Ventus' POV:
I hadn't paid attention as to where we had gone, so if I had to make a break for it, I'd most likely get lost. Oh, joy. Good going, V.
The concealed man opened my door for me and closed it as I got out.
We were in a small town with a very small population. It was the middle of school hours, so there were no kids about and hanging out. The same went for work hours, and there were only a few adults doing errands. This having been said, it was like the place was abandoned. A tall clock towered over the squat buildings around in.
I stood outside a semi-large pastry shop, sort of like a bakery combined with a diner. Half of the front wall was made of clean windows that displayed cakes, cupcakes, and other bread goods. From my current position, I could see tables, chairs, a counter with more tasty treats in it, and very few people.
"Are we going in there," I asked in awe.
He nodded before turning and walking back to the limo, driving off and leaving me standing there.
Deciding to see if I could get an order to go, I entered which was marked by the jingling of a bell.
Inside the store was equally as quaint as the town. It smelled of freshly baked goods of all sorts. An obviously pregnant woman ran the register.
"Kiki," she called. "You'll be late for your next deliver if you don't hurry along!"
A girl with black hair and a pure black dress ran out holding a wooden broom. A red bow rested on her head and a black cat followed on her heals. She bowed respectfully, took the package handed to her, and ran out, calling back to the lady.
"Thank you, Osanno!"
"Yo," said a monotone voice.
Turning, I saw the headmaster of Kira Academy sitting in a booth farthest from the people. On the table sat a triple scoop strawberry sundae drizzled in chocolate syrup. It looked like he had eaten a little less than half of it already.
Hesitating, I made my way over to him. Why had he brought me here rather than meet me at the school's office or, at least, on campus?
I scooted into the booth on the opposite side of 'Ryuga'. He licked a spoon as I crossed my arms.
"You're probably thinking why I summoned you here and not back at the academy, but, first, would you like to order yourself something? It's on me, of course."
He gestured to the waitress with a notepad and pen in her hands. After I asked for a slice of apple pie, she left, giving him a pointed look probably for the way he was sitting.
"Now then," he continued. "I have a few different reasons why I've selected this shop for our conversation. One, I wished to browse their different choices of confections. Two, this location, unlike the school, is not wired nor does it have cameras installed. Extending off these, there are not nearly as many people present to cause us to restrict, edit, or otherwise omit any information from one another."
"You know," Snowpea said, sitting on her knees on top of the table. "He reminds me of something…"
Her eyes lit up –metaphorically speaking seeing as how they're always glowing– as she snapped.
"I know! He's exactly how a panda would look like as a human! The bags under his eyes are the spots, as with his hair. His shirt and skin are the white sections!"
I practically choked on my complimentary water. Coughing, I wiped my mouth on a napkin, doing the worst job at hiding my grin. The twenty-something-year-old man blinked at my seemingly random spaz attack.
"What's so comical?"
After I was able to breathe without liquid bubbling in my lungs, I shook my head, still smiling widely.
"N-nothing, si-ir, he haha!"
More laughter interrupted my excuse.
"No, I insist. I like a good joke as much as anyone else."
This made me raise an eyebrow. That, I found really unlikely. Well, at least this one, where he's compared to a bear.
"I just.. remembered something funny."
"Really?"
I nodded as the waitress set down a plate in front of me. I saw Snowpea's eyes flick over to my dessert hungrily then she flew over to Ryuga's head. Plopping her weight down on his tresses, she smiled and waved daringly at me.
"Panda," she giggled. "You know you wanna laugh at that, Mistress."
"How interesting. I, too, have just thought of something quite humorous. Maybe you remember it? It's very recent."
He ate more of his ice cream. Deciding to take a moment to eat as well, I chopped off the end piece of my pie, salivating from the smell of cooked apples and cinnamon. Even Snowpea couldn't help abandoning her living perch in favor of sitting ON my dish, eyes glued to the golden brown treat. To show her it was MY pie, I shoved my fork in my maw while giving her a 'don't even' glare.
'Ryuga's' eyes stayed trained on me as I chewed happily. It took a few seconds of prolonged silence for me to figure out he had spoken to me. I tore my amber orbs off the confection so I could focus on the words exchanged, putting my hands in my lap.
"Hm? Oh, sorry, lost in food. You were saying?"
".. As I was saying, you had expressed concern in Mr. Yagami's class that a student was being addressed incorrectly."
I remembered that, but the question that remained was why we were discussing this.
"Hith nam," said Snowpea funnily. "Ouh thead hith wheal nam. Parthelly."
Recognition sparked alive in my mind. Man, for a brainiac, I could be thick at times. It was a good thing I had my flying companion to remember these types of things! She kept a mental record of all the slip-ups and oopsies for me.
"I have no idea what you mean, Headmaster Ryuga," I tried unsuccessfully.
"Feel free to drop the act, Ventus. Like I previously stated, there aren't any cameras, bugs, or potential overseers here. Lying is simply unnecessary. You know who I am, yes?"
Sighing, I straightened up, squared my shoulders, and lifted my chin in defiance. I'll milk my performance to learn more about Kira Academy and all its secrets.
"So what, Lawiet?"
"How," he asked calmly, like this had no effect on him.
But I already knew how much this unnerved him. I had seen his reaction before I left that night. The fact I held his real name terrified him more than he'd admit to anyone, let alone himself.
"It wasn't hard once I learned Headmaster Yagami's Kira. Tell me something, how did you expect us students to not notice? You carelessly named this academy after him! It's a wonder it's gone without notice so long."
He assessed me with that calculating stare that sent chills down my spine. He wasn't fazed in the slightest.
Trying to seem smug, I let a smirk show. My entire being, with great effort, radiated a triumphant air. At least I could play poker and act. This wasn't lying, but was more like a performance.
"It seems you are the first to come to such a conclusion," he deadpanned. "But, I wonder, did you have anything to add to your analysis?"
My cocky look faltered. He was calling bullshit on my bluff to see what cards I really had hidden away. Damn him and his aged experience!
"Well," I procrastinated, "I know all six of my teachers –you included– use false names with Headmaster Yagami as the only exception, he and 'Mr. Asahi' are family, and I was able to dig up all your real names in my studies. Of course, with them, it'll only be a matter of time before I know all your professions and the like."
I regained my confidence as I puffed up proudly and crossed my arms.
Letting this information sink in, Lawiet stuck his silverware in his mouth and allowed himself a satisfied smile. It was brief, but I caught it none the less.
"And, once you've concluded your investigation, what will you do with such extensive –and incomplete– knowledge? Go to the police and make a claim? Inform Headmaster Yagami, who knows much more than what you've said aloud? I can tell you now, this miniscule tidbit would not be helpful; in fact, it would serve as much purpose as a wet paper being used to dry oneself off."
Immediately, my smirk vanished. I let my arms fall to my side in devastation. He was right, I had to admit. What WOULD I do with all of this? No one needed any of it, save for the Task Force, but they wouldn't believe me even if I went to them.
Glaring at the man that had just belittled me in every way, I angrily stabbed my fork down. It scraped against the china platter. Confused, I turned my attention downwards.
Where most of my uneaten pie should have been, a little of the confection's filling and some crust was all that was left. Snowpea was licking her fingers greedily. I quickly ate the morsel in my piephole and grumpily chewed. Lawiet tilted his head to the side.
"Where did your food go?"
'Into a thieving, conniving little witch,' I thought bitterly.
LlllllLlllllLlllllLlllllLlllllL
Sorry it took so long, but I thought this was a pretty funny chapter.
I know the focus has mainly been on Vanitas Ventus, but that's only because I need time for KK's plans to take effect. True to my word, KK and Katie finally make contact for the first time since the intro of the story.
Onwards, to Twin Town and Emails!
