The Speed of Light

Chapter 1

Hiyori Yaboki pulled a small book out of her locker, to be specific, Love Story by Erich Segal, replacing its spot in the small metal box with her textbooks, and then placing her reading book in her bag. She sighed softly as she closed her locker, jumping in surprise when she saw Asuka Takahashi standing right beside it.

    “Hey, best friend~” Asuka flashed her signature grin, slinging an arm around Hiyori. “So, I need  some assistance with someon- thing. Something.” Asuka laughed off her mistake, straightening her back to stand at her full 5’9 stature, much taller than the girl of only 5’4.

    Hiyori sighed, if Asuka was known for anything, it was definitely her “interesting” and “unique” school activities. Though she had never gotten in huge trouble with the law, it was definitely a different case with the school. If Haru’s uncle wasn’t the principle of the school, chances were that Asuka would get more than a week suspension when she lit someone on fire. Literally. But that was a whole other story. “I’m not going to help you kill, rob, or publically humiliate anyone. And no, I can’t lend you any money.” She added the last part, giving Asuka a quick smile before turning to head to English Literature class.

    “Oh, come on, Hiyori, have some faith in me!” Asuka chased after her, wrapping her arms around Hiyori’s torso from behind, clinging onto her as she walked. “There’s this guy that’s been putting me off. And you told me last week when you overreacted and told me I had to come to you anytime I want to hurt someone.”

    “Overreacted? You lit Kaoru on fire! He had 3rd degree burns!” Hiyori yelled in a whisper, considering she was in the hallway and didn’t want others to hear. Not everyone knew of the incident and she wanted to keep it that way. Though she was certain that it would spread like a wildfire once Kaoru got back from the hospital and could tell everyone what happened. The school was lucky that his parents didn’t sue, even more so Asuka was lucky. Because knowing Mr. Nanase, he’d make her and her family pay for it, and that’s a one way ticket to disaster island.

    Asuka scoffed, “oh, pish posh. He had it coming, and it wasn’t even that bad.” She let go of Hiyori’s body and started walking next to her, her hands shoved in the pockets of her soccer jacket. Along with being an amazing fighter, a fire mage, and just completely badass, Asuka was part of many sports teams.

    “You’re ridiculous.” Hiyori shook her head, giving up on trying to reason with Asuka. “Who exactly do you want to fight?”

    Asuka grabbed Hiyori’s cheeks, turning her attention to the other side of the hallway. “Him. He’s been checking you out all week and I think he likes you. Can I destroy him?”

    The brunette narrowed her eyes, glancing over at Asuka before looking back at the boy across the hall. “Are you talking about Yukine? I’ve known him for a while. He was in elementary with us.” Hiyori shook her head, turning on her heel to go back in the direction of her classroom, English Lit.

    “Yeah? And? He has an untrustworthy vibe about him.” Asuka glared at him as he turned his gaze to look at Hiyori. “He’s getting up.” She narrated the dark-haired boy’s actions as she stood by Hiyori’s side once more, hoping that her presence would just ward off the potential threat, though he wasn’t much of a threat. He was just a highschool boy.

    But you see, there’s something that almost everyone in the school knows at this point. Asuka does not take Hiyori’s safety lightly. Her and a friend of theirs have created what they like to refer to as: “The Hiyori Protection Squad,” and they take it extremely seriously, almost as if they’re her paid body guards and she is a rich and famous celebrity.

    The blonde reached down and grabbed the walkie-talkie that was constantly clipped to her jeans. She clicked the button on the side, “Blue Hawk this is Black Raven, we have a Vulture in pursuit of White Kitten. I repeat, we have a Vulture in pursuit and nearing his target in the English hall. Over.” She released the button and waited for a reply.