"Our Itogami Island… Yukina, that's what you said just now, right?"
On the way back, Shichen glanced at Himeragi Yukina walking beside him, her face serious, and teased her.
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Yukina asked, puzzled.
"Heh~ Itogami Island is mine, you know. Since you said 'our,' what exactly did you mean by that?"
"What I meant… uh! Don't get the wrong idea, Sensei! I didn't mean it like that!" Yukina thought for a moment, then immediately realized what he was hinting at and hurried to deny it.
By his logic, only if the two of them were inseparable could she say "our," which made it sound like a confession.
"Really not what you meant?"
"Of course not! There you go again," she said, face set.
"Even if you don't mean it that way, it seems Sayaka does."
"Eh?"
"Why else do you think she was so shocked? In most people's minds, Itogami belongs to me."
"No wonder Sayaka… b-but I didn't mean it that way!" Yukina grew flustered, even stammering.
"Then what did you mean?"
"I just meant since both of us are on Itogami, it's our Itogami…" she murmured, biting her lip.
"Oh, that's all? Here I thought you were confessing just now," Shichen said, theatrically wounded.
"Please stop, Sensei. I don't buy it."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Hmph! Never mind the mess with Avrora and the others—there's also Asagi-senpai, Kanon, Nagisa… You're a hopeless flirt. There's no way I'd fall for you."
Just reciting those names made her a little angry—so many girls!
"I'm innocent. It's all clean between me and them."
"You might fool naïve girls—no, naïve lolis is more like it. I'm not falling for it."
"…"
Who started that 'lolicon' rumor? If he found them—men would be killed, women would get their butts smacked.
"Anyway, putting that aside: that Vatler guy probably has designs on you… and I don't mean romantic ones," Yukina said, turning serious.
"Of course… By the way, do you know he's called the vampire closest to a Primogenitor?" Shichen asked.
"Closest to a Primogenitor? What does that mean?"
"He's devoured two elders above his own rank. He's a third-generation vampire whose status is second only to the Primogenitors."
"Devoured… his own kind? He actually did that?" Yukina was stunned, thinking of his mild, gentlemanly smile from earlier—it was hard to believe. But she trusted what Shichen said.
"That's why they call him the closest to a Primogenitor. So when he says he 'loves' me, what he really means is: if he devours me, he becomes a full Primogenitor," Shichen said calmly.
"In that case, you really need to be careful."
"No need. He hasn't seen my power and he's already that bold… Maybe I should find a chance to show the whole world what I can really do?" Shichen asked with a grin.
"No, Sensei—please don't. You'll scare civilians," Yukina vetoed without hesitation.
"It's not that dramatic. I'm a good guy."
"I meant the girls."
"…?" He blinked, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Maybe he was being too gentle. Should he let Yukina see how scary he could be—like with Sayaka—so she'd stop blurting things out? But if he did, she'd probably just double down. With that rigid personality of hers, once she decided to endure, she'd stop holding back altogether.
Unaware of his thoughts, Yukina continued her analysis: "So if we go by what you said, Vatler's real aim is to bait you into attacking him?"
"Smart." Shichen rubbed her head in praise.
Vatler claimed he hoped someone would nail Gardos. In fact, it was the opposite—'self-defense,' just as he said. If someone attacked him, he could let his familiars run wild with a clean conscience—even to the point of sinking the island.
He'd all but said he wouldn't mind taking Itogami down with a few dozen terrorists who came for his head. As the de facto master of Itogami, Shichen couldn't just let that go; he'd have to retaliate—and then Vatler could 'counterattack.' If he got the chance, Vatler would certainly try to devour him.
The only problem: Vatler was overconfident. He had no idea what Shichen was really capable of. Maybe it was because the other three Primogenitors had already shown their strength and he hadn't, so people underestimated him—or maybe he was just more 'tempting' than the others.
Whatever Vatler was thinking, Shichen didn't know and didn't care. If the man didn't know his place, he wouldn't mind putting him in the ground.
"It's a pain. As long as he claims self-defense, the Agency can't touch him… And as an official envoy, 'terrorists are targeting him' isn't grounds to expel him from Itogami," Yukina said, rubbing her temple. "Which means the only way is to find Gardos first."
"Relax. We'll figure something out." Shichen's hand slid from her hair to her cheek, smoothing the worry from her brow.
"Can you be serious? This is about the island's safety," Yukina swatted his hand away.
"With me here, nothing's going to happen to Itogami. Gardos isn't worth worrying about."
"Huh? You can find him?"
"Easily. I don't even have to do it—Asagi could locate him in no time."
"Asagi-senpai… You trust her that much?" Yukina asked.
"I can't help it. If she wants to, the whole island is under her eyes."
"Senpai is that amazing… Wait, you said you don't have to lift a finger. So you can find him too?" Yukina zeroed in, staring at him.
"Of course. Do you know who I am?" he said, smug.
"Then that's a relief," Yukina exhaled.
"You're celebrating too early," Shichen rained on it.
"Eh?"
"If I personally handle every little thing, what's everyone else for?"
"Little? The island could be destroyed—and that's little?"
"It won't be. I'll step in at the critical moment. Until then, I'm watching."
"Sensei…" Yukina looked at him, helpless.
"After all, officially I'm just a middle division Sensei," he said, patting her head.
"You really don't plan to act?"
"I want to. But if I solve everything, what happens when I'm not around and something big hits Itogami?"
"That's true, but… Wait, what do you mean 'when you're not around'?" Yukina asked quickly.
"I'll tell you when it's time."
"You and your riddles!"
"Can't say yet."
"I see. So that's how it is—our relationship only goes that far?" Yukina's expression visibly dimmed.
"Oh? You want us to go a step further?"
"A step further?"
"Like… becoming real partners."
"Absolutely not!" she yelped, flustered.
"Don't be shy~"
"I said no! Don't say that again!" She blushed bright red, looking ready to draw Schneewalzer and duel him.
"Alright, alright—I'll stop. Let's get home. It's late."
"Tomorrow's Saturday… but you were teasing me!"
"Well, teasing ultra-serious Yukina is fun."
"Sensei, I'm getting mad…"
"Ahem—let's hurry back."
Seeing her actually reach for Schneewalzer, Shichen grabbed her hand and picked up the pace toward home.
"Sensei, my hand…"
"This way is faster."
"Mm…"
Back at the apartment, Yukina went straight to her own place instead of Shichen's. When he entered his, everyone was already asleep. If Natsuki weren't home, Enatos and the others would have waited up for him, but with her there they had to turn in early.
He didn't wake anyone—just washed up and went to bed. Naturally, his room was empty; no one to warm the sheets. That's what he got for being caught by Natsuki that day "checking Kaguya's development."
His own fault for not being careful.
…
The next morning, Shichen was sleeping soundly when Avrora woke him.
"Shichen, the sun's on your back—get uuup~"
He felt a weight on him. Opening his eyes, he found Avrora's fairy-like face only centimeters away, sprawled on his chest.
"Avrora… Why are you here? What time is it?"
"Past nine. You slept too long."
"It's Saturday. No school." He hugged her, rolled over toward the wall, and shut his eyes again.
"Aren't you eating breakfast?" Avrora nestled quietly against him, chin tipped up, eyes curving with her smile.
"Skipping once in a while won't kill me," he said, eyes still closed.
"But Tritos and the others made a feast~"
"Did they now…"
"Come eat with us—everyone's waiting."
"Everyone?" He opened his eyes.
"Mm."
"Alright…" He started to sit up.
"W-wait…" Avrora tugged his collar.
"What is it?"
"Um… Natsuki isn't home," she whispered, cheeks flushing.
"Oh—she's on a job?"
Minamiya Natsuki had plenty of operative work. Technically, so did Shichen—but since he'd come back, he hadn't taken any, and now he certainly couldn't.
"That's not what I meant!" Avrora glared.
"Then what?"
"P-protection fee…" she reminded him, face red.
"Oh~," he chuckled. With Natsuki keeping an eye on him lately, he hadn't even thought about it.
"What are you laughing at!" Avrora puffed her cheeks.
"If you want a kiss, just say so. 'Protection fee,' huh?"
"N-no! I just… If I don't pay the fee, you won't protect me! Are you taking it or not? It's been so long…"
"Perfect. A little breakfast before breakfast."
"What do you—mm!"
Before she could finish, he kissed her. She melted, eyes closing, arms circling his neck as she opened to him.
They lost track of time. It was twenty minutes before Shichen got up—Kaguya had to come knock.
He'd gotten handsy—couldn't resist checking Avrora's "development." Vampire physiology meant no real change, which was fine by him.
"I knew you came to sneak a bite," Kaguya said dryly as Avrora slipped off the bed.
"There's nothing to see…" Avrora mumbled, head down, too embarrassed to deny it.
"Then what did I just see?" Kaguya pressed. She'd pushed the door open earlier and seen everything—heard Avrora's breathy murmurs, too.
"Mm…" Avrora had no comeback.
Shichen finished washing up and joined the girls at the table. Astarte wasn't there; Natsuki often took her along now—she really was a great assistant.
Halfway through breakfast, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Ogdoos said, heading to the door.
A moment later she returned with Yukina.
"Sensei."
"Yukina—what brings you? Have you eaten?"
"Not yet…"
"Perfect. Join us."
"Okay." She didn't stand on ceremony and took a seat.
After they finished, Tritos and the others handled dishes while Shichen and Yukina sat on the couch.
"Did you need something?" he asked.
"Can't I come see you for no reason?" she shot back.
"I wish you would—for any reason."
"Mm…" Yukina pressed her lips together, flustered.
"Heh. But you do have something, right?"
"I'm your monitor. Is it a problem if I'm always around? But yes—I do."
"What is it—a love confession?"
"Absolutely not!"
She rolled her eyes. "It's what we talked about last night."
"Last night… oh—Gardos."
"Mm. After what I said to Vatler, I have to take action."
"I want to help you, but my heart is willing and my strength is limited."
"Why?" she asked, puzzled.
"You know how it is for vampires. Without blood, it's hard to get familiars to obey."
"Eh—your familiars don't listen?"
"Right. I haven't drunk blood yet."
"Don't lie. You drank Astarte's—and Avrora's," Yukina said, calling him out.
"Ahem." He coughed, having planned to bluff and forgotten.
"You just don't want to help…"
"Alright, fine. I don't intend to."
"Sensei… why?"
"I actually do want to go after Vatler. Not just anyone gets to strut in front of me."
"Sensei… you really are dangerous…"
Yukina suddenly saw a more warlike side of him—different from his usual gentle face. A little unfamiliar.
"No, I'm harmless. He's the one coming after me… If I don't put him in his place, he'll think I'm easy prey—and then everyone will start poking me."
"You still can't… It'll cause huge problems."
If Shichen struck a diplomatic envoy, even the First Primogenitor might take offense. It could mean war—that's how ordinary people imagined Primogenitors.
"But he's targeting Itogami. That's the real problem."
"Sensei…"
"And that 'I love you' nonsense makes my skin crawl. If he were a pretty girl, maybe—but he's a guy…"
"…That's the real reason you want to deal with him, isn't it?" Yukina sighed.
"What else? I respect everyone's orientation—until they point it at me," Shichen said gravely.
"Are you a child?"
"This is a serious matter!"
"Sigh. Trying to plan things with you was a mistake," Yukina muttered.
"Not entirely. I can still help…"
"Shichen, help me tie my hair," Avrora said, plopping into his lap and handing him a hair tie.
"Okay." He wrapped an arm around her and started.
"Me too!" Enatos ran over.
"And us," Prote said, leading the others. All twelve came over.
"Do you do this often?" Yukina asked, watching Avrora beam.
"On weekends, when we've got time."
"I see…" Watching his practiced hands, Yukina suddenly had the urge to grow her hair out. Did Sensei prefer long or short hair?
Wait—why was she even thinking that?
"Yukina."
"Y-yes!"
His voice startled her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… Did you need something?"
"About what we said: I can get someone to track Gardos."
"Asagi-senpai?"
"Her."
"But we're not close…"
"No problem. You've got me."
"Okay. When…"
"Now."
Ding-dong—
Right as he spoke, the bell rang again.
"No way…" Yukina looked at the door in surprise.
"I'll get it," Tetartos said—and returned, right on cue, with Aiba Asagi.
"Sensei—Himeragi?" Asagi started to greet Shichen and then noticed Yukina. So she really did come over a lot…
"Asagi—what brings you?" Shichen smiled.
"Mm… nothing to do, so I came to hang out," she ad-libbed. She'd just wanted to see him—hadn't thought up an excuse. Couldn't exactly say that, right?
"What's there to do with me? Don't you hang out with Kojou and the others?"
"What's fun about that?" Asagi said, unimpressed.
"I see…"
"Hello, Asagi-senpai," Yukina greeted first.
"Hey, Himeragi." Asagi sat in the only open spot—next to Yukina.
"Alright—Enatos's turn." Shichen finished Avrora with twin tails.
"So fast?" Avrora reluctantly slid off his lap.
"So slow," Enatos said, plopping down.
"What is even happening?" Asagi asked.
"Sensei's doing their hair," Yukina explained.
"I see…" Asagi absently toyed with her luxurious blond hair.
"Perfect timing, Asagi. I want you to help Yukina with something," Shichen said.
"Help Himeragi?"
"Mm. If you do, I'll take you shopping after."
"I'll help! Anything! Shopping doesn't matter—I just love helping people," Asagi said instantly.
Yukina: "…"
She almost believed that.