Chapter 567: The Door That Wouldn’t Open
Chapter 567: The Door That Wouldn’t Open
The sound echoed in the room, and she let out a startled "Aaaah—! Jack, don’t—!" Her cheeks flushed even deeper, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she squirmed.
I grinned down at her, completely unfazed by the way she squirmed in my lap. Her cheeks were still flushed from the earlier teasing, and I couldn’t resist leaning in just a little closer, my voice dropping to that tone that always made her roll her eyes but lean into me anyway.
"Haruna," I said, my voice a mix of firmness and affection, "you’re being punished for lying to your boyfriend." My thumb brushed against her lower lip, slow and deliberate, watching the way her breath hitched just slightly. "And you know what happens when you lie to me."
She let out an exasperated huff, her glare lacking any real heat. "Ugh, you’re impossible," she grumbled, but there was no conviction behind it—just embarrassment and that familiar spark of amusement she always tried to hide.
"I wasn’t lying. I just... wasn’t that hungry." She stabbed at the food on her plate with more force than necessary, as if the poor meal had personally offended her.
I chuckled, shaking my head as I reached for the fork in her hand. "Oh, really?" I raised an eyebrow, my fingers wrapping around hers as I gently pried the utensil from her grip. "Then why did your stomach just betray you so spectacularly?" Without waiting for an answer, I scooped up a bite of the food and brought it to her lips. "Open up."
She hesitated for a second, her eyes narrowing, but then she obeyed, her lips parting just enough to take the bite. I watched as she chewed, her expression softening despite herself. "You’re such a child sometimes," she muttered after swallowing, but there was no real bite to her words.
I just smirked. "And yet, you still let me feed you like a baby bird." I scooped up another bite, holding it out to her. "Come on. One more."
She sighed dramatically but opened her mouth again, her eyes never leaving mine. After a few more bites, she finally spoke up, her voice quieter now, less defensive. "Jack..." She tilted her head slightly, studying me. "Why aren’t you eating? You should have something too."
I shook my head, my thumb brushing away a stray crumb from the corner of her mouth. "I’ll eat later," I said, my voice low. "With Sister Yuko. I’m going to use the excuse that I’m starving to get her to sit down with me. She can’t exactly refuse if I’m making food for both of us, right?"
Haruna’s expression shifted, her eyes filling with something softer, more vulnerable. The fork clinked against the plate as she set it down, her fingers twisting together in her lap.
"Jack..." Her voice was barely above a whisper now, thick with emotion. "Thank you. For... everything." She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I’m sorry. For being difficult. For—for not telling you things. For making everything harder than it needs to be."
I didn’t let her spiral. My fingers slid under her chin, lifting her face until her eyes met mine again. "Haruna," I said, my voice gentle but firm, "stop. Just... stop." I brushed my thumb over her cheek, wiping away the last remnants of her earlier tears. "The past doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that we’re here, together. That’s all I care about."
For a moment, she just stared at me, her breath unsteady, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something else. But instead of words, she leaned in, her mouth crashing against mine in a kiss that was all heat and desperation. Her lips were still warm from the food, and she didn’t hesitate to deepen the kiss, her tongue slipping into my mouth with an eager, almost clumsy urgency. She pressed closer, her hands gripping the front of my shirt like she was afraid I’d pull away, her breathing uneven as if she were trying to pour every unsaid word, every apology, every ounce of gratitude into that single, messy kiss.
I let her. My hands cradled her face, my fingers tangling in her hair as I kissed her back just as fiercely, savoring the taste of her, the warmth, the raw honesty in the way she clung to me.
When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her breathing was ragged. She rested her forehead against mine, her eyes squeezed shut for a second before she let out a shaky laugh. "I probably taste like garbage," she mumbled, her voice muffled against my lips.
I chuckled, pressing a quick, soft kiss to the tip of her nose. "You taste like my garbage," I teased, earning a swat on my chest. She buried her face against my shoulder, her body shaking with laughter, but I could feel the way her fingers still clung to me, like she wasn’t quite ready to let go.
After a moment, she pulled back just enough to look up at me again, her expression softer now, more open. "Promise me something?" she asked, her voice quiet.
I raised an eyebrow. "Depends on what it is."
She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. "Promise me you won’t let Sister Yuko push you away. She’s... she’s not as tough as she acts. She just... doesn’t know how to ask for help."
I smiled, my hand cupping the back of her head, pulling her in for another quick kiss. "I promise," I murmured against her lips. "Now eat the rest of your food before it gets cold. And then I’ll go talk to your sister, okay?"
She nodded, her fingers tightening around the fork as she finally brought another bite to her lips. Her eyes never left mine, as if she were searching for something—reassurance, maybe, or just the quiet certainty that I wasn’t going anywhere. "Okay," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But if she yells at you, I’m blaming you for not listening to me."
I laughed, reaching out to ruffle her hair affectionately. "Deal." My fingers lingered for a moment, brushing against the strands before I pulled away. "Now eat. I’ll handle Yuko."
Haruna watched me as I stood up, her expression flickering between worry and trust. She didn’t say anything else, but the way her fingers tightened around the fork told me she was holding back. I gave her one last reassuring smile before turning toward Yuko’s door.
I took my time arranging a plate, carefully serving a little of everything—enough to make it look like I was genuinely hungry, but not so much that it would seem suspicious. Balancing the plate in one hand, I knocked on Yuko’s door with the other. "Sister Yuko," I called, keeping my voice steady and warm. "It’s me, Jack. Please open the door."
Silence.
I waited, my ear pressed lightly against the wood, listening for any movement inside. When her voice finally came, it was muffled but sharp, laced with exhaustion. "Jack... please. Just leave me alone. I don’t wanna talk to anyone right now."