Third Person

~

The next morning is warm and surreal in its arrival. The only reminders of the previous day's attack were the never relenting news channels, the internet, and the areas most affected by their battle.

Even then, an ethereal calm has befallen the city, like a strong haze pushing everyone to move on despite the restless fear that should be in its place.

The eerie feeling irritated Troy to his core but he more or less understood what was happening, forces beyond the average human knowledge were at work and he knows it was for the best.

During school, he lets his mind drift off to more concerning issues. He'd gotten a different vision last night which deeply unsettled him because he still felt some unresolved tension from the first one.

This new vision had an entirely different vibe from the one concerning the future of Tokyo.

A lone church in the middle of a stormy field with no other structures in sight. The bells tolled incessantly in the raging winds and the skies roared with thunder and bright flashes of golden light. The winds continue to rise in pitch every passing second, howling through the trees and pushing him ever closer to the church despite his aversion to it.

Rains poured down from the sky, bright red droplets that hit the ground and filled into golden puddles. He'd knelt by one puddle to closer inspect it but all he could see was his reflection wearing a smile he was sure he never wore.

He reached out a finger to touch the strange liquid when a hand reached out from the pool grabbing his, dragging him in and making him wake to reality with a pounding heart.

He was still confused as to what the vision was pointing to. A church, pools of gold, and lightning. There was no doubt it was connected to him. Was it a warning of danger, or a sign to search out for more about himself?

He hissed through his teeth as his brain throbbed, he really wasn't in the mood for more madness right now. Once the school day ended, he'd go home, find some relaxing activity to indulge in, and ignore the two morons that had attached themselves to his side.

"Now, set yourselves up with a partner while I step out for a minute and we'll start cooking once I get back," their homemaking teacher said to the class before leaving.

Troy sighed, ready to ask Moriko to be his partner again when he saw the other blonde fling herself into Jade's arms.

"So sorry Troy-kun, but I miss my bestie way too much," she whined while dragging the taller, purple-haired girl to a free table so they could set up, "Kira doesn't seem to have a partner though."

Troy looked over to the brunette in question who was pointedly ignoring his gaze and tapping her foot restlessly as she muttered curses under her breath

Yeah, they weren't going to get anywhere like this. He turned, steeling himself to just go with some random human but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him. He faced Kira again, there was an embarrassed flush on her features but her eyes were determinedly locked on his this time.

"Since you insist on ignoring me until I say something, I'll be the bigger person. I'm sorry, there! You happy now?"

He wasn't but the words made him feel less on edge.

"Your turn asshole," she muttered.

"Why do I have to apologize?"

"For being a petty, controlling jerk!"

"Very well."

"I'm waiting," she crossed her arms with a glare.

"I already conceded."

He watched as Kira moved her hands to massage her temple, "You've got to be kidding me, whatever...just... let's continue being partners again, you'll have to apologize to Kuro after school but we're cool for now," she reached out a hand to shake his.

Troy removed his hand from her reach, he knew she was only conceding now so she could use him to pass this cooking class. Earlier in the year, the whole class learned she practically set anything she touched on fire, and no one but him was willing to put up with that.

He'd forgive her, but not until she learned a lesson, "I refuse," he huffed stiffly before turning to leave but she was dragging his blazer now.

"I didn't come up with an apology for you to ditch me you conceited bastard!"

"You call that an apology?"

"Look who's talking!"

Needless to say, they got through the class with Kira making minimal damage to their dish and aced it.

"Hey, Troy,"

"What?" He snapped, they were walking toward the gates where the rest of their group awaited them.

"If there's something wrong, you don't have to keep it to yourself, you know?" He looked down to notice she'd resumed her usual cool-headed but optimistic air of nonchalance, "We're here for you so don't bottle everything in."

"I'm fine."

"I never said you weren't, just know we're here for when you're not," she added before hastening her pace to meet the others to discuss lunch plans. Troy maintained a distance, trying not to think too deeply about her words.

***

They had all pretty much split up after lunch. Moriko and Kuro had hoped to drag everyone off for karaoke but Kira had insisted she and Jade wanted to finish up their own research today.

Troy had left almost as soon as the idea was proposed but Kira was sure he'd make his way back to the other three once he realized Kuro had nicked his necklace.

Haru had wanted to leave as well but Moriko and Kuro overpowered him easily and pulled him off with a promise to drag Kira and Jade later during the weekend.

"We managed to escape," Kira sighed in relief once they arrived at Jade's house.

Jade chuckled in response, "Poor Haru's going to have a heart attack without you there."

"He'll live, plus it's good for him," she laughed nervously, she had her reasons for not going as well and was only lucky for now. She toed off her shoes and stopped Jade from pushing the button for the lights, "Please."

Jade shrugged, "Go ahead."

Kira squealed softly before pushing the button that made the colorful lights spring to life.

They left the foyer to where the sound of footsteps approached them from the kitchen.

"You're still home, huh?" Jade said to her mum who pulled her nose playfully before turning to Kira and making some signs, "She wants you to stay over for dinner."

"Oh, is that really okay?"

Mrs. Keller nodded excitedly.

"She's still getting used to reading lips in Japanese, but trust me, it'd be no use arguing anyway," Jade groaned tiredly, "Just say you'll stay."

"Then I guess I'll stay,"

"Nice... Oh shoot! Gimme a minute while I get things cleaned up in my room," the dark-skinned girl said before racing up the stairs. Kira was about to follow when she heard her name called.

She turned her astounded eyes to Mrs Keller who fixed her with a pleased expression before proceeding to speak again.

"My Japanese isn't very good and it's weird using my voice but, I wanted to say thank you," the older woman stated, the sounds were slightly shaky but their meanings were made clear, "I don't know what happened between you and my daughter yesterday but last night she came home and spent all night painting. Before then, she'd just been smashing and tossing out the canvases."

"I didn't really do much." Kira chuckled, trying not to look too surprised.

"Maybe, but she's never looked so relaxed at home since...it doesn't matter but I think her visit to you had something to do with it. So thank you."

"Kira get up here!" Jade called out.

The brunette flinched, mumbling a quick 'You're welcome I guess,' to Mrs Keller before dashing up the stairs and entering Jade's room. In the corner, a new painting had replaced the uncompleted one left by her brother.

"Just something I was working on last night, it's not done yet but I'll get to it later." Jade waved it off as they settled down to work.

"And the other one?"

"It's with his stuff in the basement," she moved her hands in a vague gesture before settling her gaze on Kira once more, "I guess someone made me see a reason to move on and invest time in other things instead of feeling sorry for myself."

"I wonder who that might be?"

"Haha, funny."

"I'd never really pegged you as the artistic type until yesterday though."

"It's cause I'm bored and they're the easiest hobbies to have. My dad draws manga and shit so he roped me into it once we got here, most of the shit I read is his, so I help out once in a while."

"I never pegged you as the sweet type either."

"Shut up and get to work, Demona."

Kira smiled before giving a mock salute and continuing to work on their project.