Chapter 27
'Oi Okumura, I'm gettin' this nostalgic urge to rip ya head off!' Ryuji spoke as he cracked his knuckles and gave Rin a dark look, 'my bad…' Rin replied looking guilty. 'Ya went and pulled out'cha sword without battin' an eyelid. How long are ya going to keep tryin' to fight on ya own?' Ryuji continued to yell, I always noticed how much his accent changed back in to full casual Osaka mode when he was yelling at Rin. It was a little hard to follow what he is saying at times. 'Hoooold up why are ya tryin' to force us into the fight too? We should leave it up to the strong guys like Okumura here!' Renzou replied, 'Shima ya bastard!' Ryuji barked back as I sighed, 'calm down sweetie it's not like you are off the hook for all that reckless fighting you got yourself into yesterday!' I added as Ryuji backed down a bit, I could tell he was still a little shaken up on how mad I got at him. 'Hey isn't that the Godaiin kid you were talking about before?' Koneko questioned as we all turned to look down the hall. 'Oh crap you're right! He's finally showing up to school, gimme a sec!' Rin replied as he ran over to him. 'Should we follow the idiot might do something stupid?' Ryuji questioned as I sighed, 'what could he do that's stupid right now?' I smiled back as we walked up to them, 'the truth is I am a half demon!' Rin spoke as he pulled out his tail. That idiot… all our faces went white, I didn't think Ryuji could be right but turns out he was… Godaiin looked terrified as he just walked away leaving a sad and speechless Rin.
'Damn what an idiot…' Ryuji stated, 'I didn't think he was that bad…' I added, 'why the hell are you flauntin' your true identity to someone who doesn't want to see demons?' Ryuji belted out as Rin walked back to us with his head held low. I couldn't help but feel bad for him; he was so close to making a new friend. 'It will be okay Rin, after all you are you and he liked you already so…' I attempted to reassure him as he turned to give me a look of defeat. 'Well guys it's time to head to the hall of portraits for our next job!' I smiled trying to change the subject. 'Right then let's go!' Ryuji replied as we all headed as a group. When we arrived we ran into Izumo. 'So it looks like today we are handling the hall of portraits mystery, the one about the portrait that shows you your dead face or something.' Izumo sighed, 'so basically it's a portrait that changes every time you look at it right?' Renzou questioned. 'That's great but it seems Okumura sensei is late…' Koneko commented, 'that sure is odd for him…' I added. 'KYAAAA' we turned around once we heard Izumo's screaming. 'Kamiki?' Shiemi questioned, 'Izumo what's wrong?' I asked as we came to face Mephisto. 'Mephisto?' Rin questioned, 'Sir Pheles what are you doing here? What happened to the puppy?' Izumo asked, 'since Okumura sensei received an urgent summons to the Vatican, I will be standing in for him today to watch over you guys.' Mephy replied, 'if I am not mistaken this is the last of the mysteries left to be solved.' Mephy added, 'no way there were supposed to be at least 3 left for us to handle.' Koneko replied, 'ah really? Well the 7th mystery "The estate that can never be reached," is actually about the exorcism shop.' Mephy replied. 'What?' Everyone called out, 'as it is harmless we will give that one a miss!' Mephy smiled, 'since when is your house one of the mysteries?' Rin asked as he turned to Shiemi. 'I had no idea it became a rumor… though I did hear it was physically impossible to approach the exorcism shop…' Shiemi blushed, 'and the 6th mystery, "The Wunder Kummar," is a valued part of my prank… collection… so we won't be investigating that one either.' Mephy stated while coughing in between. Ryuji turned to face me with a blank look as I just sighed, that Mephy sure could be a handful.
'Thus the only mystery left to handle is indeed this one in the hall of portraits. This portrait is titled "Family Portrait," and used to be part of my prank… excuse me… collection, however the number of students who have looked at the portrait and as a result have become traumatized has risen. It has become such a dangerous presence that we are left with no choice but to exorcise it. Well then the sun has set and all the students have returned to their dormitories so you may now begin!' Mephy stated as he then disappeared in a puff of smoke. 'I will be watching from up here, and another thing…' Mephy stated as I started to feel funny. The next thing I knew I was standing up beside Mephy. 'Mira here will be watching with me!' He smiled, 'wait a second they might need my help!' I replied, 'everyone start!' Mephy called out as he then pulled me to sit on his lap, 'why do you want me here?' I asked while giving Mephy a cold look, 'well I want you to help me observe this one and besides you can sometimes be a distraction to Suguro.' Mephisto smiled as I sighed and gave in.
As I looked down to observe it seems that everyone was arguing one second and then Rin pulled out his sword and slashed the painting. 'That idiot…' I sighed, 'well I see that he hasn't changed a bit.' Mephisto chuckled, suddenly they were surrounded by small demons and Rin was standing still. Koneko ran up to him and seemed to free him from the demons enchantment. As they all gathered in a circle I could see more arguing but it seemed as though Koneko was taking charge, which was very odd of him. It seemed as though they had a plan, Ryuji casted a barrier and Shiemi was covering him. It wasn't hard to tell that he was pissed; he doesn't like playing the part of the damsel in distress. I couldn't help but giggle, 'what do you find so funny dear?' Mephy asked, 'oh it's just Ryuji. I can tell he doesn't like the role he is playing, being protected by a girl hurts his pride. He can be a bit old fashioned like that.' I continued to laugh, 'you really care for that human don't you?' Mephy asked with a smirk, '… yeah.' I blushed as Mephy just smiled back, it seemed as though the battle had ended and Mephy and I teleported down. Rin gave Mephy a dirty look and held out his hand. Mephy ended up giving him something, which he took happily and charged off. 'Are you sure it is okay to let him go?' Ryuji asked and Mephy just chuckled.
Are you guys okay?' I questioned as I approached Ryuji, 'yeah…' he blushed from his embarrassment. I pulled myself into his chest as I held tightly onto his shirt. 'Mi…Mira what's wrong?' Ryuji stuttered as I continued to embrace him, 'I was just worried about you, I didn't like that I couldn't do anything.' I replied as I pulled back, 'Mephy I know you are protective of me but don't forget… Ryuji is the most important person in my life now and if he's in danger I wouldn't hesitate to risk my life to save his.' I stated as everyone froze in shock including Mephy. 'Mira you idiot I wouldn't want you risking your life for me, I'm the one who's supposed to protect you!' Ryuji yelled back, 'you don't have to protect me just because I am a girl; don't forget you are a weak human! I heal faster and have more stamina because I am part demon remember!' I argued back, 'I don't care! What kind of man would I be if I let my girlfriend protect me?' Ryuji continued to yell as everyone backed off, 'idiot… look at this logically!' I shot back, 'okay how about we all go out for Monja okay? Let's go get Okumura then!' Mephy interrupted as we both gave in.
After we met up with Rin we all went for Monja, I wasn't hungry so I decided to sit outside and look at the ocean. I used to remember how excited I got when Mephy took mom and me to the beach. I loved the water and we would always have a lot of fun. I sighed as I looked at my left hand; I had always wondered how my father died… Mephy never told me what really happened, he just said that some people didn't want me born into this world and father gave his life to protect my mother and me so we could escape. I wondered… who were these people and what would happen if they found me now? 'Mira?' I turned around to see Ryuji, 'are you still upset?' He questioned as he sat down next to me, 'idiot I was never upset, just worried…' I replied as I lay my head against his shoulder. 'Yeah… well I worry about you too ya know…' Ryuji blushed as he replied. 'I know…' I replied as I entwined my hand with his as we continued to stare off into the ocean. 'Mephisto is odd but I can tell he loves you…' Ryuji stated, 'I know I just wish he would consider other lives as important as mine…' I replied, 'well maybe he does, we are all still around right?' Ryuji smiled as I turned to look at him. 'Yeah…' I replied as Ryuji placed his hand on the side of my face and pulled me into a kiss. We ended up leaving soon after but something tells me that Ryuji may be right about that.