“Unfortunately, no. Past experiences, assumptions and miscommunications often cloud a vampire’s perspective, hindering them from seeing the truth as it stands in front of them. I imagine humans struggle with the same predicament?”
His eyebrow is raised over his rich iris, and I nod. “We do. Absolutely.”
“Perhaps as a means of celebration for your proposal submission, you might be willing to have dinner with us next Sunday? Junichi will be there as well.”
“Dinner? At—at your home?”
“Yes. If you do not find our natures offensive?”
“No, of course not.” Their natures just make me anxious with my stomach in knots. That’s all. “I would love to have dinner to celebrate. Wow…”
“Perfect.” Haruka smiles. “You can join us following shōgi next week.”
I narrow my eyes at him, feeling absurdly competitive. “Yeah… shōgi. Next week.”
Haruka tilts his head back, laughing in a deep sound from his throat. I want to shove him like we’re on a playground in primary school.
Twelve
Junichi
[Hey. You ready?]
After I hit send, I fall back onto the bed in the hotel room and make myself comfortable. I’m exhausted and it’s been a long day. A minute later, my phone dings.
[Yes.]
I’m tired. But I’ve genuinely enjoyed talking to the doctor for the past week. He’s more relaxed and open now, and he has interesting yet grounded points of view. He questions things, which I suppose is a fundamental characteristic of being a doctor.
As I relax against the pillow, I call his number and bring the phone to my ear. After a couple rings, he answers.
“Hi—are you going to do the show?”
I sigh. “No. I told you I don’t model.”
“I looked up the designer online,” he says. This is another funny thing. If I mention anything that Jae doesn’t know, he researches it. Then he’s practically an expert on it the next time we talk. “You match the designer’s aesthetic perfectly. All his other models from his last catwalk show favor you.”
“In what way?” I frown, curious.
“You know, very tall and… perfectly dapper with liquid swagger.”
“Liquid swagger?”
“Oozing. Dripping with it.”
I laugh and shake my head.
“Like treacle,” he says. “Bourbon-flavored treacle—”
“Alright, Jae. Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“You inspire me. It’s my image of you.”
Despite myself, I smile. “I bet you say that to all the vampires.”
“I don’t. Never.”
I’m tempted to ask him why he fools around with low-level vampires. If vampires are just his thing. I think it’ll sour the mood, so I don’t. Besides, everyone has a preference, whether they like to admit it or not. Clearly, I prefer humans. Does that mean I have a fetish? I don’t think so. They’re just easier to interact with. No rules and cultural hierarchy. No threat of being bound and chained to them forever.
“Did you call your friend over the weekend? Cyrus?” I ask. “So he won’t yell at you.”
“I did—the knobhead. I video-called him, but then he was like… busy and distracted the entire time. Obnoxious. He wouldn’t sit still.”
“Is he usually like that?”
“Hm, I don’t know. Ever since I’ve moved to Japan, Cy is weird. He screams at me if I don’t call, and then when I do call, he’s awkward and barely paying me any attention.”
“Maybe he misses you?” I reason. “Doesn’t know how to say it?”
Jae blows out a breath that reads disbelieving. “Who knows.”
“Maybe he likes you?” I offer. “Is he gay?”
“No no—absolutely not.”
I raise my eyebrow at this. Some humans have weird convictions about being attracted to someone of the same sex. So much so that when they are, they often deny it, and it manifests in the strangest ways.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
