Chapter 21: My Obsession
I really don't want to be class manager- that's too much work and what if they find out I'm mostly human?! I'm sure they don't take too kindly to hybrid types either… Tsukune thought with some apprehension as he walked across the mostly-empty hallway then proceeded to commit suicide by head banging into a nearby pillar. He felt a quiet presence, but he ignored it.
"Congratulations, class manager Aono Tsukune," said a stoic female voice from behind; he turned around to see the differently-dressed purple girl from before.
"Just who are you, lollipop girl? And what the heck are you trying to do? It's all your fault that I've almost became the class manager- I'm not good at that type of stuff!" Tsukune shouted out with frustration as the girl continued to look at him with her signature blank look before taking out the newspaper from yesterday.
"It's only 'almost', so there's still a chance not to… anyways, the newspaper you guys passed out yesterday, and I read it. Your articles are really good…" the purple haired girl said as Tsukune was in thought. 'There's still a chance not to'? What's she on about? A bit on the eccentric side I guess.
"My name is Shirayuki Mizore; you're my favourite," she introduced herself, and actually spoke without the lollipop in her mouth.
Any clue what kind of Youkai she is? Tsukune asked his inner self as he glanced down at Mizore, who was leading him by holding onto his arm.
Unfortunately, she hasn't shown enough about herself for me to deduce what species she is, the reply came from his head and he kind of expected it as well.
"I know you probably like your food, but you don't really need to cling to me right, Shirayuki-san?" Tsukune asked politely as the purple-haired mystery stopped before the food terminal.
"I didn't go to most of the first semester; mostly because I have difficulty in socialising with people. But, I have always been looking forward for Nekome-sensei to bring me a copy of the school newspaper. That's why I'm your fan reader…" Mizore said, a rare but pretty smile on her face.
Check this out: I made a scrapbook out of all the newspapers you've written…" she said as she handed him a colourful book.
"Thanks- wow, I don't know what to say… I appreciate your work, this is pretty cool…" Tsukune started as he turned the pages; she seems troublesome sometimes, but she actually seems like a genuine, honest type of character… wait what is this- Tsukune thought with some shock as he saw copies of his articles with lots of weird deep writing all over them, like an obsessed fan and the idol he deifies.
"So what do you think? I wrote a lot on what I thought about the paper…" the girl explained, her eyes closed, and her hands lightly resting on her slightly flustered face.
Alright… this girl is a very weird, possibly genuine, and disturbingly honest character, Tsukune concluded in his head, sweat slowly dripping from his face.
"I really like the columns that you wrote; it's always from a weak or shy opinion which I can respond to. Your personality and way of thinking are really similar to mine…" the girl sported a slightly tilted glance as she spoke and her face seemed a bit unhappy, as if regretting something.
"You're also a loner right? I can tell, you know…" she spoke quietly.
Tsukune, be careful… there's nothing more dangerous than a misunderstanding girl… plus there's still something off about her- keep your wits about, his inner self gave him a warning, as he was once again lead away by the strange and possibly dangerous Mizore.
Skimming many times through the water, a stone finally stopped its flight and sunk into the water.
"Yay! Did you see? Did you see? Tsukune, that was nine hops! Nine hops!" Mizore shouted with a small hint of glee as her figure bounced on the spot. Tsukune was just clapping lightly.
"Umm, Shirayuki-san, I have this little thing I have to go to, so… can we leave?" Tsukune said with an uncomfortable smile. However, the response of Mizore holding him from behind was not the one he wanted.
"No… it's your turn now, Tsukune. You need the practice, because you're still a noob, and can only make it hop four times- I've seen yetis throw better than you," Mizore replied as she held onto Tsukune's helpless figure.
Damn, she won't let me go- she really likes my attention. But I still don't really know much about her, which kind of makes me nervous- and even better, I might miss the party because this girl is not letting go, Tsukune thought as he started to cry to himself. However, he froze as he sensed the clingy Mizore's presence change to something more sinister. Her eyes now looked even colder than before, devoid of all emotion but desire for possession, and her face was completely hostile.
"Do you want to go to the place where Akashiya Moka is at, Tsukune? Please don't, don't go… I don't know what I'll do to her. I really don't like that girl," the cold Mizore said as the temperature in the air dropped significantly as clouds of cold water vapour slowly spun around them. Even more surprising, Mizore's figure was growing ice in some parts, as if they were a part of her.
"You… will be mine… only mine," her icy voice rang shivered Tsukune's body.
Ice... That can only mean one thing- this girl is likely to be a Yuki-Onna, manipulator of ice and snow, and kidnapper of men. Unlucky to be you right? His inner said to him, half-jokingly. Just my luck, so I have to avoid any ice or even better, any form of nearby water, Tsukune thought with a sigh as he jumped away.
"Tsukune, I won't let you run away… you and I are bound. This ice will keep us together forever," Mizore said as the swamp froze and bits of ice rose from the ground to attack Tsukune.
"As flattering as it is, I prefer not to be frozen and have any sort of freedom taken away from myself," Tsukune said as he sliced through one of the ice spikes that protruded from the ground with his katana. Even as ice grabbed onto his body, he managed to lice through it all.
"Tsukune, why do you do this? Stay here; be with me… we've met eachother because it was our destiny… because we're loners. We can understand eachother and warm each other's hearts. You're the only one… so please Tsukune, will you be mine?" Mizore's face had a slight sad smile; it was begging at Tsukune, only making him more curious.
"Wait up, I am not alone- I am in this place with my friends, however different they may be to myself. We rely on eachother; we care for eachother- that's what makes our bonds of friendship. So, you are wrong when you say I am a loner," Tsukune said as he saw two figures in the sky amongst the mist. It was Kurumu and Moka.
"You should be dead… my clone should've killed you by now," Mizore stated, her face showing a hint of surprise.
"Hmpf, too bad, my amazing instinct helped at the last minute, and your clone is in more pieces than a jigsaw puzzle," Kurumu replied with a smirk, as Tsukune clenched onto his katana tighter.
"Don't get in the way!" an angry Mizore screeched as huge, sharp pillars of ice shot out from the ground, aiming at Tsukune's friends. Noo! This has to end, Tsukune thought as he charged the demonic power and his normal strength into his katana.
"Shirayuki-san, you can attack me, but you will not harm my friends! This will end now!" Tsukune declared as he brought the katana down hard into the ice. Flashes of red, blue and black danced around as the ice around them cracked and melted, and Mizore herself was thrown across into the nearby forest, leaving a trail of crackling air and water vapour.
So hi guys, another chapter here, and I hope you like the action in it, and the occasional (bad) attempts at comedy. I've tried to add some of my own bits (e.g. speech, fights, actions etc.), so that my story isn't like a direct carbon copy of the manga. Thankfully, it's the summer holidays (going into year 11 now!), so I can post a bit more. I hope you all agree in the idea that this story and general writing is much better than it was at the start, right? Enjoy the chapter and until next time, I'll try to update more since it's the holidays.