Disclaimer: Beelzebub along with its characters belong to Studio Pierrot+ and Ryūhei Tamura. This fanfic is purely my creation, including the new storyline.
"Grandfather, do I really have to do this?" I asked petulantly.
I certainly have valid reasons why I should not take my younger brother out to the park this afternoon. First of all, as the 3rd leader of the Red Tails, it is my duty to facilitate the general meeting which would take place at 6 o'clock in the evening.
Second, as one of the four members of Tōhōshinki, I have my reputation as the fierce swordswoman Queen of Ishiyama High to uphold. Being seen with my younger brother could make me seem weak, and therefore it might cause some problems for me personally, and also for the rest of the Red Tails. I owe it to my girls to be a good example in all things.
Lastly, I know nothing of these so-called park debuts; but then again, my grandfather had put together in this small notebook all I would ever need to know about the most important event of a baby's life- their first park debut.
I stared at my grandfather, and he glowered back. Shit. There's really no escaping this. I let out a sigh of defeat.
"Alright, you win. I'll take Kōta to the Ishiyama Park," I grumbled. Honestly, I can't win against my grandfather on anything, not even in a sparring session or a cook-off. I guess I really have a lot more to learn from him.
If I'm to make it in time for the meeting this evening, I have to take my brother right now.
"Wait, Aoi," my grandfather said. I look at him with my eyebrows raised, curious at what he has to say. "If you're worried about your reputation, I suggest that you go in a disguise."
Hmm, that's not such a bad idea. I nod my thanks at his suggestion and go to my room to change. As I pass a full-length mirror along the hall, I catch a glimpse of myself.
My look really is quite conspicuous and easily recognizable. Ankle-length white trench coat, white cargo pants, and bandages over my chest. I shrug and continue going to my room.
If I am to disguise myself well, I must wear something that no one who knows me would ever think that I would wear. Thankfully, I have some clothes that fit the bill.
I don a yellow skirt, white tank top along with a pink jacket, red-rimmed glasses, a purple bucket hat, and some ratty red sneakers. To top off my disguise, I fix my hair into a pigtail. There, all done. Not even the great Tatsuya Himekawa would recognize me now, I thought with a pang of guilt. It's time to go.
My grandfather raises both his eyebrows in surprise at my new look but wisely makes no comment.
"Itte kimasu!" I say as I tuck my little brother in a backpack baby carrier and head out.
As I walk towards the park, I feel a sudden wave of nostalgia as I recall that one afternoon date we had which happened not too long ago. My thoughts were promptly cleared as we arrive at Ishiyama Park.
For some reason, my little brother suddenly started squealing and squirming at my back. "Kōta, what is it? Do you want me to carry you?" A high pitched squeal, and I think it's safe to assume that he said yes.
"Alright, wait a sec." I unstrap him from the backpack device and carry him in my arms. Geez, when had he gotten so heavy?
We walked around the park, occasionally pausing to enjoy some of the park's facilities. In spite of my vehement objection to this activity, I was actually enjoying myself. It's quite a refreshing experience after all the violence that I live with every day.
As I was riding the swing with Kōta, I saw a couple of mothers together by the fountain, and I remember that Kōta has to do well for his park debut.
All of a sudden, he started crying, and I immediately deduce that his diapers need to be changed as soon as possible. I ran to the nearest bench that has a trash bin right beside it, and change his diapers.
After the diaper change, Kōta stopped crying. Children really are uncomplicated creatures. They would cry if they want something, and once they get it, they stop their whining and move on as if nothing happened.
"Why couldn't Himekawa-" I mutter, but stop after I see a guy of about my age together with a green-haired baby at his back staring at me.
Do I really look that hideous after changing my little brother's diapers? Or perhaps I have something weird or gross stuck on me?
Carefully placing Kōta into the backpack baby carrier, I stand up and was about to let that rude, albeit good-looking, guy have a piece of my mind when he suddenly placed both of his hands on my shoulder. My chest constricts as I remember that last time a guy has ever done this to me.
"I know that we have just met, but please, go out with me!" he said earnestly.
My mouth falls open in surprise, and I blush furiously. What does he mean? Does he want me to go out, as in, date him? Who in their right mind would say things like that to someone they've literally just met?
"Wh-What do you m-mean?" I asked nervously. This was not the kind of day I thought I'd be having.
I would definitely date him if only he'd care to introduce himself first. Oh, what is on this gorgeous guy's head?
The baby on his back looks at me curiously, and I wonder if this handsome boy is his father. I don't see any resemblance, though. But why the heck is he still staring at me?
He scratches his head as if frustrated about something. "Well, it's because I don't know much about this park debut things, and you seemed like someone knowledgeable."
What? If that's the only reason, then why did he seem so serious before? I cock my head to the side, and shoot him a patented Kunieda glare, the very one that my grandfather used on me earlier to force me to bring my brother here.
As I expected, he started to fidget. What could he be hiding? "Berubo just wants to hang out with someone other than me. Someone his age, I think. BERUBO!" he shouts while grabbing the baby perched on top of his head.
My goodness, why is the baby stark naked? "What do you say, Berubo?" he asks the baby earnestly.
"Uh, what are you-" The baby named Berubo started squealing and pointed at me, and on cue, Kōta started squealing as well.
"Well then, let's have them play together," I said, torn between amusement and chagrin.
While we were watching Kōta and Berubo play together, I had a chance to spy at the attractive man beside me. His brown hair was so unruly that it sticks upward in a sort of wave. It should have looked kind of weird, but it somehow added to his overall charm. He's also quite tall, and it seems as if he is hiding a six-pack from underneath that red shirt. The only thing I find odd about him was the creepy red tattoo on his right arm. Is he into tattoos?
For some reason, I feel strangely attracted to this man, who had been staring at the babies with a scowl on his face. I wonder idly if he ever smiles.
His eyes suddenly shift its gaze into mine. I blush again, embarrassed to be caught ogling him. When I look back at him, it was his turn to look flustered.
He looks back at the children while running a hand through his hair. I realize that this is a nervous gesture.
Do I make him nervous? Sure, I make most men nervous all the time, but that's because they know I could beat them senseless. I reach behind my back for that notebook my grandfather made for me about park debuts, and as I do, I brush his arm accidentally. A jolt of excitement shocks me and leaves me tingly all over.
"What is in that notebook?" he asks in a rather hoarse voice. It seems that I wasn't the only one affected by the arm-brushing incident.
"Uh, these are notes about park debuts. I figured we might need it later."
He looked as if he wanted to say something, but thought the better of it. Gah! Men are so frustrating. I should know; I'm surrounded by a lot of them. I surreptitiously glance at him again, and to my surprise, he's smiling. But it was a rather horrific smile, and it automatically made me think of demons. What the hell?
"You can do it, Berubo!" he said, clapping his hands together. I follow his gaze, and I am shocked to see my little brother and Berubo wrestling with one another like those sumo wrestlers.
"Kōta!" I chastise my brother, but I'm secretly proud- he'll grow up to be a strong and tough person, one whom everyone will fear once they hear his name.
I watch in horrid fascination as Kōta easily beats Berubo, pushing him off the bench in apparent ease.
Whoa, that battle sure was fast. I guess Kōta takes after me when it comes to strength. Hiding a grin, I pick up my baby brother and wordlessly complimented his victory. Just then, I saw that Berubo was about to cry, sparks of electricity crackling around his proximity.
The boy quickly ran forward to try and calm the baby down. "Berubo, it's okay. We'll find someone else to defeat. It's all right." I can see right now and then that the baby would soon succumb to a tantrum, so I slowly backed off a few steps.
As I was walking further away, I heard an electricity crackle along with a baby's cry. As I looked back at the two, I was surprised to see the guy burnt as a toast while carrying Berubo. What the fuck just happened?
To be continued...
Author's Note: Hello! I apologize for the rather abrupt ending to this chapter, because I'm relatively new to this whole fanfic writing thing. I have a TON of ideas which I can't seem to squeeze into writing! You may have gotten the drift that Himekawa and Kunieda seem to have some unfinished business together, and you're right. I'm currently thinking of a good back story for the two of them, and I will get to work right away. I'm also building up this whole Aoi/Tatsumi thing since I believe that rushing their story would really ruin the romance, so I pray you'll be a little bit patient with me. A million thanks to The Wumbologist and Cochrane for the reviews! To everyone else, I hope you stick around for more!
Beta Edit: revised a couple of lines as well as the format to make it more easier to read; added the disclaimer part.