Poor Edward

Meanwhile, in the office, Zero looked at Lily in embarrassment and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Lily observed Zero's face closely, noting the tiredness in them. The way his eyes were rather dopey looking appeared rather cute to her, and something completely different. His face was a little flushed as if running a fever, so she reached out her hand to touch his forehead.

Zero froze, not daring to move upon seeing that fair hand reaching out to him. He had already been utterly embarrassed earlier by jerking back upon seeing her, so much so that he released his frustrations on the unwanted audience earlier.

Though he felt better a bit for doing so, he found that he couldn't stop feeling self-conscious in front of Lily.

What the heck was happening to him?!

She has been able to invoke various sorts of reactions from him that he had never shown before.

He felt her soft, cool hands upon his forehead and saw how her delicate face frowned a bit.

"It doesn't seem to be hot…" she said, her frown getting deeper, "Can't be. Your face is so red."

With that, she placed her hands on his cheeks to hold his face steady and her forehead touched his.

Zero clutched the papers on his desk, hardly daring to breathe when her gentle features got closer to him. Her eyes were closed when she put her forehead on his, while his eyes were wide open.

He could see every single thing on her face as it got closer, and now, he noticed how long her eyelashes were behind those glasses that she wore. He could feel her breath on his face, making him gulp nervously.

For one brief second, he had this insane thought that she was so close, that should he just move a bit …

The moment the thought entered his head, he was so shocked by it that he froze.

Lily was completely unaware of the roller coaster of emotions that Zero was going through as she let out a breath of relief, her lips parting as she did so.

"That's good," Lily said with a smile as she let Zero go and took a step back, "You have no fever."

The sight that greeted her made her gasp.

Zero was like a statute, his eyes not blinking as he seemed to be looking into the distance. His desk was messy, full of crumpled pieces of paper all around, which confused her. She was sure it had been clean and tidy earlier.

Lily brushed it aside to her being forgetful.

"Zero?" Lily called out, worried about his state of mind.

Some life seemed to come back to him as he then turned his gaze towards her.

"You should eat, at least," Lily said, "Come on."

When she got the call, she was also told that Zero hadn't been eating properly. Lily had stopped sending the lunchboxes because she had no plausible excuse to do so after she returned his shirt.

Now, though, she felt that she would have to continue to do so. Otherwise, wouldn't Zero just work himself to death like this?

She offered her hand, repeating her invitation, "Come and have lunch with me?"

Zero looked at the soft, delicate hands dumbly. He found himself nodding, then taking her hand as if it was the most natural thing to do.

And so, they walked out of the office, hand-in-hand; causing a huge sensation that sent everyone reeling back.

Lily, completely oblivious to what she had done, was extremely happy.

They went to a nearby restaurant, and Zero obediently followed her. Although he grunted some noises when making the order, he nonetheless still made an effort to choose something.

"So, who was it?" Zero asked after the waiter left with their order.

"Who was what?" Lily asked back, puzzled.

"Who was it that called you?"

Lily's eyes went wide open, "You know?"

A ghost of a smile came upon Zero's lips as he replied, "You came looking so worried and such. It had to be because someone said I was sick or something."

"You aren't?"

"I'm not, but that's not the issue here," Zero pointed out, and repeated, "So, who was it?"

"Edward," Lily replied, "But don't blame him. He was only worried about you."

Edward, huh.

Zero thought of many things he could assign Edward.

Back at HQ, Edward felt chills down his spine. He knew his instincts better than anyone else, but just what did he do that would warrant such a reaction? Hadn't Zero already punished them with the needles?!

Lucka noted Edward going pale and he asked, "What's wrong?"

Edward shuddered, rubbing his arms, "I feel it."

"Feel what?"

Edward looked at him with fear in his eyes, "Death."

Lucka looked away, feeling slightly guilty. But he pushed it away, consoling himself that Edward was far better to endure whatever Zero dished out rather than him. He'll make it up to Edward some other time.

Lucka, too, knew of Edward's uncanny ability to feel it when Zero targetted him. His reaction showed that Zero probably got it out of Lily that 'Edward' had called her.

It's not like he would ever find out it was him, right?

Lucka put his arms around Edward's shoulder and said, "Come on, lunch is on me."

Edward shuffled his feet, as he continued mumbling, "Why? I just giggled. It was so cute. I couldn't help it. Wasn't the needle enough?"

Lucka wisely didn't answer.

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Zero found lunch to be very pleasant.

Though he didn't say much, Lily's sweet voice and talking filled the void with warmth. She didn't seem to mind his short or vague answers, constantly smiling, and full of enthusiasm.

It wasn't fake enthusiasm either.

Zero could tell when one was being fake in their smiles, or how they tried to keep up pretenses in front of him. He found it all to be a chore and unaffected by anything. Other than Sir, Lianne, and his brothers, people were always fake in front of him.

They were scared of him, he knew. Or uncomfortable, because he was unresponsive. For him, he never bothered about other people and why should he show interest or be friendlier in order to 'try to get along'?

Lily was the first that not only did not mind this stoic demeanour of his, she did not treat him any differently. She was warm, sweet, and an all round bundle of sunshine.

She was genuine.

As they were nearing the end of the meal, Lily appealed to him once more, "Zero, don't blame Edward for this, okay? He was just concerned for you."

Zero didn't answer, pursing his lips a bit.

Why was she still harping on Edward? Did she like him or something?

Zero found himself not liking that thought one bit.

Several metres away, in another restaurant, Edward choked on his meal. He started coughing violently, and gulped water to ease it a bit. Why did the ominous feeling become even worse?!

He lamented his Fate.