The very next day, Fujima went to school normally. Right after Mr. Takamura left his room, he fell asleep soundly. But when he woke up this morning, he felt warm. As if someone is finally there for him. First it was Ken who didn't judge him even after knowing his true identity. Then there was Mr. Takamura, who decided to shoulder half of the guilt and sin for him.
As Fujima was walking on his way to school with a cold canned coffee in his hand, he felt nervous. How would he explain things to Ken? And how sure is he that he won't tell anyone about his true identity.
"What if he's already told everyone? That'll be impossible. If that is what happened, the police would've surrounded my apartment already. And judging by his expressions last night as he asked me to kill and dispose of him, he wore an expression of gratitude. Not fear nor resentment. I guess he's the type to smile even when things are hard for him. I won't ask though. I'll let him tell me." Fujima thought to himself.
As he entered the classroom, Ken was already there smiling and waving at him. Fujima went to his seat. It was still a bit early, about 15 minutes before homeroom.
"You're early!" Said Ken.
"Yeah. I don't wanna be late on the second day of school."
"Still as cold huh? Smile a little Fujima."
"I'll try."
Normally, Fujima would just have waved off the suggestion of him smiling. But as surprised as he can be, he thought that he might be opening up a little to Ken. During the past years after being adopted by the organization, no one dared to talk with him. Ken was the first.
Classes went by in a flash as Fujima fell asleep on most of them. He was up late yesterday and barely had any sleep. Every time after a mission, Fujima will find it hard to sleep. He would get up from his bed to vomit from time to time because of the guilt and disgust he felt. Was it disgust to the one he killed? Or was it disgust directed to himself? Or maybe both.
Lunch break came as the bell chimed around the campus. Ken stood up quickly and went to Fujima.
"Let's go, we have some talking to do. But first we buy food." Said Ken.
"Yeah sure. I was thinking about the same thing."
As soon as Fujima stood up, the class president Mio approached his seat. She was a slender girl wearing glasses and had pony tailed hair. She looked beautiful and most of the guys in the class definitely had a crush on her.
"Ahh. Did I get myself in trouble? Why is the class president standing before me? I hate this, I'm attracting too much attention. Most of the guys are looking in our direction. I guess most of the guys here really do have a crush on her. Maybe even Ken considering how he is blushing right now." Fujima thought to himself.
"I noticed how you slept through our morning classes, Fujima." Said Mio, her eyebrows crooked.
"I'm sorry Mio-san. I didn't sleep a wink last night. Will you forgive me just this once?" Said Fujima trying to apologize genuinely.
"Why didn't you sleep last night?"
"Ahh why does she ask so many questions?" Fujima thought to himself but he answered Mio with "I'm just adjusting to the life of living alone in my apartment."
"Is that so? I'll be watching you from now on, Fujima. You need to listen during our lectures or else you will struggle with the activities and exams throughout the year. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it."
After that small show in the classroom, Fujima and Ken both bought a Yakisoba bun and made their way up to the rooftop.
The two of them went by the railing and sat down as they munch on the Yakisoba buns they just bought. After eating, the two fell in silence for a few minutes as the wind gushed through their faces.
"It sure is refreshing up here huh?" Said Ken.
"Yeah, we should do this more often."
Ken was definitely shocked as he heard those two words come out of Fujima's lips.
"Aren't you supposed to dispose of me?" Asked Ken as he faced Fujima.
"Yeah. Technically I do."
"Then what do you mean by doing this more often? Will there be a next time?"
"Yeah, tomorrow I guess? Every lunch break?"
"No, wait, my head is in a mess right now. How will there be a next time when you're supposed to dispose of me?" Said Ken as he stood up in confusion.
"I am supposed to but I won't. That's why there will be a next time."
Ken fell down slowly to a sitting position once again as if he was relieved that he gets to live another day.
"But why won't you? Aren't you supposed to dispose of any witnesses to avoid reporting you to the police?"
"That's usually the case. But I don't know how to explain it myself. My whole life I've been secluded. Deprived of friendships, relationships, and even being taken care of by a parent. You see I was an orphan before being adopted by the organization–"
"The Dark Souls, right?"
"Well, I'm surprised you know of that name."
"Well you guys are famous and wanted after all."
"I guess I didn't dispose of you because you're like this. You don't overreact. And if my intuition is right, I don't think you will reveal my secret to anyone. Once you do you're dead after all. Even if you're my friend."
"Awwww a friend. Well, I don't wanna die just yet so your secret is safe with me."
"But you seemed calm yesterday when you asked me to kill you."
"Yeah because you did my job for me. And I felt bad that I really would have killed a person if it wasn't for you. Being killed by the phantom rose wouldn't be so bad anyway. But if given the chance, of course I want to live."
"Are you not disgusted by me? You knew that I am the phantom rose and how I am a kinda known assassin."
"Not really. The moment I met you I knew that you're lonely. I never knew the life you led to make you go through all this. It looks to me that you don't want to kill anyone. I saw the sadness in your eyes last night and it was a deep sadness. Like you are asking to be found. Well good for you because I'm willing to be your friend."
"I guess you'll be my friend then?"
"Of course, just don't go killing me!"
"Unless you tell anybody about me."
The two of them laughed as Ken clenched a fist offering Fujima a fist bump. And as a sign of accepting his friendship, Fujima did the same and they bumped fists.
"Anyway, mind if I asked you something Ken? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"Fire away."
"Why are you going to kill James Edwards that night?"
"Well, he molested my mom last week. When my mom fought back and refused he beat the hell out of her and now she's in a coma in the hospital."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Is there any way I can help? Financially maybe?"
"Nah! I'm good man. Want to help me? Let's go to the batting center later. I'll vent some stress!" Said Ken as he stood up and performed a baseball swing with an imaginary bat.