深紅目をした妖精
Scarlet Eyed Fairy
She couldn't believe she was doing this. How in the world did her friend Aria and sister Meiko, persuade her into entering Tokyo Butei High School? She remembered her conversation with Aria while she was staying in London.
"I don't want your enriched synesthesia (1) abilities to be wasted on nothing. They need to develop, and what better way than becoming a Butei!" Aria had exclaimed.
"But unlike you and Meiko, I'm not a gun wielder." Maria had protested.
"Then just use a sword, it's must more trustworthy than a gun anyway."
"That's not what I mean. I'm no fighter."
"Maybe, but you used to take lessons at the dojo for a while, and you're highly athletic; you'll excel in no time!" she declared proudly for her friend.
"I appreciate your confidence from me Aria, but—"Aria cut her off.
"If you appreciate my confidence in you, then you, Maria Fujiwara, will listen to me and go become a Butei." She said firmly, her camellia red eyes blazing. Maria, now influenced by the fiery red aura she saw glow around Aria, nodded.
"I'll make you proud." She promised self-assuredly. Aria smiled.
"I know you will."
Now, Aria was accompanying Maria on her car ride to school with Meiko as their driver. They zoomed past drivers on the Rainbow Bridge. The azure waters shimmered in the morning sunlight it basked in. Maria inhaled deeply and leaned back, listening to the sounds of boats and vehicles passing by. That was all she could do to relieve herself of her anxiety. She then turned to her strawberry blonde friend.
"Aria, are you sure you can't just transfer out of the European Butei School?" she pleaded.
"I would if I could but I can't." Aria replied.
"Calm down, it's just like any first day of high school." Meiko attempted to soothe.
"Easy for you to say." Maria said, hugging her abdomen to relieve the butterflies that fluttered around.
"Don't worry, no students are ever assigned to kill anyone, that's what Butei Law Article Section 9 is for; regardless of the situation a Butei cannot kill." Aria recited.
"Well, that helped a little I guess." Maria said as she sunk in her seat. Meiko peered at her through the driver mirror. She chuckled to herself; seeing a girl who's so laid back to anxious sure is odd.
Within another few minutes they had view of the man-made island where the Butei School resided in. It was a fairly large city. The sidewalks were filled with people commuting to work or the school. Chills ran down Maria's spine as she caught view of the school.
"Alright we're here." Aria said, grabbing Maria by the arm and practically dragging her out of the car. Meiko opened the trunk and got out the luggage bags.
"C'mon Maria, we gotta get to the head office to get your schedule and dorm assignment."
As the trio strolled through the hallways, Meiko noticed a close friend of hers walking by. It was a boy who had light brown hair and wispy bangs that hung over his face and hazel eyes.
"Hey Tatsuki!" she called out. The boy smiled back.
"Morning Mei-chan." He greeted. "Who're your friends?" he asked.
"This is Aria Kanzaki and the other's Maria." She introduced.
"Ah, so you're Mei-chan's little sister. I'm Tatsuki Yoshikuni."
Maria made a small bow. "Nice to meet you." She said in return. "Well let's get this over with." She said, gripping her luggage bag handle. Tatsuki halted her.
"Wait a sec, you can't wear that." He noted. She gawked and realized that she was still wearing the white collared shirt, dark cardigan and skirt of her old uniform.
As Meiko sorted out the paperwork of her little sister's transfer and placement, Aria accompanied Maria to change into the new uniform. It was bold crimson and white. She slipped into it and then pulled up her black sock that had a solid white stripe.
"So how does it look?" she asked, showing it off.
"It looks nice, but just one more thing." Aria said, reaching for something in her pocket. She parted two sections of her friend's dark purplish hair and tied them with ribbons, creating even pigtails. She looked like an exact replica of her sister except for height, but not so much at the moment.
"You and I are quite alike; same age, both short, same ending sounds in our names, and now twin tails. Now I don't want your brains being scattered by a bullet or dying in a gutter okay. So pay attention." She warned. Maria shivered and then flailed her arms frantically with a panic stricken face.
"That's really not helping me at all Aria!" she shouted. Aria just chuckled.
Seeing that Maria was all set, Aria bid her friend farewell and took the bus to the airport. Meiko was supposed to be helping her sister check out the different divisions, but unfortunately she was unable to, so she decided to leave her in the hands of one of her close friends; Kinichi Tohyama. The first division they were to see was the safest and most uneventful one, Inquesta.
"Morning Kinichi-san." Meiko greeted.
"Hi Fujiwara-san." He greeted back.
"Glad to see you wearing something else besides that Kana outfit." She joked.
"Shut up." He said with a chuckle. "So this is your sister right?"
"Yup, so you better start calling me Mei-chan, since there'll be two Fujiwaras."
"In your dreams." He scoffed.
"Anyways just look out for her okay." Meiko said as she left.
"Well let's move it kid." He said. Suddenly then heard a light voice scream "Kin-kun!" he grabbed Maria by the wrist.
"Hurry!" he said frantically.
"W-why?" she asked. Suddenly she felt someone pounce on her, causing her to stumble and fall, and then heard the sound of bubbly laughter. From the corner of her she saw the girl on her back was a girl with slightly curly blond hair.
"Good morning Kin-kun!" the girl greeted. He sighed.
"Morning Mine-san." He greeted unenthusiastically.
"Huh, what's with that attitude; it's alright to call Riko, Riko-chan." She said leeringly. "So who's this cute girl your with?" she asked, hugging Maria who was still underneath her. "She looks kinda like Mei-chan; don't tell me this sweetie is your love child?"
He blushed a bit. "Don't be stupid; even if we did there's no way she'd be your age by now. Anyways she's Meiko-san's sister Maria."
"Ah so you're her sister; no wonder you're as cute as her! I'm Riko Mine, but of course you can just call me Riko-chan." She introduced, leaning in close. Maria blushed a bit.
"Uh… okay, I'm Maria Fujiwara… can you get off me now?" she requested.
"Oh but you're so cuddly! I wish you could be a stuffed animal that I could have in my room!" Riko was suddenly scooped up by Kinichi.
"You're really being annoying Mine, now get to class!" he yelled. Maria slowly got off the ground and dusted off her skirt.
"What was that all about?"
"She's first year student Riko Mine in Inquesta. Most of the guys in this unit call her the Big Breasted Loli, That's typical behavior for her." He explained bluntly.
"Then in that case I'd rather not join Inquesta." She said in a sickly voice.
"Good idea; now I think we should check out the Sniping Division."
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(1) A neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. Maria's synesthesia causes her to see sounds as sparks of color and auras as colors
