The sun set gradually, and Yuichiro secretly ran out of school.
He arrived near the Kawakami Sushi Shop.
"That Vampire said it was here."
Yuichiro looked at the sushi shop's sign, then glanced toward the Hyakuya Orphanage, and walked into the alley beside it.
Just as he entered the alley, Yuichiro saw a hooded figure; clearly, it was that Vampire.
"Hey, what did you mean by what you said today? Where is Mika?"
Yuichiro asked bluntly, completely disregarding whether it was a trap or if he could protect himself.
From Yuichiro's perspective, the Vampire slowly turned around and removed the hood.
"Yo, Yu, long time no see!"
Mika gave a heartfelt smile, while Yuichiro's pupils dilated in shock as he stared incredulously at the beautiful youth before him.
Mika slowly stepped forward, asking in confusion.
"What, aren't you happy to see me?"
Yuichiro's voice trembled slightly.
"Are you... really... Mika?"
Mika touched his own face.
"Eh, do I not look like him?"
Yuichiro couldn't process it for a moment; the Mika they had left behind four years ago was standing right there, alive and well.
For four years, Yuichiro had wanted to go to the battlefield and improve his strength, all to have the power to rescue Mika.
At the same time, he had been living in self-reproach for leaving Mika behind. Everyone else understood him, but he couldn't forgive himself.
Mika continued to approach Yuichiro.
"Why aren't you saying anything, Yu?"
Yuichiro finally calmed down a bit and spoke slowly.
"How did you end up like this?"
Mika knew, of course, that Yuichiro was referring to him becoming a Vampire. Mika sighed.
"This was the only way to see you guys. As a human, I had no power, no freedom, and no companions."
But Yuichiro's prejudice against Vampires was not small, and he couldn't help but say.
"But... those Vampires killed so many people!"
Mika didn't speak because even though he had become a Vampire, he couldn't fully accept the actions of other Vampires.
Seeing Mika remain silent, Yuichiro could only sigh and comfort him.
"Mika, I know you're not like those Vampires. I'll take you to see Guren. He'll definitely have a way to turn you back into a human! You can't stay with the Vampires anymore!"
Mika's face showed a look of conflict; he was clearly very concerned about Yuichiro's suggestion.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're practically asking for Mika's life!"
The sudden voice startled both Mika and Yuichiro.
Mika and Yuichiro looked up toward the source of the voice.
They found Luke hanging upside down from a water pipe five meters in the air, looking at them.
"Luke!"
"It's you!"
Mika breathed a sigh of relief, while Yuichiro became wary because this guy's clothes were exactly the same as the Vampire who killed over a dozen members of the Imperial Demon Army today.
"What do you mean?"
Luke jumped down, smiled, and then said mercilessly.
"What do I mean? Exactly what I said. Guren doesn't have the ability to turn Mika back into a human. Hmm, using Mika to nourish his ghost girlfriend is much more likely."
Yuichiro had already placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
Luke glanced at him disdainfully.
"Are you planning to peel an apple for me with that toy sword?"
Seeing the tense atmosphere between Luke and Yuichiro, Mika quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Luke, why are you here? Weren't you..."
Mika looked at Yuichiro, then leaned into Luke's ear and whispered under Yuichiro's frowning gaze.
"Weren't you going to kill the guards over there?"
Luke then remembered his purpose for coming; he had forgotten it for a moment after hearing Yuichiro trying to poach Mika.
"Right, Yuichiro, where did Guren settle Taichi and the other children?"
Yuichiro remained on guard.
"Why should I tell you? And how do you know about Taichi and the others?"
"Oh, right. Forgot to take off the hood."
Luke took off his hood, revealing his face.
"Is that how you talk to your savior?"
Seeing Luke's silver hair, Yuichiro immediately thought of the boy who had stayed behind to cover their retreat four years ago.
"You're... Luke?"
"It's Luke! You should at least remember my name!"
Yuichiro frowned and sized up Luke's appearance.
"You've become a Vampire too?!"
Luke replied with his usual snark and a face full of perfunctoriness.
"No, no. I'm wearing colored contacts, my ears were specifically cut to be pointed, my teeth are dentures, and the one fighting Guren today was a double."
Yuichiro realized he had asked a stupid question and felt a bit embarrassed.
"So, where exactly did Guren settle Taichi and the others?"
Yuichiro was a bit confused, but seeing that Mika also seemed to want to know, he spoke truthfully.
"Initially, Guren took us for a physical exam, saying he was afraid of the apocalypse virus. Then, maybe we were too tired, we slept for a long time. After that, we were sent to the Imperial Demon Army's affiliated school. The other children are also in junior high now. But..."
Yuichiro paused, a look of sadness appearing on his face.
Both Luke and Mika felt a bad premonition.
"But what?"
Yuichiro clenched his fists, overcome with grief.
"But Sachiko... died from the apocalypse virus. Even though the probability of infection for those under thirteen is very low... even though Sachiko was the youngest of us. Damn it!"
Yuichiro punched the wall hard.
Hearing this news, Mika felt a tightness in his chest, unable to accept the death of a family member.
"How could this be..."
Luke's brow furrowed upon hearing this, and he pressed for more information.
"How did she get infected?"
Still immersed in the pain of his memories, Yuichiro sighed and replied.
"Guren said she must have been infected while we were escaping. It must have been that damn white-haired noble Vampire who infected her!"
Luke felt some sorrow over Sachiko's death, but upon hearing this, he looked at Yuichiro with an unfriendly gaze.
You'd better be talking about Ferid!
Luke retorted.
"It wasn't Ferid who infected her! Yuichiro, how long did you guys sleep that time?"
Yuichiro was a bit puzzled. Why are you asking this?
"Two days. Why?"
Luke held his forehead in exasperation.
"Don't you find it strange that you slept for two days?"
Mika noticed something was wrong with Luke and asked.
"Is there a problem, Luke?"
Luke looked up and stared at Yuichiro, making him shudder involuntarily.
"Sachiko was killed by humans. To be precise, by the Imperial Demon Army!"
"Impossible! Don't talk nonsense!"
Yuichiro reacted strongly; he couldn't accept the conclusion Luke was presenting. Mika also frowned.
Luke sneered, crossed his arms, and said to Yuichiro and Mika.
"Mika, didn't you ask me why I came over so quickly? I'll take you to see something."
Luke walked out of the alley.
"Yuichiro, you can follow too."
"If you dare to see the truth beneath the Imperial Demon Army's hypocritical mask!"
You will get 90 chapter ahead for this fanfiction.
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