Another day, another migraine. Part of me thought that being at a school full of monsters would somehow change that, but school is school no matter who or where it is. But it's not all bad, I've managed to make a couple of friends on my first day. There's Moka Akashiya, a cute and kind vampire. Hard to believe that underneath that sweet smile is a powerful and terrifying vampire. There's also Tsukune Aono, a...human. Sure, I said that Yokai Academy is a school full of monsters, but not him, he's a fully flesh and blood human. During this week, he confided in me and Moka that he got accepted here after failing all of his entrance exams for his previous schools. His parents found a flyer from Yokai Academy from a scary-looking monk that he dropped. So, Yokai Academy was his only place for him to go. I don't think he's stupid when it comes to academics, like his whole persona, I think he's average but overall he's a good guy.

I didn't imagine I'd have to use magic on my first day as well. It felt awesome how much power I had when I used my sparks spell. Of course, I'll have to thank my mother for providing them for me. But if I can find another way around the solution, I'll use it. I can't always rely on magic, though I never really did back at home or my old schools. I'm a bit out of my element even if I was back in a human school.

The first week was alright, despite getting into a fight on the first day. Gladly, Saizou hasn't bothered the three of us since. One thing that's been a constant has been Moka sucking Tsukune's blood every single day. I'm kinda glad she only bit me once, but if I'm being honest. I think Tsukune's getting a little tired of it. It's cute and all when she sucks his blood, but I'm pretty sure it's not healthy for humans to lose blood like that on a daily basis.

The walk from the dorms to the Academy is a hassle, but I honestly need the workout. I'm not overweight, but I'm one cheeseburger away from having a dad body. At least I'm not walking around with Saizou's ugly mug. My morning walks to school have been peaceful, even if the atmosphere is not quite so. It's quiet, no one around to bother me, the only thing that would make this perfect is listening to my playlist. Unfortunately, there's still no signal out here but I did hear from Ms. Nekonome that Yokai Academy will soon install wi-fi so I'll be able to listen to my playlist. I have some downloaded songs on my phone, but that's only around thirty songs, clearly not enough.

"Ah, here it is." I always like walking by this small pond that resides outside Yokai Academy. It even has a nice bench. I wonder if I'll be able to sneak out one night and stargaze here. Mom taught me that astrology is a type of divination that involves the forecasting of earthly and human events through the observation and interpretation of the fixed stars, the sun, the moon, and the planets. Us magic folk mostly use it for prophecies, talismans, and benevolence such as healing, protection, and spiritual growth. I sometimes do it just because I like looking at the stars. This morning's walk is...a little different than usual. That would be because there's a girl kneeling by the pond. Is she...crying? "Hey, are you okay?"

"Please...help me..." The girl weakly says.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm...so faint..."

"Here," I reach my hand down to her. "Let me help you. Can you stand?"

"I..." The girl looks up at me, revealing her beautiful violet eyes. "Thank you...so much."

I help her to her feet. The girl seems okay for now, but I think I should get her to a nurse. "Do you think you can walk? Let me take you to the nurse."

The girl nods, then almost falls over before I catch her. "Oh...I'm sorry... I've always been delicate, you see...it's my chest." The girl starts getting a little too close for comfort. "See, I have these spasms...and my chest feels so tight-"

"TMI! I don't need to know! Let's just get you to a nurse!"

"Huh?" The girl tilts her head, looking directly into my eyes. "What's wrong? You look...nervous." She says with a sweet smile.

Her eyes...so pretty...and her hair...such a beautiful blue color... Wait, what? I shake off whatever just came over me. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

The girl looks confused. "That...didn't work?"

"What...'didn't work'"

"N-Nothing! Uh... My name's...Kurumu Kurono."

"I'm...Elijah Everett." Okay, I think I should go. This is getting a little strange, plus she seems fine to walk on her own. "Are you gonna be okay now?

"Y-Yeah...thanks again," Kurumu says disappointedly

I nod. "No problem. I'll see you around." As I walk off, I can't help but feel like she's staring me down. What is it about that girl? Is she...upset? But why? She said her name was Kurumu. Kurumu...oh yeah! I remember that name in homeroom. She sits behind me, I think. I can't believe I didn't recognize her. Well, I guess I only pay attention to class itself rather than anyone else. Speaking of, I better hurry. Class will begin soon.

"Yo, Tsukune."

The boy turns to me. "Oh, good morning, Elijah."

I nod. "You seem in a good mood."

He shrugs. "I guess I'm just glad I made it through my first week. You guys have really helped me ever since I came here."

I point behind us. "Speaking of." My gesture is referring to the cute vampire that's only a few yards from us. Once she sees us, she sprints to us boys and right past the trio of other boys gawking at her. Moka hugs Tsukune tightly with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Tsukune!"

"Oh, uh...good morning to you too, Moka."

"Aww, now ain't that precious?"

I hear the boys behind us grumble on about how someone as beautiful as Moka hangs around 'losers' like us, makes me want to clock them in the jaw, but I don't wanna waste the energy. I even heard one of them mention how Tsukune managed to beat Saizou up. I don't even know how the story became that he beat him up. I mean, the kid's tough in some ways, but at least I actually fought the guy for a minute. Moka did a hell of a job too. I just ignore them and continue our walk to school.

"Tsukune..." Moka says. "I know it must be lonely being the only human here. But I'm here for you. If there's anything I can do...just ask, okay?"

"Moka..."

I nudge him in his right arm. "Hey. You got me too, man."

He chuckles. "Thanks...woah!" Moka nearly faints onto Tsukune, which can only mean... Oh boy... "Are you okay, Moka?"

"I'm sorry..." Moka bites into Tsukune's neck, sucking his blood as he lets out a pained yell.

"AHH!"

"Saw that coming." The boy runs around frantically once Moka releases him. It's almost hard not to laugh hysterically at how funny he looks.

"Moka! You can't treat me like I'm your breakfast!" Tsukune runs off, leaving me and Moka alone.

"Oh, no... I'm sorry..."

I understand Tsukune being upset, but I think he's being a little overdramatic. Sure it hurt a little when she bit me, but it wasn't like being shot. Well, I've never been shot so I can't really compare the two. "You know, he has a point, Moka."

"Huh?"

"Well, for the past week, you've sucked Tsukune's blood almost twice a day. You even tried to suck my blood again but I said no after you've already had Tsukune twice that day. How do you think that makes him feel?"

Moka looks down to the ground, fidgeting with her school bag. "I guess you have a point. But I don't see Tsukune as food at all!"

"Then just tell him that."

"But he-"

"Not now. Just let him cool down for a minute. We'll see him later. Don't worry, I highly doubt he can be mad at you." I playfully nudge her arm.

She smiles, but still sounds so unsure. "I hope you're right."

"Are you sure he's not upset at me?"

"Well, I'm sure it feels unnatural for him when you suck his blood twenty-four-seven."

Moka looks down in shame. "I-I'm sorry! His blood just smells so good! I can't help myself!"

"Still, Moka. I think the best thing you can do is apologize."

"...Yeah, you're right."

I nod. "Come on, let's see if he's around."

We search for our friend and all the while, my thoughts go back to that girl from earlier, Kurumu. From what I remember, she was an entire foot shorter than me, light ocean-blue hair tied in a ponytail with a purple maid headband with a little star on the left side, her eyes almost matching her headband but only a deeper purple. No doubt she was cute, too. Yet I can't help but wonder what type of monster she could be, she seemed disappointed after our interaction. I hope I didn't come off as a jerk of sorts. She looked like a nice girl.

"Tsukune?"

"Huh?" I look back up from my thoughts, I guess I must've really spaced out. My eyes are met with Tsukune wrapping his arms around...Kurumu? "Wait, what?"

"What's going on? Who is this girl?"

Kurumu sneers at us. Well, more at Moka. "Who am I? I'm in his class. We're friends now." Kurumu leans into Tsukune's shoulder. "Right, stud-muffin?"

"'Stud-muffin?'" I say dumbfoundedly

"Right. We're in the same class...babe." Tsukune holds her even tighter. His voice sounded monotone like he was...not in control. What the hell is going on?

"Well, we should get going Tsukune, because class is about to start." Kurumu looks directly into Tsukune's eyes, just like...she did with me earlier. I approach the pair, getting in between them.

"Now, hold on just a second. Tsukune, what's gotten into you?"

Kurumu taps me on the shoulder, causing me to look back at her. "Oh, come on..." She looks into my eyes. "Wouldn't you rather want to hang out with me?"

Her eyes...need- No! I shake off this familiar, unsettling feeling again. I now look at Kurumu with a stern expression. "I'd rather not."

"Hmph! Your loss. Come on, Tsukune." The latter follows Kurumu like a dog on a leash while she laughs oh so innocently.

"Wait, Tsukune!" Moka pleads.

"No. I don't want to wait for you. I'm tired of being used as a substitute for your breakfast." Tsukune says with the same monotone voice.

"That's just awful..." Kurumu looks back to Moka, her smug yet beautiful face mocking her. "to think she'd use you for breakfast. Let's go before she has you for lunch too."

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

They leave both Moka and myself completely confused. How could Tsukune say that to her? No. There's gotta be a logical explanation for this. It has to be connected with her eyes. What is she? I need to do some research.

"But...Tsukune..."

But first, I need to tend to a devastated Moka. "Moka, there's no way this is him doing this on his own fruition."

"What are you talking about? Didn't you see how he was basically all over her?"

"I did. But do you really think Tsukune's the kind of person to just hop from one girl to another?"

"Well...no..."

"Exactly. I don't know what's gotten into him either, but this is definitely not normal. I need to look into some things."

"So, Elijah. What do you think is going on?"

It's been almost an hour since Tsukune ran off with that girl, Kurumu. Moka could barely even look at Tsukune in class, and to be honest, neither could I. Tsukune may not be doing this on his own, but what he said still hurt Moka. "Well, I've been thinking during class, but I've only come up with two ideas of what's up with Tsukune."

"And they are?"

"This Kurumu girl could be a witch of sorts, but I've never seen any kind of sorcery bound to a person's eyes, so that's probably unlikely. The second..."

"What is it?"

"You won't like it... Kurumu could be a-"

"Oh? Did I hear my name just now?" Wait, what? Our attention brings Moka and I looking up to Kurumu now sitting on the edge of the guard rail on the stairs in front of us.

"Were you just sitting there this whole time?"

"That's not important." The blue-haired mysterious girl jumps down, and based on some of the other students around us and how they react, they definitely saw... Fucking prudes. "What's important is you, Moka." She points at the vampire.

"Huh? Me?"

"That's right. You're a vampire, right? It's quite the gossip in class. You see, I'm here to make a declaration of war."

"A declaration of war?" Moka and I say simultaneously

"Yeah, that's right. I've got this big plan and you keep messing it up, Moka."

"Huh? What 'plan?'"

"Allow me to explain. My plan is to turn all the boys in this school into my personal love slaves!" Kurumu poses in a flirtatious way, flaunting her almost petite body.

My expression is a mix of dumbfoundedness and disgust. "I'm sorry, what now?"

Kurumu continues despite my reaction. "And it's been working thanks to my 'booby trap.'" Okay, that pun was definitely intended. "Plenty of guys have been falling into it, and why wouldn't they? I am a succubus after all!"

I lightly gasped as my second hypothesis turned out to be true. Kurumu is a succubus; A female spirit identified since the middle ages who enters the dreams of sleeping men to seduce them. They tend to bend men against their will with their charm and alluring spells. No wonder Tsukune was all over her like that! But wait...how come when she did it to me, it did nothing? I mean, I felt more attracted to her in the moment she did it, but it had no lasting effect on me. But why?

"Wait," Moka replies. "You shouldn't reveal your monster identity to me. It's against school rules."

"I can't stand it!" Kurumu yells. "An airhead like you getting in the way of my plan! Every boy in school would've been mesmerized by my beauty until you came along!" Kurumu gets right in Moka's face, causing her to cower. "I will never lose a battle of feminine charm! Do you hear me?!" That's why I decided to steal your little boyfriend from you! To show that you don't stand a chance against me!"

I get in between them, trying to de-escalate the situation. "Woah woah woah! Let's all just take a breath here. There's no need for this weird harem plot thing going on."

Kurumu frowns at me. "Oh, don't even get me started with you! I don't know what you are or how you were immune to my trap, but sooner or later, all men give in to their desires."

"Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I don't know how I didn't either." Either people have weak minds, or I'm surrounded by a bunch of creeps and losers. I quickly glance around, finally noticing how many guys are gawking at Kurumu. More so at her features...one in particular. It's the latter...

"So..." She gets in my face, staring me down. "Why try fighting?"

No...stop...can't... I step back, composing myself. "No thank you."

She crosses her arms. "You'll give in, eventually." The succubus lets out a small giggle. "Tsukune on the other hand...he has a very pleasant scent, doesn't he? Almost like a human..." She turns to Moka. "Is his blood tasty Moka? Is that what you use him for? Good luck finding another food source after I take him from you!"

"N-No!" Moka says. "Leave Tsukune out of this!"

"Moka!" Speak of the devil... "Oh, there you are. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disappear like that."

"Tsukune..."

"Ans...there's something else I want to apologize to you for..."

"OOOO! It's my hero!" Kurumu ponces on Tsukune, hugging him tightly with her chest pressed up against is. "How can I ever thank you, Tsukune?"

Tsukune tries to push Kurumu off of him. "I'm sorry, but I need to talk to Moka." The Succubus stares down Tsukune once again. Oh, shit. "But...then again, why would I want to do that?"

"Tsukune...Please believe me... She's going to devour you!"

"Devoure me? But you're the one who sucks my blood, Moka." Okay, I know that one hurt. "I see, all I am to you is a substitute for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Moka."

"Tsukune! Snap the hell- Moka?" The girl to my left cries her eyes out thanks to this girl's cruel plan. Moka runs away, crying the whole way out of the school. Kurumu begins to laugh at the poor vampire girl's despair.

"Yeah, run away, you loser!"

This girl... I grit my teeth, but I hold back my resentment and run after Moka...but not without having the last word. "This isn't over!"

"Moka! There you are...Moka?" When I finally found her, the poor girl was sitting on the steps, still crying her heart out.

"Do I...only like Tsukune for his blood? Am I really just-"

"Moka!" My firm tone makes her jump. "Didn't you hear that girl? She's a succubus, Tsukune is under her control! Even though it came from his mouth, he would never say such things to you!"

He's right...

"Huh? Who said that?" I look around for that mysterious voice...why did it sound familiar?

Down here, dummy.

"M-My rosary?!"

"What the hell? Wait...does this mean?"

Yes. I'm the other Moka speaking deep from within the outer Moka's psyche, using the rosary as a medium...but that's not important right now. Elijah's right, a succubus is a demon who confounds men. It's said that a man who is kissed by one will be her slave...forever.

"Shit...that's right. Moka! We have to find Tsukune, now!"

"R-Right!"

You better hurry...before the poor sap is lost for good!

"Damn it! Where the hell is he?!"

"I don't know! Can't you just use one of your cards, Elijah?"

"I would...but they don't exactly grow on trees! Plus the one I used to find you was already used!"

"Can't you just make another one?"

"I can't make my own magic! Remember!?"

"R-Right...s-sorry..."

"It's fine, we'll find hi-"

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Moka and I look at each other as we both realize exactly who made that scream. We nod, then run toward its source, eventually leading us to the infirmary. I kick the door down, Moka follows right behind me. Inside, we find Kurumu...in her true form hovering over Tsukune. Large Black bat wings protruding out her back, a demonic-looking tail, and long fingernails I know that are her claws.

"Stop!"

"Moka!"

"Eh?!"

Moka looks...angry. "Get...away from him!" The girl pushes Kurumu so hard that she is thrown through the window.

"GYAAAA!"

"Tsukune, you okay, man?"

"Yeah, but what's going on? Why did you guys help me...after all those mean things I said?"

"That girl is a succubus," Moka answers. "She can bewitch men just by looking at them!"

"So that's why I said those terrible things to you, Moka."

"Heh. I knew you weren't yourself."

"HAHAHAHA! Knocking me all the way out here, I suppose you think you're strong. Now try it without the surprise. I'll finish all three of you at once!"

Using her tail, Kurumu wraps it around Tsukune's neck, pulling him through the window. "Tsukune!" Moka grabs onto the boy's legs, and I follow right behind her and grab hers. Kurumu doesn't get far thanks to our combined weight, instead, the three of us fall at least twenty feet to the ground.

"Ow...why did I even- OOF!"

Thankfully I broke Tsukune and Moka's fall. The girl gets off of me. "Tsukune, are you okay?"

"Yeah...wait, where's Elijah?"

I raise my hand with my face planted in the ground. "Right here. Now kindly get off of me."

"Oh! S-Sorry!" Tsukune hastily gets off and pulls me to my feet.

"Thanks, now where... Oh shit! Look out!" I push both Tsukune and Moka out of the way of Kurumu's swooping attack. When I look back, the trees around us have been cut clean through their trunks. I forgot how strong a Succubus' claws are, not to mention the aerial advantage they have in combat.

"She cut through those trees like they were butter..."

"You're not hurt, are you, Tsukune?"

"I'm fine."

Moka smiles. "If you were, I don't know what I would've done."

"But...Moka..."

"Guys," I get to my feet, dusting myself off. "I hate to ruin the tender moment, but may I remind you that a Succubus is trying to kill us?!"

"Right. Tsukune, please, take off my rosary!"

Tsukune gets a hold of Moka's rosary...but it doesn't even budge. "Damn, it won't come off! It came off easily last time!"

I hastily look around for my bag... Damn it! I left it back in my locker! Even if I did have it, I don't want to hurt Kurumu. Sure, she's trying to kill us, but I can sense something else in her. I don't know exactly what it is, but my gut's telling me that she really isn't a bad person. I may not have magic at my side this time, but I will still fight for my friends. I stand in front of them, then look up to Kurumu who now hovers over us, preparing for another attack. "Kurumu! Stop this! Is this really what you want?"

Kurumu only scoffs at me. "Oh, now I have your attention? I'm only doing what's natural. The only thing that men are good for is being slaves, playthings to my kind's will!"

"I know you don't really mean that!"

"Ha! You don't know anything about me! Now, you three are all going to die!"

"No!" Moka shouts from behind me. "You can kill me, but please, spare Tsukune and Elijah!"

"Moka? What are you-"

"Oh come on! You're still on about this? All Tsukune is to you is your food! And I don't even know what could possibly be your use of that one!" Kurumu points to me.

"No! Both Tsukune and Elijah are the first friends I've ever made! I care for them! That's my heart's truth!"

"Moka..." Tsukune whispers. Then the boy stands next to me, the two of us shielding Moka. "I won't let Moka suffer for me!"

From behind, a familiar blinding red light flashes over everyone. "What the? How did?" I look back at Tsukune, noticing the rosary in his left hand. He pulled it off! Which means...

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

That voice, there's no doubt. Tsukune did it, he freed the monster inside of Moka...her true self. The Vampire.

"Are you...really like the legends? Is this the true power of a vampire?"

"Why don't you come down here and find out? What's wrong? You afraid you'll lose? 'Little Miss Succubus.'"

Kurumu growls at Moka. "I won't lose! I can't! I'm on a very important mission! The fate of my race is at stake!"

"A mission?" Tsukune asks.

"Right. The race of Succubi is dying out. That's why we seduce men so we can meet our 'destined one.' My kind are few in number, so in order for my race to survive, we must carefully choose our 'destined one' from a large pool of men that we bewitched with our love charm. I almost succeded too..." Kurumu swoops down, heading straight for Moka. "But you, Moka Akashiya ruined all that! And you will pay!"

"I will pay? For interfering with your selfish little plans! You, sweetheart, need to learn a bit of..." Moka's eyes pierce into Kurumu's soul as they glow red. "...humility." Kurumu strikes, but only the air as Moka dodges her attack with ease, grabbing her tail in the process. "Too slow."

"Oh! My tail!"

"What if I pull this off? Will you learn your place?"

"No! Please!" Kurumu's pleas fall on flat ears as she is thrown over Moka's shoulder and slammed into the ground, leaving a small crater. Okay, that definitely hurt.

"Your attacks are too direct. Too angry. You act so tough..." Moka laughs mockingly. "But you're just a little girl. Learn your place. Maybe I should rip them off, your wings and tail that is."

Kurumu desperately crawls back into a nearby tree. "No...please don't do that. I'm begging you!"

Moka doesn't stop...until Tsukune and I shield Kurumu as we did for the Outer-Moka before. "Moka, stop. She's had enough."

Moka sneers at the both of us. "What do you two think you're doing? Get out of my way. Not only did that girl bewitch you Tsukune, but she tried to kill you as well. Elijah, you somehow managed to resist her charm, but she still tried to kill you too."

"We know," Tsukune says. "But you heard what she said, Moka. She wasn't doing all of this to be mean."

"Besides..." I look back to the succubus, her eyes filled with awe. "Deep down, I think she's a good person."

"Yeah! Let's be friends with her, okay? Like the three of us had become friends!"

"...Friends?" Moka swipes the rosary from Tsukune. "Don't get the wrong idea of me, Tsukune. I only saved you so your blood wouldn't be stolen from me. I'm not like your 'other' Moka. As for you, Elijah...let's just say I'd hate to lose a potential sparring partner."

"Wait, what?"

"Until we meet again." Moka puts her rosary back on, her hair and eyes returning to normal as she passes out in Tsukune's arms.

And so ends another day at Yokai Academy.

The next morning.

"Really, Moka? Your rosary talked to you?"

The girl nods. "Mhm."

"Could the seal be weakening?" I ask.

"I'm not sure, I'm just glad the other me was able to help again."

"That reminds me, Elijah. How were you able to resist Kurumu's charm?"

"I actually did a little bit of research last night. It's said that low-level succubi have a hard time charming men with stronger resolve. Even some of the most alluring Succubi in the world find it difficult to charm those with a strong will. I also have a major factor for being half-witch, since I'm not entirely human, and I suppose my resolve is above average."

"Wow. I guess you got pretty lucky."

"Ha!" I punch Tsukune's arm. "You're one to talk, lover boy!" The boy laughs at my banter, making me smile.

Moka looks over to Tsukune, a faint blush appearing on her face. "Tsukune...if the rosary stops working...would you still like me?"

"Of course, Moka!" The boy shouts. He calms himself, now speaking more softly. "and she may not see it, but you're both my friends. and you know what? If you guys wanna suck my blood, that's fine by me."

"Tsukune..."

"Moka..."

Oh boy, there they go again.

"Good morning!"

The sudden voice from behind scares the living hell out of the three of us. When we turn we see that the voice belongs to Kurumu holding a plate of...cookies? She's not here to hurt us again? Or charm me or Tsukune? "Kurumu?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I baked some cookies for you, Tsukune!"

"Huh? Why for me? What did I do?"

"Oh come on! You remember how I said I was looking for my destined one. Well, I have! And it's you!"

"...I'm sorry, what now?" I ask dumbfoundedly

"You risked your life to save mine, Tsukune! I think I'm in love!"

"What?!" The three of us say in sync.

What did I just get myself into?