“Where should I put this?” I asked out.

“Place it next to the drawer.” LA sent.

Mustering up my whole strength, I worked and carried stacks of books across the room. It was painfully heavy to be sure, as I was covered in sweat by the time I finished the job.

Phew.

“Izzat all?!”

“No, there's another one in the back. Carry it next.”

I couldn't believe my ears. “You're kidding me, right?”

With glee, LA turned and smiled, "Of course I do, darling. If I didn't there wouldn't be any fun!"

“This is why I hate slave-drivers…”

“Five points deducted. Whining about it won't make it less easy, darling,” LA sent, sorting stuff on her table. “Maybe I should put a death pepper in your mouth the next time we meet.”

“I'll probably tie you up before you can even do that.”

“My! Such a wonderful proposition. Are you suggesting we should get intimat—”

“No, I don't. Stop being ridiculous.”

“What a shame… Darling, do you hate the idea of being with me that much?”

I closed my mouth off before I could say more.

LA suddenly went quiet. Her hands stopped dead.

“Hate is a strong word, and I wouldn't use that on you. Also, if there's nothing more to be done, can I go home now?” I said as I wiped the sweat off my temple. LA cast her eyes down, covered by the fringe of her hair, seemingly not offering me a single reaction. “Hey…” I tried to speak up right next to her.

She was silent, still as water, even as I nudged her right shoulder. Sensing something was wrong, I turned her towards me. Her raven hair flailed around while we made eye contact, and then I saw how her lips were pursed tight and her cheeks rosy with redness.

I… turned away but as I did, LA grabbed my right arm while saying, “Darling!”

“W-What?” I stammered out, flustered beyond a doubt, as our gazes locked on one another.

“What am I to you?” She suddenly threw such a curveball that even my brain stopped thinking for a moment.

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“It's exactly as I just said. What am I to you right now? Am I someone that you hate being with or...” She paused, her voice tender and her words carrying an air of vulnerability.

She's...oddly bothered by that one statement. Looking at LA, she was not playing around when she said that. Apparently, I wasn't being clear enough when I gave her my view on our current relationship.

So I tried to form an answer that would satisfy her. “Obviously, I don't hate you. I mean, it's not like I have a reason to when you have helped me this much over the past months.” It's true. And I was being honest, too. “Thanks to you, I'm sort of able to get my life together here. In a way, I guess I'm glad we have met.”

Man that sounded cheesy as hell but with that said, LA finally let go of my arm.

“I see...” She said.

“Darling, do you remember how we met for the first time?” She turned away, looking outside the opened windows.

“Yeah, kinda. A bit.” It's a memory I have little recollection of, as I wasn't fully conscious at the time.

“On that blood-soaked pavement, you were like a wounded animal close to the verge of death. Companionless, helpless, and almost pitiable. There was nary a fortune to your name and lineage; absolutely nothing that would compel my hand to intervene, only that...” She spoke, eyes closed, as if returning to a distant past.

At that moment, sounds of rustling leaves swept into the room.

“I remembered when you came crawling to me with your bare face, wheezing for dear breath. Your eyes were completely bereft of light. And yet the words that came out of your blood-curdling throat betrayed the grave conditions sealing your fate thence. You said these,” LA turned to face me in the eyes, saying, “I will live… I refuse to die…! I will survive! No matter what!!!”

A moment of silence passed between us. Did I seriously say all those things?

“That sight of you back then was what captured my heart. It was as if I were seeing a struggling worm trying to desperately fight back against the world itself. It truly was a wonderful sight.” LA chuckled for a moment before sending me a look. It was bewitching, to be fair.

I could feel my eyes turning away. “So what about it? What were you trying to say?”

“Darling, if not for me, you would die right then and there on that pitiful spot.” LA worked on her heels and slowly closed her distance towards me. “Remember, we are bound together. Remember your promise to me, darling.” At that moment, her deep crimson eyes peered deeply into mine, as if hammering the fact that I had nowhere else to escape. “You're mine, and mine alone. Together, forever.” LA drew her face so close to mine that I could feel her breathing touching my lips.

Steamy, hot.

I could feel my face going red.

And hers smiling ear to ear.

“Yeah, yeah, sure, I know my place. And our promise.” I gently pushed her away by the shoulders. She was being fairly aggressive, and I wasn't ready for it. “Being your temporary darling is not a hard job to be fair. I can do that as much. I'm a man of my words.” I proudly sent.

“Is this you being sweet for once? Color me surprised.”

“You got that right, I'm a sweet man. Remember that, woman.” I said with a satisfied look.

“A sweet man wouldn't cause a lady to be troubled, you know?” A slight glee entered her tone.

“What do you mean?”

She brought up a screen, proceeding to play a voice recording.

'If you do anything strange or even utter inappropriate words to Lady Cheryll, I will crush your lowly vile tongue!'

Oh, she's at it again.

After the recording ended, she waved the screen away.

“Stay safe out there, darling; I wouldn't want to see you lying dead in the middle of the streets.”

Then, having said that, she ambled around the spacious room. Gathering a bunch of belongings. The precious little time we had at the moment dwindled with every item she stuffed inside her bag.

She's right. Things would escalate if the issue remained unsolved.

With how Pia seemed to hate my guts, she'll probably wouldn't give up after a few tries if it meant she could tear me away from spending more time with Cheryll. I'm definitely not alone when it comes to gaining favors from Cheryll herself, so Pia's suspicions weren't without grounds. Intentions matter here—good ones, in fact. I didn't know what made her think I was doing harm to Cheryll as I hadn't done anything wrong myself. However, seeing how dedicated she was to her job, I just couldn't help but be amazed, and that's something.

What a loyal dog.

That being said, I have to figure this problem out before she gets out of hand, focusing mainly on how to win her trust. But the question was:

—how?

I looked at the sky outside, thinking deep...

Maybe I'll just ask Cheryll when I get the time, she'll know something.

Suddenly, darkness crept in one corner of my eyes.

The dark hour was approaching. And fast. Time to go home.

“So care to tell me what'd you girls having fun with?” I asked while helping her get things done neatly and tidy, adding the final touch.

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“That's a girl's secret. Pay up if you want to know more.” She teased.

“If that is how you want to play it, woman, then I won't pry any further. Getting your wallet dry sucks after all.” Slinging my bag over my right shoulder, I waited outside the room in the hallway.

“Oh? Not so interested now, are we?” She chuckled back, smiling contemptuously all the while. I just gave her a dismissive shrug as we locked the place up before leaving for the main entrance. The entire evening went uneventful, as always. Except for the sounds and flashes of magical exercises being carried out on the academy's training grounds. As per usual, the intense extracurricular activities around this time could only be done by the most diligent and achieving students.

Wish there was something interesting going on other than that, but that's life I guess. I wonder if that bandaged girl managed to get her ID card back... Well, no point thinking about that now. As long as she get them back from the faculty office, there shouldn't be any problem since I passed over her ID card there a while ago.

I looked outside as we walked through the hallways, now brightened with lights of their own. I could see snowflakes swirling through the windows and students walking side by side, like us, going home by the gates. Even from here, I could tell. They were all demikins. Pretending to be human. Appearance wise, there's nothing wrong with their disguise.

Think of Lady Cheryll and Pia. If not for their lineage, which was identifiable from their long, droopy ears, vampiric fangs and pale skin, I would've thought they were human girls. I used to fool myself into thinking they weren't bloodsucking creatures, just to show that I'm unafraid of them. Although the fact it took me a long while to let it sink in, knowing I'm their favorite food really messed me up.

Well, to be fair, I haven't really met any humans other than myself.

How would a human girl look and act anyway?

The only person who I could reference in this regard was Lady Cheryll herself. For reasons unknown, the girl really loved tales of the bygone era of mankind and playing with make-believe humans. Going so far as trying to eat human food, even though that would affect her health once every week.

Sighed. I still couldn't wrap my head around the whole thing.

“What's with the long face?” LA sent looking curiously at my way, “Ate something bad?”

I shook my head. “You know,” gathering my thoughts, I said, “the graelims, they're different from vampires, right? Like how they can survive off the sun for long periods of time and are kind of the least xenophobic out of all demikins. I thought they were more monster-like when I was a kid. But now, I'm not so sure.”

As I looked into the distance, I remembered back that feeling.

I was born human. Without horns, sharp talons, tails or wings, and all that shit. A powerless, pathetic human. To put it simply, I'm weak. If I had the power to change that...

“So you have done your research,” LA sent, pulling me away from my thoughts. “Other than their insatiable lust for blood and human flesh, they're known to be highly socially involved creatures, even by their own bloodkins' standards. If you're so busy worrying about being their next meal, why be friends with them in the first place?”

She gave me a skeptical look. Why huh? Good question.

“Maybe I wanted to know them better?” It sounded like I wasn't so sure about it myself.

“Ah, don't tell me you want to know them in that way?” She smiled while eyeing me suspiciously. The nuance behind her words made my face go red. “If there is one defining trait that the bloodkin family of graelims shares among their cousins, it is that they were born with an unnatural beauty that rivals even the elph themselves, while the rest wither in their presence.”

She's right. Unfortunately LA, as part of the common rabble, I would never be able to appreciate their beauty up close as you do. Friendship means nothing in the face of nobility, and I learned that the hard way.

Sighed.

Suddenly, I felt my right arm get colder.

“However, as my darling, you ought to remember your place. You're mine, and no one can say otherwise, not even you, darling.” She linked her arms with mine.

“Wha—?!” Crap, a surprise attack! To use your womanly charms like that, you have my respect. But LA as my sworn enemy, you'd think I would let you have your way with me?!

Well, think twice woman!

I brought up a lighter from my pocket with my left hand before igniting it close between us.

She didn't budge. Instead pressing her cold knockers against me even stronger. A shiver ran down my spine. As the lighter began heating up her skin, hints of her true flesh became visible. From pale-looking to downright ugly, fleshy red. I'm used to the illusion. I was trying not to think about it. If I did, I wouldn't be able to face her straight in the eyes.

It was unsettling, to say the least. And LA probably noticed that as she said this next, “Your warmth... I think I had enough of it.” She said, but her fingers were fairly unwilling to leave my arm alone, making it look like she was gingerly tugging at the edge of my sleeve. “Is the distance alright with you?” She asked while smiling happily.

LA wasn't human. She's a witch. An undead witch.

I didn't say anything. I just pulled the lighter back into its pocket as LA's skin turned back to its pale state. It's a known fact that fire is the bane to all undead, but knowing LA she probably didn't mind a little warmth here and there, which, honestly speaking, is pretty weird if you asked me.

Like a moth drawn to a flame. Maybe, I am that flame to her. Or maybe... that's just wishful thinking on my part.

“Darling, you're being extra silent today. Do you... hate being touched that much?” LA said wryly, looking sorry all of a sudden.

“Look, we're not a couple. And love is a fickle thing. You shouldn't mistake that with sympathy. I wouldn't. Now, I don't hate being touched by you or anything. I'm just adhering to the rules of society. You're up; I'm rock bottom. I'll just drag you down should, they see us being—uh.”

I forgot the word.

“Lovey-dovey?”

“Yeah, that's the thing. We're enemies, but even I have my own standards.” I said with a serious face to boot. For some reason, it came out sounding funny to my ears.

As we ran our mouth, we soon left the academy grounds. Walking side by side under the streetlamps, she laughed. “Enemy that, enemy this—you'd think I'd buy that? When your body is plenty honest as it is?” She poked at my side. This was some serious business. My whole life would end up behind bars should anything happen between us. LA probably realized that too and promptly stopped.

She still wouldn't let go of my sleeve though.

“Darling, I know you can't help it. You want to ravish me to your heart's content, do you? I can tell; it's all written on your face.” LA wore a knowing smile on her face as she said, “You're trying to control your sense of reasoning, but in the face of my magic, you'll eventually cave in to your desires. Accept it; you're my darling. You'll never escape from me. And I'll make sure you'll learn that thoroughly in time.”

Her confidence was almost appallingly nauseating. “In case you didn't know, I hate pushy and overbearing women. They're like the second-bottom bottom on my list of things I hate.” Pushing my nonexistent air glasses up my nose bridge, I said them all in a matter-of-fact way.

“Is that so, my dear?” LA didn't look the least bit annoyed by that, only shrugging her shoulders a little. “For the record, what's your most hated thing on that list of yours?” Instead, her eyes lit up almost instantly when those words left her juicy lips, turning into pure curiosity as she gazed back into my eyes.

“It's uhm... a secret. There is nothing for you to worry about, I assure you.” It may have looked like I wanted to avoid speaking of the subject but its not. Its just better that way I suppose.

“Is it… your hate for the demikins, or perhaps fear of the undead?” She's oddly persistent about this.

“Look, can we talk about something else?” I tried to steer away the conversation.

Apparently, that managed to make her realize that I'm uncomfortable with the whole subject, beginning with her eyes looking away from mine as she slowly pouted, and then I felt that our shoulders touched together.

I wonder why she would be so interested in me.

I mean, imagine you have this drop-dead gorgeous undead, and—I couldn't stress this enough—an exceptionally beautiful young woman always sticking up for you, calling you darling day over day. Most people, including LA, wouldn't probably deign themselves to a lowlife like me without some valid contextual reason. You would think there must be some underlying intentions here, good or bad. And to be frank, I'm not quite sure the affection she has for me is genuine in the romantic sense. It's just a nagging feeling, but not one that I could quite shake off.

On top of that, she's a bona fide demikin literally living in rotten flesh and bones. Then you have me in the picture, a literal average human Joe. But it's also true that she's a female, and I'm a grown man with needs. So romance between them was not unheard of, but over here, it's considered a taboo matter. And strictly speaking, how low would you be to love a living corpse? I wouldn't; at least that's how I felt towards the whole thing.

“Darling, what is it? You're muttering to yourself again, I'm honestly worried.”LA interrupted my train of thoughts. What's she got to worry about?

“Well, it's just that there's this one thing that's been bugging me. You don't suppose demikins came from humans, right?” Flustered, I immediately thought up a different topic in an attempt to divert her attention. If she catches on to what I'm actually thinking, there's no telling what she'll do next.

“Let curiosity take its course, and you'll end up as a fool. Some secrets are best kept in the dark.” And somehow she took the bait, looking distant all of a sudden. I wiped the sweat from my brow as I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“R-Really? I see.” I've got to steer the conversation in the right way! “But seeing some of them have a close resemblance to humans, you just have to wonder what exactly are demikins right?”

With eyes opened wide in surprise, LA began, “Ahh, a question for all ages. The answer varies, but all reach the common truth: we are twisted creations made to look human. And some are quite far from it, getting names out of fear for their wicked powers and appearances or even, in some rare cases, as patrons for worship. Even so, we are flawed beings. Carrying the same weight as the humans before us, seeking for their Lord's grace...”

Twirling a finger around her locks, she said, “Thus we exist much for the same sake as for your kind, along with our differing gifts and shortcomings.”

“Even though you guys destroyed most of our civilizations?”

“However you swallow it, the world is a strange place after all. Maybe we exist simply for entertainment. We don't know, and some of us don't want to accept the hard truths. While some aren't afraid to taste the sweetness of revelation themselves, things have never been clear.” LA said her face looked cold to the eye. “In the end, we remain a mystery.”

“Hmm… I'm not sure if I quite follow, but I guess I can accept that.”

As our conversation came to an end, the holographic signs of many food stalls and grocery shops soon came to light. Looking around, I could see decorations for winter's arrival had been propped up which frankly speaking, made the place quite… romantic, to say the least. The mood here is... suffocating...

“Oh, my... Look at all these people, indulging themselves in their sweet honey pot without a care in the world. What do you think, darling? Should we follow in their step?” She urged bewitchingly, her rosy cheeks looking fairly tempting.

I swallowed hard. There's a line I couldn't see here, but it's definitely there. Should I cross, there's no turning back.

No turning back... but I'll be a different man...

At that moment, I picked up the scent of fried food in the air. My stomach rumbled loudly. “Hey, what's that smell? I think it's coming from there!!” I quickly gestured to the far end. A family restaurant could be seen in the distance as I rubbed my stomach and stuck my tongue out as if just seeing food for a long while. “Boy! I bet the food over there is tasty-licious; let's go eat. Man, I need to stave off this hunger real fast, don't ya think?”

LA was quiet. She had this dark and scary look plastered on her face. Eyeing sharply at the family restaurant, I gestured.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead, silently thanking my stomach.

Alright, let's keep this professional.