Guys, sorry for late update. I just inserted this scene between the last two chapters. I hope you would like it.

Review. Review. Review.

Chapter 4: Secret Garden

"Rima…"

"Mmm..."

"Rima…"

She woke up from the distant dream that she had. It was the same scene all over again, the rain, the garden full of flowers, and the sweet scent and coolness that lingers in the air. It was so surreal, like a completely beautiful image preserved in the darkest desires of her heart. His icy blue eyes were staring at her. The part of him that she endearingly love the most. She smiled gently and affectionately. How she hoped to touch his eyes and feel the softness from it. It resembled the blue existence that she was completely awed from before.

She tried to reach to him and let her hands caress his face. Still, it wasn't enough. She leaned in forward slowly and place a peck in his eyes. The reaction coming from the boy was surprising. A tint of red shaded his cheeks, and his eyes widen as if she done something out from the usual. Then his facial expression soften, he held her hand that was touching his face. "Rima, are you okay?"

All of a sudden, everything registered through her. She suddenly took her hand away and stood out of the bed. What was she doing? That was so embarrassing. She kissed him without thinking.

"Sorry about that Shiki." She was looking away from him. "I was half-asleep and didn't know what I was doing." It sounded like a lame excuse to her.

The maroon-haired boy got hurt from the way she reacted. It was true that it was something that she wouldn't do. She would never look at him like that, a gentle smiling expression as if he is the world to her. When she felt the warm from her lips touched his eyes, it fueled something deep in him. The burning desire flaming in his throat was unbearable. Though he put up all his courage to control himself and asked if she was okay.

The silence was swelling up in the atmosphere. Rima could sense that Shiki was a bit hurt of what she said. There was this throbbing feeling inside of chest that tells her to comfort him. How? The last minute she was so flustered and end up speaking lame excuses. She gaze at him, pulled out a long breath, and walk towards him.

She held out her hand and gently patted his head. She was blushing fervently but she can't stop until she knows everything was fine. "Shiki, I'm sorry, okay? I don't like it when you make such sad expressions in front of me. Thank you for reading to me last night. It gave me wonderful dreams." She assured him with a smile.

He looked at her. The hurt that he felt suddenly vanished. What he was doing? That was too much. He got her worried and that was not a good idea.

"I'm suddenly hungry." Rima pointed out. "Let's get our breakfast at the lounge."

Before turning her back away, her hand was taken by Senri. "Outside. Let's eat outside."

Touya blinked her eyes and nodded. "Fine, but let's get dressed first."

Rima went quietly to her room and laid into her bed. The window flashed rays of the late afternoon sun, getting the room basked in orange hues. It was pretty though sometimes it hurts her eyes. As a vampire, she doesn't like to be blinded by the light. Still, it was magnificent like dull page given color. She sighed. She needed to prepare herself.

She rummaged her closet for something easy to wear, a green satin dress and a pair of yellow sandals that would complement her dress. She brushed her hair quickly and put them into her signature pigtails. Rima took her bag and rain quickly down the hall. Shiki was there, waiting at her beside the door. He wearing a pair of jeans, his beige sleeveless shirt, and red sneakers. She smirked a bit, recognizing his bed hair.

"What's so funny?" he asked curiously.

"You do have no self-awareness of yourself." She patted the bed hair that was sticking out his head. "Next time, brush your hair before going out." Giggles started to come out her mouth.

He flashed a grin. "It's a bit annoying to do that but I'll remember that."

Rima pouted at his reply. "You're a son of a model after all."

"A model's son without no self-awareness." Senri corrected her slyly.

"I thought so that you would say that." Rima sighed.

He took her hand. "Rina, let's go out. I'm getting hungry. "

Shiki, nowadays, would suddenly held her hand as if it was the most usual thing in the world. She begun to flush at his gestures. She nodded.

The two childhood friends were inside a fancy jam store that was a bit further from the academy. Shiki was looking at a set of jars and was looking for something. Her model partner got annoyed by the chain of events. She thought they were going to a restaurant to eat, instead they were roaming around different stores for a while. First, he pulled her to a basket store and bought a large woven basket, then they entered a bakery.

The young boy was talking a bit casually to the baker as if he knew him. Touya never could imagine his childhood friend talk to other humans without a hint of reluctance. Of course, she saw him talk to that brunette prefect and that gloomy vampire hunter before but this was different. She stared at him for a while.

Senri noticed the stares that Rima was giving him and approached her after talking to the baker.

"Shiki—"She started but the young vampire cut her off.

"They had great pastries. I saw this shop the other day while patrolling the premises. The baker was a nice fellow. He let me tried some of the cookies here."

"I see…"

Now, they were inside a jam store. What the heck was Shiki thinking? She just draw out a sigh and waited for him outside the store. The sky was getting dimmer. A rush of wind suddenly passed her, leaving a rawness in her skin. A chill was creeping in her body, numbing her senses. Out of the blue, a finger pock her in the cheeks and left her surprised.

Her childhood partner was beside her. "You were spacing out."

This time the petit girl got really annoyed. "Hey Shiki, how much longer should I wait? I'm hungry you know."

He smiled. How could he smile when she was getting annoyed already? "Come with me and I'll show you something interesting."

"Fine. Just be reminded that I am annoyed." Rima was already walking so Shiki took her hand.

"Not there, don't haste. Let me guide you, lady Rima" He teased her.

She eyed him with a killing intent. Now, he was making fun of her. But it was no use, she was hungry and doesn't want to argue anymore regarding childish thing. She left him guide her to alley ways and turning to corners then suddenly turning to a stop in front of a gate.

"Where are we?"

Shiki pushed the gate open, making creaking sounds. "Patience, Lady Rima, we'll get there."

"Would you stop using the word 'lady'? It doesn't seem appropriate." Rima suggested shyly.

"Close your eyes."

Rima asked. "Why? Stop playing games, would you?"

"Please. Close your eyes, Rima."

She did. His hands were guiding him through the pavement. Nervousness engulfed her, and Senri noticed the anxiety in her expression and held her hand tightly to reassure her that he was there. They young boy had planned this little night escapade a few weeks ago when he discovered this breathtaking place while patrolling. He knew that she would love this. Excitement was rushing through his vein. Imagining what kind of expression would she make after this surprise?

"You can open them now." Rima slowly opened her eyes. The scene in front of her surely took her breathe away. The place was flourished with lots of flowers and antique Victorian mirrors. She approached a mirror that reflected herself and touched the glass. She could see there the scenery beside her reflections, the glistening buds and the intertwining vine that made it more enchanting. She could feel that she was in wonderland and that she was Alice roaming around a garden full of mirrors.

"Woo….oow. This is so pretty. Shiki, how did you find this place?"

'"Hmmmm…"There was a long pause before he replied. "It's a secret."

"Geez, stop playing games with me." Rima flashed a grin.

The maroon-haired boy just laughed. "I'm not, trust me."

He pulled a blanket out of the basket and laid it evenly in the grass. He pulled out couples of biscuits, apples, finger sandwiches, rose jam, paper cups and a warm thermostat containing hot tea. He sat down and gestured to Rima to sit down with him. She did while still being mesmerized by the scenery.

"How come there's tea, sandwiches and apples?" She asked.

Senri took a bite from the sandwiches. "The baker." Talking with his mouth full.

Touya was still curious yet didn't want to ruin the moment by asking irrelevant questions. She took a biscuit and took a feeble bite. It was delicious. Not too sweet, yet it was tasty.

Shiki handed the jam to her. "Put this, it would be more delicious." She did spread a handsome amount of jam in her biscuit and took another bite. It did become more delicious. Crumbs was left at the side of her lips, the young boy noticed it. He brushed of the crumbs gently with his slender fingers

Rima stared at it him. These were little moments that she hoped that won't vanish and be preserved for eternity in time. Rima was always worried for his childhood friend. She hoped that he would sometimes think of himself, not others. She sighed.

"What is it?" He showed a worried face.

Rima thought she was being an idiot, letting him to get anxious.

"Shiki!" She started. "Thank you. Thank you for sharing me this place and let me enjoy this wonderful feast. It's not even my birthday yet." She smiled sincerely.

"Welcome." His expression soften. "What do you want for your birthday?"

"I am already happy for this. Don't bother anymore. Thank you."

Still, Shiki was bother and wanted to give something more for her birthday