Chapter Five: 3
Alexander89
Pet the pretty kitty? Y/N
- Location
- Italy
[X] Primary List:
-[X] Harigane Onigase
-[X] Aria Komori
-[X] Kagamiin Kyoka
[X] Secondary List:
-[X] Kae Serinuma
-[X] Haru Maki
-[X] Miri Natayama
Once again every member of the Devil's Council talk and discuss until three candidates are chosen for each list and assigned to different groups. Suzuna immediately takes Onigase, her eyes sparkling with something you are perfectly happy not acknowledging. While you love being surprised, you think you can safely sign the recruitment of the pink-haired girl as a 'failure'.
You give the usual guidelines for recruitment and declare the reenactment of the Recruitment Effort [Deal with the Devil] (which is met with lukewarm reactions, the heathens) before leaving together with Rica and Amaya.
As you walk through the school halls you once again go through the dossier about Aria Komoki. At first glance this girl one year your senior is the very picture of the classical Japanese ideal beauty, the [Yamato Nadeshiko]: long and luscious straight black hair, black eyes, a slim and proportionate build, talented at everything she does and possessing a demure and gentle personality. Coupled with her coming from a wealthy family with a long history and being part of Class 10, the [Special Standard Class], she could quite possibly be second only to Medaka in popularity if she bothers to stand out even a little more. Not that she hasn't her own admirers, they simply don't make great waves in the rumor mill.
However, there are two tiny facts that doesn't quite fit the idyllic picture above. One, there are records of a girl with similar physical traits taking part in street fights all over the city since a few years ago.
Two, during the treasure hunt one of the sports club ambushed the Ikebana Club which she is part of...only to be ruthlessly crushed by Komoki herself using a fighting style too precise and effective to be a spur of the moment. That was Naze's opinion, which you share. And even if her knowing martial arts fits with her background, the smile on her face as her fist crush her opponent's face is not one that a true Yamato Nadeshiko would ever display.
It's the smile of a sadist that delight in the pain and humiliation they deliver to others and the feeling of superiority they feel while doing so.
It's a very familiar smile.
"What do you think Day-san?" You ask the Japanese-American girl after passing her the dossier.
"Good chances of her public persona being a cover, with her clandestine activities reflecting her true personality." She answers, her sharp gaze staring at the snapshots of Aria fighting. "I wouldn't mind fighting against her."
"How do you rate your chances against her?"
"With my equipment, good. Unarmed, less good but still doable."
You give out a neutral hum before dropping the conversation. While it's possible it will come down to a fight you don't care who does it, if you or Amaya. What's important is winning against Aria, because if you can predict her thought processes right it would be the only way to successfully persuade her to join the Devil's Council. Of course, thanks to Rica you could make victory certain and completely foolproof...but that would be a huge waste of potential for something very petty.
The Ikebana Club is in one of the more traditional styled wings of Hakoniwa, the rooms having tatami and wooden sliding doors. As far as you know it's one of the clubs with less members, but there is no respectable school in Japan that would disband a club like the Ikebana one. You slowly but firmly rap your knuckles against the wood surface to announce your arrival.
"One moment please." A soft, cultured voice comes from within. You wait for a dozen of seconds, your hearing picking up the sound of someone moving around while carrying heavy stuff. Then the door slides open, revealing a kimono-wearing Aria Komoki. "I wish you a good day." She bows formally. "How can I be of assistance?"
"You are Aria Komoki-san, correct? A pleasure to meet you sempai." You return the bow. "My name is Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, president of the Devil's Council. If possible, I would like have a talk with you."
"Of course." She stands to the side and graciously gestures to the free path. "Please come in."
After Rica and Day introduce themselves everyone sit seiza on the floor, Aria in front of you and your fellow members on your sides. "I heard a lot about you, Hitoyoshi-kun. I must confess that I found the Treasure Event very enjoyable."
'I know you did.' "Thank you." You nod and smile. "It's comforting to know that my efforts to make the school life of my fellows students an unforgettable experience bear fruits."
"It's a breath of fresh air. Now, may I inquire what you wish to talk about with me?"
"Well..." You pretend to think about it. "Let me begin by saying I like your smile."
"Ah, thank you for the compliment." Her smile widens, a bit of pink coloring her cheeks.
Really now, those are some A-grade acting skills. "You misunderstand. Not the smile you're showing me now."
Two fingers go under your jacket and come back with a photo you put between you and her.
"This smile."
Her hand crashes down on your own like the axe of an executioner. To an outside observer it would look like she is simply resting her hand over yours, while in truth she's trying with all her strength to crush it.
She's strong alright, but not strong enough.
Aria's pleasant aura has evaporated, replaced with a glare that promise unimaginable pain unless her demands are meet. "How did you get this?" Her tone is much more rough and abrasive now, similar to the delinquents she usually beat but still with traces of her high-class upbringing.
"Sorry." Rica mutters while holding up a hand.
She older girl throws her a quick glance before her eyes focus back on yours. "Please be at ease Komoki-sempai." You still pleasantly smile. "I am not here to blackmail you: merely to make you an offer. And before you ask: no, you don't have to accept or else."
"How nice of you." She grins, obviously not believing you. She keeps looking at your face with an expectant look, the pressure around your hand increasing even more, before she lets go with a disgruntled snort, though there is also a faint amount of respect. "Let's hear this offer."
You pull back your hand, leaving the photo there, and rest it on your thigh. "Aria Komoki-sempai. I formally invite you to join the Devil's Council."
"Oooh?" She crosses her arms while raising an eyebrow. "And why would you want that? Because of my skills in Ikebana? My good grades? Maybe, my family's money?"
"Your fighting skills." You tell her with complete and utter honesty.
She seems genuinely startled at the answer, though her mask quickly goes back into place. Her eyes narrow as she tries to discern your real intention. "And why should I accept?"
Good question. "Uhm...because, aren't you tired of beating small-grade thugs?" You give her a knowing grin. "Don't you wish to fight someone stronger than that?"
Her stare is as hard as steel. "...Are you that someone, Hitoyoshi-kun?"
"Not the only one." You reply, letting her drawn her own conclusions.
She stares some more before throwing back her head and laughing. When she looks back at you her grin is positively bloodthirsty. "I hope you're prepared to back up your words, because you just made me interested."
You will take that as a compliment.
Who will fight Aria?
[] Zenkichi
[] Amaya
Do you want to keep following Zenkichi, or see how the other recruitment efforts are going?
[] Stay with Zenkichi
[] See what is happening with Onigase
[] See what is happening with Kagamiin Kyoka
-[X] Harigane Onigase
-[X] Aria Komori
-[X] Kagamiin Kyoka
[X] Secondary List:
-[X] Kae Serinuma
-[X] Haru Maki
-[X] Miri Natayama
Once again every member of the Devil's Council talk and discuss until three candidates are chosen for each list and assigned to different groups. Suzuna immediately takes Onigase, her eyes sparkling with something you are perfectly happy not acknowledging. While you love being surprised, you think you can safely sign the recruitment of the pink-haired girl as a 'failure'.
You give the usual guidelines for recruitment and declare the reenactment of the Recruitment Effort [Deal with the Devil] (which is met with lukewarm reactions, the heathens) before leaving together with Rica and Amaya.
As you walk through the school halls you once again go through the dossier about Aria Komoki. At first glance this girl one year your senior is the very picture of the classical Japanese ideal beauty, the [Yamato Nadeshiko]: long and luscious straight black hair, black eyes, a slim and proportionate build, talented at everything she does and possessing a demure and gentle personality. Coupled with her coming from a wealthy family with a long history and being part of Class 10, the [Special Standard Class], she could quite possibly be second only to Medaka in popularity if she bothers to stand out even a little more. Not that she hasn't her own admirers, they simply don't make great waves in the rumor mill.
However, there are two tiny facts that doesn't quite fit the idyllic picture above. One, there are records of a girl with similar physical traits taking part in street fights all over the city since a few years ago.
Two, during the treasure hunt one of the sports club ambushed the Ikebana Club which she is part of...only to be ruthlessly crushed by Komoki herself using a fighting style too precise and effective to be a spur of the moment. That was Naze's opinion, which you share. And even if her knowing martial arts fits with her background, the smile on her face as her fist crush her opponent's face is not one that a true Yamato Nadeshiko would ever display.
It's the smile of a sadist that delight in the pain and humiliation they deliver to others and the feeling of superiority they feel while doing so.
It's a very familiar smile.
"What do you think Day-san?" You ask the Japanese-American girl after passing her the dossier.
"Good chances of her public persona being a cover, with her clandestine activities reflecting her true personality." She answers, her sharp gaze staring at the snapshots of Aria fighting. "I wouldn't mind fighting against her."
"How do you rate your chances against her?"
"With my equipment, good. Unarmed, less good but still doable."
You give out a neutral hum before dropping the conversation. While it's possible it will come down to a fight you don't care who does it, if you or Amaya. What's important is winning against Aria, because if you can predict her thought processes right it would be the only way to successfully persuade her to join the Devil's Council. Of course, thanks to Rica you could make victory certain and completely foolproof...but that would be a huge waste of potential for something very petty.
====
The Ikebana Club is in one of the more traditional styled wings of Hakoniwa, the rooms having tatami and wooden sliding doors. As far as you know it's one of the clubs with less members, but there is no respectable school in Japan that would disband a club like the Ikebana one. You slowly but firmly rap your knuckles against the wood surface to announce your arrival.
"One moment please." A soft, cultured voice comes from within. You wait for a dozen of seconds, your hearing picking up the sound of someone moving around while carrying heavy stuff. Then the door slides open, revealing a kimono-wearing Aria Komoki. "I wish you a good day." She bows formally. "How can I be of assistance?"
"You are Aria Komoki-san, correct? A pleasure to meet you sempai." You return the bow. "My name is Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, president of the Devil's Council. If possible, I would like have a talk with you."
"Of course." She stands to the side and graciously gestures to the free path. "Please come in."
After Rica and Day introduce themselves everyone sit seiza on the floor, Aria in front of you and your fellow members on your sides. "I heard a lot about you, Hitoyoshi-kun. I must confess that I found the Treasure Event very enjoyable."
'I know you did.' "Thank you." You nod and smile. "It's comforting to know that my efforts to make the school life of my fellows students an unforgettable experience bear fruits."
"It's a breath of fresh air. Now, may I inquire what you wish to talk about with me?"
"Well..." You pretend to think about it. "Let me begin by saying I like your smile."
"Ah, thank you for the compliment." Her smile widens, a bit of pink coloring her cheeks.
Really now, those are some A-grade acting skills. "You misunderstand. Not the smile you're showing me now."
Two fingers go under your jacket and come back with a photo you put between you and her.
"This smile."
Her hand crashes down on your own like the axe of an executioner. To an outside observer it would look like she is simply resting her hand over yours, while in truth she's trying with all her strength to crush it.
She's strong alright, but not strong enough.
Aria's pleasant aura has evaporated, replaced with a glare that promise unimaginable pain unless her demands are meet. "How did you get this?" Her tone is much more rough and abrasive now, similar to the delinquents she usually beat but still with traces of her high-class upbringing.
"Sorry." Rica mutters while holding up a hand.
She older girl throws her a quick glance before her eyes focus back on yours. "Please be at ease Komoki-sempai." You still pleasantly smile. "I am not here to blackmail you: merely to make you an offer. And before you ask: no, you don't have to accept or else."
"How nice of you." She grins, obviously not believing you. She keeps looking at your face with an expectant look, the pressure around your hand increasing even more, before she lets go with a disgruntled snort, though there is also a faint amount of respect. "Let's hear this offer."
You pull back your hand, leaving the photo there, and rest it on your thigh. "Aria Komoki-sempai. I formally invite you to join the Devil's Council."
"Oooh?" She crosses her arms while raising an eyebrow. "And why would you want that? Because of my skills in Ikebana? My good grades? Maybe, my family's money?"
"Your fighting skills." You tell her with complete and utter honesty.
She seems genuinely startled at the answer, though her mask quickly goes back into place. Her eyes narrow as she tries to discern your real intention. "And why should I accept?"
Good question. "Uhm...because, aren't you tired of beating small-grade thugs?" You give her a knowing grin. "Don't you wish to fight someone stronger than that?"
Her stare is as hard as steel. "...Are you that someone, Hitoyoshi-kun?"
"Not the only one." You reply, letting her drawn her own conclusions.
She stares some more before throwing back her head and laughing. When she looks back at you her grin is positively bloodthirsty. "I hope you're prepared to back up your words, because you just made me interested."
You will take that as a compliment.
Who will fight Aria?
[] Zenkichi
[] Amaya
Do you want to keep following Zenkichi, or see how the other recruitment efforts are going?
[] Stay with Zenkichi
[] See what is happening with Onigase
[] See what is happening with Kagamiin Kyoka
