"Miss. Teacher, why do you want it so badly?"
"BECAUSE I NEED IT!" Akimazu shouts, gripping the ball tightly. "I've tried every year to beat that damn numbscroll of a Yokai!"
Visions of Chiro appear inside her mind: "Haha, look who won~." "It's all about me, me, me!" "I'm the most loved Yokai in this college~." "Pack it up babe, you'll never beat me." "I'm number one in this house~." "Hey, did you know who won teacher of the year? Let me give you a guess, it's not you."
Akimazu starts to laugh maniacally, spreading her arms wide in acceptance. "Last time, it didn't happen, let's just say I raised some mutants. One of them is actually a famous soldier. Have you heard of Haraum?"
A night angel gasps. "No way you trained him."
"Oh, yes I did. I trained that class clown with every fiber of my being. I did everything in my power: grouped him with the worst, separated him from his friends, anything! I even broke a dodgeball on his head. And that's only the beginning. I will say this: if you value life, do not get on my bad side."
An archangel raises her hand. "I do have a question though: do you punish the whole class or only punish them only?"
"Depends on my mood. I might do a group practice if any of you annoy me, so be a good child and stay silent during roll call."
Akimazu went around the room muttering names. "Alanze, Akiro, Bresic, D'shaura, Hazel, Tristan, David,—"
'I really didn't mind these types of teachers, since I didn't have any friends to play with. They were the closest I ever had to relating with my classmates.'
'Damn it, she's one of those.'
'I would praise her abilities as a teacher if she knew the biology of a magic person?'
Akimazu yells randomly, catching the students off guard. "Alright, listen here, you energy sacks! I hope you're ready because I am! I see a lot of fat-fucks in this class, and I know for a fact you won't last a minute in the tournaments."
A nymph retorts. "Whoa, what the hell do you mean by 'tournament'," she says in a sassy tone. "It better not ruin my face."
Another speaks with dread laced in their face. "I didn't enroll here to fight; I enrolled for education. I swear if I break an arm in one of these 'tournaments'; I will sue the life out of this college."
Akimazu responds to the harsh claims. "Chill out, weiny pig juniors, it's not gonna hurt you to participate, unless you like sitting in a cuck chair, then I can't help you. You're gonna be in soft, durable suits during the entire tournament—and they're 100% safe—so don't try to excuse yourself. It'll be fun and exciting for everyone, and you'll learn how to fight when the time comes. Enough said, I have to start class. Follow me."
The energetic students, along with some of the tired ones, follow Akumazi.
"Shailus, wait up!" Kailus yells, leaving Akiro all by herself.
"Ahh, my comfort zone. Come back~. Ugh," Akiro lies on the cold floor. As on cue, a group of girls came toward Akiro.
Akiro's eyebrows furrow. "What?" She questions, her tails wrapping around herself in protection.
Karina begins the conversation: "Hey, so are you friends with Kailus, the crybaby?"
'Why does she begin a conversation with an insult?'
Akiro raises her eyebrow. "No, we have a relationship as roommates. What makes you think he's a crybaby? He's a shy kid, yes, but not much of a crybaby as you assume. And if he were, he would've never trust a dazzling kitsuné like me."
Hazel, the skunk girl, clenches her fist. "What makes you think he's different? He used to steal other classmates' toys and cry when we took them back! We would be forced to give them back. I lost my little sister's toy 3 years ago to him, and she wouldn't speak to me for 2 months, unless I took it back—which sadly, I couldn't. Do you think someone can change that easily?"
"He once stole from Raphael, the kid who was struggling with an abusive father. That was the last straw. He went up to Kailus and docked him. You should've seen his bloody face. After that, he got expelled, but that didn't stop him from continuing it."
"Even I wasn't that spoiled." Katrina claims. "I would've stopped at the fighting."
Akiro sees their vision. "That's awful and all, but is it hard to see change in someone? You should focus on yourself rather than hating someone your entire life hating. Seems like child play."
'Wow, no wonder he became religious. So the zealous angel had a little demon inside him after all. Oo~, another card in my arsenal~. How could a sweet thing ever do something so vile,' she feigns purity.
A dark elf adds to the onslaught. "No, it's deserved, rather than worthless hatred. I remember 2 years ago: he used to ragebait us into attacking him. And when we do, he'll tell the teacher. I almost got expelled because of him. He even—"
Akiro cuts him off. "I already have a headache. Tell me more about this later on."
'I already know Kailus is past it, his face spells guilt all over when I first met him. But who wouldn't want more cards in their deck? It's clear they only care about his downfall. And it's honestly sad that the only thing holding their group together is gossip and hatred. They're the ones you're told to stay away from because, you know, they cause the most suicides.'
(Although they went through puberty, they haven't gone through a single growth stage at all. Now, they're trying to ruin his reputation and garner friends by entertainment, since their only personality is information.)
'Are they that arrogant and needy to ruin his pr? Kailus is such a sweet boy. I couldn't imagine what would happen to him.'
Akiro imagines a conversation:
"Girl, I used to have an annoying kid in my school who would steal and cry. He was such a brat," she says in a California tone.
The other person interested in this slop will ask. "Is that so?"
"Totally, super annoying. He goes to this college now, so be careful."
"Oh my gosh~, thank you baby!"
Soon Kailus is gonna be known as a crybaby and become the joke of the college. Kailus cries in the corner.
BACK.
Akiro looks at Kailus smiling ear to ear, while Shalius stands beside, counting his push-ups. "101, 102, 103, 104, 105..."
'He's so oblivious to his downfall. I have to stop them, but I need to use the bathroom first.'
Akiro yells out. "Hey mentor, where's the bathroom?"
"Back in the classroom you came out of, YŌKAI! The first door you see. You better not ask again."
'Oh my, she blurts it out like a slur.'
After the bathroom:
'Ah, now I'm refreshed, it's time to make some allies. But it feels good to lie on the ground right now~.'
She starts to get visions of a hospital:
Kailus: "Darling, remember when you had the chance to save me from the humiliation in my college years, but didn't?"
'Ew, it sounds so creepy when he says it.'
Akiro nervously says. "N-no."
Kailus smiles. "Since you're in critical condition, no one will know if I put something inside you."
He reaches his hand towards her.
Akiro shutters. "Wait, Kailus, please no. Stop!!"
Back:
'See, this is why you respect healer races, no matter what, because they can do anything without your knowledge. You could be shaking hands and die in your sleep from stage six colon cancer. If I save him, I wouldn't need a doctor and could actually save enough money for candy. Or he can heal my cavities. Well, my zealot boy, I'll come save you!'
Akiro begins her missionary. She walks towards the workbench where an exhausted night angel lies.
Akiro whispers toward her. "Hey, have you heard of Kailus?"
The night Angel, panting, says bluntly. "No."
Akiro continues: "Amazing, I'm here to warn you of a group that's making their round by speaking of others' past experiences. They're spreading his past sins to force him to be a common enemy amongst all. Whatever they say abou—"
Night angel stands up with a gleam in her eyes. 9ft. tall atleast. Her arms and breast bulging slightly, asserting her dominance with a low, serious voice. "Who?"
Akiro sweats slightly. 'I knew night angels would take it a bit too seriously, but I didn't know it would be like that. I'm glad I didn't say he was an angel and specifically a GENESIS Angel. They'll kill first before knowing the reason.'
Akiro walks back. "Calm down dear, it's not been spread around—atleast to my eyes—but I want you to have an open mind whenever it comes toward you, to deter others from this gossip. Got it?"
The tired night angel thinks for a moment before sitting down, still in thought.
Akiro breathes calmly. 'Thank God.'
She goes to another student.
A tired bunny-kin lies on a blue mattress sprawled on the floor.
"Sup," Akiro says.
"Hello," the bunnygirl says in a calm tone.
"Do you know about Kailus?"
"Of course I do," the bunny girl says irritably. "I was his first crush back in kindergarten."
'FIRST CRUSH?! Oh, I gotta hear about this.'
Akiro grins. "Continue, darling. I'm interested in this."
"Thank you, dear, I appreciate it." The bunny girl smiles. "Given his reputation of being a brat in kindergarten, I obviously rejected him. He cried and went to tell the teacher falsehoods that I beat him, but they didn't believe it because he had no bruises to back it up. Which even if he did, he'll heal it back before you can see it. So glad they were stupid to take my alibi. So what of him do you want to know?"
Akiro asks. "Well, it's not an ideal of information, but a plea of openness, for what I'm about to say?"
"Eh, you better not downplay that boy's pr because he does deserve it. Everyone knows it." The bunny girl lies on her side, her hand balancing her head.
The old classmates watch Akiro: "Will she join us?" "Probably, we really need a relaxed person in our group." "What about me? I'm relaxed." "Not that relaxed."
Akiro rolls her eyes at their conversation. "Although, your encounter with him was horrid. You should keep an eye on him, as he seems different than before. His eyes have amassed great guilt within them. Perhaps his past actions are hurting him on the inside?"
The bunnygirl stares at Kailus. "Looks like he's having the time of his life with his girlfriend without knowing how much he ruined others. Please girl, I know you want to steal a Genesis Angel for yourself, but babe; he's not the one. He'll play you like an instrument."
She points at Kailus' smile. "See? He's smiling, not an ounce of regret. His shyness was an act. Kailus assumes he can get any girl because he's a 'charged Genesis angel'—quite pathetic honestly. It's like how men pretend to be Yarnabes' fan to get your body, rather than your personality, interest, etc."
'Is he really playing a shy attitude to seduce women? No, no, no… he looks too calm, too brave—too.. normal. He didn't have that when we first met. He must've feigned it! Is that why he was 'praying' too loud? Why can't beings just be themselves rather than playing a character! Is your personality that boring of a male whore?! I have to warn Shailus.'
The other girls intervene in their conversation. "Oh, you talking about him? That Kailus guy is something, I remember he used to look under our skirts." "Oh yeah, he used to whine when he wasn't picked as leader." "What a brat, ahaha!"
The bunnygirl moves away, not wanting to be near those people.
Akiro cut them off. "Yeah, I'll see for myself."
As the gym period ends, Akumazi says: "Break time, stuff whatever you find down your throats."
A fairy yells from above. "Does it mean each other too?"
Akimazu covers her mouth. "Y-you know what I mean—just go!"
The fairy laughs aloud.
Kailus gets up sweating heavily. "Too easy," he murmurs.
"With your physique, it would be concerning if you were unable to perform that," Shalius says, folding her arms.
"Is that so? Man, I'm so average. I need to do better than that."
They return to their seats:
Akuro stares deeply at Kailus. 'His vocals are fine, but his hand movements are very timid, his eyes scan the room more often, and he fixes his pants and shirt too much. Very typical for a shy kid, but I'm unsure, whether or not, he's faking it. I have to ask him.'
After being teleported into another room, they exit into the halls. Large commotions exalt the area leading into the cafeteria.
Akiro sees this as a chance. "Kailus, I have a grand question for you."
Kailus answers: "What is it, friend?"
"Are you faking your personality?"
"No, why would I?" Kailus ask, furrowing his brow.
Akiro steps closer, invading his persons space. "Better yet, did you use to steal toys when you were young?"
Kailus stops in his tracks. "Y-yes… but I-I changed…" he says quietly. "Akiro, I hated him with all my heart. Don't mix me with him."
Akiro steps closer. "Two years to change? I doubt it. Did you snitch to the teacher when you got rejected?"
Kailus retorts: "No, it didn't happen. I asked Daisy for a pencil, and she took it as a date invitation. I tried to explain, but I didn't like the attention, so I cried and went to the teacher. I wa-s soft so caN YOU STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!"
Commotion stops around Kailus and Akiro—all eyes are on them. Kailus walks away, faintly mumbling into the crowd. "I'm sorry, Akiro."
(Just as Kailus hoped his pride would be unchallenged, his past had brought it down yet again, and his joy even lower.)
Akiro tries to reach out. "Oh, Kailus I'm sorry—"
Shailus snatches Akiro's hand away and gives her a menacing glare.
Akiro's ears droop to her ears and her eyes shimmer slightly. "I-I thought he was.. something different."
"And you were wrong." Shailus harshly declares. "Do not speak to us again."
Shalius wraps one of her many wings around him. "It's okay, Kailus."
Kailus hears Damish at the back of his mind: "dance in embarrassment, enjoy in ostracism."
'Damish says to enjoy ostracism, but how can I live without someone else? I want a girlfriend. I want people to like me for my personality, not my political or social views. Everyone likes Hymes for his personality and commentary within the gaming community, why can't I be like him? The only person I ever had a soul connection with is Damish—and maybe Shailus, but she wouldn't like me after knowing my past. Will she?'
Kailus sits at one of the corner tables as Shalius takes a seat beside him.
"Kailus, can you tell me your past. I promise to be as open as I can be." Shalius says, offering Kailus a golden peanut.
Kailus declines with a sluggish head shake. "I'd rather not. Whatever they say about me is true, and whatever absurdity that comes from their lips were possible by me. You wouldn't like me if you were a part of my life during my school years."
"Stop being so negative, it's clear you've changed for the better. It's nothing as you had exaggerated. Stealing toys? I can see wrong. A miscommunication? I understand. They're overreacting—"
Kailus cuts her off. "No, they're not. I've done worse, and I cannot say such a thing. Please, just let it go."
Some seniors join their table.
One asks Shalius, "Hey, what's with the Genesis Angel?"
Shalius sighs. "A person's past can harm their future whether by action or mental levels."
The dwarf asks: "Why don't you learn from it, not sulk in it!"
Kailus and Shailus glare menacingly at him.
The dwarf changes his approach. "Uhh, what is it then champ?"
Kailus says "I used to be spoiled—"
The dwarf cuts him off. "That's all?! We've all been. I remember chasing my father with a knife because he didn't give me candy. Best believe my ass was handed in a garbage bag."
A nymph beside him worriedly says. "All the years I've been with you, you've never told me that. That's an attempted murder charge, Donald, on your own family!"
"Oh Ghyme, so innocent, so pure. If only you didn't know I had such a short temper as a kid. But you're too shy to see the full picture."
Ghyme blushes in embarrassment. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Kailus starts to smile at their banter. "Heh, I used to cry to the teacher whenever I had the chance as a child, and spread false accusations such as people hurting me. It was so embarrassing."
Donald sighs. "I wish I were that passive. I had to move a lot because I was fighting everyone and everything. I remember beating up a nice kid who was trying to calm me down. That's when I started to relax… Geeze, I went to the hospital so much." He quietened down as if ashamed of his actions. "I'm like a MC to a human's story, except I'd be hated. Anyways champ, what's your name?"
"Kailus."
"Names Donald, not to be confused with the other one." Donald face turns into a malevolent frown and his voice becomes a fearful whisper. "Don't refer to me as him."
Kailus is taken aback by his words. "Ok."
Donald smirks. "Heh, so anyways, what year are you? A freshman?"
Kailus nods. "Yes, we both are."
Donald answers: "Good, I'm a senior in these parts."
Kailus and Donald share tons of past experiences, noticing how common their natures are. Ghyme and Shailus offer small commentary along the conversation.
Shalius smiles. 'It's hard to show emotions, but it's easy to smile whenever someone, who helped you, receives a blessing in their life. I want Kailus to feel proud, to appease what his ancestors bought mine. But that Akiro girl… if she stays true to her mocking, I may need to eliminate her. No one can diminish my allies' values and live to tell the tale.'
(Shalius has no attraction toward Kailus, nor toward anyone, but she feels it's her duty to make those who helped her feel worth it, as a debt she must repay.)
After lunch, Kailus waves goodbye to Donald and Ghymes.
"Ok, Shailus.. what's the next classroom?"
"Room 374, monopoly class."