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

Chapter 12

Manami had locked herself in for a couple of days, only coming out to go to school. She didn't want to interact with anyone, as she was still trying to figure out the feeling from what happened before.

He kissed me.

She kept on thinking to herself.

It didn't feel bad.

She sighed as she got up and walked over to the table, where a piece of paper and a pencil laid. Manami had been trying to write out her thoughts and emotions on a piece of paper, which was the only way she could think of organizing her thoughts.

"Dammit." She whispered, banging her head against the table in defeat. "This is so frustrating. I need a drink."

It had been a while since she felt so worn out from thinking. She looked up at the clock, realizing it had been about an hour since the Sakamaki brothers had left for school.

She had told Reiji that she wasn't feeling well today. When questioned upon this statement, there was only one thing she could think of to use as an excuse.

"I fear I am going through that time of the month."

"I would ask you to please be more specific." She could hear Reiji's irritated voice. "We have not been acquainted to the point where I know your monthly habits."

"Have you and your brothers ever lived with women?" Manami asked, placing a hand over her forehead in utter disbelief and annoyance.

"Plenty." Reiji replied. "I believe that isn't necessary for you to know."

"I think it is, since if you do not know what menstruation is, I should be concerned."

"Are you perhaps referring to women's uterus lining breaking down once a month in order to reform?" Reiji asked as she heard his 'hm' through the door. "Perhaps I shall let you stay tonight. How troublesome."

"Thank you." She replied, as she heard him walk away in the direction of the staircase.

Now, she had been laying here, uselessly staring at the ceiling. This is the moment where she needed her annoyingly needy friend, Sua Kobayashi, to grab her by her hand and drag her out to a karaoke or a bar. Anything to get her mind of things.

(A/N: Drinking is bad. Do not drink kids. It causes all types of medical problems that you will regret. Stay away from alcohol if you are below the legal age of your country!)

One might have heard of this name before when thinking of the famous female singer. They were right. The wild and promiscuous party girl was Manami's only friend, and the only person in the world who was willing to deal with Manami's rude and uncaring attitude. Sua was indeed famous, and met Manami on one of her dad's parties. The two girls had been friends since then, as their relationship could be identified as mutually benefitting, but not close.

At times, Manami questioned how Sua would have felt knowing that she had disappeared. After all, Sua would come and visit her home every day. Would she be sad?

In that way, the two of them understood each other, since the both of them were equally unlikeable due to their rude and spoiled personalities which others despised.

She always thought it to be ironic how she would try to find comfort in the taste of alcohol, while always acting like an obedient student, top of her class and a a child protégée. It was something that Sua and her shared in common. That was the price she had to pay in order to satisfy her father, who was hung up on the idea that she had to redeem herself to be worthy of being his daughter. Though, Manami didn't disagree with his thoughts. She knew she deserved it.