Moka felt a surge of conflicting emotions.

The instant Junya declared himself a vampire, an overwhelming sense of loss welled up within her, as if something important was suddenly forgotten. At the same time, she felt an intense, almost visceral hatred emanating from her rosary—a sensation so powerful it seemed as though it were rejecting his very existence.

Her chest tightened, her mind clouded with uncertainty.

Why does hearing that word make me feel this way?

The mere mention of “vampire” caused her blood to simmer. Was it anger? Fear? Or something else entirely? She couldn’t tell.

Is this normal for vampires? I don’t even know that much about my race, Moka thought, a shadow of doubt creeping into her mind.

Moka locked eyes with Junya, who stood confidently, clearly waiting for her response. Despite the tension in the air, she made up her mind. Whatever this strange turmoil within her was, she needed answers.

“Junya, can we talk?” Moka asked firmly, surprising everyone in the room.

Tsukune immediately stepped closer, concern written across his face. “Moka, wait—”

Before he could say more, Junya’s voice cut through the air, smooth and commanding. “Magnificent! Let’s step out and have a chat.”

His smug tone grated on Tsukune, but Moka ignored it, nodding resolutely. Something deep inside her burned—a determination fueled by the chaotic emotions swirling within her.

“Moka…” Tsukune began, his tone pleading.

Turning to him, Moka offered a reassuring nod, her expression softer but still resolute. “I’ll be back later, okay?”

Reluctantly, Tsukune nodded, unable to contest her decision despite the uneasy knot forming in his stomach.

Moka knew leaving Tsukune would unsettle him, but she couldn’t ignore the weight of the feelings coursing through her. This strange mix of revulsion and loss… She had to figure out what it meant. Now.

As soon as Moka and Junya left the clubroom, Yukari declared with urgency, "Tsukune, we have to follow them!"

"W-What? But Moka said she'd come back!" Tsukune stammered, hesitating.

Yukari fixed him with a sharp glare. "That’s a vampire! What if he’s trying to steal Moka away from us?"

Tsukune’s heart skipped a beat at the thought. The idea of losing Moka was unbearable. It didn’t take long for him to make up his mind. "Alright, let’s go," he agreed, determination hardening his voice.

Meanwhile, Kurumu tapped her chin thoughtfully, trying to recall if there was any mention of a vampire in the second-year roster.

If there was one, I would’ve charmed them first, she thought, trying to recall her past actions.

When nothing came to mind, she shrugged dismissively.

Well, if he really is a vampire, he can take Moka awa—

Before she could finish her scheming thought, she noticed both Tsukune and Yukari were already gone.

"H-Hey! Wait for me!" Kurumu shouted, bolting after them as they hurriedly followed Moka's trail.

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

Outside the academy, Junya and Moka strolled through the dead forest. Junya walked with his hands in his pockets, a sly smile playing on his lips. He eventually turned to Moka, his gaze sharp yet seemingly warm.

“I didn’t mean to startle you earlier... The truth is...”

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Moka, her guard firmly up, waited cautiously. “Yes?”

Junya’s smile brightened, a disarming charm that might have worked on anyone else. “Well... I saw you drinking that guy’s blood earlier,” he said casually.

Moka’s mind immediately wandered back to lunchtime, recalling her moment with Tsukune.

“And I knew I had to meet you!” Junya declared, his tone almost enthusiastic.

Moka nodded distractedly, still wrestling with the unsettling reaction her rosary had to this stranger.

Junya’s smile faltered for a brief moment as he caught her distant expression. Playing hard to get, huh… he thought but quickly masked his annoyance.

Observing her more closely, Junya’s eyes flicked to the large silver cross around her neck. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he remarked, “For a vampire, you’re quite the odd one.”

Moka’s body stiffened at the comment, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Sensing he’d struck a chord, Junya pressed on with mock astonishment. “A vampire wearing a cross? Now, isn’t that something!”

Moka’s gaze lowered to the rosary at her neck. Her thoughts turned to the cross on Junya’s wrist, a detail that now stood out. She hesitated before asking, “A-Are you really a vampire?”

There was a moment of silence before she continued, her voice quieter, almost hesitant. “Aside from my family...” Her words faltered, that now-familiar sense of loss washing over her like a tidal wave.

Junya noticed her pallor but said nothing, waiting as Moka steadied herself. She finished with a weak, almost mournful tone, “...I’ve never met another one of my kind.”

Junya’s response was measured and confident, as if he had anticipated this. “Of course not. Vampires are one of the strongest monsters. Because of our power, we’ve been feared, hunted, and forced into isolation throughout history.”

He paused, his tone shifting to one of solemnity. “We are a vanishing race.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, tinged with an almost theatrical sadness. Moka couldn’t decide if his sorrow was genuine or a performance, but it resonated with her all the same.

Junya turned his gaze to the distance, his voice dropping to a somber murmur. “All my life, I’ve known only loneliness. Fear is all I’ve ever inspired... never friendship.”

For a moment, Moka’s curiosity about her rosary’s reaction gave way to empathy. Fear but never... never friendship... The phrase echoed in her mind.

Noticing the shift in her demeanor, Junya softened his expression, his calculated charm returning. “Perhaps... you’ve felt the same?”

Moka gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Seeing the opening, Junya stepped closer, his voice turning warm and inviting. “Do you see now why I had to meet you?”

He offered her a gentle, almost reverent smile. “What a miracle it is that we’ve found each other.”

Hidden behind some large gravestones, Kurumu observed Moka and Junya with a mix of amusement and intrigue, her lips curling into a sly grin.

“Hmmm… seems like they’re hitting it off,” she commented, her voice low but laced with satisfaction.

Nearby, Yukari was clinging to Tsukune, her face buried in his sleeve as tears streamed down her cheeks. She sniffled dramatically, seeking comfort from the already downcast Tsukune.

“Nooo! Tsukune, do something!” Yukari wailed, her voice a mix of desperation and frustration.

Tsukune slumped in defeat, and could only shake his head. “What can I do?” he muttered.

Yukari pulled back, frowning deeply at his lack of resolve. Her gaze drifted back to Moka and Junya, her disbelief growing. “I always thought the vampire laws were just myths… like some of their weaknesses…” she murmured. Her words were faintly confident, but it quickly wavered as doubt crept in. “But… if it’s real, then…”

Tsukune perked up slightly, his curiosity piqued. “What law?” he asked, urgency creeping into his voice.

Kurumu also intrigued, leaned in closer, her interest evident.

Yukari stiffened at their questions, her defensive instincts kicking in. “Oh… n-no, I don’t know anything!” she stammered, her voice rising an octave.

Kurumu’s eyes narrowed mischievously as she crossed her arms. “Oh, you definitely know something,” she teased, leaning closer to the younger girl. “Spill it, or else!”

Yukari tried to stand her ground, puffing up her chest. “Pfft, as if you could scare me! I already said I don—”

Before she could finish, Kurumu swiftly grabbed her, lifting her with ease. Yukari’s protests turned into an indignant squeak as she found herself tied up to a nearby tree, dangling helplessly.

“Hey! Let me go!” Yukari squirmed and wriggled, but without her wand, she was powerless.

Kurumu smirked, tapping a finger to her chin in mock contemplation. “Oh, no. I think you’ll stay up there until you tell us what you know,” she teased, her tone dripping with playful menace.

“Kurumu!” Yukari shrieked, glaring daggers at her captor.

Tsukune sighed, watching the chaos unfold. “Do we really have to go this far?”

Kurumu smiled at him, her grin widening as she prepared to tease the struggling Yukari further.

“T-Tsukune! Help me!!” Yukari cried, wriggling against her bonds, her eyes wide with panic. But her worst fears were realized as Tsukune sheepishly looked away, choosing not to intervene.

“N-Nooo!!!” Yukari screamed as Kurumu drew closer, her predatory grin widening.

Deeper in the dead forest, Moka and Junya paused briefly, glancing around at the faint echo of Yukari’s voice carried by the wind.

“Did you hear something?” Junya asked, furrowing his brow.

Moka hesitated but quickly dismissed it, her thoughts too preoccupied with their ongoing conversation. “It’s probably nothing,” she said, brushing it off.

Meanwhile, back at the scene of chaos, Kurumu had her way. After an intense tickle session enhanced by succubus magic that heightened Yukari’s sensitivity to unbearable levels, the younger girl finally broke down.

“Okay, okay!” Yukari sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she gasped for breath.

Kurumu, victorious, leaned in closer with a triumphant smirk. “Good. Now spill it,” she said, her voice sweet but commanding. “What’s this vampire law?”

“Huhu… Vampires aren’t supposed to mix with non-vampires,” Yukari confessed, still catching her breath. “Vampires believe they’re the chosen race, and their power shouldn’t be diluted by mixing with what they see as inferior bloodlines.”

As Yukari explained, Tsukune stood silently, his expression unreadable. He didn’t even notice his clenched fists trembling, his knuckles white from the pressure.

“According to legend,” Yukari continued, “mixed marriages are forbidden because if a vampire and non-vampire have a child, the result is a dhampir. And dhampirs…” She paused, her voice faltering slightly. “Their strength depends on their non-vampire parent, and they’re treated like outcasts, rejected by vampire society.”

She sighed, wiping the lingering tears from her cheeks as her voice grew quieter. “So the law states… a vampire is only ever permitted to love and marry another vampire. Any violation means death—both for the law-breaking vampire and their non-vampire lover.”

The weight of Yukari’s words hung heavy in the air. Tsukune’s heart sank as he processed the harsh reality, and even Kurumu, usually brimming with confidence, was left uncharacteristically silent.