Author's Note: Sorry everyone for the extreme late update. You know, I was completely buried under the mountain of work as tests came after tests. Therefore, I only manage to go this far as to post this second chapter of "Shape of My Soul". This one is much shorter compares to the first one but don't worry, I surely will make a revise later on. I hope you would like this little piece. Enjoy the story!

Shape of My Soul

Chapter 2: Reunion of Two Friends

The boy stood there, his eyes couldn't take off the strange blonde-haired girl. Confused as hell, he tried to remember whether he actually met her somewhere earlier.

"That's weird! That scent of the lily flower is kind of … familiar. Wait! Don't tell me that … it is her." Jin quickly closed the locker and ran toward the class. As soon as he budged into the room, he saw a dense crowd of students surrounded the new member, asking her various questions.

"What is your name?"

"Where do you come from?"

"What is your specialty?"

In between of those curious people, she was confused and replied nothing to them. She looked around as if she was looking for someone. Jin slowly sneaked into the crowd to have a clearer look of her face.

"Excuse me, can I enter?"

"Errr, do you know where I can find a student named Jin Kisaragi." The boy's ears twitched as he heard her said out his name. The other people immediately moved aside and all pointed at him.

"It's him." They said together.

Her face, her hair, her eyes, they were all recognizable to him, and that badge she pinned on the uniform arm, the sun crest that he never once forget the shape or the meaning of it. She was the Vermillion girl he had met 9 years ago in the royal party. "Wait, is that you? We met at …"

The girl in return looked at him with amazement, he was much taller before. His hair was also longer but moreover, his traits had become more handsome than she could imagine. He had the sharp and straightforward look of a grown man. "Jin! Wow, I've never thought that we could meet each other again since you entered Military Academy. I'm so happy!" The girl hugged him in front of the surprised eyes of other students.

"Jin, you knew this cute girl yet why didn't you tell us!" All other boys groaned.

"Our handsome and smart Jin is taken by that girl! Unbelievable!" All other girls squealed

"Ehem… excuse me but this is public place, not somewhere for you to show your lovey-dovey romance." The teacher came in the class and soon, all students quickly got back to their seats, Jin sat at his usual place but this time, with the Vermillion girl nearby. During the period, they just exchanged glances. "How did you get in here and how did you know I entered Military Academy?" Jin passed the note to her and quickly returned his look to the lessons.

"I got the highest score in the Weapon Compatibility Examination and they gave me permission to study in here. Our families met again 3 years ago and Master Kisaragi told us about that you so I tried my best to pass the test to enter the school." She handed him the paper.

"Kisaragi, tell me what would you do if you are surrounded by a horde of enemies?"

"Haiizzz, I will fight back yet slowly retreat to a narrower location where they can't overwhelm at once and destroy them one by one until reinforcement arrives. In case there is no reinforcement, I will fight back till the end as a soldier."

"Great answer! I expect a heroic future from you. That's the spirit of a real warrior who doesn't fear the death. However, to sheath you sword and escape when necessary is also important. Aware of your weakness and admit the defeat is completely different from running away like a coward while you still can do something!"

"Gosh! I wonder when he will stop those babbling… I know all of that already!"

As soon as the bell rang soundly throughout the hall, "Meet me at the hill behind the school at break time" Jin wrote on the paper before going out of the class, stretched his arms upward in soreness. The lessons was so tedious to him as he only enjoyed the magic class, where he could at least study the most fundamental aspects of it though he had listened everything about it through his foster father. Laid himself on the grassy surface, he smirked while imaging the scenario of this teacher got angry because of his absence. He ignored the Physical Training class due to its surprising easiness. Now, his mind solely focused on the girl.

"It's been awhile since I last saw her... I haven't known her name yet. I better ask her later. Aright, what's the matter with me? My heart just keeps beating like drum? Wait, it's not like I like her or something… She is just an acquaintance. She is taller now and … more beautiful, slim body, ..." Shook his head relentlessly, Jin found himself like a young boy in childish, foolish crush.

"No no no no, this isn't right… Concentrate… Concentrate Jin!"

"Oh, here you are. This hill is quite broad after all." Noel appeared behind him, greeting him with a friendly smile and sat down next to him.

"It's been a long time, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I've never thought that we would meet again like this. Mr. Kisaragi told me that you are here…"

2 years ago,

"Father! Have we arrived yet? I can't wait to meet the Kisaragis!" The young girl jumped cheerfully against the car seat, her eyes sparkled with hope.

"Hahaha, calm down. We are almost there. There will be tons of people around your age to make friend with."

"Honey, you know what she meant by "meeting the Kisaragis" already…"

"Of course, of course, it is that Jin you want to see, am I right, Noel?"

"Father!… we come to meet their whole family actually." The girl cried out in protest, her two cheeks reddened.

The luxurious mansion little by little appeared behind the lengthy row of trees. From afar, they could see in the middle of the yard was a huge fountain flowing a high column of water. Maids were cleaning the ground. Their car advanced to the gate and met several security guards along with some butlers arranged into two rows, bowing as the Vermillions approached. An old man opened the car's door.

"Good morning sir. Master Kisaragi is waiting for your appearance. Now, please follow this way." The whole family went after the man, Noel looked around, seeing nothing had changed and dashed inside with excitement.

"Errr… young Miss! Plea…"

"She is always like that. So enthusiastic when it comes to visiting the Kisaragis."

"But…"

"Just let her be. She is expecting to see a certain someone." The man and his wife laughed.

"Jin, Jin! Where are you?" The girl's voice echoed along the long hall. Maids and butlers looked at her as she ran around and called the boy's name. When she entered to the living room, she saw the whole Kisaragi family greeted her but among them, the boy was nowhere to be found.

"Are you looking for someone, little girl?" asked Mater Kisaragi

"Err,… where is Jin? Is he playing in his own room?" Noel tried to look around again.

"No, he is at the Military Academy now." The girl's smiling appearance faded away as fast as the way it turned up.

"He … he will be a soldier?"

"It is a duty for the Kisaragi member to become a great soldier and bring glories to the family."

"…"

I … really miss you. Ever since that Royal Party…"

"It brings back memories … when I bumped into you. That's was a little embarrassing."

"That was the first time I talked to a Kisaragi member. Too bad that I had to leave amidst the conversation."

"Anyway, may I ask your name? I haven't known it yet."

"I'm Noel Vermillion."

"Noel Vermillion." He whispered as if to hammer her name into his mind and never forget it.

They sat there for hours, talking about their past, giggling when it came to funny stories, … until the bell rang from afar, telling that the break time had come after class.

"Well, we skipped the Physical Class after all. I ignore it all the time but … This is your first day in here. Does that trouble you a bit?" Jin stood up, offered her a hand.

"Not really, indeed this is my first time but I guess it will be okay to prefer talking to a long-time-no-see friend. The teacher may overlook it." She took his hand and stood up.

"Let's head back to the Academy"

"Uh huh."

At one class,

"Oh, it's you, Kisaragi? You've been in this Academy for 4 years yet this is only the 2nd time I see you turn up in the class. Do you reckon that Academy History is a compulsory subject?"

"Haiizzz, I don't think so. The lessons are … too boring and unnecessary."

Feeling veins popped up on his forehead after hearing the unpleasant answer whereas the teacher tried his best to maintain calm expression on the face.

"So… what is the reason for you to come here?"

Jin turned his look to the Vermillion girl sitting at the front and smirked. "Well, I've just found little interest here." The teacher smacked the ruler on the boy's head and walked toward the stage.

"Then I expect you to do behave well in my class. I won't give you an exception because of your "outstanding results".

The whole class laughed out loud while the boy rubbed the bump on his head.

"Ouch! What was that for? I didn't do anything!" Noel took a peek at him and giggled at his reactions.

"I will keep my eyes on you. Remember that."

At one noon

"Hey, Noel! Come over here and eat lunch with me!" Jin waved her from the top of the hill. It was lunch time; Jin started his usual routine of coming to the wide, quite place after school yard and began his lunch in peace and this time, with a friend beside instead of being alone. He hadn't smiled often like that for a long time ever since the day his father left him in the Academy. He felt so distant to people around due to their jealousies toward his reputation. The empty feeling that no one had yet to fill inside. But now, at least, he had a friend nearby and share moments with him. The smiles again appeared on his face just like before when he was younger.

"I made this beef. Do you want to try, Jin?"

"Of course, let me take a bite..." The boy forked the meat and put it into his mouth and chewed slowly.

"Uhm, not bad but I think it is a little bit salty."

"Really? I will make it better next time."

"I look forward to eating your beef next time." They laughed happily together and continued their friendly meal.

At one Training Period of Jin's

Jin was practicing at his secret training ground with Noel as an audience. He punched, he kicked forcefully, leaving the sound of air whistled after each hit. Many dummies had been destroyed in a short amount of time as the girl cheered him and brought him a bottle of water as well as a towel.

"You can do it, Jin!"

"Thanks, Noel." He dried himself and took a big gulp of water. Letting out a huge breath, the boy returned to his work and continued to practiced with advanced movements. Hours later, when his body again drenched with sweat, his chest popped up and down after each exhausted gasp. He picked up his soaking shirt and his schoolbag.

"Let's … go home." The two laughed happily together and walked home when the sky began to darken, the bright sun was replace by the black sky and thousands of stars upon. As they slowly walked on the way, the town's streetlight began to lighten up, the place bit by bit became lively with night shops opened.

"Hey, Noel…"

"Yes?"

"You said that you got the highest score in Weapon Compatibility Contest. What kind of weapon did you use? I thought a girl like you would do something that … girls normally do like shopping, cooking or make-up, right?"

"About that? Well, I used two pistols."

Jin looked at her with unbelief expression on his face "What! But … how did you … manage to pass. You know that guns ain't simple to use."

"I know but somehow, I shot the targets out of my instinct. My hands just moved naturally without difficulties. Anyway, those were just dummies. It will be very hard for me to shoot a moving object and I don't want to kill anyone either."

"Yeah, I don't want to hurt people, too. You really are a born gun user." The girl playfully punched his shoulder.

"I just want to be a normal person who can protect the others."

"Oh, does coming to my training ground bother you … I mean, you have to go home too, right?" Noel let out a smile and wiped the sweat trailing down on his forehead.

"Don't worry about that, my parents recently decided to let me live at a rented house near the Academy. They said they would pay the budget but I refused. I want to do some job and take care of it myself."

"Really? Where do you work?"

"Well, to be honest, my physical state isn't too good so I choose easy work like selling flower. The shop is just three blocks away from my place. If you don't mind, I will take you there for a look some other days."

"Sounds great! Ok, we are in front of your house now. See you tomorrow, Noel." Jin gave her a goodbye wave before dashing away, the girl beamed back.

"Bye Jin!"

Later, when Jin arrived at his home,

"You come home later than usual. Did something happen?"

Food had already been set on the table, the old man was reading his newspaper. Jin entered the home and put down his bag next to the doorway. "Nothing big, father. I just spent little extra time for my training." He sat down at started to eat.

"You seem to smile a lot recently. Your schedule also turns unusual. Don't tell me that you fall …" Jin blushed at his words and waved in protest.

"No no no, it's not that I fall in love with anyone. I've just met a friend who I knew long time ago. I spend time talking to her, that's all." The man rubbed his chin and put the folded paper aside.

"Ok, I get it. Just don't loosen your focus on the goal ahead. You still have to train much to obtain the power to manipulate your magic."

"Yes father." Jin nodded.

"Anyway, what is her name?"

"She is Noel Vermillion. Her house isn't far from here."

"Oh, I knew her when she was still a baby. Her parent at first expected their child to be a boy but it's a girl in the end. As her baby father, I named her Noel since it was Christmas day. Those memorial days … old time … By the way, your name is also given by me. Hahaha"

"Wait a minute… you know that much people in the Royalty?"

The old man played with his beard and lighten the pipe up. "Of course, twelve youngest child of the Duodecim are all named by me. And you are the only one among them to be taught by me. Anyway, that Vermillion girl is very nice. You can't find anyone like her anywhere in this world." Jin flushed again and turned back to his meal.

"I told you. She is just a friend. There is nothing between us."

"I heard from sir Arthur that you skipped most classes at school and many teachers complained about your attitude toward studying."

"But all of those lessons are as old as the hills. I find nothing new or interesting in it."

"Haiiizzz, ok, just don't get low score. When time comes, I will teach you something that you have never experienced before. Now finish you meal then do the homework."

"Yeah yeah … like always."

"Oh and one more thing, the test this year will be exceptionally hard so you better have proper preparation."

Jin let out a confident smirk "Don't worry, father. "Being second" is not something in my dictionary."

"Very well, I have faith in you. Do you best, ok?"

Jin shut the door and threw himself onto the bed. His mind was filled with the girl's images, all of their speech, their moment rewound like a movie. "Noel … Vermillion. Well, I wonder what's new for tomorrow." Grabbing the book next to him, he read it halfheartedly before falling asleep with a broad smile on his face.

A/N: Well, I initially intended to make it at least 4000 words but words were being too stubborn to come out. I will make it much better next time. Oh and I have to put Never See, Never Know into hiatus. The next chapter will be updated after I finish my tons of test. I'm going to become a grade 12th student and after that is the test to the university. I just can't afford to let myself as well as my parents and my teachers down. I will try my best to study and post some more stories/chapters within my capability.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Please read and review. (If you find any mistakes, please inform me so I can make revision quicker and better. If you have any suggestion toward my flow of story, just tell me.)

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