A Demon's Pursuit: That Butler, Learning. 08

Summary: Sebastian, in an effort to secure a contract with Ciel, has been mysterious and all-knowing. After all...What problems could a computer possibly cause for such an experienced demon...?

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CHAPTER 8: That Butler, Learning.

Login via the computer.

Sebastian frowned. He stared at the glossy screen, and the tray of keys, not unlike those on a typewriter. Hesitantly, he added his smartphone to the mess. He may have read manga with people using these new contraptions, and even seen them used in person, but even still, he was no closer to using one for himself than was one of his new students up to teaching history class.

“Mr. Michaelis,” a voice called from the door, “I brought 3-5’s history notebooks.” Ciel shifted unsteadily on his feet. “Where do you want them?”

Sebastian smiled and gestured for Ciel to come over. “I’ll take them.” He slid the computer odds and ends away.

Ciel eyed the freshly cleaned History Office. He seemed to notice the new cabinet, from the surprised (and slightly suspicious, if Sebastian didn’t miss his guess by the way he frowned… that delightful frown was definitely a sign of confusion or suspicion.) the look he gave it all. Just wait until he finds out what’s inside he thought with satisfaction.

Apparently he’d seen the dusty surfaces, cluttered organization, and spotted floor before Sebastian had thoroughly scrubbed it.

To distract him, Sebastian asked him a question. “Ciel, do you have a moment? I’d like to ask you about how Mr. Clark evaluated these notebooks. They’re a kind of copy of the textbook with some comprehension questions, aren’t they?”

Ciel didn’t respond. His gaze was fixed on something, the frown replaced by a smirk. Sebastian followed his gaze and realized Yoku wakaru shoshinsha no tame no pasokon nyumon (“introduction to computers, an understandable guide for first time users”) was still in plain sight.

“Are you having trouble with the Japanese system, Mr. Michaelis?” Ciel asked sweetly.

“...”

“You had trouble with that cellphone in class, too.” The smirk had returned. He apparently had been quite amused by Sebastian’s reaction…he’d not taken kindly to a beeping noise, or another student who dared to play games while he was speaking. The result had been…memorable.  

“Are you offering to explain this... computer? You should be free for the afternoon.” Sebastian smiled, and the tips of his teeth showed.

“I have to go.”

“You said you weren’t part of any clubs. Furthermore, you’re a dorm student. What’s keeping you?”

Ciel considered what to say. “Exactly how long are we talking about here?” He folded his arms.

“An afternoon. I’ll even make you something nice for dinner.  Something better than what you can get at the school cafe or conbini obento,“ convenient-store lunches).  

“Heeh. So Mr. Perfect can cook but not use a computer.” The boy practically bounced with curiosity. Ciel took the chair next to Sebastian’s.

Hm, perhaps it will be that thirst for knowledge that will break him. That thought pleased Sebastian enough that he forgot to pretend to be more knowledgeable (appear human, some might say) all together.

“I saw pictures of it being used. And the other teachers seem to use them frequently.”

Ciel gaped. And then giggled. “Where have you been for the last twenty years?”

“In hell,” Sebastian said blandly. “Show me how to ‘turn it on.’”

Ciel did so. “Someone must have told you the teacher login and passwords.”

“Who do I tell them to?”

Ciel stared. “You’re joking.”

“Quite.” Sebastian’s lips twitched. “Show me how to enter the words.”

“You need to hit CTRL ALT Delete.”

“I see them. Show me where you would hold your hands were you typing, if you would.”

A half hour later, Ciel had explained the most commonly used programs and the Internet. Sebastian caught on with such speed and accuracy that Ciel was getting suspicious again.

“You’re having me on. There’s no way you couldn’t not know all of this and catch on so fast,” he accused, his lips curled in a frown that Sebastian found charming.

“Teach me about sumapho now.”

Ciel rolled his eyes. “They’re called smart phones in English.”

The concept of tapping keys and icons instead of using a mouse and separate screen was, if anything, easier. By now Ciel was no longer surprised, however.

“You know, ordinarily, teachers confiscate cell phones when they ring in class, not throw them in the bin,” Ciel remarked. “Besides, you put it in with the burnable garbage.(*1)”

“Everything burns,” Sebastian replied.

Ciel nearly laughed. “Um. Anyway.” He pulled out his model. “You know how to turn it on?”

Sebastian didn’t answer, amused with Ciel’s ‘lesson.’

“So, this is the internet icon. We just went over that on the computer, so it’s basically the same, except that this is how you get the keyboard out.” He gestured. “And this is where you type the URL, and that’s the back button.”

“And the student was sending a...mail.”

“Email. I already told you about email.” Ciel looked at Sebastian, thoughtful once more. “There’s no way you can’t know this stuff...”

“I merely got the languages confused. In Japanese it is mail, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess...” Ciel pursed his lips and leaned back into his chair. “So, why haven’t you asked all of this to a teacher? You know, someone your age…”

Sebastian shrugged. “You were here. I mentioned it to Mr. Nakayama.” Sebastian observed, prodding the screen delicately. “But he was not interested in explaining...and many of the other teachers professed lack of proficiency with modern technology.” He looked up to meet Ciel’s curious gaze. “They said the only ones who can use it successfully are the youth.”

Ciel fidgeted a little, trying not to look too superior. “Mm, maybe for the teachers here. But my Dad can use them all right. Actually, he can use smart phones to track runaway kids.”

“Your father works with the law enforcement, then?” Sebastian asked, his voice silky.

“He’s an investigator. Private, though, he works with the police sometimes.” Ciel pulled out his own smart phone, glancing over the apps he had installed. “He knows a lot of people...”

“You don’t seem to be lacking in that department.”

“You mean friends? Of course I have friends. Sort of. Acquaintances...” Ciel said casually. The boy’s eyes flitted to his teacher.

Ah, how eager the young are to impress others...

“Do you now?” Sebastian purred. “But are they of any use?”

“O-of course,” Ciel stuttered. “I don’t waste my time.” He felt the sudden urge to open his phone camera, flip through the pictures, and prove exactly how well-positioned he was. But he stopped himself, barely. He remembered then, one particular picture… an image of Maurice Cole.

He swallowed. “But sometimes you don’t know what use they’ll be until later. Not until you have enough background to put their talents to use.”

“And how could a child of fourteen do any such thing?” Sebastian observed. He turned the screen blank on his own phone, and leaned back.

Ciel, predictably, leaned in to make his point. “Oh, I have experience. But I’m not just going to tell you.” The boy wrinkled his nose.

“You’re bluffing,” Sebastian remarked. His gave a wry smile. “I don’t think a child could do any such thing.”

Ciel paused. He knew he was being pushed, and his first instinct was to resist. His second, to push back. But he smoothed his expression and went on.

“Anyway, look at the apps on your phone. This is the Gallery-- you can see the photos you take with it.
And Japanese phones have this infrared thing, called sekigaisenthat you can transfer data with. Without an email, I mean.”

“But mine doesn’t have that. I have an iPhone...” Sebastian frowned in concentration.

They talked for several minutes discussing the finer points of apps and differences between their model phones of choice.

“What do you suppose the good of this is?” Sebastian wondered. He seemed amused. “What could we use this app for?”

Ciel shrugged. “I don’t know. But there are all kinds of people. Someone has to find it useful, even if a high schooler or a teacher doesn’t.” He paused, reflecting. “I mean, I heard a friend of mine has some interesting problems. I don’t carry that much cash on me, you know,” he glanced at Sebastian surreptitiously, trying to gauge if Sebastian was too dense to think why that could be. “It’s not safe.”

Sebastian’s lips twitched. He doubted very much that Ciel thought of his safety that often.

“I dunno what to do about this one situation though...what do people usually need 30,000 yen for, anyways? That’s like, hm almost 200 pounds…” he carried on. “But I brought it to him, and that was that.”

Sebastian looked at the boy, lowered his eyes, and waited. “I see.”  He made a mental list of the people Ciel had talked to in the past few days, and immediately pinpointed which friend Ciel could be talking about. “I suppose Redmond needed a new outfit? I doubt someone of his standing would need it for…less pure reasons.”

Ciel nodded distractedly before shooting a look at Sebastian. “I never said—”

“No,” Sebastian’s mirth left him in a quiet hum of laughter. “You didn’t.”

Ciel sniffed. “If that’s everything, Professor Michaelis?” he declared.

Ah, Sebastian’s eyes flitted to Ciel’s tense shoulders. He’s realized the danger of conversing with me…

“Thank you for your assistance, Phantomhive.” He smiled. “I will have dinner prepared by six p.m. We can’t have you eating too late…” The boy stiffened. “Or you won’t be able to sleep.”

“I…” Ciel began.

“I will see you…yes, here would do. Or if you prefer, there is a park nearby. We could make a picnic of it.”

Ciel, at mention of this, reddened visibly. “No, no thank you…I think I have time to catch the cafeteria. You can…return the favor at another time,” he said faintly.

And with that, he left, leaving Sebastian alone once more.

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tbc...