K's eyes slowly awake. A sleeping angel, known as Asia, remained on his chest in the dark, quiet living room.
The teen's tired eyes gazed about, seeing Koneko asleep on the other couch facing the TV.
K slowly pulled from Asia's embrace, only to hear a groan.
"No." She said softly, only to grip tightly.
"Asia. I got to go." K whispered. Asia remained silent. The teen sighs and looks up at the white ceiling.
K stood before the couch while Asia hugged the pillow in K's stead.
K rubs his eyes, climbing the steps and pacing the hallway. He cracks the door of his room to see Mittlet fast asleep. He closes it and heads to the bathroom while his hollow steps follow.
The teen washes his face. His red eyes aim at the mirror while the sink water sings within the empty bathroom.
K eyed the water pouring into the drain. He stops the water.
K exits the bathroom before sneaking into his room. Pulling his ears buds. From his charger, he grabs his track jacket from his closet.
K closes the glass door to his backyard, his shoes touching the clean white tiles.
He presses his back against the wall near the glass door, eyeing his phone.
6:46am
He places his earbuds into his ears before playing his Party playlist. K rests his head against the wall, lightly banging against it.
'Shoot. Dude, you can dance?' Young Danny's voice was within K's head. 'A skill like that would be great on the streets. Hey! How about you show them? We can go on a shopping spree! I got dibs on apple juice and Lunchables!"
K paces to the center of the square, tapping his feet with his eyes closed.
'Well! Don't get greedy! You can't be doing this vigilante stuff on your own.' K lightly throws his hands. 'It's bad enough. I'm helping you with your muscle tension. Thank my mom for that.'
K does a two-step while rolling his head with the beat. He spins on his feet, moving his hands about.
'HA! Ha! You're bulletproof! Let's try a Rocket Launcher next! No! A tank! It's too much?'
K performs the flapper with a swing in his step before the music pounds into his ears, causing his hair to rise.
With a pep, K performs the electro shuffle and into Electro swing.
He grew a smile before giving in to a footwork. K hits the ground, showing off his moves. Using his Superhuman speed and agility.
'Dude! If you keep this up, they might give you the key to the City.' Danny voiced. 'You still don't have a name, so yikes. Maybe you can get me some souvenirs?'
K planted his hand on the floor and flipped. The grass green waved along his feet that touched the ground. He remained on the ground, performing the baby swipe in a blur.
The grass rustled while the pressure of the wind smacked the teen. The tree in the corner of their yard whistles, and the branches tap on the shed at a pace.
'You need a Killer Move. When you get back out there, something cool.'
K rolls on his back and swings his legs with the help of momentum. Displaying the windmill faster than the naked eye.
The current of wind surrounds the teen, pulling hairs of grass, causing the tree to cry while the wind roars.
'Killer move: Vortex Tornado!'
The wind stopped to K's body hoist in the air, supported by his elbow and arm(Elbow Freeze).
He hops to his feet with a pant. He pulls out his earphones, breathing a lot of air.
K eyed the floor, flashing a bright light before looking at his yard.
The morning of the day stood before him while K only tilted his head, watching the hairs of grass that litter the white polished square.
K whips out his phone.
8:35am
"Huh." That is all K said before entering back into the house.
The light snores of Koneko and Asia filled the living room. K paced to the refrigerator.
...
K flips pancakes while dicing cheesy scrambled eggs. He dumps it dumped onto a wide plate.
Four plates were laid on the counter. Two piles of pancakes. Cheesy scrambled eggs. And Bacon.
"Good morning." A tired voice caused K to gaze at Asia, wiping her tired eyes.
"Morning." K focuses on cleaning the dishes, hearing another. "Morning, you too."
The hot water brushed his skin, and the soap within the sponge, seeking between his fingers, was rubbed off from the pots and pans that lay in the sink.
A hand planted on his back.
"I could clean them for you." Asia voiced while K only avoided her eyes.
"I can handle it. You should eat. We still got school." K felt something brushed against his ankle. It was Yuri. "You could feed her."
"Sure. Thing. Come on, girl."
K watched Yuri stride along with Asia to a kitchen cabinet.
"Seems. You beat me to it." Kalawaner voiced, grabbing the plate along with Raynare.
"Greatest minds think alike." Raynare voice filled K's ears. "Though I believe the Fallen angels are far superior."
"You've been rehearsing that in the mirror, have you?" Koneko said plainly.
"I have, you know. We shouldn't be underestimated."
"So. The plot of the church is your game plan?"
"The bacon good? Yes?"
"Very."
"Please, stop." Asia jumps in. "Let's enjoy our food. I'm not asking for much. Hey. I've made you a plate. I was just about to call you."
"Well. I hope it's good." A voice made K looks over his shoulder at Mittlet, taking it from Asia's hands.
Mittlet took her spot on the counter. Close to the refrigerator. She stood, picking her food with a fork before gazing at K.
"What? Take picture. It'll last longer."
"Already. Did." K remarked and resumed the dishes. "Asia. You guys manage to find Kiba?"
"Well. No. But when we heard, Kiba came here. We soon followed."
"Hm."
Asia places a hand on K's arm.
"You know I'll always be here for you. So, please. Don't act so distant. It's freaking me out."
K remained silent only to give a nod. He adds the last pot to the dish rack.
"I'm going to get dressed. Enjoy the food." K exits the kitchen with all eyes on him.
...
K paced down the road along Asia and Koneko.
"Hey!" A voice cries out behind them. Issa jogs her way towards them. "It seems we're going to the same place. It wouldn't hurt to have some company."
"You can't find your partners of perverts?" Koneko remarked.
"Sure can't. Matsuda and Motohama fell down the well. Hoping to see them in class."
"They should." Asia followed up. "They never missed class, only if there is an emergency."
"Hey. Dude. Do you mind If I talk to you for a moment?"
"Huh? You talking to me?" K looks over his shoulder, not making eye contact.
"Well. Yeah. Your name Kae Woods?"
"Fine."
K came to a halt, allowing the girls to walk ahead. He paced along with Issa.
"Hey. Uh. I would like to apologize for a few nights back. I could be emotional. Or is it my hormone spike? It was a pain in my butt to listen to my parents about the bird and bees. My dad is a real butt if you can meet him." Issa rubs her neck.
"It's okay. Water under the bridge."
"Great." Issa grabs K's arm, causing his heart to spike. "We should hang out. Maybe with Matsuda and Motohama. I can tell the guys to go easy on you."
"I'll think about it." K bites the corner of his lip, hiding it from smiling Issa, who only tilts her head.
"Huh? Ok." Issa, let's go. "Baby steps."
They head to the school entrance only to notice two hoodied figures. Their cloaks were rich and pale, while the faces of femininity gazed upon Issa, Asia, and Koneko.
K gazed back at the two before staring at the school.
"I sense. Excalibur's." Issa whispered, remaining natural. "My instincts are telling me to run away."
"That so? I thought you sensed something else. The cloaks, for example. I only thought they would give candy to anyone who dared to approach them."
"Pssf! Right. They nothing hiding it, are they?"
...
Asia, K, and Issa paced the hall to see the students outside their classrooms.
"Issa! Asia! K!" Motohama waved from the line of students. "I hoped you had some luck. Then we."
"Yeah." Matsuda gazed at the three with a bandage patch on his cheek and a smaller one on his lip. "The Prince of Kouh, having an existent crisis! Damn! Move him along! I've waited for a chance like this!"
"What happened to you?" Issa questioned while Asia only approached Matsuda, checking his face.
"It's my fault." Asia cursed herself while Matsuda only made a goof look like a blushing monkey. "I asked if they could help look for Kiba. I'll repay the favor. Just ask what you like?"
"It's fine. Wait, come again?" Matsuda squinted his eyes.
"You hurt. It's my fault. I'll do anything that makes up for what happened. So, please forgive me."
Matsuda's face grew defined.
"Sorry, but all I heard is anything."
A piece of paper slaps into Matsuda's hand while Asia is behind someone.
"You can buy whatever you want." K voiced while Matsuda gazed at the money in his hand. "That was the last I had on me."
K gazed blankly at him while Asia only gazed in confusion.
---
In the girls' changing room, a teen pulled on her stocking until it rested on her thick yet firm thigh.
"Well. I never thought of it that way." She voiced. "He's always out in about. And don't have time for me."
"Shoot. If that was me." Another girl lets down her brown hair that touches her shoulder. "I would dump him in a heartbeat."
"Of course you would." Aika applied some lotion on her long, smooth legs. "Aia, the queen of heartbreak. How shall I cope?"
"Like you get any action."
"Oh, I do. You're just in your little world." Aika smirks while applying some on her neck.
"Yeah. Keep telling yourself that."
Aika's smirk widened before she gazed at Asia wearing her blazer. She remained standing in front of the locker, typing on her phone.
K (Hero of Kuoh)
A: Are you okay? Please talk to me.
K: I'm fine, Asia.
A: What did I do wrong? You're not looking or talking to me.
K: Look. Don't worry about it. It's not you.
"Oh?" Asia jumps at Aika, standing behind her.
Asia took a breath.
"Aika, you scared me."
"Sorry. I'm curious if my favorite ball of sunshine is doing ok."
"I'm not all that." Asia gazed at the floor.
"Asia, you know me. Anything I say. I mean it." Aika brushes Asia's arm. "Now. How can I help?"
Asia gazed back at the floor in thought.
"Well. I'm in a pickle. K won't talk to me. I don't know what I did wrong."
"How long has it been?"
"Well, since this morning. But, now K's not looking my way or even talking to me."
"What event happened for him to act that way?"
"Well, he opened up to me the other night. At first, I thought he was nervous, but after I asked Matsuda, I could return the favor. Since he was hurt, K went silent."
Aika shakes her head with a smile.
"Asia, you poor soul. Knowing you, you were all handsy with that pervert."
"Huh?"
"You know. Asia. You can't go doing something like that. The poor boy has feelings for you."
"Wait! That can't be right!" Asia stutters.
"Like you said, Asia. He opened up to you. It may not be direct, but it's still a serious matter. And to top it off, you went to do that the next day." Aika folds her arms. "What if he does the same to you? You opened up, and then he's all handsy caring to the next girl."
Asia gazed into nothing while a massive blush rose from her white face. She placed her hands on her cheeks while the gaze in her eyes grew warm.
"He likes me?"
"Well, you two hang out after school. So, did K do anything? Like stare longingly or sacrifice something?" Aika raised a brow.
"He-He did." Asia gazed at Aika, who shrugged.
"Crush or not. K loves you. Simple as that."
Asia's smile grew twice as wide. She grasped her heart.
With a pep, Asia throws on her school uniform.
"Thank you, Aika! You are the best!" Asia radiates a smile throughout the changing room.
"Slow down. Asia." Aika voiced.
"You don't know how much I wanted to hear that." Asia hugged Aika, who only stood in shock. "Thank you!" Asia raced out of the changing room.
"Girl." Aia was the first to voice in the quiet changing room. "What have you done?"
---
K remained silent at his desk. Eyeing Mr.Yuuto teaching the class. In the corner of his eye.
Asia's gaze never left his presence on the far end of K's row. K hides his face behind his hand.
"Hey. Matsuda?" K whispered
"What?" Matsuda whispered.
"Why is she looking at me like that?"
"Oh, that? I think you got something in your teeth."
"You fucking dick."
"I'm trying to help a playa out. Why are you coming at me?!"
"Ok, my bad." K looks at Mr. Yuuto, who turns around to the class. "She's been looking at me since I got here."
"Well, girls are weird. That's why I like them. It's either. They are looking at themselves through your eyes. You look at them funny. Your shoes are untied, or maybe she's looking out the window." Matsuda brushes his eraser end behind K's ear with a grin.
"Well." Mr. Yuuto gazed at his class. "Who can tell me about about space?" Everyone remained quiet. "Let me reword it." Mr.Yuuto paced in the front of the class. "I want to hear your definition of it. One word or maybe a sentence is fine. Aika?"
"Enigma."
"Issa?"
"Uh. Endless?"
"Asia?"
"Dummy."
Mr Yuuto gazed at Asia, who shook her head with a blush.
"Depths! Depths." Some of the classmates chuckled quietly.
"Hm." Mr. Yuuto squinted his eyes.
The door opens to reveal Saji.
"I'm sorry for interrupting. The Student Council requested Mr. Yuri's presence." Saij gazed at K, who only stared blankly. "You'll have him tomorrow."
"You mean, Woods?" Mr.Yuuto watched as K packed his things.
"Yes, but now, Yuri. I'll personally exchange your schedule and other minor assignments."
"Damn. You changed your name, and now, the Student body got a bounty on your head." Matsuda shakes his head. "Though I'd rather be there than here."
"Good luck. Are you dropping by the club?" Issa whispered.
"I don't know. Maybe straight home." K whispered back.
"Shoot. Bummer."
K blushes.
"Maybe. I'll stop by."
Issa grew a warm smile.
"Mr.Yuri, he doesn't have all day." Mr. Yuuto lasered on K, who paced down the row.
"Sorry." K avoids his eyes while making it past the door.
"Thank you." Saji closes the door behind, eyeing K with his bag on his shoulder. "Well. Let's go."
Saji paced down the hall, followed by K.
"We have a serious matter at hand." Saji starts with his back to K.
"Alright. Then what?" K questioned.
"Sona would like to speak with you."
K kept quiet. They entered the office.
Sona remained behind her desk with Tsubaki by her side.
"K. Please sit." Sona pointed her hand toward a chair in front of her desk. K does so. "So. How are you?"
"I'm sorry. For bursting this social bubble, but I would like to get to the matter at hand." K stared blankly.
"Of course. Yet, we are missing another individual. She will come in shortly. Let's talk to pass the time."
"Sure. Well, I'm fine. As a matter of fact, I'm swell. You pulled me out of class when I was nearly dozing off, and I must thank you for that kindness. Question. What do you like? Pizza or Seafood?"
"Well." Sona interlocks her fingers before gazing at K. "I hate the smell of seafood. So I prefer pizza."
"Pizza. It is." K said under his breath, getting a raised brow from Saji.
"What is the meaning of your question?" Sona tilts her head.
"I don't feel like cooking today. It's my cheat day."
"We all have those days. Is that right, Tsubaki?"
"Of course, Sona." Tsubaki nods.
The door opens to reveal Rias and Akeno. K quickly gazed away while Saji noticed.
"K? What's the meaning of this?" Rias tilts her head at Sona.
"Please. You would rather sit for this." Sona voiced while Rias glanced at K quickly before sitting beside him. "Would you like to tell Rias? Or shall I?"
K snaps his squinted eyes at Sona's before hanging his jaw.
"Like what?" K questioned.
"You know. What I meant." Sona followed.
"Please. I would like to know what all this is about." Rias folds her arms.
"He's inhabiting a monster in his backyard."
"What?!" Rias stood out of her chair while K only hid his face with his hand. "This must be a misunderstanding!" She gazed at K.
"One of our members. Follow Mosquito Girl back to K's house in your territory. They watched only to see him come in and out of his shed."
"Mosukito Musume?" Rias said firmly to K. "Her? Why? How's she's alive?"
"I killed her. And she's back." K said into his hand.
"K. I'm up here." K released his hand, his eyes still avoiding Rias. "I'm talking to you. Don't talk and not look at me." K's eyes slowly move up Ria's body to her blue eyes, poking him like steak knives. "Why?"
"I'd killed her. And she happened to drink some of my blood. And survive. Around that time, I was strong but not close to my current level."
"When did she arrive?" Akeno questioned. "If I have a say in this."
"Well." K looks away. "The day of the rating game."
"Let me get this straight." Rias rubs the bridge of her brows. "You kept her for nearly a week?"
"Day's sure fly by."
"This is no laughing matter."
"Sorry. It's a reflex." K leans on his knees before looking at Sona. "She's no average super mosquito. Because of my blood, She only healed to a few limps after I slapped her." Saji blinks. "For a while, she recovered. With the help of a few people, she didn't kill, and now the Hero Association is after her."
"Would you care to run that by me again?" Rias voiced.
"Musume is my responsibilty. If she would run about, then more people will get hurt."
"Yet, you chose to invest?"
"She needs me. I cripple her, and she's not willing to do anything funny. I feed her my blood using a reward system. She's addicted the second I lay eyes on her. She's my eyes and ears. Also, my security."
"Security?!"
"You said your members will keep their eyes on my house. Yet, I came to you." K finally gazed at Rias, who stared back firmly. "It's water under the bridge, but I'm not willing to risk it."
"What does Miko think of this?"
"My mom is adjusting."
"You promise to kill monsters. Till your dying breath."
"I'm following the advice you all gave me. 'You not alone.' I promise to put her down if she gets a trigger finger."
"You have a dangerous terminology." Sona sits upright. "Saji, leave us."
"Sure. Sona." Saji closes the door behind him.
"You were the hero down in New York that went rogue." K's face grew defined. "Will it happen again?"
"No. I won't allow it." Rias answered for him before gazing at K. "I didn't tell her."
"Tell me what?" Sona leans forward. "Rias."
"You have to trust me on this, Sona." Sona interlocks her fingers while closing her eyes. "I'll keep an eye out or try to convince him."
"Rias. You don't know how heavy this all is." Sona eyes open, staring at Rias and K. "The rumors are true. Monsters are approaching Kuoh. And let's not forget it. They are even more potent after escaping the dimensional gap."
"And K." Sona countiuned. "The tactics and your prowess may grow, but this may get the Hero Association involved."
"You're telling me they don't have the balls to come here and help?" K tilts his head while his eyes lasered Sona's.
"Years after the great war. The Hero Association was thriving and still is. Heroes among their ranks caught wind of a few battles among the three factions. This causes interference. One day. The three factions created a stretched deal. Turn a blind eye to their problems. The hero's and officials' memories of us remain untouched. Only those are trusted by the Association. Remained. Those are retired. They received a memory wipe."
"There got to be more to this."
"Yes. In case a hero dies during their hero work, the hero that does. Will receive all the credit, yet It's up to the board who does."
"Wait. You're telling me a hero who sacrificed for that City will only be forgotten or shunned if they failed?"
"Indeed, though I heard there is a loop in the system. A few heroes can work there, but their names will only be forgotten." Sona said blankly while K's fists shook. "One more addition. Only a few angels, devils, and Fallen are picked as heroes of hire." Sona holds out her hand. "Six. Two each faction. It's a lottery system that lasts for five years. They have three years remaining."
"What if they like the seats?"
"Association will welcome them with open arms." K looks to the floor in thought. "K. We are holding them back as long as we can. Due to your history and situation, we will lose our strength soon. And the bird in City Hereos will catch the wind."
K stared from the floor and at Sona.
"That is what I deserve."
"You don't deserve that!" Ria's protest. "You don't have to run."
"I didn't say I was." K chuckled. "I acted like an animal. Why not go out like one."
K gazed at Akeno, who only looked away.
"I am a monster."
"You're not!" Rias raised her voice. "Stop calling yourself that!"
"Mistake or not. I did that. I learned from my grandpa that. 'What mistake you made, you'll have to face it, or It'll face you.' K gazed at Ria's with fire in her eyes. "I'll die. Die on this very soil before I let Kuoh go to ruin. I'd rather fight with my monster than lose any of you. For the mistake I made." K gazed at Sona, who was in thought. "Is that all?"
"No. I have an assignment. We had scared with a few girl scouts up on the mountains."
K slaps the desk.
"I'm in."
"You didn't let me explain."
"You had me on Girl Scouts. Now, point me to this assignment."
Sona sighs.
"Tsubuki." K phone hums.
"Thanks." K snapped from his chair and paced to the door. He closes it behind him.
...
In a hoodie, the teen falls from the sky, eyeing the mountains.
"There's a monster that inhabited here. Be on high alert." Sona voiced in K's earpiece. "A tree. And an old one by that. From the girls, he goes by the name Forest King. Be careful."
"You talking to a man falling from the sky. How careful can I get?"
"And that's why. I'm staying on the line." K squinted his eyes. "You may lose those outbursts, but you are still unpredictable."
K rolls on the ground and leaps back into the sky in one motion.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"For a human. You stop crime, defeat monsters, tame one, and defeat Riser's rook that matches Riser on power level. Gain the Eyes from Hero Association and house three fallen angels. And You say, why?"
"I deserve a medal."
"Focus on the task at hand."
K leaps into the sky again, eyeing a dead tree the size of a two-story apartment building.
"I think I found our culprit."
"Good."
K falls into the blanket of trees before rolling to a knee, leaving a crack in the ground.
The teen rises to his feet, eyeing a one-way path shaded by rows of trees. He follows them.
The sound of birds and insects filled the environment.
K slaps his neck before swiping around his face.
"Goddam!" K cussed.
"What's wrong?"
"These bugs and mosquitoes."
"They can't hurt you."
"Just because they can't hurt me doesn't mean they can't annoy me."
K came to a halt.
"K?"
"Sssh."
An army of people shaped like vines appeared behind the trees. They all surround K while his eyes only shift.
They all step back, staying on the sides of the path, showing K the only way.
"What's happening?" Sona questioned within the earbud.
"An army of forest people are showing me the way." K eyed the voids that call their eyes.
"Stay vigilant." K continued down the path, eyeing the people who returned it. "What do they look like?"
"They are made up of vines. Their eyes are empty, and so are their mouths."
"Hmm. That's what scared the girls off."
"Was anyone hurt?" K questioned.
"Yes, but I don't think they. Caused it." Sona answered.
"Right."
K eyed the end of forest people before stepping into the opening.
The sun rained down on K, and his sneakers hit the tall green grass that touched his hips. The monstrous tree stood in the center, waiting.
Its bark is darker than coal, and hundreds of tree branches poke out from the leg of the tree.
K paced to the tree. The closer he got, the bigger it towered over him.
The teen sneakers hit the clearing of the dead ground. He looks up, noticing the many holes that look like faces.
A white dot appears in a spot and so many others; the hole below, revealing his jaw, opens, releasing a creaky cry announcing its sharp edges like teeth.
At the same time, splitters drip onto the dead ground.
"You came." A deep, rough voice from wisdom wallowed through the center stood.
The tree spider-like eyes look down at K, putting his hands in his hoodie pockets.
"And what of it?" K tilts his head.
"You are the obstacle that stands from my goal."
"You heard of me?" K cracks a grin. "And you know, You are on my Hitlist."
"Where you stand. Is where my grass will grow."
A wave of roots spews from the ground while K only slides back.
The teen's sneakers brush the grass before he drives his heels to a stop.
He stood at the other end of the center, eyeing the tree branches spewing from the tree like live snakes.
"Your end is in my domain." The Forest King spilled coldly.
'Air bullet.' K clenches his fist before delivering.
The teen attack creates a high-speed projectile. It crashed into the Forest King.
Splitters pour into the sky. K eyed the stump, showing its sharp edges, while K threw on his hoodie. The wood came rushing.
He felt millions of dark bark hit his head and shoulders. Minutes went by, and the pour stopped.
K eyed the trees that circled the center.
"It's done."
"Good." Sona voiced within his earpiece. "I'll shall give them the news."
K dusts himself from the splitters and wood dust and picks pieces off.
He picks another, only to feel it shake between his fingers. It falls out and towards the stomp that lay waste of Forest King.
Millions of others followed along, slowly rebuilding the towering Dark Tree.
"Nevermind." K touches his earbud, watching the show.
"Nevermind?" Sona questioned.
"It's good you called me because right now. It's building itself like a kid's playset."
The Forest King spider's eyes look down at him. A fire building within the white specks he called his eyes.
The grass waves while the wind whistles within the Teen's ears.
A scream of a kaiju escapes from Forest King.
The bass of his scream made the tall grass give way while the trees shivered.
K grunts, holding his ears, while he slowly slides back.
"AAA! AH!" The Forest King begins to cry while K cleans the blood leaking from his ears. "WHY?! WHY?! DO LEAVE ME IN THIS DYING PLANET!"
K only squinted his eyes, hearing static.
"K! Do you read me?" Sona raised her voice. "K?!"
"I'm fine. My ears are bleeding."
"We heard it from our school. We are currently on lockdown. Do you need assistance?"
"Yeah, but you all will get in my way. Sit tight."
"Wait, is someone hurt?"
"What?" K looks to The Forest King, his eyes squinted while his mouth only shakes. "Hold on." K picks his ears. "Let my ears adjust."
"I can't die! What cruel punishment you made of me, Mother Earth!" Forest King shouts to the skies before closing his eyes.
"Hey!" K shouts. "What the hell you on about?!"
"What?! Why are you shouting at me?! Would you like to do something about it?! I'm standing here! It's not like I'm going to wither away and die!" K stared blankly. "Give me another go. I'm just a punching bag for your-"
K destroys Forest King once more.
"You got him?" Sona voiced once more.
"Hold on." K waited for minutes only to see no reaction. "Yeah."
The teen makes his way out of the clearing.
"YOU DIDN'T LET ME FINISH!" K stops biting his lip. "You walking. Talking bag of fertilizer!"
"The hell is your problem?!" K shouts back at the tree.
"You welcome yourself to my domain, only to fail!"
"You scared Girl Scouts and roared, alerting my town!"
"Yeah. To bring you or blonde metal boy. Besides that, it was only half a lung."
K drops his hands while shaking his head.
"God fucking damn it."
"If only your god is alive." The Forest King remarked.
"This is a rock in a hard place." Sona voiced once more in his earpiece.
"Do you have any ideas?" K presses his earpiece.
"Quite. I do have an idea!" The Forest King stares at K Judgly. "Call all the heroes, warriors, your mother, maybe even the clan that stared beyond earth! Tis ist open season!"
"Quiet! You!" K points.
"Give me. A moment to think." Sona whispered under her breath.
"She's thinking." K looked at the tree, which only glared.
"I see. Let's wait before the girl recalls what I just said." The Forest King remarked.
"You're supposed to be a wise, cold, talking tree. What happened to it?"
"Die when My mother revoked me. Now, just a talking tree."
"That's count for something?" K raised a brow. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." The Forest King glared. "I. Don't. Want. To. Talk. About. It." He mocked.
"I'm standing here. Do you have any better ideas?"
The Forest King remained silent, eyeing K while the wind gently brushed the tall grass.
The teen only folded his arms.
"I was in this place after the blonde metal boy vanquished me." The Forest King starts. "The grass stretches so far I can hardly touch it. Plants and other trees scattered in the plains while the purple skies smiled upon me." K squinted his eyes while tilting his head. "Oh. I could envision it now, but I'm stuck in this gloomy clearing with you and the other fertilizers seeking to ruin the god-forsaken plant."
"Wait? Are you talking about the dimensional gap?" K questioned while the Forest King snapped his eyes at him.
"You know of this place?"
"Been there once or twice. I'm guessing you don't like to be disturbed?"
"Solitude was my goal. Now, Solitude is my purpose."
"How can you be alone? I mean. We all can, but for how long?"
"I've lived centuries, and you are barking at the wrong tree." The Forest King looks away. "I get along with animals. Not fertilizer. Now, I demand you to take me to this Dimensional gap."
"Wait. Hold your horses. I don't know how, but I got connections."
"Then called your connections." The Forest King squinted his eyes, and so did K.
"Sona."
"I've heard everything." Sona cuts the teen off. "He valued his prison more than where he's stationed. This can be an easy fix."
"Maybe we can get some help?" K slurs before taking a quick glance at The Forest King.
"Please. Reevaluate."
"With him on our side, it can turn a tide to our defenses."
"You serious?"
"Yeah." K gazed never left the tree that stared back at him.
K hears a sigh in his earbud.
"You know this is hard for me to accept."
"I accept full responsibility."
"Alright."
"Well, I have some news." K paced to The Forest King, still keeping his distance. "I've found one, but she's not sure she can trust you."
"You think using me will satisfy her? I only want my rest place." Forest King demanded.
"Follow along with what I say." Sona voiced in K's bud.
"A message." K voiced. "This is beyond my policy, keeping you. Sentient is a swift barter among my territory. In the following, you aid me in my support. You are given a reward."
"Bargaining requires facts, not words." The Forest King eyed K blankly.
"The dimensional gap you seeking is out of reach due to the fugitive that caused your release. If you aid me, there is a chance you can go back." The tree remained quiet. "You filled in the critical points with your help. I can fill in for some influential people and get what you seek."
"What makes me think I can believe you?"
"I. Sona Sitri, the next head of the Sitri Family, vow to deliver what you seek. All I asked is your aid."
"Of Course." The Forest King stared at K, putting his hand in his pocket. "I'll play along."
"Glad we can agree."
"I'll ask for a favor." The Forest King stared blankly. "I would like to move." K raised a brow. "Somewhere closer to town."
"I'm not going to lie. But you'll stick out." K states, eyeing the tree towering over the surrounding trees.
"He's that big?" Sona questioned.
"I was going to be smart, but yes. Yes, it is." K's eyes widen. "I know a place. Can you add Rias to the call?"
"Affirmative."
The call hums while K sticks out a finger to Forest King, who raises his non-existent brows.
"What's the meaning of this?" Ria's voice filled the Teen's ear.
"I glad you pick up." K voiced.
"And?"
"Rias, it's important. Let him speak." Sona voiced.
"I was wondering. If we can move a monster in the back of your house on the mountains."
"No. Why are you establishing such risk? We have enough problems as is."
"We both know. It will get worse."
"This! Anybetter?!" Rias raised her voice. "I'm thrilled you took our advice to heart, but this is not what we meant! I'll die for you. We'll die."
"You." K bites his lip.
"You? Why don't you finish it? Please, tell me."
"A favor for a favor. I'll pay you back, and you know it."
"Sure you can." Rias chuckled. "That monster from your shed has to go. She can live up in that house. Koneko is living with you and also your mother. Wrap your head around this. Why don't you?"
"Thanks Rias. Rias?" K tilts his head.
"She's gone." Sona voiced.
"Right." K sighs.
"Notified the tree that my presence will arrive. You are no longer needed. And your reward will be presented in folds."
"Sure." K looks up to the Forest King. "Sona will arrive to transport you."
The Forest King only gazed silently at him while K hopped away.
---
"Ugh! These monsters are sure crazy." Matsuda stared up at the afternoon sky.
"Yeah. What crazy we are, already out and staring at the sky like it's all over." Motohama interlocks his fingers along the stomach of his shirt.
Issa remained quiet, her hands behind her head.
"What do you think?" Motohama glance at Issa.
"Surely, I hope they'll disappear. We already have problems as is."
"Couldn't be said better." Motohama looks back up at the sky before looking back at Issa. "Say, how about we make this dream come true?"
Issa gazed at Motohama and noticed the side of the school building past his head.
"Like what?"
Motohama faces Issa while leaning on his hand, supported by his elbow.
"I'm thinking since this place is getting dangerous as is. I would like to encourage everyone in town to consider the Hero Association."
"Them?" Issa sat up. "They never came, and you said it yourself with that Robust guy."
"Yes, but they are our only option. Since that Hit guy, I believe he's running a scheme. And in New York. He has similar capabilities and too now."
"You two talked?" Issa looked over Motohama to Matsuda.
"I think it's best." Matsuda drops his brows. "You out of three of us should know."
"You two know what you're saying?" Issa cocks her head. "Wherever the Hero Associations go, chaos brews."
"You heard of the rumors?" Motohama gazed through his glasses at Issa.
"You, out of all guys, don't believe in them."
"I'm willing to reconsider."
"The police will do just fine." Issa looks back at the sky. "Do you see the feats they pulled? Even with that Hit guy. They made Kuoh a safer place."
"For how long?" Motohama voiced once more. "For how long, Issa? I'm not willing to wait that long. Hero Association took down Monsters in the slums of The City of Heroes. They can do the same here."
"I don't give a damn about the City of Heroes!" Issa raised her voice in a whisper. "That place is a war zone. Even after, they still run. I love seeing those heroes up close, but I'm not sticking my parents or my neck out for this." She stood to her feet. "See you guys tomorrow."
Issa paced from the small hill, heading for the ORC building.
"She's a realist." Matsuda sighs.
"Yet, she doesn't see the big picture." Motohama only shakes his head.
"You never say. How are we going to pop this thing off?" Matsuda questioned. "We are not popular with the ladies."
"I already. Call a few people." Motohama gazed at Matsuda, who tilted his head. "Two, in fact."
A phone rings while Motohama picks up his phone.
"Hello?"
"Where are you?" A firm feminine voice makes Motohama smile.
"At the side of the school."
"Good Burger. Move."
Motohama gazed at his phone, and the number hung up.
"Who's that?" Matsuda's voice with uncertainty.
"Amelia. I guess Hase managed to convince her after all." Motohama gazed at the school, bathing in the afternoon light.
"Wait, when did you talk to her? Don't tell me you plan all this?!"
"At the bathrooms. That day, when I and Aika debated, it flipped a switch in me. I had to see it through."
They both gazed at the school.
...
Motohama and Matsuda, still in their school uniform, entered the fast food establishment. Voices of customers filled the room while Teens gazed about.
A hand grasped Matsuda's shoulder. Motohama points.
Amelia and Hase sat at the room's corner, awaiting the boy's arrival.
"Change your mind?" Motohama questioned, getting the eyes from the girls.
"I'm doing this for Hase, not you." Amelia's red pupils gazed up at the boy's.
"It's all good. Can we?"
"Hase?"
"It's. Fine." Hase affirmed.
Matsuda sat beside Hase, who looked away, brushing her hair behind her ear while Motohama by Amelia.
"Talk." Amelia stared at Motohama.
"Well." Motohama pushes up his glasses before clearing his throat. "Hase filled you in?"
"Very."
"Now." Motohama digs his bookbag by his seat before pulling out flyers and clipboards. "We will start off with this."
Matsuda pulled a flyer along with the three.
An image of Hit in his hood. He stood with his hands in his pockets while the rain remained frozen as someone took a photo.
Friend or Foe?
He may be helping this town, but he's hiding something sinister. The man standing before you is the cause of so many lives. The day of Nine-Eleven.
Will you? Seek the Hero Association?
"I created these to give us a head start. And I planted a few in the town, yet it comes with various frames." Motohama continued.
"It's seem. Informative." Matsuda comments while Motohama awaits his answer. "Is that all?"
"Your meaning?"
"Everyone will call it false." Amelia sat down. Her flyer before folding her arms. "There's no evidence to prove that claim. And besides, do you know what happens in the City of Heroes? Threat levels. In a week or maybe two. Their threats are always building while In Kuoh. We get a tiger or a demon. A month or maybe longer."
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"That's why we're here."
"Maybe. We gather evidence." Hase said softly. "We can present it to the world."
"What you saying?" Matsuda questioned while Hase blushed and looked away before scratching her cheek.
"Hit's a Vigilante. Why not get close? I mean. Uh. That's his line of work."
"So, you're saying we got to get our hands dirty. Well, count me in."
"Do you know what you're saying?" Amelia looks at Matsuda, dead in his eyes.
"I protected four eyes. I don't see any difference." Matsuda put his hands behind his head.
"It's the streets. So there are no rules, or maybe you'll see something you hoped you didn't."
"I got you to back me up."
"Oh no. I'm just fine. Putting up papers. It's already hard to see with the eyes I have." Amelia said blankly at Matsuda. "That's why I wear eye contact."
"You look good with glasses." Hase voiced her support.
"Don't give them any Ideas."
"Ok." Hase looks out the window.
Matsuda looks to Motohama, who only looks at the table.
Hase looks at Amelia's red pupils with pleading eyes.
Amelia closes her eyes.
"Right. I could pull a few strings. Give me a day or two." Matsuda smirks. "But don't get your hopes up."
"Right." Motohama takes the table once more. "Amelia will find help for Matsuda while Matsuda scatter for his hero costume, as for now. We'll go around town and plant more flyers and get signatures. We're going in groups of two."
"I will be with Amelia while Matsuda is with Hase."
"She's not going with him." Amelia protested.
"I won't. Do anything." Matsuda adds with a firm gaze.
"Were you there when the problem occurred? Up at the lookout?" Motohama spoke up.
"That was only a second." Amelia glared.
"We may be at the bottom of the social circle, but we don't tolerate touching girls. In any sexual way."
"That doesn't make it any better."
"Amelia. I'm fine." Hase voiced. "I don't mind. If something occurs. I'll head straight to you."
The red-eye girl finger taps on the table.
"Fine. Don't test me." She looks to Matsuda.
"This universe and many others. I wouldn't try." Matsuda gave a firm gaze back at Amelia.
---
K leaps into the air again with a backpack, returning to school.
He does a superhero landing, performing many cracks below him.
"Crap." K looks back at the cracks on the ground. "I should've run here."
The teen enters the ORC building. He climbed the steps before making it to the doors. He closes his eyes before pushing them open.
He eyed the couches that sat in front of the desk.
"Hello?" K raised his voice, looking around the empty room. "Rias? Akeno?"
K walks to the door near the exit to see another small hall leading to the screen door. He closes the door.
"That must. Be the bathroom." K said to himself, frowning his brows. "I hate wasting food. Or even money in the matter."
Metal and Metal clashed, and this caused K to halt from the door. The teen looks around the room and he leaves it. Climbing down the steps.
"Ew! That's what you planning?!" An Unfamiliar feminine voice made K come to another halt by the other door.
"HAHA! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" K bangs his head with his hand before heading out to the exit. "Stop running!"
"You devils have purged my mine childhood friend's heart." K tilts his head, following along the side of the building. "I won't forgive you! Not even God."
K eyed the ORC members, watching two girls in tight leather combat outfits fight Kiba and Issa.
Kiba clashes with the blue-haired bowl-cut girl while Issa chases the brown twin-tailed girl, hoping to touch her.
"What the hell?" K eyed Asia, and Koneko stripped from their clothes.
"Don't look!" Koneko raised her voice.
"Alright! Alright! Damn!" K closes his eyes slowly, reaching the group with his hand stretched out. "The hell all this?"
"A duel." Rias voiced. K's hand touches something and quickly climbs. "In the fate of something important. In fact, to scout my lands."
K's eyes open to see Asia's blushing face, gazing at his blank one. He closes his eyes again, throwing off his hood while setting his bag on the ground.
"Here. Koneko? Where are you at?"
"That's not Necessary." Koneko's voice grows closer.
"And. I'm not naked. Here."
"You're wearing two shirts under that hoodie?"
"Yeah. What's your point?"
"Are you not hot?"
"Nope. Try jumping around. Beside. I'm used to it." K's eyes open to Koneko in K's black shirt hanging to her knees while Asia his grey hoodie. "Well." K picked up his bag and sat on the grass beside Akeno, who stood. "I brought sushi? I didn't know what you guys wanted, so." He sat the trays on the grass.
"Akeno?"
"No. Thanks." Akeno kept her eyes on the fight.
"Rias?"
"You think you can buy fish for my forgiveness?"
"Well, food is a way to a man's heart. I figured the same apply."
"No. I hate fish." Rias said flatly.
"What's this?" Asia picks up a tray while Koneko takes two.
"It's Sushi." K looks at Asia, avoiding her eyes.
"Sushi? Sushi?" Asia pronounces it while gazing at various within the tray. "Why do they look like that? Do we have to cook it?"
"Crap, you never had? It'll be better if you'll try it at my house."
K looked at the fights while Asia's gaze lingered on K's.
Kiba remained on the ground while a purple haze spewed from his arm. Issa is the same, yet on her stomach.
She falls to her hands and knees while K bounces to his feet, running to her aid.
"Issa! You alright!" K reaches out for her.
"Stop. Or you'll suffer the same fate. Devil." The twin-tail announced.
"I assure you. K's no devil." Rias voiced. "Irina Shido. Xenovia. Meet Hit. Protector of Kuoh. And the one that dispatched the scream you heard a while ago."
"Oh! You must be strong." Twin-tail girl known as Irina points to K, afraid to touch Issa. "And You're the Sinner that comes to the aid of the devils and the people here in town."
"Let's not forget. The boy pushed Asia into a witch." Xenovia side-eye K, who only gazed up at her blankly. "I've heard many stories. How far have you fallen?"
"You don't know me."
"Your riskless conduct went so far as inviting fallen and monsters into your home. And Yet you help people. Is this for the twisted pleasure, or the devils corrupted your mind?"
"I'll tell you. Like I tell everyone. I'm Hit." K stood to his feet. "Anyone who harms innocents will be on my Hitlist. And Asia. She's no witch." K gazed at Irina and Xenovia. "I told Asia to join Rias because I wasn't strong yet. And my job only gets dangerous from here. So. I'll let you know this." K points to Asia. "Leave her out of this. Or I'll do something about it."
"You picking a fight with the church?" Irina questioned.
"That depends." K switches his gaze between the two girls.
"I would. Count you our ally, yet you would be tiresome. Stay out of our way." Xenovia spat.
"The hell you on about?"
"Well. It's good. You don't know." Irina adds. "Please. I hope you have faith and don't Intervene."
"In this town. Bad things happen. And you'll need me when it does." K holds out two trays. "Sushi?"
"Wait?! When did you get that?"
Xenovia threw on her cloak, pacing past K.
Irina followed along.
"No. Thank you." Irina planted a hand on K's shoulder. "I heard of the message you gave to God's Kingdom. The higher-ups think of you as wishy-washy. You give in to God's wisdom. You are bound to find redemption." She nodded while K watched her back.
"I take that as a compliment." Koneko ate sushi from her tray.
...
K, Issa, Rias, Koneko, and Asia walked down the road. The full moon shine down on them, followed by the street lights.
A hand grips K's. Asia looks up at him with a massive blush. The two stopped while others continued.
Issa looks back, followed by the three.
"We'll catch up." K voiced while the others heeded his advice. "Yes. Asia?"
"I've been dwelling on this question, and can you fill it in?" Asia looks to the ground, gripping her skirt. "Are you lonely?"
"Uh. Yes?" K squinted his eyes. "What are you trying to tell me?"
Asia's warm eyes look up at him.
"I. Too." She bites her lip before holding both of K's hands. "And ever since that day. You protected both me and Yuri. I felt safe. I felt like the longer I stayed in your arms. I would drift to sleep." Asia looks away, growing a blush. "I would like to say. Your. My hero K."
K's heart spikes while he gazes into Asia's warm green eyes reflecting from the street light.
"I. I." Asia stutters. "I love you, K!" She shouts with her eyes closed. "I love you since the night at the church!"
K's heart pumping filled the teen's ears while he stared down at Asia, avoiding his gaze.
"Asia." K looks away. "I don't know." Asia's eyes snapped up at him. " Asia. I told you this. It's dangerous, and not only that, I'm not a good guy."
"God-given us a reason to meet. Dangerous or not. I don't care! You've given life to Kuoh. And I like to give mine to you." Asia increases her grip on K's hands. "You a dummy! If you think you're not." Her eyes watered. "Please."
"Asia. Stop." K closes his eyes. "Let's catch up with Rias and the others." Asia's breath shakes. "Come on." K lets go of her hands before slowly pacing down the street.
Asia clenches her heart, letting out a quiet sob before following along. K hears the whimpers, and shaking breaths Asia gives while the teen only stares ahead.
"I love you." She cries before falling onto K's back. The teen carries her bride-style before pacing down the street lights. "I love you."
K remained silent.