The first "Special" entry. Takes place in the future, some time after the previous chapter. I originally wanted to post Chapter 10, but with writer's block on that end, here's this chapter.

Reminder that "trick" typically refers to "teleport" depending on the context.

X

V drank from his can of MAX Coffee once more. It was still too sweet for his liking. None of the other foods or drinks he has had today have managed to balance out the taste. If Komachi or nee-chan had any hope of their dear Taishi bonding with Hikigaya over a shared love of MAX Coffee, they would be sorely disappointed.

"Tai-kun," said Kei-chan whilst still chewing her food. She leaned over their table and reached for her box of apple juice, just out of her grasp. Her other hand, holding her half-finished biscuit, was shaking erratically as she struggled to claim her drink. Crumbs began flying in all directions. "Thirsty."

Kei-chan can be a careless eater at times, V reflected fondly. Even Dante at this age knew better.

Glancing around the café, V spotted a server holding a plate of drinks coming their way. Discreetly, V placed his MAX Coffee on the tray and filched a fresh cup of water, with the waitress none the wiser. V downed the water to be rid of the sweet taste on his tongue. As the server passed by again, to fetch a customer another cup of water, V swiped a few spare napkins from the server's pocket.

V placed a hand on Kei-chan's shoulder to keep her steady and from making a fuss. "Patience," V said pointedly. Kei-chan stopped shaking and let him wipe away the crumbs that were sticking around her face and over her clothes, though she was pouting all the while. When V brought Kei-chan her drink, she clasped the box with her free hand and sipped from the straw.

Done with his own meal, V gazed through the window and stared absently at the rest of the mall.

Today was only the second time has visited the venue, the first being his first outing with the Service Club. From where V sat, he could even see the arcade where he, Komachi, Griffon, and Yuigahama had entertained a few rounds in a fighting game prior to the discovery of Nevan.

V clutched at the Proud Soul hanging off his neck, the memories still quite vibrant as when they had happened in real-time. Much has happened since then, and there was still much to be done.

At least for today, however, V was gifted a reprieve from all that devilish business.

V could feel Kei-chan pull at his sleeve. "I'm done," she said. After giving her one glance, he gave her a clean napkin. She unfolded it and crumpled it against her face.

Twirling his cane around, V jabbed it against the floor, propping him up to his feet. Standing tall, he extended his hand for Kei-chan to take. She grabbed on, discarding the napkin to grab the plastic bag containing their plunder from today's endeavors. Seeing Kei-chan adequately clean of stains and crumbs, V led the way out.

"Are we going home now?" Kei-chan asked as they walked pass other mall-goers.

"Is there anywhere else you want to go to?"

She pondered on her answer. "Get something for kaa-chan and tou-chan, too? And the lil' ones?"

"We already gave them something with nee-chan. Remember?" V stilled owed Komachi for assisting them on that front.

"But they already ate it all."

"I don't think we can find time today to concoct another batch of cookies." Or to purchase the necessary ingredients. Kaa-san, tou-san, and nee-chan have all been too busy to go on a shopping run and replenish their culinary supplies, and V was low on funds as it was now to spend even more.

"So we buy instead of bake," Kei-chan suggested.

"As much as I loathe to admit it, I'm not made of money."

"Haa-chan and the Club can help."

"Again, no time. They have other obligations. Other things to do today."

"Oh, then can Griffy visit and help?"

V chuckled. Nee-chan mostly respected the seemingly unlikely friendship between Taishi and Ooka, and it was a nice surprise of Griffon and Kei-chan taking a liking to each other when he had babysat her. Unfortunately, ever since Griffon had accidentally run into nee-chan while she had been in a state of undress at their house, he wasn't welcome there any longer. It certainly didn't help that tou-san had also been home at the time and had developed a distinct dislike of Griffon. What terrible timing for everyone.

"Maybe next time," V said.

Abruptly, Kei-chan stopped walking. "What is it?" V prompted.

"Have to pee."

"Ah." V led her to a restroom. Sending her off and taking the plastic bag from her, V leaned his back near the entrance to a gift shop and read his book while waiting for Kei-chan to relieve herself.

"O Rose thou art sick," he read quietly. "The invisible worm, that flies in the night in the howling storm."

"Has found out thy bed," said another voice.

In an instant, V discarde his relaxed posture and raised his cane to defend against any sudden attacks. He looked at his surroundings. He could neither spot anything suspicious in the ambling human crowd nor sense the lingering presence of the voice aside from the sound. The rogue demons were getting more and more apt at shrouding themselves from V's senses. Where was the sound coming from?

"Of crimson joy," V continued the line, and the voice acted in turn.

"And his dark secret love." Still no sign of who was speaking, yet it sounded as if he was right beside V.

"Does thy life destroy."

Then, a hand from nowhere grasped his shoulder, pulling him backwards.

Everything in sight suddenly became quite… surreal. The mundanity, the simple and uncomplicated structure of the mall – of the human world – became twisted, contorted, almost hellish. Bright, nearly blinding colors of orange and blue replaced the once bland lighting of the mall. The people became incomplete, shadowy silhouettes. The walls, floors, and ceilings cracked and broke apart, enlarging and shrinking, changing shape and orientation inconsistently.

Where there was once printed text and characters denoting store names and advertisements, all that was written in their place was one word: power.

V's back hit the floor. Directly above him came down – the Yamato sword?!

Before he could be skewered, V tricked up over his assailant. As he fell from the air, V swung his cane down to crack the skull of his attacker. However, the Yamato look-alike was brought up to deflect V's cane. If the blade's appearance wasn't enough of a resemblance, then the follow-up swing that V blocked and sent him flying off through the shadow people was another. That was the Upper Slash maneuver.

If that truly was the Yamato, or at least a replica of it, then with the distance gained between V and the sword's wielder, V's opponent may move forward with a Rapid Slash or a Judgement Cut.

By the sound of a dozen cuts about to be made all around V, the latter option was chosen.

Avoiding those cuts with a side roll, V tricked directly in front of his attacker. Stepping into a Stinger with his cane, V hit his opponent squarely in the chest before he could dodge or defend. The sword wielder's back hit the wall. As he tried to catch his breath, he kept his blade raised to dissuade V from getting any closer.

Finally, V got a clear look at the demon that brought him into this hellish mirror world, and "mirror world" seemed to be an appropriate name the more V looked at it. "Who are you?" V asked.

With sharp teeth displayed broadly, the demon in human form answered, "My name is Vergil."

He wore a black coat and blue slacks, leather black shoes and blue gloves. His hair was swept back and bleached. There was... some resemblance to how Vergil had appeared after V had rejoined Urizen, if Griffon's recollections and sloppy sketches were accurate.

"What manner of facsimile are you?" V questioned. Not a shadowy Doppelganger that had served as one of the Temen-ni-gru's guardians, nor a mimicking Plasma that had been loitering on Mallet Island. This demon, emulating Vergil's stance and swordsmanship was… something else.

"Facsimile?" the copy barked an all too familiar laugh of superiority, though the voice was also slightly different. Why adopt so many of Vergil's characteristics yet fail in some of the most basic details? "Look who's talking. The poor remnants of a half-demon spawn playing at being human, with a family that's not even his own. What kind of son of Sparda do you claim to be?"

"I don't claim to be." Not anymore, anyway. Not with how he is now. "Yet, you do?"

"Of course. I am their heir, heir to the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda and the Great Angelic Champion Eva."

Angelic Champion Eva? V raised an eyebrow at that. What was he talking about?

"Eva was a fool," the facsimile went on, keeping his false Yamato pointed at V as he began pacing, "but I've rejected her falsehoods, done away with Kat, and defeated Dante. I have embraced only the power Eva's and father's blood and artifacts have bestowed upon me. I am a true son of Sparda, with the strength of both heaven and hell to assert my rule."

Mad ramblings. Who was this Kat? And if this fake claims to have beaten Dante, "Then you truly suppose yourself to be Vergil."

"The only one that matters," came the smug reply. "A true devil."

How presumptuous of him. "A parasitic imitation would be a more accurate descriptor. Hollow Vergil, a more apt name."

"I care little for what a broken half-breed calls me."

V smirked. If the imperfect copy really believed himself to be Vergil, then there must be some particular sore spots V could press. "I think from Vergil's experience, he should know better than to underestimate the power of a half-breed. Considering his own heritage and history."

"I have surpassed the limitations of my own blood."

"And time and time again, despite achieving the occasional victories and stalemates, Dante has surpassed Vergil many times over."

Hollow Vergil sneered, taking a step forward. V's smirk only widened at the demon's transparent display of intimidation, used to mask the indignation. "I killed him," the copy growled. "Dante was powerless against me. Barely even a noteworthy battle, with him running away and foolishly taunting all the while."

Odd to describe Dante that way. He never ran away from a fight. "And in Vergil's hubris, even with the power of the Qliphoth, he could not defeat Nero." Although, to be fair, Vergil hadn't been at his full strength at the time, having fought Dante moments before Nero's arrival.

Hollow Vergil now conveyed bemusement, looking lost. "What? Qliphoth? Who is Nero?"

Truly some sad, incomplete impersonation of Vergil. And now that V had a longer, better look at it, even the Yamato was of a different size and color than the actual one. Another anomaly, another inconsistency not quite faithful to aspects of the old world that was inserted into this new one which V and so many others now live in. Another new development to take note of.

But, if lacking in knowledge, perhaps this Hollow Vergil makes up for it with ability and skill in combat worthy of wielding a version of the Yamato. V will have to be wary of that as he seeks to defeat or escape this demon.

Perhaps escape was the better option. V wasn't at full strength – well, at the full strength Taishi's body infused with demonic power was capable of. With his allies preoccupied today, he should focus on getting Kei-chan and their belongings safe and sound at home.

"Never mind," Hollow Vergil said, shrugging off his confusion and glaring more intensely at V. "It doesn't matter. What use do I need of this Qliphoth when I have enough power to create all of this?!" He waved at the distorted environment around them. "My own localized Limbo. It took a great many demons to slay, so much blood to consume in order to attain this ability, but that's nothing new. The power I have is…"

This bizarre environment was a construct of his? How informative…

After further pontificating, the demon pointed to V's Proud Soul. "… as it may, I need more power. Your amulet. Give it to me."

If the Proud Soul was his target, why not take it when V was disoriented and first brought into this Limbo world? Hollow Vergil, like most demons, must be craving a fight before claiming his prize. In any case, V said, "If you want it, then you're going to have to take it." V tucked the amulet under his shirt. "But you already knew that."

Saying the same old lines, replaying the same old tricks… Time for some variety.

V discreetly tied his plastic bag to make sure none of its contents would fall out in the ensuing encounter. Then he tossed the bag up into the air. While Hollow Vergil's eyes were focused on the bag, V stuck his cane into the dirt of a nearby potted plant that had surprisingly retained most of its shape in this Limbo. V dragged the pot across the floor before flinging it toward Hollow Vergil. Of course, Vergil sliced the plant in half, but in that moment, V had already tricked up to the second floor of the mall above them. After catching his bag, V crouched in front of the glass fencing and waited.

From below, Hollow Vergil rose, his Yamato slicing through the glass but fortunately missing V. As broken glass flew pass V and Hollow Vergil continued to soar, the copy changed directions and began descending into a Helm Breaker.

V tricked in place at the last second before the false Yamato would have split him in half. When V reappeared, he entrapped Hollow Vergil in a restricting hold from behind. Hollow Vergil twisted his hold on his Yamato into a reverse grip and attempted to pierce V's side. V tried using his can to block the stab, but Hollow Vergil succeed in drawing blood. V grit his teeth as he received the hit, going through his abdomen and just nearly brushing against his spine.

The residual demon power V had stored in his body should be enough to heal this wound, and as V launched himself and Hollow Vergil off the second floor into a suplex – a maneuver mostly inspired by some of Nero's combat moves – V hoped he wouldn't have to exert a tremendous amount of more power today.

It wasn't a particularly long drop, but it was enough for Hollow Vergil to give out a ghastly cry in agony when his head smashed against the floor. The second he did, V could see the world of Limbo begin to blink and shutter erratically, revealing the people and scenery of the real world for seconds at a time. V had guessed correctly then, that disrupting Hollow Vergil's concentration enough would break whatever spell or ability he set forth to capture V in Limbo.

Hollow Vergil began moving his sword while it was still in V's body. Wincing, V shoved Hollow Vergil's arm to get the Yamato out and kicked him into the mob of silhouettes. The copy tumbled around some humans each time the real world overrode Limbo every previous few seconds. Wailing the Yamato around so carelessly as he did also nicked a few of those humans as barreled through them. Meanwhile, V used his cane to steady himself and bring him up to his feet, breathing slowly as he let his wounds mend themselves.

Limbo continued to shimmer and waver even as Hollow Vergil recovered, the false Son of Sparda stabbing the Yamato into the floor to cease his unsightly swaying along the ground. He left a trail of blood with more running down his face and his clothes. Opening his scrunched-up eyes revealed devilish crimson. Not glowing as if entering a rudimentary Devil Trigger. Likely a natural biological reaction, the demon's instinctive response to having such trouble with a supposed half-breed. Like a feral animal barring his teeth.

V met the aggression with a simple taunt. "What an eye-sore," he commented.

Hollow Vergil then disappeared from sight. V was startled before quickly realizing that he teleported, leaving behind fading blue slivers of light as he did so. But where did he go?

Behind him, of course. In V's brief instance of hesitation, the Yamato was thrust through his back and out his stomach.

"Now I'm a little motivated," Hollow Vergil muttered in V's ear.

Coughing, struggling to stand, struggling to stay focused, V willed what demon power he could consciously manipulate, shifting what he could spare from healing the ruptured skin and organs to pouring the power into his hands. Letting the plastic bag of today's shopping trip hang from his wrist, V held the Yamato by the part of the blade protruding from his stomach. V pulled, getting Hollow Vergil off-balance slightly and forcing him to step forward, allowing V to thrust and stab the end of his cane into Hollow Vergil's throat. V could feel the blood splatter hit his hair and the back of his neck.

There the two of them were, two broken mirrors of Vergil each trying to kill the other, locked in a stalemate as they each drained the blood and strength of one another.

V only hoped he outlasted his opponent.

Limbo was fading away faster now. Hollow Vergil must be diverting his own power into repairing himself and keeping himself conscious instead of maintaining Limbo, if not just losing power entirely. However, because they would soon return to the real world, V and Hollow Vergil began walking backwards, into the side corridor where the restrooms lay at the end of. At least the facsimile was smart enough to know that achieving victory today would mean nothing if it meant exposing their bloody, mangled forms to the world.

Still, it was a struggle to move backwards with V burdened with a blade shoved through himself and holding his cane through Hollow Vergil's neck. V was surprised they didn't accidentially fall over on their way down the hall.

Wanting to turn the situation toward his own favor, V suddenly sped up his walking speed, knocking Hollow Vergil's back against a wall. V also rocked his head backwards to hit Hollow Vergil's jaw. Bending his knees, V planted his feet on Hollow Vergil's hind legs and pushed, forcing himself out of the Yamato and taking his cane out of the copy along the way.

Falling forward, V kneeled down and pressed his forehead on the ground. He gulped what air he could as his injuries healed. He watched the uneven, colorful flooring flatten and shift to bland white. He was back in the real world. Sucking in a deep breath, V spun around and swung his cane.

Hollow Vergil blocked the cane with his knuckles as he rushed into V. With a shrill, inhuman roar, the demon pinned him against a vending machine. V felt the sharp edge of a blade press against his cheek.

The blade… wasn't the Yamato. It wasn't even a katana. It had the appearance of a common machete, but V could feel the dark energy emitting from the edge of the metal.

Further, in a hooded jacket and a black face mask, with a knife held against a teenage boy holding a cane, Hollow Vergil's purely human appearance looked like a stereotypical mugger. Absolutely no resemblance to the real Vergil now, especially with that crazed look in his eyes. He must need Limbo in order to maintain his son of Sparda façade.

"I don't have one," said the copy, sounding unhinged. He wrapped his hands around V's Proud Soul. "I want yours."

V was calculating his next move – maybe twirl his cane to get the knife out of V's face before any cuts could be made – when Hollow Vergil was pulled off him. In a flurry of movement V was only able to keep up with because of his enhanced demonic senses dulling his aches and pains, Hollow Vergil was disarmed – the knife sliding to V's feet – and held against the floor with his arms bound behind him.

"Such insolence!" Hollow Vergil barked, continuing to struggle against his restraints. The fight in Limbo must have taken more out of him than he or V had thought. "Who dares?"

"I dare," retorted Hiratsuka-sensei, twisting Hollow Vergil's arms in a way that caused him to yelp and grow. "Now stay down, or I might accidentally break something."

V hadn't at all been expecting to see Hiratsuka-sensei of all people come in for an assist against a demonic threat.

"Is that a mugger?" Kei-chan, stepping out of the nearby restroom, asked. Upon seeing her, V stepped on the knife and pushed it under the vending machine, out of reach from anyone. Then he walked to her and kept her behind him. "Did you beat him up, Tai-kun?"

"Stay over there, you two," Hiratsuka-sensei said. She locked eyes with V. "Taishi. Why am I not surprised? Don't tell me Ooka's hiding around the corner somewhere."

"You think that lowly of us?" V couldn't help but snark.

"Only because you give me so many reasons to. Now go get a security –"

Hollow Vergil pushed back against Hiratsuka-sensei, bringing them both to their feet as they barreled against a trash can, littering the hall with junk and rubbish. The demon thrust his head back to hit Hiratsuka-sensei's chin. She lost her grip on him. Now freed, Hollow Vergil turned around and began trading kicks and punches with her.

Hiratsuka-sensei wasn't going to win this fight alone. She was a trained fighter, to be sure, but neither an expert in her field nor in the art of slaying demons, and at his core, despite his current form, Hollow Vergil was still a devil at heart.

"Hold this," V said to Kei-chan as he handed her their bag. "And go call for help." As Hollow Vergil hit Hiratsuka-sensei with a combination of punches that left her stunned with each impact, V struck with a Stinger on the copy's back before following up with a Trillion Stabs. Not actually a trillion stabs, of course, but enough to get Hollow Vergil to stagger and flinch with each blow. Hollow Vergil turned around and swept his leg at V with a roundhouse kick.

V caught the leg in his arms, but there was more force to it than he expected. He had wanted to try breaking or dislocating the leg. Instead, V was pushed against the marble flooring. At least Hollow Vergil also fell down. When Hollow Vergil began kicking at V with his free leg, Hiratsuka-sensei came in grab it. Unfortunately, Hollow Vergil merely kicked her out of the way. Then he kicked V in the forehead with enough force to cause V to relinquish his hold.

Hollow Vergil dashed to the vending machine, pushing it over to fall onto its side. He reached down to grab his mysterious machete, but V made haste to shoulder tackle him against the wall. Taking the knife for himself, V plunged it into one of the demon's vertebrae. V was gifted with the sound of a painful, soaring howl Hollow Vergil gave in response to the attack.

Kicking off the wall, Hollow Vergil forced V to land onto his back. Hollow Vergil rolled over V's head and stole the knife, holding it in his grasp once more. He clutched it with both hands, raising it high above his head with the sharp edge poised to cut across or pierce through V's face.

Hiratsuka-sensei grabbed Hollow Vergil's wrists. She struggled to steal the knife from him, ultimately failing as he elbowed her side. When Hiratsuka-sensei closed her eyes and reeled back from the hit, Hollow Vergil tricked behind her. He attempted another stab, now against sensei. V reached out with his cane, deflecting the machete.

By now, V spotted the mall's security guards running down the corridor. Kei-chan stood back with one guard while the rest tackled and piled over Hollow Vergil.

"No!" Hollow Vergil screeched, flailing his blade about. Though injuring his attackers, he was quickly being overwhelmed. "Ridiculous! Begone, you scum!"

One of the guards sucker punched Hollow Vergil. The assault only continued. After the various attacks, murders, and miseries wrought to the citizens, police officers, and security forces throughout Chiba in recent times, it was only naturally for these guards to act swiftly and with little mercy.

It seemed that Hollow Vergil still had enough demon power to make a hasty retreat, however. In one moment, he was being buried under kicks and limbs. The next, he tricked to be standing outside the mob of guards. He shoved his way back into the mall and dove into the crowd. Thankfully, Kei-chan was unscathed during his escape, with the one security guard keeping her out of harm's way.

The rest of the guards gave chase for Hollow Vergil. Seeing that his sister was safe, V turned his attention to Hiratsuka-sensei. She was leaning against the fallen vending machine, nursing her injured side.

"Do you need medical attention, Hiratsuka-sensei?" V asked. While supporting himself was his cane, he grabbed sensei's arm in an attempt to support her, as well.

"I should be asking you that." She accepted V's help, though was standing tall on her own before long. "Now, tell me the truth, Taishi. Was this a random mugging, or did you somehow catch the attention of another oreganized delinquent gang terrorizing Chiba?"

V considered the question. "I doubt you'd find either answer a pleasant one," he remarked.

"True enough."

Kei-chan approached, congratulating V and Hiratsuka-sensei on "beating the bad guy". The guard accompanying her bore a pensive look on his face.

V sighed. The questions-and-answer sessions with the various authorities in this world was growing more and more repetitive and bothersome, but V resigned himself to his fate.

X

Once mall security and the police received all the information they wanted, they allowed V, Kei-chan, and Hiratsuka-sensei to go on their way. They hadn't needed to stay long, which was appreciated. V would have been required to stay longer for the injuries he exchanged with Hollow Vergil, but luckily, his wounds and bloodstains were taken care of with the last of V's power, and Hollow Vergil's bloody injuries seen on him as he fled were credited to have been caused by the other guards.

Hiratsuka-sensei had apparently been in the middle of her own shopping for a family gathering. It was by chance that she encountered Kei-chan in the restroom, and it was sensei's good nature that led her to confront Hollow Vergil while he was attacking V. She was also kind enough to offer to drive the V and Kei-chan home. With daylight to be gone soon with each passing minute, V graciously accepted.

"Remember that Kei-chan is still quite young and impressionable, V said to sensei as Kei-chan crawled into the backseat. V also gave her his phone and earphones to entertain her during the drive. "I'd rather you not smoke with her present."

Hiratsuka-sensei rolled her eyes as she entered the driver's seat. V made himself comfortable in the passenger seat beside her. "And what reasons do I give you that make you think so lowly of me?"

"You do casually smoke at an educational institution for minors."

Clicking her tongue as Hiratsuka-sensei drove, she said, "What, hasn't Ooka 'accidentally eavesdropped' the news? I quit smoking a couple weeks ago."

Did she, now? "You know, it really is by unintentional happenstance that Ooka overhears you speaking whenever you're most talkative." And it really was. His time was better spent stalking and spying on other people of interest. "Or that you often encounter him doing supposedly 'inappropriate' and 'delinquent' behavior."

"There's a saying with that word, happenstance. I'm sure you know it. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence –"

"Three times is conspiracy," V finished. It was one variation of the phrase. Honestly, out of all the manipulations and manufactured stories and situations V and his allies had to bring about to maintain their covers and to accomplish their missions, the tension between Ooka and Hiratsuka-sensei certainly wasn't by design. "You can't believe–"

"I believe this much," Hiratsuka-sensei interrupted. "Maybe there is no conspiracy. Maybe you don't seek out involving yourself in fights like these. Maybe you're just really unlucky, which wouldn't be your fault at all. Whatever it is, we both know that these fights keep happening, and I don't think you mind it all that much."

V shut his mouth. He glanced at Kei-chan, making sure she was blissfully unaware to this conversation. Seeing her enraptured by whatever game she was playing and rendered deaf with her earphones, V turned back to Hiratsuka-sensei.

"Excuse me?" V asked.

"How long were you fighting that mugger before I stepped in?"

"Long enough to defend myself until security was called in. We went over this with the authorities when we were questioned."

"I know. Security was only called until after I tried helping you and after Keika got near the fight. Why didn't you try calling for help while you were still fighting with him in the restroom?"

Well, it was physically impossible for him to do so. Not while he was in Limbo. "He had a knife on me," V said in Taishi's petulant, defensive voice. Sensei was quite familiar with Taishi's composed side and his more rebellious side by now. "What did you expect me to do?"

Traffic forced Hiratsuka-sensei to bring the car to a stop. Her eyes met V's. "I'd expect for you to have fought back on your own, not trying to get help, until it was you that knocked the mugger unconscious, even at the risk of getting yourself seriously hurt."

V sighed. Despite his and his companions' best efforts, sensei's suspicions on her dear students still did not waver. "Is it so wrong to try to mitigate the threat and damage of a criminal whenever I'm attacked? I don't seek out these fights." Half the time, at least. "Call me a delinquent if you want, but I always do what anyone else would have done. I don't see what's wrong."

Hiratsuka-sensei expressed her own sigh. "A little self-awareness would help."

V was perfectly aware of his situation. Let her think Taishi only had self-made delusions. It made predicting her actions in regard to Taishi easier to deduce. "Care to enlighten me?"

Traffic picked up. Hiratsuka-sensei's eyes returned to the road, but half her attention was still on V. "Getting robbed and assaulted isn't supposed to be a regular thing to happen for you, Taishi-kun," Hiratsuka-sensei said with a grave seriousness. "Or anyone."

"Hikigaya and Ooka would object on the assault front, concerning your typical treatment of them," V mentioned offhandedly.

Hiratsuka-sensei formed a fist, but she only rigidly shook it, clearly resisting to use it against V. "I'm being serious. You've been through a lot since the school year started. I understand that, but that doesn't mean you have to accept what you've gone through as simple everyday routine. Your little sister–"

"Is safe and well," V cut in. "Because I – we, protected her."

"But letting yourself get wrapped into more fights won't make the next one any less dangerous. It's not just about you, either. Ooka and your other friends might not care as much, but what about your families? What would your parents and sisters feel if something happened because of your recklessness?"

"I already know what they would feel," V said. He knew ever since that day he woke up in the hospital and was welcomed by Taishi's family. "That's why I fight as I do, to make sure they never feel that way again, and so that I won't ever be like that again."

"Taishi, unless you're a boxer. It's not normal to get into fights all the time."

For better or worse, it perfectly was normal for V.

He doubted his life was ever going to completely fit Hiratsuka-sensei's definition of normal; a full human's idea of normal. However, that didn't mean he couldn't experience aspects of such normalcy, like his outing with Kei-chan today, and what their plans for nee-chan were once they returned home. If V had to regularly deal with demon attacks and to stomp down on devilish nightmares, then he was perfectly happy to oblige. He had the power, and the means to gain more when necessary. Might as well use it.

Did it even really matter in the end? At the end, V was going to find whoever had implanted him and the others into their new lives in this world, and then he was going home.

V loved his family, only because they were Taishi's family. V will continue to abide by that love so long as he was Taishi, but that didn't mean he could forget about… Dante… or Nero… or Vergil, for that matter.

… Speaking of, that Hollow Vergil was another lead V had to follow up on...

"... about your future," Hiratsuka-sensei went on. V had stopped listening to most of the lecture. "Understand?"

V understood her basic message and intentions. He had no plans to drastically change his routines or activities to appease them. "Would you believe me if I said yes?" She might not. V liked to believe that he's gotten better at lying while in Taishi's body, but Hiratsuka-sensei, like a few other observant individuals V has become acquainted with, has gotten better at telling when he was being purposely underhanded and manipulative.

"You're pretty good at keeping your cool," Hiratsuka-sensei said. V took it as a compliment. "Would you believe yourself if you asked yourself that question?"

"I know who I am, sensei," V said. The car soon stopped on his street. The Kawasaki house was in sight now. "Better than anyone."

Certainly better than that hollow parasite poorly masquerading as Vergil, let alone a common if sympathetic and benevolent high school teacher.

"Thank you for the ride," V said as he swiftly exited the car before Hiratsuka-sensei could concisely continue her lecture. He jostled Kei-chan's shoulder to get her to follow. She nodded, putting the phone and earbuds away. As she plopped out of the car, she looked up to Hiratsuka-sensei. Sensei was staring at V, clearly still apprehensive about him, but she put on a smile for Kei-chan.

"Thank you for driving us, Sensei-chan!" Kei-chan said with a quick bow. "And for beating the bad guy!"

"No problem," sensei said back, giving her a grin. "You're welcome. You make sure not to give your older siblings too much trouble, Keika, and to stay safe."

"... Are you pregnant?" Kei-chan asked innocently. Hiratsuka-sensei became as still as a statue. As did V, admittedly. Where did that question come from?

"Why do ask, Kei-chan?" V asked her.

"Sensei-chan is glowing like Ren-chan!"

Ah. Ren-chan was a friend of tou-san and one of Kei-chan's caretakers at the daycare.

Now that V stopped and looked at Hiratsuka-sensei a little more closely… he was vaguely reminded of how kaa-san had looked back when she was pregnant with Taishi's younger siblings. Taishi did recall a glow to kaa-san back then.

"Are you going to be raising a baby?

Hiratsuka-sensei laughed and reached down from the car window to pinch Kei-chan's cheeks, much to the little one's vocal displeasure. "Now, now, Kei-chan. I have my hands full taking care of your big bro and big sis, and their friends and classmates, too. I'm looking after enough babies as it is."

But if she was to have a child, considering who the father would be...

Another matter to look into later.

"And Taishi," sensei spoke to him in a falsely chipper tone. "I trust that you know not to feed more into the silly rumors around Soubu. Right?"

"At your pleasure," V said with smile. He grabbed Kei-chan's hand and gently pulled her along. "Farewell."

"Bye, Sensei-chan!" Kei-chan called out, waving her hand.

V looked over his shoulder. Hiratsuka-sensei waved back, looking quite unsure of herself, before driving off.

"So she wasn't pregnant?" Kei-chan asked V.

"Forget about that," V dismissed. He unlocked the front door. Entering inside, he and Kei-chan removed their shoes. Seeing what other shoes were sequestered to the side, it seemed that their parents weren't home yet, but someone else was. V patted Kei-chan's back. "Go find nee-chan."

Wearing a wide smile, Kei-chan held the plastic bag close to her chest and ran throughout the house, calling out nee-chan's name. V took his time following after her.

"Kei-chan?" he heard nee-chan call out before their little sister gave her an exuberant greeting.

"Happy birthday, Saa-chan!"

X

To be continued in Special 02 at some point. Chapter 10 is next to be posted, whenever that gets done.