Chika read the long email from her father—he was too good to just use text messaging—and sagged . She wanted to scream, cry, and run away all at the same time . Why was she born in a rich family?

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She read and reread but the words remained the same—those terrible words . Akito and her father meeting up for dinner and marriage discussions . She was expected to be there, to "entertain" Akito and his interests . To see that his businesses expanded to unimaginable levels . He wanted to marry the man into the family .

Chika's frustration had hit the wall . No matter how many times she stood up to her father, he'd come back again with another demand . As if she'd walk because he said so or jump or fall .

She looked at the email again… The strength of the words, the threat to cut off her education funds… removing her from the family . And not even the words of Chika's mom, praising an approval of Clyde, helped .

Chika…didn't want to be a burden to Clyde . While their relations.h.i.+p was unclear, she knew she felt something very strong for him and no email of her father would get in the way of that . Something beyond just her endless l.u.s.t . Something beyond her fun, the joy of just being around him . Something holding her heart .

Stupid Akito wanted to ruin that . He was a persistent man pretending to be a nice guy, winning her father over with "promise" and expansion of wealth, stocks, and stupid business things . Chika could do all of that in her sleep—she wasn't the top student of one of the most famous and difficult colleges in the world for nothing . Yet, she did not want to succeed her father . And if she did, there was no need to marry someone she didn't want .

A tear finally escaped . Those final words . Until she could make her own way, she'd either be at his mercy or a burden to Clyde .

Chika took a deep breath as the rage within her erupted . No man was going to tell HER what to do . No man would pave her way . No man would have their way with her (except for Clyde) but that was beside the point . She had her own connections too, even some of the overall shares . Fine . If her father wanted to be a sn.o.bby a.s.shole, then two could play that game . She grinned . Pulling out her laptop, she dabbled into her father's networks . A private account she once made for simple savings would pull her out of this . She emailed several people who worked behind the scenes and gave them instructions . If her father wanted her gone, then so be it . She'd go, but not without a bang . Oh, did Chika love bangs .

As for money—well, she made plenty killing monsters with Clyde and the others . Until she could establish something even greater than her stupid father, she'd just do that .

Her father was going to be furious . Akito too, maybe even more so, but that creep will never get to touch her .

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She chuckled . Bringing down a CEO d.i.c.khead . Or two, since Akito took over for his family .

Chika knew this ordeal wouldn't end so easily, but she'd put up a fight before becoming someone's trophy .

Arcade, Satovia…

Mid-Morning .

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[Quest completed . You have located the whereabouts of Kiko . Reward: a level gain for Ludacris! A level gain for charm . 50,000 EXP, $100,000, and a relations.h.i.+p link to Sazuki and Kiko . You must tell Sazuki everything with Harumi there or have Harumi confess it all . It is recommended to establish a relations.h.i.+p with Sazuki . She carries the gift inside her . ]

Clyde continued to gape in confusion . Yuki rushed them to the meeting—he d.a.m.n near choked on his breakfast—and this turned out to be the meeting place? The arcade . He was supposed to meet with the lower born, maybe even guards . He expected hardened men in suits, that would ignore his questions until dropping the party off to their leader or the next among the vampire hierarchy . He expected hard words then showing the bloodsuckers that he wasn't a pushover . Maybe implanting some fear into them . Violence, fights, plotting, a ploy of words, insults .

So, when Yuki took the party to an arcade, he started to feel rather confused, perhaps disappointed . They were introduced to Kiko and her Mistress, Nina, right then and there, no ceremony, no complicated p.i.s.sing contests . Just like that .

And to add insult to injury, Nina was a ten-year-old kid (that was probably some ridiculous age) dressed in gothic-style clothing—black dress and umbrella, striped long socks, and the works . White-purple hair and red eyes seemed to top off her look .

Kiko looked slightly younger than her sister, Sazuki, with short black hair and the same grey eyes . Nina was currently playing arcade games while Kiko just stood in silence, cold stare on Harumi .

Harumi met that gaze, though smiling smugly for some reason . Clyde just wanted to know what the f.u.c.k…Then Kiko's ice deflated as dove into Harumi for a face-to-breast hug . Kiko's string of words shattered the tension even more .

"Oh, I've missed you so much and these—are you bigger? Do you have a man rubbing them for you? Nice and firm—I'm so jealous . "

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Clyde stared at them with wonder . Didn't she attack Airi a year ago or so? She appeared to be a normal girl to him, slender and dressed in casual clothing .

The two hugged and talked for a moment before Nina cleared her throat . Clyde couldn't help but stare blankly at the loli .

"You," she pointed at Clyde . He waited, excepting insults and sn.o.bby talk and the works, "are invited to have a private dinner with me . You'll also get the honor of becoming my first husband . "

"You see, I told you we should've brought Toru," Clyde said to Alice .

Alice glared at him .

"That was actually my idea . You're the one who—"

Nina cleared her throat .

"It's a joke . I think . Demonesses and their life mates—sheesh . Anyway . " She unwrapped a lollipop and stuck it in her mouth . After a long half-minute suck that tested Clyde's patience, the brat spoke again . "Kiko is free to see her family whenever she wants, but unlike you, the ignorant, she is wise . The girl doesn't want to lose control and go all nom-nom on her loved ones . She needs at least another year under my training then she'll be fine . We don't require but a few sips or so of blood . Maybe a gulp every now and then, but our clan does not indulge . Can't say that about the others though . " She walked over to Clyde . "Is there anything else you—"

"Kiko, no!"

Harumi held back the girl from hovering too close to her neck . Nina clapped once which seemed to end whatever trance Kiko was in .

"I'm sorry Harumi," she bowed lowly, tears falling from her eyes . "This is what I've become . That's why I need my clan . "

"You see," Nina said . "She's basically a babe . I suggest you inform her sister or keep it secret—I don't care . " She started for the door but stopped in front of Yuki . "Old friend, I am happy to see that you are well . "

"Likewise," Yuki said, nodding . Without another word, the loli vampire left, followed by Kiko .

"I didn't have to say or do anything," Clyde said . "And she rented out this entire arcade for the day, just to . . . Never mind . Who's up for playing some games before we go . " Clyde turned to Harumi . "We've got some of the hard part done, but now, well, it's best just to meet with Sazuki today . Show off some powers and get her to believe . We'll come with you . "

Harumi hugged Clyde .

"Thank you for coming with me," she said . "I'm not sure if I can face her after holding the secret for so long . "

"She'll be more relieved to know that her sister is still alive," Clyde said . "Did you get Kiko's number? That was the real plan . "

"Sure did," Harumi said, wiping away a tear .

"Good . We've got work to do . "

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