Unravel

by ChiioUnicorn

Megaton is overrun by monsters with its last two chevaliers slaughtered. The Chevalerie are forced to assign their weakest unit, Shimoda Rin, to keep the city safe. Struggling to discern friend and foe alike, all she wants is a quiet life. An enemy alliance threatens humanity's survival. Will Rin rise up and become what the world needs her to be?

5. Red Shoes

a/n: if you all know about ageism, you must have experienced it at least once in your lifetime whether you're old or young. Sometimes, you're underestimated about how you can do your job and go unappreciated. "I don't like being told what to do by younger people" or "old people work so slow they should just quit." I think it's important to acknowledge these kinds of things in today's world. Discrimination isn't just about appearances. Any kind of segregation hurts. If you hear someone saying these kinds of things, stop and think - is this kind of behavior right to tolerate?

Take a stand.

I know the subject above has nothing to do with the update… but perhaps it may touch upon more about how these characters deal with similar problems related to segregation.

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Unravel

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Chapter Four

Red Shoes

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Rin's POV

Five deaths at this school.

Tonight, will I become the sixth victim?

A thunderous roar brought the night storm to life as my feet took the plunge, diving headfirst into the heart of battle. I had no warrior's heart - I took no joy or pride in fighting for my duty or honor. That wasn't to say fear was absent. Of course I felt the tremulous fluttering of my nerves beating against my ribcage like butterfly wings. Death would be out of my control - and I wouldn't be able to do anything but surrender to the helplessness uncertainty of it all.

Tonight… would I meet my end at long last? Would I sleep in eternity instead of waking to the warmth of the sun's rays gleaming through my bedroom window?

Would… would anyone miss me if I were gone? Would they remember my face or voice? Would they care to leave a flower on my moat before burning my bones to ash?

It's not as though I'm scared of death. I just don't want to be forgotten. I don't want to be just a passing memory.

The fear inside me was still there, but my body and mind weren't working in tandem. I've simply become disconnected to the reality of it all.

Right now, I wasn't fighting for the sake of pride or honor. No… I was... dancing in the rain.

Gleam. Clash!

The blade of my scissors reflected my glazed, unseeing gaze as I brought it in a downward strike at Medusa's scaly throat. Bursting into sharp, mocking laughter, the gorgon batted it away with tremendous strength that outmatched my own. My vision was blinded by scales and rain as she barraged me with hit after hit - her serpentine body slithering across the slippery floor fast as lightning. Her dislodged scales hit the glass roof, bringing the thunderstorm to our battle. I forced myself not to flinch even as I was barraged with icy torrents of rain.

All the while, I had to scale higher ground to avoid her cobras lunging at me with salivating venom dripping from their fangs.

"HSST!"

"SVAKKK!"

Their necks flared out like emerald fans as they sprang from the darkness in hopes to tear my throat out. Breaking apart my blades into two, I spread them out like wings and arched my feet en pointe. Raising my arms, I twirled across the pool in rapid turns as my blades cut away into snake necks - decapitating their heads as choked cries escaped their dying throats. I spiraled through a rain of blood with only the dying ceiling lights as my audience.

28… 29… 30.

I finally ceased after the 30th pique turn, turning to Medusa and mockingly curtsying into a low rėvėrence as the last of her cobras fell as into a headless heap of snakeskins. By that time, my shoes were completely dyed red from the bloodbath.

"NOOO! How dare you!" Medusa let out a grating scream that pierced my ears as she towered over me - higher and higher - each time lightning lit up her features that twisted deeper into a murderous fury. Heartbreak darkened her eyes as she took in each and every one of her fallen brethren. A shallow wail shook the walls as she let out a skyward curse - her claws growing twice their size. "YOU'LL DIE FOR THIS!"

In a flash she slithered across the slippery floor before leaping to close the distance. I barely managed to dodge in time before she had already sprang off the wall to attack me again. And again. And again.

We skidded across the wet grounds as though tangling in an aquatic tango. Water was clearly Medusa's element. Her movements were swift, decisive - gliding over the tides as though she were one with the cascade.

"YOU DEMON CHILD FILTHY PIECE OF TRASH!" The more I dodged her blows, the angrier she became. Each missed hit fueled her fury into striking faster - harder. She showed no signs of tiring, unlike me. I clenched my teeth in pain as her sharp nails skimmed the side of my shoulder. It was getting more difficult to remain on the defensive, but she wasn't allowing me to get even one hit in. Through her frenzy, she shrieked deathly promises to skewer me, scald me, and skin me alive.

"COME TOMORROW I'LL SKEWER YOUR LIMBS ON THE SCHOOL FLAGPOLE FOR ALL TO WITNESS YOUR HUMILIATION! THE LAST THING YOU'LL SEE IS EVERYONE'S EYES AS YOU BLEED OUT A SLOW. EXCRUCIATING DEATH!"

Her scaly tail lashed out against the wall behind me where I once stood, breaking apart the metal in shambles with such brute force the walls would've screamed if they had voices.

"Ugh!" I did my best to parry her blows, but some were too fast for me to dodge or block in time. She caught on that I was a poor combatant in tight corners and trapped me against walls or corners using her body to her advantage. I was nearly plummeted into the pool if not for the bleachers. As I scaled the bleachers, she slithered after me hot on my heels. One attack left me blindsided, forcing me to take ground.

I stole a glance at Kaito, who was still unconscious and remained slumped against the wall across the room. The cold waters kept lapping at his body. He was becoming more pallid by the minute - most likely, Medusa must have poisoned him. He would be dead in a few hours if left untreated. That meant I needed to hurry…

"TO BE DISTRACTED IS TO DIE, DEARIE!" Medusa's horrible laughter rang in my ears as she brought her tail down for a heavy strike. My body reacted at the last moment, spinning out of her range just as the blow landed on the floor - her monstrous strength causing the floor to splinter.

"Hsst…" Her tongue darted out in a restless manner as her snake eyes sought mine. Flinching, I immediately averted my gaze without aforethought. Unfortunately, this must have been what she wanted. Medusa coiled around me in tight circles - disrupting my concentration by using her cursed eyes. It was all it took me simply to avoid her searing gaze that threatened to turn me to stone.

CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

Her assault grew more aggressive, causing me to stumble each time I attempted to block her attacks. I struggled to maintain my footing even as I was pushed back with each staggering blow. There were too many close calls in which I barely managed to evade being wrapped in her deathly coils. She was relentless, and this weather was to her advantage. I couldn't count how many times I nearly fell due to how slippery the floor was. This, unfortunately, didn't slow Medusa down in the slightest.

"Come now, chevalier!" Medusa sneered, clawing at the air where I was once. The snakes in her hair went awry, their red eyes matching their mistress's homicidal bloodlust. "Don't insult me if you intend to kill me like this! Surely, this isn't your best!" She lunged at me again, blindsiding me. I never saw her dirty trick coming until it was too late. With a sharp sweep of her tail hitting the pool, she drenched me with chlorine water - blinding me. She gave me no time to recover as she struck out with her tail with brute force - sending me flying right into the steel wall.

At first I felt nothing. Then pain exploded through my senses as my head pulsated and bones vibrated from the impact. I wanted to scream but all that left my throat was a weak whimper. I suddenly felt ashamed and pathetic, like a kicked puppy who never even stood a chance against the alpha. Rivets of blood drained from my mouth as the pressure of her blow finally began to settle in my abdomen. My ears were ringing. My eyes were spinning. My body hurt everywhere. At least four ribs were broken - caving into my lungs.

Bitter, bitter, bitter.

The taste of my own blood exploded in my mouth - overwhelming my senses. It tasted so bitter I wanted to throw up. I heaved, only to gurgle in pathetic gulps lest I ended up choking on my own blood. Warm, metallic, and suffocating - it felt as though I were drowning.

I hit my head so hard I knew it was a concussion. My vision went fuzzy as my knees gave way to the floor. Bloodstained strands fell into my eyes as my scalp left a sticky, warm trail on the cracked wall. My scissors were ways away, split in two and far out of reach. One of them went sailing through the open roof while another sank to the bottom of the pool with a splash. I could only watch helplessly as a shadow fell over me, aligning with my own. I made the mistake of meeting her villainous gaze as she yanked me up by the hair. The effect of her eyes left me paralyzed, unable to fight back. A mere glance wasn't enough to petrify me into stone, but it was enough to engulf me in fear.

I bit back an agonized whimper as to not give her any satisfaction of showing weakness. Difficult as it was, I had no time to gauge the emotions in her shadowed gaze as she ensnared me in place, her serpentine body coiling around my body and squeezing the life out of me. She made sure to bind me tightly - slowly so that I could feel every moment of my ribs caving into my lungs. And she made certain to make me feel all the helplessness and pain she had felt from earlier, to pay me back with a slow, crushing death.

"You've soured my expectations, Rin. Taking me lightly proved to be your undoing." The gorgon hissed with a vindictive chuckle, flicking her tongue out to taste the blood dripping down my face. "Now, sweet one - you will die in my embrace."

I coudn't… breathe…!

My survival instinct kicked in as I broke out of paralysis, desperately clawing my nails into her scaly skin. I fought tooth and nail to break free of her hold. Flecks of darkness took over my fading gaze as my defiant lungs seared against the cold fingers of Death. Choking for air, I squirmed and flailed like helpless prey but to no avail. The harder I struggled, the tighter she crushed me with enough force to break every bone in my body.

"Ahh, it's been so long since I've fed on a young girl. You'll make a fine sampling before the feast! Devouring your blue eyes will revitalize my complexion!" Digging her nose into my skin, she inhaled deeply before letting out a sigh of ecstasy - one that made my skin crawl. "What a rich, sweet scent! It's almost a pity you're a flower cut before the bloom, Rin. You could have grown into such a stunning beauty if not for your meddling." She crooned before toying with a stray lock of mine. "Fret not, sweetling. You won't be alone in Hell. Misery loves company, does it not?" She paused to take in the sight of my struggling before smirking. "That aunt and sister of yours? Yes, I know of them. I've checked your file. I'll make certain no one finds what's left of them… eyes, ears, lips, tongues… all of you will make me beautiful again." I didn't know how long I struggled for, but it was only when I heard Medusa cackling those threats in my ear did cold fury freeze the blood in my veins before reigniting my will to survive.

This harlot…! My shock quickly gave way to the blistering frost of my temper, my blood roaring in my ears like a raging blizzard. She would dare drag Auntie and Lily into this when this had nothing to do with them?! Decorum be damned, I would not let her walk away alive after crossing Rin Shimoda and her family! She wanted to fight dirty then? I would certainly give her dirty.

Blood dripped into my eyes and dyed my vision red as I bared my teeth in angry determination and twisted around to meet her surprised expression. With an infuriated scream, I lashed out at her with a headbutt to her face. She let out a pained cry of shock and loosened her hold on me momentarily. It was enough to give my lungs the relief that was so badly needed. Within two deep breaths, I was on her again. Bolstered by adrenaline, my body overcame the agony and slipped into a mindless overdrive - possessed with a dormant strength I never knew I had. Because of the blood and rain, it became slippery enough for me to continue my assault.

"What is this sudden strength? It can't be… you're a human!" Medusa cried, though her words fell deaf on my ears. "Get off me, you little brat! AGH!" My rage didn't let up as I continued launching myself at her, tearing at her hair and clawing at her eyes even as her venomous snakes bit my arms and hands. At some point she slammed me against the floor several times. If anything, that only enraged me further. Then she attempted to drag me into the pool, to which I reacted. Just as my hair touched the water's surface, I grabbed hold of a broken pipe and stabbed it into her tail - causing her to reel back with a pained scream. Rounding on her, I hit her over and over even when she moved to ensnare me once again. Her grip on me was slippery, however, and I was able to move much more freely even as she held me mid-air. A rain of her blood splattered against my face and clothes but at this point I stopped caring.

Medusa struggled to fend me off despite being stronger than me, however I was quicker and ended up splitting the pipe in two upon hitting her face - stunning her senseless. With no weapon in hand, I resorted to using my acrylic nails to claw at her eyes. Overcome by my own thirst for vengeance, I dug and dug and dug deeper until there was a sickening squelch followed by a wet warmth pooling in my palms. It was then I finally froze, unable to gauge what I had just done. An excruciating howl shook the walls as the terrified gorgon desperately flung me aside, forcing me to break away as she clutched at her bleeding eyes. My body flew higher and higher - giving me the sensation of flying before I ended up crashing through the glass ceiling, landing on the roof with a hard thud.

Below me inside the indoor pool, I watched a writhing Medusa grasp at empty air as her previous smug dominatrix role melted away into raw, unadulterated terror. This breakdown of hers revealed who she truly was - a helpless, cowardly snake who relied on primitive lust and ill-conceived deception to slither through a sloppy chain of murders. But now - without the use of her eyes, her threat as a gorgon was all but squandered. Even if she did manage to win this fight at the expense of my life, it wouldn't be long until someone stronger - monster or chevalier - would come along to snuff out her existence. Like a melting candle, her life was rapidly drowning in an endless sea of wax.

And… judging by her screams, the revelation was all too much for her to bear. Yet I couldn't find it in me to feel even the slightest bit sorry for her.

"NOOO! What have you done to me?!" Medusa blindly reached for something to hold - anything. Her hands were shaking as she touched her face all over, shaking her head in denial before crying out in tearful rage. There was a flood of blood gaping from empty sockets where her eyes should have been. "They're gone! You've ruined me! I'm ruined! You devil child! I'll hang you up with your innards!"

The cold wind blustered around me, stinging the exposed wounds on my bare skin. My breathing broke into short, ragged gasps as I struggled to my feet. My muscles ached and screamed each time I moved. My skin was riddled with glass sticking out of parts of my body. My eyes fell over to my hands that were caked with blood, either hers or mine or both I couldn't be certain. I took dull notice of the fact that I had broken almost all of my nail extensions from clawing out Medusa's eyes. My stomach turned over in itself as the realization of having done something so animalistic dawned on me. The puddle at my feet reflected my bloody self and the still frenzied look in my blue eyes caused my heart to leap into my throat. Then the puddle rippled and for a moment I saw my reflection warp into the ghastly image of Bloody Mary herself, her wiry hair adrift and mouth gaping open in mad delight as her feverish eyes knowingly bore into mine.

No...

The pouring rain washed away the filth left on me, drowning my senses. It was then my rage wore off and the consequences of my concussion finally began to settle. I swayed on my feet, panting harshly as my vision faded in and out. The pain was so intense I was nearly overcome to collapse. I struggled to stay conscious as my eyes fell on one of Noitcelfer's rusted blades strewn ways away from me. Blood gushed from my wounds the more I moved, slowing my senses. I barely felt the pain of hitting the ground when I did - by then, I was dimly aware of the fact I was crawling on my belly like a worm. The puddles reflected Medusa surging from the rooftop and lunging for me with both claws outstretched.

The moment my fingers grabbed the hilt of my blade, I was violently tossed into the air once more before being dragged through a series of windows that left me battered. All I felt was the splitting pain as my body tore itself apart. A blinded Medusa scaled the school walls as her sightless sockets bulged, snarling in my face before hurling me through the windows of another room. My rolling body hit the stone floor in a sea of glass.

"Agh… ghh…." The ringing in my ears grew louder as the deafening thunder boomed outside. I tried to get up, but my body wouldn't obey me. Pain rocketed through my body each time I breathed. Breathing heavily, my fear set my senses on fire. I was forced to lie there in a pool of my own blood with shattered glass everywhere, on the brink of unconsciousness. A flash of lighting momentarily lit up my surroundings, and it was then I realized I was inside the school's boiler room.

It was warm in here… like a hug.

The creaky pipes burbled and groaned as the large black boiler sputtered to life - literally. A strange light filled up the room as Hollow Yves broke into a series of raspy chortles, prompting me to lift my head using tremendous effort. The valve opened to reveal a pair of angry demonic eyes residing with an entity of fire. The creature didn't speak - appearing bored as its fiery eyes narrowed over my prone form with hostile regard. Clearly all it cared about was being left alone and my being an unwelcome disruption. My attention was diverted when I heard Medusa rampaging after me, her shrieks signalling her approach.

With quaking arms, I plunged my blade into the ground to drag myself where the boiler was. Every fibre in my body fought to survive, leaving behind a trail of blood that the blinded gorgon was able to pick up on. It wasn't long until she appeared through the broken window - the snakes in her hair going awry at the sight of me.

At once, I felt the sensation of her tail wrapping around my heel - halting my progress and dragging me back towards her with sadistic, slow intention of drawing out the inevitable as I fruitlessly struggled.

"Kcchhh! Let me… hrrk... go!" The burbling pipes drowned out my weak voice and it was then I was reminded of a gorgon's aversion to heat. With several kicks against the nest of rusty pipes behind me, I managed to puncture them and release a burst of hot steam right in Medusa's direction. With a wounded shriek, she immediately released me to escape the heat.

Again, it felt like an eternity to reach the boiler. Sweat dribbled down my neck from the sweltering heat around me. With each tremendous pull, I would best describe this agony as though I were dragging myself out of hell.

My bloody fingers managed to draw a transmutation circle right below the demon. Chevaliers who were born with the ability to manipulate the arcane arts belonged in the Enchanter class. As a Dueler, I couldn't summon any such magecraft - and that went for the other classes. Only the Casters could use magic. To compensate for this, our order required all other classes to pass foundational lessons on alchemy- which truly bored me out of my wits at the time, but now I was grateful for.

Just as Medusa closed the distance to finish me off, I managed to finish the drawing and ducked for cover. The circle lit up and reacted with boiler demon's monstrous energy, forcibly drawing out its power to flare and expand - angering it to into becoming a giant wall of fire. The room seared with sweltering heat and smoke. Medusa's monstrous energy clashed with the demon's, causing the latter to spew a raging inferno right at her- burning Medusa alive.

"EYRAGHHH!"

Engulfed in a firestorm, Medusa's skin and hair caught ablaze. The magical fire spread quickly, blistering her scaly limbs. The smell of burning flesh mixed with smoke and rain, stinging my eyes. Still screaming, she scurried out into the open rain in attempt to douse the flames. Struggling to my feet, I pursued her - but not before casting my blade into the heart of the boiler until it glowed a smoldering red.

Starting in fondu tendu, I placed my feet and arms in a starting position before spinning in a series of chaine turns. My bloodstained shoes carried me across the steamy room. Due to my vertigo, I wouldn't have been able to run like I wanted. Instead, I used my dancer's instincts to guide me where my target was. Nimble as a needle, I danced out of Medusa's range whenever she shot her tail towards me in rapid strikes. My stamina reached its peak as time seemed to slow around me. All I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat. I danced with all my heart, moving as though I were possessed. Even with this pain weighing me down, I felt so content for the first time tonight. Like this, I was happy - even if it meant I was dancing to my own death.

Struck delirious - either from the blood loss or a ballerina's euphoria, I summoned the last of my strength to spring across the room with a grand jete. I felt as though I had achieved my childhood dream of becoming the world's prima ballerina. For a moment I truly believed I was sailing through the clouds in a feathery white tutu. Like a swan, I felt lighter than air as though I had wings.

Still flying, reality came rushing back as I tightened my grip ever so slightly on Noitcelfer...

… And drove the sizzling blade straight through Medusa's throat.

The smell of burnt flesh filled my nostrils as I watched the end of my blade cauterize through the other side of her neck. With scorched limbs, she shakily clawed at her throat - her hollow eyes bleeding red tears. The snakes in her hair spasmed, the life draining from their eyes, before falling limp.

"H-How… could this…. ha...ppen?" Medusa croaked out with her last breath, blood bursting from her mouth. "T-to be offed… by a child…" Propping my foot on her stomach, I dislodged my blade and beheaded her in one clean strike. Warm blood spattered against my face and clothes. Her head rolled into the shadows, and the rest of her body fell at my feet. A ghastly face resembling hers floated out of her body, swathed in an ominous glow. It was Medusa's soul. I wasted no time touching it with the tip of Noitcelfer. As soon as it connected, however, the ghastly face let out a horrendous scream before splitting apart in shards of light - ultimately vanishing.

"This again… in the end, I couldn't even obtain one soul." Bitter disappointment clawed its way up my throat as a withering sigh left my lips. "Haha. Still just an E-ranker, aren't I… Auntie?" I wasn't truly surprised, having had this happen to me countless times, but it didn't lessen the dismay. The exhaustion I thought I smothered to the back of my mind came rushing back with a vengeance. My legs gave out from under me as I unceremoniously collapsed beside Medusa's beheaded corpse.

"Heehee…" A dry laugh left my lips as my vision began to dim.

What a shame. It's ironic I ended up dancing to my death after all. It was almost a poetic way to die, senseless as it may have been. If I had known this would've been my fate I would've gorged myself on a splurge of desserts before coming here. I never should've listened to Auntie. Look at all the good it did me. Strange… it's not as though I'm frightened… though dying alone like this feels sad.

Give me sympathy, give me sorrow - as though stroking a small child to sleep. Come, sweet slumber...

Then I remembered my upperclassman still slumped over in the pool room.

Ahh… poor Kaito. He must be dead by now. After all, it would be a miracle if a Mundy could survive this long without the antidote. My dying thoughts were numb to any compassion I could have had left at this point.

Would anyone be moved to tears at the sight of my pathetic corpse? Or would they look down on me and say, "poor thing". I could only imagine, laughingly, the commander kicking me around with the toe of his boot for my short-lived service.

My phone clattered to the floor next to me as Lola rang me up. With the last of my fading strength, I barely managed to press the answer button when her frantic voice came ringing out.

"Are you alright, Rin? The storm suddenly just cleared up! Tell me where you are in the school exactly!"

Ah… Auntie. Maybe she would be kind enough to have my remains scattered in a casket of flowers when they bury me at sea.

"Rin! Answer me if you're there!" Her voice took a desperate shrill.

I wanted to tell her what had happened. I wanted to tell her I had caught the killer. I wanted to be smug and brag about how I did all this without anyone's help… as childish as it would've been. I could hardly move my lips, though.

My muddy hand reached out towards the phone as my vision began to fade. My senses were dull under the freezing weather. The deafening noise of my ragged breathing left my throat in gasps.

I wanted to tell her one last joke. That I wouldn't forgive her if nobody had a giant cake present at my burial. That I wanted to be burned in my best dress, along with these red shoes. That I wished she had seen me dance in this place where thunder bloomed.

"Just once… could someone... hold me?" Something watered in my eyes, blurring my vision. There was an emptiness in my chest that threatened to swallow me whole and trap me forever- leaving me stricken for my own life. "Someone gentle… warming me with love… before I burn?" Was all I managed to croak before darkness settled over me, muffling out Auntie's concerned cries.

In all honesty, this was my greatest fear come true. It hurt more than the pain in my body. It felt worse than knowing I was going to die all ugly and covered in monster blood as well as my own.

My outreached hand fell to the cold ground.

I hate this...

That I'm dying… all alone.

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Three weeks later…

Meiko's POV

Monday morning I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock blaring beside me on my nightstand. It took tremendous willpower to resist hitting the snooze button and roll back to sleep, but my discipline prevailed. Albeit with great reluctance. Somehow, I was able to muster the willpower to escape the comforting warmth of my duvet. Morning came to greet me with an unsettling unease as I yawned all the way to my window. Once I drew the curtains, sunlight blinded me momentarily as I shielded myself with a grumble. When the light hit just right, the vinyl decals on my wallpaper glowed like opals in a charcoal mine. My entire room became a shimmering space.

"Ugh… come on girl, time to wake up."

I threw the window open as the cold wind burst into my room, startled wide awake as morning dew hit my face in a fresh breeze. There was a fluttering noise behind me as I glanced over to find my school papers flying about on my desk. I hid my cold hands in the comfort of my thick flannel sleeves to ward myself from the chill, rubbing my arms to keep myself warm.

"Hmm… something's different today." A groggy murmur left my lips. It dawned on me that I was waiting for something. As my eyes roamed over the subdivision that included my neighborhood, it was then I realized how… quiet it was. Even for this part of town, it was quiet. Disturbingly quiet. There was no sign of life to be seen. The mysterious fog that surrounded our school had long disappeared three weeks ago, but there were no birds chirping or children playing on the battered roadside.

With a terse sigh, I leaned over to smell the potted petunias growing on my windowsill. Then I realized how soggy the soil was before making a face. Later today I'd have to remember to replant the flowers in dry soil. Then my searching gaze wandered over the streets to where the lamplights were.

The aftermath of the storm left the weather muggy and streets muddy. Mid-Autumn mornings in Megaton lived through cold spells, but come afternoon it became humid. Though the fog had cleared, there was no mistaking the greyscale city that remained polluted by the burning of fossil fuels. Factories weren't the only ones responsible for such an environmental hazard. Casting blame around wouldn't do any good, not when I was one of those people who could be doing something about it. I may be just one person, but there was no excuse to point fingers when all of humanity was liable to take care our world.

I was no better than the others who kept taking resources from the planet but never giving anything in return. Poverty, school violence, government corruption, and a gross lack of funds to have better technology? Such problems were miniscule in hindsight when I woke up every morning to a city befouled with debauchery and greenhouse gases.

"Heaven above." I exhaled shakily, swarmed with all these buzzing thoughts. A spike of anxiety shot through me as I took in my surroundings, clutching my breast with a grimace. "As time passes, is there any hope for change?" Raising my gaze skyward, I reached my hand to the cloudy sky in search of a sign. I left with disappointment as clouds swept over the city. Large shadows casted over Megaton, reminding me of all the decrepit conditions the lesser fortunate were forced to endure. Where people basked in the lap of luxury, there were those who lived in the shadows.

To live in a better world… that was my ideal dream. It wasn't just the school or Megaton. I wanted the entire world to be touched by hands that would heal and create, not destroy and desecrate. Hands that started from here… my own. I wanted to make big changes that would benefit everyone, so that everyone had a place in the light. No would would ever have to live in the shadows of poverty.

But as I was only human, I could only do so much about the problems close to home instead of the ones that were far bigger and intangible than myself. Right now, all I could worry about was building a community that would expand from Megaton High school all the way out to the borders of the Capitol. It sounded ideal, but that was precisely why a dream was called a dream. That spark of hope was what kept me chasing after that dream.

It wasn't as though I felt things were worse off than they really were… but if nothing changed, then it would be very unsatisfactory for future generations to continue living in conditions like these when we, being myself and the people around me, could have devoted our hearts to bettering the world.

Reaching to the sky once more, my hand created the illusion of touching the faraway sun whose rays peered through the cracks of my fingers. Happiness was like the sun… warm and full of life, even from thousands of miles away. It was my beacon of hope even in my darkest hours when I wanted to give everything up. My hand closed over the sun in determination.

The sun burned bright and hot through the clouds, creating a silver lining within the cloudy sky. That silver lining was our future, full of doubts and hopes. But someday, we would all be able to touch the sun. I truly believed that.

For me, these white ideals of mine that were piling up like snow over the years - they would help me reach my dream. Right now, I have blind courage and restless beliefs, but aside from those - there were more than just one correct answers. That said, I would keep fighting for a better tomorrow.

"It's already six?" One quick glance at my clock told me I better start getting ready. Tossing aside my flannel pajamas, I rushed into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Throwing the towel over my head, I brushed my teeth and hurried to get dressed. The light hit my wardrobe once I flicked the switch, and I delved in to find the uniform I had ironed last the night. The cream kasper uniform with grey lining and brown plaid skirt came in three sets. The new dress code required students to wear grey socks, dark full-closed shoes, and book bags provided by our school.

The morning radio greeted me with upbeat music. I hummed along to the romantic tune. Grabbing the uniform off the hangar, I proceeded to dress myself. Perched at my vanity, I went ahead and rolled my socks up one by one. Minutes ticked by as I blow dried my hair before straightening it.

"Okay, one more finish." Just as I tied the yellow ribbon at my neck, the sunlight moved over my room and lit up the darkness of my closet. That was when something bright red fluttered out of the corner of my eye. Drawn to the movement, I was left mesmerized as a wave of nostalgia hit me. I went to the fluttering red fabric hidden at the back of my closet before pulling it out. It was my old bomber jacket I used to wear back when I led a biker gang.

This jacket brought me back to my darkest memories growing up in the city. Red leather flared all the way out to the sleeves, accented with brown tones. The cuffs were snug at the wrists, the zipper was drawn up, and the waistband was knitted with toffee neoprene. At the back, the patchwork consisted of a cinnabar moth with its wings spread as though alive and about to take flight. Although scuffed and torn in several places from previous scuffles, it was still in good condition overall.

My wandering eyes fell over the insignia that depicted a feral mouth biting into a moth, about to rip off a scarlet wing. The image signified the Moth Eaters, formerly one of the most feared delinquent gangs in Megaton. And I, their retired leader - the "Red Delilah", or so they called me. It was a name that was better left forgotten.

It so happened that I almost tripped over a box as I walked backwards. I turned around with a start. Old pictures of me and the rest of the Moth Eaters, seven of us to be precise, came spilling out of the box. Every one of us were wearing the same red bombers. Most of them were us pulling petty robberies, fighting rival gangs, or lazing around at our old hangout near the trainyard. I picked up one of the photos that showed me in the prime of my shameless rebellion phase. Garbed in the red bomber, a younger version of myself was glaring daggers right at the camera, carrying an old nailbat over her shoulder while raising a leg on a crate. With a spray can in hand, she had been getting ready to add to the wall of graffiti until her annoying wingman pestered her into posing for a "badass" shot.

Unease welled up inside me as my trembling fingers closed over the photo, crinkling it into shapeless trash.

I had actually forgotten about all this… but now it felt like it happened just yesterday.

Suddenly, I felt very uncomfortable reminiscing about all this, especially seeing how I had intentionally buried this part of me to the back of my head while continuing with my life. But now everything came rushing back like a river, effectively undoing all my hard work.

Shaking my head out of my thoughts, I forced myself to tear my eyes away from all the memories. Grabbing the jacket and photos, I set out to do what I had to. A complicated myriad of emotions bubbled up as I gathered up the fragments of my violent past and shut them back inside the box, closing the lid once again. I made certain to hide it in a better place this time so I wouldn't be forced to look at it every time I came home.

"What a waste of time. You know that chapter in your life is over, Meiko. Snap out of it." I scolded myself all the way out the door. I was downright frustrated with myself for keeping all those mementos in the first place instead of throwing them out. But no matter how many times I tried, I was never able to do it.

In the end, of course - I kept thinking back to the past despite my best efforts.

"Ugh." I hurried to my father's car waiting for me, deciding to wave away this morning's incident as a momentary distraction - nothing more. The entire ride was one of bustling traffic, and I was left dismayed that I was unable to speak with my father. Due to the recent disappearance of the gym teacher, Miss Ann, he continued receiving a string of phone calls from the staff, the board and police. From cancellations to interrogation appointments to budget meetings - Father simply wasn't able to make the time for small talk as much as he would have liked, too. I could tell by the apologetic smile he sent me my way, along with the promise in his eyes that we would have a sit-down at a later date.

I shook my head meaningfully back at him, letting him know that as his daughter I understood his immediate duties to higher calls. He had other roles to dedicate to besides being there as my father. I was no longer a child but my own woman, and other people needed him more to be the principal far more than I needed him to be my guidance. Turning my gaze out the window, I stifled a sigh.

Still, I would be lying if I said I didn't feel lonely at all, as the dull pang in my chest reminded me. It was hard remembering that in the first place, it was these types of situations that had created the rift between us back in middle school. I closed my eyes as flashback after flashback infolded in my mind like a movie playing. I felt my soul leaving my body as I travelled back in the past.

Compared to today, Father had been far busier taking care of academic matters in the impoverished high school. Growing up without a mother had been hard enough, but the lack of his presence in my life had made me feel as though I was an unwanted child - a burden. Whenever relatives had come to look after me and the house, I had never forgot the pity in their eyes as they had whispered behind my back - believing that my naive ears were deaf to the hurtfulness of their words.

"Such a pity…"

"Poor girl, she's always left alone here by herself… how could her father be like this?"

"Every morning and night one of us always has to take her to daycare. Why does he think we have the luxury of time to look after his child? We have families of our own to care for!"

Being in middle school at the time, I hadn't known about any of his personal hardships or how hard he had worked to support not just us but the school. My relatives' spiteful complaints had watered bitter seed towards my father as years passed. By the time I had reached the sixth grade, all I had known was the world of my own pain - the loneliness and anger at the negligence he had showed me by never showing up to any of my school events and never coming home until past three in the morning.

There was no pretty way of saying this - but that had messed me up in the head. So I had lashed out. I had begun hanging around the wrong crowd and cut classes to smoke pot and commit random acts of petty crime across Megaton. I had formed the Moth Eaters. That bitter seed in my heart had grown into a very bad apple. I had been an angry girl furious with the world - never letting anyone in no matter who they were, even if they were only trying to help me. So I had to live with my own unhappiness until that fateful day…

It happened during a heist gone wrong…

There was gunfire with the robbery alarm going off as one of the rival gangs cornered us en route at the back alley where the members of the Moth Eaters led by me via bikes. They wanted our stash, and we refused to give it up. Following a violent fight many of my members got injured. We were outnumbered. In a last ditch attempt to escape, we clambered up a fire escape only to be held up at gunpoint. It was me who stayed behind to fight them off, giving the rest of my injured members time to get away even as multiple shadows closed in on me- trapping me with my back against the brick wall.

I was beaten. Brutally, pointlessly - they took joy in making my suffering slow. One by one they came after me, wearing me down no matter who I managed to fend off. When exhaustion settled in on me, that was when they kicked me down and broke me. My legs, my arms, my face - they burned agony into every part of me. My bones - broken. My will - shattered.

I would have bled to death if the police hadn't arrived when they did. The rest of the trip was a blur when I was rushed into the ER and treated with intensive care. Spending days at the hospital dragged on until I finally managed to regain consciousness. When I came to, it was my dad's tearful face stricken with relief as he bowed to me on his knees, holding my bandaged hand in his large, calloused palms as he brought my broken knuckles to his forehead - not minding the bloodied gauze that stained his cuffs. I was left stunned, wondering if I was dreaming as my father kept apologizing to me - saying he would never let this hand of mine go ever again - that from now on, he would take on his role seriously as my father.

I didn't believe him then, but weeks after my discharge he ended up defying my expectations. After discussing matters with the police, my father convinced the chief to lighten my sentence to a year's worth of community service after my recovery. It seemed they were good friends as the chief apparently owed him a favor from their college days.

Chairman took time off to take care of me, changing my bandages and attempting to cook for me. He stayed by my side during my worst fevers and tantrums and accepted my rage. I was stubborn, however, as these caretaking duties didn't erase what he took away from me - my trust and love. The more he tried to play parent, the angrier I became. But beneath all that, I was confused and scared. I honestly thought he was trying to get on my good side because he wanted something out of me. Once that was over with, he would just dump me to the curb again.

Not that I ever admitted it to him, god forbid. I acted tough and called him names. I said I didn't need him to care for me. I wanted to drive him as crazy as he was doing to me. It wasn't fair for him to be there for me now when he failed to do so after so many years. His being there hurt me more than he would ever know. Still, he didn't budge. He didn't yell or curse at me no matter how much I tried to get him to lose his temper.

Every morning he greeted me with a smile. Every night he chatted with me before saying goodnight. Even when I refused to acknowledge him, he still sat down with me and just… talked. Sometimes it was about school, sometimes it was about his past, and sometimes it was about my mother. The times he did talk about her his eyes would hold a faraway gaze full of longing and love. Then he would look at me all resigned and smiling, telling me how much I reminded him of her.

Slowly but surely, the walls I built around myself for so long began to crumble.

One winter morning he sat with me and convinced to do my homework after many nights of arguing or rather, "negotiating" as he insisted on calling it. I was having difficulty understanding the material. No matter how many times my father explained the material to me, I ended up losing my temper at the end and all but threw my books and papers on the floor.

"The hell do you even give a rat's shit for, shithead?!" I had screamed at his face before overturning the nightstand that held the tray of snacks he prepared. "It ain't your damn business whether I graduate or drop out! S'not like you were never here before so cut your fake caring shit out! Why don't you go back to pretending I don't exist like you used to?!" Chairman just looked at me silently, not even reacting to my spitting and cursing. "Get your ugly-mug face out of my room, asshole! And take these goddamn books with you!"

Yes, I actually used to talk like that. I had no indoor voice. Yes, instead of calling him "Chairman" I instead called him derogatory insults like asshole and shithead. And yes, sometimes, the unsavory punk side of me still has a way of rearing its ugly head when I fly off the handle.

Chairman just calmly cleaned up the fallen food, picked up my books and stacked them on my desk before leaving. I remember hanging my head and shaking in rage before he came back with two steaming mugs of hot cocoa.

"You're a fighter, Meiko. So was I. So am I." He had told me, looking at me square in the eye. "There's a time when we all learn that when we take on the world with nothing but our fists in front of us, we lose sight of what's most important..." Imagine my slack-jawed expression when he set aside his mug and pulled me into a bone-crushing embrace. I thought him unfeeling and emotionless the entire time up until I felt his large, deceptively strong form trembling against me. I only reacted once I felt warm tears hitting my shoulder.

"What… what are-"

"You, Meiko." Chairman cut me off gently, crushing me to him as I was left reeling in shock. As far as I remembered, that was the first time he ever held me or called me by my name. It left my throat dry and my chest tightening with emotions I struggled to keep smothered beneath the weight of my bitterness. "I fought to forget my pain of losing your mother. I fought to do everything in my power to end the same violence that killed her. To that end, I buried myself in work to convince myself I was only protecting you." He had said, making my head swim as he had stroked a large hand through my dark locks with such tenderness I had felt my stomach caving into my lungs. "But I was blind. I failed you as a parent. I only pushed you into fending for yourself, all alone - against the pain I added to in your loneliness." A deep shuddering breath escaped him, filling the silence I could only give. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for you. But now… I want to be here. For you."

I remember feeling numb, wondering if I was dreaming. It all seemed so unreal. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to hug him back or push him away. It was all too much for me to process. He had to be lying - what else would explain all this?! But when he finally pulled back, his large brown eyes were clear and full of sincerity. So, I struggled to reply - but my tongue lay limp in my mouth. But he seemed to know that.

"I have no right to force you to make me a part of your life, Meiko. I understand that it's because of me your heart has been closed off for so long you may feel as though nobody can be trusted…" His voice was so full of patience and respect. The warmth from his words was what started to defrost the walls I put up around my heart for so long. It wasn't until I felt his big, callused hand stroking through my hair did I remember how close we used to be - when I was just a child. It brought back memories of us that I once held dear. "You are your own woman. You don't have to answer right away. But just know, no matter what you choose - your foolish papa is always on your side."

"We're here already." Chairman's voice pulled me out of my reverie as I realized we were already in the parking lot. "What's wrong? Are you still half-asleep? Don't tell me you were up late reading those comics again." I could hear the smile in his words despite him facing away from me. At my silence, his eyes peered at me through the rearview mirror. "Meiko?"

"I-It's nothing." I answered quickly, getting out the car with my bag. "I just have some things on my mind is all. There's a lot to get done today, and… despite miss Ann's sudden disappearance - we can only focus on what we can do for now." This steer in topic was what we both needed to face the here and now. Though a part of me wanted to recount everything that's happened from back then, I didn't want to impede my father's work by bringing up unnecessary things.

"Hm… you're right about that. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about miss Ann." Snapping his briefcase shut, Father left the car on lock and gestured me to walk with him on the way to the side entrance. "The police and I have been investigating this matter. During the few times we've talked, I've come to recognize her as a quiet but heartfelt teacher… however," His expression went grim as he rubbed his temple, worrying me. "When she didn't answer any of our calls, the police had a investigator visit her address. But it seems that apartment has been long unhoused for some time now. Her landlord even told us that the last person going by her name had been evicted two years ago."

But that didn't add up! The background check should have verified her staying, and even then - how could that teacher simply disappeared? Was she caught by the same killer or…?

My frenzied thoughts must have reflect on my face because Chairman rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"I know what you're thinking… and while I hate to admit it, I have tampered with unpleasant ideas regarding miss Ann's involvement with the serial killings. Of course, I have no proof except my gut acting up." He said in a grim voice. We entered the building and headed for the faculty room, acknowledging the other teachers as they greeted us. The burbling of the pipes overhead reminded me of a sleeping volcano, representing the chaos that would awaken if left unchecked. It was almost as though this school really were alive. If only the walls had voices… maybe they could tell me who committed such gruesome acts of violence against the deceased minors.

"As you know, the police have already been questioning the other staff regarding the murders here. Miss Ann was scheduled to undergo the same procedure the week she disappeared." Chairman informed as he opened the door for me before following me inside.

The lights flicked on to reveal the empty faculty room. The whitewashed walls and steel tables were all our budget could afford. The old projector sat in the middle of the room, covered by a sheet compiled with dust. The counter top consisted of sparse cabinets, a coffee machine, a microwave, and several refreshments. Not many professional graduates applied to Megaton Public High school given our reputation and the surrounding economic crisis. As such, we were understaffed - it was barely enough to keep the school running.

"So she didn't leave a forwarding address during her employment?" It was required that all staff at the school followed the protocols here. If she hadn't done that, then…

"No. She also didn't turn in a resignation form." Chairman stood near the coffee machine. The hissing steam and burbling liquid filled the silence as the rich aroma of robusta coffee beans eased the tension in the room. "The security footage showed her leaving the school exactly the night she disappeared. It was storming hard that night, so she and the rest of the staff had to take shelter. From what I heard from the other female teachers, she seemed to be exhibiting normal behavior… so there doesn't appear to be any indication as to why she would take a leave." The alarm went off as he pulled the glass pot from the hotplate. "It's as though she simply vanished without a trace." He handed me a red mug full of coffee, warm and frothing with milk. Watching him sip at his own cup of joe, I brought the mug to my lips as my senses drank in the richness of strong, earthy coffee - taking me to the fields of southeast oriental countries.

Without a trace, Chairman said. Was it possible for people to just vanish like that?

If the situation weren't so grave, it would've been comedic to point out how we were acting like actors in a mystery novel. We were approaching the page-turning point, I would have quipped - and Chairman would've laughed at that.

"News of miss Ann's sudden disappearance should have already reached the media by now. Some parents have already withdrawn students from here because of the attention as well as the danger." Chairman pulled the blinds and leaned against the windowsill. He took another long drink, running his palm through his slicked back chestnut locks that resembled my own. "No doubt some of delinquents would take advantage of the chaos…" He trailed off with another long drink of coffee before adding on. "But what worries me is the sudden ceasefire of student murders. It's been well over a month since anything happened… it's like the calm before the storm. This can't bode well… that's how I feel, Meiko." Then he caught himself, shaking his head with a depreciative laugh. "What am I saying? I shouldn't be talking like this, especially not to you-"

"No, I agree, Chairman. It would be unrealistic to feign optimism at a time like this." I cut in before he could talk down on himself any further. "I hate to imply that a someone as docile as Miss Ann could have been behind those gruesome acts of violence." I nodded, crossing my legs. I didn't talk with her much beyond small talks in the faculty room. She always came off as kind despite lacking assertion towards rough students. "Still, no one can be ruled out - especially with her being gone at a time like this."

The bell rang, indicating first period would start soon. With a resigned sigh, Chairman threw me a smile.

"I suppose this discussion is adjourned. I'll keep you updated on the police's ongoing investigation, so try not to mull over this too much." Chairman pulled back the chair for me so I could stand. He handed me my bag and followed me out the door. Shaking my head with an exasperated smile, I recounted how many times I chastised him not give me special treatment as I was just like any other ordinary student - only to have my protests waved away with his own selfish reasoning that every man's daughter was their little princess so therefore, he couldn't be a happy man if he treated me with anything less than that.

At his chivalrous bow, I tried to hide my warm cheeks and clutched my elbow. Clearing my throat, I spoke up with my back facing him.

"Thank you for the coffee. I'll be able to focus on my studies all day." It was the truth. Chairman brewed a pretty damn good cup of coffee that kept drowsiness away, likely given his teenage long-time job as a barista. He was more avid about coffee beans and brewing styles than anyone in the city. He could talk up just about anyone by brewing them a good cup of joe and lending a good ear. Thanks to that, I felt more awake and motivated than ever with my senses sharp as a tack.

My resolve to hunt down and find the perpetrator was renewed. My willpower was reinvigorated. I couldn't give up now - it was only the school's first quarter. Strange happenings aside, we haven't lost yet.

"Oh ho. That look in your eye… seems like someone's about to strike while the iron's hot. It's not just about your studies, is it?" A knowing twinkle glinted in Chairman's eye as he chuckled. "Well, don't overdo it. This school needs its future successor, after all. You're irreplaceable." Hearing those genuine words warmed me to the cockles of my heart. It suddenly felt like the weight on my shoulders lessened, if only just for a short while. Though I was embarrassed at this blatant display of respect and honesty, I had to return that sincerity. After all, it was his choice to treat me close to an equal rather than a subordinate or even a child. Since that time I was undergoing rehabilitation, he really had done good on his promise to be behind me no matter what. Something like that kept my faith going. I turned around and showed him how much I appreciated his long standing support with a heartfelt smile, clutching my right fist over my heart.

"I won't let you down... father."

Turning on my heel, I marched out of the faculty room with my head held high. As I left, I could hear his last words following after me - full of pride.

"You never have, Meiko… you've already graduated from the troubled tomboy with her fists held up instead… now, you're growing into a sharp-minded woman." His voice was so soft I almost thought I imagined them. Right as I exited the office, his last words twisted my heart. "Just like your mother…"

Like mom, huh…

Daybreak streamed through the windows as the clouds parted - illuminating the steel halls as I headed off to my first class with a hunger for knowledge - a privilege I had long neglected until now. I headed up the stairwell that led up to the West Hall. With my textbooks at my side and my printed lunchbox swinging at my elbow, I greeted the day with steely determination. My stockinged legs carried me through the cracked tiles with the sunlight chasing my heels. I passed a templated glass wall that reflected my form. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of my old self marching through a dark alley full of graffiti instead of my present self walking to class. I was certain if my old self could see me now, she might have scoffed and look down on me for "conforming" with the herd.

Picturing it was so crystal clear it actually made me chuckle.

To think I could've continued down a much darker path if not for my father. I couldn't imagine how much worse it could've gotten… getting a record, losing any chance at pursuing a formal education, not knowing what it ever felt like to actually succeed at something…

The only reason I'm where I am today was because I still had someone who cared enough to pull me back onto the right path. Some people who have it even harder than me - they don't have even that. That's why I decided that I would also do my best. Now that I have a dream to fulfill. I wasn't going to waste another second.

Third-year students hurried past with their own thoughts in their heads, not even making conversation. Unhealed tension from last month's string of murders left many peeking second glances over their shoulders - as though the perpetrator were walking among them. No one wanted to talk about the incidents, but it was a dark cloud hovering over the school. I saw distrust and anxiety everywhere in the staff and students. Close knit groups kept to themselves, fearful of being left alone. The halls were sparse and deathly quiet save for the ever rebellious gangs, making a point to prove how tough they were in face of this recent danger.

Some of the troublemaking rebels leaned against the wall with their own coteries, giving me condescending body-checks and arrogant leers. I paid no mind to them, as I was used to being on the receiving end of hostility. Those students were the exceptional cases that managed to make it to our grade thanks to the new school counselor stepping in to give them guidance. They likely weren't happy about disbanding their gangs this year, but so long as they were out of trouble - they would graduate on time and without issues.

Chairman and the counselor didn't expected anyone's thanks - that would be too presumptuous. All the more reason I strove to hurry up and pull my weight for them.

I stopped at the door of my classroom, glancing out the window.

"I guess I have a lot to live up to as a heroine of justice." I murmured to myself, remembering all the cases mother absolved as the fierce, noble civil lawyer who upheld the law and protected the weak. The moment I opened the door an onslaught of students including my homeroom teacher rushed up to me with emotional pleas.

"Meeikooo!" A friend of mine clung to my arm, bawling - catching me off guard as I stumbled from the force of her weight pulling me down. "Please help me! Yesterday's homework made no sense! You'll help me before math class, won't you?!"

"Sayori, you almost made me fall." I began in an exasperated tone, about to ask if she stayed up late playing video games again - only to be cut off by the swarm invading my space.

"Morning! Early as always, miss President!" One brownnosing boy tried to start up a conversation, only to be elbowed by the other girls begging me to tutor them. Over their cries, the homeroom teacher nudged past them to call out to me.

"T-Thank god you're here! I have some matters in need of your attention…"

"Miss Prez, can I borrow your notes again?" One of the other boys, the tallest one in our grade aside from Kaito, asked with a deadpan face. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him. Ugh, he's the one who always sleeps through class… like hell I would help him out again. I weaved my way through the crowd to get to my seat, all but batting away their advances without using my full strength.

"Please, everyone. I understand you all need help. But one at a time, please…" I smiled politely through clenched teeth, addressing their issues in accordance. Time ticked by at a turtle's pace, drawing out the teeth-grinding duties of my job to be the listener. I stole glances at the clock, impatiently drumming my fingers against crossed arms. For goodness sake, could class just start already…?

"Oh, alright - for those who need help with yesterday's lesson, pull out your textbooks. If that's alright with you, Mr. Sato?"

"Yes, of course, Meiko. It's good to help others in their studies." The aforementioned, lanky teacher quickly gave his approval, much to the relief of the stragglers who wasted no time pulling their chairs up to crowd my desk. It came to my notice only half the class was here - the rest were troublemakers who cut class for who knows what. I didn't want to imagine. "But be prepared for the upcoming exams, everyone."

"You're a lifesaver, Meikooo!" Sayori sobbed dramatically, hugging my arm as she rocked me back and forth. "I swear my parents would've kicked me out of the house years ago if not for you! Please keep being reliable as always!"

"I believe it would do you good to actually read the chapters on your own for once, Sayori." Putting up a stoic air, I admonished the russet-haired girl with a light pat on her shoulder - trying to open my book with her crab grip imprisoning me.

"Teacher, can we have study hall instead of the lecture?" One girl piped up, followed by a mass of agreeing cries.

"Yeah! Let's do that instead!" Another boy seconded.

"With exams so close and all, it's better to just strike while the iron's hot!"

My eyebrow twitched in irritation as I forced out an unnatural laugh and stood up, much to everyone's alarm.

"I don't mind being asked for help from time to time. However, as we are all third-years - it's imperative that we set an example to our juniors. It won't do for anyone to believe we cut corners on our way to success. It demoralizes the masses." I swept my eyes over their shrinking forms with a disapproving glare, crossing my arms for emphasis. "No more slacking off. As head of the totem, we must serve as an inspiration for the sake of morale. Next quarter, I want everyone to study on their own or in groups."

Murmurs of discontent grew in volume, followed by whining complaints that finally made my patience snap. I slammed my heel against the desk with my temper flaring, growing into a red demoness overshadowing them despite my average height.

"The hell kinda half-assed answer is that? All these clocks in the building an' I still don't got time to deal with you ungrateful slackers! Don't get lazy an' listen to me goddammit!" My gangster dialect reared its ugly head as I gave my classmates a demonic glower, feeling the figurative devil horns popping out of my skull. I could see the teacher shrinking away pretending to mind his own business by checking attendance, clearly having seen my other side before.

"Uh… now t-then, let's see who else is here…"

"Whoa…" Some phones dropped out of my classmates' hands. Their jaws dropped in collective astonishment, unable to believe their eyes.

"Ya think I enjoy passing out my hard-earned notes to slackers who sleep through class or pull all-nighters at the arcade?! Y'all been disgracing yerselves like this since the year started! Get it together already!" With the stressed volume of my raised voice, I cracked the whip that forced everyone to straighten up. For a moment, I was brought back to the past where I was yelling at the Moth Eaters for messing up my orders during my time as the Red Delilah. "ARE YA LISTENING?! ANSWER PROPERLY!" So loud was my screech several of my male classmates actually fell out of their chairs before scrambling to prostrate themselves before me, along with the other students.

"Y-Yes, ma'am!" Everyone cried out in unison, some bowing their heads in submission as though I were their queen. They looked like footstools with the way they were crawling towards me. Realizing the commotion I caused because of my short fuse, I immediately wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Wonderful, Meiko. You almost made it to graduation and now you decide to show everyone this nasty side of you? No doubt weird rumors were going to start circulating soon…

"O-Oh. I don't know what came over me… t-that was most a-appalling of me." I flopped back onto my chair, suddenly feeling very drained despite having been full of energy this morning. Several meek apologies followed afterwards, prompting me to force an apologetic laugh from my throat. "Erm, I realize I have no right to ask you all to forget what you saw, but… I'm sorry about that outburst…"

"N-No, ma'am! We understand!" One of the guys clutched my ankle with his head still bowed.

"Yes! We deserved it!" Another girl cried.

"Punish us as you see fit, ma'am!" Another guy bowed before me multiple times. "I always wondered if the day would ever come when you'd get angry! Please, rain down your righteous judgment on us! You can flog us if we slack off for even a moment!"

Flog? What was this, the medieval age?

Wait, what. Some of the guys were actually begging for my nasty side to lash out at them? And what was with these subservient attitudes all of a sudden…? Were they some kind of deviants… actually, never mind - I would be better of not knowing such intimate truths. As the saying goes, "ignorance was bliss".

Still, I don't know how to feel about this.

"Aha, right then. So long as everyone understands." I rubbed my elbow with a forced smile, chastising my inner self for losing self-control. I really needed to work on those immature outbursts of mine. There were better, more diplomatic ways to settle life's frustrations. I needed to remember that. I would never grow up properly at this rate if I continued to act out on my impulses. "And you don't have to keep calling me 'ma'am'. I'm on the same level as the rest of you all."

"... Y-You're right though, Meiko. I-I'm the last person who should be taking advantage of you w-when I called myself your friend… I-I just remembered you never really agreed to help me all those times in the first place but did so a-anyway." Next to me, Sayori mumbled with her head hanging in shame. She must have been so shocked by my sudden character change she ended up becoming afraid of me. I quickly attempted to cheer her up. I patted her head and softened my voice to eases her anxieties.

I suppose helping everyone study could take their minds off the murders for awhile… no doubt some of them would be asking me questions in private later on.

"Sayori, lift your head up. It's behind us now, so let's study together, alright?" It only took a few minutes and several reassurances to get her to look at me with teary eyes. I bit back a chuckle, trying not to laugh as I knew that would upset her.

"Meikooooo! BWAAAA!" This time I was ready for her tackling hug, catching her with my full strength as she bawled outright in my arms. I sighed, shaking my head as I comforted her while tutoring the others who asked me how to work out the formulas on the study sheets. In the back, the other students began whispering among themselves.

"Shit, what was that just now? I've never seen the president act like that…" A ponytailed girl whispered to her group of friends, glancing at me now and then when she thought I wasn't looking. Their caution kept them at a distance.

"Yeah, for real! That was like a whole other personality! I always thought she was like, emotionless or something. She's always so uptight!" Another girl remarked.

"Smart and terrifying! Considering how she breaks up a lot of fights around here, it's no wonder even some of the delinquents are scared of her. I heard she has a brown belt in judo or something." One of the male slackers commented to his group, his foot propped up on a low-grade chair. "Hey, fellas. I heard that violent first-year is out of juvy. You know, the blond one with anger issues?"

"You mean the Lone Wolf?" One guy with glasses inquired, leaning over his desk. "Isn't he the one who killed the leader of the Timber Wolves last year?" He shook his head in disgust. "Man, I can't believe this. I thought they locked him away for good…"

"Yeah, him! who do you think would win a death battle? Miss Prez or the wolf?"

The suggestion made my blood in my veins freeze, and everything else fell deaf on me except their conversation.

"Oh shiiit." Another slacker with braces guffawed, slapping his knee. "That would be so awesome! I'd skip school to see that happen! But obviously our Prez would kick the brat's ass. I mean, she's always busting delinquent ass on a daily basis."

"I disagree." Glasses guy argued. "Prez may be tough, and her asskicking skills aren't dandelion fluff for sure… but the kid is a straight-up murderer. He killed the Timber Wolf leader in cold blood!" he exclaimed, gathering some of the others' attention. "I mean, I just ran into him the other day by accident, and he looked like he wanted to bisect me. If I hadn't said sorry on time… phew! And when I had to pick up my books I dropped, he just trampled over them like it was nothing!"

"For real?" The pigtailed girl from earlier gasped along with her other friends, clutching her mouth. "God, what a punk."

"Yeah. Kid's got a dead look in his eye - not to mention he doesn't care about anything or anyone." Glasses guy took off his specs to rub his eyes. "I've never seen him look anything other than bored or angry. He just screams psychopath."

"No kidding." Braces guy hissed. "My parents are thinking of transferring me somewhere else once they have the money. I swear this school is a goddamn warzone with all the gangs getting reared up."

Clearly the students were already wrought with unease from the school violence. I sympathized with their troubled thoughts which only heightened my motivation to make the positive changes we so desperately needed here to bear fruition.

Well, so far it seemed no one was onto the reason behind my rough dialect. The last thing I wanted was for people to find out about my past as a former delinquent. That would ruin my prospects as a future educator, no doubt. People wouldn't hesitate to use that against me.

As for the possibility of coming to a physical altercation with Kagamine Len?

The very thought made my stomach turn. That was the last thing I wanted. The rumors of him possessing incredible strength weren't unfounded, and while I haven't seen the way he fights - my gut was warning me not to resort to violence with him.

I had to be more careful.

"I don't think I can take anymore of this…" I exhaled under my breath, wiping the the sweat from my brow. My heart was pounding like a drum under their sharp scrutiny. Still, no doubt they would have their eyes on me now especially after my suspicious outburst. If I wanted to keep my past under wrap, I would have to be better at containing my fiery browbeatings. This was no time for me to stand out.

The bell rang, indicating first period had begun. Mr. Sato gave his blessing for us to just study together, which was rare. He was at his desk grading papers and checking on us from time to time. Despite his unimpressive doormat status, he was actually quite adamant about his lectures. Shortcomings aside, I respected his passion for teaching. Given the way he was tiptoeing around me, he must have not wanted to cause another stir. I felt somewhat guilty for troubling him and noted to apologize to him afterwards.

The rustle of papers and scratching of pencils accompanied side conversations as students around me shared their notes. I looked on with contentment, drinking in the sight of the ideal comradery I wanted our school to be known for. This was a step for sure.

"Meiko, I don't think I've ever seen you this relaxed before with so many people this close to you. Did something good happen?" Sayori commented with her notebook hanging off her head, having clearly given up on concentrating. I decided not to comment and closed my eyes in satisfaction.

"Yes. I'm just pleased to see everyone getting along so well."

This was a fresh change compared to all the fights that break out routinely around the grounds. I was going to enjoy this moment of peace for as long as it lasted. It was so easy to take these moments for granted.

"This is important, so watch me carefully." I announced, spreading out my notebook on my desk for everyone else to see. "Here's an example of proof by mathematical induction. Let's say you have an ascending sequence of odd integers starting from 1. Let n be any arbitrary of odd integers..." As I wrote down an example problem, I showed the others how to calculate the formula. "1, 3, 5, 7, and so on… all the way up to the last odd term - 2n minus 1. If you add them up, the sum is equal to n-squared."

"And then we're supposed to prove that this claim is always true!" Sayori chimed in, twirling her pencil. The others took notes and went over the sequence.

"Right, right." Another guy scratched his head in thought. "You always start with the base case. Here, you consider a sequence consisting of just one odd number. So let n equal 1?"

"N equals 1…" A girl murmured, her painted nails tapping against the pages of her glittery spiral notebook. "If there's only one odd number, then the sequence should only consist of the number 1. Both the sum and and the square are 1, so the base case works!"

"That's it." I nodded. "The base case is correct. Therefore, you can move on to your induction hypothesis, then your induction step."

"See, base case is easy, but this is the part where I always get stuck," Sayori complained. "I know that you assume that the equation holds true for n equals k, where k is any arbitrary number of odd numbers. But how do you go from k to k plus 1?"

"Well, you know that if n equals k, the last term in the sequence is always equal to 2k minus 1," I pointed out, leaning in and circling your paper. A chestnut lock of mine fell into my eyes, so I tucked it behind my ear. "So if you want to go from k to k plus one, you have to extend the sequence by one integer. Can you figure out what that new last term is?"

The boy sitting adjacent to me frowned in concentration. "The last term? It's just another odd integer… so if the k in that term becomes k plus 1… then the last term in the sequence becomes…" He pursed his lips, uncertain. "…2k plus one… minus one?"

"You're on the right track. I leaned back in satisfaction, overlooking their sheer volume as my eyes trailed over to an empty seat that belonged to that blue-haired psych fanatic. My stomach churned as I absently counted that this was the third week starting today he missed school. Mr. Sato himself couldn't seem to get a hold of his guardians, and nobody answered when I dropped his home by to deliver his missed work - so I always ended up putting it in the mailbox, which only grew into an untouched pile.

Just what had happened to Kaito? It wasn't like him to simply miss school like this. At this rate, he'll likely be expelled if he doesn't show up with a sound explanation. I was worried that the worst had befallen him… the area he lived in wasn't exactly safe to begin with, but as ditzy as he is - he had proved to be more adaptable than I had initially given him credit for. With the police's manning stretched as it was with the rise on crime, it would certainly take a while to pick up a trail on Kaito as well as the other missing students whose trails had gone cold.

Kaito… you better not go dying on me.

"Miss President!" A sharp exclamation brought me back to reality as an eager boy weighed an expectant gaze on me. The others followed suit in appending the new term to the sequence before turning their beseeching eyes on me. "So all of this should be equal to k plus one squared, right? But what do we do about this tail end of the sequence? The 1, 3, 5, 7 and everything in between…"

"Well, you already know from your induction hypothesis that everything before the last term is equal to k-squared, right?" I inquired.

Something appeared to click with the students as they suddenly began making lines on their papers, fierce with concentration.

"Hold on, Prez." One of the girls hissed. "Not. Another. Word."

I watched patiently and intently as they began working through the rest of the problem on their own, charged with anticipation. All they needed was to sum up both sides, and the rest was just simple algebra.

Murmurs of approval broke out, followed by light bulbs going off in my classmates' heads. Their faces lit up in astonishment as they worked together to solve the problem before eagerly shoving their answers in my face.

"Left hand side is equal to k-squared plus 2k plus 1, which is equal to k plus 1 squared on the right hand side!" Sayori acted as their advocate, beaming from ear to ear. "Therefore the induction step is true, and therefore the claim is true. It works, right?"

"Correct, correct… and correct. You all did well."

"Woo! Take that, exams!" One guy hooted with triumph. "Wow, so that's how it works! Man, I always struggle with these types of problems… so it's great we have such a reliable president! Seriously, you're so unbelievably smart! No wonder you always score top of the class. You should become a professor or something!"

"As expected of our president to make these types of problems seem like they're nothing! You're our diamond in the rough, Meiko!" Sayori cheered in tandem with the other girls. "Coming to this trashy school would suck if you weren't here!"

"Oh, please don't exaggerate.. All I do is just study… anyone can do it." Staunchly refusing to accept their praise, I played along with their lighthearted banter while my mind drifted elsewhere to my inner concerns.

Times like these I truly wondered if I was really reliable like everyone made me out to be. I hoped that wasn't the case. Still, comparing the me today to the past… it seems like it was my turn to help those in need rather than me being helped out. I never really cared about things like status or attention. But well. I guess it wasn't so bad playing heroine once in a while.

"It's an emergency!" The doors slid open with a bang, interrupting study hall as a red-faced boy from the other class came raising the alarm. "A fight just broke out downstairs between the second-year gangs! It's out of control! We need immediate assistance from the teachers!"

"A-A fight, y-you say?" The flustered teacher twisted his handkerchief in panic, sweat dripping down the base of his forehead. "B-B-But w-what do y-you expect me to do?!" Anyone could see how reluctant he was to get between a nasty outbreak, not that I could blame him. A shrimp like him would just get chewed up and spit out in seconds. "B-But what about the prefects-?!"

"They're already trying to detain the situation, but there's not enough of them to overpower the bigger ones!"

The class erupted in a frenzy, chairs scraping back as they ran to the windows to catch more third years rushing to the scene.

"Oh shit! What if the fight comes here!"

"Screw class! I better get this on video!"

"Nooo! I'm scared!"

"N-Now, everyone! Back to your seats! As your teacher, t-that's an order!" Mr. Sato tried to prevent the other excited students from leaving with little success as he was much smaller and weaker than them.

"Good grief, there's never a dull moment in this school, is there?" The other girls turned to look at me with wide-eyed, fearful expressions the moment I voiced my inner thoughts.

"M-Meiko…?" Sayori called out to me in concern as I calmly filed my things away under my desk. "Y-You're not going to get involved again, are you?"

"Don't worry, I'll be right back. Just continue where we left off, alright?" I reassured the girls with a comforting smile. Amid the chaos, I dusted off my shoulders and rose to my feet. I made for the door in a purposeful, unhurried stride. As soon as the other students saw me approaching, they sprang out of my path to the door. As the class stared after me in dumbfounded awe, I paused just as I was about to leave.

"Excuse me, Mr. Sato."

"Y-Yes, Meiko?!"

"I hope you don't mind giving me the run-down of today's lesson. It seems I'll be missing this class." I sent him an apologetic glance over my shoulder. "I apologize for my disrespect."

"N-Not at all! You never have to apologize! Please, take as long as you need!" The relief on his face was abundantly clear that I decided to go in his place. It didn't bother me, after all. The staff here wasn't being expected to fight back against violent minors. Anyway, I was used to dealing with these situations by now. Providing support for the prefects was something I never expected to sign up for, but there was no turning back now.

"Thank you. Well then." I took my leave with a curt nod, hardening my features as I marched down the hall with a grim expression as I thought of the very near future. I dashed around the corner to discover rivalling delinquents turning the halls into a rumble where students sidelined the scene, watching as more prefects charged in to stop the fight.

"Hey, it's the president!" One first-year shouted over the crowd as many leaped out of my way just as I went for one of the assailants. With a shout, I gave him no time to process his shock as I hauled him over my shoulder in a judo throw. Many of the delinquents took notice of me, and their faces paled at my stone-cold fury.

"GNGH! Shit, it's her again?!" A buzzcut delinquent screeched. "Dammit, always interfering in a man's fight!"

"Let's get out of here!" Several took off in a tow, intent on avoiding my mowdown.

"Detain them immediately, and close off this area!" I ordered the prefects, who silently obeyed. Three of them took off after the runaways while the rest of them performed crowd control as well as helping me subdue the rest of the fighters. "The rest of you students, get back to your classrooms, or it's wall cleaning duty for stragglers!" As soon as that harsh command left my lips, they all scattered in panic. Withholding a groan, I went to pin down another wild delinquent as he straddled another guy. "You! Get off him this instant!" I hauled him away by the arms and forced him to submission. I all but dug the heel of my shoe into his back as I took him down. "On your knees!"

Ugh. I would have to remain steadfast to reinforce some well-needed discipline around here. At least until the mass could finally learn to resolve their problems with structured solutions, not this anarchy.

Today was just Monday, after all.

---

"...AND ONE! AND TWO! AND THREE!"

The scuffle from earlier had ended with an uneasy truce. Rivalling gangs had started calling each other out in the cafeteria which had escalated into a full blown dogfight. The reason behind these provocations were investigated by the prefects, who discovered a first-year gang member had spray painted over the rivalling section's graffiti marks throwing derogatory insults towards their leader as well as covering their gang symbol up with his own. As of now, those responsible for today's incident were being detained in the counselor's office. I just hoped she could help them see reason.

"Nine, ten… you can do this, Prez. Just a couple more!" The partner I was assigned to was helping me perform sit ups by holding my ankles each time I lifted myself off the ground.

It was already fourth period by the time I managed to make it to gym class. It seemed the third years and first years were having a co-ed session this time. The scheduling was far from normal, but it was a miracle that the superintendent managed to hire a substitute for Ms. Ann despite short notice. To say he was... lively was putting it a bit lightly. He was no Ms. Ann, that was certain.

"EVERYONE, LINE UP AND COMMENCE YOUR STRETCHES! AWAKEN YOUR DORMANT MUSCLES AND REVIVE YOUR YOUTH!" Mr. Gai, clad in camo gear as well as a matching flak jacket, threw out his muscled arms as though surrendering himself to some god above. He struck a dramatic pose as beads of sweat flew from his bowl cut hair, giving him a theatrical impression of an unlikely hero who just triumphed over an evil warlord. Manly tears ran down his cheeks in torrents as he embraced himself as though traumatized. "OH YOU POOR CHILDREN! SUCH FLACCID BODIES YOU POSSESS FROM LACK OF EXERCISE AND SUNLIGHT! CLEARLY YOUR COUCHES ARE WORN FROM YOUR TECHNOLOGY LOUNGING BUT DON'T WORRY! AS YOUR TEACHER, I WILL NOURISH YOU WITH LOVE AND CARE! I WILL HELP YOU GROW ON THE SOILS OF LIFETIME FITNESS! AHAHAHAHA!"

I strained my eyes through the bright aura he seemed to emanate before realizing the sun was peering through the glass roof. Still, it seemed too perfect of a moment to be a mere coincidence. Certainly, Mr. Gai was definitely an enthusiast… if not over the top. But somehow I feel drained just listening to him. The grumbling peanut gallery voicing their opinions proved I wasn't the only one who felt this way.

"The hell's with this guy? Why are there so many weirdos in this school? Are we plants or something?"

"If we were, I'd be a cactus."

"I'd rather be moss. I like the shade, and I wouldn't have to be doing these stupid exercises…"

I did my best to ignore the idle chit-chat as I reached into downward dog position, breathing in and out in slow, purposeful breaths. Time passed and before long, Mr. Gai had already began leading our flock outside the building and where we were forced into performing hill sprints. It was really windy today, given how much dead leaves were dropping like flies. I rubbed my arms up and down to keep myself warm.

"Are you for real?!"

"Ms. Ann never made us do anything like this!"

"Oh god. Do we have to?"

Voices rose in protest as complaints came forward, only to be batted away by the eccentric teacher.

"NONSENSE! IT'S TIME YOU ALL HAVE A TASTE OF NO PAIN, NO GAIN!" Mr. Gai thundered, pointing towards the horizon with tears in his eyes. "EVERYTHING THE LIGHT TOUCHES IS PROOF OF HOW FAR HUMANITY'S ABILITIES ARE LIMITLESS! NOW RUN CHILDREN! RUN INTO THE SUNSET LIKE IT'S THE FINAL ACT IN YOUR OWN MEMOIR FILMS! AND THE CURTAIN FAAAAALLS!" He ran off, laughing as groaning students trailed after him. Shaking my head with an exasperated sigh, I followed suit.

…

"I can't… believe… how out of shape I am…"

"So thirsty… ughhh…"

"Can I just go home now…?"

Several girls around me were sprawled across the mats the moment we hit the checkpoint. I usually made a point to follow a strict exercise regimen, whether by going on jogs or visiting the gym. Never have I been more thankful knowing it would come in handy for Mr. Gai's insane drills. It was evident that he would be here for a while.

I was stretching on my own when a familiar, deep voice began belting out a song off key.

"I've got no strings to hold me down, to make me fret, or make me frown~!"

For the sake of preserving my hearing, I turned around to face the amateur singer in hopes of distracting him so I wouldn't have to suffer through anymore ear grating vocals. Whoever this person was, he couldn't carry a tune to save his life. So imagine my surprise when I found it was none other than Shion Kaito himself performing stretches while singing at the top of his lungs. Oblivious to my presence, the class clown continued making a spectacle of himself by crooning away without a care in the world.

"...Heigh-ho, the merrio~ nothing ever worries me!"

"Just when did he appear…?" I wondered aloud, having not expected this sudden encounter. It was all I could do to not stand there slack jawed and mustered the will to approach him outright. I had many questions for him that demanded answers.

"I've got no strings, so I have fun~ I'm not tied up to anyone. They have strings, but you can see - there are no strings on me!" Once Kaito finished his song, I cleared my throat so I had his attention. His puzzled expression morphed into one of excitement when his eyes landed on me. In no time at all, he rushed over to me like a puppy would greet his master. It bothered me, that innocence.

"Miss Prez! The stars have been looking forward to our joyful reunion with bated breath! It must be fate that we ended up meeting each other like this!" He cried out, his melodramatics and exaggerative hand gestures as he spoke never ceasing to bewilder me. "Were you the one dropping off the homework I missed in my mailbox?" I opened my mouth to answer only to be cut off. "Haha, what am I saying? I knew it was you all along! I mean, who else would be nice enough to do that for me...?" Strangely enough, his voice went somewhat bashful at the end. His expressions changed quickly, that was for certain.

Dealing with him being so over-the-top all the time was so exhausting - because of this, I was never comfortable around him. Despite his outward friendliness, I found it difficult to tell what he was actually thinking behind those carefree smiles. Usually I could read people like an open book, but Kaito was different. I was never privy with his innermost thoughts or intentions.

I likened Kaito to water - adaptable and flexible - he was always going with the flow. But at the same time, keeping up with his string of thoughts proved difficult for me. Some days he would be teasing me like he did the other day with my stored manga, other days he would be calmly but firmly debating with me on how I dealt with the troublemakers here. It was my responsibility as council president to hear out the students' opinions, and Kaito was no exception. I found through our occasional discussions that he was a persistent pacifist who would sooner resort to using his words rather than force to remedy situations. Countless times I've witnessed him playing the role as mediator when bullies were trying to take advantage of weaker students or himself. The fluid way he deflected their hostility seemed no harder than a stroll through the park, but I knew otherwise. Being able to control situations in his favor with a touch so subtle he came out unscathed no matter what - it was an underrated skill that most politicians would sever an arm and leg for.

No one would ever guess Kaito was as Janus-faced as a dice on first impression.

Unlike other students and teachers here, Kaito was also the only one who ever disagreed with me on anything. While he upheld his beliefs by speaking out against how I used force to subdue school violence here, he never once tried to force those same ideals on me. There was always that line he drew to keep himself from disrespecting me during our disagreements. I remained adamant on my resolve, but it wouldn't be until my thoughts were swimming in murky waters that he would suddenly break into that signature Kaito grin and casually change the subject out of consideration to keep me from wallowing in self-doubt.

For a guy who was so friendly and open, he could be so frustratingly elusive. He was annoying sometimes, but I could never truly bring myself to hate him.

Still, it was hard to believe this was the same Kaito I knew from middle school.

Back then he was much more quiet so the stark contrast was still hard for me to grasp. He used to be much more meek and timid, not to mention chubby. Compared to today, he used to veer clear of everyone and hid whenever he could. During the eighth grade's sports competition, I caught him hiding under the stairwell and pried the truth from his jaws. At the time, he was afraid of getting last place in the race he was assigned in. Me still reforming from my punkish roughneck ways at the time, I had no qualms about dragging him out by the ear and yelling at him for being a coward - chastising that even a deadlast was way more respectable than someone who didn't even bother trying before the real challenge even begun - before tossing him aside in disgust and marching off to.

Later that day, Kaito actually showed up for the race. By the time it was over, I was surprised to find out that the chubby boy hadn't even come in last place. I would never forget his sweaty, beaming face as he shot me a victory sign.

I'd also never forget my classmates teasing me about him being my boyfriend before I screamed at them to shut up or I'd smash their faces in. After that, I wrote him off as a total weirdo before proceeding to ignore his existence for the rest of that year. But whenever we met eyes, he was always the first to smile.

It's always been like that, up until this day.

"What have you been doing this whole time?" I demanded to know, unconcerned with making small talk at this time. Reminding myself not to be rude, I inwardly sighed before frowning at him. "I'm sure you of all people are aware that exams are coming up. Therefore, would you mind indulging me about the whereabouts of your situation that was so important it kept you away from school for three weeks?" I prodded. At his stunned silence, I grew impatient and went on to add. "Countless times no one would ever answer the door no matter how long I waited!" He had no clue how far his home was from school, which made those multiple trips all the more annoying. "Why are your guardians never home? It's hard to imagine they exist when your home is always deserted!" The exaggeration left my lips before I could control myself, but my pride refused to let me apologize when I irate for all the times my visits were rebuffed.

Blinking at my sharp tone, Kaito broke into a sheepish grin. He let out a nervous laugh before rubbing the back of his neck.

"Aww, Prez! S-So you do care! Glad I wasn't the only one thinking about the other!" He backtracked upon seeing my glare intensify, realizing I was in no mood for niceties. "Ahem, s-straightforward as always, Miss Prez! Haha… b-but don't get me wrong, I admire that quality in women!" Bootlicking aside, he finally sobered up and leaned against the wall in deep thought. "To tell you the truth, my memory has been foggy for a while now. All I remember is waking up a week ago bedridden with a high fever. It was awful - I felt like a truck hit me into a coma or something of the like." He said. "And about no one answering the door… I'm sorry. I must've been asleep all those times you visited. My aunt and uncle aren't exactly fond of people coming to the house, either. They were probably sleeping after staying overnight at the casino again." He bowed his head in humility. "Again, I'm sorry for the trouble."

I considered his words carefully, searching his face for any sign of deceit or discomfiture. As expected, I couldn't pick up anything from his clearwater gaze. It was both frustrating and relieving at the same time - the fact that while he hadn't changed, it didn't look as though any real trouble had befallen him.

"I see… so you were sick." I allowed myself to relax and soften my voice as well as send him a sympathetic look, deciding to believe him as I had no reason to doubt him at this point. He certainly wasn't the type to cut class even if it suited his better interests, at least that's what I believed given how little I knew of him personally. "Are you feeling better?"

For a moment, Kaito seemed taken off-guard as he openly stared at me. He seemed shocked that I actually cared about his well-being, which I tried not to feel offended by. Contrary to what most thought, I was most certainly not a robot like he said. I had half a mind to tell him just that until he suddenly broke into an sheepish smile. His cheeks went rosy, and I immediately quieted.

Had he not recovered from his fever, after all?

I was going to suggest he stop by the nurse for antipyretics until he voiced his thoughts.

"Ah… s-sorry, I don't really know how to take it when you ask me in such a caring way. It's like you're worried about me." He stammered, scratching his cheek. "I-It's not something I'm used to…" Hearing this caused my inner wariness to hoist the colors high.

Just what kind of home life did he have to act so flustered and awkward over someone giving him their time of day to check on him? I couldn't be the only person who gave his well-being any thought. Of course, then again… it wouldn't be that surprising given the environment we lived in. Neglect and poverty were common culprits in a student's troubled home life. Considering how many parents of troubled students failed to show up at conferences here, it wouldn't be a shock if it turned out that Kaito was living under those same conditions. I would have to be naive not to notice his shabby clothes and the downtrodden duplex he lived in.

Piece by piece, I was putting together the intricate puzzle of Kaito's private life - one that he likely kept hidden behind those blithe smiles and wild outbursts about nonsensical topics everyone had hard time keeping up with. Suddenly, his need for constant attention from others seemed clearer to me… at least, that was what I assumed.

"I see…" Was all I managed to say. In truth, I didn't know how to respond to this revelation. Was I supposed to offer him a listening ear whenever he needed it? Was it appropriate to do so when we weren't even friends in the first place? I couldn't bring myself to do it, given how I was still uncomfortable around him. Still. Perhaps I ought to reconsider my stance towards Kaito from now on. I could, at the very least, check up on him from time to time instead of batting him away like an annoying fly.

"In any case," Kaito cleared his throat in attempt to steer the conversation, much to my relief. "Did you ever manage to catch the criminal behind the murders at school?"

"Well…" I started in a careful tone, mulling over whether or not it was a wise choice to disclose private information before deciding to draw a fine line between the bare facts and an impromptu disclosure. "Unfortunately, with Ms. Ann's recent disappearance - progress has been slow. However, I assure you that my father and the board are doing all they can to arrest the murderer as well as solve the mystery behind these unforgivable acts of minor manslaughter." I closed my eyes, stretching all the way to my side before exhaling. "It appears that the perpetrator's activities has come to a standstill, but I advise you not to let your guard down. It can be dangerous to linger around campus alone… if you have afterschool activities, please finish them and go home right away."

"Is that so?" Kaito cast me a concerned expression, more for me than himself - it seemed. He opened his mouth to say something before rethinking it and instead decided to say something else entirely. "If it will put your mind at ease… I'll make sure to tell others to go home, too."

"Oh…" His serious consideration took me off-guard, as I half-expected him to have said something nonsensical instead. "...That would actually help me a lot, Shion. Thank you."

"Anytime!" Kaito beamed.

There was one thing that just occurred to me now, however. That same day Kaito looked ill was the same time I decided to stay after school with the other prefects at night in hopes of catching the murderer in the act. But all I remember was falling asleep and then waking up the following with a pounding headache. I fell gravely ill for three days after that. The others had been affected by the same symptoms and requested time off.

"...used to have an imaginary friend once! She was sparkly and could fly, like a fairy, I suppose." Kaito chirped as he began chattering about something, accompanying me in our stretches. I wasn't paying much attention to him as my raging thoughts consumed me. "Isn't it amazing how effortless it is for children to bring their imagination to life like that? Not to mention they have such vivid attention to detail. Maybe that's why they have better long-term memory compared to older adults…."

Kaito's idle chatter fell deaf on my ears.

Just what was going on inside this school?

I had misgivings about the way things were turning out. Foggy memories about that stormy night as well as me and others including Kaito falling violently ill. There were too many coincidences for my liking.

Something was amiss about all this. It was speculation on my part, but I couldn't help thinking that the murderer have something to do with all this. I couldn't explain how or why… but I just had that Sakine gut instinct telling me so, and never once did it steer me or my father wrong.

But there was one question that was begging for an answer. I was getting dizzy just looking for clues.

Just how in the world was I supposed to unravel the truth with no leads or plan of action?

I had hit a dead end.

Then Mr. Gai's whistle blew, signalling the next round of activities.

"ALRIGHT! PAIR UP AND PRACTICE REAL TIME COMBAT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR EACH ROUND! THIS IS WHAT WE'LL DO FOR THE REMAINDER OF OUR TIME HERE!" The bowl-cut, muscled teacher instructed as his aide handed out wiffle bats to each group. He marked down who was with who on his clipboard, tapping his pencil on his clipboard with each thundering step. "ONE OF YOU WILL BE ON THE OFFENSE USING THESE BATS! NO COMPLAINING SINCE THE SCHOOL CAN ONLY AFFORD THESE! COME NEXT YEAR MAYBE WE'LL PRACTICE USING REAL KNIVES!" Then he belted out in uproarious laughter, heartily slapping one of the boys on the back. "JUST KIDDING! THAT WOULD GET ME FIRED!" The rest of the students groaned as he continued laughing at his own joke. "I'M AWARE MOST OF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN REAL FIGHTS! CONSIDER THIS A SIMULATION IN WHICH YOU'RE HEADING HOME AFTER BASEBALL PRACTICE WHEN SUDDENLY - A STRANGER APPEARS! BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU'RE BEING MUGGED IN AN EMPTY BACKSTREET WITH NO WAY OUT! PLAN AHEAD OF WHAT YOU'LL DO TO SURVIVE THIS SORDID ASSAULT!"

"Teacher!" A hand raised. "What if we're smart enough to take a taxi instead of walking alone in the middle of the night?!"

"FORGET COMMON SENSE AND JUST GO WITH IT! I'M PAINTING A SCENE HERE!" Mr. Gai shouted, clenching his fist in might as he looked elsewhere towards the horizon once again. I was seriously starting to question just where on earth the superintendent managed to find this colorful man. He was so alien, and where did he get all his energy to shout so much and not have his voice hoarse by the end of the day?

"ENGAGE YOUR IMAGINATIONS! WHOEVER IS ON THE DEFENSE, I BETTER SEE YOU FIGHT AS THOUGH YOUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINES! SHOW ME YOUR YOUTHFUL PASSION TO SURVIVE ANOTHER DAY! NOW BEGIN!"

Was this really our last activity…? No sports or whatnot?

"IF ANY OF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CONSULT ME AS I WALK AROUND! AND TRY NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER!" Mr. Gai shot us all a thumbs-up before prancing away with such delusional grandeur that it could only belong to a pompous one trick pony like himself.

"There you are, Meiko! Let's be partners in this weird activity!" Sayori ran up to me as soon as we were dismissed, holding a pink wiffle bat. She made a face before complaining. "Geez! I don't wanna be paired up with any of the boys! They're just going to try to pull something weird, like spank my ass with the bat or something!" She brightened upon meeting my gaze. "So then~ I want you to teach me your anti-perv asskicking ways, O mighty amazon goddess! That way I'll never have to fear walking through the city alone at night!"

"Oh, please stop that already." I cracked a smile at her tomfoolery in spite of myself. I used to find her behavior boisterous and irritating, but over the years of getting to know her - she ended up growing on me. It most likely had to do with her being a good friend underneath her kooky exterior.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kaito flitting among others trying to find a partner but to no luck. Seeing his smile gradually starting to fade into a downtrodden expression elicited a fellow feeling from me. I couldn't help feeling somewhat sorry for him seeing how no one in our grade wanted to team up with the tall, chatty eccentric.

"Oh, so that psych weirdo's here." Sayori commented, referring to Kaito. "Too bad for him. He doesn't really have any friends in our class, does he?" She nudged me gently using her shoulder. "Well, I guess that's what happens when you're at the bottom of the social totem pole! If you ask me, he really ought to do something about his choice in fashion! I mean, just look at those shoes! And those glasses! They're so bland!"

My eyebrow twitched in irritation at the thoughtlessness of her comment. She hadn't meant anything by it, not truly - but the shallowness of it still angered me. I was about to point out that some students our age couldn't afford nice things such as converse sneakers or designer frames until I noticed him running up to a freshman girl perched on the bleachers like a canary. It was evident she was sitting out on the activity for personal reasons.

"Wait… that girl is…" I murmured under my breath, narrowing my gaze. Recognition sparked within me as my eyes roamed over her familiar figure. It was that sassy Lolita who rebelled against the new dress code. She sat with her legs crossed as she injected what looked like an insulin needle into the back of her arm. A monocled plush rabbit sat between her thighs, serving as her ever faithful companion.

Shimoda Rin was her name, I believed. Although elegant and polite, she often warded away the company of other students from due to being well... dotty - and that was putting it nicely. I would never dare speak this aloud, but she didn't seem to fit in the 21st century. Or an impoverished school for that matter. The first time I saw the freshman, I immediately wondered if she time traveled from the a prosperous noble era. It was like she walked among an elaborate art movement that was built on decadence and ostentation. I could easily picture her having a tea party with wealthy aristocrats as they splurged on luxuries using overtaxed dollars paid by the poor.

As wild as my imagination was, the oblivious way the freshman girl carried herself around here wasn't that far from the truth - judging by the hostile glares sent her way by other poor students who could barely afford coming here.

I was honestly put off by how she came to school wearing frilly, fluttery dresses that seemed more expensive than a monthly grocery budget put together. Given how decadent she was coming off to the other students, it was only a matter of time until trouble found her in the form of bullying. Her lack of self-awareness could be considered rubbing salt in their wounds. Her apparent wealth could put a target on her back if she didn't let up, that was for certain. She claimed to have made her own clothesline, but I was a skeptic by nature. She hadn't even mentioned the name of her brand, and I've yet to hear anything about a fourteen year old girl running her own business in the area.

"Rin, my angel, my goddess of mercy, my only saving grace!" Kaito prostrated himself before the tiny girl, all but clutching at her ankle before she gingerly kicked him away as though he were a bug. He didn't seem to mind, however, and continued his litany of pleas. "Take pity on a fellow social pariah! I'm begging you, please partner up with me!"

The first-year girl was dark in appearance yet disturbingly cheerful. In my defense, her attitude didn't seem appropriate for a someone her age. Her antics weren't amiss to my notice… such as that rabbit plush she carried with her everywhere. I caught glimpses of her throughout the school carrying on one-sided conversations with the doll, even giggling in response as though it were truly alive. Whether she aware of her surroundings or not, her fellow classmates often whispered about her being "loony" and "practicing witchcraft". Her macabre choice of fashion didn't help dissolve the rumors in the slightest. Whether she knew about the gossip or not, she didn't seem to pay anyone else much mind.

Today's latest violation to the dress code consisted of a lace Lolita look - the boldest crime yet. As always, that unusual skull bow rested faithfully at the back of her curled hair. Black lace bordered her Charmian corset dress, complemented with ebony flutter sleeves that hung off her shoulders and past her elbows. The steel-boned bustier was paneled with lilac leather and lace, while the strings at the lacing gap were drawn tight down her torso in a v-pattern. Her stockinged legs peeked through the sheer layers of her floral asymmetrical skirt.

My critical stare roamed over her neck and arms, which were swaddled in thick gauze. She was bandaged all the way to her hands, that accompanied with her small frame gave her a vulnerable countenance that I was sure was meant to deceive us all - due to me having had the displeasure of discovering that sassiness of hers during our first conversation. One could only wonder why she was bandaged like that. Was she hurt, or was this another one of her bizzare quirks?

Last but not least, her choice of shoes baffled and irked me. Satin red pointe shoes with matching ribbons snaked up her calves. Not only did they not meet the dress code, but they weren't even appropriate for the season.

"Yoo-hoo~ Meiko? You've been zoning out for while." Sayori waved a hand in front of me before drawing back once she had my attention. "Aha! Are you worried Shion might like that fluttery first-year girl? Heehee, don't be! I'm pretty sure he's had his eyes on you since middle school! Not to mention she dresses like some new age cultist!" She teased, swaying on her feet with a tongue-in-cheek demeanor. "Besides, Shion looked crestfallen when I stole you away earlier! I bet he was going to ask you if you would partner up with him!"

"I've told you before it's not like that between us. Furthermore, I don't possess any feminine traits that could possibly appeal to men, let alone Shion." I shook my head with a long-suffering sigh, exasperated with her mistaken jabs at what she liked to call our "budding romance". Real life was nothing like those flowery harlequin novels she enjoyed reading so much.

"You really are clueless when it comes to guys! Which is a shame, considering your bombastic measurements..." Sayori trailed off enviously as she glared at my, erm, assets. My eyebrow twitched as I cleared my throat.

"Please refrain from making any further inappropriate insinuations, Sayori." Particularly those about how I looked. It's not as though I ever asked to have this body - all it did was give me back pain, unwanted attention, and cute clothes that never fit when I went shopping. The worst thing was that the girls who glowered at me were never sympathetic about my troubles - well, if they could walk a day in my shoes they'd want nothing to do with a body like mine!

"Sorry, sorry~." She giggled before doubling over in pain, clutching her stomach. "Ooh, again? Man… I hate this time of the month." She groaned, her russet pigtails swishing back and forth. Knowing full well what she was referring to, I crouched over in concern.

"I have some pills in my backpack if you want me to grab some…" I proposed before being rejected in the form of a friendly brushoff.

"Thanks, but I'll just take a nap in the nurse's office. I've been meaning to catch up on some sleep anyway!" So she did pull an allnighter just like I thought. Catching onto my disapproving gaze, she hurried to placate me with an apologetic grin to avoid the oncoming lecture she knew I was about to give her. She looked so guilty it was almost comical. "C-Come on, I told you I'm trying to break the habit! A-Anyway, I'll go let Mr. Gai know!" She hurried off before I could stop her. "Don't worry, I'll tell him we did that dumb activity. You go ahead and relax or something." She waved at me as she took off with a skip in her step. "See you next class!"

I watched her leave with a shake of my head before deciding to do as she suggested. Class was almost over anyway, and Mr. Gai already checked me and Sayori off as partners - so I didn't have to worry about losing participation points. With nothing else to do, I sat out and turned my attention back to Kaito whose negotiation with the blonde Lolita was failing in his favor.

"... It seems Lola wasn't lying. You're alright, after all… you must have a very strong constitution for a Mundy." The blonde Lolita spoke as she lowered her eyes, a slight grimace pulling at her lips. The cryptic meaning behind those words grated at my curiosity though I doubted she would disclose anything even if asked. "But my, what a dilemma you have. While I'm flattered, I'm not in the mood to involve myself in roughhousing today." She divulged and held her head with a bilious unsteadiness that explained her flushed face. "My blood sugar is very high right now. The teacher is allowing me to sit this one out until I feel better." Hugging her monocled black plush to her chest, she rested her cheek into its downy fur. "It really is a shame, but you'll have to make do with someone else. Truly, my heart is in pieces to reject you when you're so desperate. But alas..." She trailed off with a long suffering sigh, though the blandness of her tone contradicted any sympathy she might have had for the class clown. "This is for the best. I'll only slow you down since I'm poor at anything physical."

That didn't come off as a surprise, as rude as it sounded.

"Please, Rin! No one else wants to pair up with me! I'll owe you in exchange if you just cut me some slack!" Kaito wasn't above begging the younger girl as he bowed before her on his knees as though surrendering to a queen. "You don't even have to do anything! Just… stand around or something while I pretend to strike you! As a man, I'd sooner put a knife to my skull than disgrace myself by raising a hand against a girl!"

"You'll owe me, you say?" Rin repeated with faint interest as she began filing her nails, not bothering to glance up as though knowing he would concede to any outlandish demand she would give him - which wasn't far from the truth. "I suppose I have no reason to refuse then…" Rising to her feet, she dusted herself off before eying him. "Under the pretense of participating in these boorish, impromptu activities as your partner, you will do this for me in return: those long lines in the cafeteria are a hassle to go through, and I have much better things to do than stand idle in a shoving, sweaty mass of hungry students." She said. "You will go in my place and buy me the best desserts during lunch break everyday for me from now on until I say otherwise. Agreed?"

"But… I can't afford anything other than cheeseburgers-"

"Of course I don't expect you to pay for me." The girl smoothly intervened before he could say anything further. She undid the skull bow from her hair and pocketed it. "Only paramours are allowed to do that for their ladies. I'll be giving you enough funds for my future purchases." Rin huffed. "And I don't want you under the delusion that you're within my scope of interests. I already have someone I love very much, thank you. No one could ever replace him."

"Um…" Kaito's mouth opened and closed like a fish. He looked unsure whether to be offended or relieved before deciding on the latter. "Fair enough. It's a deal." He held out his hand, and they shook on it.

I watched as they began the simulation. Kaito swung the wiffle bat at Rin using light swings she could easily avoid. Then they started resorted to ridiculous kung fu poses I often saw on martial artist movies. The others around them were taking the activity more seriously, making them look completely ridiculous in comparison - not that they seemed to notice or even mind.

The Lolita blonde emitted a haughty noblewoman's laugh as she sidestepped another blow before sticking her foot out in time to trip Kaito, causing him to yelp and fall in a disgraceful heap. She stood over him, appearing deceptively angelic as she gave him a simpering smile. He returned the look with an affronted expression before laughing it off with a defeated smile.

"I was actually trying to get you that time, but you're really hard to hit." He said before pointing to her feet. "Those things make you faster?"

"You mean my shoes?" Rin tilted her head. "Curious one, aren't you." She held back chortle before giving me an amused smile. She looked like the cat who swallowed the canary. "It's just that I'm more comfortable in these." At my prodding gesture, she went on to explain. "Ahem. Say if a… monster were to attack me when I least expect it or if a certain brute wanted to have his way with me… wouldn't you agree that it's important for girls like you and myself to have some advantage?"

Kaito shared my confusion at her words. He rose a brow with inquiry, prompting her to elaborate.

"I possess neither strength or stamina, and I can't pull my weight in sports. When it comes to anything that requires endurance, I'm awful. Therefore, if someone stronger were to hit me, I would be defeated easily." Rin divulged with a frown before closing her eyes and rocking back and forth on her heels. "... Of course, they would have to be able to catch me first." Then she gave me a smile that was positively feline. "I've never been a master at anything involving talent. The only redeeming quality I have, really, is my dexterity."

"Nimble hands, deft feet?" Kaito paraphrased, causing her to beam.

"Exactly! As a child, I took ballet for many years. It's one of my dearest memories." The blonde Lolita spoke with such fondness anyone could tell how passionate she was about dancing. She demonstrated a pirouette and showed him different positions. I tried to imagine a jolly little Rin dressed up in a pink tutu and fluttering about like a butterfly. Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard to imagine despite the bizarreness of it all.

"Do you ever feel as though you're living a double life sometimes? Slipping from the usual life to unusual routines…" Rin's eyes were downcast as she stroked her rabbit plush before chuckling. "Heehee. What am I saying? It's not as though I'm a comic book heroine. But my sister told me it's important to be ready for… anything..." Her voice trailed off in astonishment as her attention was diverted by a sudden arrival, one whose made my skin crawl.

It was him.

"Kagamine Len…" Just saying his name made me livid. I straightened up and fought to control my rising ire, keeping my fists clenched at my sides. Controlling this year's chaos was looking more insurmountable by the day. He cut most of this class yet had the nerve to show up whenever he pleased? He was so unbelievably full of it I wanted to squash that ego of his to pieces. Lone wolf, was it? More like a mad dog was more like it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a prefect stand by the doors, most likely assigned to supervise the mad dog around the building in case things went awry. He gave me a the barest of nods, which I returned before scowling once more.

"Perfect. For him to show up of all times… God must be testing me." I seethed under my breath, my anger so palpable I ended up scaring away some of the girls who had been sitting next to me.

"Hmm… it sounds like your sister might've been onto something. Maybe somebody ought to school the Lone Wolf about slacking off… for once." A slow grin crept onto Kaito's face as he got up and dusted himself off. Interest gleamed in behind those bright lens as he tilted his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose. "And I'm talking about giving him a hard knock lesson in preparedness." Confusion filled me as me and Rin watched him approach the said boy skulking around the perimeter as students veered away to clear a path. They were obviously intimidated by the surliest troublemaker of them all, wanting anything but to get on his bad side.

The blue-haired class clown, however, was undeterred.

"Are you too good for us to skip out while the rest of us are working to the bone trying to learn something? Keep it up, and you'll be as flat as the dirt you walk on." Kaito, using his own height to his advantage, towered over the mad dog. I was alarmed at his sudden, casual provocation. This wasn't like him. Was this supposed to be his genius way of teaching this first-year repeater punk a lesson?

Rin silently came up on his other side, appearing just as bewildered as I felt.

"If you don't want to get any shorter, then I suggest you remember why you started coming back to high school in the first place. People will get the wrong idea about you if you never get serious." Kaito crossed his arms with a breezy grin, staring the younger boy down as though scolding a child instead of our school's most violent tempered delinquent. "Or maybe you're doing us all a favor by being the biggest joke we can all laugh at."

The air went frigid with tension, just like a bitter frost.

"..."

A shadow fell over the wolf's face as he pulled his hood back to reveal the most furious death glare I'd ever seen. He said nothing, but his rapidly building temper was already warding away most of the students to the other side of the room - who were pretending not to notice what was happening.

The color drained from my face as I recalled multiple times I walked in on the aftermaths of his rampages just as he left the premises. I almost forgot how frightening his face looked when things got nasty. Even despite the fact there were boys here who were much bigger than him - Kagamine Len was feared for a reason. His powerhouse punches could knock grown men flat and hospitalize them for days, and that was on days where he usually held back.

The times he didn't, though…

My stomach went queasy remembering the battered, unrecognizable body of the Timber Wolves' Leader covered by a sheet stained with blood as it was carted away in the ambulance - followed by an emotionless Len being led away by the police from the school grounds.

Students here said the quieter the wolf was when angered, the more violent his outbursts became.

I inhaled sharply, preparing myself to step in for the worst when Kaito suddenly spoke up again.

"Come on then. The teacher should've filled you in about today's activity. I hear this kind of thing is your specialty, and seeing as you don't have a partner…" Picking up the bat, he pointed it at the boy to challenge him. "Think you could demonstrate your technique to us?" A disquiet befell the entire class as everyone silently avoided the group to avoid getting involved. Even the most boisterous students were hushed in Kagamine's vicinity. Some were even hurrying to the locker rooms to gather their things and leave as soon as they could. Mr. Gai was, strangely enough, aloof as he observed the pair with interest.

The mad dog rose his fists in front of him as he took a stance, his body completely still and steady as he waited for Kaito to strike. They were in the ring. As the game went, whoever managed to hit first or push the other out of the circle would win. Kaito rested the bat on his shoulder, surprising me even further a brazenness I'd never seen him possess.

"You ready for me, Kagamine? Here I come!"

Kaito went in for the charge, going all out at full speed as he brandished the plastic bat like a club.

Len's leg shot out faster than lightning as he quickly intercepted the taller boy with an axe kick strong enough to send the bat flying out of his arms.

"UGH? OH CRA-!?" Not giving Kaito any time to react, the mad dog followed up with grappling hold specifically used for heavier opponents - using the momentum of Kaito's weight to tackle him to the ground with him on top. They went crashing down in a locked struggle. I winced at the multiple bruises already forming around Kaito's shin and face due to taking the brunt of the fall.

"Had enough?" Kagamine's cold voice inquired as he tightened his chokehold on Kaito, whose face was quickly turning blue as he struggled like a flailing fish out of water. He tried to say something, but his eyes bulged as strangled noises escaped him. "Oh, I see. Did you mean to say you wanted to taste the dirt I walk on now that we're on the same level?"

"N-no… give… I gi...ve. Y-You're t...the strong...est..." Was all Kaito managed in a high-pitched, hoarse cry. He was released with a loud gasp, clutching at his throat and coughing. He crumpled up at Rin's feet like discarded trash before making an attempt to reach out to her in a futile gesture. "Rin… it's up to you now… show him… the weight of a student's burdens..." Then he collapsed in exhaustion.

"I'm happy for you, Kaito. You've outdone my expectations by not lasting one second, but two." Rin slow-clapped with a cheerless smile. My heart thudded in trepidation as Kagamine's shadow fell over her until they stood practically five feet apart.

"Now it's your turn to attack me." The older blond said as he turned his attention to a ruminative Rin. Her lips curled into a frown at his demand, and he barked out a harsh laugh. "Are you so against the idea after all? Even if you don't make the first move, I'll be coming after you. This is what you and your friend wanted, after all. There." He tossed her the wiffle bat, which she instinctively managed to catch with both hands before realizing she had been baited along with. She glowered at the mad dog for dragging her into a mess she wanted no part in. "I'll even give you a handicap. You can use that to defend yourself, and I'll try to drive you out of the ring with just my fists."

"I refuse." Her flat tone reflected her disinterest in his games as she made to leave, only to be stopped by his next words.

"Do you intend to keep up this idle life of yours until you die? It must be in your nature to retreat the moment you humans are inconvenienced." He addressed her bandages with scorn. "So breakable and brittle - your cowardice explains why you humans cling to life - because your very mortality is no more than a melting candle that's easily snuffed out in a breath."

Hearing these words made my ears prickle with heat. How could he say these kinds of things when he himself was a human, too?

Stopping cold in her tracks, Rin craned her head to regard him with a piercing stare - her lips curving downward.

"So many of you live and die without doing a damn thing, no different than a herd. It's all because you'd all rather rot away in luxury than toil at anything meaningful." Kagamine's searing glare electrified the tension as his unmelting eyes swept over every person in the room, including Mr. Gai and myself. Kagamine spared no more than a glance, however, as he reared up on Rin again. "None of you are ashamed of a life that that produces nothing but shit, You'll never accomplish- no, you can't even gauge what greatness is." His voice burned with disgust and hatred, causing several students to retreat in fear.

I broke into a cold sweat, unnerved by the depth of his pure, violent rage that was palpable enough to resemble a red miasma engulfing him in shape of a beast. That beast roared to life, fighting to break free.

"...Is it wrong not to be special?" Rin turned around fully to face him, tossing aside the bat much to everyone's surprise save for Len. Hearing her voice, his rage appeared to be placated somewhat though the hostility hadn't left his face. He remained in position as she walked right back into the ring where he was. "To live to fight, or to fight to live… as long as you're doing it for yourself, neither choice is wrong. To me, life is just a dance… something you're bound to until you fall down and die, your pride being your bloodied feet because you did it for so long… so that's why I don't care about being more special than anyone else." Her conviction rang clear as she swept into a wary defense. For some reason, she insisted on hanging onto her stuffed rabbit - leaving her open for any possible attacks.

Then I blinked, recalling what she said about her high blood sugar earlier. It became clear she was suffering from diabetes. While her complexion was looking better from exercising - I had my doubts whether it was really a good idea for someone her size to be sparring with Kagamine of all people.

"Is she really going to be alright?" I wondered aloud. I crossed my arms over my chest, my anxiety increasing.

"It rankles to act like a noble chevalier in this cruel world…" The freshman girl said. "But just this once, I'll stake my pride on this… let's begin."

A short silence passed as they waited for the other to make the first move. In the end, the mad dog was the one who lunged forward in a burst of speed. Rin veered out of his reach just before he could touch her. Of course, Len didn't let up and continued his assault - his parka and hair flying from his movements. His rapid fire punches were like shots blasted from an air cannon, breezing in sharp whistles with each hit.

It was like watching Death and Life dancing before my very eyes, leaving me breathless. Nothing could compare to what I was seeing now. It was as though my own history of violence was mere child's play in face of their (clearly professional) combat coordination.

"Just who is that girl? How is she dodging him like that?"

"I've never seen the Lone Wolf miss an attack!"

It wasn't as though Rin was necessarily faster than Kagamine as I've seen him reach higher speed in rougher brawls with other guys. Judging by his growing vexation with each missed hit, he seemed genuinely bewildered as to why he couldn't manage to hit her with the barest of his efforts - it was likely something he never had to do before in the history of his fights.

The blonde Lolita's previous frailty melted away into pure concentration. Her lethargy was nowhere to be found now that her eyes were alert and her movements even sharper. She never stopped moving for even a second as her eyes roamed him, memorizing every nook and cranny of his form. By reading his body language, it became clear she was evading his attacks right before they connected. It was like she could anticipate where he was planning to strike right before he even threw a punch.

This girl…

Was this what she was really like…? Was this her being serious for once?

Then I remembered what she mentioned about how dancing helped her stay nimble and several steps ahead of opponents stronger than her. It dawned on me that she couldn't be just any ordinary, dotty student… not when she was the only one capable of keeping up with Kagamine in a fight - let alone causing his attacks to miss. Countless times.

But even I could see the fight was wearing her down. Unlike Kagamine, she was panting heavily. Sweat poured down her cherub face as exhaustion kicked in. Her movements slowed, and Kagamine nearly had her. Then came her second wind, and her red shoes carried her to safety. A solemn resolve carved her face as she was likely planning to finish this quickly.

So caught up in his frustration to win, the mad dog didn't seem to realize Rin was leading him in a dizzying spiral. If his leap was that of a wolf, her flitting movements were that of a hummingbird or rabbit. Even while keeping her intentions masked, Rin was as fast as the boy when it came to retreat.

But Kagamine's attacks were still the deadliest - as he was forced to pick up the pace with each missed hit. Given his growing irritation, it seemed to be a disgrace to take even a minute to subdue his enemy. Rin was made aware of this and avoided his next barrage of heel hooks and armbars by a mere graze. The moment his arm struck out, she weaved around the strike and moved in close until her face was mere inches away from his.

"...!" Her sudden proximity disoriented him as she leaned in unexpectedly close to share a held gaze with him using those powder-blue eyes bracketed by bold, doll-like lashes combed with mascara. Her painted rogue lips carried that familiar faint smile void of warmth.

The enemy's kiss, or so it was called. It was a standoff where one's eyes lock the opponent's because of the proximity. Usually the best way to counter that was to feint a jab in her blind spot. Fighting, when done by professionals, resembled dancing. Perhaps that was why Rin was able to last this long against a seasoned combatant like Kagamine.

Kagamine, recovering quickly, went to counter her with a blindsiding leg hook, only to be shocked as Rin bound her legs around his neck in a flying triangle choke.

"GHH!"

Everyone shouted in shock as for the first time, the Lone Wolf was forced onto his knees - brought down by a tiny girl just a year younger than him. Rin was able to bring the repeating first year down with her full weight, using her flexibility as a dancer to withstand the awkward angles on the ground that would normally injure a person. Her previous statement regarding her physical abilities struck me with an awareness I didn't have before. Because of her status as a dancer, the strongest muscles in her body had to be her legs. Right now, she was exerting all she had to keep him pinned from attacking her. She reversed their bodies so she was the one straddling him. Her multiple skirts billowed out like a flower in full bloom. After all this time, she was still hugging her plush. Her stockinged thighs tightened around his carotid, cutting off the blood supply to his brain.

"Impossible…" My breath hitched in my throat, unbelieving what I was seeing. I was standing now. Beside me, even a stupefied Kaito was at a loss for words. "Does this mean that girl might have a chance...?"

"T-This is unconceivable, Rin…! I… I might have made a mistake." Kaito blurted aloud, causing me to glance at him. He looked at me with worried eyes. "I didn't think it would go this far… I shouldn't have enabled this." My eyes widened in surprise at his own admittance, but before I could reply a growl interrupted my line of thoughts.

"Damn… you…" A toxic hiss escaped Kagamine's clenched teeth as the veins in his neck bulged as he flung his weight sideways, forcing her to the ground instead. When it came to brawn, Kagamine was still the dominant one. Rin yelped as he, with incredible strength, grabbed under the crook of her knees trying to wrench her off him. He slowly rose from a knee to stand, all the while power-lifting a dangling Rin whose face began to pale when she realized what he was going to do.

"Don't you dare-!" Was all she managed to say before Kagamine, with a furious roar, began whirling them in rapid, turbulent circles - causing Rin to shriek at the top of her lungs as she was thrown back and forth in dizzying turns. She knew he was trying to fling her into one of the walls as he held onto the back of her knees. She screamed inanities at him among the words of stop this madness and accept defeat like a man. Her face started to turn green, and she covered her mouth to prevent herself from heaving. Still he didn't let up, and she proved to be just as stubborn - keeping her vice grip on him even as he nearly collided the into a steel wall.

"Oh shit! Things are getting real!"

"Wait 'til everyone sees this!"

Third year and first year students burst into an uproar as they circled the blondes with their phones out, flashing pictures or recording the entire scene. I was struck speechless watching these events unfold, my mouth running dry at the utter chaos that was taking place beyond control.

What… what...

"Even to a girl he would resort to such brutality…" Kaito gasped, his glasses falling off his nose as he staggered back in shock. He actually had the gall to grip my shoulder for balance, but I was too much in shock to do anything about it. "Is there no trace of even the slightest bit of humanity in him?"

The answer to his question came in the form of -

"I'll break your neck open if you don't let go, you witch!" There was nothing insincere in that baleful threat. He was serious.

"Hurrp…" A weak groan slipped from Rin's pale lips, but as stubborn as she proved to be - she refused to obey. She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth. Her arms tightened around her plush bunny as she held on for dear life.

Everyone backed away in mortification whenever the blonds came close to piledriving them. A sharp whistle blew, and Mr. Gai was running to step in with waving arms until Rin managed to pull herself up and-

"Trade that temper in exchange for manners, Beastie!"

"HNGH?!"

- jam her elbow straight into his solar plexus.

With a choked gasp, Kagamine loosened his grip to grab at his throat - buckling his knees for balance. As soon as her back touched the ground, Rin curled her legs under his torso and bucked him off with all her strength - kicking him out of the ring. Recovering mid-air, he landed in a crouch like a wild animal just as the bell rang. He glanced down to the front of his parka in astonishment at the small footprint she left behind for all to see.

But it was already over.

She had won.

Picking herself up off the ground, Rin ignored the dumbfounded looks from the crowd as she tamed her disheveled appearance. After fixing the monocle on her bunny, she twirled her fingers around her flyaways before sending gold curls flying over her shoulder. With one last downward glance at Kagamine, she broke into a smug little smile before blowing him a mocking kiss, further rubbing salt in his wounds. Kagamine's eyes flared in anger. Then her true disdain showed as she stuck her nose up with a haughty "hmph" and marched right past him, hips sashaying with no small amount of pride. Everyone's eyes followed her all the way out the door before turning to the surly wolf boy, who fell into an unsettling hush as he stood up.

Ruuuuumble…

A dark, murderous rage emanated from the boy in waves as he glared past the doors where Rin just left. The sting of humiliated defeat crawled behind his eyes, twisting his features in a wrathful scowl. His whole body went stiff though only the slightest of trembles moved his lips. His clenched fists went white at his sides in an iron grip, drawing blood.

Oh no.

This was the telltale sign of what would happen next. Our one and only chance to get away unscathed was now.

He was about to go on a very unpleasant, very destructive rampage. Once he lost his temper, the destruction was unstoppable - and it was imminent.

But my legs wouldn't move. My heart was lodged in my throat. I had never witnessed Kagamine's wrath in person until now. That frightening gaze of his bore holes into my eyes the moment he looked at me, rendering me frozen.

Those dark eyes… consumed with a black desire to destroy - threatening to swallow me up.

What was happening? Why couldn't I move…? Don't tell me… was this… fear?

"Don't just stand there, Prez. He's gonna blow." Kaito urged me under his breath as though saying this out loud would be all it took for the other boy to attack us. He wasted no time taking me by the arm to drag me away - putting as much distance between us and him as possible. Everyone else seemed to have the same idea as they bailed - leaving a gaping space between the boy and the rest of the other students. I threw last-ditch look towards the prefect, and he as well as Mr. Gai leaped into action.

Just as he started to storm towards the swinging doors, both men grabbed him by the arms and hauled his violently struggling form far away.

"RRRGH! Let go of me, mongrels!" The sheer volume of his scream would have made lesser men scatter. His bared his canines with the intent of throwing them off as the muscles in his arms tensed up, but they seemed to pick up on that. Even with both full-grown adults, as fit and muscular as they were, Kagamine's stubborn pride was giving them a run for their money. Numerous times he almost managed to throw them off in a whirlwind of brute strength. Both men struggled to restrain him despite him lashing out and were forced to slow down in effort to dodge his grappling grabs. They all but lifted him up as they practically carried him outside to detain him. He put up quite a thrashing, one of his strong kicks leaving a large, gaping hole in the bleachers.

"Strike one, you damn brat!" The prefect lambasted the boy's actions. "Any more incidents, and you're expelled here forever. No one is going to put up with that temper of yours forever - not even with the chairman's intervention!"

"POOR, MISGUIDED CHILD! DEFEAT IS A BITTER THING TO ACCEPT, BUT YOU'RE STILL A MAN! IT'S UNFORGIVABLE TO TAKE OUT YOUR FRUSTRATIONS ON A WOMAN" Mr. Gai wept for Kagamine even as he hauled him away with bulging biceps. " WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTACT YOUR GUARDIAN! PERHAPS HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TALK SOME SENSE INTO YOU MAN TO MAN!"

Finally, as soon as they reached the doors - Kagamine simply went limp. His eyes were still burning, however. Nothing on his face indicated that he was about to simply let this go anytime soon. Wisps of blond hair fell into those cold, remorseless eyes. This wasn't the end of it.

My heart was still hammering in my throat even as people left to go on to their next classes. A worried tap on my shoulder from Kaito finally brought me to my senses. I didn't realize I was still holding my breath until I started to feel lightheaded. He was still in front of me, then I remembered how he stood protectively in front of me in case Kagamine broke free. If not for his intervention, I could've been caught up in the wolf's rampage.

My mouth moved to thank him, but the words wouldn't come. They were stuck in my throat. I brought my shaking hands to my face, realizing just how scared I had been for not just myself, but for everyone else. It frustrated me - here I was supposed to be protecting them, and I just froze up. I was beyond ashamed of my inaction.

People were starting to look over here, and no- no, don't look. Their whispering voices as to why didn't I do anything overwhelmed me. They thought I was a failure. They thought I was a useless coward! And it was true, all I did was stand there like a deer in headlights. I talked a big game about facing Kagamine but all I did was shrink away!

The shame was unbearable it made my knees buckle.

But his eyes… that look in his eyes was nothing but chaos. It terrified me. That unnatural hatred and rage… it didn't bode well - what he was capable of… just what in the world was he?

Dread turned to panic as the color drained from my face. No! I don't want anyone to see me like this! I shut my eyes, trying to stop the trembling but to no avail.

Just then, a fluttering sensation of warmth enveloped my neck. I opened my eyes in surprise to find Kaito wordlessly wrapping his worn, washed out scarf around my neck - covering my trembling mouth and shoulders. My fingers reached up to touch the material as an earthy, piney scent filled my nostrils. It was as refreshing as a forest breeze, calming my nerves until I finally managed to stop shaking.

Was this Kaito's smell…?

I found myself taking solace in this gentleness of his. It was like a light rain falling on an unforgiving desert.

"I keep telling you not to push yourself, Prez! You're always working yourself to the bone planning events and stopping fights in your free time!" Kaito admonished me in a purposely loud voice, drawing attention to us. "Now you've gone and gotten yourself sick! You may be tough, but even super girls have their limits!"

"Shion…" I uttered, staring at him wide-eyed. In reply, he threw me a quick grin before rearing up on me with a sternness I'd never seen use before. Then my eyes fell over his bruised neck where Kagamine had choked him earlier. "Wait, but your injuries-!"

"Eh, I might have deserved these for lighting Kagamine's short fuse." Kaito shrugged before smiling. "It's nice knowing you're worried about me though! But don't be! For some reason, it doesn't really hurt much!" He skipped away before I could protest. "Hang onto my scarf until you get over your illness! Just watching you shiver makes me feel like we're in the Arctic!" Kaito threw up his hands in exaggerated frustration before making his leave. "See you in class, and you better slack off and take a nap like a normal student should! I'll toss your books out the window if I catch you studying like a maniac again!"

"Oh, so that's how it was?" The students broke into murmurs, shooting me sympathetic looks instead of the disdainful stares from earlier - but I didn't care about that. Clutching the scarf Kaito gave me with careful trepidation, I felt my opinion towards him changing.

Had he really just gone out of his way to comfort me and then save my image as though nothing was amiss? This unexpected kindness of his made me realize just how little I knew about him when I'd been passing judgment on him as an idiot this whole time…

I suddenly felt guilty.

As though feeling the weight of my heavy gaze, Kaito looked over his shoulder before winking at me. It was like he knew what I was thinking just now. Embarrassed, I huffed and walked the other direction before anyone could catch sight of my reddening cheeks.

Still… I have to thank him later and find a way to return the favor. Now that I owed him, I definitely couldn't let his deed go unacknowledged. It would bother me the for the rest of my life if I did nothing.

I spent the rest of the day trying to forget the whole thing happened, but it was impossible. Those who witnessed the fight between Rin and Kagamine earlier were already flapping their gums about it. By the end of the day, everyone was talking about it. Some couldn't believe that a freshman girl could best their strongest delinquent. Others cried out how they would never forgive her for shaming their idol.

However, their pale faces indicated that they were shaken - and knowing that Kagamine was likely to come back in a foul mood, they opted to stay away as soon as they saw him.

I marched out of my classroom after finishing up the council meeting. I cut it short with the intention to find either Rin or Kagamine - whoever I saw first - to question their actions earlier. I made certain to keep my phone on me in case I ran into trouble and notified Chairman of my next actions. He has yet to respond to my texts, so I assumed he was busy elsewhere.

My previous fear of Kagamine was still there, but I had to bury that. I knew without a doubt that he was stronger than me, but I needed to get over that. I couldn't afford to be scared of him, not now when there were so many other students who I had to protect.

"I just have to be careful." I told myself as I steeled my spine to prepare a confrontation with the wolf.

"For someone like that girl to win against the Lone Wolf was no one-hit wonder…" I murmured to myself, frowning. She was just as likely to be as deadly- no, perhaps even deadlier than the wolf himself. True, she was nowhere near aggressive as Kagamine and so far seemed repulsed by perhaps she was even demure… but her background was questionable at best. Unlike Kagamine, she had no history in this school until now. I didn't know anything about her.

I would have to keep an eye on her from now on… and also find a way to keep her and Kagamine apart.

Today's incident made it clear they were like oil and fire - they would burn everything in their vicinity and therefore should never make contact.

These untimely deaths as well as Ms. Ann's disappearance - all of it revolved around the school. My suspicions weren't unfounded when I believed that those two blonds were definitely connected to this somehow. There was something unusual about them - something I couldn't ignore.

Something was going on… I just couldn't see it yet.

---

Len's POV

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"This is your last chance, Kagamine." The one who called himself "counselor" had seared me with that heavy, judgmental gaze - thinking himself a higher power than myself. It was maddening. "You're not to misbehave in any way on school grounds. I want to help all you students succeed - but we cannot tolerate any more tomfoolery. Any more violent outbursts of yours, and it's an official expulsion on your permanent record."

"ARAAAGGHHH!"

How could I lose to someone so passionless? Someone with no soul when it came to fighting? And having to be barked at by those suited underlings who thought less of me?

My hatred for them all was unbearable.

"Maybe I should just kill you all to silence your impudent mouths forever!" I snarled between hits, imagining each face being destroyed by my fists. Maybe I ought to do just that. Being held there wasn't worth an iota of my time or interest - so why was I still tolerating this?

The next time they test me until my patience snapped, I'd really butcher them all…

"Heh." A scornful leer made itself present on my face. BAM. "Maybe I should? What's there to lose?" My bare fists pounded against the gravel, reducing it to smithereens. "That way I won't have deal with any more annoyances…!"

In the shade of my gated hideout which used to be a construction site, I drowned myself unleashing my rampant emotions against the steel girders before me. My fists pounded away at the metal, leaving nasty dents. Each blow chipped away at its core, sending metal debris flying in sharp chunks. Each time I thought of her face, I ended up obliterating the structures faster than they could even collapse. With another enraged scream, I lashed out against a joist that quickly fell apart at the beams and caused nearby girders to fall in domino effect.

RUUUMBBLLEEEE…

With its foundation completely gone, there was nothing left to stop the entire bridge from its inevitable downfall. The earth shook as metal and glass fell apart in splinters. I observed in savage satisfaction witnessing the man made creation fall to its knees in a deafening collapse. It wasn't until the dust began to settle than I realized how my breaths came out in heavy, flushed pants.

"I sent you to be educated there because you lack a sordid understanding of humans, Pup. Your grudge against them is what fuels you - you must let the past go. Take this from an old wolfskin who learned too late..."

"Damn it, Dell. You're not my father or alpha… I don't need to listen to old fools who went soft because of their weak sympathy for humans!" I spat to the side before throwing off my parka and climbing a nearby pine tree. Yes, the only thing stopping me from murdering all those wretched humans was because of him. Dell challenged me to "understand" humans before deciding whether or not I should truly kill them. Each time I gave him a reason, he merely dismissed them as "immature" or "lacking conviction".

Kch! As wolfskin tradition went, it was expected of younger kin to honor their Elder's wishes before going their own way, whether to break away from a clan or to go solo. As a young wolfskin who hasn't reached a century old, I had no choice but to honor Dell's challenge. Dell was the one who raised me after all, though we never belonged to a clan. Until my rite of passage, I couldn't go against tradition lest I taint my honor.

Still… this ugly, crushing feeling wouldn't go away. I rose a clenched fist to my line of sight before throwing myself into another training exercise. Grabbing onto the highest branch overlooking the forest, I tied the largest boulder I could find to my feet and started doing as many pull-ups as quickly as I could.

Fury. It eroded my mind and all sense of reason- possessing me, feeding me with an unrelenting drive to annihilate whatever stood in my has been my life for as long as I could remember. Fighting… charging ahead at full force no matter whose lives I trampled on. The harshness of the way I lived brought to mind the glacial winds of Kjellberg Mountain. Blistering memories of scaling fifty thousand meter alps using nothing but my bare hands and feet came to mind. Each time my muscles screamed, the harshness of training under zero degrees Fahrenheit returned to me in a blizzard.

So many times I fell… so many times I thought I would die…

But not anymore, for I am the strongest now.

By the three-hundredth pull up, I landed terra firma to the ground and disrupted the grass in a woodland blaze. I went over to the stacked pile of cinder blocks I had collected during the summer and roped them together five at a time. Once secure, I started a series of hammer throws.

"This is nothing…!" I gritted out, my shoulders stiff from spinning the weight. I threw my body round and round like a pinwheel, picking up speed until the world around me was a mere afterimage. Letting out a thunderous war cry, I hurled the cinderblocks into the air and released the rope. It cleaved over the lake and into a flock of birds, breaking their formation as caws erupted - hitting a bird and causing it to fall. My ears perked up as a distant thud was heard miles away.

"Hmph." With a decisive smirk, I shook my head at today's distance before heading back to the cinderblock pile to repeat the exercise. Last week, I was able to throw much farther than that. It went to show how muddled my mind was because of that witch. It was all her fault.

By the time I flung the last stack of cinderblocks, I noted how far it went flying into the horizon until it disappeared over the treeline.

"Tch." I ran a hand through my unruly hair, beads of sweat scattering to the crisp wind. "Those things are hard to intact nowadays." I didn't bother going after the block knowing it had to be in shambles by now. As my body was saturated in sweat, I noted it would be a good time later this evening to wash in the river. My undershirt was riddled with mud, debris, and grass stains from roughhousing.

Undoing the confines of my ponytail, I let my golden mane ripple in the wind as I took in a slow, purposeful deep breaths of the greenwood air. I kicked off my shoes as I waded into the stream, taking in the cold, splashing waves. It was cumbersome forcing myself to relax, but the sounds of the rushing river and animals made it easier for me.

"What do I need to understand the humans for, Dell?" I asked aloud, wondering for a brief moment if the wind would carry the question to where he was. "When so many times in the past… it was they who failed to understand and revere us? Even now."

I lifted my gaze to the sunlit canopy, piercing my gaze through the falling leaves. My conflicted presence disrupted the beautiful tranquility of orange and red tones. Here I was, alone but at peace. The silence around me was comforting - unobtrusive but open. Only here I was able to line up my thoughts in an ebb flow, pushing out the strange and unwelcome away like an ocean would to a tide.

"Only out here in the wild… is my heart truly robust." I finally let out a quiet, steady sigh - the boiling tension from my body returning to a simmer.

That's right - as long as I was strong, I needed no one. All I had to do was survive and fight - and someday… I could return home. Home, to Kjellberg Mountains where I truly belonged.

Taking out my yellow beast stone, I shone the rough cut crystal towards the sun - giving it a heavenly glow from its heart. Closing my eyes, I welcomed the light enveloping me as my body morphed into its true form. My limbs were lengthening, my senses were sharpening - the clothes ripped away from my expanding form. The pain passed as quickly as it came. As soon as my heavy paws landed on all fours, I tilted my head back in a howl - scaring off nearby animals. Then I travelled as fast as I could back to the city limits.

Human machines roared on constructed highways, racing against me as I roamed the backroads. The setting sun peered over the grassy hills, reflecting an iridescent sheen across my thick coat. I passed by a group of human offspring playing by the stream, who pointed and shrieked at me with awestruck laughter. I wasn't worried, however - even if they told others they saw me it wasn't as though human adults would believe mere pups and their wild imaginations.

It wasn't until I reached the shadows of the arcade's side alley did I reluctantly revert back into the pathetic form I was forced to call my human body. I was in the nude as I searched behind a loose brick pile to reveal another fresh set of clothes my size. It was a drag - forcing myself to adapt to human society and their norms, having to dress in and out between transformations, but Dell insisted I had to at least concede to the bare necessities.

Once I was changed, my feet carried me to the back entrance. Once I opened the door, I found no guard - inviting me inside the colorful noise. I put in my earbuds and tuned out incessant chatter with classical piano - a different soundtrack from last month.

Without wasting another moment, I flicked the wad of human cash Dell gave me across the counter to the lanky employee who shakily returned a roll of tickets - avoiding my penetrative glare the entire time. I passed a line of middle school children crowded by the prize booths and all but shouldered anyone aside who got in my way to the rhythm step pad.

Short staccatos hastening to a melodic etude, the piano chords sang in my ears like a hymn as I weaved through the chiptune noise.

Games of concentration were an amusing pastime for me. I did not dislike rhythm games in that sense despite the flashing neon colors from the machines made me want to punch their lights out.

A slow smirk of satisfaction spread across my face until a slender figure belonging to a stern-faced woman blocking my path to the step pad. Brown eyes, brown hair - the same color as the mud her entire being represented. My mood soured as I dragged my eyes up to see it was that nosy, annoying she-gorilla from that steel prison - the one who enjoyed intruding on those who so obviously wanted to be left alone. My eyes narrowed into a glare as I removed my earbuds, unintimidated by her disdainful gaze as other dogs were. If she thought she could get me to do anything her heart desired like she did with those other mongrels at the school - she was in for a rude awakening.

"Kagamine. I need a moment of your time, if you will? Let's go somewhere quieter." Walking past me, she didn't spare a second glance as she headed out the door. I had half a mind to snarl at her for ordering me around as though I were some stupid, besotted puppy. Just when I finally managed to calm myself down - this had to happen. With an irate jerk of my head, I stormed after her with the intent of letting her know what I thought of her provocations.

As soon as we were outside, I caught notice of the sleek black vehicle across the street with tinted windows. A whiff of men's cologne and ironing starch informed me there were two occupants inside. I recognized the stench to be from those hounding underlings from school - the ones who bowed down to the she-gorilla.

I scowled. So she thought she was safe so long as those two were there? Well, at least she wasn't stupid enough to meet me out here by herself. Without turning to look at her, I began in a purposeful growl.

"Out with it, wench. Why are you here, and what do you want from me?"

"I heard this is where you spend your idle hours. I knew if I waited long enough you would eventually show yourself." She clipped, then her tone sharpened much to my disliking. "That technique of yours you showed during gym… it seems pretty solid. Why not teach it to me?"

I merely rose a brow, lazily observing her with an eye before scoffing.

"It's almost flattering a she-gorilla would ask me for instruction when there are far better teachers." I answered with a snort. "But the method I use… isn't for normal humans. So." I cocked my head at her, staring straight through her as I knew she was acting with false pretenses. "Why would a she-gorilla like you ever need it? I'd stop wasting time if I were you, asking pointless questions - and get to the matter at hand."

"Indeed. I'm not interested at all in that barbaric grappling of yours. It's an eyesore, having to watch such vulgar gore." The woman dropped all civilities as she leaned against the wall, crossing her legs. "I'll be blunt. Your misconduct at school is unacceptable. I want you to stop, as what happened in gym today put many students at an unease. With exams coming up, feeling unsafe in the building the last thing they need." She showed her displeasure by crossing her arms. "I don't know what kind of problems are going on in your personal life, but nobody wants another repeat of last year's incident."

Preposterous. I almost sneered.

Did she bring me all the way out here just to give me a I threw her a bland glance just to show her how interested I was in her opinion.

"And? Was there something else you wanted to say, or am I finally allowed to leave?"

Watching her struggle to contain that withering composure of hers was the most entertaining thing humans have showed me all day. It proved to be a challenge for her, considering she looked like she wanted to bite my head off. She was doing a poor job of masking her obvious loathing for me. I could see it burning like coals in those burnt umber eyes.

"I want you," she inhaled, taking great pains to steady her voice to one of professional neutrality. "To stay away from first year Shimoda Rin, your classmate. Everyone saw it. You meant to hurt her on purpose." She said. "Whatever personal grudge you hold against her, I suggest you keep it to yourself. Students here are supposed to be here to learn - not to hurt each other, and you're no exception."

I narrowed my eyes before breaking into the nastiest grin I could muster, making her flinch in distaste.

"Or what? You'll run crying to that milksop father of yours, the chairman?"

"I just might." She retorted, this time doing away with any hesitance that might have held her back. I let out a derisive scoff before throwing my arms out in faux defenselessness, mocking her with a careless grin.

"Heeh? Do I come across as a nemesis so diabolical in your eyes that you'd vilify my intentions as one who'd waste time chasing after that bratty witch?" Her eyes flared up at my jeering. "Or perhaps it's because you desperately want to play heroine that you need a nobody like me to play a crude role, that way your kind can love you?" A quick glance at her barely controlled expression told me that even a human like her was easily swayed by emotions. "So. Do I really look like such an evil person to you?"

"...An evil person, you say?" The brunette repeated, a shadow falling over her face as she averted her eyes. "I'm not really fond of that term. Because to me, it only refers to people who are evil for you when it could be the other way around. A gross oversimplification." She leaned over the railing, a breath escaping her in a misty puff. "And I don't think there's anyone out there who's good or evil for everyone."

A fair opinion, that much I could begrudgingly admit - not that I would ever agree with her out loud. That line of thought proved to my benefit as she turned a hardened gaze on me.

"So, Kagamine, if you keep trampling over people's lives the way you are now… then to me, you are an evil person, aren't you?"

That ignorance of hers would be laughable if not for her incredibly irritating talent of flaunting an empty authority that meant nothing to me, causing me to sneer. If only she realized we were already natural enemies whether or not I bent my knee to her allegiance. The day a monster willingly came under service of another human would be the day I die laughing to my grave.

"And what of you? Are you not the same for bending others to your will using your fists instead of words, she-gorilla?" I crowed, my face twisting into a deranged grin. "I've seen the way you fight. You condemn me for being the way I am when it's obvious you're no stranger to violence either. The only difference is between us is that you're the one who never holds back." I said. "I fail to comprehend your logic. Self-righteous naysayers like you are all the same - you're all slaves to that narrow-minded hypocrisy and idealize your own reasons for convenience at best."

"That's not-! I don't-!" Her voice rose in sharp volume, only to falter as she lost herself in doubt. "You're wrong! I'm not like that!"

"Why must violence and pleasure be considered evil?" With a scoff, I shook my head. "I fight with purpose. Those who challenge me are the ones who risk getting hurt. I do not like holding back, but against weaklings - I have to." Walking past her, I stopped just shy of our shoulders brushing. "The strongest will always be challenged no matter what. I see no reason why I can't enjoy worthy opponents when I've been brought up to live to fight."

"A-All I want is for the students to be protected. That's the only reason why I do things the why I do! I have no choice!" Her voice momentarily wavered before she cleared her throat, but she was still unable to look me in the eye. "I only meant to ask that you leave them unharmed!"

Leave them unharmed? Even if the humans are the ones who initiate conflict?

It was impossible for humans and monsters to coexist. We were predator and prey, with monsters all the way at the top of the food chain. Sooner or later one of the two would end up destroying the other. It was a waste of time prolonging the inevitable with these foolish treaties and negotiations. That's what I thought of those pompous Chevalerie fools who sought to tame the impossible - it went against the natural law. That was the only law I would ever obey.

Having enough of this farce, I approached her with bared fangs mimicking a sardonic smile - sensing true fear flicker beneath that stoic exterior. That subtle tremble at her lips betrayed her, and I started circling her like a wolf would to a deer. She wasn't as tough as she thought she was, and I would show her this.

"Whether I'm evil or not - does that mean you're superior to me?" I asked. "Did you think you could intimidate me like you do with those underdogs? You must be used to having your boots licked." I stopped short to rap my hand against the metal bar, the noise causing her to nearly jolt. "It doesn't matter who it is - I don't take kindly to uppity bitches ordering me around. Don't try to dictate me, she-gorilla, or I'll kill you." She must have known I didn't make light of threats, given the slightest shudder of her shoulders. However strong she was for a human woman, she was still just a human.

"Then…" she exhaled before braving to face me with her shoulders thrown back and wary eyes meeting mine. "It doesn't matter what your guardian thinks either?" Hearing that caused me to bristle, and I immediately drew back to give him a black look.

"Don't drag Dell into this. You've no right." I snapped.

"If I recall, it was Mr. Dell who contacted Chairman shortly after your suspension last year. He waited day and night for two weeks for Chairman to return his calls, requesting each time to negotiate the terms into letting you attend Megaton High School again." The wench recounted the events, watching my expression shift. A knot in my stomach tightened, but I said nothing. Noticing this, she went on to add. "What would your esteemed guardian think, I wonder, if another repeat of last year's incident pushes the board to expel you for good this time?"

"You…" A low growl rumbled in my throat as the magma rushed to my head in violent waves.

She dared to threaten me?

"A word of advice." She-gorilla cut in, her voice hard as steel. "I'd be careful if I were you. You might think yourself indomitable, but I don't think it's wise to needlessly make enemies… especially those who have the potential to become more dangerous than you. And I'm not talking about myself." She advanced past me, heading towards the car that started to run its engine. Just before she got into the car, she shot me a sidelong glance. "As the saying goes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered in. So… be safe going home, Kagamine Len."

I didn't go after vehicle despite my legs screaming to chase after it and shred the wheels to ribbons. How I'd savor her terrified expression as I would plunge my claws into her rib cage and bisect her into a gory mess, forcing her underlings to watch in frozen terror before I would turn on them. Instead I took revenge by chucking the roll of tickets at the departing car with all my strength, taking a vindictive satisfaction upon seeing it break the rearview window - the spray of glass causing She-gorilla to scream in startled fright as the driver hurriedly pulled away to avoid any more possible attacks.

A biting chill from the north wind told me winter was coming. I stood on the sidewalk and glared where She-gorilla stood. After all… the last thing I wanted to do was have Dell fly into another legendary, self-righteous rage as he inflicted punishment on me.

As old as he was getting - one didn't simply anger the Big, Bad Wolf and live to tell the tale… especially when he was your mentor and guardian. Even I was aware of that.

Still…

"Rrrr… What a bad joke!" A harsh laugh erupted from my throat as I let out my anger by punching a nearby wall, causing a sinkhole in the bricks and mortar. My nostrils flared as I panted heavily, seeing red as I went over the wench's words in my head. "Just because of that damned fight with that chevalier witch, all those fools believe I should trod upon the ground…! If it were a real one, she'd be dead before she'd even know what happened!" In my black rage, I shattered a store glass display with a sharp kick, causing the merchandise to fall and break as soon as it hit the sidewalk. I clenched my shaking fist, growling. "The only reason she won was because I was forced to hold back…! And I'm the only one who knows it!"

My tirade was halted by a lush, honeyed scent wafting into my senses. It was strong, overwhelmingly so… but also familiar. I stopped my destruction to smell the air, using my nose to pinpoint the source.

Then I realized… it was her. She was nearby… but her scent was different. The first time I smelled her her scent was disgusting, beyond my tolerance… but now… it was a little more bearable. I always hated sweet things since birth, but this kind of smell was almost tolerable. Perhaps even fragrant.

"For only her to emit this kind of enthralling scent… she truly must be a witch, casting these hexes when I'm nearby." I grumbled to myself. How conniving of her despite her deceptive frailty.

That aside… this was my chance to inflict some well-deserved payback. Oh yes. I would show her the same humiliation she gave me, no, I'll give her back the misfortune tenfold.

A slow, malevolent grin crept onto my lips as an idea for revenge brewed. I broke into a run, ignoring oncoming traffic as vehicles of every size honked at me.

I tracked her scent until it brought me to Rogue District. She was crossing the pedestrian bridge with that smug smile on her face. Hollow Yves broke into a raspy, dry laughter at the back of her head, causing her to swivel around in my direction and meet my searing gaze.

"EYAHAHAH! CONFRONTATION IMMINENT!" Dry-bones screeched, its red eyes flashing like rubies.

Turning on her heel, she awaited my approach with a faint smile. I wanted to claw it away and inflict her with pain so great she would never be able to smile again.

"Ah, Beastie… fancy running into you again." She tittered as soon as I landed right in front of her, undeterred by my proximity. "To what do I owe the displeasure?" Her thinly veiled courtesy was a farce to her underlying scorn. In response, I merely snarled with my face mere inches away from hers.

"I challenge you to a real fight, chevalier."

"... What?" She blinked, openly bewildered. I scowled.

"You heard me. I won't repeat myself." Taking advantage of her shock, I snagged her by the wrist and dragged her off elsewhere. Because she was angrier than afraid was likely the reason why no one came to her aid. Her shrill demands caused others to look our way, though most brushed us off as a "bickering couple". The image made me sneer in disgust. As if I would ever consider mating with a human - especially one so lazy, spoiled, vain and did nothing but complain about hardships. And those fluttery, black clothes… truly, she was a witch.

Humans were so delusional, their imaginations coming up with anything to entertain their tiny brains - yet another reason why I abhorred them so. They all deserved to burn. They all had to burn so the earth they walked on could be purified from any lingering trace of their disgraceful, pathetic existences.

The thought nearly made me mad with delight, causing a savage grin to bare my teeth. Pedestrians immediately jumped out of my way bearing frightened looks.

"Eeek! What a scary-looking guy!"

"H-He's deranged! Not to mention that goth girl must be with him…!"

"T-That's the creepiest looking couple I've ever seen!"

"You're mistaken! This beast could never be my boyfriend! I prefer gentlemeeeeen!" The witch cried after the fleeing people, appearing horrified to be affiliated with me. Her words fell on deaf ears, and she turned her ire on me. Her face bloomed bright red in anger. "And you! How dare you touch me without my consent, you pig-ignorant scoundrel! Unhand me this instant! You're embarrassing me!" She tried to shake me off but only proved to be weaker. "Uggh! You must insufferably pleased with yourself, manhandling a beautiful lady like this!" Noticing I was still ignoring her, she became even more riled up - even going so far as to drag her feet. My annoyance grew as she sat down right then and there in the middle of the street, finally causing me to look down at her with a glare. Her tantrum drew more attention from others, but as soon as I shot them deathly stares - they all scurried away, afraid of getting involved when I was in an incredibly foul mood. In response, the girl merely huffed. "Don't pretend you can't hear me! I said release me!"

Rolling my eyes, I pulled her on her feet with little effort - causing her to yelp in pain as I all but dragged her across the walkway. Her struggles were in vain as I forced her along to match my pace lest she wanted to trip and break her neck. Not that I would've been against such a fortunate twist of fate.

"Give it up. Resisting is fu-"

"RAAAAAPIST! PLEASE, SOMEONE! THIS PERVERT IS ABDUCTING ME!" She cut me off with a screech so shrill she nearly destroyed my eardrums. I was so taken aback by the disgusted looks thrown my way my grip loosened on her. She took it upon her to snatch her hand from mine. Upon gaining sympathetic looks, she burst into a fit of crocodile tears before shooting me a tearful glance. She all but melted against a lightpost, covering her chest in demure fashion.

"Do what you will with my body, fiend! But you will never possess my hea-!" I closed the distance between us and slapped a palm over her mouth, glowering over her like a dark cloud. She batted her eyes up at me with what was supposed be the innocence of a child. If anything, this only made me angrier.

"Silence that poisonous tongue if you don't want me to rip it out." I rumbled in my softest voice so no one could hear, gripping her jaw lightly as I forcefully tilted her head so our eyes would meet. "I'll carry you the rest of the way home on my shoulder if I have to. Understand… little sister?" Hearing this, the girl looked even more affronted than before.

I had said the last part aloud on purpose, causing the concerned bystanders that had formed around us to relax and give way as I had hauled the witch onto her feet and had walked past them. At last the girl had stopped resisting, knowing I had won this round. I had still felt her fuming behind me, however, if the sharp sensation of her glare on my back was anything to go by.

"Oh… so it's just a pair of siblings fighting?"

"I suppose they do look alike, but…"

"To make a scene out a public is so shameless! Leave your squabbles at home!"

"As if I'd ever ravish an ugly girl like you. The very thought sickens me." I spat, causing her to stiffen. "For someone who garbs herself in black and inks her face even darker - there's no sane man or animal alive who would ever desire your revolting body. You're a curse." For a moment I almost stopped seeing her form hunch and tremble from the corner of my eye, but when I glanced over at her she had her eyes on the ground, her bangs shadowed over her face so I couldn't see her expression. A burst of wariness stabbed me, so I turned my gaze ahead once more.

I wanted her to be quiet… so what was this uneasiness taking root in my heart? It was like a thorn in my side… digging deeper the longer she was silent. Trying to ignore these unsettling feelings eating away at me, I continued on until we finally made it under a red bridge obscured by the hillsides. Passerbys wouldn't be able to spot us under here, not when the bridge itself cast a shadow over us.

I let go of her as soon as we were both engulfed in the shade, glancing at her over my shoulder. She was rubbing her reddened wrist as my uncaring eyes fell to the rabbit plush in her arms.

"The doll you carry reeks of death…" I could smell it from before this afternoon, which was partly the reason why I provoked her. But now there was no mistaking it. "It carries the traces of Medusa's ash… you're the one who killed her."

To that, she offered no reply. So I continued with a smirk.

"I heard from the scarecrow that you're the daughter of Bloody Mary. I was surprised to hear it considering how adverse you are to conflict… but it's not because you condemn it, but rather… you're just too lazy to involve yourself… correct?"

"Scarecrow?" Her blank expression morphed into one of surprise. Realization dawned on her as she stepped back. "He… Mikuo was the one who told you…?" She darted her eyes away with a grimace, miffed at having a personal secret like hers exposed in the nude. "I… I have no relation to that monstrous woman. As you guessed, I don't care for bloodshed." She emitted a depreciative laugh. "It's been years since her death. If I truly were her daughter, shouldn't I be much stronger by now? No." She looked straight at me, shaking her head. "I am just an E-ranked chevalier… one who hasn't even collected a single monster soul. So I'm afraid you're mistaken."

"An E-ranker?" I frowned. From what Dell taught me about the Chevalerie Order, E was the weakest tier that usually marked fresh recruits. Chevaliers were ranked from E to A, depending on their strength and capabilities as monster hunters. The only way to advance in ranking depended on the amount of monster souls collected and absorbed by their soul weapons.

A soul weapon was the manifestation of the strength of a chevalier's heart. It was their personification of their will to fight. Extracted and crafted by blacksmiths upon a chevalier's initiation, the monster hunters were expected to become stronger by absorbing monster souls into their weapons. That was the only way for them to gain knowledge and experience. Without doing this, their strength would remain stagnant against more powerful monsters - leading to eventual death.

"You don't believe me?" Rin tilted her head before sighing. "Very well. I suppose I have no choice but to show you… so, don't be alarmed when I do this." She touched a hand to her bunny before unsheathing a large pair of scissors big enough to match the size of a sword. A pulse of unnatural energy reverberated like a beating heart. There was no mistaking that sensation… that was indeed her soul weapon.

On closer inspection, however, I saw the scissor blades were rustic beyond repair as though they had been neglected for eons. The curved handles, the elegant vining, and even the nail holes were punctured to resemble crucifixes. Her weapon's design was antique at best. Yet as far I was concerned, appearances were worthless if a weapon couldn't even function at its best. Those scissors looked like they hadn't been used in a long time. The power radiating from it was weak.

She wasn't lying. Still, the tension knotted in my muscles refused to relax.

For an E-ranker to take down Medusa at her age, it should've been impossible unless she had years of experience to turn the tide against the gorgon. The serpentess was definitely more of a coward than a fighter, but even she couldn't have been defeated so easily by a mere E-ranker.

And still, it didn't change the fact that I challenged this little human. Even if she was just an E-ranker, there was more to one's capabilities than systematic ranking. Whether or not she truly was the daughter of Bloody Mary, one thing remained certain.

She was the one who killed Medusa.

"If you're not the little brat I made you out to be from day one, then prove it. Show me what you're made of." I ordered, looking at her straight in the eye with a piercing gaze. I lowered my body in an combative stance, elbows tucked in and the rest of me hunched forward to ready myself. I felt more alert than I had been the entire week - every pore in my being just itching to fight. The afterimage produced by the riverside reflected the dark purpose within me. Behind those glacial, bellicose eyes of mine was my immovable resolve.

"Pray tell… you want me to fight you again? Like a pair of mad dogs pitted against each other?" The witch intoned, her expression wracked with bewilderment at my demands. Her incredulity underwent a gradual change of disinterest as the stiffness left her body. "... We both know our duel from earlier was a mere front. Appearances aside, the only reason you lost is because you forced yourself to hold back." She said, causing me to raise a brow. "I suppose exposing your true powers as a wolfskin was too much for your pride to bear, especially when it came to defeating someone as "weak" as myself." She crossed her arms, rocking back and forth on her heels. "You don't strike me as one who wastes their time on trivialities. What are your true intentions, Beastie?"

Perceptive one, wasn't she?

I almost chuckled.

"And if I remember correctly, you're the one who told me the previous night that you wanted nothing to do with 'weak, filthy humans." She quoted my apparent statement with a sharp, analytical gaze. "Most people would label you a misanthrope, but since I know that you're a monster - it's clear you abhor humans to the point of avoiding contact with them unless forced. Why am I suddenly an exception?"

I offered no response to her barrage of questions, but my silence seemed to be enough as the clouded confusion in her eyes cleared. The girl wasn't hasty - and that I could commend. She knew I was baiting her, and the look on her face told me she wouldn't humor me any longer. That would not do.

With a bitter sigh, she sheathed her scissors back into the rabbit plush.

"Accepting your challenge without cause is pointless, therefore I'll do no such thing. Had I known you would have dragged me all the way out here to demand a dogfight, I would have made myself scarce as soon as Hollow Yves warned me of your presence." The witchling clipped as she turned on her heel with the intent of walking away. "Unlike you and Bloody Mary, I take no such pleasure in senseless violence. I bid you good evening." The last statement she gibed with exaggerated formality as she did a mocking curtsy, leaving me in the dust. However, taking me and my challenge lightly through the mud proved to be the error of her ways. If anything, her biting words only incensed my rapidly building temper once again.

"You dare…" I began in voice low and menacing. "Turn your back on me?"

I never allowed her to take even one step.

In a burst of movement, I moved in front of the witch. Caught off guard, she had no time to react as I tore her rabbit right out of her arms with strength outmatching hers. I held it by its loppy ears, causing its monocle to fall to the ground and shatter.

Recovering quickly, the girl went for the doll just as I raised it out of her reach by using my own height to my advantage.

"You…! You thieving brute! Give Ossa back to me this instant!"

"Is this how you defeated Medusa? By screaming and demanding things like a spoiled princess?" The muscles in my face didn't budge. A derisive scoff left me as my next words words dripped with somnolence, her uproar boring me to tears. "I've yet to understand how a self-indulgent little girl like you could accomplish such a thing." She threw me a particularly venomous glare as she threw her weight behind a tackle that I easily sidestepped, causing her to stumble. "Well, perhaps Medusa's death wasn't your doing after all… given her stupidity, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out she was mauled to death by a string of spurned suitors she rejected in the monster realm - the Harrowing, that is."

"GIVE ME BACK MY FRIEND!" She shrieked, unheeding to my scathing remarks. She tried to reach the bunny plush with increased frenzy. But no matter her attempts, she was thwarted by my faster and stronger frame. Even with her wild attempts to claw her rabbit out of my hands, anyone could see she was more frightened than angry. It was a dramatic change - seeing this once collected and prim witchling reduced to a grieving child. I watched the war between proprietary and desperation wage in her eyes. "PLEASE! OSSA!"

"Time for you get serious, witch." I snapped, baring my sharp canines bared into a sneer.

Her pupils shrank in horror as my next actions were reflected in the canvas of her eyes.

RIIIP

"NOOOO! OSSAAA!"

An ear-grating, shrill scream of her friend was one of helpless anguish and heartbreak as she was forced to watch me tear her beloved rabbit to shreds. Her voice broke from tears as she screamed at me to stop. Her pleas were prolonged, and her hands wouldn't stop shaking. Yet I paid no heed and started with doll's head. Countless threads were ripped apart as the head fell to the ground, its raining down in cotton flesh. Then I proceeded to rip it limb to limb. In tearful rage, the howling girl lunged at me again - only to be swatted away like a fly. She fell to the ground so hard a gasp ripped from her throat.

"NO! NOO!" Her hysteria reached its peak as her plush was disemboweled. She hung her head, quivering. "Why does everyone hurt us…"

I threw the remnants of her friend at her feet, saying nothing. I looked on in detached silence - expectation weighing in my cold gaze.

Just then she stopped crying.

A hush befell the alleyway as a chilling dread seemed to wash over the witch. Her hair shadowed her expression as she looked down at what remained of her beloved plush. Moving like a doll possessed, she grabbed its decapitated head and swayed to her feet. Dark eye paint riveted down her cheeks, giving her the appearance of a raccoon. Her face was colorless and her eyes blank as a canvas as she gaze up at me.

Finally, after what seemed like hours did she finally speak.

"Because I'm not a brute like you..." Though soft, her voice carried a frosty edge. "I'll kill you gently. That's what Ossa would have wanted. Even though it might be the last thing you deserve." Her blank eyes darkened to until they were camouflaged with her pupils - as murky as misty waters. She broke into a faint smile, but it was frozen and forced. Igniting the rusty scissors in her hands from the rabbit's head, she let out an eerie giggle as she peered at me through the crack between those open blades.

"Ossa wasn't just a toy. I really thought he was alive, even though it might have been a lie. The other children growing up around me never wanted to play with us." The girl tenderly held the bunny's head to her cheek before setting it down. "Someone precious to me… gave me Ossa when I was at my worst. That's why..." Swaying towards me, she was the representation of a broken child gone mad. That was when her eyes pierced mine. She beamed at me, appearing so pure and innocent, like a child.

Beneath the saccharine sweetness of her voice, there was nothing but pure, unadulterated vehemence.

Which was why her next words left me perturbed.

"Please die right now, Beastie."

Right before a dewdrop overhead could hit the ground, the girl used her speed to close the distance between us with a brandished blade held high. She swooped down on me in an arc, her scissors swiping at me in quick, sharp thrusts.

She's faster than before, I noted. Her breakneck speed could only mean one thing - she intended to give me a quick death.

How amusing, I let out a dark chuckle, but she was certainly welcome to try.

The witchling rushed at me from different directions, standing on tiptoe with such grace she barely made a sound. If not for the fact that I was a wolfskin, it was likely I wouldn't have been able to track her lightning quick movements. She whistled past me each time I evaded her cutting strikes. Each time she struck at me with the intention to carve my flesh, to cut me up like strung up meat.

"Not yet…! Faster, faster!" Her murmured words weren't directed at me, but rather to herself in a mad mantra. I sensed her from behind me as she screamed, bringing her blade down to cut my head off.

"Hmph." I let a smirk form my lips before eying her lazily. "Don't get cocky…!" Tapping into my beast stone, a fraction of my power surged into me - causing my canine ears and tail to appear. In that split second, I stopped her attack with a kick to the stomach - sending her flying into the wall with enough strength to leave a gaping sinkhole in the steel. I heard bones crack as she slumped to the floor in a heap of blood.

"Tch." How disappointing. All that raving, and this was the extent of her abilities? Pathetic. I began to walk away until I heard a shuffling behind me. My ears twitched at the writing movements as I tapped into my stone once more, this time my claws extending from my knuckles - causing me quite a bit of discomfort.

"Strange… I delivered a blow that should've hospitalized you for at least a month. Is a chevalier's endurance truly that resilient?" I swiveled around in time to watch her drag herself up by her propped blade, heavily injured but conscious. Ragged wheezes escaped her with each breath, informing me that I had broken several ribs.

"... Was that... supposed to hurt?" She asked me through heavy pants, managing to send me an irritating smile. Pushing herself off her crutch, she went for my neck with that uppity attitude. "My mother," CLANG."Hits harder," CLANG CLANG."Than you!"

Then she bounced off a pillar to leap into the air, like a harpy going for the kill. Her comparison to her parent left me momentarily stunned, making me wonder for a brief moment just what kind of monstrous mother she was raised by.

Who else but Bloody Mary? The beastly voice growled within the recesses of my mind.

Nightfall advanced the further our fight went on. By the time we sprang back on either side of the riverstream, the full moon had already reached its full ascent - heightening my senses and arousing my bloodlust.

How unfortunate for her.

"... Never thought you'd last this long. I've cut down many humans claiming themselves as high-level chevaliers with ease, but…" I broke into a wide grin, my blood frenzied to destroy. "You're one of the faster insects I've had to squash!"

"U-Ugh…!" The witchling tried to answer, only to gasp breathlessly as she clutched at chest. Just as I said, she fought with an agility and grace unorthodox to other chevaliers, but she was still too weak. Her hits barely managed to hurt me, let alone graze me. It wasn't her accuracy that was the problem, no - she just had no power behind her hits whatsoever. Her stamina was extremely lacking as well, and once she took a hit - it was critical damage.

Within a blink of an eye, she breezed over the water and dove at me from above. We exchanged blows, her rusty dual blades bellowing against my claws like thunder over a matter of seconds. Sparks flew from our joined weapons, lighting up the darkness like starfire.

In her raw anger, I noticed with faint interest. Compared to those false smiles, this was the most honest I've ever seen her. She's even more alive than before. Like fire.

It was almost mesmerizing to watch.

I slashed at her, cutting her cheek as she moved her head away in time for me to undo the ribbons from her hair - causing a forest of golden curls to come unbound. That action unleashed her honeyed scent stronger than ever- dissuading my concentration as my heart pounded against my chest twice as fast. Heat coiled my instinct, awakening a strange hunger for something other than violence. I nearly choked on my own air at this violent reaction.

"Gngh…?!" Not this again! Damn that witch!

With a scream, she took advantage of my daze to slash her one of her scissor blades across my face. All I remembered was the the blur of a sharp edge, a flash of pain, followed by a nick of blood trickling down my cheek.

I recovered just in time just as she went to cleave my feet off my legs. With a jump, I landed on her rusty blade as soon as it touched the ground. She struggled to dislodge it, but with a violent stomp - I shattered it to pieces.

"M-My Noitcelfer! How…?!" Horror wracked her features seeing the shambles of her blade. She was still holding onto what remained of the handle. With an infuriated scream, she threw it away and drew her other blade. This time, she went on the defense - waiting for me to make the first move.

I regarded her with a stone-faced expression as I touched the cut on my cheek, staring at the blood collecting at my finger with fascination.

And to think, this was the first time anyone's managed to spill a drop of my blood in so long…

I should have been angry. I should have ripped her apart right then and there for the offensive gesture. Instead I found myself intrigued.

The fact she managed to surprise me not once, but numerous times today became more amusing than infuriating. I was so angry before that now it was laughable how I acted so stupidly by overreacting to being beaten.

"I should have died that night!" The girl shouted at me, charging at me with a second wind. "Medusa had me. I was bleeding out in my own pool of blood! But then they had to go and save me. And now I'm forced to deal with these trifling nuisances again!" She closed in on me, her face twisted in towering rage. "All of you use me as an means to an end! Never letting me live or die! Nothing ever changes!"

I suspected she had long grown exhausted by now. At this point all she was doing was cursing her brethren and myself for her situation. Her attacks were slowing down, and it took all her strength just to be able to stand on knobbly legs.

So she was a little tougher than I gave her credit for, but it looked like she had reached past her limits. Her dress and stockings were ripped. There was mud and scratches everywhere on her face. The bandages she wore fell in tatters to the ground, revealing multiple bruises she sustained from a previous scuffle - most likely from Medusa.

Her knees were about to give, and she looked about ready to collapse in exhaustion. Maybe in a few minutes, maybe in a few seconds, or maybe even a few breaths.

"Hmph. So you do have some fight in you. But it looks like the only chance you stand against me is when you squeeze every last drop of power into that brittle human body of yours." My taunt caused her to bristle, her hands trembling over the ringed grip of her scissor blade. To twist the knife even further, I went on to sneer. "And I'm not even using a quarter of my power. Right now, you're just a plaything."

Her temper erupted as a dark look settled over her. She vanished out of view, but my instincts immediately sensed her in my blind spot with the intent of slitting open the nape of my neck. With my bare hand, I caught her blade. She watched in defeated horror as I crushed it to pieces before her very eyes.

"No…" A choked gasp ripped from her throat as I pounced on her, ensnaring her wrists against the back as I straddled her. Spent from exhaustion, she couldn't even muster any strength left to fight back. All she could do was turn her face away from mine with a furious, defeated moan.

So small, so delicate - yet so feisty. A spine-chilling presence lurked beneath my consciousness, licking at carnal temptations involving the girl below me I dared not to think about. It hit me like a jolt of lightning, searing my bones. It was her maddening scent driving me insane. Even at her weakest, she still managed to hex me. It was because of that and nothing more. She was a human, among the kind I wished to see burn in the depths of inferno. I would sooner drive a silver arrow into my heart than disgrace myself in basic pleasures of the flesh.

Truly, this one was a stubborn chevalier.

A frustrated growl escaped me as I snarled menacingly against her throat.

"Yield."

She snapped upright and writhed against me once again, balling her fists against my chest - provoking me to trace my claws against her brachial artery. She immediately stilled. She caught on that if I were to apply even the slightest of pressure, her blood would gush out until there was nothing left. It was a very painful, slow way to die. For someone who lavished herself in a comfortable lifestyle, I was certain even she wouldn't want a death so pointlessly excruciating.

"Accept your defeat, or I'll kill you." I wanted her to admit it. She breathed shakily, tensing the longer I stared down at her. Then her body went lax all of a sudden as she nodded mutely, and I finally loosened my hold on her.

It ended up being my mistake.

The moment I freed her, she slipped her arms around my neck and pulled me in until our faces were mere inches apart. The blood rushed to my ears as my ears twitched, picking up the sound of her blood rushing through her veins. I could hear her steady heartbeat. Her fragrance was a mixture between rosewater and citrus oil. It intoxicated me, drugging me to a stupor that could only be described as an enchantment spell.

"You won't kill me…" She breathed, looking up at me through the dark veil of her lashes. "Because if you wanted to, you would've had done it already. You're doing all this to make me fear you." She tilted her head at me with that faint smile of hers, her hair spilling out from beneath her like a sun-kissed canvas. "What a cruel, black-hearted beast you are…" Ghosting a hand over my injured cheek in an almost caress, she threw her arms around me in a fierce embrace. She brought her lips to the shell of my furry ear, her long lashes fluttering against my skin like butterfly wings- causing an inadvertent shudder to run down my spine.

"Len." My name left her lips in a soft, kittenish mewl. Her whisper coiled against that sensitive place, causing me to grit my teeth as something stirred hotly at the bottom of my stomach. Her face was so close I could make out every dimple on her smile, and it bewildered me, bewildered me at how calm she was, bewildered me how rampant my body was reacting to her touch. A larger part of me wanted to shove her away, but the other smaller fraction wanted to pull her closer.

All logical thought was being pushed out as my blood boiled, fizzled - drowning out any protests as her scent overwhelmed me.

Why?

Even I hadn't expected this. How did this even happen? I was the victor. I was the one who vanquished over those who trampled over my pride as a wolfskin. I was the one who ordered her to submit to me or die, and here she was holding me with a gentleness I never received before.

When was the last time anyone touched me like this without hurting me? I found myself sifting through the fog of my memories, trying to remember.

It confused me, it disconcerted me… and dare I say it… scared me out of my mind. Never had I felt so out of control before…

A human was touching me.

Memories of the past came flashing back in smoke and gunfire, forcing me to come to my senses. Then I remembered my hatred. No. I didn't like this. My muscles bristled - coiled to push her away until-

"Your power is quite fearsome, but only a fool would assume he'll always have the upper hand." That soft spoken criticism was accompanied by a sharp prick at the back of my neck, followed by a warm sensation oozing from a gaping cut on my nape. Blood. It was then I realized in my distracted state she managed to pick up one of the fallen shards of her soul weapon and poise from behind me. "But being killed by you is a mercy compared to whatever demise awaits me." Closing her eyes, she went on. "You're cruel and violent… but even so, there are far more terrifying things than you." She let out a laugh light as a bell. "But… I envy you. Even against hopeless odds… your will to live is as bright as a flame. I can almost feel it… that warmth."

In her distraction, she almost sank the shard into my skin - but being faster than her, I batted it away out of her hand. She didn't even look surprised, instead her face eased into one of resignation.

"Very well. I concede. You're the victor." The blonde admitted defeat, her eyes crinkling at the corners. For the first time, her lips curled into the most candid smile I'd ever seen her wear. It carried no scorn or distress. Though pained, she seemed genuinely pleased. It baffled me. "The blade wouldn't have even pierced your flesh in the first place, but you already knew that... didn't you? I just wanted to avenge Ossa… even with just a cut." She confessed before tittering. "After all, the only material strong enough to hurt a wolfskin is silverite. Shame it's rare to find while mining..."

To that, I said nothing.

"So you won't answer… heehee." Exhaustion settled in as her arms went limp, collapsing at her sides. "I'm aware you were just toying with me this entire time, but somehow I feel a little better. Perhaps it's because I've been holding in my feelings this entire time… I was finally able to scream tonight." Her half-lidded, shimmering gaze fell on mine. "...Thank you, Beastie."

My breath hitched in my throat. I opened my mouth to question her, but her head slumped to the side as she succumbed to unconsciousness. All I could do was lean over her, even more puzzled than I was before.

"Why did you…?" I scowled in bewilderment, my brows furrowing as my throat ran dry. I moved off her but my eyes never left her tiny, breathing form. "Thank you…?" I repeated those strange words to myself. This, as well, was noteworthy, as it was - the first time anyone ever said something like this to me. It was foreign, her reaction - I didn't understand why she thanked me when I hadn't done anything out of her own well-being. All I did was do what I pleased.

It started to rain.

"Fool. How mindless of you," I scoffed down at the witch, but my voice wasn't as spiteful as before. "Don't thank a wolf for almost devouring you alive." In reply, all I received was a soft snore. "Tsk. Sleeping away like the world doesn't concern you…" I grumbled, not knowing what came over me as I lowered myself to collect her body in my arms - mindful of her injuries as I carried her over to a dry spot. After propping her up against the underbridge, I took one last glance at her plush bunny lying in tatters.

A dry, snapping noise reached my hearing. My ears went alert as I rose to a fighting stance. Something was moving in the shadows ways ahead of me. My nose twitched sensing that familiar smell that reeked of confectioneries. I covered my mouth in disgust.

"Oh, it's just you. What do you want now?"

"Mon, mon! Is that any way to greet a confidant, monsieur Kagamine?" Out of the shade approached Muffet with a disarming smile, but I knew better than to let my guard down. Dressed in her baker's jumper and beret, she bounced into view. "I see you've become better acquainted with our mutual friend. Here I thought you couldn't stand girls."

"I don't, and she is not my friend. Neither or you." I snapped. "And don't evade the subject. You didn't answer my question."

"How cold! This is my district after all! My little spiders told me an interesting bagarre was afoot." Muffet chortled, fluffing out those ridiculously large ringlets. She whistled, and an eyepot came scuttling up to her with metallic legs to pour her a steaming cup of earl grey tea. Taking a slow sip, she hummed in satisfaction before extending an invitation to me. "Care for a cup of tea, monsieur?"

"I don't drink tea." I deadpanned. That was the truth, but I didn't trust her enough to take anything from her. Who knows what she could've brewed. The porcelain eyepot blinked at me with its gears before skittering away.

"You've gone and hurt Franny's feelings." Muffet pouted before taking another sip. I closed my eyes with a scoff, not even bothering to question how she knew when it didn't even have a face. "It seems the Chevalerie Order sent us a fresh one. I see you destroyed her soul weapon." She gestured to the rusty shards drifting against the riverside rocks. "Without it, she's vulnerable. Aren't you going to kill her?"

That's right, that would be the practical choice. Even if she was only an E-ranker now, her technique and speed should've at least put her at C level despite her jarring frailty. She still had the potential to amass power over time if she worked seriously at it, to what end I didn't know.

"Tsk. I don't feel like it. It would be a waste of effort." I walked past Muffet with closed eyes, withdrawing my bestial awakening as my ears and tail disappeared in a flash of light. With my lupine features gone, I reverted back into a human boy. "There's no honor in striking down sleeping prey. It goes against the Way of the Hunt."

"How surprisingly decent of you! So even the savage, solitaire wolfskin tribe follows a code of honor?" Muffet chirped. She threw me a sly sideways glance, crossing her legs. "Or could it be you've taken an interest in this girl? Not that I don't understand. After all, her youthful flesh and blood are that of a fine quality! A rare feast! Young girls possess a meat so sweet~" Her rose-colored eyes blazed in hunger as she began to salivate. "It's unfortunate what happened to Medusa, but… winner takes all! If you're planning to eat her, I suggest you do it now before the others make their move..."

"What nonsense are you blathering about?" I asked coldly. "What happens to her has nothing to do with me. I have better things to worry about than fighting hordes of weak monsters over a spoiled witch like her."

"Is that so?" The jorōgumo spun, her glamour wearing off as her face and arms twisted into that of a demonic spider's. Six eyes appeared as her mouth as large fangs protruded obscenely through her salivating mouth. "Then you won't interfere if I claim her for the taking?" Just then a swarm of spiders sprang out of hiding, skittering all over the girl's body as they began to swaddle her using their spinnerets - covering her from head to toe.

Muffet was watching how I would react to this as though expecting I would jump to her defense like a knight in shining armor, but I merely looked on. After all, that was not my role. Besides, it appeared the spiders were only binding her wounds tight with spider silk- keeping her from bleeding out.

"What are you asking me for?" I drawled, rolling my shoulders as I took my leave. "Do whatever you please." I pulled my hood up and trekked up the hill. I took one last glance at the jorōgumo, who - stroked a spindly hand through the girl's hair as a spider crept inside Hollow Yves' jaw.

"My little spiders and I won't forget this favor." Muffet purred with a feral grin, gratitude glowing in those six ruby eyes. "I'll be taking her home now so I can set the stage. Many thanks, Lone Wolf." With that, she vanished within the dark throng of her spiders - along with the witch. Muffet left no trace that they were ever there. Even the scraps belonging to the witch's stuffed rabbit were gone.

"Hmph…" Hunching forward, I shoved my hands into my pockets and started for home. A slow smirk spread across my face as I touched the spot where the witch cut me earlier, which had already healed. "...Next time we meet, I won't underestimate you."

Witch indeed, with her and her distracting ways - she could likely bewitch anyone even myself to an unpleasant end. It was the first time I decided a girl at her level was dangerous. Muffet, although weaker than me, was even more formidable than Medusa ever proved to be. She used powerful glamours to mask her demonic powers and was on the chevalier's most wanted list for her particularly creative ways of satisfying her gruesome palette. Children, women, even animals - it didn't matter - so long as they could fill the bellies of her little spiders, Muffet wasn't picky.

The witch was going to have her hands full dealing with a hellraiser like her during her stay here. That is… if she survived this trial.

"RUH!" My footfalls alerted the graveyard stray. "RUH RUH RUH RUH RUH MAILMAAAN!" From behind the iron fence, his scruffy, rotund body was hard to miss. With stubby legs and short, droopy ears - he was so funny-looking I had to stop and stare. He was a black dog. His whiskers made him look older than he really was.

"Give it a rest, dumb mutt. Do I look anything like a mailman to you?" I growled in his dialect, causing him to erupt in loud, short barks.

"WHITE! WHITE! ARROOOOO!" He howled at the top of his lungs. I had have a mind to kick a hole in the fence to show him but instead picked up a stick and threw it across the gravestones.

"Fetch, mongrel!"

"AROOO!" He happily bounded after it, forgetting all about me. And that was why I despised mongrels. I hated being compared to lowly mutts. Only fools and dogs rolled over. With a decisive scoff, I plugged in my earbuds and walked off.

I, alone, was my own master. My dream was to go home to the North. I followed the Way of the Hunt - belonging to no one but the wild. Nothing else mattered. No one else mattered. Whoever got in my way would be trampled underfoot, withering away like ash to the wind.

---

Shit's getting real.

This is the most douche I've ever written Len as. uh. is that how you say it? What have I done. Wow, wow. His relationship with Rin is already like, an explosion. Yes, that happened. echk.

A/N: I was very touched and surprised by all the thoughtful feedback I received from you guys. Writing last year was a major struggle for me. I've been battling depression and anxiety for a long time since I ended Project: VOCALOID, swimming to a future I couldn't see. It got worse after my sister passed away last year from bone cancer. She was the one who got me to first start writing, and my relationship with her was something I'll probably never find in another person again. She was the first one who believed in my abilities as a writer, encouraging me and supporting me even though I was never the best at anything.

I feel lost, guys. I'm trying to find my way home - or wherever I'm supposed to belong, I guess. It's a work in progress. Like, what am I doing? Why am I here? What am I even fighting for?

Still trying to figure that out.

Thank you, sister - and thank you everyone for taking the time to leave comments. You are all wonderful, kind people. A part of me is still catatonic with disbelief, because - wow it's been like a year since I did anything for Vocaloid? It's probably even more likely everyone has moved on and found their ways to different passions. Okay!