The walk to the girls' dorm was quiet, but not the comfortable silence we had shared in the garden. This was heavier, anticipation crackling between us like static before a storm. Inner Moka walked beside me, her shoulder occasionally brushing mine, but her expression had settled back into its usual cool mask.
The only trace of what had happened was the faint flush still lingering on her cheeks and the way her fingers occasionally brushed against mine before pulling back.
I checked the bond with Kuriboh and one of the Vampire Familiars I left back to check on Kurumu's state. She was awake. I could feel her through the connection with the Familiar, a jumble of emotions that I could not quite untangle.
From what I could gather, Ikelos had told Kurumu that I was away to fight against the 'dumb Wolf', and because of her presence, unlike Kuriboh who couldn't talk, Ikelos managed to cull down the fear and confusion Kurumu was facing.
Both creatures I left to guard her, and neither had reported any trouble beyond her waking up disoriented.
'This is going to be messy.'
We climbed the stairs to the fourth floor, our footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. The red moon of the pocket dimension cast pale light through the windows, painting the walls in shades of crimson and shadow. Most of the doors we passed were closed, their occupants asleep or pretending to be. But one door was slightly ajar, a sliver of warm lamplight spilling into the corridor.
Inner Moka paused at the threshold, her crimson eyes meeting mine. She did not say anything, but I could read the question in her gaze. Are you ready for this?
'No, I am not… And can you stop giving me that look? It is already intimidating enough that I have to face Kurumu now and explain myself.'
'Don't give me that look. I know I am an idiot for trying to make a harem.'
'No. But I have to be.'
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Kurumu was sitting on the bed, her knees drawn up to her chest, the wingless Kuriboh nestled in her lap. The little creature looked up as we entered, its big brown eyes blinking sleepily, and it let out a soft 'Kuri' of recognition. The Vampire Familiar was perched on the headboard, its tiny red eyes fixed on Inner Moka, its wings folded tight against its body.
In the corner, half hidden in shadow, Ikelos lounged on her side, reading a book, her dark wings folded and her stockinged feet dangling lazily. Her gothic Lolita dress pooled around her like spilled ink, and she looked utterly at ease, as if she had lived in this world her whole life instead of being summoned hours ago.
She closed the book and sat up gracefully, her dark wings folding behind her back. A smile played on her lips, and her eyes, which usually held the cold depth of the Dream World, were warm with amusement.
"My Lord." Her voice was soft, melodic, carrying the faint echo of a lullaby. "You have returned. I am pleased to see you in one piece, if somewhat disheveled."
I nodded at her. "Any incidents while I was gone?"
She shook her head, her dark hair swaying. "None worth mentioning. A few girls came to check on Kurumu, curious about the commotion earlier. I sent them to the Dream World for a short nap. They will wake up tomorrow with no memory of their visit and a pleasant dream about flying."
"You did well, Ikelos, for your first summoning."
She preened at the praise, her form flickering for just a moment. In that brief instant, her dark wings lightened to a soft gold, her shadowed complexion brightened, and her dress shifted from deep purple to white. The Dream Mirror Sprite, her counterpart, emerged for a heartbeat before Ikelos returned to her usual appearance.
She touched her chest, just above her heart, and smiled.
"Your words warm me, my Lord. It has been too long since I have been to a world so rich with dreams. This place, this Academy, it is a feast for beings like me."
I glanced at Kurumu, who was watching the exchange with a blend of curiosity and exhaustion, then back at Ikelos. "Return to the Annihilation Maker for now. I will call you when I need you again. And send my greetings to the Master of the Dream, Oneiros."
"It would be my pleasure. I am sure the Erlking would be interested to hear my stories of this world. He has always been fond of new narratives, and your Academy is full of them."
Ikelos rose from the bed, her book vanishing into the folds of her dress. She walked toward Kurumu, and with surprising gentleness, she reached out and patted the succubus on the head.
"You have a gift, girl," Ikelos said, her voice soft. "The art of illusions, of manipulating dreams and desires, it runs deep in your blood. With training, you could become something extraordinary." She pulled back, a knowing smile on her lips. "If you wish, I would not mind teaching you some tricks. Provided you address me as 'Sensei~'."
Kurumu managed a small, fragile smile. "I… I will think about it, Ikelos-san."
"See that you do." Ikelos turned and walked toward my shadow, her form dissolving into the darkness. "And do not keep me waiting too long, Lord Tsukune. I have grown fond of the books in this world. The humans write such imaginative dreams."
Then she was gone, swallowed by my shadow, and the room settled into a quieter stillness.
The only sounds were the soft rustle of the curtains and Kurumu's breathing. I took a moment to assess her condition. Her forehead cut had already healed, leaving no scar behind, and this was the Yokai regeneration for you, get your bones broken to pieces but you can still make a full recovery the next day.
Her blue hair was still disheveled, tangled from the night's events, and her amethyst eyes were red rimmed, though I could not tell if that was from the fight or from crying. The room smelled of her, that distinctive floral perfume mixed with something sharper, fear maybe, or the lingering tension of waiting.
She was about to launch herself at me, but froze and flinched when she saw Inner Moka.
It was subtle, a small recoil, her shoulders hunching as if to make herself smaller. Her hands tightened around Kuriboh, and I saw her tail twitch beneath the blanket that pooled around her legs. Memories of their first encounter, when Inner had effortlessly defeated her and left her broken on the forest floor, flashed across her face.
"You… you are the scary one." Her voice was small, barely a whisper.
Inner Moka crossed her arms but did not advance. She stood just inside the doorway, her silver hair catching the lamplight, her crimson eyes unreadable. The coldness was there, but there was no hostility in her posture, no threat.
"I am not here to fight you, or throw you out of my room, succubus. Be at ease."
Her tone was still sharp, still carrying that aristocratic edge, but it was not cruel. It was the voice of someone who had no interest in causing unnecessary pain, not when the battle was already over.
Kurumu relaxed slightly. Her shoulders dropped, and her grip on Kuriboh loosened. The little creature took the opportunity to squirm free, flying over to me and landing on my shoulder with an indignant chirp.
'Kuri kuri.'
'I know, buddy. I know.'
I reached up and scratched under its chin, feeling its tiny body vibrate with a purr. The Familiar, still perched on the headboard, let out a soft squeak but did not move.
Then Kurumu's eyes narrowed.
Her succubus instincts, sharp as a blade, went on high alert. I saw her nostrils flare, just a fraction, and her gaze darted from me to Inner Moka and back again. Her tail twitched beneath the blanket, the fabric shifting with the movement.
And she smelled it, the plants from the Garden, the sweat and blood, but above all else, the warmth of skin that had been pressed close. And on my lips, the faint trace of Inner Moka's scent, unmistakable to someone whose entire existence revolved around attraction and desire.
Her eyes widened. Her face paled.
"What… what happened between you two?" Her voice cracked, the words sharp and fragile at the same time.
I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly aware of how awkward I must look.
My clothes were still rumpled from the fight, stained with blood and gravel dust, but my body had already healed. The B-tier stats and vampire physiology had done their work; the cuts were gone, the bruises faded, and the exhaustion that should have lingered had been burned away by Gin's blood and the rush of power from his essence.
I was fine. The problem was not physical.
"Kurumu… we need to talk."
Her face went white. All the color drained from her cheeks, leaving her looking small and vulnerable in a way I had never seen before. Her amethyst eyes glistened, but she did not cry. Not yet. Not in front of Inner Moka.
"You are together now. Aren't you?"
It was not a question, since she already knew the answer. She was just waiting for my confirmation.
I did not deny it.
"Things took their natural course," I said, keeping my voice low and steady. "It just happened. It was not something I planned, and I am sorry that you had to find out this way. I had intended to tell you when I returned from the fight, to explain myself properly. But there was no good time, no easy way to say it."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Kurumu looked down at her hands, at the empty space where Kuriboh had been, at the rumpled sheets of the bed. Anywhere but at us.
"I knew," she said, her voice quiet. "I knew she had a head start. She was the first you saw when you arrived in this world of ours, in the Yokai Academy. The first you trusted."
She stroked the blanket where Kuriboh had been, a repetitive, almost unconscious motion. "I just thought… maybe I could catch up."
I moved before I could think, kneeling beside the bed so that I was at eye level with her.
"You did catch up." I reached out and took her hand. Her fingers were cold, trembling. "You are important to me, Kurumu. Both of you are."
"But she is more important." It was not a question.
I could have lied. I could have told her what she wanted to hear, smoothed things over, bought myself time. But that would have been worse in the long run, a crack in the foundation that would eventually bring everything to ruin.
"Right now? Yes." I held her gaze, not looking away. "But that does not mean I do not care about you. And it does not mean I want to lose you."
Her breath hitched.
I saw Inner Moka out of the corner of my eye. She had not moved from the doorway, but I caught the subtle roll of her eyes, a gesture so quick and dismissive that I almost missed it. There was no murderous glare, no flash of cold fury. Just a resigned acceptance that this was the path I had chosen, and that she had agreed to walk it with me.
'Ahh, I think I will be in a world of pain during my next sparring session. She is going to take out her frustration on my ribs.'
"I know this is not fair. I know I am asking a lot." I squeezed her hand, feeling the coldness of her fingers. "But I am not going to pretend I only have room for one person in my heart. That would be a lie."
Kurumu stared at me for a long moment, her amethyst eyes searching mine. Then she looked at Inner Moka, who had been watching the exchange with an unreadable expression, her arms still crossed, her back straight.
"You are a greedy bastard, Tsukune."
"If it makes you feel better, then, yes, I know I am a jackass for placing you in such a situation. But I couldn't just lie to you and lead you along to nowhere."
A bitter laugh escaped her, short and sharp. She pulled her hand from mine and wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist. No tears fell, but they were close, I could see them shimmering at the corners of her eyes.
Then Inner Moka spoke.
"Kurumu."
Kurumu flinched again, instinctively pulling back, but Inner Moka did not move closer. She simply stood there, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"I do not like you. You are loud, impulsive, and your attempts at seduction are embarrassing."
Kurumu's eyes flashed with indignation. "Excuse me—"
"However." Inner Moka continued, her tone unchanging. "Tsukune chose me. But he also chose to save you, to comfort you, to protect you. That counts for something."
She paused, her crimson eyes flicking to me, then back to Kurumu. "I will not stand in your way if you wish to remain… close to him. But do not expect me to share easily. Tsukune is mine."
The words hung in the air, heavy and deliberate. It was not an acceptance, not really. It was a grudging tolerance, a recognition that the situation was more complicated than she would like. For Inner Moka, who had spent six years sealed away, who had only just allowed herself to feel something for someone, this was as close to a concession as she could give.
Kurumu stared at her, her mouth slightly open. Then she let out a long, shaky breath.
"Fine." She wiped her eyes again, this time with more force, as if trying to scrub away the last traces of vulnerability. "But do not think I will just roll over and play dead. I am a succubus. We are proud of our arts of seduction, and in no time I will make Tsukune fall completely for me. Just you wait. And do not come crying to me when I have stolen him from you."
Inner Moka scoffed, a short, dismissive sound. "You? Steal him from me? Please. You cannot even hold his attention for five minutes without trying to climb into his lap. I have seen more restraint from a dog in heat. At least a dog has the decency to look embarrassed afterward."
Kurumu's eye twitched. "You are more annoying than your other self, do you know that? Also shameless for trying to steal Tsukune away from me without ever bothering to talk to me about it. We could have at least had a conversation like civilized people."
"And you are loud and talk too much. We have established this." Inner Moka's voice was flat, almost bored. "Oh, and are you worth requiring me to tell you who I like? I am not like the weakling, fearing the reaction of others. I do what I want, and I take what I want. That is the privilege of power."
Kurumu took a deep breath, visibly restraining herself from escalating further. When she spoke again, her voice was tight but controlled. "You know what? A cold, stiff woman like you would not even be a competitor for me. If anyone can rival me, it is that pink haired version of you. At least she knows how to be gentle. At least she knows how to smile without looking like she is planning someone's execution."
Inner Moka's lip curled into a faint smirk. "Of course. Weaklings should rival one another. It keeps them from bothering their betters."
Kurumu wisely chose not to get tangled in Inner Moka's mind games and turned back to me. Her expression softened, just a fraction. The hard edges of her hurt remained, but there was something else there too, a resignation, maybe, or a determination to not let this break her.
"You better not ignore me or neglect my needs just so you can run off to your first girlfriend, Tsukune. I will not stand for that."
"I won't." I meant it. "You are not my backup plan, Kurumu. You never were."
She held my gaze for a moment longer, then nodded. The tension in the room did not fully dissolve. It was still there, a low thrum of unresolved emotions and unspoken resentments. But it stabilized into something that was not quite peace, but also not war.
Kurumu leaned back against her pillows, her body finally relaxing. The wingless Kuriboh, sensing the shift, flew from my shoulder back to her lap, nestling against her stomach. She stroked its fur absently, her eyes distant.
"So," she said, her voice still a little rough. "What happens now? Tsukune kun? Right, I got so heated up about our relationship that I forgot to ask you. How did the fight against Gin senpai go? From what I can tell, you managed to defeat him since she is here with you."
She pointed at Inner Moka, who had moved toward the shattered window, gazing out at the moon.
I gave Kurumu a summary of the events, leaving out some of the grislier details but painting a clear picture of the battle. The wolves, the Touki, the Blood Sanctuary, and the final confrontation. Her expression cycled through shock, concern, and relief as I spoke, and by the time I finished, she was gripping Kuriboh so tightly that the little creature let out a pained squeak.
Then she launched herself at me.
The impact caught me off guard, her arms locking around my back with a fierceness that belied her slender frame. Her face pressed into my chest, and I felt the damp heat of her breath through the fabric of my shirt. She was trembling, small shivers that ran through her body like ripples in a pond.
I hesitated for only a second before my arms came up around her, one hand settling on her back, the other cradling the back of her head. Her hair was soft beneath my fingers, tangled but still carrying the faint floral scent of her shampoo.
"I was so worried," she mumbled against my chest, her voice muffled and thick. "When I woke up and you were gone, and all I could see was the broken window and the blood on the floor… I thought something had happened to you. I thought I had lost you before I even had the chance to really have you."
Her fingers dug into the fabric of my shirt, clinging like I was the only solid thing in a world that had turned to water.
"I am fine," I said, keeping my voice low, steady. "See? Not a scratch. Well, maybe a few, but they are already healed."
She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her amethyst eyes red-rimmed and glistening. A single tear escaped, tracing a slow path down her cheek. I reached up and wiped it away with my thumb, my knuckles brushing against the soft skin of her face.
"Come on, don't start crying on me now. You'll no longer be bothered by Gin, and in fact, you might even be able to get back with him without getting retaliated."
Kurumu sniffled, her brow furrowing in confusion. "How can I get even with him? He is an S tier Yokai. I could not even scratch him before, and now you expect me to just walk up to him and demand payback?"
"Simple. Just ask me to make him stop, and he will do so." I let a small, confident smile cross my lips. "Remember, he is now my blood servant. He does not have a choice. His will is bound to mine. If I tell him to stand still and let you slap him, he will have to stand there and take it."
Her eyes widened. "He is what now?"
"It is a long story, but the short version is that I drank his blood, and he swore an oath to serve me. He is bound by Blood Magic now. So yes, you can get your revenge. Within reason, of course. I am not going to let you kill him."
"Ahh, correct." A slow, wicked smile spread across her face, replacing the tears. "Heh, I have to think about what to have Gin do tomorrow. Maybe clean the toilet with his tongue? What do you say, Tsukune?"
"That is disgusting and I love how it sounds." I laughed despite myself. "If it makes you feel better, go for it. I will be there to make sure he does as ordered. I owe you that much for putting you through this mess."
She let out a wet, shaky laugh, then pressed her forehead against my chest again. Her body sagged, the tension draining out of her in a long, shuddering exhale. She felt small against me, fragile in a way that belied her strength.
I stroked her hair, slow and soothing, feeling the knots loosen beneath my fingers. The wingless Kuriboh, still nestled in her lap, let out a soft, contented chirp and snuggled closer to her stomach.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Inner Moka watching and I saw her jaw tighten, just for a moment. She had not moved from the shattered window, her silhouette framed by the moonlight, but her crimson eyes were fixed on us. Her expression was unreadable, the same cold mask she wore in battle, but there was a tension in her shoulders that had not been there before.
She was not angry. Or if she was, she was hiding it well. But she was watching, cataloging, filing away every word and gesture for later examination.
'I should try to not give her other reasons to be jealous. At least not tonight.'
Kurumu pulled back again, this time more slowly. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, smearing the last traces of tears across her cheek. Her gaze drifted to Inner Moka, and for a moment, something flickered across her face. Fear still, but also something else. Gratitude, maybe.
"Hey," Kurumu said, her voice still rough but steadier. "You."
Inner Moka raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"Yeah, you." Kurumu straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin. It was a small gesture, but it carried weight. She was not going to cower, not anymore. "Thank you."
The word hung in the air, fragile and unexpected.
Inner Moka's other eyebrow joined the first. "For what?"
"For being there." Kurumu gestured vaguely, encompassing the room, the shattered window, the moonlight, the blood-soaked memory of the night. "For fighting beside him. For… for bringing him back in one piece."
She swallowed, her throat bobbing.
Inner Moka was silent for a long moment. Her expression did not change, but something shifted in her crimson eyes. A flicker of surprise, maybe, or the faintest crack in the ice.
"I did not do it for you," she said finally, her voice flat.
"I know. You did it for him." Kurumu nodded, accepting the words without challenge. "That is what matters."
I watched the two of them, these two women who had every reason to hate each other, who had fought and bled and screamed in each other's presence. And yet, in this moment, there was something almost like understanding passing between them.
It wasn't friendship between Inner and Kurumu, not yet, but you could say that she got a begrudging respect from her. A recognition that they both wanted the same thing, even if they would never admit it aloud.
They looked at one another, but unlike the moments between Kurumu and Outer where sparks would fly, with Inner she was cold and indifferent to any attempts the bewitching succubus had to get under her skin.
She turned to look at me, and then back to Kurumu and with a quiet tone that held an edge of finality, said. "You should both leave. I need time alone. The weakling will want to debrief me, and I would prefer to do that without an audience."
Kurumu stood up slowly, clutching Kuriboh to her chest. The little creature chirped sleepily, snuggling into her embrace. She walked toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at me.
"Walk me to my room?" she asked, her voice softer now.
I looked at Inner Moka. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.
And then, without any warning, she closed the distance between us. Her hand came up to my cheek, cool fingers pressing against my skin, and she pulled me down into a kiss. It was quick, almost perfunctory, but the intent behind it was unmistakable. She was marking her territory, reminding Kurumu of the claim she had staked.
When she pulled back, her expression was perfectly composed, but her crimson eyes sparkled with mischief. "After you take this annoying succubus," she said, her voice low. "I expect you back to your dorms room, and I will know if you are in the girl's dorm using our Blood Link."
Kurumu's jaw dropped. Then her eyes narrowed. Then, before I could react, she crossed the room in two quick strides, grabbed my head with both hands, and pulled me down into her chest. The impact was soft and overwhelming, her large breasts pressing against my face, and I felt my ears grow hot.
"You cannot just do that and expect me to stand here quietly!" Kurumu's voice was muffled by her own arms, but the indignation was clear. "If she gets a kiss, then I get one too!"
I tried to say something, but my words were lost in the softness. I flailed for a moment, then gave up and patted her back awkwardly until she finally released me.
Inner Moka watched the entire exchange with her arms crossed, her expression caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. "Are you finished?"
"Not yet!" Kurumu grabbed my face again, this time more gently, and pressed a kiss to my cheek. Her lips were warm, softer than Inner's, and they lingered for a moment longer than strictly necessary. "There. Now we are even."
"We are not even," Inner Moka said flatly. "But I am too tired to argue with you."
Before I could respond, a voice echoed from the hallway.
"What is all this noise? It is past curfew! Who is in there?"
I froze. Kurumu froze. Even Inner Moka's eyes widened, just a fraction.
The footsteps grew closer, and a moment later, the door swung open to reveal the imposing figure of the Girls' Dormitory Supervisor. She was an older woman, her grey hair pulled back in a severe bun, her eyes sharp and unforgiving. Her gaze swept across the room, taking in the three of us, the shattered window, the rumpled bed, and the lingering traces of blood on the floor.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You." She pointed at me. "What are you doing in the girls' dormitory at this hour? Do you not know the rules? No males are permitted past the first floor after sunset."
I opened my mouth, then closed it. There was no good explanation. I could not say I was here to fight a werewolf. I could not say I was checking on my girlfriend. I could not say anything that would not make the situation worse.
"I was just leaving," I said, my voice as calm as I could make it.
"See that you do." Her gaze flicked to Kurumu and Inner Moka. "And you two will explain yourselves in the morning. Consider this your first warning."
Kurumu nodded meekly. Inner Moka simply raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
I did not wait for further interrogation. I walked to the shattered window, climbed onto the sill, and let myself fall backwards into the night. The wind rushed past me, cold and sharp, and my wings unfolded from my back, catching the air. I beat them once, twice, and soared away from the building, the moonlight guiding my path.
Behind me, I heard the Dormitory Supervisor's voice: "Did he just jump out the window with wings? Is he that Vampire those girls kept on nagging me on about? And why is there no glass on the floor? What happened to your window?"
I did not stay to hear the answers.
The night air was cool against my face, and the red moon painted the Academy in shades of crimson and shadow. I circled once, twice, then angled toward the boys' dormitory. But before I descended, I caught a glimpse of movement on one of the lower balconies.
Two figures stood there, silhouetted against the light from their room. One was Chizuru Minamoto, her long black hair spilling over her shoulders, her dark eyes fixed on me with an unreadable expression.
The other was a woman I did not recognize immediately, but her silhouette was unmistakable: the curves of her body, the short lavender hair, and the way she leaned against the railing with a lazy, predatory grace, the full silhouette of a Arachne Yokai lower body, with a large Skull design on the back of her abdomen full to my attention.
She had a wide, knowing smile on her face, and as I flew past, she raised a hand in a slow, deliberate wave.
'If I knew she was on this part of the dorm, I would have cut my stay in the girls' dormitory shorter.'
I did not acknowledge this eccentric senpai of mine. I did not slow down. I just flew, putting as much distance between myself and that knowing gaze as possible.
Through the bond with Kuriboh, I pieced together what happened after I left.
The Dormitory Supervisor had scolded Kurumu and Inner Moka for bringing a male presence into the building, but since it was their first breach of the rules, she let them off with a warning. Then she had used some kind of demonic magic to repair the shattered window, the glass knitting itself back together like a wound healing in reverse.
After she left, Inner Moka had turned to Kurumu and said, "Get going. You have overstayed your stay."
Kurumu had opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it. She had clutched Kuriboh to her chest, given Inner Moka one last glare, and walked out the door.
The last thing I felt through the bond was Kuriboh's sleepy contentment as Kurumu carried it down the hallway, and the faint echo of Inner Moka's voice as she said, to no one in particular,
"Finally. Some peace and quiet."