my nails into his skin. Takumi let out a soft moan I nearly thought I almost imagined it until his other hand fisted on my back while his other hand climbed up to my scalp; caging me into a grip as though he thought I was planning to escape.

And stupid as I am, I didn't want to escape him. I was so engulfed by so many emotions that the only thing registering in my head is to consume all of him until both of us are contained in a single vessel. I was equally shocked and embarrassed by the obviously carnal thoughts that are very new to me. I didn't know I could come up with such terms and emotions until Usui Takumi. And for a moment, I was worried that he was reacting like this because of what I am.

Slightly frightened, I opened my eyes and took a glimpse at him just in time he opened his emerald orbs. My eyes were still glowing that it casted an eerie glow against his skin. And while the look of surprise and wonder and confusion and curiosity was present in his eyes, the telltale signs of being affected by what I am were nowhere.

He wasn't affected. What is happening?

"What are you?" he whispered before sliding his lips from mine and to skim the line of my jaw. I cringed away from him; startled by his very sudden actions. But Takumi simply held me firmly in place using his hand by my nape. "I'm not going to hurt you, Ayuzawa."

And dammit, I wanted to believe that he's really not going to hurt me. For some very odd reasons, I wanted to stay in his arms and expose everything about me. But sense and reason prevented me from doing so; knowing that if I add him to the list of people who knew, it means the percentage of him getting in trouble—along with the others—is most likely high.

"What are you…?" Takumi's voice was now barely a whisper as his lips slid down from my jawline to the side of my neck. My lower limbs started to shake that I ended up doing nothing but hold on to his arms for support. And he seemed to have taken pleasure from it because, to my surprise, his teeth scrape the skin of my neck—sending waves and waves of pleasure rocking my entire body.

This is how Usui Takumi delivers a perfectly-executed seduction.

And my mind was so hazy I'm almost on the verge of exposing myself. I was almost there.

"Tell me… Ayuzawa."

"I'm…" No! Get a grip, Ayuzawa…! "I am…"

"Tell me." He murmured. "I want to know everything…"

"I am..." not human…

Takumi froze—and so was I—and was quick to disentangle himself from me. If I were being honest, his reaction hurt me more than I should. But the confusion over how he heard what I was thinking preceded everything else. My eyes—through his eyes—were still glowing; proving my inhumanity. And I wanted nothing but to run away—my original plan of removing myself from his memories trashed. If he's going to react like this… then there's no point in staying.

In wanting to stay by his side—

"What was that?" he says with a look of confusion. "I heard you, I think."

I was momentarily confused as well. "What?"

"I heard you." He repeated; a strange look in his eyes. "I heard you even if you weren't speaking. I think. Your voice is in my head."

If I wasn't that shock over his reaction, now I am. He was right. I didn't speak out my response to his question but rather… I was thinking about it. I returned my gaze to him. "H-How…?"

"I don't know." He says; still confused. "But I heard you." And then his eyes locked in on me as though I was a hunted prey. "And you're not human."

To that I had no response. No amount of education could ever tell me how to react after a definitive exposure. Not even my mother knew how to react when she was exposed to my father nor the generation before us.

Nobody ever knew how to.

And it angers me that I idiotically placed myself in the same, frickin' helpless position… when I promised myself that I wouldn't do so.

"How is that possible?" Takumi says; his eyes still determined to know the truth without showing an ounce of fear—or whatever it was my prey shows after finding out that they are dealing with a non-human entity. "If you're not human… then what are you?"

"Usui, I—"

"Just answer the damned question, Ayuzawa. You're exposed and I've been exposed as well. There's no point evading the situation when we both know I'd be sticking around you even after you're pissed at me."

"Why?"

"Why what?" his emerald eyes had that strange expression—almost angry. As if he was angry at himself… or at me. Or at our situation. Maybe he was beginning to understand what I am and is simply saving face by further dealing with me. Or maybe, deep down, he knew that there is no future with me. That he shouldn't bother. As to why he still bothers, I will never understand—at least, I didn't want to. But I didn't have much choice since I already voice out the question whose answer I've been dreading the most.

I clenched my fist; willing myself to speak. "Why would you want to stick around with me? Even after knowing I am not… human." Obviously, I had no effect on him. He wasn't being taken in by me. He wasn't being affected by me. So why stay when he can simply walk away?

Takumi glowered at me before he maintained a reasonable distance between us; his eyes focusing somewhere else but me—his hands pushed inside the pockets of his trousers; the tips of his ears turning a light shade of pink. "I don't know that myself. What I know is that I simply couldn't walk away from you."

"What? Do you pity me? Because I certainly don't need that." I let anger color my voice.

I was startled though when Takumi shot me down with a glare. "Are you stupid? Did you really think I would kiss someone I pity? Use your brain, Ayuzawa."

The mention of the word kiss was enough to make me blush. I wanted to hit him for being so vulgar but it was as though my entire body was reacting oh-so positively to him that I couldn't even have the courage to hurt him—physically, emotionally and even psychically. I was feeling so raw… so vulnerable right next to him. It was a new feeling… but at the same time, it felt as though I've been in this situation before for hundreds of years.

Darn it, what's happening to me?

I turned to him again. This is a very rare spectacle—if not uncanny. But I have to find a way around this. "If you don't pity me then what?"

"You wouldn't like the answer you'll get."

"Don't use that card on me." I was beyond pissed now. There's no way in hell Usui Takumi has another reason to stick around me. "You announced that you hate me before and now you're suddenly saying that you'll be sticking around with me? What was that all about—"

"I like you, you damn fool."

I was stunned. That wasn't the type of answer I was expecting. In fact, it was something I have never—not in so many lifetimes—anticipated from him. Trying my best to be angry, I glowered at him. "You're crazy."

"Maybe I am." He was quick to shot back; a hint of frustration was present in his voice. "And I hated it—involving myself towards someone I shouldn't involve myself with. Involving myself with a troublesome woman who, in the end, I discovered to be even more troublesome than necessary. I hated it—I hated this." When he lifted my hand to touch my arm, it was as though all my resolve to stay away from him melted along with the last of my barriers. "But dammit, there's something about you, Ayuzawa… and I couldn't stay away from you. Not even if my life is on the line… not even if you're troublesome… not even if you're not human. How about that?"

When I didn't respond—not that I could—he grabbed me by the hand and started dragging me away from the deserted hallway we were at. From my peripheral vision, I notice Shizuko and the others exiting from the Library and looked extremely horrified at the sight of me being caught—willingly now—by my hunter. I gave them a discreet nod to assure them everything's okay, yet, they still decided to follow us. I was quite certain Usui had notice them as well but paid them no heed.

"W-Where are we going?"

"We need to talk." He says; eyes dark and intense. His grip on my hand tightened as though he was thinking I will escape from him. "Somewhere quiet—I don't want people to hear or even see us. We need to talk—and you will give me answers—even if it kills us both."

I was momentarily stunned by the fierceness of his voice that, when he continued dragging me away, I wasn't able to do anything but simply allow him to pull me around.

Dammit, I really wished he hadn't said that. I didn't want him to give me a reason to develop a frickin' weakness.

To be continued…

PS: I've been receiving a lot of DMs asking if I will be continuing this story. And the answer is yes. Just forgive me for the very long time it takes me to update. *Peace*