Chapter 18: The Prince of Nowhere
We didn't say much on the walk home.Tokyo at dawn looked almost innocent again — streets washed in silver light, early trains rumbling in the distance, people yawning on their way to work.
If anyone saw us — a famous idol with torn sleeves and a random college student with a ripped jacket — they didn't care.Maybe they thought it was a weird photoshoot.Maybe they just didn't want to get involved.
I couldn't blame them.
Back at the apartment, Riku dropped his coat onto the couch and collapsed beside it.No elegance. No smirk. Just… exhaustion.
I stood awkwardly by the door, trying to figure out what to do with my hands."So… that was a fun night out," I said weakly.
He didn't even lift his head. "You're still making jokes. Impressive."
"I laugh when I'm traumatized. It's a coping mechanism."
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "You should rest. You've had enough for one night."
"No way. Not until you explain what that guy meant. 'Runaway prince'?"
That got his attention.He looked up, eyes faintly glowing red in the dim morning light.
"You weren't supposed to hear that."
"Well, I did. So talk."
For a long moment, he said nothing.Then, softly: "In the old world — before vampires started blending into human society — my family ruled one of the Houses. The House of Noctis."
"House of… Noctis?"
"Think of it like royalty," he said. "There are five major vampire clans, each with their own territory, laws, and bloodlines. I was heir to one of them."
My mind scrambled to keep up. "So you're literally a vampire prince."
He gave a humorless smile. "Was. I left."
"Why?"
His gaze drifted to the window. "Because I didn't want to become what they wanted me to be."
I frowned. "Which was…?"
He hesitated. "A weapon. A symbol. Something to keep humans in fear."
The words hung between us, heavy and quiet.
"So you ran away," I said softly.
"I didn't run," he murmured. "I walked away. Quietly. And I built a life that wasn't written for me."
"By becoming a pop idol."
His lips curved faintly. "Everyone worships idols. Even vampires."
I couldn't help it — I laughed.And for the first time, his smile looked real.
The silence that followed wasn't awkward this time.It was… peaceful.
He leaned back, closing his eyes. The early sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting his silver hair gold.For a second, I forgot he wasn't human.
"You could've stayed with your kind," I said quietly. "Why risk all this?"
He didn't open his eyes."Because I wanted to remember what it felt like to live. Not just exist."
Something in my chest twisted at that.
"Riku…"
"Hmm?"
"If you're really this 'runaway prince' or whatever — doesn't that mean they'll keep coming for you?"
"Yes."
"And for me?"
His eyes opened, meeting mine. "Especially you."
The room went still.I wanted to say something — anything — but my throat wouldn't work.
He smiled faintly, like he'd read my thoughts."Don't worry," he said softly. "I told you before, didn't I? I don't let people touch what's mine."
My heart skipped a beat.And then, before I could reply, he turned away, curling up on the couch like a cat.
"Get some sleep, Haruto. We'll deal with it when the sun sets."
I stood there for a while, watching him drift off.The city outside was already waking up, sunlight spilling over the rooftops.
For everyone else, it was just another normal morning.For me, it was the moment I realized —I wasn't just part of Riku's secret anymore.I was in it.
TO BE CONTINUED…