Chapter 14: Stained by That Demon
Thank you, mikan26 for being a constant reviewer! Mikan's training will be explored soon.
Painful family memories get served over expensive tea.
Featuring guesswork and gaming.
Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.
"What do you think you're doing here? Stay away from him, Youichi!" Natsume's furious red eyes met Kyousuke Minami's amused green orbs.
"Hey there, Hyuuga! I happened to pass by and saw Hijiri-kun practicing here. I was just saying hi. Don't worry, I'll be on my way. I have a feeling I'm not welcome to your soccer exploits this afternoon. Besides, a school official must not slack off."
He walked away from the soccer field whistling like he didn't have a care in the world.
Natsume turned to Youichi. "What did he want? Did he do to something to you? Tell me everything right now!"
"Relax, Natsume. He wasn't lying when he told you that he was just saying hi. We introduced ourselves. I was surprised to know that he's the High School Division's Student Records Director."
"Was that all? Don't hide anything from me."
"Natsume, why would I hide anything from you? Minami-san said he had a friend who liked playing soccer. They met here in the academy. However, there's one thing that he mentioned that I'd like you to clarify. I was really intrigued."
"What's that?"
"He said that you served detention in his office sometime ago. Four hours. What did you do to serve twice the usual amount of hours? You haven't told me that story yet, Natsume." Youichi smirked.
"That's because you don't need to know, Youichi."
"Come on, Natsume. Not even a clue?"
"No. That's final. Now, are we going to do penalty kicks or not? Get ready."
"If I block your shots, will you tell me about your detention adventure?"
"You're a million years too early to block my shots, Youichi. But I'd love to see you try."
"You're underestimating my abilities. I'll take my chances, Natsume. The story seems worth the effort."
"You're going down, boy."
After beating Youichi at soccer, Natsume headed back to the dormitory. He thought about what Minami had said during the initial moments of his memorable 4-hour detention in the Student Records Office.
"I highly doubt you're someone who can be tricked, Hyuuga."
"I think you're exactly the same," Natsume replied, eyeing Minami's controlling devices. The man who supervised his detention had three hoops in his right ear.
"We're the same because of another thing, actually." He gave an enigmatic smile.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"My life was stained by that demon too. Now, take the folders on top of that coffee table. Return them to the bottom shelf of the bookcase at the rightmost corner. It's the one with the chipped paint."
Natsume glared at him. "I'm not going to be your friend because of that similarity."
"I wasn't going for that, Hyuuga." Minami laughed. It sounded genuine.
Natsume and Ruka talked about the soccer field incident at their usual spot in the rooftop later that night.
"So, are you thinking that Persona harmed the friend Minami-san was talking about?"
"Ruka, I was thinking he might have gone beyond that. Maybe he even killed Minami's friend. It's Persona we're talking about here."
Ruka shivered.
"I hope that's not what happened, Natsume. Anyway, Minami-san appears to be in his early thirties, but we could be mistaken. He's older than Narumi-sensei for sure."
"It's fairly certain that Minami was still a student during the time Persona was uncaged. I wonder if the incident that happened to his friend during that time or years down the line."
"Hota-Imai said Minami-san came from abroad. He has a sister in the Ministry of Defense. He's willing to give you information. Principal Yukihira trusts him. He claims to be an ally. Is there anything else we know about him?"
"Now I know how Polka dots felt when she heard you muttering the name you can't say aloud. Just say it, Ruka. Ho-ta-ru. Easy, right?" Natsume smirked.
"We don't have time for that, Natsume."
"If you say so. Well, all this guessing is going nowhere. I'll just ask Minami outright before this week ends. Maybe we'll have another one of those personal conversations, as he calls them."
Minami had tea ready for Natsume when they had the anticipated conversation.
"What do you want to know, Hyuuga?"
"You know what I want to know."
"I thought it would be nice to hear you ask, Flame boy. Drink your tea. You won't regret it. It tastes divine. It should be, it costs a lot."
"I'm not a boy!"
"You are a boy to me." Minami motioned to the tea once again and Natsume took a sip. It did taste good so he drank more.
"See, you should listen to your elders. Did you know I'm older than Izumi Yukihira?"
Natsume choked on the expensive tea.
The Student Records Director laughed. "I'll take that a compliment, Hyuuga. I have a youthful face, though I must confess I'm only three years older than Izumi."
"Then, the friend you were talking about with Youichi was Mikan's father?"
"Nope. The friend that I was talking about was Liam. He's in Manchester, which is a good place for soccer fans. You already knew that. Do you like Manchester United or Manchester City or other English teams? Oh, your best friend is half-French so-"
"So I support Paris Saint-Germain. I'm not here to talk about soccer. Were you working in England before you became the Student Records Director?"
"Nope. I was working in Belgium. I guess your guesswork needs polishing. Okay, I think we have finally come to the point where we get down to business."
Natsume nodded. Minami's eyes lost all traces of mirth.
"I was teaching Physics in the High School Division when Mikan's father first came here. Izumi and I frequented the same bar in Central Town. Some of the teachers had a drinking club and we were both a part of it. Those were good times. I liked Izumi's carefree attitude and his love for his students. My niece, Fuyumi, was one of his students." He sighed. "I had already gone abroad when Izumi got killed."
Natsume felt troubled. It had not crossed his mind that Minami was close with Mikan's father. "Is that why you told me that your life was also stained by that demon?"
"That's only part of the reason. My niece really liked Izumi because he wasn't a boring teacher. Fuyumi was fearless. She wanted to know what really happened to her favorite teacher. She did find out, at the cost of her life."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Fuyumi's father, my older brother, was one of the academy's directors at that time. It didn't matter. The former Elementary School Division's principal had no mercy, as you know every well. Persona killed her, and it doesn't really matter to me whether it was an accident or compliance to Kuonji's order."
Natsume didn't know what to say so he just stared at his empty teacup.
"I'll say this once again, Hyuuga. You and Sakura-san have allies rallying behind both of you, whatever path you choose to take. I'm one of those allies, even if you don't want me to be. It's still hard for me to believe, but I know that Sakura-san has forgiven Persona from the bottom of her heart."
"Mikan's the only person who can do that."
"I don't agree with her choice. Still, I'm willing to put that aside. I began working here again to make sure that this academy will not produce another Persona. One was already too much. Take care of her, alright? Or else Izumi might haunt you." Minami smiled.
Natsume put on his best scowl. "You speak like I don't take care of her."
"I didn't say that. I think I've talked enough. It's your turn, Hyuuga. I'm interested in that form you submitted after the deadline. You're planning to study Game Production in HAL Tokyo College of Technology & Design?"
"You already read it. What's there to talk about? I couldn't really care less where I go to college. I just want to get out of this place. I merely copied what Koko and Kitsu wrote down on their forms."
"That school has won the grand prize for the Japan Game Awards Amateur Category seven times. It's also located in a tower. It also accepts international students."
"That's what they said. I told you I don't really care."
"I think you should. Specialist training starts next week. Do you really want to spend three years of specialization on something you won't pursue in the end?"
"I'm focused on thinking how Mikan can get out of here after those three years."
"I don't doubt that. Hmm. Since you already mentioned Sakura-san, I think it's best you go to her now. It's time for dinner, Hyuuga."
Natsume was surprised. He didn't notice the time. "Thanks, I guess."
"For what?"
"For the tea. What else?" He smirked and left Minami's office.
Natsume and Ruka finished eating dinner in record time so they could talk about the Student Records Director's revelation. Ruka sighed after hearing the story. They were silent for a few minutes.
"That's so tragic. We couldn't have guessed all of that, Natsume."
"Yeah. I've always known that it wasn't only my life that has been scarred by Persona, but I really had a hard time listening to Minami."
"I still can't believe Minami-san is that old. I still find it hard to believe that Sakura's father is younger than him."
"Minami also has a very influential family. His uncle was a director here. His sister is in the Ministry of Defense. He holds the records in the High School Division. He mentioned that he was in Belgium. The European Union's headquarters in in that country. He might have worked there. What kind of family is that? I don't care what he says about being an ally. It's best to stay wary of him. He might be a baby-faced assassin after all."
"I think you're right, Natsume. We can't place our trust in a stranger."
End of Fourteenth Chapter
You know the drill regarding the courses and schools mentioned throughout this story. They are absolutely real, just like the three Football Clubs cited in this chapter.
Thank you everyone for reading Flame's latest chapter!