The afternoon sun hid behind grey clouds, casting a sleepy haze over the city. Inside Machio's house, silence filled the air… until a powerful sneeze echoed through the hallway.
"A-Achoo!"
Tachibana collapsed beside the futon, her cheeks flushed red—not with embarrassment this time, but with fever. She had cared for Machio all night, dabbing his forehead with a cool towel, feeding him porridge, and even whispering to him when he tossed and turned. But now, the tables had turned.
"Wh-What's going on with me…?" she groaned, curling under the blanket beside him. "Why is my temperature rising…"
> [SYSTEM ALERT: New Quest Available – Sultry Sweat: Nurse becomes the patient!
Objective: Apply body heat therapy.
Bonus Objective: Accidentally fall into a suggestive position.]
Machio, now sitting up, blinked at the system notification. "You're kidding…"
He glanced over at Tachibana, lying there helpless, her school blouse clinging to her from the heat. He swallowed hard.
"Okay, Machio, play it cool… She just saved your life. Don't—"
But then her hand slipped beneath the blanket, searching for warmth, and landed squarely on his thigh.
"Eek—!"
> [SYSTEM: New Mini-Quest! "Chest Check" – Accidentally bump into her chest while adjusting the blanket.]
"System, STOP," Machio muttered, adjusting the blanket over her with shaking hands.
Just then, the house lights flickered. A faint gust of wind swept through the open window, even though none were open.
And then… she arrived.
Click. Clack. Click.
The sound of sharp heels echoed as an elegant figure stood at the doorway. Rosaria Vermielle. Her long black hair flowed like velvet ink, and a tight crimson dress hugged every dangerous curve. Her ruby eyes glittered with amusement.
"Well, well," she purred. "The boy who touched my subordinate… and the girl who broke the ancient pact. What a cozy scene."
"Wh-Who are you?" Machio stammered, holding the blanket up.
Tachibana's eyes snapped open. "You…!"
"Cousin?" Rosaria smiled cruelly. "Long time no see, dear Tachibana."
"Why are you here?!"
"Isn't it obvious?" Rosaria stepped inside, hips swaying like a pendulum of sin. "You broke vampire law by binding with a human boy. And he—he awakened the Sadistic Control King. That kind of power doesn't just happen."
She leaned over Machio, one finger tracing his chest. "You… are trouble."
> [SYSTEM: Emergency Quest – "Peek from Below!" Objective: Glimpse under the Vampire Lady's skirt. Warning: May result in blood loss.]
Machio trembled, trying to look away… but the temptation… was…
"I—uh—I dropped a spoon!"
He bent over, and—
SWOOSH!
Rosaria raised her heel, catching him under the chin and sending him flying back onto the futon.
"Oops," she smirked. "Reflex."
Tachibana stood, swaying. "Y-You can't have him."
Rosaria turned. "Possessive, are we? How cute. But you were always the boring one in the family."
"Shut up, Rosaria!" Tachibana's eyes blazed crimson as her aura flared.
Suddenly, a blast of wind tore through the room.
A shadow landed between them.
Kira.
He wore his blazer like a cape and smirked with his arms folded. "Rosaria Vermielle. Still seducing boys half your age?"
Rosaria raised a brow. "And you must be the watchdog."
Kira looked at Machio, then at Tachibana. "You're both in over your heads."
Machio blinked. "Okay. Can someone explain what's going on?!"
Rosaria smiled. "Very well. Listen carefully, darling. You are now the center of a vampire civil war. The Crimson Lotus Pact was a forbidden rite that bonded Tachibana's clan and ours in peace. But you—you broke it when you touched Thesa's chest."
Machio coughed violently. "That's not fair! The system made me!"
> [SYSTEM: Not our fault you were born with excellent reflexes.]
Rosaria leaned down again, this time whispering in his ear. "Come with me. I'll show you pleasures and powers far beyond your imagination."
Tachibana lunged at her. "Stay away from him!"
The two vampires clashed—Thesa suddenly appearing behind Rosaria, her eyes burning red as she attacked Tachibana midair.
Fangs flashed, claws scraped. Tachibana's eyes narrowed as a dark wing-shaped aura formed behind her.
"You're not taking him," she growled.
Rosaria laughed. "Oh, dear. It's not about taking. It's about who he'll choose when the time comes."
She turned away, her red dress fluttering.
"This was a greeting. Next time, I'll come to collect."
And with a snap of her fingers, she vanished in a flurry of rose petals—Thesa following her into the shadows.
Kira cracked his neck. "Looks like you've officially become the most wanted human on the vampire council's radar."
Machio groaned, collapsing backward. "Why can't I just live a normal school life…"
> [SYSTEM: Because your perv-level is too high. Embrace destiny, King.]
---
To be continued