Bloody Lips

Solutions

"Aki-chan~"

He pinched my cheek again, and I flinched away. I didn't complain, because that would taunt him to annoy me even more. He kept on annoying me until we reached the parking lot, where the others were waiting. "Aoi, I want one..." "Here." Aoi handed Ruki a cigarette, and lit it up for him. "Ano... I won't be riding home with you guys today..." I said. "Ah, okay." Uruha responded, but I could tell he was confused. "Take care." Kai said with a smile. Only Kai knows where I was going. I nodded and went my way. I could still hear their voices as they conversed. "Where's she going?" "Work." "Eh~ Aki-chan has work?" I got on a bus and slowly made my way to the hotel. The hotel wasn't that large, but it was decent enough. I got in and showed them some papers. "I'm new..." I said. "Ah, yes. Kana-chan, will you accompany her?" the woman at the desk called. A girl, maybe two or three years older than me, came to us. "Ah, you're the newbie? Welcome to the job~" she said. I bowed slightly, and I could feel myself blushing. She showed me around, briefing me on the duties to be done. She gave me three sets of uniforms, which looked like a waitress uniform. White polo, black vest, black pants... the usual. "We try to keep it formal here, I hope you understand." Kana-san said. "Ah, it's okay." I said. "Working student, huh? You'll never get a boyfriend at this rate!" she teased. I almost choked out. "Eh... I'm not looking for a relationship right now..." I said. "Uo~ Then if you have some guy friends, introduce Kana, okay?" she said. I giggled. "Sure thing." I said and got started on the job. The day ended late, as there were so many things to do. When I checked out, it was already seven p.m. "Good work today~" Kana said as I slung my bag over my shoulder. I gave a smile. "I'll be going~" I said as I stepped out of the back door. It was dark outside, but the street lamps gave off a warm glow. The streets were still busy, and people were still walking by. I reached the mansion about a half-hour later, and some of the lights were on. I walked to the large living room, my eyes adjusting slightly to the dark. "Where were you?" a deep voice asked from the corner. It didn't take a detective to know who it was. "Work." I promptly answered. "None of your business." I walked to my room, not waiting to see his reaction. I didn't need his approvement or anything. Kai gave me a chance to be at my own pace, and he can't do anything about it. I changed into more comfortbale clothes and went immediately went to sleep. 

After a week, I suddenly realized why Kai was reluctant to send me to work. 

After school, I would immediately go to work. It wasn't easy, but it'll have to do. It was hard work everyday. I'm tired and sleepy by the time I get home, but I still have to study. I would study until late hours, and finally go to bed. It was tiring. Kimiko must have noticed. I must admit, I could see myself getting paler everyday. Oh well. I have no other choice. "Aki-chan?" Kimiko asked. "Hai?" I answered abruptly, lost in my train of thought. "Would you like some?" she said, offering me cookies. "Ah, arigatou." I said as I took one. "Aki-chan, are you okay? You seem light-headed lately..." Mie-chan noticed. "Gomenasai~ I've been busy lately." I said as an excuse. "Ah, is it because of work?" she asked. I nodded silently as I ate. "Wow... I don't think I can handle working and study at the same time..." Kimiko mused. "It's because Kimi-chan is so lazy~!" Mie teased. "Eh? What about you?" "Eto... I have a boyfriend, so... besides, my parents still pay for my tuition and allowance!" The two kept on talking about things I cannot relate with, and their voices became a distant hum in the background. I kept on reading, when I felt Mie's elbow nudge me a bit. "Reita-kun is staring at you." she whispered, and I heard Kimiko giggle. "Eh? Don't look at him..." I said, trying to look innocent. I glanced at his direction, and I could see his eyes brooding. "Omo~ He looks a bit scary." Kimiko mused. I shot her a puzzled look. If only she knew that he was more frightening than she thinks he is. "Ne ne, do you think they're all related? The Shichi Fukujin, I mean..." Mie asked us. She said the group name with reverence, which made me want to laugh. "They don't look related to each other." I said. "Yeah, but Ruki-kun and Reita-kun have the same hair color, right? And Kai-senpai and Miyavi..." Mie noticed. "They don't look like each other at all." I said. Kimiko nodded. "But I think Uruha-kun has beautiful eyes. I saw them, they were a sort of lavander." Mie reacted in awe. "Sugoi~ Do you think he wears contacts? I don't think they're allowed..." she thought aloud. The two giggled softly. They were like fan girls, or something. It was weird, maybe because I know the truth and they don't. From the corner of my eye, I saw Reita laugh. It was almost as if he knew what I was thinking, or he had heard our conversation. Weirdo. At the end of the schhol day, I knew I had to run to work. I immediately went to my locker, and hurriedly fixed all of my stuff. I closed the locker door with a bang, and jumped. Reita was leaning against the lockers, his hand in his pockets. "Work again? When are you going to quit?" he asked me. I huffed as I slung my bag over my shoulder. I told him this was none of his business. Instead of leaving, he took my hand gently, and I could feel his thumb brush over my knuckles. "I feel alone when you're not around..." he murmured, almost whispered. I flinched back and pulled my hand off his. I dashed past him, and out to the school parking lot. I could read Mao's worried expression, and Kai looked concerned. For once, work wasn't that heavy. There were fewer people in the hotel restaurant, which was rare. "Thanks for the hard work~" Kana said as I change out of my uniform. "Ehh~ Kana, look! He's so pretty, I can't tell if he's a boy or girl." one of our co-workers called. We both peered out of the window, and I gasped. A tall figure leaned against the lamp post, his arms crossed over his chest. He wore a black hoodie and denim, and I could tell from here who it was. "Mao." I whispered. "Eh? You know him?" Kana asked me, surprised. "Ah~ hai... he's a friend..." I said, but she didn't look convinced. I coughed, and went outside. "Ah, Aki-chan." he said as I half-ran to him. "I came to fetch you." I blushed a bit, and he smiled. "So... this is where you work, eh? Nice place." he commented as he looked around. "Ah, sou..." I answered. I still couldn't believe he was here. "Well, then, ikousen!" he said as he took my hand. I could feel my cheeks burn again. We walked home together, laughing and talking about random things. I laughed until my stomach hurt. I can't remember the last time I had fun like this. Heck, in that moment, I even forgot the fact that Mao was a vampire. "Tadaima~" I said as we entered the mansion. "Okairinasai~" Uruha called over his shoulder. He sat on the couch, reading. Aoi was at his feet, busy working over his laptop. That's weird. Reita would usually be here when I got home... "Aki-chan, are you hungry?" Mao asked me. "Ah, iie. I'll go study now." I said and headed to my room. I was tempted to check on Reita's room if he was there, but I stopped. Why would I be looking for him? Besides, it's his choice if he wanted to wait for me... right? I shook it off and headed to my own room. I pulled my books out, and started working on my homework. After a while, I heard Reita outside my room. "Is she home?" "Yeah~" "You didn't have to fetch her, Mao. She can get home on her own." "I know, but I wanted to." Undoubtedly, Reita wasn't happy about the fact that Mao fetched me.

I wonder why?