It was midway through the day when I was given a free period. So, I decided now was the time to find Eva; I began asking around in hopes of finding out what class she was currently in.
Eventually my search led me to the student council office. Inside as she was most commonly found was the council president: Fukashi Jinai.
Swinging her beloved wooden sword as sweat dripped from her brow. Her hair was a deep black, wrapped into a long ponytail that fell down her back. Her body was slender yet toned from countless hours of training; she was a woman of conviction and discipline; some of her finest qualities.
"Hey Fuka!" I called out to her, using her nickname.
"Oh, its Mada-" She replied. "Have you come to join me? I've only got about five thousand left."
"Haha... Sorry, maybe another time." I respectfully declined. "I was wondering if I could bother you for a sec-"
As I walked up to her, she raised the sword above her head, and with a swing of her blade she struck the air. A small gust of wind passed through the room, kicking up dust and pushing papers aside.
"Whew-" she sighed, wiping her forehead. "Now... How may I be of service?"
I dusted myself off, "I was hoping you could tell me where I could find Eva, the new student in my class."
She cocked her head, "Cyona? You mean the girl who's garnered the attention of every boy in the school..."
"Uh- yeah that's the one."
She had a look of disappointment on her face as she set her sword down. "I talked to her just yesterday actually."
"Really?" I replied.
"However, it went less than expected." She looked over to the window for a moment shaking her head. "Where I gave generosity, I was only met with apathy... as if I spoke to a machine."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." I replied.
She sighed, "Nether the less, my position as Council president has me greet every new student that comes to this school; helping them acclimate to their new surroundings."
"But it seems she's already carved out her place here; she's a special case, that one."
Fuka always strove to bring out the best in people, no matter what they were like. Her drive to do so led her to gain popularity among the lower classes, leading to her election as president.
"I believe she's on the second floor, room two hundred and six, English." She picked up her sword, continuing to swing.
"Thanks, Fuka, means a lot."
A smirk crept its way up her face, "I just hope you haven't fallen for her too..."
My cheeks turned red with embarrassment, "Haha- me? If only I had the time." I said walking out the door. "Maybe when the world's ending."
She smiled at me, her expression honest and caring. "Don't count yourself short Mada, you're quite the special one yourself." She said cocking her head to the side; her bangs falling over her face.
Despite her toned physique or her charming charisma, Fuka was never one for love or deep relationships. Since she didn't like opening up to people about herself or her family. She was always hard to read, even for Torako, which was probably why they never got along.
I nodded, "Thanks-" and headed out the door.
I had finally made it up to Eva's class, which it looked like they were still in the middle of. I peered inside...
I noticed her in the middle of the classroom. Jotting down notes, her hand strokes moving elegantly across the paper. The light from the window shined down on her, causing her hair to glisten like the reflection of a summer's lake. Despite her uniform her skin seemed to glow, as if the dark contrast illuminated her pale complexion.
It was as if she was the very center of the whole room; "Beautiful..." I softly let out.
The teacher noticed me as I stood in the doorway, "Mada Ekoda what are you doing?"
"Wha- huh??" In my surprise I fell over, falling to the floor. "Ah!"
The class laughed as I quickly picked myself off the ground, brushing myself off. "N-nothing!" I spoke. "I'm just lost is all."
She raised one eyebrow at me, "Well I assure you wherever you need to be it isn't here."
I bowed, "Of course- Sorry for interrupting." I looked up to see if Eva had noticed but, no. Her eyes hadn't left her paper from the moment I stepped in the room.
I sighed and left the class.
I stepped back out onto the roof to see if Torako was still there but, he had gone to his next class.
However, a voice soon came from behind me.
"Why are you looking me?"
I turned around and there she was, sitting on the entrance to the stairs, one leg over the other.
"E-Eva..." I said startled.
Sweat dripped from the back of my neck as I stepped back. "How'd she get up here without me noticing?" I thought.
She swiftly jumped down from the roof of the entrance, her steely eyes piercing through me like daggers. "Answer the question."
"Because..." I calmed my nerves, "Because I want to know what happened last night."
She stopped, her posture shifted, placing her hand on her hip. As if she was pondering something.
"What was that creature? Who are you??" I protested.
"I am but a tool." She softly stated, "Created to ensure your safety."
"Keep me safe from what!?" I shouted, my anger intensifying. "I watched Mr. Shoda die last night, yet I saw him today like nothing!"
I grabbed her arms, "You can't just act like nothing happened!" tightening my grip.
Her tone grew stern as her brow furrowed. "Remove your hands." She ordered.
"No!" I yelled. "I'm not letting go until you give me an answer!"
"You leave me no choice." The veins on her arms began to glow with the same orange color from last night.
In a manner of moments, she broke free of my grip; grabbing my collar she lifted me into the air. "You will regret not heeding my warning."
Suddenly, another voice came from the shadow of the roof storage room.
"Why not let the boy in on our little secret hm, Eva?" the voice said.
Out from the shadows stepped a middle-aged woman wearing a white lab coat that opened up at the chest. Her curly hair was a darker red, that spread out over her shoulders and back. She was slender yet with a curved body; she wore black shades along with gold flower earrings.
Eva's mood seemed to lighten at the sudden appearance of this woman. "Professor..."
Her heels made a clicking sound as she walked closer. She then lit a cigarette, taking a long drag.
I noticed a patch on the side of her coat; it was that of a tree with a snake curled around its branches. "Wait that's-"
Before I could finish Eva dropped me. "Gah!"
Taking another drag she looked down at me, then removing her shades she spoke.
"My name is Kana Shukou; I work for-"
"Da-Jin" I said interrupting her.
She smiled a slick grin, her sea blue eyes gazing down at me. "Good, then you know where we're going next."
She then pulled out what looked like a small remote; pressing the button we were met with a large gust of wind and noise as a MAU released its cloaking device.
The door opened as Ms. Shukou stepped in with Eva; I looked in noticing there wasn't any pilot.
"Who's flying this thing!?" I yelled.
"It's Ai controlled." Responded Ms. Shukou. "Care to join us?" she asked.
I gulped, and looked at Eva as she stared out the window nonchalantly.
Ms. Shukou held out her hand, "You want answers?" she asked, "This is how you'll find them."
I hesitated, then taking her hand I jumped on taking my seat.
Then like nothing we ascended into the air, heading for Da-Jin corporation.