Okay. So this is one of the longest chapters yet. Please be patient for the next chapters!!

Chapter 3:

The School Festival's Final Preparations

-Student Council Office-

It's been a month and we're almost done with the preparations for the awaited next day. It's 8:00AM and we're finishing off with the voted suggestions for the booths by the students and staff members. After a few moments sorting out the ballots, we all heard a knock on the door.

"Aren't classes still going on?" I asked Mineko who was standing on my left.

"Yeah… but who knows? Maybe it's one of our teachers knocking or the Headmaster." She replied back.

"Maybe… I'll go answer the door. You guys finish the sorting out while I'm not back." I said to her.

"Hai, kaichou!" They said in unison and I smiled before going to answer the door.

I was walking through the carpeted hallway. It was shorter than the mansion's hallway thankfully. So I did less walking. When I was already about five steps to the door, I suddenly noticed a familiar scent. It didn't take much time when I finally realized that it was Spook's scent I smelled although I wasn't sure if it was him at the door. He wouldn't cut class… would he? I thought to myself at the time thinking that he wouldn't be that careless to cut class and just pay us a visit.

"Oh… hey Spook. What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in class, right?" I asked him putting up a weak smile.

"Well… yeah. But Tamaki-sensei said we could have free time first as we wait for our third period. The teachers for the first and second subject are away, sick. He said we could go out for a while but we had to keep our mouths shut so we wouldn't disturb other classes. So, I thought I'd pay you guys a visit and maybe help out too." He replied and smiled.

"Oh. That was a long explanation. But anyway, sure, come in. We'd love some help around here. No one usually bothers to help us." I explained to him while smiling back.

"Really, why not? You guys are really great! Why wouldn't anyone help you out in stuff as complicated as the school festival?" He asked.

"I guess they thought we would be used to these kinds of stuff already. And we are responsible for the event itself anyway." I shrugged.

"Well… now you guys got the help you deserve. Tell me anything that needs to be done, and I'll do it." He winked and grinned after.

"Okay then. Come in then." I said grinning back. Wow. He's really determined. I thought. As I thought, I heard his thoughts. He was saying, Wow. She's really pretty up close. Wonder what the big secret is that she's hiding? I got kind of startled and flustered at that certain thought.

"Why are you blushing Odoriko?" He suddenly asked and snapped me out of my train of thoughts.

"N-nothing… no worries." I nervously laughed.

"Are you sure? If I said something uncomfortable to you, you can just tell me." He said making me blush even more remembering what I heard in his thoughts.

"I'm sure. It's really nothing, Spook." I smiled at him reassuring him not to worry.

"Okay… if you say so." He shrugged.

"So… I need you to help us sort out the pick-a-booth ballots from each classroom. We've done half of it already and so we need the other half done before third period starts." I explained to him. He seemed to absorb everything I've said.

"Okay. Let's start. We wouldn't want to be late for home economics class, right, Odoriko?"

"Yeah… come in and I'll lead you to our magnificent office. Be careful not to destroy anything." I winked at him and I actually made him blush. And I let out a soft chuckle seeing his face with a tint of red.

"Now who's blushing, huh, Spook?"

"You did that on purpose!" He pouted.

"It was revenge for earlier." I laughed and then winked again.

We reached our office and I saw Mineko and Reira still sorting out everything for the next three weeks. I led him to my table where there are separate ballots sitting on it. He took one of the ballot boxes and dumped out its contents, making it spill everywhere. Good thing the other boxes were still closed or all of the class arrangements will get all confusing! Man he's sometimes careless. I thought but put it aside quickly as to not get distracted. I picked the ballots up along with him and we began sorting them one by one. I could do it with my fast hands but once he sees it and finds it very weird, he'll think I'm some kind of super human thing. After hours of sorting them all out, we stretched and I glanced at my watch. There was still time to rest and slack off until third period.

"Aw man that was really tiring" I told everyone and they laughed along with me, seeing me stretching myself out on the couch that I was sitting on.

"You bet! And I'm hungry." I heard Spook's stomach already grumbling.

"Yes, you are. I can already hear your actual stomach talking to all of us ordering, 'LET ME EAT!'" I said. You just wait until we get to home economics. We're cooking our own lunch anyway. That's why I didn't bring any lunch. Did you?" I added.

"No. I didn't. But I don't know how to cook at all." He said looking down.

"That's why it's by pairs, Spook. And I'll gladly be your partner." I said smiling.

"You're not going to poison me, are you?" He asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Not unless you do." I winked again. He smiled back and we leaned back on the couch along with Mineko on my left and Reira on her right.

"We still have an hour left to slack off. What do you guys want to do?" I asked them.

"Hmm… I guess I want to watch a morbid movie again like Battle Royal." Mineko said with enthusiasm we couldn't explain quite clearly.

"Okay… what about you, Rei?" I asked her.

"Sleep…" she replied.

"Well… that was a straight answer." I said feeling a small chuckle leave my throat.

"And what about you, Spook?" I added.

"I want to eat!" He said jumping off the couch and rolling on the floor.

Mineko, Reira, and I were all wide-eyed as we saw Spook rolling happily on the carpeted floor. We laughed with him again and actually took a video of him using Mineko's cell phone. As we video taped him, he was really laughing so hard that his face was all red! Soon after, Reira joined him, leaving Mineko and I still sitting on the couch, laughing.

"Hey guys! Join in! It's really fun!!" Rei called out.

"No thanks, Rei. I'll just sit here." I said in reply still trying to hold back some of my uncut laughter.

"Same here… you guys enjoy the floor make it clean, ne?" Mineko said still video taping them and suddenly Rei came all the way in front of the lens and she was pouting so cutely.

"Aaawww… Rei pouts once again. But it won't work this time. I have been immune to that pout already. Actually, Odoriko is too." Mineko said poking Rei's nose in front of the camera making her pout even more. I glanced at my watch again and counting the remaining time.

"Three… two… one… and…"

-tick tick tick-

"Okay. Let's go. Time is up! We better get to our next classes before we're late." I said making everyone stand up and Mineko was pointing the camera at me and so I smiled and then stuck my tongue out at her and then she stopped the camera and flicked closed her cell phone, placing it in her pocket keeping it silent.

"What's your next class guys?" I asked Mineko and Reira.

"Oh. We both have Chemistry. And you?" Reira replied.

"Home economics… Spook will be my partner in cooking our lunch." I grinned and took a glance at Spook who was still on the floor, rolling endlessly.

"I know that evil grin. What do you have in mind, Riko-chi?" Mineko whispered into my ear.

"Nothing, nothing… don't worry, I won't poison him or anything. Well… not unless he poisons me first." I glared at Spook. Good thing he doesn't notice or else he will poison me.

"Whatever you say, Riko-chi." Mineko shrugged.

"Well… off to class guys." I pulled Spook's arm and dragged him into the hallway and then let him go and let him stand up before we opened the door.

"I think you scraped my back." He told me.

"You did clean the hallway with yourself so give yourself a pat on the head." I replied back sticking my tongue out on him making him pout.

I opened the door and let Reira lock it up. Then we said our partial goodbyes and I pushed Spook to the Home Economics classroom. We were the first ones there and we just walked around the room and sat down on our assigned table. He pulled the tall chair out for me and lifted me for me to sit on it effortlessly.

"Thanks Spook." I smiled.

"Anything for my Ojousama…" He grinned and made me blush again. But it was barely noticeable.

"And since when did you call me your Ojousama?" I asked with my left eyebrow raised.

"Since now… I realized that you've been helping me out through the whole school year. You deserve love and respect after all. You've been so kind to me and never hesitate to help out at all. And I love your all out personality as well, Odoriko." He explained.

"Thanks I'm flattered. But I'm just a normal girl who lives an ordinary life with my friends that I truly care about. And I'm wondering if I'll ever find my special someone who could love me for me and that someone should never think about cheating on me." I said with my chin on my palm.

"Why is that?" He asked.

"Because he's going to be dead if he ever does cheat on someone as gorgeous as me." I replied back.

"Yikes. Then I'd better be careful not to get you angry." He said chuckling.

"Yes… you'd better be careful. Rei and Mineko are already careful enough. They've already seen me mad." I smirked.

"Really… then I guess I really should be careful not to hurt you." He smirked back.

"You really should." I replied. This time my head was lying on my folded arms on the table.

I heard the door opening and the students' chattering from under my arms. I looked up and everyone was practically staring at me. I wondered why but then I heard someone asking me…

"Miyane-senpai, are you alright? Do you feel sick?" A student named Miku asked me from behind.

"Yes… I'm alright. Just a little bored while waiting. Spook and I came in early." I replied with a sweet smile.

"Is that so? Okay then Miyane-senpai. Goodluck with your cooking. I would love to have a taste later on… may I?" She asked.

"Sure. In fact, I'll cook a little something for everyone after we're done with the activity." I was still smiling with my head slightly tilted to the right.

"That would be awesome! I can't wait to eat one of Miyane-senpai's dishes!" The other student said.

As I heard everyone's chatter about me cooking for all of them after we're done, Spook looked at me smiling then shrugging. Then I looked at the door seeing our next teacher with a cook book in her hands and a folder for its summary of recipes. She gave us different cards each to cook on our own with all the ingredients we need. I showed Spook the card and let him read it while I got half of the ingredients from the lower cabinet. After he read it, he got the other half of the ingredients and we laid all of them in order on the counter. We started immediately as to not waste our time. I read the first step from the card and did it for him to watch and learn. I read the next step but this time, I told him to do it. He did it successfully, acknowledging the pace and pressure of stirring the sauce we were making for our pasta. Yes, we're making pasta. One of my favorite dishes of all time! I could now imagine what it would taste like after every step

After we were all finished with all our respective dishes, we all had taste testing. Of course, we tasted our own food but we also tasted the food from other groups. Some tasted as good as the original thing and some lacked taste so we all gave our polite criticism. As promised, I cooked for everyone. I cooked one of my favorite dishes of all time! It was Chicken Teriyaki only, it was my own recipe! After I cooked, I served everyone with Spook's help. I couldn't give them out one by one as it would take too much time. Good thing we had about half an hour left before this class was over. I was happy when I saw everyone with smiles and it's because of my cooking. For a moment, I felt someone watching me but the certain person wasn't in this class at all. When I looked at the door I saw no one there… no shadow. Who's watching me? I thought. I looked back at the students, still eating happily. I had to make up an excuse to leave early. Being the Student Council President was already enough excuse to leave since I can do that anytime I wanted to or if there were anything important that I had to do which involves Student Council duties. I approached my teacher and made up an excuse. I told her that I had some unfinished duties to attend to.

"Hey guys! I've got to finish some of my duties for the Student Council. Please enjoy the food I've cooked for all of you." I smiled at them.

"Yes senpai! Arigatou gozaimasu!" They all said in unison which was a good ring to me.

I smiled for the last time and waved goodbye then turned to leave sliding the door behind me closed. When I walked back into the office I definitely felt someone watching me… if not watching me, following me-- and it scared me a little. How could I be so weak knowing that I'm a vampire? I could actually kill anyone with these fangs of mine if they themselves ever dare hurt me. I thought again. I glanced a few times but never saw anyone. A few minutes passed and the unsure feeling was gone and I sighed in relief. I went inside the office and sat on the couch. After thinking for a few minutes, I went to get some water in the mini fridge. I sat back on the couch drinking the glass of water. I put the glass on the table, went back on the couch, I lay down with a soft pillow on my head. Before drifting off to sleep, I heard a knock on the door but I didn't bother getting up and answering it. It was open anyway. Then I finally drifted off to my own world. For some odd reason I could feel something warm on top of me snuggling me for comfort but in my dream, I wasn't on a bed for a blanket to be wrapped around me. I continued with my dream, only seeing the school festival being a great event. I suddenly opened my eyes and saw a blanket on me. I don't remember putting this on. I was confused and then I remembered my dream.

"I wouldn't want to spoil myself either. The event has to wait…" I mumbled to myself with my hand on my forehead.

When I thought I felt alone, I really wasn't. I sat up and looked around only seeing Spook leaning on the door which leads to the hallway, smiling.

"I thought you were cold so I put a blanket on you to keep you warm. You had a nice nap?" He smiled.

"Kind of, I guess. I'm not too sure. But thanks for the blanket." I thanked him, smiling back.

"No problem."

"Aren't you supposed to be in the next class?" I asked raising one eyebrow.

"Classes are already over, Odoriko. You've slept for quite a long time. Mineko and Reira got a little worried but I told them not to and so they went back to the mansion." He said walking up to me and sitting down beside me, lifting my feet and placing them on his lap.

"What time is it anyway?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"About 12 midnight." He said calmly but then I jumped up wide-eyed.

"Oh no! I skipped most of my classes! Oh great, I'm screwed." I said looking at the carpeted floor.

"Don't worry… I took care of everything. You're off the hook. When everyone asked where you were, I just said that you were here working." He said while patting my head.

"Thanks Spook. You're really a great friend." I looked up only to find him smiling back at me. I gazed into his eyes feeling that his aura has changed again. It felt like he was relaxed and calm. I wondered again why his aura kept changing.

"What's wrong?" He asked snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh… nothing." I said putting on a weak smile.

"You know, you could always talk to me. I'm all ears."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again." I replied hugging him. I felt really grateful that he was always there by my side.

"Shall I walk you to the mansion then? I noticed you had a strange look in your eyes earlier." He suggested. Oh great. He noticed that.

"Sure. And don't worry about how I looked like earlier, I'm totally fine." I lied through my teeth but I couldn't get him any more worried than he already is.

He held out his hand and I didn't hesitate to put mine in his. We walked through the cold park together and I couldn't feel the scared part of me anymore. Seeing and feeling him beside me had always made me feel at ease. Like there was no danger ahead of me. We finally caught sight of the mansion and I saw that the lights were turned off already, assuming that everyone had gone to sleep, even the girls. We walked up to the door and he hugged me before saying goodnight. We waved goodbye before I unlocked the door but then I froze again. I felt someone watching me yet again. Then finally… someone attacked me. I couldn't help but avoid the person with my fast reflexes. Since I'm a vampire, I was known to fight. Seeing Spook halfway behind me, shocked, I ignored it and concentrated on my fighting stance.

"So remember me? Huh, Miyane?" The stalker said to me. Although I couldn't make out whom it was since it was dark.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?!" I yelled at the person.

"Ahh… I see that you don't know where I'm hiding? What? Are you trying to protect your true identity? Seeing that your friend over there is shocked, you can't really do anything, can you?" He smirked and finally appeared in front of me. It's HIM! He's still alive?! But how?!

"Surprised? You're probably questioning yourself how I'm still alive after your parents killed me. But I wasn't dead at all, oh no. I was just resting in my home watching my clone do all the dirty work for me." He smirked again.

"So… my parents' arch enemy and now mine, Takashita Hajime, had a clone all along and made my parents thought you were already dead. If you weren't dead at all, then why didn't you attack us again?" I asked smirking and still in my fighting stance. I glanced at Spook who was still standing there. But he wasn't in shock now, his aura changed once again, turning it into an angry, fiery rage but I couldn't understand why.

"I didn't want to kill you then and there. No, not just yet, my dear." He flashed right in front of me holding my chin up eyeing him.

"Stay away from me you bastard!" I flashed backwards.

"Oh man… how much I want to kill you right now to avenge my family's hatred for you!" I yelled out.

"Oh really? Then come here and kill me then." He eyed me.

I just stood there waiting for him to make the first move and try to slash me with his claws. He too was a vampire and had the same speed as every vampire did. He was my dad's best friend but he betrayed us when he found out that my dad married my mother. Hajime was in love with my mother and wanted to kill my dad. He wasn't successful though. We thought we killed him but then again, he's here… right in front of me, mocking me.

"Why aren't you moving, Odoriko?" He smirked as he played with my name.

I snapped. "DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME BY MY FISRT NAME!! YOU DON'T HAVE THE SLIGHTEST RIGHT TO DO SO!" Then… finally… I ran to him screaming my revenge. I flashed in front of him giving the first blow. I punched and kicked him simultaneously fast but they didn't work since he had the same speed. Then I took out my gun with specialized bullets put in. The bullets were made for a vampire hunter and it will be able to kill a vampire, even me if I'm not careful enough. Then I thought suddenly that this might be another one of his clones trying to make me fail.

"Oh so harsh, my dear."

"I'm not yours, Hajime!"

"But you will be!"

"NEVER!"

"How can you be so sure? Can you even shoot me with that ordinary gun of yours?" He smirked again but I smirked back.

"If I'd known, you must be another clone."

"Maybe you're right. And maybe you're wrong. Either way, you should try and shoot me right?"

"Wrong. If I shoot and you died easily then you'd be another clone. But you see… this gun is specialized to kill vampires."

"You're holding, aren't you? So why aren't you dead yet?" He asked coldly.

"Oh no. It's not the gun itself. It's the bullets inside it." I smiled arrogantly but I know if I'm not too careful, I might kill myself in the process. I felt a rush of wind suddenly. I looked behind me seeing that Spook was gone. I looked back where Hajime was hearing two separate metals collide with each other. Wide-eyed, I saw Spook actually fighting Hajime. He was holding some kind of long staff practically electrocuting Hajime every time it touched him.

"Odoriko! What are you doing just standing there?! Kill him already!" Spook yelled at me calling my attention. I sped up to them and shot Hajime with the special bullets several times. I was trying to avoid shooting Spook in the process. As I thought, he died easily… meaning to say he was another clone and not only that, there was no blood on the ground at all and the body vanished.

"I knew it. He was another clone. This isn't over. Not just yet." I snarled while saying that. Seeing Spook right beside me he finally let out…

"So you're a vampire?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could've protected you more."

"You're not mad?" I asked looking up at him confused.

"No. To tell you the truth, I'm a vampire hunter. If I'd known sooner, I might have killed you. But since we've been closer to each other, and we're best friends now, I couldn't think clearly… if I should still kill you or not." He said with his hand covering his eyes.

"Well… I won't tell you not to kill me or not. That would be your choice after all. And there's something else you should know."

"What's that?"

"I'm not the only vampire around here."

"There are still others? Is the whole student body a mass of vampires?!" He suddenly asked, surprised and practically jumped up which made me laugh.

"Ahahahaha! NO! There are only three of us that are vampires around this school." My face turned serious and I was staring at him.

"There… are… three?" He asked.

"Yes. I think you now know who the three are."

"You, Reira, and Mineko… are vampires?"

"Yes. So if you want to kill us that would be your choice. I'll tell them that I've told you this already when I get inside. I can see they turned the light on so I guess they woke up hearing the rumble from out here." I turned around and walked towards the house but suddenly… I felt a hand gripping my wrist and then…

"I don't want to kill you. I want to protect you. I want to protect you and the others. I don't want anyone of my friends to get hurt especially you, Odoriko." Hugging me tightly… it feels that he doesn't want to let me go anywhere. He was hurt and I know that now. He got hurt knowing everything.

"Why…" I mumbled hiding my head on his chest.

"I… can't tell you just yet. I'm still shocked and a bit confused right now." He said and I nodded in agreement.

"You should go back to the dorm now and I should get back to the mansion myself. I could feel those two weirdoes staring at me waiting for an explanation." I smiled, I turned, and I left.

I was willing to wait for his explanation on why he wants to protect us… protect me. Shaking the thoughts off, I went inside only seeing that my two friends really were waiting for me. They were waiting for an explanation for the rumble and I guess they wanted to know if I'd told Spook everything already.

"Sorry I woke you guys." I apologized, smiling at their worried faces.

"It's okay. No one else woke up at least. But what was that loud rumble outside all about?" Mineko said and my smiled turned into a serious straight face.

"He was back. He's still alive. I just killed one of his clones again. He's still after our blood, our powers. I even got Spook into the mess since he was walking me back here." I said.

"That certain HE wouldn't be Takashita Hajime, would it?" Reira asked in a serious voice.

"Yes." I replied.

"But how could he still be alive?! It doesn't make sense!" Reira suddenly said in a loud angry voice. Her voice was raging.

"It does make sense. My parents and yours have only managed to kill his clone. He was watching from his own mansion and he was enjoying it."

"Then why didn't he attack us again if he was still alive all these years?" Mineko asked.

"He said that he was waiting for the three of us to grow up. That's why he only attacked me tonight since I was the only one he saw outside. But I had Spook with me and there was something about him that was different in the first place although at that time, I couldn't put my finger in it… he was… different." I looked down still very confused.

"He's a vampire hunter. Isn't he, Riko?" Mineko practically startled me when she brought that up.

"How did you know?" I asked wide-eyed.

"Everything a person does and his or her aura is obvious to me so I would know if they are different from ordinary people, or if they are fellow vampires, or even vampire hunters alike." She explained. I knew she had that kind of thing but I'd forgotten since nothing much had happened in our past. But all was brought up again tonight and now it scares me.

"Listen to me Odoriko… we have to give him time to think this through. We shouldn't hang out with him if it means getting him even more confused." Mineko's cold hands were on my shoulders and right there and then, I broke down crying… thinking this was all… my fault. I felt Reira hugging me from behind. I was trapped in their arms, crying.

"I… understand." I finally said but still, I had said that in a weak voice. I was trembling in fear and confusion and I know they could feel it so they both hugged me tighter.

"Sshhh… it's okay. Everything will be alright Riko." Mineko said with her calm but soothing voice. It made my crying stop a little but the tears were still flowing. They were out of my control.

"Come on. Let's go to your room. We'll sleep there with you, so calm down… breathe." Reira said rubbing my back for comfort.

We got up to my room and I went straight to the bathroom. I washed my red face and changed into the pajamas that Reira and Mineko gave me for my birthday. They shared the payment and it was warm so it feels very comfortable wearing them especially when I feel so weak and I need the both of them by my side. I knew I was weak and I can only find my strength when I fight. Rei and Mineko were always there to protect me. Our families are of the Noble Purebloods'. Since my family is of the first noble and Rei's were of the second and Mineko's were of the third, they were obligated to protect me no matter where I was. So we've been the best of friends ever since we were born. We grew up together and went to the same school ever since elementary. Come to think of it… I haven't seen my mom in a month now since I've been living at this mansion here in the campus. We were only allowed to visit our family members after every school year and during semester breaks and Christmas breaks. My mom has been used to it though and she's away on business trips. We keep in touch telepathically anyway even if we're far apart. Right now, she's in Switzerland, knowing her schedule and she reminds me of it on most days too. After thinking of everything we've done together in the past, I finally stepped out of the bathroom seeing the two sitting on the bed. Mineko flashed in front of me in a matter of seconds. She lifted me up and laid me in the middle of the bed. I sat back up knowing that they were still sitting up themselves. Mineko was on my left and Rei on my right. Sometimes they would fight positions. It's really funny when I think about it over and over again. They looked at me confused as to why I was staring at nothing. They thought I was staring at the wall so they looked at the wall then back at me.

"Riko…" They both said in chorus.

"Huh? Oh sorry… I guess I was having fun thinking of the fun times we had in the past." I smiled sheepishly at them and they laughed making me blush out of embarrassment.

"What?" I said pretty annoyed and I started to pout.

"Awwww… Riko-chi kawaii" They both said and patted my head at that.

My face turned serious again and I could feel that my eyes were still red and swollen. I thought of skipping school tomorrow and think all of this through.

"I want to skip school tomorrow." I blurted out making them stop patting my head.

"What… why?" Mineko asked.

"I want to think straight for a day. I want to make everything right this time. I want to give him a bit more space and time to think about what happened tonight." I said looking down at the bed, my hands turning into hard fists. Then I felt Mineko's hand on mine reassuring me that everything would be fine.

"Okay. Then Rei and I will skip too." She suddenly said.

"But… what about the student council duties…" I asked.

"They could wait a day, can't they?" She smiled, laying me down.

"Now get some sleep. Rei will be responsible in telling the Headmaster of our absence for tomorrow… okay?" Her hand on my eyes motioning them to close and I obeyed like a little child.

"Okay…" I mumbled and drifted to sleep.

I hadn't noticed but Rei had come back from the bathroom. Actually, I didn't notice her leave my side at all. I guess I was concentrating on Mineko's reassurance that's why I hadn't noticed.

"Is she asleep already?" Rei asked.

"Yeah… she told me she wanted to skip school tomorrow. I suggested that the both of us should too. She needs us more than ever now." Mineko said running her slender fingers through my hair.

"Okay. I'll tell the Headmaster we're skipping school tomorrow. I sense that he's still awake right now so I'll tell him now." Rei said and left.

"O…kay. She's gone. That was rather quick though." Mineko mumbled when Rei left my room.

In my dream, I could hear Rei and Mineko talking but with a different background. I felt Mineko whisper something in my ear. She whispered something with her usual worried and soothing voice which would always make me comfortable.

"We're always here for you, Riko. Even if we're obligated to protect you, we're still your best friends… so never hold back." She whispered.

In a matter of minutes, Rei flashed back into my room informing Mineko that the Headmaster had allowed all three of us to take a day off from school. He agreed that we all need more time to rest this time since our duties and schedules have been hectic since the school festival was closing in. Only three more weeks… three more weeks of hectic assignments, schedules, and even more duties. That would be really tiring. I wasn't fully asleep anyway so I could feel both of them hugging my sides while they were sleeping. I'd always feel comfortable as long as I'm with them.

It was the break of dawn and I woke up first motioning both of their arms off my waist. I walked to my curtained window. I slightly moved the curtains to watch the sun rise. It wasn't really normal for a vampire to be watching the sunrise but to me it was quite relaxing. Plus, I wouldn't burn at all, I would just glitter most of the time and that would make the students stare at me in amazement and it was never always me though. They would also stare at Mineko and Rei whenever they glitter with me. I would always feel relaxed because I wasn't the only who was different. I looked around and admired the garden below. But to my surprise, when I looked down, my eyes widened. I was really surprised to see Spook staring at me from below. I rubbed my eyes too double check if it was only an illusion due to the stress I had last night. Before doing that, I glanced at the clock behind me seeing that it was 6 in the morning and then I looked back at the garden. It wasn't an illusion after all… he was really there… staring with a very worried face. I couldn't smile at him at the moment of my utter confusion and stupidity. And with that, I turned and closed the curtains only leaving him even more worried than he was already… and I knew it hurt him. When I turned around, Reira was there standing in silent.

"He was there wasn't he?" She asked with a replying weak smile.

"Yes. He looked… really worried and… hurt." I said looking down.

She came up to me with two hands on my shoulder.

"We're all worried about you Odoriko. Not only did you just see our arch enemy and he attacked you, you also got him into the mess. We know that you feel guilty about that." She placed her forehead on mine, "I guess this day off would pay off anytime soon. We love you Riko-chi and we just want the best for you. We want you happy and free of sleepless nights and troubles." She added.

"Thank you, Rei. And I love all of you too. I just need time to think all of this through and start calming myself down." I looked up and smiled.

"I understand. Is he still there?"

"I'm not sure. I don't want to look." I can't see him yet. I would break down if I do.

"Okay… then I'll look." She suggested and I nodded.

"He's still there. I'm going to talk to him for a while… you stay here with the sleeping weirdo." She winked and went downstairs.

"Oh… Mineko's still sleeping. I wonder if she's having a very pleasant dream right now." I smiled caressing her face and lay beside her and thought for a while.

I drifted to sleep again. Not thinking of anything, not dreaming of anyone. It was a dreamless sleep.