TRUST ME | Brothers Conflict | ✔

25

"What a coincidence to meet you here," Chiaki remarked with a complacent smile that looked remarkably predatory on him.

"You didn't even apologise for punching me," I spluttered, "what's with the happy-go-lucky attitude?"

"Allow me to show you how remorseful I am." His smile grew wilder until I felt my intuition warn me. However, the smile fell before I could run away. Completely serious, he averted his gaze in a bashful manner.

"Listen, I'm sorry, [Y/N]. I didn't mean to punch you, but that's just a poor excuse. Reality is that I punched you and I'm genuinely sorry for doing so."

"I hadn't expected an apology," I stated, shocked by the sudden turn of events.

Chiaki shrugged offhandedly, his cheeks colouring slightly.

"Let me make it up to you," he suggested suddenly, the grin returning

"Okay," I agreed, hoping that we would make it to a café this time without the occurrence of another unfortunate incident.

When we didn't enter one of the first four cafés we passed, I started to get suspicious.

"Where're we going?" I inquired, studying our surroundings. Chikai smirked, shaking his head as if denying an accusation that I hadn't phrased yet.

"Don't stress the details, [Y/N]. You'll be grateful if you figure out what I'm planning."

"Forgive me thinking so, but your schemes make me stress -a lot."

"You're pretty funny," Chiaki remarked casually, "I can see why Kaname's is so strung up over you."

The ability to make snide remarks left me after that statement, and I merely shrugged in response. With my new promise still fresh in mind, I preferred to avoid the topic.

However, Chiaki possessed more tact than I had assumed and was doing his very best to use that to his advantage by being as tactless as was possible.

"He isn't the type to pick a fight," Chiaki continued. "However, he was pretty aggressive when I tried to take you on a date. In fact; he has been borderline violent every time I see him around you."

"That must be due to your provocations."

"I know. Wonderful, isn't it? I only need a few jabs to rile him up when it comes to you."

Was that true?

And if it was true, what did it mean?

"Why don't you confess already?" Chiaki asked me, curiosity in his eyes.

"I did," I replied, choosing honesty over petty lies, "but he rejected me flat out."

Chiaki frowned but refrained from commenting on my revelation.

"If you need a rebound, you can pick me."

"Thank you for volunteering, but I doubt you're in it to support me."

Talking to Chiaki was easy, his awful personality making it so much easier to taunt him. A part of me already considered him a friend, notwithstanding the trouble he spelt.

"That's true," Chiaki mused, veering to the side of the road. Hesitantly, I followed him to the small café on the other side of the street.

"Pick whatever you want. It's my treat."

Uncomfortably, I looked around me, unsettled by the fact that we were the only customers.

"Thank you," I muttered, keeping my voice down. The atmosphere in the empty establishment wasn't bad, but raising my voice would feel off.