The cafeteria was mostly empty this early, just a few scattered students nursing their breakfasts and the lingering smell of whatever passed for eggs in this pocket dimension… I can only guess that they were buying in bulk from Costco since I don't see Yokais working as farmers to produce their own food.
I was having the standard breakfast meal, Gohan(Steamed Rice), Miso Shiru (Soup), some Yakizakana (Grilled Fish) on the side with pickled vegetables, the only meal that didn't contain any mysteries of the Yokai order, moving tentacles or other oddities that were on the monster's palette.
The atmosphere was relaxed, there wasn't much noise going on here since no one would fight at the cafeteria since disturbing someone's meal could lead to long-term grudges.
I myself was eating my meal with my mind still on the events from yesterday, and my failed attempts at creating various high-level monsters with my Sacred Gear, Annihilation Maker. Even with an increase in my Mana and Yoki, it wasn't enough to bring out a Four-star Monster, and let's not even mention the higher level ones.
I did experiment last night on the abilities of the Annihilation Maker and of my 'creations'. I started first by messing around with Kuriboh and Vampire Familiar's abilities, first was Kuriboh's Purifying Touch (gave me the sensation that I was clearer minded).
Then the Vampire Familiar's ability of 'Shadow Stride' which allowed the bat to move instantly between shadows within a 50-meters radius and be used for reconnaissance — and with its signature ability 'Memory Echo' I could see exactly what the bat had observed from within the shadows.
Even now as I was eating, I was looking at the status window of my summoned 'monsters' and thinking about ways of maximizing their abilities, be it in fight or spying on other people.
[Winged Kuriboh – Status]
[Type: Guardian Spirit – 1-Star Monster]
[Summon Cost: 50 MP]
---[Abilities]---
[Purifying Touch] – When Tsukune's mental clarity drops below 30%, Kuriboh intervenes with a physical strike that disrupts corrupting influences. Restores 40% mental clarity. 50 MP/24h cooldown.
[Guardian Presence] – Passive 15% resistance to mental attacks when Kuriboh is visible and active.
[Rebirth Light] – Automatically reforms from Tsukune's shadow after 24 hours if destroyed or sacrificed. Returns at full strength.
---[Signature Ability]---
[Sacrificial Shroud] – Kuriboh can take a fatal hit meant for Tsukune or an ally within 10 meters. The attack is absorbed completely, but Kuriboh disperses into light and cannot be resummoned for 24 hours. Free activation.
[Vampire Familiar – Status]
[Type: Undead/Fiend – 2-Star Monster]
[Summon Cost: 100 MP]
---[Abilities]---
[Shadow Stride] – Moves instantly between shadows within 50 meters. Used for reconnaissance, message delivery, or tactical repositioning. Passive.
[Blood Scent] – Tracks any creature whose blood Tsukune has tasted or that has bled within the last 24 hours. Range: 1 kilometer. Passive.
[Echo Location] – Emits a silent ultrasonic pulse that maps the surrounding area in a 200-meter radius. Tsukune receives a mental image of all living beings and their relative threat levels. 40 MP. 1 hour cooldown.
---[Signature Ability]---
[Memory Echo] – Replays a 30-second visual and audio memory of anything the Familiar witnessed within the last 12 hours. Tsukune experiences it as a brief vision. 30 MP. 3 uses per day.
In a sense, these two have carried their effects from the Yu-Gi-Oh world while being created by me to take a different shape, but in a way, there wasn't much difference from their cards' counterparts.
Back to their abilities, I was satisfied to find out that it was easy to command them, as if they were an extension of my arms, and the only thing that was bothersome was the mana cost itself of utilizing their abilities, but I could live with that. They were occasional abilities that I wouldn't spam, not that I could thanks to the long cooldowns of these abilities.
---[Supernatural Stats]---
[Mana: 1000/1000 MP] (Regen: 50 MP/hour, 100 MP/hour resting)
[Demonic Energy: 460/460 DE] (Regen: 46 DE/hour)
[Bloodline Purity: 46.01%]
[Bloodline Control: C (17/100)]
---[Sacred Gear]---
[Annihilation Maker – Awakened]
[Manifestation: 25% – Can summon 1-2 star monsters]
[Creatures Created: 3]
---[Summons]---
[Winged Kuriboh – 1-star – 50 MP]
[Vampire Familiar – 2-star – 100 MP]
[Vampire Retainer – 2-star – 100 MP]
I even managed to bring out another summon while I was messing with the Sacred Gear's ability of creating monsters and that was another staple card of the Vampire Archetype inside Yu-Gi-Oh that I was familiar with. It was a pup that I left staying in my shadow since it's ability was more complementary if it was staying inside my shadow.
[Vampire Retainer – Status]
[Type: Undead/Beast – 2-Star Monster]
[Summon Cost: 100 MP]
---[Abilities]---
[Loyal Hound] – The Retainer moves with the coordination of a trained warhound. It can track scents, flank enemies, and act independently for up to 20 minutes without direct instruction. Passive.
[Wolf's Howl] – Unleashes a howl that disorients weaker enemies (C-tier and below) for 2-3 seconds. Does not affect enemies with strong mental defenses or higher threat levels. 30 MP. Once per battle.
---[Signature Ability]---
[Blood Resonance] – When Tsukune activates any Vampire ability (Crimson Fang Fist, Ghoul form, etc.), the Retainer can instantly materialize from Tsukune's shadow, regardless of distance (within 200 meters). Once per battle. Free activation.
My Sacred Gear from the outside, even before I awakened had this mysterious allure to it, in the sense that you could create monsters from all sorts of fantasies you've read or watched, all based on your imagination, will and desires, but there was a catch. Could you coordinate the wills of so many creations without compromising your own fighting ability?
You had to coordinate, command and maintain your mana and demonic energy so you could maintain your creations, but what would happen if you were to run out of all two? Would you forcefully dismiss all your creations because the Sacred Gear has run out of fuel to maintain your creations?
Without a doubt, it has the potential of a World Ending Sacred Gear, but it was also a weapon that required too much out of you unlike other simpler Sacred Gears that would be gladly lend you their powers such as Boosted Gear or Divine Dividing.
In the end, it was still a weapon. Even with a strong weapon, a weaker user would be useless while handling it. This is why, I can only continue to train and experiment with the Sacred Gear and also progress my own growth.
I will have to make these weapons and powers mine to control, without any backdoor to trap me into an abyss with no return.
However, it was nice and dandy to think about how awesome you could be, but reality had other plans in store for me.
The current me was just chilling, eating while watching two beauties do another stare contest.
I sat with my back to the wall, which had become a habit I didn't question anymore, when I was inside the cafeteria, watching Moka and Kurumu pick at their food across from me.
Kurumu had been giving Moka the side-eye for the past five minutes, her tail twitching behind her like an angry cat's. As for why Kurumu didn't mind showing her tail, thus half-breaking the rule of the Academy, was because she heard me say that I found her tail a great addition to herself and was building on her charm.
Still, I could only guess the bite from last night was still fresh in her mind—I could see her replaying it every time she glanced at Moka's face. But she didn't bring it up, at least, not to me directly, anyway.
Instead, she was proactive in reclaiming a dominant position. Thus, she slid out of her seat and, before I could react, wrapped her arms around my head and pulled me into her chest. The full, soft, suffocating experience of it. My face was buried in what I could only describe as premium-grade pillow material, and honestly? Ten out of ten. Would recommend.
Kurumu's voice came from somewhere above me, all honey and warmth. "Ara ara, Tsukune-kun~ You look so tense this morning. Does my Tsukune need to relax? You've been working so hard lately."
She stroked my hair with one hand, her fingers running through it in slow, deliberate strokes. "You really should let me take care of you more often. A growing boy needs proper... stress relief."
Her chest pressed tighter against my face, and I felt her shift, pulling me closer like I was something precious she wanted to keep. "You know, I've been practicing my massage techniques since you showed me the ropes back in the infirmary. I could give you one later. Just the two of us without interruptions." Her voice dropped to a whisper, meant only for me. "I'll take such good care of you, Tsukune-kun. You deserve it. You deserve someone who knows how to appreciate you properly."
I could practically hear the smirk in her voice. "My strong, handsome vampire~ Always saving the day. But even heroes need someone to hold them sometimes, right? That's what girlfriends are for." The word hung in the air, pointed and deliberate. "And I'm very, very good at holding."
She emphasized it with another squeeze, and I was suddenly very aware that Moka was watching this entire thing from across the table.
Moka's voice cut through the moment. "Kurumu. You're suffocating him."
"I'm comforting him. There's a difference." Kurumu didn't let go. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Moka."
"I'm not jealous. I'm just observing that he can't breathe."
"He can breathe fine. Can't you, Tsukune-kun?"
I made a sound that might have been agreement or might have been a desperate plea for oxygen. Hard to tell. But it was Kuriboh who came to my rescue—as he always does in the hard moments of a young man's life.
The little creature had been hovering near my shoulder, watching the whole exchange with its head tilted, wings fluttering occasionally. I'm not sure what it understood of human—or yokai—romantic drama, but it clearly sensed that its master was in distress.
Bonk.
Kuriboh smacked into Kurumu's forehead with the force of a determined feather. She blinked, startled, her grip loosening just enough for me to gasp in a breath of freedom.
Bonk. Bonk.
Two more impacts, more insistent this time. Kuriboh's tiny body hovered in front of Kurumu's face, its wings beating furiously, its whole posture screaming get away from my master, you dangerous woman.
Kurumu stared at it. The little creature stared back, puffed up, trying its best to look intimidating. It looked like a fluffy marshmallow pretending to be a guard dog.
"Tsukune, your little fluffball is jealous." Kurumu's voice was caught between confusion and delight.
I finally managed to extract myself properly. "I doubt it's that," I replied, half-defeated by the gravity of those mountains.
On the other hand, Kuriboh chirped triumphantly and settled on my shoulder, preening as it stared intently at the bewitching woman trying to seduce its Master.
Kurumu made grabby hands at it. "Let me hold it! It's so cute when it's angry!"
The creature responded by hiding behind my neck, peeking out at her with one beady eye.
Moka watched the exchange with something that might have been the ghost of a smile. "Even your familiar knows when you need saving."
"From her," Kurumu said, pointing at Moka accusingly. "It's clearly afraid of you. Look at it."
Kuriboh, in fact, was looking at Moka with its head tilted, wings fluttering in what might have been curiosity. It did not seem afraid at all.
"It's judging you," Moka said flatly. "The same way I judge you."
"So you know… You're being ridiculous,"
"I'm being affectionate," Kurumu shot back, not loosening her grip. "Something you wouldn't know anything about, Miss 'I'll just bite him in front of everyone'."
"I didn't bite him in front of everyone. It was just you."
"Just me? JUST ME? That's worse! That's targeted psychological warfare!"
I extracted myself from Kurumu's grip before things escalated, raising my hands in surrender. "Ladies. Please. It's too early for this."
They both looked at me, then at each other. Moka's expression was unreadable while Kurumu's was a pure childish pout.
"It's not fair," Kurumu muttered, crossing her arms under her chest in a way that drew exactly the kind of attention she wanted it to. "She gets to just... claim you whenever she wants. Meanwhile I have to work for every scrap of affection."
Moka's eye twitched. "You're literally draped over him right now."
"That's different. I'm establishing dominance. Through proximity."
"Establishing dominance," Moka repeated, deadpan.
"Don't analyze my methods."
I took a long drink of my juice, letting them sort it out. They'd been like this for days now—the rivalry dialed up, but also somehow less hostile than before. Less like they were trying to destroy each other and more like they were trying to... I don't know. Out-petty each other.
Kurumu, I noticed, had the stronger argument today. She made a point about how Moka had basically marked me in front of her, and Moka actually went quiet for a second, her cheeks flushing just slightly. She didn't have a comeback for that one.
I decided to intervene before they could escalate to something that required actual intervention.
"So," I said, leaning back in my chair, "anyone else think the History teacher's lectures basically have the effect of a sleeping pill? I swear he could drag me back in time to the fall of Constantinople."
Kurumu latched onto the topic change like a drowning woman grabbing a rope. "Right?! Last week he spent forty-five minutes on the bureaucratic structure of the Heian period. Forty-five minutes. On paper. He was talking about PAPER."
"Paper is important," Moka offered quietly, clearly relieved to be talking about something else. "It is the reason humans… have developed to this extent."
"Paper is boring," Kurumu said flatly. "I can bet with you that it was some Ancient Gods from Egypt that taught those humans how to write and make paper."
She waved her hand dismissively.
"And I just realized something." Her voice shifted, becoming more thoughtful. "Why are we spending so much time learning about how to act as humans? We can blend just fine as long we respect the rule of not indiscriminately harming any of them."
"Like, I've been in the human world. I've walked through Tokyo. Nobody looked at me twice. What's the point of all these classes?"
I set down my chopsticks and met her eyes. "You're a small minority of yokai who think like this. Most yokai? When they see humans just let go of their reasoning and act on instincts, hunting and feeding on humans without concern."
Kurumu's expression flickered. "That's... that's not—"
"That's exactly what it is." I kept my voice level. "The Academy, I can only guess, was created by Mikogami-sama to give a chance to various monsters from around the world on how to learn to live in 'harmony' in a world dominated by humans."
"That's so dumb," she finally said, but her voice was softer now. "There is no reason to kill humans when the humans have the protection of Heaven and even possess the mysterious power of the Sacred Gear."
"I've heard stories that a single Sacred Gear user can take down entire packs of yokai if they're strong enough."
"And the Vatican? Their hunters are terrifying in the zeal they chase after demons, devils and all sorts of supernatural creatures that have harmed humans. I wouldn't want to be hunted down by them. Ever."
Moka's voice was barely a whisper. "No one would want to be chased around by the humans. They can be really hateful and spiteful."
Kurumu, for once, didn't push. She just nodded slowly.
"This is what happens when we let them multiply without placing them in check. A thousand years ago, they were scared of us. Now we're scared of them. Funny how that works."
"However, this problem doesn't concern me as a Succubus. I can just use my charm or illusion powers to make them useless, take their essence and be done with them for a long time."
I watched how energetic Kurumu was getting. When I heard her give a rundown on the ways of the Succubi, I couldn't help but chuckle and question her in my own sardonic way.
"Ohh, so you've been lying to me about trying to reform? You said you wouldn't use your Succubus powers that way again."
Kurumu froze, went rigid to the point I had to contain a laugh from escaping, and for a moment, she looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"That's—I wasn't—I didn't mean—" She sputtered, her face cycling through several shades of red. "I was just saying! Hypothetically! As a theoretical discussion about yokai-human relations! Not as a, you know, a personal plan or anything!"
I raised an eyebrow.
"I told you, darling, I will become the best version of myself to win you. I was just saying. Besides, the reason I joined Yokai Academy is to find my Destined One, and lucky me, I don't have to search too deep."
Moka was watching this exchange with undisguised amusement. Her hand had drifted to her mouth, hiding what was definitely a smile.
Kurumu caught her looking. "Stop laughing! This is serious! Tsukune thinks I'm going to go back to my old ways!"
"I didn't say that," I said mildly.
"You implied it! With your eyebrow! Your very judgmental eyebrow!"
"I have a judgmental eyebrow?"
"Yes! It's very judgmental! And pointy! And it makes me feel like I'm being evaluated!"
"My bad that I have judgmental eyebrows… And, what about your other reasons for joining the Academy?"
"Right, back to what I was saying… The second reason is that I want to grow powerful, learning how to utilize my Yoki and Racial Abilities. So far my expectations have been shattered in that regard."
Moka spoke in a shy manner as she thought about her own experience inside the Yokai Academy, and apart from certain incidents she could say that she was feeling better here than in the Human World.
"I enjoy Yokai Academy more than I spent my time in the Human World in their schools. There, I was always... different. Alone. Here, at least..." She glanced at me, then at Kurumu. "At least I'm not alone anymore."
"Bah. Who would want to spend time with humans? Always having to worry about Monster Hunters? About humans figuring out what you are? No thank you." She stretched. "Now that I've found my darling Tsukune, I can focus on what's really important."
She ticked off on her fingers. "One: Winning him completely. Two: Trying for babies. Three: Oh, and getting stronger. That too."
Moka choked on her rice. "Babies?!"
"Obviously. I have to continue my bloodline. It's a succubus thing, that I'll rather not talk about."
"You're sixteen!"
"And? My mother had me when she was seventeen."
'This conversation has degenerated quickly into something that I don't want to be any part of it. In fact… I think I am in danger…'
'Again, who said that having a Harem is easy and that it is the dream of any man? Fuck, I had a hard time handling one girlfriend in my first life, but now I am trying too hard at overachieving.'
'I feel a dangerous energy radiating in my direction.'
Moka turned to me, her face a fascinating shade of red. "Are you just going to sit there?!"
I held up my hands. "I'm not getting involved in this conversation."
'Kuriboh, save me!'
"Not getting—she's talking about—and you're just—"
"I'm eating my breakfast," I said calmly. "This is a very good breakfast. I'm enjoying it."
Kurumu grinned. "See? He's not opposed to the idea."
"I didn't say that either!"
"You're not saying a lot of things, Tsukune-kun. Interesting, interesting."
Moka made a sound that might have been a growl. "I'm going to bite you."
"You already bit him! That's my territory now!"
"Territory? What are you, a dog?"
"A very loyal dog! Who loves her master very much!"
They were both standing now, leaning across the table, faces inches apart. Kuriboh had emerged from behind me and was watching them with wide eyes. The vampire familiar was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding in my jacket's pocket where it was safe.
I caught Kuriboh's eye. This is normal, I tried to communicate. This is just how they are.
Kuriboh chirped uncertainly.
'It's fine. They do this every morning. Eventually they'll run out of steam and sit back down.'
Kurumu and Moka were still arguing, their voices overlapping, their hands waving, their breakfast growing cold.
Kuriboh tilted its head, watching. Then, very slowly, it floated up between them.
Neither of them noticed.
It hovered there for a moment, waiting. Then, with the precision of a creature that had learned from the best, it bonked Kurumu on the forehead. Then Moka. Then Kurumu again.
Bonk.
Bonk.
Bonk.
They both froze.
Kuriboh floated back to my shoulder, chirped once, and settled down like it had just solved world hunger.
Kurumu blinked. "Did your fluffball just tell us to stop fighting?"
"It told you to stop being loud," I said. "Probably. It's hard to tell with the chirping."
Moka slowly sank back into her seat. Her face was still red, but there was something else there too. Something that might have been embarrassment. Or realization.
Kurumu followed suit. "Fine. Fine. We'll table the baby discussion for now. But I'm not forgetting about it."
"I'm sure you won't," I said.
Moka was staring at her rice again, her ears were pink from embarrassment.
Kurumu grinned. "Besides, we have more important things to talk about."
She looked at me, and there was something genuine in her amethyst eyes beneath the usual bravado.
"You've gotten really strong, Tsukune. Way stronger than when we met. What's your secret? Is it just fighting, or is there more to it?"
I considered the question, and I couldn't just tell her the truth, that I was cheating all along, draining Yokai essence by defeating and slaying them, or that I had a Sacred Gear, I didn't fully trust her with that information, unlike Inner Moka and Outer Moka whose destiny is already entwined with mine.
"Hmmm. I would say that sparing against stronger foes helps a lot. Training alone helps, sure. But above all else, fighting actual fights will push you into growing at unbelievable rates. And with an Academy full of opponents, I can't say we're lacking growth support."
Kurumu frowned.
"It's the only answer I've got."
She huffed but didn't push further. Instead, her eyes drifted to Kuriboh hovering behind my head, and the Vampire Familiar in my green jacket's pocket. Sensing that someone was watching it, Kuriboh chirped and did a little spin, its tiny wings flapping uselessly.
"What is that thing anyway?" Kurumu asked. "You never had it before. And that bat in your pocket? Where did they come from?"
I looked at Kuriboh, then at the vampire familiar peeking out from my jacket. The little bat's red eyes blinked at Kurumu before retreating back into the fabric.
"It's complicated," I said. "Let's just say I got them around the same time I got this." I tapped my chest, where the Sacred Gear was settling into my soul like a second heartbeat. "They're... connected."
"I have never told you about what type of Yokai I was whenever you asked me," I said, my voice quieter now. "Not because of the rules—I could care less about them—but because I know it would make you uncomfortable. But I don't mind sharing it with you now. Since I can trust you, right?"
Kurumu went very still and for a long moment at the table, she didn't say anything at all. Just stared at me with those amethyst eyes that I'd learned to read over the past weeks—the fear, the hope, the desperate need to be chosen.
The silence turned the atmosphere at the table tenser. Lucky for us, there wasn't anyone around us. Moka's hand found my arm under the table, and out of worry gripped it tightly, as if warning me about what I was about to share.
"Tsukune-kun, are you sure it is alright? What if she tells others."
Kurumu's head snapped toward her. "No way in Hell I will sell my darling." Her voice was fierce, sudden, cutting through the tension like a blade. Her wings flared out, just for a moment, before she forced them back. "Hmph. So you know Tsukune's background."
Of course I know… He told me himself, that he is a human. If people from the Academy finds out they will hunt down Tsukune and kill him on spot.
"Now, now, girls." I reached up and gently pried Moka's fingers from my arm, holding her hand instead. "Let's not quarrel over such tiny details. We're all friends here. Right?"
Neither of them answered. But neither pulled away.
I took a breath. "Kurumu, you're curious about Kuriboh and the bat? Well, the simple answer to your question is that… they're my summoned familiars. They were born out of my Sacred Gear."
Kurumu blinked, once, twice, and then opened her eyelashes overdramatically.
"...Sacred Gear?" A laugh escaped her, uncertain, confused. "Haha, don't joke with me, Tsukune-kun. How could you have one of those? Only if you are a—"
She stopped. Her eyes went wide.
"Only if you are a... h-human?"
The word hung in the air between us.
"Correct." I kept my voice steady. "But that's only half the truth."
She stared at me. I could see her processing it—the scent she'd noticed, the way I fought, the power that didn't fit any yokai she knew.
"I was turned into a Vampire by Moka-chan." I nodded toward the pink-haired girl beside me. "This is why I am uncomfortable and awkward in wielding my Vampiric Abilities."
Kurumu's gaze drifted to Moka. To the rosary at her chest. Back to me.
"... The previous human smell from you? Was it because you were a human."
"That's correct."
She was silent for a long moment. Her tail had curled around her leg, and she looked smaller than I'd ever seen her.
"Now," I said, letting a small, self-deprecating smile cross my face, "am I still your Destined One? Or am I just a hateful human?"
"Don't say that about yourself." Her voice cracked. "Don't ever say that about yourself, Tsukune-kun."
She reached across the table and grabbed my free hand, her fingers wrapping around mine with desperate strength.
"Of course, you're my destined one! I didn't fall in love with a human or a vampire, but with you Tsukune-kun."
I stared at her and for a short moment, I didn't know what to say to match her emotions and confession. I just couldn't bring myself in my mind to accept her feelings right now, not when I wasn't sure how I would face Inner Moka, the true Moka.
Afterall, I am aware that Outer Moka, the bubbly, shy one, is Akasha Bloodriver soul that resides inside the Rosario which took over Moka's body to protect her from Alucard's influence, forming a split-personality. Ironically, a mother's love for her daughter is so strong that even in 'death' she would protect her.
Haaahh, it is complicated. Even the plot was so convoluted from what I remembered. In short, bubbly Moka was Inner Moka's mother, and I, a crazy horndog was trying to romance both mother and daughter at the same time.
Honestly, Kurumu was a fine girl, truly, if Moka was ready to accept my messy Harem, I would have my arms open for her, but my heart was beating stronger for Inner Moka, more than even for Outer Moka.
I can only be a hypocrite and put off that conversation for now.
"Ehh," I managed. "I don't really know how to answer to that."
Kurumu's laugh was wet, broken, relieved. "You don't have to answer anything. Just don't ever call yourself hateful again. Okay?"
I nodded slowly. "Okay."
She squeezed my hand once more, then let go, settling back into her seat, and she looked like she might cry or laugh or both.
And wow, she took it easier than I imagined, the idea that I was a human. Well, she is also a heroine in her own right, and even previously in the anime she accepted Tsukune for being a human. Her love would only continue to grow, but unfortunately for that version of Kurumu, her love was unrequited by the weakling Tsukune.
But I don't blame the guy, having a harem was overwhelming. It took a crazy bastard with a high libido and an inflated ego to handle it.
(Moka's POV)
Moka watched Kurumu's face, watched her laugh and cry and hold Tsukune's hand like he was the only thing keeping her grounded. And something twisted in her chest.
It was jealousy, yes. That familiar, bitter taste. But it was something else too.
Guilt.
She loved him. She knew she loved him. Had known since that first day, when he'd looked at her like she was something precious instead of something to fear. When he'd let her bite him. When he'd stayed.
But she hadn't said it. Not once. Not out loud.
She knew that there was a decision and conflict still unresolved between herself and that other self of her, the colder, mature, and powerful version of herself that wouldn't want her to take decision for the two of them.
Even now, she was warning her not to do anything stupid that would leave repercussions for her to deal with, or she would forcefully take over even at the risk of harming her.
With all those emotions pilling on her, Outer Moka could only tighten her hand over his arm.
He glanced at her, questioning, but she couldn't quite meet his eyes.
'I love you. I love you and I'm too scared to say it. Too scared that if I do, I'll disappear.'
'That she'll take over and I'll dissapear since I am too weak to fight against her.'
'That you'll look at me and see her instead.'
'But I'm trying. I'm trying so hard to be brave.'
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Took a breath.
And then Tsukune's hand covered hers, warm and solid, and he squeezed gently.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice low, meant only for her.
"I'm fine," she managed. "Just... thinking."
His eyes searched her face. She could see him holding back, giving her space, waiting for her to come to him when she was ready.
Tsukune wasn't dense, he knew, no, could tell that Outer Moka had feelings for him based on her body language and how she would act flustered and embarrassed whenever he would tease her, but this setting was the perfect one she would need for that confrontation.
Both would need to share that emotion with him, otherwise it would just tear both girls apart from inside out.
(Tsukune's POV)
The silence stretched. Moka wasn't meeting my eyes, and Kurumu was pretending to be very interested in her breakfast, and the air between us had gotten too heavy for a morning meal.
Time to lighten things up.
I cleared my throat. "So. You were interested in a familiar?"
Kurumu perked up immediately. "Can you summon more? Like an army? Could you make me a cute familiar too? I've always wanted something fluffy."
She leaned forward, her earlier melancholy forgotten. "Something that matches my aesthetic, you know? A little fox with nine tails, maybe. Or a baby phoenix. Or a tiny dragon. Do you think you could make a tiny dragon? That would be adorable. And terrifying. I want one."
I held up a hand. "Slow down. I have not reached that point where I can summon dragons."
Her face fell. "So no tiny dragon?"
"Just a tiny dragon without abilities, might be doable, but I will need time and a lot of failed attempts." I shrugged. "Besides, the monsters I create using my ability would be bound to me. It's not like the familiars out in the wild where you can contract them."
Kurumu's eyes narrowed. "What about for special occasions? Like birthdays? Or victory celebrations? Or just because you love me?"
I laughed despite myself. "I'll see what I can do."
Moka, who had been watching this exchange with the ghost of a smile on her face, finally reached toward my pocket. Her fingers brushed the fabric where the vampire familiar was hiding, and the little bat poked its head out, its red eyes blinking at her.
She froze. "Is it—does it—"
"It's fine," I said. "It won't bite. Probably."
Moka shot me a look. "Probably?"
"Definitely won't bite. It's very well-behaved."
The familiar squeaked, as if agreeing, and Moka's fingers slowly extended. The bat tilted its head, watching her, then made a decision. It crawled out of my pocket and onto her hand.
Moka stared at it. The bat stared back.
Its tiny claws gripped her finger, its wings folded, and it let out a soft, contented squeak.
"Oh," Moka breathed. "Oh, it's—it's warm."
She cupped her other hand beneath it, cradling the familiar like it was something precious. The bat's red eyes blinked slowly, and it tucked its head under its wing, settling into her palm.
Kurumu was watching with undisguised envy. "How come it likes her so much? It's always hiding from me."
"It has good instincts," Moka said quietly, a smile tugging at her lips.
Kurumu's jaw dropped. "That's—you know what, fine. Be that way. I'll just get my own familiar. A better familiar. One that likes me more."
She was about to continue her tirade when movement at the edge of the table caught her eye. My shadow rippled.
Out of the darkness, a pair of crimson eyes glowed. Then a silver-grey half black muzzle emerged, nose twitching, sniffing the air. The Vampire Retainer pulled itself from the shadow with the casual grace of a wolf emerging from its den, its fur catching the morning light in pale silver streaks, that was only on its right side, while the other half was engulfed into black shadows.
It ignored us completely. Its focus was on the plates.
Kurumu's leftover fish vanished in a single bite. The Retainer's jaws worked twice, swallowed, and moved on to Moka's abandoned rice. The sound of crunching pickled vegetables filled the silence.
Kurumu stared. "Is that... is that a wolf?"
"He is Retainer."
"He's eating my breakfast."
"You weren't eating it."
"I was going to eat it. Eventually."
The Retainer finished the rice and looked up at her. Its tongue lolled out, panting slightly, and its tail gave a single, lazy wag.
Kurumu's glare melted. "Oh no. No, no, no. You don't get to look at me like that. You're not cute. You're a thief. A breakfast thief."
The Retainer's ears perked forward. Its head tilted.
"That's not going to work on me. I'm immune. Completely immune."
It whined. Softly. Pathetically.
Kurumu's tail started wagging. "Stop that. I said stop."
The Retainer padded over to her chair and sat. Its head was level with her shoulder, its silver fur gleaming, its eyes fixed on her face with the kind of patient attention that said it would wait forever if she wanted it to.
"You should be ashamed of yourself."
The Retainer's tail thumped against the floor.
Kurumu cracked. "Fine! Fine, you can have the rest. But I'm not petting you. I'm not. I have standards. I'm a proud Succubus princess. I don't just go around petting random wolves that steal my breakfast."
The Retainer leaned into her hand, its eyes half-closing, and let out a deep, rumbling sigh.
Kurumu's face was very red. "This doesn't mean anything. I'm just... being polite. It's basic manners. You don't let a creature starve. That would be cruel."
Moka, still cradling the bat, watched this with an expression of pure, undisguised amusement. "You're petting it."
"I'm being charitable."
The Retainer nudged her palm with its nose, demanding more.
I watched them both—Moka with the familiar curled in her hands, Kurumu with her fingers buried in the Retainer's fur and I guess there is no need for scrambling my brain for what 'Tiny Dragon' I should make out of the countless cards from Yu-Gi-Oh.
I leaned back, let them have at this wholesome moment.