Seniors

Sakata Akio's POV

As Rei-kun and I entered school, many students were murmuring. We were curious as to what they were talking about.

The school's interiors have a luxurious feel. Everything is designed carefully. It has a modern western design. The walls are painted white. The lockers as we entered were shimmering white like it was brand new. We placed our outdoor shoes on our shoe lockers and changed into indoor shoes.

Student: Oh em gee. The Silent Killers are here.

The student gasped and covered her gaping mouth. Her pale face shows as if she saw a ghost.

Silent what? Silent Killers? Who? Us? Rei-kun and I started to stare at each other. Our faces showed confusion and then suddenly a hand was placed on both of our shoulders. Rei and I stared at the hand and then to the person who placed his hand on us. He has an indigo colored hair with wide golden brown eyes. He also has a cross scar below his left eye.

As we turned our bodies facing him, he smiled condescendingly and said,

"Well, well, well, who do we have here? I am Tanaka Ko. Nice to meet you lil 'boys. I am going to be your senpai."

(A/N: Senpai (先輩、せんぱい) is used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club. Teachers are not senpai, but rather they are sensei. Neither are students of the same or lower grade: they are referred to, but never addressed as, kōhai (後輩、こうはい).)

What is this feeling? He feels so scary. I feel fear even though he is showing an innocent-like smile. Both Rei and I took a step backward. As I was making my feelings obvious to Tanaka-senpai, Rei-kun just had a calm face.

Was I the only one who felt afraid? Rei-kun are you not scared? I wanna run. I can feel that he is dangerous. Please say something. Please move.

Another guy wrapped his arm around my shoulders and another guy on Rei. The guy with his arm on me had a black bad-ass hairstyle with thick brows and small green eyes with a mole below his left eye.

He said with a sly smile, "I am Nakamura Maki."

The guy with Rei has a green messy hair with brown eyes and thin brows. He also has a huge slash-like scar on his face.

He leaned closer to Rei's ear and said, "I am Kato Kyosuke."

Rei's eyes squinted and slowly removed Kato-senpai's arm.

Rei: I am Matsumoto Rei.

He said with a straight face. Is Rei-kun this scary? His aura suddenly changed. I also slowly removed Maki-senpai's hand.

Akio: I-I a-am Sakata Akio.

I stuttered as I said nervously.

Ko: Oh. Sakata? Sounds familiar.

He talked with a smirk. Kato-senpai started to grab his phone and began typing.

Maki: He said Sakata, Kyosuke-kun. Is this the son of the Sakata of this school?

Kyosuke: Yep. I already did a background check of Sakata Hiroto-sama. It appears his son just looks like this Sakata Akio. Look at this picture on my phone.

Kyosuke showed his phone to Ko-kun.

Ko: I don't know if you're really smart Kyosuke-kun or not. It's obviously his son!

Tanaka-senpai annoyingly answered and rolled his eyes. The students around started to get noisier when they knew I am the son of the owner of the school.

Ko: Hmm. We are your seniors Matsumoto-kun and Sakata-kun. We want to fight with you and maybe kill you some time.

He said with an evil-ish smirk. He looks so hyped all of a sudden.

What? Did he say kill?

Kill? Kill... Is he serious? Maybe he is just joking around.

Akio: Kill? Hehehe. Don't exaggerate, Tanaka-senpai. You're just kidding, right? You are so funny.

Rei glared at me. Huh? What? What did I do?

Tanaka-senpai suddenly got pissed. He then grabbed my collar.

Ko: You think I was joking? You want me to kill you here right now? You are so arrogant just because you are Sakata-sama's son, huh ?!

Kato-senpai and Nakamura-senpai just laughed. They grabbed Tanaka-senpai and dragged him away from me.

Maki: Good luck kid! We'll surely come back for you.

When they left, the students around us stared at me with disgust.

Student1: You are worthy to be killed, wimp!

Student2: Yeah. I can't wait to see the son of the owner get killed.

Student3: Keep your tone down. You won't want his father to kill you.

I am seriously confused as to what is happening. What do you mean my dad will kill them? I was left dumbfounded. Rei-kun glared at the students but they just laughed and walked away.

Akio: I don't understand what is happening. Is this some kind of joke?

Rei: You seriously do not know what this school is ?!

He said angrily.

Akio: I-I-I don't. I'm sorry.

Rei just let out a deep sigh.

Rei: I'm sorry for raising my voice. This school is not what you think it is.

Akio: What? Is this school bad? Is my dad's school bad?

Before Rei could answer, a guy about a year older than us with a red hair with a cold looking face stopped in front of us and said, "I am Watanabe Raijin. Your father asked me to guide you today, Young Master."

Akio: What is this school, Watanabe-san?

(A/N: San (さん) – this is the most common honorific. It is a title of respect between equals. It is the English equivalent of Mr, Miss, Ms. It can also be attached to animals and objects, but that usage considered childish. It can also be used to refer to someone who works at a certain place.)

That was the first question I asked. I never asked why did my father send him but that was the only question I asked. Watanabe-san just tucked his thumbs inside his pockets and said,

Raijin: Both of you, just follow me.

Akio: Hey. Answer me. What is this school ?!

Rei-kun and I just followed him. I felt irritated because I cannot decipher the things happening around me. I cannot understand the words the students here are saying. I felt lost.

Watanabe-san just ignored me. I glanced at Rei-kun but all I can see is a blank face. Was he not fazed about everything that's happening? Or did he already know about this? My thoughts are full of questions. Watanabe-san suddenly stopped.

Akio : What???

I said with my brow raised because Watanabe-san just halted in front of me almost causing me to bump onto him.

Raijin: This will be the training grounds for fighting. Instead of having PE classes, the students here will have daily study sparring. No killings will happen here. You will just practice your agility, endurance, accuracy, and so on. You will be assigned to a partner. For you, Young Master, I believe your partner will be Saito Reiko-san. You will probably meet her sooner or later.

Akio: Her??? You mean a girl?

Raijin: Yes, Young Master. She is also a freshman and a government scholar. As of for you Mr. Matsumoto, your partner will be posted on the school's bulletin board. Now, let's move on.

Akio: Wait. What do you mean no killings ? Are students here killing each other ?!

Raijin: Yes. Every other week a school tournament is held at the school's arena. Some other students die sometimes like once or twice a month.

Akio: Are you serious ?! Rei, do you know about this?

Rei stared at me showing me a poker face.

Rei: Yeah. I was so surprised why you were so happy on the first day of school. I was forced here but I had no choice. Lol.

He said lol with a poker face. I then showed him my poker face in reply. Is this a poker face battle? Lol.

Rei: So? What? Are you just gonna stare at me like that?

Akio: Waaaaah !!

I ran to Rei and placed my hands on both of his shoulders and shook his body. My mixed feelings made my reaction to the situation delayed. It was so difficult to process everything that has been happening within single day! Not to mention it is only my first day today.

Akio: Rei! What am I gonna do? I feel so scared now!

I said as my hands trembled in fear.

Rei: I was expecting you to get mad at your father or what.

Akio: Oh yeah. I am really mad at him but I cannot sink in everything in my mind. I am so lost. I just--

I looked on the floor. I cannot understand. I can't help it. Tears suddenly fell from my eye. I raised my head again and stared at Rei-kun.

Akio: What am I gonna do?

Rei-kun just pat my back. It just made me cry harder. Oh, I forgot about Watanabe-san. I stopped myself from crying and pulled myself together. I looked back at Watanabe-san.

Raijin: I am afraid that you are going to be watched from time to time, leaving you no chance to rebel to your father.

He said it with a slight smile.

Akio: What? I can't believe this! Where's my father's office? I want to see him now! I need to stop this stupidity.

Raijin: As you wish, Young Master.

He then led us to my father's office. I stormed off as I followed him.

[ At Sakata Hiroto's office ]

Watanabe-san knocked on my father's office door.

Raijin: Your son is here, Sakata-sama.

Hiroto: Let him in.

I took a deep breath. I glanced at Rei-kun and he just nodded in response. I went inside my father's office. I saw my father holding a cup of tea while enjoying the view by the window.

Akio: Father, what is the meaning of this ?! Why are there students dying in this school ?! Are you aware of these ?! Why—-

Hiroto: Son.

My father interrupted me.

My father then put his teacup on his brown, newly varnished antique table calmly and looked at me with a gentle smile.

Hiroto: This is how this school works. Businessmen let their kids enroll in this school to increase wealth and power. The kids here are aware that they are going to die anytime. So, what's the harm with that?

Unbelievable. I can't believe the person in front of me is my father. Is he really this heartless? Is my mother aware of what he is doing? I can't get my head around on what's happening early in the morning.

Akio: I cannot believe you are my father! Does mother know all about these ?!

Hiroto: Of course your mother doesn't know about this. Otherwise, she would have prevented you to come to this school, son.

Akio: Stop calling me your son! I don't have a father who is this heartless! Are you saying you are going to use me as your pawn now ?!

Hiroto: Isn't it obvious, son? Don't worry. I won't let you get killed. I have a lot of connections since I am the owner of this school. Let us take advantage of this power and sooner or later we'll be able to control the government on the palm of our hands.

He let out an evil laugh. I just stood in front of him with my eyebrows crossed and my fists clenched.

Hiroto: You cannot have the chance to oppose me, Akio. Or else, I will have my men torture you every time you try to oppose me.

I was about to say something but someone knocked on the door.

Raijin: Sakata-sama, Saito-san is here.

Hiroto: Let her in.

A girl who is going to be my partner is here. What is she doing here?

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End of Chapter 2