Eyes that shared its color with the deep blue sea. Eyes that caused the sky to lose it grandeur. These normally boisterous eyes did not reek of beauty today, but of melancholy and emptiness. In the carriage that was sending him back to school, Mane thought back to all he knew about his parents. He had excellent memory, and yet even he had a hard time placing them within his memories. He was sure his memories had been tampered with, as for the reason, it surely had to do with the fact that they had left him behind and didn't want him to dwell on his memories of them so much. It may seem an overboard decision to make, but it sure did work very well.
Though he loved his parents, if he always dwelt on his memories of them, this love was going to turn into a longing so great that his training would be impaired or greatly enhanced. The latter option seemed like an advantage, after all, he was going to get stronger faster. But taking such a path was going to make it harder for him to know himself. In the long run, that was going to become a disadvantage. For his parents, it was better he didn't know them very well, so he wouldn't miss them so much. Unfortunately they had a son whose memory was so excellent he actually remembered having a part of his memories sealed. Hence the purpose for doing so, was invalidated.
Butler Fin's announcement was a huge surprise- he was finally going to meet his parents. Since his memories of them were vague, it was almost going to be a new experience. He was supposed to be ecstatic, extremely excited. He was finally going to build memories with them. He was to feel this way when he heard the news. He had longed for that familial affection when he was younger. He had always envied families at the park in his younger days, wishing he had such a life. So why was it that now, when they were finally coming back, he felt nothing?
Had they been away for so long that he had lost all feelings of affection for them? No, that wasn't it. That definitely wasn't it. He obviously felt something when he was informed they were returning- but it wasn't joy. It was anger. Anger towards those who called themselves his parents and yet had left him all alone. At least, Uncle Jake was kind enough to leave several illusions of himself within the ring. Illusions that were unlocked every time the little blonde had a breakthrough. It served as an encouragement for him.
His parents though, did no such thing. Well they could argue that they did not have such abilities. But they didn't need to do it themselves. They could have asked for Uncle Jake's help. Now Mane just couldn't wait to meet them- and pummel their gorgeous faces into the ground.
"Damn, kid. No need to look so glum. Everyone gets excited when they hear their parents are coming back. But you want to kick their asses! You really are unique. HAHAHAHA."
The taunting of the 6th soured his mood and this didn't go unrealized.
"You should shut up 6th. One more word from you and I'll break you in half." The threat from 2nd looked empty. After all, from a neutral's point of view, they were all trapped. Surprisingly though, the 6th kept his silence after the warning, a silence that lasted the whole journey back.
Mane tipped the carriage driver very generously, an act that elicited a broad smile from the older man. Mane climbed up the stairs to his dormitory in a hurry, trying to avoid the overly enthusiastic thanks of the driver.
"Even in a sour mood your generosity doesn't evade you." The silent 6th finally spoke up again, beginning his resurgence with a compliment. The pleased harrumph from the 2nd made it seem as though she was on the receiving end of that compliment.
"Finally, you are back." Mane had hardly walked into the room when the giddy voice of Jake, the older twin found its way to his ears.
"Oh? You seem excited Jake. What is it this time?" Never had Mane returned to school without receiving any 'weekend gossip' from the twins. Today though, their excitement seemed a tad more than usual. Although Jake was the speaker, John looked just as excited as his brother. Abe unsurprisingly, wasn't around.
"It's you! Everyone's talking about you. Frederick Fulbright sent you a duel notice!" Mane had to cover his poor ears. John's voice was so loud he was certain the soundproof door had definitely been breached. Anyone who stood outside their door would have definitely heard him.
He turned his eyes towards the direction John was pointing at- his bed. There was something on it. Mane had never received a duel notice, but from the words of the 'loud' twins, he was sure that the envelope atop his bed was that very thing. It looked so official it made him cringe. His name was clearly addressed on the package.
Under the eager eyes of the twins, he tore it open. Yes, they were right. It was a duel notice. In fact, anyone familiar with them could tell from the package. It was no surprise that the whole school had found out. The delivery person must have blabbed about it.
"So? Are you going to accept?" the eyes of John made Mane feel very uncomfortable. Jake looked the same. Goosebumps grew all over his body as he finally felt what superstars feel under the scrutiny of their aficionados.
He stepped back unconsciously, thinking to himself that this was definitely what his enemies felt each time he looked at them.
"No, of course I wouldn't accept it. But I'm very eager to speak to Mr. Fulbright. There's no way he will ignore me now."
It was a long process to get to meet a member of the Student Council, even if it wasn't the President one wanted to see. Mane had wanted to meet Frederick for a while now, unfortunately, an appointment was required. Well, not this time. He had the perfect pass.
He ignored the twins who were visibly disappointed and climbed onto his bed, almost as though he was escaping.
"I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted from the journey. Wake me up in an hour's time."