Akane walked through the door leading to the toilets, holding it open for a woman who'd just come out of the lady's room.
"Thank you," the woman acknowledged automatically with a polite smile to Akane. Once the woman passed through the door, however, Akane was pulled roughly into the men's room and further into a stall, the door slamming shut. Her back was pressed against the wall, while a hand was placed over her mouth, holding her jaw shut and halting her complaints.
Aido turned to the flimsy lock and set it to Engaged, before turning back to the red-faced Human with a cocky, fanged smile.
"Mmm, mmm!" Akane attempted to protest, but Aido's hand was held tight and she'd already learned, no amount of shoving or pulling would free her.
"What was that?" he asked in a melodically mocking tone, causing her frown to deepen and her eyes to darken with a sigh of frustration. Aido chuckled and removed his hand from her mouth only to place them at her wrists and used his body to pin her to the white, tiled wall. A position Akane had, unfortunately, become accustomed to while with this male.
Her angry green eyes scowled at his arrogant expression. She willed her face to remain as pale as usual and not allow her anger and embarrassment at being in the men's toilets, with a boy pressing himself boldly against her, show. The wicked grin he sported as her flushed cheeks darkened, did nothing to aid her, and the tiny cubicle they were stood in didn't help matters. Even if he did step away, he could still reach her with just a stretch of his arm. With him soo close, her senses were completely overwhelmed by him.
"What's wrong, Nakamura, cat got your tongue?" he teased pressing into her further and bringing them face to face. He brushed his nose against hers, thoroughly enjoying her wide, panicked eyes watching his lips and eyes like he was a snake about to strike. She shut her eyes and ground her teeth. She was furious he was gratified by her discomfort and answered his seductive tone with a clipped one. The flash of colour still visible on her cheeks and down her neck, keeping the mischief in his eyes.
"What are you both doing here?" Aido grinned at the girl with a wide, Cheshire Cat-like smile.
"Just looking out for all our cute, little Human classmates of Cross Academy," he responded innocently. "The Headmaster can't let such a large group of you out of the security of the academy walls without proper protection. There are dangerous people around these days, you know?"
"I noticed," Akane deadpanned, now in full control of her traitorous hormones after Aido had reverted to his sillier nature. When he went… well, all Vampire on her, he was petrifying, but when he was like this, it felt more like babysitting a hyperactive seven-year-old.
Akane huffed and lightly pulled at her wrists, signalling she wanted out of the Vampire's grip. Thankfully (and to her surprise), he freed her and stepped back, allowing her to finally smell something other than his cologne. Or is that just him? Regrettably, the men's toilets were not known for their pleasant aroma. Akane crinkled her nose in disgust, entertaining the Vampire further.
"I thought you said the Hunters dealt with rogue Vampires?" Akane reasoned, shuffling away from the toilet with questionable stains before looking back at her abductor. "Why does it matter if a group of us are out here? We're in a town, the whole place is filled with groups of people?" Always so rational.
"True," Aido countered with an airy tone as he casually leant against the cubicle wall opposite, eyeing her with folded arms. "The Hunters look after the town, but the Headmaster instructs us to look after the school. You are a part of Cross Academy, aren't you?" His question earned a raised eyebrow before Akane shook her head, deciding she didn't have the energy to get an honest answer after the half-truth she'd just been told, so turned to leave.
She reached for the latch just as the door to the men's room opened, followed by footsteps into the room. Akane held her breath and turned a desperately embraced face to the boy hidden with her at the sound of a zipper being opened, followed by the sound of liquid hitting porcelain. Aido sniggered quietly, relishing the mortified look on the Human's face as he wrapped his arms around her head, pulling her close to allow her to bury her face in his chest while he covered her ears.
Akane felt every silent giggle running through his body but was still thankful she could no longer hear the man urinating on the other side of the flimsy door. Now, however, she was once again trapped in the Vampire's embrace (and scent). One arm was draped around her neck, his bicep shielding one ear while his heartbeat flooded the other. Aido's second arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her to his chest. Akane's hands were fisted, resting on his chest on the lapels of his coat, beside her head. How did I get here!? I have to get back before someone comes looking for me. We can't be found like this!
Aido struggled to hold it together as the man washed his hands, used the dryer then left. Akane raised her head, experimentally, once Aido unwound his arms from around her. Once she was convinced the man had gone, she pushed the Vampire away, producing another wide grin on his lips.
Akane turned, fleeing the room before anything else happened. She marched hurriedly back in a terrible fluster with a bright-red face and furrowed brows pulled into a deep frown. She paid no attention to Aido as he trotted happily behind her, following her through the tables to her friends.
Miu saw as her roommate came back from the restroom, manoeuvring around tables and customers to get back to them, looking rattled. Miu stood, concerned for her friend.
"Are you ok, you look upset?" Akane frowned deeper before signing with a bowed head. She didn't want Miu to worry, it was her birthday!
"Yeah, I'm fine. Something… found me." Miu cocked her head in the cute way she normally did when silently enquiring for more information. Then Aido suddenly popped out from behind Akane, startling the shorter girl.
"Idol!" Miu exclaimed along with Yuki, Yasu and Kohaku.
"Hello everyone," he waved cheerily. "Miu," he added as he took hold of the brunette's hand and kissed it, causing jealousy to spread amongst the group. "Miss Nakamura just told me, it's your birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday!" Miu flushed and thanked him while fighting to control her stammering and nervous fluttering the butterflies caused in her stomach.
"So, what can I get as a gift for the Birthday Girl?" Aido asked, his tone turning suggestive and causing many to swoon as he bent to be at Miu's eye level.
"How about a stake?" Akane replied sardonically with an unapologetic look at the discreet frown the Vampire shot her over his shoulder. Miu cocked her head quizzically again.
"Stake?"
"You said you wanted to try that carvery place we passed last time we were out, remember?"
"Oh, yeah! Their steak looked great!" Aido beamed at Miu's happy exclamation, reminding himself to get the Human back for that later.
"If that's what the Birthday Girl wants, then that is what she gets." He offered his arm to the flustered schoolgirl, while Ichijo stood and offered his arm to Yuki as she finally got herself out of the booth.
Akane grumbled from the back of the group with Kenshin and Nori, watching the others following the Vampires out of the ice-cream parlour and down the path happily. Two arms were suddenly offered to her simultaneously as they exited the ice-cream shop. She looked up at her companions. Kenshin sported a slight blush while Nori grinned toothily back at her. She managed a grateful smile, taking both arms offered and walked with the boys down the street.
Kenshin and Nori tried to engage Akane in conversation, but the girl was obviously distracted. Nori pulled out his most entertaining and amusing stories for Akane. One in particular always had him rolling but still, she glared, aiming suspicious eyes at the back of the heads of the Night Class Students. Kenshin asked about Akane's taste in music. Nothing.
"Hmm? Sorry Maki, Matsumura, did you say something?"
Kenshin heaved a sigh, while Nori laughed nervously, not wanting to reveal he was a little insulted by Akane's lack of attention. Don't imagine situations when there are none. Cross is here, and if these two wanted to cause trouble, they would do it in a less conspicuous place, I'm sure. She looked at the boys escorting her and felt the annoying stab of guilt for the way she'd been treating them. Time to play nice Akane, they're trying, at least listen to them when they talk, she thought, realising her mistake with the boys.
"I'm sorry Maki, Matsumura, I haven't been the best company." Kenshin smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry about it, Miss Nakamura. You obviously have something on your mind. I'm sorry if we've been distracting you," he offered, displaying his good-guy persona everyone admired.
"I don't have anything on my mind, in particular," she argued lightly.
"Is that so?" Nori said with a wide, mischievous grin. "Well, if that's the case, why the Hell are we the boring trio stuck at the back? I know I ain't boring, and I like to be first!"
Nori's yell was loud, gaining the attention of the rest of the group. But as everyone turned, he raced by dragging an amused Akane, who dragged an equally surprised but happy Kenshin, with their arms interlocked.
"Akane, wait for me!" Miu called, pulling Aido with her down the cobblestone street.