Chapter 8

Thank God her hair had got back to its original colour just before leaving.

Mary hadn't spoken throughout the whole ride on the limousine to school, except to kindly ask Azusa not to be too attached to her (she couldn't still understand why the young man was so fascinated by her); she had silently silently observed the Mukami brothers interacting fraternally with each other: it was a bit odd to her, almost an mirage, since she was used to the hostile vibes usually ruling among the Sakamaki's.

In particular, her gaze had lingered several times on Yuuma: although she had given up on talking with Shuu, within herself the yearning to know about his past persevered; however, the giant had never shown any sign of recognizing the blond figure in any way, and the girl had no idea how she could have approached him about that matter.

Once at school, they split, Yuuma and Azusa in one direction, Kou in another; the girl and Ruki went to their own class, climbing the stairs.

- You seem rather interested in Yuuma, or am I wrong? - he asked at one point, always showing off that ironic and at the same time enigmatic smirk; she stopped, turning to look at him with a raised eyebrow and her lips tightened in a grimace.

- Don't think I didn't notice your constant glances at him - the vampire said, tilting his head and staring at her with a mocking light in his eyes.

Mary massaged the joint between her nose and forehead, muttering incomprehensible phrases, and decided to ignore him, resuming her steps.

Ruki is a jerk, simple as that. With this, too...

She suddenly stopped, as they reached the top floor, and Ruki released an amused puff, in front of a quite angry Reiji, aiming to burn down the girl with his glare.

- No - Mary said before the spectacled vampire could even open his mouth (he had already taken one step ahead, fixed his glasses and crossed his arms) – As much as it was bad of me not warning you in time, I won't allow you to criticize me: it was your father who decided my transfer, apparently – she gave a quick glance at the vampire beside her, who was looking at her interestedly and with an almost pleased expression at the other vampire's shocked face.

Reii trembled nervously for a brief moment, then sighed with annoyance and, clenching his teeth, nodded:

- All right.

He turned tail and headed for the classroom.

I'm already in a bad mood, great, the girl thought, rubbing her neck and proceeding in the same direction; if Reiji had reacted in that way, what about the other brothers...?

- Ruki-san. Stop smirking like that, please, you're extremely irritating.

- I think I've already told you I don't get orders from you, Kachiku.

- Ka... chiku?

What's with this nickname mania? Is it a trend among vampires...?


- Mary-senpai!

- Oh, what a joy to see you again!

The two girls hugged tightly, as if they hadn't seen each other for months; they sat on the usual bench, the blonde with her currant juice, smiling cheerfully, and Mary with her can of lemon tea, crossing her exhausted legs.

As soon as Yui asked her why she had moved to the Mukami's, a little shyly because she didn't want to be too much indiscreet, she explained her that it was the Sakamaki's father's wish, which he first had proposed her to become a blood supply for the six brothers in exchange for room and board. She then reassured her not to worry about her, that everything was going to be fine.

- Did you have any problems? - the witch asked, after drinking a sip of tea.

- No - the girl replied, shaking her head thoughtfully – I didn't, but, Laito-kun... I think his night-time convulsions are getting worse. He cries.

The drink's container dropped to the ground with a metallic sound followed by the one of the liquid pouring out; the brown-haired girl turned to look at her, shocked.

Laito never cried.

Stretching apart her knees, she rested her elbows them and hid her face in her hands, sighing; she considered that at that point it would have been better to consult Ari-sensei directly, but would Ruki have been willing to accompany her to her former teacher?

Yui, noting that her friend's mood had just been thrown by a tower, decided to change the subject, though not knowing exactly what to talk about: perhaps the Sakamaki's reacting to her absence? She told her how Ayato hadn't care at all (he had had a much more important task, that was catching his girlfriend's attention); Kanato had looked slightly dull, probably because he needed some advice to sew his damn plush toys; Reiji had been locked in his room to calm his nerves, and she didn't know whether it was because of the half-witch, half-demon's insolence in not coming back or because of having foolishly allowed her a pair of hours' freedom; Shuu had waited for her while sleeping in her bedroom (and before leaving for school, she thought she had heard him talking to Reiji of some intruder...); at last, Subaru...

Oh my God, Subaru-kun!, Yui thought terrified, realizing that she had forgotten a not negligible detail: the albino's very bad mood.

- Mary-senpai! – she called her, while the half with arched an eyebrow at the friend's anxious tone, questioningly.

It was too late at that point; the very vampire was quickly heading towards them with a glare full of hatred. Following the blonde's gaze, Mary turned around, realizing there was a ferocious Subaru who was approaching them; and the cause of his anger (or jealousy?) was likely herself.

A few metres behind, she saw the Mukami brothers stop and observe the scene, curious, especially Kou, who would have gladly enjoyed the show, had he had a comfortable seat to sit on and popcorn to snack on; this had been the brown-haired girl's vision, as she swallowed and stood up to face courageously the erupting volcano vampire.

I'm afraid I'll get a broken bone.

- Subarucchi...

She should have never pronounced it.

A second later, she knew she was with her back on the floor, touching her aching face, grumbling non-sense words; in the meanwhile, Yui had put herself between the two, begging the vampire not to go any further and calling her friend, greatly worried: she didn't like at all that cracking sound she had heard.

Yuuma was staring at them astonished, ignoring Azusa murmuring his envy of Izanami's pain; impressed, Kou commented he thought he had heard a terrible noise ,like something that had been broken; Ruki narrowed his eyes whispering how unpleasant that sight had been.

Mary stood slowly on her feet, and with a gesture of her hand, she fixed up the nasal bone that had been broken, and was slightly compound, after the impact with the albino's fist; Yui paled considerably and slumped again on the bench, shivering in front of the cold-blooded girl who was no longer showing any pain. Actually, her face had a somewhat annoyed expression, if not grim.

- Seriously, Subaru? - she said with a very low voice; Yui felt like shrinking and wished she was in class with her Ayato rather than there.

- You're lucky that I didn't rip your head off, I did warn no to cal... - he aggressively replied, shaking his fist in her direction. He was furious: he had given up on her, reluctantly accepted she had chosen Shuu; but he couldn't tolerate seeing her with those four. Over his dead body.

- Seriously?

The umpteenth second later Subaru was lying on the ground, hurled a few metres away from where the Mukami were standing; Yuuma widened his eyes, even more upset than before, mumbling that everyone was out of their mind that day, while Kou reminded him that he was also a pretty quick to violence guy himself.

By chance, there were no other students in the surroundings witnessing what had just happened; Yui wondered if it wasn't a natural skill of non-human creatures to have no unwelcome bystanders in such circumstances.

- Subaru - Mary's cold and sharp voice went on as she approached him, snapping her index finger first, - do not provoke a witch - then the middle finger, - even worse if it's a hybrid - the ring finger, - if you do not want any trouble.

At last, the little finger; and her silver eyes flashed, warning the albino, not furious, not offended: sad. Because she did understand Subaru's feelings; because deeply inside, she felt that she had perhaps made the wrong choices again; because she was starting to feel fed up with all those burdens that were falling on her and suppressing her mood.

She was tired.

The vampire on the ground stared at her without replying and didn't show any particularly altered expression; suddenly he too felt somewhat worn-out and walked away after getting up, reacting with a grunt to Kou commenting that, hadn't it been for Ruki, he would have followed him to annoy him.

The bell rang.

- Mary-senpai, are you ok?! - the blonde ran to her, anxiously, examining her face, horribly dirty with blood and mucus, and with a clean handkerchief she got closer to clean it.

The girl stepped aside, gently grabbing her arm.

- Don't worry, I'll see to it by myself. Go back to class - Mary told her in a gentle tone that didn't let in any objection at the same time; after staring at her for a long time, not very convinced, Yui lowered her head, slightly dejected, and ran heading for her class.

- Ew - Kou looked disgusted at the state of her face, suddenly close to her; there was still an ironic and provocative tone in his voice – You're quite beaten-up, ne~? Hahaha...

Mary ignored him, unknowingly gaining a dirty look from the blond and a pleased grimace from Yuuma, and turned to Ruki.

- Ruki-san, I'll be in the infirmary. Would you mind inform the teacher for me, please?

She didn't wait for his answer; she was already on her way to the infirmary, not before having loudly slapped Azusa, who, curious and excited, had touched her face.

Which left the Mukami brothers open-mouthed, who for a reason, who for another.


- Hmm...

Mark switched song with his his mp3 player.

- Aneki...


Thanks for reading~ I hope you enjoyed the new chapter!

"Kachiku" means "livestock".

"Aneki" means "big sister".