♧Inner Demon♧

Dear Mama,

Confrontation scenes isn't really my forte but I have to do something atleast.

I can't stand not acting.

Yours,

M. A.

♧Inner Demon♧

It's already 7pm. Time flies by so fast. The sky was illuminated by the moon and clouds were lazily drifting by. It didn't seem like it would rain.

I then looked at the couple walking hand and hand with each other, a few distance away from me. Their knowing smiles and gazes at each other looked very genuine. Then they laughed together, both shaking their heads as they left quietly.

They seemed really happy.

Thirty minutes passed by again. I turned to my watch for a split second before letting my gaze wander elsewhere.

The park seemed really gloomy at night. During the day, it was usually be filled with little kids playing in the sandbox or chasing each other.

It always did bother me to see them which is why I never come here during the day. I would only sit and wait on the swing once the sun has set where the kids would now be escorted by their parents.

Of course, that bothered me even more than the fact that they were playing together like cute little angels. People would have gushed at the sight, well some people would..

I chose to ignore it though since watching the sunset on the horizon would calm me down.

I don't have much of a childhood. My body's always been so weak and fragile. I could hardly run for a minute without feeling like I walked down a marathon.

My heart would beat wildly against my chest and my head would feel dizzy almost instantly the moment I do something extraneous.

I envy the little children who were able to play without a care on the world. I envy their innocence and ignorance, their healthy little bodies that enabled them to experience life to the fullest and their loving parents who would watch over them like a hawk.

I really, really envy them..

My hands shook on my lap, not from the chill of the night but because I was feeling too bitter. I took a shaky breath and exhaled as if to let my emotions cool down for a while.

I've regretted things, many, many things but in the end, what is done is done. I have to take responsibility for my actions and their consequences.

♧Inner Demon♧

"Miki-chan, looks like your temperature got lower." My brother told me as Glasses-kun scribbled down rapidly on his clipboard. His eyes were concentrated on what he was writing and he didn't even bother to look at me.

Glasses-kun always wrote backwards, his handwriting an unusual way to write but I've gotten quite used to it.

"This really feels like your body isn't your body anymore."

"Gross, Johanne! Don't say such mean things to Miki-chan! Saying something so perverted with a lewd gaze, pervert!"

I completely ignored what my brother just said. Glasses-kun isn't even staring at me so I wonder how Onii-sama managed to say that the scholar has a lewd gaze..

"But MikuMiku~" Glasses-kun said somewhat in a dull tone. "Her DNA has changed so much that it almost seemed really comparable to that person. She's been ingesting his blood for some years now and we all know that there would be side effects. C3 did a sloppy job at first but now this is just too bizarre. Oh what a find~" His tone seemed really eager now and he finally looked at me.

"Miki-chan's body is one of a kind now~ "

I shivered unpleasantly at the thought of what that meant.

For once, Onii-sama was quiet as he held Abel. There was a blank look on his eyes but if you really looked deeper, you would be able to tell just how deeply this news bothered my brother.

My brows twitched as I struggled to maintain my calm.

"So I'm a freak of nature now?" I ended up blurting.

Onii-sama's eyes snapped towards me. He smiled and shook his head.

"Miki-chan's always been my most precious person. My kawaii imouto is no monster." I felt his hand on my head.

Instead of the usual comfort I felt when he would pat my head, I felt as if there was a heavy pressure on my head that felt more like a burden than anything.

I slapped his hand away.

His eyes widened at my actions.

I felt guilty, really guilty but I looked away.

"Onii-sama, I'm sorry if my change has bothered you." I muttered in a low tone before turning around to leave.

"Miki-chan, if you keep hanging around the eldest brother, he'll notice it, so I won't underestimate the eldest, Sloth, if I were you." Glasses-kun, in a singsong tone as I heard his hands moving about.

I glanced over my shoulder for a brief moment.

"Mitsuki, don't run off." Onii-sama told me, his expression serious and calm.

"It's not your fault--"

I moved.

And then I slammed the door shut as I left.

I began running, passing people and moving out of their way at a crazy speed.

Then almost as if to spite me, my blood boiled and suddenly felt warm.

It made me slow down. I was not stupid to tempt the fates right now.

I paused to look around, only to realize that my feet took me to the park.

Really... how pathetic can I be.

I looked at my watch.

It was past six already.

Sighing, I walked quietly towards the swing and once I was near, I sat down and kept a grip on the chains holding the seat.

I'm getting more pathetic at the moment that it's almost too depre--

I groaned, not only did I have his blood in my system, I was also starting to feel like him.

It really is just too dep--

I glared at the ground infront of me, annoyed at my thoughts.

It wasn't like me to wallow in self pity and brood. I was never sentimental enough to cry publicly or say sappy things.

When something bothered me, I usually just address my feelings before ignoring them, firmly shutting my emotions.

And yet things are changing.

"Miki-chan's body is one of a kind now~"

That really made things quite complicated. This is why I requested a my file from Tsurugi-senpai.

These unexpected changes were unwanted and I didn't want to lose control again. Tai-chan would find it too amusing and he would certainly try to get ahold of me once he finds out.

He already knows that something is off with me but he's too focused on something else at the moment. I was glad for it but I know it won't keep him occupied for long which is why I visit him once in a while to keep him at bay.

Seeing that I'm fine and perfectly sane will give him nothing to draw conclusions from.

I sighed.

Who am I kidding? Tai-chan is too clever to be deceived.

I just hope he doesn't pursue me anymore and finds someone else to mess with. I don't want to be someone else's puppet anymore. I'm done with that period of my life.

If I end up back it would be too depressi--

I cursed under my breath.

I need to stop thinking like this.

My hands gripped the chains harder that the knuckles turned white then I felt it, the change in the air, alerting me that someone else was here.

My eyes squinted and they darted everywhere before it landed on a tall figure.

Huh?

The figure slowly approached which caused me to stand up.

"Are you stalking me now?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Excuse me, I was here first." I reasoned out as if it was the obvious thing.

Awkwardly, he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. He didn't seem like he knows what to do, typical of him when he's undecided.

Sakuya has always been the wildcard among our group.

"I don't really have time to deal with you right now. Why can't I sulk without anyone interrupting me?" I grumbled out, kicking at the rock infront of me.

I glared at the ground vehemently as if it would solve all my problems.

Distinctly, I heard shuffling and chains moving, metal squeaking in the air.

Sakuya sat on the other seat and I glanced once to see that he was also staring at the ground like I did. But in his case, he looked more bothered and conflicted than mad.

I frowned.

"Did you and Mahiru made up?"

His head shot up and he turned to me.

"You can tell?"

I rolled my eyes.

"It probably happened during the festival." I said. "I met with Mahiru the day before and talked to him. During the aftermath when you left with your comrades, Mahiru apologized and felt really miserable. He seemed like he was going to cry but I fainted so I did not know if he did. "Of course he must have cried at some point. He was too pure hearted and selfless. It must have bothered him a lot, the revelations of that night.

"He was torned. Mahiru thought of you as his friend and someone that he could trust. But then that happened."

Silence but I continued on.

"He must have felt really conflicted. I wasn't able to do anything because I was also a burden. But he still apologized anyway. "That made me laugh just by remembering it.

"Mahiru felt like it was his fault when in reality it was all of us who made a mistake. And still, Mahiru managed to find a way and still views you as his friend. He's always been simpleminded. He must have asked around and he would not stop because no doubt, he would have gone to look for you."

I turned to him.

"Am I right?"

His eyes widened slightly, his body as rigid as a rock. A pause and he sighed.

"Mahiru promised he would free me." He admitted in a shaky tone as he gazed ahead, hands holding on the chains more tightly than usual.

"But I can't betray Tsubaki-san. He saved me. I would do anything he ask, even if I have to kill someone. "

So this was their relationship.

"Family would never force you to kill anyone. "I ended up saying.

"I trust Mahiru. He'll be able to find a way. Afterall, he managed to save me before. He can do the same for you." Mahiru has always been there for me and our friends. He might not look like the cool protagonist in a shounen manga but he has his own charms.

And Mahiru has really taught me a lot of things. If it weren't for him..

"Mitsuki, look I.."

I cut him off. "Don't apologize if you're not going to mean it. "He opened his mouth to protest.

I stared hard at him. "You're too much of a wildcard. Your loyalties are torn between Tsubaki and Mahiru. In my opinion, you're stupid for playing the martyr and it serves you right for manipulating our friends' memories. Now suffer as you keep playing the fence, like when you tried to save Mahiru from dying before fleeing."

He threw a rock at me which I caught effortlessly with my hand before throwing it back at him.

"I'm mad that you manipulated their memories. I'm mad that you tried to hurt Misono. He's my brother!" I said. "He's one of the only family I have."

I stood up. "In a way, I was also at fault for not saying anything. The first time I met you, I knew you were different but kept quiet anyway. Instead, I hated you and never showed any signs of wanting to befriend you. But then Mahiru, he met you and in the end, you became someone I could trust despite your shady background."

I looked at Sakuya, the face of a liar who only craved friendship and happiness in his life.

"Sakuya, I guess I have to apologize.."

"W-What do you mean..I should be the one saying sorry!" He shouted, also standing up. "I lied! You said it before, I manipulated their memories and I tried to kill you! You got injured because of me and it must have left a scar! So I should be the one apolo--"

"You really are an idiot. "I said aloud before sighing. "If you're really sorry then let's go to the arcade. You did ditched me and afterall the effort I did to wear a dress during the festival, you never once showed your face to me."

His face turned red and stuttering, he spoke. "A d-dress..? You went to the festival wearing a dress?"

"I never back down on my promises. Who do you think I am!" I huffed out. "I'm still waiting you know.."

He blinked at me, a bit dazed before a flustered expression crossed his face.

"Fine, we'll call it a t-truce today! So let's g-go.. I'll get you another p-plushie or whatever.."

"Do you really mean that?"

"You're doubting me?"

I smiled. "Why wouldn't I?"

He actually went quiet for a while before he took a step forward and held his hand out.

"I'm not good with this..."

I placed my hand on his.

"If you manage to get me another Jeje plushie then I'll forgive you."

"R-Really..? Just like that? Wait--- what's a jeje plushie?"

I laughed at that before smirking.

"Jeje is the Servamp of Envy."