Chapter 80: The Stage and the Serpent (III)
The backstage door clicked shut behind me, and I had to shield my eyes from the afternoon sun for a brief moment, adjusting my Vampire Sight to the new setting.
The light was golden, soft, the kind of warm glow that made everything look like it belonged in a painting. The amphitheater's stone walls cast long shadows across the courtyard, and the light murmur of students drifting between buildings filled the air and honestly, at times I wondered why I didn't tune out their voices.
Being a Vampire had its advantages and disadvantages for sure, but I had my reasons as to why I didn't shut down my supernatural hearing. That is taking in the gossip of the girls. When you're lacking entertainment avenues while stuck in year 2008, you deal with what the hands of cards given to you.
The girls had gathered near the entrance, a familiar sight that brought a small smile to my face. They were clustered in small groups, their voices carrying across the courtyard in a pleasant hum of conversation.
Chizuru stood slightly apart from the others, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, catching the afternoon light in a way that made it look almost liquid. Her onyx eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that was both unsettling and flattering. She didn't smile, didn't wave, but there was something in her gaze that told me she had been watching the entire performance with a predator's focus.
Beside her, Nonko Arahabaki was surrounded by a gaggle of Kendo Club girls, her massive bosom being contained with difficulty by her buttoned shirt. She was gesturing animatedly, her voice carrying across the courtyard in a booming laugh that seemed to shake the very air. Whatever she was saying, her club members were hanging on every word.
The Newspaper Club girls were clustered together in their usual formation. Kurumu was bouncing on her heels, her tail lashing beneath her skirt with barely contained excitement, as she animatedly chatted with Yukari about something that seemed to require a lot of hand gestures.
Mizore stood nearby, listening quietly without interrupting the chatter. Her posture was still slightly hunched, her shoulders still carrying the marks of being isolated and without friends, but there was something different about her now. A softness in her expression that hadn't been there before. A willingness to be present, even if she wasn't fully participating in the gossip.
"It's not a competition," Yukari said, her voice carrying across the courtyard with that bright, enthusiastic tone that always made me smile. "You can admire someone's beauty without comparing yourself to them."
Kurumu's tail flicked with indignation. "Everything is a competition, Yukari-chan. Especially when it comes to beauty. If I'm going to be the most beautiful woman in any room, I need to know what I'm up against."
"But the myths aren't real," Yukari countered, her hat wobbling as she tilted her head. "Aphrodite is a goddess. You're a succubus. You're both beautiful in different ways."
"That's not an answer, Yukari-chan. I need specifics. Was she taller than me? Did she have curves like mine? I have to know if I could rival a goddess in beauty."
Yukari giggled, a bright, musical sound that seemed to chase away the shadows of the earlier conversation. "I don't think the myths recorded her measurements, Kurumu-san. But I'm sure you would hold your own. You are quite striking, after all."
"Striking? I am breathtaking! You should learn to differentiate, chibi."
Mizore, who had been listening in silence, spoke up softly. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but there was a thoughtful quality to it that made the others pause. "I think the myths also said she had a voice that could charm the birds from the trees. Perhaps that was part of her beauty as well. It wasn't just her appearance."
Kurumu blinked, caught off guard. Her tail went still for a moment, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. "That is… actually a good point, Mizore-san. I didn't think of that."
Mizore's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her feet, a small, pleased smile tugging at her lips. She seemed to be getting more comfortable around the group, slowly opening up like a flower blooming in the thaw. Her voice, when she spoke again, held a hint of wonder that hadn't been there before.
"I've always been curious about the Greek Pantheon," Yukari continued, her voice carrying a dreamy quality that made her sound older than she was. "The stories of gods and heroes, the epic battles, the tragedies… Do you think there is a way to see their world for ourselves? To visit Mount Olympus or walk through the Underworld?"
Kurumu snorted, "You want to visit the Underworld? That's where dead people go, Yukari-chan. I don't think that's a vacation destination."
"Not to stay forever! Just to see it for myself. I would also want to hear the stories of the residents of the Underworld and then condense them into a book."
"You could always ask Tsukune-kun to summon you a tour guide," Kurumu said, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "He seems to have a knack for pulling beings from other worlds with his powers."
"Kurumu-san!" Yukari's cheeks flushed, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "That is not a bad idea. I will have to check with Tsukune-san to see if it is possible. At least sneaking into the Underworld would be quite the adventure."
The girls laughed along, and their chuckling made the brooding talk disappear like shadows. Even Mizore's lips curved into a small smile, her frosty breath misting in the warm air.
Inner Moka, who had been standing slightly apart from the group since I'd removed the Rosario Cross from her chest this morning, watched the exchange with a guarded expression. Her silver hair gleamed like moonlight, catching the golden afternoon rays, and her crimson eyes were unreadable. But when Yukari's question lingered in the air, she spoke up, her voice low and measured.
"You girls, stop bothering Tsukune with such excessive demands. He would exhaust himself trying to do that when he's not even ready to face the wrath of stronger beings existing in our world."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the group with that cold, analytical intensity that made even Kurumu's tail go still.
"If you want to visit the Underworld, you better do it on your own and claim it as your achievement. Do not rely on others to carry you."
Yukari's shoulders slumped slightly. "That is hard. I am too weak to do this."
Inner's expression didn't change, but something in her voice softened. Not much, just a fraction, but I caught it on my way there. "Who says you have to do it now? If you work hard enough and become a strong spellcaster respected in the world, the Greek Gods would not dismiss your request for entering their Domain."
"Power commands respect, even among the divine."
Yukari's eyes widened, and a brilliant smile spread across her face. "You really think so, Moka-san?"
"I do not say things I do not mean." Inner's voice was flat, but there was a hint of warmth beneath the cold surface. "It is a simple truth. The gods are not so different from the powerful beings of our Yokai World. They respond to strength and ambition."
Kurumu, who had been looking for a verbal sparring match with Inner, opened her mouth, but Inner simply ignored her. The succubus's eye twitched, but she held her tongue, knowing that Inner was not in the mood for her antics.
I watched the exchange from the edge of the courtyard, a small smile tugging at my lips. It was moments like this that reminded me why I was fighting so hard to build something here. Not for the power, not for the status, but for this. For the warmth of found family, for the laughter of friends, for the quiet moments of connection that made all the bloodshed and scheming worthwhile.
The moment I stepped fully into the light, the girls quieted down. Mizore, when she noticed me, felt her pale cheeks become tinged with pink. When our eyes met, she looked away quickly, her fingers twisting in the hem of her sleeve. Her winter-sky eyes darted back to me, then away, and I could see the faintest trace of frost forming on her breath.
'She was still nervous around me. Ohh, well there are multiple reasons for that. Maybe she feels shy since I winked at her while on the scene.'
'At least she's not running away at the moment she feels embarrassed to look at me.'
Then there were the Mermaids. Tamao Ichinose stood at the head of a small group of her inner circle, her honey-toned gaze warm and her turquoise hair catching the fading light like a veil. She smiled when she saw me, a small, unguarded expression that looked almost wrong on the face of the proud Mermaid.
Beside her, her inner circle of mermaids whispered among themselves, their voices carrying across the courtyard like the gentle lapping of waves. I caught fragments of their conversation, snippets of gossip that painted a picture that I wasn't expecting from the mermaids. They began showing signs of admiration to me.
"He is even more handsome up close."
"I know! Did you see the way he moved on stage? It was like watching a true hero from our ancestors' legends about Odysseus."
"The president was right to ally with him. He has a presence that cannot be ignored. I heard he got even stronger since our last confrontation."
Tamao raised a hand, silencing her girls with a single, elegant gesture. She stepped forward while in her human form, watching me with those warm irises of hers. I could no longer see that hostile look in her eyes since I had forced her to join ANTI-THESIS after defeating her along with her Swimming Club back at the Academy's Club Festival. Now I could see some lingering warmth in those eyes of hers, something I wasn't expecting.
We hadn't spoken much since that day. Apart from exchanging some calls and messages, and meeting maybe twice, there wasn't much interaction between us. I had expected resentment, or at least wariness. But the warmth in Tamao's gaze was genuine. Perhaps she had seen something in me during our brief interactions, or perhaps she was simply grateful that I'd given her an honorable way out.
"You have attracted quite the audience, Tsukune-kun," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "It seems you are becoming quite the celebrity."
"I don't know about celebrities," I said, falling into step beside her. "But it was a good performance, I say so myself. The crowd was also leaning into the performance, and this is more than I could have asked for."
"Tsk, this Mermaid just does not know how to compliment someone. Tsukune, we loved the performance," Kurumu chimed in, her voice bright with excitement as she bounded over to join us. "I could hear them swooning from the stands. Especially when you did that dramatic monologue. 'I, Odysseus, will not stop until I find my way home.' They ate it up."
"Most of them were practically melting in their seats," Yukari added, her eyes sparkling as she hurried to catch up. "Tsukune-san, you really are the perfect man a girl could wish for. Talented in the arts, powerful, charming, smart, and above all else handsome."
Tsk, look at this loli saying all of those embarrassing things without any shame.
By this point, Yukari-chan had become my number one fan, and if I spoiled her any further, I didn't doubt she would create a club dedicated to admiring me. This little girl was too much at times, dealing with her pranks was such a pain, but in the end she was just as lovable as a little sister.
"Stop it," I said, my voice carrying a hint of embarrassment. "You would make me blush."
Yukari giggled, clearly pleased with herself raising a reaction out of me.
Then Inner Moka came to congratulate me, taking my hand intimately. The gesture was subtle, almost possessive, and it immediately drew reactions from the other girls.
Kurumu's eye twitched. Chizuru's expression flickered, a shadow passing over her features. Yukari's smile faltered for just a moment. Even Mizore showed signs of being upset, her frosty breath growing thicker as a faint chill emanated from her. Tamao and her girls contributed to the atmosphere in their gossipy ways, their whispers rippling across the courtyard like a current I couldn't quite catch.
"Tsukune," Inner said, her voice low and intimate, meant only for me despite the audience. "Did you enjoy the chance to act on the stage in front of so many people?"
I met her crimson eyes, a small smile tugging at my lips. "It's hard to tell from just one show."
"Well, if you think about it, sure it was nice. It was different than before when I had to act in front of a small crowd. This time with a better production behind us, I think I could enjoy the attention much more than I expected."
Her fingers tightened around mine, a subtle squeeze that sent a pleasant warmth through my chest. "You seemed full of confidence in yourself. It appears you are no longer scared of the monsters around us. You have come a long way, Tsukune."
"It has become easier now that I have people watching my back and being beside me." I said, my voice soft. "With you girls cheering me on, I had plenty of reasons to push myself."
Her cheeks flushed, just a fraction, and she looked away, her silver hair falling across her face like a curtain. "Hmph. Do not let it go to your head."
"Too late."
Before I could respond, Nonko Arahabaki moved away from Chizuru and walked up to us. Her green eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle, and I could see the excitement bubbling beneath her boisterous exterior.
"Tsukune-kun!" she boomed, her voice carrying across the courtyard with the force of a minor earthquake. "You were incredible! I did not know you had it in you! That play was the best thing I have seen since I joined this Academy!"
Without warning, she grabbed my arm with the force of a hydraulic press. Inner's hand slipped from mine, and I saw her crimson eyes narrow, a warning flickering in their depths. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she held her tongue, knowing that Nonko wasn't a threat, just an enthusiastic Oni with no concept of personal space.
"Don't worry Akashiya-san, I will borrow Tsukune-kun for a brief moment and let him return back to you. Alright? Don't get upset with me."
"Hmph, do as you wish. What's there to be upset about?"
"Perfect. Thank you Akashiya-san."
Nonko's grip was iron, and I felt myself being pulled away from the group like a doll being manhandled by a child. Even now, with my own strength at B-tier in my human form, it wasn't enough to match this Oni girl. Her physique was monstrous, her power raw and untamed, and I was left with no choice but to stumble along beside her.
"Hold on, hold on!" I protested, my feet scraping against the stone. "Nonko-senpai, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I need to breathe!"
She released me, and I gasped for air, steadying myself against the fountain. The cool water splashed against my fingers, grounding me as I caught my breath. Her face was suddenly serious, but then she looked down at her own chest where I'd been previously buried, and I noticed a reaction. Her cheeks flushed pink for a moment before she shook it off.
After recovering her composure, she looked down at her hands, a bit nervous, her voice dropping to something almost shy. "You remember what we talked about back at the festival, about a job that you could do to help me? Well, I need to talk to you about something important, Tsukune-kun."
I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
She fidgeted, her fingers twisting together in a gesture that seemed completely out of place on this strong woman. "I… I finished my first small project. The manga I told you about."
My surprise must have shown on my face because she laughed, her laugh beginning to echo off the fountain's stone walls."I know, I know. It took me longer than I expected. The story was stuck in my head, but I could not get it down on paper. But I finally did it. I finished it."
"That is great news, Nonko-senpai," I said, keeping my voice warm. "What do you need from me?"
She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine with a vulnerability I hadn't seen in her before. "I want you to be my proofreader. I need someone to help me find any mistakes before I make it public. And I also need you to use the Gazette to share my passion and display the Manga Club to the rest of the Academy."
I considered her request for a moment. It wasn't a bad idea, getting my hands on some quality content to fill the Gazette when I ran dry on article ideas. And from a strategic perspective, helping Nonko's Manga Club and being her main support would by extension have her align closer with me and my ANTI-THESIS faction. With a powerhouse of her caliber, the weight on my shoulders would be lessened considerably.
"I can do that," I said. "I will proofread it, and I will make sure it gets printed. But I also want a cut of the shares."
Nonko's face fell, her shoulders slumping with a theatrical despair that would have made Toma proud. "What? A cut? Tsukune-kun, I am poor! All my pocket money goes to supplies for my manga passion and to booze! I cannot afford to pay you!"
I held up a hand, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I will give you an exemption on the first releases of your manga until you make some money. After that, we will adjust the pay structure to the Newspaper Club."
Her face lit up like the sun breaking through clouds after a storm. "Really? You would do that for me?"
"Of course. You are my senpai, and I believe in your talent from the first day." I met her eyes, letting her see the sincerity in my words. "Besides, you are also the president of the Manga Club. If your work succeeds, it benefits all of us."
Nonko's eyes glistened with something that might have been tears. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me with the force of a charging bull. My face was pressed into her massive bosom again, the warmth of her body enveloping me like a thick blanket. The scent of sake and something floral filled my nostrils, and I found myself struggling to breathe.
'At least her chest and hips are soft,' I thought, my voice muffled by her embrace. 'The rest of her is like iron.'
"This is why you are my favourite Kohai!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled by her own chest. "I knew I could count on you, Tsukune-kun, since we share the same passion for the Great Art of Manga!"
I patted her back weakly, my voice strained. "Nonko-senpai… I cannot breathe…"
She released me, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, sorry! I got carried away again!"
I gasped for air, steadying myself against the fountain like a sailor in need for water. "It is fine. Just… warn me next time."
She grinned, a wide, unrepentant smile. "I make no promises."
I made my way back to the group, and I was immediately assaulted by questions. What did Nonko-senpai want from me? Was she also one of their love rivals? I only managed to calm them down after I told them what this was all about. Just business as usual for the Gazette.
After getting them off my back and returning to Inner Moka's side, she told me that she also wanted to read Nonko's manga. Out of curiosity, of course.
"Sure thing," I said. "I can make it happen. But make sure not to be too critical with Nonko. She might get devastated if we are too critical of her first manga work."
"I will not promise anything," Inner said, her voice flat. "Especially not to that Oni who shamelessly tried to claim my man."
"Nothing happened between the two of us," I said, keeping my voice light. "She is more of a guy than Toma-senpai would ever be. Her personality is that of a tomboy. She is probably only interested in sake, kendo, anime, and manga."
"I do not buy it," Inner said, her eyes narrowing. "Most girls who start knowing you slowly drift into becoming another person in line trying to claim your attention. I, as your official girlfriend, have to protect my own interests."
I reached up and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips. Her silver hair brushed against my cheek, soft as silk. "Well, you will always be my number one girl."
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, but I caught the small smile tugging at her lips. She then turned back to face me and reached up, pressing a quick kiss on my cheek. In front of an audience. For Inner, who I could say was also socially awkward, this was a massive effort.
"Good," she said. "Do not forget it."
After the warmth of the moment settled, I brought the subject of our talk to something more sensible and serious. I stepped closer, lowering my voice so the others couldn't hear. "Honey, I need to ask you something."
Her eyes narrowed, but there was curiosity beneath the wariness. "What is it?"
"Have you noticed anything strange related to the Art Club? I know Outer was intent on doing something related to the arts. Has she gotten into contact with Hitomi Ishigami or anyone from the Art Club?"
Inner's expression flickered, a shadow passing over her features. "You are not wrong in your assumption. She did try to get in contact with that particular woman teaching us Drawing, wanting to improve her skills for a... hmmm, what should I call it? Side-project."
"But before she could make direct contact, I warned her to stay away. That woman gave me a creepy feeling. Even her Yoki felt rotten to the core."
I nodded, my suspicions confirmed. "I need you to remind Outer to be careful. She should stay together with the girls if I have other errands to run. That teacher, Hitomi Ishigami, is linked to a new investigation I will start conducting regarding the disappearance of some girls who were similarly interested in the arts."
The girls had given us space, even begrudgingly respecting the status of the couple and Inner's claiming the first spot. But when something juicy such as drama reached past them, they gathered closer, expressions filled with concern and curiosity.
'What was it again? Curiosity killed the cat? Perfectly fitting for those imps.'
Kurumu stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Disappearing students? What are you talking about, Tsukune?"
I looked around at their faces, seeing the same question reflected in each of their eyes. "There have been rumors about girls who wanted to join the Art Club. They disappeared. Some of them stopped attending classes, and others missed exams. I a way, it is connected to the Art Club advisor, Hitomi Ishigami."
"Then we will help you investigate," Yukari said, her voice firm. Using her magic, she instantly cosplayed into a detective wearing a fake bushy mustache, a monocle, and a smoking pipe. The transformation was so sudden and so ridiculous that I had to suppress a laugh.
"We are part of the Newspaper Club. If there is a story, we should be the ones to uncover it."
"That is the spirit!" Kurumu added, her amethyst eyes blazing. "No one messes with students and gets away with it. Especially not in our Academy."
Mizore stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper but carrying a quiet steel I hadn't heard from her before. "I… I want to help too, Tsukune-kun. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."
Inner Moka's expression did not change, but I saw the faintest nod of approval. "I will try to keep this clueless sister of mine in check when she is out, even if I will tire my voice nagging her. You can count on me to keep my body safe at least."
I let the silence stretch, letting the weight of their words settle. They had no idea what they were offering, their time, their safety, their trust. I wasn't used to people offering those things without expecting something in return. A warmth raised in my chest, and I let it show, a rare moment of vulnerability I kept buried behind walls of sarcasm and strategy.
"Thank you. All of you. I will need your help, and I appreciate your willingness to stand with me."
Chizuru, who had been standing apart from the group, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression, finally spoke. Her voice was low, measured, and I caught the edge of jealousy beneath the polite surface. Her onyx eyes fixed on me with that intense, possessive gaze.
"Of course I will help you too," she said. "But I do not like being surrounded by other girls who are rivals to my love life. You understand that, do you not?"
I met her gaze, keeping my expression neutral. There was a storm behind her eyes, barely contained. "I understand. Whatever help you can offer, I will accept it."
She nodded, a small, satisfied smile curving her lips. "Good. Wait for my good news in a couple of days. I will see that I dig everything on this Art Teacher, Hitomi Ishigami."
She turned to leave, her dark hair catching the fading light. But before she took more than a step, she paused, glancing back at me over her shoulder. Her onyx eyes held mine for a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
"And Tsukune-kun?" Her voice dropped, soft but carrying an edge. "Do not get too comfortable with all these girls around you. I have patience, but even that has its limit. I want more alone time with you. See you soon, baby."
Then she was gone, her footsteps silent against the stone, leaving the scent of cherry blossoms in her wake.
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We're onto making ourselves a snake bag. Should I bring out Perseus to hunt the Gorgon down?
Also, I am sorry for not posting much of anything last week, as I've been complaining on my notes since starting the novel, I am working full-time, I have other responsibilities that might take me away from writing. Sometimes I just don't feel like writing and so on.
However, don't worry. I will not quit this project or start another project then trying to juggle around with two novels, been there, done that. The experience is not so enjoyable. So, no thanks, I am good with my peace of mind.
Still, I have on my mind one of my first novels I have written on WN, the One Piece fanfic. I do want to touch on that and maybe complete it. I've noticed that the amount of novels for One Piece has dwindled, most are translation garbage or AI slops.
Although, if you folks are pressuring me to release all the time, how does it sound some AI slop? I can give you some juicy slop no problem.
Heh, no worries, I am the type of old school guy, I still like to write my novels.