Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Fifteen

Chisana needed a moment before realizing her tears were both real and fake. Someone must be nearby. I expect Reiji. "Is there anything else I should know? Now is your chance." 

"I only need one chance to get rid of you!" Yui raged on while holding the railing. 

"Are you done?" Chisana grabbed Yui by her shoulders to keep some distance. If she so much give me one bruise, she'll be locked up downstairs. 

Yui stayed silent without stopping her tears. 

"I want you to listen to what I have to say. No interruptions." Chisana looked for confirmation before continuing. "I lost everything when I arrived here. My father died, the house I was born and raised in, everything was gone. My step-mother gave me this address and told me that the people here were some relatives from my father, and she kicked me out of the house. I have nowhere to go, and after learning vampires are real... Do you believe they would let me go? Of course, not. At first, I was trying to stay alive by listening to the rules, staying in my room, and not bothering them, or even go looking for them. But I realized that, thanks to you, they have a friendly side, and I like to keep it that way. Now I know that I have some things in common with them and we can get along. You have taught them so much and yet you are trying to destroy everything that you worked for. We're in the same situation, Yui, but I'm doing my best while you do the opposite, and you wonder why you are being punished? Open your eyes before someone does kill you. You still have a whole life ahead of you." If anyone should be in tears it should be me. You've hurt me, Yui. Yelling at me, calling me a bitch, saying my father left me or committed suicide. She let her go while feeling relieved for getting it off of her chest. "We have a different past, but we are in the same situation. We'll both be bitten by those six because our blood keeps them alive. You don't share them with me, it's the other way around. They share us, and, if something would happen and we get killed, we will be replaced." She went back inside without waiting for a reply, waited until Yui could't see her anymore and let go of the tears that she was fighting back. 

Pushing a few aside, Reiji pulled her in his arms. It took a moment before she accepted the hug and felt her arms around him. He teleported her with him to his room and pulled her on his lap, hoping things would change between the two. 

✦✦✦ 

I can't believe I cried that much. Was it because I didn't cry at his funeral? Was I somehow keeping it all inside? Chisana could only guess while pouring two cups of tea. I can't believe that Reiji comforted me while he had me on his lap. Just thinking about it, she remembered him saying sweet, quiet words. And you stayed with me until I fell asleep. Eating her breakfast, she saw him coming inside. "I just poured the tea." It's not going to be awkward, right? I can't... he saw me when I was vulnerable. 

"Good afternoon, Chisana." Reiji joined her at the table and sipped his tea, which stood ready on the table and proved too hot for him. He heard her laugh. "What?" 

She showed a finger and finished her breakfast first. "I throw a bit of cold water with my tea. That way it's faster drinkable." She used a napkin before getting to her tea. 

"Chiwa, tonight is my night." Ayato came into the kitchen. "I'm not going to that drama queen that plays the victim role. So give your blood to me." 

Looking at him, she noticed his open shirt. "I don't know if you like it that way or if you're just terrible with buttons. That should be for your future girlfriend and not me so put a white t-shirt on or something. I'm feeling rather uncomfortable because of it." It's why I'm avoiding you.