We're Not Friends (Naito)

Public transportation. Naito really had nothing against it honestly. Infact, it was his main location to observe the people around him to get a good feel of the society in Ueitawa. Surprisingly, they were much different than the people back in his own home. At the moment he wasn't quite entirely sure if that was a good or bad thing. He sat in his usual refined manner with his arms crossed and his hair falling down to cover his left eye. Though he was focused on observing the people, he couldn't help but be reminded of Chiyo's situation in school. That basically gave him the confirmation that these bruises were from his classmates picking on her. If there was one thing Naito despised, it was his possessions being damaged by others than himself. Well, atleast that's what he called them. Possessions. In reality, he didn't want Watanabe to experience such misfortune because he saw her as a... friend... dare he say it. To think back at home he saw it as a riot to antagonize people. Now seeing someone go through such a thing, that he actually cared for, honestly made him sick. Next time at school, he'd reprimand the culprits behind these attacks on her. Starting with the girls that harassed her earlier that day. He'd never let Watanabe know he was going the extra mile for her, so he made the promise to himself. He'd be sure to make sure she never knew he was going out of his way for her. That surely wasn't something an Emperor would do for just one of their loyal subjects... That's what he told himself.

As the train continued on its way, Naito looked out the corner of his eyes towards the female. She seemed lost in thought while staring out the window. He did wonder what she was thinking of. Was it the thumbtack in her shoe, or the message she had received earlier that day? Both were most likely touchy subjects to bring up. As a friend it was his job to help her find the brighter side of life, right? One that didn't have her staring at her own reflection while contemplating things alone. He really didn't have much experience when it came to being a friend though, as most of his relationships with others consisted of him dominating them, and basically forcing them to comply to his whims.

When the train finally stopped and the prerecorded audio played over head, Naito would tilt his head back to look towards the speakers. He gave a sigh of relief when he finally got a response out of Watanabe, who he thought was lost in her own world to notice they had stopped. Before he could say a word, the aqua haired student and grasped his arms and yanked him from his seat. Following with an expressionless face, he'd simply stare at the back of her head in thought. Was this whole tsundere personality coming from something that happened in her past? Was this her way of expressing herself, yet at the same time keeping her true self hidden within? Surprisingly, Naito suffered from this aswell. If he would recall, his Shadow forced him to face these negative factors of his own personality. Everything he was hiding within was brought out to the table infront of him. It was like getting your soul ripped out forcefully. In his case, it was his soul and pride. Though she seemed to have an attitude, Naito, with his emotionless voice, would apologize to each passenger she shoved by. Who would think someone who saw themselves as superior would be apologizing to the commoners around them?

Finally making it through the gauntlet of the train and to freedom, Chiyo would release his arm allowing him to fix his shirt and jacket. "That was more crowded than I would have imagined. They weren't lying about Shibakuzoi bustling with activity... " The silver haired boy would finish straightening himself out before turning to look at Chiyo who was currently messing around with the vending machines. He tilted his head to the side with an narrowed eyed look. "I -..." Not surprisingly, his words were cut off by the violent assault upon the vending machine by the small girl infront of it. People looked towards them, and Naito returned their looks with a stern glare back. Luckily they continued to walk. At this rate he was going to run into the authorities, and with his previous record with any sort of cop, they'd surely have their hands full.

Placing a hand on Chiyo's shoulder, he would walk pass her and infront of the vending machine. "You have to have alittle finesse with these things, you know? My sister taught this trick to me." Naito would reach into his pocket and remove his wallet. Taking out 500 yen, he'd press the currency into the machine. Before the soda could vend, he'd kneel down towards the location where the can came out, and would stick his hand in it. Jamming the hole, the machine made a sort of rumbling noise, believing itself to have failed to deliver the soda to the customer. As a fault in the programming, it'd release another soda, and Naito would release his hand to see two Mad Bulls fall out into the holder. Cleaning his hand off with his sleeve, he'd look towards Watanabe with his usual nonchalant expression. "Though my sister is a pain, she has her useful tricks. But don't get too filled up on soda, Watanabe-chan. I still plan on taking you out somewhere. There's something I want to talk about." With that said, Naito would reach down to take both sodas. He had no use for them both, so his eyes quickly darted around the area. Walking pass them at the moment would be a mother and her daughter complaining. The mother seemed to be ignoring her daughter, which struck a certain cord with Naito.

Though he only shared it with people he trusted, coming to Ueitawa was not his choice. His parents didn't really see eye to eye with him. Infact, they hated him. It hurt being seen as a monster by your own parents, even if you deserved it for the cruel things you've done. Seeing another parent neglect their child made his eye twitch. Instead of raising his voice to the mother, he'd lower the extra mad bull to the daughter who'd look him in the eye. With a soothing smile, something he rarely gave, he'd hand her the drink and she'd squeal in joy. The mother, seeing her daughter so happy, shot him a glare. In response, he shot one right back, however this time his expression was the usual coldness he was known for.

After that small moment, the small family parted ways with Naito and Chiyo. However, the silver haired boy's eyes would follow them for a few seconds as he popped his soda can open. It was obvious he was rather annoyed, but when he turned back to Watanabe, his cold expression turned into a stoic one. "Anyway... Where to first, Watanabe-chan?"

For someone who was told he was a genius by his fellow classmates and teachers, it was so strange to be called an idiot by her. Watching his drink get shoved to the roof of the vending machine, Naito, for once, gave a surprised pout. On the inside he was crying. That was a mad bull! Twenty-one flavors of awesome all packed into a small can now out of his reach! Naito couldn't help but wonder why bad things happened to good people! The silver haired student wanted to grasp his heart and let the manly tears roll. There was a moment when she turned her back to get more drinks out of the machine where he reached up and grasped his hair with both his hands. "You're going through alot for this girl, Tsurinai Naito! First she's picking out your drinks then next she'll be telling you what to wear. Next you'll be trapped in a marriage being dominated instead of doing the dominating! Watanabe-chan, you are a worthy opponent! But don't expect Tsurinai Naito to bend over so easily! It takes courage to stand up for your love for Mad Bull! It takes understanding and knowledge to read her response to your new found courage. It also takes diligence to keep up this new found strength!...Everything you don't have when facing such a foe.." The silver haired boy would drop his head, as though he had just lost a battle with himself. When she finally turned around to hand him his drink, he'd be standing there with a nervous smile attempting to act like nothing had just happened.

"Ah, is that so, Watanabe-chan? Thanks for that information. You know one day you'd make a great wife." He hadn't even noticed what he said, as he took the yen in hand and popped open the soda. Placing it to his lips, he'd slowly turn it up and close his eyes waiting for the liquid to breach his threshold. Once his tongue was lathered in flavor, he'd lower the drink and stare straight for a few seconds. His expression was completely emotionless and it was like someone had flipped a switch and turned him off for a few seconds. Suddenly a spark of life came to him, as he looked towards the can and gave a solemn nod. "This is... This is good! Impressive, I wouldn't have suspected it to taste like this. Wow..!" The silver haired student was truly surprised at the circumstance as he took another swig of the drink.

Lowering his drink again, he'd begin to listen to her words. He had heard of the mall in school. Alot of people talked about it, but he had never been. Was it really that special? It couldn't have been as impressive as the port island back at home, right? When she spoke of an arcade, his attention shot to her. Placing a hand on her shoulder and giving the most serious look he had ever given her before, he'd close his eyes. "Time Police 3 was a masterpiece. My old Kendo team used to play it to get their hand eye coordination up, so naturally I became hooked. It'd be a serious crime if I didn't indulge myself in its sequel, no matter if it is good or bad." His serious look turned into a fox like grin, as he tilted his head forward sorta like a child. "We should go play it! If an "otaku freak" gets to play Time Cop all day without worry, then I want to be one too!" Naito removed his hand from her shoulder and clenched it in a fist infront of his chest. "With my years of training, I bet I can get a higher score than you, Watanabe-chan. Trust me, these skills don't come easy, you know?" The student would flick his head to the side to move his bangs from falling over his eyes, just so they could make eye contact for that split second.

Naito would be lying if he said he didn't notice the sudden change in her character after the wife comment. He raised a brow as he took another sip, waiting for her response in curiosity. When he saw the smile come across her face, he choked on his drink. Coughing so suddenly, he'd pound a fist to his chest in surprise. "T- *cough* hat was unexpected... Though.." Naito would regain his composure and tilt his head to the side. Looking at Watanabe up and down, he'd pinch his chin between his index finger and thumb as if he was in thought. "I'd marry you. Of course if you accept my proposal in that future." The silver haired student spoke in a rather blunt tone, as his face gave a neutral expression. Without a second thought, he'd raise his can to take a drink. Sadly, it was the last swig he'd be taking, as he had already downed it all. The normal teenager would have probably gotten flustered after saying such a statement to a girl, but Naito spoke like it was any other phrase he had said to his female counterpart. With his king mentality, he knew one day he'd need a queen aswell. So it was only natural in his eyes to prepare for marriage in the future. It wasn't an option to be a loner when leading the people. Wasn't in his best image, after all. Atleast that's what he told himself.

Suddenly the mood switched to that of a competition between the two. Ah, so Watanabe did have the makings of an opponent aswell! What did they say? A wife should be able to challenge their husband? Or in this case, a Queen should be able to challenge the King! "Hah! Well then Watanabe-chan, I guess you better go buy an umbrella, cause it'll be raining used panties very soon!" Naito crossed his arms across his chest in his signature style while turning his snout up towards the ceiling in a defiant manner. "I wouldn't want you to hold back. I plan on beating you fair and square. And to make things better, the loser has to do something embarrassing for the winner! I bet that'll motivate you even more!" The silver haired student gave her a toothy grin as he ran to her side and grasped her hand in his own. "Now let's go! Try to keep up!" With that said, Naito would give her a slight tug as he ran in the direction of the mall.

Once the two finally made it to the entrance of the mall, Naito would stop his light jog and stare at the frame of the large building. He couldn't believe such a place could be in such a city. Everything he heard about it was strangely accurate, and caused him to look towards Chiyo with a surprised expression, yet keeping alittle bit of his calmness. "Wow, and you live in Shibakuzoi? So you can see this place everyday I bet. I'm sort of envious. Living in the School Dorms, I really don't see anything but trees and dirt." The boy would shake the thoughts and give a slight smirk towards his friend. "Either way, I hope you're ready to lose. Lead the way to your demise, Watanabe-chan."

Naito watched his fellow classmate advance into the mall, and he stood idle for a few seconds. "How did that old saying go? Home is where the heart is?" He spoke more to himself than to anyone else, before pushing forward to follow behind his aqua haired Queen. So many people in one place was just ridiculous! If the boy had a problem with crowds, he'd surely be flipping tables right now. When she finally reached the destination, being an underground looking staircase, Naito's eyes narrowed as he gave her a sly look. "What kind of place is this? There's nothing like this back in Kiyomi." Of course he thought this to himself as he tilted his head to the side like a puppy. For someone who spoke like he knew everything, apparently he didn't have much experience in this world. Supposedly even an all mighty Emperor needed to experience things of the modern world. Atleast, that was how he explained it to himself. In actuality, he was just having fun with a friend. There was one thing that made everything worthwhile, and it was certainly Chiyo's smile. His mission to get her mind off all the hurtful things in her life, like a true friend would, was actually becoming quite a success. He hadn't even noticed she was doing the same for him.

Making sure to keep up with his skipping classmate, the two would finally make their way to the arcade. When they were greeted, Naito gave a slight not towards the employee of the arcade. He hadn't even noticed Watanabe was already on her way towards the game. Boy, when she had her mind set on something it was smart to jump out of the way and let her go right at it. Naito watched the ten year old dive out the way, and it caused the silver haired boy to almost laugh under his breath. If he was to propose to her, and they did have the textbook family in the future, it was most likely possible the children would be hardened by that personality of hers. Hell, Naito would probably be hardened even more with an opponent such as her. There were few who slapped him, scolded him, babied him, and then spoke of marriage with him in one day. Actually, this was a strange first.

Making his way to his own side, Naito would take the blue gun in his grip. Testing its weight and movement, he'd practice by taking mock shots at the screen before him. "I got it. You should be more worried about the embarrassing thing you'll have to do after I beat your score, Watanabe-chan." The silver haired boy would look over to her and give a wink before turning back to the screen and preparing himself for battle. The last time his heart raced in such a way was when he was in actually battle against a Shadow. Though this time he didn't have his Persona to rely on. It'd be his own skills put against hers... And seeing how knowledgeable she was, it was going to be harder than any Shadow he had gone against. "I'm ready to go whenever you are."

The games were underway and Naito immediately began to shoot across the screen. Who knew his training would come in handy here? It was like he was in a whole nother world where nothing mattered but what was at hand. Like battling Shadows in the center of limbo, or being in that intense Kendo Spar that came down to the last point. Nothing else mattered but the competition at hand, and that could be seen in the intense glare he gave to the screen. The average teenage boy would have probably looked to pull back alittle and let the female win, but not Naito. If Watanabe couldn't challenge him, then that meant his whole comment about proposing to her in the future would be revoked. After all, an Emperor needed an Empress who didn't bend over so easily when it came to some things. In this case, competition. The silver haired student was so into the game, that even once or twice he yelled out his "Persona!" battle cry in between some pot shots. The game consisted of robots robots and more robots. There seemed like an end wasn't in site, but Naito payed no mind to such a thing. Infant, this was the relief he needed for the day. Taking out the pent of anger he had in his current life and throwing it all out against these virtual opponents that wished to keep him from victory!

Ten minutes of a rigorous battle would cause anyone to feel slightly fatigued after it was over. Even if they were an athlete like Naito himself. When it finally ended, Naito put a hand on his knee and let out a few breaths. The gun felt heavier now that the match was over, and his legs seemed to wobble like he could fall at any moment. This feeling was... Well, it was great! Though there was beads of sweat, the boy would flick his head back to get the hair out of his eyes with a toothy laugh. He hadn't even noticed Watanabe until the sound of her gun being forcefully pressed into the holster of the game. His silver eyes shifted over to her for a second, and then quickly to her score. His face, though emotionless, did show some interest. When he looked back at his own score, he did seem to do abit better than her. Not amazingly, but just a bit. Obviously she wasn't happy with her score, and rubbing it in her face probably wouldn't make the evening any more fun.

Placing his own gun back in place, he'd walk over to where his classmate had gone. When she called over to him by the vending machine, he looked at her with a raised brow. "Thirst again already? I don't blame you, that game takes alot out of you." He spoke with his usual calm voice before putting a hand on his side while using the other to help express his words. "...Regarding the score. It seems you've won. I'll honor our arrangement and do anything you ask of me." Suddenly bowing his head to the girl with his arms by his side, he'd speak once again. "Please be gentle!" After a few awkward seconds of bowing to the girl, he'd raise his head and give her a smile. "But before that, let's go get something to eat. On our way here, I saw a little cafe that had a patio section. We can sit down and talk for awhile there, if you don't mind." Standing back in an upright position, he'd walk closer to his fellow classmate. "There's still something I want to talk to you about, after all. Friend to friend, of course." With that said, he'd extend a hand towards hers, hoping she would accept before they made their way to the cafe. His voice trailed off as his eyes shot to their corners and away from her own. His face was neutral. "...I'll pay for the food this time. You've been spending too much money on me. I appreciate it, but friends meet each other halfway. I want our relationship to grow, so I want to play my part."

Naito's face, though rather indifferent, did mark abit of seriousness behind it. Though his run in with Chiyo was quite rocky, there was one thing he wanted her to know before they parted ways this day. If they were going to be true friends, then she would need to know something about him. His Shadow told him the only way he would create this bond with another was if he let them in. Though Watanabe was very... different... than his average classmate, it gave a sort of appeal that made Naito wish to confide in her abit. Also with the previous actions regarding the soda, she seemed to be quite motherly when it came to others. Even if she didn't want to admit it, the fact she did that for him did mean she had a certain care for him. If she was willing to make such efforts to make the friendship work, he'd need to meet her halfway.

Naito looked at his companion and give a sly expression. "Masochist? Are you implying I enjoy your punishment, Watanabe-chan?" His tone consisted of a slightly joking, yet curious composition. Shrugging his shoulders in a nonchalant manner, his eyes would shift to their corners. "Maybe I am. Or maybe I feel that your abuse is really just the way you show your affection. I guess that's something to found out down the line." Lowering his arms, he'd place a hand on his side while letting the other hang freely. Apparently she had found out about the little white lie he told her about his score. He should have made sure the screen went to the next part before saying a word to her. How careless of him... Either way, what's done was done. He'd take his punishment full on and without worry! An Emperor couldn't be in fear of their Empress' rage, correct? Naito couldn't help but wonder why she was so afraid to get close to him. Well actually, with his reputation of being a manipulator back at home, he could see why. But for once, he wasn't trying to dominate another. If he was, this whole day would have been completely different. Naito didn't spend his entire day around those he wished to dominate like subjects. He believed he was far above such a thing in the first place. Atleast, that was what he told himself.

When she shoved pass him, his eyes would watch her make her way to the stairs. His sly expression turned into that of a frown, as he placed his hand on his head with a sigh. "Maybe you are a masochist, Naito. That would explain why you're lowering yourself to take such punishment." The one who labeled himself as Superior would follow behind his aqua haired Queen like a lost puppy. When she mentioned the Cafe closing soon, he picked up the pace. Skipping a few steps as he ascended to her level, he grasp her hand and lead the way towards the Cafe. Like she had done before, he pushed and weaved through the crowd of people in the way. Who knew he would learn a new technique simply by observing his spontaneous classmate. That was one thing he could take away from the abrupt meeting they had today, all thanks to the annoying Professor of their class. Surikawa, who would have known you were of help.

When the two finally reached the Cafe's entrance, Naito would let go of her hand and open the door. He'd wait for her to walk through before following in behind her. Believe it or not, he was polite when it came to manners. Once entering, he'd lead her towards the patio entrance that gave a great street view level of Shibakuzoi. There were others outside even though snow covered almost everything. They certainly weren't out there for the weather but the scenery was simply remarkable. Naito's eyes seemed to light up the moment he stepped foot outside. "Some people are looking forward to the spring, but I have to say the snow never gets old. Something about it makes things look so pure... " His words showed alittle enthusiasm as he led her to a clean table towards the corner of the patio. Taking a napkin off the table, he'd use it to wipe her seat clean before wiping his own to sit down. No need to sit on a puddle of water thanks to the weather.

Leaning back in his chair, he'd have his arms crossed with one leg folded over the other in a proper manner. His silver eyes looked over to his companion, and he tilted his head to the side. "I bet you're curious what I wanted to talk about?" Naito started abruptly and bluntly. Something he was well known for. However, before he could continue what appeared to be a waitress would come to the table. In her hand was a notebook, and she would place two menus on the table down infront of the two. "Hello, my name is Aki and I'll be serving you today! Right now we have a special for a crumb cake that comes free with two medium sized lattes purchased! Believe me, the crumb cake is extra good. I can't get enough of it!" Boy she was extremely bubbly. Naito would look towards Chiyo and point towards her menu nonchalantly. "I'll have anything she gets." He spoke to the waitress with a calm tone. Once Chiyo made her order, Naito would wait for the waitress to leave before continuing their one on one talk.

"When my parents first told me they were shipping me all the way out here, I was alittle less than pissed. I could understand why they sent me here, since I was sort of a pain around the house and in their lives; but making me out to be a monster was alittle too much. I'd have to say my step father brainwashed my mother into thinking such a thing. We used to be so close before she met that man, and now she wants nothing to do with me." Naito closed his eyes and spoke with a calm tone, even when referring to the people he despised the most in his life. "Back at home I had everything I ever wanted. Control. Power. Authority. No one could tell me anything. When I was sent here, I planned on taking control just like I did back then. Infact, all was going soothingly for that mission of mine. Until I met you, Watanabe-chan..." The boy opened his eyes and gave a glare towards her eyes. Even if she attempted to cover, or shift her own gaze, he'd keep looking into them with a slightly annoyed expression "Gaining control of the school would be a simple process. Each day I'd mix in with different people, learn their mannerisms and then use that to sink my teeth into. Those girls were rather easy to dominate... I thought they all would be. But when I came across you, and you slapped me, it made me realize something. Not everyone bends to my will.." Naito threw his head back to look up towards the sky with a sort of frown. "I wanted to know why you could resist the temptation of following me. So I asked you out to learn more about you, and in some sick twist of fate I learned more about myself. I learned that even though I crave control, there are some things I could never control. I learned that me dominating is just some sick form of friendship I'm trying to brainwash myself into thinking. But that's not true..."

Naito would look back towards Chiyo with a slight smile. "Even though you still pushed me away, I wanted to get close to you. Not out of me wanting to control you, but out of me simply liking you for who you were. I don't want to lead you, I want to walk by your side as a friend." The boy would close his eyes and give a slightly bigger smile. "And regarding your earlier comment: perhaps I am a masochist. Though even so, I can see you care enough to make sure I'm not drinking something that's gonna keep me up all night. I've always referred to myself as a King, but perhaps I've met my Queen here in small Ueitawa. In that possible future where I do propose to you, I'll eagerly be awaiting your answer." Naito gave a chuckle under his breath while looking away towards the street view outside the mall. If he was serious about being her friend, he'd make sure to fight on her behalf. The classmates who looked to challenge her would now be challenging him aswell.

Don't all guys want a hot waitress? Where did she get that information? One of those hentai games you could only find online? In response to such a question, Naito's eyes narrowed in his own version of disgust. "It's insulting to group all guys together in the same category. That's like me saying don't all women like to cook. But to answer your question, maybe. It's not about the body for me. It's about the mind." Naito tapped his head with his index finger. "Telling how you're covering your chest, could I sense abit of jealousy here? No worries, Watanabe-chan. What you lack in endowment, you surely make up in cuteness. You'd be surprised how many guys look for that in a female instead." Like his usual self, he was blunt and rather neutral in tone. Talking about a female's body didn't seem like such a big deal to the silver haired one. After all, he paid little mind to the body and more to the mind, of his female classmates.

When he finally finished his explanation on why he approached her, he would lean forward in his chair and place his elbow on the table. Using this same arm to prop up his head, he'd give the girl a nonchalant gaze as she openly spoke down on him. He'd let her go on and on, yet he never broke eye contact and never changed his neutral expression. Naito simply sat and took his punishment, even when she refused to be his Queen because she didn't trust him. Once she was finally finished, and asked what he thought of that; Naito continued to stare for a few seconds. Those few seconds were awkwardly quiet, as he could easily be compared to a statue.

Suddenly he leaned back and gave a toothy laugh into the air. "Muah hahah! Watanabe-chan, you truly are my sworn friend!" A weird display coming from someone who rarely showed his true emotions in public. However, this laugh would suddenly stop as he looked back towards the girl with narrowed eyes. "So now that I told you about my... how did you put it...? Gross side. It's time for you to come clean too. They say friends never hide anything from one another. Atleast, that's what I read in a book." Naito raised a hand to pinch his chin between his index finger and thumb in thought. "I guess friends don't mince words after learning the truth either. So your response to my story is well accepted. But now I want to know about you. First off, why do you push so many people away? I can tell you're caring under that shell of yours, yet you make sure to hide it every so often behind half-hearted insults." The silver haired one's words were blunt and to the point. "I think by now it's obvious I'm not here to take advantage of you. You don't need to be so hesitant to tell me such things."

Naito figured he'd be better off asking light questions instead of heavy ones, like the ones dealing with the bullying. Infact, he didn't plan on mentioning it at all at first. He would handle the problem his own way. There were some benefits to having social status amongst your peers.