Note: The voice of Kenji's inner self is represented by italics. As always, constructive reviews are appreciated.
The man's office was not quite how Kenji imagined it would be organized. He had always known administration officials to have very bland rooms, with hardly anything that could draw a person's attention. It wasn't surprising that there was a large bookshelf covering the entire left wall, full of thick books that appeared to be quite complicated. However, throughout the room were golden figurines, a mysterious mirror, and numerous other things that Kenji could not identify on display in clear view. He wanted to walk around and examine everything, but felt it best to remain focused. It was more important to gather information about his situation and the world in which he currently resided. Directly across from the door was a desk of medium size with a few texts stacked neatly on both sides.
"Just a moment," the man said, "I'll get a chair for you." He walked to his desk and stood behind it. "Ruby," he called, "please bring in a chair for our guest."
In a few minutes a young woman with black hair and violet eyes walked in carrying a wooden chair. "Here is the chair you requested, Chairman. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No, Ruby. That will be all. Please be sure that we are not disturbed, and nobody is to know about our visitor."
"Yes sir, I'll be taking my leave now." As she left she glanced at Kenji, trying to gather as much information about him as possible.
Once the door had fully closed, the man gestured for Kenji to have a seat. As his guest sat across from him, he said, "That was my assistant, Ruby Toujou."
Kenji made no response, but merely nodded. He wanted to get the information and leave as soon as possible. There was no explanation for it, but the man made him uneasy.
"Well then, let's begin. I'm sure you have a lot of questions that you would like for me to answer. First, however, I'd like to ask your name" the man said.
"Kenji." He wanted to avoid giving any unnecessary information.
"What is your last name, Kenji?"
"Hiraku" he grudgingly replied.
The Chairman could tell Kenji was hiding something, but decided to wait until the end of their conversation to say anything.
"What questions do you have for me, Mr. Hiraku?"
"First of all, who are you and where is this?"
"I am the Chairman of Youkai Academy, Mikogami Tenmei, and this is Youkai Academy."
"Where is Youkai Academy exactly?"
"That's a rather complex question to answer. Officially we are located in Japan, but technically we are not."
"I'm not interested in such inconclusive answers. Be straightforward with me."
"We are in another dimension than that of the human world."
"Don't tell me such nonsense. I've had more than enough of that from him."
"Him?" the Chairman asked inquisitively.
My answers were not nonsense. You simply have too little intelligence to understand. .
"Stop acting like you're superior to me!" Kenji shouted in rage.
I am superior to you. There is no need to act. Oh by the way, you're speaking out loud again.
There was a long silence following Kenji's outburst. Kenji sat barely able to contain his rage, while the Chairman observed the situation. He already had an idea of what was going on. Eventually Kenji calmed down and his tension eased.
"Sorry, that wasn't directed at you."
"You know," Mikogami said lightheartedly, "if you continue to talk to yourself, you're going to have a lot of people avoiding you."
I believe I already told you that.
Kenji once again tensed up, and the Chairman did not fail to notice.
"How did you arrive here, Kenji? Only certain people are allowed to enter this dimension, and I would have been informed if we were going to be getting a transfer student."
Make something up: you must not tell him about us. You sense it too, right? This man is…untrustworthy.
"For once we're in agreement" Kenji thought to himself. Then, to the Chairman, "I honestly don't know."
"It's not going to help either of us if you continue to lie to me."
"I'm not lying."
As Kenji said this, Mikogami noted Kenji's defensive tone. He could tell that his guest was not going to say anymore about the topic, and dropped the subject.
"You seem very tired. Am I correct in assuming that you do not have a place to stay?"
"That's right." Even if there were hotels nearby, Kenji didn't have any money to pay for lodging.
"Normally this wouldn't be allowed, but considering the circumstances you may stay in the dorms if you wish. There is a room available that currently has only one resident."
"I think it'd be best to take up his offer. I do need a place to stay tonight, after all" Kenji quickly thought to his inner self.
Then accept his proposal, but let's be sure that there aren't any hidden obligations first.
"What's the catch? I have no money to pay you for lodging, and it has been my experience that everything in life comes at a price."
"This is a very straightforward deal, Mr. Hiraku. There are no strings attached."
A brief moment passed before Kenji replied, "Very well, I accept your offer." This was a very suspicious arrangement, and it had been his experience that anything appearing too good to be true often was.
"Your roommate's name is Tsukune Aono. Ruby, please show this man to his room."
In a matter of seconds the Chairman's assistant entered the room, ready to accompany Kenji to the boy's dorm. Kenji couldn't help but wonder if she hadn't been by the door eavesdropping on the conversation the entire time. As he got up to leave, an important thought crossed his mind.
"What am I supposed to do tomorrow?" Kenji asked the Chairman. "This is a school after all, so won't it draw my roommate's attention if I don't go?"
"I don't think it will be much of an issue. Do you wish to attend the academy, Mr. Hiraku?"
"No, I have no desire to be a student. However, I'd like to tour and observe the place if at all possible."
"Have you found something that interests you here?"
"Of course not: this is the first time I've seen this place after all." Kenji could tell that the Chairman was once again prying for information, and he wasn't about to fall for the trap.
"Well then, I hope you enjoy yourself tomorrow, Mr. Hiraku. We'll speak again soon." With this Mikogami gave a nod to Ruby.
"This way, please" Ruby said politely. As Kenji followed her out of the room, the Chairman decided to say one last thing.
"Just a moment, Mr. Hiraku."
Kenji paused and glanced over his shoulder at Mikogami.
"Our conversation today and the details surrounding your stay here is to be kept between us. Also," he added, "it would be best if you did not keep secrets from me."
Kenji nodded and continued to follow the man's assistant. "Just how much does he know, anyway?" Kenji thought.
I'm wondering that too. He says not to keep secrets from him, but he is keeping some things to himself as well, isn't he? At any rate, for now we should focus on preventing him from learning anything else about us.
"Agreed."
