.:Chapter Eight : The Reason:.
Within the confines of the Sakamaki mansion's kitchen, Yui was busy stirring the black pan she was before with a wooden spoon. Inside it she had placed some Soba noodles and was tossing it in a drizzle of sesame oil. Soon she would also add some slices of carrot and chilli as well as some shredded chicken.
On the side too next to her she also had some miso soup ready, which she'd had prepared the other day and was heating up in another little pan. As she was preparing it, she only hoped one thing, 'I hope Miya-chan likes this.'
Also as she continued to cook away she couldn't help but think her night had really brightened up. For despite the stress and terror she'd gone through up to this point, it was really refreshing to chatter and laugh like a normal high school student with a friend by her side. The very thought of peaceful normality like that brought a happy smile to her face, as she remembered the delightful study session she'd shared with Miya.
"AAGGHH! For fuck's sake!"
Making her jump, she turned quickly and there she saw an angry individual she knew quite well, "Subaru-kun!"
For there was the angry white haired vampire, behind her as he stood in the doorway of the kitchen. He was leaning against the wooden door frame and it was clear he was not in a good mood at all! Seeing him look so irritated with his arms folded and an angry scowl on his face, the blonde haired girl knew she had to be cautious around him. So carefully she asked him gently, "What's wrong? Is there something-"
BANG!
She was quickly hushed into silence, as the angered vampire punched his fist into the table as he strode across and sat himself down irritated in the chair that was before it. Then he spoke his angered thoughts, "We can't find that intruder anywhere! Plus that bastard Reiji won't let us rest till we do!" Looking angrily into the distance he then commented further mad, "Honestly! I've damn well have had enough of tonight! First that old man and now this!"
Yui hearing this couldn't help but feel a little guilty, knowing that she was partially responsible for what was going on and so said sadly, "I'm sorry you've had such a bad evening...Subaru-kun."
However the white haired vampire didn't care for her apologies and simply grunted annoyed as he turned his face away from her.
As he did that Yui turned back to her cooking, as she continued to stir the noodles. Then as she was onto the next stage and started to mix in the vegetables and meat. She couldn't help but wonder again if their powers as vampires really were that weakened on a new moon like this? But inside she couldn't help but feel a little grateful that things were that way... for she didn't want anything bad to happen to Miya while she was here in the mansion with her.
Subaru then stopped with his angered thoughts and as he did, he turned and finally saw that Yui was cooking. Thinking it was a little unusual, he decided to ask, "Hey?"
Distracted out of her thoughts once more, Yui turned and as she did. She saw Subaru staring intently at her curiously as he asked, "Why're you cooking at this hour? Didn't you have enough earlier?"
Seeing that he'd noticed this small detail, Yui quickly felt terribly nervous again and as she did. She answered quickly, "Huh? Uh? No um... I didn't, uh?"
Quickly though she knew she couldn't show her hesitation! So quickly pouring out the now cooked noodles into a pale green bowl and pouring the miso soup that was ready too in another smaller white bowl. She put them on tray, with a glass of water that was already there. As she did this she lifted it and bowing her head hurriedly to Subaru she told him, "I'm sorry to rush like this, Subaru-kun! But I've got a lot of studying I need to finish!" With that she quickly walked out the door saying, "Excuse me!"
Staring after her slightly baffled, Subaru was silent as he watched her leave. Though instantly this just soured his mood more as he simply turned his face away again and uttered, "Tch! Even she's annoying tonight!"
Meanwhile walking down another corridor, Reiji was walking swiftly across. However crossing his path before his eyes, he saw Yui quickly making her way away from him and he spied in her hands a tray with food on it. Staring after her as she disappeared around a corner with these edible items, his eyes narrowed in suspicion...
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Now back in her room, Yui had displayed out the food that she had prepared to her friend. Miya herself gazing down at the miso soup and the chicken soba noodles that had been prepared for her, was amazed!
Looking to Yui she asked her, "Is this really all for me?"
Hearing her ask, Yui simply smiled and nodded as she told her, "Yeah! Though it's nothing too special, I hope it's all to your taste, Miya-chan."
Her eyes awestruck as she gazed at her, Miya couldn't believe her luck! However she wasn't gonna let this go to waste and told her, "Oh, I'm so gonna enjoy this! Thank you for the meal!" With that taking her chopsticks, the orange haired girl delved straight in!
Taking the first taste of noodles into her mouth, Miya was quickly amazed as she said, "Wow! This is really nice!" Then eating a little more, she was further astonished as she said, "This is really delicious!" With that she gobbled up even more!
Hearing her say this, Yui was amused as she asked her, "Really you think so?"
Nodding firmly, Miya then took a sip of miso soup and as she did, she turned to her friend as she told her honestly, "Totally! I mean you could open a restaurant with this kind of cooking!" Taking a few more sips of her soup, she had to ask her, "You can really cook! Can't you, Yui-ko?"
Feeling a little embarrassed with all this flattery, Yui told her honestly, "Oh... well I guess so?"
As she said this, Miya swallowed a few slices of chicken before she asked her, "Were you taught to cook like this? Or did you learn on your own?"
Yui then told Miya, "Oh? Well I taught myself how to... since I didn't have a mother in my old household... so this kind of thing is easy for me to do really."
Hearing her say this, Miya then told her honestly brimming with total admiration, "Well I think any mom would be proud of this!" To which she added as she couldn't believe her good fortune, "Yui-ko! You're totally my saviour today! I mean it seriously... I'm so lucky..." saying that Miya almost felt like crying from all these blessings she was receiving.
Yui though felt she really was getting too carried away and so told her, "Miya-chan it really isn't that big of a deal! You don't have to keep praising me like this! I'm just glad that-"
"YAWN..."
Then she was cut off as she couldn't help herself as she put a hand over her mouth. Quickly though she became embarrassed as her friend stared up at her surprised. As she did, Yui told her, "Oh!... Sorry... I?"
"Tired are you?" The orange haired girl asked her simply.
To which in reply Yui nodded embarrassed at herself.
However unaffected by this, Miya told her, "Well that's only natural... it's really late now and-" Then suddenly it occurred to her, "Hey! I got it!"
Confused as she said this, Yui looked to her as she asked, "Got what, Miya-chan?"
With that the heterochromia eyed girl told her, "That's how I can get out of here! When those guys are all asleep in the afternoon, I can make my exit from here! Then that will leave you in the clear right?"
Amazed as she thought of this, Yui couldn't think of a reason why that wouldn't work, so told her pleased with relief, "Oh, yes! That should be fine!"
Making a firm nod, Miya smirked brightly as she said, "Right! Well, I'll finish off this meal and we can go to bed then!"
At this suggestion, Yui nodded brightly with a smile and said, "Okay!" However quickly she stopped as she remembered the fang marks that were still all over her body... putting her hand onto her right arm, she clenched it worryingly.
Miya herself taking the final sips of her miso soup, looked to Yui and paused becoming a little worried as she saw her become sullen and quiet. Looking to her with concern in her eyes she asked her, "Yui-ko?"
However hearing her voice, Yui simply tried to hide her insecurities with a smile as she told her, "Huh? Oh, Sorry Miya-chan... I'm fine, don't worry."
Seeing her smile like that, Miya herself was uncertain about the real truth of her answer. However not wanting this delicious food go to waste, she went to eat it all for even she was tired and wanted to go to bed...
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"Fantastic!" With that said, Miya placed her chopsticks on the tray and pushed it gently out of the way. As she did, she turned to Yui again and told her, "That was really delicious again! Thanks Yui-ko!"
However her friend was quiet, as she was Miya was a little concerned again. But she decided to speak on anyway, "Well... we should get ready for bed now, huh?"
To which Yui then responded as she nodded and said, "Yeah... we should," Though she had to ask her friend curiously,"What're you going to do for nightwear, Miya-chan?"
Shrugging her shoulders, the orange haired girl told her, "Well... I'll just wear my red vest and leave my panties on... if that's okay?"
Hearing her say this, Yui didn't have any objections and so nodded simply and said, "Yes... that should be fine."
Nodding herself Miya said, "Okay then, " with that she began to take her blue and dark pink coloured diamond patterned socks off.
Looking at her as she started to do this, Yui felt uneasy... but then she decided to ask, "Um... Miya-chan?"
Turning as she heard her questioning tone, Miya was quiet as she looked at her puzzled and uttered simply, "Hmm?"
Yui then asked her feeling dread build inside of herself, "Can I ask you to?... Could you please not look at me as I change?"
A little surprised to hear her ask something like this, Miya then questioned her,"Huh? Why? Are you shy about your body?"
Nodding quickly as she heard this question being put to her, Yui then responded, "Yes... I am, so do you mind?"
Not thinking anything strange of it though, Miya told her, "No sure that's fine, I don't mind I'll just stay here and let you dress over there."
Glad she was so understanding Yui sighed and replied, "Thank you, Miya-chan."
"It's nothing, don't worry about it," with that said Miya continued with her changing as she went to take off her black fingerless gloves next.
Relieved as she saw her turn around facing away from her, Yui went to her drawers and pulled out her white nightdress and with that she went to change herself.
Miya in the meantime had already pulled off her dark blue shorts, leaving her with only her black panties on. She was now also in the process of pulling off her turquoise blue T-shirt, as she finally removed it she was now left with just her black bra on, then crouching down she was pulling off her red vest, getting it off from the T-shirt.
As she was doing this, Miya couldn't help but stop for a moment as she took a glance at Yui as she had her back turned to her as she was removing her pink long sleeved top. As she saw her do this, looking at her Miya couldn't help but think to herself, 'Why is she so embarrassed about herself? For looking at her, as she was now left in her light blue bra, she couldn't help but think she had a pretty physique with her pale skin. Why would-?
However suddenly she noticed something. On Yui's body she saw angry red marks like spots dotted here and there all over her! Seeing them her eyes widened in shock, but just as Yui turned for a moment she quickly moved her own face away in surprise as she finally pulled off her vest from her T-shirt.
As she concentrated getting and pulling her vest hurriedly onto herself, the image continued to dwell in her mind... there was something about it that disturbed her inside with a shudder. 'What was that?' She thought to herself.
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The two girls had now fully changed into their nightwear and as they did, Yui had asked Miya to get in the bed first and had turned the lights off before getting under the pink sheets too.
Getting herself comfortable, Miya turned to Yui who was lying across from her. She asked her curious, "Are you okay with this arrangement, Yui-ko?"
Hearing her ask this question, the blonde haired girl looked to her and smiled simply as she told her, "Yeah I'm fine with this... I couldn't ask you to sleep under the bed and- "however stopping she saw the worried look again that was on her friend's face. Seeing it, Yui immediately went to soothe her as she said, "It's fine! Really Miya-chan! Please don't be concerned..."
After a moment of gazing into her pink eyes, Miya then decided to believe her words as she told her, "Okay, well as long as you're sure..." with that said she then pulled out her mobile and as she did, she asked Yui, "So? What time do you think it would be best for me to get out of here?"
Hearing the question, Yui then was quiet as she thought about it briefly for a moment and then she spoke as she made her calculations, "Well... we always aim to get to the school at 8pm and I think the brothers would be awake maybe a few hours before then so..."
Miya then came up with her own suggestions, "So 3 to 4pm would be about right, huh?"
At this question Yui then nodded as she replied, "Yes I think so... I think that would be correct."
Quiet for a moment Miya then made a decision, "Okay... well just to be on the safe side, I'll get up for about 2:30pm... that way we can be absolutely sure, right?"
Hearing this suggestion, Yui then nodded as she said, "Yeah! I think that would be good."
"Alright then!" With that Miya tapped a few buttons on her phone as she set the alarm to wake her up at that time, finishing she said, "Okay! That's it we're all set!"
Yui hearing this then replied, "Good!... Sleep well, Miya-chan."
Nodding herself, Miya replied, "Don't worry I will! You sleep well too, Yui-ko..." However before she moved to turn back over she added, "Oh! And thanks again for all the help you've given to me today, I really am grateful for it."
Hearing her say this, Yui then told her with a small smile, "It's nothing at all, Miya-chan... don't worry about it," though she had to admit sadly, "I'm just sorry again that you've been trapped here all night..."
However now it was Miya's turn to reassure her, so she told her simply, "It's fine... I don't mind, besides it's not your fault, Yui-ko! It's that damn four eyes and those jerks he calls brothers...if they weren't such gloomy weirdos with that damn strictness, we wouldn't be in this situation!"
As she said these words, Yui then couldn't help but let out a small giggle as she told her, "Yeah... that's true."
To which in reply Miya nodded firmly, however as she did this... it was then she decided on something, "Yui-ko?"
Hearing her ask after her, Yui asked her simply, "Yes?"
Miya looked a little uncertain of how to ask this question, but she decided to just say what first came to her mind, "Do you find it difficult to be with me at school?"
At this question, Yui's eyes widened and as they did she asked her, "What do you mean, Miya-chan?"
The heterochromia eyed girl then explained a little sadly, "Well... I mean, do you find me annoying or difficult? Because for the last week I've noticed you've been really withdrawn..."
Yui seeing that she'd noticed her distant behaviour was quiet, however sad inside she couldn't reveal the full reason why she'd been that way. Then simply she cast her eyes down as she held her right arm closely to herself, clenching it tightly.
Miya seeing this didn't know how to take it, but then she decided to ask her something else, "Or... do you believe the rumours that have spread about?"
Hearing this, Yui repeated puzzled, "Rumours?"
Nodding Miya then went on to explain, "Yeah... the ones that say I'm only hanging out with you to get close to the Sakamaki's?"
Immediately hearing this, there was a painful jolt in Yui's heart as Miya continued on sadly, "Because if it is, I-"
"That's not it!"
Stopping her in her tracks, Miya looked to Yui with widened eyes! As she did, even the blonde haired girl was surprised at her outburst. However she told her friend looking slightly hesitant, "It's not... it's not that all Miya-chan! I've never thought that or anything badly about you! I mean why would you want to be with them, when..." once again the pink eyed girl had to stop herself from continuing. For it would get too close to the dreadful truth.
Miya herself though hearing this was quickly relieved and so smiling she said, "I know, right? I mean who'd wanna be near a bunch of weirdo jerks like them! I'm glad that's not what it is... I guess I was just worrying too much, huh?"
Yui herself glad to see that she soothed Miya again smiled a little, however she did admit a little sadly, "Yeah... but you were right about me being distant, I've noticed it too and I am sorry about that... I didn't mean to worry you like this."
Shaking her head though as she heard her say this, Miya then told her, "No it's fine, Yui-ko … but why have you been so down? What's the problem you're dealing with?"
Hearing the concern she had for her, made Yui feel better inside but she knew sadly she couldn't reveal the whole truth of why. But there was one thing that she could reveal that had been getting her down for so long, "Well... I haven't been able to talk to my father in a long time... I think that's the main reason why?"
As she said this, Miya asked her with her eyebrows raised, "Your dad?"
To which Yui simply nodded and as she did, Miya asked her, "Well... how long has it been since you've last spoken to him?"
Yui then gave her the shocking figure, "About... six months?"
Appalled by this, Miya repeated shocked, "Six months!? You haven't been able to speak to him in six months!?"
Again Yui simply nodded sadly, Miya though just couldn't believe it as she asked her, "Why!? Haven't you tried to contact him at all!? I mean with a mobile? Pay phone? E-mail? Haven't you-"
Though it was clear Yui was becoming more disheartened with each suggestion and she simply smiled sadly as she said, "Yeah... I've tried many things and...I can never get through to him..." then looking to Miya she told her, closing her eyes to hide tears which she felt might come forth any moment, "I guess I just have the worst luck..."
Miya seeing her become so sad like this, then said aloud, "Well it's no wonder then you've been so depressed!" Becoming determined though, the orange haired girl gripped her fist as she said, "Well I'm gonna change that! You mark my words! That will happen!"
Yui hearing Miya say this, was glad she cared but in reality. She knew that probably even her friend couldn't ever help her with that, but she was happy for the thought and so said to her, "Okay...thanks, Miya-chan."
Nodding simply again Miya then looked to the time on her mobile, as she did she said, "Oh? Well it's getting late... we should both get some shut eye now, huh?"
Hearing this suggestion Yui agreed to it as she told her, "Yeah, we should..."
With that Miya then replied simply, "Okay..." with that she turned herself over getting herself comfortable as Yui did the same.
There was then a silence that lingered in the air... however as some time passed and the two fidgeted restlessly it was clear that neither of them could sleep. Miya on her side of the bed, still couldn't remove the image she saw of Yui before as they were changing... feeling it plaguing her. She decided then to ask, though she knew she might regret it, "Hey... Yui-ko?"
Hearing her ask, the blonde haired girl turned over to look at her friend again. As she did, she asked her, "Yes, Miya-chan?"
Then biting her lower lip, Miya turned herself over too and looking at Yui with serious eyes she asked her, "I... when we were changing... I, I saw your-"
"You saw me? You saw my body?" Yui asked as her eyes widened in horror as she realised it quickly.
Feeling bad, Miya though felt she had to continue. Though she spoke apologetically, "Yeah I did... I-"
Though quickly Yui became upset as she told her, "Why!? I told you not to look at me didn't I?! I told you to-!?"
Quickly though Miya tried to explain, "Yeah I know! I know! I'm sorry! I mean... if you'd explained why, then I wouldn't have peaked! No I, that's not! ... Aww man! I-"
"Do you hate me now?" Yui asked her sadly as she lowered her eyes, shaking ever so slightly.
Stopping as she said this, Miya asked with widened perplexed eyes, "What?"
Yui then shivering still in fear as she awaited the coming rejection asked her, "They're disgusting aren't they? I'm hateful to look at with these marks all over me... " with that said she brought out her right arm which Ayato had bit into so savagely before. As she did his terrible words haunted her as she asked Miya feeling as though she'd break apart inside, "You don't want to be near me anymore do you...?"
Miya hearing this along with seeing Yui shivering in terrible sadness and pain was quiet with concerned widened eyes... but then gently her own heart was moved by compassion. Reaching her hands across and taking her friend's painfully red marked right arm into them, she told her, "No... That's not true."
Becoming shocked along with surprised as she heard those words and seeing Miya taking her marked arm into her hands. Yui was quiet as she heard her continue, "I don't find these marks disgusting, or hateful...I mean they do look bad and painful, but that's all."
Yui hearing this couldn't believe it! Though she still had to ask her, feeling still troubled inside and plagued by doubt, "You mean... you're not put off being near me?"
Hearing her ask this, Miya then smiled at her warmly as she told her, "No... not all." With that stroking her arm gently and soothingly, she told her honestly her thoughts, "Yui-ko, I'm not your friend because of how you look, or because of who you're associated with... the reason I'm your friend is because I enjoy being with you as a person."
Listening to these words Yui's eyes widened as her heart raced inside of her warmly, then quietly she heard Miya continue, "I like being in your company, I enjoy the talks we have together, hearing your thoughts about the world and learning your views about God. " Then pausing for a moment she also added, "Plus I love the way you smile in joy, and I love discovering parts about you I didn't know... like the wonderful kind sides to you."
Astounded to hear these words Yui continued to remain quiet, then she heard Miya tell her kindly, "Those parts of you are what make me want to be with you, and believe me..." with that she gripped Yui's arm gently a little more as she stroked it and said, "It'll take more than marks like these to keep me away from you."
Hearing these words, Yui couldn't believe it! But inside she felt so warmed and overwhelmed by countless powerful feelings, she felt like she would cry. But despite all that she managed to contain herself as she smiled so gratefully as she told her friend, "Miya-chan... thank you."
The gentle blue and green eyed heterochromia eyed girl simply smiled as she heard her friend tell her so relieved, "You have no idea how much those words have helped me... it's like all the pain and fear I had up until now is all washing away..."
Hearing this Miya continued to smile simply as she said warmly to her, "I'm glad to hear that..." then looking to her friend's arm she asked her, "Well I guess I know what else was bothering you now, huh?"
Responding to these words with a little laugh, Yui nodded, "Yeah... you do."
"Hmm?" Miya uttered simply, however she had to ask as she became curious, "So... what are these marks on you anyway?"
Seeing that she hadn't properly discovered, Yui then told her, "It's... it's a rash I have, it's something that's been plaguing me for a long time and... I can't get rid of it sadly."
Feeling bad for her hearing this, Miya told her, "I see... " then she decided to reveal more of her honest thoughts to Yui, "Well it's a shame you have this... because I think, though not in a weird way or anything!" She added hastily for she didn't want Yui to get the wrong idea, "But I think, if you didn't have this rash, you wouldn't have anything to worry about Yui-ko... because I think you really have a nice body and good complexion."
Hearing this in total surprise again, Yui blushed red. For living in the Sakamaki household she wasn't used to having such nice kind true words being given to her. For the compliments she had got always had a sinister undertone when given to her from the brothers... but she was pleased to have her friend's words and responded, "Thank you... Miya-chan..."
With that hearing her say this, the orange haired girl simply giggled at her cute reaction and told her, "It's no problem, " then suddenly she yawned and as she did, she told her friend tiredly, "Well...we better get some real sleep now... night, Yui-ko..."
As she said those words, it was then that Miya released Yui's arm. Then as the blonde haired girl took it back, she felt her friend's gentle warmth continue to glow upon her skin. Gazing at her quietly, Yui couldn't help but look at her in wonder and then with a gentle smile she whispered to her, "Miya-chan... I want you to know... I really enjoy being with you too, I love hearing your funny stories and jokes as well hearing your views about the world."
Then pausing for a moment she revealed, "I just wish I could be as strong as you are..."
"Well you can be!" Surprising Yui, the blonde haired girl then saw her friend looking at her with her single blue eye open. She looked at her as though she was winking again as she told her with a smile, "I'll be here to support you from now on... and to give you the encouragement you need to get that strength... okay?"
Really happy to know that, Yui then nodded pleased as she told her, "Yes... thank you."
"It's okay..." Miya told her and with that she closed her single eye. As she did, it was finally then that sleep came and wrapped itself around her as she breathed in and out deeply.
As she did this, Yui stared at Miya's sleeping face. Looking at her, she couldn't help but admit one further thing aloud to herself, "I'm so lucky to have you here with me... Miya-chan."
Then saying those words she made herself comfortable before saying as sleep finally came to claim her too, "Good night..." With that the two friends peacefully slept gently and warmly together side by side, within the darkness of the haunted vampire mansion of the Sakamaki's...
