Disclaimer: Ginban Kaleidoscope is not ours.
Back To You
By Mi-Yu67
Chapter 1 – Reminisce, Return
Echoes of soft and graceful steps on the smooth arctic ice were heard all over the place. Wisps of long, indigo hair fluttered on freezing air, as it imitated the motion of a certain girl turning, and spinning, and…
She is free.
Spreading her arms like a dove, she felt the cold wind rush to her body, sending chills in her skin.
"C-Cold…" she silently spoke to herself.
Just then, a pair of hands enveloped hers, and slowly, her body felt a warm presence as someone's chest is barely pressed unto her back. The girl, feeling safe and comfortable, just let herself be guided by her companion.
And they danced. Together.
It was silent yet they moved rhythmically, as if there was an enchanting melody played.
She's not alone anymore.
Her escort held her hand and let her skate around him. She was spinning like a pinwheel; the fast movement brought her in frenzy. After a while, both of them inhaled lumps of air due to exhaustion. They decided to slow down a bit so they parted and made a long stride along the glimmering ice.
"So…" the girl began, "you're back, Pete."
The guy instantly replied, "Of course Tazusa, I'm back! Can I be here if I'm not yet back?" Pete was up there in the heavens for a few months; he really missed teasing her.
"You…Canadian parasite!" she retorted, while pointing an accusing finger at him.
He chuckled. "Maybe you're right." he pouted as he skated behind her. Their fiery yet senseless bickering would probably start right now. He went in front of Tazusa to mock her again. "Maybe I'm really a Canad-"
He saw her smile affectionately at him.
Her smile. Pete felt like he missed this by ages.
"-na-nadian parasite." he continued, amidst the stuttering.
He managed to finish his sentence while a faint blush crept to his cheeks. However, the expected sarcasm from the girl didn't come.
And so, there was silence.
Their movements further slowed as the sounds of metal scratching against the ice lessened. After a while, they stopped. Tazusa's head hung low.
Pete looked at her worriedly. "Is there something wrong, Tazusa?" he spoke in a hush.
She lifted her face to meet his brilliant blue eyes. Long-kept thoughts flooded Tazusa's mind.
I'll let you haunt me once more. Or even twice, thrice; haunt me many times as you like. Please… just haunt me forever. Don't leave me here alone…I don't wanna be alone again. I want to be with you, Pete.
She waited for this miracle to happen.
Before you were gone, I've always wanted to tell you, Pete…
This is the right time to speak it out.
That Pete…this warm feeling inside me…
She'll definitely say it.
"…I lov-" she was cut.
She'll definitely say it someday.
---
"Taa-zuuu—saaaaa!!!"
A resounding yell woke her up.
Yoko, her younger sister, nudged her sides. "Hey sis! How long are you planning to stay in bed? Come on, wake up! You'll be late for school, you know." she told Tazusa.
"Ugh!" Tazusa gave a displeased yelp, as her beloved dream is ruined again. "Can I have five more minutes…please?" Maybe my dream would show again if I go back to sleep.
"But Tazusa, I already gave you thirty minutes." Yoko complained. "Now, get up!"
"Thirty minutes?!" Tazusa exclaimed. "I'm late for school!!!" She hastily went to the bathroom.
"Don't worry sis, I'm sure your teachers will forgive you." Yoko tried to comfort her. "Just say you've been practicing…"
"Alright…" Tazusa agreed to lie. She didn't have any other choices anyway. Then she gave a long sigh.
It's been 3 months since that Canadian parasite, er - Pete Pumps shared the same body with me. Well, the body was really mine. He just "dropped by" without any permission or whatsoever. Whatever I see, hear, feel, and everything that I do, except for thinking of course, he's experiencing it all! That's why I had to go through dressing up blindfolded and resisting the "call of nature"; with a bonus of being thought as a weirdo for talking to myself more often (and louder) than a normal human would. And because I was talking to a soul that people can't see, most of the time I say "unnecessary things" to the people around me like coach every time that stupid Canadian parasite pisses me off. Sorry coach!
She was stopped in her thoughts when Yoko touched her hand. "Here sis, I added more tomatoes. They're your favorite, right?" she beamed. Tazusa had found herself seated on her usual place in the dining table.
Great dismay flashed in Tazusa's face as she saw that fruit (yes, tomato is a fruit) again. She remembered how Pete paled in queasiness as she ate those tomatoes heartily just to torment him. Now, she's the one feeling sick. "Uh…thanks…" Tazusa sloppily replied as she nipped a bit of the fruit. Somehow, she felt sick.
"By the way, Tazusa…" Yoko nabbed the bacon on her plate, completely unaware of her sister's state. "…Coach said he can't drive you to school today. Hitomi will be having her ultrasound today, and she wanted his hubby to be there."
"It's okay." Tazusa put down her fork, her plate still half-full. "I'll just walk to school today." Tazusa stood up and grabbed her things. "I better get going now. I don't want to be super late. Bye Yoko!"
"See you later Tazusa!" she waved merrily at her sister. Her eyes fell on her sister's plate.
The tomatoes were the only ones touched.
---
Tazusa trudged harshly towards school since her morning had been a major disaster. First, her dream about Pete was ruined. Then, her tomato salad breakfast reminded her of Pete, who reminded Tazusa of her shattered dream, which reminded her again of Pete, and…you know what's next. It's the Think-of-Pete cycle. Yeah. That's what Tazusa said. She's feeling dumb right now, and she thinks it's because of the tomatoes. Anyway, another disaster was that she became late for school because of that dream. She can't afford any more problems right now. Why? 'Cause as of this moment, Tazusa's temper was like a sensitive bomb switch. Like, add a little more pressure then… BOOM!
She'll explode.
Our heroine was only steps away from the school's main gate when a crowd of reporters gathered around her.
Tazusa rolled her eyes at the sight of the media men. Oh no, it's them again.
The sun was shining brightly above Tazusa yet the flashes of blinding light flickered in front of her eyes. She was being photographed and recorded on tapes of numerous cameras. Moreover, she was being interviewed again, a shotgun one.
Unfortunately, for the press, she was not the usual sarcastic Tazusa. Today, she's the PMS queen.
Thus, she's the one of the bitchiest Tazusa you'll meet in your life, or rather, you'll rather not meet.
"Miss Sakurano," one reporter piped, "is it true that you are going to quit skating? It's been three months since you joined any competition. You already missed one." Tazusa felt like rolling her eyes at the idiotic question.
Other reporters and bystanders started on gossiping about the girl. A fresh throbbing vein replaced the urge to roll her eyes.
Another reporter added, "They said that you're terminally sick and that you only have months to live so you can't skate anymore. What do you say about this?"
Click. An unseen switch had been pressed.
"What the hell?!" Tazusa fumed. "Where on earth did you get those shitty stories?! First of all, I am not going to quit skating. Skating is my life and I'll never leave it. My reason for not joining any competition is none of your business. Get it?!"
The people around the infuriated girl fell silent.
"Second, I am not sick or in terminal! Are you blind or just plain stupid? Can't you see that I am perfectly fine? I can and still skate. Now, get out of my way because I'm already late for school and while you're at it, bring with you your idiotic made-up stories." she ended.
People were still in awe.
Taking this opportunity to escape another horde of questions, Tazusa tried to walk out of the crowd but she bumped on one reporter.
Tazusa glared at him. "Move!" she ordered.
The person quivered in fear. He moved aside, and the crowd made way for the bitch queen to exit.
---
"Wow, Tazusa. You look like you just came from a war." Mika commented, as Tazusa fixed her disheveled hair.
"Those reporters did it again!" Tazusa exclaimed. "Imagine, now they said I'm terminally sick and I'm dying!"
Mika laughed. "Really, when it comes to stories they sure had a bad taste! They're far worse than they were yesterday."
"Yeah, I know." Tazusa sighed. "I just can't help but wonder where they got those stories though."
"Aw, Tazusa." Mika embraced Tazusa's arm. "I can't help but praise you for being able to handle them."
'Before, Pete was always there when those reporters start to ask me nasty questions. He calms me down and encourages me. So I'm able to pull through them, thanks to him.' Tazusa answered in her thoughts.
"Tazusa?"
Tazusa grinned at her friend. "Don't worry, Mika. I'm used to this."
---
"Okay class, we'll have your English test now."
Tazusa stared in horror. "E-english test?!"
"Tazusa, don't you remember?" Mika said. "It was announced yesterday."
"Eh?!" Tazusa exclaimed loudly. "No way!"
"Yes way, Miss Sakurano." The teacher went to her seat. "Please be quiet, it's already your test."
"I'm sorry, ma'am." Tazusa replied glumly.
I wish Pete was here. I always aced my English exams when he's here. I seldom made mistakes ever! And in my other exams too! I didn't know he was good at academics until when I blackmailed him to study for me. I still remember his shouting my name to wake me up just for him to memorize my Social Studies! Hmm…I wish we get to study together again. Maybe next time, I'll make him to tutor me in English or Math. Or maybe in Science. Heck, I don't care whatever subjects he may teach me. I'm not really into academics, but if that means I'll be him…then perhaps…
Tazusa stared blankly outside the window and was lost in her thoughts of Pete, completely forgetting about their English test.
"Miss Sakurano, please stop daydreaming." her teacher announced.
"S-sorry!" Tazusa blushed in embarrassment.
Laughter ensued in the class.
---
It was already three o' clock. The main gate of the school was soon flooded by students going toward their homes. As usual, students in groups were happily chatting about today's activities. However, Tazusa's companion sensed that she was not in the mood for a friendly conversation.
"Tazusa, are you alright? You've been spacing out all this time." Mika nudged the girl's hand.
Tazusa flinched at the sudden contact. "Oh! What is it Mika?" she rubbed her temple, thinking about what Mika had previously said. "Ah…I'm okay! I'm fine!" she laughed nervously, hoping that Mika wouldn't mind further.
Mika gave her a disbelieving face. "But you don't look fine to me, Tasu-"
"Really, Mika! It's the truth!" Tazusa cut her short.
Just after, the skeptical girl shook her head.
"Okay, I believe you now…"
Tazusa sighed in relief.
"…but on one condition!" Mika raised her pointing finger.
"Huh?"
"You'll come with me on a double date!" she beamed, lifting her glasses a bit.
"Eh?!" Tazusa looked incredulously at Mika as her cheeks colored. She suddenly remembered Pete and their so-called 'date' back then when she had a break due to fatigue in excessive skating.
"But, Mika…" she tried to dissuade her. The thought of having dates with anyone else besides Pete seemed a treachery of some sort. After Pete went to heaven, she openly declared to herself that she love Pete. However, he was already gone before he heard her confession.
"The date's tomorrow already… and I can't come there alone. Besides, you've been thinking about Olympics all the time; just take this date as a stress reliever. Please?" Mika pleaded. It seems like it's her first time coming to a double date, as she held Tazusa's hands in rigor while holding back the tears in her eyes.
Tazusa felt guilty for not granting her friend's wishes. Mika was always there in each competition she was in; and she cheered for Tazusa, giving her full support at the skater. This was one of the times when Mika needed a friend. I can't let Mika go alone.
In the end, Tazusa agreed.
"Okay, I'm coming…" she placed a reassuring smile.
Mika hugged her tight.
"Thanks, Tazusa."
---
After exchanging goodbyes, Tazusa and Mika parted ways at the bridge. Since the park was just near the vicinity, Tazusa decided to visit it first before going home.
Her feet started to move towards the park, 'Why can't I get Pete out of my head?' she asked herself, then she shut her eyes closed. Pete…
"Ow!" Tazusa fell down; her back lay hurt on the floor. "Watch it out, will ya!" she snapped while rubbing her aching back.
"Hey." The guy smirked. "How come you say that to me when you're the one whose eyes are closed?"
"You…" Tazusa became red in fury and embarrassment. "…I hate you!!!" She stuck her tongue out.
"Whoa, calm down." He took her hand and motioned Tazusa to stand up. "I'm just joking, you know." he replied sheepishly.
"Joke! You called that a joke? Well, it's so funny, thank you." Tazusa said sarcastically.
The raven-haired boy laughed.
"Now what's your problem, mister? Got a joke again?" Tazusa frowned.
"You're one…" he said between laughs, "...funny girl."
Tazusa frowned in confusion. Usual people must've said I'm sarcastic or rude. But, funny?
The boy brushed the back of his head. "I'm really sorry, miss. I didn't mean to bump you or to laugh at you."
Tazusa raised a brow.
"It's just that…" he looked away from Tazusa, "…Miss Sakurano is a lot cuter in personal, that's all."
The girl blushed on the flattery. It's like when Pete told me that I looked cute in a waitress uniform. He gave me the idea of the waitress routine and we-- Wait, since when did I told this guy my name?
"Forgive me, please?" the guy gave Tazusa a big grin.
"Ah…" Tazusa regained her composure. "Fine." she put her hands on her hips. "Since you're one of my fans, I forgive you."
"Yahoo!" the guy cheered, and he waved his hands about above his head. "Thank you so much! I'm relieved!" Because of excitement, he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her in a hug. "Thank you, Tazusa! I'm so happy!!!"
Tazusa went red. So he calls me Tazusa now, huh?
"W-wait…", she murmured. "…you can let go now."
Instead of letting her go, she heard the guy sniff her hair.
"Hmm…smells good."
Tazusa popped veins on her head.
"PERVERT!"
After that, a swift blow was heard.
"Ouch." The guy rubbed his red cheek to ease the pain.
"Hmph. Serves you right."
Tazusa ran towards the park, away from her touchy fan.
---
It seems that misfortune followed Tazusa from morning till night. And she hoped that before this day concludes, her unfortunate encounters would end.
'I hate this day! Nothing's going right since I dreamt about that Canadian parasite! I came late to school, then those reporters irked me again! Even the class laughed at me for thinking about him! Mika caught me too and asked me for a double date. Then I met that pervert fan since I closed my eyes because of Pete! Argh! This is all because of Pete!!!' she concluded in her mind.
Poor Pete; he did nothing yet he was blamed for everything.
"A- choo!" Pete sneezed. I didn't think anyone could catch cold here in heaven. Why me?
"Hang in there, buddy." a white-clothed guy said. "I'll get you some medicine."
"Medicine?!" Pete whined. Oh God, it's like Tazusa's torturing me again.
Suddenly, a powerful voice boomed. "I heard you, young lad."
Pete immediately bowed at His presence. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to…uh…" he trailed, thinking of how to address Him.
"…sir?"
The powerful being made a small cough at the awkward address. As for Pete, he sweatdropped.
Laughter came from millions of angels and it echoed in the heavens, breaking the silence between the two.
Anyway, let's go back to earth.
Tazusa saw that whenever she's thinking of Pete, something bad is happening to her. And so, she concluded that anything that has something to do with Pete is a taboo!
"Alright, NO MORE PETE!!!" Tazusa raised her clenched fist in the air.
The people in the park stared at Tazusa, quite shocked at her declaration.
"Weird…"
"She's crazy!"
"Stupid."
"Look mom! That's the Action beam!"
"Dear, I like her dress. Get me one."
Noticing this, Tazusa turned beet red and she suddenly wished to be dissolved at that minute in humiliation. She walked quickly leaving the place. Sheesh, what have I done?
She sat in a long bench in the park square.
"Excuse me, miss!" A little boy came running to her. "You're Tazusa the ice skater, right?"
"Yes, what about it?" Tazusa knelt to see the boy.
"Can I have your autograph?" He gave her a tickler notebook and a blue pen.
"Sure." She got the notebook and wrote her name. After she's finished, she returned the boy's belongings. "Here you go kid." Tazusa smiled tenderly. "What's your name?" she asked, quite interested about the boy.
"I'm Pete! Pete Andrews!" the boy answered enthusiastically.
Tazusa felt a sudden chill. Oh no, Pete again!
"And I'm three years old! My parents and I were tourists here!" he told her.
"Uh…" Tazusa hesitated, "I hope you enjoyed your stay in Japan, Pete."
"Yup! Thanks!" he kissed her cheek and ran towards his father, while waving good bye. In return, Tazusa waved back.
"That was awkward…Pete kissed me." she muttered.
After realizing what she just said, she shivered. Darn, not again! Forget about him Tazusa!
While walking, she saw a child climbing a tree.
"For Pete's sake, Yue. Come down here! You'll hurt yourself!" The lady was extremely worried about her son.
Tazusa just stared at the frantic parent after hearing the word 'Pete'.
"Mommy, can I have an ice cream?" Tazusa turned back to look at a kid currently clutching her mom's dress.
"I wanna have the strawberry one…Pete-y please…" the girl said playfully.
Tazusa's eyes widened. Whoa, this Pete thing is getting out of hand!
"Guess I better go home." she decided.
---
"Ah…"
The hot steam surrounded her naked body.
She dipped her foot first into the warm water before completely immersing herself on the bubble bath. Her tired body felt a pleasant sensation from the hot water and the scent of soap, sending the numbness of her muscles away.
"Ah…" Tazusa sighed again. "Nothing beats to take stress away than a hot bath."
She lowered her head into the water, and she let out a soft blow, just enough to make small bubbles floating in midair. Each bubble had a shiny yet delicate surface; the rainbow-colored sphere immediately vanished as it touched Tazusa's skin.
After a few minutes, she's done playing with the white suds. Now, it was only the silent ripples of the water and the tune of the cicadas outside that accompanied her and the beat of her pulse. She laid her arms at each side of the tub and positioned herself in utmost comfort. She lifted her head to see the ceiling.
"So bright…"
The blinding light was soon engulfed with darkness as she closed her eyes. Her breathing slowed until not a gush of air was heard. Little by little, she was drowned into drowsiness.
She was about to enter her dream world when…
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
Tazusa jerked; her sleepiness immediately disappeared.
"Who's there?!" she shouted.
No person responded. It was only the hum of the cicadas that answered her.
'Maybe it's just my imagination…' she thought. She shifted again into the tub to sleep.
"Tazusa?!"
She heard it loud and clear.
"Who's there?! Answer me! " Tazusa was certain that there was someone out there.
This time, the hum of cicadas was heard together with the splash of falling water.
"Come out!" she called again. "I know you're there!"
Unexpectedly, a golden-haired guy appeared in front of her.
"Tazusa!!! It's really you!" the boy exclaimed. "Wow! It's true that I'm--"
"Ok, I get it. I give up! This dream is nuts." she declared. I know this is just a dream. It can't be true…I mean, he's already in heaven, right? He can't come back in my body anymore. It'll just happen if there's a miracle. But miracles don't happen, do they?
"Bye-bye dream! Time to wake up!!!" She slapped her face on both cheeks.
"Ouch! That hurts!" the guy cried.
Tazusa was shocked. No way. This is one of my usual dreams. It's just a dream. B-but…it's like he's really here…
"So…" the guy began. "…what are you doing? I really wanted to go back here but I didn't think that it would come true. Tell m-"
Damn. To think this is reality, I'm so hopeless. Tazusa bowed her head low, and her eyes were set on her entire nakedness.
"Wow!" Pete cheered. "I mean, whoa! Look up, Tazusa! Close your eyes!!!" the guy quickly changed his statement.
"PERVERT!!!" Tazusa quickly raised her head up, her face a beet red. This is reality!
"Tazusa! Wait! I didn't see anything!" he defended. "I was in a bad timing to be back! I'm sorry!!!"
"I'm gonna kill you Pete!!!" she yelled.
"But I'm already dead, remember?"
"Oh, really?" she said sarcastically. "We'll see about that!"
Aside from Pete, Tazusa's trademark smirk went back too.
She quickly put on her robes and headed to the kitchen, eager to wolf down some tomatoes.
Pete hated tomatoes the most. Possessing the girl's body made him eat those things out of his will for the nth time. And for the nth time too, he yelped.
"NOOOOO!!!"
In the depths of the night, the helpless soul withered in pain, but his presence brought a never-ending and blissful euphoria that warmed the heart of the young skater.
End of Chapter 1.
-----------------------------------------------------
Author's Note:
Ayu: Whew! That was a long one…;
Miwa: Yeah…it's about 3000+ words long. ;
Tazusa: Wait a minute! What the hell do you think you're doing?! Why in the world did you bring him back!?
Miwa: Oh, Tazusa! You're here! (Yay!) Well, we like you as a couple. So live with it. (evil smirk)
Ayu: Shouldn't you be happy that we brought him back? It seems that you miss him. (wink)
Tazusa: No, I don't! (vein popping out)
Pete: C'mon Tazusa, don't be shy. Admit it; you missed me. XD
Tazusa: Really? Is that so? (evil aura) (eats a bowl of tomatoes)
Pete: Please stop… (withers in pain…) I was just kidding!
Ayu: Aww… They're so cute. X3
Miwa: So review. XP
Beta's Note:
Luna Addictus: Wah, sorry, if the beta is rather crappy! Sorry!