Chapter 36

The following days followed the same plot: the vampires were free to do whatever they liked, sometimes in the company of the others if free for a couple of hours, and the city's atmosphere was tense as always; however, people would carry out their daily activities as normal and quietly as they always did, moderately on alert.

The friendship between Yui and the witches had strengthened: she had established with Isa an almost maternal relationship, finding her very lively and childish even if she was already sixteen; Finn was a comforting and tranquil presence, drinking camomile with her before going to bed; Claire was the typical nice girl whom to chat with, about healthy gossip, advice on body care and constructive culinary tips (especially to the benefit of the half-demon, who couldn't cook that well...); she felt a strong admiration for Anna, her same age but apparently older because she was very mature and had a strong character that Yui probably envied a little, wishing to be just as combative and determined...

Isa, despite her little childish personality, would use all the possible and innocent female methods to make Subaru fall for her; as soon as she found a free moment, she would approach him and find a valid argument to start talking with him, who would at first reply with monosyllables and disinterest, then found himself more and more comfortable and let slip some smiles, thanks to the witch's skill at making him interested. On the other hand, it had happened that Isa had let herself be overcome by guilt, which had resulted in crisis and convulsions: the very lively and sociable witch had proved to be much more fragile than all the others; and since she would often confess her innermost feelings to Subaru, the albino had got to know about her insecurities, her fears.

Azusa and Finn were a desperate case: they were always together and Azusa would have even followed her to the bathroom if the three brothers hadn't kept him from doing so; it was hard separating them in the morning when the petite girl had to go to class, and even the night before going to sleep (Claire had joked they should have given them their own room, but then, to be fair, she and Laito should have gotten one too...). They would often go to that place Azusa had discovered, to get some tea and biscuits and spend time together, without words as usual.

Morten, Theo and Martha would exchange glances whenever Anna and Yuuma were bickering; if the giant and Morten had decided to ignore each other, the first and the blonde witch had never stopped taunting each other: she had stepped on his foot; her hair had gotten stuck in a button of his shirt; every now and then the girl would receive teasing remarks, either sarcastic or mischievous, when she was training; and Anna would tease him whenever he admitted missing Freckle, which had moved into Mr Flyer's garden. "The course of true love never did run smooth" Martha would giggle with Theo.

It's pointless to tell about Claire and Laito, if not to reveal that during those days, overwhelmed by her memories, the half demon had told the vampire of her past, venting her anger, her bitterness, her need to find a true love; he had stroked her back to console her, thoughtfully, clenching his hands as his memory and conscience came into conflict.

Kou had managed to get Lucy's cell phone number from Isa, thinking it might have been useful to stay in touch with a fan he had got to know; or maybe, he was a bit interested...

Reiji and Lily would join for the afternoon tea and discuss about philosophical or scientific topics; in the first case, Ruki would participate in the conversation willingly, whereas in the second their vampire and aristocratic haughtiness was unbearable.

Mary and Shuu, in those few moments they had to be together, mostly at night, would isolated themselves from everyone, her in his arms; the blond would often stroke her belly, her eyes looking at the sky lost in who knows what thoughts; he had sometimes woken her up and comforted her during her sleep, tormented by her usual nightmares.

New "friendships" were born: Theo got along with everyone, especially Laito, Ayato and Kou; Morten could put up with Shuu, Reiji, and Ruki, probably because they were more mature than the others (although it was annoying seeing Shuu sleeping anywhere), but he didn't really like the other vampires; Anna was of the same opinion, although she had found Azusa kind of docile, ignoring his obvious masochism, and thought that Subaru was the most normal among them, considering his touchiness mere and justified consequence of having incompetent and irritating brothers; Finn, always attached to his beloved vampire, had had occasion to exchange only a few words with the Mukamis, and a little with Subaru when he had asked her about her powers; Isa had tried to be on good terms with everyone, and her cheerful smile was particular addressed to Kou, Yuuma, Ayato, Laito and even Kanato, whom she had given some advice to make some handmade stuffed toys, and her presence was still welcomed by others, perhaps Reiji considered her to be rather childish; Claire was the opposite, teasing Laito's brothers along with him, but keeping a neutral attitude with the Mukami brothers.

The sisters vampire: if Lily was comfortable with Reiji, Ruki and sometimes even Shuu's company, Martha was friendly with Kanato, probably because they both had a certain interest for macabre, the only passion that she didn't share with Theo, too sensitive.

And in the meantime Mary was left with her head and some spots on the rest of her body untouched by the transparency she concealed covering herself from head to toe.


- A strawberry and chocolate milkshake, thank you~!

The maid wrote down the last order and politely bowed, going back into the kitchen; Kou clapped his hands enthusiastically, looking forward to the sweet drink for the third time, and then pouted at Yuuma's nudge at his side, the giant glaring at him for his attitude: he had attracted the attention of some curious girls, who were observing them while innocently giggling.

- Eeeh, you're so shy Yuuma-kun ~ - his brother teased him.

- Stop it, you idiot - the giant hissed, trying to focus his attention on some cacti.

Ruki sighed for the umpteenth time, keeping on reading the book he had borrowed from the library; Azusa and Finn also sat at the same table, her drawing random scribbles on the back of his hand with her nails, him enjoying those white then red lines.

He also noticed how tiny the little witch's hands were and unconsciously wondered how she could be so strong and lift objects even ten times heavier than her: he assumed that her power had no limits from that point of view... no?

- Yuuma-kun, when will you confess your love for that blonde kitty?

- HAH?!

- Yuuma.

The girls near them giggled, as Yuuma fixed the table he had flipped while standing up abruptly, red as a tomato; this didn't stop him from kicking Kou's shin.


Ayato didn't approve that situation at all; on the contrary, he was convinced that it was useless, or at least not necessary: why was Anna teaching Yui how to hold the sword, if he himself was able to protect her?

- Here, good Yui-san! This blow was already more loose, you're getting used to the sword's weight - on the other hand, the blonde was very satisfied with Yui's small improvements as she kept training, under her supervision (and his boyfriend's, who would have opposed it, hadn't it been for the risk of having Anna's katana stuck somewhere...).

She calculated that in a short time Yui could have faced her sister Michaela in an equal fight; Yui, inside herself, was happy, because she felt finally somehow realized, stronger.

Kanato was looking at her from the couch, bored, whispering to Teddy that she was really awkward and funny, laughing when the poor girl would stumble in her feet, unbalanced after a particular movement or while performing some other blow.

Reiji was reading a few books of some of the house's shelves, occasionally leafing through some piles of papers on which Mary had previously noted her observations and her studies, focusing mainly on those about the creatures living on the island.

- The Dragon... of the Island...? - he murmured, reading one of these.


Subaru was rather annoyed: he had thought that only him and Isa would have gone out, after she suggested to travel together the city's high streets; instead, there were also Laito and Claire, who had dragged Shuu with them to make him "move his buttocks", as she herself had said (the albino would have admitted that at that moment he had found her really amusing, while he usually considered her quite irritating because she was very similar his pervert big brother).

Isa was always close to him, accompanying him along those narrow streets, and from time to time was pushed by her friend, or the other vampire when the latter was busy retrieving back the blond who had fallen sleep against a pole: in those moments the albino had taken her in his arms, afraid that she might stumble and fall over the lattice supporting those platforms, blushing madly as soon as he met with those amber eyes, surprised and embarrassed, who then smiled at him with gratitude.

In her heart, the little witch also thanked Claire.

- Hey - Laito's voice at a certain point caught their attention (except Shuu's who was sleeping again on the ground, with the half-demon reproaching him and threatening to make him fly with her fan) – Is that a Ferris wheel?

The vampire pointed to a very distant circular shape; they were on one of the highest streets, therefore they could see a large portion of the island, including some hills and the forest separating the two cities and also some very high houses or built on the highlands: therefore that ring-shaped and "dotted" structure was quite recognizable.

- Oh, right! Isa! - Claire exclaimed, turning to the little witch who looked strange, as if she knew what she was about to say – Do you remember? It's where we found out about Cho-hime's phobia~ We went to that amusement park three years ago, if I'm not mistaken, and...

Shuu rolled his eyes to the sky and increased the music volume: whenever the half-demon would tell something, no one would have been able to interrupt her; even Laito was starting to pale...

However, he still was able to hear the roar that followed shortly thereafter.


- Yes? Yes - Anna replied on the phone, alarmed, at the same time signalling Yui to calm down, while Kanato and Ayato were impatiently looking at her, Reiji impassively.

The strong crash that had made them jump was due to the explosion of the control structure located south-east on the island, near the old school building's ruins; so close, yet none of those who had patrolled the island had noticed anomalies in that very area.

While one of their teachers gave her directions on what to do, Anna reflected on how strange that situation was and, mindful of past events, began to fear the worst of the worst: were there other traitors among them...?

- Did you warn Finn? All right, thank you sir - she put down the receiver and took a deep breath, before turning to the vampires - I was recommended to accompany you to the meeting point in cases of evacuation...

Yui winced.

- Is it serious?! - she asked anxiously, pressing her fingers to her chest; deep down she reproached herself for that attitude: she had to be braver and keep calm!

Anna nibbled her lip, sighed and, before she could add anything, they heard another noise and at the same time the earth shuddering.

- This is the definitive attack! - the blonde ran to her room and quickly grabbed a backpack and her katana - Follow me and, Yui-san, take the sword that I gave you!

- E-Eh ?! Which one... What do you by that?! - suppressing the tension of the moment, the neo-vampire widened her confused eyes, turning to the witch who placed in her hands the weapon she had used until then to train - You said it was your first sword...!

- Exactly - Anna smirked - A dear memory for a dear friend! Here we go!

The joy of that gesture invigorated the girl who followed her with the others, holding that gift in her hands, a little observed by a jealous Ayato.


Claire was complaining at the phone with a superior that she who couldn't leave the three brothers alone to bring Isa to the seashore, insulting him with words that not even Subaru (or Yuuma) had ever had the fantasy of inventing; the amber-eyed witch, was staring at the sea lost in thought, mainly with a distressed expression, and the albino had no idea what she was feeling like. And within him there was a conflict between his conscience, worrying about her, and his tsundere side.

Laito was whistling absent-mindedly, dusting the hat that had fallen from his head when he had jumped because of that roar, and he looked at Shuu, who was quietly snoring on the ground, his back resting on the wall of the stairs where they had stopped; then he glanced at the various people passing, closing the house or shop, and hurrying, some wearing their uniform, others reaching groups, to move towards the shelter provided by the evacuation plans of that city.

- They are quite composed... - he murmured, indifferent - They know they're in danger, but they don't lose heart. Strange.

- Humans are more coward; and then there are vampires, like, who don't give a damn - Shuu said, cracking a sardonic smile.

- Mh... - Laito shrugged, then focused on Claire's conversation, still screaming irritated at the superior that they had to do something for the vampires.

Once the call was over, she turned to them, annoyed.

- Either you wait for Ficchan to come with the Mukamis and pick you up, or you head for that road – she pointed at the street – and make do. You decide - she looked intently into Laito's eyes, who chuckled, and then grabbed Isa's hand - See you. Be carefull.

They started to hear another noise and turned around, seeing black smoke and the visible part of a tall building falling apart; the witch whispered that it was the postmen's tower, before being pulled away by her friend who had cursed, embittered: the three brothers saw her disappear as soon as they turned to a crossroads.

- Why are they taking the girl to the seashore? - Subaru asked, perplexed, shouting to Laito to shut up as he suggested that he should have called her "girlfriend", but he paused to stare at Shuu as soon as he mumbled something incomprehensible.

- Shuu, come again~ - Laito urged him with a faintly cheerful tone, brushing his red hair.

- The inhabitants of this island... years ago... had settled here to escape from hunters... – he yawned after several unsuccessful pauses, causing a nervous twitch to the albino's eye - And they found a dying dragon, whom they helped recover. To return the favour, this dragon promise to protect them along with all the creatures populating the island.

- Aaah, like those cute black tiny creature that were at the coast when we arrived~ - Laito exclaimed, glared at by the blond for interrupting him; after all it was a very special case, he talking more than usual!

- Some people, having powers similar to water, created some... special contact with the dragon... so as to collaborate more effectively, or something... And they played the role of priests or something... – he huffed, snorted bored, trying to remember the exact words with which Mary had explained it to him, and got up, ruffling his own hair - That girl is the only survivor of these people, since they were all slaughtered during that incident... What a nuisance - he muttered, moving towards the road indicated by Claire.

- Nfu~ So Isa-chan is a priestess~ - Laito commented, walking behind him.

Subaru thought about it, then shrugged and followed them; priestess or not, (his) Isa remained (his) Isa.


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