"......excuse me?" Suddenly, Malaya's eyes are shining as she stared at Cerise in amazement and awe, "The manananggal? You're able to turn into that? Can I see?" Perhaps it was because she missed her other fellow vampires back at home. Or maybe a sense of home is deeply missed...

"Yeah." Malaya sighed and nodded with a small chuckle, "It's an annoyance. The hunger, the need to hide, and if you get caught..." Her own smile fell. "Anyways, what's the most interesting thing you stole?" She asked, making light of the conversation now as she moved away from the hard questions.

Malaya hummed, "Eh, we can uhh, do that another time. I was just curious, I don't really like dabbling with spirits as much. They're mostly used for emergencies anyways..." For now, she'll take the physical lessons. Hell, maybe she can slim down a bit and impress...someone.

"Hmm..." Malaya thought for a bit, watching her as she finished her own chicken katsuragi and dabbing her lips of the sauces with a napkin, "Ever...handled anything with spirits and such?" She asked timidly, wondering if the dhampir even has any concepts of that sort of magic.

"I...don't even want to ask about that." Malaya mumbled, finishing her meal, "If we're doing this, you have to treat me to a meal after each training session. I don't eat that much anyways and I'm pretty sure you're rich yourself." She was grinning when she said that, clearly half-meaning it.

Malaya let out a sigh of relief, relaxing in place as she continued to clean up, "I just...felt like I disrespected you a lot back there." Even if he's legal, it's terrible—she forced a kiss on him, and even if it meant keeping herself alive, it was still a huge mistake on her part.

... It's crazy to think that she's actually thinking of a certain blond dude and all the creatures he's fighting. Then she thought of the faces of her human students... Children. Ages four to sixteen. Some died not-so long ago. Some fled. Some fight. ... Malaya imagined her own family.

"Making me a disciple...all because you're bored?" Suddenly, Malaya can't help but gain a sour taste in her mouth and she pulled her hands to her lap, staring at Cerise with this complicated expression. "...hmm, I dunno, maybe my brothers or sister might be more interested."

Malaya raised a brow at her, chuckling lightly, "...I guess you'd hate my friend then? She's really rich. Helped me with loans after I taught her a bit of basic brewing..." She hummed, "...I kinda owe her my life. She just came up our door, demanding to be taught, and then she paid me."

Malaya chuckled, raising a hand and nodding, "Same here please but with chicken katsu!" She faced the dhampir again, looking her over, "So, you're a vigilante of sorts? Considering how old you might be, why choose to be that out of everything?"

Malaya nodded and stared, "...excuse me?" She blinked, shocked, "...you're a criminal?" She moved to carefully hold her bag, actually ready to book it out of there— Kidding. Maybe.

Malaya slowly nodded, a little bit put off at such a rule. "I can handle myself." The 'fledgeling' mumbled, continuing to enjoy her meal, "But who...is Bayonetta? Is that also another name of yours?" Her father have taught her about the possibility of all kinds of vampires and such...

"Hmm? Why?" Malaya asked, taking her own time to enjoy her food. She bit into the cutlet, enjoying the taste with rice and egg... She smiled, sipping her own tea, "I'm mostly walking around at night when I can't sleep..." Or when she's hungry. She doesn't hunt humans though.

⠀⠀ ㋛ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ I often overstep my capabilities to get the replies out that I need to. My bad I've been so slow with replies as of recent 😭 IM TRYING I PROMISE. In the mean time while you wait dancing fruit for you.

"Younger years, huh? You're still young, you know." Malaya chuckled and smiled, continuing to finish her own bowls of food. "As for cooking... If you want, I can teach you some time." She offered and proceeded to pour them some tea, humming as she looked at Denji...

"...Japan is dangerous now and it's getting more and more so...I understand." Malaya figured that Cerise won't actually tell her the reason but her intuition is pretty good so hearing her speak about worrying for her... She can't help but believe her, just like how she can easily believe Denji.

And, well, it was somewhat working. She can tell that her answer upset the older greatly and maybe, this Cerise person just wants to help her out... "Why exactly do you want an apprentice anyways? I was trained all my life by my mother." A human witch mother anyways, limited in what she van teach.

...but that totally means ruining the normal life she's already sharing with a certain blond guy— Actually, what was normal about her life anyways? Other than that though... "I refuse." She said firmly, staring at the vampire, "I know how to fight."

"Really?" Malaya was taken aback and she could feel her cheeks warm up again but this time, it was out of being flustered. She didn't expect that at all...or maybe she wasn't used to it? "You really think it looks okay?" Malaya mumbled, looking at her white locks before smiling at Denji's laugh.

"Oh, sorry." Malaya chuvkled and nodded, watching in wonder and a bit of awe. She looked to the waiter, nodding as she answered in Japanese as well, "I'll have a deep-fried pork cutlet set, please." After telling the waiter their orders, Malaya faced the other woman and finally asked—

"Ah, arigatou." Malaya nodded, speaking fluent Japanese as she showed the menu to the vampire, "Umm, I already ate so you can choose. I'll help translate..." She feels so...mundane, really. From the work clothes to the way she's scrutinizing the desserts, Malaya just feels normal too.

"Y-Yeah, thanks to you..." Malaya was surprised too at the touch and although she didn't mind at first, her face turned a bright red at also remembering what happened, triggered by the sight of his lips. For a moment, she wondered how his lips feel now that he's all cleaned up.

"...miss," Malaya sighed, "Look, I'm sorry to disappoint but considering cultural differences, I doubt I'm the kind you're looking for." She lowered her voice, looking around a little, "Uhh, vampire, yes, but not the kind you see in movies. If anything, you could say I'm more fae than vampire."

"Wait, huh? Who even are you? Fledgeling??" Nonetheless, Malaya allowed herself to get led, wondering if her parents sent this lady or something, "...how did you know?"

"Eep!" Malaya looked over, eyes wide and frowning as she pulled away. Backing off, the vampire-witch sighed and stared at the taller woman, "Can we not talk about this in public? I'm trying to be normal here."

"...uh." Malaya looked away, humming as she turned around, "I forgot to buy something..." Ah, yes, just play dumb. Maybe she'll go away. Yes, definitely...

...maybe if she doesn't look at her, they won't notice each other. Yes, just walk away like normal.

Hearing the bathroom door open, Malaya looked over and smiled to see him dressed, only to look away quickly before she could catch herself staring too long at the sight— "You think so?" She smiled, trying to focus on her task, "Well, my cooking should taste just as great! If not more!"

A knock sounded and Malaya's voice echoed from behind the closed door, "Denji, I'm gonna leave your clothes and towel by the door, okay? I'm fixing up dinner now." She hoped the clothes were big enough on Denji since they belonged to her older brothers that she snatched when moving to Japan.

Even Malaya is lost in thought, limping because of her wound and exhausted like no other. Her own head kept playing back to the kiss and the fire and the devil... Then, they went up to her building and since it was late, no one was there so it was easy to sneak Denji in.

"...Denji..." Malaya sighed, wondering how she'll explain this to the concerned neighbors that asked her about a man that snuck in her apartment window, "Did you lose the key I gave you? Jeez..." She just tossed a blanket over him and forced a pillow under his head, walking off to do her chores.

After the second kiss, Malaya was breathing normally again and her face turned red as she gazed up at Denji, moving her hand from his back, to his neck, before resting it on his cheek. She wiped away the blood on face, the hunger forgotten as she gazed at his lips before meeting his eyes.

...hmm, didn't think kisses would feel this nice again...

"Denji..." Her voice was so quiet and strained, maybe on the verge of tears... Is she crying? "...breathe into me..." Those were her last words until she silenced them both, cutting off Denji before he could say anything with an open-mouthed kiss. One arm wrapped around him while the other—

It had cleanly sliced down her leg but something else was wrong—she looked sick, as if she's struggling to breathe, gripping at her chest and neck... "D...Denji..." She tried to reach for him, panting lightly "...I-I need- Please, come here..." She looks like she's about to pass out.

Malaya sensed the danger immediately and turned to run the opposite direction this time, knowing full well that she doesn't have a chance. Not in this form. Not without blood nor exposing herself. She could hear it gaining on her and if she didn't move now, she'll get killed by this wooden fucker.

"Denji. Stop hitting it, you're actually making it scream more."

"Boxed" 🫀 A Solo for Malaya 🫀 By Jay

Malaya gasped and rushed forth to try and follow but she froze again at the sight of the bodies... All cut up. Still fresh. Oozing with blood. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞, 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐧𝐨𝐰. After taking a quick look around, she moving to get on her knees and check the bodies first.

Malaya frowned, about to question what he meant about people watching him. It had her alarmed because the last thing she wants is his bosses actually coming after her... But even so, she was stubborn and kept a firm grip on him as they walked, "We're having as much food as you want, Denji!"

㋛ Featuring: @carmineunion.bsky.social marked by •° ㋛ [Don't open the door.] «It’s that same dream. That same dream I can never remember. It holds familiarity and uncertainties throughout. I can’t remember why this dream is important, but I know it is.» +

I chose to be an english teacher 'cause I thought it was easy. Hah, it isn't. The pay isn't that great but I have fun, especially when I see kids' faces light up when they learn something. I make sure that they know they did great or doing their best each time. I wish someone did the same for me.

"It's okay, Denji. Just one night, yeah? Just this once." Slowly, Malaya got up and gently tugged him up, not caring if he was soaked as she let his arm wrap around her shoulders, "Lean on me." Supporting him, the lady began to lead him back to her place, "It's okay, Denji. You can stay with me."

And she didn't even hesitate, brows furrowed as she watched Denji before joining him. Malaya tucked her skirt under head, leaning back too— Much like how she joined him, the lady didn't hesitate either anymore in voicing her concerns. "...you know, even if I praise you for working so hard..."

Shaking a vending machine violently— "GIVE ME MY TEA."

Malaya chuckled, nodding and following his pace as they headed off down the road, "Well, do you atleast take breaks? Eat? Sleep?" It was clear that she was getting worried but she waw also worried of looking too overbearing or something like that, especially since this is their second hangout.

Malaya was just nodding off after finishing her drink, most of the sweets she ordered was finished and the rest were packed for Denji specifically. She woke up with a small start from the tap, looking over and staring at the other man... Bewildered and maybe flustered.

"Hehe~" She 'stabs' him with the katana, grinning, "I haven't won yet until you surrender to me!"

`Sure. I'll be off to the cafe from before, okay? I'll see you there.` ...she'll see him there and even if it made her real happy to meet with Denji again, the hunger was still palpable. She sighed, her finger finding her lips and she nibbled lightly on the tip.

Holds up a reverse uno card. "No, u." And she produced her own prop knife— No, that's a prop katana. In pink too!