Chapter 11: Ran's Day-off

It was Saturday morning, and the story continues at the Van Helsing residence. Every one has gathered at the front gate to send someone off. Even this human heroine is present in the scene and she doesn't even know the reason why. There's a bit of awkwardness written on her face. Let's say, in a good way.

'Am I even allowed to be here? This should be familial matters but why am I here? And what's more, I'm the only human here!' She thought.

But then, someone gently patted her right shoulder. It was Rae, the only vampire who would care to read her talkative mind.

Rae flashed a bright smile as if telling her that it's not a mistake that she's there with them. Like something contagious, she smiled back at him.

All her worries were washed away in just a smile from him. She may not be a mind reader like him, but with his smile, it was as if she can truly understand what he wants to say.

"Do you really have to go, aunt Lucy?" Rae asked now having that sad smile, "You can stay a bit longer."

Lucy chuckled, "As much as I want to, I have some business to attend. I'm sorry, but I'll be back after a while, I promise." She smiled sweetly as she gently caressed Rae's cheek.

"It's fine even if you didn't come back." Calcifer suddenly said which ignited sharp gazes from Lucy.

"Is that so? You must be REALLY happy that I'll leave now, huh?" It's obvious that she's just controlling her anger before blasting her ice power on the vampire in front of her.

"Of course, I'm INDEED happy." Calcifer replied with such a cunning smile.

But as soon as their eyes met and blocked the view from Rae and the others, his face turned serious.

"I'm sorry for troubling you, princess. Have a safe trip." He whispered that she can only hear.

For a moment, her irritation fades away with how he sincerely looks at her.

But she have to set these feelings aside. She has to help her family, her sister whom she haven't seen for so long and her nephew, the only treasure that her sister left. She has to make sure that no one would dare to hurt him anymore that's why she has to leave.

"Well then, goodbye!" She waved and turned to ride in her car.

"Take care, Lady Lucy!" Ren and Rin said.

"I'll be waiting for your next visit." Rae said as he watched the car moving.

'What a wonderful family.' Yana said to herself with a smile.

Just then, with a glimpse from the car window, she saw Lucy staring at her. This time, she didn't look at the lass with an intimidating eyes but rather, she smiled gently as if telling her:

'Please take care of Rae for me.'

That's when Yana realized that Lucy doesn't hate her at all. And that, lifted her spirits.

Soon as the car was out of sight, Ran came out to pick them.

"Breakfast is ready." She said with that stoic expression on her face.

They all went inside and started eating.

"Wow! Ms. Ran, did you make all of these?" Yana asked after seeing a lot of delicious food on the dining table.

"Yes." She briefly answered.

"Oh, by the way Ran, I haven't seen you for a while when aunt Lucy was here for the whole week. What were you doing?" Rae asked as he took one sandwich.

"I was cleaning, young master," she replied, "I cleaned every corner of the house."

Calcifer raised an eyebrow, "Cleaning? But you're in-charge of cooking."

"That is true. But since no one's doing so, I ended up doing things myself."

"And I wonder why is that?" The gentleman glared at Ren and Rin both munching some eggs and bacons.

They flinched and swallowed the food as fast as they can to respond.

"Sir Cal, you see, when Lady Lucy was here, we went to assist her." Rin explained.

Ren nodded, "Yes, that's right."

"Hey, you didn't even help. You're just with us to ditch your work." Rin turned to face her sister.

"What? I did not!"

"Enough! Both of you will do your work without any excuse. Understood?" Calcifer raised his voice and glared at Ren and Rin.

"Yes sir!" They saluted in fear.

"Is cleaning all you did, Ran?" Rae asked.

Ran shook her head, "I also did the laundry, washed the dishes, took care of the garden, went to the market--"

"Alright, I've decided!" Rae stood up after he finished his food.

"Ran, you go and take a day-off." He smiled.

Ran blinked, "But young master, I still have to--"

"Leave everything to us! We'll do the cleaning, laundering, gardening - and more. Right, everyone?" Rae turned to others with a smile.

"R-right..." They answered as if they got any other choice.

"E-even me?" Yana asked pointing to herself.

Rae nodded, "Yep. We're friends, remember?" He said as if telling her that this is his payback when she forcefully made him drink her blood.

"Y-yeah, right..." Yana gulped.

"Alright, off you go!"

He asked Rin to assist Ran and change her clothes.

"But I've never had a day-off before." Ran said like she was hesitating to go out.

"That's the reason you deserve one, sis. Oh, don't forget to apply this." Rin said and handed her a lotion.

A special lotion that will protect them not to turn into ashes when they go out in the sun.

"But what do you usually do in day-off?"

"Hmm... why don't you buy something for yourself? A dress or a jewelry, perhaps?" Rin responded.

But Ran seems confused.

And when her sister's done changing, she quickly escorted her outside.

"Have a nice day off!" Rin waved goodbye to her.

Soon as Ran set foot out of the mansion, she felt like she was lost. She haven't done anything out of the mansion with personal purposes.

'Hmm... Rin said that I should buy something for myself...' She said to herself and started walking.

But then, her feet ended up bringing her to where she usually goes-- the market place.

'Should I just go back?' She blankly stared at the stores while thinking of what to do.

While our dear Ran is being troubled of how to spend her day-off, there's a small coffee shop few meters away from her where small tables can be found outside.

One of those tables there's a man, in his early-30's, having a trouble as well about life.

"Ugh, darn it! I already applied for several companies and none of them ever contacted me since." He sighed as he was cleaning his camera lens.

"How am I suppose to make a living like this?" He grumpily mumbled as he checked his camera by taking a peek on the viewfinder eyepiece.

Just then, he saw something that made him accidentally clicked the shutter button.

As per rule in photography, you have to capture "the moment" for it will not happen again. And that moment did happen to him just now.

Seeing that long jet black hair as dark as the night, that is countered by her fair white skin. Slit eyes which can be perceived that she's an Asian, with dark pupils which made her mysterious. What made her more captivating is her small cherry lips and her slender body. It feels like he has seen a goddess from the East!

'Should I just go back?' Ran asked herself as she was getting hesitant of spending her day-off.

'But young master gave me this day-off, I should be grateful of it.' She added but then, she heard a small click sound that an extraordinary creature like her could only hear.

She turned to the direction where the sound came from and saw a man holding his camera while staring at her.

She walked towards him, "Mister, it's rude to take someone's picture without their consent." She bluntly said with a stoic expression, as usual.

The man flinched as if he just realized what he had done.

"Oh, err--I'm sorry!" He panicked and fell on his seat. Good thing he managed to spare his camera.

He immediately got up, "I-I didn't mean to do that.. I mean.. It was an accident.." He stammered as he removed the dust off of his clothes.

'This could be a perfect opportunity for me to know her more!' The man said to himself and was about to open his mouth--

"I see. I hope it won't happen again." Ran politely bowed her head and turned her back.

He was about to stop her but no voice came out as if words betrayed him.

The man sighed in frustration, 'Urgh! What the hell Trevor!? Why can't you accomplish simple things?!'

Just then, he noticed that the beautiful maiden earlier went back to her place where she was standing. She kept on looking from left to right as if she can't decide where to go. She had no emotion at all but her action speaks that she's indeed troubled. He watched over her for ten minutes but she didn't leave her place.

'C'mon Trevor! This is your chance, be a man!'

That's when he decided to stand up and approach her.

He cleared his throat, "Uhm, h-hello again? I-I was just wondering... Are you waiting for someone?"

Ran glanced at him and he thought that it was indeed weird for a guy to suddenly ask something like that.

"I-I mean... You were just... Standing here for long--but it doesn't mean that I'm stalking you or anything! It's just that--"

"No. I'm not waiting for someone." She answered straightforwardly.

"Then... Why are you here all by yourself?"

She didn't answer right away.

"Oh, I'm not forcing you to answer. It's indeed weird to answer from a guy you just met."

"Day-off." She mumbled. "It's my day-of today but... I don't know where to go. I'm not familiar around here." She added and looked down.

That's when he finally understand, she wasn't suspecting him or anything. She's just shy and embarrassed to say that she didn't know the way. And that made his heart skip a beat.

"I-is that so? T-then, this is your lucky day, m'lady!" He bowed like a gentleman, "Let me escort you around. Trevor Meyer, at your service!" He flashed a bright smile.

The maiden blinked few times, "Ran." She bowed politely after telling him her name.

"Well then, Miss Ran, do you have any place in mind that you wanted to visit?"

Ran held her chin, "My sister said, I should go buy some clothes or jewelry for myself."

"Alright, to the boutique then!" Trevor cheerfully said as he led the lady towards the store.

Meanwhile, back to the Van Helsing residence; after Ran left the house, all of them decided to start working now.

"I will work on the kitchen!" Rin exclaimed.

Ren scoffed, "You? Are you serious 'bout that?"

Rin pouted, "Yes I am. Why? Can you even do it yourself?"

Ren was about to respond when Calcifer rebutted, "I won't allow anyone to work in the kitchen but me. Understand?" He glared at the twins.

"Y-yes sir!" They saluted in fear.

As they left, "That leaves us with cleaning." Ren sighed, took the broom, and went to the attic.

"Why are you still here?" She asked Rin who's been following her.

"I want to clean the attic too!"

"No, you should be in-charge of the garden."

"I always take care of the garden. I want to try something new." She insisted. But then, they heard a sound of something fell.

"W-what was that?" Rin became nervous.

"Hmph! Probably a rat. If you don't like it, you'd better do other chores." Ren said as if mocking her sister.

"No! I'm not scared! I'm a proud vampire!" She said as they began to search for the rat.

"All pests should be eliminated in this house." Ren mumbled, ready to attack anytime.

"Don't get carried away or--yah!"

Distracted by her sister, Rin didn't notice the web in front of her and it got stuck on her hair and face.

She panicked and went out of balance and fell on the floor. And when she finally removed the sticky web, she saw two glowing red balls floating at her direction--it was the rat and it suddenly jumped in front of her.

"RAAAAAAAT!!!" She screamed and ran but ended up bumping into Ren and instead of cleaning the attic, they made it even worse by scattering the things inside because of Rin's panic.

"Rin! Look what you've done!" Ren sneezed because of the dust around.

Primo saw all of these and decided to go back to Calcifer, who's busy preparing the dish.

"Looks like it's a bad idea to let the twins clean the attic." He sighed.

"Let them be. At least I know they can clean up that mess afterwards. But I won't let them work here for the sake of young master." Calcifer replied.

"Speaking of which, you should be by young master's side, aren't you?" He looked at the small bat with his sharp eyes.

Beads of sweat started to come out of his forehead, "Err... I'll be right there!" Primo flew away immediately where Yana and Rae can be found in the garden, watering the plants.

"You guys have a wonderful garden! These flowers are so beautiful!" Yana praised in delight.

Rae chuckled, "I'm glad you like it."

"Who wouldn't have? The flowers that I only see in pictures are here! Looks like Rin took care of them well. Am I right, Rae?" She glanced at her friend but then saw that his bright smile has faded.

Even he's watering the plants, it feels like his mind's been adrift somewhere else.

"Rae? Are you okay? What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

That's when the lad came to his senses, "What? Oh... it's nothing.." He flashed a fake smile but Yana can see through it.

"You're really a terrible liar, huh?"

"I'm sorry. I'll tell you when the time is right."

"It's alright. I'll be here when you're ready to tell me." Yana smiled.

"Thanks." He smiled back.

After watering the plants, they decided to go back inside to check the laundry. And when they walked pass through the library, Rae suddenly stops.

"What's the matter?" Yana asked.

Rae blinked, "I suddenly feel... strange..." He was about to enter when Primo flew in front of his face.

"STOOOOOP! You can't go in here, young master." He panted.

"Why not?"

"B-because... I-I'm cleaning it right now! You can't go inside here, it's so dusty!" He made a fake cough.

"You're... cleaning it?" Yana blinked fast in surprise wondering how Primo can do that with that small body of his.

"Don't underestimate me, human! I can do a LOT of things than you think!" Primo proudly said.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" Rae confirmed.

Primo nodded, "Yes, young master! I can do this!"

With that, they left and went to check the laundry.

Since it's a huge house, there's a separate room to wash their clothes with the help of the washing machine. And that's where they went.

"It's not that I'm doubting Primo or anything, but I don't think he can finish clea--woah!" Soon as she opened the door and took a step inside, Yana suddenly slipped and fell on the floor.

The whole room was slippery and filled with bubbles.

"Yana, are you alright?" Rae was about to help her when he slipped as well and fell on top of her. For that short moment, their eyes met.

As if time has stopped, they finally noticed something on each other.

'I just realized... Rae's eyes were like sapphire gems. But if you'll look closely, they're like the ocean; deep and blue. Beautiful yet unknown...'

Rae didn't manage to read these thoughts from Yana as he was distracted by looking into the lass's eyes.

'All I thought, Yana has brown eyes. But if you look closely, she has hazel brown eyes and it's wonderful! It's perfect for a sincere, brave, and strong person... like her.' The more he elaborates the things about his friend, the more he can feel his cheeks burn.

"Uhh.. Rae? How many scoops of detergent powder did you add?" The silence has broken on Yana's question.

"How many?" Rae blinked.

"Yeah, how many scoops?"

The lad didn't answer right away as if he was confused.

"Don't tell me you forgot?" Yana raised an eye brow.

"No, it's not. It's just that... I didn't use any scoop." He confessed and held on his nape.

"You didn't what? H-how--"

"I put half a pack of that detergent."

"Y-you mean, that big pack?!"

"Y-yes... Looks like I made a mistake."

Yana exclaimed, "You've gotta be kidding meeeee!!!"

Meanwhile, back to Ran and Trevor. As promised, this gentleman brought the lady to the boutique.

"Here, pick the clothes that you like." He told her, pointing at those lovely dresses.

He waited for few minutes and Ran came back shortly after.

"I'll take these." She said and much to his surprise, all the clothes she picked were black.

"A-are you sure?" He asked and smiled awkwardly.

'Is she going to a funeral or something?'

"Why? Is there something wrong?" Ran asked and tilted her head to the side as if wondering what he meant.

The gentleman waved his hand and shook his head, "T-there's nothing wrong! It's just that... maybe you should try other colors than black?" He suggested and rubbed the back of his head.

Ran stared at the clothes for a moment, "Alright." She was convinced and returned all the black dress she took.

"What should I choose then?" She asked the gentleman.

"Eh?"

"Since you suggested that I should choose another color, mind as well pick something that you think might suit me."

"Oh yes, you're right. You're right." The lad finally understood what she meant earlier. He decided to take dress with pastel colors and the floral ones.

"Here, try these." He handed those dresses and Ran took it to the fitting room assisted by the saleslady.

'Hmm... So Miss Ran loves black dress, seems like she's not so-girly type. But... I bet she'll look cute on those dress I chose!' Trevor said to himself with blushing cheeks.

"All done." Declared the saleslady. Ran came out wearing the pastel pink dress matched with laces.

Trevor was dumbfounded at the stunning beauty in front of him. It would be much better if the lady would smile.

Next, she tried the floral ones. She looked so bright and fresh like the spring.

Oh, how the gentleman fights the urge to press the shutter button of his camera. He wanted to capture the moment he met the Eastern Goddess. But he can't. He shouldn't. Or else Miss Ran might get mad at him.

'She's way beyond cuteness! She looked gorgeous!' He thought and thanked God for giving him the opportunity to gaze upon true beauty.

In the end, Ran bought the dresses that Trevor chose for her.

"Are you sure you don't want the black ones anymore?" He confirmed.

"My young master once said that it's not bad to take suggestions from others." She replied.

"Young master?" He echoed.

Ran nodded, "I'm a maid. And I serve the young master." She added. Even she always show no emotion at all, the way she said these lines are from her heart and with pride.

Trevor was amazed, "You must have a nice master." He chuckled.

"Yes, indeed."

Suddenly, Rae sneezed while wiping his hair with a towel.

"That's what you get for adding too much detergent!" Yana scolded as she too, wipes off the bubbles on her hair.

"I'm very sorry." *

"Alright. Next, we go to the jewelry store." Trevor cheerfully said as he continued walking.

But then, he paused when he found out that the lady was not following him anymore. He looked back and saw her standing, looking at the window glass of a certain shop.

"What are you looking at?" He walked back to get her only to find out that she's looking at the people eating inside.

"Do... you want some?" The gentleman asked and Ran nodded eagerly which is cute.

They went inside and took their orders. They sat near the window as they wait.

The gentleman was thinking of something that he can talk with the maiden in front of him.

"Say, why do you have a camera?" She suddenly asked.

"Oh, this?" He looked at his camera, "I'm a journalist."

"Journalist?" She echoed.

"Yes, I investigate and write about news."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, but recently..." He suddenly became upset, "I resigned to my old job and now I'm applying to other publishers. Unfortunately, no one has responded yet." He placed his chin on his palm and sighed.

"I see." Is all she could say.

"Two fruit parfait, here ya go!" The waitress came and placed their order.

Upon seeing the delicious-looking parfait, Trevor witnessed something interesting once again. Though with her usual stoic face, he can see that her eyes are twinkling in excitement when the parfait came. And without further ado, she started eating. The gentleman chuckled at the scene in front of him.

As the maiden cheerfully eats her parfait, she didn't notice the cream on her lips. Out of her excitement, she didn't realize that she's eating as messy as a kid.

"Oh, you've got some cream over here..." Trevor said and reached for her thinking that this might be a good opportunity for him to wipe that cream off her lips like in romantic movies.

"Forgive my rudeness, thank you for reminding me." Ran politely said and quickly wiped the cream herself.

"D-don't mention it." The lad said and felt disappointed.

After eating, they went out of the ice cream parlor and it was almost sunset.

"It's getting late. Do you still have something in mind that you wanted to visit?" Asked Trevor.

Upon hearing his words, Ran remembered something.

"Sea..." She mumbled, "I heard there's a small beach around here. I wanted to see the sea." She bashfully said.

The gentleman smiled, "Well then, let's visit the beach!" Luckily, he knew where that small beach can be found. He grew up in this city so he had memorized all places around here.

Since it's just a kilometres away, they've reached their destination in ten minutes. When she saw the blue sea, the maiden quickly ran towards it. She closed her eyes and feel the breeze of cold air as she listened to the song of the sea. Trevor smiled when he saw how happy she was even it doesn't show on her face.

"I hope..." She began to speak, "I hope you'll get hire soon. You're such a wonderful person, you deserve what you've been looking for." Ran turned to him as the wind blew strongly.

"Thank you, Trevor." She called his name for the first time. But what surprised him the most is that she showed him something unexpected -- a genuine smile.

And that's when he realized, there are things that doesn't need to be captured by the camera. Because they are meant to be kept in the memory and inside the heart.

"Well then, I shall take my leave." Ran bowed politely and turned her back.

"W-wait--!" Trevor was about to stop her when his phone suddenly rings.

"H-hello?" He picked up, "What? An interview?" A big smile slowly drawn on his face upon hearing the good news. He turned around and found that Ran was nowhere to be found.

"Yes, yes. I'll be there tomorrow... Eh? A requirement? Alright, thank you very much."

After that, he hung up. He wanted to thank the lady for being his lucky charm that he got accepted. But sadly, she already left.

"I wish we could meet again." He mumbled and went home.

"I'm back." Ran announced when she arrived at the mansion.

"Oh, welcome home Ran! How's your day-off?" Rae greeted her back with a smile.

"It was good, young master. But... what happened to them?" She asked pointing at the others who looked very tired.

"Let's just say it's because they've worked so hard today." Calcifer answered.

"Looks like you've bought much, sister! I want to see it!" Rin said and pulled her sister to their room.

Soon as Ran reached the house, so is the gentleman who escorted her for the whole day. He quickly went to the dark room to print some pictures taken by his camera.

"I need to pass that interview. But... where am I suppose to get an extraordinary picture as they said?" He sighed as he found nothing on the old pictures he took. He sighed again in frustration.

When he glanced at the new set of pictures hanging, one of them caught his attention.

He went closer and rubbed his eyes to check if he's seeing it correctly. He was certain that this is the picture he took accidentally when he first saw Ran.

But now, all he could see is the floating clothes she's wearing earlier.

"H-how can this be?!" He mumbled and felt terrified.

***

Author's Note:

*There's an aphorism or belief that when you sneeze (even without colds or dust), it means someone has been talking about you.