I'm surprised to see there are still people who read this story😅 Sorry to those who sometimes read or stop by this story of mine because you'll keep getting late updates. I try to update faster but the story doesn't write by itself even though I'm supplying it with lots of ideas.

Btw, I recommend Visual Prison anime to those who are reading this. It definitely has potential!

Ugh! Why did I oversleep!?

Quickly, Akari brushed her long hair and tied it in a ponytail. In reality she knew the reason for her tardiness. Last night, after Eiichi left her in a state of rage, Akari ate dinner and listened to STARISH and Quartet Night's songs and read some novels to fix her mood. She didn't sleep that late but the tiredness from the past two days made her miss her alarm.

While arranging her bag, there was a knock on her balcony door. She turned around to find the brunette angel.

"Eiichi," Akari said his name in a sour voice. Even if she didn't want to see him, she knew she had to stick with him for safety.

Eiichi opened the door and stepped inside. "You seem to be in a rush."

"I am," she answered without looking at him.

"Did you oversleep? That's not good." He shook his head.

"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have overslept." She shot him a glare.

"I suppose you have too much time in your hands to be arguing with me," the man stated with a smirk. He saw her sigh and put on her jacket.

He spoke when she walked towards the door, "You know, I can just fly you to your workplace. That will be much safer and quicker."

Without looking at him, Akari answered, "I know. But that won't be fair to the other workers. As for safety, you will be with me."

"But," She turned around to face him. "You can't go out looking like that. You will stand out in your outfit." She pointed at him. He was wearing all white, top to bottom, with a lavender vest over his white shirt.He had this indescribable sort of magnificence and regality which was sure to attract swooning eyes.

"Oh,this?" Eiichi held out his hand and a white light surrounded him. Before the woman got the chance to blink, the light disappeared and there stood Eiichi, in casual human clothes.

"Will this do?" He asked. Akari looked at him. He was wearing a white shirt with purple stripes on it, an off white jacket over it, along with grey pants. She tried to deny that he was looking absolutely handsome. Looks like he looked good in anything. But that doesn't change the fact that he's a jerk.

She looked away with her back facing him. "It's better. Let's go."

"Let me remind you one thing before we leave. You aren't allowed to discuss this business with anyone for there shall be harm to them."

"I didn't plan on telling anyways."

. . . . . . .

"Can you make it in time for work?" Eiichi asked Akari as they walked hurriedly down the busy street.

"I can."

"Make sure you don't get separated from me."

"Yeah,I know."

Despite her saying that, a minute later,

"Ah, wait here!" She ordered him. "I'll be back soon." Akari left his side before he could react.

Though, he soon located her. He found her talking with a couple in their 50s.

"Excuse me, we're trying to get to the hospital on this map," the man showed the map to Akari.

"Oh,this hospital? It's one street over. The road is narrow so it's easy to miss," responded Akari.

"Ah, thank you," the couple thanked her before the man added, "we're going there to meet our first grandson."

"That's good news. Congratulations!" Akari smiled at them.

The couple thanked the brunette again before hurrying down the street. Eiichi reached her by the time they had left.

"What were you doing?" He asked, slightly annoyed at her disobedience.

"They looked in a bind. Despite their best attempt to ask the passersby, people didn't listen to them. So, I offered help," replied Akari.

"That's a good thing but," he frowned, "what did I tell you a minute ago about not getting separated from me?"

"They looked lost. There was no way I wouldn't help them."

"But it's dangerous for you to be alone for even a moment."

She frowned back, "That's no reason to not help someone."

The brunette male sighed after a moment of silence. This woman wouldn't back down no matter what he said. "You should hurry up or you'll get late."

She checked her watch. "Oh no!" With that, she dashed off to her office with Eiichi behind her.

. . . . . . .

What should I have for dinner...?

As soon as Akari left the premises of her office, Eiichi came into sight.

"Were you waiting for me the whole day?" She asked, surprised.

"No. The seven of us have created a barrier over your office building. It's powerful enough to hold off every dark minion," answered Eiichi.

She asked him again, "Can I go to the supermarket? I need to buy dinner ingredients."

"Alright." Akari started heading for the supermarket, Eiichi following behind.

Without looking back at him, she questioned him, "Is there anything you want for dinner?"

"Thank you for the offer but angels don't eat food."

"Eh?" She looked at him, dumbfounded. "Then, what do angels eat?"

"We, divine beings, aren't required to sustain."

"Oh."

The walk fell quiet, not that Akari was trying to make a conversation. She was still mad at him for what he did last night. Soon after, they arrived at the supermarket, bought groceries and headed for her home.

No one in the shop actually realised that he's an angel. He can easily mix among people. He-

"Ah!" Akari staggered and brought a hand to her head. That pain again!

Eiichi held her arm before she could fall. With a serious expression, he told her, "Stay near me. Shadows are nearby."

"But what about the pedestrians?"

"Take a good look around. We're alone."

"Huh?" Now that she looked around, it was indeed empty. "You're right. But why-" She stopped midway when three minions, similar to the ones from last night, came into their view.

Just look at those black wings and red eyes. Creepy!

"Give us the human," one of the shadows ordered. It was producing one of those shadow balls.

"Or we'll take her from you," the second one threatened and the third one charged at them.

!!!

In an instance, Eiichi pulled Akari by the arm and wrapped an arm around her back to keep her close. He calmly chanted, his voice deep,

"Evil shadow, return to the darkness from whence you came!"

A white light surrounded everything. So bright that it caused the woman to shut her eyes. The warmth of the light spread inside her.

Slowly,the light subsided and the surroundings came into view. Those shadows were no longer there.

Shocked, she slowly looked up at him, ".....D-Did you defeat them?" He nodded at her.

He's more powerful than I thought. He literally didn't have to lift a single finger to defeat them when there were three of those shadows.

". . . .Thank y-"

A sudden wave of weariness hit her, draining her strength. Eiichi's grip prevented her from falling on the ground.

".....After effects, huh," she mumbled.

"Yes," replied Eiichi immediately. I suppose I need to get used to it.

It was some time later that Akari realised their position. Her head was resting against his chest and his arms held her close.

....! I-I should back away from him.

"Akari!?"

The said female froze. She recognized the owner of the high pitched voice. Her blood ran cold and she paled.

She turned around. And she saw the people she didn't want to see now.

"T-Tomo-chan!? Haruka?!" She squeaked.

Oh no! Did they see everything!? Did the barrier preventing people break already?! How am I going to explain everything?

Despite her inner franticness, Akari managed to speak in a calm voice. "Wh-What are you doing here?"

"Me and Haruka are on our way home. But, more importantly,he..." Tomochika paused and glanced at Eiichi before looking at her brunette friend in disbelief.

No... they saw everything! I can't let them get hurt.

"Akari-chan... um...." Haruka tried to speak up but Tomochika beat her up.

"Akari, is he your boyfriend?!"

............eh?

".......what?"

The two friends' eyes remained glued to the unknown man who was holding their friend.

"I-Is he.... Akari-chan, your..." Haruka trailed off.

"Wait! What are you guys talking about?! He's-" Frazzled, Akari tried to explain that those two were wrong but Eiichi only squeezed her tightly. Then, he flashed them a dazzling smile.

"Yes, I am."

HUUUUUUUH!!!?!?!

The troubled woman heard her friends gasp loudly.

"Hey...."

"Shh. It's fine," he whispered for only her to hear. "Things will be more convenient this way. It will help as an excuse for me to stay with you all the time."

"Well.... maybe, but still!"

It's NOT OKAY to just lie that you're MY boyfriend!

"Akari-chan. . ." Haruka's meek call took her attention. "You never told us you were seeing someone."

"That's right! Why did you never tell us you had a boyfriend?" asked Tomochika.

"Uh.... Haru-" she got cut off.

"Hello," Tomochika greeted Eiichi with a smile. "I'm Shibuya Tomochika. Nice to meet you."

The pink-haired woman bowed. "I am Nanami Haruka. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise, it's nice to meet you too, Nanami, Shibuya. I am Otori Eiichi."

With the grin of a Cheshire cat, the burgundy haired woman shifted her attention to Akari. "Aren't we friends, Akari? We wouldn't have known that you had a boyfriend if we didn't notice you by the street!"

"Like I said-" Akari was interrupted, again.

"Tomo-chan..." Haruka nudged her and pointed at the grocery bag that somehow didn't leave Akari's hand. "We might be bothering them."

The magenta eyed woman noticed the bag in Akari's hand. Her mind started calculating. Akari and her boyfriend walked home, with his arms around her. She was most probably carrying ingredients for dinner. Tomochika didn't need to be a genius to figure out that they were going to have a dinner date..... and maybe do something more at night.

"Ooh~" She wiggled her eyebrows. "Sorry to interrupt you when you were busy. We'll excuse ourselves."

"Goodnight, Akari-chan, Otori-san," Haruka bowed again before proceeding to leave.

"Have fun!" Tomochika winked before the two dashed off.

"You have some interesting friends," the man commented after the two females went away. No reply. He turned around and finally let her go.

"Are you alright?"He asked because she didn't look so. Her face was pale and eyes looked....lifeless. She remained still like a statue.

"......Boyfriend? You gotta be kidding me... I've never had a single boyfriend in my whole life... I only live for my ikemen Quartet Night and STARISH in my life...." the brunette began muttering without any sense. I promise I'm not cheating on you, Quartet Night and STARISH!

The angel sighed. She was going to be a problem.When he looked at her lifeless face again, he decided to snap her out of it.

Nearing his face to her ear. "If you're that bad with men, I can teach you...."

Her consciousness returned. With a scowl, she snapped, "Shut up!"

To be continued.