Chapter 4: Time to explore

Three years have passed very quickly, Nick has taught everything that needs to be taught to his master's two children. In those three years he gave all the information about vampires that the two children wanted to know. Now that Mei is exactly fifteen years old, it is time for her to drink human blood like Aguero did before. In accordance with tradition at this simple birthday party, Nick has prepared a bottle of human blood that is ready to drink.

By wearing a beautiful blue dress that was deliberately made by Naomi, Mei then sat facing her birthday cake. He smiled sweetly looking enthusiastic.

"Can I open her birthday present?" asked May.

"Wait a minute, before that there's something you have to do." Carleon said.

"What is it, Dad?"

"According to tradition, it is time for you to drink the blood that has been prepared." Carleon said putting a bottle of blood in front of Mei.

"During these three years you have learned a lot, it is time for you to live like a vampire even though in reality you are half vampire and live among humans." said Nick again.

"I understand." said May.

He stared at the bottle closely, slowly took it and unexpectedly Mei could drink the blood without any problems.

"Apparently the taste is indeed different from animal blood." he commented after finishing a vial of blood.

Aguero was surprised to see Mei's courage in drinking the blood, he remembered how scared he was when he was asked to drink blood and even Nick had to intervene so he would do it.

"Okay then here is a gift from me to you." said Naomi handing over a gift box.

Mei's face looks very happy.

"Can I open it now, Mom?"

"Of course."

With joy, Mei immediately opened the gift box, she was quite surprised to see the contents of the gift which contained a complete set of makeup tools.

"You have entered your teens, a girl should look beautiful and charming. Learn to do makeup, but don't overdo it." said Naomi.

"Thank you, Mom. I love you." said Mei while hugging Naomi.

"It's from me, not something nice but I hope you like it." said Aguero giving a small gift.

Mei immediately opened the gift, apparently Aguero gave a necklace made of carved wood while Nick gave a dagger as a gift and Carleon gave a new bicycle so that Mei didn't have to walk to school.

After all the gifts have been given, the party continues. They all gathered to eat together, chatting and playing late into the night.

The next day they started their usual routine, only now Naomi and Carleon are back to talking privately about Aguero's future. They didn't forget to invite Nick to negotiate when all his children were not at home.

"Aguero told me that he wants to continue his studies in the city. He will come to work in the fish market with Uncle Jayen to pay for his studies." said Naomi.

"It would be a shame if Aguero's intelligence wasn't developed, in this village there wasn't much he could do and as a man he should have gone to find his identity." said Nick.

"But I'm a little worried, Aguero is too gentle to dare hurt an insect. In such a tough city I'm afraid he will be overwhelmed." Carleon said.

"Compared to Mei, Aguero is gentler, but that doesn't mean he's weak, he's a vampire and I'm sure he can take good care of himself. Or do I need to go with him?" Nick suggested.

"Don't! It's too risky. No one knows where you are all this time in our house. If you suddenly come with Aguero it could raise some suspicion not to mention you can't go out during the day either." retorted Naomi.

"He's right, maybe it's time we let Aguero choose his own path in life." Carleon said decidedly.

There are still a few weeks to enjoy the holidays before May starts school and Aguero has yet to choose which university he will go to. It is better for Aguero to use his free time to have fun with his schoolmates.

Like that night, Aguero was allowed to go out to meet his friends. At the foot of a hill not too far away, a group of young people made a bonfire by the river while enjoying a drink. Aguero, who had just arrived, was welcomed by his friends.

"I hear you're going into town." said one of Aguero's friends.

"That's right, Uncle Jayen offered me to work in the market. I thought there was nothing wrong while continuing my studies, I can use the money I earn to pay for college."

"Wow, you are really great. Just like what people talk about, you are a very diligent child." said another friend.

"People are talking about me? What do you mean?"

"Oh my house happens to be a grocery store, it's natural that I often hear female shoppers chatting or gossiping while shopping."

"Hahaha that's right!"

"But Aguero, can you leave the village just like that?"

"What do you mean?" asked Aguero not understanding.

"What about your sister? Isn't she very dependent on you? She can't stay away from you."

"About that matter... I haven't discussed it with him yet but I'm sure he will understand."

To be honest, Aguero, who can't be far from Mei, he loves his sister so much that he can't see Mei cry. As a result of her excessive attention, Mei is often spoiled by her, but at other times, sometimes May can be more reliable than herself.

Even though Mei is a graceful and spoiled girl, behind that she is a vampire who doesn't hesitate to find prey for her own survival, Nick even praises Mei's unyielding nature who is willing to work hard to get what she wants.

"My drink is finished." Aguero's friend said turning his cup over.

"Let me bring it, my drink is also finished." said Aguero.

"Really? Thank you, Aguero." said his friend.

Aguero immediately took the empty cup and headed for the table to get a new drink.

"Hi!" said a girl who walked up to his desk.

"Oh Hi." replied Aguero.

"You remember me?" he asked.

"Ohh yes I remember, if I'm not mistaken your name is Alice?" guessed Aguero.

"You're right, we are in the same class even though we are in different classes."

"Yeah..."

"Did you enjoy the party?" asked the girl.

"Sure, this is my last chance to see my friends so of course I'm enjoying it."

"Last chance? Are you leaving?" she asked.

"I plan to go to town."

"When?"

"Not decided yet, maybe in a few days. How about you?"

"Not going anywhere, I will stay in the village to help my parents work in the fields."

Aguero just nodded his head.

"Actually I also want to go to the city, but you know the cost of living there is very expensive and of course I have no other choice."

"There's nothing wrong with living in a village, I heard that city people want to live in a village because they can't find peace in the city." said Aguero.

"Yeah, it's not that bad after all." she replied.

The conversation continued until late at night, when the sun's shadows began to appear, then the bonfire was turned off and they dispersed.

Aguero came home with a fit body condition unlike other friends who were already sleepy, as usual after returning home he helped Naomi to deliver orders and do other household chores.

"What are you doing?" Aguero asked seeing Mei who was busy with her sewing machine.

"Wait a few more moments, this outfit is almost done and I will answer your questions."

Aguero only raised his eyebrows in response to Mei's words. He then sat on the sofa and closed his eyes because sleep began to attack him.

"It's finished!" shouted Mei suddenly.

"Aguero hurry up!" he ordered, pulling Aguero's hand.

Even though he felt lazy, Aguero still got up and was quite surprised to see Mei putting a colored hoodie on him.

"I use nice cloth, it will feel comfortable to wear whether hot or cold. With this hoodie you look very cool, people there will definitely not believe you are from the village." Mei said while looking at how beautiful the hoodie she made was.

"You made this for me?" asked Aguero

"Of course! Don't you want to go to town?"

"How did you know? I haven't spoken to you about this at all." asked Aguero.

Mei's smile seemed to disappear from her face after hearing the question, she lowered her face and answered in a low voice.

"I heard Daddy, Mommy and Nick talking."

Aguero just kept silent and nodded in understanding.

"Aguero.." May called.

"I don't want you to leave, I don't want to be away from you but I also don't want to restrain you. It would be selfish if I kept you here for my sake. Therefore... go away but don't forget you have to call me often." he said again.

Aguero smiled and stroked Mei's head gently.

"If you have a long holiday later, I will take you on vacation in the city, so study hard." said Aguero.

"Really?" asked May to make sure.

Aguero nodded in response making Mei's smile grow again on her sweet face.