Yeah. That's all you're getting from me.
…
The next few minutes was spent with Misono lecturing Kuro (sill in his feline form) on how careless he was to not give Mahiru a weapon. After the whole fight, the two Eves and two Servamps were in the Tea Room, trying to regain their lost energy. Mahiru ate a small cake as he watched Kuro just glare half-heartedly at the teen.
A weapon?! Like a sword or a staff?! I would love to have a sword!
"Mahiru is too young to have a weapon. Besides, you don't need one-just look at how cute I am." He laid down on his back to entrance the pair. It worked on Mahiru, who immediately lifted Kuro and rubbed his face against the soft, black fur. Misono just growled at the display. Lilly, who was nearby, was fighting an urge to coo at the sight.
Mahiru looked down, "I still don't know…not really…about vampires. I also don't really know about what my duty is as an Eve." He looked up at Misono, "I was listening to you, I promise. But…I also don't know the full procedure. I know that my mommy is gone; and that can't be changed. But, I've come to know Kuro…and I now know Mr. Lilly and Mr. Misono. And I have friends and Big Brother Sakuya…"
He clutched Kuro closer to his chest. "I…just want to help people…" The boy looked up with determination.
"And if the only way for that to happen is with a weapon, then it's what I want." Misono nodded in agreement. Kuro sighed and jumped out of Mahiru's arms, transforming back into a human. He knelt down in front of his Eve and simply said, "Close your eyes."
Mahiru perked up in interest, "Oh, is-is this a game, Kuro? What are we pla-?" A pop interrupted his question, causing Mahiru to let out a squeal of surprise. Confetti and streamers seemed to fall to the floor out of nowhere. He let out a shriek of delight before he finally focused on his surroundings.
He was in a dark corridor with candles alit on each side of the path. A shadowy figure was the only other individual he saw. He thought that it looked like a Pokémon, but it seemed far too shady for that. The shadow looked almost like Kuro, but it was a whole lot creepier. He had wide, round red eyes and a mouth that looked like it had been stapled shut. He also had ears that looked to be like a cat's and he was holding a party popper.
Mahiru whimpered at the creature, who only gave him a smile, "Happy Birthday."
The Kuro-like creature walked up to him, holding out a paw, "Come on. You want a gift on your birthday, right?" Mahiru gulped and placed his small hand on the appendage. The creature guided him through the hallway. Mahiru kind of figured it was probably not the right time to say it wasn't his birthday.
"Are you talking about a weapon, sir? I would like that." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Why do you look so much like Kuro?" The creature seemed to smile wider at that, "I'm proud you noticed. I am in charge of Kuro's power. I'm a part of him." He seemed to pull harder on Mahiru, as if he knew that something great was going to happen.
After about two minutes of running, he gently let go of Mahiru, "Look over here, young one." Mahiru gasped in amazement.
A gigantic stack of presents wrapped in the most beautiful wrapping paper was stacked on one side of the corridor. Mahiru giggled at the display, but before he ran over, Kuro's power said, "Choose one that you would like."
Mahiru crushed down the disappointment and looked carefully at each present. Before he could walk forward, the creature held out a tiny birthday cake for Mahiru. "Happy Birthday. Now, you'll obtain your own power." Mahiru looked so touched that he lifted the shadowy creature into his arms and nuzzled him. "Thank you, Kuro." The creature seemed stiff with shock before he relaxed and even hugged the child back.
"This is the only time you'll be here, but you'll obtain a power that can help others." Mahiru hugged him tighter, "I understand. Thank you."
Before the shadow disappeared, he continued, "It's important to remember that your weapon matches who you are." The shadow version of Kuro disappeared, leaving Mahiru to make his choice.
"I choose…"
….
"That's a weapon?! We're you even trying?!" "Master, remember, he's just a child."
Mahiru held his weapon defensively, "I think it's kind of cool."
Misono deadpanned, "It's a broom!" The object in question flew out of Mahiru's arms and levitated around the Tea Room." Kuro chuckled, "That's what you first attacked me with, Mahiru. That seems a bit ironic."
The broom flew toward Mahiru, transforming into light that encircled the child's left wrist. To Mahiru's amazement, it left a tattoo-like mark.
"If my uncle ever sees this, he's going to freak out." Misono sighed and gestured Lilly to come closer. "Lilly, get Mahiru some of my old gloves." Mahiru frowned, "You don't have to, Mr. Misono."
Misono sighed, "It's fine. They don't fit me anymore."
…
In an old, yet classy, sushi restaurant, two vampires were sitting down at the sushi bar. Tsubaki and Belkia were eating calmly. Well, Tsubaki was eating calmly, Belkia looked a little agitated.
"Where is that kid?! We've been here forever." Tsubaki looked at Belkia in an annoyed visage. "We've only been here for an hour, Belkia. And don't return your plate." It was Belkia's turn to be a little annoyed, "I can't believe we even have to adhere to the Japanese way of life as well. We're vampires-we're superior to these people."
A loud bell sounded through the restaurant, shrieks of horror following. And now he's here.
He turned toward the door who had a familiar teenager through the opening. The green-haired young man was dragging a bloodied body behind him as he made his way to the two vampires. Patrons of the restaurant abandoned their food, running as fast as they could towards the door.
Tsubaki grinned at the stone-faced Sakuya, who was licking blood off his hands. Sakuya looked up at his master, eyes glowing red at the taste of blood, "Is there a reason you called me, Master Tsubaki?"
Tsubaki nodded at the body, "Before that, what's the story with that guy?" Sakuya grimaced and threw the body haphazardly to the ground. "Just someone who couldn't mind their own business, so I ended theirs."
His master hummed, "Someone's subclass?" Sakuya scoffed, "It doesn't matter-he would've lied about his identity. And if there's one thing I absolutely detest, it's liars."
…
Mahiru clenched his fists, brown eyes sparkling, "Am I supposed to have a secret code? Is that what I need to learn?!" Misono groaned from his throne, "No, you just have to be able to pull out your power whenever you want before we fight."
Mahiru looked at Kuro, "I got power from your power, Kuro. Do you know how to do this?" Kuro looked up from Misono's tablet, "Call me when you got the power out." Mahiru sighed dejectedly, causing Kuro to stare for a few seconds before sighing. Pausing his game, he walked over to the child, "It might help if you remember why you wanted this power and focus on that."
Lilly spoke up, "That helps with Misono-san all the time." He made a motion of pulling down his sleeves, but froze suddenly. Kuros' pupils turned into slits and his red eyes glowed with fierce anger and protectiveness. Without a word, Lilly pulled the sleeves back up.'t
Mahiru didn't notice the exchange (Misono did if the appreciative nod to Kuro was anything to go by). "I guess it's because of my uncle and my friends. They're my family. I guess a bit because of Mommy, even though I can't see her. I want to prevent people from losing family like I lost Mommy. And you and Mr. Lilly are my friends too, so I want to help you as well."
Misono blushed a little bit at the implication that they're friends, but kept his face impassive.