Ruby squealed in delight as she finally finished writing her love letter for her crush Alucard. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and aside from the assorted sweet treats she baked for her friends and her crush, she also plans on giving him a letter which she wrote with her sincerest feelings. It actually took her a lot of tries before being satisfied with her work because of some unexpected errors like a few grammatical mistakes, small unwanted blotches of ink, and slight folds on parchment which cost her hundreds of stationary and tons of wasted time.
She hummed as she happily stuffed the letter inside an elegant envelope before closing it with a sealing wax she bought online to add some class to her work. Finally, she placed a gentle kiss on the envelope entrusting her hopes and dreams into the little parchment.
She went to school today with a huge smile while holding a paper bag filled with flowers for her girlfriends as well as the sweets she baked for her lonely acquaintances like poor old Chou. She paused by the lockers where a man leaned casually against the metal before directing his attention to her.
"Got the goods?" he asked conspiratorially.
"Got 'em." she replied with a blank poker face as she took out an object from her paper bag.
"Ya sure this one's good? It doesn't appear that special." Clint said as he scrutinized the product in his hand.
"Come on it's cute. Plus Layla definitely loves my baking skills. And why are we even talking as if we're selling drugs? You're just doing me a favor for baking your sorry ass some cookies since you can't even think of what to get your girlfriend."
"Oh, sorry. I just thought that it was fun that way. Anyway, here's what you requested. The serial number to Alucard's locker. Have fun you creepy loli." said Clint as he handed her a piece of paper containing a series of numbers before taking his leave.
"Well, better make this quick before anyone else arrives. Alucard can't see me rummaging through his locker. That would be weird." The maiden commented before looking through the paper. She navigated her way to look for Alucard's locker since she wasn't that familiar with it considering he's from another building because his grade level is two years higher than hers.
"God, he's already in senior high school but Clint's penmanship is as shitty as a chicken scratch. Is this a one or a seven? God this is confusing." the maiden mumbled as she tried to understand the scribbled digits on the paper but found it difficult to do so.
"Darn it! I'll just go with the seven. Hopefully, it doesn't end up in someone else's locker much less Dyrroth's. He has a huge crush on me but I think it's a no-no for me. The only man I want is my darling Alucard Vladimir. Oh, no-!" Ruby exclaimed as she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm very sorry I was just trying to find my way here. Are you alright?" Ruby apologized but nearly yelped due to how massive the person she bumped into.
"Watch where you're going, runt." the man said harshly, narrowing his eyes at her making Ruby frown.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were blind. This road is so wide and there's no one else here other than us but you chose to bump into me and then have the nerve to speak to me like that. How rude." she retorted not backing down even if the man towered over her.
"Didn't know that little runts can be this spunky. Anyway, I don't want to waste my time on some grade-schooler so might as well let this insolence pass. Don't show your face from my sight ever again, pipsqueak." the male smirked as he took a side step to go around her while the girl only glared at him fiercely.
"All bark no bite bastard." she whispered as she stared menacingly at his back. Ruby didn't let herself be distracted by such a useless man any longer and began making her way to Alucard's locker before someone else comes and witness her secret mission.
"It's here." she concluded as she stood in front of the locker bearing the same numbers as the ones in her paper.
"Okay, if the code went through then it's the right one if it doesn't then it's totally the wrong locker meaning that the real one has one instead of seven so here we go." Ruby began turning the knob and inputting the code and to her delight, the locker clicked open.
For a while, she tried to admire his locker but only found a few textbooks and some trash here and there. There's barely any decoration to his locker which is somewhat disappointing because she thought that it would be neater and shiny and somewhat princely. Then again this is not an anime so why did she even think about such a preposterous concept. Ruby you dum dum. Better make it quick before you get caught.
The maiden immediately placed the pink Tupperware in the locker along with the letter before securely closing the door and leaving the building as unsuspiciously as possible. It was really hard to leave without being detected since a senior would be hitting on her every now and then but they would be immediately shut down by her wits.
She returned to her classroom with a proud smile from ear to ear. Later or tomorrow she will definitely get an answer from Alucard on Valentine's. She'll be waiting at the gate for him to take her on a date which will be the happiest moment of her life.
"Ruby you look stupid. You look like you swallowed a rainbow. What's this all about?" Dyrroth questioned as he placed a milktea on her desk while sipping one himself. The male took a seat on the unoccupied chair beside her before taking a lock of her hair and playing with it.
"I gave Alucard a love letter and I'm waiting for his response so I'm incredibly happy but also super nervous." she answered with a careless smile almost making the demon choke on the tapioca.
"What the hell?! Why didn't I get one when I'm the one giving you milktea every day?"
"You just swindled it from your mother's shop. How am I supposed to appreciate that. You should at least pay for them. Drinking milktea everyday is not healthy for you anyway so might as well give it to someone else."
"Hey, Paquito want some milktea?" Ruby offered to the boxer while smiling amicably.
"Oh yeah sure. Even though I have to keep it low on the sugar, receiving something sweet from a cute girl is something I can't refuse."
"Hey, that's my cute milktea and my sweet girl!" Dyrroth protested glaring at the boxer dangerously but the two only ignored him.
"I'll get you something later. Happy Valentine's day, Ruby!"
"Oh, you don't have to bother."
"I'll get you Alucard's jersey!"
"OH MY GOSH, YES! PLEASE DO!" The maiden exclaimed in joy making her other companion furious.
"Bye now. I still need to copy Diggie's homework. I always forget to do mine because of my boxing sessions. Take care cutie!"
"See ya!"
"Do you have to flirt with every guy there is? Isn't it enough that you always frolic with Alucard and fail every time, it's getting exhausting. Seriously, am I the only one investing in our relationship!?" Dyrroth complained as he slammed his hands on her table but Ruby wasn't the least bit fazed.
"Need I remind you that a.) we are not in a relationship b.) I don't have feelings for you other than mild friendship c.) you always flirt with my sisters Edelweiss Ruby, Jade Ruby, Cat Ruby, Orchid Ruby, and Pirate Ruby and d.) I only love Alucard and no one else."
"Don't you dare list things on me! I love you more than I love Lady Zombie Ruby because she's into pegging and I don't like that. But you always take me for granted! Fine. I don't want to be with you anymore. Let's break up. I'm happier with Cat Ruby anyways."
"Go ahead. But isn't she with Granger right now? I saw her making cookies for him yesterday and she didn't even make a single one for you. Anyway since we're friends I thought I'd make you one." Ruby said as she handed him a small pouch filled with home bakes sweets.
"Oh, thank you very much they look delicious!" he grumbled angrily which negated his words. Ruby only waved him goodbye as he stomped his feet while leaving the room to bother another Ruby.
"What an idiot."
"Good thing he's not full-on yandere mode or else things will be tougher."
"Where could he be? I specifically made it clear in my letter to meet me under the apple tree. I wonder if Alucard already got my letter." Ruby mumbled as she sat on the wall of the circular planter box while picking the petals of a flower she got from an admirer she rejected.
"Girl she won't be coming, you know he's into that Miya bitch because of her waistline. Other than her figure nothing is really that good about her. She's completely average. Compared to me that is." Guinevere commented as she sipped her milktea while poking Ruby's cheeks.
"Are you sure you're able to put it in the right locker? Someone else must have gotten it if it was the wrong place." Freya suggested as she pats the smaller girl's head.
"I don't know but I won't give up. It's Valentine's day and I haven't gotten even a single glance from Alucard. I was the one who initiated the first move. Why didn't he at least meet up with me or much less text me? I even put my number and email address there."
"Baby, I don't want to be a bummer but sometimes a guy is not just into you. Look, you put your heart and soul into that letter and if that bastard doesn't appreciate it then he's a complete idiot. Only a dumbass won't love you." Guinevere reassured as she wrapped her arms around the maiden.
"Yeah, additionally you don't really need a man to be happy. Being single is completely okay. You're beautiful and capable, you'll do just fine." Freya added.
"You can only say that because you have boyfriends! I haven't even kissed someone yet! If he doesn't accept my feelings then I'll be an old maid forever!" Ruby wept as she buried her face in her hands.
"Aren't you exaggerating? You're still young, you'll soon find someone. And look there's someone approaching us."
"Why the fuck is the soccer team approaching us?" Guinevere raised a brow as she looked at the approaching young men. All of them carried a single red rose while walking towards them with goofy smiles. Ruby looked up to see what was happening only to find Granger handing her a rose.
"I was told to give you this." Granger said as he gave her the rose.
"Thank you, but who is it?"
"He said to keep it a secret. You'll find out soon enough." the male smiled at her before taking his leave.
"Guinevere, I was only told to do this so don't get angry." Gusion explained as he gave Ruby the rose before quickly moving away due to the glare of his girlfriend.
"Heyya, Ruby! Thank you for the chocolates by the way. You're seriously the kindest human alive." Chou trailed as he gave her the rose with a faint blush.
"Oh, it's okay. Can you tell me who this is from?"
"Yeah, it was some guy who I guess likes you because of all this effort anyway I should be going cause Paquito and I are gonna fight for the championship belt tonight."
"Sure, good luck." Chou merely gave her a thumbs-up as he left.
"Oh my gosh, who could it be! What a man to be this filled with effort."
"Yeah, Gusion like only gave me store-bought cookies and flowers he picked from the school." Guinevere complained as she ate the chocolate Ruby gave.
"Well, at least he got you something Zilong forgot that it's Valentine's day."
"Hey, bitch. An asshole wanted to give you this. What an annoying idiot." Harley complained as he approached her carrying a fruit basket, chocolates, and the sort with Harith and Cyclops.
"Harley! Be more polite to our seniors." scolded Harith as he elbowed his companion.
"Hey, lady! Happy Valentine's day. Although you're really not my Lady Zombie, all Ruby's are still beautiful for this handsome lad."
"Okay, this is getting really peculiar. Who's really behind this?"
"I told you some asshole." Harley answered before leaving with his friends.
The group suddenly heard the rumbling of a motorcycle and all looked ahead as some biker rushed towards them before curving to a stop in front of the blonde maiden. The person dismounted his bike before removing his helmet.
Ruby gawked as she saw the same man whom she bumped with when she was trying to navigate the senior lockers.
"Is there something that you need? Are you going to give me something too? My hands are kind of full right now."
"Don't worry it's nothing of the sort. I'm just here to take you out on a date."
"Wait. All of these are from you? But, I don't even know your name! Why should I go out with you?" Ruby exclaimed incredulously.
"Because you like me." The male said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world making Ruby stare at him with a blank look. Where the fuck did he get that notion?
"I can't deal with you right now, I'm waiting for Alucard to show up." Ruby grumbled not bothering to hide her frustration towards the male.
"That's going to take some time because he already left with Miya to go to a motel. Cheap ass can't even take his girl to a nicer place. Anyway, hop on. We need to move fast if we want to get to my reservation quickly."
"Wait, wait, wait Martis. You can't take our friend anywhere you want! What if something happens to her?" Guinevere protested as she and Freya stood protectively in front of the smaller girl.
"That won't ever happen. I won't let anyone or anything harm my future wife."
"WHAT!?" The girls exclaimed in unison.
"We don't have time to waste, my pipsqueak. We should make the most of Valentine's day after all. You can leave my gifts here. I'll just have one of my friends pick them up and have them delivered to your house. "
"You know where I live?! Ha?... Huh?" Ruby could only utter in shock as Martis suddenly grabbed her from her friends before lifting her by her waist and placing her on his bike.
"You need to wear a helmet too just to be safe." said the large male as he helped her with the protective gear before mounting the motorcycle with her. Martis wrapped her arms around his waist before starting his bike and spiriting her away.
"Wait, Martis. Are you kidnapping me?"
"Yes." he simply answered as he gave her a haughty smirk.
"No, wai-!"
"GUINEVERE YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IN CASE I DIE OR DISAPPEAR!" Ruby said to her friend as she zoomed away.
"Don't worry Ruby we'll delete your browser history!"
"Do you want to bet if she's going to get laid?"
"Oh, she's going to be totally destroyed."
"Hey wait where are you taking me?! You better not take me to something shady or else I'm going to cut off your balls." Ruby yelled over the roaring wind.
"Ah, you're such a spunky pipsqueak. Don't worry I'm not a swine like Alucard. I'll take good care of you."
"That sounds like the opposite of reassuring! How do I know that you're not kidnapping me to sell my organs to the black market?"
"Because the whole is greater than the sum of her parts. You're more precious to me as a whole than just a part of your body."
"YOU'RE GOING TO PROSTITUTE ME!" Ruby gasped as she thought of more ways on how this total stranger could harm her.
"What?! NO! Of course not! You're mine now I won't let any other man have his way with you. Now I suggest that you keep your mouth shut unless you want to swallow a fly with that loud mouth of yours." Martis said as he sped up making the girl comply.
Soon enough they arrived at a place foreign to the maiden filled with white elegant structures and flowering plants. She tried to run away when they finally stopped but Martis immediately caught her with his large strides and encased her in his arms before whispering words of comfort that did little to soothe the fear in her heart.
"Why are you doing this?! Where are we?!" she questioned as she squirmed in his hold.
"Didn't I tell you? We're here on a date. Now if you would stop annoying me, I'd let you get change and freshen up since it was really your idea to have a perfect date in a tranquil garden restaurant where you would dress perfect for me." Ruby was taken aback. How did he know that? That was exactly the same things she wanted her date with Alucard to happen. How did this imbecile know what she wants?
"H-how d-did you know that?" she stuttered already guessing the answer but too afraid to acknowledge her own foolishness. The only way he can know that is if he...
"I have your letter of course. Didn't you put it there when we met earlier? I'm sorry by the way for being a complete asshole to you at that time. I was just pissed about something. Anyway, the chocolate you made was really delicious. I'm not really fond of sweets but yours was filled with so much love and thought I couldn't possibly reject them and your letter," he said, a bit flustered as he explained. He pulled out a familiar pink envelope sealed with a red wax and seeing it instantly made her rigid and frozen in her spot.
She made a mistake and because of that, Alucard never knew about how she truly feels. She wanted to cry. She's been planning on confessing her feelings to him for a long time and she blew up her chance because of one stupid misunderstanding. Her letter and chocolates were supposed to be the kindling that will ignite something between the two of them but because of one simple error, everything turned into ashes. The kindling that she so carefully created became nothing more than charcoal.
"Ruby, are you feeling well? You seem pale." Martis' voice snapped her from her thoughts.
"No."
"We should go in and have you rested. If I knew that the drive would make you sick I should have gone slower. I'm such an idiot!" Martis said to himself, hitting his head in anger.
"Oh, I'll just need a moment to take in everything."
"Okay. Let's go and get you some water." Martis led her into a roofed walkway where numerous flowering plants wrap their stems around the white columns. It was really scenic and beautiful but Ruby was still dumbfounded to appreciate the view.
Once they reached a function hall of some sort, Martis entrusted her to a female employee who led her inside a changing room. A stylist was already there to groom her and help her find a nice dress. There were almost a hundred dresses for her to try on and the lady said that her "boyfriend" bought them all for her, which she didn't have the strength to correct so she just kept quiet.
Ruby can barely believe her reflection. The stylist really did a good job to make her presentable contrary to her earlier disheveled appearance. The lady in the mirror looked extremely beautiful and perfect.
Afterward, the same employee who led her in the salon guided her to another part of the establishment and it looked more magical and fairytale-like the deeper she goes. She was beginning to debate whether or not she's still on earth or transported to another dimension because of how intricately everything was designed.
They eventually reached a gazebo where a table was already prepared for two. The decoration was exquisite and nothing less than romantic while mellow music played from a hidden violin serenading her with its melody. Fairy lights were blinking all around them and everything felt... Calming. Ruby sat on one of the chairs with the aid of Martis who looked really captivated when he saw her. He sat opposite from her trying to contain a smile from blossoming in his lips while Ruby maintained a neutral facade. This is all overwhelming but she still cannot get over the fact that she blew it with Alucard.
She noticed Martis signal something to a waiter and before she could even blink, servers were already surrounding them, placing food on their table. Every single dish was her favorite and the ones she doesn't know looked scrumptious as well.
"Isn't this place too expensive?" she merely said with no energy at all. She was listless and lethargic looking that it alarmed her companion if this place isn't to her liking.
"The price is of no concern to me. I have many part-time jobs and I am not that wasteful on money so it's fine. I have enough savings to afford it. My only concern is if you like it here. Do you find something that you don't like? It was a bit last minute but luckily I know the owner here so I was able to whip up at least something similar to your dream date."
"It's beautiful..." was all Ruby said as she poked the mashed potatoes on her plate.
"Hey, look at me." Martis lifted her chin to meet her gaze but Ruby was really out of herself.
"I know everything is so sudden. I don't really know how to be gentle like you, but if you would give me some time and teach me how you want me to treat you, then I'll do anything to be your perfect man like the way you described me in your letter. You know this is the first time that someone has thought of me as highly as you do. I didn't even know I meant something to someone as perfect as you."
"Y-y-you think I'm perfect?"
"Of course I do. And anyone who thinks other wise is basic garbage. You're beautiful and nice. You're so smart, funny, and kind. You're also very sweet and caring. Although you are a bit temperamental at times, I love how passionate you are so it was really a great honor for me to be loved by someone like you." Martis paused debating about something before continuing with his speech.
"I know that it might not look like it but... I've had feelings for you for a long time now. I was such a loser because I didn't have the balls to tell you how I feel because I was afraid you would reject me. And then I got angry earlier when you gave Clint that chocolate. I thought you were confessing to him and it made me jealous so I stood rigid in place and waited for you to bump into me so that I could talk to you but I was such an idiot. I chicken out when you spoke to me."
"After we parted, I followed you and saw you rummaging through my locker. I didn't know what you were doing so I stayed and watched you. I was really shocked when I found your letter and chocolate in there. You don't know how happy it made me when I read through your letter. It was like falling in love with you all over again."
"I'm nothing less than in awe with you. I can't even imagine life without you now that you've told me how you feel. I'm the luckiest man alive to be loved by you."
Ruby was speechless. While speaking, she cannot deny that every single thing he said was true. He does have feelings for her and the way he looks at her is the same way she looks at Alucard. There was no denying that this man have feelings for her. The mere magnitude of his confession and the feelings he poured in every word that he uttered are so immeasurable that even all the stars in the universe won't be able to equate to them.
So now that he has fully revealed himself in front of her, how can she tell him that it wasn't really for him? How can she tell him now that she doesn't love him? That the object which made him really happy was not dedicated to him. How can she break the heart of the man who clearly loves her more than the world itself?! Should she come clean? Or should she pretend? Should she extinguish the light in his eyes? Or should she ignite it like the stars in the sky above?
Ruby pursed her lips as tears pricked her eyes. Thankfully the lady said that her makeup, especially her mascara, is waterproof.
"Martis..." she began, trying to hold in her tears.
"Yes, Ruby?" he asked expectantly.
"I... I want to get to know you better. Is it okay if we begin from scratch?" she willed herself to smile which her companion returned.
"Of course."
"Hi, my name is Ruby Crimsonrose, 17 years old. I love sweet things and my favorite color is red. My friends are Guinevere and Freya. I have many sisters also named Ruby. I used to really like someone and even made a really long letter to confess my feelings for him but I think I made a mistake in delivering it. And now, the most worthy man has my letter. I think I want to fall in love with him instead... Do you think he'll still accept me?"
"I think he would love you no matter what. Even if you're a dum-dum." Martis placed his hand on top of hers before connecting their lips together while fireworks erupted above them. The colorful lights painted the dark night sky and bathed the new couple with a vibrant glow. It seems that the kindling reached its destined fire after all.