A/N: If you haven't read the ff "I got lost, okay. Not my fault." i suggest that you read it first. Thank you.
A soft tick sounded and echoed within the dimly-lit room as the clock’s short hand pointed 5. Outside, the lamps’ light flickered and died out just when pairs of fast-paced steps and ragged breathing from a couple passed, all in a synchronized rhythm as finally, the sun rose in the horizon, slowly casting its warmth all over the campus.
Everyone was up and about except for a few and one in particular who was lying still in bed - eyes wide open and staring into vast nothingness, appearing almost like a corpse if it wasn’t for her shallow breathing. Propped 5’7 against the wall beside her canopy bed was her sleek black nodachi. Reaching for it, she touched the scabbard and felt a slight scuff in the middle that immediately called for a profane utterance in her native tongue, recalling the night’s incident.
“Damn those steyrs.” Ami muttered and sighed as she got up from bed. Masume in hand, she went to her work area and started fishing for tools her grandpa gave her. She fixed and polished thoroughly and carefully the Japanese sword as dictated by etiquette she learned and mastered in years.
“If nonno sees this, he would be in tears.” She thought, remembering the parent she knew that loved his swords like his own flesh and blood.
After half an hour or so, her work was finally done. She would have gone back to bed if it weren’t for her morning meal. She knew it was her first day as a junior and it didn’t much appeal to her as this was just like any other firsts in her almost three years in HADES. It was breakfast she was looking forward to. Xlain’s creations were the only ones she would consume in the wide array of food found in the school cafeteria. She wouldn’t dare trust those greasy and foreign grubs even if it meant starvation. Moreover, her condition requires specific provisions and she better not gamble.
An hour later, she was all tidied up. Masume in her right hand, she headed towards the door when suddenly, she caught a glimpse on the calendar that piqued her “interest”. It sent a sinister glint in her eyes although her face was as stolid as ever. “He’s dead.” She remarked, matter-of-factly and shut the door. Once outside, she sensed a familiar presence behind her and turned to check but saw no one - only an opened window at the far end of the corridor. Bored, she turned on her heel and walked away, heading to the cafeteria as the length of her glossy black hair swayed to her movement then rested in an elegant mess enveloping her physique.
*****
The sun was already blazing up ahead, eager to get his job done. HADES’ buses and private posh cars of all kinds from Lamborghinis to Rolls Royce started arriving. There was a ruckus as a throng of students “oohed and aahed” at the arrival of the new and wealthy ones, specially with a pretty golden haired brunette. At the same time, shrill cries from women were overheard, swooning over the sight of you-know-who as he got out from his Aston Martin DB9 looking in his ever dashing self.
This was the sight that greeted Ami as she left the dorm. It may seem to be impossible now for anyone to get across to the entrance of the academic building having this immense crowd blocking every pathway. However, this didn’t bother her at all. Holding Masume in a horizontal position at her back, she walked confidently among the crowd who immediately parted and silently stood still at the side as they saw her approaching. “Yeah, pretty much. That’s her.” Some of them whispered, gossiping. They knew all too well that this ominous girl clad in black would not as much flinch if ever someone got hit by her massive sword.
*****
Ami finally arrived at the cafeteria and greeted some of her senseis with a slight nod.
“A wonderful morning to you, Ms. Daeth.” Greeted the jovial and good-natured headmaster who saw her as she was about to enter and hunt for Xenon.
“Good morning, direttore.” She replied, bowing.
Although he’s not used to someone bowing to him still, he relented and continued. “Still carrying that sword around?”
“Si, direttore.” She affirmed. “I have to. Masume is my companion.” She added.
“I see. Very well then, have a great time. Oh and please wear a smile and any dress aside from....black.” He said, looking over the student's attire then smiled as he left her staring after him.
Moments later, she saw Xenon walking towards her, as stupid and blunt as ever.
“Here we go again.” She whispered and eyed him with mixed distaste and pity over his appearance. She wondered how in Hades did he went this far and ALIVE.
“This month is the worst.” She mused. “Last month, he was only in his shirt and the other months, in his pants. But now, è condannato. Unbelievable.” She cursed and decided not to think about the coming months.
As usual, Ami did all the explaining, reprimanding and a dozen of whacking in the head so that Xenon would come to his senses and realize what he had done.
“Oh well.” She thought, tired with all of these. “I just need my black hearts.” And took the box Xlain was handing her. As soon as she suggested some sensible advice about the matter, Dr. Enkil came storming her way, surrounded by a menacing and electrifying aura that cackled at her presence.
Knowing better than to get involved, Ami backed away, hiding or much like' protecting' herself from the Doctor’s line of vision. “Torture scene coming up.” She softly uttered as a rare dark smile formed in her lips, very much enjoying Xlain’s torment as he was dragged away by the Doctor into her infamous clinic.
*****
The cafeteria was filled with the usual morning hustle and bustle from HADES' students and staff. Without much thought, Ami went to a table in the left corner and seated herself. She brought with her Boccaccio's The Decameron which she borrowed from the library after her encouter with Xenon. She was too engrossed with the book and in pecking at her food that she haven't realized or just really ignored the two people who had already joined her.
“Yo! I’m Jin.” She said, as she introduced herself with a nice friendly smile and offered her right hand.
Disturbed from her reading, Ami looked up from her book and stared plainly at the both of them. The friendly one named Jin was pale, had a pair of golden eyes and a style she couldn’t quite understand while the blue-haired guy beside her who had crimson eyes also just stared blankly.
"...and his name's Jack." Jin continued, breaking the already thickening ice among them.
"Ami." She simply replied and nodded slightly then went back to the page she was reading.
Minutes after the two left, Ami stood up and spun Masume 180 degrees in the process. A thin and frail looking accel wearing a trench coat and who was seated nearby with his back to her table was almost hit with the sword's end-cap if it weren't for his reflexes when he quickly dodged down. Unfortunately, to the boy's great dismay, his book, which he was intently reading was hit instead and went flying to the far right side of the room - landing at the feet of a blonde verifier who immediately picked up the book. One quick look from it was enough to make the blonde woman utter expletives. Disgusted, she threw it in the garbage can and went on her way, pissed.
"Next time, the aim will be on the head." She thought. Satisfied, Ami walked out - appearing like nothing significant whatsoever had occured. While in the background, the pained accel guy rambled perversely about how women should hit him and threw him in bed.
*****
It wasn't minutes when she found Xenon again. After they ate breakfast, they headed straight to the Assembly Hall. Ami was entirely oblivious from all the curious and confused stares of some students seeing them walking together. There were rumors circulating that the two were dating and worse, that they were a 'couple'. But none of these were ever proven as attempts to do so were out of the question.
As they were nearing the Assembly Hall, Ami instinctively raised her guard and swept her gaze over the surrounding. Looking at Xlain, she knew he felt it too, something...strange.
"Come what may..." Ami thought and together, they stepped inside and braced themselves for another school year of struggle in death's abode.
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