COTE: Class D's Masked Guardian

Vol 1. Chapter 1 - The First Encounter With the Angel

Advanced Nurturing High School, the place where I hope to permanently rid myself of that monster. Matsuo had suggested for me to go to this government-backed high school, saying that I would finally be able to escape (although temporarily) from the clutches of that man. Of course, I agreed with him. However, I decided to go, not just because of the promise of freedom, but the fact that there would be many other teenagers around my age there.

After meeting with his son, Matsuo Eichiro, and his friend, Nanase Tsubasa, I had found that I had started to change. The monster didn't appear when I was around the Matsuo family and Tsubasa. At first, I had no idea why that was, however, as I spent more time with them, and my change was made obvious, Matsuo had decided to alert me of his suspicions. He believed that the monster would only be subconsciously called upon by myself when I sensed that my life was in danger. Therefore, living peacefully would help me suppress the other side of myself.

After hearing this, I decided to take a more nurturing and guardian-like role when hanging out with Eichiro and Tsubasa. This is because I had come to the conclusion that, if they were happy, then peaceful life-chan would be happy and bless me with her presence. This approach had worked, and I started to become more of an outgoing person as I realised that the monster inside of me had been, for the time being, suppressed.

However, now that I had to leave Matsuo, Eichiro and Tsubasa, I had to find some new friends to make happy to ensure my peaceful life.

When I boarded the bus and swiftly took my seat, I started to come up with strategies to acquaint myself with my new classmates. That is when I realised that the person sitting beside me was a beautiful girl with elegant waist-length black hair wearing the same uniform as I was.

Elated, I was about to start a conversation with the person that could potentially become my first friend in this school. However, I was interrupted.

"Excuse me, but shouldn't you offer up your seat?"

As if caught on a fishing rod, I was reeled out of my thoughts and back onto the bus in which I was taking.

I looked towards the person who had started talking and saw a woman who looked to be in their mid 30's. She was wearing a long sleeved suit, it was black - no, navy - and buttoned up to around her chest area. From there, you could see her white dress shirt underneath the suit; it was buttoned all the way up. An outfit you would expect of an office lady. Beside her was an older woman, most likely in their late 60's or early 70's. In front of her, sitting in a priority seat, was a teenager who was my age, made obvious by the uniform he was wearing. He had eyes with a slight yellow tint and shoulder-length blonde hair.

"That's a crazy question, lady. I'm a healthy young person who certainly wouldn't find standing inconvenient. However, I'd obviously expend more energy by doing so than I would by sitting. I have no intention of doing such a pointless thing. Or are you suggesting that I should act livelier, I wonder?"

"Wh-what kind of attitude is that to take with your superiors?" the lady sputtered with an annoyed expression on her face.

"Superiors? Well, it's obvious that both of you and the old women there have been alive longer than I have. There is no doubt about that. However, the word "superior" implies that you're referring to someone of a higher position. In addition, we have another problem. Even though our ages are different, wouldn't you agree that you have an impertinent attitude and are being extremely rude?"

"Wha-?! You're a high schooler, aren't you? You should be quiet and just do what I tell you –" I stood in my seat, putting my hand up to attract the attention of the office lady. Helping out a member of the elderly was surely a chance to score brownie points from peaceful life-chan!

"Um, excuse me," I started to say, "You can take my seat."

"Thank you very much, young man!" The old lady replied with a small smile, expressing her gratitude.

As the office lady guided the elderly woman to the now-unoccupied seat, I could hear a cute voice call out to me.

"Nice job on giving your seat to the poor old lady! That was a really kind thing to do, you know?"

As I turned my head around, I was met with a pretty-faced girl with shoulder-length beige coloured hair who was smiling broadly. A quick inspection of her uniform led me to the conclusion that she was going to the same school as I was. Another potential friend!

"I just decided to do what I thought was right, and besides, I'm sure their argument was annoying the passengers, including me," I replied to the cute girl, trying to be as modest as possible. I had read online that displaying traits of narcissism would deter people from you, so I thought that doing the opposite and being humble would help people feel more comfortable around you. And if more people are comfortable around you, that means more friends!

"You're not only kind, but also modest!" she said to me, the smile she had on her face showing no signs of wavering. "Aaah, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kushida Kikyou! It's nice to meet you!"

"I'm Ayanoukouji Kiyotaka, it's nice to meet you too, Kushida," I gave her my name, flashing a similar smile to the one that was currently plastered on Kushida's face. In response, she looked slightly taken-aback at my sudden change in expression, but quickly composed herself and continued the conversation.

After speaking with Kushida for the rest of the bus ride, I had learnt a couple things about her. Firstly, none of her friends from junior high had come here, so she was incredibly passionate about making new friends. Secondly, we were both in class D, meaning that I would be spending the rest of my high school life with her in my class. I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. I had three whole years to make this girl my friend, I absolutely couldn't let this chance pass me by!

............

Finally, the bus stopped, signalling our arrival at Advanced Nurturing High School. As I stepped out of the bus, I heard Kushida's voice just in front of me.

"Ayanokouji-kun, would you like to walk to class together?" Kushida asked me, displaying her cuteness once more.

"Sure, let's go, Kushida!" I replied enthusiastically and smiled widely, doing my best to match her energy.

We walked to our class, continuing our conversation from on the bus. During this short walk, I had come to a realisation: Kushida Kikyou... was an angel.