Part Three

"Hey, you."

Isamu looked up when a familiar brown-haired boy sat down in the desk next to him.

"You're...from this morning..." He thought. "Atsushi-san of the Holy Warriors?"

"Correct, Mr. Detective Hero," Masao laughed. "Come to think of it, are you my roommate? I could've sworn I saw your name, but I didn't see you at all today."

"Possibly," Isamu shrugged carelessly. "I was helping my dad with something, so I ran a bit late. Say, Atsushi-san--"

"Hey, hey, if we're going to be roommates, then Masao is fine," Masao interrupted.

"Ah, un," Isamu nodded. "Then you can call me Isamu too. Say, Masao, did you really not know anything about Dark Casting?"

Masao sighed, scratching his head. "Hey, it couldn't be helped, all right?"

"Yes, it totally can't be helped since he's just an idiot."

"Wha--?" Masao sputtered, spinning around.

Sitting on top of the desk behind them, giggling slyly, Mihara Eimi had joined their conversation.

"Agreed," next to her, blond-haired Hoshimi Meika nodded. "Idiots can't help but be idiots."

"Right~~?" Eimi laughed.

"Hey, hey, cut it out," Isamu sighed. "You shouldn't be insulting your classmates like that, should you?"

"Not insulting," Eimi said flatly, hopping off the desk. "Stating a fact."

Isamu frowned. "I see...that would make sense."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Masao barked, fuming. "Not you too!"

"My bad, my bad, it was a joke," Isamu said sheepishly.

"You're too easily fooled," Meika said wryly. "Deception and cons is a field that Eimi's exceptionally good at."

"Huh?" Eimi turned, her long hair swishing as she moved. "I wasn't joking, Meika-chan."

Bam!

"Oww oww oww!" Eimi wailed, rubbing her bruised head. "I'm sorry! You read me too well!"

"Wait, that means you don't think I'm an idiot?" Masao clarified, pointing at himself.

"Well, not really," Eimi thought. "The Holy Warrior was the one who successfully warded off invaders from the base during the war, right? I'm sure you have at least the brains to fight properly and know who to pick fights against. Even if you lack common sense, then it doesn't really matter if you become a mage-warrior in the future."

"Just how is that a compliment?" Masao sighed.

"Arere?" Eimi laughed. "Did I say I was going to compliment you? Sorry, but you're way off the mark, Ma-kun."

"And who said you could call me that?"

"I did!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ara ara, I wouldn't expect idiots like you to understand."

Before Masao could retort, the front door opened and a teacher walked in. "All right, everyone, take your seats."

Eimi reluctantly took a seat next to Meika. She noticed Masao giving her a death glare and giggled, sticking out her tongue and winking.

Then her mind automatically switched into hyperactive mode. The Holy Warrior. I wasn't kidding about their battle strategies. If he finds a way to see through us, then we're screwed. First Akina with her Future Cast, and then Ma-kun and his battle instincts...and then Isa-kun and his detective heritage. It looks like we'll have to be on guard at all times.

Eto. Let's see. The room...smells like...cinnamon? I suppose it must be an air freshener of some sort...the teacher is male, though, so cinnamon air fresheners seem kind of strange...oh, someone's snacking. Wonderful.

Oh...I know that teacher. He's 'The Disciplinary Force,' Sakiko Ryou, 'The Judgemaster' Vice President Sakiko Chika's uncle, I believe. He's extremely strict on enforcing the rules.

I suppose I should scan over the other students.

"Ahem."

"Eimi. Eimi!"

Eimi opened her eyes to see the entire class staring at her. She frowned.

"...Huh?"

"We're doing self introductions," Meika whispered. "It's your turn."

"Ah, hai hai!" Eimi chirped, hopping up. Then, to everyone's surprise, she leaped onto the desktop. "I'm Mihara Eimi! Freshman, and new in the area! I like bl--urgh..." She complained when Meika pinched her ankle. "I mean, I like the colors blue and purple, and I also like cupcakes! That is all!"

"Um, Mihara-san, what about your title?" Sakiko-sensei called.

"Refused!" Eimi said, sitting back down in her chair. "Not telling!"

There was a small uproar before Sakiko-sensei shushed them all. "So you're a Nameless, huh?"

"As am I."

All eyes turned to Meika when she stood. "First year here, Hoshimi Meika. Nice to meet you." She bowed and sat back down.

"Two Nameless in the same class?"

"I can't believe this!"

"Why would filthy Nameless be here at Himeji High School?"

Meika ignored all the dirty comments directed their way and whispered to Eimi, "I can't believe you almost said that."

Indeed--during her introduction, what Eimi had been about to say was what The Annihilator would say and not Mihara Eimi.

"I like bloodshed and killing people."

It was a statement only an insane person would make.

"I am vewy sowee and I'll never do it again," Eimi mumbled, concentrating on her surroundings.

Meika shrugged. "You just do what you're supposed to. I'll plug it into the computer later."

"Yes ma'am."

Eimi was critically examining every detail, even though it probably didn't look like she was. Even if she was insane, she had an excellent photographic memory that would assist them in getting to know the school and its students better.

Meika absently fidgeted with her sleeves. She could still hear all the rude comments going around--

"Eww, I don't want to sit by a couple of Nameless MWs."

"I can't believe they'd even dare to show their faces here."

"It's pretty impressive in one way, if you think about it."

"Don't screw with me. They're Nameless."

Meika sighed.

Well, better Nameless than the Death Angel.