Chapter 49: She seems... different.

A lot of question lingered in my mind.

I was wondering how Hina entered inside my house and why she was there like she was waiting for me.

But I also knew that I didn't have to think about all these things and focus on the present.

She was standing in front of me, with a kitchen knife on her right hand and a rolling pin on her left one.

Her apron was even dirt with some flour.

"Kai! You're finally home!" She exclaimed joyfully.

She stepped closer to me like she wanted to give me a hug but she stopped.

"Oh, H-Hello, Hina!" I replied while scratching the back of my head.

"Hehe~ I knew you would've come back now. I was just preparing lunch!! My little boy needs to be healthy and strong..." She said with a gentle smile on her face.

"Haha.... I was worried about you, you know... I've even sent you multiple messages." I replied with a "joking" tone of voice.

Then, a sinister smile appeared on Hina's face.

She leaned closer to my ear and whispered something.

"Oh, Kai-Kun... I know... but... i was busy. I'm sorry to have made you worried... I promise that you'll surely forgive me...I'll make sure to make you happy...～" Hina whispered with a seductive and lustful voice.

She even gently nibbled on my earlobe.

I must admit that it was pretty... exciting.

Her gesture had a very strange effect on me.

Then she gently gave me a kiss on my neck and... 

*Sniff sniff* She sniffed my neck for some seconds.

Then she took some steps back.

Hina's eyes were open wide and her pupills became small.

I saw her body slightly trembling for some seconds.

A strange bloodlust aura formed around her and it was so strong that you could literally see it.

I then remembered that she had a good sense of smell and that moments ago I was with Emi Fujimoto.

A shiver of fear ran trough all my spine, making me scared for my life.

I was literally in a trap.

Hina didn't want other women to get close to me, but at the same time she hated lies.

I probably had Emi's scent on my neck...

But we didn't have a phyisical-intimate contact like a hug or something like that... 

"Kai-Kun..." Hina whispered, while looking directly into my eyes.

Her voice was a mix of a murderous intent and fear.

I swallowed some saliva before replying.

"Y-Yes , Hina? What is it?" I replied whilep putting on a normal expression.

The knife in Hina's hand was shaking, like it could fly to me at any moment.

"What is this scent on you, Kai-Kun...? Where have you been...?" Hina said.

Her voice was cold and distant.

I had two seconds to find the correct answer.

Any hesitation would've brought only more suspicious to her, and more suspicious would've led to certain death or a serious injury.

I knew that Hina would've never hurt me but... she's unpredictable.

She didn't say "feminine" or "girly" scent.

Hina only asked what was it.

Maybe she didn't figure out that it was from a girl, so I deceid to reply by avoiding to mention her.

"Well, I went to the cafèteria with a lot of kittens inside of it. It was such an amazing experience, you know." I said, with a direct voice and a smile on my face so she could think that I had nothing to hide from her.

Hina then remained silent for some seconds before speaking, like she was realizing something.

"Kittens... and a girl?" she muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as if she were piecing things together.

I felt my heartbeat quicken, trying to maintain my calm exterior. "Yeah, the kittens were really cute. It's a new place, I thought it might be a nice distraction."

Hina's grip on the knife tightened, and her eyes bore into mine. "And who were you with, Kai? I can smell... something else."

I felt a cold sweat forming, but I was still focused on remaining calm.

"Oh, just some other customers were there. You know how those places are, always busy." I replied while scratching the back of my head.

Hina's expression didn't soften.

She stepped closer, the knife still trembling in her hand.

"Are you sure, Kai? Are you telling me everything?" She said, with a menacing tone.

I swallowed again, trying to keep my voice steady. "Absolutely, Hina. You know I wouldn't hide anything from you."

For a moment, I thought she might snap.

But then, suddenly, her entire demeanor changed.

She let out a deep breath and her face softened into a sweet smile.

"Okay, Kai-Kun. I believe you," she said, her voice now gentle and warm, totally different from before.

She lowered the knife and then wiped her hands on her apron.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. I made lunch for us. Come, sit down," she said, her tone now that of a doting wife.

Then, she grabbed my hand after putting the rolling pin away.

I smiled at her and we walked towards the kitchen.

As soon as we entered, I saw everything she had prepared for us.

There were so much food, way too much for the two of us.

My eyes actually widened a lot, not expecting something like that.

I followed her to the dining table, still wary but relieved that the immediate danger seemed to have passed.

Hina served the food with a smile, chatting happily about mundane things as if the previous tension had never existed.

But there was something unsettling about her cheerfulness, something forced.

I could tell she was trying too hard to be the perfect "wifey," and it made me uneasy.

I knew Hina well enough to recognize when she was masking her true feelings.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't shake the feeling that this calm was only temporary, that beneath her sweet exterior, the storm was far from over.

But for now, I played along, hoping to keep her appeased and avoid any further conflict.

As we began to eat, the atmosphere was eerily calm.

Hina's sudden shift from menacing to overly sweet left me on edge. I kept my eyes on my plate, occasionally glancing up at her to gauge her mood.

"So, Kai-Kun," she began, her voice light and cheerful, "how was your day besides the café visit?"

I swallowed a bite of food and forced a smile.

"It was fine, Hina. Just the usual stuff. A bit of walking around, and then I went to a new café."

She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine.

"I'm glad you had a nice time. You know, I worry about you when you're out and about. There are so many dangers out there." Hina replied, while gently smiling at me.

"Yeah, I know," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. "But I can take care of myself."

Hina's smile widened, but there was a flicker of something dark in her eyes.

"Of course you can, Kai. But it's my job to take care of you too. That's what a good girlfriend does, right?" She said in a teasing tone.

"Right," I agreed, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.

For a moment, we ate in silence.

Hina's forced cheerfulness was unsettling, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she was waiting for something, some slip-up that would give her a reason to revert to her darker side.

"So," she said suddenly, breaking the silence, "tell me more about this café. It sounds interesting."

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully.

"It's a nice place. Lots of cats, as I said. The staff is friendly, and it's pretty relaxing. I think you'd like it."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Really? Maybe we should go there together sometime. It sounds like the kind of place I'd enjoy."

"Sure, that sounds like a good idea," I replied, hoping to keep the conversation light.

Hina leaned forward, her eyes locking onto mine.

"And the people there? Did you talk to anyone?" She said with a cold voice.

She went straight to the point.

That was a sign that she sensed a girly scent on me.

I had to play along and pretend that nothing serious happened.

I knew that mentioning Emi would've brought only bad news to me.

My heart skipped a beat. "Just the usual small talk with the staff. Nothing special." I said, still remaining calm.

I even stretched my arms to make it look like I was tired.

She studied me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to believe me.

Then, she smiled again, and the tension seemed to ease just a bit.

"Well, as long as you had a good time. That's all that matters. I don't even care if you meet a female friend of yours. I know how faithful and obedient you are..." She said, while gently kissing my cheek.

Her words sent me a shiver down my spine.

Those were probably a trap.

The last time that Hina smelled a strange scent on me, she almost went out of control.

"Hahaha, there's no need to worry about that. I didn't call anyone." I replied.

And I also knew that mentioning Hana's confession would've mean certain death... for her.

So I didn't tell her that I went to visit Hiro.

It's not a lie... if I didn't mention it to her.

The rest of the meal passed uneventfully, but I remained on high alert.

Hina's mood swings were unpredictable, and I knew I had to be careful not to provoke her.

After we finished eating, Hina stood up and started clearing the dishes.

"I'll take care of this. Why don't you relax for a bit, Kai? It seems like you've had a stressful morning, don't you?."

"Thanks, Hina," I said, standing up as well. "But I can help with the dishes."

She shook her head, her smile never wavering. "No need. Just sit down and relax. I've got this."

Reluctantly, I sat back down and watched her work.

Her movements were graceful and precise, but there was a mechanical quality to them, as if she were trying too hard to maintain her facade.

As I sat there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Hina's unpredictability made every moment with her a potential minefield, and I knew it was only a matter of time before something set her off again.

But for now, I played along, hoping to keep the peace and find a way to navigate her ever-changing moods.

After she finished with the dishes, Hina joined me in the living room.

She sat close to me, her eyes filled with a mixture of affection and something else, something darker.

"Kai," she said softly, "I want you to know that I love you more than anything. I would do anything to keep you safe."

"I know, Hina," I replied, trying to sound sincere. "I appreciate that."

She smiled and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Good. Because you're mine, Kai. And I won't let anyone come between us."

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to remain calm.

"I know, Hina. And you're only mine." I replied, with a playful tone of voice before poking her nose.

For now, it seemed to be the right thing to say.

Hina's smile widened, and she snuggled closer to me, her earlier tension seemingly forgotten.

But I knew better.

This calm was only temporary, a fragile peace that could shatter at any moment.

And when it did, I had to be ready.

I had the feeling that Hina wanted to tell me something...