"Okay, that's all for today. I will see you all in next semester. Have fun, but don't forget to do your summer homework."
After I finish my sentence, the school bell ring, it's loud shrill signaling the end of the school day. The class rep stands up first and recites the order accordingly: "Stand up, bow." The class follows suit, but instead of saying goodbye, every girl confesses their feeling for me after one another.
"I'm going to miss you, teacher."
"Let's go out for a date."
"I love you."
"See you in the next semester, my darling."
I'm delighted just listening to them confessing their love to me every day as long as my father and Azazel do not disturb my peaceful life.
You can say I'm at the peak of my life: No more running, no more leeching, and best of all, I'm living under the same roof with a high school girl, having a cute adorable sister, and working as a teacher surrounded by these pure young lovely girls, a lily garden.
What more can I ask?
That's right. If I remove my Sacred Gear, others will not go after me, and Sona-chan won't have to stress over me.
"Sensei, is there something on my face?"
"Huh?!"
"By any chance, were you about to confess your love to me?"
The girls let out a high-pitched squeal loud enough to wake the dead. Seem like while I was spacing out, my eyes unconsciously drew to her.
"Sensei, is it true?"
"Are you having a crush on Himejima-san?"
"Yes, you both would make a perfect couple."
"My, my, thank you, everyone." Akeno cracks a big, beautiful smile thanking the girls as she secretly exchanges a look teasing me.
"Don't be stupid." I do my best to remain aloof and act indifferent. I excuse myself and leave the classroom, hiding my flushing red cheeks from Akeno's keen eyes.
Yes, there's a black rose blooming dazzlingly among the lily garden, the rarest and most beautiful, named Himejima Akeno. She's a thorn to my side, yet I can't tear my eyes from her enchanting violet eyes. Sometimes I even daydream of sealing my lips against her or locking her up in a basement where no one can disturb us.
I know it is wrong to bear these sickening ill thoughts toward my pupil, to this young lady. Yet somehow, I feel Akeno would accept me readily and indulge me.
As for other girls, I never once view them in that way.
Rias treats me well as a family a sister would do.
Sona-chan is my master whom I owe my life to her.
Asia is a new family member of Hazuki, my sweet young adoptive sister I have always wished to have, and I must protect her at any cost.
And for Raynare, well, she's my sex buddy.
"Sensei, do you have a moment?"
Her enthralling voice is enough to make my heartbeat elevate and my stomach flutter. What would happen if we were alone together? God, I don't want to imagine.
"Yes."
I turn my head face-to-face with the gentle face with an everlasting smile.
"What is it, Himejima-san?"
She let out a soft giggle as she naturally intertwined my hand. "It's Akeno." The other hand's tapping my lips teasingly to emphasize her word. "A-Ke-No."
I give in and repeat the word hypnotically. "Akeno-san."
Satisfied, she lets her hand go.
"Do you need something?" I cross my arm, leaning on the wall. On the outside, I act naturally, but my ugly side is impatiently waiting for her following words.
Because all these past few days, Akeno's doing nothing but push and pull, seducing me. I can't help but ask for more and get drunk on her scent. Occasionally, I wonder whether I would get a chance, like back when she gave me her fresh warm panty or not.
And soon before I realize it has become an addiction.
That I also completely forgot the hardcore BDSM magazine Akeno-san has and asked her to give it back to me.
"Are you free after this?"
"Sorry, I have someplace to go."
"Oh, that's too bad because I need someone to help me pick a new swimsuit for the summer."
The words swimsuit strikes me like a bolt of thunder; I almost blurt the word out of my mouth. 'Yes, let's hit the mall.' But, I withhold it despite her tempting invitation. It cannot beat the fear and the shame of being exposed in front of everyone.
However, Akeno is doing well at stripping my armor off piece by piece. I don't know how long I can stand long last against her.
"If so, what about this Friday?" She adds. "Don't worry, Rias and Sona will join in too." Assuring me.
I narrow my eyebrow, considering whether to accept or not. But since Sona-chan is also going, I would like to come along and learn more about her.
"Yes, for sure. I'll go."
"Ufufu. That's a promise then."
00oo00oo00oo00
After finishing school work, I hurriedly ran and caught the train (before it left at six p.m). The destination I'm heading to is out of Kuoh's town. It takes an hour to the hotel where my father is staying.
As I walk past the door into the hotel's lobby, a cold chill running down my spine makes my skin crawl. I shake it off by convincing myself it's just an air conditioner blowing above me and make my way to the reception desk. However, once I lift my foot, my knees miserably wobble and give out in seconds. I'm sprawling on the floor like a puppet with its string cut.
What is this unbearable feeling? My heart is heavy as lead; every time I breathe in for air, it hurts so much that all of my innards want to turn inside out; the air in here makes me nauseous to the point I want to flee away, from this place as far as I can. If only I could stop my damn useless legs from quivering and haul myself up.
Nothing surprised me when I learned that the Devil, Fallen Angel, God exists in this world as we speak, but whoever is in this building, I can tell they are dangerous and malicious, despite never having learned Sacred Gear or magic.
If I crossed paths with them, they would annihilate me as soon they set their sights upon me.
The guest and the hotel's staff soon gather around me, helping and asking me with care and concern. I'm genuinely thankful for their kindness, and as much as I hate to draw attention, there's nothing I can do but sit on the cold marble floor pitifully waiting for this tragic play to end with an ambulance sending me to the hospital.
Guess I have no choice but to see my father for another day in another place.
"Sister, you drunk again!? Talk about nuisance."
I don't know who this stranger claimed to be, my family member. But I won't forgive them for accusing me of a fucking drunkard.
I give him a nasty look and see he's a handsome teenager with glowing hypnotic blue eyes. He's looking very dapper in the modest traditional navy blue military-style uniform. It fit perfectly for his lean, well-proportioned frames, adding more to his charm.
"I sincerely apologize for my sister causing trouble for everyone." He casually places his hands on my shoulder and politely bows to everyone in a well-mannered.
With that, they leave us and go back to their own business. And the nauseous feeling that turns my tummy upside down is also gone as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you, kid. Now, if you excuse me."
As I'm about to take my leave, he put one hand on the pillar, cornering me and inclining his face to mine, so close I feel uncomfortable, but mostly annoyed by his arrogant smirking pretty face that I wish to mold it with my fists.
"Where are you going?"
His strange aura almost screams danger putting me off, it's making him seem taller and bigger than me, but in reality, his height is not even close to mine. So before the fear takes hold of me, I stand tall and sneer down at him.
"You're cute, kid. Unless you were a girl and four years older, I might reconsider taking you out dining."
"Aren't you here for Eisen?"
He catches my attention immediately after he says my father's name.
"You must be Hazuki Mao, Eisen's daughter. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mao-san. I am called Cao Cao, the descendant of the famous Cao Cao."
I was hoping he does not happen to be a freaking whatsoever supernatural being he is. But~Oh boy! Here we go again—another not-so-important character intruding into my quiet, peaceful life, making it even livelier than ever. Yaaay.
And whatever his relationship he has with my father? I don't want to get involved at all.
"Let's go. You don't want your beloved father to wait on you, do you?"
Cao Cao doesn't give me time to reply. He aggressively grasps my wrist and stomps his feet to the elevator. When the door slit open, he throws me inside and pushes the button to the upper floor, which he already has in mind.
"Jeez, it's not like I'm running away." I rub my shoulder, groaning in annoyance.
"But your eyes tell me differently, Hazuki Mao."
Yes.
He's right about I'm scared of him.
Despite how much I would love to kick his balls and flee. I'm at a disadvantage since I have never learned to use the Sacred Gear or anything about the supernatural world and its history.
My first impression of Azazel is that he's an old cunning fox, but I can trust him since he's the leader of the Fallen Angel. He's coming to greet me personally, which means he must have kept tabs on me for a long time.
And this kid who self-proclaimed to be Cao Cao, the infamous hero, I would say he's an arrogant tyrant teenager who happens to possess the Sacred Gear power.
"Let's play a game, shall we? Are you need to do is answer with yes, no, and maybe." He gazes silently into mine for a few seconds. My eyes twitch, feeling discomfort by his piercing blue eyes. "Please answer me truthfully. Are we clear?" He softly adds, almost murmuring.
"Yes."
Cao Cao takes the helm controlling the conversation before I can wrap my head around how to tackle this freaking psychopath.
"Do you interesting in men?"
We start with that!?
"Maybe."
"Are you living by yourself?"
"No."
"Seeing anyone?"
"No."
"...Politic?"
"No."
"...Skiing?"
"Yes."
After asking me several pointless questions, he asks me this.
"You must have sensed that foul lust blood, right?"
It makes my blood run cold.
"Yes."
"Do you think it have to do with your father?"
"No."
"Now?"
"Yes."
A low and soft chuckle escapes his lips. It appears he's pleased with my truthful answer so far.
"Do you believe, no, do you aware of the other supernatural existence?"
"Yes."
"Then, do you think us humans can surpass them or not?"
It's a simple question, but it speaks loud and clear he is planning to wage war against them.
His thinking is pure madness. He and what army?
And from the way he spoke, he knows I'm a Sacred Gear user. He's manipulated me into agreeing to join in his parade. And who knows what would happen if I said no?
Just when my mind is swirling in anxiety, being cornered by a predator, the elevator comes to a halt, and the door sliding opens. Cao Cao then lets out a long sigh.
"Time's up. We're here."
I stay silent and obediently follow behind his back to my father's suite.
Even though we're no longer in the cramped elevator, I can feel his tight grip around my neck that I hardly breathe in and out for air.
Cao Cao knocks on the door in rhythm one and then two, he repeats it twice more times, and my father hoarsely replies, sounding tiring.
"Cao Cao-kun? What is it?"
"Your daughter is here."
"Welcome in, my daughter."
He swings open the door with a brilliant smile on his face. To this day, I find it eerie that he moves swiftly and nimbly like a cat to get to the door without making a single sound considering his bulky figure.
He lowers his voice as possible, asking me while holding up a fist to me with a thumb sliding in and out between the index and middle finger.
"Did you and Asia have sex yet?"
As he ends his sentence, I slap his dirty mouth out of disgust. His head rotates to the side and leaves a red hand mark on his cheek.
Others parents usually would ask their children how their days were? Not openly asking how many times they masturbate a week? Or their very first time losing virginity? But my father is a vulgar man, so he's not shying to talk about this stuff in public.
I'm hoping he did not teach anything too sexual to Asia, a former nun, because it would leave her trauma for the rest of her life.
"That's a no, then."
And did he think I would lay my hands on Asia after our first encounter? I'm not much of a scumbag to do such a crime.
"Hahaha."
My body flinches at his laugh. It spontaneously goes into the defensive stance, ready to face a threat.
"I'm glad to see you enjoying your father and daughter bonding time." Cao Cao cheerfully chimes in the conversation.
My mind is too focused on my father that I forget his menacing presence.
"Let me introduce."
My father encircles Cao Cao's neck with his muscular arm, putting him in a chokehold, and playfully messes his hair with others' hands.
"This is my trustworthy bodyguard, Cao Cao."
Bodyguard?
"I-Is that so?"
"Well, I don't think a former boxing light heavyweight champion like you here need the protection." He wittily retorts.
"Thank you. But flatter me won't get you anything." He lets out a roar of laughter as he slaps Cao Cao's back playfully.
I flop down on the luxury white and golden sofa and narrow my eyes, looking at the short exchange between my father and Cao Cao. People might mistake these two are father and son, considering how they get along swimmingly, laughing at their stupid jokes.
My father might think Cao Cao is his counterpart, but I sense something far more dangerous, a deep black hole hungry for power behind that youth's eyes.
00oo00oo00oo00
My father picks up the teacup and leans back in his seat, eyeing me thoughtfully.
"Mao, what are you here for?"
"I would like you to adopt Asia and cancel the wedding."
His gaze sterns, pausing with the cup halfway to his lips and setting it on the table, flatly objecting to my suggestion.
"No!"
"W-Why?"
Standing behind my father, Cao Cao comes forward and asks him but unintentionally not murmuring in his ear for me to hear them.
"Are you sure about this, Eisen? I mean sooner or later, she'll know."
I'm not too fond of him even though Cao Cao's not sitting in the chair and having the tea with us. He was standing there, acting nothing more than a spectator. But I feel he has my father and me in his palm.
"Cao Cao-kun."
My father does not like him overstepping his boundary either.
"Excuse me, Eisen. I did not mean to upset you."
With that, Cao Cao stays silent and stands behind. My father clears his throat, his focus back on me.
"Do you trust me?"
"No. I never did once."
He answers with a chuckle. His eyes trail off, staring into the distance at something out of his reach.
"Are you need to know I'm doing this for Asia and you?"
"Stop with the bullshit." I snort.
"Mao, please listen." He begs.
"You fucking leave me behind to clean up your dirty mess."
"I know I mess it up big time."
"Not just once." I point it out. "Too many damn times already."
"Yes, that's why I try to make it right this time."
I yank on his shirt and pull him up from his seat, smacking my forehead against his.
"And why can't you break off this stupid play? Do you think I will forgive you everything after I happily married to Asia?"
"Yes, that's what I hope for." He shamelessly agrees, not bothering to hide his intention anymore.
"Asia asked me to forgive you, but forget it."
...
After Mao left the room, Eisen threw a quick jab at Cao Cao's face, glaring down at the boy.
"What was that just now? Didn't I tell you I'll do the talking?"
"Well, sorry for trying to help you."
Cao Cao doesn't seem too upset after Eisen leaves an ugly bruise on his eyes, but he enjoys seeing Eisen's anger more as he's struggling to make things right with his only daughter.
Eisen goes to the wine cabinet, takes one bottle, pops it, and douses himself in the bitter liquor.
"I will settle the score with Diodora as planned."
Cao Cao leaves the mad man drenched in red liquid alone in the room, thinking back to Hazuki Mao.
He's not sure, but he can sense it in her. She has it—the Sacred Gear.
