The chaos from the article died down over the next week, though Gin continued to receive death glares from every corner of the Academy. He had taken to wearing a hood and sunglasses, even indoors, avoiding revealing his bruised eyes and face, but it was also a way of avoiding the eyes of the girls. Tsukune's Vampire Familiars continued to collect blood samples from him on a weekly basis, a process that Gin had stopped protesting after a while.
Yukari had settled into the club with surprising ease.
On her second day, she arrived early and organized the supply cabinet without being asked. Tsukune found her alphabetizing boxes of old photographs, her wand tucked behind her ear.
"You did not have to do that," he said.
"I wanted to." She smiled. "It helps me think."
On her third day, she helped Outer Moka draft an article about the upcoming cultural festival. Her suggestions were sharp, her grammar perfect, and her enthusiasm infectious.
"You are really good at this," Outer said.
Yukari beamed. "I like being useful. It is nice to have a place where I belong."
On her fifth day, she and Kurumu shared tea during a break. Kurumu was still wary, but Yukari's genuine kindness wore down her defenses.
"You are not so bad, chibi," Kurumu admitted.
"You are not so bad either, Kurumu‑san. Even if you are loud."
Kurumu sputtered. Yukari giggled.
Tsukune watched from his desk, a small smile tugging at his lips.
---
Two days later, Tsukune's phone buzzed during a quiet moment in the club room. He glanced at the screen.
[Chizuru: Tsukune‑kun~ The cafeteria will be empty this afternoon. I have arranged it. Shall we have that date you've promised me? 💋]
Kurumu peered over his shoulder. "Who is that?"
Tsukune tilted the phone away. "A complication. A troublesome one at that."
"That is not a name."
"It is the best description I can give you right now."
Kurumu's eyes narrowed, but she did not press. "Fine. But if you come back with bite marks, I am telling Inner."
Tsukune typed back: [Sure. See you there.]
He hit send and slipped the phone into his pocket.
The cafeteria was empty when Tsukune arrived.
That was unusual. The cafeteria was never empty, not even during class hours. There was always a student sneaking a snack, a teacher grading papers, or a janitor wiping down tables. But today, the room was silent, the lights dimmed, and the only sign of life was a single table near the window. Chizuru was not sitting at the table. She was standing by the window, her back to him, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders.
She turned when she heard his footsteps. Her onyx eyes glittered, and a slow smile spread across her lips.
"You came," she said. Her voice was warm, almost intimate, and she did not wait for him to sit. She crossed the room and slid into the seat beside him, close enough that her shoulder brushed his. She smelled of jasmine and something wilder, like a forest after rain.
Tsukune did not lean away this time. "You cleared the whole cafeteria. How?"
Chizuru waved a hand dismissively. "A word to the kitchen staff. A little intimidation. Nothing that would leave a mark." She reached out and traced a finger along his collarbone. "You worry too much, Tsukune‑kun. Relax. You are safe with me."
"Safe is relative."
"True." She laughed, low and throaty. "But I have not been pushy with you or being too demanding since I understand that you are also busy. You will be fine."
A server appeared, placed two plates of dessert on the table, one had cheesecake for him, a parfait for her, and soon vanished just as quickly.
Chizuru picked up her spoon. "Eat. You look like you need it."
Tsukune took a bite. The cheesecake was rich, creamy, probably the best thing he had tasted since arriving at the Academy. "This is good."
"I am glad you approve." She watched him eat, her chin resting on her free hand, her eyes never leaving his face. It was intense, almost predatory.
He set down his fork. "You mentioned previously that you've been invited to the Student Council. An invitation specifically from the President himself, Hokuto Kaneshiro."
"What is your interest in him?"
Chizuru's smile did not waver. "I have no interest in him."
"But he has interest in you." She reached across and wiped a crumb from the corner of his mouth with her thumb, then licked it slowly. "He called your article 'reckless.' Three times. He does not like anyone stirring up chaos without his permission."
"Hokuto can complain all he wants. The paper sells, I am just doing my job based on the description."
"You are not afraid of him?"
Tsukune met her gaze. "Should I be?"
Chizuru's eyes glittered. "He is more dangerous than he looks. Even though I know he was once a human. Eh, it seems that this is also old news to you too, Tsukune‑kun."
Tsukune's expression did not change much. His face remained neutral, a mask of calm that he had perfected over months of dealing with monsters, manipulators, and scheming teachers. But then Chizuru tilted her head, her onyx eyes narrowing with a knowing glint.
"Maybe the reason you did not react is because you were also a human," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Not so long ago, in fact. Am I right?"
His eyes turned crimson. Not the full transformation, just a flicker akin to a warning. His Yoki stirred beneath his skin, restless and alert.
Chizuru did not flinch. Instead, she smiled wider. "Annihilation Maker. That is the name of your Sacred Gear, is it not? One of the Longinus, capable of creating monsters from the depths of your mind."
"I have done my research, Tsukune‑kun. This explains the large number of bats and wolves you command. And to not mention those strange vampires that would appear around you occasionally. See, you are not the only one who collects information."
There was a reaction from his Yoki, some instability as he frowned at her. The temperature around them seemed to drop, just for a second. But he forced himself to relax, to push the instinctive hostility of having his true identity bare to someone else, back down.
Chizuru held his gaze for a moment, then laughed again, a genuine sound that seemed to surprise even her. "Yes. I suppose this answers my previous question."
She shifted closer, her thigh pressing against his under the table. "Do not worry, Tsukune‑kun. I do not care if you are a vampire or a former human wielding a Longinus. These are just empty titles that will not be able to fill my beating heart."
"So tell me, Tsukune‑kun. What do you want? Power? Safety? Revenge? A harem?" She tilted her head. "You already have the beginnings of a harem. Two beautiful women fighting over you. A third who worships you from afar. It is almost wasteful."
"Your assumption is wrong. I am not collecting them."
"No?" She traced a finger down his chest, stopping at his collarbone. "Then what are you doing?"
"Building something that does not fall apart when the real monsters of this world come."
She withdrew her hand, suddenly serious. "And what if the real monsters are already here? What if they have been watching you all along?"
Tsukune's eyes narrowed. "Are you talking about yourself?"
"Partly." Chizuru folded her hands in her lap. "My mistress has heard about you, mainly because of me. She is Yasaka‑sama, the leader of the West Youkai Faction. I am one of her handmaidens." Her tone was casual, but her eyes were sharp. "She is always looking for promising young talents to bolster the power of the West Youkai Faction and spread her influence outside. If you ever visit Kyoto, I would be happy to serve as your guide."
"And if I do not visit Kyoto?"
Chizuru's smile returned, but it was colder now. "Then I will be forced to wonder why you are avoiding me. And I do not like being avoided, Tsukune‑kun." She leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. "It makes me curious. And curiosity about a man I want to claim makes me hungry."
Tsukune did not flinch. "You are full of threats today."
"Threats? No way. I would never do this to my Tsukune‑kun. You could call them promises." She pulled back, her onyx eyes gleaming. "There is a difference."
She picked up her spoon again, her expression softening. "But I am not only here on official business representing Yasaka‑sama. I am a selfish woman and I want to be closer to you. I want to be of help to you, Tsukune‑kun, but I want you to promise me that I will be your wife and that you will sire a child with me."
The confession made Tsukune feel awkward all of a sudden. He had thought of himself as direct, even blunt at times, but this was something else entirely. He shifted in his seat, suddenly aware of how close she was, how intense her gaze had become.
"I can give you so much," she continued, her voice low and earnest. "I can take care of any threat in the Yokai Academy, even that idiotic cousin of mine, Kuyo. I can give you information that can help you shape your influence in the supernatural world. After all, for you, a former human, you should be aware of how important having information on everything is."
Tsukune met her gaze. "That is something I cannot promise you. I do not know you to the extent that I can promise you such a future. Without a doubt, you are a beautiful girl chased by many suitors, but a relationship built on conditions is not something I am interested in."
Chizuru's expression did not fall. Instead, she seemed almost pleased. "Then do you want to continue building on what we have started? I can also give you vital information that would help you navigate the Yokai Academy."
"And what do you want in return?"
Chizuru set down her spoon and folded her hands again. "Right now? Just your company. Is that so hard to believe?"
"In this Academy? Yes."
She laughed, a genuine sound that seemed to surprise even her. "Fair enough. It is this honesty of yours that is lacking in the yokai world. This is the reason I am curious about you, aside from your special gifts. You are interesting, Tsukune‑kun. And I like interesting people."
She slid even closer, her body pressing against his side. "But do not think that means I will stop flirting with you. You are far too entertaining to ignore." Her hand found his knee under the table. "And far too handsome."
Tsukune caught her wrist, not pushing her away, just holding it still. "You are playing with fire."
Chizuru leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. "I am a Kitsune, Tsukune‑kun. Fire is my element."
They spent the next hour talking. Tsukune agreed to continue their dates on the condition that they tried to learn more about each other without pressure. He was clear that he would not backtrack from his pursuit of other women, and Chizuru, after a moment of consideration, accepted.
She was not happy about sharing, but she was pragmatic enough to realize that trying to cage him would only drive him away.
"I will be jealous," she admitted. "But I will try not to let it consume me. That is the best I can promise."
"That is enough."
The afternoon was winding down when a blur of motion caught his eye. Tsukune and Chizuru decided to take a walk around the Academy campus.
"Tsukune‑kun!"
Toma Sakura launched himself across the courtyard, his arms outstretched, his eyes sparkling with theatrical delight. He collided with Tsukune in a full body hug, his slender frame wrapping around him like an octopus. His modified uniform fluttered in the breeze, and his scarf trailed behind him like a banner.
"I missed you so much!" Toma exclaimed, his face buried in Tsukune's chest. "You never visit the theater club anymore! I have been so lonely! The costumes I have prepared for you to try are gathering dust! The stage meant for you is empty! My heart is aching!"
Tsukune pried him off with some difficulty, holding the smaller boy at arm's length. "Toma‑senpai. What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were having a date, and I had to see it for myself!" Toma's eyes darted to Chizuru, then back to Tsukune. "Oh, she is beautiful. But not as beautiful as you, Tsukune‑kun. Your aura is simply radiant today. Have you been working out a lot more than last time? Your biceps feel bigger."
Chizuru's eye twitched. The temperature in the courtyard dropped several degrees. A flicker of blue flames danced at her fingertips.
"Toma‑kun," she said, her voice sweet but sharp, "you are interrupting."
"Am I?" Toma tilted his head, feigning innocence. "I thought I was just saying hello. Tsukune‑kun and I are friends, after all. We have a connection. A connection only true artists could understand."
He reached out and traced a finger down Tsukune's arm. "You would look perfect in our new production. The lead role. A tragic hero, torn between love and duty, destined to die in the arms of his beloved."
Chizuru's eyes flashed. "Toma."
"Yes?"
"Leave. Now. You're annoying."
The fire at her fingertips spread to her palm. Toma took one look at the flames and decided that discretion was the better part of valor. He scurried back toward the door, waving over his shoulder and blowing a kiss to Tsukune.
"Think about the play, Tsukune‑kun! I will be waiting!"
Then he was gone.
Chizuru snuffed the flames with a flick of her wrist. Her composure returned, though her cheeks were slightly flushed. "I apologize for him. He has no sense of timing. And… I think he is into macho guys."
Tsukune shuddered a bit at the thought. His mind, traitor that it was, immediately conjured an image of Toma‑chan alone in the theater club room, surrounded by costumes, his eyes half‑lidded and his lips parted in a theatrical pout.
The image was absurd, unsettling, and entirely too vivid for his comfort.
In his imagination, Toma was wearing something that barely qualified as clothing, a sheer, flowing garment that clung to his slender frame and left little to the imagination. His legs, smooth and pale, were crossed in a way that seemed deliberately provocative. A single strap had slipped off his shoulder, exposing the delicate curve of his collarbone. His cheeks were flushed, his breathing shallow, and his hands were pressed against his chest as if he were posing for a perfume advertisement.
The whole scene screamed yaoi, tomgirl, shota, crossdressing, unusual pupils and all sorts of deranged tags that Tsukune would never, ever search for on any website.
He could almost hear the theatrical whisper.
"Tsukune‑kun, finally we are alone."
'No fucking way! I am as straight as a stick! I will not succumb to the femboys.'
He quickly shook his head, hard enough to make his neck pop, trying to dispel the mental picture before it could take root. He did not need that kind of nightmare fuel. He had enough problems without adding a persistent, flamboyant theater senpai to his list of admirers.
"I am going to pretend I did not hear that," he said, his voice slightly strained.
Chizuru smirked. "Wise choice."
Tsukune stood. "It was a nice lunch, Chizuru‑senpai. We should do this again sometime."
Chizuru rose as well, smoothing her skirt. "I would like that." She stepped close and pressed a kiss to his cheek. It was quick, warm, and possessive. Then she whispered, "Do not keep me waiting, Tsukune‑kun."
Then she walked away, her heels clicking on the floor, her dark hair swaying.
Tsukune stood there for a moment, touching his cheek. Then he sighed.
'It felt easier claiming Chizuru Minamoto than I imagined. Was it because of her character? She is still the slutty Kitsune from that series.'
'However, that beats the point. This woman is more dangerous than anything I have dealt with. Maybe she is in the same league as Inner, hmm, maybe a lesser threat, but she is still up there.'
[> ^ <][> ^ <][> ^ <]
Author Note Extra:
If you want to read in advance up to +14 chapters (for now, plans are for it to be at +16), access it now on patreon.com/Morpheus146