Chapter 18:

It had been a few weeks since Arisa got back, but one day, her closest friends Yukino and Mari lured her into a 'trap'.

They asked her to teach them regarding their chemistry topic, which they claimed that they weren't able to understand anything. They went into a café, and started ordering desserts and coffee.

Soon, the three of them purposefully sat together, with Arisa being in the middle.

"Actually, we just wanted you to stay put." Yukino said; her tone a bit wary.

"Isn't it about time you tell us what really happened to you?" Mari continued, and Arisa looked at them with a guilty expression.

"Oh…right…"

Ever since the day after that quiz bee, Yukino and Mari had been bugging her to have a nice chat with them and tell that supposedly long story of hers. However, she had been reasoning out about being busy or bargaining that she'd tell them next time.

And the rationale behind that is actually how to divert the story. She didn't want more people to know about Sesshomaru and the existence of the wooden well that 'evidently' led her to the feudal era. Also, knowing how that these two were just too friendly with everyone, they would surely talk about it in school even if she asked them to keep their mouths shut. Theories and stories about some kind of magic would surely come out as a consequence, and it would be a worldwide trend considering that it's already the modern times. It would certainly become a fuss, and there is no way she would ever like that.

Arisa let out a deep breath.

Here goes…

"Around that time when I went home late from school, a group of drunkards suddenly chased after me. It was dark around our area, so I just continued to run, pumped up by adrenaline. Of course I didn't want them to lead them at our house, so I chose a different way. After some time, I was finally able to lose them, but the place I had stopped was unfamiliar. That is…until I met an injured guy. Of course, I tended to him, but he turned out to be an ungrateful and ruthless one."

"Really? But how would that guy remain undiscovered? Even if it's a different place, somebody would surely find him." Yukino commented.

"I don't know. I think he hid himself on purpose." Arisa answered, and then continued her 'story'.

"I got annoyed by his attitude, so I left him behind. But I secretly went to search for a place nearby where we could go and rest. Luckily, I found one, and the owner welcomed us. We spent the night there, and the next morning, I was sure I could go back, but when I saw the place…it was already the countryside."

"WHAT!?" Yukino and Mari screamed in unison.

"Hush…!"

"But how could that be…? Do you mean you ran miles on that night?"

"Impossible, Arisa-chan!"

"I know…! But it turned out like that..."

"It must be the work of the guardians…you know…living around the forests and all…"

"Yeah…that could probably be it…"

Arisa sighed, and then moved on to the next.

Altering a story is so damn difficult…

"Anyway, my companion was apparently from that countryside, so I tried asking him for help, but he threatened me instead. I was of course afraid at first, but I was desperate, so I still followed him, much to his annoyance. He never intended to help me after all, so I ended up getting lost a lot more. I then decided to go back on my own, and along the way, I received some nice treatment from the townspeople, so I was able to survive, at least. But then, I heard rumors about a minor ambush in the area, and I suddenly had a bad feeling that my companion was involved. I had to go check, and my intuition was right. He was injured, again."

"After a lot of twists and turns, he led me back to the wooden – I mean, the only bus station of the countryside, as thanks for helping him treat his wounds during the ambush. A bus bound to Tokyo came shortly after, and I stepped in. That's how I finally got back."

"Woah! Maybe that guy is actually your soulmate…" Yukino commented, and Mari giggled.

"It isn't really like that..." Arisa said in a hesitant tone.

There is more to this story, you know…but I'll keep it a secret for now. Sorry, you two.

"So, how does he look like?" Mari suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

"You know, that companion of yours."

"I admit he's good-looking, but his attitude isn't."

"Aww…but I think he's just shy."

"Me too. Like, he has a hard time expressing what he really feels."

"Stop it, you two…"

"But anyway, we wouldn't be surprised if you ever cross paths with that guy again." Yukino said with a smile, and for a moment, Arisa felt her heart skip a beat. The image of Sesshomaru that night, where he looked like he wanted to say something, flashed in her mind.

"Are you okay, Arisa?" Mari asked, as she saw her fairly red complexion.

"O-ofcourse! Why do you ask?"

Yukino and Mari grinned. "You thought of him just now, didn't you?"

"No…! I did not!"

"Liar."

Arisa only pouted, earning another giggle from her two friends.

"We better go, it's getting late."

"Right."

"See you tomorrow, Arisa!" Yukino said, waving her hand.

"Yeah. And by the way, don't you ever forget to update us, so we won't have to drag you into this again!" Mari added with a wink.

"…fine!"

Eventually, the three of them got home safely. As for Arisa…

Her mind was still stuck on that moment where Yukino said she would definitely see him again and at the same time, she thought of Sesshomaru.

Is it really possible…?

"Agh…!" she mumbled, intentionally disheveling her hair.

I thought I had totally forgotten about this! Damn it…

She looked at her window, and saw the full moon. It reminded her of Sesshomaru once again, especially that night where she took care of his poisoned arm. The moon was so big that time, and it was a perfectly serene night. Though she couldn't remember anything after going unconscious, she knew that he was by her side. She would really want to ask about it, if -

"Haaa! For heaven's sake…!"

She was about to force herself into the sheets when she heard a knock on her door.

"Arisa... It's Ayame."

After being busy with university errands, Arisa had completely forgotten about the tension she had with her sister ever since Sesshomaru's appearance.

"Oh...just come in."

Ayame carefully opened the door and went in.

"Look...about last time. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine..." Arisa replied, a little antsy while waving her hands.

"I... I still have a crush on Sesshomaru. That is why I want to confirm; do you feel something for him?

Arisa was not that surprised anymore at Ayame's confession; as she already had a hunch about it, ever since her defensive action at that time. She was instead surprised about her asking if she felt anything for the guy. Because these days, she didn't know. Yes, she always said that she hated him, but lately, her feelings were pretty jumbled up. She wasn't really sure.

"That...I cannot answer. I just don't know..." she replied softly.

"I see. If you ever sort out your feelings and find out that you do like him, I want to make it clear that it will only be a friendly rivalry. We're still sisters no matter what. I don't want that to change." Ayame said with a small smile.

The word 'like' suddenly made her heart race, but she immediately brushed it off.

"Y-yes, I would want it to be like that." Arisa replied with a full smile, her eyes sparkling.

"Well then, setting him aside, good night!" Ayame said with a tease, pinching her little sister's cheeks.

"H-hey, that hurthss...!"

With that, Ayame left her room, while Arisa was still rubbing her cheeks, still smiling.

After some time, she finally fell asleep, as tomorrow was another day.

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