The drizzle outside and the cold air made the pub's glass window turn foggy.
Kier drank occasionally, but usually with Loid. This was the first time he had ever drunk with a girl alone, and it was a big deal. After all, Ayla was, in his opinion, the most beautiful person in Chrono University.
But it wasn't just her looks that made her stand out. She was a top student, an active leader in several school organizations, talented in almost everything she did, and most impressively, she never hesitated to speak her mind. Kier still remembered how she'd fearlessly stood her ground against a teacher who was clearly being biased during a school competition.
"You're from this district?" Ayla asked, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping lightly against the rim of her cocktail glass.
At this point, Kier wasn't sure if he should keep pretending. Should he just admit that he'd come to this blind date pretending to be his friend for money? If he did, he'd look like a desperate idiot.
But if he wanted Ayla to become his friend, wouldn't confessing later make things even more complicated?
"Is that a hard question?" Ayla chuckled.
Kier blinked, realizing he'd gone silent for far too long. The bartender slid his drink across the counter, and he stared at the liquid for a moment before glancing back at Ayla.
"My name is Kier," he said finally, "not Loid."
Ayla didn't even look surprised. She simply raised her cocktail and clinked it against his glass sitting on the bar counter.
"I know."
Kier's lips parted slightly, dumbfounded.
"How…?"
"You're Kier Zoldrec, a third-year student at Chrono University. Business major."
He could hardly believe it. Ayla Reister actually knew who he was.
"I read the short story you submitted for the school festival last year," she continued. "It won second place in the school publication. It was quite interesting."
"Oh…"
Kier could barely remember what he'd written. He wasn't even into writing, it had all started with a lost bet with Loid. His friend had dared him to join the short story contest, and Kier had assumed his entry was terrible. He was certain it wouldn't even make the shortlist.
"I read the winning piece," Ayla said, taking another sip. "It wasn't as good as yours. I think the judging committee failed to spot the better one."
"Thanks. I didn't expect you'd read it."
"Because I'm not intellectual?"
"No, of course not," Kier said quickly. Who in their right mind would say that to Ayla? She was practically adored by every professor at Chrono, the most prestigious university around.
"I just thought it might not be your kind of thing."
"I'm just kidding!" she smiled.
She smiled a lot. That was one of the things he liked about her.
The world they lived in wasn't exactly a paradise. In fact, being human in a world ruled by vampires was far from anything resembling normalcy. And yet, to live with so many smiles to offer others… Kier thought that was something rare and beautiful.
One drink after another, Kier didn't notice the time while talking to Ayla. He wasn't exactly a sociable person, but Ayla always had something to say. Somehow, he found it easy to talk around her.
But unbeknownst to him…
Ayla's eyes held a strange glint. A wicked one, something Kier failed to notice.
"It's really fun talking to you, but I have classes tomorrow. I need to go," Kier said, knowing when to stop drinking. He couldn't possibly get wasted in front of his crush, could he?
"Let's walk together to the bus stop, then."
Kier nodded. He was going to suggest that anyway. Walking outside at night even with many humans around didn't exactly guarantee safety. The treaty between humans and vampires forbade public violence, but that didn't mean vampires lacked creativity.
Outside the pub, they had to pass through a narrow alleyway to reach the main street. The lamppost flickered weakly, as if on its last breath, while Ayla and Kier walked side by side.
"Is your house far from here?" Kier asked, realizing their conversation had strayed far from personal details like addresses.
He wondered if he should offer to walk her all the way home. But considering this was their first time hanging out, would that be too forward?
Ayla, on the other hand, had thoughts Kier couldn't begin to imagine.
"Yes, don't worry," she said sweetly.
Ayla genuinely enjoyed Kier's company, she had to admit. But as a vampire, she needed to feed and Kier was easy prey. Blame his poor luck for being seen by her in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He wasn't a corrupted human, she could tell by the absence of sin essence in his blood. Still, he would make a decent appetizer for the night. Perhaps afterward she'd go hunting for someone more… flavorful. A corrupted human whose blood reeked of sin.
She hadn't planned to feed on Kier when she first saw him at the café. She had merely found the scene interesting and decided to indulge in some light conversation over coffee.
But when she saw the raw admiration in his pale blue eyes, she despised it.
It was the kind of admiration she rarely saw despite being adored by many, and that was precisely why she hated it.
Ayla's steps slowed, letting Kier walk a few paces ahead. Her gaze trailed to the crook of his neck, the perfect spot to bite.
Her amber eyes darkened to crimson. Her fangs were ready to bare.