Arcueid and Shiki return to their usual meetup place, that being at the park. The trip back was silent as she took occasional shots at Shiki. It didn't take much to notice that Shiki was exhausted and worn out. It made them feel somewhat guilty since she was the one that made him push himself a bit too much. All from a selfish desire to see him in action by making him fight those undead. Of course, it wasn't like she would leave Shiki to defend himself alone. She would've stepped in at any moment with just a single sight of Shiki being in danger, no matter what. But as expected, he came through. After all, they were just runts from Roa. Even these weak creatures would be no match to the likes of Shiki. Still, it appears she pushed him a bit too much because he used his eyes. But not just that. In an attempt to also showcase her 'regained' powers back, she practically destroyed an entire apartment complex to impress the young man. This got Shiki riled up in disbelief and scolded her for doing such a thing while dragging her away from the scene.
Shiki slumps against the bench as he leaves a heavy sigh in an attempt to recollect and relax himself from his fatigue. He was closing his eyes for a moment, but looking at Arcueid. His eyes didn't go unnoticed by the vampire, returning the look with a frown on her lips as she stood near the fountain.
"I'm sorry, Shiki… I should've not done such a reckless thing like that. Especially putting such strain on your body as well." Her eyes darted away, trying not to look at his 'disappointed expression'.
"No… It's fine." Surprisingly, Shiki's voice didn't sound as disappointed or mad as she was expecting. "We didn't get caught right? Besides, sorry for snapping back at you. I should've already expected you to be such an oddball already."
"R-Really? Y-You're… not mad at me?" The vampire's eyes widened.
"Well… Not to say you didn't take things too far, that's for certain. But next time, give me a warning before you pull a stunt like that again."
Arcueid felt so relieved at that moment. She's glad that Shiki wasn't upset at all with her. She couldn't help but beam happily towards her partner.
"Of course! We're the strongest team in the universe after all!" The vampire puffs out her chest in pride, proclaiming such a title.
Suddenly, Arcueid quickly noticed Shiki had a pained expression plastered. Uh Oh. Did she push Shiki too far?
"Shiki?" Now worried, she began walking towards him. As she approaches, Arcueid suddenly feels a sense coming from Shiki. It felt oddly familiar but quickly subsided. She leans down, now worried for him. Shiki, however, looks back up at Arcueid with an eased face with a hint of pain still slightly lingering behind it.
"Sorry… I had a headache that came over me. It's gone though, so don't worry."
"Hmm." She'll take his word for now. But Shiki would always hide any pain or discomfort behind that stoned poker face whenever he wanted to. Just in case… she should warn him about pushing himself past his limit using those eyes of his.
"Geez… just don't push yourself too hard, you hear? There are some serious consequences with them!" Slowly raising her voice to express its importance.
Shiki chuckled at her reply. "Ironic, coming from the woman who let me fight twenty-eight undead all by myself despite my condition."
"W-Wha-!?" Damn. He's not wrong. But she genuinely thought he could handle it. Besides why she should feel bad!? He's the one practically inviting the danger!
Realizing her hypocrisy made the vampire embarrassed. She doesn't want to hear anything about her mistakes. Otherwise, her pride would be wounded once again. She already gets constantly grilled by him half the time, she WILL not add this to another grilling session in her memories. Even if it were to get the point Shiki couldn't handle it, she'll always step up to help.
"T-That's… That's not important right now!" The vampire tries redirecting the attention back to him. "Shiki! Listen up! I've already told you many times-!"
As she explains about the usage of his eyes, halfway through his explanation, she notices Shiki appears to be not listening. Like trapped within his headspace, staring at the woman. However, there was a small smile on his face. For some reason it made the vampire… feel something. It made her feel… happy… like the satisfaction of being victorious from her battles.
What is making him smile like that? Was he thinking of someone? Was he thinking of me by chance? Those thoughts went through Arcueid's head. But… regardless of what Shiki was thinking…
His smile… made her smile a bit too… even oddly happy just seeing him in a positive mood. Ah! She's getting too carried away. Right now, she needs to snap Shiki's attention back to reality! She snaps her fingers in front of him, with slight frustration toward the young man.
"Hey! Shiki! Are you listening!?" Fortunately, this was enough to snap out of whatever state he was in and quickly noticed the now apparent frustrated look on Arcueid.
"Ah… sorry. But I know… don't use my eyes, I get it."
His passive reply didn't make her mood any better, only forming a pout at him.
"Then you should already know that you're in danger! You're not supposed to be smiling!" The vampire refutes which only fills Shiki with amusement.
"Since when did you get so high and mighty? I mean… I'd say you were also in danger when you fought Vlov at that hotel." Arcueid can only raise a brow at him. "Did that stop you from doing something stupidly dangerous? I didn't think so."
Shiki…! You dummy! Arcueid was now only further upset by such an attack on her character.
"The difference between me and you is that I'm a vampire! You can't take a hit without regenerating from a powerful being! You're human after all!"
"But you can also die as well, right? It's not like vampires are completely immortal if death can pose a threat, no matter what." Shiki retorted.
And who's fault is that? That is what Arcueid would've said back, but let that comment slide for now. She crossed her arms in disapproval. He's back at again, throwing out those sly-barrage remarks hurled at her like always. Yet this time she didn't mind as much as she used to. It would still get to her of course… but she found some comforting-amusement from these stupid things he'd say too. Perhaps she's gone masochistic, being 'degraded' like that by him. Ugh… she prays she hasn't.
"You're so mean Shiki… can't you say nice things about me once in a while? Would you like I'd be in pain right now to fill you with some sort of sick enjoyment?"
"In pain? Maybe. It would balance things out of how much of an airhead you are. You're like a ticking time bomb. Always about to explode that would dissolve into some crazy shenanigans that would cause nothing but trouble. Although…"
Shiki smiles once more. Those eyes looking at her were one with appreciation, even if Shiki didn't notice it himself. Arcueid even felt it too.
"You're always energetic. It suits you. It makes me happy seeing you like that."
Arcueid could only look at him with dumbstruck-awe. Something bubbles within her. Whatever it felt… It made her joyful. When things like these are said by Shiki… it makes me glee in joy. It's odd… it's only when Shiki says it. She doesn't think anyone, but him would make her feel such a thing.
It's… uncontrollable… she needs to show how much she appreciates him. With her emotions running wild and being so contagious, she rushes to open her arms and embraces Shiki, to show how much those words mean to her.
"Mmnnhhh!! I'm glad you feel that way, Shiki! It also makes me happy with you being at my side every day!"
"Ugh…! Alright-alright! Just get off of me you gorilla!" An embarrassed and surprised Shiki attempts to get the vampire off of him. Much to his dismay, it only makes Arcueid repositions her arms and holds him even more.
"But it's true! When you're gone, I only look forward to the time I'll get the chance to spend time with you!" Arcueid reaffirms her affection. To show this, she begins nudging her cheeks against his face.
"Ah-! Hey! Stop that! Seriously, you're-!"
...!?
Arcueid felt that sense again. She completely froze in place. This time… it isn't going away. She lets go of Shiki, to which now he begins to breathe heavily. He clutches his chest with his right hand. The pained expression on his returns. The senses began to slowly become clearer to her as she tried to hone in on what it was .
…no… impossible…
Suddenly flashes of a silhouette of a man appear in her mind.
There's no doubt about it.
As the details began to fill out of the man's appearance… it looked all too familiar.
…but there's no way…
Are you a fool? The answer is right in front of you.
The man's legs… torso… arms… chest… neck… all the details have been filled out. All that's left is their head and face.
… but if that were true… it would mean…
Proves what? Your theory? It checks out all the boxes
The man's face is halfway finished. But even then it doesn't matter at this point whether Arcueid knows the face is someone she knows. She has the answer already. The bite marks on the left side of his neck. That pale skin. Those fangs.
No! If it were true! Then… then… then…
Then the answer is obvious, right?
NO! YOU'RE WRONG!!
Am I? If you think so, then you're an idiot.
There's little info about the two children being both █████ █████ ! It can be fake for all we know!
God , you're pathetic. Then, how about we find out where that sense is coming from?
Arcueid takes a step back. She's completely in her mind, her surroundings have become nothing but a blur. She looks back at Shiki. He's saying something to her, but she can't understand what he's saying. Arcueid can only look at what's behind him- no… what's 'inside' of him.