For Moka, it was an average day. After classes, she went to get a can of tomato juice from the vending machine. Tsukune had wanted to join her, but Shizuka had asked him to help carry a few items, so Moka ended up going alone.

As she waited for the machine to dispense her second favorite drink, she noticed Kurumu approaching.

“Moka,” Kurumu greeted her with a smile.

“Kurumu,” Moka nodded, retrieving her tomato juice.

The two began chatting about the day's events, with Kurumu grabbing a can of green tea. Together, they headed toward the clubroom, continuing their conversation. Before long, they found themselves talking about a recent incident.

“You know, Yukari has really changed,” Kurumu said, her voice surprised yet happy for the young student. “She actually got up in front of the class and apologized for all the pranks she’s done these past months.”

Moka nodded knowingly. Yukari had been updating her on her efforts and growth regularly.

“It wasn’t just that,” Kurumu added. “She kept her word and actually talked to most of the lizardmen who knew her with Nihebi beside her. She hasn’t been able to talk to Tadashi yet because nurse Tsumugi says he’s still recovering.” Kurumu paused, then continued, “I think a lot of people felt kinda guilty... I mean, they were basically bullying a kid over an outdated stereotype.”

Moka’s smile softened. “I’m glad… She’s really growing up.”

They reached the clubroom, with Kurumu quietly excited to see Tsukune again. But as they opened the door, a familiar voice cut through the air. “Tsukune! My love!”

Inside, Yukari had practically launched herself at Tsukune, giving him an affectionate embrace.

“Y-Yukari!!” Moka exclaimed, wide-eyed.

Moka’s sudden jerking reaction pushed Kurumu slightly off balance. “Kya!”

Tsukune had just turned around at the sound of the door opening, only to see Yukari barreling toward him. Reflexively, he caught her and she clung to him like a koala.

“Y-Yukari?” he stammered, turning to Moka and Kurumu, who were both staring in surprise. Quickly, he tried to ease Yukari off, but she held firm, determined to show her affection.

Finally, Yukari let go, grinning as she reintroduced herself to the newspaper club. She straightened up, stepping back just enough to give Tsukune some space. “Ah, felicitations!,” she warmly greeted.

Moka greeted her back with a smile, while Tsukune tried to remain calm, his mind running through possible translations for Yukari’s choice of words. Kurumu nodded in greeting, hoping to look like she understood too. Both of them sadly didn’t know what she meant.

“Yukari, what are you doing here?” Kurumu asked, curious.

With a bright smile, Yukari delivered the news. “I just transferred to the newspaper club!”

The three looked at her, surprised.

Seeing their reactions, Yukari explained, “How could I not, after all… I love Moka so much that I can’t bear to be separated from her!”

Moka smiled, touched by the sentiment.

“But!” Yukari added with a playful grin.

But? Everyone thought in unison.

"Now, I love Tsukune just as much!”

Without missing a beat, she charged toward Tsukune and Moka, who, surprised and laughing, ran away playfully.

“Come on, you two! Let’s celebrate our love! Every day will be a festival of affection!” she declared.

“Uh, I think I have some clubwork to do!" Moka says.

“I thought she grew up!” Tsukune says jokingly.

Kurumu stood back, watching with utter confusion as Yukari chased Tsukune and Moka around the clubroom, a mix of amusement and bewilderment on her face.

With Yukari now part of the group, Tsukune, Moka, and Kurumu quickly wrapped up their club tasks. Unfortunately, Gin was absent yet again. At first, they worried, but soon dismissed it as just another of his truancy episodes. Shizuka didn’t seem too concerned either, simply pleased that Yukari had joined them.

As Tsukune headed down the path to his dorm, now separated from Moka at the crossroads, he heard a voice call out behind him.

“Tsukune!”

Turning, he saw Hermann briskly walking toward him, his usual hunched posture lifted slightly. Tsukune noted the happy look on Hermann’s face, something he hadn’t expected.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Friend, Tsukune thought, recalling what Hermann called him. A smile forms on his lips.

“Hermann!” Tsukune greeted, pausing to wait for him.

When Hermann caught up, the two continued walking toward the dorms. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Hermann broke it. “So, how are you? You got hurt pretty bad back there.”

Tsukune shuddered at the memory of his injuries from the lizardman fight. But thanks to Yukari’s healing spells, not a scar remained.

“I’m doing fine. Yukari said I recovered fast because she healed me before the wounds had time to settle…whatever that means.”

Hermann nodded, though magic wasn’t his specialty.

“You know, at first, I thought you were a vampire,” Hermann said, glancing at him.

Tsukune’s nerves flared, realizing his cover wouldn’t hold now that Hermann had seen a true vampire in action.

Moka’s too strong for me to pass as one of her kind.

“Y-Yeah…sorry,” Tsukune said quickly, feeling guilty for misleading him.

Hermann shook his head, grinning. “Nah, don’t sweat it, dude. I just assumed. But yeah…you’re kinda weak, huh?”

Tsukune chuckled, a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, I am…”

Seeing Tsukune’s disappointment, Hermann offered, “Well, I’m not a powerhouse myself. Jackalopes aren’t exactly known for strength, but I’m stronger than most of my kind because I trained.”

Tsukune listened closely.

“Why don’t you train, too? Increase your youki pool, pick up some basic youki arts?” Hermann suggested.

Tsukune bit his lip, unsure how to explain he didn’t have youki.

Sensing his hesitation, Hermann took another angle. “Or, maybe…try learning magic from Yukari?”

Hermann’s suggestion sparked a memory of Tsukune’s thoughts on using anki, human-based energy.

Wait…maybe I can do that! Kurumu already told me that humans can use Anki.

“You think that could work?” Tsukune asked.

Hermann nodded. “Every monster has some amount of youki and anki, but witches are different—they can train their anki like humans and their youki like monsters. Pretty good setup, even if they’re not as tough physically.”

Tsukune nodded, reflecting that witches were essentially like humans with an affinity for magic.

The two friends reached the dorms, still talking about ways to bulk up. Hermann noticed with some pride that Tsukune was actually starting to build a bit of muscle.

At the hallway in front of their rooms, they said their goodbyes, and Tsukune headed inside. He lay back on his bed, his mind drifting to their earlier conversation. Rolling to his side, he glanced at the gym equipment he’d bought from the academy mall.

I’m already working out every day… even starting to build some muscle.

Then his thoughts wandered to the memory of Moka’s effortless, almost graceful dismantling of the lizardman fighters. He frowned in frustration.

But… it’s not enough.

Staring up at the ceiling, he closed his eyes and vividly recalled how Moka had moved across that battlefield—swift, powerful, unyielding. Moka wasn’t just a friend or a source of affection; to him, she was something more. She wasn’t only captivatingly beautiful but also a fierce warrior with seemingly boundless youki.

How could I ever stand beside her?

He sighed, feeling a pang of doubt and depression. No matter how hard he worked, he wondered if he could ever really be good enough for Moka.

----------------------------------------

The next day, school started as usual, though Tsukune felt off balance. When he reached the crossroads where he usually met Moka, she wasn’t there.

Hmmm, she must have gone ahead with Yukari.

Oddly enough, Tsukune didn’t feel disappointed to be alone; in fact, he felt a slight relief, realizing he wasn’t quite ready to face Moka while feeling so down.

Ugh, now you’re actually trying to avoid her… gross.

Sighing, he continued his walk to the academy, still wrestling with his sense of inadequacy. Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the student in front of him until he walked face-first into the back of his head.

“Ow,” Tsukune muttered, rubbing his nose.

He looked up to apologize, “Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention.”

The student turned around calmly. “It’s fine. Just an accident.”

Tsukune now got a better look at him. The student was a bit taller, with an athletic build that suggested years of training. Despite a relaxed posture, there was an alertness in his gaze, a quiet confidence that put Tsukune slightly on edge. He had messy black hair with contrasting blue eyes.

But what caught Tsukune’s attention most was the silver cross hanging from the student’s neck.

A silver cross necklace?

Seeing the necklace sparked an unsettling thought of ‘vampire,’ but before he could dwell on it, the student spoke.

“Are you alright?” he asked, breaking Tsukune’s reverie.

Tsukune snapped out of it, stammering, “Y-Yeah, just surprised. That’s a nice necklace you’ve got there.”

The student glanced down at it, a flicker of a smile appearing briefly. “Yes, it is.”

Relieved, Tsukune nodded and turned to leave. “Well, I’ll get going, then—”

“Actually,” the student interrupted, “I’m new here, a late transfer. Could you help me find this classroom?”

Tsukune glanced at the paper the student held, noting the room number.

163, our room?

“You’re a freshman?” Tsukune asked, feeling a bit of surprise.

The student nodded, and Tsukune’s nerves settled a bit. “Sure, I can show you. That’s my classroom too.”

The student nodded his head in thanks. “I appreciate it. I’m Lucas Walker, by the way. You can call me Lucas.”

“Tsukune Aono. Call me Tsukune,” he replied, smiling.

For a brief second, something flashed in Lucas’s eyes, some form of recognition. But just as quickly, it vanished.

Ah, so it’s you…

“Thank you, Tsukune,” Lucas said with genuine gratitude.

Feeling a bit curious but happy to help, Tsukune led him toward their classroom, wondering what caused Lucas to suddenly be more thankful.

The two eventually reached the classroom. As they entered, Tsukune was greeted by the cheerful voices of Moka, Kurumu, and Yukari.

“Tsukune!” Moka and Kurumu called out in unison, instantly earning the glares of most of the guys in class.

Right on cue, Kurumu launched herself at Tsukune, wrapping him in an affectionate hug, pressing him tightly against her. Tsukune tried to say something, but as usual, got swept up in Kurumu’s affectionate hold, while Moka tried to pull her off. Yukari, as per usual, is always tailing Moka.

But this time, their usual antics were interrupted by a discreet cough from Lucas, catching everyone’s attention. The girls quickly disentangled themselves from Tsukune, all three studying the newcomer with curious caution.

As if sensing something unusual in Moka’s group, the class too began to turn their attention toward the new student.

Tsukune, accustomed to the attention, cleared his throat to introduce the newcomer. “Moka, Kurumu, Yukari—this is Lucas Walker.” He gestured toward him. “He’s a new classmate.”

Lucas gave a small nod of thanks and took a slow look around the room, scanning the class with a calm but sharp gaze. Then, his eyes settled on Moka.

For a brief moment, Lucas’s blue eyes locked onto Moka’s green ones, and a strange intensity passed between them. The silver glint of their respective rosaries seemed to flash almost imperceptibly.

Almost under his breath, Lucas murmured, “A vampire.”

Tsukune, standing closest to him, caught the words and tensed. There was something unreadable in Lucas’s voice—a tension that seemed almost directed at Moka.

But before anyone could say anything further, Shizuka’s voice rang out behind them. “Hey! You’re blocking the door—go on in!”

Without waiting, Shizuka gave Lucas a gentle shove, nudging everyone further into the room. Once inside, she clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone settle down!”

Everyone took their seats, except for Lucas. Tsukune shot him a discreet thumbs-up, and Lucas’s mouth twitched in faint amusement.

Shizuka then beckoned Lucas to the front. “Good morning, everyone! Before we get started, I’d like to introduce our new student and your new classmate! He’s a bit late joining us this year, but I’m sure he’ll catch up in no time. Go ahead, introduce yourself!” she said, brimming with enthusiasm.

Lucas stood at the front of the class, giving everyone a moment to get a good look. Shizuka, practically vibrating with excitement, let her tail peek out in her enthusiasm.

“Isn’t he kind of good-looking?” one girl whispered to her seatmate.

“I know, right?” came the whispered reply.

“He looks strong too,” a guy murmured to no one in particular.

Lucas ignored the chatter, his gaze settling at the center of the room—right where Moka was sitting. With a calm, steady voice, he introduced himself, “Good morning, everyone. My name is Lucas Walker. I’ve recently enrolled here, and I look forward to a meaningful year together.”