Compromise

Chapter 22

Ryosuke's POV

I hurriedly went to the jimusho. When I arrived there, I went straight to the office of Johnny~san. It's not the same when I was called here the first time. My co-members are nowhere to be found... Where could they be?

I knocked at the door. I plan to end the conversation quickly because I'm worrying about Ai.

"Hai!" I heard a faint sound from the inside. I came in.

I looked at Johnny~san in his eyes and bowed.

"You look like you're in a hurry," he noticed. "Take a seat," he invited.

I sat on the chair in front of his table, right side.

"Now, tell me what happened," he commanded.

I inhaled some air and sat properly.

"Yabu~kun told me that there were photos of me and Ai in the internet again?" I asked.

"Yes. You are carrying her and there's an ambulance," he replied.

I looked down and moved my jaw. "Ai stabbed herself that's why I brought her to the hospital," I stated.

"How come you were there? And why did she stab herself?" he interrogated. He voiced like an inspector.

"I te--," wait! He must not know that I can teleport! "I was walking and I passed by her house... a-and... I-I smelled her blood," I lied. I looked at him.

He doesn't look like he's convinced...

"Naturally, I'm familiar with the scent of her blood because I used to drink hers. I felt worried. Hmm... I can just smell blood if it's dripping out of one's body. That's why I think it's strange to smell her blood that day," I continued.

"And then?" he asked.

"Then I rushed inside her house. I- I saw her lying on the floor... with blood all over her body. She was holding a knife and it's still in her chest," I continued.

"But why did she should do that?" he asked again.

"Uh... S-she already knew why I became a vampire. Hmm... She thought that it was her fault," I stopped. I don't want to narrate anymore. This is too much. I don't really know what is going on in his mind right now but when he knew everything I'm sure he'll do things I least expect...

"And why did she think that it was her fault?" he continued asking.

I just looked into his eyes, like telling him to stop already.

"You must answer, Yamada~kun. I have to know the whole story so that I'll know what is the correct thing to do," he reasoned.

I'm left with no choice. He'll be persistent anyway...

"Five years ago, she thought that I suit to be a vampire that's why she told her friend, which is a witch... I guess, to turn me into a vampire. Her friend did. And she became successful with the spell, curse or whatever it is. She blamed herself because if she didn't say that, then her friend won't do anything," I narrated.

"If it's a spell, then there has to be a counter action for it to be ineffective," he said in a matter of fact tone.

"Y-yes..." I answered.

"Then what is it?" he asked, his forehead creased.

"That is to kill her friend..." I answered. "She... she planned to kill her friend but she failed. Both of them are in the hospital now," I informed.

"How are they?" he asked as if he's concerned.

"They are fine now," I smiled.

"That means that you don't want to be a human again," he inferred.

"Yes," I answered firmly.

"Well then," he said. He inhaled. "Here's the thing, Yamada~kun. Other talents had knowledge of your case already. I don't want to be unfair to them. You know and Kawashima~san knows that I fulfilled my promise in the deal," he said.

I nodded.

"Now, here's another deal. I'll be responsible for her hospital expenses and I will send body guards to her to make sure that she'll be ok. But don't be involved with her anymore. I know that's hard but this is for your own sake," he said, concerned.

As he was telling that new deal... I felt my heart ached. No way I could stay away from her! I don't want to! If there's a person that will take care of her then I'll be that person!

"How's it, Yamada~kun?" he asked.

"No. I don't want to," I said.

"You know what's the consequences for this," he said.

"I know."

"I have to fire you if that's the case."

"I don't mind."

"How about your means of living as a vampire? If you choose to be with her then the contents of our first deal will not be valid anymore. Is that ok with you?" he asked as if teasing me to change my mind.

I paused. I know how hard it will get when I got fired. I know I will be abandoning my dream but Ai is more important than all of these. Maybe, after I got fired from here, I'll just have to start my career over again with other agency...

I looked at in his eyes. "Yes," I answered after a long pause. "If that's done now, can I leave already?" I asked.

"Sure," he replied.

I bowed 90 degrees before him. "Honto ni arigatou gozaimashita!" I thanked him. I'm still grateful to him because he'd been a good employer to me. More like a father.

I stood properly and smile at him for the last time. Then I left.

END OF CHAPTER 22