"Dad?!"
I spoke abruptly while stepping inside the kitchen. Both of my parents just froze in place.
"A-Asuna? How was your first day...?" My mom asked, trying to change the subject.
"What is dad--?!"
I wasn't even able to contain my shocked face as I pointed towards dad with shaky hands. He had bright red eyes with long fangs in his mouth.
"Honey, we can explain!" My mom cut me as she came in between us.
"Yes. So, it really is time, huh...?" My dad spoke as he scratched his head.
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We all sat on a sofa in the living room. I knew all along that dad was hiding something from me especially when he used to go out secretly at night and when I used to ask, he wouldn't answer.
"Well dear, you see-" Mom started explaining but stopped. It was enough to tell me that the topic was a delicate one.
Once my dad nodded, she continued, "You see, your father isn't actually a human. He is a... a vampire."
My eyes widened at her explanation.
"What?! H-How-- And you never told me this sooner?!"
"We thought that you weren't ready to know the truth - that you were still too young to understand..." My dad remarked in a low voice.
"You think 16 years isn't enough? You think I wouldn't be able to handle it...?" I whispered with disappointment.
There was a long, unsettling silence between us.
(Seriously? My dad is a vampire? How am I supposed to believe that?! And here I thought I was weird!)
I glanced at his bloody red eyes which were staring at the floor. There were already a lot of things on my mind today and now this?! I felt dizzy just by trying to grasp the twisted situation.
I got up and straight away went to my room.
The last thing I heard was my dad saying, "I told you... Now she would never be able to accept me as her father. Things were already complicated between us and now..."
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Once in my room, I slowly sat on my chair, and as soon as I did, everything that happened today came flooding back like a wave.
"Ugh! Just forget about it Asuna!"
I smacked my head in annoyance and just slouched on my chair, resting my arms on my study table. I glanced at my bedside table only to see the family photo.
(...He just looks plain human...)
For a while, I was just staring at dad's face. He had a lonely smile on, and there I was - on his shoulders, laughing. I felt him already feeling sorry for lying my whole life.
(Maybe I shouldn't have stormed away like that...)
I sat up and went to plop on my bed. Staring at the ceiling, I took out the candy Raizo gave me.
(I wonder what's so good about this one?)
I unwrapped it and popped it in my mouth. The taste was really sweet, but it was also refreshing, almost like melted sugar and mint. It was... an unusual candy.
I slowly closed my eyes, and before I knew it, I had already fallen asleep...
•••
The next day...
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I woke up only to find a white blanket draped around my waist.
(Hmm?)
I lazily looked up at my clock and saw that it was... What?! 7:30?!
I hurriedly got up, changed my clothes in a panic and was trying to wear my socks while hopping down the stairs.
"Oh, good morning Asuna." My mom greeted me as I went to grab my bento.
"Morning! And bye!" I dashed outside, leaving mom with a puzzled look.
"B-Bye dear..."
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"Good, I still have a few minutes to spare."
I was out of breath as soon as I reached school. It was only a walking distance away from my home. This time, even those twins weren't there to knock me over which was a relief.
Once inside, I walked my way to the classroom, hanging my head low to breath. There, I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oops, I am so sorry!" I apologized as I gazed down at the floor.
"...No need..."
(Tha-That voice!)
Yes, I bumped into that senior guy from yesterday. I shyly looked up at him. From up close, he seemed like a really serene and reserved person unlike yesterday.
He gave a small sigh before parting from me.
(Oh... Is he still angry about yesterday? Or perhaps-)
My thoughts were interrupted by the loud ringing bell.
"Oh no! I am so late!"
Once again, I ran towards the classroom eventhough my legs were already killing me from before . The class had already started by the time I reached the door. I tried sneaking my way in, but since I am so horrible at that, I obviously got caught by the teacher.
"Asuna! You are late!"
I got a huge lecture from him and the touch of the students' laughter was enough to trample on my morning. The lesson was finally over. I buried my face in my crossed arms as I slumped on my chair.
Unlike yesterday, Raizo didn't even talk to me once. I wondered why, but I got no answer.
(Maybe I should try talking to him? I need to apologize to him for yesterday too.)
For some reason, the way I treated Raizo yesterday sort of bugged me and I just couldn't blame him. So, I mustered up the courage and headed his way.
"Um, hey Raizo!"
As soon as he heard my voice, Raizo hastily got up in a panic and went out of the class.
(Wha-? But... Why?)
Somehow it felt like Raizo was avoiding me now! I was so confused.
This is turning out to be a really bad time. Everything was fine until I came to this school. And the moment I learnt about my dad. I just hate this angry and sad feeling in my stomach!
The same thing kept on repeating for the past few days. It was official. Raizo probably hates me now... Why else would he continuously avoid me everywhere?
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As much as the troubles I was having, today was the day for me to join a club. Surprisingly, I got a lot of requests from my classmates for joining their clubs. That just made it all the more hard for me to make my decision.
(I guess I should just check the clubs' board for myself...)
I went up to the board and there was a variety of clubs: Chess, Cooking, Music, Sports, Dancing, Arts and craft, Drama and... Action club?!
(What in the world is that? I have never heard of such a club!)
...To be honest, I was actually a little curious as to what that club does.
"Hey Asuna-chii! Check out any of the clubs yet?"
"Oh, its you Inori... I am thinking about it."
Inori was actually the only good friend I made in the past couple of days. She is pretty nice although most people get annoyed just from being around her, but for some reason, I was actually fine with it.
Inori is always brimming with energy and she is always on the positive side of things and most of all, she never stops talking! She is also always there to cheer me up.
Maybe I can learn a thing or two from her...
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"You know, you should totally join the dance club with me! We could turn out to be stars! Just imagine that!"
As she stated, Inori grabbed my shoulders and moved her hand in front of me in a straight line, as how people do to 'show' the future or something. That one moment, her face was full of determination.
"Umm... Actually, could you tell me what the students do in the Action club?"
"Eehhh?! What makes a girl like you be so interested in it? Not to mention, you are a girl! You are not fit for training to fight and stuff!" Inori was completely bewildered by my sudden interest.
"So they fight in that club? Is something like that even allowed...?"
Inori backed off and continued, "Um, actually... That is true. Students get to train and go on missions and stuff, but you don't like those type of stuff, right? Only guys are into that and they are even better suited for it!"
Now I was actually starting to get interested in it.
"Hmmm... You know, it does sound kind of fun! Maybe I should check that out."
"What -- Seriously Asuna-chii?! .....Well, I won't stop you from choosing, but the Dance club is waayyy better than THAT club!" Inori expressed in a boasting tune.
"Thanks Inori. Well, should I sign up for the Action club right now?"
She nodded before grabbing my hand and running off to who knows where.
"We should go directly to the Action Club room! Come on!"
(Hah?! Just seconds ago, she was so opposed to the idea!)
Well, Inori does change her mind like a flip of a switch...
"O-O-Okay! Inori, isn't this a bit too fast?!"
We were practically dashing towards the place.
"Nah! This is my usual pace!" Inori answered with a big smile.
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We finally reached our destination. There was a big sign on top of the door reading 'Enter and Join the Cool Heroes: Action Club'. Now that I think about it, I was actually pretty nervous.
(What if I am really not cut out for this? But... I did take karate lessons when I was small and even reached the black belt right when I was 6...)
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door after Inori hugged me and whispered 'good luck'.
"Come in!" A loud voice spoke from the other side.
"Okay..."
I opened the door gingerly only to find some familiar figures.
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"What?! A-Asuna? What are you-"
"Raizo?! YOU are in the Action club?!" I asked with surprise.
Raizo wasn't the only one present in the room. He awkwardly looked away while I saw this as a perfect opportunity.
(Perfect! Now I can finally ask why he was ignoring me for the past days!)