Saki’s Atonement

Gathered at the table, we cautiously sat down as Saki poured me a cup of tea.

“So what are you going to do now, Saki?”

I inquired as I took a sip of her tea.

Uuuuuh. What an interesting taste, it’s fruity, yet there’s something else as well... I can’t really pin down what exactly.

“Continue my duties alongside Kurenai-sama, of course!”

Saki proudly responded.

“That’s a given, but that’s not what I meant.”

“Eh? Then what did you mean?”

Her eyes widened in confusion.

“How are you planning on properly apologizing to Hikari and Akira, who are part of my precious family, as well as making it up to them?”

Asking her sternly, I took another sip of the tea, while Hikari and Akira just nodded at my question.

“Eh, ehm, oh, ah...”

Frantically panicking, her pupils shrunk to dots, trying to come up with an answer, as I glared at her with a piercing gaze.

Though, to be completely honest... I doubt it’d take much... Just giving Hikari a sweet she hasn’t eaten yet would make her happy. As for Akira... a good head petting or thorough tail brushing would make her melt right away... Hehehehe...

Glomp!

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”

Hikari’s sixth sense came in and alerted her of my thoughts, prompting her to grab my arm and bite into it, pulling me right back to the present.

“Considering they are Kurenai-sama’s precious family... I’ll do anything for them!”

She announced, her voice full of commitment.

Here I thought Saki might have been just lying... an enemy hiding behind a facade.

But she’s still our Saki, huh? I’m glad... seeing how she genuinely panicked at the thought and how committed she sounds tells me that she’s serious.

Lifting the cup, I realized it was empty.

“Could I have seconds, Saki?”

“Hoho. Seems like you really like this tea.”

Walking over, a wide, pleased smile spread across her face, then she swiftly, yet elegantly, poured me another cup.

“Yeah, I love the fruity yet not too sweet taste of it, the red color also makes it quite pleasing to look at.”

Responding, I grabbed the tea handle, lifting it and taking a long and slow sip.

“Heee? How come Kurenai gets a different tea?”

Hikari questioned poutingly.

Different tea? What is Hikari talking about?

Glancing over mid-sip to their cups, I realized that their tea was light brown.

“Because Kurenai-sama isn’t like us... She deserves to only drink special tea.”

She explained enthusiastically.

Oh. Phew. It’s just a special tea, nothing weird.

Relieved, I continued drinking.

“I want to try the special tea as well!”

“You wouldn’t like it, Hikari.”

“Why!?”

“Because... it’s infused with blood.”

Saki explained in the most casual tone, as if it were the norm.

Hearing that, my body froze up, holding the cup underneath my chin.

Blood? Did I just hear that right?

Slowly the tea I held in my mouth dripped down my chin into the cup.

“Eeeeew. Why did you put blood into it?”

Hikari asked innocently.

“Well, that’s what vampires love...”

Surely she means animal blood, not human blood, right?

“...and I’m quite confident in the taste of my blood!”

Saki boastfully proclaimed, causing me to instinctively spit the rest out.

“I’m not a vampire!”

“Kurenai’s still not a wumpire!”

Hikari and I shouted simultaneously at her.

“It’s ‘vampire,’ not ‘wumpire’!”

Angered, I corrected Hikari.

Argh! What is this entire situation!?

“Hahaha.”

Suddenly Akira’s laugh echoed throughout the entire basement, making us all burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation.

Except for one split second...

“Don’t you dare feed me your blood again, Saki.”

... where I coldly warned Saki.

After finishing up the quote-unquote tea party, we prepared to make our way back to the dorm.

Despite it still being dark, it was way more bearable and less scary with the four of us.

Even the cute-girls-eating kaiju didn’t dare to approach us! Hah! Coward!

Arriving at our dorm room, I was completely exhausted, stammering to my bed.

Thud.

Letting myself drop onto the bed, all I wanted was to sleep, finally being able to take a deep breath.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

“Finally... everything’s over...”

Akira and Hikari followed me, lying down on either side of me, slowly encroaching upon me.

The last thing I felt before passing out was both of them tugging at my arms, claiming them as their body pillows.

Next thing I knew, I found myself lying on my back, alone in my bed.

“How odd... It’s still dark out? Did I sleep through the entire day!?”

Trying to prop myself up, I realized that I couldn’t move.

Huh!?

It felt like I was fused to the bed.

“He, he, he. What do we have here?”

A dark silhouette came into view, licking her lip seductively.

“Who are you!?”

Squinting my eyes, I tried to make out who it is.

“Who do you think...?”

“Saki!? What are you doing here?”

“Don’t worry... you won’t remember this anyway. Hehehe.”

Her voice dropped, becoming low and seductive as she slowly climbed onto the bed on all fours.

“S-S-Saki!?”

“Shhhhh.”

Placing her finger on my lip, she made sure I stayed quiet, slowly straddling my waist.

Gulp.

She’s so lucky that I can’t move! Hikari, Akira, Asako... someone... even Lucian... save me!

Shutting my eyes tight, I prayed and hoped.

“Tsk. How unlucky... Guess we’ll have to finish this another time... Kurenaiiii...”

Patch, patch, patch.

My eyes shot wide open as someone proceeded to slap my cheeks, left and right.

“Kurenai! You’re awake!”

“Of course I am after getting slapped like that!”

Angrily yet relieved, I tried to see who my savior was.

“There’s big news! Olar wants to see you urgently!”

The moment my eyes finished adjusting to the bright sunlight, I found Asako sitting on me, my entire left side occupied by Akira and the entire right side by Hikari.

No wonder I couldn’t move! Though... what even was that? A dream?

Shrugging that weird dream off, I focused back on Asako, who got ready to slap me again.

“Kurenai don’t go back to sleep!”

Asako swung her hand back.

“I’m not! Asako! I’m awake!”

Patch!

Conclusively, my first morning after finally getting a break ended up being horrible.

Still tired with red, swollen cheeks, I walked along the corridor to Olar’s office.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Walking inside, my heart started beating faster with each step I took.

Is he about to punish me!? Did I take it too far!?

Standing in front of his desk, my worries rose as he stood turned away from me, looking outside the window.

“Do you know why I called you here?”

I aggressively shook my head.

“You know, I can’t see you like this, right?”

“N-n-no, I have no idea!”

I stammered in response.

“Are you sure?”

His voice got deeper.

Frantically my eyes darted around.

Should I just be honest!? Beg for forgiveness!? Offer money!?

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to go that far, but I had no choice!”

I shouted out, squinting my eyes and clenching my jaw.

“No choice, hmm?”

I vehemently shook my head again in response.

“I still can’t see... Argh. Whatever... I’ll just assume that was you shaking your head again.”

This time, I just vehemently nodded in response, annoying him even more.

“Nonetheless... you still did. So I have to take appropriate action as the vice-principal.”

“I understand.”

Lowering my head, I could feel the impending doom.

“Then follow me.”

With a stern voice, he turned around and led the way.

All I did was my duty, though... So Gideon can really just break the rules that blatantly... endanger everyone who was present as well as the entire capital... and still get away with it?

The sun started setting as we walked along the empty corridor.

Best-case scenario, I’ll just be expelled. Worst case, they might hang me! Noooouuuu! Either way, I might end up not seeing Akira, Hikari, or Asako for a while... even Saki... At least I’ll be safe from Lucian. Heh.

Following Olar, I imagined all kinds of things awaiting me at our destination, causing me to feel even worse and drooping my shoulders.

Just then, Olar stopped at the door leading to the courtyard.

“We are here, I hope you are mentally prepared, Kurenai.”

Gulp!

My heart sank, and I felt lightheaded, hearing a lot of voices behind that door.

The only thing I could make out was a bare wooden scaffold.

They planned on doing it at the academy right now!? So they wouldn’t have to waste any time!? I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye to anyone!

They even prepared an entire stage for my execution!?