Chapter 14:

Several minutes after Arisa left Sesshomaru, he finally sat down on the bench, and watched as people come and go across the street. He could really tell how different her world is from his; as he could only feel himself as a relic from the past. Even though had his back from the students who still passed by the area he was waiting, he strongly felt their eyes on him, and it was starting to get on his nerves. Thankfully, Arisa's words kept him from going berserk.

After a mind-boggling and nerve-wrecking quiz bee, Arisa managed to place third among the thirty universities who participated. She heaved a sigh of relief once she had stepped down the stage, and a bunch of people flocked around her – her sensei, concerned classmates, and of course, her two closest friends Yukino and Mari.

"Oh my god Arisa, I'm so glad you're alright!" Yukino worriedly complained, followed by Mari.

"Girl, where the hell did you go? We thought you couldn't come anymore!"

Arisa laughed nervously. "W-well…it's kind of a long story."

"Congratulations, Arisa. You still made it despite your circumstances."

"Thank you, sensei. It's still a miracle, though. Most of the questions that came out were what I noted as important facts."

"That's quite an amazing skill you have."

Another wave of cheerful congratulations surrounded her, along with the arrival of her mother and Jin.

"We are so proud of you, Arisa."

"You were so cool, big sis!"

"Thank you…"

She already felt embarrassed by the overflowing compliments given to her – that she almost forgot that she had a cruel, intolerant visitor.

Uh-oh.

"Sensei, I…need to do something. Yukino, Mari, I'll chat with you tomorrow. Mom, Jin, I'll see you at the gate."

With that, she hurriedly went out of the auditorium and went straight to where she left Sesshomaru.

I didn't expect the quiz bee to last for hours! Oh, kamisama, please let him be in a good mood!

Soon, she saw him sitting on the bench, looking up at the sky.

He really stayed there…like a good dog waiting for his owner.

Sensing her, Sesshomaru turned half-way, and stood up. Seconds later, she was now in front of him, panting.

"S-sorry it took so long…!"

"Take this, now."

She gently got the handkerchief from him, and with just that, Sesshomaru turned his back, already walking away from the place.

"H-hey! You sure you know the way back?"

"Who do you think I am?" he answered, smirking.

"Oh, of course. The Great Dog Demon Sesshomaru." Arisa answered with a little sarcasm.

Who seems suddenly possessed by a kind, weird spirit…

"My, Arisa! Is he...?"

"Can we assume that he was the guy you told us about…? Your descriptions match."

Those were the voices she definitely did NOT want to hear in their current situation, and it made Sesshomaru halt.

She quickly turned around and ran to them.

"I told you to wait for me at the gate...!"

However, her mother just chuckled. "Don't be like that. We were suddenly curious, you know."

She then looked at Sesshomaru, who was now looking at them with a not-so-kind pair of eyes but she didn't seem to mind.

"Arisa, invite him for dinner." Her mother suddenly said, smiling.

"WHAT!?"

"Come on, sis. He doesn't look like someone who could kill, like how you described him to be." Jin insisted.

"Hold on. You both don't know what you're talking about. We better let him be."

"Well, if you're shy, then I'll go." Her mother replied, brushing her off.

"M-mom! Did you hear a thing I just said?"

"Obviously, she didn't." Jin answered, and Arisa pinched his ears.

"Hello there. Won't you like to have dinner with us?" their mother said with a gentle voice as she approached Sesshomaru.

"I am fine without eating." He stated bluntly then turned around. But then, his sleeve was gripped tightly by the old woman, and it quickly annoyed him.

"Old woman. Let go."

"I will if you say yes to my invitation."

He responded to her lividly, about to claw her hands off, but a pair of piercing eyes met his. Somehow…it reminded him of his mother during his younger days, when he used to clung to her. His expression slowly changed, his brows knitting. He looked like a stubborn child who had no choice but to obey his mother.

"Now that's a good boy!" she exclaimed, taking his silence as a 'yes'. Her creepy face was gone in an instant and replaced by the gentle one from before.

"Come now, children. This gentleman here agreed to have dinner with us."

Jin was delighted by that, but Arisa was not. Rather, she was shocked, and scared at the same time.

"Arisa! What are you gawking there for? Let's go."

She cast her eyes toward them, and there was Sesshomaru, already following them from behind.

Oh my god…am I still dreaming!?

However, as soon as they passed by the forest, Sesshomaru was about to sneak out but a cold voice called out to him - which sounded pretty much like his own mother once again. Arisa couldn't believe it, and continued to see what would happen, just in case.

"Sesshomaru, right?"

"So you know my name."

"I heard it from my daughter, of course. Isn't it quite rude to be ditching on us?"

"Not that it matters. Mingling with humans itself is, and is the worst."

Upon saying that, he started proceeded walking his way to the forest, not caring about her next answer. But, he didn't expect it to actually 'stab him in the back'.

"Do you really think that? Just so you know, I never invite other creatures in our home. I am only doing so now, as thanks for saving my daughter."

He smirked. "I never asked—"

"But if you insist, then never mind and go eat your goddamn pride." She said, cutting him off in the coldest tone ever, sending chills to both Arisa and Jin. It was their first time to witness how their mother looked so powerful with words.

Remembering how terrifying Sesshomaru is once he got pent up, Arisa quickly went over to him.

I can't believe how Mom was the one who cut him off!

"Se-Sesshomaru! Forgive my mother! Please don't hurt her…!" she pleaded, but there was no answer from him, and it scared her more.

"You can just forget it and go back—"

She peeked at him closer; and caught his eyes flicker with the slightest hint of fear. She was clearly surprised, but before she could even confirm it, he was back to normal right away like nothing. He suddenly went ahead of her and Jin.

"W-wait, please, hit me instead!" Arisa cried out, only to find him looking at her with his usual blank expression.

"Shut it."

Arisa was once again stunned over his unusually calm reply. "Oh—"

"Hurry up, you three." Their mother casually called out, as if she wasn't a monster just moments ago. Arisa continued to stare at Sesshomaru in confusion as she slowly trailed behind.

What is going on with him…? Did he actually get scared of my mother?

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