Making my way back to the safety of the common populace, I walk down the hallways as an annoying blue-haired girl nips at my heels.
"I still think Kunnia's gonna confess to you."
"Is that right?" I yawn.
"So what's the plan? Are you gonna run away? She is obsessed with honor, so she might make you commit seppuku if you dishonor yourself. Or you could charm her. But that may backfire, and she would turn you into her personal slave when she wins. ...that might be kinda funny. Bark for me dog!"
Flicking a gold coin up and down, I internally play a game of heads or tails with myself; Roulette attempts to snatch it mid-air.
"Why do you think people believe in religion and ideals such as honor?" I ask.
"Hmm?...I guess... to feel some sort of comfort? That something might be watching over them in times of need?"
"That's only half right. Sigmund Freud proposed the concept that religion is a psychological coping mechanism developed in our childhood as a way to manage the anxieties and uncertainties of the real world by creating a wish-fulfilling fantasy world through beliefs."
"Eh? Sigma what? Should I care?"
Glancing out the window of the sky bridge a glaring light blinds me. The Ranger boy from the lunchroom is lying prone on one of the schools baileys.
I continue on with my monologue. "These idealistic ideals can only survive if they are never tested; someone who lives by these types of beliefs, is a person who has never laid in the dirt."
(expand - deimos - A blue and red-haired boy struts by; his outfit a royal purple as he wears a military uniform, yet it has the features of royalty, as though a prince. If princes existed in this world.
My focus narrows as I glance at him. What unique eyes he has; they look as though they are camera lenses. Every moment is an image for him to capture.
As the boy struts past, he has two girls crowding him. They look up at him almost jumping with excitement, as if he were a god blessing us with his presence.
"Deimos! I'm a huge fan, I'm always cheering for you."
"Why don't you hang out with us after class? You could show us your helminth."
Deimos calmly glances outside with a sigh. "Troublemakers on day one."
"Deimos! Would you please sign m-"
Glass shatters as a loud gunshot is heard from outside, followed by a ting.
Deimos catches one of the oblivious girls as he deflects an incoming bullet.
The bullet hits the wall, managing to ricochet off nothing as it's still on target to hit Deimos.
Despite this homing bullet, he skillfully flicks his blade, managing to deflect the relentless munition.
Perhaps the assassin realized that a "hero" must socially save everyone, as the bullet changes direction now speeding towards Roulette. Deimos' expression shifts to one of concern at this unexpected turn of events.
Luckily, I'm flipping that gold in the air; the bullet hits the coin, somehow ricocheting off it, the coin absorbing the impact goes flying backward, hitting Roulette in the head. THe impact sends her recoiling back in pain as the coin bounces to the floor.
"Ow!" With watery eyes, Roulette rubs her forehead.
I almost feel bad; I don't think she has many brain cells she can sacrifice to head trauma.
The redirected bullet hits the two fangirls in the head before dropping like a drone out of battery. Their bodies fall to the ground as blood paints the walls in a gruesome Van Gogh style.
Deimos now looks around, uncertain of what to do next. Taking a deep breath, he sheathes his sword, putting his hands up in a camera pose and aims them toward the window. With that, he suddenly vanishes as if he'd teleported. He stands on the wall where the assassin was once lying prone.
Deimos pauses, realizing that the perpetrator is already long gone.
Returning to the corpses of the two fangirls. Once more, he puts his hands up as if he were taking a picture. The three vanish for a moment, just as quickly, they return.
Pausing, I stand there intrigued as the two corpses I just saw, are once again living and breathing.
Yet my I continue walking, like a curious mosquito, Roulette follows.
The admiring girls don't seem fazed by the fact that their brains were just on the floor. Perhaps due to ignorance of their demise as they once again crowd around Deimos.
"Thank you for saving us, Deimos!"
"Um...Mr. Deimos... I was wondering if you were single?"
The princely Luminary narrows his focus as he watches me pass by, standing still as though rewatching the previous events like a film.
Roulette aimlessly looks around still attempting to figure out what happened.
Despite the eve of her death being rescheduled, she still trots along, stalking me. "Wow, he was pretty amazing. He saved me in the blink of an eye. I'm not entirely sure what hit me, though."
Kneeling down I grab the coin, hiding it in my pocket before Roulette's greedy eyes can notice. "Yea, yea. He's very impressive."
"It's okay Saint, you don't have to be bashful. You can ask him for an autograph."
"Really? You don't think it will be weird?" I try to sound facetious.
The girls gasp as Deimos pushes past, his calm demeanor now skeptical. "You! Wait!" He states less like a request, more like a command.
Roulette turns around, flipping her braid over her shoulder. "Thank you for saving number one. But I apologize; I'm not looking for a relationship right now."
Deimos breezes past Roulette, ignoring her existence. I suppress a snicker as Roulette slouches egotistically defeated.
He grabs my shoulder. Now face to face, he attempts to hide his suspicion with a smile, but lying doesn't really work on a liar. "What's your name?" He questions.
As though a quick-time event, I pause before speaking.
"...Raze." I lie. It wouldn't hurt to become friendly with him, but if he knows my real name it may cause trouble. "I believe I heard your name was Deimos. You must be the number one contender for pro-Luminary?" Giving a far more convincing act, I match his smile. "It's an honor to meet you."
His eyes sporadically move, scanning my character. "The feeling is mutual, I apologize for the disruption caused by my presence."
"Think nothing of it. I'm grateful to get to see one of the big three in action." We shake hands, and to no surprise, he's got a strong grip.
Forced to stare into his camera lens eyes, as he blinks, I can almost imagine a camera shutter sound.
I overhear Roulette mumble to herself how fake of a conversation it was.
The two fangirls return to his side."Aww, c'mon Deimos! Stop talking to him and come with us!"
Hesitating before finally breaking his gaze, he returns to his regular path. "I am grateful for the invite, ladies, but the principal requested my help. Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience my presence has caused. I bid you all adieu!" Deimos bows with that royal aura he has and strolls away.
Roulette pokes at me, teasing me with a giggle. "Hehe, sooo.... Raze looks like the number one Luminary has taken an interest in you."
"So it would seem."
"He is handsome, and he's popular with the ladies. Unlike someone I know. Looks like you've got a long way to go before you become a real Luminary."
"I don't know. I think I saw Kunnia look at me today." I sarcastically state.
Roulette's face drops as if pitying my blissful ignorance. "Yeah...we'll go with that."