Titanmaster 117 = Like I said in our chat, there's a reason why there are some touchy-feelys going on between the both of them.

A Scion's Grace

§No lunch?§ Meiko's response came. I could almost imagine an upset expression on her face the sooner she read my message.

I typed my response back, §Not today. Just eat something from your snack bar. Its free, right?§ Free enough to let its stocks be replenished every single weekday. If possible, someone could haul from it endlessly if unsuspected.

§yes§

§Then eat. Drink lots of water, okay?§ I replied, gripping the handrail of the staircase.

Her response took long to arrive, §okay. Luv u, kuya§ She even placed a heart emoji. Sweet.

Instead of a standard text, I sent the sign language emoji of 'I love you' before I pocketed my phone, hopping down the stairs in careful movements. I lost all desire to enter A-Class anymore. Shina left a heavy impression to them, and just by looking at it, the room had a tense aura around it. Facing Meiko, facing Kinoshita Yuuko, facing Kirishima Shouko, the task of simply looking at them became unbearable because of the negotiations.

I lost the mood for an appetite, but with the disorder I have, I had the urge to eat something, and quick. Eating when upset, how did I end up having that disorder? A little bit of indulgence would not hurt entirely, maybe a juice drink could pacify it. One thing is certain however: I will go home with a very bad mood.

Damn it, Rep.

Fuming in my thoughts, I took a slow pace towards the closest vending machine I knew to be near. Just one beside the ground floor stairs, I bought the biggest juice box I see and walked out the school building and into the back of it.

As always, people are giving me frightened looks as I pass by. The hint of fear in their faces was much more prominent than before, all because I was deliberately letting my upset mood show through my body language and facial expression, any person who saw me might have thought that I was about to make a violent move on someone, but I did not have the patience to indulge myself in their fears at the moment. I was still upset, and (I can't believe I'm saying this) I am not exerting it on any bystander.

I sometimes forget so many times how big this school was every time I step out the back part of the school. The school's oval was so massive than I expected every time I look at it. With the running oval SO widespread across the dirt field, a baseball playing field in the middle of the oval ring. Two soccer goals at the two ends of the deformed circle. This school had such a low tuition, yet they managed to have this much land.

A massive gym was just at the side, not too far from the oval, close enough to the school building. Basketball games can take place at that particular building, even some ceremonies can be held there, from Entrance Ceremonies to Graduation. The exact place where I and the rest of the first years last year had trained to control our avatars. The same damn place where I learned efficient control techniques because of idiots who hated me for no reason.

At least it was worth the time to beat every. Single. One of them. I even got my own reputation there as the student who was the best at controlling his avatar, which was not popular enough. Hmph, I have no particular aim for such a thing as 'Popularity' so I cared not about it.

The field was at a lower level of earth while the school was raised upwards with an embankment, a few benches placed at the area near the edges, makes a better view for a sports game ongoing. I sat at one of the nearby benches that are under the shade, the angle of the sun creating a large shadow because of the building. This spot is quite heavenly and cool, especially for a person who hated the sun like me.

Particularly, this was one of the places where I could collect my thoughts. Either upset, or just confused, I go here for the sake of putting my mood back into shape. I get upset, it lasts for an entire day. Once tomorrow comes, it will feel like I never actually felt it. But considering that the final battle between my class and theirs is about to begin tomorrow, I am to face a lot of stress and even more upset emotions. If my class wins, that is good. If my class loses, then there is going to be a lot of emotional issues.

After sipping a good amount of fruity goodness down to my belly, I looked upwards the school building without trying to burn my eyes at the sky (even blue skies hurt me). Rep and his circle are probably enjoying themselves at the rooftops. I noticed Yoshii Akihisa with his pockets bulging earlier, a chocolate bar sticking out in an awkward in his back pocket. Another carefree antic from the F-Class, the A-Class snack bar was obviously hoarded the sooner we entered. I would have to give him praise for doing that the sooner I see him again. If it was out of spite, even better. That damned class earned my hate, they should know the drawbacks angering particular people in the F-Class. But I was not interested to join his feastings on the loot alongside his friends. I cannot stand Rep anymore for his decision, and there was Himeji.

I still cannot stand her, despite the fact that I am to give tolerance to her.

But now? Everything is becoming complicated. I was confused with myself.

The more time I spend with the F-Class, the more time I see her interact with Rep and his circle, the more I learn of the unique aspects of F-Class and its inhabitants, the more difficult it is to even hate her genuinely. My downfall to F-Class was because of her.

But is that entirely a bad thing?

I thought it would. There may have been downsides, but that was natural for the class to have. There may have been outrageous personalities, but everyone is unique, especially Rep and his circle, including Shina. The experience I had with all of it, it was….fun.

Yes….

Yes. It was fun. Even the summoning war was fun, we even came to be the first winners of the school ESB. Being with Rep in a normal situation, especially Shina, can be annoying, but it was never boring. Interacting with people without their bullshit presumptions on me was a better moment than last year. They do call me a Goth (which was damn offensive) from time to time, and I cannot doubt my intuitions that they think of me as one in their thoughts, but they never went too far with it. They do not presume me as a drug addict, they do not presume my pale skin with false makeup, they do not even presume a suicidal personality in me, they simply call me a Goth by name, not by aspect. Maybe they called me that out of affection.

I may not be a Goth myself, but I always loved everything in their style. So full of beauty, emotion, and darkness. Putting me on the good side of the subculture is better than being called a devil worshipper, which I'm NOT.

If they continue to treat me in such a way, then maybe F-Class is not entirely a bad place to be in. It is full of interesting people, and I thought so before that Rep and his partner-in-crime will keep a tedious atmosphere nonexistent. It was not just them that keeps an active atmosphere present. Rep's other two friends count, they typically insult/hurt each other, but they always seem to forgive what was done to them from time to time, they even laugh it off, as if it was entirely common to their every school life. Yoshii Akihisa was wrestled by the Shimada girl (which was funny, to be honest), none of them gave a damn, yet the pair forgive each other afterwards. Rep and the idiot insult each other, yet their friendship does not stray apart. Odd, but nice. A form of friendship that I would like to have. The Kinoshita boy: seeing him always presumed to be a woman was actually entertaining (but that must stop soon). Tsuchiya? He is interesting. Eccentric he may be, but that is where the surprise factor makes him even more of an interesting character.

So many interesting subjects, I really should change my attitude if I ever end up becoming their friend.

If being an F-Class student was actually a good thing, then I will stop my animosity towards Himeji Mizuki and maybe, be friends with her.

Not that I will start now, that is.

With that afterthought, I sipped another big swig from my fruity drink. "….Ahh." Now I feel relaxed. Another stress factor, broken. Optimism might have been fooling my mood, but even I could hope too.

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

Footsteps, to the left of me, and coming nearer.

Keeping my head looking straightforward, I peeked to the side. I cannot see clearly unless I move my head so I should wait for the person to come close. Whoever this person is wants to talk to me. There was no particular reason why another person should even come here.

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

The person sooner stood by the side of the bench:

Black stockings; dark purple hair that was properly conditioned and straight, very beautiful to the eyes; a slightly below-average stature; a pale white face; two bows on each side of the head, keeping lavender locks tied from covering the side of her face.

Kirishima Shouko.

I tensed, my grip on my juice box so tight that I crumpled it.

Why is she here?

What does she want with me?

I could feel her stare prodding me. I held down a growl from rolling out of my throat, a habit became instinctual, trying to appear threatening or defensive is not wise in front of this person. She clearly has something to do with me, and that alone is unsettling for me.

Slowly turning my direct stare to her, I finally gave acknowledgement, "….What is it, Valedictorian?" Either speak polite, or talk with a bite, I did not know which to take so I settled being empty in my tone.

I never dared looked at her face at the negotiations, maybe not at all whenever I get lucky to see her walking at any part of the school. If I could admit something, it is very difficult to stare at someone directly in the eyes. It is unsettling, and the discomfort is too powerful to fathom in the consciousness. But considering that she is certainly not walking away unless she gets what she wants from me, I must grit my teeth and look straight to her eyes.

Fucking hell, this is uncomfortable.

Took a small amount of internal debate before I found out that her gaze was not actually intense. A deep shade of purple, a beautiful color that befits someone as pretty as her. Her face was empty of emotions, but it still maintained its respective charm. If I had thought that Meiko looked exactly like her, whoever thought the same way were all wrong. Kirishima Shouko had no splitting image. She was unique in her own right, she had no equal in terms of beauty. Hell, she might have no equal in everything she does.

"….I came to talk." Her low, monotone voice was almost melodious, it was utterly toneless yet it was a sound I have never heard of in my life. It was absolutely nice to hear.

Still unsettling though.

Tension in my body increasing, her bland eyes even held me in place. This woman's presence alone was enough to keep my body from moving, and I do not know why. Just what is this woman?

I managed to reply without stuttering, "….What is your business? If you come for information, I will leave you disappointed because I will not comply giving you an advantage against my class."

"….I'm not here for that." She objected in the same tone. She was quite still, and her posture was refined, something only the discipline of a wealthy family could influence. "….I'm not one to be petty, and there wouldn't be any point, even if I intend to. Our agreement was to fight 5 against 5."

Her defense alone was heavy, and it struck deep. I presumed an intent and I was wrong. Simple mistake I did, yes, but the fact that the person I am talking to is the valedictorian does not help in this situation.

Calm down. Calm down.

Taking a deep breath, I faced her with a little bit of tension in me, "….Why are you here then?"

Her eyes looked to the side for half a second before facing back at me, "….Your sister told me to be acquainted with you."

I quickly frowned, "….Is that it, Valedictorian? You are doing nothing but a waste of your personal time."

Her eyes narrowed the slightest, "….Is that your attitude because you're upset at the moment, or is it specifically because of me?" Her voice had the smallest edge, but it spoke a massive volume.

The guilt, the shame, so fucking overwhelming.

My body tensed so hard that my head trembled, my teeth gritted in sharp breaths and I tried not to groan from all this embarrassment. I cannot bear meeting her gaze anymore, looking away and down on the dirt. I am doing nothing but make a bad impression to myself towards Meiko's friend.

Fucking hell! Why is talking to this woman so difficult!?

I peeked under my bangs: she still has not moved a single muscle and her eyes never left me for a second. Just what the hell is going on!?

"….Why are you so tense?" She asked lowly.

I tensed even more just by hearing her speak, but I forced a reply to come out, "….You…" I literally forced myself to think up an excuse besides the fact that she was a fucking Scion, and I still think of her like the stereotypical types, not entirely but subconsciously I am, "…are not like any other woman I have ever encountered."

She blinked, "….What are the other women to you?"

"….Presumptuous; scared; frightened; ignorant; bastardous. That's what they are." I answered without any regard to the sense of being polite to this woman, glaring at her. I did not care anymore, too many mistakes I have made, and trying to be a little bit careful is already too late.

"….Fortunately, I'm none of those." She assured, finally making the decision to sit down instead of standing up the entire time in the same bench with slight distance from me. I shifted away, just close to the edge. I am not comfortable around this woma—….girl. Not yet.

I drank what was left of my crushed juice box before I literally crushed it under my fist and placed it beside me. Three swigs and the drink is all gone, that is a new record for me. "….I will take that as consolation."

"…." She said no response, but she certainly heard me. She was still yet again, another refined posture of a sitting position conducted. She was looking straight forward, hands clasped atop her lap, back straight, the slight wind blowing around us made her hair flare gracefully.

Even just by simply sitting down, she still maintains the cloud of beauty around her.

Sigh. I looked straightforward, trying to ignore her presence until the moment she says something.

…..

A minute or two had passed, and she still had not said anything. Was she expecting me to start it off? No. Bloody. Way. I may be quick to interact with adults, but to interact with someone from a royal family like her, including the fact that I have no idea who she is, my social capabilities are distorted. If I was familiar with her personality, this situation would have been easier for me to handle.

I never talk to people of high power unless they were directly approachable, Kirishima Shouko was not approachable. Her well-known cold personality must have left that impression on me.

Sigh. This silence is getting nowhere. She was the one who wanted to talk, she must be the one to start it. Figuring her silence could prolong, I took the time to peek at her form without turning my head.

Her long, lavender hair actually shined from some light source just as bright to make that part of her flaunt, her eyelashes stood out the most every time she blinks, it was like time was slowing down in every lap. Her deep purple eyes, so deep in depth, yet empty of any emotion at all. She really does not look exactly like my sister.

"….She was quite upset."

My body nearly jolted when she suddenly spoke. Her voice was so low and bland, yet it was good enough to pull me out of my thoughts. Fucking hell, just calm down! Think of her as someone unimportant.

"….Who?"

"….Meiko. She wanted to join you for lunch."

So she finally settled to using her first name? That is nice, Meiko is reaching out to someone finally. "….My reason is simple: I do not want to face anyone belonging to A-Class."

At this moment did she turned her eyes to me, her emotionless eyes were prodding me, even if that was not entirely what she was doing, "….Even her?" I heard her voice soften at that question. Did the valedictorian actually care for my sister's well-being?

I sighed, "….Not at the moment, at least."

"….Why?"

I held down a growl, a clenched fist is a better way to express it, "….Because of your class ambassador….!" I spat out with unhidden venom. My hatred for that woman knows no bound. She better pray that I do not meet her in coincidence in this school. Unlike Shina, who had no restraint in words, I had no restraint in my lashes. Words are absolutely pointless in terms of my emotions, especially anger…! "….How do you even stand that damn woman's presence, Valedictorian!?"

As expected, she looked unaffected and her voice did not change in the least, "….That was how she is since I've met her."

"….Then give her a damn reminder not to impose what or who she is in front me or my class!" Who gives a fuck anymore? I truly hate that woman, and even the Valedictorian of 2nd years, who was her classmate, must know. "If her arrogance wanders so far as to actually damage my class's pride, I will not give her any mercy!"

And I would not care if she was Meiko's friend. What that woman needs to understand is that her title doesn't mean shit to most people, and her attitude will certainly be the downfall of her pride. If anyone is not inclined, I will gladly prove my point. With my hands.

Yet again, her voice did not falter despite my heated statement, "….Yuuko is always dutiful. She is headstrong in everything she does." She told me, the hint of sharpness growing in her purple orbs, "….I know you may not like her, but give her a chance. She sometimes doesn't see the true side of things."

.….….….

For all of the things that were suddenly unbearable, I was not able to stand Kirishima Shouko's fucking voice. She may say such things but the emotionless tone she carried almost every single time in every fucking sentence she makes almost made her sound unsympathetic, and sarcastic.

That alone TICKED me the fuck off.

And for the love of fuck, I hate it! Why would I give someone like her a fucking chance!? Egotistical humans are ultimately the people I cannot stand the most in this existence. That Kinoshita Yuuko somehow managed to be in that category. In my life, I never imposed how good I was, or how kind I was. It was an act of hypocrisy and bragging, which is something despicable in my family. You never know how good you are, because other people know you better than yourself. You never know how kind you are, because everything you do is almost traitorous to another person's eye.

Why should I even give the one person who I will never be a chance?

Clenching my fist, the anger in my soul almost making my skin itch from the pores releasing heat off my body, I spoke without snapping or looking at her, "….Fine. But there can be no other chance than this."

"….Fair enough." She said, looking straightforward once again. Sigh, It seems it calls for another moment of silence between us. Better appreciate it, it seems calming down is the first priority once again. Talking to the valedictorian was another piece of work.

….….….….….

Massaging my forehead, I tried to keep my attention on the dying cold temperature of my face. My body was cold by nature, but primal emotions can divert the temperature upwards every time. Anger, frustration, upset, and the like. The most common body reflex was body itching, a fucking bother every time. Any scientific explanation for this, I know none. But I am not going to bother learning it, facts are simple: anger means itchy worms.

Wiping my face, the shade is coming close to the bench, just a few meters away from my feet. I could keep track of time just by looking at the direction of the light. The sooner the sunlight touches my toes, it is 5 minutes before the first afternoon period. There is probably 4-5 minutes before time runs out. I spent too much time here whenever I have the chance last year that I could recognize the time like a caveman.

Clicking my throat and sighing, I should be the one to start the conversation now. I do not want to leave this meeting with a harsh reminder. A topic that does no harm is better, "….How was Meiko in class, if I may ask?"

Kirishima Shouko's body language shifted for a second, at first it was graceful, now it was politely lax. "….She's doing wonderfully. Being mute does not deter her progress."

Nice, nice. "….How does she communicate to you?" I should not mention the obvious fact that she was a friend to Meiko, it would be a very uncomfortable thing to say, especially for a scion like her.

She faced me and she did a hand gesture with both hands, "….Sign language."

My eyes widened, not over the fact that Meiko used such a method to communicate, but because Kirishima Shouko knows how to communicate like so. "….Convenient." I commented lowly amidst my surprise. "….It is a surprise you knew how."

"….I was taught at a young age, it was surprisingly easy."

Easy for someone who could memorize an entire science theory in minutes to say.

Another topic, "….Besides you, who are the other people who have spoken to her?"

"….There is only Kudo, and I." She answered solemnly as she looked to the sides thoughtfully, "….In time, she will make more friends. Patience is key."

As a brother, it is nice to know that Meiko has a compassionate friend who follows the same rule as me. That alone made me happy to say this, "….Then I will confess:" I started, letting my voice show my emotion. "….Thank you for taking the time to help my little sister. It means more to her than it means to me."

She gave a nod, her facial features were actually softening at the spot, "….It is the least I could do for helping me with my laptop. Both my last replacements kept creating fire alarm noises whenever I try to click a few things."

I snapped away from her—facing away in a neck-breaking speed, and covered my mouth. Ma'am Takahashi mentioned the valedictorian to be bad at technology, but she never mentioned that she was that bad? She just placed viruses on—what did she say, 'both'?—two laptops, and by accident out of all things? That is far too extreme to match the level of a black hacker.

Recovering from my shock, I faced the valedictorian, who was giving me a confused look over my reaction, and said, "….I do not mean to offend but it is very unfortunate for you to have poor performance at technology, especially in a modern era like this."

She looked away, her expression lapsed to apathy, as if she had accepted her weakness a long time ago. "….It is nature for humans to be bad at some of the most common things. I should be lucky that Meiko had decided to help me."

"….Haaa." I ha'd her. Apparently, this scion is not actually typical. She may have a low speech but her disposition is nowhere apart from a normal girl. In fact, she is simply a girl with good qualities that most mundane humans cannot have at the same time: beauty, powerful memory, good athletic ability, and a standard form of compassion. Kirishima Shouko is just a normal girl that any person could have as a friend. Her attitude? That is expected of someone with many responsibilities on their backs, either as a class president or an heiress to her family's riches. She is not entirely lost from human interactions.

Dare I say it, she was like me. Unapproachable but sociable. My appearance almost defines me, I am man enough to admit that, but I would never hurt anyone who would display a kind attitude towards me. In her case, she was minus the violent attitude I have. I thought too lowly of her, and I despised her for that. Now I must despise myself for even thinking that way the entire time.

I really should change my attitude around her and finally take the time to know Meiko's friend. "….I think we will be seeing each other more often, Valedictorian. I might ask you questions from time to time."

She nodded, "….I think so. I can also keep you informed of Meiko's progress in school."

"….Right." I shifted to sit up straight and faced her fully, she faced me back as well, "….You may have known already from her, but I will introduce myself." I extended a fist towards her, "….My name is Shimuya Rino. Please continue to look after my little sister."

She stared perplex at the gesture, probably unsure what to do with it.

What a surprise: she may be a normal girl underneath her beautiful self and refined conduct, but she is sheltered.

"….Bump your knuckles against it." I advised.

I failed to mention fist, because she didn't exactly punch it, she just touched it with her knuckles, pale, slender fingers dangling down before retracting her hand back. "….You may have known me already, but for the sake of formalities, I will introduce myself as well." She began, bowing to me. The fact that a scion was bowing to me, even if it's just a greeting gesture, caught me a little odd. "….Kirishima Shouko is my name. And I will continue to do so until she grows independent."

Now, I successfully acquainted myself with the valedictorian. Sooner or later, I will tell her about the details she needs to know. If I should presume anything about this girl in a good way, I hope she is mature enough to take the information in.

"….I believe my business here is done." Her bland voice somehow returned, or….stood out, maybe? Did I get used to her tone already that I barely noticed it until she was about to leave? "….Aren't you going to leave? I believe it's almost time for afternoon period."

I looked down on my feet. Yes, the sun had already went passed my feet. A minute or two before time. "….Hm. Until the bell tolls, I will stay here."

She stared for a short while, as if she was trying to process this carefree response, then she said, "….If that's what you say, then I will leave you be." She stood up elegantly, I took note of everything that one action made: her rise, the placement of her hands, her posture, the slight arching of her back, and the placement of her legs as they tense in exertion. She really has good conduct for a girl in the same year as me. I really have to hold up to her exact self as a scion, do I?

I looked straightforward once again. When a polite instinct called, I called out, "….Good luck fighting against us, Valedictorian." I advised her with my voice raised so she could hear me, not caring if she was afar or nearby me, "….My Rep had said it, F-Class is no longer what everyone thinks of it anymore."

"….I know." She replied behind me, her distance slightly afar but her low tone still reached my ears, "….Because of your class's victory against D-Class, we have learnt to take the F-Class seriously."

A feeling of pride welled up within me, the class's victory is part of my life and I was glad to be part of it. I looked straightforward before down to the ground, the sunlight is nearing the bench leg.

"….I thank you for the thought, and you should hope for your victory." I warned.

I was not facing her, but I can hear the nod. "….Thank you for the reminder." Hrrhggh. Hearing the valedictorian thank me is so foreign and unsettling, "….You should hope for your class's victory as well."

"….Hm."

"….Even if it's Yuuji, I will not show mercy." After that low response of finality, I heard her footsteps become distant until it was no longer heard.

Whether that was a threat or a warning, the representative of A-Class sure has spunk.

*KKRRRRRIIINNGGG*

And that's the bell. Time to go back to the classroom, and take a few tests to recover points, even if I am not taking part of anything in the next summoning battle.

...!

When a realization hit me, I whirled in a snap to the general direction of where the valedictorian went. The school is slightly far away from this bench to there, it takes a little bit of walk before one could enter the school, but when I looked behind me: She was already gone, as if she was never there.

Did she just say 'Yuuji'?

Question for the readers: How did Shouko disappear?

Notes: 1) The oval bench was 20 seconds away from school. 2) The bell rang just as she finished warning him. 3) Realization struck not after 5 seconds.

No need for a real answer but theorizing her quirks are actually fun if you get into it.