10.1

|POV SHIFT: Chrollo|

I woke up today with my roommate being absent. The sun is peering through the window right now as usual.

I've been asleep longer than I thought. I still feel tired as well. That tiredness hasn't gone away since I started college a year ago for engineering. Monotony.

I lean up a bit and check my phone.

[I know you don't have classes today.. Can you please go with me at the mall today. My friends canceled at the last moment again and stuff... I won't forgive you if you don't come stupidhead >:(]

Chiasi (my little sister) wants to spend time with me apparently. It's an off day for me and her so we might as well spend some time together. Being a college student and bodyguard leaves someone very busy indeed. It's not that I hate her or anything but I just don't get the time to stop what i'm doing and relax for a while.

*Ringtone plays (Person reading this canonically likes the song playing)*

Chiasi is now video calling me with her ringtone she insisted I used for her. My hair is a bit of a mess but I hope she doesn't mind it. That and me not having my usual grey anti-air waterproof sound proof glasses that are melded into acetate, a high quality-plastic that comes from wood pulp and natural cotton fibers.

Chiasi has similar glasses to mine but I obviously have the better kind. Material and function.

I answer the video call.

[Video call received]

"Hi, what are you doing?"

She sounds more friendly in person than on text.

'I just woke up, It's the Stacy's at 45th residential area, right?'

I rubbed my eyes a bit. I forget that people still go to malls every now and then. I thought automation would completely take over in-person malls but I guess not. It's sort of like how people said robots would take over the earth in 2032 but nothing like that has happened yet.

There was some robot around that time that apparently had it's potential "maximized" and went around killing some people. They escaped and to this day no one exactly knows what happened to it. The company wiped all of their info on the robot and deleted posts online about it.

After a little while, they rebranded themselves and now have drones deliver packages to people.

"Chrollo, are you still sleepy? you aren't saying anything.. You don't have to go with me if you're tired."

Chiasi woke me back up with her annoyed expression.

'Yeah, i'm awake. I'll get my clothes on and pick you up. Is there anything in particular you want to do there?'

I moved my body onto the ground near my bed. My phone was still on the bed but I put it on speaker.

"Uhhhhh... I guess get some tasty treats and shop a little.. Can you please pay for the stuff I'll be getting. We can share the snacks together!"

I hear some ruffles in the background.

'Yeah i'll be paying, just don't go too overboard though.'

*Crunch*

"I'll get ready soon. I dyed part of my hair blue so it looks super cute! It hasn't gotten to its look yet since I still need to style and stuff but I promise *crunch* it'll look really cool once you see it when you pick me up!"

Chiasi was probably eating her favorite potato chips right now. In any event, I return back to the bed to see her again.

'Yeah it'll be interesting. Now I have to get ready. I'll talk to you once I get home.'

*Crunch*

"Yup.. Bye."

[Video call ended]

She is speaking surprisingly clear for someone who's eating something right now. I look at my other notifications and see nothing of note other than Gemini sending me some image. This image is bizarre?

[I have reached my breaking point (picture of blonde "superhero" from that 2019 show that was about how bad consumerism is or something. In this image he has a thumbs up)]

Oh I get it, Gemini has gone psychotic again. This time she'll gain superpowers and wear a blue suit. Very predictable, Miss. Garcia.

[I get the appeal.]

I send that out to Gemini and start putting my clothes on. I had on a white hoodie with some tan cargo pants and sneakers on. Also a brown traveler bag that comes around my hoodie. Nothing too fancy but still has some dystopian future modernity to it. I actually have been thinking of completely overhauling my appearance (to some extent) but not sure when i'll do that.

Chiasi on the other hand dresses in an interesting way. She actually dresses similarity to Gemini but with more feminine clothing. She loves wearing black and blue arm warmers with black socks that end a little above her patella joint. She generally wears black outfits but sometimes wears brown and white outfits.

I do find it unfortunate some people at her school have teased her for being eccentric. They're just mad she has an actual personality and doesn't copy the generic fashion traits. I do hate whenever people pick on her though.

I'm not there most of the time so there's not much I can do.

She always says she doesn't let it get to her but i'm pretty sure it does. Like the time where she came home one day and started crying so hard when I found her in our basement. The lights were out but it was still day time. Chiasi was right in front of where the stairs end. I walked up to her in a hesitant way. She covered her face and moved backwards while not saying anything. She stopped crying and told me to leave her alone.

I'm not sure what exactly happened but I have an idea since this isn't the first time this has happened to her....

I put the keys into my car and the engine roars back into its mechanical life, albeit not that loud. I check the time and it's 11:27AM. The sky was light blue with some light clouds. Bright yellow mass of enormous heat. Shining but not being overly hot. Just a normal sky at this time of day..

"Mom and dad aren't here."

Chiasi seems disappointed in that fact.

'I figured.'

She is now in the car next to me in the passenger seat.

"I get to put on the music since you don't listen to much when i'm around.."

I don't have anything in particular so whatever. The car engine is still on and we depart.

"Are any of your friends coming?"

She looks over at me. I now notice the blue bangs she has now.

'I doubt it. I know we don't spend a lot of time together so this should make up for that.'

"Thanks for spending time with me I guess.."

The rest of the drive was silent except for when Chiasi occasionally said something.

We're inside the mall now with a decent population. Then Chiasi muttered something to me for some reason.

"Don't you know who that is?"

'No clue... is this one of your friends?'

"No..pee oh my god"

She's intensely staring at someone who amassed a crowd. A large one at that.

No harm in going up to some mildly familiar looking person amassing a crowd probably. If all goes wrong, this won't be hard to get out of.

We walk over and I get a better view of the person that Chiasi somehow has recognized.

"Thanks.. thanks everyone but I sort of erm.. have to part ways with you all."

"Please pardon me!"

This person on closer inspection looks like the blonde version of Hermione from the harry potter books but slightly older. And with mildly gothic clothing.

This will result in a complication. Especially if this is the person I think it is.

Zenovia looks at me for a few moments then smirks. She begins to walk up to me.

She then gestures us to walk towards the direction she's going in and into the women's bathroom. Chiasi follows us while some of the people following her stop. Although the rest seem to be pursuing her.

She darts into the women's bathroom and I close the door after us.

*SIGH*

"Quite the reunion, Chrollo. Anyway pardon me but I sort of need your help. Specifically, help with dealing with a particularly obnoxious and brutish man that also.."

She looks to her left than to Chiasi and finally me.

"Wants me to indulge him in VARIOUS ways, like being his personal therapist that can take a beating or so. Also wants me to become a puppy and lick his phallus and bark at him repeatedly."

'Can't you get anyone else to do this? Or am I just convenient for the time being.'

I put my right palm on my face while listening to her.

"I'm sorry but can you please sign my autograph.. I can give you a teddy bear pen for it..."

Chiasi is still here and has no idea why I know a politician personally. Albeit, she seems to be more pressed on meeting Zenovia.

Zenovia precedes to look at me then smiles at Chiasi. She approaches Chiasi who is right next to me. Through the mirror reflection, I see that she decided to grow her blonde hair out more.

"My pleasure, you have a really cute outfit on. I actually have the same shoes but as you can observe, I don't quite have them equipped on me."

She grabs the pen and begins to write out her name on the sheet of white paper Chiasi provided her. Chiasi's eyes light up like when I tell her that she can have my ice cream sandwich when we go out to Dairy Cream. I actually have zero idea as to why she's carrying a pen and paper to a shopping trip but whatever strikes her fancy..

"Thanks... um you're really cute too Miss Zenovia... girl writing..."

Chiasi lets out a sly grin and looks at her note.

"I try to give back to my cul- I mean my avid supports. Even if my zealous personality can apparently be infectious but you all don't seem to mind it."

"Back to you Chrollo, but I have to ask something first. What were your thoughts on the rectangular male undergarments I sent you over the mail a few months ago. That was when your birthday occurred, yes?"

'I'm pretty sure they got sent over to my house because I don't have these underwear. Can you get to the actual point now?'

"Yes. AHEM.. Ryan insists on shopping with me but I sort of would prefer NOT to be alone with him. He's very obnoxious and perverted and maybe with you, that won't happen as much. Plus I really have been meaning to spend time with you again. Mainly that."

She tilts her head back with a smile

'I'll bring Chiasi along with me but if he does or says anything suspicious.. Then I may have to take matters into my own hands'

"Same here, I infer that he's only pursuing me. Especially since that's kind of his job to actually do apparently. And apparently I should punch him in the face.. Of course mentally!"

She lets out a laugh and gestures her hands around in a mildly intimidating manner. Her right hand is in a fist. Left hand with a silver ring is up against her right hand. Her face is grinning at me.

"I can't do anything directly to me but I wouldn't mind if you publicly humiliated him.. PEACEFULLY of course.. It would be humorous."

'Do tell how long will this last. Uh.. I don't think it's healthy for anyone to be exposed this person from your negative description of him.'

I should practice how to get my thoughts out with Zenovia since she seems great at that. Faces and hand gestures, even the position of her legs change.

"It should be over in 10 minutes, nothing too ABSURD. By the way, can the both of you smell this perfume I got? It's a new run and I think it smells nice but that's just me. It should have quite the peachy fragrance to it."

Me and Chiasi went up to the bottle she was holding in her right hand. She was apparently carrying it in her pocket along with other objects.

"Is this edible? it smells really good!"

'I suppose you are correct in your judgement.'

We both got a whiff of it. Chiasi seemed more happy with it than I did.

"Oh right, let's leave out of here before anyone comes in. The interview should be starting soon and it's a magazine written.... experience with me.. So no one should be able to find you out! Minus the people who follow me."

Zenovia does smile a slight smile whenever she finishes a sentence half of the time.

We exist the bathroom and wait around for a few minutes until some middle aged man approaches us. In these minutes, Chiasi asked Zenovia some stuff and she answered.

"You Zenovia Malfoy?"

He asked while raising his left eyebrow up and looking at her.

"Yes I am. We can get started now."

"Who are these brats? your fans or some shit?"

"No. My friends are accompanying me. They will be coming with me."

Zenovia begins to walk towards one of the in-door mall shops. We follow her.

"Damn, you angry at me or some shit? you need to get in bed with me so you can be happy again."

Zenovia clicks her tongue.

"I appreciate the offer. Now follow me and i'll list off the stuff i'm buying."

Zenovia is hiding some type of emotion, probably annoyance at this man.

"I'm Ryan Camerons, the man interviewing you today. And learn to take a joke okay? i'm funny."

"Yes I know. I read the email you all sent me."

Ryan looks at me directly suddenly then back to Zenovia.

"You gotta get this chinese kid out of here, no one cares who he is and it's awkward. Okay?"

"If I do that, then there is no interview. He won't interfere with whatever you're going to ask me."

He then looks at Chiasi then back to Zenovia.

"Two females huh, this would be great if that boy back there wasn't following us like a creep.."

Chiasi moves closer to Ryan and grabs something from her pocket.

"Please do not demean my friends. Ever again."

Ryan seems unphased by that.

"You know who you're reminding me of right now? that Rene Plaza girl when I talked to her."

"I take that as a good thing for the both of us then."

We continued to walk in an awkward silence. Chiasi stepped closer to me after she was done fidgeting around with Ryan. Valorie and Victoria's was in front of us. The pink and blue pastel title greeted us. Average in size and pretty much resembling the average mall fashion store.

Ryan looked at the person behind the desk then back to Zenovia. He looked at Zenovia's lower body then to me. He looked at me and shock his head no with a smile.

"Tell the magazine that this lotion i'm holding is-"

"OH SHIT"

Ryan bent down and a stream of some brown liquid came out.

I think I know who is responsible for this.

"I DIDNT DO IT AHHHHHHH"

Everyone in the store is looking at the mess around Ryan. The rack he was near collapsed onto him. Clothes were scattered around him as well.

Zenovia looks at me then Chiasi. She held her mouth with one hand while her eyebrows was raised. Her eyes were closing a little. Almost as if.

"Thank you for teaching me that trick. Chrollo"