The Prince And The Nun (Haru)

Lunch passed by with great ease after meeting two interesting personalities. She was still at a tree, resting in its shade. A good workout, a shower, and lunch all in one made her feel rather fulfilled and rewarded. Though that was still the same mundane cycle she kept doing for years now. She was feeling relaxed right now after all of this and setting her coffin aside, the girl was also feeling languid more likely. Perhaps even to the point of even yawning loudly. Strange. She could've sworn she had more than enough sleep last night.


Looking back at it, she did meet a lot of people. Barring Jack, they were rather nice encounters. She sat against the tree and started to flip open a book to start reviewing for the incoming class time.

The school assembly had ended sometime ago, but instead of returning home Haru decided to stay at the school a while longer. While he was not a student in the place, he had always wondered exactly what the folk at the public schools were taught. He had heard of many negative things from his parents and that one snotty math tutor they had hired. Each one had negativity to spread for days about the public school system saying that being taught by private tutors was better than mingling with and being taught by common folk.

It was one thing that they didn’t seem to like about the Government. Apparently, giving people the chance to grow and make something of themselves in the world was this big sin in their books. It was enough to make Haru want roll his eye at all their complaints about nothing. He was sure the only reason any of them wanted such a system was because they had money or could gain more money from private system. Guess some forgot exactly where they came from when money bought exactly what they wanted. It was a sad case, but before that thought could ruin his rather chilled mood, he would push it away as he moved about the hallways, keeping to himself and resist the temptation to sit in on a class.

He didn’t exactly want to distract the students and without a true cover he wouldn’t risk getting too involved in exploring things at the moment. So while classes were in session, he drifted to the library where thankfully all he had to contend with was the bashful librarian and only one fan girl that tried to make it un-obvious she was staring. The guy with her didn’t seem to like the staring, giving Haru a displeased glare as he passed; however, the young man did not seem to mind the look as he became busy with examining the books on the shelves.

A mismatched eyes scanned the books, he found himself somewhat impressed at what he saw. While some of the books he knew like the back of his hand, there were some others that he had been wanting to read through that mainly resided in the history and classical book section. Picking up a thick book with the label the Divine Comedy on it, Haru would examine the cover for a bit before opening it up to begin to read a few pages of the book.

Completely content with the read, he would only move himself more to the side to get out of the way of a male student that came down the aisle. He would continue read for at least 30 minutes before he would close the book and then take it with him to the check out desk. While this wasn’t a public library and he expected the young woman to give him a fight as far as letting the book out of her sight, he found himself sorely disappointed as the young lady said she would make an exception just for him and let him take the book if he wanted. Even keep it if he so wished to.

While it was true, he could’ve taken advantage of such behavior, Haru decided against it as he simply thanked the girl for her time before leaving the book on the counter and leaving the place. While he didn’t show it, he was quite peeved with being treated as something special. Sure people knew his face and sure he did have some influence in the media space, but seriously…why did everyone feel they had to go above and beyond just for him? What about everyone else? Did they not deserve to be treated just the same?

Haru would sigh inwardly as the question of all questions began to plague him again. Deciding he needed to get out of the building and away from people, he would head outside and out into the wide spacious area of the yards. He found a nice tree and was about to sit and relax under it to air out his head when he heard a yawn from the other side.

At first he thought to simply move away, but something made him halt this action as he instead peeked around the tree to see who it was. To his surprise it was a girl…a very familiar girl. He had met her a few years ago, no? But where?

He’d rack his brain for a bit until one clear incident involving demons crept to the forefront. Ah! The girl that had called him a hero and kissed him back then….Now he remembered.

Relaxing slightly, he would come from around the tree making sure to make enough noise to not hopefully not startle the other.


“You’re... Maria aren’t you?” he would begin as he paused a respectful distance away from the other. It was only five years, but even so things about each had changed, but one thing would be memorable about the young man if she had seen it back then. His eyes. Haru’s eyes never changed.

There was a gentle breeze that made sitting in this tree even nicer. She flipped through a page and scanned through the content. English wasn't so hard, except having to make vague interpretations of what the author wrote. To her honest annoyance, she felt like the teachers are looking way too deep into the stuff they were reading. But, they were the teachers and she was the student. It was only correct that she took their teachings to heart as much as she could, but Maria would soon forget them as they weren't really as memorable as the people she met.

"...eh?" she looked up from her book to see a handsome young man looking at her. She flushed slightly, but recovered by clearing her throat. "Uh, yes. That's me. Who--"

He seemed so familiar. Where did she meet him? While Maria was racking her brain for any memories, she soon started to blush heavily upon one embarrassing scene. Why in the Hell did she do that?!

Haru would stay in his spot observing the other for only a few moments before looking away. Despite how cute she had become, it was still rude to stare so being respectful of the other he would keep his attention elsewhere until the other made a sound and addressed him. He would take note of her behavior, but keep his own thoughts on the matter quite hidden behind the calmness he showed. He would remain quietly observing her for a bit not answering her when she suddenly stopped mid-question. Sure, he could’ve solved her mystery right then in there, but there was a part deep down inside of him that hated making game of any sort easy.

So he let her think the puzzle out on her own and when she finally did find her answer (as suggested by her blushing), the young man would lean against the tree calmly as the faintest of smirks crossed his lips.

“I am afraid so,” he would say as he blinked in a laid back fashion not seeming to be bothered by the girl’s behavior as his eyes settled on her with an even gaze despite how amused he was by this inwardly. “Ah yes. I didn’t get a chance to return the courtesy back then, so I will do so now. My name is Hatsuharu. It is a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Maria,” he would say with a light nod before focusing on her last question. “I have been alright. And you?”
His tone remained as casual and relaxed as before not really rising that much in volume as he spoke only loud enough to be heard.

Note:

He seemed rather over-bearing, yet he wasn't trying. Perhaps that's what he normally is with a face like his. She cleared her throat, obviously trying to recover. Though, try as Maria might, the flush was still there. Yet, it did recede to a faint pink at the least. To her credit, she was trying to stay calm. But those memories back then, was she so brazen?

"I-it's nice to meet you too, Mister Hatsuharu. But please just call me Maria," she began slowly while also gaining some poise back, "I... I'm doing alright. Yes."

So even he was alive after what happened five years ago. This was some great news. While she had tried to run away, this man stood his ground and tried to stop the demons from consuming them. In a way, she had a modicum of respect for him. He was better than her in that regard.


She started to close her book shut while getting onto her feet. With her behind off the tree, Maria patted off any dust that clung to her clothing. The girl was curious why he was here. Perhaps he was like many of them here, looking for a job in the government. She tried to guess in her head what kind of work he was looking for within the bureaucracy.

The young man would remain respectful of the young lady before him not seeming to mind that she was flustered. It was a usual reaction towards him and while it could be annoying at times at least this one seemed to be doing her best to regain composure and not putting on the act for the sake of being a fan girl. This was a much welcome change of pace and perhaps it was due to this shift that he remained patient with the other.

“The pleasure is all mine,” he would say as he remained relaxed against the tree. After a second of silence, he would speak again. “If we are going with no formalities, then you may call me by my first name also. Though maybe Hatsu would be a bit better. My name can be a bit of mouthful to say all the time,” he would say giving the other a small smile in turn. It seemed that despite his seemingly unapproachable air, the guy was actually not so bad as he appeared to be. Why else would he attempt to put someone at ease around himself?

Haru was an odd person that could be sweet as pie one second and a ice wall the next. He seemed to run on his own rules both now and back then, but even so he remained respectful of others and quite frankly he was kind of happy to have found the young lady alive and well after five years of not exactly being sure if she had made out of that chaos alive or not. Perhaps she was stronger than she let on.

Relief and speculation aside, the young man would shake his head lightly at the question.

“Sometimes, I wish I were, but no. I came here for the Queen’s speech and then decided to see what a school was actually like afterwards,” he would say in his usual quiet tones before pushing off the tree and coming a bit closer before stopping again.

”You say are a student here. What are studying to become?” he would a bit curious about the girl, but also the paths the public system offered.

"Oh, I see. Mhm. Alright, Hatsu it is, she nodded as she understood the man's preferences. While as overbearing that he seemed to be, Hatsu didn't seem to be overbearing in personality either, which was really great. It made talking with him easier as she would begin to stop stuttering.

She listened to what else he had to say. It turned out he wasn't a student, but came here for other reasons to begin with. Maria paused and pursed her lips at first. She knew what she wanted to become, a Cadet. It was a role that she wanted--no, needed to become. That night five years ago, the memories of those screams continued to be vivid in her skull. But she finally answered.


"I'm... not actually sure, to be honest. I may have to refer to the counselors later on to make an actual decision," she spoke as honestly as she could, "Oh. And you were at the Queen's speech? I had to miss that because I had something to take care of. Could you tell me what happened there?"

The young man would remain quiet for the moment giving only a light nod as the other took to using the short version of his name and in turn seemed to calm even more. The more the other calmed, the more easy going Haru became around the other, despite his serious air. He honestly was relieved when folk settled down and simply acted normal…considering when they remained wound up things could become unpleasant in many ways.

As he settled more into his laid back air, he would wait patiently for an answer to his question should the other wish to answer. He did not bother to question what made the girl pause to begin with. He understood personal space on many levels and did not feel particularly threatened by the pause, so he kept his silence. He figured the girl would share what was on her mind if she really wanted to, so as long as she didn’t speak out he found her thoughts to be none of his concern for the time being.

When she did answer, the young man would listen before answering.

“I see. Well then, I wish you luck with whatever you chose in life,” he would begin before pausing to give a light hum of thought to her request. He would fold his arms as his left hand went to pinch his chin as he bowed his head lightly.

“I am not sure if Queen’s Speech is the correct term for what happened…” he began and then shaking his head lightly, he would let his hand drop to his folded arm as he leveled his eyes with her once more. “Her Majesty did not grace us with her presence at the assembly; however, her children and the current Cadets were there along with a representative for the Queen. The representative had no name, but she did make a peculiar announcement. She said that she was here to recruit Cadets for the Queen. She told anyone interested in becoming a Cadet to come to the school tonight. Her Majesty will be here then. The woman mentioned a ritual will be involved and then just like that she left,” Haru would pause as he shifted his weight to his left leg. “From there any who remained once she had took her leave were left to socialize with each other and that was about it.”

The young man would finish the summary and then fall silent to let it all sink in.

"Thanks! I hope for the best for you too. I'm sure you'll do just fine," she beamed back in gratitude.

Maria was glad that the man didn't try to dig in much further. It honestly felt awkward to tell him about what she really planned to do and become. She soon found herself listening to Hatsuharu's explanation and summary of what happened in the morning proceedings. But what she heard, had seemingly transformed her into a different kind of person, at least momentarily speaking.


So. That time has come, hasn't it? Maria was feeling her heart beating against its cage. There was a rush of excitement and fury coursing through her veins. But she remembered where she was and who was with her as the bell soon rang, signalling the end of her own break. The girl didn't want him seeing this side of her.


"...I see. That is certainly interesting, Hatsu. I'm afraid that I'll have to attend my classes now. I'll see you later."

She waved at the man while picking up her massive coffin. Strange how he didn't say a thing about her coffin. But it was a good thing, at least. Yet, now... tonight promised to be a busy one.

[Exit]

"Mmm. Thank you," Haru would say his expression seeming pleased, but inwardly he felt nothing towards the comment. His life was a different one than most, so how well he did was only set by how willing he was survive on that path. Even so, he showed no malice or anger towards the young lady words. He knew she didn't mean any harm by them and besides, he didn't wish to crush her cheerful mood with his own moodiness. So the expression worn seemed genuine despite inward thoughts.

In any case, the mood would remain relax until he gave a summary of the events that had occurred earlier. As he mentioned the event, he took note of the change in the air and the shift in the girl’s personality. Hmm? Did he trigger something with that? Perhaps he would’ve asked if it weren’t for her shifting behavior once more. She would resume being as he had discovered her beforehand – chilled and relaxed. Odd. What was that all about?

Hm?

Haru would look off to the side as he heard the bell announcing a shift for what was happening at the school going off. Huh. It seemed his stay here was going to end then. He did not want to get stuck with crowds. His eyes would return Maria as she spoke.

“Ah. I will not hold you up then,” he would say as he shifted in his position and got ready to leave. He would take note as he moved that the girl picked up a rather large coffin like item. Something he kind of intentionally missed. He knew it was there, but at the same time found it to perhaps be some form of prop and so did not question it. It wasn’t until she actually lifted the thing and he got a good look at that he began to wonder what it was. Even so, he wasn’t about to question it and besides it was not like he had the chance to when the people were coming and he needed to disappear before things got…awkward.

He would see her wave and nod, letting out a light “See ya” before turning and moving away. Perhaps they would meet again down the road. For now, he had a bit to ponder before night fall.  

~ Haru has exited the thread. This thread is officially done. ~