I hadn't any idea when she was going to say any more about this date.

It's been two years since I...or rather, she befriended me.

Whenever I tried to ask her about the first day we met, she would somehow loop around the conversation.

She would ask me questions and receive answers; however, I had to be careful with what questions to ask about her.

It's somewhat difficult to avoid asking about a...person who is probably 2 centuries old?

However, it does help that she's interested in other subjects than the one she's majoring in, World Literatures in English (MSt) in the English Faculty. I'm double-majoring in the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) and Management (DPhil) in the school of business.

She likes to talk to me about global politics, possibilities for a better world, personal growth, philosophy, ancient history, the universe: galaxies, extraterrestrial life...

That would make a lot of sense if she is an alien.

From what I could see, every time she came around me, she would leave her two friends behind to themselves. I didn't want to...what's the word? Address it?

Their stares though...I don't feel comfortable with how menacingly they stare every time she's around me.

Or was it me?

It was behind me?

Who was behind me-

"Caine!"

I looked behind me to see my only friend, Jim. He was running up to me.

"Oh, mornin'," I greeted nonchalantly.

"And a good morning to you, too," he said snarkily. "Are we still going to..." his words died off as his gaze moved to Amoriel.

"Good morning," she said with a closed-eyed smile. "You must be Caine's best friend, it's nice to meet you. I'm-"

"Amoriel...Michaelis, yeah, I know who you are," he said in a flat tone before glancing at me and grinning, "This guy just can't shut up about you."

"Wha-! No, I don't talk about her...often..." I mumbled, getting embarrassed due to him exposing me.

"Am I the only girl you talk about?" she asked in a strange tone, making me look at her.

She seemed stiff and rigid...as if she would break if I don't answer correctly?

Saved by the bell.

~Small Time Skip~

It's my lunchtime, and I just so happen to find a...bento box and a water bottle in the place I sit, which is in the Literature Clubroom.

There was a note left on top of the square black box, and I unfolded it to read it.

Dear Sir,

I have some important news for you, and I think it's about time we go on our date after school, now that we're 'good friends'

My eyebrows quirked at that, 'Good friends? Well, that does make a lot of sense when I think about it. Before you date someone, you have to get to know them.'

I grunted. I can't stand people that say or say something similar to "It's 2020, who has time for that?" Like, no, bro. Treat the lady right.

Moving the note aside, I lifted the top off the square plastic box...

(Ee-er.)

The box contained a...warm? pork pie and bite-size blueberry scones covered in icing and crystal clear sprinkles.

Opening the silver water bottle, I couldn't tell what color the liquid was, so I wafted the scent towards my nose.

The strong scent of ginger slapped me in my face and I felt...awake.

"Coffee...and it's espresso," I said in a low, trembling voice. "How did she know...?" I licked my lips, "Who cares, it's lunch, but I'm grateful."

"You don't have to be. It didn't take a lot of time."

Jumping at the voice somewhere around me, I looked around, then to the second floor to see Amoriel leaning against the rail, smiling down at me.

"Were you here...this whole time?"

She nodded, "I fell asleep up here after I set up your gift." Her genuine smile turned...seemingly obsessive. "It's as if I brought lunch for my husband."

I returned a sheepish smile, "Thank you though. I forgot my lu-..."

It clicked.

A shudder ran down my back and I sat in my seat, deciding to just eat.

"Tell me how it tastes," she said.

I took a bite of everything and a sip of the coffee.

"...Everything tastes great. It's just that I never had warm or hot pork pie. Honestly, I think it's unique."

Almost scaring me, she placed her palms on my shoulders.

"I'm glad it is to your liking, senpai. If you want, I can bring you lunch every day."

"Ah, no, but thank you. You're too kind, Amoriel." I placed the canister of coffee down before speaking again. "Remember when I told you your last name is actually Phantomhive?"

I nodded, glancing up to her over my shoulder. "Yeah. What about it?"

She smiled sheepishly, "I forgot to mention one small detail. Your first name, Caine, is a substitute,"

I blinked, "Substitute?"

She nodded, "I think it's safe to assume when you were brought to an orphanage, your giver changed your name."

"How would you know my real name? Is it because you're...an alien and have access to that kind of knowledge?"

She giggled at my suggestion, "No, silly. My Mom told me."

"Your...Mom?"

She nodded, "In case of emergencies, your Mother is the one who suggested a false name to go by in order to keep you safe. However, we were not present on that burning evening to assist the Eidolon family because we, or rather my Dad, no longer had a contract and we were to only watch from afar...but he did make my family a promise."

"What was that?"

Her hands slid away from my shoulders, coming around me to look me in the eyes. Her eyes seemed somber and tired.

"I...I might get in trouble if I tell you."

My eyes narrowed, "Are you being watched or black mailed by someone?"

She shook her head, "It was something my parents told me and my brother not to tell you."

"Ah...I see. If I were to reclaim my family's belongings, then you'll tell me?"

She flinched, "To be honest...I would, but...I don't think you're suited to handle the underworld."

"Underworld?"

"Underground crime, like a evil aristocrat gaining bank from handling the dirty work for the Queen."

I sat in silence, thinking over what she just said.

'Amoriel is very considerate of my well-being. I like that about her; she'd make a good bodyguard...and a servant. Really...'

How cute.

Wiping the grin off my face before removing my balled fist from my lips and chin, I looked back at her.

"How much tabs do you and your family have on me?"

"About that...I was starting to think I'm not the only who's engaged with you, but I don't think that particular person in my family knows about me talking to you."

"Ah...two people. Wonderful," I said sarcastically. I glanced at her, "Or maybe three. We can't rule out anything. By the way, are you not supposed to be talking to me? I thought you were chosen to see to me."

"Yes, I am, but if I am to ever come into contact with the Phantomhive heir, I have to notify my parents immediately. Instructions my Mother received from Queen Victoria herself in which she passed down to me and my sibling."

"Why didn't you?"

"For you to make a contract with one of them and not know anything of the situation? I couldn't let that happen."

"If their my 2nd great grandfather's "main maid and butler", then there ought to be a level of trust where they won't leave out any information nor would they harm me. Besides, what personal vendetta do they have against me?"

She was about to open her mouth, but it quickly closed and she looked away from me.

I intertwined my fingers, resting my chin on them, staring intensely into my eyes, "Either you don't trust your parents, which I highly doubt, or...you wanted me for yourself for as long as you could have me." A grin showing teeth replaced the serious expression on my face, "Temptation is a bitch, isn't it, succubus?"

She looked back at me, eyes wide from shock. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn't know how to form the words.

I leaned back in my chair, eyes closed, "You practically gave me two years to figure out what you are. It only took me three months, really. I've kept quiet about it because I didn't want you to back off. I like you, Amoriel, I really do. This doesn't make me think any different of you either."

"..."

"Do not underestimate me because I'm a human, Amoriel. It should be well-known that humans could be scarier than demons."

"Yes...sir."

The poor girl sounded so broken. Either I caught her off guard and she's trying to process everything or my aura is unsettling.

Back to nice Caine Eidolon.

I opened my eyes, seeing that her head was down and her hair covered her face.

I smiled, "We can go on the date after school. Let's go to Dorest Beach, okay?"

She nodded again, turning around and leaving the room.

"By the way, you never told me my real name. What is it?"

"It's Dante...Dante Phantomhive," she said, then closed the door behind her.

*Silence*

I finished my meal in the quiet, thinking about the name.

'Safe to assume that my Mother's last name is Phantomhive and my Father's last name is Eidolon. Maybe it's also safe to assume she wanted to keep a lower profile and took on his last name. Despite that, my Mother was still taking on dirty work...'

A smirk spread on my lips, "I suppose strategy runs well in the family."

Pushing away from the table, I went to the window, staring at the dreary sky, apathetic.

"Dante..." I tested the name on my lips, wondering if I'd like it.

How coincidental.

"Dante...means "Everlasting", it's of Latin origin. I suppose the inferno is everlasting due to my being the only survivor left. I like it, I won't disappoint, Mother."

(It would only be right for two-faced and split personalities to be included in the survivor of the Phantomhive family. Originally, I decided Dante was going to be just nice and kind, but I thought it'd fit right if he had two different sides. He is majoring in business, so it's only right he appears to good to others while some underground crap is being taken care of that.

I chose his major to be business because: one, runs through family blood; two, the Phantomhive family is a business family; three, to make him seem more mafia like; and four, to see through people's insecurities and weaknesses.

Also, I will be editing my earlier writings because I wrote it when I was younger and I was trying to find my writing style, and I cringe at some of the misinformation leading to the future chapters.

Selcouth: When everything feels strange and different.)