3: Hintless Mask

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(Tuesday, 6:17 am) (August 6, 2019)

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Big brother! It's getting late already! Aren't you going somewhere?" even though I am still recovering, I couldn't help but to get up and scold whoever goes inside my room.

"Gabby! Didn't I tell you not to go or enter a boy's room without their consent!" my little sister is really hard-headed. *sigh*

"Eh? You're my older brother! And you're so laaate! It's still your second day! Why are you so tired?" *sigh* She was just a girl and was spoiled by Dad. I mentally face-palmed. Her anger is worse than Dad. Yeah, I am currently staying in our familyhouse now, because later, I'll start packing and starting later, I am now going to be independent.

"Kuya...don't tell me you have any girlfriend with your classmates? Don't tell me you are stalking her already? *sniff* " oh no. Oh. No. She was crying.

Gabby is my little sister, and she didn't want me to get close to another woman. So when we were together, she always boasted that she have a big brother like me, and she was daddy's girl. *sigh*

I picked her up and tackled her. No matter how angry she may be, she really likes being hygged and tackled.

"Shh..it's right. I am tiredast night because I am preparing for my departure later. Always remember even if I have a crush or girlfriend, you're still my baby girl." I said calmly when she hugged me tightly to the point that she had made me a teddy bear.

"You're warm big bro. I wonder, is there a person who isn't warm?" at what he said I remembered Snow again. To be honest, when I touched her arm, I was surprised that she was cold despite the heat. I looked at Gab. I am asking myself too. Is there really such a person?

"Anyways, YOU are not allowed to have a girlfriend unless I know her!" there she goes. She was the boss and so was Dad, sometimes my sister had boys wrapped around her fingers. *sigh*.

"Okay okay boss." I chuckled as she hugged me. I'm gonne miss this little girl for a while...

"Big bro, let's go. The car that will take you to school is waiting for almost half an hour already!" she pouted while releasing herself in the hug. Even though she's bossy, she always smiles. People find her adorable. When she went out, I started cleaning myself and preparing myself. After every ceremony, I went down the stairs, only seeing my Dad reading a newspaper.

They say demons are very different and strong, but the truth is, they still have weaknesses. When my mom went missing and reported dead, my dad lost his track in life. Before that, my sister was still young. He always trains so hard that no one can beat him. He even did that to me. After a few years, my dad seems to be returning to his former self. But with every mention of Mom, he looks like he hasn't moved on yet. Mom, me and my sister, was his weakness, and he and my sister was my weakness. Whatever happens, even if I die, I will protect my family.

*kring* *kring* *kring*

"Wow! You answered before the fourth ring! Nice one Derek!" how have I tolerated Sniper's behavior since when we were kids?

"That's all? I'm coming in." I shouldn't have picked up my phone when I saw this stupid bastard's name on the caller I.D.

"The HM canceled the skills practice, and you will just take the physical exam." the hell? Even the HM joined the guessing game. What the hell is happening here?!

"Ok then." I lowered and massaged my forehead. Hi. I was just a new student and I felt that my problems were starting pile up.

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(8:31 am. Training grounds.)

"As you can see Mr. Manediul, Ms. Volmalos should be the one who you should fight, but the HM canceled it and grants you the opportunity to join the physical exam." I didn't think about my problems and tried to focus my attention on what the teacher was saying.

"Mr. Manediul, are you with us?" I nodded to this stupid teacher. What he says is very interesting.

"As I was saying, that skills practice should determine whether you should be joining the physical exam. Now, train for the exam. Don't let the HM down, Manediul." But before he left, he seemed to be searching for something.

"Damn, where is the student council president ?!" A grunting silence surrounded us until someone spoke and finally broke the silence.

"I'm here." amber-colored eyes...this guy's name should be ICE. His attitude never wavered during tgese years. That thought made me mentally chuckle. After the teacher's dismissal, a student approached me and suddenly pushed me. I am now kneeled in the ground.

"Don't block the road! Don't be so overwhelmed if the Headmaster just allowed you to take the physical exam!" Other students were laughing because of my currenct situation but when the Council president approached, they went silent.

"I don't remember you. Who are you?" Andrew talks calmly to that guy who pushed but his voice contains authority. He has changed because every time he looks into the eyes of the students, no emotions can be seen.

"Balderton, p-president." he suddenly bowed down at the sight of the president and didn't seem to know that the president was here.

"Feel grateful because I'm not in the damn mood right now to send you to the guidance counselor, Mr. Balderton..." that Balderton guy calmed down a bit but it was gone when Andrew spoke again. "... but I'm in the mood right now to send you to DH..." his smile faded and couldn't believe what the president said. DH?

"Come with me and let's say hi to the demons." the tension in the training field now seems to have dropped when the student suddenly stood up and suddenly attacked the president. But he was not surprised at all, so he struggled.

Attack.

Dodge.

Dodge.

Attack.

Attack.

Swish.

The fight is very intense. But he seemed to challenge Balderton even more. If he had normal strength, why did the Royal Family bring him here?

"Balderton, when will you surrender?" Andrew smirked. Instead of dodging like what he is doing earlier, he started attacking against Balderton. My eyes bulged at what he is holding.

He is holding a dagger as well as Balderton. He is looking at him deadly and at the same time, butvhe still wears a smile, which means he's nkt taking this seriously.

"President, why can't you just shut up and fight?" Balderton spoke out loud until Andrew smirked evilly. It looks like Balderton's anger went to Andrew.

"Nice... hell is a place for the strong. Glad to know that you don't easily giving up." he looked at Balderton perplexed. It was as if Andrew is distracting his opponent. Nice strategy you have there Andrew.

'Andrew, why are you in hell? Why are we meeting here? ' I think he heard what I was thinking because he stopped and grins at me. Then he went back to his fight. The two of them are actually drawing more and more attention from the students.

"Tsk tsk, poor Balderton." I heard a student whisper. They continued fighting until Andrew attacked Balderton's vitals and got pushed to the ground. Maybe he got bored in the fight because it was obvious that Andrew was just playing with Balderton.

"Balderton, admit defeat. I don't want to report a death once again to the headmaster. Besides, you won't have to suffer once you step inside DH." he returned his dagger properly and looked me in the eye. What the... I went to another place and I didn't know he'll notice me.

He turned his gaze away and called the other council members as someone approached him, wearing red an I. D. that has blood red initials.

After he left together with his company, the training was ongoing , and I, too, was out of the mood for a bit so I decided to go to the canteen, and I didn't expect Andrew to be here either. So fast? Maybe he just ordered those with him. I just ignored him and went to the counter to buy. I was about to leave the canteen when I heard Andrew speak in Italian. I'm sure he was talking to me because there was no one else here besides us. But, I still didn't look at him.

"Derek, sai che la curiosita puo uccidere il gatto? In realta stai facendo affari con i lupi. Ricorda che non puoi fidarti di un lupo." (Derek, do you know that curiosity can kill the cat? You're actually doing business with the wolves. Remember that you can't trust a wolf.) Gradually, a smile crept into his lips. I wonder, does he not getting weary in smiling all day?

"Ma tu sei un lupo e io sono una tigre. E difficile sapere chi vincera. Andrew .... o dovrei chiamarti, signor President?" (But you are a wolf and I am a tiger. It is hard to know who will win. Andrew... or should I say Mr. President?) He closed his eyes at what I said. I know that in the beginning, he would never tell me exactly why he was here. Until I saw his mocking smirk.

"Interesting ..." he laughed and approached me. "... a battle between a wolf and a tiger? Wow. Just giving you a warning, hell welcomes you with many mysteries. Knowing what the roots are can drown you even more." He walked so damn fast and left me and after a while, the mentor saw me who was watching us in the training field and even ordered me to take some folders to the council secretary, great.

A student council is different because their names are written in bloody red ink. I entered a room and got all of the attention. Again.

"May I ask, where is the student council secretary?" I had no emotion to say while staring at an officer. I think he is already in his 3rd year.

"Ah, Moon? She didn't wemt to school this morning." the officer looked into my eyes. He is like observing me. Ah. Yes indeed. Snow is the secretary. Great. I looked around and looked for Andrew but he isn't around. I will just give it to him because I don't want to hold responsibility onto some things I am unaware of.

"Where is the student council president?" the officers looked down and was about to speak when someone spoke behind me. Why didn't I feel his presence?

"Present." I turned around saw Andrew. No wonder they are looking behind me . Wait, he is the Student Council President isn't he? Then why the hell is his officers were older than him ?! Same with Snow ?!

"Take this. Sir Max instructed me to give it to the class secretary but they said he didn't." I pointed to the officer I was talking to earlier who was still shocked because I pointed at him.

"Oh right. Moon was excused." he plainly said.

"Excused? Why is she?" the officer asked who I was talking to. I saw Andrew's fist shiver before speaking.

"The HM ordered her to do something." he slowly answered and walked but stopped at my side.

'Remember what I said earlier, Derek.' After that, the bell rang.

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I was looking for Andrew when I noticed a blonde hair girl wearing a mask entered the room. When he saw me, she suddenly backed away and ran. I chased after him and was surprised to see her at the back of the tree behind the school. It seemed a bit surprised when I was still chasing her. Before he ran, something seemed to fall into his hands. He was hoping to get it but he ran because I was close. I watched closely and it was a ---black rose.

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◆━◆❃◆━◆ᴍᴏᴏɴ's ᴘᴏᴠ◆━◆❃◆━◆

[August 5, 2019. MONDAY. 5:47 PM]

Stress.

Stress.

Stress.

Stress.

Poor me! How much stress did you endured my dear self? That fuckin mentor actually reminded me of the so-called skills practice. I hate it because it brings some memories. It's been a while since I've been practicing skill. Eversince, hmm ... last 2 years? I didn't even notice I was cutting myself. When I saw some drops of blood, I unknowingly dropped the knife onto the floor and made a loud 'bang'

Oh great! I was spacing out and accidentally sliced ​​my finger. My God. But, that's okay. Just a cut.

I recalled something my comrades always tell me. They say that I am numb. They say acting strong just like me. But I don't really feel like I can ever feel like myself.

* BLAG! *

"Hey! What's the purpose of the door if you can just go in whatever time you want?" I said sarcastically before the student council president, who was now catching his breath.

"Are you okay?" I try not to glare at Andrew. Does he have eyes? "Well, you see, right? It's just a simple wound." "That's right. It's okay because you can still talk to your friend. It's also impossible to handle a simple finger cut." weak HE laughed I still hated.

"Friend? You? Who are you? Out. I don't know you." I acted like flabbergasted and miserable. I heard his annoying chuckles. He saw right through it.

"Do you have yours today which made you so angry huh?" I feel my face warming up as she says.

"Seriously! Just because I AM ANGRY AT you right now!" I approached and hugged him even though I told I just ranted mydelf to him. There is no malice in hugging for us both because we are close friends plus, we are training buddies. I didn't even know I would ever know someone like that at this school.

"Is that all right? Maybe you should not do anything." Andrew turned and took my hand and fixed the wound. He briefly took a band aid and arranged.

"Well, maybe I'm just tired of being a student council secretary, maybe it's because of 'it'." I let out a helpless sigh. He just shrugged. He just kept quiet and went to the dorm kitchen to maybe finish what I was cooking.

"What are you planning to cook for?" hmm ... what is it? I like porridge. Pork sinigang. After all he was good at cooking meals. He is gifted with that kind of blessing

"My favorite. You cook well." Andrew and I were just hanging out. Student councils may be isolated from other normal students. Unlike the normal dorm, a student council dorm is quite spacious, and has a kitchen part too. Andrew Kroburur was my first buddy at U-High.

That was the time I offended the previous council secretary and since he was my partner, he was involved in it. The ex-council president suddenly went amok when he heard about it and joined in our fight and we discovered that they actually have contacts with the enemies of our school. As punishment, we were sent to DH. But during those three days, we managed to survive in the torture chamber, which is the DH. We don't want any students to spread rumors about the previous members' betrayal, so we just simply...killed them.

And due to that, the HM himself offered the position of the president to Andrew. And of course, the secretary position was offered to me. I insisted on their offer to become a secretary because Andrew asked for it, because if I refysed, he will too. Weird isn't? Then we became close friends. Because, wherever the president is, the secretary must also be included.

I didn't even notice that it my fave meal almost cooked and rose its aroma inside the dorm so I literally sprinted up and went to his side, trying to taste what he was cooking.

"Wow. It looks delicious. Can I taste it?" its smell was so mouthwatering. Argh I can't fight the urge of going closer.

"No. It's not over yet. Just a moment." he winked at me while I frowned. Yes. He appears to be a cold, ruthless and bloodthirsty assassin, but deep inside, I know he is kind. I don't know why he is, but I know he has a reason why he is just like that cold to others.

"Wait, do you want to eat it? Please join me pleeease?" I begged for him to stay in here using puppy eyes as well. Sometimes, he was here in my dorm eating so I got used to being with him sometimes.

"All right." why does he always remember his words? But...why smiling?

Well...

𝓣𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓮𝓭 .....