Chapter 42

**Week 1**
*The next morning...*
“How was sneaking out to spend the night with Ichiya?”
“Were you stalking me?”
“No. And one piece of advice, if you want to do it again without me knowing, then wash off his scent before you come back.”
“I knew I was forgetting something. Are you going to lecture me or whatever?”
“No, that's your parents' job. I don't have any right to keep you two apart. At least tell me when you're going out, it saves you the trouble of sneaking out. Also, when are you going to tell him?”
“I don't know.”
“You should do it before you accidentally mark him. Believe me, it'll happen, and chances are higher during a full moon and when you’re in heat. Remember, you're an Oracle and because of your position, just like me, he has to move to the pack. We don't have options like other wolves. Speaking of heat, did you get those herbs from one of the healers before we left?”
“Yeah, and do they have any side effects?”
“No, all they do is mask most of the scent of your heat and help with that burning sensation that comes when you don't mate with anyone. Just remember to drink them every morning and night before going to bed during your heat. Trust me, you don't want to experience that burning sensation.”
There was a knock on the door.
“That must be him,” Twilight said.
“Why is he here?”
“So you can tell him. Trust me, I've learned from experience that the sooner you get this over with, the easier things will become.”
She went to open the door for him.
“Why'd you ask me to come over?”
“Sit down first.”
“What's going on?” He asked while taking a seat.
“Ichiya, listen, I need you to keep an open mind. As in, forget about all logic and reasoning. It'll make what Etsuko is about to tell you a whole lot easier to take in.”
“Ok?
“Etsuko, go ahead and explain.”
“So, you know how supernatural beings like werewolves, vampires and stuff only exist in movies and books? They actually do exist, and Twilight and I are werewolves.”
“You're messing with me, right?”
“No.”
“Twilight, is she serious?”
“Dead serious. And you know how I am when I joke about something. Again, third-wheeling isn't my thing, so I'll leave you two to talk this out. I'll be in my room working on some stuff if you need me.”
A few hours later, Etsuko came into Twilight's room.
“So, there's been a change in plans. I'm crashing with him for the next week.”
“Oh...wait, what?”
“Yeah. He was a little freaked out and doubtful at first. I had to explain everything to him and even show him my ears and tail, so he'd believe me. I literally had to tell him to breathe because he started hyperventilating. After a few more breathing exercises and processing everything, he was alright. He says it doesn't matter what I am as long as he gets to be with me.”
“That's so sickeningly sweet.”
“I know, right? Anyway, I'll be taking my leave.”
“Wow, he moves fast, but on the bright side, you won't have to sneak out anymore.”
“And you and Takumi can get down and dirty as much as you want.”
“For the last time, we weren't going to do anything while you were here.”
“We both know that's a lie.” She rolled her eyes.
*Later...*
“Short Stuff, how's it going?”
“Other than my dear roommate ditching me to be with Ichiya, I'm good.”
“No way. A girl actually likes him that much? I thought that she'd run away after the first date, or rather the moment he opened his mouth.”
“I'm just as shocked as you are. Never thought that I'd see the day.”
“Quick question: was she bribed or on drugs?”
“Neither.”
*A few days later...*
“Short Stuff, you got a video call from Romeo.”
“Answer it.”
Takumi was expecting Twilight to answer but instead, Hansuke did.
“Hansuke?”
“Before you ask, your idiot is right here.”
He shifted a little so that Twilight could also be on the screen.
“I'm not an idiot.”
“I told you not to walk so fast, but you did it anyway then tripped and sprained your ankle. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's exactly what an idiot would do.”
“Don't call me by what you are.”
“If we weren’t friends, I’d be saying things I shouldn’t. Dude, how do you put up with this? Can't I mail her to you or something? She's a huge pain in the ass and won't stay in... hey, get back here.”
He went to fetch her from wherever she wandered off to.
“Stay in bed.”
“I was just getting a glass of water.”
“You're not going anywhere and going to stay in bed. The doctor said to not put unnecessary pressure on your ankle.”
“It’s just the kitchen. I’m not going on a hike.”
“This is what I've been dealing with for over an hour. Are you sure I can't mail her to you? She's small enough.”
“True and as much as I'd love for that to happen, I'm pretty sure that it's illegal and I'll be back in a few days anyway. Thanks for taking care of her.”
“You owe me for this.”
Later that day, Takumi called her.
“Are you purposely giving Hansuke trouble?”
“Sort of. As thankful as I am that he’s trying to help, he was getting a little annoying about the situation.”
“Are you ok though?”
“Yeah. It was a bad sprain, so it would’ve been suspicious if it healed within minutes. Tis just has to put off the healing until tomorrow, but it’s not too bad.”
“As long as you’re ok.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty much stuck at home and I got bored. I almost messed up though.”
“Either way, they looked ok.”

**Week 2**
The rain was getting her soaked, head to toe. She looked at Takumi and he was too. But he also looked upset. She tried to ask him what was wrong, but no words came out.
“I'm sorry.” He said. “I can't do this anymore.”
He walked away with another girl by his side, and she had a smug look on her face. She tried to go after him but couldn't move either. It was as if something was holding her back. She tried calling out to him, but her words only came out in hoarse whispers that were drowned out by the rain. He turned to say something, but she couldn't hear it over the sound of thunder or her own crying. She couldn't tell whether her face was wet from the rain or her tears.
She woke up startled. It took some time for her heart rate to slow down and return to normal. There was a knock on the door. She got up to answer it and there was Hansuke.
“Hey. What's up?”
“Are you all better today?”
“Yeah, and you could've just called if you wanted to know.”
“If you were anyone else, I would've called. But you're you and you know how you are, so I wanted to see it with my own two eyes.”
“I'll take that as a weird compliment.”
Her mind kept going back to that dream and how it felt too real for her liking. She wasn't sure what to make of it and the only things that came to mind were the memories of Trey rejecting her.
“Are you upset?” Hansuke asked.
“No.”
“Bullshit. You look like you're about to cry.”
“No, I don't.”
“Yes, you...”
She burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.
“Easy there. Whatever's going on, just know that I won't kiss you.”
“What?” She pulled away. “Why would you say that?”
“Usually when a girl cries in a guy's arms, she ends up wanting to kiss him.”
“This isn't a cheesy rom-com, dumbass. You don't have to worry about me trying to kiss you.”
“I was just playing it safe.”
She cried more into his shirt.
“Why are you crying?”
“I...” Before she could stop herself, she threw up.
“Shit, are you ok?”
“Do I look ok to you?”
“Hold on.” He walked her to the bathroom.
“I knew you were still sick.” He held her hair back.
“Oh, shut u...” She threw up again.
“I’m not going to when you’re sick to the point where you’re puking your guts out.”
“Nag me all you want later. Not...” She threw up again. “I think I'm done now. Seriously, I’m not sick. It’s probably something I ate.”
“Either way, it’s a good thing I came over.” He went to the living room and plopped down on the couch as she went to get the mess on the floor cleaned up.
“Give me your clothes.” She said after she finished cleaning up.
“What for?”
“I threw up on them so the least I could do is wash them for you.”
“Fair enough.” He took them off and handed them to her.
“Wait here.”
She came back a few minutes later.
“I don't have anything your size, so you're going to have to stay half-naked for a while. Don't worry, I won't try to kiss you or anything.”
“Phew. For a second there, I was worried. I know how hard it is for the ladies to resist this much manliness.”
“Yeah right.”
“You might wanna change your shirt, it also has some puke on it.”
“I didn't notice.”
There was a knock on the door.
“I'll get it,” Hansuke said.
“Who is it?”
There, standing at the door, was Takumi.
“What's going on?” He asked.
“I know how this looks, but trust me, nothing happened between us,” Twilight said.
“Then why is Hansuke half-naked?”
“That's because I... uh...” She was too embarrassed to admit it.
“You what?”
“I threw up on them. There I said it. They’re almost done being washed.”
*Later that night...*
“Did you really throw up on his clothes?”
“Yeah. Don't bring it up so much, it's embarrassing.”
“Sorry. I was just making sure because...” He stopped himself after realising what he was going to say.
“Because what?”
“Nothing, never mind.”
“Did you think that I was cheating on you?”
“Anyone who saw things from my point of view would think...”
“It's a simple yes or no question.”
“Yes.”
“Why would you think that?” She asked, clearly hurt.
“In my defence, I came home and found you alone with a half-naked guy. What was I supposed to think?”
“Yeah, but I know what it feels like to be cheated on. I mean, it happened right in front of me. Not to mention, I see no reason to cheat on you. I said that I'd wait for you, and I plan on keeping my word. So how could you think that I'd cheat on you? And for crying out loud, he's your best friend. Have a little more faith in him. You know as well as I do that, he'd never break the bro code or whatever you guys call it. Or go after, as he puts it, “anyone's girl”.” Tears started pooling in her eyes.
“I know, I'm sorry.” He tried to hug her.
“Don’t.” She avoided it.
“I'll sleep on the couch tonight.” He got up.
While sitting on the couch, he felt a pair of arms around his neck.
“You forgot to take a pillow and blanket with you.”
“I know.”
“And you didn't come back to take them?”
“I didn't want to seem like an even bigger idiot.”
“But you ended up doing just that.”
“I guess I didn't think it through. Look, I'm sorry that I upset you. I didn't mean...”
“It's ok. I thought about it, and I wasn't really seeing things from your perspective. Now I understand where you were coming from. I also would have the same reaction, if not worse, if I came home and found you and my shirtless best friend alone together.”
She buried her face in his neck.
“Come here.” He got her to sit on his lap. “It’s ok; don’t cry.” He wiped away her tears. “Remember when you accidentally marked me?”
“Yeah, you were in the hospital for almost a week.”
“Then I told you to go home and get some sleep because you didn’t.”
“Then you did that secret admirer thing to get me to go on a date with you.”
“Which was worth it because it worked.”
“Even though it was one of the corniest things you’ve ever done.” She snorted.
“There’s that smile. Does that mean that I won't sleep on the couch?”
“Oh no, you're still going to. That's why I brought you a blanket and pillow.”
“I thought you weren't upset anymore.”
“I'm not, this is me getting back at you. Let this be a lesson. Think a hundred times before you accuse me of cheating.”