Behind the Mask

Profound Hate (Part 5)

"Ririka feels so nice..." realized the blonde girl for probably the hundert's time as she gently moved her hands over Ririkas soft body. The whitehaired girl had already temporarily adjusted herself to Mary's caressing and was able to just enjoy it, instead of getting agitated by it. Mary was taking deep and calm breaths as she started losing track of time and for how long the two had affectionately embraced each other in silence like that. Both girls were still hugging each other and the more time passed the more pleasant it felt.

Suddenly Mary heard faint footsteps, slowly creeping up from behind her. Although Mary was hearing them, she didn't actually perceive them as the blonde girl was already somewhat detached from reality, thanks to Ririkas unwary making hug. Mary didn't notice anything, not even as the gloomy and ominous figure was towering up right behind the blonde girl, throwing a dark shadow on the both of them. All of a sudden the ceiling lamps conveniently started flickering for a moment while demonic crimson red eyes were acutely staring at Mary and Ririka. Mary felt a shiver down her spine, yet the blonde girl foolishly ignored it. Mary took, what would end up to be her last unaware breath, before she then suddenly felt two arms wrapping themselves around her and she could feel another body pressing against her. Mary abruptly opened her golden brown eyes.

"Huhh?"

The blonde girl was extremely befuddled, while Mary's mind simultaneously completely failed to process or react to anything happening. There was absolute silence in the room, yet somehow Mary knew that she desperately didn't want for her senses to return, in order to protect herself from the realization "I don't remember Ririka having four arms..." slowly queried Mary whether or not something was terribly wrong. Unlike Ririkas gentle and affectionate hug, the unfamiliar embrace which was holding both Mary and Ririka, felt a lot more frolicsome and obtuse.

"Oh my! How inconsiderate of you two to not invite me to this unusual occasion... knowing very well that I love group hugs!" Mary's life flashed before her eyes as she heard the excessively joyful, as well as teasing voice, she knew too well. Mary's senses came all back at once in the most unpleasant way imaginable, as her whole body felt like it got thrown into freezing water.

"Yumeko!?" cried out Mary the black haired girl's name loudly in horror. Pure panic was taking over Mary's body as she suddenly realized what was going on. Mary then acted on impulse and her body moved on its own. Just like a cornered animal, she turned around and harshly pushed Yumeko away, before then backing up away from both Yumeko and Ririka. Mary's wide eyes were looking agitated up and down at Yumeko in shock, almost like Mary's body needed to identify whether to fight or run. The short adrenaline rush only lasted for a moment and Mary slowly calmed down, even as she still breathed uncontrolled. Mary's face was on fire as she stared directly at Yumeko, who seemed a little surprised by Mary's very strong reaction.

"W-what are you doing here, Yumeko?" asked Mary in an almost angry tone. The blonde girl felt extremely embarrassed, confused and even scared. "I need to calm down, like right now..." realized Mary as she knew that losing composure around Yumeko would only lead to bigger problems. She slowly felt how her confidence was returning little by little and actually managed to calm down and remain rational. Mary looked at Yumeko who was just standing there innocently, looking interested at the blonde girl. The extremely surprised and vulnerable look Mary had given Yumeko turned into a glare, as the blonde girl then only felt annoyance, while also realizing that this wasn't necessarily a death or life situation and rather a very irritating inconvenience. Yumeko looked at Mary a little longer before smiling amused yet compassionate.

"Are you alright?" asked Yumeko in a teasing tone while remarking Mary's evident deeply blushing face. Yumeko innocently looked at the blonde girl and had a worried face expression. "Of all the people, who could have walked into this room... it just had to be Yumeko..." Mary still glared at Yumeko and could already sense that the blackhaired girl was thinking about how she could gain the most joy out of this situation. "Yes... I am fine." lied Mary in an vexed tone, which even Ryota would have been able to tell was a lie, while hoping that Yumeko would not use that obvious lie to embarrass Mary even more. "But that doesn't matter right now! Answer me why the hell you're here!"