LOCO chapter 13

"We have a new student transferring in today. Come and introduce yourself." My homeroom teacher motions for Yusuke to come forward. He writes his name on the board and then smiles politely to the class.

"My name is Yoshida Yusuke. I hope we can all be friends." I hear girls chattering excitedly at how good looking he is. I remember thinking that myself before. And he is good looking; with perfect dark hair; deep, penetrating eyes; and a gorgeous smile. Only now can I see the ill-intent in those dark green eyes of his. He does hide it pretty well.

"Make Mr. Yoshida feel at home, everyone. Now there's a seat open towards the back next to Ms. Inoue." All the way across the room, I notice smugly. The girls groan in jealously that the sexy new student isn't sitting next to them. I sigh in relief.

Class goes on normally. I take notes, answer questions when called on, take a pop quiz, and the other regular motions of class. I barely notice Yusuke is there with him all the way on the other side of the room, thank god, but every once and a while, I can feel his eyes on me, but I just shrug it off and ignore the shiver that runs down my spine.

Lunch time comes much too quickly and the students file to the cafeteria. Since we live in dorms no one, of course, brings their own lunch. I get in line like usual and buy the overly priced bento special and find a nice place outside to hide from Yusuke. Not that I thought he would come find me, it was just a precaution. I didn't want to face him now or ever really. I had said that I would deck him in the face the next time I saw him but now that the opportunity has presented itself, I just want nothing to do with him.

"Oi, Mio!" I jump, startled, and drop the piece of salmon I was about to put in my mouth. I look over my shoulder. It's Shima with Suguro and Miwa.

"Hey, guys," I greet. "What's up?"

"Finding a place to eat. Can we join you?"

"Yeah sure. I'm not saving space for anyone." They sit down on the ground with me under the tree. The shade helps with the heat of the sun. Summer was really coming fast.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself? Don't you sit with classmates?" asks Miwa.

"Naw. My classmates and I aren't really on speaking terms. But I'm out here 'cause I'm avoiding the transfer student."

"I see," he says but is clearly confused.

"Well, you don't really do anything about disproving the rumors circling around you, Honda," states Suguro, chewing on something.

"Well, Suguro, I think that people can think whatever the fuck they want to," I comment, slightly annoyed. He shrugs.

"You could at least start with wearing your uniform properly. People don't take you seriously when you don't button your shirt up all the way or hike up your skirt."

My eye twitches, is her trying to start something? "Ok then, Mr. Scholarship, people don't take you too seriously when you have chicken hair and a crap ton of earrings!"

"Screw you! My hair represents my dedication!" he growls.

"Pff…Ok." I hide a grin and stuff some rice into my mouth. A vein twitches in Suguro's forehead and he looks away.

"Ok, you guys, calm down," lectures Shima, "Wasn't this what Ms. Kirigakure was trying to tell us? We need to be able to get along with each other to be able to function as a group." Suguro and I grunt through mouthfuls.

"Anyway, Mio, why are you trying to avoid the transfer student? I heard the girls in class talking about him," inquires Shima.

"Yes, Mio, Why are you avoiding the transfer student?" I start choking on my food and take a swig of water from my water bottle before looking behind me. Fucking hell.

"What do you want, Yoshida?" I growl at him, already feeling my face paling.

"I was wondering if I could join you and your friends for lunch." He smiles his smile that only seems creepy to me now.

"No way."

"Now, that's no way to treat a new student, Mio," he says sadly. What a fucking creeper.

"I'm sure your new fan club would be more than happy to accommodate you."

"You know I never liked being with those twits, I'd much rather spend time with someone with a brain." I frown at him.

"I guess that excludes me then, because back then I was a part of that very fan club. So you can go find someone with a brain and leave us alone now." His grin widens.

"A sharp tongue as ever I see. And I see you have mostly male friends as usual as well. Not much has changed." He sits to my right. A little too closely, to my irritation. "Now," he addresses Suguro and the guys. "My name is Yoshida Yusuke. It's nice to meet you. And you are?" I glare at him hoping he would spontaneously combust and disappear out of my life.

"Er… Suguro Ryuuji. And this is Shima Renzo and Miwa Konekomaru," introduces Suguro, looking at Yusuke carefully, not really sure what to think of him.

"Nice to meet you too," says Miwa carefully with a polite smile. Shima nods in acknowledgement.

"What polite friends you have! Much better than the guys you used to spend time with," he comments, taking a delicate bite from his bento. I tense and my face heats up. How dare he bring that up here! I glare at him.

There's an awkward silence as we eat. I've lost my appetite and sit there, not willing to leave Yusuke alone with Suguro, Shima and Miwa. Who knows what he would tell them… Yusuke sits there like there's nothing wrong and eats his fucking bento. I want to shove it in his face.

Finally, the bell rings, after what seems like eternity. I stand and brush the grass from my skirt. The others stand as well.

"See you guys later," I say to Suguro and them with an apologetic smile. Suguro nods looking between the two of us. I grab Yusuke's arm and drag him away. I need to find out what the fuck he wants and end it. His fucking with my mind ends now.

I bring him to a secluded corner and shove him away from me. "What are you doing?" I demand.

"I just want to start over, Mio." He puts his hands in his pockets and looks at me steadily.

"Bullshit! Why are you doing this? It's been a year! Why now? And after… all that happened? You were clearly done with me." I clench my hands at my sides. The shaking is back with a vengeance. I try to hide it but I can tell he can see it by the way he smirks.

"Why, Mio, how can you think that? I thought we had something special!" He takes a few steps closer and I take a few steps back.

"What do you want?" I demand. "Cut this shit. You…" I close my eyes. "You…" I put my hands over my ears. I can't do this. Why did I confront him? He comes forward and takes my chin and lifts my face so my eyes meet his.

"Mio, don't you realize I'm sorry? We can be together again. Just like before."

"No!" I try to shove him away put he holds me tightly. "Get the fuck away from me, you asshole!"

"Don't you remember, Mio? We were happy. I made you feel." He pulls me around until my back is to the wall.

"Until, you fucking tore my heart out and ripped it to pieces, you asshole," I growl at him. "Read my lips: I. Hate. You." His smirk widens to a grin.

"Fine, then. You need time. I understand." he withdraws, taking a step back before turning to walk away.

I collapse to the ground and clutch my shoulders. I'm shivering like crazy now. That stupid motherfucking asshole… I clench my eyes shut and shake my head rapidly to get his face out of my mind. It doesn't work.

I was late back to class, not surprisingly. The rest of regular classes pass by in a blur. I don't remember much of any of them. Before I know it, I'm about to insert my skeleton key to head to cram school. Dammit, he's really fucking with my mind.

I walk down the hall in a daze and enter the classroom where only Izumo and Shiemi are waiting. I don't even greet them and plop down in my chair to stare at the blank chalk board. Shiemi turns in her seat to look at me with concern written all over her face.

"Are you ok, Mio?" she asks hesitantly.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine."

"I was really worried yesterday… You ran off after that boy left…"

"I'm fine, Shiemi. Thanks for worrying about me."

"It's nothing!" she raises her hands in denial. "You're a friend so… friends worry about each other, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." I smile at her.

Suguro, Shima, Miwa and Rin walk in together and take their seats. Suguro stares at me for a while before asking, "So… who was that guy? An acquaintance…?" Rin spins around in his chair to look at me and Suguro.

"That guy?"

"That guy," I nod. Rin's expression darkens. I look at Suguro. "He's just an ex-boyfriend from junior high. We ended on a bad note. That's all." I think back to earlier today and shiver involuntarily. I send him a smile that probably look a little forced but his eyebrows scrunch together. "It's really nothing to worry about, guys. I can deal with my own baggage."

"If you say so… But if you need any help, we're here for you, got it Mio?" assures Shima with a rare serious expression.

"Thanks guys. I'm fine though, really." They reluctantly nod and leave me to my own devices until class starts.

My eyes glaze over. Why did he come back? He was always a dickhead but to go to this length… it's like he's gone crazy or something. His hands were so cold. I don't remember them ever being so cold. What's he going to do?

The class is called to attention and class begins. I try to take good notes but my thoughts are elsewhere. I can't stop thinking about Yusuke. During P.E. we are training in hand to hand combat and I can't help but picture Yusuke's face on the punching bag that I'm currently kicking the crap out of.

"Fix your form, Honda," Tsubaki comments. "You're too stiff. Bend your knees and tuck your elbows in." I adjust myself a little and then spring into a rather powerful round house kick that send the bag almost all the way to the floor before springing up again.

"Exellent! Much better. But make sure you don't tuck your thumbs into your fist." Tsubaki moves on to help Shiemi with her form.

"Damn, Honda, that's some pent up anger right there," comments Suguro wiping some sweat away with a towel. I hum an affirmation and give the bag a good right hook.

"Just don't push it too much," he says.

"Yeah, yeah," I grunt. I drop my fists to my sides and take a towel to wipe my face on. Ew… I'm really sweaty.

"I'm serious! What's the point if you mess yourself up during training?" He frowns at me and I return it.

"Who are you my mom? I get it." I turn away ignoring his fuming. It kind of was bitchy of me… I'm so tensed up right now! God dammit, stupid, motherfucking, psycho ex-boyfriends… Next time I see him I really will punch him in the face.

I swipe a water bottle and chug it. When I bring my head back down, the gun display catches my eye. The other half of the gym we were in is dedicated to a shooting rage so that's why the display was there I guess. I think there's somewhere in this building where you can rent out weapons for specific missions if you didn't want to buy your own.

I look over my shoulder to make sure Tsubaki isn't looking before sliding over to get a better look. Wow… So many! I've never even seen half of these before. I recognize some of them from but I know next to nothing about firearms. I've never even held one before. Oh… I want to try them! Stuff like martial arts is not going to be of any use for defending against demons like Amaimon. Hand to hand with a demon prince? I would get pounded so hard, I wouldn't know what hit me!

My hand rests on the display case longingly.

"You look kind of creepy looking at those guns like that, Mio." I break from my daydream and look over to see Rin standing behind me laughing nervously.

"Hardy har. I just want to be able to fight like everyone else! I don't have a cool sword like you, and I can't summon like Shiemi or Izumo. I can't even really memorize scriptures like Suguro and Miwa can.

"You should talk to Yukio then." At my pale face he loses his grin. "You can't avoid him forever. He is our teacher."

"But—"

"No buts! Yukio needs to get his head out of his ass. He has to stop worrying about me. I'm the older brother dammit. I trust you so he should be able to." Oh yeah, Rin doesn't know about the party fiasco… I told Okumura that I wouldn't tell anyone but Rin is his brother…

Rin notices my conflicting expressions. "What?"

"Well, there was something else that happened…" I avoid his confused look and shuffle my feet. I walk over and take a seat on the floor against a wall. Rin follows and takes the place next to me.

"And? What happened? Oh! Is it something I can use against him?" he grins evilly at the prospect.

"No! You can't tell anyone!" I cry. Izumo looks over and gives us an annoyed expression before continuing her practice. Tsubaki is still too preoccupied lecturing Shiemi on her form to notice us. I sigh, "Well, you remember that one day when Okumura showed up to class really pissed off?"

"Uh yeah, the night before, he had gotten home really late and he wouldn't tell me what happened."

"Ugh, okay don't laugh. If you laugh, I'll kill you. That night my parents wanted me to go to this event, party, whatever, and they wanted me to bring a date. Well, my mom did so she could show me and him off to her friends…" Rin can't put two and two together so I continue, "I couldn't find anyone that would go with me 'cause all the guys in my regular classes are idiots and believe all the rumors about me… And, ugh, the point is I asked Okumura to be my date…" I watch as Rin's expression changes from confused to blank to barely suppressed laughter.

"Y-you asked Yukio to be your date?" I shove my hands over his mouth to keep him from saying anything more.

"Yes. Now shut up!" He nods with tears in his eyes from trying not to laugh too hard. I take away my hands and glare at him.

"And what happened?"

I close my eyes all remember everything that happened. "When I got him to go, it took some convincing; he made sure I wouldn't tell anyone. Ya know… he couldn't have his professionalism tarnished or whatever. But it ended up that Mephisto was there at the event; the event was for a scholarship fund or something. So Okumura was already pissed before real shit started flying. To sum it up, I got upset over something and started drinking, like alcohol. I got a little drunk, well, a lot drunk. I don't remember how many drinks I had. Okumura tried to stop me but I started blabbing about how I was suspicious about stuff going on at the school, like you. I also had found out that Shura was undercover so things were starting to get weird for me. I didn't know what the hell was going on. But anyway, I told Okumura that I was, I guess, 'onto you' or something. He got super pissed and told my mom that I was sick so we could leave early. I think I was kind of loud and obnoxious upon exiting."

Rin stays silent for a while taking I all in. "So, you knew that there was something going on with me from the start?"

"No, not really. I started putting stuff together I think after the exwire exam. It was kind of obvious that there was something going on with you. You aren't exactly the most subtle guy I know." He looks at me a little sheepishly and scratches him head.

"To go on, the next day I confronted him after class to apologize and he basically said not to look into it anymore. And so I basically broke his trust by finding out about you in the end."

"That was an accident though."

"It doesn't matter! I was still meddling a little. That's why Mephisto put me in the dorm with you. Remember? I'm still under the suspicion of being a 'spy'." I roll my eyes before leaning my head against the wall behind me. "It's so stupid."

We don't say anything and watch the others practicing. Shiemi's doing better than before but there is still so little power in her attacks. Suguro is, of course, out shining everyone else, that show off. I don't kid myself though, I do admire him. I still occasionally ask him to help me with homework. Miwa isn't looking to hot. Poor guy. He's so tiny.

"Honda! Okumura! Get back to work!" shouts Tsubaki.

"Gah, dammit," I sigh and stand up with a yawn. I offer a hand to Rin who takes it with a grin.

"Just talk to him, Mio. We're living in the same building now anyway. You can't avoid him forever," he tells me before running over to join Shiemi. I rest my hands on my hips and smile wanly. He's right. I can't avoid him forever, as much as I would like to. I eye the display case again. I don't think we're going to learn anything about it really in class. At least not the action stuff. Like, learning to shoot and whatever.

I go back to my punching bag and give it a good punch-kick combo that Tsubaki had taught us. It is good stress relief. I should come do this on my own time.

By the time class is over, I'm even more sweaty and disgusting. I don't even bother putting my uniform back on to go back to the dorm; I was planning on washing my PE outfit anyway.

Rin's outside already waiting for Shiemi and I. It's become sort of a habit that the three of us walk home together since Shiemi can get home from pretty much anywhere.

"Ri~n" I complain, "Carry me, I'm tired!"

"No way! You smell," he comments wrinkling his nose.

"You asshole," I grumble kicking him in the butt. "You would carry Shiemi if she asked." Rin's face flushes like a tomato while I laugh. Shiemi, of course, only looks confused.

"Stop teasing me dammit!" shouts Rin. I stick my tongue out at him and jog a few paces before them. I take off the track sweater and tie it around my waist, leaving a white tank underneath. Much better.

"Damn, summer's coming fast, isn't it?" I comment, looking up at the sky. "I'm getting excited about vacation, how about you guys?"

"Hell yeah!" agrees Rin.

"I hope we can all do something fun together!"

"Definitely! We can try to get everyone together and maybe go to the beach or something. I bet you'd look great in a bikini, Shiemi." I look at Rin and grin slyly. "Wouldn't she, Rin?"

"B-bikini…"His eyes glaze over during his mental imaging. He snaps out of it and glares at me with a furious blush. I snort and turn back in the direction of the dorms. I hear Rin trying to make excuses to Shiemi after she asks him if he was alright.

"Are you guys coming?" I call back to them. "It's getting late."

"Coming!"

We arrive at the dorms and Shiemi uses her key to get to get back to the supply shop. Rin and I walk into the foyer of our dorm and Kuro is there to greet us, well more to meow at Rin to make dinner for him. My stomach rumbles at the notion of food.

"Rin~ Can you make dinner? I don't want to go to the cafeteria."

"Fine, fine. But you owe me!"

"Sure thing! You name it, you got it. Whachu making tonight?" I follow him into the kitchen and sit on the counter while he busies himself looking through the fridge and bringing out vegetables and the like.

"Stir fry sound ok?" He glances at me while setting up a cutting board before washing his hands.

My eyes glaze over dreamily. "I don't even remember the last time I had a good stir fry. They have some at the cafeteria but it's seriously lacking in the taste department." Rin grins and tosses some cut vegies into a wok with spices and uses cooking chopsticks to flip them around with skill that I'll never even hope to have. I rest my chin on a hand and watch semi-enviously.

I hear the door creak in the foyer signaling someone's arrival—Okumura most likely. I peer over my shoulder and soon enough, Okumura walks through the entrance to the dining hall. My shoulders automatically stiffen.

"Good evening, Rin. Honda." I'm surprised at how relaxed he sounds. I offer a weak smile.

"Hey, Yukio!" greets Rin with a wave. "Hungry?"

"Very. Long day today," he says running a hand through his hair. He adjusts his glasses and I watch him carefully waiting for the annoyed glare or disapproving glance. It doesn't come. He simply heads up the stairs for a few minutes and when he comes back down, his coat, briefcase and holsters are missing and his tie is loosened. Rin whistles some nameless tune, totally aware of my discomfort as he finishes up cooking. Okumura sets the table—for three I notice to some surprise, I half expected him to ignore me entirely. I guess he really isn't that immature. That's more something I would do.

"Food's up!" calls Rin cheerfully. I kind of wanted to punch him. I sit awkwardly at a placement at the table while Rin serves. Okumura takes his place across from Rin and adjusts his glasses. He smiles politely in my direction. Rin plops down next to me and mumbles a 'thanks for the food', and digs in. Okumura follows suit shortly after in a more civilized fashion and I pick at my food a little before taking a bite.

The silence goes on, Rin seems almost oblivious to the tension, except for the fact that his tail twitches nervously every few seconds. He jabs me in the side. I almost curse at him but swallow it. He motions with his head for me to initiate a conversation. Ugh. I sigh. What should I say? This is so stupid. Okumura is younger than me!

"So… Okumura, when is the class going to start learning the basics about becoming a dragoon?" I mentally slap myself together and look at Okumura straight on. This predicament that I've landed myself in is not my fault. So I shouldn't be acting like it is.

"Well, unless a student makes a point of asking for advanced lessons, fundamental dragoon skills are taught second year by a specialist."

"You mean all I had to do was ask to begin my training?" I've been running around being useless while I could have been on my way already!

"Yes, it was stated in the syllabus handed out at the beginning of the year. Did you not read it?" Oh… He sees my sheepish expression and sighs. "It's part of a student's responsibility to take the initiative to succeed."

"Sylla-what?" Rin interrupts slurping a noodle. I snort. "What?" Okumura face palms at his brother's lack of a brain.

"Syllabus, Rin. It's the handout I gave to the class at the beginning of the year explaining the course material."

"Oh! That thing! We were supposed to read that?" Rin scratches his head with a careless smile.

"Yes, everyone was supposed to read it," Okumura accentuates sending me a disapproving glance.

"Eheh… So anyway, say I ask you now to be my dragoon teacher… would you do it?" I lean forward hopefully and wait for the answer.

He clears his throat before answering. "Under normal circumstances, as you are doing satisfactory in your normal cram school lessons, I would accept. However, you are still under surveillance. As such, you would have to get permission from the principal, Sir Pheles."

"You don't seriously think Mio is a spy do you, Yukio?"

"Honda is as perceptive as it gets and she meddles in business where she doesn't belong… but no I don't believe that she is a spy. She's much too conspicuous to be a spy."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like, Mio. You're too much of a yankee to be a spy!" As Rin points and laughs, I slap him over the head.

"What the hell, Mio!"

"Even if I don't believe that you are a spy, you still have to get permission from Sir Pheles." I groan and slump in my chair.

"Do I really? That guy is so creepy and gets on my nerves…" Rin nods in agreement.

"Have more respect for your superior, Honda." I cross my arms. It's not that I'm worried that he wouldn't give me permission. Well, actually I'm not sure what he'd do. I'm never sure what he'd do.

The rest of dinner continues on uneventfully. There's some light conversation and Rin making an idiot of himself, as usual. Okumura doesn't seem mad at me anymore. He does act a little more impersonally though. Well, even more so than usual.

I excuse myself from the table before taking my dishes to the sink and head upstairs, where a hot bath was waiting for me. I still smelled from PE today. Ew.

I sigh in content as I slip into the water to soak after washing myself. I could spend hours in a tub like this. It's so nice and quiet too. Not at all like the girls' bath at the old dorm. Looking down at myself, I definitely notice some changes. I've lost some weight from the crazy exorcist PE. Why can't I be as pretty and curvy as Shiemi?

"Why can't I attract better dudes than fucking Yusuke? What a loser." I dunk my head under the water sullenly and blow bubbles. "If he ever makes another move on me than I'll kick his ass. He better stay the fuck away from me starting tomorrow."

Once I'm finished, I dry my hair a little and pull a brush through it before wrapping myself in a towel. I don't mind walking to and from the bathroom in a towel since I have the floor to myself, and I trust the twins enough to know that they wouldn't pull anything nasty. I feel so much more relaxed now that I'm clean. It's like I don't have to worry about anything. I shuffle the stuff in my arms so I can have a free hand to open my door and enter and flip on the light.

Something catches my eye and I turn around to face the window. And scream.