Sweet Temptations[DiaLovers Fanfic]

Part 12 - Plan

"What seems to be bothering you, Lillia?" Anise said as she took out her drawing utensils from her personal art case. 

They were having art class, and the students were divided into groups of three to draw an object that their Art teacher had chosen specifically for each group. For Lillia's group - comprised of her, Anise and Ayane - they were to draw a sculpture of a cat. "Meow" said Ayane as she stroked the cat's head, clearly oblivious to Anise's concern over Lillia. 

Lillia smiled faintly, watching Ayane cooing at the cat sculpture before turning to Anise. "Nothing. You seem to like asking that question to me recently" Lillia replied, chuckling as she took out her own drawing utensils. Unlike Anise and Ayane, whose art utensils were of top quality and belonged to them, Lillia used the school's art utensils. It was not in a bad condition, but it wasn't in a good condition either. Such a bitter reminder for special students like her; you are bright, but that doesn't justify the fact that you can't pay the expenses, so just accept what the school had given you. 

Anise watched Lillia's fingers as she began to draw a sketch of the cat sculpture. "Yes, but you seem to be a bit different today" Anise said and Lillia froze. Again. What is it about her that seems different today? 

Lillia looked at Anise, who was smiling gently at her. "You looked worried, that's all. Maybe it's just my imagination. I mean, you always look worried, so that doesn't change anything" Anise joked and Lillia smacked her arm playfully in response. 

"What are you guys talking about? Don't leave me out of this!" Ayane whined as she witnessed the exchange between her two friends. Lillia gave her a gentle smile while Anise shrugged. "Secret" Anise teased, causing Ayane to exclaim a protest at her words. Lillia watched her two friends' exchange with light amusement. 

Lillia looked at Anise, grinning teasingly at Ayane, who was pouting at Anise, upset by Anise's remarks. Lillia felt that she was not supposed to ignore Anise's words. There seemed to be something else other than concern when Anise asked her of her condition. As if she could see right through her. Or was she a bad actor? Lillia was not too sure. 

"Raito-kun, that's not how you draw a rabbit!" said a female voice behind her. Lillia glanced back and saw Raito looking at his group mate, who was tugging at his sleeve. "Try looking at Gray, he's doing it perfectly!" said the girl, pointing at Gray, who was focused in his sketching. He grey eyes were staring intensely at his handiwork, he doesn't seem to notice that he was the topic of conversation between his group mates. Wait. Raito and Gray were in a group? Where's Ayato?

Lillia scanned the room for the other triplet and saw Ayato at the far corner of the classroom, lazily sketching his own drawing, looking bored. Well, she thought there might be bad blood between the triplets and Gray, but she guessed that it was just her imagination. She was about to continue her sketching when someone slung their arm around her shoulders. "I would rather draw Lillia than some rabbit!" Raito's voice was suddenly heard at the top of her head. 

She looked up to see Raito smirking at her and she sighed. She grabbed his arm and put it down. "Just continue drawing, will you?" she said exasperatedly, conscious of Gray who stopped drawing to look at the exchange between Lillia and Raito. Even Ayato stopped what he was doing to watch his brother bothering Lillia. 

"No way! I've got no motivation at all!" Raito exclaimed and leaned in close to her ear. "I would rather draw you, your beautiful red hair, your red lips, everything" Raito whispered into her ear. Lillia was too exhausted from thinking too much and pushed Raito away. She gave him a forced smile and said, "Why, I am flattered. But that's not what we are doing. Now go". 

Raito chuckled in response and went back to his group. Lillia sighed, relieved by his obedience and glanced at Raito. Raito was already starting to sketch and her eyes brought her to Gray. He was watching her and his lips were twitching, as if he was trying not to smile. What's his problem?