I arrived at a building that served as both a church and a clinic, carrying the woman I’d encountered by chance in town—Noah-san. Inside, I met the resident doctor, a woman in priest’s robes named Dr. Fia.
Dr. Fia took one look at Noah-san on my back and murmured with an exasperated sigh.
“Noah-san, don’t tell me...”
“Ah, yes. My anemia...”
“Sigh... I keep telling you, you need to drink blood, even if you have to force yourself to do it.”
“I understand, but it’s quite difficult for me...”
Wait, what kind of conversation was this? Was drinking blood some kind of common remedy for anemia that I just didn’t know about? No, that couldn’t be right.
In any case, it seemed Noah-san was a regular here, and Dr. Fia was well-acquainted with her situation.
“Noah-san, are you even aware that you’re a half-vampire?”
Hearing the exasperated doctor’s words, I was stunned.
A half-vampire? Does that mean Noah-san is part vampire? I felt a surge of the same kind of awe I’d experienced when I first saw a dragon. As expected of another world.
“To my shame, I’m not very aware of it at all.”
“I’d prefer if you’d at least lie and say you were... Well, let’s get you treated first. And you are...?”
“Ah, um, I’m Kaito Miyama.”
“Miyama-kun, then. Right, sorry to trouble you, but could you carry Noah-san over to the exam room?”
“I understand.”
Talking to her like this, she really gave off the aura of a capable professional, just as one would expect of a doctor.
Tripping earlier was probably just a fluke. Pointing it out would only embarrass her, so I decided not to mention it.
Just as I prepared to follow her, Dr. Fia started walking, only for her foot to slam into a wooden church bench. Her pinky toe took the brunt of it... Oh, that had to hurt.
“Gyuuu... O-Ow...”
“E-Err, Dr. Fia? Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah... I’m fine. Ahaha, I’ve just been a clumsy girl since way back... Now then, let’s pull ourselves together and head this way.”
“Right.”
She gave a bitter, almost child-like smile while scratching her cheek. Combined with the fact that she was taller than average, she struck me as quite a charming person.
The exam room felt more like a cozy neighborhood clinic than a large hospital. Noah-san and I sat on round stools while we waited for Dr. Fia to finish her preparations.
While efficiently readying her equipment, the doctor asked how I ended up carrying Noah-san here. I gave her a brief explanation.
“I see. So, Miyama-kun, you were worried enough about a stranger to call out to her. I think it’s wonderful that you can naturally reach out to people in trouble like that.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Allow me to thank you once again. Miyama-san, thank you so very much.”
“No, it was nothing... Um, you’re very welcome.”
I didn’t feel like I’d done anything particularly grand, but it would have been rude to reject their gratitude, so I accepted it. Besides, I am a man... being praised by two beautiful women like Dr. Fia and Noah-san naturally made me feel good.
“Alright, Noah-san. I’m going to start the IV drip.”
“Eh!?”
“...Huh?”
Dr. Fia appeared with a syringe, but for some reason, Noah-san let out a surprised cry and started glancing at me with blushing cheeks.
“Noah-san? Is something wrong?”
“Um... well... no matter how wonderful a person he is, to undress in front of a man I’ve only just met is...”
“...No, it’s an IV. You only need to roll up your sleeve.”
“Oh.”
How should I put it... was Noah-san a different kind of airhead than Shiro-san? Even Dr. Fia looked exhausted by the misunderstanding.
At any rate, Noah-san seemed convinced and rolled up the sleeve of her modest dress to receive the IV.
“By the way, Noah-san. Is Ru-chan not with you today?”
“Yes, she seems to have work today.”
“Ru-chan?”
“Ah, my daughter.”
“Daughter!? Eh? Noah-san, are you married?”
When I tilted my head at the name Ru-chan, Noah-san explained that she was her daughter. It was extremely rude of me, but I was so shocked that I reflexively asked for clarification.
I understood that she was a demon, but seeing as she looked no older than twelve or fourteen, hearing she had a daughter was a massive surprise.
“Yes... though my husband has passed away...”
“Ah, I-I’m sorry!”
“No, no, it was over fifty years ago, so please don’t worry about it.”
It seemed she was a widow. I bowed my head, feeling terrible for asking, but Noah-san didn’t seem to mind and smiled gently.
Dr. Fia spoke up then, shifting the topic back to the medical issue at hand.
“Noah-san, I keep telling you: the magic power in your blood drains away as time passes. You can’t just rely on IV drips; you need to consume fresh blood orally.”
“I understand, but... I’m just not very good at drinking blood...”
Noah-san scratched her head apologetically. A half-vampire who was bad at drinking blood and prone to anemia... that felt like a major racial disadvantage.
As if sensing my doubt, Dr. Fia turned toward me with a slight smile.
“People have this image of the vampire race drinking just any blood, but compatibility is actually quite important. If the blood doesn’t match, it can even cause a rejection reaction.”
“Is that so...?”
“Yes. In my case... it’s a bit ironic, but I was incompatible with my husband’s blood. After experiencing a rejection reaction once, I’ve somehow developed a distaste for drinking blood altogether.”
“...”
That was a heavy story to tell with such a casual, bitter smile—experiencing a rejection reaction from the blood of the person she loved most. Noah-san spoke as if she’d moved on, but it must have been a terrible shock at the time.
“Since she carries her father’s blood, I am naturally incompatible with my daughter’s blood as well. And since I rarely go out, I don’t have many opportunities to find other sources.”
“Noah-san, animal blood is fine too, you know?”
“...Well, animal blood is... bitter...”
“And that’s the problem. Noah-san is quite a picky eater when it comes to blood. Even I, as her doctor, am at a loss.”
Seeing Noah-san complain about the taste of animal blood with an expression like a child refusing bell peppers, I couldn't help but smile wryly. The atmosphere softened a bit, and Dr. Fia let out a sigh.
“Ru-chan is going to worry if you keep collapsing like this. You need to find someone who can provide you with blood regularly, and soon...”
“That is true, but... I have few acquaintances, and finding a kind person who would share their blood is...”
“Exactly. Even if it’s only a tiny amount, someone kind enough to share it with a stranger...”
“...”
“...”
“...Eh?”
The two of them suddenly stopped mid-sentence and turned toward me. Confused by the unsettling sensation of being stared at by two beautiful women, I waited until Dr. Fia slowly spoke.
“Miyama-kun, I have a request... Could you share a little bit of your blood?”
“Um, you mean for Noah-san?”
“Yeah, I’d like to test your compatibility. Of course, I’m not saying you have to!”
“Yes, I know such a request is beyond brazen—it’s borderline rude. You are more than welcome to refuse.”
In short, Dr. Fia wanted me to share a little if Noah-san could stomach my blood. She said it was only a tiny amount, and I could clearly see how much Noah-san was suffering from her anemia. Since I’d already gotten involved, I’d feel bad walking away now.
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
“Really!? Even though I’m the one who asked, it’s a very impertinent request, you know?”
“Yes. If it’s something I can do to help, I will.”
“Miyama-san... Truly, I don’t know how to thank you...”
Hearing my consent, Noah-san bowed her head repeatedly, looking truly apologetic.
Of course, the arrangement wasn't finalized yet; it depended on whether my blood actually worked for her. Dr. Fia was going to check our compatibility first. I was a bit worried about a rejection reaction, but with a doctor right here, I felt safe enough.
So, we decided to lightly nick my fingertip and have Noah-san try a single drop. Dr. Fia promised to heal the wound immediately after. She made a small cut with a knife, and I held my finger over Noah-san, who was waiting with her mouth open.
Given her youthful appearance, the scene felt oddly... illicit.
A single drop of blood fell from my finger and entered her mouth.
“...Nn, ah, eh? Hwaaaaaaaaa...”
“N-Noah-san?”
“—! Chomp!”
“Eh!? Wait!?”
The moment the blood touched her tongue, Noah-san’s eyes flew wide. She grabbed my hand and shoved my wounded finger into her mouth. I was too stunned to react immediately, and when I tried to pull away—she was incredibly strong!
“Nnn, slurp... lick...”
“Wha!? N-Noah-san!! What are you doing!?”
Next thing I knew, something slightly rough and soft was pressing against my finger as Noah began to suck on it with startling intensity. I didn't know what was happening, but things were definitely getting out of hand. I tried to move, but my hand wouldn't budge an inch. Is her strength really that high just because she's a half-vampire?
“Noah-san, stop.”
“Ah... m-more...”
Dr. Fia stepped in between us and easily peeled Noah-san away. The fact that she could do that so effortlessly... Could Dr. Fia be remarkably powerful herself?
“Noah-san?”
“Au... Ha!? A-Ah, I am so sorry! I-It was my first time tasting such delicious blood that I simply lost myself. Miyama-san, I am truly, truly sorry!”
“A-Ah, n-no... it’s okay.”
Apparently, my blood was exceptionally delicious to her, which explained the sudden erratic behavior. As Noah-san bowed her head repeatedly with a beet-red face, I told her not to worry about it.
“Miyama-kun’s blood... was it really that good?”
“Y-Yes... It was sweet enough to be mistaken for heavenly nectar, and so meltingly smooth... After tasting that, I fear I won’t be able to drink any other blood ever again.”
“...Hmm, let’s see.”
Hearing Noah-san speak with such a rapturous expression, Dr. Fia touched her patient’s cheek, checking her vitals.
“Indeed, your complexion has improved, and your magic power circulation is incredibly smooth.”
“Um, what does that mean exactly?”
“Well, coincidences really do happen. It seems Miyama-kun’s blood is the best possible match for Noah-san.”
I see. Apparently, for a vampire, compatible blood tastes delicious, while incompatible blood tastes foul.
“This might actually cure your chronic anemia. And with compatibility this high, a very small amount should be enough. Miyama-kun, if you’re willing, could you come here once every ten days? Just a few drops of fresh blood would be plenty for her.”
“Is just a few drops really enough?”
“Yes.”
“I understand. That’s fine with me.”
If it would improve Noah-san’s health, I had no problem with it. I’d be troubled if she tried to lick my finger every time, but now that I knew her reaction, I could take precautions.
“Thank you, that’s a huge help. Oh, and since you’re assisting with her treatment, we’ll pay you for your time.”
“Eh? Ah, no, I don’t really need money...”
“Please, take it. Otherwise, Noah-san will feel too guilty to accept the help.”
“...I-I understand.”
As I agreed to Dr. Fia’s terms and looked toward Noah-san, I realized she was staring at me with a strangely intense gaze. Her eyes were wavering and out of focus, almost as if she were in a daze.
“...Next time, I’ll have to dilute it before she drinks. She’ll become an addict before the anemia is even cured at this rate...”
I heard Dr. Fia mutter that to herself with a heavy sigh.
Dear Mother, Father—After hearing the stories of Noah-san and Dr. Fia, I’ve ended up helping with Noah-san’s anemia treatment. It seems that for Noah-san, my blood—is incredibly compatible.