Chapter 6: Disaster Date at the Mall (Fans Everywhere?!)
I should have known this was a bad idea.
The moment Riku said the words "Let's go shopping" with that calm, silky voice of his, my gut screamed: No. Danger. Do not proceed.
But here I am, walking next to him through a crowded mall, wearing my least embarrassing hoodie and praying no one notices the literal vampire idol disguised with nothing but a black mask, sunglasses, and a cap.
Spoiler: Everyone notices.
Because you can't just turn off being Riku Kurosawa. The guy moves like a freaking runway model even when he's in sweats. His silver hair peeks out from under his cap in the most stylish way possible. And his aura—yeah, the man radiates Main Character Energy.
Meanwhile, I look like a side character who got lost on his way to the convenience store.
"Relax," Riku murmurs as we enter a home goods store. "We're just two normal guys buying blackout curtains."
"Normal?" I whisper back, gripping my shopping basket like it's a life raft. "You're literally the most famous person in Japan. This is like sneaking a tiger into a pet café and hoping no one notices."
He laughs under his breath, low and smooth. "A tiger, huh? Flattering."
"NOT a compliment!"
We make it to the curtain section, and I'm silently thanking every deity I know when—
"OH MY GOD. RIKU?!"
The voice comes from behind us. My soul leaves my body.
I turn slowly. There she is—a high school girl, wide-eyed, clutching her phone. And now there's a second one. And a third.
Like zombies drawn to fresh meat, the fans gather.
Riku lowers his sunglasses slightly, flashing that signature smile that sells out stadiums. "Shh," he says softly, pressing a finger to his lips. The girl nearly faints on the spot.
And then—because the universe hates me—he grabs my hand. My hand.
"Stay close, darling," he says in a voice dripping honey and sin.
DARLING.DARLING?!
Every neuron in my brain screams: ABORT MISSION.
Suddenly, camera flashes go off. Fans are whispering, squealing, speculating."Is that his boyfriend?!""They're so cute together!""I KNEW IT, the rumors were true!"
I'm going to die here. In a home goods store. Holding hands with a vampire idol in front of thirty fangirls live-streaming on Instagram.
"Play along," Riku murmurs, squeezing my hand. His grip is cool, firm, and way too confident. "Unless you want a bigger scene."
"I—This—" My brain short-circuits.
And then, as if that wasn't enough humiliation for one day, Riku leans down and whispers against my ear:
"Smile, Haruto."
My knees nearly give out. This is a public safety hazard.
We somehow make it to the register with blackout curtains and a cart full of random groceries—because apparently this vampire is picky about brands—and rush out of the store, chased by whispers and the click of camera phones.
By the time we escape to the parking lot, I'm sweating like I ran a marathon.
"I HATE you," I wheeze.
"You looked adorable," Riku says with that smug little smile that should be illegal.
"I am not your doll!"
"Boyfriend," he corrects smoothly.
"I'M GOING TO SCREAM."
He chuckles, sliding into the passenger seat of a sleek black car he "borrowed" from his agency. (Don't ask. I've stopped asking.)
"Don't worry," he says, fastening his seatbelt like a responsible adult while I'm losing my mind. "Today was just a test run."
"A TEST RUN?!"
"For the real dates," he adds casually, eyes glinting crimson in the reflection of the glass.
…...
WHAT REAL DATES?!
TO BE CONTINUED…