Mairimashita! Iruma-kun: Shadows of the Past, part 16
Robin woke up with a startle. He looked around in a panic, trying to sit up, but he didn't get far. Both wrists were bound to the rails of his bed. Recognizing Nene beside him, he worriedly asked where Bachiko was.
Nene smiled serenely, gently petting his head. "It's alright, son. She'll be fine", she assured. He relaxed visibly as he settled onto his back. "Thank you", be said sincerely. He knew he had hurt her, but wasn't sure how badly.
"I'm sure Victoria had meant to pierce her heart, but you managed to divert it...right?", she ventured. He grinned faintly at her insight. He was glad he had succeeded. "You only hit her shoulder, but my assistant can heal that easily", she explained.
After giving him a moment to clear his head, she looked at him keenly. "You're as reckless as Kalego-kun with those marks… When you fought off Ai before, you attacked your inner self, didn't you?", she asked sharply. He looked to her in surprise, wondering how she knew that and recalling Balam's story several days before.
Sternly peering into his golden eyes at close range, she grumbled audibly. Her cheeks were puffed out in disapproval with mild anger. Sighing, she returned to her seat.
"While I applaud your fervor, what you did was dangerous. When you ripped open your belly in your mindscape, it damaged your soul", she stated darkly. His eyes widened. He hadn't thought about it at the time.
Nene smirked, amused with her own skill. "Luckily for you, I was able to fix that", she said. "Thank you… I won't do it again", said Robin. She could tell by his tone that he meant it.
Gently patting his stomach, she said, "You'll be happy to know that I've undone that curse. It's just your eye now and whatever she's done to your mind." He grinned gratefully. He was truly lucky to have Nene-sama at his side.
"So… Tell me what the new order is", she said keenly. He was impressed with her with each thing she saw through. "Pandora-san", he stated grimly.
Nene appeared to be in deep thought. "That may change again now that Persephone is here… If you hear anything at all from Ai, I want you to contact me immediately, even if you don't think you'll be able to tell me. Understood?"
He nodded obediently. She smiled gently, sorry he had to be bound so. She stared sadly at his wrists. "It's okay, Nene-sama. I prefer it this way. I can't trust myself yet", he said a little glumly, yet giving her a reassuring smile. "Call me Mum", she grinned.
Elsewhere, in a hidden mansion, Victoria smiled evilly. She still had access to Robin's ears and he was none the wiser.
"So, Lamya's back? How delightful. Nothing like a willing sheep for the altar", she said. A nearby servant held their tongue, not looking directly at her master or her guest. Baal looked uninterested as he sipped his wine.
"So kill her. Just remember that Babylus is mine", he said idly. Victoria grinned at her investor's words. "Yes, I know, and the human", she replied. He smirked at her in response. Their partnership was founded solely on wanting to return demon kind to their origins. The fall of Babylus was his project and Naberius was hers. Iruma was simply a gift for Kiriwo. Not telling him that she had access to other humans was no violation of their contract.
"Are you going to have Bars kill her, too?", inquired Baal, choosing some food off a platter nearby. "No, that wouldn't be any fun. I think Kalego-kun ought to be the one to slay Persephone, don't you?", she said, a sadistic blush on her face.
He grinned approvingly. "But can you make him do it?", he asked, skeptical. "Of course", she assured. "He only thinks he can defy me. You'll see."
Late that night, Kalego woke up from his fifth nightmare. Each one was a little different, but a student or close friend perishing was the running theme.
In this last one, he held Pandora's limp body, covered in her blood. Shichiro blamed him for everything. "If you had only done what Victoria wanted, none of this would have happened. Pandora didn't have to die! Everything is your fault!", he'd shouted.
He knew the look of utter despair in Balam's eyes wasn't real, nor the immense hatred in his voice, but still, his heart raced. A cold sweat covered his body. Was Victoria somehow messing with him or were his fears simply taking over?
He never thought Pandora could still be alive, never imagined she could come back, or picture just how much Shichiro really needed her. If they lost her now, Balam would be irreparably damaged. The kind, reliable demon he'd known for so long would be lost.
Gritting his teeth, Kalego went to wash his face to calm down. When he first looked in the mirror afterward, he'd seen Victoria's marks in his eyes. Shaking himself awake, he looked again. His reflection was back to normal. Still, he knew she was watching. Gripping his sink in frustration, he called out, "What do you want from me?!". A planted spark of madness was slowly growing.
Easily imagining her smug grin, he could hear her say, "Everything", somewhere far away. Unable to sleep, he sat in his favorite chair and summoned a book to occupy his mind. If nothing else, he could try to distract himself just a little.
At class the following morning, he looked unwell. Even his usually rambunctious students were worried. He looked really pale and dark circles were prominent under his eyes. Not willing to accept their pity, he pressed on.
Still, visions from his nightmares plagued him. At first glance, everyone looked dead, bloody, or zombified. Sitting at his desk during lunch, he held his head in his hands. He didn't even register the sound of someone nearby.
He jolted as Persephone touched his arm. She looked at him with concern, unused to such a startled look in his eyes. Sitting on the edge of his desk beside him, she silently pulled him near, holding his head to her chest in a pseudo hug.
"If you go see Pandora looking like that, she'll worry", she stated. It was her way of showing she still cared about him and he was so exhausted, he didn't fight her touch. In fact, the sound of her heartbeat was somehow calming.
After several minutes of quiet, he finally sat up and straightened his appearance. "That's better", she grinned. He smirked in response, knowing she had silently taken some of his anguish. Whether it was magic or simply her gentle touch, he wasn't sure. He would address that thought another time.
"Thank you", he said begrudgingly. She hadn't held him like that in a long time. She smiled fondly at him, recalling the past, then sighed faintly, diverting her gaze.
"Try to take better care of yourself. Shichiro and Pan-chan are counting on you. If you fall apart now, it'll be a slap in their faces", she said, half chiding, half concerned. There was a lot he hadn't said, but she knew him well.
"If the nightmares are back, you should have called me. I would have come over", she said, trying to conceal her feelings. Grinning slightly, he replied, "They never left... Besides, it was better that you were here with her." She was glad to have spent time with her cousin, though she knew a solid sleep spell would have done him good.
"You're doing it again", she said, not looking at him. "So I am", he ceded. Sure enough, he was pushing her away after she'd come to check on him. He knew just how easily things might resume between them and he was determined to keep Victoria at bay. He wouldn't let her hurt anyone else precious to him, even if it meant being alone.
Getting to her feet, Persephone unexpectedly kissed the top of his head. "Get some rest", she said as she left. He knew she was right, but did she have to go so far? His chest felt warm for the first time in years, but he couldn't let his guard down. Still, he had a renewed sense of purpose. He would keep Babylus and his friends safe no matter what.
Elsewhere, Pandora eagerly poured over some books Shichiro had brought her. "You're a published author! That's amazing!", she praised. He shyly smiled at her words. "This workbook for imaginary creatures is really good", she grinned.
Naturally, it would be thorough. He was the head of such research for the school. That discussion is what had prompted him to bring her examples. She looked so proud when he'd told her.
Her smile suddenly fell as she remembered something. "Shichiro!" He was startled by the outburst, but was eager to hear her out.
"When I was with Ai… She brought in humans… Real humans. They do exist", she said, a mix of sadness at the memories and hope that he would rejoice. He stared with wide eyes. Victoria's taunts about eating them were real, then. He worried about Iruma, knowing that.
"Shichiro-kun?" Pulled from his thoughts, he tried to think of a good response. "She mentioned it once when we talked… Did she really kill them?", he asked, concerned. Pandora looked at him sullenly. She had anticipated a much happier reaction.
"Such an endangered species and she - " Her voice broke. She was trembling. This was the first time she'd let him see her like this since her rescue. She was always putting on a brave face, trying to be the light she used to be. Seeing her so shaken was painful.
A tear rolled down her face as Balam hugged her gently in support. "She was awful", she said meekly, reliving the hell. His grip tightened around her, but she could tell he was still holding back. Once he let go, she stared at him with conviction.
"I know you're afraid you're going to hurt me, but don't be. I know you could never… Just trust yourself. Don't be afraid to touch me", she uttered. Her cheeks were tinged red, but she meant it.
Shichiro froze as something inside broke. He'd been fighting hard against his touch addiction since their reunion, but he worried about getting carried away.They had lost so much time.
He slowly reached toward her with nervous fingers. "You don't know what you're asking", he blushed. Gently guiding his hand to her face, she nuzzled affectionately into his palm. "Of course I do. I love you."
Those words were the crack that broke the dam. Swiftly snatching her up, he held her closer than ever before. She was relieved and amused by his affection. Settling into his arms, she cuddled happily. He felt so warm and she felt safe there against him.
"Did you really mean that?", he asked weakly. It was barely a whisper. If he weren't so close to her ear, she likely wouldn't have heard him. Relaxing into him, she smiled to herself. "I've always loved you, Shichiro-kun", she stated softly.
A moment of intense emotion kept them locked in that embrace. Then, without warning, a warm kiss followed. She knew he felt the same way, even if he was too shy to say it out loud, but surprises happen every day.
"I love you, too, Pan-chan", he said sincerely, gazing into her vivid, pink eyes. He held her face in his hands, amazed that anyone could feel so happy. Tears started to form in those beautiful eyes and she launched herself into a tight embrace.
Balam's meal period didn't have long left. It would be hard to leave again after this, but he knew her loving smile would be waiting upon his return.
To be continued...