Adrian POV:

It's another fine day at Yokai Academy. For now, at least, cause I know something will come up. But hopefully, it doesn't because Tsukune's birthday is coming up in a week. He told me a month ago and I it must be weird for him to have his birthday at an academy filled with non-humans.

We were in class during break. While most students were talking, I was reading a book written by Thomas Zane. One interesting thing was Moka was reading an art textbook. I can see Tsukune is amazed at how pretty she looks doing it. He admires the simple moments about her. Honestly, I admire the simple things too. Hanging out with my friends, reading with Yukari, being with Kurumu, being Tsukune's win

After classes end, we go to the club room where Tsukune is having another one of his fantasies of Moka. I just wish he didn't physically act while he was imagining it. Gin then comes and hits Tsukune on the head.

Gin: What the hell are you doing, making out with yourself?!

Tsukune: Gin!

Gin: It's club time!

Gin then sees the art book in Moka's hand and decides to flirt with her.

Gin: Oh, Moka! What is this? Are you painting a picture or something? That book's an art textbook, ain't it?

Moka: N-no it's not. This is just...

Gin: Heh, you're as hot as ever today, Moka. I love ya baby! Won't you go out with me?

Gin starts chasing Moka as his true forms ears and tails appear.

Adrian: I guess the no revealing your true nature rule is just for show.

Tsukune: Apparently.

Kurumu runs toward me and hugs me.

Kurumu: Yeah! Another day of being in the club with you! I love you so much, Adrian!

I just pat her on the head in response. Yukari comes in and uses her magic to drop a desk onto Gin's head.

Adrian: Gin, meet Yukari. Yukari, meet our embarrassment of a club president, Gin.

Yukari: I'm very sorry for all of you four.

Gin: Who's she?

Moka: She's the new club member. She's also a genius.

Adrian: And a little too knowledgeable in certain topics.

Yukari: I cannot confirm nor deny that statement.

I look at Tsukune and can tell that he is trying to confess his feelings for Moka. I feel like I should just stay out of it. Maybe things will work themselves out. I decided to go straight to the dormitory after the club ended and continued to work on my book. Lately, what to write has just come to me. I'm at the point where I don't need to use what I've been through as references. My latest chapter was when Akasha and Sora had to face off against a monstrous snake that turns its victims to stone.

Adrian: I better go to sleep. Don't want the others to worry about me having eye bags.

I put my notebook away and go to the bathroom to put on my sleepwear. I just wear Pajama pants and a white shirt when I go to bed. When I exit the bathroom, I see Kurumu on my bed.

Kurmu: Hello, sweetie.

Adrian: I had my window closed this time. How did you get in here?

Kurumu: I have my ways.

Adrian: Of course you do.

Kurumu: Come on. Get over here and cuddle with me.

I didn't see why I shouldn't, so I just went to my bed and lay down with Kurumu. She puts the covers over us and she hugs me.

Kurumu: Good night, Adrian.

Adrian: Night, Kurumu.

I turn off the lights and close my eyes. This feels nice. It's like the time when Mom helped me go to sleep. As a toddler, I was always quiet. I rarely cried, even if I was hungry. That's what others told me. But Mom still checked on me pretty often. She would always hold me before putting me on her bed and falling asleep next to me. That sensation is coming back.

My alarm then goes off and I try to hit the off button, but am being held by Kurumu.

Adrian: Kurumu, could you please let go of me?

Kurumu doesn't answer, so I gently slide her off me. I turn off the alarm and get dressed. I shake Kurumu awake and she believes someone caught us.

Kurumu: If you want to keep all your parts, I suggest you - -

Adrian: Get dressed or head back to your dorm. Otherwise, people will wonder why you were in my room.

Kurumu: I'll walk with you to school.

So that was the first night I had with my girlfriend sleeping over. But that's enough about me. Let's get back to the main situation. I was in the club room with the others when Gin started to act serious and tell us about a bunch of disappearances.

Gin: Everyone, we have some news! It's a "missing girls" problem

Tsukune: Missing girls?

Gin Exactly! Several female students have vanished without a trace lately, one after another... Seven in just one month. It's not all that unusual for people to go missing, but don't you think these numbers are unusual? I've collected some basic information on the missing girls! We're going to find out the facts on this incident.

Gin may be acting serious at the moment, but I can tell he's trying to be a knight in shining armor for those missing girls.

Gin: As you can see from these pictures, the girls who have disappeared are all pretty hot. If someone is holding them hostage, I wanna save them somehow. If they see me in a good light, it'll be a chance to get to know 'em better!

I use my chains to wrap around his neck and muzzle him.

Adrian: If you are involved, those girls would be in much more danger. Until you prove otherwise, let us handle this.

Kurumu: I'm with Adrian on this.

Yukari: Adrian's right, we'll let you go if it gets desperate. For now, just be a good boy and behave yourself.

I release Gin and he is displeased at how he is being treated by the others.

We all decide to leave and get ready for our classes the next day. I was in art class with Tsukune and Moka, and our teacher was Ishigami Hitomi.

Ishigami: In art class today, you'll be painting pictures continuing with last week's theme of "what's important to you"! And just what is important to you is the art in each and every one of your hearts. Feel free to paint whatever you want.

Ishigami seems to be passionate about art and is popular with the girls. Some from other classes are attracted to her. Then again, it's none of my business.

Prometheus:

Adrian (Thoughts): Getting a bad feeling from Ishigami? Well, you haven't been wrong so far.

Maybe I should check on Tsukune and Moka for a bit. Try to help them get some space. I tail them for a bit and see Tsukune try to get Moka to a secluded area. Unfortunately, Kurumu finds me and jumps on me.

Kurumu: Adrian! Where have you been? How could you leave me by myself?

Moka: Sorry, Tsukune! I'm in a hurry!

Tsukune: Moka, I still need to talk to you...

Moka then runs away.

Kurumu: Oh... Did I interrupt something?

For days, Tsukune has been trying to invite Moka to his birthday, but for multiple reasons, they all failed. Poor guy. Maybe I should intervene just once at least. After all, he was one of my first friends. So I offer to help him tell Moka on the day before his birthday. The two of us go to the art building where lighting strikes in the background.

Adrian: So, what are we going to do?

Tsukune: I'm going into the art class and I'm going to talk directly to Moka and ask her to be there for my birthday!

Adrian: And I'm going to help make sure that happens and she listens well.

Tsukune goes into the building and enters the class everyone was in the last time they were there.

Tsukune: Excuse me, I need to talk to Moka!

However, the class was empty. Except for a strange sobbing sound.

Tsukune: What, nobody's even in here. Oh well, we'll just wait in here for Moka.

Adrian: Tsukune, do you hear that?

Tsukune and I stay quiet for a minute to know if we both can hear the sobbing noise.

Tsukune: Yeah. It sounds like... crying?

We hear it coming from inside a slightly opened locker. There is a girl's uniform under the door and a skirt a few inches away from it.

Tsukune: Moka?

Adrian: I don't think so.

I go to open the locker and see what appears to be a statue of a girl inside it. However, the statue is crying with the sobbing noise coming from it.

Tsukune: What the!?!? The statue is crying!?!? What's going on here!?!? Why is something like this in a locker!?!?

Adrian: Tsukune, does that hairstyle look familiar?

Tsukune: Yeah, I remember it from somewhere.

Suddenly, Ishigami appears behind us and does not like what we saw.

Ishigami: Hey! What are you both doing to my art?

Tsukune: Ms. Ishigami?! We're sorry, we...

Adrian: We came here looking for Moka. We just have a quick question to ask and then we're out.

Ishigami: Oh, so you both came here to see Ms. Moka. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Mr. Aono and Mr. Wake, but she's too busy being a model to spend time with either of you.

Tsukune: Why can't she?! We just have one thing to say and that's it.

Moka then comes in and is surprised that we are here.

Moka: Oh.. Tsukune... Adrian... Why are you both here?

Tsukune: Moka! Well, you see, I...

Moka then becomes nervous about what's happening.

Tsukune: Listen I...

Moka: No!

She gets behind both of us and pushes us out of the classroom.

Moka: I'll be embarrassed, so neither of you can be here! Leave!!

Adrian: Moka, what the hell are you doing that you don't want us to know about?

Moka: What I do is none of your guys' business! Anyway, just leave!!

Moka's words hurt Tsukune. I don't get why she's being like this. She said months ago that she despised people that only think of themselves. I'm not trying to make assumptions. I'm just saying that she's not helping her case. And Tsukune is about to snap, as he should.

Tsukune: I get it now. So all I am to you? I totally understand that you don't care about me at all!

Moka: Tsukune?!

Tsukune runs away and I just turn my back on Moka.

Moka: A-Adrian?

I "jump" back to the hall in front of the Newspaper Club and enter the room.

Kurumu: Hi, Adrian!

Yukari: Glad to see you here!".

Gin: Looks like Tsukune is going to be the late one. Well, I'll tell you before he gets here. Yesterday, an eight girl disappeared.

Gin shows me a picture of the missing girl and I recognize her from the one that came into art class last week. The crying statue in the art room had her hairstyle. Which means Moka is in trouble. And the fact that Ishigami was pissed at us means that at the very least, she knows something about it. Well, I didn't tell Moka to go screw herself, so I guess I can go help her.

No POV:

Ishigami is walking toward Moka who is frightened at what is happening.

Moka: What's happening to you all of a sudden, Ms. Ishigami?!?! Your hair! It's like snakes!!

Ishigami: You see, Tsukune and Adrian saw a little too much! So thanks to them, I'm going to have to put an early end to our playtime!

Ishigami's snakes attack Moka, but Adrian "Jumps" to the spot in front of her and takes the bites with his left arm.

Moka: Adrian?!

Ishigami then pushes Adrian and Moka into the room behind them. Moka gets up and begins to hear sobbing. She looks around the room and sees several statues of females that are crying.

Moka: What's going on?! These statues are crying as if they were real.

Adrian struggles to get up as he knows what's happened to them

Adrian: They are real.

Moka looks at Adrian and is shocked to see that his left hand is turning to stone.

Moka: You hand... It's turning to stone?!

Ishigami: It's the power of the Medusa power of transformation into stone! Any living thing bitten by one of my snakelike hairs will turn to stone. He will soon completely turn to stone just like those girls. And then I'll turn you into stone just like those other girls.

Moka: No, you couldn't mean... Then all the other statues in this room are..

Adrian: Her victims.

Ishigami: The beautiful students of this academy! Yes, I've turned them all to stone. Isn't it artistic? And you, too, will be turned into stone and added to my art collection, Moka Akashiya.

The stone on Adrian's hand seemed to stop spreading and it shocked Ishigami. Adrian uses his chains to hit her several times before she uses her snakes to wrap around him and bite him.

Ishigami: You're pretty resistant to my bites. But what if you keep getting bit? Once that's finished, I will take Moka's beauty and elevate it for her. Isn't that on honor, Ms. Akashiya?

Moka: Ms. Ishigami, so all those students going missing... It was because of you, wasn't it?

Ishigami walks to one of the petrified girls and puts her hand on their face.

Ishigami: Take a look at these girls! They're crying! Even though they're stone, they're alive! They have emotion. Sadness and despair. They can't move, they can't die, all they can do is cry. How beautiful is this? Is this not true art?

Adrian: It's not you psychotic fucker!

Ishigami sends a snake to bite Adrian's chest.

Ishigami: Well, even I think you're quite handsome. And your spirit is something else. I'll put the finishing touches on you and put you in my collection as well.

Moka: No!

Adrian looks at Moka and glares at her.

Adrian: Moka... Tsukune's been trying all week to invite you to his birthday... He's turning 16 tomorrow. What is he to you? ...Your friend? ...Your food? ...Just tell him so he can get on with his life.

Moka cries from hearing Adrian's words and knowing that it's because of her that he's in that situation.

Moka: A... A... Adrian.

Tsukune then barges into the room.

Tsukune: Moka!

Ishigami is taken by surprise and Adrian forms blades from his chains to cut through Ishigami's snake hair.

Ishigami: AH!! MY HAIR! MY SNAKES!!

Adrian then tackles Ishigami and uses his chains to restrain her. Adrian's strength is fading due to his petrification, but he's still resisting it to an extent.

Ishigami: You can't even understand art, you son of a bitch! Just hurry up and turn to stone!

Adrian: Shut... the hell... UP!

Adrian feels Prometheus' resonance flow into his fists and he beats Ishigami. When that's over, Adrian sees that she's injured, but still breathing. His knees begin to buckle and nearly falls, but Tsukune and Moka catch him.

Tsukune: Adrian! It's okay. We got ya.

Moka: Adrian, I am so sorry.

Adrian: Just get me to the infirmary... please?

Adrian passes out and Tsukune and Moka carry him out of the art building.

Adrian POV:

I blacked out after asking Tsukune and Moka to take me to the infirmary. I saw darkness, but I sensed no malevolence in it. And I hear a voice.

Inner Moka: You risked your life to protect her and even confronted her about her relationship with Tsukune. You are really something. I'm starting to like you.

Adrian: Don't give up on Tsukune.

I begin to open my eyes and find myself in the infirmary. I see Tsukune and Moka watching me wake up.

Moka: Adrian!

Tsukune: Boy, are we glad you woke up.

Adrian: How long was I out for?

Moka: A whole day. We were worried about you.

Tsukune: How are you feeling?

Adrian: Like I had a long nap. I'd say you two seem to be on better terms, but that'd be making an assumption.

Tsukune: Well, that assumption is correct. Moka explained why she was being Ishigami's model for a week.

Moka nods before grabbing a painting of Tsukune.

Moka: I worked hard drawing Tsukune for the theme "What is important to you"! I'm sorry for hiding it. I know I worried you both, but in order to draw this, I went to learn how to paint from Ms. Ishigami... In return for being a model.

Moka then looks at Tsukune.

Moka: Happy birthday, Tsukune! I love you!

I can see Tsukune is filled with joy that Moka did know about his birthday. He looks at me and I gesture to him that he should tell her as well. Tsukune nods and Moka is curious at what we were doing.

Moka: What?

Tsukune blushes and Moka does so as well.

Tsukune: Moka, I... I love you too.

Moka began to cry from joy. Great job Tsukune. It took a week, but it was worth it. Tsukune and Moka lean in closer, but the door opens and Kurumu barges in with Yukari and Gin. Moka and Tsukune back away from each other, but at least they were able to confess their feelings.

Kurumu: Adrian. I'm so glad you woke up!

Adrian: Me to, Kurumu. Sorry for celebrating your birthday in an awkward way, Tsukune.

Tsukune: It's fine. You and everyone else are awesome.

Kurumu: I heard from Moka! Today's your birtday, isn't it? Here's your present, a month's supply of cookies!

Yukari: My present is a straw doll!!

Gin: By the way, what were you guys just doing?

Adrian: None of your business, perv. Although, I half expected you guys to barge in a few minutes earlier.

Tsukune: Yeah, where were you?

Kurumu: Gin here had to see girl fall down and tried to be a knight in shining armor. He nearly knocked our presents out.

Gin: I was just trying to help!

Adrian (Thoughts): Prometheus, you wouldn't of had anything to do with that, would you?

Prometheus:

Adrian (Thoughts): I guess they're growing on you. Don't deny all of it.

Everyone celebrates Tsukune's birthday. They're all happy and having fun. Is this what it's like to be normal. I know this place is for non-humans, but I still felt more normal here than anywhere else in the human world. I'm really happy to celebrate someone's birthday.

Ishigami however, was put on suspension instead of being terminated. I have bad feeling we're going to be seeing her sooner than we think.

AN: I wanted Tsukune and Moka to finally confess their feelings instead of waiting until the second half of the series. I may be rushing things, but I thought it'd be better to at least have them reveal their true feelings than be constantly interrupted any further.