"Zero..."
Zero was on the verge of ascending the staircase to the rooftop when someone called out his name. Zero hadn't detected any presence in front of him, as this part of the building appeared to be devoid of anyone. Yet, someone had managed to sneak up behind him unnoticed. He wasn't just startled by how effortlessly someone had approached him, but he was also deeply unnerved by the commanding tone of the person's voice when they called his name.
Zero swiftly turned his head towards the intruder, his Bloody Rose at the ready, aimed directly at the person's head, even before he could see who it was.
Zero was taken aback when he finally laid eyes on the intruder, while the individual managed to finish their sentence.
"...Kiryuu, is it?" Kaname was not only startled by Zero's abrupt actions but also recognized the weapon aimed at his head - the Bloody Rose!
"What brings you here?" Zero maintained his gun pointed at Kaname.
What is a guest doing in the West Class?
Before Kaname could respond, a very irate Aidou arrived and nearly caught Zero off guard. However, Zero somehow managed to evade Aidou's punch.
"How dare you point that foolish gun at Kaname-sama! Do you comprehend how serious your actions are?" Aidou was about to throw another punch, but Kaname intervened.
"Aidou..." Kaname halted Aidou, and Aidou glanced at Kaname.
"But, Kaname-sama..." Aidou saw the expression on Kaname's face, which made him shift uncomfortably and step back to where the other West Class vampires were standing.
Everyone wore stern expressions directed at Zero.
"I apologize for startling you, Kiryuu. I had just begun calling the name of the prefect when I noticed that distinctive lock of hair. So, you are Zero Kiryuu?" Kaname gazed at him, specifically at his silver hair.
It left Kaname bewildered in a way he had never experienced before; he had never encountered or heard of anyone with silver strands of hair. Yet, it seemed oddly familiar.
Zero stared back at him with wide eyes. The stern glares from the West Class students unsettled him, as if he might actually pull the trigger of the Bloody Rose. The gun was meant for specific purposes and was never intended to harm humans. However, the man appeared to be taking on a leadership role within the group, evident by their defensive posture in case Zero made a wrong move. The gun still remained aimed at the man's head.
"Yes, I am. You should be in your classes or outside the academy if you have work. Why are you lingering here? Or do you desire detentions?" The West Class students didn't flinch, even though some of them feared Zero's detentions.
They only intensified their glares, seemingly awaiting a signal to take action.
"Stop, all of you!" Kaname commanded without shifting his gaze from them.
"Kiryuu, I am the new president of the West Class, appointed by Chairman Kaien Crosse himself. I am now a student here, along with Shiki and Rima. We just finished touring the academy, and we barely completed our inspection of the West Class. I had planned to convene a meeting with the West Class, although only a few of them remain. We were supposed to hold the meeting in the conference room before I encountered you."
"With Takuma Ichijo? He isn't part of the West Class." Zero glanced in Takuma's direction, but Takuma avoided eye contact.
"I require the presence of the Student Council President at the meeting so he can discuss the academy's rules and regulations with me," Kaname said as he maintained eye contact with Zero, whose lilac eyes met his russet ones.
A moment later, Zero reluctantly lowered his gun and concealed it in his blazer. He wasn't entirely convinced, but he still needed to find Kaito.
"Very well. I'll allow you enough time for your meeting. However, you must conclude it and leave the academy no later than 7 p.m. If I catch any of you lingering around after school hours, you will receive detention." With that, Zero left the building but managed to glance at the rooftop door, which was closed, indicating that Kaito wasn't there.
--KanZe_KanZe--
The conference room fell into a profound silence as Kaname Kuran took his seat and directed his gaze at his subordinates. Not a single word dared to break the stillness.
Aidou, in his naivety, inadvertently disrupted the silence with a cough. All eyes, including Kaname's, turned toward him. Aidou couldn't bear the prolonged quiet. Time was slipping away, and he had numerous questions for Kaname, but the gathering darkness in the room made it increasingly difficult to speak.
"I'm deeply disappointed by your actions earlier, Aidou," Kaname stated, fixing a stern gaze upon him.
Aidou froze under that penetrating look.
"Have you not realized that Kiryuu Zero is a hunter? He could easily dispatch you with Bloody Rose!" Kaname declared before Aidou could utter a word.
Surprise rippled through everyone upon hearing the name of the gun consistently carried by Zero. They knew Zero as a hunter who exterminated Level E vampires, but none of them were aware that he possessed such a powerful weapon capable of eliminating individuals like themselves.
A silver bullet had the potential to lethally wound vampires of lower ranks, such as Level E. Furthermore, it could also eliminate Level C and D vampires if multiple shots were fired before their wounds had a chance to heal. However, only specialized weapons like the Bloody Rose possessed the capability to swiftly kill Level B nobles with a single shot. Pureblood or Level A vampires could be defeated with these special weapons if the hunter had mastered their usage and could control the formidable impact of the weapon.
Zero consistently concealed the Bloody Rose within his blazer, brandishing it as a threat whenever he grew angry with others. However, they genuinely believed it to be an ordinary silver firearm.
"Kaname-sama, it wasn't the Bloody Rose. We witnessed it explode when you disappeared, and we couldn't detect its usual potent aura. Even the design is different," Takuma Ichijo managed to express this concern to their leader.
Confusion marked the faces of everyone present as they eagerly awaited an explanation from their leader.
Kaname himself was bewildered. He had indeed noticed the alterations in the Bloody Rose, but he was aware that it was indeed the legendary weapon, which was not supposed to exist any longer. Kaien Crosse had not provided him with all the details since his disappearance.
"No, I'm certain that was the Bloody Rose, although its appearance had changed. There's no mistaking it for something else."
Whispers of disbelief reverberated throughout the conference room.
"From this point onward, you should exercise caution when it comes to that firearm. Chairman Crosse has a lot of explaining to do."
"Anyway, I didn't convene this meeting to discuss the Bloody Rose. I'll keep it concise." Kaname surveyed each individual before finally stating,
"Now that I have returned, are you willing to pledge your loyalty to me once more?"
"Hai, Kaname-sama," was the swift response from the West Class vampires.
"I'm pleased to hear that. It's evident that your loyalty remains with me," a slight smirk crossed his lips.
"We will be just as devoted to you as we were before, Kaname-sama. I'm overjoyed to finally see you again after all these years," Aidou stated exuberantly.
"Enough, Aidou," Kaname halted him.
Before anyone could inquire further, an ominous aura enveloped the room, sending shivers through the bodies of the West Class. Kaname's dark power permeated their bones, paralyzing their nerves and causing them to groan in pain. A minute later, it vanished as if nothing had occurred.
Everyone in the room, except for Kaname, displayed horrified expressions as they witnessed the true power of Kaname Kuran for the first time.
"I expect all of you to prepare yourselves for the upcoming war. Kuran Rido is still alive," Kaname declared in a cold, unyielding tone.
The West Class was left in a state of shock at what they had just heard. No one had anticipated hearing that name mentioned again after years of peace, particularly not from their long-lost leader.
After a prolonged silence, Kaname Kuran rose from his seat.
"The meeting is adjourned."
"But Kaname-sama, we still have qu-"
"You wouldn't want to receive detentions, I presume," Kaname stated, indicating that he didn't wish to entertain any further questions.
He then exited the room.
"Hai, Kaname-sama," the West Class, still perplexed, bowed and followed their leader, who appeared to have regained his lost power.
--KanZe_KanZe--
Zero was still waiting outside the gate of the academy. He already surveyed the entirety of the academy. Fortunately only the last West Class students who were having a meeting, were left.
Zero was in deep thought. He was trying to think where he had heard the voice of Kaname Kuran. He was so sure that he heard it before but can't figure out where and when. He never actually met the man before. Zero can feel that there's something strange with him, and he knew he wouldn't like it.
His deep thought was interrupted when he heard footsteps approaching but he didn't looked at them. He knew that it was Kaname Kuran and the other West Class students.
"You are quiet in deep thought, Kiryuu." Kaname stated and stared at Zero's silver hair once again. It still strange him.
"Apparently not, Kuran." Zero retorted back.
"I suppose your meeting was finished, you may leave the academy already." Zero looked back at the West Class who were just silently standing behind Kaname, wearing an uneasy face.
"Such a rude behavior you had, Kiryuu. Well, I don't want to waste anymore of my time talking to you. Let's go." Kaname motioned to his companions and left with a horrid look from Zero.
The West Class students quietly followed after their leader, not even uttering a single word or giving any reactions.
"What did you say, you jerk?!"
--KanZe_KanZe--
"That arrogant jerk! Who does he think he is?!" Zero inserted the key into his house door, but to his surprise...
"Zero-kun, you've returned. We've prepared a very special soup for you."
...or not, as the door was already ajar. Chairman Crosse and Yuuki were busy in the midst of preparing a meal using a recipe they had found in one of Zero's open books.
"What in the world do you two believe you're doing, you mischievous troublemakers?!"
Zero cast a glance at the table where various unfamiliar substances were arranged. Some of them had a murky appearance that defied identification as food, while others seemed more presentable, though Zero knew better.
"I distinctly instructed both of you to refrain from entering my kitchen!" Zero exclaimed through gritted teeth.
He had grown weary of the mess and destruction caused by the two whenever they decided to cook, or rather, wreak havoc in his kitchen.
The two were utterly incompetent when it came to cooking. Yuuki couldn't even prepare the simplest and most basic dishes, such as cooking rice; it consistently turned into a liquid-like soup. Whenever she attempted to chop ingredients, she ended up with her own blood, as her fingers were frequently cut. Her cooking inevitably transformed into something resembling a dark, unidentifiable substance. In Chairman Crosse's case, although he cooked in a messy manner, the finished dishes appeared presentable - at least in terms of appearance. However, upon tasting them, Zero knew better.
"Please vacate my kitchen. You should wait for me to prepare something," Zero scolded, his face twisted into a deep scowl as he escorted the two of them out of his kitchen.
"But Zero, you've returned late. You're always tardy," Yuuki pouted while applying band-aids to her cut fingers.
"Why were you late today, Zero-kun? I don't think you had a mission," the chairman inquired.
"Because of that exasperating Kuran, that's why!"
"Kuran? Do you mean Kaname-sama?" Yuuki's face lit up with excitement as she envisioned Kaname's gentle smile.
"Did the two of you go home together? Is he still as handsome as ever? And what about Kaname-sama, Zero?"
"What in the world, Yuuki?! No! Are you genuinely infatuated with him too?" Zero knew that Yuuki had a fondness for idols, but witnessing her fawning over a man she had just met was surprising to him.
"That's unkind, Zero. Kaname-sama has never enchanted me," Yuuki pouted.
"Zero-kun, what about Kaname-kun are you referring to?" This time, Chairman Crosse inquired with a serious tone.
"He informed me that he was appointed as the new class president of the West Class, and he also conducted a meeting. Naturally, I waited for them. You know I don't trust the West Class to remain within the academy grounds, especially the new students."
"Well, I'm relieved that Kaname-kun assumed his position promptly."
"What on earth, Chairman?! Who is Kaname Kuran, really? Have you observed the West Class? They follow his every move. Even Aidou and Kain. They treat him as if he's... special."
"Zero, Kaname-sama is truly a kind person. He's treating me well, and... And I believe he knew my mother," Yuuki interrupted Zero, recalling how Kaname had addressed her by her mother's name.
"Chairman, who exactly is Kaname Kuran?" Both prefects turned to Chairman Crosse, only to find him engrossed in preparing the food, seemingly ignoring their questions.
"Please, Zero, Yuuki, let's enjoy our meal before it gets cold," Crosse offered with a smile, seemingly unperturbed by Zero's growing dark mood.
"Fool! I told you to stay out of my kitchen! I'll prepare a new dish!" Zero stubbornly attempted to pull Crosse out of his kitchen, but the chairman wouldn't budge.
"But, Zero, I made your favorite, miso soup, just for you."
"No matter-" Suddenly, remembering his dream when the dwarf Kaien Crosse had prepared a delicious dish for the first time, Zero gestured for Yuuki to taste Crosse's miso soup.
"Eh? But Zero, we both know it's usually awful," Yuuki pouted.
"Perhaps not, Yuuki. Miracles can happen." In Zero's dream, the chairman's food had tasted heavenly.
If miracles were real, perhaps his cooking had improved and the taste had improved too.
"No way, I don't want to."
"Then, I won't assist you with your projects any longer."
"But Zero," Yuuki protested, realizing she couldn't complete her projects without Zero's help.
She stubbornly gazed at Crosse's miso soup. It emitted a delightful aroma and had an appealing presentation; anyone seeing it for the first time might be inclined to savor it heartily.
She cautiously took a sip, preparing herself for the anticipated dreadful taste.
And she wasn't mistaken...
She hastily rushed to the sink and spat out the soup she had tasted.
"Zero, I told you so," Yuuki said, her eyes welling up with tears, while Zero chuckled.
"There's nothing wrong with my soup," Kaien Crosse insisted, his eyes also moistened.
Their meal eventually concluded after Zero made some adjustments and additions to the dishes. Crosse and Yuuki had already departed for their respective homes, while Zero prepared to retire for the night. Kaien Crosse had adopted Zero, but they resided in separate houses. The houses were adjacent, connected by a doorway in the living room, facilitating easy access to each other's homes. Nonetheless, Zero cherished his privacy and maintained a certain distance.
Zero was on the brink of falling asleep when an intensely painful headache struck him once again. His dreams resurfaced, even the previous ones that had appeared to lack meaning, presenting themselves as vivid fragments as if he were watching them.
Zero eventually recognized the voice of Kaname Kuran, a voice he was certain he had heard before. It was the last voice he had encountered in his dream, and the way Kaname called Zero's name during their interaction in the West Class was eerily similar to the voice in his dream.
However, it couldn't be possible, could it? There was no way Kaname was the source of that voice. Zero reasoned that his mind might be playing tricks on him. After all, he hadn't even known of Kaname's existence when he had those dreams, right? It couldn't have been Kaname. Zero hadn't seen the owner of the voice in his dreams, but he was convinced it couldn't be Kaname. Because if it were... If Kaname truly possessed that voice, did it mean...
Perhaps he was finally recollecting his dream in its entirety, from the beginning to the end. Or had it genuinely come to an end? The clock clearly struck midnight, as he caught a glimpse of it.
So, had Prince Charming arrived? Had he come on time and broken the curse?
Because if he had truly awakened, if the Prince Charming had arrived on time and broken the curse, did that mean...
Zero felt his cheeks flush with warmth.
'No. No. No. Kaname Kuran can't be that Prince Charming or whoever it was. But why did I wake up?'
His cheeks grew even warmer. It was just... so embarrassing.
'Don't dwell on that, Zero. Who is that hooded woman, really? Or maybe it wasn't a Prince Charming who broke the curse, but a princess?'
In all of Zero's dreams that he could now recall, the hooded woman had consistently appeared. He couldn't clearly see her face, but her long hair flowing down her chest suggested she was a woman. To Zero's confusion, he couldn't decipher the meaning of his dreams at all.
_
~ChapEnds
