Misunderstood Vampire Bakasane-chan - Chapter 9: What Does It Mean to Be Serious?
Right hand, left hand, alternately thrusting forward, one-two, one-two.
Well. Surprisingly, I’ve never really punched or kicked anyone before.
I mean, it hurts them, and there are plenty of ways to handle things without resorting to violence.
But Bakasane-chan, she’s no saint—though she reads like one. She doesn’t hesitate to use her fists when necessary.
But it’s a hassle to correct a troublesome older man. From an outsider’s perspective, it looks like elder abuse. I wish I could just target his flabby muscles.
But a barrage of weak punches is permissible against a self-proclaimed strong and evil vampire grandpa. So, I approached and continued my one-two routine.
“Take this!”
“Fast…”
While dodging in a circular motion, John seems surprised, his eyes wide. I’m amazed, too, at the sharpness of my punches.
I wonder why the thudding sound comes later. Is the sound really that slow?
I don’t even understand how I can throw punches this smoothly. I may know why.
“I had no idea my comedic timing was this good…”
I mutter. Am I trembling in awe? I pride myself on my sharp retorts.
After all, I’m surrounded by silly people. And in my previous life, I was forced to partner with the king of dirty jokes, Hikaru. I can’t count how many times I had to correct him with a smack.
Unknowingly, I’ve honed my fists to correct mistakes.
So, to correct John’s priorities, I raised my voice.
“Why the heck?!”
“Don’t ask why I suddenly switched to the Kansai dialect or why my fists turned into the back of my hand…ah!”
“Whoa!”
But John is a tough opponent.
He moves into the shadows, then suddenly attacks with his cane.
This is dangerous. I dramatically dodge using my whole body.
“Whoa, it’s so slippery!”
I slip into my own shadow and fall. Ouch, my tailbone hurts.
And just like that, I’ve exposed a glaring weakness.
Naturally, John, who isn’t a good guy, won’t let this opportunity pass.
“I’m sorry.”
In front of me, the bottom of his cane. The worn rubber tip looms close.
I recall something Saori told me. John is known as the “Bearer of Shadows.”
“I thought it sounded so adolescent. I said something, and Ikus tapped my head, saying:
―You’re not serious at all.”
At that moment, I must have responded with a grumble.
I think. But that’s all. I can’t remember clearly; my head is spinning.
But I want to be clear. So, I declare,
“―This time, I’ll get serious!”
Supporting my dizzy head with my left hand, I dive back into the night, shadowy like a silhouette.
Rustling through the darkness, John, dragging his foot, or rather his shadow, turns to me and says,
“Incredible physical ability… I thought you’d be knocked out a bit longer.”
“If I sleep, I wake up! Isn’t that obvious?”
“That recovery time is too short… I don’t want to damage the perfect cradle I made for my daughter…”
“Hmph! As if a little damage would stop me!”
Puffing out my chest, I insist. Yes, even if it hurts a bit, I won’t stop. Jane’s loneliness hurts more.
After all, since my past life—my previous incarnation—I’ve known the pain of not fully receiving a parent’s love.
But in this new life, I’ve gained that. So, Jane deserves to be happy, too.
Therefore, I must stop this stubborn older man. There’s no doubt about it.
To bear shadows, does that mean he controls them? Then, I shouldn’t stay in the shadows.
Thinking this, I step hard on my shadow, which seems to be under John’s control.
Then, breaking the ground, I leap towards John.
“That seems right. Oh dear, the trouble with such sturdy beings.”
“What—”
I was suddenly wrapped in black, immobilized.
I can’t move my hands, locked in darkness. I can’t stop, pulled up by the darkness. It’s coming from all directions.
And this darkness, extending from various shadows, is blacker than the shadows themselves. Perhaps, instead of controlling them…
“―You hid something in the shadows?”
“Hmm… Clever of you to understand at a glance.”
“Don’t compliment me…”
I want to scratch my head in embarrassment, but the darkness just creaks annoyingly. Annoying.
Hidden in the shadows by John, like an amoeba, the dark tendrils are unyielding. This is troublesome.
“Are you more confident than you seem? But you’re smiling… It’s unclear.”
“So?”
“You appear simple but are different. Dead yet alive. It’s curious how you blend with humans.”
“Hmm…”
In front of John, who genuinely seems troubled, I, suspended in mid-air, ponder his words.
Knowing I’m both dead and alive, does John know something about me?
But he doesn’t think I’m human, and he thinks I’m simple-minded. Confusing.
“Well, whatever.”
After a bit of thought and a shrug, I straightened my head and let my twin tails fall over my shoulders.
“Let’s ask questions after a punch.”
I got serious.
Resilience is a mystery to me. Hardness doesn’t matter. I’ve always needed to understand limitations.
“Na―”
My muscles are lacking, but I’ve trained differently. Plus, I’m a genius.
My serious struggle makes the unknown darkness seem stupid.
Pulling hard, snap. The second time, thud. Stepping over the burdens John bore, I raise my fist.
“Hey.”
“Ugh!”
He dodges. Then…
“One, two.”
“Oof!”
It hits, but it’s dull. The dark cushion absorbed it. Needs to be more effective.
Weak punches won’t do. Then…
“Here goes
―”
As I prepared for a strong kick, not minding exposing my bear-print underwear…
“Stop!”
Our ears caught the desperation in a young girl’s voice.
Without needing to look back, I knew it was the right command.
“Ugh…”
“Oops.”
Two shadows halt, as per Jane’s wish.
But…
“―Oh, an opportunity.”
The third one continued. With barely any sound, it flew in.
Entering was Ikus Crux, the flying vampire.
Her slicing wings, seen for the first time, were incredibly sharp. They were dangerous for any living thing.
The blade gleamed in the light.
“Goodbye.”
With a great swoop…
In front of me, a red flower bloomed.
