Student Rankings - Part 2

"Let bygones be bygones, huh? So... since we moved past that little siltation, where is your little friend Timothy by the way?" Ethan asked awkwardly after standing in silence for a few minutes as Rin was of no help in prolonging the conversation.

"Well to be honest, I'm just as clueless as you," Rin replied honestly as he thought back to the conversation he had with Timothy a month ago, "However, he did tell me he'll be here before the semester finishes, so until then I guess it's just us too."

"Hmm, now that's just great… so what can you recall from your last conversation with him, as while he may have been a fool, he was punctual... I will give him that," Ethan asked as he sat down next to Rin and took a sip of his fruit punch.

***

Sometime after Rin returned from Planet X...

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hmm, just who is it now?" muttered Rin tiredly with irritation after being abruptly awoken from his sleep at 3:30 am by his phone as he sat up with his eyes half closed and answered the phone.

"Um… who is this?"

"Damn, it can't be this long since we last talked that you've already forgotten me," Timothy chuckled, "But anywho how have you been, Rin?"

'Oh, it's this fool...' Thought Rin with surprise and shock once he recognized the voice as the Timothy he knew despised the morning, "Well, well so the fat man finally chose to get in shape for the new year… but seriously what's up?"

"Chill… it isn't anything like that, I just wanted to check up on you, like is everything cool? How have you been recently considering how hectic Japan has been recently, Mister Emperor?" Timothy asked considering this would be the last time, they would be able to talk until he returned from training. 

"Please, don't ever say that hideous name again as Emperor will be just fine, Timothy the Tin Man aka peasant. So, just what is going on as you are not the type to be up this early?" asked Rin even though it was nice to catch up with a friend sleep was calling his name.

"Damn, so it's like that, huh?" Timothy said as he began to softly sob while occasionally sniffling.

"Tsk, Timothy just stop with the act and tell me why you called me."

"Sigh… well, I won't be able to make it to orientation, due to finding a master who's willing to undertake the task of making me the fastest Sumo swordsman. However, I promise I will be there before the first semester is over, so until next Rin as where I'm going phones don't work and good food is nonexistent." Timothy said before hanging up and walking toward his terminal so that could board his flight to India.

"But wait, didn't you say-" Rin was about to say before Timothy hung up, and whenever he tried to call him it just went straight to voicemail after the first ring, 'Well then good luck, and hopefully, you didn't get scammed again by another crazy monk, Timothy.' 

Rin thought a bit baffled at the turn of events, but then again to each their own.

***

"Wait... wait, are you sure we're talking about the same person, Rin?!" Ethan asked bewilderedly as this did not sound anything like Timothy, he knew.

"I'm positive it was him, but I can't lie he did catch me off guard when he told me the news. Yet, enough about Timothy, so what brings the infamous Ethan Davis to Forbidden Blood?"

"You," Ethan replied with a cheeky smile as he glanced at Rin after finishing the rest of his fruit juice.

"Ethan... even though we aren't the best of buddies, can you please be serious with me for once? So, what is your true purpose for coming here?" Rin asked as he was only here because it is tradition for direct descendants of the Kurama Clan to attend Forbidden Blood.

"I'd love to tell you… but even I am unaware, so why don't we return to the party? As there is someone I want you to meet," Ethan said mysteriously with a smile as he stood up, 'Sorry, Rin, but it is better if fewer people knew the true reason for my presence here as things could get messy if too many people caught wind of the treasure residing here.'

"Come on, the least you could do is give me a hint?!"

"Rin I'd love to, but until the assignment is completed… I am sworn to secrecy, but I can say it will be a movie so do remember to buy some popcorn." Ethan said with a devious smile as he wrapped his hand around Rin's shoulder before whispering something into his ear, "However, if you could do me a favor, do try and act like a normal civilian once we enter the ballroom. As I can't be seen with a savage, these times of the year, my good sir."

"The only savage I see is you as know doesn't the know the tale of Ethan Davis, or should I say Jack~" Rin smiled as he gazed at his friend and walked into the ballroom, leaving him to his own devices.

Swoosh.

"Tsk, it seems we may have all underestimated the intelligence network of the Kurama Clan," Ethan muttered before taking out his phone and texting someone before walking into the party.

***

A couple of minutes later as the party began to simmer down…

Considering, it was approaching the destinated hour to announce the Schools Ranking of the 33rd Freshmen Class. People could be seen surveying their surroundings as they tried to weed out the weak and make a mental note of those to be wary of moving forward.

"So, Rin this is Isabella, Isabella this is Rin," Ethan said after wasting the past two minutes looking for him before realizing he went back outside.

"Nice to meet you, Rin! I have heard so much about you, however, I am a bit tight on time, so is there any chance we could do this another time?" Isabella asked with haste after glancing at her watch and noticing it was about time to pick up her little sister from karate.

"Sure... no problem, just ask Ethan for my information and he can reschedule this for another time. But anywho it was nice meeting you, Isabella," Rin said with a smile as he felt oddly attracted to Isabella for some reason.

"Thank you! But seriously I got to go so bye, Rin. Oh, and Ethan, Bianca said, 'Hi!'" Isabella said with a giggle as she waved goodbye and disappeared into the night.

"So, what do you think?" Ethan asked with a mischievous grin as he nudged Rin.

"She's cool, I just wish she could have…" Rin commented before stopping and standing there awkwardly as a slight blush dyed his face red.

"She could've what, don't stop now say it," Ethan said as he nudged Rin further.

"I just wish she could have… nothing, as whatever I was about to say isn't for the faint of heart."

"Oh, so does the infamous otaku have a crush now?!" asked Ethan with a bit of skepticism yet hope that there was a possibility of this cinder block to find love.

"Shut up, it isn't anything like that, I just think she's cool and a good vibe to be around."

"Hmm, if you say so..."

"Well, whatever it is it can't be more important than this," stated Rin as Victoria began to read off the names of the top 10 of 33rd Class of FB.

"Now, I know this has been put off for quite a while, but here are the Top 10 Freshmen Students of Forbidden Blood! So can we please get a round of applause for ~

1. Isaac Newton

2. Ethan Davis

3. Rin Kurama

4. Wendell Stone

5. Maze Kurama

6. Ghost

7. Jack Van Leaf

8. Isabella Moon

9. Jack Wang

10. Timothy Colorado