Red Like Blood || Aihara Mei x Asexual Reader

Chapter 2

A fine beam of sunlight shone through a small aperture in the blinds near the window, with a cool breeze from the outside accompanying it. The unexpected change in temperature triggered your eyes to open, as if almost by themselves.

They shifted from the ceiling fan, then over to the barely open window where the light was emitting from. You could barely even keep your concentration on what was going on around you, as your mind was spinning, and clouded with different thoughts.

Am I actually dead? 

Was the only concept that was more noticeable than the rest, that kept reverberating inside your skull.

 It was the only one that made the most sense, since you had no idea where you were. 

Was it possible that you were just lost in a dream so pragmatic that you actually believed everything you saw? Were you oppressed to wander your subconscious forever?

No, you had to be overthinking it. You wanted to move, but your body wouldn't respond. Becoming aware of a strange sensation in your abdomen you decided not to do anything for the time being. 

Another soft breeze came in from the window, gently brushing over your face. You appreciated the feeling of it, since it took your mind off the tightness around your torso.

As you were about to close your eyes, you heard a trail of light footsteps approach where you were lying.

"Ah, so you're awake."

She hovered over you, her long hair almost touching off the side of your face. Your gaze was immediately drawn to her eyes, which still didn't show an ounce of emotion. 

Walking over to the l-shaped couch that was facing you behind the coffee table, she sat down. She crossed one leg in front of the other, and rested her hands on her lap, leaning slightly forward.

"I didn't think you would wake up. I honestly thought you were dead."

What a way to make a first impression... 

She was very direct, but you admired the way she spoke. She was softly-spoken, her voice having no traces of an accent. She most likely came from a wealthy background.

"For how long have I been unconscious?" You managed to muster.

"Five days."

It was disconcerting how taken aback you were by those words. How were you insensate for almost a week? You couldn't even begin to comprehend how you even survived. It was as if you didn't want to believe that you had been shot. You wanted it to be a dream.

She began to study her own fingernails, as if they were a more interesting to look at than you. "I managed to drag you back here to my villa, and stop the bleeding from your abdomen. I'll need to change those bandages later though, mind you."

You had to admit that was a very impressive feat for her to bring you back here, as she only seemed to be around 5'7" while you were a towering 6 foot at the least. She had quite a petite frame compared to you.

You took a glance downwards at your ribs, to see the area thoroughly covered in pale, cloth bandages. Her handiwork was commendable, with the fabric folded over many times to make sure that the injury wouldn't become any more severe.

You weren't quite sure of what to say. She had done so much for you, when she just could have left you to bleed out to death on the frigid ground.

"T-thank you, so much. For everything." You stuttered.

She looked back at you again, and raised her eyebrows slightly, as if she wasn't expecting any acknowledgement for her actions. 

Looking down at her feet, she appeared to have brushed off the fact that you had given her a word of recognition. Returning her attention to a painting behind you, she continued to speak.

"It seems I have forgotten to introduce myself. I'm Aihara Mei." She said, before coming over to shake your hand.

"I'm ____," You replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aihara-san."

She looked away from you when you ended your sentence, with a face of detestation. Surely it wasn't probable for her to have an aversion towards compliments, was it?

She strolled over to the door connected to the hallway, and stopped with her hand loosely holding onto the doorframe.

"Dinner will take about half an hour, you may take a nap if you wish until then. And by the way," She then turned around, focused on your presence with her empty eyes. "As soon as you recover, I expect you to return back to wherever you came from. Don't presume that I will wait on your every hand and foot."

Leaving the room, and leaving you alone with your thoughts that still lingered around in your mind, you gingerly moved your hands onto your face, over your eyes, and heaved a heavy sigh.

After being comatose for almost a week, and believing that you were dead when you first awoke, she definitely made you feel right at home.

That's what you wished had happened.

But you did have to accept that most things you wished for in life didn't become a reality.

You decided not to let yourself dwell on the thought too much, since you already had too much to think about as it was. Such as having to regulate your breathing, so it wouldn't feel like your lungs would collapse every time you inspired.

Your ribs were definitely broken, but you had to be grateful that you were still alive.

Beginning to grow weary from losing the dispute of what to do in your head, you withdrew your hands, and closed your eyes. You could feel yourself sink into the plush couch even more, as you started to skim the smooth material through your fingers.

Feeling the cool breeze graze over you again, was the last thing you remember before you fell into a deep slumber.