✤
We sat at a table in the open-air café Lady Angelica frequented. There, she started to share all the details.
“That girl’s name is Lutia. She’s a first-year Domestic Arts student like you. As I’m sure you’ve gathered, she didn’t come here with the aim of becoming a maid. I suppose you’d call her a vampire hunter.”
“Sheesh.” It wasn’t the smartest response, but it was all I could manage when hearing a term like “vampire hunter” for the first time.
“She looked suspicious right from the start, so I’ve had my eye on her since she arrived, but she’s controlled her behavior so well that I started to think I was imagining things. She must have been gathering information, ready to finally strike during summer vacation.”
With an unruffled expression, she raised her coconut water with a slice of lemon up to her lips. She didn’t look like someone who’d just been under attack.
“So you’re saying vampire hunters are a thing? She’s not just role-playing and getting ideas in her head—that’s what she actually is?”
As I sipped my lemon squash, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d stepped outside of reality. None of this seemed possible.
“It’s true. As much of a headache as it is, vampire hunters really do exist. I’m almost impressed with her boldness, to be honest. I can’t believe she chased me all the way to Japan from my homeland.”
“Your homeland? Where’s that?”
“Ireland.”
“Really? You’re from Ireland?”
“I am indeed.”
Huh. Well, I wasn’t too far off, since Ireland is right next to Britain. I’d never have guessed she was from there, though.
“However, to my knowledge, there haven’t been any vampire hunters in many, many years. I wonder if something’s changed.”
“Are other vampires being hunted apart from you?”
“I don’t know yet. It’s tough to imagine that Lutia is acting entirely independently, but I’m lacking in intel. If she and her fellow hunters all went into action at the same time, the information wouldn’t reach me from Ireland right away. The others might not even think I’d be attacked when I’m all the way over here in Japan. This is a peaceful country, and I’ve been here for a long time. All other things being equal, I’m planning to stay here indefinitely.”
I decided it was better not to ask just how long “a long time” was.
“Anyway, that’s the long and short of it. I’d advise you to be cautious of Lutia. Even if you see her, don’t get too close—and if she comes for you, then call for help.”
I let out a nervous breath.
“How about this: for now, I’ll assign a bat to stay somewhere close to you at all times. If anything happens, just tell the bat and I’ll come running.”
“It’s like having my own cute little bodyguard.”
She giggled. “You could say that! I’m sure the bats can also keep her at bay for a while and give you time to run away.”
“Okay. I understand.”
To be honest, I didn’t really understand that well at all, but the key point was not going near Lutia. That I could manage.
With the discussion about Lutia over for now, Lady Angelica changed the subject. “So you’re not going home over the summer, Misaki?”
“No. Lady Himeko said that she was staying here as well, so I wanted to be by her side as much as possible, basically.”
“That’s fair. You know, I’m glad she met you. It’s made her much more interested in the goings-on at this school. I hope you can keep things going in that direction.”
“I’m not sure I—”
“Oh, speak of the devil!”
Before I could finish my comment, Lady Angelica was looking past me and waving. When I turned my head, I saw Himeko change direction to walk over to us.
“Oh, Lady Angelica. Good day.” She smiled gently, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.
“Good day, Himeko. I happened to bump into Misaki, so I borrowed her for a bit.”
“The timing worked out well. I was just wondering what I’d do if I went up to the Sky Salon and Misaki wasn’t there.”
“Interesting. Is something the matter?”
Apparently, Lady Angelica had picked up on a change in Himeko’s attitude.
“Yes. Well, it’s not us who are affected, but we do have a problem on our hands.”
Himeko kept her words pretty vague. It wasn’t public knowledge yet that Lady Saeko had canceled Matsuri’s Seraph contract. She’s probably trying to decide if telling an outside party is appropriate, even if it is the president of the student council.
“Is it better not to pry?” Lady Angelica asked.
“I wouldn’t say that. Hmm, actually I think it’s probably fine to share it with you.”
“Either way, it sounds serious.”
“It is, to be honest.” Himeko put a hand on her cheek and sighed.
“All right. If you want to, I’ll gladly listen and try to help. I don’t know if I’ll be able to, of course.”
“We’re at a point where even the slightest idea will help us form a plan, so any advice you can provide will be a huge help. It would be better to talk at the Sky Salon, so do you mind if we head there?”