Chapter 72:
Back in high school, we only talked when we were paired during class activities…or if we had the same schedule as cleaners for the day. I was just a random classmate…but now…I wonder why he's suddenly…talking to me like we're close, and even going out of his way to invite me to lunch.
Arisa thought as she quietly ate the food she ordered, and apparently, it was a treat from him; namely because she passed the semester with flying colors.
Is he that…happy to get such kind of news about me?
"Eat up, Arisa! You definitely deserve it." Kohei gleefully said while gazing at Arisa.
"Right…"
She replied timidly, but she could hear her friends snickering beside her, but she chose to ignore them anyway and heartily accepted the blessing. After that, they walked out of the cafeteria together.
"I hope I get to be in the same class as you, Arisa." Kohei uttered bashfully as he gently held her hand. It was another surprise for her, and she quickly pulled her hand away.
"Y-yes…I hope so too." She reluctantly agreed, but still she smiled at him genuinely before they parted ways.
Mari and Yukino immediately cornered her on one side, and smiled at her mischievously.
"You're not just smart, but you were able to charm Kohei as well after an accidental meeting." Yukino commented with a tease, which was followed by Mari.
"I am definitely sure he's interested in you."
"Oh, don't be fooled by that. I think he's just being friendly."
"Yeah…right." They both said in unison, not buying her excuse.
"At any rate, whatever happens, we'll be rooting for you!" Mari exclaimed, and Arisa only replied with a short laugh.
Then they both waved her goodbye, as they both had extracurriculars to attend to.
There is no way Kohei would like me. And I really don't think I'd fall for him again…
Since Arisa didn't have anything to do for the rest of the day, she decided to go home. But she was surprised to see Kohei standing at the gate, seemingly waiting for someone. Then, he suddenly turned her way and quickly greeted her.
"Hey, Arisa! You're finally here. I wanted to walk you home."
"Oh…really? But you don't have to…" Arisa replied with a nervous chuckle.
"It's no problem really. Please let me accompany you."
She sighed a little, having no choice but to accept the guy's offer.
While they were walking, Kohei was quite talkative. He continued to ask questions about how she was doing, and how her first semester of university life went. He also shared his experience, and after that they talked about their high school life. Arisa was rather thankful, because it would have been worse if they kept quiet all the time and made the atmosphere more awkward.
However, the instant they arrived near the pathway to the forest…she suddenly forgot how to breathe. The man she was trying hard to not to think of was there, standing under a tree and was looking straight at her.
Her pulse quickened, and her nerves tingled at the same time. She had mixed emotions that she didn't know what to do. She wanted to say she was probably dreaming, but no. She was wide awake.
Why is he here!? Did he do something to Shiroi!? Or, did she just let him pass through!? It's still technically the tenth day though! Never mind, I'll just pretend I didn't see him…!
Kohei noticed her sudden silence, and it made him worry.
"What's the matter, Arisa? Did I say something wrong?" he asked, and put a gentle hand on her shoulder, which apparently caught her attention.
"I-It's nothing, Kohei. But thanks for walking me home. You can go now."
"Really? Are you sure? We're still by the forest, and I don't see your home—"
From her peripheral view, she could feel Sesshomaru's piercing gaze and so she hurriedly pushed Kohei on the back, sending him away.
"It's fine. My home is just ahead. And it's getting late, so you better go too. I wouldn't want your parents to get angry just because of me."
"You're actually worried about that? It's not a problem. They're not here, since they're working overseas." He replied, chuckling.
"Ah…I see. But anyway—"
"Yes, yes...I'll get going. See you tomorrow."
He said, pinching her nose gently and smiled at her before leaving. She lightly scratched her head, but there was a faint blush on her cheeks at the same time.
"What was that for…"
She whispered to herself, but her momentum was lost as she remembered that she had an unexpected visitor. Nevertheless, Arisa looked straight ahead and walked normally past the forest as usual like no one was there. However, she was forcibly yanked in the arm and soon, Sesshomaru's face was close to hers. He stared at her deeply, and she couldn't break away from it. She stiffened, and her heart continued to beat fast.
"Insolent woman…pretending not to see me, huh?" he said in a thick voice.
She didn't reply, and looked away bitterly instead.
"Why?"
It was a simple question, but it came out of his mouth intensively that it was enough to shake her off. Still, she refused to spare an eye at him and instead, attempted to break free so she won't resign herself to him.
"Answer. Why?" He said once again, tightening his grip on her arm as he felt her about to make a run for it. He saw her wince, but he didn't care.
"…it hurts…"
"I will not let you go until you speak up."
She gulped at his heavy tone and wanted to reply decently, but in the end - she chose words that were the exact opposite of what she wanted to say.
"…what's it to you anyway? Aren't you happy that you don't have to be bothered by me anymore?"
For a moment, Sesshomaru's lips pinched in guilt.
"Don't tell me you actually care about me?"
His brows knitted deeply in frustration.
"Do not answer me with questions."
"Ugh, forget it…!"
Sesshomaru tightened his grip on her wrist further, but there was a slight tremble in his fingers.
"Jaken told me that you are in love me."
Arisa suddenly went pale.
"W-what did you just…!?"
She quickly glanced at him and was flabbergasted to see him showing a desperate expression. He wasn't the least bit angry or annoyed. Sesshomaru's expression was exceptionally enough to make Arisa's temporary tough attitude break down completely.
"Damn it…"
At that moment, she remembered the short counseling Ayame and their mother gave her and finally, she properly gazed at Sesshomaru with teary eyes. He stared back at her, still holding her wrist and waiting for her to speak.
"Fine…! I'll tell you everything. It's just that…ever since our encounter with Naraku, I've been nothing but a hindrance. You've wasted your time in saving me…and I felt like I've been getting on your nerves. So…I've decided that if I just disappear, you won't have any obligations and you'll be back to—"
"I do not remember complaining about it."
"T-that's…! But whenever I ask, you always avoid my question or you just don't answer at all. You have no idea how it troubles me so much that I don't know how you really feel or what you are thinking!"
"All of it are results of my firm decisions. You should know very well by now that I am not good with words."
"Huh…but you confirmed it yourself! I am bothersome to you and—"
"You were spouting strange things. How should I respond when I myself am perturbed with them? You bother me but I don't mind."
Arisa saw his eyes flicker with sincerity, and she felt her face go red. She was embarrassed and swayed from his unusual, yet honest and long phrases that it made her speechless. And just like that, Sesshomaru continued to spill his unexpected sentiments.
"...you helped me even if I did not ask you to. You accompanied me at your own discretion. You gave me emotions which I struggle to understand. Then after all this time, you suddenly want to leave? Don't be ridiculous."
Her heart pounded hard at his revelations.
I-is this really the Sesshomaru I know…?
"I commit to you that Naraku will never lay a finger on you again. Take responsibility for your actions and…just be with me."
She gasped at his sudden outburst, and her emotions frothed all at once.
"I'm actually giving you a chance to get your old life back..."
"…that life will never return."
A small smile formed on Arisa's lips.
"…alright. Then, I am going to ask that question again. Please answer truthfully."
"…"
"Is it fun being with me?"
He slightly frowned from hesitation, but he looked away in a cool but sheepish fashion before giving her a reply, to which she was anticipating.
"Do you consider it fun…when having you with me has become natural that it...somehow pleases me?"
Her heart skipped a beat at his answer, and a blush visibly crept up her cheeks.
"W-well…that's…more than fun, if you ask me."
"Then so be it."
Arisa suddenly chuckled softly, and it made Sesshomaru frown.
"What are you laughing at?"
"No, this is nothing…I just didn't expect things to turn this way. Thank you for coming, Sesshomaru."
Both of them stood still for some time, until Sesshomaru spoke up.
"So Jaken is telling the truth."
Her smile fell off, and she closed her eyes in regret.
…there's no use in denying anymore.
"…yes. I am in love with you. Are you going to toss me aside after all?"
Jaken's revelation had a better effect on Sesshomaru than Bokuseno's explanation about him having some sort of feelings for her. Surprisingly, it didn't irk him at all, compared to the direct confessions he received from the other women. He then only looked at her with serious eyes for a minute.
Arisa blinked twice in surprise, as she totally didn't foresee him to retaliate calmly like that.
"No. Only…I am not sure how I should respond to that. Love is an entirely new aspect to me."
"…I-I understand. You don't have to."
An awkward silence filled the atmosphere, but Arisa was hugely relieved at his response regardless.
It doesn't really matter for now…as long as I can still stay by his side.
"What is love?"
Sesshomaru asked out of the blue that Arisa almost choked on her own spit.
"W-wow…! I never thought you'd suddenly be curious of that right this moment."
"Explain it to me."
"Uhm…love comes in many forms. Parental love, platonic love, casual –"
"I have no interest in those. What I want to know is the love you have for me."
He cut her off, and her eyes widened for a minute. She then cleared her throat.
"I can't really put all of it into words, but in general…I feel happy when I'm with you, and you're very important to me. Also…I can't bear to see you with any other woman. Ugh, in short, I see you as my other half, if you know what I mean…"
Arisa felt embarrassed after that as the heat went over her whole face, and so she fanned herself.
I can't believe what I just said…
"Look at what you're making me say...!" she suddenly complained out loud with a cracked voice.
Meanwhile, Sesshomaru remained silent for a while and his expression was deadpan overall, but there was a glint of understanding in his eyes.
"Is that so."
Nevertheless, Arisa calmed herself and offered him a genuine smile as a response. Oddly, it was more than enough to erase all the negative emotions Sesshomaru had been carrying ever since she left without notice. It was the first smile he cherished apart from his parents, in all his centuries-long existence.
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A/N: I hope this chapter gave you butterflies like it did to me while writing it lol :))