The bell jingled on top of an opening door, and they were met with the scent of warm coffee.
"Welcome!" A woman behind the counter greeted the approaching pair. "How can I help you tonight?"
Yuuji in his blonde hair disguise raised two of his fingers. "Any seats for two people?"
They were in a quaint restaurant with a warm atmosphere, found within Souya after Yuuji searched up the closest manga cafe. Following through on his promise the night before, Yuuji brought Ciel here. She was also wearing her disguise of a long, black-haired ponytail, this time adorning a pair of glasses as well - for aesthetics. After speaking to the cafe worker at the counter, they were presented the option of sitting at the lounge area, or a private booth (with a couple's discount. Neat!).
"Hmm. We took the lounge last time. It was pretty nice," Yuuji explained. He held up a pinky while his fingers and thumb were pressed together, exuding "fancy" in both gesture and puckered lips to drink his imaginary tea. "Had my pinky out while reading manga. It felt like I was in fine dining."
"Really?" Ciel smiled in amusement. "I'm very intrigued now. I've never been at a cafe like this before, so I'll be following your lead, Yuuji-kun. Where would you like to sit?"
Yuuji considered for a moment. "Hmm. Let's try the booth. It'll give us some privacy while we talk."
"Oh? Just 'talk' you say?" Ciel batted her eyelashes flirtatiously. With her hands behind her back, she stood on her toes as she whispered to his ear. "Are you sure you're not just trying to get lucky with me?"
Yuuji's ears turned red at the feel of her breath. He held up his praying hands to his lips, taking a deep breath to calm his heart rate. "...Maybe."
Yuuji proudly smirked at Ciel's knee-jerk reaction, and watched her jump back in surprise. He had grown accustomed to her teasing, enjoys them even. It was always a win for him though whenever he managed to flip it right back at her, and he just wanted to cuddle her afterwards.
"O-Oh, I see..." Ciel wasn't sure whether Yuuji was joking or not, observing as he paid their entry fee. After being given their booth number, she blushed even harder when Yuuji took her by the hand and led her down through the corridor, spotting that supportive, knowing smile from the worker who saw them off, and Ciel just wanted to hide herself quicker.
Taking a light trip through the quiet and empty corridor, Ciel managed to find her voice again. "W-Well, it's normal for a boy your age to have... urges. Being an adolescent, I'm also guilty of having it, sometimes."
When Roa isn't involved anyway.
"I-It's a completely natural, biological instinct, s-so I suppose I wouldn't... mind it."
Yuuji stared at Ciel as she tried to logically explain and consent to the sensational topic, and he puffed his cheeks. Closing his eyes, his face tightened as he lifted his chin like he just took a bite of the sweetest candy. Gosh darn it, she's just so cute! So proper but also a little awkward. Aaaah! I want to hug her!
He was tempted to accept her proposal - like seriously tempted, but he didn't want to cross any boundaries after giving his assurance that he would take things slow with her (They've been close to crossing it more than a few times for the past few days though).
"I mean, if you want to, I wouldn't say no. I'd probably pick a better spot than a cafe though," Yuuji said.
Ciel gave a slight laugh, smiling through her embarrassment. "You mean like the hotel? Your face was so red back then. I could drink you like a wine bottle."
"Sh-Shut up..." Now at the receiving end of her teases again, Yuuji gripped Ciel's hand tighter, pouting as he heard Ciel chuckling.
They stop at a vending machine along the way, deciding to get something to eat before arriving to their room. Although the drinks were free, all other food required payment. Yuuji had planned to buy them himself when Ciel stopped him.
"Let me pay this time," Ciel offered. "I want to make up for bullying you on our sparring match."
It was commendable though how well Yuuji was able to endure all her attacks. As much as she preferred not to be so tough on him - let alone him being in any sort of danger, if Yuuji was going to be a sorcerer, he needed to learn all that he can to better himself in both defense and offense, and that way, there wouldn't be as many holes in his body next time. Not that she would allow the scenario of him facing off against a Special Grade Cursed Spirit alone again.
"No. That's okay," Yuji said. "It's my turn to treat you. I got my allowance from Sensei this week, so I'll be able to pay for both of us."
"Are you sure? I really don't mind."
"It's alright! Let me spoil you tonight. We're still celebrating you getting into Jujutsu Tech, and I don't want us to stop just yet." With an excited look, Yuji pulled out his coin bag of yen and started selecting his options.
"If you insist..." Ciel relented. A flattered smile on her face, and ever impressed by Yuuji's energy. She'll have to repay him on their next date.
After getting their drinks and food, they went for their private booth, which was the last room at the end of the corridor. Inside, there was a computer desk, and a couch for two people.
"Damn, no bed," Yuuji said, and that got another startled reaction Ciel, though she ended up laughing sheepishly.
"Well... There's always home..." She insinuated, attempting a joke until she saw that stunned look on Yuuji's face. She immediately turned away, her face becoming red as beets again.
"Ciel. You naughty you~"
"Y-You shouldn't be one to talk! You're the one who ordered the booth! I should be accusing you!"
After placing their food and drinks on the table, they set out for the cafe library, where the mangas are stored for all customers to take to their seats and rooms. In front of the lounge area, tall white shelves filled with mangas of every era lined up across and all around the cafe. From the classics to New Gens. It was like heaven for manga enthusiasts. Yuuji's eyes dazzled at the sight of it all (He did the same before when he came with his class).
Ciel was curious to learn what sort of material Yuuji enjoyed reading, and he introduced her to several, all while searching for one that suits Ciel's interest for them to read together.
"Oh? I think I've seen this before," Ciel said as she pulled out one manga. Yuuji looked at the cover, and without reading its title, he already knew what series it was.
Vampire Hunter D. Honestly, Yuuji should have expected that.
"So there's a manga series. I always thought it was just one movie," Ciel's eyes lighted with intrigue. "I was impressed by the story. I even bought a DVD copy of it - although the international shipping was a bit troubling at first."
"Was it the movie Bloodlust or the one that came out before that?"
"There was another one?!"
Yuuji smiled. "It actually started off as a novel, with several volumes out now - really long too. We could probably find it here or at another bookstore. I heard it's a pretty dark story, though. Mature audience only."
"Hmph! Luckily, I'm not so easily faint of heart for horrors. I am a vampire hunter myself after all," Ciel confidently said, although her claim fell short when she couldn't keep herself composed earlier when talking about intimacy. Yuuji merely pressed his lips together to keep himself from smiling.
Ciel opened to the first page of the manga. "The art style is quite good. I think I'll take a few copies back to our booth."
"We could also look for more vampire-related stories around here," Yuuji suggested. "There's a pretty popular series called Hellsing."
"I've heard of it, but not a big fan," Ciel said, turning her nose up pompously at the mention of the series. "It glorifies vampires too much for my taste, what with that Alucard. I'm not interested to follow such a monstrous protagonist. At least with D, you could feel the internal struggle within the main character. It shines far more sympathy compare to that blood-thirsty hound. I'd sooner unleash Seven on him than I would on D."
Damn, that'd be a wild battle, Yuuji said as he let it play out in his head. "Yeah, I get that. It was kind of too hardcore in my opinion. I haven't read up on Vampire Hunter D honestly. We could give it a look together, if you want?"
Ciel smiled cheerfully. "Yes! I'd very much like that. In exchange, we'll read one of your favorite stories. I just hope we'll get to finish it before the store closes."
"It's open twenty-four hours, so we can stay as long as we want," Yuuji warmly stated, willing to pay any extra fees as he takes Ciel's selected manga and adds them to the stack he already has in his arms. Ciel met his gaze and blushed.
"O-Oh. Then... If that's what you want," she said almost daintily so, smiling giddily to herself as she tried to cool her face with her hands. Yuuji regrets not having anywhere to put down the manga stack, so that he could just snatch Ciel up and kiss her to no end.
"You worry over these kids too much, Nanami-san," Gojo said from the backseat of the car. The two men were shadowing Yuuji and Ciel from afar, with Nanami observing the teens from the driver's seat. Gojo needn't look, as he had already pinpointed his two students placements behind the windows of the Manga cafe, looking through the library. Although Yuuji and Ciel left the warehouse in the middle of the night, the men were able to track them thanks to Gojo's six-eyes. Ciel's disguise proven useless when she's practically a flashing beacon to him with her energy flow.
"Maybe so," Nanami answered. "It's not that I don't trust their capabilities. I'd simply rather not leave them unsupervised." Especially since Ijichi is already asleep at this hour.
"It's been a rough week for those two. Can't help it if they want any kind of escape from that," Gojo said, placing both hands behind his head. "If you want to talk to them about 'the birds and the bees', be my guest. You usually don't get into other people's businesses, though. Especially if it keeps you up this late."
"…"
"Can't help but feel there's something else going on. Is she actually your love child or something?"
"I suggest you stop making those remarks already." Nanami irritably stated as a vein popped out from his temple. The scenario would have been physically impossible anyway, what with Ciel's longevity and however long she's actually lived, and Nanami's own principles. "...I see myself in Ciel-san. More so, I empathize with her."
Gojo lifted his chin in genuine surprise, and he turned back to Nanami.
"I was at a dark point in my life where I didn't see the point of continuing," Nanami began as he looked away from the cafe. "Life was so full of shit, you can't help but begin to wonder the point of it all. It was only after recognizing the significance in the appreciation of others in our work as shamans that I started to change my tune."
Letting go of the steering wheel, he crossed his arms and allowed himself to relax into his seat. "It's depressing to hear about someone, younger than I have been, wanting to die, due to a past incident she feels completely responsible for."
The face of Haibara appeared in Nanami's mind. Seeing his classmate's cold, lifeless body in the morgue. The breaking point that had Nanami quit as a sorcerer. Gojo remained quiet, having an idea of who Nanami could be thinking of.
"Throwing herself into death's embrace in hopes to make amends. To let herself willingly suffer. It's the complete opposite to how I reacted, by running away from it all. Knowing her position though, that was never going to be an option for her."
Not when it comes to the Holy Church.
"After saving my life twice, I feel obligated to keep a close eye on her, and wish to have her become aware of the positive effects she has on others. That alone should be enough for her to seek redemption. By helping others, instead of sacrificing herself time and time again."
One day, you'll see just how much of a monster she really is, the words of Satsuki echoed in his head one last time.
"I don't care to know what she's done, only that she shouldn't see her own death as something to be demanded. The one thing I'm not certain of is if she truly believes herself deserving to die, or if the Church made her think that way."
Gojo gave off a low hum. "I don't think they'd brainwash her into thinking that. It's more like if anyone makes an accusation towards her, she probably wouldn't deny it."
Though, that depends on how the Church treated Ciel when they first found her. Gojo had an inkling that they must have killed Ciel several times before discovering that it was pointless. The only troubling issue is if they continued to kill her even after knowing she couldn't die.
I don't see why they would go that far, though. They could just seal her away if they wanted to treat her like any other unkillable vampire, Gojo reasoned, though, he couldn't help but feel that it was just wishful thinking.
He then noticed something. Straightening his back, his feet made the slightest noise against the floor of the car.
Nanami looked at him through the rear view mirror, alerted by Gojo's sudden vigilance. "What is it?"
Gojo sunk in his seat, ducking his head away from the window. "Act natural."
There were two knocks at the window of the driver's seat. Nanami turned his head to the sound, and found the face of Ciel looking straight at him.
"Excuse me. Could you lower your window for me, Nanami-san?" The girl requested through the glass politely, even as her eyes were clearly judging the two men in the vehicle.
Nanami pushed a button and the window rolled down steadily. Despite being caught, he was completely calm at the sight of the disgruntled looking executor.
"Thank you. Now, would you mind telling me what you and Gojo-sensei are doing?" Ciel asked in a convincingly friendly manner.
"Parlez-vous español, mademoiselle?" Gojo pointlessly pretended to speak a mixture of languages, languages that Ciel already knew.
Nanami breathed out through the nose so to prevent himself from smacking the man behind him, and then responded to Ciel, point-blankly so. "We were following you on your night patrols. Mind explaining why you and Itadori-kun are at a coffee shop?"
"Why yes. Yuuji-kun wanted to show me this place, and I accepted. We've already killed our fair share of undead and curses tonight, so I believe there is no need for you to keep shadowing us, yes?"
"That depends. Are you staying in for the night?"
"I don't see why that should concern you."
"It does considering what we've discussed this morning. Will you be sharing a room with Itadori-kun?"
"Really now? Over a week I've lived under the same roof as Yuuji-kun, and you're asking me that?"
"I was led to believe it was necessary. Apparently, someone lied about their inability to set up wards at any place."
"Psst. Nanami-san. If you want, I can put in a favor and get you some adoption papers. You have a better chance of ordering Ciel-san around-"
"Shut. Up."
Both Ciel and Nanami demanded this from Gojo, and the strongest sorcerer slumped back in his seat in complaint.
Nanami adjusted his specs. "I'll repeat my question: will you be staying overnight?"
Ciel sighed, putting both her hands on her hips. "I haven't decided. I wouldn't want Yuuji-kun to overspend on my account, so I believe we'll simply stay for an hour or so, and then we'll leave."
"I see... Very well. If you need a ride, call for a taxi. For an emergency, call for Gojo-san, and if he doesn't answer, call for Ijichi-san instead. He'll get up quickly." It's past Nanami's usual hour of sleep, so he'll be needing to return home as soon as possible.
"You really do worry too much (Gojo: That's what I said!)." Ciel crossed her arms. "Alright. I'll be sure to do that. I have to get back now. Yuuji-kun believes I'm using the restroom. I can't have him worried about getting his shin kicked again."
Gojo held back a chortle, and then he raised his hand. "Alright then. You two have a good night, and no funny business, you hear?"
Not entertaining the man with even a response, Ciel merely crossed back the street for the cafe. Gojo huffed at her cool-headed departure, and looked down at a black bag he had hidden underneath Nanami's seat. Heh. We'll just see how calm and collected you really are...
"Yo! You're back," Yuuji greeted Ciel's return as he held an open manga in his hands. "Ready to go?"
"Yes! I think we have more than enough books to bring with us," Ciel looked at the stacks of manga sitting on a nearby table. It was like a small tower at this point. "I must say, though, you're quite the manga reader, Yuuji-kun. Looks like I know your taste now. Hehe."
Yuuji chuckled with her, holding up the manga to cover his giddy smirk. He cutely winked at her. "Happy to share it with you, mon cheri."
Ciel looked at Yuuji in surprise, and she broke into a fit of giggling. The girl utterly flattered, and just the sort of reaction Yuuji was hoping for. He mentally patted himself on the back.
"Oh my, you really know your French, don't you?" Ciel said half-jokingly. The phrase itself is widely known, so it doesn't surprise her that Yuuji would have heard it from somewhere. Still, just being called 'my dear' in her home language is enough to give butterflies in her stomach.
"Hehe. Not really. But I have watched a lot of French movies with subtitles on," Yuuji explained as he brought the extra manga over to the stack, planning to introduced Ciel to the whole world of Shounen, just as she introduced him to the world of Mages and Executors. "We could watch them tomorrow - ah, but the TV's back at your place. Well, we've snuck out plenty of times already. So far we haven't been caught, so we could still watch some there."
Ciel decided not to enlighten Yuuji of them already being founded by Nanami and Gojo. A reminder that, no matter where the vessel of Sukuna may run off to, his school would have ways to track him down (though it's more likely Yuuji was found because Gojo pinpointed Ciel's energy flow).
Suppressing the rather despondent thought, Ciel gave a pleasant smile. "Sure. Although, I worry I'm becoming a bad influence on you. Sneaking out, breaking into exclusive hotels. Not the image of an upstanding citizen, I imagine."
"I wouldn't worry about that," Yuuji assured. He grinned at her. "It's pretty exciting. I'm also really no better. Back home, I like to sneak out sometimes just to get to the nearest casinos. It'd be pretty fun if we dated back then. We could meet up every night and do all sorts of stuff, like a secret date."
"Hoh? A delinquent and a romantic? You might just be every girl's ideal bad boy," Ciel teased with that ever lovely and charming smile of hers. She reached out to take half the manga stack and carried the books in her arms easily.
"Hee hee." Yuuji's mouth thinned to prevent himself from smiling like a doofus again, his cheeks turning a slight pink at the flattering statement. It's a major boost in confidence for Ciel to say he's that much of a catch (Especially when he remembered Nobara saying that no girl likes him - which really hurt!). It sure would have made junior high a whole lot more fun if he really did get that kind of attention around.
Getting it from Ciel, though, was more than enough for him.
"As long as I'm the ideal boyfriend for you..." Adjusting his holding of the mangas, Yuuji then leaned to the side and gave a peck on Ciel's cheek (Ciel: "Ah!"). Enjoying the immediate heat sensation there. "I wouldn't mind what we do. You're just the right kind of influence for me."
"Y-You...!" Unable to handle that affectionate look of his, Ciel hid her face behind the book stack she carried. Yuuji smiled happily to himself, as if flowers were dancing all around his face.
They return to their booth with a variety of mangas in hold. When they entered the room, they were met with the sight of a black sack sitting on the computer desk in front of the keyboard.
"Eh? A bag?" Ciel said. "That wasn't here before."
"Maybe it's a gift for renting the booth?" Yuuji suggested, assuming it was part of the couple's discount. They placed the mangas on each ends of the computer desk. Yuuji spotted a card next the bag and picked it up.
"Ah! From Sensei?!" Yuuji was surprised to see the name written at the end of the card, along with a cutely drawn head of his teacher holding up a peace sign. "Man. He really found us fast..."
"So it would seem..." So much for being conspicuous. Ciel mentally questioned the point of Gojo's back-door delivery, since he could have just given this to her outside. He must have charmed the female worker at the front desk into putting this here.
As Ciel approached the bag, Yuuji read the note on the card. "'Here's something to keep you two on your toes'? What does that mean?"
Ciel pulled apart each end of the bag's opening, and she deadpanned at what was inside. "Unbelievable..."
As if she hadn't looked enough of this thing already.
"Hm?" Yuuji was curious to know what immediately put Ciel in a sour mood. He drew closer to her, looking over her shoulder from behind, the front of his body hovered close to her back. "What is it?"
He casually placed his gloved hand on Ciel's butt. It was a gentle, almost natural action of his. Having done it without a single thought.
"Kyah!" Ciel was completely caught off guard by the touch, her face and ears instantly burning.
The bag on the desk twitched, and a single, miniature black key shot out from it.
Ciel and Yuuji were quick to pull back as the tiny makeshift black key stab itself into the ceiling. Yuuji hugged Ciel's figure while Ciel hugged Yuuji's - both ready to defend each other as they stood on guard in the corner of the booth.
"Hya! Nya! Nya!" Popping out of the bag was the cursed cat doll made in the image of Ciel. Little black keys were held in its stubby hand-paws. The cat doll jumped up and down as if someone with a game controller was just pressing the jump button repeatedly.
"Ah! Neco! Neco-Ciel!" Yuuji announced, pointing at the doll accusatively while hugging Ciel protectively - even though it was no longer necessary now.
Ciel composed herself, though she did not let down her guard in the least. She cleared her throat. "A-Apologies. I... lost focus for a second."
After that surprising feel from Yuuji, she couldn't help but react the way she did. Good grief, they previously had a discussion and understanding about biological desires, but he could have at least given her a warning first.
They noticed another doll inside the bag. It was Yuuji's cursed doll, sleeping peacefully with that ever apparent snot bubble in its nose, completely undisturbed by its surroundings - as if knowing that Ciel's cursed doll has the situation handled already.
'No funny business' he says... Ciel suddenly understood the full meaning of Gojo's statement, and she wanted to plunge another sword made out of sunlight at his face again. I can't tell if he's actually trying to be responsible or - no, it's more likely he's done this to annoy us.
Planting this "Chasity-Enforcer" in case things get too 'handsy' between Ciel and Yuuji. She would have commended the clever idea, as in hindsight, it could prove to be a decent practice in controlling their cursed energy under intense, romantic situations. She still can't help but feel irritated, though, and this was Gojo's doing, so she automatically dislikes it.
"No. It's my fault. Sorry I surprised you (my hand just sort of gravitated towards you)," Yuuji took responsibility, looking down at his gloved hand as if in reprimand.
Ciel patted his arms as they let go of each other. "I-It's not that I minded. Like I said, it's only natural. But... a little heads up would be nice."
Yuuji nodded, giving his affirmation with two thumbs up.
They settled in after the cat-doll calmed down, putting the two cursed dolls on the floor beside the couch. Sitting on the couch, and making due to pick this date back up despite the intrusion of their cursed dolls presences, Yuuji started off with one of his favorite series: Bleach, and they went on reading from there.
They spent a lengthy amount of time in the booth, eating cake and Onigiri on the side (though sadly the machine ran out of curry sauce). Yuuji summarized every piece of manga he showed to Ciel. From Naruto, Saint Seiya, Fist of the North Star, Yu Yu Hakusho, and etc. They also read through Vampire Hunter D on the side - although Ciel made sure to quickly cover the especially R-Rated parts (one of them involving a naked young woman) before Yuuji would get a good look at it.
Throughout their reading, they were doing impersonations of the characters on every panel, taking turns reading lines and exaggerating them to emote more personality. It made them laugh several times, and before they knew it, it had already been an hour. Strangely, no one knocked on their door once, and Ciel wondered if perhaps Gojo paid extra fees in their steed when he was here, allowing Ciel and Yuuji to enjoy their date without any more disturbances.
"I must say, Yuuji-kun, your extensive knowledge in the Anime and Manga industry is impressive. You might know more than the average Otaku in Japan."
"Thanks!... Wait, was that a diss?"
"Oh no. That was a compliment, I assure you." Although there was a subtle humor in Ciel's voice and smile, putting some doubt into her statement. Yuuji pouted at her, and then pressed his lips into Ciel's hair, kissing her head. Ciel giggled, her cheeks a bright pink as Yuuji held her around the waist. She was sitting in front of Yuuji as they took up the entire couch, a manga in Ciel's hands while Yuuji held his own.
"I'm serious! It makes me wonder," Ciel said as she rested the back of her head against Yuuji's neck. "You grew up on these stories, yes? Did they help shape your worldview somewhat?"
"Kind of. My grandpa did most of the work, but some of these series did leave an impact on me. I mostly read them for the fight scenes though," Yuuji answered as he turned the page. "It's probably thanks to this that it was easy to accept curses and sorcerers being real - well, that, and the fact that I saw one huge curse in front of me when I met Fushiguro-san."
"Ah. Yes... It would be hard to deny anything after that," Ciel understood Yuuji's point. "Still, some people would rather not face the reality of such monsters existing if it's too much for them to bear. It implies that humans have no control over their lives - or that there is something far more threatening than mankind, the likes of which no normal person can survive against. In both these instances, it's always been the case when we deal with the likes of natural disasters, crimes, and wars, but for those not thrown in the midst of those situations, we tend to look away from the truth of it all if it hinders our everyday, peaceful lives."
Yuuji paid attention as Ciel looked down at the manga in front of her. A melancholy expression on her face as she continued, "It's sort of like when hearing about a tragic circumstance someone else is going through. You pity or sympathize with them, while others may feel no empathy - either way, not many can truly grasp the suffering of what that other person lost, unless they lived through it themselves. It's like a defense mechanism. Our brain is wired to prevent us from truly understanding the weight of such horrors, because if we live out our lives always thinking about the deaths and suffering happening all around the world, it would have driven all of us insane or depressed."
"Ah..." Yuuji said as he read the manga panel Ciel was reading, seeing the beauty yet solemn imagery of the vampire hunter protagonist. Sorrow carved into the black circles around D's lashes, his eyes having witnessed countless years of unspeakable horrors no doubt.
"Some people may even decide to guard their hearts completely, as there's only so much terrible news or losses one can endure, to the point where they may turn to apathy for comfort. To feel 'nothing' over other people's suffering, they either couldn't understand the pain, don't care, or no longer want to feel it. In the most extreme cases, they would actively seek out victims to fill the void in their existence, finding sadism in others torment as their only joy in life - much like vampires, and what curses do as well. It's a pitiful way of living, to be unable to hold themselves in human emotions. Even those who turn away are simply human to do so. Of course, I won't hesitate to hunt down all those who actively hurt others for their own amusement, and send those heretics to purgatory so they can think about what they did. On the other hand, I'm no different, as I'm always out hunting for vampires, just so I could make my 'special' ability useful somewhere."
'I'm no different from those who hunt down others just to feel something in life.' That was the meaning in Ciel's words as she read the panel of the vampire lady surrounded in flames. The noble acknowledging the fall of her family bloodline, and letting herself die within the phantom skeleton of her ancestral home.
Yuuji's eyes softened as he listened. He wanted to snuggle against Ciel's neck, but knowing that Sukuna would just pop out from his cheek and bite her, he instead rested his chin on top of her head. "...I get where you're coming from. I never thought too much about it, since it just seemed always obvious to me."
If you feel sad, cry about it. If you feel happy, then laugh. If you feel loved, let them know you love them back. In Yuuji's case, if someone's threatening his loved ones, he fights to protect them. If something bad happens, he does whatever he can to help. If he loses someone in the process, then he'll mourn for them.
"But I guess it's just easier for a lot of people to give up and give in like that."
Yuuji thought of Junpei and Satsuki as he said that. He knows that the world is nothing like what happens in Shounen. As nice of an idea it is, some problems can't just be fixed with a seriously overpowered protagonist, unbreakable friendships, or Talk-No-Jutsu. Even Yuuji is guilty of letting himself read past several sad news articles he gets on his phone, unless the article had a funny story to talk about with his friends. It only becomes prevalent when the issues start rolling in on his front doorsteps. Though, that doesn't mean he never felt sorry for what those people are going through.
Yuuji wasn't much for deep discussions or philosophy, but it did show him that Ciel was the kind of person to think a lot and have a lot of empathy for others - to the point where she had to act distant and serious so not to lose herself in other people's grievances. Her mentioning purgatory, which by his understanding (his knowledge in other religions is a little rusty), is a limbo kind of afterlife that allows people to cleanse their spirits before getting into heaven. It was her way of saying that she still wished bad people the best even if they did evil things - she'd still kill them, but she wouldn't resent them (curse them).
I don't think I would have been as nice as you are, Ciel, Yuuji thought to himself as he, with hatred, thought of Mahito.
"-You are nice, though, Yuuji-kun," Ciel responded, as if answering to Yuuji's thoughts as she held his arm over her chest. A warm smile on her face. "The nicest person I've ever met. You're simply passionate. You feel much more than others. You react more strongly than others. And that's why your emotions last longer than others. I can't say I'm as full of empathy as you are. That's why you're so special. Even when you're faced with monsters, even when you are afraid, you adapt, and you get back up. Mario might actually be onto something, calling you Spider-Man. Hehe."
Yuuji chuckled, lightly blushing at her sweet words. He pulled his head back and pressed his lips against Ciel's head, giving her a kiss, and the girl in his arms blushed with him.
"Don't put yourself down like that," Yuuji said. "You're braver than I am, and can be really patient with people. Understanding too..."
He loves that about her. That unwavering goodness in her. Kind of like a hero (like Sailor Mercury almost). If Yuuji had to make up an image, she was like a living ray of light shining through the stained glass window of a dimly-lit church - comforting, gentle, but also righteous in the midst of a dark setting.
He gives her more head kisses as he whispered to her. "And don't ever compare yourself to those monsters. You're so much better than that."
"Ah... I really wish I could see myself the same way as you do," Ciel said, enduring Yuuji's affection shyly, though not as giddy as before. It was not a voice that held modesty, but a genuine sound of unworthiness as her smile lessened a little. Realizing her mood was dampening, Yuuji ushered Ciel to face him by sitting up straight.
"You are. You're nothing like them," Yuuji insisted, going through with his promise to remind her of that every time. How can he convince her? How can he make her see just what a great person she is?
"I wouldn't say that…" Ciel said, her eyes downcast as she closed the manga. "Executors are known all around as the 'Dogs of the Holy Church', because of our ability to follow any trace of vampires no matter where they are. Just like how monsters prey on humans, we prey on monsters."
"But that's you hunting them down to stop them from killing people. Jujutsu Sorcerers do that too," Yuuji countered as he hugged Ciel a little closer.
"That's true, but if there's a way to differentiate us, it's our methods of hunting. Shamans wouldn't go so far as to infiltrate someone's home unless they're given permission and leeway by the police. For us, we require no such permission. We have no such restraint. We're simply let loose from our leashes, and left to our own devices. To sniff out dead apostles in hiding. We perform our tasks however we see fit. Use whatever means we deem necessary, and we kill without mercy. For even if the vampire is simply another victim, or perhaps resisted the taste of blood, we never hesitate to turn them to ashes. In that regard, you could say that we're just as bloodlusted as they are. I'm sure I'd be scorned for saying so, but I can at least say that about myself. What I'm willing to do, just to complete the mission - hide in plain sight, wander in tombs or prowl amongst humans like those wandering dead. Coming out at night, baring my blades as my fangs. I'm really no better than all the monsters I've killed."
"Hmmm..." Yuji gave it some thought as he looked up at the ceiling. "In that case, how come you never tried to kill me when you first met me?"
"-!"
"You could have done it anytime after that too. You did it with Sukuna, but not when I was in control. Did you have a soft spot for me or something?" Yuuji smirked a little.
Ciel huffed a silent laugh, rubbing his arm around her stomach with a soft smile on her face. "Who knows? Maybe I'm just trying to soften you up? Get you to lower your guard down enough for me."
"I wouldn't mind that, honestly."
"Guhuwah-?!" That was a new sound that came out of Ciel's mouth, and she ceased her rubbing. "Y-Yuuji-kun! That isn't funny!"
"I'm not joking. If there's someone I would want to be taken out by, it's you. I wouldn't even fight back, as long as I get to see you one last time."
Plus, with how fast she is, she'd probably make it quick, so Yuuji could at least trust her in that regard.
"Ah-!" Ciel couldn't formulate the words at the sheer lack of hesitation in Yuuji's statement. She could only put her manga down and turn around. On her knees against the cushion of the seat, she started gently pounding him at his chest. "D-Don't say such a thing! You shouldn't-! You shouldn't be so accepting of that! No! You ought to be more resistant! Y-You could at least be a little upset at the thought of me killing you!"
Hate her even. It'd be a natural response. He wouldn't even be wrong to do that!
"Nah. I wouldn't be upset at all," Yuji answered, and he smiled as his arms slid around her back, pulling her in until their nose. The closeness, and Yuuji's warm gaze, was enough for Ciel's face to heat up, either in embarrassment or genuine anger, she couldn't even tell anymore.
"You can just say the word," Yuuji said with a kind smile, "and I'll be there ready for you - we could go for some curry too before doing the deed."
"You-!" That's wrong. Ciel wanted to say that that was wrong. No one should be happy to embrace death's door like that. Not at the face of their killer! Not when he truly liked her! Such a moment should be an act of betrayal! Not some insane romantic gesture!
Before Ciel could say another word, Yuuji silenced her with a kiss. His heart giving itself to her with every second of him holding his breath, and he hugged her a little tighter. He would give his life to her and only her. That was his decision, and he won't let anybody else move him from this. Not the elders, not cursed spirits, not anyone.
"Mmmjiikun!" She angrily called his name in their kiss, clenching the front of his jacket as she slowly but surely melt into Yuuji's kiss. Breathing out the most blissful of noise as Yuuji sighed with her.
God. Why? Ciel had to ask why this sweet boy was in this predicament? Someone who didn't deserve to be killed. It was just so tragic that she could cry into his arms and never stop.
But she won't. She won't do that. She won't let herself break in front of Yuuji. She had to be strong for the both of them. Until their time runs out, until she might find a way to spare him of his gruesome fate, or follow him as soon as she permanently kills Roa, she only wants to give him as pleasant of a life as he deserves.
Their kiss deepened with time. Yuuji's gloved hand clasped the side of Ciel's face, gradually feeling warmer and warmer as they grew closer. Ciel's glowing hands trailed up to Yuuji's head, her thumb grazing against his cheeks, pressing over the scars as if to prevent the cursed king from seeing any of this. Yuuji's face tightened under the sweet pressure, wanting it to go even further, to feel her hands on his hair. And as he felt his and Ciel's heartbeat began to race-
*POW!*
-his cursed doll awoke and punched him straight up at his jaw. Ciel jumped back, forcefully separated by the doll as it danced between them. Manga books were tossed everywhere as Yuuji painfully grasped underneath his chin. Then he grabbed the doll and threw it against the floor.
God damn this fucking doll!
Yuuji really hated his teacher for bringing this over now. He was going to get executed in the future. At least let him get some action before he dies!
Ciel stared blinking at the cursed bear doll's quick recovery, boxing the air in Yuuji's direction, taunting him for another throw down. Yuuji gladly answered it by grabbing the doll's ears, and started pulling them apart to vent his frustration. The cursed doll was a tough creation however, almost as if its material was made of elastic as its head was stretched by Yuuji.
Although she too was a bit annoyed, Ciel faintly laughed at the scene. The mood had died down, but that might be for the best. After all, there's been something Ciel had been meaning to talk to Yuuji about.
"Yuuji-kun. I like to speak to you about something."
Yuuji stopped his pulling of the doll's ears. He looked to Ciel curiously. "Oh. Sure. What's up?"
"I know that this is an unpleasant subject..." Ciel started off gently, sitting properly on the couch. "But it's important that we discuss it."
Hearing that serious tone, Yuuji stopped the cursed doll's fussing by clamping over its ears, and turned to fully face Ciel. "What is it?"
Ciel took in a slight breath, and then finally delved into the topic. "It's about Mahito."
Yuuji stiffened. His expression seemed to freeze, but for the most part, he remained relatively calm as he listened to Ciel.
"I know that you are serious about wanting to find him and kill him," Ciel said, reaffirming Yuuji's intention that did not have "exorcising" involved. Exorcising is to rid the world of an evil spirit, killing implies the act of ceasing that spirit's existence entirely, meaning to condition oneself into murdering that person out of hatred rather than duty.
"You are justified in your feelings against this spirit," Ciel said, her eyes sharpened as her tone became clear cut. "But if I may know, how far are you willing to go in order to kill him?"
When the emotion you feel towards another person exceeds your capacity, be it love or hate, it needs to be eliminated somehow. And when the elimination method becomes extreme, it becomes murder. What comes of that means pitting against your dignities and past in an effort to destroy each other, bearing the significance of killing the person via whoever claims victory.
In other words, to kill someone means to kill yourself. Ciel knew it may be inevitable for Yuuji to possibly go up against an evil shaman and kill them if necessary. But...
Yuuji hesitated in answering, looking down at the doll in his grasp.
"You mustn't do anything reckless," Ciel said. "For example, if someone were to inform us that Mahito is at a certain place at this moment, you must restrain yourself from going to that place and fight him yourself. I know that it will be hard, but you must wait for reinforcements to gather and for the entire area to be secured."
Yuuji wasn't confident he could do that. Hell, if someone were to tell him where Mahito is right now, he'd go there without even waiting for the person to finish.
Reading his expression clear as day, Ciel scooted closer, and placed her hands on top of Yuuji's, surprising the sorcerer as she firmly grasped them. "Please, promise me you won't throw yourself into danger and face that monster yourself."
Her eyes grew gentle, a hint of sorrow in them, "I know what it's like, wanting to kill someone that has taken away your loved ones."
Yuuji's eyes widened, and his head picked up when he heard that. "You do?"
Ciel paused for a moment, staring down at her hands that were once drenched in the blood of the innocent. "...I haven't been completely honest with you about myself, Yuuji-kun. About... my parents."
She gives a sad smile. "The truth is... they've been dead for a long time now."
Yuuji gasped, letting himself forget about the cursed doll, the mangas and the rice all over the floor. He focused all his attention on Ciel.
"There was a vampire that came to our village..." Ciel began, while she confessed about not being honest, and wanted to relieve some lies, she wasn't completely ready to tell him the entire truth. Who knows how he'll react when he realizes just how much of a monster she was? She would rather take that truth to her grave if she could help it. "He killed everyone. Friends. Families. I, along with Noel-san, were the only survivors left from that terrible incident."
She stopped herself for a brief moment, and then shook her head, "No - it's more accurate to say that Noel was the only survivor. I... did not make it out alive."
A cold shiver ran through Yuuji's body, and he realized what that meant.
"It was much later that I was inexplicably revived. The Church believed I was a vampire, infected by the dead apostle who came to our town - I would have assumed the same thing. But after some time, they realized that my immortal body was some kind of side effect from the vampire's attack, and from there, the head of the Burial Agency decided it was better to recruit me."
Her face became stoic, "I took the offer." Not that there was any other choice - it was either she becomes an Executor, or return to the dissecting table for another month, or even a half-year or so. "I abandoned my old name, and I trained and worked tirelessly to be an efficient executor, just so I could get the chance to find the vampire that destroyed my home - and kill him."
"Ciel..." Yuuji was stunned, and he immediately pushed the cursed doll to the side. Grabbing Ciel's hands, he pulled her in, hugging her closely as her head was pressed between his neck and shoulder. He pressed his gloved hand at the back of her head, her blue hair felt by the corner of his lips.
"I'm sorry I lied to you about my parents being alive. I didn't want you to worry," Ciel apologized as she closed her eyes to feel Yuuji's body. "But now you know. So I know exactly how you feel, wanting to find the person who caused so much pain, and destroy them."
Yuuji's mouth wavered as he heard that, and he turned his head to her. Pressing his lips against her hair as he closed his eyes.
"I know it's personal, Yuuji-kun. It'd be hypocritical for me to say that you shouldn't let yourself go down that path. I just don't want you to lose yourself. Letting hatred consume your life. You might just become an obsessive freak like me, hehe."
"Stop that." There was no humor in it anymore, not even if Ciel would think so. Yuuji kisses her head repeatedly. "You're not a freak. You... You've been through a lot."
And despite all that, she still came up to him as the most kind, reliable Senpai Yuuji has ever met. He comforted her as he stroked her dark blue hair, expressing his grievances. "I'm so sorry."
"What for? I should be the one to say sorry. You worked so hard to make this date a fun one. Now I just made it depressing," Ciel stated in a soft, upbeat voice as she felt Yuuji's every kiss. She felt warmed by them and yet, she felt ashamed for letting herself indulge this much affection. It seems she's become addicted to it. This warm, loving presence that just wanted to shower her with all the love and happiness in the world. She finds herself unable to let go such a lovely feeling, no matter how much she should let herself die for wanting it, for having it.
"Don't be sorry. You never need to say you're sorry," Yuuji assured her as he planted another kiss at her temple. "And you don't need to hide that kind of stuff from me. I don't want you to feel afraid to tell me anything."
She believed him, and yet even so, she couldn't bring herself to give him the complete truth. She's completely reliant on his embrace now.
"...I won't try to do anything reckless," Yuuji said as he gave her one more head kiss. "I don't want you to do the same thing. If that bastard vampire is somewhere around, I'll help you find him, and we'll take him down together."
Ciel lightly chuckled at the sound of Yuuji's resolve. He honestly sounds like one of those Shounen protagonist he's been introducing her tonight, and she pressed her lips against the fabric of his jacket, her nose touching the skin of his neck. She wanted to kiss it, she felt compelled to, but to kiss that warm neck of his would no doubt bring back awful memories, and she had to beat down the compulsion to do so.
"Naturally, I will be helping you as well," she said. "We will hunt down Mahito together. He will be punished for everything he's done. I promise you."
For turning Satsuki into more of a monster, then discarding her as soon as she's no longer of use, and for killing an innocent boy, a friend of Yuuji, all while letting him die right in front of his eyes. Ciel will make sure that cursed spirit pays for his cruelty.
As they hugged each other for some time, feeling each other's heartbeats, Yuuji then spoke up, "...You said that you got rid of your old name. What was it?"
Ciel tentatively considered answering. It was an old life that was no longer hers. That girl might as well be dead regardless of Ciel coming back to life. She died along with her family, the moment when Roa took hold of her mind and body. However, since this was Yuuji asking, she felt that there was no harm telling him. "...Elesia."
"Hmm..." Yuuji stared up at the ceiling, letting the name roll of the tongue, "Elesia..."
...That did something to Ciel, and her face practically felt on fire.
"That's a pretty name," Yuuji complimented, snuggling his lips and nose into her hair. "Is it okay if I call you that?"
"A-Ah. Well..." Ciel's heart was going places, nervously pressing her face into Yuuji's neck. "I-If you want to, but... maybe only in private."
Letting herself laugh a little, she pulled back to see Yuuji face to face, raising her hands to tenderly hold his jawline. Yuuji was mesmerized by her bashful look. Her rosy cheeks and nose that made her seem like she just came out of winter's clutch, and she smiled brightly at him.
"I think you'd be the first and only person I'll allow to call me by my old name," Ciel said affectionately, subtly declaring to Yuuji just how precious he is to her. "It's almost like I came back to life just now."
Yuuji didn't say anything. He only stared at her absolutely beautiful face, and he grasped both sides of it.
And then he plunged himself in for another kiss. Ciel was startled by his abruptness, enough for her to fall on her back against the couch. She was a bit taken aback by his forwardness, but in a few seconds, she let herself be taken. Holding his face as they simply indulged themselves.
The kiss soon became smooches. Their cheeks burning bright, but despite the fire in them, the cursed dolls remained passive by the couch, slumbering peacefully as the couple made out.
It was about several minutes before Yuuji pulled back for air, and they breathed heavily between their parted lips.
"Do you think you can just call me Yuuji, too?" He requested, feeling pretty lucky enough to get that much also.
"Ah-!" Ciel panicked at that. The girl who has slew thousands of dead apostles, vanquished ancestors, and would have pushed even a True Ancestor to a corner if she lets go of all restraints. She was at the face of a truly difficult task. Her most challenging yet.
"O-Oh! Um. Alright. Yes. I can... I can do that. Um. It's just without any honorifics. I believe I've done it before. S-So I'm sure I can do that."
Ciel rambled to herself as she mustered up the courage to say Yuuji's name while the young man waited patient on top of her. Finally, after about a minute, and a couple of deep breaths, Ciel opened her mouth.
"Yu...Yuuu...Yuuuuuu..."
It was a struggle to get the name out. Yuuji just waited with an ever growing, goofy smile as he tried to contain his laughter.
"Y-Yuuu...j-j-juh... J-j-j..."
He couldn't help it anymore. Yuuji burst out laughing. He laughed openly and heart-fully. Ciel scowled through her embarrassment, glaring at him. "D-Don't make fun of me! I'm really trying!"
Yuuji just kept chuckling, responding in between breaths. "I know! I know..."
Calming down, he brought his head down again, and gently kissed her lips. Ciel braced through the act even as she still wore her scowl, but she recuperated the act nonetheless until Yuuji broke contact. He smiled at her.
"I just love how you are. Such a proper young lady~" He teased.
"L...Lov-mmph?!" Before Ciel would finish, Yuuji dipped his face down again, and they kissed once more. Ciel slowly closed her eyes as Yuuji already closed his, and they spent the rest of the hour in an embrace like this.
That's right. It was already evident before. But it was made even clearer now. Their feelings for each other unwavering and true, and they shared the same thought.
I love you...
Author's Notes:
Fun fact: I was gonna add a training session at the second half, but this seems like a good way to finish. Next chapter we get back to training!
Useless side-note: What Yuuji ordered from the vending machine for both him and Ciel.
Food: Onigiri. Spaghetti. Takoyaki.
Dessert: chocolate cake slice, cream-cheese filling croissant.
Drinks: Melon soda (for Yuuji). Decaf coffee (for Ciel).
So I've been kind of wondering something, what was the relationship between Ciel and Shiki Tohno interesting to you guys in the Tsukihime material? And what can I do to make the relationship between Yuuji and Ciel just as interesting?
Let me know in the reviews! If you have a question, PM me, or write them in the reviews and refresh the chapter to see my response!
Let me know what you thought about this chapter! Thank you for reading. I love you!
Emissary of Stuff: Yeah. I imagine Ciel watching the first episode of Hellsing, seeing Alucard, and then just turning off the TV without going into it further.
Just like with Arcueid whom Ciel doesn't take the time to know and put down her hostility, she doesn't take the time to understand Alucard (she randomly came across watching a clip of Alucard massacring the military police in Ultimate, which cemented her refusal to watch more episodes), though it'd be interesting if Yuuji and Ciel would have a sit down and watch through the show or read the manga properly.
I think Gojo would introduce the series just to get Ciel's gears grinding, and through this, she may open her mind a bit more and finds something in common between herself and Alucard. Hm. This could be an interesting chapter on its own...
