PRINCESS OF THE HOUSE.

    Now he turns his attention back to her with a nod. “Right.” Reaching for the paper and hastily stuffing it into the pocket of his jeans he nods again, swinging his schoolbag over his shoulder now once more. “Sounds good, I’ll meet up with you tomorrow and brainstorm some suitable locations for studying.” With his free hand he rubs at his chin in consideration before offering a shrug. “I’ll let you know tomorrow when I see you.”

(♥) The following morning, Riruka felt ambitious - suddenly her presence at Uni would be meaningful to somebody. After two years of being a full-time student, she managed to iron her outfit for the day in hopes to look presentable, ensuring that subconsciously the university’s golden boy would not regret their pact. Gently straightening out her outfit - she took one last glimpse in the mirror before dashing out. Thoughts about last night’s events popped into her mind with an echoing reminder of how next week’s history test would determine if she would fail the course. Instinctively, she rolled her eyes - both agitated at her of lack of motivation and the smartypants valid claims on her grades. 

(♥) For some reason, Jackie’s concerns revisited her conscience but Riruka lived selfishly which meant she let herself experience life in her own regards and desires. For the first time, there was somebody that sincerely liked her - there was no way she was going to throw that away because of somebody else’s suspicions. 

   “Four roommates? That sounds… terrible.” The male visibly shudders at the very thought of being stuck with so many people at home – school was one thing, but he regarded his apartment as a sanctuary, a place where nobody would bother him. “He must be really smart if he left Japan for college, even I didn’t feel like transferring out of the country was a good move. Hm, I don’t see why not. I don’t do well around people, though.” A flush touches his pale cheeks as her tone takes a sudden shift and quickly he gazes down at his school bag, blinking repeatedly and praying that the hair falling in his face is enough to shield him from her piercing gaze.

(♥) “Ehhh? So not. For your information, I said I had a C+ not a D!” A pout forms on her lips, eyebrows knitting together in annoyance. As time elapsed, the pair arrived at Riruka’s apartment complex-- greeted by an elongated fence, a narrow entrance meant for residents only. The complex was rather large, catering to all sorts of households, beams of light shining from an array of locations and windows. “Thank you. Even though we don’t know each other that well, I..” Fingers clasp gingerly to her sleeve, an awkward cough following prior to what she was about to say next. “I...appreciate it.” She offers a bashful expression, lips curving upwards. 

(♥) “Hang out more?” In response to his request, the tone of her astonishment could not be masked. It was a simple “exchange” in comparison to the deed and commitment he was paying for her. Instead of pondering too much on the simplicity, she pulls out a hard covered notebook, the drawing of a vibrant pink bunny displayed on the cover. She swiftly scribbles her locker and a “secret” location to meet up during lunchtime. 

(♥) “How about your first assignment for me is to figure out where you wanna study after school. Anddd... you can make a list of different places we can study around town, yeah?” She giggles handing him her note. “What? I just figured it would play more of a challenge. The first place we study better be good because I might have to give you your first F.” 

(♥) As she begins to stroll back to her lot, she offers the other a quick wave before vanishing into the complex. “Have a goodnight! And don’t forget your homework for tomorrow!” 

   Now he laughs, raising one hand and running it through his snow white hair before turning to size up her latest inquiry. “Are you doing that poorly that you need a tutor? I will help if I can.” Friends? What a foreign concept to him, friendship is something he’s aware of only because of others flaunting it in his face for the last 18 years, he’s known nothing but books and brightly lit exam rooms. “Would you ask another one of your friends to tutor you?”

(♥) “TUTOR?” She shrieks, stopping in her tracks. Although her attempt to pester him backfired, a tutor doesn’t sound like a bad idea. “Okay. A few things: one, I am not doing that bad. I have a C+ in history. Not the best, but not the worst. Two. If you’re going to be my informal tutor - you have to learn not to take everything so literal. Why you may ask? Because it’s already driving me insane you can’t follow a joke, smartypants.” Before he had a change to agree to her terms, she sticks out her hands - a gesture to make their relationship official. “What’d ya say, Toshi? Friends?” 

(♥) The thought of living on campus made her cringe - being surrounded by the toxicity of her peers during university hours was an annoyance as it already is. “I live off campus, alone. My friends think that living independently will help me - which is bullshit. But since they’re paying for my apartment - I can’t complain.”  “I used to have four roommates when I lived in Naruki City. One of my roommates, Yukio would’ve been attending our university but he wanted to transfer to a programming school in the states.” The thought of her roommates, her old friends were attached with her most fondest memories. Despite the complications and obstacles they faced; that was her family at the end of the day. “When I think about it... you two are very similar. Maybe you guys will meet someday, how does that sound?” Envisioning the coldness both Yukio and Toshiro would exude made her giggle - probably a match made in heaven. 

   “I’m not worried about what people think.” A roll of the shoulders follows his statement, turquoise eyes flickering over her pointed features. “You realize we’ve been sitting in this cafe together since class ended, anyway – right?” As if a few more people saying negative things about him would deter him from his endeavors, he wasn’t that soft. Sometimes being a prodigy wasn’t seen as a boon, but a curse and his case was no exception. It was true that he could more than likely outsmart any of his classmates and yet that only brought further alienation to him.

   “I don’t.” Now his face softens, watching her carefully for a moment. “Nobody has anything good to say about me either, aside from the professors.” It wasn’t always easy being short for your age and considered a genius, that only gave the other kids more ammunition to fire into an already socially backward student. He can understand her hesitation, or perhaps shes simply trying to spare his feelings by lying. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had been embarrassed to be seen with him in public.

(♥) “You -? An outcast?” Do you even know what being a black sheep is like? Before refuting his claim, the class genus certainly knows the dictionary definition of an ‘outcast’ to the T. The initial shock of his statement left her feeling virtually unsympathetic. Her personality mixes between being an unapologetic narcissist to feeling slight compassion for others. Being socially rejected as a genius - is that even comparable to what is said or done about her? Ignoring the urge of jealously and envy that crawled into her emotions, she almost felt sorry that the school’s idol got stuck with the school’s most hated. “I’ll bet you would wanna be called the next Prime Minister of Japan than what everyone around here calls me.” 

(♥) As they begin walking, she couldn’t help but let the information sink in: this was her first friend outside ... them. Even if he considered her a study partner, this was the first person in the entire student body that was willing to spend time together - non coerced. Riruka couldn’t help but tease him a bit, “so? What does that make us? Are we friends or study partners or ... are you my new tutor...?”  She allows the slur of questions to linger for a moment, anticipating his response. 

@fokeifu

   “You’re right. While I may be some sort of a genius – I’m human at the end of the day too, you know.” He exhales heavily, awkward enough in accepting praise for his intellect and now he tilts his head downward to focus once more on something other than her bright eyes. Scrawling a few words before peeking up at her underneath snow white bangs he shakes his head. “They appreciate a student that works hard, not just my IQ.”

   The silence now is almost comfortable as they both delve deep into the heavy workload piled upon them by various classes, he blinks once and watches her devolve into a scatterbrained frenzy at the notice of dusk’s appearance, sliding his chair back and rising to stand next to her he waves one hand in her face. “Wait a minute, I’ll accompany you.” Always the most honest of intentions, Toshiro tidies up the scattered mess of empty coffee cups and soiled plates and takes them over to a nearby trashcan before returning to clean up his belongings – much more neatly than Riruka did.

@floiice

(♥) “You wanna -- what?” A reflection of both relief and astonishment flash across her features. He really was what she expected: sincere, kind, generous. Behind his stiff demeanor, there was no doubt he valued being a gentleman, like a true token golden boy. Although his offering swayed Riruka in the moment, there could and would be long term consequences.  

(♥) “Look Toshi. I’m not really sure if that’s the best idea. The university’s... um... prodigy.... shouldn’t be seen with someone like me.” She hesitates before clicking her tongue, pacing around the vicinity. “Don’t you know what they say about me?” It was difficult to form in words without disclosing the rumors. There was a reason the darkness and loneliness lingered throughout primary school, high school, even to college. She was dangerous. Despite being slightly timid at school, there was an alias, ego, that nobody knew about - or even dared to ask.

    He regards her almost curiously for a second, shrugging and tipping his head back in order to drain the rest of his coffee from the cup. “Of course. No one can memorize every last but of information and why would you want to? So many things in textbooks turn out to be unnecessary.” There hadn’t even been a consideration that someone wouldn’t naturally follow the same logic that he did, again this is what made socializing difficult for him – free thinking. “Smart as I may be, I couldn’t possibly memorize an entire book yet alone more than one.” Folding his hands together and shifting between looking down at his book and up at his companion he continues to at least absentmindedly browse the material in front of him.

   The youth almost wants to laugh at her comment, most assume he is simply blessed by an abnormally high intelligence, for one to credit his work without such baseless claims seems so farfetched to him that it’s almost humorous. “I spend nearly all of my free time studying, researching, or doing homework. I work hard to succeed here.” His eyes meet hers for a moment, watching the fleeting gaze leave his features and Toshiro quickly follows suit angling his field of vision to stare out one of the many windows of the coffee shop.

(♥) Propping a leg up on her chair, she quietly listens to every word he has, every persisting syllable and nods; soaking in his advice. It wasn’t everyday that the school’s idol would be helping her less, occupying their time in one another’s company. In fact, without saying it aloud; she enjoyed his presence. It’s been some time that she was able to sit down with someone her age and discuss school-related topics as well as topics that generally surrounded their interests. It was clear from the direction of this conversation that their mutual interest would be: studying.

(♥)  Momentarily, she wonders if his life is like. Judging by the looks of it, it doesn’t seem that he is obsessive over his reputation whether or not it fluctuates.  ❝ Mmmm... I guess it’s just something people don’t think about. We all think you’re some sort of...gifted genius. Your IQ is probably near 200 and your intelligence is...charming. ❞ Noticing how awkward that must have sounded, she sighs, tapping her pen across her notebook anxiously. Social interactions wasn’t her specialty, never will it be.  ❝ I mean...that’s what the professors say at least. ❞

(♥) After a few hours of curious glances, short exchanges and binge-eating the cafe’s foods and drinks; her eyes travel to her watch then shoot to the darkness outside.  ❝ Oh, shit! I didn’t realize how much time has gone by. ❞ Rummaging her bags and books, papers flying everywhere, Riruka re-organizes her folders and papers; feeling a bit more at ease for the upcoming exam.  ❝ Ahhh! It’s so late. T-Thank you for studying with me. ❞  She bows to him in gratitude, a bit nervous thinking about walking home in the dark but she forces a smile and slides him a cookie she bought earlier.

Shiro wore his helmet even though while plastic, it was basically useless. He hoped though that if he wore it his team would be able to recognize him from afar. The visor in front of his face though, made visibility low. Shiro found his mind drifting off elsewhere, to the blank spaces in his own memory. Thankfully, before he could dwell on it too long the outside world broke his focus by literally breaking it, one moment he was walking and the next he had run into someone and collided with the ground. Good thing he was wearing a helmet, he guessed. He stood up, pulling his helmet off. Revealing his hair, a black undercut with white bangs that fell over his face.

The city was, no doubt, a mess.

It annoyed him greatly. Finding Leon and Odin was a lot harder to do when everyone was trying to kill him. It was fun bringing them down when he could, seeing their faces full of agony and pain, but at the moment he was more interested in finding his lord and partner. Not being able to find them easily just placed him in a bad mood and he had been taking it out on anyone that got in his way, outsider or not.

Strolling into one of the few safe places in the city, he scanned the room to see if there was anything of interest for him. He eyed a girl nearby and wasted no time in walking up to her, slamming his hands on the table.

(♥) Before she was able to process anything, a man approaches her; an aggressive tone belonging to a stranger she’s never seen before.

This sucked. This fucking sucked.

It was only luck that he’d wound up inside a small diner just as things were beginning to grow chaotic outside. Seated towards the back of the shop and beside a window, Yata could only keep his head down as his gaze surveyed the activity through the glass. Within the diner things had gone quiet, attention focused on the outdoors as well, making it easy for the ginger to stay out of limelight. If worse came to worse, he’d fight, but seeing as how only a few people were inside… 

(♥) This place has gone bat-shit crazy.

(♥) Everyone in this god-forsaken city has gone completely insane due to the recent announcements from the superiors. Riruka doesn’t have any particular thought about it but trepidation filled her lungs and the madness of the Hive doesn’t seem like it would reach a solution. In fact, she was also indignant by the behavior of those around her. She’s gotten peculiar comments and unnecessary violation of personal space. But really, the teen was finished dealing with the bullshit this town’s been doing with.

  “No more space for now.”