A Demon's Pursuit, Chapter 12: Parent-Conferencing

A Demon's Pursuit, Chapter 12: That Butler, Conferencing.

Summary: It's parent-teacher conferences in Ciel's school, and wouldn't you guess that the resident demon would manipulate things so that Sebastian has the chance to get informashun!! meet Ciel's dad.

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(Sebastian)

The following days were filled with Ciel’s quiet footsteps leading to and from his classroom, seeking out quiet students who saw things. He asked around, in vain, but few people seemed to realize what he was doing. I had to give the boy that: he could  be subtle.

Ciel was trying to uncover who sold him out to Redmond. If only he thought to ask me, the silly child. But now was not the time to ponder the boy’s actions or my next step. I must fulfill my duties—or rather, Mr. Nakamura’s duties— as a homeroom teacher and participate in the parent-teacher conferences.

Or rather, the parent-child and teacher conferences, as is customary in Japan. I can’t keep the satisfied smile from my features.

‘Subtle insult’ is a fine art. It was all too easy to play on Mr. Nakamura’s insecurities to ensure the Phantomhives and I were to be quite alone for this little meeting. I allowed myself a smile.

Voices sounded outside my door coming from the end of the corridor, if I didn’t miss my guess. Mr. Phantomhive and Ciel were talking. Vincent was sure of himself with his slightly condescending, authoritative way, and Ciel countered that with a surprisingly sweet tone, considering his true nature.　

“You’re not nervous, are you?” Vincent asked.

“No, father.” A brief, calculated pause and then Ciel added, “Do you think it will take very long?”

It was a not-so-subtle-attempt at seeming young and innocent, but Vincent certainly bought it.

“No, not long at all, I’m sure.” Vincent knocked at the door.

I stood up from my seat. “Thank you for coming, Mister Phantomhive.” I smiled at him, bowing at the waist.

“Yes, of course…”

When they came to their seats, I sat too. It showed real restraint that I managed to keep from looming over them, exhorting demonic influence from every corner…

Vincent Phantomhive looked distracted, glancing at all parts of the room before his gaze finally landed on me.

“You’re not Mister Nakamura,” he mused and leaned in to tousle Ciel’s hair. “Got a new homeroom teacher, have you?” His expression and tone suggested teasing, but something in his pause recollected a warning. This father expected to know things. To have control, maybe?

Well. Perhaps the boy would like to be removed from his father’s chessboard…learn to play for himself, with me as his best piece.

“Sebastian Michaelis.” I performed another seated bow. “Recently I’ve come to teach world culture and history…” I trailed off and looked at the boy.

Ciel smiled thinly. “He just started after another teacher—s”

“Mister Clark,” Vincent mumbled his interruption from behind two fingers. Apparently he’d memorized the course list and corresponding teachers.

“Shall we begin?” I asked softly. I rather noticed Ciel’s irritation at the tangent in conversation.

Vincent’s gaze wandered back to me. He’d been studying the leaflet of papers on his son, stacked and ready for filing. “Yes. Of course.”

“I’m certain you’re aware of our school’s system. The third year junior-high students will test into our high school at the end of third term. Providing your marks are high enough, I presume you are planning to continue your education?”

Vincent straightened. He nodded. “I…yes, we’ve decided to stay where we are.”

I looked at Ciel.

He blinked, surprised for some reason. “Er,” he said. “Yes. Yes, I want to continue.”  

Vincent’s eyes flickered from one of us to the next. “So…if  there are no problems, perhaps you could discuss Ciel’s current position and—”

I only smiled, but Vincent stopped talking to look at me closely. “What course are you interested in for your high school level curriculum? Humanities or maths and sciences?”

Ciel snuck a glance at his father. “Humanities…” For the record, he also looked rather startled that we had no disciplinary actions to discuss. “I was thinking of the Special Course, actually. With my core classes in English.”

Vincent frowned. “Didn’t you tell me that you were ‘quite fluent’ these days? What classes will you be taking in Japanese?”

Ciel fidgeted. “…we don’t pick our schedule until next year after we get our marks back. And I haven’t got any bad marks this term.” Ciel spoke in a quick, earnest voice. He seemed content to let his father think of him as a sweet, innocent child…when it suited him.

I nodded and politely pushed a bleached sheaf of papers. It was a complete summary of Ciel’s standing in each subject. The very brilliance of the paper surprised me, but there’s a nice contrast there with a fountain pen and copperplate lettering.

“…that’s…” Ciel looked amused. “My report card? Most people just print it, you know.”

Vincent looked as though he was thinking the same thing. “…good to see your average hasn’t slipped.”  

I folded my arms. “Have you anything else to suggest to your son?”

Vincent smiled faintly. “No, he can take his time deciding. He’s a shy boy, you know…just give him time. He’ll decide on his own schedule.”

“Ah.”

“There’s no need to rush.” Vincent seemed keen on defending himself and his son’s position of laziness.

“You’re not trying to get me to choose a university now, are you?” Ciel demanded.

“If you’re not keen to discuss that, I suppose we could move on to your family life.” I smiled faintly.

Ciel blanched, throwing a look at me and then his father. A charming boy. “What.”

“I’m sorry,” Vincent’s eyes were dangerous. Hmm. He thought to threaten me? “But really, Ciel is emotionally fine. We talk on weekends, don’t we? Is there any particular question you had in mind?”

“How are you feeling without a mother figure, Ciel?” I enjoyed the look of surprise Ciel cast me, and the annoyance Vincent displayed.

“That was a long time ago,” Ciel muttered. “We’re fine now. I have my aunt, my dad…I miss her, but…we’ll be fine.”

Vincent put one hand on his son’s knee, as though to guard him from me. “If you’re concerned about his staying here over winter break, it’s to help him study for the exams,” Vincent said evenly. “We agreed to have a proper family vacation come spring holiday.”

“Of course.” I smirked. Defensive, definitely.

“Now, Mr. Phantomhive, we do not have any disciplinary actions to discuss at this time…Should such an occasion arise, you will be informed at that time. Thenceforth, the teachers will discuss whether or not it is to be placed on his permanent file. But have no fears, Mister Phantomhive.” I looked at him from under my lashes.

“You said…” Ciel scowled and bit his lip, cutting off whatever he was to say.
“I think Ciel can stay out of trouble.” If he does what I want him to do, that is.

Vincent nodded curtly. “Yes, I understand. I am sure Ciel will do his best.”

Ciel nodded and stood up. He looked vaguely frightened for some reason. But I suppose it’s the thought of a demon punishing him. Or maybe the thought of 'father dear' finding out about his recent assault...Ciel did not like appearing weak.

I smirked.

“Have a good evening, Mister Phantomhive.”

And they stepped outside. Ciel sounded most agitated as he bid his father goodnight. It seemed they promised to talk in private afterward…alas, I could not go spy on them just yet…The last thing I needed was for Ciel to have reason to tell his father he thought I'm spying on him. He's rather....sensitive about the whole Redmond confrontation.

No, best to not provide him with an opportunity to even mention me. Instead, I will impress the child in private. Convince him of my expertise.

All that's left to do, then, is to bring him out of his comfortable web...and show him what a demon can do.

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tbc...