Chapter 72:

"Arisa? Sesshomaru?"

A baffled yet soft voice called out to them, and it was a really familiar one. Arisa noticed how she was standing so close to Sesshomaru and quickly put a distance between them.

Her mother was standing just a few centimeters away from them, and it made Arisa pale.

"M-mom! How long have you been there?" she asked with a nervous laugh. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, was just standing there indifferently. But deep inside, he was confused at her sudden reaction.

"No, I just came by. Why don't you invite Sesshomaru over for dinner?"

Smiling, she lifted the basket she held and continued talking.

"This is perfect timing, actually. I've got ingredients for curry."

With a wink, she went on ahead; leaving the two of them alone again. Arisa was about to face him apologetically, but she was met with a pinch on the nose from Sesshomaru.

"H-hey…!"

"You deserve that."

Arisa quickly rubbed her nose to relieve the irritation.

"Okay. What did my nose do wrong today that it had to be pinched twice!?"

Arisa blurted out unconsciously, and it was too late when she realized. Sesshomaru was now looking at her with squinted eyes.

"Who was he?"

"He was a classmate! He offered to walk me home so why not…"

There was a slight crease in his eyebrows, but he didn't press further and just walked on ahead.

Is he…jealous? Well, whatever.

Arisa thought and smiled widely right after as she ran after him and snatched his hand.

"So you're okay with having a taste of your favorite meal before going back?"

He only gave her a forced, smug smile – which of course didn't last long.

"Hmph."

The sunset was as magnificent as the one they saw at the sea, illuminating them and the whole forest. The blue stone craft on her neck sparkled, and it caught his attention.

"Have you been wearing that pendant this whole time?"

Arisa's cheeks immediately went pink and looked away.

"Yes…I only take it off when I take a shower."

"I see."

There was a tug in Sesshomaru's heart, but he didn't pay too much attention to as he was quickly dragged by the young woman, leading the way to their house.

Arisa let out a deep breath as she entered the kitchen and plopped on one of the dining chairs. Ayame and Jin were already there; both excited to see their guest.

"Well? Are you successful in bringing him inside?" her mother asked with a grin.

"Yes…finally! After a lot of begging and exertion of physical strength because of pulling him by the hand and pushing him on the back…"

Her mother chuckled as she set down the pot-filled curry. At the same time, Sesshomaru showed himself and set his eyes on the table. His eyes flickered at the sight of steaming curry.

"Come now. Don't be shy."

"..."

He reluctantly sat beside Arisa, and once he did - everyone began digging for food, much to his surprise. The only exception was their mother, who instead served him first with a smile on her face.

"Here's your fill, Sesshomaru."

"…"

He stared at his plate for a moment before getting the spoon beside it and started eating gracefully. On the other hand, Arisa ate like she had no food for days, which made Ayame laugh all of a sudden.

"Look who got her massive appetite back." She said with a tease, and Arisa's earlobes went red.

"W-what? I mean, it's only natural after days of stressing whether I'd pass the semester or not."

"Really, though?" she replied with narrowed eyes, and then she glanced at Sesshomaru who was apparently minding his own business.

"Hey, Sesshomaru. Let me tell you something…you know, Arisa here, when she came back—"

Arisa almost choked up on her food, and quickly glared at her sister.

"YOU better NOT—"

"She came back looking extremely depressed and told my mother she wouldn't ever return to your world. She slept the whole day and even wanted to skip dinner if we didn't request for her to sit down. Also—"

She quickly stood up and slammed her hands on the table, her face going beet red as a result of embarrassment.

"Ayame nee-san…! That's enough…!" she said with a cracked, high-pitched voice, making them giggle instead. But, Ayame wasn't contented yet, and continued to tease her younger sister.

"I just noticed that you've suddenly been wearing that beautiful necklace. For all I know, you're never interested with jewelry."

Arisa remained silent, trying to think of a perfect excuse.

"Don't tell me, someone special gave it to you?"

Her blushing only enhanced, eventually giving in to her sister's whims.

"Yeah, you're right! What about it?"

She earned astonished looks from her family, which was followed by satisfied expressions.

"Introduce him to us someday, okay dear?" her mother said with a quick wink, and a dramatic sigh escaped her lips.

He's already right in front of you…

While Sesshomaru appeared unconcerned about their banter - once they were all concentrated on Arisa; he lowered his head a little, a small smile forming on his lips. It stayed a little longer as he pondered on how she didn't even deny anything.

I never thought I'd find something like this…amusing.

After dinner, Sesshomaru waited outside for Arisa after giving her permission to prepare the things she needed. While he was there, Ayame went out and sought for him.

"What."

He immediately said with disinterest, sensing that Ayame has found him.

"Relax…I did not come here to annoy you or anything." She replied with a short laugh, to which he didn't bother responding to. However, she already knew about that outcome and went on telling her thoughts anyway.

"Say, I wonder who gave Arisa that necklace."

"It was I. What of it?"

Ayame was actually taken aback at him being exceedingly direct with it.

"That's…very considerate of you."

"…"

"S-so, uh, you might have probably noticed that Arisa likes you."

"I already know."

She looked at him with surprise.

"Really? Then, she confessed to you?"

"More or less."

"…since you're here, I bet you did not dump her like you did with me."

"Don't go comparing yourself with her."

She chuckled nervously, which was followed by a sad smile.

"Then that means you do feel the same..."

He suddenly faced her with a raised brow.

"What are you talking about?"

"Am I wrong, then? What did you come here for?"

But before he could answer or anything, the sound of the door opening interrupted them, together with Arisa's call.

"Sesshomaru, we're going!"

He quickly left a confused Ayame behind, just to meet Arisa. In a way, it was to avoid a sophisticated situation.

"What took you so long?" he asked with an annoyed expression, which baffled her.

"I'm sorry? Just so you know, I fixed my things as fast as I could." Arisa answered firmly, giving him an eye-roll. He didn't mind that though, and walked on ahead anyway.

Just then, Ayame called out for Arisa from the shadows.

"Arisa…can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure."

"Did you really confess to Sesshomaru?"

She quickly blushed as she scratched her temple with her index finger, and averted her gaze.

"Yeah…but it was rather indirect, since it was a friend over there who told him."

"And…?"

"He didn't answer, but it's fine. I get where he's coming from." She said with a troubled grin.

"You're making it sound one-sided."

"Hmm, how should I put it…probably between that and a mutual understanding?"

"Hah? That's complicated!"

Arisa chuckled. "It's all new to him."

She suddenly remembered his cold words back when she confessed.

'What will I benefit from your liking? I have no time to invest such feelings to anyone, most especially humans.'

"…you're probably right. Still, don't give up on him again, okay?"

She looked at her big sister dubiously.

"You're awfully supportive, you know?"

"Of course! I have to make him my brother-in-law at least, so I could still see him from time to time." Ayame replied with a mischievous grin, to which she sighed softly.

"Also…I don't think he doesn't really feel anything for you. That necklace is a proof." She added, making her heart skip a beat at the possibility.

"I-I don't know about that…"

"Trust me! I know he's cluelessly in love with you."

"Aha…let's hope you're right."

She then waved her sister goodbye as she ran towards the gate where Sesshomaru was waiting. Ayame watched as they disappeared, and with a lopsided smile; she went back inside.

I can't believe my no-boyfriend-since birth little sister has already outrun me.

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