Running (From) Home

Training

Shura POV

I enter the class 15min early and see Rin already there. Nothing new nowadays. I feel sad just looking at him. He looks like a lion kept on a leash. Perfect posture, eyes front and waiting for a command. Like a soldier or doll. I would say he's pityful, except he doesn't want pity.

Not having realised that I entered yet I walked over to him to see him in Lala-land.

"Hey Rin, can I sit next to ya?"

No response.

"Hey RIN? Ya hear me? Ya listening?"

Still no reaction.

Last resort it is then:
I lightly slam my hand on his shoulder in a light grip and say "RIN, YA HEAR ME YA IDIOT?!"

That snapped him right out of it. He looked at me, eyes slightly wide in surprise before he nodded.

He didn't trust talking that much. Nowadays he only speaks when allowed, directly asked by a superior or needing to answer something that doesn't need Yes or No.

I sat down next to him.

I decided to cheer him up with something between the two of us: Training, or as I call it Sweet-Hunt. I'd set up the training hall and he has to disable traps, adjust his speed to avoid being hit/ shot or activate other traps. He doesn't know where they are as I always try think of/ incorporate new ones. When he seems to have settled in I have him sniff out the hidden candies. Not telling that to my superiors of course. Only telling them 'training was adequate', the materials I used against him and his reactions. They don't inquire further.

The Bastards that they are, I swear Imma someday-!!
I snapped back out, remembering Rin is an empath. He'd get confused and scared by my sudden anger and think it's his fault. This kid is too good to be here or anywhere near these shitheads.

"How about we train later? Parkour and Agility?" I winked.

A smile appeared on his lips.
Very small compared to those I first saw on him. He looked like a cute kitten, now he's like a broken lion in a Zoo with every possible restraint on him. Shackles, food and a muzzle no one can see.

"Sure, I'd love that."
He answered. Just after finishing that sentence his head snapped back to the board, his posture straightening even more.

I just looked at the door and started to hear quiet but excited and fearful voices with multiple footsteps.

They're here. No wonder Rin reacted like that. They mostly forget that demons have enhanced senses including hearing. Additionally, I'm pretty sure they carry Holy water, judging from Rin's slightly cringed nose.

No later than 10 min did they entered the classroom after Yukio. I nodded to Yukio and he gestured for them to enter. Yukio asked me to get here before lessons started and check if Rin is a threat or absent which I would've had to text him first thing. The nod was an 'all clear' to him despite my internal scowling at his mole-faced haughtiness.

With that, a boring lesson on botany and how to use them began.

Shima POV
We arrived at the classroom and Yukio went in without us. I looked around the corner of the door and saw Rin. He looked as monotone as always. Lately though I can't help but feel something wrong, off about him. Like his eyes, they don't look at anyone but hold an ever present something in them. However I have no fact to my claim so I keep 🤫.

By boss, Lucifer I mean, is kinda annoyed lately. Probably because they had Satan here but then he got kicked out.
An opportunity to their goal, wasted and crossed through by Rin and Yukio.
I had reported that Rin was in the hospital for 2 months but they weren't really bothered about it. Mephisto said he was power depleted and Shura was ordered to take (seal) his sword. Rin and Yukio don't live together in a dorm anymore, since Yukio entered the Teachers official dorm.
I heard they even have a spa, banquet hall & mission board.
(So jealous, wonder if they also have mixed baths...)
Meaning that he's been living alone, isolated and under strict watch for 3 months. Worse than Bon's mum. *shudders*

Bon seems to be a bit too happy today; I wonder whats up?
Shiemi seems to be determined which means she took something challenging (by her standarts) upon herself. Koneko seems especially jittery and frightened, eyes drifting to the back of the wall where the classroom would be behind.

They're planning something and it concerns Rin. Oh well, I'll hang around.

~4 Hours later~

I hate my life.

Why are we stalking Rin and Shura? With Yukio at that?!

"Can someone please tell me why we're following them? They're going to train, shouldn't we go the opposite way?"
I asked quietly into the group even when we're far away from them not to hear us but I don't want to risk it. You never know with demons and just because his powers are capped doesn't mean his natural senses, like strength, are too.

"Were gonna see that demon train and make him see true despair, then become known as the Demon Slayers!" - Bon

"What exactly do you imply with 'true despair' & becoming 'Slayers' Suguro-kun?" - Yukio

"Yeah, you haven't told me anything since this morning when you started having that grin on your face and I thought we were a team!" I added with a whiny tone.

"We set up a trap in their training room - it's full of HW grenades and so are the water sprayers and sprinklers - which is apparently used for parkour. I hid some seeds in their equipment which Nii is gonna make grow and squash the grenades. Then Koneko is gonna activate the sprinklers." - Shiemi

"You did what?!" - Me & Yukio
"-Did you know how dangerous that is! Have you informed any staff of your stunt?!"

...Rly? That's his concern? They set up your twins painful death!! And you worry about them causing trouble for uninvolved people?!

"P-lea-se c-calm do-wn-n, Yukio-sen-sei. We told-d them and th-they eve.n. helped u-s." Koneko answered.

OK, that's it. I really should inform the Authorities... aka Mephisto now.

"Oi Shima, what are you doing?" Bon asked me catching sight of my phone.

"Nothing, just checking if I have enough battery to record this prank. It's gonna be one of the most epic of our school years after all." Thank God for my slick and sly tongue!

"Oh can you send it to me afterwards? Thanks.!"
Bon and Shiemi both said.
She hangs around him too much.

Though I suppose it's kinda understandable. She was completely new to all this crap and Bon offered to give her his old notebooks and help her study a bit.

Kamiki is unnaturally quiet for her character and keeps eyeing Yukio with a glare muttering this is a 'bad idea' but apparently nobody heard her besides me.

And I can only agree with her: This is a VERY BAD IDEA.

So I send a quick text to Mephisto. Hopefully he's not asleep or watching anime. Comical, how a thousand years old being is interested in magical girls considering he can do most of the stuff and more.

It wouldn't be the first time Rin was in trouble and he did it, like that time...

Wait, I'm not gonna go there.
It's better not to question their antics. I won't get it no matter what I try.