Charismatic Lie (Iori x reader)

Chapter 87

(Y/n)'s POV

"(Y/n), we're sorry," Riku apologised.
"We really didn't know..." added Sogo.
"We should've paid closer attention. We're sorry we ever believed those words," said Yamato.
"I'm sorry I doubted you. We didn't realise how much you were hurting," Mitsuki said.
"Ne, we'll do whatever to make up for it. I-I'm sorry for saying I hate you..." apologised Tamaki.
"That's right. We're all very sorry. I'd like to ask for your forgiveness...even if we don't deserve it," Nagi exclaimed.
"...(Y/n), I'm sorry...for everything," Iori said.

I hid my trembling hands behind my back. Tears threatened to fall but disappeared with a few blinks. My facade of cruel indifference started to crack, it began to crumble underneath their sincere emotions.

Could I really accept this? Could I really rebel against father's threat? The seven of them bowed, each apologising once more as if the sincerity of their feelings couldn't be conveyed through mere words alone.

Eventually, one by one, the tears burst through my mask. First it was a small sob before I was crying my heart out. Pedestrians walked by, shooting looks of confusion and judgement towards us but I didn't care in the slightest.

Mitsuki immediately swept me into a hug as I collapsed onto the ground. His brotherly warmth made me tremble despite the familial strength of his hold. I sobbed into his shoulder, realising that I had missed them dearly.

"We're really sorry, ne? We'll make it up to you somehow," he whispered.
"Come on, you're a crying mess," Yamato exclaimed teasingly.
"Hey, we'll think of a solution together, okay? You don't always have to do things on your own," Riku said.
"Yeah, (Y/n)-chan. I don't like being kept in the dark," added Tamaki.
"...thank you...I really mean it. I'm sorry for not trusting you guys enough. Thank you all so much."

Nagi pulled me up, giving me a slight hug as he did so. They glanced at each other before dragging Nagi away. Now, only Iori stood before me, his eyes regretful yet full of hope. He took a hesitant step towards me.

"(Y/n)."

Tears welled up in my eyes, barely skimming the surface. His eyes wavered, his face breaking into a frown as teardrops trickled down my cheeks. I hurriedly made to wipe them away yet it seemed that my body had an endless supply of them.

"...that's the second time."
"Huh?"
"That's the second time you called me by my first name."

Within seconds, his arms were wrapped tightly around my petite frame, my face buried in his chest. My heartbeat immediately sped up despite the fact that it was still in the process of healing.

His hands came to stroke my hair as he whispered softly, afraid to break the fragility of the moment. I clenched his shirt, feeling a mixture of anger, love, regret, irritation, longing swelling up in my throat.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he apologised.
"Iori-"
"I'm sorry for everything. I didn't mean to hurt you so much..."
"...hey, what about Naomi?"
"...I broke up with her."
"Huh?"

He pulled away and looked me in the eye. His hands rested lightly on my back. I waited patiently for his explanation, not exactly sure what I was expecting.

"I was scared. I didn't think I had a chance with you. I tried persuading myself that I...loved Naomi instead. You were always in such an unreachable place...I..."

I bit my lip, trying to keep the tears from escaping. He didn't think he was good enough for me? My heart constricted, my breathing became difficult as I once again hid my face against his shirt.

"I couldn't stand it anymore. I hated every second of it. I broke up with her because I hated it. I-"

His gaze softened as tears continued to fall. A frown appeared upon his face as he reached up to wipe them away with his thumb. I didn't notice the close proximity of his face until now.

"Damn it, I can't take it anymore..." he whispered.

My eyes widened as his lips crashed against mine. He seemed hesitant yet hungry, his kiss growing ever more distant by the second. My hand grasped his shirt and pulled him closer, fearful that he'd disappear if this kiss were to break.

We eventually broke apart for lack of oxygen. He leaned his forehead against mine, smiling softly as he whispered the words I had been desperately wanting, needing to hear from him.

"I love you," he finally admitted.
"Took you long enough."
"Sorry. So I take it you'll be my girlfriend? I'll make it up to you for everything I've done."
"...baka. I'm fine as long as you're here. Just don't put me through all that again."
"I-"

Riku suddenly pounced onto the male's back, ruffling his hair as he did so. I laughed as Iori shoved him off with a sigh of irritation. The red-haired centre offered a cheeky grin as the others walked towards us.

"I got a bunch of pics, (Y/n)-chan. You know, when you were kissing Iorin," Tamaki exclaimed nonchalantly.
"Huh?!"
"Oi, you're not supposed to tell them!" Yamato scolded.
"Oh, don't worry. Violet has a lot so if they happen to delete them, it'll all work out," said Isaac.
"They met up with us when we were spying- I mean, hanging around," explained Mitsuki.

By this time, the smile on my face was completely replaced by a look of annoyance. Violet quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be preoccupied with a blue flower.

I reached out to tickle her before she narrowly escaped my hands. She laughed in triumph and ran from my outstretched fingers, accidentally bumping into Nagi as she turned.

A bright red blush dusted her pale cheeks as he caught her in his arms. Being unaware of the situation, the blonde male winked at the girl in his arms. Violet's whole face flushed red with blood.

Isaac immediately burst into laughter after witnessing his sister so flustered when confronted with her 'crush'. I couldn't help but join in as well, glad that the attention wasn't on me anymore. Iori surreptitiously slipped his hand into mine, tightening his grip once I knew he was there.

"I'm never letting you go again, even if you hate me for it," he stated whilst we watched the others tease Violet.
"(Y/n), I'm definitely going to get you back for this!"