At the cosmic base, Riku paced steadily from left to right, his movements filled with restless energy. He was eager to join the upcoming mission, his eyes occasionally darting toward Saya and Paulo, the only two selected to embark on it.
Though he was not chosen, his determination to be involved was palpable.
As the final preparations were underway, Saya turned to Paulo with a thoughtful expression and asked, "If we were to search Earth for these elusive vampires, where do you think we'd have the best chance of finding them?"
Paulo paused, his gaze distant as if reaching into memories long buried. "Rikako High School," he finally replied. "It is in Tokyo. That was my home city… before I died."
Saya's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice tinged with surprise. "Wait, I thought you went to Keiko High School. You were there with me, Ava, and Tsuki. The school still have no idea where they or me are."
Paulo nodded slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You are right. I did go to Keiko High with you all. But Rikako High is different. I have connections there even if I did not go, I know people who might still remember me or at least know something useful."
He then gestured his eyes toward Saya's gear, specifically the newly acquired tengu mask Yuki gave him. "Take that mask and head to Keiko High. Go with Tsuki and Ava. Search the school thoroughly. There might be clues hidden in places we overlooked before. Meanwhile, I will go to Rikako High alone. I know a few people there who might help us track down the vampires. If they are hiding anywhere in Tokyo, that is where we will find the trail."
***
Meanwhile, over at Rikako High on Earth, life continued as usual, completely unaware of the looming threat that endangered everyone on the planet.
The students and staff continued, oblivious to the peril quietly unfolding around them.
The next day on Friday at 8:10 am. The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Rikako High School, casting soft golden light across the polished floors.
Students were beginning to trickle in, their chatter echoing faintly through the corridors. The bell had not rung yet, but the energy of the day was already building.
Lily Hanamori rushed through the school gates, her bag bouncing against her side as she hurried toward her classroom.
Her heart raced, not from the sprint, but from the anxiety that she might be late. She hated being late. It made her feel disorganized, and worse, it meant less time to see Max.
She burst into the classroom, panting slightly, only to find it mostly empty. A quick glance at the clock above the whiteboard made her blink in surprise.
"Wait… it's only 8:10?" she muttered to herself. "Class doesn't start until 8:30…"
She sighed, relieved but slightly embarrassed. She had rushed for nothing. Still, she was glad to be early.
She made her way to her usual seat in the far corner of the room, the one by the window where she could watch the cherry trees sway outside. She sat down quietly, pulling out her phone and resting her chin on her hand.
Her eyes scanned the room again. No sign of Max.
"Where is he?" she whispered, her thumb hovering over her screen. She missed him already. It had only been a day since they last saw each other, but for Lily, which felt like forever.
She opened her messages and typed quickly, her emotions spilling into the words: I miss you Max… I do not care what people say about you. I do not care if you caused Paulo's depression in middle school. I miss you too much… please come soon.
She stared at the message for a moment before hitting send. Her heart ached a little. She knew Max had a complicated past; he was not always the kindest person back then. But he had changed. He was softer now, more thoughtful. She saw that in the way he smiled at her, in the way he listened.
Just then, Shingo Masusa walked into the room, his backpack slung casually over one shoulder. He spotted Lily and gave her a friendly wave before walking over.
"Hey, Lily," he said, sliding into the seat next to hers. "You are here early. Thought you hated mornings."
Lily gave a small smile. "I thought I was late… turns out I'm twenty minutes early."
Shingo chuckled. "Classic. You always panic over nothing."
Lily glanced at her phone again, then looked up at Shingo. "Have you seen Max today?"
Shingo shook his head. "Not yet. He might be running late. Or maybe he stopped by the café. You know how he is, always craving those ridiculous strawberry mochi buns."
Lily smiled faintly, but her eyes were still clouded with worry. "I texted him. I just… I really miss him."
Shingo leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully. "You know, Lily… Max is lucky to have someone who cares that much. Even with everything that happened in middle school, you are still here for him."
Lily nodded slowly. "People change, Shingo. I have changed. Max has too. I just wish others could see that."
Shingo gave her a thoughtful look. "Some do. Sakura does. I do. And Max knows it too."
Lily smiled again, this time more genuinely. "Thanks, Shingo."
"No problem," he said, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Anyway, if he does not show up in the next ten minutes, I will text him too. Maybe he overslept."
Lily giggled. "He better not. I will drag him out of bed myself."
They both laughed softly, the tension easing just a little as the classroom began to fill with more students.
***
The halls of Rikako High School buzzed with quiet anticipation.
Today was entrance test day, a major placement exam for new and returning students.
At the front reception desk, a boy with tousled black hair and tired eyes stood awkwardly, clutching a worn backpack.
"Name?" asked the receptionist, barely glancing up. "Paulo Satoshi," he replied, voice low but steady. The receptionist frowned, flipping through a printed list. "Hmm… I do not see you here."
Paulo shifted uncomfortably. "I was told I could take the test today. I transferred late." "No record," she said flatly. "You will have to take the test anyway. If you pass, we will sort the rest out."
Paulo nodded, resigned. He was not surprised. Ever since middle school, he had felt invisible, especially after everything that happened with Max. But he was not here to dwell on the past. He was here to prove something.
***
Meanwhile in class 2-B, the atmosphere was more relaxed. Students chatted, flipped through notes, or stared out the window.
Lily Hanamori sat beside Max Sly, her hand resting lightly on his arm as they whispered to each other.
"You're late," she teased softly. Max smirked. "Fashionably. You know me." Lily rolled her eyes but smiled. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," Max said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Even if you're clingy." She nudged him playfully. "You love it." Before Max could reply, the door slid open. A hush fell over the room.
A girl stepped inside, tall, pale, with long silver hair that shimmered like moonlight. Her eyes were a deep crimson, almost glowing.
She wore the standard Rikako uniform, but something about her presence made the air feel colder.
"Whoa," Shingo whispered from across the room. "Who's that?" Sakura leaned toward him. "New student, maybe?"
The teacher looked up from his desk. "Ah, yes. Class, this is Vaelia. She is joining us starting today. Please make her feel welcome."
Vaelia gave a small nod, her gaze sweeping the room. She moved gracefully to an empty seat near the back, her steps silent, her expression unreadable.
Lily leaned closer to Max. "She's… intense." Max narrowed his eyes. "Something's off."
No one knew it yet, but Vaelia was not just a new student. She was a vampire, ancient, powerful, and hiding in plain sight.
The classroom buzzed with quiet conversation as students settled into their seats. Vaelia sat near the back, her crimson eyes scanning the room with subtle intensity. She did not speak. She did not need to. Her presence alone was enough to draw curious glances and hushed whispers.
But Vaelia was not focused on the humans around her. She was listening and feeling.
Her senses, far sharper than any mortal's, stretched beyond sight and sound.
She could feel the warmth of blood pulsing through veins, the flicker of emotions, the subtle vibrations of life. And then… something else.
A chill. It crept in like a shadow, threading through the air like smoke. Her eyes narrowed. Someone was approaching the school. Someone… wrong.
***
In the Testing Hall, Paulo Satoshi sat alone at a desk in the testing hall, pencil in hand, eyes locked on the paper in front of him.
His expression was calm, but inside, his thoughts churned. He was not here just to take a test. He was here to reclaim something. To prove he was not weak. That he was not the boy Max had humiliated years ago.
His aura pulsed with quiet rage, contained, but potent. It was not visible to humans. But it was there. A dark, simmering energy that clung to him like smoke.
Vaelia's eyes snapped toward the window. Her pupils dilated slightly, her breath slowing. There it is again… A presence. Not human. Not like her, but something twisted. Something dangerous.
She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. Several students turned to look. "Is she okay?" Sakura whispered to Shingo. Vaelia did not answer. She walked to the window, staring out toward the testing hall across the courtyard.
Max glanced at Lily. "What's her deal?" Lily shrugged. "She's been weird since she walked in." Vaelia's voice was low, almost inaudible. "He's here…"
Shingo blinked. "Who?"
Vaelia turned slowly, her eyes glowing faintly. "The one with the aura. The one who does not belong." Max stood up, his expression hardening. "You mean Paulo?"
Vaelia's gaze locked onto his. "You know him." Max hesitated. "We went to middle school together. Things… did not end well." Vaelia's voice was colder now. "He carries hatred. It is thick. Poisonous. Only non-humans can feel it."
Lily's eyes widened.
"Wait, what do you mean 'non-humans'?" Vaelia did not answer. She turned back to the window, her fingers tightening against the sill. If Paulo's aura grows stronger… it could awaken something far worse.
***
The classroom door slammed open with a force that made everyone jump. Paulo Satoshi stood in the doorway; his eyes locked onto Vaelia.
His presence was different, charged, electric. Students fell silent, sensing something was wrong.
Vaelia's crimson eyes met his instantly. Her body tensed. He is here. Before anyone could speak, Paulo vanished from the doorway in a blur of motion.
In less than a heartbeat, he was beside Vaelia, his foot already swinging.
"Vampire," he hissed. The kick connected with her side, sending her flying through the open window. Gasps erupted across the room.
But instead of crashing to the ground, Vaelia twisted midair, her body light as a feather. She landed gracefully on the grass field below, crouched like a predator, her hair flowing around her like silver fire.
Max shot up from his seat. "What the hell was that?!" Lily clutched his arm. "Is she okay?!" Shingo and Sakura ran to the window, peering down at the scene unfolding below.
Paulo stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly with a dark energy. His stance was sharp, practiced, every muscle coiled for combat.
"She's not human," he said coldly. "None of you can feel it, but I can. And I will not let her stay here."
Vaelia stood slowly, brushing dust from her skirt. Her voice rang out, calm and chilling. "You are not human either, Paulo. That aura… it reeks of bloodlust."
"I'm human enough," Paulo growled. "And my mission is clear. Vampires do not belong in this world."
Vaelia's eyes narrowed. "Then you'll have to kill me." The wind picked up around them, rustling the trees as students gathered at the windows, watching in stunned silence.
The peaceful morning had shattered. Rikako High was no longer just a school, it had become a battleground.