Kira

~

"Kira! Pay attention!" Haru whined, his voice as well as the ringing of the bell pulling me from my reverie of thoughts.

I smiled nervously, "Sorry, I spaced out again."

Haru sighed, eyes moving from me to the surface of the table as if he wasn't sure what to say, which given it was him, was nothing surprising.

"Just say what's on your mind Haru, I won't get mad," I said soothingly, everyone's been trying really hard to help him be a bit more outspoken and I think he was finally making some progress.

He returned my smile with a shy one of its own, "I just wish you'd focus more Kira, but you're making improvements nonetheless."

"Jeez, thanks."

He nodded excitedly, "Since we used the last free period today, we don't have to study after school...unless you want to! I don't mind!" He blurted out the last part anxiously.

The librarian whose name I'd forgotten shushed us with a stern glare as she walked by. Haru sunk into his wooden seat with a defeated look like he'd just made the whole world hate him.

I reached over to place a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Haru, breathe."

He did as I instructed, taking in deep breaths of air while I went to pack up our stuff. I should be considered a therapist already for how much I was doing for him.

"Thanks a lot, Kira." He said once he was calm again.

"It's what friends do," I replied easily, I loved seeing the people around me smile, it always made me feel as if I wasn't fighting for nothing, like one day, everything would make sense and I wouldn't have to struggle as hard to hold it together.

My thoughts had been straying off more as of late; there were times they'd be pleasant, but also times they'd be dark. What if Kuro couldn't figure out the message Yamagata-san left? What if we were too late regardless? What if I was still too weak to face off against Nightmare of the time should come earlier than expected?

What if I couldn't protect everyone?

"Kira, something wrong?" Haru stopped in his tracks, a few feet ahead, he'd been chattering to himself in a low voice until he probably realized I wasn't matching his pace.

I looked up, regaining my composure and racing off to his side, "It's fine, let's go, everyone's probably waiting for us."

"Oh yeah, and I'm excited to meet the new friend Kuro said he'd be bringing along."

That was also one of my worries.

Ever since Kuro started hanging out with this supposed 'new friend' of his, I'd been getting a weird feeling in my gut. I tried to put it off because Kuro was fine and nothing bad seemed to be going on but there was always the possibility of Nightmare pulling some sneaky shit without us knowing.

We were about to exit the building when we heard Momo's excited call of our names behind us. We turned back to see her skipping towards us while Troy and Jade trudged behind her, throwing not-so-subtle glares. I was still baffled at how two people who rarely talked could detest each other that easily.

"I thought you guys would be there by now," I said as Moriko crashed into me like personal space wasn't a thing.

She sighed, "We were but I forgot today was my day to clean up the class but I found someone to take my place eventually."

"She didn't want us to leave her behind," Jade said.

"And Troy stayed?" I asked disbelievingly.

"She asked nicely." He said simply, walking past us. I felt there was more to it but said nothing.

We all exited the building together, exchanging talks about our classes and what we might possibly do during the weekend. After volleyball practice in the morning, I was practically free, hitting the gym after didn't seem like a bad idea but I really wanted to do something relaxing that wouldn't really involve sitting down. Shopping sounded about right but I wasn't in the mood for new clothes I'd have to sort later.

I grabbed at my hair, why was relaxing so frustrating?

"Hey, guys!" Kuro called out, walking towards us, I could see another boy at his side, looking awestruck at the buildings in the school.

He looked pretty harmless to me, I couldn't even sense a bit of magic aura coming off of him.

Then what were my instincts screaming at?

"This is Ryu." Kuro gestured at the other younger boy.

Ryu, in question jolted to attention at the mention of his name, he turned to us and flashed a friendly smile, and gave a quick bow, "I'm Takahashi Ryuunosuke, your school looks really beautiful."

"What are you bowing for, they're only like two years above us," Kuro said in amusement.

"Disrespectful brat," Troy said smacking him right over the head.

I reached my hand out to Ryu, "Nice to meet you Takahashi-kun."

"So cute," Momo squealed, "No wonder Kuro's been ditching us to hang with you."

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?!" Kuro sputtered, tearing his attention away from Troy's lecture on why respect is important. Momo paid him no mind and resorted to taking pictures with a very stunned-looking Ryu.

"Food or snacks?" Jade asked, paying no heed to the chaos around her as usual.

"I could go for some Katsudon right now," Haru replied meekly, eating out with us was also something new he was getting used to.

I felt my stomach eat itself at the thought. After I'd gained my powers, my metabolism seemed to have skyrocketed, I needed more food to keep myself from passing out, but at the same time, I couldn't stuff myself before practice. Everything had turned into hell so quickly.

"Let's go to Nanase-san's then," She said pulling Momo off our younger guest before she scared him off.

"Come along," Haru said to Ryu as we started towards the gate.

"Really?"

"Duh!" Kuro grinned putting an arm around his neck and pulling him after us.

They walked a few paces behind us high schoolers, I didn't stay too far in front because I still wanted to monitor this Ryu kid, turning back a bit, I took him in, he was roughly Kuro's height, maybe a bit taller, he had dark brown hair and hazel eyes that crinkled with laughter when Kuro said something funny. They seemed to be in their own world, and I was deeply delighted that Kuro had found someone his age to interact with.

He always seemed so burdened by things that should never have been his problem in the first place. He hid it well, with the jokes and poking fun at others, as well as the over-excited at-everything attitude. Nevertheless, I could tell. I wanted him to enjoy himself a bit more since we never knew what was going to happen next.

My eyes landed on Ryu once again, I just hoped this kid was who he claimed to be.

I faced forward, rubbing at the sore muscles in my neck, 'I've become paranoid cause of you guys.' I cried out to Lucifer and Mammon.

'I really don't care.' Lucifer spat like he was tired of my complaining.

'If you gain more power, paranoia will be a thing of the past. Which is why we must train more.' Mammon yells in what I'd come to think of as his own form of encouragement.

Time passed quickly and soon we were all done with lunch. Leaving me to head to practice right after. Ryu held out his pay to the old man who served us but I pushed his fist down.

"Let your senpai handle this." I wink at him.

"Pay for me too Kira-senpai." Kuro pouts, playfully.

"And me too." Momo chirps in.

"Pay for yourself, blondie." Jade flicks her head.

I ignore them and only pay for myself and the two younger boys. When we exit the shop, Ryu bows to me in thanks.

"It's nothing, just continue to keep Kuro out of trouble." I say jokingly, I turn to the others, "So who's heading to practice with me?"

"We're heading to Momo's place to do homework." Jade gestured to herself and Momo.

"We'll definitely meet up tomorrow though!" The blond girl assured, starting to turn away when instead she did a full three-sixty and screamed, "We haven't discussed what we're meeting up for "

"Movies," Kuro suggested.

"There's nothing good coming out," Jade answered.

"Shopping." He asked again.

"No," I said blandly, knowing he and Momo will pressure me into buying more than needed.

"There's a concert of a new band coming up," Troy suggested, looking more irritated as a decision seemed to be nowhere in sight.

"Too many people," Haru whispered looking scared to death already.

"Looks like Saturday's gonna be boring." Kuro sighed.

Suddenly, like a lightning strike of inspiration from above, a thought popped into my head, but I knew they wouldn't agree on a normal basis.

I had to be mysterious.

"I got it!" I blurted out with a grin.

"I already do not like this," Troy stated with a suspicious glare. I paid him no mind.

"What do you have in mind Kira?" Haru asked.

"It's a surprise," I smirked, "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll ping everyone a location and you must all show up before 3 pm, wearing your comfiest clothes. Light, casual, and easy to move in."

I pointed at Troy, "I'm talking to you especially, don't show up looking like a supermodel or I'll kill you." He had an irritating habit of dressing better than all of us even if it was a casual outing.

He scoffed, pushing my index finger out of his face.

"Your friends are pretty intense, Kuro." I heard Ryu nervously laugh.

"You'll get used to it." He replied.

***

"Basketball? Really Kira?" Jade sighed as we stood in a court of my choosing. I bounced the basketball skillfully on the painted cement floor.

The court was in a park not far from the building I lived, Ares was cheering loudly from the bench where he was seated with Kat who he'd dragged along. Besides both of them were coolers of drinks and containers of food and snacks.

"It doesn't have to be just basketball, it could be like a picnic but with a very fun competitive activity." I grinned dribbling around and going for a dunk but I missed by a few inches.

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"Nice try, honey!" Ares called making me blush slightly.

"I should have known better," Troy said with a noncommittal head shake.

"I'm into it!" Kuro grinned, "We can break into teams and have a match. I call captain and Troy's on my side."

"What about me?" Ryu nudged him playfully.

"No offense but you're short."

"Look who's talking." He grumbled.

I saw Haru quietly making his way to the bench to join my family but I caught him by the collar, "Not so fast, you're definitely playing, you'll be on my team."

"B-but I'll slow everyone down-I- I'm so bad at sports." He squeaked, squirming in my hold.

Jade walked over to his side and patted him on the back, it must have been harder than intended because he stumbled a bit. Either that or his stamina was just that bad.

"Calm down, Haru, jeez. Kira said fun didn't she?"

He looked up at her, eyes a lot less frightened at the notion, "I- I guess."

She grinned, "Great! Let's get this over with, I'm on any team opposing blondie over there," she pointed at Troy who narrowed his eyes at her.

"I don't intend to waste my time on this pointless activity," his gaze then landed on me, "If a specific someone has time to plan picnic sports outings maybe she should consider using that time for other things."

I run over and block his route, grabbing him by the front of the shirt, "Hey, we all deserve a break once in while. Tournaments are coming up for me and so will exams. Who knows when we'll be able to have a hang out like this again?" I challenged.

He turned back to the rest who were watching him expectantly.

"Come on, Zhao, don't tell me you're not all that good and you're afraid of losing?" Jade mocked.

He snatched the ball from where I held it by my side and made simple dribbles before tossing it into the net.

It went in.

I could feel a vein in my head twitch, 'Show off.' I chorused with Mammon and Lucifer in my head, I could tell the others were probably thinking the same thing with the way they stared as well.

"You were saying?" He turned to Jade.

"Oh, this is going to be fun." Momo clapped.

"We came for a game!" Ares called out with a wave, trying to sound like an angry crowd

Right, we had to get things started, "There'll be an extra player though," I said carefully.

"Your team can have Moriko and Haruno, I don't mind the short brats," Troy said.

"Hey!" Kuro and Ryu exclaimed.

"Confident are we?" Jade took off her jacket and tossed it over to the bench.

"Now it's all sorted out let's play!" I said before they could continue their glaring contest.

There was the sound of a loud whistle. We all turned to Ares.

"Too early?" He asked, a sheepish smile on his face.

I walked over to him putting the ball in his hand, I made a gesture with my free hand, "Just a bit, Why don't you start us off?"

He nodded cheerfully, following me to the center of the court. I went over to my side, staying some equal distance and looking around me. Everything was a complete mess and there was no formation but it's not like I needed it.

Ares threw the ball into the air and blew his whistle before stepping back. There were several screams and shouts of excitement as we all dove for the ball.

I grabbed it and bounce it to Haru.

"W- what do I do Kira?!" He cried out in panic.

"To Jade, before Troy gets you," I called back.

He quickly ran and threw it to Jade who got to it before Troy could snatch it mid-air, she ran past him to their side of the court and tried for a dunk but he hit it out of her hands, sending it Ryu's way.

There were more screams and shouts as everyone tried to tackle each other. Everyone laughed when Haru tried to toss the ball into the net and missed.

I thought I'd have a hard time convincing him it was just fun and that no one was laughing at him but he was actually pretty cool about it. His freak-out lasted a few seconds before he was up and stuttering out to be given another try.

Jade and I were probably the only two on the team who could do something but we passed to Moriko and Haru anyway so they could scream and have their own fun as well. When the ball was with either of the two of them, Troy calmed down as well, showing he did have a heart somewhere. Probably.

Kuro was probably better than he let on but was probably toning it down because of Ryu who was manageable at best. They kept passing the ball to each other and start talking until I'd get it from them and drag them back into the game.

"No nerd talk during a game!" I yelled while sinking a shot and hanging from the net.

My team was behind with a score of 10-5.

"I haven't scored a shot once," Moriko sighed loudly.

I was about to tell her to play a little harder When Troy took the ball and put it in her hand.

"I'll give you a boost." He said simply, she clapped and let her carry him on his shoulders to throw the ball into the net.

"Troy, me too!" Kuro screamed amongst the shouts and cheers. I stared, maybe Troy became a lot nicer when having fun.

"Stop moving all over the place!" Jade screamed as Moriko made fun of Kuro who was trying to persuade Troy.

Ares' whistle sounded through the court, "Half time!"

"That's in soccer dad," Kat said.

"Really?"

Kuro was already at the small plastic table holding the refreshments. Ares pulled out his wireless speaker and put a song on play before spreading a fluffy blanket on the floor.

"Thanks a bunch, Mr. Vermillion," Kuro said.

"It's nothing."

Everyone started towards the table except me who was still starting to catch my breath, I felt pumped and I wanted to have a real match.

"Hey, Angel boy! Me and you one one one." I grinned, smug, I wouldn't have to hold back.

"Kira please no." Jade chided.

"I want this!" I said stubbornly.

Troy eyed me up and down a bit, "Whatever," he said obligingly, but I could see the smug gleam in his eyes. He took off the simple gray shirt he had been wearing to reveal the black tank top beneath it. He threw the shirt to Kuro who caught it like an eager fan.

"You got this Troy! You too Kira-senpai!" He cheered.

"Go, Kira!" Haru encouraged as well.

Jade sipped her water with a mild look of interest.

"Just a bit more because you both need to rest," Ares said but I wasn't listening.

Ryu threw the ball for us,

Troy went for it first but I was faster. Without having to regard others and protect their feelings I could let loose as much as I wanted. My shooting skills weren't that good but if I could get close to the net and get as many slam dunks as possible, I could win this.

Unfortunately, Troy was just too good. I got a few shots in but where I could jump higher and take shorter shots with ease, Troy could do so halfway from the net and it just flew right over me before sinking in.

I fell to my knees in defeat, with a score of 15 to 8. Kuro came to my side, squatting down to rub my shoulders comfortingly, "That's what you get for challenging someone who literally fights with archery."

"I refuse to give up!" I blurted, launching to my feet, "Rematch, first to twenty."

"Give up Vermillion, you're just not that good, thinking you could call us here and show off." The blond brushed me off.

"She always thinks she's hot shit." A new but familiar voice joined us.

I turned to see the last person I needed right now on the other side of the metal link fence.

Sasaki Mayu.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" I screamed walking over to stare her in the face.

"I jog past this area on weekends." She replied icily. I took in her beep blue tracksuit and came to the obvious conclusion she wasn't lying.

"How about I join in and beat your ego down a few pegs." She grinned evilly while stepping in.

"Another friend of yours Kira?" Ares asked from the other end of the court

"No!" I screamed.

"Wait your turn, she hasn't given up yet and I want to beat some sense into her too," Troy said flatly.

More sweat gathered at my brows, Why were they both so interested in seeing me suffer?

Even then, I refused to lose ground, my pride wouldn't let me succumb to this, and I couldn't let them see me as a coward, "I can take you both on!" I spat out fiercely.

'That was dumb.' Lucifer said dryly like he was holding back a laugh and I could hear Mammon's deep-throated laughter in there as well.

Troy and Sasaki turned to me with questioning eyes.

"I can do that." She said, becoming smug almost immediately. She removed the top of her tracksuit and tied it around her waist.

"Since you insist," Troy added.

There was a loud tired sigh from the bench, it was Jade.

"I'm really tired right now but I feel bad for Kira," she said while standing up and stretching, "C'mon, let's make this quick, sun's already setting."

I quietly thanked her in my heart, I didn't know how good Sasaki was but with Troy they'd both easily trample me.

"First team to ten wins," I said, confidence flooding me once more.

"What's on the line?" Sasaki asked, pushing short white strands from her face.

"Your dignity and pride," I replied easily.

She smirked, "Seems fair."

"Should I stop them, Kira and Troy haven't had a break yet?" I heard Ares nervously ask Momo.

Before I could respond, Kuro beat me to it.

"They'll be fine, trust me." He assured. Ares didn't look relaxed but he gave a silent nod of resignation.

Haru ran forwards, ball in hand. He gave me a cheery thumbs up before bouncing it into the air and moving back. I was in the air almost immediately, grabbing it and running for the net, Sasaki blocked me off almost as quickly. I hated how we matched in almost every aspect of our athletic abilities.

I bounced the ball back to Jade who had come behind me. She dribbled past Troy towards the net and shot from the 2 pointer line. Troy stopped it from going in but I was there for the rebound and slammed it back in.

"High five!" I screamed in English from excitement and Jade obliged.

Troy and Sasaki made scoffing sounds and once the ball was on the move again, they went on a more offensive note, their disdain for me seem to give them the coordination that two players who'd just met should never have.

It was a long hard game, dunk after dunk I was slowly growing weary because I wasn't using my regeneration abilities, I was doing this completely on my own. Adrenaline was the only thing keeping me going and I couldn't ask for more as our game progressed.

Troy and Sasaki had nine shots in but by some skill, Jade managed to get one more so that we were tied.

The four of us stood, looking from one to the other as I bounced the ball from one hand to the other, the air was thick with tension and out of the corner of my eye, I could see that even Kat had looked up from her phone to watch.

It was all quiet.

One more goal, we just had to get one more each and we'd win, proving that I was better than both Troy and Sasaki and they'd have no choice but to acknowledge my awesomeness.

'A bit far fetched don't you think?' Lucifer laughed out.

'Shut up.' I hissed back before taking a deep breath, I nodded to Jade, who returned the gesture. Troy and Sasaki were on high alert.

I lunged forward, it was time to end this and claim my victor-

The sound of Ares's whistle broke through the air once more, "Game time!" He called out.

"Huh?! The match isn't over yet!" I screamed at him.

"Look at the skies, you guys," Haru said.

The four of us looked up to see the sky was now a darker blue, almost navy, with silver wispy clouds gliding through and the half-moon peeking out even though the sun hadn't completely set.

We had been so engrossed in our game we hadn't noticed how dark it was getting.

There was a clap from outside the fence and I turned to see Kaito standing there.

"Kaito, what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.

He smiled sweetly, "Sasaki and I usually meet up for workouts around this time but since she didn't show up, I decided to look for her," his eyes landed on the white-haired girl in question. She was looking away with a blush on her face.

"I got sidetracked." She huffed out.

Ares marched sternly towards Troy and me, grabbing us by the shoulders and going full-on dad mode, "Honestly, teenagers, you're all too stubborn."

"But the game!" I screamed, remembering I still had to make Sasaki and Troy acknowledge me.

"Nope, a tie's good enough." He said sitting us down and shoving water bottles into our hands before turning to Sasaki and Kaito, "You're both Kira's friends right? Please come join us in payment for the time she cost you," He said with his friendliest smile.

Kaito bowed graciously, "Thank you, sir."

Sasaki did the same and quietly sat beside me on the bench, "I'm only staying because he asked, not because I'm tired."

"You're sweating like a turkey on thanksgiving." I spat.

"Look who's talking." She growled back.

Before I could retort I felt a weight on the back of my neck which I realized was both Kuro and Moriko tackling me in a hug, Haru joined as well.

"You did much better than expected," Kuro said.

"Nice job!" Momo added.

It was chaos from then on, with Ares's soft pop music blasting in the background, conversation was just a blur of words and occasional laughs, as well as insults between me and Sasaki. The atmospherebecame lively pretty quickly.

I wouldn't lie, I enjoyed the rest of the evening, earnestly wishing we could all stay like this forever, just existing in this normality that had nothing to do with demons or the Seal that lay beneath the right sleeve of my shirt.

Sadly, the time to head home came too soon for my liking. Troy and Jade helped Ares carry the cooler as he led them to the car. Momo and Haru tailed behind with the dismantled table.

I turned to Sasaki and Kaito, who had to leave right after helping clean up the court.

"See you guys Monday I guess," I said with a wave.

He nodded, "Your dad was super nice, give him more of my thanks."

I nodded.

"You got lucky, we'd have beat you in that last match-up," Sasaki said turning away.

"You wish." I waved an angry fist at her retreating back.

Once they were gone, I picked up the basketball, bouncing it a bit before stepping off the court. It was only then I realized I hadn't caught sight of Kuro and Ryu helping with the cleanup. They'd been absent for a while before then as well

I sent out a sonic wave of wind and picked out Kuro's aura. I followed it to a small area covered by sparse trees, keeping an eye out for both of them.

I heard their voices first before I saw them, sitting on a rock beneath a Sakura tree.

Kuro was pointing up at the night skies, "You can't always see it because of the bright city lights but on nights like these, the stars are really clear."

"Yeah. There's Ursa Major." Ryu pointed out.

"And Virgo," Kuro added.

They went in like that for a while just listing off stuff while all I saw were a bunch of clustered space gas balls.

Nerds.

But I was happy for them, reluctant to spoil this happy moment. I should leave and call him instead so it didn't look like I was eavesdropping.

"I plan to go up there, you know?" Ryu said suddenly.

"You want to be an astronaut?" Kuro asked.

"Yeah, it's not going to be easy though. People find it hard to take you seriously when you come from my kind of family because it's a pretty expensive dream."

"Don't worry about that, you're pretty smart so I'm sure a scholarship will come easy. Just don't forget me when you're up there." Kuro smiled, eyes still on the stars above.

"You don't want to become an astronaut too? I thought with the way-"

"I wanted to, but not anymore."

"Why?"

I saw his smile fall and I could almost guess why he'd said that as well, I'd known Kuro for a while now and I could tell he didn't see himself as a regular member of society. I don't know what happened in the past to make him like this but I wished I could erase it and make him embrace the world from a different point of view.

To help him be able to dream beyond his goal of revenge against Nightmare.

Ryu poked him in the ribs in a bit to bring him back, "C'mon, tell me, what's better than being in deep space? That's probably the closest a human being can get to flying without a plane."

"Nothing's better," Kuro said leaning against the other's back, probably in a bid to hide his face, "I just can't, you know?"

"You're acting weird."

"Hey, Ryu, I'm cheering for you and your dream."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to say it. Everyone's got their whole life ahead of them, I just can't think of anything I want for myself."

"Then just chase my dream with me " Ryu cried out excitedly, he jumped off the rock and ran to stand in front of Kuro, taking the other's shoulders, "You said you wanted to before, just go back to it again. Maybe you'll want to again and we'll both stand on the moon together or something sappy like that."

That pulled a laugh out of Kuro, to anyone it was his normal laugh, loud, fun, and light enough to make you relax, but to me, it just wasn't the same. It was missing something.

He closed his eyes, nodding at Ryu's enthusiasm, "Since you insist, I'll give it some thought," he said before smoothly directing the topic in some other direction.

I let myself sit at the foot of the tree I was hiding behind, raising my knees to my chest and burying my face into them. Maybe the saying 'Takes one to know one,' was true, because, at that moment, I could tell Kuro was lying.

Lying so smoothly to protect those he cared about, I felt mad at him even when I knew I was no better but I also felt sorry for him.

For both of us.

How empty did one have to be to dedicate themselves to one grisly fate with such entirety that they'd neglect all the other beauties that life had to offer?