"Hey, just call me Will." Will said with a casual wave, his gaze settling on Lil' Amon with a slightly odd expression. He turned to Alaric. "You're really trying to collect all of Lord of Mysteries's candidates, huh? What's next, snagging a Zaratul or Antigonus?"
Will hadn't expected to see Lil' Amon in this house... information he hadn't gleaned before arriving.
"Zaratul doesn't suit my taste, but Antigonus? I could consider that. I've always wanted a big dog." Alaric replied with a grin.
"You sound so serious while saying something terrifying…" Will muttered, his eyes shifting to Klein, now with a hint of hesitation.
He glanced between Klein and Alaric before saying, "You knew all along, didn't you?"
"Knew what? Your fates?" Alaric asked, smiling at him. He opened the blank book he carried as Lucifer, flipping to a specific page. "If you mean that you were supposed to be Klein's angel investor, then yes, I've known about that fate for a while."
"You're way too upfront about it." Will said, choking on his words. He looked at Klein, then back at Alaric, before sighing dejectedly. "Should've known I'm not the lucky type."
Alaric chuckled, eyeing Will. "You could still be Klein's angel investor, but I suspect he's not keen on that path."
Turning to Klein, Alaric added, "Klein, take Will to pick a room and give him a rundown of the house."
"Huh? Oh, sure, Mr. Lucifer." Klein said, startled but nodding. He looked at Will hesitantly. "Mr. Will, this way, please?"
"…Let's go. I'd like a room with good sunlight. Got one?" Will said, nodding and following Klein.
"I recall an empty room on the third floor that gets plenty of sun. You might like it, Will." Klein said, a thoughtful look on his face as he led the way.
"Sounds good. Let's check it out. And like I said, just call me Will." Will replied, correcting Klein's address.
"Alright, Will." Klein said with a smile, adjusting without fuss.
They reached the sunny third-floor room, and after a quick look around, Will nodded in approval. "I like this one."
"Glad you do." Klein said, relieved. "Everything in here is new, but if something's not to your liking or you need anything, just let Medici or Mr. Azik know. They'll pick it up on their next shopping trip."
Will raised an eyebrow, glancing at Klein. "Sounds like they're the parents around here?"
"…It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but to me, they kind of are." Klein said, not denying it. After a brief pause, he gave a sheepish smile. "Mr. Azik often feels like a father to me, and Medici…"
Klein lowered his voice. "It's just a playful nickname, but sometimes I think of Medici as a sort of 'dad-mom.' He doesn't like it, though, so best not to say it to his face."
Klein didn't deny that, at first, he'd been wary of Medici because of his attitude toward Jack. But over time, he'd come to see him as a friend, even a parental figure.
What started as a temporary residence had, with time and the arrival of new members, begun to feel like a real home.
Klein would never forget his true family, but that didn't stop him from building new relationships in this new era... something his parents would have wanted.
"Mingrui, don't let those of us who are gone hold you back. You have to look forward. I don't want you trapped in past sorrows forever. That's too tragic."
His mother's words echoed in his mind, causing Klein to drift for a moment. Snapping back, he looked at Will. "Mr. Lucifer asked me to fill you in on everyone else. Anything you want to know, Will?"
Will didn't answer right away. Instead, he hopped onto a chair, peering down at Klein with a scrutinizing gaze before saying, "Do you know what your original fate was?"
Klein's smile faltered, but he nodded. "I know. Mr. Lucifer told me."
"So why give it up? Do you realize what that means?" Will asked, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration. As a Snake of Mercury, he could glimpse fragments of fate, and with Alaric's information, he'd pieced together who the original Lord of Mysteries was meant to be.
"I know." Klein said calmly, nodding. "It means unparalleled power, becoming the strongest being in this world, and bearing the responsibility of saving it."
"But you still gave it up…" Will said, puzzled and a bit annoyed. "Most people wouldn't pass up something that good. Look at Mr. Door, Amon, even Zaratul... they all crave that position. How could you let it go so easily?"
"Strictly speaking, I haven't given it up." Klein said, shaking his head. "If the world ever needs me to step up and save it, I'll do so. In fact, I'm preparing for that possibility now." He looked at Will, countering, "As for the power, the authority…"
Klein broke into a genuine, relaxed smile. "What do they have to do with me? I've never craved those things. I'm content with my life as it is. Sure, I have regrets, and if becoming Lord of Mysteries could fix them, I'd pursue it without hesitation. But it can't."
"So, for me, becoming Lord of Mysteries only matters if it's about saving the world." Klein continued, his smile turning sheepish. "If it has to be me, I'll step up without question. But the truth is, Mr. Bethel is a better candidate. He's willing to bear that responsibility and actually wants the power and authority. Why should I compete with him?"
***
If you like the Classroom of the Elite and Danganronpa series, don't hesitate to check out the new project I'm currently working on:
[COTE: The True Perfect Human]
Synopsis:
Since the era when humanity was still focused on steam and coal, people have already been questioning what the Perfect Human truly looks like.
Some say the Perfect Human possesses overwhelming physical strength… others claim the Perfect Human has unparalleled intelligence.
Of course, there are also those who believe the Perfect Human possesses both... strength and intellect.
Like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
That's why when people ask who the most perfect human in all of fiction is, they often point to the Masterpiece of the White Room as the Perfect Human.
But… only the OGs know that the only Perfect Human who has ever walked this earth is...
The Ultimate Hope…
Izuru Kamukura.
...
This is the story of Izuru Kamukura as he challenges Classroom of the Elite searching for whether there is anything in this world capable of dispelling his boredom.