Chapter 13

Isamu managed to get a hold of one of the hacked PDAs which allowed us to get past security, leading us to the tunnels underground.

"We'll wait for the others here." I said.

"I'll wait. You get out of here." Isamu said, giving me a serious look.

Crossing my arms under my chest, I shook my head. "I'll stay."

"Come on, we don't have time…! Anytime now, the Blues will find out about this place and it'll be all over once they seal the exits…!"

"What about you then…?! Have you for once thought of what might actually happen to you?"

He let a soft growl. "At least one of us gets out of here—

"You're always this stubborn, Isamu…! Can't you listen to me for once?" I felt myself shook as tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm fucking worried about you, can't you see that?"

He was silent for a moment. Running his hand through his sweaty hair, he then let out a chuckle. "I'm afraid of losing you. I'd be happy knowing you're safe….even if it means I'll be fighting for my life here."

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. My face buried in his chest. "But…I can't do that to you….It's just not right." I inhaled his scent; something which I was very much accustomed to. I always felt a sense of security around him—he's always watching and looking after me.

He's my guardian angel.

I felt his hand caress my face; fingertips brushing my temples then my checks.

"Hey now….don't cry….."

"I-I'm not….you idiot. Just shut up for once will you?" I said, tightening my hold around him.

His hand ran through my hair. "It's going to be alright… We'll get out of this mess together."

"Isamu?"

"Yes?"

"I-I love you…" I blurted those words out without a second thought. My heart was racing and I instantly regretted even opening my mouth. 'Have you ever thought that he might be in love with someone else? He has been your best friend for years now and he never showed any feelings towards you.' A little voice said at the back of my mind. Sure he had a few girlfriends in the past, but he was over them, right?

What am I to him?

Just a friend?

Or something more?

My heart clenched at the thought of him with someone else. When he remained silent, I assumed the worst.

But what happened next, caught me off guard.

I felt his hot breath against my car, and the next thing I knew was feeling a pair of lips on mine. A blush crept up to my face. Hesitantly, I kissed back. We stayed like that for a while.

It was after a few minutes Isamu released me. A playful smile tugged on his lips. His emerald eyes sparkled with interest. "I'm glad to know that I stole your first kiss."

"What makes you think you are my first? "I nudged him on the face.

I let out a fake cough. "You need to improve your kissing skills."

"Wait. What?!"

'ONLY KIDDING, PRINCESS! You did fine…..I-I liked it."

If my face wasn't red before, it sure is now. Probably as red as a beet with steam coming out of my ears.

"And, Shinki….."

"Yes?"

"I love you too…."

My heart fluttered. "I have always wanted to hear those words from you…I always thought you didn't like in that way….So sometimes, I just felt awkward and held back my feelings for you."

A frown spread across Isamu's face, his eyes lost their shine in them. "Is that why you've never dated? Am I the reason?"

"Yes…."

"I'm sorry…."

"Why…..? It isn't your fault."

"I just….never thought you'd like a guy like me. It must have been difficult for you to see me with another woman."

I remained silent. My bottom lip quivered at the thought. It was difficult—it was heart breaking to see another woman making him so happy.

The mask that I have built for myself gradually grew over the years. I made it a priority to protect my friends and all the other Strains over my feelings and love.

"You sure you're not jealous?" Isamu asked, wagging his tongue creepily.

I batted him away, as I continued with my homework. "Jealous of what? I'm sorry, but I don't have the hots for you like half of the female student population." I said with a smirk.

He would always grumble about how cold I was being to him. But nevertheless, he would laugh it off and ruffle my hair.

Playful punches, hair ruffling—those were obvious signs that he only thought of me as a friend, and nothing more.

"You better get a boyfriend soon or better yet, a husband…..Oh! By the way, I heard this juicy gossip about how Reiji, the guy from the Archery team is obsessed with you….! He has pictures of you in your gym shorts in his phone—

"Wait whaaat…..?! That's just creepy!"

"How about it? You and Reiji? He seems like your type."

I chuckled. "What do you know about my taste in men? I like older guys, probably guys around their early twenties."

It was lie.

I've always liked Isamu, but I never had the guts to admit it. Most probably because of the fear of rejection because I knew that he preferred pretty, drop-dead gorgeous looking girls, and l was far from that.

"It was. There was a time that I tried to like another guy. But I just can't keep my thoughts away from you, no matter what I do. So don't you dare leave me, when I finally have you….." I said with a smile, my hands cupping his cheeks.

Placing his hands over mine, he was about to say something when a huge crash resounded through the end of the tunnel. Smoke and dust clouds enveloped the tunnels, and instinctively, Isamu wrapped his arms around me. He placed a finger over his lips, telling me to remain silent as we hid behind a crumbling pillar which is covered with moss.

Footsteps were heard approaching us.

I drew my saber, preparing to attack when Isamu shook his head. Staring at him questioningly, I was about to speak when he dashed out. A red aura glowed around him as he activated his powers and slammed his fists on a Blue Clansman, knocking him out completely. With Isamu's inhuman speed, no enemy could avoid his attacks. It is because of his abilities that he is wanted by Scepter4.

He was dangerous. I could not deny it.

But he had a conscience and a good sense of justice. He would never harm others with those abilities. I was certain of that.

I was about to step out from my hiding spot, but was pulled back by a strong grip on my arm. A hand quickly covered my face with a cloth. I trashed, trying my best not to inhale the chloroform but that proved unsuccessful. "You'd think that hit will bring me down? Don't underestimate me, woman."

It was the same man from before.

"Go to sleep, Shinki-chan…"

I only managed a short scream before my vision faded into the darkness.

Sorry for the really really slow update! I haven't been writing so much lately, but I won't give up on this story. Hopefully, I will be able to put more effort into this once summer break starts and I enter university.

Thanks for reading!