The more I say that I want to update asap, the more I don't get to do so. I'm sorry for the late update. Consider this as part 2 of the previous chapter. And it's another explanation chapter so I hope everyone will still be able to enjoy it!

Comfortable silence filled their atmosphere when they both stopped talking, only to be ruined by the sound of a grumbling stomach. Right at that moment, all Maki wanted to do was to dig a hole and bury herself there forever. Her blue haired senior stared at her curiously.

"M-Maki c-could it be that you haven't eaten your lunch?"

"I-it's because I went straight to the chairwoman's office as soon as the bell for lunch rung! I-it's not like I forgot about it!"

"But you did forgot about it already… didn't you?"

"Ahhhhh! It's past lunch time already! Even if I remember it now, where am I supposed to get food? The cafeteria must have sold out of food already."

Umi thought for a while trying to think if there's any way she can help her junior.

"Let's just go back to class so we can at least attend the last three period."

"Oh I know!" not listening to her junior, Umi suddenly stood up. "It might not fill up your stomach but better than nothing."

"W-what are you talking about?"

"Just come with me Maki."

"O-okay." The redhead just agreed unable to reject her senior's smile.

The blue haired archer led Maki to their club room. This is the first time she's thankful to have a duplicate key of their room that she carries around all the time. She invited the redhead in and went inside. Maki watched as her senior walk to one of the drawers in the club room and took out a gift bag. The archer sat beside her as she opened it revealing the cookies inside it.

"An underclassman gave this to me this morning, probably one of your classmates since there's only one class for freshmen, right? You can have it."

"Why are you giving it to me if it was a gift to you? And this looks like homemade too. That girl even went out of her way to make this for you."

"I know. I'm planning to have some, but I want you to have most of it because you're the hungry one here."

"Umi-senpai, if you're being considerate then how about giving me some of your blood? You already know that I am part vampire, and you must also be aware that vampires feed on blood."

"M-my blood?"

"Yes, your blood. It will just be a small bite on your neck. Two minutes of drinking should be enough to fulfill me, though senpai would feel a little dizzy after. What do you think?"

Maki smirked as she stared at Umi waiting for her reaction. The archer blushed heavily when the image of her junior biting her neck flashed on her imagination.

"T-t-that's shameless!"

The redhead burst into laughter adding another shade to Umi's blush. "S-sorry senpai.. ahahaha! I was just kidding." Maki tried to say between her laughter. Umi took away the gift bag and moved to the other end of the table.

"You're the worst Maki! Why do you always have to fool with me like that?"

"Ehh.. Don't take it away Umi-senpai, I'm close to starving now. I already said I'm sorry, and I mean it." Maki followed her senior and sat beside her.

"Fine. But don't do that again." Umi said handing over the gift bag to Maki after taking one cookie.

"Thank you Umi-senpai! But I can't promise you that. You're so fun to tease after all. hehe"

"W-what?!"

Maki ignored her senior's glare and started munching some cookies. "Mmm… these are delicious! Why did she gave you these anyway? Did you do something for her?"

"Nope. I-it was… a confession."

"What?! You mean a love confession?!"

"Y-yes.. I turned her down though."

"Then why have you accepted this?"

"She insisted. She said she really wants me to eat it regardless of how I would respond to her. Even though this is not the first time, I still feel guilty when I reject them. But there's nothing I can do. I don't feel the same way."

"Then stop being cool and charming in front of your juniors." Maki whispered to herself to not let Umi hear it.

"W-what did you just say? I couldn't hear it."

"I said these are really delicious thanks for the food."

"Why are you so grumpy all of a sudden?"

"This is how I am always. Now senpai you gotta eat more.. This was made for you after all."

"A-ah okay if you say so."

When they finished eating, they both went back to class to catch the last two afternoon periods. And as promised, Maki went to the school publication's club room again for the interview with Umi. Before she get to knock, the door was opened by a tall blonde figure. They both took a step back in surprise to each other's sudden appearance.

"Elicchi what's wrong?" she heard the purple haired said from behind the blonde. "Oh, if it isn't Nishikino-san!"

"Sorry if I had startled you." The blonde apologized.

"Ah, I'm sorry too."

"Oh Maki is already here? Come in!" Umi said popping her head from behind the purple haired.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

The two made way for Maki to come inside.

"So you really did get her to agree for an interview?"

"How many times do I have to tell you before you believe me Nozomi-senpai?" the archer then turned her attention to the redhead. "Maki, she is Ayase Eli-senpai, the club president, and also the student council president. Then she is Tojou Nozomi-senpai, her vice president in both." Umi said motioning her hand from the blonde to the purple haired.

"Nice to meet you Tojou-senpai, Ayase-senpai."

"Nice to meet you too Nishikino-san."

"Umi-senpai, is it really a good timing? It looks like you three are heading out."

"Oh no Maki, don't worry about it. It's just Nozomi-senpai and Eli-senpai."

First name basis? It's quite weird already for Umi to be calling her by first name. But it's a big surprise that Nishikino-san is calling Umi by her first name too. are the thoughts that invaded both their seniors mind.

"T-that's right. We just dropped by here. We need to finish some paper works at the student council. We shall be going then."

"You can take it from here Umi-chan. Have fun you two!"

Eli and Nozomi waved to their juniors as they exit the room. The purple haired did not forget to give Umi a teasing wink. Ignoring the blush that's forming on her face, Umi guided Maki to their seat.

"I will be recording our conversation alright?"

"Okay, okay. But, there really isn't much you need to ask of me right? You already know my secret Umi-senpai."

"That may be true but I am not allowed to publish some of that right? I need your help to come up with a cover for it."

"Just say that the foolish rumor about me not being human is a misunderstanding."

"How would you explain getting to school without any scratch from your fights?"

"Add something like, the daughter of the owner of Nishikino hospital got her body guards to protect her from kidnappers. That should answer one of the top rumors right?"

"What about this picture?"

Umi pulled out her phone to show her the popular picture of the redhead licking her hand.

"Oh that one? I played too much with the cat at the school yard that it accidentally bit my finger. You can say that I was just disinfecting myself."

"About that cat at the school yard, you are taking care of it, is that right?"

"Mmm.. Kind of."

"Why aren't you taking it home?"

"I am planning to do that. Once I confirmed that its mother won't go back for her, I'll take her in."

They went on like that with Umi's other questions for almost an hour. It took longer than it supposed to be because part of it was Maki teasing her senior like the usual.

"And with that we're done. Finally.. Thank you for your cooperation Maki."

"I hope this would stop the other students from trying to follow me. If only they knew that I'm picking up on their scent."

"By the way Maki, you're still hungry right? How about I treat you as a token of my gratitude? Where do you want to eat?"

"Oooohh… Are you perhaps, asking me on an afterschool date, Umi-senpai?"

Blood immediately rushed on the archer's face at the choice of words of her junior. "I-I never mentioned anything about a date!"

Why does she keep on teasing me?!

"It will be just the two of us right? Shouldn't that be called a date? Come on, we also did that yesterday sen~pai."

A-and flirting too…?!

"Hey senpai, say something.. Haha" Maki inched closer and started poking on her senior's cheek. It was then when Umi noticed that the redhead's whiskers are out. She gazed up to her head and saw her cat-like ears. Then she glanced at her junior's back and as she expected, she saw her tail curled up like a question mark.

"M-Maki…"

"What is it Umi-senpai?"

"Your ears and tail are out."

It was now the redhead's turn to blush after Umi mentioned it. She transformed back quickly and looked away from Umi.

"I-I guess I let my guard down a little too much.."

"You mean, you transformed unconsciously?"

A knock on the door interrupted the two. They turned their gazes towards the door and watch it flung open revealing Kotori Honoka and Hanayo. To everyone's surprise, Kotori suddenly ran towards Maki and hugged her.

"Kotori, why do you always hug me the moment we meet? Not to mention, we just saw each other earlier."

"What's wrong with that Maki-chan? Can't I?"

"You knew each other?" everyone else in the room asked curiously.

Kotori and Maki explained how their families are friends especially their mothers. They've known each other since they were babies. They remained in touch with each other even if the NIshikinos moved to another town due to business matters during Maki's elementary and junior high years.

"But Umi-chan, you already knew that mom knows Maki-chan right? I didn't think you'd still be surprised."

"I just didn't realized it."

Honoka walked towards Maki to shake her hands. "Nice to meet you Maki-chan! I hope it's alright to call you by your first name too. I'm Kousaka Honoka, and you can just call me Honoka."

"Nice to meet you too Honoka-senpai."

"Kotori and Honoka are also members of our club. And Hanayo too. You must know her already since you two are classmates."

"Hello Nishikino-san."

"I thought you would be in the track and field club like Hoshizora-san since you two are always together."

"I don't have much stamina like Rin-chan. Hehee.. But I'm surprised you knew Rin-chan is on the track team."

"A-ahh.. well.."

After giggling to the redhead, Hanayo told them that she is leaving early for today and just wanted to drop by the club room before going home. After getting the approval of her seniors, she excused herself out of the room.

"Eli-senpai mailed us that it's just you two here. Are you done with the interview?" Kotori asked strolling towards Umi.

"Yes. We just finished when you arrived."

"Umi-chan, there's something I need to apologize to you. It's about Maki-chan."

"Ehh? What about her?"

"Other than not telling you that I am close to Maki-chan, I did not even try to help you by asking her to do an interview with you. All this time I have been hesitant about asking Maki-chan. If only I had not been undecided, your life wouldn't have been in danger like last night Umi-chan!"

"W-why do you know about it Kotori?"

"Mom also called me to her office earlier remember? Maki-chan and mom told me about it. It's all my fault."

When Kotori sounded like she was about to cry, Umi pulled her in for a hug. "Don't blame yourself Kotori. Nothing happened to me. See, I'm alright." She pulled off to let Kotori have a full glance to her.

"That's right Kotori. And besides, you didn't know about my situation until today right?"

Honoka stepped forward and held Kotori's hands. "Kotori-chan, you were just thinking of what would be good for everyone right?" the bird softly nodded. Honoka then smiled to her and said, "It will be fine!" Maki and Umi smiled to Kotori too for reassurance.

After Kotori had calmed down, Umi realized that they just talked about a topic that shouldn't be talked about so openly.

"W-wait a minute. If Kotori and Maki knows each other since they were born, and also their families, does that mean-"

"If you're going to say if Kotori knows about me being a hybrid, yes she does. But I would like to ask too why we are openly talking about this. Kotori, does Honoka-senpai knows about it? Don't tell me she's the other person you were talking about?"

"Yes that's right Maki-chan."

"Other person? What do you mean by that, Kotori, Maki?"

"I still have a lot to explain. How about we go over to my place and let me tell you everything there?"

"I wouldn't mind. I'll just tell Hideo and Taki about it."

"I'm fine with it too. Let me just pack my things here and go ahead of me."

"Okay Umi-chan! We will wait for you by the locker."

Honoka and Kotori started moving out of the room with Maki coming after them. Before the redhead closed the door, she looked back to Umi and said, "Senpai, I will look forward to your promised date with me some other time okay?" She did not forget to add a flirty wink before completely disappearing. Umi froze for a few seconds with her reddening face.

"Ahhh! That panther seriously!"

When Umi caught up to them, they started heading for Kotori's house. They talked about random things until they got there. Kotori asked them to go up to her room while she prepare some snacks and tea. Preparing them didn't took much of her time so she caught up to them minutes later and was able to overhear the redhead's blatant question.

"Say Honoka-senpai, are you perhaps going out with Kotori?" the redhead asked out of the blue.

"E-Ehh? Did Kotori mentioned something to you Maki-chan?"

"Not really. I don't get to talk to her recently. But last time we talked, she mentioned about someone she wanted to confess to. It was just a wild guess. And I guess, the reaction on your face says that it is true."

"U-umm.. Well t-that's right.. hehehe" Honoka answered shyly.

"Ahh.. That may be why." Maki said to herself.

Kotori went inside her room with a pout on her face. "Maki-chan I told you keep that one between us right. It's so embarrassing."

"Eh? Did you say something like that? I think it's alright for Honoka-senpai to find out since it was her after all."

"And that's the very reason why I don't want her to know."

"Hehehe.. Sorry.." the redhead apologized playfully.

Kotori sat in front of Umi, with Honoka on her side. She settled the snacks and tea in the table and poured tea for everyone's cups.

"Umi-chan… I hope you are still prepared for more revelation. Honoka-chan, let's show her together."

After Honoka nodded, they both showed the archer a small object at the count of three. Umi looked at it closely until it finally clicked on her mind. It is the organization's member's badge. The reason why she felt like she'd seen it before may be because she had seen it either from Kotori or Honoka.

"Y-you two are also members of the organization? S-since when? How? Why?!"

"C-Calm down Umi-chan. We will tell you everything."

"Wait. Just let me clarify this. I am not the only normal human being here, right?"

The panicked look on Umi's expression made the redhead suppressed some giggles.

"Don't worry Umi-chan! I Kousaka Honoka is a normal human being too!"

"Then what about Kotori?"

"Umi-chan… I am a human being too… at most part."

At most part?

Kotori begun by explaining that her mother is a half-human, half-vampire. Because of having a strong vampire blood in her, Kotori was still able to inherit it and become a half-vampire too despite having the vampire blood fight half of her mother's human side, and her father's too. As a half vampire, like her mother, Kotori has no problem walking under the sun. Her dislike for garlic is another trait. And etc.

When they confessed to each other, Kotori had to reveal to Honoka about herself. Under the law for the supernatural beings, if they are about to enter a serious romantic relationship with a human, especially a non-member, they have to seek for the acceptance of their partner for the preparation to their future life together. If the human fully accepts them, they will become a member of the organization and the couple will obtain its blessing. Otherwise, the organization will have to erase the memories of the human and the two will not be allowed to meet each other again.

"I bet Honoka didn't even hesitate when she said yes."

Kotori just shyly nodded in affirmation to Umi's statement, while Honoka hugs her tightly. "Kotori-chan is still Kotori-chan after all. I will even let her drink my blood if she says so!"

"H-Honoka-chan!"

After giggling at the bird's embarrassed face, Maki begun recalling about what happened during lunch break earlier.

"I went over to the chairwoman's office earlier to report about the incident, and then she told me that Kotori is your childhood friend. We called her over so I could tell her everything and apologize for having her dearest friend caught up on my problems."

"Maki-chan, don't worry about it anymore you protected Umi-chan and we're thankful about that."

Maki turned to Honoka before speaking again, "But I feel the need to apologize to you too Honoka-senpai. Umi-senpai is your dear childhood friend too right? Forgive me for getting her caught up in this."

Honoka was surprised by her juniors way of speaking, causing her to stutter on her reply. "I-it's okay Maki-chan. Like what Kotori-chan said, we're thankful that you protected Umi-chan."

"I will continue to do that as much as needed."

"T-thank you Maki." Feeling warm inside, Umi responded with her reddening face.

After they told Kotori about the whole thing, before her mother could ask, she volunteered on protecting Umi too. She also asked for her mother's permission to tell her the truth about herself so she'll be able to freely move around the archer.

"As someone who can always be around Umi-chan, we will have more chance to protect her. And so that's why I also asked for permission if I can let another person know about this. Maki-chan hesitantly agreed though."

"Because as much as possible, I don't want to get more people into this."

"Believe me Maki-chan, I may not look like it but I can protect Umi-chan too. I studied on their family's dojo with her after all."

"Don't worry. Since Kotori believes in you, I will believe on you too."

"And don't forget that I can defend myself too. Seriously… You people are talking as if I'm some princess who only knows of how beautiful the world is."

Her statement made everyone laughed and Umi joined soon after. When their laughter died down, the atmosphere returned to serious again.

"Umi-chan! We're really sorry that we had to keep something from you!" Honoka and Kotori exclaimed bowing to Umi.

The blue haired archer was surprised at her childhood friends' sudden actions. She felt all warm inside thinking how much the two must have worried about this matter.

"Honoka, Kotori, get up. It's fine. I'm not mad or anything, though I feel a bit left out." Umi pretended to be upset, and looked away from the two.

"Umi-cha~n! Please forgive us!" the ginger haired and the bird now snuggled towards the archer rubbing their cheeks on her.

"I-I was just kidding. Hahaha! Stop it you two.. that tickles! A ha ha~"

"We don't wanna!"

Umi is now pinned down by her two childhood friends as they begun tickling her sides. Maki watched them with amusement obvious on her expression.

"Maki! H-help me out here! We have to protect each other right?"

"I'm just a lazy cat here who doesn't want to get herself into trouble…"

"No way!"

They continued their torture of tickles on the defenseless archer until Maki pitied her senior and helped her out. The redhead grabbed Honoka and Kotori's leg, and pulled them away from Umi. They could only yelp as they were unable to counter Maki's strength.

"Give Umi-senpai a break, and it's getting quite late too you know."

"Hehehe… We're sorry."

"Thanks Maki. I really thought you're gonna leave me alone."

"We already promised after all…" the redhead whispered to herself.

"What did you say?"

"I did not say anything!"

After helping Kotori clean up their messes, they decided that it's time for them to go home. Since Kotori's mom is not home yet, Honoka said she would stay behind. Umi and Maki bid them goodbye as they leave. They were walking in silence until the archer suddenly speak.

"This was another unbelievable day. I feel so tired."

"With all those things that we sprung on you, it's no surprise if you'd be sleepy by now."

"And really, that was information overload. Haha!"

"Yeah.. But you seemed to be handling them just fine. Now I would not wonder why an underclassman would admire you. You're really cool after all, Umi-senpai."

"W-what are you saying all of a sudden? And b-by the way, why are you walking the same direction as me? Is this the way to your house too?"

Uhhh.. But your oblivious trait must be your down side. "Should I really spell it out to you? I'm walking you home to make sure no one would hurt you. Even if the organization is already providing a top level security to you and your family, I won't let you go home by yourself this late."

It took her a few seconds before Maki realized what she had just said. Rush of heat came to her face as she try to make clarity for herself. "I-I mean, n-no person would let their friend walk home alone this late at night!"

"Ah.. But-"

"No buts! Just let me!"

"What about you?"

"Hideo-san and Taki-san will pick me up by your house. They're already on their way there."

"Why didn't you ask them to pick you up at Kotori's house earlier? That would have been faster."

"Really now.. Do I have to say it again? Because I won't let you go home by yourself." Just how dense is this person?

Umi still wanted to argue but finally decided to stop it there since she did not find anything wrong with her junior wanting to walk her home.

"T-thank you.. I guess."

"It's nothing Umi-senpai."

When they reached the Sonoda household, their car was already there waiting for Maki. Hideo and Taki greeted Umi before taking the redhead with them. They bid goodnight to each other as they separate for the day.

I just want to make a little announcement here... I'd have to apologize to everyone because my updates will continue to be slow due to personal responsibilities. But I'll still try my best to update even a bit less slower as I can see that I'm getting close to ending this fic. Maybe around 2-3 more chapters. That's all for now. Thank you everyone!