Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ring !

Ring !

Tsukasa dug his hand into his right side pocket, taking out the object that was vibrating in his pocket before looking at who was calling him. Tsukasa recognized the name right away, realizing that this could be really important, he answered.

“Tsukasa-senpai?”

“Ah, Akito. You rarely call me, wha—“ Tsukasa didn’t get to finish before he was interrupted.

“We need you with us, here, right now.. It happened again.”

Tsukasa widened his eyes, but immediately composed himself again. How many times this week already? In fact, he feels like those kinds of cases have increased more during the past few months.

“Onii-chan..?”

Tsukasa looked up at the person before him. Right, he shouldn’t forget that he is still on the hospital property. Tsukasa smiled at the girl before him, before telling Akito, the person behind the phone,

“I’ll be there, please send the address.”

“Roger.”

“Who was that..?” Saki asked, clearly concerned about what the call was about. Tsukasa shook his head, he really didn’t want to leave Saki yet, he wanted to stay until visiting hours were over, but sometimes work just gets in the way.

“It happened again, Akito called,” Tsukasa explained, he didn’t want to keep anything away from his little sister.

“Oh no.. That’s horrible, it’s becoming more often, I’m concerned..” Saki says, looking down to her hand. She looked like she didn’t want to stay on that hospital bed anymore either.

Tsukasa heard a ding coming from his phone, taking a quick glance to see a message from Akito. That must be the address.

“You have to go, right? Be careful, onii-chan,” Saki looked back at her brother, giving a small reassuring yet sad smile. Tsukasa felt his heart tighten from that, his visits were starting to become less and less frequent, especially when work is piling up.

“I’m sorry, Saki. I promise I’ll come back tomorrow,” Tsukasa says, getting up from his seat. Saki just smiled again, watching as her brother then immediately speed walked out of the hospital room.

Tsukasa looked at his phone, tapping on the message as he made his way out of the hospital and looking at the address. The place was about 10 mins away if Tsukasa drove there, but sadly he doesn’t drive, so he would have to either take a bus, or walk there.

Maybe it’s his lucky day, because just then, a bus pulled up. Tsukasa quickly hopped in, paying in advance before looking around to see if any seats were opened. Although there were seats that were open, Tsukasa didn’t feel obligated to take one, so he reached for one of the bars over his head and held a grip there.

Once Tsukasa got to where he needed to go, he quickly exited and started running over to the location. If he was going to investigate anything, then he would need to get there as soon as possible.

It probably took only a minute or two, before he saw a few police cars, surrounding one specific alley. There were signs and tape that were telling citizens to stay out. Tsukasa walked over to the scene quickly, some officers immediately recognized him and let him enter as he pleased.

Tsukasa looked around for any familiar faces, before he finally saw the one who had called him. 

“Akito.”

Akito turned around, immediately relieved to see the person he needed finally arriving, “About time.”

“Sorry, I was visiting my sister,” Tsukasa gave a nervous laugh, before Akito shook his head, indicating it was okay before he handed Tsukasa some papers, pulling down his cap a little as he stared at the scene before him.

Tsukasa also looked in front of him. There laid a woman who was completely pale and unmoving against the alley wall. When Tsukasa says pale, he means pale as in, her skin was all grey, and it looked like her cheeks were slightly sucked in. It was the same case again, but a different person, different place.

Tsukasa approached the body, accompanied by Akito. Tsukasa crouched down so he could take a better look at the dead woman, reaching over to her and slightly tilting her neck to the other side. There it was again.

There were two mark holes on the shoulder to her neck, a lot of the cases these few past months had been about this. Someone dying where no one could find them, completely pale, looking like they were dry from both inside and out, and those two mark holes on their neck.

It had once been theorized that there could be someone that is doing this, but Tsukasa doubted it. Rather than someone, it felt like a few had done it. They were moving too quick if it was just a singular person, that’s why they are getting this case again.

“The medic needs to take her away, Tsukasa-senpai,” Akito says. Tsukasa nodded, as he got up from where he was and stepped away from the corpse. Although this had been going on for a couple of months, they still had no clue on who could’ve done it. By that, slowly it gets frustrating, because the less they learn, the more chance they are not gonna catch the culprits.

Tsukasa watches as the corpse gets taken away into the ambulance, before he looks back into the alleyway. 

“Did you guys search in here?” Tsukasa looked at Akito, to which Akito nodded.

“You’re free to investigate yourself though.”

Tsukasa just gave a nod in return, before walking into the alleyway, which seemingly gets darker as he enters, but it wasn’t too far nor narrow so he could manage. Tsukasa looked around, if there were any clues he was going to find, it had to be today.

It was his job as a detective after all.

Tsukasa noticed that there was a dumpster around the end of the alleyway, so Tsukasa approached it. He also takes notice of how Akito was also following him behind— Tsukasa couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle (earning a confused look from the younger one). Despite having a snarky attitude towards him, Tsukasa can tell that Akito highly respected him.

As he should, honestly.

Tsukasa opened the dumpster, but immediately freaked out and closed it again when he saw a few little tiny bugs flying around in there. Despite being a detective, his biggest flaw was bugs.

“What is it?” Akito seemed confused.

“N-Nothing.. Anyways, did you guys search for any clues in the dumpster?” Tsukasa asked, as he looked down to his hands to which he still had the papers from earlier that Akito handed to him, before raising it up so he could look at it.

“Yeah, nothing out of the ordinary,” Akito answered.

Tsukasa let out a little hum, but just at the corner of his eyes, he seemed to have noticed something poking out of the dumpster from underneath. Tsukasa stopped looking at his papers and crouched down, picking up whatever it was.

It was a phone, it was hiding underneath the dumpster. Tsukasa took it, looking at it suspiciously before Akito also took notice of it. Tsukasa opened the phone, but it seemed to have already died. The thing is, they had no idea who it belonged to, and the phone seemed to have been slightly cracked.

Even so, Tsukasa had this gut feeling that it belonged to the woman that had died earlier, and that there could be a clue inside this phone at least. 

“Are you going to take that for investigation?” Akito asked, to which Tsukasa nodded.

“I’m gonna look around for a bit, then if I can’t find anything, we can head back. But I want this to be charged as soon as possible— Do you guys have an iPhone charger in your car, by chance?” Tsukasa asked.

Akito nodded, “Yeah, I can take it and charge it right now, my partner brought one today,” to which Tsukasa then hands over the phone to Akito, then the taller one walks away to the other police cars as Tsukasa stays back.

Tsukasa took a look around the alleyway, making sure that he didn't miss anything. He even brought up the courage to look inside the dumpster again, but he freaked out again right away, so right now he just has to trust that the police found nothing suspicious in there. 

Rather, he doubts the culprit would leave anything in there or else it would’ve been an obvious sign..

It took probably around 10-15 minutes, before Tsukasa decided that he headed back to the others. Most of the police have already left, including the ambulance. Only three cars were staying behind, one of them being Akito and his partner.

“Tsukasa-senpai?” Tsukasa recognized this voice, immediately turning over to see a girl with silver hair walking towards him.

“Shiho! What a surprise!” Tsukasa says, smiling as he makes his way over to the shorter one.

“Ah, yes.. I was actually visiting Saki for a bit in the hospital, then I got a call that I have to do some patrolling over here, so here I am..” Shiho couldn’t help but let out a small sigh. Yes, she is also part of the police force.

“Right? I was also called when I was visiting Saki!” Tsukasa let out a scrunched face, obviously disappointed.

Shiho gave a small smile, before seeing that Akito was approaching them, so Shiho immediately gestured to Tsukasa that Akito was coming over. Tsukasa seems to have noticed the gesture and turned around to look at Akito.

“The phone is up, it’s charging pretty quickly, around 30% now, so if you wanna check it out..” Akito says, before noticing that Shiho was behind Tsukasa, “Shiho? Are you here for patrol?” Akito says, seemingly surprised that the shorter girl was here today.

Shiho nodded, to which Akito just smiled at her in response. These two truly respected each other, especially since they were the same age. Young youth! Even though Tsukasa was only two years older..

“I wish you luck then, slap your partner if you have to,” Akito says, to which made the smaller girl giggle at that, but nodding that she will do it.

“I don’t want to ruin your youthful talk but—“

“What.” Akito wasn’t even asking.

“—I have to get to the office so I can check the phone out. But, I don’t have a ride so..” Tsukasa gave a nervous smile to Akito. Akito blinked a few times, processing that before he gapes his mouth opened,

“Hell n—“

Akito still sent Tsukasa to his office either way. After Tsukasa thanked for the ride, Akito handed the phone over to Tsukasa and rode his way back to the crime scene, as he was also taking a patrol shift over there. At least Shiho had some company. 

Tsukasa entered the office lobby, noticing that there were a few people that were there today too (though it still looks crowded), before heading over to his office on the right, down the corridor. It was probably around 8pm now, so Tsukasa hopes to finish this investigation up quickly and head home, so he can get some rest. He hasn’t even had dinner yet either. Though he doubts he would probably even finish his food either way, as he is always busy.

Tsukasa unlocked his door and walked in, turning on the light and taking off his brown coat before hanging it to the corner that his table was on. Tsukasa went back and closed the door, holding the phone on the other hand as he then turned it on.

It was around 70% by then, he’s still amazed to this day how fast the iPhone charges nowadays. Tsukasa walked to his desk and flopped onto his chair. When the phone finally opened, Tsukasa thanked the Sekai and lady from earlier that the phone didn’t have a password set. Looks like she probably found it troublesome.

Tsukasa looked at the papers that he brought earlier when Akito handed it to him, seeing that he hadn’t read them yet, but he feels it is important to find out about this phone first.

Well, to be fair, nothing unusual was in her phone. Tsukasa wasn’t the type to pry into other people's personal things either, so Tsukasa began thinking.

Why was the phone under the dumpster, and how did the police not even notice it, when the others claimed that they had already investigated in the alleyway?

Tsukasa pressed on the girl's emails, nothing suspicious, and it seems like she rarely had any emails to receive. So that means however she died, she was not contacted by a potential suspect. Tsukasa pressed on her photo gallery next, and something immediately caught his attention.

A video that was taken around 5pm. Tsukasa pressed on it, watching as the girl was shuffling a bit with her phone before excitedly holding it up.

“Finally! Mom! Dad! Look! I’m in Japan!” She was a foreigner? But she’s speaking Japanese.

“I can’t believe it! This is so exciting! I wonder what adventures I’m gonna see here, hehe!” The girl basically cheered, showing around with her phone, but that place where the girl was at was oddly familiar.

“I’m sorry I wouldn’t be able to video call you guys, because I am technically here for a business trip but.. It’s exciting to see the country you guys grew up in.” 

That makes sense, she was a Japanese kid, just not born in Japan. Although her little accent did make Tsukasa find it amusing. So she was here for a business trip, huh? That means Tsukasa will eventually have to find out who she is and call whoever she works for that she is no longer here.. Including the parents.

Tsukasa didn’t like facing that, so he usually pushes it to his secretary, Emu, to handle it. Emu wasn’t in today though, because her shift had already ended, so Tsukasa had a little hope that he could be a bit slow in doing some background checks.

Tsukasa continued to focus on the video. It took about 5 minutes for the girl to show around, before Tsukasa noticed a familiar alleyway and it immediately dawned on him. 

‘ That’s where she..’ Tsukasa thought.

Tsukasa nervously watched as the girl was approaching the alleyway, and as if time was slow as hell, she walked past the alleyway. 

THUD!

But then she paused.

She took a few steps back, her phone was still facing in front, but it seemed like she was looking towards the alleyway. 

“U-Uhm.. Are you okay?” The girl had called out to someone. If Tsukasa recalled, the only thing that really was around there was the dumpster and some carbon used boxes.

Just then, Tsukasa heard footsteps approaching the girl— at a rapid pace too. The girl screamed as she was grabbed, being dragged into the alleyway, still holding onto her phone, which was still recording. She was then thrown across the wall, her letting out a big yelp.

How did she even still hold onto her phone?

“Wh-What is it?! What did I do?!” The girl cried out, but the person that was before her was breathing heavily. Tsukasa found it extremely uncomfortable.

It sounds like the person above the girl had leaped to her, as she screamed and lifted up her hands, including her phone, which gave away the outfit the other person was wearing, but it didn’t capture their face.

The girl continued screaming, trying to push the other person off her, resulting in her accidentally ending the video, and what Tsukasa would assume, is that she threw her phone accidentally, which ended up under the dumpster.

Now, this was actually one of the biggest leads yet. The girl was obviously left handed, as the way she died was on the same side that the dumpster had been. What Tsukasa could theorize is that the phone had actually hit one of the heels of the dumpster, so it ended up just sticking around there.

But when the police came to investigate, they couldn’t spot the phone that was completely under the dumpster, but when they opened the dumpster and it bounced back down with a heavy thud, the phone had jumped a little and made its way out. Tsukasa had also dropped the dumpster cover back down, which had made the phone slightly reveal itself.

Tsukasa couldn’t help but feel proud of himself, yet sad at the same time. The girl died, her screaming was probably how the others had noticed someone in danger, but they had arrived too late— No.. Tsukasa shouldn’t blame them, he shouldn’t even think that. He should blame himself.

Tsukasa put both hands on his face, sighing loudly as he leaned against the table, leaving the phone on the table as it eventually closed. He had been trying to figure out why these same incidents were increasing and increasing, and he couldn’t stop it because he didn’t have any further evidence during the crime scene, the culprit always left swiftly.

But not this one, not today. Tsukasa took a deep breath, clapping both of his cheeks as he opens the phone again and watches it again, he needs to look for anything that can help him in the video.

After that, Tsukasa would work on his paperwork after that, including the ones Akito provided him earlier. Tsukasa needed to concentrate, he had a lot of evidence today, even though it wasn’t much, it was a ton to Tsukasa. He also needs to make sure to inform the higher ups and the police the next day.

Tsukasa didn’t realize how time was going by, Tsukasa just sat in his office, moving around from time to time to think, working on his papers, thinking about the case and the girl's personal background by looking it up on his computer.

Hanari Smith, age 24, birthdate August 14th. She died on November 6th, 6:16pm. Her body was absolutely sucked dry, she was completely grey, and had the same two mark holes on her shoulders to neck. Tsukasa never found out about why previous victims and Hanari had the marks on their neck.

“It could’ve been possible that.. The culprit attacked the neck? But why?” Tsukasa asked himself, before glancing over the time. It was around 4 in the morning, and Tsukasa hadn’t realized that he had practically spent the night here. But now wasn’t the time to rest, he would need to inform the others about this soon.

But Tsukasa still wonders.

Why would the culprit attack the neck? Nonetheless, leave a mark there? Wait, if Tsukasa remembers, he felt the marks on another person before. They were slightly bumpy, but it was definitely a hole, as if they were bitten.

But what kind of teeth does the culprit exactly have that they end up giving their victims only two marks? It didn’t make sense, even though there was also something weighing on his mind that can only give him that one idea.

Tsukasa doesn’t believe in those though, not those supernatural things. He loved watching plays about them, he loved watching plays of practically anything, but he never really took the actions seriously.

Tsukasa shook his head, he highly doubted it.

Tsukasa looked back to his computer, then began to write on the keyboard on the search bar..

‘Are vampires real?’

Tsukasa looked for any site, any credible site, but nothing came up. Tsukasa let out a sigh (of relief? or distress?) and leaned his head back against his seat, he felt like his eyes were getting heavy from working overnight, even though it certainly wasn’t his first time. 

Of course, they weren’t real, where was his wild imagination going?

Tsukasa moved his head to his table, placing it on the warm wooden table before closing his eyes, he needed to think more. Though he feels like sometimes the more he thinks, the more brain damage he gets.

Tsukasa couldn’t help but let out a little giggle at that comment.

There was silence for a while, then a while took about 3 hours, before Tsukasa heard a knock at his door. Tsukasa opened his eyes slowly, immediately moving his body on the chair and looking up, but he felt that his neck was aching.

Did he fall asleep? He didn’t even realize.

“..Come in,” Tsukasa says, clearing his throat after so he can get rid of the tiredness in his voice.

Opening the door was Emu, who seemed pretty excited to see her boss, holding onto two cups of coffee, “Morning, Tsukasa-senpai!” She grinned from ear to ear, her bright smile felt a bit too dazzling.

“Good morning, Emu.. I told you, you can drop the honorifics, just ‘Tsukasa’ is fine,” He tells her.

“You’re my boss! I should at least address you properly!” Emu tried to reason, but Tsukasa just rolled his eyes and let out a small chuckle, “Stubborn.” To which, Emu pouted afterwards.

“I heard there was another case last night? You went, right? How’d it go?” Emu asked, walking inside the room with the coffees in hand before handing it over to Tsukasa, who thankfully took it because he really needed something to keep him awake.

“It actually went pretty well, I actually found some evidence,” Tsukasa says, before he continues explaining to her about what he had in conclusion, although some were theories and some were truths, he had to tell her either way, he needed this off his shoulders.

“I see.. Poor Hanari-chan! I hope she feels better in heaven.”

Tsukasa nodded in agreement, before taking another sip of his coffee, noticing how it was starting to run out. Tsukasa bit his bottom lip, thinking about his plans for today. He needed to look a bit more deeper about what the marks are, then before lunch, he will head to the police station. After that, he would visit Saki, she was the most important part of his day.

“Ah, Emu. Can you help go get some more coffee?” Tsukasa asks, sending her a small smile. He isn’t in the mood to be as cheerful as the pink haired girl. Emu nodded, “For sure!” Before rushing out of the room to go grab another cup. 

Tsukasa finished the last remaining in the cup, then tossed it into the trash bin that was next to his desk. Just then, Emu came back, practically slamming the door open.

“That was fast, Emu, but why’d you have to open the door like that..?” Tsukasa asked, seeing how Emu was visibly sweating and huffing really hard, confusing the older one. 

“Th-There’s someone here to see you..” Emu tried to speak.

“I.. don’t recall having any appointed meetings today?”

“N-No! This is.. I don’t how to say, but—“

“Ah, let me do the explaining instead,” A new voice. Tsukasa immediately raised his guard, watching as Emu moved aside so the other person could walk in. A man with purple hair with two cyan streaks, golden slit eyes and a smug smile plastered on his face, he was wearing.. a rather unusual outfit, mostly consisting of black, purple, and red.

The stranger took a chair that was across from Tsukasa and sat on it before smiling at the detective, “Sorry for coming here unannounced, but I think it’s best if we cooperate.”

Was he threatening Tsukasa in any way? Tsukasa scrunched his eyebrows, “Why would I do that?” Tsukasa asks, clearly showing the distaste in his voice. The stranger seems to be “offended” by that, as they let out a dramatic gasp, a hand over his lips, then a laugh right after.

“I’m a vampire hunter.”

Chapter Text

“I’m a vampire hunter.”

Tsukasa blinked once, then twice, then a few more times, processing what the man before him just said. A vampire hunter? 

Tsukasa let out a small sigh, before looking at Emu, there was a moment of silence before Tsukasa said, “Can you go get security and tell them to take him away?” 

“Ehhh?!”

“Eh?!?!!:!/!:”

“Why are you the shocked one..” Tsukasa raised an eyebrow at Emu, to which she shook her head, saying that it just suddenly surprised her.

“But why?! I came all the way here to tell you to cooperate with me, and you want me out?!” The man before him looked like he was throwing a tantrum, but Tsukasa honestly did not want to deal with this right now, he didn’t have the time nor energy for it.

“You walk into my office and tell me you’re a vampire hunter, then expect me to believe you?” Tsukasa asked, to which the “vampire hunter” grins and says “Yep.”

Another moment of silence before Tsukasa looks back at Emu, “Get the security.”

“No! No no! Why won’t any of you guys believe me!” The man says, visibly upset. Tsukasa felt like his brain would explode from all this before he let out a loud ass sigh. He wasn’t exactly heartless, so the least he could do is hear the man before him out.

“Fine. Emu, go fetch my coffee, you don’t need to get security,” Tsukasa says, to which Emu told him roger, and closed the door before rushing off.

“I’ll hear you out, but please make it quick, I have things to attend to too.”

“Fufu, of course, dear detective. I’ll make sure I explain throughly,” The man says, placing a hand on his chin, “I’m Rui Kamishiro. I’m a vampire hunter, and believe it or not, vampires are real.” 

Tsukasa looked away for a moment. But the sites he looked online didn’t mention about vampires being real, in fact there was nothing. There’s no way Tsukasa would believe Rui that they are real. If they were real, wouldn’t they have attacked long ago? Cases like these just started a few months back.

“I’m sure you have your doubts, I doubted it too when I was younger, but.. Well, I made it clear about my intentions here, I want us to team up,” Rui says, grabbing a few books from his bag that he was carrying, before placing them on the table before Tsukasa.

“I want us to help stop those vampires together, so if you ever have time, please use your time to consider reading this, then give me a call,” Rui says, grabbing onto one of Tsukasa’s note stickers behind the computer and a pen from one of the jars, before writing down his number and pushing it towards Tsukasa.

“I will look forward to your call, detective~” Rui says, getting up from his seat. Tsukasa watched the man, he barely even gotta say anything. Sure, that was rather quick, but does he seriously think Tsukasa would just go like “Oh yeah no, I totally believe you! Let’s team up!” When Tsukasa provided him with nothing?

..Well, maybe Tsukasa had his doubts, but he also wanted to believe that it was vampires that were causing this. He just wants to stop endangering the citizens of this country.

Tsukasa noticed that Rui had already left, and Emu had just come back in time with her coffee, watching as Rui walked through the corridor and out the lobby. Emu walked into Tsukasa’s office with a concerned look, clearly worried about why it took such a short time for Rui to stay, before handing the cup of coffee she made to him.

“What.. did you guys discuss about?” Emu asked, sitting down on her same seat from earlier. 

“His name is Rui Kamishiro, he apparently is a vampire hunter..” Tsukasa says, taking the coffee after thanking her before taking it to his lips and drinking it, “But I don’t really believe that vampires exist, vampire hunters nonetheless too.”

Emu nodded, she also seemed a little hesitant to believe that too, but Emu clapped her hands together and leaned forward to Tsukasa, “What if he’s telling the truth though?! I think you should give him a chance at least..”

Tsukasa was a little taken aback by that, given that he can tell Emu wasn’t the type to believe in these kinds of things too. Again, Tsukasa had his doubts, but he also blames himself for wondering if vampires were real or not earlier, and someone who had claimed that vampires were actually real had just walked to be vampire hunter.

Tsukasa ruffled his head in irritation, before noticing that the books Rui brought were still here, so Tsukasa took one book and looked at the cover, "Blood-sucking tales… Do you want to read some, Emu? Make a report on them too if you can, I probably won't have time to read all of them," Tsukasa says, opening the book to the first page, reading to see if there was anything that catches his attention.

"Eh? Are you sure? You don't mind? I mean, I would love to! But what about your paperwork?" Emu asked, eyeing to the stack of papers that were on Tsukasa's desk.

"Ah, I already finished them, I stayed overnight."

"Again…?"

"Sorry, but I was working on them while trying to think about yesterday's crime event," Tsukasa gave her a small smile, assuring that he is okay and to not worry.

Emu pouted a little, they both knew that Tsukasa was always overworking himself, and honestly– Emu completely understands, he's working hard for his little sister, but she always wishes he would care for his body a little more…

"I'll do them then, let's read together!" Emu says, getting back to a cheerful mood. Tsukasa liked that, he preferred if she was usually happy, because it makes him happy too. He can't help but think Emu just reminds him a lot of Saki, so sometimes Tsukasa would treat her like one.

"Yeah… Ah right. Later before lunch, I'm going to go inform the police about this, including other people that are in this case, then I'll be visiting Saki after that," Tsukasa says, flipping into the next page of the book. Emu was surprised that Tsukasa had already finished the page so quickly. 

"O-Okay! How about lunch?" Emu asked, tilting her head to the side a bit after grabbing one of the books on the table.

"I'll try not to forget that," Tsukasa mumbled, avoiding eye contact as a sweat goes down his cheek. Despite feeling like Emu was his little sister sometimes, it also feels like she's the bigger sister because she would sometimes make sure he has a proper healthy life, even if that means dragging him out to eat herself.

"Better not! If I find out you didn't, I'll be bringing lunch everyday for both of us to share!" Emu pouted, and Tsukasa couldn't help but continue to avoid eye contact. He didn't want to make her upset and have her wake up early to make more food… so he better not skip lunch.

"A-Anyways! Keep reading! The book won't read itself!" Tsukasa immediately says, trying to divert her attention. Emu seems to have noticed that, but she knew she also had to do her job, so she lets it slide for now. Tsukasa sometimes forgets he is her boss.

A few hours went by, it was probably around 10am, that Tsukasa realized he should probably go to the police station now. Tsukasa got up from his seat, grabbing his coat that was sitting behind the rack still before putting it on his shoulders, clipping one side of the coat to the other.

"Is it time to go?" Emu asked, looking up from her book. Tsukasa nodded, grabbing the papers that were necessary to inform the police and other people about this, along with Hanari's phone, "I leave the rest to you," Tsukasa tells Emu, then stepping out of his office.

Emu yelled out a "Roger!" To which Tsukasa told her not to yell, he didn't even leave yet. But he did leave after that.

The police station wasn't very far from here, in fact their workplace was to be as close as possible, but they couldn't exactly be next to each other. Tsukasa began to start walking there, the sunlight hitting his eyes as soon as he stepped out.

Some fresh air was good too. Winter is coming though, so Tsukasa should really head back home tonight and start wearing a jacket or else he's gonna feel like he's dying.

Tsukasa eventually made it over to the police station, to where he found another familiar face walking into the station too. 

"Isn't that…" Tsukasa wondered, before quickly heading in too. Tsukasa looked around, just to be greeted by the person he was after, "Tsukasa-senpai!"

Tsukasa turned around to find Mizuki running to him with a big smile on their face, "Mizuki! You're here again?" Tsukasa asks, watching as Mizuki then jumps at him, Tsukasa thankfully catching them in his arms.

"Yes! I was actually just coming in to report some suspicious actions I saw yesterday! Uwaaa, senpai! You're wearing the outfit I tailored for you!" Mizuki jumps off of Tsukasa in excitement, jumping up and down happily.

"Of course I would! A dear junior of mine made it for a perfect star like me!" Tsukasa grinned, his hand reaching over Mizuki's head and ruffling it slightly, the younger one seemingly pouting after because Tsukasa just kinda ruined their hair.

"Do you want to head to the main office with me? I'm sure Akito and Shiho would be there," Considering that their night watch ended this morning. Mizuki nodded, grabbing onto one of Tsukasa's arms so he could guide them.

Tsukasa personally didn't mind, it was like another sibling into the family, he wouldn't mind taking care of all of them! Though Saki is his priority, he shouldn't probably say that to the others.

The duo walked over to the main office where people would discuss last night's incident. Tsukasa knocked on the door, so a familiar voice called out to him to come in. Tsukasa opened the door, Mizuki letting go of his arm so they could stay behind the older one.

"It's Tsukasa," Tsukasa says, walking into the room with Mizuki.

"Oh? It's Otouto-kun!" Mizuki pointed at Akito, to which Akito immediately put on a grossed out face, letting out a geh sound. Mizuki just found the face amusing, giggling as they ran over to Akito and poked him.

"Tsukasa-senpai, perfect timing. Did you find anything out?" Shiho asked, as she was sitting across from Akito. Tsukasa nodded, closing the door behind him before walking over to the desk that Shiho, Akito, and a few police from last night were at.

Tsukasa began sharing about what he had concluded about last night, sharing about who Hanari was, etc etc, blah blah, detective and police work things. Tsukasa didn't share about how Rui visited him, claimed to be a vampire hunter, nor did Tsukasa share about thinking it was a vampire at all.

"I see… Poor Hanari-san… We should contact her family and workplace immediately, do you mind if we call them?" Akito looked over to Tsukasa, to which Tsukasa nodded. He wanted to avoid that kind of thing either way, hearing the distress in someone else's voice would make him guilty.

Shortly after, the police station that was working on this case began calling Hanari's family members and workplace. The way things went quiet for a bit, then Tsukasa would hear the small sniffles coming from across the phone. Tsukasa felt like he shouldn't stay here any longer. He did his job already.

"I'm gonna go now, please contact me if anything new comes on," Tsukasa says, slightly tapping on the table so he can inform them that he's leaving. Some others nodded at him, and Mizuki, who still hadn't told them about what they witnessed, nodded at Tsukasa too and gave a bright smile.

Tsukasa smiled back, before exiting the office, closing the door behind him. He slowly leaned his back against the wooden door, taking a deep breath in, then out, before he begins to walk out of the police station.

Tsukasa couldn't help but feel selfish for whatever he did. He didn't have the guts to call Hanari's parents, mourn their daughter with them, any of the sort. Tsukasa was a coward, and he knew that.

He promised that he wouldn't cry anymore, to stay strong for Saki. His parents weren't here any more, so no one was going to stand up or be with them, Saki was the only family that he had left, and then she had to be hospitalized because she had a weak body.

Tsukasa just wanted to blame himself for everything– No, he already was. But he didn't tell anyone, he couldn't consult anyone, he wanted to keep this to himself. Maybe one day, maybe.

Tsukasa had just remembered that Emu told Tsukasa to at least have lunch, to remember the consequences. Tsukasa put a frown on his face, but he had to listen either way or else Emu would get angry.

So Tsukasa headed over to the nearest Cafe, hoping to just get some coffee and a little sandwich to eat on his way to the hospital. Tsukasa did his little business in the cafe, then headed straight to the hospital with a coffee and a sandwich on both of his hands. 

He took a bus to the hospital, by the way.

Tsukasa managed to finish his sandwich and coffee after getting out of the bus, walking over to the hospital and dumping them into one of the trash cans that were sitting outside, then he headed inside.

Tsukasa walked over to the counter, but he didn't even have to say anything. The people there immediately recognized him and told him to go ahead and visit Saki. Tsukasa smiled in response, continuing his walk.

When he reached Saki's room, he could hear sniffles coming from the other side. It made him hesitant to open the door, but he also noticed that there was someone else inside the room too.

"I'm sorry, Saki-chan… I know you want to leave as soon as possible, but if you go out, we don't know when you might pass out…"

Saki was crying, she didn't say anything to the person (Tsukasa can assume it was the doctor or nurse), just kept sniffling and possibly covering her face so no one would try to see her face.

Saki was born with a weak body, she could barely get through the day without passing out. Though during her teenage years, she was starting to get better, until one incident.

Tsukasa still remembers it, the cries, the agony, everything. He remembers every single frame and second of it. Tsukasa took a big gulp, before knocking on the door, then opening the door so he could walk in, he didn't really bother to wait.

"Onii-chan…" Saki says while looking up, tears were still in her eyes. Tsukasa's chest tightened again. He began to wonder if he was really suited to be her older brother if he couldn't even make her always happy.

Tsukasa walked to Saki, wrapping his arms around his little sister's head and slowly bringing it into his chest, hugging her softly so she could relax more.

Saki was a bit surprised by that, Tsukasa wasn't really known to do physical affection, but Saki really appreciated it. Having a hug from her older brother felt like a reward sometimes, so Saki wrapped her arms around Tsukasa's waist, staying there for a moment.

The doctor just sat there and watched for a few minutes, before noticing that Saki's grip on her brother was faltering.

"Tenma-san. Saki fell asleep," The doctor says, to which Tsukasa slowly pulled Saki off– She did indeed fall asleep. All that crying must've made her tired. Tsukasa slowly placed his little sister back on the bed, ruffling her head a bit so she could sleep well.

There was an awkward silence between Tsukasa and the doctor, before the doctor decided that they should speak up so it doesn't make the room any more uncomfortable than it already is.

"She wanted to leave the hospital."

Tsukasa figured. Saki would always tell him of all the adventures she wanted to do once she got out of the hospital again. But she couldn't, not as much anymore. Not after that incident…

That's why Tsukasa was working hard so Saki could have her normal life back.

There was another uncomfortable silence, before the doctor excuses themselves and walks out of the hospital room. Tsukasa just stared at his younger sister. Right now, Tsukasa just wanted to punch himself. What's stopping him, exactly?

Himself, lmao.

If Saki wakes up and finds her brother with a bruise, she would get so worried and start pampering him. Always telling her brother to stop blaming himself, and that she is proud to be his little sister, and that she had the best big brother in the entire world.

Tsukasa believed her. Sometimes.

"I'll be back later tonight, I have plans with the theater crew!" Tsukasa says, waving to his little sister at the front of the door. Tsukasa's mother and father all watched him leave with a smile, telling him to be safe on his way.

Tsukasa grinned, telling them that he would. He wished he didn't go that night.

Tsukasa was panting heavily, running home with tears in his eyes. When he received the call from his neighbors that his house was burning down, Tsukasa ran out of his meeting so fast.

School wasn't too far from his place, so he managed to make it there. The police and ambulance were around. The firefighters were trying super hard to calm down the water with their hoses.

"Saki… Mom! Dad!" Tsukasa screamed out, looking around, hopefully to find one of them there. But he noticed none of them were there. 

No.

No.

That would mean they were still inside…

Before Tsukasa knew it, he dropped everything and ran into the house, he outran the officers that were trying to stop him too. Tsukasa covered his mouth and winced when the smoke and fire hit his face.

Tsukasa shook his head, hearing a sobbing coming from upstairs. Tsukasa immediately headed up there, he didn't care if the fire or anything hit him at all.

There at the top of the stairs of the first room, he finds his little sister sobbing on the floor. Her legs were stuck by the bookshelf that used to sit across from the door.

"Saki!" Tsukasa says, immediately coughing right after as he quickly approaches her. Those cowardly firefighters didn't even come here to save his sister!

Tsukasa used as much strength as he could to push the bookshelf out of the way, picking his sister up in his arms immediately after. Tsukasa wasn't someone who was clearly physically strong, but it seems the willpower and desperation in him didn't care about the aching pain or weight on his arms.

Tsukasa rushed down the stairs, being careful to make sure not to hit or step on anything dangerous before running outside with his little sister, but he immediately collapsed outside of the porch.

When the officers and some firefighters saw them, they all rushed over to the two to pick them up, bringing them over to the ambulance that was waiting for them.

Some time had passed, the fire had cooled down and Tsukasa had received a strict warning from the police officers that he should never rush into a home with fire ever again. In fact, don't do anything dangerous.

That was when Tsukasa noticed how some of the ambulance workers pulled two bodies out of the house, they were sitting on a stretcher so Tsukasa couldn't tell who it was– But did he really need to not wonder?

He knew the answer.

Tsukasa broke down right after. He didn't hear anything else, he just cried and bawled. Two other people in his life that he knew was super important to him were gone. Just like that.

A funeral was held shortly after for his parents. Tsukasa and Saki were both looking down in pain as the priest was talking about how great people the Tenma parents were. 

Tsukasa got a job right after too. The funds that his parents kept for him and his little sister were all in their will, so they managed to find an apartment to live in.

Well, just Tsukasa, actually.

Saki was hospitalized right after the fire incident. Her legs were paralyzed from the fall of the bookshelf, her body was back to its weak state.

Tsukasa just blamed himself. If only he didn't leave the house that day, he could've possibly saved his parents. If only Saki wasn't the one under the bookshelf, it should have been Tsukasa. If only, if only. 

Tsukasa missed his family.

Tsukasa's eyes widened in shock, immediately jumping up on his seat. He didn't realize he had fallen asleep. It seems that Saki was still asleep too. How long has it been? Tsukasa looked out the window, then grabbed his phone to check the time.

Only an hour had passed.

"What a horrid dream…" Tsukasa muttered, before seeing that there were wet drops dropping on top of his phone.

Tsukasa was surprised, so he reached up to his face– He was crying. How pathetic. 

Tsukasa immediately wiped the tears, noticing that Saki was starting to stir awake. Tsukasa looked over his sister with a smile, watching as she slowly woke up from her beauty sleep.

"Onii-chan…?" Saki says, feeling her brother's hand on hers. Tsukasa let out a hum, indicating that he was here for her. Saki smiled, before slowly sitting up from where she was.

"Sorry, I fell asleep. It seems your hug was too good and comfy so I fell asleep, hehe," Saki smiled, she looked happy. Tsukasa was happy too then, he loved it most when Saki was happy.

"Of course, I'm your big brother. You get this perfect star's most perfect hug!" Tsukasa exclaimed, puffing out his chest. Saki giggled, calling her brother weird, before the two Tenma's went on about their day and such.

It took a few hours before it finally hit 6pm. Visiting hours weren't over until 9pm, and Tsukasa planned to stay until that time, he felt a little hungry, so did Saki, so Tsukasa offered to grab them some food.

Permission from the doctors of course, he can't bring food from outside of the hospital.

Tsukasa headed out, wondering what Saki would love to eat. He was just thinking about it, he didn't even realize someone was walking up with their hood down and looking down, so they didn't notice Tsukasa either.

The two then bumped into each other, surprising each other, "Uwah! Sorry!" Tsukasa took a few steps away, raising his hands in concern, "Are you hurt anywhere?" Tsukasa asked, slowly approaching the other.

The man, though, just stepped away from Tsukasa and glared at him. Tsukasa was a little taken aback by that, he wasn't intimidated, rather just offended that even with that apology, the man didn't find it pleasing.

The man just huffed and walked into the hospital. Tsukasa rubbed the back of his head in confusion, but he really felt like he shouldn't dwell on it too much.

He should have.

Tsukasa was just waiting for the bus, it had only been 5 minutes when he got out of the hospital before there was a loud siren coming from the hospital. Tsukasa turned to look at the hospital in shock, Saki immediately popping up in his mind.

Screw the food, Tsukasa dashed back to the hospital. When Tsukasa gets into the hospital, from the front desk, he can see the same man with the hood from earlier biting onto the neck of another woman, who happened to be one of the front desk workers.

"H-Help…" The front desk lady tried to call out, holding her hand out for anyone to take, but no one did. Everyone was too shocked, too scared to do anything.

Only Tsukasa did, just like that day back then. Tsukasa ran over to the man and woman, trying to pull the man off the woman. Tsukasa can see blood leaving and dripping on the floor, it was coming from the lady's neck.

"Get off her!" Tsukasa yelled, which seemed to have annoyed the man before he finally pushed the woman and Tsukasa away to the floor, making a run for it to the door.

"Wha– Hold up, you bastard!" Tsukasa says, getting up from the floor as he reaches for the gun behind his back, under his coat. A detective must always carry something he can use for defense.

It was already loaded, so Tsukasa pulled the ledge behind the gun and fired at the man running out of the door. It seems to hit him on the leg, the man yelping in pain, but it didn't stop him from running.

"That bastard! Get a medic for the lady, quick!" Tsukasa yelled to the others around him, before he started to chase after the man. Tsukasa wasn't exactly a fast runner, but watching the man speed off made him realize how slow he is and how fast the other man is.

But Tsukasa shouldn't give up! Tsukasa continued to chase him, he had almost been hit by the cars a few time, but that was the least of his concerns.

Right then, the man turned around the corner. Tsukasa turned to the corner shortly after. But the man wasn't in sight. Tsukasa clicked his tongue in frustration, but he shook his head right away. The man must've gotten out using a shortcut then.

Tsukasa began running again, looking through some alleyways that were empty. But there was one alleyway that Tsukasa knew that the man probably used for his escape. Tsukasa ran over to it, seeing a fence that connected to the other side of the alleyway. The man probably climbed over it and dashed away when Tsukasa tried looking for him.

But there was something Tsukasa noticed that was on the floor. A paper. 

Tsukasa walked over to it, picking it up. Tsukasa unfolded the paper, placing his gun back into his back pocket.

'Remember, November 24th, meet me behind the abandoned house at (some street i cannot name) at 22:00pm'

What is this? Who the hell was the one who wrote this letter. Was this for the man earlier that Tsukasa was chasing? That would make sense, actually. Did they drop it while climbing over the fence?

They must've noticed and not gone back for it because they were on a chase.

"Dangit, I missed catching him but… This helps," Tsukasa says, putting the paper into his pocket while looking over the fence. There was no one in sight, before he started to head back to the hospital.

Tsukasa was informed of what happened to the lady, she had sadly passed away. 

Goddamn, it had only been a day, and someone else was dead now. But if anything, Tsukasa did witness a lot. Could it be that the man there was really a vampire? He watched her blood being sucked dry by the man.

If anything, Tsukasa and the other people in the hospital lobby were the first to witness someone's death that was similar to the ones before.

The police arrived at the hospital later. Tsukasa explained everything he had seen to the police officers, along with a few other people who had seen what was happening. Even the family of the front lady's from earlier came over, crying when they found out another relative had died.

Tsukasa went back to visit Saki after. He never got them their food. Saki was concerned about all the commotion that was happening downstairs, and Tsukasa explained everything that had happened.

Saki was surprised to hear that Tsukasa actually had a gun to protect himself. But overall, she was sad that someone in the hospital had died.

"Don't stress it on yourself too much, okay, Onii-chan?" Saki looked at Tsukasa concerningly, who seemed to be lost in thought.

Tsukasa looked back at her with a smile, "Of course."

Of course not, it bothered him like crazy. No one would believe him if he said whatever he saw was actually a vampire. How can he exactly convince them? Tsukasa never told the police about finding the paper, and that the suspected culprit was going to head there.

No, Tsukasa wanted to handle it himself. He wanted to find out about it, but he didn't need a group of people to do it. 

That's when it hit Tsukasa…

Did he have to though? No, the other one said to give him a call if they wanted to cooperate, but at the same time Tsukasa didn't really want to involve the other citizen.

In fact, what do vampire hunters even do? Tsukasa was interested. You know what, he offered, so Tsukasa might as well take the offer.

When 9pm hit, Tsukasa left the hospital and headed straight to his office. Tsukasa remembers that the other man had left his number on his work table, so he had to go back for it. Also because he still left Emu there, but she probably already ended since her shift ends at 8pm.

When Tsukasa got to his office, he entered his room to find a paper that was on the table. Tsukasa closed the door behind him and picked the paper up, before a sweat went down his cheek awkwardly.

Emu actually wrote a report.

It seems that she had only read about 25% of the book, because Emu wrote where she stopped off at. But this was good, something had caught Tsukasa's attention.

"Vampires usually go hunting after the sun sets… They prefer doing it in less crowded places and narrow places, that way they can leave without any witnesses. They would suck their victims' blood dry, potentially killing them if they don't hold back…" 

Tsukasa closed his eyes, finishing reading the report and setting it down on the table. Thinking about it now, most of the cases that he had usually were around after the sun had set. Tsukasa thought it would be depending on the time, but it was the sun.

Tsukasa nodded, walking over to his seat and sitting down. He grabs the note stickers that were next to his computer, seeing the number that the vampire hunter had given him this morning.

Tsukasa let out a big sigh, taking out his phone and dialing the number. When the other side had answered, Tsukasa spoke up first, 

"This is Tsukasa Tenma from the detective agency."

Chapter Text

Tsukasa fiddled with his fingers. He doesn't remember the last time he had been this nervous meeting someone, in a cafe nonetheless. It was probably back when he started this job, perhaps? Tsukasa doesn't have much memory from back then.

"Tsukasa-kun?" A voice from above, making the blonde turn up to look at who it was. Rui smiled down at the smaller one before taking a seat from across him.

"...Why are we on first names?" Tsukasa asked. Although he personally didn't mind, it's just that this man was the so-called proclaimed "vampire hunter," and Tsukasa had shut him out because he didn't believe him.

"Why not? I assume you called because you want to cooperate, no?"

"Well, that's what I wanted, but–"

"Then you can call me Rui, Tsukasa-kun."

That sounds like a lot of pressure, but Tsukasa gave in either way because he wasn't going to argue his way out of this, "Okay, Rui."

"So tell me, Tsukasa-kun. I know I said I wanted us to cooperate, but I want to know how much you know. Especially after yesterday's event."

Tsukasa was taken aback, but he kept his guard up. How did Rui know about yesterday? He never saw Rui or anything near the hospital– Except, he can't really assume that. He doesn't really know what happened to Rui yesterday.

Tsukasa kept quiet though, indicating that he wanted Rui to keep speaking, "You know. At the hospital. A friend of mine that knows about you. They told me you personally witnessed it, and they were there when it happened."

"...You want to know how I thought about it, basically?"

"Yes, you know it too, don't you? That it was a vampire," Rui grinned.

Tsukasa looked away, he did in fact think it was a vampire. But what he read in the report yesterday from Emu made no sense.

"Emu wrote a report on one of the books she read that you gave us. She wrote that vampires only attack in a closed off space, but the vampire that came to the hospital was around a crowd–"

A crowd that didn't do anything.

"-and it still killed someone right in front of everyone."

"Emu?" Rui tilted his head, he had never heard of that name before, it seems.

"My secretary, the pink haired girl from yesterday."

"Ah."

"Well, I don't know the answer to that either, Tsukasa-kun. But that's why we are here today, no? Now, why don't you answer my question from before?"

Tsukasa twitched, he didn't really want to blurt out that he believed him. But what choice did he really have…

Tsukasa took in a deep breath, then out, before he started, "It was absolutely devastating, I'll be honest. Witnessing it with my own eyes was something else, I can't help but wish I never saw it… But I believe you. I believe you, that vampires are real."

Rui seems to have been satisfied with that answer, as he then grinned. A smug grin, and Tsukasa wishes to slap it off his face. He can't even tell if Rui was mocking him, trying to get on his nerves, or he's just always like that.

"That's good. Then, is there anything else you need to tell me? I'll help you with it."

Tsukasa thought for a moment, before remembering about the time the paper was on the floor when Tsukasa was trying to chase the vampire. It was still in his pocket, so Tsukasa took the paper out and handed it over to the vampire hunter.

"This, I believe this was for the vampire I chased yesterday, but he dropped it right after he escaped, so I lost him."

Rui took the paper, kind of intrigued about what Tsukasa had for him. Rui unfolded the paper, reading the lines over and over again, before folding it and giving it back to the detective.

"I believe so too, I think they're planning to meet. I mean that as in a group. They're planning to attack something together, that's for sure. Although most of the time they prefer to work alone when looking for food."

"Why would they attack together then?"

"I believe it's because the more cases they are getting, the more likely they are going to be found. There's a chance they are planning to defend themselves from the police and vampire hunters."

That makes Tsukasa think about vampire hunters. What exactly do they do?

"Then, I would like to ask you a question."

"Fire away, detective."

"What exactly do vampire hunters do?"

Rui seemed to have been taken aback by the question, but immediately smirking right after, it looks like he's also enjoying the questions. 

"Good question. I'll tell you. We basically just get rid of them, in the violent way I mean. We have our own weapons, gadgets that help us get rid of them. We also had a school that's out deep in the forest and not in the city, that's for training for vampire hunters. You'll learn, study, and encounter vampires."

Tsukasa nodded, he kind of wished he brought in a notebook to take notes of what the other one had said. But, for now, he can just remember it, he can take it later when he gets back to his office.

"I see… Do you know the most convenient places that vampires would stay undercover?" Tsukasa asked.

"They hate the sun, it hurts for them, so they would avoid the sun at all cost. They mostly attack during the night, which is why they start attacking around 6pm, which is when the sun sets."

Thinking about it now, they only attack once a day though. If there is more than one, then why…?

"A lot of vampires can hold their hunger. They can eat human foods, they can live off animal blood, though it'll taste horrible for them. But it seems that the blood that is most delicious is humans."

Well, that certainly doesn't sound fun.

"How long does a person last after they get bitten?" Tsukasa questioned.

Rui smiled, looking pleased that Tsukasa is willing to ask a lot of questions.

"Once they get bitten, it takes 5-10 mins for their blood to get completely sucked dry. That's if you are perfectly healthy, that is, if you're not healthy then your blood will drop quicker, so you'll die in less than 5 mins."

Tsukasa nodded, he still had many more questions, but right now he wants to know how to stop the vampires.

"You're a vampire hunter, how often do you… you know?" Tsukasa didn't really want to say they technically "kill" them, he doesn't know any better way to say it.

"Hmm… The last one I had was from last week. He turned into ashes when I shone one of my gadgets on him."

"That's… quite impressive."

"Fufu, thank you, Tsukasa-kun."

Tsukasa looked down at the paper that was still sitting on the table, before taking it back again and putting it into his pocket, "You plan to go alone, don't you?" Tsukasa jumped a bit, before looking at the vampire hunter.

Tsukasa didn't reply, but it told Rui what he wanted to know, "It's risky, you know? You can potentially get attacked."

Tsukasa narrowed his eyes, he knew that, but he feels like if he leaves it to the police men, the culprits would escape. Tsukasa still didn't reply, making the taller one sigh before rubbing the back of his head.

"If you want, I can come with you."

Tsukasa looked at the other man in surprise, "...Huh?"

"We are supposed to cooperate after all. You let me help you and I'll provide you with information, we can learn together."

"Ah– Wait, no. It's like you said, it's risky, dangerous."

"And that means you should go alone? Two heads is better than one, you know, Tsukasa-kun?"

Tsukasa couldn't argue with that. He didn't want to endanger Rui in any kind of way, especially due to his selfish reasons. But thinking about it again, Rui is a vampire hunter, and Tsukasa is just a detective. There was no way Tsukasa could protect himself against a vampire.

Giving up, Tsukasa nodded, "Alright, I'll allow it… You told me a lot today, so this is one of the things I can do for you."

Rui smiled, satisfied with the answer before getting up from his seat, "Then I would assume we are done for today? I also have other things to attend to, but I'm happy that you agreed to finally cooperate."

Tsukasa nodded, "Thank you for telling me, Rui," Tsukasa flashed a smile, hoping it didn't make the taller one uncomfortable. Rui just stood where he was for a bit, before he let out a low chuckle, saying that it was no problem before he walked out. 

Tsukasa watched him leave for a bit, before getting up from his own seat. He had ordered a cake earlier (it was to calm down his nervousness), so he should pay for that first before he leaves. So that's what the detective did, leaving the cafe shortly after.

It was still around lunchtime, so Tsukasa figured he should go back to his office. He had a day off tomorrow, so he will be visiting Saki again all day. Tsukasa decided that maybe he should buy Saki a gift before he heads to the hospital tomorrow, imagining the big smile on her face just made Tsukasa look forward to tomorrow more. 

The rest of his day and the rest of the day with Saki the next day went by without a problem. It was rather quick, and Tsukasa was a bit sad. He remembers the bright smile on her face when Tsukasa brought in some flowers, manga, cake, and some plushies for Saki. 

Remembering Saki's smile just made Tsukasa smile. He loves spoiling his little sister. 

It feels like it's been a little too peaceful, though. But he likes it, he kind of needs it right now. Tsukasa couldn't help but feel a little lonely though.

Strangely, just like that, a few days went by, nothing about the vampire case happened at all, and it confused Tsukasa. Tsukasa contemplated on asking Rui, but he really didn't want to bombard the vampire hunter with too many questions.

Though, Rui had suggested before that they meet up again so they know each other more. But Tsukasa didn't really see the point, it's not like they were friends or anything, but Rui insisted so much that Tsukasa gave in either way.

They decided to go shopping together.

Although it was a bit confusing to the blonde on why they were shopping, he figured that Rui wanted some company. That's why, there Tsukasa was, leaning against a wall and looking around while kicking his leg back and forth, looking for a specific purple haired man.

"Tsukasa-kun," It was Rui. Tsukasa turned to the direction, seeing Rui waving at him while approaching him.

"Rui! Hello, hello," Tsukasa says before bowing slightly, just to be polite. Rui stared for a moment, before just smiling with a finger over his chin, greeting Tsukasa back.

"Shall we go?" Rui asked, to which Tsukasa nodded. There were actually a lot of people in the mall today. Apparently they were all here because a lot of stores were going on sale, so it was packed. Also because it's a Saturday.

"Wai- Rui…!" Tsukasa tried calling out, squeezing through the crowd. Rui seemed to have noticed that the detective wasn't by his side anymore, before looking around and finding the blond was squeezing himself through.

Rui chuckled, finding how Tsukasa struggled trying to squeeze through was absolutely adorable.

When Tsukasa had finally caught up to Rui, Tsukasa was panting because he used all his might to push through the crowd, "Too many people! How desperate are they?!" Tsukasa says, obviously frustrated.

Rui gave a small smile, truly adorable.

"A-Anyways, my bad. I got lost within the crowd…" Tsukasa says, looking up at Rui. Rui shook his head, saying it was okay. Then an idea pops into the vampire hunter's mind, before he takes out a hand and lends it to Tsukasa.

Tsukasa looked at the hand, blinking a few times, the confusion showing on his face. 

"Take it, so you don't get lost again, Tsukasa-kun is pretty tiny afterall, you'll get lost~" Rui watched as the detective made an offended gasp, taking the hand with a big huff.

"I won't get lost! And I'm average height, average!" Tsukasa frowned at the taller one, to which the taller one just smiled, before turning to the side with a loud "pfft-", then Tsukasa complaining after that he shouldn't make fun of him.

Rui and Tsukasa eventually made a move on with their day, checking out a few shops and going to an arcade. When Rui had won one of the plushies from a crane game, he handed it over to the detective.

Tsukasa blinked a few times, slowly reaching over his hands to take it, "I-Is it alright…?" Tsukasa asked, looking at the little plushie that was staring back with its big eyes and cat-like lips.

"Yeah, I'm not interested in those. Let's just say… I won it for you?" Rui says, tilting his head to the side, his eyes focused on the smaller detective.

Tsukasa looked up at Rui, processing what he had just said before feeling his cheeks warm up. They stayed like that for a moment before Tsukasa finally decided to panic, turning around and pointing at another game.

"That! That! I wanna try that! How interesting!" Tsukasa says, giving out a nervous awkward boisterous laugh, before making his way over to the game he pointed.

It was a shooting game.

Rui let out a soft giggle, watching as the detective walked elsewhere, before following after.

Tsukasa swiped the card onto the shooting game, and when seeing that Rui finally made his way over, Tsukasa tells him, "Let's see who gets the most points!"

Rui tilted his head, looking at the game before looking at him, then with a slight grin, "Then, whoever loses has to do whatever the winner says?" Rui says, swiping his card before taking one of the guns.

"You're on!"

It didn't take long before Rui had finally won, Tsukasa was on all fours in despair, wondering and asking how he lost. Rui can tell that Tsukasa really wasn't the gamer kind of type.

"H-How…" Tsukasa says, his voice quivering in shock still.

"Haha, I actually have a friend who is a hardcore gamer. She would constantly make me play with her, so I'm not exactly bad," Rui says, walking over to the detective and crouching down to look at the detective closer.

"Ugh… I won't lose next time!" Tsukasa says as he then sits on the floor, a dramatic tear going down his cheek.

Rui chuckled, "Tsukasa-kun… You seem like a different person today."

"Eh?" Tsukasa turned to look at Rui, who had a finger over his chin. Tsukasa noticed that he would do that a lot. 

"I mean, when it comes to work, you're serious, but when it comes to outside of work, you're a big ball of energy."

Tsukasa blinked, before telling him to take the ball of energy back because it was embarrassing to hear him say that, before Tsukasa slowly scratched his cheek, "Well… When it comes to work, I tend to focus more, so it makes me look like I'm a workaholic. But usually I act like this."

"Hmm… I would like to see this side of Tsukasa-kun more one day," Rui smiled, getting up back to stand straight, watching as the detective followed right after.

"Is that so…?" Tsukasa stared at Rui, before looking down with a smile, "Then that would make us friends, wouldn't it?"

Rui blinked a few times, he looked like he wasn't really pleased to hear that, but Tsukasa didn't even notice that before clapping his hands together, "I don't mind more friends! Let's go spend the rest of our day playing more, Rui!"

Before Rui knew it, Tsukasa grabbed onto his hand without thinking, dragging him over to one of the games.

"Cute," Rui whispered, the detective didn't even hear him.

It was probably around 5pm, when they had finally finished going around the store. Tsukasa was holding onto the plushie that Rui bought for him, wrapping it around his chest. Meanwhile, Rui had actually bought something from a mechanic shop earlier.

Today, Tsukasa felt like he had learned a lot about Rui. They even had lunch together at some point, and Tsukasa learned that Rui was actually a year younger than him, his birthday in a few months. 

Rui also told him that the gadgets he used to get rid of the vampires, are all gadgets he made himself. Tsukasa was amazed right away, asking Rui to show him one day, to which Rui accepted.

"That was fun, Rui!" Tsukasa says, squeezing his plushie closer to his chest.

"It was, indeed," Rui smiled, watching the plushie get squished between Tsukasa's arms. 

"We should get home though, wandering through the night is pretty dangerous."

"That's true… Can I walk you home then, Tsukasa-kun?" 

Tsukasa quickly flipped his head to Rui's direction, "Uhm, last time I checked, I was the older one here. Let me walk you home instead!"

Rui blinked a few times, before putting a finger over his chin again with a slight chuckle, "If you insist, Tsukasa-kun~"

Tsukasa huffed in achievement, before the two started walking towards Rui's home. The sun was going to set soon, and it was especially dangerous at night, so Rui warned the older one that they should just parts at the next stop sign, to which Tsukasa refused and said that he wouldn't be a good elder if he didn't take him all the way home.

Rui felt himself pout by that, to which Tsukasa awed him. When they finally reached Rui's house, the two both waved goodbye.

Tsukasa watched Rui enter his home, before turning around so he could walk the other way, and just in that moment, his phone was buzzing.

Tsukasa took his phone out, seeing that it was a call from Shiho, he answered it, putting it next to his ear.

"Tsukasa-senpai, you have to come to the detective agency. Now."

Tsukasa was confused, he asked what was going on before he began sprinting to his office, it was unusual for Shiho to call him too, unless something bad happened. Shiho told him that she will explain once he gets there, but then right now she needs to tend to a few people, before hanging up.

Tsukasa was visibly confused, it sounded like something really bad after all before racing himself to the office.

When Tsukasa finally reached, he got off the bus and ran over to where his office was. He saw there was police tape, telling people to stay away from the detective agency. At least 6-8 police cars were there, and two ambulances.

"What happened?!" Tsukasa shouted, panting over to the first officer he saw. The officer turned around, seeing Tsukasa running his way before speaking, "Tenma-san. The detective agency was under attack. The place is completely trashed right now, and there are injured people, thankfully no one… you know, but the culprit managed to successfully get away."

"What… What the heck?!" Tsukasa shouted, before running past the officer, seeing a girl with familiar pink hair, he rushed to her.

"Emu!" 

Emu turned around, a concerned look on her face, but was grateful to see Tsukasa, "Tsukasa-senpai…!"

"Emu! Thank god you're okay!" Tsukasa says, before Emu had quickly tackled him into a hug, surprising the older one.

"I-I didn't know what to do, Tsukasa-senpai!" Emu cried out, pulling herself away from Tsukasa, holding onto his sleeve in desperation.

"What do you mean?"

"T-The culprit! I saw them…! They were in your office!"

In his office? What? What for? Tsukasa began to wonder, there wasn't really anything important in there that was worth taking, besides files of the vampire cases.

"I was walking by your office today, and I noticed that your light and door were open, but I knew you were off today, so when I looked in…"

Emu was holding onto a pile of papers that she needed to return to one of her co-workers, but when she lifted her head up, she saw Tsukasa's light and the room was open.

Emu tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. Tsukasa was off today tho, did Tsukasa come here and forget something perhaps? Emu figured she should go greet him at least!

Emu made her way over to his room, peeking her head in. But she did not find Tsukasa, she found someone completely different.

They were wearing a hoodie that was covering their face, and their back was facing the door, so they didn't notice Emu was looking at them, but Emu wanting to make sure that this was Tsukasa, she called out.

"Uhm… Hello?"

When the culprit quickly turned over, the culprit widened their eyes, and Emu noticed that they were holding a few papers. She couldn't see what it was, because the culprit acted quickly.

The culprit rushed out past her, pushing her to the floor. Emu yelped, dropping the papers she was supposed to give to her co-workers.

"Wait right there!" Emu noticed one of the security standing before the culprit. The security was a lot bigger than the culprit, but that didn't stop the culprit before they took out a knife.

"W-Watch out!" Emu yelled. The security saw the knife going in his direction, so he quickly dodged it, but it managed to give him a small cut on the cheek.

The security glared at the culprit, his hand going for the gun. Then a fight ensued in the office, Emu noticed that Tsukasa's room was completely trashed, and she was the first to quickly call the police.

It didn't last long because when the culprit heard the police sirens and at least half of the people in the office were screaming, the culprit found the nearest window and immediately jumped out of it.

"Dang it!" The security cursed.

"I see… You didn't manage to see the face of the culprit?" Tsukasa asked Emu, to which she shook her head in denial.

"They were also wearing a mask when they turned, so I only saw their eyes… I don't know what papers they took though…"

"Don't worry about those, I'll find out once we can finally go in and clean it up."

Emu nodded, saying that she would help, but Tsukasa shook his head and insisted she go home for today. He was going to investigate inside, he was a detective after all. Emu looked at the older man concerningly, but she wasn't allowed to argue before giving a slow nod.

Shortly after, Emu had left, and Tsukasa was given permission to check inside the office. When he stepped in, he noticed Shiho was around the front desk, checking the cameras from there. 

Tsukasa approached her, and Shiho had heard the footsteps before looking up to find the detective looking over the counter. Wherever she was, the security also sat there before.

"Find anything out of the place?" Tsukasa asked, to which Shiho shook her head.

"Besides finding out how the culprit got in, I couldn't get a visual of his face at all."

"I see… Is it alright if I see too?" Tsukasa says, to which the smaller woman nodded and got off her seat, handing it over to Tsukasa. Tsukasa walked behind the counter and gratefully took the seat, before Shiho pressed play on the recorder.

The man had gotten in through the front with his hood down, his hands in his pocket and a mask over his face. The front desk noticed that he looked a little suspicious and asked why he was here.

The man said that he was here for detective Tsukasa, but the front desk told him that Tsukasa wasn't working today. The man insisted that Tsukasa was indeed here today, and that Tsukasa had called him earlier that he was here.

Tsukasa squinted his eyes, he didn't even know this man, yet he was saying he was here?

The front desk didn't want to argue with the man or else everything would go downhill, so they told him to sit by one of the chairs and that they would call Tsukasa to come over.

But the man didn't go sit, once the woman got onto the phone, she looked away for a second, but noticed that the man disappeared right after that. The woman was so confused about where the man went.

During that time, the securityman was actually on a break, so when he came back to find the woman in distress, he asked her what was wrong.

Just at that moment, Tsukasa saw Emu walk past them to head down the corridor where Tsukasa's office was.

The security tried to calm the front desk lady down, telling her that he will check the cameras to see where he went. The cameras had perfectly checked out where the man had gone, so the security got up from his seat, and encountered the culprit right at that moment.

Everything else went by what Emu said. They got into a fight, the police being called, and the culprit successfully escaping away. Tsukasa bit his thumb finger, telling Shiho that he needed to go to his office.

Shiho nodded, but she told Tsukasa firstly, "The officers want to ask a little question about you first. I know you aren't involved, but I can't exactly stop them."

Tsukasa nodded, he understood. Whoever the culprit was, he knew him, but Tsukasa didn't know him.

When Tsukasa approached the other officers, he gave his statements about where he was today and what he did today. He even showed his phone that he never contacted anyone besides Rui.

Tsukasa still had the plushie he received earlier, telling the police that they were at the mall having fun. They believed him, and Tsukasa thanked the Sekai, because he didn't like getting questioned for something he didn't do.

Tsukasa was allowed to go check out his office right after, so that's what Tsukasa did. Upon entering his office, he finds that his place was completely trashed. Tsukasa clicked his tongue, it was going to take a while.

Tsukasa ended up staying overnight along with a few others, who were helping clean out around the office. About 3-4 police cars had left, but Shiho and a few others stayed so they could patrol for the night.

By the time the sun was starting to set again, Tsukasa noticed the time. He hadn't realized how the time was going by so fast, but it was alright. Tsukasa was actually almost done cleaning his room.

He just needed to put some stuff back where they were. That's when it hit Tsukasa.

The papers that were missing… It was the files of during the hospital incident, and the books that Rui had given him a week back. Tsukasa had totally forgotten about those books until now.

Dang it, how was he going to explain to Rui? Those books weren't Tsukasa's to begin with, despite forgetting about them.

Tsukasa decided that he should call Rui, despite it being 6am in the morning, Tsukasa felt like he was going to forget later so he might as well.

Rui picked up pretty quickly when Tsukasa called, but Rui's voice was… well, quite deep, husky, as if he had just woken up from his slumber. Tsukasa internally apologized, but also felt his cheeks warming up to hearing Rui's voice.

"Tsukasa-kun…?"

"A-Ah… Rui… Sorry for calling you so early in the morning, but uhm…" Tsukasa took a deep breath in, before out.

"Actually, our office was– Well, trashed, by a culprit. It seems they had taken the books you had lent me a week ago…" Tsukasa says, expecting to hear Rui get a little angry at least.

"Ah those, they were mine, but I didn't need them since they were bought from the vampire hunter school I went to… actually, do you know if the culprit is a vampire or not?"

"No…"

"There’s a chance they took it so they can burn the books. They don't need human beings to know that it's vampires that are attacking people.”

Okay, that’s fair. Though, also a bit ridiculous, they had technically revealed themselves by all the crimes they’ve done for the past few months. No one had just thought that it could’ve been vampires. To be fair, neither did Tsukasa— At least, not until recently. Turns out they had been real though, which was a complete shocker to Tsukasa, even though he tried not to believe it.

Actually, if Tsukasa doesn’t quickly stop the vampires from continuing to attack citizens, there’s a high chance that everyone will fear that they’re next, and everyone would live in fear.

Tsukasa ruffled his hair in frustration, at least he was going to investigate more next week at that place.

“I see.. I should go now though, I just called to apologize for your books.”

Tsukasa felt like he could hear Rui shaking his head on the other side, smiling a little at the thought, “It’s alright, stay safe, Tsukasa-kun.” and with that, Tsukasa ended the call.

Tsukasa put his phone back on the table, he wasn’t exactly done with his cleaning up right now, but he honestly felt a little tired, so the detective walked over to the chair behind his desk before sitting on it. Tsukasa leaned his head back to the chair, his hands resting on his laps as he closed his eyes for a moment.

“I can’t tell if yesterday was either fun or disastrous as heck, but one thing for sure, it tired me out.”

Tsukasa mumbled, talking to himself, before letting out a small laugh when realizing he had done that. Tsukasa decided that he will keep sitting for a few minutes before he gets back to cleaning up.

Chapter Text

Nothing happened again for a few days, until Rui steps into Tsukasa’s office completely unannounced, with Emu following right behind him. Tsukasa spat out his coffee when he saw the man just casually walking into his office.

“This is my second time here, everything looks the same as they were before,” Rui says, looking around the detective's room before sitting in the same seat he did last time he visited.

Tsukasa was quick to wipe the coffee stain off him, the vampire hunter looking at him wiped it off with an amused look, “You come here unannounced twice.. How did you even get past the front desk?”

“Actually, Emu-kun vouched for me,” Rui smiled, looking behind him to see the pink haired girl smiling to the both of them, pleased that they were working together.

Tsukasa had already told Emu that Rui and Tsukasa were going to team up, he told her everything he knew and learned from the vampire hunter, to when he had the incident in the hospital. Emu was so happy that Tsukasa had a companion, it was like “partners in crime” she said.

Tsukasa paid her comment no mind.

“Well, you’re here for something, right?” Tsukasa says, looking back at the vampire hunter, putting the papers and coffee he was previously holding back down on the table. 

“Fufu, Tsukasa-kun thinks I’m just here for business~ Ah, what if it was because I wanted to see you, Tsukasa-kun!” Rui exclaimed with a fake long sigh, crocodile tears starting to well up on his eyes as he intertwined his fingers together and rested his chin on top of them.

Tsukasa felt a little tug on his chest, he couldn’t really tell if Rui was teasing him or not, but it certainly did make him feel a little guilty. They were friends, of course, but Tsukasa wishes sometimes Rui would take things seriously and take him as an acquaintance for now.

“D-Don’t be sad.. You can stay here, I was just wondering why you were here when you could’ve just contacted me..”

Rui’s tears immediately disappeared, changing his expression upon hearing that he was allowed to stay. Tsukasa should’ve figured it was just an act, curse his gullible-ness. 

“I’m just kidding, Tsukasa-kun, don’t make that face!” Rui laughed, Tsukasa didn’t even notice he had given him the look of being in disbelief, before changing his expression shortly after, letting out an inaudible sigh.

“I was actually here to ask you to join me on a vampire hunt today,” Rui says, his eyes beginning to scan around the room, which in turn made the detective look at Rui’s direction, seemingly interested about where this was going.

Rui noticed that, before giving a smug grin to the older one. Emu had long left the room, in case anyone was wondering if she was there. 

“It’ll be tonight, there are reports from the higher-ups that there are at least one or two vampires roaming around one area in this city, every night,” The vampire hunter says as he takes out a map and a pen from Tsukasa’s jar.

Rui unfolded the map and placed it on the table flatly, before pointing to one of the areas that Rui was talking about. Rui took the cap out of the pen, placing it behind his hand that he was using the pencil, before circling around where he was talking about.

Then he circled another spot. They were roaming around the same two spots it seems.

“Do your higher-ups know why?” Tsukasa asked, looking up towards Rui.

Rui had mentioned it before during one of their talks at the cafe. Rui had already graduated from his vampire hunting school, but because that school was the only one who knew about vampires and such, the principal there was his boss. The principal was always collecting and receiving information about vampire whereabouts before sending someone to get rid of them.

Today was Rui’s turn. 

Rui also mentioned that the principal was the reason Rui approached Tsukasa in the first place, because according to the principal, “Tsukasa Tenma is a really smart detective, but him and the police have no leads about the vampires yet, so you are to approach him and ask to team up.” Yeah, that’s what the principal said, quote on quote, Rui would claim.

“No, sadly not. Vampires are supposed to keep moving, staying in one place means they can’t get a victim. Especially since they want to do it in a much quiet, narrow space.”

Tsukasa nodded, implying that he understood what the taller one was talking about. But then that did have the detective have some questions wandering around his head. 

“How exactly does a vampire catch its prey?”

Rui looked at Tsukasa, before letting out a small smile and looking back down at the map with closed eyes, “They mostly lure them. It could be anything, a distraction, seduction, or simply by trusting them,” Rui answered.

“Ohh…” Tsukasa nodded his head in understanding. Luring sounds like a lot of pain though. That reminds Tsukasa about when he watched the video on Hanari’s phone, she did get lured in too. The big thud was loud enough for even the phone to catch on, so the girl had made her way to see where the thud came from.

“Don’t worry Tsukasa-kun, I’m not a vampire, if you’re worried about me betraying you at all,” Rui says, a cat-like grin on his face before putting both of his hands up to defend himself.

Tsukasa blinked a few times, staring at the vampire hunter before him. It did not in fact cross Tsukasa’s mind at all that Rui could’ve possibly been a vampire, winning the detective's trust so he can suck his blood. But that sounds like a bit too much effort, no? Rui could just suck his blood right now, but if Tsukasa remembers, Rui said that vampires hated the sun, so they would avoid it as much as they can. Plus, Rui is a vampire hunter. A vampire hunter who could be a vampire is attacking another vampire? 

Okay, basically it wouldn’t make sense if Rui was a vampire.

Tsukasa then let out a small chuckle, confusing the vampire hunter who still had both of his hands up, “It didn’t cross my mind at all, Rui.. I wonder why.” Was it because Tsukasa had already fully trusted Rui? He doesn’t want to know for now.

Rui blinked a few times before smiling, putting both of his hands back down, “Tsukasa-kun must trust me a lot then,” Rui says, to which made the detective's shoulder jump slightly from his seat. It felt like the vampire hunter had just read his mind.

Tsukasa made no comment on that though, just embarrassingly narrowing his eyes so he can pay attention to something else. Rui seems to have noticed that.

“A-Anyways... You said tonight, right? What time?” Tsukasa asked, quickly changing the subject— Well, more like going back to their original topic, he would continue to be embarrassed if they just stayed quiet on the previous comments.

“Oh. Oh, around 7pm. If you want, I can come pick you up around 6pm so we can go together,” Rui says, giving another cat-like smirk.

Tsukasa looked back at the vampire hunter, before looking down at the map then back to the original, “I mean… I don’t mind, since I’ll be here in my office. Actually, if you’re gonna come in then I will have to come to the front so we can go together.”

Rui kept his smirk, nodding to the detective’s statement, “Then that’s the plan,” Rui says before getting up from his seat, “Now I have other plans before we set out tonight, so this is where I take my leave.”

Tsukasa watched as the taller one got up, staring at him for a moment before quickly processing what the vampire hunter had just said before quickly offering, “Oh! Let me walk you out at least,” Tsukasa says, getting up right after the vampire hunter.

“Oh? I’d be honored.”

Tsukasa just smiled at the taller one, before walking out the office with him and to the lobby. The two said their goodbyes for now, watching as the vampire hunter leaves.

Afterwards, Tsukasa turned his heels to walk back to his office, thinking along his way. Tonight is actually going to be a good time where Tsukasa collects more information about the vampires. He did learn a lot from Rui and from the books (though he barely read them) the vampire hunter had lent him, but learning it more in person would make it more… realistic, if Tsukasa had to put it in a simpler way.

Tsukasa would probably have to bring his gun too, the same gun he used during the incident at the hospital (even though he only has one). He didn’t want to risk himself getting in danger, he wasn’t as experienced like Rui so he shouldn’t do anything careless either.

When Tsukasa enters his office, he sees Emu sitting on one of his chairs that guests usually sit on when they can’t see in front of the desk. Her hands were on her lap and she was looking there too, but she looked nervous? Tsukasa wondered why.

“Emu?” Tsukasa softly called out, hoping to not startle her.

It didn’t, but she did turn quickly to look at the older one with widened eyes.

“Tsu-Tsukasa-senpai!” She says, immediately getting right up after, giving a small bow to the detective before her, just to be polite. Tsukasa noticed that she looked a bit concerned though, so in order to comfort her, he asks her,

“Is something on your mind?”

Emu slightly jumped up at the question, as if the detective had just figured out something was up. Well, to be fair he was a detective, it’s normal for him to notice these kinds of things, body language and the tone of when someone talks, things like that. 

“Y-Yes! Wait, no! I mean yes! I mean—“ Emu bit her tongue, letting out a yelp right after. Tsukasa just blinked in confusion, did she choke on something before or what?

“I— I actually.. Overheard the conversation with you and Kamishiro-kun earlier, and uhm… I know this isn’t my place to say, especially since I’m not tagging along but please! Stay safe. I have not seen a real life vampire with my eyes, but I believe Tsukasa-senpai and Kamishiro-senpai would never lie!”

Tsukasa looked a bit taken aback, he didn’t notice she was listening to his conversation with Rui earlier, especially since the door was opened and all. Well, he didn’t think twice about it before letting out a grin, hoping that it wouldn’t make her overthink about him being in danger.

“Don’t worry! For a perfect star like me to be in danger? Don’t worry about it, Emu! I can defend myself pretty well!” No he couldn’t, but he can’t exactly tell Emu that. Although he wasn’t that bad at a gun, he can’t exactly fend for himself to the point where he doesn’t get injured at all. He just got lucky last time that the vampire in the hospital had decided to run away instead of jumping at him next.

Emu nodded hesitantly, she looked like she still had some doubts, but Tsukasa still needed her to trust him.

“I’m serious, Emu! Don’t worry about me, I’ll have Rui by my side, I’ll make sure a perfect star like me will never be in danger, ever! I’ll even protect Rui!” Though it was kind of a bluff.

He knew he couldn’t protect Rui if a vampire does approach him, but at the same time Tsukasa did not doubt Rui’s abilities as a vampire hunter, so if there was anyone who had a higher advantage between the two, it was definitely the vampire hunter.

If anything, Tsukasa needs to stay out of the vampire hunters way, he was only there to observe and learn more about the vampires, it was a good opportunity!

Emu nodded again, less hesitant than before she put on one of her best smiles, Tsukasa feeling like his eyes were going to burn from how bright the smile was. Emu then says that she believed Tsukasa, saying that she will await great news tomorrow when he comes back to work.

Tsukasa agreed with her, telling her that they still had some spare time though, and that they can hopefully focus on other things for now that aren’t about vampires. Perhaps wrap up other cases for the police, or maybe just search for something up online. Something useful, basically. For their benefit.

A few hours eventually went by, and Tsukasa got so caught up in his work that he totally forgot that Rui was going to come. He had to investigate the time when their office got attacked, and even though he can’t find anything, he’s hoping he can soon. There wasn’t much he could find though, besides that his room was the only one that got rampaged, and then the lobby right after.

It wasn’t until he heard Emu snoring, realizing that she had once dozed off again. Tsukasa personally didn’t mind though, he rather finds it endearing on how the younger one finds it comfortable here to the point she sleeps— Or was it because work was getting kind of boring...?

To be fair, Emu doesn’t really complain so Tsukasa figures that’s not the case.

Maybe Tsukasa would ask her when she wakes up. Then that’s when Tsukasa looked at the time, quickly shooting up from his seat with a big “AH!” when realizing that it was literally a minute before when Rui said he was gonna pick him up. 

The sudden yelp had also made Emu jump from her slight slumber, literally jumping in her seat and making a quick defense stance, most likely thinking that another intruder had come in or something when hearing Tsukasa’s scream.

Emu blinked a few times groggily in confusion, seeing that there was no one else except her and Tsukasa in the room. Tsukasa was quickly closing everything around him, from his computer to putting his papers away, grabbing his coat to warm himself from the snow that was going to fall tonight, before turning to look at Emu in a panicked expression.

“I have to go now, Emu! This star has to meet up with someone tonight, so be a dear and help close up my office?” Tsukasa says, taking out his gun that he is going to bring along in case anything dangerous happens to him, before hiding it behind his back which his coat was covering.

Emu seems to have noticed that, but took no second thoughts and immediately stood up from her seat before saluting towards the older one, “Good luck, Tsukasa-senpai! I’ll make sure to close your office!”

“That just sounds like you’re sending me off to war instead...” To which the pink haired female gasped in return.

Tsukasa just let out a quiet giggle before rushing out his office, waving to Emu on his way out before quickly making his way to the lobby. He doesn’t know how much time had passed, but he hoped only a minute did, since he was practically speed walking towards the lobby.

Just at that same time, Tsukasa watches as Rui steps into the lobby, probably looking around for a specific blonde, the taller one having his hands in his pockets. Tsukasa stepped into the lobby seconds after, and when the taller one of the two noticed the detective, Tsukasa did not miss how a soft smile plastered on the vampire hunter's face, but it quickly changed into a smirk.

“Hello, Tsukasa-kun~”

Tsukasa smiled gently, before grinning awkwardly and rubbing his hand behind his head, “My bad, I showed up a little late… I was working so I didn't look at the time.”

Rui placed a finger on his chin, letting out a soft chuckle, “Fufu, don’t worry, Tsukasa-kun. I just got here too, it looks like you rushed as quick as you could though.”

Tsukasa wondered what the taller one meant, before realizing that his face was probably a bit flushed and he was panting slightly. Tsukasa has been reminded that he is not as athletic as he was back then in high school, so even just speed walking had made him out of breath.

It just also reminds the detective how he couldn’t chase the vampire from the hospital from before because he was a lot slower. 

“That’s because I kind of did…” Tsukasa tried not to pout.

Tsukasa probably did not notice though, he felt like he was a little too busy trying to be on time to even remember that he had low stamina skills.

Rui let out another soft yet quieter chuckle, “Cute.”

But Tsukasa didn’t hear him, since at that moment, Tsukasa had turned to look away for a second, but he did hear Rui mumble something and looked back to the taller vampire hunter, “What did you say?” Clearly showing that he did not catch on what Rui just said.

“Nothing~ We should let out now, time isn’t long,” Rui says, waving his hand so they can change topic before turning on his heels and starts walking right out to the exit of the lobby again.

“Eh? O-Okay??” Tsukasa tried not to make it sound like a question, and failed horribly, but he still followed after the vampire hunter, walking behind him. Rui had noticed that, and once they were outside and a bit further from the detective agency, Rui just laughed and told Tsukasa that it was okay to walk next to him.

Tsukasa was a bit hesitant, but he obliged eventually. Just like that, the two start walking towards the location.

When they had finally reached their location, the sun had already set, and it was dark out. The night lights on the streets were on, and Tsukasa and Rui were hiding in one of the buildings. Rui claimed that Tsukasa should just treat the building and the floor they were on as a “safe zone.”

Rui said that he’d prefer if Tsukasa wasn’t in sight or the vampires would attack the detective, which was why he was about 3 floors above. Tsukasa wanted to argue back, saying he could fend for himself, but he honestly couldn’t. He doesn’t even know if guns work on vampires, and he never really asked or thought about it until now.

“Say, Rui… Do guns hurt vampires?” He might as well since Rui isn’t leaving yet.

“Hmm… It can slow them down, definitely. They can feel pain after all, but they have this really annoying thing called “self-healing” in which all they need is some rest before the bullet just slips out and their wound just heals,” Rui answered. Well, whatever it was, the answer was good enough, but this “self-healing” thing definitely sounded annoying yet so new to the detective.

He didn’t know vampires were that capable of themselves, is that why vampires barely team up? Plus healing right after a good night's rest after a bullet? That’s definitely a vampire.

Tsukasa had not responded at all to the vampire hunter, so it made the vampire hunter tilt his head slightly, wondering if the detective had just passed away with his eyes open or something. Tsukasa must’ve had a long day or something to not answer at all.

“Tsukasa-kun?”

Tsukasa was quick to look up at the vampire hunter, a clear expression of wondering what the vampire hunter wanted. Rui blinked, before just letting out a small giggle, “I thought you died for a second.”

Tsukasa just blinked at him in confusion, but he didn’t really have anything to say as he watched the vampire hunter turn around and wave at him, telling him that he was going ahead, and that he will come back when he finishes his job.

“I trust that you will also be watching my back~” Rui teased, but was a bit surprised when Tsukasa let out a determined “Un!” to the extent that Rui couldn’t help but give a small smile.

Tsukasa knew he couldn’t do much, and he really was here to gather information and see how a vampire attacks, but if he ever felt like Rui’s life was in danger, he would always remember the weapon that was placed at the back of his pants, hiding behind his coat.

Tsukasa watched as Rui left the building they were in, not so far from where the vampire was going to most likely attack him. Tsukasa, again, must use this chance to examine and investigate from this battle, and make sure not to reveal himself in any way or else he would get in the way of vampire hunters, possibly getting both him and the taller one in danger, so he must make sure to be more aware! 

Tsukasa watches as the vampire hunter goes into hiding, clearly seeing the purple hair from where he was. It wasn't until soon after that there were two other figures that walked past the building Tsukasa was hiding in.

Tsukasa ducked a bit further down from the window, but made sure to keep his eyes above so he could see what was happening. There was a man and a woman, the woman was holding the man by the arm, pressing herself against the man. The man was clearly flustered, while the woman looked like she was completely dazed. Is it that they're two citizens walking home? If so, why did they come here? If anything, this is the worst route they could walk home to.

"There’s no one here, I'm starting to feel a little needy~" The woman giggled, pressing her cleavage between the man's arms even further, to the point that Tsukasa even felt a bit flustered by the idea of that, quickly averting his gaze but keeping his ears opened.

"O-Oh! Is that so…? I-I mean…" The man looked around, no one in sight, "If you want, we could do it here really quick before we head to my house?" 

Tsukasa wanted to yell at them to just go do it at home, this wasn't the kind of place for them to do their little nasty suspicious business here, but the detective kept quiet. If he revealed himself in any way, he and the couple would be both embarrassed, but at the same time– The couple probably isn't even embarrassed doing something like that here…

"Fufu, okay!" The girl happily chirped, dragging the man along with her to the building that Tsukasa was at, before hearing the man pushed the woman against the wall outside. Tsukasa shivered, couldn't they have done it in a different building? He didn't want to listen to anything they're doing, but he also wanted to keep a lookout.

Why is life so indecisive to him sometimes?

Tsukasa assumed that the two were making out, making the choice that he should just plug his ears with his hands, but he couldn't even put his hands against his ears before the man suddenly began to panic.

"Wh-What are you doing? Get off me!" The man says, desperately trying to push the woman that was currently hanging around his neck. Tsukasa quickly looked out over the opened window, wondering if this is the situation he thought it was–

Upon looking at the two from above, he can see the woman biting onto the man's neck, blood gushing out of the neck and woman's lips. As if on instinct, Tsukasa pulls out his gun and points it towards the vampire.

As if the vampire had known that Tsukasa was there, the vampire pushes herself off the man, who quickly covers his neck in disbelief.

"Another human," The vampire says.

The man fell backwards, shaking by what just happened. The vampire was about to approach the man, as if to attack his neck again, but thank god Rui had managed to quickly jump into the scene.

Tsukasa widened his eyes when he watched Rui holding a dagger that was painted a dark red. Quickly, Tsukasa ran down the stairs of the building, wanting to quickly aid the man's side. He couldn't exactly leave him there to bleed out and shake like an idiot.

"Isn't that kind of unfair? Two against one? I'm just a poor beautiful woman…!" The vampire dramatically says, putting the back hand of her palm above her head, leaning her back slightly as if to be more dramatic.

Rui didn't say anything though, just being careful to watch when the vampire would attack. When Tsukasa reached outside, he quickly ran to the man's side, taking off his coat and helped wrap the arms of the coat around the man's neck and shoulder to stop the bleeding (which he didn't notice, already stopped bleeding).

Although it was kind of freezing outside, Tsukasa paid it no mind. The vampire huffed at the silence, "Boring," She says, before quickly giving a mischievous smirk and dashed towards Rui.

Rui, who looked completely unfazed, stood in place, "You should move or I'll suck your blood dry!" The vampire shouted with a loud laugh, raising an arm, which out of nowhere, her nails grew longer and sharper, to attack the vampire hunter. She did not anticipate Rui suddenly rushing at her too, completely taken aback, trying to stop in her tracks.

But Rui, who was a bit tad faster than her, quickly slits her throat. The vampire gasps, quickly wrapping a hand to her neck and dropping to the floor, "Fuck! I knew that dagger was suspicious!" She gurgles, trying to stop the bleeding on her neck, but she wouldn't stop bleeding. She screamed in pain, saying that her body felt like it was on fire before plopping to the floor before her.

Not too long after, Rui takes something out, which is a mirror looking circle, pointing it to the corpse before everybody. The body brightened for a moment before disappearing into the mirror, before Rui placed it back into his bag, then looked over at Tsukasa with a smile, who looked completely… amazed.

"Wh… What happened?" Tsukasa says, blinking a few times, trying to process what had just happened.

"I put her into the little device I had just now. Later I will report it to the principal and hand it over to them, they'll burn it. Today was a surprisingly easy one," Rui says, letting out a light chuckle when he sees that Tsukasa still looked amazed.

"Tha-That was an easy one? You guys moved so fast!" Tsukasa says. He had never witnessed something like this before so it took him by complete surprise. Rui just let out another chuckle before pointing at the man from before, who was now passed out on the floor. Tsukasa turned to look over at the man, before panicking, "Did he die?!"

Rui let out a boisterous laugh, obviously finding it funny that the detective thought that at all, "No, I think he passed out from shock. He did witness something inhumane afterall," He says, to which the detective just slightly nods in confusion.

"I would need to erase his memory though, what should I replace it with, Tsukasa-kun?"

"Eh…? Eh..?? I kind of don't want that responsibility."

"Then I'll create the imagination that he finally had intercourse with the same beautiful lady outside this building!"

Tsukasa felt his face get extremely warm, "What?!" Making the vampire hunter let out another laugh instead.

After that, Rui explained to Tsukasa that the mark on the man's shoulder should disappear the next morning since he placed an ointment that would help heal his little wound.

"The coat wasn't exactly necessary, since they stop bleeding whenever the blood gets completely drained or the vampires stop biting onto them," Rui says, taking off the coat that was wrapped around the man and holds it, showing the little wound that was on the man's neck.

Tsukasa looked over at the man, his eyes widening once again when he saw that there was, indeed, no blood coming out. Tsukasa wanted to ask why, but as if Rui had completely read him, he answers his question.

"You're brimming with curiosity. Fufu, it's because the vampires just have the ability to stop it, is all. They wouldn't want to waste any blood. Unless they don't care if they waste any,” The vampire hunter says with a slight shrug. Tsukasa couldn’t help but wonder if the vampire hunter was a mind reader, to which the vampire hunter answers that he wasn’t a mind reader, making the detective gasp right after.

Rui told Tsukasa after that he was going to bring the man home, and that Tsukasa should tag along because he didn’t want Tsukasa to go home alone unaccompanied. At first, Tsukasa refused, confidently saying that he was capable of protecting himself, but when he saw the little puppy eyes the vampire hunter gave him, he was quick to give in.

“Now that I remember about it, why was that woman screaming that she felt like she was on fire..?” Tsukasa asked Rui, looking over towards the vampire hunter who was currently carrying the man from before on his back. Tsukasa volunteered to try carrying the man before, but when the man was put on his back, he immediately fell on the floor, embarrassing himself rather quickly.

“Ahh, that’s because of the weapon I used... That’s how we get rid of vampires, we can’t exactly get rid of them using a regular knife,” Rui laughed to himself after saying that last part. Well, that was a fair point. Tsukasa remembers Rui mentioning that a pistol could hurt, but it wouldn’t make them react the same way the woman did earlier.

There was a lot Tsukasa sure didn’t know, but the more he saw, the more curious he got. If he continues working with Rui, then could there be a chance they could stop the vampires?

In the first place, how exactly could you stop the vampires completely…?

The rest of their walk to the man’s house was quiet, so after they settled the man in his home and made no trace of them being in the house at all, they headed back out. It was around midnight, Tsukasa didn’t even realize how time had already gone by so fast.

“Next stop is your home, I’ll take you there,” Rui says, waiting for the detective to lead the way since he obviously did not know where the blonde lives. Tsukasa hesitantly nods, telling him that it was really fine that he walks home alone instead.

“But but but… Last time you insisted so badly that you walked me home instead because you were the older one, so this is the least you could let your junior do, right?” Again, with the little puppy eyes that Rui gave to the detective.

“Guh—! Don’t give me that look…” Tsukasa muttered that last part, “Okay! Okay! Fine, I get it! Just this once!” Tsukasa gave in, he was exactly weak to that kind of look, he just refuses to admit it. No wonder why if Saki and him ever got into a conflict, she would always win. She uses the same technique.

“Fufu, how thoughtful of you, Tsukasa-kun!” Rui put a curled finger over his chin, watching as the detective turned away with a big exhale, walking to the direction that leads to his home. Tsukasa didn’t even notice the little satisfied happy smile that Rui gave from behind him. Rui began to quickly catch up to the detective afterwards.

It probably took about 40 minutes to get to Tsukasa’s home, the time going past midnight, and the weather getting more chilly than before. Of course, Tsukasa had his coat from earlier, forgetting the fact that he completely had it off, but he didn’t want to wear it— Not especially since he wrapped it around the man from earlier.

Tsukasa tried his best to hide his shivering fingers, just kept looking forward so that they could reach his home, wishing the time and walk would be faster. Tsukasa was so concentrated on ignoring the cold that he didn’t even notice Rui taking off his own coat, slowly draping it over the detective's shoulders, which seems to have made the detective jump slightly in surprise by the sudden interaction.

Tsukasa looked over behind him to the vampire hunter, realizing then that Rui had actually noticed him shivering and decided to give him his coat.

“Oh… Oh god, you should keep your coat! It’s kind of chilly, sure, but I can’t accept this! You’ll get sick!” Tsukasa tried to refuse, stopping in his tracks to turn and look at the vampire hunter, who just gently smiles as he sees the detective's determined action.

“Shall we share the coat then? Since Tsukasa-kun is really generous,” Rui suggested, making the detective raise an eyebrow at the idea, obviously wondering how that would work. Rui just giggled to the older one, before taking the coat off the older one that was previously draping over the other, then draping it over his own shoulders before wrapping his arms around the blonde's waist, excusing himself for the intrusion, before wrapping the coat around both of them.

Tsukasa let out a small squeak to the sudden interaction, his face flaming up. If he recalls, Rui had never gotten this close to him before, that includes being this ever touchy. It’s not like Tsukasa minded, in fact he didn’t mind! He has a lot of people who would be touchy with him, like Saki or Emu, who would tackle him in a hug, or Mizuki, who would hold onto his arm.

Maybe he’s just kind of embarrassed that it was a man this time that clung to him? Well, to be fair, he also had Toya, who he considered a lot as a little brother (who the detective has not seen in a while, maybe he should meet up with him some time) who would randomly grab onto the end of Tsukasa’s sleeve to catch his attention.

Could it just be the fact that it was Rui that was this close to him instead...?

No way! No way, it hasn’t even been long since Rui and Tsukasa knew each other, more or less became friends! It’s such a weird feeling, so with a lot of hesitation, despite feeling a bit warmer (is it the hug, or his red cheeks?) than before, “...I think I’ll take the coat.”

Rui just let out a little whine after, clearly teasing the older one, “But I’m cold too, Tsukasa-kun!”

“You offered it first, so hand it over!”

Tsukasa quickly turns to take the coat off the younger one, putting it on himself instead, ignoring the little giggle the vampire hunter let out again, once again not hearing the little whisper right after, “Cute.”

The walk to the rest of Tsukasa’s home was a lot about Rui just teasing Tsukasa, but Tsukasa tried to fight back with confidence, both of them laughing along the way. Tsukasa doesn’t remember the last time he laughed so much, especially when work was always piling up on him. 

When the two got to the front porch of Tsukasa’s apartment, Tsukasa took off the coat that was still hanging on his shoulders, shortly after wrapping his arms around the taller one and draping the coat over his shoulders, “Thanks for today, it was interesting,” Tsukasa says, smiling at the vampire hunter so brightly that Rui couldn’t help but want to close his eyes.

“Of course, we are teamed up after all,” Rui says.

After saying their goodbyes for the night, Tsukasa watched as the vampire hunter made his way out of the apartments, back to the sidewalk, then going inside his home himself. Tsukasa let out a big sigh, he was used to staying up late, but today he felt extremely exhausted. A lot happened today— Well, at least tonight.

“I’ll take a shower in the morning,” Tsukasa mumbled to himself, ruffling his hair a bit to let off some stress before looking around the empty apartment. He really wishes his family was here again, he misses them. He misses when they would welcome him back home.

He should visit Saki tomorrow though. Did he make any plans previously? Who cares, he missed Saki either way. He should visit her around 3pm, since he should finish all of his work by then. What would be the day after that though?

Speaking of, the day where he goes to investigate that little note from before, should be coming up very soon. The more Tsukasa learns, the more he feels like his head would explode from all the information. That’s why Tsukasa documents a lot of things in his office, and today’s experience was going to be one of them. Though to be fair, Tsukasa did that mostly because he was someone who forgets things a lot.

Either way, he should just go to bed. So that’s exactly what he did. Upon entering his room, Tsukasa took off his vest and then his bow, throwing them into a basket along with the coat from before, before just falling face forward onto the bed, just sleeping away soundly right then.

To think he was this exhausted to the point he couldn’t even finish changing into his pajamas, is kind of funny.

Chapter Text

Once again, the few past days passed by without any incidents. Tsukasa couldn't help but find this situation extremely uneasy again, seeing that vampires were attacking people about almost every night back then. Although it was probably better this way, Tsukasa still needed to know why for his own comfort. He doesn’t want to risk citizens' lives in danger because he was too careless to investigate further.

But that also meant the day when he went to investigate that address from the note from before wasn’t too far. In fact, it was the next day. Tsukasa hadn’t exactly been looking forward to it either, seeing that this could be a possibly dangerous mission, and also one of the reasons why he was so hesitant on bringing Rui along.

Tsukasa had decided that if he was going, and if in case there did end up being a ton of enemies than he had expected, he will bring a device that will help communicate to the police station that he was in danger. Akito had given it to him before, telling him to only use the button for emergencies, and that police will come rushing to his side if he is ever in danger.

Tsukasa never really had a reason or situation to use it in, so Tsukasa always kept it back in his office, in the same drawer where he kept his pistol. At least, today was the day he can make some use out of that device.

The device was square-sized, with at least three buttons that were all the same color, but there were little words that sat right above the buttons, so it gave away which button that Tsukasa must press whenever he needs to. One button was one called Location, meaning that Tsukasa would send his location to wherever he is, calling for help, signaling Akito’s office, another one was called Call, it was probably just a replacement instead of a walkie-talkie, and then the last one was Record, which was actually a little recorder that would record anything one says.

Again, as useful as it was, Tsukasa never had the chance to use it. To finish the buttons off, there was a plastic cover that covered the buttons, that way Tsukasa doesn’t accidentally press it at all.

Tsukasa let out a big yawn, covering his mouth in the process to try and hide the big yawn, and it very much well caught Saki’s attention.

“Onii-chan! Have you been getting enough sleep at all?!” Saki asked, pouting right after witnessing her brother let out a big yawn, crossing her arms to show she was clearly concerned for the older ones health.

Tsukasa blinked a few times before letting out a light giggle, “Yes, I have actually. Not a lot happened this week, which was why I was able to visit more often. Maybe I’m just too relaxed?” Tsukasa technically asked, tilting his head a bit.

Saki still looked concerned, but she knew that her brother wasn’t the type that would always lie to her, so… She decided to trust him, it was the least she could do so she wouldn’t worry her brother either. Saki nodded right after, before telling him, “Oh right, Onii-chan! I think my legs are slowly healing! The day when I do get discharged isn’t very far! I’ve been practicing to walk on my own this week!”

Tsukasa widened his eyes, he hadn’t known about this. In fact, not Saki nor the doctor informed Tsukasa about this at all. If Saki’s legs finally heal, then that means… She can finally come home with him and…

Tsukasa felt himself slightly smile at the thought, he shouldn’t be too excited yet but he was already feeling too giddy about it at the same time. Tsukasa missed all the “welcome home!” or “i’m back!” when he was by himself, and now that Saki was going to come back soon…

”That’s good, Saki! Excellent, even! Fufufu, maybe it was this big brothers good luck charm!” Tsukasa stood up from his chair, putting a hand over his chest and lightly tilting his head upwards.

Saki laughed, nodding with a big hum, ecstatic to see that her brother was also happy about this, he should be!

“Onii-chan, Onii-chan! When I do get better, I want to get a job! I want to work hard and earn money for the both of us too, I want to repay you at least, for taking care of me for such a long time!”

”Of course, Saki! I wouldn’t oppose— Wait no, I would… I know you would feel better, but what if something like, fainting happens again?” Tsukasa immediately sat back down with his arms crossed, looking at his younger sister with a concerned look.

Saki pouted once again, following in after her brother into crossing her arms, “Onii-chan! You know my body isn’t as weak as before! This time it’s just my legs… but I promise I won’t overwork myself, so allow me!” Saki says, putting on the best puppy eyes that she knew would always work on her big brother.

”Guh…” Tsukasa lightly jumped when his sister pulled that card again, she definitely knew how to take advantage of his weakness… But it’s okay, it’s his dearest sister, he was her only family left. Tsukasa wanted her to live her life with no worries and happily after!

”Fine, as long as you promise that, then I’ll allow it,” Tsukasa says, taking out his pinky towards the younger one, who immediately brightened up after hearing her brother agreeing, taking out her pinky shortly after too.

With that, the two Tenma’s lock pinkies.

Soon after, the day went by without any worry, and Tsukasa had another great day with Saki. At some point, Saki’s doctor came in and told Tsukasa about the news about her legs working soon, to which Tsukasa replied that Saki had already informed him. Saki’s doctor told Tsukasa that Saki usually did her little walking practice around morning, but because she hadn’t used her legs for so long, she would get tired easily and sit back down shortly. Tsukasa had offered to help Saki next time, and the doctor said that it was fine as long as Saki didn’t push herself. Tsukasa knew more than anyone that he wouldn’t ever dare to!

Upon walking home, Tsukasa had taken his phone out along the way, it was getting darker and Tsukasa had to get home soon. The bus station wasn’t too far, so he just needed to take a bus to his apartment, take a shower, eat some dinner, and maybe just relax for a bit before going to bed. There was nothing to do at work, since he had already finished all his paperwork’s along with Emu.

‘Rui, the assigned place I talked to you about last time, I’m just here to remind you that it is tomorrow. I hope we don’t ever come across anything dangerous.’

- Tsukasa Tenma 17:48

It didn’t even take long for Tsukasa to get a reply back, making him giggle a bit when reading the reply.

‘I haven’t forgotten, thank you for reminding me. Nothing will ever be dangerous as long as I’m around~’

- Rui Kamishiro 17:49

”Show-off,” Tsukasa mumbled, a smile planted on his face, before looking up and seeing that he was right in front of the bus station. There was another person waiting there too, sitting on the bench, waiting quietly.

Looks like someone was also planning to go home, or somewhere else? Well, it wasn’t any of Tsukasa’s business, but the detective entered the station and stood not too far from the other person, who happened to be wearing a hoodie that was covering their face, along with a white mask, and their hands were in their pocket.

It wasn’t unusual to see anyone dressed like that, Tsukasa also dressed like that occasionally, but it just reminds Tsukasa a bit of that time at the hospital incident when the vampire appear. Speaking of that incident, that incident spread really fast, and a lot of people feared that that was a “vampire.”

But the police and reporters were quick to erase that fact, even Tsukasa had been part of it. He wasn’t going to exactly tell everyone that there are, multiple, possibly more than dozens, of vampires roaming the streets and sucking the blood of their fellow people population.

Tsukasa had once confronted Akito about it too, asking him how he felt about the situation, asking him if he thought vampires were real or not. Akito, of course, said he didn’t believe in those things.

That answer was enough for Tsukasa not wanting to spread that fact that vampires were around.

The bus wasn’t going to come until the next 10 minutes, and Tsukasa felt like he probably shouldn’t have decided to leave the hospital so early, but sometimes the bus would come 10 minutes early instead, and that would make Tsukasa occasionally miss the bus.

Now instead he was 10 minutes early, and the bus wasn’t coming yet. Or could it have been that the bus already went ahead and he missed it again?! If that was the case, he would just have to go with walking home…

“The bus didn’t come yet, if you’re wondering,” The person from before that was sitting on the bench spoke, turning Tsukasa’s attention to the man, “It was written all over your face,” The man said, letting out a light chuckle, getting up from his seat as if he was going to walk away, making the detective wonder if the man planned on not taking the bus anymore.

But then, as if the man had made the biggest mistake in his life, he looked over at Tsukasa, before quickly widening his eyes. Tsukasa blinked a few times, wondering too where he had seen that familiar face, despite half of his face being covered.

Oh, that’s…

”You!!” Tsukasa shouted, pointing at the man before trying to reach over and grab the man, but the man was quick to pull away and quickly run off. Tsukasa cursed under his breath, giving this man another chase.

It was like deja vu, except this time Tsukasa wasn’t chasing the vampire from the hospital, he was chasing the same man but from a bus station. "Wait!" Tsukasa tried to call out, using as much muscle and stamina as he could to catch up to the vampire. The vampire was obviously, still a lot faster than him. Tsukasa cursed that this time he didn't bring his gun.

The chase probably only lasted for like- a minute or two, before Tsukasa just happens to see someone extremely familiar that the vampire was running right towards to, looking behind him to see how far Tsukasa was. The extremely familiar person was looking down on their phone, walking the same direction that the vampire was running to.

Tsukasa knew he shouldn’t involve anyone, but he knew he couldn’t catch up with the vampire if he didn’t at least have any help, so with his last resort, he opens his lips and shouts.

“RUI!!” Which seems to have made the vampire hunter turn around in surprise, seeing the vampire running but still looking behind him at Tsukasa, before Tsukasa points at the vampire and yells again, “Please stop him!”

When the vampire realized that Tsukasa wasn’t talking to him, he quickly faced forward, but he was a second too late before he was quickly pinned to the floor, hitting his head in the process before feeling like his eyes just started spinning. Rui was holding the vampire down with one foot, as he had previously knocked the vampire down with just a kick.

When Tsukasa had finally managed to catch up, he put his hands on his knees and panted heavily, trying to catch his breath, looking down to the floor with closed eyes. Rui blinked a few times, looking at the vampire and then Tsukasa, before speaking up, “It has been a while, Tsukasa-kun, but I didn’t expect this to be our first meeting after a while,” before letting out a chuckle right after.

It was true that they haven’t seen each other lately, aside from the fact that they would occasionally chat with each other on their cellphones. At the same time, the two were busy doing their own thing, so even if they wanted to meet up, they really couldn’t at the moment.

After finally catching his breath, Tsukasa let out a deep breath before standing back up straight and looked towards the vampire hunter, sweat still dripping down from his forehead and neck, he had only ran for a little bit and he was already tired.

”Thank you, Rui… Thank god I met you on the way here, I couldn’t catch up to this… person?” Tsukasa questioned it himself too, he didn’t know what vampires are called except for vampires, so he could only address the vampire as people, not having any other idea in the moment.

”Why is it a question?” Rui asked, before looking down to the vampire, but it was quick before he realized what situation he had just gotten himself into, smirking right after with a huff, “I see, I see what’s going on now," Rui says before looking down at the vampire.

Slowly, Rui reached for something in his pocket, but the detective detected that it was probably one of Rui's weapons and quickly grabs the vampire hunter's wrist to stop him, shaking his head rapidly in desperation, "I have to ask him questions!" 

Rui looked at the blonde with a surprised look, blinking a few times before letting go whatever he had grabbed in his pocket and taking his hand out slowly, which seems to be empty and had made the detective let out a sigh of relief. But then suddenly Rui had grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers, giving a toothy grin, "If you wanted to hold my hand, then you should've just said so, detective~"

Tsukasa blinked a few times, before his face transforms to a bright pink color, shaking their hands apart, "That's not it!" Making the vampire hunter pout afterwards when seeing their hands separating.

Quickly, Tsukasa turns to look back at the vampire, who felt like his world was still spinning, but came back to his senses when he finds the vampire hunter and detective above him, staring down at him as if waiting for him to wake up.

The vampire started to panic when he realized he got caught, especially when he recognized the vampire hunter before him, "W-Wait! Please don't kill me, I-I'll do anything!" The vampire says, glancing around their surroundings, trying to find any way to escape at all.

The vampire hunter smiled, which did not feel nice from his usual mischievous ones, it was a lot more intimidating, before the vampire hunter grabs the vampire and pulls him up by the collar, keeping his grip on the vampire before saying, "Well, our detective has some questions for you, and catching you seems to be his lucky day."

The vampire nodded in desperation, saying that they were free to ask away, he will answer with all honesty as long as they don't kill him. Tsukasa didn't even get to say anything, but he used this chance to because considering their surrounding, this wasn't the best place to ask questions unless they want to look like shark loan-ers attacking an innocent man.

"Can we go talk over there?" Tsukasa pointed to a nearby alleyway, looking at the vampire hunter, who looked back at him upon hearing the question and gave another smile, which was definitely not the intimidating one, by the way, before giving a nod to the detective.

Shortly after, they arrive to the alleyway. Rui had to drag the vampire along, still holding the vampire by the collar, but the vampire had tried to tell the vampire hunter that he promise he wouldn't run away, but no one believed him (lol).

Rui throws the vampire to the wall, still holding him by the collar. The vampire knew that if he tried anything, his life would definitely end in seconds, especially since he knew that he was against the same detective from the hospital incident and a vampire hunter that he's been warned to make sure avoid.

"Y-You don't need to be so rough with me... I promise I won't run, I know that if I do, the vampire hunter is a lot quicker than me..." The vampire says, narrowing his eyes to look at the detective. Tsukasa blinked a few times, looking at the vampire hunter, who looked at him in return, before the two turned to look back at the vampire.

"I didn't say anything about being a vampire hunter, yet you know?" Rui asked.

"Yeah! A lot of the vampires should know, you're pretty fearful, you know..." The vampire replied, looking elsewhere, not for an escape but because he was too scared to meet eyes with the vampire hunter.

The vampire hunter tilted his head a bit by the information, he knew he went on a lot of vampire hunting missions, and they were all mostly successful, but he hadn't expected any word about him spreading around the vampires. The vampire hunter turned to look at the detective, who looked back at him after hearing the information and nodding to the vampire hunter that it was okay to let him go.

The vampire hunter lightly sighed, he has never trusted a vampires saying before, but he is doing this for Tsukasa. If the vampire tries anything, he will just make sure he ends them before they do end up trying anything. His trust for these creatures were especially low.

The vampire hunter hesitantly lets the vampire go, making the vampire let out a sigh of relief before falling to the floor, the detective and vampire hunter looking after his actions. 

"Well, what is it that you want to know?" The vampire started off, putting their legs in a criss-cross position.

Tsukasa blinked a few times, before starting with the less expected question, "What's your name?" Making both and the vampire and vampire hunter look at the detective with visible confusion on their faces.

"...Is this an interview?" The vampire asked.

"Sure." Tsukasa answered, without any second thoughts.

The vampire stared at the detective like he was an unusual one, before opening his lips and hesitantly letting out, "Shosuke... Otori..." He says, almost too slowly.

Tsukasa blinked a few times, Otori? He's swore he's heard that last name before. But for some reason, he can't put a finger on it. Maybe he should think about it afterwards, it'll come to him eventually, starting off his first question.

"Well then, Shosuke-san..." Making the vampire wince by the sudden formalities, "Why did you attack that woman at the hospital that day?" The detective asked.

The vampire looked away once again, not wanting to make any eye contact, almost as if he was too shameful to make eye contact, "I was hungry, just like any vampire..." The vampire answers, but quickly defends himself, adding more to the answer, "But listen! I was not me when I attacked that day!”

Both Tsukasa and Rui gave the curious eyebrow raise to Shosuke, wondering what he means, Tsukasa continues on, “What do you mean?”

”I was just sitting in my office, okay? I had a client over, we were talking about business, and then one of my servants brought in a few drinks for the two of us, but it must’ve been because I looked away for a few seconds, because I realized after drinking it that my drink was drugged by that client! And then he has the nerve to give me a note and tells me to meet him on that day! And it’s tomorrow too!”

”Was it the same day when you attacked the woman at the hospital?”

”Yes…” The vampire was looking up at Tsukasa, the detective staring at him as to find if the vampire was lying at all. His eyes did not waver, the vampire was telling the truth.

“I see. Although you created a horrible crime that day, resulting in killing someone innocent,  I will not excuse you for your actions…” Tsukasa says, making the vampire blink and clenching their fist, as if they had expected that.

”But I will thank you for telling us about that today, that’s why, I want you to let us tag along tomorrow,” Tsukasa says, although he knew about the note, realizing quickly after the vampire revealed that it was the same note that Tsukasa found after chasing the vampire.

Shosuke blinked a few times, before loudly letting out a confused scream, “You?! Someone who literally probably can’t even run for their life?!” The vampire says, his shoulders tensing up when he sees the vampire hunter glaring at him, which goes completely unnoticed by the detective. Although Shosuke was technically right, this was also a good opportunity.

”I’ll be tagging along, don’t worry,” Rui tells the vampire, giving another intimidating smile, but the vampire quickly looks away from the vampire hunter in order not to frighten himself any further.

”I know that, but since Rui says he will tag along, then I know you won’t try anything. Plus, if that man does spot us, I want you to distract him for us so we can make a run for it,” Tsukasa says, not even hiding the fact that he wants to use the vampire for his own advantage.

”You’re just using me though…” Shosuke says, before letting out a big sigh after and slightly nodding, “Fine. I’ll do that for you, I don’t care whatever happens to that other vampire, but I’ll tell you! It was never my intention to harm humans in the first place.”

Tsukasa blinked once, then twice, tilting his head slightly to the side, “Why? Aren’t vampires food source people?” It almost felt as if something wasn’t adding up here.

”Yes, but we get our food from volunteers… You guys aren’t the only human beings, aside from vampire hunters, that knows we exist.”

Tsukasa widened his eyes, turning to look at Rui, who looked a bit taken aback by the new information too, “I’ve… never heard of people being volunteers to give blood to vampires, how does it work?” Rui asked, it was the first question he asked ever since they caught the vampire.

”I-It’s just the same process when you donate blood… They won’t die like these past few weeks, they’re completely fine…” Shosuke answered, Tsukasa not missing the way Shosuke shivered when answering the vampire hunters question, making him realize how skilled Rui must be if he has another vampire trembling at his feet.

”I see…” Rui narrowed his eyes, looking off to the other end of the alleyway, as if something was on his mind, but shortly looking back at the blonde with a small smile, asking him if Tsukasa had any more questions.

Tsukasa smiled back to the vampire, shaking his head in the process, “I’m sure we will have more answers tomorrow, for now, can you tell us the address of the place you’re going to meet up?” Tsukasa asked, once again hiding the fact that he knew the place at all. Rui knew exactly what he was doing, so he just played along, acting as if he knew nothing about it.

”Y-Yeah… It’s an abandoned house at (some place i cannot name again cos i’m dumb), if you’re gonna come, then I suggest that you guys listen from outside… I’ll make sure any windows or such are opened so you guys can hear— Oh, and it starts at 22:00pm, so just arrive before me and my client does…” Shosuke answered, not detecting anything at all about the fact that both Rui and Tsukasa knew exactly where it was.

At least he was telling the truth, so Tsukasa would give him credits for that. Tsukasa just nodded in response, smiling at the vampire and that he was now free to go, that he will see him tomorrow.

”If you lie at all, I’ll be after you, okay?” Rui teases, and although it was just a light joke, Shosuke somewhat senses that Rui isn’t entirely just joking… So the vampire gulps, nodding slowly at the vampire hunter before making his way out of the alleyway.

There was silence for a moment between the detective and vampire hunter, and that was mostly because Tsukasa was going over the plan in his head, but snapped out of thoughts when the vampire hunter suddenly speaks up, “…It’s my first time ever working with a vampire.”

Tsukasa looked toward Rui’s direction, blinking a few times. Of course, Tsukasa wasn’t too surprised that Rui was hesitant to work with a vampire, especially since Rui’s job is to get rid of them. Tsukasa couldn’t help but give a small smile, “It’s okay, Rui. If he ever gives us trouble, I know how much capable you are,” Tsukasa says.

Rui widened his eyes, looking at the smaller detective. Rui just stood where he was for a moment before lightly letting out a chuckle, “I see, of course. Thank you for trusting me, Tsukasa-kun,” Rui says.

Tsukasa just smiles again in response, feeling relieved that Rui was a bit out of that daze, “We should head home now! I’m sorry for troubling you, I know it must’ve been surprising when you suddenly get called out to catch a man, especially at this time.”

Rui gave another chuckle, putting a curled finger over his chin, before replying back to the detective, “Don’t worry about it, Tsukasa-kun. It’s an honor to feel useful for the detective.”

Tsukasa had no idea what that meant, but he took it as a compliment and gave a wider grin, “Great! Excellent! Then I’ll be on my way here and have a beauty rest at home! Then until next—“

Tsukasa was about to turn on his heels when something had struck him. His eyes widened in shock, upon realizing what had just completely struck him and stood in place, making the vampire hunter tilt his head towards the detectives way, asking the detective what was wrong.

Tsukasa felt a small sweat drip down his face, the look of horror on his face when he finally realized why the name “Otori” was so familiar.

”Emu… My secretary, she’s an Otori…”

Chapter Text

Was Tsukasa afraid? Or was he nervous? What does the thumping sound in his chest indicate? It’s definitely not the feeling of love or any of the sort, but it wasn’t excitement either. It felt more… eerie. Tsukasa wasn’t exactly afraid to say the least, maybe it’s because he’s nervous!

Tsukasa slowly glanced up from his papers to look at the pink haired girl that sat across from him. Emu was writing another report for todays work, but she looked super invested in her report that she didn’t notice the detective looking at her at all.

Tsukasa had his worries, his doubts. Maybe Emu and Shosuke just happened to have same last names? Maybe there were other Tenmas out there too like Otori’s? Tsukasa wanted to ask, he wanted to! He wanted to confirm whether his secretary was another vampire or not, but again, he had his doubts.

Rui told him that vampires couldn’t handle the sun, yet Emu was able to walk under the sun so innocently that Tsukasa can’t help but think there is no way that Emu was also a vampire. Maybe the same last name was just a coincidence after all!

Tsukasa couldn’t help but let out a big sigh right after, if he kept worrying like this, the day when his lifespan becomes shorter isn’t too far. It seems to have caught the younger girls attention though, looking up from her report to the detective with a slightly tilted head, her face clearly asking what was on Tsukasa’s mind.

Tsukasa just gave an awkward smile to the other girl, bringing up a hand and putting it on top of her head, he didn’t want to worry nor shock her at all if he asked her about it. Maybe for now, he shouldn’t ask yet. He should wait for a bit longer. He could also ask Shosuke whenever he gets the chance, if the older man has a younger sister or not.

Emu smiled at the Tsukasa, obviously still confused but appreciated the lovely gesture on her head. Tsukasa couldn’t help but think that such an innocent smile as like that could possibly be a vampire, at all, right?

”Ah, Tsukasa-senpai—“

“Tsukasa,” The detective insisted.

Emu pouted, before continuing, “Tsukasa-kun—“ Making the detective huff in response, “You’re meeting up with Rui-kun again today, right? Is it another vampire hunting? It sounds super exciting, I wanna join, but I’m worried I’ll get in the way!” Emu dropped her pencil onto the table, clenching both of her fists and putting them up in the arm to let out that little frustration.

Tsukasa chuckled, watching as the younger one was so determined to tag along, but knew she couldn’t because as if the older detective would allow it at all, “Maybe not yet, right now I need you to watch the office for me,” Tsukasa says, and Emu pouted once again.

”It makes me sound like a dog! But if Tsukasa-se—kun insists, then I shall! Anyone who comes in without a pass is not Wonderhoy!” Emu says, getting up from her seat and putting her arms up in the air.

”I don’t think you had to add the wonderhoy…”

Emu just giggled and sat back down on her seat, kicking her feet in the process before going back to write on her report. There was no way she was a vampire, absolutely not…

The time to meet Rui had arrived, the two decided that they should go at least two hours early and find a way to hide their presence. According to Rui, it would be no problem for him since he was a vampire hunter, but Tsukasa was a detective, so Rui insisted that they just bring a nature smelling cologne.

Tsukasa knew that was a joke, but he thought the idea was pretty good too. But it was rejected by the vampire hunter, telling the detective that he knew a way that they could hide Tsukasa’s presence. Tsukasa had wondered what it was, so when they finally arrived to the house and found their hiding place, Rui suddenly held onto Tsukasa’s hand.

”Wh— Whawhawhawhawha?!” Tsukasa panicked, becoming quickly flustered and throwing his hand away from the other one in surprise and embarrassment.

”Ehh, Tsukasa-kun doesn’t want to hold hands? Boohoo…” Rui said dramatically, the blonde watches as the taller one wipes away one fake tear dropping from his eyes, before the blonde was quick to shake his head, he shouldn’t fall for such a cheap trick.

“I know that’s not it! What is it though?” Tsukasa asked, wanting to ignore the part where Rui just let out another fake tear and a sniffle this time, wiping away his tear as if he was broken that he got rejected again.

”If Tsukasa-kun insists, then…” Rui said, finally digging his hand into his bag and taking a large blanket out, surprising Tsukasa a little, as this was obviously not what he expected at all.

Rui looked at Tsukasa with such anticipation, and it wasn't until a few seconds later that Tsukasa realized that whatever was supposed to be blocking his presence was... a blanket. Tsukasa blinked a few times, before looking at Rui with a weird look, but was quick to take that look back when he saw the vampire hunters eyes practically sparkling when presenting the blanket.

Tsukasa held back a breath, before finally letting out a soft sigh and giving the vampire hunter a soft smile, "How does it work?" The detective asks, which seems to brighten the sparkles in the others eyes even more before Rui began explaining how Tsukasa should use it, before completely going off about how he made it such.

The sparkle in the other ones eyes were so cute, so Tsukasa did not mind that the boy keeps going on about his inventions- Yes, inventions. Rui had started to explain about how he made other things too, including his gadgets he uses to capture vampires and such.

Tsukasa couldn't help but keep being intrigued, when at some point, Rui had suddenly stopped as if he knew he had been going on for too long, "Ah, my bad. Hopefully I'm not boring you?" Rui asked, tilting his head to the side a little hesitantly, and Tsukasa only giggled in response.

"Of course not, you can keep talking. If anything, we still have a while to spare before the... others, come," Tsukasa says, eyeing towards the building not too far from him, then looking back towards Rui with another smile.

Rui looked surprised that Tsukasa was willing to listen to his rambles about his inventions, and a soft smile was immediately placed on his lips. Tsukasa noticed that and felt his cheeks flushing a little- No wait, why was he the embarrassed one...

A while passes, and it was until Rui saw three cars pulling up from the front of the house, that Rui placed a finger over his lips to indicate that they're here. Tsukasa realized that and was quick to hide further into the bushes, wrapping the blanket around himself. Although it was to hide his presence, it was also a really cold night, so the blanket was helping warming up the blonde.

Tsukasa wondered if Rui felt cold at all, looking towards the younger one for a glance. Rui didn't... shiver at all. Was his clothes naturally warm or something... That made Tsukasa frown a little, he hopes Rui is at least taking good care of himself, before he finally looks towards the building.

The two people in hiding watches as Shosuke, and three other people step out of their cars. Shosuke was by himself, obviously, but there was someone who wore formal clothes and what looked like two bodyguards next to him. It wasn't like Shosuke had any capabilities to attack, especially since he had been drugged by the same person.

Rui and Tsukasa both noticed how the people coming out were all from two different cars, but there was one car that no one exited from. It definitely wasn't empty, since it had someone driving, but no one exited. Rui and Tsukasa also noticed how they parked one car in front of Shosuke's car, and one at the back.

"Are they planning something against Shosuke-san?" Tsukasa whispered, to which Rui just shook his head in response, saying that he didn't know, but it obviously did not look like it was going to end well for Shosuke if they were going to corner him like that.

Tsukasa couldn't help but feel a little worried, he hopes that Shosuke doesn't get hurt or any of the sort. Sure, he wants Shosuke to be their escape plan, but he wants that without anyone getting hurt. But obviously it looks like the people Shosuke is meeting with isn't going to easily let Shosuke go.

Rui seemed to have noticed that look on Tsukasa, before slowly reaching a hand to place over Tsukasa's, surprising the detective, but he did not jump nor flinch, before looking at Rui with a questioning look.

Rui frowned slightly, "Are you worried about the vampire?" He asked. 

Tsukasa blinked a few times, before giving a small awkward smile. Rui knew that answer right away, and that made the grip on the blondes hand a little tighter, but then Rui eventually loosens the grip, not wanting to hurt the detective nor worry him.

"If something is going to happen, I'm just going to grab you and take you out of here, okay? No matter what you say," Rui says, keeping eye contact on the blonde despite the growing blush on his cheeks.

Tsukasa blinked, then gives a small giggle, "Okay."

Despite not knowing each other very much- In fact, they knew about each other really little, but it was obvious that the two had deep respects and care for each other. Or maybe it's because of something else too, but it wouldn't be fun to exactly say it like that right now.

Both people in hiding turned from each other, looking towards the building again, watching as Shosuke and the other vampires had already entered the house, walking upstairs to go talk up there. This was their cue to go find the room they were in and stay there.

So swiftly, both Rui and Tsukasa followed to where Shosuke was going, hiding under the first floor. Shosuke had lead the other vampires to the right room too, it had a window that was cracked open, so the other two were going to be able to hear them clearly.

"So, how was the drug, Shosuke-kun?" A soft, yet deep voice told Shosuke. It was to be assumed that that's the person that had drugged Shosuke, and was the reason why Shosuke had attacked someone.

"How was it, my ass! You did that without consent! Moreover all, I hurt people!" Shosuke answered, pointing towards the other vampire with an angered disapproved look.

"Then I'll take it as it went great! That's awesome, that means we can proceed with selling it to other vampires. You were very helpful, Shosuke-kun," The man had said, making Shosuke raise a brow.

"You're... selling it? What the hell, what for?!" Shosuke widened his eyes after processing that it wasn't just for him.

"I'll tell you something, Shosuke-kun. These past few months, we were working on a drug that would increase a vampires hunger, that was the reason for the increasing vampire attacks. I couldn't help but wonder, why do vampires have to live in fear around humans? There aren't so much of us left either, so I thought it'd be great if we were to also decrease the human population."

Tsukasa felt anger bubbling up inside him, clenching his fist and biting his bottom lip so he doesn't stand up and scream why to the other vampire. Rui had noticed that, feeling sympathetic before taking Tsukasa’s hand in his, hoping it'll calm him down at least.

"What... What?! That's just screwed up! Sure, we try to blend in everyday and hopefully not be killed, but YOU are involving people who doesn't deserved to be involved!" Shosuke argued back.

"Jeez, why do you care so much, Shosuke-kun. If you ask me, my plan is excellent. They're just mere humans, if vampire hunters weren't around, our lives would be much better," The other person said.

"Maybe if you stop with the drug then maybe vampire hunters won't find us as much?" Shosuke retorted.

"Have you never been hunted before, Shosuke-kun? I can tell. They'll hunt us even if we don't attack them," The vampire said, which made Shosuke widen his eyes and take a step back hesitantly. The unknown vampire wasn't exactly wrong- In fact, he was right. But why does that mean involving innocent people?

The vampire just sighed, seeing how Shosuke had stopped replying back, "Well anyways, our ordeal is over. I just wanted to tell you all that, so..." The vampire then snaps his fingers, before the two guards that were behind him finally step in front of him, slowly approaching Shosuke.

"Wha..."

"We don't need you anymore, Shosuke-kun, not especially after I revealed everything," The vampire said before smiling, walking out of the room right after.

"Wait what?!" Shosuke yelled, watching as the two guards took something out of their pockets. It was a vampire hunters dagger- How did they get that? No, rather, how were they holding it? Vampires shouldn't be able to touch that, not especially since it's made to specially kill them and turn them into ashes.

"How did you get those...?!" Shosuke yelled, his eyes widening right after when he sees one of them immediately dashing at him, raising the weapon.

In a panic, Shosuke quickly jumped elsewhere, but there was still the other one with the weapon. It was swung at him, and Shosuke watched as he nearly got scratched with it. Shosuke clicked his tongue, he had no other way out of here except for the window, but he knows right under the window is where both Rui and Tsukasa laid.

Shosuke hopes that at least the two humans had already heard the commotion and made their escape, but nooo, Tsukasa just had to be so concerned for the vampire that he practically cries to Rui to help the vampire.

A smoke bomb was tossed from the window, thrown into the room where the three figures were in before Tsukasa shouted, "Shosuke-san, jump!" The other two body guards were busy trying to move the smoke out of the way so they can find Shosuke, but they only heard loud footsteps getting further from them before there was a few glass shards breaking afterward.

Shosuke was quick to leap out of the window, landing perfectly on the floor right in front of Rui and Tsukasa, which Tsukasa actually flinched to because he had not expected that. Then he did not expect Rui to exactly pick him up and throw him over his shoulder either, yelping afterwards.

"Wait wait, what?!" Tsukasa grew quickly embarrassed, but Rui gave the detective no time for explanation before looking at Shosuke.

"Don't go back to your car, they surrounded it," Rui told the vampire, he didn't even bother to make eye contact with the vampire before he starts dashing towards to the bushes where they hid previously, which actually led towards the woods. Shosuke only hummed and only followed behind the two, apologizing in advance.

"I can run, you know!" Tsukasa tried to tell Rui, to which the other did not respond at all, one arm wrapped around the blondes legs.

"Honestly, I would've just dragged you too because you're slow at hell!" Shosuke told him, rolling his eyes when he sees the blonde dramatically gasping, as if offended that he was reminded he wasn't the fastest.

The trio had shortly been followed by other vampires, those were probably the vampires that were waiting for Shosuke in their car if he did end up escaping. Thank goodness Rui knew his way around in a forest, following a certain path base by judging around the forest.

When the trio had finally escaped from the other vampires, which they were actually hiding on top of two separate trees, watching as the vampires below had lost them and ran a different direction. Tsukasa was still over Rui’s shoulder, looking as if he had already given up fighting to run for his own life.

Shosuke then jumped from his tree, over to the two human beings, standing right in front of Rui, who was still standing and looking down below while holding the blonde, before finally looking at Shosuke, a small scowl on his face.

"You can put him down now, you know?" Shosuke pointed to Tsukasa.

Rui blinked a few times. Before finally remembering that he had actually carried Tsukasa the entire time, slowly crouching down and setting the blonde down on the tree. Tsukasa nearly freaked out when he realized that he was standing on the tree on his own, but when Rui had carefully held his hand so he wouldn't fall, Tsukasa let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, uh... Thanks to you guys, I got out without a stab wound, at least..." Shosuke awkwardly spoke, rubbing the back of his head before narrowing his eyes, he wasn't used to this.

"Oh... Yeah! No problem!" Tsukasa said, immediately letting go of Rui’s hand and placing his own hands ontop of his hips, puffing his chest out as if proud he had saved someone.

"But I'm a vampire, you know? You just saved a vampire, you helped a vampire," Shosuke frowned, especially eyeing at Rui.

"Yeah, and?" Tsukasa tilted his head, before looking at Rui, then at Shosuke, "When I heard the commotion, I practically begged Rui to help you, you know... Vampire or not, I wasn't going to let someone get hurt," Tsukasa said.

"You didn't beg, you threatened me, Tsukasa-kun," Rui huffed, "You said that if I didn't help you save him, then you were going to barge in- Which, I don't want you to absolutely do," Rui said, pointing his finger up and raising both his brows with closed eye, acting like some scientist or some sheet.

"Anyways, I'm glad you're alright!" Tsukasa said, totally ignoring what Rui had just said, earning puffed cheeks from the vampire hunter.

Shosuke looked... shocked. Bewildered? He had never have a human save him before, nor have a human actually care for him despite what he was. Shosuke couldn't help the small laugh that escaped his lips, surprising both human beings before him.

"Thank you, really, you two," Shosuke said, to which Tsukasa just let out a big grin, and Rui couldn't help the small smile that placed on his lips.

After that, the 3 had discussed about what to do from now on. If anything, Shosuke and perhaps his family was going to be in danger, so they were probably going to have to keep a low profile for a while.

The others that were chasing the trio had not noticed how Tsukasa or Rui looked, you could just see a flying blanket and a pair of legs running away if you looked quickly before they vanished, so they were safe, but they should still be cautious.

It was then, that Tsukasa should at least confirm his suspicions, he didn't want Shosuke nor his family in danger, and if that person was going to be in danger too, then...

"Shosuke-san, could it be... Emu Otori, is your younger sister?" Tsukasa finally asked, not noticing how his throat slightly tightened at that. Both Rui and Shosuke looked a bit taken aback, but Rui did not look surprised at all that Tsukasa had finally asked, especially when Tsukasa told him that Emu was also an Otori.

Curiously, Shosuke raises a brow, "You know my little sister?" Shosuke asked, and after a few seconds, he had realized what he had just come across.

"Oh. Oh, I see now. You're her boss, the detective she told me about."

Chapter Text

Nothing worse happened after. Of course someone is bound to think that "To protect the secrets of the Otori, I must get rid of you!" From Shosuke, right? Well, yeah, no, that in fact did not happen.

On the contrary, Shosuke just casually reveals to Tsukasa and Rui that, yes, Emu is indeed his little sister. But it was never confirmed if Emu was a vampire or not, that's why to get rid of Tsukasa’s suspicions and such, he asks Shosuke about it.

"Hm. I see now... I believe it is up to Emu whether she confirms it or not, no?" Shosuke asked, crossing his arms as he watched Tsukasa twitch a little from that. He wasn't wrong, it was Emu's own secret, if she didn't plan on telling Tsukasa then yes, that is entirely up to her.

But with a small sigh, Tsukasa nods to Shosuke in understanding, "You're right. Sorry for asking out of the blue," Tsukasa said, to which Shosuke just shook his head that it was alright.

"Well uh... I guess that's my cue for the night. I have to hurry back to my family and tell them what happened, we have to keep a low profile so I have to rush home," Shosuke said. 

Rui didn't object, it was up to Tsukasa or not since this was his situation, Rui was technically only here to make sure Tsukasa stays safe. Tsukasa nodded to Shosuke, thanking him for letting them listen in and such before letting the man go, who jumped off the tree branch and once again lands safely and perfectly on the floor before walking in his own direction.

Then Tsukasa is reminded he was still on the tree.

Rui just let out a small laugh when Tsukasa panicked about how he was going to get down, and asked the vampire hunter if he should also try landing like Shosuke did- Which, Rui quickly objects.

"How do I get down then?!" Tsukasa asked, looking down to the floor below him. It wasn't like the tree was high, but if you look from above, it does look pretty high.

"Oh Tsukasa-kun... I'm the one who got you up here, you think I'm going to leave you here and not bring you down myself?" Rui asked, placing a finger over his chin with a cat like smile, to which Tsukasa quickly looks at him with a hesitant pout, "Maybe?"

"Oh, you hurt me, Tsukasa-kun!" Rui dramatically says as a visible fake tear falls down his cheek, and Tsukasa quickly says that he wouldn't fall for that. Rui just lets out a small chuckle before suddenly wrapping an arm around Tsukasa’s waist, scaring the boy immediately.

"Whawhahwa-" Tsukasa felt his cheeks go immediately bright red, and then he did not anticipate what Rui did next, as it all went by so fast.

Rui quickly sweeps Tsukasa off his feet by the waist before placing the other hand under the boys legs and replacing his hand from the waist to the back before jumping off the tree, the detective letting out a surprised shriek before wrapping his arms around the vampire hunter in desperation and shutting his eyes closed.

Nothing happened after that. It was just silent, after a little quiet thud.

Tsukasa opened one eye, then both of his eyes and looked around him. He was still holding onto the vampire hunter, but then he also realizes that Rui had also jumped off the tree and landed safely. Rui was looking down at him with that same cat like smile and Tsukasa desperately wanted to wipe that off his face.

But then he also remembers he was still being carried before Tsukasa quickly unwrapped his arms from the vampire hunter, his cheeks going bright red again before demanding that Rui lets him down.

"Hmm? What if I don't want to?" Rui says, moving his face down and nuzzling it against Tsukasa's neck, to which the detective let out another surprised shriek, a bit louder than before.

"L-Let me down, Rui!" Tsukasa practically shouted, starting to swing his legs and arms in the boys arms to try and pry himself out. Rui’s hold was firm though, and everytime Tsukasa feels like he's about to struggle out, he feels Rui’s hold get firmer so the detective doesn't escape.

"Don't wanna~" Rui cooed, clearly amused with the fact of messing with an embarrassed Tsukasa.

"Gah! You're embarrassing! Let me down, Rui!" Tsukasa says, swinging his arms and legs some more so the taller one can finally put him down. Rui just lets out a hearty chuckle (Tsukasa totally did not find it attractive in that moment, of course not...) before finally letting the detective down with a disappointed hum after a few seconds.

Tsukasa let out a big huff, putting his hands on his waist and giving Rui probably the biggest puffed cheeks he had ever given. Rui looked surprised that he received such a reaction before giving out another small chuckle, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"I'm never letting you touch me ever again," Tsukasa says before turning at a random direction, not thinking at all whether that was the way back home or not. Rui whined this time.

It was dark now, so Rui had offered to take the detective home. Tsukasa had refused at first, but Rui reminded on how the older one had taken him home last time, he wanted to return the favor. Apparently, if he didn't let him, Rui was going to end up being a spoiled adult.

Tsukasa had allowed him after that.

The next day, Tsukasa went to go visit his sister's hospital. This time, he had the full details on about his sister's condition.

Tsukasa had asked Saki's doctor, talking about how exactly were her legs supposedly to heal, especially since they've been paralyzed for years. According to Saki's doctor, there was a successful experiment on medicine about how it would slowly clear and heal the nerves in Saki's legs, and although it may take a while before Saki can begin walking again, the chances were high.

Tsukasa asked the doctor on how long they had been giving Saki the medicine, and why he wasn't the first to be informed about this. The doctor looked really hesitant to tell Tsukasa at first, before clearing her throat right away and looking back at Tsukasa.

"For about... a month now."

Tsukasa's eyebrows furrowed. They've been going on a month without telling him at all? Tsukasa is currently Saki’s legal guardian since she needed financial and familial support, so they would always have to ask consent from Tsukasa first before even giving Saki any medicine.

"Before you get upset, which I can tell you are about to be... Saki-chan wanted this," The doctor was quick to defend herself, "She didn't want to tell you yet, because she wanted to surprise you. Saki-chan is my patient, and I am her doctor, I want to do everything in my will to get her better so she can live the life she wants."

Tsukasa's frowned deepened. If Saki was the one who consented to this, he had every right to be mad at both the doctor AND Saki.

But then he suddenly remembers the look of excitement on Saki's face when she announced to Tsukasa about her legs starting to feel better. The look of wanting to continue her life outside the hospital.

Tsukasa wanted her to smile, but he only wishes that he was told about this. It wasn't like he didn't trust the hospital or their doctors, but they can literally get sued for this. He doesn't know if they also do that to other patients, but for now...

Tsukasa lets out a big sigh with closed eyes, calming himself down so he doesn't get upset any further before looking back at the doctor, "I understand. But please, please. From now on, always inform me right away. Saki is... old enough to make her own decisions now, but I am still her legal guardian."

The doctor let out a smile of relief before giving a small nod in understanding. 

Tsukasa visited Saki after that, and when Tsukasa and the doctor informed Saki about what they were talking about, Saki was quick to apologize to her older brother for not saying anything and deciding for herself, but that it was what she wanted.

Tsukasa only smiled back at her and gave a pat on her head, "I know. You're old enough to make decisions now, Saki. Just tell me next time, okay?" Tsukasa says, watching as the frown on his little sister's face was quickly brightened to a surprised look, then a big grin.

Although last time Tsukasa had been excited about his sister coming home, it wasn't like the idea of how were her legs going to magically work again come to mind. Plus, it had slipped off his mind in the moment.

Well, that was something on the bright side at least.

Tsukasa decided that today, he would bring his sister outside in the hospitals garden house for some fresh air. Saki was quick to accept and be excited when she heard her brother's offer. Tsukasa let out a light giggle before walking over to the corner of the room where they kept Saki's wheelchair, in case she ever wanted to leave the room. 

Today was that day, and Tsukasa watched himself slowly unfold the wheelchair.

Then out of nowhere, the memories of that night flooded in his head. Tsukasa widened his eyes, stopping in his tracks immediately and from unfolding the chair. All he could hear was Saki's little hums of excitement, but she hadn't caught onto the tension Tsukasa was giving out.

No, he shouldn't think about that right now. Saki had always told Tsukasa to stop blaming himself about that day. That was also the day when Tsukasa had completely given up on theatrics and went looking for jobs that would help support both Saki and himself.

Meanwhile, he does make good money from being a detective. No, in fact, he was a pretty successful detective. But the guilt inside of him still ate him away, he wasn't there to save his parents. He wasn't there to get Saki out of safety, then she would've lived a normal life.

Before Tsukasa had known it, he felt a tear drop, then it drops to the floor. Saki didn't notice, thankfully, looking out the window as she waited for her brother to help her out of the bed. Tsukasa wanted to punch himself again. This wasn't the time to be thinking about such things. 

Right now, his job is to make another fulfilling day for Saki, pray that her legs would heal faster, and then he would teach her so much about the outside world, and he would stop all the vampire incidents. 

Tsukasa quickly wiped the tears that were threatening to fall again, before he continues to unfold the wheelchair and finally makes his way over to Saki with it, "It's done, Saki!"

Saki quickly turned to look at her brother with a big grin, letting out an excited hum, before her brother helps the younger one get out of the bed and carefully placed onto the wheelchair, then a jacket was wrapped around the sister.

The two Tenma's had shortly after exited the hospital, heading out to the garden house that was right behind the building. The garden house was private property to the hospital, but it was mostly popular around the elderly and sick.

So maybe the Tenma's look a little out of... place right now. But who cares! They didn't care, in fact, Saki looked to be enjoying herself right away, pointing to a few flowers here and there as Tsukasa pushed the wheelchair gently, looking around the flowers with her.

"Onii-chan! I want to go there, there! It looks pretty!" Saki says, pointing onto a field of different flowers piled together, but they were all beautifully bloomed and carefully taken care of. Tsukasa looked at the direction his sister pointed at, before smiling to the younger one with a nod.

Tsukasa turns the wheels of the chair, changing the direction to the flower fields before bringing the two of themselves over to the field. Saki giggled happily when she leaned down onto the flowers, taking in the scent and view. Tsukasa couldn't help but smile as he watches his sister do so.

Tsukasa wonders if Saki would be able to enjoy this sight more if she wasn't here in the hospital all the time...

Tsukasa felt himself frowning, he knew he was going to ruin the mood if he keeps having all these negativity in him. This time, Saki seemed to have notice her brothers expression, turning around with a big grin, as if wanting to tell her brother something, but when she noticed her brothers frown, her grin fell to a worried expression.

"Onii-chan...?" Saki called out, snapping Tsukasa out of his daze quickly as he looked at his younger sister with a small, but really forceful, smile.

"Yeah?"

Saki stayed silent for a few seconds, confusing the older one while at that, the older one blinking a few times in confusion. Then right when Tsukasa opened his lips, Saki quickly spoke before he did.

"Are you... thinking about it again?" She asked.

Tsukasa looked taken aback from that, but he didn't deny it. He knew he wasn't exactly hiding it from his sister, not when she knew right away, so all he could do is just keep that small forceful, now pained, smile. Saki's eyebrows fell, expressing the clear worry and sadness in her face.

"Don't worry about it, Saki. I'm sorry if I ruined the mood, do you want to-" Before Tsukasa could even finish, he watched as Saki huffed before suddenly leaping onto the flower fields, making Tsukasa gasp and panic quickly right after, a petrified look taking over his expression.

”S-S-Sa-Saaakii!!”

Tsukasa practically shouted in horror, rushing over to his younger sister as he watches her giggle and wrap her arms around the field. Despite the flower field being really big, alongside with the building, Tsukasa feared that they were going to get caught and worse, kicked.

”This feels so nice, Onii-chan! I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever laid on flowers like this before! Waa, that makes me miss Spring…” Saki says, nuzzling her face against some of the flowers, taking in the scent and letting out a soft sigh after.

”Saki! You shouldn’t jump on the flower field! What if someone catches you, and something bad happens?!” Tsukasa tried to reason, bending over to look at his sister who did not bother to budge. Instead, she turned around, laying her back against the field as she kicked her feet at the wheel chair in attempt to get it away from her feet.

”Hmm, it’s okay! I think! It feels super nice on the field too, it’d be a waste not to lay on it!” Saki says, looking up at her brother with a grin, “You should get down here too! Quickly, while there’s no one looking!”

Tsukasa hesitated for a moment, quickly looking around to see if there was anyone around. Definitely, there were some patients, either they were alone or being accompanied by someone, whether that be a staff or a relative/friend, so they wouldn’t pay attention to the Tenma’s.

Tsukasa gulped and looked back at Saki, watching as she looked practically relaxed on the flower field, before Tsukasa slowly leans down himself next to Saki, turning on his side to look at Saki and around in case someone comes.

Thankfully, looks like no one cared about what the two were doing, before Tsukasa let out a relieved sigh and quickly looked back to his sister, who looked a bit taken aback that Tsukasa had joined her. But it made her smile again nonetheless, another big grin forming on her lips as she lets out a soft giggle and then looking up towards the ceiling.

”Onii-chan… I think you stress yourself too much.”

Tsukasa was taken aback this time. His eyes slightly widened as he stared at his sister, before feeling himself quickly frown in shame. He knew that Saki would find out and talk to him about it, but he sometimes wishes they wouldn't have to.

"Am I?" Tsukasa asked.

Saki hummed in agreement, "You should relax sometimes. Take a break! Maybe even go on a little trip and have a new scenery for once!" Saki says, spreading her arms against the field.

Tsukasa raised a brow. To be fair, he didn't go on a trip for a good while now. In fact, he doesn't remember the last time he had decided to take a break. He was always invested in his work and ways worried about Saki, making his work and sister top priority. Was Saki telling him that he should take care of himself more often then?

It wouldn't be bad to take one once in a while, right? Saki was clearly worried for him, but if this is what she wanted, then...

"I see... Maybe I'll try that," Tsukasa said in agreement, watching as Saki brightened up at her brother before quickly sitting up from her seat, looking down at her brother, "Awesome! That would be great! You really deserve it!"

Tsukasa widened his eyes a bit by seeing how excited his sister was. Then felt himself smile slightly, Saki was really a genuine person.

It didn't take long before a staff came over to them and scolded them. Luckily, they weren't threatened to get kicked out or anything, just had a warning and that they just look at the flowers normally and not jump at it. Tsukasa had to bow his head many times as Saki laughed back on her seat.

Tsukasa went home that night with a good mood. After returning to Saki's room, the two siblings had another talk about Tsukasa's wellbeing. Saki genuinely wanted Tsukasa to take a break, and Tsukasa was grateful to her for that. He even wanted to bring her along, but she refused, saying that she wasn't even allowed out of the hospital unless a staff was there with her.

Tsukasa couldn't help but feel bad, he hopes her legs heal quicker so he could take his sister home.

When Tsukasa entered his home, he imagined how Saki would be home and greet him like she did before. Instead of thinking negatively, he felt himself cheer up by that.

But then something felt weird.

Tsukasa couldn't put quite the finger on it. But he felt really uncomfortable. He felt super uneasy, and he had thus urge to just run out of his house. But why would he? He doesn't know, and he was an idiot, quickly brushing it off as it just being him.

He shouldn't have done that, really.

Tsukasa was just about to turn to his room, when he felt a sudden breath on the side of his neck from behind. This caused Tsukasa to quickly jump, turning around to see who it could be, but he had no second time reaction before he was quickly pushed down onto the floor.

Tsukasa let out a loud yelp as the person above him held both of his hands with one hand, roughly turning his head to the side before dipping itself down to the detective's neck.

Chapter Text

tsukasa dies happy ending