No Warmth

Chapter 3- Cross Academy

A few weeks later, Akari found herself standing in front of the headmaster's office. She smoothed out her white uniform before knocking on the door.

"Come in." A voice exclaimed.

Akari picked up her suitcase and opened the door; inside, she saw a man with glasses and blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. He observed her in silence for a few seconds before he stood up from his seat.

Akari held his gaze. "Good afternoon. My name is Akari Endo. I'm the new student who was supposed to come in today."

The man smiled. "Good afternoon. I am Kaien Cross, the headmaster of Cross Academy. I heard a lot about you from Yuki."

"I hope they were positive things."

"Of course! She told me that you share our view of pacifism. She also told me that you saved her, so I am thankful that you kept my daughter safe." Headmaster Cross gave Akari a thumbs up. "A vampire like you definitely has my approval to attend our academy."

"I am flattered you think that way. I am also thankful to Yuki for leading me to this school. I've lived around humans most of my life, so I want to learn all I can from my vampire peers."

"You've come to the right place; all my Night Class students are good kids."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

The door opened and Zero came in. "Headmaster, you had a task for me." Zero's eyes narrowed when he noticed Akari.

"Say hello to Akari, Zero. She's our newest Night Class student." The headmaster came to stand next to her. "Akari, Zero and Yuki are Cross Academy's guardians. They are the only Day Class students who know of the identity of the Night Class."

"We have enough vampires in this school already, but you're allowing more to come?"

"Don't let his words affect you. Zero's personality leaves a lot to be desired. Anyway, I spoke with the dorm president of the Night Class and he is expecting you. You should go to him if you have any questions or concerns. However, you can also come to me for help."

Akari smiled. "Thank you, Headmaster Cross. I imagined you would be strict, but now I see that you are a good-natured person."

"He's just an idiot," Zero muttered.

"Zero, please show Akari around the school grounds and then take her to the Moon Dormitory." The headmaster then turned to Akari. "I would have asked my lovely daughter to show you around campus, but she has to catch up on her schoolwork. Therefore, Zero will show you around instead."

"Let's just get this over with," Zero scoffed before he led her outside.

Although he was supposed to show Akari around the school, Zero walked in a brisk manner and didn't look over his shoulder to see if Akari was behind him.

Akari picked up her pace to keep up with him. He's never getting a job as a tour guide that's for sure.

"This is the main building; it is shared by both the Day and Night Class. However, you all are not allowed out of your dorms until the evening."

Akari looked at Zero's black uniform. "How come you're a Day Class student when you're a vampire too? Do Yuki and the headmaster know that you aren't human?"

Zero froze. "That has nothing to do with you."

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I wouldn't do anything to trouble my little brother's savior. Anyway, I cannot understand you. First, you are bothered that I live with humans. Then, I try to make connections with my own kind and you complain."

"I don't expect you to ever understand me. Now, let's head to the Moon Dormitory." Zero began to walk again.

Akari followed close behind. "You are not going to show me around the rest of the school like the headmaster said?"

"Like I said, Night Class students only need to know the main building and their dormitories. We don't need vampires roaming around the school."

Akari sighed. "Is the reason you followed Yuki into my home because you wanted to see my family's state of mind? Did you think I controlled their minds to make them take me in as their daughter?"

"At first, I thought that a family of vampires had taken in a human child, but I was mistaken." Zero clenched his fist. "I can't understand why a family of humans would take in a vampire and raise it as their own. They even trust you enough to let you tend to their real son's wounds. Their affection for you was genuine, so I didn't say anything out of respect for them. However, it's disgusting to see a vampire masquerading as a human."

"Do you believe all vampires to be wicked and all humans to be good? You're wrong to think that way because evil exists within some humans too."

Zero glanced over his shoulder. "Where are you going with this?"

"Let's just say I've encountered both bad humans and vampires." Akari remarked with a blank look on her face. "You don't have to worry though; with the exception of the time I attacked my father, I have never preyed on innocent humans."

"Are you some kind of vigilante? It is a hunter's job to deal with vampires and a cop's job to deal with criminals; you might end up in a hunter's list if you're not careful."

"I know taking matters into my own hands is risky, but I can't sit around and do nothing. I appreciate your concern, but I will be fine," Akari smiled.

"I don't care about what happens to you." Zero huffed. Then, he stopped in front of a building that resembled an aristocratic mansion. "This is the Moon Dormitory. I completed my task, so I'll take my leave now."

"Wait. Have we met before?"

Zero stopped. "Didn't we meet a few weeks ago? Don't ask such useless questions."

"I meant before then. You avoid my gaze, and you look at me with scorn whenever our eyes meet. Did I wrong you before?"

Zero turned to face her this time.

"I am certain we've never met though. Otherwise I would have remembered you."

"Do you really want to know? Fine. The truth is I can't stand the way you look." Zero scoffed.

"I see. I suppose my appearance isn't appealing to you." Akari looked at their surroundings and then spoke in a hushed tone. "In return for your honesty, I'll tell you a secret of mine. I also have complicated feelings towards vampires since I was separated from my birth parents because of one."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You hate vampires, so it won't bother you if I cause a little trouble for the night class right? Anyway, we should both get going. Thank you for escorting me to my dorm."

"If you cause any trouble for us, we'll deal with you accordingly."

"I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Guardian." Akari waved before she walked towards the door.

Zero watched her until she disappeared inside the building.