"And up and down and up and down . . . " went the games teacher Mr. Hayato.
He was a shredded fellow in his late twenties. Fairly good-looking with a great personality and leadership qualities. He was the epitome of masculinity among men but more so, he was a renowned teacher at Kunigami High School. He majorly taught Sciences but was a sports veteran and occasionally took his class through PE.
At that moment he took the class the class through an intense warm-up that got him well-built. For a solid three hundred seconds he forced the students to endure squats, which by then frustrated them. Kitsune did not mind. She had always been fit all her life.
After ten minutes of warm up the students were finally allowed to go and pick out an activity.
Kitsune took a sip from her drinking bottle as she watched the other students. One, in particular, caught her attention. He was a boy with striking blue eyes and a sharp gaze that intimidated people. He was about five feet eleven inches tall with a physical build for an athlete. He did not seem that much older than her and without a doubt a foreigner.
He took a javelin spear and threw it. It went all the way across the field. He was strong, very strong. Everyone in the pitch stopped to surround him, boys and girls alike, and they asked him questions with obvious open ecstasy.
"Tsune you into the new kid or what?"
"No way!" she said turning to her best friend Akira.
Akira was a full Japanese petite around 146 cm tall. Black hair and eyes often had an innocent and clueless expression that often misled boys. She was a target of multiple confessions due to her kind girl person. But she was anything but dumb, she was not an easy prey.
"Why are you staring so much?" she pushed mischievously.
"Just curious, with that strength he could easily set a world record, just think about it,"
"It's true, he is uber talented it hurts, sports, classwork, and to top it up he speaks several different languages, and he is cute. He kinda reminds me of you."
"He must be a genius; I wonder why he joined our school."
"The way you talk about him you seem interested Tsune,"
"No way," declared Kitsune.
"Then which boy do you like? Hayato maybe?"
"Gross no, he is too old for me!" she then recalled a recent encounter on the trip.
Three weeks prior had it been. She nearly got raped and killed by illegal drug traffickers. Her name stayed completely out of the media thanks to her father's money and connections. It was like she wasn't even there.
After the encounter she browsed the internet on Demons and Vampires, she only found the usual propaganda. She further searched for historical records of a CAIN a PHILIP and a JOSEPH but only found Biblical records.
Cain- the son of Adam the first man and Joseph- the eleventh son of Jacob and the other who helped Jesus carry the cross. Online, there were also countless testimonies of Demonic possessions and encounters, all of which were negative like trading soles for power. However, Cain did not ask for anything in particular. This prompted her to wonder if the testimonies were true.
Kitsune was pensive for a moment worrying Akira.
"Hey Tsune, you spaced out again,"
"Hmm?"
"You've been doing that a lot ever since you came back from your escape. Are you ok?"
"Nothing just had a lot on my mind that's all."
"Could be a boy?"
"No!" Kitsune said insecurely then realized she had raised her voice.
"You've been holding back, tell me about him. The guy who left with his coat."
Kitsune was contemplative for a moment. How could she tell her he was not even human?
"He is tall. Oh, and he is too old for me."
"How tall are we talking about?"
"Around, six feet probably taller."
"Well, he can't be a thousand years,"
Kitsune chuckled and picked up her gear. If only she knew the man might have been older.
"Tsune wait I won't give up on getting you a boyfriend before we graduate."
"Akira, drop it! And hurry we are gonna be late."
Akira went on nudging Kitsune for details, but she was unwilling to share. All this while the blonde boy watched them, his eyes fixed on Kitsune.
"Tsune, your lunch looks neat." complemented Akira.
"Thanks," said Kitsune, "wanna trade?"
"Sure,"
For the two it was just a normal lunch. They preferred their own company following the rule, two is optimal three is a party and four, well that's just a crowd. They avoided the cafeteria, since it was too crowded, the rooftops, and since they were popular, they acclimated to taking their meals in class.
"May I join you," a voice spoke, politely.
The new boy was looking at them. His name was Adam Hermit. For some reason, he had an intimidating presence around him. He spoke softly in English and was calm with a look of an introvert about him.
"Sure, why not," said Kitsune with a fake smile across her face.
Around the class, rumors that Kitsune had been struggling to avoid started circulating. She was cute, so cute she was a ranked beauty in school. This made her get a fair share of love letters but was never too keen to be in relationships.
Being around Adam, who was the current school talk would give her more unwanted attention. All around she felt the tension, from all the boys who proposed to Akira and her and got rejected as well as all the girls Adam had already turned down.
"So, Adam, what do you want?" asked Kitsune bluntly.
She felt a gentle kick from Akira and a look that suggested, don't, to her.
"It's simple," said Adam, "I like you."
Akira almost choked on a piece of meat. She drank water as she grinned and sang in a whisper. "Adam and Tsune sitting in a tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G."
"I don't think I reciprocate your feelings," said Kitsune, unmoved.
Adam put a palm on his cheek and leaned on it. By now the class was silently listening as the show unfolded.
"You misunderstand, I don't want a romantic relationship, I simply want us to be friends."
"This is too sudden, if I may ask? Why do you want to be friends with me in particular?"
"You are so blunt it's almost adorable, not to mention cute," he spoke in a sought of manipulative tone and kept a constant smile.
"In Japan, if you say such things, your intentions may be easily misunderstood."
"Fine, let me stop beating around the bush then," he resigned, then turned to Akira, "Akira, can I call you Aki?"
"I don't mind," she said a little flustered.
"Aki, do you believe in Devils?"
"What do you mean?" she asked confused.
"It's not a rhetoric question. I mean, do you believe in things like Devils, Angels, Demons all that?"
"I . . . This is so sudden . . . "
Just then a cold and sweaty Kitsune's handheld on to Akira's. She was shaking but tried to look calm.
"Akira, I think we should go,"
"Tsune wait we've bearly eaten . . . "
"I am not hungry, and neither are you dam it!" She said losing her composure.
"Kitsune," Adam called as he held her wrist firmly, "You may think that that man is a good person since he saved you, but I am warning you, he is not."
He released her wrist. She took a few steps back showing her insecurities about him then began walking to the door. Everyone besides the two showed puzzled looks, including Akira who only followed Kitsune's lead.
"Tsune," Adam called out, "that's a cute name, I like it. I think I'll call you that from now on."
"Leave us alone," Kitsune said.
When they were out of sight Kitsune sighed in relief. She leaned against a wall and allowed herself to slip slowly on the floor. He was referring to Cain.
"Tsune, I know you don't like relationships, but really?"
"I'm sorry Akira, I'll make up for lunch later, anything you want, but please stay away from Adam, Ok?"
"Yeah, sure."
* * *
Kitsune looked around but could not find Akira. She hurriedly packed her homework as her mind vividly recalled her promise. Just then her phone rang startling her. Luckily it was Akira.
"Hey Aki, where are you? I promised to take . . ."
"Kitsune . . . about Adam, he kinda cornered me. I know you said to avoid him but . . . I was waiting by the gate for you when he offered me a ride."
"Turn him down,"
"I tried, but he is so damn persistent, he says he'll kneel and beg if he has to."
"Akira,"
"Don't go in that car without me!" Said Kitsune a hint of anger in it.
"Ok, Got it."
Kitsune hung up the phone and quickly dashed to Akira. In the back of her mind, she only thought about the day back then. Adam's presence was way more intimidating than Cain's. Looking at him as he spoke in confidence she almost forgot to breathe.
"Who was that?" asked Adam.
"It's Kitsune, she wants to come along. Hope it's fine."
"It is. I was hoping to talk to her, sorry about earlier."
"It's okay, Tsune is awkward socially, but I know she doesn't hate you. For some reason she gets insecure."
"I see, I wasn't trying to put her on the spot or anything."
The black limousine packed outside the gate, and the suited man who stood beside it drew the attention of the students. Quickly changing to her outdoor boots, Kitsune walked over to Akira who was among a crowd of students. Her plan was, to take Akira and get the hell out of there.
"Aki . . . "
"Tsune, I am glad you could join us," Adam said before Kitsune could object.
Adam watched the girls get in the vehicle and grinned a bit. In his mind, only one thought was confirmed.
"Humans, no matter how hard they try, they won't ever get close to us."