Next Day
They were at the room. They hadn't talked much since the accident.
(The guild had given them 30 large gold coins for putting them in danger, completing an A-rank, S or SS quest, and helping resolve a war between gangs.)
[1 large gold = 10 normal gold coins = 10 large silver = 5 silver]
They arrived at the room. The whole room warped around in silence and darkness.
Kiyoshi opened the window as Sakura sat on the bed. She looked tired and was still recovering from the injury.
She was strictly restricted from using mana for a few days. Kiyoshi sat beside her, trembling, trying to start a conversation.
He smiled artificially, "We have enough money now to get a small house."
Sakura turned to him with a serious face. "We have to talk."
Kiyoshi's face hit the wave of tension but he almost knew what it was about. He shook his head. "It's been months since we were trapped here and we..."
"I'm sorry," Sakura said. It was sudden but prepared. Kiyoshi was struck hearing an unexpected thing. The script he made in his mind didn't have an answer. He continued with silence.
Sakura looked at him in the eyes like she was going to open her heart. "Things are not like I expected them to be. I didn't know whom to trust."
She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "I was on high alert after coming here. I was confused about whom to trust. And I had only you, even though a stranger, but somebody who is in the same situation. I hid my girly and weak feelings from everyone, but sometimes I would curl up."
Sakura continued, her tone softer now. "I was cold to you. I was acting, even though I was suffering from homesickness. It felt like we would die if we weren't careful. It was easy to say, but this is the second time... and I saw death standing in front of me."
Sakura grabbed his hand and started crying, her voice breaking. "I was scared, I saw it. The deaths I was there, and I'm sorry for being cold."
Kiyoshi hugged her and laughed a little, trying to lift the heaviness. "That's absolutely normal in my opinion. You're not the only one. I was acting like I could manage anything. I was a nerd, somebody destined to not look cool because of my zero social skills. I was hiding my fear because the stupid me wanted to prove I could be cool in front of you. Even though my leg was shaking, I jumped in because I had to prove myself. And I know how you feel. I didn't think you were cold. If anything,You only owe me for nearly killing me with worry."
Sakura wiped her eyes. "I was in the mind that we would wake up from sleep or drugs, find a way back to our world. And what if someone died here? If we stayed apart, it would be easier for you or me to move on."
Kiyoshi's voice was low. "I know... but how long can you act?"
"Things are different now. We are too close to be apart and it doesn't seem like we're going back soon. And it's not like you're a fully bad person."
Kiyoshi tilted his head. "Fully?, You too. My selection wasn't half bad."
Sakura chuckled slightly through the tears.
She leaned into him, "This isn't the reality I wanted, but I am okay with it."
They both looked at each other, the silence between them warm.
"Can we make a promise that we will look after each other and trust?"
Kiyoshi held her shoulder after thinking about it halfway, but she just pulled his hand onto her.
"We will not betray each other, even if we die. Like..."
Sakura interrupted him, her eyes steady. "Partners."
"Yeah. Partners."
Sakura thought quietly, "It's not time. We have a long way."
She looked at him with a soft smile. "Promise?"
Kiyoshi smiled, warm and sincere. "Promise."
Sakura rubbed her head, wincing in pain. "Having a headache... can I...?"
Kiyoshi tapped his lap gently as he invited her to rest on it.
Kiyoshi slowly rubbed her head. "Must be because you cried."
Sakura blushed, voice low. "Hey, I am sorry for worrying you."
"Don't ever leave my side. It's not like I can protect you, but I can try."
Sakura whispered, "You too. Don't leave me either."
Name: Kiyoshi Cari
Rank: D [Level 9]
HP: 100%
MP: 200
Skills: Luck (Rank B), Healing Kiss (Rank B), Eye of Wisdom (Rank A), Back Sword (Rank B), Purification (Rank B)
Storage: 4
Title: Holy Vampire Healer
Type: All-Type
Name: Sakura
Rank: A [Level 1]
HP: 100%
MP: 1000
Skills: Hide (Rank B), Target (Rank A), Lightning Speed (Rank B), Night Vision (Rank E), Regeneration (Rank F), Authority of Darkness (Rank F)
Storage: 7 square meters
Title: Bloody Queen
Type: Vampire Assassin
Regeneration (Rank F) (Passive): Normal healing will be 10% faster, up to 20% by consuming blood.
Authority of Darkness (Rank F): Can control creatures born from darkness. At Rank F: can control 1 to 2 bats.
Days Later
"You never asked about the ring on your hand."
"I know. I have seen the whole past memories of the vampire queen and experienced it."
"You are the vampire emperor, and this ring seals the power of the queen. It can only activate if I drink your blood."
Kiyoshi looked down, hesitating. "There's something I need to tell you... I am scared of taking blood."
Sakura gave him a reassuring look. "I'm not going to bite you or anything. I am fully normal, and we will only resort to it in case of emergency. And even then, it's doubtful I can control it."
"Yeah, I know. I was just saying."
"Where is the other ring?"
"In the loot space. I am not planning to wear it or anything."
"It's like a heart to the queen. If the ring or the man who wears the ring is destroyed, then the queen dies. I want you to keep it. I know it will be safer with you."
"Don't worry about it."