The Kurukawa Legacy

When We First Met

Atreyu was walking down the school corridor, lonely as always. Most kids glared at him, huffed, and went on with their daily duties.

"Ugh, that's the boy from the family of murderers." Atreyu heard someone say, though he was used to it by now. He was glad that he wasn't getting bullied, at least. All these kids were just asses, not barbarians. They'd mostly just look down on Atreyu and ignore him, not physically abuse him. Though being looked down on all the time did start getting to him. Things got worse than that though, he lost a lot of privileges and rights everyone else has. He continued walking onward to his class down the marble corridor. He opened the door and strolled in. Most kids were already seated and turning through pages. He walked to the very back of the class and seated himself at his table. A minute later the teacher stood and cleared her throat.

"Morning, class. Please take out your textbook and flip to page ninety-four." Atreyu only heard a buzz. He rummaged through his bag, pulled out his sketching journal and started drawing. That's what he did the whole day and everyday at school: just draw. The teacher basically ignored his existence whenever he had questions whatsoever, so he didn't bother learning anymore. This wretched school only saw him as a demon that fed on attention; everyone thought bad of him and never interacted with him. Several hours passed of learning nothing and walking between classes, until the last period ended and finally the school bell rang. That's how it worked. There was a recess of an hour long everyday, though Atreyu didn't bother going, he'd stay in class and just continue drawing.

All the kids had already packed and walked, but he was looking down at his artwork: a detailed sketch of a man in robes holding a spear. He was crying and full of blood, with a speech bubble saying "What's the point?" This reflected on Atreyu's feelings, as does all his depressing sketches, he realized as he flipped through the other pages.

That's when he met her.

"Sorry, ma'am entrusted me with the keys to lock up and return to her at literature club. Do you mind leaving? Or do you perhaps have a reason to stay behind?" Standing by the door was a beautiful girl who must have been around his age, since she looked about fifteen. Her brown hair was beautiful; a small low bun with vintage curls.

"Huh?" Atreyu muttered.

This girl... she's talking to me? He thought in disbelief. This was the first time in at least a year that a fellow scholar talked to him.

He snapped out of it and quickly muttered "Oh, um, I just..." he paused for a few seconds. "Just let me pack and I'll be on my way."

It's been so long since he spoke with anyone, especially a girl like this. Did he forget how to talk?

"Oh, that's not a textbook," she pointed out. "Is it something you write in?" she asked as he was packing it away. She came walking towards him and put the keys on the front desk. Atreyu froze for a second before lifting his book back onto the desk.

"W-well... drawings, bu-" he got interrupted when her eyes lit up and she asked excitedly "May I see it?"

Atreyu looked away and blushed, his dark fringe almost touching his eyebrows. "It's no-" he paused.

"Oh, no, I didn't mean to pressure you or anything... I'm sorry." she looked down with this expression of shame on her face, as if she's disappointed in herself for asking to see his drawings.

"No, wait. I mean... I just... nobody's cared about my drawings, ever. It's not positive drawings either. M-more like the sketches of a... of a psycho."

She managed to gain back a smile.

"That intrigues me even more. Would you mind if I have a look?" she asked.

"N-not at all." he handed over his his sketching journal. She started flipping through a few pages as Atreyu just sat and stared at the floor awkwardly, hoping she wouldn't judge him for all those drawings he's made. He looked up again and saw that she actually did look interested.

"Wow." she muttered. "This... it isn't psychotic, it's deep. I love it!"

"What?" Atreyu asked.

"All your drawings... it looks like each one has a philosophical or moral story or meaning to it. There's something that each individual could derive differently from it. Also, your drawing skills are great."

"Y-you really think so?" he blushed.

"Of course!" she replied.

They spent the next few moments in silence.

I don't know what to say, Atreyu thought desperately. He wasn't used to this at all.

Finally, he said something to break the silence.

"Thank you so much!" he cried. She looked surprised that he was this grateful.

"It's no biggie." she smiled and gestured using her arms.

"Oh, and here's your sketching journal." she handed it back to him. He thanked her and packed it away.

"So, can I lock up now?" she laughed.

"Y-yeah." Atreyu walked out the door. He started stepping down the corridor, which was now mostly empty, but froze when he heard the girl shut the door.

"Oh, and, um, bye." he muttered quickly before making his way down the corridor again.

"Wait!" she shouted after him. Atreyu turned around.

"We haven't... exchanged names yet." she actually looked sad when mentioning it.

"I apologize." Atreyu paused for a second. "My name's... Atreyu."

"That's a beautiful name," she complimented. "I'm Kaitlin. It's been a pleasure meeting you."

"Thanks, err, you too."

Someone actually had pleasure meeting me? Atreyu thought to himself.

This could be a joke... but... it all seems so real. This is the first time I've seen her. Could she be new to the school? If so, does she even know who I actually am?

"Um, Kaitlin, are you a transfer student?"

She looked straight into Atreyu's blue eyes.

"Yes. I come from another city."

"Oh..." Atreyu looked disappointed.

Comes from another school, didn't know my name... she doesn't know who I truly am. She doesn't realize she's talking to a 'demon'. She'd most likely be disappointed.

He clenched his fists.

"Is something wrong?" Kaitlin asked.

"I felt... I felt a glimmer of hope." Atreyu replied with a shaky voice.

"A glimmer of hope? What are you talking about now?"

"Kaitlin, I don't want to waste your time," his eyes were becoming watery at this point. "I, Atreyu, am a son of a man who took part in the mass g******e, almost wiping out an entire nation of people. I am part of the last remaining members of the family you all know as demons: I am part of the Kurukawa family."