(Kurumu's POV)
It had been five days since Gin-senpai sent those demonic wolves to attack Tsukune, trying to gauge his abilities like some kind of twisted scientist poking at a specimen. Five days of watching him pretend nothing had happened during our club meetings, acting as if he hadn't tried to have us torn apart in the forest.
But I could feel it. Every time he looked at Tsukune, those eyes of his weren't just hungry for us anymore—they were hostile at him. Burning with something that went way beyond simple perversion. And the worst part? He was getting better at hiding it. The drool was gone, the obvious staring was gone, but the hatred underneath was sharper than ever.
At first, me and that useless pink-haired bat wanted to go straight to Nekonome-sensei and make a formal complaint. We'd practiced what we'd say, rehearsed our righteous indignation, and imagined the look on Gin's face when he got what he deserved.
But I just couldn't bring myself to add more trouble onto sensei's plate—she was already carrying the weight of a dying club, trying to keep it alive with nothing but her dedication to her job and optimism. And besides, Gin was the president. He had far more sway around here, even if he was unreliable and a creepy pervert.
A complaint from two first-year girls wouldn't do much except make things more awkward.
Even Tsukune dissuaded us, saying that eventually all the pressure would collapse and the two of them would fight it out for the head position. He said it so casually, like he was talking about the weather, and I couldn't tell if he was being brave or stupid.
Sometimes I couldn't understand him at all. Was this just male egos clashing? He could be so smart when it mattered—strategizing, planning, seeing angles I never would have noticed—but then when things were calm, he'd turn into an idiot who only wanted to relax and have some fun. It was infuriating. And endearing. And infuriating again.
Still, there was a dark side to him that I'd noticed briefly when Gin started his stalking, a side I'd never seen before—not even when I fought him back then. I'd been so confident, so sure I could beat him and Moka both, turn him into my slave and be done with it. But I'd been wrong. He'd resisted me, grown past me, and now even in his human form, his strength had reached a level comparable to my Yokai form.
His display of progress, and knowing from that pink bat that he was training every day—sometimes late into the night, sometimes before the sun even rose—I couldn't remain the same. I was aware of my own lacking fighting experience, aware that I was mainly reliant on my Charm and Hypnosis abilities.
Those had always been enough before. A smile here, a glance there, and any man would fall to my irresistible body and charms.
But reality had hit hard when those succubi abilities didn't work on the one target that mattered. I could feel that Gin could resist me since his power was beyond what I could tell, maybe even reaching S-tier like that scary silver-haired vampire, the inner-self of Moka, the one sealed inside the rosary. Meanwhile, Tsukune, I think he allowed himself to get charmed just so he could tease me and feel my body.
And if my primary weapons were useless against the people who actually threatened us, then what was I? Just another damsel waiting to be rescued.
So now I was training. Every night. Alone since I would feel awkward sharing my struggles with that pink bat, pushing myself past the limits I'd never bothered to test before.
---
The club building was quiet at this hour, most students already heading back to their dorms or lingering in the cafeteria, and the evening light had faded into the deep purple of early night. I'd stayed behind after everyone else left, telling Moka I had something to take care of and ignoring the suspicious look she gave me in return.
She'd probably thought I was sneaking off to see Tsukune alone. Which, fine, I wasn't not thinking about him, but that wasn't why I was here.
I had training to do.
Shizuka-sensei had been surprisingly helpful when I'd asked her about getting stronger, about learning to fight instead of just relying on my charm and my looks. She'd given me a few pointers on channeling demonic energy, on reinforcing my natural abilities with Yoki, on turning my body into a weapon instead of just a pretty distraction.
"You're a Succubus, Kurumu-chan," she'd said, her cat ears twitching with amusement. "Most of your kind focus on their Clan's abilities such as charming, seduction or on making others weak by trapping them into an illusion."
"While the body of Succubi are in general not suited for combat, your people have uncanny Agility and a decent amount of strength and plenty of Yoki to sustain a more aggressive fighting style. In a way, you Succubi can use the same fighting style as us Nekomatas."
"If you want to learn my Youjutsu, I wouldn't mind teaching you whenever I am available."
"Who knows, you might be the first of your kind to become a Youjutsu Master and fight your opponents directly, instead of just making others weaker and standing on the sidelines."
When I heard that, I couldn't help but nod like a chick. And, like this, my tutelage under Shizuka-sensei began.
So now I stood in the empty clearing behind the club building, my wings spread wide, my tail lashing behind me as I cycled through the exercises she'd shown me. The first was simple: gathering demonic energy in my palms, shaping it into something solid, something sharp. I'd never been good at this—my talents had always leaned toward the subtle, the persuasive, the kind of magic that slipped past defenses instead of crashing through them.
But I was learning.
A small orb of purple energy flickered to life between my hands, crackling with barely contained power. I held it for a moment, feeling the weight of it, the heat, then hurled it at a nearby tree.
The bark splintered, leaving a scorched crater the size of my fist.
'Not bad,' I thought, grinning despite myself. 'Not bad at all.'
I moved to the next exercise. Reinforcing my body with demonic energy, making myself faster, stronger, harder to hurt. This was harder—I could feel the energy flowing through my limbs, but keeping it stable while I moved was like trying to hold water in my hands. Every time I threw a punch or kicked, the energy scattered, dissipating before I could use it.
Again. I reset my stance. And again. And again.
By the time I'd finished, my arms were tingling and my tail was aching from the constant lashing, but I could feel the difference. The energy came easier now, responded faster. I wasn't where I wanted to be—not even close—but I was closer than I'd been yesterday.
I shook out my hands, flexed my wings, and moved to the combat drills.
Shizuka-sensei had shown me a few basic techniques—nothing fancy, just enough to defend myself if charm failed. Punches, kicks, blocks, the kind of things you'd learn in any self-defense class. But I'd adapted them, added my own flair, my own Succubus twist.
I lunged forward, my fist driving toward an imaginary opponent's throat. Pivoted, my tail whipping around to strike from the side. Spun, my wings flaring to throw off balance. The movements were becoming fluid, natural, less like a dance I'd memorized and more like a language my body was finally learning to speak.
Tsukune would be proud, I thought, and the warmth that spread through my chest had nothing to do with the exercise.
---
When I finally stopped, my breath was coming in short gasps and sweat was beading on my forehead, but I felt good.
I was stretching my wings when I felt it—a prickle at the back of my neck, the unmistakable sensation of being watched.
I turned, scanning the shadows between the trees, the corners of the club building, the path leading back to the main grounds. Nothing. Just the darkness and the wind and the distant sounds of students laughing somewhere far away.
'It's probably nothing,' I told myself. 'Might be some ghosts around, or I'm just tired.'
I turned back toward the club building, reaching for the door handle—
And he was there.
Gin. Right there. Closer than he should have been, close enough that I could smell the faint musk of his cologne, a type of cologne that made my nose wrinkle in disgust, but the underlying scent held something akin to a beast beneath it.
I hadn't heard him approach or sensed him at all, and this was not normal since I wasn't that pathetically weak, just weaker than the monsters of the Academy, like Tsukune or that scary silver-haired vampire.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"What the hell, Gin-senpai?!" I stumbled back, my wings flaring defensively, my tail lashing behind me. "Don't sneak up on people like that!"
"Sorry." His voice was too calm, too smooth, like oil spreading over water. "Just... admiring the view."
His eyes weren't right. They'd always been a little off—the pervert stare, the hungry look he got when he thought no one was watching. But this was different. His pupils had shifted, his irises had taken on a golden glow that caught the fading light, and the shape was similar to that of a wolf.
A predator's eyes.
And they were fixed on me. On my chest. On the curves my uniform couldn't quite hide, on the swell of my breasts that had been the delight of many and the envy of more.
Not his usual pervert stare. Something hungrier. Something that made my skin crawl.
'Get away,' my instincts screamed. 'Get away now and make space.'
But I didn't run, even if I wanted to, I was pretty sure that Gin would be able to catch me immediately. Besides, I was tired of running, tired of being the damsel, tired of waiting for Tsukune to save me.
I was going to be strong. I was going to protect myself.
My tail lashed out, reinforced with demonic energy, the tip hardening into a spike that could punch through stone. I aimed for his chest—not to kill, just to push him back, to make him understand that I wasn't prey.
He caught it.
Just caught it. Like it was nothing. His hand closed around my tail, and I felt the energy I'd poured into it scatter like startled birds, felt the strength drain out of the strike as if it had never been.
He held it for a moment too long. His thumb stroked the sensitive skin, and I felt a shiver run through me that had nothing to do with fear.
"Soft," he murmured, his golden eyes never leaving mine. "Like the rest of you, I bet."
'Disgusting. Creep. Pervert. Monster.'
I yanked my tail back, but his grip was iron. I couldn't move. Couldn't pull away. Couldn't do anything but stand there, frozen, while he held me in place with one hand and stared at me with those burning eyes.
'Fine,' I thought, rage and fear twisting together in my chest. 'If you want to play rough, we'll play rough.'
I reached for my charm, for the mind manipulation I'd sworn off, the power I'd promised Tsukune I wouldn't use.
'I'll turn him into a mindless fool. A slave. He'll do whatever I say, and then I'll make him forget this ever happened. I'll make him forget he ever touched me.'
The energy built between my hands, purple and pulsing, ready to strike—
And Gin released my tail.
He stepped back, his hands raised in mock surrender, his golden eyes flickering back to something almost human. "Easy, Kurumu-chan. Just playing around. No need to get hostile."
I stood there, breathing hard, my charm still crackling at my fingertips. "Playing around?"
"You know how it is." He shrugged, already turning away. "Long day. Needed to unwind. Saw a pretty girl and thought I'd say hello."
"That wasn't hello."
"Wasn't it?"
He walked away, his footsteps crunching on the gravel path, and I let him go. I didn't have the strength to follow. Didn't have the will.
Because I'd felt it, in that moment when he'd held my tail, when he'd looked at me with those golden eyes. The gap between us. The disparity in strength was overwhelming.
I couldn't have made him my slave even if I wanted to turn him. The moment my charm would activate it would have slid off like water off stone, and he would have laughed, and then—
And then what? Seeing how perverted his gaze was and how hungry he looked at my body…
I didn't want to think about it.
I slumped against the wall of the club building, my wings folding, my tail curling around my leg. The charm energy dissipated, useless and unspent, leaving me feeling hollow and weak.
'Am I really that useless that I can't defend myself against someone pathetic like Gin?'
'No way! I can't ignore my training anymore. I need to get stronger.' I thought, watching the shadows where Gin had disappeared. 'Stronger than this. For myself and for those dear to me.'
'For the next time someone looked at me like that, and I couldn't do anything to fight back.'
---
After Gin left, I couldn't stay in my dorm room at all, the thought that Gin would come out of nowhere and harass me, and with the previous incident, my mind couldn't settle down. I was turning and wrestling with my pillow, but my mind couldn't be at ease.
Should I go confide in Moka about what happened? Heh, and add ammo for her to piss me off and take advantage of the situation to claim the first spot in Tsukune's heart?
I had no other friends, other than Moka, and even that was a stretch because we couldn't stand each other because we were competing for Tsukune's attention. The only one I can consider a friend, was my destined one, my lovely Tsukune who could listen to my ramblings for hours without being bothered and even respond to my musings.
I couldn't pretend that everything was fine when my hands were still shaking and my tail kept twitching every time I thought about those golden eyes.
The only person I could truly confide in was him. I needed to see him like a breath of fresh air, my only safe space.
Still in my pajamas, I opened my window and took off from 3rd floor of the girl's dorms to fly to him.
The campus blurred beneath me, dark and empty, and before I knew it, I was hovering outside the boys' dormitory. Tsukune's room was on the ground floor—he'd mentioned it once to me where he was living, and I'd remembered because I remembered everything about him.
The window was cracked open, warm light spilling out into the night, but I couldn't just storm my way inside. Instead, went closer to the window to check if Tsukune was still awake or he was asleep.
If he was asleep, I would just slip through the gap and nestle close to him.
But before I could put my thoughts in motion, I froze when I saw the scene ahead of me.
Tsukune was standing in the center of the room, his back to me, and he wasn't Tsukune. Not the one I knew, anyway. His skin was pale as marble, his hair silver-white instead of its usual dark brown, and from his back stretched two massive bat-like wings, black as pitch, their membranes catching the lamplight. In his hand, he held a sword—jet-black, with an edge that seemed to drink the light rather than reflect it.
My breath caught in my throat.
I'd seen this form before, during the mermaid fight, when he'd transformed into something similar, only that previously his hair was still its usual dark brown, yet, he retained something terrible and beautiful.
It was strange because from what I remember, Tsukune told me that he would rather not transform into his Vampire form… Could it be that he is in danger?
No. I can't tell. He was just... standing there, holding the sword like it was an extension of his arm, his crimson eyes fixed on something I couldn't see.
The sword pulsed.
A slow, rhythmic throb, like a heartbeat, like the weapon was alive and hungry. A chill ran down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms, and I had to fight the urge to step back from the window, to flee, to put distance between myself and that thing.
'What is that?' I thought, my heart hammering. 'It's like the demonic sword from before, but... different. I can feel the darkness within it. Like it was made from an Abyss.'
The shadows around Tsukune's feet writhed like living things, coiling up his legs, wrapping around his torso like a cloak made of darkness. His wings were spread wide in a combat stance, and his whole body radiated a kind of focused intensity that made me feel like I was interrupting something sacred.
I shouldn't be standing so close to the window… I might interrupt something important, but I couldn't move. Couldn't look away.
"All-Black," Tsukune said, and his voice was cold, nothing like the teasing, sarcastic tone I was used to. "You should be glad that I'm giving you the chance to taste the essence of so many powerful creatures. Better behave, or you will remain forever inside Annihilation Maker. I am not like your previous master. My goal is far broader than just destroying the world."
'All-Black? What kind of name was that for a sword?'
He spoke to the weapon like it could understand him. Was it sentient? I did hear and read in the Clan's archives that special weapons could contain Egos.
And the sword pulsed again, as if in response—a hungry, eager throb that made my stomach clench. I could feel its malevolence from across the room, could feel the way it wanted to consume, to devour, to grow stronger on the essence of everything it touched.
'He's holding something dangerous.'
Then Tsukune did something with his free hand—a gesture, a flex of power—and darkness erupted from his palm, swallowing the blade whole. It was like watching a black hole open and close in the span of a heartbeat, and when it was gone, the sword had vanished, and the shadows around his feet had settled into something calmer.
Only then did I realize I'd been holding my breath.
His wings folded against his back. His skin began to warm, the marble pallor fading to something more human.
And then he turned to look at me.
"What a surprise at such an hour." His voice was back to normal, teasing, but his crimson eyes were still glowing faintly. "But you should know the dorm rules, Kurumu-chan."
I forced a smile, trying to ignore the way my heart was still racing.
"Oh my. Mind my manners."
He looked down at himself, at the remnants of his vampire form still fading, and let out a small laugh. Then he crossed to the window and pushed it open wider, gesturing for me to come inside properly.
I didn't wait. I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest. I was shaking—I could feel it, could feel my whole body trembling against his—and I didn't care how pathetic it looked.
He stiffened for a moment, surprised—this wasn't my usual routine, wasn't the teasing or the flirting or the calculated seduction. This was just me, scared and small and needing someone to hold me.
Then his arms came up around me, one hand settling on my back, the other stroking my hair.
"Hey," he said quietly. "What's wrong?"
I couldn't answer at first. I just clung to him, breathing in his scent, letting the warmth of his body chase away the cold that had settled in my bones.
When I finally pulled back, I kept my hands on his chest, needing the contact. "It was Gin. After training. He... he was there, harassed me. I tried to fight back, but he was too much for me."
"Even my strongest attack with my tail was blocked—no, caught. I couldn't move, couldn't fight back. Then I tried to charm him, but I could feel it wouldn't work, that he was too strong. And he just stood there looking at me like I was..."
I couldn't finish. The memory of the incident was still fresh in my mind.
Tsukune's face went cold. Not angry—I'd seen him angry before, and this wasn't it. This was something else, something deeper and quieter and more dangerous.
But he didn't say anything. He just pulled me back into his arms, holding me tight, letting me press my face against his chest where I could hear his heartbeat, steady and strong.
"You did well," he said finally, his voice low. "You tried to defend yourself. That's more than most people would do."
"I couldn't even—"
"You tried." His hand came up to cup the back of my head, holding me gently. "You're not at fault for wanting to train in peace. He's the one who crossed the line."
I shook my head against his chest. "I should have been able to—"
"You're alright." He pulled back just enough to look at me, his brown eyes—they were brown again, the crimson faded—meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "I'm proud of you, Kurumu. Prouder than you could believe. You might not know how much spirit it takes for someone to change itself. You're getting stronger by the day, that is undeniable."
"That by itself makes you special."
I sniffled, hating the wetness in my eyes. "You're not upset that I tried to use my charm on him?"
"Why would I be upset?" He looked genuinely confused. "You used your powers to defend yourself. That's what matters. I told you that using your succubus abilities for that harem plan of yours was stupid, and looking back, maybe I wasn't specific enough." A small smile tugged at his lips. "Self-defense is always allowed."
I laughed despite myself, a watery, broken sound. "You're such an idiot."
"Maybe." He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. "But I'm not going to let him touch you again."
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that he could protect me, that he was strong enough to face whatever Gin was planning. But I'd felt the power in those golden eyes, the sheer weight of his presence, and I couldn't help the doubt that crept into my voice.
"Tsukune..."
"I'm going to have a word with him tomorrow." His expression hardened. "A proper one."
"Alone?" The word came out before I could stop it, and I hated how small I sounded.
He cupped my face in his hands, tilting it up so I had to look at him. "Don't worry about me. I'm more than prepared to face an idiotic, perverted werewolf." His smirk was back, but there was steel underneath it. "I've been training too, you know."
I wanted to argue, wanted to tell him that Gin was dangerous, that I'd felt how strong he was, that he shouldn't take this lightly. But the look in his eyes stopped me. He wasn't being arrogant. He was being confident.
And maybe that confidence was enough.
He must have sensed that I was still rattled, because he reached into his shadow and pulled out Kuriboh. The little creature chirped sleepily, blinking at me with those big brown eyes, and before I could protest, Tsukune placed it on my shoulder.
"Winged Kuriboh," he said, "cheer her up."
The fluffy creature tilted its head, then promptly headbutted my cheek. I yelped, more from surprise than pain, and Kuriboh chirped happily, nuzzling against my skin.
Then another Kuriboh appeared from his shadow. And another. Soon there were three of them—the winged one I knew, a rounder one with a sleepy expression, and a smaller one without wings, only the fluffy brown fur.
"They're called Sphere Kuriboh and Kuriboh," Tsukune explained, watching as they swarmed me with gentle headbutts and soft chirps. "I've been experimenting with my Sacred Gear."
I couldn't help but laugh as the little creatures surrounded me, their fluffy bodies pressing against my arms, my chest, my face. They were warm and soft and utterly ridiculous, and somehow, impossibly, they made me feel better.
"Thank you," I said, looking up at Tsukune.
He smiled. "Anytime."
The Kuribohs eventually settled down, curling up on my lap and on my shoulders, their tiny bodies radiating warmth. I sat on the edge of his bed, still holding onto one of them, and watched as he tidied up his desk.
"Hey," I said, suddenly nervous. "Can I... can I stay here tonight?"
He looked at me, raising an eyebrow.
"Not like that!" I felt my cheeks flush. "I just... I don't want to be alone… I just want to sleep somewhere safe."
He was quiet for a moment. Then he shrugged. "Sure. I've got a spare blanket. You can take the bed."
"The bed?"
"I'll take the floor. It's fine."
I shook my head. "No. We can share. It's not like we haven't—" I stopped, my face burning. "I mean, it's a big bed. We can both fit."
He looked at me for a long moment, and I could see him weighing the options, calculating the consequences. But then he sighed, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
"Fine. But no funny business. It would be bad for your mental health if we had something ecchi."
"Ecchi things??? Me??" I put a hand to my chest in mock offense. "I would never."
He snorted. "Sure, Kurumu."
I grinned, and for once I felt like everything might actually be okay.
The bed was big enough for two, technically, but neither of us had accounted for the reality of actually sharing it. I lay on my side, facing the wall, my back to Tsukune, trying to ignore the warmth radiating from his body just a few inches away. The Kuribohs had curled up at the foot of the bed, a fluffy pile of chirping contentment, but they were no help at all.
The silence was unbearable.
I could hear him breathing. Could feel the mattress shift every time he moved. Could smell that stupid, wonderful scent of his that made my tail want to wag.
'This was a mistake,' I thought, staring at the wall. 'A wonderful, terrible mistake.'
"You're thinking too loud," Tsukune said from behind me, his voice low and amused.
"I'm not thinking anything."
"You're thinking about how awkward this is."
"...Maybe."
He laughed softly. "Just relax, Kurumu. It's just sleeping. Nothing more."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who—" I stopped myself, my cheeks flushing.
"Who what?"
"Nothing."
The silence returned, but it was different now. Less tense. Almost comfortable.
I felt him shift again, and then his hand touched my shoulder—just a light tap, barely there.
"Turn around," he said.
"What? Why?"
"Because it's weird talking to the back of your head. Turn around."
I hesitated, then slowly rolled over to face him. His face was inches from mine, his brown eyes soft in the dim light filtering through the curtains. He looked tired, but not annoyed. Not uncomfortable.
"See?" he said. "Not so bad."
I swallowed hard. "You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
We lay there for a moment, just looking at each other. I could feel my heart pounding, could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, could feel every nerve in my body screaming at me to close the distance, to do something, to—
'Kyaaaahhh! Not like this.'
I must have fallen asleep at some point, because when I opened my eyes again, the room was completely dark and Tsukune's breathing had evened out into the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.
He'd rolled onto his back at some point, one arm draped across his stomach, the other resting on the pillow near my head. His face was relaxed, younger somehow, all the sharp edges smoothed away.
I watched him for a long moment, drinking in the sight of him like I'd never see him again.
'He's really a hotty.'
'First time I've seen him in class he wasn't that stunning per se, but he had charms. Now, he is stupidly hot. Hehe, but this is all mine.'
Slowly, carefully, I scooted closer. The mattress creaked, and I froze, but Tsukune didn't stir. I moved again, inch by inch, until I was pressed against his side, my head resting on his shoulder, my arm draped across his chest.
He was warm. So warm.
I let out a soft sigh and closed my eyes.
His arm moved.
I stiffened, thinking I'd woken him, but he was still asleep—he'd just shifted, his arm coming up to wrap around my shoulders, pulling me closer against him.
My heart nearly stopped.
He's cuddling me in his sleep.
'Kyaahhh! I'm so in love with you Tsukune!!'
'He's actually cuddling me.'
I pressed my face into his neck, breathing him in, letting the steady beat of his pulse lull me back toward sleep. The Kuribohs chirped softly from the foot of the bed, and somewhere in the darkness, I heard the Familiar squeak.
For the first time since forever, I felt safe.
(Tsukune's POV)
I wasn't asleep.
Now that I was half a step away from fully embracing the Vampire Path, sleep was no longer a mandatory thing—helpful, sure, but not required. And with my senses enhanced to supernatural levels, I couldn't help but notice every little shift Kurumu made.
As for the current situation with Kurumu, I can't be an asshole and take advantage of the girl when she feels vulnerable. I can only give up and take some steps forward, and let her sleep with me if she wishes.
My senses being enhanced to supernatural levels, made it impossible not to notice how she was watching me. I felt her hesitation, felt the moment she decided to move closer.
And I'd let her.
Because deep down, she needed this, to feel herself safe and not worry about Gin watching her even in her bed. And as a bonus, I decided to affirm my commitment to her, since so far I've been rather dull and cold to her signaling.
When she finally settled against me, her body soft and warm, her hair tickling my chin, I felt something loosen in my chest. Something I hadn't even known was tight.
I waited until her breathing evened out, until her body went limp and her grip on my shirt relaxed. Then I opened my eyes.
The moonlight filtering through the curtains painted her face in shades of silver and shadow. Her expression was peaceful, all the worry and fear from earlier smoothed away. Her lips were parted slightly, her lashes dark against her cheeks.
'She is beautiful.'
'Amongst my favourite heroines from the show, but now, this is no longer a show. I am living it and breathing in this chaotic world.'
I reached up with my free hand and brushed a strand of hair from her face. She didn't stir. I traced the line of her cheek with my thumb, feather-light, and she sighed in her sleep, nuzzling closer.
'What am I even doing?'
But I didn't pull away.
'I can't help myself, she is so inviting, so let her have a sweeter dream.'
I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. I wish it could be on those inviting lips, but I wouldn't lower myself to do something that I might regret later.
Her lips curved into a smile—a pure, unconscious smile, nothing like the teasing smirks or flirtatious grins she usually wore. This was just... happy.
'Yeah,' I thought, settling back against the pillow, my arm still wrapped around her. 'This is okay.'
I closed my eyes and let myself ponder what I should do with my new legendary weapon.
(Kurumu's POV)
When I woke, the sun was streaming through the curtains and Tsukune was gone.
I blinked, disoriented, my hand reaching out to touch the empty space beside me. The sheets were still warm, this wasn't a lucid dream created from my Succubi powers.
I sat up slowly, the chubby wingless Kuriboh tumbling off my lap with sleepy chirps of protest.
My hair was a mess, my pajamas were wrinkled, and I felt more rested than I had in days.
And then I remembered everything that went down last night, from the cuddles to watching Tsukune sleep. The way he'd pulled me closer in his arms, like I was his girlfriend.
But above all else, the warmth on my forehead still radiated, at least to myself.
'Did that really happen?' I touched my forehead, right where he'd—
'No. No. No. I might be imagining things. That had to have been a dream. He wouldn't have—'
But the smile on my face wouldn't go away.
I looked around the room, but Tsukune was nowhere to be seen. This was the first time in my life that I was in a boy's room, and looking around, I couldn't help but notice how tidy everything was. His desk was tidy, his uniform was gone, and on the pillow beside me was a single Kuriboh, watching me with its big brown eyes.
Kuri?
"Hey there, little guy." I scooped it up, holding it against my chest. "Do you know where he went?"
It chirped while shaking its head, before nuzzling into my palm.
I laughed softly. "Yeah. Me neither."
I sat there for a long moment, holding the Kuriboh, breathing in the lingering scent of him.
For the first time in days, I wasn't afraid of what came next.