I didn't know how many minutes passed by until Yuichi strode towards us, frowning slightly all the way.
"...There you are. We all are worried inside and you are chatting happily out here. ...So sympathetic of you..." He spoke in a sarcastic tone, drowning away any chances for an argument.
"Sorry, it was my fault. I was the one storytelling..." Raizo apologized, suddenly standing up from the bench.
"...Wait, you told her that?"
"Oh, no! Of course not! I can never tell that to her! Ah... hahaha..." Raizo replied with an awkward laugh as he flailed his hands in front of him up and down.
(Eh? What is Yuichi talking about...? And what is it that I can't know...? Well, that is kind of saddening to hear Raizo say it...)
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"Hmm? Asuna, what's the matter?" Raizo asked, snapping me back to reality.
"Oh, nothing! More importantly, how are you feeling?" I disguised my surprise with a question.
"Much better, I guess. Thanks for listening though." Raizo answered with a smile.
(Phew... Thank goodness he didn't notice much.)
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief while putting my hand on my chest, trying to look calm enough, but inside I did freak out a bit.
And with that, we quickly followed Yuichi inside who was steadily losing his patience, and reunited with the others.
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The weekends passed by in the blink of an eye. The night before school, I was still recalling what me and the others did for the past couple of days in bed until someone knocked on the door.
(Eh...?)
"Asuna? Still awake?" A deep voice asked from the other side.
It was dad.
The day Raizo and the others informed me that we all were related, I came home to let my parents know about it all. My mom seemed apologetic the whole time, but dad kept his sharp gaze fixed on me. That time too, I made sure to know that my parents hid this from me for my own good. The two confirmed straight away, leaving no room for any doubts. But still...
I wasn't really able to keep myself from doubting everyone around me. It was a hard time to come out from - especially after all these back-to-back disclosures.
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After answering that I was in fact awake, dad slowly opened the door and came in only to sit on the side of my bed with me lying under my blanket. I was still upset about what dad was. It was kind of weird as I wasn't like that when the others revealed themselves so, why.....? I couldn't come to a definite answer to satisfy my conscience enough.
One theory stayed though:
Maybe because I have been living with him for almost my entire life and I just couldn't stand the fact that he hid such a big thing from me. I turned towards the wall, facing my back towards him. I heard him sigh sadly.
"Honey, I know you are still disappointed in me because I didn't tell you sooner that I was a vampire, but believe me, it was for the best. By revealing my identity, I have broken my promise with them, but I told you anyway even when I knew the consequences... I have put my life in danger, all for you. Please, forgive me. .....I am asking you Asuna, please."
I was left dumbstruck at his words. Are vampires that rare of a breed that they need to conceal their identity? Or are they THAT fragile?
I didn't understand these consequences that dad spoke of. All I could guess was that it must have been equally hard for him to tell the truth. I should have known better than to judge the situation like that...!
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"...I guess you have made up your mind."
With those last words, dad slowly walked up to the door, and held the doorknob gently.
"Wait," I started, "I do get it... Dad... I am sorry for not dealing with this situation in a mature way... I was in fact not angry from you, but... I don't know why..."
I turned around and looked up at him.
"Dad, I am so sorry!" I squeaked one last time before jumping out of my bed and hugging dad tight while sobbing softly.
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I felt so horrible after hearing his side of the story. I truly was chagrined. My dad quickly hugged me back before rubbing my head.
"I am glad you understand my little girl. We also have our rules in exchange for living among humans. I am also sorry, but I can't just spill out to everyone that I am a vampire. Otherwise I would be in immense danger - well, I guess I already broke the rule so it's probably too late for that..."
I could sense dad's voice breaking up as he continued. "...Forgive me... forgive me Asuna, but all I could say is that this will be the last time you see me..."
I looked up at dad, seeing fresh tears in his eyes.
"Wha-What do you mean...? But we haven't even discussed and--" I panicked immediately.
Perhaps sensing something, dad squinted his eyes in caution.
He then touched my shoulder gently and murmured, "Take care of your mother Asuna. And no matter what you hear, don't come outside. Don't let your mother hear about this either. I am glad I finally heard your earnest feelings for me. I apologize in advance for not being a good enough father..."
The whole situation and dad's words were still processing in my brain and I was trying hard to come up with a response. Everything - even a single step, seemed to move like a slow movie, and I wasn't able to control any of it.
I lightly tugged on dad's sleeve. I just had a sickening feeling that, if I let go now, I'll never see dad again... I stubbornly couldn't let go.
Dad held my hands tightly, but soon let me off of him. His smile also faded. Just a stern and dejected face greeted me in the eyes. That moment made me feel cut off from dad's whole other world, completely... rejected...
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Just as I was about to question again, dad then vanished through my window.
"Dad...! WAITT!!!"
Still not even understanding what he meant or was doing, I swiftly ran towards the window. I tried opening them, but it was no use! The windows just wouldn't open in the least.
"Unnnghhh...! *pant* I-It's no use! D-Dad-- no, no, o-open already...!" My voice started cracking from all the tension I felt. My fingers were bruised and scratched from trying to budge the wooden window.
Dejectedly gazing outside, I saw dad with a man dressed in black. What caught my eye most was the weird looking mask covering his face. Dad bravely looked him in the eye.
"Dad! What's going on?!"
I yelled as I banged on my window, but dad just looked at me with a parting smile, glowing red eyes, and fangs protruding down his lips. He was in his vampire form.
(Why is dad in his vampire state in front of an unknown person?! Isn't that risky?!)
I watched in horror as soon as I saw dad kneel down in front of the stranger after the two exchanged a few words. Then, the man slowly approached him and within no time, cut him in half, blood splashing out of his neck and every place you could think of. His head fell on my window, dripping down ever so slowly.
I screamed.
"Aaaahhhhh!!!! No...No... No, no, no, NOOOO!!! DAD! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO-- DAAAAAADDDD!!!!"
I clutched my hair tightly as I fell on my knees after the man disappeared mystically.
"I didn't... want it to end this way... No, dad... I am so sorry, I am so sorry...! I didn't show you my best side... I brought you sorrow... I... *sob* *weep*" I hugged my trembling body, even though it was early summer.
Dad's body slowly turned to dust as it flew with the wind, giving me no time to at least gather the ashes.
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I felt awful. I had nothing left to remind me of dad. It was as if his whole existence got wiped out from the face of the Earth...
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Mom came running in my room out of fear that something terrible happened, considering I screamed so loud, giving anyone the impression that someone just died or something which, ironically, WAS true.
"Sweetie, what happened?!" My mom asked in a very concerned manner as she held my hands.
I had no strength left to answer her. I just stayed there crying and grieving.
Leaving me, mom got up, looked at the blood on my window and walked towards it slowly.
"What... happened here? Asuna, tell me!" My mom was now sounding super worried.
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I slowly opened my mouth and whispered, "It's dad... Dad is, dad is--"
I started choking at my words as I told her. Our biggest support was absent.
I couldn't continue. My mother immediately got the idea as she, too, fell on the floor after thinking to herself for a few seconds.
"Kurashina... Your dad is... gone?"
While I was coming back to my senses, I slightly nodded to her question.
Mom cupped her hands together on her mouth as she gasped loudly. Then she, too, started crying hard as I was slowly stopping. All my energy was gone and my fingers and throat became numb. My mind was riding a roller coaster of emotions and I felt light headed.
I couldn't even console my mom as I was also shaken. I kept hearing mom whisper my dad's name over and over as she kept on weeping. That made me feel even worse.
I slowly lifted my hand and gently touched my mom's head, hugging her tightly. I felt like I was older, seeing mom crying like a baby. I don't blame her though - I was just the same before...
"I... It's okay mom, don't cry too much..." I whispered from above with mom resting her face on my shoulder.
I could feel the warm tears falling on my neck. I tried as hard as I could to prevent myself from crying any further, seeing the situation I was in.
I must give her strength to continue. To move on without any sorrow. To live a happy life. To see her usual smiling face. For that, I must also stay strong. I shouldn't cry. Not now.
Every time mom called my dad, it felt like someone threw a spear at my heart. It did hurt. A lot... But, I endured as much as possible.
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Finally mom cried herself to sleep while being in my arms. I didn't want to wake her up, so I too, dozed off.
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In my dream, I saw dad in his vampire form. He looked really happy. He patted my head before saying, 'Please, take care of your mom. I will be watching over you until you die, cheering for you from afar... I honestly couldn't ask for a better family. Stay strong, my little girl...'
I soon woke up after that. Remembering the faint memory, I smiled wryly to myself.
(Looks like dad is just fine. Thanks dad... for saying those stuff. I really needed it even if just a little.)
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From this day onwards, as dad asked me to, I swore to take care of my mom and prevent this scene from repeating. He is counting on me. And to do that, I must become stronger. To protect mom and these memories. I will never leave her side.
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That, I promise...
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I gently slid my hand on her light pink coloured hair as she slept peacefully on my lap.
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(It's my duty...!)
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