A few days later, Helia is walking through the corridors on her way to her next task, when she hears the now familiar sound of footsteps getting closer behind her.

The steady, confident walk and the hint of something familiar in the pattern of those steps gives her a good idea of who it might be even before she turns around.

When she does, her suspicions are confirmed, and there stands Toji, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. A warm smile spreads across his lips, and he closes the gap between the two of them in a few quick strides.

"I'm surprised you heard my footsteps. You surely made a lot of progress thanks to my incredible training sessions."

"Maybe it's because my teacher wasn't too bad himself." She says with a shrug.

He gives her a charming smile at her compliment. He leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest in a relaxed manner as he responds.

"Oh, you're too kind, Helia. But I'll take the compliment anyway." His comment making her scoff, amused.

His expression brightens, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Let's go to town today. I've been craving a day out in the town, and I could use a break from the stuffy atmosphere here." He speaks.

He pushes himself away from the wall and starts walking, gesturing for Helia to follow him. But she can't follow him, not in the middle of her day.

"But I have work to do today!"

He grins mischievously, clearly amused by the idea he's just come up with.

"I could just tell them that you were working for me today. The head maid won't question my word, don't worry."

Helia hesitates for a few seconds, but spending a whole day with Toji is too tempting to refuse.

"Alright, I guess it could be okay."

His lips curve into a satisfied smirk at her decision, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Excellent. Spending the day with me is far more fun than whatever dull task you were going to do anyway. You won't regret skipping work for a day with me, I promise."

[...]

After a few minutes, Helia finally changed into something more comfortable than her maid uniform. It's an outfit she bought last time she was in town, because she had realized that she didn't have any other clothes than her pyjamas and maid uniform.

Toji waits for her at the entrance to the estate, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, a casual yet expectant expression on his face. As soon as she appears, dressed in her more comfortable clothing, his eyes flicker with appreciation, taking in her appearance with a quick glance.

"You look good without the maid outfit, Helia."

A smile lights up her features at his compliment. "Thanks!"

He notices the slight reveal of her scars through the outfit, and his gaze briefly flickers to them. However, he quickly averts his eyes, remembering her discomfort with people staring at those scars.

He respects her privacy and doesn't draw attention to it, instead focusing his gaze back up at her face.

A wave of guilt washes over him as he remembers the circumstances that led to those scars. He knows very well that those marks on her back are a constant reminder of the pain he unintentionally caused.

And yet, he can't find her any less attractive because of them. To him, her scars don't diminish her beauty one bit, they only serve to deepen his admiration for the person she has become, despite the hardships she has faced.

"Let's go!"

He nods, his guilt and conflicted emotions shoved aside temporarily. He pushes himself off the wall and glances at her with a mischievous smirk.

"Let's go have some fun, princess." He grins, gesturing for her to follow him as he starts walking.

[...]

As the two of them stroll through the bustling streets of town, Toji's eyes dart around, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively surroundings. He walks with a confident stride, his presence drawing appreciative looks from passersby.

He walks beside Helia, his hands shoved nonchalantly in the pockets of his trousers, stealing occasional glances at her from the corner of his eye.

They walk past the jewelry store and her gaze falls on the bracelet she had previously wanted to buy. Toji notices the flicker of interest in her eyes. He follows her line of sight.

"See something you like?" He asks, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

She points at the blue bracelet. "Yes, look at this bracelet, it has been here for a while. It's very pretty. "

He looks at the bracelet she's pointing at, taking in its design. He can see the genuine appreciation in her eyes, and a brilliant idea forms in his mind.

"How much does it cost?"

Helia shrugs, trying to hide her sadness. "Much more than I can afford."

"You know, if you really want it, I could buy it for you."

Helia's eyes widen. "Oh no! It's too expensive, I can't accept!"

He chuckles at her immediate reaction, not surprised by her objection. He knew she would protest, but that only makes him more determined to buy the bracelet for her.

"Come on, it's no big deal. I've got money to spare, and you clearly admire that bracelet so much. Let me buy it for you. Consider it a gift."

"But I'll never be able to repay you." She says unsure.

"You don't need to repay me." He reassures her, his voice smooth and casual. "Think of it as a present from me. No strings attached. I want you to have it, because it'll make you happy. That's all I need in return."

She hesitates a lot. She can't accept such a gift even if she would love to wear that bracelet. "No, I can't accept it."

He understands her pride and her reluctance to accept gifts, but he refuses to back down. He leans closer, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur.

"Oh, Helia, you should know better by now. Once I've set my mind on doing something, there's no stopping me. I'm buying that bracelet for you, whether you agree or not."

And just like that he's already walking in direction of the seller. She starts walking after him. "No! Toji wait!"

He ignores her protests and continues walking towards the seller, his steps purposeful and determined. He doesn't look back at her, his focus fixed on his destination.

She tries to stop him but it's useless because he has already reached the seller, who greets him with a polite smile.

"Hey there, I'd like to buy that blue bracelet over there." He says, pointing at the bracelet that has caught her attention.

The seller nods and places the bracelet on the counter, its blue hue gleaming under the store's lights. Toji smiles, satisfied as he glances back at Helia, seeing the mixture of surprise and irritation on her face.

He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his wallet, and takes out a generous amount of currency, more than enough to cover the cost of the bracelet.

The seller eyes the money with a satisfied smile and carefully packs the bracelet into a small box, handing it to Toji.

He accepts the box with a nod, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He turns to face Helia, holding the box with the bracelet in it, a victorious smile on his face.

"Here you go, Helia. Just as promised." He says, his voice laced with pride and a hint of smugness.

She sighs heavily, she was annoyed that he didn't listen to her, but at the same time, she was touched that he offered her a gift.

"Come on, Helia. Don't stay mad, take the bracelet. It's yours. Give me your hand." Helia reluctantly hands out her hand.

He takes it, his touch gentle as he wraps his fingers around her wrist. He carefully removes the bracelet from the box, the sapphire blue color of the gemstones sparkling under the store's lights.

With a touch of care and precision, he gently fastens the bracelet around her wrist, his fingers caressing her skin, sending a tingle of warmth through her body.

"There you go, Helia. Now it's yours."

She looks at the bracelet on her wrist, and smiles, it's indeed a very beautiful bracelet.

A warm and satisfied smile spreads across Toji face as he sees the way the bracelet looks on her, the way the blue of the gemstones perfectly complement her skin. It pleases him immensely to see her wearing it, knowing that he was the one who gave it to her.

"I knew it would look good on you." He says, a hint of pride and warmth in his tone. "Do you like it?"

She looks away from to bracelet to look at him with a large smile. "I love it, thank you so much!"

His smile widens at her words, his heart feeling a sense of fulfillment as he sees the happiness that the bracelet brings her. The sight of her contentment is enough to make his own heart feel lighter.

"I'm glad."

He gently laces his fingers through hers, his grip warm and secure, as he holds onto her hand. The feeling of his hand against hers send a comforting wave of warmth through her.

"There's a place I'd like to show you." He says.

With that, he starts leading her out of the store, a subtle thrill of excitement passes through Helia, wondering where he's taking her.

[...]

After walking for a while, Toji leads Helia up a grassy hill, his pace steady and confident. As they reach the top, the vast expanse of green spread out before them, at the top of the hill is placed a weeping willow tree.

The rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze creates a soothing sound, adding to the natural beauty of the place.

He stops, his gaze shifting from the scenery to her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The area is clear of any people or prying eyes, offering a sense of privacy and tranquility.

He guides her in direction of the giant weeping willow towering overhead. He leads her under the protective shade of the weeping willow's branches, its leaves creating a veil that shields the area from the rest of the world.

"No one ever comes here." He confirms, his voice soft and gentle.

He gazes around at the surrounding scenery, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.

"I discovered this place when I was young. It became my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the troubles of the Zenin clan and just be at peace."

His gaze drifts away from the beauty of the surroundings for a moment, his expression becoming tinged with a hint of pain as he recalls his childhood memories.

"This place was where I could find solace when things got really bad. Whenever my father's punishments were too severe or when I couldn't stand the sight of the members of the Zenin clan, I would come here to hide and find some peace."

Helia is obviously very touched that he showed her another small piece of himself, that he usually keeps hidden to the rest of the world.

"Thank you for showing me this place Toji. It's beautiful."

He guides her gently to lay down next to him under the shelter of the weeping willow. The soft grass under them acts as a natural bed, and the canopy of leaves overhead forms a leafy roof, creating an intimate space.

She lies down beside him, her body close to his, his presence warm and comforting as the faint rustle of leaves adds an element of tranquility to the atmosphere.

He holds her hand firmly in his, his grip gentle yet secure. Together, they lie there on the grass, silently watching the leaves rustling in the breeze, their soft whispers blending with the steady rhythm of their breaths.

His heart feels strangely calm, the peaceful ambience and the feeling of her hand in his creating a sense of tranquility that he rarely experiences.

As a child, Toji had always wished to have someone with him under the weeping willow whenever he came to escape the brutality of the estate. Someone that could have wiped the tears on his young cheeks, in his moment of loneliness.

But no one ever showed up, no one ever cared about him. No one until today, because she was here, lying next to him. She didn't escape, she didn't fear him, she didn't think he was a failure and most importantly, she cared about him.

[...]

Time passes in a peaceful blur as the two of them remain motionless, lying side by side, their hands clasped together. The hours stretch on, the seconds ticking by unnoticed, as they both soak in the tranquility of the moment.

Helia can feel the minutes slipping away, but the contentment and comfort she feels in his company leaves her in no hurry to end this shared experience.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky, the leaves of the weeping willow become bathed in its orange and pink hues. The colors of the setting sun create a beautiful contrast against the darkening sky, and the sight is breathtakingly beautiful.

He glances over at her, noticing the way the fading sunlight dances across her features, making her hair seem even more beautiful than usual.

He sits up, his body gently moving away from hers. He speaks in a soft voice, his words laced with a hint of regret.

"We should probably head back to the estate." He says, his gaze drifting towards the descending sun. "It's getting dark, and we should get back before it gets too late."

Helia reluctantly sits up too, she wishes this moment could last a bit longer, but they better leave before it gets too dark. "Yeah, you're right."

He rises to his feet, his tall stature silhouetted against the twilight sky. He watches as she gets up, his gaze lingering on her face, absorbing her expression in the diminishing light.

He takes a step closer to her, his hand instinctively reaching out to offer assistance if she needs it. She gladly takes his hand, and he puts his other hand on her back.

His fingers make contact with the scars on her back, and her body immediately tenses under his touch. Concern flickers across his face, his eyes darkening a fraction as he gently withdraws his hand.

"Does it hurt?"

She shakes her head, the words blocked in her mouth. She shouldn't have reacted like that, but it feels weird when people touch those scars.

"No, no, it's just that...I don't really like when people touched them, they're a bit disgusting."

She knows people find her scars horrible to look at. Every time they weren't concealed perfectly, she received shocked and disgusted looks.

She remembered very well the words of Naoya during the anniversary party. He had told her that she better hide those scars because they were unpleasant to look at. And since that day it's what she had tried her best to do.

Toji's brow furrows slightly, his voice remains gentle and understanding as he replies.

"They're not disgusting, Helia." He says, his tone calm and sincere.

She stays silent, and looks away. He takes a step closer, closing the distance between the two of them.

"Hey, look at me."

His fingers gently tilt her chin, guiding her to meet his gaze. His eyes are unwavering, a mixture of concern and determination in his expression.

"I'm sorry you had to endure those scars because of me. If I could go back in time to prevent it, I would. Because no one deserves to experience pain like that."

His gaze softens as he looks at her, his hand still resting on her chin, gently cupping her face.

"But those scars don't make you any less beautiful in my eyes. You shouldn't have to be ashamed. If there is one person who must be ashamed, it's me, for ever causing you pain."

She knows she'll never be able to forgive him for those permanent marks on her back, but his words ease a little bit the ache in her heart.

His fingers caress the side of her face gently, his touch filled with a mixture of remorse and affection.

With a tender gesture, he leans down and places a soft kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering against her skin for a moment longer than necessary.

He then takes a step back, his hand slowly releasing her chin as he breaks the contact between them. His gaze sweeps across her face one last time before he leads her away from the spot under the weeping willow.

"Let's go."

She walks alongside Toji, her hand firmly grasped in his, and a sense of comfort starts to wash over her.

The gentle pressure of his touch grounds her, acting as a soothing presence that slowly begins to ease the negative thoughts swirling in her mind about her scars.

He looks at her from time to time as they make their way back, his eyes occasionally flitting over her face, silently assessing her mood and presence. His grip on her hand remains firm yet gentle, a silent assurance that he's there with her.

[...]

As Helia is back to the maid compound, the events of the day still linger in her memory.

The refreshing time she spent in the company of Toji, the soothing experience of spending time with him under the weeping willow, and the moment where he expressed his regrets about the scars she bears - all of it still fresh in her mind.

And now, she finds herself back in the familiar surroundings of the maid compound, the transition from the idyllic surroundings outside to the more practical and routine surroundings of her living space feels slightly sad.

She makes her way to her room, prepared to change back into her maid uniform for the last task of the day. The task ahead is one that she particularly hates, and the prospect of having to perform it fills her with a sense of guilt.

She mentally prepares herself to make her daily report to Naobito, knowing that it involves giving an update about Toji's whereabouts.

However, for a while, she has made a private decision to only attend the meeting to not raise any suspicions, but not disclose any genuine information about Toji's actions.

As she contemplates the situation, a pang of guilt nags at her. Even though she has chosen to keep quiet and not disclose any genuine information about Toji's whereabouts, there is still a part of her that feels as if she is betraying him.

The guilt intensifies as her thoughts turn to the moment Toji shared with her on the hill, where he revealed a personal and important part of himself, he trusted her enough to share this special place with her.

Remembering the way he opened up to her, the vulnerability he showed, it adds another layer of heaviness to her conscience.

In addition to her internal struggle, she remembers that she hasn't found the right time to disclose this information to Toji.

The weight of the secret she's keeping from him adds an extra layer of anxiety to her already complicated situation.

She makes her way towards Naobito's office, a strange sensation in her stomach that she recognizes as a very strong guilt.

Each step feels heavy as she approaches the familiar door, knowing that the next few minutes will test her ability to deceive.

•=•=•=•=•=•=•=•

Two chapters this week because I didn't post last week!

Hope you liked that one!

Sarah ☆