So I'm sorry for the late update. I guess I've been uncertain about my writing and a bit discouraged. (I reread the first few chapters and it made me feel...eh...not fantastic lmfao). I do think I improved a lot, compared to the first chapters. But you judge on that, haha. Anyhow, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. It's quite long. Ruki parts are soon to come, just not in this chap, sorry! I changed some stuff of the original plot (made it BETTER). There's one inconsistency though, which I'll clear up in the end notes.

Also, be sure to keep reading 'till the end, I decided to reveal some info ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)

And for everyone who left reviews, thank you! It really helps me to stay motivated to keep writing hehe.

Now back to the story!

CHAPTER 11 REWRITTEN

CH 11

→ Smile first, Laugh after

"Damnit Kou, that was the last piece of meat!" Yuma sat on the edge of his seat, throwing a tantrum. In other words, the usual business. When he met the cool gaze of Ruki, he sat back down, letting out a displeased groan.

Kou, on the other hand, had a victorious smile planted on his face and shuffled closer to Masami, in a way that that made Masami question if one could become more unsubtle. "Do you want some of the meat, Mi-chan? You haven't tried it yet," said Kou, "Trust me, it's really good! Ruki is a very good cook, after all."

Masami too, was on the edge of her seat. Sitting comfortably was obviously not an option, since the blonde would end up sitting on her lap. He had gotten incredibly clingy, even more so than before. "No, I'm good. Thank you."

"Kou, move over. You're making our guest uncomfortable."

Kou blinked at Ruki. "Sorry, sorry!" He quickly shuffled away and looked at Masami with his head slightly tilted. He had an apologetic smile on his face matching the beautiful bright eyes like crescent moons. Masami definitely saw why he was an idol. He definitely had the looks. Glittering eyes, with a bright head of light, lemon curls. And a mischievous smile, that somehow, felt out of place.

Masami, having at least a bit of common sense unlike some others (an image of a certain ponytailed barbarian popped up in her head). She decided to be polite. "Don't worry about it." To top the cake of with a cherry, she gave him a polite smile.

That's the most you're going to get, punk.

Kou saw a glimpse of a smile. It was more a shadow, definitely not a sincere smile, but it was the first time in a long time that he had seen her smile. It suits her, he thought.

Ever since seeing her, he thought about whether or not it was his Masami, whether or not this girl was a fake. Kou had been sure that it wasn't her, since the Masami he knew was open, bright and…loving. This girl, had been nothing but distant, showing nothing but cool indifference. When she talked, she spoke in short sentences only. She didn't even remember him. The real Masami could never forget him. He was sure of that. This one had nothing in common with the Masami. Yet this smile seemed to make Kou doubt his first judgement. He wasn't convinced all together, but it was a step closer to the truth. And he would, without doubt, get there.

The rest of the dinner was quite peaceful, thought Masami, minus the obvious glares from across the table, from a certain giant. It was better than expected. These people were strange, but definitely on a different level of strange compared to the Sakamakis. Masami felt less looked down upon. Almost treated equally.

She liked it here.

Joke!

Like hell I like it here. Got to keep my sense of humor.

After dinner Masami helped out with cleaning up the table, to which Kou enthusiastically reacted. He helped her point out where she had to put the dirty plates and so on. It was only her, Kou and Ruki now. Azusa had left to take a shower, after giving Masami a small smile. Yuma had left as soon as he was done with eating. He hadn't said a word, not even given her a glance. These people were confusing as hell.

It was now a bit past midnight. From the moment of arrival until the moment she had been in Azusa's room, Masami hadn't left her chambers at all. No one had made her, it was just the same thing she had done in the Sakamaki residence.

Precaution.

Masami sat down on the couch. Kou had insisted that she was to go wherever she liked, whenever she liked. That she could make herself at home.

"You're making our guest uncomfortable."

Masami remembered what the raven-haired vampire had said. So, I'm a guest, huh. They care for my well-being now?

Damn, well they should. I deserve it! Me, Masami, the innocent, good-for-nothing, but super funny vampire. I'm technically a saint, for all I know.

Kou then talked for a bit with her, mostly about trivial things. Masami gave him the usual short, but to the point answers.

"So what's your favorite color?"

"Eh, Yellow, I think."

"And how about school, everything going fine?"

"Yes, I guess. Need to catch up to some things, but it'll work out."

"Ne, ne, what's your favorite song by me?"

"I've never listened to one of your songs." And such questions. After the heartbreak on Goldilocks face after discovering Masami hadn't listened to any of his songs, he left and came back with a CD. A gift. "I hope you'll love it." A wink. Kou then ran back up the stairs, before wishing her goodnight (ironically still a term used among vampires). A bit baffled, Masami sat there with a CD in her hand. He hadn't been pushy nor strange. Masami hadn't forgotten the incident with her phone and the shoe, but had to say that he was quite friendly. He was definitely a strange guy, but he was easy to talk to and made an effort to get to know her.

I guess he's okay. He reduced some of the burning hate I had (my phone…never forgive, never forget). One point for you, Kou 'Goldilocks' Mukami.

Masami lay in bed, fresh drops of sweat covering her forehead. No nightmare this time, but the pain in her shoulder was killing her. It was as if the pain had spread to her chest, beating down her lungs and her heart. It hurt like hell.

"What in damnation is happening? I'm a fine and decent being. I don't deserve this." Masami rambled on as she sat up. Complaining strangely enough helped her feel less stressed. She was a master at it, after all.

Masami walked downstairs, still wearing the pajamas –a tank top and a pair of shorts in bright purple cotton –in which she had left the Sakamaki residence. The large hoodie she had worn, was somewhere sprawled across her chamber's floor. She was still barefoot, just like how she had arrived. It was fine though, as she could quietly walk down the stairs, towards the kitchen.

After a glass of water, Masami took a look at the mirror in the entrance of the mansion. She looked unnaturally pale, certainly shades lighter than her natural southern olive skin tone. Her eyes were deep and swollen, as they had been for a while. There was a distinct gradation of purple under her eyes. She had definitely looked better. Healthier. This didn't look good at all.

The longer I live, the worse I look. I thought vampires were supposed to look dashing and smashing. Not me. Ha.

Disappointing.

I want a refund.

Again, a shot of pain went right through her back, first through her shoulder, then spreading like lighting through her chest, then finally beating her heart up like pulp. Masami's breathing got heavy, now feeling as if she barely survived a bloody fight. Her hands had unconsciously curled around the staircase, supporting her body. Her legs felt limb. Her hands were shaking. She tried to regulate her breathing, but it was as if all the oxygen was pushed out of her lungs every time she took a breath. She needed to get outside. Fresh air.

Masami walked towards the living room, while supporting against the wall with an arm, or against random furniture.

Damn, this is getting fucking serious. I need to get fresh air, or I'll pass out. Now.

Masami sped outside as fast as her body would allow her, as soon as she found the glass door that led to the garden.

She dropped herself on one of the chairs on the veranda. Masami closed her eyes.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Repeat.

It took a while, but she finally felt better. Masami didn't exactly know how long she had been sitting like this. But it was all good. The pain had decreased. That was all that mattered to her now.

Masami opened her eyes slowly, to let them get accustomed to the bright morning light. It was probably still early in the morning, maybe an hour after sunrise. The cool morning air felt good against Masami's skin. The sunlight made her feel calm, somehow. Masami stood up, still a bit dazed, but at least she could walk without looking like a crippled corpse. Or at least, not looking crippled anymore.

I still look like a corpse. My aesthetic, obviously.

The vampire made a walk through the garden. It was a very beautiful and well-tended one, she noticed. She saw flowerbeds, and many types of different vegetables, ready to be harvested. Nearby even an apple tree of which the colors of its leaves already shifted towards a soft yellow. Masami sat against the tree, not caring about the dirty, wet ground.

She sat there for a while, looking at the sky, now a gradient of orange and blue. Masami was thinking.

Not something I'm used to. She laughed out loud. She could be a wreck and still manage to pop up A-class jokes. Talent at its finest!

Masami had to admit: she was confused about everything lately. Even more than usual. She put everything on a row in her head, organizing what had happened.

First, dropped in a house full of Ayano's relatives, whom she didn't know the first thing about. Then meeting another family of vampires, who claimed to know her, and at the same time, claimed her to be a fake of someone else. If it couldn't get any worse, they tried to kidnap Yui as well, shamelessly and in a very rough way too. And somehow, Masami ended up here, after a rather heroic deed. Something that was very unlike herself. Masami didn't help others. She kept out of trouble that wasn't related to her.

And still I end up helping people and getting into trouble anyway! This is NOT how I planned to live my life!

Masami didn't understand what these people wanted from her. The whole ordeal just seemed too suspicious to her.

For what reason did Ayano drop her here, anyway? Ayano always disappeared and reappeared, sometimes it took 2 months until Masami saw her again. But never had she left Masami to be babysitted by a gang of egocentric assholes.

Babysitted.

That was exactly what it felt like. Being dropped off because it was 'safer'?

Masami groaned out loud. Her head pounded. She was used to not knowing a lot, since forgetting things was part of her daily routine, but when people purposely didn't fill her in on current events that had everything to do with her? It made her feel looked down upon. Almost as if she was a kid that was too stupid to understand the grown-up's business.

Well, screw that. I'm done with all of this.

It was ten in the morning, for Yuma time to get to work in the garden. That was an obvious lie. He should've been in bed, but he couldn't sleep at all. After a large glass of water, he made his way to the garden with fresh apple in his hand. He took a bite, a large chunk on which he chewed thoughtfully. He hadn't been able to sleep. There were multiple reasons for that. And one of those reasons was currently sitting against his apple tree, with her chin rested on a bended knee, eyes closed.

Yuma just stared. He didn't make a sound either. She just sat there, against his apple tree. With the tone of dark honey of her bare legs, long lashes resting on sharp cheekbones and the sun in her hair, giving it an almost golden reflection.

It took a moment, if not minutes, for Yuma to avert his gaze. He blinked twice, as if he tried to confirm whether or not she was a hallucination. Yuma made himself avert his gaze. He then crouched down, picking up the apple he had dropped. "Damn all of this."

Masami woke up. The sun had settled down beneath thick dark clouds, hinting that it would soon rain. She had slept for a bit, and had to admit that she hadn't slept that well in ages.

Why a bed when you have a tree? Thank you, Mother Nature.

Masami stood up and walked back towards the door that lead to the dining room. She rubbed her eyes, not noticing a particular person muddling in the dirt before her.

"You." Angrily. "Get out of my garden."

Masami had barely held herself from letting out a shriek. She looked to her right. Immediately she recognized the messy light brown hair, with its blond undertone and knew that trouble was coming. Furious looking eyes pierced hers. She couldn't help but look at him in the same way. They really weren't getting along nicely, were they?

"Is this your garden?"

I have no idea why I just said that and where this anger is coming from.

Yuma wiped his hands of his pants. He stood up, his stature grand, casting his shadow upon Masami. "Yeah, and what about it?"

"Nothing, I just wondered."

"So, that's it?" Yuma didn't understand her at all. What the hell was she doing here and what did she want from him. He had rarely felt such anger before, and knowing him, it was quite a big statement to make. "If there's nothing else, then get the hell out."

Masami didn't revert her eyes. They kept the almost sickening intense eye contact. She was too stubborn to back away.

I need to think clearly. I can't make an enemy out of this person. I need to set my pride aside, and just…

…make peace.

Ugh, I can't believe I just thought that! I need a bucket.

"Well," Masami began. "I liked the garden. That's why I asked."

Yuma raised a brow. "I figured." There was no hint of friendliness in his voice, but it he sounded less aggravated. "You seemed to be comfortable enough to sleep in the dirt."

Nope, I was wrong.

Just agree and then leave. Masami, it is that simple. Do it!

"What the hell is your problem?" Anger.

Oooooh, to hell with me.

To her surprise, Ponytail laughed. "You really don't know, do you?"

"No, I don't. I would appreciated if you filled me in on it, though." Unconsciously, she was raising her voice.

"Heh, always demanding things." Yuma went back to his work, picking up a basket with vegetables, purposely ignoring her. Masami could feel her blood boil.

"Demanding? I just asked," she said matter-of-factly. "Or does that piss you off as well?"

Yuma clutched the basket. "What the fuck did you just say? Piss me off? I'm far from pissed off. You wouldn't survive it when you'd really piss me off." His posture alone confirmed what he said. He was big enough to break her skull single-handed. Hell, he could kick her once and she'd be flying to the other side of the universe. Not someone she should've messed with…

He continued. "You're just an annoying brat."

"If that's how you feel, Ponytail."

Yuma's eyes grew larger for a split second. "Stop calling me that," he said, his expression turning sour.

"Only," Masami paused. "If you stop yelling at me," she yelled.

"If you'd get the hell out of my garden, then I will, ya brat!" Yuma exclaimed with his fist in the air.

"Don't call me a brat!"

"HA? Are you deaf? Stop demanding things like a king." He scoffed. "Brat."

"Is this how it's going to be? Ponytail." Masami tried not to laugh. She honestly thought this was the most useless argument in the history of arguments.

That's what you get when you get all stubborn on me, carrot boy!

Yuma opened his mouth, but closed it again as no words came out. He felt angry again. It was ticking in him like a bomb, he had already controlled himself enough. That was it. He was going to—

Masami laughed. She genuinely laughed.

She was so tired and even though she had told herself not to pick fights with others, she had outright ignored her own advice and had picked a fight nonetheless. And now, Masami couldn't prevent herself from laughing. The whole situation was just absurd. She didn't really care anymore.

Yuma stood there, with the basket in his arms, completely perplex. Somewhere in his mind, Yuma heard that same laugh in the memories that he had buried deep beneath. The contagious laughter that he had called 'manlike' and 'brute' in the past. It was the same type of laughter.

"Heh? The hell's wrong with you? What's so funny, brat?" Yuma asked, when she was done with laughing and when he had shaken off those uprising memories.

"Nothing, really." Masami said as she stepped away. "I'll leave now, seems like you have some work to do" said the female vampire, while pointing with her chin at the apple tree. She then walked away, her head pounding from the heated discussion. But Masami felt fine. She had let out all the frustration that she had built up these past days, in the form of insults towards Ponytail. It was actually pretty relieving.

"Hey you."

Masami turned around, barely catching something that was thrown at her.

It was an apple, yellow like the leaves on the apple tree. Masami questionably stared at Yuma.

"What are ya looking at, huh? Get the hell out of my garden!"

Masami just nodded and headed back, with the apple in her hand.

And again, she couldn't help but laugh. She wondered why.

Masami returned to the living room, later in the afternoon, throwing away what was left of the yellow apple. Kou couldn't sleep that well either, apparently. Upon seeing Masami in her dirty pajamas, he felt the need to take Masami out shopping, his treat. Masami had politely declined, but then discovered that Goldilocks was a particularly persistent person. Just not to make things more difficult for herself, she agreed.

The trip hadn't been all that bad. Masami hadn't said a lot in the beginning, but Kou was very swift in making conversations. They had talked, again about trivial things, and he had told her a bit more about himself too. What foods he liked, what his hobbies were and so on. The silences between them didn't feel uncomfortable either. And before heading back, after a long day of shopping, he had treated her for ice cream and other sweets, as well as showing her his favorite spots in town.

And of course, they had shopped. Kou had good taste. Sometimes a bit too much on the bright side for Masami, but he knew what suited her. He picked clothes that were the perfect balance of edgy and soft. He had complimented her more than enough too, making Masami feel a little overwhelmed. But it wasn't all too bad. She had a fun time. And honestly, she looked absolutely fabulous right now.

It wasn't all that bad, yes…

However.

The fangirls, those were a whole other story. Masami didn't think he was this popular. But damn, they really did crawl at his feet, those fans. It was the only thing that managed to ruin the day. It was certainly not Masami's bad luck this time.

"Sorry if they bothered you, Mi-chan." Kou laughed. "To think that we were going to be all by ourselves, a bit naïve of me, hehe~"

"It's okay, you can't help it." Masami said as she chewed on a piece of almond cake, also Kou's treat. They were on their way back to the car, it was nearly seven in the evening.

"I'm glad!" He let out a relieved sigh, perhaps a bit overdramatic, and then smiled again. "Did you have a fun time? What did you like most about today? I thought the shopping was fun, you really are a perfect model!"

Masami swallowed before answering. "It was fun, thank you, Kou." Masami smiled. He had done a lot for her today, nothing of which she had asked for. He just had. Masami guessed it was strange, but he genuinely seemed to be interested in her. It was a little confusing.

Did she trust him?

Hell to the no. She didn't forget nor forgive easily.

That first part…might be a tiny bit…untrue…'forgetting'…oh god.

But she didn't dislike him as much as before, that was certain. He was interesting in his own way, like a book without a title, without a cover. You wouldn't know what it was about until you started reading.

"Ah and as for what I liked the most…Maybe the park, near the fountain."

"Oh," Kou raised a brow. "I didn't expect you to pick that place as your favorite. Why?"

"I don't know." Masami bit off another piece of the cake. "You could see the sky well there."

What a stupid thing to say. I can't believe I just said that. Oh my god.

My cheesiness is unstoppable.

Abort

ABORT

Kou had stopped walking. Masami didn't know if she had seen it right, but he was looking at the sky. It took a moment before he looked back at her. "You're really weird, Mi-chan~"

Masami snorted. "That hurt my feelings deeply."

Kou laughed upon hearing her reaction, cheerfully patting her on her back. "I'm getting used to it, don't worry," he said with a wink.

Then they headed back.

It hadn't been too bad.

"So you haven't been able to find a cure? I remembered hearing you say that you could do anything without needing anyone." A chuckle.

"I recall being eight years old when I said that. Oddly enough, you still have the habit of remembering irrelevant matters," Ayano said, her voice cool and graceful, as it had always been. "And what makes you think that I haven't already found a solution?"

"You already found—no, it can't be possible. You're bluffing." Richter tensed up.

"I very well already have." Ayano let her finger slide over the rim of the dark, oak table. "It was quite obvious as well. You just fail to notice things, Richter. I will already tell you that your attempt to blackmail me is going in vain. You have nothing I want, nor need."

The man clenched his teeth, an obvious sign that he was restraining himself from getting too emotional about the ordeal. "Is that why you put that girl in the care of the Sakamakis?" A laugh filled the room. "That's a dangerous step to take."

"Anything that's necessary to make him come out of his shell," Ayano replied calmly. "To let him know that I'm in for it. And there's a reason she's there."

"He did his very best to shut you up," said Richter amused. "You're underestimating his abilities."

"Dear Richter, how about a slit throat?" Ayano's voice was still calm, but had a heavy sinister undertone to it. "If you find it amusing that he caused the murder of my family, then I think I'll have to end this conversation with you."

"Ah, no—" Richter said, not able to hide his nervousness. "I certainly didn't mean to offend you, Adelise."

"Yet you did. Congratulations." Ayano let out an irritated sign. "You and your shitty brother are truly one and the same."

"What an unladylike thing to say."

Ayano's expression didn't change. "Unlike yourself, I don't crap sunshine on command."

Richter coughed. He knew better than to get on her temper any further. "Now, then. What are you going to do? You may be stubborn, but so is he."

"My sister dear is dying, quite literally. It's happening all over again. I can't keep feeding her my blood forever, the time has come for her to discover the truth."

"You—" Richter looked at her in shock as if he had realized something. "You're not going to tell her?"

"Tell her?" Ayano scoffed. "He's the one who should tell her, he's the one who should fix things. I want him to know exactly what he has done. I want her to discover and confront him."

"…You want him to feel shame for what he has done."

"That would be an understatement, but that's what it comes down to. He's been evading his duty for too long. He thought he would get off it the easy way, if she had just died."

"Why didn't he just kill her then? That day?"

"It's because he felt guilty. Making me do it too, to release himself of some of the blame. He's a sneaky bastard, always been. Pretending to feel nothing, to be absolute."

Richter laughed again. "Then you're no better, I suppose. You want to make him feel shame, take on responsibility, rather than doing it the quick way by telling her, you want her to discover it all by herself, so that you'd be less guilty of your own crimes. She'd blame him for everything. And so, you wouldn't lose her."

"Interpret my motives all you like, you're still dead wrong. And about Masami...Well, I will give her a push in the right direction, if needed, so indirectly I'm helping her." Ayano said, smiling a little. "Besides, I am going to cure her, remember. She doesn't need to know, though, since she wouldn't agree with it at all. Nevertheless, curing her and getting my revenge? Two flies dead in one hit, if you ask me."

"However, you use your own dear sister to achieve that revenge."

"Using? You don't even know what I'm planning to do. You don't even know what happened, you don't know what I want to do or achieve. Suit yourself to criticize me all you want, but telling me that I'm using Masami is very close to crossing a certain line. And I'm sure you wouldn't want to cross said line."

Richter took her words into consideration. "So, you'll tell her?" Richter said, not convinced.

Ayano smiled. "Don't believe me?"

"Deceit runs in your veins, after all," exclaimed Richter.

"Deceit, yes." Ayano said. "But cowardice? No."

So few things I want to mention first:

- Yuma: He was let's say, Masami's best friend in the orphanage. So naturally, with his temperament, he's going to be the most frustrated out of all of them. He completely refused to believe that she's that person, but after this chap he's coming to turns. Slowly, though. He's still frustrated af. =")

- Kou: Y'all know. He gives a lot, yep. And takes a lot as well. Yep. But he's saving that for the future. Sneaky bastard.

- Plan? So in the last chap I was talking about a plan, right? If you hadn't guessed it yet, Masami had stolen a knife out of Azusa's closet. Defensive purposes lol. Let's say that she's going to make things a bit difficult for herself in the next chapter. But you know, precaution ;')

- Ayano + richter?! They are not comrades, partners or lovers. Noooooooooooooo. I hope I made that clear haha. She absolutely hates his guts. You can make you're own speculations on what they were exactly talking about. I won't tell yet, huehue.

→ murdered family? Remember that I said Ayano had a husband, a kid? Well, they've been dead for a while.

→ romance with Ayano? Now that she has no fam, it's possible, though unlikely (so no lol). Knowing me, you probably already figured that even if there's going to be something, it's going to get there enormously SLOW. And if you think about her situation right now, she isn't really the type looking for romance. She did really love her family. Revenge though? Yes.

I think that was it?

So then

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