Chapter 86: Propaganda Machine (I)
Chizuru stared at her, her expression shifting from shock to a grudging respect that she seemed almost reluctant to admit. "You really are a possessive one, Akashiya-san."
"I am his girlfriend," Moka replied, her voice flat, as if stating an obvious fact that required no elaboration. "It's my right."
They stood there, the three of them, in the middle of the chamber. The tension between them was palpable, but it had shifted. It was no longer the hostile, life-or-death tension from before. Something quieter had taken its place. Something that might, in time, grow into understanding.
But for now, there was still work to be done.
Tsukune cleared his throat, breaking the silence with a theatrical cough that drew both of their gazes. "Alright, as much as I would love to make out with both you girls and entertain you until you're satisfied, we have other matters to attend to. Someone needs to take care of these poor girls."
He gestured toward the rescued students, who were still huddled together in their cloaks, their eyes wide and uncertain. They had been through an ordeal that no one should have to endure, and the shock was still settling in.
Moka's expression softened, just a fraction. She understood what it meant to be trapped, to lose control of your own body. In a sense her own prison, if you could call being sealed inside the Rosario Cross for 6-8 years wasn't much different from how the girls were petrified by Hitomi Ishigami.
The memory of her earlier struggles and helplessness to get out from the seal and regain control over her body along with the realization that maybe it was for her own good that she was sealed, all of those emotions that made her who she was now in present time, all that she has experiencing was still fresh, branded in her mind.
Chizuru, on the other hand, simply nodded, her gaze already shifting to Tsukune with that familiar intensity. But beneath the possessiveness, there was something new in how she was looking at her lover, it felt as if she had reached a new level of affection in the Date Sim Game they were experiencing, with Chizuru maybe reaching a 'Lusting' phase.
Tsukune moved away from his two lovers, approaching the rescued girls with measured steps. His demeanor shifted as he walked, the predatory edge in his gaze softening, replaced by a warmth that put them at ease. The kind of presence that made people instinctively lower their guard.
'Vampiric charisma is a hell of a drug,' he thought, watching the way the girls' postures relaxed as he drew near. 'I'm not even trying to be approachable, just relaxed my posture and expression to be 'me'.'
"Hey," he said, his voice soft, carrying a warmth that seemed to cut through the chill of the chamber. "I know this is a lot to process. You've been trapped for a long time, with some of you I think being trapped for longer than others."
"Sigh, such a shitty situation to be in, but you're safe right now. No one is going to hurt you anymore."
The girls stared at him, their eyes wide with unshed tears they were forced away by the previous dark situation unfolding. They had been conscious during their petrification, trapped in their own bodies, unable to move, unable to speak. They had heard everything and seen everything that Hitomi Ishigami had schemed.
They also had seen how Tsukune had dismantled their tormentor, the humiliation he has given her had satisfied their need for revenge, especially after seeing Hitomi's pleas for mercy, how she lowered herself to the point of asking to become Tsukune's slave, but her death was most sweet in their eyes.
In their eyes apart from being stronger than them, a S-Class Vampire, above all else he was their savior, so their guard was lowered when it came to him. What worked a lot was also his handsomeness and vampiric charm combined by his calm demeanor, it was only natural that the girls would look at him favorably.
One of the girls, a petite brunette with tear-streaked cheeks, finally found the courage to speak. Her voice came out small, trembling with hope and fear as she stared up at Tsukune while pulling tighter on the cloak she received from Tsukune.
"S-Senpai... I have a question for you… since I don't know for how long I have been a stone. Is this still the year 2007? A-Ahhh, I-I am using the Human Calendar because it is universally accepted by the Supernatural Society."
Tsukune's expression flickered. He had anticipated this question, and as hurtful as it might be for the girls, they had to be brought up to speed with reality.
"...This truth might hurt you," he said, his voice gentle. "But one year has passed since you were caught by that deranged Gorgon. We're in 2008. Precisely, it is the 14th of April, 2008."
The girl's face went pale. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Then, like a dam breaking, the tears came and she collapsed to her knees, her body wracked with sobs that seemed to tear themselves from somewhere deep within her.
"One year," she choked out, her voice cracking. "One year I've been missing and no one bothered to search for me. My parents... my friends... they must think I'm dead."
This was a question sitting on the minds of all of those girls victim to Hitomi's schemes, and when Tsukune revealed the brutal simple truth, the other girls also began to stir, with their emotions bubbling out to the surface.
Some wept silently, their tears tracing paths through the grime on their cheeks. Others stared blankly ahead, their minds still processing the magnitude of what they had lost.
Tsukune watched them, and it felt like shit watching a bunch of cute/beautiful girls even though they might be monsters, crying their eyes out, ugly crying. He could only imagine the pain they might experience, from the confusion to the fear wrapping them.
These girls had done nothing wrong. They had simply wanted to be part of a Club, to create art, to learn from someone they believed was a mentor, only to be cruelly hoaxed into believing a lie.
And they had paid the price for their given trust.
"Girls…"
"You have to remain calm, crying so hard will only hurt more."
Then an idea came up into his mind. What was the best weapon he had against mind debuffs and capable of pacifying even himself when feeling down? A fluffy cute fur ball.
He raised his hand, and from the shadows of his Annihilation Maker, a wave of fluffy, golden-brown creatures began to emerge. Kuribohs, in their various forms, materialized around the girls.
First came the classic Kuribohs, their round, fuzzy bodies bouncing as they swarmed toward the crying girls. Then the Winged Kuribohs descended from above, their small wings fluttering as they nestled against the girls' shoulders. Darkuribohs, with their darker fur and smaller, more mischievous eyes, weaved between the others, offering silent comfort.
Kuribohrn floated near the edges of the group, its power subtly working to calm the girls' frayed nerves. Magikuribohs, their bodies shimmering with faint magical energy, pressed against the girls' hands, their warmth seeping through their skin. Sphere Kuribohs rolled in from the shadows, their spherical forms bumping gently against the girls' legs.
Kuriboo, with its wide, expressive eyes, tilted its head and let out a soft, questioning chirp. Kuribandit, carrying a tiny sack, dropped it at the feet of one of the girls, offering a gift of comfort. And Clear Kuriboh, its translucent form almost invisible in the dim light, hovered near another crying girl, its presence soothing and calm.
The Kuribohs swarmed around the crying girls, their tiny bodies pressing against them, offering comfort in the only way they could. One of them, a Winged Kuriboh, nuzzled against the petite brunette, its soft fur absorbing her tears.
The girl blinked, caught off guard by the sudden influx of fluffy creatures. She looked up at Tsukune, her expression confused. "W-What... what are these? Are these all your familiar Senpai? You have so many of them."
"Impressive right? Wait until you see them exploding, it might take down even an S-Class idiot." he said, his lips curving into an evil smile as he even explored that grand scene from Yu-Gi-Oh where Yugi detonated a bunch of kuribohs to take down Boss Monsters such as Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon or Relinquished.
"Otherwise, they're just harmless fur balls good at cheering people up. Trust me, I've used them for that purpose more times than I can count."
The girl stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, a broken laugh escaped her lips. It was a sound that was half-sob, half-laughter, but it was a start.
"They're... they're really soft,"
"They are," Tsukune agreed. He knelt beside her, his voice dropping to a gentle, low tone. "Look, I know this is overwhelming, that you might believe that your parents or friends have given up on you, that maybe they thought you were dead. I can't blame them because of how despicable and two-faced that Gorgon was, she might have whipped her hands and blamed you for abandoning school."
"However, you're alive and breathing while she's food for worms. Take this as a second chance at life and make the best out of it."
The girl shook her head, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "But what will I do now? Can I just return to my class? Everyone must have graduated and moved on to their second year. What if they mock me for being fooled by Ishigami-sensei? I can't face them."
Tsukune sighed. He had expected this. The fear of judgment, of being seen as weak or foolish. It was a common trauma response, and one that required careful handling.
"Look at me," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "What's your name?"
The girl hesitated, then sniffled. "K-Komori... Komori Yuki. I'm an Okiku. Ahh, I shouldn't have told you my Yokai Race."
"At this point you should forget about that stupid rule. No one will get you expelled for that."
"Listen to me, Komori Yuki. Only weaklings think like that. What if they mock you or don't accept you? So what? Why do you bother with the validation of those who don't matter, when you should only care about what you think of yourself?"
Komori blinked, her tears momentarily forgotten. "B-But... I'm not strong like you, Senpai. I can't just ignore what others think."
Tsukune leaned forward, his crimson eyes meeting hers. "Being strong isn't about how much Yoki you have or how hard you can punch. There's more to that. You who have endured one year of being trapped in a nightmare of stone, mocked, objectified, have a stronger mind than most of those Yokai that might look down at you. In my eyes, you're not weak, no, by far you are one of the strongest of this Academy."
"You should hold your head high."
"But..."
"Look around yourself," he continued, gesturing to the other rescued girls. "You're not alone. You have others who went through the same hardship. You can create friendships with them, support each other. And if you're looking for a club and don't want to be left out, you can always apply to join the Newspaper Club. We're always looking for the right members."
Komori's eyes widened. "The Newspaper Club? But I heard they suffered a lot from Kuyo's Disciplinary Committee. I thought they were disbanded."
"Sort of," Tsukune replied, a sly smile spreading across his face. "And to excuse you of the details, I am the current president of the Newspaper Club, and Head of the Yokai Gazette."
The girl who had interacted with Outer Moka before, Tanaka Rei, when she heard that I was the president of the Newspaper Club, immediately made the connections. Her eyes widened as the pieces clicked into place.
"You... you're the one who's made reading the Newspaper fun again?"
"Wasn't the president of the club that pervy dog, Gin Morioka?" Another girl who got caught earlier by the Gorgon in this year had outdated information.
"No, no, it is said that Tsukune-san put on a beating and defeated Gin-senpai. Everyone in my class has been talking about the Gazette. The articles are so good... and the illustrations and photos for the articles are great too!"
Tsukune's smile widened. "Guilty as charged."
Komori's lips curved into a hesitant smile, the first genuine one she had shown since being freed. "If you'll have me."
"I... I think I'd like to join but I will have to see whom amongst my former friends still remember me."
Tsukune's expression softened. "We'd be happy to have you. All of you," he added, looking at the other girls. "The Newspaper Club is always looking for new members to fill in the newer roles we have created. And I promise you, we take care of our own."
The girls exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from uncertainty to something that looked almost like hope. Logically, when it comes to people with trauma, time is the best medicine for such mental wounds, along with understanding that they might not fully trust you.
Nevertheless, this was a great start in the path of healing.
Tsukune spent the next few minutes talking with the rescued girls, learning their names and their stories. Some had been trapped for only a few weeks, while others had been petrified for nearly a year.
There was Tanaka Rei, a C-tier Otsuyu with bright amber eyes who had been turned to stone only two months ago. She had been the first to notice something off about Ishigami, and had been investigating the Art Club when she was caught. Her fiery personality had already begun to resurface, and she was already planning how to get revenge on the Gorgon's memory.
There was Yamada Hana, a shy Ao nyōbō who had been petrified for nearly eight months. She had joined the Art Club hoping to improve her drawing skills, only to find herself trapped in a nightmare. She rarely spoke, but when she did, her voice was soft and measured.
There was Suzuki Rin, a Tengu with dark, windswept hair who had been petrified for almost a year. She was the one who had used her Youjutsu to change into her uniform, the first to take initiative and step forward. Her sharp eyes missed nothing, and Tsukune could already tell she would be a valuable ally.
And there were others, each with their own stories, their own fears, their own hopes for the future. Tsukune made sure to answer their questions, to reassure them, to help them understand that they weren't alone. By the time he was done, the fear in their eyes had dimmed, replaced by something that looked almost like determination.
Who cares if they don't accept them when they have such an awesome and handsome 'Kohai'/'Senpai' to look after them.
"Just pamper me, Vampire daddy," the Otsuyu whispered under her breath, her voice carrying a playful edge that made Tsukune's eye twitch.
He pretended not to hear her because Moka and Chizuru already activated their jealousy ability.
Finally, he straightened, his voice carrying a note of finality. "It is best if you all come with me. I'll take you to the Headmaster's Office and explain the situation to him. We'll see what arrangements he has. Mainly if you want to continue attending the Yokai Academy, or want compensation for the damages done."
He paused, his lips curving into an impish smile that made the girls' eyes widen with curiosity.
"In fact, I support you girls claiming compensation from that old exorcist. Ask for elixirs or methods of strengthening your powers, or techniques that could be useful to you in the long run. Trust me, he can afford to lose some of his inventory."
Komori's eyes went wide. "We can do that? He's the Headmaster! He's supposed to be the strongest Yokai in the world. If we demand compensation, he might..."
"He might what?" Tsukune's smile widened. "Refuse? And then have to explain to the entire Academy why he let a Gorgon prey on his students for over a year? Trust me, he'll pay. He has no choice with this one."
The girls shared a look, and couldn't believe that Tsukune was so bold in how he was relating to the Headmaster. Besides, they had never seen anyone speak of the Headmaster with such casual irreverence. It was truly captivating to them.
One of the girls, a Tengu with dark, windswept hair (Placeholder name), used her Youjutsu to change into the Yokai Academy uniform, and stepped forward. "Will you be there with us? When we ask for compensation?"
Tsukune considered the question. "I can take you to his office and explain the situation and also fight for your compensation, but the details such as what you choose will be up to you. I can only do so much while treading his tolerance to what he can accept."
"I wish you could come with us," another girl muttered, earning a few nervous giggles from the others.
Tsukune chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll see how things progress. Heh, and If I was in his position, I'd want to avoid giving out those precious items too. And trust me girls, he's just a bored old man with nothing better to do but scheme against people weaker than him. He'll come around if I present him with the situation. He's not stupid."
As he spoke, Moka and Chizuru watched from a distance, their eyes fixed on his back.
"He is incredibly handsome," Chizuru whispered, her voice carrying a dreamy quality that was at odds with her earlier fierceness. "A future Dark Lord in the making. Can't believe he has accepted my heart."
"Hmph," Moka snorted, though her eyes never left Tsukune. "Don't talk about your heart. Not that I care. Just don't come crying to me when he all of a sudden ignores you or leaves you hanging."
Chizuru shot her a sharp look. "He wouldn't do that."
"First of all, he's now a Vampire," Moka replied, her voice flat. "We're all cruel in our own way."
"Ahem" She caught herself almost mentioning that Tsukune was previously a human, however, she didn't know that Chizuru already knew about Tsukune's former identity.
"But yes, he is a Vampire Lord for sure." She paused, a warmth spreading through her chest that she couldn't quite suppress. "That is why I love him."
Chizuru's expression softened, just a fraction. "Hmph. Just get used to it. You're no longer the only woman around Tsukune-kun. You'll have to fight me constantly for his affection."
Moka's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Chizuru continued, her voice dropping to something quieter. "I think I understand now... why you are willing to share him with other girls. He is worth all the heartache and confusion. Thank you for being a greater woman than others."
Moka looked at her, searching for any hint of mockery. She found no such thing, apart from a sense of gratitude that she wasn't pushed out from her love for Tsukune, still buried behind layers of pride and possessiveness of a Yandere.
"Yes, he is."
The two rivals stood there, bound by their shared love for a man who had just killed a monster to save innocent girls. The tension between them was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but it was no longer the hostile, life-or-death tension from before.
It had shifted into something you could call 'Peace'? Maybe they'll drop their weapons and just enjoy a tea night while exploring a sort of convenient 'alliance'
'Would they have Tea Nights?' Tsukune wondered, glancing back at them. 'Well, I don't see this happening at this stage. Maybe after they grow older and reach the maturity required to process their emotions, I could see this happening.'
'Also, I can't control what my women think or their wants, I can only control my own actions and how I deal with their feelings. And, I might have to intervene if the spicier ones try to butcher each other for the sake of Harem Stability.'
'All for that glory of being called Harem King.'
'Oh, and fuck you Issei for having such a easy path into a Harem. Tsk, as much as I hate to admit it, I need to study you more once I get out from the Yokai Academy and can wander around freely.'
'You might have a secret that I am not aware as of now on how to manage a Harem.'
He approached them, his expression softening as he saw them standing together. "Alright, I'm going to escort the victims to the Headmaster's Office."
"Are you two coming with me to visit the old man?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I'm sure he'd be delighted to see you."
Both Moka and Chizuru reacted as if they had heard the name of Satan himself, stole some glances at one another before giving a perfectly synchronized response.
Moka's voice was carefully neutral as she stepped back away from Tsukune. "I have... things to do," Moka said quickly, her voice flat. "Important things. Vampire things."
"Besides, you're the Newspaper Club President. This is your responsibility. And you're wearing your big boy underwear, right? You wouldn't need our presence along?"
Chizuru nodded vigorously, her golden tails shriveling beside her as she also withdrew with small steps she thought he might not notice. "I have a bath to take. A very long one. With lots of soap. And a nice collection of cherry blossom-scented oils that I haven't used in forever."
"You two are pathetic," Tsukune said, shaking his head. "The big, scary Headmaster has you running for the hills?"
"We are not scared!" they said in unison, then exchanged another glance as sparks began flying with their clash.
Tsukune took pleasure in teasing his lovers to the permitted limits, since he could be such an idiot when it came to the girls he liked. "Hmm? I can smell something in the air."
"It is not from me!" Moka protested, her face heated.
"I only smell my perfume." Chizuru added in her yandere way, her eyes darting nervously.
"No, no. It's a deeper smell. Like… You're scared."
"We are not running,"
"We are... strategically retreating."
Chizuru nodded eagerly. "Yes. Just like this bloodsucker said, it is called strategic retreat. So you know, darling, it is a tactical maneuver to conserve your energy."
SniffSniff
Tsukune, who got closer to them even though they were retreating, began playfully sniffing around each of them, then messing with their hair. He could smell their bullshit from a mile away. They tried to hide that they were scared of the Demon Lord, and honestly, he couldn't blame them. Being in the presence of the old man when he was railed on, was terrifying.
"You're avoiding him because he intimidates you."
"We are not! Can you stop messing with us?" they both shouted, their voices overlapping.
Tsukune sighed, shaking his head. "Me? Messing with you? No way, I just wanted some company before meeting the big bad evil."
While staring at both girls, who clearly didn't want to have anything to do with Tenmei Mikogami, he deflated like a balloon as she placed his arms around their shoulders and brought both girls closer to him.
"Fine," he said, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. "You two are scared cats. But I'll let you off the hook this time."
He stepped forward, planting a soft kiss on Moka's forehead, then turned to Chizuru and did the same.
"Thank you for your help tonight and not hating each other too much,"
Before either of them could react, he reached down and smacked each of their backsides with a playful, impish grin that promised future chaos while inside bed sheets.
Both Vampire Princess and Kitsune Princess went rigid, their faces flushing furthermore into crimson. Meanwhile, Moka's eyes blazed with mock fury, and 99% of it being embarrassment, and Chizuru looked like she was about to spontaneously combust as her eyes started to take on the shapes of pulsing hearts.
"T-Tsukune!" Moka sputtered, her voice cracking. "There are others watching! How dare you!"
"Kyaaa!" Chizuru shrieked, her tails lashing behind her.
Both Moka and Chizuru yelped, their cheeks flushing bright red.
"Just making sure you remember me," Tsukune replied, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "You know, in case you ever forget me."
Chizuru's horny side was activated, and she invited Tsukune to slap her ass one more time. Her eyes glazed over with a dreamy, hungry look that promised all sorts of trouble.
"Darling, can you please do that again?" she begged for more, her voice all sultry. "I promise I'll be a good girl."
Tempted, he was about to do that, but Moka pushed him back and grabbed the yandere Kitsune, hurrying off with her. The Vampire Princess's grip was iron, and Chizuru found herself being dragged away before she could protest.
"Have some dignity, you shameless fox!" Moka hissed, her voice carrying a note of genuine exasperation. "This is why I can't leave Tsukune alone with you horny whenches."
"Let's go before I smash your head in the ground!" Moka snarled, her grip tightening as she dragged the struggling Kitsune across the stone floor. Chizuru's heels scraped against the tiles, leaving faint marks in their wake.
"Noooo, I don't want to!" Chizuru whined, struggling against Moka's iron grip. Her tails thrashed wildly, swatting uselessly at the Vampire Princess's arm. "Let me go! Darling, we should start trying for babies!"
BONK
The sound of Moka's fist connecting with Chizuru's skull echoed through the chamber. The Kitsune yelped, her eyes crossing for a moment as she clutched her head.
"Stupid fox!" Moka snapped, her voice cold and sharp. "What have I told you! Don't show your stupidity before me!"
Chizuru rubbed her head, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes before she gave Moka a hateful expression, struggling harder to escape. "URGH! You'll regret it, Akashiya Moka! I will for sure claim the first spot in Tsukune's heart and harem!"
"You'll have to get past me first, you desperate furball!" Moka shot back, continuing to drag the Kitsune through the doorway.
As the two flustered girls who were about to start another war of attrition left in a hurry, mainly Moka who dominated the Kitsune as she dragged her like a ragdoll, it left Tsukune alone.
The rescued girls, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes, began to giggle. The tension that had gripped them moments ago had begun to lift, replaced by something lighter.
"He's so bold," one of them whispered, her voice carrying a hint of admiration. "I can't believe he just did that in front of all of us."
"I wouldn't mind if he did that to me," another girl murmured, her cheeks flushing.
"Can I get a princess carry?" a third added, her voice dreamy.
"No, I also want a kiss on my forehead. Tsukune-san is like a Prince Charming," a fourth girl chimed in.
"Will you be fine, Tsukune-kun? You have upset your girlfriends."
Tsukune paused at the door, glancing back at the backside of his lovers as they disappeared into the darkness. A sly smile crept across his face as he could only imagine how much pleasure he would have eating those delicious bums and cherries.
"Don't worry, ladies. I'll deal with them like a warrior handles business."
The girls looked at each other, their giggles subsiding as they tried to compose themselves in the face of the attractive yet dangerous Vampire.
Suzuki Rin, the Tengu with dark, windswept hair, took a step forward. Her sharp eyes met Tsukune's, and her voice, when she spoke, carried a sincerity that cut through the remaining tension.
"Tsukune-kun,"
"I think I speak for all of us when I say this. Thank you."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the other rescued girls. Komori nodded, her tears finally drying. Yamada Hana clutched her cloak tighter, but her expression was one of quiet gratitude. The others murmured their agreement, their voices a chorus of relief and gratitude.
Rin took a breath, steadying herself.
"We don't know how to repay you, but we want you to know that we are grateful. Truly."
Tsukune's expression softened. "You don't owe me anything, girls. But if you want to help, consider joining my Newspaper Club. We might need more talented girls capable of drawing and for marketing campaigns and advertisement."
He turned to leave, but before he stepped through the door, he paused one last time.
"By the way, girls. Welcome back to the land of the living."
.
.
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