Chapter 25: Tempting Fate... never again

Rin Grayson is indeed having a great time today.

His classmates, the class of 1-D celebrated his return from the hospital after the events that have transpired in the shopping mall involving a Crime Lord attempting to kidnap the crowned princess of the Twilight Kingdom.

Partaking in the festivities, Rin eyed the different kinds of dishes being laid down on the joint tables, his eyes wondered at a particular food that immediately caught his very attention.

"Heh, this here is one of my favorites." Rin grinned as he took a bacon sandwich from the table and proceeded to gobble it down like how a vacuum cleaner sucks the dirt.

Outside of the classroom, many girls were spotted eyeing at the blue-haired beauty with reverence, Rin's fangirls no doubt, as they peeked inside shamelessly just to witness their new idol.

"Isn't she just awesome!!!"

"I know right?"

"Wow, she's just so dreamy~"

"So her favorite food is bacon sandwich? The more we know!!!"

Rin could only sweatdrop at the fan girl's antics as he tried his best not to pay much attention to them and continued socializing with his classmates.

"Look Rina." Kana Erendal smiled at the disguised boy as she pointed at a very peculiar but glamorous dish set that can only be prepared by the most skilled of chefs. "This here is the Beef Wellington, one of the royal family's everyday dishes and only the most privilege of nobles have the right to even have a taste. I asked my father to procure one just for you."

"Fun fact!!" Meiko from the sidelines appeared before Rin as she goes in lecture mode. "Account to every detail was taken in preparing such exquisite meat. The dish being presented to you is the Beef Wellington. It is a preparation of fillet steak coated with a special liver-meat spread called a pâté, and duxelles, a finely chopped mixture of mushrooms, the latter wrapped in parma ham and puff pastry, then baked. At first glance, you may think that it's just some sort of bread but inside is delicious, mouth-watering steak, the coated meat wrapped with a crêpe to retain the moisture and prevent it from making the pastry soggy."

"Really now." Rin smiled as he looked at the dish. "Some people sure love to make an effort in creating something very elaborate that will most likely just end up inside our stomach."

The class giggled in response to Rin's statement.

"Not that I have anything against them of course. As a matter of fact, I commend people who are passionate about anything as long as they love what they are doing." Rin said.

"Well said Rina." Kana nodded in agreement as she gestured the blue-haired beauty to take a bite of the Beef Wellington.

"Don't mind if I do." Rin grinned and scoop a good portion in his mouth.

His eyes widen in reflex at the taste of the food, the rich amount of flavors dancing exquisitely in his tongue as he savored each and every bite.

Suddenly, a vision flashed inside his mind, a vision of the same dish among plenty of others which is as exquisite and delectable as the former are presented on a grand table. The surroundings are somewhat vague and hazy but Rin could discern that the place is huge, kind of akin to a grand hall or something.

A vision of himself being smaller, a child. Perhaps a memory buried deep within his system.

"Rina are you alright?"

Rin snapped out of his momentary lapse as Meiko shake him off a bit.

"Wow Rina." It was Keana who spoke up as she was seen with a cheery grin. "Was the food really that delicious that you were lost and spaced out for a good 10 seconds?"

"Y-yeah." Rin could only answer as he stuttered. He then carried the dish and offered it to the others. "It's very delicious girls, don't waste such a wonderful opportunity that Kana has given to us and try this food that must be made from the Gods!!"

"But what about you Rina? It is your day after all so we don't mind if the Beef Wellington is all yours." Kana said with a look of concern and the class all agreed with the heiress.

"It's fine!!" Rin grinned widely as he gave the plate to Keana. "I don't want to be an ass and hoard such rare delicacy all by myself. Let us all experience the wonders that the royal family and nobles have been keeping from us for so long!!"

"Wow!! Thanks Rina!!!" Keana and the class were touched by the kind gesture as the former wasted no time in partaking the food of the nobles and the rest of the girls followed as they did the same.

While this was going on, a frown appeared on Rin's feminine face as he dwells on what the hell was that scene that suddenly appeared in his mind out of nowhere.

It was really strange. Sure the food is undeniably delicious, prepared and cooked by the finest chefs of the kingdom, each procedure are intricate and refined to a culinary perfection.

But this…

It's just weird.

Just recently he was genuinely enjoying the sweet, meaty taste like the commoner that he is…

But now...

The taste seemed… bland to him.

As if he had already tasted it numerous times like it was nothing new.

____________________________________________________________

The Twilight National Police.

Or the T.N.P. for short.

It is a massive police force comprising of a body of officers who represents the civil authority of the Kingdom. Their sole responsibility is maintaining the public order and safety, strictly enforcing the very laws written in the Twilight Constitution, and of course the prevention, detection, and the investigation of unlawful criminal activities.

They are the constituted body of individuals empowered by the Kingdom. Their powers within the law include arrest and the legitimized use of force to uphold and bring justice to anyone who breaks the law and threaten the innocent lives of the Kingdom's people.

In every organization, there is a division of groups to easily distinguish one from another as per their responsibility, place or other factors worth noting.

Each City of the Twilight Kingdom has its own Police Department to maintain and sustain law and order within the said area.

Here at Twilight City, the capital of the Twilight Kingdom, The Twilight Police Department or T.P.D. for short is the one exclusively who upholds the law and order within the city.

Thanks to the efforts of the T.P.D., the streets of each district are safe and mostly free from criminal activities. Well mostly since there are still some of the mischief going on around like your typical theft, house robberies, and more.

Living in a criminal free city is like a dream come true…

But let's be realistic, there is no such thing as that.

Criminal Activities will always be the norm no matter how major or minor the action is.

Every city, rich or poor, has its share of illegal undertakings and one is definitely a fool for completely denying such claims.

This is why the police are here to suppress it, to tame the beast before it goes out of control and to spread anarchy and chaos in every reach.

And inside the headquarters of the T.P.D., we find the Police Head, Police Colonel William Rogers inside his office together with his blonde police protege, Police Lieutenant Henders Alexia.

Well in this scenario, the rank Lieutenant is no longer the case for the female police as she is now-

"Congratulations on the promotion Police Captain. I knew you will never fail to impress us all with your outstanding performance." William smiled, feeling proud of his subordinate as he shook hands with her.

Police Captain Henders return the gesture with the same expression. "Thank you sir. It is really an honor for me to rise up in the ranks in order to better serve the Kingdom and her people."

"Well said Henders." William nodded with pride. "With great power comes great responsibility and you rising up in the ranks comes with the price of improving oneself, both physically and mentally to combat our Kingdom's persistent enemies."

"I wouldn't have it any other way sir!!" Henders stood in perfect attention, her every being could be only defined as the epitome of snappiness as she said with unyielding resolve.

"Excellent." William smiled like a father to his daughter. "Anyways being a Police Captain has its array of responsibilities which includes you leading a Police Task Force of your own."

"Understood sir." The Captain nodded.

"This means that your first task at hand is to gather some volunteers from the police force, a minimum of 4, so that you can form your very own unit. I believe that your task force will be the 202nd one and you were not a member of any task force prior to your promotion so by default, a new task force must be formed to accommodate your rank." William instructed the newly promoted police officer.

"If I may sir?" Henders responded and William nodded to allow her to speak. "I believe that I already have some members in mind."

"Impressive Captain." William was definitely astonished by how quick she acted in the situation. "Still, I hope this is not out of rash, impulsive thinking Captain. You have the time and resources to think about who you will induct your very own task force, so there is no need to be in a hurry."

"Oh don't worry sir." Henders smiled at her superior. "I already have 4 in mind and I trust them wholeheartedly with my life. Well maybe only 3 perhaps as one of them is an enigma and might be a somewhat of an airhead and a klutz but I believe that she shows extreme promise. I just know it."

Meanwhile in the Cafeteria of the same police headquarters, a certain pink-haired girl wearing a police uniform sneezed loudly, pouring out snot from her nose on the ham sandwich that she is currently eating. Her seatmates, the same three policemen who were her squadmates during their last mission in the mall eyed her with disgust.

"Uh, I hope you plan on not eating that anymore recruit." Charlie said as he cringed at the food covered in nasal mucus.

Chameleon A.K.A. Hannie clicked her tongue in extreme annoyance as she cursed silently while the other men laughed at her misfortune.

____________________________________________________________

Back at the Academy, loud screams of adoration and worship were suddenly heard around the hallway. The girls who were fangirling Rin in an instant shift their attention at the newcomer who has just arrived outside of the classroom.

"It's Senior Hanabi Nakamura!!!"

"KYAA!!! The Kendo National Champion, here again in the first year section?!!"

"I must be dreaming!!! To think that one of the 5 Goddesses of the Academy came to graced us with her divine presence!!!"

"I… I can die happy!!!"

Hanabi sighed deeply at the craziness of the fangirls as she shook her head in response. Her walk was halted as she finally arrived at her designated location, the class of 1-D, where Rina Mayfield's class is.

The Kendo Practitioner opened the door and she was greeted by the sight of 1-D happily celebrating a party which seemed to be dedicated to the blue-haired beauty as Rin appears to be at the center of their attention.

One of Rin's classmates notices the black-haired champion as the former's eyes twinkle in excitement and pointed at the latter. "Look it's Senior Hanabi Nakamura!!!"

On cue, every girl… and one boy inside the classroom turned their attention in an instant at the Kendo Champion.

Hanabi chuckled sheepishly at the numerous stares being directed to her. "Uhm… is this a bad time?"

"Oh uh… of course not Ms. Nakamura!!!" Rin grinned awkwardly as he waves his hands frantically. Then he approached the black-haired girl in a welcoming manner. "What can I do for you today Ms. Nakamura?"

It was Hanabi's turn to return the favor by smiling. "I just came here to see if the rumors were indeed true that you came back from being hospitalized and indeed it is."

"Yup." Rin grinned as he put his hands on his hips. "Safe and sound thankfully."

Hanabi without any warning suddenly bowed down, forming a Japanese seiza position as she was now on the floor, showing her utmost respect to the blue-haired beauty right in front of her. "It is truly an honor to meet someone as valiant and courageous as you Rina Mayfield. You have proven your bravery and valor with such an act of heroism when you sacrificed yourself to save a friend in need during the mall incident, displaying unyielding courage even in the face of devastating odds. You truly are a remarkable individual worthy of such praise."

The socket on every girl's eyes threatens to pop out as they witnessed such a spectacular scene right in front of their very eyes. Hanabi Nakamura, a senior and someone of high esteemed as the Kendo National Champion is bowing down in a seiza position her head facing the floor with unmatched humility at a freshman, someone who just recently transferred in their school.

"Oh…. My…. Glob" Keana's jaw drop as she in an instant brought out her camera and started taking pictures of the breathtaking event that is currently on the go. Most of the girls share the exact same way as they too took out their smartphones and did the same.

Rin could only stare down at the Senior bowing to him, not sure how to deal with this drama and is dumbfounded as he processed on what the freaking hell is going on.

'Why me!???' Rin cried comically at the extra attention that he is now garnering right at this very moment. 'W-well, I'm sure things will not get any worst from this point onward… right?'

Without warning, the P.A. system was sounded as it announced very loudly for the whole school to hear. "Rina Mayfield of class 1-D, kindly proceed to the Student Council Office immediately and report to the Student Council President."

'Oh fuck me!!!!'

And this kids is why we never tempt fate.