Gin no Juujika to Draculea - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
"Is there anything you've figured out? Not just Hi-kun, even Eruru-chan is making such a solemn look?" The group was gathered around the long table in the student council office. Mei was the first to speak. Right now, the only people present were her and Eruru, as well as Kirika who had provided the student council office. The president and the other student council members were not around, making this the perfect spot for a confidential conversation. "Kujou-san had a thorough checkup this morning." "Oh my, you two have progressed to that point already? Should I cook red beans and rice to celebrate?" "...Sudou-san." Kirika scolded Mei for her messing around and urged Eruru to continue with her gaze. "The object of the tests was about Kujou-san's const.i.tution." "Oh you've checked it before, right? But nothing came out in the end, didn't it?" "Indeed. No particular conclusion was reached this time either. However, more time was spent on the physiological a.n.a.lysis, hence some of that Miraluka vampire's intent could be deduced as a result." "What's going on? Why does she want to kill Rush.e.l.la?" Eruru did not answer Kirika. Instead, she asked her and Mei another question. "Let me ask you two. How would you destroy a vampire?" Why ask this now? Mei and Kirika exchanged glances in puzzlement. "Hmm, expose them to sunlight... Stake them through the heart?" "Decapitation then crush the head... Although it's so b.l.o.o.d.y that I don't really want to actually do it." Eruru nodded quietly, seemingly satisfied with these cliched answers. "Correct indeed. Conversely, attacks to the head and heart will cause fatal injuries to vampires. These locations cannot regenerate." "I know that kind of stuff but what does it have to do with the current incident?" "Are you implying that Miraluka is actually a fake... The real one is already dead?" Eruru shook her head and refuted Kirika's question. "No, she is most likely the real one, which is why Kujou-san feels so troubled. Just as he told us, Miraluka possesses the greatest powers of regeneration among all vampires. Surviving on willpower alone was most likely true. But she is currently very weak. She has no more time." "Incomplete regeneration? I don't think I saw her in pain or discomfort?" Mei tried hard to recall what had happened but could not identify anything unusual. Since she had lost that badly in a contest of strength, she ought to conclude that Miraluka was very strong, not weak. "She is flawed but not in pain. That is why our attacks failed. I found it strange at the time and Kujou-san probably noticed it. He probably did not tell us because he refused to admit it. This time, the wool was pulled over his eyes as well." "What do you mean? She looks very normal in appearance, right? What is she lacking?" Seeing Kirika baffled, Eruru pointed at the left of her own chest. "She is lacking a heart." " "HUH!?" " Mei and Kirika were stunned speechless while Eruru continued: "Yesterday, my silver bullet shot through her heart. The bullet definitely pierced the chest. Supposing the bullet was blocked by a rib, or stayed in the heart, she should have suffered severe injury, but she still managed to live. But the bullet definitely pierced her body with the same effect as a wooden stake piercing the heart, yet she did not perish. Why?" Incomprehensible. How would one know? Mei and Kirika could only shake their heads with pale faces. "The answer is simple. She has no heart to begin with. Since it is not there, it cannot be destroyed. Hence the bullet shot through easily because there was no obstacle, because there was no heart there at all." "Umm... Hold on, hold on right there, how does she live without a heart!?" "Was her heart damaged and did not regenerate for some reason!? But if that's the case, she should be destroyed, right?" Neither of them could accept it. Eruru indifferently explained the results of Hisui's tests. "Her heart still exists. Even right now, it is currently beating. However, it is outside her body." Mei and Kirika looked at each other. Judging from the earlier conversation, the answer was right in front of them. "Could it be... her heart..." "Inside Kujou-kun's body..." "Indeed. Her heart has been transplanted into Kujou-san. Kujou-san suffered a heavy injury overseas with severe damage to his heart. There was no other way to save him. The operation was probably performed without even using anesthetics but at the time, Kujou-san was in no condition to care what exactly she was doing to him. However, he seems to remember hazily. The scar left on his chest, the special const.i.tution rendering vampirization ineffective, as well as his memories of her performing chest compressions desperately. Judging from the surgical scars and the ECG, he definitely went through an operation. Unlike dhampirs like me, he is a human with vampire powers residing in his body." This explanation brought upon a long silence. Miraluka barely managed to survive with her heart beating outside her body. This miraculous sustenance of life was only made possible by an immortal vampire. However, this could not possibly be sustained indefinitely. "Right now, her body is an empty sh.e.l.l without a core. Precisely because she is a True Ancestor, she is barely hanging on to life. Even with her heart outside her body, as long as the heart remains fine, she remains immortal--That is precisely a vampire." "How long can she last like this?" Mei asked seriously. Whether or not her heart was inside her body, it was fine as long as she lived. At least Hisui would be satisfied. But if her resurrection was only temporary, if she was no longer eternal... She must definitely be planning something as a result. "Since her heart is absent from her body, she might perish any time. At least, she is currently so weak that she cannot even heal the injury from blocking a bullet with her hand. She probably cannot last much longer. The reason she gathered huge quant.i.ties of blood was most likely to find a solution. But she discovered that it was futile whether she sought quality or quant.i.ty. Hence, she now regards Rush.e.l.la as her last resort for salvation." "Using her... as a backup heart?" Kirika concluded. Her original heart was sustaining Hisui's life and could not be taken out, of course. Hence, she could only search for a subst.i.tute. Using a vampire's regenerative abilities, transplanting another person's organs or limbs were not a problem at all. "Indeed. But this is a heart after all, so it cannot be replaced so easily. A human heart is definitely not going to work while ordinary vampires will not necessarily satisfy her. Hence, she chose the heart closest to her own, one closest to a True Ancestor's heart. The answer is... Rush.e.l.la." Eruru concluded. After a moment's silence, Mei said: "Will this... succeed? It's a heart after all? If taking it out and installing it would work, she wouldn't have to go through so much trouble." Kirika also agreed. This action could lead to futility. "Even if the transplant succeeds, there is no guarantee how long she will live. Then wouldn't Rush.e.l.la-san have died for nothing? If her heart is taken out of her body, Rush.e.l.la-san would surely perish instantly." "Indeed, perhaps you two are right. Miraluka surviving is a miracle. Kujou-san sustaining the heart is also a miracle. The two of them meeting again is yet another miracle. However, she is still gambling everything on this. Most likely, she must have tried all sorts of solutions after returning but none worked. Still, she clings to life, refusing to give up." "It must be for Hi-kun." "Women are the weaker s.e.x, yet they are powerful as mothers... No, rather, it is a woman's dedication." The girls smiled wryly. We really can't win against her--Their smiles carried such a realization. The True Ancestor who had chosen destruction for the sake of a boy. Now, she was seeking life for the same boy. The trio fell silent. Eruru looked at her cellphone. A text from Rangetsu. "She says Rush.e.l.la-san has gone missing. Presumably, she would not leave on her own... Miraluka probably visited." "Oh my, what a pain! Vampires really can't give us a break!" "No helping it... She is doing it for Kujou-kun after all." Mei and Kirika stood up and left the student council office. Eruru was about to follow them when they asked her at the same time. "You're not going to tell Hi-kun?" "Keeping him out... Isn't that not good?" Eruru was struggling internally too. Not wanting to get him involved, these was Eruru's benevolent intent--As long as the few of them could handle this matter, it would be for the best. However, Eruru chose something else. "Please go ahead first, you two. Oogami-san already memorized her smell so it should be easy to track her. You two meet up with Oogami-san first." "Okay, I'm leaving Hi-kun to you❤" "We will be waiting for you." Eruru saw them off then ran through the corridor to that empty cla.s.sroom. "Hisui-kun, you look like it's the end of the world." Hisui was sprawled over a desk. Touko was hovering leisurely by his side. She was actually quite annoying but today, Hisui found her presence calming. Seeing things getting complicated, perhaps she was the only one who could remain uninvolved. "Touko-san, you're in such good spirits even though you're dead." After saying that, he realized he was being way too sarcastic. But Touko did not mind. Raising her arms, she curled her forearms and made an energetic pose. "Yes❤ You've gotta enjoy life to the max!" "Well, your life has already ended, Touko-san..." "Of course not. Earth-bound spirits still need love!" "You'd better pray for love in your next life. By the way, don't you want to move on to the afterlife?" "Feelings are very important for things like that. When the time comes, I might disappear without even the chance to finish saying 'I am so happy...'" Touko laughed sadly. On further thought, Hisui realized her presence was the weakest. After all, the vast majority of people could not sense her existence. By the time people were able to see her, they were perhaps already dead. "...Touko-san, what about your family? Whether or not you want to move on, since you never got the chance to say goodbye to them, how about find them... and meet them or something?" "Hmm, my family situation wasn't too good. I think they've moved away already so I don't have to visit on purpose. Getting too attached to things from my life won't help. I have to live by looking to the future!" "Yeah, well, you're already dead..." It was no joking matter for a dead person to be advising a living person on how to live. "By the way... What's troubling you, Hisui-kun? Is it that pretty lady?" "Yeah, pretty much. She's currently alive probably because of me. It feels like she crawled out of the grave because she was too worried about me. Clearly it's something to be happy about but I can't feel happy, so lame of me. I don't wish for her to be better off dead, but..." "But?" --Could he stand aside and ignore Rush.e.l.la's death? Indeed, he had been asking himself. He ought to talk to her and ask if there existed some other solution. However, Miraluka must have thought over this type of question already. Before revealing herself, she must have tried many solutions. However, finding nothing, her limit was approaching. Hence-- "Actually, don't make things out to be too complicated, okay?" Touko the optimist spoke while going in a circle in the air. Seeing her so optimistic, Hisui could not help but retort harshly. "What do you mean? I'm facing a war between the mother-in-law and the bride. How do you expect me to get out of this kind of hopeless situation?" "Hmm, choosing between the two of them, who is the most important, but do you really need to agonize over this kind of thing?" Touko was still drifting back and forth on the side. Looking detached from the mundane world, she was simply speaking as an observer and elder. "Because you're all alive. Unlike me, you're all living. Important people, important things, these will all increase as time goes by. If you have to rank everything and pick out what's the most important, doesn't that mean giving up on so many things?" "..." "Isn't it better to live life more greedily, embracing everyone in your bosom?" Touko smiled tenderly. Hisui could not help but smile too. Oh I see now. Actually, he already knew a long time ago. "Elders are different after all." "Despite how I look, I am like an older sister! Do you know why I am so great?" "Now I know. But don't move on until I leave this school, okay?" "Yes, I will stay here for ten more years!" That's way too long--Hisui could not help but remark in his heart. Then he left the empty cla.s.sroom and ended up running into Eruru in the hallway. "Kariya..." "Rush.e.l.la-san has gone missing. She is most likely with your foster mother. Are you coming?" "Yeah." "Perhaps one of them might end up dead. Rather, I might be firing my gun." "No problem. I will try my best to stop them." "What a fool. Why don't you stop interfering in conflicts between vampires?" "Don't say that. If you get into a fight with someone, I will try to stop it too." "..." Eruru went silent. Gazing at Hisui, her expression was inscrutable. "...What? Shouldn't we hurry?" Hisui urged. Hence, Eruru finally resolved herself to speak. "I have something I wanted to say to you. Starting a long time ago, I have wanted to tell you this." "What?" "I... I..." Taking a deep breath, she stared into Hisui's eyes and said, one word at a time: "I ABSOLUTELY HATE YOU!!" "Huh?" Hisui was baffled. He completely failed to understand. "Uh, I never got the feeling you liked me... But I never expected to hear something so harsh from you directly." "I have always wanted to tell you those words." "Hmm, fine, can't be helped... On the other hand, I like you quite a lot." Instantly, Eruru's entire face went bright red. Hisui did not notice and continued. "You're a person with a heart, you helped me so much... Anyway, thank you." "..." "So... Let's continue to get along." As soon as he said that, Hisui felt himself getting kicked in the s.h.i.+n. That force felt like it was enough to break a wooden bat. "Ouch, what the heck!?" "Shut up, that is what I hate about you! How can you be considerate for others all the time, how can you be so handsome and gallant, how can you be born with such smarts, everything about you p.i.s.ses me off!" "Y-You don't have to go so far..." Rejected by her totally, Hisui could not help feeling a little sad. Seeing Hisui make that kind of face, Eruru seemed to get angry. As for why she was angry, Hisui totally could not understand. "In any case, keep yourself the same, the way I hate you! Don't carelessly change yourself, that will be even more annoying! So... So.. Stay the same as always!" "...Hmm, okay... I will." Hisui answered and got kicked again. Just as he was about to protest, Eruru grabbed his hand. "Okay, hurry!" "I know! Sigh, what p.i.s.sed you off so much..." While running through the corridor, Hisui muttered in puzzlement. Behind them, Touko was happily watching them leave. "My heart...?" Rush.e.l.la covered her left breast. Indeed, that was where Miraluka aimed last time. But why? "Are you saying you want to destroy me completely because I am in your way..!?" "If I wanted to destroy you, I would have done it a long time ago. I simply want your heart, that is all." "I am asking you your goal...!" "Have you heard of heart transplants? Because... I don't have one..." Miraluka took off her inverness dress then unclasped a strap to reveal her left breast. On the white and pale breast, surpa.s.sing Rush.e.l.la's in volume, a clear bullet hole was visible. It was an empty hole left on the chest after being pierced by a bullet. "You...!" "Who knows when this wound will heal up. But rather, whether I can survive until the day it heals is also unknown. Right now, I don't even have half the power from my prime." "Why...? Unlike me, you are a real True Ancestor, right!?" "Indeed, precisely because of that, I managed to survive, barely. But I already gave my heart to Hisui. I lived because my heart is still beating, but this is the limit. Like a wound clock that will stop turning eventually. So... I can only get a new replacement, a subst.i.tute infinitely close to me. Even if the result is a gamble... I can only take the gamble." Rush.e.l.la finally understood Miraluka's intent. She wanted her body, her heart. This body, created as a True Ancestor's backup, was now carrying out its duty, how ironic. "You chose death once... to save Hisui. Now, you have returned for Hisui and you will live on for him. Is that what's going on?" "...Living on is precisely my lot in life as a vampire. I will do so even at the cost of destroying you." "Is that so...? Very well, take it. I don't care." Like Miraluka, Rush.e.l.la exposed her left breast. After sunset, the evening wind blew across her white chest. "May I? I am rather special, while you will immediately perish once your heart is gouged out?" "Sure. This is the only thing I can do... for that guy." Miraluka's face went dark. Her beautiful face had been as serene as a lake until now. Faint signs of laughter were surfacing. But she still stepped forward. Reaching out, her right hand turned into a killing weapon. Rush.e.l.la closed her eyes tightly in resignation, puffing out her chest, offering everything. At the last moment, footsteps were heard from behind. Miraluka looked back. The arrivals were related to Hisui. They were Mei, Kirika and Rangetsu. "Trying to stop me?" The trio nodded at the same time. "Why? She is the rival of you three. And it's a conflict between vampires. Why interfere?" "To earn affection points!" Mei replied instantly. "That's right, if anything happened to this child, if we watched without doing anything, he will surely hate us. I don't want that." Kirika smiled sadly. "Also, if you were to succeed... I will be excluded by them even more. I don't have much presence already." Rangetsu declared with an elder's dignity. Everyone was in agreement. "When did he learn to capture women's hearts so well? I don't know if I should be happy or sad about that." Miraluka sighed in exasperation and smiled. At this time, new intruders arrived, deepening Miraluka's smile. Hisui and Eruru arrived one after another. Hisui was carrying the sacred cross sword from home, the Tzara Blade. On the sword's blade, gemstones were giving off crimson light dyeing the surroundings red. "You brought the talisman I left you? What are you intending? To destroy me with it?" "...No." "Fighting using your const.i.tution? Your body carries the potential for a human to oppose vampires. If humans could stand on equal ground with vampires, then there will no longer be conflict between them. Perhaps coexistence could be actualized. Are you thinking of using this power to fight me?" "No." Then what are you going to do?" Hisui pointed the Tzara Blade at himself. "This heart, I'm returning it to you." Closing his eyes, Hisui pierced his own chest with the blade. Blood splashed everywhere. Kirika screamed while Mei and Rangetsu were stunned. Eruru had apparently predicted this scene. Turning her face away, she endured the smell of blood, desperately trying to maintain her sanity. "What are you doing...!?" Miraluka finally showed surprise on her face. She had not given Hisui this sword for this kind of task. "Are you trying to waste everything I've done!?" "...You're the one who's wasting everything. I don't want to lose you again. Neither do I want to lose Rush.e.l.la!" Hisui pressed against his left chest that was bleeding like a spring. The bleeding was making his originally pale skin even more pallid. The crest of thorns appeared on his neck. Anti-Drac mode. But this transformation was just a necessary result. It was not his goal. "This was originally yours... I'm returning it to you now. This is enough. Don't do anything to Rush.e.l.la." "..." "What about me? Aren't there artificial hearts? There are many solutions so I'll live, somehow... Otherwise, use your vampire powers to make me hibernate or seal me away, whatever you want. I'll wait for you, whether it takes a decade or a century, to make me live on. So stop, it's already enough..." Hisui desperately used the sacred cross sword to support his collapsing body. Rush.e.l.la ran over to hug him. "Hang in there, don't die!!" "Don't write me off as dead so easily. You said it before, right...? So don't die either. Also, you too." The last three words were directed at Miraluka. He was not mature enough to send everyone he cherished to a perfect ending. He was not cool enough to abandon everything for one cherished person. So he had no choice. And Miraluka--She smiled, smiling faintly with a satisfaction. "Wonderful." "Huh...?" "Looks like you don't need me anymore. This time will be true farewell." Everyone present tensed up. Rather than destroying her, they only wanted to protect him. The girls were trying to save Hisui's life. And Hisui, to avoid losing her again... But time was merciless. The outline of Miraluka's face was collapsing bit by bit. Starting from the edges, her body was gradually turning into ash. "Why...!? Hey!" Hisui ran over. He wanted to hug Miraluka, but the collapsing limbs were scattered in the wind, leaving only her torso in his arms. "Why... Why!? Why do this...!? Hey, hurry and drink blood, as much as you need, drink my blood! If you die a second time, I absolutely won't forgive you!" "I am already dead to begin with. Also, I don't need your blood. Who do you take me for?" "No time for jokes... Hey!" "Your blood... Save it for her." Miraluka's eyes met with Hisui's gaze. Staying where she was, the last True Ancestor smiled tenderly. Like a mother handing over her son, like sister handing over her younger brother, like a woman handing over her lover... She said to Rush.e.l.la: "Continue to drink Hisui's blood. The true value of Anti-Drac mode is in his blood--The weakening of a vampire. His blood tastes excellent and is addictive. Then the vampire becomes progressively weak. One day, you will become completely human." "You..." Rush.e.l.la wanted to step foward but she halted. This final instant, this farewell moment, should be left for those two alone. "Farewell forever." "Hey, hold on, I still haven't--" Before he could say anything. Thank you, goodbye, I love you. None of this could be said to her. Still the same, nothing changed. He could only watch helplessly, exactly the same as that day in the past. Hence, he could only kiss the air. It was the only thing he could do. Only the mark of her lips remained in the present world, not disappearing for a very long time. But while their lips separated, the beauty in his arms had already vanished. The exquisite remains of ash retained the smiling face of Miraluka's final moments, finally scattering in the night, disappearing into the wind. Hisui embraced the ashes tightly in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Ever since Miraluka died, this was his first time crying. His cries echoed between heaven and earth, persisting for a long time. Staying by Hisui's side, Rush.e.l.la accompanied him. Even when the others had left, she still remained. Forever and ever...