Eternal Life ( Mephisto x Reader )

6. Forget it

   It was 6:30 when I knocked at Mephisto's door. I had come early on purpose ; I wanted to put all my cards on the table before another handful of prying exorcists could interfere. Not for fear of awkwardness, but because I wished to. If anything, it was my heart's desire on that morning of December, with snow so white and a sun so bright it felt surreal. 

   A muffled voice answered me from behind the wooden door. It was a quite a curious wood ; almost golden, it reflected the sun's light with such intensity it almost blinded me.

- Come in.

   I discreetly entered, closed the shining door behind me.

- Mephisto ? 

   I had never been in Mephisto's office. It was huge and pink. He was sitting behind his desk, so buried in paperwork I could hardly see his face. The window behind me lit up his purple hair, so much it almost looked pink. He didn't raise his head to greet me.

- Miss Ando, I do believe you are early.

- I didn't mean to be rude, I carefully started. I just think we need to talk.

- About what ? 

   He raised an eyebrow, still refusing to meet my eyes.

- Before I answer, I'd like you to look at me.

   He did not react ; I felt my gaze become a little heavier. He was not the Headmaster, not a Demon King to me, and I simply wanted him to drop the act. I did not, or maybe refused to understand the slight melancholia that took over me in that moment ; like I was the only one willing to talk, the only one to whom it mattered. 

   There was a silence. I stared at him, waiting.

- Fine, he let out.

   He looked up at me, his green eyes filled with boredom. He held onto the golden fountain pen in his right hand, and threw a ball of paper into the bin a few feet on his left. I took a deep breath in ; for a second, all the air had been sucked out of my lungs and thrown into the room.

- I wanted to apologize, I confessed, looking straight into his eyes.

   He flinched, perhaps in surprise, perhaps in confusion. 

- I didn't think you were one to apologize, he finally smirked.

- Why wouldn't I be ?

- Forget about it, he sighed.

   He stood up and walked to the other side of the office, in a corner that light struggled to reach.

- What are you doing ? I questionned.

- I changed the uniform.

- You what ?

- i changed it, he repeated, unveiling a mannequin.

    It took me a few seconds to understand what he had meant. The top was still the same ; but, to my great surprise, the skirt was longer. It reached beyond the knees, exposing less skin. Much more proper for school ; I could not help thinking about the poor boys who would never check the girls' body again, but somehow found myself unable to sympathise.

- You didn't have to...

- You'll be able to hide your tail, Mei. You're welcome, he added with a smirk.

- ... Thank you ?

- You can put it on before everyone arrives. There's a room on your right.

- Is this where you live ? I asked as I stepped back into the office.

   Mephisto, who had been leaning onto his desk, sweeping a few sheets as he had, stood up straight when he noticed me.

- Kind of. The uniform suits you well.

- Will you give it to every girl in the Academy ?

- I guess, for those who want it...

- Thank you, Mephisto.

   I looked him in the eye, really thankful for what he had done. He put up his hands. Don't ever bother me with this again, he seemed to tell me. At the same time, we heard someone opening the door.

- Miss Kinoshita, were you ever taught to knock ?

- I am so sorry, Mr. Faust, I am looking for Mei, she is not in her dorm, it is soon time for us to meet, and...

   Nako stopped, finally noticing me.

- Oh, she let out. My apologies, am I late ?

- No, no ! I exclaimed. I was early, don't worry.

   She sighed, obviously released. Mephisto glanced at me, a little amused.

- I saw Mr. Okumura and the others, they're on their way, Nako informed us.

- Thank you, Miss Kinoshita, Mephisto replied. Miss Ando and I were just finished... Take a seat ! He added.

   And I could not help but remember the first impression he had on me, the day I arrived at the Academy. And as he extended both his arms, with his pink sleeves and mischievous smiles, I remembered him as the unpredictable eccentric, the one that would never bore me. And I felt my heart a little lighter.