Forced Marriage, True Love

44. Suspicion - 2

I sighed and stretched myself. I was searching for a few articles related to Shinta Takagi's death. Just as I had expected, the news was different currently, with Itsuki Tachibana being a culprit in all of them. How fickle. Earlier, everyone worshipped Itsuki-san as a god, now... they see him as a crook. It was disgusting how people's judgement of a person changes with such a short time.

'Finding Itsuki-san's wrongdoings was hard enough. I'm sure finding Sakura-san's would be harder.' Just how could I prove to the world that she wasn't the pitiful, trampled over white lotus she pretends to be? I really need to ask Taki.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap themselves from behind me. "What are you doing Mitsuha?" Taki's deep, husky voice came, making me lean against his upper arm. "Nothing much. I just wanted to buy a new dress." I said, making him look at me. "You want a dress?" He asked, making me nod. "Is it for our birthday?" Taki asked, making me look at him.

"You know my birthday?" I asked, feeling shocked. "Ya. Even I was shocked to find out it's on the same date as mine." He said while smiling. "Looks like we really were meant to be." I laughed. Yes. Mine and Taki's birthdays are on the same date, December 1st.

Come to think of it, our birthday would be coming up in just two weeks. "Taki-kun, can we go shopping today?" I asked, making him smile and nod at me. "Speaking of which, Taki-kun, your mother had been asking a lot for you recently, right?" Taki nodded as he breathed in my scent. "Your perfume smells so good Mitsuha." He said heavily. "I'm not wearing any perfume." "Then it must be your shampoo."

I sighed. "Taki-kun. Li-" "Shh..." Taki covered my eyes and bit my neck, making me moan as I tilted my neck, giving him more access. Taki kissed my neck again, sucking on my skin. Suddenly, Taki's phone rang, breaking me out of my trance. "T-Taki-k-kun..." I whispered. "Hm?" "Y-your phone."

Taki scoffed and moved away from my neck, although his arm was still wrapped around my waist. "Who is it?" I asked. "My mother again." Taki said while sighing. 'Wait. This might be a chance for me to find out the truth behind Sakura-san's actions too.' "Why don't we just go Taki-kun? After all, she is your mother." I spoke, making Taki sigh.

"I really don't want to Mitsuha. I'm sorry." Taki said in a heavy voice, making me look down. I could definitely understand how he felt. In the end, I was asking him to go back to his parents' house, the place where his father, his best friend's murderer, once lived. Of course, Taki wouldn't want to go back to that place just yet, especially since he just found out the truth.

"I understand." I spoke. "I'm sorry for pushing you, Taki-kun." "You have nothing to apologize for." Taki said as he continued hugging me, making me lean my back against his chest, enjoying his warmth. However, the next moment, my eyes widened when I felt my t-shirt being lifted slowly.

I quickly pinched Taki's hand, making him let go of me. "That hurts!" He said while pouting like a baby. "You deserve it!" I said, my face turning blood red as I got up. I crossed Taki and was about to leave, when I suddenly felt him hold my hand. "Let- ah!" Before I could complete my sentence, Taki spun me around and pulled me to his chest, his hand wrapping itself around my waist.

"You leech! Let go!" I shouted as I slapped his arm. However, Taki didn't let go and tightened his grip on me, locking my arms against his chest. "You're asking me to do the impossible." Taki said. The next moment, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine, stunning me for a second. However, I returned the kiss the next moment as I melted in his arms.

***

It had been a week since then. And there wasn't even a single day where Taki's mother didn't call him. "Why don't we just go over Taki?" I asked. "Maybe she really is feeling lonely." Taki sighed and eventually gave in. Although I said that, it wasn't because I wanted to meet Sakura-san, but rather find out her secrets.

That weekend, Taki and I went over to his mother's house. Sakura-san cried as she saw Taki and fell in his arms. "Taki! My dear boy! You finally came!" Sakura-san hugged Taki, crying in his arms. Taki sighed as he returned the hug, although he seemed quite reluctant.

"It's nice to meet you again, Sakura-san." I said while bowing, making Sakura-san smile. "Ah. Mitsuha-san, I'm sorry I didn't notice you sooner. It's nice to see you again my dear." 'She sure knows how to honey coat her words. Her sweet words are one of the reasons why people think she's like a pure, white lotus.' I thought. There are very few people in Taki's circle. His entire life he was restrained. So, manipulating him sure will be easy.

Sakura-san dragged Taki away with her, leaving me alone. I kept staring at the mother and son duo and noticed the same look in Taki when we came over last time. Although is wasn't as evident as before, I could see a slight terror in Taki's eyes.

How did I not notice it sooner? It wasn't only Itsuki-san. Sakura-san was also manipulating Taki, playing with him like a puppet. No wonder he didn't want to come here. "Mitsuha," I heard a familiar voice call me from behind, making me turn around. "Hodaka?! What are you doing here?" I asked. "Tachibana-san asked me to come as well." He said, making me nod. "How is Tachibana-san feeling now?" I shook my head. "Totally broken Hodaka." I said, making Hodaka sigh.

"By the way, I know you have a reason to make Tachibana-san come here." Hodaka said, making me widen my eyes slightly. "Can we talk somewhere else?" I asked and dragged him to another place. "I'm sorry. I might have to bother you. If Tachibana-san isn't feeling comfortable, please take him back to his mansion. I'll come back later." I said.

"Mitsuha, just what are you planning to do?" Hodaka asked me. "I cannot tell you that just yet." "Mitsuha. I care about Tachibana-san the same way you do, okay?" I sighed. "Before I say anything, please let me tell you, all of this is just my speculation." "It's alright."

"Hodaka," I spoke, "don't you find it strange how Sakura-san knew nothing related to Shinta Takagi's death, despite her own husband doing the sin?" Hodaka nodded. "Taki was naive and innocent, so it was understandable. But Sakura-san not knowing what her own husband was doing seems too suspicious." "But it can be possible Mitsuha." Hodaka said. "You're right. But... I still want to know if it really is true. I really hope, my suspicions are wrong." Please... please let my suspicions be wrong. I cannot bear seeing Taki like this anymore.

Hodaka held my hand, making me look at him in surprise. "Don't worry Mitsuha. I'll try my best to find out the truth." He said with a smile, making me blush. Wow! It was the first time I saw him smile. He looked so handsome.

"Thank you Hodaka." I said as a smile spread across my lips automatically. Hodaka and I looked at each other happily, smiling without a care in the world, when I suddenly felt Hodaka stiffen and shiver. "W-w-w-well, I-I-I-I'll get going!" Hodaka stammered and ran away from there. I stared at his receding figure with a confused face. What was that about?

***

I smiled as I kept exploring the mansion. I was just about to turn right, when I suddenly felt a hand grab me from inside one of the rooms, catching me off guard. My back slammed against the wall. I was just about to scream when I felt a pair of lips cover my own, stunning me slightly. However, I quickly came over my shock when I recognized the taste of those lips and returned it.

Taki moaned in the kiss as his hands traveled to my waist, pulling me closer while I wrapped my arms around his neck.  After kissing for a while, Taki broke away from the kiss and pressed his lips on my neck, making me moan as I tilted my neck, giving him more access. After attacking my neck for a while, he kissed me one more time before breaking away and looked at me. I stared at his handsome face, looking deep into those blue eyes I loved so much.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" He asked. "Because I want to steal those eyes." I replied, making him chuckle. "Except that and my helicopters, I can give you anything else." I smiled. "Then give me your kidneys. I'll sell them." "You really do care about money, right? Anything else you care about?" "Um... you?"

Taki was stunned for a moment before he smiled. "That was smooth sweetie." He said before moving away. "We should go Mitsuha. My mother is calling for you." I nodded and walked along with Taki.