Kenta's Circumstances and the Parents' Judgment ~Judgment~
(Wonderful Life - Torri Webster (Lyrics))
(Hikaru's POV)
*A few hours later, Karin came home, but she looked really exhausted*
Calera: Oh, Karin. You're back.
Hikaru: Did you go to Usui's place?
Karin: Yeah . . . I'm tired. We'll talk tomorrow.
Calera: Tomorrow.
*We went into her room & she flopped on her bed. She then told me what she learned about Usui's living situation. When I learned that the unfortunate woman, Fumio, we had bitten was Usui's Mom, I was shocked*
Hikaru: Are you serious!? She's so young!
Karin: I know. That's what I thought. Anyway . . .
*She then told me that they lived in that old run-down apartment at the bottom of the hill our house is on. That apartment has been around since before we were born. It's 30 years old. Each room was tiny with one kitchen, a toilet, but no bath. So we were right about him being poor. I then remembered that Miss Usui said that she & her son just started a new life together & it was just the two of them*
Hikaru: So Usui doesn't have a Dad, huh?
Karin: Yeah . . . We can't relate because we have a big family.
Hikaru: Yeah. But man, talk about a rough day.
*Karin started panicking again & I tried to calm her down*
Karin: How can we face Usui at work tomorrow!? Stupid, stupid Anju! And my wallet was stolen . . . How can I pay my halve of the bill!? Plus we have make-up exams on Monday . . .
*We both realized what she had just said*
Karin & Hikaru: Exams! *now we were both panicking* We haven't studied at all!
(Third-Person POV)
Calera: What shall we do, Henry? Shall we bring this Usui boy to our side as Anju suggests?
Henry: Well . . . I'm still concerned. I need to know more. Perhaps I should meet this boy and have a little talk.
(Hikaru's POV)
*The next day, Karin & I rushed into work*
Kenta: Karin, Hikaru, you're late!
Karin: Sorry, Fuku was helping us with physics!
*Usui handed each of us a tray of food*
Kenta: Must be tough taking make-up exams.
Hikaru: I wish we were like you and didn't have to take them.
Hikaru: The restaurant is busy on Saturdays.
Hikaru:*in his mind* This things this busy, we're going to be distracted. After everything that happened yesterday, we won't have time to worry. *we made eye contact with Usui for a second & looked away* Usui is probably thinking the same thing.
Kenta: Karin, Hikaru. I'd like to talk to you both after work.
Karin: Uh . . . Sure.
Hikaru:*in his mind* Now that he knows our secret, we can't run away from him anymore.
(Third-Person POV)
*Kenta waited outside, behind Julian, for Karin & Hikaru to come out. Suddenly, a shadow fell over him from behind. He turned around & saw Henry wearing a black cape & black hat*
Henry: Are you Kenta Usui?
*Before he could say anything, something black wrapped around him & everything went black*
(Hikaru's POV)
*Karin & I came out the back entrance to Julian*
Hikaru: Sorry to keep you - Huh?
*Usui wasn't there*
Karin: Usui isn't here yet. Did he go to the bathroom?
(Third-Person POV)
*None of them noticed Henry flying away*
*Later, at the Marker/Maaka residence, Henry arrived with Kenta Usui wrapped in his cape, over his shoulder, wriggling to escape. Calera was smoking from a long pipe*
Henry: Honey, I'm home.
Calera: Welcome back.
*Henry flung open his cape, sending Kenta sprawling on the floor*
Kenta: Ouch . . .
Celera: Oh. So this is Kenta Usui?
*He looked up & saw Henry & Calera standing over him*
Kenta:*in his mind* Who are they?!
Henry: Sorry for the sudden abduction. I am Karin and Hikaru's Father, Henry.
Calera: And I'm their Mother, Calera.
Kenta:*in his mind* N - Now their parents appear!?
Henry: Try to relax. Please have a seat.
Kenta: O - Okay . . .
*He climbed into a chair. Henry started to get flustered*
Henry: My children have never brought a friend over to the house before. Are you thirsty? *he got out a teacup* How about some tea -
*Just then, Calera threw her slipper at him*
Calera: You kidnapped him, dummy!
Kenta:*in his mind* These . . . These people are also . . . Vampires.
Henry: Well, the reason I brought you here is because we want to meet the person who uncovered our family secret.
Kenta:*in his mind* This is a vampire mansion. *out loud* Last month, I saw Karin and Hikaru at the park, h - holding my Mother . . . *Henry & Calera were surprised to hear that* . . . And there are bite marks on my Mom's neck. Since that night, my Mother's totally changed. I've been worried that something happened to her when she had her blood sucked out. *they looked at each other* I don't care what happens to me anymore! But is there a way for my Mom to go back to who she used to be!?
Henry: You're confused on two points. The twins haven't sucked any blood. They can't. Haven't you seen them bleed profusely on two different occasions? They're a special case. What they do is inject blood into people.
Kenta: Huh!? Uh . . . *he started to image Karin & Hikaru as a Nurse & a Doctor. Karin holding a blood bag with a needle & tube attached to it* Wait . . . Isn't that even worse?! It can't be safe! What blood type!?
Henry: Human blood types have no meaning to the vampire. And also, we can't truly alter humans merely by sucking their blood. All that happens is their stress goes away, or they can't lie anymore . . . Stuff like that. It's a good thing, right?
Calera: Yes.
*Just then, Anju came into the room, holding a Princess doll*
Anju: Though there are some slight differences in my brother and sister's situation. All the people they've bitten become energetic, active and happy. For people who have been struggling, it's as if they give them the power to become what they wish to be. Though it's only a temporary effect.
Kenta: So that's my Mom wishes to be . . .? *in his mind* I've never seen her act that way before.
Anju: Seems like the effects have lasted pretty long, but they should go away soon. Don't worry.
*Just then, Calera got close to him*
Calera: Hmm . . . Now. Have you received the answers you wanted? *she cupped his chin* Now that you know our secret, you'll have to take responsibility for it.
Kenta: Wh - What?
Calera: Yes. If our secret is ever passed on to someone else, we will erase all your memories.
Henry: Honey . . .
*Calera put a finger to Usui's forehead*
Calera: We can't separate only the vampire memories. Tabula Rasa. That's all. *she then got close to his face with an evil look in her eyes* You wouldn't like that precious Mother of yours to have to teach you to talk again, would you?
Henry: You're so evil, honey . . .
*Kenta looked freaked out. Calera then slapped him on the back*
Calera: Oh my, you're trembling! Just keep our secret, and everyone stays happy.
Henry: I mean, you already told Karin and Hikaru . . .
Calera: Don't think of me like that! I'd never tell! Right? So we have nothing to worry about.
*Kenta looked flabbergasted*
Anju: I apologize for my Mother's behavior . . .
(Hikaru's POV)
*Karin & I made our way up the hill to our house*
Karin: Usui never came. He says he want to talk and then he ditches us? Or did something happen to him . . .?
Hikaru: Whatever happened, I'm sure he's okay. He wouldn't ditch us without a reason.
Karin:*sigh* I guess you're right. *we soon arrived at the front door* Anju has been asleep since yesterday. Maybe she's up by now.
*Just then, Usui appeared in the doorway*
Kenta: Welcome home . . .
*Karin screamed*
Hikaru: What the hell is Usui doing here!?
(Third-Person POV)
Calera: My threats will hold him.
Henry: Weren't you a little rough?
Anju: Mom. Dad. I'm already eleven now. I should be no adult in two more years. From now on, I want you guys and Ren to include in the discussions about my brother and sister.
*Henry & Calera were shocked to hear that*
Henry: Anju . . . How much do you know?
Anju: Most of it. It will be to late if I wait until I'm an adult because then my brother and sister will . . .
(Hikaru's POV)
*The next day, we were at work, we work on Sundays, & Usui told us what happened at our house last night*
Hikaru: Huh!? Our Mom said that!?
Kenta: Yeah . . .
Karin: That's a threat!
Kenta: No, it's fine. I won't break my promise.
(Karin's POV)
Karin:*in her mind* But . . . We need Usui to be happy.
(Hikaru's POV)
Karin: We're causing so much trouble for you! What should I do!?
Kenta: You don't have to worry so much.
*Just then, Karin looked like she got an idea*
Karin: Oh. Then, how about to make things up to you, we make you lunch every day. What do you think?
*Just then, Usui grabbed one of our hands each for a hand shake*
Kenta: It - It's a deal! *we instantly felt out blood increase & yanked our hands away* Oh! Sorry!
(Third-Person POV)
*The manager was watching them while smoking a cigarette*
Manager: Oh, to be young again . . .