POV LIVIA
The three of us were gathered, seeing that idiot Takumi didn't even get a funeral.
"Enough. It's been 3 days and we don't know anything about him. I'm going to talk to that bandaged jerk!" I said, slamming my hands on the table.
"You're crazy. If you do that, Kohaku will punish you," was the last thing I heard from Ryouma before I stormed out the door.
"Rosse!" I heard Hotaru's shout behind me.
"Don't stop me, Hotaru. I'm going to put that jerk in his place."
I strode off quickly with Ryouma and Hotaru behind me. They both tried to stop me, but I wasn't going to let another damned Maldit comrade die without a grave, like my friends did.
"I told you to come—" Feeling Ryouma's arms on me, I quickly threw him to the ground.
"Rosse, we should think about this a little more. There's no need to fight," I heard Hotaru's voice, slightly trembling. "I miss Takumi too, but there's nothing we can do."
Hearing Hotaru's comment, I stopped abruptly, my face burning as I turned towards her.
"I don't miss him… I just think he should have had a funeral."
I kept walking with a firm step to the Director's office, sliding the door open with a bang.
"Bandaged jerk, I need—" My words stopped when I saw the people in the room.
There was a man with white hair, skin like porcelain, tall, with beautiful black eyes that reflected the universe and a large white pupil. His clothing was elegant.
"What is it, Miss Rossetti?" asked the Director.
My voice cracked.
"A-hh,we-ell… we came to talk to Kohaku."
I felt my body sweat and my voice begin to break as I watched the Director point to the attractive man in front of me.
I couldn't believe it. Was that handsome guy really Kohaku?
"Is that Kohaku?" Hotaru shouted, not believing her eyes.
"Yes, what do you need, kids?" His voice was sweeter and more masculine than usual.
"Ye-es, we came about… Hoshino. You know what happened…" For God's sake, I couldn't control my voice.
"Hoshino?" the Director questioned, staring intently at Kohaku. "Now, what did you do, Kohaku?"
"It's about our friend…" said Hotaru.
Before we could speak, I felt Kohaku's large hand covering my face, his scent so spicy and masculine.
"Don't worry, Director. These girls just want to have a little chat," Kohaku mentioned between soft, husky laughs, leading the three of us out.
---
POV HOTARU
After leaving, Kohaku took us to his office, sitting down in front of us with a long sigh.
"What imprudent children I have."
"That's not the point. We came to talk about Takumi," I said, moving closer to him. His gaze was empty and penetrating, somewhat hypnotic, so I had to bite the inside of my cheek. "What happened to the body?"
Kohaku's expression was impassive.
"Alright, I won't lie to you. I have good news and bad news." I watched him settle into his seat. "Let's just say Takumi was alive, though I did something a little illegal to keep him that way."
I saw Ryouma move closer to him; after all, he knew him best.
"How illegal?" Ryouma's voice was firm. I was surprised he wasn't hypnotized by Kohaku, because Rosse was already mesmerized.
"Umm, well, it would be a small sentence like... decapitation." The worst part was his calm voice.
"DECAPITATION?!" A loud echo filled the room.
"If you did it, why would we get the punishment?" Ryouma asked, clearly pissed off, his face red with anger.
"Because you are my dear students. If I go down, I'm taking you with me," he said while spreading his arms, wanting to hug Ryouma.
Immediately, Ryouma and I continued arguing with Kohaku. Rosse was in her own world.
Later, Kohaku calmed us down, speaking tranquilly.
"Kids these day can't handle a simple decapitation. Values have been lost."
He might be very handsome, I thought, watching his arrogant smile, but he's also insufferably stupid.
"And stop shouting. You should be happy that little Takumi is alive, and you'll be reunited with him soon."
"Really?" I asked excitedly. We had already made plans to watch anime together.
"Leaving that aside, where is Takumi and who is he with?" Ryouma asked; even I had forgotten to ask that.
"Don't get worked up, Ryouma. Takumi is in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland. And he's with Hero."
"Mr. Hamada?" Ryouma's voice was respectful, very different from when he mentioned Kohaku. "Then he's surely fine."
Kohaku's smile grew, and then he started laughing upon seeing Rosse touching his cheek.
"Do you have a girlfriend, Prof Kohaku?"
Since when does she call him that?
"Uh, ha, ha, ha, I don't have a girlfriend. I'm too handsome for anyone to deserve my attention."
"And you don't want one…?"
Before Rosse could ask another inappropriate question, I grabbed her by the arms.
"Let's go, Ryouma." Ryouma nodded and left with me.
Despite everything, I felt happy. At least I knew Takumi was okay. Ryouma also seemed more cheerful with the news.
---
POV NARRATOR
While the kids went to their rooms to train or rest, another group of teenagers practiced their acquired techniques in the distance.
"Makisig, your students are doing very well," said Abaddon, watching the young recruits fighting amongst themselves.
"They've improved. Not much else to say."
"Very good. I'm not surprised. As a Heli, you are the best. Keep looking after my 'children.'"
Abaddon left Makisig, going over to Shiro, who was observing everything from a distance.
"If you're going to keep crying, you shouldn't have come here, trash!" said the albino, driving his knee into a disciple's ribs.
"Shiro, come here," Abaddon ordered with a cold look.
"And what did I do now?" Shiro's voice sounded disdainful.
"Don't hit your group so hard."
"I'm just training them. Don't exaggerate."
"Oh, Shiro… be more careful." After looking at Shiro, Abaddon headed over to Libby.
There was the woman, flirting with the local boys.
"Libby, stop flirting and come here this instant."
The woman obeyed, throwing herself into Abaddon's arms.
"Don't be like that, I was just chatting a little, don't be mad at me~~" Her voice was cloying as she stroked Abaddon's chest.
"You're insufferable. If you want to keep working with me, I need you to train these kids as we agreed."
The woman nodded happily, heading to her group and starting the training.
Then he went to the eldest of the group.
"Katsuro, how is your training going?"
"They learn quickly. Soon they'll be ready for a mission."
"Excellent. No problems with you. I wish it were the same with Shiro," he said, letting out a sigh before leaving.
Abaddon headed to his last leader.
"Cyrus, how is your group?"
"Dad! Everything is going very well. They just sometimes forget who's in charge," the twelve-year-old boy's voice sounded sweet and childish.
"Good, don't worry, Cyrus. Soon they'll know who gives the orders here."
Once he finished checking on everyone, he headed to his office. Everything was tranquil, his thoughts swirling incessantly.
Soon, I will ensure my whole family can be at peace.
Upon reaching his office, he called all his leaders over the loudspeaker. While he waited for them to arrive, he began analyzing his new plan.
"Perfect. I have two Class E Kojin Ikimonos."
He murmured while placing a piece on his strategy board map.
"One Class E Heli, one former Class E exorcist," he said, placing other tokens in various positions, "and my adorable son who carries a Class E Ghost in his bag…"
Before he could continue, all his leaders entered.
"Welcome. I have new missions for you."
Everyone fell silent, waiting for the new orders.
"Libby and Cyrus, continue searching for the perfect vessel." The two nodded and left. "Makisig and Katsuro, take charge of Shiro's, Libby's, and Cyrus's groups." Both men nodded and left the room.
"And me?" Shiro questioned, standing up.
"I need a massage and to talk with you," Abaddon said with a soft smile.
Shiro moved calmly, giving Abaddon a massage on his shoulders.
"Shiro, you should be kinder to my 'children,'" said Abaddon.
"I won't be. They're just bait who, when the time comes, will die like mere animals."
"Ha, ha, always so negative. But if we want that to happen, then we have to be kind." Abaddon's voice became slightly sinister. "Children must obey their father, and if I tell them to die for me, they will do so wholeheartedly."
"You should apply that to Cyrus. Lately, he's been more unruly."
"There's always a favorite, and Cyrus is my favorite. He's learning about the world, and besides, he's my real son."
Shiro's massage began to increase in strength.
"The hypocrisy never goes away, huh?"
"Agh, Shiro, slower," said Abaddon, trying to free himself from Shiro's hands.
"By the way, have you found Hero yet?"
That question made Abaddon let out a sigh of disappointment.
"If you keep asking so much about that guy, you'll make me sad."
"Shut up and talk."
"… No, I haven't been able to find his whereabouts. After all, he's the elite Kojin, always moving from place to place."
Abaddon pulled away as he felt Shiro tighten his grip on his shoulders.
"Alright, alright. Furlo told me he's currently with a student of Kohaku's, but he didn't give me the address."
Shiro's hands stilled and released his shoulders.
"Anyway, I'm hungry."
"Where are we going?"
"Do you want crepes or ice cream?"
"I'd prefer an iced coffee."
"Alright, then let's go to the new café that just opened," Shiro nodded at the request.