'We can say that.' Akashi replied calmly as his eyes scanned the area.

'He left no blood trails so we can't find him, that's rather stupid.' I commented.

'I think he went that way.' The redhead pointed northeast from where we were standing.

'How do you know?'

'The bushes are a bit squashed compared to others. Let's not waste time and find him or it will create chaos if the others see this.' He said while marching towards the bushes. I followed in pursuit. We searched the area for quite a while until an idea came into my mind.

'Let's split up,' I spoke. 'Maybe that'd broaden our search area.'

He looked at me in disagreement.

'You're not looking down on me, right? Then let's separate and search for him.' I turned the other way without waiting for his reply and continued marching away from him. When I looked back, he was already minding his own business, which means he doesn't really care if I die.

I really don't get how people can navigate in a forest because the paths and trees look all the same to me and I'm not very diligent when it comes to navigation. Nevertheless, I used all my focus to search for Aidou. He could be anywhere in the area and it's a huge forest. However, as I was informed, there were yellow tapes placed around a certain radius to prevent students from wandering far off.

And then from the corner of my eyes, I noticed two figures walking the opposite direction. Their backs were on me so it was to my advantage. I followed closely but silently. The guy on the right was a little shorter than the one on the left and the taller guy was limping on his right leg.

'Do you think he would come back if we carry out the plan?' the right one asked.

The left guy shrugged. 'I don't know but I know I will have to bring him back no matter what. He's an important member of the family we can't afford to lose him; he's the only heir we have.'

After that, they didn't speak another word and I never stopped trailing behind them. We went for quite a while until one of them sighed.

'She really thinks we don't know.' The right one looked up at his friend. I froze.

'Since we made it this far, we should let her know who's fooling who.' The other replied and as if on cue, both of them spun and our eyes met.

I stopped breathing; panic already flowing through my veins. Gulping, I took a step back.

The left guy shook his head. 'Nope, we're not letting you go.' He smiled.

I turned to run but the guy was faster. He was already jumping and grabbing my leg, preventing me from moving. 'I forgot my way back to the base camp!' I yelled. 'I thought you guys are the school's bodyguard!!!!' It was my very desperate foolish attempt to escape. I knew they wouldn't buy it but it was worth a try.

'The base camp is this way, miss, why are you trying to run away?' the one who was holding my leg played along.

'Well suddenly I think I need to pee!' I was still kicking and struggling but his grip was strong.

'The bathroom is also this way.' He chuckled.

'That one is full! I need another bathroom!' I screamed.

'We can clear the others for you to use it.'

Then suddenly he gathered all his strength and pulled my leg. I could feel my arm bruising but when he grabbed me by the neck instead, I forgot about all pain and only thought of dying.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! I don't want to die yet...!

He was strong; too strong for me to breathe. I was choking but the two of them just watched them. 'Hey, doesn't she look like someone?' the shorter guy said.

The taller guy tilted his head, thinking. 'I think I've seen her in a picture somewhere...'

'Is it a clan member?' his friend hummed then hit "eureka". 'AH!'

'Who?'

'I think she's the daughter of Miyamura!' he exclaimed. 'We saw her yesterday, didn't we?'

'Oh, isn't it—' a knife flew between me, and the guy who was about to kill me then landed perfectly on a tree.

I was released and fell to the ground.

'What the—' the guy cursed. We all turned our heads.

-

Akashi Seijuurou

As expected, all of them were surprised with the knife I threw. The two idiots turned their heads and eyes were widened when they saw me. I stared and without saying anything, the two scurried away like cowards.

-

Miyamura Yuzuki

I coughed terribly after the two guys ran away. For some reason, they were scared of Akashi. Well, who wouldn't be scared of his horrible-looking eyes? No offence.

'Thanks, dude.' I managed to say after a long series of coughing. My neck and arm were hurting like shit. The redhead held out a hand and helped me stand up.

'Were you stabbed or shot?' he asked.

I frowned. 'What a peculiar question, but no I wasn't...'

He tilted his head and touched my neck. I jumped in surprise. 'That's a hideous choke mark on your neck.' He commented.

I touched them on impulse, pouting. 'Did you find Aidou?' I changed the topic.

He shook his head in response then held up a mobile phone. 'I only found this. Could this be Aidou's?' he asked.

I took the phone and checked it. The battery was dead and the screen was cracked badly. 'I think so.' I answered, uncertain.

Akashi glanced at his wristwatch. 'I think we should return to the base and bandage your wounds.'

'I agree,' I sighed, caressing my bruised neck. 'I'll tell Dad about Aidou and let them settle.'

Like that, we walked back to the basecamp. When we arrived, the students were still doing obstacles courses away from base so Akashi had time to do some first-aid. I sat on the ground next to the tent. He took out the kit from the teacher's tent then took another box full of ice out. Inside was an ice pack so he just smacked the thing onto my neck, earning a groan from me.

'Be gentler, young man, I could die of shock.' I muttered, holding the ice pack against the choke mark where it was obvious. While I applied ice to it, he readied a water bottle and a roll of bandages then sat in front of me.

'Hold the ice with you left hand and give me your right hand.' He looked at me. I did as I was told and held out my right hand.

He took the water bottle, opened it and was about to pour water on my wound but I quickly retracted my hand, frowning.

'The heck, you want me to die of pain?' I scolded him.

'First, there's no such thing as painless death and second, if you don't treat the wound properly, it's going to get infected and kill you in 3 days.'

He motioned me to give me my hand and I shook my head. He smiled and gestured again and I glared at him, shaking my head at the same time.

'Give me your hand or I'll snap your neck into two.' He threatened.

'You can snap my neck—OUCH!' I yelled when he lunged towards me, pushing me down, and his hand was really going for my neck. My neck felt warm when he placed his left arm on it lightly. If he were to shift his weight towards his arm, I'd be choked again. I was staring at his face that was very close to mine.

Without breaking eye contact, his right hand reached for mine and pulled me up sitting. I was still looking at him as he quietly cleaned some dirt off my arm and took the water bottle.

'OUCH!' I screamed when the water hit my wounds. It stung.

In matter of seconds, he was already done with my hand then readied another roll for my neck. We were silent.

'Done. If anybody asked, just say the bandage is fashion.' He said and stood, tidying up the kit and stuffs.

'That's a bad fashion sense,' I mumbled. 'Thanks, though.'

-

Akashi was just done keeping the stuffs when he looked at Yuzuki, who was staring at him. 'Anything else you need?' he queried.

'Nothing,' she blinked. 'I'm just amazed at how you do things.'

He frowned then glanced at the tent. 'How nicely I keep things inside a tent?'

'No like,' she giggled then shrugged. 'I don't know...you're just nice to see.'

'And you're painfully honest.' He shook his head then moved towards the assembly area. It was nearing sundown so he expected the students to be done in a few minutes. Yuzuki followed him.

-

It was nearing midnight and the campsite went really silent. I couldn't sleep, though. It was a completely new place for me so I felt uncomfortable. It has always been like that. The infirmary was in a small room a few meters away from the toilets and I headed there with Aidou's phone and a charger in my hand. Let's thank God our phone uses the same charger.

The room was dark and nobody was inside, which was the actual opposite 2 hours ago with people flooding in there to charge their phones and what not. The door was unlocked for students and teachers' convenience.

'Sorry for intruding...' I muttered and entered while my hand searched for the switch to turn on the lights.

When the room was lit, I went to a plug just beside a bed and charged Aidou's phone before playing with my phone. Not long after, his phone lit up, indicating that it was okay to inspect it.

I looked at the screen. He had the Miyamura house as his lock screen background and a 4-digit passcode was needed to access his phone. I keyed in simple number combinations. 0000, 1234, 4321, 2580 and then it was the last attempt. I frowned and hummed.

'If this is correct, he's a simpleton.' I whispered before keying in the number 0852. 'Ah!' I exclaimed when the phone was unlocked. Shaking my head, I was dissatisfied at how easy it was to gain access to his phone.

There weren't many additional applications stored in his mobile. Most of it was pre-installed and his home screen background was just black. 'He's kind of boring.' I commented as I scanned the content.

I know perfectly that it was wrong for me to press on the Message icon but I couldn't help it. There weren't many chats. I saw one contact named "Mom", one with "Dad" and one with "Lil Sis". Other than those three were the other bodyguards. The latest was with an unknown number. I pressed.

Subject: The thing about betrayal

Lol I feel that. Btw, wait I heard something from the camp. I'll check on it and come back asap.

The reply came a few minutes after the last sent message.

Subject: The thing about betrayal

What was it?

And that was the last message ever. The subject itself gave me doubt. Betrayal? But the previous messages were all about rants of their work life and nothing of betraying anybody. I remembered suddenly I haven't told Dad about his disappearance.

I messaged my father.

To: Old man who doesn't install a sink in the kitchen

Dad, did Aidou go home? He disappeared from my camp. Let me know as soon as you can so I wouldn't have to worry for nothing.

I stared at the message for a few seconds and dismissed it when there was no reply. It was already so late. A message came on Aidou's phone. I checked. It was from the same unknown number.

Subject: The thing about betrayal

Hey, let's meet at our usual place when the camp's done. Are you busy?

My instinct told me to reply even though it would mean barging into one's privacy.

To: Unknown

Subject: The thing about betrayal

Kinda. Let's just meet at the cafénearest to the school.

From: Unknown

Subject: The thing about betrayal

I thought that it's supposed to be private but ok I guess. Just be careful of his daughter. She might see you.

I frowned. "His daughter" would mean me, right?

'What are you doing here?' a familiar voice greeted me. I was so shocked by the sudden voice that I dropped Aidou's phone.

I looked up and saw Akashi. 'Could have knocked or something, right?' I sighed.

'You still would be surprised.' He said and entered the infirmary.

'Well at least you wouldn't be seeing my shocked face.' I answered. Akashi sat on a chair opposite the bed. 'And you, why are you awake?' I asked.

'You still haven't answered my question why would I answer yours?' Akashi replied.

'Gosh,' I rolled my eyes. 'I'm here to charge my phone and I can't sleep.'

'Your phone or Aidou's phone?' he raised a brow.

I was taken aback. 'I-I'm just helping him!' I stuttered.

'Okay, that's good then,' he said. 'I had enough sleep so I'm here for some comfort.'

'Enough sleep? You only slept for 3 hours!'

'That's practically enough. Studies show that waking up in the middle of the night after a few hours sleep is beneficial especially to students.'

'Whatever, nerd.' I murmured and turned my attention to my phone.

-

Akashi sat on the chair by the bed that was the nearest to Yuzuki. He watched as she focused on Aidou's phone, frowning and shaking her head at times. He thought of something he liked to do ever since he was a small boy.

'Follow me.' he commanded abruptly and without waiting for replies from her, he exited the infirmary.

Yuzuki frowned but slowly stood and followed him outside. He walked more and soon began coursing off from the base camp. She was always a rebel so she didn't mind where they were heading. They passed through the obstacles course everyone went through earlier.

Akashi stopped at a completely unrecognized spot in the forest where trees formed a circle around it. He looked up and gestured for Yuzuki to do the same. As she did, her mouth gaped in surprise and her eyes widened in amazement. There were stars sprawled all over the canvas of the night sky. Some of them were sparkling and the crescent moon was only making it even more mesmerizing.

'I've seen stars but this...' said Yuzuki. 'This is just a whole new view!'

'It's impressive.' Akashi commented.

Suddenly Yuzuki dropped to the ground on her back. Akashi turned to her. 'What are you doing?' he asked. Yuzuki grabbed his hand and nudged him towards her.

'Lie down!' she exclaimed. 'It's even better this way. Trust me.'

Akashi looked like he wanted to say something but he didn't and carefully lay down next to her, minding some personal space. 'You know the ground is dirty, right?' he said, turning his head to her.

'We'll be buried down into the earth when we die. Let's pretend this is our pre-funeral.' Yuzuki replied, never blinking as she continued to stare at the twinkling stars.

Akashi merely chuckled in reply and looked up.

Yuzuki watched him from the corner of her eyes. She had never realized how his fiery red hair seemed so soft as the wind blew. She had never realized how beautiful his eyes were as they blink and stare.

'Fancy me, Yuzuki?' Akashi spoke abruptly.

Yuzuki gasped and quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing red. 'S-sorry,' said Yuzuki and looked at him apologetically. 'I've never had a friend this close before. I was just wondering how—'

Akashi turned his head. Their noses were only an inch away. Yuzuki fell silent. 'So I'm your first friend?' he asked.

'I...uh...' Yuzuki began stuttering. 'I really like your eyes.'

His gaze was fixed on hers.

'And...' she continued. 'You look so attractive.'

Akashi frowned. 'Did your dad tell you to be honest at every single thing?'

'Well,' Yuzuki shrugged, gazing back at the stars. 'I learned that being untruthful doesn't bring you any good.'

'Are you indirectly saying that you like me?'

'I do like you,' she said. 'Considering how you've helped me find Aidou and tend to my wounds. Before, I find you extremely annoying.'

'Is that why you poisoned me?'

Yuzuki snickered. 'Sorry about that, I hated how everyone swarms around you. Mind you, I get pushed a lot of times because girls run to you like peasants seeing foods during a famine.'

'You have a unique way of releasing your anger,' he retorted. 'Aren't you worried if it turned out to be fatal?'

'Oh, certainly not at all,' Yuzuki exclaimed. 'Dr. Sumire was very careful titrating the right dose.'

Akashi tittered in disbelief. 'You go through all the hassle just because you found me annoying?'

'I had nothing to do so I figured I could make myself busy for some Valentines surprise.'

Akashi shook his head. 'I ought to force your teachers for more homework.'

'You shall not!' Yuzuki slapped his arm. 'I get tired doing them.'

'Don't lie, you don't even do any of them.'

Yuzuki clicked her tongue. Akashi glanced at her and smiled. So much for revenge...

-

A/N: Hello everybody, I know how long you've waited and I'm sorry I took too much time. This chapter is rather boring with not much plot unraveling but I have them written out and planned. I'm just trying to deepen their relationship. 

Thank you so much for all who's still reading, I'll try my best (I say this every time ugh) to update quickly and make it worthy for you to read them. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to express it!

Until then, by my leave.