Chapter 6: Eyes on me
Yamamoto-san walked with me until we found a bench to sit on. He insisted I tell him what had happened. I told him I had upset Hibari-sempai and caused a scene. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole story either. What choice did I have though? How could I tell him what really happened without giving something away? This wasn't something Yamamoto-san could help me with anyways, it was far to dangerous. If Yamamoto-san found out Hibari-sempai's secret, and mine, there was no telling what the senior would do.
"Thanks for talking to me, Yamamoto-san, but don't you have to be at the sushi shop? I thought you were helping out your dad this evening?" I asked.
"I was on my way home when I saw you, but it's no big deal. Dad will understand. I can come with you to get your bag, if you like?" he offered. I shook my head.
"No, it's fine. I can go myself. I don't want to hold you up any longer. Besides, I think I need to talk to Hibari-sempai. I'll still see you later though?" I asked.
"You bet! I should be free around seven. I'll come and get you when I'm done!" he said. "Are you sure you are alright now?" he asked, his concern clear. I smiled at him, he really was a kind person.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you again." I said. I stood off and dusted off my pants. "I better get going. I'll see you later." I said with a little wave as I walked away, possibly to my death. I had to talk with Hibari-sempai, but this time I would be prepared. We had to come to some kind of understanding. I didn't want to encroach on his territory, or whatever his problem with me was, but I wasn't going anywhere either. Mama and I had just moved into town. It would be at least a year before we left, but hopefully longer.
There was still that little voice in the back of my head, telling me that Hibari-sempai wasn't as aware as I thought he was. He might not know that I am a vampire at all. Maybe he wasn't what he appeared to be either. There were too many unknowns hanging in the air that I needed to clear up. It wasn't safe for me at this school until I knew exactly where we both stood.
Walking back to the school seemed to take a lot less time than leaving it had. Even though it only felt like minutes had passed the sun was lower in the sky when I arrived. What were the odds that he would even be here still? I had to try though; this was too important to leave until tomorrow. I also really needed my bookbag back. If I lost my homework on the first day of school the consequences would be dire.
I walked through the school gates and made my way to the reception room. If Hibari-sempai was still here, that is where I would find him. I felt conflicted as I walked down the halls. I didn't know what was going to happen and it scared me. I could just scent the air and see if he is still in the school… but the part of me that was scared of this encounter was worried that he would be there. So, I waited until I was outside of the door. I didn't have to take much a of a breath in before his scent hit my nose. In fact, he was so close he might as well have been standing right in front of me! I shouldn't have been surprised when the door slid open and a firm hand pulled me into the room, but I still yelped.
The door was closed with a decisive snick and I was left staring into the oval eyes of a very pensive Hibari, Kyoya. Stiff with shock and anxiety, I decided to let him make the first move. Slowly he backed away from me but kept his eyes on me as he stalked around the room. He sat down in the plush chair located behind an office desk. My bag was resting innocently on its surface. He motioned to it.
"You came for this, didn't you?" he said. I slowly nodded my head. He narrowed his eyes at me when I didn't move. "Then retrieve it." He said. Voice even, eyes calculating, even his scent didn't fluctuate. He put me on edge. So much for this meeting being on my terms. A little reluctant, I walked towards the desk. I kept my eyes on him as I reached for the bag. He waited until I had grabbed onto it before capturing my wrist for himself.
He pulled me down so that my face was level with his own and I gasped at the rough treatment, bracing myself with my other hand. He was staring at my face, eyes moving back and forth before settling on my own. He smirked, and I stopped breathing out of fear.
"L-let go." I mumbled. Instead of releasing me he tugged me down further.
"What are you?" he asked, and my mind froze as my eyes widened.
He really didn't know, but he was clearly starting to figure it out! I pulled my wrist out of his grasp, needing space.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I spat out. Hibari-sempai was smiling now, rubbing at the hand I had just pulled away from.
"Do you think I am an ignorant man, Herbivore? I am well aware of my own heritage, and we have the same eyes." He all but hissed. I took a step back.
"N-no." I said. "You're wrong. My… My eyes are brown." I said weakly, struggling to find something to say. Some lie to get me out of this situation. I wasn't supposed to be found out. Not like this, not by someone like him, not on the first day of school!
"Not always. Today, in the hallway and just now, they were amber. You slipped up, little omnivore. You know as well as I do that I'm not just talking about colours. I'm talking about your pupils. Did you think I wouldn't notice?" He said. My throat felt like it was closing, and my hand gripped my hair as I stared at the floor.
"No.. no." I repeated. Not sure what to say. He said he knew about his heritage, and that he recognized the same thing in me, but what did that mean exactly? Did that mean I was right, was he a vampire? Or was he something in between, like me? How could this have happened? What would I tell my mother? Suddenly, he was in front of me, tilting my head up and forcing me to look at him.
"They changed colour again. Is it fear?" He said, voice steady. His eyes narrowed again, curiosity mixing through his scent. "When is the last time you fed?" he asked. I gaped at him.
"Eh -EEEHH?" I screeched, I was so surprised that he had asked me about that, that I almost forgot to be afraid of him. He flinched back a little and scowled. The hold he had on my chin tightened too.
"Never make that noise around me again." He said. All I could do was nod dumbly. He let go and walked away from me again, the odd atmosphere from before now broken. I looked at him in confusion as he started sorting papers on his desk.
"You… you won't kill me?" I asked in a small voice. He glanced over at me.
"Are you a danger to the students?" he asked. I waved my hands out in front of me.
"No, no, no, no! Absolutely not!" I exclaimed. To be honest, he looked a little disappointed but nodded his head.
"Then no, I won't kill you…" he said, but seemed to think better of it, "on two conditions." He added. I swallowed and nodded my head. He could really be asking anything of me here, but what choice did I have? I hadn't learned compulsion yet, so I couldn't force him to forget this. It was really hard to compel other vampires anyways. I could ask mama to try, compulsion was my mother's specialty, but I really didn't want to tell her about this. I was desperate so I agreed.
"O-okay. What conditions?" I asked.
"First, you will report here to me once a week after school, on Fridays. You will complete any tasks I assign you. Second, you will answer all of my questions. Is that clear, omnivore?" he said. I nodded my head rapidly.
"Hai H-Hibari-sempai!" I said and bowed low. I could smell his amusement.
"Fine. Then take your bag and leave. On Friday, do not be late." He said. I quickly complied and hurried out of the room, school bag in tow. When I had originally decided to seek out Hibari-sempai, it was so I could ask him my own questions and set boundaries. I hadn't managed to accomplish any of that, but I had managed to leave with my bookbag and my life, so I counted it as a win.
It was nearly six I got home and Momma was not impressed. She was standing in the kitchen waiting for me to walk in.
"Tsunayoshi, where have you been all this time?" she asked with her arms crossed. I ducked my head.
"At the school." I told her as I took off my shoes. Lucky for me, it was the truth. Vampires could smell a lie.
"Eh? Really…? Why so late?" she asked.
"Well, after class I ended up touring some of the clubs. I, err, made a friend in the boxing club? He asked me to go to tryouts tomorrow. I ended up staying around the gym for a bit and talking with the rest of the boxing club." I said I looked up at her. Her face and posture had done a full one-eighty.
"A new friend in the boxing club, that's great Tsu-chan! I'm so glad you are branching out! I don't know if joining a club is a good idea if they are going to keep you out this late on the first day… how late do practices usually go?" she asked. I scratched my head.
"Actually, I don't know. I wasn't there that long. What happened was I forgot my bag and had to go back and get it." I said. Mom sighed.
"Oh Tsu-chan… That isn't very responsible you know?" she said.
"I know, I'm sorry." I replied.
"Well, no harm no foul I suppose. Do you want some supper?" she asked me, graciously changing the topic. I nodded and headed to the kitchen to help her.
In the end I didn't tell her about Hibari-sempai… I was becoming quite the liar. Lies of omission were still lies. Part of me just didn't want to worry or disappoint her, but the other part wanted to keep quiet for selfish reasons. I don't know why, but I didn't want her to make Hibari-sempai forget. As terrified of him as I was at the beginning of the day, and as scared of him as I still was, it felt good to know someone else that was like me. Maybe he could understand what it was like.
He said that he had questions for me too, and I was looking forward to hearing them. I had questions for him too. This was the first time I had ever found someone I could make a real connection with, in regard to my vampiric nature. He promised not to kill me either, which had been a legitimate concern. I have always been a better empath than Mama too, and I couldn't detect any deceit in his scent. I guess I was just hoping I could trust him. Mama would never approve though.
Speaking of which…
"Mama, when are you going to teach me how to hunt?" I asked. She dropped her spatula.
"Eh… EEEHHHH!?" she screeched.
