Non-Human Girls Are Fighting Over Me ~ Do I Get to Refuse? “Nope!” “No Way!” “Not a Chance!” “Absolutely Not!”

Chapter 17: Interview with the Vampire

We headed to her apartment in silence.

The night city’s sounds—voices, cars—felt distant, only the unease in my heart echoing.

As she opened the apartment door, Towa turned with forced cheer.

“Pretty messed up, huh? Maki being a demon and all.”

I couldn’t reply.

It wasn’t my throat closing. Words just wouldn’t come.

“Wanna watch something super upbeat to shake it off?”

Her voice tried to sound bright. But my silence didn’t budge.

“…”

“Yeah, not in the mood, huh?”

Towa gave a small laugh. But it seemed faintly lonely.

I sank onto the long sofa. She sat beside me, looking away as she spoke.

“So… can I use your lap as a pillow?”

“Sure.”

I answered shortly, and she rested her head on my lap without hesitation.

Her black hair flowed softly, brushing my fingertips.

All I could see was her hair and slender back.

“Stroke my hair.”

“Sure.”

A girl’s hair, touched for the first time, was shockingly soft, releasing a sweet scent with each pass of my fingers.

Oddly, I felt no embarrassment or nerves. I just accepted it. Maybe because of what happened earlier.

Towa began speaking softly, her back to me.

“I’ve lived so long, Kazuto, you can’t even imagine. …Living too long dulls your emotions, your sense of self. You become numb. Nothing stirs you. You feel yourself fading away.”

“…”

“So the only time I feel alive is when I’m risking life and death. That’s the only moment I feel alive.”

I stroked her hair, murmuring, “Yeah.”

“Not feeling anything lets you do awful things. …There’s no joy in living. It’s like being dead. That’s why I watch movies. Fiction’s packed with the joy of life. Sure, back then, entertainment was scarce, but still.”

She let out a small sigh.

“So I envy humans who get moved by little things, who feel alive. They shine so brightly, I get jealous. …Pretty pathetic, right? Sorry. I don’t want you to hate me.”

As I felt her hair, I realized.

She’s hiding her weakness, acting strong. That’s why her words hit my chest so hard.

“It’s late, but thanks for saving me today.”

I said, then silently turned on the monitor.

“Let’s watch this. …Don’t get mad if you don’t like it, okay?”

The title appeared on the screen.

—Interview with the Vampire.

“What, this now? Talk about tactless.”

She pouted, but her face softened.

A small smile spread across her lap.

—A masterpiece about the anguish of failing to embrace vampirism.

It’s no wonder she’d see herself in it.

But right now, even that anguish felt dear to me.

※

By the time the movie ended, the night had deepened.

I’d been chasing the fictional vampire’s struggles on the screen, yet my chest felt oddly warm. Was it her presence beside me, or… had I already strayed from normal life?

“Time to sleep?”

Towa led me as if it were natural.

Deep in her apartment, she opened a door—to a king-size bed.

The surreal sight made me freeze.

“You… know how it works, right?”

Towa turned, her cheeks faintly flushed, whispering.

“Uh… well…”

My eyes darted. My throat dried, words jumbling.

“…Leave it to me.”

Her soft voice, laced with breath, grazed my ear.

A jolt shot down my spine.

Her scent. Her warmth. Her breathing.