Vampires Legacy

"Chifuyu!"

Erika and Dakota shout Chifuyu's name in unison as they run towards him.

"I thought you were a goner man."

"Thank god everything turned out okay."

The two sigh as they let out their reliefs. Chifuyu is just as happy to see them fine.

"I'm glad you guys didn't get captured along with me. How long has it been since the Moon Festival?"

"It was just last night."

"So it's only been about a day. By the way, what're you two doing here anyway? It seems weird that they let two high school students be here, it couldn't be just cuz we're friends."

"Yeah, the thing is..."

Erika begins to explain, but Dakota cuts her off wanting to say what happened instead.

"When we woke up and couldn't find you, we split up to ask around. Someone told Erika they saw you get taken into the forest."

"Yeah. And instead of calling for help, we kinda just ran into the forest without thinking. And hunters that had just got there took us in for being suspicious."

"And that's when I came to save the day!"

"You... Saved them Mr. Shoyo?"

"Just Shoyo is fine. And yeah, I caught them being released after questioning and heard they were your friends, so I thought why not bring em to the trial that'll be held?"

"That sounds awfully irresponsible, what if I had been executed?"

"Don't sweat the small details."

'This guy can't be serious.'

Is what Chifuyu thinks, but Shoyo did have full faith he would make it out the trial alive.

"So you're Chifuyu's friends, pleasure to meet you."

"N-no, t-the pleasure is all ours Vampire Lord!"

Ariel greets Chifuyu's closest friends, Dakota can't help but be tense so he bows deeply and shoves Erika's head down as well so she could follow suit while greeting her back.

"Loosen up Dakota, you can trust Ariel."

"Well, if you say so."

Never in a million years would Dakota have thought he'd someday talk to a vampire on friendly terms.

"Um, Oh Great Ariel."

"Please don't call me that."

"Lord Ariel, Queen of- Ah!"

Before Erika could finish the troublesome title she came up with for Ariel, she chops her on the neck.

"No honorifics are necessary, really."

"Sorry... Then, Ariel!"

Finally just calling her by her name, Erika clasped both of Ariel's hands together with hers.

"Thank you so much for saving Chifuyu, words can't begin to express my gratitude."

"Heh, don't mention it."

Erika stops herself from crying as a big smile forms on her face. Ariel removes one of her hands from Erika's grasp and swings it around her shoulder. She closes in on her ear to whisper something.

"So, what's your relationship with my master?"

"Wha-… re-relation… ship?"

Erika's face flushes red and she reflexively covers it with both of her hands. Chifuyu looks over in confusion.

"C'mon, you're dating aren't you? I know humans like to indulge themselves in acts of love."

"No, we aren't!"

Erika whispers back, buts it's like a loud whisper to show she means it.

"Ah, how boring."

Erika takes quick glances at Chifuyu to see if he heard any of that. Looks like he didn't.

"So Shoyo, what happens from here?"

Chifuyu knows he's not going to immediately become a hunter, he has to be trained first. There's also the matter of school. He's wondering if he has to drop out of high school.

"Well if you're wondering about school, you'll more than likely finish your high school education through homeschool. I highly doubt the Agency will let you continue to go in person. I don't want to scare you, but there was a vampire who stayed hidden at the forest. They undoubtedly reported Ariel's betrayal and that you're her master now, so they may target you."

"Target me?? Now I have to watch my back 24/7..."

"Don't worry, you're going to be receiving training after all. And it'll be from yours truly!"

"Wait, you're gonna train me Shoyo?"

"Hehe, surprised the strongest man will specially be showing you the ropes of being a hunter. I could finish your homeschool education as well, I'm doing the same for someone that should be your age."

"Well, I have no complaints if that's what I have to do. Guess I won't be able to play basketball anymore."

Chifuyu didn't know what he wanted to do for a career, but he did plan to play basketball until the end of college. Having to give up on that so suddenly naturally has him disappointed.

"Um, Mr. Shoyo."

"What's up?"

"Would it be possible for me to become a hunter along with Chifuyu?"

"Ho."

"Wha... Erika?"

"I thought about the possibility of you having to become a hunter ever since the trial started. Mainly because I didn't want you to die... I thought that would be the only solution, so if that would be the case I wouldn't let you leave me!"

"How could you decide this so quickly, you've been living a normal life up until now?"

"Chifuyu's right, do you know what becoming a hunter means?"

"Of course Dakota. Y'know you've told me before you'd rather become a hunter than go to college."

"Geh."

"Now you have a reason, we can't let Chifuyu do this alone!"

'She's forcing me too?!"

Dakota's thoughts are filled with a bleak future.

"No, you guys don't have to do this. I-"

"This is our choice Chifuyu!"

"Our?!" says Dakota silently.

"I don't have to think twice about becoming a hunter with you! Didn't we promise to go to the same college, just think of this being the same as that."

"Those aren't the same at all."

"You've got great friends Chifuyu."

"Shoyo..."

"I can put in word for you two to transfer to the Hunter Training Academy."

"Thank you!"

"Oh man."

"That is after we get permission from your parents."

"We're truly grateful!"

Erika bows deeply, this time pushing Dakota's head down so he can also bow, his face says he'll regret going along with this.

"I'll have some staff escort you two home, I'm sure mom and dad are worried since you stayed here for questioning all night. I have to talk with Chifuyu longer and submit some documents for him later."

"Again, thank you so much!"

"You're very welcome."

"We'll see you later Chifuyu."

"Yeah!"

Erika and Chifuyu wave each other off, Dakota is too busy pondering his future to say anything.

"Already having regrets?"

"Erika may say it's their decision, but I dragged them into this. If anything happens, it'll be my fault."

"No Chifuyu, the blame would be on me. You were dragged into this because of my return after all."

He doesn't reply to that, Chifuyu just looks at Ariel with sulking eyes.

"Eugh, all this selflessness is gonna make me puke. Chifuyu, you said you're not going to regret this, didn't you? All you have to do is get strong enough to protect them. Or what, do you think they won't be strong enough to protect themselves?"

Slap!

Shoyo gives Chifuyu a good slap on the face, this surprises both him and Ariel.

"Things are only just beginning, you don't have time to overthink. From here, you're going to have to only move forward."

'No matter what happens.'

Chifuyu takes a big breath in and out.

"Thanks, I'm all good now. I can trust them to take care of themselves. They're my friends after all."

"That's the spirit."

Chifuyu's grin returns to his face.