At first, it was confusing to the Day Class students that the Nigth Class students would only have classes in the evening. And, when Valentine's Day arrived in the first year many would think that they would come out in the day to receive their gifts. However, the disappointment was so much in their expressions that half the crowd walked away, leaving their presents by the gate. The fear of missing school in the first year became evident to most. When they learned that students only left when the sun went down on the horizon, in the second year of high school they kept the crowd as soon as the day classes ended to make way for the evening classes. At the time the dormitory gates would open to give way to those supernaturally beautiful beings.
However, in the third and last year of school, Aidou's enthusiasm was not the same as in previous years. He was grateful for the gifts, but that particular year, he felt like skipping school that day. Besides, his "night" was already getting busy, and the encounter with Kain didn't help. His sapphire blue eyes rested on the old clock on the wall beside him. It was three in the afternoon. He still had four hours of sleep left to catch up on the tiredness visible in his expression. However, closing his eyes would be the same as keeping them open. Sleep had been eluding him for days, due to the worry that plagued his mind at that moment. He brought one of his hands to the side of his heart and squeezed his white blouse. It was too much. That feeling was breaking his soul and heart with every second. Tears invaded his eyes. He could no longer continue in that state. He would have to do something. He would have to keep his mind entertained with something. Something that would make him forget that feeling. He could relate to someone else. Sex was something common as a relief from stress. A lot of his colleagues, both male, and female, did it. They called it the Nigth Stand or whatever. Such a thing disgusted him. Although he looked like a womanizer, his looks are deceiving and Aidou was never like that and couldn't be. It was true to say that he had had two relationships to which he was devoted to the person, but it was not enough to keep him trapped. Keeping his soul and heart chained in an unresolved heartache. Aidou turned away from the door and rested his hands on the crafted wood of the table. His reflection in the mirror accused him of having those feelings as impure as they were pure.
"Why?"
That was the question he asked his reflection. Why did he have to fall in love like that? Why did he have to love so much who couldn't return his feelings? Why did it have to be right away for that person? Aidou imagined telling his feelings so many times. Alternative scenarios with different details, but the positivity of those thoughts always came to the same conclusion and scene. The image of disgust when the words, "I love you" were spoken. The shock, disappointment, and WORSE, disgust stamped on the face of the person to whom he declared himself, gave his insomnia the motivation for sleep deprivation. Of the breakdown of appetite and emotional exhaustion. Anger surged through his body like a shock and without delay a closed fist shattered the glass in front of him, shattering it. Blood began to pick through the thin strokes on his right hand. Through the broken glass, his crossed brows showed a frightened expression. He had to come up with a solution and fast to shut those feelings up forever. Avoiding the person was out of the question since every day would cross his path. So, it was time to be able to maintain a brave front. Go back to the old Aidou and embrace the irony of his suffering with something he would enjoy doing. If he could do it, maybe. But he had to change his expression or else sooner or later he would have to come up with a plausible explanation to end Kain's questions. Knowing him as Aidou does, he would question him until he found a favorable answer. And of all the Nigth Class, Akatsuki was the only one Aidou did not wish to see so often.
Normal and not normal. Normal for some, exhausting for others. Shiki had taken refuge in one of his favorite corners, away from the window, to break that annoying yelling. Classes were starting at midnight, and there were still three hours until then. Ichijou had decided to greet those elegant women and receive their gifts. Ruka, on the other hand, had cuddled up on Akatsuki's lap as he read a book. Ever since she was a child Ruka had had feelings for Kain and whenever she could, she did something to be close to him. Akatsuki had already had his fill of patience exhausted from the times he refused her advances, merely sighing now about certain attitudes he would not change. Though she was beautiful and the most popular of the entire Nigth Class and Kain had already had his fill of conquests and fun, Ruka had never been a woman who was pleased to him in that sense. He didn't know whether it was because she was his childhood friend or because her mouth was too big on certain aspects that made him refuse to have any sexual or romantic connection with that saturating creature. But he gave in to certain attitudes on her part just so he wouldn't have to put up with her anymore.
Even though he knew Ruka was a born pain in the ass and wouldn't give up easily, and that Kain would give in just to shut her up, seeing that scene stirred him more than expected as Aidou opened the large doors of the restroom to join the others and his eyes reflected the scene in front of him.
Too much!
Were the words spoken in his mind. He closed the doors and sidled up next to Shiki, taking a seat in one of the red armchairs. He picked up a book on the small black round table in front of him, and crossed his legs, letting his back adjust to the comfort. Resting the thick cover of the book on his crossed legs, his elbow found support on the soft arm he was sitting on, for his hand, already closed, to rest his bowed head. Comfortable position for him. Distraction for his eyes and mind. Although the armchair he sat in was facing the armchair Ruka and Kain were in. However, yellow eyes followed the figure of the crestfallen vampire as soon as he entered the room. His gaze did not leave the figure once, even though Aidou paid no attention to his friend. Something was going on and Kain would not rest until he knew the real reason for Aidou's visible agony. The answer he had received hours ago did him no favors for the thirst he felt. That had been an escape from the real answer. That, Kain knew. But after thinking a thousand things that took his sleep away, the only conclusion he already held within himself was that his friend was experiencing a forbidden love. But by whom? Kain asked one of his teachers for the student album of all the years. The teacher did not answer right away, maintaining an accusing silence for such a question, where the clarification came true, but was hidden in some details.
"I don't want it to reach my ears about a woman found dead without a drop of blood in her veins." That was the professor's warning before permitting him to possess the photo albums.
When Kain obtained them the next day, as soon as class was over, the first thing he did was head to his room. He sat on his bed with his back to the window covered with black curtains and crossed his legs. In front of him were four albums covering all the classes of each year. Akatsuki was sure that his friend had fallen seriously in love this time. Not that the other two hadn't been, but there was something different about this one. Forbidden love. His mind kept repeating the two words over and over. No doubt it was something like that. There was no margin for error. He pondered first the option of all before ordering the albums. Yuki, the promised one of Zero and Kaname. A never-ending feud over two vampires and a mortal girl. Despite Aidou messing with her over and over has changed dramatically. Not that he hasn't noticed it before, but it has become more pronounced in the last few days.
Who could it be?
There were so many women in Day Class that it would be a needle in a haystack. Kain's eyes scoured the photograph looking for the ideal one that had won him over. He knew of Aidou's tastes and that was the help in leaving out certain women. But still, of those that could be a potential, something told him that that was not where he was going to get his answer. Although at first, that idea was the solution to be able to clear up the concern for Aidou, it only helped the doubts he had more. It was different. Very different indeed. Turning his thoughts back to the salon, Akatsuki sighed. The albums were delivered the next day without any announcement of death. If it wasn't any of that, what would it be?
"Well, it's time." Ruka's voice broke the vampire's thoughts. "We have to go. At least the screaming is less."
It was an hour before class started. And some of the Nigth Class had left early to receive their gifts. Others decided to go later, including those who already considered Valentine's Day boring and stressful.
To be continued…
