==== Chapter 7   [ Part 1 ] ====

"K— Kielle! Kielle—!"

Peach gets pretty teary as soon as she takes in the sight of her cousin awake from his comatose state. The girl rushes to him, hugging him; and you watch them. No, you watch him as he remains expressionless and silent. Since earlier, Kielle has been mute. You are quite worried that he might have damaged his head like what nurse, Olivia, told you a day ago.

"Kielle, are you feeling fine? Hungry?"

Continuously, Peach questions her cousin in concern; and he remains unresponsive just like earlier, just blinking his blank golden eyes. She does not seem to notice though as the platinum blonde- haired girl ushers you to go and buy food for him.

You are however reluctant.

Although it has already been an hour, you are afraid that Ashes might just be out there and really attempt to come and keep you to himself. You're really grateful to Dante, never really expecting that he'll come and save you like you have pleaded him before.

You'll thank him later. You swear.

"(Y/N)!"

You blink your eyes and see both cousins staring at you. Your cheeks turn red, and you hesitantly nod. She gives you a smile, saying her thanks. You smile back, stealing some quick glance at the golden-eyed boy.

He gazes back at you.

Once you return to the room, you see Peach and Kielle inside, still in the same position like you have left them before. Giving the paper bag that contains some food to Peach, she gives you her gratitude.

You scratch the back of your neck,  aware of the thought that you will not ever get the money you spent. You take your sit in the stool as you observe the white- haired girl happily checks out the food.

"Oh, look! It's your favorite snack!"

Peach brings out a large paper bowl of bibimbap. Kielle emptily stares at it then looks away as if he didn't see or hear anything at all. She pouts as she wonders to herself why her cousin is acting like that, still denying what she has been informed earlier by the medical staff. No— her cousin is strong. He would not be that weak to receive a brain damage.

But then again, he's a human.

You, on the other hand, narrow your eyes at his unusual behavior, not knowing what have happened earlier. But then, you know that you already have a conclusion that Kielle's damaged in the brain. Who could have survived that anyways without being affected in some way?

Peach tries to shove a spoon to Kielle.. who merely only disregards her attempts to help him. "Kielle, please. You need to eat," she helplessly tries to persuade her cousin. Kielle does not even spare a glance to the spoon. He just mutely turns away as he stares off to some space; clearly emptiness is obvious in his gaze. Watching them, you're immediately struck by a pang of pity.

After ten more minutes, your friend eventually gives up from feeding Kielle. Her blue eyes has started to tear up. She sniffs, and she turns around to shield her tears from you and her cousin. No. She does not want to believe it. But it is the truth. Smashing his head to the wall, Kielle caused himself a brain injury.

He may have become mute forever.

He could have lost his ability to walk. He could have lost his ability to rationally think... There is also a big chance that Kielle is not Kielle anymore. Peach's tears fall down, and she lets out a sob. Not wanting to be there anymore... She exits the room.

You look at the door that is still open.

Your heart is feeling a bit heavy, and you know that some thing is going on right now... regarding to Kielle's health. You turn your attention to your friend's cousin. The man still remains staring off to that space with that empty look in his golden eyes.

"Kielle," you whisper.

He doesn't listen to you. He doesn't turn to face you. But you have expected that already, so you just sigh. Though you aren't thinking to leave him just like that. Your eyes avert to the food that has been left on the bed. You don't think anymore and grab the spoon.

"Kielle, please eat," you softly plead.

Silence.

However... you still proceed to press the spoonful of the korean dish to his sealed lips. Feeling the hot touch, his golden eyes blink as it instantly settles on you. Although Kielle doesn't open his mouth. He just stares at you that deep and empty. You blink and shake your head to your own self

— let's get this over, (Y/N).

You decide to pressure him, pressing the spoon to those sealed lips of his once again. With that, the sauce taints Kielle in the mouth. He blinks his eyes at what you are doing, and you continue to attempt and persuade him to open his mouth, feeling silly as you do so. Actually you think what you are doing is wrong, but it's for his health anyways.

"Kielle—"

About five minutes later, you also give up. This man — Kielle really is a stubborn person. But instead of crying like what Peach has done, you mutter your apology and grab a tissue from the paper bag. If Kielle doesn't really want to eat, then what can you do?? You sigh and gently dab that tissue on his stained lips.

"I'm sorry."

Kielle notes your action, just blinking his golden eyes while perceiving the gentle touch unlike the aggresive actions earlier. After a few more dabs, you pause. You quietly stare back at him with your (E/C) eyes— while trying to seek anything that might betray any emotions Kielle could be feeling at that moment.

You see nothing; you sigh.

"I hope you really eat. Your cousin is worried for you."

Once hearing and seeing no response from the young guy, you ade about to dejectedly leave Kielle alone to go to the restroom when you feel that almost unnoticeable pull.

You turn around.

Your (E/C) eyes widen when you see his hand clutching onto the hem of your shirt.

He doesn't want you to leave?

Once seeing your gaze on him, his golden-colored eyes avert to the food; and you realize what he's trying to do. Your lips tug into a small smile; you immediately begins spoon-feeding him, afraid that he might change his own decision; and you thought that he won't ever eat since he seems really pretty determined earlier to reserve himself from everyone.

As he chews his food, you cannot help and continuously smile at him. "Thank you, Kielle," you mumble. He just peacefully chews his food. A few bites made later, some one enters the room.

You turn around and see Peach with swollen eyes and a very running nose. Beside her is Alessio and Dante who seems to be smiling to himself, almost looking quite in a very good mood.

You smile at them as you proceed to spoon feed Kielle, who does not seem to care about their presences at all. Alessio narrows his eyes. Peach's puffy eyes instantly widen at what you are doing right now. The young girl quickly runs to you with a smile.

"(Y/N), you did it!" she cheers.

"It took a lot of persuading," you softly murmur to her, knowing that the young man ate because of his cousin's concerns anyways.

"Thank you!" Peach loudly says, almost looking happy that her damaged cousin is trying to do some effort now unlike earlier. You shake your head as you then put your gaze on Dante.

"Thank you," you tell him; and he just looks away from you. His smile has been wiped off, but you can still feel that happy aura that is going on around him. "It's not for you," he says, trying to excuse his kind gestures; yet you only smile at those words.

"Alessio," you shyly acknowledge the silver-eyed man's presence while the young man nods back in return... His silver eyes seems to scan you, but you disregard it. He's always been the observant type of man anyways. That is what you think while your mind flies to the days you saw him staring at just anything and anyone.

Not knowing he has done that because of concern.

And yes, you heard it guys... Alessio. Alessio Nikolaise. The man who is known for his cruel heartlessness— is feeling concern for you. Is this a sign? Or is this nothing else to dive deeper?

Well, whatever the case. It is starting...

— Or it may have already begun, and you just simply haven't realized it yet. You have to though, as soon as possible. It's not good to be quite ignorant, (Y/N). It is never advisable in a situation like this.