Pretzel Heart
Afterimage of Broad Daylight
Thankfully the boy seemed to have calmed down from his turn-into-a-lion-and-go-on-a-rampage state, though Mikoto almost regretted the lost opportunity of getting to battle the king of the jungle. That was the sort of challenge one didn't get too often, even at the academy.
"Well, if you didn't want to be naked maybe you shouldn't have turned into a lion. That's a pretty serious side effect. What even happens to your clothes, do they disappear?"
He cocked his head but didn't ask from idle curiosity. More so that he could be better prepared for the next time this guy inevitably got himself into trouble. 'Spare clothes' wasn't something he had ever thought to include in an emergency kit, but one could never be too cautious...
However, when the guy looked at him to take his jacket something in his expression pricked Mikoto right in his Napoleon Complex.
It's not my fault I'm not half mountain like these other guys!
For the millionth time he wondered why his father hadn't the decency to give him at least a few more of his so-called godly genes, but, as always, that irritating thought was immediately quelled by determination. The important thing isn't what life hands you, but how you use it! That was the Mikoto Mantra.
The lion kid thanked him and for a moment he thought that would be the end of it, but for some reason the guy kept talking, staring blankly out over the pool.
Why is he telling me all this? I'm not his friend.
Perhaps his head was woozy on account of the wounds he had received. Mikoto wasn't sure of the full extent of the damage but he had undoubtedly heard the unique sound of snapping bone. As someone who had experienced his fair share of them, he knew that shit hurt. But if the kid said he was fine he wasn't about to waste anymore time trying to convince him that he wasn't. Some demigods just got lucky in the self-care department. Besides, at the mention of suspension it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a bit of revenge.
"If you really want to be suspended I can put in a recommendation," he replied with only half tease. To be honest it wasn't like they could really kick students out of the school that kept them safe. He didn't know what happened to the worst of those he turned in, only that once taken care of they were no longer his problem.
He hadn't been paying attention at the start of the fight so he had no idea if what the guy said was the truth or not. But something about the sad way he had been sitting there, naked and all alone, was just so pathetic that Mikoto struggled. 'Why did you follow me anyways.' It was such an odd question, one he had never been asked. Why...
Well, the answer was simple, wasn't it?
"It's nothing special. This school is the same as any other. There are those that start trouble and those that rise to stop it. I'm of that latter half." He grinned as he pointed to himself with the little rulebook he had yet to put away, brandishing it like a shield that could dispel all the evil in the world. "This here is our academy's bible, so learn it. Next time I catch you violating 4 different codes at once I won't hesitate to write you up." He paused, tucking the book back into his pocket with a shrug. "But... I guess if it was self defense I can let it slide. That's a one-time offer, you hear?"
He didn't add that he felt mildly guilty. Not that it was explicitly his responsibility to put out fires at the school, but while his aunts and Heracles had been preoccupied he should have been the one to step into the argument and shut it down before it escalated to blows. Still, it wasn't really like him to go soft on delinquents. Wasn't he only doing him a disservice by not beating into his head the wrong of his ways? But at the same time he really didn't feel like dragging this kid into the Headmistress's office. And Mikoto wasn't the type to go out of his way to do things he didn't want to.
"In any case, if you think you don't need to see the nurse I'll walk you back to your dorm. No one will bother you, I'll make sure of it."
He started to leave before even hearing the boy's answer. After all, he had already wasted enough time here. Yet remembering his sad little words caused Mikoto to pause, halfway looking behind him.
"I've been suspended for fighting before. And now I'll become this Academy's top student." His face widened into a grin. "Only a fool gives up on themselves."
And then a new voice broke his thoughts.
"Sorry to interrupt your romantic moment....but do you two love birds know where the main office is?"
It was a scruffy-looking girl he didn't recognize. The academy was just crawling with troublesome newcomers today...
L-Lovebirds...?
Come to think of it, this was a pretty suspect scenario. Two men alone, one practically naked, at the height of academic activities. Mikoto looked again at the lion kid awkwardly covering himself with his jacket. He supposed, from an objective viewpoint, he could be considered attractive. Well-built, nice face, all that good stuff. Many of the gods' children had those qualities, seemed to come with the territory. So wasn't it natural to get desensitized to it? In the end a body was just a body, and business was just business.
"Don't misunderstand the situation, I was merely disciplining a wayward student. I'm here to study, I don't have time for affairs of the heart. But if it's the office you want..."
He looked between the new girl and mostly naked boy. Wasn't this the exact sort of situation he had been trying to avoid? Well, as long as she didn't seem bothered by it.
"It's on the way to the dormitory, which is conveniently where this guy was just headed." Slamming his fist into his palm he made his final declaration. "We'll go together!" Leaving no room for arguments, Mikoto began to lead the way.
"So, what are your names, anyway?" Best to remember them for when he'd inevitably have to write them citations later, "I'm taking it you're both new here."
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