The light filled the boy's vision. K squinted his eyes open, seeing the sun rays into the sand-tan curtains.
Kuroka was nowhere to be found, while a serving table remained on K's dress top.
K walks to the room bathroom, washing his face before looking at himself in the mirror.
He eyed his math teacher's hairdo before sighing. K looks around the draw, finding clippers and a shaver.
The boy stared at it before looking at himself.
K cuts his hair, watching, piece by piece, hit the sink. He shaves, finalizing it.
K looks back at the mirror. His shiny brown bald head reflects the bathroom lights.
"I look like a piece of candy. An old woman would give." K remarked to himself before brushing his hand along his head, feeling the cold air from the vent above. "God, this is weird."
K sits back on his queen-sized bed, grabbing the serving tray.
He sat it on his lap. Pancakes, french toast split in half, are covered with strawberry syrup. Scramble eggs and patty sausages litter the bottom of the plate.
The boy digs in, turning on the TV.
A dark screen and green letters appeared.
Welcome to Gyoiko.
A News channel flicks along the TV.
"What do you? Got there?" A newswoman approached a boy playing with other kids in a sandbox.
"A train." The kid says in wonder.
"Really?" She inspects the train in her hand. "Does it have a name?"
"It's a Duex. Its horsepower is three hundred twenty kilometers per hour. Hold fifteen carts. Its wheel motor traction is four-hundred twenty horsepower. Do you know? The Duex can go. From this place and to my grandma's House in fourteen minutes?"
The newswoman looks to the boy who only rolled the train along the sand.
"He loves trains." Another little boy states.
"I see." The newswoman looks back at the camera.
The channel switch.
"You can't hold me!" A girl in a colorful short skirt twirls her pink wand with a star in the center. "I will defeat any who stand in my way."
"Dang." K tried eyes eyed his plate, forking some food. He stared into the flatscreen before switching the channel to a reality show. "I missed an episode. Well, I could always give pirating a try."
K grabs his phone, checking his messages.
Akeno (Dark Princess)
A: I send the papers to you. It's in your mail. Are you coming to school today?
K squinted his eyes.
K: It's the weekend.
K waited a moment before Akeno's message popped up once more.
A: Yesterday was Sunday. And Koneko is looking for you, and so is Issa and Rias. Don't shoot—the Messager.
K's face grew dark and gloomy.
The boy rockets out of bed, throwing on his blue shirt and shoes before sprinting down the hall, leaving his Hit jacket on a chair beside his dresser.
A dust trail follows down the hall. A blur raced down the stairs before making it outside the Hotel.
'SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!'
K looks at his phone.
2:45 pm
'Lunch is an hour away!'
K barrel rolls over a car turning into him.
K dodges people and vehicles before making it to his House.
The boy raced to get dressed before heading downstairs, only to come to a halt.
"Hey. Wait a minute." K approached Kalawarner, who was wiping a floor table in front of their TV. K fixes her headband before plucking something from her dress.
Kalawarner only looks up and down at him at a quick succession.
"You got a little something on you." K smirk. "Oh!" K pulled out his wallet, dropping money in Kalawarner's hand. "You guys worked hard. Get whatever you all need."
K looks back to Raynare, Mittlet, and Miko, who's in her dark blue suit and a skirt reaching her knees.
They stood in the hallway in front of the stairs.
K gave a light smirk before approaching Miko to kiss her on the cheek, who only looked at him like a ghost.
"Good luck with work. And Girls. Don't work too hard." He points his finger before vanishing.
---
Sitting in class, Issa looks out the academy window, eyeing the streets leading to the gate.
'The fight did a number on K. He fought like a beast. I must steer clear if that's him when he completely loses it.' Issa makes a goofy look. 'Oh, Rias!'
"Oh, Issa." Ria's breast of watermelon faces the girl lying on the bed. "What you did last night. I must reward you for your endowers." Rias smirks while a tear rains down Issa's eye.
'Please. Let this be every night.'
"Ms.Hyoudo." Issa lightly flinched, looking to the teacher, who only folded his arms. Other eyes land on her. "We all have dreams, yet let's leave it to your private time. Ok?"
"Oh, don't worry about me, Mr.Yuto. It won't happen again."
The door opened, revealing K staring at the class.
"Sorry. I'm late." K walked along the row, getting snickers and glances.
"Mr. Woods. I'll let it go. Just this once. Don't let it happen again." Mr. Yuto watched K take his seat in front of Matsuda.
K nodded while Mr. Yuto turned to the board. Matsuda smacks K's head, snickering.
The boy looks over his shoulder to Matsuda, biting his hand while avoiding his gaze from K.
'Well. I think it's better than what K had last night.' Issa eyed every detail on K's bald, shiny head.
...
"Dude. Who the Hell gave you a St.Jude treatment?" Matsuda questioned, standing before K's desk.
"I did like it?" K answered while Matsuda and Motohama chuckled.
"I do." Matsuda put his hands on K's head before closing his eyes. "Please, tell me my future."
The two broke into laughter.
"Alright. Guys. That's enough." Issa eats from bento.
"Fine. Fine. So?" Matsuda leans into K's blank face. "Is you and Asia a thing?"
"No, If I throw you a bone. Would you leave me alone?" K answered blankly.
"That depends." Issa cocks her head. "I'm a little curious, if I may add."
K pats his pockets before shrugging.
"Sorry. I'm out of dog treats."
"We're not dogs." Motohama glared. "We're species that are slightly above one. I may add."
"Come on, you little shit!" Matsuda raised his voice, raising his fist. "Don't make me beat it out of you."
"You guys are so determined to get a girlfriend. Why not Issa?" K informed. "You guys share the same brain link."
Motohama and Matsuda looked back at Issa, who stared at her food.
"Wait. What now?" Issa voiced, forking her rice. "That's not happening."
"Exactly." Motohama pushes up his glasses. "She's like a brother who happened to have a flower."
"I mean." Matsuda shrugs, looking at Issa. "I believe in a multi-verse theory."
"Dude, you smell sometimes. If I add you to my harem, you will probably steal some of my members under my nose." Issa answered while Matsuda clamped his face with his hand.
"Damn! Sister. You didn't have to call a lawyer for a brother trying to shoot his shot! Anyway." Matsuda looks at K seriously, his defined jaw pointing at the boy. "Are you an ass man or a boob man?"
"Where the hell did that even come from?" K questioned.
"Those two chunk nuggets over there get wet over breasts. They are all right, but I like diving into the oceans. To see the currents or even the sea vents."
"Please. Stop."
"Well, you see, K." Motohama glasses flare. "You're the tiebreaker that might end this blood bath. Or even this friendship."
"I wish. That's true." K remarked, glancing at the window before turning back to the three who remained seated on desks on the right of him. "And why are you even saying all this in front of the girls here?" K eyed Asia talking with a student across the room. "Asia is here."
"Man. Fuck them, girls! You are either an ass man or a boob man! Pick your poison." Matsuda cocks his head while K rubs the bridge of his nose.
"What if I like both?"
"It can only be one or another."
K remained silent while the trio eyed the boy, awaiting his answer.
"Assman."
"Ah! Whoo!" The trio burst into laughter or grunts.
"You see, guys!" Matsuda gave K a side hug. "This motherfucker is my brother from another mother!"
"Don't use those two words in the sentence." A female student with glasses approaches the four with Asia beside her. "It's bad enough you talk like that."
"Well. I must agree with Aika here." Motohama voiced while K looked at the girl only to study every detail. "You could word it differently, maybe, without motherfucker?"
"Hama! Don't encourage our enemy, you out of your damn mind?!" Matsuda raised his voice while Issa noticed K lock gaze on Aika.
"K?" Asia voiced while Matsuda bumped K's arms, knocking him out of a daze. "I like what you did with yourself. Is that why you were late?"
"Uh, yeah. Thanks. Something personal happened. It's either that or this." K looks to Aika. "Have we met before?"
"No, you want to see my sweet spot?" Aika remarked, causing Asia to blush.
"You want that. Take me to dinner first." K interlocks his fingers. "There are levels."
"You pay for the bill while I give you a back rub. I tell you about when we used to be past lovers."
"As much I like the battle of sarcasm, This is not going anywhere." Issa voiced. "Aika. What are you doing here?"
"What's with the hostility? I wanted to hang around with my friends."
"Girl. You got it twisted." Matsuda voiced. "You are always trying to get us in trouble."
"Correction. You guys do it all on your own." Aika folded her arms. "I mean. Issa was a shy and thoughtful girl until you two showed up."
"Correction. I had thoughts way before that." Issa adds. "I express more than usual."
"Are we talking about the same person?" K tilts his head.
"Well. You see." Aika continued. "Issa. She couldn't make it past two desks when called to the front to do a speech and whatnot. She was quiet until Tommy and Hardy used their voodoo and taught her the ways of a Pervert with a constant hard-on."
"Is that true, Issa?" Asia looks to Issa, who closes her bento. "It's hard seeing you like that."
"Yes, not only them and someone else." Issa glances at K, who tilts his head with a calm gaze. "I'd rather be out of my shell than waste my time in one. And I thanked you guys."
"Issa." Motohama cried, wiping his tears with his sleeve. "I didn't know you thought about us that way."
"Yeah, girl. You got a brother crying and shit. Ah!" Matsuda screamed. "If some dick or cunt is giving you trouble. You know who'd to call."
"Thanks. Guys." Issa smirked.
"So. I heard rumors. You and Asia are going out." Aika stared at K, who raised a brow.
"And where did you hear it from?"
"A few birds, if I may add." Aika pushes her glasses with a smirk. "Twice a week. You two are out in your yard. Dirty and covered with sweat. I bet you two share a shower."
"Stop!" Asia shouts. "We're not like that!" She blushes.
"He didn't deny it."
"Come on. Aika." Issa stands up for Asia. "Don't put things in Asia's head."
"Maybe." K starts getting their eyes. "Maybe not. Who could say?" He smirked.
"I'M GOING TO THE RESTROOM!" Asia bolts out the classroom door.
"Aika, look what you done." Issa stands from her desk. "And K, you no better." She raced after Asia.
"Hey! Asshole!" K looks to Matsuda and Motohama, who punches him out of his chair.
...
K walked along the Academy field, heading to the ORC Building. He climbed the hill before entering the door.
K climbed the red carpet steps, eyeing Issa climbing down.
"Wait. You still here?" K questioned.
"I'm going home right about now." Issa blushed, walking past him.
"Wait. Is Koneko and Rias here?"
"Rias lives with me. Koneko. I don't know. You can wait for her." She raised her voice, exiting through the door.
"Hmm?"
'For some reason, I feel I know what happened.' K looks to the top of the steps. 'Yet, I can't put my finger on it.'
K climbed before knocking on the double doors.
"Who is it?" A familiar voice cried out behind the door.
"It's me, K."
"Oh. Come in."
K opens the door to see Akeno on the couch—her wet white robe clings to her body, revealing the cracks between her breasts mountains.
"Crap. Sorry." K looks away.
"It's. Fine." Akeno smirked. "I see you got my text."
"Yeah." K closes the door behind him. "Issa told me Rias lives with her, and Koneko is about. She said I should wait here."
"You don't sound surprised."
'Should I?' K blankly looks to Akeno before sitting on the couch before her.
"I don't know how to feel about that. Things change for the good and the worst."
"True." Akeno cocks her head. "You wish it was you?"
"Not going to lie. Yeah."
"You are so sweet." Akeno grins before looking at K's head. "I hope it wasn't the rune that did that."
"Nope. I shaved it off. I would rather. Be shaved bald, then look like a math teacher."
"You look different." Akeno eyed him up. "And calmer."
"Yep. It's a new me." K tilts his head. "I didn't align my goals yet in my diary, but I keep inspiring quotes to keep me going. It's not the new Year, but let me have my chance."
"You not so different. As it seems." Akeno smirks. "Do you remember the party?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"What made you change your mind?"
K paused, looking around the room before looking back at Akeno in her robe.
"I didn't want that girl to get herself killed." K continued. "She reminded me of myself when I first started the Hit business. I was young, strong, and Kind. Besides, I'm glad I made it before that happened."
"I'm sorry. If I mean to pry, but you called yourself a monster."
"I am. And I can't change that." K tilts his head. "I would like to talk with you all. At my House if you mind."
"I don't. I'll let Rias and the others know." Akeno nods. "What was the speech after that fight?" She approaches K's couch before sitting next to him. "You will protect us? Even Hell and Angel's?"
"Those last parts were me going with the flow."
"Right." Akeno chuckled.
"I hope I'm right, no offense. You guys have been there for me even when I wasn't there for myself. The last time I trusted someone, I ended up hurting them."
"I may be a devil." Akeno places a hand on K's. "But I'm Akeno Himejima. And I will always will be."
"Yeah." K looks away. "Hey. I heard you have something against my maids." K felt Akeno's grip tighten in his hand. "I should've. I have gotten to you all first since you have. History with them."
"Do you hate fallen angels?" Akeno looks up at K.
"At first, during my episode at the church, but now. It's a blur if they're devils like yourself. There could be some good ones out there who's fallen." K answered. "Look. You don't have to talk about it now. But whenever you do. I'll be waiting." K pats her shoulder with a light smirk.
Akeno rises to her feet, looking down at him with a smile.
"K, I'm glad Issa positively influences you." She leaned into K's ear, whispering. "I think. I may have fallen for you." She bit K's earlobe, causing the boy to shiver.
The swinging of the door gains their attention to Koneko, eyeing them down with her usual blank stare.
"K. Don't let me hold you. Up." Akeno adds. "I would like to sleep and prepare myself for our meeting. When would you like it?"
"Eleven. Fine." K answered, looking up at her Akeno, trying to gaze past her breast.
"Consider it done." Akeno heads for the door past Koneko.
"You all meeting me. At my House." K answered while Koneko stood before K. "So. What do you need me for?"
"A deal. Is a deal." Koneko answered. "I did what you asked me, and I want you as my master."
"What did you do?" K squinted his eyes.
"Perform a handstand for the entire day."
"You did it." K rubs his nose with a sigh. "Is that all you want?"
"I want to live with you. So that way. I don't have to go across town." Koneko nodded.
"Ok. Fine." K raised his hands. "I'll be your Master."
"Sweet." Koneko gave a light smirk.
"I'll be straight with you if you want to get strong. Great." K's face grew defined while Koneko only remained quiet. "If you want to push it til Death. I'm going to stop your ass right there. My memo is, 'I want to be a hero, not need.' Those that need it are the quickest to fall. Do you hear me?"
Koneko nodded.
"I would like to hear from you."
"Yes, Master."
"Good." K's face relaxed. "So, do you want to go home?"
...
K walked down the neighborhood with Koneko in the orange light from the sun touching the street.
"You don't have much." K looked at her cat-shaped black bookbag on Koneko's back. "Where did you live, by the way?"
"Back at. The club room." Koneko answered, her eyes remaining forward.
"Hmm?" K looked forward down the street. "Knowing Rias. I bet she made it comfortable for you."
Koneko remained silent.
"By the way. Why would you like to be so strong? Is it for Rias?" K tilts his head.
"Yes."
K's eyes remained. He looked away as they entered the front door.
"I'm home." K voiced, closing the door behind Koneko. "Shoes off."
"Meow." Yuri approached the front door before stopping.
"Hey. Girl." K smirked, approaching her. He pats her neck, brushing his hands down her spine to her tail. Yuri's eyes remained on the guest. "Yeah. We have a guest."
Koneko eyed Yuri with squinted eyes.
"This is Koneko. She will be staying with us." K raises to his feet, looking at Koneko. "Come on. I'll show you to your room." K places a foot on the step, looking over his shoulder.
"Hey, Yuri." Koneko voiced, walking toward her. "It's nice to meet you." Koneko passed Yuri, who eyed the two climbing the steps.
K and Koneko climbed it.
"This is the closet. It's closest to the stairs after that Is Miko's room, or other words, Akihito. Follow me." K opened the next door. "This is the bathroom. It's small, but the tub can stack about three people. Next is the fallen. Rias managed to edit the House a little, so there's that." K opened the last door.
"And my room."
Koneko enters while K followed along.
The toy figures that sat on the self behind his bed were now Magic garment girl figures and wands. And on top of that sat A sliver urn.
"Yeah. I know I'm weird. It's a good show." K voiced.
"You said. It." Koneko remarked, eyeing the room.
"You can sleep here for the night. I'll take the couch and let Rias know she can add an extra room."
"I can sleep with you." Koneko looks at K blankly. "On the floor. Don't get too excited."
"Not in my house." Koneko pulls out a K token. "The Hell? You still have that thing?"
"And one more. Once you take it."
"Ugh." K takes it. "Fine. You are not sleeping on the floor. I'll bring an air mattress."
"What's that?" Koneko looks to the top of the shelf at the silver urn. "Or Who's in it?"
"Oh. Uh. That's my grandpa's wife and child. And why is there one? The police didn't find much left of them. A monster killed them. I promise to eradicate many before I drop."
K looks to Koneko, who looks back at him.
"If you worry about that falling on you, It's sealed, and I got it locked in place. However, it's not like you are sleeping on my bed. Air Mattress Princess."
"You giving me that name?" Koneko sat her backpack along K's bed railing.
"I'm not the one who's asked to sleep in my room."
"Fine. Master."
"Let's cut the Master. Sensei or K is fine."
Koneko nodded while the door behind them opened.
"K you home?" Miko pokes her head through his door. "Oh. You have guests. Wait, you're the girl I've met, but it's not you in hindsight."
"Miko. Koneko from the ORC Club. She's staying here for a while. I'm her trainer." K voiced while Miko raised a brow.
"You sure love bringing everyone here. Let me get the couch ready."
"Oh, uh. Koneko's sleeping in my room."
Miko smiled.
"You're not giving me babies."
"The hell you on about?!" K raised his voice.
"Don't raise your voice with me, young man!" Miko points. "Teens your age get all angsty at this time of year."
"I'm not an animal."
"In the sheets you are."
"God! Get out of my room!" K raised his voice, pointing.
"You have to come to understand that you're a guy. And your hormones are higher than this fine young girl."
"Stop!"
"K, don't shut me out!"
"Not listening." K lightly pushed Miko out while she argued.
"At least wear Protection." K closes the door, eyeing the floor. "Keep your room clean. I'm letting none of your maids do it for you." Miko raises her voice behind the door while K sighs.
"I like her." Koneko comments.
"Of course you do." K closes his eyes.
...
K wanders about the living room while Koneko remains on the couch eating a bag of candy.
"Where is it?" K looks around, eyeing the kitchen at Kalawarner in her sleeping wear and apron preparing dinner.
"Where is? What?" Miko questioned, taking a seat on the couch facing the TV. She threw a red blanket over her.
"My jacket. I am supposed to patrol today."
"Can you rest for one night?"
"I can't. The people need me."
"You want to be a hero. Not Need to." Koneko comments her eyes remain on the TV.
"Seriously." K squinted his eyes. "It's been a few hours, and you are already using my words against me."
"This must be a sign. Come here." Miko stretches her hand to the boy.
"Agh!" Kalawarner grunts loudly, getting everyone's attention. She shooked her hand before she sucked on her finger.
"Hey. You alright?" K entered the kitchen, eyeing Kalawarner, looking up at him.
"I'm fine."
"Let me see."
"I said. I'm fine."
K opened a cabinet under the sink, pulling a medkit.
"Have. A seat." K states, sitting down by the table while Kalawarner only stood silent. "Come on." She does while K inspects her index finger. A cut line above her fingernail presents itself while K searches the bag. "I didn't throw away the spray bottle for you to shut me out."
Kalawarner remained silent while K pulled out a bottle of alcohol.
"Ready?" K looked up at her while Kalawarner only nodded. He poured some on her wound. Kalawarner stared blankly at him while K watched the bubbles fill her cut. "Where's Raynare?"
"She's in our room with Mittlet as we speak with."
"Hmm? Bring Mittlet down. She's been dodging the kitchen long enough." K planted the King's bandaid on Kalawarner's finger. K reaches into the medkit before pulling something out. "Lollipop?"
"I'm good."
"You're turning down a Lollipop?" K raised a brow. "It's watermelon."
"I don't do sweets." Kalawarner raised from the chair before bowing. "I'll be back. K."
K watches Kalawarner leave the kitchen, heading down the hall before climbing the stairs.
'Slowly but surely.' K packed the medkit, putting it back where it belonged.
"Is Kalawarner alright?" Miko looked behind the couch while K leaned past her head, eyeing the TV. Presenting a man with his foot tangled in a helicopter emergency ladder as he fired his rifle at the other helicopter's following them. "Yeah. Looks like I'm continuing where she left off."
K heard the step quake while Kalawarner and Mittlet entered the living room. Mittlet is dressed in a white chemise cotton dress showing her small shoulders.
"KW won't be able to continue. So you going to help me." K rises from the couch edge.
"No offense, but I don't wanna." Mittlet voiced while K tilted his head.
"If you like that. Then you can do the basics while you watch me." K threw a black apron on Mittlet, who sighed. "Look. I'm doing this for your own good."
"I'm good. Where I am."
"Takeout. Means more money." K smirked over her shoulder. "We gotta keep our figure, you know. Come on, Snow Bunny."
The two entered the kitchen while K walked Mittlet to a cutting board.
"K. What would you like me to do?" Kalawarner questioned while K looked over his shoulder.
"You did enough. Relax a little. Thanks, by the way." Kalawarner nodded, taking her seat on the couch by Miko. "Alright. It seems she's in the middle of dicing sugar."
K and Mittlet look down at the half-dice green plant.
"Go ahead." K voiced while Mittelt's eyes snapped to him and back at the board.
"The food." Mittelt protest.
"I'm watching. It." K states. An excellent line of smoke rises from the cooking pot.
Mittelt grabs the sugar, slowly dicing the plant. K hand grabs Mittelt's. She looked over her shoulder to K hovered over her.
"You putting too much pressure." He closes her hand, holding the plant. "You know how to throw down but not dice sugar?"
"You know to cook but can't fight when your life is on the line?"
K chuckled.
"Right." K guided the knife into Mittlet's hand in a smooth movement. K diced the entire cane, sliding it on the corner of the board before placing another on the center. "You try."
K watched the awkward cutting Mittlet gave. Some pieces came in different sizes, while K only gave a light smirk.
"Good job. Continued where you left off." K approached the cooking pot covered with brown sauce and diced chicken in the center. K pour more sauce before stirring it.
"How do you know how to cook?" Mittlet questioned in the middle of her dicing. "That old man?"
"Yep. I'm no master like the swordsman we know, but it can't hurt to be knowledgeable. You had your servants whipped you up something?" K cocked a brow over his shoulder before gazing back at the pot.
"Please." Mittlet huffed. "I'm staring at one." She said under her breath.
"You won't have one. If you don't say what you want."
"You going to be my servant!" Mittlet points. "And you'll regret you ever display a humiliation like this! Don't blink! I mind you."
"Maybe in another timeline, Now Snow Bunny. Those canes are not going to cut themselves." K smirked while Mittlet glared, continuing where she had left off.
K paced to the rice pot near the shove. He closes it.
"Nearly done." He said to himself.
"What do you want to do with this?" Mittelt questioned with her arms crossed.
"Bring it here." Mittelt brought the cutting board. "Dump it in."
She does so, causing the pot to catch flames. Mittelt stumbled back, eyeing the fire dancing in her eyes.
A small hand opens the door. Fire and smoke filled the brick halls, and the blonde little girl kept her balance while the environment shook.
"Benedict!" She cried, walking down the red carpet. Bodies of maids and knights litter the hall. Arrows and stab wounds filled their body.
A shield with a flaming bird emblem on a shield remained in the hand of one of the fallen knights she wasn't familiar with. The warm and wet liquid steeped into her toes.
Young Mittlet kicks something, causing the object to roll. A head of a well-kept man gazes back at her.
"DADDY!" Mittlet shouts once more while the environment shakes aggressively. Paintings and souvenirs fell to the floor while stones crashed onto the floor surrounding her. "AH!"
The ceiling caves in on her. She blacked out before waking up. Fire littered the halls, blocking her sight from the door at the end.
Young Mittlet's head is covered in blood while she gazes back at her leg, trapped under the rubble. She grunts, pulling and pulling only to prove futile.
"MOMMY! DADDY!" Her cries filled the fire while more of the ceiling came falling down.
A figure exits the flames, approaching the Mittlet before crouching by her side. Mittlet teary eyes look up at it.
A man in a black suit gazed down at Mittlet with pearl-black eyes.
"Mittland, you shouldn't die here." The man known as Death reached down his hand. "We can take care of you." Mittland remained quiet. "All you have to do is grab my hand. I'll get us out of here."
The flames grew wild around them while more rocks crumbled down. Mittland shakily grabs Death hand. The black circle of symbols surrounded them as it shimmered a bright light.
"You would like to see your parents again." Death gave a warm smile. "Let's go meet them."
Mittland gave a smile while a bright light took her.
"Mittelt. Hey." K shined a light in her eyes. Mittlet eyes watered as she held the cutting board close to her chest. She eyed Miko and everyone behind K that remained in the kitchen. "Good. You're with us."
"Agh!" Mittlet slams the cutting board across K's face. The board snapped in half while K remained unfazed. She raced down the hall before climbing the steps.
"K. You alright?!" Miko questioned.
"I'm good." K straightened his back, eyeing the hall. "Do you mind? Watching the food? I think it's almost done."
K paced down the hall before following Mittelt. He climbed the steps, walking down the narrow corridor. He stops at the last door in front of his room.
K hears the quiet sobbing Mittelt tries to hide. The boy knocked.
"Hey. Uh. Sorry about that." K listen to silence behind the door while he rubs his nose. "I-I didn't know." He stumbles in his words. "Get better, alright? I'm always across the hall."
K gave one last look at the white door.
...
Back at Gyoiko in the morning, K, in his student uniform, paced to the front desk, eyeing the hotel clerk.
"Uh. Yesterday, in the room Six-six-six. I forgot my jacket."
"Oh. Yes." The Hotel clerk beams. "Wait one moment." She took her leave while K gazed about in the open lobby. The lounge area on the other side of the room and the reflecting floors that lead to the elevator. "Is this it?"
K grabs his jacket. Eyeing the brown leather covered in stitches, his thumb brushed against the stitch hole he remembered getting shot.
"Uh. This not it." K looks up at the clerk before returning the jacket to the counter.
"You sure?" The clerk questioned. "Our cleaning lady found it when you left."
"Yeah. My jacket is new." K lightly tapped his hand on the counter, gazing at the jacket again. "Thanks again."
K took his leave while the clerk eyed the jacket.
...
K eyed his phone, scrolling past images of heroes in the Hero Association.
"What you doing?" Issa's voice behind K's ear.
"I lost my jacket. I'm considering touching up." K states back in a low volume.
"You think. Copying outfits from the City of Heroes would get you noticed?"
"I'll throw a few edits in it, and besides, the quicker I get it, the faster my boots hit the ground."
"You so simple."
"I am a simple man."
"Hey. Guys." Asia waved, standing by K's side. "What you doing?"
"He here wants to change his hero outfit. But he's doing a spin-off." Issa answered.
"I'm no hero. I'm just a guy who hunts monsters for fun." K adds while he continues his scrolling.
"Hmm. Ok?" Asia leans beside K's face, eyeing the screen.
"How about Lighting Max?" Issa voiced.
"Nope. Try again." K answered. "I'm self-conscious."
"Metal Bat?" Asia looks to K.
"Too Casual."
"Cape Baldy? You gotta say yes to this." Issa pats K's shoulder, who only stares intently at the Hero's picture. "He looks like an older version of you. Nearly."
An ordinary bald man in a yellow one-piece jumpsuit with a short zipper at his collar. His scarlet gloves and boots nearly touch his joints while a white cape hangs from his back.
Cape Baldy stared over his shoulder blankly at someone who took the photo.
'Why does he look so familiar?' K eyed every detail and the Hero's face.
"Hey! My people!" Matsuda voiced loudly. "Oh! Who's this?"
Motohama found room over Issa's shoulder.
"I wanted. To see the heroes of the city." K answered, looking over his shoulder past Asia.
"Dude. If you want to see a hero. All you got to do is ask." Matsuda shrugs. "Search. Robust."
K does so.
A man in a black football helmet with a reflective visor that covered his eyes.
A black gi hid his tone chest, red strips, and black basketball shorts. And He stood barefooted.
Robust carried a Katana on his back while chains wrapped around his forearms and two bronze shot put balls that hung from his wrist.
Robust is lifting a car from under a trapped civilian.
"The dude is an A-list hero. He took out four. Demon-level threats. And One tiger with his tongue close to his teeth." Matsuda shrugs. "If you ask me, that dude deserved a promotion."
"And where is he when Kuoh was in danger?" Motohama questioned.
"Well. I don't know. Robust can't be more than one place."
"K. Search that guy. Hit."
K does so.
Currently, this Hero is not on record.
"Wait. Wait. You're telling me this guy is a weirdo!" Motohama raised his voice.
"Let's not go there." Issa voiced, eying everyone in the classroom, staring at them.
"Issa, you not getting it. An absolute Madman is running about, Kuoh. Doing good deeds to cover the plans he has for us."
"That's not! True." Asia argued.
"I'm sorry to butt in, but I heard rumors that a Monster like Mosquito is about stopping crime." Matsuda cuts in. "She usually comes out at night, drinking their blood til their last drop to anyone that poses a threat. And others say. She's thick in all the right places." Matsuda chuckles with a blush. "I might bust a window open and wait for the monster of the night. If you get what I'm saying."
"I'd like to join if you mind." Issa chuckled along with Matsuda.
"As much. That sounds like a great night for us three." Matsuda pushes up his glasses with a slight smirk. "I'm not convinced. Those two are working together."
"He did so much for the community." Asia continued. "And Yes, his thinking is different, but his heart is in the right place."
"He killed people."
"Murders." Aika approached the five. "Monsters that embedded specific people or that walk on two legs or more." Aika tilts her head with crossed arms. "What more do you want?"
"Hit. That madman is establishing his own sense of justice. How long would it take when that gets all blurry." Matsuda debated.
"The Hero Association is flawed and corrupted. He's a living. An example that we shouldn't. Forge fame and a flawed ranking system that barely gives those heroes who earn it a promotion they deserve."
"I heard because of his actions, monsters coming here. Here, of all places! He recruited one in his rankings. And soon more. This would be like Monster Association 2.0."
"That won't happen."
"Why so? You have proof of this claim?" Matsuda pushes his glasses on his nose.
"This may not correspond. To this argument, Hit saved me from being taken advantage of. When Kuoh used to be Hell itself." She pushes up hers while silence awaits. "That afternoon, I decided to grab a bit to eat as I did my usual study session."
"I stayed for too long." Aika continued. "I tried to make it home, but I was corner. I didn't know what they would do to me, but Hit came." She glared. "Unlike the police, he did. His face was plastered in the darkness behind his hood, his voice alien yet foreign. He saved me that night. I'm sure as hell I'll side with what he does."
"Stop. With this nonsense." Mr.Yuto entered the classroom. "I won't allow this topic in this room or anywhere on campus." He gazed firmly at everyone. "You all take your seats."
The students do so while K looks out the window, eyeing a bird that flew past it.
...
K entered Hiroshi's. He has not seen anyone at the counter or his usual work spot by his work display.
The boy rings the bell, waiting for the tailor, but no one comes. He does it again before pulling out his phone.
K scrolls down the list of people before arriving at Ria's.
He picks up before pacing around the empty lobby.
"Hello?" Rias voiced.
"Hey. It's me, K." He clears his throat with a slight blush."You need something?"
"Yes. I have a matter at hand. And Kiba is about. He went rogue."
"Rogue?" K's blush disappeared.
"Just today."
"Wait. Wait. How does this work?"
"Since Kiba is a part of my House, It is my responsibility that he doesn't act recklessly or is labeled a stray. I want you to keep an eye on him. Nothing more."
"Right." K drags. "Is that all?"
"Well. You would've woken up to me that night after the party." K stops his pacing. "But, the fallen angels there. We have bad blood. Hope you understand."
"Yeah. I understand." K scratches his arm, looking out the tailor's window, eyeing some people walking about. "I'm wondering. What are you, Issa's relationship?"
"Aw, someone jealous?" K remained silent. "After stepping to Riser the way she did. I wanted to fulfill her dream to become Harem Queen."
"The Hell is that? Harem, I mean. I hear her say that a lot."
"Well." Rias sighs. "It is one person that has an interest of many either same gender or opposite. The members that follow along stick around and depend on the head who wants it. They are either romantically involved or there for the ride. And knowing Issa, she's a good girl with the mind of someone sinister."
"That good character description."
"Right." Rias chuckles. "What is your dream?"
K gazed back at the empty counter.
"Kill monsters that walked the earth. The faster I dispatch them, the quicker we can rest easily." K closes his eyes. "And knowing my goal, I don't think I can have a relationship. I don't want to disappear one day, hoping someone wishes me home."
"Maybe it's too late for that." Rias voiced through the phone. "You have few eyes if you can't tell."
"Hello? Oh, K. Sorry about that." Hiroshi approached the counter, clamping his mouth shut.
"Oh. Uh. Rias. I gotta go. Meet you at my House."
"Sure. See you then."
K hangs up.
"I hope I didn't ruin your love life." Hiroshi leans on the counter.
"You're fine. And we're not dating." K states, feeling his heart crumble a bit. Hiroshi hums. "I would like to ask a favor?" Hiroshi tilts his head. "I would like you to make a costume for a friend."
K searches up his phone to Cape Baldy. "Something similar, but he wants a different color scheme and maybe an add-on. If you can."
"Hmm. Ok, do you know what your friend wants?"
'Well. Miko likes the color purple, and Aikohito loves red.' K looks about before gazing back at Hiroshi.
"He likes the cape, gloves, and boots scarlet red. His jumpsuit is dark-grape purple. You can leave the collar white, and the belt is fine."
Hiroshi stops writing on his pad. A mini drawing of cape baldy in perfect description sat on the top of his notepad.
'How in the Hell? He drew that in a few seconds?' K gazed at Hiroshi, who looked up at him.
"Anything else?" Hiroshi questioned.
"If you would like to. I would appreciate it if the cape had a gliding feature. Or a wingsuit part."
"Is this friend of yours trying to be a vigilante?" Hiroshi raised a brow. "Or are you trying something new to spice things up?"
"What, no."
Hiroshi sat down his pencil on his pad, clamping his hands.
"Kid, your Hit. I know." Hiroshi raises his brows over his glasses. "And how do I know? You not entirely hiding it."
K sighs.
"Yeah." He rubs his neck.
"So. Back to business." Hiroshi adds. "Judging by the materials, color, and an add-on. This will cost you, but I'll give you a discount since you did well with me. But that doesn't change the fact it will cost you."
"I got the money. Tell me how much?"
"I don't know. Give me two to three business days. I should have your cost by then." K nodded. "Don't worry. I used to do business like this all the time. Just promise me. You'll promote me."
K smirks.
"Sure. Mr.Hiroshi."