The room was filled with a deafening silence. Approximately thirty minutes ago Airi had become aware of a strange presence outside the door. Initially she ignored it, receiving no hostile intentions from the presence but after a while she noticed how the presence didn't seem to leave the door and had been on alert since. She decided to ask Hagumi about it first rather than just leaving the room and giving them an opportunity to run away.
This presence felt by Airi turned out to be Hagumi's sister Erika. She had been walking up the stairs to tell Hagumi his breakfast was getting cold until she started hearing a strange girls voice and decided to listen in.
Hagumi stayed standing awkwardly looking to the floor. He was totally freaking out on the inside. How was he going to explain to his sister why there was a strange girl in his room? His mind was having an aneurysm trying to figure out what to say. While in thought he noticed how both Airi and Erika were looking at one another with animosity. It was safe to say neither of them were enthused by each other.
"Who the hell is this? And why is she in your room? I'm going to call the cops if you don't explain right now," Erika said sharply. Airi scoffed.
"I should be asking you the same thing," Airi replied back with a darkening expression. Hagumi gulped looking at the two of them. Clearly things were starting off on the wrong foot. And Airi wasn't so sweet as she was before. He quickly stood in between them.
"Stop please," he said nervously. Both shot each other daggering looks before putting their attention to Hagumi.
"Airi, this is my sister Erika. Erika this is my...-
"His girlfriend," Airi quickly added. She had sort of a smug look. Erika bit her lip seemingly suppressing her emotions. She looked toward Hagumi.
"You didn't mention anything about a girlfriend. I figured you were too depressed to think about relationships. I hope you aren't settling for...this because you're feeling lonely. I as your sister and aside from your mother am the only woman you need around you. You can't trust these vixens who have ulterior motives-
"Vixen? Ulterior motives? The only one here with ulterior motives is you! Don't act like I don't know what you're up to," Airi said threateningly. They both veered at one another anger rising in their blood. Hagumi looked nervously.
"Please don't fight, and she's not my girlfriend. She's just my friend I met recently. I was going to invite her over later..." Hagumi lied. Airi made an offended expression hearing Hagumi address her as his friend. Erika smiled in satisfaction.
"Your foods getting cold- she paused and looked at Airi
"I suggest you go out the window, mom will freak if she sees some woman trying to seduce her son," Erika said sharply. Airi balled her fists but controlled her emotions as she didn't want to release her power on to his sister in front of Hagumi. It would leave a bad impression and he was already stressed out as it is. Airi looked at Hagumi cupping his face.
"Walk down the stairs carefully. When you're done eating come outside and I'll be waiting for you," she said giving a kiss on Hagumis head. Erika scoffed in annoyance. Airi sent her a death glare. With that she disappeared out the window. Hagumi now stood with Erika who looked visibly upset.
"I don't give you enough attention and you go off and let some woman take advantage of you. Seriously how pathetic. I leave you alone and you get yourself deeper and deeper into problems. You're an eyesore and a chore to look after. I'll give you some advice, stay away from that termagant lest you find yourself in a more perilous predicament later on," she spat before turning away and leaving. Hagumi stood there for a moment processing the words she said.
He always wondered how exactly Erika felt about him. She never gave any clear indication of her motives or her feelings toward him. He assumed she didn't like him but at times he felt she secretly cared a lot for him. Hagumi was unsure about what he should think about Erika despite being with her for the past fifteen years. On another note, Hagumi got the odd impression that Erika and Airi knew each other. But no matter how hard he thought about it, it just seemed impossible.
Hagumi sighed.
"She could've at least helped me down the stairs," he mumbled to himself. He had sort of a stiff walk since his muscles were extremely sore due to yesterday's events. He knew he shouldn't be up and walking and should be resting but he had no choice after what Tatsuya said to him. It sent shivers down his spine whenever he thought of it. Getting down the stairs was difficult enough. The friction of his pants against his bum would cause a slight discomfort. He walked down each step one by one until he finally made it down. Hagumi let out a sigh of relief.
"Hagumi darling, I made you some fluffy strawberry waffles with eggs and steamed rice. I also made a fruit bowl for you with pineapples, grapes and sliced oranges. There's oatmeal there as well. It's my first time trying it so it might not taste that good," Harumi spoke happily. She sat at the table with Rin beside her and Erika who was standing by the island top eating cereal. She had an eager expression as she anticipated Hagumi trying the food she worked hard to make. It was very obvious it was intended for him only seeing as Erika was eating cereal and Rin who looked disappointed had only a plate of toast.
Hagumi gave a glance to Erika who was eyeing him like hawk as he sat down at the table. Harumi picked up the fork immediately and handed it to Hagumi who smiled awkwardly at her. She gestured for him to eat.
"I already cut it for you," she said referring to waffles precut into small squares. She stared eagerly. Hagumi quickly ate a piece so she would stop staring at him. It was becoming uncomfortable.
"It's good," he said simply. He ate quickly with no reaction. Harumi nodded in satisfaction and began eating her breakfast which also consisted of just a plate of toast.
Once he finished eating, he stood up getting ready to leave.
"I'm leaving now," he said. He ate quickly as he didn't want Airi to wait a long time feeling it would be rude to do so. Harumi said goodbye giving him a kiss on the head. Just before he was able to walk out the door he was pulled by Erika.
"Stay away from her. I mean it," she said sternly gripping his arm. Hagumi was surprised by her actions. She never acted in such a way before. He nodded slowly pulling his arm away before leaving out the door.
Erika stood in the doorway. She had a complicated expression on her face.
"Looks like I'll have to bring this up at the court."
-
Airi and Hagumi were now on their way to school. Hagumi made notice of the way she walked. It wasn't feminine in the least bit. More ruffians like with her hands behind her head. It didn't help either that she was practically towering over him. The height difference really hurt what little pride he had left.
"How are ya feeling? You look like you got something up their Honeybee," Airi commented. She made notice of the way Hagumi was walking too. Like he was dragging his feet. Very stiff.
"I can carry you," she offered. Hagumi shook his head.
"It's alright. I can manage," Hagumi said. Airi made a worried expression but didn't press on more.
"So, this Tatsuya guy always bothers you right?" Airi asked. Hagumi nodded.
"It's the story of my life recently. It's been hell for me ever since middle school. I really don't look forward to waking up sometimes," he casually spoke. Airi--hearing what Hagumi just said--made a shocked expression quickly stopping in her tracks and abruptly turning Hagumi to face her. She bent down to his level placing her hands on his shoulders and looking him dead in the eye.
"Don't ever say that again, understood?" she spoke. Her eyes were dark and serious, and her expression hardened. Hagumi was surprised by her sudden change in personality. Her grip on his shoulders were piercing through his skin.
"Okay…. I'm sorry. But could you let go? You're hurting me," he said softly. Airi quickly let go worry filling her face.
"Honeybee I'm sorry. I didn't mean too. I just wanted to make sure you never think that way again. It hurts me a lot when I'm reminded of how much you've suffered," she said feeling a bit disappointed with herself. Hagumi fiddled with the hem of his shirt. He could feel his face getting a bit hot.
Having a cute girl like her worry about me feels nice, Hagumi thought.
"Alright! Let's go. I'm ready to eradicate this Tatsuya from the face of the earth! He'll never think of hurting my honeybee again. Why? Because he'll be dead!" She said cheerfully giving a hearty laugh at the end.
Hagumi made a panicked expression.
"What? No! What are you talking about. I don't want you to do that. You said you would take care of it I didn't think you meant you were going to kill him. What's wrong with you!" Hagumi said panicked and frightened. She just laughed about killing someone. Hagumi thought of what Erika told him earlier and felt like he should heed her advice. Airi--noticing his expression-- quickly stopped; her face turning cold.
"Why should I care about the life of someone who hurt you? It's more than enough mercy I let him stay alive until the morning because I didn't want to mistake killing the wrong person. Is it wrong to rid scum like him from the world? Honeybee, it makes me absolutely livid to see you worry for someone like that. Do you think he cared about your life when he decided to shove a metal rod up your ass and left you in abandoned alley to bleed out and die. Imagine if I hadn't found you there in time and here you are getting so worked up over nothing," she spoke coldly.
Once again, her personality changed. Hagumi thought it was scary how quick she would switch from sweet and caring too cold and heartless. Even now she spoke so casually about murdering another person. Hagumi was starting to feel a bit on edge around her. Her mention of yesterday's events stung him a lot and he cowered away in shame. He could just imagine Airi pulling it out and that picture inside of his mind would just kill him every time.
"You can't just kill someone, no matter how cruel they are. Killing is a crime and Tatsuya is just a kid like me-
"Who by the way is a sadistic asshole who stuck a metal rod up your-
"I know!" Hagumi yelled. Airi was taken aback by surprise.
"I know so you don't have to keep mentioning it. I know okay. But still, I don't want that to happen to him. Of course, I want him to pay for everything he's done to me, but I don't want to be like him too. No matter how angry I am, I would never resort to such a thing," Hagumi said balling his fists and tearing up a bit. Airi relaxed her expression walking up to Hagumi and grabbing his face. She could see the tears Hagumi was holding back, and her heart began to ache.
"I'm sorry Honeybee. It's just that I love you so much I couldn't dare let someone get away with hurting you. How can I sit by when I've seen your defiled body lying like that? As your protector it is my duty to ensure no harm ever comes to you... but I was too late. When I think of the pain you had to endure at the hands of some evil bastard, I just can't forgive myself," she said with guilty eyes. She kissed Hagumi's forehead and wiped away his tears.
"And when I see you holding back your tears like this how can I possibly sit back?"
She embraced Hagumi in a hug squeezing him tightly before picking him up and carrying him bridal style. This action surprised Hagumi.
"Eh— what are you doing?" He asked confused. Airi plastered a big bright smile on her face.
"I'm going to carry my Honeybee to school! As much as you try to hide it, I can see it's very hard for you to walk and you're in pain. I can't actively watch my darling struggle to walk now, can I? I am obviously a capable woman with amazing strength. Carrying you is like holding a bag of cotton balls," she said proudly. Hagumi blushed.
It was true. It hurt a lot to even move a centimeter. From the moment he went to sleep yesterday until the moment he woke up he had been in pain. Just constant soreness and aching. All he desired was to rest in bed with a cold compress.
"Sorry I just didn't want to inconvenience you. I'll have to trouble you for just a bit," he said.
Airi smiled leaning down to nuzzle his head causing Hagumi to blush again.
"You will never be an inconvenience to me," she spoke softly, her green eyes gazing down fondly upon him. Hagumi couldn't help but feel warm inside. She could be scary sometimes, but she could also be so endearing and Hagumi would find himself getting lost in her eyes again.
Suddenly without any notice they were projected to the sky. This warranted a loud scream from Hagumi as he held onto Airi clutching her clothes as his only source of security.
"Relax honeybee. I would never drop you. Even I did, I'm confident I can catch you in time," she said happily.
"That doesn't reassure me at all!" Hagumi panicked. He was extremely afraid of heights. Looking down at the ground below made him almost faint. They were above the city being able to see the landscape in full.
"It's much faster if we just fly. Of course, it'd be weird to see two people flying in the sky right so I cast a spell within a 20-mile radius so that everyone who sees us will see us as birds in the sky. Don't worry," Airi explained. Hagumi was still panicked holding tightly onto Airi. Airi smiled at the notion.
"Could you give me a heads up before you decide to just fly up into the sky. I nearly had a heart attack just now," Hagumi said closing his eyes so he wouldn't have to look down. He was very terrified, and his heart continued to beat sporadically but at the same time he was also in awe.
It occurred to him that they were flying in the air. He couldn't believe it. It felt like a fever dream. It's too good to be true. Hagumi was trying to wrap his head around it. He started to come to terms that Airi was of a different world than he was. She was able to do things no normal human could. She could use magic. Real magic. He started to wonder if maybe she was just a normal human but a witch who used dark magic. Everything just seemed so surreal. And now he was flying in the sky. Who would believe him? Opening his eyes again he peered down just a bit seeing all the buildings, trees and people pass by. For a moment it was beautiful. It was like the feeling of freedom with no restrictions.
"Nice, isn't it?" Airi asked. Hagumi who was in awe nodded in agreement.
"I can't believe it. I'm really flying in the sky!" He said excitedly. His excitement almost caused him to fall out of Airi's arms which quickly brought him back to reality clutching on to her for dear life once more.
"Oops, that was a close one," she said teasingly. Hagumi buried his face into her neck.
"I've seen enough already. Put us on the ground now," He pleaded. Airi gave a chuckle. They descended from the air coming down just a block away from Hagumi's school.
"Alright! Here we are. This is where my Honeybee attends classes. I'm so excited," Airi squealed.
"I can walk from here, thank you," Hagumi said. Airi frowned.
"You didn't think I was just going to let you walk the rest, did you?" Airi asked. Hagumi looked at her in confusion. Suddenly a scooter appeared.
"Tada!! I got this scooter for you. That way you can just ride down the block to the entrance. And don't worry, I'll be coming with you," she said happily. Hagumi looked surprised.
"W-what. What do you mean?!"
"I mean I'm going to start coming to school with you. I'll take care of anyone who bothers you— no murdering I promise," she said cheerfully. Hagumi was put off by her murdering comment and simply nodded.
"How are you going to do that?" He asked.
"I enrolled myself into your school as a transfer student a week before. I prepared everything in advance before coming here. I'm just securing my residence at the moment," Airi said. Hagumi was in shocked. Just who is she really?
"You look too old to pass as a sophomore..." Hagumi commented. Her appearance was definitely youthful and beautiful, just slightly older than a middle schooler. Airi frowned a bit.
"I'm not old, at least appearance wise. I can pass as a teenager. Technically I don't have any age so I can be whatever I want. But it's not like I didn't think of that either. I initially started to enroll as a senior, but I worried I wouldn't be able to see you much so instead I enrolled as a sophomore and cast a spell over everyone not to pay too much attention to me. So don't worry about that. This way I can keep an eye on you," Airi explained. Hagumi nodded taking in everything she said.
He found it a bit weird she wanted to watch him every moment she could get. But at the same time with her around his bullies wouldn't bother him anymore. Also, her effective use of magic was starting to pique his interest.
"You can do spells like that?" He asked. She nodded.
"I can do a lot of spells for many different things. It's more of a mind control thing. I don't rank third in my house for no reason. Do you think I'm cool?" Airi asked with a smile. Hagumi did think she was cool. Cool and scary. Somewhere in the middle he wasn't sure. But her use of magic was so surreal to him. It left him in awe.
"I can't believe that magic is real. It just feels like everything isn't real," Hagumi commented ignoring her question. Airi smiled.
"Well, I'm as real as I can get. I promise you that. Now let's go! We're going to be late the gates are about to close," Airi said grabbing Hagumi's arm and pulling him down the block. Hagumi smiled.
-
"Everyone, please meet our new student, Kyoto Airi. Please welcome her to our class," The homeroom teacher spoke. Airi stood in front of the class with a bright smile.
"Hello everyone, nice to meet you. I'm Airi Kyoto, Hagumi's girlfriend. I hope we can all get along!" she said cheerfully. The comment of her being Hagumi's girlfriend shocked the class. Even the teacher was stunned. But no one was more shocked than Hagumi himself whose face flushed a deep red.
"Hagumi has a girlfriend? And a hot chick a that."
"Thats Hagumi's girlfriend? I don't believe it!"
"She must be taking pity on him. Hagumi of all people. It doesn't make sense."
Gossip from the students filled the room.
"Airi, go and take your seat," the teacher, Mr. Tomioka said.
Airi walked past Hagumi stopping directly behind him. A girl named Asa was sitting in the seat behind him and there was an open seat behind Asa diagonal from her.
"Switch seats with me please," Airi asked. Her smile was captivating and bright. Who could turn down such a request with a smile like that? However, Asa refused.
"Sorry, this is my assigned seat. Yours is back there. I get you're his girlfriend, so you want to sit next to him, but you'll be nothing more than a distraction to him. It's better you take your seat once again, back there," she said without looking up at Airi once. Airi was bewildered. She tried keeping her composure and spoke again.
"I asked politely, but if you don't want to willingly move then I won't hesitate to move you myself. I won't ask again," she said again only this time her smile was a bit more sinister. Asa who had been sitting down not looking at Airi finally raised her head. Once Airi saw her faced she gasped in shock.
"And I won't tell you again either. Your seat--is at the back," she spoke her eyes shooting daggers at Airi. Airi no longer pressed on. She simply bit her tongue and sat toward the back. Hagumi who had been listening turned around to see her. Airi smiled at him, giving a cold glance to the girl behind him. Hagumi usually went to sleep in class, so he never really paid attention to his classmates.
This was the first time he noticed Asa. She had gray wavy hair with golden eyes. Her eyes were dull and her expression plain. She worked diligently on the assignment in front of her. She seemed sharp and cold.
"Stop staring at me," she said coldly once again not looking. She could feel Hagumi's eyes burning into her. Hagumi felt a bit embarrassed quickly turning around. He fiddled with his pencil thinking to himself. I never noticed her before. Has she always been there? Hagumi questioned. Airi, who had sat down had not taken her eyes off Asa since. She watched her closely like a hawk stalking its prey. Asa however chose to act as if she didn't notice.
After class during break Airi got up and walked to Hagumi. All the attention seemed to be on her as she was such a beautiful girl. When Airi cast her spell, she only made it so no one would pay too much attention to her overall features too closely to deduct she was older than she looked. However, it did not keep anyone from noticing her at all. Just a simple mask over her appearance.
"Hey Honeybee! Wanna go grab lunch?" She asked. Hagumi nodded. Airi smiled waiting for him to get up. She spared a glance to Asa who was still acting arrogant to her presence. Airi bit her lip suppressing her inner turmoil she was currently experiencing on the inside thanks to Asa. She made a note to herself she would deal with her after school. It'd be too much of an inconvenience to Hagumi to cause trouble at school and she didn't want anyone thinking he had a troublemaker girlfriend.
Once out in the hallway they began walking to the cafeteria.
"I don't normally eat in the cafeteria..." Hagumi said nervously. Airi noticed his timid demeanor.
"It's alright. I'm here with you. We don't need to eat in the cafeteria but let's grab something to eat. Tomorrow, I'll make you a bento filled with the blood of my heart," she said. Hagumi made a twisted expression hearing that. It didn't sound very delightful. Upon entering the cafeteria all eyes were on them, mainly Airi. Word had gotten around that Airi was Hagumi's girlfriend in a span of a few hours.
Hagumi shifted feeling uncomfortable with everyone looking at him. Airi noticed and pulled him closer to her. She leaned in whispering into his ear,
"My sweet Honeybee." Somehow Hagumi felt comforted by those words. After grabbing lunch, the two were on their way to leave the cafeteria when suddenly they were stopped by a group of stylized delinquents. These were all too familiar faces for Hagumi and he subconsciously became submissive to them.
"I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes," Tatsuya spoke. It was Tatsuya and his crew ready to antagonize Hagumi for the day.
"What a hot babe you are. Can't believe you settled for a piece of trash like Hagumi. Tell me... did he pay you to be his girlfriend?" Tatsuya said teasingly. He and his crew began to laugh.
"Listen, let me tell you this guy is a complete pushover and an absolute loser. He'll let you shit on him if you tell him to. Do you want to see a video? I took it yesterday. I'm sure your opinion of Hagumi will improve drastically," Tatsuya said tauntingly. Hagumi thought of what happened yesterday and immediately tensed up. Airi glanced over to Hagumi and back over to Tatsuya.
"Sure," she said. Hagumi made a worrisome expression. He was confused about her actions. Oh no, she's going to see everything, Hagumi thought. He bent down to his knees covering his ears. It was a trauma response due to the extreme shame he felt. Tatsuya laughed in satisfaction. He handed his phone over to Airi showing her a clip of the events that took place yesterday. Tatsuya watched her with anticipation waiting to see the disgust on her face.
"I bet you think so highly of him now, don't you? What an amazing boyfriend you've got yourself there. He's so obedient," Tatsuya said with a condescending tone. Airi watched the clip from start to finish. Not a single emotion could be seen across her face. She pulled out her phone and sent the video to herself. She then deleted the video off his phone as well as her number and then returned it.
"Hey! Why'd you do that for?!" Tatsuya said in anger.
"I can't even begin to imagine how much of a low life peasant you are to think something like this would deter my opinion of him when frankly my opinion of you has only gotten worse. Is it that you are so feeble and pathetic over jealousy that you have to film yourself physically assaulting one of your classmates in order to make yourself feel better? I can tell you right now you are nothing more than an ant in the crack of a sidewalk who thinks he's so mighty but really you are just another insect for me to step on," she said sharply. The aura around her began to turn dark and her face darkened with anger. Her eyes were as fierce as ever piercing through every inch of Tatsuya who cowered under her gaze unable to turn away.
"You may think of yourself highly but to me you are even less than a side of roadkill. You take pleasure in the hurt of others but what about when it happens to you? I will not take lightly to anyone who harms him be it you or the fucking world. Anyone who dares to put their grimy filthy hands on to my Hagumi will never see the light of day again. For as long as I walk this earth, I will take pleasure in making sure you suffer everyday as you have made Hagumi endure for years. You are a piece of shit who deserves nothing more than a game in which two can play," she said.
Her eyes stared deeply into his soul bringing out the deepest darkest parts of hell in him, infusing him with a fear so great it extended over the boundaries of hell itself. Tatsuya fell to the ground screaming in agony and fear. His crew mates looked in horror unable to move feeling the terrifying aura in the air. People in the cafeteria watched in awe. No one had stood up to Tatsuya before let alone made him scream in fear. Airi made a malevolent smile as she looked down on him. From Tatsuya's view, she seemed like the embodiment of the devil himself. He was shaken with fear.
Airi turned to Hagumi who was still bent on the ground. She softened her expression before speaking,
"Hagumi darling, look up at me."
Hagumi rose his head, tears in his eyes. She smiled softly at him cupping his face.
"I love you so much, my honeybee," she said kissing his forehead. She picked him up princess style and left the cafeteria with more admirers than she started with. Yet the only person she would ever spare her attention to was right here in her arms.
-
The two sat outside in the middle of the courtyard. Hagumi sat down looking down at the ground avoiding eye contact with Airi. Airi sat beside him.
"I don't think any less of you if that's what you're thinking. There is no need to be ashamed. I would never look down on you," she said softly. Hagumi turned his head further away refusing to look at her.
"Why- why did you watch the video? Why did you have to see it?" Hagumi choked out. He could feel the tears coming back again. Airi bit her lip; a sympathetic expression crossing her face.
"I needed to see it. To see the pain you endured so that I can justify my actions. So that I won't feel the need to hold back. As difficult as it was, it was necessary so that I can understand the pain you feel," Airi said.
"Isn't my telling enough? Isn't it enough to justify yourself. How can I be okay when I know you've seen me in such an embarrassing and shameful act. Why isn't my word enough. Are these scars not telling enough for you," Hagumi said only this time he turned to face Airi, his tears streaming down his face.
"It's never my intention to make you cry this much. Since I met you yesterday, all you've done is cry. I can see the pain you've endured and that's why, because I wouldn't be able to understand why you would choose to let a scum like him still live while you continue to suffer because of it. It is etched into my mind as a driving force to always be there with you, to always strive as hard as I can to protect you," she said. She took hold of Hagumi's hands.
"Trust in me, okay?' she said.
"I don't even know you. You just appeared in my room suddenly and you have yet to explain anything. You said you would answer any questions I had in the morning. Well now it's morning and I have more questions," Hagumi said pulling his hands away. Airi straightened herself up.
"Well, ask away."
Hagumi thought for a moment about which question to ask first.
"Where are you from, really?" He asked.
"I'm not an alien, I can assure you. I am from The Serpine clan. It's made up of many practitioners of magic as I told you earlier," she said. Hagumi nodded.
"Who are you exactly?" Hagumi asked.
"I am Airi Kyoto. A black mage from the Serpine clan. Ranked 3rd amongst my peers. I told you this when we first met," She explained.
"A black mage. What does a black mage do?" Airi thought for a moment.
"I use black magic. You know what black magic is?" she asked. Hagumi nodded.
"It's evil spells and stuff that is forbidden. Usually in games evil people practice black magic," Hagumi said. He looked at Airi wearily who gave a small laugh.
"You....aren't evil right?" he asked. Airi laughed.
"Of course not. It can be used for selfish purposes, but I use my powers for the benefit of others. I'm not dangerous," she said. It was something about the way she said it that Hagumi couldn't quite shrug off, but he decided to leave the thought alone for now.
"Well, my most pressing question is what do you want with me?" Hagumi asked. Airi's expression flattened. She looked up to the sky and then back to Hagumi.
"Because you are my Honeybee. I'm here to protect you-
"Protect me from what?" Hagumi inquired.
"From certain people who are after you,"
"And why would they be after me?" Airi looked at him plainly for a few seconds before answering.
"Later today, I'll take you with me to the Serpine clan. There I'll explain it to you so that you have a better understanding," Airi said. Hagumi sighed. He noticed she seemed to avoid actually wanting to talk about it despite her saying he could ask questions and she would answer.
"I'm not sure why anyone would be after me. I haven't done anything in my life to warrant such attention," Hagumi said.
"Not in this life," Airi whispered to herself.
"What?" Hagumi said. Airi shook her head.
"Nothing. Any more questions?"
"Yeah, are these people who are after me like you?"
"Yes. They are very powerful people with an immense amount of power. They all derive from various clans just like mine. There are also some other very important people known as The Council: An organization that overlooks all magic users. They keep order and discipline amongst us," Airi explained. Hagumi nodded. It was a lot to take in and nothing really made sense as to why these people could be after him.
"So other magic users are after me for some reason you won't tell until later right. If that's the case, then why aren't you after me? Or how do I know you aren't one of the people after me?" Hagumi questioned. "Why would you go as far as to protect me, someone you hardly know?"
Airi paused for a moment. She seemed to be deep in thought before answering.
"I've watched you since you were a baby Hagumi. I've aways been here watching you. But a few years ago, I had some issues that I needed to tend to and so I wasn't able to be there when you needed me the most. It was only recently that I returned after I heard of you being sought after by majority of the arcane world. You and I have a special bond together that transcends many lifetimes. Because of this, I am inclined to make sure you are okay. I've failed you many times before. But this time, I won't," She explained.
Nothing she said made any sense to Hagumi.
"Why were you watching me since I was a baby? That's weird. And just how old are you?" Hagumi asked.
"Because of our special connection. I searched across the world until I found you. It is the thread of fate that binds us together no matter what," Airi said touching her chest.
"To answer your second question, you seem to be very interested in that. Personally, I would say it doesn't matter," Airi said. Hagumi thought about earlier.
"Earlier you mentioned how you didn't have any age so you could be whatever you want. What do you mean by this?" Hagumi asked.
"I mean exactly that," Airi responded. Hagumi huffed.
"Can you stop being so vague with all your answers. They aren't really helping me understand all of this," Hagumi said frustrated. Airi grabbed his chin and turned him toward her.
"Honeybee there's no need for you to understand anything really. Truthfully the less questions you ask the better. Just rely on me, okay?"
"Can't rely on someone I can't trust," Hagumi muttered. Airi gasped in shock.
"You-you don't trust me?!" She was absolutely bewildered by this revelation.
"You sound as if you're so shocked that someone who barely knows you or what your intentions are who casually talks about murdering people would trust you." Hagumi said with an obvious tone. Airi furrowed her brows with a pout.
"I already told you I'm here to protect you and that I would never hurt you. Sure, maybe my temper might go overboard but I'm serious when it comes to you that's why I'm like that. But you can trust me. Haven't I shown you since I've arrived my affection for you? It's not to deceive you, but so that you know you have someone to rely on," Airi explained.
"I know you're confused about everything, but I promise later today when I take you to my clan, I will clarify these things for you okay. So don't doubt me," she said. She pressed her and Hagumi's head together their faces only inches apart. Hagumi could only melt into her touch. So comforting and warm.
"Go back inside to the bathroom. Let's check on your bandages and see if they need a change," Airi said placing her hand on the side of his bum. Hagumi's face flushed red with embarrassment.
"I can do that myself," he said softly directing his eyes sideways. She cupped his face.
"You could but I won't let you. Now go, I'll come in just a moment I need to make a call," she said pinching his cheeks lightly. Hagumi stood up giving her a glance before leaving the courtyard. Now Airi was alone on the bench. Her beautiful smile replaced with a stone-cold expression.
"How long do you plan to hide behind the wall. You should know better than to hide your presence from me," she said coldly. Suddenly from behind the wall, appeared Asa who had been watching all this time.
"Well, didn't think I'd be seeing you here. What a terrible surprise," she said coyly.
"Same to you. I wonder what a purifier is doing at a high school," Airi inquired.
"I'd ask you the same. Can't see what business the Serpine Clan would have here. I was asked to monitor a boy--the one you proclaimed to be the girlfriend of. I'm curious to know how that came to be. Seems a bit inappropriate to me. A high school student. What a scandal!" Asa said amused.
"My business here has nothing to do with you. But there's no reason for purifiers to be monitoring an ordinary boy. Who gave that order?" Airi commanded.
"You are just so irresistible when you talk like that. Of course, it was from the Council. You know how these things go," Asa spoke bluntly.
"The name. Now," Airi said the tone of her voice much rougher than rushing waves against the rocks.
"Serena," Asa said simply looking at Airi's expression for a reaction. Airi balled her fists at the mention of her name.
"That bitch," she muttered to herself.
"Seems like you two still have some bad blood. Even after centuries you still can't make amends. My god you really have all eternity," Asa said half annoyed. Airi abruptly stood up storming past her.
"Why the anger? It's just some pathetic boy. Been watching him for months and absolutely nothing special about a kid who gets bullied and assaulted by a metal rod. I would just kill myself. What an utterly useless -
Suddenly Asa was thrown against a pillar. The force was so hard it cracked the pillar into pieces creating a dent and leaving Asa spitting out blood due to the impact.
Airi approached her, her eyes like a madman. The veins protruding from her face. Her snake eyes glowering, her fangs snaring. Her claws sharper and poison ready. She had a cloud that hovered over her. Every step she took felt like death itself. Asa fell to the ground holding her chest, a tint of fear could be seen in her eyes.
"Don't ever speak his name from your mouth again. You may be a purifier necessary for purification of evil magic doers and cursed weapons but don't think for a second that will stop me from killing you. There are plenty more from where you came," Airi said sharply. She looked down upon Asa. The difference in status between them felt so great. Airi made Asa feel like a peasant, someone useless despite being crucial to the arcane world. Those eyes that looked down upon as her as if she were nothing but dirt underneath her feet.
"I was being patient because Hagumi was there earlier but if you dare behave that way in front of me again, I will have your head on a stake to showcase to all you purifying pieces of shit. Now stay out of my fucking way," she said coldly before turning around and walking off.
Asa let out a breath she was holding. Her body trembled against her will.
"That damn Airi. Just you wait. I'll get you back for this."
-
Boqin, Boubi
Posted: 06/27/23
Next Chapter: The Council