To Be, or Not To Be

Chapter 5

"Mahiru... Mahiru!"

A voice bellowed as I whined and nestled further against the warm body draped over me.

"Mahiru! I know you're in there!"

Huffing out in annoyance, I sat up and immediately regretted it at the cold air that assaulted my skin. I hastily wrapped myself in the warm blanket, ignoring my bed mate who hissed at the coldness.

"That's my blanket, Mahiru..."

"I-it's cold!" I sneezed and tugged the blanket tighter around myself. "I'm just going to use this a bit—"

"MAHIRU!" The knocking outside my door had turned into pounding.

"I'm coming!" My teeth clattered as Kuro turned into a cat, crawling into the cocoon I've enveloped myself in as I headed for the door.

"What is it Misono?" I yawned, blinking tiredly at the other teen standing at my doorway with his Servamp at his side.

"Good morning, Mahiru-kun, Kuro-kun." Lily greeted cheerfully.

"What's with the blanket?" Misono asked when he saw the state we were in.

"My heater broke." I replied simply. "What do you want Misono? It's six in the morning..."

"So troublesome... can't deal with this..." Kuro yawned as he poked his furry head out and rested his chin against the crook of my neck.

"Exactly! It's six o'clock! We all agreed to have a gathering at Christmas Eve, remember?"

"I remember—wait... you mean now?" I asked, all drowsiness suddenly gone as I stared at the two in disbelief.

"Of course. Everyone is mostly there."

"At six in the morning?" I couldn't help but repeat.

Misono sighed in irritation.

"Lily."

"Excuse me." Lily bowed before I was scooped into the Servamp's arms and being carried away.

Both Kuro and I yelled out complaints. Thanks to the blankets bounding me, the most I could do was wriggle around fruitlessly in an attempt to get free.

True to Misono's words... mostly everyone are there. At six in the morning.

"AH! Sleepy Ash!" The Servamp of Gluttony, World End shouted as he ran up and grabbed the kitten perched on my shoulder, shaking him until he turned back into his human form.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS?!"

   I just walked away, too used to this sight as the blanket slipped off my shoulders, revealing the black sweater a size too big to be mine and blue shorts I've been wearing underneath. I couldn't help but feel amazed at the warmth in Misono's mansion. Just how much money does heating cost him? Moreover, where does he even get the money from? After all, this mansion has been sustained for well over a century despite how Misono still couldn't get a proper job without the help of Lily's illusion.

"It's been a while, Shirota Mahiru." Wrath said, walking towards me with her heels clacking against the sparkling clean tiles. I flinched at the permanent scowl fixed on her face. No matter how many times I see it... she scares me. "Or do you prefer Diligence? I heard that's what the humans began calling you now."

"Mahiru is just fine." I responded. I still couldn't get use to the new label I was shoved with. "It's been a long time." I said before looking around, noticing two members missing. "Where's yours and World End's Eves?"