章節 17: Go to Sleep. Nothing Could Harm You.

"...ya?"

"Kyoya!"

The sound of her voice suddenly broke his daze. Kyoya blinked his eyes. He blankly looked at Shouko who was sitting opposite him at the dining table.

"Are you okay?" Shouko peered into his face. His whole countenance was paler than usual. Worried, she asked again, "Did you catch a cold?"

"Oh..." Kyoya shook his head. He smiled wearily. "I'm just a bit tired. Don't worry."

Today was the weekend and both of them had breakfast together as usual. It's just that Kyoya didn't look like himself ever since she greeted him good morning. He still smiled at her yet even though she couldn't pinpoint what happened exactly, she at least understood that something was off.

She wondered if she could do something to cheer him up.

After breakfast, as usual, both of them went to the library. While Shouko was reading one of her books, an idea suddenly struck her. She then turned to look at Kyoya who was reading global news on his tablet.

"Kyoya?"

Kyoya averted his eyes from the screen, he looked at Shouko. "En?"

"Well... it is okay if I want to use the kitchen?"

"En?"

Kyoya placed the tablet on the coffee table. He was quite baffled with the request.

"Of course, you could. But, what do you want to do?"

Shouko laughed softly, her eyes gleamed with anticipation. "How about baking some cupcakes?"

Kyoya was taken aback. He looked at her for a few more seconds before a low laugh escaped his lips. "Why so sudden?"

Shouko thought for a while and then she was reminded of the beautiful bouquet that he gave her last night.

"Just treat it as my gift for you," Shouko smiled. Her eyes bent into beautiful shapes of crescent moons, bewitching the man sitting in front of her without her knowing. "For the flowers."

Since the wife herself gave the idea, why should he refuse her goodwill? In the end, Kyoya called Old Toshio so Shouko could list down all the items she needed before she began. The old butler efficiently instructed the kitchen staff to clear up and leave the place for the two of them.

Then, both of them went to the kitchen.

Shouko took her time to familiarize herself with the layout of the kitchen. The kitchen staff had prepared all the ingredients and utensils that she needed on the vast kitchen island. There were two new aprons on the stool next to the island.

Kyoya would be helping her since he was reluctant to let her did the baking alone.

"Let me tie up your hair," Kyoya suddenly made an offer to Shouko when he saw she was trying to tie her hair. He brought out a hair tie from the inside of his pocket.

"Oh..." Shouko was flustered but after seeing how his eyes were twinkling right now looking at her, she felt like she would be bullying him if she rejected the request. But, she did wonder why did he have a hair tie with him at this time? "Okay, please help me."

Shouko turned around, her back was facing him as she nervously waited for Kyoya to tie up her hair.

Kyoya smiled seeing the blush that had started spreading from her neck. He raised up both of his hands, slowly gathering her long hair into one of his wide palms.

The corners of his lips lifted up when he sensed that the little lady standing before him tensed in nervousness.

His dark eyes glinted with a trace of reminiscence when her silky and long hair being gathered in his hands. The familiar sweet scent of her shampoo drifted in the air, making him smiled when he realized some things didn't change even after she lost her memory.

Kyoya calmly made twists and turns of her hair while Shouko was trying her best to calm the erratic beating of her heart. She tightly held onto the hem of her shirt while waiting for him to be done with his task.

After what seemed like a long time, a loose bun hanging at the back of her head.

"It's done," Kyoya smiled with a sense of satisfaction. He reluctantly let go of her hair, his hands slowly returned to his sides. "Why don't you take a look?"

"En?"

Shouko turned to the mirror that was hung on one side of the kitchen. She was surprised when she saw how beautiful the loose bun appeared in her eyes. Actually, even while she was waiting for him to be done, she could tell that each of his movements was skillful.

"You... you know how to make this hairdo?" Shouko asked in disbelief.

It was totally unsuited for a man like him to know that!

"How could I not?" Kyoya chuckled, he reached out for the apron and calmly tying the straps at the back of his waist with a secured knot. "I've done it countless times for you already."

Shouko's cheeks flushed red.

She should have guessed about it!

"Anyway... let's begin. The oven has been pre-heated," She quickly changed the subject as she averted her eyes from his profound gaze. Shouko lightly patted her cheeks, desperately hoping for the blush to quickly fade.

Kyoya watched her busying herself with the task. If not for the way her neck and the tip of her ears were still reddened, he would have thought she had deliberately avoided him.

In a second, the light in his eyes faded.

He couldn't help but recall the torment that haunting him all night last night.

He was akin to an exhausted beast yearning for a slumber yet no matter what he did, he could only lay awake on the bed. In the end, having no other choice, once again he sneaked inside the master bedroom.

Only by seeing her sleeping peacefully could he enter his dreamland.

"Kyoya! What are you standing there for!"

"Huh?"

Kyoya blinked his eyes before they focused on the little woman's inquiring look. Seeing that she had begun mixing the ingredients, he had just realized that he had been caught in his own thought.

"Oh... sorry," He nodded awkwardly.

Shouko laughed looking at his innocent look. She then beckoned him to get to her side.

"Come here! Or you don't want these cupcakes anymore?"

Her teasing voice brought laughter to his lips. Kyoya immediately went to her side.

He didn't have the time to entertain the lair of his darkest thoughts if he could stay close to her. She was the only color in her gray life, shining so brightly until he couldn't help but be enchanted by her.

The husband and wife worked in synchronized baking the cupcakes. Shouko was no longer surprised seeing his efficiency in the kitchen. It seemed like he acquired these skills by the time he spent helping her baking and cooking whenever he was free before.

Shouko was deeply amused by her past self. She didn't expect she could make a young master like him helping her in the kitchen!

"Yay~ They're done!"

Shouko clapped her hands once she saw how the cupcakes turned out.

The freshly made cupcakes appeared luscious in her eyes. The cream cheese frosting on each of them swirled tall, sparkling beautifully with the sprinkles on top. She made it into bite-size. Just enough to eat them without smearing their faces. In her excitement, Shouko took one of the cupcakes and brought it to Kyoya's lips.

"Here! Taste it!"

Kyoya's eyelashes flickered when she suddenly standing so close to him. He understood she did it unknowingly but this gesture was enough to uplift his mood. Before Shouko noticed how she behaved right now, he lowered his head and took a bit of the cupcake in her hand.

"En, it's delicious," He said in his deep voice. His face was so close to her now he could feel her warm breath tickling his cheeks. After biting half of the small cupcake, he held her hand and directed the rest of the cupcake to her lips. "Eat it."

At that moment, Shouko's eyes widened before once again she blushed. She had just realized what had she done!

But, by this time Kyoya had held her waist securely and urged her to finish the cupcake. Having no other choice, she finished the cupcake that he had tasted first.

With her cheeks started flushing red, she glared at Kyoya who was smiling in content.

Isn't this... an indirect kiss?!

And, why did he become so flirty today?

The cupcake incident left Shouko feeling shy for the rest of the day. She couldn't even look at Kyoya's eyes without recalling their moment in the kitchen. Once night arrived, she quickly went to bed.

That night, Shouko groggily turned to her left side. She squinted her eyes before she lazily opened them. What awaited her was a dimly lit room.

Dawn had yet to arrive but she was awakened by a sudden thirst. Shouko slowly propped herself up from the bad. She leaned toward the left side of the bed where Mai had placed a jug of water and a glass for her.

Shouko poured herself a glass of water. Her parched throat was quickly moistened by the refreshing mineral water. As she was heaving in satisfaction, the corner of her eyes caught a shadow in the dark.

"Huh?"

She was scared stiff when she saw a person was sitting on the lone couch facing her bed. She wanted to scream but when she realized who it was, her lips parted as she was left dumbfounded. That person was someone she recognized too well even in the dark.

Kyoya? What is he doing here?

Shouko watched him in silence for fear of startling the man. It seemed like the man was sleeping while sitting on the couch, one of his hands were supporting his head. By his appearance, he was deep in sleep even though she could see how his brows knitted together.

It didn't look like a peaceful sleep.

Shouko thought for a moment before she decided to inch closer to the man. She was indeed surprised to see him sleeping in this room but she was more concerned by his look right now.

It was different from his usual calmness.

As she stood in front of him, she could see beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. His thin lips were pursed into a straight line. He appeared so uncomfortable even in his sleep.

What is he dreaming about?

Her heart felt a faint tug as she looked at the man. Shouko chewed her lower lip. Against her logical thinking, she reached out a hand and gently held his hand that was laying on the armrest. Slowly, she crouched down and looked up to see the man's tight expression.

"Go to sleep. Nothing could harm you."

Her soft voice drifted in the quiet room, gently coaxing him to sleep properly.

Shouko repeated the words a few times, her thumb traced comforting circles at the back of his hand. Eventually, his facial expression softened.

He was no longer frowning in his sleep.

Did he usually have difficulty sleeping? That's why he always appears lethargic with those dark circles?

Somehow, she felt like this wasn't a foreign scene. Shouko was struck with the sudden realization.

Did this... have happened before? Before I lost my memory?

Shouko pushed the thought away from her mind. She was focusing to help this man to sleep better. After making sure he started sleeping peacefully, she slowly retracted her hand from his to return to his bed. At the last second their fingertips would separate, Kyoya's index finger hooked up around her pinky finger.

"?!"

Shouko was stunned, afraid if he had aroused from his slumber but when she tugged her finger out from his, he easily let it go.

This man... forget it. He looks so pitiful right now.

She stayed by his side for a few more minutes, waiting to see if he would be disturbed by his nightmare again but he continued sleeping soundly. Relieved, Shouko went to bed. When she woke up again at 7 AM, he was nowhere to be found. It was as if the scene from last night was just a figment of her imagination.

But, Shouko knew it was real.

Instead of feeling upset with the invasion of her privacy last night, she laughed helplessly.

During breakfast, Kyoya didn't appear abnormal so Shouko decided she wouldn't be petty and expose him. But, she couldn't resist but ask him a question.

"Did you get a good sleep?"

Kyoya paused for a moment, lifted his eyes from the plate in front of him to her face and smiled softly.

He nodded. "Yes."

Seeing his content expression made Shouko was at a loss of what to do. Somehow, she was glad he did get a nice sleep after recalling how he looked uncomfortable before she coaxed him last night.

This man... is a mystery.

Shouko sent him off to the front door and went to the library afterward. Most of her time right now would be spent on the comfy couch while reading a book.

Kashino Corporation.

Kyoya had just gotten inside his office when his phone rang, notifying him of a new message. He opened the message and frowned.

Why aren't you replying to me?

Without thinking much, he put the number on Blacklist and began to work on the files piling on his desk. It was a good way to avoid himself from being distressed.

To be honest, he was overwhelmed with madness after he read the message the other night.

And as usual, he went to the master bedroom after making sure Shouko was deep in her sleep.

Even in his sleep, he was haunted by the nightmare but eventually, he saw a light in the darkness while a gentle voice slowly guiding him toward the light. It was so gentle, the sound of it made him felt like floating on the clouds.

He couldn't remember the words but they were so comforting.

In the end, he slept peacefully. He didn't know that his little wife had caught him in the act.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The author has something to say:

After the indirect kiss incident involving the cupcake, Shouko couldn't help but think if Kyoya would play a trick like this again in the future.

And to Kyoya, seeing his wife's flushed face was so entertaining to him. He began thinking what else he could do to see her blushing with her eyes glaring at him. Seeing her like that, he couldn't help but think of a cute angry kitten baring its claws to him.