This is a flashback-type scene to 14-year-old Yuichiro's experience as a JIDA trainee. Spoilers for Season 2 of the anime. Also minor gore warning.

Amusement Apocalypse

"Yuichiro Hyakuya! What do you think you're doing!" Guren snapped, his booming voice jolting Yuu awake. "How spoiled can you be! Sleeping at this hour? Do you want to die?"

Fourteen-year-old Yuu had experienced all sorts of startling wake-ups, from slamming pots and pans, to sibling attacks, to thunder shaking the walls. But he had never gotten used to Guren's shouting. The spike of fear sent Yuu spiraling onto the floor in a failed attempt to stand.

Yuu hissed, rubbing his head. He blinked back tears then stood for real, at attention. "What's going on? Are there vampires?"

"Of course there are vampires!" Guren said, his dark brows furrowing. "But more importantly, show some respect!"

"A-ah —" Yuu hurriedly glanced around in confusion. At Guren's scowl, Yuu bowed, but — Wait a minute. He's smiling!

Lieutenant Colonel Guren Ichinose, master of horrible practical jokes, lifted an eyebrow like he was going to laugh.

Yuu reversed the bow in the best way he could think of: by stomping his foot and pointing right at Guren's stupid wrinkling nose. "Hey! There is no emergency, is there! Just because you saved me doesn't mean you can just mess with me whenever you want to!"

"On the contrary." Guren's smirk grew, and he tapped the katana at his waist. "One, you really should be alert for anything. In this world, you let your guard down, you die."

"I won't die."

"Two, there is an emergency."

Yuu stilled, his pointing finger going limp. There is?

"Haha, not so clever now," Guren taunted, mocking Yuu's half-fighting stance. "Ahh, bad Daddy Guren's so mean; he's gonna stab me in my sleep."

Yuu lowered his arms with a smack, slapping them to his thighs. He felt his cheeks burning.

"Jerky jerk-face!" Guren whined.

"Th-that's because you are!"

Guren huffed with laughter, clutching his chest. "Don't forget amazing, too. I did teach you how to use weapons." He straightened, seriousness returning. "But if you want to kill vampires, you'll have to learn to work with a team."

Yuu grimaced. Not this again. "I told you: I don't need anyone else to kill vampires. I've already killed one."

"With a gun and the distraction of your family, yes, yes, I know."

It hurt to hear it every time. Yuu sucked in a breath, tasting bile in his throat. Mika. Akane. Everyone … Dead.

Bleeding.

Screaming.

Yuu, leave me. Yuu, run away. Yuu … come back.

Guren waited patiently for Yuu to wipe his eyes and take a deep breath. "Done wallowing over the past?" Guren asked gently.

Jerky jerk-face. Yuu nodded.

"Good. I've got a mission for you." Guren fished in his pocket and threw a letter to Yuu, who caught it at the last second between his pinkie and ring fingers. "Nice catch."

Fumbling not to drop it, Yuu looked at the envelope. It was plain except for the Japanese Imperial Demon Army's name scribbled in messy cursive on the front.

"You can read big boy books on your own, right?" Guren said.

"Yes! I'm a teenager, and I'm not dumb!" Yuu retorted, taking out the letter.

"Oh, so you don't need me to read to you anymore? How convenient."

Yuu pressed his lips together and ignored him. Yuu dropped the empty envelope on his unmade bed, reading the request.

He paused at the second line, unable to contain the excitement pulsing through him.

Nevermind. I love you, Stupid Guren. Yuu beamed. "A vampire was spotted in Shibuya Amusement Park? And you want me to kill it?"

"No, the two of us are going to kill it together."

"Just the two of us?"

Guren tipped his head. "You're disappointed?"

"No!" Yuu threw the letter on his bed, running to grab his clothes from the dresser. "Let's go! I'll make that bloodsucker sorry!"

"We."

"Yeah, sure!" Yuu tugged off his shirt.

"O-kay! I'm getting outta here before I see something I'll regret," Guren said, tapping a goodbye on the door-frame. "Also. You've got seven to prepare. One second later and I'll take someone else."

"Got it!"

Yuu didn't look back as Guren left the room.

Proudly, Yuu rushed outside dressed in uniform and sword at the ready, his bed-head hitting record messiness. He'd even had time to wash up a little, arriving —

"Late." Guren showed Yuu his watch, a hand on his hip.

"What?" Yuu slowed to a stop. He took a second to process it. "Huh? No, I'm not! I only took six minutes, not seven —"

"Seconds. Seven seconds." Guren sighed, shrugging. "Guess I gotta find someone better."

"You never specified!" Roaring, Yuu darted forward and slashed at Guren with his sword.

Instead of dodging, Guren parried the blow, his katana flashing out of nowhere and knocking the sword from Yuu's hands. Shadows collected along Guren's blade, sending chills up Yuu's spine.

"Checkmate."

Yuu held his breath. Cursed Gear.

"You lost to me in three seconds," Guren said. "On your own, a vampire will suck a kid like you dry in less than that. I was generous to give you seven to get ready, don't you think?"

If I had a weapon like yours, I'd be able to kill them even quicker. Yuu knew he couldn't win against Guren in a fair fight. Especially not with a regular sword against his demon-possessed one. But Guren had already proved this fight didn't have to be fair.

"Maybe you should try giving clearer orders," Yuu said with a grin. "If I had known, I would have made it out with time to spare. It'd be bad if your failed communication lost a life on the battlefield."

Guren frowned, smacking Yuu on the head.

"Ow!" Right where I bumped it, too!

"You're not even close to being ready to fight a vampire."

"I'm fourteen now, and I've been training. I killed a vampire when I was twelve!"

"Yeah, yeah. Gun. Distraction from your family," Guren said, sheathing his blade. The chilly feeling didn't go away even though his demon's aura was out of sight. "If you don't learn to be less reckless, you'll never be able to avenge them. You'll just get yourself killed."

"Not if I have Cursed Gear!" Yuu said, ducking out of the way when Guren attempted to smack him again. In a sweeping motion, Yuu retrieved his fallen sword, standing just in time for Guren to clash their blades with such power Yuu skidded backwards on the pavement.

"Better." Guren swung right. Yuu angled his sword on instinct, their weapons screeching as they grazed against each other. Guren attempted an uppercut, Yuu jumping away to avoid it.

The air was humid, clouds covering the sun in a blanket of gray. Yuu stumbled onto the grass, panting, his fingers red from gripping the hilt so hard. He saw some of the other JIDA cadets watching them through the windows of their barracks. I'll show them. I will get stronger. I am stronger.

"But still a long way to go," Guren said, feinting left.

Yuu reacted, sidestepping a heartbeat too late. Guren hooked their weapons the other way and yanked Yuu's sword from him a second time.

Guren snatched it up mid-air, now wielding two blades pointed at Yuu's vitals. The cadets in the window laughed, quickly losing interest.

Guren dropped Yuu's sword on the street. "You left your left side unprotected, so the moment you realized that, you tried to make up for it. You need to think more about your enemy."

"I — I could fight you fairly if I had Cursed Gear like yours!" Yuu said. "Give me one. I'll prove to you that I can kill vampires. If I held out for that long against you, I can fight those beetheads."

"Who even says that?"

"Mika called me a beethead all the time." Yuu pouted, looking Guren in the eye. "Please."

"I said no. You're not ready." Guren sheathed his katana for real, turning his back to Yuu. He kicked Yuu's sword as he walked off.

"Hey! Who are you even gonna take, anyway? You'll regret it if it's not me!"

Without looking, Guren pointed with his thumb towards the outdoor storage locker. "I'm grabbing you some Enchanted Gear. You're going to need better reactions if you're coming with me."

Yuu brightened and ran after Guren, his exhaustion forgotten. It would be the first time he'd handled anything more powerful than a regular sword. "Woah, really? Thanks!"

Guren chuckled, his black hair whipping with the next gust of wind. "Don't get too excited now. I might change my mind."

Yuu shut up like a good boy.

"So this is Shibuya Amusement Park …" Yuu whistled, hopping out the back of the truck Guren drove them with.

The park's rollercoasters and Ferris wheel were abandoned, but still bright and new. The welcoming gates were unlocked, trash and other debris caught on the outer fence and rolling about the stone pathways.

"This place is creepy without anyone here, huh. But I guess everywhere is now," Yuu mused, wondering how high the tallest drop was. One-hundred meters?

"You scared?"

"Nah! I've even got this baby!" Yuu brandished his Enchanted sword, which felt light as a straw in his hands.

"Says the baby."

Yuu rolled his eyes, marching towards the park. "Whatever. I'm gonna slice that vampire open, and then you'll have to recognize my skill."

"Right."

Yuu's excitement waned as they got closer. Flyers advertising new foods and clothing items were posted on the billboards. Some had pictures of happy families enjoying the rides or having a burger together.

"It's a little sad. I've never had a family who took me to an amusement park before," Yuu murmured, glancing around the empty entrance booth.

"You're coming today with me."

"Yeah, but … before the virus. It's not the same."

"I dunno," Guren said. "You might end up barfing anyway."

"No, I won't." Yuu huffed, walking faster. "And I bet rollercoasters aren't that scary. I've been through worse. Besides, today we're on a serious mission."

"Uh-huh."

Groaning in exasperation, Yuu pushed through the ticket gate. Some lights were still on, flickering inside the shops nearby. No bodies, though. Guess the vampires cleared this area out too.

Guren followed him, paused, and led the way to the children's rides. Yuu attempted to steady his breathing, keeping a lookout behind him.

Vampires had superhuman senses. If one really was in the park, Yuu had to assume the vampire already knew they were coming. Ready to strike anytime, anywhere.

I'll be ready. They won't win.

Mika, I'll make them all pay.

Today. One by one, I'll start bringing them down.

Watch me, everyone.

"Hyakuya," Guren said, "you're breathing heavier than a bulldog in heat."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Yuu whispered.

"It means calm down. We might as well talk now. We've made our presence known." Guren put his hands behind his head, looking up at the stalled form of a parachute drop. "Kinda crazy how high these things go. This is the kiddie section, right?"

Yuu took a moment to survey the area around them before he joined Guren's side. The ride had to have been over twenty-five meters tall. Yuu felt his lips curl into a smile. "What, are you scared?"

"Of course not." Guren walked the other way. "I'm not the one riding it."

"Ha! So you are scared!"

"Say that to me after you ride an adult coaster. Without screaming."

"I scream all the time. Screaming is fun," Yuu declared, flicking a soda can into a toppled trash bin with his sword. It slammed into the bottom of it, more cans and papers spilling out. Whoops.

"Wanna try the teacups or something?" Guren asked, strolling past the kiddie coasters.

"Aren't we supposed to be killing a vampire?"

"We'll kill them with style." Guren hopped over the gate leading to the spinning teacups. "Want the cute one with a heart or the cute one with multiple hearts?"

Yuu hesitated, gaping. "Are you serious?"

"You're right. They're too adorable to choose from. Eenie, meenie … that one." Guren didn't bother to unlatch the door, instead vaulting inside perfectly like some show-off.

This is so stupid. "I bet it doesn't even work," Yuu deadpanned, not daring to let his guard down so easily. Why is he acting like this?

"Look: it spins." Guren demonstrated by turning the wheel, his wild strength spinning the teacup just about as fast as if the ride were powered on. "You can just feel the blood rushing in your ears!"

Well … it wasn't like Yuu was going to go off on his own with Guren there. And that did look kind of fun.

Still somewhat reluctant, Yuu took the long way around. Inside the waiting area, the concrete floors were stained with all sorts of substances … dirt, smeared food and drinks … blood. Now that Yuu looked for it, there were bloodstains on the handrails too.

Where people fell and hit their heads. When the virus killed the adults.

Yuu readied his sword again, but no vampire was in sight. He felt his stomach twisting uncomfortably.

Outside, Guren had stopped his teacup, the door open for Yuu.

"Ladies first," Guren said with a grin.

"You're already in there, though."

"I don't count."

Yuu stopped in front of the heart-infested cup, wiping a sweaty palm on his pant leg. "Guren, I saw bloodstains inside the waiting area."

"It's all part of the show. Hop in."

Yuu clambered into the teacup, only now sheathing his sword. For a minute, Guren looked … friendly, sitting with his legs spread, one arm draped over the rim, the other held out in greeting. Yuu took his hand without thinking and Guren helped him sit, latching the door shut afterwards.

Guren's eyes were bright even though it was cloudy outside, even though this was supposed to be a vampire-killing mission. Yuu stared a bit too long.

"What, you're not gonna spin?" Guren said. "Afraid you won't be able to turn it? Poor baby."

Nevermind. He's not friendly. Yuu grabbed the wheel. "Oh yeah? I'll spin it faster than you ever could!"

Guren lifted an eyebrow as Yuu strained to get it started. The wheel seemed stuck, barely rotating from his efforts.

Yuu blushed. "It's because you're weighing it down, that's why! I can do it! I can!" To prove it, Yuu put his body into it, and the cup started going around at a reasonable pace.

This is more exhausting than I thought it'd be. It reminded Yuu of when he was at the orphanage and the younger kids would try running around him in circles while Yuu tried to catch them. Mika would join in, grab Yuu's shoulders, and spin them both around until Yuu was too dizzy to stand and the kids would topple onto them in a pile of laughter.

"Crying already?" Guren took the other side of the wheel. "We're just getting started."

Oh. Yuu wiped his eyes, forcing a grin. That's right. I'm here now. His smile became real. "I'm fine! Let's see how much better you can do!"

With no hesitation, Guren spun the wheel with five times the force Yuu did. Yuu slipped against the seat, braced his feet on the floor, and watched as the world disappeared in swirls of color. A laugh bubbled up, Yuu quickly finding his strength, and he joined Guren in giving a boost to the cup.

Around, around, around —

"Getting dizzy yet?" Guren teased.

"Nope! Ahaha, how 'bout you?"

"I could do this all day."

"Me too!"

Guren spun faster. "Prove it."

Yuu gave it his all, laughing. He forgot about the mission for the moment, focused on Guren's smiles, his easygoing personality, the way he watched over Yuu. It was almost as if Yuu were there with his father, only Guren didn't call him demon spawn, didn't try to kill him.

Well, maybe he tried to kill him a little bit. Yuu knocked sideways into Guren at his next spin, dizziness making Yuu's head pound. "Oof! Sorry!"

Guren said nothing, just ruffled Yuu's messy black hair, and kept spinning with his other hand. Yuu let go of the wheel, absorbed in giggles and a warm feeling in his chest.

It was only after they stepped out of the teacup and Yuu forgot how it felt to stand that he remembered to be serious. We're not here to have fun.

Guren had already hopped the gate while Yuu was catching his breath. "Don't be so slow."

"Wh-wha? You're the one making spinny-cup detours!"

"Yeah, and it was great. I got to see you fall over like an idiot."

Yuu rushed after him. Darn you. But Yuu's retort died off when he noticed where Guren was headed next.

"Why are we going into that super dark and creepy arcade?" Yuu asked, passing the carousel that marked the edge of the children's section. "Don't tell me the vampire's in there."

"The vampire is not in there," Guren said unconvincingly. He opened the door, the insides of the arcade bathed in dim light from outside.

Yuu readied his sword again, whipping in every direction while Guren fished around at the entrance. Something clicked — Guren had found a light switch, and the arcade lit up.

"Looks like the emergency generators are working," Guren said. He walked up to a machine showing Pac-Man and fiddled with the controls. "Ooh, I remember this. Too bad it needs tokens. Maybe I can break open the stash at the counter."

"Wait. Now we're playing games?" Yuu was starting to believe that maybe there was no vampire. He was disappointed, but also … there was that warm feeling. What if Guren was my real dad?

"Hmm, I'm going to the prize booth to look for stuff." Guren looked back, walking down the row of games. "You want anything? Hungry?"

"Yeah … I guess a little."

"I'll find you something good. Stay here and keep watch. If you see anything, do not engage. I'll be back to help."

So there is a vampire. Yuu nodded. "Understood."

It had to be around midday, but the sun hadn't yet breached the dense layer of clouds. Yuu stood looking out across the empty park, scanning the shadows, the windows, the rooftops. At some point, he stopped being on edge, instead imagining the world as it was before, with couples, friends, families walking among the attractions. He imagined himself, Mika, the children from his orphanage all together.

Mika would have wanted to try everything. He'd drag me on every ride he could get. Akane would take the young ones for snacks and ice cream.

And … maybe Guren would be there too. Guren would have driven them, waited in lines with them, pointed out the best spots to hang out. Mika would have loved Guren.

"Surprise."

Yuu flinched, Guren appearing suddenly behind him with a fresh cone of purple cotton candy.

"You look spooked. See a vampire?"

"No …" Yuu slid his blade of sight. I'm here. It's 2018, not 2016. Mika is dead. I'm going to avenge him. All of them.

"Here." Guren handed Yuu the cotton candy. "I made it myself. There was a machine and some mix in the back."

"Thanks." Yuu tore some cotton candy off with his teeth, enjoying the way it melted, sweet and tangy on his tongue. "It's good! Want some?"

"I've got this." Guren fished in his pocket for a bag of Skittles he must have found at the prize booth. He popped a few in his mouth, making a face. "Mm, these are sourer than I remember."

Having eaten half of his cotton candy already, Yuu accepted the bag of Skittles and tried one — they're similar to the usual, just a little sticky. It really has been so long …

"I wish I could get something else, but most of the snacks were already taken," Guren said. "Vampires or children left here must have cleared it out."

Yuu hummed, glancing around the arcade. It wasn't that scary after all with the lights on … and Guren beside him. "Did you find tokens?"

"Ah, so you do want to goof off?" Guren frowned, his tone hardening. "Stupid Yuu, we're supposed to be on a vampire-killing mission, remember? You shouldn't desert your post, especially with your superior standing before you."

Is he joking? Yuu honestly couldn't tell. "Um … do you mean I shouldn't dessert my post?"

Guren bopped Yuu on the head. "Wrong!"

"Ouch! Why do you keep hitting me there?"

"Your fault for falling off your own bed," Guren said, walking around Yuu to the front. "The teacups thing was to lower the vampire's guard. As it stood, you were giving off too many murderous vibes."

Oh. Of course, Guren hadn't only been messing around. Yuu finished the rest of the candy, tossing it in the trashcan by the door. I wouldn't have minded if you just wanted to have fun with me for once.

"I got candy in here because I wanted to see if I could boost your energy as well as have you excrete some hormones for the vampire to attract to."

"It … sounds super gross when you put it that way."

"It totally does," Guren said, pushing open the doors. "Anyways, you read the report. The vampire is said to be hiding out in one of the darker corners of the park, a low-level prisoner who escaped before he could be exchanged."

"Must be some scary noble running this thing for a vampire to try so hard to run …"

"Indeed." Guren picked up the pace, heading towards the theater and adult sections of the park.

Yuu kept stride with him, this time trying to relax some more, look out for any surprise attacks. It could be a trap, sure. There could be more than expected, prisoners, anything. But Yuu believed he was ready to fight.

And if not, he had Guren.

This was Yuu's chance. He felt his heart thrumming with excitement instead of nervousness. By the time they approached the underground rollercoaster, Yuu could barely contain himself.

"It's gotta be here," Guren murmured, stepping ahead. "Stay behind me. Stay close. I brought you and only you because I want to assess you, but if this is a disaster, I need you to run, not get killed."

"I'll be fine."

"Yuichiro."

"Okay, okay." Yuu flexed his fingers, something stirring within him. Mika. Akane. It's time. "Let's do this."

"Promise me."

"Okay, I promise."

Guren must have been satisfied by that because he entered the building. Yuu followed silently, on high alert. It got darker the deeper they went in — the only windows were in the waiting area — but further inside the powerless lights couldn't make up for the lack of sun.

Yuu held his breath while Guren whispered something — "…no-Yo." — and suddenly, there was not even the trickle of sunlight.

The room went completely dark.

Guren? Yuu fought the urge to call his name, instead sensing with his body. His body knew somehow. Could sense the heart beating near him — felt for the distorted, desperate aura of the vampire climbing out of the deepest reaches of the coaster.

Guren was at the control center, pushing buttons. A key was turned. The cars in the room released from their locks, started moving.

The cars dropped, the vampire barely missing getting hit, and then the vampire was spiraling towards them —

"Bl-blood! Give me blood!"

Yuu arched his sword, thrusting where he felt the aura, and felt the buckle of flesh and bone against his blade. Disgusting. Real. How dare you hurt my family.

Guren ran towards them, his katana whizzing by and slicing off something. A limb. The vampire's.

It screamed, falling backwards at Yuu's next thrust. "I need your blood! Give it to me!" The vampire scrambled up, darting towards Guren this time.

Like lightning.

But Guren was faster. He brought his demon in, dim light flooding the cavern, and rolled out of the way with unmatched speed. The vampire crashed into the returning coaster cars, hissing and choking.

Yuu saw the vampire, its missing arm and dangling skin, the wound in its chest where it bled, its plain robes like rags hanging from its frail body. Its face was human — a young man, maybe old enough to be someone's elder brother, but its expression was enough to give Yuu chills.

This is a monster.

This thing has killed so many people.

It needs to die.

Die now.

Suffer.

Like Mika.

Akane.

My family.

Suffer like they did.

You.

Will.

Pay.

The darkness engulfed him again. Yuichiro roared.

o-o-o-o

"Incredible, isn't it?" Ferid said, smiling over Guren's shoulder as they watched a demonic Yuu tousling with the vampire. "Seeing what a Seraph of the End can do."

Yuu's eyes were blank, shadows pouring from his skin, pooling at his feet. Yuu attacked with ferocity, snarling, viciously tearing the vampire apart. With sword, teeth, and nail, Yuu had become an unholy, ravenous beast.

"Die, die! You killed them! You die! Die!"

"M-monster! Monster …! Urk-agh!"

The vampire's blood splattered across the concrete floor. Guren wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Aw, you sure you won't give me just the tiniest of sips?" Ferid drawled, licking his lips.

"Go to hell."

"We're already here, darling."

Huffing, Guren slid his fingertips across Mahiru's hilt, caressing her, thanking her. Despite the vampire noble humming beside him, despite Yuu, demented and raging, Guren was somehow relieved by this. That Yuu had made progress. That Guren was taking steps for the future.

Ferid adjusted on the railing where he was perched, swinging his long legs. Yuu was utterly consumed in the attack — he'd given no indication of noticing either of them since he transformed.

Soon enough, Yuu would tire and pass out. It would be destruction everywhere — already, Yuu had managed to break the control panel and smash a hole in the roof. When Yuu found out restraining the vampire under the sunlight caused the vampire's skin to bubble and burn, that's what he did. Torture. Absolute carnage.

"This is by far my favorite show," Ferid cooed, chuckling. "I turned that young boy just for this, you know. All I had to do was starve him for blood for a while and stick him in a place like this with no UV light guard, and suddenly Hyakuya Yuichiro had the perfect opponent."

"I feel you're more concerned about entertaining yourself than you should be."

"Of course. This entire project is for my entertainment — ooh, that's gotta hurt."

The walls echoed with screams as the vampire lost his other limbs. Yuu didn't back down.

"You could have at least left out the riddles," Guren complained, no longer stroking Mahiru. "Those letters were hard to understand. You should have just told me where I would find the drug."

"But you found it."

"Yeah, inside a girly teacup that I had to make a fool of myself to retrieve."

"The Hyakuya boy seemed to enjoy it. You did too." Ferid grinned, his fangs glinting. "Getting soft for him?"

"Not at all," Guren lied. "He's just a pawn."

Ferid tapped his chin in thought. "How did you give him the drug?"

"Mixed it into his cotton candy." Guren couldn't ignore the small stab of guilt in his chest. At least the kid had some fun.

Ferid whistled again. His red orbs were fixed on Yuu standing over the dead vampire, the sword protruding from its disintegrating chest. Yuu swayed on his feet, the shadows thickening.

Guren hopped down from the rail to catch Yuu before he fell. Yuu passed out in his arms, his demonic features fading away. Guren held him carefully, keeping Yuu close despite the reek of blood and sweat.

"How sweet," Ferid said. "Daddy Guren and his baby boy."

"Shut up."

"Were you afraid he'd figure out this wasn't a real mission?" Ferid jumped down beside him, a bounce in his step.

"No. Yuichiro trusts me."

"Good. Very good." Ferid spun around, arms spread wide. "Yay! Now we can call this a partial success and go on to the next phase! Let me know how the memory loss is and if you notice any side-effects!"

Leave it to Ferid to say that so cheerfully. Guren rolled his eyes, carrying Yuu outside. The clouds had cleared, the midday sun gleaming on their bloody clothes, Yuu's sleeping face, the shiny exterior of the amusement park.

I've really failed him, haven't I?

Guren felt tears welling in his eyes.

o-o-o-o

"Uunh …?" Yuu yawned, burying his face in his pillow to hide from the light. His head spun with drowsiness and the remnants of a good dream.

He dozed a moment longer, toasty warm under the covers. Yuu wanted to hold onto the image of Guren laughing, playing games with him, having snacks with him, having all sorts of adventures like father and son. I dreamed we were at an amusement park.

Yuu thought about it really hard, trying to piece together what had happened. He was still sleepy enough not to wonder why he was lying in bed at half-past noon. I think Mika was there. Akane. Lots of people, too …

Yes, that was right.

I miss … everyone. My family.

Yuu sniffed, wiping his tears on the covers. "Maybe … m-maybe I still have family … I don't have to be alone, so … Mika … Please watch over me."

Pushing himself up, Yuu slowly stood, glancing across the bedroom. Sunlight flooded through the window, brightening the chair where Guren once sat to read him bedtime stories during Yuu's darkest nights as a child. Maybe I'm not alone.

"Someone looks like they had a nice long dream," Guren said, jolting Yuu around.

Oops. I seriously slept in. "G-good morning."

"Afternoon."

Yuu was hit with a powerful sense of deja vu. "Hey, uh … Guren? Have you ever been to Shibuya Amusement Park before?"

"Yeah," Guren said, tilting his head up in thought. "A few times before the apocalypse virus. I went with Shinya and my old friends. Why? Had a dream about it?"

"Yeah, I just …" Yuu laughed, running a hand through his hair. "When the war ends and all the vampires are dead … when people start going back to their normal lives … I think we should go there."

For once, Guren didn't laugh at him. "It's a thought. Hold onto dreams like that. It's proof you're working towards change."

Affection tickled in Yuu's belly. Maybe. "Yeah. Thanks."

"That doesn't excuse you for missing morning drills."

"What? I missed them?" Yuu spun in search of a clock, then realized Guren already confirmed it being in the afternoon. Had Yuu forgotten to set his alarm? "Ah! I'll work extra hard today to make up for it!"

Guren huffed, walking off. "Be sure you do. I'll see you in training."

"Okay, see ya!" Yuu hurried to his dresser, his JIDA cadet uniform waiting inside — folded, clean, ready for action.

One day … this will all be over.

One day, we can all be a family together.

Guren's going to help me.

I'm going to help him.

And then we'll take back the world.

I seriously enjoyed writing that one! Guren's a blast to write and such a jerk, lol. And of course, Yuu is so adorable and tragic as a character. Their dynamic is very fun.

I have some more ideas for Seraph of the End, including one about Yoichi ... so perhaps I'll write some more in the future! Possibly.