Chapter 19: School Dance

At the weekly dorm meeting, as Takuma announced that the annual school ball was coming up in two weeks, Shizuku was struck by a realization. As other students filed out after the meeting, he turned to Yuki. Her eyes were glittery with excitement as he had expected.

"A ball sounds interesting; you seem very eager."

Yuki beamed at him. "Of course, I've seen balls in movies, and they look so fun – the women in beautiful dresses dancing with men in fancy suits. I can't wait to see everyone all dressed up!"

"Hmm… and do you know how to dance?" Shizuku looked at her with a deadpan expression, waiting to confirm his suspicions.

For a second or two, she continued smiling, as though not comprehending. Finally, she gasped, her eyes widening comically with shock as she realized she had forgotten something important. She smiled sheepishly and twirled a lock of her hair.

"That…that's a great question. I don't quite know how to ballroom dance…" She trailed into an awkward laugh.

He looked at her unimpressed. "I doubt you know any type of dance, ballroom or not."

She scowled. "I'll have you know that while I don't know ballroom dance, my mother did teach me traditional Japanese dance!"

She neglected to mention that her instruction on traditional dance had been many years ago and her mother had given up after five lessons, seeing as Yuki had been completely uninterested. While her mother had been perfectly elegant, embodying the beauty of the traditional arts as she demonstrated, Yuki found the style too slow and boring. She had never been that interested in the traditional arts despite her mother's efforts. Folding some origami animals and playing a few tunes on the koto was all she could manage.

Shizuku examined the girl before him and found it impossible to picture her in a hikizuri like the ones geisha wore, holding a paper fan and dancing slowly to the accompaniment of a shamisen or koto. Under his intense scrutiny and doubt, Yuki found her half-truth start to crack and she quickly changed the topic.

"Anyway, mother was never taught to waltz since she was never supposed to leave her home and attend gatherings, so it's only natural I didn't learn either. But I'm sure it's not hard, I can learn by the time the ball rolls around." She nodded, reassuring herself.

Shizuku crossed his arms. "Well, if you're so confident, good luck."

He turned to leave, but she grabbed his forearm. He glanced back, clearly displeased.

"Shizuku…you're my friend, right? Our friendship runs deep, so you're responsible for helping me learn to waltz." She smiled sweetly at him, her grip firm.

"Huh? How the heck is that my responsibility?" he asked, a deep scowl marring his handsome face. "Ask your brother, he's the one responsible for you!"

He tried to shake her off, but she held on tightly like a barnacle to a ship's hull.

"I don't want to impose on Kaname onii-sama, he's very busy as class president. You on the other hand have a lot of free time."

Clenching his teeth as he tried prying her fingers off, he retorted, "Your brother is hardly as busy as you make him sound. I've seen him lurking around the school grounds, spying on Yoko like you do."

He gave up trying to wrench her fingers off and instead made for the door. She held on and was dragged along as he forced his way towards the exit. At that moment, Shizuku felt like a crayfish caught in the tentacles of a hungry octopus. He wondered if she had been an octopus in her past life – it seemed more plausible with every passing second.

"I won't let go until you agree! I'll bother you every second of my free time, following you everywhere!" She grunted as she tried to pull him away from the exit.

"What're you? A stalker? Actually, I know you're a stalker, I've seen you in action. Yoko doesn't know what creepy siblings she has!" He grimaced, feeling his uniform sleeve strain, fearing it will tear. "You're sorely mistaken if you think I'll give in to your blackmailing like that Jun and other nobles!"

"I'll come after you with food I made and force them down your throat if you don't say yes! Besides, since you bought up the topic in the first place, I know you're concerned about me so don't be shy and just agree to teach me!"

Shizuku groaned inwardly.

How ridiculous they must look. It would be bad for his reputation as head of the Toma clan if anyone walked in now and saw him struggling to spring free from her grasp. The alarming amount of calories Yuki consumed did not go to waste – for someone so short she was physically rather strong. And even if he exerted himself and pushed her away, he knew she would not let him be. Even when she was a kid, she had been stubborn and not afraid of resorting to the dirty trick of crying until he gave in.

He sighed and stood still, resigned to his fate. "Fine, I agree okay?! Now let go!"

Yuki grinned, finally releasing him and clapped her hands together. She knew that once he promised something, he stayed true to it.

"I knew you would say yes Shizuku, since we're such good friends and friends help each other."

Rolling his eyes and brushing his sleeve to straighten out wrinkles and creases she left, he started planning their lessons.

"Meet me after class tonight at the dance studio." He glared at her. "You better not be late and waste my time."

She made the okay sign with her hands and skipped away in a carefree manner, leaving him to ponder the comedy his life had become.


Learning to waltz proved more challenging than Yuki had expected. The difficulty had nothing to do with the actual dancing, it was not that hard following the set rhythm and pattern. The challenge was to not be distracted by her teacher. When she first felt Shizuku's hand on her waist, she froze, realizing this was the first time a member of the opposite sex was touching her there.

He glanced at her with mild annoyance. "I don't have all day, stop spacing out. If you keep doing this, I'm leaving. I could be watching the rugby game instead."

She snapped back to attention, and they resumed their steps across the smooth floor of the studio.

What's wrong with me? This is just Shizuku. She looked down at their shoes as they danced and focused on the memory of Shizuku in his child form. He had been so small and looked so much like a girl. She had envied how long his eyelashes were, wondering why a boy had lusher eyelashes than her.

She gazed up again. His face was slightly turned away as he glanced at the clock, likely wishing their session would end soon. She took the opportunity to stare at his eyes…his eyelashes were still longer than hers. Her eyes then slid down to his exposed throat.

What would he taste like? I've never taken his blood despite all the years I've known him…Yuki wondered absentmindedly. Would his blood have a floral tinge like mother's and Maria's? Or maybe cinnamon like Aoi's?

Without warning, his chartreuse green eyes suddenly shifted to stare right at her. Feeling like a peeping tom caught in action, Yuki instantly tore her eyes from his neck. In her agitation, she lost track of the pacing and stepped hard onto his shoe. He abruptly dropped his hands from hers and pulled away, letting slip some colorful words.

"You've stepped on me at least twenty times in the past hour! Are you doing this on purpose?" he hissed.

"Sorry, it was an accident…" she looked down guiltily at her heeled dance shoes.

He frowned, debated whether to argue, decided against it and took her hands again. They resumed their dance, but this time he concentrated on their steps, making sure his feet stayed untrodden.

A week later, Yuki progressed to the point where Shizuku did not have to constantly worry about being stepped on. They could now waltz for an entire song, interrupted only once or twice by her mishaps. In her excitement at her progress, she became more emboldened and started chattering.

"Hey Shizuku, when you were in your child form, did you dance with women in soirees you attended?" she asked, unable to picture him doing so. In that form, the only dancing he would be doing was with another kid.

"No," he replied tersely as he twirled her.

"Then did you just sit around eating and chatting? Seems boring to not dance at those events…" She glanced at him. "Why did you even revert to your child form in the first place?"

"You're really nosy."

She scowled. "You know about Yoko and all my family issues, but won't even tell me this much? That's not fair!"

He sighed. "Fine – because it's more convenient. I got tired of nobles coming up to me and offering up their daughters to be my mistresses."

Hearing his reply, Yuki lost her footing in her shock and tripped. He pulled her reflexively and she fell on him, her face landing against his chest. She could feel his warmth and hear the steady beating of his heart under his shirt. His chest was so firm – it was so different from hugging girls like Maria or Yoko, girls were soft and squishy instead.

"If you fall like this during the actual dance, people will laugh."

She blushed furiously and pulled away. "It's your fault I fell! How can you say something shocking and not expect me to be startled?"

"Why are you surprised? Nobles have always tried to get closer to purebloods that way."

"Well…I know that. But I didn't think that would happen to you too."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He glared at her.

"Nothing..." Yuki looked away.

She didn't know why she was so shocked. He did have all those fangirls in the Day Class after all. And if she were to be objective, she had to admit his face was quite beautiful (though his personality was a completely different matter). Like all purebloods, just his appearance alone would draw people in, his power and status not considered.

"So…have you ever taken a mistress? Back before you reverted to your child form I mean."

"And why is that any business of yours? Go read celebrity tabloids to satisfy your nosiness instead."

Yuki huffed but kept silent. She doubted he had been involved with any women before, he was simply too immature. Pigs would fly before he ever got a lover.

Still…she wondered what type of girl he liked. Perhaps he preferred busty babes like those in Bunny Girl (which she had secretly browsed before returning to the embarrassed Sho, curious to see what men liked). Were any girls at the school his type?

On the topic of girls, no doubt the fangirls would use the ball as an opportunity to throw themselves at Shizuku and her brother. Fortunately, Kaname had Seiren to protect him. Shizuku was alone though…Yuki glanced at him. He was preoccupied looking at the clock. This jerk is thinking about the lame rugby game, unaware of the upcoming danger, she thought with mild irritation. Well then, as his best friend I'll save him from the fangirls.


The weekend before the dance, Yuki went shopping in town with Kaname and his crowd. She was accompanied by Maria and dragged an annoyed Shizuku along.

While the females took their time browsing dresses, with Ruka in charge of vetting selections, the males quickly and efficiently got fitted and had their suits submitted to the tailor for adjustments.

After Yuki picked her dress for the dance, she asked Kaname if they could buy a dress for Yoko. He smiled and replied he had the same idea. He knew Yoko was quite casual when it came to dressing up (probably due to both her personality and the fact that she was raised by a single father with atrocious fashion sense) and he refused to have her show up to the ball in a dress that didn't meet his standards.

After finishing their shopping, the group rested at a patisserie. Yuki sat with Maria and Shizuku, and Kaname sat at a larger table nearby with his clique. As Yuki happily ate her chocolate ganache tart, she thought about how nice Yoko would look in the dress and shoes they had chosen.

"You'll come off as creepy giving a dress to Yoko," Shizuku interrupted her daydreaming.

"No, I won't," she shot back. "We're good friends, why can't I give her a dress?"

"Because it seems more like something a man would give his lover. Besides, how can you be sure the dress and shoes fit her? She should get fitted by a professional."

"Hmph, Shizuku you know nothing about women," Yuki retorted.

He rolled his eyes.

Yuki finished her tart and announced, "Don't worry, I've mastered the art of gauging a woman's size by simply eying her chest. By the way, Nozomi has quite the rack, though the champion of bustiness in the Night Class would be Nanao-san with her 36Ds. Unfortunately, Maria-chan is on the other side of the spectrum with a 34A, even though she is related to my mother who is–,"

Before Yuki could finish revealing forbidden secrets, she was simultaneously interrupted by an indignant (and rightfully so) Maria who was blushing to her roots and glaring at her furiously and the loud coughing of Shizuku as he choked on the tea he had been sipping.

"How can you say things like that without shame?" Shizuku berated her in a whisper. "You have trouble memorizing the multiplication table but no trouble spouting women's measurements? Is this what you've been focusing on instead of paying attention in class?! This depravity is something your mother should hear about."

At the possibility of Shizuku reporting back to her mother, Yuki paled. She begged, whined, and finally threatened him to withhold such action. Kaname and the others turned to observe the racket their neighbors were making. Takuma laughed and commented on how lively they were while Kaname just shook his head, pressing his fingers to his temples.


After two weeks in which Shizuku sacrificed the wellbeing of his feet, Yuki managed to master the fundamentals of the waltz. Although she would not be entering competitions, she would perform fine at the ball and any future soirees she would attend.

The remaining days before the ball, the school was filled with excitement, with even the normally laidback Night Class anticipating the event. It was one of the few schoolwide events, and the jovial mood was infectious. Yuki was among the ranks of those most eagerly awaiting the ball, and she had ordered enough film for her camera to last the next decade.


The morning of the ball, as Yoko was having breakfast with the headmaster and the twins, she heard a loud knocking on the door and opened it to find Yuki standing on their doorstep.

"Good morning Yoko! Please wear this dress and these shoes to the dance. Kaname onii-sama and I spent a long time picking them for you!" the pureblood announced chirpily. She shoved two big boxes into Yoko's hands.

"Thank you, Yuki, but I can't acc-,"

"I'm looking forward to seeing you in the dress tonight!" Yuki exclaimed and bounded off before Yoko could finish declining.

Yoko glanced down at the boxes and sighed. It was too late to run after Yuki and return them. Besides, after being told Yuki and Kaname had spent a long time choosing them for her, she would be ungracious if she rejected the gifts. She would just have to add this to the list of things she owed them.


Classes ended early that day for the Day Class and were cancelled for the Night Class. The three guardians also got the night off. As soon as the bell rang, students hurried back to their dorms to prepare. Yoko returned to her room at the headmaster's residence and finally opened the boxes. Just looking at the dress, she could tell it was expensive, though she supposed that was only expected for the wealthy Kuran siblings.

She had originally planned to wear the same navy-blue dress she had worn to Yori's birthday. Since Yori's father was a high-ranking politician, Yori's 16th birthday party had been a fancy event held at a luxurious hotel and attended by bigwigs. Yoko had had to dress up for the occasion. Since then, Yoko had not worn another dress aside from their mandatory school uniform skirt.

Yoko carried the boxes over to Yori's room in the Sun Dorm. Her friend had already changed and was wearing a demure but classy dress. While Yori applied makeup, Yoko changed into the dress she had been gifted.

The siblings had given her a light-blue, tea-length dress with an illusion neckline. It felt almost strange to wear a dress again, but Yoko was pleasantly surprised to find that the dress fit her perfectly. She wondered how Yuki and Kaname managed to find a dress that fit her so well. Whenever she went shopping, she struggled to find clothes that were not too loose or too tight.

Yori finished her own preparations and proceeded to help Yoko do her hair and makeup.

"Yoko, you're really lazy as a girl although you're so diligent in other areas," Yori commented as she combed her friend's hair and started arranging it into a waterfall braid.

It was almost concerning how Yoko could spend hours reading about countries long gone and people long dead but refuse to spare even half an hour to learn the basics of makeup.

"Ichiru probably knows more about makeup and women's fashion than you," Yori added.

Yoko laughed. That was probably true, Ichiru was the most fashion-conscious out of the three of them. When they were kids, he had been satisfied wearing whatever Zero chose for him, but ever since high school he had become picky about his attire and had started reading men's fashion magazines. Now the tables have turned, and he was the one dressing Zero up and planning his wardrobe.

"Well, I have you, Yori," Yoko replied.

"Hmm, and what would you do if we had never met?"

"Then I suppose I'll have to ask Ichiru to do my makeup instead."

Yori couldn't help but smile at her response.


The ball started at 7 in the evening, and students excitedly streamed into the decorated hall. Everyone was looking their best, the girls in colorful silks, satins, and chiffons and the boys in more muted tones. Large flower arrangements graced the tables positioned to the sides. Festive streamers and banners lined the walls and the marble floors shone. The live band was already set up at the front of the hall behind the headmaster.

The students waited impatiently for the headmaster to finish his speech. As soon as he finished wishing them a happy ball, the majority of students quickly made beelines for those they wanted to dance with, while their more gluttonous peers headed straight to the food tables, and the shyer students moved to the side to observe and gather their courage.

Yoko stood beside Zero and the headmaster, looking at her classmates congregating on the dance floor. The students who were already in relationships were the first to waltz in pairs to the live music. She saw a laughing Ichijou-senpai start a group dance with some Day Class girls, absorbing the stoic Senri and Rima into their group. Yori was off doing an obligatory dance with some boy who was the son of one of her father's supporters. Ichiru was dancing with some girls, him being the charming popular self he was in class. Yoko was glad Ichiru was in one of his healthy spells and did not have to sit the dance out.

"Yoko, Zero, you two should go dance, youth is precious you know!" The headmaster whined and made shooing motions at them.

As Yoko pondered how to escape dancing, something she did not enjoy, Shindo, a girl from their class who Zero had saved from injuring herself earlier that month approached him and asked for a dance. Zero looked a little surprised, but agreed, and he went off with the unexpectedly bold girl.

"Yoko, it's just you left. If you stay all alone in the corner with old me, I'll feel rather sorry like I have failed as a father."

The headmaster gave her a pleading look and she sighed and nodded. She needed to find Yuki and Kaname-senpai to thank them for their gifts anyway.

As she strolled along the perimeter of the dance hall, trying to locate her benefactors, she heard someone calling her. The voice got louder and closer, and she realized it belonged to Yuki. She turned around to see an excited Yuki running at great speed towards her despite her heels.

Yuki finally reached her and hugged her, being as affectionate as usual. The pureblood princess was clad in a becoming violet dress with a halter neckline and asymmetrical hemline. Her glossy long hair was down and adorned with exquisitely crafted hairclips featuring an orchid design.

"Yoko, you look so beautiful! I knew this dress was the right pick, even though Kaname onii-sama had his eyes on another dress! Come with me, Kaname onii-sama is waiting for you!"

Before Yoko could respond to her verbal barrage, she found herself being led towards the terrace. They passed Seiren who nodded at them, and Yoko was soon out on the quiet terrace. The moon was shining brightly, and she could see Kaname-senpai and Yuki clearly. He looked as handsome and princely as expected.

Yoko thanked them for their gifts, to which they insisted it was no big deal. Yuki then whipped out her camera and asked for a group photo, with Seiren snapping the picture. Following that, Yuki energetically went off to take more pictures, leaving Kaname and Yoko alone. He asked her for a dance, and they slowly started waltzing to the music drifting out from the opened windows.


Yuki left Yoko to Kaname and wandered off with her camera. She wanted to take most of her photos before dancing. She saw Ayumi and Nozomi surrounded by suitors, expected given how popular the Fukuhara girls were. Kikue was at the tables, stuffing herself with cake while Maria watched nearby with mild disapproval.

Senri and Rima had left Takuma's group dance and were examining the food at the tables with their usual deadpan expressions. Yuki had always thought the two perfect for each other, given their similar temperaments and how far back they went – it seemed they had known each other for years. However, when she asked Rima, the model had denied they were anything other than friends.

She then spotted Akatsuki dancing with Ruka, the two of them looking like a perfect couple from the distance. However, the latter was staring wistfully towards the terrace where Kaname was. Yuki sighed, she felt rather sorry for Ruka at times. It was no secret how enamored with her brother the noble was, but it was also clear that the feelings were one-sided.

She felt more sympathy for Akatsuki, who harbored romantic feelings for Ruka. Although Akatsuki never said anything explicitly, based on the numerous romantic serials she had watched, Yuki could sense his feelings for Ruka. In her opinion, Kain-senpai was one of the best men in their class. He was considerate and patient, someone who would gently watch over his lover from the shadows without complaint. Hopefully one day Ruka would turn her affections towards him instead of someone who did not feel the same for her.

She moved further and soon came across Aidou-senpai flirting with his human admirers, a very smug expression on his face as he basked in their blind adoration. Seeing that, Yuki reflected on how it was not good for someone as smart as him to also be blessed with good lucks, because it clearly inflated his ego to the point of bursting.

Although she liked Aidou-senpai, he was the most arrogant aristocrat in the entire Night Class. She had a feeling that if she were not a pureblood, he would look down on her like he did most people. He had already criticized her choice of entertainment, declaring that romance novels and serials were "trash for consumption by the uneducated masses" and had insisted she read things more "befitting her status as a pureblood". It would take someone with profound patience and willpower to put up with him on a daily basis.

Come to think of it, he reminded her a lot of a certain someone... She glanced around and soon found that person crowded by fangirls. The smugness on Shizuku's face was the same as that on the blond aristocrat's, and if someone told her those two were distant relatives, she would believe it. Her eyebrows twitched in irritation as she stared. However, she walked away, deciding not to waste the night getting annoyed at him.

As she continued down the hall taking pictures, she came upon Jun and his friends from the now defunct occult mysteries club. The boys were lingering near the pillars, staring enviously at the more popular males. It was a pitiful sight and she felt almost protective seeing her kohai like that.

"You guys!"

The boys stood up straight upon seeing her approaching.

"What're you doing standing in the corner?"

Jun looked at his shoes. "We're not good with events like these...unlike my brother."

She frowned. "You boys need to stop being so shy. And Jun, you're just as handsome as Sho, but you lack his confidence. If you get over your fear of rejection, and maybe change your hairstyle, you can be just as popular!"

Jun looked up hopefully at her. "You really think so Yuki-sama?"

She patted his shoulder. "I believe in you Jun."

He smiled tearfully at her – perhaps there was hope after all, he had just been validated by a pureblood!

An idea suddenly sparked in Yuki's mind and she smiled almost wickedly to herself. Jun was too busy feeling optimistic to notice – if he had, he would've run the opposite direction.

"I know you're all decent boys. But you need to take the initiative and actually approach girls if you want girlfriends! This is the perfect time and place to do so." She addressed the boys in her most teacher-like manner. Grabbing Jun, she steered him to face Shizuku's direction. "Look over there. So many girls crowding around Shizuku. You can tell he's overwhelmed by their affections, and that he's in need of assistance. And those poor girls, the crowd is so big some of them can't even get near him! At this rate they'll waste the evening away without being asked to a single dance."

She put an arm around Jun's shoulders like an older sibling looking out for a younger brother. "This is where you boys come in to save the night – you should ask those girls to dance!"

"I don't know if that's a good idea Yuki-sama," Jun protested.

"Nonsense! You boys are the pride and joy of the baking club. Now let's go and prove you can be just as charming as Sho and his crowd!" Yuki reassured them and led her troop over.

Shizuku paused mid-sentence when he saw Yuki heading towards him with her lackeys.

"Wow, what a crowd over here!" she said with a laugh as she pushed her way through to stand beside him.

He saw her boys nervously start talking to some of his fangirls and raised an eyebrow. Good for them, they're finally starting to act more like the proud vampire males they should be, instead of moping in some corner. The one he was concerned about was Yuki, she was certainly up to no good.

"Ichijou-senpai," she suddenly called out and beckoned at the blond passing by. The noble happily joined them. "I noticed you doing a group dance with Rima, Senri and some girls earlier, that looked so fun!"

"Oh yes it was, the more the merrier," Takuma replied cheerfully.

"Can you teach me and Shizuku too? We have so many friends from the Day Class here, but he can only dance with a few of them individually. To let everyone dance with him, we should do a group dance like you did!" Yuki proposed sweetly.

"That's a great idea!" Takuma said. He winked at Yuki and grabbed hold of Shizuku's left hand while she took his right hand.

"Hey...we're supposed to be dancing in couples, no one else is group dancing," Shizuku said, narrowing his eyes. "And I'd rather not spend my evening holding another man's hand."

"Don't be like that! Having fun is what matters! Besides, there's nothing wrong with holding another man's hand, it's a sign of our friendship!" Takuma lightly admonished him.

"I was not aware we shared such a deep friendship, Ichijou-san," Shizuku replied flatly.

"We see each other almost every night, don't be so cold Shizuku-kun!"

"Yeah Ichijou-senpai is right, don't be such a stickler for convention!" Yuki added.

Takuma arranged the confused fangirls into a circle and the group started dancing under his lead, with Shizuku being dragged along. Yuki's steps were light as they danced. There was great satisfaction in playing matchmaker for Jun and the others, and most of all in wiping the smirk off Shizuku's face. He was currently too busy glowering at her to smirk. Yuki pretended not to notice and suppressed a gleeful smile. How wrong Aidou-senpai was when he said I wouldn't learn anything watching romance serials, she thought.


"You look very nice Yoko," Kaname complimented the girl he danced with. "You should wear dresses more."

"Perhaps I should, it's more convenient throwing on a dress than having to pick a matching top and bottom," she replied.

Kaname chuckled. "Ruka and Aidou would be horrified if they heard you say that."

A gentle breeze blew by, rustling their equally dark brown hair. They danced in tune to the music floating out from the opened windows.

"It has been a long time since we last danced together," he commented. "You're still the same as before, as rigid as if you're marching in a military parade."

"But you were the one that taught me to dance, so wouldn't you be partly at fault Kaname-senpai?" she teased lightly.

He smiled at the memory of teaching the child Yoko to dance in the headmaster's messy living room. She had been so small back then; he had worried about holding her hands too tightly in fear he would accidentally hurt her. Now she was only a few inches shorter than him, a fact he marveled at whenever they stood in close proximity.

"Yes, maybe I should've spent more time with you. We've grown apart, haven't we?" He murmured.

"You have your responsibilities, Kaname-senpai. Your work should take precedence."

"You overestimate my dedication to my duties," he said quietly. "I'm not as selfless as you think."

"Even if you're not selfless, at least you did not run from your duties. Not many people can do the same, being burdened with such responsibilities at a young age."

If you knew who I really am, you might not think the same, Yoko, he thought sadly.

"I see you and Yuki have been getting quite close," he said, changing the topic.

"Yes, Yuki is very nice. She is quite different from you, Kaname-senpai, even though you two are siblings," Yoko replied.

"Hmm?" He smiled and prodded her to say more. "How so?"

"She's very open and readable, whereas you're a shut book," she said and looked straight into his eyes. "Even though I've known you all my life, it's hard to tell what you're thinking."

"If I'm as open as Yuki, I would be in quite the predicament," he laughed lightly. "Purebloods should never be so open with their feelings and thoughts."

"But Yuki would not be Yuki if she masked her thoughts and emotions."

"Yes, Yuki is different from me, and from you. You say I'm a shut book, but you're also hard to read," Kaname said.

Yoko smiled faintly. "Maybe I've unconsciously become like you."

They continued dancing in silence for a few minutes.

"Kaname senpai…Why do you two treat me so well?" Yoko suddenly asked. "Every time you or Yuki go out of your way to do something for me, like this dress, and dancing alone with you out here – I cannot help but wonder. I don't understand why you two single me out – it's odd."

She held his gaze without blinking, and for a brief second, his step halted but he quickly resumed their waltz.

"Yoko is quite a cynic," he laughed. "Is it wrong for us to treat you well? You're our precious friend after all. In fact, I must thank you for befriending Yuki, although she is sweet, she can be overwhelming at times."

"Forgive me if I sound suspicious. I'm merely curious why you two care so much about me when I'm just a human and you two are purebloods. Even Aidou-senpai has commented on how I seem to be a special case for you two."

He did not answer but continued their dance, keeping steady pace with the music.

She had to ask the question that had been bothering her for a long time. "Kaname senpai…does it have something to do with my biological family? Is there some connection between you and them?"

The moment she finished her question, the music and their waltz came to an end. Instead of letting go, he surprised her by pulling her into an embrace.

"Yoko…what will I do when you're so inquisitive?" He murmured softly. "I promise your questions will be answered in due time, so until then please don't ask investigate further."

She could not see his face, but there was a tinge of melancholy in his tone. She felt slightly guilty, wondering if she had reminded him of some painful memory. However, his cryptic response only strengthened her suspicions. For now though, she would do as asked.

Kaname felt her nod and released her.

"It's getting chilly out here, we should head back," he suggested. "Besides, we should find Yuki and ensure she has not gotten herself into trouble."

When they returned to the hall, the music was in full swing again with many students swirling in pairs along the polished floors. They found Yuki dancing in a circle with a disgruntled Shizuku, smiling Takuma and a bunch of Day Class girls. The blond aristocrat noticed them staring and asked if they would like to join, to which they both immediately declined. At midnight, the music and dancing came to an end, with the tired but happy students returning to their dorms.


A week later, Shizuka halted playing her koto to open the envelope that Aoi bought in. She found an assortment of photos along with a long letter in which Yuki described the ball in her rambling and excited way. Shizuka smiled faintly as she looked through the pictures. She paused on the last photo of a brightly grinning Yuki with Kaname and Yoko towering next to her. Yuki's arms were laced in those of the other two, pulling them close for the family picture. Kaname and Yoko were also smiling, but in a much more reserved manner than Yuki.

The photo of the three Kuran "siblings" bought forth a memory from long ago.


[Flashback Scene]

It was another one of Juri and Haruka's visits, but this time Juri had bought along an old family album which she insisted on showing her. The brunette had stopped on a black and white photo depicting her in between Haruka and Rido, her arms linked in both of theirs. She was dressed in some sort of uniform and they were standing in front of some gates. She was smiling as radiantly as the sun while the men around her displayed more subdued smiles.

"Oh, this is from the time I graduated high school!" Juri exclaimed.

"High school?" Shizuka murmured.

Juri instantly lit up. It was the first time that night that her stoic sister-in-law had expressed any interest in their conversation. Often when she talked to Shizuka, it felt more like talking to herself since the other was so quiet.

"I might've mentioned it before, but when I was younger, I begged our grandfather to let me attend a human high school. I wanted to live in the human world and see what it was like."

"And he agreed?"

"Juri always got what she wanted because she was the apple of our grandfather's eyes. Same with our parents," Rido interrupted. He was seated to Shizuka's left, leaning back against the sofa.

And with you too, Shizuka thought but held back her words. Entertaining as it would be to put the three Kurans on the spot, it would be poor taste to ruin the mood. Juri and Haruka might not return for another visit then it would be just her and Rido, a scenario she'd rather avoid.

"Rido onii-sama, you almost make it sound like I'm spoiled," Juri protested with a light huff and playfully reached over to swat him.

"No…Juri you could never be spoiled," Rido replied evenly. "Even if you were, it would not be your fault but everyone else's fault for pampering you."

Shizuka detected the vaguest touch of irony in his statement which flew over his sibling's heads – a usual occurrence in their conversations.

"Well, anyway, Shizuka, I should mention that Haruka was so annoying back then! He followed me everywhere like a stalker," Juri resumed her tale.

And yet you ended up marrying him, Shizuka thought. It seems persistence to the point of harassment was the favored tactic of the Kuran men.

"Juri, what are you telling Shizuka?" Haruka laughed gently from his seat across from them, "You're giving her a strange impression of me."

"Just the truth," Juri replied and stuck her tongue out at him.

"I followed you to keep you safe, Rido onii-sama was always busy after all."

"Well, that's true. You've never been diligent when it comes to handling issues within vampire society unlike Rido onii-sama," Juri said then frowned. "By the way Rido onii-sama, you should take some time off work and spent more time with Shizuka. Overworking will make you age faster, you know?"

Shizuka suppressed a shudder at the thought of spending more time with Rido. Juri was at it again with her kindly meddling. As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. She had a feeling there was more of that coming…

"We're purebloods Juri, we don't age," Rido replied flatly.

"Oh really? I think I spot some gray hairs in your head," Juri teased.

"Not everyone can be as relaxed as you and Haruka," he said. "If I don't take care of business as head of the Kurans while our parents are slumbering, how will Haruka have all that time to spend with you?"

His tone was joking, but Shizuka sensed a slight edge to his words. However, this time she was not the only one that sensed it.

"Rido onii-sama, sorry for always leaving those things to you...I'm not as good as you when it comes to dealing with the Council," Haruka apologized softly.

"Well, I'm the oldest after all...these things have always been my responsibility," Rido said quietly, his eyes on the glass of wine he swirled in his hand.

A silence descended and Juri awkwardly shifted in her seat while Haruka recrossed his legs.

"The time you spent with the humans...was it worth it?" Shizuka finally asked, breaking the silence.

Interesting as it would be to see drama between the Kurans, she did not want to experience it from the front row, right in between Juri and Rido. She already had to deal with Rido and his moods after every one of Haruka and Juri's visits...she did not need more stress.

Juri was grateful for the chance to lighten the mood and immediately started gushing about how fun school had been and the human friends she had made.

"Actually, when Haruka and I have children, I hope they can experience school with other vampires and humans." Juri concluded softly. "It would be wonderful for them to live even a short period of their lives as regular children, away from the pressures of being purebloods."

"Does a school attended by both humans and vampires exist?" Shizuka asked.

"Well, no... but one day maybe it will, I want to believe we're headed in that direction."

You really are an optimist, Shizuka thought. She didn't keep up with politics and vampire-human relations, but she knew enough to know that was a pipe dream. For ten thousand years, since the time of the first Kuran king, the status quo had been for vampires to isolate away from humans. It was simply the easiest way to minimize conflict between the two species. In the end vampires were predators and humans were prey...that was inscribed in their biology.

"It would be cute though wouldn't it? Imagine our children dressed in uniforms and going to dances and all that. But the most adorable are those elementary school uniforms with the little yellow hats," Juri squealed, starting to get lost in her daydreams.

Shizuka had no idea what "little yellow hats" she was going on about. It was difficult keeping up with the fashion trends of human educational institutions when one was under unofficial house arrest all the time.

"Our children would have to actually exist first," Haruka reminded his wife, bringing her back to reality.

"That's true. But we shouldn't have children until Rido onii-sama and Shizuka do, I don't want our children growing up without cousins."

There it was – the nudge for her and Rido to procreate. A visit from Juri was never complete without at least one or two such suggestions. Juri needn't worry about her children lacking cousins, she might not be aware, but Rido with all his mistresses undoubtedly already has enough illegitimate children to fill a classroom, Shizuka mused. Hmm...a class full of mini-Ridos, now that's a terrifying thought.

She caught Rido looking at her, a hard glint in his mismatched eyes that the others failed to notice. It quickly vanished when he laughed and slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him.

"Since Juri keeps insisting on meeting our children, we should try harder to fulfill her wish... shouldn't we Shizuka?" he asked, his eyes boring down into hers.

She held his gaze but did not reply.

[Flashback - End]


Shizuka sighed softly and put the photos aside. She had never been the sentimental type…it really was the end when she spent more time reminiscing about the past than being grounded in the present.

But she only had to wait a bit longer...She had already waited many centuries, a month or two more were merely grains of sand in a vast desert.


A/N: This is the last chapter depicting a peaceful school life, the plot gets more serious in the next chapter when Rido makes a brief appearance. Anyway, it's interesting thinking about how Juri and Shizuka would interact...in this story Juri acts like those aunties at every family gathering who ask when you're going to get married and have children lol.