Rule Four || Dream

·5·

All night, Shizuka thought about Erie. It was wrong to have relations with someone who isn't a legal adult. Plus she could be fired and frowned upon. But it felt so right when they finally kissed last night.

I can't love Erie, Shizuka thought to herself. But I do.

She felt like punching her own face in. She had no time for relationships anyways. She can't lead Erie on.

Erie smiled at her when she came in the office. Shizuka closed her door behind her, and sat her things down.

"Erie, we have to talk," Shizuka sighed.

Erie nodded and brung her her cup of coffee. Shizuka took the cup, but felt lips on hers before she took a sip.

"Erie, no! Stop!"

The teenager stepped away, looking at Shizuka expectantly.

"We can't," Shizuka tried. "It's wrong. My job. Your career. We just...we can't."

Erie nodded slowly. "I know you want me though. You look at me differently. You've tried to kiss me before, many times. Just...if you don't kiss me back, I'll leave you alone."

Shizuka raised her eyebrows. "Really? That's it?"

Erie nodded. "No gimmicks. I promise."

Shizuka sipped her drink before setting her mug down. Then she motioned for Erie to come to her, which the teen did. Then Erie leaned in and kissed her.

She tried. She really did. Shizuka bit her lips to try not to. But her emotions and heart took over, and she kissed Erie back with all she had.

Erie chuckled when she pulled away. "You lose."

"One more time! I wasn't thinking--"

"Exactly. Your heart was. Why don't you listen to it? You did say the only way you would date is if they were at your job. Here I am!"

Shizuka ran her hand through her loose curls. "This is so wrong, though. I can't possibly love you this way."

Erie smiled at her manager. "You do. And I love you too."

Shizuka groaned and plopped down in a chair. Erie sat in front of her, holding her breakfast, which was a bowl of soup.

"Eat," Erie ordered.

"I'm not hungry."

"But you have to eat. Come on, open up."

Erie used the silver spoon to pick up some soup, and Shizuka eventually opened her mouth. The teen carefully put the spoon in her mouth, and Shizuka slurped the soup in her mouth and swallowed.

"I can cook for you however often you want," Erie said, then brought a napkin up to wipe Shizuka's mouth. "I'll be here for you to talk to. About anything. From how tired you are, to how hardheaded and stupid I am."

Shizuka looked down. "I don't know..."

"I'm turning nineteen in a few days. We'll be one step closer to being legal." Erie sat the bowl down on the table.

"Rule four," Shizuka warily said.

"We've got to keep our relationships secret anyways." Erie shrugged.

Someone knocked on the door. "Shizuka-san? Is Erie-san in there?"

"Hai. I'll send her out," Shizuka responded. Then she looked at Erie. "Later."

"Okay, but you have to come with me."

"Why?"

"It's my first photoshoot!"