A misunderstanding.

Surely that’s all this was.

There was no reason for a girl who Shiro had just met only a few hours ago, with no comments shared with each other, to hate Shiro’s existence this much.

However, there was a part to her comment that made things seem not as odd.

The girl had made a comment towards Shiro’s race. A comment that while not entirely uncommon to some people or some locations in the world, felt odd coming out of the mouth of someone who was likely the same age as Shiro, and as such, likely had the same pleasant view of life.

Regardless of the situation, Shiro had begun to try and smooth things out.

Shiro: [I…believe you have a misunderstanding here or something. My name is Shiro Fuloreen. I’m a–]

Helig: [Succubus.]

Shiro: […Yes. Yes, I am a succubus. And you are Helig…I’m very sorry, what's your last name?]

Helig: [Gammal. Helig Gammal. Not that I should entertain some lowly being such as yourself.]

Shiro: [I’m not sure why you’re throwing these comments towards me, but let’s try to have a safe conversation for now. I don’t view you as someone rude or anything. So I think we could get along great if we just keep a peaceful conversation and–]

Helig: [Tsk. A peaceful conversation? I have no problems with that–]

Shiro: [Perfect! So–]

Helig: [–with someone whose body doesn’t reek of libido and bodily fluids.]

Just when she had thought she could have a normal conversation with Helig, Shiro had even more hateful comments thrown towards her. It seemed like Helig would never be able to speak to Shiro properly.

Shiro: […Well…it seems there’s a difference in how we view each other. Or rather our races. If…you don’t mind me asking…why exactly are you not fond of my kind?]

Helig: [Demons as a whole aren’t necessarily the greatest in terms of how they act. Onis are not so bad, however they’re rather brutish in nature at times, thus they can be annoying to interact with. Demon Beasts have no mind of their own, so it’s pointless to try to speak with those beings. But the kind I dislike the most of all are your kind. Succubi and incubi. A truly disgusting sub category of demons who find the most pleasure in sexual activity. In fact, they out of all races crave it the most. I can guess that you’re thinking about it at this very moment, correct?]

Despite saying all this in a rude manner, Helig had been correct in terms of her info on demons. Succubi and incubi were in fact the race that craved things like that the most. However, Shiro had not felt anything close to that feeling at this moment, nor during any point of her life. Perhaps she was an odd outcast to her race, or perhaps Helig had been following a stereotype with their kind. Shiro truly did not know which it could have been.

Shiro: [I..see. Well, while I’m not sure if I can confirm or deny that information, the part about me I can assure you is not true at all! I’m not sure how to even do that whole…thing.]

Helig: [Hah. So a disgrace to your own race then? You only become more of a joke as you speak.]

Shiro: [If you don’t mind me asking…what race are you…?]

Helig: [It should be obvious. The most divine and holy of them all, an angel. I shall fulfill my role here in becoming a goddess, and then bring peace and prosperity throughout the world. A world that will no longer be filled with fear and war, and instead love. Not that you could possibly hope to comprehend such a concept.]

Shiro: [I see. An angel. I guess that explains why there’s such a disconnect between the two of us.]

Ages ago, there had been several wars between angels and demons. These battles resulted in a numerous amount of losses for both sides, on top of stigmas that were then placed upon both races from opposite sides. While these stigmas passed with time, there were still some out there who believed one or the other had been a plague brought upon the world. Helig was one of these many people.

Despite this, Shiro still believed that there was good in all people, and refused to let a trivial war or absurd conflict change her belief.

Shiro: [We may not get along right now…but I’m sure in the future we will. I’m gonna make sure the two of us become friends!]

Helig: [Friends? With you? A disgrace might have been too small of a label for you. You might be missing a few screws in your head.]

Shiro: [No matter who they are, everyone has a heart! Even if you detest me now, I’m sure we can grow a lot closer with time.]

Helig: [You truly don’t understand anything. A word of advice for you, the only one I’ll be giving at that. You shouldn’t keep that ridiculous mindset of yours if you plan on becoming a goddess. Either you’ll be responsible for the death of many, or you’ll be the one to die because of it.]

Before Shiro could even respond, a voice called her from behind.

Kōkatsu: [Hey, Shiro! Sorry I’m late. Teach wanted me to stay behind for a little bit. ’S go to lunch!]

Shiro: [Oh…right. Yes, let’s go…]

Seeing Helig walk away, Shiro chose to walk with Kōkatsu to the cafeteria. In her mind, however, lingered the final statement that Helig had given her.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

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In a cafeteria full of students, Shrio and Kōkatsu were seated by themselves at a table. Kōkatsu enjoying her meal, and Shiro, still thinking about what had transpired moments before.

Kōkatsu: [Man, if I’d known they made food like this, maybe I would have come to school more often…ok well, maybe I’d come here for the meals at least…ok I’d possibly steal it but still, I forgot to pack my own lunch but it all worked out for me in the end! By the way, ya feelin’ alright Shiro? Ya haven’t even taken a bite.]

Shiro: [Oh……I’m just…not hungry is all. I’ll get to it, don't worry.]

Kōkatsu: [Nah, nah, nah. I can tell bullshit from a legit statement, and I can tell what ya just gave me was some bull. If ya got somethin’ up, tell me. I ain’t gonna make fun of ya.]

Shiro: [Well…it’s…huh?]

As Shiro was about to explain herself, two more people had shown up to their table. Two people that Shiro had recognized.

Nero: [I’m very sorry to interrupt whatever conversation the two of you were having, but is it alright if we sit here as well?]

Shiro: [That’s fine with me. I have no problems eating with two people I already had the pleasure of speaking to on the way here! What about you Kōkatsu?]

Kōkatsu: [Guess ya met ‘em already? ‘S fine by me. I don’t mind eatin’ with others but I don’t need a crowd. ‘S a cafeteria, not some frat party. Know what I mean?]

Nero: [I…believe I do. I apologize but that was a tad bit confusing for me. That by no means is your fault, but more so mine for lacking the–]

Kōkatsu: [Sit. Both of ya.]

Nero and Mena: [Yes!]

As soon as Kōkatsu had told them to sit, Nero and Mena understood and immediately sat down at the table.

Nero: [Right, I do believe I should give an introduction here, and this time I will not mess it up! So, my na–]

Kōkatsu: [Takin’ too long. Shiro, what are their names so I know.]

Nero: [But…I was just getting to that…]

Shiro: [His name is Nero. Nero Virtuoso. The girl there is his little sister, Mena.]

Kōkatsu: [See? Short and simple. That’s the way to give an introduction.]

Shiro: [Well…I said quite a bit before I told you my name…]

Kōkatsu: [Hmmmmm?]

Kōkatsu had turned to face Shiro with an aggressive expression now on her face.

Shiro: [No-nothing!]

Kōkatsu: [Ah! Speakin’ of that nothin’ shit. Jus’ before these two got here, ya were gonna explain yerself. Now go on and do it.]

Shiro: [Oh…well…isn’t it a bit odd to do so now that we have more people here…?]

Kōkatsu: [Ha? ‘S fine. Plus, if they decide to make fun of ya or some shit like that, I’ll beat ‘em down. They don’t call me Kōkatsu the Muscular for nothin’!]

Shiro: [I don’t think that’s her nickname.]

Mena: [I’m fairly certain that’s not her nickname.]

Nero: [That’s not her nickname.]

After hearing an odd self proclaimed nickname from Kōkatsu, Shiro had felt as though she was cornered into speaking about what had happened earlier. As such, she discussed the entire ordeal that had occurred.

Kōkatsu: [I see. So ’s that goody two shoes girl that this is all ‘bout? She seemed like some high end rich girl from the way she talked in class so it doesn’t entirely surprise me that she’s a cu–]

Before Kōkatsu could finish her sentence, Nero had covered her mouth so as to not talk rudely about Helig behind her back.

Nero: [It certainly is rude of her to speak to you in that manner. There were certainly some problems between our two races in the past, but to think that a feeling of hatred from it had still lingered on to this degree.]

Mena: [She needs to apologize to you immediately, Shiro! Nobody should say such horrible things to someone regardless of the scenario! Maybe Kōkatsu is right!]

Nero: [Mena!]

Mena: [But it’s true, Nero! If she acts like this towards Shiro, then there’s no doubt that she’ll act this way towards other succubi and incubi! She’ll just continue to be rude all her life and be hated by everyone!]

An air of silence had filled their table for a few seconds.

Kōkatsu: [I like her! Yahahahaha!]

Shiro: [I’m sure the whole thing is just one big odd misunderstanding. I’ll probably be able to become friends with her at some point, but for the time being, I think things are just going to be the way they are.]

Kōkatsu: [I don’t know, Shiro. This girl seems like she’s just gonna pull this shit for the rest of her life. And ya know what? Who cares. She’ll become a goddess, grow old, and die a horrible death. All the while, every single person on the planet will grow to despise her. ‘S that simple really.]

Nero: [I believe if more of us speak to her, she might be willing to open up to Shiro more. It’s just a matter of trying! We can’t give up over some simple setback like this!]

Mena: [Nero is right! We must try to gain an understanding with her, and have her become friends with Shiro! As well as all of us of course!]

Another air of silence filled their table for a few seconds.

Kōkatsu: [...I liked her more when she agreed with me.]

Shiro: [We’ll see what happens. Oh, I didn’t even notice. I actually finished my lunch. Huh…guess talking about this stuff really helped…]

As Shiro had said this, Kōkatsu looked as though she had just remembered something.

Kōkatsu: [Right, talkin’. Yer finished with your lunch, so ’s go outside for a bit, Shiro. I got some stuff I wanted to chat ‘bout like I mentioned.]

Shiro: [Huh? Oh…alright. I guess we can go outside to talk if you want to. Sorry you two, we’ll be back in a bit!]

Nero: [Don’t worry about us. Me and Mena are quite good at keeping busy with conversations between one another. We’ll see you when you’re done!]

Mena: [Yeah! Go! Go! Go have your super fun girls chat!]

Shiro and Kōkatsu then smiled and walked away from the table, to the outside of the school.

Meanwhile, at the table, a question had popped up from Mena.

Mena: [By the way brother…]

Nero: [Yes?]

Mena: [That girl had mentioned her name being that of Kōkatsu, right?]

Nero: [I believe she did.]

No further comments were made by the two of them. However, their eyes slowly started to widen at the realization of who they were seated with.

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The two girls had gone outside of the school, where very few had been during this time, to have a conversation about certain topics that had come up during their class.

As Shiro put her back to the wall and made sure her clothes weren’t in an uncomfortable position, she looked to her right to see Kōkatsu–

Shiro: [Ah! A kiseru! Why do you have a kiseru?! And at school of all places?!]

Kōkatsu: [Ya’ll make a great mother, Shiro. Ya got all the immediate yellin’ and caution that’s perfect for one.]

Kōkatsu then put the kiseru to her mouth, and shortly after, blew the smoke into the air.

Kōkatsu: [Anyways, I got some shit I wanna speak ‘bout. So I hope ya remember everythin’ I asked.]

Shiro: [Oh I don’t just remember, I made sure to keep the notes just in case!]

Shiro then pulled out the many notes she was given, even the one relating to Kōkatsu which hadn’t even been a question, but a boast.

Kōkatsu: [Heh. Well that helps. Alright, I got a lot I wanna say, so go ahead and pick whichever.]

Shiro: [Oh alright….let’s see–]

Kōkatsu: [Actually, sorry, there’s one I wanna speak about first.]

Shiro: [Oh?]

Kōkatsu: [I mentioned the current gods, right?]

Shiro: [Yes, that was one of them. The last note you gave me I believe. I also don’t want to judge your way of writing, but despite it still being a mess like the others, it had proper grammar and everything unlike those other notes.]

Kōkatsu: [Hm. Guess I was a bit upset. Then again, it upsets me to jus’ think ‘bout this shit.]

As she said this, Shiro could hear a faint sound of what could only be described as wood slowly snapping. She was unsure where it originated from, but it seemed to be in the same direction as where Kōkatsu’s right hand was.

The hand holding the kiseru.

Kōkatsu: [I don’t give a shit if they hear me, but I wanna speak ‘bout those gods for a minute.]

Though she had times where she almost looked angry, Shiro had yet to see Kōkatsu in a truly angered state. While she did not seem to be infuriated at this moment, there was a clear difference in her face now when compared to any point before.

Her eyes had become far more scary.

Kōkatsu: [Those old fucks…they don’t give a shit 'bout anyone here…nor anyone in this damn world.]

With an angered look on her face, and her right hand resisting the urge to break the kiseru she was holding, Kōkatsu stated this to Shiro.

A claim that to many, would sound like some revolt towards those who protect the beings of the world.

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