Chapter 1.11

“…Special Student Number Two?” Kuroyuki interrupted.

“That's not a freaking name!”

I yelled at her.

“…I know. But the principal told me to call you that…”

“Just ignore him!”

That stinking bastard… My name isn't something to mess with!

“…Fine then, Lucifer Nightwalker von Nightmare.”

Ugh… She really knows my name.

Someone high and almighty like her knew my name.

I actually felt a little honoured… or even proud.

But that tone— if I`m not mistaken… Persia called me by my full name with such a tone earlier— when she questioned me.

“Go on.” I told her.

“…Why did you come all the way here? What is your purpose? Your goal…?”

I wondered why, but there's a bit of sadness masked behind Kuroyuki`s usual cold expression.

Of course, I don't know the reason why she acted like that. There`s no way I would`ve asked.

All I can do— is to answer her question like how I answered Persia.

“I came here to enjoy school life.” I said.

Kuroyuki immediately let out a short scorning sigh.

“…It's fine. We had a secret or two.”

As expected… she could tell it's a lie right away.

“…But you need a less obvious lie other than that.” She remarked.

…Is it really that obvious?

“Like what?” I said.

“…I came here for the 100% employment rate.” She said flatly.

“If someone other than you who takes this as a reason, I might believe it.”

Kuroyuki rubbed the right side of her forehead with her forefinger, it's as if she seemed to have a headache.

“…What makes you think so?” She refuted.

I think anyone would have answered her easily. She's an overwhelmingly talented person. She's already well-suited enough to be the top-tier elite at the society's market. But obviously, she knew that herself. That's why her question actually meant ‘there's nothing wrong with it, so come and expose me if you can.’

Well… it's not like I could easily win against you in an argument… I need a piece of solid evidence.

I stood up and went to the arts and craft section, taking a finished painting from the wooden rack stand.

It's A painting that caught my eye when I was looking around the classroom.

It's A simple painting of the ‘Pink Drop’ tree.

But yet— the clouds moved;

The grass fields swayed by the wind;

The leaves of the trees rustles;

The pink light sparkles;

As if the painting itself was alive. It was truly a masterpiece.

I took a quick glance at her, confirming that it was her work— I placed the painting back on the rack, walked back and sat down on my chair.

So… here comes.

“That painting, is it your work?”

“…Yes.”

“You are truly amazing.”

“…N.”

Kuroyuki doesn't look the least bit prideful. It's as if she thinks this is something normal.

“How long have you practiced till you achieve this kind of level…?”

“…three months.”

I was shocked when she replied three months so casually. Damn, is this even the work of a genius? She's even surpassing a genius.

“You are scary...”

“…………”

Kuroyuki`s forehead popped a vein.

Her glaring eyes are warning me— ‘continue to spin around in circles again, and you are dead.’

“Alright, it's my bad. Not even a genius is able to achieve this level in just three months! What's driving you so far to this extent?”

“…What makes you say that?”

She murmured in a monotone voice. It actually means ‘so what’?

“It's fine if you consider being a painter as your future dream but— obviously you aren't. This painting may be perfect— but the impression you gave me feels like you are trying to make everyone amazed till they are completely speechless. That itself already proves you aren't here for something as simple as a 100% employment rate.”

Hearing my argument— Kuroyuki then heaved a sigh, as if to cover up her irritation.

“…I underestimated you. You understood so much in just a piece of painting…”

“Just how trashy do you think I am?!”

I quickly protested against her remark. I can't let this slide through it all young lady!

“…dumping you into a fire pit…”

“I don't even get a chance to stay in a dustbin?!”

In response to my remark, Kuroyuki gently placed her hand on her temple as though she had a headache, and hung her head low.

“…you really do consider yourself as trash…” She muttered.

“No, no, no it was just a joke.” I quickly replied. “By the way, why did you come here?”

It was meant to make her forget what I`ve said. I don't want to leave any bad impressions on her. But then again, her reason to come here might not be as ridiculous as mine.

Kuroyuki went silent. It seems she`s deciding whether to tell me.

“…Fine then.” She said, staring at me with a cold look. “I will tell you since you want to know so much.”

“Then, what was the reason?”

“…I was told to come here.”

At first, I thought she was telling a lie just like what I did. But if you`d think about it, it actually suits more to be the truth rather than a lie.

“Told to come…? By who?”

“…My parents. They were the executives of this academy.”

…I`m not familiar with the executives. Her parents are executives…?

But for what reason she came here?

“…I won't answer your question. Everyone had a secret or two.”

If it wasn't for my tolerance that built up when I was with Persia— I would`ve told her to stop reading me.

At any rate, she`s clearly telling me to stop prying any further.

Then don`t worry, I won`t. I`m not the type to pry into others' business. It's not like I had time to pry in someone's else matter.

So… after the talk we had— I guess it's time for the greeting.

I stood up and took a step forward.

“Kuroyuki Shiroha. From today onwards, I will be counting on you.” I said, and reached out my right hand.

It was meant for her to shake it as an agreement.

Yet— she`s not buying it at all. Kuroyuki stared at my right hand like it was some sort of deadly disease that`d kill her in one simple touch— till the point that she'd gotten annoyed afterwards.

…What happened? Isn't it just an extremely simple handshake that everyone does it normally?

“…That's how it is.” She uttered.

“Huh?” I was stunned by the shock.

“…You are here to harass me like those scums… you should die after all…!”

The moment her eyes narrowed— the atmosphere immediately turned cold and dense.

I had difficulties breathing again.

“Hold it! How am I even harassing you!?” I quickly retorted.

“…You are trying to feel pleasure from my hand…!”

Her remark was so true and ridiculous that my mind went blank for three seconds.

Something inside my brain seems to have snapped afterwards. I`d realize that the corner of my mouth is twitching upwards.

“Am I THAT untrustworthy!? You told me I was different and you said you'd believe me…!”

Kuroyuki immediately looks away.

This implies that she remembers.

However—

“…It's A precaution.”

—she didn`t admit her faults. It seems she will never admit even if I remind her over and over again.

…Not like I had lots of free time to do so.

“Just shut up and shake my hand already.” I uttered.

With such a rude tone— naturally, our high and almighty Kuroyuki Shiroha felt extremely displeased.

“…My, my… Aren't you getting cocky…?”

She stood up and glared at me. But for some reason— she's grinning.

“You can't blame me for that. You are being too insecure with yourself. I know, it's normal for you— but you aren't alone now. Im your partner, so can't you trust me— even a little?”

“………………” Kuroyuki hesitated.

She looks— puzzled, confused.

But eventually…

“…Fine.”

She`d reach out her hand— trying to touch me. She`d poke it with her forefinger, and retreats— then tries again.

Is it really that hard to do so? It's as if she had never touched a person before…

After she'd try to poke my palm again— I'd grab it from my side…

A soft, squishy and smooth hand— as if I'm touching a cat's paw.

Kuroyuki jumped for a moment, and I'd grab her hand tighter for her to get used to it. But…

“C-C-C-C-COLD—”

I was so surprised that even my voice turned strange.

But yet— it's so cold that it pricks— and even froze my right palm.

“…I-It's not my fault. You surprised me…”

Her strong character suddenly feels like a princess that was freed from secular affairs.

Cute…

“Sorry.” I apologized.

I poured strength into my frozen hand— and crushed her ice to pieces with a grip.

“…Listen, Lucifer Nightwalker von Nightmare. Though I can accept you to be my classmate, but I can`t accept you as my partner.”

Her character suddenly changed back to her usual cold self.

“What? Why?”

“………Hehe.”

Kuroyuki did not say anything but an evil laugh.

From that evil laugh, I immediately understood what she wanted. Something I wanted to avoid, something I wanted to stop it from happening as much as possible.

“Look here, Kuroyuki— I don't want to fight you, I don't want to fight you, I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT YOU!!!”

She`d made me shout the same lines three times. I even shouted like a madman at the last part.

After she shot me a horrifying glare, she said…

“…I'm afraid you don't have a choice.”