Kira

~

The aches were yet to fully heal by sunrise. Getting out of bed was an actual struggle compared to the regular days.

Unfortunately for me, it was a Monday.

Everyone hated Mondays.

Checking my phone, I could see the destroyed gardens were all over the news. Several reporters were on the scene and the manager looked like he was ready to cry as police loitered the decimated field.

I really shouldn't feel good about it but I did. It was what they deserved for covering up Sato Akemi's case just like that.

I forced myself to endure the pain and proceeded to prepare for school. By the time I got out, Ares was humming some tune that probably didn't exist until this morning.

I slid into to the chair at the island and collected my cereal with a grumbled 'good morning.'

I must have set off his dad senses because he immediately came down so we were face to face. I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth.

"Anything wrong."

"You didn't wake up early for your run today so why are you tired?"

I definitely wasn't panicking, "Um...Uh...I was...reading, yeah! I was reading late into the night."

His eyes narrowed in mock suspicion, before lightly ruffling my hair, "Growing teenagers need sleep, how else will you look pretty to attract all the boys?"

"Ares." I hissed.

"Or girls, I don't judge."

"She'll need a miracle to get either looking the way she does." Kat yawned, joining us.

I glared at both of them, resuming my attempts to enjoy my meant to be peaceful, judgement-free breakfast.

Alas, even if my family was quiet, the demons in my head were noisy as hell.

'We need to train more, ultimate power waits for no one.' Mammon raged as I walked to school.

'We don't have to take orders from you you over grown neanderthal.' Lucifer snapped.

'I don't take orders from either of you so shut up.' I hissed, getting on the bus and rubbing my temple in a bid to ease to the headache.

They kept at it and quite quickly, I tuned them out, something Lucifer taught me to do if I wanted to think very privately.

The school day progressed as normal despite the edginess I felt from the previous battle. Half of me was expecting the potted plant on the window to launch out and grab at my throat.

The other half was exhausted and would let the plant actually do so.

My muscles weren't exactly happy at the thought of practice after school.

I groaned.

"Anything wrong, Kira?"

I was snapped out it at Jade's question. We were walking through halls, it was lunchtime and we were heading towards the vending machine.

Moriko was chatting animatedly with Ayaka to my right and Jade had final pulled her nose out of a small notebook she'd spent the day reading.

"It's nothing, just talking to myself."

"That's actually a problem, Vermillion." Ayaka chipped in.

"No one asked you, Moriyama." I snapped simply.

"Someone sounds cranky." Moriko cooed.

"I'm fine."

"Is that Hinode-senpai?!" Ayaka gasped.

I followed her gaze to where, actually, Kaito was standing not far off. Surrounded by a group of female students who were too busy swooning to listen to what he was actually saying.

I don't blame them, it's happened to me more than once during practice.

I put my enhanced hearing to good use and listened closely only to find out he was actually looking for me.

I was definitely panicking now. I tried to think of anything might have done to bring our manager looking for me. I had been a little sloppy at our practice match against Star Tech Academy last week but we had still won. I didn't argue with Sasaki lately...I think. In my defence she was always getting on my nerves.

My form?

No.

My uniform?

No, that was fine.

"Kira!"

I looked up to see Kaito's deep blue eyes looking down at me in confusion. I looked on either side to find that my so called friends had left, choosing to instead to enjoy the show from across the hall. That way, they could hear everything, which Ayaka and Momo would tell a whole bunch of people before the break came to an end.

I forced a flat look on my face to level Kaito with.

"Is there a problem, Hinode-san?"

"Principal Tsukahara told me to invite you to her office, do you have any idea what she might want?"

I couldn't remember breaking anymore sinks so all I could do was flash him a nervous smile, "Is it because I'm being a model student?"

He looked only mildly amused, in that handsome nonjudgmental way of his.

"I'll leave you to find out, let's go." He beckoned as he started down the hall.

I turned to at least get some reassurance from the girls but they were already gone.

So much for moral support.

"Your test scores are woeful, Vermillion." Ms. Tsukahara said like she was delivering the morning news. She would do a great job by the way.

We were once again in her spacious, air-conditioned office, the air as frigid and unnerving as the first time, the only difference being that my step dad wasn't here and kicking me under the table.

I gawked, "Wait, what?!"

"I'm very sure I spoke clearly." She dropped the file she had been looking at and met my eyes with her steely grey ones, "You do know what this means right?"

"That I should study harder?" I was pretty sure that was the right answer but the way she was looking at me told me I was wrong...or at least partially wrong, very partially wrong.

"Any student found academically lacking by any teacher, if reported, will be forced to cease all club activities until their grades improve."

I could see where this was going and I didn't like it one bit, "Ms. Tsukahara, you can't be serious. It's not even the half term yet and we have a very important game this Thursday. I can't miss it."

The championships were still a long time away meaning our school's team had to take full advantage of any practice matches we could get. Our next opponents were far stronger than STA and it would be a very good learning opportunity to play against them.

No matter how tired I was or how my body ached from my nightly activities, I had to play volleyball. It was literally the only physical activity that didn't threaten my life. Not to mention, I really couldn't go without it.

Something to focus on, something I was good at without having to try too hard or think too much.

I needed it in my life now more than ever.

"I said I'd be keeping an eye on you, Vermillion. As a working adult myself, I can't let you waste your father's hardwork by failing." Ms. Tsukahara said, plain and firm.

"Let's work something out," I seethed, keeping my voice as calm as I could in such a position.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"I have no choice but to do exactly that. I already talked it over with Hinode and he asked quite nicely that I don't stop you from playing."

My blood cooled by several degrees, maybe I'd buy Kaito something to thank him later.

"He also gave a good suggestion. He said I should assign you to a tutor of my choosing who will monitor your progress and report to me."

At the distressed look on my face I could see the slight upward twitch of her lip.

The thought of being placed under someone like some kind of dunce was a huge blow to my ego and she could probably tell. There was the simmering feeling beneath my skin once more.

This woman had no idea how easy it would be for me to make her weep and beg for forgiveness. How dare she think herself above me? I could end her miserable life here and now.

But...that wasn't something I would do...

I took deep breaths, I'd seriously forgotten the dumb demons could play with my emotions.

Nice try guys.

I turned to Ms. Tsukahara who seemed slightly put off that I hadn't reacted yet.

"Do you have anyone in mind?" I asked.

"I asked Hinode to take responsibility but he convinced me that he was busy enough as the student body president," She adjusted her glasses, "Would you like me to assign another upperclassman or someone from your year?"

"Someone from my year...please?"

"That should be easy, what about Zhao Troy, teachers tell me you're close friends so it should-"

"Someone else please." I said quickly. Troy could already spend almost five hours a night berating me, I didn't need him to do so after school as well.

"Are you sure? He was a candidate for the advanced classes but he turned it down."

"Is that even optional?"

"No but who could refuse such a handso- I mean... polite young man?"

"Are you sure that's what you mean?"

Her eyes narrowed and I instantly avoided them before they succeeded in turning me to stone.

"The next best candidate is, actually the best in your entire year. Do you want him?"

Did I really have a choice?

***

With ten minutes of my break left, and my appetite vanished from the whole ordeal, I saw myself back to class.

Ignoring the questioning gazes of my classmates who had most likely heard of my call to the office again.

I slumped down on my desk, trying my hardest not to scream into the sleeve of my blazer.

There was a slam, someone's hand was on my desk and to my utter surprise, it was Troy.

On a normal day, I was more than ready not to step out of line but right now, he practically had a death wish.

"What crawled up your ass and died?" I snapped.

"You were called to the office, what did you do this time?" He snipped, eyes boring into me.

"I'm not in trouble, thanks for asking," I puffed, "We just talked about my grades and she assigned me to a tutor."

"That's what you get when you assigning most of your homework to Kuro while you slack off." He folded his arms and looked down at me.

"Who did she assign you to?" Momo chirped, coming out of seemingly nowhere.

I flinched only slightly and checked around to make sure Ayaka wasn't close by.

I really didn't like her.

On seeing the only other person was Jade, I relaxed slightly.

"It's one Fujita Haru from class A."

I'd heard of him but I never really paid attention to his name. I hardly interacted with anyone outside my class that wasn't part of the volleyball club.

But everyone knew of the number one student. The guy that always got perfect scores on every test we had taken so far.

It was rumoured that he once missed a single mark and threw a tantrum at those in class. He was described as a total prick and an unbearable character.

That was who I'd have to put up with for the sake of my club activities.

"Fujita...Fujita...hah! I know him! This will be most difficult." Momo sighed.

"Really?" I was already losing hope.

"He isn't easy to talk to." She said, "But I can work a bit of my magic and introduce you to him."

Maybe I should have settled for Troy after all.

***

Immediately after school, our small group of four made our way to class 1A. There were a few students on duty that were cleaning up but in total they couldn't be more than a handful.

Moriko talked our way in and after a quick look around she pointed out our guy.

A lone figure tucked into the back corner of the room.

"Fujita-kun!" She screamed.

The boy practically flew out of his seat, big brown eyes wide with anxiety. Boy was I disappointed.

Was this really our guy? He was far less intimidating and prick looking, it was almost pathetic.

We approached him and the closer we got the more I could easily tell this kid was far too different from the rumors.

His smile was shaky and nervous and he eyed our group like a cornered mouse.

"Hi... I'm Fujita Haruno, how can I help you?" That was a very standard introduction, but he made it sound scripted and practiced. Like he'd said it over and over in a specific manner to avoid coming off as too excited or too nervous.

"We talked a while back I think but it's okay if you don't remember," Momo grinned, she pulled me forward, "It's Kira here who needs your help, you may know her as the girl who broke the sink on the-"

"I think that's enough, Momo!" I snapped, yanking myself out of her hold and facing this guy, Haruno. "Hey, the Principal recommended you as a tutor, you'd be doing me a huge favor."

He was avoiding my eyes and when I finally managed to lock on to his to get a good look at what I was dealing with, I was inwardly startled to see how familiar they were.

Not the eyes themselves but the emotions and massages they carried.

Eyes I myself had had for a certain period of time in my life when I first arrived in the States.

I looked away, now I felt bad for asking his help but right now, I knew he was just the person I needed.

"Can I call you Haruno?" I asked.

"Haru is fine." He said, the hand holding his pen over a small notepad was trembling and struggling to stay still.

I shooed the others away, knowing that it was best less people were around. Troy gave me a questioning look but I didn't expect an emotionally constipated person like him to get it.

He turned back to Haru.

"Listen, Haru, you don't have to help me. I really need a tutor but I won't hold it against you or hurt you."

He blinked his wide eyes for a few seconds before giving me a slow nod, "I- I'll help, I like helping, I'll let the Ms. Tsukahara know I accepted."

A relieved sigh fell from my lips, I held his hands, "Thank you so much."

A slight flush pinked his cheeks. He withdrew his hands, gathered his stuff and bolted out of the room, muttering something about us talking tomorrow.

I watched him, leave. There was a thin line between what I should let go and what I should poke my nose into until I got answers.

Haru definitely belonged in the latter but I wouldn't push, he if never opened up, it was fine, but I wanted to help him.

The eyes he had...I didn't like them.

I hated them.

They reminded too much of weakness.

Speaking of things I should stick my nose into...

***

We were taking different patrol routes tonight.

I had picked my route specially because I felt there was something I had to do.

After jumping several buildings and dashing through numerous empty streets, I finally reached a small housing district.

It was so late.

No one was probably up.

Why the hell was I there again?

I was freaking out but despite it all I knocked, knowing that I probably looked like the grim reaper in my Demona costume.

There were footsteps, soft and muted.

A click from the door and before me was Mr. Sato, as soon as he noticed me (or my scythe probably), his bleary eyes shot wide open.

"Y-y-you're D-demona...why?"

"I'm not here to hurt you." I held the scythe behind me.

I could see his disbelief in the dim lights of the house's interior, "I really don't want to hurt you," I went into a crouch so I was kind of on his level since he had kind of fallen to the ground, "In fact, I want to say how sorry I am, about Akemi."

He gasped, "You were behind the destruction of the gardens."

I nodded, I must have looked like some kind of made up apparition with the moonlight flooding on dramatically from behind me.

"I avenged her, and she's happy now."

His aged eyes glazed over with tears, "Are you...are you really telling the truth?"

I wanted to reach out to him and touch him, judging by the lack of some other person running down to check on him, I could tell he lived alone now. His daughter was probably the only light in his life and now she was gone.

I really didn't understand why I had come. Maybe some part of me wanted to give him closure. To assure him that his daughter was happy, and in better place.

To let him know that she'd wanted me to let him know.

I stood up, "Stay safe Mr. Sato, that's all she would have wanted. Let's keep this between us okay?"

Tears were running down his cheeks now and he was wiping uselessly at them, "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much."

I want to say it was really nothing, but that would be a lie. It was something, a very big something.

I turned away and started down the street to continue my patrol. I connect to the boys minds, 'I know you were both following me, don't erase his memories.'

'Kira...'

'I mean it Kuro,' I snapped, 'He deserves to know.'

There was the sound of a door closing behind me.

'You're a head case, Vermillion.' Troy grunted before going silent. He had just pointed out something I already knew myself.