Today was a good day - owls were hooting, wolves were howling and school was closed down because of the winter break. As happy as I was to stay home and watch anime - I couldn't. Reiji figured out the best punishment for me - turning off the wifi. The good old dreadful method that all parents and assholes use.
"I'm so bored. What should I do?" I huffed and puffed out of boredom. No Internet meant no access to my life and that meant I felt as empty as a potato chips bag. Quite pathetic, I know, but hey - I was happy with this kind of Internet life. Even though it highly depended on the quality of the wifi.
But I needed to do something - I couldn't just lie around all day on all possible surfaces like a cat. A good old ancient method to kill boredom will do it.
"To the library!" I pointed up my index finger with an entire arm stretched out. I excitedly ran out of my room just to realize one thing.
"Where the hell is it?"
I couldn't believe that I have been living here without knowing where the Sakamaki's library was. They had a pool after all, so they must have a room dedicated for books that Reiji weren't living in.
So I had no other choice but to ask someone for directions. And that someone had to be Reiji himself.
*knock* *knock*
"Reiji-san, may I come in?" After hearing a muffled 'Out of all times...' I carefully opened the door. I put a hand over my eyes just in case and walked in with my stretched out hand waving in front of me.
"I'm sorry to disturb you at such moment, but can you tell me where the library of this house is?" I tried to find my usual chair without knocking off anything that can shatter and turn into a torture device.
"I am sincerely not interested in the answer, but I just have to ask. Why are you walking like that?"
"Like what like that?" I blindly followed Reiji's voice.
"Why are you covering your eyes?"
"To give you your privacy."
"If that's the case, why are you in my room then?"
"This girl has one question that only you can answer."
"Uncover your eyes."
"Are you sure? I won't see anything... weird... Right?"
"I will gut you if you try to think about me that way again. Now do it - I don't want you to destroy anything." Reiji said.
I did what he said. I opened my eyes just to see a fully dressed (thank goodness), tired and pissed off Reiji still working on his mixtures.
Once upon a time there was a little girl who wanted to borrow you know whose fedora for some dancing to Michael Jackson and Madonna. She was so excited about the idea she ran into the room without giving another thought about it. The sight she saw changed her forever.
Ever since then, the little girl always knocked before entering someone's bedroom, especially if she heared weird sounds coming out of the room.
Seeing Laito only in socks, white shirt and fedora already dancing to Michael Jackson was a traumatizing experience after all.
"So what do you you want?" Reiji's angry voice brought me back to reality.
"Yeah, right. Where is the library?"
"In front of Kanato's room."
"Why is reading an extreme sport in this household? No. Don't answer. That was a rhetorical question."
"I'm surprised you know what that word means," Reiji chuckled.
"Oh come on, I might look stupid, act stupid, talk stupid and be stupid, but I'm not that stupid. I just really like that vein of yours popping out whenever I do something stupid."
Reiji sighed.
"Leave. Now."
"Aye, sir!" I ran out of the room just to come back.
"What now?"
"Where's Kanato's room again?" Reiji-san was kind enough to push me towards the direction of Kanato's room. Let's note that Reiji's room was on a second floor and Kanato's was on the first.
That was a one hell of a trip, but I previously had a lot of practice with stumbling down stairs so I knew how to regain my balance with only breaking off two nails. No broken bones this time!
And here it was - the dream of every girl that falls in love with a beast. The little heaven of someone who likes creating comfy atmosphere with tea and sweets. Yes - it was Kanato's room. And in front of it was library.
I walked inside to find something stunning - lots of books. Yes. Books. In the library. Everywhere. Wow. So impressive. Like really. No kidding.
I started searching for something interesting, like a magical book or a diary that would prove someone was adopted, but I found something arguably better - a game of Monopoly.
"I wonder what it's doing here."
"A previous bride brought it here."
"AAARGH LAITO WHAT THE FUZZLET?!" Two things I will never get used to: English dubbed anime after watching the original and these damn vampires appearing out of nowhere.
"Nfu~ Did I startle you, Bitch-chan?"
"I was only thinking about stuff. More importantly, would you play this?"
"I know a much better game, Bitch-chan~ It's called 'How much can you take until you..."
"Yeah yeah cough up blood and die chocking on something disgusting." I put my palm on Laito's approaching face and pushed it away from me. "I'm serious. I want to play this game." Now he eyed me with sincere curiosity.
"Why would you want to play it?"
"Have you ever slowly crushed someone's spirit to fight on surviving? Have you ever seen someone's face twist in anxiety and shame as they were paying you the very last bits of their belongings? Have you ever wanted to emotionally crush your brothers? If yes - this game is perfect for you."
"I think this time I will play what you want, Bitch-chan." One man in, five left to pursue.
We left the library and headed towards the nearest vampire - Shuu, who probably was sleeping in the living room.
"The closest one is Shuu."
"But Kanato-kun's room is right here," Said Laito.
"I said - the closest one is Shuu." Who is in the mood to die today? Me! But not yet though.
"Don't you think that by getting Kanato hyped up about this game will instantly force others into playing? Who would want to refuse a screaming psycho?" I stopped in my tracks.
"Laito - you're a genius. Kinda rude one towards your brother, but still a genius." I slowly turned around to face Kanato's door.
"Okay, mister Genius. How are we going to do it thought?"
"Offer your blood for a winner."
"Like you can't get it without a game. What's a better way to get Kanato into playing?"
"Blackmail," Laito smirked, probably prepared to threaten Teddy.
"I don't really think it's a great idea after all. Maybe we should gather all of them in one place and then make them to play."
"Nfu~ and what are you suggesting?"
"You'll see."
We walked to the living room. Without waisting another moment I let my throat do the work.
"Oh Laito! You're the best player I've ever seen! There is no one as good as you..!"
"I beg you pardon! Ore-sama is the best! By the way, what game are we talking about?" Two in - four left.
"Ayato! Wanna play?"
"Of course I want to crush you. What are we going to play?"
"Good. Now wait a bit - we need more players. Ahem... Oh no! What have I done! I can't believe I spilled my green nail polish on the sofa! Again!"
"You will lick it clean! Again!" Reiji's voice boomed behind me like a thunder.
"Hello, Reiji-san. Before you decide to rip away my nails one by one I'd like to ask you: would you like to play a game?"
"I don't sense that stench. Were you lying?" His angry gaze left me with chills.
"Yes, I was. But I did it because I wanted to play with you. Can we play this together?" I raised the box to show Reiji the game.
"I am not interested in stupid human games."
"I thought so. Ayato, you were right - this silverware otaku really is scared of being crushed in a human game."
"What are you saying? I never..."
"Yes," I cut Ayato off, "You never thought that Reiji-san of all people would refuse such challenge. Especially when Shuu agreed to play..."
"I'll have the bank." Reiji snatched away the box from me.
"You know the rules?"
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Honestly? Right now? At this moment? I sure as hell did think you were an idiot, Reiji. Shuu wasn't even here. Three in - three left.
"SUBARU! YOU'RE EITHER PLAYING WITH US OR I WON'T STOP YELLING!" Nothing. "I WILL PLAY MY MUSIC!" No response. "I WILL SING!"
"NO!" Yelled Subaru and Kanato in unison. Two birds with one shot, I see.
"Do you agree to play with us?"
"Teddy, look - stupid human is trying to blackmail us into playing."
"I was trying to sleep," Growled Subaru. I could smell danger. It smelled like a hand around my neck.
"Kanato, you like games, don't you? I found one that we'll be able to enjoy. I even have prizes for the ones that'll play." His eyes lit up in an instant.
"What prizes?"
"Chocolate ones. But all of us have to play. Not even a single person can be left behind." Kanato turned around to face Subaru.
"If you don't play I will scream until my throat starts to bleed." Subaru, knowing that he wouldn't be getting any sleep anyways agreed to play. Five in - one left.
"Where's that good-for-nothing? I thought you said he agreed."
"Un momento, señor." I walked behind the couch, then checked under the table. Nothing.
"I think he might be here... Found him!" Shuu was sleeping on the windowsill behind the curtains.
"Shuu." I poked his cheek. "Would you like to play?"
"Too bothersome." His answer was unexpected. Really. Never would I ever have thought that he was not into playing a silly game.
"Shuu, if you play Monopoly with us, I will wear that dress you brought me."
"Not worth it."
"Come on, Shuu, just imagine Reiji's face once he loses against you."
"Not interested."
"I will shave your hair in your sleep if you don't play."
"Go ahead. And don't forget to shave off the curly ones."
"But all of your hair are straight... Ohhh." I took a step back.
I walked closer to Reiji.
"Mom, dad is refusing to spend some time with his daughter!"
"Seriously Shuu, aren't you supposed to be a better parent to our... What the hell are you saying?!" Reiji snapped at me. Yep, he did look like an idiot to me.
"Kanato-nii! Let's annoy dad until he doesn't refuse." I ran to Kanato.
"I don't like the way you said it, but Teddy agrees with you."
"Uncle Laito advices you to listen to these two brats," Laito told Shuu.
"Will you stop with this nonsense if I play?"
"Obviously," I smiled.
"Fine then - I'll play."