It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Yui Komori

She only let herself grieve for a week.

The name Evangeline Hallows had grown foreign to the walls within the Sakamaki Manor, the only sprinkle of memory of the girl was a patch of wet dirt, where the Tsukinami had planted a 'Syringa x hyacinthiflora'... in other words, the Early Flowering Lilac, also known as 'Evangeline'.

Athena had kept to herself, only speaking when spoken to, hiding away in her freshly cleaned studio. She'd been standing before her easel, soft brushed kissing the canvas when the gentle knock pierced her ears. She turned her head slightly, nostrils flaring at the familiar scent before she placed the brush down.

She bumped into Reiji on the way down to the Entrance Hall, causing both of them to pause in their tracks. Reiji's jaw tensed, his fuschia eyes glowing as his eyes trailed her body. She was wearing a simple, white blouse and a long, brown skirt with a big bow on the back. She bowed her head elegantly. They hadn't seen one another since the incident.

"Were you expecting a guest?" He asked her, tone cold. She stood straight, eyes meeting his.

"I was going to ask you that same question." A long moment passed, Reiji swallowed, as if he wanted to say something to her. "Your tie isn't straight," she finally said, stepping closer and placing her long fingers upon the black fabric. They were silent as she straightened it for him, her hands lingered on his chest as she looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"I thought I'd made a breakthrough," was all he said. She was about to reply with concern when a loud squeal rushed through the halls.

"It appears one of your brothers found her," Athena informed.

"It appears so."

"Ayato, what's all the commotion?" Husband and wife stared at the messy-haired teenager who'd thrown himself upon the whimpering, frail human girl. Athena caught sight of a pink suitcase, that familiar scent stronger as she tried to look at the girl's face. Ayato muttered something under his breath as he slowly crawled off the girl, scoffing like a child. Athena's eyes grew wide as soon as she saw the young girl.

"I remember you," Yui whispered, standing up with wobbly legs, "that barista - you disappeared; there's missing posters everywhere!" Panic must have swallowed her whole as she pressed a pale hand to her throat. Athena could only nod in response. "Were you kidnapped?"

"She's my wife," Reiji interrupted, hand snaking around Athena's waist, "we had business to attend to and we had to move." It was obvious the church girl didn't believe what he'd said. "Who are you?" He then asked.

"I'm Yui Komori. My Father said I was supposed to live here."

"I've heard nothing of the sort," Reiji folded his arms over his chest with a sigh, "Ayato, explain this to me."

"Huh? How should I know?" Ayato's green eyes glared at Yui, "You never told me about that, Pancake."

"That's because you attacked me out of nowhere!" Yui had moved closer to Athena now, her heartbeat was fast as she pressed a hand to her chest, eyebrows furrowed. She then gasped, "Wait, did you say 'pancake'? Are you talking about me?"

"Of course I'm talking about you, Stupid. You're as flat as a pancake."

"Ayato," Athena scolded, "there's no need for such impoliteness."

"This is strange," Reiji's hand was pressed upon his chin as he thought hard, "I wasn't informed of this."

"Excuse me..." Yui said softly, "who are you?"

"We shouldn't talk here. Follow me."

"See to her luggage," Athena finished for him, smiling gently at the old man hovering in the shadows.