A/N: Thanks to these here author notes and markup language, the word counts between online and in my docs are out of sync, but I hit 123,456 words on the doc today, half way through this chapter. I had a moment of madness where I thought to myself 'That's it. It's done. I can't do any more'.
That clearly didn't happen. Here's chapter 32 for your enjoyment!
He learned a lot in those first few frantically social hours. Ikko moved from seat to seat, squeezing into conversations and asking questions, doing his best to keep track of the information that was poured out onto him.
Kurumu lived in Tokyo, making ends meet as a hostess at a maid café whilst she pushed her online modelling presence, which served as both a creative outlet and, through the small community she'd built in crowdfunds, a safe space for monsters the world over to meet and interact.
As editor-in-chief of Under Moonlight, Ginei fielded articles local and international, subtly spreading awareness to once-isolated monster communities about goings on in the wider world. Their eclectic and random collection of stories had humans blissfully ignorant, dismissing it as a site for conspiracies and crank theories.
Haiji operated much more locally—indeed, he worked just down the road from the Kawamoto Inn at a local youth centre, teaching self-defense to humans and monsters alike.
Fangfang and Lingling—well, they were actually the scions of a Chinese criminal organization, but they seemed quite nice. Lingling kept making eyes at his neck and chest, casually suggesting that his abilities would be much improved if he let them turn him into a jiangshi. Fangfang didn't have much time for Ikko, insisting instead that he should join the illustrious Huang family and serve with distinction as one of his first human retainers.
San and Marin seemed the most level-headed of the bunch. For some reason, San communicated exclusively through a notepad, scribbling words and faces to convey her feelings. Marin had only warmed to the world of monsters in the past few years, or so she said; some unspoken weight lingered in the way she and San discussed it, which Ikko didn't pry into. On the off-season, she and San helped Haiji at the youth centre.
He was about done with his circuit, excusing himself from Marin's company as she snapped open what seemed to be her fifth beer of the afternoon, when he looked across the tables to see who was last to catch up with. His friends seemed comfortable where they were. Tsukune and Mizore were catching up. Ruby and Yukari were deep in conversation with Koko, who didn't seem all that interested in socialising. That just left Moka. Ikko looked her way.
She stared back. Their eyes locked across the room, hers deep, blood-soaked pools that gleamed clearly even at this distance. Her every movement seemed controlled, poised, coiled, as if every single sinew lurking beneath the flawless alabaster of her skin prepared to strike at any moment.
Abashed, he looked down and made a show of grabbing more food, circling back around to Etsuko and Su. When he dared look next, she was muttering something to Tsukune, smiling gently into a kiss. He tried not to catch Mizore's eyes, turning his chair fully to face them. "Some storm."
"Right?" Etsuko looked up from her phone, "It should be easing by tomorrow, but we're gonna be stuck indoors 'till at least tonight."
"Hope you packed something to do," Su added, "So… what do you think?"
"Hm?"
"You've been butterflying your way about—what do you think? Tell us!"
"Oh, right." Ikko folded his arms, summarising his conversations. When he reached the end, he said. "They've got this pretty well-figured out."
"They've had some practise," Su answered, "You should have seen it last year. Barely a proper idea between them, just a vague notion that they needed to do… something."
"I almost wonder where we're going to fit in."
"We'll find something to do," Etsuko assured, "That's why he brought you on, right? And why you brought us."
Ikko made a noise, pensieve. "Speaking of us," he said gesturing her way, "You and Kia."
"Huh?"
"When'd you get so cuddly?"
"When'd you get so nosy?" she rebuffed him. Ikko gestured to her, Su, and the Newspaper Club at large.
"Call it my journalistic instinct. You've rubbed off on me."
"Ha! Touché." Etsuko sighed, her cheeks flushing, "You don't beat the tar out of a shared ex without learning to be a little friendly, Ikko. Maybe when you've broken up with someone, you'll understand."
"I'd need a girlfriend first."
"Can't help you there," Etsuko shook her head, "But keep your chin up, eh? I see the way that Huang girl looks at you."
He shuddered. "Pass."
"I thought you liked 'em cold?" Su quipped.
Etsuko's eyes shot open. She gawped at Ikko. "You what?"
"Kia!" Ikko shouted, fleeing. No way in hell was he dealing with that now.
Starved of a response from him, Etsuko grabbed Su by the arm, shaking her. "What does that mean!? Tell me!"
She hadn't heard him in the lashing rain just beyond the lobby, and he was thus waylaid by Gin and Haiji without an excuse to get by. Gin waved him down. "Akada, Akada, c'mere. Question for ya."
"What?" Ikko hunched. Both men wore smirks, the intent of which he could only guess.
"It's important," Haiji insisted, which didn't comfort him in the least, "Sit down."
"Alright…" He scraped a chair over.
"You're new here," Gin began, clasping Ikko roughly on the shoulder, "So we gotta know, before we let you get back to your prowling."
"Prowling? Who's prowling?"
"Listen, Akada," Haiji leaned closer, placing his arm over Ikko's shoulder. They pulled him into a conspiratorial hunch, effectively surrounding him, "Of all the things you say today, this will be the most vital."
"To your success in the week to come, for sure," Gin murmured, "If you wanna get what you want out of this."
"O-okay, okay, I get it. This is important. What's up?"
Gin sneered. "Which one's your type?"
Ikko's heart sank. "Oh my god…"
"It's a simple question," Haiji pressed, with intensity that was characteristic of the man but wholly inappropriate for the airs his karate gi inspired, "Just give us a name. Who's your type?"
"No no no, Haiji. It's more than just a name. C'mon, Akada. Be bold."
"I'm not having this conversation," Ikko buried his face in his hands, "Not a chance."
Gin's hand squeezed. "You saying none of them strike your fancy?"
"Or is it all of them?" Haiji's arm tightened.
"It's private!" Ikko yelped, more claustrophobic by the second. First Su, now this? He would take being forced to introduce himself a thousand times before he countenanced this question. He wriggled, trying to get out from the combined weight of two men who, even holding their strength back, had him quite efficiently locked in place.
"Of course it's private—why do you think we're whispering?"
"Well, what about you two?"
"Ah, ah, Akada. We asked first."
"You're hurting me!" Ikko groaned. This, at least, caused them to ease off, though they didn't surrender their line of questioning. Sandwiched between them, regretting not dealing with Etsuko instead, he looked around. What could he say to get them off his back?
He saw Ruby, covering her mouth to laugh at something Koko said. "Muh—"
"Mature?" Haiji groaned.
"My man!" Gin slapped Ikko on the back. "Right answer."
"Can I go now?"
But the pair had devolved into bickering, the content of which Ikko didn't want any part of. He used their distraction to sneak out of his chair, longing now for a quiet spot to calm down. It just so happened that his escape from the boys had deposited him near the stairs that led up to their rooms.
The storm howled like static, wind slamming against the walls. Hopefully it covered his escape. Ikko took the steps two at a time, making a beeline for 203. He locked the door behind him.
Peace. Not even the raucous explosions of laughter reached him up here, drowned out by the lashing rain. Breathing out in a vain attempt to dislodge the lingering tension in his chest, he moved over to the window, giving shape and fury to the howling just beyond the inn. He couldn't see anything; not the beach, not the city, nothing. The rain cut them off from the rest of the world, their own little Borderland sustained by freak weather.
A scratching drew his attention. Ikko returned his attention to the room in time to see the lock click. He checked his pockets—did he not have the key? Was there no escaping the chaos?
A chance at relief came in the form of Mizore, pushing into the room and locking it behind her, but all he could see was her intrusion on his attempt at privacy. "Whew," she announced, "I forgot how busy it got…"
"Did you steal the key?" Ikko accused, sounding meaner than he'd intended to. Mizore arched an eyebrow his way.
"Moka had it. She was the last to shower in the room." She threw it back to him; he fumbled and only just caught it. "Don't let it out of your sight again."
"Sure." He stowed it. Was that the reason she'd been watching him? "You here to drag me back?"
"Wow, you really are tired." Mizore laughed. "I came to join you, actually. Looking for you was the perfect excuse to catch my breath."
Ikko blew air out of his nose, nostrils flaring. She yet smiled, but the tone of her words listed towards severity. "I can leave if you want. Any more snark and I'll just grab a different room."
She held a mirror up to his attitude. Ikko deflated, abandoning his bluster. "Sorry, sorry. I just—"
"Don't worry," she interjected, crossing the room, "I get it."
"It's so busy. How do people have so much to talk about?"
"Beats me. I'd run out of things to say just after you left me at the top of the table. Still, for some of them, it's been almost a year since they were together. I know the Huangs haven't had much time to catch up."
"You didn't tell me that 'the family' meant the 'we'll bury you in the foundations' kind of family."
"It wouldn't have changed anything if I had. They're good people. Underground networks like that are vital for some monster communities."
"Seriously?"
"Think about it," she explained, "Some monsters require things to survive that 'polite society' won't get them. Where systems fail, we have to take matters into our own hands."
"Huh… Like blood?"
"I wasn't gonna say it, but yeah. Some vampires can't, or won't, drink blood straight from humans. Organisations like the Huang family help mitigate the risk in trying to secure it."
A particularly violent gust rattled the window frame. Ikko looked back to the storm. "Not exactly the kind of heat you were expecting, is it?"
"Nope, but it's not so bad," Mizore folded her arms, joining him at the wall, "Suits you, by the way."
"Hm?"
She mimicked the shape of a ponytail with her hands. Ikko felt for the bundled hair. "Oh. Uh, thanks. You…"
He trailed off, looking at her. Like him, she seemed to have selected whichever clothes weren't soaked through in her bags. Along with her still-drying hair, a sleeveless top and pyjama shorts made her look ready to crawl into bed; were it not still the early afternoon, he might have been inclined to entertain the idea. "You look good," he managed, feeling silly.
She scoffed. "No, I don't. I needed something to wear."
"I think some of my shirts survived, if you're cold."
"You're asking me if I'm cold?"
"Oh."
She smiled. "I might just take you up on it, though. Gin's leering."
"What is with those two?" Ikko asked, locating his suitcase amidst the collection of them in the corner. Part of getting in had meant separating out all the wet clothes for a wash, so now only dried garments remained.
"He's a perv. Haiji's not normally so bad, but they just feed off each other. The only one they don't lech on is Ruby."
"Really?"
"Yeah. No idea how she managed it."
"Does it bother you?"
"A little," Mizore shifted, "But it's just his way, y'know? Besides, I can't deny that it hasn't been useful."
"Eh?"
She held up a clenched fist. "Combat training."
Ikko snorted. He brought over a shirt, holding it open for her. She thanked him, buttoning it loosely and pulling her hair out from under the collar. Their similar heights made it an easy fit, if slightly too long. "How do I look?" she said, twirling.
He clenched his jaw, casting his eyes down. The hem was just long enough to hide her shorts, leaving nothing but leg exposed. "I think I made it worse."
"Worse?"
"Well, better. For Gin."
"And for you?"
"I—hey!" he protested, "Don't pin me to his level!"
"Don't think I didn't see you before, all huddled up," she teased, stepping closer, "What did he show you? Kurumu's online collection?"
"No—god, no! Nothing like that!" Ikko panicked, "They were asking me what my type was. Wouldn't let me go until I told them."
"It's been a while since they've had a guy that wasn't Fangfang. They're excited."
"I can tell. Practically broke my arm to get me to say." He rolled his shoulder, which still throbbed.
"And? What did you tell them?"
"Nothing—they got so excited that I answered that they didn't really care what I answered. They started fighting."
"But you did answer," she pressed.
Ikko rolled his eyes. "What is with everyone? First Su, then him, now you…"
"What? I can't be curious?"
"You can, but…" he squirmed, complaining, "I don't know. I've never really thought about it."
Mizore tipped her head, glacial eyes shifting. "Never?"
"N-no." Ikko couldn't meet her eyes as he lied.
He had thought about it. Once.
Sensing his discomfort, she retreated and sat down on the floor, back against the wall. She patted the space next to her. Ikko shuffled over, slumping down with a groan. He pulled his hairtie out, letting his hair spill free to push his hands through. It felt like getting a handle on his brain, caging his scattered thoughts between his fingers to push them back into place. "It's going to be full on this whole week," Mizore warned him, looking across, "You'd best get used to the chaos, and fast."
"I thought this was supposed to be a holiday?"
"It will be, some days. But not the dozing on the beach kind."
"Ugh…" Ikko hunched forward. He rested his elbow on his knee, propping up an open palm that served as a cushion for his chin. "Well—if I wanted peaceful, I would've fled at the first sight of monsters."
"You're catching on."
The tiniest lull in the storm allowed the chatter downstairs to rise like the tide, soaking through the floorboards. Ikko frowned. "How long do you think we can stay up here?"
"Before people start asking questions?" Mizore checked, "It's probably already too late."
"Yeah…" he grumbled, making to stand.
She seized him by the hem of his top, pulling him back down. "They'd talk anyway," she murmured, "Don't worry about it."
Ikko surrendered, getting as comfortable as he could with a solid wall at his back. Mizore shifted, pulling her legs up and angling her body towards him, hand slipping away from the small of his back.
"Next time," he began, trying to stretch some comfort into his body, "Let's go for another Golden Week."
"Hm?"
"Quiet. Relaxing—maybe less tears this time."
"Yeah… less tears would be nice," Mizore concurred, "Are you angling to steal another weekend away?"
"That depends. You got another exam you need a distraction from?"
"No, no exams. Don't get your hopes up, though," she sighed, "I can only call in so many favours. I doubt we'll get leave to sneak out to the human world any time soon."
"I thought as much," Ikko tipped his head, looking at the door, "I guess we just… steal what time we can."
Mizore looked at him, a soft smile spreading across his features. He hadn't noticed her gaze, not yet. His words heated her cheeks, though it was clear he didn't reckon their impact. Speaking of Golden Week brought the memories of that night back. Pizza, phone calls, tears… and warmth, too. It twisted in her stomach, compelling her, overriding good sense. She moved closer still, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and pulling him into an embrace.
He neither protested nor moved to stop her, leaning into the crook of her neck. "What're you doing?" he eventually asked.
"Stealing what time I can," she answered, "What about you?"
He hummed, thoughtful. Eventually he nudged upwards, bringing his arm out from its cross and properly accepting her. "Maybe the storm's not so bad."
"You think?"
"Mm. Listen to it," he said, closing his eyes, "You could lose yourself in that rain."
"Don't," Mizore breathed, "I'd only have to get soaked again."
"Gin would have a field day, I'm guessing?"
"You too," she kept her tone light, "You didn't say no."
He gulped. "No. I didn't. Should I have?"
"How am I supposed to answer that?"
"Uh…" Ikko stammered.
"It's just us here," Mizore assured him, "You don't need to second-guess yourself. Say what you mean."
The wind whistled through the room. For the briefest moment, the storm eased, long enough for Mizore to hear his mumble with crystal clarity. "I like my shirt on you."
"Good," she replied, blushing, "So do I."