Date: September 11
Place: Kyoto Headquarters
[Noel]
"My name's Noel Bugay, but call me Noel," I say and reach for his hand for a shake when Cedrick guides him to a metal stool to sit. "Let's get along here on out," he smiled while enthusiastically shaking my hand back.
He smiled warmly and so did Cedrick and I. But Rei on the other hand...
"Alright, enough of that" She switched the mood from a bright summer field to a stormy ocean. Both Cedrick and I looked at each other in utter confusion about what had gotten with her since she came back. "It's time for an initiation"
Cedrick gave a sharp sigh as I remembered I also had one on my first day here.
"Oh! Right!" I got everyone's attention while I thought of something to ease the atmosphere here. "Don't worry, it's quite easy. The worst that could happen is running around the whole place a few times," I tried but he looked even more pressured and stressed.
"I just want you to answer one question within three seconds," she stopped and thought for a while. "Although I have a gut feeling you'll get it right," looking at the new boy, she then turned to both Cedrick and I which made us a bit nervous.
Cedrick gave a look that screamed 'What?'
"Pick between these two," she pointed her fingers going from my direction to Cedrick's.
"I'm Cedrick Dior by the way. But just feel comfortable and call me Cedrick, everyone calls me that," he suddenly introduced himself when he remembered he hadn't yet. Then he instantly glanced at her. "And why am I in the choices?" He protested but she just mercilessly ignored him with a simple exchange of look.
Cedrick had no choice but to accept it and sink into the sofa, feeling a sense of defeat.
"So who would it be?" she demanded an answer fast.
He looked between the both choices before stopping at my direction. "Then, Noel?" he answered with a dissatisfied tone as if he wasn't sure if it was alright to pick me or the latter. I simply replied with a smile which made his expression relax as he had the courage to look at her again.
"Alright, if you managed to answer correctly, that's where Noel comes in and takes the punishment instead," she says, looking satisfied with her decision. While Cedrick just grinned, looking at me. Feeling victorious that he didn't get picked.
[Kikoe]
"Don't worry about me," Noel hurriedly reassured that he was totally fine by my pick as I gave him a soft and tiny smile.
"Are you ready?" Rei asks, smiling at me.
The time when I first met her suddenly played in my mind as I had a few shivers down my spine with that grin. I can't let Noel take the punishment for me, but I'll have to answer randomly to save him. I gave a nod. "What's my favorite color?" she didn't waste anytime to give me a count down. "1, 2, 3" she smiled.
In that small amount of time, her face from when I first encountered her suddenly flashed in my eyes. Those vengeful eyes that seeks my lifeless body as she was pinning me down, the bloodlust I felt from how suffocating that moment was, "Red," I blurted out without much thought.
I glanced around to find Cedrick unfazed, but Rei was smirking as she looked at Noel who was completely shocked from my answer. "Great job," she looked at me from her side eyes and continued to focus on Noel.
"I got it right?" I murmur in disbelief as I hear Cedrick chuckle a little when he takes a glance at Noel.
Did I do something wrong? I was utterly confused of how all of them reacted.
"Now for the punishment," Noel's eyes squinted as he took a few steps back from her words. "Go to the main lobby and ask the personnel for the new files they have for us," his posture softened from her order as she smiles at his reactions.
Just what kind of punishment was he given last time?
"Right away," Noel smiled happily and almost skipped out the lounge happily.
"Cedrick, Haru wanted a talk with you, right?" she didn't waste a second when she suddenly smirked at my way after saying that.
I heard him sigh as he slowly stood up from sitting, my eyes followed his movements. "Thanks for reminding me," his steps were heavy as he walked near me, our eyes met before his hands laid on my shoulder and slightly squeezed it. "Good luck," he reassured and finally the door behind me, closed.
It was a long and silent minute as my eyes slowly crept up to Rei who was already sitting where Cedrick sat, her silent but deadly gazes were piercing through my nervous chuckles as it finally sunk in that it was just the two of us in this room.
She made herself comfortable, crossing her legs as her arm rested on the top of the sofa. "I trust you haven't told anyone about it," her voice had a hint of doubt.
"Tell anyone what?" my body stiffens as both my palm are clenching on the fabric in my knees "What do you mean?" I let out a nervous laugh as my eyes wondered anywhere but her.
She simply sighed and smiled. Her unusual aura made me shiver as I bit my lips in anticipation of her next words.
"I know you're thinking that I'm keeping you close to have a proper surveillance on your mouth," she noticed my widen eyes from her statement as she scoffs. "I'll ask you now," the serious atmosphere returned shortly as she glared at me while giving me the friendliest smile.
"Would you want to become one of my members? Not just temporarily, but a full fledged member," she asks.
I gulped.
"Excuse me?" I said in shock.