Chapter 93: Stay the Night
Ace looked like she wasn’t amused with Night’s answer. "What changed? Is it because Noelle’s in danger and she needs your help? Or was it because your grandfather tasked you to marry her?" I could feel Night’s aura getting darker and I know he might be blaming me because I told my friends about our secret.
"I like her now."
My forehead creased. "You don’t have to lie to my friends. They know our secret."
"But I do like you." He said. ’Why is he so hard-headed? I already told him to stop.’
Andy giggled making us look at him. "Doesn’t this look like the tables had turned?" He said. "Ellie said he doesn’t like Night anymore and Night’s saying that he likes Ellie now. Good for you, Ellie."
What’s so good about that. "He’s lying," I said. "Just don’t mind him."
"Why would he lie?" Ace asked. She just doesn’t want to let anything go, doesn’t she? "You don’t want to show us your true color, don’t you? Why?" I’m the one getting scared with all her questioning, just please stop!
Night’s expression changed. From a light expression like how he usually shows at school, to that forehead crease that he usually showed me before. "You didn’t tell me your friend’s a curious one." He said as he sipped on his tea. "I don’t like answering your question, what will you do?"
The tension between Ace and Night started rising with that single question from Night. "Let’s all calm down, okay?" Andy said with his mouth full so I barely understood what he said. "Ace is just worried about our friend right here, so please understand, Night." He told Night.
"I’m more than worried. How will I make sure that Noelle’s not getting hurt by this asshole?"
"Calling me an asshole in our first meeting is rude, don’t you think?" Night chuckled even after being dissed by Ace like that. ’What do I do? Even I can’t stop Ace when she’s being like this.’
Ace raised an eyebrow. "You didn’t ask for Noelle’s permission before kissing her, didn’t you? That’s what makes you an asshole."
Night smile. It was the fakest smile I have ever seen! "Noelle and I are married. At least that’s what we need to show my family." I was taken aback after Night called my name all of a sudden. It feels like it was the first time he called my name and it’s making me feel nervous. ’Why?’
I heard Ace click her tongue as she couldn’t retort while Night smiled like he won something. Why is he smiling like that? It’s the first time I saw him smiling like that, even though it’s so fake. ’He can force a smile for other people but he would always show a scowl to me before.’ I shook my head to remove that thought. ’So what? It doesn’t matter.’
"This should be a bonding time between me and my friends. Why are you even here?" I slapped my forehead as I turned to Night. "Please leave us alone. Like I said with the last rule, mind your own business and I’ll mind mine."
"Kenji!" I called for Kenji’s name and he immediately entered the garden causing Andy to freeze before he could even put the spoon into his mouth. "Please take your young master away." Kenji smiled at me and winked at Andy before he pulled Night away from the garden. ’I knew it! He’s going to play with Andy’s feelings this way. Why is every man in this place annoying!?’
"D-Did you see that? He winked at me." Andy said while pointing in Kenji’s direction.
I shook my head. "Don’t be fooled by him," I said but it looks like Andy won’t be persuaded anymore. This is how he is, if he saw someone he’s interested in, he won’t care about anything else.
"I won’t, don’t worry." His eyes don’t say the same though.
"Wait, did you have boyfriends already?" I asked.
Andy flinched making me know that he did. "I didn’t! I only had flings but I’ve never had a boyfriend." He said in defense of himself.
"Do you want that guy to become your boyfriend?" Ace asked. "Or are you just attracted to his face?"
Andy quickly shook his hands. "I’m not thinking about that at all! I just want to be friends." Ace and I already know that Andy’s not being truthful with his answers. I wish Kenji wouldn’t entertain Andy’s feelings of attraction towards him before it became worse.
"Let’s talk about the school festival," Andy said trying to change the topic. "The committee said that there’ll be a talent portion in the beauty contest so you better get ready." He said making me sigh. Why is it me anyway?
"Can’t you just pick someone else? I’m afraid I’ll just embarrass myself in front of everyone." And I still haven’t told Night about it.
Ace giggled. "What’s this? Are you losing confidence?" It was rare to hear her giggle which caught me off-guard. "Don’t worry, you can do it well." She said as if that’ll make me believe in myself. I believe in Ace more than I believe in myself, so maybe I’ll just believe her.
"Don’t you guys need to go home now?"
Andy shook his head. "I still haven’t explored this house. Can we do it now?" He asked and I looked at the sky. The sun’s already set but I guess I could just tell Kenji to accompany them back home.
"Fine, but don’t create too much noise, okay?"
Andy smiled brightly and nodded. With that, I toured them in this house I don’t even own. ’I don’t know if I’m allowed to do this, but I’ll still do it anyway. Night didn’t say anything either so I’ll just assume that he’s letting me do whatever I want.’ I thought as I explored the house with my friends. That reminds me, I haven’t explored the whole house either. I haven’t been to the dojo and I haven’t been to the basement either.
"Whoa, there’s a dojo inside?" Andy asked and I nodded. "That’s amazing."
Even I can’t help but be amazed. "Why do you look surprised?" Ace asked.
"Ah, I still haven’t explored the mansion that much so it’s my first time seeing the dojo." That’s the truth, I didn’t want to be interested in this place because I know I’ll leave soon. But seeing this, makes me feel curious. Does Night also train here like how he did in Japan? That one time I saw him have a match with the other guys there, it makes me feel amazed by his never-ending talents. ’How come he’s good at everything?’
"Don’t tell me, there’s a huge bath here too?" I shrugged while Rika led us to the indoor bath. "There is! I mean, can you really call yourself Japanese if you don’t have huge baths like this?" Andy said with his mouth wide open. He looked at me with those twinkling eyes as if telling me something.
’How could he say something like that about the Japanese people though? That’s stereotyping.’
"I think I want to spend the night here," Andy said.
I quickly shook my head. "No way. Night wouldn’t like it, and maybe his grandfather won’t also—"
Rika raised her hand and cut me off. "The oyabun said to let the young miss’s friends stay the night." My forehead creased because of that. How did he even say that? I didn’t ask for permission. "When sir Asahi informed the oyabun that the miss’s friends will visit and so he told us to let the miss’s friends stay and have a sleepover."
Andy immediately celebrated. "Wow, Night’s grandfather’s so kind isn’t he?" He said as if he already met grandpa Kenta. "Then, let’s take a bath together."
"I cannot let the miss do that." Rika retorted. "The miss’s body cannot be seen by other men." She added making Ace and Andy looked at each other.
"D-Don’t worry Andy, the baths are separated by gender," I said to comfort him. It’s not like we’ll be able to bathe together anyway.
"But sir Kenji will soon bathe, maybe he can accompany your friend," Rika said.
"No!"
All eyes went to me after I raised my voice like that. "You can’t." What if Kenji tries to do something bad to Andy?
"Why not?" Andy’s completely out of his mind. I can see the excitement in his eyes. ’Is he crazy!?’
I was about to explain why but Ace grabbed my shoulder. "Just let him be. He knows what he’s doing." She said but I can’t help, I’m worried. Andy doesn’t know Kenji. Even I don’t know what kind of person Kenji truly is. All I know about him is what he chooses to show me.
"Fine, don’t blame me."
Our tour continued and it ended in my room. "It feels like we’ve been walking for too long," Andy said as he lay on the bed. "I can’t live in a house this big."
"No one’s forcing you anyway." Ace said. "I’ll just call my brother."
"Is it really fine for you to stay here for the night?" I’m worried since she’s been overworking herself and she’s also taking care of her family. "I can tell Kenji to drive you home if you want."
Ace shook her head. "I want to spend the night with you two. I’ll just tell them I can’t come home right now." I nodded with that. I’m still worried about Night’s reaction to this.
I hope he won’t get angry.
