Third Person

~

"Is it almost out?" Nightmare snarled down at the demon attending to his shoulder.

Ahlai, Bringer Of Despair, was in the human form of a young girl, "I'm almost done master, Nightmare."

He scoffed.

"I specifically told you to kill them on sight." Another voice joined, this one much deeper and echoing in the shadows of the alleyway.

Nightmare chuckled, "I just wanted to test how powerful they all were."

"And what did you gather from such a time-wasting exercise?"

He waved his hand dismissively, "I hate it when you question me Vengeance."

"I'm your best advisor, Hito, let me do my job and advice you." The unseen demon said simply.

"I've heard all you have to say, We have to gather the materials to break the Barrier right? I'm doing that already so stop nagging me."

"I'm sorry." The apology sounded as insincere as apologies could get.

"Master Nightmare, I'm finished," Ahlai said getting to her feet and bowing, the expression on her snow-white face bland but her eyes held only sorrow, "May I suggest you leave Demona to me and Belzeblub? You and the others continue the search."

Nightmare spared her a glance before reaching into the folds of his cloak to pull out a glinting silver dagger with jagged edges, "Use these to open rifts but pick the spirits you need wisely. I don't want anyone that'll give me trouble before I take over."

"Yes, master." She said before vanishing.

"What are you going to do now?" Vengeance asked.

"I have to sleep and prepare for school now don't I?"

"Why do you partake in such trivial human activities when you may end up using some of them as sacrifices."

Nightmare shrugged, placing a hand on the wall and opening a portal that led to a small deserted street.

"It's fun, watching these humans interact without knowing how fleeting their time is."

"Just remember-"

"No attachments. I do remember now please do stop nagging me."

***

Nervous.

That was the only word Kira could use to describe herself as she hurried to wrap up the trash bag and still failed miserably.

"Hurry up Kira, you're running late," Kuro screamed, he was bouncing on the balls of his feet, arms shaking.

"I'm trying, I'm trying. Wait," she sank to the ground, holding her head in her hands, "What if it's already over and they're not even going to consider letting me-"

Kuro grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly, "Jeez, Kira keep it together."

"Right." She hopped back to her feet, slowly tying up the bag and throwing it in the trash.

Club activities had started about an hour ago and she had to get to the girls' Volleyball tryouts before time was out. She'd cheated a little by using her super speed to hasten the normal time she would have taken to finish up her punishment.

'It's for a good cause.' She had assured Lucifer who was opposed to the idea of using her powers in public.

'The next thing you know, you'll be using them to win your ridiculous human competitions.' He hissed as she changed out of her schoolwear and into her sports clothes.

"I'd never do that, I want to do this as myself, just Kira. No powers, and certainly no demons talking in my head to distract me." She said the last past was definitely a jab at Lucifer.

She heard the scoff until she finally felt his presence gone. She stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed Kuro to drag him along.

"You actually made it," Troy said flatly as Kira and Kuro came bursting through the doors.

His voice drew the attention of Moriko and Jade. Kira hadn't outrightly asked them to come but Kuro and Moriko were insistent on being around to cheer her on. Jade decided it was a good way to waste time and Kuro had stolen Troy's bag.

The only way to get it back being to attend the tryouts.

Moriko ran over, "Kira, finally. So here's what happened, they divided the newbies into those who have experience and those who don't. We told them you do. Those that do are six in total. They want to have a match against the other team members and you came just in time."

"What were they doing all this time?" Kira asked.

"Waiting for you, one upperclassman said they should hold things off until you got here," Jade replied from her spot on the bench.

Kira's face heated up, the upperclassman had to be Kamura-san, she'd make sure to show her thanks. "So what do I do now?"

Moriko pointed excitedly, "You see that tall, handsome piece of work over there. That's the manager, also student body president, Hinode Kaito."

Kira followed the pointing hand until her eyes rested on the said guy and she had to admit, he was gorgeous. Probably more so than Troy. His grin at the team seemed to be what gave the room light.

She swallowed thickly before jogging up to him, "Um, hello. I'm Kira Vermillion."

The senior beamed, "The one everyone's been waiting for? That's a relief, your friends said you were experienced, hope that's true?"

"Yeah." She nodded.

"Great." He turned to the court, "Everyone, Vermillion is here, let's set up for the match!" He yelled

"Watch that volume Hinode." A tall, tan skinned girl called back, she approached them and turned to Kira, "I'm the captain, Miura, you're the one who broke the sink yeah?"

"Uh..."

"Just want to warn that violence isn't appreciated on our team. If you can't control your temper or ego, leave now." She added sternly.

"Miura, don't act so scary." Hinode tsked.

"I won't cause any trouble." Kira blurted out.

"You'd better not, what's your height?" The captain asked.

"165cm, captain."

"That's...okay I guess."

"I can jump really high and hit well." She added hopefully, her chubby appearance usually gave the wrong idea at times.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Miura eyed her a bit before gesturing to one side of the court where the other girls stood, "You'll be the other striker, Hinode, and the coach will be watching and judging so put in your best effort if you want to become a regular."

Kira grinned before taking her spot. She spotted Kamura on the other end. The senior waved good-naturedly and Kira returned it.

She needed to be more than the girl that destroyed the school sink on the first day. She could do this. The whistle was a distant sound at the back of her mind as she instantly became aware of every single sensation around her.

She had never played with these girls before but she knew what she was doing.

She loved the feeling of being hyper-aware of every movement on the court, eyes on the ball, and skin conscious of everyone else. Not to mention the amazement in the eyes of everyone else when she jumped just in time to hit the ball back into the opponent's court.

She landed, breathing rapidly. Even without powers, she could still do this. Fly in her own way, as herself, and doing it so well that even Kuro and Troy would be amazed.

She wanted to check the reactions on their faces but the sound of the whistle called her back to the game.

She'd deal with them after, right now, all she had to focus on was hitting that ball.

In a matter of time, even she could tell those that would make the cut. She was definitely going to but there was one other girl.

The whistle sounded to herald the end of their match. Kira would have fallen to the ground like many of the other newbies but her training sessions with Troy and Kuro had developed her stamina.

She was tired but she definitely wasn't going to show it.

Her eyes landed on the other girl that had her attention throughout the match. She was probably a first-year like Kira, and her almost white hair was cropped short and now damp with sweat.

Kira walked over to her, a bit self-aware that she smelled like sweat and BO but so did everyone else.

"Hi, I'm-"

"American rich girl. Yeah, I know." The girl drawled it a glare.

Kira retracted the hand she was about to hold out, judging by that look, it was not going to be accepted.

"I don't know why Kamura-san stuck up for you but I don't like people who just get out of situations because of their family name." She glared, "We're on the same team now, but we're not friends."

"Everyone gather round," Hinode called out. The girl shoved past her roughly but Kira said nothing. If she got into an argument now, she doubted it would look good with the captain.

She went over to Kamura's side, "Hi, thank you for getting everyone to wait for me."

"Don't sweat it, and I see I didn't take all their shit for nothing. You seem a bit rough around the edges but with some more training and experience, you be striking balls like a pro." The senior grinned.

Kira blushed, she then remembered the other girl, "What about her?"

"Oh, I think her name is Sasaki or something. She came in proclaiming that she wants to be the Ace, but that's already that Captain's spot."

Kira nodded.

Once Hinode had gotten the circle to quiet down he gave everyone a smile bright enough to make everyone swoon. Including her.

"You've all done your best but since everyone can't play at all times I'm only calling out those that made the regulars. Nevertheless, we all have to keep growing together. Got that?"

He waved to a woman who had been observing everyone from further behind him.

She had an easygoing aura around her and a relaxed smirk on her lips, "No need for a list, there are just three of them I want." She turned to Kira and the other new girls, "If I point at you, just shout your name, and go stand with the captain."

The first person she pointed to was the Sasaki girl who called out, "Sasaki Mayu."

Then at a mousy-haired girl with goggles lining her eyes, "Tenya Fubuki." She squeaked before joining Sasaki.

"And you," The coach pointed at Kira, "Your jumps need work but keep striking like that and you might become our ace."

An immediate feeling of cold washed over her. At first, she wanted to mentally scold Lucifer for returning but she quickly noticed his presence was nowhere.

She turned to the side to see Sasaki glaring daggers into her neck.

Kira walked over and made sure they were divided by the nervous wall that was Tenya Fubuki.

She never really wanted to be anything special, but life just wouldn't let her be without someone trying to take something from her. Be it her life or peace of mind.

"Now if you noobs didn't know, I'm your coach, just address me as coach Makino. Practice starts after school and ends at 6:30 pm. We've got games to win so no slacking off or being late. If you work with me I'll make you the best set of players in this whole country."

"Coach is very optimistic about this year." Hinode chirped, "Just call me Kaito by the way, since I'll be in charge of your well being there's no need for formality."

More swoons.

"C'mon ladies, get to clearing this place up. Almost forgot, there's practice on Saturday mornings too, get yourselves here by 9 am."

"Yes ma'am," They all groaned.

"Move, move, move!"

***

The seniors began to coordinate everyone but Kira asked to have a minute with her friends.

"That was so awesome, Kira. I didn't think you could but that jump was amazing." Moriko gushed.

"I was impressed," Troy said simply.

"Thanks, Having you guys here really boosted my confidence." She grinned, "I made it in though, I feel really great."

"We have to celebrate!" Kuro chirped in, "Let's go over to your place."

"Yeah, you'll treat us."

Kira paled, "It's really late guys, plus you've all got to get home before curfew."

"We'll survive," Jade chimed in, "I want to see what your place looks like."

"Why are you supporting this?!" The brunette shrieked, and Jade merely smiled.

Troy huffed, "Anything that gets my bag and homework back."

Kira, seeing no way out, dropped the topic. "Since you all insist. Just wait a bit so I finish up cleaning with everyone."

"Let's help," Kuro suggested and as usual, Moriko was quick to follow up.

Kira watched as they approached Kaito and asked how they could be of help.

"The more the merrier." He said before leading them to get some floor cleaners.

The clean-up was quick since there were a good number of them on deck. Kira changed out of her sweaty clothes and took a quick shower before running out of the changing rooms to meet up with her friends.

"Your hair's wet." Troy pointed out, eyes sharp with irritation.

"Didn't want to keep you guys waiting. It's getting later by the minute." She was more worried about Jade and Momo. Walking home in the dark wouldn't be a good thing with how Yokai could be crawling around any moment.

"Kira Vermillion."

They all stopped, turning to face where the call had come from. It was Kaito.

"I wanted to say well done."

"Oh...ah, thanks I guess." Why was this gorgeous man talking to her? She wasn't nervous, just a bit self-aware but definitely not nervous.

"You're really good and that striking hand, what kind of workouts do you do so we can probably incorporate it into training." He added excitedly.

Saying she had to block against Troy's inhuman strength every day would definitely not be the right thing to do.

"I...I...lift weights." She gestured wild lifting motions, "The heavier the better they say...and handstands, lots of handstands."

"Ah, good to know. Keep up the good work."

"Yup. Oh, I wanted to ask, how'd you get to be the manager of the girls' team."

He chuckled, a warm bubbly sound, "I am the student body president, besides, I love being surrounded by so many talented women."

Kira didn't know why that made her blush more, "Good to know. I'll be going now, them- they! I mean my friends are waiting." She spun on her heals and ran off

The group took a subway train to Kira's place. On the way up Kuro and Moriko bounced so much, Kira was afraid that the elevator cords would snap and drop them several feet down.

"Kiddo! Congratulations!" Ares yelled as she walked in.

"Ares-"

"Unless you didn't get in, that'll be bad but we've got ice cream."

"Ares stop tal-"

He pulled her into a hug, "I'm so sorry sweetheart."

"Ares!" She pulled away, cheeks red, and pointed to the door.

He beamed, "Your friends! Finally!" He ran over to shake hands with everyone.

"I want to show them around, they're staying for dinner so order something nice," Kira said as everyone toed off their shoes.

"This place is so big." Moriko grinned.

"Thank you and Kira, I could just make something." Ares beamed.

She shook her head, "I'm not sending anyone home with food poisoning."

"My cooking isn't that bad," Ares said, this time his smile at her was strained and warning.

"I'll join Mr. Vermillion in the kitchen," Troy said simply.

"You don't have to-"

"I insist," Troy said firmly to shut her up.

"Kira, tour," Kuro said looking around.

"Yeah, this place is really classy," Jade said, her bored expression being replaced with a little bit of interest.

"Well, Ares' company does own the building." She gestured for them to follow.

"What does he do?" Momo asked.

"Vermillion Co. is pretty much a family business with hands in anything they can grab, furniture, tech, politics, and medicine. Ares is CEO of the real estate division here in Japan."

"That's...a lot," Jade said.

Once she had shown them around the house, she took them back down the elevator to show the rest of the building. By the time they got back, Ares was sitting dejectedly on the couch and Troy was setting the table.

"He politely asked me to leave it all to him so I don't hurt myself." The man sighed when Kira asked, "Surprisingly, I'm not as offended as I should be."

Kira rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. Troy had that effect on people. Even Kat had come out to stare at him.

In no time at all, they were all sitting at the dining table, passing conversation like this wasn't everyone's first time meeting.

Moriko, Kuro, and Ares were the most chatty. Kira watched from her seat, fighting back a smile.

How she wished every night could be this calm.

Unfortunately, her after-dark training session lurked around the corner. A stern reminder that she had to keep working harder, lest she lose everyone sitting here to some cruel fate.

"Is it okay?"

She glanced up at Troy who had noticed her stop eating.

"Yeah, it's really nice," she said quickly, he narrowed his eyes to study her, and she knew she had to deflect quickly, "Definitely on the level of an experienced housewife." She said loudly.

Jade's amused choking noise made everyone start laughing.

The blond in question cast her an irritated look before returning to his food.

Kira smiled, she'd keep saying everything was fine. No matter how difficult the journey got, or how big of a lie it would be. She just had to and she had to believe in it because, one day, no matter how far, it'll eventually be the truth.

Everything would be okay, and she'd work hard to make sure of it.