Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH7: First Impressions (prt 2)

After collecting the large suitcase that Shinguuji provided him, Bruce made his way outside and towards the dorm building which wasn't hard to find.

Luckily for him, the dormitory guard allowed him in the building when he gave him his name. It seemed that Shinguuji had informed them about his arrival well in advance.

A tiny voice of guilt began to prick at him, questioning if he had been too harsh with her but his pride and emotional coldness would have none of it. In fact, he was still fuming even by the time he ascended the staircase.

It was bad enough that he felt so awkward being a school student but now he had to pretend to be a teenager? He may be young, college young, but he didn't look THAT young. Nor does he know anything about being a teenager. Sure, he was aware of plenty of cases where detectives from the GCPD had gone undercover in public schools as teens but he doubted that he was capable of fitting in.

That tiny voice of reason began to question if he was just overreacting. "Who said anything about fitting in?" it asked. All he had to do keep to himself, learn whatever he needed to and leave as soon as he acquired his license. He was sure there was no need to interact with any of the students like Shinguuji expected him to.

It was at that moment when he was just turning at the corner that something bumped into him. The impact made him only stagger back slightly but it caused him to drop his key and suitcase. The "something" on the other hand, had been knocked down on his bottom with an uttered "oof". Bruce recovered from his stagger, approached and leaned towards the fallen boy.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked.

Ikki rubbed his head with closed eyes, a little disoriented from the fall and a bit embarrassed. Whoever he bumped into had a much heavier frame than him and he was ill-prepared to stop himself from loosing his balance.

"Yeah, I'm-"

Ikki paused when he saw the person in front of him. He immediately recognized him.

"That guy from the food court?"

Bruce offered an outstretched hand which the boy took and helped him off the floor.

"I didn't mean to knock you down like that, you should be more careful." Bruce said.

The boy scratched his unstylish dark hair sheepishly.

"Sorry. I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

That was when Ikki noticed Bruce's attire, the unmistakable white and black uniform like his own.

"You're a student." he observed.

Ikki honestly couldn't believe it at first, Bruce was pretty tall; about six feet two with broad shoulders. While there were students in Hagun with broad muscular frames, this one had more angular features and an "air of maturity" he didn't see with the others. He looked like an upperclassman but Ikki was sure he's never seen him before.

"Is this your first year?" Ikki asked. "I don't recall seeing you at the assembly."

Bruce kept his cool, he remembered his cover story that Kurono discussed with him but figured that giving too many details would appear suspicious. Best to give as little information as possible.

"Yes and no. I'm actually a transfer student but this will be my first year here in Hagun."

"You're from abroad?"

He nodded.

"Pretty much. What about you? This your first year too?" Bruce asked in an attempt keep the conversation from being one-sided.