"How much farther, Zero Two?" It's been an hour since both Hiro and her left the school. 'We totally forgot our stuff!' Hiro mentally notes, a bit relieved he at least brought with him his phone and wallet. Right now, he was trailing behind Zero Two in some unknown forest area that was at least 45 minutes away from the city, if taking the bus. The place was something new to Hiro, since he never really left the city anyway, and was actually surprised Zero Two knew a place like this. It was quite mystical, to say at least, how the moss covered trees seem to reach and touch the clouds and how the ground seem to sparkle, thanks to the dew.

Why Zero Two chose this place, he'll never know.

He knows just how defiant the horned girl was, fully capable of doing stuff like ditching classes, but the moment she asked him to come with her, and with that hopeful smile of hers, he doesn't know why he agrees without any question, even if he was fully knowledgeable of the consequences their actions would reap once they get caught; but Hiro couldn't also help but feel an exciting thrill course through his veins.

It felt like he could face any sort of danger as long as he was with Zero Two.

"We're closer now darling, just a few more steps." She calls out to him, and truth be told, after a few more minutes, they arrive at a stop. Looking up, he sees they were standing right in front of some kind of entrance. The entrance was a small cave that had long vines, peppered with white flowers, falling from the top, sort of like a curtain.

"Let's go, darling." Zero Two reaches out her hand, to which he gladly grabs. Passing through the viney curtains, Hiro is immediately consumed with cold darkness. "Careful darling, it's a bit slipper here…" Zero Two whispers, holding his hand tighter. Squinting, Hiro could see they were getting closer to the end of the tunnel, with the light growing

bigger with every step they take. Soon, he finds himself adjusting to the bright light entering his eyes.

When his vision cleared, Hiro finds a huge lake right across them. It mesmerized him how crystal clear the water was, sparkling beneath the sunlight with it's turquoise green hue. Crouching forward, he could also see that the lake was brimming with marine life, with a few fishes swimming by the shore.

"Look darling! I caught a crab!" He hears Zero Two call out excitedly.

Running to him, she puts out her cupped hands to his face so he could see the tiny little crab trying to escape from her hold. "Isn't he cute?" she says. "Wanna hold it?"

Reluctantly, he agrees, putting out one hand as she slowly ushers the little crustacean to his palm. Immediately, he is greeted with the ticklish feeling of its legs, letting out a soft chuckle only Zero Two could hear. "Gee darling, I never knew you were the ticklish type~" she teases, a small smirk adorning her rosy lips. Staring at them, Hiro blushes before turning away.

His mind wanders back to the kiss they shared when he walked her home. He could still feel the softness of her lips and how she tasted sweet like the candy she always eats. A part of him wanted to confront her on the sudden action, but chooses not to, just to avoid any awkwardness to develop between them.

But a small part of him also wonders if she'd do kiss him once more and this time, how would his reaction be.

He's broken out from his thoughts when he hears the sound of shoes fumbling. Realizing Zero Two had left his side, he finds her seated on a wooden platform, with her shoes and socks taken off, slowly unwinding her muffler, revealing the smooth, creamy skin of her neck. Hiro gulps loudly at the sight.

"Darling? Why are you staring at me like that?" Zero Two's voice wakes him up from his stupor, resulting in him blushing even harder than before.

'These damned hormones…'

Sitting right beside her, Hiro had also removed his footwear, choosing to dip his feet in the refreshingly cold water. Meanwhile, Zero Two was busy skipping stones, trying to see which stone could go on the longest. "Try this darling! This is super fun!" she chastises him to which he politely declines. "I'm fine seeing you have fun."

"Suit yourself!"

After a few moments of silence, Hiro speaks up, "Listen, Zero Two, why'd you bring me here? To be honest with you, I was kinda expecting us to be at some arcade or something.." He bashfully says, it was really quite strange for her to bring him to some peaceful place, considering how feisty her personality is. "Don't you like it here?" Zero Two questions, her head cocked to the side. "I love it." he instantly replies, prompting Zero Two to shrug and put her hands behind her back, "Well then,if you love it here, then, why I brought you here shouldn't matter at all right?"

He makes an unsatisfied face, to which she immediately notices. Sighing over how persistent her darling is, she adds, "If it really is important to you...this is Cerasus lake, named after the cherry trees growing nearby." Zero Two points at the trees before continuing, "Somebody once told me about this place, but I've only came here by myself." her voice comes out a whisper,

"This is a place I go to whenever I feel like sad, that's why I brought you here, 'cause you've been looking all down in the dumps since this morning darling." Hiro smiles, taking her hand and interlocking his fingers with hers'. 'So this was Zero Two's way of cheering me up..'

Never in his life did someone actively try to cheer him up, until now, and for that, he's thankful.

"Thank you, Zero Two."

Zero Two doesn't respond, instead, she splashes Hiro in the face, stunning him. Snickering, she teases, "You always manage to make weird faces darling." shivering from the cold, Hiro frowns a bit over her seemingly disregarding his heartfelt gratitude, but when he feels a warmth settle just beneath his chin, he realizes Zero Two was leaning against him, snuggling comfortably. At first, he tenses over the new found intimacy they were sharing, but soon relaxes and finds himself leaning closer to her as well.

"I'm glad you liked the place, darling." her warm breath tickles his chest.

"Mm."

After drying up, they both venture back out of the forest and board a bus back to the city. Hiro suddenly hears a grumble coming from Zero Two, who smiles sheepishly at him. "Looks like I'm a bit hungry, darling." she says, "I know a place where we could eat." he suggests. "Let me treat you there, as a thank you for bringing me to Cerasus."

Soon enough, as they get back in the city, he brings her to a well known food alley that had a lot of stalls catering to various local dishes. Zero Two could feel her mouth salivating over the aroma coming from left and right. Indeed, she was feeling much famished than ever

Damn her darling for bringing her to this torturous place!

Just then, her darling pulls her over to a small stall that looked very oriental with its dragon like motifs. It had a sign that read 'Ichiban! Tako!' with a drawing of an octopus giving a thumbs up. Sitting on one of the stools, Hiro reaches out for a menu and gives one to Zero Two. "This is my favorite place to eat back then. Their takoyaki is better than all the others because they actually put a whole baby octopus in." he could see Zero Two's eyes twinkling in hunger, prompting him to call the order taker. "Let me order the specia-

"One baby tako with mentaiko please." Zero Two interrupts while pointing to the menu. "And your sauce will be?" the waiter asks. "The Honey Teriyaki glaze." she answers with vigor. The waiter turns to Hiro and he orders the same as hers, although with a different sauce. Once their orders were served, Zero Two instantly pops one takoyaki in her mouth, not minding the how hot it still was.

"Mmm! Delicious!" She moans while stuffing another one in her mouth.

"You sure know what to order Zero Two." Hiro compliments. She looks at him, with her cheeks cutely puffed up from the takoyaki. Swallowing, she tells him,

"I've been here before."

"Really?" Hiro asks while taking a bite of his own food, genuinely surprised.

She only nods.

Soon after, they find themselves back in school. Classes have ended thirty minutes ago, which means they could sneak in and grab their bags. Upon doing so, they immediately leave the classroom before anyone could see them.

"Hey Zero Two, thanks again for bringing me to that lake. It really helped me take my mind off of things." Hiro says, smiling once more at the pinkette.

"As long as you're happy, darling. I'd take you anywhere you'd like." she says.

"Speaking of anywhere, I remembered wanting to travel the world, but now, I think that'll be too weird for someone like me, eh Zero Two?" he looks over to her who had a calm look on her face. "No..not at all.." she murmurs.

Suddenly, a feminine voice calls out from behind.

"Ehem."

Looking back, both of them are surprised to see Ichigo, who had her arms crossed and a stern expression etched across her soft features. Instantly, Hiro felt nervous. Ichigo was known to be strict when it came to discipline, and as the school's president, who knows what sort of punishment she could give, even if said offender was her friend. "I-ichigo.." He stutters, looking away, meanwhile, Zero Two still had a calm, yet questioning look on her face.

"Do you need anything?"

Taking a deep breath, Ichigo turns to Hiro and puts on a smile, something which unnerves him to no end, "Don't worry, I told the teachers you and Zero Two both had to go to the clinic." she places a hand on Hiro's shoulder reassuringly, "However, as president, I'd like to inform you that cutting class is a major offense and must not be attempted ever again, is that clear?" Hiro gulps, nodding, "Yes ma'am." turning to Zero Two, who was quiet the whole time, Ichigo looks her in the eye, a silent tension brewing between them, "As for you, Zero Two, since you are a new student, I'd like to have a word with you in private."

Zero Two stares down at the short woman, whose intense gaze didn't seem to waver. Sighing, she has no other choice but to agree, "Fine."

"But Zero Two-" Zero Two flashes a reassuring smile at Hiro. "I'll be okay, darling. You go on without me." She says. "Are you sure?" She nods before ushering him to go home so she could get things over quickly.

Once Hiro was gone, she turns to Ichigo once more, a more intimidating aura radiating from her.

"Now, what do you want?"

"As president, I'd like to remind you that you shouldn't go around breaking rules, especially since you're a newcomer here. If ever you attempt doing something stupid again, I would not hesitate to reinforce punishment, if it means I'd be able to discipline you." Ichigo reprimands Zero Two, who seems to be lacking interest with the talk.

Yawning, she looks down at Ichigo and says blankly, "Is that all?"

"Actually, there's one more thing…" Ichigo says.

"You're really bossy, aren't you?" Zero Two cringes. "Thanks for the compliment, but anyway, it's about Hiro…" Zero Two's ears perk up at her darling's name.

"Hiro..? You mean my darling?" Inwardly, Ichigo winces at the girl's endearment towards her childhood friend. It felt very uncomfortable hearing Hiro be called as such. "Anyways, I've noticed how the two of you seems to be very close from the start, and I'm happy for the both of you.." She begins,

"But I think you should know by now...Hiro's a bit on the vulnerable side, and as early as now, he's growing dependent on you." Ichigo pauses before continuing, "..Too dependent..and with the situation now, and how the two of you seem to be overly affectionate with one another, which is another offense worth noting, I believe it's better if you give Hiro some space…" Zero Two knots her brows together; who does she think she is, trying to dictate her on how she should be with her darling?

And now, she wants her to give some space to darling? There's no way in hell she'd do that now that she's found him.

"It's darling's choice to keep on being with me, not mine.." She murmurs, not bothering to look at Ichigo in fear that she might not be able to control her own emotions at the moment. "I know that." Ichigo answers back, "and that's why I'm asking you this favor. Please, if you really do care for him, give him some space."

"And what if I don't?" Zero Two challenges, and when Ichigo doesn't answer, she further taunts, "You'd take him from me won't you?" Ichigo's eyes widen, "No! That's not it! I- leave me out of this!" she says loudly.

"If that's the case, then stay out of it." Zero Two crosses her arms, "Darling and mine's business should be none of your concern."

"I have every right to be part of your businesses!" Ichigo argues, "You're a bad influence to Hiro, you could get him in all sorts of trouble!"

Zero Two merely glances at the trembling girl, "Well, if that happens, then that would be his doing, not mine." she says rather coldly, but deep inside, Zero Two was having a myriad of feelings.

She's not wrong though..

I'm nothing but a no good troublemaker.. A freak..

I…

*SLAP*

Zero Two feels a sting on her right cheek. 'Did she just…?' slowly turning her head, she sees Ichigo with her hand in the air right after slapping her. She notes how red her palm looked and wonders if it hurts far more than her cheek. Suddenly, she smells something salty and realizes tears were starting to form in Ichigo's eyes.

"How could you be so heartless?"

Despite the sting in her words, Zero Two couldn't find it in her to be mad at the girl, after all, how could she? She knows everything she's told her was true.

But even so..

"Aside from being president, what right do you have in telling me what to do with my darling?" Ichigo's eyes widen, "I'm.."

"You're right. Darling's mind right now is messed up, but in all your years, have you tried reaching out to him? Understanding him?" Ichigo turns silent.

"No right? Well if you didn't know, I was able to get inside him. I was able to hear his pains, hell, I was there to make him laugh. Have you?" No response, "Exactly. So don't you dare tell me what to do with darling because you have no goddamn idea with everything he's gone through till now!" With that, Zero Two leaves Ichigo frozen on the spot.

'I'm never letting you go darling..ever!'

Meanwhile, Ichigo's heart is thumping hardly, she feels as if she couldn't breathe over the new information she's gotten from Zero Two. She knew that Zero Two had a point, she was president, yes, but her power only reigns throughout the school, not with another person's heart; but Hiro was a dear friend of hers, and it was natural for her to become protective with him, especially since it was a new sight to see him being so transfixed with another person, let alone, a girl.

And it unknowingly pains her to no end.

Feeling a wave of hopelessness wash over her, she shakily grabs her cellphone and presses a series of numbers.

"Hello?"

"Goro? I need to talk to you."