Stinging Nettle | sunki

4 | New Reality

Talking the night away was Sunoo's some of the best hours of his life. There was a mere possibility that he would meet such a person, can you even call a vampire a person?, and the blond made sure to make the most of it.

Even though Sunoo found Niki to be quite mean or rather a tease, he enjoyed the other's company a lot.

Ever since a small child he used to be open-minded, whether it was about people, opinions or views on a certain topic. He gained the ability thanks to his parents who considered being tolerant as a priority when compared to other values like fame or knowledge.

Needless to say, Sunoo's parents passed onto him their beliefs, making the boy mindful of others around him. Hence, his sympathy towards Ni-Ki.

On the other hand, the vampire feared so much that his identity would ruin the blond's image of him that the stranger had in his mind. That was why the younger figured it would be easier for him to confess right away rather than postpone it. At least he could be thrown out by the other immediately instead of pointlessly waiting for the right time, building up the tension in his body.

To Niki's surprise, Sunoo's response happened to be beyond positive. The older almost like adored him for being himself, it made the younger feel appreciated after a long time. Because of it he felt more comfortable sharing with his new friend details about his life and such.

They both knew they needed a person like the other one, just to talk about little nothingness while enjoying the lack awkwardness around each other.

"So, will you go to school with me?" Sunoo asked, turning to the younger while packing his books.

"I mean, sure, we're going to the same school anyway."

"Also, how come I didn't notice you earlier in the hallways or outside?" the older asked.

Their school accomodated about eight hundred students which would be considered normal for Sunoo not to notice Niki. Still, he brought that up because that kid was indeed tall - yes, they were checking their heights at some point of their session - so even in a crowded room with everyone standing up he could still be visible.

Niki chuckled at the question, "Maybe you were too caught up in your looks to see me..."

The blond threw a book at him, unfortunately missing, "Dolt!" He humpfed.

"No but really, I reckon I'm just not the type to wander around the school. The only people I talk to are my closest friends."

"Oh, do you sometimes feel like... lonely, perhaps?" The older thought the other could not have that social life out of choice but due to something he didn't know yet.

"Why do you ask? I'm fine I suppose. I prefer having few real friends to acting like everyone is fun to be around. Honestly, it would suck. Like a lot. You would have to pretend all the time and waste your time on people not worth it," he responded, elaborating on the question more than he initially wanted.

"I understand. I definitely see your point," Sunoo said, staying neutral not to disregard the younger's view or agree with something without thorough  thoughts.

"Thanks..." Niki muttered, mostly to himself.

Finishing the morning routine while avoiding Sunoo's mum at all cost, they headed to school together.

Once stepping in on the school area, voices from various places could be heard.

"Hello, Sunoo-ssi!"

"I hope you have a great day, pretty!"

"Sunoo-ya you look so good today!"

Sunoo got embarrassed hearing them while walking with Niki, he glanced at the younger with a mixed expression.

"I'm sorry, I think they just like me and everytime I pass a crowded space in school there are always some people who do this," Sunoo spoke apologetically, he thought his friend would feel uncomfortable having to stand all these students acting like they met their idol.

Niki chuckled a bit, "They don't like what you think they like about you, hyung."

"What do you mean? They're literally giving me complements and wishing me a good day," the blond claimed. The other's words made him unsure, though.

"If you want to know, come with me to somewhere peaceful," he gave a suggestion, his tone leaving a hint that the case wasn't so obvious.

"Maybe the changing room? It's still 7:30, no one will be that early for PE."

"Great."

Without further questions, Sunoo led Niki to the place he recommended. Entering the room, the younger closed it from the inside.

"So what is it about those students, huh? Jealous much?" Sunoo joked, trying to relieve the tension between the two.

"Believe me, I wouldn't like to be in your place right now," Niki responded, seemingly serious.

The older just waited, getting that there's no time for joking at the moment.

"They act like this cause they want your blood, Sunoo-ssi." Ni-Ki looked the other straight into his eyes, looking wretched himself.

"Huh?! Why? What, I don't understand at all!" Sunoo panicked.

Riki grabbed the latter by his shoulder, "Let me explain first, please."

"O-okay."

"All these people who act so nice towards you are blood starving vampires who aslo happen to go to school here. They targeted you since you have the "golden blood", hyung. It means that you have a complete absence of any of the Rh antigens. Rh-null blood owners are so rare to the point where fewer than 50 poeple were reported to be being those in the entire world. It is beyond my ken why the blood is so desired by vampires, though," Ni-Ki explained, frowning at Sunoo.

"I recall being told about it in the past but I had no clue it was such a rare thing... That changes everything, I guess."

"I hope so, it's quite dangerous here actually, " Niki pointed out.

"Wait," Sunoo stopped for a second.

The vampire immediately felt anxious about what was coming. The poor boy probably was thinking that Niki also craved for his blood so much that he would try to hurt him. It already made Niki's heart ache.

"How do you know about my blood type anyway?" Sunoo asked, mind filled with questions - deficient in answers.

The younger was surprised by the question but still didn't get his hopes up, "Oh, well- as a vampire I can smell blood. In addition, I overheard those students talking about the topic. " He smiled awkwardly.

"Makes sense! But when did you hear them talking about it? I didn't."

"That is one of my abilities. I mean, not all have this particular ability but I do. If I concentrate hard enough, I can hear whispering, at times even infra as well as ultrasounds. Yet again, costs me energy, using only when needed, " Niki said, kind of boasting of his super powers.

"It sounds super cool, I wish I had that too," Sunoo pouted, melting the vampire from the inside.

"I can grant your wish," Niki offered, charmed by the older and forgetting his previous worries.

"You're serious?! That would be awesomeee." He clapped his hands together like a small kid.

Niki stepped closer to Sunoo, staring at him as he did so, "Just to warn you, it may hurt a little."
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Sometimes I wonder, why do I get all hyped up for a piece of cardboard with a person's photo on it. So weird tbh