Spear Devil - 027

[A/N: I suggest listening to 'Ludovico Einaudi - Experience' while reading this chapter, as it was the one I listened to while writing it.

Also, I am  almost at full capacity again, thank you for your well-wishes guys! Also, the next chapter for The Wanderer is already in the works, though I can't say when I finish yet. Most likely though, I will upload it tomorrow!

Enjoy!]

Chapter 027 – The Dragon's Melody

[April – 2008]

Having spotted Akira appear at school so early, Murayama hadn't been able to hold herself back as she approached him, the impression the rather quiet and mysterious boy had left in her mind just the day before having been profound indeed.

Just having seen his tattoed hands had reminded her of the recording of yesterday's fight, where Akira had sparred against Yuuto while shirtless, which she had watched at least a dozen times while laying in bed last night.

Akira's handsome looks and incredibly fit physique made her heart pound wildly when simply thinking about him.

The fact that she had even touched herself to screenshots of the video where Akira's attractive and half-naked figure was clearly visible, had her hard-pressed to keep herself from blushing fiercely in his presence.

The violin Akira had carried on his back on his arrival though had thankfully been able to divert her attention, while the fact that he played such an instrument made him even more attractive and mysterious.

Murayama simply couldn't figure out her new classmate, but with every second she stayed in his presence, she just felt more drawn to him.

Still, seeing Akira close his eyes as he started to draw quiet and sad tunes from his instrument, had her totally enthralled, the gentle tunes standing in such a stark contrast to the incredible fighter she had seen in Akira just the day before.

At this point, Murayama found herself unable to do anything else but listen to Akira as if enchanted, breathless as the beautiful tunes washed over her and drew her in without any chance for escape.

She didn't even notice that Katase had once again pulled out her phone to record Akira while listening to him play the violin equally enthralled.

…

Having slipped out early to avoid having Akeno leave her to wake up Rias after last night's battle against the Fallen, though beatdown would be more fitting, Koneko wandered around the mostly empty school building when her ears suddenly picked up a strange sound.

Following the sound out of curiosity, the petite Nekoshou unexpectedly picked up a familiar warm and powerful scent.

Hurrying along with even greater curiosity while finally recognizing the noise she had picked up as a rather beautiful melody, Koneko finally arrived before the closed door of the music room, her original goal to find herself some breakfast already forgotten.

Quietly opening the door, Koneko's golden eyes widened in surprise as she saw Akira play the violin, his eyes closed while he drew a hauntingly-beautiful melody from the wooden instrument. The expression on his face was one of quiet sadness as the violin in his hands continued to release one tender note after another.

Gently and soundlessly closing the door behind her, Koneko sat down on the floor right next to it, her back leaning against the wall as she followed every one of Akira's movements with her golden gaze, his music burrowing itself a way into her heart.

The small Nekoshou pulled her legs close as she continued to listen, laying her head to rest in the crook of her arm which lay over her knees.

…

Feeling my phone vibrate in the front pocket of my pants, I drew out the last note and let it fade out before opening my eyes and exhaling lightly. Stepping up to the piano, I placed my violin back in its case along with the bow before shutting off the alarm on my phone.

I had set it myself so that I wouldn't just lose myself in the music as I wanted to go by the library before class started.

The scent of berries though made me look up and I saw Koneko sitting on the floor next to the door, looking at me with soft golden eyes.

“That was amazing, Akira!”, Murayama suddenly called out and drew my attention to her, seemingly having shaken off her daze, “What a beautiful melody. Y-You are really talented.”

She complimented shyly while I saw Katase type something on her phone while nodding along rapidly.

Smiling calmly in response, I replied: "Thanks for the compliment. Though I have something else to take care of before class, so see you later."

“S-See you later, Akira-kun!”

Putting the violin case back on my back and grabbing my school bag and jacket, I approached Koneko and addressed her with a more genuine smile: "Wanna come with me? I will buy you some breakfast like I promised."

Just looking up at me from her seated position for a moment, she finally lowered her head while standing up, replying with a quiet hum of agreement as she looked away, though I could still spot the soft blush on her cheeks.

Walking side by side through the school and stopping by the cafeteria for a quick stop, where I bought her a sweet bun, we walked in silence while I ignored the curious whispers and stares of those we encountered.

Feeling a pull on my sleeve, I turned to Koneko and saw her holding out one half of the bun while looking up at me with her clear molten gaze.

“We are sharing.”, she said quietly before turning away her face shyly.

“Thank you.”, I said as I took the half.

Continuing toward the library quietly, we reached soon there at which point Koneko mumbled a short goodbye before fleeing with quick steps. Smiling to myself I entered the library, knowing I only had roughly ten minutes until class started.

I didn't need long though as I was just looking for a book on the Italian and French languages, which I planned to read during class so as not to waste the Golden Tear I had taken early.

I knew that as soon as I turned into a Devil I would be granted All-Speak, not to mention that I could just communicate with others through telepathy even at this point, but I did not have this racial skill nor did I want to do the other, and I had no interest in studying up on any of the hard sciences.

I also wanted to test how great my draconic wisdom truly was under the influence of the Golden Tear and learning a new language could be a good measuring stick.

Giving my Student ID to the cute teenage girl working as a librarian to check out the books, I was on my way to my classroom when I heard the bell ring which meant I had only two minutes left to spare, which was plenty of time for me to make it.

…

Finding a video of the spar between Akira and Yuuto Kiba online after her Queen had told her about it, who on her part had heard of it from Tomoe, Sona decided to check it out since there was still more than half an hour before class which simply wasn't enough time to start another game of chess on her phone.

Watching it though had her stare at her screen with raised brows, a look of surprise in her eyes while a slight blush covered her cheeks.

She had seen Rating Games since she was little and had watched her parent's and sister's peerage train and spar countless times, but something about the way Akira wielded the wooden spear just struck a cord in her heart.

There was a passion and unity to his movements that just made her feel as if this was the 'real' Akira. Seeing him dominate Rias' Knight, and it absolutely had been a domination, Akira's movements deadly and graceful, more dance than battle, left a deep impression in her heart.

She didn't know why but she longed to see him fight again, and couldn't help but play the recordings a second time. And while she still found herself pausing the video every now and then to get a good look at Akira's muscled chest from all sides, she was simply fascinated by his spearmanship.

And just as she was about to play the video all over again for the third time, Sona received a message from Tsubaki which was a link to another video, this one's title being: 'The Dragon's Melody'.

Tapping on it, Sona suddenly saw Akira standing in the music room on the fourth floor with a violin in his hands, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

And as soon as he closed his eyes and started to play, her surprise only grew, the sad and beautiful tunes sounding out along with the quiet passion Akira played the violin with, causing her to be smitten as she stared fixedly at her phone.