Chapter 65: Denial

*Sou*

I whistled as I made breakfast. Hopefully, big brother was fine. He had spent the night at Ava's place. Wonder if he spent the night with Ziv. No, right? Seiya was too shy for that.

"Oh, good morning, Sou," my dad said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Morning," I said, smiling.

"Is breakfast ready yet?" my sister asked, running in.

"Not yet."

"Should we call Seiya home to eat?" Mom asked.

"Seiya! time to eat!" Dad yelled.

"He's not here," Mom said.

"Huh?"

"He didn't come home last night. He stayed at our neighbors' place."

Dad frowned slightly. "Oh, is that so?"

Mom sighed. "Kain."

He looked down. "Sorry."

My little sister tilted her head. "Why's Dad sad?"

"Daddy's sad because he thinks your big brother is still avoiding him," my brother asked.

"What's avoiding?"

"When someone is too scared to face someone else."

He blinked. "Seiya is scared of Daddy? Why?"

Dad's eye twitched.

Mom ruffled his orange hair. "I don't think he is. Well, not any more."

Dad sighed. "I hope you're right."

I looked back at my pancakes. Mom had snapped at Dad just now, so the avoiding wasn't the only issue. Dad still struggled to accept Ziv as a member of the family. Even after all this time, the idea that my big brother and I liked men was weird to him.

"Hey," Purpura said, poking his head in.

Pa frowned. "Shouldn't you pay some rent if you're going to stay here? Also, you better not be doing stuff with my son."

My cheeks flushed.

Purpura shrugged. "I don't know what you mean. All we do is talk."

"Yes, you do. Don't act innocent."

He sighed. "Don't worry, Sou has no eyes for anyone but his boyfriend."

I groaned. "Can we not talk about this right now? I'm making breakfast."

"Right," Dad grumbled.

Purpura chuckled and walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I'll help you, Sou."

I blushed harder. "Purpura, stop."

He laughed and let go, moving to the fridge to grab some eggs. "Alright, alright. I'll behave."

Mom shook her head, smiling slightly. "You two are just like Seiya and Ziv."

Dad grumbled again, but didn't say anything else. I guess he was slowly getting used to it. It wasn't like he had much of a choice. We were his sons, after all.

As I finished up the pancakes, I couldn't help but feel a bit grateful for Purpura. He was always there to lighten up the mood, even if it meant teasing me. I guess that's what made him so special.

"Breakfast's ready!" I announced, setting the table.

"I'm here!" Seiya yelled as he burst through the door.

I blinked. He heard me?

"Ah, welcome home, Seiya," Mom said, smiling. "Had fun at Ziv's?"

His cheeks warmed up.

I sighed and put my hand on my hip.

He smiled sheepishly. My brother must've spent the night with Ziv after all.

I grinned.

"Well, it's not what you think, Sou," he said.

"Right."

"It isn't!"

I hummed.

He blushed.

Dad sighed. "Hope you were at least the dominant one."

"Huh?"

He shook his head. "Sit down and eat. We saved you some food."

Seiya nodded. "Thanks, Dad."

My brother sat down next to me, and began devouring his pancakes.

"Uh, did you not eat breakfast at the Rose residence?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I had a bit, but you know me," he said, chuckling.

Mom sighed. "Yeah, your stomach is as much of a blackhole as your father's."

Seiya grinned and kept eating.

For a moment, everything felt normal. It was just another morning in our chaotic, but loving family. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

The doorbell rung.

"I'll get it," Mom said, standing up.

"Hello," Ava said.

"Good morning, Ava," Mom greeted her, stepping aside to let her in. "What brings you here?"

"I came to see Sou."

"Me?" I blinked, surprised. "What for?"

Ava smiled, pulling out a small envelope from her bag. "I have something for you."

I took the envelope from her, feeling a bit confused. "What is it?"

"Open it and see," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

I opened the envelope, pulling out a pair of tickets. "Tickets to... a concert?"

Ava nodded. "It's for the band you like, right? I heard you talking about them the other day and thought you might like to go."

I stared at the tickets, feeling a rush of excitement. "Wow, Ava, thank you! This is amazing!"

She laughed, waving me off. "It's nothing. I'm glad you like it."

I turned to Purpura, grinning. "Guess we're going to a concert."

He looked surprised, but then a smile spread across his face. "Sounds like fun. Although, wouldn't it be better if you invited Sehun, your boyfriend."

I blushed, glancing at the tickets in my hand. "Yeah, you're right. I should invite Sehun."

Ava laughed, patting my shoulder. "I'm sure he'll love it. You two have fun, okay?"

I nodded, smiling. "We will. Thanks again, Ava."

As she left, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. I was going to a concert with Sehun. This was going to be amazing.

I looked at Purpura, who was grinning at me. "What?"

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Just happy for you, Sou."

I blushed. Why was Purpura being supportive all of a sudden? Two nights ago, he was being clingy and flirting with me. And, now, he's being nice? What's going on?

"Uh, thanks, Purpura," I said, a bit unsure.

He snickered. "What's with the awkward thanks? You're acting weird."

"Says you."

"Huh?"

"You're acting weird too."

He tilted his head. "How so?"

I scratched the back of my neck. "A-aren't you jealous? That I'm going to a concert with Sehun?"

Purpura snorted. "Why would I be jealous? I'm just glad you're happy."

I sighed. "You know why. We both know you like me, Purpura. I just, I don't get why you're suddenly being so nice. Especially when you were so clingy the other night."

He stared at me for a moment, then sighed. Pura didn't say another word as he made his way back up to my room.

"What was that about?" Ava asked, blinking. "Did you guys have a fight?"

"No, not really."

"Hmm, maybe you should check on him. Make sure he's okay."

I nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I'll go do that."

I climbed up the stairs to my room, pausing outside the door. Should I knock? It was my room. But, what if he was upset? Maybe it would be best to wait until later.

I sighed and knocked.

"Come in," Purpura said, a slight strain in his voice.

"Hey," I said, stepping inside. "Are you okay?"

Purpura was sitting on my bed, his arms crossed. He looked annoyed. "I'm fine. What do you want?"

"Uh, well, I wanted to check on you. See if you were okay. You seem upset."

Purpura sighed. "I know I brought it up, but I did so as a joke."

"So you don't want me to go with Sehun to the concert?"

"Not really, no. I'd rather go with you."

"Purpura..."

He shrugged. "Sorry, it's true. I like you, Sou. And, I can't deny that. But, I'm also not selfish. I can't force you to be with me, no matter how much I want you."

"Purpura, I'm sorry. I know this isn't easy for you."

He smiled bitterly. "It's not. But, that's not your fault. It's mine. If I wasn't such a coward, I could've confessed to you sooner."

I laughed. "If anything, you're less of a coward than me. It took me years to finally admit my feelings to Sehun."

"True, but you also had to worry about what your parents would think."

I closed the door and sighed. "Even then, it took me time."

He looked at me, a frown on his face. "Sou, about Sehun. I know you might think I say this out of jealousy, but he isn't good for you."

I frowned. "What are you talking about? Sehun's been nothing but nice to me. He's been a great boyfriend."

He sighed and looked over his shoulders. "What if I told you he betrayed you?"

I blinked. "Betrayed me? What do you mean?"

"Ava and he slept together."

"What?" I laughed. "Purpura, don't be ridiculous. Sehun would never do that. He loves me."

Purpura frowned. "It's the truth. Ask Ava or Sehun yourself."

I shook my head. "There's no way they would do that to me."

"But they did. Why do you think Ava got you those tickets? It's to relieve her guilt."

I clenched my fists. "I don't believe you. Sehun would never cheat on me."

"Are you sure about that?"

I lurched at him, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. "Listen here, I don't know what your game is, but if you keep saying things like that about my boyfriend, I'll kick your ass."

Purpura glared at me. "I knew it. You'd never believe me, would you? Even if it's the truth."

I sighed. "How can you be sure?"

"I overheard them."

"You eavesdropped on them?"

"I did."

"What if you misheard?"

He sighed. "Sou, do you even love Sehun?"

I flinched. "Of course, I do."

"Are you sure? If you truly loved him, why does my touch affect you the way it does?"

My cheeks reddened as he touched my chest.

"It's true, isn't it? You don't love him. Not the way you should."

"Shut up. That's not true. I adore him!" I let go if him and ran out the room.

I didn't have time for this. I needed to see Sehun. I needed to know if Purpura was telling the truth.

Tears dripped down my face as I made my way to the sakura tree.

Why would Sehun do that? He said he loved me.

"Hey, Sou," Sehun said, hugging me from behind. "I was just on my way to see you. Is everything okay?"

I didn't reply, staring blankly ahead.

He pulled away. "Sou, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

I turned to face him, tears blurring my vision. "Sehun, do you really love me?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Of course I do." He held my face and kissed me.

I kissed him back, my heart racing.

After a moment, we pulled apart.

"Why did you ask that, Sou?"

I sighed and wiped away my tears. "Sorry. It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

He smiled and began kissing me again.

I kissed him back, enjoying his warmth.

"Sehun, let's go somewhere else," I said, blushing.

"Okay," he said, smiling.

We left the Sakura tree and headed to his place.

I wanted Sehun to hold me. To touch me. To tell me that everything would be okay. I didn't want to believe what Purpura said. I didn't want to accept the truth.