NOTE: sorry if my grammar if bad. I'm not going with grammar...Anyways this is my first story hope you like it. =)
I got the idea of having 2 people with the wild card from SHENJAY. (thank you by the way) so give her some credit. regards to this chapter, it's just the beginning so nothing's going to happen yet. probably in the next chapter.
MARCH 25/10 GEKKOUKAN HIGH: COURTYARD
So, this is what a dead person looks like. Pale white, cold and empty. But not her. Her smile radiated even when she was gone. She didn't have the courage to cry, not yet. She promised her that she wouldn't be a cry baby anymore. And here she is blank faced in front of her deceased friend. It was her funeral and almost everyone in Gekkoukan came here. Tomoe looked around to see who came. The whole class of 2-E, the school faculty and others she became friends with. 'That must be Hamu's friends.' she thought. 'Takeba, Yamagishi, Iori and Aigis-san'. The said people gathered together close to the front, the girls eyes were swollen with tears and the boy, his cap off his head for the first time. 'You know Hamu, you really are an idiot. How can you leave your friends without a goodbye?' Tomoe saddened as she saw a young elementary school boy standing alone. Ken Amada.
As Tomoe's eyes wandered, it stopped to 3 certain seniors. A young woman with burgundy red, long locks stood close to a young man with silver hair and a patch over his left brow. His right arm placed around her shoulder, trying to comfort her. It didn't help when he had a hurt expression as well. 'Sanada-senpai must have really liked you Hamu.' Then there was a certain tall young man who was the only one not wearing the school's uniform. 'That must be Aragaki-senpai.' Tomoe shifted her weight to the right as she looked closer at the man. He wore a long mahogany pea coat. Underneath it was a black turtle-neck and slick flair pants. His hair was long and dark brown. 'What no beanie, senpai? That's a first right, Hamu?'she stared more intently, questions filled her mind. Just as he felt that he was being watched, his eyes met hers, and embarrassed she franticly looked away. Man, he looked scary.
It was time to place the flowers. The class representative placed white lilies on the coffin first followed by the school principal. Yukari, Fuuka and Junpei placed their own flowers down, whispered their farewells and slipped back, sniffing. Aigis stood beside the coffin smiled and placed what looked like a rusty bolt in the opening. Tomoe heard her say, "I didn't protect you but I thank you Hamuko-san for saving us all." Tomoe remained silent as it was her turn to place her flower on her coffin. After a long silence, she whispered, 'You liar.'and headed back down. The only one who didn't place a flower was Shinjiro. This puzzled Tomoe a bit but didn't question his non moving action. Thinking about the senior, she remembers an errand she had forgotten.
AFTER THE FUNERAL: SAME TIME AND DATE
Tomoe walked towards a black car and knocked at the tinted window. It rolled down to show the person she was looking for. "Yes?"
"Kirijo-senpai?"
"That's me. Who are you?"
"Um I'm Tomoe Shujinko. I'm friends with Hamuko Arisato." the last 2 words made Mitsuru flinch, her eyes about to tear up.
"I see. And what business do you have with me?"
"Hamuko promised me that she has something to give me but..." Tomoe trailed off. Which the genius understood, saddening as well. Mitsuru looked far off in the distance and pondered. "I understand. The dorm will be closed on the 31st of this month so I permit you to come over."
Mitsuru looked at Tomoe this time smiling. However, it didn't reach her eyes. (though, when has Mitsuru ever smiled whole-heartedly?) "You can come by around 7. We will be having a closing party as well. You may come if you wish."
"Oh. Is that alright senpai? I mean I wasn't part of the dorm." she said feeling awkward and fidgety. She just got invited by the most popular student in school.
"I insist. After all you were her friend."
"Many of the people here are friends of hers..." And that was true. She made millions of friends after moving to Iwatodai. Mostly all came back just to see her face one last time. The former schools disciplinary officer, Hidetoshi Odagiri, his eyes bawling from all the salt watered tears that someone had to move him away. Rio Iwasaki, captain of the Volleyball team also cried, heck, everyone cried. Bebe the former French exchange student came back to give her a kimono she help him make. Saori Hasegawa, ex student of Gekkoukan and old library assistant also returned to say her farewell. Even the old couple from the book store, an old not-so- drunken monk Mutatsu along with the famous TV actor Tanaka came to her funeral (how does that even happen?) Yes, she wasn't the only one close to childhood friend.
"I wouldn't have invited you not knowing that you and she weren't close. It seems to me that you share a strong bond with Arisato." she stated, wincing at the name.
"Well we werechildhood friends..." She carefully emphasised at the word 'were.'
"Then it's settled. Come to the dorm at seven. You know the way, I assume?" She nodded as the window closed.
"We will be waiting for your arrival on the 31st Shujinko." and with that, the car drove off.
MARCH 30 EVENING: GEKKOUKAN COURTYARD
The school was closed but that didn't stop Shinjiro from seeing his girlfriend. Crawling up the gate of the school entrance, he walked - boots clacking- towards the persimmon tree placed on top of the hill. There stood a gravestone. Her gravestone.
Hamuko Arisato
1992-2010
A dear friend, leader and sister to all
It had been nearly an hour, Shinjiro stood there not saying a word. He stared at the words written on the marble over and over again. What would he say? What can he say? That he misses her? That she was being selfish for saving everyone but herself? No he couldn't because it was that side of her that he fell in love with. Yes, he fell in love with someone for the first time and surprisingly she loved him back. What she loved about him he would never know but he was glad he loved such a beautiful, gentle, optimistic and loud loving girl. Shinjiro chuckled remembering the time she confessed her feelings for him.
"I love you senpai."
"Huh? Don't tease me like that!"
"But I'm not teasing you senpai! I really do love you!"
"Urgh...I mean why just blurt out something like that? Here of all places?"
"Guess I didn't think this through too well..." Hamuko placed a finger on her chin, and then her eyes brightened. Shinjiro didn't like that sparkle in her ruby eyes.
"How about we go into my room?" What did she say?
"I-I can't do that. I mean you're...well people will get the wrong idea."
"So? Let them. Doesn't matter to me as long as I get time to spend with senpai." She flittered
her long eyelashes. The idiot.
"No." he said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Then how about your room? It's closer."
"Y-You moron. I...I ain't a nice guy. I can't let you in my room...don't you get it? Look, you need to watch yourself. Don't bother with someone like me." He placed his hand on her shoulder casually pushing her away for she walked closer.
"I doubt you believe your own words senpai. Besides, do you think I will back down that easily?" her eyes marked the challenge. Shinjiro sighed. Tough moron she is...he gave up sighed again and walked towards the stairs. "You're a real idiot you know that."
Shinjiro chuckled again. If life now was only that easy. He shouldn't be laughing, but thinking about her made him smile again, it still pained him though. Seeing her on that last day made him burst into tears, spill his feelings and hold her one last time. Now she's gone, fighting to protect everyone.
Shinjiro looked up trying to hold his tears. "You're a moron. Why did ya bother saving some hell hole of a guy like me? I don't deserver such crap." looking back down, he smiled letting the tears fall. "Your too nice for your own good, idiot. By the way sorry I didn't give you a flower. I uh...didn't know what you liked so I got you a bouquet." he smiled sheepishly. Shinjiro had gone through every flower store to find what seemed best for his girl but he gave up and took whatever was there. A colourful batch of pink white and red Madonna lilies wrapped in but a single ribbon. "I thought of you when I saw these..." Shinjiro was being shy again as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll see you again right? I may not believe in all that afterlife shit but for you," he wiped the raindrops off her name smiling one last time, for her. "I'll believe that."
MARCH 31 DAYTIME: COMMAND ROOM
*RING, RING, RING* 'Oh she picked up!' Fuuka thought, inhaling before answering the phone. "...Hello?"
"Ah, Yukari-chan! It's me...Um...Are you coming today...?"
"Oh, uh...didn't you see the message I left on the board?" It seemed to Fuuka that Yukari was having a headache. Her face changed to a sad expression. 'Oh dear, I've upset her, didn't I?'
"I have cram school today..."
"I know...but..."
"I left all the stuff at the dorm so I don't need to be there in person, right?" this worried Fuuka even more. "I suppose not, but...Are you okay with that?"
Yukari heard a bit of hope in Fuuka's voice but she wasn't going to go, period.
"Yea...I'm gonna pass. Oh sorry...Break's almost over. I gotta go. Tell everyone I said hi okay?" Funny, Fuuka didn't hear a warning bell. She sighed again after Yukari hanged up. Walking back to the others she said, "Yukari-chan's not coming after all." That's when a certain young boy spoke up. "Sanada-san said he's busy in the gym so I doubt he'll be here in time. And I haven't heard from Shinjiro-san. " Ken's face sullen a bit.
"Man," Junpei muttered "What's up with those three? The dorm is closing down today! With all our memories of this place, you'd think they want to see it off...right?" a white shiba inu looked at him whimpering.
"It can't be helped" a young woman said. "They just see things differently." She smiled to herself, thinking of how much they all changed. "Everyone's started on their own path... It's a good thing. Though, I wonder where Aragaki went. He hasn't answered his phone since the funeral." The atmosphere turned heavy. Everyone knew the relationship between him and their leader. They really loved each other, although one only showed it. Shinjiro went to the funeral but did nothing to say farewell to his beloved. However they knew what kind of guy he was, the guy that Hamuko fell for. Mitsuru took out her cell and dialled the man's number.
"Your right..." Fuuka spoke again.
"Though you can't blame them. I mean Mitsuru-senpai; you seem to get busier and busier, right?" Junpei questioned.
"Indeed. If I didn't have to reclaim these, I might not have made it either. Now please excuse me, I'll try calling Aragaki once more..." she parted from the group to hear the other line.
GEKKOUKAN HIGH: COURTYARD
Shinjiro was still by her grave when he got the phone call. He would have ignored it but he thought about Hamuko pestering him to answer. "Yeah?"
"Oh this is a surprise. Hello Shinjiro." Oh great, the princess called him when he was busy. Hah. Busy, he has nothing to do. Ever. "Where are you? Its noon." 'No shit Sherlock' Shinjiro thought pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah. What about it?"
"I was wondering... but do you think you can come to the dorm today? It's going to be the last day before it closes. Think you can cook a little banquet?" There was a smile in her voice.
"So it's finally closing huh? About time. Why should I be cooking? Fuuka can cook fine now." It's not like he didn't like to cook, it was his passion. Since he'd been giving Fuuka cooking lessons last year, she should at least cook something without him.
"Well, yes but I assume that Yamagishi would want you cooking. I'll be ordering sushi as well but we would love to taste your cooking again."Shinjiro sighed, what else can he do? It was the last day, so why not?
"Alright I'll be there, give me 2 hours."
"Thank you Shinjiro, I appreciate it." Then she hung up. Shinjiro looked at his phone, 1:46 p.m. Standing up and dusting himself; he looked back at her gravestone and smiled. "I'll see you again tomorrow 'aight? Watch over us Hamuko."
DORM: COMMAND ROOM
Meanwhile, just as Mitsuru endedthe call with Shinjiro, Aigis came into the room, her face washed over with sadness. "What's wrong Aigis?"
"I have searched everywhere for it but it seems that it is missing..."
"Wait, what are you talking about Ai-chan? What is it that you're looking for?" just as Junpei pointed out the obvious question, Misturu intervened, puzzled as well.
"Oh, you mean her Evoker. She must have left it somewhere in her room. We can look for it again later." It came as a silent shock for everyone. Fuuka wanted to say something to cheer up the mood but what can she say? Out of sheer luck, Junpei saw the saddening faces and said,
"H-Hey. C'mon...don't get all gloomy again. I don't think that's the way she wanted to see this end..."
"I'm sorry...you're right. We all said our goodbye's to her..." Ken pondered a second before speaking up again. "But I wonder...Why did it happen? The doctors couldn't find anything wrong with her afterward...it just seems like she fell asleep, didn't it?"
"She must have used all her power to protect us...at that last battle." Fuuka stated a frown upon her face.
Aigis spoke up this time, shaking her head. "It's useless to try and guess at the reasons why." All looked up at her. "I am certain she didn't blame anybody for what happened."
Junpei nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah... Ai-chan's got that right. Hey, but I'm glad you're still hanging in there Aigis. Back then, it was like she was all you can think about."
Aigis was taken aback by the boy in blue. Maybe she really has changed. "I'm...somewhat surprised as well. Though, it may be possible that I will not feel the full impact until I am alone tomorrow at the lab." The same question filled everyone but Mitsuru's head.
"Huh? The lab...? Are you planning to commute from there next semester?" Fuuka asked.
"Oh...No, I..." How can Aigis bring herself to say it? Having such feelings can be difficult sometimes.
"Aigis is returning herself to the lab tomorrow." A sad complexion rubbed on Misturu's face.
"She...won't be enrolled as a senior." Everyone was shocked. How come they weren't told this before hand? Junpei stood up, aghast.
"Seriously? Why? Can't she stay in school like before?"
Aigis seemed sadder than the rest. Shaking her head, she explained herself. "The decision was mine. Sorry for not mentioning it sooner...I enjoyed being with you all, but I need to find my own way of life." Trying to change the mood she replied with a smile, "Oh... but you can come visit me anytime."
"Aigis..." it pained the little technician the most. She and Aigis spent so much time together. Why can't she stay? Fuuka's thought was interrupted by the Snow Queen.
"Think of it as a new beginning for her. Anyways...We seem to have gotten off the track, but today's not meant to be a sad occasion. I've ordered excellent sushi for us all. The same as before, actually. And Shinjiro has agreed to make some food as well. We may not have been able to get everyone together, but we should all have dinner here tonight." The mood suddenly changed as they heard 'Shinjiro's cooking' and 'sushi.' It was like heaven!
"Th-that would be great!" Ken seems to have lightened up as well as Junpei.
"You got THAT sushi again!Along with Shinjiro-senpai's cooking! Sweet!" he turned towards the android, "You're gonna join us right Aigis?"
To this, the robot smiled. "Of course. I couldn't miss spending time with you all."
DORM: SAME DATE
It was around 3:15 by the time Shinjiro came to the dorm. It took him longer to find the ingredient he wanted. 'So omelettes with a side of fried rice, spicy pepper pasta and spaghetti and what else? Oh right, and a chocolate mousse cake.' Shinjiro sighed again. 'I can't believe I actually signed up for this.' He scratched his beanie filled head as he stalked towards the kitchen. At this time, Fuuka came down from the stairs. Seeing as he had a boatful of groceries, she ran towards him. "Oh, Shinjiro-senpai! Let me help you with that." She grabbed a bag that was falling off the edge of his arms. He muttered thanks as they placed all the ingredients on top of the counter. "I'm so glad you came today, senpai. Yukari-chan and Akihiko-senpai couldn't make it..."
"Don't worry about it. They got their own lives to deal with."
"That's true but... I wished that they came. It's the last day after all..." As much as he hated to admit it he did to. "Anyways, think you can help me out? If the party starts at 7 then I want this all done by then."
"Of course senpai! I can improve with my cooking skills" Her eyes shone brightly. That ain't good...
"Kay, but don't you dare start modifying the recipe, ya hear me?" he glared at her but not menacingly. Still it scared her just as. "Y-yes senpai..."