There’s no real explanation as to why I approached him that day. I had just transferred into the school, and it was my first day. I was basically just walking around during the lunch period, as it’s not like my personality just draws in the people, when I saw him.

He was sitting all by himself, and as I’d told him later, he was just begging to be talked to. And since he was sitting alone, reading Lolita no less, I had a good feeling he was open-minded and wouldn’t scowl at the sight of me, or something, which was key to the game.

One thing I was intrigued by though was his ability to quickly come back to all of my remarks so well. I’m so used to the same old patterns of the human mind – getting all fluttered and nervous at the first sign of an awkward topic, and the perfect way I can dictate how they crumble to pieces under my words. They pour their souls out to me, only to realize I’m only in it for the kick; the thrill, the game, essentially; once I throw the bitter truth in their face, as apposed to the sympathy they were so begging for.

I liked to think myself a puppet master, if you will.

But Carl. He’s unreadable. Even when he got offended, he was quick to recover; quick to think of a retort. It was a little surprising, and maybe even frustrating, but it was finally a challenge.

Now, a challenge is usually only fun if you know the subject in which you’re being challenged really well. And I must admit, I definitely knew what I was doing. For so long I’d been finding these people and just pushing buttons, seeing what’d make them tick. And the finale was always the very best part. I’m not sure what it was about another person’s anger that is so beautiful.

But I guess in a way, I’m helping these people. Putting them through a series of self-realizations. Later they’ll thank me silently, I’m sure.

And again, then there’s Carl. It might take a while, but I’ll see to it that he cracks and crumbles, right before my very eyes. Though, I’ll probably drag it out a while…I know right now is long before I’m going to get bored with this one.

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A/N: A little more insight on Kazuki’s malicious intents. :3 Though I’m sure Carl’ll straighten him out. XD

Carl © Karasu-sama