When Nozomi came to Bright Star, she expected to deal with the usual high school drama. People heralded Bright Star Academy as one of the safest schools in Ivorhaven City. More to the point, people rated Ivorhaven as one of the safest cities in the world. The last thirty seconds drastically changed how Nozomi viewed the statistics. A fire burned in the eye sockets of the bony demon.
Several people in vehicles abandoned their cars in the street. Daiki started to glow, and he refused to move. He looked at Paisley and then to Nozomi, and he pushed them back. He pulled a pair of silver gloves with large Crucifixes on them and slid the odd equipment onto his hands.
Nozomi noticed most of the cars were still running, "I have an idea," She yanked Paisley by the arm toward the nearest running automobile. The car reeked of fast food and cigarettes.
Paisley covered her nose, "Gross, who could live with this smell?"
"Just get in," Nozomi hopped behind the wheel and revved the engine.
"What are you doing?" Paisley waited by the door as the massive foot raised off the ground.
"Helping Daiki," Nozomi proclaimed in "Now, get in."
"Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend," Paisley spoke in a dubious tone.
"Pitiful Nephilim, you are no match for Gashadokuro," The skeleton taunted, "I am eternal, I am indestructible, Eh?" Daiki and the demon were temporarily forced into silence by a car speeding towards the giant.
"This is stupid," Paisley screamed, "This is so stupid," her hands shielded her eyes from what could be a horrible death.
"Get ready to bail," Nozomi said in a determined tone. Inside, Nozomi's terror ate her alive, but she refused to let Daiki endure this challenge alone.
Paisley shook her head, "You say, I'm boy crazy, and you're risking your life for one," she gripped her door handle like a vise, "This crazy plan better work, or you and I are going to have it out later,"
"Deal," Nozomi rolled from the car to the hard cement. Her body rolled into a wall and left her dizzy and sore.
The car rolled into the demon's foot and caused it to stagger and stumble. Daiki grinned wickedly as the massive skeleton toppled to the ground. The fiery skull landed in front of Daiki, who turned his head sideways.
Nozomi rushed over to Paisley, "Are you okay,"
Paisley rubbed her head, "Mom was right. It's the quiet ones you have to watch for because deep down, they are crazier than you."
"Hey, you're alive, aren't you...," She trailed off as Paisley pointed to Daiki, who now rushed forward with his fists raised
"Maybe I can't kill you, but I can send you back to where you belong," Daiki shouted. His fist glowed brighter and spiritual symbols of all descriptions covered the glove, "Grand fist of exorcism," He bellowed. Metal crashed into bone.
"Nooooo," the skeletal foe bellowed. Something black and smoky erupted from the bones and clattered to the ground. The ground shook with ferocity. Nozomi and Paisley hugged each other, "You need to choose your friends better," Paisley shrieked.
"Everyone knew I had a bad taste in friends because I know you," Nozomi shrieked back.
Daiki closed in on the cloud of darkness, "Hand of judgment," his second fist entered the cloud, and a white light enveloped the dastardly mist. "May the rulers of heaven help you find peace," and the cloud popped out of existence. He watched the massive skeleton turn into hundreds of bones. With a single motion from his hand, a sewer cover opened, another swept the bones down into the darkness. He strode up to Nozomi and Paisley and held up his finger.
The gesture caught both girls off guard. Paisley threatened to crush her friend in her arms. Nozomi managed to get a hand free long enough to touch fingertips with Daiki, who smiled at the gesture.
"No offense, guys, I think the comic store can wait for another day. I've had quite enough adventure for one afternoon," Paisley rose, "Are you okay to walk home by yourself?" Paisley asked Nozomi.
A giddiness took hold of Nozomi, who had never allowed a boy to walk her home, "I can manage," She gathered her belongings and headed down the street with Daiki in tow.
He stopped at a coffee store with a male barista and waited. A few minutes later, he returned with two cups of hot chocolate. Daiki shyly held out a cup for Nozomi.
"Thank you," Nozomi smiled and took the cup from her new friend, "What is a Nephilim? I've never heard the term before today."
They passed the comic book store, and a variety of posters hung in the window. Some had pictures of angels and demons, and some were of teen dramas. Daiki scratched his head. He pointed to an angel and then a human.
"Half human and half angel?" Nozomi stared at her handsome companion in wonder.
Daiki nodded and smiled with pride. He gestured for them to continue their journey toward Nozomi's house. He dared to walk a little closer.
The beats of Nozomi's heart picked up in tempo and intensity. Part of her enjoyed Daiki's effect on her, "We'll have to work on getting you comfortable enough to speak out loud." She was about to say something else when a familiar voice pierced her eardrum.
"Now I want this delivered today, and I will pay extra to have it happen. I am holding a dinner party this evening, and I need a conversation piece," the voice demanded.
What is my mom doing here? Nozomi panicked because until now, not a single boy she knew met her parents. "Please don't see me, please don't see me," Nzomi chanted over and over.
Daiki turned his head sideways as he watched his new friend meltdown.
"Nozomi, is that you?" Masumi Bushida said as the click of her heels grew closer and closer. "Who is this handsome young man?"
Daiki seemed unbothered by Masumi but still held his silence. Nozomi intervened before her mother scared off her crush, "This is my new friend Daiki. He's on the martial arts team..."
"I know who he is, Daiki Hachisuka. I believe you have mastered Hapkido and Karate, correct?" Masumi asked. Masumi was better looking and more developed than her daughter. Her mother always told her, "You will be the flower that blooms last and best."
Daiki bowed to Masumi and nodded.
Masumi scratched her head, "He is a quiet one, isn't he?" she extended her hand, and Nozomi knocked it away.
"Can I tell her about your problem?" Nozomi asked, and the silent warrior nodded, "Daiki is nervous around women," She held up her finger and touched his tip with hers.
"How refreshing. Most boys his age only have one thing on their minds," She held out a finger, and Daiki touched it with his. "Your father would be pleased to meet such an accomplished young man. Perhaps he would like to come to dinner? I know his mother through the parent and teachers council, I could ask."
"Mother, we just met. I think it is a little soon to be asking him to such a fancy affair," Nozomi argued.
"Perhaps we should let your handsome friend decide for himself, hmmm?" Masumi turned to Daiki, "Shall I call your mother? We will provide nice clothes for you."
"I want to crawl under a rock and hide," Nozomi squeaked in embarrassment, but her eyes stayed glued to the Nephilim, and she gasped as he nodded his head.
Masumi clapped, "Excellent, I will call the servants and tell them to set another place at the table."