Blood Runs Deeper
Chapter 36 – Confessions and Concerts: Part One
Subaru awoke to the feeling of pressure on his hand. He groggily peeled his eyes open and propped himself up with one arm. He glanced to his left, instantly cursing and cheeks colouring.
Mari was asleep with her head tucked into the crook of her arm, hair sprawled out over the side of the bed. Her neck was vulnerably exposed, showing faint outlines of fang marks and the love bite clashing against pale skin. Her eyelids fluttered and mouth twitched as her fingers encircled his hand tighter.
He studied her curiously, cheeks still burning as she muttered incoherently in her sleep.
"My hand… dammit, if I move she will surely wake up…" He mumbled, awkwardly trying to remain still. "Idiot… must have been here all this time… falling asleep like this so carelessly!"
The girl groaned and lifted her head, stifling a yawn. She mused her hair with her free hand, eyes lazily scanning the room. Her nose crinkled with confusion, gaze eventually settling on him.
"S-Subaru… you... you're awake," she stuttered with relieved – yet puffy – eyes.
His cheeks cooled as he took in her disheveled appearance. Her fringe pointed in every direction, her already uneven, messy hair was full of kinks and her face was marked red where she had rested her cheek against her forearm.
He coughed to disguise a laugh.
"Couldn't sleep any longer with your constant mumbling," he grumbled, flitting his eyes away to glare out of the window. "Damn annoying… What did you even dream about?"
"I can't remember…" she mumbled, biting her lip in thought. Suddenly, her head darted up, face brimmed with guilt. "Sorry! Did I wake you?"
"Tch. It's fine…" Subaru quietly dismissed, not meeting her gaze. "Your hand… did instead…" his cheeks flared.
"Ah – sorry! I didn't realise!" The pressure vanished from his hand which now felt cold, even though her body possessed no warmth.
He glanced back to her apologetic and embarrassed face. "I didn't say let go…" his eyes snapped back to the window in avoidance, "I said its fine."
She laughed lightly and gave him a small smile, hesitantly taking his hand once more and entwining their fingers.
Subaru wanted to die with embarrassment. Nevertheless; she looked happy. He had forgotten what a stupid face she pulled when she tried to disguise a smile. It had been so long since they interacted normally. The last time was her birthday, but she was hardly cheerful then.
"W-Well... how are you feeling?" She asked, happiness replaced with concern. "Do you… feel better?"
"Why are you still fucking worried about that?" Subaru scowled, "you're irritating."
She was treating him like some pitiful, defenseless creature. The only damage inflicted on him was a few scratches from the results of yesterdays rage and dizziness from that bastard Shu's punch. It wasn't like a fucking hatchet had gone down on his head. Then, and only then, would he allow her concern.
But why was she still here?
Why was she concerned about him?
He said he was fine. All of her actions were unnecessary.
She would end up getting hurt eventually.
That idiot.
"Why?" she repeated, eyes wide.
He narrowed his eyes. "Didn't I just ask that?"
Her hand slipped from his and she twisted a strand of hair around her finger, eyes burning holes into the bed sheets under her nose. "B-Because I'm worried about you. It's as simple as that!"
"That's a stupid reason! Fuck… why would you… your words have no meaning!"
"I say I'm worried about you and you say that my words have no meaning?" She stood abruptly, hands curling into fists as she glowered down at him with fury. Subaru, not at all happy with being glared down to, also stood, towering over her with a matching expression.
"Ah? Or do you just feel bad for me, huh?"
"I – I don't feel bad for you – I – I – never mind!" she made a noise of exasperation. She was flustered. "Let me look at your arm," she said quietly, swiftly changing the subject.
Subaru didn't have a choice in the matter as her fingers firmly latched around his wrist while she fumbled with the bandage on his arm. She still refused to look at him. Her face was scarlet and her lips were pressed together, concentrating fully on re-wrapping his arm.
Meanwhile the youngest was still trying to figure out what she was about to say earlier. If she didn't feel bad for him, what was it? She said she was worried… but wasn't she always worried about him? About everyone? She was confusing and his anger grew. He would ask again. He could always tell when she was lying. Another argument was worth it to find out what that confusing idiot was thinking.
"Oi," he started, grabbing her attention. Her eyes flicked up briefly, before they returned to the bandage.
"What is it?" Her voice was curt. "Am I hurting you?"
"Hah? No! Idiot… leave the fucking bandage… I'm fine… what were you about to say?"
The bandage went taut in her grasp, a numb sensation washing over his forearm.
Clearly she was hoping that the earlier topic would be forgotten.
"J-Just forget about it… it was nothing," she dismissed, shaking her head. "You just infuriate me sometimes."
"I infuriate you? Try having a fucking conversation with yourself sometime! I don't understand the meaning of your words! Idiot… you're so fucking confusing!"
"I'm confusing?" She laughed humorlessly, "you have two personalities! One moment you're so nice and gentle then the next… the next you're so angry!"
Subaru had reached his tether. He grit his teeth and grabbed her arms so she couldn't run. She looked undeniably nervous.
"Tell me what you were about to say or I will get fucking angry. I know when you're lying so don't even try it."
She gulped, feebly trying to escape his hold. "D-Don't make me say it," she pleaded timidly, head hung and black hair flopping over her eyes.
"Say it," he pushed, fingers tightening around her arm. She squeaked with pain. "I've had it with your stubbornness. It's so fucking annoying… I want to know what you're thinking… tell me what you were about to say, dammit!"
"E-Everything you've just said… you... you're describing yourself! It works both ways, Subaru. I'm easy to read. I can't lie to save my life – I say I'm worried about you and you're still not satisfied?"
"Hah?" he flinched back, "no! I'm not fucking satisfied! I want to know what you were about to say! Shit... why do you have to be so damn difficult!?"
"I-I'm not being difficult," she grumbled, eyes glued to the floor.
Subaru growled with frustration and pinned Mari against the wall, grip not loosening from her arm.
"I– I love you, alright? That's what I was going to say! Are you happy now?"
Subaru stared at her dumbfounded. She looked so embarrassed he almost thought she was going to burst into tears.
With shock, his grip finally loosened on her arm and she instantly teleported out of the room before he could utter a response.
She loved him?
Him?
How could anyone love a monster?
I teleported to a corridor somewhere in the house; but where exactly, I didn't know nor did I care. All I felt was humiliation. My face burned and I slapped my cheeks in a poor attempt to convince myself that this wasn't real - that I hadn't just confessed to him!
It was a dream.
It had to be.
I couldn't face him.
Ever. Again.
Sinking down to the floor, I wrapped my hands around my knees and leaned my forehead against them.
I was an idiot.
A complete and utter idiot.
Why couldn't I have just made something up?
Because he knows when you're lying, a voice in my head contrasted.
I groaned with frustration.
"Mari-san? Are you okay?" I heard Yui's concerned voice from above me. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!"
"Only the ghost of my dignity," I replied, briefly lifting my head up then flopping it back down again.
"Ah? Bitch-chan? That's quite a red face you have there, Fufu~"
I didn't bother responding. Then suddenly, I heard an array of expletives ringing from the hall. I jumped to my feet, while Yui furrowed her eyebrows and Laito chuckled.
"Oh! Fufu~ I see Subaru-kun is in a bad mood today also," he observed, taking in the angry vampire bounding down the corridor. "Look at his face! It's so red! Just like yours, Bitch-chan~ what where you two doing, hm~? Was that the explanation for all the noise earlier? Little sister likes it rough, ne?"
I gave him a pointed stare, but my attention was soon diverted by Subaru's voice.
"Oi, Mari!" the youngest yelled, "dammit... don't run out so suddenly!"
"S-Sorry! Can't talk right now, very busy!" I sounded like I had recorded an answer phone message moments before I was murdered. I turned away and sprinted down the hall. I could still hear him shouting my name followed by strings of curses, along with the unmistakable sound of Laito's laughter.
Once around the corner, I teleported into my room.
But even then, I wasn't alone.
"S-Shu! You're in my room!"
"I've been here since yesterday, annoying woman…" He was lay on my bed. He opened his eyes briefly as he took in the disturbance before closing them once more. "What's with that expression…? Has Subaru finally scared you…? Heh."
"No – I just – I ran out – I'm too embarrassed to face him again for a while," I admitted, wrapping my arms around my body and pacing the room. "Forever works, too."
"Hm… I see… and how have you embarrassed yourself this time…?" He inquired without interest.
"I – I was too honest – I just – I should have held my tongue!" I shook my head and fetched the headphones from my desk and put them into my ears, turning up the volume to full.
I needed a distraction.
Grabbing my school bag that was propped up against the mirror, I began on the Othello English assignment which I was supposed to be doing with Subaru. I could at least get started on my part. I started at the beginning of the book, flipping to a blank page in my notebook and began writing bullet points to outline the play, using a highlighter to go over the key information.
Wow, I thought to myself. All Desdemona did was love Othello and he killed her for it. All because he succumbed to jealousy and lies.
I became engrossed in my work for about twenty minutes without any disturbances when I suddenly felt my headphones plucked out of my ears.
"Hey… I have been calling your name for the past few minutes… turn the volume down on those things."
"Shu?" I realised dumbly, forgetting that he was still in the room.
"…Yes?" he quirked an eyebrow. "Subaru is outside being irritating… go and sort him out… this noise he's making is obstructing my sleep…"
My face twisted in horror and I glanced towards the door, the sound of bangs and shouts reaching my ears.
"Oi! Mari!" I heard him yell, fists rapping against the wood. "Fucking let me in, would you? I want to talk to you... what type of asshole are you to just say that and fucking leave, hah? Open the door!"
Oh, no.
"What's with that desperate face…?" Shu asked.
"I – I can't see him right now! Shu, please please please~ tell him I'm not here! Fake my death! Say I– earphones!" I exclaimed as I snatched my earphones back. "These earphones could be the cause of my demise, right? I'm clumsy, so anything's plausible. Say it was a real tangle, the wire–"
"–No," he interrupted my morbid tirade and gave me an odd look.
I pressed my hands together, pleading. "I'll make sure your sleep isn't disturbed for the next month!"
He sighed.
"Two and… I get your blood whenever I want." His lips upturned into a victorious smirk, knowing I would do anything rather than face Subaru.
"…Fine," I sealed the deal and slumped my head down onto the desk.
Shu wandered outside to deal with Subaru. I know I should have faced him instead, but I was too embarrassed to even think about him, never mind interact with him. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
"I said you were sleeping…" Shu reported back, musing his hair. "He didn't believe me but I said I'd throw him in the dungeons if he continued making noise… you'll have to face him soon… he's too loud… I can't sleep with his yelling."
"I know, I know, and I'm sorry," I sighed and flipped to the next page in the book, confused as to why there were several metallic purple tickets hidden beneath the pages. "What the…?" I wondered aloud, taking them into my hands as I sat on the bed beside Shu.
Saturday 6th August
Pop Idol Kou Mukami Performs Live at 9 pm sharp!
"How sneaky. He must have put them in when he stole my textbook!" I looked at the tickets once more and realised that the concert was today. In a few hours, in fact. But my attention was pulled from the tickets when Shu chuckled.
"What an … endearing note… That guy is really… enthusiastic in his pursuits. Heh." I narrowed my eyes with confusion and took the sticky note which Shu was reading. It was a note from Kou with several cat doodles and smiley faces scattered all over the paper.
Hope to see you there, Neko-chan~!
I'll be looking for your face in the crowd!
Be my lucky charm, ne? ^^
Kou~
"Why is he acting this way… somethings wrong. The time I spent with Kou... he was just awful! I still have scars on my feet from that glass!" I leaped from the bed and ripped up the note furiously. "They can all go to hell, those – those damn split-personality-Mukami's!"
"Hm… depends," Shu started as he lay back down, eyes closed. "How badly do you want to avoid Subaru…?" I sat back down and listened.
"Are you… joking? You're actually encouraging me to… to see those people?!"
I wanted to avoid Subaru, but surprisingly, I wanted to avoid getting kidnapped even more.
"Eh… if you're gone, Subaru will bother you somewhere else. I only care that it will be quiet…"
"You could just kill me with kindness," I muttered as I tapped my chin with thought. "I suppose I could ask Yui if she wants to go out for a while… It could do her some good to get away from Ayato's possessiveness."
It would also be beneficial to get more of an insight into what the Mukami's were planning, since I had gotten strong enough to just about handle myself.
But I knew in the back of my mind that Shu wouldn't let me go alone. He would most likely send the triplets; or to my dismay, Subaru, to follow us without my knowledge.
I nodded my head at the plans while Shu made a vague noise of agreement before he fell back to sleep. I stuffed the tickets into my pocket and teleported to Yui's room to avoid Subaru. I arrived, spotting Yui perched on the end of her bed with Ayato lazily sprawled on his stomach next to her.
"Yui, Ayato…?" Both of them stiffened to the sound of my voice. Ayato stood immediately, pointing his finger at me.
"Oi, Pancake! Who said you could just barge in here?!"
"Ah! Mari-san, you too? Appearing like this so suddenly!" Yui exclaimed with shock, hands clasped together.
"S-Sorry... I don't usually. I'm trying to avoid someone," I admitted sheepishly, musing my hair.
"Subaru no doubt. Yours Truly is fed up with your bullshit! All you two ever do is argue. So annoying! It's worse noise than that damn hysteric when he starts!"
"People tend to argue because they care, Ayato-kun."
"We're not arguing… exactly," I shook my head at the digressing topic. "But that's not why I came. Yui, Kou gave me tickets–"
"Wait, Kou?" Ayato narrowed his eyes, "you mean that dumb idol Mukami?!"
"–to go to his concert tonight–"
"No. No damn way! Pancake, Chichinashi, Yours Truly forbids it!"
"I wasn't asking for your permission! Besides, Shu already approved!"
"Don't question Yours Truly! Are you stupid? Jeez, do you want them to take you again?!"
"I can handle myself fine – especially half-bloods! We've both been training. I only couldn't before because they weakened me somehow–" I shook my head, wrapping my arms around my body. "Look, I'm doing this for Yui's sake. She hasn't been allowed out of the mansion since she got here!"
Ayato and I both glared at Yui to see her response.
"I... well, it would be nice to get out of the house, Ayato-kun…"
The corners of my mouth upturned with victory while Ayato rounded on the blonde, furious. Then suddenly, something slapped the back of my head. I spun around, my narrowed eyes landing on Subaru. He possibly looked more furious than Ayato. My face burned.
"Is what I'm hearing correct? Are you a bigger fucking idiot than I thought?!"
"S-Subaru!"
"Why are you… shit!" He punched the wall beside the door, making all of the occupants glare at the youngest. "Why are you planning to go to that bastard's concert after those words you just said – dammit! You're so fucking frustrating!"
I sighed and pinched my nose to refrain my embarrassment coming out as anger.
"Fine, you know what? All three of you come – I'm trying to get to the bottom of what he's up to and to give Yui a break from this stuffy house! I'm going getting ready. I'll see you all in the entrance hall in one hour!" I yelled without giving them a choice in the matter, storming out of the room.
"Can I be any more tactful today? Now Ayato and Subaru are coming along too!" I began as I threw my bedroom door open a little too forcefully.
"…Like double dating… never thought you'd be the sort…Heh." Shu commented with a smirk, still not opening his eyes. I felt heat rise in my cheeks. He was right. I supposed this was sort of like… a date.
Yes, a date to another guy's concert, my thoughts contrasted. Because Subaru would be over-the-moon watching someone he hates dance and sing like an idiot for hours.
My tact today seemed to be improving.
"It's not like that!" I covered my face with my hands, words attempting to mask my embarrassment. Cursing, I rummaged through my wardrobe for a change of clothes and trudged off to the bathroom to change. I gathered that Shu wouldn't be evicting from my bed anytime soon.
I opened the bathroom door and spotted Yui who was fixing her blonde curls into two low pigtails.
"Yui? Sorry, I didn't know you were in here…"
"Oh, no, it's okay. I'm done changing," she smiled at me in the mirror.
I walked in and sat myself down on the side of the bath, placing the clothes on my lap.
"Sorry… Shu's asleep on my bed. I doubt he would move if I told him I was changing…" I frowned, thinking of a stupid perverted comment he would make.
"Ayato-kun is still angry… that's why I'm hiding in here…" Yui admitted, wearing a guilty expression.
I noticed absently that Yui looked fancier than usual; she wore a spotted lilac blouse, layered with a pale grey cardigan and denim skirt. At this, my thoughts were instantly transported to the 'date' aspect of this outing.
"Hey… this isn't like a double date, is it?"
"Eh? Date?"
"Yeah… but never mind, it's obviously not!" I laughed uncomfortably, rubbing the back of my neck. "Just forget I said anything." I stood and grabbed the brush on the counter, running it through my hair; but it didn't do much good. I scowled and mused it with my hands.
"Mari-san?" I heard Yui ask from behind me, noticing her thoughtful expression in the mirror.
"Hm?"
"Would you like me to fix it?"
"You... you can fix this?" I spun around, grabbing her by the shoulders. "You're telling me that I have lived with you for weeks and now you're telling me that I don't have to walk around looking like I've been dragged through a hedge? Yui!"
"W-Well, I don't know if I can… I can always try…"
"Please, try! You could do it better than I ever could."
Yui opened a draw and pulled out scissors and a comb. I stood stiffly in front of the mirror, afraid that if I moved it could possibly end up worse.
"I'll have to cut it slightly shorter… just stay really still, okay?" I nodded then cursed as she said not to move.
Tactful.
Before, my hair had grown just past my shoulders. Now it hovered in a bob just above them, the same length it was when I impulsively cut it. At least now it was even and smoothed out. Yui also trimmed my over-grown fringe which I had been battling with for weeks.
"Yui… thank you so much!" I beamed, throwing my arms around her neck.
"Eh, Mari-san! I'm not quite done!"
"Oh? Sorry," I apologised and obediently stood back in front of the mirror. She grabbed a headband and fixed it above my fringe, pinning the rest into a low, rolled up bun.
"There… finished now."
I smiled, admiring her work in the mirror.
"I'll wait outside, okay? It should nearly have been an hour…"
Nodding, I quickly changed into a floral printed dress, smoothing out the creases that it collected from being thrown carelessly on the floor. I tugged on brown boots and shrugged a leather jacket over the top. I finally grabbed my bag and double checked that I had remembered my phone, purse, and the tickets.
"You know," I began as I closed the door behind me. "They may not even come. Why would they want to spend hours watching someone they hate prance around the stage?"
"Maybe," Yui agreed as we walked along the corridor. "But I don't think Ayato-kun and Subaru-kun would let us go alone…"
We made our way down the stairs and I spotted both Ayato and Subaru in the entrance hall, backs to each other and a scowl on their faces. I was uplifted to see the both of them that I skipped down the steps, rushing towards them.
"Hey!" I waved. "You both actually came?"
"Hah?" Subaru turnned his head towards us, a faint blush on his cheeks. "W-Why wouldn't we be here? You said meet here in an hour, idiot!"
"Y-You're right, I did… I just didn't expect you to come."
"Tch. Like I'd leave you in a room with that bastard! It'll be dark and crowded so you'll get lost… Shit… just c'mon already!"
"Hah? What's the rush?" Ayato frowned, "who knew that albino creep would be so enthusiastic about a girly concert?"
"What did you say?!"
"Um… Ayato-kun… Subaru-kun's right…" Yui pondered, "if we don't hurry, we'll be stuck in traffic because Kou-kun's concert is popular…"
"Like Yours Truly cares 'bout useless information like that, Chichinashi!"
I could see that Subaru was about to retort – probably another reason why he couldn't care less about a stupid idols concert – so, without thinking, I grabbed his hand and began to tug him towards the door.
"C'mon, already!" I repeated with a crooked grin, when I noticed that my tugging hadn't moved him an inch. I glanced at his face, a blush splotched across his cheeks, eyes wide as they darted towards his hand. I released it immediately.
"I-I didn't mean–" he cursed and grabbed my hand again, refusing to look at me as he marched out of the door with me in tow.
"…Tch."
The car journey was long.
"How much longer are we gonna be stuck in this damn queue!" Subaru yelled, running one hand through his hair. The other - whether he was conscious of it or not - still held my hand. "I am so sick of this! It's been over an hour!"
"You know what they say… patience is a virtue…" I tapped my chin. "I'm sure Kou won't mind if his number-one-fan is running late."
"Hah?! What was that?!" I laughed at his flustered face.
"I'm kidding!"
"D-Don't pull such stupid faces… It's embarrassing!" Subaru cursed and turned away.
"Jeez, Chichinashi. Look! There isn't one guy in that car! Why the hell are they all wearing cat ears?!" Ayato observed, horrified, as he stuck his head out of the car window.
"Ayato-kun, don't put your head out of the window!" Yui reprimanded, eyebrows creased with concern. "It's dangerous, a car could–" but her attempts of reason were disrupted when Ayato tugged her arm, forcing her head also out of the window.
"Don't be concerned about the stupid things! Hah! Look at those girls! Why are they squealing like that? Being that flat chested ain't something to be squealing about!"
"That's awful! I think they heard you!"
Once the four of us arrived at the venue, the first thing we saw was the seemingly never ending queue of squealing, overdressed girls adorned in cat ears and other various merchandise. Clutching their handbags, they jumped about excitedly, pounding out unfamiliar lyrics.
Compared to our nonchalant group and the fact that half of us were male, we stood out like a sore thumb.
There was a rope and a security guard to the left away from the queue to allow the ones who ordered tickets before the show to enter. As we walked alongside the queue, we received strange looks.
'Cute~ their boyfriends are with them!' I heard one say.
'Mine wouldn't even think about doing something so girly. Eh, they sure are lucky.' Her friend responded.
My face warmed at the term 'boyfriend'. I kept my head down, hoping Subaru hadn't heard.
When we finally entered the stadium, we were greeted with a room rammed with every assortment of merchandise imaginable. There were also stands for food and refreshments. I glanced up at both Subaru and Ayato to see how they were taking it.
Dumb-founded expressions, eye twitches and death glares directed at me was not a good sign.
"What fucking bullshit have I been dragged into…" Subaru grumbled, surveying the room with disgust.
"Jeez, this is so damn girly…" Ayato agreed, fixated on the very pink and very fluffy cat ears which seemed to be in every orifice of the room.
Rubbing my neck awkwardly, I noticed a stand which had piles of paper and plastic masks of Kou's face. Yui and I ventured over out of curiosity, Ayato and Subaru lagging behind.
"I can't believe they would make masks of his face," I said.
"Me neither," Yui agreed, giggling. "They are rather strange though… maybe because of the eye holes?"
Kou's eyes were cut out of the mask, making him resemble a soulless creature from the lower realms of hell.
Ironic, perhaps, considering he was a vampire.
"You're right," I held the mask against my face. "Does it look creepy?" I turned around and face Ayato and Subaru. "Hi this is Kou~ well hello, Subaru-kun~ if it isn't my number one fan!"
Subaru scowled and yanked the mask from my face.
"Tch. The only use that shit would make is to pin it to the dart board." He smiled faintly, imagining the outcome of his words.
"Exactly!" I snatched the mask back and walked over to the till. "This, please~"
"H-Hah? You're actually buying that pointless thing!"
"Yeah," I slid over the payment and tucked the mask under my arm, eyes surveying the room for Ayato and Yui. "Reiji will be grateful, too. Whenever you feel angry, avoid the walls and use this instead. The house will probably survive for another two hundred years if you stick to it."
"What an idiot…"
"Mari-san! Look at this!" Yui waved over from another concession stand. Subaru and I walked over and I had to laugh at how mortified Ayato looked.
"Ayato-kun, look, this is where those cat ears came from!" Yui picked out a pair of neon pink, fluffy, flashing, cat ears and placed them on her head. "How cute~" possibly brainwashed by the atmosphere of the room, I also picked out a pair.
"At least we blend in now, right?" I smiled at Yui as I adjusted them behind my fringe.
"Oi, Chichinashi, Pancake," Ayato pointed his finger at us. "There's no way you're buying that tacky shit. Yours Truly ain't gonna be seen walking anywhere with a pair of girly flashing triangles on your head. Get them off."
"Now's not the time for pride, Ayato. Have you noticed how much you two stick out? You're the only guys in the room… well, apart from when Kou enters of course…"
"They're not so bad, Ayato-kun. Don't you think they're cute?"
Ayato's expression grew even more mortified.
I noticed that Subaru wasn't paying attention to the heated debate over cat ears and was absently surveying the room with his hands stuffed into his pockets. I smirked slyly as an idea came to mind. I handed over payment for three pairs of ears and grabbed a fluffy white pair from the stand.
I then leaped onto his back, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and legs around his torso as I held on for dear life. He stumbled with surprise, attempting to shake me off.
"F-Fuck, get off! What's with this surprise attack, hah?!"
"Stay still!" I wheezed out through laughter, trying my best to place the ears securely onto his head. He swatted my hands away at first, still trying to shake me off. But after a while, he cursed my name and sighed, becoming still.
Smiling victoriously, I tucked his fringe back behind the hairband so both eyes were visible. "You should be thanking me. Can't you see better?" I craned my neck around so I could see his face. He looked mortified.
"The only thing you'll be able to see better is my goddamn fucking annoyance."
"Ha! That creep ain't even fighting it!" Ayato grinned, flipping open his phone. "Lemme get a picture for Laito. You're really into all of this girly shit, huh?"
"L-Like it matters! T-There just some stupid ears anyways!"
"Say cheese!" Yui encouraged, leaning over Ayato's arm as he took the photo.
I smiled while I gathered Subaru either scowled or made a rude hand gesture towards the camera.
We entered the large double doors to the stage. Thousands of seats were arranged in a winding, circular motion, the spotlights from the ceiling flitting about the room in rainbow colours. Pop music rang out from the speakers which made the room vibrate, and the happy, exciting chatter that involved everyone was strangely infectious. For a brief moment, that is.
"Uh…" I frowned, checking the tickets once more. "This can't be right…"
"What's with that expression? The fuck have you done now?" Subaru asked, waving his hand in front of my face.
I gave him and Ayato an apologetic look.
"Our seats are… well, they're at the front. The very front."
"HAH?!" Subaru snatched the tickets from my hands and looked at the seat numbers, expression souring. "You mean I have to watch that bastard up close?! It would be bad enough on the screens at the back!"
"You didn't have to come! Neither of you! Yui and I–"
"Don't test my patience… we still need to talk," he whispered in my ear as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me to our seats while Ayato and Yui followed behind.
"Subaru," I said, trying my best not to trip on one of the many steps he pulled me down. "You're not mad about what I said… are you?"
"Mad?" he looked briefly over his shoulder and scoffed. "Why would I be mad? Tch."
"I just feel like I've annoyed you… somehow… by it."
"What is annoying is how you're avoiding talking to me about it," he replied, sitting at the end of the row of seats. I sat to his right, Yui beside me and Ayato on the seat next to the aisle.
"What's there to talk about? I've embarrassed myself enough… I'm not saying those words again."
"That's not what – shit – I'm not asking you to say it again…! I just – fuck – quit looking at me like that, alright?!"
I retreated back in my seat, surprised.
"Eh? Like what?"
"That stupid concerned face you always give me! It pisses me off!"
"W-Well fine…"
I attempted to contour my face into a smile but I guessed it looked more like a grimace.
"Idiot, that isn't much better!"
"What do you want me to do, Subaru?" my voice rose with impatience; but luckily, the music was loud enough to drown out our voices so no one paid any attention to our argument. "Are you going to try and tell me my words don't mean anything again? Or are you going to try and push me away? You know I'm not a liar and you also know damn well that I'm not going anywhere!"
Subaru opened his mouth to reply, but I turned away as I noticed Yui stood in front of us.
"Mari-san, Subaru-kun. We're just going to the food counter," she informed us loudly so she could be heard over the music and chatter. "Want anything?"
Before I could reply saying that no, I didn't want anything, Ayato latched onto her arm impatiently.
"They obviously don't want anything – quit stalling and hurry before all of the takoyaki's gone!"
She gave us a quick, fleeting smile before Ayato dragged her out of sight.
"I just don't understand…" Subaru began, leaning forward in his seat with a crease between his brows.
"Don't understand what?" I tilted my head, confused.
"Tch." He turned to face me. "I don't get why… why me?"
I smiled and was about to take hold of his hand when I was interrupted by what appeared to be one of the venue staff standing in front of us.
"Ahem. Is there a Sakamaki Mari here?"
"Eh? Why…?" I raised my eyebrows and viewed the man apprehensively.
"A gift from Mr. Mukami," the man said, revealing a bouquet of a dozen red roses from behind his back with a card attached at the top.
"I don't–" I was about to protest and question the man more, but I looked up and he had already vanished back stage. "What the hell…" I mumbled, plucking the card from the top and reading it.
Ta-da!
A gift for my Neko-chan~
Aren't these the best seats in the house? ^^
Enjoy the show!
Kou~
Once I'd read over the note, I looked to the side and noticed that Subaru had also read over the note. His expression was livid.
"Subaru, these don't mean anything–" my explanation was cut short when he bounced from his seat and stormed across the aisle and towards the emergency exit.
"Hey, Subaru! Don't run off like that!" I dropped the roses and sprinted after him, weaving my way through the crowds; but I wasn't fast enough. The two security guards near the door let him out immediately. I attempted to run past the open door, when two hands extended in front of me, blocking my exit.
"My friend, I need to leave!" I told them, craning my neck to catch any glimpses of white hair on the street.
"No can do. Doors are closed as the concert is about to start. They'll open again at the interval," one of the guards explained. I make a noise of frustration; I had to get to Subaru.
"Can I bribe you? Please, I need to leave!" I began rummaging around in my purse.
"…It's on Mr. Mukami's orders. You especially Sakamaki-san need to stay for the concert."
That stupid Kou. Everything was working in his favour. The flowers, Subaru leaving…
I took out all of the money I had on me and offered it to them.
"Will this not be enough?"
Both guards glanced at each other then shook their heads. "He paid us more… sorry, you'll just have to wait until the interval. Please take your seat."
I stayed glued to my feet for a few more moments to see if I could catch any sign of Subaru outside; but he had truly vanished. Sighing, I took out my phone and tried ringing him. I tried five times but he didn't pick up. Finally, I decided to text him instead:
To: Subaru
You had to rush out and leave me as the third wheel, didn't you? -.-
I tried to follow you but there are security guards blocking the door. They can't even be bribed! It seems they are under Kou's orders. The main exit only opens at the interval so I'll come straight out and find you okay? Please stay close by!
P.S. red roses aren't my favourite.
Mari
I slumped back into my seat and found that Ayato and Yui had returned. Yui was sipping lemonade while Ayato, of course, was eating a punnet of takoyaki.
"Eh? Where's Subaru-kun?" Yui asked as her eyes settled onto the empty seat beside me. "He's going to miss the concert!"
"Bam elous," (I'm jealous) "Whovs gofin om?" (What's going on?) Ayato asked as he stuffed another piece of takoyaki into his already full mouth.
"Kou," I sighed as I picked up the roses, their strong scent wafting around my nose. "I'm going to find him in the interval… I'd go now but the doors are locked."
I checked my phone to see if he had replied, but I had no new messages.