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Staphylococcal Epidermolysis Xeroderma (SEX). A skin disease unknown to 99% of the world.
Description; the host suffers immense pain with the opposite gender when conducted via skin contact. All past users have suffered death and as a result, little is known about the disease.
Symptoms include: rashes, accelerated heart rate, numbness of the body, Exposure may lead to death.
Remedy: There is no known cure.
Despite his irksome encounter with Nino, the rest of the class as well as his day resumed like any other. Listen to the lecture, write down some notes on whatever he thought was useful, and brainprep for what he'd do afterwards.
Still, as bad of a second meeting with Nino as it was, it could have gone a lot worse. He could be burning alive in hell. Well, it seemed that whoever was looking out for himself aside from… well, himself, had decided to not screw his only life over quite yet. Something in the back of his head now made him weary of when whoever would strike. Likely when he least expected it. That was the norm when it came to the thing known as misfortune.
Another misfortune was he hadn't caught sight of Ichika at all since their time in the hall. He'd be lying if he said conversing with someone like her, who also happened to be a beautiful female and not at all an annoying, self-centered- ahem. Talking with her was nice to say the least. Anyway, no signs of Ichika sadly and thankfully none of Nino.
The fact that they had more siblings and even more so they were related to Dr. Nakano certainly made his brain rattle more than a time or two. He'd have to get with the doctor at some point later tonight to talk about such a revelation.
The man was renowned for his skills and knowledge but as long as Relon's known the guy, he's never mentioned anything about having kids. No. That's not quite right. He's overheard a comment of two on rare occasions from nurses inquiring about his "girls."
Well, now that made a lot more sense. They were referring to Ichika and Nino and the others. Wow, no sons? Ichika made it sound like they had a batch of sisters so even he was now curious as to just how many. Another question to possibly ask when he speaks to the doctor later.
For once, he didn't have much to worry about. No shopping needed to be done. Not to mention today was his off day from work unlike Futarou so there was little for him to do. Thanks to his "condition" he not only had the privilege of departing from classes early, he could also depart from school at the end of the day before the horde of students filled the halls.
That of course being should he leave.
Eyeing the door before him, he has to only knock twice before the voice of a gentle man comes from the other end.
"Come in, Lucinance."
Complying, he enters to close the door. Directly ahead tending to paperwork lied the man in question.
The head of their school. Principal Vandyck.
If anyone had to describe Vandyck, they'd describe him as a jacked elderly man. Muscles easily visible through his black suit made any who dared to object to the school rules think twice. Outside of his appearance, the man was arguably one of the nicest and understanding people any would encounter.
Yet, it was because of that very trait that left his thoughts scattered.
"You knew I was coming," Relon notes, crossing his arms.
"I did," he nods. "Banner was quite worried with the little incident you had earlier with Maruo's daughter," he adds with a chortle, discarding the last of his paperwork to give Relon his undivided attention.
"I admit I could have handled that somewhat better."
"Somewhat?"
"Somewhat," Relon glowers. "I have to add that such an incident wouldn't have occurred if such a risk wasn't placed in the first place!"
"I am aware."
"Are you?"
"I am."
"So please explain then because my life is literally on the line."
"You are aware of the founding behind this school, no?"
"A lot of people in high places donate high amounts of money. Banner-Sensei mentioned a bunch of students like that just so happened to be in said class."
"You would be correct. I also do not need to remind you of how renowned Maruo Nakano is. Nor how he has assisted your family in both the medical field and financially. Or of your relationship with Shoei do I?"
Instinctively, he stretched his blazer's sleeve.
"Barou…"
As difficult as this conversation would be for anyone aiming for a specified objective, they'd struggle into the ground against Principal Vandyck. The guy was a retired military man and one of the highest status. That in tandem with his nature as both a leader and a simple civilian made discussing any topic invaluable knowledge.
He was kind and understood a great deal of people. Relon despised admitting it but he also understood the student himself a grand deal. Even if he wished otherwise.
Instead, here he was. Bluntly, in his own kind manner, telling Relon he couldn't risk the school's reputation much less losing its financial support.
"Is there really nothing to be done? It's just a seat."
"If I were to make the order, your generation's dramatic nature would cause unwarranted attention. For both the school and you. Something neither of us want. You especially have had enough attention starting out as is."
He hated it.
As long as history could recount, there was always those that stood above others. Those that deemed themselves as superior. Those that wouldn't allow any to snatch their usurpation. Those individuals with power claimed anything they believed to be right and the "just" way. Any who rebelled, who rejected that mentality were wrong and therefore beneath them.
The strong stomped over the weak. The weak, forced to look up at the strong, could only work up an unsteady incline filled with struggles that many walked with trepidation. Meanwhile, the strong lounged around in tranquility from the confines of their nests and abodes planning how to gain more power, reduce the weak's own, or both.
Barou's family was well off to the point he could practically get away with anything while ensuring the most he'd receive as punishment being a slap on the wrist. Now, Nino with her haughty attitude was at odds with him without even thinking of the cause behind his own actions leaving him likely the sole individual on her list of "most hated."
"People with power are always untouchable."
"That is not necessarily correct nor incorrect."
"The perspective we use is what humanity has deemed right from wrong, Principal Vandyck. You, with power, are tied because there are others with more connections, more power waiting for something to stir the pot that they call boredom."
"Lucinance…" He sighs an old man sigh. Long and drawn out as if he'd taken a long puff of smoke. Weird how the man could do it without… well smoking. "Your mind is able to perceive numerous things that no normal student your age could even begin to."
"Is this the part where you say I'm still blind to something that's in front of me?"
"Somewhat. Though I believe to understand that, you'll need to understand the other side."
"Aren't you technically on the other side? I like to say I usually understand our conversations."
"Haha, I like to claim to be on both sides. I try to appease both when one struggles."
"The rich? Struggle?"
"Bwaha, yes, it does indeed happen from time to time."
"I find that hard to believe…" Relon mumbles slouching in his chair.
"Allow this old man to give you another piece of advice. Are you ready?" For a moment, Relon waited. When nothing came, he himself finally sighs adjusting to sit properly. "To understand the mind and heart of one, look not at what they've achieved but what they aspire to."
"That's… an odd one."
"Odd, yes. Needed too. Now run along. Your mother is waiting. Once an opportunity comes, I'll see about adjusting the seat arrangements."
Blinking dumbly as he places another stack of papers in front of him, Relon can only notice the subtlest of a grin before he bows to the man.
"Thank you for your time, sir."
"Think nothing of it. I only wish I could be of more service."
Acknowledging with a nod, Relon soon departed from the kind man's office.
"To understand the mind and heart of one, look not at what they've achieved but what they aspire to…"
It's a good quote but actually putting it into practice remained to be seen.
Giving a momentary glance to his phone, he quickened his pace. The bell would ring shortly and most of his free time was spent talking with Vandyck.
Before long, he'd reached the school entrance. Ensuring he had all his belongings, he stepped out into the sunny rays and in doing so, spotted a pair of twins that left his heart mixed.
Given they were well off financially, it made sense that they had a limousine. As he approached, his eyes caught sight of a third figure vanish in the vehicle.
The third sister? All the same age maybe?
Ceasing whatever chatter they were doing, both seem to notice his presence. One's expression clearly brightened while another darkened. Pretty clear which did what.
"Lucinance-kun, heading out early too?" The kind and pleasant voice of Ichika greets moving to meet him, somehow forcing Nino to follow after.
"Yeah," he answers, halting as the space between them grows closer. "You girls heading out to?"
"Why are you leaving early?" Nino unsurprising huffs as they stop a few feet away.
"I have permission to leave classes a few minutes early," Relon answers, not meeting Nino's gaze. He'd act polite because who wanted drama?
"I'm right here, asshole."
Welp. Nino did. Why wasn't he surprised?
"Now now, Nino, let's get along~."
"I have every reason not to with him!"
Reaaaaally making being nice harder by the second.
"I'm sure whatever happened was just a misunderstanding."
So she didn't know. That could make things go slightly South. Then again, Ichika as a mediator is most appreciated given it's Nino.
"Not technically wrong," Relon chirps, earning a glare from the angry woman. A look that doesn't faze him at all. "Technically," he repeats. "I won't deny I could have handled the situation better at one point or two."
"See?"
"That's it?! You could have done a lot more than that! How about you fess up to why you don't like my seat being next to yours!"
That earned a curious raised brow from Ichika.
"I'm simply self-conscious of being in close proximity to females," he answers without missing a beat.
"Huh?!"
"He's not lying, Nino."
"How would you know?" She bats Ichika an equal look of bafflement. "This guy is a total stranger!" She points a finger for Relon to instinctively jerk his head back despite the safe distance.
"Nino, it's not nice to point," Ichika furrows her brow. "I also know because Lucinance-kun told me on the way to lunch. To you he may be a stranger but not me."
More and more by the second, his respect for Ichika was growing faster than his dislike of her sister. But that was still growing too.
"You're taking his side?!"
"For God's sake, just listen!" He hadn't mean to snap as hard as he did, but his tolerance had finally waned. "Think, Nino, think! Just lose the ego for one second," he sighs in a struggle to keep himself stable.
"Excuse me?!"
"You both met me today so what logic is there in her 'siding' with me? She's only stating her reason why your wording doesn't apply to her!"
"Both of you, let's calm down okay?"
"Who do you think you are raising your voice at a lady?!"
"Oh yeah, pull out the gender and victim cards! You're sure not coming across as one with how stubborn and barbaric that mind and attitude of yours is! Not to mention you're getting on Ichika for stating her opinion! What logic does that make?! She's your sister for Kami's sake!"
"It's because she's my sister that-"
"That what? You can ignore her opinion? Just because it doesn't align with yours?! You should-"
"LUCINANCE-KUN!"
He hadn't realized it. If he had, maybe he wouldn't have come across so harshly. Unknowingly, he'd been the one to move closer. So much so that his now surprised visage was only inches away from both girls. Ichika with clear worry but Nino.
Nino held… surprise? She'd been plenty surprised by parts of their conversation but this kind… was different.
Why?
Then it made sense. Something wet hit splashed against his knuckle. It wasn't raining so… that meant he was crying.
Vermilion eyes steadily widening at the realization, only then did he notice his erratic yet stuffy breathing and clenched form. Like a jittered machine, he conformed. His breathing became steady and the tension residing within dissipated.
Awkwardly, he moved back. Phantom scratches, pulls, and colors began to seep into his body. A sudden jerk of his form made both girls inwardly question such a cause.
Like a fool, he made a scene. Again.
Only this time it was to Ichika's sister while Ichika herself was here.
"I'm sorry." It was a quick bow. A perfect 90 degree sign of respect. Without awaiting any ramifications, he took off.
"Lucinance-kun! Wait…" Ichika could only manage that much as he rounded the corner and vanished.
Silence filled the still air as both only looked at where they last caught sight of him. Wordlessly, the long-haired sister was the first to move.
"Nino." It wasn't a light call of the name as done before, rather flat. More so devoid of any emotion. It was a call. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet, to Nino, a flat call like that from Ichika meant her mood wasn't about to get any better.
"Later," was her swift response.
Furrowing her brows in slight irritation, Ichika soon follows, falling in step with her.
"We need to talk."
"Didn't I say later?" Nino resists with a low growl. "There's something I have to do first."
Reaching the car, Nino's hand is intercepted by Ichika's own firm on the handle.
"Where exactly would that be?"
Sapphire meeting sapphire, Ichika's own stagger at her sister's response.
"Papa's job."
TheMist33: Welcome back, I like how Relon's way of talking, especially when arguing with Nino at the end, felt very real. Best way I could put it, also loved the chapter, hope another releases soon!
I try to make it as realistic as I can :). Glad you've been enjoying and how to keep that streak going!