Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Thirty-Four

Laito acted fast with his hand on her neck. "If you call her plain one more time, I will degrade you in front of your class," he whispered in her ear. "Now apologize to her." 

Struggling to breathe, Seiko gasped. "I'm... I'm sorry." 

Letting her go, he chuckled seeing her bent form and gasping for air. "You're not my type, Seiko. You are a problem, and a problem I would love to get rid of. If you can't say anything nice then keep it shut." 

Chisana got pulled into their homeroom without saying anything because other students were coming in. I can't believe he did that when the other students were so close. Someone could have seen it. She checked the time. "I still have a few minutes. I'll be back, Laito." 

He nodded and got the books he needed. If something would happen, he could be there within a second. 

As promised, she was back before the teacher could enter the room. I don't know what he whispered in her ear, but she called me plain again. I know I hardly have anything compared with her. It doesn't work with these guys because they prefer my blood than anything else. She had trouble paying attention during class. 

*** 

By the time the bell rang, Chisana gladly put everything away. Can I get some coffee tonight? Will I be blocked from entering or wil someone spill it on me? Why does she target me and for what? I don't understand. Why can't she just talk to me like a normal person? What does she think to gain from bullying me? Moving her bag on her shoulder, she walked out of the classroom. 

"Hey, sexy, I know you would follow her." Seiko waited for Chisana and Laito. 

Laito hardly looked at the delusional girl. 

"I happen to hear how your brother calls my friend a pancake, but you should call her that. She's also flat. Don't you want someone with curves." Seiko continued while opening a button from her blouse. 

Chisana turned her eyes down and walked to the stairs but someone stopped her. 

"I have a message for you." Some girl pushed some books in Chisana's arms. "Do Seiko's homework, and she won't expose your dirty family secret. Good luck with that because there are two essays between it." 

Family secret? What secret would that be? "I don't know what you are talking about." Chisana tried to stand up for herself. 

"Just do her homework..." 

"Come on, Chisana, ignore them." Subaru heard how Seiko distracted Laito. Taking the books, he held them in one hand. "Tell that lazy girl to do it herself. Otherwise, I'll destroy the books." He pushed the books back in the girl's arms. 

"Subaru-kun, you can't just destroy school books." However, the girl intimidately recoiled and ran back with the books in her arms. 

Surprised by him, Chisana followed him downstairs. 

"Whatever secret that lazy girl has, forget about it. It could easily be another lie." Subaru held the door open for her. "Go get your coffee... I see Reiji has your coffee. I do have one question. Are you going to do your homework in the garden again?" 

Chisana saw Reiji at a table with another cup in front of him. "Hold that thought, and I'll be right back." She went to him and took her coffee. "I just got an essay for homework and want to get started on that. Sorry Reiji." I can't. I can't just pretend that nothing happened and spend the lunch break with you again. Besides, Seiko called me plain again. I'm just an ordinary girl, who wandered into your mansion. After finding out you are vampires, I know can't leave or escape. She headed back to Subaru. "That moment was enough to think about your question. It depends on my homework and if I have essays. For an essay, I prefer to work on my laptop for that." She left the cafeteria with him. "I know I said I like the garden but it seems like I don't get the chance to enjoy it. Too much homework, I'm sorry." But it is a nice distraction. Who knows I can write my essay tonight?