Noah pops open the can as he contemplates, deciding that he might as well drink it since he has it, and places it to his lips. He takes a large gulp, and as the smooth liquid slides down his throat, his eyes widen in surprise. He looks at the can again; it does say cranberry juice, but it's not like any he's had before. In fact, if he didn't know better, he'd think this was tomato juice. However, it has a much stronger taste, and he starts to wonder—could this perhaps be… human blood? He chugs the rest down.
Noah hasn't had human blood since that time with Stinson, and he's never wanted to. He can understand why normal Junsui go crazy over it, though—it's so much more potent and delicious. He might just become addicted. Humans would never know to give him this. However, this nurse clearly knew what he needed, despite not having the 'tomato juice.' He finds it hard to believe, as she seemed normal.
Nurse…. He never actually got her name. Despite wishing to remain human-blood free, he notices he's starting to feel better after drinking it. So he decides to accept her offer and drink the other two, which taste just as strong and delicious. It's so good, in fact, that he feels like he wants even more. He decides to make an exception and accept human blood. He rummages through the fridge but can't find any more. It seems that was the last of it, to his disappointment.
"Need some more?" Noah jumps at the sudden voice that cuts through the silence and spins around to see who has spoken. He sees a boy… at least they could be. With long eyelashes and a gentle face, they could pass for a girl as well. However, their chest seems flat, which would signify a boy, but their pants show no indication of that slight bulge most guys would possess, and now Noah's just confused. This person, with long black hair in a braid to the back, a wide-spanning bang covering half of their face so that only one blue-green eye is exposed, and two small braids to the side, smirks mysteriously.
"Who are you?" Noah looks at this person with confusion, who returns a sly gaze and smile.
"The name's Ouran, Ouran of Tourer Kenai. And to save you the trouble of asking, I'm a boy… but also a girl. So in other words, I'm genderless and have parts that are both male and female. Is that enough?"
Noah has so many new questions brought on by his initial one, but all he says is, "That's pretty amazing."
Ouran is visibly surprised for the first time. "Wait, you don't think it's gross or disgusting, or that I'm a freak? I mean, it's not normal for people to be like this, human or otherwise, so why would you…?"
"I don't think it's gross at all. I mean, it's just who you are. It's not like you can help how you're born. Trust me, I'd change myself in a heartbeat if I could, but unfortunately, I'm stuck in this cursed existence for an eternity. Just be happy you can hide your affliction and live a fairly normal human life."
Ouran is caught off guard and can hardly believe that the man they've idolized for so long is actually saying such kind words. "I wonder if you'd still say that if you saw my true form?"
"True form? Is this not your true form?" Noah is effectively confused once again.
Ouran changes their expression from flattery to one of sinister amusement. They suddenly move forward and lean over Noah, who's sitting on the edge of the bed. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours," they whisper into Noah's ear, making him shudder and causing him to become flustered. Ouran laughs. "I'm surprised you'd ask that. I would've thought all of those questions would be obvious to someone like you as a fellow Bakemon."
"Bakemon? What's that?" Noah feels like he's heard it before, but he can't remember where.
"Wow, you really don't know anything, do you? I'd heard that you may have fragmented memories, but I didn't think it'd be this bad, Helios…."
"Helios?" Noah digs through his memory, trying to recall it. "That man called me that before—Mikael, I think."
Ouran's expression cracks briefly, but they quickly recover. Ouran sits on the bed beside Noah and leans back with one leg over the other knee. "Okay, Noah, I'll give you a crash course in your heritage and all things Bakemon."
Noah feels as though he may be opening a can of worms he shouldn't, but curiosity gets the better of him. "Okay then, tell me everything you know—though I'm not claiming to be whatever a Bakemon is."
"Yeah, I got it. I'll let you play oblivious for a bit longer." Ouran pauses for a moment, then starts. "Okay, so first things first: a Bakemon is a term that the humans of the New Age have coined to refer to people like us. We are the abnormals, mutants, damned, or whatever you want to call us. Ultimately, Bakemon are the group of beings that have breached the limitations of mere humanity and have risen to a higher state of being. I think the most commonly used term would be supernaturals, or more so, monsters. We are the things that children's nightmares are made of, and those that plague the happiness of many societies."
Noah is very intrigued. "Wait, so are you saying that there are other beings out there besides Junsuikaoni? They've never talked about anything else in all of our lessons, so how could that be?"
"As if they'd discuss such despicable things in such public institutions. They wouldn't even talk about the Junsui if they weren't such a huge threat to them. We've always been there; it's just that we tend to stay low-key. It's how we've survived all this time. Though I'm sure there are loads of others who don't even know what they are, just like I didn't before. Now I almost can't believe that any of it's real."
"Well, maybe it's not—maybe you're just crazy. I don't know why you keep grouping me with you anyway. I'm not a Bakemon or whatever." He does his best to sound convincing but fails terribly.
"Helios let's stop the pretense. You and I both know you are not human. You're no more human than that cranberry juice is actually cranberry. I get why you have to keep it a secret from the rest of the Academy, but you don't need to be with me because you and I are the same. In fact, I feel as though we're soulmates."
"Soulmates? Hold on there, dude… or whatever. You and I are definitely not soulmates or anything of the sort. I'm not going to say either way if I'm what you claim, but if you're so serious about this stuff, then please enlighten me and tell me what you are. I'm eager to hear more about these Bakemon."
Ouran smirks. "You'd love to know, wouldn't you? However, I'm afraid we've run out of time."
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm not on any—" Just as he starts to say this, he hears footsteps approach.
"Noah! Are you up yet, you lazy bum?" Tahno snatches open the curtain, revealing the two. Everyone is surprised to see the unfamiliar guest. "Well, what a surprise. Am I interrupting something?" He smirks.
Noah rolls his eyes, realizing that Tahno must think Ouran is a girl. Well, they technically are, but also a boy… it's just so confusing to Noah, but for now, he just sets him straight. "No! This is just… this is Ouran."
Tahno looks at him skeptically, then shrugs and reaches out his hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm—"
With a loud smack, Ouran swats his hand away and scowls. "Don't you dare touch me, you cretin!"
Tahno is slightly surprised at the unexpected reaction but doesn't flinch in the least. "Okay then."
The others, including Noah, look on in horror at the one who dared to strike the great General Tahno and face him head-on. The room is silent as the two stare each other down in sheer intensity. However, Ouran finally breaks their gaze and stands, facing Noah. "It seems we'll have to talk again another time, Noah; I'll find you when the time is right. Thanks for everything." They emphasize that final word in a very flirty manner, then lean down to quickly kiss his cheek, making his face turn red.
Ouran turns and, without another word to any of them, walks out, but not before giving Lili a side glance and a gloating smirk, which Lili returns with one of confusion. Mai, however, understands and gives Ouran the appropriate glare right back, making Ouran grin in sinister delight as they exit the clinic.
"Who was that? Was that a guy or…?" Nik asks with reasonable confusion and intrigue.
"That was… well, that was just Ouran." Noah isn't sure what else to say to them, especially since Ouran may want to keep their particular condition a secret. However, most importantly, he finds himself quite curious about who Ouran really is. Are they a friend, or a potential enemy? And what of these Bakemon? He decides he has to know more, even if it leads him down the rabbit hole of despair.