Chapter Two: Tokyo

Stuffing his phone into the front pocket of his jeans, the male stole a last glance at himself in his mirror. His head bore a black, rather floppy cap, pinning his ears to his head, hidden. His hair was a light brown, almost a dark blond, even. A caramel color was its best description, and bone straight as it fell down his neck and just long enough to brush his broadening shoulders. A somewhat deep brow on his narrow face, still young, gave way to dark eyes full of his search.

He looked bitterly away

Annoyed, the Fighter swallowed and he straightened the collar of his tunic shirt, sweating faintly already. From the corner of his eyes he saw that his reddened cheeks would not die down, so he made himself deal with it, and pulled on a silk coat of jet black, where on the wide, short sleeves there was golden cuffing that matched with the embroidery down his chest. The white tunic shirt Loveless wore beneath it was rimmed with black threading and had long sleeves that hugged his thin arms... Simple, but flashy.

Cute, even. After all, Miss Nagisa had bought this for his most recent birthday.

For pants he wore dark, skin tight jeans and let his tail stay in view even if his ears were not. Dark brown leather boots came to his kneecaps, with a slight heel, but not much. Reaching into his closet, he pulled out a long, dark grey scarf and wrapped that around his neck so that it covered his nose as well.

With that, the abandoned Sentouki left this suite and made his way to the main lobby of the academy's main office.

There he found the bubbly older woman standing with a distinctively tall man. Ritsu-sensei. The most notorious teacher here, Loveless had trained with Ritsu several times. He shuddered, eyes narrowing as he dragged his gaze from the clingy professor. "Oi. I'm here," he rasped, coughing once, twice into his hand before trying to approach the pair. Per usual the two were in a heated discussion... presumably over research or (more likely) nothing of weight.

At the caramel-haired Fighter's approach, they broke off their conversation and turned towards him. Ritsu said nothing, eyeing Loveless, and the young male had to fight the crawling sensation that made him think Ritsu was eyeing him as he would do Soubi. Since, of course, he no longer had eyes... Nagisa was pleased and bounced over to pat his cheek, before greeting him.

"Looking better, Tai-kun...If I didn't know better, I'd say meeting with your Sacrifice would make you even healthier,"Minami purred from behind Miss Nagisa. The Fighter flinched.

"Tai-kun?!" His female associate gave a dirty and incredulous look at the former Sacrifice. For once, Loveless' Sentouki dared to give a similar look.

It would cause rumors and issues...

The blinded teacher merely gave a sly smile and responded casually: "It's what I call my student, Miss Sagan."

"WHAAAT?! Ritsu, his name is Taisho. Say his full name with me: Taaaiishooo Hooosoookaaawaaa. Say it!"

"No. I will keep my nickname for him..."

Dreading the day to come, he coughed a few times and shivered,hugging himself. Before another argument could break out, he called for his two teachers. At this they seemed to smooth out and remember their cause for being here. Almost at the same time they went to the door,but Nagisa brushed past Taishi, whereas Ritsu-sensei had paused and given Loveless a nudge.

The Fighter for Loveless didn't have the mentality to pretend Ritsu-sensei had guided him by the hand out the door. And he had followed without question...

By late afternoon, Loveless was worn from the various try outs of clothes Miss Sagan Nagisa had showered on him. It wasn't his birthday nor was any big holiday any time soon, but she flaunted him like a doll. Ritsu had sheltered him from some things, but the silence was a lack of comfort when the Hosokawa boy was expecting an order. Although, Ritsu had bought something. For himself, presumably,since both Loveless and Nagisa had attempted and failed to pry the teacher to tell what he'd bought... and who for.

A bitter silence followed by underhanded insults had quieted their curiosity and the topic was abandoned.

The trio sat in a pastry cafe, Loveless between his two bickering teachers. While he ate his french eclair, he thought it how funny his caretaker, Miss Nagisa, was so blind to so much, while Ritsu-sensei was so painfully perceptive.

Taisho even laughed a little. To himself of course, but Nagisa caught this and clapped. "There! Having a good time, see kiddo?"

He felt his light brown hair being mussed and looked up at the woman. His blue eyes were flickering with a mix of thought and emotion. The teacher, ever ignorant to his emotional state, took it as a good thing and flaunted it to her counterpart while Taisho tried to replace his hat on his head.

Ritsu half ignored her, and turned the abandoned Fighter's head to face him. Regardless of having no eyes to see with, Taisho felt as if Ritsu was staring at him. And perhaps he was.

Ritsu had seen him before, only once, so he was sure the renowned Sacrifice was remembering that image...but who knows what else !the teacher thought..

"Ne...Enjoy it while you can, Tai-kun."

The Hosokawa boy's ears flattened, pulled back against his head. But he nodded at the elder's words. He was seventeen... and felt he had every reason to fear the other male's motives. He had learned through experience.

So he nodded again and thanked his two teachers gravely, and resumed eating his pastry, tail tip twitching.

Even Sagan Nagisa was quieted.