Reward
His mind was entirely blank with the exception of one thought and one thought only; she's so very warm. Once again, this day like many before found Usui Kenta walking home in total silence, his companion resting against his back with her arms draped over his shoulders and her legs hooked under his arms. Karin seemed so strong to Kenta, that it was hard at times to remember that she had this affliction.
Like a few times before she'd burst all over some unsuspecting bushes and he was left to clean up the mess. At least when it was outside, he didn't have to do much then get her home safely, something Usui Kenta was more then willing to do. It wasn't the constant threat of becoming a living vegetable that made him do it, but that one small gesture that he received each time he did his duty. Karin always gave him a gift when he helped her out. Her physical body may have been very weak at times, but her emotions were strong.
Karin stirred on his back and he tightened his grip so she didn't fall. This time she didn't awaken, but she would soon. Kenta was grateful because she wasn't all that light by the time one made it through the park.
Sunset struck as it always did, painfully slowly to most and far too fast for Kenta. Darkness was the time for Karin to be with her family, up in a mansion hidden by bats in a world he would never know or truly understand.
As he walked up the road that wound towards the rendez-vous point to the barrier, should Karin not wake, someone would come get her. It always happened this way. This evening it was Ren, his cool, disapproving voice demanding Kenta turn over his sister. At least he'd stopped taking her from him.
Kenta walked right up to Ren and turned around so the older vampire could take his good friend off of his back. Karin reacted immediately, clinging to Ren for warmth.
Ren didn't say anything but turned his back on the family confidante, but before he could leave, Karin's hand tightened in his shirt. He turned her back around, generous really, since it wasn't in his nature to do so.
Karin opened her eyes sleepily. "Thank you, Kenta."
"You're welcome, Maaka-san."
Kenta was rewarded with a bright smile before Ren whisked her away to their home; that was why he kept her secret, that small, simple, gesture.