This is a spin- off of 'Viper Tongue'
We all know the story of Riku, but what you don't know is what happened inside those walls of the past. What really happened between the Toga and the Akabane? Who struck who first?
A few weeks later I was in what the school called 'the butterfly method' where I'm not allowed outside or to do anything including speak to make sure nothing interrupts my 'transition'.
People who made it into the ranks of the 'cleansed' wore the white version of the school uniform showing everyone who was 'good' and 'bad' who wasn't already aware of how things worked around here.
There had been no signs of the killer students since the 'sacrifice'. But I had done one good thing. Before I officially started the process, I'd informed a fellow student exactly what happened who spread the word like wild fire, and suddenly no one wanted to be in the ranks anymore...funny how given the correct opportunity, girls can save each other.
Lunch was quiet as usual on the 'cleansed' table, it felt more like the 'silenced' table. We weren't allowed to sit amongst the girls wearing the black cardigans in case they 'tempted' us...we were kids, not pedophiles!
And yet we're segregated like there's a different between us? Like we're above them? I tried to make it clear to those people that I was no different to them, and it seemed to work. And I wanted to change the way people see the 'cleanesed' because we're not 'clean' or 'forgiven'...we're human.
Everyday I saw new students come and go thinking they'd go home soon only to never see that place again. I planned to change that, white cardigan or not. Despite what we've done, none of us deserved this! And so what if I was going to hell for it?! Of it stopped others from going through what o had, it's worth it!
"Toga, are you coming?" My head spun as I realised the 'cleanesed' were leaving "of course she is! She knows 'mother' told us to do everything together...right?" Before I could remotely refuse, the girl's death grip latched onto my wrist dragging me out of the cafeteria like a small child who'd just caused a big scene.
We didn't exactly go far, just outside to our benches. That's when I saw them again. The octopus thing was back! And he'd brought his class with him...and the red haired boy!
How badly I wanted to know his name and thank him for attempting to save my life, he deserved that much even if they failed miserably. I still owed them my gratitude but there was one small issue - I couldn't leave my table or verbally speak without the others noticing and I didn't want to draw a crowd before I'd even started.
I took out my french textbook and 'practiced' a song I'd meant to have learned. Soon the others joined in aiding my 'practice' drawing the outsiders attention to our table.
I had a sweet smile on my face letting myself bask in the sunlight, even if I wasn't allowed to speak outside of revision, I'd grabbed his attention with my terrible french skills. There was one girl who could also get my message across to him, her name was Ai but everyone knew she was the 'school messenger'.
"Wow Riku, you're french, it's so good! Isn't it just wonderful being one of the 'cleansed' and not some low life?" She knew I couldn't agree or disagree. This was how they planned to change my mindset. The only difference between me and the other candidates was that I wasn't willing to change shape.
While they gossiped about the latest crimes that were committed and trends they wanted to try, I flew paper aeroplanes to the messenger in the black cardigan. The aeroplanes held messages to give to the red haired boy and his friends, I was determined to get my words across.
It held the same excitement as when I used to stash weapons for other girls, I always got the good stuff! The stuff that caused the most destruction or looked super cool, until a white cardigan went under cover as a black cardigan and sold me out to the teachers.
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My eyes never left his form as his sunset eyes rolled in annoyance. I couldn't quite pick up on what the conversation was but it must've been pretty boring for him to show such body language.
But what really caught my attention was 'mother'. She was...smiling? And at them?! I'd been oblivious to Nagisa's attention on me drawing all eyes to focus on 'mother' as she began to open her mouth.
"Riku toga is a rather 'interesting' case of a student. She's manipulative and her ability revolves around her own blood. She can redirect her blood flow outside of her body if there's an opening in her flesh. Her knife skills are experienced, she's known for her craftsmanship definitely, but she's a heartbreaker"
I kept my gaze on the floor as she talked me up. Sure, I was one of the most dangerous people here but there was still worse students! My fingers flicked through the pages of my textbook as if I was actually reading it, the average reading speed is 200 to 250 words a minute in non-technical material roughly 2 minutes per page - So I just had to time it perfectly to make it seem realistic.
"When we picked her up from her 'original keepers', the child was clutching a knife purely made of oak but she managed to strike down a full grown adult at the fragile age of 7. There were no signs of her using the wooden knife however it was clear when it came into our possession that it was indeed sharp enough to do the deed"
One glance at the visitors told me they didn't believe a word 'mother' had shoved down their throats, but it was all true. That wooden knife was meant to be a gift for Himiko, but I'd gotten the carving wrong too many times causing my frustration to build up and my quirk to tunnel through the first person who offered me help
"Hot and dangerous, I like you" no one had noticed the red haired boy wander over, and apparently neither had his group. He was good! If only I could do that...the amount of stressful ordeals I could've avoided.
A mad blush matching his hair flowered across my cheeks at his compliment, but there was no way he meant it, or at least not like I did. Wait! How did I like him?! Just in what way did I feel towards him?! I didn't!
"Don't bother with her, Riku doesn't like anybody...not even 'mother'" and just like that, the white cardigans became toxic vile 'vipers' guarding what they thought was 'one of their own'
"Is that so? I love a challenge" a cocky expression spread across his face, but his eyes never left mine. He was dead set on getting to know me, or at least getting under my skin. And I planned to do just the same with him! Let's call it 'human behavioural experimentation'? Or 'H.B.E'?
"Trying to steal information, Karma?" There wasn't one person who didn't jump at the sound of the octopus creature stood looming over the boy like some dark curse "No, Koro Sensei. Nothing like that. Just 'friendly' conversation if you will"
That seemed to satisfy the professor but I still needed to get three letters to him "pages 'H', 'B' and 'E'...right?" He seemed to freeze in place as each letter left my lips, I guessed he caught on to the attempted message but what he didn't get was the meaning behind it.
