Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any other works that may inevitably be mentioned in this story.

Elevated Emotions

Chapter 1

Monachopsis

posted on April 2, 2020

updated on

Monachopsis

n. The subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place.

Sometimes lazerbeams can come from the oddest places, ne? Or at least that's what our intrepid revenge-filled protagonist felt as she braved through the crowds at the reading of the will. Honestly, it was in this moment that she understood how Superm*n's enemies must've felt. Except, unlike those guys who only had to deal with one of him, she was the unfortunate victim of a whole crowd with the same superbeam eyes.

And was it just her or was it getting hotter? Sweat began gathering on her forehead as she tried to sit inconspicuously on a chair. The keyword here is "tried". It felt like someone dialed a sauna temperature dial to max even as she kept her gaze fixed on one spot.

Really, what is up with these guys?! It's not her fault that she knew a vampire hunter, so why were all these people glaring at her? Again, this was one of those moments when Tomomi felt that perhaps she shouldn't have befriended a human in the first place.

No, that wasn't something good to say! Focus on the good things! The good things! Like how even if she left this world so fast the time they spent together was-is worth it. Momo had been someone who talked to her about mushy feelings, who was kind enough to laugh with her about her mistakes warmly and empathized with her about her greatest loves in life. Really, this was the least she could do as thanks. Yeah, looking around, this was the kind of thing that drama queen would've loved, so who was she to say anything against holding a physical reading of her will?

A man suddenly made his way on the stage in front, his face serious. With his pancake face and flat nose, she could recognize the executor of Momo's will anywhere. Not from having ever been in his company before, of course. On the contrary, this was the first time she'd had the pleasure of seeing his face. She recognized him because Momo had a riot the first time she met him and appointed him as her executor on the spot. When asked why she picked him as her executor of will all that old coot had said was that it was because he had a distinctive pancake face. Tomomi quickly mimed a lady three rows down who seemed to be crying her heart out and ducked her head down, pulling out her handkerchief to wipe away nonexistent tears as her shoulder shook in repressed mirth. Yes, Momoyama's time with her was short, but it was indeed a pleasure knowing her.

Having settled her shaking, she looked up and began to listen to the man again.

"-This day, March 29, 2000 NA at 12:00 noon, I will now begin the reading of one Momoyama Tsuji's will. To my dear niece-"

And he completely lost her after that. Man, will readings were boring. Ignoring the superbeams coming from all over, this seems a lot more calm than she had thought it would be. What with everyone else here being vampire hunters-

Well, what exactly did she think they were going to do, bring a vase of vampire ashes to atone for Momo's death? Wear black robes to hide their faces? Make rune circles to summon her back from the dead? Wait a moment Ms. Protagonist, aren't those images closer to how you'd think some ominous cult would act?!

"-o Tomomi Hattori, I leave my dual blade swords Medea and Musashi. May they serve you well. To Ka-" To Tomomi, who had been planning out the slow death of the vampire that killed Momoyama Tsuji, this was indeed the nod off from her friend she needed to continue her plans with great surety. Keeping her face neutral, she waded through the even more intense glares and quickly took the two swords. Heart firm in its resolve, Tomomi couldn't help but crack a smile in that moment whilst looking at something that she was sure was so precious to her dear friend. Indeed, this was surely her saying to avenge her from the grave.

"I object! Those swords are a family heirloom. How could Momoyama have chosen to give it to an outsider?" A man's voice burst out from the crowd, indignation practically bleeding out of his ears as he stepped forward and speedily made a grab for the dual blades.

Quickly, Tomomi used [Enhancement] to strengthen her body before stopping herself just as fast. The man was a vampire hunter and it was unwise to retaliate in a room full of them in the first place. Really, going in a full book and coming out missing pages would be tragic, but letting such a boar actually hit her-

Luckily for her, the executor of the will was fast enough to grab the man's arm. "Now sir, it says clearly in her will to give the swords to a Ms. Tomomi Hattori," turning her way, he made eye contact,"and you are a Ms. Tomomi Hattori, yes?"

Really, there was nothing else she could say but,"I am she."

The executor turned surprisingly resolute eyes the ruffian's way,"Surely you wouldn't go against the dead's wishes, yes?"

The ruffian's face turned a most delightful shade of red before the crowd around them began disparaging him in whispers and his face began resembling a tomato. The man gave a click of his tongue, turning and marching away the next moment.

"Thank you," she spoke as gratefully as she could for saving her from having to be hit and dealing with a vampire hunter whilst trying to hide what she was. Really, how troublesome that would've been!

"You're welcome," with that and a nod her way the gentleman took his leave to once again continue reading out the will.

Well, that was a bit abrupt but Tomomi couldn't really judge him. He did what was right and left when there was nothing more to say. Feeling the stares even more now, Tomomi quickly escaped from the stifling room.

Looking at the swords in her hands, her thoughts began slipping down a slippery slope. How should she finish the bastard off then? Poison? Beheading? Or oh, perhaps like Momo's favourite book? Yes, that sounds like a splendid idea! Now that she had a pair of swords to finish them off with and a plan it seemed like things were looking up.

NOTTHEREADBUTTON Thanks for the commentary on the prologue! Your questions about Momoyama inspired me to include her more because she's just such a precious character. Just a warning in advance, I may have taken too much creative license in adding details about her fufufu~ She's honestly one of my favourite characters in this fanfic so far, so I hope you like how I'll be writing her and look forward to flashbacks of her in the future. ;