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

Chapter 25

"Well, hello - Ayato."

Yui spoke, but her voice seemed different than normal. It was more confident and cunning. It's not her, Manami thought to herself, it's someone else.

She was wearing a dress which wasn't her style at all. It was from-fitting elegant dark purple dress that was decorated with jewelers all over, and which came along with a pair of gloves.

"I am quite disappointed. I thought you would have said how pleased you are to see me." The unknown woman spoke. "I am pleased to see you."

Ayato gritted his teeth.

"So, you know her?" Manami asked, but didn't get an answer back.

"Oh, Ayato, you must be confused as to why I am here now." The woman spoke again, turning her head to the man beside her. "Richter, why don't you explain the situation? Oh, and you must be the other human girl my husband brought into the house."

"Yes." Manami responded. "And who may you be?"

"I am feeling quite tired now, so let's save introductions for later." The woman yawned, as she placed her dark purple glove against over her mouth. "Speaking of this human girl - she shouldn't be even conscious anymore. But I could swear I feel her trying to kick me out. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. This body isn't fully mine yet. But it is quite tiresome."

The woman walked past Manami and Ayato, a chuckle escaping her lips.

"Explain yourself." Ayato said, his gaze diverting to the apparent Richter. "What did you do to her..."

"It's simple." Richter replied. "After you and your brothers threw her off the balcony, I have cut out your mother's heart and placed it into another body. That body, coincidentally, was that human girl's."

Manami squinted her eyes at the realization of what the uncle was saying. So they did kill their mother, she thought to herself, and the woman currently in Yui's body is her.

"First time I met a family more disfunction than mine." Manami muttered under her breath as she looked to the side.

"So, let me het this straight. Cordelia's heart is now inside pancake?"

"Her body is no more than a vessel." Richter replied. "She is still somewhere in there, but her conscience is still buried at the moment. But when the awakening happens, Cordelia will fully take control of the girl's body, and Yui's soul would be obliterated."

Ayato's eyes widened as he turned his face to the side.

"As you already know, the awakening is already at hand. It's just a little while till Cordelia is fully in control of Yui's body, and the girl's soul will be forever gone." Richter finished, as he stared out the balcony.

Manami watched Ayato leave, his expression filled with hatred and disgust. On the other hand, she didn't take another step, her feet glued to the floor.

"Richter, right?" She questioned, looking at the man.

"Yes. That's right." He responded, as Manami walked over to stand beside him. "You want to partake in a conversation with me?"

"Perhaps." She responded, leaning against the ledge. "There aren't many answers I can get from the brothers, but maybe you can tell me something."

"I can answer your questions." He responded, looking down at the girl beside him.

Richter thought her to be very daring, as she was freely engaging with him without a hint of fear or worry. It was unique, as humans would usually be afraid of him even without knowing the truth behind his identity.