[Music Recommendation: "Soffia La Notte" by Fabrizio Paterlini - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[Please note: We're still in Verrill's POV - still reminiscing his memories with Hora - last part]

When we fell down on my bed, I made sure not to crush her so I landed on my one arm, and the other held her back. I didn't intend it but her soft chest pressed on mine. I felt my wits leaving me so I slumped my face on the space around her neck, trying to hide my face.

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

My heartbeat went wild again. She could probably hear it loud and clear. I turned my head to peek at her reaction but instead, her white and slim neck welcomed me. Damn it. I wanted to kiss it.

"Aaahh," I grunted, trying to stop myself from devouring her. If I do, she'd be angry at me.

'Come back to your senses, Verrill. You're only trying to seduce her a bit so she'll take notice of you. Don't be seduced.'

"Are you alright?" I whispered to her ears. I felt her tremble from my warm breath that touched her neck. "I'm sorry. I tried to catch you but…"

I removed my arm from her back and balanced myself, still pinning her down. As I did, my eyes passed through her body and I flinched when I noticed her bathrobe was dishevelled.

'H-her cleavage… ugh! This is driving me crazy.'

She probably noticed me, that's why she fixed it immediately and covered her chest, which was good. If not, I wasn't so sure if I could control myself.

"Did I hurt you?" I asked, staring into her eyes.

"N-no! I'm fine. It just hurt a bit here since you fell on top of me," she answered with her sweet voice. Just hearing her speak was already intoxicating. And staring into those beautiful eyes…

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

'Ahhh… it's too late. I'm crazy for her.'

After that, I didn't know what came into me but…

Chuu!

I kissed her. My lips on hers… it was short, just a peck but…

"Hora," I smiled and whispered her name dearly. My heart felt like they would burst.

Then I kissed her again. This time, longer…

Her lips were so soft and smooth, I couldn't get enough of it so I kissed her over and over. I wasn't sure if she liked it but she didn't push me away. That meant… she was okay with it, right?

'Ahhhh… it feels so good. More… more… more…'

After a few minutes of kissing her, I finally felt her respond… Hora kissed me back. I was so happy that my heart leaped in joy. Because of that, I got more confident and kissed her more passionately. My gentle kisses became more needy and soon enough, I was almost devouring her whole mouth.

Not wanting my naughty hands to go anywhere prohibited, I held her soft cheeks and caressed it gently. When we felt out of breath, we would pause for a moment, stare at each other's eyes, and then go back to kissing.

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

With all the hot kissing we were doing, my heartbeat continued to run wild. Judging by how the surroundings started to lit up, we've probably been kissing for almost an hour. Yeah. And because of that, I felt so aroused. Of course. I was still a man. Kissing too much like this… it's very dangerous.

As if just kissing me wasn't enough, Hora wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and pulled me closer to her.

'Ahhhh… Hora… if you only know the things that are running in my mind right now, you wouldn't do that.'

But still, me who had become addicted to her lips continued to kiss her. Wanting more, I didn't notice that my lips traveled unto her neck and I was already nibbling gently on it.

"Aaahh… w-wait," a moan left Hora's mouth.

Coming back to my senses, I immediately stopped.

'Damn it. I almost…'

"I-I'm so sorry! I got carried away a-and," I got up, and sat on the bed, releasing her from my clutches. I covered my lips and averted my gaze from her, feeling guilty of going beyond kissing her lips.

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha! You're feeling shy after kissing me so passionately?"

I chuckled seeing her smile.

"Hora, the truth is… I…"

'This is it. Go and confess now!'

"I really… really…"

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

"I like you… a lot."

Finally, I said it. Her face looked happy… but only for a moment. My heart ached the moment I saw her saddened expression.

"I—"

"You don't need to answer right away!" I interrupted her, not wanting to hear a rejection from her. No! She's too special for me to just let her go. "I can wait. This might all be too fast to you as well. But I want to let you know at least that… you're the very first girl I liked. So it's okay. I can wait."

Then, she gave me the sweetest and warmest smile I've ever seen.

"Thank you, Verrill."

I smiled back at her with the same warmth and sweetness. That, and I pulled her close, embracing her again, and kissing her soft lips once more. I kissed her for several more minutes until the sun rose up and the maids came knocking at the door. Awww, too bad. I wanted more.

'Hora… I like you so much. And I'm not letting you go. You're mine. All mine.'

Dun-dun-dun… Dun-dun-dun…

"Ha-ha-ha" I chuckled to myself.

Reminiscing all that happened took a whole song. Still, I'm happy. Just meeting her was already a miracle. If Senara didn't manage to befriend Kai, then I wouldn't be having these feelings right now.

Yeah… the feelings of wanting someone so bad. Was this how those girls who confessed to me felt? Maybe. But one thing for sure… my feelings weren't as half-hearted as theirs.

'I like Hora… No, this isn't just a simple like anymore.

It may seem too fast but I don't care.

I love her…

And I'll do everything to make her mine.'