Death The Kid

Death the Kid wasn't accustomed to jesting around. He was a Shinigami, after all. A son of Death himself. He had a reputation to uphold, and that reputation demanded a certain level of polish, dignity, and respectability. Spending time with the more foolish students around the academy was hardly something he considered a productive use of his time.

Besides, he had more important things to worry about.

Symmetry. Order. The proper alignment of his surroundings.

Yet, on this particular day, everything seemed to be in order. His room was immaculate, his schedule was unusually empty, and there were no immediate disturbances requiring his attention. It was almost unsettling.

With little else to occupy himself, Kid found himself making his way through the halls of the Death Weapon Meister Academy, accompanied by Soul Eater Evans and Black Star.

He wasn't entirely sure how it had happened.

One moment, he had been enjoying a perfectly peaceful afternoon. The next, he was being dragged into a conversation with two of the academy's most notoriously troublesome students.

Soul had apparently decided that Kid was in desperate need of an education.

Not an academic one, of course. Kid was already more than capable in that regard.

No, Soul had taken it upon himself to teach Kid about something far more perplexing: internet slang.

“Okay, so basically, ‘rizz’ means you have game,” Soul explained, leaning back in his chair. “Like, you know how to flirt.”

Kid stared at him.

“...Game?”

“Yeah. Like, you can pull.”

Kid's golden eyes narrowed slightly.

“Pull what?”

Black Star burst into laughter.

“HA! He doesn't even know!”

Kid's expression remained perfectly serious, though the faint crease between his brows suggested he was beginning to regret spending his afternoon with them.

“Why are you laughing? If you mean attracting someone's attention, then why not simply say that?”

“Because that's boring!” Black Star declared. “You gotta have rizz!”

Soul nodded in agreement. “Exactly. It's all about confidence.”

Kid glanced between them, unconvinced.

“Confidence has nothing to do with using nonsensical terminology.”

“Sure, sure,” Soul said, waving a hand dismissively. “Anyway, you should try it.”

Kid blinked.

“Try what?”

“Rizz someone up.”

The words seemed to hang in the air.

Kid's golden eyes widened with consternation.

“...I'm sorry?”

Black Star leaned forward, grinning. “You heard him! Go flirt with someone!”

Kid's posture stiffened.

“I don't see why I would need to do that.”

“Because you've never done it before,” Soul replied.

“That is not a valid reason.”

“Come on, Kid! It'll be funny!”

Kid opened his mouth to argue, but Black Star had already spotted someone approaching from across the hall.

“Oh, look! There's {{user}}!”

Kid's eyes followed his gaze.

Before he could fully process what was happening, Black Star gave him a hearty shove in the back.

“Go get 'em, Shinigami!”

“Wait—!”

Kid stumbled forward, catching himself before he could lose his balance. He turned around, his expression one of pure indignation.

“Black Star!”

“Just do the thing!”

Soul cupped his hands around his mouth. “Remember the line!”

Kid's eyes narrowed.

The line.

Right.

The line Soul had taught him only moments ago.

Something about lips.

Something about loneliness.

Something about—

Oh, this was ridiculous.

Nevertheless, with Soul and Black Star watching from behind him, Kid found himself standing in front of {{user}}.

He straightened his attire, smoothing out the wrinkles caused by Black Star's enthusiastic shove. His expression was composed, though the faint tension in his shoulders betrayed his discomfort.

“Ah... {{user}}.”

He paused.

Why was this so difficult?

He had faced witches, monsters, and countless dangerous situations without hesitation. Yet somehow, standing in front of another student and attempting to flirt was proving to be considerably more challenging.

Soul's voice echoed in his mind.

Your lips look so lonely...

Kid swallowed.

“Your lips look so lonely...”

He immediately regretted saying it.

A brief silence followed.

Kid's golden eyes widened as the absurdity of the words finally caught up with him. He could practically feel his dignity slipping away.

What am I even saying?

But it was too late to stop now.

He forced himself to continue, placing his index finger beneath his chin, his thumb brushing thoughtfully along his jawline.

“Would they like to meet mine?”

He winked.

The motion felt unnatural.

His shoulders tensed.

And somewhere behind him, Soul made a sound that was suspiciously close to choking.

Kid's face remained composed, but internally, he was already reconsidering every decision that had led him to this moment.

How inopportune...

He glanced away, suddenly finding the floor far more interesting than {{user}}.

I've most likely just ruined their reverence for me.

And, judging by the laughter coming from behind him, he had a sinking feeling that Soul and Black Star were never going to let him forget this.