36 New Couple

The expected touch on her lips didn't happen. Instead, she heard some scuffling and with a heavy heart, opened her eyes.

Yup.

Zero had Kai by the scruff of his collar while Kai was retaliating. Zero dodged, of course, but Lianne could see his grip on Kai was loosening because the hits were rather ferocious.

Lily stood by the side, biting her lower lip while wringing her hands.

It was obvious that she had tried to stop Zero but failed.

Lianne sighed and tilting her head, she called out, "Zero."

Zero dodge the last punch while simultaneously letting go of Kai.

"No kissing on the first date," Zero said seriously, while managing to look all self-righteous.

Lianne just shook her head and replied, "That's 'no sex' on the first date, Zero. Not kissing."

Zero just stared at her and she gave an innocent look. She put up two fingers in a peace sign with a smile. He rolled his eyes.

Kai straightened his shirt and was huffing a bit while feeling quite indignant.

"Congratulations, Zero," Lianne said while laughing a bit at the expression on his face.

"For what?" he queried.

"For succeeding. Kai and I are a couple now," Lianne announced, "So hands-off."

Zero glared at Kai, and did the motion of 'I am watching you' by holding up two fingers, pointing it to his eyes and then at Kai.

Kai smiled, helping Lianne up from the bench and said, "I will take care of her like the treasure she is."

He boldly put his arm around Lianne's waist, and she didn't protest. It was a gamble, for he wasn't sure if she would hit him for it. But if she had silently agreed to the (almost) kiss earlier, he figured that this was acceptable.

Still, he was careful to do things in 'slow motion', so to speak. He didn't suddenly grab her but slide towards her. He didn't grip her hard either, but merely placed his hand on her waist softly and gently.

When she didn't pull away, he got braver and stepped closer.

Lianne smiled a bit at his actions and leaned towards him a bit. Kai just grinned bigger while Zero just rolled his eyes at the scene.

Lianne was always like this.

Once she makes her mind up, she goes all the way. As in, she doesn't hesitate and is firm.

When she decided to stay away from Kai, she did all she could to avoid him. When she decided to give him a chance, she didn't let him make things difficult for Kai. Now that she decided to get into a relationship with him, she wasn't adverse to skin contact.

Zero frowned.

He was not as ready as he thought he was.

Suddenly, he felt his arm being nudged, and looking to his right, saw that it was Lily. She just gave him a dazzling smile and said softly, "Let them be."

Seeing the petulant look on Zero's face made Lily think he was just so cute. Being so overly protective over his 'sister' like that.

She had seen how Zero had wanted to go over to the other bench so many times. Each time Kai put his hands on Lianne's face, or held her hands, Zero moved a bit as if to get up.

But he had sat back down in the end, gritting his teeth while his eyes were fixed there.

It was only when Kai looked like was leaning close to kiss Lianne that Zero moved.

He was so fast that Lily was surprised. Just as Kai was just about to land his lips on Lianne, Zero had already grabbed him. Kai had been too engrossed in his happiness and the vision in front of him that he had been lax in his vigilance.

Even now, although he was a bit miffed at the lost opportunity (and him not being able to land a hit on Zero), he was insanely happy.

He got the girl.

In his heart, and mind, she was already his wife. This was the woman that he wanted to be with, for the rest of his life. He knew that he did not want anyone else.

Now, all he has to do is convince her of it.

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Kai watched dejectedly at the restaurant entrance as his beloved went off home.

He had wanted to send her home but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. He didn't insist, as he knew when to push, and when not to.

After all, Zero had firmly stated, "No. I promised Sir that I would pick her up and send her home."

From the tone of his voice, and his stance (that Kai could see was 'no-nonsense' and 'unmoving like a brick wall'), Kai knew he should back off.

For now, at least.

He had just managed to get Lianne's agreement, so he still had to take it slow. Especially since she had 'Bulldog' Zero beside her. Kai felt like he was practically growling all the way ever since he stopped them from kissing.

Kai's lips curled to a smile.

Still, at least the goodbye was good.

He touched his cheek, remembering the softness of her lips as she kissed him there and thanked him for understanding.

He whistled a happy tune all the way to the parking lot at the restaurant's basement.

Meanwhile, in the car, things were quiet.

Lily didn't know what to say for she could sense the rather tense atmosphere in the car. It was obvious that Lianne was rather unhappy with Zero and to be honest, Lily couldn't really blame her.

Zero had been a bit 'over-the-top'. Lianne wasn't a kid, after all.

Still, she understood why Zero did what he did, even if it was a bit much.

She found that endearing.

Unfortunately, she was only someone that was here to help and could not say anything. It wasn't her place to do so.

Lily sighed at that.

She studied Zero's side profile again.

She wondered if she would be able to go out with him again.

Perhaps she should be the one that asked him out the next time?

From what she could see, Zero was the rather quiet one. Despite this being a fake date, she had enjoyed herself immensely and found Zero to be fun to be with.

[Back in their respective homes, the other Diamond Team members felt a chill go down their back. As if someone said something utterly ridiculous and frightening]