It has been a week since your date with the trio.
So much has happened since then.
Rin went on a mission and has not been back since.
And you miss him like crazy.
Though he is usually quiet, his absence is undeniably felt.
You miss staring at him when he is not paying attention.
You miss looking for the slightest change in his facial expressions, which may give hint to his emotions.
Though he barely says anything, you miss his presence so much.
'What could have happened to Rin?'
He never takes more than three days to complete a mission.
He even killed the leading mafia family in a single night.
He is a highly-skilled assassin from the family whose fame was synonymous with the job.
'He could not possibly be hurt, could he?'
•••••••••••••••••
Paris Le'blanc's POV:
Rin has not been back since his last mission.
I care for that person.
He is an ally, and if I can be honest with myself, he is perhaps somebody I can consider a friend.
My relationship with Rin has been complicated. I value his assistance and I know that he is the only person I can count on if push comes to shove.
That person. The raven-haired assassin always say he doesn't need any friend.
That person. Is the only person in the world I can consider as an ally.
Well, discounting my beautiful doll from the equation.
I like her. But she and I will never be friends. She is more than an ally. She is...someone more important than that.
I looked at her. She was worried for Rin, too.
I know I shouldn't be jealous, not after the kiss we shared.
But, I don't know what to say to her.
I'm not good with words.
I want to soothe her worries.
I want to calm her, for I can see how anxious she is. But I can't do anything of that sort.
So against my better judgment, I went to speak with Daisuke.
The only man I know who strings girls with his words.
"You better talk to her, you know." I approached Daisuke who was then reading a book inside our room.
He closed the book and looked at me.
"Are you telling me what to do?" he asked in a serious tone.
The three of us (me, Daisuke, and Rin) hate when someone dictates on us. This is our common trait.
"No. I'm suggesting," I said.
"Why do you care so much? You said she was nothing more to you but a toy," he said.
"Do you honestly think I'll answer that?" I asked him.
"Nah. I just tried my luck by asking." He grinned. "If she ends up falling for me because of your suggestion, you are free to blame yourself."
I looked at him and forced a laugh. "Go ahead then."
"I don't know why you choose not to do it yourself," Daisuke said, trying my patience.
"I am incapable of comforting someone in need. I have never done it. I'll just look like a complete and utter fool," I said.
Daisuke stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Very well," he said, and left.
•••••••••••••••••
"Maru, you can talk to me about anything," Daisuke sat beside you.
You were staring at the window, looking at the night sky, but your mind was once again preoccupied with Rin.
'Where can he possibly be?'
"Even about him," he continued.
"I just really missed him you know, and I'm worried about him a lot," you confessed.
"He is a member of the family considered as the toughest assassins in this world. The only persons who can kill him, are right here in this house," he mustered.
"Oh Daisuke, I'm scared for him," you cried in Daisuke's chest as his arms hugged you for comfort.
Just then, the phone rang.
It was Aki.
You were being summoned back to the mansion.
Something terrible happened indeed.
•••••••••
Aki met you in front of the gates of the Saitos' mansion.
Anguish was written all over her face.
"I'm glad you came. We must hurry," she held your hand and urged you to follow her.
Paris carried you when you failed to keep up with Aki
Something is not right.
Aki has never lost her cool this way before.
'What could have caused her to feel so much agony?'
••••••••••••
You were made to enter a room with Aki by your side.
The room was grand, though devoid of any indication of the owner's personality.
This was a man's room, you thought, based on the furnishings or lack thereof.
The room was tastefully organized.
The room itself speaks of extravagance, almost like a page from a medieval castle magazine.
A painting that must have caused billions of dollars hang on the wall.
Amid the room was a bed.
Rin.
His long slender figure cannot be mistaken for someone else's.
His hair was jet black as always.
But something is not right.
You rushed to be beside his bed.
And you saw him.
He looks so handsome as he always had been.
But his complexion.
His deathly pale complexion.
That is what's wrong.
You touched his face and found that he is so cold.
"Rin." His name escaped your lips as tears fell down your eyes.
•••••••••
"He has finished his mission. But he did not return unscathed," Aki spoke up.
"He was poisoned. We couldn't believe that he can be poisoned. We thought that my brother is already immune to all poisons known to man." Aki's voice was hardly audible, she was crying now.
"All the medics we have summoned were not able to find out what kind of poison made him like this. We could not find the antidote."
You turned to face Aki.
"What can I do to save him?" Your resolve was apparent in your voice.
"I want to save him. Please let me save him," you insisted.
"Maru, I want to ask you to save Rin, to save my brother. Please save my brother. But I could not," Aki could not look into your eyes.
"Let me save him, Aki," you insisted, your resolve to do everything possible to save him was written on your face.
"You don't understand, saving him might cost you your life," Aki tried to explain.
"I understand. I will lay my life if I have to. I need to save him, Aki. I can't let him die," your voice broke, somehow the thought of him dying is more than you can bear.
You will save Rin.
No matter the cost.
•••••••••••••••
You asked Aki to leave you alone with Rin.
You bent over and stared at Rin's handsome face.
You marveled at how someone on the verge of death can look so perfect.
He is beautiful.
You caressed his face. You love that face.
An angel's face that takes your breath away.
It will be worth it, you assured yourself.
You caressed his face. You wished to see his soulless eyes once again.
But he won't wake up.
Not until you trade your life for his.
It will be simple.
You have to kiss him.
Kiss him while using your ability, to transfer your life energy to him.
You don't know how potent the poison is. That's why you were warned that this might cost you your life.
The potency of the poison might demand every ounce of your life energy.
You wondered if it will hurt.
Death has always been a mystery.
Much like the man who lies in the bed before you.
"Please let my life be enough," you whispered.
You lowered your head.
"We never had a proper kiss, Rin. The first was without my consent, and now, without yours."
Your face inched closer to his.
You closed your eyes and met his lips.
His eyes fluttered open as you collapsed in his arms.