Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Forty-One

Is he telling me to... "Do you want me to intrude on you?" Chisana was a little lost with so many confessions. "Wouldn't that result in you punishing me?" 

"Maybe," admitted Kanato quietly. 

"We all open up at some point. Some of us will take more time than others, alright, Chisa-chan?" Laito saw her nod and smiled. "Alright, get out. She has plenty to think about." 

One by one, they disappear, leaving Chisana alone in her room. 

✦✦✦ 

Still overwhelmed by their confession of waiting until after her awakening, Chisana hoped it would come sooner rather than later. What will it take to speed up the awakening? How much do they have to drink and how many times? Does Yui know that? I could ask her when we're alone. Will it be painful? Going to her homeroom, she noticed how calm and quiet it was. Sure some students talk to each other but no sign of Seiko anywhere. How did that girl turn my life upside down in a matter of what... two weeks? 

"What's on your mind, Chisa-chan?" Laito eyed Yuma, who stepped aside for the girl. 

Chisana took a deep breath. "I don't know. Maybe I'm worried over nothing." She followed him inside their homeroom. 

"Worry about your homework, essays, or any test, Chisa-chan." Laito picked the books and sat down. "That's enough to worry about here at school. Otherwise, you should try to find some answers. Maybe Reiji will get an answer soon from our father." He wondered if Seiko was on her mind when that girl was added to Kanato's doll collection. 

"That would be nice. Most questions can be answered by him and not me." She got a note from him. Even without finding my father, would I want to go through the awakening or speed it up? After reading it, she looked at him with a nod. One thing at the time and only focus on the things I have influence on. "Yes, I would." 

Laito winked and bowed at her. "Your wish is my command." 

"Oh, stop it." She saw him smile. If I do survive it it will give me one answer and that I am half demon. Or something like it. I'll save the rest for when I face my father. Yeah, probably after recovering from fainting. No one would expect to find your parent when they faked their death. The teacher came in, meaning everything would have to wait until after class. 

Laito chuckled but made sure only she heard it. 

*** 

For the first time, Chisana reached the cafeteria but saw Yui alone. 

"Chisana-chan, over here, I have your coffee." Yui waved for her to come. She smiled for being alone with her. 

I can see that but no Reiji. Do they understand that we're friends instead of a threat? Chisana questioned it but sat down. "What a difference and a relief." 

"I'll say. It's nice to talk to you alone. Woman to woman, right?" 

"That it does, but I have a few questions if you don't mind," started Chisana, and Yui nodded. "Do you remember the awakening?" 

Slowly, Yui shook no. "Not really, a lot was going on at the time. I was losing control over my body because of Cordelia. Somewhere at the end I underwent the awakening but woke up as myself with no sign of that woman anywhere." She sipped her tea. "But it could be different for you. The most important part is to have a connection to the demon world. I think you will be the second to survive it." 

"How encouraging." Chisana drank her coffee and noticed a small difference. "Hmm, two sugar?" 

"Three, I wasn't sure," smiled Yui.