The Ripple Effect [Stein x Reader]

In the Name of Shibusen

  You could tell that it was growing bored. You could tell that it wanted Eruka to hurry up. It had patience, you knew that. But just because it was patient did not mean that he didn't get irritated. It never showed its irritation outright. No - That would not do. Usually, it was very controlled and contained. It was very controlled and contained. Even right now. But enough time with it in the past had taught you to look for small things in its behavior to tip you off on what kind of mood it was in. When it writhed from the hips, twisting its torso - It was impatient in the excited way. When it tipped its hat, it was feeling theatrical. When it its fingers moved violently at its sides, it was impatient in the irritated way. Currently, its fingers were twisting and writhing violently at its sides and therefore you deemed him as irritable.

"Patience is key, Miss. [Name]. Patience is what separates the geniuses from the averagely smart. Patience is what it takes to get what you want. You can't be brash because you're impatient. Things always mess up there. I should know. You should know" It drew its fingers in the air before uncurling its hand in the air, stretching out its fingers. "This is something that the two of us should always remember!"

"Hm . . ." You hummed quietly in response. It was always telling you things that were great pieces of information, great tidbits on life - Things you already knew, really. But, nevertheless, regardless of whether or not you already knew - It didn't matter. It still told you.

"Hurry up, Black Star! We don't have enough time to listen to you talk about how supposedly great you are!" Death the Kid's voice sounded through the hallways, echoing and bouncing off of the walls loudly. You closed your eyes for a moment, listening to the rush of air following behind his skateboard and the loud footsteps of Black Star banging against the ground floor, sounding through the hallways as well. You swallowed, your throat painfully dry. What were they going to say when they saw you - Standing next to it? Some sense of shame shot through you - A feeling that you hadn't felt in a very long time.

"There is always time to talk about how great the amazing Black Star is!" Retorted Black Star loudly, voice resonating through the large, stone, room. The hollow of your chest clenched tightly and your muscles began to constrict with some kind of nervousness.

"Hm . . ." You now hummed to yourself once more, listening to these students talk and chatter. Black Star was being Black Star simply by opening his mouth, that wasn't uncommon. Of course Kid was being Kid by retaliating against Black Star's personality. These kids were the same as they normally were. Weren't they the least bit pressured by the fact that a kishin - The Kishin - might be released tonight? No. Of course not. They weren't aware of just who or what The Kishin was. They only had a vague understanding from a vague description of what The Kishin was. Lord Death had made quite the habit of leaving out key pieces of information to keep his students in the dark.

"I'm practically writhing with excitement" It spoke to you, its fingers no longer writhing at its sides but now twisting forwards and backwards at the hips excitedly, trying to contain the excitement that burst violently through its body, now. "This should be easy, shouldn't it! They're just children, anyways! Just slice 'n dice 'em and then we'll win!" It exclaimed, clasping hands together and giving itself a rather airy spin on its toes with a small smile.

"I wouldn't underestimate these children, they're the best Shibusen has" You retorted short and tartly, arms folded over your chest as you stood in the middle of the room quietly. You were the last barrier, so to speak. If the madness in the room didn't get to them first, then they would have to get through you. Though you had hoped you needn't lay a single finger on them because, as cruel and selfish as the wish was, it would be easier to betray them from a distance rather than up close.

"You're a lot more tart than you used to be" It frowned, "You have a lot more sass. A lot of these, quote unquote," It made air quotations with its sharp fingernails in the air, "Villains" He let his hands fall to the side again, "Love someone," A rather wicked smirk crawled on its face, "Or rather, in your case, some thing" You visibly twitched at the remark, but opted to keep your mouth shut rather than explode with anger, "That has a lot of sass and bite. That gives them a challenge. But, personally, "I've never taken quite the liking to sassy children like you. So, little girl, please shut your mouth and listen to me before I get quite angry with you" Its voice was sharp and menacing - It didn't even have to yell to intimidate or scare you, only speak in that low and raspy, commanding, voice.

"I-" You were about to reply boldly with something tartly and then halfway through the sentence decide that it was better to keep quiet to yourself when you were rudely interrupted by a raging holler that had split the thick air like taking a knife through butter.

"-In the name of Shibusen, I command you to stop!" It was evident that Kid had shredded through the front door with his skateboard, tearing quickly after Eruka, and behind him Black Star was, impressively, keeping up his face on foot. Liz didn't seem too content to be in such an eerie room, with a sack of skin at the center of it, but Patty didn't seem too hard-pressed with fear. In fact, by the giggles coming from Kid's left gun, Patty seemed quite content. Of course, that obviously wasn't a surprise at all. Patty was never one to be too terribly scared of anything at all.

"Ribbit - Make me!" Had been the bold, and albeit, terrified response of Eruka as she glided quickly through the front spaces between the side two pillars before shifting her body weight to the left so that she could shred to the said side with ease.

"I will have to apprehend you and turn you into my father!" Exclaimed Kid, seemingly unaware that there were three other people besides him, Eruka, and Black Star in the room. There was It - Also know as your boss. There was also Free and then there was you. But Kid seemed to be zoned into Eruka so intensely that he didn't notice you. Good - Perhaps he wouldn't notice you this entire time, and they'd both just look over you like you were nothing more than thin air and . . . -

"Hey, look! It's Professor [Name]" Exclaimed Black Star.

As two student eyes turned to you, something in your chest broke.

It grinned and pulled its hands from out in front of it start it its chest.

Your body twitched and then writhed.

"Let the real game begin"