‘I like vampires.’

I told myself as my fingers typed away, they keys making a clack as my fingertips strike.

I’ve always been fascinated by vampires for some reason, ever since I first discovered the concept as a child. There are a number of reasons I like vampires—or rather, perhaps just the idea of them.

They’re almost invincible despite not having much muscle on them and sport only a few weaknesses. They show no reflection on a mirror’s surface but are charming regardless of how they look. They’re basically the ideal form of what humans aspire to be. But most importantly, the thing that fascinates me most about them is their immortality.

Most people wish to obtain immortality— or rather, the right way to phrase it would probably be:

Most people fear the idea of death. The idea of leaving everything behind, leaving not a trace of your existence in a couple of years’ time.

It’s natural to have a fear of the unknown, to cling onto anything that would satiate the feeling of an impending end, and to seek it out despite it being nonexistent. Which is why the idea of a creature that’s achieved what humans could only wish to attain fascinates me to an extent.

I would definitely love to go into more detail as I have a lot on my mind regarding the subject matter. However, my hands that were stuck onto my laptop’s keyboard, as well as my train of thought had come to a halt.

“Do you like vampires?” a feminine voice asked from behind, “aren’t you a bit old to be into those, mister? Or are you that, what they call a vampire otaku?”

It was a Friday, around nine in the evening at a family diner, considerably late. Having finished a plate of cheap Japanese curry, I started working on a new short story. It was then when I felt the presence of someone from behind, looming over me for a considerable amount of time. From the dark part of my screen, I could make their reflation barely. It was a girl. She had short white hair, fair complexion, a rounded face and a somewhat small build. With the looks of it, I’d say she was either still in middle school or a freshman in high school.

Me, being someone in his early twenties, I decided to avoid any interaction and remain silent. I refuse to entertain a minor. Of course, not with any malicious intent behind it. Just being seen with a minor this late in a sketchy diner is something I wanted to avoid, especially when I’m so close to getting my name known. Besides, didn’t kids these days have very short attention spans? I’m sure she would leave if I didn’t entertain her presence like how a kid would scroll past a tiktok that wasn’t ADHD inducing.

Ten seconds go by.

A minute passes.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

A minute and thirty of absolute silence.

“What are you still doing here!?” I turned around irately after having my patience tested. So my patience’s limit is no longer than an anime opening huh...

“Hm? I mean, I asked you a question, didn’t I? So naturally I would wait for a response.”

“Naturally, a highschooler wouldn’t be talking to a stranger at a diner this late,” I turned back to my laptop that had been left hanging with a sigh. The screensaver was already playing with how long we were at a standstill.

“What? Do I really look that young?” She chuckled in glee as she made her way to the empty seat in front of me. “Sorry to burst your fantasies but I’m actually of legal age, definitely way older than you mister.” She said as she sat down with a prideful grin.

“I-I wasn’t really fantasizing about anything!”

Fortunately for me, there was hardly anyone left at the diner this late. I might have already been accused of something indecent otherwise. Regardless, now that I can see her directly, I suppose I could see how she definitely was older than what I first thought. Definitely still not older than me though.

However, being in the middle of crafting a story, I proceeded to continue ignoring her and resumed typing on my keyboard. The creative process requires silence. Well, it’s that or I’m just not that great at talking with strangers, especially not the outgoing type like her.

“Are you writing a novel?” She asked as if to break the silence. But as I seemingly didn’t seem interested in conversing still, she continued as if knowing exactly what to say to pique my curiosity. “Are you by any chance competing in the third annual Asuzagawa new comers’ writing competition?”

My hands instinctively stopped moving as soon as my ears heard that name.

“What makes you think so?” I asked with genuine curiosity. “Are you by any chance also competing?”

“Ah so I was right on mark, huh?” She conceitedly smiled as she had just won the disturb-an-author-currently-writing Olympics. “I actually know you. I’ve read your submission the previous year, and also the year before that.”

Wait, what? Might she be a fan? Now that I think about it, the Asuzagawa new comers’ competition entries are free to view for the public after all. No, no, wait, calm down, I doubt any normal person would read a short novel from a nobody out of a whim. If she’s read my previous works then she’s most likely a competition.

“And who might you be? I suppose it would only be proper courtesy to introduce yourself as well.” I asked with caution, my guard raised.

“Hm? I’m a fan of your works!”

SHE REALLY WAS A FAN! MY GUARD IS DOWN!

“I-is that so? Then—”

“I mean, you’re the weirdo who kept submitting stories about vampires every year, so you definitely stand out!”

IS SHE REALLY A FAN!? You’re playing with my heart here!

“Don’t get me wrong, I mean it in the most-polite way possible. I’m actually surprised that someone was actually so passionate about vampires as you. That’s all.”

Hearing her words, my guard was now down and I was willing to listen. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have this sudden change of heart because I found out she had read my works. Definitely not that, mhmm. I just thought that maybe she could give me some input about my writing and— no, I’m just kidding, it’s definitely because of that..

“Might you be interested in the occult if that’s the case?” I closed my laptop as a sign that I was ready to talk. “Sorry to get your hopes up, but I for one have no interest in occultic things outside of vampires.”

“No no, not at all. In fact, the only reason I took notice of your works was because I—” she raised her left arm with a dramatic pause then dropped it with her thumb pointing in her direction saying “I’m actually a vampire myself!”

……

I packed my things as quickly as I could that it almost looked comedic then proceeded to make a run for it.

“I’m leaving.”

“Wait! Hold up!” She forcibly held onto my shirt to stop me from my tracks. “What, you’re having cold feet after meeting the real deal? Wouldn’t you want to ask the real thing for your works!”

She wasn’t really a vampire. Those actually don’t exist. And besides—my memories play back from just a few moments ago, she had a reflection.

In other words, this girl who was clearly way younger than me was either messing with me because of my infatuation with vampires or is trying to extort money from an adult with underhanded tactics. It wasn’t something I had the liberty of entertaining.

Her grip on my clothes was considerably strong but I manage to break lose. I continued to exit the diner with haste. But before I could get out, the white-haired girl continued with a barely-audible parting message.

“Vampires aren’t really what you think they ar—”

I left the diner before she could even finish.