7 New Companions in a New World

As the Lunch Break bell resounded through the classes, the First Years poured out of their building. Lucifer exited as well, heading straight for one certain building he'd read about on the Student's Handbook: 'Ryo's Kitchen'. An entire building dedicated exclusively to making food and named after the 4th Headmaster of SK who had built it. There was a cafeteria inside the First Years' building as well, but Lucifer had instantaneously ignored it just like almost all other First Years.

Walking with his hands in his pockets, Lucifer sauntered over to the the sprawling, one-storyed Dining Hall just a little distance down the road from the First Years' building. A long, if thin, building, painted in a shade of pastel, almost peach, orange broken up with a few opulent marble bricks here and there that did not match its status as a cafeteria at all. The style looked almost bland as if a poor take on the Western fashion of old. Making it even even more out of place where the modern glass doors awkwardly plastered on its facade, swung wide open as the students filtered inside.

Scoffing, Lucifer walked inside without any more thought spared for the gawky outside. But as soon as he entered and stepped past the second set of doors from the entrance lobby, it was as if a bomb went off on his face. It was absolutely TEEMING with students; first years, second years, third years, it didn't matter. Like an exploding firework of life, the huge hall inside shined with cheer and laughter as students guffawed wildly or clapped each other on the back as fine food shined on the snow white tables. The glimmering chandeliers above glowed with warm energy, the grand walls accented in gold reflected all the merrymaking right back, the plush chairs lavishly seating all the students as they reveled. Everyone was talking loudly, bursting with laughter with their re-united or newly founded groups as they ate fast and drank slow.

Lucifer quietly scanned all of this and suppressed a smile as he saw the ONE lone table in an ocean of lolling friendship. Without another glance, he grabbed a tray with some plates from the side and headed down the long, smoothly flowing line of the buffet. The immaculately dressed servers behind the counter politely, yet efficiently, handed him his choice of duck breasts, caramelized onions, some luxurious mac and cheese, a glass of the finest apple juice, and a generous slice of vanilla cake. Feeling even hungrier with the food in his hands, as he ignored all the inviting stares of the few girls who spotted him, he went straight to the one table in the corner of the large hall that had just a single person on it, eating their food alone in silence.

"You don't mind, do you?", he asked and without waiting for a reply, he climbed into the plush chair.

Yasu Serizawa looked up from her plate. "Are you following me?" she asked emotionlessly, her expression blank.

Lucifer grinned unperturbed by the accusatory greeting. "And you're not even upset about it."

"I - What? Upse-? No...I...don't think so." muttered Yasu, confused at her own feelings. 'Again? How does he always says the oddest stuff.'

Lucifer smiled, this time almost genuinely, as he looked into the dark, emerald green eyes of the lonely, puzzled girl as she consumed her sparse baked vegetables and a small bowl of soup. "Where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself formally yet, have I?", he asked. "I am Lucifer." he said, flashing his perfect grin. "Lucifer Night."

"I...know." she said, looking up at him as if hypnotized by his charming smile. Her expression changed. "Why...? Why're you following me though? Even yesterday at the Entrance Ceremony-

Lucifer laughed. "You look like an interesting person and I want to get to know you. Is that so wrong?" he asked gracefully. "Plus, in the tirade of all the...merriment...here, you looked lonely sitting by yourself." His eyes glinted. "...but not that you WANTED to be so. Deep inside the forest of your eyes, I almost saw longing to join them...longing for company." The glint vanished from his eyes and he laughed enchantingly. "So, I just came here to give my lonely Class Prez some company."

"FRIENDS do that for each other. Not new classmates."

"How can we ever become friends if neither of us even tries to talk first?" asked Lucifer simply. "It's the first day of a new school; your first chance to make new friends and forget any old, bad memories of others." He gave her another charming smile and attacked his duck breasts.

Yasu just stared at him. He was nothing like any other boy she'd ever known. He was brash, bold, powerful, arrogant, elegant...yet kind? He didn't appear at all uncomfortable by her blank expression or her vacant eyes. The silence that hung between them now didn't seem like the usual thick mist which made everyone run away from her. For him, it was like it didn't even exist for some reason. With nothing but the sound of scraping silverware between them...Lucifer's laid back easiness glowing at her without a word, Yasu found out she was somehow just enjoying knowing someone sitting across her from the table, dissolving her defense of awkward silence. For the first time in three years, she genuinely felt like there was someone who wasn't secretly judging her or held some hidden hatred for her. A small, fragile, smile spread over her lips. 'First day of a new school, huh? Guess I wouldn't mind giving friendship another small try if it was with him...'

In amiable silence the two continued eating their lunch, until Lucifer suddenly looked up, his eyes glinting. "Of course, Miss Class Rep, you also get another friend along with me as some sort of package deal apparently." He said slyly, as Sakura walked up and haughtily sat down on the chair beside him loudly placing her tray of food on the table as well. She gave him a sideways glance of disgust; she didn't want to admit it to herself, but somewhere in her heart, she'd been greatly irritated to find Lucifer sitting alone with this girl for some reason.

"Allow me to introduce you two." said Lucifer, his eyes still shining with mischief. "This is Sakura Tojo of the Tojo-Clan." he said motioning to his side. "Sakura, this is Yasu Serizawa, the one girl who scored more than you on the Charismata test."

Sakura glared at him, the chopsticks in her hand literally catching fire. "I know." she said, her tone murderous.

"Her name or that you're weaker than her?" asked Lucifer innocently.

"I'll kill you." she said savagely. Sakura then turned to Yasu, all her rage concealed behind elegance. "I'm sorry about him. He's...odd." she said, calmly.

"I know." muttered Yasu barely moving her lips

Sakura politely smiled, her tinge of annoyance veiled. "You can call me Sakura. It is a pleasure to meet you, Serizawa-san."

"Call me Yasu." said the Class President listlessly, picking up her bowl of soup.

"Well, I hope, Yasu, that you spar with me in our Combat Education period." invited Sakura seriously.

Yasu didn't answer till she finished her bowl of soup, put it down softly, then turned to Sakura. Another person who seemed so...normal...around her. "You'll lose." she said emotionlessly.

Lucifer laughed as he saw Sakura's fists clench. "I can tell already that this little group of ours is going to be very, very interesting."