Chapter 4: Excuses Maybe
"Ah~~~"
"Nanoha, stop screaming like a madwoman and please start helping us in cleaning our room. Our new roommate will arrive soon."
"Hehe~ Sorry Arisa-chan~" the auburn haired stood up from her seat and took the broom that was beside her. It was 5:30 pm yet Nanoha, Arisa, and Suzuka cleaned up their room for the incoming new roommate of theirs on a 4-person room. Because transferring in the middle of the year, plus entering the dorm is such a rare event on Uminari All-Girls School, all three of them wanted their dorm to be at least presentable for the newcomer.
"A newcomer in the middle of the year is quite rare isn't it?" Suzuka asked
"But according to Hayate, aside from the T. Harlaown twins, her cousin Signum and an underclassman of theirs will transfer too" Arisa noted
"Heh~ I wonder what happened to their previous school…" Nanoha wondered
"Oh by the way, I heard that their underclassman that will transfer here is rumored to be Subaru's ex-lover" Arisa chuckled
"Eh?! For real?! I couldn't even imagine Subaru-san having a lover…" Suzuka exclaimed
"She's a bookworm and a top student. She seemed to be uninterested when it comes to love since it will only make her lose her concentration."
"You're a bookworm and a top student too, Nanoha. You seemed to be uninterested when it comes to love too. Until a certain rude blonde come into the picture" Arisa smirked
"Eh? What do you mean?" the auburn haired asked
"Clueless" Arisa muttered
"Ahahaha~" Arisa chuckled
The three of them continued to chat until they heard a knock on their door. Sensing that it might be their new roommate, all three of them continued to clean on light speed until it was done. Finally, they opened the door revealing a Blondie with a pick luggage on one hand and her phone on another. Their eyes were filled with sparkles when they saw Alicia on her casual clothes. She is really beautiful at that time that the three happy friends were mesmerized by her. (Though it's not the same case how Nanoha was mesmerized by Alicia's younger twin). Helping with her luggage, the four of them sat in the chairs afterwards.
"You could have thought that you will be our new roommate, Alicia-san~" said Arisa
"Hehe welcome~" Nanoha added
"We might be a little dork but please take care of use" Suzuka bowed
"Hehe thanks. To be honest with y'all, my twin is supposed to be moving here when we got the room assignments yesterday. But I figured she oughta cause trouble if her roommates were not Hayate-chan and the others. You see, they're the only ones that my twin ever socialized with in our old school, they're also our childhood friends." Alicia explained
"I've been meaning to ask you this, what's up with the mass transferring to our school?" Nanoha asked
"I was supposedly not to transfer with Fate and the others but, my parents kinda forced me to. To watch for that devil little sister of mine. As for the reason why Fate and the others transferred here, that I don't know."
"Isn't it hard to have a little sister like Fate?" Arisa asked
"Not really. I know she has something going on with her life that she cannot tell us. She used to be a sweet child y'know? She would do things that will make anyone smile without a doubt. But 3 months before our elementary graduation, she suddenly changed into a person we don't know." the blond sighed
"I guess people change huh? Well we have one person here who changed drastically from honor student to spazzing student."
"I kinda agree with you Suzuka hahaha"
"Oh. I think I know who two are referring to. I don't know who is the one that caught Nanoha-san's attention though" Alicia chucked
"Her name starts with the F and ends with the letter E~"
"Oh my. So you mean to say that Nanoha-san is attracted to my younger twin" Alicia faked a gasp
"What?! N-No! I'm not attracted to Fate-chan" Nanoha became flustered because of Alicia's remarks. (The other three are amused with her reactions that strengthen their suspicions).
"Ho~ and you even added –chan to her name~ let's heart what you've got to say, Takamachi-san" Arisa smirked
"This is the first time I saw Nanoha-chan being in denial"
"Nanoha-san's reactions are simply amazing. Hehe"
"So, Takamachi-san, please explain!"
"Err… I've got nothing to explain in the first. I was just held captive by Fate-chan's scarlet eyes that deem unlimited burdens and other loneliness. I admire her yes, but I don't think I'm attracted to her like her fans are" Nanoha closed her eyes as she said those while picturing Fate's eyes on her mind. Even though she and Alicia have the same eyes, for some reasons, the auburn-haired has taken interest on the younger T. Harlaown's eyes.
"Dreaming of your prince eh?" Arisa nudged the dreaming Takamachi
"No! Of course not!"
"hahaha" the roommates continued to have their usual chat about their school, Alicia's life, and of course teasing Nanoha with Fate. For some reason, Nanoha was not bothered by the fact that her friends wanted her to go after the younger blond, unlike the time Arisa and Suzuka persuaded her to accept the confession of the school librarian named Yuuno. Nanoha remembered the time when she almost puked at the time when Yuuno asked her to be her girlfriend. She swears that she needed to go at the toilet at the time. But when she thinks about Fate asking her to be her girl, somehow she felt warm inside, a sensation like she never felt before. The auburn-haired never even wished for that sensation to vanish.
"This year and the next will be an interesting year, don't you guys think?" Arisa smiled
"With new addition to our class, yes, this will be an interesting year indeed" Suzuka agreed
"For this year and the following, please look after me" Alicia bowed down
"An interesting year… hehe"
Meanwhile…
Not minding the usual curfew of their school, Fate and Signum raced towards the rush hour of the street just to get in a particular district of the town they're in. Although she is still a 15-year old middle school student, Fate had the privilege to acquire a Driver's License at such early age. And here they were, Fate riding an MV AGUSTA F4CC Motorcycle while Signum drove a Lamborghini Aventador LP1600-4 that Fate also owned. Together, they were sent by Hayate to execute a mission regarding the most recent ambush that Vice reported. Fixing her receiver, Fate spoke to Signum while her eyes still on the road.
"Hey. Are we there yet? The hall monitor will go one by one on the rooms soon you know?"
"Master Hayate said she will pull some strings up. Let's just trust her, Testarossa"
"If you say so…" with a little doubt on Hayate, Fate sent a Morse code to Teana who is currently on her way towards their school. For some reason, she felt that Hayate wouldn't manage to outsmart the hall monitors without her help, even Signum said so.
"What's wrong Testarossa? I just heard you sending Lanster some Morse code."
"It's just a precaution. I got a feeling that something bad will happen."
"You're thinking too much, Testarossa"
After a minute of having their eyes forward, they finally arrived at slums of District 12, a district that most gangsters hang out. They were here to gather import information regarding the Numbers. The two of them entered a familiar bar where an old friend of theirs worked at. An old friend that Fate cursed all her life ever since meeting her, an old friend she wished dead.
"Welcome to Dansk52~"
"Is Ginga Nakajima on duty?" Signum asked
"She's on the storage room right now. Wait, I'll call her"
"So Testarossa, how's the feeling that you get to face Ginga again after so many years?"
"It's only been a year and a half, Signum. Meh. I don't have feelings. Though you can say that I feel guilty because she looks exactly like Subaru… and you know what happened right?"
"I still remember that you indirectly caused Teana and Subaru's break up. They were so in love with each other at that time, while being in 5th Grade…"
"Meanwhile, the senpai hasn't got any lover since birth… how should I feel about that?"
"Happy?"
"No."
"If it isn't Signum and Fate-san." Hearing a familiar sweet but rather semi-husky voice, the two turned around to see Ginga Nakajima.
"It's been a while Ginga."
"…"
"Aren't you gonna say the same, Fate-chan~?" Ginga teased
"Shut up Nakajima."
"I'm just joking~ so yeah, it's rare the two of you to visit me in this time of the night. I take you wanted some information yeah?"
"Sharp as usual aren't we?"
"It's an honor to receive such compliment, Fate-san"
"So let's get to business"
Heading towards the secret room of the bar, Ginga handle them down possible list of all the information from the illegal exchange regarding the notorious gang all over the Uminari City. Scanning the whole documents, both Fate and Signum were unsatisfied with the information given since no single information cannot be traced about the "Numbers".
"Ginga, I'm grateful for this but, do you have any information regarding the Numbers?" Fate asked. Ginga meanwhile jolted from Fate's question.
"Judging from your reaction, you know something" Signum looked at the other girl with he ever cold eyes.
"Before I could say anything, just promise me that you will help Teana and Subaru get together again. Also, don't ever say this to anybody else."
"Rest assured."
"You see, me and my older Cinque is a member of that gang. I will not say anything about our boss. But trust me, if you are here because of that recent attack on your gang, we, sisters, didn't even participated on it. Knowing the both of you, you want some thrill so yeah; I won't say anything regarding the attackers. Be aware that our boss attend the same school as you two, judging from your uniforms. Be aware that she might be in the same class too."
"Heh. You never fail me Ginga. If the two of us didn't drift apart because of "that", we're happily dating by now."
"I would doubt that Fate."
"Enough of that flirting, let's go Testarossa"
"We're going now, Ginga"
"Be safe and take care the both of you."
Especially you Fate… I love you so much…
It was already 8:00 pm when Fate and Signum exited the premises. The two of them were dog tired and wanted to lie on their beds. But it seems fate doesn't want it when a group of thugs surrounded them with knives. As much as possible, Fate doesn't want to let out the beast inside her with the enemies being small fries. She then commanded Signum not to bring out her precious knives and let the battle decided by their fists only.
"Such beautiful ladies in the middle of the night ready to fight eh?"
"As much as we want to have fun, we want the keys to your prized treasures and some cash for booze"
"Give it to us and you can live the day again"
"Heh. In your wildest dreams… Signum!"
"You got it!" at Fate's command, both Signum and her executed a left jab at the thugs beside them. They rained uppercuts to whomever thugs they see and kick them in the ground afterward. The two were invincible with those karate and judo moves they were executing. It was a mere minute when they finished defeating the annoying thugs. They think it was all over and ready to ride until Fate collapsed to the ground… bathing in her own blood afterwards.
"Testarossa!"
"ack!" Alicia flinched when she felt a sharp pain on her back side. She didn't even do some stressful and exhausting activities today yet she felt pain and jolted because of it. Hearing Alicia's cry of pain, the other three rushed to her said and tried to ease her.
"Oh my gosh Alicia. Do you want some ice for your back?" Arisa asked
"I'm fine… it's just that… this occurrence is rare… I've never felt like this before… even when I do exhausting job."
"Ne, let's go to Fate-chan's room…"
"Nanoha, if you want to confess your feelings, do it tomorrow." Arisa rolled her eyes
"No! I suggested it because of the fact that I read once… it's about the twin sensing if the other twin is in danger."
"Seriously, that's stupid. I mean, Fate is probably sleeping now…"
"or is she?" Suzuka added
Hearing Suzuka's remarks, Alicia's eyes widened and immediately rushed to her younger twin's dorm room with tears in her eyes. (The three happened to follow her since they were worried). Even though she might be the worst sister in the whole world to others, Fate is Alicia's most important person in her life. She couldn't bear to see her twin getting injured or suffering, she will be the same herself. Reaching the front dorm of the room, she knocked and was immediately greeted by Hayate.
"Cia? What're you doing here?"
"Where's Fate?" she asked with eyes full of tears
"You need something Alicia?" Hayate got out of the way and revealed the person Alicia wanted to see the most. Alicia smiled contentedly and hugged her twin.
"Thank god you're okay Fate…" she whispered
"Why would I be not?"
"Nothing… Good night Fate…"
"Yeah Goodnight…" Upon saying their goodnights, the roommates (without Nanoha) went back to their rooms. Hayate, who noticed that Nanoha was still in their doorsteps, tried to initiate a conversation with the frowning auburn-haired.
"Nanoha-chan?"
"What happened to Fate?"
"What do you mean? You saw her right? She's all good."
"She's not Fate."
"Eh? How can you say that?"
"Because the color of Fate eyes was a deep shade of scarlet red. Her nose is much pointer, and her voice is rather calm and semi-husky. Unlike the Fate that got out of this room. If my hunch is correct, that person could be Teana Lanster in disguise. The fourth and last person to transfer this year, coming from your old school."
"You are shard and bright, Nanoha-chan. If only I have no feelings for Rein, I would've asked you out"
"So, what happened to her…?"
"I shall to you what happened with one condition, never tell Alicia this okay?"
"Got it."
"You see, Fate and Signum sneaked out to buy food in the convenient store. But things got a little shady and they got into a fight with some local thugs who wanted their cash. They successfully won and was about to escape when one thug, stabbed Fate in the back with his knife. It was really unpredictable. It will be a lot of hassle to get her in the hospital, without even expecting that the two will get away with this. So the best method, according to Signum is to bring Fate her for a quick first aid."
"I know how to perform medical procedures… please allow me to" Nanoha, out of reflexes, bowed down.
"Nanoha-chan, why do seem to care about Fate when she only entered the school here today?"
"I don't know why too… but something tells me that she needs company… I can see sadness in her eyes and I want to replace them with joy…"
"You will not stop until I say no, yeah?"
"Of course…"
"I guess I leave that job to you then… and Nanoha-chan, please do resurrect the old Fate and make feel that she's loved by her friends and family… I have a feeling that only you can do that…"
"Yes… of course… I would be willing to" Nanoha smiled
"Thank you…"
"ugh…"
"Oh~ you're finally awake Fate-chan~"
"We were so worried Senpai~"
"How are you feeling, Testarossa?"
Fate fully opened her eyes to see that she was transported in their room, to be exact, in her bed. She scanned the whole room and saw the three of them standing with such worried face plastered. She was about to get up when suddenly she felt a weight on her torso. Fate's face became red when she saw Nanoha sleeping.
"Be thankful to her, Senpai…"
"She begged me to let her treat your wounds ya know? Even though the two of you didn't get any formal introduction from one another."
"A lot has happened today yet, you're still lucky because on your first day, you got yourself some instant popularity and a cute girl treating your wounds. Aren't you glad Testarossa?"
"Nanoha-senpai even decided to stay here until you are awake, but yeah she fell asleep"
Seeing the innocent sleeping face of Nanoha, Fate can't help but smile at the sight. This was the first time someone's sleeping face captivated her. Moreover, a stranger by introduction's face. The blond caressed Nanoha's face then moved up to her auburn hair. She didn't even introduce herself to her properly yet this girl took care of her as if she was her friend.
"Say, do you guys know a good restaurant nearby?"
TBC
Author's Note: To be edited again…