Charismatic Lie (Iori x reader)

Chapter 15

Tenn's POV

I placed a cool towel over (Y/n)'s forehead, watching her as she lay unconscious. Ryuu leaned against the wall, his brows creased as his worried gaze swept over Gaku and the girl lying before us.

Gaku sat with his chin on his hand, the other clenched in a fist, his expression hard and stoic. The girl had fainted from stress, and the three of us knew what had caused it.

"Let's leave her to rest. She can take care of herself."
"Are you suggesting that you'd leave her when she's in such a state?" asked Gaku.
"Listen, I don't want to argue with you. I've been in her situation before. I wouldn't want anyone to worry about me. I would still get up, and I'd still continue on."
"Gaku, he's right," added Ryuu.
"Well, that's to be expected. We're professionals."
"And you don't think (Y/n) is one?"
"Is it wrong to worry about a family member?"
"No but she wouldn't want you to worry."

I motioned for Ryuu to follow me outside. That incident must be on his mind, undoubtedly clouding his thoughts with anxiety...the incident...when (Y/n) almost died. That moment had his mind tormented, his body immobile.

Gaku's POV

~Flashback to two years ago~

Why wasn't she picking up? Running a hand through my hair, I quickly dialled her number again and waited. No answer. Was her phone out of charge? Strange, she only just headed out an hour ago.

I grabbed my jacket off the chair and walked to the bustling city, slight paranoia eating at my mind. Many might call me overprotective or controlling, but I couldn't help it. (Y/n) had no one but me. With her charming personality, making friends was a breeze...but despite my urging to, she refused to start close friendships.

Running a hand through my loose locks, I brushed past the infatuated stares of teenage girls as I searched for the only girl that mattered. Damn, where did she go when came to the city?

Sighing, I tried to calm my nerves with the fact that perhaps she was busy, or that her phone was dead. Heading into a cosy cafe in the corner, I took a seat near the window and half-heartedly looked at the menu...and waited.

Five minutes went by. Ten, fifteen...until movement at the end of the street caught my eye. Just as I noticed Tenn and Ryuu enter the cafe, I rushed out, recognising (Y/n) as two built men dragged her into a back alley.

"Gaku, wait!"

I ran after them, turning a corner just in time to see them rip her jacket off. However, the next thing they did drained all the colour from my face. Seeing as how she was still fighting back, the taller one grabbed a baseball bat and knocked her out. Crimson blood oozed onto the ground like water freezing over a lake.

"(Y/n)!"

They cursed, their feet already carrying their bodies away from the scene. Despite my frustration and desperate desire to beat the two senseless, I went to (Y/n), nimbly lifting her into my arms.

"O-oi, (Y/n). W-wake up. Hey..."

Tears brimmed my eyes. My breath became shaky. Anxious nerves arose in my stomach. She was as still as death...

"I've called the ambulance," said Tenn as he walked around me.
"She's..."
"She's going to be fine," Ryuu exclaimed, although his tone shook and his proclamation seemed more like self-assurance.

~The next afternoon~

Her hand remained limp in mine as I brought it to my forehead, shutting my eyes against the warmth radiating from her body. Although her operation had finished quite a while ago, the doctor had informed me of the possibility that she may be in a semi-coma. All we could do was wait.

But I was scared to death. My ephemeral relief was replaced with worry as she remained in this state of unconsciousness. I hadn't understood the pain of losing family, I had never imagined this...

Her fingers suddenly tightened around my hand. My eyes shot up, catching her half-lidded gaze on me. She managed a small smile. I held back my tears.

"Thank god..."

I stood up, running a hand through my hair, making both Ryuu and Tenn look up. They caught sight of (Y/n) staring at them before rushing to her side.

"I'm sorry," was all she said.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?! You almost died! What..."
"Gaku, calm down. She only just woke up," Tenn exclaimed.
"...I'm sorry," she said again.

~Flashback end~

(Y/n) snapped her fingers in front of my eyes. I shooed her hand away, but managed to see the glimpse of a smile that appeared on her face. I turned around from her curiously bright eyes.

"Sorry, okay?" she apologised, coming around to meet my gaze.
"Tch."
"There there, Mr Grumpy Pants can grow up and become a man now," she said as she ruffled my hair.
"Oi!"

She drew back in a flash, avoiding my hand as I attempted to tickle her. I let out a sigh before heading towards the door. Ryuu had his hand on the doorknob outside, ready to come inside.

"What?"
"I made some food. It's not much but (Y/n) hasn't eaten so..." he started.
"Thanks Ryuu," she replied as she rushed past.
"Oi! Show some respect to your brother!"
"Respect should work both ways!"

Ryuu let out a light chuckle, seeing the two of us acting normal and bickering like every other day. I followed him to the kitchen and saw her happily eating her meal of omelette rice.

"You do realise that it's still early in the morning, right?"
"So what? The human body needs nutrients to survive," she said.
"Pfft, that's the first I've heard a girl say that."
"Appearance isn't the only thing girls have going for them."
"Certainly is the only thing going for you."

She stopped. Her spoon grasped tightly in her hand. Her eyes glinted dangerously. I smirked. She stood up, leaving Ryuu to hold her back. At least she wasn't worried about me or our old man anymore...I was glad.