Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Forty-Nine

"I look different as well, Chisana. I have some shade of purple hair. Two of the triplets have red hair, Shu is blond, and Subaru has white hair. That's the reason we stand out as well," he explained and let go of her chin. "Don't talk yourself down like that. Everyone is unique in their own way. So why are you insecure and about what?" 

Because even among other female students I don't have big boobs? I could be slimmer than I am. I need to lose some weight. I don't eat as much as I did before. "I don't know. If I did, I could do something about it." Or how you prefer my blood over me as a person. You keep reminding me that I'm your prey. She kept quiet and drank her coffee. 

"If you ever want to talk in private, you can just say so. I'll teleport us someplace where we do have privacy. You can trust me, Chisana." 

Trust you? How can I trust anyone when my mother disappears and doesn't want to get close to me? My father left me by faking his death because he's a demon. I've seen him for a few nights, but he's gone again. Seiko never trusted me and took everything away from me. Yoshi, my stepmother, made me do everything without so much lifting a finger. I thought I could trust Yudai, but he cheated on me and didn't look back. She turned away from him. So that's it. I barely trust myself because of all of this. Is this the cause of my insecurity? Then what did Seiko have over me to make me do her homework? She couldn't figure it out. 

He followed her with his eyes, aware that she discovered something about herself. "You don't trust yourself, do you?" He went to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Of everything that happened, it affected you more mentally than physically. What's troubling you?" He moved her back so she was facing him. "How can I help you so you start trusting yourself, Chisana?" He knew that would be a step in the right direction. He would almost miss the confident side of her, but he questioned if that side was ever real. 

I don't even know. Not knowing how to react, she just leaned with her head against his chest. How did he... No, I know I need to work on myself. But how when I can't let go of the past? Just... just hold me for a little longer, please. 

"If you can and want to talk, you know where to find me." He could tell someone was close. 

*** 

Laito kept quiet the entire ride back home. Now that they have arrived, he teleported to the backyard with his brother. "This isn't working. She is insecure and mistrusting of herself. The past is clearly haunting her since Seiko is dead and having Yudai around at school isn't helping either. She did talk to Reiji a little, but she shut herself off." 

Shu found out the same thing and didn't find the opportunity to tease his brother. "Then make her face herself." 

"How?" Laito leaned against the hard and cold brick wall. "It's not just trust issues." 

"Aren't you an observer and investigator? You can figure it out." Shu was convinced of it and chuckled. "And there is your type within the enneagram types. I'm a type four, myself." He remembered when he got a similar assignment. 

Now, Laito nodded. "Reiji is an achiever, Ayato the challenger, and Kanato is also an individualist. I just need..." 

"Subaru is type six. Look at the enneagram again, because besides being a type four, she also has a bit of type nine. She takes care of others." Shu didn't want to say so much. "I have homework." 

✦✦✦ 

Being back at school again, Chisana listened to her music to block out not only the gossip but also to avoid Yudai. What makes him come to the academy? Because his brother is here? She felt an arm around her shoulders and looked to her side. That's not Laito, what the heck?! Taking out an earbud, she removed his arm. "No, not a word, Yudai. Just get lost and leave me alone. Why can't you just listen?" This is getting annoying.