The two sat on a bench as they waited for their bus to arrive. To be more specific, Alice was the one sitting, while Akuma chose to stand next to the bench.

  Maybe he was feeling a bit self-conscious after his earlier fall, or maybe it was just his usual distaste for wooden structures. Then again, both options could be at work here.

  Akuma was the first to start off a conversation. He’d been meaning to say something for a while now but found himself overthinking on what to say.

  “I-I’m surprised you came to school today. If it were me, I’d have stayed home. Especially since it’s Friday.”

  “You sound just like my grandma. She told me the same thing.”

  Hearing that was like a needle piercing through Akuma’s heart. He wasn’t sure whether to take it as an insult or not.

  “Honestly, it was unbearable missing four whole days of school. I mean that’s four whole days! One or two is one thing, but four?! I almost lost my mind. I had to come back as soon as possible.”

  “Wow… um… didn’t know you felt so passionate about school.”

  “Well of course I love school! I get to see so many wonderful people. My friends, the teachers and even the people in the hallways.”

  It might be important to note that Alice is something of a school celebrity. It is almost rare to find her by herself.

  “Is that so…”

  “You always make that face when I mention wanting to see other people… Say, do you remember how we first met?”

  “Huh? Um… I was beating up some thugs, right?”

  “Yep. It was right after my mom had passed away. I got a text message from my father in the middle of class. I thought the whole world would end after I read that. I just couldn’t believe it. I immediately asked to use the restroom and darted out the school crying. That was the first and last time I ever skipped class… But while I was out, I ran into a group of delinquents. They kept pressing me for my number, and when I didn’t give it to them, they flipped. One even pulled out a knife. I was so scared, I really thought I was gonna die, you know? So, I just closed my eyes shut and waited for it to come. But it just never came… And when I opened my eyes, I saw you. I felt like some main heroine from an anime. After that you beat the living daylights out of them, and all by yourself. And when I asked who you were, you looked me dead in my eyes and said ‘I’m God’. That was my first time ever meeting the famous Lazy Demon.”

  “N-Now that I’m hearing the story from you, I gave the worst first impression ever. Please, just forget that whole thing ever happened.”

  Alice giggled from his embarrassment.

  “Sorry but no can do. That memory is special to me. Just like you.”

  “Huh? W-What are you saying?”

  In his confusion, she’d scooted over to the other side of the bench without him realizing, grabbing his attention with her pointed finger.

  “I’m saying, that you’re one of the wonderful people I want to see too at school too.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Akuma was left speechless, his eyes widened with shock as he tried to process what she said. But mostly, it was her eyes. There was just something beautiful about the way they looked at him. They looked at him like he was human.

  Their silent exchange was cut short by the rumbling of truck-like exhaust.

  Their yellow Uber had arrived, eager to whisk them away to their next destination. It halted right in front of them, its double doors swinging open in an inviting gesture.

  While any ordinary person might see it as just a yellow bus ready to transport students to school, Akuma perceived it as Cerberus, the mythical guardian, lowering its back to usher them into the depths of the underworld.

  Well, any ordinary day he might’ve seen it that way, but his attention was so fixed on Alice that he hadn’t even noticed the bus had arrived. It took Alice getting up while commenting “It’s here, Akuma” to snap him back to reality.

  Having no real friends on the bus -none at all actually- Akuma opted for the back seat, a place that felt like home. Since stepping into high school, he found solace only in the rear of the bus. In his mind, those who sat in the middle were decent enough, but the front seats? Those were reserved for serial killers, or perhaps people on illegal substances -maybe even both.

  If you're curious, Alice, as usual, settled into the seat right in front of him.

  *************

  Saint Peters High.

  An ordinary high school, for ordinary students in this very ordinary world. Much like any other ordinary institution of learning, you’ll find that one student who’s outcasted by everyone around them.

  It had its perks at times. No matter how crowded the hallways, they somehow always parted for Akuma, creating a bubble of space around him. Tables would clear at his approach, and he never had to endure the agony of waiting in long lines. His academic genius placed him at the top of his entire grade, allowing him to glide under the radar of teachers, despite his habitual tardiness and absences.

  But it goes without saying that it also had its cons.

  “See that boy over there? Don’t go anywhere near him.”

  That’s what he heard a girl warning who he assumed to be a new student.

  “Huh? Why? Is he a delinquent or something?” the new student asked her.

  “More than that. He goes around calling himself God and even argues with himself sometimes. He’s so cocky about his good grades that he refuses to work with anyone during group projects. Honestly, I bet the teachers only give him good grades because they’re scared of him.”

  “Really? That’s a shame, he looked kind of cute too.”

  “Blaming my academic excellence on intimidation, huh…” Akuma muttered to himself, a wry smile creeping onto his expression.

  If that wasn’t bad enough, he heard another group of students chatting about him, this time a group of guys.

  “Can’t believe he has the guts to still come to school. I wouldn’t be able to show my face if everyone hated me.”

  “What are you feeling bad for him or something?”

  “Don’t be. It’s not like we’ve said anything bad about him or anything. All we’re doing is just minding our own business-”

  “What are you guys talking about?”

  That interjection was his knight in shining armor. The only person who could set the Anti-Akuma propaganda straight.

  “Oh… uh, Alice.” The group of guys stammered. “W-Where did you come from?”

  “I’ve been here this whole time. And I’ve gotta say you guys are all delusional. Don’t you realize that not doing something is just as bad as doing something? …That goes for you ladies too.”

  The awkwardness and sheer embarrassment of calling them out, promoted an immediate retreat by the two groups. After which, Alice winked at Akuma while giving him an “ok” sign with her hand.

  “Oh my god… One day I’m gonna marry that girl.”

  As if mocking him, the apparition started laughing at his declaration.

  “Very funny.” Akuma sarcastically remarked. “Y’know, Tenshi’s an idiot and he can be annoying sometimes but he’s way better than hanging around you. I mean you are insufferable with a capital INSUFFRABLE!”

  Room E4. That was supposed to be his homeroom class. But honestly, it just felt like another cage trapping him.

  As helpful as Alice’s earlier defense was, there wasn’t much she could do once he was inside his class. And so, the whispers continued.

  The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glare on the dull, beige walls that seemed to close in on him. Desks were arranged in rigid rows, each one a small island of isolation.

  Though when he spotted a group of friends chatting about anime and manga, he realized that it was just his desk.

  His desk was clearly the only island in the room.

  There was no reason to blame others for their actions, no matter how cruel. People, after all, are instinctually drawn to the masses. And to that end, they’ll say, do and even think pretty much whatever’s necessary to fit in. So, it made sense why everyone avoided him.

  And what point would there be in faulting an animal for simply trying to survive.

  But… If he were to blame someone, then I suppose it would rest solely on the creator of this world, the one who instilled the need for such instincts.