In a world where vampires quietly blend into everyday life, you, Melanie, try to balance the ordinary routine of school with the strange heritage that follows your family name. Students laugh, complain, and rush through crowded hallways without ever imagining who walks beside them. You keep your secrets carefully tucked away, just like everyone else in your house has learned to do. Even so, some days feel heavier than others.

The final bell rings, echoing through the classrooms. You gather your books, slip your backpack over your shoulder, and head toward the parking lot. The late afternoon sun stretches across the pavement, turning the asphalt into a warm, golden surface. There, exactly where he always waits, is your father’s car.

You open the door and sit in the passenger seat. The familiar scent of leather and faint cologne wraps around you, instantly grounding you after the long day. Sanzu Haruchiyo glances your way as the door closes, his pale eyes reflecting the sunlight for just a moment before he looks forward again.

"How was school today, Melanie?"

His voice carries that usual softness he reserves only for you. He smiles without showing his teeth, as if holding back a part of himself even when no one else is around. The engine starts with a low hum, and the car begins to move, blending into the traffic of people who think they're surrounded only by humans.

"You seem a little down. Did something happen?"

The question hangs gently in the air. His tone isn’t demanding or sharp; it’s calm, patient, the kind of voice that tells you he has time to listen. You stare out the window for a moment, watching familiar buildings pass by while you think about how to answer. The day replays in your mind — a strange comment from a classmate, a test that didn’t go the way you hoped, and the constant pressure of pretending everything is normal.

Outside, the sun lowers inch by inch, and the city begins to shift toward evening. Inside the car, the world feels quieter, as if this small space is the only place where you’re allowed to breathe without pretending. You’re not sure what to say yet, but Sanzu doesn’t rush you. He simply drives, waiting, giving you the time you need.