Tarou’s reaction wasn’t exactly what Rei was anticipating. Now tear filled eyes watched as he pulled away from her only to seat himself on the bench beside her purse and conceal his face behind his hands seemingly lost in frustration. Bringing her hands up to her face, she gently covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers in an attempt to keep the sob that threatened to leave her pressed behind her pink lips. The reaction she had been expecting was a bad one. Tarou going on in a fit of rage of how he hated her for what she had done or storm right off to find Damien to ‘have a little word with him’, Either way, she was thankful that the boy stayed to at least talk to her about it. That’s how she saw it anyways.
”Is that true?”
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The tone of his voice and the way he looked up at her with hurt filled eyes forced the sob she kept trapped within her throat to escape her pale lips which remained concealed by her dainty hands. A sudden blink caused tears to roll down her flushed cheeks all the way down to her chin. Rather than giving him a straight yes or no or even a mere nod or a shake of the head to indicate her answer, she mustered up her courage and sat beside him, placing her hands on her bare thighs. She wanted to hug him, comfort him but it didn’t feel right to touch him. She was more than certain that Tarou was disgusted with her and wouldn’t want her touching him anyways.
”Y-yes… It’s true…”[/color] she started, her head hung long as her chocolate brown orbs fell onto the floor. Another faint sob was given before she began explaining everything starting from the moment Damien rang her phone.[/size]
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Flashback
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Staring down at the tiny phone she held in her hand, Rei debated silently to herself on whether or not to answer the unknown call. The number was a local one and the only person’s number she had locally was one particular person. Maybe it’s Tarou…But why would he be calling from another number?[/i][/color] Determined to find out who it was she picked up.
”Moshi, moshi.”[/color] she greeted in Japanese. It was the way she had always answered the phone, especially when Tarou called. She enjoyed teasing him by speaking Japanese every now and then only because the night they had met at the café, she had assumed he didn’t speak Japanese but soon discovered that he did.
”Well moshi, moshi to you too, doll!”[/color] Despite the fact she was disappointed it wasn’t Tarou, the smile she seemed to always have on her face remained as Damien’s drunken voice boomed through the tiny speaker of her phone.
”What are you up to sweetheart?”[/color] His tone had lightened up a bit and it wasn’t something Rei was used to hearing.
”Oh nothing… Just home alone, bored. How did you get my number anyways?”[/color]
”Don’t worry about how I got your number. *hiccup* You’re home alone huh? Want me to come keep you company?”[/color]
”Haha, no it’s okay.”[/color]
”Well if you’re so bored why don’t you come meet me at the bar? It’s down a little ways from that café I met you at.”[/color]
”Hmm I don’t know… I still don’t really know my way around here much.”[/color]
”Come on, me and some of *hiccup* my buddies are here. It’ll be on me, come have fun and if you want I’ll walk with you here.”[/color]
”But you’re drunk!”[/color]
”I am not! Besides it would make me feel better if I walked with you anyways. The streets are pretty dangerous at night especially for a pretty little lady like yourself.”[/color]
Reina took a moment to think over the entire situation; think over how Tarou would feel about it.
It’s not like it’s a date or anything…[/color][/i] And it wasn't. The way Damien went about it made it sound as if it were to be nothing but a friendly gathering.
”Fine fine fine! My flat is right off Denmark Street. It’s around the corner from that little café. I’ll be ready in like fifteen minutes then I’ll be outside so don’t be late!”[/color]
”Oh I wont… See you in a bit, doll.”[/color]
With that, the phone was hung up and Reina set out to get ready. Not wanting to really ‘dress to impress’ since it was only Damien, not Tarou, the vampiress put on a simple light grey tank top and a pair of skinny jeans. Her hair which she normally wore down and curled was put up in a sloppy pigtail and left without the usual flower or two she decorated it with. She then gathered her usual things into a small black purse and headed out the door and down to the front of the building to wait for the drunken friend.
Sure enough the boy made his way clumsily down the sidewalk nearly running into a mailbox and a light post. To Rei’s surprise he was actually on time. From what Tarou had told her, Damien was always late so of course, she was expecting to be outside for quite some time before he actually showed up.
”Look at you, you’re a mess! I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to have any more drinks, mister.[/color]
”You’re right, you’re right.”[/color] Damien let out breathlessly as he leant himself against the brick railing that ran along side the short flight of stairs that led to the building door.
”What did you do? Run all the way here?[/color]
”Well yeah! I didn’t want to be late.”[/color]
Reina couldn’t help but smile as she watched Damien attempt to catch his breath. Regardless of the bad first impression he had set with her the first time they had met, she couldn’t help but find him adorable and sweet. Motioning for him to follow, she made her way back up the flat steps.
”Come on let’s get you inside and get you some water.”[/color]
Not having any other choice, Damien followed obediently and they both went back up into her flat where she had offered him water along with a cup of tea. From then on Reina and Damien spent the next couple of hours talking about various things and to their surprise, they had more in common than they thought. At one point they found themselves seated together on her small loveseat and Damien of course, being a tad under the influence made his move on Reina but for one reason or another, she didn’t fight back. One thing led to another and they both ended up together in Reina’s bed.
The following day was spent at home, alone after she had sent Damien on his way. She of course could not stop thinking about Tarou and if she was even going to bother telling him about all that had happened. Part of her wanted to keep it a secret to save him from being hurt but part of her felt it was unfair to keep secrets from him. She knew that if she were in his position, she would want to know the truth.
During the time Rei spent locked up in her own flat, doing nothing but pacing and thinking, she found herself phoning her mother in hopes she would offer any advice that would be helpful to her current situation. Being the typical mother that she was, she lectured Reina and told her to simply tell the truth.
”No one likes being lied to Rei… It hurts… Take me for an example. Your father constantly lied to me and it hurt worse and worse each time he did. One lie always leads to more Rei, so just tell Tarou the truth.”[/color]
It had been the first time that her mother had ever mentioned anything about Reina’s father which in turn caused her curiosity to run amok.
”Who was my father anyways?”[/color]
The question was asked in hopes that she would not only find out who her father was finally but also that the subject change may lighten her mood up a bit. Instead, her mother’s answer did the complete opposite.
”His name is Kai. Kai Yurameki.”[/color]
Upon hearing those words, Reina nearly dropped the phone as her mouth hung open in shock. The image of Damien and her conversing in her living room came to mind and his words echoed through her head.
”You may of heard of my dad. He owns Y.E. A lot of people know him as ‘the infamous Kai Yuramkei’.”[/color]
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Absentmindedly a hand was gently placed on Tarou's lap as she turned to face him, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her free hand. For now, Reina left out the part about her finding out that Damien was indeed her half brother. That was a whole other bomb she had to drop on Tarou.
"I didn't even want to tell you but it didn't feel right lying to you."[/color] Yet another sob shook her petite form. She prayed that Tarou would find something within him to forgive not only her but Damien as well.
"P-please don't be mad at either of us. I found out that…"[/color] Her voice had trailed off into a whisper as she fought with herself to find the right words to say.
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