Episode Three:
Hot Wind
Part One: Learning From a Master
Ayano sighed as she closed the door behind her. She flopped down onto her bed, looking up at her cieling. I can't believe I'm going to be stuck with Kazuma while I'm healing.. He's the last person I want to be thinking about right now. She thought to herself. She sat up, and pulled out her laptop from her bag. As she was about to type her password, she paused. Her password was Kazuma.
She slammed her laptop shut, and shoved it onto her desk. She stood up and unpacked her bags into her drawers, and then walked out of her room. She headed into the kitchen, where she met up with the maid who had escorted her and Kazuma.
"Hey! Good to see you're still here.. That means he didn't try anything funny." Ayano said.
"You really shouldn't act like that towards Mr. Kazuma, Miss Ayano. I can tell you like him.. It's quite obvious." The maid replied, giggling.
"W-what?!" Ayano stammered. She blushed, and turned away. I don't like him.. How many times do I have to say it?
"I don't like him.. He's just a pervert and likes to tease me. I would never fall for a guy like him." Ayano said, turning back around. With that, she left and headed out of the kitchen to the library.
She headed to a large shelf in the corner of the room, hidden away from the rest of the room. She ran her hand along the books, and found what she was looking for.
"God's Fire, and Other Spells for Fire Magic Users" She smiled, and pulled it off the shelf. She opened it up and sat down on a nearby chair next to a lamp. As soon as I learn from this book, I'll be able to beat Kazuma in one hit. Ayano smirked, and started reading.
In the midst of Chapter Two, Ayano felt a warm breeze on her back. She looked up with a frown, and saw Kazuma beding over her with an intrested face.
"Whatch'ya readin'?" He said, taking the book from her hand.
"Hey! Give it back!" She said, springing from her chair.
"You know, Ayano, I could teach you all this stuff a lot faster than this book." He said, putting the book back on it's shelf. He put his hands in his pockets, waiting for Ayano's reply. This ought to be good.. Kazuma thought.
Did Kazuma just offer to teach me?! Ayano thought, dumbfounded.
"But you're a Wind Magic User!" Ayano said.
"I may be, but remember that the Old Man spent pretty much all his time teaching me about the arts of Fire Magic. So I pretty much know everything about Fire Magic. Now.. What do ya say? Wanna learn from a master, or a book?" Kazuma said, smirking.
"Fine.. But only so that one day, when I beat you, it will be your fault."
Part Two: Kazuma's Lesson
Ayano and Kazuma walked out onto the open field, which had scattered trees dotting the landscape. She looked around, and wondered what Kazuma had planned for her to learn today. She turned, and noticed that Kazuma was no longer behind her. She narrowed her eyes, and looked around the area.
"Kazuma?" She said hesitantly. Then, she heard a gust of wind. She looked up, and saw Kazuma dive bombing towards her!
"Kazuma! What are you doing?!" Ayano said, dodging the falling Wind Magic User.
"Herding an elephant. What do YOU think I'm doing?" Kazuma said, smirking.
"You idiot! You can't just fall on me like that!" Ayano said angrily.
"And what are you gonna do if I do?"
"I'm gonna beat the crap outta' you!" Ayano said, summoning Enriha.
That's more like it.. She'll never learn if all I do is instruct her. I need to engage her.. Kazuma was cut off from his thoughts when Ayano sent three fire balls flying towards him.
"You always start off your attacks like that! You're too predictable.. You need to plan different attacks." Kazuma said.
Ayano grew angrier. Who does he think he is? Criticizing my attacks.. I know he's trying to teach me, but still.. She raised her sword, and thought for a second. She looked around the field, and wondered if she could use it to her advantage. She noticed Kazuma was sticking to floating around ten feet in the air, so she needed to find a way to get closer to him so she could slash him with her sword. Then, she two trees close together. Suddenly, it all clicked. She sprinted towards the two trees, and bounced off them getting higher and higher. She was standing on the top branch, and bounded off the limb. She raised her sword above her head, and slammed it down on top of Kazuma. He easily dodged it, which left Ayano tumbling towards the ground.
"AHHH!" Ayano screamed as the ground grew larger and larger. Then, she felt arms around her. She turned her head, and locked eyes with Kazuma.
"You can't just jump up into the air like that without having a plan to get down safely. Use your head before you act! You can't just go and expect to get lucky." Kazuma said sternly. He lowered to the ground, and set Ayano down.
"Whatever.. When are you going to teach me fire magic and not tactics?" Ayano said. She crossed her arms, looked away, and pouted.
"Whenever I actually can tell you have SOME hope in fighting, then I'll tell you about the fire magic." Kazuma replied.
"What do you mean when I have SOME hope in fighting?!" Ayano said, turning around.
She looks angry.. Kazuma thought to himself. Better end this.
"Come find me when you can appreciate the time I am spending to help you get your sorry butt stronger." Kazuma said, turning. He started to walk away, when he heard footsteps on the grass. Ayano jumped up and swung her sword sideways at Kazuma. He shot out a wind blade and deflected her blow. He cocked his head and gave an innocent smirk at the red headed fire mage.
"That all you got?"
"Not even close."
Part Three: Dinner with the Devil
Ayano walked through the side of the hideout huffing and puffing. Her and Kazuma had just finished their training session, and it had gone.. Well.. Not so smoothly. More than half the time, Ayano was slashing at Kazuma with Enriha. The other half, Kazuma criticized her.
"Kazuma, you really should be more concious of my wound." Ayano said matter-of-factly. While training earlier, she decided to use her injury to her advantage. That ment making Kazuma care to her every need, and so far, it was working.
"I think you pushed me too hard during training. I want dinner. Take me out for Italian." Ayano said, crossing her arms.
"Sorry to disappoint, but we're out in the middle of nowhere. There are no resturaunts nearby to cater to your craving of Italian." Kazuma said back.
"Well then what do YOU suggest I do?" Ayano said, pouting. Kazuma thought for a moment.. I COULD say something smart back and tick her off, but then again... I could surprise her and do something nice. She won't know what hit her!
"Well, I could always make you dinner."
"You? Make FOOD? Are you feeling alright Kazuma?" Ayano said, dumbfounded. Why would he want to make me dinner? What if.. what if he really does like me? No.. He can't! Stop it Ayano! Kazuma noticed Ayano blushing, and decided it was time to say something smart.
"Princess, I will do anything to make you happy." Kazuma said, smiling an innocent smile. He walked up to her, and kissed her on the head.
Ayano blushed bright red, and backed up onto the wall behind her.
"Wh-what was that for?" Ayano studdered. But Kazuma didn't answer. He was too busy preparing Ayano's dinner.
Ayano slowly sat down at the dining table, and put her head on her hands. She watched Kazuma in front of her moving busily around the kitchen, preparing her dinner. Once he set the water to boil, he pulled out the silverware and set the table.
"Something bothering you, Princess? Your face is bright red. Do you have a fever?" Kazuma put his hand to her forehead, and in return she slapped his hand away from her.
"Pervert.." She muttered. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. Kazuma walked back to the stove and continued to make dinner.
About ten minutes later, the food was done. Kazuma pulled out the food and piled it onto two plates.
"Why are you making two plates?" Ayano said suspiciously. She eyed Kazuma who was slyly smiling.
"I need to eat too, don't I?" Kazuma said.
"You're eating.. with me?" Ayano said blankly.
"Of course. Is there a problem?"
"No!" Ayano looked away. Kazuma brought the plates to the table, and sat down. He immidiantly began to eat. Pig.. Ayano thought. Then, Kazuma sat up and pulled a bottle of wine out of his pocket. He set it on the table, and poured a glass.
"Do you ALWAYS have to drink wine?" Ayano said, disgusted.
"Only when I'm eating with you. See, it has some odd effect on you. I just love the look on your face when I pull it out." Kazuma smirked, and continued to enjoy his dinner. Ayano sighed, and dug into her dinner. There is so much wrong with this man..
Part Four: The Dream
After dinner, Ayano made her way back to her bedroom. She put on her pajamas, and climbed into bed. She was so tired from her training today with Kazuma, that she fell right to sleep.
Ayano looked around and tried to figure out where she was. She checked out the landscape. She was standing next to a body of water, in a closed in area with trees and bright green grass. There was a bridge on the other side of her, and the wind was blowing her hair away from her face. Then, she remembered.
I remember this place! This is a memory from when I came home after we finished off Bernhardt. I'm at the Kannagi Compound.. And if I'm correct, Kazuma should be coming up near me. Wait.. I see me, too. Ha, I get to re watch this moment in the third person!
"You know she was lying, right." Ayano said to Kazuma. "She only said that to try and mess with your head. There's no way Tsui Ling wanted to kill you. I just can't believe that was her last thought."
"Well, it could have been. I lied to her, ya know. I told her that I'd always protet her. Then I couldn't even save her life. She probably resented me for that." Kazuma said, watching a fish in the pond.
"But it wasn't your fault. You hadn't even awoken to your powers yet, so you couldn't do anything to stop them." Ayano said, looking down.
"I guess you're right.." Kazuma made a tornado in his hand, and stared at it. " Strange thing is, I awakened to my power right after she died. When they tried to kill me."
"It's common for that to happen when you're in danger. It's not strange." Ayano said.
"But nothing happened when she was in danger. Why didn't I wake up then? Maybe I should let her kill me. Maybe I deserve it." Kazuma said, putting down the tornado.
"I don't know what you're saying Kazuma, and I hope I am wrong, but it sounds like you almost WANT Lapis to kill you! And what would that solve?! What is wrong with you Kazuma?! What is it gonna take to make you realize that it's over, and you're here now?" Ayano cried.
"Come on, now. Would you calm down?" Kazuma said, looking off into the sky. "I've already realized that I have to live with my past, but it won't control me. Now is the only thing that matters. And that's what I'm going to protect. And I swear I'll protect all of you." Kazuma said, balling his hands into fists.
Ayano raised her arm, and attempted to slap him. Obviosly, Kazuma caught her wrist before she was able to hit him.
"What'd you do that for?" He said, staring her in the eyes.
"You jerk! Did I ever ask you to protect me? Whatever happened to you in the past is none of my buissness, and I realize that, ok? But I can tell that you're in pain so you don't have to hide it from me. I mean, I'm strong enough to be here for you! You don't always have to deal with everything all by yourself!" Kazuma looked at Ayano with a shocked face.
" Am I so unrealiable that you can't even trust me? What do you think of me, anyway? Am I just a burden to you? A helpless little girl? Do you just want me to hide somewhere while you swoop in and save the day then let me gracefully kiss you on the cheek once the danger is clear? Listen! Quit treating me like I can't do anything when I know I really can!" Ayano turned away, and a tear ran down her cheek.
Kazuma looked at her, dumbfounded.
Ayano.. I know you're strong. I have no doubt. And I can't wait until a time comes where I can entrust you with something important. You're kind, strong, and beautiful. I know I can trust you.
"I don't remember him saying that.. Wait.. Am I reading Kazuma's mind? Is this what he really thinks of me?" Ayano thought.
Kazuma smiled, and took hold of the dream Ayano's hair. She blushed, and the wind died down.
"Well, I'm glad you've got my back." Kazuma said, releasing Ayano's lock of red hair. He smacked her on the butt, and she jumped into the water. The water around her boiled, and shot into the air. Kazuma jumped back, barely dodging the wave of boiling hot water. When the wave washed away, it revealed a steaming Ayano, Enriha in hand.
"KAZUMA..."
"Woah, Ayano, that was totally an accident.." Ayano pointed the blade at him. His hands flew up. "Can we talk about this peacefully?!" Ayano chased him down the bridge.
"KAZUMA..."
The memory faded to black, and Ayano was left standing in the middle of her dream.
"Is that really what Kazuma thinks of me?"
Part Five: Ayano's Confrontation
Ayano woke up right after her last thought, and immidiantly ran to her desk. She pulled out her notebook, and pen, and wrote down her dream. She decided to ask Kazuma if this is what he had thought at that moment.. And what he thought of her now.
After she had written down her dream, she walked down the hallway to Kazuma's room. She kicked the door down, and found Kazuma sprawled across the bed asleep. She pushed him off, and he fell on the floor. He made a loud thud, and didn't move.
Oh no.. Did I knock him unconcious?! Ayano thought scared. Then, she heard him snore. She sighed, and facepalmed herself. She used her foot to lift his face up, then slapped him across the face.
"WAKE UP!" She yelled.
"What was that for?!" Kazuma said, standing up. He rubbed his face where she had slapped him.
"I needed to wake you up.. This is very important!" Ayano said angrily.
"What could be so important that you have to slap me to wake me up?" Kazuma said lazily. "At least bring me coffee next time."
"There's no time for that! I need to know.. Do you remember the time after we defeated Bernhardt and Lapis told you Tsui Lings last thought?"
"Of course.. You got all fired up and attacked me after you gave me a speech on how I could trust you."
"Exactly! Now I need to you to tell me if you remember thinking this.." Ayano pulled out the peice of paper, then pointed to where she had written down Kazuma's thought. He studied it for a moment, then took the paper from her hand.
"What is it?" Ayano said. Oh no.. is he going to say..
Kazuma studied the paper, then looked up with a serious face at the blushing Ayano.
"Why is your hand writting so messy?" He said, seriously.
Ayano breathed a sigh of relief. Well that was an anticlimatic moment.. She thought relieved to herself.
"Thats not the point, Kazuma. I need to know if this is what you thought, and if you really ment it." She said, pointing to the area where she had writting down the moment.
He studied it once more, then snapped his fingers.
"Oh yeah! I remember thinking that." Kazuma said, nodding.
"So.. Do you mean it?" Ayano said. She blushed then looked away.
"Why would I think it if I didn't mean it?" Kazuma said, showing his usual smart - alic smirk. Ayano put on an angry expression, and snatched the paper from his hand. She was walking towards the door, when Kazuma grabbed her wrist.
"Woah there, Princess. We can't have you going through here while you're angry. You'll bring the house down on us!" Kazuma said, pulling her towards him. He put his arm around her, then lead her to his desk chair. She plopped down, and stared at him with an evil look in her eye.
"Why do you have to keep teasing me?" She said. This caught Kazuma by surprise. He knew that she was aware of his teasing, but he never thought she'd ask about it.
"Well, because it's fun to see the look on your face." He said, smirking.
"Is that all I am to you?! Entertainment? Don't I mean something more to you? You tease me like you like me! It's like you need to be the cause of all my emotions, and I just need to know, why? Why are you doing this to me?"
Now Kazuma was really confused. He never guessed Ayano felt this way. He new she had a crush on him, but he didn't think she cared this much about what he was doing. Kazuma smiled, and patted her head. This created an angry look on her face.
"Think about it, Princess. Now if you excuse me, I need to head to the kitchen. I'm getting hungry from all this chatting." With that, Kazuma turned and walked out his bedroom door. He didn't even turn when he heard his door being ripped off the hinges.