Chapter 18

Eliza said to go rest. But it's noon and I don't feel like resting in my room. Heck I have a urge to go out. I need to... Think a little. I let out a breath and get up from the sofa, rearrange my hair properly and smoothen my uniform. Damn I love it.

Anyway, after a last glance toward their room I get out of the dorm with a little sigh. I'll get some food first. Maybe bring some for them if it's not too late.

Based on what I heard, from the attendants when we were choosing our rooms, the cafeteria is on the second floor. As I make my way over there I can still hear the whispers around me but I ignore them. I'm not interested in any rumours or what-not. I'm more focused on filling my belly.

It doesn't take me long to find my destination. When I enter I see a large room filled with long tables and chairs. There's also some smaller seating areas for a cosier feel. After getting food in one of the windows lining up one wall I take a seat at one of the smaller tables.

On my tray are multiple dishes, mostly meat with a few vegetables. The lady serving me the food told me that they used monsters to prepare it. Apparently it's delicious and work a bit like what bodybuilders uses to favorise muscle growth. Except less toxic. And also more... Comprehensive. Well, that's what she told me at least. I have no idea what is true or not. It's just delicious and that's all I need to know.

I definitely need to bring some to them, or bring them here.

Or I could learn how to do that. I don't want to boast but I'm quite good at cooking. Maybe 'good' is too much, but at least Anna has always enjoyed it. Almost more than our mother's cooking. It may be just to avoid hurting my feelings though. Whatever I guess. I'll still try, I'll ask the lady the recipe. Since we have a kitchen in our dorm.

I'm actually curious why there's still a cafeteria then. I guess it's for student that are too lazy to cook, or simply don't know how to.

After my meal, full and satisfied, I decide to go to the administration building. I want to get our schedules for the coming semester.

[Eliza's POV]

In front of me is Anna's room. I don't hear anything but I know her. She's probably under the covers regretting her actions. Or maybe not that much. She's always been impulsive after all. And most of the time I'm the one that has to stop her. Maybe that's why we are best friend.

Jane often said I'm more like their mother sometimes, reining them in and stopping them from doing stupid things.

But this time I wasn't fast enough. I first thought she wanted to the same as me. Just getting a cheek kiss but restraining herself from turning. Well no. She did stop but not enough. And then she fled like she did a crime.

I can't lie, it was pretty endearing to see Jane freeze like that all flustered. I wonder how she'll react with a real kiss. I could block her with a shield and corner her like that...

No! Not the time Eliza! Get a grip!

I slap my reddening cheeks slightly. How come I can stay calm almost all the time, but when it concerns her I'm all but calm? It's almost like she enchanted us with magic...

Anyway. After Anna little stunt I wonder if we scared her. I've noticed the look in Jane's eyes. She's mostly confused with our shenanigans. There's also understanding, she knows. It just seems like she can't accept. At least can't understand why. It's fine, we'll make her understand.

A heavy sigh escape my lips and I lift my hand to knock on Anna's door. She answer with a muffled 'yes' and I push open it open, entering.

I have to restrain a laugh when I see a cocoon of blanket wriggling on the bed.

"What are you doing? Are you a butterfly now? You'll shed and fly away?" I joke a little as I take a seat on the edge of the bed.

"The number you are trying to reach is unavailable for the moment. Please leave a message after the bip or call later. Biiiip" Her voice is muffled as she answers me total nonsense but it makes me laugh a little.

"C'mon. You don't intend to stay like that forever right? Especially when you are the one that fumbled." I shake my head, my voice tinged with fond exasperation.

She doesn't answer immediately so I wait. After a while she finally whine and slowly peel away her protection. She looks at me as if to say 'There, Happy?'. I just giggle softly with a nod.

"So. I know you love her to death and have trouble restraining yourself... But really Anna?" I start with a pointed look.

"But but but! She looks so good like that! And then she kissed you on the cheek! I still need to get back at you for that traitor!" She answer while flailing her arms around before she points a finger at me.

"Right, like you never got any before me? Anyway, you really flustered her you know. But there's something I can't understand... She clearly understood our feelings. So why can't she accept them?"

I may be their childhood friend, heck even their best friend, but I've never really asked what happened in their house. The only time I tried long ago they fell silent and didn't want to tell me. We, my parents and me, did put some pieces together. They never really had a warm house. But more details? I was in the dark. And I didn't press them more with how hurt they seemed at that moment.

"Well... You know that Jane has always wanted to be a girl, right?" She starts and I nod. "The problem is that our 'father' wasn't... Uh... Too happy about that."

That I knew, or rather I guessed. They wouldn't have hidden some girl's clothes in my home otherwise.

"At first she said nothing. Even I didn't know. Then one day she told our father. I wasn't home at that time, but I know he refused and got pretty angry. It would have been okay if it stopped at that... But he struck her before punishing her in her room. Once there she..." Her voice break for a split second and I put my hand on hers, squeezing it encouragingly. "She stole a knife from the kitchen and... Cut it all off."

My eyes widen at that. I heard that Jane spent a certain time at the hospital when younger. But I never imagined it was for that. I understand why she had difficulties in sports now. Especially when it needed her legs to be used.

"I was coming back from your school. I had some club activities. I ran to her room, hoping to play with her, and saw it. Blood, so much blood. Too much. And Jane, curled in the middle of it. Our 'father' was here, but either he didn't hear her, or just didn't care. As for our mother, she didn't notice. Probably too weak after this man fed on her..." She wipe some tears with the corner of her sleeve. "I panicked, of course I did. We were seven after all. But I still managed to find a phone and call for help. They told me how to stop the bleeding. It's a miracle she survived. And I'm so glad for that."

Even with her frantic wiping of her eyes the tears still fell non-stop, mine coming out too. I would have never imagined her doing that. The sadness and hurt she must have felt to go to such lengths. In a sense it's 'good' she did it so young. She didn't know it would be painful like that, or that she could die. Of course I would have preferred she never got to that extreme.

"Actually I know why that man didn't do anything. He just wanted to let her bleed out and die. He didn't say a thing. But now that I think of it it's obvious." She spat out and clench her other hand hard.

I myself have a urge to go and just straight-up kill that less-than-a-man. But I restrain myself and let Anna continue.

"After that episode... He found any opportunities to treat Jane less than dirt. Beating her whenever he got drunk. I tried... I tried to shield her. But she never let me. He was always saying that she was a man. That she was too ugly to get a girl and should just stay in the shadows. Always telling her 'you are useless' the moment he could." She takes a deep breath, trying to control the trembling of her voice. "He destroyed her self-confidence Eliza. But she never showed it, ever. She always smiled to you, right?"

I just nod. I've always seen Jane quite subdued, never getting angry at anything. Either a smile or a neutral expression on her face. Never a frown.

"Yeah. To me too. That's the reason she can't accept our love. She probably think we deserve someone else. Think she doesn't deserve love. But she'll never say it."

That... Makes sense. Sadly.

"We have to make her understand then." I say slowly.

She nods at me.

"I'm sorry Eliza. I... I don't think I can wait anymore." She hesitate slightly. "I love her too much. And I waited too long. More than ten years Eliza. So... I'm going to tell her. Today. I don't know if you will do the same. But I want to help her realise her charm and her endearingness."

My eyes widen at that. I'm not sure if it's a good idea. But if there's one thing that impress me with Anna it's her boldness. She's way bolder than me.

"You... Is that really a good idea? I-I can't stop you but. Are you sure?" I ask, my voice full of concern and anxiety.

"I have no idea if it's the right moment. But like you said, she did understand what we feel. And I know she feels the same. She just didn't notice. Or she did but buried it. So yes. I'm sure. Actually I'm even going right now." She nods with determination and scramble out of her bed in one go. "Want to come?"

She outstretch her hand toward me. I look at it for a few second, torn, but eventually take it.

I guess we're doing that. Please don't reject us Jane...

[Jane's POV]

Bad news: I got lost. Good news: someone took pity on me and guided me to the administration building. It was a nice male upperclassman who, for once since I awakened, didn't hit on me. That was kind of refreshing. Anyway after a few minutes of waiting I finally got our schedule. I still haven't looked at it yet, I want to look at it with the girls.

Thinking of them I really don't know what to do. I mean. I do know their feelings. I think at least.

But... What if I'm wrong? What if I miss-read the signs? Wouldn't that be awkward ? And be like I'm full of myself? Ugh

I don't even know if I hope to be right. Or if I rather be wrong. I don't deserve them so it would be kind of better if I'm wrong. Also... Wouldn't it be weird to be with two people at the same time?

No first of all, do I like them. Well, yes. But romantically?

The moment I ask myself that my heart skip a beat before drumming almost painfully in my chest.

Well. That answer this.

I chuckle softly. It's weird how the heart works. But also amazing how honest it can be. As I look at my tail swishing joyfully a bit more. Seems like my heart isn't the only thing honest on me. No matter. I can ignore those. Like usual. It's not that hard to do actually. I only need to protect them well, and choose who will be their future wife.

I have that right no? Yes. I do.

There's still time before the evening, and classes starts only tomorrow. Today was really just a day to settle in. So now... I don't know what to do. Maybe I'll explore a bit so I can show them some nice areas? I nod to myself and start wander around the Academy aimlessly.

My steps brings me to the part where music students are supposed to study. There's not many people here. Most are like me, just wandering to familiarise with the Academy's grounds. But after a few minutes of walking I vaguely hear music. My ears perks up and turn toward the origin of the noise. It doesn't take me long before I find where it comes from.

It's a girl a little older than me, probably an upperclassman, playing on a gorgeous piano. She seems quite tall with a head full of blue hair. She's playing with her eyes closed and I can help but lean against the doorway, my own eyes closed and my tail swaying in the slow rhythm of her playing.

I recognize that song. It's 'All of Me' from John Legend. It's a very nice love song and that girl is playing it perfectly.

I suddenly hear hurried footsteps coming toward me so I open one eye then both when I notice the two familiar girls.

Uh? Anna? Eliza? What are they doing here? Ooh they are holding hands! Maybe I was indeed wrong and they are a couple now?

I would lie if I said I'm not a little bit sad if that's the case. But more than that they would absolutely have my blessings. They would make a cute couple.

I'm still a bit baffled they managed to find me in that labyrinth of an Academy. I smile at them when they finally stop in front of me, letting go of their hands. I tilt my head in confusion when I see that. Are they considerate for me? There's no need for that though.

"Hey girls. How did you find me? This place is too big for it to be a coincidence." I greet them without loosing my smile.

"Oh Anna asked around if they saw a very cute Fox girl" Eliza answer calmly with a shrug.

Anna still doesn't talk even when I turn my eyes to her. She's fixing me intently. Her gaze is almost scorching and makes me shrink back a little. Not out of fear, but anxiousness of what her eyes seems to scream at me. Meanwhile the piano piece is still playing softly.

She takes a small step toward me.

"Jane" She starts

"Y-yes?" I manage to squeak weakly.

"You know, I often think you are illegally cute. It's kind of unfair don't you think? After all we're twins. But you are so much cuter than me. But I'm not jealous. On the contrary I'm quite proud." She says with a fond smile on her lips. "There's just a problem with that. You don't realise how cute you are. How endearingly adorable you can be. You think nobody will fall in love with you right?"

I'm stunned by her onslaught and only manage to nod my head once timidly. She close her eyes.

"Then I'm going to make you change your mind. No later than now." She stops for a second to take a deep breath as she open her eyes abruptly. "Jane. I love you. From the bottom of heart and soul. You, not anyone else."

I feel like time stopped. Even the faint music in the background seems to fade away. I did have a lot of suspicions toward that conclusions. There were quite a few signs. I may be dense, but not at that level. It still doesn't strip away the astonishment I feel right now. It's abrupt and comes out of nowhere. But most importantly... It makes no sense.

"B-but... Why me? T-there's... Plenty of other girls out there. Better than me. Heck any girl is better than me." I answer, my voice a dry whisper at the end. But I don't frown or anything. It's just facts.

Both girls sigh and look at each others for a brief second. Anna take another stop forward and I retreat a little, but behind my back is the wall so I can't retreat further. She towers above my smaller frame. I have to lift my eyes to meet hers, almost immediately looking away... but her gaze draw me in. My tail is tucked against my leg out of anxiousness.

"See. That's a problem. Because for me you are the most incredible girl in the world. You are endearing, cute. You are too gentle for your own good. You are caring and protective. You are cool. And gods you are sexy. Especially when you get all angry for us."

Each of her compliments makes me squirm more and more. I hear the words. I feel them stabbing my heart like sweet arrows. But my mind is trying to dodge all of that. I can't even muster an answer at all. I just stare at her way too earnest eyes, filled with overflowing love. So much that I have a feeling I'll drown in it and in them.

"I can't hold it more you know." She says, her voice tremble of repressed... Something.

She suddenly grab my tie fastened around my neck and gently but firmly pull on it as she leans toward me.

My eyes widen at that gesture and, before I could react, I feel her soft lips crashing on mine.

At first I panicked. Then her smell, lavender and sweet apple, hits me. Followed by the softness and warmth of her lips. It makes me focus more on the sensations I'm feeling than my panic at her gesture.

And it's amazing. I feel like I'm floating higher and higher. Her kiss is clumsy at first, almost forceful. But it gets better as time passes and we're locked together. Gradually it becomes soft. Passionate but gentle, like she's handling the most precious treasure in the world.

But I feel it, she's trembling. She's afraid I will reject her. I should, for her own sake. But I can't. And I find myself answering her. As clumsily as her. I'm hesitant. And still don't know if it's a good idea to accept that. But my heart is screaming yes at her. And for once my brain is silent.

I didn't know what to do with my arms and hands, but slowly and almost naturally I grab her lapel with a soft grip.

Our eyes meet.

"Can I... Take that as a yes?" She ask, her voice a little hoarse, sending tingles down my spine.

I barely manage a small nod.

"I... I still don't... Understand..." My voice is barely a whisper at that moment.

Her face instantly brighten at my voice, her joy radiating out of her. Then she calm down and look at Eliza with a smile I can call encouraging. She mouth something to our best friend and Eliza nod before turning to me. Anna takes a step back to give her space.

Wait... No way?

"Yes. That's what you are thinking of Jane. I see it in your eyes." She starts with a giggle. "I think... Anna already said everything I think of you. The only thing I can add is that I'm glad to have met you. You are the best thing in my life."

I'm once again stunned. Did they plan to make my heart explode today?

She takes another step toward me and lift her hand to put it on my cheek, brushing it with her thumb. Her eyes are as overflowing with love as Anna's. Her presence over me is less 'oppressive' than Anna, it's more gentle. Like she's just telling me 'I'm here'.

"I love you, Jane." Her voice is gentle, soothing and calm.

"I-I... But... Anna... You..." I can't even answer properly. I just stutter, my voice cracking.

I don't want to reject her either. But we just confirmed things between Anna and me... And now Eliza is inserting herself with us? I also guessed about her. But I thought she would give up since Anna got 'first'. Apparently not.

"Don't worry. We talked about it already. Didn't your mother tell her before? To be more open about others being attracted to you. I must say she's right. You are too amazing to ignore." She giggle her answer to my silent question.

She lean toward me further, her eyes filled with anxiousness but determination.

"May I?..." She whisper softly, her voice trembling.

I try to open my lips to answer. Only for a strangled noise to slip through. So I just give a very small nod as I tense a little.

Her lips form a relieved smile before landing on mine.

It's different than Anna's kiss. If hers was hot as if on fire, Eliza's is cool but not devoid of warmth. It's soft and oh so very comfortable. If I was floating earlier, now I feel grounded. As if Eliza was the anchor binding us to this very moment.