HOTD: A New Dawn

But what mattered most was not her stripping in his bathroom or stepping out in a skimpy bathrobe. What mattered most was that when Miku Yuuki finally opened that door, what walked out was neither a fox-eyed troublemaker nor a dripping wet redhead. Instead, she walked out in her black skirt and blouse, perfectly dry, as if the rain outside was just some mirage she came across.

"Woah." Miku sighed happily. "That felt great."

She dropped the towel on a chair and watched with amusement as Tysone's eyes flicked up and down her appearance. Her hair was slick and smelled strongly of his shampoo.

"Hm. Were you hoping for me to come outta there naked?" Her tone was almost sing-song.

He regarded her with indifference. "Absolutely not."

"Is that so?" Miku hummed. "That's a shame. You're still wet yourself, shouldn't you go dry yourself, at least?" She asked sweetly.

He dismissed her and gestured for her to sit down on a chair opposite his. Tysone observed her carefully. Even under the bright ceiling lamp of his room, he could almost feel the fox-like nature in her.

Perhaps he was the prey now. The very thought almost had him wanting to burst out into an ironic laugh.

She gave him a wide smirk.

"What, is it my teeth that got you hooked? Wanna find out how sharp they can get~"

"Would you give it a rest already?" His patience was being tested, and the way Miku continued to leer at him as if she'd successfully caught him and couldn't wait to tear his flesh apart wasn't helping him remain civilized. "What is this? I took you out of the rain, and now you're trying to... entice me?"

Miku shrugged her shoulders, a light, nonchalant, air about her as if he was over-analyzing her actions too much. "Maybe I'm just doing what's expected. A big, strong man takes a poor maiden out of the harsh weather. How could I ever repay you if not with my body?"

The girl wore an innocent grin while speaking such words.

Tysone pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Okay, I'm cutting straight to the point." He declared, looking her dead in the eye. "Leave me the fuck alone."

Her eyebrows raised as if the thought of it was surprising and foreign to her. "Alone? As in?"

"As in stop stalking me. Stop creeping around. Stop going places where I'm present. Just... leave me alone." He asserted. "I don't know or understand how you came to be so fixated on me. Is it the thought that I'm so easily capable of violence? Do you simply have a lustful desire to get ravaged? If that's the case then there must be some perverts somewhere willing to do the job. No doubt better and safer for the both of us. After all, you have needs, and I don't want to have anything to do with you." He explained plainly.

Miku's expression shifted multiple times as her eyes shifted away, darting to every single corner in the room. Suddenly she started fidgeting in place as if he had given her something that rendered her nervous. "Why are you saying these things to me..."

Tysone answered almost immediately, no longer allowing himself the chance to delay any longer. "Because it's the truth. You're obsessed. You act obsessed, and that's problematic."

"Because I like you!"

He snorted an incredulous laugh. "To how many boys did you say that shit to? You think I'm a fool? I saw right through your scheme, sweetheart. I ain't falling into your trap."

"You really think I'm that type of girl?!"

He rolled his eyes. "Oh geez, I wonder what gave me that idea? Definitely not being an unwilling spectator to you hanging out of three ugly motherfuckers' arms, about to get it going on in a love hotel. No damn decency or standard. Just uncontrolled lust." He laughed. "God, I love a pretty face like the next guy, but damn, I have some dignity. I've got two other cuties that'd do the same, and you know what's the difference? They hadn't a whole fucking school running through them like a marathon! Fucking disgusting is what it is!"

"It doesn't matter! That's not who I am!" Miku shot back in defense, clenching her fists, her gaze fierce.

Tysone rose from his seat to loom threateningly over Miku, his voice stern, his expression hard. "Give me one damn reason why I should believe you?"

Miku grit her teeth, looking down and avoiding his piercing gaze as if the mere strength in those eyes could burn holes in her. 

Miku's knuckles tightened against her knees, nails digging into her skin as she kept her head down. The usual playful glint in her eyes had dulled, replaced by something raw.

"You think you know everything, huh?" Her voice was low, but there was an edge to it—something fragile, like glass trying not to shatter. "Just because you see a few things, you think you've got me all figured out."

Tysone didn't respond. He folded his arms, waiting. That was interesting. He had never seen Miku act like that; was he breaking canon? He almost laughed. 

Miku's lips quivered slightly before she forced them into a thin line.

"Yeah, I hang around guys. I let them talk their shit. I play along. You know why? Because if I don't, they'll talk worse. Spread rumors. Call me names anyway." Her gaze lifted to meet his, and for the first time, there wasn't a trace of her usual flirtatious mask. "You think I don't hear what people say about me behind my back? They decided what I was before I even got the chance to prove them wrong."

Tysone narrowed his eyes. "So you just let them? Why not stand up for yourself?"

Miku let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You think I didn't try that? Back when I was still some naive, hopeful girl who thought people gave a damn about the truth? Let me tell you something, Tysone—when a rumor sticks, it doesn't matter what you do. You play along, or you get chewed up and spat out."

"..."

Her fingers curled in the hem of her skirt. "At least this way, I'm in control. If they're going to talk, I'd rather be the one pulling the strings. Besides, it's not like I'm actually sleeping with those guys."

Tysone raised a skeptical brow, but something in her voice made him hesitate.

"Believe it or not, I have standards. You think I'd let those nasty-ass creeps anywhere near me? Please." She scoffed, but her smirk was forced, as if trying to slip back into familiar territory. "I'm just not stupid enough to act like some helpless girl who needs to be rescued."

Tysone studied her for a long moment, the tension in the room thick enough to cut through. Slowly, he sank back into his chair.

"So, what?" He finally asked. "You mess with guys like me just to keep the show going?"

Miku shrugged, but her eyes softened as she gave him a lopsided smile. "Maybe. Maybe I just like you, and that scares the hell out of me. You think I've acted this way with anyone who gave me the cold shoulder and played hard to get?"

For once, Tysone found himself without a snarky comeback. The room fell into silence, the sound of the rain tapping gently against the window. He didn't know if what she said was the truth or merely a story to tug at his heartstrings. Either way, Miku sure put on a believable performance.

"You still think I'm disgusting?" She asked quietly, her voice losing its usual teasing bite.

He exhaled, sitting back on his chair. "Yes…" A flicker of hurt crossed her eyes. "But I think you're complicated."

Who'd have thought that someone like Miku could have more depth other than being some cheap fan service for an anime that relied too much on flashing thighs than gore. He still didn't trust her, but her words, at least, put him in a less aggressive stance. 

Miku grinned, though there was a faint glimmer of relief in her eyes. "Well, you're not wrong about that."

"It still doesn't change the way I see you. You've been stalking me for a while, risking your own health in the process. You should stay away from me and go see a therapist. I can't help you." He said, seriously. It didn't matter if Miku wasn't what she appeared to be on the wide screen. 

She carried a whole luggage of problems with her. He didn't want to get too involved. 

There was an impish flicker in her expression. She seemed to think about it seriously, her eyes scanning him with obvious interest.

"Fine, I'm convinced." Tysone clapped his hands together, causing her to blink in surprise. "From now on, let us both act like we don't know each other." He announced loudly, opening his door wide as if the gesture could drive the message home even deeper. "Please. Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. House. Here, take an umbrella. That's as far as my kindness for you will go today."

Author's Note:

If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at [email protected]/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support