Chapter 9


Ruki looked at the clock. "It's almost dinner. Want to help me cook?" The moment I arrived at their mansion I noticed something and that is they don't have butlers or maids. I've read books about cooking but I didn't have the chance to try. We went towards the kitchen. "You know how to cook Ruki?" He smirked. "You'd be surprised of what I can cook." Seeing that they tend to their selves on their own maybe he is even better than I expected. I looked at him. "Well then, I'm looking forward to what you will make Ruki." I smiled. I'm really looking forward to Ruki's cooking. "What would you like to eat then?" Ruki asked me. I remember a dish that stands out in one of the books that I've read. "I would like to eat some beef stew if it's possible." I said. We arrived at the kitchen. Ruki headed to the refrigerator. "We have some beef but we're out of potatoes and carrots. You can go to Yuma to get some. I think he's in the garden right now. I'll start preparing." I'm really getting excited for dinner. I got closer to Ruki and hooked my arms to his and looked at him. "Thank you so much, Ruki." I said while smiling happily. He chuckled. "Wouldn't your lips hurt from smiling too much?" I let go of his arms then pouted. "I'm just really looking forward to your cooking Ruki." Then I went to the garden and I started humming Vivaldi's Summer from his Four Seasons.

I arrived at the garden. I saw Yuma watering some plants when I went closer I saw that he's not just watering some plants but a mini vegetable garden. "Wow Yuma, you grow vegetables here?" He looked at me and saw me smiling. "Oi! Don't charm me!" he yelled. I just kept smiling then giggled. "It's okay Yuma, with these glasses you won't be charmed anymore. Thanks to Ruki." He realized that he's not being charmed. "Is that so? How does that work?" He asked. I looked at all the vegetable they had then I looked at Yuma then explained, "He sent it to the demon world to put a spell on it. So, did you grow these vegetable yourself?" He turned off the water hose then put it down. "Yeah, I take care of it every day." I can see that they are all well taken care of. "That's amazing Yuma! They all look delicious." He smiled. "Of course, I'm the one who's tending it!" I giggled. "Oh, Ruki said that you're out of potatoes and carrots at the kitchen." He scratched his head then complained, "We're out of potatoes again?" He went to a shed to get a basket. "Do you need some help Yuma?" I asked, he looked at me from head to toe. "It's okay. You can just hold this basket. You'll get dirty Hime-sama. Besides, I grew them so I'm the only one who gets to harvest them." Hime-sama? Is that going to be my nickname from him? Does he really portray me as a princess? I pouted and asked, "Should I be flattered that you're calling me a princess?" He started harvesting and replied, "Well, you're like a girl version of Ruki but more princess like." He laughed and I joined. Girl version of Ruki? That's funny. He put five potatoes then five carrots. "That's enough for dinner, I think. I'll just bring some later for stock. You can bring those to Ruki." I looked at the vegetables. They all looked well taken care of. "Thank you, Yuma." I said while smiling. He also smiled back then I went back to the kitchen.

I saw that Ruki is already preparing the beef. "Ruki, here are the potatoes and carrots. Yuma said that he'll bring some more later. I'll prepare this for you." I washed the potatoes and carrots. "Thank you. Let's both do it together, I'll teach you." Ruki said then he handed me a knife. We started chopping the vegetables. It's actually fun to cook. I hope that someday I can do it with Shu. I was distracted by my thoughts when Kou, Yuma and Azusa entered the kitchen. Kou asked loudly, "What's for dinner?" I was startled and accidentally cut myself. It was a deep cut so my finger bled. I was about to lick it when I saw all four of them looking at me with red eyes. Kou held my hand then licked his lips. "Airi-chan, your blood smells delicious. Can I lick it? I clean it for you." He was about to put my wounded finger on his mouth when Ruki stopped him. "Kou! What did I tell you?" I looked at Ruki and the color of his eyes is back to normal. Yuma and Azusa also. Kou let go of my hand then also the color of his eyes came back to normal. "Sorry Airi-chan. I couldn't help it since you really smell good." I was about to say something when Ruki pulled me away to another room. "Why did you have to cut yourself? All of us will have a hard time holding back now that we have smelled your blood." I frowned. "I'm sorry Ruki. I was -" Ruki interrupted me by holding my hand then he started licking my wound, his eyes became red. "It's really hard to hold back, Airi." I can feel his tongue tasting my skin. Then he bit my hand and started sucking my blood. "Ruki." I called out to him. He stopped sucking. "This is the second time that I tasted your blood." He went closer to me, hugged me then he whispered in my ear, "It's really delicious now that I'm a vampire." He licked my neck then he bit me. I blushed since this is the first time that Ruki did this to me. It feels good. Realizing what I just thought I tried to break free from Ruki but it seems that he's stronger than me. He stopped sucking then he started licking my neck. "More, let me suck your blood." Then he sucked again. Why is he this strong? Or am I getting weak? "R-Ruki, p-please st- s-stop." He stiffened then he let go of me. His eyes are back to normal but his face is pure of shock. He composed himself then bowed down to me. "I'm sorry that I lost control of myself. I even warned Kou and the others to control themselves and yet I-" I interrupted him. I put my hand on his shoulder. "Ruki, it's okay. I understand, it was my fault that I cut myself and I don't really mind since it's you." I said while blushing. Then I thought of what I just said. I don't mind? Why? Maybe I feel it's the only way I know that I can repay him for all the things he did for me. He looked at me still worrying. "Really Ruki, it's fine. I was just surprised since it is the first time that you sucked my blood. Don't worry about it, I'm fine." He stood up straight and said, "Seriously, what a kind master you are." I pouted. "I'm not your master. I'm your friend, remember?" He smiled and I also smiled back. "Now, I don't owe you anything." I said while I chuckled. "I guess you're right. Come on, let's continue making dinner. On second thought, I'll be the only one cooking. Just help prepare the table." Ruki said then he smirked. I pouted and said, "But Ruki, I wanted to try cooking, too." Then we walked back into the kitchen arguing if I get to cook or not, forgetting what transpired between us.

Ruki finished making dinner all by himself, he wouldn't let me help him so I helped Kou, Yuma and Azusa preparing the table. Kou asked, "Why are you wearing glasses?" Azusa answered timidly, "Yuma said she can't charm us anymore when she smiles. It suits you, Airi-san." Kou agreed. I smiled and said, "Thank you, Azusa. It was Ruki's idea." All was done and the Beef Stew was served. It looks and smells delicious. I grab my spoon and tasted it. Wow, it really is delicious! Ruki is really amazing. I chewed it heartedly, slowly closing my eyes, savoring the food. Realizing that I closed my eyes unconsciously, I hastily opened them noticing all four of them were looking at me. I blushed. That was really embarrassing! I composed myself and said, "I can't help it. It's really delicious. You're really amazing Ruki." Ruki smirked but I can see some twinkle in his eyes. "It's just a simple Beef Stew. No need for praises." They all started eating. "Mmm-mmm, it is too delicious for a simple Beef Stew. Airi-chan, is this your favorite dish?" Kou asked cheerily. I looked at Kou then smiled. "I requested it to Ruki since this was the only dish that stood out for me in a book. But now I certainly can say that it is my favorite dish." Azusa timidly spoke, "So that's why Ruki made it extra delicious." Yuma complained, "It is delicious because of my vegetables I grew!" Kou countered, "Yuma-kun, Ruki-kun made it extra special because of Ai-". He was interrupted by Ruki saying, "It doesn't matter what it is just eat your food." I giggled at their bickering. They really get along so well, even though they are not blood related. I hope me and my brothers can become like this.

After dinner and cleaning up, the brothers went on their separate ways. I followed Ruki to the living room. "Ruki, can I ask you something?" I stated. He sat on the sofa and I sat beside him. He looked at me and asked, "What is it?" I replied, "I noticed earlier that you have different uniform compared to Kou and the others, why is that?" He smirked and said, "That's because we're on the same level. We're both in the first year high school and my brothers are still in middle school." I was right, but why? I'm older than Ruki. Ruki chuckled and I looked at him and narrowed my eyes. "What?" I said. He just patted my head and said, "You're so easy to read, seriously. It's not only you that excel in their studies, Karlheinz-sama ordered me to take the exam for first year high school and I should pass it so that I can be at the same grade as you." My father did? To be able to have a closer eye on me is that it? I sighed, "Don't misunderstand Ruki, I like being with you but are you going to be my chaperone or something? Why? I am capable of taking care for myself." I feel frustrated. Ruki pinched my cheek to get my attention. He removed his hand when I looked at him. "Calm down, Airi. It's not like that, Karlheinz-sama just wanted to make sure that nothing bad happens to you. I know you can take care of yourself." I somehow calmed down. "Can you tell me the main reason why?" Ruki sighed and said, "The main reason is he wants to avoid you on going back to the demon world at least until you graduate high school." I widened my eyes, surprised at what I heard. "I can't visit during vacations?" I asked Ruki and he just nodded. I looked away from him. But why am I not allowed to go back? What is father up to this time? I stood up. "I think I need to rest. I'm going to my room now." Ruki held my hand to stop me from leaving. "Airi, I'm really sorry about this but at least let me help you. I can deliver your letters for him in the demon world." I looked at him and asked, "You would do that for me? Why?" He stood up, put my hand in his heart and looked directly in my eyes. "Airi, you may think that I must serve Karlheinz-sama, it's true that I must since he provided us all what we have now but for me, you, my one and only maker will always be my priority whether you like it or not." Ruki really felt this way for me? I sighed. I removed my hand from his and placed both my hands on his cheeks. I was about to say something when he suddenly said, "Airi, I know what you want. I really am seeing you as a friend, believe me but I can't help what I feel towards you." I smiled. I really appreciate all his efforts for me, I guess I'll just let it this way. "Ruki, thank you so much. I really appreciate all the things you said just please don't forget to take care of yourself. I don't want to see you get hurt because I care about you." He placed his hands on top of mine then smiled. "Thank you for everything, Airi." He said sincerely. I slowly removed my hands and asked, "Aren't you getting in trouble if you were to deliver my letters to Shu?" He chuckled and said, "Karlheinz-sama just ordered that you're not allowed to go back and it wouldn't hurt to keep this a secret from him." He's technically right but I don't want him getting in trouble. I placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "Just be careful, I don't want you getting in trouble."