Well... I actually began writing this awhile ago, but I just never posted it here. I wasn't sure whether it was good enough. ahahaha.
Anyway, I hope you like the first chapter. It may seem a little boring though at first, considering I'm just introducing new characters and whatnot. Meeting all the old characters again will be in the next chapter. LOLz.
Enjoy!
PLEASE R&R!
Disclaimer: Lux-Pain (c) Killaware
Claimer: everything else (c) me
Chapter One: Day One - The Undercover Student
"Good morning, Atsuki," FORT navigator Nola Dobereiner greeted. "How are you feeling this morning? Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah," Atsuki Saijo responded.
"Okay, well… remember last night when I told you that another FORT agent would be sent in to help you?" Nola continued, "Well… she's arrived in Kisaragi, and she'll be at your place shortly. Unlike you, Liu Yee and Natsuki, she was actually given the power of Σ (Sigma) after a fateful encounter with an unusual Silent, and she initially has the same ability as you, as well as similar powers of detection like Natsuki, but only at a more limited range. Now that her power of Σ has developed a bit more, she is also able to weakly use 'Σ Erase', like Liu. The cost for her power though, is that both of her eyes are a bright azure blue, but rarely shine gold when she uses her power. Sorry I couldn't give you much Intel on her last night, but I could tell that you were tired."
He nodded as he watched the transmitter screen thoughtfully. "So what can you tell me about her?" he inquired.
"She's the same age as you and she will be transferring into your class today," she elaborated. "You actually might recognize her. She told me you both were childhood friends or something… before the incident with Silent, that is."
Atsuki looked surprise, his black eyes filled with wonder. "What's her name?"
"Fumiko Kasugazaki," Nola answered, and the name instantly triggered his memories of the little girl with beautiful dark chocolate eyes and dyed dark auburn red hair. "Age 17, long black hair that's usually tied in a ponytail, blue eyes, and she's… I believe just 2 inches shorter than you. A former probationary agent of the Central Intelligence Agency – aka the CIA, in America, up until 2 years ago, when she transferred to FORT. Pretty good pianist, and she's well trained in martial arts, so I think she might be able to give Liu Yee a run for his money." She chuckled at the thought. "Anyway, when she arrives, you will discuss her cover and how you will pull off your close relationship to each other. It's best you two stick together as much as possible, considering these new Silent are weirder and stronger than ever." A bright pink blush flushed her face.
"Um… is something wrong, Nola?" he inquired curiously.
She bit her lip. "Well… there's one more thing I have to tell you," he informed.
"What is it?" he pestered.
"Well… because it's best that you both should stick together if a Silent comes up, Fumiko's going to be living with you for the next while," Nola informed awkwardly.
Atsuki's eyes widened. "She's going to be living with me? Here at the apartment?" he demanded.
"Y-Yeah…" she told him. "Hope that's okay with you. The chief's worried that everyone with Σ is going to be potential major target. As for Liu Yee, he'll join you both when deemed necessary. I'll keep you updated."
As the connection was cut, there was a knock at his door.
"Hmmm… must be her," he muttered to himself, peering through the hole to see a young woman with bright blue eyes, towing a suitcase and a side-bag hanging on her opposite shoulder. Opening the door, he greeted her with a gentle hello.
"Hi," she greeted back, "it's been a while, Atsuki Saijo. I'm Fumiko Kasugazaki. We met a long time ago when we were younger." She was wearing a white blouse, the top button undone, with a light blue jacket and casual dark navy jeans. A beautiful topaz pendant was held on a silver chain around her neck, and a ruby-red gemmed ring sat on her finger.
Probably her Lux-Pain, he thought, noticing an odd yet familiar glimmer of unnatural power within the red gem. "Please, come in," he offered, motioning her into the room, closing the door after her. "So… how have you been since we last met?"
"That was about… umm… I don't even remember how many years ago," she sighed. "It's been too long. Well… I've been okay, ended up joining the CIA at age 13, moved to FORT at age 15, and here I am now."
Offering her a seat on the couch, he asked, "Wasn't that guy –Graham Miller, also claiming to be from the CIA?"
"Afraid so," she sighed. "I've gotta say, I'm disappointed that he shamed the CIA name, considering he used Silent and misused the army and such… nearly destroyed Kisaragi City… but I'm glad you stopped him though."
Atsuki nodded. "So… how'd a nice girl like you end up in the CIA?"
"Well… I was studying abroad in America for a while, that is… until one crazy afternoon." She shuddered at the memories as he sat down next to her. "Got attacked by a guy infected with Silent, but when I woke up in the CIA HQ, they told me I was attacked by a crazy drug dealer, but they suspected there was more to it than just that. Of course, no other agency other than FORT knows about the existence of Shinen, Silent and Σ users, or at least… to the degree that we do. Swearing me to secrecy, it turns out I was being watched by someone… or something. So… I ended up joining CIA probationary ranks where I just did minor field work and recon. One day on a recon mission I followed after this suspicious man when I was attacked by Silent, like… a really weird actual living strain of Silent. The next thing I knew, I woke up in FORT, where I learned what happened that day. Then I found out I had the power of Σ and that both my eyes had turned blue. So… then I retired from the CIA to join FORT."
"Wow…" Atsuki breathed. "A lot has happened to you."
Her azure eyes seemed sad. "I heard what happened to you too recently, and the huge infection of Silent here in Kisaragi," she said. "I'm still amazed at how they could still remember you after they had their memories altered and wiped. Then after that, everyone who knew you remembered you. At least they all remember now, and they've forgiven you for just suddenly disappearing."
"Yeah," he said, "and now things are cool between all of us."
Very gently, she rested a hand on his shoulder. "By the way, I'm sorry about what happened to your parents and sister. They were great people."
"Thanks," he replied, his voice just as sad, "yeah… they were great people. But… our job is to defeat Silent and rid the world of it. I'm glad they sent you as backup. Liu Yee can be a bit… stubborn, sometimes."
Fumiko laughed, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I've worked with him several times before. For a guy who's supposed to be 7 years older than us, his stubbornness can match ours."
Atsuki chuckled in agreement. "So… we have a bit of time before school starts. Nola said that we should discuss your cover before we go," he mentioned.
"Yeah, because it would seem weird that I hang out with you a lot, considering I just arrived today," she agreed. "I can't pose as your sibling, because any other telepaths would know the truth, which Nola did mention. Telling them the truth about how we're childhood friends would make me seem a little too clingy, considering we haven't met in years. But there is one cover that clinginess is understandable."
He seemed to understand where this was going. "So I suppose the idea is that you pose as my girlfriend?" he guessed.
"Yes," she replied hesitantly, a charming blush washing over her cheeks, half with embarrassment. "But… it's completely up to you whether you want to go through with this. Otherwise, we'll somehow pull off the childhood friend's thing without keeping so much distance that we can't reach other quickly and swiftly."
Atsuki shook his head. "No, no, it's okay. I don't mind," he told her quickly. "It does seem like the easiest explanation after all; girls can get clingy to their boyfriends, correct? So what's the plan?"
"Have you ever mentioned having a girlfriend before at all during your time here?" Fumiko inquired curiously. Taking a moment to think about it, he shook his head, and she smiled. "Excellent then," she continued, "in that case I will be your long-distance girlfriend that you left when transferring here to Kisaragi City, and I told you I would take just a little longer to move here from Europe... which is also true."
He smiled. "And Nola already knows about this?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered. "I informed her of the two possibilities of either us playing the boyfriend-girlfriend cover, or the childhood friend's one. She also guessed it would probably be the first choice of the two. So… now that we know about this cover that we've chosen, I will need to tell you this; I will not push your personal boundaries of how close we may need to get, I would rather risk this whole operation than hurt you like that. But… you just need to know that unless we make our cover at least look and sound convincing, no one will believe it."
Atsuki looked at her, staring deeply into her aqua eyes. "I understand. I will not push you either," he agreed. "I recall once swearing to you that I'd protect you… a long time ago."
She smiled, standing up and turning away. "We were both young and naïve back then," she said as she headed to pull out a school uniform from her suitcase, "protected and safe from this world of Silent. But now things have changed… both of our lives have been changed forever."
He walked over and placed his hand on hers. "I will still protect you," he promised quietly. "You… and all the others out there. I'll protect you all from Silent."
Fumiko grinned, playfully tapping him on the forehead, catching him off guard before laughing, "Don't forget, I have the power of Σ too, so I'm also here to protect you too!"
He smirked, smiling as she skipped to the bathroom to take a quick shower and change into the uniform. As she left, his cell phone rang.
"Hey Atsuki! So did you two meet already?" Nola greeted cheerfully.
"Yeah," he replied. "She's going to shower and change before we both head off to school."
"Oh yes," she said, as if remembering something, "so what's the reason why Fumiko's going to be so close to you? What's her cover going to be?"
Atsuki prepared his tone of voice as to not reveal and or imply anything. "She's going to pose as my girlfriend," he answered, surprised and impressed at how neutral he kept his voice at. "It's amazing… she's really changed since we were little kids… but not in a bad way, I suppose."
Nola smiled. "Yeah. She's really grown through these past two years working with FORT. I suppose half the credit goes to the chief for bringing her in, and half goes to Liu Yee, who's been working as her old partner for about the first year in. But… now it's your job to change her too. As you can guess, working with Liu Yee for a year has given her a sort-of 'stand-alone complex', so try to get her to become a little more dependent on others, more specifically, you."
"I understand," Atsuki stated.
"Oh, and one more thing you should know;" Nola said, "watch Fumiko carefully. You know that she received her Σ powers after a fateful encounter with Silent, so the chief's worried about her. I am too."
He felt a little confused. "Why?" he asked.
"Didn't you know, Atsuki?" she inquired, her voice sad, "That Silent that gave her Σ abilities is still within her."
Atsuki's hand tightened on the phone. "What?" he demanded. "Why wasn't it removed after you found her?"
"It's tied itself to her life, if it is removed, she dies," Nola answered sadly, "so we just couldn't do something like that, though I admit Liu Yee advised that we should have and allowed her to die. In any case… we don't believe that it's a strain that should endanger anyone, including herself. So I guess we're kinda starting to sound like Phalanx, aren't we… allowing her to work alongside Silent for the benefit for all? Well, the only reason why we're worried is that other Silent may be drawn to it, and she may be… well… possessed, I suppose you'd put it. Either that or she's going to be hunted down. So watch her carefully, 'kay?"
"Yeah," he replied with a sigh, "I'll watch over her. Contact us if there's anything else we need to know, and if Natsuki senses a dangerous Silent or any odd Residual Shinen. Later."
As both sides hung up, Fumiko came out of the bathroom, dressed in the Kisaragi High School's girl's school uniform. The relatively short skirt reached just above her knees, revealing her long, slender legs, as well as her slim figure being hugged by the uniform. Her hair was neatly washed and dried, tied up into a neat ponytail.
"Hey, are you ready to go?" she asked, her bright blue eyes sparkling.
Atsuki was sidetracked for a moment, distracted by how well she looked in the uniform. "Uh… yeah, let's get going."
She blinked, walking over to him and poking him in the forehead. "Hey, don't forget you can't let your guard down," she reminded teasingly before grabbing her schoolbag. "Oh, and have you had breakfast yet?"
"Not yet," he answered, grabbing his own schoolbag.
"Good, me neither. Let's pick up something on the way," she told him. "Let's go."
After they both left the apartment, they headed towards the school before Fumiko stopped and looked up at a bakery shop that seemed to be new.
"Ah… this is it then," she murmured, turning to Atsuki. "Hey, let's go in here to grab something, 'kay?"
"But there is also a café in the school, if you want," he informed her, but she shook her head, a smile on her face.
"It's alright. I think I may know the owner. I recently heard from one of my old friends and ex-partner back at the CIA that they were retiring to open up a bread bakery here, and I think this may be it," she explained, walking into the shop, Atsuki following after her.
"Hello?" Fumiko called into the seemingly-empty bakery.
A man in about his late twenties walked out from the back, dressed in a baker's outfit. "Good morning," he greeted breezily, "what can I get for you today?"
Her eyes lit up as she recognized him. "Hey Adrian, it's good to see you again!" she exclaimed. "Quit the CIA already?"
Both telepaths could see his Shinen glow yellow with happiness. "Fumiko Kasugazaki!" he exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here in Kisaragi City?"
Fumiko hugged Atsuki's arm. "To be with my boyfriend, of course!" she lied flawlessly. "Adrian, meet my boyfriend; Atsuki Saijo. Atsuki, this is my ex-partner from the CIA; Adrian Martin."
"Nice to meet you, Saijo," Adrian greeted warmly, offering out his hand to shake Atsuki's. "So how have you been doing lately, Fumiko?"
"Pretty good, and you?" she retorted back.
"Just fine," he sighed, "opened up this bakery specializing in breads, considering I know there's that other really famous cake bakery and café… Sweet Ring, was it? It's really good, isn't it? I've tried it before once when I got here, it was delicious."
Atsuki dipped his head. "Yeah, a really cool place there," he agreed.
"Oh… so then you have breads?" Fumiko inquired.
"Yep," Adrian responded, whistling lightly before another man came out of the bakery with a basket of various breads.
"You know Adrian, you can't just call me like I'm some dog," he sighed.
"Hey!" Fumiko gasped in familiarity, "If it isn't Alex Walker!"
His golden eyes widened. "Hey, if it isn't Fumiko! What are you doing here in Kisaragi?" he inquired. "I thought you had 'retired' just over two years ago."
Adrian smirked. "Why don't you ask her boyfriend that?" he teased.
"Boyfriend, huh?" Alex smirked, putting the bread basket down on the counter.
"Hi, I'm Atsuki Saijo," Atsuki introduced. "I'm Fumiko's boyfriend."
"Mmhmm," Fumiko hummed in agreement, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek sweetly. "Atsuki, this is another ex-CIA agent, and a close friend of mine; Alex Walker. He was my Intel provider."
Alex pouted. "Hey, you make it sound like I worked for you."
She blinked. "But you did," she argued. She looked at her watch. "Ah… we'd better get going soon, don't wanna be late for school!" Looking at Adrian, she asked as she pulled out her wallet from her schoolbag, "Can we get some bagels to go?"
Alex used a pair of tongs to toss a few into a brown paper bag before tossing it over to Adrian, who handed it to Atsuki.
"Here, Saijo. It's on the house," he told him, winking at Fumiko, who chuckled gently as she put back her wallet.
"T-Thanks," Atsuki stammered as Fumiko dragged him by the arm towards the entrance.
"Thanks Adrian, thanks Alex! Bye guys! We'll see you around!" she exclaimed as they exited, the two ex-CIA agents waving at them as they left.
Atsuki looked at Fumiko, who was dragging him in the direction away from Kisaragi High School in Area 6. "Hey, um, we're going the wrong way," he told her.
"I know," she said gravely. "But I feel there's a Residual Shinen we should check out first before we head to the school. Come on."
Wow... okay, long-ish chapter. ahaha.
Well... I hope you liked it! Till the next chapter, adieu!
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