The two skaters stood there on the side walk as the small spirit floated before them. Smiling like nothing was wrong. Tora didn't know what to do with the current situation. Fakir was more or less still drunk and he could see Edel. He thought he was hallucinating so she couldn't try explaining about Edel and the special technique right then and there. Edel had said Tora would learn who her destined partner was, but she didn't imagine it in this scenario.
"Tora-chan. Can you just get me to my apartment? I've had a very bad day and I want to go inside and try to forget any of this happened."
"U-Um, sure." Tora said as she looked between Edel and Fakir.
Edel giggled and nodded. "Go on ahead, Tora-san. I'll wait until you're done with Fakir-san to talk to you."
With out further ado, Tora helped the drunken man up to his apartment door and knocked. When it opened Mytho stood there and was shocked. "Fakir? Tora-san? What are both of you doing here? Fakir, I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow after skating practice."
"Oh, shut it! Tora-san and her friends were at the same bar I was and she decided to bring me back home. Now, I'm in a bad mood and I just want to sleep. Move!" Fakir said as he removed himself from Tora's side and leaned on the walls. He moved Mytho out of the way and entered before stopping to look back at Tora.
"Thank you for seeing me home. Now do me a favor and forget everything about what happened. Good night!" Fakir said as he slammed the door behind him.
Tora huffed at his actions. It seemed he was sobering up and becoming his usual grouchy self. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair to feel something odd. She quickly picks it out to find Edel.
"Edel! Why did you do that? Why were you sitting in my hair?" Tora asked as she started walking away from the apartment.
"Sorry, Tora-san. I had been looking for you all night and was just happy to see you and your partner getting along that I couldn't resist and searching for you made me tired so I sat down." Edel explained.
"Don't sit in people's hair!" Tora scolded, then she sighed, releasing her aggravation and asked, "Is this really true?"
"Is what really true?" Edel said confused.
"Is Fakir really my destined partner like you said? How come he couldn't see you before?" Tora couldn't help but wonder.
"Yes he is. Both of you are very skilled when it comes to skating, however Fakir, before now, had a few things that was missing and holding him back from reaching his full potential and fulfilling the requirements for performing the special technique. But now he has gotten to the point where he can see me, but you both have a long way to go before you are ready to perform the technique."
"But what can I do? Tomorrow, he probably won't give me another chance to skate with him. Even if he's an honest drunk, he'll be back to his grouchy self by then. He might not even be there since he'll be hungover." Tora pointed out. Edel frowned.
"Tora-san where is that fiery passion I saw before? You have already come so far. I've been watching all the skaters at the Prince of Ice skating rink for a long time, Fakir included. He's slowly changing ever since you first skated on the ice in front of the class. Don't give up just yet. After all, he does find you cute." Edel teased.
"How do I know if he really meant that? He was drunk." Tora pointed out, trying to hide her blush.
"He did say he was an honest drunk. He said he will most likely still remember what happened today. All you have to do is ask him if he still thinks you're cute and see if he blushes. If he does, but still denies it, then you'll know." Edel teased, but soon became serious and sad. "Please don't give up on this, Tora-san I've waited too long for two people who would be able to perform this technique. We'll both try our best to get him to agree. Next time you see him, try to apologizing about what you said at the rink earlier and you didn't know what today was. We'll see what happens from there, okay?"
Tora, feeling a guilt trip, relented to the spirit. "Oh, alright."
"Good! Now let's get you home. You have a big day of practice tomorrow."
And so the skater and the spirit went off into the night.
Meanwhile, what the spirit and skater didn't know was someone was watching them, or at least one of them. Mytho was watching Tora from the window. After she left, he went to his best friends room.
"Fakir? Are you still awake?" Mytho whispered.
"What is it?" Came the muffled reply.
"It's strange to see you come back home before tomorrow. I was surprised to see you and Tora-san being the one to bring you back. In the past when me and Author tried to get you away from the bar, you wouldn't have it and would fight us to make us go away. You really are growing fond of her, aren't you?"
"Shut up. I'm not in the mood to talk about this." Fakir replied.
"But you aren't denying it." Mytho said in a sing song voice and a chuckle. "I'm glad you finally found someone you like. Most girls like you because of the way you look, but don't come close to you because of your attitude. She's the first to fight back and not cower away. You need to be honest with yourself besides when you drink. There's only so much a person can take before they lash out. Which was exactly what happened today at the rink. Not everyone is as understanding as me and Author and even he has less tolerance than me. Think about it before something you do becomes irreversible. Oh, by the way. Before Tora-san left she seemed to be talking to someone but there was no one there. I hope she wasn't too drunk herself and gets home safely."
Fakir didn't say anything so with a sigh, Mytho left him alone, but in his mind, Fakir's mind was racing. 'That hallucination. . . it said it was happy to see us get along. It couldn't be real... could it?'
Then next day surprised Tora. Despite what he had said the night before, Fakir had actually showed up for class even though he wore sunglasses over his eyes and was ten times more grouchy than he usually was.
"Do you still think this is a good idea, Edel-san?" Tora asked.
"Um, Maybe? We won't know until we try. However, I think it would be best if we spoke to him in a more private setting. Also let's get him a water bottle as a peace offering. That might help." Edel suggested.
Tora sighed and followed the spirits advise. After getting it, she headed over to the green haired man. "Fakir." She called. When Fakir turned to look at her, the only change she could see was him raising an eyebrow. She then handed him the water bottle. "I'm sorry about yesterday and kinda hitting a sore spot. I didn't know."
Fakir accepted it and to a swig before he spoke. "Don't worry about it. You weren't suppose to know. It's not information I hand out to just anyone."
"By the way, do you still think I'm cute?"
Tora's answer came in the form of Fakir spiting out the water he was just drinking and blushing like crazy. He then turned to glare at her, but it wasn't as effective as it was before due to the blushing. "I thought I asked you to forget about all of that?!"
Tora smirked at him. "Well, it's official."
"No! It's not! Why do you have to be so annoying?"
"So annoyingly cute?" Tora teased.
"Shut IT!"
"I'll stop if I can talk to you in private for a moment." Tora offered.
With a deep sigh, Fakir agreed and the two headed down one of the many halls of the rink.
"Now..." Tora stopped, drawing a blank. How to go about this? Tell him the green haired lady he saw last night wasn't a hallucination, but a spirit that would teach them a never before see technique that would connect people's hearts and such. Where was Edel when Tora needed her?
"Now...What? You're the one who called me here, so what did you want to talk about?" Fakir asked putting the water bottle against his head, presumably for his headache.
"I want you to know, I don't think you're delusional saying you're seeing things." Tora said.
"What are you- Oh. You mean last night? I was drunk, eyesore. It's not usual to see things. I probably don't remember it happening before because I drank too much the last time." Fakir replied.
"What if I could prove that you weren't drunk seeing things?" Tora asked.
"What are you-" Fakir started until he was interrupted.
"Sorry I'm late. It's good to see you again Fakir-san and that you are no longer intoxicated." Fakir snapped his head up to see floating above them was Edel.
"Fakir this is Edel. Spirit of the Rink, a guardian to future skaters helping them reach their full potential. I've been seeing her ever since Neko-sensei started having classes in the morning and when he asked me to join you guys." Tora explained.
Fakir was speechless as he continued to stare at Edel.
"Don't worry Fakir-san. I'm not a hallucination and you're not losing your mind," the spirit explained. "If you try to ask anyone about me, they cannot see me, so please don't bother. The only other person who can is Tora-san. The both of you are destined partners for you are special. The two of you just might be able to perform a never before seen technique that has the power to connect the hearts of others. I have waited for a long time for you two. Never before I have I see anyone quite like you two. Before now, you were not able to see me because you had a few things that was missing and holding you back from reaching your full potential and fulfilling the requirements for performing the special technique. But now, you have gotten to the point where you can see me, but you both have a long way to go before you are ready to perform the technique."
"We're both losing our minds then. Is this a prank of some kind for being a total jerk to you, eyesore? I'm not going to listen to another word of this, I'm out." Fakir said.
"Wait!" Tora said, grabbing him, the seethed with a glare. "Don't you dare compare me to Kraehe."
"I'm not. I'm just not buying whatever that 'spirit' is selling. If you don't mind, let me go." Fakir said glaring back.
"This isn't some stressed out illusion, it's real." Tora argued.
"Then what do you want me to do about it?! This is something out of a modern fiction story." Fakir shot back.
"Just listen to what she has to say. This is real, otherwise we're both going crazy and we're somehow seeing and hearing the exact same thing. I've been able to see her for over a week. Just hear her out."
"Your parents believed in me. Why can't you do so now?" Edel asked.
Fakir froze and turned to stare at the spirit.
"His parents?" Tora asked, confused. How did his parents know about Edel. No one should know about her but people who are qualified to perform the technique.
Fakir's eyes flashed in recognition and then in anger. "YOU!"
He then tried to grab Edel, but she floated out reach.
"Fakir! What are you doing?!" Tora yelled at him.
"You can't trust her. My parents always talked about her and the technique. They're dead because of her!" Fakir shouted.
Tora stood shocked at what he just said. It couldn't be true.
"E-Edel?" She asked. Hoping the spirit could shed some light on the matter.
"It is true that Fakir-sans parents could see me and they had the potential they were so close to doing the technique. The closest anyone has ever come to performing it, but something when wrong at the last minute and they ultimately failed. If I had not told them of the technique, they could still be alive or they could not. I have no power over life or death. But know this Fakir, I am sorry that they died. It's funny really, you're able to see me on the anniversary of their death." Edel explained and pointed out.
Fakir wasn't really listening to the spirit as he continued to seethe in rage and glare at Edel. Tora backed up from Fakir, giving him some space. She didn't know what to think about this new development. Why didn't Edel tell her about Fakir's parents trying the technique and dying because of it? She knew now that there was no way Fakir was going to go through with whatever Edel said.
"Did you know about this?!" Fakir turned his anger to Tora.
"Of course not! How was I suppose to know?" She answered.
"Fakir-san, don't get angry at Tora-san." Edel said. "I should have told you sooner, Tora-san. One of the reasons I didn't tell you was because you never asked. In the past, no one had ever gotten even close to Fakir's parents so it was uncharted water for all of us. I didn't know that attempt would cost them their lives. Before when I was searching for the destined partners, I didn't know Fakir would be one of them. If I had known before, I would have left you both alone. I understand if neither of you wish to try it or even listen to me. You have a choice and I will respect your wishes. But if you can still see me in the future, know that you can always try."
"Maybe we need some time to think for a while." Tora suggested.
"You're actually going to listen to what this lying, scheming, and dangerous spirit has to say! This... This...THING is responsible for what happened to my parents. They DIED! If you were to attempt doing the technique, then you will too! You need a partner to do it and I already have my answer for you spirit! NEVER! You, Tora-san, shouldn't do it either. I'm out of here." Fakir said as he turned on his heel and left them in the hallway.
Tora looked to Edel after he left and saw the little spirit was on the brink of tears. She cupped her hands around her and after the spirit sat down in her hand, she used the other to gently pet her back.
"Do you really think Fakir's parents would want him to blame you for their deaths?" Tora asked.
"I don't know, Tora-san, not for sure anyway. Love and grief can change people. As I said before, I have no power over life or death. Even though I am a spirit, I've never seen any other spirit. Maybe up in the heavens over the years, they have grown to blame me for what happened. Maybe they blame me for taking them away from their son and the life he has had up until this point, but not their deaths. In their final moments, his mother spoke to me. She said they were sorry for getting my hopes up and they were unable to perform the technique and asked me not to give up hope on it. That's why I continue to search of the destined pair, even after I know it could cost, whoever tries it, lives. I'm sorry, Tora-san."
Then the spirit broke into tears and Tora stood there comforting her. She had been through so much. Tora didn't know what to do now. She wanted to help her, but without a partner, she couldn't do it and the only one who could see Edel was dead set on not doing it. Tora doubted that Fakir would even allow her anywhere near him. But she wouldn't give up on the technique, Edel, or Fakir.
After class, Tora was about her usual routine and went to teach her ballet class. Fakir had been staying far away from her the entire class period. She just didn't know what to do about Fakir. He wouldn't listen to Edel and was avoiding her. Who else would he listen to?
"Tora-sensei? Are you okay, zura?" Questioned her favorite green haired student.
"I'm okay Uzura-chan. By the way after class do you think I could talk to your Uncle Karon?" Tora asked getting an idea.
"I think so, zura. But Karon-san isn't my uncle, zura. He's an old friend of Uncle's that took care of Cousin Fakir-kun after Uncle and Aunt went away zura. He didn't want to live with Grandpa, zura. They never have gotten along well, zura." Uzura explained.
Tora mulled over the information the child had given her and nodded. After classes, it turned out that Karon was picking the little girl up.
"Karon-san, I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about Fakir's parents? Uzura told me that you took care of Fakir after his parents died and you were a friend of his father's." Tora said as she walked with them out the door.
Karon was silent for a moment and then nodded. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you. No one ever asks me about them much these days." He sighed. "Fakir doesn't like it when I talk about them when he's in the same room or tell anyone about them as a matter of fact. It saddens me to see what was once a sweet happy child is now so sad and angry now as an adult. But let's not talk about them here. Come over to the apartment and I can even show you pictures."
After hailing a taxi they soon arrived a Karon's home. Karon saw Uzura off to bed as Tora looked around the kitchen and dining room. It was a cozy place kinda reminding her of a cottage. In a picture frame, she saw a young Fakir and what she assumed to be his parents. He looked to happy and innocent back then.
"He looked so sweet." Tora observed.
"Indeed." Karon said entering the room. "Fakir, when he was with his parents, was always happy. They were some of the greatest skaters I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. They fell in love with skating and each other. They were often busy but made time for him and taught him themselves how to skate. Yesterday was the day they died. They were trying to perform this new never before seen technique. That day, Fakir was so proud and excited for his parents. After what happened, it surprised me that he wanted to even continue skating much less in the same rink where they died. I think the reason he still does is because it lets him feel closer to them."
"He hasn't moved on, has he? From their deaths." Tora asked. "Yesterday, the girls and I went for drinks and he was there too."
Karon nodded. "I know. I remember when he was a few years younger he would sneak out to go drink. He doesn't like to show a vulnerable side to anyone. Even after becoming an adult and moving out I still worry about him as if he was my own son. I wonder what his Father would do if he was still here."
"Well he's not." A voice replied.
Tora and Karon turned to see Fakir leaning against the door way scowling at them.
