Chapter 32: Interruptions
*Yawn*
Kiyoto can't help but feel tired despite having a well maintained sleeping schedule. It's as if even in his sleep, he seems to be doing something…or rather living a dream.
Since he doesn't really know the truth, he just puts it aside for now and focuses on the pressing matter regarding Akafuyu's sudden summon after meeting with the Heralds.
On the way, he stumbled upon someone who was seemingly observing every detail about the establishment, and what's more she looks like a non-member. With that said, Kiyoto kept his distance and monitored her since he should not be seen by just anyone.
Upon close observation, she is wearing a branded uniform that seems to belong from a prestigious group.
Just a few seconds passed, a [Swords] officer finally came and greeted the unknown visitor. Upon eavesdropping
She was sent here to be of assistance and to gather necessary information that the organization could share.
It was customary with the governing Heralds to send out someone for this, in Akafuyu's case, if we recall, the envoy she sent was Yato and his destination was towards Hokuto's Jissoji temple: the Home of the Great Yamataka Jindai Zakura where the Tenth Herald, Miko, is currently residing for her rituals.
'Oh…since she's working for another Herald, it might be best not to be seen by her at all.' Kiyoto thought to himself.
As soon as the envoy left with the [Swords] officer, Kiyoto came out of his observation spot and continued his trudge without any more interruption. The thought of making Akafuyu wait more than she already did is bothering Kiyoto.
As he's nearing his destination, Kiyoto saw yet another possible interruption. It was Mylene accompanied by Fudo who's currently heading towards his direction. He can only scratch his head.
Fudo greeted him energetically like she always has.
"Heya Kiyoto! Why are you in such a hurry dude? Wait, don't tell me-!"
Mylene butted in.
"Reporting to Akafuyu again, alone. Right?" She leans her head close to Kiyoto's as if interrogating him.
"Eh? I thought he's in dire need of the toilet."
Fudo just casually said her thoughts out loud.
Kiyoto laughs even though he doesn't mean to, just to dodge Mylene's question. Coincidentally, Klauss saw them while he's on his way to Kiyoto's room to get him since he's quite late.
Klauss raises his hands as he walks closer towards the group. "Ah Kiyoto-dono, I was just on my way to get you since you're kind of not on schedule." He then bowed to both Mylene and Fudo as a greeting. "And good day to you, beautiful maidens. I'm sorry, but we'll borrow Kiyoto-dono for a bit."
"Okie-dokie, just return him on time yeah?"
Fudo gave Klauss a thumbs up.
Mylene lets out a sigh. She then mumbles to herself: "You guys always have time with each other…"
Since Kiyoto's too close to Mylene, he can't help but hear what she just mumbled. It made Kiyoto quite guilty, since he misunderstood something just now. He thought that Mylene is beginning to become jealous of him since he's always seeing her friend, Akafuyu.
But it's quite close to the truth. Since Mylene is jealous of both of them. Kiyoto seeing Akafuyu, and Akafuyu seeing Kiyoto frequently. She likes them both after all.
"Well, we'll be on our way. Enjoy your day you two." Klauss turns around and leads the way, assuming Kiyoto to follow him.
Kiyoto, on the other hand, patted Mylene as he followed Klauss. "Next time, let's go out somewhere, the whole group with Miss Akafuyu I mean." He then left with Klauss.
Mylene paused for a moment then chuckled with her cheeks flushed.
"Hehe, dummy. I'm not that easy to be pleased with just words." Well she is. Just look at her reaction.
Fudo meanwhile couldn't help it but just tilt her head in confusion.
Klauss opened the door.
"I've brought Kiyoto-dono with me, My Mistress. It looks like he had some minor interruptions while on his way."
Inside the room was Akafuyu in her casual outfit, sitting at the back of her desk, waiting for Kiyoto to arrive.
"Ah, I see. Well it can't be helped, please take a seat."
Kiyoto takes his seat in front of Akafuyu, while Klauss starts to brew his signature coffee. As he's brewing, Akafuyu didn't waste any time to brief Kiyoto about his connection to the meeting of the Heralds that just happened recently.
"The First Herald…already knows about me and my mask's existence?" Kiyoto is making sure he understands it well.
Akafuyu then nodded in response.
"Lord Kurai, he knows everything that happens with a Mask. I can surmise that. Evolution, resurgence of power, inheritance to a new owner, and destruction of a mask…I think he can feel all of that."
"It just shows how omnipotent he and his mask is. It's as if all of the masks created were connected to him." Klauss commented.
"I see…wait, that also cleared one thing."
Kiyoto assumes a thinking pose as if he finally realized something.
"The Heralds might not be the perpetrator of the crack in your mask…"
Akafuyu surmised. She then continued: "Kiyoto…you're the only one left that I know that can damage your own mask."
It's finally revealed to him that he did the damage to his own mask. But one question still remains. Why did he do it? That question is now bugging Kiyoto more than ever now that he's quite sure that he's the one who did it.
"Ghh.."
Kiyoto puts his hand on his head like he's trying to cope up with this. He's also trying his best to remember a few things about his past, but to no avail.
"Kiyoto, don't push yourself too hard. It will come back to you if fate wills it. Now that you're here with us, focus on the present. I will promise that you'll be happ-"
Akafuyu clears her throat after realizing that her speech might be misunderstood since Klauss has been eyeing them from the start.
"A-anyway! Pertaining to what I just said, the [Swords] are happy that you are here with us now." Akafuyu said while managing not to fumble.
"How about you My Mistress?"
Klauss the bridge maker, strikes a follow-up question for his liege.
"Hey! Well, of course I'm also happy, okay!? A-also…I'm grateful that you didn't give up on me even in my most vulnerable part in life…you also changed m- ah, anyway! You're now a part of our team, so your problem is our problem, get it!?"
Seeing Akafuyu like this is something to behold since you won't see her acting up this much normally. With that said, it made Kiyoto somehow feel refreshed.
"Haha. Thank you, your counsel just now made me feel a lot better. I also think of the [Swords] as my own family, as well as the two of you, Klauss, Miss Akafuyu."
Kiyoto speaks in all honesty.
"Hoho, I'm grateful that you think of me as your family too Kiyoto-dono. If I say so myself, I can be a good uncle. So if you don't mind, My Mistress can be your–"
"K-l-a-u-s-s"
Klauss can feel his bones rattle in fear as the sweet scent of banishment lingers around him (TL: Akafuyu's deathly glare)
"Ahahah"
Kiyoto just laughed it off while scratching the back of his head. He knows what Klauss is up to, but for him, Akafuyu is someone he can't reach. Also, he thinks of himself, for now, as someone who can't have romantic feelings until he is fully aware of his past.
As things got wrapped up in their short conversation, Kiyoto left the office. As he closes the door, he can hear lasers and objects getting destroyed inside.
"Hm?"
He thought that the two inside were just messing around, so he left them be. But the truth is-
"KLAUSS…..are you ready for the consequences of your actions…"
Meanwhile, as Kiyoto trudges down the hallways, a certain someone caught a glimpse of his mask but not noticing its damaged part.
"Hey, there's someone who has his mask equipped inside the establishment."
It was the envoy sent by Kirisame who was on her way to meet Gwyn.