In The Academy As Sukuna

Ch 46 - Beneath the Sweetness

"Not all masks are worn for disguise; some are worn to protect what's hidden within."

(POV: Ryomen Sukuna)

It was a beautiful morning, sunlight was filtering through the glass windows in the café, but it wasn't too hot.

I was sitting at a table, the chair in front of me empty as I waited for a certain person.

A bell rang as the door opened, a small figure of a girl coming in.

"Sukuna!" She exclaimed, a huge smile on her face as she fell to the chair, pulling it towards the table.

My own lips curled up into a smile at her antics as I leaned towards her. "Hey, Nect."

She grinned, her teeth shining in the sunlight as she almost jumped in excitement. "Buy me cake!"

I sighed, it was really tiring dealing with her, but I would be wrong if I said I didn't find it fun.

I pushed the menu to her, which slid across the table. She immediately opened it and scanned through all the items with wide eyes.

If it was any other person, I would think that their eyes were widened looking at the prices, but her...it's probably because of how many items the–

"There's so much!" She exclaimed, her mouth slightly opening as she flipped trough the pages.

Well, I was right. It doesn't bother me though, I just want us to enjoy our day for now.

I need to go to Elara's orphanage, check on Eva, and I have a meeting with Aiden coming up. I also need to be wary of–

"Chocolate cake!"

A voice assaulted my ears, breaking me from my thoughts.

I sighed, realizing that I had zoned out, thinking of work again...I was here to enjoy, and to leave all my worries behind.

"Alright," I said, calling the waiter to me.

The waiter came towards me, cautiously, taking slow and deliberate steps.

"I-Is there anything I can get for you?" He asked, trying to hide the trembling in his voice.

I glanced at him, which made him flinch. "Two pieces of chocolate cake, number 34 on the menu," I ordered, not looking at him.

He quickly wrote the order down and walked away, almost glad that he had escaped.

I heard a giggle beside me. Turning my head to Nect I raised an eyebrow.

"You really scare them," she said, her giggles not stopping.

I sigh, it was probably because of the news of the town massacre leaking and me being one of the main suspects.

"So..about the town...you, like...psh'd it?" She said, making an explosion with her hands.

My eyes slightly widened. I thought that she was so normal and casual because she didn't know about the massacre.

But, seeing her so...unbothered, was quite uncanny, even for me.

It was as if she was simply asking what the time was.

I couldn't help but look at her closely once again, her expressions showed no signs of care for the people.

Such a thing was quite uncommon, especially for people at this age, who viewed the world black and white.

I couldn't help but rethink who Nect really was, she seemed like this harmless, dumb child, but this was not something a 'child' would do.

I calmed myself down, reciprocating her attitude.