"If I don’t study all this," Alan said quietly, "how could I walk forward with you?"

The boy’s voice brushed past her ear.

Nozomi Sakura froze. Her heart twisted, then she quickly looked away.

She couldn’t bring herself to meet Alan’s eyes.

So that’s why they all adore you.

Back then... you must have said the same thing to them, too.

Her hands clenched tightly on her lap, nails biting into her palms.

Ughhh...

I’m supposed to be the one conquering him, so how did I...

End up being the one who got moved instead?

She lifted her cup, swallowed a mouthful of coffee to force the turmoil down, then asked the question she had rehearsed long before coming here.

"By the way... what do you usually do, exactly?"

"Hm?" Alan glanced at her. "Why the sudden curiosity?"

"I just realized I barely know you." She frowned faintly. "I don’t even know your hobbies or habits. When friends ask about you, the best I can say is, ’Handsome, pretty smart, hates green peppers and scallions...’"

Nozomi sighed, worrying her lower lip. "It feels like I’m in a fake relationship."

"..."

Alan thought for a moment. "My everyday life isn’t anything special."

"That’s only how it looks to you." She tilted her head slightly. "I might find it interesting. I heard you’re in the kendo club?"

"Yeah."

He nodded, about to elaborate, when the phone on the table suddenly buzzed.

Bzzzt.

The screen lit up, pulling both their gazes toward it.

[Kendo Club President]

Nozomi’s eyes sparkled.

Alan frowned. Why would the president be calling him now?

He answered. A gravelly voice burst out immediately.

"Alan, you didn’t come to practice today?"

"Something came up at the last minute."

"Uh..." Clearly not expecting that, Makoto hesitated. "Is it super, super, super important?"

The triple emphasis made Alan’s brow pinch together. "What happened?"

"C School’s kendo club is here today for a coaching session. And the exhibition match draw... pulled your name."

"Huh? I’m not even there. How could they draw me?"

Makoto scratched his head, his face scrunching in distress.

"Even if you ask me, I’ve got no clue. Your name wasn’t on any of the slips. You shouldn’t have been picked at all..."

"..."

Listening to the absurd explanation, Alan couldn’t help asking, "You’re joking, right, President? Just redraw the lot."

"Why would I joke about something like this?"

Makoto’s voice snapped serious, then softened into a sigh.

"We redrew. Your name came up again..."

He paused, sounding genuinely puzzled.

"Alan, do you know someone in C School’s kendo club? Someone says they saw you here. Where are you right now?"

Alan glanced sideways at Nozomi. "At a café. On a date."

"Forget the date!" Makoto blurted. "I’ll treat you later—coffee, canned oolong, anything—just come over now!"

Before Alan could retort, Makoto continued in a rush.

"Which café? You’re still nearby, right? I’ll hop on my bike and come get you!"

"No need for that. I’m at the closest one."

Makoto brightened instantly. "Perfect! I’ll put you last in the lineup. Hurry!"

The call ended without giving Alan a chance to refuse.

Nozomi, who had been leaning in shamelessly to eavesdrop, straightened up. "Club stuff?"

Alan nodded. "Yeah. They somehow drew me for today’s coaching match. Feels strange."

"Are you going?"

She pursed her lips briefly. "I’ve been watching a drama lately. The heroine does kendo. Could I tag along and watch?"

***

Nino Kitagawa pressed her face to the bus window, her pulse racing at the thought of seeing him again.

Even the possibility of taking a men strike head-on had never thrilled her like this.

Her heart felt trapped, pounding violently against invisible bars, heat creeping into her cheeks.

She stayed glued to the glass, her nose nearly flattened against it.

Screeech.

The bus lurched to a stop. Nino jolted forward. Just as she was about to dash out, she saw the aisle clogged with people.

An idea flashed.

She slid the window open, grabbed her shinai, and jumped.

"Wha—?!"

"Captain! Someone jumped out the window!"

"Huh?!"

Miyuki froze halfway through unpacking equipment, mouth hanging open.

We’re parked. Why jump like she’s storming a fortress?

Hearing the commotion, Miyuki rushed down the steps. The figure standing calmly on the pavement was Nino Kitagawa.

Miyuki exhaled in relief and marched over. "Nino, why did you jump—"

She stopped short when she noticed the flush on Nino’s cheeks.

"Nino... your face is red. Are you that excited?"

"Excited...?" Nino tilted her head.

Something flickered in her clear eyes. She pressed a hand to her chest and murmured softly.

"So that’s why it’s so loud..."

Thirty-seven days.

That was how long it had been since she last saw him.

But it had been one hundred and seventy-eight days since he last saw her.

Which meant, in truth, they had been apart for two hundred and fifteen days.

Being a couple like this... whether it’s me or Alan, we’re both pathetic.

I’m an assassin, not a vampire, but after two hundred days without sunlight, all the energy I stored up is gone. Even my chest feels flatter...

Nino Kitagawa rubbed her chest unconsciously, Akari Hojo’s image flashing through her mind.

Regret flickered in her eyes.

It’s all her fault.

She stole the energy that was supposed to be mine from Alan.

Thief.

If Alan and I hadn’t broken up... as an assassin, I wouldn’t have had a choice but to eliminate her