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Who are you?
;b
Your savior.
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I awake slowly, my brain feels frozen, my movement is sluggish.
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I can't breathe well and my eyes flutter when I try to open them.
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I feel weak, like I am going to die at any moment...
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I panic and sit up quickly. I regain myself.
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My mind feels hollow now. My sweat soaks through my nightshirt to darken the fabric.
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I sit there for what feels like ages, panting and staring straight ahead.
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“5:30...” I mutter to myself, it is a Sunday so I don't have to worry about class. But it is so early!
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“Shiki-sama?” A quiet voice calls out. “Are you all right?”
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Hisui... I thank the powers that be for her.
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“Uhh... I'm fine, Hisui... Why do you ask?”
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There is an uncomfortable silence for a moment. Even though I have been here for a little over a year, Hisui has still not managed to overcome her shyness around me. A small smile creeps along my face. I remember that the world has not gone straight to Hell and that everything is fine... Such a small thing reassures me.
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Hisui states firmly. "I just thought you might need help."
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There was an uncomfortable silence.
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“... Um, Hisui, I'll get finished and be downstairs shortly. I'm fine, really.”
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Hisui quickly replies. There is no hint of unease in her cool demeanor. “Of course Shiki-sama, sorry to bother you.”
;b
“No trouble.”
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'And thank you...' I almost say it, but then I realize that would just make the situation more awkward, so I stop myself.
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Akiha is already having her morning tea, watching the sunrise paint the room orange and red. She glances out of the corner of her eye at me and stops.
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“Nii-san?” Her voice is full of disbelief.
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“Hey...” I barely manage to say, still not totally alive to the world yet.
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THUMP
;b
I narrowly avoid toppling myself over an end table.
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“Nii-san!”
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“I-I'm fine, I just bumped it.” In truth, had I not moved at the last minute, there would be a broken end table and a broken Tohno Shiki on the floor right now.
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Akiha's face return to her normal cool look. “Please be more careful, walking about so recklessly will only end up causing injuries to everyone.”
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Ouch, Akiha still knows how to barb me. I would probably feel worse if I weren't so tired.
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I sit in my usually chair and close my eyes.
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Hot...
;p
I feel hot...
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Something hot is near my face...
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I feel my heart thumping into my throat...
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My brain begins to function instinctively...
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I snap my eyes open to what I hope will not be a nightmare image.
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I expect the worst...
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A demon?
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A vampire?
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I expect to see all those I care about slaughtered in front of me in a terrible manner...
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... All I see is blue
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“I'm drowning!” I scream. I begin to thrash about wildly, attempting to escape my watery prison.
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I force my eyes close, still thrashing, I feel something warm and solid strike my arm. Then I hear a scream. Akiha's scream?!
;b
I open my eyes again...
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I am in the sitting room, but Akiha is gone.
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“Akiha?” I worthlessly ask, knowing she's not here.
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“Nii-san...!” I jump when I hear a reply. It is more of a growl than anything, it scares me.
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I look down toward the source. Akiha is sprawled on the floor, a large, solid red mark adorns part of her face, covering mainly the left side of her face. She is both flustered and enraged.
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“What happened?” I ask.
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Stupid question.
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I hit Akiha. Unintentionally, but I still hit her. I fear for my life...
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Akiha stands up, still faintly blushing, and adjusted her skirt. Her eyes bore down on me like I am an enemy.
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Nii-san! Why on earth did you hit me?”
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I just stare at her dumbfounded, I don't know why... Well that's not true; I thought I was drowning... But if I told her that, she would probably get even more upset with me sleeping in the sitting room. So I keep quiet.
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“Nii-san!” She shouts. It wakes me from my daze.
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“I don't mean to! I'm sorry!” I kept apologizing, but the cold stare from her eyes never leave me. My heart sinks.
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“Ahem... I guess I can forgive for this...” She quietly blurts out. “But be more careful in the future, you're getting to be terribly reckless.” She scolds me, and I sit there, dejected.
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Eventually, Kohaku serves breakfast, the usual arrangement of Hisui standing behind me and Kohaku standing behind Akiha had not changed. After breakfast, I sit silently in the room. Occasionally Kohaku and Akiha chat idly over a cup of tea.
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Neither Hisui nor I say anything, I space out, and stare out the window at the garden.
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“The flowers are dying...” I say emotionlessly.
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'The flowers are dying.' I think to myself, what a stupid thing to say.
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After an extremely awkward silence, I stand up.
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“I'm going back to bed...” I quietly announce.
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“Rest well, Nii-san” I hear Akiha say behind me. Halfway up the stairs I am struck by a realization and stops.
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'Blue?' If I weren't dreaming when I saw blue... Then... I rush back down the stairs into the sitting room.
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“Wait! What was that blue thing I saw?” I ask out of nowhere.
;p
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Akiha and Kohaku slowly turn to me.
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...
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Akiha coughed and blushed slightly. “That was me, Nii-san.”
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'Blue? Oh... Her eyes.'
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Before I can ask, she answered my question. “I was checking to see if you were alright, I was about to open your eyes with my fingers to see if something was wrong since you seemed to have just slipped into unconsciousness.” She states very matter-of-factly.
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I nod slowly, understanding and then head back to the lobby, up the stairs and back into bed.
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I hear tapping.
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I awake, rolling over to face my clock.
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11:00AM.
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Putting on my glasses, I stand and look out the window.
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That noise...
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I just manage to catch the disappearing shadow of someone walking away from the gardens.
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On the desk I see a pink envelope with my name written on it in an elegant calligraphy.
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I open the letter and pull out the sheet of paper.
;p
'Hey Shiki!
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It's been a long time; I'm hoping we can meet back up at the park around 9:00PM, for old times’ sake.
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I've missed you.
;b
Signed, Ciel'
;p
“Ciel?!” I unintentionally blurt out.
;p
Ciel.
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I can't believe it. I never thought I’d see her again.
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I am shaking, both angry and happy. I pant, my whole body feel sick.
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I put the paper back in the envelope and toss it back onto the desk.
;b
I can't think.
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The day passes by normally, I am already sitting in the sitting room when I look at the clock: 8:30.
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As I stand up, Akiha speaks up, directing her vision from her book.
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“Where are you going Nii-san?”
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“I'm going out... I have to meet someone.”
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“Nii-san, I don't want you to go out at such a time.”
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I feel somewhat irritated.
;b
I thought we had already gone over this.
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I already know all of the Tohno secrets, there is no need to keep me cooped up in this mansion anymore.
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“I'm 18 now Akiha, I'll be fine! I won't be long.”
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“And if something happens to you, Nii-san. What am I going to do? It is my job to take care of you, I can't very well let you come and go as you please, especially not after what happened befo-”
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Akiha cut herself off abruptly.
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She rarely brought up the events of last year, at least, to me.
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Then again, I would probably be the last person she would want to talk about such things with.
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After a moment more of awkward silence I just say simply.
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“I'll be back.”
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Akiha just shakes her head as I leave the mansion.
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I make it to the park and feel the nostalgic in this crisp air.
;b
Remembering the time with Ciel.
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I am nervous, no, nervous is an understatement, I am a wreck.
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I hear a loud, heavy fluttering of fabric, I quickly look up, toward the direction of the sound.
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“Ciel-senpai..?” I mutter.
;b
“Not anymore.”
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I hear a familiar voice call out near me.
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Looking up at the lamp post I expect to see Ciel in her normal church garb but instead, she is sitting on the post, in her school uniform.
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She smiles at me and waves.
;b
"Hello, Tohno-kun. It's been a while.”
;p
Ciel...
;b
I examine her, she looks the same as always.
;p
“It has been a long time, Shiki. You don’t look to have changed at all.”
;p
I keep staring at her, wondering if she is real.
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“I haven't seen you in nearly a year, so I wanted to see you when I had the chance. And when I finally had one, I took it.”
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“I wondered how you’ve been doing myself.” I reply.
;b
I am happy. I had missed Senpai.
;p
Senpai stands on the lamppost and leaps off.
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She lands neatly in front of my bench and sits next to me.
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“But,” she begins, with a very solemn tone.
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“I wish I had come here just to see you again. But I do have business.”
;p
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Business to Senpai usually involves vampires and other paranormal entities deemed evil by the Church.
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I feel my whole body tighten up.
;b
Déjà vu.
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“Don't worry, Shiki!” She says with a bright smile on her face, reading my reaction.
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“You aren't going to get involved; I'm just telling you why our visit will be short.”
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“Senpai...” I manage to say.
;b
Senpai puts her index finger to my lips.
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“Shiki, I'm not your Senpai anymore. You just call me Ciel, or Ciel-chan now.” She say with another bright smile.
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“Ciel-chan?” It don't sound right at all.
;b
Ciel nods.
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I tilt my head back and sighs.
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“Ciel, where is this business?”
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“In a neighboring city, not too far away.”
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“Oh, alright.”
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Silence descends upon the park as I stare at the starry sky.
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“I have to be going Shiki. I should be back in this city next week.”
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She stands and brush off her skirt.
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She turns to me with a somewhat sad face as I lower my head to look at her.
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“I missed you Tohno Shiki...” She sounds terribly sad when she say those words. She walks up to me and leans over, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.
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Her lips are warm and my face burns hotly. I, of course, smile to try and hide my embarrassment.
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Ciel is blushing slightly and gives a small smile before she leaps back onto the lamppost.
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“Shiki,” She says, with her back to me.
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“I have to come back. I have to take care of you, since you're so silly and you always get in trouble... Think of me as your guardian angel.”
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I stand up, staring at her back.
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“Senpai...”
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“Ciel! Not Senpai!” I can feel warmth from her, like she is smiling as she say that.
;p
And like that, she leaps away and is gone.
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I look at the clock in the park. It is 11PM; I did not realize how late it is.
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I had been sitting for over an hour after Ciel-senpai left, just thinking.
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I haven't been the same since this morning; I've been groggy all day. I stand up and prepare to head back when I hear the sound of footsteps.
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“Hello” a voice speaks, coming from the darkness, an enchanting voice I had not hear in so long.
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“No... Arcueid..?”
;b
“Yes and no.”
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I turn quickly and see the impossible: Arcueid.
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My breath catches, I can't believe she's actually here!
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“Shiki, do not get too excited.”
;b
Arcueid stands as she say this and clasps her hands together in front of her. “I am not Arcueid, I am... was, one of her familiars, you remember me, the dream familiar Arcueid sent to thank you for defeating Chaos.”
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I nod, swallowing my heartbreak.
;b
I so want to believe she is here, so that I can see her smile...
;b
Touch her face...
;b
And take her on that date we promised...
;b
It is all here and gone in an instant and I feel a heat rising up in my eyes and a pain pierce my heart.
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Tears of sorrow well in my eyes, of a wound that has been there for a year, a wound that has been ripped open by this familiar.
;b
I lower my head and feel the tears come but I try to remain composed.
;b
“Why... Why are you here?”
;p
“I am here because Arcueid gave me instructions before she went to face Roa. Should you come into danger, I am to come to you and reveal this information to you. For a while, I thought it would be unneeded.”
;p
I don't look up; I fear my heart wouldn't be able to take it if I see 'Arcueid'.
;p
“It's ok now. I no longer have her form... You can look.”
;p
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“Onto my information, there will be no need to speak as long as you understand. Arcueid is the last True Ancestor; however, she never explained to you why such a distinction is needed. Between True and 'false'.”
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True... And false?
;p
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The girl turn and walked toward the bench a bit then stops.
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“True Ancestors are predominantly known as such, but they have another name. At least here, Shinso is the true name. Long ago, the Shinso partook in a war with what is known as the Areratakiru, or Kiru, in more proper terms, they are called the False Ancestors.”
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The girl sighs.
;p
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“It is a long story, and I will need your attention fully for you to understand.”
;b
I nod slowly.
;p
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“Before Arcueid was 'born', the Shinso were very prevalent here in Asia. They were generally peaceful even if they were 'vampires', however, the Kiru were another story.
;b
"They lived for death, scourges, disease, and war. Arcueid is born to service that purpose in the end, to purge both the corrupted Shinso and the Kiru. She is largely successful, as you may know. Until Roa tempted her, and ended in the extinction of all but a few of the True Ancestors.
;p
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"The False were alleged to have been wiped out by the True, but that is incorrect as Arcueid discovered. But she was already fighting against both herself and about to fight Roa at the time so such a realization was lost on her in the battles.”
;p
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“The True can dismantle the False with relative ease. As the True are a result of nature, and the False are a result of its perversion. While the True co-exist with their surroundings, the False take Mana from theirs, purging it of life.
;b
"But the False can not take the Mana of the True, it is quite the opposite, the True can sap the strength of the False just by being near them. But without any True Ancestors left, the False will remerge and pollute whatever they touch; only the Church can truly oppose them.”
;p
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“.. Why are you telling me this?”
;p
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The girl smiled in a coy way. “Because Shiki, she wanted you to know, to protect those you care about, to protect yourself and above all else, help eradicate them should the need arise. That is why Ciel is here after all, that is why she came to see you."
;b
"She knows the dangers, she knows the risks. False Ancestors are simply not 'vampires', they are viruses, and they themselves are a disease."
;p
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"They can control their spread, unlike the true, who can suppress themselves, the False exist in perpetual madness constantly, no control, simply feeding and spreading. She can very well die because she is no longer bound to Roa. “
;p
Ciel...
;p
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“There is no guarantee you will ever see a False Ancestor, much less engage one in a fight. So there is little need to worry, since the Church seems to be responding much quicker than Arcueid expected.”
;p
I sit silent, just thinking about what I was told.
;b
False Ancestor.
;b
Ciel.
;b
Protecting everything. I may have to do it again... I may have to cut those lines again.
;p
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The girl sits next to me and put her hand on my shoulder, staring at me softly.
;p
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“She loved you Shiki... She was willing to die for you, she knew Roa would kill her, she knew she was weak and she did not care. It went above her duty as a True Ancestor, even when she was weak; she used her Marble Phantasm even when it completely exhausted her. She died happily, and now everything she held from you is in your mind and heart now.”
;p
I shake my head, I feel the hot tears overflowing from my eyes, and I tremble.
;b
I miss her... So much, everything I had hidden up until now comes out.
;b
I put my head in my hands and sob.
;p
“Dammit Arcueid! Why?!”
;b
I yell.
;b
I curse her.
;b
I curse her sacrifice.
;b
I say I hate her.
;p
... But I love her.
;b
Even now...
;b
Even after she is gone for so long...
;b
I keep sobbing as the girl holds me in her arms.
;b
She is so warm.
;b
I feel comfortable, not alone anymore but the pain in my heart, my mind, my throat.
;p
They can't be healed.
;b
I feel like I can die there.
;p
“Shiki... Should you must, protect those you care about like Arcueid protected you... Learn from her that no matter what, no matter how much it hurts. You must protect them.”
;p
I nods softly against her; soon I am enveloped in darkness.
;p
I wake up in the park, my cheeks feel cold as I dab at them.
;b
“Tears.” I mutter to myself.
;p
That dream... I remember every detail.
;p
False Ancestors.
;b
Arcueid's knowledge.
;b
The familiar.
;b
Her explanation.
;p
I simply walk back to the mansion in a daze.
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The gate is unlocked.
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I see a faint light on in the lobby, I assume Akiha had waited up for me.
;b
I put my hand on the door, it opens.
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Akiha stands there scowling at me.
;p
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“Nii-san, come in, it's freezing outside.”
;b
She says it in a tone as cold as the air.
;p
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I shuffle into the lobby slowly and turn to Akiha.
;p
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“Where on Earth have you been, Nii-san!”
;b
She demands as her look intensifies.
;b
A look I haven't seen in about a year at me.
;b
That glare of contempt and anger.
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“I was at the park.”
;b
I answer without thinking.
;p
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“Oh, meeting who?”
;b
She continues her fierce stare.
;p
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“Ciel-senpai”
;p
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“... Why were you meeting that insufferable woman?”
;b
Her tone is harsh; the air is getting extremely frigid and tense.
;p
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“Because she was back in town...” I weakly say.
;b
I feel like my reasoning is gone.
;b
If I hadn't fallen asleep in the park, I'd simply be dodging and evading her questions or even out rightly lying.
;b
But...
;p
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“I forbid you from going out at night, I will check your room personally at 9PM and if you are not there. I will inform the police that you are missing.”
;p
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“Why, Akiha?” My emotions continued slipping away.
;b
I can barely hear Akiha anymore.
;p
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“I'm not going to have you go out with Ciel and hunt some vampires!
;b
Not again!
;b
You were nearly killed before. Don't you care at all how I feel?”
;b
She shouts, her face becomes red and her hands shake.
;p
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“Why, Akiha..?” I repeat, slowly.
;p
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“What do you- Nii-san?!”
;p
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She suddenly interjects herself.
;b
The hostile mood in the air evaporates with that statement.
;p
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I lift my hand to my cheek and feel warm moisture and look at my fingers.
;b
“I-I don't know, Akiha...”
;b
I continued speaking slowly and I feel my face twist in confusion.
;p
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“But why...” I mutter.
;p
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Akiha slowly approaches and touches my cheeks with a napkin she grabbed from a table in the lobby.
;b
Ignoring my words she attempts to clean the tears away but they keep coming.
;p
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“Why, Akiha... why can't we be normal? Why... Can't we live normal lives? Like we did 9 years ago... Sneaking outside, just being kids.”
;p
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“Nii-san...” She says in such a quiet voice.
;b
Her eyes are wide and full of concern; her hands trembles as she keeps wiping my tears.
;p
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“It's not fair...” I complain.
;b
I keep complaining.
;b
And Akiha keep trying to consul me.
;p
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“Nii-san, why won't you stop crying?” Her own eyes look moist as she grabs another tissue.
;p
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“I don't know...” I whimper.
;b
I suddenly feel like something snaps, like a piano wire... So small yet so loud.
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As Akiha keep trying to wipe my tears I suddenly embrace her.
;p
All that emotion that had vanished suddenly rushes back into my body.
;p
I start sobbing onto my sister’s shoulder and I can't stop.
;b
“I'm so sorry Akiha! I'm so sorry I bring all of this on you!” I tell her in between gasps of air.
;p
Akiha breaks down too, and begins sobbing against me; she holds me so tightly and is so warm.
;b
I feel the warmth of her tears soak through my clothes.
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“Nii-san! Don't ever say that! We're in this together Nii-san, no matter what! Please... Just don't go away...” She cries loudly.
;p
We both cry against each that night, all the emotion we had both been holding back for so long erupts forth and continues into the night.
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I open my eyes slowly. I see the sunlight pierce into my eyes and I squint. I feel warm, bathed in sunlight.
;p
Where am I?
;b
This isn't my room.
;p
I look around, putting my hand in front of my face to shield me from the sun and look around.
;p
I am on the sofa downstairs.
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Looking to my right, I see Akiha, her head resting against my shoulder, I see her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.
;p
She is asleep.
;p
Now I remember... Last night... Her eyes are still somewhat puffy even now.
;p
I have no idea when either of us had gotten to sleep.
;b
I'm surprised neither Kohaku nor Hisui wake us up.
;p
Brushing aside these questions I nudge Akiha softly with my free hand.
;b
“Hey, Akiha,” I whisper, “it's morning.”
;p
Akiha's eyelids flutter, she groans softly and sits up straight, rubbing her eyes. She looks adorable, like a little girl who just wake from a nap.
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“What time is it?” She asks in an extremely groggy voice, a voice I am completely unfamiliar with. I have to suppress my laughter.
;p
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“Well...” I point toward the clock.
;b
Akiha squints for a second, adjusting her eyes to the light then suddenly she stands up and yells.
;p
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“I'm late!”
;p
She quickly rushes up the stairs before I can say anything. I soon follow her path a few minutes later.
;p
Presently, I shower and come to the sitting room, Akiha is long gone.
;p
Kohaku had prepared a small breakfast for me to eat on the run, as usual.
;p
Before, Akiha would insist I stay and eat a hearty breakfast, but eventually both Kohaku and Akiha realize that my body simply would not wake up earlier and Kohaku begins making quick and portable breakfasts for me.
;p
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Kohaku hands me a bowl of cereal and some juice.
;b
Had I suggested that I be served this a year ago, Akiha would have ripped my head off.
Times have certainly changed.
;p
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“Shiki-san, remember, Akiha-sama is planning an anniversary party.”
;b
“Huh?” I give Kohaku a confused look.
;b
I don't remember hearing about a party.
;p
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Kohaku smiles and giggles slightly.
;b
“The party to celebrate your return to the mansion, Shiki-san.”
;p
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“Oh, that's right.” I mutter softly.
;b
I feel bad, I completely forgot, I have been so caught up in school, tests and graduation recently that I've been neglecting my home life.
;b
I remember that last night is the first time Akiha and I had talked privately in a good while.
;p
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“I'm sorry, Kohaku. I've just been up to my neck in worries and work.”
;b
I apologize.
;b
I also feel like apologizing to Akiha and Hisui for being so spaced out and troublesome recently.
;p
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“Don't worry Shiki-san! All of us understand you've been working hard, which is why we planned this party for you. Akiha-sama will not take no for an answer on it and Hisui-chan threatened to lock you out of your room if you don't go.”
;p
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Kohaku smiles again, laughing as she grabs her broom.
;p
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Hisui threatened to lock me out of my room? I find that hard to believe.
;b
But... I have been ignoring them recently.
;b
So it isn't impossible.
;p
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I bow slightly to Kohaku. “Thank you, Kohaku.”
;b
Kohaku smiles and pats my head like I was a child. “Now, if you don't hurry, you'll be late.”
;b
She is right; I smile at her and make my way to the lobby.
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Hisui is waiting for me as usual. She opens the door for me as I make my way to the front of the gate.
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Outside of the gate I turn to Hisui.
;b
She still has her emotionless expression down.
;b
Even though now she flashes more smiles and reacts more often, she still has her discipline.
;p
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“Hisui?”
;b
“Yes, Shiki-sama?”
;b
“Would you really lock me out of my room?”
;p
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“.. Yes.”
;b
She is serious.
;b
Kohaku isn't kidding.
;b
I am somewhat shocked.
;p
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“I can't get out of this even if I try, right?”
;b
“Correct. Akiha-sama would be most displeased should you try.”
;p
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I am defeated, I had never thought of trying to get out of it.
;b
But knowing my luck, a teacher would give us surprise homework or announce a test of some sort for the next day.
;b
So, even if I try to study, I can't.
;p
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I turn and begin walking away. “See you later, Hisui.”
;b
“Have a good day, Shiki-sama.”
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On my walk to school, all I can think about is last night.
;p
Ciel's tone.
;b
The dream.
;b
Me and Akiha's crying.
;p
Now that I think about it, a lot happened last night, but it doesn't feel that way.
;b
I feel that is strange, had the events of the last year numbed me to trauma?
;p
No, that's not true.
;b
I cry, I feel sad, I feel miserable and even feel like dying for a little bit.
;b
But for some reason, I am pretty fine right now.
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As I stop at the intersection, waiting for the light to change, I realize something and smiles.
;p
Akiha, Hisui and Kohaku.
;b
That's why.
;b
Because they are always there, no matter what.
;p
They look out for me and support me.
;b
And I know that's why even now I feel happy, even with all this uncertainty, I always have them to go home to.
;b
I never realized, until now, how important they were.
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Morning classes ends normally, well, normally by the standard now.
;b
Last year, this would have been considered murder but I've grown accustom to it.
;b
I'm even on the Student Council, well, not an important role on the council, but still.
;p
Arihiko has already told me of some rumors, meaning he probably started them himself, that me and Akiha are competing to run our respective schools and it may end in a bloody school battle between sibling leaders for control of the school system.
;b
When he tell me this, I laughed quite a bit, but recently, I've seen the underclassmen give me fearful looks or shy away from being close to me.
;b
It seems I've somehow become a tyrant who may lead them to their deaths; I have to remember to punish Arihiko.
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Making my way to the cafeteria with a relatively light lunch, I find a seat, with Arihiko joining me shortly after.
;p
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“Hey, Fearless Leader!” He shouts out as he sit down.
;b
I think he's beginning to take his own rumor seriously.
;p
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“Arihiko, I hope you realize those rumors can get me in a lot of trouble.”
;p
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“Relax!” He says, grinning like a fool. “Nobody really believes them. Well, maybe the First Year students do.”
;p
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I let out a groan. Dammit Arihiko.
;b
I curse my best friend in my thoughts.
;p
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“Hey, Shiki, how'd you do on the English exam?”
;b
“Pretty well.”
;p
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Arihiko look around then leaned toward me.
;b
“Uhh, Shiki, this may seem odd. But-”
;b
I already knew what he is going to ask, and I had the same answer lined up: No.
;p
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Arihiko has a problem with the English language, one that I cannot begin to explain.
;b
As much as Arihiko slacks off in other classes, he tries in English and always fails.
;b
I tutored him for a while but I stopped because it is beyond frustrating to work with him.
;b
I've concluded it's impossible for Arihiko to learn English.
;b
“No, I can't. Teaching you English is impossible.”
;p
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“What?!” He yelled.
;b
He look pathetic, he pouted on top of it.
;b
“I can't fail another test! The teacher will have my head if I do!”
;p
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“Arihiko, I can't teach something to someone when it's damn near impossible for them to learn. Sometimes I'm surprised you even know Japanese as well as you do.”
;p
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Arihiko sulks. “You're cruel, Shiki.”
;b
“Only to you.”
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After lunch and the afternoon classes, the bell rang.
;b
For most students, it signals the end of the class.
;b
For me, it signals the end of a prison sentence. My head hurts and my hands hurt from writing.
;p
The teacher gives her final remarks on the class and reminds us of our assignments before we leave.
;b
I don't hear her, nor is it relevant if I do.
;b
I'm not going to be getting any work done tonight.
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I make my way down the now familiar route and up the hill to the gates.
;p
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Hisui is already outside the gates waiting for me. She bows as I approach.
;p
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“Welcome home, Shiki-sama.”
;b
I move to walk around Hisui but she steps in front of me, blocking my way.
;b
“Uh, Hisui...”
;p
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She holds out her right hand and stares at me.
;b
Silence. I am confused.
;b
'Ah, I get it.' I think to myself.
;p
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I grab Hisui's hand and shake it. She flinches a bit, but her stare remains.
;b
I let go of her hand but it remains in the air. Hisui's expression is emotionless.
;b
More silence.
;p
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Hisui finally speaks up.
;b
“Your case, Shiki-sama, please give it to me.”
;b
Oh, my case. They don't want me to work and it'd be impossible if they hid my case from me.
;b
I hesitate, but eventually gives my case to Hisui.
;b
“Thank you.” She says as she stepped aside.
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I feel like a complete idiot, and walks into the lobby with Hisui behind me.
;b
After we enter, she make her way up the stairs and toward my room. The curiosity nags me, so I followed.
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When I reach my room, she had already come out and pocketed something.
“You don't.” I say in disbelief.
;b
Hisui simply grabs the doorknob and attempts to turn it a few times. All it did is rattle.
;p
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Wordlessly, Hisui walks by me to attend to her duties. I turn slowly and state something pretty stupid.
;b
“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”
;b
“The backyard should give you sufficient privacy, Shiki-sama.”
;b
I never understand Hisui's humor.
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;b
I spend most of the time waiting for Akiha in the gardens of the backyard and simply wandering around the estate.
;b
I am restless, my body is so used to walking straight to my room and going to work that I had forgotten what I did before I was assaulted with that daily ritual. I return to the sitting room.
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Shortly after, Akiha emerges into the sitting room; I had been there for almost 10 minutes staring at the clock when she comes in.
;b
Kohaku had begun cooking some time ago and the scent of the food is utterly delicious. Whatever it is, it is going to be great.
;p
Soon, Kohaku came out with numerous dishes. Then Akiha, much to my horror and to Kohaku's glee, brings out the alcohol.
;b
I protest at first, but even Hisui overrules me.
;p
I, of course, begin to eat the finger food and ignore the alcohol entirely. Akiha does the opposite, having her usual rum, while Hisui opts for wine and Kohaku pretty much everything across the board.
;p
The chatter is pretty meaningless to me, usually topics like Akiha's school life, well, that isn't meaningless but it is pretty boring to me. Of course, I dare not say that.
;p
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“Nii-san!” Akiha calls out, I am pretty full of food at this point so I am just sitting there, occasionally sipping some wine. “Why aren't you having fun? This is your party! It would be rude if the guest of honor isn't satisfied.”
;p
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Akiha is mildly drunk at this point, she'd consumed quite a bit of rum already and Kohaku is pouring more into her glass.
;b
“It's a school night, I shouldn't get drunk.”
;b
Akiha chuckles. “If I can get drunk tonight, surely you can too.”
;p
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I can't reply, because she is right. Her school is far stricter about such things and she needs to leave much earlier than me. But isn't that a bit reckless?
;p
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“But I am satisfied, Akiha.”
;b
“Nonsense, a party with alcohol isn't a party unless the guest of honor is drunk. It's dishonorable.”
;b
She plainly states, sipping her rum.
;b
Before I can protest further Akiha gives me a devilish look. I shiver at it. Kohaku pours more rum in her already empty glass.
;p
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She stands up, walking toward me, slightly wobbly, and leans down toward me. Her face is only a few inches way from mine.
;b
“Nii-san, as head of the Tohno family, I order you to get drunk.”
;b
Before I can protest, Akiha sits on my lap and straddles me. Whatever words I was going to say evaporate in my throat in that instant as she begins to try and force feed me some rum.
;p
I give in, mainly because of shock and confusion. If she's going that far to try and get me drunk, resisting her in this situation would probably end with me going to the hospital.
;b
Both Kohaku and Akiha gang up on me. Akiha stays on top of me and force feeds me the rum, while Kohaku continues refilling the glass.
;p
After the fifth glass, I don't remember anything...
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I slowly wake up; the first thing I notice is a piercing yet dull pain in my head. I sit up quickly and put my hands on my head.
;b
I gasp and grit my teeth.
;b
A hangover...
;p
I groan and slowly stagger to my feet. I feel both dizzy and sick. I make my way to the bathroom and begins to get washed up.
;b
I am a little concerned about not seeing Hisui. I don't know how much alcohol she had, but in the past her tolerance has always been low, so I wouldn't be surprised if she is hung over.
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I am still thinking about Hisui when I arrived in the sitting room to see Kohaku with breakfast prepared for me already. I notice Kohaku looking at me in a strange, amused way.
;b
“.. Is something the matter Kohaku-san?” I manage to ask.
;b
I have a feeling I probably wouldn't like the answer.
;p
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“Shiki-san, I didn't know you were so bold.” She says, suppressing her laughter.
;b
What? Bold? I don't like where this is going, but I can't seem to stop myself from asking further.
;b
“Bold? What do you mean?”
;p
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With those words, Kohaku bursts into the laughter she had been trying too hard to suppress.
;b
Her face is soon red with laughter, she had to put herself on a chair to keep herself balanced she is laughing so hard.
;b
I feel embarrassed for some reason.
;b
Eventually, she controls her laughter and smiles at me.
;p
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“You and Hisui make a great duet. Although Hisui is a much better singer than you!”
;b
Whaaaaat? Singer? Oh... I can already imagine me and Hisui with our arms around each other, singing like a couple of drunks.
;b
No wonder Kohaku is laughing so hard.
;p
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“When I told Hisui-chan this morning, she was so mortified she went to her room and hasn't emerged since! I told her she is a very good singer for being intoxicated.” Kohaku giggles again.
;b
Poor Hisui.
;b
I sit at the table, feeling very awkward. During breakfast, Kohaku tells me what had happened last night.
;p
I was wild last night, from what she told me. After I had nearly 12 glasses of rum (I only remember 5 and not much else) I begin singing loudly and eventually Hisui joined me. Apparently, I is also quite the conversationalist while I am drunk, although she don't go into specifics I had the general idea of what I did.
;p
I feel ashamed of myself.
;p
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Kohaku shoots me a sly smile after I finish breakfast. “And Shiki-san... Next time you want to get indecent with me please don't do it in front of an audience.”
;b
“What?!” I exclaim, nearly spitting out my orange juice as I finish the glass.
;p
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Kohaku blushs. “It's very rude to touch the servant’s breasts in front of the employer.”
;b
“... I'm going to school.” That's all I can say. I can't take it anymore, I have to leave.
;p
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“Oh, and Akiha-sama wished me to tell you she wanted to have a word with you when you return.”
;b
“I can see why.” I mutter as I leave the sitting room.
;p
Trying to brush off the feeling of impending doom I have waiting for me when I return, I make my way to school.
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I make my way past the gates of the school just before they close and continue walking until I hear a noise coming from the courtyard. For some reason I feel I must investigate.
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I come to a scene that gives me déjà vu. A girl is sitting on the ground and hammering pickets into the ground, repairing the ones that had begun rotting away.
;b
“Senpai?” I say unconsciously, remembering this is where I had first actually met Ciel-senpai.
;b
The girl turns, but it is not Senpai. She just shoots me an icy look.
;p
Her brown hair, which drapes just beyond her shoulders, parts to the sides of her face. Beside them, I see her blue-green eyes.
;b
If I have to guess, I'd say she is only slightly smaller than me.
;b
Maybe a little taller than Ciel-senpai.
;b
She is wearing a second year uniform which is slightly dirty from the work on the pickets.
