DO I KNOW YOU?

-NO ONE POV-

"What's all this chaos about?" A familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade. A low, unimpressed tone. Yes, it's Levi Ackerman.

The group visibly stiffens. Levi stands at the edge of the scene, his sharp, unreadable eyes locked onto them. Unlike Albert's composed demeanour, Levi carries an entirely different kind of authority, one that demands obedience without a single word. He takes a step forward, and it's almost laughable how quickly the group shrinks under his gaze.

Haruka was surprised by Levi's sudden appearance. Still, he leans against the table, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement. He doesn't need to do anything. Levi's presence alone is more than enough to handle this. 

"Levi Ackerman… We were just having a friendly chat with Mr. Auclair. Nothing serious." The third man said, nervously clearing his throat, forcing a weak smile.

"Friendly?" Levi raised an eyebrow with an unimpressed expression. I wasn't aware friendly chats involved cornering someone like a pack of desperate little brats." His tone drops slightly, dangerously slow.

The way Levi speaks, calm yet razor-sharp, makes the group flinch. They exchange uneasy glances, the false bravado they held just moments ago now crumbling. Levi steps closer, and even though he hasn't lifted a single finger, the weight of his presence alone is enough to make them instinctively step back.

"Leave. Before I make you." Levi said that coldly.

That's all it takes. Without another word, the group hastily mutters weak excuses before turning on their heels and disappearing into the crowd. Once they're gone, the tension dissipates, leaving only the three of them standing there.

"Wow, that's all it takes for them to leave when it comes to Levi Ackerman." Albert said with a chuckle.

"I'm not you. You just like to play around, dragging the time like always, Lionel." Levi said, annoyed.

"Why not? It's amusing to see their faces like that. Arrogant, spoiled brats like them deserved that, you see." Albert said with a smirk.

Haruka, still unfazed, finally looks up at Levi.

"Subtle as always." Haruka said dryly, taking another sip of his juice.

"They were annoying me. You're okay, right? They didn't do anything to you, right?" Levi quickly took Haruka's hand.

"Levi, I'm not a child and please, we're in public." Haruka said, pushing Levi's hand gently.

Albert chuckles at that, while Haruka simply hums in response. For a moment, there's silence between them, comfortable, but filled with unspoken words.

"By the way, it's an honour to finally meet you, your highness." Albert suddenly broke the silence, slightly bowing his head which made Haruka shocked.

"What are you doing? I'm not a prince." Haruka said that slowly. Actually, he's embarrassed right now.

"But you got the princess' blood in you. I'm so glad that I could meet the second young master of the Auclair Family. You see, my mother and yours are really good friends. They always met during the noble events. So, I was wondering if we could be good friends also." Albert said with an excited face. He's clearly different from Levi despite being his cousin.

"His mother is the daughter of Marquess Alexander, and he has always attended an event like that since he was a kid. So, he really likes the royal family, especially your grandmother." Levi said in an annoyed tone.

"Do you mean, Lady Alexandra?" Haruka asked in surprise.

"That's right. She's my mother. So, can we be friends now?" Albert asked, his eyes sparkling. His face is getting closer to Haruka's.

"Keep your distance, Lionel." Levi said with a glare, shoving Albert's face away from Haruka.

'Ugh, you're as cold as ever, Levi. Don't forget that I did save your angel from them before you came. Can you at least let me be friends with the highness? Albert said in a sulking tone.

"It's not for me to decide, you brat." Levi said, flicking Albert's forehead.

"Okay, Albert. I'll be your friend but please drop the 'your highness' thing first and just call me Charles." Haruka said while massaging his forehead. He didn't expect Levi's cousin to act like this.

"Okay, sure. Make sure to give me your number later, okay? Well, I'll leave you two to… whatever this is. Try not to attract any more trouble, Charles." Albert said with a chuckle.

With that, Albert walks away, leaving Levi and Haruka alone. Silence lingers between them for a moment. Haruka leans against the table, arms crossed, staring at his half-empty glass of juice. Levi, hands in his pockets, simply watches him.

"You really didn't want to come tonight, huh?" Levi broke the silence.

"Nope. Would've skipped it if it was not for my parents." Haruka exhaled while shaking his head.

"Well, you've been in the spotlight since the red carpet until now. You're trending worldwide now." Levi said with a chuckle, but a faint hint of disappointment could be sensed from his voice.

"You didn't seem happy with that, though. Are you disappointed that I stole the spotlight from you?" Haruka asked with a smirk.

"Haha. That's not the reason why I'm upset, Haru-chan. It's just, I don't like it when everyone's eyes are on you. I should be the only one to see this beautiful side of you." Levi said that calmly, looking straight into Haruka's eyes.

"Ahem. Levi, I told you not to say something like that, especially when we're in public." Haruka said, nearly choking on his juice.

"But I'm telling you the truth." Levi keeps looking into Haruka's eyes.

"Yeah, I know, I know. You meet every day, Levi. So please stop it. And I think the next topic will be the two of us when everyone sees us this close, don't you think?" Haruka whispered in Levi's ear. He's right. Everyone's eyes are on them, and some of them have been taking photos of them.

"Well, I don't really mind that. At least everyone will know that Haruka Charles Auclair and Levi Ackerman are close." Levi said with a smile.

"Figured you'd say that." A faint smile formed on Haruka's lips without realising it.

"Did you meet the president?" Levi asked, changing the topic.

"I did meet him first when I arrived. Just to greet him, and then I left. That's all the reason I came, you see." Haruka replied, not interested.

"Haha. That's so you, Haru-chan. Haru-chan, this place is a goldmine for networking. You could probably seal five major deals just by walking across the room." Levi said, leaning slightly closer to Haruka.

"Levi, you know I'm not interested in that." Without looking at Levi, Haruka replied with his flat tone.

"Haha. Of course you're not. But I need to step away for a bit because there's someone I need to talk to. A renowned artist and a businessman from overseas. It could be a good opportunity for the company." Levi said while looking at the person he just mentioned.

"Networking, huh? Is this part of your plan?" Haruka asked, looking at Levi with a smirk.

"Well, I need to broaden my territory before I tell the whole world who I really am." Levi replied with a smirk too.

"Alright, then. Go make as many connections as you want." Haruka said with a sarcastic tone, rolling his eyes.

"Will you be okay here for a while? I won't be long." Levi ignores the sarcasm, his expression softening slightly.

"Why would everyone ask me that? I'm not a child. Of course I'll be alright." Haruka replied with a glare.

"Alright, alright. Just don't get into trouble while I'm gone and don't wander off anywhere." Levi said that with a smile and then left.

Well, Haruka didn't actually listen to what Levi said. Standing there alone would be more awkward with everyone's eyes on him. He wandered off somewhere around the hall and finally seated himself at the bar, asking for another glass of orange juice. 

Luckily, there aren't many people there right now. And he believes the reason why no one approaches him right now is because he was with Levi Ackerman earlier. He's just about to take a sip when a voice interrupts him.

"I wasn't expecting to meet someone so interesting tonight." 

Haruka turns his head slightly, only to see an unfamiliar man standing beside him, a confident yet lazy smirk on his face. The man, well-dressed and exuding an air of casual arrogance, gestures toward the bartender for a drink before shifting his gaze back to Haruka.

"Do I know you?" Haruka asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone indifferent.

The man chuckles, taking his drink from the bartender and leaning against the counter. "Not yet. But I'd like to change that. Well, I'm surprised that there's someone who doesn't know who I am."

Haruka studies him for a moment, uninterested in whatever game this man is playing. He looks like the type who enjoys toying with people just for fun, exactly the kind of person Haruka dislikes dealing with.

"Well, in that case, it's better not to know. I'm not interested." Haruka said that flatly.

The man laughs, unfazed by the rejection. "Now, now, don't be so cold. The night's still young. A drink with me wouldn't hurt, would it?"

Haruka sighs, setting his glass down on the counter. He was already annoyed by the group of brats from earlier, and now, this?

"I don't drink." Haruka replied, uninterested.

"Juice, then." The man said, tilting his head, feeling amused.

Before Haruka can respond, a familiar voice cuts in.

"Young master, pardon the interruption, but your father is looking for you." The butler said politely yet firmly.

Haruka turns to his butler, feeling an unexpected sense of relief. He stands up straight and adjusts his cuff.

"Alright. I'll get going then. Excuse me." Haruka said without sparing the man another glance.

He steps away without waiting for a reply, leaving the man standing at the bar, watching him go. Once Haruka is out of earshot, the man clicks his tongue, amusement still lingering in his expression.

"Well, well… Interesting." The man talks to himself.

His manager, who had been observing the scene from nearby, steps closer. The man takes a sip of his drink before casually asking.

"Who is he?" The man asked.

The manager hesitates for a second before answering.

"Haruka Charles Auclair. The second young master of the Auclair family."

The man raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Auclair, huh? No wonder he caught my attention."

The manager nods slightly before continuing to speak. "There's more. He's also the face icon of the Ackerman family's newest luxury resort at Pampelonne Beach."

The man's smirk deepens at that revelation, his fingers tapping lightly against the glass in his hand.

"Well, that just makes him even more interesting."

He downs the rest of his drink, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

"Well, talking about Ackerman, how's Levi Ackerman doing?" The man asked with a smirk.

"I heard he's been doing well, sir. He achieved a lot after that accident." The manager replied, which surprised that man.

"Hmm, I didn't expect that. Maybe I should go greet him later. Let's see how his reaction will be." The man said with a smirk and then made his steps towards the stage.

//SKIP//

Levi scanned the dimly lit room, his sharp eyes searching for Haruka. The quiet hum of the party outside was muffled by the thick walls, leaving only the faint echo of distant conversations. His brow furrowed. 

"Where is he? I told him not to wander around. Tch. He really doesn't listen." Levi mutters to himself.

Just as he turned to leave, the door creaked open. Levi instinctively tensed, his posture shifting ever so slightly. The man who stepped in was the last person he expected to see.

"Well, well. If it isn't Levi Ackerman."

TO BE CONTINUED!!!