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...Chapter 1: His curse 🥀...

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...Hikaru Hiroshima...

In the research institute lab:

In a messy lab, there is a young gorgeous lady dressed up in a lab attire, she looks enchanting while she is focused on researching some documents.

"Knock!!"

"Knock!!"

I knocked on the door twice... But it wasn't enough to gain her attention. I moved towards her slowly... Seeing her so occupied with those documents made me want to tease her a bit. I placed my hands gently on her eyes preventing her from looking at those documents.

"Who is it?" she became anxious for a second there. "Hikaru? Is that you?" she let a sigh of breath which she held back while she got anxious earlier. She touched my hands and relaxed after realizing it was me.

"You got me, Princess Aiko" I smiled so brightly after observing her reaction. It made my heart feel warm... That's something I never dreamt of feeling for over the last few years.

"Ahhh stop calling me Princess" Aiko felt embarrassed by that nickname, her pale cheeks turned rosy as she looked up to make eye contact. I pinched her soft cheeks "Miss bookworm, I bought some special lunch for you" I saw a sparkle in her eyes.

"Special lunch?! Why didn't you tell me that sooner? I am starving!" looking at her pout I quickly placed the lunch box carefully on her desk away from her documents, "Let me feed you then, silly girl" I guided her towards her desk while holding her hand. "Have a bite" I fed her the first bite of seafood fried rice I made.

"Yummy!! It's delicious Hikaru" Aiko ate everything so fast that I couldn't help but laugh a little. Soon, my attention wandered towards the documents she was so focused on.

Especially the title"Hiroshima Family curse" This girl, she is still researching restlessly for my sake. It made my heartache painfully. I never thought I would be so blessed to have someone who cares about me.

"Are you still researching the Hiroshima Family?" I asked as I wanted to know what was going through her mind while she read all that.

"Yes, it's quite a fascinating case. I would like to know more and help this family. What do you think, Hikaru? Will I be able to help you?" A glimpse of hope was lit in her eyes. As if she was eagerly waiting for my response. Countless thoughts were racing through my mind.

With a heavy heart I said "If you succeed, I will get to live past 30 and if you fail to do so... I will still be grateful for all your efforts. So, don't be too pressured about this case. All I need is your presence throughout the days which are left for me to live..." I said those words which I truly feel in this moment. I don't want to burden her, her presence is enough to lighten my rest of the suffering.

"Do you even hear yourself right now, Hikaru? You sound so cool about it" Aiko had a bitter smile on her face. I could tell it affects her deeply.

"How about you take a look at yourself, Aiko? You look as if you can cry bitterly anytime now" I teased her to ease up the atmosphere a little, and it worked.

"I- I won't cry!" Aiko blushed suddenly.

"Alright, if you say so. I came here to pick you up for the event" I chuckled softly and changed the topic. "Okay, let's get going. Give me 10 minutes to change" Aiko rushed out of the lab to get ready.

"I will wait for you downstairs then" I had to shout those words so that she could hear it while running away from the lab.

In the parking lot,

While waiting for her, I turned up the radio. "Please understand I'm trying my hardest~

My head is in a mess, but I'm trying regardless"

"Hiroshima!! I will kill you"

A sharp voice was ringing into my ears while the song completely went inaudible. "Who is there?? Who dares to bark such nonsense at me?" I questioned back, but it was no use.

The voice got louder and louder with endless threats "disgusting sinners like you are not worthy enough to ask me any questions! Soon I will send you off to where your ancestors are" followed by a hideous laugh.

"What is this nonsense..." Cold sweat formed on my body, I groaned with a stabbing pain in my chest. I felt a pair of hands touching my arm.

"What nonsense?..." and a familiar voice.

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...Chapter 2: his curse 🥀...

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...Aiko Fujiwara...

The room was filled with documents and unorganized papers. The cause of such a mess was none other than me, Aiko Fujiwara.

"Found it!" the documents I searched for an hour.

"The Hiroshima Family has a decades-long legacy which started from the title earned by Duke Hayato Hiroshima. From then onwards, every descendant of the Hiroshima Family spent their lives serving and protecting the country through either fighting in war or providing advanced medical service. At the current timeline, the Hiroshima Family owns more than half of the medical institutes and hospitals all over the country" that's the part which is known by every person around here. The most fascinating part about the Hiroshima Family starts now.

I turned the page with all my focus because I don't want to miss even a small detail about the case I am going to research.

"There is something more to this family other than having a history of them serving the nation by becoming talented war generals and skilled doctors. The bloodline of the Hiroshima Family dies before the age of 30. Some records them as mysterious illness and some believe the rumors that the members of this family acts crazily and shows the symptoms of hallucinations before burning themselves alive while the other rumors believe this family is cursed by vengeance souls of the people who were killed by the hands of their ancestors..." I closed the documents to take a break.

"It seems like a waste of time at first, but the case is interesting" I opened my personal records while thinking restlessly about what step I should take next which can lead towards the answer behind the curse. How can I help? How can I make a change?. As I was lost deep into my thoughts, suddenly a pair of hands covered my eyes.

"Who is it?!" I became so anxious until I touched the pair of hands which covered my eyes. It was Him.

"Hikaru? Is that you?" I finally relaxed after realizing that it was Him. "You got me, Princess Aiko" I tried to control my heart which was beating so fast that I was afraid of him hearing it. I wondered what he was planning at this hour to actually visit my lab today. And I got my answer, it's another happy day for me. Why? Because he bought a special lunch for me again. I love his cooking the most. I didn't realize how hungry I was till I actually started eating...

 Furthermore, I noticed how Hikaru was looking at the documents I left on the table. What might he think while reading those documents? I was curious. And I shall admit, I regret being curious about his thoughts... His response was heartbreaking.

*refer to chapter 1 to read his response if you all missed it just in case*

Hearing his words made it clear that he never considered the possibility of being cured. I felt helpless in that moment. I could sense how he was trying to change the topic and I didn't know how to react anyway, so I went with the flow. While, my heart still ached at the thought of him bearing all the pain alone.

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...Chapter 3: Her perfect fit 🔥...

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"What nonsense...? What happened, Hikaru?" the familiar voice belonged to Aiko. "Wait... Did you perhaps hear those voices again?" Aiko was so worried that she started wiping the cold sweat off Hikaru's face with her hand. Her warm touch made him feel comfortable.

"It's okay now." I held her hand while massaging them gently. "I can't hear them anymore" I said with an assuring smile on my face.

"But you..." Aiko is still worried; she feels helpless and thought Hikaru is lying to hide his pain again.

"I noticed whenever you are around me. Those threats stopped completely" I leaned towards her a little, her mouth slightly open while her thoughts were processing the words she heard just now.

"You are lying again! You're... A big liar" she turned her face away from mine. Her ears turned red, Hikaru left a soft chuckle.

"I am heartbroken, my beloved princess won't trust me... she called me a big liar" Hikaru started teasing Aiko again.

"Whatever! Let's get going since you are alright"; Aiko is furious, yet Hikaru finds her adorable. The rest of the ride was all about Hikaru teasing Aiko.

"We reached already?" Aiko blinks as she stares at the entrance of a boutique. "Yes, Princess. We need to get the event ready before we reach the actual venue" Hikaru opens the door for Aiko while offering his hand to guide her inside the boutique.

As they enter the luxurious store; "Wow, I love it!!! Everything is so gorgeous here" Aiko is so excited to see all the dresses and jewelry so beautifully crafted.

"Go on, try whatever you like and when you're done choosing we can get ready here and leave for the event directly" Hikaru encourages Aiko as she froze at the sight of gorgeous dresses and jewellery. "You're so thoughtful, Hikaru" and she left to explore the formal range quickly.

Hikaru's face was glowing with happiness after seeing aiko so happy with his arrangement "I should pick some formals for myself" An hour went by, Hikaru was done picking up his formal attire.

"Looks like she is enjoying herself" Hikaru walked towards the women's formal gown section after waiting for a while.

"Are you done, Hikaru?" Aiko asked while displaying her beautiful smile.

"Yes, did you find anything you like princess?" Hikaru couldn't believe how fast Aiko was done with choosing her attire. Usually, she tries on numerous dresses before she finalizes her perfect dress.

"I did find a perfect one!" her eyes sparkled as she spoke about the dress.

Hikaru took a step forward covering the distance between them; He leaned towards Aiko's face and whispered in his deep voice "then... why don't you wear it again and show it to me?"

Her face turned visible pinkish red as if her cheeks could speak Why is he so close? Aiko froze at the distance they both were at and said "we will dress up in a while anyway... So-"

"But I want to be the first one to see your perfect fit" He cuts off her words. His eyes showed a glimpse of desire.

"Sir, Madam. It's time to start getting you both dressed. Please follow us to your respective room" The workers interrupts as it was time to get them dressed up to be on time.

Aiko was guided towards her dressing room first... As she walked off; she whispered "That was dangerous"

"See you soon, Princess" Hikaru smirked, enjoying every second of her reaction.

"Ya... See you" Her brown eyes went wide while one of her eyebrow raised when she noticed the smirk on Hikaru's face.