Chapter 12

"Maki, I told you to stay downstairs" Rai said sternly, ignoring Kota's question.

"Sorry Rai. I just couldn't take him yelling at you like that" Maki said to Rai then turned to Kota. Rai frowned. "Maki-

"Oh hush honey" she cut him off, waving her hand like he didn't matter. "I'm here to talk to Kota"

Kota felt his heart sink once more. Who was she exactly? "What do you want?" he asked.

"I don't get why you're mad at Rai" she said. "The guy has done nothing wrong. In fact, he has been the one taking care of you. Do you have any idea how worried he was when you went missing yesterday? He went crazy searching for you. He even called your brother and I think we went to every single fucking bar on a fucking motorbike in this city to look for you and he didn't stop to rest. Not even for a fucking second! Is this how you repay him? Is this how you show your gratitude? By forcing him to leave?" She paused to breath.

"Maki..."

"Shut up and let me talk Rai! If you can take him talking trash to you well I can't!" She shouted and he instantly zipped his lips.

Kota was beyond shocked.

"The only thing on his mind was you" she continued in a much calmer tone. "He bawled his eyes out when we found you being tossed out of a fucking bar like a rag doll. You were bleeding and completely wasted. We carried you back home and he single handedly changed your clothes, cleaned you up and applied medicine to your wounds. You even clung to him, begging him not to leave you alone and he didn't. Not for a single moment. All he has shown you is kindness. Something that's extremely rare in people nowadays. He genuinely cares about you. Go downstairs and you'll see the proof. He spent two good hours making you breakfast. Something he doesn't even do for himself yet you're yelling at him to leave. Rai doesn't deserve your distance. If anything, you should get your shit together and stop acting like some shit head who's existence is a waste of space"

"Maki that's enough!" Rai reprimanded. It was all fine until she called Kota a waste of space. He could take anything but not anyone insulting Kota.

Kota could say nothing at all. He was utterly speechless. He never knew Rai cared so much. He didn't remember anything after entering the bar and taking a few drinks but the bruises on his body were evidence of her story being true. Rai had cried?

For him?

A layer of frost that had caged his heart melted away. His body felt weak and he sunk to his knees. Rai rushed to his side and hugged him. "Don't listen to her Kota. You're not anything she said"

The boy thought he was sad about being insulted. That was the least of Kota's worries at the moment.

Kota let Rai hold him, savouring the feeling of being in those strong arms again. Maki smiled, happy that her words might have had even a little effect on Kota. Rai loves the guy so much and was doing a lot for him. If she could get Kota to reciprocate, Rai would be very happy and the guy deserved nothing less. Seeing as her role was done, she quietly slipped out of the room and out the house.

Kota felt guilty. He parted his lips to apologize but Rai squeezed him tighter. "Don't" he whispered. "It's alright"

Kota smiled. "I'm hungry" he said and his stomach growled loudly to back up his statement. It made Rai laugh that boyish laugh of his that Kota was starting to like so much. In a matter of days! Was he so starved of affection that he became attracted to any of Rai's little qualities?

"I'll bring you something to eat." Rai said and stood up then he paused. "I don't know what you like though. I've made a lot"

Lies! He made exactly what Kota loved. Courtesy of Kyo.

Kota smiled and Rai's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't his former kind of smile. Just the slight spreading of his lips and Rai felt like fainting from joy. What would happen if Kota really smiled?

"Let's go down then"

Rai pursed his lips, looking thoughtful. "Can you walk properly? Doesn't your body hurt?"

Kota wanted to laugh but kept on a blank face and decided to see where it would lead. "Hmmm, my back does hurt and my knees too" Before he knew it, he was in Rai's arms again, carried bridal style down the stairs to the kitchen and then carefully placed on a chair. Like he was an egg which would break with the slightest mistake. It made him feel special and he liked it. He had forgotten how it felt to be treated that way. The guy was truly adorable. How could Kota not be able to walk? It was only a couple of bruises.

On the table was a large spread of breakfast. Rice, soup, meat, and plenty of side dishes like grilled short ribs, spicy seafood salad, bean sprout rice, spicy stewed fish, cold cucumber soup, seasoned kelp and Kota's all time favourite, kimchi! A bowl of cut fruits were in the center.

Kota was stunned. All that, for him. He was starting to believe his brother. Rai definitely has feelings for him. Like, no one would do that for their brother.

"Why all these, Rai?" he asked, watching the boy carefully.

Rai's expression went sour. "You don't like it?" "No no no" Kota hurried to correct him. "I do. I love everything here. I'm only asking for the reason behind it. The reason behind everything. You've been so nice to me despite the way I've treated you"

'Because I'm in love with you' Rai thought. Instead, he said, "You're my brother's boyfriend's brother. You're practically family and I take good care of family"

Kota thought he would feel relieved. Instead, he felt conflicted. It made him feel happy as well as sad. Did he want Rai to love him? Despite how fucked up he was? As selfish as it was, the answer was yes. Though, he doubted he would be able to give Rai the love he deserves.