Just a venting outlet...? - a COTE Fanfic (Kikyo Kushida x OC)

A Faker's reality

Play Gabriele's theme song - One Thing Right by Kane Brown and Marshmello

Everyone has something to hide. This is the cold truth I learned that day. My dad was an esteemed businessman, and a role model I looked up to.

Until Mom discovered he was cheating on her, that is.

I'll never forget the chaos that ensued, my dad beating my mom after she slapped him, and that sick smile he wore standing atop her. Between all the screaming I grabbed a vase and smashed it on my dad's head, killing him. My mom covered me, saying that she had killed him in self-defense. She's still in prison to this day, and I was given to my uncle and aunt.

There, I saw the real difference between public and private image. On the outside they were caring people that accepted the responsibility of taking care of a 10-year-old...on the inside, the cursing never stopped, and their rage was released on me – but in a subtle, almost sneaky way.

And don't get me started with school. My best friend, to whom I told about my family situation, betrayed me and I was the talk of the school for a whole year. The teachers adopted double standards, punishing me when I retaliated on my bullies. I still remember the day I kicked their asses and I was suspended for a month.

At times like those, my cynical personality matured. I believe that something genuine cannot exist, and everyone – especially me – is fake and rotten in some way. My past experiences with the opposite sex only confirmed that.

Never to hold, never to open, never to treasure.

I have lived my life following these principles, while my research for something genuine failing again and again...until I decided to bathe myself in all the falsehood of this world.

Today my high school life will finally begin, away from everyone and everything at ANHS. I was analyzing the people on the bus when my attention was caught by a brown-haired boy around my age. I decided to introduce myself to evaluate him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Gabriele Fabianelli, Class D."

He, who was looking at the black haired girl a little further away, turned his head and replied. "Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, I'm also in Class D. Nice to meet you too.

His eyes. Those are not normal eyes. I can tell you're putting up a front, but are you running from something? They are the same eyes I had in junior high.

"Um...is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing. It's just...the glint in your eyes is very familiar."

I could see his eyes widen ever so slightly, but then his poker face returned.

Kiyotaka POV

He's a perceptive individual, maybe he could be of use as a cover.

Why am I thinking like this? Curse that man...

"Excited for the entrance ceremony?"

"I guess you could say that."

Gabriele Fabianelli. I'll be observing you.

Back to our POV

His response was calculated to the tiniest detail, from his words to his body language, albeit it was too mechanical, like he was in an environment unfamiliar to him. As someone who considers himself rotten to the core, I could see a great deal of darkness hidden in his eyes, even though he didn't show it.

I can't read thoughts nor decipher mindsets, but I can tell he will be someone of considerable importance in our school year.

I was about to fall asleep when an annoyed voice rang all around the bus.