===== Chapter 28 [ Part 2 ] =====

"No, I like you."

At the same time Dante said that, you happened to lift your gaze from the kitten towards his. Your brow raising, startled to see a crowd surrounding the man. From what you know of Dante, he despises crowds; so why isn't he doing anything to leave that place?

Curious, you stand up from your seat— just having the purpose of viewing the whole scene more and knowing what was really going on. Beside you is Chaos, whose smile instantly dissipated when your attention got taken away from him and his cat.

Snow's olive slit-like eyes innocently blink at his frown. When the man does not express his usual smile towards the feline, Snow gently rubs his fluffy cheek against his palm.

"Krrrrr," the cat softly purrs. "Krrr...." it goes on, craving his utmost attention. That seems to squash the lingering displeasure within the guy temporarily as he finally manages out a small smile. Letting the cat fondles his cheeks and whiskers his touch, the brown-haired man returns his gaze to you.

The serenity Chaos felt earlier, thanks to the kitten, only immediately evaporates once more as soon as his green eyes perceive you leaving their table.

"(Y/N)!!" he can't help but call out in fear and desperation as he trails after your figure hastily moving your way towards the weird commotion.

Following after you, Chaos even forgets about the poor white kitten. It repetitively mews in the comforts of the bag, helplessly watching his owner run after the girl he is initially afraid of.

No.

It's like the girl phobia Chaos has is gone at that certain moment as he indifferently, aggressively pushes anyone, whether be it a male or female, out of his path— just to catch up with you.

As you go closer, instead of satisfying your curiosity, you become even more puzzled from what you're seeing.

Far from his typical behavior, the blonde-haired man suddenly grabs Ia's hands. In a way, it almost looks romantic on how he did that without a notice. Then, it is as if to show off to everyone that he did hold someone's hands without expressing emnity in his face, he stays in that position for a while.

He lets his oceanic eyes wander around.

Noticing (Y/N) amidst the crowd, the man struggles to keep his features as indifferent as possible. But it is more difficult than he thought to be, especially when he sees a grin stretching out of your face.

This man....

You slightly shake your head at his sudden antics. Still, you have a grin etched on your face. You notice how he looks troubled with your expression for a quick second; but you do not pay heed to that— obviously — with the assumption that he's probably frustrated for his feelings being discovered like this.

I knew it; I knew it! You mentally laugh. Funny how he even denied liking Ia earlier at the car, but it didn't even take a whole day for him to confess to everyone that he really did like her.

"Dante?"

Ia's loud voice earlier turns into a whisper.

Her cheeks, flushing pink as if she's an innocent girl experiencing a gesture of sweet romance for the very first time.

Well—she didn't expect him to act like this at all, highly aware that Dante really despises her guts. All Ia ever intended was to make people hate on (Y/n) more by feigning her heart being broken at the fact that even this Dante was seduced by that slut.

But this development.. she's happy to accept.

"(Y/N)!"

Chaos finally manages to reach you, who look back at him with a smile as you excitedly begin to exclaim the discovery you have just made. "Oh my god?! Can you believe it?! Dante likes Ia!"

The sudden burst of energy coming from you grasp the attention of the other people. As they had been initially told that you were the type to seduce just anyone, your joy for Ia and Dante otherwise contradicts it. You seem very genuine as you even slightly jump in your place to express your delight for the two.

What the? What's going on?

They gape at you, who finally do not seem like a slut in their own perceptions.

Dante, on the other hand, isn't shocked at the least.

The frown that he has been trying to conceal finally makes its up to his stoned face. But with the people's attention centered on your enthusiasm, they don't notice it. Only (Y/N) Ia notices it; only she notices his displeasure for your ignorance towards his feelings.

His hold on her hand instantly tightens to the point that she winces. Dante does not care as he can only feel his pain. He walks away, harshly pulling her along him. As much as it starts to hurt, Ia smiles so that to maintain an image to the others that Dante would like to spend time with her and her alone.

You watch them with high interest, still grinning by the outcome of the events. Eventually turning your focus to the man beside you, you happen to catch Chaos staring back at you with a serious expression.

"What?" you question, slightly stuttering at the sudden intensity of his gaze.

Thud.

You found yourself being patted on the head.