First and foremost, many apologies for taking so long! I recently started at my new job, and although I'm still at my probation period, I'm eager to do well (fingers crossed). Thank you to all that've left such kind reviews! I'm super happy to see you guys excited about the story. I'll work to keep the drama going, ahahah. Now, without further ado...
It's been two weeks. No news has returned from the Sakamaki mansion, which slightly bothered Subaru, but then again, he's busy enough at his mother's cottage in the demon world. With Yui around, there's simply no end to the things that occupy his mind.
Everyday, every waking moment, they'll be together. No school, no other brothers, just her and him. Subaru got to learn more about Yui's past, before she came to the Sakamaki mansion. She was actually homeschooled by her father, who was a pastor at their church, and he was a kind, thoughtful man, whom she never would've imagined to be a vampire hunter. When she isn't busy reading or helping out with chores, Yui would take part in church activities. She even aspired to be a nun!
Yui also got Subaru to open up to her, in a way that he never did before. Of course, the lingering feeling of missing some memories still haunt her, but it never seems to bug her for long, as she focused her energy on the present. Plus, she isn't alone. She learnt about Subaru's struggles with his mother, and how he never got along with his brothers, maybe because all their mothers didn't like his mum anyway. And since he was also the youngest, no one really cared. He claims people are hard to understand, and it's easier to just be alone – but Yui would beg to differ.
"Don't you think it's easier, to share your thoughts and fears with others? That way, they can help you too if you need."
"No. It's too troublesome," he spat.
"You helped me. You didn't think it was too troublesome."
"Th-that's different!" he instantly grew red in the face, and proceeded to turn his back on her. Yui actually found that rather amusing. Despite the way he looks – or pretends to look – she knows that Subaru is much kinder than he seems.
For one, she knew that Subaru has always been watching over her. It's something that she only realised recently, but since back then when she ran into trouble, Subaru would never be far. Even now, as she is doing the dishes while humming a soft tune to herself, he's actually sitting nearby, watching her.
In the mere few weeks they spent together, it seems they've even worked out a system between themselves. Since Yui can't really go out on her own, as there might be demons or vampires around, and also because the system of the entrance only recognises Subaru, she'll usually be cooking, cleaning or sewing at home. Even when she is bored, she'll be curled up on the bed reading. Meanwhile, Subaru would get the groceries or anything else they might need. And when it gets later in the night, they'll talk over some food, till it's time to wash up and go to bed. They both continue to share the same bed.
"Hey, tomorrow's the day," Subaru said one night, just as Yui came out of the shower.
"What is?"
"The end of the Polar season."
Yui perked her ears up at the sound of it. "You mean, the end of the endless nights?"
Subaru nodded. He opened his mouth to say something, but then decided against it. Yui would have none of that.
"What?" she half-laughed, sitting down next to him on the bed. "Tell me."
"I-I was wondering…would you like to watch the sunrise? Together?"
For some reason, the smile that broke out on her face erased all anxiousness within him.
"Why, I'll love to!"
Yui was actually excited, even if it meant that she had to get up a little earlier. She even prepared breakfast, picnic-style, just so they could go out to watch the sunrise. Subaru had said that behind the cottage, there was a small stream. Although they'll still have to be careful of any wandering creatures that may be nearby, since the area is generally empty and quiet, there shouldn't be anyone.
For the occasion, Yui put on the best dress she got, a casual, light-coloured polka dot piece that she loved. Subaru was also such a gentleman, holding her hand as they crossed the fields of beautiful red and white flowers. Although he says it's just so that she doesn't trip, fall and hurt herself, she knows; it's just Subaru, being concerned for her.
The pair got nearer to the stream. It was still rather dark out, but with floating candles at bay and Subaru's ability to see through the dark, it isn't too bad. Subaru helped to lay the mat, while Yui brought out the food she prepared.
After a while, the sky began to turn lighter.
"Oh, it's happening!" Yui exclaimed. She rarely ever saw sunrises in the human world, much less one in the demon world. She knew how important it is, considering that this moment only happens once a year.
Sitting next to the girl, Subaru was just amused at how Yui seemed to be so fascinated. To him, it was just like any other sunrise. But today, things felt different. For the first time in his life, the sunrise looks better than any other.
Although, unlike regular sunrises in the human world, this one in the demon world is much dimmer, as though the sun has lost several shades in its colour wheel. When it's obviously ended, Subaru was worried he might have disappointed her.
"I know it's not that great...," he said, rubbing his neck.
"What are you saying?" Yui turned to fix her gaze on him. "It's wonderful, and I'm so happy you brought me out here."
She smiled softly at him. "Thank you."
That was it. Subaru could feel something just snap within him, be it his sanity or patience, or both. The warm light had settled itself on her petite face, and her hair was waving gently in the quiet breeze. Surrounded by flowers all around, he had never seen anything kinder or more beautiful than this girl right before him.
Yui closed her eyes instinctively, as Subaru leaned in to capture her lips gently with his own. She hadn't said a word so far, but whatever it was, she'd been feeling it recently too, and Subaru had just ignited that. There was just something about being with Subaru that made her feel safe and protected. And heck, his lips on hers feel perfect.
That day, Subaru decided sunrises in the demon world weren't too bad after all.
Ayato had spent three long and depressing weeks in the hospital, and finally, his hand and arm are looking mighty patched up at last. He'd say the stay is even painful, because it is; All the blood he's been getting were average at best, and he's been dying to have some decent blood, which is probably waiting for him back home. Plus, being cooped up in a room means overthinking, and for him it means over thinking about Yui. It also frustrated him that she was constantly on his mind, even when he didn't want it.
So when he was told that he'd be able to go home from now on, to recuperate from the comfort of his personal room, he was more than delighted to oblige. Honestly, this place is the pits. He'd be out of there sooner if he could help it.
Now, Chichinashi better be missing me, he smirked to himself quietly, as he hailed transport to take him to the border.
To get across the border, it's a long walk, past some quiet houses and the woods, and then right between a peculiar pair of trees would stand the gateway. But so long it got him home, it's whatever it takes.
"Chichinashi!" He began barking out loud the moment he came up from the underground sewers of the mansion, which was also a gateway that connected the demon world and the human world together, all the way into the house.
"Oi, Chichinashi! Where are you?" he yelled again, when there wasn't any response.
"Can you keep it down?!" Ayato spun around to spot Kanato, sitting by himself and Teddy at the edge of the stairs.
"Hey, y'seen Chichinashi around? None of you have been drinking her blood, have you?"
"I would if she's here! But she's been gone!" Kanato said hysterically, before shifting his eyes up. Ayato turned around again to see Laito, standing with a smirk on his face behind him.
"My, my, you're looking much better, brother."
"Took me nearly a fucking month," Ayato replied, annoyed at the fact. "Hey, where's-."
"She's not here. She's in the demon world now, nfu."
"What?"
"She's with Subaru."
"Oi," Ayato said, his eyes dead serious, "What do you mean by she's with Subaru?"
"Took off the same time you had to go for treatment in the demon world. And some weeks ago, Subaru actually sent a familiar back. I don't think you'll like what it says~"
Ayato immediately grabbed Laito by the collar and slammed him against the wall, eliciting a small 'ouch' from the man.
"Not so rough now, Ayato-."
"Tell me what's it about!" he shouted. It brought a smirk to Laito's face, one that brought more irritation to Ayato.
"It would appear that~ our dear Bitch-chan has lost her memories."
The strength in Ayato's hands seemed to leave him suddenly, and he let Laito go.
Not again. There's just no way.
"Wh-where are they? Tell me, now!"
"Do you remember that Subaru's old woman used to have a cottage somewhere? In the demon world, for all the crazy she's got up there. But sadly, none of us knows where exactly it is."
Everything smelled…fishy. It's probably a joke, Ayato thought to himself, his mind in disbelief. Maybe, once he found her, it'll be that she lost other memories. It can't possibly be about him again, not after all the things they'd been through.
"I'll find her. Whatever it takes," he said. Right now, more than anything, it's his priority.
"Good luck!" Laito called after his brother, who was already leaving, then added more softly, "You're gonna need it."
Back in the demon world, the atmosphere already feels different in the house. The way she looked at him, and the way he fussed about her, even when it's the little things, showed the growing affection between them. Subaru, especially, could hardly contain himself.
His blood-sucking sessions, previously purely what it is, would afterwards turn into heated make-out sessions. He'd inch further up from her shoulder to her neck, and then onto her lips. All the pent-up frustration was beginning to rear its head, not that he cared. He wanted her to know; that he liked her, and he wanted her.
Yui was slightly frightened by the sudden change in Subaru. She'd always thought he was gentle and that he didn't like too close a distance between him and others, but he feels the complete opposite now. It was as though he was a beast that had just been freed. Not that Yui really hated it. After all, it was also exciting and it felt good.
It hasn't even been a few days that all this happened, since their first kiss. Yui remained shy, and Subaru would, at times retreat for a while to give her some space. He liked observing her as she did her things. And not once did Ayato pop into his head at all.
Today was just like any other day before. Yui stood at the kitchen counter, preparing dinner. Subaru was in the shower, and as Yui chopped the carrots, she could hear the water running in the bathroom.
Now, to just pour them into the soup…
She was really getting good at cooking. All along, she enjoyed it, but recently, with no school and a lot more free time, she'd been able to surprise herself.
Turn up the heat a bit, and stir…
"Is it done yet?" A voice came from behind her.
She spun around to see Subaru, half-naked from waist up, running a towel through his hair. It was as if it were the most normal thing in the world, except it now isn't, because things between them have already changed. Yui blushed slightly, and said as she turned back to her pot of soup, "P-put on some clothes."
She didn't expect Subaru to just come up behind her quietly, pressing his body to her back and putting his lips on her nape. His kisses tickled, which elicited a giggle from her.
"You're distracting me," she laughed softly.
She couldn't see the expression on his face, but he had his arms around her waist and he kept kissing the back and side of her neck teasingly.
"I can't cook like this," she protested. His kisses felt so good, that after a while, her hands stopped moving entirely.
"Hey," Subaru whispered seductively into her ear midway, "Who told you to stop cooking?"
He's teasing me, she thought. With Subaru continuing what he's doing, he was just filling her head up and there was no way she could cook properly!
"Ah," she lets out a moan, and almost wants to clamp her mouth shut for that, but Subaru was quicker. He had spun her around, his hands reaching to turn the gas off while he's at it, his deep, red eyes staring right into her own. It took Yui only a split second to jump right into it; she tiptoed, and captured his lips with her own.
It's only been a short period of time, but already, they were getting used to each other in this new way. Yui has learnt that Subaru is actually quite the excellent kisser. A bit too hasty at times, but she doesn't dislike it. She only hopes she is satisfactory too. He'd always start out a little slow, but afterwards, kiss her fervently and deeply.
She would've let out a yelp too, if not for how pre-occupied her mouth was, when Subaru lifted her up to sit her on the countertop. This time, he daringly slips his tongue into her mouth, causing all the blood to rush to her head. Oh god, but it feels so, so good. Yui really thought she might explode when Subaru paused to give her some air before kissing her again, but not before showing her a tiny smirk.
She wraps her arms around his neck, dragging him in closer.
The soup's getting cold, but that's okay.
