Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Eighty-One

Again, with the cleaning and that it's considered a disease! It's getting annoying. She put the plug back in and continued to vacuum the room. If it wasn't for Reiji, you would need a cleaning company every week, and that's expensive. Done with the vacuuming, she took it to her room. Where she had everything ready to clean. It's not much, but still. She hesitated to put music on but decided not to. I wouldn't know when something was going on, or worse, I could find myself being bitten because I couldn't hear them. The moment one of them bites me, it's over. I won't be able to be with Reiji anymore. Realizing it, struck a nerve and shivered. Damn it, if I can't be with him anymore, they might as well kill me. He wouldn't want me around anymore. If there's one thing I can't and won't do is cheat. I've been cheated on. I know the feeling, so why would I want to do it to someone? To Reiji?! I can't. Without music on, she started cleaning her room. Even with the door closed, she could feel someone's presence, and her mind took her back to the other night. Shu, is that you? Wait, I haven't seen Subaru in a while. Is it him? I guess I don't know everyone as well as I would want. Please, no, keep your distance. 

*** 

Wiping the sweat off of her forehead, Chisana looked around the clean bathroom. She knew it had to be done. And all according to your schedule, darling. But I can't keep this up forever. Come home, I miss you. She couldn't stop thinking about him. No matter what she did, and no matter where she was in the house. One tiny thing would trigger a memory for her, and she would find herself in the piano room. He played twice for me. The first time after the party, and another time when I lost myself or... No, I was nothing but a shadow of who I used to be. Going downstairs to the kitchen, she got herself a drink and stood in the doorway of the pantry. Where she had a moment with Reiji and with Yui close in the kitchen. He stole a kiss and went back. Then again, we didn't know Yui saw us on that Wednesday. Thinking about it made her cheeks turn red. She saw us kissing... Never again with someone so close. I don't want an audience. No, I don't need much or anyone as long as I have you, darling. What's taking so long? Are you not missing me?

"Finally alone."

She didn't even jump, hearing his voice coming from nowhere. "There seems to be a theme going on tonight, and you started it, Shu." She showed him her glass. "The theme of 'I want your blood' and 'why hasn't anyone bitten me in six nights'." She used her fingers as hooks to emphasize his words from earlier. "Thanks for that."

Shu went to her with big steps. "You are missing one. Why do you smell like him? Or how you still carry his scent with you when that should have diminished. Are you doing it on purpose or not? I want some answers, Chisana." He did let her finish her glass before he pushed her against the wall. "Six nights without being bitten, you set a new record, that's for sure, but why is that? You came here with questions, and some of them are answered. Now you live here because we live on blood. Your blood." He said in a low and quiet voice. Something he knew would have an effect on her. "Yet here we are, six nights further, and no one has bitten you while some of us have tried to bite you. I'm not just talking about tonight but some of the previous nights as well. How are you avoiding us?" 

"Am I? After finding out Reiji isn't here, I wanted to help out and clean. I don't want him to get mad when he does come back to a dirty house. Do you want to see him mad?" I believe the answer is somewhere in the middle.

He lowered his head right next to her ear. "Let me remind you of your own words, Chisana, because you said you could make a choice. Not that you told us who your choice is and if he would feel the same. As far as I'm concerned, and not just me alone, you are a free woman. Being a free woman, we can bite you, so how come you stop us?"

Oh no! This is the same with Laito. He can't bite me! Her heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran down her spine. Along with a cold making all the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "No, don't bite me." Is he really...