(Y/n) flopped onto one of the arms of her couch, sinking her uneasy body into the cushiony surface while her mind continued unwillingly racing. She sighed heavily into the fabric, creating a warm circle of thermal exhalation before jumping back up to regard her friend. "Marco, what do you think of this?" She questioned the boy who was thoughtfully inspecting the still unopened package of the phone she had been given.

After some contemplative pondering, he lightly nodded his head before voicing out his opinion. "I think you've got this guy smitten." He informed her, placing down the white box to rest on her lap while she could only stare at it with uncomfortable uncertainty. "What's his name anyway? You really skipped over details while describing the situation you're in." (Y/n) grunted as she threw her head back to rest against the spine of the couch while her mind simmered and lightly bubbled with thoughts.

"His name is...Vince Lamont, from what I know he's a model and-" As she proceeded to turn her head towards her friend, she swallowed down her words to mute into silence when she realised her male companion had his face shoved into her personal space as his wide eyes and gaping mouth were directed to her reveal. The girl stared back at his frozen visage of amazement before jolting in retreat as he proceeded to jump into her.

"Oh my God! There's no way you're talking about who I think you're talking about!" He gleefully shouted as he clung onto her shoulders before rather harshly rattling her to further spill on the subject. "Girl! Please don't be screwing around with me! I can handle Maeda's mind games but I cannot do this with you! Tell me it's not him!" He desperately requested, holding his wide and fixated gaze intently on his friend.

"What are you talking about...?" She questioned slowly and carefully, anxious to further ruffle the boy into intense panic. Marco quickly darted his head around the area before grabbing his phone from one of the couch cushions. The female was still frozen in her sunken and stiff position out of the remanence of shock from the male's miniature attack. She gapped at him while he quickly seemed to type up something unseen on his phone before he threw the device into her face, causing her vision to forcefully adjust on the image that was displayed on his screen.

She managed to recognise the elegant image of a young man whimsically staring into the camera while a dazzling smirk lined his lips as he posed with a luxurious, navy business suit which was trying to be the focal point of the sale but seemed to be overshadowed by the boy's natural photogenic appearance. (Y/n) nodded her head to confirm that her mentioned suitor was the man being presented to her on the picture, causing Marco's expression to twist into one of amazement, disappointed jealousy and excitement. He jumped on top of the couch, causing the female to reflexively flinch at the sudden burst of movements as he loomed over her in an anticipating tense posture. "(Y/n) don't mess with me, please tell me you're not screwing around." He whined fearfully that the reveal would have been a sick joke on the girl's part.

However, to his further astonishment, she forebodingly shook her head to deny his accusation. "No, I'm not messing around. That's the Vince I was talking about." At her confirmation, Marco fell on his knees on top of her, straddling the stupefied girl before he grabbed her by her shoulders and urgently clenching them as he looked into her dismayed eyes with a serious and stoic look.

"Marry him." He bluntly requested, making the female stare at the completely earnest boy with disbelief and confusion.

"What?"

Marco edged closer to her, causing the female to try and melt into the furniture in order to escape the boy's overbearing insistence. "You cannot pass up this once in a lifetime chance! (Y/n), you will never find another opportunity like this for as long as you live!" He edged closer to her, holding a desperate expression as he attempted to cram sense into her bamboozled mind.

"What are you talking about?!"

"If this is the guy that is going after you, you cannot be so easy to dismiss him! I know my friend is smarter than this." He urgently whined as he lightly shook her in order to knock around the gears in her head and bring sense into her. "Please at least consider him! Vince Lamont is one of the most attractive men in our current day and age. I know! There was a whole poll for this! He was in the top 5! I voted for him! You cannot fail me like this!" He continued to climb over the pillows and cushions until he was urging her as he hovered over the female's petrified body with desperation carving his expression. "He is stacked! He has his own fashion brand! He is handsome! His clothing designs will shake you to the core and make you regret everything you've ever worn! I can't even right now!" He finally let the female go as he jumped off the leisurely furniture to begin swiftly pacing the floor.

"Marco calm down! You're going to faint!" (Y/n) approached the panicking boy in an attempt to console him and ease his exasperation.

"I wish! Then I'll settle down!" He took his vigorous strides and directed them towards the kitchen where he clung to the sink for physical, and an unusual level of emotional, support while the girl pursued the unstable boy in case she would need to aid him. "I can't breath right now! I need water!" He stuck his head underneath the faucet before turning the handle to allow a gush of cold water to shower his entire head and chill his heated exterior while the girl stared from the side. After he had satisfied and numbed his senses, he shook himself off before pivoting towards his friend as he began quickly approaching her while she apprehensively retreated with each step he took. "(Y/n), please promise me you're not kidding. Please tell me he is the guy you're talking about!"

The girl tripped back into the couch as she directed her concerned gaze towards the hyperventilating boy. "I almost feel inclined to say I'm not just to calm you down..."

Marco fell on his knees before holding the female by the arms as he intently gazed into her eyes with drastic intensity. "Please consider his approaches." (Y/n) immediately felt defensive towards his request as she automatically began building up subconscious barriers to stilt any of his demand, only to be dragged back into reality as he frantically watched and held her. "You need to at least give him a chance. Please! Do it for me!" He threw his head down on her knees and, to the girl's bewilderment, began weeping and sniffling with overwhelming angst. "Or at the very least get me an autograph!"

"Ok, where's Maeda? She might not always be the voice of reason but she definitely gives insight as a second perspective on things." The female lightly pushed the boy off as she irritatingly crossed her arms form the disappointment of her second friend's absence.

Marco sniffled a few last times before managing to compose himself into his relatively normal mannerisms. "She said she couldn't come and visit and won't be free for the next few days. But she sends her regards." (Y/n) raised an eyebrow at the information before mouing at the unclarity of his insight.

"Again? What's up with her? Is she going to keep dropping on and off the map like this?" She inveighed annoyance for her frustrations for the minimal supply of solutions to her situation. Marco couldn't grant her a conclusive answer and proceeded to stand up straight before glancing at his watch. He gave out an anxious sigh, rubbing his muddled head as he regretfully began packing his things.

"I'd honestly love to stay and talk more about this -I'm practically dying to know more- but my parents told me to come back home since grandma is visiting for the holiday." He let out a content but disappointed sigh before proceeding to unenthusiastically shuffle towards the exit. (Y/n) followed him to politely escort the male on his leave. Before the door was closed on the boy he gave a last pleading look of desire. "Please don't break my heart, (Y/n)." He begged right before the entrance was closed to him.

(Y/n) relieved a heavy sigh of pent-up fatigue she had been fighting against, consequently making her feel even more physically and mentally drained. By the time she had made her way to her bed for the night it seemed almost redundant with the manner of how she collapsed onto the mattress. The more her mind attempted to stray from the nagging subjects, the more her brain protested and brought along heavier burdens.

She couldn't help but wonder what she should do and hoped that once she would awake again the entire situation would have disappeared and dissolved with no residuals of it ever existing. 'Why am I even thinking about this? Isn't the solution obvious?' However, as much as she liked to believe the resolution to be so easy, there seemed to be little detail to her ideas.

Her mind numbed and slowly dissolved into lucidness as gradual shutdown began enveloping her form. Her brewing concerns and stress dissipated in the borders of consciousness as her mind was permitted rest right before taking that opportunity to completely descend into slumber.

Wednesday, June 8th

(Y/n) stepped down on the lower floor of her home before swivelling towards the kitchen to greet her two siblings. "I'm going to work. I'll see you when I come back at dinner time." She informed the boy and the girl while placing her feet inside her shoes.

"What's this?" Mikah curiously held up the still unopened case with the mobile device inside it, causing the girl to grimace at the sight of the expensive gift before shaking her head.

"You can have it." She stated, not bothering to answer his question as she prepared for the day ahead.

"Oh, ok." He simply replied.

As the girl gripped onto the handle of the door she let out a subdued sigh, trying to produce some semblance of stability within her as she settled her nerves. 'It's going to be just a normal day...' She assured herself before opening the door up with a determined drive and prepared to take her first step into a new day. "Whoa!" She staggered and nearly tripped, quickly gripping herself to the frame of her house as her sights couldn't register the items that had hampered her feet and nearly caused her to topple and blunder with her movements.

She had to take a moment to regain her balance and composure before registering the items displayed on her front doorstep. A large basket that reached up to her thighs and an almost entire arm span wide was presented to her in abundant glorry. It had been filled to the brim with ravishing and sublime items that seemed to have no end to them with the seemingly bottomless carrier. The girl couldn't comprehend at first the miracle that seemed sent from a mystical being. She reluctantly crouched down to inspect the contents as her eyes never fluctuated from their shrunken back state to gape at them with a normal outlook.

She gazed at the large bouquets of exquisite and gallant flowers of gentle and eye-catching colours arranged in their own bunches, each flourished and complimented with their brethren petals and plants in a gala of hues and tints. After inspecting each large group of the presented flowers she set them to the side to dig further into the beautifully woven carrier to emerge with large, fluffy intricate creatures that greeted her with their adorable faces as she brought them outside of their compound space. Some of the animalistic beings adorned clothing that could be easily distinguished as high quality and even the ones that were bare felt immensely soft to the touch as the girl's fingers floated through the fur and tufts as though they were holding onto clouds.

Upon setting those aside to gaze at the next layer of goods only to see a few books placed down like floor tiles lining the bottom. Upon taking the hardcovers out, she ran her hand and fingers over the golden and silver illustrations and the textured surface of the cover and shiny rims of the pages. They were old stories that she remembered greatly cherishing as a child and even had aged and unkempt paperbacks safely stashed away in her room from the years she had owned them. The richly designed and elegantly presented counterparts struck a chord within her nostalgia as she fondly remembered the beautiful tales and the magic she would bring into real life, and was overwhelmed to have their primped and proper counterparts. To go along with the readable gifts came a thick picture book of extraordinary illustrations created by numerous famous, infamous and raising artists, some of which she recognised. She flicked through the diverse images of held drawings of varying mediums that differed from one another, yet remained really skilled and original. (Y/n) could barely comprehend each gift after the other and only prayed it didn't come from the person she thought it did.

Noticing a card attached to one of the handles of the basket, she untied the folded paper from its delicate string and hesitantly brought it up in front of her, unwilling to yet reveal the identity of her suitor. As she slowly opened up the card, her temper slightly flared at the unsurprising reveal:

A reunion present for my future bride ♡
-Vince

She furrowed her brow at the message before tossing the piece of paper into the basket. She held her head in her hands before shaking off the negative thoughts. Preparing to throw everything she had received back into the giant woven carrier, she halted herself as her eyes caught a dark, velvet case situated in one of the corners of the container. She suspiciously gazed at it before submerging her hand inside the basket to take the long rectangular closed case into her hands. It was made out of a dark, rich material and the clasp that held it closed was seeming to be akin to a silver of sort. Uncertainly eyeing the object, she dubiously unlatched the item open to reveal its contents.

Her eyes stung from the temporarily blinding glare that reflected off of the items lined within and jolted back slightly as though the light could physically poke her vision before adjusting to stare past the glints. As her gaze fell on the items. she easily recognised the miniature chains that linked a hoop and a decorative figure that dangled at the very end. She gaped at the keychains that were lining the inside of the case, wedged between a smooth, shiny cloth. There were five of the pieces in total, each one distinguished from the rest but all having the same theme of being encrusted with diamonds around each figure, with golden rims bordering the shape while silver was used for the chain and ring. The more she gawked at the present with amazement, the more a dawning and jolting realisation overthrew her. 'Are these real diamonds?!' She panicked in her mind as her hands began shaking, feeling deeply unnerved to be holding such valuable items. As her adrenaline slowly normalised, her nerves began flowing through her senses until she swiftly shut the lid and placed the items back into their dark world

Mikah and Mai snapped their head towards the kitchen door as they heard their front door swinging open and crashing into the wall with a heavy bang before they intently listened to a huffing voice that seemed to lug a very heavy item. As the individual laboriously progressed to the entrance to the kitchen the two siblings stared at the girl as she heaved the heavy basket inside.

"Mai, you like pretty stuff, right?" She breathlessly questioned the speechless child as she blinked a few times with uncertainty over what the girl was insinuating with her words and actions.

"Yes..."

(Y/n) proceeded to pull the basket to rest beside the table where the child could witness the items and have a double reaction to the one of her sister. "This is all yours then." She informed her before rubbing the tired skin on her hands and heading towards the door to continue the rest of her day as though the occurrence had never happened.

"Oh, ok..." Mai said, uncertainly eyeing the basket with shock and astonishment.

(Y/n) proceeded to quickly speed walk back into the kitchen before darting her hand into the basket to retrieve the container with the keychains. "Except these." She informed before turning her back to them in shame and internally scolding herself for allowing her temptations and bias getting the better of her.

(Y/n) stomped her heavy stride against the ground as she approached the compound with a cemented scowl on her face. As she stepped through the open gates of the household, she was barely surprised to see which male had chosen to await her arrival.

"Good morning, precious. Hope my gifts were adequate for you." Vince happily grinned waiting for her to approach and mention his chivalry as he leaned against his sleek car. (Y/n) frowned at him before grunting under her breath.

"Vince, stop giving me things. It's uncomfortable and I never asked for them!" Her scolding earned a curious gaze from the male who tilted his head at her with oblivious confusion.

"You didn't even like the keychains?" To his inquiry, the female felt her entire face burning up with embarrassment as she ducked her head down to prevent him from seeing her shameful guilt.

"That's not the point...I need you to stop. I don't want these things." She sternly informed him, intently focusing her gaze on his with secure resolution.

"What things do you want? I have a few more ideas but your taste is my priority. I can get you more expensive things if that's what you wish." He simply questioned with eagerness, carefully listening to what she had to reply with, in preparation to take mental notes for future reference.

"I don't want expensive things! I don't want anything!" She expressed, feeling her temper overwhelming her. The worker caught time to compose herself by taking in a deep breath right before releasing it along with her vexation. She turned to him with a more conducted approach in hopes of breaching his reasoning. "I appreciate your intentions but it's too much for me right now. You know?" She attempted to relate him to herself, with the hopes of him easing his hold on her and gaining empathy.

"Oh, I understand!" He happily piped back, before taking his place beside her. The girl had to settle herself with sighing before she proceeded towards her destination within the compound. With each taken step towards the building, she felt his lingering presence tracking with her. Upon entering the premises her shoulder was lightly griped on, beckoning her to turn towards the male that had snatched her attention. Once she faced her company she was slightly stricken by the male's distasteful expression. "Are you going in to work?" He interrogated her, fixating his stern scowl down on the retrieved girl.

(Y/n) briefly nodded at his inquiry, feeling her eyes urging to fleet away from his boring gaze, especially when his coal eyes grew darker with her confirmation. "Is that a problem?" Questioning him with a level manner, she attempted to covet her craven reaction.

Vince continued singeing her gaze with his own, causing her to internally retreat while he laid down his concerns. "Yes, it is. I don't what you to be working as a cleaner here."

"You've got no say in this. I need to work." She stated, turning her back to him and silently releasing an exhale filled with the uneasiness and anxiousness he buried out to her. Vince continued drilling his disapproving stare at the back of her head and she could tell his black eyes remaining on her tentatively before she felt the atmosphere ease and his attention cease.

Once they had made their way onto the second floor, she noticed a certain boy approaching them, his eyes meekly connecting with her's before slight shame washed over his face. Lilito gulped a bit to swallow down the lump in his throat as he proceeded to try and work with the blank slate he had created in order to ease his consciousness. After he had settled his guilt and pushed away his instincts he granted her his usual smile and a quick wave.

"Hey, (Y/n). How's my newbie doing?" He confidently managed to muster, earning a quick regard from the pacing girl.

"Hi Lilito, so and so." She quickly granted him the swift reply, which even he was left in the dust by, while she briskly walked past him in her vain attempt to escape her pursuer. The male felt relieved she had even given him the time of day but was more than astounded by the briefness of her interaction.

He became even more bemused once he noticed the male trailing behind her was in pursuit of the girl. He blinked rapidly in disbelief and automatically held his eyes on the young man as he passed the boy as though he were invisible. Lilito quickly jolted into a sprint before he found himself stride right beside the older male.

When Vince didn't give him a single look of interest the boy stepped in front of him to hinder his movements, seeming to surprise the young man by his sudden materialisation from seemingly nowhere. He impatiently scowled down at the male who had intervened between him and his love while Lilito happily grinned up at the boy with a friendly ambience. "Hey there, Vinny! Never got to talk to you before-"

"I don't associate with ugly people." Vince informed him before walking right past the frozen boy. Lilito couldn't comprehend the remark that had been made towards him and had to stare into empty space for a few seconds before turning around to watch the pair disappearing down the corridor.

'This d**k...' He fumed in his mind, clenching his jaw into a tight bite until his gums began hurting. His bitter glare sharpened and had to relieve himself with a huff of frustration towards his treatment.

Vince uncertainly continued following the rushing girl until she came to an abrupt stop. The male stared at the spontaneous girl until she turned around to look at him with a disconcerted expression. "Vince, why do you keep following me?" She quietly uttered, expressing her uncertainty through her perturbed features.

The male simply gave her a wide smile as he lightly took her unwilling hand in his gentle but secure hold. "So I can protect you. Just a moment ago some sort of infestation appeared in front of me, it made me confirm my suspicions that there are so many dangers around here." His visage slackened from its positivity to grant her a serious and unsettled look as he gripped her hand tighter out of anxiousness. "It's my duty as your future husband to keep you safe and unharmed. You're the top priority in my life." He assuringly squeezed her limb before loosening his hold for her to retract.

(Y/n) wasn't sure how to react to the heartfelt claims and despite its intended effect of enveloping her in comfort and peace she somehow felt even more pressured and restricted. "Vince, your heart is in the right place but I can't work with you looming over me." She tried to carefully inform him, hoping her tactfulness would bring about a positive reaction.

"I still don't even approve of you working in this place." He strictly implicated, furrowing his brow at the reminder of her substandard occupation. "You deserve better than this. Why do you even have a need to work? I can give you anything you could ever possibly want just by a simple command." He once again seized her hand and brought it up to be held against his chest as he gave her a reassuring smile. The girl could feel how rapid his heartbeat was as it thumped, the beat expanding beyond his ribs for her to sense. (Y/n) didn't have the courage to look at him as she felt ashamed that she couldn't discover within her emotions a response that could reciprocate his feelings and had to limply pull her hand away.

"I'm just not really eager to depend on you in that way. I'm sorry." She sincerely informed him, handing him a doleful gaze.

Vince seemed slightly disappointed at her reveal, but proceeded to stretch his lips in a dismissive smile. "Oh that's absolutely alright, I can always wait for you." He reassured the downcast girl as he placed his hands on top of her shoulders. "I'm always willing to wait for you. Beings beside you is all I can ever care about." The young man fondly informed her, coursing his palm against her cheek and slowly trailing her features with a delicate touch.

(Y/n) unpleasantly shivered at the tender gesture before rolling her head out of the way and quickly posturing to indicate her preparation to proceed with her previous intents. "I need to go clean now, I still haven't even finished the library from yesterday." Swivelling around to continue on her path, her suspicions were confirmed once she felt the boy tracking after her.

She began slowing down her pace, being mimicked by the pursuing male. She quietly began to allow her mind to get absorbed in careful thought. The more her brain turned and followed, the more she started feeling her anxiousness bubble up. The worker soon found herself stopping just a few paces away from the library as she was engulfed by her calculations. "Is everything alright?" Vince's voice emerged through her thick thoughts as it was glossed with concern at her sudden pause.

(Y/n) turned around to face the male with an uncertain smile to settle his guard. "You strike me as someone who's quite brave with a very keen eye. I could only imagine considering you're an entrepreneur in the fashion industry." She commented, giving the older boy a burst of positivity and content at her recognition. He proudly elevated his shoulders as his entire body seemed to puff out from boastfulness.

"Well I can't deny that. I was wondering if you had noticed." He lightly chuckled before smirking at the gladly grinning girl. (Y/n) then sent a very wary glance towards the library door as her entire from melted down into a deflated posture. Vince quickly noted the changer in tone behind her action and leaned in closer to inspect her. "Are you well, dear?"

(Y/n) seemed to snap back from his urging and granted him a nervous smile. "Yes, it's just..." He noticed her flick her gaze towards the door of the library once more before retreating to stare at the floor. "Last time I went into the library I got hurt because of someone purposefully messing with the papers I had to clear up." Vince was hooked onto her explanation as his features twisted into ones of concern and aggravation. "And I got a threat that the next time I entered, my face would be shot off."

"What?! Who would dare to do something like that to you. Where are they?" He grabbed the girl's shoulders in an attempt to bring her back into the moment and elaborate on the identity of her harasser in order for him to rectify the wrongdoing. His face was twisted with anger and malevolence as his fingers uncontrollably dug into her deltoids and stiffened the female.

"I don't know, the threat was anonymous and I don't even know if it's one person doing it." She forged, hanging her head and shrivelling up at his actions. Vince caught onto her intimidated state and proceeded to free her from his overbearing grasps, leaving him apprehensive at his own insensitive behaviours. (Y/n) sighed. "They've stopped since then but I'm still a bit anxious to go in." The paid stood in their positions, the older boy staring at the girl with a scrutinising and analytical glossiness over his gaze and the worker holding her head tilted towards the girl and her shoulders visually lifted with alarm.

"Let me check then. You stay here." The man suddenly proclaimed, walking past the girl before giving her an encouraging tap on the back.

Once the male was halfway towards the room, (Y/n) turned to stare at his back as she sent her concernment in her words. "You don't have to, it's alright."

Vince simply glanced back to give her a reassuring smile. "It won't be long, don't worry." As he entered the room, (Y/n)'s body energised as she backed away, foreboding of a figure emerging from within in a flash.

'I'm sorry, Vince...' She apologised within the confines of her thoughts so that her silent words would not alert him of her deceit. Gradually increasing the pace of her escape, she left the area without being detected.

(Y/n) pressed her body against the outside walls of the household in an attempt to cool her burning lungs with an intake of fresh air. She slackened against the bricks as her trembling feet numbed as their muscles worked to recover from the sudden burst of energy. Her frazzled panting slowly subsided as she began gathering her energy.

After she had managed to settled her spiking senses, she was allowed to process her thoughts she finally felt the guilt and slight ache at leaving the helpful male in the moment after his attempts at trying to aid her feigned paranoia. 'Forgive me, but I can't deal with you right now...' She laboriously pressed her hand against the brow that was patted with perspiration before she leaned back to simply take in the scenery.

As she listened out to the light friction of leaves and swaying branches dancing to the motion of the breeze, she was subdued in the tranquillity she needed. The ground was inflicted with patches of light wherever the sun managed to find an opening through the thick plants and shrubberies. There barely any tones of birds or the cracking of insects to disturb the scenery. It finally felt peaceful.

"What are you doing here?" The girl spun around to inspect yeah voice, concerned she had been discovered by her previous follower. However, she was soon slightly relieved to see scarlet optics watching her with intrigue. Akai was watching her from the vantage point of the second floor while the girl had to quickly collect herself to return the communication.

"One of the tasks I have is to clear up the outside. So I'll be moving onto that." Informing him of her intents, she prepared to continue her progress for the day.

"Can I join you?" Akai called out, stepping onto the frame of the open window as he further submerged to the outside.

(Y/n) slightly alerted herself at that she felt there would be no privacy for herself at that point. Turning around, she gave the boy a negative gesture to discourage him as he was halfway out of the window. "You don't have to, I can-" Before she had even finished her disheartening response, Akai had already jumped out from the high place before landing steadily on his feet. The girl had worried for a second whether the proximity towards the ground would hurt him but he barely seemed to notice the impact.

Akai dusted off the hands which he used to slightly cushion the fall before approaching her with a ready look. "Shall we go?" The slightly daunted girl debated whether she should inform him of her preferable choice of solitude, only to think against it after he had gone through the trouble of jumping out of a window to join her. She uncertainly nodded as they began walking.

As the silence began to thicken and the rustling of leaves began to full in the female's perception, she started feeling as though her body was tingling with uncomfortableness that she neither wanted not understood.

As the awkwardness for her began congealing and suffocating, it dissipated when Akai's voice reached her perception. "Hey, (Y/n). Could I ask you something?"

The girl glanced back towards the boy to send him a mischievous smirk. He was surprised at her reaction and coincided as to what her knowing smile was leading on to. "If it's about the new episode of Psycho, I'm not giving you spoilers." The male couldn't help but scoff with amusement at the statement before shaking his head.

"It's not that." There was an elongated pause that followed, trailing on the interaction as though he had completely given up on his initial thought before responding. "Do I seem like any sort of boyfriend material?"

"Not really." She chimed in with her opinion, sending the boy cascading down a pit that expanded within his heart at the answer. Akai stared at her as his feet no longer found the energy to move, as the trees cast a deep shadow over him where light could not find itself to the disheartened boy. (Y/n) looked back with wonder over his lack of pace only to see him gloomily staring at the ground with an unreadable expression. The young worker was astounded at the reaction and thought her input wouldn't lead to the solemn visual response. "I didn't expect that to upset you."

Akai growled as a fire began sparking within his searing eyes. "I'm not! It's just...why do you say that?"

The female could see the sensitivity behind the subject she would have thought insignificant for the male, therefore treaded lightly. Her eyes strayed up to attempt to figure for an answer. "Hmm...I don't know, you don't strike me as someone who would be interested in relationships as of now." Akai seemed slightly curious yet still crestfallen at the reveal of the girl's perception of him and had to inquire with a bitter tone.

"I don't?"

(Y/n) realised she should simply settle the subject before she could give the male even less hopefulness. "Well...you don't seem to like people in general so it's not easy to see you committing in a relationship where you'll have to, not only like, but dedicate time to a single person. So it seems weird you'd mention it." Commenting on the unusual topic he had taken interest in didn't seem to deter nor distract him from the slight disappointment conveyed through his mellowed vocals, though hidden from his expression.

"Do I really come off like that...?"

(Y/n) quickly tried to dismiss the severity of her own words in order to ease the tension on him. "That's just my assumption as an outsider! I'm more than sure that you can surprise me completely." Her final statement was fizzing with energy and assertiveness that seemed to enlighten upon the situation.

Akai just shrugged at her attempted and passively assured her as well. "You don't have to try and make me feel better. I'm not upset, I get you."

However, (Y/n) simply smirked at his bereft confidence and pressed on with her sanguine responses. "I'm serious. You've done it before. I think you can surprise both me and yourself." The male seemed to absorb her remark, feeling analysed and comprehended as though she were finding potential in a place of hopelessness. The auspicious praise made him content and even earned a satisfied smile.

The male soon recalled on the item in his possession that belonged to her and reached into his pocket to pull out the notebook she had handed him the previous day. "I don't need this anymore, by the way." (Y/n) turned around just in time to clumsily catch the thrown attached pieces of paper. Upon opening the equipment she almost found its return meaningless as there were barely any pages left as she flipped through numerous cons of apparent numerous people.

She nearly giggled as she approached near the end where she noticed Lilito's name and the countless pages that followed his follies until it seemed as though Akai had completely lost patience at the very end and simply scribbled all over the last page with frustration and giving up on him. "Does that mean you managed to sort out your head and nerves?"

"Yup, I've finally managed to clear out my heart." Akai assuringly told her, placing his hand over his chest with a gladsome smile. He felt the boiling pressure that had seethed within him lifted and soothed as he gazed towards the girl that had encouraged the process of rehabilitation within him.

(Y/n) granted him a satisfied smile, pleased to hear of his progress in clearing his branded thoughts from their smouldering confines. She turned her gaze back on the corridor as she sent him her congratulations. "That's really great to hear. I'm very proud of you-"

"So I can put you in it." At his words the female stilted her walk, pausing for a moment to register and process what he had meant. As she began turning around, the girl felt her figure becoming shrouded in a shadow as she forced herself to retreat into a wall from the preying body that suddenly loomed over her. "Which reminds me..." Akai slowly placed the length of his arm against the wall over the girl's head, obstructing her into a more private and intimate barrier where she could not escape or avoid his confrontation, as he minimised the distance between his and her face, directly fixating their eye contact. (Y/n) remained under too much shock and surprise which engraved itself into her features as the male closely watched her with a thoughtful and stoic expression before releasing the request that he had been sprinkling around. "Go out with me."

"What...?" She stared at him as her words had barely enough oxygen to be released from her stiff lungs.

"I'm going to cut the bulls**t and c**p and be straight with you." He held her in an intense gaze, his red eyes flaring with something that for once was not unadulterated rage, or fuelled by loathing. They held a more excited spark resonating within them as he elaborated on his intents. "I want to go out on a date with you, (Y/n)."

The wind picked up its pace as it sent leaves fluttering off their respective branches. It became background noise to the catatonic female who remained still and paralysed in her space. Her ears began muffling and reality began distorting the more she became engrossed in her mind in an attempt to contemplate and scout for an answer. "Are you serious?" She clogged out an utter, unable to fully articulate a response.

Akai slightly faltered with his composure as he became withdrawn with every passing moment of her delayed proper response. "Come on, don't make me say it again. It was embarrassing the first time." He impatiently informed before lining his features with sternness and demand. "I like you, a lot. I want to see where this goes."

(Y/n) finally dodged her eyes to the side as her breathing rapidly increased with nervousness and worry. She held her mind in a blank moment before she searched for some sort of loophole that could excuse the confession as a dismissive subject. "Is this just a one-off thing, or...?"

Akai continued staring down at her even when she wasn't granting him any eye contact. The more he watched the unnerved girl, the further assured he seemed with his intents on the female. "I don't know, but I want to make it happen." He couldn't stop the smirk that spread across his lips as he envisioned it and held hope for the potential in their companionship. "Honestly, I hope it's not."

The young worker swivelled her eyes across her environment before finally building up the courage to express her reply. "Akai, the offer is really flattering...and I'm very honoured you'd consider me with such seriousness. But..."

The male's lips descended to a frown as his eyes glossed over with coldness that flickered some blue flames in his eyes. "I was afraid of that response."

The air became still and warm, as though the heat was emanating from every pore in the male's body, causing the female some hardship in breathing and cooling her nerves. "I'm really sorry, I can't do it right now. I have too much on my hands as it is and you just don't interest me in that way." She quickly slid out of his space of intimacy to stagger a few feet away from the boy where he couldn't reach her.

Akai's glare sharpened as he watched her, his brow crossing in fury. "Is it because of Vince?"

"No! Vince has nothing to do with this. I'm not planning to be with him either, or follow his restrictions...I'm just being honest with you." The girl was swiftly subdued as his glare caused her inner willpower to submit with defeat and discomposure.

Akai slackened with his aggression as his chest expanded and deflated with every heavy breath he took to cool down his brain. "Then go out with me." He sternly commanded, demanding his efforts to be fruitful with the compliance of his desires.

"Akai...I'm sorry." Was all the girl could muster, failing to receive a positivity she gullibly wanted. After a few moments of stifling silence inched along she had to make a change to the scene in order to evolve it past the awkwardness. "I'll go on ahead and start working, maybe you should go back inside." She informed as she turned away to head in the direction of her next tasks. Before she could fully progress, the girl was held through eye contact as the male's spiteful gaze jabbed at her while all she could do was give him apologetic looks. "I'm just not interested in you in that way, so I'd rather you not waste your time with me." With a final smile, the girl proceeded to quickly pace away with great energy in her steps until she could no longer feel his daggered eyes following after her.

Akai was left in the stillness of the scene, remaining unmoved since the very beginning of the unwelcoming subject. As he considered her assurance and words it seemed to faze nothing in his feelings towards her. There now seemed to be an assertiveness in his conscience that demanded his wishes to be fulfilled. The male quietly smiled to himself before a light chuckle vibrated in his chest at the girl's assumption that he would allow her to slip away so easily from him. "I'm not quite ready to accept that."