Book 2: Seven Demon's Hearts

Episode 42: Math Homework

Episode 42: M a t h  H o m e w o r k

Aiko fell out of the portal, barely able to stand on his legs. In a surprise Jin, who had been coincidentally standing in the living room, quickly caught Aiko.

"What happened to you! And where have you been this whole time?!"

"I didn't...use...my powers..." Aiko smiled back at Jin.

"You silly fool, you know can use your powers if you're going to get so hurt! Why didn't you heal yourself?" Instantly, Aiko was enveloped in a pink glow and slowly the cuts and bruises began to fade. But there was one thing that he couldn't heal, and it was Aiko's heart.

The boy stood still and silent, eyes to the ground as Jin finished healing him. He was hoping to ask about the handkerchief, but Jin wasn't sure if bringing it up now would be the best of times.

"Do you want to eat something at least?" Jin felt sorry for the kid, watching him drag himself to the staircase with such low spirits.

"No. I'm going to sleep." He didn't even look back before heading up the stairs. It was hard trying to comfort others, especially when there really wasn't much you could do for them. Jin had seen it with his brothers and he himself knows how hard it is to go through those dark emotions. Although Aiko wasn't exactly a demon, it seemed that he inherited an even stronger sense of being in touch with his feelings than most demons do.

Ten minutes later, Aiko was still sitting against the wall on his mother's bed, holding up the pillow to his nose. It smelled so much like her and if he closed his eyes he could almost picture her there. Softly, his body began to shake and hot tears trickled out of his eyes. He honestly felt terrible, or how the kids at school would describe it as "feeling like shit".

But, when a loud thud vibrated through the wall and into his back, he suddenly popped his head back up.

"Wonho!" Sera's muffled voice giggled. Aiko didn't realize how thin the walls were until now. "Wait, wait, slow down." She laughed out loud, along with another stranger's deep laugh.

Aiko awkwardly sat still, hearing everything down to the rustling on the bed. It was now more than ever where he wished that he could block his ears. Instead, he tightly pressed his hands against his ears and fell face-first into the pillow, hoping he could sleep quickly.

Meanwhile, Sera was dealing with a very drunk Wonho. Unable to take him home, she thought it would be best to bring him over instead. It wasn't the first time Wonho entered the mansion's dimension, but she had made sure that Jin would erase the memory. To top that off, tonight he was too drunk to even be aware.

"I looove you sooooo much, Sera." He whined, littering kisses all over her neck. Sera felt a ticklish sensation and giggled, kissing him back on his cheek.

"I love you too, Wonho." She held him away. "But you have to sober up so you can get home now. Jin--I mean my dad will make a fuss about this."

"No! Since when did you even care about your old man?" He pouted, then reached in for her lips again. "Let me just stay with you forever."

"I wish we could do that, but we can't. Your family would probably be concerned."

"Please." He batted his lashes, locking his fingers with hers. "I want to spend the night with you, baby. I love you."

Sera gulped down, feeling the heat crawl up her neck. 

She had been with him for the past two years but had never been able to take it a step further. Maybe today would be that day, but as much as she hated to admit it, she was still completely terrified about the idea of sex.