Blissful Memories
Disclaimer: PPGZ is owned by CN, and Kaarii Shiimasutou is owned by cakedecorator. The Cat Whispurrer has a hold of the Armstrong Siblings (Though Bleedman, Josh/Super Deviation, and j8d gave a sort of life for Amy), and Super Bash can have all the credit for Josh Jones. All I own is Bani Akatsutsumi, remember?
Chapter Start:
Memory 4: Friends
(School, Sept. 10, 2035, Monday)
One week into school in Japan, and there are already problems. Kaarii isn't troubled by anything much except that she is out of the loop in a certain secret. But someone in the other class is. Amy is feeling the brunt of the local bullies, and it didn't help that Luke was in a different grade level, as he's currently in high school. By luck, the school they were in also offers High School right next to the Middle School, but it really isn't too easy for Amy since Luke would only be with her on break times.
"Hey, white-eyed freak!" A kid kicked Amy's table. Amy was surprised and tried to say something, but nothing came out.
"White eyes and white hair. How weird can this new kid get? What's more, she's a teacher's pet!" A hushed whisper was overheard by Amy (though most likely they made sure she heard it) and she almost felt that maybe she should have accepted the contacts professor offered her. Amy ran out of the room only to bump into a boy. Another bully.
"Are you blind?" The boy picked Amy up harshly, and Amy struggled as the boy tightened his grip. Suddenly, a hand grasped the boy at the shoulder.
"Let her go." Luke said harshly. The boy let Amy go and faced the snarling onii-san. He suddenly cowered as he saw Luke, the high school's latest weakling bodyguard, according to bullies all over the campus. His black eyes didn't exactly help his sense of fear.
"Sorry!"
"I think I've seen you before." Luke glared at the boy hard. "Yep, you're the kid that bullied Amy just last week."
"She's only here for about a week." The boy sarcastically replied. It would seem that even though he is afraid of Luke, he still has the guts to talk back. Luke felt a sudden urge to punch the boy in the gut, but kept it at bay.
"Don't get sarcastic with me." Luke gritted. Suddenly, in a corner, Momoko and her friends appeared and were utterly shocked as the crowd yelled for them to fight.
"Stop it, everyone!" Miyako yelled into the room. Everyone succumbed to Miyako's plea. It would appear that most of the people here are part of Miyako's fan club, and the others just don't want to feel the brunt of the Miyako fans that they had ignored the girl's plea. Luke walked away from the scene, while the younger boy gruffly addressed the four.
"That high schooler's crazy!" The boy tried to get the four into his side and get Luke suspended.
"You're crazy!" Amy shouted at the boy. "Luke-chan was only trying to help me from YOU!" Momoko instantly recognized the girl as the one who was referred to by the boy on the first day of school. And recognized Luke as the boy she ran into.
"Don't believe her. She's a freak." The boy spluttered. The last sentence affirmed the quad's alliance.
"Don't call a person a freak just because they look weird." Kaarii said in a very sassy tone. "Check my eyes. They're pink. And what about Momoko here? They're also pink! Look at Blossom's eyes? Why, I believe she also has pink eyes! What about the new PPGZ? PINK! Note: We don't have conjunctivitis. So save your breath about the freak word, coz I think you are the freak." The boy suddenly made a run for the room.
"Good argument, Kaarii." Momoko grinned. "But our eyes are technically different shades of pink. Yours is fuchsia, mine is rose. And you forgot my sister. She had orange eyes. Oh and Kaoru here has natural purple hair."
"Hilarious, Momoko. I suppose you're gonna make note of Himeko's eyes too?" Kaoru rolled her eyes. Amy started moving away from the scene, but Momoko caught her sneaking away. However, Momoko didn't call after her.
"What was that girl's name?" Momoko asked a boy passing by.
"… Armstrong Amy, the school's newest fr… special-looking girl." The boy covered up for himself quite hurriedly.
"… Right…" Kaarii glared at the boy. She pulled out her badminton racquet. "Thanks for the info, but I don't think we needed to hear the second part of that statement."
"Right… You're that new badminton member, right?" The boy questioned.
"What of it?" Kaarii brushed him off. Kaarii had recently joined the badminton team and substituted carrying a sword to carrying a racquet.
"Nothing! I just heard that the new member made it to the varsity almost immediately! And that somehow she also got employed by the PPGZ HQ!" The boy made a U-turn and made a break for it.
"Looks like the news got round fast!" Miyako chirped.
"I just wish that we heard of that girl earlier." Momoko said, talking off-topic.
"I know that ever since she came and went, you always wanted to help people…" Kaoru said, implying Bani once more. "But… We can't just help anyone we can."
"Let's do an information gathering." Momoko thoughtfully said. "Find out what class she is in, where she lives, and everything."
"We're not stalkers, Momoko!" Kaarii said, shocked. "We'll find out what class she is and that's that!"
"And if she tells us her address, well, perfect!" Kaoru nodded. Momoko smiled and started chattering with Miyako about a few plans. Kaarii looked at Kaoru, confused as to why she was frowning.
"Ever since that day, Momoko's never been the same…" Kaoru sighed. "She's a lot more serious in life, as though she's not even herself."
"Tell me something I can relate to." Kaarii winced.
"Sorry." Kaoru sheepishly said. "But don't worry much! She didn't go under a super change in personality!" Miyako and Momoko instantly stopped as the last word hanged in the air. Kaarii bumped into Momoko and the two instantly was on the floor.
"What was that about!" Kaarii moaned. "I am a klutz for crying out loud! I admit it, but try to prevent creating situations that will be sure to take advantage of it. If our lives were being written as a story, I could swear that a crazy person is toying with me!" (Lunar: Ouch…)
"Sorry, Kaarii…" Momoko moaned. A boy suddenly approached them.
"You okay?" The jet black haired boy lent a hand to both girls. He pulled up Momoko and Kaarii.
"Hey, aren't you the boy who helped Armstrong Amy-san a while ago?" Miyako asked. "Why did you help her?"
"Let's just say that I want to take care of her." Luke smiled.
"Glad to see there's someone who cares for justice around here other than the PPGZ." Kaarii grinned.
"What about yourselves?" Luke noted. "Wouldn't you count as people who care for justice? You DID just protect Amy-chan."
"Maybe." Kaoru nodded. But the thing is they ARE the PPGZ. But of course, they didn't mention that.
"Hey, looks like the Shirogane Family lost their case against the PPGZ." Jesse ran up to the group of five. He took one look at Luke and almost jumped. "Why on earth are you four talking to the school's newest bully-bully?"
"I think weakling bodyguard sounded better." Luke sighed. "And honestly, I hate that title."
"Try Knight of Justice, if we're giving around titles." Miyako chirped. Momoko smiled at the suggestion.
"Sure, Popular Fashionista." Kaoru nodded. Miyako grinned.
"Ace Athlete of the Academy." Momoko playfully made a name for Kaoru.
"Hmmm…" Kaarii tried to give a title for Momoko, but nothing came out.
"Hero Maniac?" Kaoru suggested. "Boy-Crazy Hero Maniac?"
"Oh shut up! And I suppose Kaarii here is Klutzy All Around?" Momoko grinned, a hint of playfulness in her voice. Kaarii playfully whacked Momoko with her badminton racquet.
"Umm… I did say that the Shirogane Family lost. Apparently, the family will apparently be withdrawing Himeko from this school and moving her to France." Jesse shrugged.
"Sure, whatever they say." Momoko brushed him off. "She's one person I'd rather not bother much about."
"But… What about her oath?" Jesse asked, concerned. "If she tells…"
"If she tells, who'll believe her?." Kaoru brushed it off. Kaarii sighed and tried to ignore the four and decided to inquire the people nearby about Amy's class. Luke moved away from the others and headed back to his class. He did go to school at the other building.
"Umm… Is this class, Amy's?" Kaarii asked. The girl nodded and shrugged. Kaarii looked at the door. Kaarii was about to investigate further, but the bell suddenly rang and the group dispersed, with Momoko, Miyako, Kaoru, and Kaarii making a sprint for their next class. Kaarii missed one important detail when she scanned the door. A black-haired boy looked at her and checked whether she is the one he knew. The black-haired boy had the most startling amber eyes.
(Josh's POV)
… Was that… Kaarii? Looks like I'm not alone in this school after all. Too bad that she's in the other class. I have yet to make friends with anyone much… Ch… This never happened to me before! I want to have a bit of fun with Dad again…
I heard a boy bullying that white girl again. I want to help the girl… but I won't know how… Sorry… Ch indeed… Dad's right. I spent too much time with him that I don't know how to relate to people my own age. I am definitely NOT a social butterfly…
(Normal POV, Hallway)
Class had just ended and Kaarii made a run for the class where Amy is. Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru were heading to the hospital to visit Takaaki. As Kaarii never really met Takaaki, she volunteered to be the one who will do the inquiries. Kaarii then suddenly hit a boy and crashed onto the floor. The boy stood up and looked at Kaarii.
"Kaarii?" The boy grinned. Kaarii looked confused as to why the boy knows her till she saw the yellow eyes that became quite familiar to her.
"Josh?" Kaarii stood up, grinning. Around them, people were distressed as to why they were blocking the way. Kaarii then suddenly remembered.
"You go to the same class as Amy?" Kaarii looked at Josh with a hard stare.
'Oh great.' Josh thought. Then he answered. "Yes…" Josh only managed to say that one word when Kaarii pulled him out of the crowd and into an empty classroom. Kaarii shut the door behind them and turned to Josh.
"You do know that Amy is being bullied, correct?" Kaarii hissed.
"… Yes…" Josh sighed. If it's about people, Josh doesn't really know what to do. After all, in the excavation sites, people don't bully each other.
"Then why didn't you protect her?" Kaarii almost yelled. "She needed help, and you didn't help her?"
"… What do you mean protect?" Josh asked. When Kaarii became this forceful, Josh seemed to have no choice but to succumb.
"Fight for her! Don't let those bullies continue bullying her!"
"You do know that hurting a person is a major offense?" Josh asked.
"When I said fight for her, I mean make those bullies lay off." Kaarii sighed. "You're the only one I know in that class, so I want you to help keep Amy out of harm's way."
"… Right." Josh sighed.
"Promise?" Kaarii raised her pinky finger.
"Promise." Josh nodded, placing his pinky finger on Kaarii's. "Umm… Can I have your cellphone number?"
"… Sure." Kaarii pulled out her cellphone and the two exchanged numbers. Kaarii also took a picture with the two of them in it.
Josh nodded, and asked, "So you want to meet her?"
"Okay." Kaarii nodded. The two left the room and they saw Amy and Luke walking out of the school. "Looks like we're a bit too late." Kaarii sighed dramatically. "Well, I need to catch up to Momoko and the others. Remember your promise, kay?" Kaarii made a run out of the school. A boy approached Josh as he stared after her.
"Wow… Did you guys kiss in that empty room?" The boy teased Josh. Josh groaned and could almost swear that his dad sent this guy.
"No." Josh gritted. "Sheesh, is privacy not allowed in this school and everyone wants to pry about secret matters?"
"Hey, chill." The boy laughed.
Josh sighed. He thought, 'I'm definitely NOT a social butterfly.'
(Akatsutsumi Residence)
"So you're saying you met a girl that was being bullied because she looks weird?" Hachizou asked.
"That's pretty much it. So is my daily interview over?" Momoko said, bored.
"This girl… I hope you don't get in trouble just because you're protecting her." Hachizou shrugged.
"Dear…" Kakiko sighed. Then she turned to Momoko. "Try to get this girl's friendship. She's new in the country so you should take care of her."
"Yes, Mom." Momoko nodded. She ate up her dinner and returned to her bedroom.
(Gotokuji Residence)
"Hmmm… a new friend, Miyako?" Kiyoko smiled. "Good, good."
"Yes, Grandma." Miyako nodded. "Amy-chan will be fine with us."
"Good." Kiyoko nodded.
(Matsubara Residence)
"What do you think, dad?" Kaoru said lazily.
"You said that this girl was being bullied, am I correct?" Tokio asked. Kaoru nodded. "Then you should help her in every way possible. Make her feel at home in Japan."
"Right…" Kaoru sighed.
(Shiimasutou Residence)
"Dad?" Kaarii sighed. "What do you think?"
"It's crazy, Kaarii. Human nature that is. We tell people not to do something and they do it all the more it. No amount of suspensions will stop that." Melvin nodded.
"But dad, you're a lawyer." Kaarii sighed. "Surely you can help her out?"
"Sure I could, but she needs to learn to stand on her own feet." Melvin shrugged. "She can't rely on the law and rules to keep her standing."
"You're basically saying that I should help Amy-chan." Kaarii grinned.
"Not just you, Kaarii, but also your friends." Melvin nodded. "She needs people to support her so that she can one day be able to walk proudly."
"Her eyes… Is it really normal?" Kaarii sighed.
"If she can still see, it's probably as normal as your own pink eyes." Melvin smirked. "When I first saw that, I panicked, but the doctors said you're normal, so I let it slide as a luck thing."
"Right, Dad." Kaarii nodded. She stood up and headed for her room. Melvin snickered as he saw that Kaarii had accidentally left her cellphone on the table, and when he looked at it, saw that the wallpaper was her picture with Josh.
(Next Day, September 11, 2035, Tuesday)
Josh stretched as he walked to school. Josh sighed. When he arrived at his room, he found the room a bit problematic…
"Hey, just because you have special looks doesn't mean that your new friends will always be around to help you." The boy Josh recognized as the same one who was bullying Amy. Amy tried to retaliate but the boy was forceful and was about to hit her, when Josh decided that enough was enough. Josh charged at the boy and knocked him away from Amy. Amy gasped as she saw the boy that transferred at the same time as her protecting her.
"Y-you…" The boy that Josh knocked down stood up and charged at Josh. Josh, who was quite adept at traps and tricks in the sites he went with his father, dodged every blow that the boy tried to make. The boy then tried to tackle Josh to the ground. Josh dodged and the boy crashed into a table.
"Hey, if those 'girls' aren't around, don't forget that I'm still here." Josh said coldly. "I have amber eyes, brainiac, one of the rarer colors in eyes of humans. Make of that what you will."
"You!" The boy attacked Josh, but Josh sidestepped and the boy ran straight through the door and crash landed onto the teacher.
"What is the meaning of this?" The teacher yelled outraged. Amy suddenly jumped up and told the teacher what happened. Josh sighed as he knew he was about to get suspended, even though Amy was definitely telling the teacher the version of events in favor of Josh. While the teacher understood that Josh only did what he did to protect Amy and that Josh didn't hurt the boy apart from his tackle, he was still slightly angry at him.
"Josh… There are better ways on solving this kind of problem." The teacher scolded Josh. "Why did you choose to tackle him instead of talking to him?"
"…" Josh didn't know how to respond. "Let's just say I'm not a social butterfly." Josh replied, smiling at Amy. Amy returned the smile. Josh grinned out of the window, and nodded. "I'll be keeping my promise, Kaarii."
Chapter End
Alright! Success! I had finally sent that pompous kid, Himeko, from existing in this story! And also a successful way of making Josh and Amy friends. I turned Josh Jones into a 14 year old instead… Sorry about that, Super Bash.
Next up is: Memory 5: Hospital