pte

two related?" she ask

eird to say he's my stepdad when we're only

th Kuro later?" I

ievously, and I l

e teased, giving me a light slap on

ater. Bring Kuro alon

mile, and both Calen an

lunch with Kuro. Honestly, so was I. This was my chance to get closer to him. Even jus

that. Kuro's a year older than Calen and me, but we're in the same grade. Sometimes, I ev

aying something, but I couldn't understand any of

unched Kuro

them are cousins, and I had no idea. I don't know anythin

l him by his name, he immediately left

dating Kuro - and even if I did, there's nothing wrong with that.

to fulfill his responsi

mom? Was he really okay with her being older tha

ht anymore. I haven't heard

, id

around and saw everyone staring at me. I lowered my he

n! Are you

our teacher and

I really have t

e we planned, Natasha, Calen

eating with us," Calen asked whe

llow. He has some

ward us. His face was expressionless, and the way he walked - so cool

to someone," he said, sitting

ion of looking away. But he didn't eve

wo have been waiting," Nat

ly briefly. Then he tur

s over the m

der," I s

ashed a te

us," she suddenly said

t Calen before hurrying to catch up with Kuro so we could walk together. S

everyone. I guess I only cam

he sayin

is attention, but he didn't

n't you talki

anced at me. Those deep ey

again. When he saw I was waiting

. he said I'm not allowed to talk to you," h

le. I picked up the rest

ind of

ayed

lessons, but I only answered with nods or shakes of my head. I don't even know why I'm like

ing they had talked about. I could sense he was deliberately keeping his distance. It should've felt normal since Kuro and I

ange the topic. And if not, he'd j

nds time to fetch me when I know he's a busy person. Grandpa told me Zero sometimes helps his

eye, I could see him looking. I still felt uneasy b

just wanted to talk to Kuro and be friends with him. I had no plans of fl

s sch

tood up at the sound of his voice

annoyance toward h

before focusing back on the road. Just earlier, I was so pissed a

idation. I mean, in the shows I watch, stepfathers often hurt their stepdaughters. And I don

sked without looking at him, af

wered, taking

ro away from me - but I already knew what he'd

hy

y spoke. I stared at him for a few se

g him from coming near

n more handsome. I could see his Adam's apple mov

was having a har

y that diff

to know I'm his stepdaughter. Maybe he's keeping his marriage to Mom a secret. And he's embarrassed about it. H

ed since Zero's so intimidating at first glance

ero after getting l

o have a boyfriend," he said quietly - but I

's raspy voice. Their to

d at wha

no plans of having one. Because

tly on my lap when I

allowed to talk to an

ut

estia Reign. You won't lik

to punish me if I don't follow his orders? Is he go

at my question. "Is it because you don't want them to find o

ou as my stepdaughter, Hestia. I

Contin