Chapter 17: The Vampire II

A man in a sloppily worn white shirt, backed by the moonlight.

His eyes were blood-red, his hair black and disheveled, a figure I had never seen, at least not in my surroundings.

No, I think he's the man I met that night, and my breathing becomes ragged.

I shouldn't know him, yet I feel like I do.

No, that's not right. He's changed quite a bit, but I know him.

――Jikuri, Jikuri (Throb, Throb)

"U――――"

The wound on my chest is throbbing.

When I touch it, my clothes are slowly becoming stained with blood.

And the sealed memories are released, and memories of the past rush through me one after another.

Eight years ago, SHIKI killed me once. I was killed in that square, and SHIKI, SHIKI Tohno, was also killed.

"Gu――――"

A terrible headache strikes, and the scenes of the past are recreated one after another.

I remember the boy who was always with me.

When Akiha and I pulled him away from his lessons and played together,

We were together until that hot summer day, so why did I...

"SHIKI, is that you?"

"That's right, Shiki. It's truly, truly been a long time."

Shiki speaks with genuine pleasure. But it's impossible. Shiki should have died that day...

"Hyahahaha!! You're making a face like 'It's impossible.' I certainly died once, but that damned old man—perhaps he had some affection—kept me alive and well until today, that's the gist of it."

My stunned expression must be funny to him; Shiki laughs amusedly.

He must find it very amusing, as he clutches his belly and laughs with tears streaming down his face. Immediately after, steam erupts from SHIKI, and a shriek echoes.

"Be silent, SHIKI."

"Akiha!?"

It was Akiba's attack, right there his my chest. Akiha, her hair red, was attacking Shiki while gasping for breath.

Why!? Before I could open my mouth to ask, Akiha spoke.

"I'm sorry for keeping silent until now, Nii-san. I'll explain everything later, I promise."

"...Akiha."

Akiha lowers her eyes, immersed in guilt. Akiha knew my hidden past, but it seems there are more complex circumstances involved than I imagined.

"Ha, hahaha, Akiha has grown up, hasn't she?"

When Akiha looks surprised with an "Eh?", Roa—no, SHIKI—stands there, looking as if he's suffering from severe frostbite, while simultaneously deploying something like a magecraft circle.

"That's... my mixed-blood ability was blocked!"

"No, no, Akiha's attack was quite effective, just like the old man's."

Akiha is stunned in disbelief and freezes at the mention of the 'old man'.

"And, this is my return gift, Akiha."

With a flash, as if in return—this is bad, my initial movement was too slow to avoid it.

At least I must protect Akiha. Thinking that, I embraced Akiha and crouched down to shield her, but...

Gakiin, a sharp sound and sparks scattered around.

"You mustn't forget about me."

"Ah, it's you, little girl. Interrupting a perfectly good family conversation with such a vulgar stunt."

The intruder was Yumizuka. SHIKI glares at Yumizuka but immediately adopts the confident smirk characteristic of a powerful individual.

"Even though the incomplete base was crushed by the Executor, can't you tell that the power difference between the current me—no, I—and a wretch like you is greater than that between an ant and an elephant? For one who has accepted and overcome countless deaths, even if your potential is high, you are far too fragile."

He spreads his arms and speaks dramatically, as if he's an actor. But I know that what he's saying is not a boast; it's the truth.

"By the way, could it be that this place is also being used as a base, just like the school?"

"Oh, little girl. No, you seem to be clever. That's right, though it's not the main one, this is a sub-base. Originally, I planned to use the school as the main base to draw a spell formation that would absorb vitality from the entire city, but I never expected your efforts and the Executor to raid the base in the middle of the day. That's why I've shown myself here like this."

SHIKI—no, his tone has changed, so it might be Roa—but compared to Yumizuka, it's clear who will win. Even a child could tell that the original Vampire, who has lived for hundreds of years, will defeat Yumizuka, who only became a Vampire a few days ago. Moreover, the man in front of me can 'see' the world of death, just like me.

"Certainly, in this situation, I can't win alone."

"Hoh..."

"Yumizuka!!"

Yumizuka readily declared that she had no chance of winning.

"But, I can buy some time. Furthermore—the key to victory is already in my hand."

"Hah! You make me laugh! Victory, against me?!"

Roa scoffs, but Yumizuka remains utterly calm.

"So, let's fight together—Arcueid-san."

In that instant, Roa was blown away. No, to be more precise, his body, along with the ground, was torn into eight pieces by a vacuum blade, flying away while scattering flesh and organs.

"We finally meet, Roa."

"Arcueid..."

And it was Arcueid who caused it. I wanted to say something, but I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere surrounding her and could only manage to utter her name.

The carefree air I knew was gone, and she was radiating much more bloodlust and hostility than when Nrvnqsr or the berserk Yumizuka had been.

But I 'saw' it: the Lines of Death ran all over Arcueid's body. It felt like she was forcefully moving a patched-up doll, and it gave me nothing but a bad premonition.

"Arcu-eid."

"Mm, Shiki. I'm fine."

She turns around, showing her usual smile.

"I won't die, because I'm a Vampire."

――That's a lie.

"Oh, Shiki. You look like you're about to cry. Besides, I have Sacchin with me now, so I'm perfectly fine."

I knew that was a lie. Certainly, with two people, they could surely kill the original Vampire. But Arcueid Brunestud would also reach her limit there.

I won't accept it. I won't allow myself to accept it. I won't leave Arcueid alone. Why does this ditzy Vampire, and Yumizuka for that matter, try to solve everything silently by themselves?

"Ku, kuha, kuhahahaha!! Though weakened, the True Ancestor Princess must be like this! Destroying and massacring the fallen demon lord without any mercy—destruction and terror—truly the True Ancestor Princess!!"

As I thought this, Roa regenerated and stood up despite being torn apart. He was covered in blood and severely injured but was trembling with joy.

"Shiki, I'm going now."

"Hey, wait... Arcueid!!"

And she left.

"Nii-san..."

In the darkness, amidst the sight of vampire claws occasionally clashing and sparks scattering, Akiha, who was in my arms, whispered softly.

"Nii-san... I'm sorry. Everything is my fault. The reason Yumizuka-san ended up like that is because I didn't kill SHIKI..."

"Aki-ha."

Akiha spoke in a very weak voice, unlike her usual self. She was crying, just like the old Akiha.

What should I do? Get angry? Forgive her? Or something else? The answer is already decided.

"Akiha, I'm angry about you hurting Yumizuka, about you going berserk, and about you keeping silent from me."

"...Yes."

"Good. So, you'll apologize to Yumizuka later and get her to forgive you."

"Huh?"

Akiha let out a blank voice at my words.

"You're family, Akiha. So I forgive you. All you have to do is apologize to Yumizuka."

"Nii-san... but Yumizuka-san is..."

"It's okay. I'll manage to get her to—Ugh!!"

I try to stand up, but my body feels heavy. When I try to go toward Shiki, the strength drains from my body.

"Nii-san!! Your body should have died eight years ago! You're barely moving only because I shared my mixed-blood ability and gave you some of my life then! Furthermore, your body is already in tatters, and if you try to go toward SHIKI, with whom you also share life, you might die!! Please... I don't want to see my family die again. Why, why do you try to do something so reckless..."

Akiha grabs my clothes and pleads desperately. Ah, I know I'm a terrible older brother just by looking at Akiha's face, and my heart aches. I truly cause her nothing but worry—but my resolve hasn't changed.

"I just want both those two, as well as Akiha, to be in my ordinary life."

It's not because they are friends or classmates, or to take responsibility for killing them. I just want them by my side, to spend normal days together. That's all there is to it.

"………………I understand."

Akiha lowers her face after listening to me, but then, as if she made a decision, she brings her face close to mine—WHOA!! Aki...!!

"Ngh..."

Akiha's lips met mine. I was confused and tried to pull away, but her remaining arm was firmly wrapped around my neck, preventing me from moving. Being so close to Akiha, the sweet, distinct feminine scent stimulates not only my nose but my whole body. I momentarily thought that although her chest isn't as voluminous as Arcueid's, it's soft.

Furthermore, Akiha pushes her tongue in. It was so sudden that my thoughts couldn't keep up, and I simply allowed it to happen.

A slurping, smacking sound lasted for a while. Internally, I chant like a mantra, It's Akiha, it's Akiha, but sadly, as a man, my body was slowly getting aroused, and my reason was losing ground.

Fortunately, given the situation, and before I could turn into a wolf, Akiha pulled away, drawing a thread of saliva. ...Wait, was I getting aroused by Akiha of all people, at a time like this!!

"A, a-a-a-a-Akiha, that, um..."

No, this isn't my first kiss. In fact, when I was in middle school, I got even further than a kiss with Tokie-nee... Okay, let's forget that.

"Fufu, you're bright red, Nii-san. You don't have to worry—I admire you as a man, after all."

"Heh—?"

Akiha chuckles and gives an alluring smile, finding my panic amusing. Faced with a confession from a woman I only recognized as my sister, I didn't know what to say. Besides, too many shocking facts have been revealed today; my thoughts are about to break down.

And to think that Akiha admires me as a man... What kind of face am I supposed to make when I see Akiha tomorrow? I see her every day, after all...

However, Akiha certainly was a beautiful child even in the past, but looking at her now, I really realize how beautiful she's become.

Her face is well-formed, fitting the ideal of a traditional Japanese beauty. She may be a slightly headstrong ojou-sama (young lady), but she has elegance, and although she may not be as endowed as Arcueid, she is slender... No, no, what am I thinking!

...Wait, Akiha!!

"I shared my life with you, so with this, surely—Gu..."

"What are you saying, Akiha!! Your face is completely pale!!"

Akiha, whose complexion was clearly worse than before, was about to collapse. I frantically tried to catch her, but Akiha opened her eyes wide, pushed my hand away, and shouted.

"Nii-san!! Is your desire to help Arcueid-san and Yumizuka-san a lie?! You shouldn't have the luxury to worry about me!! You must go quickly and sever the ties of your past!"

Akiha's words pierce my heart. That's right. Akiha has done so much for me; I don't have time to stay still here. My body can definitely move; in fact, I feel better than usual.

"Thank you, Akiha—I promise I'll come back."

"Hmph, just hurry up and go. Otherwise, I won't be able to apologize to Yumizuka-san."

And I ran toward the location where the deadly battle was taking place. When I glanced back, Akiha sat heavily on the ground immediately after seeing me off.

Thank you, Akiha.

That's why I will definitely save those two and reclaim our ordinary life.

Renewing my resolve, I ran toward the two, determined to put an end to everything.