Disclaimer: I do not own Akuma no Riddle
The storm had passed.
Truly.
It seemed as though Tokaku, for the first time in her life, could once again envision herself reaching that sunny place her caring Aunt and Mother had wished for her.
However, this small taste of warmth did not distract her from their still all too real situation. The black class was still running. And the two still had letters to receive from the dwindled class.
Even still, at this moment, Tokaku found she did not wish to think of such things. The autumn night sent a breeze at the two, causing Haru to make a noise of discomfort as the cool air hit face. She shielded herself closer to the guardian's arms for protection.
"Are you alright?" Tokaku asked with concern. Funny. She knew a little wind could never hurt the target. Even still, any distress Haru showed seemed to cause the assassin to wish only for the extinction of that thing.
They were in their spot, the very one they had found on the same day of the first class. In the peaceful silence of night, with no one else but Tokaku by her side, how could things not be alright?
Haru smiled, "Of course."
"I'm glad." Tokaku mirrored that smile, and Haru could feel her face become hot. Her mind, useless, and all thoughts simply honed in on that smile. Those lips. She turned away before her heart could leap out of her chest and say things she was still not ready to say.
How could this new protector of her's be so different than all the others?
"Haru?"
"Yes."
Their eyes caught.
Sitting shoulder to shoulder in the chill, both became frozen. But somehow that no longer mattered. Because there was warmth reminding them both how alive they were. Alive and together in the exchange of warm fingertips that carefully brushed against worn hands, and warm breath tickling equally warm cheeks.
Everything.
"Ah!" Haru suddenly cried out.
"What?!" Tokaku pulled a knife that had been tucked away in the belt of her skirt.
"I almost forgot!~" Haru stood up happily.
Tokaku lowered her weapon, confused as to why the sudden outburst. "You did, did you." Her tone dull.
Haru put her hands on her hips, "Are you saying I'm forgetful?!"
"Who knows."
Tokaku tried to stand up but Haru only took her by the shoulders to sit her back down, "No, you stay here. I'll be right back." Her voice giggled.
"But what if!" Tokaku called after the girl as she ran off.
"Right back!" Haru repeated, disappearing through the door that lead down off the roof.
Tokaku sighed, getting up to walk over and look out over the deserted school grounds.
What had that been moments ago?
She may have grown up in an assassin clan and trained at a well known school for assassin, but that didn't make her completely blind to her emotions.
But could it really be-
Suddenly a terrible stench hit Tokaku's nose, the distinct smell of rotting sea.
"You two sure got all friendly lately~"
Tokaku watched from her peripheral vision as Nio stepped to her side.
"What do you want?"
Nio winced a little at the tone in a playful sort of way, "Ouch, and here I had something good to tell you." She leaned in closer, her eyes burning with malice, "That is, if you're willing to listen."
"I don't want to." Tokaku stated harshly. There was nothing Nio could say that would have any interest to her.
But Nio wasn't going to give up so easily. No. Things would always work the way she wanted, she would make sure of it, "You're waiting for Haru in this spot right." She did not give Tokaku time to deny it, "I watched you both as you fond over each other."
"…"
"You might not want to talk but-" A giggled left vile lips, "It looks like you don't have a choice but to stay here and listen to me talk to myself then."
Tokaku grinded her teeth, turning sharply to return to the very spot Haru had left her.
Wasting no time, Nio began, "She's bad news, that Haru of yours." Her voice was as chilled as the air.
And as promised, Tokaku did not grace the petit girl with a response.
"She's a Queen, that one. I'm sure." Nio mused on, "The feelings of being loved she gives and how she is loved in return so easily."
There was something frightening about it the tone of that voice.
"You've felt it haven't you?"
Tokaku couldn't help but listen.
"So have the countless others before you." Nio looked out over the school as if it were her own personal kingdom.
Then Tokaku realized it, that single element that made those words so terrifying.
"But how does she solve this problem of having so many adoring servants at her side?"
Her words were heavily weighted with the truth.
"But here's the thing, Tokaku-san." Nio began to pace in front of the Azuma.
"She doesn't have anyone at her side." Suddenly, she changed footing and began to converse with herself, "And why not?" She asked herself.
And they both knew the answer very well.
"They all died."
Nio nodded to herself, not paying Tokaku any mind anymore, "And how?" She asked herself again.
Tokaku was getting fed up with this act. But she couldn't move from her spot. In the same way as eairlier, she was frozen. But the feeling was different.
Unease.
"That girl Haru, she-" Nio began.
"I'm back!" Hara breathlessly called, a bit shocked to see the new person in their 'secret spot', "Oh Nio, hello." With an ever cheerful greeting.
Nio practically ran to Haru, wrapping her arm around the taller girl's shoulder in the friendliest of ways, "Tokaku and I were just talking. Why won't you join us?" She lead Haru.
Clutching something in her hand away from view, Haru spoke, "Um, Nio-san, I would rather it just be Tokaku and myself tonight. I, um-" She shifted nervously.
"Why so quiet all of a sudden?" Nio paused in thought, looking between the two, "Don't tell me-!" She pulled Haru down so she could whisper words in her ear.
And Tokaku was done. "Stop annoying her, Nio." The blue haired girl determinedly pulled a fluster Haru away from the still smirking lips, "Haru, we're going."
"Sleep well you two." Nio called out sweetly, just until the two were out of earshot. "You especially, Tokaku." She added to herself, sharp teeth coming into view.