Kurohana Wards (Tokyo's Neo-Districts)

[Cici]

As Cici and Cairo made their way over to the snack bar, her mouth watering at the sight of all the little finger-foods and other such munchies, they were approached by one of the victors who, by all standards and measurements, was IMPOSSIBLE to miss: Hair curls that were just about IMPOSSIBLY complete and bouncy, an outfit of opposite colors that somehow both clung tightly her figure and covered just most of it, and, speaking of that figure, Cici was annoyed that even the slightest twinge of jealousy made itself manifest at the instinctual comparison to her own.

In every way, Reina was effectively the opposite of Cici... but at least she wasn't making an effort to talk to her right away. Pestering Cairo seemed to be the PRIME object of her agenda just now! Taking the opportunity for Cairo to wallow in this torment, Cici would slip away towards the snack bar, snagging one of the little plates and already filling it. She hadn't realized how hungry she'd been... Must have been the adrenaline, maybe the echos of pain that had blocked out the growling of her stomach.

Nothing could make her ignore it now.

However, before she could snag a bite from the little half-sandwich she had taken, she overheard Reina calling over the rest of her band, inviting them to say "Hello" to them... Especially Cairo (she seemed OH-SO-INTERESTED in him for some reason). Cici sighed... and finally took that bite. She... didn't have a problem with someone being friendly. REALLY, she didn't... but, as selfish and perhaps callow as it was to say so, she preferred it when it happened on HER terms, when it was convenient and whatnot. Working with someone, in Cici's eyes, was the only truly comfortable way to get to know someone.

Small talk?

Gossip?

These things did not come naturally to Cici. She felt as awkward as one might with their shoes on the wrong feet, as uncomfortable as a backwards shirt pulling at her throat. She KNEW Reina was just trying to offer an olive branch, be a pal... or whatever she was trying to do, but damn... It was so HARD to take that offer... and the worst part of it was knowing that resistance was entirely internal.

"Yeah. Sorry." Cici muttered awkwardly as Reina referenced his possession. "I probably didn't help with that."

...What?

...What else could she SAY!?

God, Cici felt as if a million eyes were watching her from every direction (whether they were or not), her face already reddening slightly at her AWKWARD attempt to interject herself into this... "Small-talk." She suddenly found herself craving the simulation chamber. Even the icy wasteland would be preferable.

...So, instead of continuing to flaunt her utter ineptitude at navigating social interactions, Cici would stuff the rest of the sandwich in her face and turn away, shutting herself up before she said something else.

 

[CairoSaja]

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Cairo was normally one who kept his composure if he could manage it, so the fact he ended up possessed by something he was supposed to be in control of annoyed him to his very core, plus he couldn't figure out how he wasn't able to dispel of it sooner considering the fact his presence normally kept him from falling victim to anything below a Goetia. So once Reina mentioned that part of the exams and made it into a joke, it kind of ticked him off. However, he also knew how she was, and her tone let him know that she wasn't trying to piss him off but rather playing around. Even so, he still couldn't help the fact it was being brought up again, especially after his mother pointed it out to the entire school. As such, Cairo simply rolled his eyes with a slight chuckle while palming Reina's face and playfully muffing her out of his face before following Cici once more.
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Cairo: Don't get too comfortable Reina. I was simply distracted, but I won't be letting that happen again. Enjoy being on top while you can because soon i'll be taking my place back.​

Eventually, the group came upon the snack bar as Cairo ran his fingers across the bags until he snagged a couple of hot chips. He tossed them onto the counter, followed by a couple of fruit snack packs, a pair of honey buns wrapped in their glossy plastic, and finally a chilled bottle of strawberry lemonade he’d yanked out from the cooler. Beads of condensation rolled down its sides and dampened his palm. The cashier raised a brow at the mountain of snacks, but Cairo just gave a lazy smirk, sliding his payment across before grabbing everything up into his arms. Instead of settling into a chair, he made his way toward one of the empty long tables. With his usual laid-back confidence, he hopped up onto the table itself. He cracked open the bag of hot chips first, the spicy aroma punching up instantly, and stuffed a few into his mouth. As he chewed, he glanced toward the partners of Reina if they followed them. Cairo leaned back slightly, taking a swig of the strawberry lemonade, the tangy sweetness washing down the burn of the chips. He smirked as he started up a conversation.
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Cairo: So, you two were Reina's partners. Tell me, how'd you come to getting into the academy. By the way you look I can tell you're not from here. What can you do?​

Though his posture was relaxed, every so often his gaze would lower slightly, his expression tightening for just a moment before he masked it again with another bite.​

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Current Location: Snack Bar (Nexus Academy)
Post Order: Chiharu - Cairo - Yatoru - Reina - Others​

 

[YatoruSenpai]

As Xerne and Yvelt followed Reina, though silent by nature even with the bubbly atmosphere of Xerne eluding around her like a veil of positivity, they've find themselves before the Second place team, the only other team in the exam to have passed their test. Reina showing familiarity with the dark skinned Ape with dreads and the asian petite woman of nuclear bitchiness, and though their cultural difference with german superiority and yet Xerne with a gleeful smile upon her face, spoke in response to Cairo's question,​

"Ah yes, I am Xerne occior, this is my husband Yvelt Cloudenstein. Your assumption is quite astute, We are from the superior nation of Germany, Transferred here under high marks. As for our capabilities, lets just say, I'll keep you frosty, while Yvelt plays you like your an actor in his play."​

Yvelt though with his lip curled with satisfaction, stared down upon the dark skinned individual sitting on a table meant for consuming food, this trickster like persona beguiling its way out as Yvelt spoke with an almost prideful nature,​

"Ah, My dearest Xerne, why must you speak to such lower lifeforms, Its clear this Ape who sits at a dining table like a chair has no sense of societal disposition. I feel as if he belongs more so in a tree. But any whoser's Cairo was it, How does second place feel my fellow. Must taste salty, whilst we accelerated in our test. Look at all that damage, whilst not a single scratch on my beautiful body. I wouldn't say you were distracted, more like throwing a tantrum with your teammate like a bunch of infantile Toddlers. But I'd expect nothing more From a filthy Half Nafri."​

Yvelt prodded at Cairo with psychological mind games, to Yvelt this was but a game of chess, one to see the temperament of of this Cairo fellow, the other as he turned his attention towards Cici his lips parted once more before Cairo could even speak a word,​

"Then we have the self destructive, toddler tantrum fit throwing self exploding slanteye, One who couldn't even keep a level head in the test. You expect to learn in such a prestigious school yet act like a barbaric ruffian. Reina here has far more tact and grace than a so called Explosive terrorist. Even my darling wife could wipe the floor with you. Shoot even the teacher was bad mouthing your pitiful group."​

His words like daggers testing the mental mettle of these two to see if they can keep a leveled head or would simply explode with fury. For Yvelt this game of the minds was his play to orchestrate.

Current Location: Snack Bar (Nexus Academy)
Post Order: Chiharu - Cairo - Yatoru - Reina - Others​

 

[IvyMishima]

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Reina tilted her head with a smirk when Cairo’s hand suddenly pressed against her face, muffing her teasing words away. The warmth of his palm was unexpected, and though the gesture was playful, her crimson eyes widened slightly before narrowing with amused delight. The chuckle that escaped him only deepened her own smile, and though her face was squished, her laughter bubbled out muffled and melodic. She pulled back slightly, brushing his hand away with an exaggerated pout that quickly melted into a grin.
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Reina: Oh? Is that a challenge I hear?​

Her arms folded beneath her chest, head tilting as she gazed at him with that sharp but soft expression that was uniquely hers. She leaned closer, her voice dropping into a low, teasing lilt.
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Reina: Don’t worry, Cairo… I wouldn’t dream of getting too comfortable. But if you’re planning to climb back to the top…you’d better make sure you can actually reach me.”​

A short laugh escaped her lips, the kind that carried both playfulness and warmth. In that moment, she wasn’t just a rival. She was an ally, a companion who genuinely wanted to see him grow stronger, even if she’d never admit it aloud. Her steps matched his as they followed Cici toward the snack bar, her smirk lingering with a quiet fondness. But then—Yvelt’s voice came in after Cairo asked them about where they were from. Reina turned slightly, her smirk fading as his words targeted Cairo. At first, she expected a normal comment, but comparing Cairo to an ape, mocking his placement, his very heritage caused Reina’s chest tightened. Her expression faltered into shock, and the playful warmth drained from her features, replaced with disbelief. She blinked once then twice, as if her ears had betrayed her.
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Reina: Y-Yvelt!! What the hell is wrong with you!?​

Her head tilted, her hair shifting around her shoulders as she turned fully to face him. Confusion knitted her brows, and for once, Reina looked utterly lost. As his insults pivoted cruelly toward Cici, Reina’s breath caught in her throat. The words struck sharper than any blade, cruel in a way that she didn't think was like Yvelt considering how the 3 of them interacted. Her lips parted, but no words came out, her throat tight with a mix of shock and worry. Her gaze darted between Yvelt’s sneering mask, Cairo and Cici. She could almost feel the tension building before anything else even happened.
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Reina: This isn't going to end well Yvelt, trust me! You need to apologize!​

The smile she’d worn minutes ago was gone entirely, replaced by a furrowed brow and trembling uncertainty. Her eyes softened as they lingered on Cairo, then shifted toward Cici. Worry filled them, not for herself, but for what might happen if Yvelt continued speaking. Her confusion hadn’t lessened, she still didn’t understand why he’d chosen words so cruel but her instinct screamed that if she didn’t intervene, fists would fly before words could heal. For the first time in what felt like forever, Reina looked dumbfounded. The warrior who always seemed in control was caught in a storm she couldn’t punch, slash, or teleport her way out of. All she could do was stand between them and hope things didn't escalate.​

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[Cici]

AAAAAAND right there is when things went to hell.

Cici didn't pay the new people any mind at first and they didn't really pay her any either, both of which were working themselves out beautifully. The ensemble could talk amongst themselves and Cici could fill her stomach unbothered. The only thing she was really missing here was her brother. Honestly, Cici was surprised that she hadn't seen him yet. SURELY he would have made himself known by now and, honestly, she couldn't believe he'd be late on purpose. It didn't really fit his style in her estimation.

Something was up here.

Either she showed up sometime during the simulation and got in trouble... or he REALLY got himself into trouble somewhere else. That stopped her munching in it's tracks, the thought. She stared absently across the room, wondering what could have possibly held him up so long... and it was RIGHT building too!

Cici narrowed her eyes and attempted to suppress her anxiety. He probably wasn't hurt... How could he be? He could cut open space itself like you might a fish! He was a swordsman more compentent than anyone she'd ever seen and he wasn't dumb enough to start stupid fights out of nowhere...

"Yatoru... Where are you...?" She mumbled. "...And why haven't you texted me or something....?"

All the while, Reina's gang had shuffled on over to Cairo's position, one a woman in white, the other a man in black. The contrast between them was almost comical, what with the man having some kind of weird mask covering his face, dressed like he was part of some kind of cosplay convention (though, honestly, it wasn't exactly out of place here), and the woman dressed so bizzarely commonly, she practically stood out among the rest of them like Cici herself! She eyed them both up but made no move to greet them. Cairo seemed to be handling the social graces far better than she ever would and she was all-too-happy- to let him continue to do so.

Cici's eyes snapped to Yvelt as he spoke. Unlike his wife who had some kind of COMMON SENSE, the black-clad "gentleman" introduced himself by tearing into Cairo with such blatant, unprovoked cruelty... it was honestly almost funny. Cici might've even laughed, thinking it was some kind of dark joke on his part... but the man just kept going, calling him a "toddler throwing a tantrum" among other things. Hell, he even got his WIFE involved in this! Cici's jaw dropped slightly... as did Reina's, the two staring at the man as if he'd suddenly grown a second head. The red-eyed woman turned to Xerne.

"...You married this idiot?" Cici questioned, an edge... as well as a warning hidden in her voice. "Is he normally this insufferable or is this a special day?"

...And that seemed to prompt Yvelt to turn on her!

Cici blinked at just how HARD he went into her, calling out her temper, her performance, dragging REINA into it now, all the while, the poor blonde was just staring in HORROR on the sidelines! Each insult, though irritating, didn't mean TOO much to Cici... After all, everything he said was true. She had a temper. There was no use in pretending she didn't. Cici wasn't graceful. Obviously, she wasn't TRYING to be. She didn't even CARE that, in his estimation, any one of his team could crush her in a fight. All of those things were irritating to hear, certainly, but they amounted to little more than childish prodding.

...But the moment he suggested she as a damn "terrorist" was the moment Cici felt her patience BURN up.

"...What...?" Cici rumbled, her sanguine eyes seeming to glow hot in their sockets. Reina would leap into action like the (seemingly) decent person she was, demanding that Yvelt apologize! It was too late for that, though. MUCH too late. Without a word, she would walk right up to the German kid and grab him by the collar, pulling him in close so that they were in whispering-distance. Her mere proximity

"Say that again..." She challenged him, face contorted in a snarl. "I goddamn dare you." If he was foolish enough to take her up on that, Cici's free hand would tighten into a fist... before she'd SWING it across his jaw, aiming to send him crashing to the floor! Wife or no-wife, husband or no-husband, no German MORON was going to speak that way to her... OR her team.

 

[Swiffy]

The second Yotohime’s voice faded, Swiffy was already halfway to the door, wringing swamp water from his shirt with one hand. He shoved his sunglasses on with the other hand, the lenses slipping down his nose as he puffed out his chest.

“Heh! Knew I was gonna pass,” he muttered loud enough for half the chamber to hear, a crooked grin plastered across his face. “I passed the test it was pretty hard, but I did it.”

Swiffy fixed the sunglasses on his face, and then —his stomach gave a loud, traitorous growl that echoed off the chamber walls. His face went red, and then he laughed it off, rubbing the back of his neck.

“…Okay, okay, fine! Before all the training and hero stuff, I’m going to the snack bar.” He started jogging for the hall, splashing little puddles with each step. “I hope they have spicy chips and fizzy blueberry soda.”

And just like that, he vanished out the chamber, his voice still echoing down the corridor as his nose led him straight toward food.

Swiffy skidded around the corner, his soggy boots squeaking against the shiny floor as he zeroed in on the glowing sign that read Snack Bar. His sunglasses tilted sideways from the impact, but he shoved them back into place like he was the coolest kid alive.

“Jackpot!” he yelled, bursting through the door. A couple of older students were already there, slouched at tables, Swiffy was wondering where he was gonna sit and he saw an empty table and said “ I’ll sit there when I get my food.”

He slapped his tiny hands on the counter. “One big bag of spicy chips—no, TWO. And fizzy blueberry soda. Make it TWO of those, too! Oh—and chicken nuggets. Extra sauce.” He leaned in close to the worker behind the counter, lowering his voice like it was a secret. “I’ll take ALL the sauces.”

Minutes later, Swiffy strutted away from the counter carrying a tray way too big for him. The sodas wobbled dangerously, the nuggets were piled high, and the chips stuck out of the sides like treasure spilling from a chest. He nearly tripped twice but somehow managed to swing the tray onto a table with a triumphant clunk.

“Yay!” he cheered, practically bouncing in his seat. He cracked open a soda first, the fizz hissing so loud it echoed through the whole snack bar. Taking a long slurp, he let out a satisfied sigh, his legs kicking under the table.

“Best. Victory feast. EVER.” He stuffed a spicy chip into his mouth, wincing at the heat but grinning anyway, immediately chasing it down with a nugget dunked in the barbecue sauce. “I wonder since I can control water does that mean other liquids too?”

“I’ll ask Cairo later, but for now I’m gonna enjoy MY victory feast.” Swiffy drank his first giant fizzy blueberry soda, and then ate more of his chips. Swiffy continued to eat and said

“ I can’t wait to get stronger and learn how to control my powers; maybe I might unlock a transformation that makes me stronger or unlock a new power!”

 

[CairoSaja]

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The air in the snack bar had been light moments before, bags of chips crackling open, laughter bouncing off the walls, and casual chatter filling the room. Xerne’s words had carried an air of pomp, but Cairo had taken them in stride, lips curling into the beginning of a smirk as he prepared a sharp retort. But before he could open his mouth, Yvelt’s voice cut in, his every word were insults aimed directly at Cairo himself. Ape. Half Nafri. Filthy. Cairo froze, his bag of hot chips half-crumpled in his hand, then the room’s atmosphere shifted instantly. The students nearby felt the sudden drop in pressure, as though the walls themselves had shrunk in closer. His eyes narrowed and a low hum began to vibrate in the air, almost inaudible at first, but steadily growing as the shadows around Cairo seemed to twist unnaturally. His aura, black laced with streaks of violet bled outward. The faint shimmer of heat distortion rose from his body, which carried a suffocating heat that gnawed at the nerves of everyone present; Though it would have been felt by Yvelt more intensely as he was the target. Cairo’s jaw clenched tight, the muscle in his cheek twitching as he fought the instinct to lash out immediately. But he said nothing. Instead, the silence was more terrifying than an outburst.

The students closest to him shifted uncomfortably, their own conversations grinding to a halt. A girl dropped her drink, the plastic cup cracking against the floor, but no one dared to move to clean it. The eyes in the room were no longer on Yvelt—they were all locked on Cairo, watching his body tremble subtly, not with fear, but with the effort of restraint. Slowly, Cairo uncurled his fingers from the crushed chip bag. It crumpled onto the table as his aura surged outward further, black-purple tendrils coiling in the air like phantom flames. His killing intent was palpable now, pressing down on the lungs of every single student in the snack bar. The laughter, the lightness, were all gone. His lips pulled back into a half-smile, but it wasn’t human. It was sharp, jagged, demonic—a smile that promised suffering, a smile that twisted his normally calm features into something predatory. His silver irises flickered with that same dangerous gleam, and his gaze remained locked directly on Yvelt. The room itself seemed to shrink around him, every second his aura expanded. Tables rattled faintly, and some students took an instinctive step back, whispering hurriedly among themselves. Even the overhead lights seemed dimmer beneath the suffocating weight of his rage. Cairo hadn’t said a word yet—but everyone knew. One wrong sentence, and Yvelt might not walk out of here intact.
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Cairo: Xerne, you seem nice and all.... But you should teach this babbling kasab michillyeon (katsap bitch) some manners... Reina, next time you bring people to meet us, make sure they know they're place before they get here. Because your friend is about to get himself killed.​

The tension was already thick enough to strangle when Yvelt turned his attention toward Cici. Mocking her heritage, her composure, her entire worth. He said it with that same smug smile, relishing the crowd’s unease. Cairo’s head tilted down slightly, shadows sliding across his face as the aura around him erupted fully, the black and purple energy lashing out like writhing serpents. His body hissed faintly with heat and static as if his very existence rejected holding his power in. He rose slowly from his seated position; the table creaked under the sudden shift of his weight. His eyes were on Yvelt with such intensity it was as if the entire room vanished, leaving only the two of them. Cici was caught in the path of his killing intent, but Cairo’s arm reached out, not to threaten, but to gently move her aside. He didn’t take his gaze off Yvelt for a single second as he slid her safely out of the line of fire. The motion was calm, protective, but it carried a terrifying undertone: this was no longer a matter of words.

The temperature rose further, and some students clutched their chests, feeling their hearts pound erratically under the crushing pressure. Cairo’s smile widened now—no longer half, but full and twisted. His sharpened canines glimmered under the fluorescent lights, and his expression was nothing short of monstrous. It wasn’t a smile born of humor, but one that spoke of bloodlust. The kind of grin that made weaker students turn their faces away, unable to look at him directly. The aura finally reached its peak, filling every inch of the snack bar. Plates rattled on tables, bags of chips toppled over, and the floor groaned faintly like the building itself wanted to escape. Whispers of demonic energy flickered in the corners of the room, faint echoes of screams slipping through the shadows. Cairo stopped just short of Yvelt, his face lowered so his now glowing gold irises cut upward from beneath the veil of his messy dreadlocks. The silence that followed was deafening. His very presence demanded acknowledgment, demanded fear. Finally, Cairo spoke. His voice was low, layered with a faint, demonic reverberation that clawed at the eardrums of everyone who heard it.
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Cairo: Neo jigeum jug-eul geoya. (You're going to die now.)​

The words weren’t a threat. They were a promise. And in that moment, it became painfully clear—Cairo wasn’t just angry. He was a hair’s breadth from unleashing hell itself inside that snack bar.

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Current Location: Snack Bar (Nexus Academy)
Post Order: Cici - Cairo - Yvelt/Xerne - Reina - Swiffy - Others​

 

[YatoruSenpai]

As Yvelt stood confidently for those brief moments of exchanged words, where the first reaction was about to explode from the Asian slant eyed woman cici, where she was getting ready to deliver a heavy hook across his jaw, one which prove Yvelt astutely correct that was until the individual who was assaulted with his psychological game first being the ape man himself Cairo, stepped forth, exuding such an overwhelming presence, such a presence that the unexpected thing would come to reality. A foul stench began to exude from the backside of Yvelt, as beads of sweat ran down his face from behind his mask and all. His eyes widening as if staring the devil in the eyes itself. A momentary faltering as Yvelt took a step stumbling back as if every instinct was screaming run. And though he tried with all his might to defy that fight or flight instinct, it was all but fruitless... That foul stench growing ever stronger as a subtle brown stain began forming on his dark black pants.

As for where Xerne stood, that fear that Yvelt felt, she felt as well; her body trembling and shaking, streams of gold running down her leg as this overwhelming fear continued to consume the snack bar as a whole. Unable to form a single word from her lips as every muscle trembled in fear.

But from the entrance of the snack bar, though four individuals staggered and faultered ever so slightly by this mysterious presence the moment they entered into the facility, their eyes immediately shifted towards the source. These four, the Student Council and strongest students of Four Element Academy stared forth with a resolve to settle this matter before bloodshed is spilled. The first a darkly dressed man with a spear hanging on his back suddenly dashed forth, his presence like a roar dragon carved through the snack bar, his left leg slamming against Yvelts back knocking him on his stomach as his right leg pressed down on his skull keeping him pinned, this man's voice spoke forth with pride and calmness,
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"Thats enough, continue any further and both of you will be expelled... What is that foul smell..."​

In that same instance though with the crackling of lightning, flashed behind Cairo, a females arms wrapping around his neck and under the right shoulder in a brutal police choke hold, as he left leg slammed against the back of Cairo's right knee forcing him to the ground as her voice spoke with ferocity,
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"Have you lost your damned minds freshmen. Fighting is prohibited without proper forms signed. Cease and dismiss freshmen."​

And though their words were heard across the snack bar, as the other two slowly approach, a whitely dressed young man on the shorter side walked with a calm defensive air around him, regal in nature this student embodied the stillness of water and the chinese constellation Genbu the black tortoise. The second individual much taller and dressed in a chefs apron with short reddish brown hair wearing an eye patch was a a man walking with such carefree vibes, embodiment of Suzaku and the free spirit of wind.

With both students in a hold of sorts the foul smell continued to grow ever stronger,

Where Zai suuchen the fierce tigress of the school kept cairo in a choke hold though his gaze never once faltering on Yvelt who was under Zhongli, the dragon of the school's foot, the prominent brown stains continued to be revealed, clear that Yvelt had lost bowel movement control. A sight that for students with a will power of tier two would start laughing. This is where Zhongli came to the realization of where that smell had originated from, his eyes slowly averting down at Yvelt who was groveling trying with all his might to crawl away,​

"Did he really... Just shit himself..."​

Zhongli said almost dumbfounded as Zai's hold tightened trying to get Cairo to release his presence. And though things were not looking good, the free spirited Yiang Lun, Stepped between Cairo's gaze and Yvelt, his face carrying a delighted smile as from his lips echoed a care free vocal tone,​

"I don't really care about your squabble, but have some class and do it outside. You are ruining peoples appetite. As for these german transfers, they'll be immediately transferred back to their country... As for you Mr saja..."​

His words echoed as his left hand struck the back of his hand across Cairo's left cheek, a sound of flesh clapping (NOT SEXUAL) as it revealed Yiang Lun back handing Cairo across the face,​

"I suggest you calm that temper Mr. Saja, wouldn't look good if three students are kicked out immediately."​

His words though carefree also carried a weight of truth, not a threat from the student council but rather a promise...

Current Location: Snack Bar (Nexus Academy)
Post Order: Cici - Cairo - Yvelt/Xerne - Reina - Swiffy - Others​

 

[IvyMishima]

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At first, Reina thought it was only Cairo’s silence that made the air so heavy. His hand froze mid-motion, the crumpled chip bag sagging between his fingers, and her eyes sharpened in confusion. But then, the room suddenly changed. It was subtle at first, like the hush before a storm. Conversations died mid-sentence. Laughter cut short. Even the air-conditioning hum seemed to wither under the weight. The atmosphere pressed in, suffocating, pulling every gaze toward Cairo. Her breath hitched when she felt it, an unseen pressure that squeezed at her chest, as if invisible hands were wrapped around her lungs. Her heart jolted once, hard, before falling into a shaky rhythm. The color drained from her cheeks as shadows warped unnaturally around him. The black-purple aura bled outward and for the first time in her life, Reina realized: she was afraid of him almost just as much as she loved him. Her hand unconsciously lifted, fingers curling as though reaching for a weapon, for safety but even she wasn’t sure against what. The sudden shift of heat struck next. It was much hotter than normal fire, it was also suffocating and devouring. Sweat instantly broke across her forehead. Her body’s instincts screamed danger, and for a second, she almost stumbled backward. When Cairo’s lips peeled into that jagged, demonic smile, Reina’s heart lurched. It was wrong. So wrong. She’d seen him grin before, but this wasn’t Cairo’s smile. This was something else entirely.

Her eyes darted across the room, seeing students stiffen, some clutching at their chests, others pressing themselves against walls. A drink spilled to the floor, but no one moved. Not a single person dared to breathe too loudly. And then his voice cut through, low and demonic as he addressed her which caused her chest to tightened even more. He wasn’t just talking to Yvelt, he was pointing at her choices, too. Her throat went dry. She wanted to speak, to step forward, but her tongue felt heavy. All she could manage was a faint shake of her head, as her glassy eyes widened with worry. When Cici suddenly stormed forward, grabbing Yvelt by the shirt, Reina’s stomach sank. The image of a spark setting flame to gunpowder seared across her mind. This was already too volatile.

But Yvelt’s lips only curved higher. His venom didn’t falter either, it deepened. Mocking Cici about everything. Reina’s jaw dropped slightly in disbelief. Even now, he didn’t understand the storm he was getting himself into. The moment the insult left his mouth, Cairo’s aura erupted. It lashed outward violently even more than before. The pressure slammed into Reina’s chest so hard she staggered a step back. Her vision blurred for a heartbeat as the heat and suffocation closed in. The lights above dimmed under the crushing weight of his power, and she realized her entire body was trembling with instinctive fear. When Cairo rose from his chair, the table creaking under his shift, Reina’s body locked up. Every step he took forward made her pulse pound louder in her ears, like war drums announcing the end. She wanted to scream for him to stop, to tell him that this wasn’t the way, but her throat betrayed her. All that escaped was a shaky exhale as her eyes followed the violent glow of his aura. Her fear only grew when she saw how gently and how carefully he moved Cici aside. That calm touch clashed horrifyingly against the monstrous aura bleeding from him. This wasn’t protection, it was more like removing an obstacle before an execution.

The temperature spiked again. Sweat poured from Reina’s body, soaking her skin, drenching her clothes until she looked as though she’d been caught in a downpour. The salty tang of her own scent filled her nose, humiliation burning her cheeks. Her breathing quickened, shallow and erratic. She wasn’t crying, but her eyes stung. Her instincts screamed to run but her feet wouldn’t obey. She could only watch. When Cairo’s smile finally split into its full monstrous shape, she gasped audibly. The sharp canines gleamed, his irises glowing gold beneath the veil of his dreadlocks. It was demonic, inhuman. She truly thought he was about to kill Yvelt here and now. Around her, the students broke. Some turned away, unable to meet his gaze. Others whimpered softly, hands clutched to their pounding hearts. And Reina… she could smell the fear saturating the air. But the worst came when she saw Yvelt himself. The arrogant trickster who mocked them was now shuddered visibly. She didn’t want to believe it but the sharp scent of poop told her what her eyes confirmed: Yvelt had shit himself. Her gaze darted desperately to Xerne, only to see the once-graceful woman frozen, her legs trembling as liquid darkened her clothes. The humiliation, the raw fear, they couldn’t hide it. Cairo’s presence crushed them both utterly.

Reina’s stomach twisted violently. Shame, fear, horror; all of it churned inside her until she felt sick. When Cairo’s last words finally came, layered with that demonic reverberation, Reina’s heart nearly stopped. Her pupils dilated, her body shuddered, and in that moment, she realized: this wasn’t Cairo anymore. This was something darker, something that even she, the love of his life, couldn’t control. Her mouth finally opened, the first desperate whisper escaping.
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Reina: Cairo… please…​

Reina’s entire body jolted the moment the doors burst open. Four shadows cut through the suffocating haze of Cairo’s aura, and though even they faltered for an instant, their resolve carried them forward. The first, a spear-wielding warrior, moved with dragon like ferocity. His boot crashed onto Yvelt’s back, grinding him into the ground with humiliating force. Reina’s breath caught as the arrogant tormentor’s face was slammed into the floor, pinned like a worm. Finally, she thought, her shoulders loosening just barely. But her relief was fleeting. Lightning cracked behind Cairo, and before she could even gasp, a fierce tigress of a woman clamped him in a chokehold, forcing his leg down and driving him toward the ground. Cairo resisted though, his aura refusing to fade, and Reina’s heart clenched. Would even these people not be enough to stop him? As the two remaining council members stepped in—the regal one cloaked in stillness, and the carefree man dressed absurdly in a chef’s apron—the oppressive tension in the room shifted. It wasn’t gone, but now it was contested. For the first time, Reina dared to believe bloodshed might be avoided.

The foul stench spreading through the room confirmed what she already knew: Yvelt’s arrogance had been shattered in the most pitiful of ways. Students snickered behind their hands, while Zhongli, the dragon himself, voiced the realization aloud. Reina felt disgust twist in her gut, but at the same time, vindication. This was the bed Yvelt had made. Yet even as Yiang Lun’s carefree voice floated through the air, reprimanding everyone with mock lightness, Reina’s relief tangled with fresh unease. His backhand to Cairo’s cheek snapped through the bar like a whip. The crack of flesh echoed, and Reina’s eyes widened. Would that even register to Cairo? Did he even care about being expelled? Her hands trembled at her sides as she watched. This was her chance. For the first time, Cairo’s attention was splintered—the Student Council’s intervention had given her the tiniest of openings. If she didn’t act now, the situation could spiral again. Her body moved before her doubts could paralyze her. In a flash, she crossed the space between them, slipping past Zai’s hold to plant herself directly in front of Cairo. Her fist clenched tight, knuckles pale, heart hammering so hard she thought it might burst.
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Reina: Cairo, Forgive me, honey.​

Then drove her punch square into his jaw. The crack of impact reverberated like thunder, causing cairo’s eyes to roll as the monstrous aura flickered, his body collapsing into unconsciousness in the arms of Zai. Sweat drenched Reina’s brow, but this time it wasn’t from fear. It was from sheer exertion; from the choice she’d just made. Turning toward the four council members, her voice rang out—steady, but heavy with shame.


​

Reina: I’ll take responsibility for him. Please… forgive his actions. I’ll make sure he doesn’t cause trouble again.​

She bowed her head deeply, her dirty blonde hair spilling forward, every word laced with sincerity. At last, she could breathe, even if her chest still ached from the memory of Cairo’s killing intent.​

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Current Location: Snack Bar (Nexus Academy)
Post Order: Cici - Cairo - Yvelt/Xerne - Reina - Swiffy - Others​