The night was quiet. Too quiet.
High above the city, an abandoned shrine rested on a cliffside—dark, old, forgotten.
Inside its shadowed hall, someone stood barefoot on the cracked stone floor, blood dripping from his chin. His messy silver hair swayed faintly. His skin, pale and cold, glistened with fresh crimson. The air stank of iron.
His eyes were scarlet slits of hunger.
He was feeding.
A half-devoured corpse hung limply from his hand. He bit once more—slow, savoring it—the flesh tearing like wet paper. When he finished, he dropped the body, letting it thud against stone.
He licked his hand clean.
"…Still not enough."
A low voice echoed from behind him.
"You never change, do you, Shinku?"
The man turned slowly. His red eyes glowed like embers in the dark.
Varek stepped from the shadows—calm, composed, hands in pockets, expression unreadable.
Shinku smirked.
"Varek… been a while."
"You're late," Varek said.
Shinku shrugged, wiping blood from his mouth.
"I was hungry."
Varek didn't react.
"I didn't call you here to hunt Akira."
That made Shinku grin wider.
"Oh? But I wanted to taste him. His soul must be… extraordinary."
Varek stepped closer, placing a hand on Shinku's shoulder.
His tone was soft—dangerously soft.
"I brought you here for something far more important."
He held out a small embroidered napkin.
Shinku sniffed it once—
And froze.
His eyes widened with twisted delight.
"…This scent… is perfect."
"Rina," Varek said simply.
Shinku trembled with excitement.
"That girl… oh, she will scream beautifully."
Varek released him.
"Then go."
Shinku vanished instantly—only a faint smear of blood left behind.
---
Rina's Room — Midnight
The room was warm. Safe.
Or it should have been.
Rina lay in bed, trying to sleep—but something felt wrong. The air was cold. Too cold.
She heard a whisper behind her.
Then—
A breath on her neck.
Her eyes shot open.
She didn't look. She couldn't look. Her body froze completely.
Something invisible dragged across her hair…
fingers tracing through it softly…
A quiet laugh—barely audible.
Her heart stopped.
She screamed and ran—bursting into her father's arms downstairs.
He held her close, voice trembling,
"Rina… calm down. It's okay. You're safe. Maybe… take a break. Go somewhere you love. Somewhere peaceful, okay?"
Her eyes watered. Memories rushed back—
Her mother.
The dance school.
The music they listened to together.
She nodded weakly.
Next Morning — Dance Academy
Rina approached the entrance, clutching her bag. The building was bright, warm, full of life. But she still felt uneasy.
She approached the receptionist to register.
Then someone entered behind her.
A boy.
Tall—maybe 180 cm.
Messy black hair falling over one eye.
Sharp but calm facial features.
Lean athletic build, like someone who had danced all his life.
Casual but perfectly fitted dance uniform.
Clean white shoes.
A faint, charming smile.
Reiji.
He stepped beside Rina. She froze—her breath caught in her throat.
He smelled faintly of mint and something sweet.
"Applying for the duet program as well?" he asked gently.
Rina nodded shakily. "Y-yeah."
He smiled.
The receptionist handed both of them forms. They filled them quietly. Reiji finished first and glanced at her once more before walking away.
Rina found herself unable to stop staring.
Evening — 5:00 PM
They happened to walk the same direction outside.
Reiji walked calmly, a girl walking beside him—Lisa. She giggled at something he said. He laughed warmly, effortlessly charming.
They walked until the sun disappeared behind the city skyline.
Then they accidentally strayed into a quieter street. No people. No cars.
Reiji stopped.
Lisa smiled nervously.
"You okay? You looked distracted."
Reiji turned to her slowly.
His smile softened.
"What's your name again?"
"Lisa," she said. "And you're—"
He leaned closer, whispering with a calmness that chilled the air.
"Reiji."
She giggled. "Nice to meet yo—"
His hand caught her throat gently.
Then his smile vanished.
His eyes turned blood-red.
Lisa gasped—but no sound escaped.
Reiji pulled her closer—whispering against her ear:
"…I'm hungry."
He bit into her neck savagely—blood spraying across the alley. Lisa's scream never left her throat. Her body convulsed as he tore away flesh, drinking deeply.
He whispered with trembling pleasure,
"What a taste…"
He ripped open her chest—
pulled out her heart—
And ate it.
Blood covered his face, dripping down his chin. His eyes glowed brighter, his voice trembling in ecstasy.
"I wonder…" he murmured, grinning,
"…how that girl would taste."
And he laughed—
A sound that echoed down the empty street like a promise of death.