The Bite of Curiosity

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> “Ayato.”

Subaru’s voice was cold. Dangerous. Like broken ice.

The red-haired boy grinned wider, clearly enjoying the tension.

> “Chill out, Subaru. I’m just curious. She smells interesting, that’s all.”

You instinctively stepped back. Something in Ayato’s gaze wasn’t normal. His eyes were like fire—hungry fire.

> “You’re not touching her,” Subaru warned.

> “Oh? So she is yours?” Ayato asked, teasing. “Did you already take a bite?”

Your cheeks flushed crimson.

> “I’m not—his—”

You began, but Subaru suddenly stepped between you and Ayato, blocking his view of you completely.

> “She’s under my protection. That’s all that matters.”

Ayato raised an eyebrow.

> “Huh. Since when do you protect humans?”

He leaned in close to Subaru and whispered something you couldn’t hear.

But Subaru’s reaction was instant. His fist slammed into the wall beside Ayato’s head, cracking the stone.

Ayato just laughed. “Fine, fine. Keep your little human secret. But she better not wander off at night…”

He turned, walked out, and the heavy air lifted a little.

---

When the classroom emptied later, you stayed seated, heart pounding.

Subaru sat again in the back corner, staring out the window. You slowly walked up to him.

> “Why did you stop him?”

He didn’t look at you.

> “Because I didn’t want you to be afraid.”

That surprised you.

> “Why would you care?”

He turned to you then, his red eyes softer than before.

> “Because I know what fear tastes like.”

There was a silence between you. Not awkward—just real.

> “Ayato’s a vampire, isn’t he?” you asked.

> “Yes,” Subaru said simply. “So am I.”

You swallowed hard.

> “Are you going to drink my blood too?”

He stood up, walked close, and gently pushed your hair away from your neck.

> “Only if you ask me to.”

You felt his breath on your skin—warm, cold, intoxicating. Your body froze, but your heart screamed with feeling.

> “You’re not afraid?” he whispered.

> “I don’t know what I am,” you said honestly.

He leaned in closer—

—but then stopped.

His voice was broken when he spoke next.

> “I swore I’d never hurt someone like you again.”

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That night, as you lay in bed, your window creaked open… but no one was there.

Only a single note on the floor:

> “Meet me in the garden. Midnight. Come alone.

– S”

Your heart thudded.

Were you ready?

-

Midnight arrived.

You crept through the halls of Rosenfell Academy, the shadows whispering secrets you couldn’t quite hear. Outside, the night air was cool and heavy with the scent of roses.

The garden was bathed in moonlight, its flowers glowing unnaturally white—except one.

A single black rose bloomed in the center of the garden.

And beside it stood Subaru.

His silver hair shimmered like ice beneath the stars. His hands were clenched, like he was battling something within himself.

When he turned and saw you, his eyes softened.

> “You came.”

> “Of course I did,” you said, voice trembling a little.

He didn’t move closer. You could feel the distance between you wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. Heavy. Haunted.

> “I wasn’t going to call you,” Subaru said quietly. “I told myself I’d stay away.”

> “Then why did you?”

He looked away.

> “Because when I saw Ayato look at you, I felt something I hate… I felt like I was going to lose control.”

You stepped forward.

> “Subaru… what happened to you? Why do you hate what you are?”

His eyes met yours. Blood-red, but beautiful.

> “Because I was born a monster.”

He pulled something from his coat—a silver stake. The handle was cracked, old.

> “I keep this… just in case. In case I ever hurt someone I care about.”

Your breath caught. “Subaru, that’s—”

> “This garden,” he said, cutting you off. “This is where I last saw her. The only person who ever said I could be more than what I am.”

He walked to the black rose and touched it gently.

> “My mother.”

Your heart dropped.

> “She told me I was still human somewhere inside. That I could choose. But then… she disappeared.”

The rose seemed to tremble in his hand.

> “I thought I buried that hope with her. But then you came.”

He stepped closer, slowly, eyes searching your face.

> “You make me feel like I’m still worth saving.”

You looked up at him, heartbeat loud in your ears.

> “Then let me save you.”

He froze. His hand reached toward your cheek, trembling.

> “I want to taste you… but I’m afraid I won’t stop.”

> “Then trust me,” you whispered. “If you lose control, I’ll bring you back.”

His lips were so close now.

> “Say it.”

> “I’m not afraid of you.”

Then—soft as breath—his fangs touched your skin.

And he bit.

Pain flashed, but so did something else—pleasure. Your body leaned into him. His arms held you gently, carefully, like you were porcelain.

When he pulled away, your legs buckled.

He caught you.

> “You’re mine now,” he whispered, voice raw. “No one else touches you. Ever.”

You felt it—not just the mark on your neck.

But something deeper.

Something… irreversible.

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To be continued...

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