Mairimashita! Iruma-kun: Shadows of the Past, part 6
The next morning, Robin awoke in his bed with a nasty headache. Was it all just a nightmare? He sincerely hoped it was. Hastily removing his pajamas, he found the dark mark over his stomach, proof of the night's events. He clutched his clothing tightly in frustration. He was desperate to tell Kalego everything, but… What was so important again? Everything was fuzzy in his mind. He remembered Bedlam and the scarred woman. He recalled painfully receiving his second curse. Yet he could not remember what after that specifically filled him with such dread and that didn't bode well.
He called Kalego immediately, arranging a meeting. Once he arrived to the school, he waited in Sullivan's office. Finally, the others arrived. The principal took his seat as his desk, Opera by his side. Kalego stared darkly at the floor as Balam entered and took his place. All eyes settled over Robin.
"Show them", ordered Kalego. With little hesitation, Robin showed them his belly. Balam inspected the new mark carefully. He traced the outline in thought, withdrawing when Robin flinched. "Does it still hurt?", asked Bam with worry. "I'm ticklish", ceded Robin sheepishly. "Idiot", grumbled Kalego as he facepalmed.
Robin resumed his seat and readied himself for the intense interview. "Robin-kun, please tell us everything", said Sullivan, watching him keenly. With a shy nod, the young teacher recounted what he could remember, starting with his encounter with Eiko. He gave identifying details about the stranger that called himself Bedlam. As his story got to the mansion, he hesitated. Intense eyes awaited his next words.
He told them of Victoria's hidden hideout even though he didn't recall where precisely it was and how she had tormented him. He admitted to running his mouth, but it seemed of little importance to Sullivan. The chair demon even complimented Robin on withholding what he could, knowing it wasn't easy and the deepest secrets had remained safe. Robin told them about the healer, catching Balam's attention. Victoria's offer to fix his face was possible after all. He touched his mask without thought, only pulled back to reality by a stern voice.
"And then she just let you go?", inquired Kalego skeptically. Robin stared into his balled hands upon his lap. There was something important he was supposed to tell them, but why couldn't he remember? Iruma's trio flashed briefly through his mind. Yes, that was it!... Yet he was unable to speak the warning. He jolted as he realized how close Opera was to his face, staring with a searching gaze. "He's been sealed", they stated. Nearby, Kalego grumbled in irritation.
"Of course she would", he sighed, tired of Victoria's tricks. "I want to tell you! I just… can't", said Robin, starting with conviction and ending meekly. "We can try hypnosis", ventured Balam, thinking aloud. Sullivan was carefully eying the tangled magic surrounding the young teacher. It would be very difficult to undo.
"Opera", he suddenly said, "Make a call to Lady Nene. Make sure she knows it's an urgent request from me." Opera nodded, understanding perfectly and dialing immediately. "The purifier?", uttered Robin. He'd only heard her name mentioned in tales of dispelling legendary magic. He never once thought she would come from the front lines just to see him. Swallowing hard, he again realized just how important Sullivan was.
Glancing over to his right, he saw Balam deep in thought. On his left, Kalego had a dour look to him as he watched his kouhai. Robin fidgeted, wondering how to bring up the kind captive. In the meantime, Sullivan instructed the three of them to keep a close eye on Eiko in case of further possession and to watch each other's backs. Whatever Victoria was up to, it was getting serious. He dismissed them as Opera handed him the phone.
In the hall, Kalego gave Robin another stern warning to be more careful before heading to Royal One. Balam waved him off, but could tell the young teacher had more on his mind, so he invited him back to his study for tea. Once there, he wasn't surprised to see how upset Robin really was. He had put on an act in front of Kalego, but truth be told, he was starting to get scared. He jumped in alarm at Balam's touch. "Are you okay?", asked the kind demon. Robin accepted his tea and stared into it with misty eyes.
"What else can she make me do?", he asked, shaken. "I went so far with just one mark. Now - …", he trailed, afraid of what he might be capable of. Balam offered his sympathy as he gently patted Robin's head. "Everything will work out", he assured. Swallowing his fears, Robin tried to believe in the staff. "Senpai, please watch over me. If I seem like I'm up to something…", he trailed. Balam stared with soft eyes. "We will stop you if it comes to that", he agreed. Robin grinned faintly in relief. He knew Victoria's plan involved Iruma, but the rest was cloudy. The one thing he was certain of is that he didn't want to hurt anybody.
"Senpai", he uttered as Balam sat across from him. "That photo… Can I see it again?", he asked. Balam was confused as to why, but he gladly obliged. Robin stared hard at the picture. "Do you have one where she isn't smiling?", asked Robin. Balam eyed him carefully. Getting up, he retrieved a box from a high shelf. Setting it down, he inquired, "What is this about?".
The box was full of photos and a few precious trinkets. Robin frantically dug through the box, trying to confirm what he thought he had seen. Finally, a candid photo caught Pandora with a neutral expression. "It was her", mumbled Robin. Balam's eyes grew wide. Suddenly leaning close, he asked, "What did you say?!", desperate to confirm the suspicions Victoria had left with him. Robin instinctively scooted back from the intensity bearing down on him.
"Th-there was a captive woman there at the mansion. She helped me", offered Robin. Balam stared at him for more information. "She looked...different", he said carefully, "But I'm sure it was her." He looked at the photo again. "Those eyes", he uttered, remembering the pain held within them. Balam grasped his shoulders, peering deep into his eyes. "Tell me again", he said stiffly. "Victoria has Pandora", stated Robin with conviction.
He knew his senpai was utilizing his buzzer ability, but was unprepared for his reaction. Balam buckled to his knees without warning. He had yet to let go of Robin, but he stared at the floor near breathless. "Again", he said, shaken. As Balam slowly looked up and they locked eyes, Robin was caught off guard by the forming tears that met his gaze. "I saw her, senpai. Pandora's alive", he said with a supportive grin.
Suddenly in a tight, thankful embrace, Robin wheezed, "Senpai, you're crushing me." As gentle as Balam was, Robin sometimes forgot just how strong he was. A brief, audible 'pop' from Robin's back made Balam let go. He apologetically waved his hands, fretting to make sure his kouhai was unharmed. Once the panic passed, he picked Robin up over his shoulder and headed full steam ahead to Royal One.
Kalego was in the middle of a lecture when the door to his classroom was thrust open. "Kalego-kun!", called Balam, seemingly oblivious to the students. Robin waved with an assuring smile to the searching eyes around them. Kalego glowered at the intrusion. "Can this wait?", he asked, annoyed. He got his answer as his best friend dragged him out to the hall by the back of his collar.
Kalego was steaming when he got back on his feet. "What the hell is wrong with you?!", he spat, knowing the raucous kids left behind would be a major source of annoyance upon his return. Ignoring his ire, Balam set Robin down. "Tell him what you told me", he said excitedly. Robin was unnerved by his senpai's anger, but repeated himself anyway.
"Pandora is alive", he stated with conviction. Silence drifted between them as Kalego's temper evaporated. "What?", he asked, unconvinced. Robin once more went over everything about the kind captive at the mansion. When he finished, Kalego hung his head in his hand. "You waited until now to tell us this?", he said, exasperated. Robin shuffled nervously as he guiltily shied his gaze. "I didn't know when it would be a good time", he uttered meekly.
Balam excitedly looked at his friend. "We have another chance, Kalego. We can save her", he said pleadingly. Balam was stooped to see Kalego eye to eye with his hands clenched like a child waiting for a promise. Fighting off an eye twitch, Kalego tried to remain the voice of reason. "If we can verify it, we can look into a rescue", he stated.
Robin jolted in surprise as Balam planted his fist into the wall. "He's telling the truth", he argued. Kalego didn't flinch. "He's being truthful that he saw someone who looks like Pandora", he said calmly. Balam slowly backed down. "You're right", he uttered weakly. Sighing, Kalego set a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I know you want it to be her, Shichiro. We both do, but the likelihood of it actually being Pandora is low at best", he said, a little gloomy, even for him.
Robin glanced between the two old friends. He knew he had reopened some deep wounds. "I can go back", he offered. Kalego squinted at him. "It's too dangerous", he said, immediately shutting down any arguments. Balam stared at his marked hand. "I'll call her to me", he stated. "I can ask her directly. I'll know if she's lying", he added. Kalego hated to rely on 'buzzer' for something so important, especially since he knew how desperately Shichiro wanted it to be true. He also knew the connotations if it were.
"Shichiro, be careful. This could easily be a trap", said Kalego. He looked worried, something Robin was unused to. "But if it is her - ", began their kouhai with hope. "It won't be the same Pandora we lost", finished Balam. He had a pained look in his eyes. It was clear that he understood how much the innocent girl they lost back then would have been tortured over the years. There was no telling who they would get back. Still, he had to try. His chest hadn't hurt this much since her loss.
Kalego sighed. "Fine, but call me as soon you know for sure. Then we can make a plan." Balam nodded in agreement. "I won't take Victoria lightly", he promised. "Good", smirked Kalego. A loud noise from the class instigated an eye twinge. "Go ahead. Sorry to interrupt", said Balam, sheepishly scratching his head. As Kalego returned to work, Robin grinned to himself at the expected, "Silence!".
"Do you want me to come with you?", he asked. Balam shook his head. "Kalego-kun is right. It's too dangerous for you right now. Until we hear back from the principal about Lady Nene, don't do anything risky. I'll be alright. I won't let me guard down again", he said, clutching his marked hand. The motion made Robin want to ask about it, but he had already stirred enough drama for one day, so he excused himself, leaving his senpai alone with his thoughts.
Back in his study, Balam sat beside the box of photos. He grinned to himself at one in particular. They had so much fun that day at the batra festival. In the picture, it was their second year and Pandora was standing between himself and Kalego, clutching each tightly to her sides by their arms. Her smile warmed his worn heart. He was ready to face Victoria.
Removing his gloves, he closed his eyes and focused his mana on the mark, signaling he was ready to talk. It only took a few moments for Victoria's perfume to permeate the air. When Balam reopened his eyes, there she was, seated on the desk beside his precious photos. Victoria lifted a pink ribbon from the keepsake with an amused smirk. "How droll", she grinned. "Put it back", he said stiffly. Entertained by his reaction, she playfully dropped the ribbon back to the box. "So touchy today", she taunted.
Her grin faded at the look of resolution in Shichiro's eyes. "Then you've made a decision?", she carefully asked. Meeting her gaze, he had to know for certain. "Pandora's alive, isn't she?", he asked carefully. Victoria smiled to herself. "You really want such a tattered toy back?", she teased. His stern eyes never wavered. He was in no mood to humor her.
Victoria sighed, bored. Staring him in the eye, she replied, "She is. Your precious Pandora is just fine…mostly. Of course, I had to do something about that pretty face of hers." In a sudden move, Balam had Victoria by the neck against the wall. She dangled there, eyes wide, in shock; She hadn't anticipated this. He was barely containing his strength. Choking, she smirked. "If you kill me now, you'll never find her", she managed. Despite his swirling emotions, Balam slowly let go. Robin's words echoed in his mind, "She looked...different."
"What did you do to her?", demanded Shichiro, glaring intensely, but keeping his distance lest he lose his cool again. Victoria was right. He needed her alive. "So tense. You really should leave the nasty looks to Kalego-kun. They don't suit you", she said, idly exploring the room. As a test, she turned her back and said, "She was difficult to control at first, you know - So desperate to escape. She was sure you two would swoop in and save her. Such a childish dream." She peered over her shoulder with interest. What would the usually gentle giant do next?
He stared at his hand darkly. His body had gone rigid with barely contained hatred. Victoria enjoyed his descent. "You offered a trade?", he ventured. She grinned to herself as she strode to face him. "Ready to sell out your dear companion?", she asked. Balam looked up at her cold, blue eyes. "Not Kalego. Me", he corrected. Her eyes sparkled in amusement. "I thought you said he would never forgive you if you sacrificed yourself", she teased, evilly grinning.
Balam dropped his gaze. "For him, he wouldn't… For her… He'll understand", he uttered. Glancing back, he saw a deranged blush overtaking Victoria's face. "Oh, Shichiro", she cooed, delighted at the prospect. "You'll never be together. If I give that wench to Kalego, you come with me. Forever", she stated, stressing the last word. She let him mull it over a moment.
"No take backs?", he carefully inquired. "I may lie, steal, murder, and maim, but I never break a deal. Bow at my feet and that obnoxious pest is his", she promised, seductively. Holding out her hand, she chided, "This is a limited time offer."
Balam stared at her extended fingers, the same talons that marked his friends and himself. "I need more than that", he stated firmly. "Oh?", asked Victoria, intrigued. She was very amused by this side of Balam. "You have to remove all of Pandora's curses and you can't go after her again once she's free." He'd made his terms. Now he awaited an answer.
"I never saw you as a shrewd negotiator, but I like the look of desperation in your eyes... Consider it done. I'll contact you with the details of the exchange", she grinned, shaking his marked hand. "One more thing. When we trade prisoners, you will personally tell Kalego you were the one who decided this", she said, her eyes shining with a dark desire to see an anguished expression. Balam averted his gaze, but nodded. The deal had been made...or at least, that's what he wanted Ai to think.
To be continued...