“THERE are many people who take on a relationship similar to marriage after contracting with each other, but there are equally as many who do not have any significant kind of relationship!”
“……”
“Once contracted, you can determine each other’s location, increase natural healing, and manipulate each other’s bodies, inevitably increasing the amount of time you spend together! So it is only natural a lot of contracts between a man and woman lead to romantic relationships! But it is not like Subaru and I have such a relationship, and we are not telling you to develop a romantic relationship with Kouya either!”
“……”
“So please open the door for me! Azusa!” Ichi’s desperate plea echoed through the mansion hallways. Azusa had locked herself in her room after they returned from the church incident—all because of Subaru’s nonchalant comment.
“Well, to put it simply, I wanted to say I hope you’ll stick around and get along with Kou from now on as his contractor.”
Azusa followed them home without a word. They arrived at the mansion where she stumbled silently into her room and refused to come out since. Once lunchtime came around the next day, Ichi noticed Azusa still hadn’t shown herself, leading to the current commotion. Ichi tried all sorts of things to urge her out of the room, but the rock-solid door showed no signs of opening.
“We aren’t telling you to contract with him! It is just that if you do, Kouya could detect where you are at all times, and we would be able to immediately run to your rescue if you are kidnapped again. Besides, I also thought this would allow you to do the things you want to do more freely, Azusa!”
“……”
“We will not force you if you don’t want to! So please come out of your room!”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“…Azusa, please move aside if you are near the door. I am about to break it down,” Ichi warned in a deeper voice than usual. The door finally cracked open. Azusa didn’t like the idea of having her door broken down. Ichi wedged her foot in the opening to keep it from closing and flung it completely open.
“Ah!”
“Hello, Azusa.”
“H-Hi…”
✦ ✦ ✦
“I don’t necessarily hate the idea of contracting with him, but I’ve been confused ever since I heard it’s the same as marriage to you guys… I’m sorry.”
“I will forgive you because you finally came out of your hole. The same as marriage, eh? Well, I cannot deny it because of the sheer amount of people who do become romantically involved… So? What do you plan to do?”
“Hmm… What’s Kouya’s take on this?”
“‘Let her do what she wants’, was the impression he gave. Kouya has never had a major need for blood, so he probably thinks it does not matter whether you become his contract partner or not.”
“I see…”
Azusa and Ichi locked themselves in Azusa’s room to mull things over. Akashi called Kouya and Subaru away to discuss their punishment for destroying half of the laboratory to get Azusa’s blood. As such, Ichi was set as Azusa’s primary bodyguard for the day. Despite Ichi’s part in Azusa’s abduction this time around, she was acquitted from punishment or blame thanks to Subaru speaking on her behalf.
“Freedom, huh?” Azusa muttered.
From what they told her, if she contracted with Kouya, there would no longer be a need for them to guard her 24/7, and she would be free to go into town as she pleased. Kouya and Ichi would remain on guard inside the mansion as before, but she wouldn’t be required to take someone with her everywhere she went anymore. A very appealing proposition. But she couldn’t easily accept it either.
“You should at least prepare yourself to have your blood sucked if you do contract with him. You may run into another situation like yesterday’s after all.”
“I don’t mind that part.”
“…You don’t?” Ichi asked surprised at how fast Azusa answered.
“Hm? Yeah. I was just thinking it’d be lonely… Dad joined the Red Coven’s research team now, so I only get to have dinner with him once every two days.”
“I heard about that. Mr. Saito apparently went to speak directly with Master Akashi. He asked if he could help with the research concerning making vampires human. Something about making the impossible possible to turn your blood back to human blood…”
“Yeah. I told him he didn’t have to, but he won’t listen to me. He told me, ‘it’s so you can live in peace. Please understand.’ I’m happy he feels that way, but still.” Azusa smiled as she remembered her dad’s determined smile and clenched fist when he told her his goals. “I feel like I’ll really end up all alone if I don’t see you, Kouya, and Subaru anymore. It’s not like I have any friends here.”
“Azusa…”
“…But I can’t be selfish like this, right?” Azusa hung her head. Ichi felt like she could see floppy dog ears on her head. She smiled and gently squeezed Azusa’s hand.
“If you are up for it, I would love to continue having dinner with you, Azusa! If you like, Subaru…might not be able to make it every day, but I will drag him and Kouya here whenever I can! Even if it greatly repulses me to do so!”
“You look repulsed just saying it… Are you sure though?”
“I was just thinking how lonely I would be too. Most of all, your cooking is delicious. I would be at a loss without it.”
“Ichi! Thank you!” Azusa leaned forward with such vigor she nearly jumped into Ichi’s lap. A radiant smile lit her face.
“Then, about Kouya—”
“Yeah, I will contract with Kouya if he wants to.”
“Take this then.” Ichi pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. Azusa’s face paled at what it said.