Round Two

After a long day of school, I stepped out of my last class for the day. It's my first day back since winter break ended, so I'm not quite used to it yet. Well... It's not like I was used to it, to begin with.

Okay... Today is the first step towards recovery. Whatever happened up until now didn't happen. I simply need to forget and move on.

Now, I wonder if Sakuno is out of his classes yet. I should give him a call. It's been a while since we've hung out.

My resolve didn't last that long, because as I was walking down the path, a group of young men stopped me in my tracks. It wasn't the same group that I almost murdered after the Christmas party. Still, they might as well be.

I'm pretty tall, so all of them had to slightly tilt their heads up to look at me with those nasty glares. Why is this such a common occurrence? It's getting annoying.

"Tch... This is him?" one of them asked with a hint of disgust. "You're telling me that this guy fucked up Kurobe?"

So that's it. These guys must be his friends.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Yeah, how about you get on your knees and apologize for what you did to our boy?"

This was bound to happen. Likeminded folks tend to attract one another, and they'll go through thick and thin to defend their own. So much for moving on. Looks like that will have to wait.

"Are you aware of what he tried to do?" I questioned.

"Hah, you new around here or something?" he chuckled. "Stuff like that happens all the time. It's normal. We're just trying to have a good time."

"At the expense of someone else's wellbeing. Is that right?"

"Looks like you don't know too much about this world, eh? Let me teach you a bit."

For a single instance, his left shoulder visibly twitched, a signal that he was about to throw a punch. Right as he did, I immediately snatched his wrist away and pulled it to the side before grabbing his neck. I applied just enough force to make it as painful as possible, yet keeping him from passing out at the same time.

"You talk as though you know everything about this world," I said. "Trust me. You haven't a single idea just how disgusting it can be."

I shoved him back, and his goons caught him while giving me the death stare. Am I supposed to be scared of a bunch of school kids? This is just embarrassing. Soon after, a crowd began to form around us, spectating and murmuring amongst themselves.

"Guy thinks he's tough, huh?" another one smirked. "What the hell does the Belle see in you anyway? All you've got going for you is your height. You ain't even all that."

"I never claimed that I was," I said. "Are you just making those assumptions due to your insecurities? I'll give you a hint; nothing is going on between us. If you want to shoot your shot, then go for it. I'm not stopping you."

"Hah! Nothing at all, huh? That's a bold lie. Look, bud. Last warning. We see you with our Belle, and you're a goner. She's already ours. It's only a matter of time."

I let out a scoff of frustration. "The hell is this...? Listen, I don't give a shit about your 'Belle.' The person I care about is Taiyori Ayaka. She's her own person with her own thoughts and wishes—not a fucking object you can claim as your own. And since you so graciously gave me a warning, then allow me to do the same. If you hurt her at all, you'll end up worse than Kurobe."

Long have I kept my hands clean of civilian blood. Long have I been oblivious to how they can truly be. Since I realized my own capabilities... my murderous tendencies, I've made distinctions between them and the dogs of the underworld. I can no longer do that.

What I witnessed during the early morning of Christmas Day awakened something within me. It made me realize that even those who tread the normal world can be just as sinful as those who deal in the underworld. I've already broken the vow I made to my family. Now, my hands will no longer remain idle.

"Looks like something is happening without my knowing," someone stepped out of the crowd and said.

As soon as I heard that voice, a sudden jolt ran through my body. I know that voice, and I could only question why I'm hearing it now.

Taiyori Ayaka herself walked over to us like she a princess amongst peasants. In a way, that analogy could be perceived as the truth. She then stopped right in between me and the group of guys with a calm yet menacing stare.

"You guys ought to include me in the conversation since I'm the topic of discussion, hm?" she asked with her arms crossed.

"M-Miss Taiyori..." The guy from before stuttered. "This is... It isn't what it—"

"Seems? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you just defended Kurobe for attempting to rape me, saying that it was normal. Please, do let me know if I misinterpreted it."

An audible wave of gasps erupted from the crowd. Putting Kurobe and his gang on the pedestal of shame and publicly calling them out is something I personally wouldn't do. I've committed far too many sins in my life to call it even, but I guess it works out when someone else is saying it.

"Uh... T-that's..." the guy couldn't even get his words out.

"Go on. I'm listening," Taiyori smiled coyly. "Ah, but I guess you wouldn't know what to say. After all, there's nothing you can say to defend the indefensible. I'd suggest you choose your friends wisely, else you'll continue to be associated with the likes of them. Unless, of course... You're also guilty of the same thing..."

"N-no! We'd never!"

"Well, how can I believe you when you've just shown us all your true colors? What was it that you said...? Ah. 'We're just trying to have a good time.' Am I to assume that you've already done such a disgusting thing? And what was this about me already being yours? Was there some sort of development that I wasn't aware of?"

This time, they kept their mouths shut. I couldn't help but smile. Taiyori is handling this perfectly. I suppose this isn't her first time, but it's still so satisfying to see.

"I think I've kept you boys for long enough," Taiyori said. "Why don't you run along now and think about your choices, hm?"

Reluctantly, the boys scurried off with their tails between their legs, but the crowd stuck around. I can only assume why. I haven't necessarily been deaf to the rumors that have been circulating around campus between me and a certain someone.

As steadily as I possibly could, I attempted to move out of the way, but she immediately stepped over to block my path. Again, I stepped aside, but she did the same.

"Where have you been?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I gulped.

"Don't play coy now. You've been ignoring my calls and messages. One day, you're there, and the next, you're gone. For a whole week, no less. Using your skills to your advantage, eh?"

"Taiyori... Not here..."

"You're right, Tsuki. So why don't we go somewhere a bit more private? I need to talk to you."

"Wha—Hey! Taiyori!"

She began dragging me along while the crowd stared at us, making their mutters and whispers extremely obvious. Just what is she trying to do now?