Disclaimer: I do not own the Megami Tensei series or Lyrical Nanoha series. They belong to their respective creators.
Chapter 6: Explainations
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He ran.
The area was a dense forest, thick with bushes and densely packed tall trees. One cannot see much due to the leaves of the trees covering the entire sky, so visibility was low. Common sense dictates that one should slow down before accidentally tripping to unseen roots or carelessness.
Still, he continued running, not looking back in fear of the creatures of the dark, ignoring the landscape. He collided with a branch, and it must have made a gash on his face, but he didn't care. His life was at stake.
He could only heard the sound of running footsteps, his, but he didn't dare to stop, for there could be a chance that the creatures were silently moving towards him like a predator cornering their prey. He could feel his heart beating rapidly, his muscles screaming in pain at the punishment they received for overstretching themselves for the non-stop run he did. He knew he should stop, but fear and adrenaline made him move, for he did not want to face that creature.
Eventually however, he had to stop, hiding behind a large tree and catching his breath. He looked around while breathing heavily; it seems that he was safe…
"-Giggle-"
-! Spoke too soon.
He turned around in fear, the sound of something slimy moving. It was the only thing he could describe, like someone, or something forcing them to drag their wet body, or more like a slug moving. Even as he tried moving backwards, his back hit the tree, and even though he could not see the body, he could see to yellow spots getting closer.
"Ahahaha…."
A parody of a smile was seen. Long black hair that covers half the face and yet the yellow eyes mouth was still visible. A body bended and twisted wrongly and walk like a broken mannequin. And one arm dragging a corpse of an object, it was unknown it was a beast or a human, the damage dealt was so grotesque that one cannot tell what it originally look like.
He wanted to run, but found that his legs couldn't move. Looking down, he saw black tendrils and limbs holding him, and looking back at that thing, he saw large metal clippers that he did not know where she hid.
And it was closing in on one of his eye.
He screamed.
Takamachi Household
Makoto blinked as the sun shone through the covers. And blinked again when he realized he was not in his room, though he knew where he was. How he could not recognize really, since he had been here a few times, and he could guess why he was sleeping but that still begs another question.
Why was he sleeping in Takamachi Nanoha's room?
…Nothing came to his mind. Shaking his head, the blue-haired boy slowly sat up straight, and to his surprise, there was no searing pain or agony anywhere, though he still felt a little tired. It could be because he slept too long, so he could understand it.
Huh, the boy thought while looking around, before at himself. The curtains were barely closed (sunlight still pass through between), and there wasn't anyone in sight. His clothes were also changed, though a much more comfortable cotton sleepwear, although he recognize that it wasn't his. There was even a futon beside him, though the fact that he's sleeping on Nanoha's bed, he could guess who slept there. He should apologize later to Nanoha for sleeping in her bed, injured or no.
There was the sound of door opening, and when Makoto looked, he was surprised to see Yuuno, the brown haired boy, there, and not in his ferret form, and wearing a green shirt and short pants. He was eating toast it seems, but when he looked at the fully-awake blue-haired boy, he froze in mid-eating, his mouth gaping in shock.
"You're awake!" Makoto was surprised that Yuuno let out such a loud voice, though he was even more surprised by the speed of the brown haired boy closing in on him, a look of genuine concern on his face. Ah, he dropped his toast.
Yuuno thrust his right palm forward, and a green magic circle appeared in front of it, and under Nanoha's bed. He didn't really know what he's doing but he guessed that it was a spell to check up on him. After a while, Yuuno sighed in relief.
"Good, it seems that you're okay now." Yuuno's sentence confused him, did something happen to him when he was asleep?
Yuuno must have seen his face, because he elaborated. "When we got you sent to Nanoha's house, you were burning up badly, and you were also pale. Healing you with my magic seems to make you skin more colourful but you weren't waking up till now."
It felt like there were a lot of parts skip, but for now, he should point out what's troubling him. "Yuuno, you're eating toast."
"Hm? Ah, yeah, Momoko-san made it earlier." He nodded, seemingly indifferent.
"I see, you had it from Momoko-san made it for you," it seems that he didn't really get it, so Makoto elaborated. "While you're in human form."
It seems the changeling finally understood what's troubling the blue-haired boy, because his expression became a little sheepish. Still he needed to ask anyway.
"They know?" It didn't take a genius to understand who 'they' was, so Yuuno nodded, though now a little downhearted. Wonder why.
Still, Makoto felt like a headache coming. "How about we start from the beginning? What happened after I fainted?"
"So let me get this straight, after I fainted, for two whole days mind you, Alisa called her butler to pick us up."
A nod from Yuuno.
"Then when I was in, they ask to go to Nanoha's house," He could understand that, because it's closer.
Another nod.
"Then when the Takamachi family asked how I got to that state, you apologized in front of them, talking and transforming and all."
A hesitant nod.
"I was then tucked to bed, and both you and Nanoha, though mostly Nanoha, were scolded all night, and in seiza position for a few hours."
This time the shapeshifter flinched, though either from the memory of being scolded or the fact he was forced to be in the position for a few hours, Makoto did not know. He did know how painful it was though to sit in that position for that long, the legs will be cramp fast when one isn't use to it.
"And then you apologized to the entire Takamachi family for troubling her and promised that you'll go after the Seeds, alone, which were denied mostly by the three girls, even after explaining the dangers, and why you pick it up."
Yuuno now seems to be in self-loathing. "Lost Logias are dangerous, even if they are sealed, I couldn't just let the people here be in danger. I was the one who found them, so it's my duty to seal them. And yet it's my fault that you, Nanoha and the others were caught in it. If I was a little stronger, then you wouldn't be injured and-ow!"
Makoto chopped his head.
"Idiot," he admonished the boy. "You're not troubling anybody. Nanoha chose to help you, and even if you didn't ask, she'll still help. She's that kind of person."
"But-!"
"What happened at school wasn't your fault; I don't think anyone could've foreseen it. But still, you and Nanoha acted to the best of your abilities, trying to keep us safe. Besides, it's better if one knows what's going on than be in the dark, right? Ignorance is not bliss."
Yuuno understood but still felt guilty. "But if I-"
"Look," the blue-haired boy felt the need to point it out. "One cannot change what happened in the past, and thinking about it wouldn't change anything. One should look forward to the future, and make sure the mistakes of the past will not happen again."
The ferret turned boy seemed surprise by those words, before he started chuckling and gave a sheepish smile. "You're surprisingly mature despite your age, huh, Yuuki?"
"Call me Makoto," he gave a gesture of a handshake, in which Yuuno accepted. "And to be honest, those words were from a book I read, though I do understand what it means."
"Hahaha…" An awkward laugh escaped from the other boy in the room, though it seems his mood got better at least.
"So anyway," Makoto left the bed and tried moving his body. A little stiff, but that'll be gone after moving a while. "Did anything happen when I was asleep?"
Yuuno, to his surprise, sighed, taking a seat on a chair nearby. "Nothing much. There weren't any Jewel Seed activating, even when scanning, so it was mostly Nanoha reconciling with the other two and her family, and me living here for a while." He blinked, as if forgotten something. "Ah, right, here's your change of clothes."
Yuuno pulled out a bag and opened the zipper. Inside it, he could see his clothes and school books, even a towel. Makoto blinked. "Thank you, but why is my stuff here? For that matter, why am I not at my house?"
"We actually did want to, but before we could, Momoka-san got a call from someone name Sayuri. She said that the family had an emergency meeting, and she was asked to come back quickly." -! "It was too sudden for her, so instead she asked the Takamachi family to take care of you after giving the house keys to them."
Makoto frowned. If Sayuri-san was asked to go back and she easily accepted, then that means it's the order from his grandpa, the family head. But what could've happened that would need even his caretaker? He couldn't think of a reason for it. But whatever it was, it should be important. And that means she wouldn't be back for a few days at least.
"I see," he took out the towel from the bag and tried to take a bath, but decided to ask Yuuno first. "What time is it anyway? Is anyone at home?"
"Momoka-san's in the kitchen, and it's around eleven," Makoto sighed, that means no school for him today either.
"Speaking of which," Makoto blinked and 'hm?' as Yuuno looked at him. "Do you mind if we have a talk? I want to ask you a few things."
"Sure, after I take a bath." He walked out, with his towels and clothes piled up and ready. He could ask by telepathy, but since he's not at school, why not take the time?
Sometime later
"So what do you want to talk about?" The blue-haired boy dried his head with a towel, now fully clothed again. He sat on the floor, not wanting to be rude enough to sit on Nanoha's bed.
"First off, you're not a Belkan Mage are you?" Makoto was confused, so there's a difference in magic? Well, he did know that there were different sword styles, so it could be the same with magic.
Makoto shook his head as an answer.
"I see," Yuuno was deep in thought before muttering. "But that doesn't explain how you are able to do magic…"
Is that all he wanted to know? Makoto thought. "That's easy, actually."
"Eh?"
"I got it after touching one of those Jewel Seeds."
"Eh!?"
Yuuno inspect him again, checking any signs of damage or any changes, but when he found none, he was confused. "But you're fine, right? No scarring or anything?"
"Nope," the blue-haired boy shook his head. "It was already sealed actually, I mean, you were there if I remember correctly."
Now the ferret-turned-human was confused, so Makoto elaborated. "I mean at the hot springs. "
"Wait, the hot springs!? You mean to say you were there!?"
Makoto shook his head. "No, technically I wasn't there before. I do know my body moved there after touching the seed, so maybe it's by instinct, or maybe the Jewel Seed I touched was resonating with another and brought me there. My memory's kind of hazy but I do remember a few things like myself screaming in anger at something there, but that's all I could remember before my mind went red."
The other boy remembered the roar that sent chills down his spine, and if what Makoto said is true, that means that he was the one letting that bestial shout. Though he didn't seem to remember the destruction he caused, so it could be done by whatever that possesses him. Maybe the Jewel Seeds were sentient, or maybe it was a wish he didn't realize he had? He himself didn't see the form that Nanoha described to him when he was with the blue-haired boy during the unison, so could it be that…
Yuuno shook his head. For now, he decided to focus more on the important stuff. "What else you remember?"
Makoto described everything, from the static like feeling, and the green world. Although when he told Yuuno this, he seemed shocked.
"Wait, the green world also happened before?"
He nodded. "Yeah, usually every midnight, I was awake a few times, but I thought it was just a natural phenomenon. Sure it's a little disturbing, but eh."
Yuuno was now deep in thought again. "Does that mean that it's something unique to this world? But then why did people turn to coffins? Is there a reason for it? Is the green world itself natural? It sounds like a barrier, but such a large scale, and nobody notice it? It could be related to mages, but I myself haven't experience it like before. Could it be that his magical prowess is related to it?"
"Wow," Makoto muttered in awe. "You really are thinking it through."
He didn't even believe that he'll be able to think up even half of what Yuuno is talking about.
Yuuno became embarrassed. "Sorry, it's just that I'm an archaeologist, and trying to understand what it does, as long it's not too dangerous, mind you, really interest me."
"An archaeologist?" Makoto blinked. Never expected that. "That's cool."
Yuuno was now sheepish. "Ahehe, it was exciting checking ruins and uncovering stuff with my clan. There were a few dangers, but it was usual for me."
Even though he sounded happy, Makoto could tell that he sounded detached when saying clan. "Clan? You mean that you're…"
A sad smile formed from Yuuno's face. "Yeah, I'm adopted."
There was a feeling of oppressive atmosphere, and it felt really tense. It was uncomfortable to Makoto, surprisingly, and he didn't know what to do or say. Yuuno seemed to realize it too, and he hastily tried changing the topic.
"B-but we're getting off topic, so you're not a Belkan Mage? But that doesn't explain what your powers are or what you've summon…"
"Persona,"
"Huh?"
"That's what Orpheus is called, Persona." Makoto scratched his head. "To be honest, I don't really know what Orpheus is. But somehow, when I first look at him, it's like I know him, like a part of me, and yet at the same time, it's like a part of me that was just uncovered. I don't know why, but it felt right."
"Persona…?" Rather than confusion, it was more of recognition that came from Yuuno's tone of voice.
"Is it familiar?"
Yuuno shook his head. "I'm not really sure. I remember reading an ancient text somewhere, but it was all muddled up and broken, so most of my clan regarded it as useless as it was almost unreadable."
"Ho."
"The strange thing was that the damage done wasn't because of deterioration or environmental damage, but it was done by human hands, as if nobody wanted it to be found out, understood or read, although the word 'uson' was the only thing readable in the text, nobody knows what it means."
"That 'uson' word's kinda weird," Makoto then realized what he's thinking about. "Wait, you're not talking about…ペルソナ(perusona)?
Yuuno nodded. "That's right. It might be far-fetched, but there's a possibility that it's actually what that word is. And it means that your power is somehow connected to the hidden history of Ancient Belka."
"You also said those words two days ago. What do you mean?"
Yuuno crossed his legs. "I guess I can explain. The hidden history is not so much hidden; it's more of an unknown time where there were no past records of it happening. It was guessed that it happened during the Belkan War, a world scale war which at time where different ideologies and power clash." Makoto was reminded of Japan's Sengoku Period or World War.
"Of course, since there were in a war, the possibility of objects of the past destroyed was fairly high, but just from a few items found, one could tell how bloody the history was, from the damage done and hidden reports of the victor and the defeated.
The hidden history was found and written in the records, where, for some strange reason, it was recorded that all of the countries at war had a two years of peace, without a single battle written, or much information uncovered to be more accurate."
"That's a little hard to believe," Makoto, who reads histories of World War, knew how impossible it was, unless they were at the end of the war. When he voiced his concern to Yuuno, the archaeologist nodded, but then explained. "I would agree, if it didn't happen during the time the war became more chaotic."
In other words, where the war was becoming more deadly and was at it's peak, it suddenly became a two year peace. …How the heck does that even happen?
"Everyone who learned about it found it to be ridiculous, and there are many that said that the record found to be wrong. My clan are the few to actually believe that something was happening at that time. It could be something a moment of war so horrible they erased it, or it could be a something else. And personally, I think the text most of my clan described as garbage is related to it in some way."
"I see," the blue-haired boy was thankful as it was educational. He could understand the human need to know something, even if they fear the unknown.
But still, if this continues, the topic he wanted to ask will be forgotten.
"Speaking of Belkan," Makoto interrupted. "You're talking about Belkan Mage stuff like you're not one of them. Is there actually a difference?"
Yuuno nodded, closes one eye and had a hand closed except the index finger, and wagging it like a lecturer, though Makoto felt like he will be one the future. "You could say that it's mostly the style and abilities one focused in. Like me and Nanoha, Mid-Childa focused more on long-range capability and bombardment, though the range of what magic we could do is large.
The Belkan has two categories, in this case Ancient Belka, focusing on anti-personal combat, mostly melee. I remember that here on this planet they have knights and warriors? It's similar to that; the style is for close range battle
The other one, Modern Belka, is also combat oriented, but focused more on enhancing physical abilities and weaponry, and more of a combination of Ancient Belka and Mid-Childa one. It's not very popular though, due to its ineffectiveness to long-range fights."
Yuuno put his finger down, look at the now attentive Makoto. "There's also many other styles, but for now we're focusing on yours, which should be Belkan in nature."
"I see," Makoto nodded. "It's because of Unison?"
"Correct, as far as I know, it can only be done with Unison Device, and those are only made for Belkan Mage. Although yours could be called Belka, it's also possible that yours is from an unknown or undiscovered branch."
"Hm…" Makoto was deep in thought, gripping his fist. That means his was combat in nature, which should be useful for helping the other two. Still… "Yuuno, is it possible a Mid-Childa to learn a Belkan style of magic and vice versa?"
"Huh?" Yuuno looked surprised, but slowly shook his head. "I believe so, but's it's rarely done, due to conflicting styles. Belkan's more of mass weaponry, objects that are non-magical in nature, and they are frowned by the TSAB due to the damage in the environment and life."
"TSAB?"
"The Time-Space Administrative Bureau, basically the interdimensional police. I did want to ask for help before, but it will take time before an official recovery could be done so I decided to head out myself."
Makoto wanted to ask why he went alone, but decided not to. He could guess that it's related to the feeling of responsibility he's having, even though he's a child. Though he couldn't say anything about it, since he himself is also one.
"Why do you ask anyway?" Yuuno stared at him in confusion.
"I want to learn some magic," Makoto looked at the now surprised Yuuno. "Can you teach me?"
"Ehhhhh!?"
Tsukimura Residence
"Makoto-kun, are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine, Suzuka," he gave another sigh as the three girls, to his surprise were in their everyday clothes, checked up on him as he and Yuuno sat on the empty chairs while the girls were chatting away.
He will admit that he felt relieved that the girls were okay, but he was surprised that they weren't at school, until he was told that the place was damaged because of him and the Mages' fight against those shadow-like beings, so it was being repaired and the students there were given an unofficial holiday until further notice. It seems that a barrier was made to eliminate noise and change of scenery to the surroundings, which Alisa guessed the reason why the butler outside didn't realize what's happening to them when they're inside.
Unfortunately, it seems that it did not prevent the damage to the surroundings, with the ground having large cracks and some classrooms damaged and having holes, though he wondered why there were no traces of footsteps of him or the girls there, but then he realized that the barrier might have eliminated that. Really, how strange and specific, that barrier.
Also, it seems that the three families now knew about Nanoha's magic, though from what he was told by Yuuno, their surprise was more of the fact that he was an alien (that also surprised him, but he won't admit that), rather than magic was real, so it was possible that the families knew about magic of Earth beforehand, though that's only speculation.
It was the reason that the maids here that arrived to give snacks didn't even bat an eye by the appearance of the brown haired boy, because they have already met and were already introduced, judging from the fact that the maids here act like the usual, or maybe they were that professional.
He still felt it was too fast though.
Anyway, he was because he had been told by Momoka-san (after finish smothering) that the others were here, and she also requested that he brought Nanoha's cell phone that she forgot to bring to said girl. Yuuno joined in, mostly because he wish to be nearby for any incidents happening and not at the house.
He also taught Makoto a few spells and techniques by telepathy during the walk, though Makoto wished to test them later. Although, Makoto was surprised that he didn't actually see the card's image of a sun with a human face when he carried him, Alisa and Suzuka outside, though he did say that he did felt a sudden change in Makoto's magic power (guess that's why he was still at that time).
"It's quite a relief to see that you're okay," Alisa was smiling as she said this, before continuing. "But it's still surprising to see you up and moving."
The other two girls nodded in agreement.
"Well, like I said to Suzuka two days ago," Makoto took a bite of the cookie on the tray. "I'm a fast healer."
"Though I will admit it's a bit too unnatural," Makoto telepathically ask Yuuno. "Is there a chance for it to be related to what we discuss earlier, Yuuno?"
The boys didn't tell what they talk about in Nanoha's room earlier, at least not yet, mostly because they didn't want to worry the girls more, although it was also because Makoto requested it that Yuuno kept quiet.
"Maybe," Yuuno was scratching the neck of a cat that came near him. "It could be that the Jewel Seeds sped up your healing process by the increase of your latent magic power."
The talk then degenerated to simple discussions, from the usual everyday life and questioning of Nanoha's and Makoto's magic, though not much, in his case. There were a few times Alisa was angry, though it was mostly worry because of how Nanoha got hurt, and there was one time where the two girls were both surprised and embarrassed that there was also an incident happening at the pool (the girls thought it was an embarrassing dream). Makoto wasn't there at that time, but he did wonder why the created creature just removed clothing. Maybe they have a clothing fetish?
There was also a moment of surprise from Makoto, Suzuka and Alisa (it seems that they just heard it, maybe because they want all the group to be around and listen, Makoto thought), about the girl, Fate, Nanoha wanted to understand, one with such sad eyes (Makoto also knew, but since the girls didn't know he was there during hot springs incident, he kept quiet). All of Nanoha's friends had a moment of understanding, she was being her usual self, helping someone in danger, and no one could change that decision of hers, not that they wanted to, anyway. It was because of Nanoha they could meet and become friends.
Eventually however, they talk about what they were going to do today after this, and Makoto's reply surprised the three girls.
"Wait, you're going to train magic!?" That was from Alisa, her face incredulous.
"Yeah," Makoto nodded, before gesturing at Yuuno. "Yuuno told me that he's the one that taught Nanoha some magic, so he'll be a good teacher."
"No, no, no," Yuuno waved his hands in front of his face as all four children's gaze turn towards him. "I only taught her the basics, the others were all Nanoha's improvisation and imagination."
"But it is true that I learn many from Yuuno-kun, and because of his teachings I can be good as I am now." Said teacher was now scratching his cheek in embarrassment.
"Then, I'll be in your care, Yuuno-sensei." The blue-haired boy bowed to the other boy.
"You don't have to call me sensei, you know!"
"Then, Yuuno-senpai," it seems the blue-haired boy was completely serious with his words, or maybe he was just too formal.
"Again, you don't have to call me that. Just call me Yuuno; we're of the same age, right?"
Makoto was confused at that. "But we're not."
"Eh?" All the other four were surprised to hear that.
"I mean, you're around the same age as Nanoha, right Yuuno? That means you're older than me."
"Makoto-kun," Nanoha asked with her eyes wide. "How old are you, exactly?"
"…Nearly eight?"
There was sudden silence, not even the sound of wind blowing or animals making a sound (and with a lot kittens that's usually noisy here, that's an achievement). It felt like the world actually stopped at the declaration. Then,
"Ehhhhh!?" Why are all of them surprised? And why the heck that he could hear a few more voices shouting the same?
Makoto sighed.
Suzuka was walking around her house, deep in thought.
When she saw Makoto transforming into the white-haired form again, she excused herself, saying that she should get some first-aid kid in case of injuries. Nobody protested to her (hidden) surprise, and Yuuno explained that magic was not omnipotent, and one should be ready for any case. Indeed, for her who mainly trains in physical activities, which was for her to be ready for her future successful engineer, she understood that accidents could happen. She had a few injuries happening to her, though thankfully they were minor.
However, to her, what she said just now could be called a lie.
When she heard Nanoha described her adventures as a magical girl, she was happy that her friend had become one, and yet at the same time also felt jealous about it. Why, why couldn't she be the one who heard Yuuno's plea for help? Why couldn't she be the magical girl?
She remembered what she and Alisa asked, if it was possible for them to learn magic. Yuuno explained that he could, but there's also a chance that they don't have any magical capability, though it was mostly because Earth's population was largely considered to be non-magical, although there were exceptions.
Her jealousy grew, but at the same time she was afraid that the answer given would devastate her. Maybe she had, maybe she had not. But even though she's a really rich girl (Makoto would call the rich part to be an understatement), there were also dreams of a nine-year old girl she had, and for her going to know she did not have it scared her more.
Her feelings were cooled when Nanoha continued her story.
Suzuka understood a little, that it was hard. The tree incident could have been prevented if Nanoha was more active, but when she dismissed it, Nanoha now understood what would happen if left unchecked. Even though it was already solved, Nanoha felt guilty about it and pushed herself, almost too hard.
Even when Nanoha got hurt, when she saw the other girl who was beautiful yet full of sadness, Nanoha still want to help her, because she was in trouble. One could say she was a busybody but Nanoha was kind and has a big heart, so she wished to help. She knew that if either she or Alisa were to be chosen, she might have not made the same choice. (Of course, if Makoto knew what the purple haired girl had thought, she would receive a scolding from him.)
Remembering two days ago, she felt her heart clench. She caught a glimpse of what Nanoha was experiencing when doing her duty as a magical girl, and when she tripped and twisted her leg, she honestly thought that that was the end of her life. She could see her past flashing quickly before her eyes, and she felt regret at causing despair to her two escaping friends and the girl who made them friends in the first place.
That was stopped when she saw the white-haired being appeared and stood in front of her, like a knight protecting the princes.
Even though she didn't see the humanoid's face before Makoto re-summoned him again, for some reason, the being felt like Makoto. It may be a trick of her mind, but she honestly felt that, at that time, Makoto was the one protecting her.
Of course, when he heard the boy's scream of pain from behind her, she was surprised and worried, so much that she actually forgot her leg pain. (Yuuno heal it after the school incident)
Even when Makoto transformed and fight, she was still worried, and a little afraid. But rather than the fact that she might die, she was worried that Makoto pushed himself too hard and died because of protecting them, and indeed, her fear for him rose when he was blown towards the ceiling.
She didn't want that, she didn't want her friend to die, not wanting to know her friend died because of her careless trip. As such, she tried finding a solution, looking around for something, anything to help the boy.
When she saw the blade that was stabbed to the ground before, the first thought she had was to join in the fight, but she knew she was a liability in the battle even without her injured leg hindering her, but even with that thought, she approached the weapon. She could hear the sound of someone muttering in surprise, but she didn't really listen, only lifting the weapon out from the concrete, which to her surprise was light, very light.
Suzuka also noticed that Makoto seemed to be taking glances at his weapon, the lyre, and it took her only a moment after watching him fight that the weapon was too heavy and too slow to fight against the agile birds. He needed a weapon that was lighter than it, and allow him to even the odds.
She had it, so she took action.
There were a lot of things happening after that, and even though she was glad to ease her friends' burden, when the blue-haired boy fainted, she was fearing that he truly died, and while Yuuno revealed that he was just too tired and fell asleep, she still felt guilty for the fact it was because of her and Alisa that became that state.
Even so, she was also happy. Makoto pushed himself that hard for their sake and to make sure they didn't get hurt. In a way, he was already similar to Nanoha in that state. And that's why she understood; the two were stubborn and follow what they believed to be correct, which on most cases were, and protect what they cared for, and will not care about themselves getting hurt.
That doesn't mean she has to like it.
Suzuka shook her head. For now, she should quickly get the first aid kit and return.
Only, when she got there she saw a strange scene.
Alisa was pinching and pulling both of Makoto-kun's cheek, Nanoha, in her white magical girl uniform, was frowning and angry, her arms crossed and the staff, Raising Heart held in her left arm, and Yuuno was scratching his cheek as he chuckled with an awkward expression. She could even tell that he was sweat-dropping.
Suzuka closed in on the other boy in their group and asked. "Yuuno-kun, did something happen?"
"Well, actually…" When the boy explained what happened, she blinked.
It seems that Makoto was a very fast learner; he managed to grasp most of the basics magic taught, even in his non-transformed state, though they were much weaker in that state. However, it seems that he cannot perform aerial manoeuvrability unless transformed, which Yuuno explain wasn't rare, though he confessed it's the first time he saw someone who could only fly well when transformed. Indeed, when he un-transformed in mid-flight, he fell down quickly like a rock, and if not for Yuuno's quick thinking, he might be injured again.
Alisa's cheek pulling happened after the third failure of trying to fly well, when she complained at Makoto for giving her a heart attack for pulling that stunt. But Makoto's indifferent attitude irritated her, and the cheek pulling commence.
"Nanoha's waiting for her turn to scold Makoto, by the way," Yuuno seemed to pity the boy, though he could understand their worry.
She would be too, after her turn of scolding Makoto for his recklessness, of course.
One week later
Makoto was shopping, checking out some snacks and a drink for him when he got back.
His flying skills in his Unison state (Orpheus mostly, he still avoided Jack Frost due to girls around him, both younger and older, especially Miyuki-san and Suzuka-san, seemed to be enjoy cuddling him when he's in that form) have improved quite well due to both Yuuno and Nanoha's instruction, in fact he was surprised how easy it felt. His untransformed state could levitate, but was mostly subpar compared to the manoeuvres his transformed state could do, which he will admit were a little complicated, but since he was fighting only when transformed, he's okay with it. He will try to improve it on a later date.
He was also taught other spells, like Round Shield, Binding and even Sealing, though the last one was more of a request from him, just in case nobody else was nearby to minimize the damage. He tried performing the barrier spell Yuuno usually casted, but it was much harder than it look. Offensively, he only learnt the Barrett spell, but that was mostly because he relied more on his Personas for most long range battles.
Still, even after sparring with Nanoha and the Takamachi siblings for magic and melee respectively (he was floored how strong Kyouya and Miyuki are, really), the trio, Nanoha, him, and Yuuno, though if he were to be honest, everyone, was worried of the lack of Jewel Seed activity.
Yuuno assumed that many of them are somehow in the ocean, though it's also possible that the other girl, Fate has found them already. Makoto wasn't sure that's the case, though if asked, he would call it a gut instinct. It's also possible that none of them activated yet, but the chances of that are low, with the seeds reacting to people's wish and regret after all.
There's also a chance that the black beings had them, but even after investigating most of the place (he even check it during the green world time, though he hadn't told anyone that yet), there were no traces of it, so they could only train until it activated.
Speaking of which, the maid of his house, Kano Sayuri wasn't back yet, so he's staying with Nanoha for now, but he came twice this week to his house for some house cleaning, helped by Miyuki-san usually, though the trio of girls also help (Nanoha, Alisa, and Suzuka respectively) and the key of the house was given back to him since he could be trusted with it, so it's all good. Although, he wondered what could make her be away for so long…
Makoto sighed, shaking his head. He's thinking too much again these days. And honestly, looking outside, he was surprised to see the place a little darker and filled with more people. He guessed it was almost evening. For now, he should just finish his shopping and… not again.
"…Why do people always put this one up high?" Makoto was giving a glare at the packet of popular snacks just above him.
It was quite popular with kids his age, and he really liked it when he tried it in Alisa's house (she's a fan of eating it when gaming). But why put it so high if they wish to sell it? Is it too unhealthy for children or something?
He could tell that he won't be able to reach it, even when jumping. He could try asking someone to get it, but he felt like it would be weird and annoying for a kid to ask a stranger. Just as he gave up and turned away…
"Here you go, boy."
He didn't actually recognized the voice of the person, who was definitely a young female, but when he turned, he saw a red long haired lady, wearing tight jeans and clothing's that could be called skimpy. She was holding the snacks he was aiming for in her hand, bringing it in front of him in a reachable height.
He accepted it. "Thank you, miss." The lady in question was also holding quite a variety of things in her arms, some boxes of dog food, a packet of bread and some drinks.
The red-haired teen (or at least that's what Makoto guess her age to be around) grinned in reply, waving her hands in front of him. "No, no, it's okay. I just saw you in trouble and decided to help."
Even though he was a stranger and didn't ask, she still helped him when she saw him in trouble. He guessed that she's just that type of person that has a soft spot for kids.
"Alph, are you done?" He blinked when he saw a very familiar twin-tailed blond hair girl appearing in his vision, her tone as he remembered before. When she saw him, however, she seemed surprised and a little on-guard, but then she blinked again, and seemed to realize who he was, if she still remembered him. "Eh? You're…"
It seems that she still remembered who he was. Looks like this day will be a little different…
-TO BE CONTINUED-
I do apologize for being very late in posting this, but rather than the fact that I had a writer's block, I actually took a break from writing to focus on real-life for some long months. It was half-complete at that time, but I decided to help a friend's project (acting mostly), though with that person done, I can focus back on writing, though I cannot be sure about the quality.
There was actually a scene before this (the first part) that I had written, but it didn't really flow as well as I wanted to, so I scrapped it for this chapter, though it'll be used in a certain future chapter. And yes, Makoto is younger than the girls and Yuuno. The year in this continuity is year 2000.
I feel like some of the words were wonky, but all in all, I'm actually satisfied on how the chapter turn out.
Answering review corner (for some I feel the need to be addressed):-
Guest: For now, no Velvet room. The Jewel Seeds are not related to Wild-Card users, but they are related by something.
Iark-ngel and DPSS: On that, I do agree I need a beta, but I feel bad for one who waited long for the chapter to be check before released when according to my inconsistent schedule.
Nine (I'll keep yours short): Sorry about that. As I say before, I did rush a lot with the chapter. While skipping fight scenes would be okay, if I skip them, I feel like I wouldn't improve much. And to be honest, when I reread the chapter, I didn't actually feel the things I wrote were mature and felt the undertone of romance, though that might be more of a problem with my mentality and childhood. I will admit I did get influenced by Lyrical Days, though that was mostly because it introduced the Nanoha series to me.
Also, Suzuka is the sporty one, in the drama CD; she nearly beat Miyuki, Nanoha's sister, in swimming.
TrimusicaDrag00n90: …Well, they won't get Personas, I can tell you that at least.
Anonymous: How do you make Shuffle Time into a sentence anyway? Sure, for people who know persona it would be what you said, but Makoto does not know yet.
For now though, I'll be rewriting the previous chapter and chapter two: first impressions, so you'll have to wait the next one for a while (just hoping it won't be long).
See you next time.
