Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own universe of Chrome Shelled Regios or the city of Zuellni. I do own Kibou and all of its inhabitants.

I wish I could say my last day at school was teary eyed. That everyone missed me and was sorry to see me go. That I had a bunch of goodbyes and parting gifts. I didn't, most of what I got was 'good luck at your new school' or the more elegant 'bye dude'. My favorite one was 'try not to get eaten by filth monster to fast'. The end of the day was pretty cool though. Last period all my closest friends threw a little party for me. It wasn't much just goodbye, good luck, and have some cake. It was mainly an excuse to have some cake and to get the period off. My teacher who is normally stingy was okay with it. Even the cruelest and strictest teachers have a heart. Plus we promised to give him some cake. After the party I decided to walk home alone.

"Hey wait up" my friend Tori called out.

"Hi Tori, did you follow me all the way from the school?" I replied. We where about a mile away from the school by now and I was surprised she followed me. She was wearing a red shirt with a big pink heart in the middle surrounded by 12 smaller hearts each a different color. She had on teal sweatpants. Tori's dark red hair reached down to her mid-back and was flowing out behind her as she ran. She was also a good head shorter than me. Not that I was particularly tall at 6 ft.

"Yeah dummy it's your last day I can't believe you thought I'd let you walk home alone" She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Tori normally tried to walk me home. Its not that she had a crush on me or that there was anything between us just that we got along more than anyone. I guess you could say she was my best friend, probably the only person aside from my family that I would miss.

"Sorry I just left without thinking, I got a lot on my mind" I confessed. "Plus I'm pretty scared too". I was telling the truth. Not only was a going to a new school, but a new city. I would have to dorm and wouldn't know anyone. Nothing would be familiar.

"Is it because you're taking a wandering bus and have a high chance of getting eaten?" She inquired innocently.

"No actually it's was because I was going to a new school but thank you for reminding me" I shot back annoyed, another thing to pile unto the list of uncertainties and worries.

"Sorry about that, but hey you're a big bad military artist now" she said giggling.

"I'm glad the fact I might die amuses you" I replied rolling my eyes.

"Oh come one Hikaru I have faith that you won't die, and you can take on any big scary filth monster" Tori stated. She sincerely believed this too, it was a shame I didn't. "Well don't worry about what you can't change right? We're at your house" Tori said bluntly and matter of fact.

"Guess so" I actually didn't want to stop talking to Tori. No matter how annoying or morbid she can be it was a comfort talking to her. I always felt like I could be open with her and she wouldn't be judgmental.

"Well if we're guessing then I guess you should hurry onto your new life" Tori said sadly. We both stood there in silence for a couple seconds. 'Oh ya!" Tori shouted instantly brightening up. "I can believe I almost forgot!"

"You almost forgot what, to shatter my eardrums by shrieking" I scolded half in amusement half in annoyance.

"No your goodbye presents silly" She pouted.

"My goodbye presents? Tori you didn't have to get me anything" I stated.

"Oh shut up you know you're happy I got you something" Tori said smiling. It was true; I was pretty much glowing with joy that she remembered me. Getting me a present was above awesome. "So for your first present" she mumbled while searching through her book bag. "Here it is". She took out a small lavender box. It looked kind of like something you could put engagement ring in. You could tell the box was worn, old, and precious. She smiled and suddenly looked very vulnerable. She opened the box and inside was her great grandmother's crystal butterfly necklace.

"Tori I can't accept this" I hastily replied. I was completely shocked, this necklace meant so much to her. Her great grandmother gave it to her on her death bed, or at least that's what I had heard.

"Please Hikaru" she pleaded. She looked at me with such hope in her eyes. I had absolutely no idea what to do, so I kind of winged it.

"Um okay, thanks Tori." She instantly brightened up and seemed to fill with energy and confidence. She seemed absolutely radiant. She took the necklace out of the box and put it around my neck.

"Never forget me okay" Tori said dead serous yet playful. I looked her in the eyes; you know I never realized how bright her brown eyes were. They seemed to just drag you in, make you feel secure, and like you never want to look away. "Whenever you feel lost or alone just hold this necklace. Focus on an image of the person you care about most and you will be able to connect with them. My grandma said something sappy like that. Even though it sounds totally fake I thought it was a nice." Her voice had a melodic tone I had never thought about either. It was smooth and soft, and it sounded like she was singing when she talked. It brought a sense of warmth and comfort, like a mother talking to her child, soft yet strong. "Always wear this necklace and remember me okay" Tori said.

"Ok" was about all I could manage.

"You know Hikaru I had always dreaded this day, I knew you were special for some reason. Something told me you would have to go away one day" Tori confessed. "I did say that was my first gift right?"

"Tori this is more than enough, more than you know". She had given me knowledge that I was leaving something behind. Something more important than anything I knew.

"No, it would be wrong not to give you this next gift, plus I want to give it" Tori said and blushed. She leaned in close to me, I could hear her breathing. We looked straight into each others eyes, and she kissed me. I lost everything in the moment, all sense of time and all sense of reality. I forgot where and who I was. I only knew what mattered to me, I only knew her. I don't know how long it lasted, but I wish it could have lasted forever. She broke off first. "There's your second gift, like it?" she asked innocently.

"More than you know" I said. Later I would regret that I didn't say something cooler or suave or overall in general better. Maybe though, my open honesty and inability to be cool or superficial was what Tori liked about me.

"Good because it was mine and your first" She admitted. "I'm really going to miss you Hikaru".

"I'm going to miss you to Tori, I promise to write everyday" I proclaimed.

"Not everyday of course, you'll be busy, but how about, hmm weekly or so" Tori said jokingly. "Truthfully whenever you can."

"I promise" I replied

"Okay. Well…this is goodbye" Tori choked out.

"It's not goodbye Tori, it's more of see you later. I will come back" I promised

"I guess it is" she squeaked her cheer instantly coming back. "Promise you'll come back, pinky promise".

"We haven't done that since like 6th grade, but okay" I said secretly smiling. It was lame I know, but it was kind of cool at same time. We grabbed each others pinky's and promised to see each other again one day.

"Bye Hikaru, I mean see you later" She shouted, giggling and ran off

"See you later Tori" I yelled back and watched her run off. I watched her until she disappeared into the tangle of building and other people on the street. Tori had given me more than two gifts. She gave me this feeling burning in my heart now. She also gave me something to look forward to in Zuellni city. I now had a motivation, more than just having talent to defeat filth monsters, I had a reason.