I sank at the bottom of the shower with a dissapointed sigh. I might have been to clingy but I'm too frustrated to think, my body ache and I have no one to spend the christmas with, to where Ibuki strike me to the arm the same place Kiyotaka hit made my wound darker and more of a purple color.

Today is the day Kiyotaka has a double date with Satou together with Kei and Yosuke. I grunted as I pick myself up and force myself to wash my body, it's been days since I notice I'm dazed. It could be because I don't know when I'll be leaving.

Why am I thinking so hard? I knew I would return somehow but why do I feel heavy.

I let out a sigh as I pick up my towel and let myself dry. Walking to the mirror, I get a view of my young self, sometimes when I see that face I forgot about being an adult.

Going back to school is tiring but I didn't lie when I said I had fun.

This is no normal school, not in my world anyways. Sure I've been to elite facilities but being approached by special kids like Ryuuen, Suzune, Fuka and Kiyotaka it made my heart beat in anticipation.

I pace my movement, I wonder what the others were doing during winter.

I exit the bathroom with a towel around my neck as I reach for my phone resting on the bed.

I tap the screen as I scroll the messages, looking for plans from my classmates. Hangouts and Eatouts sure is famous around here, it's very hard to see people not together having fun while I'm here not knowing what to do.

Even at a month like this, I don't have any particular thing I want to recieve. Even on Christmas, it might be me maturing.

Before I place my phone down a vibrate surge through my hand. A call. I swipe the call and place it over my ear.

" Who's this? "

" Akabane, is this you? "

Hearing the familiarity of the voice I answer immediately.

" Fuka, never knew you'd be the one to call me, and in this time too. "

Fuuka Kiryuin is a senior of mine from Class 3-B but even belonging in a class like that, I believe she would actually be fit for Class A or Class S if Class S ever existed, unlike Kiyotaka I would think he would be perfect being in Class D.

By my own experience with Fuka, she's a very confident person with a carefree atittude that can top mine. By seeing her smug smirk all the time, I might send the statement true. Discovering her immediately caught my interest and as we shake hands on our first meeting we already had a habit visitng eachother after school.

I wonder if she's worthy of being missed if I would ever come back to my world. I like her confidence, she reminds me of Kouenji.

" Is it wrong for me to talk to my kouhai? " I hear a teasing voice. " Listen, I was planning we hang out at the park, just for a while I want to talk with you. "

Oh, what's this, recieving such an invitation by Fuka herself. Even if it's just a talk, why now? But I can't lie I felt honored.

" What if I say I can't? This might be a holiday but I might have much time on my hands. "

" Well that's just sad, I'm already here sitting on the bench and you are already thinking of ditching. "

I grinned to myself, this girl. She really reminds me of my teen years, not good years though.

" Fine, how long are you expecting me? "

" Get here five minutes starting right now. Good luck kouhai! "

And after that, the call ended.

It's almost a bit impossible since I'm still half naked with a towel around my waist but I didn't waste any time as I proceed to wear my attire.

It took about a minute or more until I'm ready to leave my room. Smoothing my ruffled red jacket and cover my pale hands with winter gloves I walk out of the building.

_____________________________

The walk wasn't too long, I'm pretty sure five minutes have passed but I didn't bother to run towards my destination, after all it's christmas, why hurry?

Sure I love challenges or errands of sorts but I gotta respect holidays.

Placing both my hands on my pocket, I see the view of the grassy view of the park.

Walking towards the snowy path, I turn my head to where a person is located. Somehow, on a cold day of winter, in the empty park sat a familiar girl.

I didn't say my greetings as I near towards Fuka.

Her position wasn't as different as she always has been the time I saw her sitting on a bench by the school entrance, aside from that, I wonder what she wants from me.

Standing beside the bench, the platinum-colored female open her eyes and turn to me with a grin.

" Took you long enough. "

And she still manage to act cocky.

I scratch my head as I rest my body on the cold bench beside her.

" It's Christmas, gimme a break Fuka-chan~! "

Hearing a laugh, Fuka face forward and everything around us became silent.

I pick up my phone from my pocket and scroll through the recent messages. It's weird to see other people having fun, in social media I can already see so many photos of students already popping up.

I scroll deeper and spot a picture of familiar faces.

An image of Kei, Yosuke, Sudou and Kiyotaka appear as I tap on the picture.

A smirk form on my face, it's kind of funny when you imagine a monster like Kiyotaka to be so.. normal. Sure, the evidence on his face was also funny but a proud feeling merge inside me.

Hearing my thoughts I began to sweatdrop. I now think of Kiyotaka as a son or pupil instead of a friend.

I exit the page and was about to send a comment until Fuka suddenly shot up from the bench.

I didn't manage to calm my heart on how fast she stands up but as soon as Fuka turn to me I was dragged by my wrist.

" Eh- what are you doing? "

The female let go of me, crimson eyes glowing bright. " I did invite you, as soon as you arrive I'm planning on going to a holiday hang out with my favorite kouhai. "

I slumped my shoulders, this girl..

" Don't you have other kouhais to hang out with? "

" Yes but not as interesting as you. Besides, it's payment for purposely boring me. " Fuka said with a smile. " Do you hate me that much? "

I raise a brow as I wipe my hand with my coat. " Feeling's mutual. Where do you plan to take me then? "

" I'm not telling you till we get there. " Fuka then turn her back on me. " Let's go kouhai-kun~. "

Seeing the female already departing, I let out a sigh as I place my phone back in my pocket. Following her with no effort on knowing where we're going.

" Our class is on the move. " I heard Fuka said infront of me. " What do you think your fellow classmates are doing right now? "

" Having the time of their lives. Their pictures are peaking high. " I did check the other classes, but got bored quickly since nothing out of the ordinary came in.

" Don't feel so left out, Kouhai-kun. But I do find it odd that a person like you weren't invited. "

" I just want to hang out alone, and I was planning today. "

" Well, I don't blame them for throwing away the opportunity of their success, I can tell they're very ignorant. "

This time, I roll my eyes.

" Give them a break. Unlike you, I know all classmates' limits ( but one). " I didn't manage to say my last statement as I hear a laugh from her.

Fuka didn't look at me as she kept walking. " Hm. Is there anyway for you to enlighten me? "

" I can but I'm pretty sure I'll be the main suspect of snitching information out of them. " If they even have one, I doubt they can handle themselves.

" They don't trust you? "

" Probably. "

" Well that's a pity. "

" It's not that sad if you think about it. " I hang my head up at the white sky. " I guess I can say that I don't want to be trusted. "

I can feel Fuka raising a brow at me. " And why is that? "

Because I will now have more people to worry about missing. I purse my lips at my own answer.

Shaking my head, I brought up another topic.

" Say Fuka-chan, is the place we're going have food? I didn't manage to eat breakfast. "

" Hm, we're going to a cafe. If you want to eat big, don't worry, they have steak, mashed potatoes etc. "

Sounds pleasant, awfully pleasant.

" Nice. " I said. " You pay though. "

Fuka let out a snort. " Of course. Don't act like I'm you kouhai-kun, I would never invite someone just to play with their wallets. "

Ah, so she does remember what I told her. Seemingly she looks like she wasn't listening to anything I say whenever we meet, like if I reveal I'm an assassin and she'd respond to a 'Oh, cool' type of answer.

But I'm kind of satisfied she remembered the time I made my teacher miserable by stealing his wallet and spend the dime out of it.

Fun times as a youth.

After a few minutes we then arrived at the cafe. The appearance was nice and welcome, inside the atmosphere is warm, it might be the heater though.

As I observe the place Fuka gestured her hand towards our supposed seats.

" See? Just a small pleasant talk between the two of us. "

I accept her gesture and sat on the table. " I never said I was suspicious of you. "

As we were settled in Fuka stands up.

" Do you want to order anything? "

I turn my attention at the menu paste on the wall. A milkshake and some cinnamon roll would suffice, I then turn my eyes towards the main.

They really do have steak.

Feeling more hungry than earlier I told her to order a milkshake and tenderloin stake and she immediately went to the counter.

As I wait, I quickly divert my focus on the delightful atmosphere surrounding the cafe.

Mabye I could come back here with the others.

Unlike other cafes I've been going to, this place seems more welcoming, like the words spoken 'smells like home' sort of thing.

Sometimes, I would wonder what Nagisa is doing whenever I drift off to a daze.

I know him for years and I would say I believe he might be a more better person, spitting out life lessons like a wise old man to his students.

It makes me not want to come back.

If anything good happens to my world, then I won't even bother or think twice staying here.

Without thinking, I unconciously drown myself with my thoughts. A merge of panic serge through me.

No, I should calm down. Noticing my symptoms is getting worst, I'm feeling a bit nervous about meeting Kiyotaka.

If something unusual about me is spotted even by the dumbest student, I'll still be screwed.

After a while, Fuka returned with a tray of the requested meal on her hands. I take a look at the plate which I assume is her order, a cup of butter corn and cream salad with strawberry milkshake.

As the food were plated infront of me, my brain then switch to my recent daze that I didn't notice Fuka or anything.

Fuka rest her head on her palm as she stare at me. " You feeling alright? "

" Yeah.. "

Looking at my meal, I distract myself out of those thoughts.

A wave of the arouma from the tenderloin steak made my mouth water. I didn't notice that right infront of me is a luxury.

I'm glad I haven't ate any breakfast this morning so I could enjoy all of this with an empty stomach.

I clasp my hand together saying 'itadakimasu' and begun eating.

Cutting the soft steak, I stare at the steak before giving it a taste. As soon as the meat touch my tongue I immediately became a war veteran.

Eating a mouthful of the steak, I did choke a bit but I drank an amount of milkshake before I continuously snarf my meal till what's left on the plate.

I hear a cough and look up to see Fuka with an amused expression. I internally laugh at myself, it really is true that I tend to be forget about anything else when I began eating the delicious steak.

But it doesn't mean I'm completely comfortable.

Fuka, who haven't heard my thoughts comment. " It's quite shocking for you to become very comfortable for just a steak and milkshake. "

I sip my drink as I feel remaining meat stuck in my throat fall to my stomach.

" Do you hear yourself? Because it's a steak and milkshake that I'm feeling a piece of heaven. "

Fuka let out a giggle at my statement before her face turn serious. " Now, for the matter before I'll let you go. "

" Eh? " I glance at her as I use the fork to scrape the steak bits stuck between my teeth. " I wanna go home right now though.. "

" Come on, I didn't spend my money on that rich meal just for you to leave without listening to what I have to say. "

I stayed silent for a moment before letting out a breath of air. " Alright. "

A smirk curled through Fuka's mouth.

" Have you ever heard of someone with a natural talent? "

I blink at her question. " Yeah. Sakayanagi-chan right? "

Fuka shrug her shoulders. " Sure, but I'm not talking about her. You see, I'm having a crisis recently. "

" I want to ask too. " I cut her. " Do you believe someone, even when born with no talent at all compete at a standard of a natural born talent? "

Fuka hummed at my question before replying. " I do believe that a normal person can learn to become gifted but they should have limits, unlike the natural born, it will take years for the ordinary to catch up. "

" That's why it's better for them to learn in an early age. "

Limits. It will be hard. I would honestly be convinced if Kiyotaka were born gifted but to think a place could find a person like him, they're lucky.

I honestly believe that students in this school contains a few children who were in the white room.

But it be too tiring, I rather they show up and reveal themselves.

" How about you Fuka-chan, what do you think yourself as? "

" Well, I honestly don't know. Nothing has changed since before I entered the school. Frankly said, I am just being myself no matter what. It sounds so easy, but it's surprisingly hard to do. "

I tilt my head. Wow, prodigy much? Unless she's from white room too but that's not the case.

" I've been observing you since the day we met. " Fuka continued. " Besides your intelligence, you possesses a knack for battle and enjoy it according to your stories you told me so far. You got good fighting skills such as having high mobility and reflexes, and also has a mind suited for pranks, and foul play. "

My mouth leaves the straw as I stare at Fuka with genuine surprised. I'm really that fascinating to look at huh.

Fuka cross her legs as she look at me with an unreadable expression. " With anything, ask me for information or such. I'll happily enlighten my kouhai, but there's always a prize to come. "

I raise a brow. " Then I'll do my best to keep you interested in me. "

To win an ally over, I should compensate with their wants and needs.

A satisfied nod was all Fuka can do to make me understand. " Good, then I'll add more to say before we're finish. "

________________________

It didn't take long before we leave the cafe.

" I wonder how you will play kouhai-kun. " I hear Fuka said.

I sent her a smile. " Don't be impatient, you'll see soon, it's kind of amazing, you were went into hiding ever since. "

" Hm. " Fuka hum. " But you do know how to beat him right? "

" Huh? "

" Nagumo. "

I place a finger on my chin as a thinking position. " I'm alright with anything to humiliate him. "

Fuka let out a foolish smile. " Do you want to know more, I feel like the info I give you is enough. "

" No no, it's fine. Even though guys like him pisses me off. " A shadow loomed across my face. " It makes me excitedly motivated on seeing him suffer the most. "

" So your not just acting rebel to personally one on one him? "

" Rebelling to catch his attention is just small potatoes. " I muttered as I gave a side glance at her. " Breaking him is the full course. "

Fuka looked curious to where I'm going. " You won't be doing that directly right? "

" Of course not. " Like my plan to kill Koro-sensei, I've got to break them in order to have a satisfying killing. " It's really fun to see someone's spirit die, especially a fellow competition. "

But Nagumo is never my target, he'll be another coupon for my first seat.

When he's finished together with the royals in this school then I would ask Kiyotaka for a rematch.

That's right, I'm planning to confront him again. Our last fight I guess?

" Welp, I'll be going. Seeya~! "

Before I depart a hand then grab my wrist.

Turning my head to Fuka, her free hand then lay on the air.

" We'll be seeing eachother again, same procedure during our meetings. Don't hide all the important info and I will share you with mine. "

I shrug my shoulders, there's no harm with that, knowing the drill I clasp my hand to her in a form of a handshake.

" Of course Fuka-chan. Let's meet if we have the time. "

This reminds me the time I first met her, the same actions, the same look and the same atmosphere.

And the moment strike me, the relationship betwen us will never change.

Even by the time I will leave, we'll always ally ourselves with information, I never knew I could have a secret weapon.

I finalize my brain that I would hide all my friendship with Fuka until Kiyotaka himself know.

After all, a tool can have a tool of it's own, Fuka will be the nail, I'll be the hammer and Kiyotaka will be the one to hold us, changing our fates around.

Even with how much of a love-hate relationship I have with him, I still believe he has that kind of power. Because he's Kiyotaka-fucking-Ayanokoji.

Fuka squeeze my hand before walking away after a bit she stop.

" Oh, I almost forgot. Catch. "

I jumped a little as a tiny object were thrown to the sky. It gracefully land on my palm. The apperance wasn't much, but the color was a faded red and the size is as big my palm as well.

" Merry Christmas, I suggest you open it in your room, for suspense. "

" Gotcha.. " I place the tiny gift in my pocket.

_______________________________

Karma walk through the snowy streets. It took seconds before he became bored, stepping through the loud snow, he decide to play for a while.

He still wasn't used to have many free time since he worked on a major job as an adult.

Without any much schedules or errands to do, he would admit that he missed having a challenge dumped on him.

But right here, alone in the middle of the street, Karma felt confused and lost.

As he continued wandering, he feels two figures ahead of the corner.

Karma stop walking and stick himself to the wall as he spied on the students.

It was Kiyotaka, together with Satou.

Karma was a bit amused. It seems the double date has ended, it didn't matter if he wasn't told but when the words came out of Satou's mouth everything became quiet.

" Umm....hey..p-please go out with me! Ayanokoji-kun!!! "

He can't lie that Karma almost trip himself hearing the sudden confession.

A gust of wind follows together with the silence.

A noise of a bush rattling let out a twitch. He guess another person is also hiding.

Kiyotaka look deadly expressionless before he reply. " I'm sorry, Satou. I cannot answer your expectations. "

" !!! "