5.) Hidden in the Shadows

"Hmm, Masato? Why are you standing outside?" I asked.

We were both standing outside Yuta's office. Well, he was standing there when I came.

"Can you hear? There are no voices or movement sounds."

"Okay? I'm just gonna go in." I told him.

I was greeted by silence. No one was in the room. I heard Masato step in as well. Yuta's belongings weren't in the room as well.

"For Masato and Kuroi, Sayo and I are both in a student council meeting. Nezuko is not in school today due to an event. Make sure to rest well! From, Yuta." Masato read out loud.

"Where did you get that from?"

"On Yuta's desk."

"Oh, I didn't even realise it was there. Well, it looks like they're not going to be here for the whole break. Why don't we go somewhere else to have break? I don't think staying here with just the 2 of us would be a good idea, it's too quiet." I told Masato.

"Do you prehaps want to go to the art room, then? I reckon that there's nobody there anyway." Masato asked.

"Sure, why not." I answered.

Once we reached the art room, Masato got a chair for me to sit down. He went to one of the storage rooms in the art room and took out an easel and a canvas that had already been drawn on. He placed the easel with the canvas next to me.

"What did you draw?" I asked him.

"It's a surprise, don't look first." He answered.

"Okay then," I pouted.

"So, tell me about yourself. We didn't really get the chance to converse much the other time. I would like to get to know you better." Masato said.

"Well, what do you want to know? Basically everything about me is on the internet."

"People don't go online to search for information about their friends, right? Just tell me everything."

"Ok then. I'm Kuroi Tenshi and I'm currently 15. I'm a first grade high schooler that has a job unlike normal high schoolers. I work as a fashion and cosmetics model, influencer and brand ambassador under NM entertainment. I enjoy sleeping and lazing around in bed, shopping for clothes, and hanging out with my friends. My parents died when I was 9 and I remember being in the car when they crashed. I love drinking bubble tea and eating desserts of any kind. I'm a single child and I definitely don't wish to have any siblings. I can't stand kids that run around and are too noisy. My mbti is ISTJ and I'm a Capricorn."

"Your parents died? I'm so sorry. Well I guess it's my turn. I'm Masato Kage, I'm 17, a 3rd grade high schooler. I like to draw, paint, and do stuff related to the Arts, I guess. I got into FJS through an Arts scholarship cause I suck at studying. I don't like talking to people other than my friends. And I have a pretty sad family background, I guess. My younger sister almost died in a fire when I was younger and ever since then, she's stuck in the hospital, unable to move or anything. My parents don't even treat me like their own child due to that incident. Well, that was quite a sob story, but don't feel sorry for me. I kind of deserved it anyways." Masato said.

"I never knew that. I hope that one day, your sister will get better. I'm really sorry for you." I told him with sad smile.

"Thanks, Kuroi. What is that book you have there?" Masato asked.

Realising he was asking about the item I had brought along with me, I decided to show him. It was a photo album I had brought along with me to look at during break. My class had an activity where we had to showcase 1 of our childhood photos to the class. The class would then proceed to guess who that person is. It was merely just a fun class bonding activity. Inside the photo album I was holding were photos of my parents and I. I wanted to choose a specific photo to show the class.

"Oh it's a photo album of my parents and I when I was younger." I told him with a lump in my throat. I couldn't help but feel sad when I mentioned my parents.

"Could I see the photos?" Masato questioned.

"Uh no, it's fine. I'd prefer not to show you my photos." I hurriedly replied, shaking my head in denial.

"Why, are you shy to show your photos?" Masato asked with a sly smile.

"Hmph, no, of course not! I just don't want to show you. You have a problem with that?" I asked in defence. The real truth was that I didn't want Masato to see me crying. I knew that I would probably cry upon seeing the face of my parents. That's why I hadn't even open the photo album yet.

"Is that so?" Masato said and stared into my eyes. It was like he was staring into my soul. I don't know why I thought of it that way but it felt right. I felt shivers down my spine.

"You're lying. You actually have a reason why you don't want to show me." Masato said with a soft smile.

"Huh? How did you know?"

"It's all over your face. You're really not good at lying, you know that?" He said with a chuckle.

"I really don't want to tell you though." I looked down, away from Masato's eyes.

"Well, I would like to know."

(Masato's POV)

"The truth is that I didn't want you to see me cry." Kuroi mumbled.

"Why?" I asked.

"I look ugly when I cry. I don't want to show you my vulnerable side too." She answered. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore."

Kuroi looked up to face me, her eyes had tears welled up. She had a small, but pitiful smile. On the floor was a picture of what seemed to be a Kuroi when she was younger standing in between 2 adults. Both looked like their features were all blended into Kuroi's face. Kuroi was even holding both of their hands. That must have been her parents. The picture must have fallen out of the photo album, only to be accidentally seen by Kuroi.

(Kuroi's POV)

"Masato, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to see me like t-"

Before I could finish, I felt Masato's arms hugging me tight.

"M-Masato?"

"You look cute when you cry, you know that?"

"H-huh?"

"Don't worry about crying in front of others. You're human, it's only natural for you to do that." Masato said as he stroked my hair gently.

Being in his embrace, I felt an unexpected warmth from his arms. I felt safe and secure around him, as though he were my pillar of protection and support.

(Masato's POV)

Looking at Kuroi in my arms, she looked so precious. I wanted to protect her at all costs. However, I have to take things 1 step at a time.

"Hey, can I show you something?"

"Hmm? What is it?" Kuroi answered.

"I haven't really shown anyone this before. Could you help me turn off the lights?" I told her.

"Okay? What are you going to do?" She asked. *click The light switch went off. The room became dark. Not pitch black, but not extremely dark that we couldn't see each others silhouettes.

"Can you still see me?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I can but, what are you going to-" Kuroi said but suddenly stopped. She was squinting, adjusting her eyes to her surroundings.

(Kuroi's POV)

My eyes were narrow, squinting and trying to look around the room.

"Yeah, I can but, what are you going to-" I suddenly stopped. My eyes widened, frantically darting around the room.

Masato had disappeared.

I swear he was just here a second ago!

"Masato? Are you still here?" I called out.

"Masato, where are y-"

"You called?"

Masato seemed to be a distance behind me. Just his voice and him suddenly appearing sent shivers down my spine. I turned around to face him but he suddenly disappeared in a blink of an eye once again.

"Masato, where did you disappear to?" I called out again.

"Right behind you."

I turned around only to find him right behind me. Without any warning, I suddenly felt a weird sense of panic and fear. My eyes widened in disbelief, as if a sudden jolt of electricity had coursed through my veins, leaving me momentarily stunned. The distance between us was little, yet instead of feeling flustered, I felt strangely uneasy. Unlike the Masato earlier whom I had hugged, this Masato seemed to exude a dark aura. It made me feel terrified for some reason.

"Kuroi?" He asked. He placed his hands on my shoulders. They were cold just like his gaze even though he looked concerned at how shaken up I was.

"M-Masato w-why?" I stuttered. His eyes widened and immediately, the scary feeling disappeared.

"Are you okay? You seem, pale." Masato asked me.

"I-I-I'm fine," I could barely speak in proper sentences. Masato seemed like he was back to being normal. I was suddenly engulfed into a hug from Masato. He was warm again, unlike before. The warmth was welcomed by me who was very badly terrified just now. I felt safe in his arms.

"Sorry for scaring you just now. I can't control my power sometimes. I'll try not to show it to you again. You look pretty shaken up." Masato told me.

"What was that? Is that some sort of supernatural power?" I asked.

"Pretty much. I have the power of shadow. I can camouflage in the shadow or where there's very little light." He told me. "Sometimes, it can get a bit out of control where I can scare people a lot."

"No wonder. I suddenly felt really scared. I didn't know why, it was scary." I mumbled.

"It's okay, don't worry. I don't show this to others, it's a secret I've been keeping for a long time." Masato said while patting my head.

"Well, shall we go back now. Break is almost over." He asked.

"Oh, yeah sure."

(Time Skip to end of school)

(Masato's POV)

I headed to my secret meeting spot stealthily and quickly. I cannot allow anyone to see me. When I got there, I saw the person who I was supposed to meet.

"A bit of a fancy place to meet, don't you think?" I asked him.

"Well, I wanted to treat you with a more comfortable location because of all your hard work." The man said. He looked like he was in his late 40s, a bit of white hair seen on the roots of his hair. He had on a professional looking black suit. We were in a private meeting room in one of the bars that he owned.

"I didn't know you'd choose somewhere so lavish. Well you're the CEO of the organisation anyways." I said, leaning back on the plush sofa.

"So, I heard you managed to befriend all 4 of them and gain all 4 of their trust, including the youngest." The man said. "After all, you're my company's best subject under the SQP Organisation, subject 1, codename 'Shadow'. I must say, I'm quite impressed with the progress of your mission."

"You are still holding up your end of the bargain as well, right?" I asked in doubt.

"Yes, of course. We are working on a method to completely cure your sister's illness permanently. After all, we did create you and the others, it shouldn't be impossible." The CEO said.

"Well, I hope so. I'm not doing your work without something for you to offer me." I told curtly.

"Don't worry, we promise to make it happen." The CEO had a wonderful smile plastered on his face. Somehow, I didn't trust that.

"Now, we will leave it to fate to determine how the project will play out." He said.

*ding* A notification popped up on the CEO's phone.

"Oh look what we have here. Looks like 2 of your wonderful friends have just replied."

On his phone were 2 familiar names asking about more details about the organisation.

The names were 'Sayo Hanazawa' and 'Nezuko Kazuya'.

A/n: Definitely my shortest chapter so far. Next chapter will be about our one and only, Nezuko!