The Rise of Poison

Chapter 4: Trials and Tribulations

**

"He had been stuck in the house because his parents decided it was best to keep him in isolation until his Reborn settled down. He had to miss my birthday, but today he comes back."

Kenta thought himself, waiting for his friend at their usual meet up spot. 

 On the other end of the city, Yuuto was rushing to meet up with Kenta.  He was looking forward to going back to the academy and getting out of the house. However, before he left the house, his mother made him wear his blue kimono. As much as Yuuto tried to protest with his mother to not wear the gown, she gave him a stern, "No" and forced him to wear it to school. Underneath the kimono, he wore his usual red and black uniform outfit.

        It was somewhat cloudy day, but the sun broke through. There was a cool Spri breeze that scattered Cherry Blossoms across the ground.  A cherry blossom flew into Yuuto's face as he waited for Kenta on their usual route to the academy and he snickered.  Their school route involved meeting up in front of the fountain in Central. From afar, Yuuto spotted his friend with his head down and his bag and his long narrow sword over his shoulder walking toward him. He wore black jeans, a red long sleeve school shirt, white sneakers, and a red jacket with their school logo on it. 

Why does he have that sword? That's right, the senior competition is today! 

"Kentaaaa! KKkeeenta!"  Kenta looked up.

  "Kenta, over here!"

         Kenta looked in the direction of the shouting person.  Yuuto? He smiled when he saw his best friend. 

'"Yuuto!" he said as he walked up to Yuuto and gave him a hug. "Hey man, I'm glad you're feeling better! I've been worried about you." The young man looked his friend up and down. Nothing about him looks different, he seems normal. He doesn't have any markings on his face. That's good. 

   Yuuto smiled at Kenta. "I missed you too buddy, ready for school?" 

  Kenta nodded his head, then he noticed something off about his smile. His teeth look sharper than they used to be. Maybe it's just my imagination. "I am ready for school, but are you?"

        "Of course!"

         Kenta nodded his head and they proceed to walk to the academy. 

*

        At the academy, some people welcomed Yuuto back, but many students stayed away from him. Students huddled together as the young men passed them. 

"I hear he's finally a full-out Reborn now," one girl whispered to the other.

"Scary," said her friend. 

           These people used to see him as a friend, but now there's distance.  Yuuto realized this, he attempted to make himself seem as friendly as possible.  Surrounded by the students in the main artery of the school making their way to their homerooms or "Prep" classes, he stopped and prepared a quick speech to give his fellow peers in his head. 

   He took a deep breath and, 

"Hey, students of Lunastar Academy! Don't fear me, for I am still the same calm, relaxed, gentle, and friendly Yuuto the Reborn that you all know and love!"

 Students stopped moving they remained close to the edge of the rotunda and watched him. He looked around to gauge his audience. Along with being skilled in combat, he was a skilled public speaker.

 He smiled and continued, "I'm not a monster like your nroberphobic parent may think. Seriously, I got my powers under control like the rest of you. I haven't changed. I'm still the same old Yuuto that you know and love. So please, don't treat me any different."