"Hello."

...

"Were you busy right now? You didn't answer right away like you always do?"

...

"Regardless, it's good to hear your voice again."

...

"Ha, you weren't all alone. What about the servants?"

...

"That's a little harsh sweetheart."

...

"Well, we missed you too. Which is why I'm happy to say that we finished off everything over here. We'll be home in just a few more hours."

...

"Would I ever lie to you?"

...

"Exactly. Now, why don't you tell the servants to prepare us a meal for when we get there? How about some wagyu? They don't make it like they do in Japan."

...

"Good girl. Nes would have loved to speak to you, but the poor thing fell asleep."

...

"...Now sweety, I hope I didn't just hear relief in your voice... You aren't still upset are you? Because you know the last thing that I want is for my family to be fighting."

...

"...Good. Now, it looks like we'll be there in six more hours, so why don't you just leave school now?"

...

"Would that be a problem?"

...

"Then I'll be seeing you soon, Miyuki."

. . .

Her skin was always meant to look perfect and smooth, but there was an extra glow in her face that still wouldn't go away. 'Grandmother was right about that boy then…' For dinner on the night of her return, her grandmother had eaten wagyu like she said she would, but she had brought a meal for Miyuki from the underworld. A human that had the misfortune of getting involved with their type…

And according to her grandmother, he was the highest quality human they were selling, a meal that will leave you satisfied for weeks. 'I just wanted to treat my dear granddaughter, who works so hard, once in a while. Now, go ahead and feed. Do it the way only you can.'

… Miyuki sighed as she brushed a strand of her hair out of her face. 'I guess I won't need to worry about feeding for a while then.'

As she got up and away from her vanity, she heard a knock at her door… She waited for a moment, trying to ready herself for whoever it might be. When she opened the door, surprisingly, it was just one of the ghoul servants. A tall-redheaded woman with eyes as blank as the rest of the servants. She gave a small bow and kept her head lowered. "Young mistress, Lady Shiki has asked if you plan to go to school tomorrow."

'Ah, so that's why she sent a servant, grandmother likes her tests'. Miyuki could already feel the fatigue grow. "I'll go see her myself and tell her." She knew her grandmother would get upset if she just sent a message her way, she'd prefer an in person response. 'This is more of a summons than anything.'

The servant wordlessly bowed and disappeared into the shadows, and Miyuki closed her door. She walked back over to her vanity to look over her appearance one more time. Her hair was more or less in order-it was in a bun but there were a few loose strands-and she was only wearing her yukata and underwear. It was modest enough without looking too formal, the way her grandmother would appreciate.

With that, she put on her slippers and proceeded out her door to walk the halls. 'Most likely, she'll want me to stay home longer, she'll even want me to stay home until the party. I have to try convincing her into letting me go back. Not only would it put a wrench into the plans I've already set for the students but… Damn it, I have things I need to fix.' An infuriating face flashed in her head, and red eyes that flashed with animosity.

. . .

'Damn four-eyes!' Subaru was still fuming over the conversation from yesterday. After finding out that there was some sort of party they were all invited to, he tried arguing with Reiji that he didn't want to go to it. However, the older brother wouldn't hear it and said they all had to go.

Apparently the woman-what's her face's grandma-was important in some sort of way, and her invitation specifically said that all of the Sakamaki kids had to go. Not only that, but it was very clear that she expected that man to show up too.

'...Damn it! I really don't want to go.' Subaru was never fond of the idea of social gatherings to begin with-being stuck in a small room full of monsters wasn't fun. Usually he was able to avoid going, especially when invitations were usually directed to him. But the damn woman just had to directly call for all of them to go. 'She must get her shitty personality from her grandma.'

He really didn't want to have to meet that woman if that was the case, and he didn't want to go if that pureblood girl was going. And he especially didn't want to go if that man was going! It was the last place he wanted to step foot!

As he was trying to think of a way to sneak away before they had to go to the party, his sense of smell was immediately assaulted… His teeth clenched together tightly and he held himself back from outright snarling as the door to their classroom opened. And he was hoping for some silverlining today, he was hoping that she really wasn't going to show up today too.

The teacher paused his speech, and everyone turned their attention to the door as a young looking girl walked through. As soon as she walked in she gave the teacher a polite bow. "I'm so sorry for coming in late, is it ok to take a seat?"

She just walked in during the middle of a lecture for their second period, and students were usually punished for doing that-he used to get lectured when he came in late. But, of course: "I'm just happy to see you healthy Shiki-san, go ahead and take your usual seat and ask a classmate for the notes from yesterday later." The teacher said with a smile.

Of course he'd just let it slide for her.

Subaru clicked his tongue quietly as he watched her return the smile. "Thank you very much." He was about to turn away and just try to think of anything else-before his anger got any worse-but then her eyes locked with his. It was for a split second, but it was definitely intentional.

He furrowed his brows as she turned her eyes away and took her seat. 'The hell was that?' He could tell she purposely looked for him, and that she didn't look happy. 'Well the feelings fucking mutual.'

. . .

Now, he was once again stuck with her stench hanging in the air, and every break between classes everyone kept getting loud as they drowned her with attention. He really missed those last three days.

"Then the sentence becomes a question instead of a-" The teacher was cut off as the lunch bell rang. "Well that ends class, make sure you all study chapter four and five!" Most of the students probably didn't even hear her since a chunk of them immediately ran off to crowd around her desk.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright now Shiki-chan?"

"It must have been a terrible cold if you had to be gone for so long?"

"Want me to get you some water?"

"You can borrow my notes if you want!"

'And that's my cue to leave.' Subaru immediately got up from his seat and made his way out the door, he needed to escape the noise. Though, he knew the ringing of their voices were going to continue to echo in his head for the rest of the day.

Once he turned the corner, and there wasn't anyone else in sight, he just teleported himself back up to the rooftop. Thankfully like most days, there wasn't anyone else up here and he could relax. With a sigh, he took a seat and leaned against the wall and waited for the tension in him to calm down. But today he was feeling especially riled up today.

Things were already shitty before, and now it felt like it just kept getting shittier and shittier. It felt like all his anger was boiling over inside of his chest. It burned and the sensation only made his frustration grow more. School was more annoying, that girl was infuriating, and now he was going to be forced to be in the same room as-

"...What the hell do you want?" His anger wasn't even allowed a moment to subside before he caught whiff of that stench.

He looked up and saw that standing in front of him was none other than "Shiki-chan" herself. She didn't react to the low tone in his voice and just stared at him with her brows furrowed in discomfort. One gloved hand was balled into a fist at her side while the other was trying to keep the wind from blowing her hair into her face.

For a moment, it looked like she was trying to figure out what to say, but Subaru didn't have the patience to deal with the person that was at the center of his anger. "If you're just going to stand there then-"

"I..." Even though she cut him off, she still hesitated to continue. Her eyes went off to the side and he saw she pressed her lips tightly together. "I… I'm sorry… about what happened last time…"

...Subaru looked her over, with her brows furrowed and her body tense, he knew there was something wrong here. So, feeling himself getting more annoyed, he got up to his feet. "What are you playing here?" 'There is absolutely a catch here, if she looks like she's swallowing needles just saying that.'

After a short pause, she clicked her tongue and let her other hand fall down to her side as she looked him in the eyes. The wind wasn't that strong, but a few strands of her hair gently flew into her face, but they couldn't hide the look in her eyes. She was frustrated and didn't want to be here, but she looked like she was biting her tongue to force herself to stay. Despite how much it was clear this was against her will, she still had that hard stubborn look in her eyes-similar to the look she had when she was trying to get him to let go of her during their fight. It was an annoying look she had.

"...If you're going to be that head on about it, then I won't bother beating around the bush. I want to make a deal with you."

"No way." He didn't know or even want to know what she was talking about.

For a second, she looked at him a little baffled, only for those black eyes to immediately glare sharply at him. "You could at least hear me out! I promise you'll benefit from it too."

"But you want something, right, so forget it." And before she could insist again, he took a few steps closer and narrowed his eyes further. "I'm not getting stuck in whatever game you're trying to get me involved with. So if that's all, get lost."

But, of course she didn't. She glared as her teeth peeked out between her lips in a half snarl. Instead of just backing down like he wanted her too, she drilled her gaze into his, stubbornly. "I'm not the type that would come here and apologize for a game."

"Could have fooled me." He already knew this girl was two faced from the way she acts with their class despite what she really is.

"What I'm offering is business. Something we can both be happy with, if you'd just stop being hard headed and let me make my proposal."

"I don't want anything to do with you, you damn woman! Can't you take the hint and scram!"

"I will, I swear I gladly will, if you'd just listen! Otherwise, I'm not going anywhere!"

As though to prove a point she even leaned forward, and Subaru was tempted to shove her away. She was digging her heels in and the only way out would either be to listen to her or to just drag her out himself. And he knew he could. As far as he could tell he was stronger than her, she couldn't even put up that much of a fight last time. All she had was her sharp tongue, and that wouldn't do her any good if he just broke her jaw… His fists curled up tightly at his sides as she glared up similar to when he had her in his grasp before. Except, that time, she was turning blue and losing air fast...

Subaru folded his arms and his glare darkened further. "...If it's something stupid I'm refusing." He figured dragging her away by force would be too much work anyways...

Her face relaxed just the tiniest bit, and she straightened back up. But she was still tense, like if there was still a high chance that he was going to reject her offer-making him certain it was going to be something stupid. "You're going to the party my grandmother is throwing, right?"

'That damn party again.' "Tch! I'm trying to get out of going to that stupid thing." 'I just haven't come up with a plan yet.'

...That look she gave him was irritationing, it's like she was saying 'sure you are.' "Regardless, if you do go then that means you'll be meeting my grandmother. So, I wanted to make a deal in regards to when you meet her." Something in her expression changed, but it was so small it was difficult for Subaru to figure out what it was. It looked like it was something in her eyes, but he couldn't tell what… Well, it's not like it mattered. "I need you to not mention that fight we had."

". . .Huh?"

"And, I'd also like it if we didn't end up fighting at the party. That's my end of the bargain."

… 'I guess I can get not wanting to fight, but why's it matter what I say to her grandma? I don't even wanna go to the damn thing, why would I try talking to her in the first place?' Her request left him a little confused, and it didn't sound that hard of a request… But, he was still mad.

He was still incredibly mad. He was mad that she came to this school in the first place and turned everyone around him into idiots. He was mad at her attitude of sweet talking everyone even though she was just trying to lure them all into a trap. He was mad at the shit she said last time, and he was mad that she was definitely saying it on purpose just to get him mad. He was mad at how mad she kept making him. And now, he was also mad that her and her damn family were forcing him into the same room as that man…

"Then what the hell am I getting out of it?" If the reward wasn't high enough there's no way he was going to give her what she wanted.

At that, she paused for a moment and pressed her lips tightly together, like if she was reluctant to say. She even bit her lip for a second before looking back up at him with knitted brows. "If you do me that favor… I'll owe you a favor, whatever you want."

"How's that a fair deal?" He nearly shouted as he took a step closer. He knew he shouldn't start a fight right now, but it was almost insulting to hear all that crap about business and they'd both be happy only to be given a "favor." Sure, what she was asking for wasn't that high a price, but since it was coming from her, he was unwilling to go along with her just for that.

Her face scrunched up in frustration at the sound of that and she put a hand up to her chest as she once again leaned forward. "What do you mean 'how?' I'm just asking you to keep your mouth shut and I'll do anything you want later!"

'Why's she getting mad?' "A 'favor' isn't worth anything compared to what you pulled last time!" He felt his blood boil again, and he was trying to hold himself back from grabbing her collar again.

She flinched at his words and her eyes furrowed deeper. "Are you really that stupid? How do you not get how much value a favor actually is?"

'Oh I'm stupid for not wanting to work with the bitch that tried to dig her claws into his head and turn his everyday life into the damn nusance it is now?' "I told you if it was stupid I'd refuse, so leave."

Subaru hated this girl. It was just instinct at first, but it grew with each sickly smile she passed around to make people see her as something else. Until she turned everyone into a fool. Then she turned him into the biggest fool with her twisted smile. She made him a monster for that small moment. And now she was forcing him to some stupid part filled with other monsters. All he wanted was some damn peace.

He saw her mouth open to say something again, but he had enough by now. He turned his back to her ready to leave. 'I'll just spend the rest of lunch in my locker if I have to.'

Then, before he could even think to teleport. Quickly-with a speed only their kind had-he felt a grip on his arm. Immediately, he spun around and grabbed her wrist and tore it off of him. With her thin wrist in his hand, he had a burning gaze locked down onto her, and he was ready to yell or fight or whatever else this girl was asking for-

"I..." Her voice was strangely soft, yet it was still oozing with frustration. Catching him off guard, he took in her expression. Her face had become paler, but her eyes were still burning. Frustration, stubbornness, and he could have sworn he also saw desperation in those black orbs. It was a weird look on her face. "I'll do anything ok…" She pulled down the wrist that was still in his grasp and reached out to grab him with her other hand. "I'll do anything! Is that what you need to hear to get it through your damn skull! Whatever you want, whatever you ask of me, anything! As long as you fulfill your part of the bargain first, I'll give you whatever you want!"

… Silence took over the small space between them, and he watched as she got more and more tense with each passing second. All while the words she just said slowly sunk in more and more. He felt something click in his head as realization came over him.

"...Anything?" He watched her closely and saw that she only narrowed her eyes further at the sound of that. She didn't need to say anything else, that look of pure anger in her eyes was proof enough that she meant what she said. So, he fully turned to face her, and loomed over her. "Then I want you to leave the school and never show up in front of me again."

Somehow, she didn't look that surprised to hear his request, but it looked like it still got under her skin-good. Her grip on him tightened just a little, and she looked him dead in the eyes. "You have to fulfill your end of the deal first." Her calmly cold tone didn't match the burning glare she was returning to him.

He clicked his tongue at that. "You said I could ask for any-"

"The party is this weekend, in just a few more days." She let go of him and ripped her hand out of his grip. She took a few careful steps back until they were arm's length away from each other, but she never took her eyes off of him. "If you manage to not show up like you want to, then we'll still call that you holding your end of the bargain. Then, I'll listen and follow whatever you want me to do. Do we have a deal?"

'For someone who was practically begging me to listen to you just a second ago, you sure do climb up your high-and-mighty-throne fast.' He grumbled in his head, but he did try to weigh his options. It was a simple deal, annoying as fuck that he had to listen to anything she said, but it was his one way ticket to getting her the fuck out of his life. So… "Fine, deal."

. . .

Miyuki stared at him a little longer, looking over every little detail. The sharpness of his eyes, the slight tension in his muscles, the firm stance he took in front of her, every little detail to make sure. It didn't look like he was lying, he didn't look like he was happy either but when is he ever. He's as stubborn as a mule, but he at least looked like he'd keep to his word for now, especially since she's already offering up so much-

"If that's all then get the hell out of here already!"

'...Touchy.' She resisted the urge to roll her eyes or sock him in the eyes and just gave him one more look in his eyes… "Then until the party." She spoke calmly, and made her way out the door of the roof-not wanting to look in his direction again.

The door closed with a little more force than she intended, but at least she didn't break it like some idiots.

Trotting down the stairs she felt every nerve in her body quiver and shake under. She hated this so much, she hated the position she was forced into. She hated having to apologize to that idiot of a mad dog, and she hated having to owe him of all people a favor. But what she hated most was that she brought this upon herself.

It didn't matter how infuriating he's been since day one, and it certainly didn't matter what he thought of her, or even how much he was just asking to be brought down a peg or two. The fact of the matter is that she should have never lost her cool like that. It wasn't like her. It wasn't supposed to be the way she handled things. She let him get the better of her, and she played along until they were at each other's throats.

The fact that she was exhausted that day, the fact that a perv was undressing her with his eyes, and the fact that she knew the deadline of their arrival was coming up; those were all excuses. And nothing excuses the fact that she lost it for a second there, that she put herself into the position of having to clean up that mess! Someone had to, and he certainly wouldn't have if she didn't bargain with him!

She knew she was playing with fire. With her background and his, if word got out that they fought each other then-

The scent didn't reach her nose until she'd nearly bumped into the girl. They didn't touch, but the girl was startled enough that she jumped back and almost tripped over her own feen. 'Good grieve, what's wrong with me right now?' She scolded herself before reaching out to grab the girl's arm to steady her back on her feet. 'This girl too though, why can't she watch where she's going?' "I'm so sorry, are you ok?"

The girl sheepishly looked at her with a smile. "No worries, if I fell it would have been my fault anyways." She said as she got control of her legs again.

'At least she's self aware-I didn't even touch her and she nearly fell.' "Well I should have been watching where I was going." Despite her stress, Miyuki still put in the proper amount of effort to keep up her act.

"Same goes for me then." The girl said with a kind smile.

...Miyuki looked her over. She was a little taller than Miyuki, but not by much. She had wavy strawberry blonde hair that reached her shoulders, and she had pink-doey eyes that shone with honest good will. She was classically cute and naive looking.

Miyuki put on her best winning smile as she held out her hand. "Well, we might as well introduce ourselves. I'm Shiki Miyuki, I'm a freshman that transferred a while ago."

Strangely, the blonde jumped a little at the sound of her name, and Miyuki saw a hint of worry in her eyes. "Uh, I-I think I've heard of you before. I'm Komori Yui, I'm a second year."

Miyuki stared at her curiously as the girl-Yui-hesitantly reached out her hand to shake hers. It wasn't until they made contact that the pureblood realized why this human was acting so on guard all of a sudden. 'She's a sacrificial bride then.' There was no way to describe it other than instinct. Her very cells were telling her that this girl belonged to someone else, and it didn't take a lot of pondering to figure out who she belonged to. 'This girl will cause problems for me if I linger for too long.' "Well, I hope next time we'll bump into each other figuratively instead, Senpai."

Miyuki tried to use that as an exit. Letting go of her hand, the smaller girl proceeded to walk past her towards the library-like she told her class she could be.

"Um!"

'What now?' Miyuki turned back around to face "Yui."

"I'm sorry to bug you, but are you in the same class as Subaru-kun?"

'First name bases with your hunter huh?' Miyuki pondered curiously. 'Poor girl thinks they're on equal footing.'

For a moment, she thought over her options. Now it was obvious she was the Sakamaki family's sacrificial bride, so she knew about vampires. The fact that she was familiar with Miyuki's name meant she'd heard about her from one of the brothers, so chances were she probably knew that Miyuki was also a vampire. There was probably no use in hiding that now, and if this girl knew what was good for her she'd know not to spread that fact around.

But, since she was property of the Sakamaki family, that meant Miyuki shouldn't get too tied up with her. Any move she made that would get too much of her scent on the blonde would just stir up trouble she wasn't in the mood for. So, distance was key here.

With a coy all-knowing smile, Miyuki gave her a little wave. "Why don't you ask him yourself?" Then she walked away with that. 'She was probably just trying to confirm I was the "Shiki-san" she heard about, so that should answer her question.'

Now, out of sight from all eyes-glaring or otherwise-Miyuki carefully tried to figure out a way out of following that favor.