Dark Worlds, Soft Touches : My best friend's brother Gundham Tanaka

Chapter 4- Fear of Falling in Love

I knew that running away from my feelings for Gundham was a bad idea, but I couldn't help myself. By the end of June, I had successfully avoided any discussions about my emotions with him. I started waking up earlier, ensuring that we wouldn't have any conversations in the bathroom. I still made him breakfast, but I didn't let him know when it was ready.

Akira had play practices on Wednesday and Thursday nights, so she would stay in her Hopes Peak Academy dorm room. Sakura, on the other hand, would often pass out early or go out on Fridays. With only Gundham and me in the house, I tried not to come out of my room much. I would eat out for dinner most days, and whenever Akira was busy, I would invite Himiko and Angie to join me.

In the meantime, I kept myself busy with missions, spreading the word about the Midnight Maidens. I volunteered at the nearby animal shelter and created dolls for primary school students. I was doing everything in my power to avoid Gundham until that one Thursday night in the first week of July.

We were once again home alone, but this time, a lightning storm raged outside. I found myself feeling jumpy and a bit afraid. Usually, Akira would be there to comfort me on stormy nights. As I was doing my homework, the lights suddenly went out. I let out a little yelp, quickly covering my mouth. Another strike of lightning startled me, and I couldn't contain myself.

"Crystal, are you alright?" Gundham's concerned voice called from his room.

"I'm perfectly fine," I lied, my voice shaky. But another lightning strike betrayed my words, and I yelped again. I heard Gundham's bedroom door open, followed by the sound of him walking through the bathroom. He knocked gently on my door.

"I'm coming in," Gundham said, his voice filled with worry.

"No!" I exclaimed, standing up abruptly but tripping over my own feet. I hit my knee on the desk, causing me to cry out in pain. Gundham opened the door and immediately rushed over to me, holding a torch-shaped flashlight.

"You hit your knee pretty hard," Gundham said, his touch on my leg sending butterflies fluttering in my belly. I looked down and noticed my knee was bleeding.

"I'll be fine-" I began, but Gundham scooped me up into his arms and carried me to his room. My face flushed with heat as he gently laid me down on his bed. He rummaged through one of his nightstands and found a first aid kit. I averted my gaze as he carefully bandaged my knee, treating me delicately as if I were fragile.

"Thanks," I whispered when he was done. "I think I'm going to go now..."

"Wait, stay there," Gundham interrupted, preventing me from getting out of his bed. I watched as he set up candles all over his room, silently lighting them. I hadn't spent much time in Gundham's room, except for one or two occasions. He had a bookshelf filled with books on animal training, breeding, and care. Another shelf held novels, and there was a rocking chair positioned near the Deva's cage, with a single book placed in front of it. It seemed like he was planning to read to his pets before the power outage.

Once Gundham finished setting up the candles, he sat next to me on the bed. We both sat in silence for a while, stealing glances at each other. I noticed his face was slightly red, and he nervously played with his hands.

"About the song I wrote... Can you forget about it?" I asked quietly. "I never wanted you to see it."

"I don't think I can forget it," Gundham mumbled. "The truth is, Crystal, I'm very confused. You've always been so mysterious and puzzling to me. Do you really like me?" He cupped my cheek, his eyes filled with earnestness and questions.