This if you could even call it that, was practically a boring white box. The only life that existed within the confounds of this box, were the flowers sitting on Kaoru's nightstand.

Pale-pink sedums to be specific. They added a sprinkle of soul to this boring box room. Without them, you might have lost your mind from staring at the blank nothingness for so long.

It's sad to say, but the lifeless flowers had more soul to them than Kaoru himself.

His already pale skin was devoid of any colour. His body was shrunken, and his eyes were heavy. How long had he been in a dire state like this? Was he like this before I left? Possibly. I wouldn't know for certain. I was too busy thinking of how I could run away from with Haruto.

"I'm sorry I couldn't bring you anything... I only found out about your condition earlier today."

Since I entered the room, Kaoru's face was fixed entirely on me. For a brief second, I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of hope in his eye once he recognized me. It reminded me of the old Kaoru, perhaps not all hope was lost.

Making my way slowly towards Kaoru's bedside, he engulfed my hips in a tight hug. He was like a lost boy who had finally been reunited with his parent.

"It's fine. You've come back to me. That's all that matters now."

"No, it's not fine. I owe you an apology."

Kaoru tilted his head to the side in a childlike confusion. I removed his hands from my hips and sat beside him properly. I took his hand into my own, before giving it a tight clench.

"I put myself before you and that's not okay. I've been so selfish in only thinking of myself. I didn't even consider how genuine and heartfelt you must have been with me."

I complied with all of my Father's wishes. I spent as much time as necessary with Kaoru. I only did what was required of me. I never considered that Kaoru was spending time with me because he truly wanted to. Although his feelings towards me may have been extreme, they were still genuine. Nothing was ever fabricated.

"I hurt you... in more ways than one. I... I... I ran away. I didn't want to face reality. I thought running away would solve everything. But it didn't. You can't run away from your past."

I should know. History has a tendency to repeat itself. No matter how much I hate thinking back about my past life, I can't disregard it. Back then, I was the one who came between a couple. And because of that, I ended up getting murdered.

I'm no better now than I was back then. Instead, this time I find myself to be the instigator. I hurt both Kaoru and Haruto for different reasons. I let Haruto shield me and he ended up taking the fall for both of us. And I cheated on Kaoru. I'm a terrible person!

"I don't deserve forgiveness. I'm the one who made you like this. I'm sorry for not being faithful. I understand if you cannot look at me the same way as before."

"Don't... Don't say that!"

Kaoru pulled me into his arms and burrowed his tearful face into my neck.

"I'm no better than you! I'm also to blame for this mess. I... I... I got fuelled by jealousy and haven't been myself lately. I just... I just didn't want to lose you."

We both broke off the hug and looked at each other sincerely in the eyes.

"You're the only person who makes me genuinely happy. And I didn't want to lose that. I didn't want to share you with anyone... I still don't want to share."

Kaoru attempts to ease up by cracking a smile through the tears, but it's futile.

"It's stupid, but I... I thought I might lose you for good by sharing. And look at where that got me... I only pushed you further away from me in the end."

Pushing aside a strand of tangled hair from his eyes, I gently stroke his head.

"I understand. But you know that's not possible, right? I don't want to marry a bunch of strangers, but I have no choice in the matter."

Kaoru nods his head in an agreeing manner. "I know, I realize that now. I still have some growing up to do too."

We both force ourselves to laugh. There was a hint of sadness in our laughter. I think we both hated to admit it, but we were still quite immature for our age.

"It might be a lot to ask... but I hope you could give me a second chance. I want to prove to you that I'll become the man of your dreams!"

"Jeez, you sound like a child with that corny line!" I say as I playfully hit Kaoru on the shoulder.

"But I mean it," Kaoru says smirkingly.

"I want to get better and change. When I get out of here, I want you to look at me truthfully. Don't just think of me as your friend you've been set up with!"

"I think you're right. We both need to change. Once you get released, we can see where things take us... I promise to be more open-minded in the future."

Yet again, I'm engulfed in another hug. It's refreshing to see the Kaoru I remember from my childhood. I hope we can try to make things work between us from here on out. I'll strive to better myself and so will he! I just know it!

When I exited the room, I was taken off-guard. There stood my Father with the two guards who previously escorted me to Kaoru's room.

"Well?" Father asks.

"I plan on going steady with Kaoru for now. But we're doing so on conditions."

Father raises an eyebrow and looks at me questionably. "Conditions?"

"If you wish to arrange my future marriages, then so be it. But I wish to have my own freedom."

"What exact freedom are you talking about?"

"No matter how much you detest it, Haruto is my husband now. As my Father, it is your obligation to see to it that he's released from police custody."

Father was practically gobsmacked. "I beg your pardon? Haruto is not my responsibility. As far as I'm aware, he no longer serves our household, he's just another common criminal!"

"That is my primary husband!" I retort with anger.

"He has the ability to deny and accept any future husbands I take. It would reflect poorly on both of us if he was locked up for good. I doubt those so-called 'established' men would even consider proposing to me if they heard about this!"

He was stunted. Not only by having his hands forced but also by hearing me stand up to him for the first time in my life.

"...I'll see to it that I can work something out," Father says defeatedly.

I smiled cheerily at him in response. But just as I was about to make my way down the corridor I stop to turn around once more.

that familiar voice spoke.

"One last thing, Father. As Haruto has been officially thrown out of the house, I'd like to leave with him too. It's only right that I live with my primary husband from here on out, don't you agree?"

Father's mouth moved as if he was trying to speak. But alas, the words didn't come out.

"But don't worry. I'll also see to it that Kaoru moves in with us too. We wouldn't want you fretting about the prospects of my second marriage, now, would we?"

I twirl back around and continue onwards with my prideful walk. It felt good to speak my mind. All that's left is to see to it that Kaoru fully recovers and that Father keeps true to his word.

Everything was starting to run smoothly again. I didn't realize back then though; the cogs of chaos were only starting to spin. That voice which I presumed to be an unlikely ally, was already putting down the groundwork for its ulterior motives.