Kiri La Kill - Chapter 23

Sorry for the lack of updates yesterday! I set the timer for Throne Thief a bit earlier than what was healthy for me to write a chapter for this on time. We’ll have a double update to make up for that today now that I know better.

Also, the Wednesday chapters have now been moved to Monday, as I’ve finally managed to wrangle my lesson schedule into something resembling decent and orderly. It being on Monday now also means orderly 3 chapters back to back! Which is always nice.

Anyway, let’s get to another snippet chapter that focuses on Kiri and Satsuki’s developing relationship, as promised. 2 More chapters until a certain protagonist graces us with her presence.

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New Habit

1 Week after Kiri’s induction into Honnouji Academy.

Out of all of the things that had so easily become a routine for him, the thing that surprised Kiri the most was just how easily he’d gotten used to his daily conversations with Kiryuin Satsuki in her office, concerning how well he was settling in to her school.

“Mikisugi-sensei has expressed some frustration at your ‘lack of initiative’ in his class.” That was today’s topic it seemed, and it was one that already had Kiri frowning as he thankfully took the offered cup of tea that Satsuki’s butler offered.

“He seems to think my success in other classes should translate to his History Class.” Kiri said, with no small amount of frustration. “Do make sure to tell him that just because I can solve a complicated math problem, I can’t be expected to recite all of the names of the people in Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s cabinet before he’s started on the subject.”

“Hmph, peculiar.” Was her response, frowning before she clarified. “That is not my doing, I assure you… I simply told him to put the same pressure on you that he puts on me and my Elites.” Kiri could only let out an aggravated sigh.

“I can handle it,” He said. “I’ll just have to read ahead.” It would cut into his other studies, but considering how he was doing with the others, that was fine.

“Your resolve is admirable.” Satsuki said, her stoic expression not slipping for even a second. “But if it’s going to be cutting into your other studies, I would rather just remind Mikisugi of his place.”

“Is that an offer to abuse your power for me?” Kiri chuckled. “I’m flattered.”

“What a straight laced student.” Satsuki’s sarcasm was audible.

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Matching Tastes

2 Weeks and 5 days after Kiri’s induction into Honnouji Academy.

“Something I’ve noticed about you.” Satsuki pointed out one day, during one of their rapidly familiar sessions. “You enjoy Soroi’s tea.” She spoke freely, even as the butler that stood a respectable distance away from them opened his eyes after having his name be spoken.

“It’d be pretty hard for me to not enjoy something this good.” Kiri responded, giving a nod of respect to the man, who didn’t outwardly react beyond standing a bit straighter. “You don’t disagree?”

“I do not.” Satsuki said, and now the Butler was standing truly tall. “I am surprised however, it took me a long time to get used to the taste…” She stared down at the cup in her hand, seemingly lost in memories for a second.

“Tastes evolve with age.” Kiri murmured with a shrug. “Or familiarity.”

Satsuki hummed, though instead of answering directly, she changed the topic. “I would enjoy a suggestion from you then.” She said. “As recompense for giving you regular access to something you enjoy so much.”

“That was sudden.” Kiri blinked at her sudden demand.

“W-well…” Kiri said, suddenly put in the spot. “I’ve been trying to rediscover my tastes but… I really like the steaks served by that new restaurant behind the third alley from our street.” He recommended it. “Been going there every Friday.”

“I shall give it a try.” Satsuki said, and Kiri found himself worried for a second that he might have made a terrible mistake.

Next morning, Kiri found his worries were unfounded, as he found a coupon stuffed into his mailbox, with a neat thank you note penned by Satsuki.

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Shared Gripes

3 weeks and 2 days after Kiri’s induction into Honnouji Academy.

“So… I heard Gamagoori was discharged from the hospital.”

“Hear that, did you?” Satsuki responded with a sardonic tone, her usual bitter cup of tea absent in favor of a far more sweet and sugary thing meant to instill energy after what had undeniably been a long night. “From where, I wonder?”

“I heard it from my house.” Kiri said with a wince, his cup long since empty, and already being refilled by a sympathetic looking butler. “He is a very enthusiastic person.” With an equally as enthusiastic family, whenever they weren’t afraid that is.

“Don’t be so polite.” Satsuki said, her voice almost a grumble. “He should be rejoining us in our meetings soon enough.” She gave him an almost sympathetic look. “He has expressed eagerness to meet you.

“I almost killed him.” Kiri pointed out, his jaw nearly dropping to the floor

“He carries no grudge.” Satsuki dismissed his worry in an instant. “Especially now that you’ve… ‘acknowledged my superiority’.” She cocked a smirk in his direction. “In fact, I believe he sees the two of you as brother in arms now, united in being brought to your knees before me.”

That smirk sure made him eager to do something to her, that is, if he wasn’t so worried. “Are you sure he doesn’t have an untreated concussion?”

Satsuki’s smirk only widened.

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Familiarity

4 weeks and 1 day after Kiri’s induction into Honnouji Academy.

“You don’t talk about how to get back to your previous life, at all.”

“That’s a heavy topic to suddenly drop out of nowhere.” Kiri said, having barely stopped himself from doing a spittake, before letting out a sigh as he looked away.. “...Truth be told, I’ve been trying to ignore that can of worms.”

“That cannot be healthy.” Satsuki pointed out, looking at him curiously.

Oh really?! “You’re one to talk.” Kiri said with a derisive scoff, turning to her with a heated look.. “Ms. ‘I’m building an authoritarian regime to kill my alien mother’, was it?” He regretted it immediately after he said it, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to back down.

“Deflection.” Satsuki remarked, not fazed by his sudden outburst at all, meeting his gaze with an even one of her own.. “This is something that bothers you.”

“Of course it is.” Kiri growled with no little frustration. “But you already know about that, don’t you?” He asked. “You’re the one that settled me with an identity crisis.” It was to defend all of her work, but it was still a sore spot for him it seemed.

“If a few words could bring down your confidence in yourself, it was a flimsy foundation to begin with.” Satsuki said. “Or… this is not even about that.”

Kiri’s scowl deepened.

Before it fell, just as quickly.

It took him a few moments to bring himself to say it, but he managed to force it out. “I… don’t know if the person I used to be was a good one.” He admitted, chuckling bitterly. “Because I still get these flashes, you see… and your words made me realize that---” He scowled. “You were true.”

“About…?”

“About not caring about their troubles, had I not seen it like I did back then.” He said, looking down. “Had we met in better conditions, I would have ignored them and gone along with my life without caring.”

“So you feel guilty about having the same reaction as a normal person.”

Kiri scoffed. “I’m not a normal person.” He said. “I have the power to cause change, and I did.” He said, looking at his hands. “But if the person I used to be didn’t even bother after having all this power…”

There was a moment of silence, as Satsuki considered Kiri’s words… staring at the taller boy with a new look.

“I would not call this a crisis of identity.” She said in the end. “It is guilt.”

“…There you go, being a therapist again.”

“You mock, but can you prove me wrong?” When Kiri couldn’t say anything, Satsuki simply pressed her point. “Consider that, freed from all responsibilities you had before, you took your chance to atone for that inaction, and made the most of it.”

Kiri blinked, before he made to respond.

But he couldn’t, his mouth hanging open as the profoundness of those words hit him all of the sudden.

In the end, he could only shake his head in amazement.

“What a strange thing to say.” He said in the end.

But he was smiling, a look mirrored by Satsuki.

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Next chapter coming in a few hours…