The walk towards Kizuna [Open]

Rest time was over. It had been about a week since Tsurinai Naito attended school, ever since the fiasco that had occurred in the Velvet Room recently. He had never expected to be put against his own corrupted memories in such a way, but once it was all said and done he was quite grateful the whole experience occurred. It put him on his path, and even made his resolve more profound than before. Though, thanks to awakening a new power and overusing his old, he needed a few days bed rest that ended up turning into a week. No one would have seen him, because he stayed in his dorm room throughout the entire time without leaving once. After all, he had everything he needed in his private refrigerator, and enough snacks to live on for a few weeks or so. He didn't really enjoy foraying around Ueitawa, as previously he believed the entire populace was full of scum and trash. However, perhaps there was hope that there were truly capable of people in the world that did not reek of incompetence like he had previously thought. Whatever the case, Tsurinai Naito picked himself up out of bed and got dressed for school. This was a new week, and he most likely had alot to catch up on in his absence. Even the Kendo club had become strangers to him thanks to the week of him being gone. Perhaps he'd need to make an excuse for his absence? After staring in his mirror for about a minute, the silver haired Tsurinai would shrug his shoulders and look to the side with a indifferent glance. There was no use explaining anything to them, they didn't warrant the concern. After all, they were simply teammates and not his actually friends, correct? Regardless, the young man would button up his blazer and grab his leather satchel for school. Leaving his room, he'd lock the door and head down into the lounge of the dorm. Of course he wasn't the only one leaving at this time, as various students were making their way out the dorm aswell. Exiting the dorm, Naito felt a cold chill come over his face as the winter air made itself present. He witnessed numerous people bunch together and walk to school while others were playing with the snow and enjoying their youth. The silver haired boy was completely silent, only observing the dregs- err, his students having fun with their lives. Perhaps since he was raised in a more sheltered home, such novelties as snowballs didn't interest him. Continuing on with his confident stride, Naito began to walk down the dirt path on his way towards Kizuna Academy.

Walking with a rather refined stride, Naito's silver eyes were narrowed and focused on the building up ahead. Though he wasn't particularly near it, he could see it peeking out from over the snow covered treetops on the path to the front gates. The young Tsurinai's mind was focused more on other things and less on the day ahead. After his encounter with his Shadow, and coming to terms with his family's expectations, the young man had resolved to face his past as well as build a strong future. To face his past, he needed to get back in contact with his Father, and the current heir of the family, his own older sister. The only member of his family that he had even spoken with in the past five years would have been his sister since his own mother saw him as a monster, thanks to his previous antagonizing actions. That was quite alright, he didn't wish to be accepted by his family or even acknowledged, he just wished for them to know he wasn't as compliant as his older sister, Soki. Naito had alot of expectations to live up to as the Tsurinai Group's only male son, yet he was nothing but a liability, so said his Father of course. This was because he didn't agree with their methods on preying on the weak, and instead wished for humanity to flourish past their current potential. Instead of having the courage to stand up to his Father's, and his entire family's belief, he instead allowed himself to be shipped away to a region like this. Ueitawa was more like a cage than a home, and there was nothing for him here. Atleast that's what he believed initially. After spending time in Ueitawa, meeting a select few people, and unlocking his own physical manifestation of will, Naito had learned something about himself. He didn't have any reason to live up to his Father's expectations, yet that didn't mean he shouldn't have atleast tried to change his clan from the inside. From this day forward he would begin to work himself back within the workings of his family, and perhaps gain power from the shadows. Perhaps his own will could be used to show his own Father that not all humans were weak and easy to prey on like the man so believed. Was it possible Naito wished to use Limbo's power to force an evolution in people to prove his Father wrong aswell? He had never thought about that possibility till now. It made him suddenly stop his confident stride home and tilt his head back to look towards the clear blue sky. "..Hmph, maybe so." He spoke in a calm voice to himself as he stood there lost in a sort of daze.

Students passed him by, some attempted to get his attention, and others simply whispered. It was a strange sight seeing Tsurinai Naito so lost in thought in regards to something that didn't involve the current "then and now". The young man was set on using Limbo's power for his own one hundred and ten percent, but now he was asking himself why he wanted to use it. Though he told others a selfless reason, simply wanting the best for humanity as a whole, perhaps he had ulterior motives. Did he want to prove his Father wrong? Well, that was a partial reason there. But his main reason always came back to his younger sister who never took her life for granted. She had the will to push herself harder than anyone Naito had met in his life, and yet she was trapped in a small broken frame of a body. Seeing others take advantage of their life and wasting their potential made him rather sick. Those who were weak and holding back the strong were despicable, as they only worked to reach the status quo and never looked to surpass previous limitations. Instead, they held back those with the ability to continue to grow, making the human race as a whole become quite stagnant. Naito had a zero tolerance to this. Very little others had such a harsh look on people that could compare to Naito's own, and he knew this. However, he was also now aware that achieving his goals, he'd need to use those who were competent, as working alone hadn't gotten him far as of yet. Shaking his head with a sigh, the silver haired teenager continued his advance down the snow filled path, walking to the Academy he had no business being in. Considering he was taught college level studies as a child, it was an insult to himself for being sent here. His family must have found it humorous. How annoying...

Nanami Himura was late. And not, by just a few seconds. She was late by almost an hour. Mostly because she was tired from staying up until 3 in the morning wiring. She wasn't sure what she had wrote yet, but she was going to find out today, and fail the test in English too. Best of both worlds. She shoved everything into her bag in one huge mess, pulled on her wrinkled clothes which were going to be covered up by her jacket anyway, and rushed out of the door without eating breakfast.

Now she had to get shoved into the subway train (one of the reasons why she got up so damned early), potentially googled and creepshot'd by perverts and barely get off on time before the doors close. Now... The Walk. It was like she could almost feel the stares and glares of others that didn't know and didn't care about her. Why was she feeling like everyone was staring? It didn't make any sense. They didn't know her. Well, they didn't know her, but... They knew who she was kinda walking next to her.

Tsurinai Naito. Even though she didn't keep up with who's who in Kizuna, she knew him. He was the wealthy heir to the Naito Corp, though there was talk that his sister was actually going to inherit everything and leave him with nothing. He also was so depressed by that news that he had locked himself in his dorm room to become a hihikimori. Good think it only lasted a week. Should she... Should she talk to him? He looked so cold.... But maybe what he needed was a friendly smile and a chance to talk to someone. She inhaled sharply and held her breath as she adjusted her angle to fall into step with him, smiling softly at him. Nanami would try to keep the fear and pity off of her face.

"G-Good morning, Naito-senpai. Wonderful day we're having, hmmm? Though, it's a bit too cold for my tastes. Uhhh.... If you need to talk to anyone, I'm here to listen. Though I suppos eyou wouldn't want to talk to a complete stranger!" The young student laughed with only a hint of nervousness. "I'm Himura Nanami. It's a pleasure to meet you." yeah. This want going to go so well. She could tell already.

Tsurinai Naito's attention was stolen from him when he heard an unfamiliar voice to his side. Looking over with a blank expression, his silver hues scanned the female currently speaking to him. Had they met before? No, he was sure they had not. So why was she speaking to him? Everyone had a specific reason to meet someone new, didn't they? Atleast, that's what the young Tsurinai was taught as a child. People were all about self preservation and self betterment. They did not invest their time into others unless it was for their own benefit. Perhaps this Himura Nanami wished to borrow some notes? Naito closed his eyes and pinched his chin between his index finger and thumb in thought. "Is she not aware I've been out of school for a week? Why would she wish to borrow notes I do not have? Though, saying I couldn't help her would be a blatant lie. We're not studying anything particularly difficult at the moment. Hm, but she did call me Senpai, so she must be a first year. Why would a first year have business with me if it isn't school work related?" Of course the youngest male of the Tsurinai clan pondered all this in his head while giving a blank stare towards his fellow student. To add onto his suspicions she said it was a pleasure to meet him? It caused him to narrow his eyes on instinct. "Himura, was it? Did you need something from me today? I've been out sick, so don't expect me to have any notes I can lend you, or anything similar to such a thing." Naito spoke in his usual blunt tone that he was known for. He had never minced his words in all his life, and he probably would never learn how at this rate. Though, it wasn't like his words were condescending or he was looking down on Himura, he simply didn't have the nerve to mask his true self even when speaking to people he had never met before. Honestly, why hide who you were from someone? There was no merit in doing such a thing in this day and age. Oh wait, there was a possibility she was with that strange online news group. Hm, what was it? Dazzle Razzle news, or something along the sort. That could be another reason she wanted to "talk" with him. She was probably after important information. Yes, this was another possibility that Naito could not easily slide behind his back. He forgot what sort of school he was in now. They had their own rumour board, after all. He was sure people most likely started some strange rumours after his sudden disappearance for a week or so. How amazing the circumstance this truly was. Things would be annoying for some time...

"Before we get too far into this conversation, Himura, I'd like to make some things clear." The silver haired Tsurinai spoke with a calm tone as he lifted his gloved hand and extended his pointer finger. "One. I was out sick, and that was the only reason. Anything else you've heard are rumours and rumours alone. But I'm sure you're not foolish enough to believe everything you hear from the random students I don't associate myself with." Naito extended a second finger. "Two. You're most likely forcing yourself to talk to me for some odd, unfitting reason. Considering we have not met before, and also the fact there's no merit in getting to know me without reason, I'm curious to know the true reason you're speaking to me. Of course, no disrespect intended here. I just have a very firm history that involves people using each other for specific reasons. There's no such thing as two people becoming associated with one another without one, or the other, wanting something in return." The refined young man said this with his usual calm tone of voice, albeit very bluntly, as he continued to walk down the snow filled path. In this moment, Naito extended a third finger. "Three..." His voice faded off as he simply stared at the finger for a few seconds. Had he forgotten what else to say, or was he just caught into the moment that he hadn't planned ahead to say anything. Narrowing his eyes, he'd lower his hand and look forward towards the school. "Two points are enough. A third would just be pushing it." A supposed excuse for not continuing most likely. This had been his first human interaction in about a week, though it could be abit longer than a week if you didn't count the velvet attendant as a human even before the week absence. Honestly, Naito rarely spoke to people he didn't have a firm interest in. He saw everyone on the same level of incompetence until they proved it otherwise, which could be seen as quite harsh. For him to even respond to Himura was a breakthrough. This didn't mean he was becoming one of the "nice" guys of Kizuna, but atleast now he could hold a conversation to those who he hardly cared for without calling them scum or trash right off the back.

God, what was she doing talking to him? Everything, from the way he walked to the way he spoke to her spoke volumes about him. And everything was screaming at her 'get away from me you fat, stupid slut. You aren't worth the time I've already wasted talking to you. Don't waste any more of it before I report you for harassment.'

Her smile faded as he continued talking to her. Yep, he didn't want to interact with her any further. He probably thought she was prying into his private life for the gossip column. So she let him finished before letting the smile return to her face. "I just heard that you were out for a week, and I just wanted to offer a shoulder should you need it. But you probably don't anyway. After all, I'm sure you have a lot of friends!" The laugh that came up from her lips was a hollow one, but it was better than breaking down and crying in front of him. He wasnt being mean on purpose. She was just being a creeper. "So, sorry for bothering you. I'll leave you alone now. Have a good day, Naito-senpai."

And with that, she began to slow down so he could go on ahead without her bugging him. What was she thinking? She was an idiot. She wondered quietly if she had enough money for a slice of cake on her person right now. She needed something to eat, so anything would probably do. Maybe she should skip school today and mope around town. She was already going to be late. Why just not make it an absence?

Naito was no idiot, and even though he didn't take much interest in other people he wasn't ignorant enough to tell when his words were cutting wounds. When she made the false assumption that he had many friends, his simply blinked with an indifferent expression. In all honesty, he prided himself on have no friends. After all, they were a crutch for the weak. That was the teachings he received as a child when it came to that subject, atleast. The young Tsurinai wasn't sure if the female was attempting to taunt him, with that hollow laugh of hers. There truly were some strange people in Ueitawa, wasn't there? Perhaps Naito's Attendant, Chance, was correct about humans. They all came in different packages and all held their limitless potential. Even with varied backgrounds they all found a way to co-exist, though violence was still present here and there. The teenager would tilt his head forward and shift his silver eyes to their corners. "Limitless potential... huh?" Of course he mumbled these words beneath his breath, as the wind brought about a cold chill down his spine. Brushing off this sudden feeling, the silver haired boy would look back towards Himura with his one visible eye. The other had taken vacancy behind a long stretch of silver hair that could be described as a straight bang. "Maybe I was not clear. You're not bothering me, I was curious on why you'd start to talk to me randomly. We've never met before, nor do you have any reason to want to get to know me. But if you really cared for my well being, I suppose I should be grateful, no?" He spoke with a calm tone towards his fellow student, even after she had slowed down. Placing a hand on his side in a nonchalant manner, he would stop his own stride to turn back and look towards her. "To think you'd be courageous enough to actually approach me and start a conversation. You've surprised me, Himura. If I came off as rude, you'll have to excuse me. I've never been the type to mince words, and I don't believe I'll start any time soon." The pale faced teenager would wait for the first year student to catch up before continuing to walk. Naito rarely spent time with others when it came to his school day, but if someone like Himura had noticed he was gone a week, he could only imagine his own classmates would bombard him with questions the moment he arrived. If that were the case, perhaps having an excuse to show up late was a godsend. Though, Naito was never a fan of referring to a higher power for his fortune.

"By the way.." The young man suddenly began to speak in a more direct tone towards Himura. "I noticed, just from body language, that words seem to have a powerful affect on you, do they? Why is that, Himura? Do you actually care what others think of you?" The sudden change of subject was quite sudden. Naito's eyes would close as he continued to walk and speak. "You should hold yourself higher than you currently are. Individuality is a wonderful thing that goes to waste each day. The majority of these students here are brainwashed by society's standards, and thus look to hold back others who don't fall in the same line as themselves. In all honesty, that makes them weak and you strong. The fact you don't follow standard gives you something they'll never claim: Strength. So don't take what I, or any other, says to heart. You're above words, Himura." For someone who was born in a refined family that never had the problem of being looked down upon, Naito had never felt insecure about himself, nor had a low self esteem. It was much easier for him to ignore the words of the less fortunate. The only people who held any weight with him were his family, and that was all. Everyone else, if they weren't with him they were against him. And he had no problem with that. Perhaps Himura's upbringing kept her at society's heel, and that was why words that weren't even meant to condescend cause her to doubt herself so easily. Naito was no psychologist so he couldn't give a proper diagnosis on her mental state, but from what he witnessed during their short interaction, it was apparent something was strange. Regardless, he continued his confident stride on the snow covered path without stopping again. If she rejected everything he had said, that would be fine. After all, he was not her therapist or even her friend. Just someone random that happened to exchange words with him on this random day. It could have been anyone. However, if there was one thing that got Naito talking, it was when he was shown a display of weakness. Such a thing was unbecoming of the human race, and it always made him cringe.

Unfortunately, Nanami's mind needed to process the information, so she just blinked at him with a rather dumb expression on her face. Or at least, it felt dumb to her. It would probably look to others like she was taking her time to reply.

So, he didn't think she was being a bother? Huh. Interesting, considering he was one of the most powerful people in Japan that she knew of. He probably got bothered a lot, or maybe she just caught him early enough that the grind of the day hadn't set in yet. Either way, her smile returned, however faintly it was. At least he apologized instead of not noticing and being a huge jerk about it. Maybe the rumors she had heard about Naito-senpai were somewhat wrong after all.

The change of subject threw her for a loop, though. So much so that her filter went down for a brief second. "Well, people keep telling me that I have self-esteem issues, and I'm inclined to agree with them. It's easy to say 'hold yourself up higher' but harder to do, to be honest. I would have to become as cold as you seem to be to achieve any amount of egotism. I'd rather stay like myself, if you don't mind."

Wait... What had she just said? Shit, she insulted him! "N-Not that I'm saying you're not cold, you just act that way!" Backtracking was not a good thing to do when youre introducing yourself. Insulting a senpai was even worse. Either way, she was fucked. "Sorry." Damnit, hold yourself higher! But she did need to apologize, as long as she didn't do it again. The act of not doing it again felt wrong somehow, but she kept her lips shut. "Eithe way, I do actually care a lot of what others think of me. It's kinda stupid I know, but I can't help it. I just want to make a good first impression. Is that so much to ask? For me, yeah, it kinda is."

The first word that came to the Tsurinai's mind when describing Himura Nanami would be "pitiful". For one who despised weakness, one could only guess how put off he was to see someone down themselves simply because of the words of others. Basically she had yet to accept herself, so when others spoke down to her she bit her lip and just took the disrespect. The silver haired boy wondered if she just loathe herself, and felt as is she deserved to hear the ridiculing words of her fellow classmen. All in all, Himura was probably the weakest human he had met in all his life. Narrowing his eyes in a cold glare towards her comment of egotism in regards to his own personality. "Bold of you to say. However, if you believe me to be cold, simply because I accept who I am and do not pay mind to what others think, then you're fooling yourself. If you're so compelled to stay yourself, then why are you so upset by the words of others? I've seen many people true to themselves and enjoying their lives all the same. It isn't a crime to raise your voice to someone and defend yourself, Himura." Naito's silver eyes found themselves glaring forward as he continued his stride towards the school. It wouldn't be that much longer now, but he had noticed the more he spoke with the female the slower he walked. No one else was even on the trail now, and most likely the first bell was soon to ring. This would be troublesome. Someone the Tsurinai had found himself counselling a girl who seemed to take pride in her current situation. If by pride you meant just ducked her head and took the onslaught of words without little reciprocation. When she fumbled over her words after calling him cold, he couldn't help but tilt his head forward. "Don't apologize, that's a sign of weakness." Something he heard time and time again as a child. These two were from two completely different worlds. Where he was raised to be strong, and a potential leader of his clan, she apparently was not. Infact, how she acted, she could have been teased even as a small child. This was pathetic, but perhaps he was judging her too harshly. When she continued on about first impressions, he closed his eyes and shook his head. If first impressions were so important, then why was she failing so bad at one right now?

"How can you carry yourself throughout your day while worrying about the thoughts of others? Your childhood must have been quite stifling." The young teenager pinched his chin between his index finger and thumb, going into his usual moment of thought. Chance spoke of limitless potential for humans, yet here was one who was most likely afraid to change. She was one of the reasons why Naito wished to use Limbo to brainwash the current society into an evolution of morals. Was this wrong of him? Perhaps. But he had the betterment of humanity on his conscious aswell. Seeing those who could be so much more, waste their potential, felt rather petty. As he said many times before, it was the job of those blessed with strength to lead the weak. Sitting idly by and watching someone such as Himura, who probably had talent somewhere within, take to heart what the other dregs said was... Well, the word didn't come to mind. It just was not good. Looking towards her with a rather cold glare, the silver eyed Tsurinai would speak loud enough for her to hear him clearly. "If you don't plan on changing, and you enjoy being looked down upon, then be my guest and let others treat you like trash. Just know you're never going to get anywhere in life if you don't find your voice, and deny any negative thoughts you may be nurturing in that head of yours." With those words, Naito turned forward and continued his stride towards the school gates up ahead. Was he being harsh? Yes, but he didn't care. She had no excuse to be so pitiful. If his younger sister, who was stuck in bed because of an illness for the majority of her day, could live life with a strong will why couldn't she?

She stopped as Naito-senpai moved away from her. Yes, what he said hurt. She didn't want to disappoint, to be a failure to those around her. That's why she took it. But... Maybe he was right. Maybe she should find her voice and say what she wanted to say, without fear of repercussion. Not worry what others say. She just... She wasn't sure how to pull that off. That 'devil may care' attitude that Naito could do. How did he do it? Perhaps she could follow him- no, that wouldn't be right! At least... Not without his-

Damn, was that the first bell? Yeah, she was already late. Might as well make it an absence. At least now she could skip school and do a character study, study for the test she was going to miss and beg for a makeup test. She turned and walked off, pondering over the person that was Tsurinai Naito. Cool, calm, collected, and strangely passionate about people living up to their potential. Yes... It probably not be enough to work off of, but she could create a short story off of just his characterization alone. And potentially what happened during the week that he was gone.

(EXIT Nanami)

Naito didn't turn back as the young woman scurried off. However, when he heard the bell he let out a sigh. His first day back after a week of rest and he was late. This was unbecoming of a Tsurinai. Picking up his stride into a jog, the silver haired boy would make his own way towards class with a slightly irritated expression upon his face.

[exit]