Chapter 97

Nikami POV(?)

"What's this plot twist?!"

"Oh my gosh... Are they really an assassin? I can't tell, they look so similar..."

"You don't understand! The disguises they use are so similar! Papa nearly got killed by someone who pretended to be my mother!"

"You little..." I glared up at that witch, my toxic eyes boiled, glowing up while she pulled my bangs up further. I glared at her through my shriveled hair, while she simply smiled. Let me go, senpai!

As if my feelings had been heard, she took her hands off my hair, staggering to balance myself and stand up, I panted. Kikyou dragged Raijin to Shoubu's side, smoke coming out of her gloves. Shoubu placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it as a warning, grinning.

"Please take care of them, Prince Raijin. You have all the right to punish this assassin, you may get privacy of course." Shoubu let go of her, Raijin unclenching her fists but she was still grimacing. Raijin leaned closer to Shoubu's ear,

"I'm going to fucking kill you."

"You are welcome to try, Prince Raijin."

Shoubu only chuckled at her words, flames escaping Raijin's teeth as she exhaled. Her arms were shaking, adrenaline forcing her to want to punch the princess. Puffing her chest out and starting to raise her fists, before she got interrupted.

"But remember, I am only doing this for everyone's reputation, Shiromoru-san would do the same thing if she were in her right mind. Putting her strange behavior as a spy would not only excuse her behavior, it would also make her clean of being cursed." Shoubu explained her actions, twisting her body and started to walk towards Kikyou and let the mage hide behind her back.

"You didn't have to fucking make such a scene though... Crazy bitch." Raijin mumbled, running towards me.

"Are you okay? You look pale." My dizziness was already gone a long time ago, a sharp sensation still ran across my hair as I tried to fix my bangs.

"Please don't talk to me in such a kind manner, Rai. I'm supposed to be an assassin, remember? Follow senpai's lead, please." I insisted, whispering towards Raijin while her blue eyes started to tear up. She pushed up her lips, making a concerned smile before shaking her head and groaning.

"I'm going to kill you! Where's Nika?!" She grabbed my arm, yanking me closer to her and started to storm off. Raijin glanced towards me with a idiotic grin, while I pinched her arm.

"Are you an idiot? You say that but you look so happy, go sign Shu something. She deserves to know, she's a worrier." I whispered to her, my body being limp as I let her drag me. I continued my poker face, as I don't really know how to act troubled. I guess I just started to grit my teeth...?

Raijin nodded, turning her head towards Shukona and started to blink rapidly three times.

Another sign that we made when we were young, a sign that we were lying. I supported her by curling my white hairs around my fingers. Shukona relaxed, taking a deep inhale and covered her head as she sat down in one of the benches.

Raijin guided me to the library, Shoubu and Kikyou following us. The princess announced to everyone to leave, making us four being left alone. I sat down, gesturing to Raijin to sit next to me. I faced my two upperclassmen, preparing myself with a inhale and bowed.

For the first time in my life, I made a full 90 bow. Lowering my head while I stared at the ground, my back stung similarly to my pride. I could feel Kikyou and Raijin's panic while I did this, exhaling to let out the frustrations in my lungs.

"I am sincerely sorry for my behavior, I greatly appreciate both of your actions. Even in the future, I will be in your debt." I expressed my sincerity, despite my pride starting to choke the words back inside my throat. Raijin held my shoulder, but I didn't budge.

"Shi-shiromoru-san?! There is really no need fo-for you to do su-such a thing! I-I only did what anyone wo-would do! Even though... I even had hesitations to even tell people, I-I have no right to get thanked by y-you!" Kikyou hurriedly explained, seeing her coat swoosh around. She probably was shaking her head frantically.

"Ara ara... I'll keep you in mind if I need help in the future when you're queen." In the opposite spectrum, the princess gladly took up on my offer without hesitation. I don't blame her though, she was the one who did the most taking care of me.

"Nika?! I... I don't think this is really needed but... Yeah, they pretty much took all of their energy to take care of us all." Raijin sighed, removing her hands on me while leaning on the seat.

"Now that's over," I straightened my back, a cut from me biting my lip formed, "Could we please talk about the curse? As far as I know, there are three people affected by it. Shukona, Yasachu, and me." I started to list off what I knew, licking my lips to get rid of the red in my lips.

Raijin noticed this first, grabbing my arm while I simply shook my head before she could speak, "I'm fine. I just needed to get rid of my pride for a couple of seconds, no need to worry."

"Yes, that is correct, but do you mind answering a few questions?" Shoubu asked, and on cue Kikyou caught a speeding green book towards her and took out a pen while opening it.

"First of all, how are you able to get back? Shukona-sama's vision only alters while her mind weakens, but you are a completely different person. Yasachu is just like you, albeit a lot stronger... Luckily you don't show signs of amnesia, as you apologized, so that's a good thing." Shoubu glanced over at Kikyou's book, pointing at an area of a page while mumbling something to her that I couldn't hear.

"I don't know. Frankly, I pushed through it with a strong emotional response. Rai begging me to come back and... The humiliation you did to me. But I can't complain, there are worse things. And yes, I don't lose my memories. I can see what she's doing, but I can't pilot my body no matter how much I scream." She helped my reputation from falling too, even making the students high on guard in case any strange people come around. They'll immediately report it to staff because of paranoia. Causing unrest is a double edged sword, but using this now helps with everything.

There really is a reason why she is the student council president.

Misery started to fill my head, jealousy crawling in my skin while my green filled eyes glared at the ground. A warm touch held my frosted covered hand, relaxing my back as she raised her other hand and asked a question to distract the two.

"Yo, I have a question too, can you two read each other's minds or something? Like seriously, you can just move in perfect synchronization. It's impressive." Raijin asked a very out of topic question. Ugh, I mean I appreciate it but can't you at least use a question that is relevant?

I held her hand tighter, shifting to her side while closing my eyes and my lips curved.

You really are such an idiot...

"Oh! You're curious about that? We're childhood best friends as well, this girl really can't live without me, can she? I already know how she reacts to things, I know how to act accordingly to it. I know her like she's my law, and she does the same." Shoubu chuckled, lifting her hand and slowly playing with her hair, smiling brightly.

"P-princess I don't think yo-you need to sa-say that..." Kikyou turned red, covering herself with her book while dismissing Shoubu's flirtatious actions.

"Bo-both good news and bad news..." The mage adjusted her glasses, clearing her throat, "I know the nature of this curse and how it works. But the bad news is, it has been only recorded to have been used by a Dark Magic user... A blessed dark magic user." Kikyou had no waver in her voice, the pages of the floating book flipped themselves while Shoubu saw this as a time to stop bothering her hair.

"It has been seen in past blessings that they are usually very similar. , being able to control any form of water is similar to , being able to control any water that is in a certain distance from them; , being able to seize into people's consciousness and command them is similar to , being able to forcefully stop someone's movement regardless of thought." Kikyou started to list some off, lifting her finger and started to write in the air with solidified air.

Water: Controlling water despite the normal limits, Ice: Controlling actions with pure authority.

"And... , the ability to grab someone's thoughts and change them." She continued to write while we all listened to her calmly.

Dark: Taking control of the mind.

"Any theories on what her personal magic is?" Shoubu asked, making myself stay silent to observe. Besides, I needed to relax a bit. If I become irritated again, I might slip up and make her come out again. I laid my head on Raijin's shoulder, her shuddering at this sudden affection.

"Y-yes. A-as I said earlier I mostly fi-figured it out." I closed my eyes, gripping Raijin's hand tighter while I nuzzled deeper into her shoulder.

Annoying. Why can't I accept that there are people better than me? Why can't I just agree and go along? It's just so annoying, the fact I feel such jealousy over people that I should admire.

You really are so selfish, alien.

I think that was clear from the start.

"I think it's deeply rooted in their fear... Not just a specific emotion like what I tho-thought of first... Amatarini-sama is extremely confident in her abilities, for her to act childish and helpless is so-something she would definitely hate. Yasachu is kind to everyone around her, even to the people who seem to be against her; obsessing over someone while ignoring everyone would truly be a hit to her morality. Shiromoru-san... U-uh... I hope you don't mind-"

"Go on, don't hold anything back." I grumbled, despite having my eyes closed I rolled it.

"You like taking the lead, m-my sister... Sh-she told me that you li-liked being in control and not being told what to do. An-and it seems like you're being possessed by someone that doesn't appreciate the people a-around you... Sh-she told me that despite all of yo-your distance, you re-really do keep us in mi-mind and-"

"That's enough." I snapped, opening my eyes while I glared at her. Kikyou squeaked, hiding behind the laughing princess. She started to tear up, lowering her head to apologize while she gripped me harder again.

"Ara ara, it's okay. You didn't need to elaborate, I'm sure she's just embarrassed." Shoubu patted the shivering mage, sniffling up the tears.

"You're more emotional than usual!" Raijin pointed out in a whisper.

"Isn't that a good thing? I'd rather be jealous than empty." I replied, closing my eyes back again and just taking in all of her cozy heat. I couldn't see her face, but I'm betting she had an excited grin on.

"Ahaha, I guess that's true! Hey, I love you okay? Can you say it back?" She started to tease me, lifting up our intertwined hands. My eyes twitched, sighing from such a request. It would be funny just saying the two words [it back], however where's the substance in that?

I nodded, taking off my hands and wrapped my hands around her neck while leaning in. She tried yanking herself backward but it was too late, I already gave her a soft kiss. After her warming up, I removed myself from the kiss and opened my eyes. Small flairs exploded around her red face, fire with the shapes of hearts bursting on top of her head.

"Please understand that my emotions aren't conveyed simply with words. I'd feel like a robot trying to write an essay about love." Making her flustered is an understatement. I can tell how absolutely smitten she was, and I love teasing her.

"Ara? I get you two love birds are excited from coming back to normal and such, however the curse can strike anytime." Shoubu warned us two. I pulled away and took her hand while paying attention yet again, light smoke coming out of the side of her hair.

"So what's the plan?" I asked.

"W-we have to uhm... Defeat her to really destroy the curse... There are other ways to stop a curse bu-but since we're talking about so-someone with a fairy king blessing... I don't think that's possible." Kikyou spoke out her thoughts, writing it down in her book.

"But of course, our first priority is taking Ajisa-sama back. We will fight, us who are blessed."

"When?"

"Today."