Bara no Scarlet
Chapter 14
Changes
The redhead tossed the letter back on the table and looked calmly at Keuske. "Who is this 'End of the World' who thinks that he can pick and choose our lives?"
Rika's quiet voice broke the uneasy silence after Mariko's question. "We accepted that when we took up these rings. The Code of the Rose Signet is quite specific in our duties. We do as the letters say. If we don't…" His voice trailed off.
"If you don't, Mariko, then you will no longer be a Duelist. It's as simple as that. We play by the rules." Izumi looked across the table at Mariko. "If you don't like it, you have the choice to leave. But you can't ever come back."
Mariko glared daggers at the letter, green eyes brilliant with anger, but she sat back in her chair sullenly and didn't leave the room.
"So Mariko will offer the challenge tomorrow—"
Izumi's words were cut off by the door being thrown open with a jarring clatter. A blonde stalked in, blue eyes burning with a challenge to anyone who might refuse her presence.
"Ah," Keuske said casually. "Nanami Kiryuu. A… former member of the Rose Council."
"I want to Duel," Nanami snapped, glaring at Keuske.
Mariko's eyebrow quirked, and she tilted her head. "You were a Duellist once, Kiryuu. What makes you think that you have the right now to Duel?"
Nanami's slender hand slipped out of her pocket, and she cast something onto the table with disdain. Those on the Rose Council gasped when the object identified itself: a Black Rose Signet.
Worried, Rika looked to Nanami. "Nanami… where did you get this? A Rose Signet only turns black after its owner dies."
"I want to Duel," was Nanami's only answer.
The brunette stood and walked over to the blonde. "Nanami… where did you get that? Please, the Black Roses are not safe!" Rika took one of Nanami's hands into her own and shivered. "Your hands… Nanami, you're so cold!"
"Let her Duel in my stead," Mariko said. "If she wins, then I will Duel with her. It doesn't matter to me."
All eyes but Nanami's turned to Keuske. He thought for a moment, and then reached out and picked up the ring. "Come, little viper. Issue your challenge tomorrow. But should you lose… not one of us will acknowledge your actions, and you will never rank to anything in this school again. Are those terms acceptable to you, Nanami Kiryuu?"
A smile as cold as winter settled itself on Nanami's face. "Those terms are acceptable, Keuske Ojimiya. I do not plan to lose to that witch."
Slender hands packed a suitcase with care, though there was very little indeed to go in it. There were several Ohtori uniforms, socks, all of the usual things that one finds in the wardrobe of a young lady who goes to an elite private school. There was, nothing unusual, nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, if one were to look at it, she was entirely too ordinary.
She closed the suitcase and looked off into the darkness, towards the room where she knew he was sitting. "I'm leaving now."
Silence was her only answer.
She rose, took the suitcase in both hands, bowed slightly, and then turned to walk to the room with the elevator.
Anshii shivered as goosebumps suddenly raced down her arms and spine. Miki and Juri paused to look at her, but she shook her head and waved them on. Dinner had been excellent, and they were approaching the split in the path leading back to the faculty apartments.
"Trust Touga to run out on dinner. It's probably some girl," Juri remarked wryly as she reflected on his lack of presence.
"Touga has always looked for her in every girl he encounters. He hasn't learned to let go," Anshii replied.
Juri's cool blue eyes looked over to Anshii, but she did not voice the thought in her head: And you have let go?
"She'll be waiting for you, no doubt," Miki said quietly, looking ahead to the turn in the path that Anshii would take.
"Yes," Anshii replied. "It will be… strange, I think, to see her there. The guise of the Rosebride does not suit her well at all."
Juri nodded, and then looked to Anshii. "She's there."
Anshii looked ahead, and could only barely see Ayomi's figure ghosted in the shadows up ahead. Her stomach flipped a little, and she gave Juri a quick and almost nervous smile before moving towards the girl waiting for her.
Miki watched as Anshii approached Ayomi and the two moved off before he looked to Juri. "Now do you believe in miracles?"
The Fencing Instructor gave the Music Instructor one of Those Looks, and then turned and walked towards the faculty apartments.
Miki sighed and shook his head, following her quietly.