You know, there are many things that I regret from my teenage days. I wish I had been more sociable, more involved, that I had put more thought and effort into studying, if only so my home life could be less stressful.
I miss and regret a lot…
The awkwardness is the one thing that I've always been happy to have lost. Take a wild guess who's back now that I'm an almost 17 years old brat once again.
But I suppose that I could be forgiven in this specific case. You know on account of being alone with one of the people that could and probably WOULD kill me if I set her off.
Like she did multiple times before in the game. Only… you know, with less "WAAAHHHH"s, random glass shards imbedded everywhere and… vacuum cleaner sounds.
It sounds fucking dumb when you think about it this way. Thank you brain, I hate it.
W-Well, come on, let's not be hasty here. Maybe she's actually a really nice person and her goth aesthetic is just… fashion sense or something like that. She was worried about me earlier after all, that has to mean that she's at the very least kind enough to help when another person is in some sort of trouble, right?!
Why do I feel like I'm inhaling an absurd amount of copium?
I tilt my head to look at her. We are seated on two desks right next to each other, so I can observe her better.
Ok myself, you can do it. She's not a killer anymore. She's not going to murder you…
I land my eyes on her… and she's already glaring at me with the intensity of a thousand suns.
My head immediately snaps back into neutral, all the while with a nervous smile and sweat cascading down my face like bullets.
I am so fucking dead. Again.
"Are you sure you're okay dude? You're looking… kinda pale honestly".
I'm pale?! Pot, meet kettle.
Wait… she's concerned! Maybe I'm not dead!
… yet.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine! Just ahhhh… you know…"
Crap! What do I say?!
"Sorry, I was having an existential crisis on the basis that I might be a homicidal parasite from another world! You know, basic things that everyone experiences every day!"
Think think think think!
"I-I'm worried that my older sister might give me shit about being in detention! She can be kinda… overbearing sometimes!"
I want to smash my forehead on the desk. Is that the best I could come up with?! Julie being upset at me?! Like come on, that damn tyrant is going to actually be glad that I got into trouble, she's probably looking for some way to get back at me for today's teasing!
… oh sweet merciful Zeus, she's gonna have a field day once she knows…
My momentary companion groans.
"I know what you mean. My grandfather is definitely going to hand me my own ass when I get back home. 'You are my heir Rin! And the heir of the Yamaoka Association shouldn't get into this kind of trouble! You are above that!'. Yeah, you are going way above my patience limits if anything!"
And then she continued. On and on and on for like, five minutes straight, constantly complaining. She needs it, I can tell… but I have a question.
Why in the Nine Realms would Rin Yamaoka just up and rant to basically a stranger about her grandaddy issues? What the fuck is wrong with this world?!
Is she gonna say... The Thing too? Come on... say it you coward!
"... like, no grandfather! It's not a damn phase! This is who I am!"
SHE SAID THE THING!
I want to choke on a lemon.
She seems to realize what she just did, because her pale face becomes the slightest bit tinted in pink.
"F-Forget I said that. Damn it, why did I do that…?"
She clenches her fists and my fight or flight instincts start blaring like crazy. I have to defuse this situation… like, right this instant!
"I understand how you feel. My mother used to be the same…"
Her head twitches in my direction. I piqued her interest it would seem.
"Really? How?"
"She… expected a lot out of me and my sister. No… not expected. Demanded. The best grades, the best athletic achievements, the best social skills… the list goes on and on…"
I don't know what the actual fuck I'm saying. I'm just blurting out random statements that… shouldn't be true.
Yes, my mother was strict… but she was also understanding. She knew that I could give a lot, but she never forced me to do things that I didn't like, or excel at something no matter the cost. She just expected me to do my best, which is fair, all things considered.
But these words that I'm spitting out… are not lies. I could feel it, deep in my bones, I mean every single syllable coming out of my mouth. I'm not talking about my own mother anymore…
This is Nadia Kostenko. Jason and Julie's mother.
"You're talking in the past. What happened to her…?"
Rin's voice is soft. Comforting in a way.
A jolt of pain traverses my heart. And once more, I say what I feel.
"She left. She didn't say a single thing to anyone. Not to me, or my sister, or father… one day she was there…and the next she was gone with all her belongings. Just like that…"
I feel her shuffle awkwardly. Great, now I'm the one that ranted to a stranger about my family issues. Today just fucking sucks ass, man…
"... then, I suppose that we do understand each other. I should at least introduce myself then, to make it up to you for making you spill your beans… my name is Yamaoka Rin".
Just like Yui, she used her last name before her first name. This was more familiar territory then.
"You can call Jason. Jason Kostenko. I'm glad that I can finally associate a name with your face ahahaha…
I laugh to try and ease up the tension.
She smiles. Success!
"I know who you are. I would have to be dumb to not know your name after all the times professor Grimes shouted it yesterday".
Oh yeeeeaaahhh, she's in that class too, I forgot. Makes sense I guess.
Silence stretches for a tiny bit, but it didn't feel too awkward. It's definitely leagues better than before.
"Soooo… why are you in detention?"
She looks back at me.
"I talked back to the professor. He scolded me, I lost my temper, entered a shouting match with the asshole… and here I am. I hate that guy, he's an actual slave driver…"
"I know right?! Why can't he just… get laid and chill for once?"
Rin snorts, somewhat cutely might I add. And from there, the conversation finally starts flowing.
Family issues forgotten, we talk about anything we can think of. Favorite colors, favorite food, TV shows, animated series (she's a massive Attack on Titan fan. Your honor, I rest my case) and much more.
Before we realize, the hour of detention passes and we are allowed out with a stern warning and a slap on the wrist.
Which makes me remember that there wasn't a teacher with us inside. Just the two of us, fucking around like it was break time instead of punishment. What a weird ass school man…
I turn around to the Japanese girl.
"Well, I guess this is where we part ways. It's been… surprisingly enjoyable all things considered".
"Surprisingly? Why? Oh wait, I know… I intimidated you, didn't I?"
She smirks at me. Damn it, stop being so smart woman!
"Whaaaat? No, of course not. It's not like you were glaring at me like you wanted to kill me or anything…"
"Sorry to disappoint, that's just my resting bitch face. But if you want me to kill you, that can be arranged…"
Why am I getting heavy Tharja vibes right now? Damn it, now I want to play Fire Emblem Awakening again…
And so, like any sane person would do when confronted with anything even slightly resembling that damn Dark Mage, I take a couple of (totally not panicked) steps back.
Rin snorts once more, covering her mouth with her wrist.
"Dude, I'm just teasing! You're hilarious, truly…"
She gets serious all of sudden.
"Yeah… you are. Hey, let's exchange numbers".
I'm sorry, what? Just like that, out of the… blue?
… did I just make a fucking involuntary pun about Spirit?! I think I'm gonna be sick…
Back on track… I really have no reason to refuse. I had a good time back in detention, she seems cool enough… for a bloody goth. So…
Eh, why the hell not?
"Sure thing. Let's hang out sometime!"
We exchange numbers, and before I leave she stops me one more time.
"Before I forget… I must ask that you don't text or call me outside of school hours. My grandfather likes to snoop on my phone every time that he can… and I fear the consequences of him knowing that I'm having a… relation with a boy 'beneath my status', as he would put it".
"Oh come on, he's not going to do anything to you! You're still his granddaughter after all…"
"Don't get me wrong. It's not me that I'm worried about here. But if he discovers our… current arrangement, then… I cannot guarantee YOUR safety. Well, that's all I had to say. I'll be texting you later when I'm alone. See you, Jason Kostenko".
… sumimasen, nani the fuck?!
She just… walks away after that, like she didn't just basically say that I could die at any moment from now on.
I… I think I made a severe… and continuous lapse in my judgment.
When I step out of the school, I immediately start feeling a bit better. I love the cold, it never fails to make me just… close my eyes and be more rational about everything that may or may not have happened.
Winter isn't my favorite season for nothing after all.
Miss lumberjack and her merry band of idiots are hanging close the gate, probably waiting for me.
Shit eating grin from Julie in 3… 2… 1…
There it is.
Her arm immediately went around my shoulders, pressing me against her. The scent of her shampoo washes over me.
It stinks so fucking bad, holy fuck it's actually disgusting.
"Soooo, Jas-Jas. A little birdy here told me that you got into troubleeeeee…"
I see Susie yelp and cover her face. You traitor! I trusted you!
"Unfortunately, yes. It wasn't completely my fault…"
The tyrant arches an eyebrow.
"... ok, it was totally my fault. I made a mistake, and by the time I fixed it, it was too late to get to class on time. So another classmate and I spent the hour in detention".
"Uuuhhhh, another classmate? A girl perhaps?"
There's the teasing. Or what I think it's teasing. Julie dearest, you wouldn't be implying anything, would you?
"Actually, yes. We had fun chatting about whatever we could think of. She looks scary, but she is kind of cool to talk with".
I feel Julie's arm tremble. Along with her mouth. And her brows. And the rest of her body.
Bzzzttt, I repeat, the Kostenko satellite is prime for launch. Please step away from the danger zone.
And predictably, she explodes with the force of an entire stack of dynamite.
"ARE YOU FOR REAL?! ANOTHER ONE?! WHAT THE FUCK JASON!"
"OW, MY EAR! YOU BITCH!"
"OH CRY ME A RIVER! SINCE WHEN ARE YOU SUCH A SMOOTH FUCKING OPERATOR YOU LAZY BUM?!"
"WHAT?! IS THAT JEALOUSY I HEAR?! IS THE FACT THAT YOU'RE BEING SHOWN UP BY YOUR LITTLE BROTHER SUCH A SHAME TO YOU?!"
We glare at each other, so much that the others try to move in to separate us.
Just like the day before, the charade didn't last very long and the two of us hug each other, laughing out a storm.
Man, Julie is fucking awesome! I love this annoying cunt, truly I do.
Susie pouts at us for scaring her, Frank snorts loudly and Joey facepalms, probably to try and hide his smirk. In case it wasn't obvious, he failed.
The tyrant finally decides to let me go with one last giggle, crossing her arms.
"In all seriousness bro… nice".
She gives me a double thumbs up.
I smile while rolling my eyes.
"It's not like that Jules. Get your head out of the gutter already, pervy sister".
She elbows my arm and we all prepare to leave. Or at least, until my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Taking it out, I check WhatsApp to see… a message from Feng. Now, this is a surprise.
Feng: Are you out of school already?
You: I'm at the entrance gate
You: Why?
Feng: Sweet
Feng: Wait for me
Feng: Be there in a sec
"Who is it?"
"None of your fucking business Joe. And stop trying to peep at my phone!"
"Uuuhhhh, it's that gamer girlfriend of yours! Gonna go have some fun without us?"
"She's not my girlfriend, you numbskull. You guys can go, I have a feeling what she might want…"
Frank nods, all too happy to be rid of me.
"You heard the dipshit! Legion, move out!"
Joey smacks him on the head, citing "Don't ever say that cringe ever again", Susie waves goodbye with a cute smile and Julie rolls her eyes, makes the universal "call me later" sign and falls in line with the others…
Holding Frank's hand while she does.
I think I'm starting to understand why him and Jason don't see eye to eye that much…
The mere sight of that small sign of affection is threatening to give me an aneurysm any second now…
"Ohi, blondie! Over here!"
Fortunately, Feng intervenes before I do something that Frank might regret.
She runs up to me, smiling. Her beanie snugly fit on top of her head.
"See? I was quick this time around!"
"Woman, I died of old age, resurrected and then made myself a coffee before you even exited the building. Slowpoke".
"You are the most dramatic person I know. But whatever, your slim patience aside, you gotta come over to my house! The Bioshock Collection comes out in like, two hours or something. We gotta play it as soon as it's available!"
The second she said "Bioshock" I was already sold.
"Lead the way then, milady".
She rolls her eyes at me, but starts moving right away, probably as excited as I am. I fall in line slightly behind and to the side of her, since you know… I have no idea where this gremlin's house even is.
While walking, my (modestly) huge brain points out something to me. I called Feng "milady". I hadn't actively planned to do it, it slipped out, like it's been happening more and more frequently. It's not even the first time, I addressed her this way even yesterday when I "met" her. So, it stands to reason that milady is Jason's nickname for this Chinese goblin.
Again and again, words and actions just happen without me meaning it, on pure instincts alone. That "Jason is still stuck inside my head" theory is becoming more and more plausible with every interaction I have with people that he knew. Or… knows, more like.
I shake my head. Forget about it, at least for now. I can't be having another panic attack, not until I'm alone at least. I already fucked up once with Rin, I don't feel like doing it again. Especially in front of someone who could be classified as a "friend".
"You know Jas? I know you're kinda ballsy when you feel like it, I saw it happen multiple times… but skipping professor Grimes lesson? That's borderline insanity, I hope that you're aware".
Oh my fucking Hera, not again.
"I know! I didn't have much of a choice anyway… I was busy…"
"Having the school's sweetheart cry on your shoulder after you convinced her to send Victor Deshayes to therapy instead of expulsion. Correct?"
… ok, how in the actual fuck does she know?
She smirks and wiggles her phone.
"Rumors spread regardless of your feelings. Kate told her best friend, who told in secret to another friend, who happens to be a friend of mine, that I pay to keep me in the loop. Granted, by 'pay' I mean chocolate bars instead of money, but you get the point. You should know by now, nothing in this school happens without me knowing about it".
Oh… oh piss. This I didn't need. This I really, really, REALLY didn't need.
Jason became friends with the school's gossip queen.
I… was he retarded? I need to genuinely ask that question at this point. Everyone and their mother knows that you DON'T make friends with the person that could ruin your entire school life with a tap of the phone!
... says me who made friends with the granddaughter of a psychopath not even an hour ago. You know what they say, birds of a feather fuck up massively together.
That is how they say, just trust me bro.
Now what…?
Feng's smirk turns into a grin.
"You sly dog, you. Well, don't worry, I made sure that your name isn't mentioned in any way, shape or form. Some people might put two and two together, with your detention, but the fact that Yamaoka was also in detention might help. You should be good to go. And for the record… thank you. Kate might not be a friend of mine, but she's a good person. So I'm glad that you were there for her, she doesn't deserve to be left alone with her pain".
… Jason, you are a fucking genius. I take back everything bad I've ever said about you. Man, what a king, for real.
"Thank you, milady. I can always count on you".
We fist bump and continue our trek to Feng's house. Now I REALLY am in the mood to play some Bioshock. Especially because I have never played the second game, now that I remember…
With most of my fears now put to rest, I can now focus on enjoying myself with… flipping Feng Min. I will never get used to this world, I swear to The Entity.
Hello?! Is this thing on?! It is?! Noice.
Welcome back, dudes and gentleladies to another chapter of… this clusterfuck that you people seem to enjoy, somehow.
As said in the last chapter, given the almost absurd amount of attention that Susie got until now, like seriously, we are finally moving on to flesh out some more important characters. Last time was Kate, today is Rin (or The Spirit, if you would) with a dash of the other Legion members, tomorrow will be Feng and so on until the end of the in-story week, where the first arc will be complete.
The arcs will even have names! Which one is it for this? You'll know at the end.
By the by, I would like to spend a moment to thank all of you beautiful people that stuck to this story for… over a year?! Already?!
*coughs* So, for this story and all the other, updates will become one every two weeks, where I cycle through my stories as to not overwhelm myself… hopefully.
Who am I kidding…
That's all folks! Ta-ta for now.