Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Eighty

"Everyone is so predictable when it comes to cleaning. Not only do you take me for granted for trying to keep this household together while Reiji is gone, but you also take Reiji for granted for cleaning everything. You even count on it, but have you ever thanked him for it? I think not, and he's been doing this for years without getting help from you or the others. It's always the good things and eating the sweet stuff, but never doing anything to the household. Otherwise, you wouldn't lift a finger." And even when I use it as an excuse to keep busy and so you won't bite me, I am quite the fool for cleaning all the rooms. I offered it, but Reiji needs to do it because none of you would consider it. She saw him at the door as if he was frozen. "Just get out. You're not going to clean this up. Even if you are the one making the mess." She knew that much. You should be lucky Reiji is willing to tidy up, clean up, and do the spring cleaning. Lazy dumbasses. Alone in the kitchen, she finished making a fruit salad with whatever was left to use. 

*** 

When Yui took her place for dinner, she could tell it wasn't much but kept quiet. She couldn't comprehend what had happened. Or how her friend handled Kanato because she was close and heard everything. 

Chisana served the rest and nodded. "Enjoy dinner." 

"You too." Yui noticed she looked tired. "Tired because of cleaning, or are you tired because of what happened?"

I knew a few must have heard it. "You mean with Kanato? I don't know, maybe it's both." Sipping her water, Chisana smiled faintly, but it didn't feel genuine. I can't believe most of them treat Reiji as a butler so they don't have to lift a finger. So much for responsibility and independence. She took a deep sigh. "I had to improvise, Yui, because the groceries need to be ordered."

"And that only happens on Saturday." Yui nodded. "I don't need anything, so no list from me."

I'll write that down later. But what happens if Reiji isn't back by Saturday? He orders it, but where and how? Should I order the groceries if he's still out? I could, but that means that my money, or my allowance, is gone for two months. Come back, darling, I miss you. "Neither do I," Chisana responded. Whatever the others come up with that needs to be ordered can wait for once. The groceries, or at least the food, are more important. Family dinner is in nine days, so that can wait until next weekend. No, hold on, Saturday a week from now is family dinner. Those groceries need to be ordered before. I never knew how much effort it is to keep this household going. I wonder if anyone knows besides Reiji and me.

Yui moved closer. "I'm sure you miss him, Chisana-chan. Didn't he leave a message?" 

"No, he didn't." And that's what makes it so weird. It's so unlike him. Even if he would tell someone, he would tell me! Darling, come home. Feeling a hand on her arm, she turned to see her friend.

"I'll help you." Yui got up and gathered the plates.

Chisana followed her. "It's okay, I prefer to stay busy." It's a way to be left alone. "They aren't biting you thrice?"

Yui shook her head. "No, and..." she took a step closer, "they stopped biting me in the afternoon. I can take a shower and gett dressed and then have breakfast with you, Chisana-chan."

That means it helped to let them know. "Did anyone stop if you were bitten twice?"

"Only once. Ayato-kun still bit me even after Shu-san and Subaru-kun bit me." Yui did try to get Ayato to back off, but he didn't. "It's like he wasn't listening or didn't want to listen. I don't know what it is."

Maybe she needs to get mad for a change. "Get mad and throw some facts in his face. Just because your blood is important to them doesn't mean they all get to bite you in one night. They know this, Yui, so get mad sometimes. Especially if two of them bite you. Can you get some time in between and drink some juice mix? Take a nap?"