Petals of Blood | Vampire Knight

CHAPTER 8

Juriki stared blankly at the red roses, blooming beautifully, fresh and pure.

He couldn’t even touch them without fearing they would wither in his hands, making them seem so unattainable. His white bunny looked at him with worried red eyes.

He had been in a trance ever since he heard that he was going to become an older brother. He was so caught off guard that he didn’t even realize he was already in his room, sitting on his large, soft bed.

Normally, just feeling the softness would make him want to lie down and sleep immediately, but now, his mind was consumed by those two words: "older brother."

He sighed, sadness creasing his brow. "Mr. Rabbit, that was really a surprise..." he murmured, petting his bunny as it leaned into his touch.

The bunny seemed to sense the bubbling emotions within his small figure, tilting its furry head as Juriki followed its movement, chuckling as he did.

The white bunny made a soft sound, as if comforting him, its small pink nose twitching in the most adorable way.

Juriki blinked, then smiled brightly, hugging the bunny unexpectedly. The bunny, surprised, let out a soft noise as they both lay down on the bed.

The softness and warmth made Juriki sigh with contentment, though the heavy emotions within him still weighed him down.

"I-I was a little bit shocked when I heard that, Mr. Rabbit," he confessed, holding up his hand with his fingers barely an inch apart to show just how "little" his shock was. But the bunny gave him a deadpan stare, clearly unconvinced.

Juriki smiled sheepishly and went back to petting his bunny.

He had already claimed this white bunny as his own ever since it chose him. It had quickly become his favorite, even overtaking his once-beloved canary.

He always liked obedient and cute things.

He wondered if his soon-to-arrive sibling would be as cute and obedient as Mr. Rabbit, or perhaps as loud yet beautiful as his canary?

He couldn’t decide, since he had never really thought about having a sibling before. He always believed that having his beloved parents, his annoying uncle, his gossipy yet kind maids, and his pets was more than enough for him.

But now, his little world would expand in an unexpected yet oddly expected way with the arrival of a new addition... a little sibling.

He thought he was enough...

Suddenly, he felt a soft punch on his cheek, snapping him out of his thoughts. He looked down at the culprit.

The white bunny’s red eyes were stern, almost as if scolding him for overthinking.

"Mr. Rabbit, you really are something, huh," Juriki said with a smile, hugging the bunny tightly.

The bunny patted him gently with its soft paws, trying to ask for freedom but ultimately letting Juriki have his way as always.

"Maybe having a little sibling won’t be so bad after all, as long as they’re cute and obedient like you, Mr. Rabbit!" he said with a giggle, pumping his tiny fist into the air. If only he know.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. He stiffened, recognizing the gentle yet imposing sound that only his father’s steps could make.

Sure enough, the door opened, revealing Haruka.

Haruka looked at his son fondly. Juriki now resembled a wrapped dumpling, his blanket covering most of his body, leaving only his doll-like face and the bunny’s started expression visible.