The Bad, The Bidder, and the Daughter (KBTBB)

Ota: Seven

"Haruki... I'm sorry."

She fell once again to her knees. It was three in the morning and the guilt was eating her away already, "I just didn't want to hurt you in a way that would cause you to pretend to be okay. I thought you would get over me faster if you thought I was a bad person," she sobbed.

"Asuka..." he whispered, "I know.. and as much as I appreciate you coming clean... everyone is asleep and you kinda broke into my room. Where did you even get a ladder from?"

He scooped her up in his arms and held her, a mixture of a hint of forgiveness and to muffle the sounds of her tears.

She sniffed, "I borrowed it from a neighbor..."

"Do they know that you borrowed it?"

"..."

"...you stole a ladder?"

"It's not stealing if you're going to return it..."

He chuckled, "Asuka. You know that stealing isn't okay."

"I know," she hung her head, "but I had to see you."

Haruki's heart filled with warmth and anything and everything she had said the previous afternoon had been forgotten, "you're insane."

She buried her face into his chest, "when we're older."

"Pardon?"

She looked up and held his face in her hands, "when we're older, last year of high school, to be exact, if you still feel the same way, ask for my heart again. And I will say yes."

He quickly nodded, "I would wait for you forever."

She smiled, "I do like you, but I don't think I'm ready for a relationship with anybody. Until then..." she pressed her lips against his, "I've got to get home."

He got up and pulled her with him, "I'll walk you."

Asuka gently squeezed Haruki's hand, "then hurry up."

..

ASUKA POV

I stepped into the so-called Wonderland and gasped at the sight in amazement. It was so cute. The walls were covered in red roses, the "sky" looked so realistic with all the details and clouds, the grass on the ground looked soft and inviting. There was also a large table in the center with tea cups and pots, adorable little cookies and cakes and candies, as well as flowers all around.

"I can see why Hina likes coming here..."

Masa put an arm around me and nodded, "yeah, this is where Yushina and I grew up. Its never lost its charm. Hina's father, Ota, doesn't particularly like my father so Hina isn't allowed to come here. Auntie Sakiko and my mom are friends, however, so when Ota isn't looking she'll let her visit. Eisuke doesn't like Hikaru- Yushina's dad- so he prefers Eito not hang around here while she's in Wonderland. He and my dad are great friends, on the other hand, so he always encourages us spending time together."

I frowned at the mention of Ota and Eisuke, "I'm really sorry, but I've only just realized. Baba woke me this morning because the guys wanted to see me, I should get going..."

He cocked his head to the side, "why must you leave now? They can wait."

"You don't understand... they bought me in the auctions."

His eyes widened.

"So that's who you are. We all thought you were someone's niece. Well, Miss Aoi, if Sakiko brought you down to meet us when she's talked to the guys. They always listen to her, she comes off rather strong..." he trailed off and looked into my eyes, "no one else is here. My mother and father are visiting my Uncle Alfonse at his summer home in Tokyo. They won't be back until tomorrow evening..."