AN EXCUSE

-Levi POV-

"Levi Ackerman, what are you doing here?" The moment those words escape that person's lips, I know it was too late for me to hide. I looked at the owner of the voice, and I was a bit surprised.

"Mrs. Christine, why are you here?" I asked her. So, it was Haruka's eldest sister. But he didn't say anything about his sister coming. Shouldn't she be in New York right now?

"I believe I asked you that question first." Christine replied, looking directly into my eyes.

"I just have something to discuss with Mr. Auclair. It's about work." I answered him confidently. Right, just act like I always do. It doesn't matter if it's Haruka's sister or anyone else in front of me right now.

"Discuss something about work? I'm pretty sure Haru-chan is not a person who prefers to discuss work after the working hour. And if the matter is really urgent, he wouldn't want to discuss it at his place. After all, he keeps his address private, so only certain people would know." Christine countered me.

"You're right. That's how he is. But I just got a call from my father, and it's really urgent. So, Mr. Auclair suggested we discuss it here since he already left the office earlier." I know this excuse doesn't make sense, but it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

"Your answer doesn't convince me. That means Haru-chan also told you his house's passcode. Well, that aside, what's with the kittens?" Christine said while looking at Ha-chan and Lev. Right, I almost forgot that they're here too.

"Well, you see, I'm also here to look after these kittens. Haruka adopted them last weekend." I said that, grabbing Ha-chan into my arms. Lev just stayed quiet behind me. I guess he's a bit afraid because Christine is a stranger to him.

"Huh? Haru-chan adopted kittens. He has never been interested in animals before, not even cats." Christine looks confused. 

"He said it's been quite lonely living in this big house alone. He decided to adopt someone that could accompany him, so he chose cats." I explained it to Christine, and I hope it does convince her.

"Hmm, I see. But why did he ask you to look after the cats instead of the cats' taker? I don't remember you both being so close like this." Christine kept looking at me, waiting for the answers. Why did I feel like I was being interviewed for something big right now?

"Well, you see…"

"Harumi onee-san!" Haruka suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Thanks, Haruka. You saved me.

-Haruka POV-

I just arrived in front of my house, and I opened the door in panic just to see my sister and Levi in the living room. So they did run into each other after all. 

"Harumi onee-san!" I said that in panic, and both of them looked at me.

"Ah, Haru-chan. Hello." My sister said that with a smile while waving her hand towards me. 

"Ha. Don't just say hello to me. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I asked her while making my way towards them.

"I was just about to tell you, but, surprised, I guess. Hehe." My sister said that while giggling. Ha. Seriously, this stupid sister of mine.

"But then, how did you know I was here?" She asked me.

"How, you ask? Then let me tell you." I said that to her, telling them the story of how I ended up here, trying to catch my breath like this.

//FLASHBACK//

Just like I promised Hanabi, she wanted me to hang out with her after work today. So, she just wanted to try the desserts at the new cafe that opened nearby the Ackerman Building. Well, that's fine by me. It's been a while since we last hung out, by the way.

"Wow. This is so good. I guess I'll be coming here often when I have free time, and I'll drag you with me, hehe." She said that while giggling.

"Well, just give me a heads up first before coming. Are you busy lately?" I asked her.

"Right, I am. There's too much work I need to do from now on. My internship period has not even ended yet." She keeps complaining to me.

"You're working as a doctor at the biggest hospital in France. Of course you would be busy, you idiot." I said that while flicking his forehead.

"I know, but I'm still an intern. I still need some time to enjoy my life before I get busier." She said that while sighing.

"You wanted to be a doctor, right? So, this is how your life is going to be. That's why our eldest sister doesn't like that." I said that while chuckling.

"Ah, speaking about Christine onee-san, she just arrived in Paris this afternoon." Hanabi's words made me confused.

"Harumi onee-san is in Paris? Why?" I asked Hanabi.

"Because father said he wanted us to have dinner together tomorrow night, and of course, she wanted to join us this weekend also. Wait, doesn't she tell you? She asked me for your house passcode a while ago." Hanabi asked me with a confused face. But what did she just say? My house passcode?

"Wait, you gave her my house passcode?" I asked Hanabi for confirmation. 

"Yeah, I did. She said that she called you, but you didn't pick up." Hanabi answered me with her innocent face. Right, Hanabi's not the one at fault here.

"I think she should arrive at your place by now, onii-chan." Hanabi added. Wait, now? I believe Levi is at my place right now.

"Hana-chan, I'm sorry, but I really need to go back right now. Can you go back home on your own? No, I'll call the driver for you, so just wait here, okay?" I said that to Hanabi softly.

"Sure. Don't worry. I'll manage on my own." Hanabi said that with a smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Hana-chan." With that I left the cafe and rushed back home.

//END OF FLASHBACK//

"Seriously. I'm glad I met Hanabi after work." I said that while sighing, still trying to catch my breath, and then took a seat on the sofa.

"Oh, so you did meet Hana-chan. No wonder." Harumi said that with her poker face.

"Seriously, why did you come here when you can just stay at the main residence?" I asked her while crossing my arms.

"Wow. Are you saying I cannot come or stay here? I just wanted to see your new place, of course. Well, that aside, you seriously left Hana-chan alone just to get back here as quickly as you could." She said that with a smirk.

"I didn't leave her alone. I did call for the driver." I answered her, trying to act calm.

"Ara. Why do you look so nervous, Haru-chan? Are you sure there's nothing to do about Levi being here? Aren't you afraid I might run into him, which I already did, so I guess that's too late? Oh, and not to mention you're adopting those kittens. Seriously, you?" She keeps trying to make me at a loss for words. I look at Levi, and he's about to say something.

"You're right. I didn't want you to run into Levi here. What about the kittens? Is it wrong for me to adopt them? It's just… Living in a big house like this, they could be the ones to keep me company." I spoke before Levi could say anything, and he clearly looked surprised. Of course, the same goes for Harumi.

"I believe you've been living by yourself in a big house since you were 18, and now you're saying you need company? Are you sure that's really the reason? You even gave Levi your card key, right? And the cats, they seem to like Levi more than you, their own owner. Or is there any special relationship between you two that I didn't know about? Christine keeps attacking me. I don't know why she's acting like this. Didn't she have a good relationship with Levi? Ah, I get it now. What she really wants is. She really knows me very well. And now, she's trapping me.

"Christine, the thing is…" I cut Levi off before he could continue.

"Levi, it's okay. You don't have to say anything. That's just how Harumi onee-san is. Onee-san, you seriously wanted me to admit everything, only then you'd stop, right? And you, Levi, don't tease me after you hear this later. Harumi onee-san, you're right. I never felt lonely living alone in a big house, not until I understood how important having someone by your side is." I looked at Levi for a while before continuing to talk again.

"It's strange, isn't it? How someone can walk into your life and suddenly make everything feel... less empty. I guess what I'm trying to say is... you've become that person for me, Levi. Well, it's not just about me. It's about you too, Levi. Knowing what you've been through... losing so much, carrying so many burdens alone... it made me realise how important it is to have someone by your side. Someone who can be there, even if it's just in silence. You've spent so long being alone and showing only the strong side of you, Levi. It's not fair. And I... I don't want you to feel that way anymore. You know, adopting the kittens wasn't just about me wanting to take care of them. It was an excuse... an excuse to give you a reason to keep coming to my house. To make sure you wouldn't spend all your time alone. The kittens... they're wonderful, and I do care about them. But they were my excuse to make sure you'd always have a reason to come back. Maybe it was selfish of me, but... I just wanted to make you feel less lonely. Well, I guess I've said enough." 

Now, I said everything I wanted to say. I look at Levi again. His gaze, so often fierce and impenetrable, seemed to falter slightly. He didn't say anything, but the way his jaw tightened and his eyes softened just a fraction told me I had struck a chord. The room fell into a quiet stillness, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Did I say too much?

"Haruka, you big softie. So, let me get this straight, you adopted kittens just to keep this guy coming around? That's… actually kind of sweet and sneaky." Harumi broke the silence.

"Onee-san!" I groaned. I could feel my face turning red right now.

"Haha. Are you being shy right now?" Harumi said while giggling.

"I'm not. And onee-san, please don't tell anyone about this, especially Hanaka nii-san." I warned her, but I got the feeling she wouldn't do as I said.

"Don't worry, I won't. Well, I guess I got the answer. I'm sorry if you feel like I pushed you too hard. But then again, I think you two still have something to say to each other, right? I'll leave you two alone. Oh right, you should invite Levi to join us this weekend, too. I'll see you at the main house tomorrow, Haru-chan!" With that, Harumi left my house, leaving the two of us alone.

Now that there are only the two of us alone here, I feel a bit awkward. Of course, after saying all those things, how can I act like usual? I don't even know where I got the courage to say all that. And now, how should I face him?

"Levi, I know it's a bit too much, but I really… Wait, Levi, are you crying?" I was shocked to see tears streaming down his cheek. This is… This is the first time I've ever seen him cry.

"Ah, seriously. I've been trying my best to hold it back, but I guess I couldn't hold it any longer, haha. Haru-chan, I'm not good at saying things... but I understand what you mean. And... thank you, really. Thank you so much. I know that our feelings for each other are not on the same page, but even so, I'm glad that you care about me. Thank you for being there for me, Haru-chan. And about the babies, let's raise them together, okay?" He said that with a smile, a sincere smile. His tears stop running down.

Even though our feelings are not on the same page? If his feeling towards me is a romantic feeling, then what about me? What do I actually feel about him? Even if we're on the same page, do I deserve someone as kind as him? But if I'm being honest, I do want someone like him to be by my side. God, am I asking for too much?

TO BE CONTINUED!!!