Cherry and Yai tagged along with me every day after that, out of curiosity. I didn't like it, but I wasn't bothered enough to complain.
Serco didn't return to Earth until Friday. That day, to my dismay, Yai, Cherry, Cam, and Jake (Yai's boyfriend) were still stubbornly accompanying me to meet him. I prayed he wouldn't be mad, but I didn't get my hopes up too high.
He wore a thoughtful expression. His long lashes shaded his maroon eyes, which looked more saturated in the sunlight. He had on a white hoodie and jeans—simple, but they fit him so well and were so clean he looked like he was modeling them in a magazine.
When I was about twenty feet away, he looked up, and our eyes locked. Time seemed to stop for a second as he smiled at me.
I guess my entourage doesn't bother him.
Once I was at his side, I bowed my head and said,"I'm sorry, Nacina told everyone we're dating and they wanted to meet you."I rushed the words so fast they nearly slurred together.
I wasn't sure if Serco even understood me, but he simply lifted my chin with his index finger and kissed me—three times in succession. Each kiss was deeper than the last. He had me in such a trance, I couldn't even think straight—let alone feel embarrassed.
"Are you Akina's friends as well?" Serco asked, glancing at the group, who were clearly more embarrassed by our PDA than we were.
"Yeah. I'm Yai, and this is Jake and Cherry. You already know Cam," Yai answered. The others waved while Cam stayed still, giving me an annoying smirk.
"I'm Shion," Serco said, then reached for my hand, clearly hoping he was done socializing.
"How did you meet?" Cherry probed, right as Serco turned to leave.
"Downtown. She was walking around, and I happened to see her," he explained.
"Okay, but why are you dating?" she pressed further, narrowing her eyes at me.
"Because I want to be with her," Serco replied without hesitation. "Because being just friends was becoming difficult." He turned his eyes toward me. "Because I want to take up all her time. I want to kiss her, and I want to—"
I cut him off, putting a finger to his lips."It's not that complicated, Cherry."Then I grabbed his hand, and we speed-walked away.
Behind us, I heard Cherry's high-pitched voice say,"I thought you were just exaggerating. Where did she find him?!"
But we were too far away to hear anything else.
Serco held my hand, gently stroking my skin with his thumb.
"Are those really your friends?" he asked, still looking ahead.
"Well... they're Nacina's friends," I admitted.
"Oh... Is there anywhere you want to go?" he asked, dropping the topic.
"...There's not really anywhere I want to go," I replied.
Serco sighed."Humans are so indecisive."
I felt a little embarrassed but decided to speak up."I'm just so happy to see you, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I'd be fine just standing here for hours... as long as we're together."
Saying it out loud hurt more than keeping it inside.
After a quiet pause, he said,"Then... want to go to my place?"
"Yes," I replied without thinking.Then my brain caught up and flooded me with... images. My face went hot. I really hope I don't start sweating.
"I'll cook dinner for you. What do you like?"
I pulled my hood over my face."I like pasta. I'll help."
We went to the grocery store. While shopping, I texted my mom to let her know I'd be with a friend for a few hours.
"Any allergies or things you don't like?" Serco asked, holding a bundle of enoki mushrooms.
"I'll eat anything healthy. I guess I don't like hard candy much."
Serco hummed, tossed the mushrooms into the basket, grabbed some corn, and a head of romaine lettuce. I picked out farfalle noodles—they looked like little bow ties, and I found them adorable.
He selected the rest of the ingredients: cheeses, milk, oils... I let him take the lead. He seemed confident.
Serco carried most of the groceries, only allowing me to hold the lighter bags. As we walked, the surroundings became more remote.
"Come close to me."
At his command, I stepped just centimeters away from him. He wrapped his arms around my waist, the grocery bags pressing into my back. I felt a sudden drop, like being in an elevator.
Then, we were somewhere completely different.
The floor was dark red hardwood. The walls, painted charcoal grey. A crimson loveseat and couch framed a glass coffee table, and a massive HD TV was mounted on the right wall.
The living room opened into a sleek bar and kitchen. I sat on a barstool and set down the bags.
"Do you cook often?" I asked, glancing up at the smooth, white, metallic ceiling.
"Only when I have guests."
That made me feel... something. Jealousy?
"I didn't know you had visitors," I said, trying to sound casual.
"My brothers come sometimes. They like food more than I do. I also have one friend from Infaniya who visits now and then."
Okay... that's a relief.
"Want to try the sauce?" he asked, holding a ladle out.
I stepped over and let him feed me a sample.
"Oh! It's good! Wow..."He smiled at my reaction and continued cooking.
Dinner was ready in thirty minutes—and it was incredible. Even the homemade salad dressing paired perfectly with the pasta. He's a genius.
Serco only ate an apple and had a glass of wine. After I finished eating, he took my plate and placed it in the sink.
"Would you like to go to my room now?" he asked.
I choked."I bought a console. You said you liked games, right? I got the newest model and a few things we can play together."
So... just games?I wasn't sure if I felt relieved or disappointed.
"Okay! That sounds fun," I said once my pulse returned to normal.
After washing the dishes and putting everything away, he gestured for me to follow him.
We walked down a hall and up a flight of stairs. We passed three bright red doors. The hallway walls were eggshell-white; the floors, the same redwood as downstairs.
Then we stopped at a black door with a red metal handle and lock. At the bottom were carved spider lilies, painted the same red as the doorknob.
Inside was a king-sized bed draped in a red velvet comforter, with black satin sheets gleaming beneath. A fluffy white rug peeked out from under the frame. Built-in bookshelves lined the side walls, packed with thick, well-worn novels. At the far end of the room sat a sleek loveseat and a 50-inch TV, mounted above a low black stand. Two tall windows stretched up to a vaulted 20-foot ceiling, catching the last hints of twilight. In the corner, almost out of place, was a vintage popcorn machine.
I was too busy taking it all in to notice Serco had already made himself comfortable on the loveseat. I hurried to sit beside him, suddenly aware of how close we'd be.
"I only have multiplayer games," he said casually, scrolling through the menu. "Want to start with fighting, racing, shooting, or a co-op RPG?"
"Let's go with racing," I said. "Ease into it."
He passed me a rose gold controller—his fingers brushing mine.
"A warm-up? Planning to be here a while?" he teased, lips twitching at the corners.
I smiled, matching his tone. "At least a few hours. You don't mind, do you?"
His eyes lingered on me a moment too long. "No. I don't mind at all."
We played for hours. First racing, then fighting. I laughed when he button-mashed, but before long, he was blocking every combo like a seasoned player. When we switched to a shooting game, he adapted too quickly—it was almost suspicious.
"I win again," he grinned, leaning back as my character dropped from a rooftop.
I puffed out my cheeks. "That's it. Rematch. Fighting game. Right now."
Instead of answering, he leaned over and kissed my cheek—soft, sudden, distracting.
"Fine," he murmured. "You can try."
I blinked, heart stuttering. He'd already turned back to the game, like nothing had happened.
We kept playing. Time blurred. The room darkened until the only light came from the screen and the faint glow of the windows.
Eventually, I glanced outside and realized how late it was.
"I think... I should probably head home," I said, voice quieter than I meant it to be. I didn't want to go—but I also didn't know what staying meant.
Serco hesitated, then stood. "I'll drive you."
He didn't wait for me to argue. I followed, trailing a few steps behind as we walked down the hall and into a spiral staircase that wound downward like something out of a dream.
"It doesn't feel like you've been here long at all," he said over his shoulder.
"I know... I had fun," I admitted.
He stopped mid-step. I looked up—and for the first time, because of the staircase's slope, we were eye-level. His face was closer than I expected. Closer than it should be.
"Would it be crazy," he asked softly, "if I asked you to stay? Just for tonight?"
My breath caught.
Everything stilled.The space between us tightened.And I didn't know if the pounding in my chest was from panic—or something else entirely...