So...my friend who is reading this story forced me to write this...*sigh* Why! Either way, I already mapped out the entire chapter so everything can run nice and smoothly... Eheh, hopefully... By the way, school started again...GGGGRRRRRRRR.
I changed the title to 'The Battle for Love' to 'The Battle for Victory'. Just because it sounds so cool. (≧∇≦)
Rated T because of SeeWoo's potty mouth.
A Few Hours Before The Battle...Back at Shining Sun...
SeeU's POV
My feet slapped the crooked pavement underneath my shoes as I ran towards the appearing shadow of the palace. My breathing was fast and harsh; my heart was beating loudly in my chest. The sun was scorching above and was practically barbecuing my exposed skin.
My damp hands clutched the edges of my dress up; helping my feet in running. The sweat dribbled down my forehead and my mouth was slightly open, a space for drawing in breathe.
A figure stood at the towering gates, his glare so cold and sinister.
"You're late, sis." SeeWoo pulled out our past father's pocket watch, stopping me from entering, like some old dude and showed me the time.
"I know! I'm not stupid, Aniki!" I half-yelled at my older brother. His expression didn't change but he nodded at Daisuke, the poor guy not realising his hard stare, rushed to open the huge iron gates, before dying under my brother's glare.
Still catching my breathe, which is not as easy as it sounds, walked inside. SeeWoo followed; refusing to make any eye contact.
"Being a baby again, Aniki?" I asked mockingly, not turning to see his expression.
A silence lingered around us, awkwardly. I tried coughing to break the silence—
"You met Mikuo at the market, didn't you." It was more of a statement than a question.
I gasped, giving in, turned around and gazed hard into his eyes. "I had to give him a farewell. A proper lady would do so."
SeeWoo returned the stare. "You aren't a proper lady, SeeU. You don't know how to cook, you suck at cleaning and you prick your fingers whenever you try to sew."
The blood boiled in my stomach, the truth sounded so vile when coming from SeeWoo. "You never ask me to do those chores since we have IA!"
"Well, we all know she's far better. And is probably the closest to being a proper lady, than you."
"Here you go again! Supporting Team IA even though she isn't in our argument!"
SeeWoo ignored my insult. "Stop trying to change the subject, SeeU. I know you met Mikuo because he came running in, too. Saying he was 'held back' by the crowd. That dip-wad. He probably had his eyes all over you, I mean here you come sweating and panting, your hair falling loose from your bun and your defenceless, cute face! I don't know why he hasn't made a move on you yet. It's probably because he wants to stay innocent in the eyes of the king."
"Oh shut up, you pervert! I know you are secretly jealous of Mikuo being a prince and being close friends with Prince Len! And you have ecchi dreams about my best friend! I know you want to smell, touch and kiss her! That's all you ever wanted!" I retorted as we made our way down to the kitchen.
"Me, jealous? Of Mikuo? Ha, as if. Who, IA? SeeU, I'm a gentleman. I don't go around in my spare time stalking her. I admire her from afar, compliment her, take her out on a date, pay for everything, kiss her hand, don't slurp my spaghetti and end the night with a small peck on the lips. See? I'm way better than Mikuo."
"Well, I know you'd do that on the first date but then you'd lose your zeal and probably frighten her! Soon you'd get her in trouble, I'd punch you on the mouth and get IA another man. And if you weren't such a perv, then why haven't you asked her out yet, huh? Too much of a coward? Thought so."
SeeWoo brushed off my words like it was mere dust, ditching the subject all together. How hurtful. "You're going to get it now. For being late. She's going to rip your head off, and you know it." His smug expression appearing, making me want to kick him in the groin.
"She had her chance a long time ago and she never did it." I replied, my eyes focused on the door leading to the kitchen.
We turned and entered the small, forgotten kitchen aka our small hangout, SeeWoo still lagging behind. Reol was slouching over the counter, his head resting lazily in his cupped palm chatting away to Irie while she focused on cooking. Ayano and Yuri giggled and snacked on their steaming hot pancakes. IA and Risa polished the trays and silverware, having small talk. Touya and Nobu pestered Masato for man advice.
Oh my! So many names! You probably want to know who they are right?
Reol and Risa Fujino are both related to each other but treat the other like garbage. Those two were abandoned in front of the palace gates, being a good woman, Irie took them in, and treated them like her own. Reol hates to admit it, but Risa is more mature than he'll ever be. They're both 18 and my senpai's. Reol is a waiter, and Risa is a gardener. They love their jobs (which isn't surprising) but we all know they chose separate careers just so they can get away from the other.
Irie Fujino is the Head Cook of the palace and her cooking is delightfully divine. She had fallen in love with Masato Araya, our bartender, when she first transferred here when she was 17 and when he was 18. She was the first to find Reol and Risa, in a woven basket, on the doorstep of the palace gates, early in the morning. When Masato found out, he immediately suggested to keep them, raise them as their own; together. So they did just that. The 'twins' were born smart, instantly knowing Irie and Masato weren't their real parents but didn't want to throw the love and care that had been offered so kindly to them, back at their faces.
Masato popped the question to Irie when she was 20, and proposed. They lived together and watched Reol and Risa grow up. Well, they watched over all of us; like guardian angels. Since most of us are orphans and we never really had parent-ly figures in our lives.
Ayano Mori and Yuriko Kuroda have—still are—been best friends since childhood. Like me and SeeWoo, they were raised in the castle since they were orphans too. When they were old enough, they moved into a cheap wooden, small three floored apartment-block-cottage-in-disguise that me, SeeWoo, Nobu and Touya live in. Luckily for us, the Araya's live just across the street.
By the way, even though Irie married Masato; Irie, Reol and Risa still use Fujino as their surnames; mostly the 'twins' use it.
Yuri (that's the cute nickname we gave her), obviously has the hots for Nobu, and vice versa. Ayano and Touya have a love-hate relationship, which I find cute. While on the subject of those two, they are both waitresses.
Touya and Nobu's status is basically the same as Yuri and Ayano's. They live on the top floor of our so-called-house. Yuri and Ayano live on the ground floor (because Ayano is acrophobic), me and SeeWoo live in the middle and the owner of the house lives in the extension at the back.
Oh yeah! Touya and Nobu are waiters.
We call Reol and Risa 'twins' because they look so much alike; it's almost frightening. They both have wavy, dark black hair and cold swamp green eyes. Reol isn't muscly but quite fast at running and, it's embarrassing to say this; but Reol is fairly handsome. Although his arrogant cocky attitude kills his looks. Risa. She's stunning. Her body is slender, graceful and stunning. Didn't I say that already? Oh well, it's still true. Risa is quiet but speaks when necessary and has a secret side of her's. A sly side. Risa enjoys being a man at times. From time to time, she eats like a pig, dresses like a beggar, talks drunk and is a little violent at times.
I know how it feels having a brother and feeling annoyed at being born as a female. They expect you to behave properly and ugh! It's not even possible to laugh it all away.
Irie has a kind yet demanding demeanor. She keeps us all under control and is like the Queen of The Staff. She has really, really dark brown hair which is mistaken as black sometimes, and hazy light brown eyes. She's around 5' 1 or 5' 3. Unlike his wife, Masato is around six foot, towering over most of us. Masato looks younger than he actually is because the bluenette acts like a three year old and is distracted easily. He's very overprotective when it comes to girls, and the ones he cares about. Masato has crazy, wild deep shadowy blue hair and peppy, grey-blue eyes.
Ayano's hair is the colour of rich chocolate, her eyes the shade of luminous violet. She's somewhat taller than Irie by only a few centimetres. Yuri is the shortest of us all. She's probably around four feet and has a height complex. People tease her on a daily basis thanks to her shortness. Nevertheless, she uses her height's advantages and can fit into small spaces. Yuri's baby blue eyes shine and are regularly lively. The pale strawberry pink hair on her head is up to her jawline and she is quite petite, yet a heavy eater.
Touya's the strongest one in our age and due to all the training, he earns a sturdy, muscular build. His hair is snowy white, with fiery, ferocious, bitter cardinal red eyes. Despite his friend's outer behaviour and tough manner, Nobu is the opposite. Nobu Matsuura has a kind, gentle calm collected personality. His eyes are golden brown and his soft, fluffy apricot coloured hair is usually a mess and is as chaotic as a zoo.
Then there's IA. My best friend, my sister from another mother. Not a surprise—she's an orphan too. She's really quiet but she talks often enough for me to have recognised her voice. She's a waitress, sadly. IA is entomophobic and refuses to touch fertiliser and/or soil. She has ghost white hair that is regularly braided into two sets of plaits, on each side of her head. Her hair is up to her feet, her eyes coloured cyan.
Woah. I rambled on and on, didn't I?
"SeeU! SeeWoo!" Ayano cried, the first one that spotted us entering.
"SeeWoo! Why are you here?" Reol turned and grimaced, while my own brother snorted.
"Why? Can I not escort a young lady to her destination? Especially if it's my sister, plus I would take an opportunity like this to greet you all." It was my turn to snort. Didn't he tell me I was nowhere near anything that was related to being a lady, just a few seconds ago? Woot! Now I have witnesses that have heard him call ME a lady.
"How dare you leave your post, you thick headed baboon! How can you leave Daisuke alone?!" Reol yelled, sliding off his seat, slowly nearing SeeWoo.
"True. I did leave him. So what? He's trained. The King didn't choose him so he can freeload during the job. Besides, Akemi is there. She's skilled too, you know. Stop underestimating the King's hand picked guards." His tone was cool; almost like he didn't care much for the argument.
I slid past the two old ladies and scurried towards Irie who didn't pay attention to the fight that Reol was currently losing at. "Is she angry?" I whispered, finding my voice shaking in my throat.
Irie finally looked up from her cutting board, brown eyebrow raised. "I doubt it." And looked past me—realising the fight, her eyes widening with anger.
Irie, marched to them, every step her aura getting thicker, and stood between them. "Shut your black holes. This isn't a zoo."
"It feels like a zoo." Risa stated as she and IA joined the mini circle that was forming in the centre of the room. Irie shot her a glare. "Go to Ann, already. Before she throws a fit."
Risa turns to me, her expression like a rock's. We both walked out the room, silently and the last thing I saw from the ancient kitchen was Irie scolding my brother and Reol, Ayano throwing a slipper at an unhappy Touya and an amused Yuri giggling softly to Nobu's jokes. IA looked somewhat bored of the situation. Reol starting a fight, SeeWoo answering like somebody who didn't give a fudge and Reol losing. It happened everyday!
What a scene—why did I befriend such weirdos?
Risa turned to me. "Did you get 'held back' by the crowd as well?"
At first I didn't know what she meant, until I remembered SeeWoo's irritating voice echo in my head. "Stop trying to change the subject, SeeU. I know you met Mikuo because he came running in, too. Saying he was 'held back' by the crowd. That dip-wad."
"Uh, yeah." I said, my voice betraying me.
Risa's smirk rose. "Sure, you did." She threw my white apron into my arms, tying her own around her waist.
"It's true! There was a sale involving vegetables at the market area! How can you think I'm—"
Risa clasped my mouth with her icy hand, stopping my progress of tying the apron around my back. I looked up at her in confusion, but she was staring ahead. We were at the one-way glass doors that lead to the gardens outside.
The glass had my reflection on it, I looked weak under Risa's hand; my expression definitely surprised. My long hair that was tied into a high bun, was falling loose. I undid the hairdo and tied it up again. Risa's hand naturally fell to her side, her other one reaching to grab the door handle.
The light flashed brightly, an Italian styled garden stretched wide across the land. A jungle grew in a glassy greenhouse at one corner of the area, wildlife lurked amongst the various plants, trees as high as towers shaded a good handful of the field, statues carved out women and men posing elegantly, shiny marble, gold and stone water fountains, wooden benches, iron black fences and a cobblestone path.
Nobody would realise, but above the entire garden a crystal barrier had been activated 24/7 to avoid any attacks or escapes. The King hired a professional wizard to apply an infinite barricade which cannot be undone by any other soul, except the one who set it up. Not one living human could get out but anything else could access the garden including inanimate objects but if danger is sensed, like a bomb for an example, once it hits the surface of the blockade it is thrown at least a football pitch length away from the garden and the palace.
In the middle of a patch of high rising sunflowers, a person crouched over the mini black arched fences, holding some damp soil in a cupped hand and tapped the seed into the hole with her free hand. Her white apron stained with sticky dirt including her hands. The golden locks slipping out the tight bun atop her head—falling over her sweating forehead.
Risa had already started forward to the older female who glanced at us from the corner of her eye. I followed, kicking the rocks beneath my shoes.
Once in her presence Risa nudged me on the arm, flicking her head to the direction of the woman who was on her knees now.
I cleared my throat, the tickling sensation of a lump stuck in my oesophagus. "Miss Shihiro, I can explain my tardiness! Before you sack me, hear me out—"
"I'm not going to sack you." She replied firmly, pushing the dirt into the hole to cover the seed. "And your tardiness is no longer a surprise. A surprise, no, but you nevertheless came, anyway." She patted the spaces beside her, Risa gliding there and me awkwardly shuffling in place.
"And don't call me Miss Shihiro. It makes me feel old." Miss Shihiro—Ann—added with fake hurt.
This woman is Ann Shihiro. She may seem like your average demanding boss, but inside she's a really kind lady. She owns the garden; like a mother. Without her, the place wouldn't have kept its beauty and would have wilted before winter. Just by looking at how she treats the plants in the field, you'd know she's actually a gentle Mama. She taught us how to care, love and touch greenery without an ounce of hate.
Al Mazaki watches from afar, clearly wanting a long, worthwhile conversation that would make Ann at least interested. Basically he's her secret admirer. Ann's a tsundere. She respects Al's job to look after the horses in the stables but that's all he'll ever be to her: the man with the horses. Ann probably thinks it would be a disgrace to court a coworker.
"What's in store for today?" I asked, observing the height of the beaming sunflowers. "It's a pretty nice day to do some stuff we couldn't get a chance to do during the damp weather."
"Exactly. So you two are in charge for the day." Ann stands up with a sigh, handing the secretly panicking me, her shovel. "I have to replace all the flowers in the castle, and probably bury them in the forest. Then their souls can forever dwell in peace with Mother Nature surrounding them. Take care, I'll see you at lunch." With the wave of her hand, she disappeared leaving a puff of petals swaying in the wind.
"The Art of Flowers. A pretty good technique. You should try it out." Risa explains, glancing at my speechless face.
I shook my head, feeling dizzy. "No, no—magic is too advance for me. Magic isn't even my cup of tea." We started taking the path down to the small clump of trees, near the greenhouse. "Besides, I have no need for it."
"There is no such thing as something you don't need." Risa pulled out a pinky sized keychain of a silver boomerang. But it was no ordinary boomerang. The sides had tiny but sharp blades that was polished neatly. Blue-ish white topaz encrusted inside a gold strip at the centre of the weapon.
"This is my Magic." Risa said twirling it around.
"Wow. A good luck charm. I don't think that's magic—"
Risa shushed me. She then threw the keychain high in the air, reflecting the sun's glow, as white clouds covered it in mid-air, Risa muttering gibberish words, the once was a keychain falling quickly back into Risa's delicate hand.
It was no longer a small, plastic keychain but the real deal in its normal size. The silver, the eeny weeny blades, the gemstones, the gold stripe—everything was real!
I stared at the weapon in her steady hands, so astonished that I dropped Ann's shovel.
Risa smirked; amused. "I can summon this; my boomerang. I can do the basic attacks and defence which are better than nothing at all. I can summon this wherever and whenever I want. Why don't you accept a certain Magic Technique or Weapon? It's pretty fun."
I gave her an awkward stare. "I'm not sure. Maybe if its laid upon me, I might take the chance."
"So anyway," Risa throws the boomerang in the air and returns to its fun sized way, landing squarely into her apron's pocket. "Maybe we should move the growing cacti from it's small patch of sand to the greenhouse or rake the dry leaves off the grass or maybe if we trim the shrubs a bit, hmmm. Decisions, decisions."
"Maybe we should do all three. We might not have much time before another horrible weather comes along and wrecks another part of the garden. Might as well do it while we can." I said happily, folding my sleeves up. "Let's call some helpers to get started!"
2 Hours Later...
Third Person's POV
Daisuke Jin laid back on the gates, yawning. Akemi Chinen, tutted quietly at the sight of her childhood friend. He was so lazy.
"Idiot," she called out, her glare made Daisuke laugh, "if The King sees you, he'd sack you for sure."
"C'mon Akemi-chi! You've been here long enough to know that the King isn't like that!" Daisuke chortled, rocking back and forth.
Akemi flicked her tongue, arms folded across her chest. It wasn't fair. This—this moron, wasn't even doing his job properly! Yet he still gets paid.
"Just because lunchtime is around the corner doesn't give you an all-out-access to 'Lazy Town'!"
"Yeah, and just because lunchtime is around the corner makes you in charge? Letting SeeWoo go ahead isn't something a Captain would do." The black haired boy tutted playfully at the girl glaring at him.
"SeeWoo isn't involved."
"Okay, okay! Chill!" Chuckling, Daisuke messed up his own hair. "You know, maybe you should go ahead. I know you feel irritated seeing the usuals everyday. Might as well go."
Akemi didn't even flinch. "And get sacked before I get a promotion? Yeah right."
But it was true.
When you are serving The King of Skire as a part of the Royal Security protecting the palace, you're like a grain of sand amongst the shore. You are nothing special. Everyday, Akemi sees the norms, day after day after day. The norms are the delivery people, some maids and servants coming in the morning, villagers admiring the palace, children playing, citizens walking their pets (sadly not extreme ones; like dragons or bears) and the people passing by.
It's like Akemi and Daisuke are bystanders of the world. Just watching time go by without a single movement.
It's boring.
Akemi Chinen is a girl with patience, but how can you keep your zeal when you are working with a short-tempered motherly figure and a careless moron?
"Hey, hey—look!" Akemi shook her head, the train of thoughts vanishing in a cloud of black smoke. She followed Daisuke's finger, that was pointed towards the horizon, a figure of a short girl walking with a bland grin.
Daisuke—the number one blockhead of all time—waved cheerfully at her. Akemi used her strange ability—and scanned the girl. Her childish friend probably thought the girl was another villager, coming to either admire the palace or simply pass by. Even though her presence was obviously foreign.
"Who goes there?!" Akemi yelled, pulling out the heavy broadsword with a golden spiral handle out of her sword sheath that hung from her belt. "Hey! Akemi-chi! You know I've always wanted to say that!" Daisuke mewled, his voice high.
Akemi gave him the cold shoulder. The girl had gotten closer, her features more clear.
Her hair was a pale cream, the tips different colours of the rainbow. She wore a black dress that was blown out from the waist down, the short sleeves puffed up and the ends of the dress lined up with white frills. A red ribbon was tied neatly on the top of her head. Her eyes was dark and cunning like a cat's—the shade of a baby fawn.
She chuckled; like the sound of a quiet chime ringing. "I mean you two no harm."
The grip on Akemi's broadsword tightened, her glare intensifying. "Who are you?" She repeated, Daisuke grinning behind her.
"Sorry for the lack of introduction! I am Moriaka Mayu from Tumba, Priama. The mayor of my village sent me here to earn money for Tumba, because of our recent recession. Kiyoteru-sensei knows about me and the details. I am a maid-in-training. For the moment, I am Kiyo-sensei's apprentice." The girl—Mayu—smiled innocently.
Too innocent.
Akemi squinted deeper into Mayu's presence, conscience and appearance. There, there was a block in her head. Something that is keeping her secrets and past hidden.
"Well, Kiyoteru isn't here right now. He won't be until the next two weeks. You should've been here this morning. That's when he was about to leave." Akemi answered, still trying desperately to get one information about her.
Mayu didn't reply and just stared at the weapon in the other girl's hands, totally mesmerised. Akemi twitched. "What? Is there something bothering you—"
"You. You wield that broadsword flawlessly. But you can do better, right?" Mayu gave the puzzled girl a questioning look. Akemi raised an eyebrow.
"What are you—"
"Stiletto, right? That's like your inanimate best friend. But if you were to join the Royal Security, you had to use the provided broadsword. It's sad because you are fantastic with your dagger." Mayu commented, eyes gleaming in dubious delight.
Akemi stiffened, lowering her sword. Daisuke gave out a small gasp. He bent down to Akemi's height, his lips nearing her ear. "How does she know about your stiletto? Haven't you kept it a secret? Isn't it inside your room, at my house?"
Questions. Daisuke asked questions even she didn't know the answer to. Unless...
"You possess 'The Unlocking' too, yes?" Akemi smirked, baring her fanged teeth; knowingly. Mayu blinked, not surprised.
"I thought you'd never figure it out."
"Wait. Don't you possess that too, Akemi-chi?" Daisuke asked aloud.
She nodded, shushing him. "Well, I bet you know all about us."
It was Mayu's turn to nod.
"You are Daisuke Jin-kun. Akemi's childhood friend that found her in the woods near the palace, correct? Then you took her in, befriended her and grew up together. You have tousled black bed hair, dark green eyes, quite handsome, majorly lacking IQ, great with a broadsword and has the ability to materialise anything you wish for." Daisuke didn't even flinch, no blush tinting his cheeks, no boyish chuckle, no pretending that he can't believe the compliment, no hearty grin; he didn't even try to hide the fact that an extreme secret had been revealed in front of his best friend.
"WHAT?!" Akemi turned to Daisuke, who looked so calm. "Since when have you been into The Art of Summoning? I thought you said you were never interested with the mystical world of witchcraft!"
"I wasn't." Daisuke defended. "Whenever my parents wouldn't give me seconds for dessert, I'd lock myself in my room. Remember that? Yeah. Those were the times I longed for chocolate cake, ice pops, tiramisu, strawberry cheesecake, sundaes—everything! Then before I knew it whatever I had thought of, appeared in front of me! I secretly mastered the technique without telling a single soul. Now I've completely understood the procedure thoroughly."
Akemi face-palmed herself, mentally. "Why didn't you tell me? More importantly, why didn't you tell The King?! You could've been promoted! You could've stopped poverty, famines, supplied countless weapons! You could've been the trump card of The S.S. Army! Have you realised your name would've been know throughout VOCALOID! Your name would've gone down through history!"
Daisuke shushed her with a nudge and turned back to Mayu. "Do you know about Akemi-chi?"
Mayu nodded, the gears of a clock whirring in her eyes. She closed her eyes shut, mumbling another language and suddenly opened her eyes that had gotten wider and had a 3D effect.
"Unlock!" In Mayu's perspective, her vision on Akemi had zoomed closer; her sight had become dark red and light black. Information filed up into Mayu's brain as she leaned a little closer—but stopped abruptly.
Akemi smirked. "Did you think I'd allow you to snoop through my head like that?" In her hand, an oval shaped, small glass bottle stood shimmering, purple liquid dancing inside. The bottle was a little empty, proving Akemi had taken a sip.
Mayu took a step back, 'The Unlocking' ritual wearing off in a blur with the sound of crackling fire and shadowy clouds. "You drank a block. I knew you wouldn't let me do whatever I wished."
Daisuke looked astonished. "Akemi-chi, where did you get that?! Did it just fall out of the sky? What's a block? And you drank one? Why aren't you dyyyyyyyiiiiiinnnnnggggg?!"
Akemi payed him no attention, for now her eyes were locked onto the girl standing opposite of her.
"Why should I give my trust to you? And yes I drank a block."
Mayu shrugged, her gaze turning to Daisuke. "Do you want to hear about Akemi-san?"
Daisuke grinned; pointy teeth exposed. "I already know everything about her—"
"Nonsense! My 'Unlocking' can know everything about a person from just a single glance. Your eight years experience could not match against my Magic Technique!" Mayu threw her head back, a laugh bubbling in her throat. "Besides, if 'your female' hadn't drank a block, I would've memorised every inch of her that I would've known the rhythm of her heart, the pace of her breathing and her every thought."
Daisuke jumped, not doubting 'The Art of Unlocking' or anything, but knowing he was the closest one to Akemi-chi by a long shot! Yes he didn't know the rhythm of her heart, wouldn't want to know the pace of her breathing and would secretly love to know every single one of her hidden thoughts—but he wasn't creepy that way!
(But he was already creepy in the inside so is he really creepy? Or does he need to be both creepy on the outside and creepy on the inside? Or only be creepy on the outside to let everyone know? Or be creepy in the inside? But someone who possess 'The Unlocking', like a Akemi-chi, would find out his creepy creeper thoughts and would find him creepy and tell everybody he was creepy! He could already see their thoughts: Creepy Daisuke Alert! A Secret Creepy Creeper! Dammit! He'll never solve this! Oh well—he was never good at Geography anyway...)
"Tell me. What details you managed to extract from Akemi-chi." Daisuke said, avoiding any eye contact from Akemi.
Akemi sputtered, eyes bulging out. "Wha, wha, wait. Daisuke—"
The black haired boy was expressionless making Akemi back up and snap her mouth shut.
Mayu blinked; her eyelids fluttering up and down, each time her iris turning from various colours of the rainbow. The whirring sound of a ticking clock surrounded the trio. Mayu froze in place, still as a rock. Her eyes flew open and words formed sentences from her mouth.
Mayu's voice had been replaced by a robotic sounding one. "Report On Chinen Akemi has been activated. Birth place: Arama, Piklu. Birthday: Invalid. Features—Caramel Brown Hair, Medium, Layered. Silver slate eyes. Short shouldered, fairly tall, Light, Quite Cutesy and Smooth. Abilities: Stiletto, Unlocking, Summon (Potion), Hands of Elixir and The Broadsword." Mayu's eyes stirred again, and reflected an image of the report on Akemi in the sky.
"Invalid. Unavailable." She jerked, in an unearthly way, and she began to mumble low words again. Mayu closed her eyes, quickly scribbling a single glowing kanji in the air with her hand. "Deactivate!" Everything flashed suddenly, the world growing heavy around Daisuke and Akemi.
Daisuke, completely frantic, fell slowly to the ground. Akemi stood her ground, examining Mayu—and vice versa. The world slowed down around them, The Unlocking possessors facing each other.
With the blink of an eye, the world returned to its normal pace. Daisuke finally reaching the ground, stared up. "Akemi, I never knew—So you too were never into witchcraft?" Daisuke teased, yet serious.
The brunette spun around and offered her hand. "I'm from Piklu, Daisuke. It's no surprise I have the skills." Daisuke took the offer, dusting his trousers when he was on his two feet.
She then turned to the other girl. "We can't let you in. You'll have to wait until Kiyoteru is here."
Mayu wasn't surprised but showed silent misery. "But I—I have nowhere else to go. I told you! I swear on Lady Luka. And you know I'm serious if I'm promising AND involving The Mother Of VOCALOID."
Akemi's lips tightened. "I'm not sure—"
"Wait, how about a deal?" Mayu suggested, her misery forgotten.
Akemi was hesitant. "A deal?"
"Yes! If I can defeat Daisuke-kun, you will allow me stay in the castle until Kiyoteru comes back." Daisuke looked happy, and Akemi hated him for doing so.
"And what if we win?"
"I will leave immediately and I shall never bother you two again." Hearing this, Daisuke's jaw dropped and he wailed like a child.
"Daisuke, stop, please." The black haired boy could only stop his tears, not the sniffling. "You," Akemi pointed at Mayu. "will not win against Daisuke easily."
"You are correct!" Mayu beamed, pulling out a red axe the height of a bedside table and swinging it freely with a single finger. "It will be less than easy." Akemi fumed inside. How dare she doubt him?! Plus, what is up with her weapon? Aren't axes used for cutting?
"Just to let you know," Daisuke said, unsheathing his sword. "I have no choice but to go easy on a lady."
Mayu giggled, the sound echoing through Akemi's ears, repeatedly.
"My, my. Coming across gentlemen is a rarity." Mayu's gaze turned hard. Akemi felt the wind rush up her back. "The rules are: don't kill each other, this is nothing but a match. Use what you wish, no moves that can kill your opponent in one swipe. The battlefield will be this courtyard. No blood shall be shed, this is a match. Akemi-san will keep watch. Whoever pins the other down first, wins. May I repeat?" Akemi was so shocked, not because Mayu looked menacing beyond compare and was trying to hide it with her sugary smile, but the fact that she seemed prepared for a match; like she had somehow predicted the future. And Akemi found it unbelievable.
They took their places on the courtyard. The weather took a sharp turn, the air was harsh and the sun was blocked by grey clouds. The place was silent and Akemi was sweating; her eyes anxiously wandering to Daisuke from time to time.
Was she doubting Daisuke too?! No, no, that can't be. That guy was like a mad boar in a fight. But what he had said earlier was true. He could not hurt a female, even if she planned to explode his secret candy stash. That's because he was so softhearted. Besides, it was only a match right? Whoever pins the other down, wins right? Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, right? Even though these words of comfort were supposed to soothe her, why is she still feeling so agitated? Maybe it's because The Unlocking possessors are somewhat like fortune tellers and have a power similar to telling the approaching years. Yeah, maybe. Nothing could stop the feeling of restlessness when words raced out her mouth—beginning the battle.
Both Daisuke and Mayu charged, weapons in hand. Mayu swung her axe, the wind moving it faster than normal, and clashed into Daisuke's broadsword. A strange strained noise came from the meeting of weapons as the two of them pushed against the other, Daisuke growling with concentration and Mayu smiling happily. The both flew back, landing at their previous positions.
That's when Mayu yelled out words that sounded foreign, her hand was fast as it wrote a huge dark kanji on the ground of the courtyard. After she was finished, she retrieved her fallen axe and swung it down; directly above the Magic Seal.
"The Art Of Summoning, The Art Of Sand: Supaiku!" Mayu pointed toward the sky, all traces of innocent maid-in-training gone.
Akemi could only stare as metallic spikes rose from the ground, tearing the courtyard tiles apart, and soaring up. The width was about the size of a cottage, the length about the height of a baby dragon. It grew taller and bigger by the second, and Akemi heard herself gasp and stumble back, her bottom hitting the cracked tiles bellow. Daisuke looked from the spire-like silvery thorns to Mayu who watched her creations fly, and at Akemi. He looked both impressed and horrified.
Mayu had disappeared from her spot and was jumping from tip to tip of the thorns as it rose higher and higher. Akemi got up to her feet, and peered down. Where the spikes had come from, was a huge void of tiny thistles and prickly vines at the bottom. The brunette looked back her childhood friend who was dodging the pointy spires that crashed down on him, and yelled, "Daisuke! Pin her down!"
The black haired boy seemed to have heard her for his speed increased, and he was pretty much flying. Mayu wasn't unnerved and actually had the confidence to stay still. They engaged into a heated battle, their weapons hitting one another. The pair jumped from their previous spike and onto a different one in a bitter attempt to get closer to each other. Mayu was writing a kanji with her left hand while her right hand held her axe; the blade nearly slicing Daisuke's arm off.
Akemi was on the edge of madness. This wasn't going to end well! She thought nervously as she considered stopping the match with a draw. Akemi pushed the thoughts away with a shake of her head. She couldn't stop them. Not with unpredictable pointy spikes shooting out of nowhere!
She watched Mayu swing her axe through the finished Japanese letter and bit her lip. Akemi nearly screamed when she saw why the huge thorns were flying around for no reason, and ironically, the spikes did have a speculation. The other girl had created a barrier around Daisuke and herself, only leaving puny holes for Akemi to look through.
Daisuke found his breathing ragged as he watched Mayu stand perfectly fine without a wrinkle on her dress, no hair out of place; perfectly fine. She was as calm as anyone would during a hot bubble bath, and she wasn't in one so Daisuke was completely confused. "You're pretty strong." He commented, wiping the sweat off his head with his sleeve. "For a female."
This insult made Mayu frown. "I knew it was too good to be true." She held her axe out close to her face, the blade of the weapon reflecting her dark glare. "There is no such thing as a gentleman." And with that, Mayu threw her axe at Daisuke as he stood guard, not afraid. As the weapon got closer, Daisuke could see that a big glowing kanji had been plastered to the side of the axe and before he knew it—
The barrier exploded in bits of scrap metal and ashes. Akemi covered her face with her arms, falling to the ground due to the impact. She felt her hair tie snap off as she smacked the tiles, her back facing the gates to the palace.
After counting up to twenty seconds, Akemi opened her eyes slowly while hoping for the best. The courtyard was—spotless. The tiles seemed to have been polished and scrubbed, no cracks or huge holes filled with gigantic sharp spikes coming out. In the middle of it all, was two figures. One person was standing opposite of the other, her appearance smooth and frail. The other was pinned to the ground, unable to move for small axes had held his clothes down. In a matter of seconds, Mayu crouched above Daisuke, a smirk in play. She had her original axe and was lowering it down to Daisuke's throat as he struggled helplessly.
Akemi couldn't see quite clear enough as she got up and ran to them. "No Daisuke!" She screamed holding out her hand—
"I win." Mayu said watching Akemi trip and fall beside her friend. Mayu snapped her fingers, and all the axes had vanished. Akemi hugged Daisuke close to her chest, murmuring his name repeatedly. Tears had streaked down her face and she didn't look like the tough big girl anymore.
Mayu was already near the gates when she turned around, "Next time lets play, Akemi-chan!" And with those last words said, Mayu walked down the path and into the castle.
Daisuke was shell-shocked and bruised all over. He held the crying girl in his arms, patting her soft hair with a shaking hand. "I-I thought y-y-you were d-d-dead!" She sobbed into his shirt, clutching his sleeves.
Daisuke chuckled lowly. "I wouldn't die that easily."
Akemi raised her head, and stared into his eyes. Her face was covered in ashes and dried tears. Her hair was falling over her face, the sun shining behind her making her more beautiful than ever. "I would never forgive myself if you died, Daisuke." She mumbled, burying her head in his shirt, again.
Daisuke smiled. "Oh great. Are we going to go through all this I-will-protect-you-forever subject, again?" With that, Akemi stood up wiping her face with her hands. "It's true."
"I know. I believe you."
Akemi smiled; it's genuineness dazzling. "You saved me. I owe you my life. Staying by your side is all I can offer. Remember that."
"You mean insist."
"What?"
"You insist, you don't offer."
"Don't push your luck, idiot." Akemi glared, ruining the moment. She glanced at the orange sun, almost looking hopeful.
Daisuke couldn't help but smile.
"Oh my god, Touya, stop being a nitwit!"
"Oh my god, Touya, stop being a nitwit!" Touya mimicked Ayano, who fumed at his squeaky voice.
"I don't talk like that!" She protested, smacking him over the head with a tray.
"I don't talk like that!" He said in a deep Batman tone.
"You are such a hypocrite!"
"And you are so UNAPPEALING."
"Excuse me?!"
"You are excused."
They continued bickering as SeeU and Risa entered the kitchen.
"Woah, old married couple's cat fight alert." SeeU muttered, jumping onto a high chair between Risa and Yuri.
"WE ARE NOT MARRIED!" They yelled, pointing an accusing finger at the blonde.
"They are so in denial." SeeU whispered to Yuri, who giggled in response.
"SeeU!" Ayano cried, flushed and red faced.
"Don't mind them." Touya said turning his head away, but not before SeeU saw his faint blush.
"Girls." Reol tutted, as he chugged down his drink. He sat on the other counter where Masato polished his jugs. "I know right." He nodded in agreement. "Who knew Touya would be categorised as a female?" Nobu chuckled, sitting at Reol's left. SeeWoo sat at Reol's side, earning a confused look from the black haired boy.
"I'm not sitting beside the 'girls', ok?" He replied, ending their short conversation.
Irie and IA walked into the kitchen, Irie's happy face falling as she saw the division set up and the fight.
"And here I was thinking we already had our daily fight so it would be normal, but NOOOOOOOO. Even I couldn't get a peaceful day that can only consist of one fight, can I?" Irie brushed past IA who sat beside the guys on the bar's counter.
"Can't you see this is a 'guys' corner only? No girls allowed." SeeWoo waved his hand around himself, Reol, Nobu and Masato. He received a solid glare from IA. "I do not care. I am not getting caught into that whirlwind," she pointed at an angry Irie, a giggling SeeU and Yuri, a hopeless looking Ayano, an in denial Touya and a nonchalant Risa. "Of trouble and demise."
Reol frowned. "I doubt they can cause demise," he paused, "without assistance." Masato grinned, nearly dropping the glass jug in his trembling hands. "What I fear is if they did cause demise, the world would probably be covered in sugary sweets and barbies." Nobu joked, spinning in his high chair.
IA shot a frown at the menu of the bar. "There is nothing organic or healthy options here. How sad." She set the paper down with a small sigh, and turned back and hopped off her chair. IA walked to the small box (Masato called it a 'freezer') that was powered by Magic Seals using The Art Of Ice, and opened it with a hopeful look. She reached out and found forgotten vegetable juice at the bottom.
Somehow the day just got better for her.
And then worst.
"My, my. Don't you look a lot like 'The Lost Crystal Of Quirra'?" A smooth voice commented from the doorway. Everyone turned their heads to the grinning figure entering the room.
Irie, who was in the middle of scolding Ayano and Touya, faced the girl and smiled softly. "Who are you?"
The girl's lips curved. "I am Moriaka Mayu. I am a new maid in service for The King. Kiyoteru-sensei knows all about me! I have been sent here to earn money for my village in Priama."
Risa shot a puzzled look at Irie. "Kiyo didn't say anything about this."
Mayu giggled; the sound almost haunting. "People keep secrets."
"Wait!" SeeU interrupted. "Isn't 'The Lost Crystal of Quirra' the princess who got kidnapped when she was young?" Low mumbles erupted throughout the room.
"Yes, yes it is." Mayu pointed at IA who looked tired and was dying to drink her vegetable juice. "And she looks a lot like the princess."
IA grimaced. She just wanted something to drink~ "So? Most Quirrians have white-ish hair. Just because I have it doesn't mean I'm instantly the princess."
Mayu's smile didn't fall. She clutched her hands, happily. "Anyways, I hope we can all work great together!" She began to walk out the room.
Yuri looked uncertain. "Wait!" Mayu stopped, facing them again. "You don't even know our names!"
Mayu let out a sigh. "I do."
"How can you—?"
"You are Kuroda Yuriko (aka Yuri) and your best friend is Mori Ayano." Mayu swung a finger at the two friends.
"Araya Irie, Araya Risa, Araya Reol, Araya Masato, Shimizu SeeU, Shimizu SeeWoo and last but not least, Iwasaki IA. Or Hiroaka IA." She recited their names like the back of her hand.
IA didn't like this girl. First she interrupts her valuable drinking time, second she assumes that she is the lost princess that was kidnapped 17 years ago, then she creepily says their names like she knew them since they were children!
"Now are you satisfied?" She asked, the bewildered faces. They nodded slowly, still beyond shocked.
With that, Mayu walked out the room leaving a trail of questions and jumbled brains.
"Is she in here?!"
"I don't know about you, Akemi, but there is about five girls in here." SeeWoo answered as Daisuke and Akemi ran into the kitchen.
"No, I mean—Have you seen a girl, around my age and height, wearing a black dress, creepy and weird—a know-it-all?" Akemi asked, her breathing harsh and fast.
"Yeah, she came here about 20 minutes ago." Touya said, glancing at the clock. "And she was more than creepy."
"Obviously." Yuri said under her breathe as Nobu patted her back.
"I found her charming." The others weren't surprised by Risa's opinion.
"I hope she isn't like that during our shifts." Reol sounded tired as he laid his head on the counter.
Akemi's eyes darted around the room. "Look, there is something is suspicious about her."
"Then why did you let her in?" Ayano asked the question that dwelled in everyone's head.
Akemi sighed for the umpteenth time that day. "We made a deal. If she defeated Daisuke in a one-on-one match, we allow her access to the castle. And if she lost, she leaves us alone." Akemi glanced at her male friend, who sat sleepily on the ground. "Surprisingly, she defeated Daisuke."
"She used magic!" Daisuke cried, hoping he didn't look too weak. Crying out in defence wasn't helping him.
"The thing is: Mayu—the girl's name—said it was an easy match, and used magic. Which means she is much stronger than we think she is. She must have something else; a secret technique or a secret she never told anyone."
"Or both!" Ayano suggested, sticking her index finger up in cheerfulness, until Touya shoved the finger down again.
"Yes." Akemi looked deadly serious now. "So we must be on our guard."
"But we don't know any magic spells and we don't wield any weapons!" Yuri cried out, her eyes big and scared.
Akemi sat down and thought, her brown hair falling onto her face. Her guard uniform wrinkling as she slouched over the counter. Eyes followed her movements.
"I know!" She exclaimed, got out of her chair and faced the crowd. "We will train you. Masato, Al, Daisuke and SeeWoo will train Nobu, Reol and Touya. Me, Irie and Ann will train SeeU, Risa, Yuri and Ayano!"
Glances were thrown around the room. "Why must we do this?" Reol asked, a hint of tiredness in his voice.
"Because," Akemi threw her hands down, roughly. "In future attacks or betrayals! Besides, do you know how much more money you get if you're trained?"
That's when positive replays were said.
The rest had gathered around Akemi and Daisuke, wanting to know more. Risa and SeeU had stayed behind sitting on the kitchen's counter. Risa had her arms resting on the glossy surface of the board while SeeU faced the other way, her arms stretched behind and leaning on the counter too.
SeeU whistled loud enough for only Risa to hear. "I guess I have to learn a Magic Technique or choose a Weapon. Are you satisfied now?"
Risa didn't shift positions, but smiled. "I think it's appropriate for you."
"I am a lady!"
"So?"
"I don't do manly jobs."
"I doubt that."
"What does that mean?!"
Risa turned and faced SeeU; her eyes twinkling. "Just try it out. It'll be fun."
SeeU heaved another sigh of the day. How can she refuse?
Aren't I such a meanie ending it there? Well, I had to update someday before I die, right?
This was a half filler, half part of the plot. I did this chapter to expand the area of Shining Sun in your heads! So, enter Mayu! I LURV her. OMG, she's so cool in this! There is a crap-load of new characters and I didn't use other Vocaloids for various reasons: 1) There is only a few. 2) They already have future rolls in this story. 3) There is only a few male Vocaloids :(. 4) I don't know why, but I don't think any of the Vocaloids deserve to be side characters, so I used original characters!
P.S. There is nothing romantic between Akemi and Daisuke! And you'll find out why Akemi owes her life to him in maybe a few chapters...
And as Luke Skywalker once said; 'May The Force Be With You.'
