Chapter 45

Aneki. My beloved sister.

Mary opened her eyes, blinking, each time seeing the surrounding environment gradually shift from total darkness to blinding white; she realized that she was lying on a palpable surface, covered by a very low bank of fog, pleasantly cool, and she raised her torso carefully, looking around: there was nothing but that infinite expanse of whiteness, the outlines defined only by a shade on light gray.

Nothing, but someone was there: not far from her, she saw her brother, and a rush of joy, mixed with sadness and euphoria, pushed her to get up and run towards him, hugging him with enthusiasm; Mark wrapped his arms around his sister's thinner body, kissing her head and barely holding back tears of relief.

- Aneki... I thought I had lost you forever... - he whispered in a choked voice, his glassy eyes lost in the void.

Mary shook her head.

- No, you didn't lose me...! You will never lose me - she retorted, intensifying her grip.

A voice made them jump in surprise and turn to the source of origin: a woman with black wavy hair, almost touching the ground, was looking at them with a sweet and at the same time melancholy expression, a veil of bitterness covering the blue of her tired and old eyes, despite her apparent young appearance; she was wearing several layers of tunics of neutral colours, which stood out against her bright green jade beaded necklace.

- I'm glad that a pair of twins has remained united - she declared enigmatically.

The two hybrids looked at her a little wary and fearful, holding hands, as if looking for security in each other; the stranger let out a short, tender laugh and held out a hand.

- Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I could affect you with all the sadness that has weighed on me for countless years, but maybe you have also suffered enough to be used to it - she said with a sad smile, trying to play down.

- You are... - Mary murmured, inspired by intuition.

- Izanami - Mark concluded in turn.

The woman nodded with a slow gesture of her head, assuming an expression almost discouraged by that consideration; as if she had never wanted to be who she was.

She sighed.

- My poor brother Izanagi... when he died, as you already know, out of hatred, anger, revenge and any other negative emotion, I reawakened my power... which had the ability to "reset" all the circumstances in my surroundings, and perhaps extending to even farther territories. However... - she sighed, taking a few steps to her right and keeping her face down - Many, if not all, have misunderstood this power. The meaning, how to do it and, above all, what are the real effects, the real consequences that it brings within.

The twins, silent, exchanged a knowing look.

- You mean they used to think this "reset" would really imply a "return to the beginning" and then a "redo all over again"? - the half-witch suggested.

Izanami gave her a satisfied smile and nodded.

- So many have taken advantage of it... becoming greedy and proud... - Mark whispered, remembering the first sentence that the woman had addressed them: "I'm glad that a pair of twins has remained united".

- And foolish - the woman added, her eyes lost in the void, remembering the fate to which those few pairs of hybrid twins had gone, born once every hundred years as potential Izanami and Izanagi - Knowing what had happened to me, many tried to awaken those powers in the same way: they would kill their own brother, or sister. However, how could such cold and fratricidal hearts experience the same immense pain I did because of my loss? Certainly even the slightest feeling of bitterness was enough.

- It would have prevailed the "it was necessary" - the half-wizard added, squeezing his sister's hand; he couldn't identify with those people, he loved her so much: he could have never committed the same crime for such a futile purpose.

His twin thoughts were the same, while keeping her head bowed, sorry to learn those past events and at the same time indignant at the madness of those individuals.

- So they were convinced - Izanami sighed, and then looked brightly and relieved at Mary - But you, my dear, you have refused this position from the beginning... or rather, you have grasped what was really more important, you thought only what you thought was most essential: your values, your life and that of those around you.

The woman reached them and put her hands on their joint ones, as tears slipped on her face. She explained that even though Mary had been left without energy, her desire for things to return to their normalcy, to see their loved ones safe again and to return to their everyday routine, had prevailed, allowing her to release that power; the dramatic situation in which they had precipitated would have been resolved: the enemies would have returned to their respective territories, the dimensions would have regained their equilibrium and the Dragon curse would have been annulled.

Mark formulated a question mentally, biting his lips to avoid asking it, since he thought it to be impossible; Izanami gave him a compassionate look and shook her head: those who died couldn't be brought back to life. He thought of Morten, holding back his tears and calling himself a fool, ashamed of that vain hope as he cracked a smile.

- It's time to go home. May God assist you, always. And... thank you.

Her body began to emit a faint light which intensified more and more, until it dazzled the half-witch; even her twin perceived through his dull eyes some light, barely distinct.

They fell back into darkness, losing their senses.


Shut up, let me sleep...

Aneki, come on, everybody's worried!

No... do you realize how much I've been through, Aniki? I need a whole month of rest to recover from all these traumas...

Think of poor Izanami who has been alone all this time, waiting for us, without her dear brother. She wants to see us keep on living. My beloved sister... Wake up!

- Mary, wake up!

The young woman opened her eyes slowly, looking at the blurred features of the face bent over her, but clear enough to reveal Shuu's exasperated and anxious expression, once she recognized the ocean in his eyes; she felt her body all numb, her back aching and her fingertips very, very cold.

The vampire choked a sigh of relief to hold her tightly in his arms, against his chest, hiding his face in her neck and murmuring that perhaps miracles really existed.

- Idiot... I won't leave you alone... - the girl weakly whispered, cracking a smile and trying in vain to pinch him; her muscles didn't respond to her commands, still too tired.

Out of the corner of her eye, Mary finally noticed Yui's tearful face of joy, not far from her, supported by Ayato's possessive arms that rolled his eyes at seeing his elder brother so disgustingly emotional (as if he himself hadn't risked a heart attack at seeing his unconscious girlfriend!); on the other side she saw Ruki who was giving them his back, looking towards something that she couldn't see yet.

She moved her eyes to observe the surroundings: snow; the whole lawn, the trees and the bushes were covered with pure white snow, and the lake where they had immersed had frozen at least on the surface. The creatures with a feline snout and no lower legs looked at her from behind the white and soft piles, curious and peaceful piles; the sun was rising in the clear and rosy sky from its light, soon blue, some little bird chirped, a cold but light wind caressed her cheeks, the distant echoes of the comrades' voices who had remained near the refuge reached her ears full of positivity: everything was calm.

The attack was over, the enemies away; the sufferings would persist, but they would be faced with a strong heart and a calm mind.

Mary sighed and felt her eyes moisten, before being gently pulled up by the handsome blond; hardly finding the balance on her feet and refusing to be picked up with disappointment by her husband, the half-witch finally saw what Ruki had stared at until then: her mother was sitting on the lake bank, clutching in her hands Karlheinz's cape.

From that position, none of them could see the Glass Lady's face; but it wasn't difficult for them to imagine she was thinking of the late Vampire King , reflecting on their past.

Mary limped towards her mother, helped by Shuu, watched with melancholy and pensive eyes by Ruki; she crouched next to her and put a hand on her white one, drawing her attention: mother and daughter exchanged an understanding look, sad and sweet.


Those who had left the battle unscathed or not too bruised were helping to transport the less fortunate either to hospital in the other side of the island, in case of more serious injuries, or to the local one, for everyone else, being smaller and having fewer resources suitable for particular types of intervention.

Rose had been immediately taken to a distant tower where she would have been locked up forever, condemning her to the pain of long and perhaps eternal years of torturing boredom; hadn't it been for Reiji needing all his brothers to be present and discuss about something important, Kanato would have probably followed her.

Perhaps, he would have done it in the future...

The Glass Lady, though exhausted, Mr Flyer with hair looking like a broom and Mr Ari who had to rely on a crutch because of a fractured leg (besides the plaster around his arm) were immediately summoned by the island's ruling people, thus being temporarily absent from the city as the youth, with the help of some adults who arrived from the other side, treated the wounded one and repaired the rest of the damage, although some buildings had already been partially renovated thanks to Izanami's power.

The first thing happening to Mary, while setting foot in the hospital to verify her health, was being overwhelmed by a small group of people, or more precisely girls: Isa had jumped around her neck, bringing her to the ground before Shuu's annoyed eyes and ignoring Subaru's advice, also bothered, both because the same witch was recommended to avoid sudden movements by doctor Elena, and because the poor half-witch had fainted briefly due to the sudden impact on the floor; agitated, Anna had shaken her by the shoulders, not expecting that she would have fainted so easily, before being picked up by Yuuma (who had avoided Ruki's inquisitive look on his bandaged arm); Finn had stayed on top of her to stare at her silently, waiting for her to wake up, not paying attention to Shuu's umpteenth annoyed look; only Claire managed to persuade her to get up and helped the blond lift her friend, each holding her on one side.

Laito had watched the scene, greatly amused by it, making fun of the half-demon by saying he would have expected a such a behaviour from Isa rather than her; meanwhile, Kou and Azusa had approached Ruki, surprising him with all their worried questions and barely concealed the slight emotion that had stirred him, pretending to be cool and saying that nothing had happened.

A second later he had assumed a grave expression, thinking it would have been difficult to tell them about their adoptive father's death... but it wouldn't have taken long for them to know, because Reiji would have later declared it. Being pure-blooded and Karlheinz's direct descendants, the sons who hadn't seen his death had nevertheless perceived it.

Mary was taken to the same room as Mark and all the others discharged or taken to the emergency room for more general inquiries; only Shuu could have stayed and waited outside for the visit to end, along with Anna's second older sister, Ellen, in awkward silence amid the bustle of nurses, patients, bystanders and doctors.

When Elena came out and gave them permission to enter, they didn't manage to get close to the door that Theo had already darted inside to see his best friends: the boy had thrown himself on one hugging him tightly around his neck, almost making him mute because of his too much strength; similar fate occurred the other who had shielded herself with a mere little notebook in front of her face, a device that amused the vampire and the other witch, the latter sitting on the edge of Mark's bed.

- Okay, Theo, that's enough - Mary said in a choked voice, trying to shake off that sort of affectionate amoeba; the wizard let her go with a sulky smile and sat down on the only chair in the room, as Shuu laid directly next to his wife, paying no attention to her bent eyebrow.

- Well! - Theo exclaimed, giving a look to each of them, except the vampire who had crouched comfortably to nap, enjoying the girl stroking his hair - What will happen now?

Everyone was silent; then, Ellen first broke the ice.

- We'll go back to our daily activities, right? Without underestimating the possibility of any complications in the future, of course - she considered wisely, and then glanced at the blond, squeezing Mark's hand which had rested on hers - As for the Sakamakis and Mukamis, it'll be necessary to consult Kalheinz- sama...

- He's not among us anymore - Mary interrupted promptly, expressionless.

- Patience, we will wait for...

- No, Ellen-san: he's dead.

Silence fell again; Ellen's eyes widened and Theo's mouth was slightly.

- Who will become the new Vampire King, then...? - Anna's sister questioned.

Shuu opened his eyes, staring at the light blue of the sheets wrapping his wife's body, and took a deep breath, aware that in a short time Reiji would have come to call him to get together with the other brothers and discuss about that issue; since he and Ayato had defeated their father at the same time, the law "The throne is up to the eldest son" was no longer valid.

He snorted annoyed and stood up under Mary's worried eyes, leaving the room reluctantly and heading where his brothers were; he imagined their distraught faces, especially Reiji's, at seeing him coming of his own will, without even being called: he let out a sardonic laugh and exited the hospital, finding them a few feet away from the entrance, his feet sinking in the soft snow.

Ayato was sitting on a bench with Yui on his lap, squeezing her to him deep in thought, as she was trying to ignore some curious looks on them, embarrassed; Kanato was on a low wall, swinging his legs and almost seemed to kick on purpose Laito's face, who was avoiding him while complaining to hasten the discussion since he had an appointment with Claire in Isa's room, hospitalized for a sudden increase in blood pressure; Subaru looked annoyed at his bespectacled brother who was telling him to call the eldest son.

And, as expected, much to their surprise (and Reiji's shock), Shuu himself arrived.

Recovering from the confusion, the second son cleared his throat and fixed his glasses on his nose.

- Oh, this is a very rare and singular event. It should be marked on the calendar - he commented ironically - I guess you understood this is important, despite all your flaws.

Shuu rolled his eyes to the sky.

- The sooner we clear this, the sooner we finish and I can go back to sleep - at these words it was the turn of the other to look up exasperatedly.

- Are you sure you'll still have time for naps, Shuu~? I think you're likely the one to be the heir... and frankly, it's better that way, I don't wanna have anything to do with it - Laito said, brushing his hair in a melodramatic manner.

- As I told you, we killed the old man at the same time - Ayato snapped, making Yui startle, not expecting that sudden reaction.

The blond gazed at him carefully, murmuring he looked somewhat to be in a bad mood.

- Even if Ore-sama is perfect for this role, since I'm the best without a doubt, I don't...! - the reddish-haired vampire bit his lips and growled, irritated.

- Ah, I can understand you, brother: you don't wanna take on this weight, do you, fufu~ I don't blame you! - the twin said, earning a cold look.

All six brothers knew very well that becoming the Vampire King meant a thousand and more responsibilities; who would have had the intention of dealing with all of this, after they had spent their whole life either enduring problematic mothers or (most of them) doing nothing?

- Give up, Shuu: you shall become the new King~! - Laito theatrically asserted, feigning a gallant bow as if he was facing a royal figure.

Subaru was silent, arms crossed over his chest and muttering that he couldn't wait to be dismissed; Ayato was still frowning, torn between the desire to show everyone how great he would have ruled and the instinct to lead a quieter life (after all, he already had Yui; frankly, he needed nothing else, if not tranquillity); Kanato seemed to have other on his mind, so much so that even Teddy was badly dangling from his hands; Laito was looking at each of them, waiting for the final verdict to be declared, with a pretty idiotic smile on his face; Reiji was staring at his older brother with an indecipherable expression, as if he was worried or anxious for some obscure reason; Shuu returned his gaze expressionless.

Yui was waiting patiently, thanking God that they weren't fighting: she would have expected such a thing, but they were all most likely really tired, between their past and recent events; it was time for even them to deserve some peace.

At last, Shuu sighed, rubbing his neck.

- Reiji, it's up to you. You're all dismissed, good night - he said hurriedly, turning his back to promptly leave and reach his wife to lie down on her bed (he would have never thought that the hospital beds could be so comfortable).

Said vampire blinked, taken aback, after a brief silence during which the others had remained open-mouthed; he winced and grabbed his brother by his shoulder to stop him, resentful and at the same time perplexed.

- Are you fleeing again from your duties, good-for-nothing?!

- Reiji, come on, there's nothing to be surprised about - the blond replied annoyed, turning face to face and leaving him a bit surprised by his determined expression – Everyone knows that I've never been really committed to this role, it has never interested me and never will. You're more suited to do it. Good night.

He tried again to get away, but grunted at being held back by the arm.

- No excuses, Shuu! For a good time in your life, face your responsibilities...

- You have studied, you struggled all your life - the blond interrupted him, wriggling from his grip and raising his voice, having reached the limit of tolerance - For a good time in your life, realize that someone has noticed and appreciated your efforts!

Reiji stiffened, struck by those words.

- You deserve this role, Reiji - Shuu sighed, ruffling his hair in an impatient gesture and looking him straight in the eye - You have everything you need: knowledge, strength, intelligence, the sense of order and discipline... and I can already see you in bed with that girl there, Lina? Lila? Lini? Lilly? Whatever her name is, she's a pureblood vampire and even related to us! Everything is perfect: you're the new Vampire King, period.

Unfortunately for the blond who felt his throat aching from all that talk, his younger brother opened his mouth again, slightly red in the face out of both embarrassment and indignation because having mentioned Lily.

- Ok, I'm the new Vampire King - he stopped him just in time, confusing everyone for a moment, then suddenly raised his voice, drawing the witnessing passers-by's attention - And today I, Shuu Sakamaki, the Vampire King, shall abdicate the throne in favour of my brother Reiji Sakamaki, the new Vampire King!

Silence fell, leaving some stunned and others amazed; the bespectacled vampire was still as a statue, astonished and unable to reply back.

- Finally! - Shuu exclaimed, retracing his steps towards the inside of the hospital, from a window of which her wife had appeared, intrigued by the voices she had heard coming from outside, while smiling amusedly - Good night!


- Hey, vampire, you look nervous - Anna said, as she was leaving the room where her sister Angela was resting to recover the energy spent to defend the shelter, although she wouldn't have really rested since her little sisters Lucy and Michaela were chatting a lot with her (the first especially about her crush on Kou).

Yuuma gave her a frowning look and grumbled:

- It's none of your business, Goldilocks.

The witch slapped him on the head, making him stand up with a burst of rage.

- Calm down, brown bear! I'm just worried about you! You really look down! - she closed her mouth as soon as she realized what she had admitted, blushing violently.

The vampire's eyes widened before he grinned and placed his hands on the girl's hips, looking at her mischievously.

- There's no need to beat about the bush tell me that you're interested in me, he – he chuckled, grabbing her chin between his fingers and lowering the other hand too much...

- Le-LET ME GO YOU PERVERT! - Anna kicked him in a very delicate area and walked away, muttering insults and curses towards the vampire who had doubled over in pain, but laughed, since the redness on the girl's cheeks had got more accentuated.

- Was it really necessary to make all this racket? - he heard Ruki's voice coming from behind his back, as he got up and got back on the bench.

- Come on Ruki, don't tell me you wouldn't do the same - the giant laughed, ignoring Kou's sarcastic comments as he sat down next to him along with Azusa.

His older brother shook his head, disapproving his behaviour, without denying it though.

- Ruki... - Azusa called him with a sad expression, while the other two began to fight again, causing some reproach by a passing nurse to keep quiet; after all it was already late at night and many had already gone to bed, exhausted - What will we do now...?

Hearing him, the two immediately stopped bickering and were silent, bending their heads to the floor: the oldest had already told them about Karlheinz's death, their guardian and foster father; after a short shocked reaction, they had put aside the news until then, visiting who was hospitalized, chatting with the witches or joking with Mark, teasing Subaru (Kou, don't!), applauding Shuu for the scene in the hospital courtyard (Yuuma, you too!), kissing under the stairs with the girlfriend (Azusa...?!); however, with those simple three words they had given in to bitterness.

- I haven't always agreed with some of his "strokes of genius", but ... - Yuuma muttered, his hand on his face, his arm resting on his leg and the other arm dangling.

- He had saved us... I didn't think he would die like that... we didn't even say farewell... or thanked him enough... - Kou whispered in a choked voice, torturing his fingers and keeping his eyes on the ground, watery.

- Ruki... now that he's gone... are we still a family...? - Azusa asked.

Ruki's eyes widened and he looked at him bewildered, surprised by his own reaction.

- Of course we are! We'll always be a family! - he exclaimed, clenching his fists.

- We no longer have a father, though... or a guardian...

- Not that we need a guardian, Azusa - Yuuma said, although he wasn't very convinced - We are old enough to take care of ourselves... maybe we can stay here and work, so that we earn a living and settle in a decent way.

- Always admitted that we can stay - Kou said, pessimist - We had come here at the Karlheinz's request, to temporarily shelter us because of that group of hunters.

Yuuma glared at him, blurting out that they were being too negative; yet he, like Ruki, felt very insecure: how come they were feeling so lost with Karlheinz's death? They had the bad feeling that they would have been abandoned, thrown away; although Azusa had bonded with Finn and Yuuma had found a distant relative (and his future lover, almost certainly), nefarious thoughts suggested they would have been alone, again, in the world.

There was no one, only the four of them supporting each other; that feeling reminded them too much of their past in the orphanage, where everyone had been against them.

- Hey, hey, what's going on here? Lower your voice - a low, deep voice interrupted their conversation; they turned to Mr Flyer who was approaching them, tired and shuffling.

At least he had combed his hair in an enough tidy tail, probably as requested by his wife in order to have an acceptable appearance at the hospital.

- Mr Flyer - Ruki greeted him with a respectful nod and summed up – We're planning what to do, now that Karlheinz-sama, our foster father and guardian, has passed away.

- Well - the man just said, shrugging – You're going to live with us, right?

The four brothers stared at him in silence for a few seconds, then took on confused expressions: Kou gasped, unable to reply, Azusa had tilted his head questioningly, Yuuma squinted his eyes trying to figure out if he really meant what he had just said, Ruki felt overwhelmed by questions and doubts.

- Come again? - the oldest widened his eyes, shaking his head - But we're strangers, last time we were just guests, now we're talking about a longer period, we can't...

- Ruki-kun, when you talk too much you tend to be too hasty and unreasonable - the Glass Lady's amused and crystalline voice reached their ears like a heartening sound; the woman appeared beside her husband, taking him arm in arm and stroking his hand, while examining the vampires' faces with her sweet aquamarine eyes, her smile back.

Mr Flyer grumbled something in a low voice and explained, looking at Yuuma.

- This young man is my relative; so legally he can live with us. Now, aren't you all of you registered as brothers? Yes? Then you automatically become - he rested his eyes on Ruki, Kou and Azusa - our relatives too. End of the story; welcome to the Flyer family.

- I will register as your new guardian, just to be sure - Eva smiled, and then reach out to them - Let's go home, my dears?

The Mukami brothers were silent: for a moment Ruki recalled his mother who had left him alone and betrayed him with her escape, Azusa the one he had never met, Kou the one who had abandoned him for some reason he would have never discovered, Yuuma the one his memory had erased perhaps forever; they watched that soft white hand raised in their direction, motherly.

Just for them.

They exchanged understanding glances and smiled, who holding an unusual emotion, like Kou and Yuuma, who feeling an unexpected joy, like Ruki, and who tempted to ask if he could keep on cutting himself to make new "friends", like Azusa, obviously.


Mary opened her eyes in the dark room shared with her twin; only the faint light coming from the corridor through the small window of the door illuminated her sleeping brother and the furniture's features, but she wouldn't have needed it to realize that there was no Shuu next to her, remembering that he had fallen asleep shamelessly while hugging her.

She stood up, avoiding wearing slippers to reduce the possibility of making too much noise, and tiptoed out of the room, cursing the squeaks caused by the door when she had opened it, although having made it slide as gently as possible; she wore pretty thick socks, but she felt the icy floor cause her feet to protest, but she ignored them.

She scoured the nearest hallways, looking into those few empty rooms or left open, without disturbing those who were resting inside; she doubted Shuu would have gone to sleep in other rooms, but you could have expected anything from a vampire like him.

She went downstairs to the lobby, asked some night-time nurses if they had seen the vampire wandering around the building; it almost seemed as though he had vanished into thin air; sighing, she sat on a bench puffing her cheeks up and looked at the wall clock, noting that it was almost midnight and that she had slept only a couple of hours.

- Izana-...

Mary jumped on the spot, shivering at hearing those only three syllables, but she immediately rejoiced to hear Kou's voice reproach her brother, after covering his mouth, and telling him that name was a taboo.

- Our dear friend is now called Mary~ But I'll keep on calling her Neko-chan, ehehe~ - the blond reached her hopping to sit next to her, with his arm around her shoulders.

- Koucchi, I've always been called Mary - the half-witch laughed, giving him a slight elbow at his side.

- Details, chubby, details - Yuuma laughed, ruffling her hair, standing as Azusa sat next to her on the other side.

Ruki stood a little apart, watching them chat and laugh, serene; Mary was very happy to hear that the family member would have increased: she was very fond of the Mukami brothers, so knowing that they would have lived in her parents' house really pleased her.

They discussed how they could have defined themselves in familiar terms: she was Yuuma's grand-and-something niece, but it sounded too strange; as she reasoned with Kou that they could have been simply considered as siblings; Ruki called them back, warning them that it was time to return to the new house, having promised the Glass Lady they would have been back by midnight, the time to check once more the giant's arm, injured by a demon.

- Hey, chubby, go back to bed, it's late - he kissed her on the forehead, catching her by surprise, and chuckled while exiting the hospital.

Azusa followed him, after giving her a timid kiss on the cheek as a goodnight wish and not before telling her he had seen Shuu on the hospital terrace and that he was probably still there; Kou also didn't miss to express his affection, kissing her eyes and declaring that at home he would have gone and snooped around her room.

- If it's to read a few books, that's fine - Mary laughed, rubbing her eyes and pretending to be disgusted by that gesture.

- Eeeeh, you're so cruel, you didn't do that with Yuuma-kun and Azusa-kun! Anyway, I don't think so, I hate reading – he replied, rising from the bench, putting on an airs; before leaving he stopped - ...maybe.

Only she and Ruki remained in the entrance hall: the night-time nurses had gone for an inspection tour; Mary stood up and approached the vampire, rubbing her arm and keeping her head down.

- You'll never be able to feel comfortable with me again, will you? – he said in a rather cold tone, making her shiver and grimace sadly; yet, when she raised her face to him, she met a pair of eyes full of love and she felt her heart twitch

- Ki-kun... - she murmured in a strangled voice and gasped at his sudden embrace.

- Don't worry. I will always love you. I will always protect you. Just... from a distance. I respect your feelings, albeit reluctantly - Ruki said, hearing his voice crack at his last words.

Mary was silent, unable to answer, and called herself a coward, because she was indeed.

Ruki tightened his grip briefly, before kissing her ear with a quick gesture, so as to get her the usual annoying acute smacking sound.

- AH! Ki-kun! What the heck! - the half-witch walked away abruptly, rubbing her ear with her hand, her face very red; she saw Ruki cover his mouth with his hand, refraining from bursting into laughter, despite his shaking shoulders betraying him, and he turned his back, moving towards the door.

- Goodnight, Mary.

The girl stared at him disappearing into the dark outside, gloomy, and then jumped and let out a frightened cry as she felt something blowing in her ear.

- Fufu~ - the vampire put a heavy jacket over her shoulders.

- Laito! You too! - she said in a low voice, irritated and then smiling.

The two exchanged a hug.

- My dear lovely cousin~ I want to be sure that our children will make friends, okay~? If my boy was to marry with one of your girls it would be wonderful, yes~ - Laito considered laughing with an arm around her shoulders, as they walked towards the terrace as suggested by her, to reach Shuu.

- Come on, Laito, are you already thinking about this?! - Mary chuckled, giving him a little pat on the back.

- Mh, hm - the emerald-eyed vampire shook his head - I assure you that I can already foresee how many children we will have, all of us mean, how many females, how many males, and who will marry with whom~. And now... here you are, my dear Micchan!

Laito gave her a gallant bow, holding her by the hand while with the other arm he opened the door that led her to the terrace, holding it out to invite her to go on; the girl looked at him in silence for a moment, with a tender smile on her lips.

- I love you, Laito - she said lightly, her eyes watery but bright.

He blinked, then cracked a smile that was a mix between his usual smirk and a sweeter, more sincere smile.

- Me too, Micchan~. And you should clarify what you mean by "love" towards me, since I think that Shuu has just gotten jealous - he nodded to the outside and Mary followed the gesture with her eyes, finding in the distance the blond who was staring at them.

They exchanged a look and laughed, parting: Laito closed the door and trotted down, daydreaming other details of their future life; listening carefully to the very slight sound of her feet sinking in the snow (and screaming for the cold and cursing the owner for not wearing slippers at least), Mary stepped calmly towards her husband who didn't take his eyes off her.

- You stink of Mukami and Laito - the blond said, annoyed, as he sniffed her hair, face, ears (he almost tried to bite them) and shoulders, tickling her.

- Stop it, Shuu! - she hugged him, resting her head against his shoulder and rocking on the spot - In nine months you'll be a father. You'll have to get used to sleeping less - she laughed, seeing his face take on a fake desperate grimace.

The couple looked up at the clear and starry sky; they had a déjà vu: the vampire asked in a whisper if she remembered that night when she had confessed his feelings and, receiving confirmation, he added that he hadn't replied back yet.

- Is it all right to call him Edgar, if it's a boy?

- Shuu, don't change the subject - the half-witch laughed, giving him a small punch in the stomach - Anyway, yes, I'm fine with it. And if it's a girl... Daffodil?

- That's ugly.

- What?!

Shuu caught her by kissing her.

- I love you too, little wren.

Mary sighed contentedly and pinched the vampire's nose, who grumbled making her smile, while clutching her from behind, caressing her belly and returning to watch the night sky along with her; they soon began discussing about newborns and names, her refraining from telling him about Laito's ideas which would have sickened him, him protesting that he didn't want to give up his sleep too much.

And Heaven blessed the couple and those around them.


I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!

There's still a chapter left and it'll be the end!

Please follow it if you like this story and let me know what do you think about it with a review!

See you next time