what if I'm an undead! then so what?-Chapter 28: Who are you?

In a penthouse at the prestigious Bellustar Hotel, nestled high above the bustling streets of Shinjuku, a girl with long, vibrant pink hair sat cross-legged on her bed. She was slipping into a simple white bathing robe, her expression one of clear dissatisfaction.

"To think a single day in this second-class Japanese dump would cost over one million yen... I already want a refund," she muttered with venom in her voice, tossing the room service menu onto the floor like it had personally offended her. Her refined accent and perfectly manicured nails clashed with the unflattering look of disappointment painted across her face. The glossy magazine she’d been skimming lay forgotten beside her as she rose and walked toward the small glass table where her phone was buzzing, the screen lighting up insistently.

The device rang with an urgent tone, pulling her attention.

She lazily brushed aside a strand of pink hair from her eyes before picking it up, answering it with a sigh.

"I’m afraid there’s been no recent movement from the target," she said, her voice cold and professional, very different from the spoiled demeanor she’d shown moments ago. "He’s been cooped up in his home for days. For some reason, he hasn’t returned to that little restaurant he loves so much. Also..." Her voice lowered slightly, more serious now. "He came into contact with the Time Monarch a few days ago. Ever since then, he’s avoided the restaurant entirely. My guess? It has something to do with that visit."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted out the wide glass windows overlooking the city. From this height, Shinjuku looked like a sea of flickering lights and tiny people scurrying like ants. She narrowed her eyes at a specific group below, her pupils sharpening.

"To think vampires could walk freely in broad daylight without fear... Japan is truly a messed-up country," she thought grimly, her pink pupils reflecting the sunlight. "I’ll do them a favor. I’ll cleanse this city, however I can, while I’m still here."

Her eyes fell on a boy and girl walking through the crowd below. The girl had silver hair that glistened under the sun, and the boy’s ash-grey hair and crimson pupils were like burning coals in a sea of monotony. They stood out—not just to the average onlooker, but to someone like her.

"It seems their relationship is as close as ever, however right now the time monarch is under suspension and no matter what don’t let your confidence get the best of you, you’d loose badly if you fought against him!" The voice from the phone said in a strict warning tone.

"I’m not that stupid, if what I hear is true, he’s even stronger than the god hand, it would be suicidal for me to fight against someone like him!" She said as if staring the obvious, no matter how much she pride in her abilities she’s not so foolish to challenged one of the few legendary rank 7, while she herself was just a rank 6.

"Good, then ensure to keep an eye on him, even though he’s remained inactive for years, anything can happen st anytime, di be careful!" The voice warned strictly.

"Yeah, sure. I’ll make sure to keep an eye on him, I’ll also make sure to not die" she said into the phone, her voice firm. Then she hung up and dropped the phone on the table with a soft clack that echoed through the quiet room.

She returned to the window, but the pair had vanished.

"They noticed me? That girl seemed more interesting that the boy, however I could tell that the boy was merely a low ranking vampire yet he could walk perfectly fine in btiad dey light, must be the influence of an artifact" Her lips curved into a half-smile, both impressed and annoyed. "Seems they’re not just ordinary strays." A faint flicker danced in her pupils, a mysterious glint of power concealed beneath beauty.

---

"I thought you said we were going shopping. Why’d we suddenly turn back? Don’t I embarrass you anymore with the type of clothes I wear?" Masaru asked, pouting slightly as he walked beside Akane. They had barely reached the entrance of the mall when she abruptly changed directions without a word.

"We can do that another time. For now, there’s something I’d rather avoid," Akane replied, her gaze fixed on a distant rooftop several meters away. Her expression had grown unreadable. She looked tense, alert, almost calculating.

Masaru let out an exaggerated sigh, placing his hands behind his head. "Sure, whatever you say," he muttered, following closely behind her. There was a distance to her demeanor now, like her mind was somewhere else entirely.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again. "Hey... I’ve been meaning to ask. Do you think it’s possible for me to learn magic?" He knew right now he couldn’t rely only on blood energy as it would prrove inefficient, his capacity to hold blood energy was too small since he was only a low ranking vampire and the fact that at full capacity he could only fire ten blood bullets or maintain blood creation for at most two minutes, that would turn out to be a fatal flaw in long term battle.

Akane blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation. She glanced at him, studying his face. He wasn’t joking. His expression was serious, almost contemplative.

"I see... So you let Hinata’s influence rub off on you," she said quietly, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "What did she do that made you want to learn magic?"

Masaru scratched the back of his head. "No, it’s just... my growth’s kinda slow right now. I’m a low-ranking vampire, and my blood energy reserves are pathetic. Either I evolve, or I learn magic. And for some reason, you won’t let me suck your blood," he added with a straight face.

Akane stopped walking, staring at him in disbelief. "How can you say something like that with a straight face?" she asked, a tinge of pink creeping into her cheeks.

Masaru grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. "It’s been barely three weeks, and you’ve already forgotten how passionate you were? You were like: ’I want you to be my Vampire Knight, I want you to be strong enough to stand by my side!’" He mimicked her voice in a high-pitched, teasing tone.

Akane’s eye twitched, her flustered face now turning serious. "I’ve spared you enough," she muttered. "It’s about time I remind you that you’re merely an insect in my eyes nothing more and nothing less, killing you would be the same as squashing an ant!"

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. Red energy flared around her, thick and suffocating. The sheer force of her presence pressed down on Masaru like a boulder, forcing him to his knees with a crack that shattered the concrete beneath his feet.

"G-Give me a break!" he gasped, the weight crushing his lungs, the pressure unbearable. Even breathing took effort.

Just then, a figure rushed past them, wearing a worn-out cloak, moving as if in a hurry. She almost blended into the alley but there was this presence around her that made her stand out. However there was something else that Masaru’s sharp eyes caught.

Pink hair. Pink eyes. A black mark on her cheek in the shape of a teardrop.

His mind flashed back to the orphanage. To her.

Sakura.

That same mark had appeared on her face days before she disappeared. Back then, no one could explain it. Now, seeing it again, on someone with the same hair and the same eyes—it sent a jolt through him.

Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. The sudden tug made her hood fall, revealing her face.

It was her.

Long, flowing pink hair slightly lighter than Hinata’s, and those same delicate pink eyes. He stared, stunned.

"Sa...Sakura?" he whispered.

Before he could say anything more, Akane grabbed his wrist tightly, pulling him away and stepping between them.

"Why’d you stop me!" Masaru shouted, trying to get away, but Akane’s grip was tight. So tight his body wouldn’t even budge.

"That woman isn’t human. Or ordinary, at least. The fact that she’s able to move calmly under the pressure of my energy proves just that!" Akane snapped, her voice sharp and decisive.

Masaru’s eyes widened. Even he, who was significantly more powerful than any human, couldn’t withstand that pressure. And yet she stood there—calm, unaffected, her expression unreadable.

"Damn it!" Masaru cursed inwardly as he felt the pressure from Akane’s energy fade away. His eyes remained fixed on the girl in front of him. She didn’t look threatening. In fact, she looked... harmless. Confused, even. Like she had no idea what was going on. That wasn’t something a powerful person would exhibit so easily.

"Who are you?" Akane asked, her voice no longer aggressive but low and cautious. Her red aura still flickered faintly around her like a warning flame.