The Priestess and the Emperor - Chapter 1: Another 'one of those days'.
New to Fanficnet, oh god what is this i dont even. Apologies if it all looks blocky, It's been an age since I last wrote anything, and I'm not used to the way this works.
Hope it doesn't suck too bad.
That first beam of morning sunlight through the curtains hit her square in the face that morning. That was the first indication that it was going to be 'one of those days' for Fuuka Yamagishi. It was all the groggy teen needed after a long, long night of studying, followed by working communications and scanning shadows in the dark hour. When her eyes finally focused on the face of her alarm clock, it smugly displayed that she still had a good 15 minutes before she would normally rise. 'Of course...' she thought, even her sleep pattern works against her. That was Fuuka's life in a nutshell. Still, it was an improvement over waking to another argument between her mother and father. That was one of the better perks of living in the S.E.E.S dorms at least.
After a small groan of surrender she swivelled out of bed and set about getting ready for the school day. Her shower was nowhere near as revitalising as she hoped it would be, and she was still half in a daze, brushing her hair, as she plodded down the stairs and into the common room. Unsurprisingly it was still empty. She could hear Yukari's hair dryer as she passed her room on the way down, and Mitsuru was typically elsewhere at this time (Fuuka never particularly inquired as to where she went, It was, after all, none of her business.). As for the boys, well, Akihiko always seemed to be eating a quick breakfast when she came down, and she could only theorise that both Junpei and Minato would wait until the last possible moment to get out of bed.
According to Yukari, they'd be catching up on sleep during lesson too, and according to Junpei, he had yet to perfect the art to Minato's level. Conversations like that always made Fuuka giggle; Everyone in the dorms was so lively and friendly, and, well, normal. Not weird like she was. Even so, for once, she had friends now, and felt like she belonged. She quite liked her mental pictures of what everyone would be doing as they woke up. It felt almost like a real insight into their lives, and that she understood them, knew them as friends should know each other.
The click of the front door swinging open drew Fuuka out of her daze as she peered out from the kitchen where she'd been daydreaming, waiting for the coffeemaker to finish. A tall white-haired boy wiped a bead of sweat from his head on his arm as he closed the door behind him. "Oh, good morning senpai." Fuuka called out to the boy with a voice as drowsy as she felt. He turned to face her and flashed her the briefest of smiles as he greeted her.
"Morning, Yamagishi. You're up early. Couldn't sleep?" he inquired quirking a brow at her as he sidled over to the counter and pulled up a stool.
"Huh...? ...Oh... Um... not really..." The teal-haired girl smiled wearily, fighting the urge to rub her eyes in front of her senpai, and failing miserably as the whirring from the coffee machine came to an end.
Akihiko failed to restrain a small chuckle and shook his head slowly, pushing his mug across the counter to her. "You're at that stage, huh?"
"That stage...?" Fuuka tilted her head curiously, the words more a yawn than a question as she poured out coffee out for herself and the boy opposite her.
"A couple of weeks of Tartarus and early mornings will do that to you." He nodded, taking his coffee. "Thanks. It all catches up with you and wears you out after a little while," Akihiko added with a gulp of his coffee.
"It's alright though.. I'll just have to get used to it." Once again, she bore a small smile, raising her own coffee mug to her lips and blowing into it to cool it a little. After pausing for a moment, she wondered aloud. "Um... Akihiko-senpai... just out of curiosity, what were you doing this morning?"
He blinked for a moment as if it were an odd question and stared into the swirling hot liquid at the bottom of his mug. "Ah, well, I go out on runs in the morning. Normally I'd be training in my room, but Mitsuru doesn't want me waking the others with the noise." Akihiko rolled his eyes. "Still, there's nothing like fresh air and exercise in a morning to wake you up in a morning."
"Oh, I see... I'll bear that in mind." Fuuka smiled and nodded slowly in reply, cupping her mug with both hands as she eyed him for a moment. Going out for morning runs. So that was it. She could picture that. It certainly made sense, considering what she had come to know about Akihiko. He was in his last year at Gekkoukan High school, Undefeated Captain of the school's boxing team. Tall, well-built, cool, good-looking. It was no surprise he was popular with the other girls, even if he took no interest in them whatsoever, no matter how attractive they were. Fuuka didn't know what to think of him when he first came to her rescue in Tartarus. He had that reputation, but it didn't take her long to notice he was just a down-to-earth regular guy. Caring, but with a patience that had its limits.
"Well, I'm gonna go freshen up a bit while I've got time, thanks for the coffee." Her sporty senpai's voice snapped her back to reality.
"O-oh, okay, I'll see you later then." The teal-haired girl looked away swiftly, nodding frantically as he plonked his mug down and got up to leave. Oh god. She hoped didn't stare at him for too long when she spaced. The last thing she wanted is for him to think her any weirder than he did already. And especially not that she was yet another troublesome fangirl. Sure, Akihiko was certainly handsome, but a guy like him was more than out of a shameless nerd like her's league, not only that, but Minato was more her type. He was 'kind of cute in his own weird way' (Yukari's words, not hers, she just nodded very, very slightly in agreement), her age, quiet, laidback, and not always surrounded by squealing girls. Still out of her league though, she chastised herself for even going down that trail of thought. Stuff like that only happens to the popular, attractive, talented girls.
On the way to Gekkoukan high, Fuuka soon found herself lost in a sea of the usual faces, gaggles of gossiping girls strolling leisurely, the class clowns already making scenes even before they got through the gates, the smokers slouched against the wall, taking their last drags before homeroom, all those sorts of students. She did notice a certain blue-haired boy and pink sweater wearing girl walking together and laughing several groups ahead of her, and the familiar baseball cap of Junpei Iori bobbing and weaving through the crowd to catch up to the pair as he eventually caught up and slung his arms over each of their shoulders. Obviously, he'd never heard of the old 'three is a crowd' saying, or if it had, it never crossed his mind.
A weak smile formed on the petite girl's lips as she watched on. Junpei's silliness aside, the two of them made a great couple, and there was obviously some sort of chemistry between them. 'Far be it for me to come between them...' Fuuka thought to herself, and once again berated herself inside her mind for acting like she was even a blip on his radar, as opposed to trailing along unnoticed behind him and some other much prettier girl, like a lost puppy. Yes, it was definitely one of those days.
"Yamagishi! Wait up!" A familiar masculine voice behind her caught her attention through the dull cacophony of teen voices. It was definitely her name being called, wasn't it? The tealette slowed her pace and peered over her shoulder as the slim figure of Sanada Akihiko jogged up behind her, his jacket hanging lazily over his shoulder. Her mahogany eyes blinked twice in surprise as he walked level with her.
"Oh...! Senpai...! Sorry, I was in a world of my own..." she apologised, casting her gaze downwards.
"Yeah, it seemed that way, I was calling out to you for a while there." Another low chuckle of mirth from Akihiko.
"R-Really? I'm sorry..." she mumbled, peering back up at him, her face displaying a look of confusion. What could he possibly want with her right in front of school?
"Don't worry about it." The older boy shook his head slightly, mistaking her confusion for worry. "Relax, Mitsuru just wanted me to check you're settling in alright at the dorms."
Oh, so that was it? She almost breathed a sigh of relief aloud. Still, it seemed odd, a fortnight after she'd moved in and joined S.E.E.S. "I think so... I mean, I've got everything I need... I've not had any problems, and everyone has been very friendly and helpful..." she pouted thoughtfully as she answered him honestly, dawdling onwards with her schoolbag gripped in both hands.
"Glad to hear it," he replied with a small nod. There was something about his voice which made her feel weird, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what. "...What about school?" Akihiko added after a moment's pause.
"...What about it?" Her gaze dropped again.
"You know, the bullying... Did Natsuki make up with you?" That's what was weird about his voice. He sounded almost hesitant to ask, a tender tone reminiscent of an older brother. Before she knew it, her lips had creased into another smile.
"Yes she did... We're friends now." Well, that was half an answer. With Natsuki as a friend, certainly the bullying wasn't as severe as it was before, but it still went on. She could still feel eyes on her during lessons; Hear whispers and laughter at lunchtime. That ghost girl this, that ghost girl that, her ridiculous fashion sense this, her ugly hair that, et cetera, et cetera.
Akihiko's expression clouded for a moment. Certainly he was no people-person, but even he could tell that she wasn't being completely honest. "...Good," he replied after eyeing her somewhat-forced smile once more. "But let me know if there's any more trouble. Don't forget we'll need your full concentration in Tartarus, alright?" the boy continued, wearing another brief smile. Apparently that was his way of trying to lighten up the conversation.
"Oh, um, I will, thank you..." she mumbled, nodding slowly.
Of course, she wouldn't.
Yes, it was certainly 'another one of those' days for Fuuka. Getting tripped during gym class, being picked on in Mr. Ekoda's class (She was grateful for Natsuki's saves, but Mr. Ekoda definitely seemed out to get her), Having another cooking club disaster. She spent most of last period slumped over her desk near lifelessly at the back of the classroom. The end of school bell just couldn't ring fast enough, and when it did, she wasn't exactly part of the group clamoring for the door.
Normally she'd be walking home with Natsuki but she had plans for the afternoon and had to rush home, leaving Fuuka to take the monorail back on her own. When she finally mustered the strength to leave school, she found she had a group of five familiar-looking girls stood by the gates, shooting her venomous looks. Casting her gaze to the ground, she continued her slow shuffle toward the gates, clutching her bag to her chest.
It wasn't long however before the girls blocked her path and cut off her escape.
"Heeey, It's Yamagishi, Fuuka isn't it?" the tall tanned girl barring her path forward spoke, her condescending smile matched only by her tone, thick with mocking. In fact, they were all tall full-figured pretty girls. Fuuka felt as if she was shrinking simply looking up at them.
"...Um.. yes.. I'm sorry, but I'm in a rush... excuse me.." the tealette mumbled pleadingly under her breath, avoiding eye-contact with any of them as she tried to brush carefully past them, only to be forcefully shoved off-balance onto her behind, a sharp pain jolting through her leg as she fell with a cry.
" 'I'm in a rush' she says! How rude." A voice from her left snorted back a laugh, mimicking her voice.
"What's the problem? We just want a chat..." cooed another sarcasm-filled voice.
"So..." the girl at the front began, narrowing her eyes menacingly as she bent down to eye-level with the frail girl. "What's the deal with you and Akihiko-senpai?"
"...Huh?" Fuuka could only blink dumbfoundedly in response, trying to ignore the twinge at her ankle.
"Don't play dumb with us, bitch! We -saw- you come to school with him this morning!" The 'leader' of the group snarled at her, roughly yanking Fuuka closer by her blue-green hair, and iliciting a loud yelp.
"Oww!" Fuuka squealed. Tears began to form in her scrunched up eyes as she desperately tried to free herself from the girl's grasp. W-...We just live in the same dorm! That's all! Honestly!" The smaller girl pleaded in a voice that threatened to spill into a sob. 'All this, just because we talked this morning...?' A voice whimpered at the back of Fuuka's mind.
"Hahaha! That explains it then!" The ringleader laughed into her face. "But don't get any funny ideas, there's no other way Akihiko-senpai would be anywhere near the likes of y-" The girl's cackling in glee was soon cut off by a deep masculine voice.
"Oi! Get away from her!" came the voice of a certain silver-haired boxing captain as he descended the stairs from the school's entrance, jacket casually slung over his shoulder, his stone gray glare focused upon the fallen girl through a gap in the gang's formation.
Amidst the gasps and whispers of "No way!" "Akihiko-senpai?" He strode towards the group, and the vicious circle parted to reveal an equally bewildered Fuuka. She gazed at him for a long moment until it became physically painful, and had to look away and cringe at her shameful state, sniffling and rubbing the tears from her eyes.
"What the hell were you thinking, ganging up on her because of something like that?" Akihiko demanded of the group around her.
"But we thought-"
"I know damn well what you thought, and you know what? I'd pick her a hundred times over before any of you. I've never had a reason to do anything other than ignore you all before, but when you put hands on her like that you've gone too far." The silver-haired boy cut off the girl's protests with a sharp growl.
After shaking his head with a 'tch', he turned his attention back to Fuuka.
"There you are, Yamagishi." The male squatted down to the fallen girl without so much as a glance at the gobsmacked guilty-looking onlookers. "Let's head back together." Akihiko continued, offering a confused Fuuka both a hand to her feet and his usual confident smile.
"Wh-... But I...-" Fuuka began as she rubbed her eyes and stared at him incredulously, hesitantly extending a small, dainty hand toward his.
"C'mon. Let's go get something to eat while we're out. I'm buying." The silver-haired boy spoke as gently as his hand gripped hers, giving her a light tug to her feet.
Her still-teary eyes widened in a mixture of shock and horror. 'They attacked me just for talking to you, and now you're asking me -to dinner- in front of them?' Was what she wanted to say, but instead, she nodded meekly and eased herself to her feet. Immediately pain assailed her ankle once more and a small yelp left her mouth. In response, Akihiko wordlessly placed a strong arm around her and gave her his shoulder as a support.
Fuuka was speechless, and grasped his red sweater perhaps a little harder than she meant to. Perhaps it was brought on by the previous 'conversation' but all she could think about was how warm he was. How gentle he was. Under other circumstances, the Blue-green haired girl would have gone a deep shade of red and retreated into her shell once again, but she was as much shocked and confused as the Akihiko fangirls.
As they hobbled away, the ringleader began to splutter possibly the worst excuses Fuuka had ever heard. "But...- But we didn't do anything!" "We were just helping her up!" "We were just talking!"
Akihiko paused for a moment, gritting his teeth in irritation before turning and giving her a leer that almost turned her blood to ice. "You're still here? You've gone from a headache to a bunch of eyesores. All of you, get the hell out of my sight."
A moment of stunned silence passed through the group as the pair left the school gates. Even if Fuuka was sure it would all come back to bite her in the backside, even if she'd normally feel bad, there was a part of her that wanted to wear a smug smile as they left the school behind them for good.
Especially when she heard one of the girls muse aloud. "...Did that... really just happen? "
Thanks to Fuuka's ankle, it took longer than it normally would to reach the monorail back to Iwatodai. Aside from Akihiko occassionally asking if she needed to rest a moment, and the odd sniffle from the Tealette, the two were more or less completely silent until they finally took their seats on the monorail. Thankfully, it wasn't busy enough that they had to stand, but the heat of the afternoon sun was certainly making the ride more uncomfortable than it needed to be. She couldn't help but notice he was a textbook gentleman as he carefully set her down on the seat before perching beside her with a small sigh. She sighed too.
"Um... Akihiko-senpai...Thank you for everything back there..." She meekly broke the silence with a weak smile, looking anywhere but at the silver-haired boy. "I guess... you're going to want me to tell you what happened."
"No need. I heard everything." He spoke plainly. She didn't even need to look up at him to know he was peering at her in concern.
Fuuka paused in thought for a moment, and spoke her mind quietly. "But... if you heard everything, why did you say what you did?"
"You think we pissed them off?" Akihiko's voice sounded almost amused.
"It's not funny...! If that was just because we spoke-" Fuuka protested with a small whine.
"Don't worry about it. They won't bother you again."
"But...-!"
"Just listen to me, Fuuka." He cut her off firmly. With her first name, too, she noted with a blink. "I don't give a damn about those girls, but you, you're better than the lot of them put together. They're weren't worth a second of my time before and they're worth even less to me now."
"...Well... I'm not really worth you buying me dinner either..." Fuuka mumbled under her breath, her cheeks tinting red at the vague implication. Apparently Akihiko didn't pay that much thought to what it sounded like he was saying.
"Hm?" Akihiko quirked an eyebrow "What are you talking about, Yamagishi? Can't I treat a friend once in a while?"
"...Um.. I guess." she allowed herself a small awkward giggle.
"Would you rather head back to the dorm instead and get some ice on that ankle?"
"...Mm... no, I'll be okay... Let's get something to eat." Fuuka managed her first genuine smile that day.
Thinking back on it now, he said something quite embarassing about her. What was it that he said? He'd pick her a hundred times over them? He probably didn't mean it, but still, it must have been quite a blow to their self esteem for him to... make a comment like that about someone like her. Especially while he simply walked up and scooped her away. That in itself was probably even harsher than anything else he actually said to them. Her leg hurt, but there was nothing wrong with enjoying what felt like a small victory over those slobbering fangirls, and maybe his company, a little longer.