#akrpweek16

When Korosensei entered the teacher’s room, Shiro looked up from his Jump magazine. The giant octopus’ expression almost made him want to laugh ; it seemed that half a day of handling an unfocused Itona and the class’ comments had quite an effect on him.

‘Seemed’ was the key word there.

Of all the people in this building, Yanagisawa was the only one that knew the truth about the tentacled teacher. Akari probably had doubts too ; surely she was aware of the monster’s true nature to some extent, else she wouldn’t have infiltrated this class. He should try to have a talk with her, later, even if she was unwilling to speak with him, to let her know about this creature’s true identity.

Behind this smiling face was a criminal mastermind and a brainwasher.

Of course, it did not necessarily meant Korosensei purposefully tricked the people around him to like him. But, in this situation, it was only natural that he wanted his students and colleagues’ approval. Be it conscious or unconscious... He is bound to present himself in a way that would make him endearing to others. A living being around which you could relax ; a being full of weakness, whose emotions were easily readable.

It was entirely possible that Korosensei felt tired, frustrated and depressed of the situation with Itona claiming to be his brother. No, it was even likely. But his feelings might as well be exaggerated for the sake of appearance. Looking like a harmless, funny, creature. It made it so easy to forget how dangerous he was.

Shiro was well aware of that. After all, even after the lab incident and all those death... He couldn’t help but still find him loveable.

Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try to kill him, though.

“May I propose you some tea, Shiro-san ? -Ah, no, thank you.” Did this creature thought he would get a chance to see his face that way ? Well, it was inconvenient but he could still drink while keeping his mask. With his voice alterer, however... “That’s a shame. I specifically went to Mount Everest to search for the purest water to brew it.”

Bragging like always. Ah, even with this slimy body, he could see hints of his old guinea pig.

“Yanagisawa, did I ever told you the story of how I flirted with the head scientist of some big project ? -That’s Yanagisawa-san for you, guinea pig. And nobody cares about your stories. -That’s a shame, because you’re one of the main characters.”

He had very clear memories of this, due to the frequency of it. Arrogantly speaking of his old feats with a smug face before being electrized.

...Or before burning his tongue on hot tea. If he hadn’t assisted to the transformation himself, he would have a very hard time believing this was the former God of Death.

“Ah, that’s the latest Weekly Shonen Jump, isn’t it ? Might if I borrow it for a few seconds later ? -Please feel free to do so.” For this octopus, ‘a few seconds’ might not be an exaggeration. He might just finish it before Shiro even notice it. “This week is really interesting, Matsui’s latest ser- -No spoilers ! I would love to speak about it later, but please let me read it first !” Korosensei said that quite excitably, before adding, on a calmer tone. “My colleagues don’t share my interests, so it get lonely sometimes when I can’t speak with my students. -I don’t know much about your interests,” what a lie, he knew way too much, he remembered even most of the books the former God of Death had asked for back then, “but if it’s the Jump or magics tricks, I’m willing to talk. -Oh, yes, magic. Is that one of your specialities ? -You could see it like that.” He never spoke about this hobby with his test subject before, so he saw no problem divulging this information. “I knew it, that thing with the bird couldn’t be done by a beginner. Ah, this was quite amazing.” Says the giant Mach 20 tentacle monster and former God of Death. That was almost endearing how sincere he seemed despite his capacities. “Aaah, I want to see another trick now. -...Should I show you one ? -Would you ? I’m not easy to impress, though, you know ?” Big words from someone who went into a corner in liquid form as soon as a stranger stepped into the room. “We will see that.” ‘Don’t underestimate me’, he wanted to say, but... actually, it would be better if the octopus didn’t think much of him.

A trick that may impress a creature going to Mach 20... A simple card trick wouldn’t do. Ah, maybe... it’s not really prestidigitation, but... “Then, how about I conjure out of nowhere something you would never find at school ? -Like the dove ? -Not quite. This time, I won’t touch anything. Could you turn around ?”

The teacher turned his back on the white wearing man, intrigued.

“Now, look at the file drawer right next to the whiteboard.” It was fun, how obedient he was. He missed that. “Second compartment. What is there ? Some files, I suppose ? -Yes, organized alphabetically. -Go into the ‘Ka’ section. It must be there.”

Honestly, Yanagisawa didn’t expect much. He would love to mess with Korosensei, but there was little he could do for now. Wouldn’t want him to be too cautious before the assassination.

The yellow creature suddenly turned, a magazine in his hand, a woman showing way too much skin on the cover. He chuckled. “Did you thought I would get embarrassed by that ? My students saw me reading way worse. Besides, it’s a bit hypocritical from a guy letting a child come to school with erotic magazines, don’t you think ? -Open it around the middle.” Shiro continued, unfazed. “There should be the object I was talking about.”

The octopus froze. That was normal ; he knew very well what the object in question was. Something way worse than simple titillating lecture. Something that he certainly wouldn’t want the existence to be known by his colleagues or the children of his class.

“If I’m not mistaken, there should be a letter, addressed to a young woman... an idol, maybe ? Words like ‘tentacles bra’ and other indecent expressions... Isn’t that a thing one would never find at school ? -That... That was a very impressive trick.”

Korosensei tried to keep his cool, but that visibly wasn’t working, given the twisted smile on his face. Of course, there was no way Shiro could actually make something, even a piece of paper, appear out of thin air ; yet, it couldn’t be denied as a magic trick. After all, if that perverted teacher were to say ‘It was already there, I put it myself’, that would be akin to acknowledging he wrote it.

So, even he had shameful acts he would like to keep private. Maybe Shiro should try to assassinate his public image first, if the plan from this afternoon failed.

Still, this octopus should already be aware his belonging were examined. Let alone the government who spied his every move, his own students had rummaged through his stuffs. He had to expect something like that to happen eventually, why was he acting so surprised ?

Yes, acting. That had to be it. Just like every move and expression, for the sole purpose of letting others drop their guards til they start to feel some kind of affection for him. He knew that very well.

He have been victim of it, too.

But that was fine. Korosensei could keep acting all he wanted, that wouldn’t save him from Itona’s tentacles after classes. Even if he survived... Even if he was alive after this fight, Yanagisawa would still be there, too, ready to plan another assassination, again and again until he ended this life.

That man that took everything from him, he hated him to the point he was willing to do anything for revenge. That man that seduced him with his words and gestures of fondness, he loved him to the point he could never let someone else have him, dead or alive. He will show him. Those twisted emotions.

For now, he had to feign composure, though. For the sake of that goal, he would contain every of his sudden burst of anger, no matter how tiring that made him felt. He wasn’t Yanagisawa the head scientist with temper problems, but Shiro the calm mysterious man.

After some minutes unable to look away from the magazine, the inhumane teacher resumed the conversation.

“Actually, I do know a few tricks myself. -Surely you do, with such speed and flexible limbs. -Oh, I don’t need those to do magic.” Again, that smile... “Would you let me show you ? -Please do.”

The octopus drew nearer of his interlocutor.

“Actually, I would have a request for it. -What is it ? -May I take your hand ? Ungloved, please.”

Oh.

This might be a problem.

There were few things Yanagisawa didn’t expect his former guinea pig to recognize. His sent, for example : as an human, the God of Death just didn’t have the nose to pick up such precise odor, and in his full new form, they had never met before this day.

His hands, however ? He had plenty of occasions to get acquainted with them. Maybe even more than the scientist could remember. Cupping them over a cheek. Fingers running on a bare torso. Fingertips messing with streaks of hair clinging to the forehead by sweat.

“Your hair’s getting longer, guinea pig, remind me that we need to cut it. -Why, don’t you find long-haired men pretty ?”

It might be a dangerous move. It was so easy to come up with an excuse without arousing suspicion, why would he take that risk now ? What would he win in doing that ?

But, for wanting him to remove his glove. Surely the octopus needed the contact. To touch him again. He wouldn’t even feel this familiar human skin against his own...

No, too risky. He shouldn’t. Even if this former God of Death have suspicions, won’t Itona kill him before he could do anything about those ? One could never know with him. He always betrayed Yanagisawa’s expectations. The children knew something was planned, though, their teacher couldn’t run away like that. Would Korosensei guess about the tentacles if he knew who was Itona’s gardian ? He should do it. While he still have the chance. He shouldn’t do it. Not when he’s so close of his goal.

Slowly, Shiro bared his left hand.

A tentacle took it. He felt surprised by its warmth ; he expected a cold, slimy texture, not this firmness, this bouncy impression. How strange.

How confortable.

Too comfortable, really. He shouldn’t get so carefree. The tip of this tentacle that was gently caressing his skin, how much harm could it do to him ? How many people did it kill during that terrible night ? His hand tensed into a fist as painful memories came to his mind.

“Ah, sorry if it’s disagreeable.” Thankfully Korosensei mistook the gesture. “I was taken by... some nostalgic feelings, I guess. -So, this magic trick...? -Ah ! Yes. See how I can’t... well, see your face though your mask ? -I hope so, or it would be rather pointless for me to have one.” What kind of trick could be even linked to that ?

That the moment Korosensei brought the hand he was holding to his mouth.

An hand kiss. How unusual from his guinea pig.

...Wait a minute.

...This octopus was kissing him ?

“Yet, with this simple magic trick, I can tell that your face is red now.” How could he even say that with such a smug face. “...How amusing.” No, not really. He remembered his guinea pig being a flirt with him, but never would he have been so bold with the others -he thought he did it so much because it was him, the head scientist, and mostly because, he had to admit, he always reacted strongly to it- why would he do that to someone he had just met- why was that bothering him so much - why did he felt so charmed by this-

“So, are you confirming it ? Or denying it ? -...Neither, I guess.” He had to keep his cool, this didn’t affect him, not at all. He wasn’t Yanagisawa. He knew nothing of this octopus’ origins. “I see. But, Shiro-san. -Hm ? -Even if you say that, you’re still holding my tentacle. -...That doesn’t mean anything.”