Chapter 10: The False King (10)
[Kaiser]: Okay, he's not here… or here either.
[Kaiser] (Thinking): Damn, I didn't think Michael would be this upset about me leaving the school like I did. He's been blowing up my spatial line ever since I finished my talk with Mom.
[As Kaiser's mind races, so does his body as he tries to evade Michael's presence by ducking and dodging every corner in sight.]
[Kaiser]: Hmm, looks like I got away. Phew, that was intense for a moment, but all's well that ends we—
[Michael]: AND JUST WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!
[Kaiser]: AH! NO, DON'T KILL ME AGAIN!!
[Michael]: Huh? Have you lost your mind or something?
[Kaiser]: Oh, Michael?! Heeey, Michael. Buddy, pal, chum… hehe.
[Michael]: DON'T you "buddy" me, Kaiser. First, you leave me at school hanging by myself with no idea about your whereabouts, so I ended up having to ask Alice—who also didn't know! And then, on top of that, you had the audacity to ignore all my calls?!
[With fire in his eyes, Michael glares at Kaiser, waiting for an explanation.]
[Kaiser]: Okay, okay, look—I didn't do it on purpose… well, that's not entirely true, but I do have a reason for everything.
[Michael]: Oh, you better have a good one. It's in your best interest to have one.
[Kaiser]: Gulp… hehe.
[As they walk to school, Kaiser begins explaining how the King had him and his mom murdered, how he went back in time after dying, and why he's here now.]
[Michael]: Okay, let me get this straight—you're telling me the King sent someone after you and your mom, and you both got killed?
[Kaiser]: Mhm.
[Michael]: And because you died, you somehow went back in time and ended up in the auditorium again, which is why you didn't give the King your name and why you ran away?
[Kaiser]: Exactly.
[Michael]: And the reason you didn't answer my calls was because you knew I'd ask about it, and you couldn't explain over the phone since all spatial calls go through the King's security?
[Kaiser] (Smiles): Bingo.
[Michael]: …Yeah, I'm not buying this crap.
[Michael folds his arms, eyeing Kaiser like a criminal caught in a lie.]
[Kaiser]: HUH?! Michael, I know everything I just said sounds far-fetched, and honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't believe it either. But listen—when I tell you this, I wholeheartedly mean it. Everything I said is the truth, and you're the only person I trust enough to tell right now.
[Michael studies Kaiser. The story just doesn't make sense—but something inside him overrides logic and reason.]
[Michael]: …Alright, Kaiser, I believe you. Not because your story makes sense—because it doesn't—but because you're my friend, and I choose to trust you.
[Kaiser's face lights up, his body untensing as if a ten-ton weight has been lifted off his shoulders.]
[Kaiser]: Thank you, Michael.
[Michael]: No problem. We're friends, after all.
[Kaiser] (Thinking): Michael, you're such a great friend. You don't understand how important you are to me—
[But before Kaiser can finish his thought, something catches his attention. Or rather, someone. At the school gates, a stunning girl is staring at him with a smile before walking off. At the same time, Michael notices her too.]
[Kaiser]: Whoa, that was… strangely intense.
[Michael]: Ooooh, looks like someone has their eye on you! Who is she? When did you guys meet? Are y'all dating?!
[As Michael bombards Kaiser with questions, a third party also witnesses the exchange.]
[Alice]: Huh? What was that? Is Kaiser already talking to someone else now? That slut—how could he?
[Alice] (Thinking): I know I shouldn't be upset. I know I shouldn't. Kaiser and I aren't together anymore, so he's allowed to make his own choices… but… but a part of me just can't accept this.
[Before Alice realizes it, she's already marching toward Kaiser and Michael, unable to stop herself.]
[Alice]: Who was that?
[Kaiser]: Huh?
[Alice hesitates for a second, knowing she should back off. But she's already come this far. No turning back now.]
[Alice]: I said—who was that girl that smiled at you by the gate?
[A brief silence falls over the group before Kaiser suddenly bursts into laughter.]
[Alice]: What's so funny about a simple question?
[Kaiser]: It's funny because… it sounds like you're jealous.
[Alice jerks back, completely stunned that Kaiser would even dare to suggest such a thing.]
[Alice]: Wha—Huh?! Jealous? Me? Over you? Not at all! Not even one bit! I just have a bad feeling about her, that's all!
[Kaiser]: Yeah, well, even if there was something going on, it wouldn't be any of your concern. We broke up, remember?
[Kaiser walks off, still talking with Michael, while Alice boils with frustration at letting her emotions get the best of her.]
⸻
POV Shift—Homeroom
[Kaiser]: Man, I'm already tired of school.
[Michael]: Same. And class is always so loud in the morning.
[Ms. Rias]: Alright, class, quiet down! I have an announcement to make!
[Kaiser]: Oh? This should be interesting.
[Ms. Rias]: We have a new transfer student today. Since she has proven herself to be better than all her prior classmates, she has been moved up to the highest freshman class. I would like all of you to welcome—Hela Augustus.
[Alice & Kaiser]: HUH?! IT'S HER?!