Honour

XIII : Landing

The secretary gave you a surprised look when you entered the room that lead to the principal's office. "You're (Y/N) (L/N), aren't you?" She asked. "Your teacher wants you back in class." She added before glancing at Urie and understanding just why you were here.

"I want to talk with Mrs. Suoh." You demanded, challenging her to deny you with a sharp glare (that you learnt to master thanks to Kuki's help).

The middle-aged woman behind the desk stammered for a while before typing a few things on the computer and looking at a random student schedule on her desk. "I'm afraid Mrs. Suoh is extremely busy right now-"

"Yamada," Speak of the devil. "Get me a coffee, won't you?"

"She ain't doing shit." You muttered when your gaze crossed hers. "Mrs. Suoh, I have a few things I'd like to say." You added in a calm tone. The principal looked between you and Kuki for a while, most likely wondering if it was a good idea to sit alone in a room with two Quinxes (or as she might be thinking, two almost-ghouls).

"Of course." She answered, granting you an awfully fake smile. You damn well knew that she wasn't happy with your interference over Kuki's 'expulsion'. "Follow me, (L/N)." She motioned.

You nodded and walked behind her, dragging Urie along with you. This felt just like a trial, honestly, and Kuki was your most important witness here. There was no way in hell that you'd talk with the principal without him being there with you.

Once the three of you reached the office, the adult closed the door and sat down behind her desk, motioning for the two of you to take seats in front of her. And you did, crossing your legs to give off a calm aura that became quite scary when mixed with the deadly look in your eyes. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you were impressed that Kuki getting expelled riled you up this much.

"You probably already guessed that I'm here about Urie's punishment." You started. "I want you to let him go without consequences."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." She told you with an over-apologetic tone. "It wouldn't be a good example for the rest of the students, you see. When someone vandalises school property, or just someone else's property in general, there has to be a consequence. We're trying to train you for life during adulthood, (L/N)." Did she think you were a fucking child, explaining such obvious logic?

"I understand that, but Urie isn't responsible for trashing the entire cafeteria. The CCG signed a document about it." You retorted with confidence. You had too much evidence on your side, she'd have to let him go. Before the woman could counter you again (which, honestly, is useless), you turned to Urie. "Tell me, how'd the cafeteria become the mess it was, yesterday? What did you do?"

"I was thrown back." There, that's the briefness you needed. "My head was nearly smashed in one of the chairs. I was pushed against the vending machine and it broke, my quinque destroyed a few tables, I nearly had by back broken in half because of a bench."

"And what did that to you?"

"The ghoul we were fighting."

"Why were we fighting the ghoul, Kuki?"

"To eliminate a possible threat to this school and/or the city."

You turned back to the principal, satisfied with your proof. "If you're going to expel him because he attempted to protect the school from a massive threat, then expel me too. You can't be unfair here, can you? You need to show us what adulthood life will really be like, after all." Yeah, you were putting yourself in a bad spot right now...

"The school board signed an agreement saying that you, (L/N), and the Suzuya squad would not be held responsible for damages. Urie was not included in that agreement." Now she's just playing Devil's advocate. She had to.

You took a deep breath and closed your eyes to prevent yourself from lashing out at her. You then scooted your chair closer to her desk and leant on it, looking her straight in the eyes. If she's not going to listen to reason, you'd settle for second best.

Blackmail it is.

"Urie and I are in a squad called the Quinx squad. Our mentor placed us in the school with the belief that it would do us good and that we'd acquire the best education in this city. From what I know, you are being payed by the CCG to take us five in. If you expel Kuki Urie from this high school, I'm afraid the four other teenagers in this squad will have to stop attending too, because we are a team. Furthermore, not only will you loose the chance of being recognized for schooling five living signs of hope for the human race, but you will also loose your alliance with the CCG. You're expelling Kuki Urie for the dumbest reason I've ever heard, when he risked his life to protect this school and its students."

Mrs. Suoh frowned, probably about to scold you for speaking to her in such a disrespectful tone, but you continued. "The CCG will want to have a very severe chat with you and your school board not only about your values but also the kind of education you give and the kind of people you raise those teenagers to be if you expel a student for trying to protect the school. Do you know how many parents are aligned with the CCG? Do you know how many of their children attend this school or plan to? They could ruin you, and all because you refuse to listen to logic."

"Now, I'll repeat myself." You leaned back in your seat. "I want you to let him go without consequences."

"Speaking to an adult in such a disrespectful way," She started, nearly shaking. "Do you know how much trouble you could be in?"

"With this school? A lot of trouble, but I'm going to switch schools anyway if Urie leaves, so it doesn't bother me much. I'm taking one for the team."

With pinched lips, Mrs. Suoh took deep breaths, glancing between the two of you. "We never had this conversation." She stated. "Urie, you're going to attend this school and the CCG won't know, will they?"

"No, ma'am. Only us three."

"Good. Now get out." With that, she pointed at the door and you bounced up to your feet, nearly skipping to the door.

"Did you see me?" You asked once you were away from that hellish place. "I was like a lawyer! I was almost as cunning as you!"

You saw a very (VERY) faint smile appear on Urie's lips as his eyes softened once he looked at you. Well, duh, he'd have that reaction for sure. You just saved his ass like, twice in twenty four hours in completely different situations.

"Thank you." He said, loud and clear as if it was normal for him to be thankful. You stopped your giddy antics for a while, just because wow, Kuki's really, really handsome when he doesn't look mad. This sight could be the only thing you'd see all your life and you wouldn't even complain.

"It's no problem." You muttered back, somehow shying away because he's your colleague, damn it. Developing a crush on him probably isn't a good idea. Especially in the field of work the two of you are in. As much as you're trying, you wouldn't oppose to kissing him right now.

That's until you recalled your biology teammates who are probably worried sick right now.

"Oh, man! Shirazu'll never believe me!" You exclaimed as you failed to notice the way Kuki's soft smile turned into a frown, his eyes becoming cold and almost full of hatred yet again.