Akari shifted her attention to the clock for the nth time that hour. She should be in the comfort of her own home but the opposite was happening to her. She seemed to be on the edge. She might be sitting silently but her eyes were anything but calm.

Earlier, she had arrived in her apartment with Eiji and Yamato. Right now, Yamato was indulging himself in something she prepared called 'sandwiches', completely unaware of the turbulence in her mind. On the other hand, the brown haired angel was sitting next to her on the couch, watching the volatility of her eyes.

"Tenshouin-san, it's not that big of an issue." Eiji calmly stated. "It's just apologising to nii-san."

"It is a big deal since it involves Eiichi." Akari sighed. "That Eiichi with whom I've had disagreements nearly every day. I know I should apologise to him for a better start." She lightly rubbed the side of her neck. "....But I don't know how to apologise genuinely.  . . . Especially to him."

"It'll work out with food," Yamato suddenly butt in with food in his mouth.

"I think that applies to only you, Yamato." Akari deadpanned.

"No, maybe he's right." Eiji suddenly chimed up. "If you pour your genuine feelings into what you make and have a heart to heart conversation, then I'm sure it'll work out."

Such a pure way of thinking. But will that actually work? Still, I don't want to turn him down when he looks this hopeful.

Akari smiled slightly. "Okay, if you say so. Do you know what he likes?"

At that, Eiji shook his head. "As you know, angels don't need sustenance. I haven't seen nii-san preferring any food."

"Hmmm…. Maybe I should try something that'll loosen him up? He must have been stressed with all the piled up works."

"That's a good idea."

Something to de-stress him….. coffee, perhaps? With his occasional bitter comments, he ought to have bitter tastebuds.

At that moment, Eiichi landed on the balcony gracefully and entered.

"Nii-san, you're back! Welcome back." Eiji beamed.

"Yeah." Eiichi patted his younger brother's shoulder.

"How's the situation in heavens?" Yamato asked after finishing his sandwiches.

"I've taken care of the disturbances. So, everything is stable for now."

Eiji eyed Akari and then his brother. He signalled Yamato with his eyes. "Well then, we'll take our leave. See you later, nii-san, Tenshouin-san."

And with that, Eiichi and Akari were left alone in her apartment. Their eyes met. Instantly, Akari held up a hand.

"Wait a moment, don't say anything." Akari headed behind the kitchen counter and began preparing two mugs of coffee. Eiichi watched her with a raised brow, wondering what she was up to.

Once she was done, she came up to him and handed him the red mug. "Here you go."

"What's this?"

"Coffee. It will help you with your fatigue."

"Angels don't tire themselves that easily."

"I know. It still wouldn't hurt to take it." When he remained unmoving, she urged him and handed him the mug. "Come on, take it. I didn't put anything weird in it."

"....Alright." Resigning, he accepted the drink and took a sip. Akari didn't notice the glimmer in his eyes. "Interesting taste."

So, he actually likes bitter? She quietly sipped her drink, hiding her smile behind the mug. They drank silently while leaning against the kitchen counter.

"You see…." Akari started. Her eyes glancing at his expression. "I'm fine with staying at the mansion as you wished."

"What's this all of a sudden?" He was certainly caught off guard.

"What I'm trying to say is…." She averted her eyes and stared at her blue mug. "I'm sorry for not understanding you."

Once she apologized, the rest of the words she wanted to convey came out pouring. "I have been thinking of myself only. I didn't realise the gravity of the situation I'm in. I wasn't cooperative and made things difficult for everyone. So, I'm sorry."

She heard the sound of him putting his mug on the counter. "No, in fact, I should also apologize."

That made her look up at him while he spoke, "It's true that the situation is grave and I overlooked your freedom as an individual. Everyone's safety depends on you and I treated you as such, not seeing you for the person you are. I ignored Tenshouin Akari's life for the mission."

"Oh…." She smiled at him gingerly. "It seems like we're finally on the same page."

"Indeed."

"Anyways, I'll keep my words. I'm ready to move into the mansion for the time being until all of the business with this king of darkness is solved."

"You don't have to do that. It's true that the mansion is always guarded with the barriers we create and one of us will always remain there. But here, as long as I'm with you, you'll remain safe."

"Okay. But take up on my offer when you feel the need to." She faced the man. "Kira told me about you, Eiichi. How, despite humans being the reason behind the evil's resurrection, you're adamant about protecting them. If it weren't for you, we might have been annihilated long before."

Eiichi's glasses glared under the light. "It seems that Kira has talked with you too. Before my return here, he told me to understand the situation from your point of view as an individual."

"Oh…"

"I've heard from him that you were cooperative and kind enough with them. I was wrong in assuming you are bound to follow all my orders just because I'm in charge of protecting you and that resulted in our clashes."

"That…." The female stood up properly and went before him. "Till now, we've just been Lucifer and the human you're bound to protect."

With a smile, she extended her right hand. An offer of starting as friends. "I hope we can become Eiichi and Akari to each other now."

Eiichi smiled back and accepted her hand, shaking it. Thus marked their new beginning as friends.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"So your boyfriend is here to pick you up again!" grinned Tomochika.

"Yeah…" We're on friendly terms now but we still have to keep up this dating charade.

"Are you sure we wouldn't be intruding on your date?" Haruka asked genuinely.

"It's completely fine. I invited you guys and Eiichi agrees too."

"But damn! The way he's standing outside the office waiting for you to come out- are you sure he's not a model?!" Tomochika exclaimed excitedly.

It was true that Eiichi was attracting a lot of attention, mostly from females. Clad in a black button down shirt and white pants, a navy blue overcoat and black shoes- he looked undeniably hot. Yet, the man himself was unaware of the turbulence he was creating in women's hearts.

Upon getting out of the office building, her two friends greeted the male. Eiichi, too, kept up the boyfriend charade. Akari planned to have dinner with her bestfriends and Eiichi was coming along as her protector. Besides, the two girls were very curious about Akari's secret boyfriend.

In the family restaurant, when Akari was going to sit next to Haruka, Tomochika pushed her away and took the spot. What are you doing not sitting with your boyfriend- was what Tomochika whispered to her so she had to sit beside Eiichi.

The story that they had come up with to tell her friends was that they met at a bookstore. Despite their different interests in books, they had enjoyed their conversations regarding books and other topics, which had resulted in them dating.

Eiichi also learned more about Akari's favourite units called STARISH and Quartet Night. He silently watched her tell her friends just how excited she was for their upcoming joint live. She was a fiery woman but when it came to her interests, she really became a maiden.

Eiichi was enjoying their conversation silently when his eyes widened all of a sudden. He immediately gripped Akari's hand beneath the table and cast a barrier over them.

Crash

Crash

Crash

!!!

The windows of the restaurant shattered as a wave of dark energy hit the restaurant at full force. Akari saw black. It felt so ominous that she felt sick. Eiichi held her close by the shoulders, protecting her with his barrier.

Once the evil energy dispersed, Akari slowly opened her eyes. To her horror, her surroundings looked like a disaster. Her stomach churned when she saw her bestfriends sitting opposite to them, unconscious.

"Tomo-chan!! Haruka!!" She immediately rushed to her friends.

"They were hit by the dark energy." Eiichi stated. He was already in his angel form.

Horrified, Akari checked their pulses to find them breathing. She sighed in relief. But they were seriously injured. She turned around when she heard cackling from behind.

All the people in the restaurant were unconscious. And, all over the restaurant were minions of darkness. So many that the restaurant was getting cramped.

Eiichi stood before Akari, safeguarding her with his pure white wings from their gazes. A comparatively stronger foe than those minions appeared before them, probably another servant of dark.

"Unforgivable…." Akari murmured. "To harm my friends…. is unforgivable!"

She clutched the knives they were using before and charged at the foe swiftly, surprising all, even Eiichi. She managed to stab the foe with both knives.

"You dare stab me, human!" The man's eyes glowed red and he charged his energy at her. Fortunately, Eiichi was quicker to pull her back and save her from the dark energy waves.

"Are you out of your mind or something?!" Eiichi snapped.

"They hurt my friends and all these people! They must pay!"

"I'll take care of that." Eiichi finished concentrating energy in his other hand. "Beings of darkness, begone this instance!"

A white light engulfed the whole place. Akari felt like it was more powerful than usual. She clung to his lavender vest. As the light faded, the minions had been annihilated. Akari slowly opened her eyes and they landed on her friends. Letting go off him, she went back to her friends. She winced, noticing the blood on their foreheads.

"They were hit directly. That's why they are more injured." He answered her unsaid question.

"Hey," she turned her head, holding back her tears. "Aren't I supposed to have incredible healing powers or something? Can't I do anything for them?"

"You can't use those powers for anyone but yourself." Her pitiful state made him sigh softly. "Worry not. Shion will take care of them. They have been alerted about the attack by now."

"Oh…" She recalled that the albino boy had the power to heal others. "Thank- ahh…!"

She winced from the severe pain in her head. Eiichi caught her before she could fall over from the pain.

"It hurts!!" She whimpered, clutching her head. Aside the dizziness, her head was ringing. The more minions and their increase in power, the more stronger the after effects would be. It was the most painful after effect ever.

The palpitation of her heart was making it difficult to breathe. Eiichi tried to soothe her by stroking her head but she could hardly feel it. Her whole body felt heavy. The pressure on her head was killing her.

By the time the pain dissipated, she slumped into Eiichi's arms, leaning her weight against him. She felt so unbelievably drained out.

"I couldn't even do anything for them…. Yet, I… feel this weak……. Pathetic.." she mumbled.

"You jumped straight into protecting them. It was reckless. However, your concern for your friends was surely praiseworthy."

The deep voice came from right beside her ear. She was in no state to react. "Eiichi…"

"Hm?"

She closed her eyes. "Thank you for protecting them."

To be continued