CHAPTER 20
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"Is Yuki-chan okay? It's been almost a week I haven't heard or seen her."
"Who knows..."
"Shouldn't we notify Karlhei-" The blonde flinch at getting glared by Ayato and nodded in understanding and how that wasn't going to happen and certainly not an option. Both of them continued walking down the school hallway.
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"Haven't the Sakamaki been acting weird for the past week? And princess still doesn't appear."
"Maybe... because they... can't find... her still."
"Or this." Ruki enters the living room with an envelope between his index and middle finger.
"Dinner with them and Karlheinz."
"When?"
"The end of next week."
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Yui furrows her brows as Yuki didn't speak much always deep in thought or in pain which had been doubled by a substance that had been administered to her according to Reiji. At times you could find Shu resting beside her who always had her arms wrap around his arm.
Nearing the end of the week and the dinner with the Mukami and Karlheinz approaching Yuki's fever returned. Yui knitted her brows staring at the brunette gritting her teeth in her restless sleep and sweating profusely her attention switch to the door opening and revealing Shu along with a man she briefly met.
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Everyone sat quietly at dinner Yui occasionally looking up and once glance at the vampire king to see him in deep thought before looking away before he caught her staring.
"I wonder where can my lovely daughter be? I heard from one of the familiars she was back." Karlheinz chuckles a smile appearing on his lips as he got minor reactions from a few of his sons and Yui.
Shu opened his eyes.
Reiji had stop mid-bite.
Subaru tightens his grip on the utensils and Yui look down biting her lip.
"Komori-san."
"Y-yes?"
"Could you get my daughter from her room?"
"Uh..."
"I'm afraid she won't be able to accompany us tonight." Reiji intervenes to the relief of Yui despite still feeling a twinge of nervousness as Karlheinz response was a hum and a smirk.
"Why is that?"
"Yuki-chan-"
"I'm right here." Everyone turns towards the sound of the voice to see Yuki walking in wearing an oversized white blouse half tuck in haphazardly in her black jeans and a black choker covering the skin of her neck along with black ankle boots her hair cascaded over her shoulders pass her chest from straight to soft curls at the end.
She sat on her seat between Shu and Subaru.
"Dear, it is bad manners to come late to a dinner."
"I slept more than what I anticipated my nap would take.." Yuki smile sheepishly laughing lightly. "Time seems to go fast when you're enjoying your dreams."
The brunette's gaze landed on Yui's worry fill expression she giggles and smile reassuringly towards the blonde before turning to smile brightly at the vampire king who still watches her intently. "If I was late already the food wouldn't be warm."
"You sure are bright dear."
"Just relaxed but I could be serious too if that bothers you." Her tone became frigid as well as her expression became blank before she smiles once again. Karlheinz seems a bit disappointed as he was stuck in a stare down with his daughter before a smirk came to his lips clearing his throat and going back to his dinner as ever one else now Yuki accompanying them.
After a while, Yui got up to get dessert while Reiji started to pick up the dishes to set up for the dessert.
"You're not helping dear? Help them." Karlheinz pipe in staring at Yuki.
"If I must." She got up receiving the tableware from Reiji and started to set up the table and once done sat back on her seat just as Yui came back.
.
….
…...
Once again time passes in uncomfortable silence until the very end when once again Yuki was called by her father making her the center of attention. The brunette hum looking at him.
"Since you're back there won't be trouble for you to go back with the Mukami."
"Why?"
"You should know better than to act without my orders."
"I refuse."
"What did I say, Ileana."
"..." Yuki looks thoughtful before sighing and nodded. "Just for now."
"But Yuki-chan is-"
"Sweetheart." Yuki smiled at her before looking back at Karlheinz. "if they'll have me back I'll go."
"Also, you'll return to school immediately."
"Tomorrow night then."
"Yes, dear."
"Rhetoric question." The brunette then mumbles about hating Mondays.
After the vampire king had left, Yuki got up but fell back down on the seat trembling in pain a hand going to the lower left of her abdomen.
"Yuki-chan are you okay?"
"Yeah, just got up too quickly." Yui watch as the brunette got up again more slowly and glance down at her blouse looking relief.
"You... don't seem...happy...to... be with us." Yuki opened her eyes and lock eyes with Azusa.
"Ye, and where have ya been, princess? You disappear from the hospital out of thin air."
"I was in Romania." Azusa and Yuma look a bit disappointed as that were all the brunette was going to say.
"Yuki your room is ready."
"Thank you." Yuki smiles one brow raise at Ruki. "You know I know it's courtesy of the host but I could have taken care of fixing the room."
"You seem tired." The male got closer offering his hand out to the brunette with a smile, she looks conflicted but with a sigh, she gave up and put her hand on his watching as his eyes glint in understanding to why her skin wasn't cold. She thanks him as he pulls her up and follows him.
Finally, the brunette lay on her side feeling as her body thank her for finally letting it rest, closing her eyes relieved she could finally rest her pain-filled body. Persefarius did the best he could in restoring her health and body as it was but because of what she was injected the wounds were still open.
Her thoughts drifting to what would have happened if she was still being tortured she bit her lip as tears gather at the corner of her eyelids at the memory of Hide possibly being dead because of her. Feeling guilty just knowing she was at fault for bringing her into this and not erasing her memories and letting her go.
"Where did Kou go?"
"He had to go back to work. He had only freed his schedule for dinner."
"I thought he left because of her."
"He seemed...complicated."
"Maybe is bad for them to ignored each other." Yuma cut in before Ruki open his mouth.
"Ruki...are you going... to intervene?" Azusa lock gaze with Ruki who then look down at his lap.
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-Yuki's POV-
Halfway through night school I became vexed at the unnecessary attention I had been receiving from people that I didn't even speak to.
"Where were you? We heard you were kidnapped from the hospital by the same man who shot you."
"I was only out of the country with relatives."
'Kidnapped?' I thought baffled and wondering how such thing was spread having had enough with people coming to me and saying the craziest things.
"Relatives? I thought you only had your brothers and father."
"You thought wrong."
'How did I end up in the middle of a circle of students wanting to speak with me? This is annoying I have to get rid of them somehow.'
"Hey, Yuki-...Hello, earth to Yuki..."
"I was thinking."
"What were you thinking?"
"..."
"W-why are you glaring?" Everyone took a step back and murmur about my fangs and how scary they were.
"Finally," I said out loud and started to walk away.
After walking a safe distance and making it up to the rooftop I exhale happily to be away from others yet feeling lonely.
-end of pov-
"Yuki-chan is it okay to stay?"
"Yeah, I'll leave once I speak with Coco-sempai."
"Were you crying?"
"..." Yui watches with worry as she looks away.
"Yu-"
"Oh, look Coco-sempai is here."
The blonde sighed watching as the youngest of the Sakamaki flinch as she was squeezed into a hug before turning to look at Ayato who had been observing quietly.
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"Princess, you're not going to eat?"
"No, I'm busy." Yuma watch the brunette work on the mansion's library a stack of textbooks and school work from the last months she was absent and she clearly didn't sleep at all. Last night she came back from school and made a beeline to her room to get her stuff to shower and get comfortable to do school work.
"Princess-"
"Look there are only two months left of school and I don't want to flunk my first year so I'm using the chance given to me. I have this to do before Friday then I have to take tests so I have to study to be caught up. So, I'm busy."
…...
"Let me go! I have to finish." Three pairs of eyes fell on Yuma entering the dining room with Yuki over his shoulder but she wasn't wiggling trying to get off his grasp instead she was stiff her golden eyes wide before they close thinking he would drop her just to open them after she was set down on the chair.
"Yuki-chan...are you...okay?"
"Y-yeah, peachy."
"You'll end up fainting at school if ya don't eat."
"You didn't sleep."
"I'll sleep when I'm done with everything else."
"Yuki."
"What is it?"
"What happens to soulmates if their connection is cut?"
"Ruki-san you believe in such things?"
"Just answer the question."
"... You can't cut the connection." Something like that I think. Yuki bit the inside of her cheek before laughing in amusement. "Why are you curious though?"
"How does... one...know...if they... found... their soulmate?"
"Soulmates are rare these days so I'll see it as lies... Fate is weird because everyone would like to meet theirs and it never happens and when it happens is under weird circumstances... they cross your path when you least expect it... but most of all you feel this pull that neither could comprehend and it all depends on the situation they meet."
"You sound like that happen to you princess."
"Huh? I don't know I just spouted whatever nonsense came to mind but I do know that they feel pain. For example, my parents... if my parents were soulmates then mother loves him but he says he doesn't so she suffers but loves him despite the hurt and rejection so when people say it hurts it is not being dramatic it actually does."
"I'll be outside waiting." Kou mutter getting up everyone watch as he walks out before the brunette turns back with a raised brow a glint in her eyes show worry but her grin was one of fake amusement.
"What up with all of you. Weirdos asking weird stuff." Yuki stares at the food but closes her eyes before getting up with a tight smile. "I'll go get ready."
"You didn't eat."
"I'll eat later."
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"Yuki-chan."
"hmm?"
"Last time you left with Tsukinami-san to talk." Yui watches the brunette looked up from her work on the library table. "Was there something wrong? You even ask me if Kou-kun had seen."
"Oh, but both are unrelated, he was curious because I look at them, not like strangers."
"Do you know us then?" Both females turn to see the youngest of the Founders.
"Maybe in my dreams mostly just fantasize about you." Yuki smirk leaning back crossing her arms over her chest, Yui who sat beside her watch as Yuki's eyes darken before it went away and she only smile sadly with furrow brows. "but you would never set your eyes on someone as like me."
"Yuki-chan enough..."
"But I wanna know how sharp his fangs are. I wanna know what the big bad wolf can do with-" Yui covers the brunette's mouth and let go once she was being glared at. "What was that for?"
"You can't go around saying such things. It's provocative."
"I was only joking but hey..." Yuki put a hand over her mouth hiding her giggles before clearing her throat and calmed down. "Anyway, I need to finish this and sorry but I can't chat."
Yuki got her pencil and resume her work only freezing as the male grasp her wrist and pull her up towards him his other hand tangled in her hair her eyes lock with his, unblinking. "Someone lowly as you don't deserve the fangs of a Founder."
"I know that," Yuki said matter of factly wincing slightly as he pulls her hair back and laughs clearly amused.
"You enjoy being a blood bag is that why you're offering yourself."
"How you know? Isn't that any humans fantasy become the blood bag of a vampire-"
"Don't compare us to those lowly peasants."
"I'll lick the dirty soles of your shoes just to get bitten." Yuki was pushback after he stares at her blank expression and left clearly unsatisfied and annoyed and because steps were heard. Both females watch as the librarian enter ignoring them.
"That was dangerous."
"Yeah?"
"You still-"
"He left so it was a plus."
"Be careful."
"I get that much now let me finish my work Yui."
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-Thursday 3 PM-
"Yuki what a-" Ruki close his eyes a sigh leaving his lips after he was hit on the face by the brunette's hand as she had jumped startle and turn to fast, she curses and smiles apologetically at him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you, Ruki-san ." She looks away unaware how she was trembling yet both she and he knew her heart rate was accelerated, he took notice she didn't have a sweater on and her hair was up in a high ponytail with strands falling on each side of to frame her face. His eyes drifted to her neck and wrist to see scarred from chain cuffs and obvious attempts to get out of them then his eyes went to the crook of her right arm to see various pinkish scarred dots from something needle-like penetrating her skin along with various slashes some seem to be already scared but others seem recent. Her right seems to have gone through worse than her left. Yuki cut his starring as move her hands behind her back. "What are you doing up?"
"I just finish all of my work but... I couldn't sleep so I came out to get some fresh air." She attempted to smile again but she couldn't anymore and instead, blank expression took over her features.
"As a kid, I felt the same as I feel right now." Ruki raises a brow seeing as she hugs herself. " I was so tired from crying and begging for the pain to stop, I begged Father to not leave or the pain would come back tenfold yet he only left with the promise he would return faster that time but... he never visited again. I felt dead inside that night as I was thrown out of the castle after being treated nicely. I feel death I feel like this body is not even mine. I am weaker than I already was."
Before the male could say anything, they were interrupted by footsteps Ruki turn to the source and she tried hiding her arms yet it was too late as bigger hands took hold of her hands and stare with wide eyes.
"Yuma," Ruki warn and gave him questioning look.
"Did Kou go to work again?"
"Yes."
"Hasn't he been working too much lately?" Yuki moves away after he had loosened his grip on her hands and started to walk off.
"I'll be in my room resting." Once she was gone Yuma raise a brow and turn to look back at Ruki.
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Yui gaze at the brunette who clung to Ayato's arm during the dance club as his club activities was postponed for the night. Coco wasn't there as she had other errands to do so that left the brunette in charge and yet she clearly seems happy with her arms wrap around her brother's arm. He had been a little surprise to the sudden affection towards him since she only tended to show affection towards Shu, Subaru, and Reiji but mostly Shu.
"Yuki-chan you should start activities."
Yuki sighed satisfy with the others practicing as she now stood observing, jumping as she felt a hand on her back and turn quickly to see none other than Coco.
"And I thought you wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility."
"I'm offended." Yuki pouted a hand on her chest showing she was hurt by her words laughing into the hug she was pulled into as Coco apologize unaware that the laugh was a nervous one nor seeing the brunette grit her teeth at being squeeze tightly.
"Don't be offended I'm only joking."
"I appreciate the hug but it's too tight." The brunette finally blurted out relief as Coco step back slightly still hugging her, shaking her head at Coco's curiosity who stare at the scarf the brunette wore around her neck after that the third year girl's attention went to another topic.
"Oh, so now that you're back we could talk more about the production. E still need to prepare."
"Right." Yuki half smile.
"Hey, princess," Yuki grumble a greeting entering the kitchen carrying a small container of instant coffee and going straight to get the kettle and fill it with water before making her way to the stove. Yuma watch as all her movements was zombie-like. "you got here later after Kou."
"And?"
"He didn't wait for you."
"He doesn't have to and Aya-nii drop me off after dropping Yui off at home and accompany me to the convenience store."
"Aya-nii?"
"Don't laugh!" Yuki shouted embarrassed as the tall vampire laughed and seeing he wouldn't stop laughing she opted to ignore him. Even after he had stopped laughing and both didn't say anything, she was aware he was looking at her yet didn't call him out for it. Instead, she moves around the kitchen taking out a cup and a spoon.
"Woah Princess that's a lot of coffee for someone who hasn't slept."
"I'll sleep when I'm dead. Sooner or later I'll die so I'll sleep then."
"That's very pessimistic."
"It is." Yuki agreed as she took the spoon to the sink after mixing the coffee with the hot water together.
"You have worst dark circles under your eyes than your brother." Yuki snorted as a smile forming on her lips.
"Just don't say that in front of him."
"Yuki."
"Yeah?" Yuma watches as she took a tentative sip of the hot beverage before setting it down until her attention was on him raising both of her brows at the realization he calls her by name. "If you're calling me by name then it's something seriously important, right?"
"Depends how ya see it."
"Okay. I'm all ears."
"Your response to Ruki and Azusa."
"Oh, then not important." Yuki rolls her eyes and smiles apologetically as his expression hardened. "Look for starters I don't know much of what he asks me maybe someone who knows more about the subject would have had a better response."
"Also, I don't find it to be lies. Like I said it hurts and it's not only me it hurts the other person too even if I don't show it or they don't show it, it hurts." To prove it she put her hand over her heart letting her expression morph into hurt. "but I'll prefer to hurt and hurt them right now because I know that I won't last and no matter what right or wrong decision I make I will not last. If the thread of fate becomes tangle with someone else so he could forget the suffering for a while." He watches as a tear slip from her eyes even as she laughs calming down and smiling at him. "Is that what you want to hear? NOw, this is getting tiresome."
"Princ-"
"I'll be in my room," Yuki said making her way with a cup of the coffee cradle on her hands using her shirt sleeves to protect her hands from getting burnt.
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"Kou left to work?" The brunette raises a brow seeing how annoyed Ruki became after Azusa nodded to his question before turning back to smile thankfully after he had helped her bandage the arm that suffered more assault to the torture the other one could be simply be covered with a wristband.
"What up with all the fuss of him going to work?"
"He's been... working non...stop...for... months."
Before Yuki could say something sarcastic Ruki spoke. "Even his manager has asked him to at least take a week off."
"Well, okay... umm I'm going out... thanks again Azusa."
"Will... you be... fine...by yourself?"
"Yeah, I won't take long."
"You need to take care or you'll never get better."
Ritsu sighed as his hand was slap away by Yuki after he pokes her cheek as she ate. After a while of her just eating and him watching she finally push the plate away and lean back on the seat hands resting on her lap.
"You're slouching too much."
"I don't care." Yuki mumble turning her head away and closing her eyes after putting the black aviator glasses she bought on her way to the restaurant.
"Don't fall asleep here." He lifted his hands making signs for her to stop only stopping when she raises the glasses up to show she wasn't sleeping but glaring at him as nearby customers or the few employees he had currently look at them.
"I wasn't but that's a great idea but I won't."
Both stayed quiet after that Ritsu then closes his eyes as he frowns. "I just can't understand how you gave in to his orders again."
"It's not like I want to."
"And how is it?"
"How is what?"
"Your relation with Kou-kun?"
"Strangers."
"Don't push him away." He whined and she snorted.
"You're so weird. For one I haven't really seen him much and when I do it doesn't occur to me to speak with him. I could feel how tense the atmosphere becomes."
"Ileana."
Yuki clicked her tongue and reach for her lemonade and finish it in one gulp and stare at Ritsu who stare with pleading grey eyes at her yet he couldn't see her golden eyes as she still wore the dark tinted glasses. "Forget it and please give me the things I came to get so I could be on my merry way."
"As the lady wishes."
"Persefarius."
"Okay, okay." He stood up and walk off.
When he came back she stood up taking the bag from him as he explains to her the contents as both walks out.
After the explanation, she nodded and waved at him but stop as he told her to take care. "Don't overdo it, Ileana. You may fool everyone else but I and you're in pain."
"I will."
"Yuki...chan...isn't...back yet," Azusa spoke up as he turns to look at how dark it had gotten outside the window.
"Maybe she's with her brothers." Yuma mumble as he lounges on one of the sofas. "Where did Ruki go this time?"
"He didn't say." They both turn to the voice of the idol who walk into the room. "he was on his way when I came back from work and ask him."
After a while of all of them enjoying the silence and each other's company, it was broken by the main door open.
"She's...back."
"Why do you care if she is back or not. She's old enough to care for herself."
"If you had been around more then you wouldn't question our actions."
Steps were heard coming closer before the brunette still using black aviator glasses came into the room in her left hand holding a carryout bag and on her right hand, she held a hardcover book. She raises a brow tilting her head to the side as she saw Yuma and Kou glaring before shaking her head and gave a half smile as she saw only them and Azusa. "Where's Ruki-san?"
"Went out."
"Oh well, when he comes back mind telling him this book is for him or if you're still curious about all that nonsense so I hope you know Dacian language."
"You bought...a...book...about soul...mates?"
"No, I for one wouldn't waste my money in nonsense."
"You keep saying that." Before Yuki could say something, she was interrupted by someone shouting.
"Miss, Should I take the ice bags to the kitchen?"
"No, just leave them I'll take care of everything now. This much I can do sir." Yuki said as she set down the bag and book gently on the ground near the doorway before rushing out leaving them to stare at the doorway in silence. "Thank you. Let me repay you for the help. How much pay do-"
"A thank you is enough payment and please don't call me sir I'm only a college student."
"Even so I wouldn't feel right about not giving back. How about I give you my contact information and if the need for anything arises I'll be happy to give a hand? Of course, when my hand is healed." Yuki laughs along with the male.
"Very well... Thank you."
"Have a good night." The door close and they heard her rushing back and appear on the doorway letting out a huff as she put a hand on her stomach before bending down to pick the carryout bag given to her by Ritsu and the book and giving it to Azusa who was the closest.
"Do take care of this book it isn't mine," Yuki said as once again she was about to rush out of the room.
"Princess, wait."
"What now? I have no time to chat so please be quick."
"You're so rude Neko-chan." The idol narrows his eyes at her, she glares back not that they could see behind her dark glasses which she had yet to take off.
"Don't call me that ever again. I have a name use it." She snarls causing him to get up and march towards her to stand right in front of her.
"I'll call you as I wish."
"No, you don't we are not on that level of friendliness so I plead with thee to call me by my name."
"Then you're at that level with Yuma-kun?" Yuki didn't say anything as he had reached and cup her chin and with the other one took the sunglasses off before she took a step back the hand that had been on her chin move quick to grasp at her hip tightly. "How much closer does he need to be with you to get as close as we had been?"
"He's calling me by what I am by my title."
"Do you really believe it's because of that?"
"Oi Kou stop that."
"He's even defending you now so not much then. I never thought you'd be an immoral woman. Now tell me how far have you the bot-" Yuki raise her right hand and slap him on his cheek as hard as she could with the hand that was wrapped in bandages forgetting the pain it causes as she looks at him angrily,
"How dare you insult me to be that type of person!? I think of your family as mine as they have treated me nicely despite I not being trustworthy. I hope you at least apologize to your brother because I doubt he would ever do something to break his bond as a sibling to any of you."
"Yuki...you're...crying." At hearing this Yuki tried raising her free hand which she had used to slap the idol just to lower it at the stabbing pain in it.
"What's going on in here? And those bags of ice in the foyer belong to whom?"
"Oh, those are mine. Sorry, I'll go get them before the ice melt."
"You should've have put them in the freezer, Idiot Neko-chan."
"You're the idiot, idiot idol. Those won't go in the freezer. Excuse me."
Ruki saw tears running down her face as she passes by him to leave before turning to look to see a mix of reactions his gaze stopping on Kou who still had a hand on his cheek brows furrow together in anger.
"What did you do to her?"
"Oh, so now you're on her side too."
"I'm in no one's side. Go cool off before going to apologize to her."
"I-"
"Kou."
He clicks his tongue and left the room. Ruki listening intently and closing his eyes shaking his head at the sound of the main door opening and closing before turning to look at Yuma and Azusa.
"What happen?"
The idol breathed out through his nose his gaze focus on the stars in the sky as the gentle breeze ruffle his clothes and hair. His gaze shifted to his hands he had raised slightly still feeling the unusual warmth to her skin, he remembers her skin to be cold against his own yet now her skin was warm.
Closing his eyes as he rakes his fingers through his hair anger long forgotten as he thought shifted to the warm of her skin. "Apologize..."
Yuki looks at the bathtub filled with water and ice with an unsure frown as she held a note written by Ritsu on her right and on the other she had a corked medium size glass vial with a transparent pink substance inside of it.
'The ice will melt if I don't get in and I've just been standing here.' She thought as she went to put the piece of paper down then walk near the tub and taking the cork off the bottle and spill the contents of the bottle on the tub.
-12 minutes later-
The idol enters the brunette's room after knocking awaiting to be yelled at for just entering without her say so yet the room was void of her presence he took a look to see a few shopping bags near the bed, walking further to place the rose on her desk along with a note and her sunglasses groaning in annoyance with himself and storm out to look for the brunette.
Once he found her she was walking back to the room with thin grey hoodie zipped all the way up, a black choker that hid the skin of her neck and navy-blue pajama shorts, her damp hair falling over her shoulders, she notices him as he clears his throat and stops in front of him. "Hmm?"
"I came to say sorry."
"…" Her gaze looks over his features then shook her head with a small smile. " You don't mean it and I am not the one you need to apologize to. I've said it not long ago." The brunette laughs as he glares and hums in thought before grinning. "I'll accept your apology only if you take a week off from work and rest."
Before he could say anything else the brunette patted his shoulder as she walks past him. "If not forget it, Mukami."
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"Morning."
"It's evening," Ruki said with an amused smile as the brunette enter the kitchen looking more rested, she stops and looks at him. "What is it?"
"Do you need help making dinner?" Yuki smile tilting her head to one side golden eyes glinting as Ruki look unsure before sighing and giving in surprising himself not that he'll show it curtly nodding at the brunette whose smile widens into a grin showing her fangs.
-a few minutes later-
"The book... it seems more like notes taken by Olympia."
"My grandmother: She seems interested on the subject of soulmates as she was the only one without one... humans and the beings of the Demon World are the only ones without soulmates they have free will to choose theirs except if a deity's soulmate ended up being human or from the demon world."
"Only deities have soulmates then?"
"Yes."
"If your grandmother didn't have one who was your grandfather's soulmate?"
"My aunt's mother... a human."
"Who's your mother's soulmate?" Ruki stops to look at Yuki who smiles and shook her head.
"Once upon a time," Yuki pause as she transfer what she had in the cutting board to a rectangular crystal pan and letting Ruki move it to the oven, "Remus found his soulmate... a human woman they clicked and it didn't go well once Olympia found out he was spending more time with her even worse when she found out they had a baby."
"In her rage she killed the woman and cursed the others for their soulmate to not feel the connection and that hurt them and the only way to break it was to make them reconnect... fall in love if you will... but if that doesn't happen the deity will feel their own pain of rejection along with the shared pain of their soulmate... mother is carrying her own pain and that of my father's since he can't feel. If he did then their pains would be share."
"It doesn't seem like ya see it as a joke."
"I... am caught in my own lie I guess..." Yuki chuckle as hearing Yuma as she and Ruki turn to look at the tall vampire then looking down at her feet with a sad smile. "Olympia wasn't that heartless though... any physical pain one felt it wasn't felt by the other. When death struck one of them you were given some slack until your soulmate was reborn. There's more to everything I said but it's a mouthful and complex."
"Who is your soulmate, Neko-chan?" Yuki jumped shocked at feeling the idol whisper into her ear as he stood behind her but quickly compose herself and move away.
"I wonder..." Yuki laughs nervously as she had three pairs of eyes on her awaiting for her to reveal who her soulmate is and that moment Azusa enter the room... "Azusa-san... nice timing help me set up the table."
Azusa nodded and let the brunette drag him off.
"I thought you had work tonight," Ruki commented seeing the blonde idol seating beside Yuki at that moment lifted her left hand to hide a yawn as the other hand tighten around the silverware due to said yawn his attention shifted to her instead of Kou. "Yuki."
"Hmm?"
"Did you get an apology."
"Yes."
"Wait he did?" Yuma asks incredulously.
"Yes, but I am the one that needs to say sorry," The brunette said putting her silverware down and look at them as they look back at her expectantly yet no one spoke as they heard knocking from the door.
"I'll get it," Ruki said getting up when he returns he held a small box in his hand.
"For me?" She asks seeing as he gave it to her and inspected to see nothing but her birth name written on the top.
"It was left on the doorstep."
"…. Does it smell bad? Blood maybe?" She gave a tentative shake as it was light before she reaches with her right hand to take a small dagger from her boot and cut the tape off the box and opening it to see a folded piece of paper and a USB flash drive.
"What's wrong?" Yuma asks seeing her zone out before she looks up shaking her head with a tight lip smile.
"Nothing."
"Why did you think it would smell like blood?"
"No reason," Yuki mumble putting back the contents in the box before she groans in annoyance leaving the box on the table and tighten her grip on the dagger. " I... I wouldn't be surprised if it had been blood..."
Everyone watches as she zones out again even if they call out to her until the idol who sat beside her poke her side, she jolted and took hold of his finger but instead of glaring like he expected she look surprised. After a while, she clears her throat and let go of his finger and took the box after putting the dagger back in her boot. "Sorry."
"Do you know who sent that?"
"I have an idea to whom but to the contents of the flash drive... I don't." Yuki reply to Ruki.
"Who?"
"Doesn't matter," Yuki growl out her answer getting up and storming out of the room with the box.
"Neko-chan?"
"Don't call me that." Yuki sighed looking up from the folded paper she held on her hand back resting on the headboard of the bed watching him walk towards her and plop down beside her earning him a raised brow before looking away brows furrowing and biting her lower lip. After a while of both of them sitting in silence Yuki taking a deep breath through her nose before out through her mouth. As her right hand came up to tuck her hair behind her ear and lower it back to her lap said hand was taken by his left hand entwine his fingers with hers as she watches with blown wide golden eyes. "THe hell are you doing?"
"Your skin... it's warm."
"Of course, it is. It'll be alarming if a human had cold skin." She said matter-of-factly after laughing which promptly stop as his phone rang the brunette watch as the idol made an act of being sick and seem it was failing, she could clearly hear the woman shouting to stop lying and that he at least needed to be here tonight. Yuki pulls her hand away from his and instead let it rest on his shoulder as she had momentarily sat on her kneecaps before straddling him catching him off guard.
"Kou you should be resting. Lay back down." The brunette said in an alarmingly sweet worry tone as he stares at her not speaking.
"Is that Yuki-san?" Yuki took his phone and put it against her ear.
"Apologies ma'am but Kou needs rest he had me worried yesterday when he came home. He collapsed before making it to his room." He watched as the brunette continues to speak with his manager a satisfied smile on her lips after she hung up and handed the idol his phone. "She said it's fine she in the first place wanted you to take a break and that she's not surprised you finally collapse... so now you have this week off and she only thought it weird that after you kept insisting on more work that you were lying about suddenly being sick."
"I am lying."
"Yet she thinks you are sick since I confirm it... so maybe stay home from school for just two nights." She said.
"Neko-chan."
"Again, with the-"
"Are you trying to tempt me?"
"No..." The idol closes his eyes after seeing she was honestly confused almost seeming innocent if it wasn't for him already knowing she wasn't he open his eyes narrow slightly as he growls out his next words surprising her.
"So, innocent looking as you straddle me... it's provoking."
"I... I didn't-what... I'll move. Sorry, it just seems so natural I didn't-" Her rambling was cut short as his lips connected with her own quieting her into submitting to him as she didn't take notice of his hands pulling her closer.
An invisible weight seemed to lift off them at that moment just so it weighted them down once again as she pulls away looking crestfallen and apologizing before getting off him and up and left her own room. The idol lay down on bed closing his eyes a hand on his chest gripping the fabric of his shirt and his other hand covers his closed eyelids as he gritted his teeth.
Unknown to him that down the hallway a brunette was on her knees both hands on her chest tightly gripping at her blouse eyes tightly shut as she whimpers in pain.
They both share the pain.
And when she returns to her room he was gone she shook her head and walk towards her desk to get a book and stop when she spotted the rose and note before she even got close to her desk. The brunette bit her quivering lip.
'I'm sorry.'