Chapter 4:
Kiss me
Without having a chance to react, his bulky hand; tough enough to crack a man's jaw yet gentle enough to caress a frail kitten, rested upon my head tenderly, fingering at my thin strands of electric blue hair.
"What's the matter?" His low tone, emptying all other thoughts in my head, resounded through my ears as I stared into his concerned eyes; it's golden shade of the sun returning my gaze.
"N-nothing" I stammered, responding instantly while forcing a smile, admittedly knowing all too well that I had most likely failed at that.
"Aoba…"
Unexpectedly, the enormous physique next to mine shifted slightly closer, continually peering straight into my eyes seemingly like he was trying to find his way into my consciousness.
A few minutes passed, silently gazing at one another; with eyes like gems, the uneasiness in them seemed too obvious now.
"Ah-"
Just as I was about to look away, full, smooth lips pressed against my forehead, turning my breaths irregular as I shyly shut my eyes to his warm touch.
"Tell me." Mink insisted as he wore a troubled look across his usual emotionless face. The feeling of his curling lips tickling my skin ever so slightly caused the sounds of thumps emitting from my chest to resonate throughout the room.
"It's n-nothing to worry about." I faltered, sounding less confident than I planned to be even though I was mostly just trying to reassure myself more than anything.
There's no point in saying anything, this is my problem. It'll probably go away by tomorrow and I'd rather not worry him for no reason.
Mink sighed, lifting his face away from my forehead and opening his mouth once again.
"You're getting better"
"Huh?" Taken-aback by his unexpected words, I answer questioningly.
"The food." Mink swiftly points in the direction of the empty bowls on the table in front of us.
"Oh, that's great to hear! I'm really trying." I said half-jokingly to the handsome, well-built man that sat to my left as I twisted my mouth in effort to form a grin.
"I know." He proceeded to grace my presence with one of his rare, sly smirks; the bright pink tint in my cheeks growing more vibrant.
"S-so, I guess it's time for you to go back now?" Flustered; I said while inspecting the time on my coil, deliberately trying to avoid his eyes.
"I've got a few more minutes."
"O-oh." I stuttered, continually observing everywhere around the room; avoiding him. However, much to my distress I was still feeling as breathless as before.
A few moments pass before his deep voice radiates the room once again.
"Aoba… Are you sure you are alright?" With his calm words, tender fingertips position themselves against my chin, clutching it and turning my delicate face in that one direction I had been trying to avoid.
"Mink…" Irrepressibly, my voice expelled by itself and I stared into his eyes once again; my thoughts all messy and my body feeling like an oven turned to one hundred degrees.
I want to…
I want to tell him…
No!
My head swirled with the same thoughts over and over but each time, I dismissed them straight away, hoping that they won't come back the next time but only to be disappointed once again. Lost in thoughts, sudden movement from the sofa startled me.
"Kiss me." Mink's readjustment, followed by his low whisper pierced my whole body, bringing me straight back to reality.
Within a few seconds, I realise what he had just whispered.