A Certain Scientific Vampire Killer
Chapter 5: Say It Ain't So
My eyes opened to the sight of a very familiar ceiling, it was pure white, the standard plaster for a room in an apartment. I was back in Tsukuyomi's apartment, my home, after the brutal battle to the death with the self-proclaimed Vampire King Korn and my forced vacation at the hospital. I want to say that I'm glad to be back home, though at least for today, I'm not.
It's only been five days since I first woke up in the hospital and suffered a mental breakdown over the loss of my best friend. I couldn't stand losing her, I ended up saying very horrible things to Tsukuyomi, though thankfully we both reconciled with each other. However, as a result of me forcing my body to move towards Tsukuyomi so that I could apologize to her, I ended up causing more injuries to my body which caused my stay at the hospital to be extended.
After a couple of days, I was allowed to return home on Friday night, a week after the death battle with that vampire bastard. Now it's Saturday morning, and I should be happy that I finally got to sleep in my own bed again and that my body is in decent condition again. However, today is going to be a difficult day for me, it's my best friend, Nanoha's funeral.
It's not that I don't want to pay my respects to Nanoha, she is my best friend and I love her, but I was finally starting to feel better about myself. Nanoha's death caused me to feel so much guilt and pain that I was crying my eyes out at least once every hour, but now I've come to the realization that it was out of my control and I accept that fact. I still miss Nanoha so much that it hurts just to think about her, I know that I'm being selfish again, but I just want a single day at least where I don't feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest. But that day isn't today.
"Aisa-chan! You are already awake! That's a first! I always have to wake you up every day so that you don't oversleep and miss the entire day!" Tsukuyomi said while having a mischievous smile on her face, I know what she's doing. Tsukuyomi is trying to make me smile and laugh to lift my spirits since she already knows this is going to be a difficult day for me.
"Hahaha! That's a really good one, teacher! I didn't know you were so good at cracking jokes! You should change careers from teacher to professional comedian! I said with a grin on my face.
"Are you making fun of me because that didn't sound sincere at all? Also, you called me teacher again outside of the classroom! You know that I told you many times to call me, 'Tsukuyomi,' more often!" Tsukuyomi said while lifting her arms in the air with some tears in her eyes.
"I know, teacher. But whenever I call you 'teacher' you make the funniest faces that I can't help myself not to call you that! You are really good at making people laugh even when you aren't telling jokes, hahaha! I said while giggling as I held my belly to try and contain my laughter.
"You are so mean! You know that I don't like it but you still do it anyway! You really like to mess with me don't you, Aisa-chan? Tsukuyomi said while pouting and crossing her arms.
"Of course. You've always been so kind and cheerful to me, plus even when you are worried about me, it's really cute. I love you, Tsukuyomi! I said with a cheerful smile on my face.
"Awww! Every time you call me by my name and tell me that you love me, it all makes me want to cry tears of joy! I love you too, Aisa-chan! Tsukuyomi said while rushing towards me and giving me a hug that I couldn't avoid even if I tried.
"You know you don't have to reciprocate my feelings back at me! Jeez! It's so embarrassing! I said while making a red, blushing face.
"Hahaha! Has anyone ever told you that you are so fun to tease? Because you make some pretty funny faces when you are embarrassed too! Aisa-chan!" Tsukuyomi said while hugging me close, which caused me to feel even more bashful.
"Eh! Who says things like that, you idiot! And for the record, I disagree with me being fun to tease!" I said while blushing really hard and averting my face from Tsukuyomi's field of vision.
"Hahaha! Wait a minute, what's the time? Oh my god! We both need to get dressed quickly or we will be late! Hurry! Aisa-chan! Tsukuyomi yelled while grabbing out her phone and proceeding to run around like a cartoon character in an effort to get dressed.
"Sure! I said while putting on some formal clothes at a normal speed as I got dressed.
After I and Tsukuyomi were both finished getting dressed, we were about to leave the apartment, but then Tsukuyomi asked me a question.
"Hey, Aisa-chan, if you don't want to go to the funeral, I understand and I will respect your decision. So are you sure that you still want to go, Aisa-chan? Tsukuyomi said while grabbing my right hand and holding it softly. I swear, Tsukuyomi's too good for me to ever deserve.
"I'm sure that I want to go. Thank you again, for everything. Let's go, Tsukuyomi! I said with a cheerful smile while pulling Tsukuyomi by her hand as we both walked out of the apartment. The truth is I'm a little scared to go to Nanoha's funeral since I don't want to feel awful and depressed again. But, Nanoha is my best friend, even her death won't change how I feel about her, so I have to be there for her. I already made my choice to go this morning, I owe it to Nanoha as her friend, and even if I cry my eyes out again, I'll do it a thousand times over because I will never ever forget Nanoha for as long I live.
After leaving the apartment, I and Tsukuyomi made our way to the cemetery where Nanoha's funeral will be taking place. The cemetery was utterly huge with many graves inside the area, as well as a Christian church that was near the burial ground, it all shocked me since I have never been to a cemetery before, until now.
"You sure, you are going to be alright, Aisa-chan?" Tsukuyomi said while holding my hand softly, that gesture snapped me back into reality.
"Yes, I'll be alright. Thanks again, Tsukuyomi." I said while I firmly grasped Tsukuyomi's hand.
"Hey Aisa, it's been a while since we have last seen each other, hasn't it? A voice said while approaching me from behind me.
"This is payback for getting into a fight and receiving so many injuries that you had to go to the hospital. You made me worry so much about you, idiot." A girl with long, straight, black hair said, her hair was like mine and a huge forehead that I thankfully didn't have as she punched me in the arm because she was pissed off at me.
"Ow! That really hurt, Seiri! What's the big idea of doing that here of all places?! I said while being very bewildered with a surprised face.
"And this is for being alive and well again," Seiri said while she hugged me tightly with her arms around my back and her head on my right shoulder. I honestly didn't see that coming.
"Hey, Seiri? Why are you doing this to me right now? Are you trying to make me cry, you dummy?" I said while tears started dripping from my eyes that fell onto Seiri's back.
"You are seriously asking me to not make you cry? Do you know how much I cried for you when you were in the hospital, you jerk?" Seiri said while hugging me even tighter as she started to cry tears onto me as well.
"What's with you guys? Are you trying to make me cry too? I can't take it anymore! I can't watch the both of you cry while remaining calm and composed!" Tsukuyomi said as tears started gushing out of her eyes while she jumped on top of me and Seiri in an effort to hug us because she is short. Tsukuyomi jumping on top of us caused both me and Seiri to collapse onto the grassy ground. I was already crying my eyes out and the funeral hasn't even started yet.
Afterward, I, Tsukuyomi, Seiri, and everyone else got seated so that funeral could begin. There were a lot more people than I was expecting to show up, everyone was dressed in formal black attire and our entire class of a certain high school was in attendance. Even all three members of Delta Force, the idiot trio of my class, which consisted of Kamijou Toma, Tsuchimikado Motoharu, and Aogami Pierce, were all here. Aogami Pierce who is really annoying in particular was being silent and respectful right now alongside both Tsuchimikado and Toma. Hey, wait for a second; even that short, annoying girl who wears a nun's habit with gold highlights and a flat chest is here! That shrimp better be calm and respectful here or I'll give her a piece of my mind! Ugh, why do I feel so pissed off and weird whenever I see her around?
"Aisa-chan! The funeral is about to start! Please be focused and composed as the priest speaks!" Tsukuyomi said while tugging me by the sleeve in order to get my attention.
"Crap. I mean, that's right, sorry, Tsukuyomi." I awkwardly said while focusing my attention on what is in front of me. I noticed a priest walking towards the coffin that contained Nanoha's corpse, while he was carrying a Christian Bible in his left hand as the funeral was about to begin.
"Attention everyone. We are all gathered here today so that we can all honor the memory of Nakamura Nanoha, who has unfortunately left this world far too soon. Nakamura Nanoha may have left this world in a tragic way, but we all as her family and friends can honor her memory by not forgetting the wonderful person she was. We all must move forward in Nakamura Nanoha's memory to preserve her legacy as a kind and considerate person who was always there for the people most important to her." The priest said while opening his Christian Bible to read.
"The fallen daughter will receive the lord's blessings. The Lord will bless his daughter and watch over her for eternity. The lord will make his face shine upon his daughter, and be gracious to her while she is in heaven. The Lord look kindly on you and give his daughter peace; In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen." The priest said while reading the text from a passage in his Christian Bible and closing it.
"Amen," Everyone said in unison while praying to both Nanoha and God in honor of them. The coffin containing Nanoha's corpse was then put into the ground so that she can rest in peace.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"I sobbed uncontrollably while Tsukuyomi and Seiri hugged me close and tight. I promised myself that I would remain strong throughout the funeral but by the time Nanoha's body was put into the ground I was crying my eyes out again. Nanoha's death was so depressing and cruel that I couldn't help myself not to cry. I loved Nanoha so much, she was my best friend dam it!
At that very moment, while my tears were flowing out of my eyes almost endlessly, I swore to myself internally that I would find Nanoha's killer. Nanoha's killer, who was certainly another vampire, must be defeated, and I must be the one to put a stop to him as Nanoha's best friend, not for revenge but to avenge her death.
After Nanoha's funeral concluded, some tears were still dripping out of my eyes in sadness.
"Wow, Aisa, you cried a lot. At this rate, you will give Ms. Komoe a run for her money in terms of how much you both make mini tsunamis by crying." Seiri said while joking around in an effort to cheer me up by making me laugh.
"Eh, Seiri, I don't even cry this much! This is all just a certain situation that demands it! Plus, teacher doesn't cry all the time, only sometimes." I said while pouting and crossing my arms to my chest
"But Aisa, Ms. Komoe is crying right now," Seiri said while pointing out something I somehow didn't realize until I saw it with my own eyes.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Tsukuyomi sobbed while on her knees on the ground.
"Hahaha!" I giggled while holding my stomach in an effort to contain my laughter. I felt bad for Tsukuyomi, I really do, but the way she looks right now resembles a child throwing a tantrum for not getting a cookie that was promised to them. It's kind of annoying, but like in a funny and cute way.
"Aisa-chan! Are you really laughing at me while I'm crying? That's so mean! Why do you always have to tease me when I'm feeling upset?" Tsukuyomi said while she pouted and she lightly patted my stomach in retaliation. Probably because Tsukuyomi was so short that she couldn't reach my head.
"Hahaha! You already know the answer to that question, teacher. It's because I love you, Tsukuyomi. Plus it's really fun to tease you for your funny reactions to me poking fun at you." Oh and bonus, you are short and you look like a child, so that's an extra reason why I do it." I said with a very cheerful grin while continuing to giggle.
"Awwww! Hey, wait a minute! That's uncalled for to tell me that I'm short and that I look like a child right to my face! I can't help how I look! You are so mean! Aisa-chan! Tsukuyomi said as she continued to lightly pat my stomach in her own way of retaliation against me for my comments concerning her. There is still and will forever be a hole in my heart due to Nanoha's death but at the very least I'm glad that I can continue to have these moments of levity when I can laugh and enjoy myself to the fullest. However, that peaceful moment wouldn't last forever.
While I was laughing so very hard, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that I was currently being watched by a person I have never seen before. I proceeded to stop giggling.
"Hey Tsukuyomi and Seiri, I'll be right back. I have to use the bathroom, so I should only be away for a few minutes." I said while trying to keep the cheerful look on my face to the best of my ability as I walked in the direction of the individual who was watching me.
"Ok, be back soon, Aisa-chan!" Tsukuyomi and Seiri said in unison which kind of shocked me for a second because only Tsukuyomi uses 'chan' when she addresses me.
After lying to both Tsukuyomi and Seiri, I proceeded to make my way towards the person who was watching me. I couldn't make out what he or she looked like from a distance because the person blended into the surroundings very well, could this person be another vampire?
"It's about time. It took you so long to notice me that I was considering throwing a small rock at your head in order to get your attention, Deep Blood." The person who was watching me said while it threw a rock in the air and caught it. The person was wearing a jacket that blended in with the colors of the trees of the forest near the graveyard when the jacket somehow turned completely white along with the rest of their clothing.
"Who are you, and why were you watching me? If you are a vampire, I will curb stomp you into the ground right now. Also if you have any intention to harm my friends in any way, I will still curb stomp you into the ground." I said while making a battle stance. The person who was watching me had boobs that were smaller than mine, but it meant that this person was a girl. Although, I couldn't make out her face that well because of the hood that was concealing the girl's face, the only thing that I could notice about her face was the pair of glasses that she was wearing.
"Hahaha! Ooooh! Very scary! Exactly what I expected from you, Deep Blood. However, my intention is not to fight you, the reason I'm here is to give you information." The white hooded girl said while pushing her glasses into her face in an effort to readjust them.
"Information? What information could I possibly want? Plus, why should I trust whatever you say? I've never seen you before in my entire life until now so I can't say you are a trustworthy and reliable source of information." I said while keeping my fists in the air so that I wouldn't be caught in a possible surprise attack.
"That's correct. You have never seen me before until this very moment, so it's your choice. Believe me or not, whatever you decide to do with my information is up to you, though I don't really care either way. My only goal is to spark chaos, so do whatever the hell you like, Deep Blood." The white hooded girl said with a smug smile, I couldn't see it due to the hood that was concealing her face, but I just knew it was there. For some reason that I can't explain, I find this girl really annoying, so much though I kind of want to punch her in the face even if her information is accurate or not. But that girl looks kind of familiar, could it actually be?
"Hey, wait a minute! Are you somehow related to a short, annoying girl who wears a nun's habit with gold highlights and has a flat chest? Because you kind of look like her." I said while pointing one of my fingers towards the white hooded girl in bewilderment.
"I don't know who the hell you are referring too but clearly I'm not a nun. Wait, are you calling me flat, hahaha! Like your chest is any better or bigger than mine!" The white hooded girl said while laughing and holding her left hand to her mouth and her right hand to her stomach.
"Hahaha! You see that's where you are wrong, your bust size is obviously only an A cup. However, my chest size is a B cup! I said while laughing as I raised my arms up high in the air like I was a supervillain. Although I was avoiding the truth of the matter which is that, a B cup size is just the average bust size for all girls that are my age.
"What? That's impossible! There's no way your chest size is bigger than mine! Is what I would say if I actually gave a shit." The white hooded girl said with a smug smile, I just know it is there, even though I can't see it with my own eyes.
"Whatever. So what is this 'information' that I would oh so desperately want to know that you are planning to tell me?" I said sarcastically while putting my hands to my hips in retaliation for her comment earlier. Even ignoring the resemblance that this girl has to that short, annoying girl who wears a nun's habit with gold highlights and has a flat chest, this white hooded girl still really pisses me off.
"So you are actually interested in what I have to say, I'm flattered, hahaha! All joking aside, to cut right to the chase, there are more vampires that are trying to kill you, three of them." The white hooded girl said while explaining what I already assumed as a fact.
"Is that it? I already guessed that there were more vampires that are after me because of the murder of my best friend, so if that is all the so-called 'information' you have to offer me, I suggest you leave before you piss me off even more than you already have." I said while cracking my knuckles towards the white hooded girl in retaliation.
"Calm down and let me finish Deep Blood. Oh, but before I continue, if we were both to ever engage in a fight between each other, you would be the one on the ground covered in your own blood." The white hooded girl said while she shattered the rock that she was throwing in the air, as she glared at me. I could only see what was under her hood for a split second but all I could notice were just her glasses on her face again. The white hooded girl was completely serious.
"Alright, fine, I'm calm now. So what is the rest of this 'information' that you want to share with me and how will this help me in any way against the vampires that are after me? I said while calming myself down, I didn't know this white hooded girl too well because I only just met her. Hell, I don't even know this girl's name, but this white hooded girl seems different from anyone else I have ever met, she is definitely dangerous no matter how I look at her.
"Hahaha! It will only be useful information depending on how you use it to your advantage against the three vampires that are after you and that are trying to kill you as we speak. The truth is that these vampires are similar to the Vampire King Korn that you faced off against last week and somehow managed to kill. These vampires that are after you are similar to Korn for three reasons. First of all, all four of the vampires worked alongside each other. Second of all, they are all at a level where each of their strength is not much different. And finally, third, the vampires that are after you are Vampire Kings, all three of them." The white hooded girl said while explaining the truth of the situation that I now find myself in.
"What? You are telling me that the vampires that are after me are all Vampire Kings? And they are all just as strong as that vampire bastard? No. This has to be a joke. There's just no way this is possible?! I said while my jaw dropped to the ground, as I was trembling uncontrollably.
I already assumed that there are vampires after me and that they were working with Korn, but what I meant by that is that I thought they were just his run-of-the-mill goons. I would have never assumed that the vampires that are after me would be Vampire Kings like Korn, not just one, but all of three of them. I was shocked beyond belief. I couldn't believe it. No. I just didn't want to believe it. I was scared. Actually to say that I was scared would be an understatement. I was downright terrified.
"As I said earlier, believe me, or don't. I don't really care, either way, what you do now is your own choice. Either, you let the vampires that are after you, capture you and then you scream in agony for hours on end as they torture you while you wish that you were dead until they finally grant you a cruel, brutal, merciless death. Or you kill them first. It's your call, either way as long as I get to watch someone die as they regret their past decisions, I'll be satisfied." The white hooded girl said while stepping on an ant with her foot and killing it in the process.
"So my only choice is to kill or be killed? What kind of sick game is this? I-I can't, I don't want to do either of those choices!" I yelled while I was gasping for breath, as I was losing my balance. I feel sick. I feel sick. I feel sick. I don't want to kill anymore! I'm tired of seeing a person's corpse be torn to shreds to the point that they are unrecognizable and a bloody mess on the floor due to my actions! But if I don't kill I'll die? I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I have to live my life in honor of Nanoha's memory!
"Hey, is this seriously such a hard decision to make for you? All you need to do is kill. Think about it, it's not so hard to kill someone, you've done it plenty of times before, murderer." The white hooded girl whispered into my ear while I couldn't take it anymore and projectile vomited onto the ground. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill! Why do I always have to kill someone? I hate it. I've always hated it! Why the hell can't someone just give up and surrender so that I don't have to see their lifeless corpse on the ground? I felt trapped between the choice of killing or dying. I don't want to kill anymore. So maybe I should just accept my fate and die.
I then remembered the faces of everyone that has given me the will to live and that have made me happy throughout my life. Tsukuyomi. Seiri. Toma. Nanoha. No. I hate to admit it, I really do, but this smug girl is right. I can't let the people that I care about be forced to grieve over my death. I also can't let Nanoha's killer get away with the crime of murdering my best friend. And I want to continue to live and feel happiness. So my choice was obvious from the beginning.
"I'll fight. I'll fight them. I'll fight the vampires that are after me and I will kill them! Every last one of them!" I yelled while I rubbed off the leftover vomit from my lips and as I raised my fist in the air and clenched it. I made my decision and I will stick by my choice, even if I have to kill again so that I could live, and even if it makes me a worse person than I already am. After all, I've always been a selfish person.
"Ooooh! Such big and threatening words for someone who was just vomiting less than a minute ago! I told you it wasn't that hard of a choice. I just remembered one more thing before I go. Don't forget to use your 'blood' power against the other three Vampire Kings, unless you want to die." The white hooded girl said while jumping up in the air as she grabbed a tree branch that was five meters in the air. That jump was insane!
"I will use my power against them so don't go worrying about me, whoever you are! I said while pointing my middle finger at the white hooded girl. I don't know much about my 'blood' powers other than the fact that it must be a side skill for my Esper ability, Deep blood. I only made a blood weapon once, while I was conscious in the death battle with Korn, hell, it was just dumb luck that I managed to conjure a blood weapon at all. But, I will use my 'blood' powers more and master them so that I can kill all three of the Vampire Kings that are after me.
"Wow! You are feisty, aren't you? Hahaha! I like that pissed-off attitude of yours! My name doesn't really matter that much, so you can call me Kira. I can't wait to see the results that your decision will entail and the suffering that will come with it. See you later, Aisa." Kira said while jumping onto the top of the tree that she was on as she got away from my line of sight.
"Tch, what an annoying bastard," I whispered to myself while clicking my tongue and kicking up some dirt with my shoe in anger. I never gave her permission to call me by my name so she's better off not using it, plus it pisses me off. What the hell is that girl's deal anyway using the name 'Kira' which means killer in Japanese, and the way she talks about horrible things like suffering if they were something exciting to watch. Jeez, that girl is completely insane.
After Kira left the forest, I decided to walk back to the graveyard where Tsukuyomi and Seiri are. There were many leaves falling from the trees, since it was autumn, and it was really cold that my body was shivering. I started thinking to myself, I really don't like 'Kira' all that much, she's really annoying and she always seems to have a smug look on her face. However, I'm thankful for the information that Kira has given to me; I can now plan a strategy to take down and kill the three remaining Vampire Kings. But, I can't defeat them alone.
The Vampire King Korn was so strong, that it was unreal, hell, it's hard to believe even for me and I saw its strength with my own eyes. I won't be able to defeat the rest of the Vampire Kings singlehandedly, there's just no way. If the three Vampire Kings try to tag-team against me, I'll be completely screwed, and I'll die. Even if I somehow master my 'blood' powers, I still can't do this alone, it will be too much for me to handle. Also, I don't want to do this alone. I'm scared. I'm really terrified to fight them. But, I know have to, even if it costs me my life.
"Even still, I'm going to need help in the fight against those vampire bastards," I said while making my way back to Tsukuyomi and Seiri, as I wondered about a question that I had. Who the hell is even willing to help me fight a trio of impossibly strong vampires?
Meanwhile at a certain restaurant in Academy City
"Holy shit! The food is getting cold! What the hell is taking that girl so long! Hamazura! Do what you are paid to do and find her right now!" A girl said with soft tea-colored hair while wearing a violet dress with shorts, along with black thigh-high socks and white boots. The tea-colored-haired girl wasn't the only person in the restaurant; she was accompanied by a tired-looking, black-haired high school girl wearing a pink tracksuit and another girl with short brown hair in a bob-cut and wearing an orange hoodie and hot pants.
"What do you mean? I don't even get paid for this job, Mugino, so what are you expecting me to do?" An ordinary teenager said with unruly blonde hair and wearing a brown jacket with blue jeans with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"Like I said, I'm expecting you to do your job even if you get paid or not! So do your dam job, Hamazura! And go find Frenda so that I could eat my food before it tastes like shit!" Mugino said while slamming her fist onto the table, as Hamazura got the message that she was not so subtly communicating to him, as Hamazura left the restaurant as quickly as he could in order to avoid Mugino's wrath.
"Dam it! Where the hell did that brat go to now?" Hamazura said to himself as he was running down the street in order to search for a certain girl named Frenda.
Hello everyone! Ren here! With this chapter I wanted Aisa to find out the truth that there are indeed more Vampire Kings that are after her which I foreshadowed in the previous chapter. I also wanted Aisa to make a clear choice to fight against the Vampire Kings and not let them just go to her, because in the battle with Korn she was mostly fighting for Tsukuyomi and she still is but also herself this time around and I wanted to emphasize that. This chapter also sets in motion a new character joining this story, it should be obvious, but yeah it's Frenda and she will play a huge role in this story going forward. Frenda is also one of my favorite characters in the A Certain Series and I have been dying to put her in the story, though that will be the next chapter. The next chapter will be out late tonight so look forward to it! I hope you guys are enjoying this series because I love writing this story and I'm trying to make it better with every chapter, so I appreciate the support! Get excited! Ren out!