She stared at him, her food growing cold in front of her, rather untouched; anyone would have been able to see the daggers flying out from her eyes and into the boy's forehead.
'Boy' was a loose term, and she wasn't even sure that it was the correct one. He was as Satsuki had described. Now that she thought about it, she probably had seen this Ira Gamagoori around the school campus, but because he was a third year (or had been, as she was just informed), she didn't particularly remember him, towering stature or not. Nonon generally paid little to no attention to things that fell outside her interests.
Today, the three of them had decided to take lunch break together. Granted, it was mostly at Satsuki's behest—an orientation, she had called it.
Nonon finally broke the silence, although her words were not amicable. "Don't you find it disgraceful holding yourself back two years of junior high? Besides, you'll be ancient compared to the rest of us when we graduate!"
Gamagoori looked slightly flustered at the assault, but then gathered himself. "It will be an honor to graduate the same time as Satsuki-sama!" he replied, hackles on standby as Nonon bristled at the use of the honorific. "And it is the most logical decision." Satsuki made a small nod of assent as she took a sip of her water.
"Regardless, you were the student council president—what will everyone think of you now?" Nonon was clearly dead set on being antagonizing. She eyed his blonde tresses and dramatic eyebrows, large hands and thick neck, clearly judging.
"It matters not, since Satsuki-sama now rules over this school with an iron fist. Those who dissent, who are weak-minded, will be dealt with!"
Nonon made some sort of begrudging noise, having nothing to say to that. He seemed so sure of his loyalty, and that irked her. "In any case, I've heard that you've been asked to be her shield, so, well, you… BETTER DO JUST THAT!" She just about shouted the last few words—her parting shot—cheeks flushing.
Satsuki had observed silently until now, interested in seeing the dynamic of the two and how that would dictate things. After all, it was now the three of them until further notice, and all needed to work together moving forward. "Jakuzure, I'm sure you trust my judgment of character," she said, implying that there was probably no other choice, anyway. "I have no qualms about Gamagoori's abilities. I have chosen the best fit for the job."
Nonon chewed on her lip as the olive-skinned youth saluted Satsuki with his arm crossing his chest, hand in a fist. Though seated, he bowed slightly. "We'll see," she sniffed, frowning.
The last days of the school year came and went, and students everywhere found themselves faced with summer break. For many, this meant vacations and scrambling to finish summer assignments the week before school began again.
For Satsuki, this meant that she could wholly dedicate herself to her goals, and she wasted no time.
It was dinnertime at the Kiryuuin residence. The dining hall was large enough so that footsteps would echo, and in the center was an unnecessarily long table that took up most of the space. It had only three seats, one on one end and two at the other.
Ragyou languidly cut into her rather bloody piece of steak. Her butler, Kuroido, stood close behind as usual, at her beck and call. Seated at the opposite end of the table were two girls: Satsuki, who ate quietly, and Nui, who didn't need food for sustenance but ate for the pleasure of taste. All that was heard for a while was the clink and scrape of glass and silverware.
Ragyou then spoke: "Satsuki. What progress have you made, now that your first year of junior high has come to an end?" Her voice seemed to be magnified by the room.
"The progress is promising, mother," the girl responded. "I have been gathering information on potential candidates to serve as my elite core once the academy is finished. I have already found one. He will do well as a bodyguard, and his disposition is suited to become a disciplinarian, and if not, a similar role."
"Very good. Although, only one in the duration of an entire year is rather disappointing, wouldn't you say?" Ragyou drawled, tipping her fork in Satsuki's direction.
"I want to be very careful in my selections," Satsuki replied calmly. "Better to measure twice and cut once." Nui seemed to like the analogy, as she giggled.
"Indeed, Satsuki-sama, you're always so nimble with your words!" the blonde-haired girl praised, clasping her hands together. It was hard to tell what Nui really meant most—if not all—of the times; her own words were always cloaked in a syrupy sweetness that masked any traces of her true intent or emotion besides her unnerving exuberance. That is, if one didn't know better.
Satsuki knew. "You think too highly of me, Nui," she said, participating in the dance.
Ragyou chuckled, appearing to be pleased. "My girls get along so splendidly. The both of you will accomplish great things together, I'm sure."
"But of course, Ragyou-sama!" Nui exclaimed, drawing out the last syllable. She beamed at Satsuki, and then hopped up from her chair. "I look forward to the day!" She giggled again before disappearing into the hall, her singsong humming growing fainter and fainter.
The white-haired woman then turned to her daughter once more, asking, "And Nonon? You haven't considered her to be a part of your future inner circle at the academy?" She raised an eyebrow, resting her chin on her hand. "I'm surprised."
Satsuki drained her tea and set the cup back onto the saucer. "I still have yet to test her strength and abilities," she responded. "Next year, I will put her through two trials, and if she proves successful, she will earn a place by my side."
"Yes," Ragyou smirked. "The Kiryuuin family is always resourceful, always prepared." She let out loud, almost maniacal laugh that reverberated off the walls. "And that is exactly why we cannot be stopped!"
Her laughter continued to echo in Satsuki's mind afterwards as she lay in bed. She closed her eyes, eventually, slipping into inky slumber. It was easier when she made everything a game; that way, she could see herself as simply another chess piece.
Time is a relentless master.
Author's note: If you've made it this far, thank you! THAT MAKES ME HAPPY. ;w; I hope you've enjoyed reading it—I've had a fun time writing it! Definitely been procrastinating other areas of my life in order to make time for this fic... lulz. I promise more Satsunon in the very near future. HEH. :3
