The night breeze blew gently, carrying the aroma of food from the small stalls lining the street. Streetlights shimmered, reflecting off thin puddles left by the evening rain. Raku walked in the middle, Chitoge on his left, while Shinobu strolled casually on his right, her hands occasionally tucked into her pockets as if she were enjoying the "human city night."
Chitoge broke the silence with a soft, yet curious voice.
"Since when have you two been together?"
Raku glanced sideways. "Yesterday. Shinobu suddenly bit me, then... someone came to calm her down. A guy with pink hair, wearing green glasses. After Shinobu calmed down, that person disappeared just like that."
Shinobu lowered her head, her voice soft. "I didn't get the chance to thank that person. And..." she glanced at Raku, then at Chitoge, "...I'm sorry. I really couldn't control myself back then. But don't worry, Chitoge—my master's girlfriend—I will protect him. I don't drink blood all the time. Besides, my master is... kind of an anomaly."
Raku just sighed, not wanting to prolong the topic.
Chitoge stared at Shinobu, her brows furrowed, her lips pressing slightly. "So… that's all there is? I thought… it was more than that."
Chitoge's cheeks turned red, and she quickly turned her face away, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Shinobu immediately chuckled, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Our relationship hasn't gotten that far yet. Although... we did bathe together once in a hot spring, just the two of us."
Raku flinched slightly. "Eh... Shinobu..."
Chitoge, who had just managed to calm herself, instantly froze. Her head turned sharply, her face burning red.
"WHAAAT!? Raku, seriously!? Don't tell me... you two did that too!?"
Raku tilted his head, innocently. "Did what? I just soaked, then Shinobu joined me. That's all."
Shinobu burst out laughing, covering her tiny mouth with her hand. "Hahaha! Look at your face, it's so cute. Tsunderes really are the best. Humans always have a hard time speaking the truth."
"You're so annoying!, even if you're a Loli Vampire." Chitoge clenched her fist, playfully punching Shinobu on the head.
"Ouch… that actually hurt," Shinobu complained with a sly smile. "But… loli, huh? Want me to show you my charming adult form? Don't forget, I'm already hundreds of years old."
Chitoge was stunned. "Hundreds of years!?"
Raku responded calmly. "Well, vampires do live long. I'm not too surprised that Shinobu's that old."
Shinobu lifted her chin proudly, as if asserting her position.
Not long after, their steps stopped in front of the large gate of Chitoge's family home. The yard lights glowed warmly, making the night feel more intimate.
Chitoge turned, her eyes gazing at Raku gently. "Thank you, Raku."
Then she shifted her gaze to Shinobu. "...and you too. Please take care of him, even though I know… you're still single, with no boyfriend or partner." Her voice slightly rose at the end of the sentence, full of pride.
Shinobu let out a small snort, her face showing a hint of annoyance. "Hmph… very well, Princess. But remember..." she quickly grabbed Raku's arm, clinging to his side. Her smile widened meaningfully. "...my master and I will be spending a lovely night together in his room. Every single night."
"Shinobu!" Raku scolded, his face slightly red from being dragged into the vampire girl's antics. Still, he waved his hand. "See you, Chitoge."
Chitoge, who had intended to say goodbye, instead fell silent. Her eyes widened, her face burning bright red. "W-what does that mean!? Raku! Don't do anything weird with her! She… she's an old vampire granny!!"
Raku just let out a long sigh, trying not to get pulled deeper into the silly argument. Shinobu, meanwhile, laughed in satisfaction seeing Chitoge so thoroughly flustered.
Raku and Shinobu's footsteps echoed lightly on the still-busy night streets. Shop and restaurant lights in the distance illuminated the sidewalks, while vehicles occasionally passed, leaving trails of light. The cold air blew, yet it felt calming after a long day.
Shinobu still clung tightly to Raku's arm, as if unwilling to let go. A thin smile adorned her small lips.
"Fufu… that tsundere face really made my night lovely. Totally worth joining your date, Master."
Raku glanced at her briefly, letting out a sigh. "Shinobu, don't go teasing Chitoge recklessly. She might get the wrong idea."
"That's the fun part," Shinobu replied casually, as if enjoying others' frustration. "You know, I've lived for hundreds of years. It's rare to find entertainment that actually makes me laugh like that."
Raku stared straight ahead. "Entertainment, huh… To me, it just gave me a headache."
A brief silence fell. They passed a small bridge, the sound of the river flowing below sounding peaceful. Shinobu gazed at the water for a moment, then turned back to Raku.
"But Master… I'm serious about one thing."
"What is it?" Raku glanced sideways.
Shinobu let go of his arm, then walked a bit ahead, spinning around with both hands behind her head.
"Somehow… ever since I drank your blood, I feel different. Sunlight no longer burns me, I can sleep soundly like a human, even… my bloodlust has subsided. It feels like… I'm not entirely a vampire anymore."
Raku fell silent, pondering those words. The image from that morning came back—Shinobu touching sunlight without being burned.
"That means… your body changed because of my blood?" Raku murmured.
Shinobu nodded slowly. "Maybe so. You're strange, Master. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse. But…"
She stopped walking, looking at Raku with an expression she rarely showed—serious and sincere.
"...I owe you. For the first time in hundreds of years, I can feel peace."
Raku was stunned for a moment, then smiled slightly. He reached out and gently patted Shinobu's head. "If that's the case, then don't overthink it. Just live as usual. As long as you're with me, I'll make sure you're okay."
Shinobu froze for a moment, then her cheeks turned a little red. She quickly brushed off Raku's hand with a pout.
"Tch… you're such an annoying innocent human. But fine. I'll take your words as a promise, Master."
Raku just chuckled softly. "Alright then, let's go home. It's late, and I'm getting tired too."
The night hung quietly over the city sky. The air was slightly chilly, blowing in through the half-open window, and the lights of the Ichijou house glowed gently amidst the darkness of the hallway.
After passing through the front gate, Raku and Shinobu walked inside with calm steps. Ryunosuke briefly glanced over and gave a small bow in greeting, but didn't ask much—he only said, "Welcome back, Bocchan."
Raku nodded, returning the greeting with a faint smile, then headed upstairs to his room.
Upon entering, Raku turned on the light and let out a long sigh. "Finally made it," he muttered, taking off his jacket and hanging it on the rack. Shinobu walked straight to the side of the room and sat casually on the floor, playing with the tip of her hair ribbon.
"Are you going to sleep in the same spot as last night?" Raku asked while opening the storage closet in the corner.
Shinobu nodded, then answered lazily, "It won't be a bother if you just prepare a futon for me. Today was tiring enough."
Raku pulled out a futon from the closet, patted it lightly, then laid it out on the opposite side of his bed. He also grabbed an extra blanket and pillow, placing them neatly on top of the futon.
"Done," he said while stretching his back and glancing toward Shinobu. "Feel free to lie down. But if you mumble in your sleep like last night and kick me again... I'll throw you out."
Shinobu narrowed her eyes, then smiled mischievously. "Hoo, you dare say that to an old vampire who could slice a man in two."
"Please don't do that while sleeping, okay?" Raku replied while yawning and taking off his socks.
Shinobu stood and slowly walked toward the futon, then sat cross-legged before finally lying down on the folded mattress. She pulled the blanket over and stared at the ceiling with half-closed eyes.
"Even though this is just a human's room... it feels warm," she said softly.
Raku, already lying on his bed, turned toward Shinobu and said flatly, "If you're grateful, stop biting me whenever you want."
"Hehe, yeah yeah. Only if it's absolutely necessary... and that too, the last time," said Shinobu, then giggled softly.
The room light was turned off. Darkness enveloped the room, lit only gently by moonlight filtering through the curtains.
The night moved slowly. Amidst the quiet of that room, the sound of calm breathing from two strange individuals could be heard—a young man with a hazy past, and a centuries-old vampire beginning to find peace in the human world.