MYSTERY I: Challenge and doubts

The classroom that had been abandoned since ages was redesigned, suitable for one person to do with it as they pleased, in this case that person was–

“Manabe Senpai please!”

His frost mint coloured bang crowded his brows. Yukio Manabe picked up his square shaped glasses from the small table beside the couch, an annoyed sigh was followed. He put the glasses on and expressed his visible displeasure to Hikari. “I can't help you, I thought I already told you that. You shouldn't get involved in this either.” He stated, affirmative and certain. The black cat meowed by his side. This man was the peak explanation of apathy. Something about the way Manabe’s eyes expressed hollow stillness, a type of chill in them. Hikari's fist tightened by her side, fury welling up in her eyes. “So you can help the police whenever it strikes your fancy but when your friend actually needs you, you show her your back?”

Manabe Yukio raised his brow, visibly noticing the open provocation of his junior. “Yeah, and what about it? I'll show you my back no matter how many times it takes, I need you to stay out of this shit. Not to mention, you're dragging some newbie into a possible criminal scene– just how responsible is that, hm?” Kaname knew Yukio made a valid point, a point that both of them shouldn't even be arguing about, Yukio was being a responsible senpai but something about his edgy attitude rubbed Kaname the wrong way.

“Yashiro is no-” Kaname cut Hikari off, stepping forward, putting his backpack down. He crossed his arms over his and clenched his jaw, challenging the older guy. “I'm here of my own volition. Hikari is not dragging me into anything.”

Yukio found Kaname's presence to be an foolish adolescents act, he simply waved his hand to dismiss him. “Listen kid-”

“Kaname Yashiro. That's my name, not kid.” Yukio paused, clenching his own jaw to resist the rising anger at Kaname’s visible insolence. Hikari blinked, surprised by Kaname's passive aggression, for whatever short time she's known Kaname he seemed like a peace loving man. she also didn't expect Yukio to be so easily agitated by Kaname.

Um what?

“Alright, Kaname. It seems you disagree with my very valid concerns. Are you some sort of thrill seeker? Is that why you are using Hikari's moment of weakness to fill your twisted sense of fun?”

“Senpai please-!” Hikari tried defending Kaname but Kaname raised his hand, stopping her, signaling he didn't need her help.

A mocking smile on Kaname's lips, crooked to the side. “Whatever my reasons may be, at least I am willing to help her. Unlike a certain scardy-cat.” If Yukio hadn't been paying attention before he was now. A chortle mixed with sarcasm and disbelief left the his gape of his lips. “Scardy-? Scardy-cat?! Are you implying that I'm not helping her because I'm scared?” Kaname shrugged, confidently so and baited Yukio further. “What else could it be that's stopping you? You already seem to have experience with this stuff and yet, you prefer shooing away your friend in need.”

Yukio, like an agitated cat, got off the couch, riled up. “I am only trying to keep her away from danger-!” Kaname placed a hand on Yukio's shoulder and displayed mock-care. Yukio scrunched his brows together and swat Kaname's hang off his. “Tomato-tamato. Just admit it that you're scared and we won't force you anymore. We are not cruel enough to forced someone echo is frightened.” Hikari knew that her senpai had a competitive streak but like this? She couldn't believe it, Kaname was able to achieve what Hikari couldn't in weeks. I

Is this what they call ragebaiting?

There was a long pause, Kaname and Yukio only glared at each other. No one was willing to budge from their stance. Kuro, Yukio's cat hopped off the couch and rubbed his cheek against Kaname’s feel. Kaname snorted at Yukio's expression. It was as if Kuro had betrayed Yukio. With his jaw clenched together, Yukio admitted defeat.

“Fine.” He submitted begrudgingly. Yukio walked towards the coat holder and took his coat. After wearing it, Yukio averted his glare at Hikari who shamelessly avoided his eyes. “Don't tell me I didn't warn you when this all ends and you can't handle the truth.” Hikari whistled, kicking the invisible rock, and she gave him an apologetic smile. “I'm sorry senpai. I know you are just trying to keep me from danger but I need your help… he has been missing for weeks now- the police refuse to help, I can only count on you to help me.”

Kaname could tell that Yukio and Hikari were close. The type of bond that won't break over small arguments. Yukio’s eyes didn't lose its sharp edge but his frown did softened, he sighed, defeated. Yukio's hands reached out and ruffled Hikari's hair. “I can't win against you.” Hikari smiled, warmth visible on her face. Kaname couldn't help but smile along with her. “Thank you, Manabe Senpai.”

Glaring at Kaname with his side-eye, Yukio warned. “Prepare yourself, Kaname. It won’t be long before you’re the one who's trembling in fear.”

Kaname was not the boisterous type but something agitating about Yukio drove him to be immature. “Promises promises, Yukio.”

Hikari sighed, she had not expected this kind of development between them, she could only hope for them to get along.

Kaname had left shortly after planning things with the both of them. During his conversation, Kaname asked a few of his own questions, such as the name of Hikari's boyfriend, why Yukio Manabe was a need for them to solve this case and not a certified detective. Yukio clarified that he was indeed a consulting detective, he had helped police officers numerous times in solving cases before, in fact they sought his aid on several occasions. Hiroshi Kujo was likely the 6th victim. To speak more freely, Yukio called the both of them to meet outside the University when it closes– 9 pm.

Now that Kaname was returning home, everything was crashing down on him. It was the first day of his university and he had already tangled himself into a mess. Kaname was not fearless. Kaname didn't have a hero complex. Kaname simply couldn't see injustice being overlooked. He hated it. And more than that, the sullying of the supernatural and the dead's name. It was the sole reason he involved himself in such a mess.

and because Kaito rubbed me the wrong when he was so dismissive of Hikari's feelings.

Like a parasite, doubts over his own actions started crawling up his skin. His fingers reached up to his neck, he hesitated but gave into his instincts anyway. Nails dug into his skin, clawing up and down with steady pace. His heartbeat rose as the dark voice behind his eyes grew larger.

Did I make the right decision? Can I trust them? Is this life threatening? I don't want to go through what happened in the past again.. Can we achieve anything by chasing the culprit? Who even is the culprit? What does he want? Why is he kidnapping students? Is Hikari even helpful in such a situation? Yukio could betray him at the drop of his hat. Yukio cannot be trusted-

Stop.

Kaname shook his head, clutching the fabric over his chest. He took in steady breaths to even out his anxious heckling thoughts. The dread crawled in his heart like a spread of fallen ink on a blank canvas. As the clock ticked on his wrist watch, Kaname's ears perked with each tick. His cold footsteps took him to his place, an involuntary action he would always take whenever his mind was in a disarray. An attempt to hide from the world.

Did I make it back home? Did I make it back home? Did I make it back home? Did I make it back home? Am I safe? Am I safe? Am I breathing? Am I breath- am I alive? Are my eyes open? Am I seeing things right? Why am I sweating? Why is it cold?

Kaname threw his backpack on the flooring, seeking refuge in front of the house shrine, curling into himself as he coiled like a foil. His lungs burned from the frantic running back home, his breath hitched in his throat, each breath pricked needles of ache from within his lungs, as if hands were clawing itself out of his flesh and bone. He chanted in his head repeatedly, again, again, again and again. His bulging out eyes squeezed shut.

I am okay. I am safe. I'll be fine.

“I am okay.”

If only Kaname knew that the dread his past paranoia and anxious heart brought was going to be nothing in comparison to what today’s unique encounters were going to bring him.