"I'm going to start drinking less human blood from now on," Satsuki declared as she sat at the edge of Junpei's bed. Her knees brought up and held close to her chest as her wrists wrapped around her ankles.
Junpei looked from his study desk at Satsuki in surprise. He spun in his chair steadily to face the girl. "Is that safe? Won't you go hungry?"
"I've been feeling a lot better lately. I haven't felt my blood lust take over ever since Mahito-san started feeding me his collection," Satsuki explained. Well, I probably won't count my fight with Ciel-senpai. I haven't been feeling thirsty or in pain ever since I took a portion of her powers. If I took all of it, I wonder how much stronger I'd be?
She feared sucking the life out of everyone around her forever. To live in the dark forever. To always be hungry and never full. To be alone. But now, it honestly feels like she's back to her usual self, but with super strength and speed. And she was only going to get stronger from here.
"I feel like I can take smaller doses now than before, and I can walk under sunlight. I can go almost anywhere without my body falling apart - at least, for a little bit."
She rested her chin on top of her knees as she looked down sadly. "I've been thinking a lot more clearly too. Even though I wanted to survive, it was wrong of me to kill those people. It... wasn't just selfish, it was downright horrible. I must have caused so many families so much grief. And... I still remember the terror of all the victims I killed. I thought maybe I could only hunt bad people, but when I'm hungry, it didn't matter to me if they were good or bad. I just wanted to eat."
"You shouldn't blame yourself!" Junpei responded hastily. "You were just trying to survive, just like you said."
"That's true, but I didn't have to enjoy it as much as I did," Satsuki said shamefully. She smiled sadly, "It makes me wonder if I would have still enjoyed it if I was sucking the blood of my friends. Someone dear to me. I almost did with you, Junpei-kun."
Satsuki added with a soft sound of remorse. "Back then, I was a little curious about you, but... I think if Mahito wasn't there, I'm not sure if I would have just let you go..."
Junpei grimaced as he heard this, though he was a bit more pained when he saw Satsuki hide her face behind her knees. As if she wasn't even worthy to look at the boy.
"I..." Junpei was about to say that he wouldn't hold it against her, but he wasn't sure if that would have been true or not. Right now, he definitely didn't, but if something different had happened between them, if she were to have just killed him and drink his blood... It wouldn't have been a good feeling, was all that he could conclude. He didn't want to think any more than that.
"There's this boy I like at my school."
Junpei was startled when he heard this from Satsuki. "Ah, yeah...?"
He honestly didn't find that fact surprising, albeit it was a sudden one. Girls like Satsuki must have at least one crush in her life. It was a bit more reasonable than to think if any girl would have a crush on him. Granted, he did feel a little bummed out, but it's not like he wasn't expecting it.
"He never seemed to notice me, but I've always noticed him," Satsuki resumed, "He was different from everyone else. There was something... dangerous about him. I was scared to ever get close, but at the same time, I felt drawn to him. Then, one day, he helped me. It was during winter vacation, on our second year in middle school. I was in the badminton club. We were all inside an old shed putting away our equipment. We had the doors closed to keep the breeze out, but after we were finished, we couldn't get the door to open again. Everyone worked together, but we just couldn't get out. We were all trapped inside that old shed, wearing just our t-shirts and shorts in the middle of winter, and all the teachers had already went home."
"Yikes. That must have been really scary," Junpei expressed, listening to the story with interest.
Satsuki nodded, removing her face from her knees, "It was. It was cold and dark. Everyone thought we were going to freeze to death. I also didn't get a chance to eat anything. My stomach really hurt, and I was about to pass out. We were stuck there for two hours, and then, out of nowhere, he showed up."
"The guy that you like?" Junpei asked.
"Yes. We heard him in his usual, unexcited voice, saying 'Is anyone in there?'" Satsuki imitated the voice of her rescuer, smiling fondly at the memory. "The captain got angry and shouted, 'Can't you tell just by looking?!' And then she threw a bat at the door."
"Geez..." Junpei had to admit, if he was in that situation, he probably would have been petty and left after that. Though, he'd feel bad if someone like Satsuki had been there.
Satsuki laughed, "Yeah. She was really stressed out. She felt responsible for getting us stuck there. When we all thought that the teachers had already left, everyone lost hope, including me. None of us could stand being there for another minute, and it was a nightmare to think that we would have been stuck all night until someone finds us the next day. Just when we were thinking how miserable the world was, that boy just knocked on the door and said, 'I might be able to open the door, if you can keep it a secret.'"
Junpei was a little confused as to what could that mean. Was the guy maybe a lockpicker? That probably would assume plenty of misconduct he must have done.
"The captain was getting antsy, and shouted, 'If it opened that easily, we wouldn't be suffering in here!'. She was really angry. Hehe."
It was a little confusing for Satsuki to mimic the voices of the people in the story, as if that was pivotal, but Junpei suppose that's just how she is. He kind of thought it was a little cute.
"She tossed another bat then (Junpei: yeah, I would have definitely left by then...), and after she did that, the door suddenly opened. Everyone was happy that the captain's efforts must have finally done it. Everyone ran outside, but I was watching him aimlessly by the door. I was crying really hard at the time. My eyes felt like they were swelling up, and I must have looked awful. Do you know what he said after he saw me like that?"
Junpei slowly shook his head. He considered all the cheesy lines he's heard in movies that had romantic scenes, but he doubted something like that could happen in real life.
The sorrow within Satsuki was lifted as she smiled warmly at Junpei, as if she reminiscing a dream. "He put his hand on my head and said, 'Hurry up and go home, and eat some Ozouni'."
...Junpei will give credit, that was definitely an original line. Although, he wouldn't be sure if he'll show his face at school the next day after saying something like that. "Ah... maybe he noticed you were hungry?"
"Aha... maybe," Satsuki sheepishly said, her eyes suddenly turning downcast, "Back then I thought, there are plenty of reliable people at school, but if I ever really need to be saved, it will be someone like him who saves me. And ever since, I've always believed that he'd come and help me no matter what."
Before, her expression would have been resolute. Now, though, it seemed like a cruel joke. Junpei could hear the sadness in her tone as she added, "I guess... it was silly of me to think that way. There's no way Tohno-kun would ever have guessed that I would get into trouble like this. Not only that, but just a couple of weeks back, I finally mustered up the courage to talk to him, and we walked home later that day. That was the only time I ever spoke to him. I'm sure he must have thought that I was a weird girl, he didn't even remember helping me until I told him."
Junpei didn't know what to say. The only thing he could offer was an ear to listen with. The girl then took a gander out through his bedroom window, where the moon shone brightly.
"I thought that, even with his secret, I could turn him into a vampire. That's what I've been doing up until recently. I was not only feeding, but I was practicing how to turn someone else into a vampire. I figured that it'd be fine, since I'm just like him now."
"A killer..." Junpei held a sullen look as he remembered the words of Yuuji Itadori. The threat of forgetting how valuable the lives of those closest to them are, by abandoning said values and killing others. It was the opposite of Mahito's beliefs. How no one's life truly mattered, but if that really was the case, what about his mom and Satsuki?
Satsuki nodded, much slower now, "That way, neither of us can be alone anymore. I knew it was selfish. After all, he may not want to turn into a vampire. I just wanted someone I like to be there for me. To come and help me like he did last time. But... I realize now that, after all the pain I have to endure, I never want anyone I love to suffer this fate. The same way that I don't want a good friend like you to suffer either, Junpei-kun."
Junpei looked surprised, and the girl shut her eyes closed.
"I'm sorry...!" She said, "I know you wanted me to turn you into a vampire. To be like me, but... It's not worth it. I don't want you to go through what I went through. Your mom's also a really nice person. I'd feel too guilty if I just took you away from her. I know how much my family missed me. I've seen the flyers they put up - they haven't stopped trying to look for me. I don't want you or your mom to go through something like that."
She braced herself for the anger or disappointment she believed Junpei would express. The boy was silent for a moment, hands on his lap as he took in Satsuki's words. "...You don't need to apologize. I'm not angry."
He took a deep breath, "If anything... I'm a little relieved."
Satsuki opened her eyes wide, looking to Junpei.
"I was saved by the thought of indifference," the boy looked at his hand, allowing cursed energy to flow. "I was given power. I thought that, if I could do what you guys do, then I can finally live happy in this messed up world."
He thought of his mom and her smile. Wondering how she would have reacted if her son became a killer.
"...I told my mom that I stopped going to school. Do you know how she reacted?"
Satsuki gently shook her head, paying close attention.
"She didn't mind it. She said that if I didn't want to go, I shouldn't have to, and that people my age think too deeply about things like that. 'School is nothing more than a small fish tank. There's the sea and other fish tanks out in the world, and I can choose whichever of them I can swim through, to live however I want to live'."
Satsuki looked impressed by how good Junpei mimicked his mom's voice, and he mildly blushed at that before continuing, "I pretty much took it as her saying that, if I wanted to, I could leave and be anywhere else that I want to be. I thought I could use that as an excuse to leave behind this life, and join you and Mahito. But..."
His eyes seemed to waver, a reflection of his spirit and callous perspective of life. "If my own soul were to become stained because I killed someone, that I can't tell the value of those who mean so much to me, like my mom. Then I can't kill people."
He gripped against his lap, "Does... that make me a coward?"
"...I don't think changing your mind makes you a coward," Satsuki said, a gentle smile worn, "It just shows that you're a really good person."
Hearing her and seeing her expression, Junpei was surprised to be called a 'good person' by Satsuki. He didn't think he was, so to hear it from her, he felt a little embarrassed, and an even greater relief that made him smile a bit.
Satsuki's feet touched back down on the floor and she rested her hands against Junpei's bed. "That boy, Itadori-kun. I overheard your conversation with him. He's got you and me rethinking a lot of things, huh?"
Junpei nodded. "...I wouldn't want you guys to fight. It probably can't be helped, but... I wouldn't want you to die, Sacchin. And I don't want Itadori-kun to die either. I don't know what would have happened if it was just me you met at that back alley, but... I'd like to believe that, if you'd let me, I would want to help you. It's true that I was curious. I've never met a vampire before, but you're my friend now. It's not just about me getting stronger or hating people. I... I like hanging out with you and Itadori-kun. I want to keep getting to know you two better. I'd be sad if either of you die, and if people's lives matter, then so should yours. I'm sure we could convince Itadori-kun that you don't mean any harm. You're not even the original killer everyone's been looking for!"
"I don't think it'll be that easy, Junpei-kun," Satsuki said with another solemn smile, "But... I wouldn't want to fight Itadori-kun either. He kind of reminds me of another guy at school, except Itadori-kun is a bit easier to get along with. Maybe I'm just missing my old life that I feel so close to him already."
She then stood up, declaring with newfound resolve, "I still need to rely on Mahito-san, just for a little while longer. After that, I'm going to control my bloodlust. That way, no one will have to die anymore, and I won't need to kill anybody anymore. We could probably tell Itadori-kun then. I feel like we can trust him a bit, but if things get bad, I'll have to protect myself. If controlling my bloodlust makes sure that you won't get hurt, though, then I'll do my best to get along with him."
Junpei was surprised to see this new side of her. No longer shy and reserved, there was a glint of determination in her eyes. A true show of resolve that seemed to spread to Junpei's heart, and he nodded at her.
"I'll support you," he said. "If it feels like you're having trouble, I'll be there to hold you back. Don't worry about me, I'm not a weak kid who can't defend himself anymore. And... if things really do get bad, no matter what, I'll defend you too."
His reassurance that made him feel flustered for saying it brought a pinkness to Satsuki's cheeks, and she reverted back to her meekness as she nodded sheepishly. A shy smile on her face. She looked at the time on Junpei's desk, a flicker of disappointment in her gaze. "It's getting really late now. I should probably get going. Your mom's really cool, but I don't think I can handle how she'll react to you hiding me in your bedroom."
I think she'll throw a party for us, Junpei thought to himself, sighing before he turned concerned, "Are you sure? I mean, I get it, but will you be alright?"
Satsuki nodded with certainty, "I'm fully recovered now, so if I ever come across any trouble, I'll take care of it. Don't worry."
She smiled brightly at him, "Just like you, I'm also not weak anymore. If it makes you feel better, I'll even call you when I'm back at my base safe. But I'll be sure to avoid any fights on my way. Since it's not safe to go back to the sewers anymore, let's meet up tomorrow at my place instead."
Junpei looked hesitant. "I... I could go with you. Just to make sure."
Hearing his offer, Satsuki was surprised, and her heart felt warmed by his consideration. "No. It's better for you if you stay. If we end up getting spotted, even if we escape, they might track you back to your house. And even if you don't go home, they'll want to question your mom."
Junpei flinched when he heard that and lowered his head. Silently conceding to her point.
"But thank you for the offer. You really are a nice person, Junpei-kun." Satsuki started for the sliding doors leading to the balcony. As she opened the door, letting the wind make its entry and causing her skirt to dance slightly, she added after a pause, "Honestly, I'm glad you were the one to help me back then. It's been a nightmare, living like a vampire, but with you..."
She spun around with her hands clasped behind her back, her happy expression that seemed to have escaped all the horrors in her life, "It's starting to feel like a pleasant dream. I don't think I've ever had this much fun until I met you."
Junpei's eyes alighted upon hearing her words. He stood up as he watched her approach the balcony, her rear resting against the railing.
"Before, I called us a group of monsters, but maybe you were right. Maybe instead of being 'bad guys', we could be heroes. Imagine that? Haha," Satsuki said as she leapt onto the railing. The moon continued to beam brightly at her back, like she was a princess of the night. "You and me, protecting our hometown. I might even become a vampire of justice."
"Ah... yeah..." Junpei began to think further on that possibility. Himself, Satsuki, Mahito, and even Yuuji with them. "That... sounds like it'd be really fun."
"Right?" Satsuki said, a gentle expression worn. "Let's do our best then. You have a goodnight, Junpei-kun. Ah, maybe I should start calling you Jun-kun? I feel like we're passed being friends now, and more like partners in crime. Hehe."
With that, she leapt into the night sky. Junpei watched as Satsuki hopped from roof to the next, and she was gone in an instant. He felt the cool air against his cheeks and reached his hand up, feeling its heat that hasn't dulled yet. He smiled and returned to his room, closing the doors and curtains behind him, ready to stay up all night until he received a new text from his friend Sacchin.
"Elesia! Come downstairs! Breakfast is ready!"
Ciel stirred in her bed by the warm scent of bacon and eggs, waking from her dream of a distant past, nostalgia roused in her heart. She rolled onto her back and opened her eyes, forgetting for a split second her place in the world until she recognized the white ceiling of her apartment.
"Eh…?" She blinked at this unusual feeling of despondency. It was a short dream. A fleeting memory of a familiar voice, and yet, the fact that she would have it after so many years was what surprised her. She usually kept her mind clear each time before bed. So that certain memories of the past would not disturb her slumber, and overall, have an effect on her mood for the rest of the day. On the rare occasion that she would have it, though, she is usually left numb afterwards.
However, this time was different. She neither suffered a nightmare, nor awoke from it with an empty feeling. Instead, it was pleasant. A cozy fragrance that reminded her… of a bakery store. The pleasantness even lasted after she woke up, and when she realized she had been dreaming, it left her solemn, longing, rather than nothing. She would have preferred to have felt nothing, she'd be distracted otherwise, or believed she was still human.
This feeling of home that had long been lost and forgotten. She wondered why she was getting it now all of a sudden? The answer to her inquiry made himself known when she heard shuffling of utensils in the kitchen. Ciel sat up from her bed, and instantly knew who was there working at her stove.
"Yuuji-kun?" Ciel called out. She spotted Yuuji over the kitchen island, his back to her while he held a hot pan in hand. She watched as he successfully flipped a perfectly golden pancake and turned his head afterwards.
"Ah. Good morning, Ciel!" Yuuji greeted with a cheerful smile. "Just a second! I'm almost finished. There's some pancakes and eggs already made. Help yourself!"
Ciel removed the sheets and sat at the edge of her bed. She looked over to the center of the living room. The coffee table was put back into its usual place, the futon Yuuji had been sleeping on was gone. She gently kicked her feet back and her heels felt the folded futon underneath her bed.
He put everything back without waking me?
Even the slightest movement of a dog outside would have awoken her, to have her be ready for anything. She was honestly surprised by Yuuji's level of silent footedness, or had she perhaps been too lax since staying out so late?
Or maybe, she was more so relaxed by Yuuji's presence. When it comes to the teen himself, there was just no reason for her to detect any danger from him, despite the boy being a living prison for a dangerous spirit. He just had that calming air about him while exuberating joy, like a cute little puppy.
Still, I can't let myself be too at ease. It hurts my pride a bit that he got so close and I didn't even notice.
Ciel removed herself from bed and approached the kitchen island counter in her pink pajamas. She saw the plate waiting for her. Little pancakes resting beside sunny side up eggs, slices of bacon and ham. A bottle of syrup and a butter container with a knife waiting beside the plate. And a good-size pitcher filled with orange juice. "This is a surprise. I'm usually the first one to wake up. You didn't have to make breakfast for me, though."
"I don't mind. It looked like you were out really late. You should sleep in a little more if you still feel tired."
"Ha… If I do that, I might end up sleeping until noon," Ciel said with a soft, embarrassed smile before taking a seat at the barstool by the counter. "I remember fighting with my father about how long I could sleep for. I'd often hear him to come down for breakfast, but I was determined to stay in bed. I'd even argued that we should open our store at a later time in the day."
"Really? You're even lazier than me then," Yuuji laughed as he flipped the last pancake and catching it in a plate, earning a light applause from Ciel, much to his triumph.
"I can't really deny that. Since you've been living here though, I've woken up much earlier than usual. I've had a lot more done in the morning thanks to that." Five o'clock was her personal record yet, especially since Yuuji was proven to be an early riser. It left her enough time to take a shower, dress up, and get ready for school, though not before making a quick breakfast for herself and Yuuji.
"Huh..." Yuuji held a thoughtful look as he served himself some eggs and meat from another pan. "You usually go out around midnight. Or a little later than that. Don't you get enough sleep?"
"Nothing that a little coffee won't help," Ciel said proudly as she poured syrup over her pancakes. "Plus, with my training, I can endure up to weeks without sleep. It's not like my body will suffer any lasting impact."
Damn. Weeks without sleep? Well, she is immortal. I sometimes forget that. Yuuji thought to himself as he takes his drinking glass from the cupboard. "Mm. Still, you should get some rest as much as you can."
Yuuji turned off the stove and walked over to sit next to Ciel. "You got to be really tired if you're always out late and wake up early. How many hours do you usually sleep?"
"Um. That's not important..." Ciel avoided eye-contact as she served herself a glass of juice.
"Geez. That's just concerning," Yuuji was not afraid to express it. He placed himself on the barstool and set his breakfast on the counter. "How about this? I'll make us breakfast from now on, and you can sleep in a little longer."
"Hmm. That does sound appealing. I almost want to say no, since you really don't need to worry about me, but..."
She takes another bite of the deliciously seasoned eggs. Her cheeks flushed with absolute bliss. The deliciousness of the white yolk and ham making her feel as if she was ascending. "Mm! If it means I get to eat like this every day, I just don't have the will to say no."
Yuuji chuckled as he watched her eat, taking the juice pitcher and pouring himself a drink.
"My father is a good cook, but I think he would have been jealous of you," Ciel said, adding with a pleasant smile, "Not only that, but since you're a morning person, if someone like you came to our bakery every day, that might be enough to force me out of bed."
Yuuji brightened upon hearing that. He rubbed underneath his nose to hide his dumb smile and glanced away. "Oh. Yeah? That sounds like it'd be really nice. I'd love it if I could try out your folks' pastries."
"Yes. My mother especially would have liked you as a customer," Ciel added, sounding as if she was reminiscing. Yuuji noticed her soft-sounding voice before she suddenly changed topic. "Do you have a preference in what you eat? I know that the only thing I've made for us is just about anything you can toss into the microwave. It's not something that I've considered all that much since Ijichi-san usually brings you food, but I like to change that as a thank you for this morning's breakfast."
"Hmm. I'll pretty much eat anything," Yuuji answered, digging into his serving and taking a bite of the fluffy pancakes. "I really like rice and udon, though. It's kind of embarrassing to say, but if there's a bowl of either of them, I'll finish them in seconds."
He instantly regretted mentioning that, since it made him sound like an absolute glutton. However, he saw that Ciel's eyes sparkled with delight, and she looked even more cheerful than before.
"I know just the perfect place to take you then." Ciel said, slightly bouncing in her seat in excitement. "It's settled. Why don't we meet later today? I'll even take an early leave from school. I'm sure my professors will understand."
And considering that she intended to resume her investigation at the sewers, having promised Nanami to meet with him there, she's certain to stop by and see Yuuji afterwards. If there's anything she'd like to make sure of by doing so, it's so that this teen would stay as far away from that cursed spirit's lair as possible. Though, she had another reason.
For the past week that they've been living together, it had been far more enjoyable than what Ciel was expecting. While she certainly treasured their every moment of watching movies together every night, she felt bad keeping Yuuji all cooped up here. Any time he goes out, it's to do with a training assignment or just to get some fresh air. But never too long, since the teen was supposed to be "dead" on record, and it'd be bad for everyone if he was recognized by someone as the vessel of Sukuna. Even so, Ciel wanted to spoil the teen a bit, and after hearing his preference in food, she cannot miss this chance. She was most certainly going to treat him at her favorite restaurant in all of Tokyo.
"That sounds great! Let's do it!" Yuuji said excitedly.
Matching his energy with an enthusiastic nod, Ciel sets down her utensils and pressed her fingers together, "Then let's meet at the shopping center. Let's say... around two o'clock? Hm. You're also going to need a disguise. I wonder if Ijichi-san might provide something? Otherwise, I'll have to-"
Yuuji kept watching her as Ciel began mulling over all the details for their outing. She still had her bed hair, dark blue that was slightly puffy and disheveled. The pink color of her pajamas made her figure and hair look striking in comparison. Especially when Yuuji's eyes wandered down to her shorts, where her splendid pair of legs bloomed. Smooth and peachy in tone, those legs that could run a hundred meters in several seconds. Thighs especially plump as she sat on her stool, completely filling her seat.
...This is so not fair.
Damn. Maybe Ms. Yoshino was onto something. He literally cannot look away and basically abandoned all thoughts, like gazing at a living gem. An embodiment, or crystallization, of living energy.
...I've really got it bad.
The dream he had last night made that very clear. Having fallen asleep under the spell of Ciel's soft voice. Her gentle grasp and its warmth on Yuuji's cheek. Her sweetly given touches. All while he was fairly certain she'd been half-naked, from what he could tell since it'd been somewhat of a blur. Yeah. It was a really good dream. He's going to keep that in his memories for a long while.
He felt even happier when he woke up and found Ciel in her bed. Honestly relieved to see her having come back after all, and wanted to let her sleep some more since this was the first time he woke up before her. The very first morning he spent at Ciel's apartment, she was looking over him, dressed in her school uniform with that sunshine smile that could make a guy fall for her in an instant. And the very first thing she said to him was how loud his snoring was, and that just killed whatever blooming affection he was about to let into his heart, replaced with embarrassment. Though, he genuinely liked how carefree she can be. Her teases, even though it was at his expense, it made it worth it if he could see her smile like that often.
This morning, though, he was the one to overlook her sleeping figure. When he - as gently and quietly as he could - put away the folded futon back under her bed, her body towards him then, and her sleeping face met with his surprised one.
It was the first time he'd seen her this way. He honestly did worry if the girl ever slept at all, but seeing that resting face of hers was enough to put him at ease. If it was possible, he'd tell her to spend the whole day in bed, after who knows how many hours she'd been out there last night.
He smiled at her then, and his eyes continued to drift all across her features. Her soft-looking blue brows. Her delicate lashes. Her cute nose. Those pretty pink lips that softly breathed in and out. This lovely vessel of life right before him. He realized then that he'd been staring too long and he felt his ears burn by this behavior. He knew he was going to get chewed out by Sukuna later, not that he gave a damn about what that curse thought. Yuuji wanted to look at her for a bit longer. He wanted to be a little selfish when it came to her, and he'd knew then that what he was feeling, it was serious.
"I know I don't deserve to, but..."
He had whispered out knowing she was too deep asleep to hear it, moving in a little closer. His eyes softening as he caught the warm scent of spice on her still.
"I like you."
Even if she didn't feel the same way, just being by her side was more than enough for him.
"Um, Yuuji-kun?"
Yuuji blinked back to reality. He saw Ciel look bashful under his stare, still wearing that considerate smile of hers, though her brows crinkled a bit with concern. "You look very focused there. What's on your mind?"
Yuuji's cheeks grew pink, and he looked away with an 'oh shit I'm caught' face. "Ah. Nothing, just..."
He takes a small sip of his juice in hopes it'll cool him down. "Oh. How was last night by the way? Did you guys find anything?"
Ciel kept a calm composure as she answered, "We managed to cross out a couple of hideouts that were just duds. Our killers are quite elusive, I'll give them that."
Especially after what happened last night. Despite having armed members of the Church, they lost five of their people before Nanami and Ciel could reach the scene, three of them becoming transfigured souls, and two seemingly missing. There were no remnants of cursed energy left behind, meaning that the culprit really did mean to lure them at the base for a surprise attack. Or at the very least, Nanami. Ciel had to rely on her magical knowledge to get a semblance of cursed energy from the ash pile recovered from the back-alley murder scene. While it still proved to be difficult - thus indicating the curse user to be exceptionally well-versed in his abilities - she was able to get at least a small trail leading towards the sewer drain.
She could tell that the curse user - or cursed spirit as Nanami revealed the culprit to be - did try to prevent any remnants from lingering. The cursed spirit's only goal was to lure in sorcerers, and if his cursed energy was found in the area where a vampire was spotted, it could have complicated his plans by unintentionally luring in an executor as well. It seemed that the spirit was unfamiliar with transfiguring bodies of those who are already deceased, or is infected with a type of "impurity" that self-destructs upon enduring the spirit's cursed technique.
Upon understanding that, Ciel was now even more concerned about what that cursed spirit's intentions are with Satsuki. The girl said that they came to an agreement, a treaty between vampire and curse, but Ciel wondered if that was all it was. It's even more worrying how, according to Nanami, this cursed spirit could communicate like a human. It had intelligence. And more importantly, it was a newly born curse. An unregistered Special Grade - meaning that they are dealing with an unfamiliar and dangerous enemy.
The first grade sorcerer also revealed last night that this wasn't the only special grade they came across. Gojo had apparently encountered two others, and so close to the city at that. The situation was becoming more dire by the second, and Ciel began to wonder if, someway and somehow, there was going to be a warzone here in Tokyo. It's no longer a matter of territorial dispute between Jujutsu Sorcerers and the Holy Church, this has grown beyond that, and she feared that the worst had yet to come.
First there was Roa and the vampire attacks. Then there was Sukuna's revival, the timing of discovering his vessel almost too perfect for comfort. The intermingling between curses and the undead. Satsuki's unique circumstance and her speedy evolution into a Dead Apostle. The appearance of unregistered special grade cursed spirits. All the while, the True Ancestor continued to sleep as if there was nothing wrong with the world. Ciel didn't want to admit it, she really didn't, but if the situation in Tokyo continues to spiral like this, then even the Holy Church will need the aid of the white princess.
Honestly, just what is taking that idiot so long to get here? Ciel let out a slight bitter huff as she placates her mood with another bite of the well-seasoned eggs. I know she'll want to kill Roa just as much as I do, and we'll most certainly fight over it, even if fighting a True Ancestor is the last thing I wish to do. But now, it just looks like that woman is being nothing but inconsiderate!
She still hadn't had the chance to speak with Gojo concerning this "barrier" she's felt ever since she set foot into Tokyo. It probably would have been pivotal to have brought it up when she first came to Japan nearly a decade ago, but it didn't seem important at the time. Though, since knowing what family Roa had intended to reincarnate next, Ciel realized the error in her judgement, and now regretted not asking Gojo much sooner. She'd hoped that Gojo would be true to his word though and visit Ciel at her school where they could discuss this, but likely because of Yuuji's sudden revival, the strongest sorcerer ended up putting their meeting at the back burner, and by that point, he had already left to deal with some "unspecified assignment".
Forget the True Ancestor, they're going to need Gojo to help them deal with what's going on in Tokyo. That man is relied upon by many for a reason, and because of that, he's unable to truly appear where he's needed most. Maybe it really was true that these curses are giving nothing but bad luck.
"Don't worry! I'm sure you'll find those guys soon," Yuuji said with an encouraging smile, eating a piece of bacon with a small slice of pancake, "Me and Ijichi-san can even help. Just be sure to let us know what we have to do."
Ciel smiled at his easily given offer. "Thank you, but you should really stay focus on your training. I don't want to distract you from that."
"It wouldn't really be a distraction. If anything, this will help me become a better sorcerer, don't you think?" Yuuji said as he lifted the piece of ham with his fork. "Don't worry about me, I want to know if there's anything I could do to help you guys. Keep me in the loop if anything new comes up, okay?"
He really has a habit of worrying about others, Ciel thought as she internally sighed. "While a first-hand experience is a good way to learn, it can also be very dangerous. What happened at the theater, for example, it could have been much worse if I wasn't there to help."
"Hmm. Yeah, I could tell. That monster was seriously creepy, but I didn't want to leave Nanami-san behind," Yuuji said. "He even told me to run, but I couldn't do that. If I just run from everything, what kind of sorcerer would I be? There's no way I could just leave someone to their own fate like that."
Ciel's heart was moved by Yuuji's compassion and courage, though all the same, she felt even more stubborn to insist that he stays out of danger's way. "You'd be saving a life, which is your own. I know it might be hard to leave someone behind, but should that someone be capable like Nanami-san, then I'm sure you could put your faith in him even if he had no experience against a creature like that. That goes for me too. While it was quick thinking, especially after I was... surprised to see you again."
She cleared her throat briefly before continuing, crossing her arms to showcase her seriousness, "You shouldn't have to worry about me either. Not after seeing my ability. So please, do take better care to look out for yourself. You'll worry a lot of people if you keep putting yourself in dangerous situations."
"Yeah?" Yuuji said with raised brows, leaning over his plate as he stared at Ciel curiously, "Like who?"
"Who else? Gojo-san. Nanami-san. Ijichi-san. I'm sure Ieiri-san also cares a great deal about you. Not only that, but it'd be too tragic if you were to suddenly die again after having just come back to life, and you wouldn't have the chance to see Megumi-kun or Nobara-san again. There'd be too many people who would be sad to see you get hurt or worse - granted, you're still set to be executed, but I digress. There are certainly worse ways to die, so don't be so eager to..."
Ciel stopped when she saw that strange smile on Yuuji, his eyes seemingly bedazzled as he observed the executor. She raised a questioning eyebrow, "What?"
"You really care about me, huh?" Yuuji grinned teasingly.
Ciel's back straightened. A tinge of pink on her cheeks as her fists curled against her bare knees. She glared unamused at the cheeky teen in front of her. "I am being serious, Yuuji-kun."
"Yeah, yeah. I know," Yuuji said as his elbows rested against the counter. He interlocked his fingers in front of his mouth so to keep hiding his pleased expression. "It just feels nice, that's all. You said that I should look out for myself, but that's something you should be doing too. I know you're strong, Senpai. But I think it'll still hurt us if you ever get hurt, even if you are immortal."
Ciel recalled the comforting grasp of Nanami as he held her shoulder, keeping her steady as she bared through the burns of her Cremation Rite. Yuuji had a point. Although, she really wished that the "adult" didn't have to be so concerned with her. It was unnecessary, not to mention, unwarranted.
"That's why I want to be there to help you whenever you need it. Even if you don't need it, I still want to help," he got off from the barstool after finishing his breakfast, picking up his plate. "You really are selfless. Always looking out for others. I really respect that about you. I honestly wish a lot more people were like you, Senpai."
Ciel's heart skipped a beat when he looked at her. A deep admiration in his eyes, his smile seemed to glow as half his face was shone by the light of the sun pouring through the window behind them. He added, "It'd be great if you could keep working with us. Just be sure not to carry all the burdens by yourself. There's a lot of people who care about you too, and I still owe you for giving your life just to save me. I'm going to repay you for that, I swear it."
Ciel blushed at the subtle resolve in his voice, sounding so deep as he made his proclamation. She immediately tried to deflect his statements, waving her hands urgently, "N-no, no! That isn't-! You don't have to-! I swear I'm not as selfless as you think I am! I..."
Her embarrassment losing its energy, she looked away despondently, her face breaking into that of genuine guilt as she lost her appetite, "You're really too nice. It's true that I work hard and help others, but it's really just out of selfish motivations."
"Selfish motivations?" Yuuji frowned, looking at her peculiarly. "There's no way helping people can be selfish, even if you're doing it to become a better person. That's just something people should always be doing."
Seeing her look of what Yuuji recognized to be remorse, he wanted to alleviate that. Looking down at the plate in his hand, he sets it back onto the counter. "I'm not saying it to be nice either. I'm just saying how it is. Well, either way, it doesn't matter to me what your reasons are, because in the end, you try to do good, and that makes you a good person."
Ciel once more opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get a single word out, she was silenced when a warm body enveloped her figure. Yuuji had closed the distance between them, his arm slipped past her back and his hand clasped over her shoulder, pulling her body close to his. Ciel blushed at the side-hug, instinctively pressing her hand against his chest and felt his muscle through his t-shirt. Like being against a soft brick wall, yet his hold of her was extremely gently. She felt his chin rest on top of her head, feeling it bob as he spoke.
"So don't ever think otherwise. I'm not letting a friend who did so much to protect others sell themselves short, especially when you were willing to fight that creep of a curse."
Her face reddened further as she heard his sincerity, her heart racing inside her chest, and she internally begged that the teen wouldn't notice it.
Yuuji pulled back then, still holding her shoulder. He smiled widely at the girl, "I'm going to do my best too, and hopefully, I can do half the amazing things you do. I would want to learn from someone strong like you."
Seeing his warm brown eyes full of admiration, Ciel was utterly speechless. An intense redness on her cheeks as she tried and failed to come up with a response. Being seen as strong, well, she wouldn't really call herself strong - not after the many times she's allowed herself to get killed, but to be called strong by this kind boy who was looking at her in such a way, she felt her heart swell, and herself warmed.
"Is... that so? I see..." Ciel's gaze lowered, seeing how close they were, unable to looked back at him and let him see how completely flushed she was. She nonetheless let herself smile. A giddiness in her heart like she could skip across a flower field. "Then... I really hope to live up to your views. Hehe. You've given me such an ego boost, I feel that it's only right to say something just as nice back to you."
Looking back up at the teen, her bright smile made her look absolutely benevolent as she said to the Yuuji, "You might just be the sweetest boy I've ever met. In my line of work, I was taught to believe that we are all sinners, and therefore, we must always work our hardest to repent. But you, Yuuji-kun, you're most certainly a good person. You don't help others to get something out of it like me, but simply because you want to. That's just the way you are, and I think you're absolutely incredible for that. This world is a good place simply because you're in it, and I think it'd be even lovelier if more people were like you as well."
Her words held only honesty and affection. The smile in Yuuji dropped in surprise. Her tender look that waited to see if her words reached him, as if giving a love letter to his very existence. Seeing her awake with such a gaze was a whole new level of amazingness, and he found himself completely enamored.
His eyes trailed down from her pretty turquoise eyes to Ciel's lips and he blushed, instantly looking away. His shoulders shooting up to his ears as he tried to hide his impulsive thought. "Ah. Yeah...? That's really sweet of you to say... thank you."
He lifted his hand from her shoulder and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the skin there practically on fire. Not good. Not good at all. Just now, he wanted to kiss her. But he can't. Not yet. He still owed her an apology for failing to protect her from Sukuna, and this was also kind of his first time liking a girl this much (celebrity crush aside). He wanted to ask her out properly first. To see if she says yes. He's also hoping for someplace else that's a little more special, even though living in the bedroom of the girl he liked is already special enough.
Ciel spotted that flicker of gaze and looked at Yuuji curiously. Unable to help herself, she stepped off the barstool and drew closer to him, hands behind her back as if to hide her true intentions. "Oh my. Are you getting a fever? You look like you're burning up. I didn't think my compliment would make you this happy."
Yuuji thinned his mouth and blushed even harder as he could feel she was standing very close to him, trying his damnest not to look her in the eyes or he won't be able to help himself then. This is so unbelievably unfair. She's being a tease and she knows it.
Ciel chuckled at Yuuji's bashful expression, "I should say it more often if it gets you to be like this. A vampire would be tempted to bite into that face of yours, I know I would. You look so adorable right now, Yuuji-kun."
"Sh-shut up..." Yuuji took his plate and, deciding to be petty, took Ciel's as well. "No second servings for you!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Ciel laughed out her apology, watching him move for the kitchen sink, throwing away the unfinished few foods that were left on her plate. "I just couldn't help but tease you. Please don't be mad."
"Hmph!" Yuuji only said as he brought the plates into the sink and began to wash them. Despite his behavior, though, there was a little amused smirk that showed itself as he turned on the water faucet.
"I'll make it up to you when we meet up later today," Ciel said, "Oh! By the way, I don't have my phone right now. I must have left it with Nanami-san last night. So I probably won't be able to reach you."
"Oh, I can go get it for you," Yuuji offered, looking back at Ciel, "I can even bring it to you at school if you want."
"Thank you, but that's alright. I'm sure Nanami-san will drop it off himself. He seemed to know where my school is, so I'm sure he'll swing by and hand it back to me. He is a responsible man after all."
"Ah, yeah, cause he's an adult," Yuuji said with heavy quotes. "I know he's a good guy, but it kind of ticks me off when he acts like that, seeing us like we're just a couple of kids to him. I still can't get us to see eye to eye."
"Yes... It can be a little much," Ciel said, sighing with the boy in absolute agreement. "I know he means well. I just hope to prove to him that he has nothing to worry about."
"Yeah!" With a nod, Yuuji then offered his soapy, wet hand and curled it into a fist for Ciel. "We'll show him."
Matching his energy, Ciel lets out a "Yes!" and mimicked the action, fist-bumping with the other teen. After that, she then proceeded to do what she needed to do for this morning. She gathered her school uniform and brought them to the bathroom, where she promptly took a quick shower. Yuuji proceeded to clean not only the dishes, but the entire kitchen as well. Saving the leftovers in containers to put in the fridge later, or give them to Ciel to take to school.
It was kind of appealing how someone who seemed like a bright student would be willing to ditch classes just to hang out with him. But he also felt bad about letting Ciel skip school. He didn't want her grades to suffer if either of them could help it, even if it had been too long since he really enjoyed himself out on the streets of Tokyo.
I should take her to dinner tonight, maybe we can walk around the city until then.
It'll be his treat this time. He had a feeling that Ciel would be too modest though and refuse for him to pay, so he'll need to be a little sneaky about it. He wondered what place served good food around here. Maybe he can ask Ijichi or Nanami - ah, wait, he still didn't have the first grade sorcerer's phone number. He really should ask Ijichi for it.
Hearing the shower turning off, Yuuji finished his cleaning of the kitchen and brought the container of leftovers ready. Ciel stepped out of the bathroom dressed in her school uniform. Her glasses worn, and her blue hair was much neater now. There was still that nice fluff that made it look incredibly soft. Yuuji kind of wanted to know how it must of feel like, and also a little curious to what kind of shampoo she uses.
"I'm off to school now, Yuuji-kun!" Ciel announced as she stepped close to the door, reaching for her shoes.
"You want to take this with you?" Yuuji offered the container of food, "If not, I can always give it to Ijichi-san, or put it away."
"That's alright. I want to save my appetite in the afternoon. There's a flower store at the shopping district. Let's meet up there."
Yuuji nodded and watched as Ciel finished putting on her shoes and started for the door. He waved at her, "Have a good day at school! I'll see you at two then."
Ciel returned the gesture with a nod, and after exchanging their goodbyes, the girl closed the door behind her and left for school.
Satisfied, and in even greater spirits, Yuuji returned to the kitchen, put away the leftovers, and then looked at the living room. He sees that Ciel forgot to make her bed this morning, and he decided to fix it for her. "Hmm. I should clean the living room too before I watch a movie. Ah, I wonder what I should wear for today..."
Ciel leapt across rooftops as she made way to her destination, smiling joyfully as she carried a belly full of good food thanks to Yuuji. She slightly admonished herself for behaving like a giddy fool, but she simply cannot wipe away her delighted face as she thought about her date- er, 'get together' with Yuuji later today.
"I should wear something nice. Hmm. Maybe I could make a quick stop at a store after this..."
Her mulling abruptly ended when she spotted a figure standing at another rooftop. Remaining calm, she skidded to a halt upon reaching there, and looked at the figure with an impassive expression.
"Off to the sewers again, I presume?" It was a rhetorical question given by the well-dressed, white-suited man. Standing with his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall of the rooftop entrance.
Ciel merely walked towards the man, her breath even. The efforts she performed after skipping multiple rooftops not once dwindling her stamina. "Of course. After last night's event, while the cursed spirit escaped, there must still be his transfigured souls lingering within his lair. Although my people have enclosed the area, it would be best to deal with the remaining cursed souls quickly. "
"You'll have to wait then. Another sorcerer will be arriving to assist in exorcising the cursed spirit," Nanami instructed. He was unfazed when the girl decided to walk past him. "Shouldn't you be in school, right now?"
"I plan to skip it today. Noel will cover for my absence."
"Then you intend to go in alone, again."
"You're one to talk, especially after I healed you from that severe injury. You could have lost an organ if not for your cursed energy, or turned into one of those creatures."
"Says the girl who burned herself alive after dealing with a technique that should have killed you."
"My well-being is none of your concern. We are in a temporary alliance, but that doesn't mean you need to check up on me unless it's to exchange information."
"You also needn't concerned yourself with me, yet you did. This is not a one-way street, and I refuse to leave a debt unpaid."
The girl stopped as she was growing closer to the edge and turned to face the sorcerer who removed himself from the wall.
"I don't care that you are immortal," Nanami said, "or that you are one of the strongest amongst your peers. A child should not be left to wander off without supervision."
"Are you really never going to stop calling me that?" Ciel said, despite her emotionless tone, the referral was starting to get on Ciel's nerves. "I have endured many hells in my life that forced me to abandon my innocence. I don't need to be an "adult" to be mature."
"If that's true, it shouldn't bother you what I call you then," Nanami calmly argued. "And what you described isn't maturity, it's simply you becoming a soldier, bred for war and nothing else. Children who could barely pull the trigger of a rifle doesn't automatically qualify them as 'grown ups'. You haven't grown, you simply 'stopped ageing'."
"If that's your way to express pity, you should find someone else." The barest hint of offense creased her expression as Ciel furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't need your pity, and I don't need you to try and stop me from doing my job. I am not a sorcerer or your subordinate. I am not your student, and I am not your family."
"You are, however, in my city. In sorcerer territory, and I have been given authority by my superior to overlook the matter concerning the cursed spirit. Your colleagues are already aware, and despite most of their aversion against me, it seems their superiors have also decided to let me run this operation as I see fit, considering the number of cursed enemies involved, and the fact that they can't hide under the Jujutsu School's radar any longer."
"That doesn't mean that I'm now obligated to follow your commands," Ciel countered. "As executor, I have the privilege to act as how I see fit, even outside the management of those who oversees my progress in Tokyo."
"You'll still be in my jurisdiction, in which case, you will report to me. Otherwise, you'll be creating unnecessary tension between our groups, and I would rather not deal with the headache of it all. Our organizations personal history with each other matters little to me. I'm only here to exorcise curses, just as you are here to hunt vampires. So long as those two objectives of ours are intertwined, there is no need for you to work alone."
He reached into the pocket of his white suit and approached Ciel. "But as of this moment, I am forbidding you from entering that curse's lair until reinforcements arrives. I will also be doing the same. Right now, I need you to take care of another matter, and that's to do with monitoring someone's condition."
He pulled out a familiar cellphone and handed it over to Ciel. The girl looked at it expressionlessly, but took it nonetheless.
"I don't know how much longer I can hide the situation from Itadori-kun. You and I know by now his willingness to jump into the fray despite his current level. I need someone who can make sure he doesn't get ahead of himself, especially if he were to hear about this somehow. Which is why if he ever throws himself into danger again..."
"You want me to stop him," Ciel finished, looking at Nanami stoically, and with new understanding.
He nodded, adjusting his specs, "I believe, aside from myself, someone like you would be able to do it. I know that there is a possibility of you becoming his executioner, but seeing as how you were skipping like a girl in love a minute ago-"
"Gah-!" Ciel's face crumbled, an instant pink to her cheeks.
Nanami resumed without pause, "Then it's already obvious enough that you care about Itadori-kun deeply."
"I-! That's not..." Ciel attempted to deny it at first, but the words got caught in her throat. This was such an embarrassing position to be in. The usually calm and collected executor, reduced to this, and all because of a boy who has been nothing but a pleasant joy in her life, like being inside a warm dream.
She looked down at her phone to avoid the impassive gaze of Nanami. Staring at the black screen for a moment, she turned it on. The battery was full, likely Nanami charged it last night when Ciel left abruptly to seek the runaway cursed spirit and vampire. From the screen that had a background full of colorful bubbles, she spotted the very last message sent by Yuuji.
Yuuji: Yo! Im home now! I hope everything's okay at work. Im gonna go to bed. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight! *crescent moon* *Zzzz*
Unconsciously, Ciel lets out a small smile. Her heart fluttered happily upon reading Yuuji's text, the pinkness in her cheeks not dulling in the least bit.
Nanami waited and remained quiet. Eventually, the girl responded, "...Alright. I suppose I can't be sure how long it will take to get rid of all those cursed beings in the sewers by myself."
Sighing, she pocketed her phone in her school bag. "You win, Nanami-san. But do promise that you won't go behind my back and handle this yourself."
She placed her hands on her hips as she added, "I may be a child in your eyes, but you need to be looked after just as much."
"If you call me elderly again, I'll slap you."
"It's not so fun now when the tables have turned to you, is it?"
"I never do this for fun, this is just how I am."
Ciel chuckled at the dry comment, letting out a genuine amused smile, "Maybe, but even adults should know to cut loose from time to time. 'All work and no play' I believe is the saying. You'll grow more lines on your forehead if you keep that up."
Nanami made no response at that teasing expression of hers, and it suddenly clicked for him. Her and that man... they are alike.
And that man he was referring to was Satoru Gojo. He also made this comparison to the cursed spirit he fought last night, except with Ciel, instead of that exuberance that hides a threatening aura of overwhelming power underneath, a childlikeness meshed with a malice to play and taunt others, it was a playfulness in Ciel that mean only to lift the spirits of those around her, while harboring a stone-cold attitude to do what is necessary - something which he had seen with Gojo when the six-eye user truly gets serious, a rarity that usually means certain doom to his target.
However, the similarities stop there. Gojo is the sort to flaunt and act selfishly - just as a sorcerer would, whereas Ciel is the sort who would care about everyone but herself and saw no value in her own life. Either because of her immortality, or something deeper than that.
Ciel... Just what are you trying to achieve? Nanami wanted to ask her that, but before he could, Ciel's phone suddenly vibrated. The girl was surprised and took out her phone again.
"Ah!" Judging by Ciel's expression, Nanami instantly knew who it was.
"...I'll give you a call when reinforcement arrives," Nanami informed and started his walk towards the entrance, leaving the teen girl to consider her response to her text. "Go to school for now or go home. Personally, you shouldn't miss your classes and leave everyone wondering where you are. Though, I can imagine that boy waiting impatiently for you to get back."
Ciel observed as Nanami opened the door and left the rooftop. She gazed back at the phone in her hand, reading the new text she just received.
Yuuji: Hey! I figured I should call but I wasn't sure if you were busy or not. If you're reading this Nanami-san, Ciel left her phone. Let me know if you want me to pick it up for her or you got it. If Ciel's reading this, Yay! You got your phone back! Let me know if you made it to school just fine.
Another smile of endearment from the girl. She thought it over for a moment and then decided to type in her answer.
Ciel: *wave* Hi Yuuji-kun! I just got my phone back from Nanami-san. I'll text you when I get out of school, and we can meet up as planned. I'll see you then!
Yuuji: Awesome! Now I can send you all these amazing emojis! *cooking pan* *movie reel* *partying-face* *cell phone* *hands up*
Yuuji: I'm really excited to hang out with you today!
Ciel giggled in delight, and she spends the next few minutes texting and exchanging emojis with Yuuji. There's still about seven minutes before her first class starts, she's sure she'll make it in three.
"These look a bit different than usual..."
Within the closed down part of a mall, Satsuki sat by a black-taped up window that blocked out all the sunlight. The room she was in completely dark, as her red eyes gaze wondering at the small, transfigured soul in her hand. It was a telling sign that Mahito was able to survive his battle with the sorcerer, though the cursed spirit had already left by the time Satsuki arrived last night.
"Is this what Mahito wanted to give me before that sorcerer showed up?" Satsuki remembered how Mahito was working on giving her something that could help her last a whole week without blood or any more of these transfigured souls. Once per week was the goal. Satsuki would love it if she could last that long, though as she continued to examine the hauntingly expressed object in hand, this very thing that used to have been a person, she finds herself without any appetite for it.
"I'm a little hungry, but it's not so bad..." She stared at the cursed item at hand, and then sets it down with the rest of the collection Mahito had dropped off. "I think I'll hold off on eating these. I should practice drinking a little bit of other people's blood first. Maybe Junpei could come with me. Ah... That'd be a little embarrassing though. I don't think I could take someone staring while I'm feeding."
And she's usually a messy eater as a vampire. But as long as she can control herself, she might be able to spare her next victim.
If I wasn't going to eat them, they were just going to suffer.
That was her argument against Ciel, and yet, it'd also meant that Satsuki was complicit to the death of these humans. She had no choice, because she was hungry, but if she wasn't going to kill anymore, then she shouldn't need to eat these transfigured souls anymore.
And if she could acknowledge the horror of what she's been doing, what does that make someone like Mahito who made these willingly. Not even for survival?
"I should stop relying on him from now on..." Satsuki decided, moving over to the covered window, "I better also talk to Junpei about him too. He's not just creepy, I'm not sure if he really cares about us..."
Satsuki who could read other people's hearts, and Mahito who believed no one had hearts. It had been obvious that neither of them was ever going to come to a concise except for their dealings. And if that curse believed no one's life had any value, then wouldn't that mean he didn't see either Satsuki and Junpei having any value?
Satsuki read that curse's supposedly non-existing heart as clear as day. To him, Satsuki and Junpei were nothing more than experiments to the curse. Things to pass the time. Junpei was captivated by him, but Satsuki saw him for what he really is. A monster.
"He only ever told me to stop drinking other people's blood because it was getting in the way of his work..." Satsuki muttered to herself, filling this empty room with an illusion of company by the echoes of her voice. "He's dangerous. We can't keep seeing him anymore."
She'll have to convince Junpei. As much as that curse changed that boy's life for the better, Satsuki cannot get rid of this bad feeling around the spirit. But she was confident that, if that curse decided to hurt either of them, she'll be able to kill him.
She raised her hand and let it swarm with cursed energy. Her vampiric-like ability would be able to drain that moldable heartless creature with ease. She's sure she'll have the upper hand if they ever fought. The issue is to make sure Junpei didn't get involved. She's afraid to see him be forced to make a decision in who to side with.
"Maybe I should kill Mahito first, so that doesn't happen," she considered as her cursed energy retreated back into her body. "But I'm not sure where he is now..."
He'll probably come by her base later today. Until then, she'll have to make her choice. To kill him then and there, or to hold off until she is sure she won't need his transfigured collection anymore.
She looked up from her hand and to the covered window beside her. She reached out peel off one of the black tapes.
Sunlight landed on her arm. She could feel an invisible, light pressure. A kiss of warmth, with none of the pain. This is how warmth is supposed to feel on people. It truly felt like she was fully human again.
She then spotted the civilians walking across the sidewalk. People like her going about their day. Students heading for their schools. She even spotted a few students wearing the uniform of her school. Her longing grew even deeper as she pressed her hand against the warm glass.
"If I'm strong enough, I might see my friends and family again."
Suddenly, her cell phone rings. Satsuki jumped in surprise before she pulled back from the window. She took out her phone.
"Ah. Jun-kun."
Believing he was calling to say good morning as usual, Satsuki answered the phone and held it against her ear. "Hello? Jun-?"
There was a sudden shattering sound of multiple glass. She heard struggling, and heavy breathing.
"SACCHIN!"
Satsuki was startled by the scream, causing her to leap up to her feet. "J-Jun-kun?! What's wrong?!
"Sacchin! Help! Please!"
She heard another crash of furniture, and the sounds of something inhuman.
"I-it's my mom! My mom! She's-!"
She heard his terror. His pain. His grief.
"You have to come! You have to save my mom-!"
There was a sudden loud sound of something smacking against the phone. A cracked noise, and the call suddenly dropped.
"Jun-kun?! Junpei?!"
Satsuki looked at the screen. Her heart raced with panic. He was fighting someone?
Sorcerers? Executors? No, she shouldn't consider that right now. She had to get to Junpei. Quick!
But the distance between her base and Junpei's house, it was far, even with her vampiric speed, the quickest she can get there is at least ten minutes. She's worried something bad will happen to Junpei if she doesn't get there sooner, and while it's daytime out, her abilities are likely to become even weaker. An extra five minutes to get there at least.
Satsuki looked back at the new collection of transfigured souls. Without another thought, she moved to take as many as she could, and sped for the nearest exit.
Author's Note: Chapter became longer than I planned. Get ready for some horror next chapter! :DDD
My heart's about to cry. :'D