Hey, I'm so proud! Look at my update speed! I'm really getting into this story... sorry to all who are reading my current Death Note story; I'll finish it, I promise! I'm just more excited about this one at present. ^^
CHAPTER 4 – DATES ARE OVERRATED
It's almost seven o'clock, and I can't even begin to say how nervous I am. I'm going on a date with Takuma (a double date, actually, he explained yesterday at lunch; we're going with two other Night Class students, Senri Shiki and Rima Toya)…
Actually, he described it more as "hanging out." The way he sounded, the underlying implication was that he was a little afraid he might scare me somehow if he classified it as a date, so we're "hanging out." With another established couple. Out to dinner, and he's paying.
It's definitely a date.
But his conscientious spirit is incredibly sweet.
I have to smile at the memory of him asking. He acted so casual, so confident, but I could tell he felt pretty nervous about it. But then, he also seemed somehow amused…
But that's probably me reading too much into this. I mean, that's ridiculous. Why would he be amused?
"Hey, Hikari-chan," comes a familiar voice to the side, and there stands Takuma, a charming smile on his face. Behind him stand Shiki and Toya, looking kind of bored. "This is Senri Shiki and Rima Toya," he says calmly, as though there is absolutely no social distinction whatsoever between us, much less attitudinal differences.
"It's nice to meet you, Shiki-sempai, Toya-sempai," I say with a smile, bowing briefly to them in turn. "I guess you already know, but I'm Hikari Yagari."
Toya's face darkens for just a moment, but she nods in a very polite manner; Shiki takes a bored look in my direction, gives me a "look-down," and nods his own head.
Takuma offers his arm to me with a smile, and we set off for the trail that will take us around the lake. It'll probably take the better part of an hour to reach town, but we're not allowed off campus without permission, and a car would definitely draw some attention…
The leaves crackle and crunch underfoot as we walk down the trail. It's weird, having to take a guy's arm—I mean, it's adorable, don't get me wrong! But it's so old-fashioned… so much so that I find it even cuter!
I'm a little afraid of speaking, as I don't want to make a bad impression on Takuma's friends. No doubt my position in the Day Class has already prompted them to form a less-than-reputable opinion of me. Stupid Kaname and Aido fangirls with their lack of judgment and real character…
"Hey, don't worry about them," Takuma whispers to me as we walk along the lakeside. "They may not seem friendly at first, but they're all right. They're just… well, you'll have to prove to them that you're not like the other Day Class girls, I guess." He chuckles quietly.
"Oh." His tone tells me that he actually believes I'm not like the other Day Class girls, which definitely pleases me. "Takuma-san, aren't you skipping class for this…?"
"We have the night off," he says with a cheery smile, and continues to walk, the open coat waving out behind him slightly. This amuses me—his long coat. It's a deep blue-gray with two rows of buttons, a belt, and a high collar. It's obviously from a designer—probably everything he owns is, now that I think about it. I've never seen any clothes like his, nor any clothes that didn't look tailored to fit him properly. There are never any tags or labels on his clothes; they're always of the highest quality…
I say all this like I've seen him wear much else besides his school uniform. I've only ever seen him wearing casual clothing twice, and this is the second time. I still think he only ever wears designer clothes.
We finally reach town and Takuma leads us to a small café. We sit in a corner booth and order. To my surprise, it's only an ordinary café; nothing fancy. I half-expected a five-star restaurant, but I'm grateful, all the same. I didn't dress for anything better than this, and I certainly wouldn't have had the means to pay for it. Even though Takuma told me that he was paying for my meal, I would've liked to have enough money to be able to cover the cost, just in case.
"Toya-sempai," I say a little timidly, trying to put on a brave front (I don't address Shiki because I'm afraid that Toya will think I'm after Shiki). "What classes are you and Shiki-sempai taking?"
Toya, looking a little bored with the entire ordeal, says calmly, "I'd expect they're similar to yours, only higher-level. Microeconomics, calculus, trigonometry, engineering, biochemistry, classic Japanese, English, and French."
My eyes widen. "Engineering? Biochemistry?! Those sound… very difficult!" I give a wide-eyed smile of admiration, but I fear I look too impressed. I'm probably nothing more than a country bumpkin to these people.
"Not really," she says with a sigh. "The issue is more trying to stay awake in class. That's the hard part."
"I know," Shiki drawls. "The instructors are ridiculously boring. The least they could do would be to try to make things interesting."
"I'm just thankful that we even offer biochemistry," Takuma adds. "How many other academies offer it to their students?"
"They certainly don't offer it in the Day Class," I mumble, a little sheepishly. I knew it; they think we're all dumb. Not that I particularly want to study biochemistry; that's a little too over-my-head. Besides, I'm not really a science person. Come to think of it, I don't really have an area of expertise… I'm just… normal, talentless me…
I suppose that could make a good enough conversation starter. "Biochemistry… that's so cool. I wish I could be good at something like that. What's your favorite subject?" I look at Shiki, this time, trying to keep the conversation flowing.
Shiki raises his hand to cover a lazy yawn, and pauses before finally saying, "Art class, I guess. It's all right."
"You just like it because you don't have to work at it," Toya replies in a languid tone. I'm noticing more and more that their demeanors are incredibly snooty and condescending, but in a subtle way. It's as though they think that the entire world is just too boring for them, and they're deigning to put up with it, anyway. "My favorite is Japanese."
"I think Statistics might be my favorite," Takuma muses, propping his chin in his hand.
Toya and Shiki both smirk at that, and roll their eyes. They are a lot alike… "Predictable," Toya says with a chuckle.
"Must run in the family," Shiki mutters.
I frown in confusion, and look at Takuma.
"She doesn't know," Toya scoffs, and she smirks again. "His grandfather is the head of the Ichijo Group."
What.
The.
Heck.
I seriously want to disappear right now… I had no idea he was related to that Ichijo! Takuma seems so kind and caring, so down-to-earth… and while he may be rich, I wouldn't have expected him to be that rich… Oh, I must seem like an absolute retard right now… a hillbilly… a backwoods nothing who will never amount to anything…
Well, that last one is probably very accurate, but I'd rather not appear like a nothing in front of such important people! I seriously wonder if Shiki and Toya aren't somehow related to rich and famous families.
Shiki gives an amused smile and chuckle that hold a very patronizing edge to them. "Yes, that Ichijo Group," he says slowly.
Okay, Ichijo Group or no, Night Class or Three-O'clock-Slump Class, I'm fed up with Shiki and Toya. They're arrogant snobs and I'd really like to give them a piece of my mind, but I can't do that outright. Fine. I've got a thing or two up my sleeve; I'm not entirely dumb.
"Oh, yeah?" I say boldly. "Well, my grandfather works in a watch-making factory."
I take it back. I am dumb. Completely. I'm miserable, now. I'm spending way too much time focusing on Toya and Shiki than on Takuma, who is the entire reason I'm here. I'd thought that my comment would be funny… I mean, it's the kind of thing I might say to Etsuko if she mentioned something vaguely important, like going to a foreign country. She always laughs afterwards… and…
Shiki and Toya both stare at me for several seconds before bursting into laughter. It's impossible to really tell by the sound of it if they're mocking me, snubbing me, or if they honestly think that I'm funny, but I'm not looking up from my plate to see for myself. I'm pretty sure that they're not laughing at the joke.
I hear Takuma's ringing laugh beside me, and I want to cry. I'll bet he finds me stupid, now, too. I really wish I could learn to keep a better reign on my temper; maybe then I could save myself from "open mouth, insert foot" moments like this.
"Hikari-chan, you're funny." I hear the smile in Takuma's voice, and he doesn't sound at all arrogant. Nothing but good-natured amusement in his voice… I chance a look at him, only to see that he's smiling broadly at me… smiling like he really found it funny—not me, but the joke. Which was the entire goal.
I feel myself blush a little and smile back. Maybe this isn't a total disaster, after all.
Dinner continues, and Shiki and Toya are a little friendlier. I catch some derisive comments and hints at me and my station, but I try to ignore them. If I thought I stood a chance, I might have tried to argue back, but I don't think it's worth the effort. After all, I probably won't end up building much of a relationship with either of them. Why bother?
After we leave the café, we split up into pairs—Shiki and Toya, and Takuma and me. The plan is to meet back in front of the café by ten, which gives us a bit over an hour to do whatever we want in town.
I simply stand there under the awning of the café, Takuma by my side, as we watch Shiki and Toya go their way. I hear him sigh. "I'm sorry about all that," he apologizes softly, but sincerely. "I should've known that they'd be rude, but I didn't want to believe it. I mean, Shiki's okay…"
I'm getting the idea that Takuma is one of those kind of two-sided people, in the sense that he runs with two crowds: the preppy upper-class and… me. I guess I'm not a crowd, but it seems so weird that Takuma could even fit in with such jerks, and still be such a caring, considerate person. He certainly didn't get his manners from his friends; that's for sure. "It's okay," I say. I only mean that I'll get over it; it really wasn't okay at all. However, I don't want to make him feel badly. However, I'd thought that if I got along with his friends, then… well, it might improve my chances…
Guess that idea's shot down.
"No, it's not okay," he insists. "I hope I can make up for their behavior… What would you recommend?"
His green eyes are searching me with an earnestness that scares me a little. "It's not a big deal, Takuma-san! It's not like it was the first time, or the last. I'll be fine." I smile to show him that I'm seriously over it, but he doesn't seem to buy that.
He's silent for several moments, but he then nods his head in one direction. "Follow me."
I do so. "Where are we going?"
Now, he's smiling. "You'll see."
Takuma leads me through crowds of people, around and past shops of all different shapes, sizes, and natures. Finally, he turns in front of an old brick building—it's obviously over one hundred years old—and opens the door for me. Inside, illumined by old, dim bulbs in three cheap imitation chandeliers along the ceiling, sit shelves upon shelves of books.
It's a bookstore—not just any bookstore, but a privately owned one. It's old, has all the old furnishings (with the exception of the electricity), is musty-smelling, dark, and amazing. The entire place smells of old book. All sorts of brand-new books of every size, shape, and genre, line the shelves, and as I look along the walls, I see a few glassed in cases housing ancient tomes bound in canvas and leather, books from ages past.
This place should be called "Heaven."
Seeing my expression (no doubt, glowing could describe it), Takuma chuckles and places his hand gently between my shoulder blades, propelling me forward. "Come on…"
He steers me around the shelves, but I'm not even paying attention to him anymore. Currently, I'm flipping through the pages of a new novel by one of my favorite authors, subtracting its cost from my pocket money. I don't really have much, and I probably won't get any more before the end of the year, so I can't overspend… and it is expensive, but I love this author! I really need to buy it…!
Maybe I should wait for the paperback to come out. That would undoubtedly be cheaper… but if I don't buy anything else for the next three months, I could make my remaining money last…
No. I really shouldn't. What if an emergency comes up? I don't have a lot of money and I should save what I have. After all, Dad has no job anymore, so we might need my pocket money for something…
"Wow, that didn't take long," Takuma remarks with a quick chuckle, and I quickly close the book before sighing and reluctantly putting it back on the shelf. I grin at Takuma. "Getting something else, then, huh?"
I shrug noncommittally. "I might go back to it later," I tell him, then I smile. "Hey, you might want to go find whatever you want to get. If you follow me, you'll probably get bored."
He grins in understanding. He knows precisely what I'm talking about. "I do the exact same thing," he admits. "Meet you at the front in half an hour?"
"Sounds good."
I turn back to the shelf I'm on, then slowly meander to the left, my eyes scanning the shelves for any and all titles that catch my eye. I know that this will be yet another disappointment, but Takuma's intentions are good, and it's been so long since I've been in a bookstore that it feels good to be here, even if I can't buy anything. After perusing some novels and several manga, I head over to the shelves full of older books, which I discover are for sale at astronomical prices. Still, I can't help but be in awe of them… so old, so beautiful… so aromatic…
Yes, I love the smell of old book. Sue me.
ICHIJO'S POV
It's so sad to watch Hikari deny herself the pleasure of buying any books because of a lack of pocket money. Why else would she stare at the shelves so longingly, so hungrily? It's like watching a penniless, starving man peer into the window of a fancy restaurant he can't afford.
Now, I have a dilemma: what to buy for Hikari? I can't buy her everything she's looked at, mostly because she would freak out and hide in her room. I know that much about her—she's a little scared to accept gifts, but not unwilling. If I buy her too much, I may never see her again. She'll think I'm under the impression that her family is dirt-poor. She's just got limited means; she's not a charity case.
I stay near her, and I know she can't see me because she's paying too much attention to the books. I see her eyes light up now and again, but especially with two volumes: the first novel she picked up, and the eighth Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle volume. As it's one of her favorites, I'd assume she's read a good deal of the series, but doesn't own them all. Very well. I'll buy volume eight and the other novel for her.
Twenty-five minutes have passed, so I take my own selections (three more manga and a paperback novel) to the counter along with the books I've chosen for Hikari. Knowing her, she won't be up here until the last minute…
HIKARI'S POV
This is so depressing. Why can't I just have a little money? It isn't much to buy a manga… I mean, really!
I suppose I'm being ungrateful. I've got a roof over my head, I'm at an excellent school getting a great education, I've got dry, clean, whole clothes on my back, and enough belongings to be comfortable. When I look at that, I seem like a brat to be so sad over the inability to buy a few frivolities.
Even so, I can't help but want them… I mean…
BOOKS!
I sigh and walk towards the front of the store to meet back with Takuma, both bummed and glad to be leaving. I know I can't stay much later, anyway—the store is closing soon. There he is, leaning against the door like a male model. The more I get to know him, the more I realize that Takuma is so far out of my league, it isn't even funny. I shouldn't get too comfortable with him, because he'll probably tire of me, soon.
Oh, I sound so angst-y and self-pitying! I'm only trying to be realistic, to prepare myself for future disappointment! I hate it when I get my heart set on something, only to have it snatched away. To me, that's one of the worst feelings ever. I try to take precautions against it. I suppose I'd better just enjoy what time I have with Takuma…
He smiles at me and, again, opens the door. He's such a gentleman; I love it. Once we're outside, we get to talking again. We seem to click so well… there's something so easy and friendly about Takuma's manner that makes my heart pound… I can tell that the breakup (if it could be called that; we're not even really dating yet) is going to hurt… but it'll sure as heck leave me some good memories.
Hardly any of the shops are open anymore. It must be getting late. I shiver in the chill wind, and Takuma glances over. "Where's your jacket?"
That's when I realize it…
"Oh, darn it, I left it back in the café!" I say with a disappointed tone. I hate it when I do that. "I guess we'll have to go back and get it…"
"It's no big deal," Takuma says cheerfully. "It's only a short walk."
We make our way to the café, and he enters it to retrieve the coat while I wait outside. The crowds are significantly thinner; there are hardly any pedestrians in sight. I look down the side of the café building, down the alley. On the side of the brick wall is painted an old advertisement for a mill company. I smile; I love seeing sights out of the past like that. They're part of an older, happier time in history… Sometimes I wonder if I was really born in the right time. I probably would've done better in the nineteen-twenties and –thirties.
I hear a whirring sound behind me and turn. It's probably just a stray cat or something; I pay it no heed.
I wonder what this mill company sold? I can't make out all the words… I think I see the word "flour," but there's something that might be "steel"… I'm not sure…
There it is again! It's the sound of a soft footstep on the ancient, cracked brick pavement of the alley. I thought I'd only imagined it, but…
Cold—
Tight—
All I know is that someone's hand is around my throat from behind, and another arm is anchoring my body against theirs… How did this happen? Stupid, stupid, stupid! I shouldn't have gone into the alley… Takuma, where are you?!
And now, I can't even scream! I can't do anything… I hate being helpless—hate, hate, hate it! Why can't I just keep my head out of the clouds for five minutes, enough to—
Okay, calm down, Hikari. What can you do to get out of this? First, you need to know this guy's intentions. Is he trying to kill me, rape me, kidnap me, what?
I hear a hissing voice in my ear. "No one warned you about dark alleyways?" Something moist and disgusting presses against my neck, and I realize it's the man's tongue. Oh, geez—oh, man…
I'm trying so hard not to freak out right now…
It's not working very well, because I'm hyperventilating.
Come on, Hikari! You've got legs—use them!!
I kick backwards, and the man grunts; it's only enough for him to just loosen his grip, and I start to squirm and kick in his grasp. He's distracted, now, which may give me enough time to draw someone's attention, or maybe Takuma's out of the café by now…
"…Hikari?"
"I don't know. I thought she was with you."
"We haven't seen her."
It's Takuma, Shiki, and Toya! The man's hand is still over my mouth, so I can't make a lot of noise, but… Ew, gross…
This is no time to think about what's gross! Do it!
I bite down on the man's hand, and he growls something about "stupid humans." My eyes are searching frantically, and the man's arm tightens around my waist while the other presses down harder over my mouth. I feel myself being carried… Then the rough brick wall presses into my front, and he leans over me from behind, pinning me to the wall. Am I about to get raped?!
No! Please, this can't be happening!! Please…
I hear a sharp whoosh and feel rough pain in my right hip and on my left cheek, but the pressure is gone, and I fall to the pavement. There is a nasty, wet-sounding shluck and a splatter, followed by a thud, and silence.
I roll over, only now cognizant of the dull sting in my knees and on my palm. I'm bleeding in nearly half a dozen places, but they're minor hurts—nothing a little hydrogen peroxide and a few bandages couldn't fix. I look up to see Takuma kneeling beside me, only he's got some dark splotches on his coat. I realize that they're spots of blood, and I look over to see that my attacker is now… gone? All I see is a bit of dirt and dust that I hadn't before noticed, but there's blood on the bricks around it…
Takuma gives me a nervous, watery smile and looks me over. "Hikari-chan… are you okay?"
I blink. "I'm not hurt… but I'm confused," I finally say. "Takuma… what happened?"
"You were being attacked. I think I scared him off, and Shiki's trying to catch him right now."
"What's with all the blood…? And that… that pile of sand?" Why is it over the blood, and completely blood-free? What in the world is going on here?
"Ah—it's nothing. But you're injured. We need to do something about that."
"I'm fine, Takuma-san; I've had way worse scrapes than this, before. Tell me what happened!" Why isn't he telling me the truth? What's going on?
I'm actually a little angry, now… though I'm not sure why. I was almost raped, and I'm angry. Not scared, not sad… angry.
Takuma pauses and his eyes flick to one side. "I… ah…" He frowns a little, as though at a loss to explain. "I'm not sure how to say this, even…" He bites his lip a little nervously…
I see it, then…
His teeth… two pointed teeth, like a vampire's…
Vampire!
Night Class—
Senate—
Zero—
Purebloods—
Kaname—
"HOW MANY TIMES IS KANAME KURAN GOING TO GET IN THE WAY?!" I blurt out in frustration.
Takuma blinks at me in surprise, then lets loose a surprised chuckle. "Ah… I can't answer that… but I take it this means I don't have to explain anything?"
"Can I come out, now?" comes Shiki's voice.
"Yes," says Takuma in a weary tone. He sighs heavily, then gestures to the pile of sand. "That's your attacker. A level E vampire—that is, he was once a human, was turned vampire, and went insane. It's what happens to all humans who are turned."
I blink at the heap. It explains a lot…
Funnily enough, that's when I notice the sword. Takuma was blocking it from my view with his body, but as he shuffles aside, I can see it plainly. It's got fresh blood all over it, which tells me that Takuma used it to get rid of my attacker.
Silence holds sway for several long moments; the only audible sounds are that of a slight breeze and heavy breathing. "Thank you, Takuma-san," I say softly, and he leans forward toward me until his forehead rests against mine.
"I'm just glad you're okay."
"Does this mean I won't get my memory erased anymore…?"
His laugh is soft, but genuine, and he slowly stands and offers me a hand up. His coat then drops onto my shoulders (I'm not sure where my coat is, now, but I'm hoping that I didn't leave it at the now-closed bookstore), and with one arm around me protectively, he leads me away from the alley. "Shiki, grab that, will you…?" he asks lightly—I assume he's referring to the sword. "Let's get back…"
"I'll second that."
We return to the academy before Shiki and Toya do so (they wanted to stay, and Takuma didn't argue), andTakuma takes me to the headmaster's office, where the nurse's office is located. He says I need to get some bandages as soon as possible. I know I do need bandages, but we have to get inside where there's light if we're going to see the extent of the damage.
We both run quickly across campus for the headmaster's residence—I'd rather not think of the entire Night Class currently being tempted by the smell of my blood—and get inside. Takuma leads me to the nurse's office, where I sit down on one of the cots with a sigh.
"I'll go explain things to the headmaster; he's probably already heard us…"
"Ichijo-san…?" comes a sleepy voice, and I hear a yawn. Headmaster Cross pokes his head in the doorway at us, and I see his half-lidded eyes suddenly widen at the sight of me. "Yagari-san! What are you doing…?"
"She's injured, Headmaster," Takuma explains calmly.
"What? How did this happen?! Oh, no; oh no…" He pads into the room (I notice with amusement his pink bunny slippers and gray bathrobe) rather quickly to fetch the bandages.
Takuma and I exchange glances. How are we going to explain this…?
So I open my mouth to speak. "Headmaster, we—"
"It's my fault, sir," says Takuma quickly, and Cross turns around quickly with an incredulous stare. "No, no, I didn't do that to her, sir, no!" he adds hastily, shaking his head. "What I mean was, I took Hikari-chan to town with me, and she forgot her jacket in the café, so I went back for it, but she got attacked by a level E. It was taken care of, but she was hurt in the process."
Cross's brows draw together in a troubled manner, and he looks over at me, as though to inspect my expression as a verification of his story.
I nod. "That's about the long and short of it."
"You aren't supposed to leave campus without permission…" Cross mumbles distractedly as he sets a few gauze pads on the cot; he then turns to find some more bandages.
"I apologize, sir, for doing so," Takuma says calmly. "I assure you, it will not happen again." I notice that he's not ratting out Shiki or Toya. "Please don't punish Hikari-chan for this…"
"She's been punished enough already," Cross says in a rather sardonic tone. "But I'll leave Kaname to decide your punishment."
"Yes, sir."
"Takuma, you deal with this—I've got to go fetch Yuki…" With that, he leaves in a flurry of slippers and billowing robe.
Takuma smirks at Cross's departure and sits down on the cot beside me. He looks down at my right side, which now burns a little. Upon lifting my shirt a bit, I see that I have four regular gashes from what was presumably the vampire's claws. Great. Takuma gives a slight hissing sound and reaches for the hydrogen peroxide and a cotton ball. "This may sting…"
It does, but it's not unbearable. The cuts aren't even terribly deep. "Thank you, Takuma-san, for saving me."
"You're welcome." His tone is gentler, now. "I'm sorry tonight was so terrible. I, ah, bought you something to maybe cheer you up, but I don't know if two books can make up for a vampire attack." He chuckles nervously and shifts the cotton ball in his fingers.
My eyes widen. "You didn't have to…"
"I thought it would compensate for Shiki and Toya," he continues, but I'm not sure if that's really his motive. Then again, it's hard to tell, because that seems like something he'd do, anyway. He sets the cotton ball down on a piece of tissue, then turns to pick up his sack of purchases from the bookstore. After rummaging around inside it, he produces two volumes: the eighth book in the Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle and the novel I'd looked at when we'd first entered the store.
"Thank you! That's so nice of you, Takuma-san!" I say happily, and I mean it. "And maybe they don't really make up for all that happened, but they certainly help." I smile at him cheerfully.
We stare at each other silently for several more seconds, and Takuma's expression begins to degrade into what appears to be a half-awake drunken stupor.
I frown. "Are you all right?"
Takuma leans back and gathers himself, and raises one hand to scratch the back of his head. "I'm sorry, Hikari-chan… you just smell so good…" He smiles half-heartedly.
I'm not entirely sure what to say in response to that… This is the first time he's ever insinuated that he wants my blood, and I want him to be happy… but I can't very well just let him start sucking me dry. I don't know if I trust him that far—can you blame me, after I just got attacked by an insane vampire? And I recall that he once said something about no drinking blood on campus.
But I get an idea. I pick up one of the gauze pieces and hold it to my knee, which is still open. I watch the crimson start to seep into it slowly, and press a little harder. It hurts to do that, yes, but it's not terrible. About half a minute later, the gauze is pretty red and fairly wet, so I hold it out to Takuma. "Does this help?"
He looks at the blood-soaked gauze in surprise. "You really shouldn't do that," he says softly, but he takes it and stuffs it in his mouth to suck on it. "Wow… you're incredible, Hikari-chan," he mumbles in a muffled voice; he closes his eyes as he leans back against the wall. "Thanks…"
After he's finished with the gauze (which is now only a pale pink), Takuma drops it into the waste basket, and he places his hand on my head. "I'm going to stand outside for a bit…"
I guess it's because the smell of my blood is getting to be too much for him. But I'm not alone for long. Soon enough, Kaname Kuran is there, followed by Headmaster Cross. "Please leave us," Kaname says in his soft, forceful voice, and the headmaster meekly bows and retreats.
"Good evening, Kuran-sama," I say flatly.
"Yagari-san." Kaname stares down at me calmly. "Perhaps it would help if I explain things. You and Ichijo cannot be together because of your natures. You are human; he is a vampire. It would be far too easy for him to lose control, as the level E did earlier this evening."
I frown. "Takuma-san wouldn't do that! He's way too nice—and he knows his limits. Didn't you just see him outside?"
"Yes, hungry and frustrated." Kaname's gaze is cool and straight. Emotionless, almost. "These few injuries were almost too much for his self-control."
Oh…
Well, now I feel guilty, which is dumb, because it wasn't even my fault that I got these injuries! I don't know what to say or do, now… I want to argue that if we're careful, we'll be okay, but all it takes is one accident.
It makes me wonder if the Night Class isn't half-mad all the time, smelling every little paper cut, scraped knee, or irritated bug bite of the Day Class.
If I was willing to hurt myself for his sake, then we'd be okay, but I don't think I know Takuma well enough to decide that I could half-kill myself for him… If I were to spontaneously save him somehow, that would be one thing, but knowingly thinking about the consequences now… I don't know…
And yet, I don't want to just give in and say that I want a memory wipe… I mean, it would be safer for the both of us, and yet… this will probably hurt Takuma, if only some. Then again, I suppose it's better if we cut things off early, before we get really attached to each other.
The thought makes me sad… things were going so well (tonight notwithstanding).
"You understand," says Kaname quietly, and he places a cool hand on my forehead. "Sleep, Yagari-san… Vampires are not supposed to exist…"