Chapter Text
VI.
Tei put his plan into action. He had to go in early to help out the office staff. So as not to worry Eri, as everyone sat down to breakfast in the morning he mentioned that he would be taking the bus that day.
“Oh may I ride with you?” Eri said. “It's a bit of a hassle to ride the limo every morning.”
Tei hid his smile as he sipped his tea. Eri was safe with him and way from Yuri. Yuri looked crushed.
“My Honey, riding the bus is in no way fitting for someone of your beauty,” He said.
“You can't decide what's fitting for me,” Eri said. “Besides, all the girls at the limo every morning are dangerous for me. I'd rather take the bus.”
Tei was elated. One on one time with Eri. Her voice, her smiles, and looks all to himself. What he didn't expect was for Yeonho to grab her sleeve and look up at her with pleading eyes.
“Master...I like riding the limo with you. Don't leave me!” he whined. Eri stroked his hair.
“I'm not leaving you, Yeonho, I would never do that to you. I'm just taking a different way to school, that's all,” she said. Tei clenched his jaw. He didn't have it in him to glare at Yeonho, he wasn't upset. More annoyed. He was glad Eri was not overly swayed by his cuteness (but she did over indulge him sometimes).
“I'm with Yellow on this one, Heroine,” Red chimed in. “It's no fun in the limo without you!”
Tei closed his eyes and focused on the taste of his food so he wouldn't be tempted to shoot Red a death glare.
“No. I'll take the bus today. I need a break,” she said. She held fast to her convictions. Tei could not stop his beating heart. Still, he knew she was not completely out of danger. As they sat at the door way putting on their shoes, he discussed their route plan.
“I know we can safely walk together to the bus station, but we should separate when we arrive,” he said.
“I agree. You're so popular, everybody wants a kind smile from Prince Sunshine,” she said. He furrowed his brow. What did she say? She sensed his eyes on her and kept her eyes on her shoes.
“What did you call me?” he asked. Her cheeks reddened.
“Nothing, just something I heard. Forget it,” she said. He would not forget it. What were these girls saying about him? Would their fanatic behavior scare her away from him? One the one hand the distance would protect her form him. On the other hand, she was clearly in danger from other sources and he had to stay near her. He tried to inject logic into the situation. Even if he wasn't in her presence there e was a lot he could do to keep her safe from a distance.
For now he could enjoy their short walk. Sadly it was much shorter than he predicted. They'd only gone a few blocks before they saw a girl from their school. Immediately, without being told, Eri slowed so he could walk ahead. Already he missed her. A few more girls followed him.
“T-Tei good morning,” One of the girls said. He smiled politely, but honestly he had no reason to do so. His morning was no longer a good one.
“Good morning,” he said.
“I...I made you a scarf. It's going to be cold soon, so...”
He couldn't. She put in all that effort for whatever image of him she projected. There was no care given as to who he was as an actual person.
“No thank you. I can't accept your gift he said,
“Please just...”
“I know you put your heart in it, but I just can't,” he said.
Another jumped in, “I have cookies!”
He wanted nothing from them. And even if there was the slightest temptation he couldn't indulge them, not with Eri watching. He didn't want her to misunderstand. He had nothing to give these other girls because she had everything. He ended up being so mobbed by girls Eri was pushed farther and farther away. She ended up on another bus because of them. He felt the pain in his leg more than usual.
Once he got to school, he could still work hard for her. He didn't even see her when he arrived on campus. He had to stay focused, he went straight to the office. Before he entered he tried to will all the positivity he could muster. He pictured Eri's warm smile, her peaceful sleeping face. He entered the office with a bright smile and held up the coffee. It had the desired effect, lots of giggles and blushing.
“I'll be your personal barista today. Enjoy your coffee while I move your boxes,” he said.
“Oh, Tei you are too good for this world!” the office manager said. He could only give a polite smile as he made them coffee, poured each woman a cup and set about working. Thankfully, they were more preoccupied with the coffee to really pay attention to him. So, while he was picking up the last box, he was left alone in the records room. This gave him time to grab Yuri's file and covertly slip it into the inside of his uniform jacket. He'd examine it when he got home. To many girls followed him for there to be any time alone at school. He finished moving the boxes for the office staff, but it he was now a bit late for class.
“Oh, don't worry. We'll write you a hall pass," the office manager said. “If you could come just one more day, there's one last set of boxes to be moved. You've helped us so much! And the coffee is amazing! If Banjul coffee is this good, we'll definitely be by.”
“I'm so glad to be of help. You ladies always work so hard for students like me, I just wanted to show some appreciation,” he said.
They saw him off thinking he'd truly lived up to the title of Prince Sunshine. All Tei knew was that he felt like the devil incarnate with Yuri's file feeling like a hot coal of treachery under his jacket. Eri would be safe, he could blackmail Yuri into anything if he had the forged paperwork and the threat of going to the police as a way to keep him pinned down.
While school itself was not bad, the overall experience of being treated like a celebrity was utterly horrible. It marred what was, in Tei's opinion, the one good part of his day. While he could never guarantee he'd seen Eri during lunch, he could always see her after music. Her class always came after his. He'd be very slow about leaving just so he could catch a glimpse of her. But as more and more girls realized that if they waited by the music room, they could see all of the HOT5 together when they switched music classes, his chance of seeing her got slimmer and slimmer. He had to stay pleasant, but his patience wore thin.
For whatever reason today was the worst had ever been. His classmates had a hard time leaving the room. Tei shot a glare back at Yuri who didn't seem to notice the commotion, or him at all. Tei had half a mind to start the blackmail right now, but he had no idea what the file contained so he held back. He didn't want to expose his hand too soon. Red was already out the door.
“Woah! What's going on? Are you all here to see Yuri or what?” Red said. The girls giggled and Red looked to Tei.
“What's the joke?” he asked. Tei could only offer a tired smile. He was exhausted and it was only a few periods into the day. And his mood was even more soured by the fact that he wouldn't see Eri. Yeonho and Lance were able to push through the crowd and looked equally as exasperated. He nodded to them and was about to leave when he heard a small cry. He had to be imagining things. He head Eri in danger at every turn, and he had to stop imagining—
“Ah! Heroine, are you okay?” Red asked. Tei looked over his shoulder and saw that the crowd had parted and Red was looking down. He hurried over. Eri was on the floor, looking up at Red in terror. She must have been in pain.
“I'm fi—” she began.
“Are you hurt?” Tei interjected. He couldn't stop himself, she was hurt and he couldn't keep away. He knelt down and helped her to stand. She tried to put weight on both her feet, but he saw instantly that she favored one over the other. Something was wrong with her ankle.
“I'm really okay,” she said. Her face was turning red. She was clearly not feeling well. She was having nightmares. She was losing her memory. She hurt her ankle. And now her face was red and she looked ready to faint. He was failing to protect her and he was inwardly spiraling.
“Let me help you,” he said. She backed away, but stepped on her bad foot and instantly cringed. Before Tei could fully panic, Yuri poked his head out of the classroom.
“What on earth is going on here?” he said.
“She hurt her ankle!” Red said. Yuri raised an eyebrow.
“First thing's first. What are all you students doing out here? If you're not in my next class you need to leave. Now,” Yuri said. They dispersed. Tei was impressed by Yuri's authoritative tone, he'd never seen him actually behave like a teacher.
“That means you too,” Yuri said. Tei glared. “Don't worry. She'll be fine. You, class president. Keep your classmates in line while I take Eri to the nurse.”
Soi snapped to attention. “Right! You've got it, Mr. Yuri!”
Eri leaned on Yuri's arm as they headed toward the nurse. Tei chanced a look back at her. While he'd rather she not have been hurt, he wanted to help her, to make up for all his failings.
During lunch Tei received a text. That was unusual enough, what made it truly bizarre was that it was from Lance.
“You put her in a lot of danger,” was all he said.
Tei put everything together. He'd taken precautions not to give Eri too much attention at school, but now with that small act, he'd jeopardized everything. He cursed the day he was put together. How could he be so stupid? He had to take even more effort to take care of her from a distance. Red stormed in looking more agitated than usual and stood at attention.
“I'm sorry, Commander. I know you told me displays of force were strictly prohibited at school. But I had to,” red said.
“Had to do what?” Tei asked.
“Threaten that creepy doctor. I don't think he did enough for Heroine,” Red said.
Tei was ready to scold him, but thought Red actually had a good idea.
“I'll allow this to slide as you did no physical harm. I will go speak with Mr. Yujin myself,” Tei said.
Before lunch period was over, Tei went to the nurse's office and closed the door behind him a bit forcefully. Yujin, who had been fondling Beatrice in the dark, jumped. Tei flipped on the light. Thankfully, nothing too odd was happening, but it was compromising enough. Tei smiled, but it was an expression few had seen. He was ready to deal. Yujin was just as affected to this smile devoid of joy as women were to his warmer, polite ones. Tei sat on Yujin's stool, forcing the man to sit in the lower, patient's chair.
“I want you to call Eri from class N and check her ankle as soon as I leave this room,” Tei said. Yujin crossed his arms but swallowed hard.
“And why should I?” Yujin asked.
“If you do you'll have the best test subject you've ever had,” Tei said. Yujin's eyes sparkled behind his glasses.
“Four people have come in about that girl, but you're the first to offer me anything. Before I agree to the terms I must examine you,” Yujin said.
“Agree to the terms or no deal,” Tei said. Yujin stared over his glasses.
“Your bone structure seems too perfect to be real,” he muttered to himself. “Fine. I'll see her.”
He had the office page her and Tei stood up triumphant. But as he walked out, Yujin coughed awkwardly.
“You injured your knee, didn't you?” he said. Tei's mouth went dry and his palms got sweaty. “You tricked me. I'll keep my end of the deal, since it's already in motion. Such a shame. Almost perfect, but that injury makes you just as repulsive as the rest of them.”
Tei grimaced and shrugged his shoulders and closed the door quietly. But Yujin's words made him dizzy with nausea.
Tei found maneuvering things to take care of Eri all consuming. Everything took a backseat: work, school, everything. However, he wanted his actions to remain as unnoticed as possible if he slacked at all and Eri found out she'd become concerned. He had to keep his grades up and do well at work.
He was doing a good job of keeping up the facade, he was top of his class, and Hobin liked him a lot. Well enough to leave him in charge while he went on a business related trip. So of course, during Tei's first time as acting manager he entered to a distraught and frantic Zion. The source of his distress was the fact that the harp, the whole reason that Zion even worked at Banjul, was gone. Tei tried to think of how it could have been stolen, while he juggled catering to patrons and consoling Zion. He couldn't help but wonder if Zion's tears were all theatrical. He'd wanted that harp since he'd seen it. Of course he would take advantage of Hobin's absence to steal it.
Eri and her friend Soi arrived and that calmed him somewhat (though he'd rather Soi not have come). They were both instantly on Zion's side. Tei wished he could be so blind. As much as he wanted to believe Zion wasn't at fault, the idea of his guilt. While he wasn't sure how Zion would have stolen the harp, but he was suspicious still. No one else would have a motive ot steal the harp, but when work drew to a close, Tei left all of those thoughts behind. He was going home back to the world that was comfortable. Back to the center of his universe. He hoped to find Eri in bed. Instead she was awake. He knew the look in her eyes but allowed her to say what was on her mind.
“Did you have any leads on the harp?” she asked. Tei shook his head. He wished she'd stop worrying about it.
“Don't worry about that,” he said.
“I just don't want zion to get in trouble for something he didn't do,” she said. He narrowed his eyes as he took off his coat.
“You seem so certain he didn't do it,” Tei said.
“I know he didn't, he was too upset,” Eri said.
“He could be faking,” he said.
“You can't fake that kind of pain,” she said, Tei kept his mount shut, remembering her comparison to the loss of her grandfather. He did not want to invalidate her feelings, especially not over that.
“It will work out. Please don't stress over other people's problems,” he said. Especially not when she was so sick herself. “I'll take a shower and make you a cup of tea.”
Her shoulders slumped and she nodded. He smoothed her hair. All would be forgotten when he made her tea. He stepped into the shower. She would drink his tea and fall into sweet nothingness. She'll know no pain, no sorrow, no worry. In fact…
An incredibly dark thought passed though is mind. If he tore out all the pages of her diary, she'd be a blank slate. He could erase her memories and fill her mind with only him and what he deemed appropriate for her. She couldn't go to school with no memory, they'd work together at Banjul. He could see her all the time.
He stopped himself. He wasn't sure of how badly being ripped of all her memories would affect her. While the idea of being the only person in her whole world, supplanting even her grandfather was tempting. He couldn't do that to her. He dried off and left the shower only to see her light out. He froze. His heartbeat skyrocketed. She should have waited for him. He knocked on the door. Maybe she was asleep.
“Eri?” he said. No response. He opened the door and prayed he'd see her curled under the covers. No such luck. He fell to his knees and gripped his hair. All his worst nightmares were coming true. Whoever was tearing pages out of her diary had struck. Eri was gone forever and with her...without her…
Tears began to form as all their time together flashed before his eyes, all culminating in the first time she opened his box, the first time he saw her smile, an expression he needed to see after being so despised for so long. The fact that she still returned his smiles knowing he was dirty, seeing his injury.
He could not give up. If there was any chance she was still alive he had to find her. He looked around her room for any signs or clues as to where she went. He then searched the other rooms. Nothing. A thought crossed his mind. She was only concerned with the harp. He put on his coat and headed for Banjul. As he walked, we reached his hand in his pocked for the key, but he found it missing. He hurried along. Now he found it highly likely she was at Banjul. He hoped she was safe, that she was alone and no one else was there. If she was dead he had nothing left. If she was harmed...something dark and sinister loomed in the back of his mind.
He just needed to see her. He was all but running to Banjul now. When he arrived, the door was open, but the lights were off. He quieted his fears and turned the lights on. He saw a small figure tucked into a corner. He approached slowly. She crouched, her eyes closed. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh, thank god,” he said. She looked up.
“Tei! You...I'm so sorry,” she said.
“I'm not mad just...” he paused. Scared. Worried. Half mad in love with her. He swallowed all of those feelings. “What are you doing here?”
“I'd hope to find any clues as to who might have taken the harp,” she said.
“What would you have done if the thief returned?” he asked. Her shoulders fell.
“I… I don't know. I'm sorry for stealing from you,” she said. He cupped her cheek almost reassure himself she was real. The warmth of her skin calmed him.
“Don't worry. I'll make you some tea,” he said. She started to protest, but he didn't really want to hear it. He wanted control of the situation. He'd put a few sleeping pills in his pocket just in case. Now he was glad he had them. He crushed them and poured her tea. He came out, far more relaxed and in control than he'd ever felt that evening. She trusted him, even though he was drugging her. It was all for her safety. She drank the tea with no hesitations. They sat together on a love seat. He wanted to put his arm around her, but he held back. It turned out he didn't need to initiate contact. She put her head on his shoulder, he eyes closed. His heart fluttered. Now he felt intensely guilty at his dark thoughts before. His beloved owner would never be dirtied. Which meant he'd never deserve her. He made peace with that thought. Sort of. But right now her simple touch was setting him on fire.
“I always end the day with your tea,” she mumbled. She nuzzled her nose against his shoulder. He wanted to cry, he wanted to hold her. He wanted to kiss her. Instead, when he was sure she was asleep, he let her rest the the full length of the love seat. He put his jacket over her. She snuggled under it as he did.
“Good night, Tei,” she mumbled. He knelt beside her and kissed her hand and held it against his forehead.
“Good night, my sweet owner,” he said.