Twilight was falling when Shichen left the home of Tokisaki Kurumi and Yamauchi Sawa. On the way back he bought some kinako pan before going home.
Nothing much had happened at the two girls' place. Yamauchi Sawa had raised a weighty topic, and nobody was in the mood to do anything after that.
It wasn't that Shichen had no way to let her live forever—the simplest would be to turn her into a vampire.
But becoming a vampire is not something everyone wants.
Judging by her expression, Yamauchi Sawa had clearly accepted long ago that she would grow old and die. After all, she had lived alongside Tokisaki Kurumi for so long, always watching that unchanged face of hers; she couldn't possibly have avoided thinking about it.
With all that time, she had probably already worked it out for herself.
Shichen decided to revisit the subject with Yamauchi Sawa after a while. Right now he didn't even need to ask—he already knew she would refuse unless he could give her a reason to stay attached to life.
"Shichen~ you're finally back!"
The moment he stepped through the door, Yatogami Tohka bounded toward him, leaping straight into his arms and locking her strong legs around his waist.
Catching her with one arm, Shichen laughed and reminded her, "Watch your kinako pan."
"Ah!" Tohka realized, quickly jumped down and took the bag from him.
"My precious kinako pan~"
"You can't eat it now—I'll be making dinner in a bit."
"I know~ but having one or two is okay, right?"
"If you eat one or two you won't be able to stop!" Shichen pierced her little scheme.
"Mm… all right."
"Kotori?" Shichen and Tohka walked into the living room but didn't see Itsuka Kotori.
"She said she had something to do—said she'd be right back."
"Really? Was she wearing her black ribbon or the white one?"
"Eh? The black one."
"Then I know what she's up to."
Shichen nodded, went over to the engrossed Yoshino, picked her up, and sat down where she had been.
"Welcome home, Shichen-nii," Yoshino whispered, sitting on his lap.
"Mm, I'm home." Shichen rubbed his cheek against her smooth one.
"Ooh, Onii-chan sure likes Yoshino," teased the puppet Yoshinon.
"Hmph‑hmph, who could help it when Yoshino's so cute?"
"Ah! I want that too!" Tohka immediately squeezed in.
"What are you competing with Yoshino for?"
"I don't care—Shichen, you've never done that with me! I want it too!"
"Fine, fine…"
After a bit of face‑to‑face play with Tohka, Shichen went to the kitchen to start supper.
…
Halfway through cooking, Kotori came back together with Murasame Reine.
"I'm home!"
"Oh, Kotori, welcome back!"
"Where's Shichen-nii? Hasn't he come back? Don't tell me he's spending the night at that woman's house?"
"Shichen's already home—he's making dinner."
"That's good."
"I'll lend a hand," Reine said, and walked toward the kitchen.
Entering, she found Shichen focused on stir‑frying; the aroma filling the room was one she liked.
"Shichen‑kun, is there anything I can help with?"
"Reine, you're back."
"Mm‑hmm."
"Pass me a plate, please—this dish is ready."
"Sure."
After emptying the wok onto the plate, Shichen smiled at her. "That's all I need; why don't you watch TV with the others?"
"…Is that so…"
Reine looked a little disappointed. Shichen thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "How about tasting it for me?"
"Hmm? I can."
"Great."
He handed her the chopsticks. Instead of taking them, Reine closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly—meaning obvious.
Shichen hesitated no longer; he'd fed her before. He picked up a piece, blew on it twice, and held it to her lips.
"Ah—"
Reine slowly opened wider, revealing white teeth and a soft pink tongue.
Suppressing the urge to swallow, Shichen placed the bite in her mouth.
"How is it?"
"…Delicious." Reine nodded lightly.
"Good."
"…I'll head out then."
"Okay."
After she left, Shichen stared blankly for a moment before continuing to cook.
…
Dinner finished, Shichen rested a bit, then he and Reine cleared the table.
Carrying dishes into the kitchen, Shichen said, "Thanks, Reine."
"No need—it's what I should do."
"You're a guest." He smiled.
"Does Shichen‑kun still think of me as a guest?" Reine countered.
"Of course not—you know I don't mean that."
"Mm."
Silence fell. Staring at the dishwasher, Shichen suddenly said, "Reine, I may have to trouble you soon."
"What?" Reine looked puzzled.
"I plan… to leave for a while." He turned to her, laying it out.
Tokisaki Kurumi was fine now; he had decided to go away for a time.
He'd been in this world almost three months—time to go back and have a look.
"You're leaving? What… do you mean?" Reine asked, stunned.
"Don't worry, it's only temporary—I'll be back soon. Consider it a trip."
"…So you really are leaving," she muttered.
"What was that?" Shichen pretended not to hear.
"Nothing… but what about Tohka and the others? Without you, they won't behave."
"Relax—I plan to take them with me."
"Eh?" Reine's mouth dropped open.
"What's wrong?"
"Shichen‑kun… you can take Tohka and the others away?"
"I'm not sure, but I think I can manage."
"Ho‑how?" Reine suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Well… it has to do with my abilities."
"I see… then, Shichen‑kun, where will you go?"
"Where…?" Shichen thought for a moment. "Someplace very far away, I suppose."
"…I understand." Reine seemed to lose strength and let go of his hand.
"So, I'll be counting on you and Kotori for a while."
"You're not taking Kotori?"
"I probably can't take her…"
"Then why can you take Tohka and the rest?"
"They're Spirits—special cases."
"Spirits…" Reine fell into thought.
"Reine, don't tell Kotori yet. I'll be leaving in a few days—I'll find time to tell her myself."
"…All right."
…
That night, Shichen was alone with Tohka in her room.
"Shichen, why are you in my room tonight? Are we… going to do something naughty?" Tohka lay beside him, nervous.
"Aren't you the one with naughty thoughts?" Shichen teased.
"Am not…" Tohka blushed.
"Heh‑heh, sorry to disappoint—you're not getting anything naughty."
"Is that so… N‑no! I'm not disappointed!" She flailed tiny fists at him.
"Haha—okay, okay, stop pounding. I have something important to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I'm planning to leave for a while."
"Leave? Go where?"
"Somewhere far away."
"Far away… what about me?" Tohka asked anxiously.
"Of course I'm taking you."
"Good." She let out a breath.
"So you're willing to come with me?"
"Of course! I'll be with you forever!" Tohka hugged him tight.
"Great…" Shichen smiled happily. "Then we have to do one thing."
"What thing?"
"Something that will let you stay with me."
"Then let's do it."
They sat up together.
"Remember about bloodsucking?"
"I know—do you want to suck blood again?" Tohka cocked her head, unbuttoning her collar to reveal a snowy neck.
"Not exactly… but close."
"Shichen, you can suck anywhere you want!" she said generously.
"Anywhere, huh…"
Shichen laughed, shook his head, then embraced her, inhaling her scent, feeling her softness. His fangs extended and pierced her neck gently.
"Tohka, when you see someone in a moment, don't be surprised, okay?"
"Who?"
"You'll know soon."
As he finished, Tohka dissolved into violet light and merged into his body. Immediately a surprised voice rang inside him.
"Eh— you're—!?"