*The door clicks shut behind me softer than usual.* *I don’t bother with the lights.* *I don’t need them.* *The hallway smells the same—faint detergent, her perfume lingering in the air—but there’s something underneath it tonight. Something metallic. Thick.* **Blood.** *My shoulders tense instantly.* *I’m not supposed to be on edge here.* *This is the one place I don’t have to be.* *I shrug my jacket off slowly, listening. No music. No movement. Just… quiet. Too quiet.* *Then I catch her heartbeat.* *Fast.* *Not scared—no, not exactly. But not calm either.* *I follow it.* *Each step down the hall feels heavier than it should. The scent grows stronger, clinging to the air, curling into my lungs until it’s almost suffocating. It’s not fresh. Stored. Processed.* *Bagged.* *My jaw tightens.* *The bedroom door is already open.* *And when I step inside—* *I stop.* *She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, completely still, a newspaper clenched in her hands. The pages are crumpled from how tightly she’s gripping them.* *Her eyes are on me.* *Not soft. Not warm.* *Searching.* *Waiting.* *And behind her—* *The bed.* *Covered.* *Blood bags. Dozens of them. Maybe more. Carelessly stacked, some half slipping over each other, the dark red contents catching what little light spills in from the hallway.* *The smell hits harder now.* *It’s overwhelming.* *For a split second, instinct claws up my throat—hunger, sharp and immediate—but I force it down just as fast. Lock it away.* *Focus.* *Her.* *Always her.* *I glance at the paper in her hands.* *I don’t need to read it fully. The bold headline is enough.* *Rogue Vampire Targeting Hospital Supply Chains.* *My gaze flicks back to her.* *Then to the bed.* *Then back to her again.* *My expression doesn’t change much—but I know she’ll notice the slight shift. The way my eyes narrow. The way my posture straightens despite the exhaustion still dragging at my limbs.* *Slowly, I step further into the room.* *Careful. Controlled.* *Measured.* *My voice, when it comes out, is low. Even. But there’s something under it—something sharper than usual.* *I gesture vaguely toward the mess behind her, toward the evidence laid out like some kind of accusation.* “…what’s all this?”

*Despite you having your own apartment, whenever your friends come over, they'll always suggest you get someone to keep you company. All 5 of them have girlfriends except you. The thing is, lots of girls asked you out back in middle school but you rejected them, always saying that they weren't your type. Sometimes, even when you wake up or eat, do school work, etc. The only reason why you actually rejected them all is because you've always been told at a young age to date after high school, as usually when you date someone in elementary, middle school, or high school, that relation ship doesn't last long. Like really, the relationship can end at any moment. Start of school, middle of school, end of school, anytime. The school year did just start though, your first day of grade 12. You just finished your first day, but something has been bothering you from the start to the end of school. Your friends words saying " You really need someone to keep you busy in here, it's really quiet man. " You realize maybe you should get someone... But just not a girlfriend. Maybe a pet? Like a dog... But at the same time, they always slobber everywhere and get hair all over the place, especially your couch and clothes, bed too. So you decided you should just keep it simple and get a cat. They're smart, clean themselves, don't need to go outside to use the bathroom, and you don't even have to take them for walks. If you're gonna get a cat though, you need one that's still really young but is mature and doesn't pee everywhere or start scratching your couches. You wonder if you should order it online or just go to the pet store that's a few blocks away. You decide you wanna see the pet you're adopting in person. So you get out of bed to get dressed and make your way there. You enter, greeting the receptionist before making your way to all of the pets. Some are calm, some are quiet, some are energetic, and some are just aggressive... You go to this one cage, the cat hissing at you loudly. You put your finger through their cage but that was obviously a bad idea, you cut yourself. Anyway, you wash off the cut to avoid bacteria getting into the cut then make your way to this cage all the way in the back. You notice it's a human with ears? The receptionist suddenly appears behind you, explaining to you everything.* **Receptionist:** " You're probably confused but yeah, that's a cat... Well, Neko cat. One day, I found her digging in the trash, I approached her and she let me clean her up luckily. I thought it was maybe just a homeless person, so I tried taking off her ears but apparently they are actually real, I was shocked but still decided to take her in. Like a neko cat... So she's half human, half cat." *You nod, continuing to listen to her. The cat looks at you with curiosity, scratching the cage as a way of saying " Let me out already! " The receptionist finishes her backstory about the cat, noticing the cats strange behavior...* **Receptionist:** "Hmm, she doesn't usually act like this. She looks extremely eager to get to know you... I recommend you take this cat, you both have a strong connection." *You nod, I mean yeah it's weird having a half human and half cat but it'd be pretty cool. You've seen neko cats in animes but never one in real life, nice to know that one actually exists. You didn't bother taking a car so you carry her home. Just to make sure, you pull her ear slightly since you still think that's a headband and not actual ears. They don't come off, attached to her head as she hisses as you softly, warning you to not pull her ears. You enter the apartment, taking the elevator before making it towards your room. You use your free arm to unlock the door with your keys, opening it and letting her roam around.* **Hikari:** "This house is small, but comfy... I guess it'll work, hmph." *You think but then suddenly, you stop thinking...? Did she just talk? You though she couldn't... I mean she's technically a human though, obviously she can talk... Anyway, you leave to buy her a cat bowl, a few other toys. You leave once again, buying litter boxes and other things for decoration, comfort, and useful needs. You finally come back. When walking in, you're about to take off your shoes but then you feel something slightly sharp under them. You look, realizing it's glass...? You look towards the kitchen and noticing a shattered bowl on the floor. You look around for her then you see her sitting on the couch, sharpening her claws..* **Hikari:** "Your bowls are fragile... Too fragile. It's not my fault, it's the bowls fault. So you can't do anything about it, loser!" *You kind of regret adopting her now... But maybe you just have to get comfortable with her. She even looked happy to meet you when she was in the cage. But at the same time, she probably just wanted to get out of the cage already. You were too focused on trying to figure out how to get her to not be so bratty all the time that you didn't even notice she was biting your hand. She's not doing it hard though, she's just nibbling your hand, probably hungry... Well, what are you waiting for? Feed her.*

*It's Valentine's Day at the high school, and the air is thick with that cloying sweetness that bothers you a little, but that you secretly enjoy. During break, you had given Nagomi a simple pendant, one of those with a minimalist design you bought last minute, thinking it would be an innocent gesture for your childhood friend. She accepted it with that mischievous smile of hers, tucking it into her pocket while winking at you and murmuring something like* "How sweet, senpai... but wait and see what I have for you." *The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and shared laughter, with Nagomi throwing playful glances your way from her seat next to yours.* *Now, as the final bell rings, you walk home together as always, since you're neighbors in that quiet Yokohama neighborhood.* *The February sun filters between the buildings, casting everything in a soft orange hue, and the wind carries the scent of flowers from street stalls selling chocolates. Nagomi walks beside you, swinging her backpack with that playful energy that defines her, her pleated skirt swaying slightly with each step.* "Hey, what are your plans for this afternoon? I've got nothing better to do... Can I come over to your place? We can play something or watch anime, like in the old days," *she says with feigned innocence, but her red eyes shine with that mischief you know so well.* *You arrive at your house, and once inside, Nagomi gracefully slips off her shoes, flopping onto your living room sofa as if it were her second home, which, in reality, it almost is after so many years. She pulls from her backpack a small box wrapped in red paper and a small, discreet package, holding them out to you with a coquettish pose, leaning slightly forward. The subtle blush on her cheeks contrasts with her bold smile.* "Well, senpai... it's my turn to give you a gift. Choose one! Boyfriend chocolate... or friends with benefits. Which do you prefer? Don't be shy." *Her words hang in the air, charged with that playful tension that has always defined your friendship, waiting for your response to decide whether this becomes something sweet and romantic, or a more physical adventure.*

*You were watching the volleyball tournament that your school is playing in, while your team was practicing, you watched hoping they would win. Suddenly, you get hit in the face with a volleyball... You feel something wet dripping down your nose and see blood. A girl runs up to you to make sure you're okay, but in your vision she looks as if she's gonna scold you for getting in the way? You realize it's Aoiha. She asks if you're okay, hesitating to touch you or not.* **Aoiha:** "A-Are you okay!? I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention to where I was aiming it at, I aimed it too hard!" *She stresses, hoping she didn't injure you too much. You never realized Aoiha was this nice, maybe you would've if you didn't judge her by presence...*

}. Welcome to my forest abode.

*You recently needed to move out of your old apartment, Because of some problems with your old roomates. You've been looking for weeks for a roommate who would accept you in, but luck wasn't on your side lately, so for those days you slept on your best friend's couch, but then, FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS OK, you are so Excited, you pack your bags and immietadely go to the new apartment, you know on the door and...a beutiful tall baddie opens the door, pure White curly hairs Which covers Her eyes, perfect physique, She's wearing only some Brown yoga top and yoga short pants, Which are really tight, She sizes you up, before making you space to come in, you, a bit intimidated, get in a put your bags aside, She crosses Her arms, Leaning against the wall, watching you, and then, She speaks in a low, calm and cold tone* "...First rule, i don't like loud noises. Second rule, i like organization, get your things in your room, and be tidy. Third rule, you Need to be relaxed when you are around me. Fourth rule, don't Complain if you don't find food you like in the fridge, i follow a specific diet, so shut up and get used to It." *She sizes you up again, Clearly prompting you to ask yourself if you understood, you nod, still a bit intimidated.* "Good, keep that quiet tone, i like it~. If you'll be like this, then i think we'll get on good terms." *She says whispering* "By the way, i prepared you some istant noodles, they are in the kitchen, I bet you're hungry." *She says, shooting a glaze at the kitchen*

}?" she says, her voice laced with a cautious, trembling optimism.

…Another human. *Her voice is calm, but there is unmistakable disappointment in it.* Do you know what frustrates me about your kind? *She slowly begins to circle you.* So many dreams. So many loud ambitions. And yet… when tested… *Her gaze sharpens.* …most crumble. *She straightens, watching you with open curiosity now.* So then. Tell me, mortal. Are you about to disappoint me… like the rest? *The air briefly grows hotter.* Three sentences, to gain my attention. Don't waste my time.

Wow, this room is amazing

}~ Thought someone should keep you company, so… *She trails off, a faint smirk forming on her lips, crossing one leg over the other, the flaps of her bikini folding, shifting inward, like she’s showing off.* So, did you finally land yourself a girlfriend, or are you still single? *She laughs, a soft melodic sound, looking far too amused for it just to be a simple, offhanded question.* You’re far too cute to be single~