Sanctuary (Karma Akabane x OC)

An Unexpected Offer

"You may enter now."

The voice made both students freeze up as it boomed through the door.

Katsuna gulped, swallowing her feeling to run away and with every bit of courage she could muster, pushed the door open. 

~~~~~~~~~

Upon entering the room, Katsuna began to find it hard to breathe, the hairs on her the back of her neck standing up. 

The sound of her heart beat pounded in her ears, deafening the noises from the outside. Her mind told her to run, but she was rooted to her position, her muscles unable to respond.

Suddenly, she felt a slight push on her back, snapping her back to reality. Katsuna glanced behind her, her eyes wide like a startled deer in headlights. Asano gave her a small nervous grin, silently encouraging her to step up. 

Taking a deep breathe, Katsuna shuffled reluctantly towards the front desk, the only light guiding her way coming from the open-pan windows.  She could just make out the principal's chair as he sat turned away from her. 

"Welcome." 

The principal's voice crawled like insects in her ear, their tiny legs scurrying inside her head. Katsuna knew it was just her mind playing tricks on her, but she didn't dare look away from the floor. 

"Asano, I don't remember asking for your presence." 

The principal's voice was tinged with displeasure, making his son grit his teeth in annoyance. 

"I purely came so I could listen in on your conversation with Miss Sakame, I don't see-"

"Like I said," Principal Asano cut him off sharply, "I don't remember asking for your presence." 

Asano squeezed his fists in rage, before abruptly turning away and marching back to the door, slamming it behind him as he exited the room. 

"He's always been a live wire that one," the principal commented, referring to his son's attitude. 

He swivelled to the side in his chair, facing Katsuna as he continued, "I asked for your presence here today to discuss a certain deal that I know will peak your interest." 

Katsuna looked up, meeting the principal's cold gaze in surprise. A deal?

"I hear it's been confirmed your father is being released from jail next month." 

The remark made the girl's stomach churn. She'd buried the thought deep within herself, refusing to acknowledge its level of importance. 

It wasn't surprising that her principal knew this information. She'd known from past experience that he makes it his personal hobby to collect data that might be useful to him, from those him or his family is close too. Katsuna was no exception. 

"From your response, I gather you aren't too happy about this affair," Principal Asano stated, a long sinister smile stretching across his features.

"I'd like to propose a deal. If you help me out in my affairs, I'll pull some strings to help you in yours." 

Katsuna was stunned at the principal's offer. 

Could he really do something like that?     

However, she wasn't as naive as people thought. 

"Sir, if I may, I have a couple of questions regarding your offer," she started, watching as the principal's eyebrows shot up. 

"Go ahead," he replied, crossing his arms and leaning back into his chair.

"First and foremost, I need proof that you have the power to support your claim," she expressed, "And secondly, I need you to specify your 'needs' in detail before I agree to anything." 

"Consider the first one done, you'll receive the news as soon as tomorrow morning," Principal Asano affirmed, "For the second one, it's a simple job. I need you to spy on Class 3-E for me." 

Katsuna's eyes widened at the request, jolted its unexpectancy. 

"About college's not wanting to take you, I'll see to it that this is kept off your permanent record so there should be no issues," he continued, his hands gesturing to the documents scattered on his desk. 

"Sorry Sir, but to spy?" Katsuna interjected, confused by his wording. 

"Yes, to spy. I need to be kept up to date with their antics. You'll understand once you arrive there tomorrow, that's if you agree with my deal." 

"But why choose me?" Katsuna questioned, "Why not send Asano or one of the other big five members?" 

"For that simple fact, the big five and my son play a particularly important role here at Kunugigaoka," Principal Asano explained coldly, "You however, do not."

"I understand you are the second to top student at this establishment, which is precisely why I picked you. You are highly intelligent and athletic, so I can trust you to make good on the information you bring back." 

Katsuna nodded slowly, finally grasping on the full idea the principal had planned out, but there was still one factor that still remained unsolved. 

"How do I know I can trust you?" she challenged, meeting the eye of her principal.

He grinned, intertwining his fingers on the desk before responding.    

"As long as you fill out your end of the bargain, you can trust me," he began.

"However, if I find out your information is inaccurate or if any circumstances may occur that you fail mention in your report," he cut off, his eyes trained on the girl like a viper ready for attack. 

"I will end this offer in less than a second." 

Katsuna nodded abruptly, receiving the threat clearly. She ignored the feeling of dread that slowly began to creep up inside of her stomach before turning to leave the office. 

"One more thing," the man spoke, his voice wrapping around Katsuna's legs like poisonous vines. 

"Say Hello to your mother from me." 

~~~~~~~~

After exiting the office, Katsuna collapsed to the floor in despair. The mention of her mother threatened to bring back the cold memories she'd submerged long ago. She held her head in her hands, wishing they would stop shaking, as she attempted to control her breathing. 

"That bad huh.." Asano mumbled under his breath.

He'd been standing outside the doors of the office, impatiently waiting for the discussion to finish. He peered down grimly at the girl who was crouched on the floor below. Giving her a minute to collect herself, he stared at the wall opposite them. His thoughts wandered, recalling the dismal memories of his past with his father. 

He, of all people, understood the pressure he could inflict on another person. 

 After a moment, Katsuna straighten up, her hands finally beginning to settle down. She wiped her hands down on her uniform, squeezing her eyes shut for a second as she let the rest of her pain wash away like water down a sink. 

She began to walk away but not before Asano grabbed onto her hand lightly. She stopped in her movements, tirely looking back at the boy. 

"What happened?" he questioned, his eyes clouded with curiosity.

"Let go Asano," Katsuna whispered, too exhausted to explain her situation. 

"Not before you tell me what's going on," Asano pushed, "What did he say?" 

"I said let go!" Katsuna shouted, pulling away from Asano in a hast. 

She watched as Asano's eyes widened, taken back up her raised voice.  Katsuna took this opportunity to run away from the boy, leaving him in a state of confusion and anger. 

She didn't dare look back.

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