Misunderstood Vampire Bakasane-chan - Chapter 1: What's a Vampire?
I’m Futaba Kasane. My close friends call me “Bakasane.”
They said my first name wasn’t enough, so I had a longer nickname. This level of affection clearly shows what a beautiful girl I am, right? It goes without saying.
Well, as cool and beautiful as I am, the truth is, I was me. What a surprise. Even I was shocked by this revelation.
I’ve always been a tomboy since I can remember, but I never realized it was because of who I was in my past life.
“Huh? ‘I am me,’ that’s pretty obvious. Wait, wait…”
Oops, that was a close one.
Thinking too deeply about the obvious, I could sound like a philosopher. Memento… uh, what was it? Cogito, something?
No, it’s not like that. I just realized that I had a past life. And in that life, I was a boy. That’s what shocked me.
It makes sense now why Misaki, my best friend in this life, often says I’m cool. The me from my past life was quite handsome, and that part of me still shows.
But still, it’s troublesome when she jokes about us getting married someday. Maybe she doesn’t know that heterosexual marriage is the norm, even at sixteen. I should tell her later.
“Hmm… speaking of best friends, I wonder how Hikaru is doing…”
This reminds me of my best friend in my current life, and then I remember my best friend from my past life. Those memories from over sixteen years ago are blurry; I can barely recall his face.
It’s not my fault, considering I just realized I was a boy in my past life. But it still feels a bit heartless.
“Is my love for retro games because of him?”
I felt deeply moved while tidying up an old gaming console that fell off the shelf and brought back memories of my past.
I used to be outdoorsy in my past life, into bugs, fish, and protein. But Hikaru, or Hikaru Shirakawa, was the indoor type, into games, textbooks, and… well, naughty magazines.
He used to say stuff like, “This pixel art is so sexy.” Even such silly memories are precious to me now. He was a good guy, I realize now.
“Huh? I shouldn’t end things in past tense; Hikaru and I aren’t that far apart in age.”
My previous self died seventeen years ago, at the age of twelve, just after starting middle school. I remember that clearly.
So, he would be about twenty-nine now. There’s more than one zodiac cycle’s difference, but I get along well with my four-year-old cousin. There may be a chance to become friends again.
“It’s a fortunate coincidence; my past life’s home is in the neighboring town. I can go there.”
This must be what they call a “chain reaction” of memories. They keep flooding in. His house was by the railway line, wasn’t it? I remember him saying it would shake every time a train went by. Or was that someone else?
Well, it’s definitely in the next town, so it’s not too much trouble. I can go there on my bike. And who knows, if we hit it off, he might lift me in his car. He’s probably got one, considering he’s into cars.
“Yeah! Can’t wait for tomorrow!”
Suddenly, I thrust my fist in the air and shouted.
This is the first time I’ve thought about the meaning of life, whether its purpose is to redo and continue.
I didn’t reincarnate into the world of comics or games, but I was born again in the same world. Maybe there was a reason for that.
That’s what I thought.
“Don’t shout in the middle of the night, Kasane! You’re disturbing the neighbors!”
“Oops, sorry, Mom!”
But my enthusiasm deflated under my mother’s scolding. I’ll probably get an earful tomorrow morning, too, which is disappointing.
“Getting pumped now won’t help, huh…”
Well, tomorrow is another day. Trying to keep that in mind, I dust off my teddy bear pajamas and climb into bed.
“Zzz…”
Before I knew it, I fell asleep.
“This should be the place… Whoa, the garden’s horizontal bar is gone. And was this tree always here? Wow, time has passed.”
Then, I ride my bike to my friend’s house.
The neighboring town is my old stomping ground, though I honestly got lost due to my fuzzy memory and had to ask for directions. I had a rough idea of where it was from my smartphone.
“Well, if anything’s changed the most over time, it’s me… Haha. He’s going to be so surprised!”
Imagining Hikaru’s shocked face, I smile mischievously. He always kept a straight face, so I can’t wait to see what kind of funny face he’ll make.
“Hmm, but if I’m going to surprise him, I might add a twist. Let’s do something game-like, his specialty…”
So, if it’s going to be fun, let’s make it even more fun. From what I recall, he liked scenarios where an unrelated girl suddenly starts living with him, which, from my current perspective, seems insane.
Was it called a ‘falling object’ scenario? Well, it’s a man’s romance. I remember hearing the saying, “What’s learned in the cradle is carried to the tomb.” So, I’ll approach him in such a scenario and reveal the truth at the end. He’ll be surprised.
It’s a great idea. My long, unnecessarily lengthy twin tails, which are just as clever as me, would be overjoyed. I can almost see my friends praising me, saying, “That’s so Bakasane-chan.”
“Well then, here I go!”
So, with these naive thoughts, I pressed the intercom button, not knowing I couldn’t turn back.
“Um, who are you?”
“Are you Hikaru Shirakawa? Do you… no, do you not remember me?”
“No, honestly, I have no idea.”
The man who appeared at the door was Hikaru.
His distinctively handsome, yet regrettable, look had stayed the same. He may have grown up, slimmed down, and become more refined. Getting a bit ahead of himself, isn’t he, Hikaru?
But that’s beside the point. First, I need to get inside, no matter what tall tale I have to spin. He seems very cautious, just showing his face at the door, but a little acting should do the trick. I lower my gaze before speaking.
“Is that so… Well, to be honest, I’ve only seen you once, so it’s understandable you don’t remember me.”
“How come you know my name and address if we’re just acquaintances?”
“No, actually… the thing is, I owe a lot to your mother, and I came here to repay that favor…”
I was about to continue lying when I suddenly felt an eerie presence.
Standing right in front of me, Hikaru was looking at me with such a serious expression that I was scared and couldn’t finish my sentence.
After a brief silence, Hikaru abruptly spoke.
“That’s strange.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You’re still in high school, judging by your uniform. It’s impossible that my mother took care of you.”
“Uh, that’s because…”
I was filled with confusion. I had come here to play, but now I found myself being stared at by Hikaru with such intensity. I had no choice but to be bewildered.
Sure, I told a careless lie, but did I make a mistake? My twin tails drooped along with my spirits, and soon, Hikaru revealed a shocking truth.
“Because my father and mother passed away before you were even born.”
“What?”
I was shocked, my eyes wide open. That couldn’t be true.
In my memories, they were vibrant, full of smiles, good people. They’re gone?
Even when I was a burden to the relatives I was sent to after my parents abandoned me, they were kind to me – such rare adults.
Those two… Damn, why can’t I remember their names? Right, Michiko and Takeru. They’re no longer here?
That’s too sad. And that means…
“So, Hikaru has been all alone…”
“Well, yes, but… whoa!”
“Ah, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry… I forgot about you for so long! I’m sorry, Michiko-san, Takeru-san…”
Hikaru had been standing strong alone all this time. I knew that must have been tough.
That’s why realizing I couldn’t be there to help him was so sad. And the fact that those people were no longer around made it even more painful.
Overwhelmed, I hugged Hikaru and cried my heart out.
“Sniff. Sorry…”
“It’s okay. Have you calmed down?”
“Yes… Sniff.”
Tears eventually stop, no matter how sad you are. I sniffled quietly inside the house, which was familiar from my previous life. My eyes were still teary, but I had calmed down. I didn’t want to admit it, but they were gone. Their photos on the family altar looked so lively.
Just as I was about to be overwhelmed by sadness again, Hikaru spoke softly.
“That was unexpected.”
“Unexpected?”
“Yeah, you cried so hard and even wet my shirt. You were serious. You said your name was Futaba, right? You met my parents, didn’t you?”
“Yes…”
Looking at Hikaru again, surprisingly muscular, he spoke faintly.
No, wait, those well-defined pectorals are even better than a busty chest. As I involuntarily gulped, Hikaru, misunderstanding my reaction, began to theorize.
“But, it’s odd that you’re a high school student. Even considering repeating grades, you couldn’t have known my parents when they passed away while you were so young. And yet, you remember owing them a favor…”
“Well, yes, but…”
“So, Futaba, you’re not as young as you appear, are you?”
“Wow.”
He was smart, as I remembered from my past life. I didn’t expect him to guess without saying anything.
Yes, that’s right. Adding to my past life, I’m almost in my thirties.
This would be unimaginable for most, but Hikaru would figure it out. Was this also a result of the bond of our friendship?
Amazed by his brilliant deduction, I was unaware that it was a wild guess and was soon shocked by his next incomprehensible statement.
“I see, so before Ikus and I met, we had a connection… Is this fate?”
“Huh? Ikus, what’s that?”
“Well, you must be a vampire that’s been around for over a hundred years, right?”
But he was deep into his teenage delusions. A completely baseless misunderstanding struck me. Vampire, what are you talking about?
His tone was so confident it seemed more like an assertion than a question.
Then, Hikaru, who seemed intent on not missing any change in my expression, leaned in close, his broad chest seemingly ready for territorial disputes.
“Uh, yes.”
Overwhelmed by his presence, I found myself nodding in agreement.
“Ah.”
“I knew it…”
Hikaru, convinced, nodded several times. Wow, this isn’t something I can easily talk my way out of. What should I do?
“No, that’s not it! I was a friend of Hikaru’s in my past life…”
“Don’t lie. I am a contractor.”
“Um…”
“So, Futaba, are you a stray?”
“No, I don’t understand what you’re saying…”
“I see… No wonder I hardly felt any presence from you. Are you sealed or something? No, it’s rude to ask.”
“Ahhhh…”
His absurd barrage of words quickly quelled my frantic resistance.
What is this? Hikaru is an adult, right? His fantasy is too much. And to dismiss my past life as a lie, unbelievable.
I should consider considering becoming friends with him.
“But it’s nice to meet someone who knew my parents. If you need help, I’m here.”
“I need help with this situation right now…”
“Okay…”
But as I continued to talk, feeling torn about parting with his impressive deltoids, Hikaru paused to think and then said.
“Why don’t we start by becoming friends?”
“Uh, what?”
“You seem confused, too. Let’s start by getting to know each other.”
Hikaru’s misunderstanding continued. Little did he know, I used to be his best friend.
But even though things had gotten strange, part of my original plan was achieved.
The goal was to regain our friendship, so maybe this was all right. I could slowly correct his misunderstanding.
“Alright.”
With that thought, reluctantly, I took Hikaru’s hand.
Later, I realized that being honest from the start might have changed the course of events, but it was too late for regrets.
“Hmm. I didn’t know there was a vampire nearby that I wasn’t aware of.”
“Miss. It’s unseemly to eavesdrop.”
“Oh. It’s perfectly normal to be interested in one’s partner. It’s far more troublesome if you’re not interested.”
“Sure. Dressing up your Yandere tendencies with fancy words. Poor Shirakawa-sama, so much trouble for falling under Ikus’s spell…”
“I can hear you, Saori!”
And thus, Bakasane-chan, mistaken (and thought to be) a vampire, was born.
