It's morning. Kuro and Shiko are in the cafeteria and eating with Aiko and Erika while Haru slept in. The way from Shiko's room to the cafeteria was- an awkward walk with Kuro. Though Shiko tried to be as her usual self, he couldn't help either stutter more or get pink and whenever Aiko and Erika asked about it, changed the conversation. Lucy walks towards them and looks at Erika up and down with a somewhat disappointed expression. Erika looks up at her
Lucy: I can't believe you're seriously gonna hang out with these losers... Kuro raises an eyebrow, Lucy looks at him and back at Erika I guess besides Kurosaki-Kun.... Erika lightly smirks
Erika: Actually, it's pretty fun!~ I'm actually feeling surprisingly comfortable and they are- actually not losers!~ Aiko rolls her eyes, Shiko nervously smiles and Kuro starts to ignore Lucy. Continuing to eat his food
Lucy: Ugh- she looks up and rolls her eyes, annoyed. Nagisa yells at her from the side
Nagisa: LUCY! Are you deaf!? Or just stupid!? Get away from those losers and come here!~ she starts speaking with an annoyed voice that gets all cutesy as people pass by. Lucy lightly sighs and smiles at Nagisa's direction.
Lucy: Coming Nagisa-San...!~ she goes over to her. Nagisa and Erika's eyes meet for a split second. Erika feels like a knife passed through her. She looks away and down at her food. Shiko hesitantly puts her hand on Erika's arm
Shiko: Are you... sure you just wanted to get the female student meal...? You can try whatever you want served and... we... can protect you if anyone says anything... Erika looks at her and lightly smiles. She shakes her head no. Kuro lightly smiles as well
Erika: Maybe another time... they all continue to eat. Haru also joins them a bit after and they start chatting a bit more
Erika and Shiko share a class while Kuro and Haru do too. So after their meal, Haru drops Aiko off at her class and everyone goes to their own. The classes flow by one by one. As Shiko is now friends with one of her classmates, she feels less like an extra. By the end of the day, many students are already chatting about Erika's little change of heart. Surprisingly, she isn't bothered or going back to being fake. Shiko just feels- relieved...
When the school day is over, Shiko tells Erika she has some things to do and leaves to meet up with Kuro to go to the Student Council Room.
-Half an hour later-
Ningyo, Tsubasa and Yami are in Yami and Zero's dorm room that's connected to the side. Door closed. And in the seating area are four small one person couches facing each other.
YÅ«, next to Clade, next to Kuro(?!?), next to Shiko. Shiko is confused how they got into this situation, she hesitantly whispers to Kuro
Shiko: I- thought you guys were supposed to be out of here...? Kuro whispers bask
Kuro: Yami asked for me because I'm still family- Now he owes me which is somewhat good... They look at each other confused. Shiko looks at YÅ« and Clade.
Yuu looks very feminine and young. He has blond shoulder length hair and blue eyes. He seems to be looking away and seems a bit shy. While Clade looks to be averting his eyes looking somewhat bothered or annoyed at something. He has dark grey, somewhat long hair, brushed to one side and a side shave. Plus an eyebrow and lip piercing. His eyes are similar to Ningyo's. Brown in such a tone that it almost looks red. Clade looks at Shiko
Clade: You gonna stare at us all day or start talking? Shiko gets somewhat surprised and looks around, not knowing what to say. Kuro jumps in
Kuro: Well let's just play along with Nin's game for now- I just hope it's gonna be worth it. Clade averts his eyes
Clade: I guess I don't doubt that... So fine. He seems to force himself to go along. YÅ« gulps and decides to go first with introducing himself
YÅ«: H-Hey! Yuu Fleet... I'm Tsubasa's boyfriend... Though I know I don't look too masculine... he looks in the others eyes. Shiko lightly smiles And- though I know I look younger... I'm actually 19... soon to be 20... So- I'm older than Tsu... Everyone looks at him surprised, he averts his eyes
I know... U-Umm... Who's next...? Clade lifts his hand and puts it back down as he starts speaking
Clade: I'll go. Clade Gon. 21. So younger than Nin, idk why that's important now anyway. I'm his boyfriend. He shows Kuro with his hand so he goes, looking bored
Kuro: Kurosaki Kaito. I'm Yami's cousin. 19. He looks over to Shiko, she gulps
Shiko: M-My- name- is Shiko Kagome.... I'm Kuro...-saki's friend... she glances to Kuro who nods once slowly I- am 17... that's it... Clade lifts an eyebrow
Clade: Kagome like the fancy Kagome family? Shiko hesitantly nods, Kuro looks somewhat surprised Clade would know that, Yuu seems a bit confused
YÅ«: But... Is it okay if Kurosaki-Kun brings you when he's also participating...? Shiko looks over at Kuro. He sighs
Kuro: It should be? We don't exactly know what we are here for anyway. Plus Yami couldn't have invited anyone else. Not many people know of the YNTK. Which makes this- plan more foolish... Clade looks at Kuro
Clade: Hey watch your mouth. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. He averts his eyes He always does anyway... Shiko looks at YÅ« who seems to be more in her pace
Shiko: Umm... Yuu-Kun...?- How do you... like it here..?
About 15 minutes pass as the four just try to make small talk. Clade also rarely gets into it while also somewhat feeling bored. Suddenly Zero opens the door, looking like he ran. For once looking somewhat panicked.
Zero: YAMI!. He looks around. The dorm door opens and Yami comes out with the others. Everyone in the room look towards Zero. Yami hums in a way of asking what the deal is
Your mother is here. She's on her way. Kuro and Shiko look at Yami. He seems to let out an annoyed sigh. Tsubasa rushes to Yuu and tells him to take Clade with him. Clade yells over to Ningyo
Clade: I'll go with lil Barbie roll here, don't come home too late or I'll sooo fuck you up. he smirks slightly
Ningyo: In your dreaaaams~ He giggles with a light smirk
Clade pulls a middle finger before getting out with Yuu. They head out of school. Zero collects himself inside as Ningyo, Tsubasa, Yami, Kuro and Shiko are around him, Shiko a few steps further back. Ningyo takes a seat
Tsubasa: What is she doing here? He seems a bit bothered. Shiko looks at everyone, somewhat worried, somewhat confused
Kuro: She can be a threat to the general students too you know?. He puts his hand on the middle table, tapping as he thinks, Zero raises his voice a bit
Zero: You think I don't know that?!. The crazy bitch nearly stabbed me last time! Shiko looks towards the door, thinking maybe this is a conversation she shouldn't be hearing. Ningyo looks at her
Ningyo: Hey Kitty~ she hesitantly looks at him and sees his expression fall. His eyes glisten in a somewhat horrifying way Don't you dare think of running away. Shiko shakes her head yes many times and sits down at one of the couches far back again, Ningyo smiles at the others
I called Ryuko over~ Zero reaches over to grab Ningyo. Ningyo holds his arm and smirks at him with a mad glisten in his wide eyes.
i wouldn't do that it I were you~ Zero makes him let go of his arm and gets up
Zero: Your mess. You deal with it. He gets Yami's electro collar, puts it on him, locks it and activates the tracking bracelets before going to their dorm and shutting the door. Kuro looks at Ningyo seriously
Kuro: Why?.
Ningyo: I was bored!~ He looks around like he's saying "geeez"
Kuro: No, WHY?. A few seconds pass in silence
Ningyo: Because Ryuko dangers our information with her pointless "crazy talk".
He gets up and looks at Kuro seriously. Shiko feels herself sink into where she's sitting And- another reason... He lightly smirks
Before Ningyo can finish his sentence, the door slowly opens. YNTK and Shiko look over. It's an extremely pale, thin woman with black, somewhat messy, long hair. Almost to her knees. She has black eyes with small pupils and dark eye bags. Barely visible freckles and chapped lips. Her black skirt is long and she's wearing a long sleeved turtle neck in a beige color. She's... holding a knife with both hands and has an open mouthed, very slight smile. She looks tired and disturbed. Shiko looks at her and gulps. She closes the door once she's inside and turns to everyone
Ryuko: Am.... I...... late...? Her voice feels forced. Almost like she hasn't drank water in a while and is struggling to talk. Yami goes to the corner and sits on his couch. Ningyo gets up with a smile and walks towards Ryuko
Ningyo: Not at all!~ Just go chat with the white haired one over there~ he shows Shiko with his hand. Shiko looks extremely uncomfortable and her head shakes no. Not intentionally, but from a bit of fear due to the panic the guys had about the woman. Ryuko lightly forces a smile more and goes to sit across Shiko. Kuro rushes over and takes Ryuko's knife.
Kuro: Confiscated. You can get it later. Ryuko slowly nods and sits across Shiko. Kuro looks over at Shiko and she nods once to assure him that she's going to be alright. Then, Kuro looks at Ningyo Now you. Come with me. He pulls him from his arm towards Tsubasa as Yami just sits in his corner in silence, away from the other three, staring at his mother.
What the hell do you think you're doing?. He says looking at Ningyo and sounding seriously bothered. Ningyo loses expression
Ningyo: I wanted to involve your little kitten more than necessary. I told you the first day you brought her in that you were putting us at risk. Kuro replies immediately
Kuro: I trust her. He says seriously and holds Ningyo's collar. Ningyo smirks again with a mad glisten in his eyes
Ningyo: You sure that's not just your feelings getting in the way lover boy?. Shiko feels herself holding her breath, stressing out from barely hearing of the conversation going on on the other side of the room. She gulps and looks at Ryuko. Takes a deep breath and speaks
Shiko: R-Ryuko...-San...? Ryuko lightly smiles. She looks lightheaded like she can pass out any minute H-Hey... I'm Shiko... Kagome. Kurosaki's friend... I- don't know what Ningyo-San has told you... while- coming here... she almost seems out of breath. Just, very uncomfortable. Ryuko slowly starts to speak. Her voice still sounding forced
Ryuko: Hello.... Yes... I'm Ryuko... Ryuko Manabe. Mother of Yami... Yami Akumu. I... kept my surname... because- because my brother... yes... because my brother changed his........ Her eyes twitch very slightly. Shiko gulps
I was... called by Ningyo... Nin... Ningyo.. I... I was called... by him... Ningyo... her eyes wonder down a bit, looking concerned. Face twitches a bit Nin... Ningyo called me... here.... Shiko seems to get more uncomfortable by the second. She holds the side of her couch I... to meet you... he said you know... you... you know it... she quickly looks into Shiko's eyes. Shiko tries to take a deep breath. It sounds shaky. Both her inhale and her exhale
Shiko: I... can't... say I know what you're talking about... Are... you okay...? Ryuko's eyes widen a bit more. Shiko glances over at Kuro, Ningyo and Tsubasa. They seem to be talking. She quickly looks back at Ryuko who seems to be leaning over
Ryuko: Th-Them... what... what they did...!! You know... if you know... you should know... her mouth is open ever so slightly as she speaks through her chapped lips. Sounding quite repetitive
Yami.. my son... you know... my son, he's not okay... he's not okay in the head.. he did it, he did them... I lost- I... I lost them... her face twitches all over, her eyes feel out of focus and wondering to places before landing on Shiko again He did it... I'm not crazy... they covered it up. She leans closer towards Shiko. Shiko tries to get herself as into the couch as possible, feeling stuck and stressing out, she gets slightly teary.
You know now... YOU can say something... I'm not crazy. My... my beloved husband... he loved me... I was beautiful... Yami... my son... he looks just like us.. my beloved and I... I love... I love my son... but HE did this... nobody believed... then... what about my brother...? Shiko tries to breath as quietly as possible
Shiko: "Brother.... Ryuko....-San's brother.... If she's Kuro's aunt...? Is... that Kuro's father...? Forget that now! I have to get up! she's... she's scaring me...." her tears start flowing slowly, not too visible. She quickly wipes her face as Ryuko doesn't stop talking
Ryuko: My brother... my BROTHER... he had his mistakes but what if he didn't die naturally...? How...? Why..? Why did I lose him on the SAME day... same day- same... my beloved.. same day with my beloved... WHY...?- her voice starts shaking more and raises. Kuro, Ningyo and Tsubasa look over at once, Yami gets up from
His couch and starts walking towards Shiko and his mother. Ryuko immediately gets up when she sees. She points at Yami
I'm not crazy... not.. crazy... it's all of YOU... you... she points at all of YNTK, then at Shiko YOU can prove them.. them that I'm
not crazy... not... that crazy.. not like that- YOU are in just as much as me... she takes a step away from the couches, Yami stops in front of her as she freezes in place. Eyes shaking. Yami looks in her eyes with no expression as everyone holds their breath
Yami: Can you get out?.
Ningyo smirks, Tsubasa sits down a bit more relieved. Shiko closes her mouth with both hands as she tries to keep her breathing silent and get a hold over her flowing tears. Kuro walks towards her and puts his hand on Shiko's shoulder. She looks at him and quickly nods many times. Feeling like she got through something. Something heavy. Ryuko takes slow steps back. Eyes still wide open as if she's stuck that way. She looks around with an open eyes, extremely light smile
Ryuko: Heh... where... are my manners... I must have... oh.. can I... have some water... I must have... misplaced... something... my pills... where are..
Ningyo rushes to Ryuko and hands her a plastic cup filled with water. He smiles innocently. Ryuko takes it as her eyes fall tired. It looks like she isn't looking at anything. She gets a small box from the pocket of her skirt and takes a few pills out. She takes them and finishes the cup of water, puts the pill box back into her pocket and smiles at everyone as taking more steps back. Slowly
Ningyo: As last time Ryuko-San, for your own safetyyyy~ he puts his finger up to his mouth, hushes and winks once. Ryuko hushes back with a tired smile and turns around
Ryuko: Always... so nice... thanks... for invite... you're all... yea... umm my knife... I lost... my knife... I needed... to protect myself- with.... my knife...? I'm... she slowly reaches the door, seemingly confused and leaves. The door is left a bit open.
Kuro looks over at Tsubasa. Tsu nods once and heads out to make sure Ryuko gets out of school grounds. He closed the door fully shut behind him. Kuro looks back at Shiko who lets finally lets go of her own mouth. She breaths heavily, wiping away her tears. Kuro goes back towards Ningyo and starts talking with him, looking pissed at what he "made" Shiko go through. Yami looks at Shiko who's struggling to calm down and sits in front of her. She tries to look at him but can't seem to calm down so averts her eyes. Yami stares at her with no expression as always. Not looking away
Yami: Me or her?. Who are you more afraid of?. Shiko tries to take a deep breath slowly. After a few more breaths like this. She can finally answer
Shiko: I.... guess I'd have to say... her..? She says hesitantly I... know of things you all have "done" but... words don't scare as much as... actually feeling like my life is on the line... Yami looks at her up and down
Yami: She hasn't killed people. Think about that. You feared me more when you didn't know I killed. He gets up Yet because of who you are, you're safer in front of me rather than her. Every word he says feels like it echos in Shiko's head due to his deep voice. Shiko looks down, not sure what to think. Yami walks towards Kuro and Ningyo. After a bit, Kuro comes back to Shiko
Kuro: Come on... I'll take you to your room... Shiko looks at him and quickly nods. They get up and out as Tsubasa gets in, nodding once to Kuro. On the way to Shiko's dorm, it feels a bit more silent. Before actually- Shiko breaks it
Shiko: Why... did Ningyo-San set something like that up....? She asks hesitantly. Somewhat quiet. Kuro averts his eyes
Kuro: I'm sorry you had to go through that... I couldn't even go against Nin's reasoning... it's true that I trust you and I don't believe that's just because of my "feelings" and.. interest towards you... but I can't help but understand his twisted reasoning... Even though I hate he's roping you in with fear... Shiko gets a tiny bit pink while still being deep in thought. She slowly nods and puts his hand on Kuro's arm. She speaks somewhat quietly again
Shiko: I'm... going to be okay... Surprisingly- Yami-San helped me calm down... I.. think...? And gave me some food for thought... Kuro looks at her
Kuro: Food that won't poison your mind..? He lifts one eyebrow. Shiko lightly smiles a bit
Shiko: Heh... I think so... they slowly approach Shiko's door. She gets in and turns to Kuro
Kuro: Well. I'm one message or phone call away if you need anything. Or... just to talk... he looks at her up and down with concern. Shiko slowly nods with a light smile
Shiko: Thanks... Kuro... Kuro lightly giggles and smirks slightly
Kuro: No "Kurosaki" now? Shiko averts her eyes with a smol smile
Shiko: I- felt I had to...! They giggle a bit and Kuro leaves before making that chat too long, he heads to the council room to get his own stuff which he left behind in a hurry to get Shiko out of there and heads to his room directly after.
Shiko lays on her bed, facing the ceiling. Feeling at a loss yet head too full of thought of all colors and depth
"The day started so... alright... and everything just got... more and more... and more..." she looks out the window
"It got so overwhelming..."
she reaches over and grabs her notebook and pens. She writes, writes and writes more. It feels like her thoughts are so heavy and she doesn't have them sorted out but she writes anyway. After she's done, she feels extremely tired and it's getting late. She puts her stuff aside and changes for bed. She looks out her window a bit at the stars
"I wonder if the things I know felt heavier... would I end up like Ryuko-San....? Maybe... I'm the crazy one for trying to get used to it... but... Ningyo-San is right... now I really- can't speak. I never wanted to but... I... have no choice anymore..."
She gets into a sleeping position and opens a song before trying to sleep
The Song: "Trapped in the Thought of Free" by Faith Marie - https://youtu.be/DJnTvnP4OVg
As the song slowly comes to an end, Shiko thinks of the lyrics and doses off
"Trapped in the thought of free........"
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