I N N O C E N C E (Shu Sakamaki)

Chapter 10

Another week has passed by without Manami realizing. Her days mostly consisted of different interactions with the brothers.

Laito would consistently check on her every day before she went to sleep, making sure to tell her an 'I love you.' She knew he wasn't being serious, but she didn't know why he threw such strong words around like it's nothing. His brother Ayato, on the other hand, stuck to her like scotch when it came to school work. He used the excuse of homework to see her, which Manami perfectly knew, since his reputation as an idiot wasn't unknown.

On the other hand, Subaru had started taking interest in baking, as he found a new way to take out his anger through chopping with a knife. Manami found this quite amusing, but she didn't dare to say anything against it. On the contrary, she was starting to see the improvement in his behavior, as every time he would bake something, he'd request, or "commanded," for her and Kanato to try. This indeed inflated Kanato's ego, as he found it delightful that his feedback was the most important.

Reiji and her continued to have daily tea sessions, where they enjoyed conversations and debates about all kinds of things, ranging from art to basic everyday responsibilities. She didn't know this, but it had become a custom for Reiji to personally prepare before she would come to his study at the same time every night. He would personally bring her favorite cheesecake and some of his famously brewed tea, making sure to place two teaspoons of sugar into her teacup. He found it fascinating that she was willing to listen to him talk about his collection of tableware, as he brought it upon himself to change to a new one every time. That way, he was easily able to bring them into their conversation, reciting their history and characteristics to Manami, who listened to him patiently.

Despite all the interaction, though, Manami didn't feel quite at home. The only thing that made her feel relaxed in the house, was the violin playing which she listened to at the same time every night before she went off to sleep.

From her room on the second floor, she could stare out the window and into the garden, where she would watch the oldest Sakamaki play his instrument every night. His notes were delicate yet sad, engrossing Manami's attention. I see, she thought to herself, that is the Shu-sound.

This night in particular, the nightmare turned out to be longer than usual, making her feel extremely sleepy. Without realizing it, she had awoke already sitting in the limousine, her head leaning against the green-eyed Fedora man.

"You are finally awake." He smiled at her flirtatiously. "You haven't eaten breakfast this morning. You need to eat properly or you could become anemic. That wouldn't be so fun for us, would it~?"

"You don't have to concern yourself with that." Reiji said, throwing a pack of cranberry juice at Manami. "Drink this every morning."

"I am not going to ask why because I fairly know the answer." She sighed, looking away only to see the back of Shu's head on the far side of the seats.

When they arrived to school, they started to make their ways to their classrooms, but Manami could feel the weakness in both her arms and legs. She had been skipping meals due to the increase in the nightmares, forcing her to eventually forfeit sleep altogether. It didn't help that she was on her period.

(A/N: Weird question but... can vampires smell the period blood? Asking for a friend.)

She slid into an empty hallway, taking a seat on the ground and burying her head into her hands. She needed to get herself together as soon as possible, especially with this being the time where her emotions tended to take the better side of her.

"Laying around in the hallway during class time." She heard a familiar male voice speak.

"Yeah, so what of it?" She said, rubbing her eyes and seeing Shu in front of her. "You don't have much of a right to speak in this case, do you?"