It had now been a couple weeks since I became a member of Tres Spades. So many things had taken place in a short space of time it was overwhelming. I was slowly adapting to the changes and I no longer felt like my life was meaningless. Working alongside Eisuke had instilled in me more hope than I ever imagined. Things sure have a weird way of working out in life. If it wasn't for Joelle, I never would have been in Crystal Love and if I wasn't, then I never would have met Eisuke and now be part of Tres Spades. Everyone played a role in getting me to where I am now. Even Kat. I've reached a state of happiness I haven't felt in a long time. I knew the road ahead of me was long and winding and full of obstacles. But I didn't have to face them alone. I have truly amazing friends to keep me on track and guide me along the way.
I hadn't yet told Joelle about my addition to Tres Spade. I wanted it to remain a secret as long as possible so Kat didn't happen to stumble upon the news and try interfere. Joelle had since taken over my position as pianist while also providing back up vocals for Kat.
It was the weekend and thus another morning practice session. Since that day, I have made sure to wake up on time so Eisuke wouldn't be able to scold me on my laziness. 'I can't help I love to sleep.' I pouted.
The Villa gradually came into view. As usual I carefully checked my surroundings before marching up to the entrance of the right wing. "Phew. Clear." I sighed in relief. Everyone, seeming to pick up on my presence, turned to face me from the couches they sat on. "Wow, is that Elli? Or is it her ghost?" Baba joked playfully, standing up and pretending he was a ghost. "Baba, put your arms down. Act ya age." Mamoru shook his head in disbelief. "Aww, loosen up. You are way too stiff." Baba said with a grin. Eisuke, ignoring the bunch of loud mouths, stood up and headed my way, " You really are trying hard. Twice in a row you've come in time. You must be sacrificing so much sleep." Eisuke spoke in a sarcastic tone with his usual smirk, "I think it deserves a reward." A sly smile played on his lips as be rubbed his chin while looking at me mischievously. "What kind of reward?" I naively asked and he chuckled, "What kind of reward is befitting of you?" He asked and knelt down. 'What on earth?' I was confused by what was happening and watched in silence. Kneeling down in front of me, he took my hand in his. 'Whoa!' I jumped at the sudden contact.
Holding my hand in his, Eisuke brought his face closer. He then placed a gentle kiss upon the back of my hand while his eyes remained fixated on me. It was like he was trying to gauge my reaction. 'Uh...What... Is he trying to be a prince?' "Is this to your liking, My Lady?" He asked in a refined manner. Talk about taking it all the way. "Eisuke, you are embarrassing me." I shyly looked away but couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. "And you never fail to amuse me." He flashed me a teasing grin. 'Always the same. ...But...' I Inconspicuously rubbed over the spot on my hand he just kissed, 'Hehe. He can be such a gentleman.'
As I was lost in the moment I heard a clearing of the thought behind us. "Ah!" I quickly turned around to see a testy Soryu. "Are we going to start practicing? We don't have all day to just sit around and play prince charming." Soryu sounded rather irritated. It seemed he didn't enjoy watching the earlier exchange between me and Eisuke and wanted to seperate us as quick as possible. "Alright. Let's get ready." Eisuke ordered everyone up on the stage.
Our rhythm seemed to get better with each session. If we kept it up, maybe one day we could go places! That was what I hoped for. Practice was going over smoothly. I still occasionally got lost in Eisuke's voice but nothing so much as to throw me off key. We made the perfect duet. When we sung it was like nothing around us mattered. It was just the two of us and our music.
We were just about to wrap up and call it a day when the doors that seperated the left from the right wing of the villa suddenly slammed opened. All eyes immediately turned in that direction. 'What... No... It can't be. Kat...' I felt my entire body immediately freeze up. A shiver shot down through my spine and my stomach felt like it was being squeezed. I looked on in horror as Kat marched up to us.
"You!" Kat spat my name. Her eyes shooting daggers. "Kat... I..." I had no idea what to even say in this situation. "So this is what you have been doing. I never gave you permission to use this Villa. You should never have stepped foot in here once I kicked you from Crystal Love!" She sounded very angry, it was frightening. "I don't know what Tres Spades even saw in you. I can't believe they allowed someone such as you to join them." Kat growled in frustration. "I don't want her coming back here or I will throw you all out of the villa. Choose, stay here, the perfect spot to practice or would you rather be tossed out and find somewhere else to go?" Kat spat the choices at them. "No! You can't! I'll leave. Don't throw them out. Please!" I frantically replied. Hanging my head I attempted to leave but I was stopped by an arm thrusted out in front, "I told you to trust me didn't I? Let me handle this." "Eisuke... I was on the verge of tears. Eisuke looked so mature and dependent. He really did want to protect me.' Though I was filled with aniexty, Eisuke's few words filled my heart with warmth, that warm feeling...was hope.
"Is that your decision? You will really pick that girl over what's best for you?" Kat looked confused for a moment, it was like she couldn't understand their reasoning.
"Kat, I know you own this place but I'm afraid I can't just allow you to throw us out. Elli is someone important to me and I won't just stand by and watch you walk all over her. It won't cause you any harm if she came here for practice. It's not like it's bothering you. Is it?" There was a seriousness in his eyes as he spoke, his voice was filled with confidence.
"I...No." Kat shook her head. She seemed to be faltering under Eisuke's intense gaze. Kat feared by many was struggling under the might of Eisuke. Was there nothing he couldn't do? I was completely blown away seeing Kat succumb to him. When Eisuke gets serious, he really doesn't fool around.
"I'm glad you see it my way. So it won't be a problem if she came here for band practice?" Eisuke, with his confident smile, asked the tottering Kat. "...Whatever. Do whatever you want. But she is only allowed to stay for practice and nothing more. You got it? If you break those rules there will be consequences." Kat huffed and then stormed from the room. I was still in awe from watching Eisuke singlehandedly deal with such a wicked girl. 'Sigh... Why must Kat act like that. I promised Joelle I'd help her regain her senses but how do I manage such a feat when she detests me so much...?' I frown at the thought, I wistfully glance towards the door Kat just left through.
"See? Nothing to worry about." Eisuke came up to me, a proud smile on his face. "Yeah... Thank you. I was ready to leave to keep you guys out of harm. I didn't know she would go that far even now." I sighed.."Eisuke, what would you have done if she refused to leave until you answered. What would you have chosen?" My curiosity getting the better of me I couldn't help but want to know. Eisuke was caught off guard by my question, his eyes darted about, thinking what he should say, "My answer... It's not a question I could answer." He softly replied. "Why not? You would have had to pick me, I would only have been a hindrance." I continued to pry. "If you really must know..." Eisuke slowly turned to face me. There was a look in his eyes I had never seen before, they way they looked at me sent a chill down my spine. He was looking at me so ardently, the smile etched on his lips looked so pure, so sweet. I could feel my mind going blank under the instense gaze of his beautiful eyes. He carefully brought a hand towards me and cupped my cheek. The sensation set my heart on fire. 'Oh gosh. I hope he can't hear my rapidly beating heart.' My whole body was burning up in expectation. I had never seen this side of him before. "Eisuke...?" I softly breathed his name. "You want to know my answer... Then so be it." Eisuke had me completely under his power. Still cupping my cheek, Eisuke slowly leaned in. 'Wait... He's going to kiss me?!' Coming to this realization set my heart on overdrive. I thought I might pass out from embarrassment. 'I...I'm not-' Before I even had a chance to finish my thought his lips had touched mine. They just barely grazed but it was enough for me to know how he felt. 'That was...my first kiss!' Eisuke slowly pulled back, I could see passion filled eyes gazing back into mine. "E...isuke..." I was breathing heavy, I was so unprepared I had held onto my breath.
Eisuke still gazing into my eyes, licked his lips and gave me a devilish grin, "Heh. I can't believe you got so worked up over a kiss. You act like it was your first." He carelessly laughed but you continued to be in shock, "Hmm. Don't tell me...That was your first?" Eisuke looked at me, there was slight surprise on his face. I just looked directly back at him without answering. It was more than enough to tell him the answer. "I was your first... Heh. So you really are inexperienced in the way of love. I'll just have to teach you." Eisuke went straight back to teasing me but now he sounded strangely happy.
"Eisuke... Does that mean..." I trailed off, unable to finish my question. "Probably. I couldn't let you go. When told about picking you over what's best for me... I couldn't do that because you are what's best for me." He said, a sort of sad but relieved smile on his lips. "I see. Then you..." The words again wouldn't come out. "Haha you really are so innocent. Yes that's right. I have feelings for you. I have for the longest time. I'm not even sure when It started but I had this desire to protect you and over time I found myself always thinking of you. And before I knew It I was crazy about you. You are probably the first girl to have ever made me feel this way." Eisuke said. He didn't seem to have any trouble saying how he felt.
"Really..." 'I was at a loss. I still wasn't sure on my feelings. I know he is someome important to me. My heart always aches for his touch. ...Yes. I like him too... But I'm not ready for a relationship just yet. Not with how crazy my life is right now.' Coming to terms with that I gave a small nod of my head and looked at Eisuke, "Eisuke... I...I'm not ready to pursue a relationship. At least not yet. I'm sorry..." I told him just how I felt and awaited to hear his reply. I sheepishly peeked at his face and saw it was riddled with emotions. He breathed a sigh before speaking, "I should have known. I can't force you. If you feel that way then so be it. But my feelings for you won't change. Not now, not ever. I will continue to protect you no matter what." Eisuke firmly explained. Slowly he reached a hand towards my face and softly traced a finger down my cheek, "I hope one day you will feel the same as I do." A sadness flickered in his eyes, I had never seen him look so down on himself. Eisuke removed his hand from my cheek and then trudged over to the door to his current dwelling. Never once looking back. I sadly brought a hand to my cheek. The one he touched moments ago. 'It still feels warm.' I hanged my head and traced a finger over my lips where his were moments ago. 'His lips were so soft and gentle. My first kiss...' His scent, his warmth. They continued to linger on my skin. They made me yearn for him.
'I didn't realize he felt that way. It's my fault it happened this way but I'm just not ready to juggle a relationship on top of everything else. ...And I still need to know him better. I want him to open up to me. ...Uggh I'm trying to make all these excuses. Maybe I should have accepted him. Would it have made me happy? Or would it add to my stress... I'm so confused. I don't want to lose him.' My face riddled with pain, I crouched over and held my head, 'Why is this happening. Eisuke is someone important to me. But am I absolutely certain I love him? I don't want to rush into anything. ...No, I know I love him and that just makes it all harder. But until I find my sister, I can't focus on a relationship too. I didn't even tell him my feelings... he might think I don't love him.' My body shook at the thought. Today really showed just how immature I was. The man I have come to love and loved me in return, I pushed him away and in the worst way possible. 'He might think it's unrequited love... I'm such an idiot. What should I do...' I stood up, the big open room was silent and lonely. Looking around, everyone had already vanished into the section they lived in. "Hah... Guess it's time to go." I weakly made my way from the villa. Hot tears pricked at my eyes, slowly one by one the tears cascaded down my face. I walked home with a heavy heart. One full of regret.