Each of the afternoon classes passed by fairly quickly, until finally, the last bell of the day rings, signaling the end of class.
I gather up my books, my chair squeaking a little as I push out from the desk.
"Remember class! Page 120-124 is due for homework-"
Some kid groans, swearing loudly.
"Wade! Language!"
As soon as I have my things I turn out the door, my mind starting to drift elsewhere again.
Kane...Hotaru...the White Fang..why do I feel like I was forgetting something important? Also, why did I suddenly faint after encountering that, that spirit- humanoid being, it couldn't have been a coincidence..would it?
"-Stop! What are you doing?"
"Shut up- since you won't give us the answers to the homework, even after when we asked so nicely. We just have to use a little force. After all peasants like yourself live to serve your superiors, do you not?" An irritating familiar voice rings halfway down the hall, the face of the same boy who I faced off nights ago sneers down at a smaller, obviously weaker student, whose ears stood pointed, poking out of her hair.
"Niko-"
"Listen here, you alf!" He seizes the student by the collar with such force their feet lifts a few centimeters from the floor. He lowers his tone threateningly, raising his fist, "Don't even think about snitching. No teachers will ever come back here, so either you do the work, or we make your school life hell."
I clench my hands, my nostrils flaring as I stride forward. "Hey-!"
"Put them down."
The voice came, rough and threatening, a crimson flower on black eyepatch flash in a warning.
"Eh? Who are you? Do you know who you are talking to? Niko Wade! Son of the Edgington Duke!"
The student whimpers, struggling in his hold.
Darius's eye darkens dangerously, "You all are the same anyways, title or not. I think all that status is going to your head. So I will say it again- Put. Them. Down- Now."
"..Tch." Niko reluctantly lets go of the student, scowling, "Come on boys, this punk is not worth our time." He makes sure to roughly step on some of the fallen papers from the student's folder, then rudely bumps his shoulder into mine as he walks by, acknowledging my presence with a jeer.
"T-thank you..."The student stammered, scrambling to pick up their things.
"Just watch out for people like him again, try not to walk alone if you can manage," Darius said, he smiles briefly, the gesture gracious.
She nods flusteredly, sneaking another glance over her shoulder before hurrying off.
Darius turns around, starting off down the hall.
After a moment of hesitation, I decide to move after him, quickly catching up to his pace.
"You know, I would've paid to see someone sock that bully's face in. I bet you would have had an easy time getting away with it too." I said casually.
"Haha, can't argue against that. But only if in the name of self-defense." He returned, chuckling once.
"And why is that? Arseholes like him deserve a lesson."
"I've seen violence take too many."
I peer at him sideways, again that striking resemblance in his profile, but maybe it was just my imagination. There was a certain lugubrious quality to his expression as he said those words, arduous experience withheld. He cast his eye back, meeting mine, before flicking away, tendrils of his red-brown hair falling into his sight.
"Karma will come to those that deserve it." He says finally, running a hand through his hair, brushing the bangs out of his vision. "Fate is one thing nobody can escape."
I stare forward for a moment, quiet. "...Right, nobody..." I said to myself. Stopping, I glance outside, the noon sun pouring its rays through the windows, and the sound of laughter can be heard.
"So Darius...why did you come here?"
"...To get a chance I never had before. A chance at something different," He responded, an almost cautious tone in his voice. "The Headmaster was able to give me that chance-And for the, swim team too. I heard they were great."
"I see. So you're new too?"
Even if this could have been D, it seemed unlikely. D always had hated water, wouldn't even go near it at one time. Unless he managed to control his great fear, this didn't seem like him at all...his attitude, and the way he holds himself, it was with a purpose- no trace of timidity. Unlike the D I knew...
"Yes...how about you then? Why did you?" He asked.
"I was recommended. A little like you. It's not every day you get into one of the country's most prestigious schools after all..."I replied.
It was partially a lie, Kane did want us to have a chance to have a normal life as normal teenagers. It wasn't what I would have wanted at first but, maybe chasing the sole goal of revenge, was something I was too focused on. No, I have to, for my mother, the family we once had. The murderer had to be brought to justice, no matter what.
"I should probably get to the range, I will see you around then, Darius." I make my way out of one of the exits, lingering only long enough to hear him reply.
"Farewell..." He returned.
Unknown to me, a flicker of guilt crosses his features, then the purposeful aura takes over again, the shadow veiling his eyes. But the fear lives inside.