Chapter Text
Kyouka stood nervously outside Mori's imposing office, her small frame almost hidden by the massive double doors looming in front of her. The air was heavy with anticipation as she prepared to introduce herself to Mori, the new leader of the mafia. Beside her Kouyou, the first person she had met within the mafia, stood beside her with her normal elegant composure cutting through the thick air of silence. She gulps nervously remembering the harmless words of encouragement she received from Kouyou. Without as much as making a noise Kyouka looks behind her to the fading light of the windows at the end of the halls, almost bouncing off the darkness within her eyes, the blue eyes looked as though they would absorb all emotion.
"What should I say?" Kyouka whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the quiet tension.
Kouyou smiled with an almost odd sense of coldness.
"Just be yourself, Kyouka. Tell them what you like and dislike or something. Mori is probably already swooning over the fact he has a new young girl under his command"
Deciding to rightfully ignore the suspicious comment about Kyouka’s age she racked her brain for things she likes. She knows what she hates. Lighting, dogs, bright flashing lights, quiet long nights. Her ability. Demon snow. Taking a deep breath, Kyouka straightened her posture and steeled herself for the encounter. Kouyou looks down at the girl with amusement before pushing the doors wide open, revealing Elise, Mori's trusted aide, who beamed at the young girl with genuine excitement.
"Ah, Kyouka-chan, I’ve been waiting to meet you! Finally I can have another friend to draw with!" Elise exclaimed, hopping around the two to allow Kyouka and Kouyou to enter the office.
Kyouka's eyes darted around the room, taking in the sight of Mori, Chuuya, and the atmosphere that crackled with power. Chuuya, standing before Mori with a respectful bow, seemed indifferent to the presence of the two behind him. Mori's expression remained inscrutable, his gaze unwavering. Mori looked at Kyouka with an oddly undignified look while beckoning her to speak.
Summoning her courage, Kyouka took a step forward. "My name is Kyouka Izumi," she began, her voice clear and steady. "My likes include rabbits and tofu. My dislikes are dogs and lightning."
Chuuya straightened up at the sound of her voice, surprise flickering across his features.
Mori's voice cut through the silence, his tone commanding yet composed. "Chuuya, from this day forward, you will be Kyouka's mentor. Kouyou will continue to oversee your development, but she will also assist you in guiding Kyouka."
Chuuya's mouth opened, but no words emerged. The unexpected turn of events left him grappling with his new role. He had not anticipated being assigned as a mentor. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders, leaving him momentarily speechless. Kyouka observed his reaction with detached disinterest, her gaze shifting from Chuuya to Mori.
Kouyou's laughter filled the room, a melodic sound that carried both warmth and mischief.
Chuuya rose slowly from his kneeling position on the vast carpet of the office before turning around swiftly to face Kyouka. Grumbling while adjusting the sleeves of his tattered leather jacket he kneels down to Kyouka’s height with a smile.
He says as warmly as he can, “My name’s Nakahara Chuuya, nice to meet you. I look forward to teaching you.”
Kyouka bows her head back politely, “Nice to meet you too. I will be in your care.”
“So would you like to join me and Elise on a shopping trip?” Mori asks directly at Kyouka.
“Shut up Rintarou, me and Kyouka are going to draw after this.” Elise hops onto his study desk while accusingly pointing at him.
“But Elisee~” Mori says disappointedly, sulking back into his chair.
“Just pretend you don’t see anything, and let’s leave, we need to get you proper mafia attire. And you too Chuuya.” Kouyou says, leading the two out of the office while the sound of Mori and Elise’s quarrel rises louder.
“Ugh, ane-san really? I think this leather jacket is fine.” Chuuya groans inwardly while stuffing his hands back into his pockets aggressively.
“Yes, and for the love of god stop calling me that. I’m not old, you know.” Kouyou says back snarkily.
Kyouka simply allows the two of them to verbally fight over her head. She looks down at the dirt smudged all over her feet, and the tattered sleeves of the remains of her favourite pink kimono, the very same she tried to keep from the dreaded day her parents were murdered. She knew that she had to be grateful for being saved from the depths of the slums, but she wasn’t satisfied yet. No, not until this wretched demon living inside her phone will she finally allow herself to die. So until then she will live as a burden to the people around her.