Whistling on his bike ride to the childhood hideout, Krieg smiled when he approached the 7:15 bus stop. No one was usually at the last stop, so he had time to enjoy the quiet until the driver got there. Anything was better than being stalked behind some stupid bracelet. He did not have the time for something silly like that. Luckily, no one at his school took the 7:15 since it was a public bus. The academy had shuttles and regular school buses to chauffeur the students. Krieg may have rode his bike for an hour to and from school, but he preferred it since he could go shopping in town and spend that hour to just download from his responsibilities. It was the only way he'd be able to survive, honestly. Seeing the 7:15 stroll up, Krieg hopped up and waved at the driver. He strapped his bike to the front of the bus, greeted the driver, and let him know where he was headed. Sure enough, on his way back to the old hideout location, he saw his other friends clocking out for the day. The old man who played dominoes at the barbershop volunteered to go with Krieg to retrieve some of the things from the hideout. He didn't live far from Krieg anyway, and the cop also volunteered for safety measures.
The old hideout was just an abandoned skate park and barely started tunnel. Krieg found it when he ran away from home with his baby brothers. Together, they made it a home away from home. Not much was going to be kept, but Krieg wanted his boombox and box of photos. Stuffed animals and old toys were next to go with him. After that, it was mostly junk. No one would miss it. Well, maybe the luggage cases could come with him. They were vintage things he had found here. The old Christmas bulbs were on their way out, and the solar lights weren't lighting anymore. It was safe to say that nothing was worth keeping. Science kits and toothpicks were just clutter and used up garbage. Meh, let it all go. When the men escorted Krieg back to the bus stop, he was surprised to see the bus driver waiting for them. He dropped off his few riders and came back just in time. It was nice having these few misfits around...
"Again! Again!" Gin cheered, watching Pearl blow into his straw to make milk bubbles in his cup.
Oh boy... Krieg turned around to watch his boys playing with their drinks at the nanny's kitchen table and just shook his head with a smile. The two girls who never dressed appropriately at the top were planning on taking Krieg to the thrift store for furniture. He was definitely going to need something hella durable for these kids. Although the furniture from their house was pretty solid, Krieg was thinking that it was time to replace it. The boys' beds were glorified cribs, and they were too big for them as it was. His bed was WAY too small, too. It was just time to let it all go... including his lengthy, unkempt hair. It was time for a trim. He was spending SO MUCH money this month. It was a good thing his employer just paid him straight cash. Krieg saved up a lot within a year. Almost ten grand to be exact. Well worth the sneaking around to find a small job that would feed his kids.
"You two remember to clean up your mess, okay?"
"Yes, big brother!" Pearl replied.
"Again! Again!"
Gurgle, bubble, bubble.
"When you're finished cleaning up, I'll give you one more hour of playtime before your baths, okay?"
"Okay!" Pearl cheered, going back to blowing bubbles.
"Can we draw on the walls again, big brother?" Gin asked, holding up his hands with excitement.
"Yes. Tomorrow, I'll even let you paint them. I bought some brushes on the way back," Krieg said, holding up the painter's kit.
"Yay!" Gin and Pearl cheered.
Ah, to be young and innocent...
Nothing like his classmates. That's for sure. Wouldn't you know that the next day was filled with nuisances? As soon as Krieg headed for school, he saw not just one but six student organization buses in the local shopping area he frequents. Ignoring it, he rode his bike to school like usual, but he was immediately greeted by the Student Social Circle information tent and that big-ass balloon man that bent over everywhere and looked dead inside despite his smile. When he tried to park his bike elsewhere, the group of interested people he was trying to avoid yesterday came at him with brochures about the bracelet. The f****g bracelet, dude! But, Krieg played it cool. He took the brochure, pretended to look at it with interest, locked his bike up, and walked to the front desk to pretend to get something. Peeking over his shoulder to see if the group of teens were still on his case, he noticed Algae Eater the Advisor getting a cup of water and walked over to him.
"Psst!" Krieg hissed to get the man's attention.
"Hm? Ah, Mr. Don, how are - ?"
"What the hell is up with this bracelet thing, man?" Krieg demanded, showing him the brochure.
"Oh, you mean the social availability band! It's a little thing unique to our school. The bracelet tells your peers whether or not you're open to certain relationships like a romantic bond, business alliance, or simply a friendship. We counsel and teach students like you how to handle different social situations in life to better prepare you for your destined paths. Are you interested in wearing one?" the advisor asked.
"You know I'm not," Krieg replied with a lethal glare and deadly growl to his voice.
"Ah, then someone else has shown interest in you, it seems. You must've made a good impression on someone."
"By walking my happy ass to the cafeteria!?" Krieg argued more than questioned. "Or, better yet, studying my ass off in the computer science building!?"
"You amuse me, Mr. Don," Algae Eater replied, hiding a laugh. "But, I'm going to have to say yes. You intrigued someone enough just by devoting yourself to your studies."
"What happens if I don't wear the bracelet?" Krieg asked.
"You know..., I'm not quite sure. Most students have shown enthusiasm towards it. It tells them a little bit about you without you having to say anything."
"... How much is it?" Krieg asked.
"For the premium leather band, it only costs you $194.9 - !"
"NEIN!" Krieg barked. Ding ding ding. First period was starting. "Oh, thank you, merciful God. I'll have to be a little late today."
"Well, on the bright side, tomorrow is Friday!" the advisor cheered.
"And I wanna cry," Krieg remarked, walking off to his bike.
He was headed to the Junior Engineers' building to study this time. He just had to shake a few of his peers until lunch. Ggggaaaaawwwwdddd...
Practically pacing in his mind, Dracule Mihawk was trying to think of how to properly introduce himself to the new kid. He wasn't even thinking about first period's lecture. Shanks and Benn were withholding the boy's name, and no one else knew anything about him other than he doesn't stay in one place long. The library carrel was just a fluke, it seemed. He had to have seen the different student groups available and the benefits to the social bracelet. I mean, everyone had it. Even Mihawk had one! The Student Council wore a variation of the leather band with an added silver accessory and small charm to showcase their elite status. His was a chain and cross along the front with two red gems and one colorful bead dangling on the right side. Nothing special about it other than... well, it just... meant that... he was open to going out for coffee or tea if asked. See? Nothing special. A visit to the afterschool snack bar would equally suffice, and, even if the new kid wasn't into guys, there was more potential for a new rival in combat. It's a win-win! Simple. There was no need to hide from the inevitable. Perks are perks.
Jotting down the last bits of notes for class, Mihawk packed everything away once the bell rang. He was just going to visit the Student Council room for like two - NEW KID WITHIN OUR PERIPHERAL! HIDE!
SWOOSH!
What the hell am I doing? Mihawk questioned with frustration. This is ridiculous! I don't hide from my peers!
Sure enough, there was the new kid looking at the directory for something. When he found whatever it was he was looking for, he walked to the nearest office space and asked for... a stapler again? What about the one he took from the library carrel? Did he return it? Oh. Mihawk remembered that he didn't tell him he could take it. A minor slip-up on his part. Negligible at best. Surely, the new kid could buy a stapler for himself, right? They're cheap. Maybe... It's just a stapler, after all. He has like five small ones. He could loan just the one. The new kid was headed to the study room. A-ha! He did have a key! He's an elite for sure. Only one of status could gain access to the study room keys. Okay, he had to hustle then. Mihawk quickly walked to his locker to hunt for an extra stapler... and was met with nothing. Nothing? Nothing! There should be like an Office Expo in here! Where did his staplers go?
"Mihawk, why - ?"
"Whoo, shit!" Mihawk yelled, almost falling into his locker. He snapped his head around to see Moria looking at him with a surprised look on his face. "Why are you lurking around the locker islands?"
"Why are you frantically yanking shit outta your locker? That's not like you," Moria commented, pointing at the stuff on the floor.
"I can't find my stapler. That is all," Mihawk said quite professionally after clearing his throat.
"Mihawk, you don't use staplers. You use paper clips or page binders. You're like a law student minus the love of law and plus the organizational skills," Moria pointed out. "You, especially, hate those little staple removers. The noise bothers your delicate ears."
SLAM! Mihawk forgot about that. Moria was right. He detested the use of staplers no matter how they were designed. Taking a deep breath after bashing his forehead against his locker door, Mihawk placed everything back in his locker neatly before closing the locker door, rising to his feet..., and bolting away from the Gloom Island locker station. Okay, that was a bit bigger on the "Mihawk Making Mindless Mistakes" scale. No excuse for that. How could he have forgotten about that? That's such a significant thing! Where could he find a stapler in under three minutes? The Student Council room was way on the opposite end of the universe now! Maybe he could just find the stapler the new kid took in the library, but Mihawk's perfect attendance would be ruined for second period lecture. Ding ding ding. CRAP! Bouncing his knee up and down, waiting for the bell to ring, was beyond unusual for Dracule Mihawk. Mean mugging the clock was probably worse. The new kid floats around when he's studying. If he takes too long in class or gets distracted, he'll lose him!
Ding ding ding.
SWOOSH!
"What the fu - ?"
Running, running, running. Determination in his eyes, wind at his heels. He was going to find that damn stapler even if it killed him! Mihawk briskly walked through the library, hunting for the new kid's carrel. Out of sheer luck, Mihawk finally got his name when the advisor that gave the new kid a tour put a nameplate on the door.
Don Krieg. Cram Session reservation. DO NOT DISTURB.
Going into the printing room to avoid the advisor's gaze, Mihawk quickly pretended to be looking for office supplies and found the mini staplers, mini staples, and the dreaded staple remover. Just as the advisor was leaving, Mihawk noticed more nameplates in his hands. So, he had to be marking off areas for this Krieg boy to study quietly. He has to be REALLY above the rest for an advisor to go this far. Fine. After school, it is...
Krieg practically ran out of the math building at top speed to get to his bike. He did not want to be here anymore. Ever since second lunch, he had been getting sniffed out by bracelet wearers. Not today, Satan. NOT TODAY! Sure, he may have stayed a little late to make up for lost time this morning, but he was not trying to make a habit of that. Krieg just couldn't deal. Why does everyone want to know about his romantic life anyway? He's a complete stranger not trying to be involved with anyone right now. Message not read much? Slowing his sprint to a halt, Krieg happily made it to his bike and started taking out his portable buggy and radio. Before he could even take off, that feeling of being watched stopped him completely. No, he isn't going to entertain this. He's leaving right now.
So, he did. As he was riding his bike and listening to his favorite tunes, a touring bus caught his attention. It was the Student Council again. Shrugging his shoulders, Krieg pretended the bus didn't exist and kept going... But the bus kept going, too.
"IIIIIII REALLY don't think this is a good idea," Zeff said from inside of the bus.
"Doesn't matter. He's not ignoring me again," Mihawk said lowly. Opening the window, Mihawk popped out to greet Krieg with a raised brow and unimpressed scowl. He then proceeded to lecture him, "You are aware that the school has shuttles and buses, yes? You don't have to bike everywhere. Classes are one thing, but this is ridiculous. Where's your car? You're an elite. You might be eligible for the first-time driver's program. Even if you're not, there are teachers willing to train you in the art of safer driving. Instead of denying all these benefits, use them to your advantage."
Krieg merely looked at Mihawk for a solid minute, waved at him politely, and then continued his ride unfazed. Nope, not doing it. That's just another fee trying to lick his wallet for a taste. Nah.
"Duuuuuuuuuddeee, he just ignored you straight up. Mwaha!" Moria said, laughing at Mihawk's shocked expression.
"Follow him," Mihawk demanded angrily.
"That's bein' mad petty," Zeff remarked.
So, for an hour, the Student Council bus followed Krieg until he made it to his local shopping area. There, he met up with the two girls from the 7:15 and joined them on a furniture shopping trip. He seemed both tense and excited.
"Two? Two! He has two girlfriends?" Mihawk questioned with fury and shock. He knew Krieg was a cutie but come on!
"I think they're just his regular friends. They seem older," Zeff said.
"What is that slut even shopping for?" Mihawk demanded, pulling out a directory of the shopping district. He read through it, spotted the location and address of the store in question, and said, "Furniture from a thrift store? What's wrong with Rove Concepts or Casa Designs? Hell, the school offers furniture for the dorms! What is he doing?"
"Being a regular teen?" Zeff answered more than questioned.
"... ... That's mega lame," Mihawk said incredulously.
"He's happy to be lame. Let him be. He's not your type," Zeff said, leaning back in the seat.
"... I'm going over there and yanking his ass out," Mihawk threatened, narrowing his eyes.
"He's not your type!" Zeff argued.
"Meh, let him love on the new guy from afar. It's funny," Moria said with a shrug.
"Uuuuuuuggggghhhh!" Zeff groaned, following after Mihawk just in case.
