Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 71595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
The first week I was here, I tried testing it out by wearing contacts – the colored type that makes your eyes thrice as large – and no one even looked twice at me. So now, I’ve branched out a bit, dressing up the way that one of my favorite oneshot heroines does. I honestly don’t see what’s wrong with my outfit so I ask Yuki worriedly, “Is it too moe?” The latter word is slang for the too-cute girls you often see in manga and anime, and I wonder if it’s the otaku in me that’s not seeing the same thing Yuki sees.
Yuki’s lips tighten. “Never mind.” The light changes back to green, and it’s another race as I try to keep up with his long-legged strides.
“Slow down, please. I’m wearing heels.” I’m breathless again, and unfortunately it has more to do with my lack of stamina than Yuki’s good looks.
“No.”
Or so he says, but he’s actually slowing down, and a smile starts to tug at the corner of my lips. This was just like how we were before, only our roles were reversed then, and I was the one in denial. I couldn’t make myself admit that I was attracted to a cocky, sadistic prince like him – just like Yuki is unwilling to admit that we could make things work between us now...and for good.
“Stop smiling.”
“I’m not.” I quickly wipe my face free of expression. “But—-” I can’t help looking down at my clothes again. “Is it really that bad?”
“It is,” Yuki states unequivocally. “You should change.”
My face falls, and he swears under his breath.
“You’re right,” I say. Yuki’s the one with Japanese blood, not me, so if he thinks my clothes suck, then I’ll trust his judgment. I’ve never been the one to care about fashion anyway. “I’ll see you in school. I’ll just go and change.”
Yuki’s fingers cup my elbow before I can take another step.
Oh!
It’s the most casual of touches, but it’s still enough to make my entire body jolt, and when Yuki suddenly yanks his hand away I just know—-
“You felt it too, didn’t you?” I ask giddily.
Yuki looks like he wants to strangle me.
Oh. Right. I forgot that the plan was to seduce him subtly and not just go all-out attack him with my love. Clearing my throat, I ask, “Why did you stop me?”
“Your clothes,” he says stiffly. “Gomen.” Sorry. “I lied. They’re not bad.”
“Oh.” But I don’t get it, and I can’t help feeling a little hurt. The Yuki I know isn’t this much of an arse. “Did you just say it to make me feel bad?”
“Iie.” No.
His voice is gruff, but I hear the sincerity in it, and tension loosens its hold on my shoulders.
“Then...why?”
He inhales heavily. “Because...” He gestures to my legs.
“My legs are ugly?”
“For God’s sake, no.” Yuki’s eyes flash in irritation. “Don’t you get it?” He angrily gestures to my legs again. “You’re showing too much.”
Oh.
“Stop grinning.”
“I’m not.”
“Stop grinning or I’ll block your number.”
I grimace. Bloody smart sod. He might as well have threatened to cut off my oxygen supply, and he knows it.
When we pause at the last intersection, Yuki glances at me, and I ask hopefully, “Want to hold my hand while walking?”
Yuki glares at me.
“Okay, okay. I just asked.”
He slowly shakes his head. “You know this is futile, don’t you?”
The words catch me off guard, and I quickly look away as my stomach starts to cramp. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m just walking to school, and you only happen to be walking the same route—-”
“You already live inside the campus.”
“Details, details,” I say airily.
There’s another moment of silence, and then he says, “You’ve changed.” Surprise is evident in his voice, but there’s something else.
“Do you mean,” I tease lightly, “I’ve become prettier?”
“No.”
I almost feel hurt, but then I see the way his lips curve just the tiniest bit, and – oh. Be still, my heart. Have you had a god smile at you? Let’s just say I seriously believe that man’s first drawn breath was at the sight of one.
“I get it,” I tell him.
He arches a brow. “You do?”
“It’s in your eyes,” I say innocently. “I can’t get any prettier because I’m already the prettiest girl for you.”
“That,” I say with a grin, “is exactly how Yuki looked at me that time, too.” It’s lunch break, and I’ve just finished telling my friends about the little one-liner I used this morning and stopped Yuki in his tracks.
Vivi is the first one to stop gaping and find her voice. “You take the pie.”
“Cake,” Hannah and I correct her at the same time.
Vivi nods. “Yes, I meant that. You completely take the cake. I am very much impressed by the way you are handling this. You are – what is it they say? You’re taking the...elephant by their tusk?”