Again, rating might change, depending on the flow of the story either by my mind or by my fingers typing. This is a shounen ai story, boy and boy. Don't like, don't read.
The rest, sorry for the long wait. Enjoy
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ao No Exorcist. Not even the characters.
Chapter 1
The True Cross Academy Festival is fast approaching. Rumours, chit-chats, expectations and excitement are spreading widely as the students are anticipating a memorable and entertaining festival night. It is said that the True Cross Academy Festival is the biggest festival ever held in the whole of Japan. Every entertainment possible in amusement parks and minor school festivals can be found in True Cross Festival with variations, differentiating it from other classes' booths. Their food stalls sales different kinds of foods making your wallet go empty from buying and tasting every delectable food offered. Each class and clubs' choice of contribution is different from the other, making the festival full of unique booths and stalls.
The best event in this festival is the rumoured 'last dance'. It is said that the couple who will have their last dance around the comforting heat radiating from the bonfire, will have the blessings of the starry night as the smoke brushes through their smooth and graceful movements.
Now, each student who wishes to be noticed by their love interests, are now desperately looking for a way to court them and to woo them in the final dance.
Even 'him'.
He mustered up all his courage he has gathered deep within himself as he is about to ask 'that girl' to dance with him. His hopes of getting a positive answer with her usual smile from the naïve and shy girl is clearly evident in his shaky voice, determined eyes, and trembling body. But before he could speak, the words that escaped from Shiemi's mouth betrayed his feelings.
"I was thinking of inviting Yuki-chan!"
As those words revealed her real intention, the half-demon's confidence vanished without any trace while his plans are thrown out into a deep abyss. He looks down as misleading feelings of mortification dawns upon him, crushing his chest and mind into a capricious state.
This exchange of words happened far away from the two girls in the classroom eating lunch but not so far away as the pink haired young man can hear.
The most carefree pink haired young man walked away from behind the wall, separating him from the two conversing 'friends', with a resentful expression evident on his face.
I am your first real friend. I did not shun you, unlike them. I could not tolerate not hearing that lively voice and avert your electric blue eyes that are full of life. Despising you for what you are did not exist in my mind.
Yet, why her?
Why are you still decisive on her? She was the reason why your identity had to be exposed, the reason for you to unleash a part of yourself you hated so much. You did all you can to protect but what did she do in return? Was avoiding you the right way to act towards who rescued her? Is that how she repays you? Can it still be considered 'repaying'?
No, it's not!
But you were so distressed as her words scarred you.
Let that girl and your younger twin brother go together.
You do not have to worry for I am always here. I can always go with you. I can be your best friend, your brother, maybe your twin. And… I can be your partner.
But as the pink haired exwire went inside the room, he noticed the messy dark blue hair on the pillow, the lifeless eyes staring into nothingness, and the partially opened mouth he had completely forgotten to close. He looked dead as the rejection pierced his very core.
Together with the glasses-wearing bald exwire, they offer the half-demon to different ways of fun, ranging from lending the best porn books to eating, in hopes of trying to ease the him to get over it.
But the half-demon, optimistic as ever, got up and changed his views.
"I've gotten rid of all my regrets about the dance party, and I shall pour all my strength into the class' plan!" shouted the half-demon with determination as he tied a
"Okumura-kun, you're giving up already?!" whined the pink-hair as realization hit him that it would be only him that would try his best to invite a partner.
Of course, if it's me, I wouldn't give up easily. If not for the 'plan', I definitely would invite you to dance with me. I could enjoy myself in the moment, as I hold your hand, and guide you to a smooth dance, and forget about everything. But I have to do something. Something that only I can do. For me, for us.
Meanwhile, the short blonde hair young lady, knocked on the door of the room with which a glasses-wearing, Middle First Class, young exorcist is silently taking care of his written works. As the young lady, Shiemi, slowly and nervously came inside from the given permission, greetings were exchanged and normal conversation started.
But it was not long because Shiemi broke it, leading it back to her main purpose of her presence in front of the exorcist.
"C-can you go to the dance party with me?" Shiemi stuttered as nervousness overtook her.
But the glasses-wearing exorcist smiled and declined her offer, "Actually, I will be working as a staff manager, so I won't be free on that day."
With an apology, the young exorcist outright declined the offer even with the promise of it being fun. And with that, Shiemi left with a reminder of not overexerting himself.
Why me?
I thought she'd go with my brother for sure. And then, they would dance together as I watch them from the sidelines. Even without wearing my glasses, no matter how hard you try to hide it, it's clear to me that you like her. I know: after all, you are my twin brother.
If only I was like her, able to ask you to a dance despite being too nervous and too shy about it.
I, too, would want to enjoy the festival along with you, trying the foods on different food stalls, watching events and the fireworks, happily smiling while dancing with you around the bonfire.
I want to be by your side during that delightful and entertaining festival.
I want to treasure every moment I have with you, every minute, and every second of it.
I want to etch it in my mind and forever be a part of me.
But I have to be a 'staff manager' in order to protect you. I have to be on guard and on the lookout, to avoid having you slip from my grasp.
The first day of the True Cross Academy Festival went promptly smoothly with each character having played out its roles in the festival.
Everyone was having a hard but fun day, not knowing that this might be their last peaceful day.
The second night of True Cross Academy Festival started with every student busy taking care of their personal concern. As the whole Academy was illuminated with the gleam and glitter - not just from the gentle radiance from the moon- but also from the light sources hanged around, it is filled with a bustling crowd of people that covered the ground. The mouth-watering smell of sweet, savoury, appetizing and greatly delectable foods fill your nose as it tempts a person to follow its scent and buy enough to satisfy oneself from different food stalls. The different kinds of flowers that are carefully arranged into bouquets, with its sweet aroma, are ready to be sold to male students to romantically pleasure their partners by showing devotion through giving the flowers. There, at the center of an open field in the festival, is the place where couples gather to enjoy the warmth of each other as they move gracefully during the dance.
During this time, Rin is busy multitasking- cooking a lot in a fast pace, serving and entertaining the customers- for their class' stall. The day of decision-making, the majority of Rin's class chose to set up a food stall that sells rice balls since it is can be eaten without so much hassle such as needing chairs and table or, in short, it is handy while it sufficiently fills up the customer's stomach. Though their rice balls are not ordinary, it has different tastiness unlike other normal rice balls. Their rice balls have a different seasoning with various fillings, which are made especially by Rin. Of course, with his good cooking skills, these rice balls distinct tastes cannot be compared. Even their headmaster, Johann Faust V, or more accurately, Mephisto Pheles, got his mind blown upon tasting the rice balls the night before.
Despite receiving acknowledgement and praise through relocating their food stall at a better place, as an indication of being sort of promoted, while having their budget personally handled by their headmaster himself; it is not what Rin truly desired for that night.
While taking his break, wondering whether Izumo would fulfil their agreement, Rin thought back to what he really wanted to do as of now. He wanted to go to the dance with Shiemi in her beautiful dress, shy and naïve attitude, and sweet smile, as they hold hands with the proximity of their body as they let the music and the gentle breeze of the night wind guide their feet in the dance.
Among the exwires, including Yukio, it was not just him who was not at the center, dancing. Yukio, Bon, and Shima were especially busy since they were managing the crowd, controlling it to lower casualties. Shiemi was doing her best to help in their class' horror booth as one of the ghosts, and helped her mother arrange flowers and other decorative plants to be distributed to their customers. Lastly, knowing Izumo, she definitely had no one she would go to the trouble of dressing elegantly and go to the dance and she did not bother to appear and help Rin and the others on their food stall.
This leaves to the only exception. Yes, surprisingly, 'that' Konekomaru actually had a girl to go to the dance with. Konekomaru earned shocked reactions from Shima and Rin for they thought the three of them would be on the same boat.
As Rin is walking through the crowd, still thinking how it would be good to attend the dance, there, he met the girl he wanted to invite. Shiemi is in front of him, wearing her usual yukata but had her sleeves held up and her hair tied into a ponytail, as she just finished delivering the flowers.
"Shiemi…!" Rin shouts in delight as he jogs toward the said girl.
Shiemi faces Rin to greet him back, but shock is evident on her face as the question of why Rin is here. They exchange few conversations. Shiemi felt relief flood into her as she was again able to talk to Rin normally after their last conversation yesterday.
As she was wiping away her tears of joy, Rin's finally uttered the words of invitation he had always wanted to say.
"Shiemi, dance with me." Rin asked, no, more like, stated it with a serious tone. No matter how much he wanted to hide, the half-demon's ears are red from being blunt from his request. Shiemi shocked with her cheeks blushing, unspeakably taking time to respond. Rin noticed her having a hard time absorbing those words, as she was having an internal turmoil.
Rin took pity, knowing the girl's characteristics and as considerate as he is, he flicked the anxious girl, grabbed her hand and lead her somewhere. If grabbing her hand to distract her thoughts and stop her mad blushing meant to help her actually had an opposite effect. It added to her puzzlement as she thought she was dragged to the dance party without her proper consent.
But she loosened up after seeing Rin's cheerful expression signalling her to hurry up towards the direction he was pointing. There, she saw a young man wearing glasses, black suit with white button-up undershirt and black bow tie around the neck, paired with black pants and black shoes, and lastly, the I.D. hand around his neck that says 'staff'. Behind those glasses are the serious eyes of the 'staff', carefully scanning the area while reminding students of some rules using the megaphone in hand, ever so often.
Shiemi just realized Rin's actual plan and purpose of dragging her to that place. She brightened up as an unspoken exchange of plan between her and Rin was about to be executed as they neared their 'target'.
As they both stopped in front of the 'staff', identified as Yukio, mischievous and sheepish smirks were plastered on their faces. Yukio had a bad feeling. Knowing his brother and that smile, he knows that Rin had implanted something to Shiemi, which would always be ridiculous.
Suddenly, Rin kneeled in one foot and bowed, while Shiemi had her left hand on her chest as she bowed.
"Yukio/Yuki-chan, please dance with us!" they chorused together.
To say that Yukio was stunned would be an understatement. He was shocked to the bone and mind that his spirit decided to leave his body. He was frozen on the spot, unable to utter a word or to scream and ask who they were to Yukio.
Before he could come back to his senses, think of the right thing to do, and to retort, he was grabbed by the two childish people in front of him. The bewildered Yukio kept muttering something about a dance being impossible with three people. Shiemi happily responded Yukio that they could just form a circle and spin around much like how kids play.
Rin…
Thank you…
I'm happy that even for a moment; I am able to spend this night with you. This might not be our 'last dance' around the bonfire, still… holding your hand, dancing with you under the starry night sky, is already a blessing for me.
You are the precious gift this world has bestowed to me.
As the three teens were briefly having their little world, Shima, Bon, and a busty woman, Shura, were watching their joyous gathering from afar.
But one of the bystanders was interested in joining them, for he was there.
"How nice. Youth is nice… Really, let's go and dance too." whined Shima as the urge to enjoy dancing (with him) was rising. Unfortunately, he got disturbed and was called for work.
As I see you dancing with them, I have to hold back myself.
Though that may be an opportunity to dance with you, even if there are extra people, I have to turn my back for now.
But I will make sure that this won't be the last opportunity, 'cause when everything's over, we could finally be together.
Their euphoria, thoughts, and plans were rudely interrupted as Shura got alarmed as news and orders concerning one of their friends just got to her. Kamiki Izumo, their fellow classmate in cram school, fellow exwire exorcist, who has long dark purple hair, dark red eyes and a pair of weirdly-shaped eyebrows. Izumo was being targeted and they are given the orders to find her as fast as they could and secure her from the enemies.
As they were contemplating each individual's destination, to search for Izumo, some of them can't control themselves as panic engulfed them, most specially, Shima. They need to get to Izumo fast, before the enemy comes. The worried Shima quickly ran to frantically search for their missing friend. The rest of the exwires were settling their methods.
But they did not know that the enemy, the 'spy' was already on the way.
.
.
.
"Gomene, Izumo-chan~", apologized by the pink-haired – once exwire - now revealed as the Illuminati spy, to the unconscious girl on his hand. He spoke with his usual sing-song voice he had used to tease the same girl he's gripping, as if the girl could wake up and escape any moment. Thinking about it, a while ago, Shima was only able to barely win because of the help of Yamantaka, a high class wisdom demon.
Despite the warnings and interference of Takara, who stood still as his goal was already achieved, the unconscious tamer, identified as Izumo, was captured as she was backstabbed. Shima's plan went smoothly as he first acted as the saviour and tried to protect Izumo, successfully deceiving her.
The spy's reinforcements arrived. As Shima was asked to stay back and just watch; a familiar voice broke through all the commotion. Rin dashed to their direction as he called both Shima and Izumo's name to earn attention not caring about some uninvited visitors. It was clear from the half-demon's eyes that he was panicking, obviously having questions inside his mind.
'I should hurry up and help them. Who knows what will happen if I am a second late?' But as Rin neared them, a blinding light decided to interject. Heat waves were being swept by the wind towards them. From there, the 'clown-costumed' demon, Mephisto appeared right in front of Rin, blocking the half-demon's view.
He moved a little bit to the side to see what's going on. A well-dressed man appeared in front of Mephisto. As Mephisto greeted him, they found out the man - who was wearing a weird 'kitsune' mask - was actually, Mephisto's older brother. Therefore... a demon.
But as the two full-blooded demon were conversing, muttering something about Illuminati's goal and a warning, Rin couldn't care less. The half-demon's gaze was towards his friends.
'Why is Izumo unconscious?' 'How are they?' 'Are they attacked?' 'Why are they surrounded by those bastards?' 'Why is Shima idly standing there?'
Ten and more questions filled Rin's mind as he briefly observe their surroundings. He wanted to immediately run to their side and secure them. That's just how Rin's thoughts, screamed mercilessly at him upon sensing danger to his friends.
Noticing the enemies' actions of leaving, Rin scowled at Mephisto and shouted at him to do something. Mephisto did not plan to do something for going against the King of Light at the moment would be a wrong move.
Rin's natural attitude of stubbornness kicked in, and he decided to stop them by himself. Innocent and oblivious to Shima's betrayal, Rin is resolute to save them.
As he tried to attack by swinging his sword and producing a slash of blue flames directed towards the enemies, Shima swiftly moved and clashed his staff to Rin's sword. At a close observation, Rin noticed that Shima's staff was emitting black flames with only demons who possess such flames. The both teens stared at each other; eye to eye.
Confusion, hurt, panic, dejected, despair, wounded and lastly… betrayed. These are undoubtedly portrayed in the half-demon's eyes.
"Don't make me hit you… please…" Shima's whispers of words were different from his usual cheerful and funny whisper of words towards Rin.
Rin does not want to face reality and so, he searched Shima's eyes for a clue. A clue that can persuade the worried half-demon. Rin wanted to hold onto some hope even if it's miniscule. If it's just there, then, he can breathe a little.
But what Rin saw in Shima's eyes, made him want to wake up from this nightmare. Shima is serious. Nothing else was seen. This made the half-demon confused.
"From now on, you'll need to be prepared to kill humans if you want to win." Shima declared in such serious tone that seems to be another person talking. Rin was taken off guard and he was deflected.
The other students and friends were also in the same state as Rin. They could not understand Shima. Even when Bon shakily demanded Shima to come back, the 'carefree idiot' just thanked them, waved and said his farewell. He boarded the copter as they stood frozen, unable to accept his betrayal. Only Bon was able to move as he ran towards Shima shouting their thoughts. Bon's vain attempt to pound into Shima's head – the lame way to say goodbye to them - fell to ears unwilling to listen.
They did not know, as Shima closed the door, he collapsed to the floor with the pretence of being weak from using Yamantaka. Though there is more to physical reasons of collapsing. It's his mentality that got weak.
Why? Why did you have to appear like that? And I thought it went smoothly. But you just had to shout our names, my name, to destroy my resolution to endure this.
You looked deeply into my eyes. If only we were in not that kind of situation, I would've already melted in that gaze.
But… would that still be possible? If after all this, I apologize to you, would you still give me the trust you once gave to me?
My act almost faltered when I whispered. I sounded like I almost begged you.
And…I saw your eyes. You were so hurt that your feelings are in shambles.
You searched deep in my eyes. You wanted to have something you could grasp. Something that could be like a lifeline for Shima, the ever perverted, carefree, idiot friend of yours that you once knew.
I had to calm myself and gather my composure so as not to destroy my façade.
You still always had that powerful attitude and sense inside you that captivated me.
Ah, I wonder, when will this end?
Meanwhile, at the True Cross Academy, the barrier was destroyed and demons of different classes or levels came swarming inside. Mephisto faced the exwires and Yukio then gave an order to bring back Kamiki Izumo, with such authority in his voice. Rin was determined to retrieve not just Izumo but as well as Shima. When both of them will be safe on their hands, he would question Shima for his reasons. Rin won't just stand idly when he has the strong feeling and trust to his friend that there's a reason behind all this.
.
.
.
The beginning of the unfortunate events and the forthcoming of an inevitable tragedy.
A/N: This was edited and the previous errors are fixed (though I guess, there now a lot more errors compared to the first one). The events about the second day of the festival until Shima's farewell was added here because I felt bad (and it felt wrong) to end chapter 1 only until day 1. It seems lacking. So I basically wrote (typed) what happened on the second day, based on the manga. Though my version just has the thoughts of the character (especially Shima). Still, I practiced writing from what I see. Next chapter, I'll try writing from what I imagine. Be warned though that the characters might be out of character because of the thoughts.
Still, I'm confused as before. Third person or first person (I ended up using both though). Short chapters or long (this time, it became long but it depends later on). Descriptive or Simple (this time, I don't know what I did).
Lastly, my vocabulary. I still don't know whether I used the right words in the right way it should be.
Still I want the readers to identify by themselves as to whose thoughts they are currently reading at. :D
Though ideas still escape me, but I'm getting quite a hang of it. (by thinking about it over and over again).
Next chapter, I'll try my best to write an action and drama. Ugh, I hope I won't fail again this time. U_U
I blabbered too much again.
I want to thank SuperioirDimwit for sparing some time to tell me of all my errors (that was so stupid of me having all those errors). Really, I'm grateful. Thank you very much.
This is it. Now, tell me how I did in this one. PM me the errors.
Rate, Review, Comment, Suggest, Violent Reactions, Constructive Criticism. What else?