Author's Note: I do not own Black Rock Shooter.

Chapter 9: Indulgence

"Ugh, my head, I can't believe I actually got sick." Yomi muttered to herself, letting out a small cough. Shortly after the conversation with Mato, she felt dizzy, giving her parents a quick call that she was going to be out sick for the day, responding with to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. She just awoken from a nap, giving her forehead a firm rub, she flipped open her phone.

"Oh it's almost 4' o'clock." The dark curtains blocking off most of the light trying to enter. "That means they'll come visit soon." Yomi glanced at her wooden desk, spotting a picture of her and her friends. Mato was giving the brightest grin that was usually on her face, Kagari looked annoyed, to everyone's amusement. Yuu looked strangely nervous, barely mustering up a smile, while she herself was smiling calmly into the camera. The corner of Yomi's mouth shifted upward, her heart filled with warmth.

(Don't flatter yourself, Master, they're merely pretending to care about you.) Dead Master cooed in her head. Yomi flinched at her comment, warmth immediately fading.

"Stop talking about my friends like that." Yomi whispered, "They've been through too much already. Especially Mato."

(Oh? Well maybe it's best to get rid of them, problem solved.)

"Don't you dare hurt them." Yomi snapped, tightening her grip on the edges of her blanket.

(Silly, you already have.) She responded, snickering. Yomi couldn't find a respond to this.

(Oh well, if you aren't going to listen then it's best for me to wait.) As she talked her voice got quieter and quieter until eventually it seemed like she was never there. Yomi sat on the bed still clutching onto the sheets.

"Wait…for what?"

Getting lost in her thoughts, she was interrupted by a ringing sound next to her bed, without even glancing at the caller she answered

"Hello?" she asked, her throat making the task of simply greeting a hard task

"Oh hey Yomi, it's Mato again. Make sure to leave the house unlocked so we can come in!"

Yomi smiled brightly at her best friends silly logic, "I don't think that's a good idea Mato, just use the key under the mat." she replied, giggling.

"Oh really?! Ok, see you in a bit!" Mato's cheery voice said from the other line, and soon the call ended.

Yomi sat in bed, her moment of happiness suddenly fading, leaving her with disappointment and longing.

"Come soon Mato. Please." Yomi muttered

"Cmoncmoncmon!" Mato huffed as she forcefully pushed Yuu and Kagari towards to sidewalk.

"Don't touch me." Kagari plainly stated

"Easy there, Mato." Yuu chuckled at her friend's childish behavior as if they were going to a theme park.

"You two are so slow! Yomi could be worried about us! Or worse! She could be trapped inside her room with no escape! Think about the possibilities!" Mato exclaimed

"That's a little skeptical since she can't get out her room anyway, remember? Sick?" Yuu addressed.

"You're a dunce." Kagari mumbled.

"You two are so mean!" Mato pouted, tears producing from her eyes.

"Me?! What did I do?!" Yuu asked, appalled.

"You won't shut your mouth!" Mato quickly transitioned back to her cheery self.

"You are the strangest girl I have ever met." Yuu deadpanned.

"In a good way?" Mato twinkled.

"I don't even know." Yuu replied, eyes twitching.

"What do you think she meant by under the mat, you dunce?" Mato ignored Kagari's scolding and opened the door quickly.

"Yomi! We're here!" Mato shouted from inside the house, electing a flick from Kagari

"Shut up you idiot, you could wake up the whole house." Kagari whispered

"I don't think anyone's here other than Yomi," Mato whispered back, irritated, "and its 4:30!"

"Both of you shut up! Yomi's probably waiting." Yuu scolded, walking up the grand staircase, gesturing at the two to follow.

Mato followed shortly taking in the interior of the house the brightly lit chandelier in the middle of the massive house brings in the elegant paintings and wooden decor at the top floor. The hallway was decorated with pictures of Yomi and her family, and occasionally Kagari. Examining one where Yomi's family were looking to be on a picnic, she grinned at the happy expression Yomi was showing. She shifted her gaze towards Yomi's parents. Her father was a rather tall man wearing a business suit, standing out from Yomi's mother, who was wearing a plain t-shirt and jeans.

"Look how cute Yomi looks!" Mato practically shoved Yuu into the picture.

"Yes, good job taking care of your sick friend, Mato." Yuu accused. Mato pouted, "But she looks so cute!" Mato whined, "The sunhat especially gives it a nice taste."

"Didn't know you were so much into fashion, or for Yomi for that matter." Yuu glanced back at Mato whose cheeks were a tint of pink.

"Me? Fashion? D-Don't be ridiculous, I just admire attractive looking people with nice clothes!" Mato stuttered as she crossed her arms.

"So you claim Yomi as attractive?" Yuu asked, diving a bit deeper

Mato pointed at the picture "H-her family Yuu, they look very attractive in that picture!"

"That's a weird thing to say…" Yuu muttered

"Shut up! Anyway aren't we here to visit Yomi?!" Mato pointed accusingly at Yuu

"We were, but you won't stop goofing around." She retorted

"W-well how about Kagari?"

"I've been waiting for you doofuses for fifteen minutes, I wouldn't be surprised if Yomi thought this way a break-in." Kagari boredly stated.

"Right…" Yuu replied, embarrassed, "Whelp, let's go."

Mato and Yuu nodded in agreement.

Yomi roused from her slumber when she heard commotion coming right from outside her door.

Yomi can barely make out Kagari's angered whisper from the hallway "You dunce, what if she's sleeping?"

"Then we'll wake her up!" A much clearer voice that was no doubt Mato rung in her eardrums

"Shhh! It's rude to disturb a sick person if they're asleep!" Yuu's voiced popped into the conversation

Yomi giggled at three teenagers creating unnecessary conflict, she pulled off her face-mask.

"It's okay to come in." Yomi called out, noticing how weak and hoarse her voice was.

Mato was the first one to burst into the door, the athletic girl sprinting full speed at her, while Yuu and Kagari followed in a much more sophisticated manner.

"Yomiyomiyomiyomiyomiyomi!" Mato repeated several times burying her face on Yomi's nightgown.

Yomi's face turned red, the fever playing little part, "M-Mato. You'll catch my cold if you get too close."

"I don't care! I couldn't get a hug all day! Especially not from these two jerks!" Mato's finger alternating between Yuu and Kagari who stood there with blank faces.

"You're a dunce." Kagari bluntly replies

"You were basically tackling us during homeroom and break." Yuu added

"Waah! Yomi they're so mean!" Mato gave her best kicked-puppy expression

Yomi took a look at Mato's childish nature, those lovely blue eyes never showing anything other than life and hope in others, and the undying love for those closest to her. Yomi felt her heart beat a little faster. She could hold Mato like this for the rest of time and she'd be happy beyond words. The moment ended far too quickly as Mato hopped off.

"We also brought some medicine and snacks!" Mato beamed, snatching a bag from Kagari's hand who gave her an annoyed sigh.

"Really? You didn't have to do this for me."

"Of course we do! Plus we're going on a date next week so we need you better!" Mato beamed.

The blush immediately returned to Yomi's face ten-fold, 'A d-d-date? I've never been on a date! Has Mato? What if I completely screw up our time together and Mato would never want to become my friend again? Wait no, Mato would never do that, but then if it goes bad every conversation will be awkward. Uhh I'm thinking too much!'

"Yea, since its winter vacation next week, I thought it'd be nice if the four of us could all have a get together." Mato explained

Yomi didn't know how to feel right now, 'Should I be relieved or disappointed? Oh stop that Yomi! When have I begun talking to myself?!'

(Is something wrong Master?) Dead Master cooed in her mind. Her presence unnoticed just a few moments ago

'No, go away!'

(As you wish, Master) she replied exiting her mindscape just as quickly.

"So Yomi, are you in?" Yuu asked suddenly, bringing Yomi back from spacing-out.

"Uh, sure." Yomi weakly smiled, trying to hide the conflicting emotions going inside her head.

"Yay!" Mato once again bounced on Yomi's lap encasing her in a hug. "You're the best Yomi! You're so soft too did you know that?" Yomi looked at those mesmerizing blue eyes, completely ridding her of any worries and stress, just as well as lovely as her eyes is the bright smile she is showing on her face, so beautiful and youthful, giving Yomi butterflies in her stomach.

"Where are we exactly going for the…date?"

"There is necessarily any plans during a date, it's not like I mind if it means being with you." Mato smiled warmly

"I see…"

"Oh by the way Yomi, do you notice how cute you are in your pictures?" Mato asked

Yomi's cheeks heated up at the sudden compliment, "Mato!" Yuu's voice rung in her head careful not to show her blushing face to her friends

"What? She is!" Mato pouted.

"I guess we're all dunces here…" Kagari spoke up, her voice barely reaching everyone's ears.

The four friends couldn't help but giggle at the insult, especially Mato, "Hah! You called yourself dumb!" who pointed at Kagari. Kagari sneered at her comment

"My grades don't agree with your sentiment." She countered as well as leaning towards Mato, "I'm guessing yours does?"

Mato blushed in embarrassment, "H-hey! They're not that bad!" flinging sloppy punches at Kagari who simply held her back with one hand.

"You should come back soon Yomi." Kagari shifted her gaze towards the sick girl, "she fell asleep at least three times today."

"Waah! Kagari you meanie!" who's arms rotating like a fan towards Kagari's face, who paid no attention to the attack.

"Of course." Yomi giving her brightest smile that day, amazed at how her friends can turn a dull boring sick day to something so full of life.

Dead Master's heels echoed each step she took in the cavern, while trying to persuade Yomi to merge with her again, she became wary of two powerful entities clashing in the cavern. She quickly left Yomi's mindscape to investigate further, checking every creek and hole that was in her sights. Walking towards what seemed to be an abbeys she felt movement underneath her feet she snickered at the thought of some poor ghoul or monster falling into an opening, barely managing to save their life. Unwilling to contain her curiosity she grappled onto the edge of the cliff, careful not to tear her dress. To her surprise a large whole leading possibly to another cave system, smirking, Dead Master landed onto the cave floor. Instantly she was met with a cold blade pressed against her neck.

"Why, hello there."