It turns out that by this morning, Makihisa Tohno had left the house, which explains his absence from the mansion.
That gave us greater freedom to go out without any problems.
But what was it that made me have to waste my time on a very annoying vampire? I don't really understand the need to have done something like this, but maybe it's a bit of fanservice.
By this point, Shiki Tohno basically stopped being treated like a human and was more like a little puppet of himself.
─Shiki, let's watch this movie now!
We've been going around from place to place.
It's 2PM right now.
After I recovered from my curry fainting, Arcueid kept pestering me over and over again until I ended up agreeing to go out with her.
It's been a while since we've been dating and we've seen a movie before. Arcueid came out of the cinema like an excited girl and immediately asked me to go and watch another movie.
I dare to mention that Aoko-san and Akiha were determined not to let me go out. I understand it for Aoko-san, who has already fought once against Arcueid in the past. But I really don't know why Akiha is bothered by Arcueid's presence.
As far as I know, Arcueid hasn't done anything to her.
─By the way, Arcueid.
─What's the matter, Shiki?
I was buying tickets for the next movie when I got the idea to ask her. The blonde looks at me expectantly with a smile.
I remember... the events of the early morning.
Arcueid was weakened because of me, which prevented her from carrying out her actions to a great extent, I can see that from how she almost died at Vlov's hands until I intervened.
Leaving aside the external elements that supported us, I can say that that was a battle that left us severely wounded, I can say that without hesitation.
My two engagements, against Nrvnqsr and Vlov, I can say that if they had stuck together to fight us, we would have been wiped out just like that.
In any case, I was the one who bore the brunt of it.
I still need to talk to Aoko-san and Touko-san, who can give me an explanation for the sudden improvement of my [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception]. I thought it was a coincidence, but lines have actually started to define lines in my vision even when I have my glasses on.
It may be a risky thing for the future.
I'm not going to take these glasses off for a while....
But well, this doesn't go with anything I want to ask Arcueid.
─Do you want popcorn and soda?
I ask with some discomfort. Although since we're outside, I guess that's the natural process, right?
I think right now Arcueid's eyes sparkled with joy when I asked her that question.
She answers me:
─Sure, Shiki! Buy the biggest one so we can share! Oh, and I'll have orange soda, please.
Mm. Okay.
After buying our snacks, we decided to wait for a while since the show is still going to take a bit longer to start.
─The previous movie was what they call a dramatic romance, right? ─. Arcueid asks me while we are waiting.
Huh...?
Was it...?
I didn't pay attention to more than half of the movie because I was thinking about how to give an explanation for the growth of my [Mystic Eyes].
It bothers me that it's sudden and that the lines are drawn in random places or people.
I wonder if the effectiveness of my lenses can be increased?
─Hey, Shiki.
Arcueid's voice suddenly brought me out of my thoughts.
─Hey, did you say something?
─I knew you weren't listening? ─. After saying that, Arcueid lets out a sigh.
She sounds a bit annoyed.
─Sorry, I was thinking about something unimportant. But yes, the previous movie was about dramatic romance.
I heard a part of what she said, at least. That's why I was able to answer his earlier question.
Arcueid, now with a slightly annoyed expression asks me back:
─What are you thinking so much about, Zelretch's relativity?
Is there such a thing...? That old man is very idle.
─I know! When I was little, he was always wandering around pointlessly.
Should we be talking about a [Magician] like this? I really don't have the slightest idea about it...
For her part, Aoko-san is someone I trust quite a bit and I'm sure she trusts me the same way I do.
And to be honest, Aoko-san is the last person I would ever raise my knife against. Not only because she would give me a crushing defeat, but also, of course, because of all the respect I have for her as a person and as my teacher.
It is the same with Touko-san, who has taught me countless things about the world that I did not know beyond my perception.
Was it a mistake to ask Aoko-san to live with her that time? To be completely honest, I don't even know myself.
What direction would my life have taken if Aoko-san hadn't been with me? That's a bit of a difficult question for someone like me to answer. Maybe I should ask old Zelretch if I ever get to see him again.
─Anyway, Shiki. Tell me what's bothering you, I may not look very reliable, but I can answer any question you want to ask me.
I really don't know if I can answer everything I want....
But if it can serve as a future reference for me, I guess I could ask a couple of questions.
─So... How much do you know about the [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception], Arcueid?
─Probably a little more than you do, but if you still want to hear me out, I'll go through the information I'm sure you already know step by step.
─If it's not too much trouble.
Arcueid first takes a popcorn from all the popcorn we have and pops it into his mouth.
After chewing and swallowing. She takes a sip of her orange soda before she begins to speak. I don't understand the need to have done all this just to talk, though.
─It's written as pronounced "Chokushi no Magan" whose translation is literally [Mystic Eyes of Direct Death], but in our interpretations we call it [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception] and they are an extravagance among all the types of [Mystic Eyes] that exist.
Mm. That's general knowledge for me.
Ryougi-san had already given me that information before, so for the time being, it's not something too complex for me.
─As you may know, acquiring them occurs after exposure to death itself. Your eyes are a hybrid mix between [Mystic Eyes] and [Pure Eyes], however, they are more considered towards the ESP side.
─ESP?
─Take your friend, Shiki Ryougi as an example. ESP, by its acronym stands for "Extra Sensory Perception", as far as I understand, the [Ryougi Family] was dedicated to demon hunting until a few years ago. The members of her family have two separate personalities in one individual. She taught you some tricks, right?
─Yes... but how do you know?
─I'm not a fool, I watched you two fight together against Vlov in the last round. You trust each other and work well as a team, your moves were so similar that it would have been impossible not to notice.
─Sometimes it's hard for me to keep up with him.... Ryougi-san is much faster and more agile than me, her thought process is on a totally different plane.
Mm? You're telling me she's faster than you were when you murdered me? If it's not wrong to remind you, you cut me into seventeen pieces in a single second.
Ah...
That's right. I cut her body seventeen times in an instant. Something I've never seen even Ryougi-san do. I wonder what happened at that moment.
─You say it like that, but... Shiki, you're a monster. More than Nrvnqsr, Vlov and I put together. If you thought they seemed powerful, it's because they didn't stand against you and your eyes at first instance, they used questionable means to make you fight to the best of your abilities and that's what allowed you to be here today.
Arcueid says this with a serious tone.
I don't know how far the seriousness of her words goes, but I think she does it in such a way that there is no way for me to deny it.
Shiki Tohno is a monster... maybe she's right.
I've had these strange eyes for eight years now, of course I'm going to be a much bigger monster than a vampire. Vampires can kill the living with one blow, however, I can kill even what is already dead.
Who is more terrible then?
Me, or the vampires?
I don't know.
I really don't know.
What should I do, then?
─But don't worry, Shiki. You've done more than enough for me, so you should rest and forget about me.
─Huh?
What Arcueid just said?
What?
─Am I no longer of any use to you?
─It's not that... you see, while you were asleep, [Blue] and [Scarred Red]... I mean, Aoko and Touko Aozaki spoke to me.
With a complicated expression, Arcueid averts his gaze from me and continues speaking:
─They told me not to keep involving you in this, and they're right. You accomplished in a single night the execution of two vampires that would have taken [The Burial Agency] an eternity to complete, you exposed yourself to danger to the limit, and you threw away for a moment what made you human to fight on equal terms with two vampires.
...
─Shiki, this is probably going to be the last time we see each other, so I wanted to make the most of it. Rest assured, you owe me absolutely nothing anymore. You helped me more than enough last night... and you even lost a classmate because of me. So, it would be better if we split up.
...
─You have a family that appreciates you a lot, Shiki. Everyone around you are people you can trust with your back, so don't feel sad. What if, whether by luck or misfortune, we meet again. And that time I won't have a job to complete.
...
What is this empty-headed vampire talking about?
Even if it's something Aoko-san and Touko-san said... this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I know that going against my guardians' restrictions is something that would warrant punishment, however, there's no way Shiki Tohno can be at ease after this.
I have responsibilities to fulfil as I have no choice, I know this is wrong. But there is no way I can let it go.
For some reason, Shiki Tohno has the need to help Arcueid Brunestud.
And that fact will not change now.
─The "what if" is idiotic. I've never gone against Aoko-san or Touko-san's orders, but Arcueid... there's no way I can leave you on your own, not after how you were injured after the last battle.
─Is that idiotic...? Well, I like "what ifs". And even though I got injured yesterday, it doesn't mean I'm not recovering right now, Shiki. I'm very strong!
To disprove what I was saying... I took off my glasses for a moment and looked at her carefully.
Arcueid was stunned when I did this.
According to the [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception], she's not well. Not at all. There are a few lines that pass over her body smoothly, which was unusual even for Arcueid.
Her life is so feverish and easy to break right now, that just running a razor across her skin would be enough to produce a wound that even she, as the [Princess of True Ancestors] couldn't heal in an instant.
─No way are you alright. ─. I say, putting my glasses back on.
Arcueid made an even more complicated expression now. She could no longer deny in any way that she was unwell.
As a man, I have to continue my work until the end of it.
Therefore...
─Things are going to get really complicated... worse now that Noel somehow became a [Rank VI], there is one more enemy to defeat and not knowing when she will attack, all of us are in constant danger. You'll need all the attack strength that's available, so don't say something like I'm going to abandon you after a fight.
It is true that this morning I was dying of fear. I was afraid that at any moment, death would be waiting for me there.
But I had the will to wait patiently until the last opening to make the most of it.
To be completely honest, yes, I almost died.
However, that is not enough to make me retire. Shiki Tohno, he has faced more enemies in the past than he has now, so it shouldn't be a problem if we keep things this way, right?
Even if it means losing my daily life, I'm fine with it. After all, this is something I got myself into from the moment I killed Arcueid.
I may not be a murderer, but even I wouldn't be able to abandon someone who needs my support.
─Then, I'll be selfish and won't let you refuse my help. I don't know what things we will face in the near future, but I'm counting on you to deliver the best possible results.
Arcueid looked down slightly and nodded. I suppose she must feel guilty for making me go against an order from my guardians, but I don't think that matters right now.
I'm going to help her whether I want to or not.
That's Shiki Tohno's resolution right now.
I will not hesitate to help Arcueid again.