Chapter 10
We’re eating dinner when the door slams open. The footsteps that echo through the halls make it clear who this is. The maids would never walk so loudly after all. Well this will certainly be entertaining. But first...
“I think it’s time you head to bed, Ririka.” I move my way over to the hallway that leads from the garage to the dining hall.
“Kirari...” Her tone is concerned, soft. I turn my head back and smile. Her eyes shoot down. Guilt. It’s simply not necessary; I could use some true amusement. She gets up and moves to leave the dinning hall through the other hallway. She’ll be safer upstairs.
“Be careful.” My smile widens. Oh I’ll be careful indeed. In the presence of my father, all words are supposed to be spoken with care otherwise I won’t be able to piss him off.
When the announcement that I had started an election for the position of President and the leader of the Devouring Families was made, my father had come home after being away for over a year. He’s always been a cold man; he was rather cruel to Ririka when she was young. But even through all he put her through, he always kept his composure. I found it to be terribly distasteful, so when he came home that night I made sure he lost his composure. He slapped me. That rush. The rush of knowing you have the power over someone else; the power to make them lose themselves is truly amazing. I laughed when he slapped me. His eyes filled with fear after that. He hasn’t had power for a long time, yet in that instance he forgot it. It would’ve been easy to destroy him, but I’d rather him wake up each day knowing he’s lost everything to me. To know that we’re above him.
Even in his powerless state, he cannot be trusted near Ririka. She is not amused by his suffering, and she would certainly not get a rush if he snapped her. Not like me. He is wearing a suit; his face is emotionless. Hopefully I’ll change that soon enough.
“How is the election going?” His voice is cold as he sits at the table. He sits at the side not the head like he used to. How amusing.
“Oh are you concerned for us dear father or is it the family name that worries you?” His eyes narrow at my smirk. Perhaps I should sit at the head of table throw some salt in the wound. Let’s see what will happen first fleeing or snapping.
“Your my daughters.” I’m not sure how that is supposed to be an answer. Family well it means nothing in our family. They would all devour each other for just an ounce of power. Or rather I believed it to be true for all, but I have begun to wonder are there perhaps some of us left who won’t. The younger ones. The one’s whose only dance with power has been being crushed under their parents’ feet. Perhaps they don’t crave power, but freedom. Either way they’ll be tainted some enough.
“And that has stopped you in the past.” Does he truly think I have forgotten. I don’t forgot. Not ever.
“It had to be done. She was soft. She would have been destroyed.” Does he say it out of guilt or because he wants my forgiveness. Or maybe he just truly believes it.
“I suppose beating certain metals does make them stronger, but Ririka is not a metal. Did your unintelligent mind mix them up. I mean our hair does have a rather silver like tint.” I am chuckling now. His jaw twitches. Wonderful. I stand up and move next to him. “Do you truly think of yourself as good? As anything but trash underneath everyone’s feet. You thought you were so clever that nothing would you bring you down. That you could force your values on to others without consequences. Yet here you sit.” The tension in his shoulders drop, and a soft smile grows on his face. Perhaps I should’ve gone harsher. This is certainly an emotion, but not the one I was looking for. He stands up.
“You’re right my daughter...ironic isn’t it. I wish you the best of luck. You must do better than me because you are better than.” He kisses the top of my head. “Tell Ririka that her voice modulator is badass.”
I failed didn’t I. I am the one standing here dumbstruck as my father walks. There was no victory in his eyes. Only sadness and fear. Fear of what? Of me? No no that’s not quite right. Something else entirely. He kissed my head. He’s never done that before. He’s never shown affection before. I wonder is that the first time some initiated a gentle touch with me. How sad.
A couple minutes pass before Ririka comes back down. Her footsteps are hesitant on the stairs. I turn my head, “He’s gone.”
A few moments pass before she appears in my line of version, “I know.” He shoulders are hunched like all the confidence she has gained has gone out the window. It his fault. How dare he come here and ruin all she’s worked for.
“He told me to tell you your voice modulator is badass.” I starting move towards the stairs to signify this conversation is over.
“Kirari, are you okay?” Her voice is still too soft. I keep walking.
“Of course. It was awfully amusing. Wish you could’ve seen it.” Not really. Not at all.
She grabs my wrist. “I don’t care about him. I care about you.” I know if I turned my head she’d be making that concerned face of hers. I see. So it’s me. I have become the shadow in her life. It makes me sick.
How long have I been devouring everything in sight? I’m certain now. I am no longer on the outside of my aquarium. I’m alongside the in the water. It could be fun, it should be fun, but it’s not. Not when I seem to have no control over who my prey is.
You were right father it is. It is.
I really need a good gamble.
—————
Ririka’s still irritated with her when we get in limo to go to school. Her mask is on, and while it’s not completely out of character for her, she hasn’t worn it inside this car since before Mary. She’s staring out the window; she’s probably pouting. Normally I’d find this quite amusing, the faces Ririka makes when she’s angry are endlessly entertaining, but his face keeps turning up in my mind. That fear I know what it is now. Fear for me not of me. It’s a shock I didn’t realize it immediately with how many times I have seen that look on Sayaka’s face. It’s not quite the same though they were different kinds of fear I suppose. There was regret in his eyes too. For what? Coming back? Leaving? Allowing me to take control of the family? Hurting Ririka? Having children? It doesn’t matter. None of it matters, but it does doesn’t. You’re becoming him. Or am I already him?
“We’re here, Kirari. Sayaka is waiting for you again. I have business to attend this morning, so I will not be joining you.” Business huh? My dear sister will you perhaps be attending to Mary. Ha. She would most certainly blush if I said that out loud , and her irritation at me would only last longer.
“Have fun.” I smirk, but she doesn’t knowledge it. “Good morning, Sayaka, how was your morning?” She looks cute today. Today? Hmm not that’s not quite right is it.
“Good morning to you as well President,” She bows, “I had a nice run this morning.” Running that is intriguing.
“Do you run a lot, Sa~y~ak?”
“Yes President everyday. Exercise is quite important.” Hmm everyday no wonder Sayaka is so thin. I wonder what is underneath all those clothes. I can almost hear Sayaka’s indignant gasp if I were to ever speak that thought.
“Perhaps we should run together one day Sa~y~ak.” It’s mostly a tease; I’m not in the best of shape.
“Oh that would be quite nice. What is your half-marathon time? Mine is three hours and five minutes. Perhaps we could run one together.” Three hours...Sayaka must be insane.
“That’s quite alright Sayaka. Even your presence wouldn’t be enough to convince me to go through such torture.” She blushes. How cute.
“You really most consider exercising more President. I saw you struggling with carrying a box of papers.” How embarrassing. Sayaka can you be any crueler?
“I’d rather gamble.”
“Against who?”
“I’m not sure yet. We are getting to end of the line, and I have very little choices left. Do you have plans for your votes?” Her face grows serious and she starts walking faster.
“Be careful President all those who remain are not to be underestimated.” She keeps walking faster and faster.
She never answers my question. Interesting.