Chapter Text
Kazuma woke up to a burning pain in his entire body. He opened his eyes, needing some time for the blurry images to start to get into focus: a mostly empty room, with no more than a few pieces of old furniture around—by the looks of it, he doubted anyone had lived in that place in the past few years.
“I see that you’re awake.”
That voice made him look to the side, seeing an unfamiliar cloaked figure sitting next to his bed. Kazuma tried to sit up, but that man placed a cold hand on his bare chest, making him lie down again.
“Stay down…” said the man in a patient voice. “Yours was a difficult transformation.”
It took Kazuma a while to fully absorb the meaning of that word. “Transformation…?”
The man observed him for a moment. “I suppose you don’t remember the events of last night.”
“I…” Kazuma closed his eyes, fighting the strong headache to find the answers. “There was a werewolf in the city… and a man…” He paused, looking at that man beside him. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
Kazuma tried to force his memory, but there was nothing but a dense fog after that. “What happened to me?”
“You were bitten.” A heavy pause. “While protecting me.”
Bitten… “So, that means…”
“I’m afraid you’re one of them now,” said the man. “I know this won’t be of much comfort, but… Few people survive their first transformation. You’re lucky to be alive.”
He didn’t feel lucky in any way—most people would probably have chosen death over such a fate. Kazuma tried to push those thoughts out of his mind, looking at that man once again. “Did you save me?”
The man nodded. “It was the least I could do for the man who stood between me and that beast.”
“Weren’t you hurt?”
He looked away, seeming to hesitate for a second. “There’s no reason to worry about this.”
“How did you manage to escape? You…”
Only then did Kazuma pay more attention to that man’s appearance: unnaturally pale skin, red eyes… and, as he spoke, Kazuma was sure he saw sharp fangs in his mouth.
“You’re not human, are you?” asked Kazuma.
The man sighed. “So, you noticed it.”
“Fuck…”
Kazuma lowered his head, covering his face with both hands. A vampire… He was turned into a werewolf because he tried to protect a vampire, of all things…
And yet, that man had gone out of his way to bring him to safety. All things considered, he didn’t seem that bad… Not as bad as the vampires from the stories he had heard since his childhood, for sure.
“I can imagine your frustration,” said the man, “and I apologize for putting you in such a difficult situation.”
His words caused a sting of guilt in Kazuma’s chest. “No… You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who acted without thinking. If anything, I should be the one thanking you for saving my life.”
The man stayed silent, simply observing him for a while. “May I ask your name?”
Kazuma looked at him, surprised by the question. “Kazuma. Kazuma Asogi.”
“I see. I’m Barok van Zieks. If you don’t mind me asking, what are you planning to do now?”
Kazuma hadn’t considered it until that moment, but he had no idea. He couldn’t simply go back to his old life, not when he could be a threat to those he cared about. Not only that, but… would they even want him around in that state?
He didn’t want to know the answer. He would rather disappear quietly than have to see the look on their faces when they realized what he had become.
“I don’t know…” he muttered.
“If you have nowhere to go, come with me.”
Kazuma raised his eyes, unsure if he had heard him right. “Why…?”
“I could use someone capable by my side.” Probably noticing Kazuma’s cautious gaze, Barok quickly added: “Don’t worry, I’ll pay you.”
He said those words in a calm, natural manner. Yet, Kazuma couldn’t help but feel a little unsettled by the proposal. “And what exactly would I be doing?”
“As you can imagine, it’s quite inconvenient for someone like me to try to pass unnoticed among humans, especially in the daylight. Yet, I have no intention of living my life secluded, like most of my kind. It would be helpful to have someone who can freely walk under the sun to aid me in my travels.”
The explanation made sense, yet…
“If you’re worried about me drinking your blood, don’t be,” said Barok. “A werewolf’s blood would certainly make me sick.”
“That’s not what I…” Kazuma stopped himself: it would be a lie to say that he wasn’t concerned about the drinking blood subject. He thought for a moment before continuing. “When you need to drink blood, what exactly do you do? Do you…?”
“I don’t kill unless I’m attacked first,” Barok explained. “If I don’t come across any hunters in my travels, I try to negotiate. There are many people who will gladly allow me to feed on their blood for a monetary compensation.”
“So… you just ask them?”
“Yes.”
“And if they say no?”
“I leave before they can warn the authorities.”
That was an unexpected response.
“Oh…” Kazuma averted his gaze, unsure of what else to say. “Alright.”
“If you change your mind in the future, we can part ways,” Barok continued. “This isn’t a lifelong contract, but a simple proposition for our mutual benefit.”
“I see.” Kazuma considered his options, only to realize there weren’t many. “Well… it’s not like I have anywhere else to go like this.”
“I thought so.” Barok pulled a pocket watch from the inside of his cloak, then stood up. “You should still be exhausted from your transformation… Please, rest for a few more hours. We’ll leave as soon as the sun sets.”
“Understood…”
He left the room, probably to get some rest as well. As he said, Kazuma was exhausted, but all those recent events kept him from falling asleep.
It took no more than an instant for his entire life to change… Would he still have tried to shield Barok if he knew? He couldn’t tell. At that moment, he acted by pure instinct, without thinking of any possible consequences. He just thought he could help that man.
A vampire… The last creature who would ever need his help in a fight. The situation was so absurd that it almost made him laugh. The thought of leaving everything behind stopped him, though.
He would miss his family and friends… Part of him wished he could at least see them one last time, to properly say goodbye. However, he knew it would be better for them to believe he was dead: at least that way they would still have good memories of him to cherish.
That thought weighed inside his chest. He tried not to think about it, turning to the side and closing his eyes, covering his head with the thin blanket in a pointless attempt of muffling the sounds outside, so he could try to go back to sleep.
Kazuma spent a long time turning from one side to the other, and didn’t even notice when the exhaustion finally overcame him. It was like no more than a few minutes had passed before he felt a hand on his arm, carefully shaking him awake.
“Kazuma.”
Still tired, he opened his eyes to see Barok in front of him.
“It’s dark outside,” said Barok. “We should go.”
“Ah…” The sight of that man brought all those events back to his mind, making his heart sink. “Of course…”
“Do you need more time?”
Kazuma shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
He sat up, and despite how tired he was, his body wasn’t hurting anymore. He was still processing that fact when Barok placed a few clothes on the bed by his side.
“Here,” he said. “You can wear this.”
Kazuma stared at those clothes, confused. “Where did you get this?”
“I didn’t steal them, if that’s what you’re thinking. Even a vampire knows how to buy clothes.”
“Ah, I didn’t think—”
“I know,” said Barok. “It was simply a jest.”
It didn’t feel like one. Maybe a vampire’s sense of humor was slightly drier than most humans’… Anyway, he would probably have to get used to it.
“Alright, then…” Kazuma forced a smile. “Thanks for the clothes.”
“I hope they’re the right size.” Barok turned around, walking toward the door. “I’ll give you some privacy. Meet me at the entrance when you’re ready to leave.”
Kazuma didn’t have the time to answer before Barok left the bedroom. He stood up, reaching for those clothes, and only then did his gaze fall upon the large scar on his arm. Despite how recent that injury was, it seemed to be completely healed—probably a result of his transformation. It looked really ugly, though… If he hadn’t become a werewolf, he would probably have lost his arm, or a good chunk of it.
No, I would be dead. The realization made his stomach turn. He shook his head in an attempt to erase those thoughts, then proceeded to wear those clothes. A simple shirt and pants, as well as a light coat, a hat, a pair of boots, and a dark cloak—not that different from Barok’s, he thought. Despite Barok’s previous concern, they were all the right size and quite comfortable… Certainly not cheap. Quite considerate of him, he thought with a slight smile.
Once fully clothed, Kazuma approached a dusty mirror to check his new appearance. The clothes looked fine, despite how different they were from the ones he used to wear—an amusing change, if anything. He cleaned the dust with his hand to take a better look at his face, and his heart seemed to stop for a moment: his eyes, once dark gray, were now of an unnatural silver tone. He opened his mouth in shock, and the sight of sharp fangs only made his reflection seem even more uncanny. It stood out so much… No normal human would ever look like that.
But I’m not a normal human anymore, am I?
All his energy seemed to dissipate in a single second. It was still difficult to accept that he wasn’t going back home… That he would probably never see the people he loved again. As much as the rational part of his mind understood why it was for the best, it didn’t make it any less painful.
Part of him wanted to go back to that bed, lie there, and never leave it again. What was the point, anyway? There was nothing left for him outside that place…
Instead, he took a deep breath, leaving the bedroom before he could hesitate. He found Barok next to the door, with his eyes closed and arms crossed. Noticing his approach, he looked at Kazuma.
“Ready to leave?”
Kazuma nodded. Barok opened the door, stepping outside, and Kazuma followed him. To his surprise, they weren’t in the city anymore, but inside an abandoned cottage in the woods, just outside of the walls. Considering the noises he heard, he would never have guessed it.
As they walked, Kazuma couldn’t help but notice the changes more clearly: all the smells and sounds were so intense and sharp… The grass, the Night-Bloomings, the rotting leaves deep into the forest—something else rotting, exuding a sickening smell… The sound of small creatures moving, of water running down the river, of the wind ruffling the trees’ leaves… Far away, the sound of voices, steps, and music from a tavern.
Too much.
His head throbbed, and he brought a hand to it. Barok looked in his direction.
“Is something wrong?”
“It’s so noisy…” Kazuma muttered.
“Of course… I forgot how dull human senses are.” He offered Kazuma a compassionate look. “Don’t worry, you’ll get accustomed to it with time.”
Kazuma almost asked how much time, but knew he wouldn’t like the answer. He suddenly wanted to puke, needing to make an effort to control that urge, shutting his eyes for a moment, pressing his lips into a thin line. He covered his nose with his cloak before inhaling again, and despite not getting rid of it completely, the thick fabric helped with mitigating that intense mixture carried by the night breeze. The sounds were still annoying, though… He wished he had two pairs of hands so he could cover his ears as well.
He followed Barok closely for a long time. Neither of them spoke, but the silence didn’t bother him—it was much better than trying to force a conversation neither of them wanted to be part of.
“Are you tired?” asked Barok after some time.
“Not really.”
Barok nodded. “I know a safe place nearby where we can stay for the day. It should be no more than a two-hour walk from here.”
“That’s good.”
“We still have more than enough time, so let me know if you need to rest.”
“Alright.” Kazuma forced a brief smile. “But I can keep going.”
“Very well.”
Barok didn’t insist, but slowed his steps a little bit. Kazuma pretended not to notice it, quietly appreciating the gesture: Barok seemed cold at a first glance, but he was a kind man.
They spent the night in an old shed of a small farm, repurposed into a storage room for equally old tools. It wasn’t very comfortable, but still served well as a shelter from the sun. The biggest problem was the smell… Everything there stunk enough to make his nose burn. And there were also the animal noises, loud enough for Kazuma to almost believe that they were there, just beside him.
But, even worse than all that: he was starving.
Kazuma had hoped they would eat something as soon as they reached a safe place, but Barok didn’t even mention it. Only then did it cross his mind: vampires didn’t eat food, did they? That was probably why he seemed so relaxed.
Well… He would probably have to take care of it himself, then.
“I think I’ll go take a look around,” said Kazuma.
Barok raised his eyes, confused. “Why?”
“I need to find some food.”
His answer made Barok widen his eyes, staring at him in shock for a few seconds. “I forgot… You need to eat.”
“Yes.”
Barok jolted up, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head before facing the door. “I’m very sorry… I’ll try to find something you can—”
“Wait!” Kazuma jumped in his direction, holding his arm with both hands before he could leave. “The sun is already rising!”
“I can’t let you starve to death while you’re under my care!”
How weak does this man think I am…?
“I won’t die so easily! That’s why I said I’ll look for…” Kazuma closed his eyes briefly, counting to ten in an attempt to calm down. He looked at Barok, continuing in a lower voice. “Look, there’s no reason to worry, so just… stay inside, alright?”
Seeming a little calmer as well, Barok nodded. “Forgive me… I should have remembered something like this…”
“Don’t worry so much about it.” Kazuma forced a reassuring smile. “Well, I should be back soon.”
“Be careful not to be seen.”
“I will.”
Kazuma walked to the door, glancing around to make sure there was no one nearby, then left the shed. He let out a long sigh after closing the door behind him: he didn’t expect Barok to react so strongly to something that small. It was good that the man cared about his well-being, but still…
His thoughts were interrupted by the unpleasant feeling in his empty stomach. Food… He could worry about everything else after eating.
He spent some time searching the area, gathering some fruits he found on the way. Mostly apples and berries… Not a great meal, but, to his starving self, it felt like a banquet. Kazuma was about to return to the shed when he noticed the sound of something approaching. Instinctively, he hid behind the largest object he could find: a tree. The steps continued to approach, now accompanied by the sound of sniffing.
A dog? At least it wasn’t a person, but… It would still be a problem if it tried to attack him, or started barking and gave his location away. Seconds later, the dog was standing next to him—a large shepherd dog with dark fur, that looked at him with curious eyes.
Neither of them moved for a while. Then, the dog sniffed Kazuma’s leg, wagging its tail playfully. Kazuma let out his breath, relieved.
“Hello,” he said.
The dog let out a small bark, and Kazuma carefully extended his hand, allowing it to sniff him before patting its head.
“You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”
The dog barked in response, enthusiastically wagging his tail. Was it that friendly to strangers, or was that an unexpectedly nice consequence of his transformation? Kazuma hoped it was the second case—at least it would add a positive side to a bunch of negative ones. He patted the dog for a while longer, for its clear delight.
“You should go back home now,” he said, “before your owners come looking for you and find me here.”
The dog responded with another bark, and then… it left. Kazuma observed it, surprised. It couldn’t have actually obeyed him, right? Was that some kind of werewolf power he had never heard about?
Well, that was interesting… He was sure he could think of some use to having an army of puppies at his disposal…
The silly thought made him laugh: werewolf power or not, that encounter served to cheer him up a little. He quickly made his way back to the shed, before he could come across someone less friendly than that dog.
“Barok?” he called as he closed the door.
No answer. Kazuma approached him, soon realizing that he was sleeping. So, vampires sleep too… It was nice to find something their kinds had in common. He should be resting as well… They had a long night ahead of them.
With that in mind, Kazuma lay on the ground, using his cloak as a makeshift pillow. It definitely wasn’t comfortable, but he was too tired after that long walk to complain.
He woke up some time later to some strange sounds. It took him a moment to realize that they came from Barok, who tossed and mumbled in his restless sleep. A nightmare? Concerned, Kazuma approached him, touching his shoulder.
“Barok?”
Barok opened his eyes, jolting up, staring at Kazuma with a frightened expression that slowly changed into confusion, and then, frustration.
“Did I wake you?” he asked.
Kazuma could barely register that question. “You seemed to be having a nightmare… Is everything alright?”
“Yes.” He reached inside his cloak, glancing at his watch. “It’s still early… We can rest for a while longer.”
“Do you want to talk about—”
“You should go back to sleep.”
Barok’s sharp tone made Kazuma go silent. He lowered his gaze, a dull pain taking his chest.
“Alright.”
Without another word, Kazuma returned to his makeshift pillow, lying down. Suddenly, he missed his home even more than before.
“I apologize,” muttered Barok.
Kazuma’s chest tightened. “It’s alright.”
No, it wasn’t. Not because of Barok, but… Nothing was right. He was tired, hungry, scared… Everything was too loud, the smells too strong, his new fangs hurt the inside of his mouth whenever he talked or chewed…
Stop… Pitying yourself won’t make things any better.
Trying to follow his own advice, he closed his eyes, but was unable to fall asleep again.
As soon as it got dark outside, the two of them were on the road once again. They spent the following days like that, walking during the night, resting during the day, making small pauses to buy some food for Kazuma and rest their legs for a while.
The last time they had been in a more populated place was two days before, and since then Kazuma had seen nothing but a dark forest with tall trees that covered almost any trace of sunlight—which was a positive thing for them, yet he couldn’t help but think it was a little depressing.
It felt like a long time had passed when they finally reached an open space, being kindly greeted by the moonlight and a vast field of grass and wildflowers. The sight of an open field… It made him want to run as fast as he could. By the Gods, calm down… You’re not a dog.
His excitement at the change of scenery, however, was soon dampened by Barok’s grave voice. “This isn’t good… I dislike traveling in open spaces.”
Kazuma looked at him, slightly surprised. “Why?” It didn’t take long, however, for him to find the answer. “Oh… The sun, right?”
“Unfortunately,” said Barok. “It’s quite difficult to find shelter in an area like this.”
Kazuma took a look around: judging by how far the field seemed to go, it would probably take a while for them to reach a city or any kind of shelter. “Any idea where we’ll stay today, then?”
“Not yet…” said Barok. “We should keep going and pray that we’ll find somewhere safe before the sun rises.”
“And what if we don’t?”
“Then I’ll be in quite a predicament.”
The simplicity of the answer made Kazuma stare at him. “That’s all? You should put more thought into this if your life depends on it!”
“That’s the price I pay for my choice of traveling the world.”
“But still…” Kazuma grunted, aware that the discussion wouldn’t go anywhere. “Ah, whatever! You’re going back to that forest while I search for a safe place for you.”
He grabbed Barok’s wrist, pulling him back the way they came.
“Wait…” said Barok.
“No, I’m not. I’m not about to let you become a pile of ashes in front of me.”
“There’s no need to worry so much. I’ve survived like this for years.”
“I don’t know how… I’ve just spent a few days with you and I’m already doubting your sense of self-preservation.”
“I’m telling you there’s no reason to worry,” Barok insisted. “If I have no other choice, I can turn into a bat and sleep inside a tree or another small place.”
Those words made Kazuma stop, turning to face Barok. “You can turn into a bat?”
“Yes.”
“I always thought that was a made-up thing…” He couldn’t hold back an excited smile. “Can I see it?”
Barok furrowed his brow. “Why are you so interested, all of a sudden?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I wish I could do that!”
“You can turn into a wolf.”
Those words killed some of Kazuma’s excitement. Before he could answer, however, Barok let out an exasperated sigh.
“Very well,” he said, “if you insist.”
He moved away from Kazuma, closing his eyes. Then, in the next second, his tall frame changed into a small, slightly round one, flapping its wings to stay in the air.
Kazuma thought he was prepared for that, but he wasn’t. The contrast between that big, serious man and that small creature was enough to make a bubbly feeling take his chest. He grinned widely.
“Come here!” Kazuma extended his hands, but Barok ignored him. “Please… Just a little.”
The exasperation was clear even in his bat face, but Barok did as Kazuma said, landing on his open hands. Kazuma observed him closely: he was small… Not only small, but tiny. Tiny face, tiny nose, tiny black eyes… Just a fuzzy little thing with sharp fangs and big ears.
“You’re so cute in this form…” Kazuma lightly petted him with his finger. “Can’t you stay like this from now on?”
Barok didn’t seem too pleased by that comment. He flew away from him, then changed back into his original form, staring at Kazuma with his arms crossed and brow deeply furrowed. “Did you enjoy yourself enough?”
“Yes,” Kazuma laughed to himself. “Thank you very much.”
Barok observed him, his expression softening a little. “At least you seem to be in high spirits.”
“I feel better knowing that you’re not going to die when the sun rises.”
“How incompetent at surviving do you think I am?”
Kazuma sighed, shaking his head. “How terrible it must be to have someone worried about you…” He thought for a moment. “But, you know… I wouldn’t mind transforming if I could control it like this.”
“At will?” asked Barok. “Or keeping your consciousness while you do it?”
“Both things,” said Kazuma. “And it’s really convenient to be able to do it with all your clothes on… I can’t say it’s nice to wake up completely naked.”
“I thought you’d rather not have a stranger touching you more than necessary.”
“And you were right about that.” Kazuma offered him a slight smile. “I still appreciate you taking care of me, though.”
“I told you before, there’s no reason to thank me.”
“I wish you’d just accept it for once…” Kazuma shrugged. “But fine, let’s keep going. If the sun comes out, I’ll hide you inside my cloak.”
“How thoughtful.”
“Be glad that you’re so cute as a bat.”
Barok didn’t respond, but showed a subtle smile. Kazuma returned it: he wasn’t about to admit it, but he was quickly growing fond of that rare sight.
They had been traveling together for almost a month when Barok approached him with a grave expression.
“Kazuma, we need to talk.”
Kazuma had a feeling he knew what that conversation would be about—if he was right, the same thing had been bothering him for a while, but he hadn’t gathered the courage to touch the subject.
“Yes?”
“There’s only a few more days before the next full moon.” Barok met his gaze. “You know what that means, don’t you?”
As I thought. “Yes…” The thought of it was enough to make his stomach turn. “I’ll transform.”
“Not only that,” Barok continued, “but my kind and yours… You probably already know that they’re natural enemies.”
Suddenly, his worries became much heavier. “Do you think I might attack you?”
“It’s possible.” Despite the subject, Barok’s voice stayed calm. “I’m not worried about my safety, but if I have to contain you in the middle of a city, things might get out of control. Even if we isolate ourselves in a forest or another secluded place, there’s still the risk you’ll run away and reach some village before I can stop you.”
That was a concerning thought… Kazuma had considered isolating himself before, but Barok’s words made him doubt it would be enough. “What should we do, then?”
“There’s someone I know,” said Barok. “If we go to his place, he might be able to help.”
His response brought Kazuma some relief. “Alright, then. But… who is this person?”
“An exasperating but extremely powerful witch. You’ll meet him soon.”
“Does he live nearby?”
Barok thought for a moment. “It’s difficult to say… It’ll be easier to just show you.”
All that mystery made Kazuma show a faint smile. “Now I’m curious.”
“Just give me a moment.”
Barok straightened his posture, turning away from Kazuma, facing the empty space before him. Then, he proceeded to draw something in the air with his finger.
“What are you doing?” asked Kazuma.
“Opening a portal.”
“Portal…?”
“A magic gate to his realm.”
That didn’t make him any less confused. Instead of questioning Barok further, however, Kazuma simply watched as he finished tracing the air. Nothing happened at first, but then the forms he drew started to glow with a faint light. Those lines slowly grew like vines, connecting to each other until they formed a shape of light the size of a door. Barok looked at Kazuma, offering him his hand.
“Hold my hand,” he said, “and don’t let go.”
The idea of entering that strange portal was more than a little unsettling, but Kazuma didn’t give himself the time to hesitate: Barok had saved his life once, and given him a safe place by his side when he had nowhere else to go. As strange as the situation could be, Kazuma trusted him.
“Alright.”
Kazuma held his hand tightly, and, together, they crossed that portal. It didn’t last long, but, for a few seconds, Kazuma’s entire body was taken by a strong tingling sensation. There was nothing but light around them, so he closed his eyes, slightly tightening his grip on Barok’s hand.
Then, it stopped. In an instant, he was surrounded by the smell of flowers, herbs, baked sweets, and burning wood. He opened his eyes, and before him was a cozy-looking, two-story house, surrounded by a vast garden—a place completely different from where he was just a few seconds before.
“Are you alright?”
Barok’s voice made Kazuma look at him. “Ah, yes. Just… a little surprised.”
“I thought so.” Barok offered him a slight smile. “Come.”
Kazuma followed him to the entrance of that house, watching as Barok pulled the string of the doorbell, which resulted in a melodic, pleasant sound. He could hear a lively conversation inside the house going silent, giving place to the sound of steps. The door was opened by a tall, blond man in nicely adorned, comfortable-looking robes. His expression brightened as soon as he looked at Barok.
“Oh, what a surprise!” He glanced inside the house. “Iris, my dear… our vampire friend is here to pay us a visit!”
Lighter, slightly bouncy steps approached them, and soon a small, pink-haired girl in a green dress joined the man with a wide smile.
“Uncle Barry! It’s good to see you!” Her gaze fell upon Kazuma, and she slightly widened her eyes, covering her open mouth with a hand. “Did you bring a friend?”
Her words made the blond man look at Kazuma, examining him with a curious look. “That’s unexpected…” In an instant, the smile was back on his face. “Welcome to our humble residence, my dear fellow!”
“Ah…” Kazuma’s surprised mind needed a moment to find the proper response. “Thanks…?”
The man gestured inside the house. “Please, come in!”
They did as he said. On the inside, the house was as cozy as Kazuma imagined by the smell, but with a much wider range of colors than he could have expected. There were countless potted plants everywhere, as well as handmade rugs, tablecloths, pillows, and plushies. Kazuma’s first thought was that it felt like the home of a happy family, which made his heart ache.
“Take a seat.” The man gestured toward a couch near the fireplace. “Iris will brew us some tea in a moment, won’t you?”
“Of course, daddy,” said the girl.
“But, before that…” He glanced at Kazuma, then turned his gaze toward Barok. “I suppose some introductions are in order, don’t you agree?”
“Very well,” said Barok. “His name is Kazuma Asogi. He was recently turned into a werewolf while protecting me.”
“Oh, I see…” said the man. “The approaching full moon is cause for great concern, then.” He looked at Kazuma, offering him a smile. “Worry not, my young fellow, we’ll make sure your transformation is a safe one. And, since dear Barok failed to do so, I’ll take the liberty of introducing myself: my name is Herlock Sholmes, and I’m the great witch of the woods.”
“And I’m his daughter and assistant, Iris Sholmes.” The girl grinned, joining her hands in front of her chest. “Nice to meet you, Kazie!”
Kazie…?
“Nice to meet you,” said Kazuma.
“So, you protected uncle Barry from a werewolf?” she continued, clearly interested in that story. “That’s so heroic!”
“Indeed,” said Herlock. “I doubt he needed the help, though.”
Kazuma lowered his gaze to the floor. “Ah, yes… I didn’t realize it at the time.”
“Sholmes, please…” said Barok.
“It was a mere observation! I didn’t intend to take away from your heroic act, Mr. Asogi.” Herlock flashed an amused grin. “And I’m sure Barok appreciates the action, regardless of the catastrophic results.”
Ouch…
“Sholmes,” said Barok in a warning tone.
Herlock laughed loudly, facing Kazuma. “Forgive me, you seemed so anxious that I couldn’t help but tease you a bit.” He opened a friendly smile. “Besides, facing such a formidable foe for the sake of another person says a great deal about your character.”
He made it sound nice… As if he wasn’t referring to how an average-sized human tried to face a werewolf with his bare hands. But Kazuma chose not to point that out.
“Daddy is right,” said Iris. “If you’re uncle Barry’s friend, I’m sure you’re a good person.”
Barok looked at her, raising a hand. “Oh, we’re not friends.”
The entire room went quiet. Kazuma looked at him, taken aback by those words.
“What a cold thing to say, dear Barok,” said Herlock.
“No, I mean…” Barok brought a hand to his face, struggling briefly with the words. “I appreciate his company, but we’ve only met recently, and under unfortunate circumstances.”
Well, that much was true… If it hadn’t been for Kazuma’s reckless actions, the two of them wouldn’t have any reason to travel together like that. Still… If he was asked about their relationship, he would have said that he considered Barok a friend. To know he was the only one who felt that way was a little disappointing.
“I guess you’re right,” he muttered.
No one said another word for a long while.
“I’ll brew us some tea, then,” said Iris in an unnaturally cheerful tone. “It’ll take just a minute!”
She quickly made her way to where Kazuma guessed was the kitchen. Herlock followed her with his eyes until she disappeared from sight, then turned to face Barok.
“You know, Barok…” he said. “It has been a long while since you’ve last paid us a visit.”
“Indeed.”
For a moment, Herlock’s expression went stiff. “If that’s all you have to say, I won’t insist on the subject.” He opened a wide smile, gesturing toward the second floor. “Well, you can use the usual bedroom. Mr. Asogi, come with me for a minute. I’ll show you where you’ll stay for the night.” He brought a hand to his chin, in a thoughtful expression. “Or perhaps the day… I suppose traveling with Barok has given you some nocturnal habits.”
Kazuma forced a small chuckle. “That’s true.”
He stood up, and Barok seemed about to do the same.
“I’ll accompany—”
Herlock raised his hand. “Please, dear Barok… Go check if Iris needs help with the tea.” He made a small pause, staring into Barok’s eyes. “I’m sure she will be delighted by the chance to speak with you.”
Barok sustained his gaze for a few seconds. Then, he gave in with a tired sigh, lowering his eyes. “Very well.”
That sudden tension made Kazuma look at Barok, worried. But Barok kept his gaze low, so Kazuma reluctantly turned away, following Herlock upstairs. Herlock walked to a door at the end of the corridor, opening it, gesturing for Kazuma to follow him inside.
“Here we are,” he said. “This will be your room for as long as you stay here.”
It was a small, but cozy and clean place—the nicest place Kazuma had slept in since his transformation, without a doubt. He smiled. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Kazuma hesitated briefly, but knew his thoughts wouldn’t give him peace if he didn’t ask. “Mr. Sholmes…” he said in a low voice. “I don’t want to intrude, but is there… some problem between you and Barok?”
Herlock didn’t answer immediately, thinking for a moment. “I wouldn’t call it a problem. But, as you must have noticed, he’s a terribly reserved and stubborn man… Enough to keep his distance from those who care for him.” He made a pause, observing Kazuma. “I hope you weren’t hurt by what he said about you two.”
Kazuma averted his gaze. “No… And he’s right.”
“Is that so?” asked Herlock. “Judging by your reaction, one would believe you don’t feel the same way.”
“I…” He didn’t know what to say. Herlock waited for a while, and Kazuma could feel his eyes on him. “I’m not sure.”
His low voice didn’t make that lie more convincing.
“Fair enough,” said Herlock under his breath. When he spoke again, however, his voice sounded much lighter. “Oh, before it escapes my mind… Are you having any trouble getting used to your sharpened senses?”
The sudden change of subject caught Kazuma off-guard. He looked at Herlock, wondering if he had done it on purpose, noticing his discomfort—either way, Kazuma was glad to leave the previous discussion behind.
“To be honest, yes,” he said. “It’s like there’s too much of everything, all the time… Sometimes I fail to notice someone approaching me because I can hear some couple arguing meters away.”
“Barok must have told you already, but it gets better with time.” A pause. “Your senses aren’t the only thing that changed, though… You must have noticed the changes in your physical strength and agility, among other things.”
“Yes…”
“I suppose it’s quite tempting to test your limits…” Herlock continued. “But you should be careful: you might be stronger than you were, but you can still hurt yourself if you become too confident and don’t respect your limits.”
Kazuma pressed his lips into a line. “Truth is, I tried not to… test it. Or think much about it.” He sighed. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but… I feel like, if I start accepting these things that make me a werewolf, I’ll…” He stopped talking, unsure of what to say. “I don’t know…”
“Please, try to elaborate.”
Kazuma tried to find the right words. “I’ll lose every part of who I once was. You know… What makes me Kazuma.”
Herlock nodded. “A fair concern. I wish I could reassure you that there is no reason for it, but you know better than anyone how a transformation under the moonlight can erase your consciousness. However, that is one night in an entire month. During those remaining days, you’ll be just as you are right now.” A slightly amused smile took his lips. “Unless, of course, you consciously choose to be someone different. I’m not only a great witch, but also a master of the illusion arts, you know?”
To prove his point, Herlock snapped his fingers, making his hair change into a bright red color. He snapped his fingers again, and it changed into blue. The third time, it returned to its natural color, and a thick black mustache materialized under his nose. He looked at Kazuma, who chuckled, surprised.
“Impressive,” said Kazuma.
“The finger-snapping is only for dramatic effect,” he added, waving his hand in front of his face, getting rid of his mustache. “It gives the entire thing a little more impact, don’t you agree?”
“Not that it needed it, but yes.” Kazuma smiled, quietly appreciating that clear attempt to cheer him up. “You sure seem to have many talents, Mr. Sholmes.”
“My dear boy, you haven’t the faintest idea.” Herlock made an elaborate pose, flashing a grin. “Speaking of which, if you don’t oppose the idea, we could visit the woods nearby later. So you can safely get to know the new limits of your body.”
Kazuma lowered his gaze. “I…”
“I understand you’re uncomfortable with the idea,” Herlock continued. “This might not be what you want to hear, but these changes you fear have already happened. All you can do now is learn how to safely live with them.”
Kazuma stayed silent. Herlock was right… But knowing it didn’t make things easier to accept.
“I understand.” He thought briefly, raising his eyes to look at Herlock. “Then… I’ll take you up on your offer.”
Herlock smiled, seeming pleased by the answer. “Worry not…” He raised his finger, tapping it against his forehead, then pointing it at nowhere in particular. “I’ll make sure you don’t get too carried away and injure yourself in the process. Now, come.” He gestured toward the stairs. “We don’t want the tea Iris so thoughtfully prepared to get cold.”
“Wait, Mr. Sholmes…”
There were many things Kazuma wanted to say, but he didn’t know how to turn them into words. That brief exchange had untangled some of the worries he was carrying in his chest… They were still there, of course, but voicing them made it all feel a little less intimidating.
“Thank you,” he said. “For listening, and…” He paused, lowering his voice. “Really, thank you.”
“Consider this my apology for teasing you earlier.” Herlock showed a half-grin. “And for all the teasing that is yet to come.”
Kazuma smiled, his chest seeming a little lighter than before. “Sounds fair.”
They walked downstairs, seeing Barok and Iris near the fireplace. Before them, on the coffee table, was a teapot, a few matching teacups, and a plate with sliced cake—banana flavored, judging by the smell.
“Oh, there they are,” said Iris. “Just in time.”
Herlock took the seat beside Iris, and Kazuma the one beside Barok. Unable to resist that smell for much longer, he took a slice of cake, taking a bite. It was good… Delicious, in fact. Kazuma was about to comment on it when the sight of Barok tasting the cake grabbed his attention.
“I thought you couldn’t eat.”
“I can eat,” said Barok. “I just don’t need to.”
“Thankfully,” said Herlock. “It would be a waste not to prove some of Iris’ delectable baking. Don’t you agree, Mr. Asogi?”
“Yes, I was about to say that.” Kazuma offered her a smile. “It’s delicious, Iris.”
Iris hummed to herself, seeming pleased by the compliment. “I’m glad you liked it.”
“Of course he did, dear Iris,” said Herlock. “Otherwise, I would have to believe his transformation caused some irreversible damage to his taste buds.”
She laughed. “Daddy, stop…”
As father and daughter chatted playfully, Barok moved closer to Kazuma, whispering. “Kazuma…”
“Hm?”
“Sholmes didn’t make you uncomfortable with intrusive questions, did he?”
Has he been worried about that?
“No.” Kazuma chuckled. “Actually, he was very considerate.”
“I see.”
He seemed about to say something else, but didn’t, taking a sip of his tea. Kazuma did the same, turning his attention back to the cake—it felt like an eternity since he last ate something that good.
They soon finished eating, and Herlock stood up, straightening his vest. He looked at Kazuma with a slight smile. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent!” Herlock reached for the coat and hat hanging near the entrance, then glanced at the others. “Now, if you’ll excuse us… Mr. Asogi and I have some matters to attend to outside.”
Barok looked from Kazuma to Herlock, confused. “Where are you going?”
Herlock grinned. “To an adventure, dear Barok.”
Barok opened his mouth to say something else, but Iris was faster than him.
“Have fun, you two!” She waved at them. “I’ll keep an eye on uncle Barry until you come back!”
“Please do, my dear.” He turned his attention back to Kazuma. “Shall we go?”
Kazuma agreed, following him outside. They walked to the back of the house, then followed a path leading into the woods. After a few minutes, they arrived at a clearing, and Herlock stopped, facing him.
“This should be a good enough place,” he said.
“So, what should I do?”
“Before anything…” Herlock took a step in Kazuma’s direction, placing a hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eyes. “What I need you to understand is that there are people out there who will try to harm you. You may not want to fight them, but you need to be able to properly defend yourself if you want to keep both yourself and Barok safe.”
His uncharacteristically serious tone and expression caught Kazuma by surprise. “Alright.”
“There are many things that can harm you,” he continued. “Silver will poison you and stop your wounds from healing. Wolfsbane will burn your skin and paralyze your body. A collar made of moonstone will keep you trapped in your wolf form, and make you susceptible to your captor’s orders.” He made a heavy pause. “Those who hunt people like us know our weaknesses… We must be aware of them as well, so we can find ways to fight back.”
Kazuma could do nothing but stare at him, those words making his stomach turn.
“I didn’t mean to alarm you,” Herlock continued in a softer voice, “but you must know that your life from now on won’t always be an easy one. You need to survive whatever comes your way, no matter what.” He slightly tightened his grip on Kazuma’s shoulder. “Understood?”
Kazuma nodded. “Understood.”
“Excellent!” Herlock smiled, then took a step back, giving their surroundings a brief glance. “We should start slowly… See what you can do.”
And so they did, testing Kazuma’s physical attributes one at a time, increasing the challenge until they had a better idea of his limits. They took a small break to have lunch, and then went back to that clearing. By the end of the afternoon, when they finally returned to Herlock’s house, Kazuma was exhausted.
He took a warm bath then walked to his bedroom, ready to fall on the bed and not get out of it until the middle of the night. Before he had the chance to, however, he heard light steps approaching, soon followed by a knock on his door.
“Kazie?” called Iris.
“Come in.”
She opened the door, walking inside with a folded blanket in her arms.
“I just wanted to check if you had enough blankets,” she said, placing it on the bed. “It can get a little chilly during the evening.”
“Ah, thank you.”
She didn’t say anything else, but seemed hesitant to leave as well. Kazuma almost asked her if something was wrong, but stopped himself, a thought crossing his mind: maybe she was lonely… Herlock was clearly a kind and caring father, but still… It shouldn’t be easy for a girl her age to live in such a secluded place.
“Ah,” he said, “I wanted to ask you before, but I forgot… Are you the one who made all those plushies?”
Her expression brightened. “Yes! Did you like them?”
“They’re really cute.”
“I can show you how to sew them, if you want. By the way…” She sat in front of him on the bed, with her legs bent. “Where did you and daddy go earlier?” She looked away, puffing up her cheeks. “I asked him, but he didn’t give me a proper answer.”
“Oh…” Kazuma brought a hand to his chin, forcing a thoughtful expression. “I guess I should keep the secret, then.”
“Not you too! Come on… Just tell me.”
Kazuma laughed, amused by her reaction. The minutes passed, filled with their voices and Iris’ cheerful smile. It was nice to see her happy… Just like with Herlock, Kazuma soon found himself enjoying her company.
Sleep could wait a little longer.