Unpromised ( Giyu × Shinobu ) : REVISITED

3 - By Your Side

I stare out my window in deep thought, is he really a lost cause?

"Shinobu-sama."

I hear a call from behind me, a familiar voice.

"Who gave you permission to come in the mansion?"

I don't turn around, after all I couldn't dare face him.

"Aoi."

Of course she did.. Why did I bother asking?

"Tell me. Am I okay?"

Reluctantly, I put on a smile and spin around while clenching both my fists in front of my face.

"Of course!"

Visibly annoyed, Tomioka-san walks uncomfortably close to me and puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Are you worried for me?"

I try to ignore the thrumming race of my heart as I stare straight into his eyes.

"Of course I was."

I see a visible shock in his face as a spark lights up in his eyes. He's so flustered it's cute, but I resist the urge to tease him.

"Tomio--!"

Before I could finish my sentence, he holds me in a tight embrace. I feel my cheeks growing warm as my heart beats louder and faster.

"Thank you, Koucho."

Did he just call me by my first name? I can feel my cheeks growing even warmer now.

"I.... I.."

I can't speak... I'm stunned.

He finally breaks our hug, but continues to stare at me, his ocean blue eyes lock with mine.

"I.. I just.. You mean a lot to me, Tomioka-san!"

"And I don't want to lose someone who means this much to me."

I gain control of my emotions again and put on a weak smile. I twirl a strand of my hair around my index finger as I look away from Tomioka-san.

"Not again at least."

Tomioka-san is looking at me with a pitiful frown on his face.

"Koucho."

The use of my first name startles me again and I immediately look straight at Tomioka-san, surprised.

"I will always be by your side."