Mairimashita: Iruma-kun! - Trapped, part 3
Dawn was still an hour away and his alarm had yet to sound, but Bars Robin shifted in his sleep.
Deep in his dreams, he was seeing a familiar scene. It was the one he'd withheld from Bachiko. It was a strange place that didn't look like the demon world at all.
Towering trees surrounded him on all sides. He was standing in a forest. This part had been seen before, but this time, a small strange bird approached him and hovered near his face.
It had stunning, colorful feathers that shifted hue as it moved. He'd never seen a bird hover like that before, not even a familiar.
Its tiny wings were beating almost too fast to see as it tilted its long-beaked face at him in question. A quick, determined chirp and it darted off in the opposite direction.
"Wait! Come back!", shouted Robin, reaching forward.
Yet, before he could follow it, he was now awake in his bed. His alarm was blaring and his outstretched hand mirrored his dream.
Just what was that? Maybe he could ask Balam-sensei later to help identify the odd creature. For now, it was time to get up and ready for the day.
Later that morning, Opera stood across from Sullivan in his office, with their feline ears slightly flattened in annoyance.
"Are you certain this is the best course of action?", they asked, skeptically.
Sullivan dropped the previously serious look on his face and waved playfully in dismissal.
"Opera, you worry too much. Everything will be fine! You'll see. Kalego-kun will handle things here on our end and Lord Omen will help with the rest. There's nothing to worry about", he assured.
The security devil turned teacher wasn't fully sold on the idea, but it didn't really matter. They knew the principal had the school's best interest at heart.
"Very well. Then I will return to my duties", they said with a bow and headed off.
Turning in his chair, Sullivan sighed as he stared out the window. He knew both parties would handle things delicately, but he also knew that Robin would likely do his own investigating. All he could do now was wait and hope that everyone would arrive on time.
In the faculty area, Kalego was fighting off another headache. He'd just received news that the exorcist was coming earlier than expected.
He'd made it very clear that all investigations of the campus were to take place after the students had gone home for the day, but it seemed Orias's contact had other ideas.
"It's the only time she can come. It'll be fine; I promise. She's very skilled at keeping a low profile and we have my luck on our side", offered Orias.
Kalego sighed in annoyed defeat.
"Fine, but I want her kept away from the students, especially my class", he said sternly.
Orias nodded in agreement. After last year's fiasco with Victoria Ai, the last thing Kalego needed was getting the misfits involved in another outside problem, especially one involving a teacher.
Orias tipped his hat in promise and each headed for their homerooms. Still, Kalego had his reservations. Something in the pit of his stomach said this specialist was going to be a distraction.
Classes went off without a hitch and Dali kept his ears open for their guest's arrival. He'd been put in charge of meeting the exorcist and Sullivan's other, more secretive, guest could take care of himself.
Half of the day went by and there was still no sign of the specialist. During lunch break, Orias and Dali met up.
Orias apologized for the exorcist's late arrival.
"I'm really sorry. She should be here by now. It's not like her to be late", he said, trying to call her one more time.
Dali wasn't fretting, but his curiosity peaked when he found out who they were expecting.
"I wonder where she is...", he ventured.
Elsewhere...
The misfits had some time between classes and were chatting in various groups amid the halls. As students arrived to their classes and the crowd thinned, the boku squad was making plans to visit the arcade.
Shax and Iruma stood across from Soi and started to pale as he spoke, prompting some confusion.
"Should we, though? I've heard mixed reviews….What?"
"Uh, Soisoi...", trailed Lied, pointing nervously behind him.
A strange sort of mist was starting to form behind Purson. As it grew thicker, a set of polished, gold-trimmed, black nails appeared poised as if their owner was about to grab him.
"Hmm?", he uttered as he slowly looked up at the now smiling mist.
"That violet lipstick", he thought.
Iruma and Lied glanced at one another, wondering what they should do.
A moment later, the mist solidified into a gorgeous woman who snatched Purson into a near crushing embrace.
"Soi-kun! It's been so long! Look how tall you've gotten!", she beamed, mercilessly snuggling the lad.
Lied gaped in jealousy, but Iruma was just glad that his friend was safe. Soi's expression showed some surprise, but he seemed otherwise calm.
"Aunt Ophelia?", he ventured, his voice muffled by her crushing his face into her chest.
"Aunt?!", spat Lied.
At least that explained why such a hottie was interested in Purson, but his resentment only mildly simmered.
Soi took a gasp of air as he managed to dislodge himself enough to breathe and blushed faintly embarrassed in front of his friends.
"What are you doing here?", he asked, now being thoroughly snuggled from behind.
"I'm working, but I couldn't resist stopping by to see you. Your dad's so mean, keeping my precious nephew all to himself", she replied with a playful huff.
Soi grinned faintly. He did love his aunt.
"So, this is your father's sister?", ventured Iruma.
He'd never met Purson's dad, but this woman didn't resemble his mother at all.
She had the palest shade of violet in her hair and eyes, and wore mostly black with gold highlights in an outfit that reminded Iruma of a stereotypical witch in the human world. She even had the oversized brim on her pointed hat.
Soi nodded sheepishly, knowing Shax would give anything to be in his place.
"It's nice to meet you", offered Iruma with a polite bow.
Finally releasing her beloved nephew, the woman stepped forward to inspect the two boys.
"Oh, I do love a young man with manners", she said with a smile.
That naturally jolted Lied into a bow, as well.
"We're - ", he began.
Ophelia chuckled at his red face.
"I'm guessing Shax Lied and Suzuki Iruma?", she ventured.
"I've heard so much about you from my darling Soi", shesaud, dragging them both into a hug.
Both boys reddened as they each got a faceful of their friend's buxom aunt, but she didn't cuddle them long.
"Where's Aunt Tsuki?", asked Soi, before Lied could dig his own grave.
Ophelia teared up immediately.
"My wonderful waifu had to work, too, so she couldn't come. It's so sad... But oh well! More cuddles for me!", she said, transitioning into another crushing hug with her nephew.
Her swinging emotions were a bit confusing, but at least Iruma could breathe again. Lied still looked a little jealous, but Purson had his usual poker face, clearly used to his auntie's affection. He continued talking as if she wasn't even snuggling him.
"Hashiguchi Ophelia, these are my friends", he stated calmly.
Relaxing her hold on him, yet not letting go, she made an inquisitive expression at the term.
"A pleasure… I know what you're thinking, but I gave up the Purson name when I left the clan", she explained.
Planting a firm smooch on Soi's cheek, she said, "I have to work, but I'll stop by again before I leave."
Then, poof, she was gone. All that remained was the faint sound of her voice, saying, "Don't tell your dad I'm here!".
Soi's aunt had come and gone like a hurricane, leaving the trio ruffled, but unharmed.
Iruma and Lied stared at their friend, clearly with a million questions, but there was no real time for that. The bell would ring again soon and their teacher would have their skins if they were late.
Hurrying to class, Purson briefly explained that his aunt disagreed with their clan's rules and left the name and family behind when she got married.
Well, most of the family, anyway. She kept in regular contact with her darling nephew and sister-in-law.
Dodging Lied's fervent inquiries, Soi couldn't help, but wonder what possible reason Ophelia had to be within the halls of Babylus. Yet, he knew that answer may never be answered.
Just because Ophelia had become a Hashiguchi didn't mean she had lost all of the training she'd received as a Purson.
Somewhere, Robin was waiting for his students to finish seating before taking attendance. As if on cue, he sneezed, almost like someone was talking about him…
To be continued…