Author's Note:
Have you ever wondered if you had crazy reflexes like those from Reborn!, would you apply it to your everyday lives? I don't think I ever see characters use them in anything besides battling. It would be interesting, though, right?
Chapter 23: A Distracting Thought
The chirping of birds as well as the sounds of water insects can be heard as I sat in the study room, looking out the window. The lights shining in blurred my vision, and gave off a warm, soft feel to the room. It was strange, considering its November. I had a pen in my hand, in front of my face was a revision book, opened up. I was constantly tapping my pen on the table as I tried to think of answers for the latest question I'm working on. I slumped myself on the table as nothing came up in my mind. Can you blame me? I was never good in Math, and I never did like those numbers, equations and formulas. They make my head hurt.
As I tried to come up with an answer, the day felt like it was the most perfect one yet. Sunlight bright and warm. No chilly wind that was so frequent this time of year. Not a puff of grey cloud in the sky. Frankly, I don't know if I'm imagining all this.
That was when my hand reached for the badge on the side of my desk, and the memory came bouncing into my mind.
So we were clearing out the rubble and metal from the firefight before, as well as searching for any people still trapped here, when I heard footsteps approaching us. I tensed at the sound. I still had Fenris in my hand, though I wasn't in my Awakening anymore. Could it be an enemy? Sergio and I looked on in anticipation as the steps got closer. Before I knew it, I had Fenris pointed and ready to shoot.
That.. was a mistake. Out of the smoke and fog, came my school's Principal and Superintendent, looking all scruffed up, probably because of the chaos before. "Ack!" I yelp out, switching glances to Sergio then to my gun. I can't be seen with a gun in my hand! What would they think?
As my thoughts panicked and collided, I squinted my eyes in an effort to maybe shield myself from what was gonna happen next. As the footsteps came to a halt, I already had my arms up, blocking my face. What happen next though, was a huge surprise.
"We.. are grateful for your protection... Zanna Decimo.." Those are the words spoken as my eyes opened, giving me the sight of the Principal bowing to me. Sergio and I stand with botched faces and surprised looks. We had no idea what was happening.
Well, it turns out my Famiglia had connections with the school too. Who knew? Apparently everyone present except for me and Sergio! That was why Kiera and the others did not even ready their stance when the two approached. It felt really, really weird to get such respect from your own Principal. It feels creepy, to be honest. Next day, I find myself standing on the podium, with the honor of recieving this year's 'Badge Of Creativity'. Officially, I'm now the most respected student in Venice High. Unofficially, I'm the one standing on top of everyone, winner of the 'Day Of Conquer', even though I hardly did anything. Of course, they deny any sort of influence my position as Boss granted me.
"He's the kid who helped me out back then!" I could hear someone shout out as I received the badge. That made me wonder whether I won this Badge fairly or not. It could happen, I guess.
"Heh.." I smirked as the memory dessipated. Nevertheless, my experience in school is definitely gonna change, for better or worse. Still, the day drags on as I continue looking back. At that memory, the ones of all that has happened came flowing back. What have I been doing these past few months? Killing people, helping people, securing resources, the usual for every Famiglia I guess. That was when Collonello's mention of the Vongola Decimo came into my mind. A fourteen year old kid, just like me. I wonder how his everyday life is now? Well, I wish him a better time. Less injuries, perhaps.
Am I distracting myself? I really shouldn't be. Looking out the window, the day still feels so slow, the rays of light warm and soft. That was when I remembered something. Something from a month or so.
It was Kiera.
Her face came into my mind, weak and vulnerable, flushed with emotions. She looked like she needed help! My hands shiver as I came to the realization. Was I worried, afraid? I don't know.
Beads of sweat seemed to form on my forehead as I remembered all those times Kiera got weakened. I remember a few times I touched Kiera's shoulders or bumped into her accidently only to have her violently push, knock or hit me away, shivering from what happened. There was also that time during the Culture Festival, when I protected her after she got weakened after being struck and hitting the wall. "Kiera... What exactly is going on...?" I whispered out to myself in my thoughts.
So what was my next course of action? Study? Hah! I find myself combing through the rooms of my mansion, popping my head through the door only to find members of my Famiglia, those injured, resting in the beds. My steps rattled through the empty white halls as I searched. Somehow, I had this strange feeling that Kiera's in trouble. And the fact that I was distracted by stuff that has been happening, or brushed it off as nothing, only made it feel so much worse. "Thmp. Thmp. Thmp Thmp." The sounds of my steps continued as I turn to see white walls again, and again, and again. At times like this, I kinda hate how big the mansion is. Well, I partly blame myself for never getting used to every hallway this building has.
"Kiera!" I called out, in hopes that I may summon her to me instead. Even if it's nothing, I'll need to at least hear it from her. "Kiera! Where are you?" I called out once more, breaking the gentle silence that filled the halls since afternoon.
At long last, I found Kiera in a secluded room. The room was filled with books, though they don't seem to belong to the Library. Dust was everywhere, and Kiera stood there, not moving, with a featherduster in her hands. Even as I saw her through the doors and entered the room, I was already bomarded by a fog of dust and particles. "Cough! Cough!" the coughing fits went away as fast as they came, and soon I found myself walking towards Kiera, who was at the other side of the room. I had expected her to hear me already, but she just continued standing there, her back facing me, not moving. No actions came from her hands too, the duster left dangling in her right hand. As I got behind her, I stretch out my hand to reach her. Naturally, I wanted to tap her lightly on her left shoulder, but I hesitate as the thought of what happened before flashes across my mind.
Well, I need to know if something happened to her! At that thought, I placed my hand on her shoulder. Immediately, a shiver, strong and wild as it was, circulated throught Kiera's body, felt by the slightest touch of my fingers. "Ah!" I hear Kiera cry out, and that itself surprised me. Kiera never cries out. In her reflex, she took hold of my arm, pulled me towards her before launching me towards one of those bookshelves in the room. As if crashing into the shelves weren't bad enough, books started falling on me, brought down by the force of the crash. Soon, whole stacks of thick, hard-covered books began raining on my head.
"Kiera!" I yelled out, partly hoping to get her to my side, and partly for help. I could only watch as she stepped back, face flushed with pain and uncertainty, before the two storey tall shelves as well as certain parts of the stone walls and ceiling started falling on me. The area I landed was in-between three of the shelves, and the crash must have broke their balance somehow. The walls were already writhed with cracks when I came in. I could only hear Kiera's footsteps getting softer with increasing speed as I was buried under the rubble of books, wood and stone.
The start of another Arc. It's kinda overwhelming as all the little thoughts I had before, the general ideas for each Arcs, now require planning structure as I write it out. Sometimes, things go dramatically different as new ideas change the way it was supposed to be told. Still, I do hope all the changes I made are the right ones. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!