That night after Gleren confronted Shinra—
Coming from the outside, I, Tokugawa Shinra, inserted the keycard and opened the front door to my apartment. A huge resident designated to me by the academy being one of its instructor. I flipped on the light as I walked in, illuminating the once dark room. I lingered at my entry to removed my shoes. I hung my jacket on the coat rack before the door to my living room. I then plopped down on the sofa, letting the soft sensation of its cushion to suck me in its embrace.
I pulled a stick out of my pocket and placed it on my mouth as the sofa bent under the weight of my body.
I don't smoke, so it was simply a chocolate stick to keep my tension at bay.
Today is a hectic day. A one to be remembered. Though, even when I try my hardest to forget, I doubt I would be able to. Not when even fot a second, my mind keeps pestering me to remember the incident.
I felt the chill down on my spine simply by contemplating about the encounter I experienced.
Given how my ability operates, I never would have imagined that there would be someone capable of catching me. Not in the past, nor in the future. Or so I thought. But then, I was completely shut down. I was terrified; and now I find myself in a situation like this.
Considering the fact that it is getting rather cold outside, my face keeps getting hotter. I had my air conditioner turned on as well. As I contemplate all I have gone through, I can feel the reddening of my face growing worse.
Hey, shouldn't I be more scared? Should I not wail as I now subjected as his slave? Shouldn't I be furious? Angered and vengeful? I can try, but why... Why was it that my anger slips out whenever my nervous system catches a fragment of his feature.
"That darn brat! How rude of him! How dare he!"
I just... I can't stop thinking about him—my master.
I left the sofa and went to my balcony after taking a beer from the fridge. I have to calm myself down.
The surrounding was sought with the evening color and almost everything was dressed in darkness. If not for the streetlights that keep the night alive, I can tell how dark it would be otherwise. The unmoving sun had turned into the moon and the orbs that surround it are now the ones taking over. The undeniable mysterious ways of Saint Isle.
The wind blew letting my hair sways with it. I can feel the chill to my face. This is the wind of the spring night. A cold yet for some reason warm at the same time.
"The sping, huh?"
The moment of youth and faithful encounter. I also dreamed of such when I was younger. While my fate as a spy denied me of such privileged, I yearned for it. But somehow, as the time slips by the grip of my destiny—I had forgotten about such longing. As I decided to be strong for the sake of my dear sister, I swore to set such nonsensical things aside. And yet! And yet...
My face reddened as I remembered the kiss I had shared with that brat!
I pulled the lid to the canned beer, letting its ooze out of of its confinement. I put the opening to my lips and swung my head back; draining the whole can.
"Why did I have to be the one to redo it?!" I complained particularly to no one. Sigh… "Getting embarrassed all by myself feels really annoying… This is the first time I felt like this."
But that brat—m-my master, really is a strange person.
He's really annoying and the way he talk was really something that gets on your nerves. But he has a mind that's tough and that's always think of what would make for his advantage. He doesn't let anything destract him even after everyone had isolated him for his rank. If not for his perverted tendencies, he could be a person that I would give some great respect to, but alas…
He's younger than I, but just thinking about him like this makes my heart beat faster and faster.
I feel like a young girl who finally met her first love—well that is partially true though, 'cept for the young and in love part.
I refuse to admit it!
I… My family was really underprivileged. Even before the devasting was had ended our situation never let up. Even after the restoration of Japan, we were still left at the bottom class. Worse, soon as I reached adulthood, both my parents passed away; forcing me to halt my studies and take various part-time job to help pay for my sister's education. To provide for both of us, I had to work both days and nights and many part-time jobs at many different places. Still, I had make sure to be there for my sister whenever she needs me; otherwise I'd give all of my energy to supporting her. But one day, things started to shift. When that day finally arrived, I passed out from exhaustion. And when I eventually woke, my body had an odd sensation. I feel light as a feather and something seems to be nagging inside of me. That's when I realized that I had gained an ability.
At first, I was really excited. This way, I can finally support my sister and I can finally continue my studies. I kept my true ability in secret and instead lied about it when I applied as a government employee; back then, no one knew what my true ability was. I had an agreement with the government to keep my ability secret from HARMONIA. They tend to keep me as Japan's secret weapon. At that time, I never mind nor thought deeply about it. It works best for both of us, after all. I can keep working while being with my sister and the government can keep me as their triumph card; an ability user. It definitely is the definition of win-win.
However, all my excitement went with the smokes. My ability was an ability that specializes in stealth missions. I can, after all, become one with nature; invisible—as they know it. And so, the government assigned me with various missions considering my ability. Stealing information for another country; important documents from another nation and many more that highly risked my life. Along with those were the things that a mere employee like me shouldn't be have seen or known—the confidential information. That's when the real ordeal for me began.
The government threatened me from all that I know. They said that if even a single piece of information about the things that they made me do would be out to the light—would a single scheme of them leaked out, me and my sister will be in a really big predicament. I was scared. Of course, I would be. I don't really care what happens to me, but I cannot bear to see my sister getting hurt… she's everything to me.
I started living a life where I was constantly being watched and my every action was numbered. My normal life was subsequently gone. In all honesty, my life is much better now; my sister can continue her studies, and we are free to eat whatever we want. However, being unable to exercise one's freedom is not living—it is a restriction.
Then finally, a deal came from another country was laid for our nation. America said that they will cooperate with Japan's recuperation with one condition. Steal the Map of Saint Isle along with the information on the potential individuals to watch out for, either faculty members or the students themselves. Hence, I was given the mission to infiltrate the Academy. Immediately, right after being accepted as a faculty member with my forge educational background, I managed to steal the map. I was immediately accepted because I was an ability user. Ability users are pretty much welcome here in Saint Isle. I can easily complete my mission. Return to my nation. Give them the map and the information they wanted. Live with my sister. And ultimately, continue living.
That was all I need to do.
But then, with all these—when I perfectly thought that no one would ever suspect me—he came. My despicable, infuriating, and foul-mouthed student; Gleren Stasis.
He's usually aloof, and always spacing out in class—if ever he's not, all he does was stare at my butt—or he would exasperate his classmates and his bullies alike.. Whenever he does that, I cannot tell who's bullying who given how hard he hits his bullies with his words. It actually makes me laugh sometimes.
But this vexatious person became my master. In an unexpected situation that I was placed; I fell under his absolute trap. I was even unveiled as a liar with such minimum clues. He even revealed what my real ability was—a fact which I have never told anyone. Not even my own sister.
I never thought that anyone would be capable of doing things the way he does. He planned everything in a flash and executed it with no flaws. One step after the other, one solution after a problem. I can say nothing but—amazing.
At first when I fell under his ability, I couldn't see anything. I felt nothing and all I can hear is my heartbeat… it was as if I fell in a bottomless abyss—unable to do anything. My ability was deemed useless. I was in extreme loss and because of it, I panicked. So, when I was confronted by him, my mind went blank and all I can think was to kill myself. This results in something really unexpected… our first kiss that tasted like blood.
My master is a weird person. He claimee he was lazy, but he is thorough. He was attentive yet he always space out. He was perverted yet he is naïve and innocent. And there is something about him that I can't deny… he is really considerate and soft-hearted and contrary to the color of his eyes, he has a bright personality—well, not really, I guess?
I couldn't help but giggle.
Black hair that's as if reflecting the starless night. His lazy forelocks reaching before his brows only above his unwavering eyes—back as well as if the night itself. If you stare at it, those eyes were as if leading you as you are being taken to a place out of this world.
He is a person with blessed with a mediocre appearance. He's far from ugly, yet, there were number of people who are much better looking than him. But why is it that—I can't think of anyone who can make my heart flutter like this.
And here I thought of myself as an adult too… All I can do was sigh and let the cold wind of the night carry my fogging breath.
The night was getting colder but my face feels hot. Hotter than ever before.
Then there was a ringing sound. My phone started to vibrate indicating a call.
I fixed myself readying to answer whomever it was. Was it the government? Are they trying to hurry me up with the mission?
I was spot on—indeed it was the government of Japan. But that's not what caught my attention. It was their message itself. It said;
Shin—
You know nothing of us and so do we of you. You are no longer allowed to return. Be it. You do not belong at our rank. Keep in mind—we have no connection with each others.
—Anonymous.
Tsk. They cut me off the sooner they think they've got the disadvantage. Those old bastards...! Nevermind. It's something I wish to do in the future anyway... No wait—
Then, how about my sister?!
I fidgeted my phone. A heat rushed to my brain. My heart started to beat faster—I was flustered—more than that, I was scared. Please, no—not my...
Then there was a call. My fear. My beating heart. My troubled throughs—all went down the drain.
My relief brought me to crunch down my knees. I put my phone to my chest—my screen showed the image of my sister as she called my name.
"[Sis? What's the matter? Are you feeling sick?]"
Her voice was fine. It was a bit electronic but it was her certainly her voice. Her sweet-sweet voice. My dear sister was safe. Oh, God... Thank you so much...
"Hanabi..."
"[Geez, there you go being weird again!]
She said in a sulky tone. I chuckled at her pouting but I hid my face.
"Eh, I'm being weird? That never happened."
I suppressed myself from crying. Still my voice cracked.
"[It did many times! Ah, by the way, sis; I have something reaaaaally important to tell you?]"
She told me excitedly.
"Hee~ what is it?]"
I feigned ignorance as I wiped the tears flowing from my eyes.
"[Hmm. Why are you hiding your face?! Oh, well. Get this, sis! I was enrolled in one of the most prestigious academy here in Japan! I am now attending Kaguya Girls Academy! Ehehe! Amazing, no?]"
I gasped.
"Really?! That's awesome!"
I replied genuinely surprised. I even accidentally showed my face to her through the video call.
"[Right, right?! Amazing no? Wait, why are you crying? Sis, are you okay?!]"
"Oh, come on! I'm just really happy for you."
Kaguya Girls Academy is an institution known worldwide. It was a famous academy where most of the women with power but were not ability holders attends. How on earth did my sister... Ah, I see. it was him... he made true of his promise.
"I'm so happy for you Hana..." I whispered lowly, trying hard to hold back my snivel.
"[Ehehe. Amazing, right?! And not just that! From today onwards, I will be living in a mansion! I will be living now in the Yamada estate! Ehehe. It's very big and I have my own room! The food are very delish as well! I train as a maid here and see, see? Miss Mai is really kind! She's like you, sis. Everything here is new and fun. Hehe. I hope you could come live here as well]"
I held my chest. My heart just keeps on beating. Faster and faster and it wouldn't stop. It made me want to run outside to even try to calm it dow.
Ah... Just how much are you going to make me happy? Just how high are you going to make my heart afloat. Just how deep are you going to make me fall for you?
"[At first I was really scared.]" She told me, "[There was this really big person who were following me, see? He was so scary so I ran to the police.]"
"Eh?! Big person?! A-are you really okay?!]"
But she's living in the Yamada estate now. She's okay, right?!
"[Ahaha. It was so funny. I never thought that this person was Yamada Jin himself; the master of the Yamada estate where I was living right now. He told us and said to me and to the police that I was chosen as a scholar—he even talked to my school principal about my school transfer. Ehehe. I still can't believe it. The mistress of the house was so kind as well. She told me I was very pretty just like her daughter, miss Reina. She even gave me miss Reina's old yukata. Look, I am wearing it now!]"
Her voice was so cheery. She was like a bird chirping in the presence of its mother. Her tone was nothing but joyous. This was exactly the sight of her that I prayed so hard to see. For making my simple dream come true...
And did the headmaster of Saint Stella Academy really went his way just to arrange all those?! Think about going overboard...
I heard another voice from the background. It was not from Hanabi. It was a voice of another girl.
"[Sis it's time for dinner. Mai came to call me. I'll be going now. I don't want to keep the mistress waiting.]"
"I see. Okay, then. Take care of yourself, Hana. I love you."
"[Yes. You too, sis. I love you!]"
She's really living her life now. I'm very happy for her. Her bright smile, her hopeful eyes, her cheerfulness. It's all thanks to him.
I gazed at my phone. The video call just ended.
I heaved a sigh of relief as my eyes darted to the dotted sky.
"Will I be able to see you tomorrow...? Ah!?
What on earth an I thinking?! I am simply grateful to him! Yes! I'm not falling in love with some brat or anything!"
Find excuses as I might, I know it to myself. I really had fallen in love with some brat. Madly.
With such thought, I shook my head and picked up my self to track inside my room. I slid the door to the veranda close. I went to the kitchen. Let's cook something for now. It might ease my drumming heart.
Maybe I feel like this because I haven't eaten yet. I'll have to take a rest and not think of any of this for now.
I know deceiving myself is futile. But if I don't lie to myself now, I will be drowning on these feelings of mine.
Lie to yourself. Lie untill lying won't do anything to hinder your feelings anymore.
Lie and be contented to offer your body and soul to him. Lie until you heart won't be able to bear it.
And when the time comes, tell him the truth. The truth of how over the heels you are for him.
With the aroma of the food I was cooking drifted to the air and was carried away by the chimney, I hummed in a singsang tone—complementing my exuberant heart.
"Gleren..."
As I called his name with my wanting voice, the night went on.