The high pitched laughter echoed throughout the night. The chilling sound of her feet and her laughing was the only sound to be heard. The loud "thump" "thump" of her tiny feet, and the sweet ringing of her voice danced in the night air. Her childish smile shone brighter than the moon itself.
"Hahaha~" "Thump" "Haha~" "Thump Thump" "Hahahaha~" "Riiing" "Thum-" "Riiing" "Riiing"
. . .
"Riiing!" "Riiing!"
The intrusive noise made Miyuki slowly open her eyes. With a soft groan she reached for her phone to shut off the alarm. As much as she wanted to just roll back over and go back to sleep, one look at the time showed her she couldn't.
She wouldn't be late for school if she slept for another hour, but she had to go in early to keep up her "good girl" image. 'Definitely one of the more annoying parts to play.'
Using up all her will power, she forced herself up and out of bed. Still tired and half asleep, she swayed as she made her way to the bathroom.
Everything was a dazy until she finished brushing her teeth and splashing water in her face. She patted down her face with the hand towel next to her and felt her consciousness come back to her. With a sigh she looked herself in the mirror and a pair of dark eyes were looking back at her.
Her hair was a mess-curls sticking up in every other direction-and her yukata was loosening up at the chest. But her eyes were focused on her face, her porcelain face without a trace of imperfection. She watched herself pinch at her cheek. 'I really don't look a day over sixteen...'
Then, she proceeded to wet and brush her hair before going back into her room to change. She looked at herself in the full-body mirror as she pulled up her thigh-highs to see if there was anything out of place. She was wearing the uniform as perfectly as possible, and the stockings and gloves gave off a conservative look her classmates seemed to like. Her hair was fixed and her expression was nice and awake.
After approving what she saw, she went over to put on the final touch. She went to her jewelry box-engraved with a rose design all around it-sitting on her dresser. She opened it to reveal an assortment of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and hair pins that were all of the highest quality. Then, she took out a ring with a rose shaped gem, and she used it as a key to open up the side of the box. By turning the key she was able to pull out a secret little drawer that had only one item in it.
She carefully took out a thin silver necklace with a deep blue gem attached to the end. It shone like new despite its age, due to years of care. After putting everything back in place, Miyuki carefully latched it around her neck-as she has every morning-and tucked it under her shirt for safety.
Like that, she was dressed and ready.
So, she pulled out her phone and looked through her notes:
Day 4: Keep ignoring Tanaka
Chat with other classmates before class
She's unlikely to make a move (if she does, brush her off by giving more attention to someone else)
Kana and Saki will most likely invite you to lunch in the cafeteria, accept their offer (preferably in front of Tanaka)
Look like you're enjoying yourself while eating with those two (Tanaka will most likely follow you and be watching from a distance)
Try putting your hand on Kana's shoulder and lean closer (She's likely to blush from the physical contact)
It goes on and on from there. Today is just another day to try and agitate and reject Tanaka. She'll feel more and more like she's being pushed aside. But, she's not likely to try anything yet. Not for a few more days.
Miyuki let out a yawn as she tucked away her phone. 'I really wish I could just sleep longer.'
. . .
'I didn't plan for how boring this would be.' Miyuki thought to herself as she laughed along with Saki's joke.
So far, her plan has been going along nicely. Tanaka has been fidgeting and glancing at Miyuki all day, but has yet to say a word to her. When Kana and Saki invited her for lunch, it was right after class ended-so Tanaka had a clear view of the conversation.
Now, they were all eating and chatting in the cafeteria as Tanaka watched two tables away.
Everything was as she predicted, but now it was boring. She forgot that Kana and Saki were nothing more than stereotypical teenage girls. They laughed and laughed while making passive aggressive comments about other people in their class, then they talked about boys and how fun karaoke was. Things Miyuki has already heard a thousand times and was bored of already.
So, the first chance she got she asked to see pictures Saki took while they were doing karaoke and leaned in. As she expected, Saki blushed at the contact and Tanaka saw it all.
With that out of the way, Miyuki excused herself. "Oh wait, I wanted to do some studying in the library."
"Studying? For what?"
"That english test tomorrow." Miyuki said because she knew Kana hated english. "Thanks for lunch but I didn't have time to study the other night."
"Wow Shiki-chan, you're really diligent."
"Yeah, I can't really sit myself down to study, especially not for english."
"I just want to put in the extra work. I don't want to disappoint my grandmother."
"Aw that's so sweet!"
With that Miyuki grabbed her things and got up from her seat. "I'll see you both in class later." She said as she waved and left.
Thankfully, it looked like Tanaka was too dejected to follow Miyuki outside of the cafeteria. So, as soon as she was alone she teleported to the nearest empty area.
She ended up teleporting herself onto a landing of a stairwell. Glancing around, she saw there was no one in sight, so she leaned against the wall with a sigh.
Miyuki was used to playing this game of pretend, but even the best players needed a time out. All that analyzing and having to think three steps ahead so that she knew what the right move to make was, it was all draining. Even now, she knew she'd eventually have to make her way to the library-incase there was anyone there that could say they didn't actually see her studying.
'Just two minutes then, that shouldn't be too long.' She concluded as she slid down to sit on the cold floor. She stretched her legs and arms forward to loosen herself up a little. As she let out a small yawn, she wondered if she could take a nap for a little longer than two minutes.
Just as she was getting comfortable, she smelled something disgusting.
"Aren't you being a little unladylike?" She glanced up at the direction of the voice. It was a boy that stood only two feet away from her. He had longish orange hair and green eyes that leered at her curiously. "If someone were to see you now, you'd be breaking some pretty illusions."
Judging by his scent, there was no doubt he was another pureblood. And, since she only knew of one other family in this area, that meant he was related to the annoying one.
Deciding it'd only be a waste to pretend to another vampire, she just stared at him blankly at him. "Then it's a good thing I wasn't caught by someone whose opinion I care about."
This only seemed to catch his attention more. "Oh~. So does that mean a human's opinion means more than mine?"
"As far as I'm concerned. They may be lesser creatures, but at least I have something to gain from them." She answered swiftly and calmly.
He took a step closer and loomed over her. "And how are you so certain there's nothing I have to offer you? If you asked nicely, I'm sure I could find a way to please you."
A revolting chill ran down her spine as she looked at those suggestive eyes. She hated the way they looked at her, like if he was undressing her with a look. It reminded her too much of someone else.
Regardless, she kept her expression unfazed and stared at him with indifference. "Unless you're offering me a meal, I don't see what you have to offer." At that, she got up to her feet.
He grinned wider at her comment. "What if I offer myself as a meal then?"
She couldn't hold back the look of disgust. As she spoke, she walked over to lean her back against the railing and crossed her arms over her chest. "I thought you were offering me pleasure, not revolution." Locking eyes with him, she decided to get to the point. "Why are you here?"
His eyes twinkled as though he was waiting for her to ask. "I got curious. When my little brother was throwing a fit over another pure blood being enrolled into his class, I wanted to see for myself. It's been a while since I've been in the presence of another pureblood outside of all the parties and events."
Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly, she put her guard up. "And why was it so important for you to see?"
He took a step closer, no more than that, but she still felt pushed against the wall by the gesture. "You know, I love human girls. They're so frail and their minds so innocent. They never know how easily I can break them apart, or how to handle the pleasure I give them. It's so cute~. Don't you agree?"
She kept her mouth shut and narrowed her eyes at him to get to the point. His face was morphing into an expression that was seeking out pleasure, but was still feeling it from the search. It made her stomach churn.
The edges of his lips curled in understanding as he continued. "But, as delicious as a treat is, you still want to try other things, no~? And," he took another step forward, now at arms length from her, "it's been so long since I've been with another pureblood. Even longer since I've been with one as cute as you~."
...As much as she wanted to claw out his eyes and run away from his gaze, she remained calm. She ignored the chilling feeling in her back, and the pain of her memories. Miyuki looked at him with indifference, as though he meant nothing, because he was nothing. "Are you done, because I'm growing tired of this conversation." She pulled herself off the railing and-as much as her gut told her not to-she took the extra step toward him. "Let me make one thing clear:" She kept her dark eyes locked to his shining green ones, and she leaned forward to gently place the tips of her gloved fingers on his chest-in a pushing gesture without actually pushing him. "I'm not here to fulfil your fetish, so get lost." Her voice oozed with venom as her eyes kept a mask of boredom.
His eyes widened slightly, and he looked mildly surprised. It didn't take long for his smile to come back, but the arousal left his face-at least as far as she could see.
As she was wondering if he really got the point, a voice cut in.
"Oi!"
'Fucking hell.'
"What the hell are you both doing here?"
She removed herself from the ginger boy and looked up the flight of stairs to see a fuming silver haired boy. 'One Sakamki after the next, I hope I never have to run into the other four.' She remembered hearing Karlheinz had six sons in total, and that number gave her a headache.
"Did you want to play with us Subaru-kun~?" There was nothing but suggestiveness in his voice.
Miyuki sent a narrowed look in the sexual harasser's direction. "Did you really not hear my rejection? If you want to play any games I'll leave it to the two of you-"
"You didn't answer my question!"
'God how much does he want attention?' She groaned in her head as she glanced back up at the angry little boy as he stomped down the stairs.
"I can hear and smell the both of you from the roof." He stopped a step away from the landing, as though even being on the same floor as them was repulsive. "So, take your stench somewhere else."
Like before, his words felt like they were only being pointed at her. And, like before, it was aggravating. No, it was even more aggravating than last time. What makes her the worse person in this situation? She didn't do anything.
"Now aren't you being a little mean to your cute classmate~?" The ginger spoke in a halfass attempt to scold.
"Shut up! If you wanted to have your little fun, you could have dragged both your asses somewhere else!"
So now she's being accused of wanting to have fun with him? 'He really does have that revolting of an image of me doesn't he.' Her hands curled at her side and she felt her own anger rise up. 'Over and over he keeps bombarding me with glares and snarls, and here he is talking down to me like he has any right. How am I the infuriating one?'
"Now get lost, you're being nothing but an annoyance-"
"Am I now?" Miyuki finally turned to fully face him and her eyes turned icy cold. "Because all I was doing was trying to take a little break, but instead I've been interrupted twice. Does barging into other people's business run in the family?"
For a moment, she caught him off guard. This was the first time he saw her not playing her little "good girl" role. Then, he instantly became angrier than before. Go figure. "You're the one that barged in first! You interrupted my sleep with your stench!"
She crossed her arms together as she narrowed down more sharply at him. "How was I supposed to know you were around? I couldn't sense you until you showed up here like a wild animal."
"So it's my fault you have a weak sense?" He yelled, and she was mildly worried someone passing by would hear him.
"Your fault, no." She began walking over to him-making him stiffen up. "But it is your problem that you have the nose of a bloodhound." Once she was in arm's length to him, she gave him a disgusted smile. "Are you really part dog, because it would explain a lot. The snarling attitude, the loud barking, and certainly the smell."
Subaru looked ready to blow his top off he was turning so red. She was half expecting smoke to come out his ears. Then, his burning glare simmered down into a cold scowl-mildly surprising Miyuki. "So the way you acted before, it really was just an act." He spoke lowly and with cold resentment.
Miyuki raised a brow at the comment. She was ready to simply say: 'Of course it is, how else would you expect me to hunt.' But then, it clicked in her head. And she couldn't hold back the mocking grin. "Don't tell me," she shifted weight onto her toes to lean up closer to him, "the reason you hate me is because I'm tricking everyone with an innocent smile?"
He didn't need to say anything, the idiot had his emotions painted clear as day on his face. He really, really, hated her.
Feeling some power now, she scoffed at his ridiculously easy to read reaction. "What, would you like it better if I acted like the monster I am, like you do? Would you rather everyone just be scared of me, like they are of you? Unlike the Sakamaki family, I'm not handed a sacrificial bride on a silver platter. Mommy and daddy aren't handing me over my food, so I have to go and get it myself."
At that, he roughly grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up to his eyes level. Her feet were no longer touching the floor, and his rough grasp was almost tight enough to choke her. "You…" His voice was dark and full of violent hate. His eyes glared at her both harshly and coldly somehow, and her skin didn't know if it should feel frost burns or just regular burns from his gaze.
However, she wasn't scared. Because she saw it. The flashing behind his eyes of something raw, something fragile, the true center of his anger. By her words alone, she pulled that out of him. And that was enough to make her feel power over him.
Her lips curled into a nasty grin as she took note of what words seemed to trigger that raw emotion the most. "Are you really that offended? Maybe you should have also asked mommy and daddy to teach you how to act like less of a monster. Then, everyone wouldn't be so afraid of you~."
With that, his grip tightened further, to the point that he was practically choking her. She knew he'd react this way, and she knew he'd really hurt her if she kept pushing him. But she wanted to keep hurting him. She wanted him to pay for that awful personality of his. For all his glaring. For all his looking down on her. For treating her like she was worse than him, just because he didn't have to pretend. Just because he didn't have to act the part or play the game. Even if her personality was a little more twisted, that didn't give him any right to treat her like that. Like if she was more of a monster than him! Even if… Even if-!
Then, all her feelings paused at once, so quickly it almost hurt.
Miyuki felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.
It wasn't the phone that she kept her classmates' numbers in.
The phone that she carelessly left in her bag whenever she didn't need it.
It was the phone that she kept on her person at all times.
Which meant there was only one person that could be calling her.
Miyuki felt her stomach drop.