There Is No Misery In Paradise

Chapter 5

Warning: Douma

"Investigators are asking anyone who knows any information on the whereabouts of Hashibira Kotoha to contact local authorities or submit to-"

News networks are funny about jumping on board to repeat the same event that has a whole country buzzing. The thrill and mystery behind where the side idol may be have caused a stir in the media.

But there was also something else.

Many were starting to comment how Kotoha has been nothing but a sweetheart. Videos and pictures of personal encounters were coming up. Her idol mates were not seen in the same light, breaking the illusion of idols in private and sometimes in public.

Her own songs were coming up and trending. A newfound appreciation for her individual works than the few times her voice would shine in group songs.

Her fanbase was growing and now they were more desperate to solve just where their true idol went off to.

—
Douma's embrace was hard to escape but Kotoha would shuffle out, nudging him, making the man groan and when he does open his eyes, a sleepy smile would look up at her.

"Morning....What happened?" Douma is faking but will keep up the act if it made him get closer to his songbird.
Her hair was a bit messy in the area not pinned by bandages. Oh, how he wants to run his claws through her hair and cut through tangles.

He shuffles to stuff his face in a pillow. Not wanting to leave her presence yet.

"Douma, don't you have a service to lead?" Kotoha would nudging his shoulder and he peeks up at her.

"What if I don't want to go today? What if I just stay here?" Kotoha sighs and Douma smirks to himself. He can do whatever he wants in his temple, not even his followers can convince-

"Don't slack on your duties just because of me." Douma looks up and finds Kotoha reaching to stroke his head. Kotoha would admit his hair was silky. She would do this one trick and ask for forgiveness later.

"Please go and I'll sing for you again." That had Douma sitting up faster than Kotoha was expecting. The man would grab her hands, Kotoha taking note of how after just waking up, his skin was oddly cold.

His reaction was anything but that.

His eyes were bright and his smile wide.

It hurts knowing she may not see it after today.

"You promise to sing to me again?!" Kotoha would nod.

Soon, Douma was waving as he closed the door, his shadow rushing from under the door frame.

Kotoha then changes putting on her winter coat and boots before going to meet Yoshito at the gates. The day was bright and the clouds covered the sky.

—
"So how long have you been at the temple?" Kotoha would make small talk not even ten minutes into the hike down. Her breath was easily seen as they made progress to town.

Yoshito was panting, looking down, trying to remember the used path from under regular snow. It was easier if he had someone else more experienced and better memory but they had little time.

Kuni-san had looked out at the trees, watching as they rustled that morning, and said it was going be a terrible storm.

"Oh, I think this March makes three years, time flies by here." Yes, he came because he felt worthless in modern society. Douma was accepting to outsiders and gave them a safe haven, not asking much other than to bring others and to not speak of his cult.

Kotoha-san still didn't know that.....why was Douma trying to keep it from her?

Maybe it was his actions that were driving Kotoha to or was it-