Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Saku Kinoshita, here to greet all my kind viewers and fellow Black Haze fans a happy valentine's day.

As a bonus, you'll find some cute side stories on the bottom of the page.

Chapter 8: Big Top Trouble

Though watching the spectacular performance, a certain pair of Iduns couldn't really enjoy the act as their minds had wandered elsewhere.

"Thank you very much. A round of applause for our amazing performers!" The ringleader announced to his enthralled audience. "And now for our next act, we'll need a volunteer from the audience."

Looking around from left to right, no sign of the dark blue haired Idun anywhere. Just how long did it take to use the restroom? Rood's patience was wearing thin. The moment Dio shows up he'll give a good smack or two for his tardiness. More importantly for making Lidusis worry so needlessly. The grey haired noble boy wouldn't stop fidgeting around concerned about his absent classmate. Rood assured him that Dio was most likely being held up by an unexpectedly long line for the restroom or got hungry again.

"Anyone?" The ringleader called out not that either Rood or Lidusis were paying any attention to the man. "Anyone, at all?"

Even when he's not around, Dio can still cause trouble for them.

"Don't worry. He'll be back soon. If it's Dio, he probably ended up in some kind of situation so crazy that it's beyond stupid." Rood assured his friend unaware of how right he was.

However Rood's words had no affect on the gray haired Idun.

"Then how about this young lad!" The ringleader volunteers Rood for the job while his female assistant shows up and raises up one of Rood's arms much to Rood's shock and dismay at the same time.

Rood fervorously shook his head in refusal not wanting to go up and more importantly he was not a big fan of attention especially when it was directed at him.

Despite Rood's unwillingness, the female assistant takes Rood with her either way leaving behind a slightly dumbfounded Lidusis who didn't know how to react to Rood's situation.

"With our volunteer here, let's begin our show!" The ringleader loudly announced.

Last time Rood checked, a volunteer was someone who was willing to perform his or her tasks. And in Rood's case, his situation was far from what you'd call volunteering or willing if any.

"Don't worry little boy. We won't make you do anything dangerous or scary." The ringleader jokingly said to Rood as he patted the young magician's head with the audience chuckling in amusement. "For our first act, our melodic aquatic mammal, Pinnipe, will be play a nice tune to welcome the rest of Pinnipe's family."

Center stage was a seal with a colorful pointy hat on its head and a white ruffled collar around its neck.

"Arf arf" Pinnipe barked clapping its flippers in glee at the cheers of the audience.

Without further adieu, Pinnipe starts playing a catchy tune on the set of musical horns in front of it, at the same time, signaling the arrival of a pack of seals dressed up similarly to Pinnipe. The sight of the cute seal family brings the crowd in a round of applause and delight.

"A warm welcome for Pinnipe's fa—" The ringleader's introduction was cut short when he saw his opening performers crowding around Rood like he had some fish for them. Even the audience were now stunned by the sight. "Well, well, it looks like Pinnipe's family have taken a liking to our little volunteer."

Light chuckles and laughter begins to fill the audience. It was cute how the pack of seals were acting all affectionate towards Rood.

Though Rood hardly found his situation amusing. He wasn't exactly fond of the idea of being squished to death by a bunch of marine mammals. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to bring Lidusis to the show.

And as for said person, Lidusis was quite dumbfounded himself at what he had just seen.

"All jokes aside, let's continue on with the performance!" The ringleader announced.

On cue, Pinnipe played another catchy melody on the horns. Then big bouncy balls would rain from above. Pinnipe's family would each grab a ball and start bouncing them on their noses while some simply balanced them on their noses. A couple even balanced two or three balls on their noses. A few others would bounce one ball on their nose and one on their tail. A pair would simultaneously toss two balls back and forth between each other. The crowd was really eating up the performance. They couldn't take their eyes off the seals.

Seeing this made Rood wonder why he was even called out there in the first place. As long as he doesn't have to do anything too annoying or riduculous, it should be fine. The less attention he receives the better.

Proceeding on for the next act, a couple of lions and tigers come out to jump through several rings of fires while performing several tricks midair. One lion spinned around like a tornado as it jumped through three rings of fire in one jump. One of the tigers did a flip as it was jumping towards a ring and landed on all fours.

Then a small group of bears came out. Each of them wearing a tutu and a pointy hat on their heads. It was a simple juggling act where each bear would juggle some items up in the air. However a bit of a kick was added here as they had to do so while balancing themselves on a ball from the seals' opening performance. Then they would ball walk around the ring while juggling. Many of the kids in the stands were mesmerized by the act and how coordinated the bears were.

Concluding the performance, the ringleader announced their last act.

"And for our final act, we will do the human pyramid!"

Rood had a bad feeling about this. Could this be what he was called in to do? But wasn't this an animal act so why are they doing the human pyramid?

"Or in this case, the animal pyramid!"

Of course... Rood should have known.

"And at the very top will this cute, little boy here." The ringleader announced as he placed his hands on Rood's shoulders.

The little comment slightly peeved Rood.

One by one the animals started forming a pyramid. Elephants forming the base of the pyramid. Followed by the bears. Then the tigers. And lastly a couple of lions near the top where Rood would placed.

Almost close to perfect. All that's needed is to add the main attraction and it's done.

Or least, it would have been.

Just as one of the acrobatics was going to place Rood on top of the pyramid, a loud explosion was heard followed by a blood curdling scream that oozed with pure fear.

"Gyyyyaaaaa!"

From the side, a small silhouette could be seen dashing in the tent. However the thick smoke made it hard to tell who the person was or what they looked like. All they could see was a rough outline of the person. Based on the scream, it sounded like a little boy.

As the young boy ran, more distinctive features arose as the smoke started to dissipate.

?!

Rood was left in dumbstruck from his current position as the acrobatic holding him up midair had quite the perplexed expression on her face. And from the stands, Lidusis's eyes nearly pop out from his eye sockets when he recognized the small figure emerging from the thick smoke.

Dio?!

He knew he did say it when he said how Dio was running late because he probably ended up in some weird situation, but he didn't actually think it would happen. Rood had wondered what the dark blue haired Idun had done to get him in his current predicament. What's more was that the look of pure terror and fear on Dio's face was something. From Rood's perspective, it looked like he was running from something. The question was what?

The answer to that question was soon brought to light when Rood caught a glimpse of a shining red light in the midst the smoke not too far from where Dio came out of.

Rood broke out into a cold sweat as he soon realized the mystery behind Dio's fright as well as the cause of that explosion.

If that's who he think it is, then Rood had better take Lidusis and Dio out of this place asap least he want another unwelcoming encounter with the last person he ever wanted to associate with.

Should he notice Rood, then the poor blond Idun will have a hard time getting out of that considering his current position. He just hopes the acrobat will put him back on the ground so that he can take Lidusis and Dio too if he feels like it out of the place.

Meanwhile the audience were in a bit of unrest at the recent disturbance, and they were looking forward to the animal pyramid too. But seeing as how a couple of kids were running loose on the stage and one of them most likely being a magician based on the previous explosion, they doubted now was the time to enjoy a show with a magician reeking havoc upon the place.

A particular gray haired Idun was quite mystified by Dio's sudden intrusion, but nonetheless, he was content to see the dark blue haired Idun well. But still...

Who would have thought that Rood's words from before were actually true...

He knew that the blond was only trying to console him and alleviate his worries. Even so... this was just something.

Lidusis could hardly tell from the smoke, but he sensed that the person chasing Dio was a bit familiar.

"Young Master, it would be in your best interest to be escorted out of here for Dayner-nim's sake." Lispen suggested to the young boy who shook his head.

He wasn't going to leave without Rood and Dio.

"Please think of Dayner-nim if harm were to befall upon you." Lispen urged the noble boy.

Regardless of Lispen's words, Lidusis was more concerned about Rood and Dio than his own safety. Those two were in a far more dangerous position than anybody else in the tent.

In light of the situation, the acrobat put Rood down and went to discuss with the ringleader about the current situation. Then in no time did Dio spot his blond friend. Crying waterfalls of tears, Dio jumped towards Rood having finally being reunited with the young magician. Excepting the warm softness of Rood's body, Dio met a face full of hard dirt and dust.

Even if Dio was his friend, there was no way he'd just let him hug him out of nowhere. Dodging Dio's welcoming tackle was practically the normal thing to do. Otherwise, he'd be the one on the ground with an idiot on him. And he'd rather not get himself that kind of situation because a certain someone couldn't contain their excitement. At the very least, he didn't hit Dio for his action.

"You're so mean, Rood!" Dio whined with his hands over his injured head and tears welling up in his eyes. "I haven't seen you in a long time, and this is how you treat me!"

"It's your own fault for coming at me like that out of nowhere. Be glad I didn't hit you." Rood reasoned. "Besides, it hasn't even been an hour since you left. Blame your tardiness for that. What took you so long to get here anyway?"

At that last part, Dio wasn't sure how to answer Rood's question.

"Were the restrooms all full so you had to use a bush but ended up getting lost when you finished your business?"

"No?!" Dio immediately shot down. "I'm not a wild animal, Rood?! I can properly use a restroom and know when to hold it in when there's a long line! Is that how you think of me?"

Tears start streaming down Dio's face at the fact that his friend thought so little of him.

"Then why were you so late in getting here?" Rood asked once more.

"Ah..." Oh no, he almost forgot. He better warn Rood before it's too late.

However before Dio could utter a single word in response, an eerie familiar voice spoke, "Found you..."

A voice that Rood knew all too well. Rood's face darkens with horror at the sound of the voice especially the next part.

"Blackie..."

Shicmuon?! Of course, he should have known. The reason Dio was late was because of Shicmuon. The latter was probably trying to chase after Dio to get information about his current whereabouts from him. He probably saw recognized his face when Dio helped him escape from Shicmuon's grasp previously. And unfortunately, Dio had to have ran into Shicmuon on his trip to the restroom.

"I won't let you escape this time."

Oh boy. This time he really did mean it which made it more of a pain for Rood.

When it came to dealing with Shicmuon, there weren't exactly a whole lot of opinions to choose form. Fighting was out of the question. And reasoning didn't exactly work with Shicmuon.

"This time we'll fight."

"You idiot." Rood said to the mentally unstable redhead. "Do you not realize what would happen from that? A lot of people will end up getting caught up in that chaos. Plus, I have no intention of engaging in any sort of activity with you of all people."

"Like it matters if a couple of insects get crushed."

And this was one of the reasons why Rood didn't get along with Shicmuon or wanted anything to do with the psychotic magician.

"Whether you want to or not doesn't matter..." Shicmuon dashes towards Rood and leaps in the air having prepared a powerful attack spell just for Rood. "... because I'll make you fight me."

Not a moment later did Shicmuon release the spell onto Rood.

*BOOOOM*

Rood... Dio... Lidusis's heart sank. What happened? Were they okay? He needed to find out.

With all the smoke in the air from Shicmuon's attack, it was hard for the first class magician to make out anything in this thick smoke. Most people would probably be either KOed or killed from it, but he knew Rood Chrishi was far from the common person. After all, he was the only person he acknowledged and the only person to bring thrill and excitement into his life. And the only person who could instill fear into him.

"Really..."

Finally, at long last, it was here.

"What have you done..."

He could finally relive that [day] again.

"How many times have I told you..."

As the smoke cleared up, a pair of doggy ears and a tail were revealed.

"Persistent men aren't popular, Shic." Van chided the young boy as he managed to block Shicmuon's attack before it had done anything devastating. Behind him were Rood and Dio both safe and sound much to Lidusis's relief.

What the heck is he saying? Dio retorted inside his mind. He was grateful for the older man's help, but he had a funny way to calming down people.

"Move." Shicmuon ordered not pleased to have Van interfering with his business.

"I know how you get when it comes to the kid, but surely there are other people you can chase after and possibly a girl."

Dio really didn't get what that last part had to do with anything but still left all the talking to the unfamiliar stranger.

"I won't forgive anyone who gets in my way even if it's you."

Oh boy. He wasn't listening. Van saw this coming. No matter who it was, Shicmuon would never listen to anyone. Even his superior had a tough time getting him to follow orders. Most of the time he had to trick him into doing things by saying how it involved the Black Magician in some way or that he'll think about scheduling another [play date] with him.

Oh God forbid, not another [play date.] The last [play date] is still fresh in his memories. He'll never forget for the rest of his life. The first time the Association's Shicmuon and Opion's Black Magician met face to face was a time that will be ingrained in his mind for all eternity. Although after that incident, he's pretty sure his superior will never do something as stupid as setting up another [play date.] Who knew one kid could cause so much destruction, but then again it was Shicmuon so that was pretty much an everyday thing. No matter where he goes, one way or another, Shicmuon just seems to cause trouble wherever he goes. The numerous amounts of complaints their organization has received because of his behavior was no laughing matter. He'd cry if he had to see another stack of papers about damage reports on Shicmuon's rampaging destruction.

Van sighs. He knew it was going to be like this. Looks like he'll have to move onto plan B.

Instantaneously, Van grabs Rood and starts running out the exit with the kid in tow leaving behind a speechless Dio. Knowing Shicmuon as well as he did, chances are that he'll start running after him telling him to release Rood and that he'll kill him if he doesn't stop.

Swiftly weaving through the streets and by passing the civilians, from behind, Van heard a familiar voice muttering several things like "Stop." or "I'll kill you."

Yep, there's doubt about it. That was Shicmuon alright.

Now next stop, Opion's headquarters.

Assuming that he makes it there alive or in one piece.

Omake 1: Iel

Just another noisy day of school except that it was exceptionally loud. That being because today's Valentine's Day.

How annoying... To Iel Valentine's Day was just another day, but this particular day gave people an excuse to bother her.

"Hey Iel, is there anything in particular that you wanted to give a certain someone like me today?"

"You don't mind accepting this, will you?"

"You know I'm a bit of a chocolate fan myself you know."

No matter how direct or indirect they'll ask, she'd never give them anything since she had no reason to celebrate an insignificant holiday like Valentine's Day.

While the boys were pestering Iel with a barge of questions and mindless babble, a small heart shaped wrapped item was sticking out of Iel's bag.

Omake 2: Linus

Out on a walk, Lapis Yuan Nuadly, currently a repeat Idun in Helios, who kept on failing every promotional exam spots his close friend Linus En Grium, a Hereis, who entered Helios at the same time as Lapis but got promoted to Hereis unlike his talentless friend carrying a strangely large box with him.

"What are you doing?" Lapis asked his friend.

"Oh, Lapis." The lavender haired Hereis took notice of his friend. "I'm just delivering this package to Opion."

"Oh, really? What for? Did you need this delivered to someone?"

"Yeah."

"Who?" Lapis didn't think his friend would go out of his way to have a package delivered to someone. Must be someone from out of town.

"Black Magician-nim!" Linus cheerfully answered.

"..." Lapis's face turns blue with shock.

"It was hard making this since I don't know what he looks like but I got the basic idea down. I'm sure he'll know what it is when he sees it."

"For curiosity's sake, exactly what's in there?" Lapis had a feeling he'd regret asking this.

"A life size sculpture of Black Magician-nim!"

He knew it. He shouldn't have asked.

"It was hard making this since not many people know what Black Magician-nim looks like. But he sees this, I'm sure he'll know it's him!"

He really shouldn't have asked.

Omake 3: Rood

"Welcome back, Rood." Seated face to face with Rood, Kielnode welcomed his precious bundle of joy. "Looks like you got quite a haul this year."

Piled on top of the table between the two was a mountain of boxes of chocolate.

"Unfortunately, this was the most I could fit on the table. I left the rest in another room."

Just looking at the mountain of chocolate made Rood's tooth ache at the amount of tooth decay he'd get if he ate this much and plus there was more. It was as if a cloud of gloom was hanging over his head.

"I'd expect no less from Opion's superstar." Shuffling though his pockets, Kielnode begins to take out a small package. "And while we're at it, ha—"

Before Kielnode could finish, Rood cut him off.

"Show me one more box of chocolate and I'll melt all this chocolate and make a life size chocolate sculpture of you out of it... with you as the main ingredient."

At this, Kielnode immediately hides the package back in his pocket.