*RAIZO'S POV*
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It was dark. All I could see is darkness... I felt like I was weightless as I floated in the pit black scenery.
(Where am I...?)
I felt like I was amidst dreams and reality - my conscious, in more specific terms. It felt unusual to experience such a thing. I knew I had to get out of here somehow.
Just as I was thinking on my next move, I saw a greenish smoke emerge out from underneath my feet. It turned into some sort of a figure right in front of me.
(What?!)
"Long time no see... Raizo."
(...!!!)
My eyes twitched with sickening remembrance. I was finally able to make out the still figure.
".....Jean. What do you want?" I asked in a serious tone as my expression grew dark.
The person whom I had finished all my ties with appeared before me, smirking uncontrollably.
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"I just wanted to have a little chat is all. After all, right now - at this very moment, you're lying down unconscious..."
(What?! Unconscious?! How did I--)
"Was it you?! Did you use that dirty trick?!"
That's right. I remember somewhat now! We returned back from the portal... Asuna and I were falling... I tried using my reaper powers, but--
My thought was cut short by Jean's sarcastic tone.
"How's your eye doing?"
I covered my right eye reflexively as I shouted, "Shut up!! I thought I said that we're done! That I didn't want to see you anymore!"
Jean turned his back before continuing, "You thought you got rid of me didn't you, well... Surprise! I am reborn once again and it couldn't have been done without your help. I am eternally thankful for your sacrifice, as always..."
I gritted my teeth in anger as I ran up to him -- more like flew up to him, and tried punching him as soon as he faced around.
"Yaaahhh!"
But Jean was too quick. As if he saw it coming, Jean just disappeared from my sight and appeared only to hold my arm from my blind spot, and twisted it with incredible strength as he rested his knee on my back.
"Don't be so hasty. Don't you want to see my thank you gift? It hurts me to think so Raizo..." Jean spoke under his breath, seemingly in delight.
"Arghh...! No...! I... don't!!!"
I tried resisting him and breaking free, but he just chuckled as he let go before holding my hair in his other hand and leveling me till his gaze. Jean then started drawing a symbol on my right, red eye.
It felt like my right eye was on fire.
"Ughhhhh... AHHHHHHHH!!"
He finally let go.
I started groaning irregularly while clinging onto my eye. I had no idea what Jean just did, apart from the excruciating torment.
"Hmhmhm... Now, you WILL be mine after the next full moon rises high in the sky 3 years from now. You will work for me without hesitance."
And with that, he vanished, leaving me in pain and disbelief.
"N-No... I-I will never join you... Never...!"
I looked at my hand which, moments ago, rested on top of my closed eye and clenched it tightly, making a fist vibrating with rage.
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• • • •
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I slowly opened my eyes as I felt something pulling my hair.
"Mmm... Ow ow ow!"
I looked up to see Raizo tightly holding my locks of hair with a pained expression as he still laid there, unconscious. I tried releasing them from his tight grip and barely managed to.
"Raizo...? What's going on in your mind?"
The lively chirps of the birds got my attention. I noticed it was already morning as I walked up to the window, placing my fingers on the warm glass and gently sliding downwards.
(I wonder if he would ever wake up. Perhaps I am really wasting my time...)
Just as I was thinking this, I heard a small moan from behind.
"...A-Asuna...?"
I swiftly turned my head to be greeted by the awake Raizo.
"*gasp* Raizo...!"
Tears of happiness dampened my eyes as they fell down my cheeks. I hastily ran up to him, hugging him tight. He lightly hugged me back.
"Raizo! Thank goodness you are awake! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
I kept repenting over and over until Raizo slightly laughed.
"It's okay Asuna. It's not your fault, remember, I did it outta my own will."
I looked up to see his usual smiling face.
"But still... if it weren't for my clumsiness, you never would have--"
"Don't blame yourself too much. I already told you, didn't I? So quit worrying about it. I am alright now, okay?"
Raizo's lively smile was so convincing that I ended up agreeing involuntarily.
"O-Okay..." I muttered as I looked down, still guilty.
"Um, can I ask you something?" I continued.
"Sure. What is it?"
"You know, you could have just turned into your reaper form and, well, tried to prevent yourself from getting hurt, but... You didn't. Why did you go that far?"
There was a few seconds of silence.
"Let's see. Because... Ah! Honestly, I am a little scared from my reaper form... I would rather not use it if I didn't have to... You saw how my character changes, right?"
I nodded.
Indeed, Raizo was a completely different person than his usual self. But I didn't know Raizo had problems with his form. Is that all the reason he has...?
"I also didn't want to risk letting humans see my reaper form. Plus, there is no way I could hold you and use the scythe to prevent the fall at the same time, ehehehe..." He scratched his head.
"I am still not sure..."
(I don't think he's still telling the full truth, but I guess I won't press him further for now.)
"Hey! I already said it! I just wanted to protect you and even in that split second, I couldn't have thought of changing into a reaper! And like I said, I am older than you which makes it my duty."
(Wha-- We are just a year apart...!!!)
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"Ahhh! It is good to be awake! Hey, why don't we surprise the others?" Raizo suggested as he stretched his long arms and legs after a brief silence.
I smiled.
"Sure!"
(I guess when the time is right, he'll tell me everything, I hope...)
After changing into the uniform, we both headed outside. For a second, Raizo looked really serious as we walked, but quickly reverted back.
(Hmm, must be my imagination.)
We wanted it to be a surprise, so I called everyone to the club room from the 'waiting' class. Today was a weekend, so it was alright to stay at school considering none of us wanted to leave Raizo alone.
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The others were waiting patiently in class 3-1 to the point that even they slept. They all followed me to the club room where Raizo was waiting.
"Asuna, is everything alright? I mean, why are we going to the club room?"
Mizore asked, but I just replied with a 'you will see.'
We all finally reached the room. I opened the door slightly and out came Raizo, beaming with happiness.
"I AM BACK!"
Everyone gasped, including Yuichi.
"Rai-nii!!!"
Nikki ran towards him, hugging him tight. Natsuno did the same.
"Whoa, aren't you just happy?"
"Oh man! We weren't expecting you until a week!" Natsuno stammered behind tears.
Nikki had started crying as soon as she saw him.
"*chuckle* Now why would you think that? You should have a little-- Waaa!"
All of them toppled onto the ground with Natsuno and Nikki on top of Raizo.
"...Okay kids, give him some space." Yuichi murmured as he gave a hand to Raizo.
"Raizo... Welcome back." Mizore spoke with a gentle smile.
I also couldn't help but giggle at the happy picture.
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"Raizo!" A loud voice called from afar.
(Oh no... Not him!)
Yup, Sadashige sensei came stomping our way.
"You have some nerve showing up after all the things you said!"
"Sadashige sensei, give him some time. He is still recovering." Mizore stated which calmed him down a bit.
"Whatever!" He spat.
Raizo, too, looked away with disgust.
"So, what are we to do now? Asu-nee has already proven herself to be fit for this club." Natsuno asked curiously.
"Um, yeah, about that..." I spoke up.
"I actually don't really think I am cut out for it, so I might as well just go for another club..."
"What are you talking about?! You are just the member we need to complete our team!" Raizo refuted my argument.
"No, Sadashige sensei is right. I really am useless in this..."
"Asuna, that isn't true. Your power is beyond anything else, but it just needs a little shove, that's all. You may have not noticed it, but we watched your potential. Sadashige sensei just over did it a little too much..." Mizore glared at him while saying so.
"Please Asu-nee!" Nikki and Natsuno pleaded.
"...We won't let you decline, so just give up." Yuichi warned.
"You guys..." I smiled at them with overwhelming happiness, giving up.
(If... they still have whatever faith I have lost in myself, I should return it to them! I can still find a place for myself - along with them!)
"Ahem! Well, now that you have joined this club, you better be prepared for the intense training to build up stamina and some muscles for your puny body! Don't think I will go easy on you just because you are human!"
I nodded lightly at Sadashige sensei's rude words.
Relieved, we all walked back to our places.
But, there are still some stuff that I am curious about, like what was Raizo seeing when he pulled my hair? And what is this power that Mizore keeps talking about?
It is all far too transparent for me to get a glimpse of. I just hope I don't regret any of it...
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