January 24. Tuesday. Before Class.

I am still troubled by what Kanae said. That idiot knows no boundaries! While thinking that, I haven't noticed that I was walking like a zombie roaming around the school corridors. Although being a zombie never hurts anyone. It's still a bit better than being known as a demon.

I wonder how I'm going to respond to Kanae now. I mean, we do live together and all and I'm really good at acting so that's never a bother but...

It's his fault in the first place! Why would he suddenly blurt out something like that?

I entered my classroom and the first thing I saw was Emily right in front of my face. I'm guessing she was about to exit, but then I blocked her way.

"You look really dead today, Celeste. Although you look dead right from the start, this day in particular, you look more dead than the usual." Emily commented. I have no time for this.

"I'm sorry for blocking your way." I ignored everything she said and proceeded to go to my seat. Everything looks normal now. Maybe I am the only who's really changed.

"Oh, Emily's right. You look more dead than usual... if there's a word for that." Joan commented, suddenly appearing before me in the same way Emily did. "What's wrong? Something happened between you and Kanae yesterday?" I know that those eyes of anticipation are hiding something interesting from me. I guess I have no choice but to dig it out of her.

"Mind telling me why you were trying to tackle me down yesterday when I passed by you in the corridors?" I raised my eyebrow in triumph. I needed the answer to that, but I doubt that she will give me a proper one.

"So anyway," as expected. She dodged the question. "If it has nothing to do with Kanae, then what?"

"It has something to do with Kanae." I protested. Why did she assume that it wasn't?

"This is interesting. Tell me. I might be able to help." Joan's eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky. Her eyes shine so bright that I'm worried it will either make me or herself blind.

I was about to open my mouth and say my side of the story, but then Carol entered the classroom, which distracted all of us. He has an aura where we automatically look at him. He's not my property, yet I get a tiny bit jealous when I see him with other girls. I don't understand why though. I mean, he exclusively gives me white roses so I guess I'm special in one way or another.

"Oh, good morning Celeste! Hm? You look more dead than usual." Even he notices how dead I look. Am I that different? "What's wrong?" He immediately approached me, avoiding all the girls fawning over him.

"What's wrong with you? You're avoiding all the girls." I looked around him to see a reasonable amount of girls glaring at my soul and a small amount that doesn't even acknowledge my existence.

"That's right! I'm sorry, girls. Not today." He calmly declined. He's worried more about me? How kind. "So, tell me all about it. Is it Kanae?"

"Why do you always assume it was Kanae?" I stared at the two of them dryly. Their faces say it's not hard to answer that question.

"You're always with him." Carol started.

"You live under the same roof." Joan continued. "Plus, I kind of told him to look after you." She whispered. She whispered it out of guilt and not so I couldn't hear it.

"Ok, those are valid reasons. And yes, as you all accused of, Kanae Baade is the reason why I'm looking more dead than usual."

Their faces light up as soon as I introduced them to the problem. They really are excited to hear this problem of mine. I wonder why. Well, it wouldn't hurt to at least tell them. That's what friends are for... I think.

"H-he just told me something ridiculous, you see! He blurted out that he likes me. I don't know how to react to that! Even though... Even though he keeps on telling me it was a joke and that, I shouldn't mind it so much, it really bothered me how serious he looked the first time he said it! I... I can't believe I'm saying this but, the two of you, as Emily referred to you as, 'romance experts', I need your help. As a friend and a customer." I formally told them. I tried to stay professional, but I couldn't help but stutter some words.

"Listen to your heart." Joan calmly says, putting her hand on my chest, to where my heart is. As if on cue, my Contract Mark glowed grey all of a sudden. "I guess your heart says that your Master is really distressed and worried for you." She giggled at that thought.

"My heart?" I asked with such innocent eyes. "My heart says nothing. It has been cold and locked up since the day I was born."

"Oh come on, maybe it has opened up for him." Joan playfully taps my shoulder. "I know so!"

I was hesitant to reply. I feel like it did, but at the same time, I don't feel like lowering my own pride just to say that. I would if it's urgent, but not now. It's too embarrassing even for me. Can't believe I'm thinking about this.

"Silence means yes." She insisted, without even a word from me about how I think. I guess it's not really relevant, is it? "So, when are you going to confess?"

I looked at her, narrowing my eyes in confusion. "What?" I asked.

"When are you going to confess?" Joan repeated with the same tone and voice.

"I don't... What?" I asked again. What does she mean by that? Will I even confess to him in the first place? She seems really calm and sure about this. I don't know if I could trust her decision.

"Hey now Joan, a girl like her needs some time to think about the situation and her own feelings before she goes blurting it out. Don't be so impatient." Carol tried to defend me. "Although I'd rather like it if she's so slow towards her feelings. It just makes me room in her heart." He whispered at the end. I heard it. I heard it loud and clear. I still don't know what he's talking about.

"Well... Knowing Celeste, I think that's a better choice than actually pressuring her to confess." Joan sighed like all her plans failed. "Only time can tell now what will happen. Isn't that your motto, Celeste?"

I snorted. She knows my motto. As expected from an angel best friend. "Not specifically, but close."

Joan flashed a warm smile. "I'm glad we gave you useful advices. Don't be so down just because someone confessed to you, ok?" She then unexpectedly ruffled my hair and went to her seat as calm and carefree as ever.

Carol stares at me in anticipation. What does he want? "Be careful around rivals. If you'd like, I'll help you with that."

I waved my hands to dismiss his offer. "Don't do anything. I'll handle this all by myself. Thank you for worrying about me. I love you." Carol then immediately blushed, running to a corner to just stare at it. After he's done that, I realized what I just said wrong. I didn't mean it like that!! It was just on the spur of the moment! It really was! I let my heart speak for once. Aahh~~ I hope he'll be fine in a while.

The long-awaited sleeper finally woke up and created a grand entrance in our classroom. He slammed the door open. All the girls squealed and rushed to him only to be flatly rejected as he holds out his palm. "Missy!" He demanded.

Everyone turned silent. I looked at them, then at Kanae. "Here." I meekly said as I raised my hand up.

"I need to talk to you. Everybody, GET OUT!" He demanded once again. I guess someone woke up at the wrong side of the bed.

"You heard him." Joan tried to help. "Come on Carol, you can't really cool yourself down if you just stay in one place, not actually doing anything." She was the one who dragged Carol out since nobody even dares to go near him. I would if I wasn't scared frozen because of Kanae's voice.

I was about to leave too, but then his strong arm blocked my way just after the guy in front of me exited. I slowly turned my head to him and gulped as I see his eyes glaring at me, glaring at my soul.

"H-hey..." I tried to greet but then he slammed his arm again, probably to look threatening or to make a warning. He then glanced at the door then locked it. He grabbed me by the arm (his grip is so tight) until we reached the end of the classroom and so, he pinned me down to the wall.

"I'm sorry! I- I really didn't know how to respond at that time! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!!" I apologized like I'm begging. Shit. He's too scary that I can actually beg on his feet like this. "I didn't expect that you will turn out this way. If I knew, then I shouldn't have done that..." My tears are trying to flow again. This is troublesome.

"Hey, Celeste..." Kanae moaned out my name in a form of a whisper. I shuddered at the unusual voice. He doesn't look at my eye. This made him less threatening. He looks... embarrassed. "I didn't mind you trashing my room and making me clean up all the mess just because you thought nobody has any right to like you. Actually, I want to talk to you in private since nobody, especially that Emily girl, should know that I confessed to you. They will start a riot and I don't want you to get hurt because of them and it will be my fault. Look, you can dismiss my confession as a joke. You don't need to think that much about it if it will make you stressed out and look more dead than usual."

"Wow, even the moment I woke up, I looked more dead than usual." I commented, trying to laugh up all my guilt and hidden emotions. "I'm sorry for worrying you so much. I'm fine, really. Not stressed out or more dead, I just look that way, but really, I'm just a bit confused. You rarely see me confused, right? Well, here I am now, confused as hell!" I tried to cheer him up by flashing a reassuring smile at him. He seems to get it and so, returned it the same way. "But it's true, isn't it? That you like me. I can't just ignore that fact. Even if you tell me to dismiss it as a joke, I wouldn't, because..." What am I saying? Abort, abort!! "Ah ah ah ah!! My point is: I won't dismiss that confession as a joke and I won't worry you too much starting today!" I accidentally shouted it out. Good thing no one's here to hear it. And we're even far from the doors and windows so no one will really be able to spy on us! This is a great place! As expected of Kanae!

"That's enough to keep me alive and motivated the whole day." He then pecked a kiss on my forehead.

I immediately covered it with my hands as a self-defence. He just stared at me wide-eyed, then lightheartedly giggled. He... was genuinely having fun? I want him to genuinely have fun. Not because he acted as a delinquent or because he's beating up delinquents, but even from just a simple thing like this, he can genuinely smile. I would like that. I would like to treasure that.

"Get used to it. I will be doing this often when we're alone. Any objections?" He smirked like he was teasing me. Time to counter it!

"If you could genuinely have fun and smile like that, I don't." I flashed him a great big wide bright smile!

He blushed, turning away. Haha! Didn't expect that comeback, did ya?! I am once again in triumph!!!

"Do you usually say these kinds of stuffs to others?" He choked on his own words before producing them again. Haha. He's still as red as a tomato! A cute tomato!

"Of course not. I'm a demon. What do you expect?" I crossed my arms and pouted. He kept forgetting that I'm a demon! Hmph!

"Th-then... Is it your first time saying that to someone?" He's getting brighter each second. Soon, I'll be seeing my hometown just because he has the same colour as that.

I nodded after a moment.

He narrowed his eyes at me then slid down the wall. I wouldn't want to get any misunderstandings and so does he. I softly pat his back. "Hey, get up. Do you want Emily to see us?"

"Just let me stay like this a little longer... I'm at my limit." He groaned.

I kept on trying to find ways to move him so I kept on trying to move even if I'm trapped between this man's arms.

"Don't move too much. One more move and I will not sleep tonight."

"How is this and that related?" I ignored him and kept on moving.

"I can't do it now since we're in an unacceptable environment. Once we get home and get in to bed, I won't sleep because I will be doing this and that to you." He then slurped his tongue out near my ear. The noise made me shudder.

After enough observations, I finally deduced something about this situation! "Kanae... Are you drunk?"

I was answered with a snore. Then I guess that's a yes. At least now I know the answer. I should just move this body to a safe place and go open the door and continue the class like nothing happened.

•

Lunchtime.

"Kanae's so perverted when he's drunk." I casually commented as a conversation starter to break the ice in the group. Kanae is resting in the nurse's office, assumed that he has a fever. Of course, only I know the truth. I wonder why I didn't see him drink though. Why did he get drunk?

"I know, right." Zan laughed. "I invited him to Flame's. He holds his liquor quite well than mine but he got too much maybe, and now he's so perverted and fragile. He didn't do anything to you, did he?!" He panicked, gasping like he's assuming I was raped or something like that.

"Nope, not really. It was only limited for thoughts. He even't laid a single hand on me!" I smiled as I waved my hands.

"If he really did those things he said he would, would you let him?" Carol asked me such a serious and important question. Not even sarcastic right now.

"Nope. He's still young." I immediately answered. They all fell down comically, except for Cervi, who understood what I meant even if he's blushing so hard right now.

"S-so... If he just aged a little, you would let him?" Carol clarified his question.

"Sure, why not?" I casually answered like I didn't give a damn. I wonder why they're even giving a damn.

"You will get raped easily." Joan sighed, narrowing her eyes at me like a mother that we treat her to be.

"I don't get raped. I rape." I corrected.

"Well anyway," Carol coughed so that we won't continue that horrible topic. "What do you think of him?"

Everyone leaned closer to attentively listen to what I had to say. "Why do you need to lean closer? You can hear me just fine." I kind of complained.

"It's fine. Don't mind us. Hurry up." Joan pushed.

I sighed as I ignored them. "I don't really understand how I feel about him, but I'm sure I'll know soon enough."

All of them looked at me blankly. I was surprised even Cervi stared at me blankly. It's like they were disappointed with my answer.

"Oh well." They all sighed and shrugged.

"Speaking of Kanae, he's really popular despite being a delinquent. He has a lot of admirers. Prepare yourself, Celeste, you have a lot of rivals." Joan looked at me with her head resting on her palm, looking bored. "Maybe that Emily gal also contributed." She then turned away to probably look for that said Emily gal.

Ah, I remember Emily putting up a rumour related to Kanae and romance. It still hasn't died out? What great power she has. That was when it all started, then. He started getting a lot of confessions and admirers after that incident. Since then, all the letters were shredded, just like their feelings, and all the gifts were returned. If Kanae is lazy, he will just put it somewhere and hope someone will eventually find it and keep it.

"I agree." I commented.

All of us pondered what else Emily has. She has intelligence, leadership skills, social life, atheliticsm, everything. Oh, but I haven't heard about her having--

"Family problems." Joan snapped her fingers. All of us turned to her in surprise. "Common problems of people looking all perfect." She proudly stated. "Well, either that or financial problems."

We all looked at one another, telepathically communicating. Not literally.

"So what? What if she has some flaws? She's human, after all." I suddenly realized.

"We can use her." Joan excitedly blurted out. Can't say an angel like her would say something like that while being excited.

"For what?" I impatiently asked, raising my brow.

"Oh!" Carol snapped his fingers in the same way Joan did just earlier. "Sorry I didn't catch up to that sooner. I get it now. So that Emily can find ways to say something like 'Kanae is taken so back away' or something like that."

"That works too. I was thinking about: if she can make people look attractive, she can make people look unattractive." Joan bluntly stated, sipping her tea like she's not actually an angel. She has forgotten her own existence.

"Should I tell her that? I'm starting my maths tutor with her." I innocently asked, even tilting my head to the side to add the cuteness.

"You're stupid." Joan waved her finger going like tsk tsk.

I was taken aback, confused. "Then what the hell do you mean?!"

The group became silent for a while. They didn't look at me like they were disappointed to see me in such an idiotic state, they looked at me like they want to help but couldn't know what the specific answer should be.

"I think it's better if you skip your tutor just for today. You're not in a state where you can concentrate for long, especially because you look so dead." Zan suddenly interfered. "I think it's best if you spend a little more time with Kanae. If you need some help, you can come to us."

I felt like I have been enlightened with his words. I nodded and warmly thanked him before leaving early without bidding goodbye.

------

The whole group looked at Zan with worry, concern, and disbelief.

"It's not like you to say that to her." Joan first commented. Everyone was silent but Zan knew they agreed.

"You know... I confessed to her before. I am proud to say that I was the first one to confess to her." Zan pulled up a fake laugh as he meekly scratches the back of his head. "She didn't mind it at all, but I know she had learned a lot about love since then." He looked up as if he's proud. "I know she's not as innocent as before. She became more emotional and sensitive. She even became considerate, considering how soft she is now. She unconsciously said 'I love you' to Carol because she was letting her heart speak. She was right when she said her heart is cold and locked up. She had always thought all her life, that letting her heart speak up was a bad thing. Because she once did that, then her mother died. It was useless trying to speak her heart up so she purposely locked it up and froze it until she no longer became herself but what she believes she ought to be. I knew. I observed her so much to the point where I can observe such little things about her." Halfway through, Zan started sniffling. They all agreed on what he has to say so he let him continue. "I know it's hard for me to let her go, but it's alright. That delinquent made her realise she needed to let her heart speak up. She liked him because of how interesting he was, of how he was able to 'assassinate' her, of how he showed off his talent, but that was when she just met him. Over time, that delinquent proved to her that even if her exterior is tough, she can be soft and vulnerable if she wants. That delinquent was patient enough to tolerate her behaviour and explain as many times as he can, to be more like a person. He saw through her. He knew how her heart suffered, he saw how her heart was locked up, he heard her heart screaming for help. And he saved it. I support him with my princess because that's what I feel like. I feel like it's the right thing to do. For once, I want to see her smile for what her heart desires, and not what her body wants..." His eyes began to water as he struggled to continue. "... Even if it's not with me..." He ended, before breaking down into tears that wanted to flow for a long time.

The group comforted him. They know just how long Zan suffered while loving Celeste. His time was up. He reached his end for his feelings. They can relate to how he merely observed their love story in the dark, continuously getting hurt by each moment.

He loved Celeste. He was willing to let her go so that he can finally see her happy. So that he can see her smile for being happy, and not because she just committed a crime.

Kanae was able to do something he couldn't for a long time-- open Celeste's heart. Because Zan can't open someone else's heart if his heart was also locked up and cold as hers. He couldn't do anything but just to work in the backstage.

In the end, he knew... he was just satisfied being a substitute father for her than being a lover she doesn't even deserve.

------

Dismissal.

I already told Emily that I don't want to go with her to study maths today. But I will go tomorrow. She accepted, trying to know the reason. I said it's urgent and left without any more words.

As soon as I left, I rushed to the clinic to see Kanae's condition. Kanae is asleep. I sat beside him, tempted to ruffle his hair and see what pleasure they feel if they do this to me. I'm curious. I want to know how they feel.

As I was slowly reaching out to his head, he suddenly shifted himself. I thought he was awake and withdrew my hand. He sensed it and so, he opened his drowsy eyes and faced me. He puts his right hand on top of his left eye and asked, "what are you doing here?"

"I want to go home. It's already dismissal." I used that as an excuse.

He gritted his teeth in annoyance and moved to face the other side. "Can't you just go by yourself?" He complained in a muffled voice from the blanket.

"Looks to me that you're enjoying your time in this wretched clinic where there's no nurse." I stared at him blankly. He didn't reply. "If this is better than your bed, I will leave now. I just came to check how you are."

As I was about to leave, I felt his hand grab my arm and pulled it. I fell down on the side of the bed while I see him sitting up. "If you beg, I might go with you."

"Still drunk?" I sighed. "I don't beg. Now hurry up if you want to go with me." I steadily stood back up. Still trying to be all "cool" and demanding, I was irritated at this scene so I offered my hand. "Take it or leave it."

Kanae looked at me, his face still being pink from drinking. "I'm dizzy, I'm sleepy, my head hurts, you have to lead me." He started admitting he's really drunk.

"Take it or leave it." I repeated, a bit more demanding.

Kanae smirked before finally making his decision.

•

Baade Residence. 6:30 pm.

As expected, Kanae took my hand. I tried hard to accompany him since he was being heavy and difficult.

He just got out of the bathroom, looking fresh and sober. I wonder if he is fresh and sober? I don't think he got that much sleep to be sober. I don't think he even drank water!

"Kanae, you sober?" I asked, tilting my head in curiosity.

"Hm? Not really. Still drunk so get ready for tonight." He widely smiled. He hid intentions in that smile. He hid motives too.

I stood up my bed, ran to the kitchen, took a glass of water and ran back to the bedroom holding the glass of water. "It's not good to be drunk for so long. Drink up." I told him.

He happily refused my offer, placing the glass on top of the drawer and quickly pinned me down the bed. "If I can do these stuffs to you while being vulnerable, I'd rather be drunk." He licked his lips as if he's hungry for something.

That is the last straw.

I slapped some sense into him literally. He got a bit of control, as I can see from his face. He was back to normal with a slap. A slap was all he need to try and control his drunk urges.

"Snap out of it." I glared. "You became too irritating for me to handle. If I could, I would knock you out unconscious, but then I'm afraid that I might kill you."

"Ah... Celeste? Ah--ah!! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do this! I was drunk and--"

"I know." I interrupted before he goes and apologises like I did before. "Go to sleep early. You need a lot of rest."

Kanae leaned closer to my forehead. I was thinking he might kiss it again, but he didn't. Instead, he merely ruffled my hair. "Thank you." He whispered as he flopped down the bed, immediately sleeping, I think.

"It's ok." I told him. I know he's not hearing this but, just in case, "it's ok if you kiss my forehead." I blushed at my own words. I didn't expect a time where I can say those words to him, even if he's not even awake! Aaarrghhh!!!

I lied down the bed and kept on rolling around, trying to clear my thoughts. I then worried about Kanae waking up because of me moving around too much so I jumped out the window and go for a midnight stroll.

As I was walking around, trying so hard to keep myself in bay, I felt a hand take me from behind and began dragging me away. He was so quick that I didn't have time to defend myself. And as I was out in my leisure, I wasn't actually being cautious. Shit. If I was as cautious as that Piece Of Shit, I wouldn't be in this situation right now!

Unlike any other kidnappers I had, this one actually knocked me out. It was worth praising for but sadly, I wouldn't be conscious as I find the time to compliment him.