Nekopara: A New Breed

Chapter 5: A Late Night Stroll

Midnight POV

Cinnamon and myself approach the turn that reaches the bakery.

"You go ahead inside...I'll be in a few." I say, letting go of her hand. She nods and turns away, sending a light smile and a warm glance my direction before walking off. I watch as she enters the building, then I press my back against a wall and let myself slide down it. I drop my head into my knees as I bring them closer to my chest.

"What's wrong now?" Cyan asks, projecting himself next to me.

"I don't know...What if they don't forgi--"

"Stop it. Don't think like that. You're all family now...I'm sure they'll forgive you."I see Shigure walking out with Maple and Cinnamon. The three get into a cab and as it drives off, Cinnamon sends me a light smile.

I sigh and nod slowly. I stand up and walk to the door, slowly pushing it open. 

"Onii-chan!" Chocola yells, running towards me as I enter the bakery. She throws her arms around my neck. "You're okay! You're okay! You're okay!" She yells repeatedly. I slowly wrap my arms around her. Vanilla stands up and pulls Chocola away from me, handing me a cup with a purple-ish mixture.

"Drink it." She says with a commanding voice.

"But I don't wanna..." I complain.

She pushes the cup in front of my face. "Drink it."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"N--Gah!" I yell. She yanks my head back with her tail and swiftly pours the mixture down my throat. I swallow it all in one gulp, cough once she lets go. "Damn..."

"If you just listened..." She set the empty glass down. "It wouldn't have been so hard." She walks off, Chocola trailing behind.

"Is she mad?" I ask Cyan.

"How the hell should I know? She's your sister." He replies. I just shrug it off for now and turn to face the others. Cinnamon and Maple were talking with one another, but Azuki was staring me down. Eyes both angry, and afraid. I let my ears and tails come out of hiding as I begin to walk closer to her, she visible shakes. I kneel down in front of where she's sitting and take her hand.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly. She doesn't respond. Her hand trembles as I look over it.

"I need some way to calm her down a bit...Got it." I think to myself. 

"You don't have be afraid...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you..." I speak slowly and calmly, giving a near icy aura to my words. It looks like it worked, she still scared, but less so. 

"It's okay...You didn't scare me that much..." She says quietly. 

"That's a lie." Cyan says.

"Shut it dude...Let me feel what she's feeling." I thought.

"You got it." 

I take both of Azuki's hands into my own. Thanks to a few, unwanted, surgical and chemical modifications. I can feel and transfer pain into others and myself. I focus my hands, begin to feel the sore burn of pain in Azuki's right hand. 

"You don't have to lie. You should've told someone you were hurt." I say, trying to completely feel out anymore, potential, pain coming from her.

"I--I--I'm not--*sigh*...I just didn't want them to know..." She says with a defeated sigh.