PART ONE, CHAPTER FOUR: "SEA SNAKE"

-THE GOLDEN BOY & THE INNER CITY-

The cafeteria's emptiness meant it was a good day to monologue.

Let's do it, I guess. Minako Minakami prepares for action!

There are a bunch of things you learn after becoming a delinquent. People don't tell you, but respect is a pretty big thing for them. If you don't show respect, they'll either crush you or get frozen in a block of ice trying. It's tough, y'know?

What they also don't tell you is that their intimidation factor doesn't come from their total headcount, accumulated territory, or whatever. It mostly came from their leader. Take, for example, that natural disaster of a Golden King. That's a good description, right?

The Golden King's round table didn't have many members, maybe around eight, but that aurum tyrant's name was enough to send people packing. It probably helped that the law of his circle was something along the lines of "power dominates."

"Mi."

"Eh?" I turned to meet the other girl's gaze.

The upstanding girl who knelt before me was a special person to me, a precious friend closer than anyone I could think of. Her frame was tall and slender. She had waist-length dark red hair (done up in a ponytail) and a pair of pretty scarlet eyes. Yeah, she was definitely the same age as me, but—

"Like always, your body is outrageous," I mumbled.

It was a complete and utter defeat on my part. A contest with no hope of victory, this was the so-called hopeless boss fight scenario. You can't win, so the best thing to do is lay down and take your beating. Don't bother wasting your items.

The redhead frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean, Mi. Certainly my physical conditioning is a cut above most, but that's only natural. I'd rather not brag, but I'm at least allowed some level of confidence. After all—"

"Let's put that aside, Kei."

Yeah, this girl was Kei. Keiko Kusanagi.

Kei and I went way back. You could even call us childhood friends. She lived across the street from my home, and we've been in the same class ever since. She probably wouldn't have made it into second class at this school if I hadn't helped her study. While I wasn't particularly brainy, Kei was a tried and true idiot. A high level believer in the school of hard knocks, even against herself!

"Er," I scratched my head. "Sorry, but it's true."

Her frown widened. "I don't really understand, but very well."

Internally lambasting Kei didn't feel very good, so I thought about something else. There was, after all, a reason I'd waited here. There'd have to be one, right? Most people didn't host two-gal tribunals in the school cafeteria for no reason. At least, that's what common sense told me.

Anyway, let's get to the first point of interest for today's discussion.

"Anything new?" I asked.

Kei nodded. "Yes, on this so-called Satou Shibuya."

"Er," I squinted, "who?"

"Satou... Shibuya?" The redhead seemed to lose confidence.

"Whatever, no biggie. I'm pretty sure we're on the same page, the specifics don't matter. I don't like mincing words, not one bit, so let's get to the meat of this whole shebang. Did you notice it too, Kei?"

"Yes, of course. Satou Shibuya does look a bit familiar, doesn't he. Given time, I might be able to place those eyes of his. Yes, yes, it certainly feels like I've met him somewhere, though I'm not sure where—"

"Not that. The hair, Kei. I'm talking about his hair!" I said this with a frown. "Then again, he came away looking pretty good when I was done with him. Some of my better work, especially for something done on the spot. Feeling pretty good about it to be honest."

Kei cleared her throat. "Returning to form, I don't think it was that strange. His hair, rather."

"That's not fair, you haven't had to do your own hair in years. Your perception is skewed, Kei. Like a bird underwater, or like a fish in the sky." I nodded, satisfied with this comparison. "Not sure what, but I propose that Saito Shibuchi has more going on than he'd like to admit."

"Satou Shibuya," Kei corrected. "Also, I agree."

My gaze wandered to a student that'd just entered. "What's more, doesn't Souta Shibusen have a sort of air about him? Doesn't it feel like he's really some kind of wild animal? Like, if you gave him an instant, doesn't it feel like he'd spit on you or something? Or like, stomp on you?"

"Satou Shibuya," Kei corrected me again. I was having too much fun. "And I suppose he did have a rather intense air about him. His eyes were far sharper than your run of the mill fool who doesn't know where they stand. It was a familiar feeling, really. To give my thoughts, Satou Shibuya gives off a rather tense air. He no doubt practices martial arts."

"Eh? What kind?"

"What kind? Mi, even I cannot figure out such a thing at a glance. Rather, I doubt the existence of such a convenient eye technique."

"That's not important right now. I'm confident he'd be a good pick, Kei." I pumped my fist. "We should go for him. I've got a good feeling, you know? The special kind of feeling you get after winning something rare out of the gacha machine. Feeling seriously lucky. You better not get snatched up, Satou Shinjuku!"

"That's the wrong ward, Mi." Kei responded. "Also, while it's true that we might be able to make it in time with his help, I've found out something else. It seems as though it might be important, at least in the context of your... special feeling."

I crossed my arms. "It doesn't matter what it is, we'll handle it. We're in this together, and I'm gonna help you until you get your seat. We're already on a time limit, so we've gotta go fast. Throw caution into the wind, you know? All it takes is a little passion, Kei. You should know that better than me!"

"I have news regarding Satou Shibuya." Kei narrowed her gaze.

"Eh? No way, why the darker tone?"

"...First, let's have lunch."

-S0010-

I sneezed.

"Satou, you okay?" Shizuka asked.

"Yes, it's nothing major."

"You're not lying or anything, right?"

My sister didn't sound amused, and I couldn't blame her.

"Would you come and visit the Student Council room after school?"

After uttering those words, Kaede Kotobuki quickly finished her lunch. Before I could ask her another question, she got up and disappeared. Yes, she quite literally disappeared. Perhaps her power was teleporting? Regardless, that explanation returns us to the present.

Shizuka frowned. "Anyway, why are you the one who looks unhappy? I should be mad."

"People have been saying black hair doesn't suit me."

"People?"

"Very well, one person." I corrected.

"...Well, I guess it does look a bit weird."

I frowned. "Thank you for the advanced notice, sister dearest. Now that I'm in the know, I can avoid any harrowing social situations. My oh my, it'd be tragic if I was thrown to the wolves without any idea of my perhaps next-level foolish appearance. As expected, my coolest sister certainly has my back!"

Shizuka scooted away. Now she cleared her throat. "With eyes like that, you can't really pull off the honour student look. Let's not forget that your only concession in the endeavor for normality, reluctant as you were, was no piercings at school! No offense, Satou, but that's pretty stupid."

"First, a Satou Shibuya without solid gold adorning his perfect figure is nothing more than a hack. Second, you should've told me that I looked weird beforehand, idiot! What is this, some bizarre circus for the sublime?!"

"You were so adamant on black hair that I couldn't get a word in! Besides, why black hair? There are some good dyes I guess, but this island has a lot of different hair colors. Heck, you'd stand out less if your hair was electric blue! Or hot pink! Or brown, like it's supposed to be!"

I silently accepted defeat.

Shizuka sighed. "Wanna wash it out when we get home?"

"I'll just get rid of it now."

"...I mean, if you say so."

The tone that Shizuka took struck me as odd, but I paid it no mind. I decided to get this over with while nobody was around. Well, nobody plus Shizuka. This was an important factor, as in no way could Shizuka be classified as a nobody. For now though, let's put that aside.

My gaze narrowed. "Prepare revert aspect."

Having an ability that required specifics was a bit annoying, but it was still useful. In this case, the specifics were because I wasn't used to singling out my ability's individual aspects. It was easier to activate all processes at once, like starting up a computer proper.

"No activation aria. Boot code. Load utility code one, stage one."

Reiki in the air gathered around my body. Shizuka scooted further away, so as not to get caught up in the effect. I didn't blame her; Shizuka spent a while dolling herself up this morning. I wasn't sure why, but such could be ascertained later.

The colorless reiki converged in the palm of my dominant right hand. It twisted into a crackling golden energy. Twinkling sparks spilled forth, showering the ground with pebble-sized shooting stars. They bounced once or twice, like rocks on a lake's surface, then fizzled out.

I snapped my fingers. "Activate."

With a brief flash of light, the golden glow faded. All that remained was a faint whirring noise, not unlike the dying groans of old machinery. That should have done the trick.

In the end, that's all it is. A trick.

It wasn't anything that warranted some kind of applause. It was a mundane (albeit convenient) use for one of my ability's four aspects. That's not to say I wasn't satisfied with it. All abilities had to be good for at least one mundane trick. Outside of military activities, a tool for destruction had little purpose in any sort of modern society.

I turned to my sister. "Did it work?"

"Yeah, it's brown again." She paused. "I think it's at the point just before I dyed it."

That meant it hadn't reverted back too far. I was afraid it'd go back to the days when I dyed my hair blonde. Such'd be a dead giveaway regarding my past. Fortunately, my fears had been without base. I wonder, why did I lose faith? There was no way I'd make such a basic mistake.

"Does it still look weird?" I asked.

"Well no, but—"

"But?"

"It's weird to just change hair colors in the middle of a school day, isn't it?"

I frowned. "That's your problem? How foolish."

Glazing over my insult, Shizuka spoke. "Still, you've gotten better at using your ability."

"You're only saying this now? An ability mustn't retain any bad habits. Mine is a good child, provided it gets everything it desires." I reclined in my seat. "Abilities have to be good at more than just breaking things if you want to lead a fulfilling life. I've got to learn new things, sister dearest."

"And that includes fixing hair?"

"Leave me alone."

In the end, Shizuka and I continued basking in the frigid lunchtime breeze. Even as we conversed, however, I still felt her to be unhappy. I quickly tried to formulate a plan of action, but nothing came to mind. I decided the best solution would be throwing myself at her mercy. Foolish thoughts like "What's the worst that could happen?" filled my head.

"Apologies, sister dearest. You should've been the first to know of my test score."

"No kidding?" She snickered.

"Don't misunderstand though, I wouldn't be so forthright about my mistakes with anyone else." A pause. After a few moments, I continued speaking. "I've got a reputation, you see. If I were anything less than perfect, I wouldn't be worthy of—"

"Get to the point, Satou."

"Let me finish, idiot!" Heat gathered in my cheeks. "Ah, um, what I mean is, I don't mind listening to any immediate requests you might have. Within reason, I mean. I won't atomize anything larger than a tree, it'd be unfortunate if someone saw me. Not for me, rather. For them."

Shizuka sighed. "It's whatever, what sister isn't used to her unruly younger brother's antics?"

Ah, what a relief.

Shizuka was prone to making unreasonable requests, especially if given leeway. She was the elder of us two twins, but I kept her on quite a short leash! After all, how else could I keep her safe?

"We're siblings, Satou. Gotta look out for each other. After all, I—" Shizuka paused.

"Hm?"

"Wait, whatever I want?"

-S0011-

"Satou, get me something to drink!"

My sister said the above, all the while crossing her arms like a brute.

This was, in no uncertain terms, her way of getting revenge. Being the person I was, who thought of her as my most important person, I decided to get the mighty Shizuka Shibuya a drink. It was the dawn of Satou Shibuya's life behind bars! A new age! There was one flaw in my sister's plan though.

"You didn't tell me what kind of drink to buy," I whispered.

Pay unto evil with evil. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth. On this day, Shizuka would receive her much-detested red bean soup. Bow before Satou Shibuya, he with control over your received beverage. My power over vending machines was absolute, at least provided I had the finances to waste!

"Ahem."

After my fit subsided, I continued on my way. I didn't know where the nearest vending machine was. As a result, I'd gotten up and waltzed back to the first year building's grounds. There had to be at least one in that general area, and I was determined to find it.

Eventually I spotted the red-black plastic shape I'd sought: the legendary "school vending machine" that I'd heard of so many times before in myth. I quickly made my way over. Unfortunately, I was less than satisfied with the swill that I found.

"This is snacks, not drinks." I murmured.

How disappointing.

As I turned away, I saw something in the vending machine's slot. It was out of the corner of my left eye. How had I nearly missed it? The eyes of a bargain bin stalker eluded me, but this'd looked like a free snack in every respect. Those were—

"Chips? How curious, how curious."

Someone probably bought the wrong item. Or perhaps they accidentally received two bags without noticing. Regardless, this couldn't be unsanitary. They didn't look to have been opened, plus it'd be a waste to leave them behind. I wasn't particularly cheap, mind you.

I extended a hand towards the free snack, carefully glancing from side to side. It wouldn't do if someone saw this fairly shameful show of thriftiness. Unexpected, however, was the something I grabbed in place of a bag of chips. I peered downwards to see what it was.

A wrist?

No, not a disembodied wrist. Someone else'd reached for the bag of chips. Common sense wasn't in such high demand that I couldn't determine this. I wonder, did this fool understand the nature of his failure? All that my eyes fell on belonged to me, and these chips were no exception. I needed to assert my dominance.

"Ah, sorry." I tightened my grip. "That's mine."

"My, is that so?" A familiar voice chimed.

I see, so you're my foe this time.

Knowing who the person in question was, I slowly turned towards them. Short green hair, serpentine yellow eyes, and a toothy smile greeted me. His uniform was uncharacteristically neat, which put me off. The snake'd been half a second faster, but I'd caught his wrist.

This was Genjou Gekkouhara.

Yes, Genjou Gekkouhara—

"Yo, Satoto." Genjou leaned in, interrupting my train of thought. "Fancy meeting you here. I take it you're working through an internal monologue about me? Am I good or what?"

I narrowed my gaze. "What, actually. I don't know what you're talking about. Also, don't act so familiar. It's embarrassing. Or rather, who is this strange person with puke-green hair and ugly eyes? I wonder, why are they talking to me? There's an order to these things, filth."

"Huh? It's seaweed green, Satoto."

"I don't care. Most people don't talk about their hair dye choices during first talks with a new person. Similarly, most people don't touch people they've just met."

"Is it like that?" He snickered. "I mean, you touched me."

"It's like that." Bloodthirst oozed forth.

With a snap of his fingers, Genjou's wrist slipped through my fingertips and into open air. Or rather than slipped, it'd be more accurate to say his wrist phased through my hand. That type of power was difficult for me to handle, and it belonged to someone I couldn't stand.

"I won't break that easily, Santana. Besides, should the top scoring first year really be acting violent?" Genjou snickered. "I thought you were starting over."

I lowered my voice. "...What do you want, Genjou?"

Genjou smirked. "So you do know me. Get this, some rude person was here earlier, pretending he didn't know me. Can you believe that, Satolio? Someone who doesn't know about the Golden King's undefeated Silver Knight? I didn't think it was possible!"

Impertinent fool. What are you, five?

"Make words, Genjou, or make like a banana."

"Split?" He smiled.

"I'll skin you."

Genjou shrugged his shoulders. "It's not like I intended to run into you here, Satyr. It was a coincidence. A super big coincidence. Still, it's not all bad. My precious Saturn seems to be doing well, and knowing that means I can relax."

"Nobody asked for your concern." I frowned. "Bow or leave."

"Yes, yes—"

"Why are you actually bowing?!"

Genjou chuckled, returning to his feet. He spent a few moments dusting himself off. You know, making sure he looked presentable. I, on the other hand, used that brief moment of respite to calm myself. After I'd relaxed and Genjou'd cleaned himself up, we moved to another topic.

"The other Golden King is looking for you, Salto."

I sighed. "What a fool."

The current Golden King was Midas A. Goldstein, a member of my Round Table. His supernatural ability granted an incorruptible mind, an indestructable body, and heightened physical strength. Such was how he earned his place as my Pyrite Rook.

I wonder what he wants, the foolish meathead.

Midas was, needless to say, unreasonably violent. Still, that wasn't my problem. If he still hadn't found me, he likely didn't know where to look. If anything, he wouldn't know where to look for a while. After all, I'd done a fairly good job keeping a low profile!

"Monologuing again?"

"You're unmistakeably wrong." I paused for a moment. "Unrelated by the way, but I have a question."

Genjou tilted his head. "Yes?"

"Does the name Iori Ikuzawa ring any bells?"

"That guy? He's pretty normal, Satellite."

Normal?

I massaged my brow. "You've given me little to work with, Genjou."

Asking Genjou probably wasn't the best idea. A snake obviously wouldn't tell me what I wanted, and Genjou was no different. As much as I hated praising him for it, Genjou was good at concealing information. Even if he'd been lying, there was no way for me to tell. I spent a moment sizing up the filth, but to no avail. Sighing, I turned and walked off.

"Visit when you get the chance! My sister misses you, she foams at the mouth literally every time I say your name!" Genjou yelled.

With that, I made my way back to Shizuka. At the last second though, it dawned on me.

"Ah—"

I didn't get those chips from Genjou.