«The moon is really beautiful tonight, don't you think…?»
Hakuto speaks while staring at the sky.
The full moon shines bright.
Its light reflects on the sea, painting it in silver.
Itsu had said goodbye right after they left.
Chantal took a taxi, carrying an unconscious Yuzu.
Hakuto and Rika chose to walk home.
They move side by side.
«Yeah…» Rika answers softly.
«Sorry for the embarrassment my sister caused you. She's fifteen, but sometimes acts like she's two.»
«Our sister,» Hakuto corrects. «Yes, our sister....I still can't believe it… everything happened so fast.»
Her voice turns heavy, touched by sadness.
«I thought I could live a normal teenage life in this world. But maybe that's not something allowed to someone like me…»
Her sapphire eyes sparkle under the moonlight.
There's sadness in her gaze. But also a quiet, sweet acceptance.
Hakuto is captivated.
The moonlight makes her already stunning beauty even more breathtaking.
But it's not just her looks.
A wave of tenderness rises in him.
He wants to protect her.
That's why he and Shin came into their lives.
But that reason doesn't feel like enough anymore.
He doesn't want to just protect her.
He wants her to be truly happy.
«I know my word might not mean much to you. Maybe it sounds empty – after all, I'm just your bodyguard pretending to be your stepbrother. But I swear I'll do everything I can. You and Yuzu deserve to live a beautiful life.»
Rika's cheeks turn red.
A soft smile blooms on her lips.
It's not what Hakuto says that moves her.
It's the warmth in his voice.
A gentle, comforting tone.
He fought Itsu. Then Chantal.
But only now she truly feels protected.
«Thank you, Hakuto… really… thank you.»
«No big deal… anyway…»
Hakuto blushes too, but not for the same reason.
«…sorry about what happened that night…»
Rika frowns and shoots him a glare.
«Don't you think it's a bit late for that?! You and Yuzu are such perverts!»
Just like that, her tsundere side kicks in.
~Why did I say anything?! Damn it!~
«I already told you, I had nothing to do with it! Yuzu was the one who pulled your pants down!»
Rika stops. She crosses her arms.
Her eyes burn into him.
«Oh yeah? Then why was your hand on my butt?!»
«She cast a spell on me! I think… I mean, maybe… anyway, she's convinced your powers go wild because you're still a virgin! I don't even know if that's true! But knowing her, it might just be an excuse to do pervy stuff!»
«Now I get it…» Rika murmurs.
She lowers her head.
Her eyes glisten.
«N-No… it's not an excuse… for a succubus, losing virginity is like a ritual… it awakens their powers. They're demons of sex, seduction, and control… but I don't want to become like that! I won't accept it!»
Rika clenches her fists.
Her legs give way.
She drops to her knees.
At first, silence.
Then, tears begin to fall onto the sidewalk.
«…I don't want this to be the only way to control my powers! I don't want to do it! I just want to live like a normal girl… is that really too much to ask…?»
Hakuto crouches down in front of her.
«Have you tried using blood? I mean, you're part vampire too. Yuzu told me that her vampire side dominates, while in you it's the succubus part. That's why drinking a little blood works for her. But maybe, if you tried taking a bigger dose, it could help stabilize your powers… at least a bit.»
Rika lifts her head and glares at him, clearly annoyed.
«Do you think I'm stupid?! Of course I tried that! It was the first thing I thought of! My mom is the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, remember? She can get all the blood she wants. But it didn't work… not at all.»
Hakuto looks at the sky and sighs.
Then he gets back on his feet.
«You know… a little kindness now and then wouldn't kill you.»
Rika lowers her gaze.
She looks genuinely sorry.
«You're right… sorry for snapping. I'm just on edge…»
Hakuto offers his hand to help her up.
«It's late. Let's go home. I don't trust Chantal alone with Yuzu.»
«Yeah… and mom's going to be furious.»
A weak smile appears on Rika's lips as she takes his hand and holds it tight. «I bet she won't let Yuzu leave the house for days. She may be away a lot for work, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care. She's actually super strict. I wouldn't want to be in her place tomorrow.»
♡♡♡
«So, Itsu, got any updates on why Chantal Carreaux moved to Ashiya?»
Frank Callhan, the henchman of Marquis Velshekar, asks.
They're on the phone.
Itsu is slouched lazily on a bench in a playground completely deserted at this hour.
«How many times do I have to say it, you dumb ogre?! I don't know why she came! That bitch doesn't talk to anyone! And check the time zone before calling! It's the middle of the night here! You woke me up!»
«Oh, right… time zones. Sorry for waking you up.»
Frank's voice is awkward, but apologetic.
Itsu hangs up without bothering to be polite.
♡♡♡
«Sorry, boss. Itsu said he doesn't know anything. And he got mad because I woke him up… you should've told me it's night in Japan. You know I'm bad with that stuff,» Frank says.
John lets out a long sigh.
Resigned. Frustrated.
«Frank, you're an idiot. Itsu Chihane is a vampire! Even someone like you should know vampires don't sleep!»
«Oh, right… you're right, boss. Sorry.»
«Also, our contact in HESPARC France said Chantal can sense the scent of vampires. You were the one who told me that, remember? So now Itsu expects me to believe this Monster Reaper just ignored him? I don't know if those two hybrid sisters are involved… but one thing's clear — that vampire is hiding something from me.»
Just then, the door to John's massive office swings open.
It's Oliver Segel — the thin lackey with the angelic face.
«Boss, Ana Garroza just messaged. She's landed in Japan.»
A slow, satisfied smile spreads across John's face.
«Perfect.»