Crimson Aria | Diabolik Lovers AU (Fanfiction)

Ch. 3: Well, That's Unexpected

Sing? For him? I don't know shit about his music taste. I only know songs from the musical theatre I did. As a soloist, I can sing songs from one of my plays but what if he doesn't like it?

"Time is ticking."

"Alright, alright. Don't rush me.", I replied, mustering up a confident smile. "I accept your challenge. I'll sing for you, but only if you promise to come to class afterwards."

Fuck it then, I'll just sing my favourite song that I sing in pastime to scare the shit of people in the stairway of the old apartment.

I tried to sing Once Upon a December and it ended the way I expected. It was a song I had loved during my theatre days, one that carried deep emotions and heartfelt lyrics. As I sang, I poured my soul into the performance, letting the music express what words alone couldn't convey. This very song carries a sense of nostalgia, longing, and a touch of mystery.

Shu leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as he listened. The room was filled with the sound of my voice, intertwining with the melody in my head. Time seemed to stand still as I finished the song, the final notes lingering in the air.

I'll be finished by Reiji if Shu refuses to go back.

With one eyebrow lifted up, I looked at his face. Silently questioning his judgement. His eyelashes brushed the apple of his cheeks, he seems to be really enjoying teasing people around—as if it's a privilege as the eldest one. Well, I'm at least as old as him!

"I'm impressed by your voice. You managed to captivate my attention—for a while—I suppose I can humour you, and attend the next class."

He got up from his seat, took my hand, and kissed its back. His sudden act is making me flushed. I don't know if it's from embarrassment or attraction but it definitely made my heart beat faster.

Shu placed my hand within his, making our fingers intertwined. He then continued from his last sentence, "And I'm gonna make you mine. Let's go back."

He starts to walk away with my hand dragged with his.

Who drags who to class, now? I was the one who was supposed to but instead, he's the one doing that.

At the class entrance, Reiji saw us. He saw the way our hands were enveloped in one another. His face turned into a face of unwritten jealousy. His demeanour is not enough to conceal this. Seeing his brother state, Shu let go of my hand when he sat on his chair, looking unfazed.

I go to my own desk. Being placed between the brothers, I felt a bit awkward with how things were. I don't want to be a reason for them to drift even further apart. So, I decided to go to the cafeteria and ask them if they wanted something. Reiji wanted spaghetti carbonara and Shu wanted a rare steak.

While walking there, I debated with myself: I never eat snacks in the middle of the night, let alone eat something heavy. Weight was... something strictly controlled. Perhaps I should get accustomed to this way of living for the time being.

They serve a variety of food. My eyes landed on strawberry souffle and some takoyakis and thus ordered both. With my past waiter skills, I managed to bring all the food needed.

A smile was carved visibly when I passed a mirror. It was evident that I'm happily looking at the pretty souffle I'm on my way back to the 3rd floor. 

The pretty souffle sat delicately in its container, a work of culinary artistry that delighted both the eyes and the taste buds. Its surface boasted a golden hue, a result of expert baking that created a light, airy texture. The edges, kissed with a subtle caramelization, promised a perfect balance of sweetness.

Damn, why must the cafeteria be placed on the 1st floor?

Reaching the second floor, my walk was halted. I was stopped by Ayato.

"Yo, Chichinasi's sister. You must be able to read minds."

Ayato's casual greeting caught me quite off guard

"Huh?"

"Thanks for the takoyakis.", with no hesitation he took the takoyaki container with him and ran away, leaving me with a mix of irritation and amusement.

My hand is full of the foods for Shu, Reiji, and myself that I can't catch Ayato.

I can only curse him, "Damn you Ayato! I hope you tripped on nothing!"

Irritated that I only got one food instead, I returned to class. Perhaps what I felt inside was written clearly on my face that Shu asked, "what's with that face?".

Still irritated, I shut everyone off. I don't want to lash out on someone else. My anger right now is for Ayato and only he will feel my wrath.

"She has a scent of takoyakis... and Ayato. Her food must be stolen from her.", Reiji remarked with a tone of mockery directed to Shu. His nose must be so sharp that he manage to catch Ayato's scent.

Sighing audibly, I opened the container, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air, carrying notes of vanilla and a hint of something richer beneath and finally sliced through the souffle. The soufflé itself, when touched, yielded with a gentle resistance, the outer layer giving way to a pillowy softness within. Each spoonful promised a symphony of flavours, a dance of sweetness and warmth that lingered on the palate, making this pretty souffle not just a dessert but a culinary masterpiece. Creating such harmonious flavour with pretty plating must take quite some time.

Contrasting to the souffle, these two awkward brothers don't fit with each other at all. What kind of shitty things they have done to each other that make them react this way? It is as if Reiji is allergic to Shu, while Shu doesn't even retaliate at his younger brother mean behavior towards him. The complexities between them may overshadow at a series of events that could potentially shape my experience at Ryotei Academy.

I kept my feelings and thoughts under wraps. Eventually, the bell rang, signalling the start of the next class. I threw away the souffle's container the teacher was visibly seen coming toward the classes.

As the class progressed, I seemed to drift off to my own thoughts, contemplating the reason behind the strained relationship between these two brothers. The air felt thick with unspoken tension and I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was a deep scar that needed to be dealt with.

Despite the lessons unfolding before me, my thoughts were occupied with the silent inexistent drama among the two men. The class became a backdrop to my train of thought.

What might happen between them..? Could it be that one was loved by their parents and one wasn't? It's not rare for families to have a favourite child. If this is the case, then perhaps this whole tension between the two can be seen as a... some sort of revenge for the unloved one. Perhaps, one was granted everything he wanted and the other must please their parents first? Either way, it's not fair for the 'favourite' one to be treated as such by the 'unloved' one, no? His anger should've been directed to their parents... that is, if they're still alive.

I know I shouldn't pry any further, but, I haven't seen a single responsible adult at the mansion aside from the old butler, where are they?