Blue Flames

Chapter 6: Now a certain man was sick... (S1 ep8)

"So, what's up with that demon who attacked yesterday?"

Yukio, Rin, and I were walking down the dorm halls, although I didn't know where we were going. "I'm investigating its entry routes and whereabouts. It was an above-intermediate level Naberius."

I stopped walking, Naberius, wasn't that the demon our teacher had? "Ruka?"

"Sorry I got lost in thought again." I said rushing to catch up with the two. "You do that a lot." Rin pointed out. "And she still manages to get better grades than you." Yukio scolded.

I quickly changed the subject to what we were talking about earlier. "I thought the school had demon warding charms?" Yukio frowned. "You're absolutely right about that, but occasionally that kind of demon slips inside.

...

I dangled my legs over the edge of the roof while Rin laid down. "Ruka, did you hear what the demon said to me?" I looked at Rin curiously, "You mean when he called you a prince?"

Rin shook his head, "No, it told me that it only does what it's master bids it. Who do you think he was talking about?"

I stopped kicking my feet, did this mean I was right about it belonging to our teacher? I opened my mouth to tell Rin but closed it. If I was wrong about this, we could get in huge trouble for falsely accusing a teacher. "No, I don't know."

I could see Rin had a serious expression on his face. I stood up and brushed myself off. "Stop thinking so hard, coming from you it's weird." I smiled when Rin yelled back at me. "I'm going back inside, come get me if you go somewhere."

Rin nodded and I headed back to the dorms passing Shiemi on my way. Maybe she could do a better job of cheering him up then I did.

...

I twirled my pencil around, trying to pay attention in class but failing. The teacher just droned on and on. I also still couldn't get the demon from yesterday out of my head. I looked up from what I was doing when I noticed everyone staring dumbfounded at something.

I turned around in my seat. It was just Suguru reciting some bible verses, was it that surprising? Shima had said he wanted to become an Aria so it's only normal he'd be able to remember. When he finished Rin and Shiemi began to clap but they stopped when the bell started to ring.

"Hey so you really are smart?" Rin said. "What do you mean, really?" Suguro yelled. "It's not that Bon's smart, he's just very good at memorizing things." Konekomaru said. "So, in other words Konekomaru, I'm smart right?" Suguro said menacingly. "Ah right!"

Izumo spoke up from her seat at the other side of the classroom. "Anyone can just memorize something." Suguro glared at her. "Huh? Did you say something?" He scoffed, "This coming from someone who can't even remember four lines."

Izumo stood up, her face red. "I... it's not that I can't memorize it! I just choose not to! Arias are completely defenseless while they're reciting, so they have to be protected by their party. They're nothing but a burden!"

I clenched my fist; I was getting tired of everyone fighting all the time. I hadn't slept well in weeks and listening to them argue all the time just gave me a headache.

Suguro stood up. "What the hell? Are you seriously trashing an aspiring Aria to his face!" Clearly, she was, it wasn't much of a question. The two walked up and stood next to our desk staring each other down.

"Oh, I'm so scared." Izumo mocked. "I never could stand you in the first place!" Suguro said. "Don't make fun of other people's dreams!" He slammed his hand down on our table and my pencil fell out of my hand. "Oh, you mean your goal of defeating Satan? What a joke, what else can I do but laugh."