Splash!
Swish!
Water roared in their ears and blue surrounded them on every side. There was no shoreline in sight—only a vast sky and drifting white clouds.
Kasumigaoka Utaha clutched Shichen's hand, unwilling to let go even though her feet were now "firmly" planted on the surface of the sea.
There was no sign of people or ships, not even a bird overhead.
"W‑Where are we?" Utaha's voice trembled.
"On the ocean," Shichen answered matter‑of‑factly.
"I can see that! I mean—why did you bring me here? And which ocean is this, anyway?"
"Doesn't matter. No one ever comes here."
"I never said I wanted to visit a place like this!"
"Relax. With me around you're perfectly safe. Notice how standing on the water feels just like standing on solid ground?"
"Maybe so…but it's still unsettling!"
"For someone who's about to stop being an ordinary human, you're awfully nervous."
"I am still an ordinary human!"
"All right, all right… But it's a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience. Are you really going to pass it up?"
Utaha pressed her lips together and glanced around. Everywhere she looked, the deep‑blue sea filled her vision, and the unbelievable sensation beneath her feet felt like sand yet not sand… It was too extraordinary to abandon so lightly.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
"Trust me. I have complete control over this stretch of ocean."
"How? Is it magic?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
During the past two months Chisato had been boasting about magic nonstop, and Utaha had long since wanted to try it herself—yet Shichen had been away for a full month longer than planned, leaving her restless and unable to focus on writing.
"It isn't magic."
Shichen shook his head with a smile and raised his hand. "It's its power."
"Its?"
She lowered her gaze to the back of his hand, where a red symbol appeared—the Greek letter α (alpha).
A surge of power radiated from Shichen, pressing outward across the sea. Utaha felt no discomfort thanks to the barrier he had set up, but the sky dimmed and rain began to pour, the calm waves turning to swells.
"Is this your doing? What are you up to?" she asked, a little frightened.
"Look under your feet."
"Under…? Eek!"
Beneath the water a gigantic creature swam past.
Shaped like a whale, its body was deep blue with a white belly and two enormous pectoral fins, each tipped with four white blocks that resembled fingers. Its tail split into four ribbon‑like lobes. Above each eye sat an oval white patch, and red streaks ran across its body, glowing faintly.
"Getting scared already?" Shichen teased, steadying her.
"Of course I'm scared! A monster that big just showed up out of nowhere. Did you summon it?"
"Mm‑hmm. It's called Kyogre—my Familiar."
"Kyogre? That sounds…so familiar. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before—"
"You probably know Pokémon, right?"
"Pokémon—ah! Now I remember! Why do you—actually, never mind." Utaha shook her head, giving up on questioning him.
"Not curious anymore?"
"I'm done being surprised by your abilities. Let's get to the main point."
"In such a hurry? Ready already?"
"Hmph—like you'd let me go even if I said no." Utaha loosened her collar, revealing a trace of pale skin.
"Hey now, that's unfair—I do respect your wishes," Shichen said, eyes fixed on her graceful neck, a sheen of perspiration glinting faintly in the humid air.
"Respect my wishes? More like you only care when I agree with you. Your possessiveness is obvious."
"Since you know that, I'll dispense with the formalities," he said, drawing her into his arms.
Although a little shorter than Tohru, Utaha somehow felt more slender. Maybe it was because Tohru was…more generously built; every hug from her was a chest‑level impact.
"You're really…bold," Utaha murmured, heart racing.
"You know the condition for triggering it, right?" he whispered in her ear.
"I—of course I know."
"Then you'll have to do better than that if you want to tempt me."
"…Then let go of me first."
"Can't. You smell too nice," he said candidly.
"M‑My smell? Hold on—" Utaha pulled away, face scarlet. "Is it sweat? Maybe I should go back and shower first—"
"I don't mind."
For Shichen—now embracing the nature of a progenitor vampire—even the faintest hint of her scent was irresistible.
"Well I mind!" she huffed.
"You're sure? If we head back now, this chance disappears."
"…You really don't care?"
"Not at all. In fact, I rather like it."
"…Pervert."
Despite her words, Utaha loosened her top a little more. A glimpse of white undergarment and a hint of a valley appeared. Though not quite matching Tohru's abundant curves, she was still more than impressive.
"There—happy?" she asked, turning her face away.
"That's hardly enough. I'm no blushing schoolboy."
"Tch—"
With a swift motion she lifted her outer garment entirely.
Crimson flickered in Shichen's eyes. The smooth pale skin, faintly flushed, seemed to glow. He stepped forward and gently gathered her into his arms.
"H‑Hey, what are you—"
"Just looking isn't enough," he murmured.
"W‑What more do you want?" she asked nervously.
"You're already like this. If I did nothing, I'd hardly be‑—well, a man."
"I'm only helping to stimulate you, that's all! Don't get any funny ideas!"
"Too late," he whispered, bending to her neck. A cool tongue brushed her skin.
"Mm—!"
Before she could speak further, Shichen's kiss silenced her. Startled, Utaha widened her eyes—this was nothing like what had happened with Chisato before. But resistance never formed; instead she wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes, yielding to the moment.
After a long while he pulled back. His eyes now shone red and slender fangs extended—without hesitation he pressed them gently into her neck. Utaha felt a brief sting, quickly replaced by a strange, heated rush. She arched toward him, hands roaming his back unconsciously.
Shichen took only a small draught of her blood—less than he had from Chisato—then pushed a drop of his own lifeblood into her veins. A single crimson thread followed his fangs as he withdrew, falling across her pale skin.
"Utaha—"
Before he could finish, she seized him and kissed him fiercely. Her gaze was already hazy.
"Shichen, I…I feel strange…" She guided his hand to her chest.
His fingers twitched of their own accord.
"Mm—"
"You okay?" he asked, knowing full well the answer.
"Shichen…I think I…want you…"
"Isn't that backwards?"
"Doesn't matter!" She loosened her remaining undergarment.
As the garment drifted onto the sea's surface, Shichen's attention was drawn to the snowy peaks before him, reflected in her cherry‑colored eyes like a spell he couldn't break.
"Shichen…I want—!"
She pressed his hand against her heart once more.
"You're only under a small urge. It'll pass if you can hold out."
"I…can't hold out. Aren't you a man?"
That decided it for him. "Just promise you won't regret this later."
"How could I ever regret it?"
With that, Shichen cradled her and lowered them both onto the water's surface. Rain poured, waves surged, yet inside the barrier the sea became their bed. And on that boundless blue stage, Utaha—ever the novelist—sang out a melody that no one heard, save the immense beast beneath the waves, drifting aimlessly and utterly unmoved by the highs and lows of her voice.
~~~
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