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

Chapter 39

"I was still young."

"Like 50 years old?" Manami questioned, only to earn a glare in return. "I'm sorry but I couldn't help it."

"Do you wish to hear this badly, girl?" Shu sighed, creasing his eyebrows in irritation.

"We all have our share of traumatic stories." Manami waved her hands, as she took a seat against a tree. "You know mine, so it's only fair you share yours."

"You are needy."

"Keep insulting me and I'll leave." She raised her eyebrows.

Shu watched her face, which indicated that she was serious.

"Fine." He replied.

I wasn't actually going to but wow... Who would have thought? She thought to herself.

"I had a friend."

Manami gasped.

"I'm very close to strangling you." Shu's eyes glinted threateningly.

"Okay, I'm actually done this time."

Shu was silent. Maybe it was him recollecting his thoughts, or him trying to find the right words. After all, this was going to be the first time he would be putting this story into words.

"He was a peasant boy." Shu leaned his head against the tree. "Dirty, blunt, annoying... Wore scraps... The trash of the slums, you could call him."

Manami watched his face tense at the thought of this boy.

"He was a son of a poor human farmer, contrary to myself." Shu smiled dryly. "What a boy he was."

"He must have been special to grab your attention."

Shu folded his arms. "No. The opposite. He was just a poor boy. We would meet in the forest in secret."

"Running away from home?" Manami smirked. "Haven't we all been there?"

"You would have too." Shu's deep chuckle radiated through the forest. "He taught me human things. Hunting, collecting firewood, raising apples..."

"I cannot imagine a little Shu as a scout." Manami laughed, covering her mouth lightly as a grin graced her lips.

Shu watched her reaction curiously, feeling his intensity drift away. He wore a much more relaxed expression.

Despite what one might think, Shu wasn't dumb. He could distinguish these small things that the girl would cause him to do. They were things he would have never done, and thoughts he would have never thought.

She has a nice smile, the blond vampire thought, as he leaned towards her.

Manami didn't notice him get close until she felt herself get pulled by her arm.

Her soft laughter died down as she felt her back get pressed against a hard chest.

"Who is needy now?"

"Shut up." Shu replied, burying his head into her shoulder, where the purple bruises were even more evident. "Those bastards..."

"Don't get distracted." Manami turned her head to look at him. "I want to know what happened next."

Shu leaned back into the tree, keeping his arms wrapped around her body. It was quite uncomfortable for Manami, but she was willing to endure it for a little longer.

"He didn't know I was a vampire." Shu said, closing his eyes. "Even if he did, he wouldn't have believed me. That was for the better. It would have driven him away."