Chapter 2 – "I'd love to learn more about you!"
Luckily enough for Aono Tsukune, the first few days of school passed without incident. He received a few major shocks on the first day of classes, but nothing negative seemed to have come out of them. For now at least. But the fact remained that he was an ordinary human at a school for youkai – alone and in need of allies. Those he could trust.
He was hoping that Akashiya Moka and Kurono Kurumu were two such people.
Tsukune was thinking about ways to break the news to them instead of focusing on his homework (which wasn't any easier than what might be given to human students, he noted with resigned annoyance). Thoroughly distracted from work, he stood up from his desk and paced over to the window, stretching along the way. As he looked around at the night scenery, he reflected over that first day… maybe it would give him a clue?
The classroom itself was like any other he'd been in, and the students didn't act too differently from humans. Well, he supposed that as youkai pretending to be humans, they should act at least a little bit like regular people. A few seats were empty.
The homeroom teacher walked in. She had two tufts shaped like cat ears coming out of her hair, and introduced herself as Nekonome Shizuka while occasionally meowing like a cat as she spoke. Tsukune could've told you that she wasn't doing a good job of passing for a normal human even without knowing that this was a school for youkai. Come to think of it, the nurse and librarian were like that too…
Tsukune dropped that train of thought as the teacher went on.
"Now don't forget everyone! The point of this school is for you to learn how to co-exist in the human world and pass as a human. It's for our survival, nya~! So stay in human form at all times and don't show off your true form or your powers, okay, nya~?"
Tsukune felt relieved, and tried not to let it show on his face. If everyone was pretending to be human, then he wouldn't be at such a disadvantage. Maybe this would just be a normal high school life for him, after all?
Another student spoke up from a desk diagonally in front of Tsukune – a big muscular guy with greased-up brown hair, leaning back casually in his chair. "Hey teacher! If humans are such a problem, why don't we just kill and eat the guys and then take the women for ourselves?" He licked his lips during that last part, which Tsukune could hear, sending a chill down his spine.
Well, I know who to avoid now… thought Tsukune.
The teacher went on, responding to that student and then getting back on track. "They're not a problem as long as long as they stay in their own world and don't mess with us, nya~! By the way, any humans with bad intentions who sneak onto these grounds will be killed once they're found! Or something like that, nya~!"
And that explains what happened to the librarian… poor guy. I don't want to end up like him!
Just then, another student walked into the classroom.
"Sorry I'm so late! I got lost after the entrance ceremony… eh!? Aono-kun, we're in the same class? Yay~! This is wonderful!"
Sure enough, he and Moka were in the same class. He had looked around earlier, and it looked like Kurumu was sorted elsewhere. The homeroom teacher told Moka to have any seat as she pleased, and all the rest of the students started fawning over Moka as she walked towards one of the open seats in the back. All except one who was looking at Moka with intense interest.
Tsukune was certainly happy to have Moka around (he'd forgiven her for the bike incident) and was glad to know she felt the same. He allowed himself to feel a small measure of relief as the teacher went on about something else. Though that one guy was still creeping him out…
With that settled, the teacher proceeded with the actual class.
Nothing much of note happened until lunch time, when Moka immediately took the opportunity to latch onto his right side, and walk him down to the cafeteria. Along the way, Moka was attracting more and more attention from the male students (and some of the female ones too, Tsukune noted), who were loudly gossiping about how cute she was and how much they wanted to take Tsukune's place and what they might do to make that happen.
Things got infinitely worse (for Tsukune) once they ran into Kurumu.
As soon as she saw the two of them walking arm in arm, she ignored Moka's greeting and latched herself onto Tsukune's left arm, making a point of rubbing his arm between her breasts. She icily glared at Moka while doing so, who could only reply with a confused glance of her own. It took Tsukune coughing rather conspicuously for Kurumu to settle down and get into a friendlier demeanor, proceeding to apologize to Moka as they kept walking. Tsukune couldn't help but notice the clamoring from the other students get even louder with Kurumu's arrival and intensify further when she approached the two of them (or rather, him). Along with jealous glares and spikes in killing intent and menacing aura…
So naturally, they next encountered one student Tsukune would have been glad to avoid.
"Heheheh… looks like we have two pretty girls here," said the same greased-up guy who spoke up earlier in Tsukune and Moka's class. The guy turned his attention to Moka, completely ignoring Kurumu. "So, you must be Akashiya Moka. I'm your classmate Komiya Saizou. I don't want to keep you long, so I'll ask a simple question – one I'm sure others want answered too."
As he said this, he walked up towards the trio and easily hefted Tsukune out of the two girl's grips with one arm, dangling Tsukune by the collar of his jacket. Tsukune yelped in surprise at the sudden movement, and couldn't even make a move to defend himself. Moka was leaning more on Tsukune than she'd realized at first and would've fallen over if not for Kurumu.
"What's a beautiful girl like yourself doing with a chump like this? Wouldn't someone like say, me, be a far better match?" he asked rhetorically, not expecting or even wanting an answer. Saizou brought Tsukune close, looked him straight in the eyes, and then dumped him on the floor. Saizou licked his lips and moved closer to Moka, leering at her, while Kurumu helped Tsukune up. "Well? Why don't we go somewhere private for some fun…?"
Moka froze on the spot. "Uh… um… I… I'm eating lunch with Aono-kun and Kurono-san, sorry, bye!" she exclaimed, grabbing both of them by the hand and running away. The crowd, dispersed shortly afterwards, leaving Saizou alone to plot a little plan of his own…
Meanwhile in a more secluded area, the trio were catching their breath.
"That was a little scary, wasn't it?" asked Moka to the group.
"Are you OK, Tsukune-kun?" asked Kurumu specifically to him.
"Yeah, I was just surprised… seriously, who was that guy?" asked Tsukune to no one in particular. He then turned to the two of them and asked something that had been on his mind for a while, and what Saizou said make him think of it. "Although… I've been wondering the same thing, to be honest… why you two would want to be around a plain and mediocre guy like me."
The two raised their voices at the same time in objection, looked at each other, and giggled. This did nothing to re-assure Tsukune and only furthered his confusion. After the two commiserated for a bit, Kurumu spoke up first.
"I think we both have our own reasons for wanting to be around you, Tsukune-kun. The truth is I'm looking for my "Destined One", so I need to get to know as many guys as I can! And you're one of the friendliest, most forward, and easily accepting guys I've seen here. Is it any wonder I'd come back to you?"
Then followed Moka.
"And as for me, well… I think you should be proud of yourself Aono-kun! Your blood is simply amazing! I've never had any like it before – it's flavor and nutritional balance are perfect. And also… you're my first… the first person I've ever fed from. I'll always remember it fondly, even if the circumstances weren't so good."
The two were blushing lightly as they admitted those things. Tsukune had to admit he felt much better after that though, even though their sense of good compliments was skewed somewhat compared to what he was used to hearing from humans. He chuckled. "Oh, I see now… Sorry for doubting you two. Let's get lunch then! Kurumu-chan? Moka-san?"
They assented, and the group hurried to the cafeteria before all the food ran out.
Thankfully, after that, the rest of the day was also normal classwork and not terribly exciting.
But this left Tsukune with a predicament. The two of them were so willing to be open and honest with him, but he wasn't doing the same in return. He needed to tell them the truth. That besides just wanting to be friends, he'd also need their help to survive. That he, being an ordinary human, would be doomed if his secret ever got out. He needed their support just as must as he wanted to give them what little he could offer. The question now was simply how and when.
Tsukune went back to his desk and stared at the problems he was working on (math was his worst subject, as usual) as if that would help. Maybe… students weren't supposed to show off their powers or true form, but nothing was said against simply telling another person these things. After all, you could be lying, and it'd be their choice to believe you or not.
It'd also be a good excuse to hang out with Kurumu and Moka in private. Keeping the other students out of his business looked like it would be essential for his survival. Lay low and stay out of sight, and out of mind. If he could convince them to tone things down for his sake, that would also be a huge help. It'd probably help them blend in too, now that he thought about it.
So that settled it! Tomorrow at lunch, he'd ask them if they could talk more in private to get to know each other better. There were things he could only say with a promise of secrecy.
With that, he went back to his endless struggle with numbers.
"Eh? You need to talk with us in private, Aono-kun?" asked Moka.
Tsukune nodded. "That's right. I have something important to tell you two. It's…"
Kurumu gasped, as if she had realized something shocking and important. "Tsukune-kun, don't tell me… you're… you're… planning to confess to both of us at the same time!? Am I really not enough for you?" She pouted as she asked the second question.
Both Tsukune and Moka spat out their drinks – milk for Tsukune and blood for Moka. They could only count their blessings that no one happened to be directly in front of them when that happened. Moka was too embarrassed to respond, but Tsukune managed to stammer out a retort.
"This isn't for a love confession! It's something personal…" Besides, you're more than enough to handle as is… "…something I don't want to talk about here."
Kurumu stared intensely into his eyes as if that would somehow cause him to just tell her his secret on the spot. He stared back with a blank expression on his face, while cleaning up.
She then smiled warmly at him. "Okay~! Where are we meeting, Tsukune-kun? I'd love to learn more about you!" She paused for a second to think, then continued. "Actually, I want you to learn more about me as well, so this is convenient! And Moka-san should join too, if she can."
Moka, who was now done cleaning up, said that she would in fact like to join in. He suggested they meet in front of the main school building after classes and head to the library to find a secluded area there. When the two girls agreed, the plan was set!
As promised, Tsukune and Moka headed together towards the main school entrance once the bell rang and they did their final stand up and bow. Unbeknownst to them, Saizou was following them not too far behind their steps, taking care not to look like an obvious stalker.
Kurumu was already there waiting for them when they arrived, and they walked together to the library, chatting idly about classwork.
Saizou spat upon the ground where they had just stood, and then followed. It was time to take what he wanted.
"Ooh, this place is creepy… But I'll be fine, since Tsukune-kun is here!" Kurumu said, nuzzling into Tsukune's arm. Tsukune decided not to challenge that notion, chuckling nervously instead. We'll see if she still thinks that once I tell her that I'm a human… he thought to himself.
The group had already entered the library, Kurumu latched onto Tsukune's side like usual while Moka was walking beside them on his other side. As expected, not many students intentionally came to this place, and those who had were poring over a book or elbow deep in homework. Far too busy to pay a group like theirs any attention, as Tsukune liked.
The librarian, Gakutorou, was wandering down the halls and idly noticed the trio sitting at a round table in one of the commons areas. He also noticed a young man with ill intent standing near them but just out of sight, concealed by the shelves.
Tsukune, Kurumu, and Moka noticed neither of them.
Tsukune cleared his throat as he moved to speak first, low enough that any youkai that happened to be nearby wouldn't hear. "So, thanks for agreeing to this. What I wanted to talk about is… I know we're not supposed to talk about what kind of youkai we are or our true forms since we're supposed to be pretending to be human, but I think I want… no, I need to tell you mine. And I was also wondering about yours too… though I guess we already know Moka-san's heheheh…"
He was chuckling nervously, but Kurumu joining in with him made him feel a tiny bit better. Meanwhile, Moka was pouting with a mix of annoyance and embarrassment, muttering something about how it wasn't her fault Tsukune's blood was so tasty. She then sighed, and continued: "Yes, I'm a vampire, but…" and with that she gestured to the rosary she was always wearing "…my true form and power are sealed by this rosary."
Having the full attention of both Tsukune and Kurumu fixed on her, she continued. "Sealing rosaries like this one are made using powerful holy magic, and are meant to repress the powers of youkai. The other me is a pretty violent person, so my father made me wear it since I was little. It makes it easier to be around others… though I do still have cravings for blood…"
With that, she looked furtively at Tsukune, blushing slightly. "So, Aono-kun, if I may…"
But before Moka could do anything further, Kurumu leaned forward over the table, slamming her hands down in the process. She was about to yell, but then remembered where they were and what they were doing, and dialed it back to a harsh whisper. "Hold it, Moka-san, we're not here for that! Stay focused!" She was glaring directly at Moka, as if daring her for a challenge.
Moka did not do so, shrinking back and apologizing to Tsukune. He waved it off.
"But it's hard to imagine someone like you being violent." Tsukune mentioned. "I guess everyone has another side to them. And speaking of that, Kurumu-chan, if you don't mind…?"
Kurumu sat back down, smiling at her two companions. "Of course! …and sorry about that Moka-san. I guess I am a little possessive over Tsukune-kun…"
A little? thought the other two at the same time.
"…but I have a good reason for it. After all, I'm a succubus!"
She paused there as if that was a reason by itself. Tsukune waved his hand, urging her to go on.
Kurumu blinked. "Oh, you don't know about us?" She frowned for a moment in thought, then her eyes widened and a smile grew on her face. "Okay, then! I can't tell you everything because I don't know everything, but I can say this much: there's not that many of us. So, we normally find many youkai or humans to have children with, and our powers make that easier for us."
Tsukune nodded. He knew a bit about the powers of succubi and vampires from his readings, but it was good to get confirmation from a direct source.
Kurumu continued. "But I… I want to do things differently. I want to find my 'Destined One', my perfect match, and have a big family with him. I want to find that kind of romantic fate."
She then leaned over towards Tsukune. "So, Tsukune-kun, would you be…"
Moka coughed, interrupting Kurumu from going any further. She frowned, but backed off while apologizing. Tsukune waved that off as well. For now… was his moment. There was just one thing he wanted to ask beforehand, which would decide how he framed things.
"Speaking of humans, would you really not mind being with a human?" he asked Kurumu. "I thought most youkai hated humans… or at least, would prefer to avoid them."
Kurumu pondered that for a bit, lips pursed and a finger on her chin, so Moka took that moment to speak up. "Yes, Aono-kun… truth be told, I hate humans, too. I went to a human school up until now and I was so isolated there. It was so strange! None of them believed in youkai and so, I was shunned." She frowned deeply. "Humans are the reason youkai have to hide, but they don't know the first thing about us? And they don't even want to learn? It's despicable, isn't it?"
Tsukune couldn't speak or meet Moka's eyes. Moka, however, didn't notice, and kept going. "But, you know... I've felt less alone ever since I've met you two. Since you both accepted me as a vampire so easily, even though I keep drinking Aono-kun's blood… Aono-kun? Are you OK?"
"I…" Tsukune forced himself to respond, lest he lose nerve. "I'm sorry that happened to you."
"I am too," added Kurumu, who put a hand on Moka's back for support. "I, however, had an easy time being with the humans. Most of my kind do, hahaha! So I have nothing to worry about there," and she added a wink onto that remark, making Tsukune wonder if she had already figured things out. "Human or youkai, my 'Destined One' is just that… the one for me."
"Thanks, you two," replied back a grateful Moka, "at least we won't have to deal with any of those awful humans here, right, Aono-kun, Kurono-san? …Aono-kun? What's the matter?"
"If… if I said I was one of the humans you hated, Moka-san… what would you do?"
Moka froze in place. Her response was a single syllable. "…huh?"
Oppressive silence descended upon them. Tsukune kept his head down, not daring to meet either of the girl's gazes. Moka's gaze was blank and unfocused as her eyes began to widen in dawning horror. Only Kurumu had any measure of calm – but it was a sad one, and she was frowning.
She had no idea if this kind of gap between the other two would heal, or how soon if so.
Tsukune kept going. "I'm a human. I failed all the entrance exams for every school that I applied to… this is the only place that would take me. I don't know why I was accepted, but here I am. I had to tell you sooner or later, so I'd rather it be sooner. But if you'll let me, I still want to be-"
He was cut off by the sound of a chair hitting the ground. Both he and Kurumu turned to Moka, who had fallen back out of the chair and was looking at Tsukune with stark fear in her eyes and a betrayed look on her face. "No… no no no… this has to be a mistake…"
Tsukune stood up and reached for her. "Moka-san, I-"
She promptly jerked away from him, and then stood up and ran away, now weeping quietly.
He did not follow. Instead, he slumped back into his chair in defeat. Kurumu got out of hers and walked towards him. "Well?" she asked. "What are we going to do now, Tsukune-kun?"
"I…" He sighed. "I don't know. But I can't just leave things like that, right? I really do want to be friends to both of you, but there's no way she'll want to be around me now… Oh man…" He looked up at Kurumu, who was standing just behind him and had her arms draped around him. "I'm more surprised that you don't seem to care, but I guess you're just being true to your word."
Kurumu giggled. "Yep! I can be pretty stubborn when I feel like it. I'm not leaving you alone~!"
"Ah~. Young love is certainly a precious flower, isn't it~?" calmly stated an echoing voice from behind them. They both turned towards the source of the voice, and had quite different reactions.
"Oh, hello there, sensei." / "AHHHH, A GHOST!"
Kurumu then hid underneath the table, much to Gakutorou's annoyance and Tsukune's embarrassment. After Tsukune reassured the succubus that the ghost was a librarian and was safe, she removed herself from her (not very good) hiding place and introduced herself. The ghost librarian did the same, and then revealed the reason why he had appeared.
"I thought you might like to know that a rough-looking young man followed the three of you into my library and then followed your friend out after she ran away~," he said.
The two paled, and looked at each other. Looks like they both had the same idea.
"Sorry, sensei, but we need to run!" exclaimed Tsukune as he practically leapt from his chair.
The ghost librarian chuckled. "I will forgive you this time, Aono-san, Kurono-san~."
The two thanked Gakutorou as they ran off, leaving him with his thoughts. Looks like it is as I suspected. I wish you the best of luck, Aono-san. You'll need all the good fortune you can get!
As they were exiting the library, the duo could hear Moka's screams. Once they were outside, they could see the scene quite clearly: a lurching, hulking, mass of muscle and evil intent was menacing the vampire girl, occasionally taking swings at her with its massive arms and trying to corner her… luckily for them, it looked like it was slowly driving her back towards them.
"Is that Komiya-san's true form!?" exclaimed Tsukune in shock. It's one thing to know everyone around you is in disguise, and it's another to see a grotesque being with your own eyes.
"I don't know, but we need to get Moka-san out of there!" replied Kurumu. It looked like he had fully transformed… too dangerous to fight, especially with fragile Tsukune around.
The two yelled at the same time, "Moka-san!"
That caught her attention, but it also gave another opening for the hostile youkai to take a swipe at her and finally connect, sending her flying in their direction. Why does this feel so familiar? was Tsukune's last thought just before she crashed into them. But they had no time to rest on the ground, as the hostile youkai was already bearing down on them.
It spoke, and they knew at once it was Komiya Saizou. "Heh, looks like the chump is back! I'll just get rid of you and the other girl! Then Akashiya Moka will be all mine, hahahahaha!" Saizou lunged forward, and the trio, now standing, split up to dodge – Moka and Tsukune on one side, and Kurumu on the other. However, Tsukune and Moka were still within his reach, and he took a swing at them, Tsukune taking most of the damage by trying to shield Moka. The two of them crashed into some rubble, Tsukune a bloody and broken mess, Moka only lightly bruised.
Kurumu and Moka had a similar reaction of intense concern for their friend, while Saizou smirked in smug satisfaction and started laughing. Kurumu hissed at the man, transforming and becoming more menacing – growing wings, long nails, and pointed tail. She drew in his attention. Meanwhile, Moka was attempting to rouse a barely conscious Tsukune.
"Aono-kun! Wake up! Wake up!"
"Ugh… Moka-san? Are you alright?" He tried to stand, but failed, leaning onto her.
"Am I…? Yes, I'm fine! Worry more about yourself, Aono-kun! Why did you…"
"Because!" he interrupted, and then lowered his voice, "I was serious when I said I wanted to be your friend. Ugh… Even if I get hurt… even if you're a vampire and I'm a human, it'll be… alright!" And with that last word, he pried the rosary off of a crying Moka's neck and fell back down to the ground. The last words a shocked Moka said before a bright light emanated from her were: "The rosary… he can…?"
Kurumu and Saizou were otherwise occupied fighting each other while that was going on – Saizou trying and failing to smack the flying succubus down to the ground, Kurumu raking her nails across his body with each miss. A crowd had gathered around to watch the one-sided fight.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the blinding bright light from Moka's rosary. The fight was forced to a stop as the holy relic outshone the sun, and no one dared uncover their eyes until the light fully faded away. When it did, they all turned to face a transformed Akashiya Moka. Gone was the familiar pink hair and green eyes – replaced they were with silver-white hair and blood-red eyes. Gone was her timid and friendly demeanor – she was baring her fangs prominently, was noticeably more muscular, and was giving off an aura of menace.
Even Saizou was in shock. A super-vampire!? What an intense presence!
Finally, he spoke up, watching as the new Moka gingerly picked up Tsukune and walked over towards him and the succubus. "Hahahaha! What a treat! What an incomparable beauty! Akashiya Moka, you're sexier than ever! My body is aching so much… I want you even more!" He tensed up and got into a fighting stance, his long tongue lolling from his mouth. He was expecting her to attack at the first opportunity, or at least respond to his proclamation.
Instead, she ignored him and brought Tsukune over to the succubus, dropping him into her outstretched arms. Kurumu retracted her nails and brought Tsukune in close, burying his face in her chest just once before turning him around so they could both see.
Saizou spat at the ground and yelled at Moka again. "Akashiya Moka! Don't you ignore me!"
Moka smirked, and then chuckled at the rogue youkai. She approached him, pointing at herself. "Oh? Aren't you impatient, oh rogue one? I'm not going anywhere. If you want me…" she stopped in front of him, and beckoned him closer, "…just try and take me… if you can…"
Incensed, Saizou lunged forward, striking directly at Moka with his right fist. Tsukune and Kurumu were frozen in shock, wondering what their friend was thinking. Their concerns proved to be unfounded, as Moka blocked Saizou's punch with a single outstretched finger. With that same finger she pushed him back and felled him over. Moka walked towards the fallen youkai.
"…Is that all you have…? I'm disappointed, Komiya Saizou… It's time you learned your place."
Further incensed, Saizou flipped himself over and lunged at Moka again, this time going for a full-body tackle. Moka didn't bother with dodging or blocking, instead striking first with a harsh right-footed kick to Saizou's head. The dazed youkai was knocked far away, crashing clean through several trees, and landing on his back on a pile of rough stones.
"I guess all that size was just for show… now then…" Moka turned her attention to the crowd, glaring at the lot of them. "Do you have some business with me? If not… leave."
They obeyed her command without hesitation, and she then turned her attention back to Tsukune and Kurumu, walking back over to them. Kurumu was still supporting Tsukune up, and he was still holding her rosary. She couldn't help but notice that Tsukune was trembling, while Kurumu was staring resolutely at her. She chuckled as she took the rosary out of Tsukune's hands.
"You may relax… Tsukune-kun and Kurumu-chan… I have no ill intentions towards you…" She cradled Tsukune's chin in one hand while holding the rosary in the other, smirk intensifying upon seeing Kurumu's reaction. "…after all, your blood is quite delicious. Make no mistake, I won't be letting you out of my sight. And as for you…" She then did the same to Kurumu, taking great pleasure from the blush on the succubus's face. "…don't think you've escaped my notice. Your blood is mine now, too… got it? You both understand?"
The two of them had the distinct impression that this was an offer they couldn't refuse. It wasn't one they wanted to refuse anyway, so they nodded along.
The vampire's grin intensified. "Good… and as for the other Moka, I expect you to take care of her. So for now… farewell…" She closed her eyes, and the light from the rosary engulfed her again. When it dimmed, a sleeping pink-haired Moka had returned, and she slumped over onto Kurumu and Tsukune. The two shared a look between them, and carried her to the infirmary.