The Equation of Hearts

√𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟼ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـﮩ٨ـﮩ

Kato walked around the darker streets, the air was warm and almost sticky, though not humid enough for there to be a storm oncoming as it usually implied. If the air moisture increased then there would be for sure. He actually wouldn't mind the rain, his mother and father loved the rain, so they naturally praised it all the time. Well, his Elena more expressively. Regardless, he wanted to go back to the apartment. Sure he had a whiteboard in his room, but more of the plan was efficiently done in his apartment. He found himself in a narrower walkway where the light seemed to cover more of the place with how cramped it felt all of a sudden. He was down a residential path.

For some time, he stood there and let his thoughts collect themselves. He wasn't sure what broke him out of the trance until he heard nervous footsteps behind him. "Sir, I told you I'm not interested!" Athena beelined into the walkway. She wasn't looking where she was going but she could have sworn she saw Kato turn into this one. She was taking a gamble and praying he was. Or else it would be awkward. An arm hooked around her and she was pulled into somewhat of a hug. She kept her eyes closed and prayed it was Kato. There was silence for a moment before she was pushed away and she opened her eyes. She saw Kato looking down at her, she sighed in relief. "Oh thank God," she smiled.

"Don't come outside alone." He suggested, "nor within these parts," he looked around and then back to her. She praised her impeccable acting, as she stepped into an embrace by him. She hugged him as a thanks and looked up at him,

"Thank you," she whispered, maintaining eye contact, "I was looking for you," she confessed. Men liked the thought of protecting their damsel in distress, and it was decided between herself and Bianca, both liked the thought of this cute guy with them. So, in a friendly sibling war, they were competing. Athena wasn't a loser. Her hands rested at the back of his head. And his expression didn't change at all. She liked that added competition. She wanted to see all of the faces he could make, but wasn't.

"Don't do that next time," he suggested, patting her back, "and stop wearing material goods like this," he added. His fingers brushed her exposed collarbone and hooked around the golden beaded choker she wore, her heart skipped a beat at the touch, he pulled off the choker, "it attracts unwanted attention." He was reminded of his own older sister. She didn't brag about the wealth they had, but she wasn't shy of wearing clothes suitable for running and exploring. That was what worried him. The fact that she may be preyed on where he wouldn't be able to help her. Well, he couldn't worry much about it now, he wasn't even in the same world. He paused and stared at her for a moment. He had taken off the necklace in hopes of stopping her from attracting attention, but now, she looked more bare than she did before. The choker broke up the amount of neck and shoulder she was showing with a shoulderless dress like the one she wore, "you'll get cold... layer up better next time."

"Sorry," she exhaled, leaning closer instinctively. To think she was so infatuated with a boy so quickly, it was just another one of her flings she wanted to try on and eventually drop when she grew bored.

"Let's take you home," he turned away easily, pushing her in front of him.

"Oh, we can't." She added some force, "mum and dad are having a night," she mumbled and he bit the inside of his cheek. Sure he could be mad at that, and he was to an extent. But he was also rather remorseful for what he had said to Elena. Regardless, he also stopped and wondered what to do for a moment, "let's book a hotel!" She chirped excitedly. He rejected that invitation.

"Where are your brothers and sister..." he asked quietly. She was disappointed that he said no, but also, she loved - adored, even - how quiet he was. Because instead of getting louder, he usually just leaned closer.

"I didn't quite get that." She turned around to face him - where she pulled his face closer teasingly; "say that again?" She essentially purred, leaning closer herself.