New update yay~
Disclaimer: Don't own air gear and y'know the restDon't forget to R&R
Chapter 2: New Butterfly
"Oi you know we don't have that much space here", a voice shouted while I tried to sleep in peace.
"I couldn't just leave her there!" Another yelled back causing me to pull the covers over my head.
"What the fuck are you guys arguing about so early in the morning", someone piped in.
Squeezing my eyes tight, I simply wanted to remain sleeping. It had been so long since I made contact with such a comfortable futon and soft comforters. What had happened last night made me realize that I was in a strangers house. The fact that it was the Storm king himself already made me feel tense.
A sound of something colliding against the wall was the final straw. "What are you guys fighting about", I mumbled still a bit groggy. With a yawn, I opened an eye only to back away from the pairs of eyes staring back at me. "W-what?" I stuttered.
I recognized one of the other girls who also went to my school. Her red twintails made me realize she was another famed AT rider. We made eye contact for a brief second before I grew nervous at the awkward silence. The fighting had stopped and now everyone was watching my every move as if I was some newfound alien.
"So who's this bitch again", the blue haired boy spoke up as I narrowed my eyes at him. The others nodded also curious considering none of them really knew me.
I sighed rubbing my eyes while racking my brain for a proper introduction. "Ayano", I muttered, "Ayano Kurizaki", I answered as everyone had finally quieted down to listen to me.
"And where's your family? I heard Ikki found you in the park at night", a woman said. I looked over at her noticing she carried a small baby on her hip and her tired self seemed to make her the oldest and mature one of the group.
'Big family', I thought still in a daze while eyeing the innocent child. "It's been awhile since I last had the money to make a call", I replied.
I was well aware that my parents were off somewhere. However, they had long abandoned my brother and I when my father's company went bankrupt. All I knew was that mother went to America, while my father ended up who knows where. I guess the thought of knowing you're idea was stolen by another scientist was enough to destroy one's pride.
"That doesn't explain why you don't have a place to stay. How about I call them then?" The lady suggested as she was about to make her way to the phone.
I rolled my eyes thinking that it was a wasted effort. "If I say they're dead will that make things less complicated?" I said finally awake enough to get up.
"H-hey what do you mean by that?" The twin tailed girl asked. Her expression was more curious than before and held a worried look to it.
I brushed off her question and searched for my bag. I pulled out my uniform knowing my morning was slowly slipping away. "Well school is about to start", I pointed out with my clothes in hand. "Um where's the bathroom?" I asked wanting to quickly change the subject. Talking about my past with a bunch of strangers wasn't really how i wanted to spend my morning.
"It's down the hall on the left", a small girl spoke up as she pointed down the hallway with her baggy sleeved hand. I nodded in understanding and left the noisy bunch before I could be questioned any further.
After locking the bathroom door behind me, I let out a deep breath I wasn't aware that I held. They didn't need to know so much about me. Usually I went from place to place and so knew that there was no point in telling my life story to those I wouldn't be sticking around with for long. Finding a place to stay instead of depending on these people was another priority I needed to add to my list. The task though seemed daunting and the thought of sleeping in those soft sheets was a bit too tantalizing to give up so soon. Shaking my head of such wishful thoughts, I went to the sink and gazed at my ghastly appearance.
"They saw me like this?" I groaned staring at a rather baggy eyed girl with frizzy black hair. The usual ponytail was coming loose and so random strands of hair stuck out of place. "Such a mess", I muttered under my breath wondering what to do about my pale complexion.
Seeing that there was no time to continue fussing about my flawed morning self, I stripped off my pajamas. It was just an oversized shirt that had once belonged to my brother, along with cotton shorts that were beginning to wear out. I hadn't grown much and so held on to the small amount of clothing I was able to get over the time frame. In a few minutes I was already buttoning up my white collared shirt and zipping up my skirt. The others seemed to have been dressed already from my hazy memory of waking up to interrogation. After an attempt to fix my hair, I walked out of the bathroom to retrieve my socks and shoes.
"Woah these are so cool!" I heard a voice say causing me to pick up my pace. Curious as to what was so 'cool', I peeked into the living room only to see Ikki holding up one of my ATs. His happy expression matched the small child who was looking at the other shoe also finding it interesting.
"Ah I guess so", I said heading to my bag where my socks were. "You haven't seen that model before?" I asked although I had customised them and so figured they appeared as rather unique looking ATs than what the average rider was used to seeing.
"Well it just...feels different", Ikki said handing me the shoe as I slipped on my socks.
Lacing up the skate, I spun the wheel to make sure everything sounded good. A small sigh escaped my lips at the fluttery rhythm I heard from the ATs. "Alright, I'll leave first then", I said putting on my other shoe. After stashing my school shoes in my book bag, I made my way to the door.
"Why don't we just all head together? Although Agito left already" The redhead said appearing from the kitchen with an apple in her hand.
At first my eyes rolled at the thought, but I smiled anyways. "Sure", I agreed despite it not being my favorite option.
The three of us left the house and were off to school. I cruised on my ATs deciding to ride with leisure today. However, a sudden gust of wind sent my hair flying as I desperately held down my skirt. I looked up wondering what had happened only to see two pairs of wings in front of me. The sight made me pick up my own pace and soon I found myself trying to catch up to them.
Ikki and Ringo, which I managed to remember, were up ahead riding the wind in a carefree manner. I could only watch in envy for I knew that my level was no where near theirs. The frail wings attached to my own road were still weak and it would be a long time before I could reach the sky. This feeling of wanting to catch up made me question why I felt so motivated.
As we rode to school, the two pointed out various landmarks of the city. At times they slowed down for me seeing that I had a hard time. In my head I figured this difference was only due to the regalias both possessed and the experience they had. I was still considered a fledgling in the AT world. My mark on the world though, would one day be noticed. The road I carved on to past riders would accumulate to a vast path of crushed wings that piled high.
"We're here", Ringo chimed. I snapped out of my thoughts seeing that we were already at the school.
"Thanks for the tour", I said finally going ahead of them. "I'll be off to class then", I added giving a small wave to the two.
School went by more smoothly than yesterday. I picked up on the lessons and my teachers had no problem helping me during breaks. To my luck, it seemed the fang king didn't bring up about the situation at Ikki's house. It was reassuring to know that I wouldn't have to worry about other students and concerned adults asking about my life. That sense of safety was soon broken as I walked down the hallway during lunch.
"Ah Kurizaki-san", I heard someone call out causing me to stop. A plain looking girl with twin pigtails halted beside me.
"Yes?" I said wondering what the girl wanted from me. I wasn't much of a social butterfly due to not knowing anyone well enough to associate myself with them. The girl also didn't seem to be from my class and so my curiosity only grew.
"I heard you're staying with Ikki-san, Ringo-chan, and Agito-kun", she said causing me to internally groan.
My heart dropped as I figured she must have come to share some sort of sympathy for me. I noticed her change in tone at the mention of that blue haired punk, but I was too occupied with the information she knew to question it. "Yeah so?" I said no longer interested in what she had to say.
She looked down as if she wasn't expecting my reaction. "W-well I heard you're also a Storm Rider", she began finally making eye contact with me. I raised an eyebrow seeing that those kings were gossiping about me to their little gang. "I was just wondering if you wanted to join in on practice after school", she finished as I mentally cursed to myself.
'Is she actually serious?' I thought thinking such an invitation seemed fishy. Someone must've put her up to it, but I couldn't really think of the culprit at the moment. "What's your name?" I asked still debating on an answer to her suggestion.
Her eyes widen in surprise as if introducing herself wasn't even on her priority list. "Oh I'm Yayoi Nakayama", she said with a small bow.
"Ayano Kurizaki", I said wanting to get the introductions over with. "Well Nakayama-san, thanks for the invitation. I'll think about it", I said deciding to head back to class.
"Yayoi-chan!" A girl shouted as I heard footsteps running up to us. "Did you tell Kurizaki-san?" She asked. I stopped in order to listen to what the short-haired girl had to say.
Nakayama-san simply nodded. "Yeah. I was going to have her join us for lunch, but…", she trailed off as her eyes shifted over in my direction. I sighed seeing that it would be a bit rude to turn down the inferred offer.
"As long as I'm not too much of a bother, then sure I'd be happy to join you two", I said with a small smile. The other girls seemed relieved to hear my reply and Nakayama took hold of my hand and led me down the hallway.
Soon, we reached a door leading up to the rooftop. I raised a brow at the short haired girl wondering why anyone would want to be up here. Most of the faculty seemed to be against students waltzing about restricted areas. Yayoi opened the door and I tried to keep a neutral expression at the sight of the rest of Kogarasumaru.
"Good work Emily", the beanied haired boy said giving a thumbs up to the girl. She responded with a small blush and went ahead of us to take her seat beside him.
Self-consciousness overwhelmed me as I walked up to the group a bit close to Yayoi. So far she seemed to be the only one here who didn't make me want to choke a person. Being with such a group wasn't something I was used to. Even waking up in that crowded house was out of my comfort zone.
"Glad you could join us", Ikki spoke up as I took a seat by Ringo and Yayoi. No way was I planning to be anywhere near the fang king, and especially the perverted pig.
"U-uh yeah", I said shifting my gaze to the floor. Unsure of what else to say, I rummaged through my bag to retrieve the snacks I got from the vending machine. Making bets with the less intelligent students for money wasn't such a bad way to get a small meal. However, such a scam was probably a one day thing.
"So, Ayano right?" One of the members said as I took a bite out of my sandwich. A piece of bread almost choked me with the realization of how big the student was. It would be hard to accept the fact he was only a first year like the others.
Clearing my throat, I took a small slip of my water before focusing my attention on him. "Yeah thats right. What?" I said trying to recall his name.
Before he could respond, Kazu beat him to the punch. "Are you part of a team?" He asked.
"Not anymore", I said looking over at Agito for a moment. He seemed to ignore everyone else like usual and so I figured he wouldn't spill the beans about what happened.
"That's great then!" Ikki beamed causing me to raise an eyebrow at his sudden outburst. "We could always go for a new member. You should definitely join us", he suggested as some of the others nodded.
"Fuck no."
"No."
Both Agito and I responded simultaneously. Ikki's bright smile faltered for it was replaced with a quizzical look. It seemed that he figured the blue haired midget would have a reaction like that, however my disclination towards the idea wasn't expected. I took another bite of my sandwich trying to not sense this awkward silence approaching.
Emily was the first to break the silence. "Why not? Ringo did say you weren't a bad rider."
I shrugged it off unsure of how to really respond. There was already another team that I planned on joining. Releasing that information to these strangers though wasn't exactly part of my plan. "Most of you guys are all king-level storm riders. Surely such a competent team wouldn't need me", I reasoned. "Also I just got here. I don't see a decent reason as to why you would even suggest this in the first place."
Ikki scratched the back of his head as if searching for a comeback. "At least join us for practice", he said, "It's always after school."
"I'll keep that in mind then", I said hoping it would at least cause them to stop pestering me about it.
The end of lunch soon came. The others were too rambunctious for me to really enjoy my meal and the thought of actually joining them for practice didn't seem so bad. Walking back to class, I felt a small tap on my shoulder. The suddenness made me worry about who it could be.
"Um, here", a boy with striking cyan eyes said as he held out a white envelope. He mumbled pulling on his hood after I took the letter.
"Thanks", I muttered slipping the paper in my bag. It dawned on me that this person must be related to the team i planned on joining. However, I wondered how they were able to find my location so easily. Before I could ask the boy any questions, he had already disappeared in the crowd of students. I sighed seeing that I would just have to wait and see.
During class, I couldn't help but silently open the envelope. Inside was a plain piece of paper with a red apple stamped on the bottom. The note indicated that I would actually have to meet with another person after school. Contacting me this way must be such a pain and so I decided to get some form of communication for easier access.
"What's that?" I heard a voice say causing me to quickly stash the note in my desk. Apparently it was Agito after all with a look of suspicion across his face.
"Nothing." I responded not wanting to seem too rattled by his question.
"Fine then", he tsked seeing that he wouldn't be able to get any information out of me. A sigh of relief escaped my lips glad that he wasn't in the mood to really pry any further.
Once the last bell rang, I packed up my things not wanting to be late to the meeting spot. At the steps leading to the lockers, someone had called my name. "What do you-", I stopped my irritated remark seeing that it was Ikki and Ringo.
"Why in such a rush?" Ikki wondered as the two followed me. Swiping my shoes from my locker, I found a bench outside to put my ATs on. "Oi, I'm talking to you", he added slightly hitting my head.
"I have to go somewhere", I said after lacing up my shoes.
"Where? You can stay for practice and just go later", he said bringing up the offer of having me stay after school with them.
"I'll see you at the house. Sorry maybe some other time", I said brushing past the two. Revving up the motor, I left the two before they could question me any further. 'Geez don't worry about me', I thought hearing Ringo call after me.
Whoever I was supposed to meet with, was over an hour late by now. Constantly I looked at my watch and reread the letter thinking that maybe I was in the wrong. That was not the case and I grew impatient while waiting by the town's local cafe. The sun was going to set soon and I didn't bother bringing along a jacket.
"Ah found you", a bubbly voice said. Immediately I snapped my head in the direction of where it was coming from.
A young woman stood before me with an innocent smile on her face. She slinked her way towards me. I could tell she was possibly the right person judging by her own pair of ATs and also an emblem appliqued on her sweater stretching over her rather large chest. "Caught you looking", she purred snapping me out of my thoughts as I realized the amount of space that had closed between us.
My face flushed a pale pink. "I wasn't looking at anything", I denied. The woman's smirk grew wider as she placed a hand on my chest. "H-hey what are you-"
"Jealous?" She said removing her hand to cup my cheek. Instinctively I took a step back causing her to frown slightly. "Learn how to take a joke sweetie", she said digging into her pocket and pulling out a piece of paper.
"Who are you?" I asked unsure of who the members even where of that team. The research only got me so far for the storm riders wore masks in all battles, thus hiding their identity.
"You'll know if you pass", she said slipping the paper in my shirt. I blushed from embarrassment seeing how easily she could touch me. "Don't be late", she said before walking away.
For a few moments I stood dazed by what had just transpired. "Get a hold of yourself", I muttered lightly slapping my cheeks. Taking a deep breath, I opened up the crumpled paper to read what was on it. "Next week it seems", I said to myself seeing that my entry test would occur soon.
Heading back home, I thought to myself about what would change if I got accepted. Surely I would still attend school, but I wondered if staying at the Noyamano house was going to just make things difficult. Reaching the house, I knocked causing the house to fall silent for once.
"And where have you been?" Ikki asked as he answered the door.
Leaving my bag by the door, I slipped off my shoes and headed inside. "Nothing." I answered taking a seat on the couch.
"You were gone for a while though", he pointed out as Ringo entered the room. "It's not like you could've done much." He muttered.
I rolled my eyes at his comment. Being in a new place with no money really did limit my access to things. Pointing that fact out though was unnecessary in my mind. "I don't need you interrogating me about my own business. Stick your nose somewhere else", I scoffed.
"We're just worried about you Ayano-chan", Ringo spoke up. I gave her a sharp glare not wanting to talk about what happened.
"Well stop it", I said.
Ikki stomped his way over to me. I looked up at his annoyed face seeing it was an expression I had yet to witness. Before he could say something, Mikan had exited from the kitchen.
"Dinner's ready", she called out as I took the chance and escaped from the questioning.
The scene of so much food laid out in front of me caused my mouth to water slightly. Rika offered me a seat beside her which I gladly took. 'Looks delicious', I gulped debating on what to eat first. "Thanks for the food", I said before taking my chopsticks and piling my plate with whatever my stomach wanted.
During the meal, I was too overjoyed to think about the test. It had been a while since a homecooked meal was placed in front of me. Taking another sip of water, my gaze met with Ikki who sat across from me. The atmosphere felt tense as his eyes hardened. A feeling of guilt was lodged in my throat which ruined my appetite. Laying down my utensils, I broke away from the eye contact and excused myself from the table.
Escaping to the bathroom, I gazed at my reflection. "Get a hold of yourself", I muttered wondering what to really do. I now was faced with suspicion from Ikki and maybe even Agito. For now, I just had to keep my mouth shut for another week and remember who I was doing all this for.
End of Chapter
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