Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Fifty-Four

She couldn't stop a laugh. 

"I like the sound of that. You should laugh more often." Realizing what it took to make her laugh, he wanted to do it more. "You do have a nice laugh Chisa-chan." 

"Do I?" She wasn't sure of it. Me and having a nice laugh. "You are weird sometimes." 

"In a good way, I hope... Ah no, move it, no class, not yet." He wished he had some power to stop the time or at least to stop the teacher from coming inside. 

Chuckling, she heard her name when the teacher called her for attendance. "Here, Sensei." Why and how did you lose your confidence? Reiji's words followed her, and she couldn't find an answer. Did I pretend to be confident, or was I confident for real? She wrote it down in her notebook. I hope to find the answer. 

*** 

Laito wanted to guide her to the cafeteria when he heard her name. 

Chisana turned and saw Katsuyuki and Yudai. "You two need to leave me alone." 

"I know, just one last thing. It's about Seiko..." 

"I left that place two months ago so leave me out of it! What the heck is wrong with you? Whatever happened to her, happened when I wasn't there. Stop holding me responsible for that girl. Even as stepsisters, we never got along. Now drop it." Chisana was so done with the two men. "I don't want to hear another word about her. Is that understood?" She noticed a nod from the both of them. "Good, now focus on your own life and education and leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you either. You are my ex so I would never take you back, no matter how much you beg me." She turned to Katsuyuki. "And don't you have a girlfriend? Are you trying to make her jealous on purpose? Is that why you wanted to be the class representative so you could abuse your position? I'm not in your homeroom nor are you responsible for me. I'm responsible for myself and no one else." 

"Go, girl," laughed someone behind her. "I'm a friend of Katsuyuki's girlfriend, and I started to notice the same thing. I wasn't sure but still." 

Is this what it takes for me to stand up for myself? Do I need to be pushed around too many times and into too many directions before I explode?! I need that to face my father as well. He might be a demon but that doesn't change much. She descended the stairs with Laito. 

"Damn, Chisa-chan, it seemed you were about to punish the two fools for real." Laito liked what he saw. "They need to push you more often. I think this is the woman you can be but something is stopping you. Only you can find out what that is." They reached the cafeteria, and he opened the door for them. 

"There she is, Katsu and Yudai were harassing her about some girl who wasn't even in her homeroom. I loved how she put them in their place." 

"Really, she seemed like a pushover at first." 

"Well, then it's time to change that. She's been bullied a few times, which always leaves a mark and it changes people. Good to hear she stands up for herself." 

"Are you hearing that, Chisa-chan?" Laito moved his head towards the table where his brother was. "They are right. People who are bullied always do change. Sometimes for the worst but not for you. You were right to tell those fools to leave you alone." 

Reiji pulled the chair back for her to sit down. "True," he nodded and sipped his tea. "Too bad I missed it." 

"Don't be, she clearly picked up a few things from you," smiled Laito at him. "The way she talks and her arguments. I swear it's something you would say. But it's fine, she does live with us six and it would be strange if none of us would have some influence on her."