Chapter Text
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Takahiro went home pondering on his day with Toru. By sheer coincidence he had encountered the Vampire, and in a convenience store no less. He wondered what would bring Toru to Tokyo, but then again, he's learnt that the Vampire owned the company. VectorSoft is an internationally recognized company, so for the owner to personally try to recruit him…
"Wow." Takahiro gasped out. He dropped himself down onto his couch before he took up his phone and scrolled through his social media. But even though he kept scrolling, he wasn’t focusing on the screen. What lingered on his mind was Toru, his beautiful blue flames and...just everything about the Vampire.
Takahiro found that he’s starting to warm up to the Vampire, despite him being all the way in another prefecture, and despite him not being his type.
“I should really start job-hunting. In case the Madhouse really closes down.”
With that on his mind, Takahiro set to work, silently cursing that he didn’t enrol himself into a University like Takeru. But no, thanks to him being stubborn and wanting to prove that he could make it on his own, without the help of his family name, Takahiro learnt bartending and promised himself that he’ll start school when he has enough money.
And he does.
Taking up his phone off the table, Taka hiro called Takeru since he hadn’t heard from him in a while. Within two rings, the phone was answered.
“What’s up, darling?” Takeru answered teasingly.
“That’s what I called to find out.” Takahiro laughed. “I haven’t heard from you since…”
“Well, school is reopening soon, and I have my detective work too.”
At the mention of school, Taka hiro thought about bringing it up. “Takeru,” he started. “What if I started school next semester?”
“That’ll be great! I could have company!”
“As if I’d go to the same school as you.”
“Aiming for Todai?”
“I’m not sure yet. I guess, because Madhouse’s continuation seems bleak, I just don’t want to sit and do nothing.”
“I understand.” Takeru said. “I think you should head off to school, get that degree and stop being a bartender. You have so much more to offer.”
“I see. Thanks. Call you later.”
“Sure thing.”
Taka hiro hung up the phone and started to make his plans. And this time, he knows he won’t encounter the Vampire Quartet.
“Ah, sweet relief.”
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"How are we gonna tackle this? How are we gonna steal the Tabula Clavem from the Imperial Castle?" Kirigaya sighed, placing his forehead on the window in defeat . He looked at the evening streets, seeing people still out and about. “ I can’t think of anything.”
“Of course, idiot.” Abel replied. “The most I can say is that we have to infiltrate the Castle. Build their trust. That way, they won’t suspect us of trying to steal anything.”
“That’s the most plausible plan, right now.” Misaki joined in. “We don’t have the manpower to plan an outright siege, it’s just the three of us against the entire Castle. Infiltration is the only way we’ll succeed.”
“But that’ll take months. Probably years.” Kirigaya turned from the window and looked to his colleagues sitting on the pristine white sofa. “Didn’t they say that this year would’ve been the best to execute it?”
“Yeah, but that’s not our problem, now is it?” Abel said. “But what would be even better is if we find a candidate.”
“Someone who has broken into Absolute Level? Wouldn’t that be publicized on the news? I mean, someone with that much power…” Kirigaya frowned. “So, it’s just as cheap we stick to one plan.”
“Not necessarily.” This time, Abel got up and walked to Kirigaya and stood beside him at the window. “If we can pinpoint someone who’s most likely able to break into Absolute Level, then so what if the media publicizes it? We would have already known this.”
“Hmm…” Misaki tapped his chin in wonder. “...I have an appointment with a regular patient of my coworker, Suoh, since he’ll be out thanks to his honeymoon. The patient’s from a powerful family Witches too. Maybe we can keep tabs on him?”
“The same Halfie Suoh blabs to you about all the time?” Kirigaya asked.
Misaki nodded. “In fact, the other day, he was the one who reached out to Suoh, but the secretary had to take all the details . I think he has potential.”
“Well, let’s see how it goes. We have the yearly power-checkups coming up later on in the year, anyway. So maybe by then this “potential” will improve by then?”
“Naturally.” Misaki grinned.
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...
All the way in another city, Hayasegawa Minato, more infamously known as The Commander walked through the dimly lit hallway alone. He wore an unpleasant expression, and those who he passed by never dared to say a word to him.
Turning left, he entered a closed-off room, with only two mounts to the left and right of the room. On the mount to the left was a chalice, known as the Calix. Minato stood before it and immediately, a grin appeared on his face. They were one-step closer to achieving their goal, and all that’s left is to get the Tabula Clavem and wait on the Clavis Mortalis.
“How will I get them to do the job required?” He asked himself as he nibbled on his thumbnail. Uncertainty glistened in his eyes, but he knew he’ll find a way. He always does.
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…
When Toru reached back to his house, the usual sight greeted him. There was Alex, Tomoya and Ryouta, sitting in his living room slurping on cup ramen like they owned the place. He was slightly cursing that he was friends with a Kanki, but then again, Toru remembered that even if that wasn’t the case, Alex would’ve mimicked one a long time ago.
With a sigh, the young heir asked, “What do you want, now?” Although he knew that not in all cases they wanted something, the looks in their eyes said otherwise.
“Well, Toruge…” Tomoya started but trailed off to slurp his noodles. Toru strode in further and took the next available seat, which was in an armchair next to Ryouta. “...a friend’s friend needs some help and you’re the only one I know can do this.”
Toru raised an eyebrow. “If it’s to lend money, I’ll have to see ―”
“Nothing pertaining to money, Toru-nii.” Ryouta interjected. “Actually, you’ll be the one earning money.”
Alex nearly choked on his ramen when he caught a glimpse of Toru’s face. The Vampire looked absolutely confused, since well, he was the founder of the one of the most successful software companies in the world. What the hell would he need to be paid for?
“Seriously? What kind of job is this?” Toru finally asked.
“It’s to teach Computer Science…” Tomoya said, avoiding eye contact with the Yamashita. “...at Tokyo Metropolitan University.”
T his was it. Alex couldn’t help it any longer. He burst out laughing, spilling the remains of the cup ramen on the red carpet. Normally, Toru would skin him alive for this, but at the moment, the Yamashita could care less. This was something he never saw coming, and for a fact, he knew that he wasn’t cut out to teach.
“Excuse me?” Toru’s baritone seemed to have risen an octave higher. “Why me? Teach? I can’t teach.”
“It isn’t like that.” Alex sighed, opening up a teleport and dumping the cup into it. “It’s just temporary. It’s not like it’ll be forever. Plus, this is right up your alley, Programmer-san.”
Toru rolled his eyes at the Halfie. Tomoya’s face looked pleading, and he’s never seen the Vampire like this before. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t remember when was the last time Tomoya asked a favour. The Vampire was the one who did favours for everyone, being that his Teleportation ability is extremely powerful.
“Alright, I’ll do it.” Toru said. This was Tomoya, he should do this one small favour for the man.
“Wait, what?” The Kanki’s eyes widened in shock. “I was only telling you of the proposal! I told my friend to tell his friend I’ll only inform you so he should contact you himself.”
“Well, you’ve always done me favours so I guess this one time won’t hurt.”
“Wow. Toruge. Thanks.” Tomoya’s face beamed like the sunshine he was, Ryouta and Alex shielding their faces, pretending that the other man really was a ball of sunshine, illuminating the place.
“You’re welcome.” Toru nodded. “So when do I start?”
Alex smirked. “Hasty, aren’t we?” He snickered. “Look, there isn’t a Madhouse on campus, so you won’t be seeing your precious bartender there.”
At that statement, Toru’s eyes were ablaze with Azure, and immediately, Alex and the others knew what was coming. Ryouta pushed the chair backwards, Tomoya watched Toru keenly.
“I’m not doing this with hopes of seeing Taka. Plus, I don’t even know how old he is.”
“Let’s...let’s…let’s just watch the news shall we?” Ryouta said to cool the atmosphere. He scrambled to turn on the TV, luckily, Toru’s mood had been calmed. Not that Alex needed to worry.
As they continued to chat idly, topics varying all over the place. The group was very lively, until Tomoya suddenly stopped.
All eyes snapped to the Vampire, knowing full well that he was having a precognition. His eyes turned cloudy white as per the norm, but this time, there was something different about him. But soon, his eyes returned to normal and the perky Vampire was back. Although, he was sweating and looked shaken.
“Tomo…? You…” Alex couldn’t even form a proper sentence.
“Oh fuck, guys.” Tomoya said as he placed his face in his palms. “Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck.”
“What’s the problem? What did you see?” Ryouta almost shrieked. It was one thing he’s learnt over century, Tomoya’s precognitions were mostly scary and terrifying than they are peaceful.
“Taka-chan.”
That one name made everyone stiffen.
“What about him, Tomoya?” Toru asked. He hoped that no ill befell the bartender.
“Alright, here’s what I saw.”
The living room was neat; Tomoya, Ryouta were seen near the TV, Alex and Takeru were in the kitchen. Takahiro and Toru were seated in the sofa, the former leaning into the latter for comfort. The area was set-up with food and the like, looking like a small party or something.
“Yo Taka! We’re gonna need some alcohol!” Alex sang with a wide grin. “You know my taste already.”
Takahiro got up from his perch in Toru’s arms. With a smirk, the bartender, answered, “Of course. Who do you think I am?”
Then, Takahiro strode across the space and before he could make it to kitchen, a loud grunt escaped his lips. He fell onto his knees, quickly Toru held him up. But then, Takahiro began to spasm.
“Taka! Taka!” Toru called.
The bartender’s eyes rolled back and then he said in a cryptic voice, “The cogs have been put into place, the gears of destruction are turning, everything is falling into place. My time is near, I will rise again. This world will be mine.”
Takahiro then lay limp in Toru’s arms, the Vampire fretting for his beloved.
“What the fuck was that?” Alex asked, looking at the Kanki. “What in the world….”
“I don’t know.” Tomoya replied. “Some thing used Taka to deliver its message. That’s all I can make out from this.”
“But the issue is, what is this entity? Where did it come from? And why Taka?” Toru said. “I mean, does his Telekinesis have anything to do with it?”
“Could be.” Alex nodded. “Plus, he’s part Witch. Witches communicate with the Spirits, right? He’s the perfect medium.”
“But I can’t believe this. First, we saw him near death on Abiko-suji, and then Tomo-kun has a vision of him causing a Psionic disturbance, and now this…?” Ryouta almost broke down. “Why does it seem like Taka-chan is the centre of all this?”
Toru never said anything. He thought long and hard and maybe this was a possibility.
“What if Taka is the Clavis Mortalis the Purgers are looking for?”
The entire room went still.