Marcus breathed in the autumn air as he walked down the path toward the school, the crisp scent of fallen leaves filling his lungs. He frowned slightly and muttered, "Damn, it's supposed to be August. Is this place just permanently in autumn, and why is the path from the dorms to the school a creepy-ass forest? If this was my world, I'd be worried about any number of monsters coming after me right now."
As he continued walking, the crunch of leaves suddenly grew louder behind him. Marcus glanced back just in time to see a girl with long pink hair and vivid green eyes wearing the school's uniform. A silver rosary hung from a black choker around her neck as she rode a bicycle straight toward him.
Without warning, her eyes fluttered shut and she slumped forward, still pedaling.
"Oh crap," Marcus blurted out, lunging forward. He grabbed the bike just in time, steadying it before it toppled over. Carefully, he helped her upright and supported her weight. "Hey, miss, you doing okay?"
The girl stirred, blinking awake in surprise before gasping softly. "Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, I'm fine. I'm just a little anemic. I'll feel better soon."
"Oh," Marcus said, concern creasing his brow. "Hang on, I think I've got some oranges somewhere in here."
"No, really, I'm okay," she replied quickly, waving her hands weakly. "You don't have to trouble yourself."
"Well," Marcus said, rubbing the back of his neck, " I still wouldn't feel right about leaving you alone, so at least let me walk you the rest of the way."
Her face brightened instantly, her eyes lighting up. "Really?"
"Yeah, no problem," Marcus replied easily. "Oh, my name's Marcus Williams, by the way."
As they walked side by side, the girl pushed her bike along and said, "Oh, nice to meet you. My name is Akashiya Moka."
"Oh, right," Marcus said with a small chuckle. "This is Japan. I'm American. My given name is Marcus."
"Oh," Moka said, nodding thoughtfully, "that makes a lot more sense."
"Feel free to call me Marcus," he said.
"And you can call me Moka," she replied with a gentle smile.
"Good to meet you, Moka," Marcus said.
After a brief pause, Moka glanced at him nervously before asking, "So, Marcus… I know we just met, but can we be friends? I don't know anyone here, and, well, you seem nice."
"Well," Marcus said thoughtfully, "nice is subjective, but yeah, we can be friends."
"That's great," Moka said, clearly relieved.
As they continued down the path, she hesitated, then spoke again, her voice quieter. "I know we're not supposed to tell each other what kind of yōkai we are, but since we're friends now, if you don't mind me asking… what are you?"
"Well," Marcus said slowly, "nobody told me I couldn't tell people what I am, but you gotta keep it a secret, okay?"
Moka nodded eagerly, smiling. "I will. I promise."
"I'm a demigod," Marcus said simply. "A child of Ares."
Moka continued smiling, though she refused to meet his gaze.
"I can tell you don't believe me," Marcus said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, it's not that, Marcus," she replied softly. "It's just… I don't think demigods are real. Are you sure your mother wasn't messing with you?"
Marcus shrugged. "Well, honestly, there's not really anything I can do to prove it. The primary abilities I got from my father don't even really work as evidence in this case."
"Right," Moka said after a moment. "So anyway, since you told me what you are, it's only fair I tell you what I am. I am a vampire."
Marcus laughed outright.
Moka puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, planting her hands on her hips. "What's that for? Do you not believe me?"
"I'm sorry," Marcus said quickly, waving his hands. "It's just… you don't really seem like one."
"But I am one," Moka insisted. She opened her mouth and pointed to her fangs. "See? Look."
"Okay," Marcus said, studying them. "If you're a vampire, what can you do? You got super strength or speed? Can you turn into a bat or into mist? Can you control people's blood, mind-control the weak-minded, or travel through shadows?"
Moka frowned slightly. "Most of those are stereotypes, but no. Most of my power is sealed up. You see this rosary? If it was ever taken off, I'd assume my true form and become a powerful, terrifying vampire."
"Wait a minute," Marcus said, recalling something earlier. "Earlier you said you were anemic. Is it 'cause you haven't had blood for a while?"
"Oh," Moka said sheepishly, "well, technically I don't need blood to live. Normal food works just fine, but blood is best. I do have some blood bags in my fridge, but I skipped breakfast today."
Without much thought, Marcus held out his wrist. "If you don't take too much, you can have some of mine."
Moka stared at his wrist for a long moment, eyes wide. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yeah," Marcus said casually. "Why not? I'd hate for you to pass out again."
After a brief hesitation, Moka bent down and sank her teeth into Marcus's wrist. Her eyes widened as she drank, her expression turning euphoric as she gulped down his blood. A few minutes later, she pulled back, swaying slightly, her face flushed.
"That was the best blood I've ever tasted," she said dreamily. "Thank you."
They continued walking, and Marcus thought to himself, Not even at school yet and I've already encountered a pretty girl that wanted to be friends. Is this Lady Freya's blessing at work?
Before long, they arrived at the academy gates. Moka stopped and turned to him with a small smile. "Well, here's where we part ways for now. I have to speak to the headmaster. I'll see you later."
"Count on it," Marcus replied.
------
Marcus sat in the back of the classroom, leaning lazily against his chair as the low chatter of students filled the air. The noise abruptly quieted when the teacher stepped up to the podium, clapping her hands together with boundless energy.
"Hello and welcome, students! I am your homeroom teacher, Nekonome Shizuka. Let's all have an amazing year together!"
Her tail flicked excitedly as she beamed at the class. After a moment, she clasped her hands and continued, "Before we begin class, though, I'd like to introduce our transfer student. You can come in now."
The classroom door slid open, and through it walked Moka.
She stepped forward with graceful composure, hands folded neatly in front of her. "Hello, everyone. My name is Akashiya Moka. Please take care of me."
As her gaze swept across the room, her eyes suddenly locked onto Marcus.
Her expression lit up instantly, her polite smile transforming into a joyful grin. Without hesitation, she ran across the room and leaped onto Marcus, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.
"I didn't know you'd be in this class, Marcus! I'm so happy!"
Marcus chuckled, steadying himself as he patted her gently on the back. "Maybe you should find your seat, Moka. We can talk after class."
Moka froze, suddenly aware of the dead silence around them. She looked up to see every single student staring, wide-eyed. Her cheeks flushed bright red.
"R-right… talk later," she said quickly.
She scrambled off Marcus and hurried to an empty seat right next to him, sitting down stiffly as she tried to regain her composure.
Marcus leaned back in his chair and casually glanced around, immediately noticing several male students glaring at him with barely concealed killing intent. He sighed inwardly and thought to himself, Really? That was all it took to make enemies? Alright… whatever.
-----
Marcus ate lunch with Moka, the two chatting comfortably before eventually parting ways so he could use the bathroom. Afterward, as he made his way back toward class, the atmosphere shifted.
Without warning, a hand clamped down hard on his shoulder.
An irritated voice snapped behind him, "Hey, you. We need to talk."
Marcus turned slowly, meeting the glare of a delinquent-looking guy with long, slicked-back brown hair. The stranger's eyes burned with hostility, like he was already halfway into a fight.
Marcus raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Who are you, and what's your damage?"
The guy snarled, grabbing Marcus by the front of his shirt and yanking him closer. His face twisted with rage as he growled, "My name is Saizou Komiya, and I've got my sights on Moka. So you stay away from her, or I'll kill you."
Marcus's expression hardened instantly, any trace of casual ease vanishing. His eyes sharpened, voice dropping into something far colder.
"Oh, you'll kill me, huh?"
In one swift motion, Marcus seized Komiya's wrist and squeezed. A sharp crack echoed through the hallway.
Komiya cried out in pain and released Marcus, stumbling back. But Marcus didn't let go. His grip tightened further, relentless and merciless, forcing Komiya down to his knees as agony twisted across his face.
Marcus stood over him, staring down with cold indifference, his presence suddenly suffocating.
"Difference between you and me," Marcus said evenly, his voice devoid of emotion. "I don't threaten. Come at me with intent to kill, and I'll put you in the ground."
He released Komiya without another word, turned his back on the whimpering delinquent, and calmly returned to class as if nothing had happened.
------
After classes, Marcus and Moka were happily walking back to the dorms together when an angry voice suddenly shouted, "I'm not done with you, you bastard!"
Marcus turned, his expression flat, to see Komiya running toward them.
Moka blinked in surprise and lightly tugged on Marcus's sleeve. "Marcus, who's that guy?"
Marcus answered bluntly, not even bothering to lower his voice. "Some idiot who thinks he can lay claim to you by killing me."
Moka recoiled in disgust, her brows knitting together. "What? That's horrible and disgusting. What should we do?"
Marcus rolled his shoulders, calm and unimpressed. "I'll take care of him. I'd hate to be called a liar."
With that, Marcus walked over to Komiya and said evenly, "Come on, man. Think it through."
Komiya sneered, clenching his fists. "Last time I was just caught off guard. I mean, I didn't even get a chance to transform."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "That's against academy rules, you know."
"I don't care!" Komiya snarled.
In an instant, Komiya transformed into his true form. His body swelled into a huge, muscular, beige-skinned version of himself. Bone spikes jutted from his shoulders, bone plates armored his body, and an elongated tongue slipped from his mouth as he towered over Marcus.
Marcus looked him over, eyes narrowing slightly. "I wonder if those bone plates will hurt just as much as actual bone when I break them."
"Oh, shut up!" Komiya snapped. "Transform into your true form so we can fight!"
Marcus shrugged. "I'm good."
Komiya's eye twitched. "Arrogant bastard. Fine. Here's the deal. You and I are gonna fight. Winner gets Moka."
Marcus turned away without hesitation. "Nope."
He started walking back toward Moka.
"The hell you mean, 'nope'?" Komiya shouted.
Marcus stopped and looked back over his shoulder, his gaze sharp and cold. "I won't fight with a person as the prize, it disrespects you, Me and Moka. Fight me when you've decided you're a real man who's learned to respect people."
"You bastard!" Komiya roared, charging forward.
"Marcus, look out behind you!" Moka cried.
Komiya got right behind Marcus, claws raised to strike. At the last second, Marcus dropped low, swept Komiya's legs out from under him, and followed through by driving his elbow straight into the center of Komiya's chest.
The impact sent Komiya crashing into the ground, a massive crater forming beneath him as dust and debris erupted outward. His body went limp, unconscious.
Marcus calmly walked back toward Moka, brushing dust from his hands.
Moka rushed to his side, worry clear on her face. "Are you okay, Marcus?"
"Yeah," Marcus replied with a disappointed sigh. "Just a little let down. All that talk, and he couldn't back it up."
"I'm just glad you're okay," Moka said softly.
As she stepped closer, her foot caught on a rock. She stumbled forward, falling toward Marcus. He lunged to catch her—but in doing so, he accidentally pulled her rosary free.
"Uh oh," Moka murmured.
She was instantly engulfed in red, supernatural energy. Marcus leapt back, eyes widening. "Well… I was curious about her true form."
After a few moments, the energy dissipated, revealing a very different Moka. Her hair was now white, her eyes a deep red. Certain parts of her were noticeably larger, but more striking than her appearance was her presence.
Gone was the gentle, shy girl. In her place stood a woman who stared at Marcus with a cold, assessing gaze.
She yawned and stretched lazily before speaking. "So… you're the one who woke me up."
Before Marcus could respond, she vanished in a blur and reappeared in front of him, launching a brutal kick. The shockwave kicked up a massive cloud of dust.
Her indifferent expression shifted to shock as the dust cleared and she saw Marcus standing firm, having blocked her attack.
"That's one way to greet someone," Marcus said with a grin. "Kind of stung a little. Tell me that wasn't your best, 'cause I could really use a training partner."
Her shock twisted into a bloodthirsty grin. "Well, well. I didn't think I'd find someone worth fighting here. Let's see how much you can take."
The two clashed in earnest. Moka unleashed a barrage of kicks, each one faster and stronger than the last. Marcus blocked every blow, unmoving.
On her final kick, Marcus caught her foot and tossed her through a nearby tree.
She landed, rolled, and stood back up with a smile before rushing back in.
Their blows became faster and deadlier, the air cracking with each collision. Finally, Marcus stopped a punch just inches from Moka's face—a blow that would have knocked her unconscious.
"Let's stop here," Marcus said calmly. "Neither of us is willing to get serious, so this is just a fun workout."
"Yeah, okay," Moka replied with a smirk. "But I'll win next time."
"Sure you will," Marcus said. "Do you even know who I am, by the way?"
"Of course," she answered. "You're my friend, Marcus. Just because the outer one and I are separate personalities doesn't mean I'm not aware of her experiences. I know everything she does. I can see through the rosary too."
She paused, studying him. "At first, I didn't plan to be friends with you. But now that I know you can keep up with me, I want you around."
Marcus held up the rosary. "So you gotta go back into this thing?"
"Unfortunately," she said, her tone softer. "I have to wear it. For some reason, I can't remember why. I just know it's important."
"Mind if I let you out every now and then?" Marcus asked. "If I'm not mistaken, you're probably the only one I can actually fight."
"I'd like that," she replied. "Call me out anytime you want to spar."
"Oh, definitely."
Marcus handed her the rosary. She clipped it back onto her choker, and in a flash of light, the outer Moka returned.
She blinked, confused. "Did something happen just now?"
"I'll tell you later," Marcus said with a smile. "Let's get back to the dorms. I'm starving."
Moka smiled warmly. "Okay."
And together, the two resumed their walk home.