A Shy Kiss

Chapter 25

The following days was hard on you to say the least. Except for Tsu, mostly everyone in the group had turned their backs on you. Even the few who didn't see you as an enemy still kept their distance from you. There was no one here to protect you.

Except for Tamaki of course.

From what had happened that night of the failed girl's night, he gathered that you were exhausted from the stress and just wanted to keep a distance from everyone for now. And he respected that. He didn't pry more about what led you to run home all alone at night. He was just glad you were safe. He did his best to pamper you, trying to get you to relax from the stress. He made you your favorite dishes when he could, peppered your face in kisses whenever you frowned. He even got you a bubble bath ready for when you came home from work.

And as much as you appreciated his efforts in trying to bring a smile back to your face, there was so much dread mulling about inside you. How could you enjoy such lavish affection when the one who is giving it to you could also be the one killing your friends one by one?

His warm touches would make you flinch, his kisses making you swallow a whimper rising from your throat. His gentle embrace would remind you of a cold cage holding you hostage. Over time however, you did figure out a way to get Tamaki away from you.

At least for a day.

You said if he was gonna stay living with you he might as well grab the last of his things from his dorm he shared with Mirio. That way he had all his clothes as well his old study guides he could use for the upcoming finals. He agreed and also said he'd go shopping for groceries after packing his things from his dorm. He said he had some surprise for dinner so that's why he was gonna stop at the local butcher for a cut of pork. As long as he stayed outside longer you didn't really care where he went as long as you could feel safe for at least a few hours.

He gave you a quick peck on the lips before heading out, grabbing his keys and his wallet before closing the door behind him. You quickly locked it and decided to call your mom. You couldn't tell her anything about what happened, but just talking with your mom always seemed to calm you down.

Your mom was as peppy as usual. She retired from her job a few years ago so she gets to relax a bit more than your dad. She was baking her famous impossible cake: the top half was a flan and the bottom half was chocolate cake. You acted like everything was okay at school. You did mention that there was police now at school to protect the students. You felt your mom sigh in relief as she went back to her chipper mood. You ended up on the phone for over an hour just chatting with your mom about random things until you felt much calmer. Eventually she had to go out so you said your goodbyes and ended the call, going back to your real life. You sighed as you tried to put on a brave face. You didn't want to give Tamaki any suspicion. You couldn't keep pushing him away, he would start to suspect you know something.

You sighed loudly before making some hot cocoa, the drink you and Tamaki first bonded over. You cleaned up the kitchen a little for him, using cleaning as a way to distract yourself. You ended up sweeping the whole apartment, washed the dishes, did laundry, and were about to fold the laundry when you got a call.

The sudden ringing made you drop the towel you were folding. Still startled, you answered the phone.

It was the police.

They were asking about Tamaki.

Mirio...was found dead in his dorm.