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

Chapter 20

The brothers' attention had shifted onto the new livestock which had arrived to their manor. Yui Komori proved herself to be exactly what Manami imagined for her to be: timid and innocent church girl.

Her sherbet pink eyes and platinum blonde hair were unique and foreign, making Manami wonder about the true origins of the girl.

During her daily tea session with Reiji, she had found out that the girl was a daughter of a priest from abroad, meaning that she wasn't Japanese like Manami herself.

"Hey, Pancake, what's on your mind?" Ayato said, moving himself closer to Yui, which sat at the car seat beside him.

Yui gasped in response, which only made Ayato look even more frustrated. "You have a lot of guts to defy Yours Truly."

"Ayato, please, not right now." Manami spoke up, sipping on her cranberry juice and staring down on her phone, through which she was browsing music sheets.

She had began to decide the pieces that she wanted to play at her brother's event, since soon enough, she would have to start practicing.

"Looks like you are craving my attention, Sadako." Ayato smirked, leaning back in his seat and staring right into Manami's eyes, but she didn't lift her gaze off the phone. "Seriously, look at me when I am talking to you!"

And with that, Ayato got up out of his seat and attempted to grab Manami's phone, to which she backed away from him.

"That isn't necessary-"

"Sadako, you are really starting to piss me off!"

"Ayato." The deep voice grabbed the attention of the whole car, as Yui pressed her legs tighter together, and held her one hand against her chest.

Shu stared at his younger brother, who was surprised to see the vampire speak up. Shu's eyes stared at Ayato with seriousness, making the younger vampire back away into his seat.

"Tch." Ayato gritted through his teeth, folding his arms and looking to the side.

They had all eventually arrived to school, with Manami being put in charge to bring Yui from class to class accordingly by Reiji's command.

She took a seat in her usual spot, putting her leg on top of the other and folding her arms. Yui stood beside her, watched the black haired girl patiently wait for whatever it was that is to happen.

"Em, Manami?" Yui tapped the girl on the shoulder. "Did your father send you here as well?"

Manami gestured for the girl to take a seat next to her, which Yui did.

"Yes." Manami sighed, taking out a rubber band out of the pockets of her jacket, tying a low ponytail.

"I- I see!" Yui exclaimed excitedly. "It feels nice to know I am not going to be the only girl."

Yui threw a smile at Manami, as the girl stared back at her with a confused expression. How could she smile like that, Manami wondered, doesn't she understand the situation she had been thrown into?

"Hey, Yui?"

"Hm?"

"Why did your father send you here?" Manami asked, resting her chin on top of her palm and her elbow against the desk.

"He was traveling abroad for work." Yui said weakly. "So he sent me to live in Japan."

"I highly doubt that is the reason..." Manami mumbled, but not loud enough for Yui to hear.

"I wish I could talk to him and ask him questions, but I can't." Yui sighed, but quickly threw on a smile. "But I guess you have to make the best out of the situation... And I got to meet you!"