Sorry that this chapter isn't as long as the past two but it is not a short story this time.
However the next chapter is a short story but you, yes you the readers can choose what the next short story is going to be about. For the choices of;
· Drinking games
· Bingo Night
· A reaper's breakdown
· Lesson on Fate
Suggestion (I'm all ears): How should you think Class-E should become suspicious of Gakushu?
Be sure to leave a review/suggestion, follow or favourite.
Gretel and Ren
The next day for Gakushu is a new day for him to observe the class that is training children to be the 'perfect soldiers' or assassins. Whatever you call it, it doesn't really matter to him.
Gakushu brushes his teeth while looking at the mirror next to Gretel who was doing the same. Ivan woke up earlier than the pair for his shift on surveillance of Class-E. Luckily for the Russian he is not alone today for his shift as Lucia is doing the shift with Ivan as well.
Rilliane is still in China for her conference on the education system (and possibly also on the being nicknamed Korosensei) and Wolfie is doing his usual work at the Forensic division of the Department.
"Have you heard? Rilliane is asked out by the stick in the mud Thomas Freeman during the conference." The blonde girl mumbled through her brushing.
"Thomas Freeman? Wasn't he from your branch?" Gakushu asked after he spits out the toothpaste solution and rinses his mouth with the tap water. He only vaguely remembers of the English reaper from the Management division, the only thing that stands out was that expandable Death Scythe of his that was similar to William T Spears.
One of the few things that he remembers about this reaper who has 50 years of experience is that when he woke up after committing his unforgivable act, he lost all of his human memories. He wouldn't even know his own name or the circumstances of his death not if for the files from the Retrieval Division.
He washes his toothbrush while Gretel continues the conversation. "Yes, don't know much about him though. Only knew him from Grell." Gretel only shrugged and continuously brushes her already bright and white teeth.
Arthur wakes into the bathroom as he yawns greeting to Gakushu and Gretel, Gakushu looks to the giant with envy. Even if Arthur is only in his 17 year old form, he is towering over the student.
"I'm going away for a few days to the American Branch tomorrow. Orders from the Department." Arthur spoke while he grabs his own toothbrush.
"Buy me and Gakushu something a gift while you're there." Gretel spoke as she spits out and rinsed her mouth.
"Will do Gretel." Arthur nodded, anything to make her happy Arthur will do. Although there are expectations to this aspect of Arthur's when it regards to Gakushu seeking protection from the blonde male from either;
Drinking games from Lucia and Ivan or dress up from Gretel. Or other situations…
It make Gakushu more of the adorable cinnamon roll he is when he hides under Arthur's shirt as if it was a safe haven.
"What are you doing today Gretel?" Gakushu asked as he places his coloured and prescribed contacts on. He is more at ease when he is around his reaper colleagues and it is much easier to talk to about anything really.
"Got morning shift today for soul collecting with Arthur and nothing else after that. Might dig around on this Thomas guy or that teachers of yours again." Gretel answered and brushing her short blonde hair.
Gakushu already in uniform heads out for school and the two blondes waved their goodbyes to the strawberry blonde boy who has some sweets in hand. Hopefully it will be enough to get him through the day, after yesterday now that everyone should distance from him after that speech of his so maybe the handful of sweets should do its job.
However Gakushu knew that this won't last for long as he finds that students from Class-E have a very strong sense of justice. For now he will continue the act as the Chairman's son who will remain distant and looks down on others until certain situations come into play.
And luckily for him as Gakushu walks to school, there is no red hair demon named Karma in sight when he walks up the mountain steps.
Before he heads into the classroom, he hears a certain conversation from a group of girls that catches Gakushu's attention stopping him right at the door.
"They just uploaded yesterday!"
"He's so cute."
"Earl is so dreamy!"
"Ichigo is cuter!"
Looks like the girls are talking about both a dancing and singing group named Candy fest that he, Arthur and Gretel formed back when he was 11 years old (not that they know that). Gakushu has been told by Rilliane that the group is gaining more popularity internationally recently.
More luck was on his side that the girls continued to talk about the group while Gakushu walks into class and set out his work. He can hear the song written by Arthur playing from Kayano's phone, it was the 'Cosplay Complex' song.
"Cosplay! Cosplay! Cosplay! Cosplay for me darling!" Gretel sang in a happy tone.
"I am just an ordinary boy who has a talented older sister and brother, looking at them from the distance and thought to myself that 'I am willing to do anything to make them happy'." This was Gakushu's part as he sang through his lines fitting to the quick tempo.
Although he had to mask his voice a bit so instead of the usual Gakushu voice, it is more of a moe or a cutesy voice. Something that won't say 'Is that Gakushu Asano?'
"Really then? Then please. Can you wear this maid outfit for me?" This again was sang by Gretel.
"Eh!" That single worded response is uttered by Arthur and Gakushu or should I say Ichigo?
The video itself is not really a dance number but a very short movie that goes along with song. Should Gakushu mention that Gretel was in bliss when Gakushu had to wear a French maid outfit?
Or a Magical girl? A neko girl? A female school uniform? Nurse!?
To be fair, Arthur had to join in this game of dress up as well with choices such as a butler outfit or a sexy bartender costume.
The song continued to play as more students came into class and finally the school bell rang. First period today is language and he is getting out his set work.
For some reason, he is getting a 'Gretel' vibe from this language teacher, Irina Jelavic.
No, something much worse than a Gretel vibe. The first time Gakushu met the blonde teacher from the all-school assemblies, all he thought that he should avoid this woman at all cost.
He's already been smouldered by reapers daily and an extreme example is Gretel groping his chest to see how they have grown. He does not want have another person added to the list of 'smouldered in most likely chest area.'
Just because he got used to it doesn't mind he minds it!
That list is already filled by half of the reapers that are stationed at Kunugigoako town, he is estimating the numbers stationed to be around 100 to 200.
Yes, their eyes and ears everywhere and the numbers has increased when Gakushu confirmed that there is an alien octopus that is his teacher in his hometown.
These reapers are either disguised or are unrecognisable from the public due to the fact they died decades or centuries ago.
Adding to the list are 'being hugged and covered in snot and tears' taking first place are Lucia and Ivan. Another list titled 'how can my life get any stranger than it is' with finding out that Class-E has an alien teacher who was behind the moon's destruction taking the cake.
Gakushu really wants cake now before all of this thinking gives him an irritating headache. He secretly pops another candy into his mouth and it is strawberry flavoured.
'Heaven~' He mentally cheered to himself even if he can't show it due to personal reasons. It is very difficult to keep his calm image and not have his cheeks flushed. There are no orders to not show this aspect of his because it is deemed to be 'very human.'
Gakushu knew that his father isn't around this part of school which was one of the main reason why he didn't eat any sweets back when he was in the main building but he can't allow himself to show his obsession for sweets.
Should the tally of how many trees Gakushu has killed should be added? Another thought came to Gakushu and he quickly drops that idea because that was a tally and not a list.
Although he feels that something will happen is much worst if he stayed around Irina Jelavic, that he will get a much worse experience than a grope occasionally from a certain person named Gretel.
Thankfully that feeling shifted away when Korosensei took over the class instead. He never thought that Korosensei would save the day even if this creature maybe the cause the end of Earth and life as we know it before the year ends.
Gakushu will make sure that his teacher's death won't be so painful when orders come in from the Department.
Gakushu is just not comfortable around Irina Jelavic and he does not want to stick around to find out why.
Gretel is terrifying enough with her complex, the Gakushu complex. Or the drinking habits of Lucia and Ivan during several in their games.
How much can they drink? They drank enough alcohol to kill a healthy adult 200 times. The best Gakushu himself can keep up although forcefully was enough to kill someone 25 times.
Rilliane the weakest in her alcohol can only drink enough to kill an adult 6 times before blacking out.
A Grim Reaper's body is very strange indeed. They have godlike endurance, unexplainable physical abilities and enhanced hearing. Although Gakushu's strength is twice of a regular reaper due to his 'prodigy in everything' status. Some might say that he already had level of a reaper's before his timely death and his reaper abilities just enhance more.
They can do what humans cannot possibly accomplished but yet have very terrible near-slightness.
What it worth to trade off good eyesight for all what Gakushu just listed?
But this story won't be focusing on Gakushu.
"Please pick up." Ren whispered into his phone as he attempts to call Gakushu Asano again. There was no answer once again.
Ren who has his hair half-shaven and spiked and his eyes are sharp with a hazel colour staring down his history of fail calls to Gakushu on his phone.
It's been almost 3 days since Gakushu transfers into Class-E and the last time he spoke or saw the boy properly. Ren hasn't been himself lately after that certain event, he no longer flirted with any of the girls in class and became distant from everyone else in school. That last part was for a very good reason though.
School has become a living hell now that Gakushu is gone because it left a power vacuum in Class-A. Many students are completing against each other to take the spot of leadership and sabotaging each other. Ren is currently having the best and highest score after Gakushu transferred and he is doing his best to avoid the spotlight as much as possible.
He has been searching through his list of poetry to find the perfect one so he can use to apologise the strawberry blonde boy for his mistakes. Or an idea in his attempts to talk to his friend.
He cannot afford to lose someone important to him again.
As he walk down away from school which it ended not too long ago, he wanders around aimlessly. Until he spots Gakushu's father in the distance, the same man who places his own son into the class for hopeless causes which Gakushu is not one. Without a second thought Ren dashes to the man and stopped right in front of him begging. He doesn't care if it causes a scene in public.
At the same time Gretel was finishing her shopping for clothing materials and as soon she steps out of the shop she spots Ren in the distance. He is seemly bowing to a man and as Gretel walk in closer to the two to find that the man was Gakuhou Asano. To avoid the mass of negative emotions waiting to burst out, she instead focuses her attention on Ren Sakakibara.
Ren seems to be begging to be transferred into Class-E explaining that he did far worse than Gakushu in the exams.
"Swap me with Gakushu!" He bowed to the Chairman hoping that the man will change his mind. He waited for his answer and is drowning from the thick atmosphere. But anything with be worth it to have Gakushu back in Ren's mind.
The Chairman simply answered "No." That single response send a shiver down the boy's spine of how cold and emotionless it was. Ren slightly glanced up to see the Chairman cold smile and dark eyes prying into his very soul. Chairman walked off and into his car, driving off and leaving behind a stunned Ren.
Everything around him doesn't seem to matter him anymore like the world froze around him.
Gretel was amazed of how loyal Ren was and calls out to him although she isn't getting any response from him.
"Ren? Ren? Ren?" A girl's voice called out from behind but Ren continued to ignore it, he doesn't want to flirt with anyone today.
"Ren?" Gakushu voice called out from behind, immediately the almond-haired boy with high hopes turned back to only see a girl with short blonde hair in a salopettes dark navy dress and a white blouse underneath. She was also wearing a bright yellow unzipped hoddie with the hood on.
It crushes the glimmering hope he had the moment he didn't see the strawberry blonde haired boy in front of him.
"I'm sorry, I just had to get your attention." Gretel continued to speak in Gakushu's voice while smiling apologetically. This was the girl he met back when he was 11 years old.
'That was both a cruel and cook trick that she just did…' Ren thought with some gloom floating over his head.
"…Gretel?" Ren hesitantly spoke if he remembers correctly and Gretel nodded.
"It has been a long time hasn't it Ren-kun." She chirped back in her original voice as she did a little curtsy.
Gretel suggested to hang out at a nearby café for a while, Gakushu went off with Arthur to practice on their performance back at Gretel's place. Gretel left the two on their devices so she can start up on her plan to rekindle Gakushu's friendship with Ren.
Big sister knows best after all~
She gave an excuse to the two males that she is going out to buy some material for new costumes and some possibly sweets. It was worth it when she saw Gakushu's lit up in happiness due to his sweet obsession. She loves how his cheeks flush the colour of cherry blossoms and how his eyes sparkles with life.
Yes, the sparkles...
"How have you been Ren-kun?" Gretel sipped her Earl Grey tea as the two sat outside of the café. Ren ordered nothing although it didn't please the blonde haired girl. She instead gave some of her pastries insisting that she cannot finish it all. "It's been almost 3 years since I properly saw you."
Ren stayed silent and nibbling on some of the food given by Gretel still remaining silent. "What happened? Did something happen between you and Gakushu-kun?" Gretel already knew what was happening and just wanted to start the conversation somehow.
"Gakushu recently transferred to Class-E and it's my fault." Ren answered in a whisper and of course Gretel knows that this wasn't simply true. Gakushu was only following orders from the Department to join the class known as the End Class.
"I don't see why it is your fault Ren-kun." Gretel said to the boy and took another sip of her tea.
"I did worst in my exams, everyone else in Class-A did but Gakushu and his father decided to punish Gakushu for all of mine and the class's mistakes." Now that Ren thinks about, maybe Gakushu should ignore him after what he has done?
"You don't know that? Gakushu is a very shy boy you know." Ren gave a weird look towards Gretel and she just giggled with one hand over her mouth.
"I have been with Gakushu for almost 4 years. Give him some time, he will come around." She spoke with glee. Ren wanted to say that he too been with Gakushu for 4 years but he can see the difference between himself and Gretel. Gretel is seen almost as an equal to Gakushu in terms of intelligence and talents as he remembers the experience of when Ren first met the girl.
"To tell you the truth, I moved here just a few years ago so I already knew that Gakushu transferred to Class E." Gretel rests her cheek with her hand and gave a warm smile to Ren. "Trust me, he doesn't blame you at all Ren-kun."
"But…" Ren doesn't know what to say next.
But for some reason, Ren feels that he can trust this girl in front of him that he hasn't properly seen for three years. He feels that he can talk about anything of his problems like she has a presence of an older sibling. Gretel looks wiser than what her appearance is giving out to be.
Is it strange to think that her presence reminds him of Gakushu? She makes it so much easy for him to talk to and the words just escape from his mouth. Bringing out his true feelings.
"I just feel that I am taking advantage of him…" Ren hesitantly spoke and his head and shoulders dropped .The atmosphere slightly changed around the blonde girl. Her emerald green eyes thanks to her contacts emitted a dangerous glint.
"How so?" Gretel asked in a more monotone voice, waiting for Ren's answer that will either further or discontinue her plans. Because Gakushu's happiness is a part of her happiness.
"How can I explain this?" Ren quickly catching onto the slight change in Gretel's tone almost panicked and started to way around his arms in hopes it will help to answer her question. "Whenever I am with him, I feel complete I guess?"
That completely surprised Gretel although she didn't show it to the boy in front of her and keeping to a professional manner like how Gakushu does. Earlier she held thoughts that Ren only became friends with Gakushu for social or status gains or both. Thankfully this wasn't the case and she feels terrible for thinking so.
Now she calls herself stupid for thinking ahead as she knew that this boy in front of her begged for Gakushu's father to swap Gakushu's place in Class-E. No-one that is looking for status gain would do that after all. Ren was willing to swallow his pride to see Gakushu again.
This answer from Ren was very strange to her as well, it almost reminded of herself and Gakushu. As well as almost every one of their little group.
"Gakushu is very smart at everything he does and since I like the arts more, it sort of completes me I guess… Science and Arts like Ying and Yang almost." Ren meekly smiled as he thought of the strawberry blonde boy while he continued his answer.
Gretel has heard of this before. This sort of answer before…
'Where I have heard of this?' Gretel thought as she sips her tea listening in the boy's answer. She knows that she heard of this before but she just can't put her finger on it.
She soon realises that Ren finished talking while she was off in her little world of thought.
Looking at Ren who was waiting for her response, Gretel mentally smiles and decided to further her plans as she finally finishes her tea.
"I see, I understand now." Gretel said as she stood up from her seat. She looks down to Ren who held a sad look on his face and was already expecting the worse. Gretel looked at the boy with a mischievous glint in her emerald green eyes.
"How about this Sunday? I can have Gakushu see you that day." Gretel sang, she wishes that she took a photo of Gakushu's human friend reaction. It was quite funny with his jaw wide open and a confused expression painted on his face.
"Many a dinner reservation? Want me to choose the place?" She asked with a cheerful smile as she clapped her hands together.
"EH?" That was the only response from the hazel haired boy. He quickly raised from his seat "But I just told you that I-"
Gretel quickly interrupted the boy by stuffing his mouth with what left of her pasty. After he swallows it, she said "Gakushu-kun will understand." There wasn't any doubt in her voice.
Before Ren can retort this statement of hers, Gretel finished the topic with one final sentence. "After all, I am his big sister." She gave a warm smile to the boy and coincidentally a light breeze blew from behind causing her dress to flutter a bit and short blonde hair dancing along with the breeze.
"I will call you to discuss this later, okay?" Kissing both of his cheeks which leaves him with a face of a tomato. After saying her goodbyes, she quickly leaves the café which she can't obviously tell that it was reaper-run to the boy so the check is going through her account.
Gakushu was right, Grim Reapers are everywhere in Kunugigoako town.
What's next? A reaper run arcade?
Gretel walked deeper into town, she grabs her customised smart-phone out from her handbag. She calls through the Identification Division line and hopes that someone will pick up.
"Hola~" That voice is a reaper from the Spanish Branch named Antonio Abano. Gretel switches her language to Spanish in hopes that no-one around her can understand what she is saying. It would be unlikely for someone in Kunugigoako town to be fluent in Spanish.
"Antonio, I need you to look into Ren Sakakibara." Gretel spoke in Spanish as she walks through the crowds.
"You know that you are not allow to change their fates-" The male voice reminds the female reaper.
"You think I don't I know that, I just need you to look into some personal details and that's it. No fates or anything. Just some personal details." Gretel still keeping her professional image of a 'lady' and is very careful to not yell to gather more attention. Her language skills is already giving her some exotic looks from the crowd but she is in a hurry.
She gives out her final orders, "Make sure you send it through my phone only, do not tell anyone."
"You own me one." Gretel can feel a smirk etching on his face but she too smirk although internally because she has a secret weapon on her side.
"Gakushu singing his Pudding Song." Gretel said and she can already imagine that Antonio exploded from sheer happiness. The legendary song that Gakushu wrote during his first years as a Grim Reaper.
"Deal!" Antonio cheered and Gretel ended the phone call. She sighed to herself.
Gretel trusted Ren but that didn't help the uneasiness brewing inside her. She hopes that this file will make it disappear. Just check some personal details and cross it off from her list.
She knows where she heard his words before but she doesn't know where from. She hopes that the boy's file can rid of this feeling of hers because Ren is such a nice and cute boy.
Ren is Gakushu's first real friend after all and Gretel intends for Ren to remain so for a very long time.
It won't be long for his life flicker away like a candle lit, a human's life can sometimes just be a blink to a Grim Reaper. Gretel doesn't want Gakushu to have regrets because of this choice of ignoring his friend in hopes to soften the blow when Ren one day dies.
Maybe buying some mochi for Gakushu can distance herself for the time being? It is not always good to have such negative thoughts as a reaper's job is quite depressing after a while.
She must continue her act as Gakushu's older sister rather all as Gakushu continues his act as the son of the Chairman. She enters a nearby shop known for its sweets.
"I like to have 10 boxes of mochi please~"
What plans will Gretel have in store?
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