KHR: The Inheritance Project - Prelude

The Graduation Project

I look up to apologise and nearly faint. I ran into Kai!? Why? He should have been patrolling the grounds for the kids who think they can get away with anything because they've graduated. He does it every year and bites someone to death every time… Merda, that 'fate' bastardo must have returned…

"We need to talk." It wasn't a suggestion, but a command.

"H-hai!" There was no arguing with the beast when he's pissed. So I followed him up to the roof to my doom. We just stood in awkward silence for a while, neither of knew what to say.

"Just get it over with already! What's the worst that could happen?" He could stop being my friend Aigís, that's the worst that could happen… But we can't stay like this forever.

"Umm… is Tsubaki… okay?" I ask cautiously…

"Hn… fine… just shaken up…" He answers nonchalantly.

It feels like a weight is lifted off my chest. "That's a relief…"

"You… I think it's about time you told me." A demand not a suggestion.

"Told you what?" I have a sinking feeling in my gut.

He approaches me until he's right in front of my face. "I was there, small animal, I saw what you did." There was no malice or fear in his voice. I could only find myself believing in him.

It'll be okay, won't it? I took a deep breath, not really knowing where to start.

"Ever since I was born I've been… different." I raise my hand to my chest and idly grab at the threat that binds Aigís to me. "I'm… You see… I was born with… a gift. That… that's what my Padre called it." I swallow hard, my throat feels so dry. "I-I have this… friend; he's always been beside me. His name is Aigís."

We sat down side by side as I told him everything. Somehow it all just spilt out. How I discovered my differences when I was about three. How everyone looked at me with scorn and fear. The pain and loneliness I felt and the constant rage. And then the time I just couldn't take it anymore and just exploded.

I just lost control and went on a rampage at school. A lot of people got hurt and afterwards Padre pulled us out of school. I'd promised Padre, and myself, that I'd never hurt someone like that again. Then we were forced to move here. I even told him about the discovery of my flame and how I'd been teaching myself how to control it.

He just sat and listened to my every word in silence, his expression neutral. It was so strange. I'd come to understand that no matter how many times I tried to explain, no one would understand. They only ever believed in what their eyes saw; even if they did see something, they just chose to ignore it. It was like the whole world had decided I was wrong.

And yet, I could see it in his eyes that he believed me. The same way Padre and my 'other' Madre did. I almost started to cry but then he suddenly pinched my cheeks and pulled. "So you're an idiot after all, small animal." He states before letting go.

I rubbed my sore cheeks. Damn, it hurts. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Hn." He ignored me and knocked me on the head with my diploma. Wait. Why does he have my diploma? "You left this in the nurses' office."

Seriously!? When did he…? Could it be that…? Was he looking for me? "T-thank you." I stutter as he hands it back to me.

His cheeks turn slightly pink and he turns away. "School is about to end." He states before heading back down stairs. I can't help but smile as I follow him down. I feel so stupid for worrying. Kai would never abandon me like everyone else. He's different from them.