Before I could say anything else, a commotion near the front of the crowd caught my attention. A small figure was surrounded by three larger students, their voices sharp and mocking.
I craned my neck to see.
A girl with a drooping witch hat was standing alone, clutching a folded piece of paper to her chest. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright with unshed tears. I recognized her. Yukari Sendo. The little witch from the Club Festival, the one who had tried to prank me with a bucket of syrup.
She looked terrified. And she was alone.
The three students looming over her were lizardmen, their scales glistening in the morning light, their glasses thick enough to rival any nerd. I had seen them around. Class 1‑D, the same as my Idiot Trio. From what I heard, they were annoying, a bunch of nerds who took great pride in their school scores. C‑tier threats, not physically dangerous, but their words cut deeper than any claw.
The lead lizardman adjusted his glasses, a smug smirk plastered on his face. He wore a class representative armband.
"Congratulations, Yukari‑san," he said, his voice dripping with fake sweetness. "It seems you are first place again. Just as I expected from a genius girl. However, do not get arrogant just because you have taken first place. In my eyes, you are nothing but a brat who still reeks of her mother's milk."
His cronies snickered.
"And what is up with your outfit?" the class representative continued, gesturing at Yukari's witch hat. "You are clearly breaking the rules by proclaiming your true identity. That little witch cheated. There is no way a kid who is four years younger than us can beat us."
They surrounded her, pressing closer. The class representative reached out and knocked Yukari's witch hat off her head. It tumbled to the ground, landing in a dusty patch near the edge of the crowd.
"I despise people who stand out," he said, his voice cold. "As your class representative, your very existence is a nuisance. It makes Class D nothing but a joke."
Another lackey stepped forward, his grin cruel. "Why are you even in this Academy anyway? You are not even a yokai. You are nothing but a dirty human who can use some magic."
"How disgusting!" the third added, his voice dripping with contempt. "I feel like vomiting just thinking that you are in the same grade as me."
Yukari's lower lip trembled. Her hands shook, and I saw tears welling in her eyes. But she did not run. She stood her ground, her magic flickering at her fingertips.
Then, with a burst of desperation, she flung a rock at the class representative's head. It struck him square on the forehead with a satisfying thunk.
"Ow!" He stumbled back, clutching his head. "What the hell?"
His cronies stared in shock. A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.
Yukari, emboldened by the sudden shift, shouted with a mix of fear and defiance, "Haha! You deserved that!"
Her voice was high and trembling, but she stood her ground, her small fists clenched at her sides. The crowd's laughter grew louder, and for a moment, the lizardmen looked uncertain.
The class representative's face twisted with rage. "You little bitch! What the hell did you just do to me?"
He raised his hand, his claws extending, and lunged toward Yukari.
I did not think this would go well for Yukari since everyone suffers from bystander syndrome. I moved before Kurumu could blink.
My body dissolved into blood mist, a form I had been practicing for weeks since the fight with Gin. The cloud of crimson vapor shot forward, faster than any sprint, and materialized between Yukari and the lizardman. A hand shot out from the mist, fingers closing around the lizardman's wrist with a grip like iron.
"I wonder," my voice echoed from the swirling mist, cold and calm, "can you lizards regenerate lost limbs just like the animals from the human world? Should I put it to the test?"
The class representative froze. His eyes went wide as the mist condensed, and my face emerged from the crimson cloud, my eyes blazing with crimson light. He stared into those predatory slits, and I saw the blood drain from his scales.
His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Before he could call for help, a blood sword formed from the mist, its edge a combination of obsidian and crimson. In one smooth motion, I slashed through the air, severing the arm I was holding. The limb fell to the ground with a wet thud, twitching once before stilling.
"Urghhh!" The lizardman stumbled back, clutching the stump where his arm used to be. Dark blood oozed between his fingers. "Why have you attacked me? I will report you to the teaching staff!"
My form fully materialized next to Yukari, the blood mist coalescing into my body. The little witch gasped, her eyes wide, her cheeks flushing a deep pink. She stared at me with an expression that was equal parts awe and something else, something that made me slightly uncomfortable.
"Let us see who gets punished by the teachers," I said, my voice flat. "You, who were bullying this girl, or me, defending her?"
"Defending her?" The lizardman spat, his face contorted with pain and fury. "Cutting off my hand, and you call that defending?"
I glanced at the severed limb lying on the ground. "What hand? I only see some lizard limb, not worth even using in an alchemy potion." I turned to Yukari, keeping my voice light. "Don't you think so, little witch?"
Yukari opened her mouth, but no words came out. She just stared at me, her eyes shimmering with tears and something else, something that looked almost like hero worship.
The class representative's face went pale. He looked around at the crowd, at the dozens of students watching, and his bravado crumbled. There were too many witnesses, too many eyes.
"Hmph." He glared at Yukari, then at me. "You had better remember this, Yukari! Let us go, guys."
His cronies scrambled to follow, their tails between their legs. The crowd murmured, whispers spreading like wildfire.
"Did you see that? Aono protected that little witch."
"Is she his girlfriend? She looks young. Could it be? He's into lolis?"
"Nonsense, can't you see that he's in a relationship with Moka-san? There's rumors that he's also dating Kurumu Kurono."
"That little girl, she's a first-year?"
"I guess? I think her name is Yukari."
"Wait, Yukari Sendo? Isn't she the first placed person in the exams?" a voice from the crowd asked, incredulous.
Another student, rubbing his temples, groaned. "Man, what the heck is wrong with me? A little girl managed to outsmart me?"
A third voice cut through the murmurs, dismissive but impressed. "Who cares? That move Aono did was cool. So the rumors that he is a Vampire are confirmed?"
"Whoever came up with the theory that Aono-san was a human must have gotten their brains eaten by maggots."
I ignored them. I bent down and picked up Yukari's witch hat from the dusty ground. It was crumpled, stained, but still intact. I carefully dusted it off, shaking off the gravel, and placed it gently on her head.
"Looks good on you, little witch," I said.
Her face went crimson. Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. She just stared up at me, her eyes wide, her heart pounding so loudly that even I could hear it.
Inner and Kurumu pushed through the crowd, their expressions something along annoyance and curiosity.
"What did we miss?" Kurumu asked, her eyes darting between me and the retreating lizardmen.
"Nothing much," I said. "Just some trash taking itself out."
Inner's gaze lingered on Yukari, her crimson eyes narrowing. The little witch shrank under her stare, but she did not look away.
I gestured with my chin toward a section of the Academy that was not frequented by other students. "Let us go somewhere quieter."
We walked in silence, leaving the chaos of the rankings behind. Yukari followed, her footsteps light, her hat bobbing with each step. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. When we reached a secluded corner near the old storage building, I stopped and turned to face her.
Yukari took a deep breath, her small hands clenching at her sides. Then she bowed, low and formal.
"Thank you, Tsukune‑san," she said, her voice trembling. "For saving me. Those guys have been tormenting me since the semester started, and no one has ever stepped in to help."
"Oh, you know my name?" I asked her with a hint of teasing since I have encountered her previously at the Club Festival where she tried to prank me. I did not think she would know me by my name.
"Well… I learned your name after the Festival."
Kurumu crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "So you are the one who ranked first? A first‑year, and so young. I heard you are only twelve years old. That is really amazing."
Yukari's cheeks flushed. "I… I just studied a lot. It is nothing special."
Inner nodded, her expression unreadable. "Your intelligence is admirable. Among so many idiots, you are like a sparkle in a dark sky."
"Cool? I mean… I am not… I just…" Yukari stammered, her face growing redder by the second. She looked like she might combust.
I chuckled and reached out to pat her shoulder gently. "What a cute girl. She cannot even accept compliments."
"Uhhh…"
Yukari stared up at me, her eyes glistening. Then, before I could react, she threw her arms around my waist and buried her face in my chest.
"You were so cool, Tsukune‑san!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled against my shirt. "Fighting off those bad guys for me, just like a hero! Please go out with me!"
I blinked. "What?"
Kurumu's eye twitched. Her tail bristled beneath her skirt. "Excuse me? Chibi, you are touching what is mine."
She stepped forward and firmly pried Yukari's arms from my waist, pulling the little witch back.
But Inner was faster. She wrapped her arm around mine, pressing her body against my side in a possessive embrace.
"The succubus is right," Inner said, her voice cold. "This one is taken."
Yukari pouted. Her lower lip jutted out, and her eyes narrowed with determination. She pulled out a small wand from her sleeve, its tip glowing with faint purple light.
"I do not like you getting in my way!" she declared.
Before anyone could react, she waved her wand. A cloud of thick, sticky bubbles erupted from the tip, engulfing Kurumu and Inner. The succubus shrieked as the goo clung to her hair, her clothes, her skin.
"Ugh! What is this stuff?" Kurumu sputtered, trying to wipe it off.
Even Inner looked disheveled, her silver hair matted with sticky residue. Her expression was murderous.
"You little brat," Inner growled.
But Yukari was already moving. She grabbed my hand and pulled me onto her broom, which had materialized from nowhere. The enchanted broom shot into the air before I could protest, leaving the two girls behind.
"See you later!" Yukari called, her voice bright with triumph.
I looked down. Kurumu was flailing, covered in goo. Inner was glaring at the sky, her crimson eyes promising retribution, and I could not help but smirk at their pathetic sight. For all their power, they had been brought low by a twelve‑year‑old with a wand and a grudge. It was almost poetic.
"That komusume is in a world of pain," Inner muttered.
Kurumu wiped a glob of sticky substance from her cheek. "Can I join you in teaching that brat a lesson?"
"Hmph." Inner's eyes narrowed. "As you wish, Kurumu. Just do not embarrass yourself further."
Kurumu grinned. "Which way did they go? Go on, use that nose of yours to grab on to Tsukune's scent."
Inner was silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the sky. Then she pointed. "The Blood Link is pulling me in that direction. Follow me."
They took off running.
[> ^ <][> ^ <][> ^ <]
Meanwhile, Yukari's broom soared over the Academy rooftops. The wind whipped through my hair, and I could not help but feel Yukari's heart pounding so loudly that it almost made me worry a bit for her. This was one of those moments where being a vampire was more curse than perk. I was too conscious of the changes around the people surrounding me.
She landed on a secluded balcony near the old music building, the broom skidding to a halt. She quickly turned to me, her eyes wide, her wand still clutched in her hand. The magical wraps she had used to secure me were glowing faintly, pulsing with purple light.
"Sorry, Tsukune‑san," she said, her voice breathless. "I did not mean to use that trick. But those girls were just mean. The silver‑haired Moka is not as nice as the pink‑haired Moka. If she was with you, I would also love to go out with her too."
She giggled, a high, nervous sound.
I could not help it. I laughed.
Yukari blinked. "What is so funny?"
She watched as my body dissolved into blood mist, the magical wraps falling away, useless against my intangible form. The crimson vapor swirled, then condensed, and I reformed standing in front of her, arms crossed.
"Quite daring, Yukari‑chan," I said, keeping my voice light. "And to say that I am not flattered would be an understatement. But I have a question for you."
Yukari tilted her head, curious. "What question?"
"What do you think it means when you say 'going out with someone'?"
She blinked. "Going out? It means becoming friends and spending time together. Playing games, doing activities, having fun." She paused, her brow furrowing. "Why? Is there another meaning?"
I stared at her for a long moment. Her expression was innocent, completely genuine. She was eleven, maybe twelve years old. She had no idea what she had just implied.
'Of course. She is just a kid. She can be saved from turning into a pervert.'
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "No, no. That is exactly what it means."
"Oh, good!" She beamed. "Then you will go out with me?"
"Sure," I said. "I do not mind going out with you."
Her face lit up like the sun. "Really?"
"Really."
"Ehhhh?!" Kurumu's voice shattered the moment. She and Inner had finally caught up, both of them still covered in sticky residue, their expressions furious. "Tsukune, do not tell me you are that type of freak! Going after little girls too? Are lolis your type?"
That accusation made me alert deep down, only God knows how dark my heart could go, and if you put a gun to my head and asked me to choose, I wouldn't say 'pass'. But, please, let them be legal lolis, since I can't bring myself to go too much into a swamp of mental gymnastics.
I sighed. "As friends, Kurumu. She is a child."
"Ehhhh?!" Yukari's face fell. "Only as friends? Don't you think I am cute? I want to be Tsukune‑san's girlfriend."
I was taken aback by her persistence. The girl had been bullied moments ago, and now she was declaring romantic intentions with the same fierce determination she had shown when throwing that rock. But she was a child, barely into her teens. She did not know what she was asking, not really. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her feelings or give her false hope.
"Only as friends," I confirmed gently, keeping my voice soft. "If you are fine with that. Friendship is important too. More important than you might think."
Yukari pouted, crossing her arms. "I suppose that is acceptable. For now."
"You cow!" Inner's voice was sharp, her crimson eyes fixed on Kurumu. "You are too loud! What did you expect to begin with? Tsukune is only looking at me and my figure."
"Excuse me?" Kurumu's eye twitched. "Your figure? Have you looked in a mirror lately? I am the definition of perfection."
"You are the definition of obnoxious."
"At least I am not cold as ice."
"Ladies," I said, holding up my hands. "Can we not do this here?"
They ignored me.
Yukari watched the exchange, her eyes darting between Inner and Kurumu. Then she looked up at me, a new determination in her gaze.
"Tsukune‑san," she said, tugging on my sleeve. "If I am only going to be your friend, then I want to join your club. The Newspaper Club. I heard you are the new president, and I want to help."
I blinked. "You want to join the Newspaper Club?"
"I am good at writing, and I can help with research. You know… I am pretty smart. And my magic might be useful for writing many papers and doing boring chores." She puffed out her chest, trying to look impressive. "Please? I promise I will not be a bother."
Then her expression faltered. Her eyes grew distant, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "I have always been alone, Tsukune‑san. I tried to join the Cooking Club, but they said I was too young. The Art Club said my magic was 'distracting.' The Gardening Club said I would just get in the way." She hugged herself, her small fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeves. "No one wanted me. No one ever wanted me."
She looked up at me, her eyes glistening again. "But you saved me. Twice. And you did not even hesitate. So please… let me stay with you. I will work hard. I promise."
I looked at Inner. She shrugged. I looked at Kurumu. She rolled her eyes but nodded.
"What a hard choice to make…"
"..."
"Fine," I said. "Welcome to the Newspaper Club, Yukari‑chan."
She beamed, and for a moment, the chaos faded.
'Another stray cat added to the collection. At least this one seems harmless.'
'Mostly.'