Chapter 4 – The Weirdo Trio
"W…Would-be thugs?"
"Is that how people see us?"
"We didn't choose to look like this. Why is the world so cruel?"
"*sigh*"
After being asked to leave the supermarket in the most embarrassing and hurtful way possible, the three of us eventually found a café to go to. And were now eating our sadness away with a strawberry parfait.
I don't even like strawberries, but I'm too upset to care right now.
"You know…it's kinda funny. Us three girls, each struggling with an event that forever changed our lives, just happened to run into each other at the supermarket. Kind of a coincidence, right?" Akari said.
…
"You're honestly right, Akari. It is kinda funny that we met up there. Especially since we're dealing with similar problems." I said after thinking about it.
"Right?"
"It's almost like fate."
"Fate?" Both Akari and I asked as we turned to face Kyouko.
"Sure. I mean, what else could it be? Akari has one eye and can barely see. And has been bullied nonstop because of it.
Ayano has a curse. Causing purple markings to appear all over her body. With the addition of having autism.
And then me…I'm going through tremendous heartbreak and depression. And I have this giant neck scar to prove it.
My point is, we're oddly the same. And we just need to stick together to get through the problems we're all dealing with. Of course, with our friend's help.
"W-Wow, Kyouko. That was really…motivational." I said while in complete shock of what this girl just said.
"Yeah, it was." Akari added.
…
…
"Who are you, and what have you done to Kyouko?" We both asked.
"S-Seriously, you two?!"
"Just kidding!" We both started to laugh at Kyouko's embarrassed and slightly pissed off face.
"*groan* Jerks!" Kyouko pouted.
"Still, though…thanks for the motivational speech, Kyouko. It really brought my spirits up." I said.
"Yeah, it really did. You're a good friend, Kyouko." Akari said.
Kyouko blushed a little while looking away from us. It was true from what Yui said. She does have a lot more sensitivity now than before her depression.
"Th-Thanks…y-you guys."
And it was really nice to experience first hand.
"Euh...excusez moi"
"Huh?" We looked over and saw a guy standing over our outdoor table. I couldn't really tell at first. I even though he was a pervert staring at us. But as he kept talking, I realized…
"Désolé de vous déranger, mesdames. Mais je semble être perdu. Savez-vous où je pourrais trouver le train pour Shinjuku?"
…he's a foreigner.
"Cr-Crap. I-I don't know what he's saying." I said.
"I don't think I even know that language. I can barely speak English as is." Akari said.
"Wh-What do we do?"
"I-I don't know! You're the smart one!"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" I started getting upset.
"I-I didn't mean it like that. I-It's just…well…"
Ah, geez. We're so screwed. I feel so bad not helping this guy. But I can't understand a word he's saying. What am I supposed to do?
"Excusez-moi monsieur."
It was then that all of us (including the foreigner) looked over towards Kyouko.
"Retournez comme vous êtes venu. Et cherchez la ligne Keio. Vous devriez arriver à Shinjuku dans environ 50 minutes."
"Ah Merci jeune fille."
"De rien."
As we watch the guy leave with a quick wave, the two of us couldn't believe what just happened in front of us. It felt like I was in an alternate universe or something where Kyouko actually saved my skin.
It felt…weird. To say the least.
"Uh…K-Kyouko. Wh-What was that?" I asked.
"Oh, that? He was just asking how to get to Shinjuku. So I told him to look for the Keio Line."
"O-Okay. B-But what was that language you spoke?" Akari asked.
"It's French."
…
…
"How the hell do you know French?!" We both asked after a minute of being blown out of our minds.
"What, you guys thought I do absolutely nothing when I can't go to school for a year? I had to do something. So I picked up a second language."
"W…Wow. K-Kyouko. I-I'm impressed." Akari said.
"I really need to stop underestimating you." I added.
"*giggle* Merci de bien vouloir. Ayano and Akari."
"What?"
"I said "Thank you kindly, Ayano and Akari."."
"Oh…" We were both amazed once again.
We continued to talk for a while. Then went our separate ways home. My house was dead in silence thanks to Haruka working late. It's a good thing I had that parfait before or else I would've gone to bed hungry.
With it getting late, I decided to take a bath and then head for bed afterward. I had picked out my pajamas and got the water running. I was about to get in when…
"*pant* *pant* Aw, geez. Th-That burning sensation from before. I-It's stronger than before. I-I need to get some wa…
*Ah…
*Ah…
*AAACHOOOOO!*"
I let out a really powerful sneeze that ended up pushing me back a little. It was rather weird. I've never had a sneeze that powerful before. But when I opened my eyes, I saw how this one particular sneeze was also scary.
"Wh…What the hell?! A-A fire?!"
What I was looking at were small patches of blue fire on random spots of the tub. I had no idea where this fire came from. And the fact that it was blue instead of the normal red color was also a mystery.
"W-WATER! WATER! I NEED WATER!" I panicked as I went to the kitchen and grabbed a cup filled to the brim with water. I then poured it on all the spots the fire was on. And with the bathwater running the whole time, it made the job a lot easier.
"Wh-What the hell? Wh-Where did that fire come from? A-And why was it blue? What exactly just ha…
*Ah…
*Ah…
Oh no. Not again! Tissue! I need a tissue!
I rushed out of the bathroom and tried to head for the kitchen to get some tissues. I say "tried" because this sneeze was getting harder to hold. And so I decided to head to my room (the nearest room from the bathroom) and opened the window to finally let it out.
*AAACHOOOOO!*
"*sniff* Aw, geez. That one was bigger than the last one."
I opened my eyes to look outside. And saw something rather scary again. The blue fire from before. It was on a nearby tree and a lamp post. It was burning so much. And I even smelled burning leaves and metal before hearing sirens getting closer. Making me close the window in a panic. I soon grabbed my phone and dialed a number on my phone. Still in my panicked state.
"H-H-H-H-HARUKA! PL-PL-PL-PL-PLEASE COME HOME!"
Later…
"You…sneezed fire?"
"I-It's true! I was about to take a bath when I had a huge sneeze! Then the next thing I knew, I was putting out patches of blue fire!"
"Blue fire?"
"I'm not making this up! didn't you see the leaves on fire?!"
"Well…that does explain the firetrucks that were on the same street when I was on my way here." Haruka then went silent for a second. "Did your markings glow while this happened?"
"Huh. You know, I didn't really pay attention the first time. The second time, though…I think I saw some glow in them. Wait…do you think my curse is behind this?"
"Well, it's a possibility. Do you remember anything else that happened before you sneezed?"
"Well…I remember my mouth burning a little. And when I tried to get water, that's when I…
*Ah…
*Ah…
*Ah…
"A-Aw crap! Window! Head for the window!"
I headed for the living room window and opened it before letting out another strong and powerful…
*AAACHOOOOO!*
…sneeze.
"W-Woah!" Haruka yelled in shock as she saw a burst of blue fire come out of my mouth and into the night sky.
"*sniff* S-See? I'm telling the truth."
"Alright, I believe you. This is rather odd. Especially since it's happening AFTER the tests earlier today. You may have to come with me back to the office tomorrow to figure this thing out. That's not a problem, isn't it?"
"No, it's okay. I don't want to accidentally burn someone with this fire. Burning flesh is not good."
"Yeah, true. But I heard fried Goomba is a delicacy."
"*snicker* Seriously?" I tried holding it my laughter.
"Sorry. I couldn't resist."
"You know, it's hard to believe that you're a gamer."
"Hey, I can't be serious all the time. Even I need some down time every once in a while. You could use one too, you know."
"*sigh* Yeah, I guess. Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Ayano."
The next morning I went with Haruka back to her office to figure out what exactly is up with this fire sneeze thing. We had to explain to the doctors many times what happened. Many because they could not believe that a simple sneeze can make me spit a burst of fire. But after an unplanned demonstration that nearly burned one of them, they were quick to change their minds.
And now, I was hooked up to one of the machines from yesterday about to do another screening. And I was getting a little nervous.
"H-Hey, Doc. I-Is this going to be safe this time?"
"Not to worry, Ayano. I made some tweaks to it yesterday and it should work just fine. M-More or less."
"That "more or less" part isn't really helping your cause, Doc."
"Calm down, Ayano." Haruka said. "If anything happens, I'm right here to help. So just try to relax a little."
"*sigh* Alright." I gave in.
"Hit it, Doc."
The doctor turned on the machine. And I instantly felt the same tingles from yesterday. I noticed my markings were glowing again. And then soon after, the burning sensation was back. Only this time, I didn't have to sneeze. It felt like I was holding my breath and needed to exhale.
So I did.
"Gaaah!"
"A-Ayano! W-Wait! St-Stop!" I heard Haruka's voice. I then covered my mouth as the machine was being turned off and I was being unhooked from it.
"W-Woah! D-Did I just…br-breathed fire?!" I started to panic.
"D-Doc, what was that?!" Haruka asked.
"Hmm…I'm not sure at the moment. I'll have to do some self-studies on this discovery. In the meantime, Ayano. Try not to exhale so much. From the looks of it, that's what triggers it."
"Y-Yes, Doc." I said.
"So what are you going to do now?" Haruka asked.
"Well…I might as well get something to eat. You want anything?"
"Hmm…I could go a sandwich and some fried rice."
"Really? Those two together? That's so odd."
"I don't need criticism about my eating habits from a high schooler." Haruka sounded insulted.
"Alright, alright. I'll be back."
As I was heading for the exit, thoughts of what happened during these past few hours were running in my mind. The fact that blue fire is coming out of my mouth…first when I sneeze, and now when I exhale. Could this be part of the curse? And if so, what else is in store for me?
Mom. Dad. What did you do to me?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: To be honest, I was heavily considering to make this and the last chapter one whole thing. But I went against it in the end. I wanted to have a chapter where it focused on these three for the majority of it. And it worked out in the end.
Ayano breathing fire is a trait I brought back from the rewritten version of Yuri Fever. I didn't really get far into that idea in the past. So from here on, it's going to be all new stuff.
Feel free to review/favorite/follow the story. Thanks for reading. Later.
