Chapter Ten: Make it Right
Tsukune felt like he was on cloud nine. The previous night he'd had the utmost pleasure of making acquaintance with one Kaneshiro Hokuto, the man who'd saved his life on that fateful day his first meeting with Mizore had gone awry. Not only had he had the good mind to take him to the infirmary in the first place, last night he'd even gone so far as to visit him personally to see if he was all right. As a caring person of the exact same nature, Tsukune truly appreciated the gesture and marveled at the fact that the man had been up to it to begin with. After all, he was one of the Student Police's low-rank members of whom Gin hadn't given all that flattering a picture.
As the two had found the company of the other more than agreeable, Hokuto's visit had lasted longer than the time it took so say a few simple pleasantries. As it had been the consequences of Mizore's actions that had prompted the other man to come see him, it was only natural the conversation had steered that way. One can only imagine Tsukune's joy as Hokuto had actually praised him for the way he'd handled things with the snow girl, especially after the negative response he'd received from his two best friends. It'd soon become apparent the two of them shared very similar views on morals and ideals in general.
In other words, Tsukune felt like he'd found a soulmate; the kind of a hero he'd hoped to meet the whole time he'd spent at the academy. A kindred spirit to whom he could relate without any reservations.
Unfortunately the gaining of a new friend also reminded him of the serious skirmish he'd had with Kurumu and Moka, ending with the current air of hurt confusion between them.
But Tsukune was left inspired by his meeting with Hokuto. So inspired, in fact, that he decided to do something about it as soon as he could.
He was going to make it right.
"I must admit I'm quite surprised by this newest stunt of yours."
"Oh? How so?"
"I never thought you'd be the type to get sentimental with your enemies just when things are about to get serious. Really, it makes me wonder if you're truly insane."
"Not more so than I usually am."
"Ah, a joke. How funny."
"Well, you always did like to be entertained."
"How courteous of you to tend to my needs like that. So, are you finally going to enlighten me about the genius of your latest whim?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm just making new friends, something you yourself should try some time."
"Making friends with the enemy? Now that's a new one. Why don't you explain lest I think I'm the one who's gone senile here?"
"It's elementary, Kiria: the closer I get to the boy with seemingly friendly intentions, the more shocked he'll be when he discovers my true motives. And shocked men make for an easy prey, my friend."
"I...I see."
"Truly, I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it sooner. Makes me wonder if you're the one losing his touch here."
"Worry not, I was simply too surprised myself to think clearly. A spy does not simply walk into an audience with his co-worker and stay calm when he finds his true employer sitting there as well, after all."
"Ha, your expression was truly worth a million right there. Never thought you'd be capable of such a show of awe."
"It only proves your powers of impressing."
"Why thank you, coming from you, that is certainly much."
"So, what's next? Now that you've made your presence known in front of the enemy, I can't imagine our plans standing still for much longer."
"Indeed. Our project is finally starting to reach its final stages, my friend. Soon we'll be plucking the fruits of our labours, I can assure you of that."
"So is it time to set the last piece of our plan in motion?"
Hokuto took a deep breath through his nose, as if relishing the moment. "Yes", he then breathed out as if sighing in deep contentment. "Go and make the final preparations."
Kiria bowed, turned, and left.
As lunch break arrived, Moka and Kurumu were sitting at a relatively distant spot from the other hustling and bustling monsters enjoying their meals. Please meet me this noon at the small garden, the message had arrived at each of their cell phones respectively, the sender being signed as Aono Tsukune.
Truth be told, both girls waited for their shared love interest's arrival with growing dread and uncertainty, not with the usual joy at the promise of the chocolate-eyed boy's company. Their last meeting in the clubroom had gotten terribly out of hand, after all, and even though both girls would've liked to put all the blame on the wayward snow girl, they knew it wasn't going to pass as an excuse for their overreaction. Now they only hoped things could be returned to the way they were.
But as much as there would be apologizing on their part when Tsukune arrived, both of them also knew there was some validity in the accusation the heated succubus had shot at Tsukune and Mizore. If that snow girl is truly sorry for what she's done and even considers herself as Tsukune's friend, why is she staying with him at all anymore? Shouldn't she have locked herself somewhere so she couldn't ever again do something like that to Tsukune? Moka wondered incredulously, unable to keep the venom so unlike to this side of her out of her thoughts.
And that Tsukune...why in the world is he allowing that vandal near him? Why was he swayed so easily, why did he accept her close to him when he didn't accept even us, why...
The approaching footsteps sounding on the ground heralded that the girls would soon get to ask the questions on their minds. Both of them looked up and found the boy walking towards them with a steady pace, followed close behind by Yukari, Ruby, and Mizore.
"Hey there", Tsukune greeted them in his usual brisk tone, only slightly restrained by the gravity everyone knew to be clouding the occasion.
"What is she doing here?" The blue-haired succubus dismissed the attempted cheerfulness with the harsh inquiry and the narrowed glare at Mizore.
"Kurumu", the boy addressed her softly. "I understand you're still upset with her, but I called you all out here for a reason other than fighting", he pleaded. "So could you please hear what she and I have to say?"
Kurumu shook her head as if about to argue, but ultimately deciding to give her consent with a huff: "Alright, whatever. I don't think I could salvage much of my appetite now that she's shown up anyway, so why don't we just let her ruin it till the end."
"Thank you, Kurumu", Tsukune nodded, his voice deep with sincere gratefulness.
"C-C'mon, quit just standing there and take a seat for Pete's sake." The succubus muttered, slightly embarrassed by the boy's humility.
At Kurumu's bidding everyone drew a chair for themselves and sat. For a while no one said anything, until Mizore, knowing she was a great deal of the reason they were there in the first place, took it upon herself to speak up.
"First of all I'd really like to express once more just how sorry I am for what happened", she began, taking the ever-present lollipop out of her mouth for emphasis.
Wow. If she's willing to give up on that constant suckilng even for a moment, she must be at least trying to appear honest, Kurumu thought with mock impress.
Receiving no interruption, Mizore continued: "I don't really think there's any I can properly explain my actions, but I want you to know that when Tsukune came to me that day, I was at my breaking point. There'd been just...so much going on, as I'm sure you know." The snow girl fell silent, and everyone's expressions took upon an uncomfortable look. All of them knew what she was talking about, and all of them had at least some personal experience themselves of what she'd been through.
Yet none of them but Mizore could claim to know what it felt like to be betrayed in such a way by the very man they used to love.
"Even so", Kurumu finally managed in a shaky voice after swallowing her empathy. "There's no way you could ever justify attacking someone totally unrelated to your own problems, especially such a sweet boy as Tsukune."
Mizore averted her eyes in shame. "I know..so-"
"So since we agree you're completely beyond redemption, why don't you tell us just why the hell is it you still dare to show your face around Tsukune!?"
"Kurumu..." Moka tried to plea, recognizing the dangerous fury the succubus had displayed on their previous meeting - and remembering the consequences all too well.
"Shut up! Kurumu barked at the pink-haired vampire. "She just confessed herself there was no reason behind what she did, so let's hear it. C'mon, snow bitch, let's hear what you've got!"
The reactions towards the succubus' tantrum varied around the table, from Moka hugging herself and unable to watch at all to Ruby who regarded the scene playing before her with something akin to a morbid fascination.
For a while Mizore felt like she was about to be torn in two by the emotions raging inside of her. On one hand she wanted nothing more than to shove her icy claws down the succubus' throat and silence her forever. On the other she understood perfectly the blue-haired girls furious bitching and felt like she deserved it. In the end, like it was apt for the nature of her kind, she managed to keep her cool and speak for herself.
"I know that I made a horrible mistake, and I know that there shouldn't be any way for me to atone. But", Mizore paused as she raised her gaze to look the succubus in the eye, "I disagree that I'm 'beyond redemption', like you put it. For a while I thought there was nothing I could do as well, but then one person came to me and told me I was wrong. And that person was Tsukune himself." She said while turning her adoring eyes to the boy.
"That's right. Tsukune told me I could make up for what I did by helping him in the Student Police, and if he himself as the one who I attacked believes I can atone for myself that way, who am I to deny him? Just like you, I love him, and I'm willing to do anything for him. Anything." Mizore concluded, her voice having gained a stern edge showing nothing of her previous humbleness.
Silence descended as everyone pondered what they'd just heard. Even Kurumu had come down from the pinnacle of her fury, and now she sat quietly like everybody else. Only her knit brows and the sound of her teeth gritting spoke of the smoldering wrath within her.
"Is it true, Tsukune?" Moka finally ventured. "Have you really forgiven her? Can you really forget what she did to you?"
"Forget, no, I can never do that. But yes, I have forgiven her." Tsukune spoke evenly. "What she did was extreme, but so were the conditions she was under. With her helping us in the Student Police as a form of punishment, I truly feel like this is something we can all put behind us."
"Okay, okay, we get it", Kurumu piped in, her voice showing now mere irritation as opposed to her earlier fury. "But what the heck is all this about 'punishment', she said she loved you and now you're letting her be close to you like all the time! How's that supposed to be a punishment?"
"There's more to her being in the Student Police than just helping out." Tsukune explained. "She used to be a problem student herself, so having her there helping us to maintain our school's peace is an appropriate way for her to redeem herself. Besides that, by having her close to us we can also monitor her so that she won't be slipping back to her old ways."
"That's right", Mizore backed him up. "I'm rarely allowed to leave anywhere by myself, and I have to help out with all kind of menial stuff at their base." Though I can easily sneak away from them anytime I want. Besides, so long as Tsukune's there, I don't really mind.
"And if that doesn't sound like bad enough to you", the snow girl continued, "I'm now actually paired up with this creepy Nagare guy."
"WHAT!?" The girls, save for Ruby, exclaimed as one. "Y-you mean that icky snail photographer?" Kurumu inquired in newfound disgust, the one she felt for Mizore now momentarily forgotten.
"Yup, that one. And all because he happens to be good at what he does: stalking and taking pictures." A bit like me, she reluctantly admitted to herself.
"Wh-what do they need you two together for?" Kurumu asked in genuine interest.
"Eh, it's just some student who Gin told us to spy on. I'm not supposed to tell you who it is, but really, it's just some random dude who Gin thinks to be suspicious. Is that guy paranoid or something?"
"Him? Ha, no way. I can't imagine he'd really give a damn about someone that much, unless...hey, it wouldn't happen to be some hot chick you two are following, would it? Cause if it was, then it'd totally be like that wolf to make you get some juicy info of her for him..."
"Nah, it's a guy. Though he is kinda pretty enough to be a girl..."
Everyone at the table shared a laugh at that, their mirth stemming from both the amusing scenario and the fact that somehow the conversation had managed to turn light, even pleasant, despite its initially serious nature.
"Ahem", Kurumu coughed, bringing everyone's attention back to the issue at hand. "Well then, Shirayuki. I still can't say I would even remotely condone your actions, but if even Tsukune here can let it pass", she stole a quick glance at the boy who nodded in affirmation, "then I guess I can at least try and tolerate you. So what do you say, snow bitch, if we call it a truce for now?" She concluded while, almost daringly, held out her hand.
Mizore slapped her palm briefly against Kurumu's. "Couldn't ask for more, busty cow."
"Good, you shouldn't" She replied curtly while Mizore was already proceeding to shake hands with Moka. "Oh, and Yukari? Kurumu waited until the young witch's eyes turned to her. "I trust you to keep an eye on these two. Report to me immediately if the snow bitch here tries anything funny or if Tsukune gets too clueless around her, okay?"
"Sure thing!" The eleven-year-old replied with a brisk salute.
"Super. Now if this is settled then I suggest me and Moka get back to class, 'cause it seems like we're already a bit late." Kurumu said while glancing at their deserted surroundings, everyone else having gone back inside long since.
Moka was already on her feet and ready to go, kissing Tsukune goodbye on the neck like she usually did. Moka bid the boy farewell in her customary way as well, finally alarmed to let him go when his struggling against the chokehold of her chest nearly stopped. "Bye Tsukune~!" She called over her shoulder while running towards the school.
Meanwhile, Ruby sat still and silent like she'd done the whole time. At first she couldn't fathom why the boy had to drag her along to sort out his personal business, but she began to see it now. So many different monsters, so many different views, all gathered around the same table. And all because of him...a human. She couldn't have thought it possible, yet here she was: sitting dumbstruck after a meeting of such a variety of personalities and races. A meeting that had ended in peace, and because of a human, no less. She recalled his words about restoring harmony between humans and monsters; something she'd thought to be mere idle verbiage.
But she'd been proven wrong.
He'd proven her wrong.
And if Tsukune's ability to forgive was as remarkable as what he'd shown today, then maybe, just maybe...she would be able to do the same.
"Ruby!" He called out to her from a distance, and she finally rose to hurry after the boy who become her anchor to what faith she had in peaceful coexistence between monsters and humans.
That night Tsukune went to bed with his heart lightened. As everything had turned out for the better with his friends, he felt like he could truly lay himself to rest with an easy mind.
He stripped from his clothes one by one until only the Whip of Belmont, which he'd gotten used to carry with him at all times now, was the only article on his body. He glanced at the item and grimaced. Besides the obvious discomfort the whip caused by constantly squeezing his thigh like a vice, it also served to remind him of his lost humanity. He was a monster now, and he could never go back to his previous carefree life as a human.
But maybe just for tonight, he thought to himself. After all the good things he'd achieved today, would it be so bad if he rewarded himself a little by taking the whip off? To allow himself to be just Tsukune the average human boy for one night? No, of course it wouldn't.
Thus encouraged, Tsukune yanked the whip off of his leg in one triumphant pull and let it fall to the floor.
Nothing happened.