After an awkward meeting at the newspaper club, where Kurumu and Yukari tried their best to cheer him up, Tsukune eventually asked to be left alone. As he started his solitary walk home, his mind wandered. Though he knew Moka had left with Junya, he couldn’t stop himself from hoping she might still be waiting for him, like she always used to.

Retracing their usual paths, Tsukune searched for any sign of her—a flash of pink hair, her familiar figure—anything. But as he made his way out of the academy’s main building, there was no trace of Moka.

His gaze lingered on the pathway leading to the dead forest.

Maybe she’s at one of our meeting spots?

Fueled by a flicker of hope, Tsukune wandered deeper into the forest, heading toward the secluded places he and Moka used to share. Each step brought him closer to a mix of longing and dread, his heart urging him forward.

Turning a corner, he suddenly stopped, frozen in place. Before him stood Junya and Moka, locked in an intimate embrace. His breath caught in his throat as he heard Moka’s voice, sharp and cutting through the air.

“—He’s not one of us!”

Tsukune’s heart clenched painfully. Her words echoed in his mind, intertwining with a memory of the vampire’s law: A vampire is only permitted to love another vampire.

For a moment, the world seemed to blur, and the scene before him became painfully clear. Moka’s pale, stricken face turned toward him in shock, while Junya’s indifferent eyes met his with quiet smugness.

“Tsukune!” Moka called out, her voice filled with panic.

But it was too late. Hurt and overwhelmed, Tsukune turned and ran. He didn’t look back, the sting of her words and the sight of her in Junya’s arms pushing him forward. The feeling of inferiority pressed heavy on his chest, driving his feet faster as he fled deeper into the forest.

Moka watched helplessly as Tsukune’s figure disappeared into the distance. Her heart sank, a wave of guilt and regret washing over her. Why hadn’t she told everyone the truth about Junya sooner?

She turned to face Junya, her lips pressed into a firm line. The sense of unease that had lingered since meeting him solidified into certainty: he was the source of her anxiety, the reason she had distanced herself from Tsukune.

Junya, noticing her defiant glare, smirked.

“Heh… Just as I thought,” he said, his tone laced with mockery. “You still have feelings for that pathetic wretch, don’t you?”

Releasing her, Junya raised his arms in a gesture of mock surrender, his voice tinged with frustration.

Moka stepped back, her eyes narrowing with anger as she squared her shoulders.

So… arrogant…

Moka’s frustration and anger surged momentarily, the rosary around her neck pulsing with a faint, almost imperceptible energy that only she could feel. But as quickly as the sensation arose, it was gone, vanishing like a wisp of smoke. It left behind only her outer self—compassionate, kind, and loving, but not the warrior her inner self embodied.

Not yet., a voice said from within the rosary.

Unaware of Moka's inner turmoil, Junya’s arrogance grew as his aura began to manifest violently. His body started to shift, his frame expanding and muscles bulging as his transformation progressed. With a sinister smirk, he spoke, his voice dripping with malice.

“You seem to forget, Moka. We’ve had this conversation before.”

Moka instinctively backed away, her path blocked by tall, jagged grave markers surrounding her. She watched in trepidation as Junya’s clothes began to rip apart, unable to contain his enlarging form.

“You told me you would follow the law,” Junya said, his sharp gaze piercing through her. “You know what happens to those who break it.”

Moka’s frown deepened as she clenched her fists. The implications of Junya’s words were clear.

Tsukune...

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Junya's expression softened briefly, a mockery of compassion. “But I’ll protect you,” he promised, his voice calm but tinged with menace. “I just need to get rid of the one who’s been deceiving you.”

As Junya’s transformation continued, his aura grew heavier, suffocating. Meanwhile, Tsukune was far from the unfolding chaos, running blindly through the forest.

He’s not one of us!

Moka’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind. He gritted his teeth, pushing himself to run faster, though his legs ached and his breath came in short gasps. The pain in his chest wasn’t physical—it was the ache of rejection, of realizing the chasm between them.

I should have known better, Tsukune thought bitterly. No matter how close we become… I’m still human.

Flashes of his memories with Moka filled his mind—her smile, her kindness, the way she made him feel like he belonged. But then came the harsh reality of her earlier words, mingling with a distant memory from long ago: I hate humans.

I’m human, he thought bitterly, and she’s a vampire.

As much as it hurt, Tsukune couldn’t bring himself to resent Moka. She was extraordinary, someone he’d always felt was far out of his league. He could only accept that it made sense she’d find someone else—someone like her.

This is for the best...

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the figure approaching until he felt a firm grip on his wrist. Startled, Tsukune turned quickly.

“Moka?!” he exclaimed, his heart momentarily leaping.

But it wasn’t Moka. Kurumu stood before him, her light blue hair cascading around her shoulders, her lavender eyes soft and concerned. For a moment, her beauty stunned Tsukune, but the despair in his chest quickly returned, and he tried to pull away.

“Tsukune,” Kurumu said firmly, her expression resolute as she tightened her grip.

Seeing the pain etched on his face, her heart ached. She knew what he was going through, and she was determined to help him. Summoning her courage, Kurumu stepped closer and placed her hands on his shoulders. Gently, she tiptoed, her face inches from his, her violet eyes locking with his brown ones.

“Kurumu?” Tsukune murmured, confused.

She smiled warmly, but there was an undercurrent of sadness in her gaze. Oh, Tsukune... she thought, wishing she could erase his pain. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into him just enough to hold his attention.

You see... Moka isn’t the one for you, Kurumu thought as she moved closer, her heart racing. And now... I can have you all to myself.

Her lips parted slightly, her voice soft and alluring. “Tsukune,” she whispered, her words laced with unintentional charm.

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

“Kya!” Moka cried as she hit the ground, shoved back by Junya's forceful strike. Groaning softly, she propped herself up against a gravestone, her breaths shallow and labored. Her crimson eyes burned with defiance as she glared at him.

“So delicate...” Junya sneered, his laughter echoing coldly. Approaching her with slow, deliberate steps, he taunted, “I barely tapped you, and yet you go flying.”

Tapped? Moka thought bitterly, her glare intensifying. Junya’s idea of a “tap” was a brutal punch that would have left a human in pieces. Her supernatural constitution spared her from severe injury, but a dull ache spread through her body, leaving her bruised and furious.

“Are you sure you’re one of us?” Junya mocked, his tone dripping with condescension.

In the dim light, Moka finally got a good look at Junya’s transformed state, and her stomach turned. Unlike the sleek, refined form her inner self adopted, Junya’s vampire form was grotesque and monstrous. His swollen muscles seemed to pulse unnaturally, thick veins and tubes of flesh writhing across his skin. Behind him, fleshy pipes vented plumes of hot, acrid steam, adding to the nightmarish spectacle.

Is this even a vampire? Moka wondered, unease gnawing at her. But her memories of an older and monstrous sister, brought clarity—and dread.

Wealth of power, she thought, recognizing the overwhelming might Junya so recklessly flaunted. The phrase sent a chill down her spine. Fighting a vampire that used this ability in such an unrestrained manner seemed impossible.

Junya chuckled, noting her apprehension. “We’re supposed to be powerful, you know,” he said mockingly before turning his attention toward the path Tsukune had taken. With a casual stride, he began walking in that direction.

“Junya, please!” Moka called out, desperation lacing her voice.

He stopped, turning his disinterested gaze toward her. His annoyance was palpable.

“Don’t hurt Tsukune,” Moka pleaded, stepping forward. She gestured to herself in a futile attempt to bargain. “I’ve been with you this entire time, haven’t I?” Her voice trembled, panic rising as Junya’s oppressive aura intensified. Tears welled in her eyes as she continued, “I promised to follow the law, and I’ve kept my word!”

Her mind raced. If I can keep him here, I’ll explain everything to Tsukune tomorrow, somehow.

“I’ll do whatever you ask,” she added, her voice breaking with desperation.

Junya’s lips curled into a wicked grin. His chuckle deepened, swelling into a malevolent laugh that echoed in the dead forest. “Oh really?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.

“Yes...” Moka whispered, the word barely escaping her lips.

Without warning, Junya lunged, his monstrous arms elongating unnaturally, fingers twisting into grotesque claws. “Then get out of my way!” he roared.

Moka instinctively raised her arms to shield herself, bracing for the impact. The enormous claw streaked toward her with deadly force. But just before it struck, she felt herself being lifted from the ground, the world spinning as someone quickly moved her away.

Junya’s claw slammed into the earth, tearing through stone and soil. Yet, to his shock, it struck nothing. His eyes narrowed as realization dawned—Moka was gone.

Confusion and irritation twisted his monstrous features. Who dared interfere?

Moka blinked in disbelief as her vision cleared. She found herself cradled in the familiar arms of the person she cherished most.

“Tsukune?!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and relief.

Before she could say anything else, Junya’s furious gaze snapped toward them, his monstrous form towering ominously.

Tsukune met Junya’s glare head-on, his expression fierce despite his pounding heart. He could still feel the adrenaline coursing through him from narrowly avoiding Junya’s deadly strike.

“T-Tsukune! W-Why are you here?” Moka stammered, a mixture of surprise and worry in her tone.

Without taking his eyes off Junya, Tsukune responded firmly, “I thought… the law would be the end of us.”

Moka’s chest tightened at his words. She wanted to comfort him, to explain everything, but Tsukune continued, his voice steady and resolute. “But Kurumu reminded me of what truly matters.”

Standing tall, he helped Moka to her feet, his hand firm but gentle in hers.

Turning his attention fully to Junya, Tsukune raised his voice with determination, making sure Moka heard every word. “I don’t care about any law!”

He then shifted his gaze to Moka, a warm, unwavering smile spreading across his face. “No matter what, my feelings for you will never change.”

Moka’s breath hitched as his words reached her heart, filling her with both hope and guilt. At that moment, her inner turmoil quieted, replaced by the undeniable truth in Tsukune’s eyes.