Disclaimer : I don't own VK nor its characters. Any resemblance to any fanfictions, the living or RIPs is highly unintentional.
Thanks LOADS to everyone who reviewed, added my story to their alerts, favourited it as well as listing me as their favourite author (*bows*). I really appreciate your support! I'll have to make a more serious disclaimer here since there's been an uproar in CLJ about some artist copying Hino sensei's lovely work without even acknowledging it - don't want to get into that sort of trouble either!
Here's the next chapter :D
# CHAPTER 25
"So you're actually hiding here, huh?"
Seiran looked up to see Zero grinning at her during lunch break. The silver haired teen took a seat beside her in the library where she was busy completing her homework. Seiran raised an eyebrow. "Zero-kun, what are you doing here? I thought you'll be lazing with White Lily again."
"And let her chew on my hair again? I'm here because I need time to finish my History homework, otherwise I'll get suspended again and then I can't carry out my prefect duties."
"Such utter devotion to your duties, Sleeping Beauty! I salute you!" she teased, pushing her History reference book towards him. "Coincidentally I'm also writing out my essay and we can both share the reference book."
"Stop calling me Sleeping Beauty, you Human Textbook!" Zero retorted but he had a smile on his face. "But thanks for letting me share…"
A few moments later Seiran realized Zero was inching nearer her. "Oi, Zero…are you copying my work by any chance?"
Zero turned pink and spluttered, "I-I'm not! I'm just seeing comparing what you're writing to mine so that my essay will make sense!"
"Really…? I'll help you out with the points, you lazy bones, you could just ask!" Seiran bit back a laugh.
"I'm not lazy! I'm just not as hardworking as you are!" Zero had turned more embarrassed as Seiran had caught on that he was trying to copy her work.
*
"So whoever finishes making the meal first is the winner and the reward is one week being chore free!" challenged Zero, whipping his apron up.
"Agreed!" Seiran ignored the apron but grabbed at the ingredients first.
"Oi, you're cheating!" Zero grabbed at the soy sauce bottle before she could take it. He dumped some of its contents into his bowl.
"There weren't any rules!" Seiran retorted, reaching out for the corn flour before him. Tit for tat.
"This is really a tough fight, huh?" Zero grabbed the flour from Seiran, spinning her to face him. Their faces were just inches from each other.
Seiran was vaguely aware of her increase in heart beat with the way Zero looked at her. Why is he staring at me like that…? Aren't I a guy to his eyes right now? I've no intention of revealing that I'm a girl to him. And yet…his beautiful purple eyes… Feigning stupidity, she asked, "Zero-kun, is there something on my face?"
Zero slowly answered, "Uh…yeah…" And proceeded to smudge her nose with the flour.
"Zero!" Seiran tossed her chopped onions in his direction.
Their challenge was never completed…but interrupted when Chairman Cross came in to check the ruckus and wailed at the mess his beloved kitchen was in. Both the prefects were 'punished' to clean up the mess and carry out chores together for the entire two weeks.
*
Thank you, Zero… Thank you for being a friend to me. I'm only sorry it had to end like this. Seiran heaved a silent sigh as she was carefully treading on dangerous ground. But now…the friendship had to be buried. There was no turning back.
Nevertheless, she was glad that the friendship could be terminated in that abrupt manner…
Since she was on the other side of the wall now – the enemy's side. It was better than both of them facing each other in a battle with their weapons pointed at each other.
*
Zero had Seiran's arm in a firm grasp when he grabbed the flour from her with his other hand. Both their eyes were locked on each other – blue versus purple. Zero's throat went dry as he actually thought that Seiran – a guy – was rather…beautiful in a way.
Ba dump…ba dump…
His heart beat was rising. This wasn't a good sign as the other boy was staring at him in his usual demeanor but there was also slight curiosity in Seiran's eyes.
What on earth was he doing? Holding Seiran like that…and they were so close too…His thoughts were jarred when Seiran called him.
"Zero-kun, is there something on my face?"
Zero's silent sigh of relief was unnoticed. "Uh…yeah…" A cheeky thought entered his mind fast enough not to make the other boy suspicious and he swiped Seiran's nose with flour.
"Zero!"
He laughed, avoiding Seiran's onions.
But why had he done that? Why did he look at Seiran for so long?
*
Zero knocked on Seiran's door before he entered. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry she had to wait for a late night supper while he made his usual rounds. Because of the damn Aidou case – he didn't really feel sorry for the cocky, impetuous aristocrat – caused by the mysterious Level E attacker, Seiran couldn't help him with their Prefect duties when he really liked doing duty with her. He had cursed Kaname over and over for causing her to be in such a situation.
He entered her room only to see normal scene of Seiran sleeping on her desk with her books all over the place. Human Textbook is knocked out, huh… he thought, smiling. He quietly reached her desk to place her meal there before tapping her gently on the shoulder. She didn't even stir.
She should take care of her health, especially with the case against her and yet she's unconcerned…Zero moved towards her bed and removed the Mathematics and Ethics notes placed there before turning back to her, hesitant about his next action. Should I try waking her up again…or should I let her sleep?
Seiran's chest heaved up and down steadily, indicating that she was in deep sleep. She needs the sleep more than her meal, judging from the dark circles under her eyes…Zero gently pulled back her chair, careful not to make her stir. His fingers slowly gripped her arms before hoisting a very dead-to-the-world Seiran onto her bed.
She had to be really tired as she didn't even stir when Zero placed the blankets over her. He watched her sleeping for awhile, seeing her cute pout of silent snores and his hands lingered on her pale cheek before gently removing it.
"Good night, Seiran…," he awkwardly wished as he felt his face flush at what he did earlier.
*
Bloody fuck it all! Why do I have to think about Seiran when I'm on my way just to repay the damn debt I have with her? Zero inwardly swore all the obscenities he knew just to get his mind on the task. Because the next time he saw Seiran Kaede – or was it Seiran Kuroumura now? – no, no, there would be no next time…
It's over.
*
"Zero Kiryuu, you really need to value your life more. You think you're alone, but there are people who care about you…"
Seiran closed her eyes as her fingers wrapped on her sword handle much tighter. Yes, Zero. You still have people who will look out for you like Yuuki-chan, Chairman Cross and Sensei Toga. Unlike me…If I don't end it all, Aidou senpai and Ichijou senpai's lives will be in danger. I can't take the thought of innocent vampires being killed because of their familial links to me…I have nothing left, it doesn't matter what happens to me anymore.
She needed her focus now. Otherwise all her parents and Sensei's efforts would go to waste.
*
"Zero Kiryuu, you really need to value your life more. You think you're alone, but there are people who care about you…"
Zero's jaw was clenched as he recalled that moment. You're a huge hypocrite! Wanting to battle him alone when your powers are even not steady! Why are you asking for a death wish?
Honestly, he was amazed by her strength…or was it the surge of adrenaline which made her charge ahead when she had just undergone something terribly painful? Her motivation was too strong…
Damn it! He needed to concentrate on his task at hand. Why did such trivial thoughts have to crowd in his head right now? She was a pureblood, his enemy! Yes, he mentally reminded himself. If she survived the battle…he prayed they would never meet again.
Lesson no. 26 : Some memories are written in stone…
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For those who got a bit confused...this chapter is entirely flashbacks in italics and the present in usual font. Since this is from a manga so I decided to follow the manga style of occasionally having flashbacks :D
Happy Seiro/Zeiran times...gosh don't their names together sound kinda similar...lol! I never realised that til now!