The bell rang at Bright Star Private Academy, a school for the rich and privileged. Nozomi stared at the clock. The day ended with a surprise test, and she felt grateful for her study session the night before. She beamed at the A+ on the paper.
Her best friend Paisley glared at the F on her paper, "Oh man, my parents are not going to like this," She almost crumpled up the paper and threw it away.
Nozomi stopped her, "You'll be in more trouble if you try to hide it from your parents. Remember the last time you failed an assignment? Your parents grounded you for weeks. I had no one to hang out with at the comic store. Victoria Templeton and her little squad spend all their time being rude to me."
"It's not my fault I'm stupid," Paisley played with her pink and blue-streaked hair, and she waved to a few boys who stared at her with love in their eyes.
"You are lazy, not stupid. If you could get your mind off of boys for two minutes, you might pass history," Several young men waved to her, and Nozomi ignored them. Her parents expected her to put her studies first.
"Wow, you snubbed those guys. Let your hair down once in a while. There is nothing wrong with being friends with a boy. Do your strict parents look down at that?"
Nozomi glared at her best friend, "Maybe I have standards. Sometimes I think any boy with two legs and a heartbeat is what you like."
Paisley glared back, "At least I live on the same planet as men. You're like Queen Fury from our favorite comic."
Young men in practice uniforms headed toward the gym. Paisley pointed to the only boy dressed in sweatpants and a tank top. He stopped long enough to lock eyes with Nozomi. The staring match lasted for ten seconds.
His handsome face melted her heart within seconds despite the displeased look on his face. Nozomi held out her hand, "Hi, I'm Nozomi. Who are you?" She put on her friendliest smile.
The handsome stranger's face went white with terror, and his body stiffened like a board, "Um," his voice tone had a tinge of panic.
Paisley giggled, "Your beauty has left him speechless." She reached out to touch him.
"Gack," He cried out. Without another word, the boy tore down the hall toward the martial arts dojo. Papers flew up in his wake.
Paisley and Nozomi stared at each other with confusion and then laughed. "How adorable a tough guy nervous to talk to girls," Paisley slapped her knee.
Nozomi covered her mouth for her parents taught her it was rude to laugh at another's suffering, "The encounter wasn't boring. I wonder who he is?" At that moment, Nozomi became determined to find his identity.
"You have the thinking face on right now," Paisley pointed at her.
Nozomi blushed to the tips of her toes, " I think we should find out who he is. I think someone like that wouldn't have too many friends."
Paisley's face went wide with shock, "You like him or think he's cute, don't you?" She accused.
"No," Nozomi's face now had the color of a ripe cherry.
A slender arm wrapped around Nozomi's shoulder. A sly grin slid across Paisley's face, "Your secret is safe with me."
"Grrr," Nozomi ripped her friend's arm off of her, "There is no secret," She bellowed. She walked hastily toward the dojo.
Paisley giggled, "Okay, you're right. He doesn't seem the type to make friends easily. We could be his friends until you decide he's worthy enough to be your boyfriend." She quickly raced down the hall.
"Hey, you're not going to get away with that," Nozomi balled her fists and gave chase.
***
A large group of girls had gathered on the bleachers to watch the boys practice. The platinum-haired Victoria Templeton and her snobby cohort were there as well.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Nozomi whispered, "The last thing we want to do is make a scene. I heard a couple of rule-breakers wound up in the troubled student's class. I don't think your parents would appreciate that, and we wouldn't get to hang out as much."
"Live a little Oz," Paisley used Nozomi's nickname when she tried to talk the straight-arrow into taking risks. "It's not every day you meet your future boyfriend."
"I suppose you're right..." Nozomi trailed off and knitted her brows angrily, "Hey, I heard that."
"Pffft," Paisley waved her hand dismissively as she scoffed, "It's okay to like a boy. You don't have to date him or anything. Think of our silent friend like a piece of fine art to be admired."
"I suppose you have a point. I can hear my father right now," She deepened her voice and pointed the parental finger at Paisley, "Nozomi, you are a born and bred Bushida, and that means we do not settle for second best."
Paisley giggled, "Sounds like your father when he talks to me about your safety and how you are the future of Bushida enterprises," she paused, "What business is your father in?"
"Good question," Nozomi took a moment to contemplate the question. Her finger tapped her lips, "You know he never said."
"Looks like someone else has eyes for our shy friend," Victoria and her cohort of snobs pointed at the handsome boy in sweatpants. Handsome's loosely wrapped hands were in contrast to the padded gloves of the others.
Coach Shinji pointed to sweatpants, "We will start practice with a light spar. Each of you will test your mettle against Daiki," all the other members of the dojo scoffed. One scalding look from Coach Shinji silenced them, "Daiki is a nationally ranked martial artist. I'd wiped the smiles off your pathetic faces. Our school is ranked dead last."
Daiki stood ready. The air shifted around him, and he raised the wrapped fists. A gleam in his eye wiped the smiles from the boy's faces.
Coach Shinji raised his hand and brought it down between Daiki and his first opponent, "Begin," he bellowed.
"This should be good," Paisley commented.
Nozomi, stared at Daiki. She couldn't look away. Her stomach filled with butterflies, "It doesn't make sense I expected to be more attracted to someone more refined."
"You mean boring?"
"No, I mean cultured. You know people into art and stuff."
"Yes, boring," Paisley playfully punched Nozomi in the shoulder.
The first attacker threw a sloppy punch at Daiki, who caught the fist in midair and twisted the arm until the boy submitted. Challenger after challenger fell to Daiki, who seemed bored.
"Look alive, Daiki, you're here because of the incident near the science lab," Coach Shinji shouted.
Daiki dropped another team member without looking, "Was I supposed to let those idiots torment the younger students? Getting the help from a teacher would've taken too long," He paused and swept low.
"Not again," Another boy growled, who got up and attacked again, "I'll make dogmeat out of you," He started to throw punches wildly.
A long yawn escaped from Daiki, "Please, you should be ashamed of your sloppy technique. If you spent more time in practice, you wouldn't be so terrible." Daiki's hands became a blur until Daiki knocked the boy from the ring with a single blow.
A loud whistle blast forced all to cover their ears, "Daiki, hit the showers. As for the rest of you, let that be a lesson about taunting opponents more powerful than you." Shinji shouted at his team.
Paisley grabbed Nozomi's arm, "Quick, we have to talk to him before Victoria does."
Too late, Victoria already barred them access, "Where do you goody-goodies think you're going?"
Nozomi groaned, "And there goes the day."
Victoria's green eyes met Nozomi's soft brown and then narrowed, her mouth curled down with disdain, "Well, if it isn't the wicked witch of Oz. She looked over her shoulder at Daiki, "I think he's way out of your league. Someone of my impeccable breeding is worth such a handsome creature."
"Breeding? Like dogs?" Paisley looked over at Nozomi and shrugged.
Nozomi facepalmed, "I'll explain it later. When we are out of this mess," She refused to give in to her fear even if it meant putting herself in harm's way, "I am not interested in Daiki that way," her physical reaction betrayed her words.
Victoria and her little mob pointed and laughed, "You do like him," She stepped toward Nozomi and Paisley, "I think you need to stay away from Daiki," She motioned her friends forward, "Let's put these nobodies back the under the rock Daki found them under."
In a move that took the entire room by storm, Nozomi dared to fight back. She thrust her fist out in a vain attempt to land a decisive blow on Victoria. The whole room gasped as the attacker flowed under her arm with ease.
"You nobodies are always trying to claw yourselves out of the muck. I can't blame you. Why be you when you can be mean. I mean me," Victoria spoke with unfettered joy as her fist darted toward Nozomi.
Panicked, Nozomi flailed her arms and managed a clumsy block. Victoria hissed angrily, "Why won't you give up?"
Nozomi steadied herself and looked at Paisley, "Remember all those times you saved me from trouble?"
A smile of gratitude crept over Paisley, "I appreciate the thought, Oz, but if we go down, we go down together," She took up a stance next to Nozomi.
"We refuse to be bullied by you anymore," Nozomi tried to make herself look more threatening, but a kitten up in a tree was more fearsome than her.
In an instant, Daiki stood between Victoria and the two friends. Not a word passed from his lips. His eyes stayed focused on Victoria, a thin grimace on his face.
"Are you serious, Daiki? Look at them, common as the rocks on the ground." Victoria tried to walk around him, and Daiki blocked her again. "Have you lost your mind Daiki...you can't speak to girls, so I suppose you have, in a way."
Nozomi's heart beat faster at the action, "How does he move that fast. Why did he come to our aid?"
A look of complete devotion overtook Paisley, and her eyes shone with undisguised affection, "You sure know how to pick them, Nozomi. You pulled a prince on the first try, and I am still kissing frogs," She whispered.
"I hate you sometimes," Nozomi spoke in a mortified tone.
"Fine, you can keep your new pets, but if they get underfoot, I won't hesitate to put those dogs out of their misery," Victoria adjusted her cloak, "Let's find some real men, ladies," she pointed to the door, and he entourage followed Victoria out.
Daiki turned around and waved to Paisley and Nozomi. He stayed this time. Paisley lost her mind and ran straight at Daiki with her arms outstretched, "You deserve a hug,"
"I hate it when she does this," Nozomi slid behind her friend and yanked her back, "Stop that. Daiki could barely stand next to us the last time we met," She shoved Paisley behind her. "Sorry about that. She's a little boy crazy."
Daiki tensed up at her words but remained rooted in his place. A few more seconds passed. He managed a bit of a smile and nod. His eyes were impossible to ignore. There was a kindness to them, and they played a lovely tune on her heartstrings.
Paisley stood next to Nozomi and smiled, "Sorry, I get like that sometimes," she gave a wry laugh.
"Maybe your not comfortable with a handshake. How about we touch fingertips in thanks?" Nozomi extended her pointer finger.
The gesture provoked thought on Daiki's end. He extended a finger and stared at the tip and then back to Nozomi. His arm moved out from his body, fingertip first.
Their fingers touched, and they held the position for a full five seconds. A tiny glow surrounded the slender digits, and then a flash of light.
"What was that?" Paisley demanded.
Confusion owned Daiki as he examined his hand. He looked at Nozomi and shrugged.
"I believe you. You came to our aid. I don't think you would ever hurt us intentionally. Besides, I'm fine," Nozomi beamed at Daiki.
"Maybe it was the lighting or something," Paisley offered.
"We were going to the comic store. Do you want to come?" Nozomi offered. She put her satchel over her shoulder.
A slight squeak came from Paisley, "The other girls will be so jealous...Oz, stop looking at me like that," She turned her head to avoid Nozomi's angry gaze.
"Stop acting like an idiot. It is unkind to use someone to raise your status. It's something Victoria would do, and I don't want to be like her," her icy words got a shiver out of Paisley.
"Okay, sorry," The trio strolled out of the dojo.
***
All the girls in Nozomi's grade whispered and pointed at her. She turned to Daiki, who seemed unphased by the development, "I'm sorry, I didn't think this would happen."
Paisley lapped up the attention like a kitten does milk, "Oh, enjoy the moment, Oz. I think Daiki knows this isn't our fault."
A younger girl two grades lower than Nozomi approached them, "Did you two stand up to Victoria?"
Paisley and Nozomi froze in place. Daiki looked down at the newcomer and nodded.
The younger girl clenched her fists, and her eyes shone with devotion, "That's so cool. She's so mean to the younger kids."
Paisley put her face in her hands, "Yeah, we were seconds away from being beaten up." She groaned, "If Victoria didn't have a reason to hate us more, she sure does more."
"Then I guess we had better learn to defend ourselves. My parents are bugging me to stay fit anyway," Nozomi sighed and then opened her eyes wide, "Daiki, could you teach us to protect ourselves?"
Daiki put his finger to his lips. He reached into his bag and pulled out a book. The plastic spiral binding told Nozomi it was a rule book of some kind. He handed it to her.
"Instructors Certification course?" Nozomi gave Daiki a look of awe, "He can't teach us because he's not certified."
"Wow, he's a master, and at a young age," Paisley swooned.
Daiki beamed with pride and then went serious at a thick fog. He clenched his teeth, and his kind eyes filled with determination.
A loud ringing crashed against Nozomi's ear, distorting her ability to hear anything. She turned to Paisley, who clapped her hands against her ears.
"What's going on?" Paisley shouted.
"Daiki, what is happening?" Nozomi screeched
The fog began to drift and congeal in front of them. Yellowed bones slowly formed, and a massive foot followed by a leg bone taller than Daiki and continued until it was fifteen feet tall.
"Oz, as much as I like Daiki, maybe we should get out of here," Paisley turned to run. Nozomi stood beside the handsome boy and raised her fists, "You don't have to do this alone."
Paisley sighed and chuckled, "If we go down, we go down together," and she joined her two companions.
When Nozomi came to Bright Star, she expected to deal with the usual high school drama. People heralded Bright Star Academy as one of the safest schools in Ivorhaven City. More to the point, people rated Ivorhaven as one of the safest cities in the world. The last thirty seconds drastically changed how Nozomi viewed the statistics. A fire burned in the eye sockets of the bony demon.
Several people in vehicles abandoned their cars in the street. Daiki started to glow, and he refused to move. He looked at Paisley and then to Nozomi, and he pushed them back. He pulled a pair of silver gloves with large Crucifixes on them and slid the odd equipment onto his hands.
Nozomi noticed most of the cars were still running, "I have an idea," She yanked Paisley by the arm toward the nearest running automobile. The car reeked of fast food and cigarettes.
Paisley covered her nose, "Gross, who could live with this smell?"
"Just get in," Nozomi hopped behind the wheel and revved the engine.
"What are you doing?" Paisley waited by the door as the massive foot raised off the ground.
"Helping Daiki," Nozomi proclaimed in "Now, get in."
"Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend," Paisley spoke in a dubious tone.
"Pitiful Nephilim, you are no match for Gashadokuro," The skeleton taunted, "I am eternal, I am indestructible, Eh?" Daiki and the demon were temporarily forced into silence by a car speeding towards the giant.
"This is stupid," Paisley screamed, "This is so stupid," her hands shielded her eyes from what could be a horrible death.
"Get ready to bail," Nozomi said in a determined tone. Inside, Nozomi's terror ate her alive, but she refused to let Daiki endure this challenge alone.
Paisley shook her head, "You say, I'm boy crazy, and you're risking your life for one," she gripped her door handle like a vise, "This crazy plan better work, or you and I are going to have it out later,"
"Deal," Nozomi rolled from the car to the hard cement. Her body rolled into a wall and left her dizzy and sore.
The car rolled into the demon's foot and caused it to stagger and stumble. Daiki grinned wickedly as the massive skeleton toppled to the ground. The fiery skull landed in front of Daiki, who turned his head sideways.
Nozomi rushed over to Paisley, "Are you okay,"
Paisley rubbed her head, "Mom was right. It's the quiet ones you have to watch for because deep down, they are crazier than you."
"Hey, you're alive, aren't you...," She trailed off as Paisley pointed to Daiki, who now rushed forward with his fists raised
"Maybe I can't kill you, but I can send you back to where you belong," Daiki shouted. His fist glowed brighter and spiritual symbols of all descriptions covered the glove, "Grand fist of exorcism," He bellowed. Metal crashed into bone.
"Nooooo," the skeletal foe bellowed. Something black and smoky erupted from the bones and clattered to the ground. The ground shook with ferocity. Nozomi and Paisley hugged each other, "You need to choose your friends better," Paisley shrieked.
"Everyone knew I had a bad taste in friends because I know you," Nozomi shrieked back.
Daiki closed in on the cloud of darkness, "Hand of judgment," his second fist entered the cloud, and a white light enveloped the dastardly mist. "May the rulers of heaven help you find peace," and the cloud popped out of existence. He watched the massive skeleton turn into hundreds of bones. With a single motion from his hand, a sewer cover opened, another swept the bones down into the darkness. He strode up to Nozomi and Paisley and held up his finger.
The gesture caught both girls off guard. Paisley threatened to crush her friend in her arms. Nozomi managed to get a hand free long enough to touch fingertips with Daiki, who smiled at the gesture.
"No offense, guys, I think the comic store can wait for another day. I've had quite enough adventure for one day," Paisley rose, "Are you okay to walk home by yourself?" Paisley asked Nozomi.
A giddiness took hold of Nozomi, who had never allowed a boy to walk her home, "I can manage," She gathered her belongings and headed down the street with Daiki in tow.
He stopped at a coffee store with a male barista and waited. A few minutes later, he returned with two cups of hot chocolate. Daiki shyly held out a cup for Nozomi.
"Thank you," Nozomi smiled and took the cup from her new friend, "What is a Nephilim? I've never heard the term before today."
They passed the comic book store, and a variety of posters hung in the window. Some had pictures of angels and demons, and some were of teen dramas. Daiki scratched his head. He pointed to an angel and then a human.
"Half human and half angel?" Nozomi stared at her handsome companion in wonder.
Daiki nodded and smiled with pride. He gestured for them to continue their journey toward Nozomi's house. He dared to walk a little closer.
The beats of Nozomi's heart picked up in tempo and intensity. Part of her enjoyed Daiki's effect on her, "We'll have to work on getting you comfortable enough to speak out loud." She was about to say something else when a familiar voice pierced her eardrum.
"Now I want this delivered today, and I will pay extra to have it happen. I am holding a dinner party this evening, and I need a conversation piece," the voice demanded.
What is my mom doing here? Nozomi panicked because until now, not a single boy she knew met her parents. "Please don't see me, please don't see me," Nzomi chanted over and over.
Daiki turned his head sideways as he watched his new friend meltdown.
"Nozomi, is that you?" Masumi Bushida said as the click of her heels grew closer and closer. "Who is this handsome young man?"
Daiki seemed unbothered by Masumi but still held his silence. Nozomi intervened before her mother scared off her crush, "This is my new friend Daiki. He's on the martial arts team..."
"I know who he is, Daiki Hachisuka. I believe you have mastered Hapkido and Karate, correct?" Masumi asked. Masumi was better looking and more developed than her daughter. Her mother always told her, "You will be the flower that blooms last and best."
Daiki bowed to Masumi and nodded.
Masumi scratched her head, "He is a quiet one, isn't he?" she extended her hand, and Nozomi knocked it away.
"Can I tell her about your problem?" Nozomi asked, and the silent warrior nodded, "Daiki is nervous around women," She held up her finger and touched his tip with hers.
"How refreshing. Most boys his age only have one thing on their minds," She held out a finger, and Daiki touched it with his. "Your father would be pleased to meet such an accomplished young man. Perhaps he would like to come to dinner? I know his mother through the parent and teachers council, I could ask."
"Mother, we just met. I think it is a little soon to be asking him to such a fancy affair," Nozomi argued.
"Perhaps we should let your handsome friend decide for himself, hmmm?" Masumi turned to Daiki, "Shall I call your mother? We will provide nice clothes for you."
"I want to crawl under a rock and hide," Nozomi squeaked in embarrassment, but her eyes stayed glued to the Nephilim, and she gasped as he nodded his head.
Masumi clapped, "Excellent, I will call the servants and tell them to set another place at the table."