Komori Yui

A girl whose misery became
part of who she is.

Determined eyes.

The bell chimed, signaling the end of classes. Students were flowing out of classrooms and gathering at the hallways, some leaving immediately to hang out somewhere in the city. The warm air calmed Yui as she took it in and looked to the two band members way. She giggled to herself as she watched them converse.

"It's way too hot..." Fuyuki complains as she wiped her sweat with her sleeve.

Yui questioned why males don't approach Maeki. She had beautiful long flowing grey hair that reached out to her back and it was curly at it's tip. Her fringe was a straight cut that were slightly above her eyebrows, to avoid blocking her eyes. Her eyelashes were long and she also had smooth pale skin. Maeki was taller than average Japanese women, her height was 167cm. Her figure was pretty nice: she had more bust than Yui herself, at least.

Perhaps it was because she's pretty lazy. Her uniform consisted of the school's white dress shirt and vest, topped by her own green hoodie that is left half unzipped. She wore black and white stripped leggings that reached above her knee, a pendant dangling from her neck. Yui noted that Maeki ignored the ribbons and blazer. Upon further inspection, she noticed that her skirt was modified, or rather, remade with a different material so she could move easy.

She wore these since her first day of school, and as time passed the teachers gave up on her wearing the proper school attire. Cutting out Yui's concentration on Fuyuki's appearance was Kouji dragging her out of the classroom, while she desperately holds onto her guitar, whining how tsundere Kouji is till he deliberately conked her head onto the lockers in embarrassment. Yui's smile is turned it to a grimacing expression when Ayato steps in front of her, blocking her view.

"Chichinashi, what're you staring at?" He smirks while inspecting the timid girl's face. He takes a peek at the noisy hallway to see his seat-mate being dragged on the ground. Noticing his stare,a quirky grin forms on the girl's face whilst waving at him. Ayato wonders what problems she has in the head to act like this.

"You lookin' at Weirdoyuki? Heh, you better not lose a screw in a head like her." He scoffs while closing an eye, watching Yui look down upon the floor.

"You're so mean...she isn't THAT weird. I mean, she's nice and gives advice..." Yui mutters softly. She looks up to see Ayato glaring at her. She squirms back and decides to stay silent, seeing that the red-headed vampire would get angry if she spoke even more. Ayato ponders over what 'Weirdoyuki' had told him earlier. He grits his teeth in anger, remembering how rude she was with him. Her mono-toned voice, the way she pointed a finger at him and the fact she seems to know that Yui is on the other side of the relationship...

"Tch, let's just go home." He spits to the side as he proceeds to pull Yui along with him.

"Huh? Wa-wait! I...I want to do something in school first..." Yui stutters as she attempts to pull her hand back. Unfortunately, Ayato's grip becomes harder and she flinches in pain.

"Huh?! Ore-sama's words are absolute!" He snaps at her disobedience. Soon Fuyuki's voice starts ringing in his head.

You're too possessive. Watch your violence, sir. Don't hurt her as much as you do.

You don't trust her enough that she'll push them away?

"That damn Weirdoyuki!" Ayato shakes his head vigorously to mute Maeki's voice. "Telling me weird things...I don't get her!"

"A-Ayato-kun!" Yui yelps as Ayato lost his grip on her and pushed her away.

"Gah! I don't care anymore, do whatever you want!" He stormed off, trying to clear his mind in a mess.

Yui sighs as she watches the Ayato leave. A small smile was brought back to her face when she reminded herself of what she wanted to do. She headed towards to music room, passing by Laito who was about to grab her, but missed as Yui started moving faster. She hadn't noticed his presence and was a bit too excited for this expedition. The sounds of drums being hit and guitars playing grew louder. She was going to watch the band's after-school practice and considered joining since they welcomed a keyboardist, but Reiji's face flashes in her mind. The smile is wiped off her face as she remembered Reiji's scoldings and the moments where he drugged her. Brushing these thoughts aside, she opened the door of the music room.

"Ah, you're here." Kouji kindly smiled at Yui, who blushed back.

Rito Kouji, argubaly the most popular member out of his four band members. Momoka was well known among her peers for being a drummer and for her friendliness, Takano was well liked among the 3rd years for his child-like appearance and personality and Maeki...well, she's the infamous 2nd Year Student who breaks school rules like breathing in air. Kouji was serious yet kind and polite. A person who carries out his responsibilities dutifully and diligently. He would treat anyone gently and nicely, with the exception of Maeki.

She brought out a true prospect in him, the fact that he was actually a man who was easily upset and only that, he also had a nice face. He had naturally smooth dark blue hair coupled with his warm brown eyes. Unlike Maeki, his uniform is worn prim and proper, just that he had removed his blazer due to the heat. Yui notes his slender fingers unlike Ayato's rough ones. She also notices Fuyuki's green hoodie beside his blazer.

"Yeah. Am I a disturbance?" Yui asked as she starts to worry.

"To the keyboard, please." Takano gestured her towards the empty seat in front of the electronic instrument.

"Eh?! I can't possibly be good enough for you guys..."

"Just today if you please." Fuyuki set the keyboard up. "I know you're rather uptight about what you do after school."

Yui gulps anxiously as a pair of greyish blue eyes stared at her, as if looking at her very soul. Her staying with the Sakamakis was a secret. Despite Maeki's absolute ignorance towards everything, Yui knew when her classmate was interested in something, she'd investigate and research every nook and inch of it. Her skill with the guitar and composing skills were a prime example. The blonde girl didn't want Fuyuki to develop an interest in whatever revolves around the Sakamakis, for her own safety.

At the keyboard, Yui started playing it mindlessly and almost stopped in shock when the other instruments followed. A new feeling flushed over her. It was as if she were in another world, one void of vampires and where it was peaceful yet eventful with all sorts of excitments. She wanted to join really badly, seeing that even a concert was coming up for them. Maybe if she asked Reiji she would be able to join them. Happily, Yui joins the band for the rest of their practice, engulfing herself in all sorts of music and fun interactions. It was soon 2 a.m. when band practice was over, reminding Yui that it was time to return to hell. She jumps, alarmed when Momoka's hand taps her shoulder, breaking her train of thoughts.

"Oh, Komori-senpai's pretty sensitive, huh." Momoka said while laughing. She then pointed towards two complaining people. "Listen to them."

"Ahhh, Rito-senpai we worked hard today so let's go get some parfait~" Takano nudged Kouji as he let out an annoyed grunt.

"Kouji, we got to keep off the heat, y'know? You might die from heat stroke if you don't take a chill pill~" Maeki chided as she cleaned his guitar. "See, I'm helping you clean this up cause you suck at it, so go with it man."

"You just mocked me and you expect me to do as you say?!" He yelled. "I bet you guys just want me to pay!"

A wide grin appears on both Takano's and Maeki's faces.

"Yeah." They said in unison.

They cover the tops of their heads in preparation for Kouji's fist but all they got was an exhausted sigh. They looked at him in confusion.

"Ugh, fine. What're you waiting for, let's go." His hand reached out to his guitar and he started packing his things.

"Komori-senpai, are you coming?" Momoka asked, her eyes sparkling brightly.

"Hn, sure!" Yui exclaims. Her junior then a tackled a hug at her before helping her up. After all, hanging out with friends after school once in a while wasn't too bad. Today was the first time during her days in the Sakamaki mansion that she was able to be free.

...

"Haaaaah? Are you questioning my gaming skills?" Takano pressed on the buttons of his PSvita in quick motion.

"I'll have that grass patch on your head ripped off, garden boy." Fuyuki said as she delived a perfect K.O with an Astral Finish*. "Slashy slashy* for you."

"Wah...!" Takano frowned in defeat, only to quickly grab his spoon and dig it into Fuyuki's desert.

"I would gladly re-plant that rotten grass. In your head, that is." She said before stabbing Takano's ribs with her fingers. It escalated into an argument, the grey headed senior as mono-toned and her junior snapping back angrily. Yui, Momoka and Kouji peacefully ate their own food while observing them.

"You guys are so noisy..." Kouji grumbled as Momoka giggled at their jabs at each other.

Yui pleasantly smiled at the two and closed her eyes. Maeno-san has siblings...I wonder how they're like.

Hesitantly, Yui pushes the mansion door open. She finds Shuu sleeping on the couch and no one else. She silently closes it and tip-toed her way up the stairs. She turns back to see if anyone was trailing her from behind only to bump into someone see most probably didn't want to see at all. Reiji's sharp stare stabs into her guilty conscience. Her face started paling up, afraid of the possible punishments he would give her.

"And could you possibly tell me the reason of your...latecoming?"

"I was with the school's band members." She answered, seeing no reason to lie. Even if she did, no good would've come with it with the fact that only suffering would've come from it.

"So you were hanging out with a group of worthless humans." He pushed up his glasses, still eyeing Yui carefully. "What were you doing with them?"

"I...I played the keyboard for them during their music practice. After it was over at 2 am, we went into the city to eat." By now sweat was falling off Yui's face. Reiji's stare was different from Maeki's, but it was a very similar feeling. Her hard hammered agaisnt her chest, her vision swirling as Reiji kept silent for the while.

"And did someone send you back here?"

"Ah, yes." She timidly replied.

"Who was it?"

"Maeno Fuyuki-san, a classmate of mine. She's Ayato's seatmate." Yui chanted blessings to Maeki for her own safety, seeing that Reiji might have taken an interest in her. Her heart sank when the bespectacled man frowns at the name.

"Maeno? That lazy woman who puts her efforts in that cheap instrument?" Reiji expression has changed into one of annoyance. "Even when her skill should have been put into those chemical bottles in her hands."

"She's good at chemistry, but that what she decided to do." Yui says while remembering one science lesson where Maeki had mixed a few chemicals and let it's cloud of smoke explode in front of Ayato's face (he's her partner since they're seatmates) which made him extremely angry but was stopped by the school nurse, Rainheart. She was glad that Rainheart stopped Ayato because considering Maeki's personality, she wouldn't hesitate to pour that chemical over his head and make him bald.

"I wish to speak of this no longer. Please go back to your room."

"Eh?"

"What is it, you foolish woman. I am letting you off since I don't feel like punishing you today."

"O-okay..."

Yui did not let her guard down after Reiji left. It was simply one of the brothers crossed out from the list, leaving out five other as dangerous ones to pounce on her. Maybe four, since Shuu is sleeping and wouldn't be bothered at all. She carefully passed Laito's room and her steps become slower and even softer as she crossed by Ayato's door. At that very moment his door swings upon, revealing an upset looking Ayato awkwardly facing Yui, who was prepared to slide pass as if nothing happened. Noticing that Ayato was blankly staring at her, she decides to start moving before he snapped out of his trance.

"Ah! Oi, Chichinashi come here!"

Yui was already halfway down the hall by the time he noticed that he had seen her. Remembering what Kouji had said to her, she balantly ignored his call. A dangerous move it was, but she had to do it. Meanwhile, Ayato gets pissed off and starts storming towards Yui, but a wave of words hit him, like an arrow stuck to his head. And that was Maeki's taunting words that swirled round and round in his mind. Like said, Yui was deliberately ignoring him. What Weirdoyuki said came true! I should just go along with the flow?

Back in the Mukami mansion, Fuyuki sneezes several times.

"Maeki, are you okay?" Azusa asks, looking over the kitchen counter.

"Don't get your snot in my food." Yuma eagerly waits for his sweet treats.

"I won't. Just feeling that people've been talking lots about me..." The grey headed said as she sits on the nearest chair, placing the unbaked batter into the oven.

Authors Notes: This chapter has edgy grammar in terms of tenses, apologies if it has affected your reading. Should Yui be portrayed more differently?