"Mimi, I would always be there for you. You will always have a place in my heart."

Words that were conveyed in a very sincere manner.

Words that were said under the moon and stars.

Words that could never be true or fake.

It was always Kagaya's words of advice that kept Nao going. His soft spoken voice that always seem to soothe her was Nao's only salvation in the curse life that she has.

Despite being a woman of noble status, Nao was rebellious and careless but the truth is, she was not always like that. There came a time when everything changed and Nao just woke up one day knowing that she can no longer be the same person she used to be.

Nao hated lies. She hated liars with every fiber of their being.

Their father had lied to her.

Her mother had tricked her.

While her brother, sweet and kind as he may, didn't stay true to his promise.

As a child filled with curiosity who was suddenly forced to grow up, it made her into a very impulsive yet cautious person. Nao was a walking contradiction and sometimes, just sometimes, Nao feels as if she is living the life of someone else.

Nao really tried to feel grateful at the fact that she could still walk and run properly unlike her brother. Not many in the family were blessed like her with a much stronger constitution but nevertheless, she was still sick and frail.

Playing and running with the other kids was never an option that was given to her. Getting dirty and being covered in mud was something she has never experienced as a child. Nao always seem to wear new expensive clothes everyday. She has never experienced wearing the same attire before.

All her things always seem new. Nao should have felt grateful that she was blessed with all of these.

But even though you were given every material thing the world has to offer, the love and affection you would only receive from a familial relation was absent. And though you were excessively gratified with various material objects, being kept under control with your freedom as  the price was not something you'd want in your whole life.

Nao would rather live a poor life, with a healthy body and with no rules to bind her. She'd rather wear the same kimono everyday if it meant that her brother would stay with her.

Nao could throw everything away just to experience being in the arms of a loved one like that of many years ago.

But it seems that no matter how much she wished to feel the same warmth and comfort she felt back then, Nao would never be able turn back time to experience what was once lost.

Nothing would be able to replace that deep feeling she felt inside her when her brother, Kagaya held her in a gentle hug. Their parents were long gone and he was the only thing Nao clung to. She clung to him as if he was the light within the dark, the moon among the sky, the flowers among the weed and the fire burning brightly with passion.

Nao depended on him as if her life was on the line and Kagaya would smile at her, softly speak to her and say things to reassure her raging heart that was raw from all the things she experienced.

That kind of embrace that only her beloved brother could give, nothing would be able to replicate it.

Not even Muzan.

Muzan, a huge contrast to her brother would hold her in a rather intimate manner. It was adorable at first but Nao could feel herself gradually getting uncomfortable when his touch would linger and his hands would brush against her skin more often than not.

The closest contact that they would do together was a hug or hold each other's hands. Muzan's sudden increase in physical contact made her nervous and frankly, Nao was getting really uneasy when his hand would sometimes rest on her hips while he would lean closer, almost erasing any space between them.

There were times when Muzan would simply caress her cheek and listen to Nao as she speak but the way he always seem to act around her was slowly changing.

It's as if Muzan was deliberately telling her that he was physically attracted to her.

Nao did not like it one bit. Sure, Muzan was a handsome person and a charming man but Nao was still Naomi Ubuyashiki, the great Oyakata-sama's younger sister. Nao have duties that she needed to fulfill. Romantic relationships were not something that Nao will decide for herself.

Nao already has a suitor and it is her duty as Naomi Ubuyashiki to fulfill them, no matter how much she hated it.

For what reason was she doing this? It was simple. Nao loves her brother. If Kagaya told her to marry a duck, she'd probably do it in a heartbeat. His words were law to her.

"Nao-san hasn't been eating properly these days. Nao-san is losing weight." Muzan told her one night while they were inside his laboratory.

Nao was surprised that Muzan actually placed his weird potions down to look at her. Nao always seem to see him so immersed on them as if it was all that mattered.

"I'm fine.... " Nao muttered lowly as she tried her best to avoid eye contact.

"Nao-san is not fine at all." Nao felt incredibly nervous when Muzan came to approach her. She really was not in the mood to be touched at the moment.

"I'm really fine..."

He went to place a hand on her cheek, slowly stroking the surface of her skin with his thumb.

Nao stared at her hands as if it was the most interesting thing there is. Muzan noticed them and he stopped his movements.

"Why won't Nao-san look at me? Does Nao-san think I'm disgusting because I'm a demon? Is that why Nao-san feels nervous?"

Nao shook her head.

"Muzan.. "

Muzan growled lowly which made her flinch away. Plum red eyes narrowed at this.

"Mimi.." Muzan said in a low voice as he placed a hand on her hips. Nao grabbed his hand and tried to remove it but he ended up wrapping his arm around her waist. He pulled her flushed against his chest.

"Why won't you look at me? You won't let me touch you at all. What do I need to do so that I can be more closer to you? So that I can touch you more?"

Nao trembled as she tried to remove his hand.

"This isn't appropriate anymore. Muzan and I are friends. Not lovers ." Nao told him as she tried to pull away from his hold.

Nao yelped when he suddenly grabbed her chin.

"Mimi. I am your husband. There is nothing inappropriate with what I'm doing."

Nao frowned. "What is Muzan saying? I don't understand at all."

Muzan only narrowed his eyes before he released her.

Nao hugged herself and continued to avert her eyes.

Muzan went back to his bottles.

"I will be gone for a long time. I hope Nao-san will behave while I am away. I have tasked Akaza to care for Nao-san. He will watch over Nao-san and keep anyone away so Nao-san will be safe."

Nao finally stared at him, his voice sounding extremely displeased.

"Does Nao-san understand?" She ignored the question.

Her eyes narrowed at his form, remembering how he touched her and almost devoured her neck from his ministrations. She once again averted her eyes, disliking the fact that she actually felt good when he touched her body.

Nao, against her better judgment, went to grab the edge of his clothes.

His eyes that stared expectantly at Nao made her tense but she kept her words strong.

"Don't leave me alone please."

☆

I like Akaza. The poor boy doesn't deserve all the shit he went through.

☆