Chapter 45 - Damn
Kira's expression didn't change as he quietly carried Zeri towards the treehouse. He was still angry. However, by the time they reached the treehouse and the girl in his back started being riled up again, somehow, Kira's expression became better.
The girl asked him to put her down but Kira didn't budge this time. Why would he ever let go of her now?! No way!
Gladly, Zeri didn't do anything outrageous and it seemed like she had given up trying to persuade Kira to put her down, or maybe, she had just got distracted by what she was seeing inside the treehouse until she forgot about her pleas.
"Whoah!! So beautiful!!" she exclaimed. Her left hand wrapped around his neck while her right was tugging his hair.
"Hey! Are you planning to uproot my hair?" he asked but the girl didn't seem to hear him, causing Kira to just sigh and quietly take her wherever she wanted to go.
The ball of energy in his back stayed so hyped up the entire time, tirelessly yelling every now and again. And Kira couldn't help but wonder why she was this happy. He was wondering why every little thing in this place was making her so damn excited. But he just couldn't see why.
Time passed and the two were finally on their way back.
"Hey, put me down now." She started pleading again.
"No."
"But, I'm heavy."
"Yeah, you're heavy. The heaviest girl I ever carried."
"You always carry your girlfriends like this?"
Kira pressed his lips tight. He didn't expect her to ask that.
"No, I'm not usually doing this kind of thing," Kira replied and for some reason, Zeri didn't speak again. They were quiet for a long while until he suddenly felt something rested on his head.
Kira's brows knotted as he halted.
"What now? You finally got tired?" he asked but the girl didn't reply.
Worried, Kira was about to put her down but her arms around his neck slightly tightened.
"Hey, are you alright?" he asked again, his face now grave.
Gladly, the girl finally spoke. "I'm sorry," she said and Kira froze in place.
"For what?" he replied, struggling to use a lighter tone.
"Because I forced you to bring me here even though you don't want to… even though you're not enjoying at all." Her voice was repentant, and Kira felt a really unpleasant feeling in his chest. What he felt that moment was so damn unbearable and he didn't know why.
Kira's jaws tightened as he closed his eyes. He was glad that she couldn't see his face right then.
After another minute, he sighed and started walking again until they finally reached the boat.
Once the boat started sailing, Kira finally put her down. He turned around and looked at her.
They stared at each other for another long while.
Seconds ticked by and for the first time, Zeri was the first to break the stalemate. She averted her gaze and she started blinking as her gaze wandered, fidgeting.
Her reactions almost made Kira's eyes bulged out he momentarily forgot everything, even the unbelievably uncomfortable feeling inside his chest. This was the first time this girl ever acted like this, so how the hell could he stay unaffected?!
Zeri was biting her lips as she glanced at him and Kira didn't know why but the brewing storm in his heart just a moment ago completely disappeared and was now replaced by fireworks and cherry blossoms. Damn! He couldn't believe that such a simple matter was making him feel like he just won a battle. Damn! He was happy.
"A-are you angry? I'm sorry. W-what do you want me to do to make up with you?" she finally spoke again. She looked worried. She was blinking nervously. And Kira could hardly stop himself from smiling.
God knows just how hard he was restraining himself not to grin at that very moment.
Gladly, he managed not to give anything away. He dropped his face to the level of her eyes and stared at her intently.
"You want to do something for me?" he asked, his voice was quieter than usual.
Zeri didn't hesitate and gave him a nod, causing Kira to press his lips into a thin line so he could hide his amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I promise."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Kira could no longer restrain himself so he suddenly turned his back from her.
"I don't think you will agree with my request." He said and walked towards the chair and sat there. He rested his face in his palm so he could cover his lips with his fingers.
"I will, I promise." She stood before him, still determined.
"Are you always making promises like this?" he asked, his eyes became narrowed.
"No, I only make promises with the people I truly trust," she answered and Kira averted his gaze away from her. Damn! This made him so happy!
"Okay then, I'll tell you my request later."
"O-okay. So, you're not angry with me anymore?"
"Who's angry?"
"You were angry a while ago."
"Just your imagination."
"… I don't think so. You really are –"
"Quiet. Let met rest. You don't know how heavy you are." He lied and Zeri blinked.
"Do you want me to massage your shoulder?"
Cough, cough! What?!
Kira was surprised. And before he could respond, the girl was already behind him. Her hands landed on Kira's shoulders and he almost flinched when she started pressing her warm fingers.
Trying to stay cool, Kira straightened. He was about to speak with her when suddenly…
"OUCH!!" he yelled and Zeri immediately stopped.
"S-s-sorry, is it too hard?" she sounded apologetic. "Give me another chance. I'll do it very lightly this time." She started pressing her fingers again, this time it was indeed very much lighter and careful.
"Is this okay?" she asked and when Kira nodded, she began concentrating. She thought that since she couldn't make him happy, he could at least make him feel a little bit better by doing this. Little did she know that the young man she thought who was still unhappy was actually grinning wide for a while now.