I Didn't Want You to See Me Like This - Short Stories (from Sen III)

For Sen no Kiseki III

1. Friendly Fire

Machias breathed a sigh of relief. In spite of his busy work schedule, he had worked hard to vastly improve his sharpshooting skills over the course of several months. While his new reality now consisted of having a full-time career and relocating from place to place, he found himself with free time at the moment. He wondered if his skills were enough to rival that of Fie's...Machias furrowed his eyes in frustration. The thought that no matter how much he improved, he would probably never be able to reach Fie's level nagged at him unexpectedly, soured his mood.

Arrgh! What is wrong with me?! Machias chided himself. He had made rivals of other students during this time at Thors: There was Jusis, his near eternal rival, Emma, his rival in academics and even Stephen of the Thors Lower Class Chess Club. The fact that he always felt that no matter how hard he worked or studied, he would never be recognized as the best of the best for his efforts had always irked him. Perhaps, he thought, that was the reason he partly understood how Rean felt about his own shortcomings in the past.

Ring, ring.

Machias glanced at his ARCUS II. Just my luck. Recognizing the caller, he picked up his orbment device.

"Yo, glasses! I heard from Elliot that you're back in town."

"W-what the, Fie-?! I mean, y-yeah, I'm back. How have you been?" he replied, hoping his voice wouldn't betray his emotions.

"I just happened to have some free time myself," she stated. "...Besides, I'm so sick of filing paperwork already. Sara's been nagging me to contact the rest of you, but it everyone else has been too busy to hang out."

"You're trying to escape from your work, aren't you?" Machias narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"So, you wanna hang out and do something outside?" Fie asked. "We both know how much you love staying indoors."

"Of course I'd love to hang out with-I-I have a life, too!" Machias scolded her.

"Anyway, did you hear about that new bakery opening in Heimdallr? Lafite, was it?"

"A bakery, Fie? You want me to go to bakery w-with you?" ...of all the places she could choose, a bakery...!?

"You are such a killjoy, Machias Regnitz. I hear they sell amazing coffee, and they're featuring vanilla cream-filled Mishy buns."

"There's no way any bakery from Heimdallr could ever compete with the cafes in Crossbell City."

"Pretty pleeease," Fie pleaded. "C'mon, we haven't hung out since forever, you know."

He sighed. "Fine, have it your way. Although..." he paused. How do I go about asking her to duel me?

"Although?...Wait. Lemme guess, you're not going to order anything, are you?"

"W-well, since you told me about the coffee, I-I guess I could try that, hahaha." Oh, crap. Nice going, you idiot.

"You're sure acting strange. What's wrong?"

"Look Fie, I-I..."

"...Machias, maybe calling you at this time wasn't a great idea."

"W-wait, Fie! I-I just w-wanted to challenge you to a duel! D-do you accept?"

"You? Challenge me? This sure wasn't what I was expecting. I accept, on two conditions. We're going to need the same amount of targets to choose from, and two, the loser pays for the winner? How about it?"

Machias' heart sank. What have I done to myself?! "Done! It's time to show you what I'm truly capable of!"

It took some time for the two to meet up and set up their targets outside of Heimdallr on the field but once everything was finished, Fie was the first to go. Whirling her twin gunswords, she fired rapidly at blinding speed, neatly demolishing a long row of ceramic vases in a matter of seconds. Dusting her hands off, Fie looked smugly at her record when it was time for Machias to go.

Just watch me, Fie. He pulled out his shotgun and shot three of the vases. Fie yawned. "Not bad, Regnitz."

"I'm haven't finished, yet!" Machias swapped out his shotgun for a pair of two twin pistols. He barraged the rest of the vases with bullets, and they shattered in mere moments.

Fie cocked her head. "That's quite impressive, honestly. I didn't think you had it in you to somersault like that. Besides...did you call that 'Justice Bullet'?* Woooow. What a neeeerd!" she laughed.

"Well, looks like I win then," she replied cheerfully. "Oh, and don't forget about your ammo, doofus," she patted him on the head. "It looks like you've used it all."

I feel so dead inside, Machias despaired. All that work to impress a girl for nothing.

He felt a sudden tug at his hand. It felt warm. "You promised to pay for me, Machias! C'mon. Let's go go go!" Fie smiled.

Leaving the shooting range, they both ran towards the Crimson Capital, hand in hand.