Superiority meets a Shut In (Chiyo)

Professor Surikawa as one of the strictest teachers in all of Kizuna Academy. It wasn't new to see him scolding his students for not paying attention, or getting anything less than an "A" on his exams. He expected perfection from those of his class, and when his expectations weren't fulfilled, he looked to ridicule the cause of such failure. These causes being the students themselves. Though he was a demon to the majority of Naito's class, Naito himself was on good terms with the teacher. Possibly because his grades were always high, and he applied himself to his studies. Surikawa had high hopes for his students, and Naito was surely the living image of what he expected the majority of his students to become by the end of the school year. Though Naito was on such terms with his teacher, the silver haired student still did not care for his teacher. The only reason he applied himself to his studies was because he didn't like being grouped with others around him. Standing at the head of the class with one of the best grades set him apart from the rest, and gave him a false sense of superiority. It was always about being the best. Being above all else. Even though Naito had recently faced himself, called a Shadow, and acknowledged these problems of his, he still couldn't help but struggle with them. All his life this superiority complex had become a piece of his personality. Now he was fighting to throw it away, and it was a fight that was more difficult than fighting any Shadow.

Sitting at his desk, located in the second row of the classroom, Naito would be leaning forward upon his propped up hand. His eyes were focused on the clock during professor Surikawa's lecture, and he was counting the seconds until the break for lunch would occur. He honestly had no where to be at the moment, but for some reason the lecture was slowly making him quite lethargic. Being one who didn't want to fall behind anyone, Naito fought the urges of falling asleep in class. He did a number of things to stay away during this time. Sometimes he tap his pencil against his nose. Other times he'd repeatedly blow the loose strand of hair coming over his left eye up and down. Anything to keep his mind off sleep, and just how amazing it would feel to pass out onto his desk. When he believed he was going to lose the battle against himself, something finally happened. A saving grace! The bell rung, signifying it was time for the lunch break. Thank god!

Naito let out a loud sigh as he leaned back in his seat and tossed his head back. Staring up at the ceiling for a few seconds, his calm expression would slowly turn into a semi-smile. What was a semi-smile, you asked? Picture someone attempting to smile, but quite not being able to curl the corners of their mouth. So basically, it was a look of extreme indifference. When he finally mustered up the strength to lower his head, his silver eyes would begin to search around the classroom. Before unlocking his Persona, he had never paid anyone any mind in the classroom. Infact, he never even spoke to his fellow classmates unless he needed to use them for something. Naito shared no interest in learning about other's personal life outside the school. He wished to only know the minimum about them so he could sink his hooks into them and someday dominate them. He did have a seriously problem when regarding the lust for control. Though his control freak nature wasn't as strong as it was before, he still had a distinct hunger to manipulate those he interacted with. This was the time to search around the classroom and find someone interesting to sink his teeth in.

Turning his head with his eyes narrowed, his gaze would bounce from student to student. The majority of the ones in class he had already had his way with. They were already sheep lined up for the slaughter.

When his silver eyes took notice of the odd looking girl making her advance towards him, his expression remained as neutral as ever. Why she was coming up to him was the first thought on his mind. Was she just another classmate that wished to be around him because of his social status, or his pseudo fame when it came to the Kendo team? These were the most annoying students, because he had already sunk his fangs into them. Thus, manipulating them was rather easy compared to someone who hadn't known who he was beforehand. Being such the type to think through things, every step the young female took towards him, he was already theorizing what she would say, and how he'd turn her down abruptly. He didn't have time to spend on those who were too easy. Sometimes someone who saw themselves as above the rest wanted that one challenge. Sadly, he had yet to come across someone of such nature. The one named Ejji presented an adequate challenge when it came to the Kendo club, but even he didn't surpass Naito in the end. Though really, who did? This student surely thought highly of himself. There was no objective he couldn't succeed in, after all.

When she finally spoke, he simply listened. He only nodded to return her nasty "Hey," at first. That look upon her face said alot. For some reason she was pissed off and directing this emotion onto Naito. If the silver haired student was the type to get worked up over such things, he would have probably cut her off here; but no he continued to listen with his usual reserved attitude. Once she finished her obscene statement and began to walk away, Naito's eyes would follow her. She was certainly his next target. Clearing his throat, he'd finally respond to her words. "I don't take orders from anyone. Especially those who can't seem to understand simple formulas an eight grader could solve." Though his words were quite rude, they held no animosity among them. Placing a hand on the face of his desk, he'd stand up from his chair and look towards the female. "I'll let you in on alittle advice. Come with me." With that said, he grabbed his jacket off the backrest of his chair and threw it over his shoulder with his right hand. Once done, he made a confident stride to the exit of the classroom, walking by her without sharing one glance.

Opening the door and exiting the classroom, Naito would wait for this fellow student outside the class. If she was to actually show, he'd stare her dead in the eyes with his usual intense glare. With a nonchalant motion, he'd button the top button of his jacket around his neck, so it sat freely over his shoulders, and then would cross his arms over his chest. "If you want that old man off your back, I'm willing to assist you. It's actually not so difficult, but it takes abit of ambition and hard work. The teenage angst isn't going to get you anywhere." Like usual Naito was blunt with a face of coal. Though only his right eye was visible, thanks to his silver bangs covering his left, he still gave her an intense glare. "As he probably already told you, I am Tsurinai Naito. I don't waste my time on people who don't deserve the attention. Who are you?"

This explosion of emotion would most likely caused the average boy to back away, but the one named Naito kept his usual calm expression. With this outburst she was surely causing a scene outside the classroom, and that was obvious with all the eyes peering down on them. Ugh, was this woman worth the trouble? Backing down now would feel like submitting to her, and that was something he'd never do. And seeing how she never told him her name, Naito's mind automatically put a placeholder name for the moment. Teenage Angst-chan, the most emotional student in class 2-A. It was rare that Naito had to deal with such girls, so it was a rather new experience to him. After all, most relished in the chance to be in his presence. Who wouldn't? There was an ample amount of fame surrounding his name from joining the Kendo Club, to getting rather high grades in an already prestigious school. And with his sister being in Student Council, he also had ties to the running background of Kizuna Academy aswell. Yet here he was with someone who seemed to despise him, even before they were introduced. Did she hate him because of his success, or because she herself was not successful? It was something to ponder every so often. One thing was for certain, though. She knew nothing about him if she thought he was the type to try in get in everyone's good book. Infact, he almost scoffed and laughed at the snide remark.

This feeling would subside, however; when he noticed her arm preparing to bring a rather heavy slap towards his face. With Naito's reflexes and training, something like this could be handled, however he had a decision to make. One, he could stop her attack, and probably continue on with this pointless conversation reaching no such conclusion, or two, let the slap hit him square in his face and use it to his advantage. It wasn't like the first time he was slapped, though he hated giving the people the satisfaction of even touching him. They were worlds apart, so to think they had the audacity to try such a maneuver and land a blow on his frame was absurd. "Tch..." The boy made a slightly annoyed noise, as he swallowed his pride and allowed the girl to slap his face. To encompass the strike, his head would turn with the hit, and so now he was facing the other way with a red hand mark on his cheek. Though his calm expression didn't show it, the mark stung like hell.

After a few quiet seconds and gasps from the fellow students, Naito would finally turn back to look towards the female before him. "Do you feel better now? Like I said before, that's not going to get you anywhere." The silver haired boy would raise a hand to his cheek, and rub the red area. Hopefully the mark wouldn't linger for too long. One of Naito's fellow classmates would run to his side. Being someone he had sunk his fangs into earlier in the school year, she believed they were good friends although he did nothing but use her to his own ends. "Naito-kun, are you okay?! How dare she! I'll go get Professor Surikawa right now!" Before the female could run to the classroom, Naito would place a hand on her shoulder and shake his head. "How about not? Perhaps I deserved such a display of animosity. My words can be quite scathing at some times." His fellow classmate gave a solemn nod before shooting a glance towards Chiyo and stepping aside.

Looking back towards the aqua haired girl, Naito would begin again. "For the record, I couldn't care less who's good side I was on. If I did, I wouldn't speak so bluntly about people in the first place. My public image is good enough for me; I don't need to change my ways for the others around me. Infact, they should change their ways to be more compatible with me." His tone of superiority was certainly there, as he placed a hand on his side. "I didn't offer to help you because I want to get on your good side. I offered to help you because you're one of the only students who don't bend over on my whims. Why would I think this, you may be asking yourself? Exhibit A." Naito raised his other hand and pointed towards the fading mark on his cheek. "No one dreams of touching me in such a way, yet you didn't hesitate to lay your hand across my face. It's an endearing trait to move on pure impulse. It means you're not lying to yourself on who you truly are." With this said, he'd narrow his eyes and focus on her eyes once again. "Now lets try this again. I am Tsurinai Naito. Who are you?"

Hah... You're weird? That was certainly a start, though in Naito's case he replaced the word weird with "right." He was never wrong after all. Atleast that's what he convinced himself over his years of surrounding himself with those who were ignorant and insolent to the truths of society. The awkward silence between the two began to linger, as she bounced in place, as he remained stone faced in thought. It seemed like this awkward moment spread through the halls aswell, as it was so quiet if a pin dropped on the first floor it could be heard clearly. In this small time frame Naito was analyzing the situation he had just thrust himself within. Was she preparing to get hostile again? Maybe wait till his guard went down before sending another strike into his face? There were many theories Naito played throughout his mind, and with each theory he looked for a solution to counter the result. He wasn't expecting her to actually speak again, and when she did, he wasn't expecting her to actually reply to his question.

Pinching his chin between his index finger and thumb, he'd tilt his head to the side in thought. "Watanabe, huh?" Naito spoke to himself as he thought of the name. As a surename, he had heard of it before. It was a popular name in Japan, and held a bit of weight beneath it aswell. If memory served correctly, the first to take the name were the honorable kuge who were direct descendants of the Emperor Sage: The 52nd Emperor of Japan. Maybe this was why he had this urge to speak with the female infront of him. In an off way, they were connected. Not only this, but his own Persona had taken the form of an Emperor itself, though it was the first Emperor of Japan and not the 52nd. Well, this ushered a smile from the silver haired Naito. "Watanabe, hm? Very well, I'll remember it." Before he could follow up, however; the female comment on his face looking weird. It took him a second to comprehend what she spoke of, but then remembered there was most likely a hand print still on his cheek. What a pain... "I suppose it does. I don't always get smacked, after all. It's making me cry." Obviously he was joking with the last phrase, as his eyes showed no sign of tears.

Watching the female with his one visible hue, he watched her dig into her sweater with the intent of getting something. Of course he was hesitant to stand there and watch this. What if she was pulling out a weapon now? His look of indifference turned into a slight frown at the thought, but his eyes did remain narrowed and focused on her. He'd need to be ready for anything...! What would it be?! A pencil sharp enough to stab his eye in?! A ruler with sharp ends to carve into his neck?!... When did school supplies become so dangerous...?

Getting ready to defend himself, he wouldn't imagine what would happen next. She shoved a bandage onto his cheek, and on instinct he grasped her hand and held it there. In that split second he could feel the glares of countless followers beating down his neck. Luckily, it didn't bother him as much. Letting go of the Watanabe's hand, he'd notice the cuts and bruises, which made him suspect she was either very clumsy, or getting abused somehow. "There was no payment necessary, but I suppose I should be thanking you." Even though he said this, he still technically didn't thank her. That superiority complex sure did love to kick in at certain times. Before he could continue his conversation with Chiyo, a trio of three seemed to interject themselves between the two. Naito's neutral expression stayed intact, but he ignored the shorter girl infront of him to keep looking at Watanabe.

"Hmph! They are annoying, and even if I say that, they still won't leave me be. I don't even know them." Naito crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes while speaking. His tone was condescending when regarding the others, and they seemed to pout towards him because of it. "Aww Naito-kun!" That was really all they could say to his harsh reply. "Watanabe. Would you mind accompanying me for a walk and talk around the school. It's far too crowded here." This did nothing but make the trio pout even more. They surely was getting a seething hatred for the aqua haired student. After all, he practically asked her out, even if it meant a simple walk in the halls together. This was big news, especially since Naito usually decided to walk alone. Either way, the silver haired student would press pass them and walk up to the one person he was truly speaking with. "I have no ulterior motives in speaking with you, nor do I plan on beating around the bush. Such things are below me. You've caught my interest and that's why I am asking you to walk with me." His words were blunt and to the point like usual.

Well that escalated quickly. Naito stood back and watched the scene before him. Honestly, he was quite amused that he had such a standing with these people that they fought for him. Beneath that calm expression he usually held, his was secretly laughing on the inside. "Ha... How interesting. Such a boring day finally picking up with excitement. Though, maybe I should intervene in this drama. I wouldn't want my possessions getting 'broken.'" Naito, of course thought this all within his skull. He was quite interested to see how Watanabe would defend herself. Seeing how she slapped him just for a few words, would she escalate it when she was physically attacked? "I wouldn't do that... " He would mumble under his breath as they pressed basically forced Chiyo into a corner. And like an animal cornered, she had no choice but to retaliate. Of course this retaliation came in the form of violence like most, and in a split second the girl threatening her was down on her butt. "Told you." He spoke with a condescending tone to the girl on the ground, as the one named Watanabe came by to grab his sleeve and drag him away. He was sure the teachers were the last thing they would need to worry about. The Student Council would probably seek them both out later for the disturbance.

After a few minutes of running before they lost the crowd, Naito would give her a slight tug towards the staircase. "I think you're clear. Running now will just attract attention to us." He'd take his arm back from her and place a hand on his side in a nonchalant manner. "You know, most of those girls there are going to lie and say you started that little tussle. And seeing how your relationship with Surikawa isn't on good terms, he's going to be quick to believe them." The silver haired student spoke with his 'matter-of-fact' tone, while closing his eyes. "They'll continue to pick on you at this rate. And before you say "you can handle it" or "I'm strong enough to get by on my own," perhaps you should hear me out." Slowly, Naito's one visible eye would open partially. "When I'm interested in someone, I wish to see them rise above the rest of the insolent fools that attend Kizuna Academy. Grades can easily be fixed, as I'm willing to work with you on them. But I'm more speaking about how you're being treated around here. You deserve the same amount of respect as the rest, no matter of your background or upbringing. After all, they are just as important as you in this world." Note, Naito never added himself into that. Of course he didn't, because he believed he was above everyone. This conversation wasn't about him, it was about her. And those he associated with weren't defined as losers. He made sure of it.

"But enough about that, I'm curious about something I noticed before." At this point, Naito raised his arms and crossed them over his chest. Walking to the steps, he'd put his right foot on the first one while tilting his head back to look at the ceiling. "I noticed that when you were putting this bandage on me, that your hands were rather cut and bruised aswell. It isn't from them, is it...?" Unlike before, where his tone of voice was usual calm and indifferent, this time it held alittle bit of emotion. What it was exactly couldn't be interpreted so easily. At best, it could be seen like a child talking about a toy that was broken by another kid. Whatever that would fall under. No matter, Naito would turn back to Chiyo, walking up to her and reaching out for her hand. If allowed, he would hold it in his own and look at the cuts. "Please tell me this is from you just being clumsy, and not from any sort of abuse. If it is the latter, I will personally reprimand the ones behind it. I don't accept others putting their hands on people without my permission." His silver eyes would trail up to meet her own. They were narrowed, and focused specifically on her own. At that moment, the outside world seemed to fade to black, as he was attempting to read her just from that gaze.

Being a few inches taller than Watanabe, he had to angle his head forward slightly, thanks to how close he was. This caused most of his hair to fall over his forehead and hang slightly above her own. "Give me an honest answer. Are they the cause?" Blunt and to the point like always.

Naito tilted his head to the side when she snarled a response to him. She was right, they weren't friends. In actuality, Naito, in all his popularity, had no friends either. He made strict rules about his life ever since he was a child. No matter the situation, everyone would be on the same level of relationship, when it came to him. So everyone, even his own family, were treated as acquaintances and not as friends. When he had faced his Shadow, he had to overcome why this was. Though, in all his power of domination, Naito truly did feel lonely in his life. Controlling people was what he strived to do, but secretly behind that he wished for a genuine bond with another. One where he wasn't using them for his own means, and they weren't using him either. These thoughts sort of snuck up on him, and his usual calm expression broke for just a split second. His brows tilted downward, and his lips curled down into a frown. It would appear as though her words at hit a heart string about not being friends. This brief moment of weakness, however; would subside as he shook his head. "Tch... I didn't face my Shadow for me to continue living like I have been. Pull it together, Naito." The boy reassured himself, and this could be seen as his eyes showed a sort of determination when peering into the eyes of his classmate.

"Talk from time to time? That sounds fine with me, Watanabe-chan. Actually, I'd like that more than anything." He decided not to pry on where all her bruises had come from this time around. That was a conversation for much later, if they were to truly become friends. Leaning back, Naito would put a hand on his side while using the other one to brush his hair to one side. "After school today, I was thinking about heading into Shibakuzoi to take a look around. I just transferred to Kizuna last month form out of region, so I'm still relatively new to the area. If you're not too busy, maybe we could look around together?" Though his tone was rather expressionless, he did have a slight smile on his face this time. "The Kendo Club won't be meeting today, so it gives me plenty of time to get away from them. And going back the dorms doesn't seem like a good way to waste time. It's either check out Shibakuzoi now, or wait way later when I possibly get another day to myself." Naito would close his eyes and give a solemn nod to himself, awaiting his classmate's answer. He wouldn't pressure for an answer right away, seeing how their first meeting had been rocky to say the least. As he seemed to be in deep thought, he'd be poking the bandage on his face in the meantime. Though it looked goofy, he paid no mind to his current appearance.

The sudden emotion she showed after he used an honorific when referring to her name, caused his eyes to widen slightly. He wasn't sure if she was upset, or wanted to cry, as he really didn't have much experience in situations like this. When she suddenly barked out at him with fierce eyes, he would rub the back of his head with a nervous smile. Now that was something more familiar than the previous cute expression she had shared with him. "I understand, Watanabe..-chan." With that said, the silver haired student would give her a sly smile and a playful nudge before placing a hand on his side. "Luckily I did mean it, so I'll continue to say it when referring to you. After all, I'm sure our relationship together will be great." For once Naito's complex of wishing to be above the rest didn't register in his mind. Infact, he didn't even exist at this moment. He had honestly forgotten his own arrogance and controlling nature by talking to Watanabe.

In his own way, Naito was secretly celebrating he had made such a connection without relying on his usual manipulation and dominating ways. There was on message his Shadow had beaten into his head, and it was his inability to be accepted by those for his true nature, and thus he wished to control them so they had no say in the matter. He felt quite vulnerable in such a relationship where he wasn't ordering someone to spend time with him, and was instead hoping they would agree too. It was like wearing your heart on a sleeve with a knife slowly hovering over it, and read to slice it down.

When she stated she was going home, without really answering Naito's wish of going out with her that afternoon, his eyes shot to the side immediately. This is what he should have suspected! Why give people the choice? Then you wouldn't be so vulnerable when you were shot down, right? All these thoughts ran through his head, as he was about to turn and walk away without another word. However, he was stopped in his tracks when she continued. She lived in Shibakuzoi, so he could come along? Was that a yes?! Though his expression was rather neutral and reserved, the silver haired boy was happy. But something caught him off guard when he begun to think. She was going home? Did she want him to go to her home with her? No way! In all his years of manipulating and getting what he wanted, you'd think Naito had experience in such situations. Well, he didn't. Being around those he could order what to do held no specific interest to him when it came to sexual attraction. Being near someone who he didn't control, however; sort of reminded him that he was a teenage boy just like the rest of his class. How troublesome...

"Right!" There was enthusiasm in his voice, but he noticed his eyes having a hard time staying on the aqua haired female now. Seeing someone in a new light was blinding. There were a few things Naito was feeling at the moment, and nervous was one of them. So shoving his hands into his pockets, he'd speed up his stride to walk beside the one named Watanabe. "Since you're familiar with the area, I hope you show me the ropes. We can even go out to eat somewhere afterwards. It'll be my treat as a thanks." His voice, though calm, showed abit of excitement to it. New experiences warranted such things, correct?

((We can move the topic over to Shibakuzoi whenever you'd like. I'm sure we'll get a rank 1 Social Link for this one))

Weird huh? I suppose it was weird for Naito to be rather anxious at such a situation. It even caused his eyes to shoot to their corners to keep from meeting her own. "Never been called weird before. This whole day has been full of new experiences." The boy of course thought this to himself, as he had a rather fox line grin across his face. It may have been the thought that caused him to smile, or the sudden bubbly song on the girl's phone, but his fox like grin remained plastered on his face. Watching her ferociously struggle with her phone to shut it off was not only alittle funny, but rather adorable aswell. Naito couldn't help but raise a hand to his lips and usher out a small chuckle. This was a side he hadn't seen before. One minute ago, she was slapping him across the face and telling him not to get his hopes up. The next she was like a little child with a secret on her hands. Was this another face of Watanabe-chan? The silver haired student couldn't help but wonder if there were more to be seen. When she turned around and told him to shut up with that red face of hers, Naito didn't say a word. He simply smiled at her while tilting his head to the side.

He'd wait as she'd look at her phone, apparently read a message not to her liking, and show another shift of emotion in those few seconds. Boy, she was a handful. But Naito would be lying if he said he wasn't having fun just watching this. When she finally addressed him again, Naito would give the girl a salute to her commands. His smile turned into a neutral expression, as he'd mimic that of a cadet responding to their superior officer. "Of course, Watanabe-chan!" He remained like this for a second, before finally letting go of the pose and brushing his hair aside. "Pretty boy, huh? I'll take that as you calling me pretty. How sweet of you, Watanabe-chan. You did give me this bandage that matches my eyes, after all." Naito's tone was rather blunt, but it was obvious he was joking with her. "You're rather pretty yourself." With those final words, Naito would shove his hands in his pockets and follow behind the leader... Which was weird, seeing as the majority of the time, he was the one leading the pack.

[Exit]

[Awesome! If you make the topic I'll join when I'm on. If you want me to make it, just pm me to tell me.]