Chapter 3:
Hours after celebrating with Ren, Yuji and Akari decided to head home together. They didn't want to be late for school the next day, now did they?
As for Ren…
Well immediately after the party, he crashed onto his bed, too exhausted to even change properly.
"…it's been a while since I've had this much fun," he said with a fleeting smile.
Within moments, he dozed off.
At exactly 12 AM....
A spiral crimson tattoo, shaped like swirling wind, slowly began to appear on his back.
The next morning...
Ren's eyes opened slowly, the faint light of dawn slipping through the curtains. For a moment, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Last night lingered in his mind… and to be honest, it felt kinda warm.
"…it's been a while," he muttered.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"Ehh… I feel a lot lighter," he murmured.
Ren got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom, splashing water on his face. He stared at his reflection for a moment.
"You look like shit," he said bluntly.
There were faint dark circles under his eyes, his hair slightly messy. But for the first time in a long while…
He didn't look completely lost.
After getting dressed, he stepped into the living room. The house was still silent of course it was.
But this time, the silence didn't feel suffocating.
His eyes drifted slowly to the butsudan altar.
The small cupcake from last night was still there, slightly untouched. The candle had melted down into a thin stub.
Ren walked over slowly.
"…Good morning," he said softly.
No response. Of course but still, he lingered for a few seconds longer than usual before turning away.
"Father, mother, uncle Ben.. I'm heading out."
He grabbed his bag and headed for the door.
The streets were alive as cars passed by, people walking, voices blending together.
Ren moved through it all, hands in his pockets, his pace steady.
But something felt… off everything felt too bright.
Ren frowned slightly.
"…what is this?"
He stopped, his breathing growing heavier.
"Shit… don't tell me this is the after effect of alcohol hmm guess I'm still hungover from yesterday?"
He shook his head.
"Lol… I'm probably just overthinking," he muttered, continuing forward.
Meanwhile…
Unknown to him something was watching.
A female figure, standing in the shadows, wearing a long black coat and hood.
When he arrived at school, everything looked the same students chatting, teachers walking through the halls, the usual noise and energy.
But underneath it there was a shift as soon as ren arrived.
Yuji spotted him first.
"OOOI! Ren!" he shouted, the moment Yuji's voice reached him it hit suddenly like a shockwave.....
A sonic boom.
"—AHH!"
Ren cried out, clutching his ear as pain shot through his head.
The sound echoed violently. It wasn't just loud
It was overwhelming.
Yuji froze.
"Eh...Ren?! What's wrong with you?!"
Ren staggered slightly, his vision blurring.
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you, idiot? Your voice… it's too loud…"
Akari, who was nearby, rushed forward, worry written all over her face.
"Ren, are you okay?!"
Again, the sound hit him like a tidal wave.
Even her voice soft as it was still felt sharp like needles brushing against his ears.
Ren took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady.
"Yeah… I'm fine," he said, waving them off.
"I'm probably just hungover from all the drinking yesterday."
Yuji blinked then suddenly burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! No way! Ren, so it's true you can't even hold your liquor?!"
Ren frowned "Shut up, idiot."
Yuji grinned mischievously.
"Eii, Akari, did you hear that? The super model got defeated by alcohol!"
Akari giggled softly.
Ren sighed. "You two are annoying."
Yuji leaned in, smirking.
"Be honest how many glasses did it take? One? half...nahh I'm pretty sure it was just half?"
"…I hate you," Ren muttered.
Yuji laughed, slinging an arm around his shoulder.
"Don't worry, man. I'll train you and next time, we will drink properly!"
Akari shook her head.
"Please don't listen to him, Ren."
Despite himself, Ren let out a small chuckle.
For a brief moment everything felt normal again.
The first bell rang.
Dinggg.
"Ooo, it's time. Let's get to class," Yuji said.
Ren nodded. "Yeah… let's go."
Their first class began shortly after, the classroom settled into its usual rhythm the teacher writing on the board, students taking notes, the faint scratching of pens filling the air.
Everything seemed normal until....
Ring… ring… ring…
Ren's head snapped up "…huh?"
No one reacted because no phones were out.
"Whose phone is that… how come no one is hearing it?"
The teacher continued speaking like nothing had happened.
Ring… ring…
The sound came again.
Ren frowned, scanning the room scratching his ear
"…where is that coming from?"
Then...
His eyes drifted toward the window.
Outside, across the street…
A woman stood, holding her phone.
Her phone was ringing.
Ring… ring…
Ren's eyes widened.
"… wait you have to be kidding me… there's no way…"
The distance…
There was no way he should be hearing that.
And yet....
He could hear it very clearly.
Not just the ringing but her voice.
"…hello darling? Yes, I'm on my way… no, I told you already, I'm just going to pick up some groceries…"
He could hear every word and every breath.
Like she was standing right next to him.
Ren's grip on his desk tightened.
"…wait… what the fuck… am I high right now?"
But then something else slipped in.
A faint murmur.
Then another.
And another…
"…hey, did you finish the assignment?"
"…seriously, I think I'm going to die a virgin…"
"…I told you not to put that there, stupid…"
Ren's eyes widened.
The voices were coming from everywhere.
His breathing quickened.
"…what..?"
The scratching of pens suddenly became sharp, like needles dragging across glass.
The ticking of the clock...
Tick… tock… tick… tock…
"Huh… wait… what the fuck is going on right now…"
Then...
"Ooi, Ren."
He snapped back.
The teacher was staring at him.
"Is there something you would like to add? It seems you aren't concentrating."
"Huh...no, sir. I'm sorry… please continue," Ren replied quickly.
And just like that everything stopped.
The clock the voices even the ringing.
Ren's face became gloomy.
"…shit… am I really high? How does someone get high, sleep, and still wake up high…"
He let out a quiet sigh and rubbed his temple.
"Whatever…"
The class continued like nothing had happened.
The teacher went on with the lesson, writing across the board while students scribbled down notes. The faint scratching of pens filled the room
Ren stared at his notebook for a few seconds before finally picking up his pen.
"…just focus," he muttered under his breath.
He forced himself to write.
Line after line, word after word.
And slowly everything stayed normal, by the time the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Ren let out a small breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
"Dinggg..."
"Finally!" Yuji stretched his arms dramatically. "That class was trying to kill me, I swear."
Ren glanced at him. "You say that every day."
"Because it's true every day," Yuji shot back without hesitation.
Akari smiled softly, packing her books. "Maybe if you actually paid attention, it wouldn't feel that way."
Yuji scoffed. "And miss out on my beauty sleep? Never."
Ren shook his head slightly, a faint smile forming.
"…idiot."
"…yeah," he thought, i'm definitely overthinking this."
By the time school ended, the sky had begun to soften into evening.
Students poured out through the gates, laughing, talking, complaining about homework.
Ren walked beside Yuji and Akari, hands in his pockets, quieter than usual...
Yuji noticed immediately.
"Oi, you're too quiet," he said, nudging Ren lightly. "Don't tell me the 'hangover' is still beating you up?"
Ren exhaled softly. "I told you, I'm fine."
"Hmm…" Yuji narrowed his eyes. "Suspicious."
Akari glanced at Ren. "ehh are you sure you're okay? You've been a bit… off today."
Ren paused for a second.
"…yeah," he said finally. "I'm good."
Yuji suddenly grinned. "I knew it. He's just embarrassed!"
"About what?" Ren asked flatly.
Yuji leaned in. "About getting drunk off, like, two sips."
Ren sighed. " c'mon you're still on that?"
"Of course! This is valuable information!" Yuji laughed.
Akari shook her head. "You're impossible."
Despite everything ren found himself relaxing again.
They eventually reached a crossroads where they usually split.
"Alright, I'm heading this way," Yuji said, pointing down his street.
Akari nodded. "Me too. See you tomorrow, Ren."
Ren gave a small nod. "Yeah… see you."
Yuji waved as he walked off. "Don't pass out from water this time!"
"Shut up!" Ren called back.
Akari smiled before following after Yuji.
And just like that ren was alone.
Sigh…
He walked slowly, hands in his pockets. Just then—
"…Ah."
He stopped. "I forgot…"
Akari's birthday is tomorrow
"Ehh… seriously…" he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I can't believe I forgot her birthday when it's just a day apart from mine."
He clicked his tongue.
"Shit… and night is fast approaching."
He glanced up at the dimming sky, the orange fading into deep blue.
Sigh…
"Guess I have no choice…"
Moments later…
Time: 10:30 PM....
Ren walked down the quiet street, holding a small bag in his hand.
"Ah… I'm sure she'll love this gift," he muttered to himself, glancing at it briefly.
Then his expression shifted slightly.
"…But seriously, what's with girls?" he added under his breath. "Just to get her present, I had to waste over three hours…"
He exhaled.
"Hope it's worth it…"
The street was quiet to quiet infact and he felt it.
A sudden shift in the air .. Cold ,subtle… but wrong.
Ren slowed his steps.
He stopped.
"…What is this feeling…?" he murmured. "It's somehow… unpleasant…"
A faint uneasiness crept into his chest.
He looked around briefly.
Nothing.
"…Tch what am I five ! I can't be afraid of the dark"
He continued walking, brushing it off as he passed a U-turn.
Then
Thump…
Ren froze, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Huh?"
Thump. Thump.
A heartbeat it was fast and racing but it wasn't his,
It was coming from behind him.
Ren's body stiffened.
"…No way…"
The sound was getting closer and louder
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Faster...closer
His instincts kicked in.
Before he could even think, he moved almost by accident.
SWOOSH—!
Something sliced through the air right where his head had been...
Ren stumbled forward, barely catching his balance as his eyes widened in shock.
"…What the ?!"
His breathing became uneven.
"That… wasn't normal…"
He turned sharply but behind him, a figure stood covered in a black hoodie.
Only its eyes were faintly visible beneath the shadow.
"…Huh interesting you dodged that I was certain I've chopped off your head," the figure said calmly.
A low chuckle followed.
"Impressive… for a newborn."
Ren's heart began to race.
"…Newborn?" he repeated, confused. "What the hell are you talking about…?"
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…Who the hell are you?"
The figure tilted his head slightly.
Then slowly…
He removed his hoodie.
"I'm sorry," he began, his voice calm "But you are just a victim of circumstance…"
A pause.
"…that needs to be eliminated."
Ren's expression hardened.
"…Ehh wait what are you saying eliminated ," he muttered under his breath with a confused face
The man's face was… mostly human.
But something was off, his eyes was bright blue and unnaturally glowing
Then a faint grin spread across his face and from both sides of his canines
His fangs extended.
"…A vampire?" Ren whispered, disbelief creeping into his voice.
"Huh…" "…Huh…" They both spoke at the same time, standing there in stiff, uncomfortable silence.
A beat passed.
Then...
"What do you mean, stupid?!" the hooded figure suddenly snapped, their voice sharp and defensive. "Who the fuck are you calling a vampire?!"
Ren blinked, caught off guard his expression clouded slightly "I...what? You literally look like one!"
"The hell I do!" the figure shot back.
Ren's face grew gloomier. "I mean… you're wearing a hoodie in the middle of the night, lurking around like some sketchy bloodsucker."
The hooded figure's eyes narrowed. "Sketchy bloodsucker? Really? That's what you're going with?"
Ren crossed his arms. "Well… what else am I supposed to call someone creeping around like that?"