Little Busters: Persona Intertwined
Chapter 9: Love is Savior
…
…Velvet Room…
…In this room that is only accessible to those with vast awareness, 'Hm…? This place is…' Riki has raised his gaze forward, to see the familiar faces of Kaede and Igor. Though the place itself is now different… Instead of the usual tent-like interior-or place-this is now an… an elevator?
"Welcome." Igor greeted. "Do not be alarmed, you are fast asleep, in the real world. I have summoned you within your dream…"
"…" 'It seems I've been… summoned to the Velvet Room…' "Igor-san." He called out, then he turned to Kaede, "Kaede-san…" Then he remembered his encounter with Makoto Yuki. "Eh…? O-Oh, that's right! I met your…"
"Ah… Yes. Another resident of this room." Igor said acknowledging, and realizing, what Riki is about to say.
"Eh? You… know what I'm referring…?" He asked Igor directly.
"Yes," He nodded, "But be assured, that there's no need to be alarmed. This friend… Makoto Yuki, *chuckle*, is the sibling of my assistant, yes." He nodded as he said the last part.
"Ah… It's been a while since I saw him." Kaede, with her usual emotionless face, said with a bit of downcast gaze.
"Eh…? You don't see each other much…?" Riki asked,
Kaede slowly turned to Riki, and nodded, "Hai."
"I… see. Then, by the way, Igor-san, why is this place…?" He asked, turning the topic about the change of environment, and is looking about at the interior here-
"Ah… This place-the shape of the room-is shaped by the heart of our guest… *chuckle*, thus, you can say that this very room is shaped by your own journey."
"Eh…?"
"Your excursion at the tower, you are ascending… Thus…"
"Ah…" Riki immediately realized and understood what Igor is inferring at. "Th-Then… It's an elevator, because… of our journey to get to the…"
"Precisely." Igor said with a slow nod, "You are currently in a dream, as I said… But, let us not waste no more time, and let us tend to the purpose of your summoning here. Now then, there has been a lot of new people coming your way… How do you fare with them?"
"Eh…? Wh-Why ask… W-Well…" Looking a bit downcast in his gaze, "They treat me well… And I return their kindness in favor…"
"Hm," Igor nodded. "Very good." Riki raised his gaze back to him, at that.
"Why do you ask that?" He asked.
"It is imperative for us to know the state of our guest." Kaede spoke up. "We are the ones who are recording the momentary events of your life. Here," Kaede brought out a tone, and opened it. There, there are some pictures that depict events-which are like videos that are being played, although black and white-that are important to Riki. "your bonds with others will be the key in finding the truth that you are seeking at."
"Fufu, do you remember what I have told you? The heart is strengthened through bonds, as you form bonds, by getting involved with others, your own Social Links will gradually evolve."
"It is more than necessary for battle, but it is also what shapes your world." Kaede added, to what Igor said.
"I… see." Riki, while feeling bewildered, a bit, at all of this, said with a bit of relief. "Then, the reason why…"
"The reason we have summoned you here, is for you to have…"
-Flaash-!
"Ah!" Riki was caught by surprise at the card that appeared in a flash of light, and it's glowing still-"That's…" It landed on his palm, it's a "Change Of Heart" card, as the name is written on top. "Change of Heart…?"
"With that, you will find it easier to switch with your "alter ego", that which you come to rely when hardships come."
-Igor said that, and Riki recalled the times he switched to "Yami Riki". That got him…
"You mean…" He said with him holding the card on his palms still, and him looking at the other two people's direction.
"You may be able to switch at any time with your alter-ego. That is, if only, it is necessary." Kaede explained.
"Just so. But, time is marching on in your world. I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Either way, it seems you are growing in strength… Your bonds with your comrades have aided you greatly, fufu, I am pleased to see that you yourself are growing attached to the people around you." Igor has a warm, yet baffling, smile on his face. Then, suddenly-the lights from behind him and Kaede grow brighter-
"Until we meet again, Naoe Riki-san." Kaede's voice was the last thing Riki heard amidst the blinding light, and then, there was only blackness…
…
…
…The next day, at Riki's room…
"Agh… Augh…" He slowly opened his eyes, it's the familiar scenery… In which the first thing he saw was the ceiling of his room, and the bright sunray coming from the window… "… … …" He looked around his room, not remembering how he got here… "What was I… Ah!" He suddenly remembered what transpired last night. 'That's right…! I summoned Ra once more, and-'
-Sharp-!
-A sharp sensation has ran through him.
"Ugh!" He suddenly was forced to put his hand on his forehead to ease the pain from that sensation.
"Thou art I… And I am thou. From thy experience, thy will take responsibility. From the experiences that may be tough… Yet, have their meaning, and merit… One is capable of such thing, and one shall find the truth through the bonds that one thy share with others… Go forth without falter… With your heart, as your guide… Naoe Riki. We of The Gods will continue to lend our aid, but not every time…"
…This was the voice of Ra that Riki was hearing.
"Guah!" Riki let out a lot of breath-as if he was holding it, but not really-as he was simply felt pressured, "Ah, huff, huff, huff… What… I…"
Knock, knock, knock…
"Riki-kun? Are you awake…?" …That sounded like A-chan's voice.
"Eh? A… A-chan?"
"Ah! You're awake! I'll be coming in." At her mentioning that, she opened the door, and came in-She then closed it. "Yo! Good morning!" She greeted cheerfully and enthusiastically.
"G-Good morning… Well? Why are you here for? It's pretty rare for you…"
"Ah, well…"
…Flashback…
…At the command room…
"Ah…! So this is the place where you guys gather." Kurugaya is looking about at this room where everyone usually gather for a meeting. She then set her eyes on the long gathering table where everyone usually gathers for every meeting here. And here are-
"""Welcome! Welcome to Little Busters-!"""
-Everyone greeted her, with majority of the girls being enthusiastic, while the three guys, Kyosuke, Kengo and Masato, were not enthusiastic and seems to be on the bad mood.
"Ah…" Kurugaya was fascinated by these people-especially as she sized up the girls. Rin-Cute, Neko girl. Komari-Very cute. Komari max. Then, there's Haruka who is already an acquaintance of Kurugaya, and then, there's an emotionless girl, Mio. …This group is full of girls, isn't it? …Something that fits Kurugaya, as she licked her lips. "Ah, good evening, everyone." She said, putting on a formal greeting pose, while grabbing the ends of her skirt, and bowed formally.
"Oi, Anego! What's with the formal bowing!" Haruka, who is enthusiastic to see an acquaintance, greeted hysterically.
"Ah, Haruka…" Kurugaya recognizes her.
"…? You two know each other?" Kanata, who is seated at her usual seat, that is the leader's seat, asked.
Haruka was annoyed upon being questioned about that by her, but Kurugaya spoke firt-
"Ah. We see each other a lot. You could say we're old acquaintances." She said.
"… …I see. Then, Kurugaya-san, please, take a seat. Oh, you could seat… there." She pointed at the empty seat that is just beside the seat of Riki that is empty at the moment, and the participant is already sleeping now.
Kurugaya had a question raised on her mind about the participant-She looked around for him, "Where is the boy?" She asked Kanata.
"He's already resting, and sleeping. Whenever he summons one of his special personas, he would just lost all of his energy in the process."
"Huh, then…" Kurugaya recalled that time he summoned The Winged Dragon of Ra for the second time, as well as the White Dragon,Blue-eyes White Dragon. "That was an astounding feat. That was the first time I have witnessed someone summoning two personas, and… they were… mighty."
"Hm," Kanata nodded in agreement, "Yes… He is. He's been so far our main asset, and our most strongest member."
'Strongest… Huh,' At that, Kurugaya looked at the despairing boys… '…? What's wrong with them…?' She asked in her mind about their state of mentality.
…Right now, in their minds are…
'…Gr, got beaten by a woman… My muscles being surpassed by the opposite sex…' Masato thought in despair, then he looked downcast…
'My manhood has been surpassed by my former classmate… Dammit, I can't seem to concentrate now…' Kengo said in his mind, in despair, then he looked downcast as well.
'Dammit… I don't have to lose to someone who is fancying herself as your invincible onee-san type. I need to get my head in the game…' He thought, with no despair, which makes him an exception, then he looked in downcast as well.
…This made Saya, A-chan and Kanata sweat drop as they looked at them, perhaps with little sympathy.
"What's wrong with them? Did they ate something bad that they want to brood up?" Saya asked,
"Haha… Well, Kanata said that Kurugaya-san was so strong, that it traumatized them." A-chan explained.
"Ah… Now I get it."
"Tch, masochists." Kanata criticized men's nature of wanting to impress or show off in front of women.
…
….End of Flashback…
"…So, in other words, Kurugaya Yuiko-san… Is now part of Little Busters…?" Riki asked, getting to the point of A-chan's story. He's still sitting on the main portion of his bed as he has listened.
"Ah, don't call her by her first name, Kurugaya-san doesn't like that." She said with her moving her finger as a gesture,
"Eh?"
"Call her Kurugaya. Well, time for me to go to school." She said as she has rubbed the back of her head, "Oh, and by the way," She put her arm down as she has said that. While smiling still, though her smile seems to be stemming of the message of bad news…
"Eh?"
…
…Later, at the school's student council room…
"Oh…" Riki, along with Kyosuke, Kengo and Masato, found themselves standing at the corner of this room, where the Student Council members would usually gather to go about their work, and sometimes, their meeting.
-Kanata is here, and she's the only member of Student Council, being the president, who is present at the moment. She's standing about, and is walking forth and forth, back and back, in front of the guys who are standing straight. With the penalty of having have to stand at the empty statue pedestal outside if they daremove.
-This is the punishment time for them for sneaking in here in the campus without permission, and for doing it late at night, before Tartarus comes. Though, at one time, Kyosuke, Kengo and Masato asked why Kurugaya isn't punished, to which the latter, Kurugaya, told that her reason is because she lost something here that is of academic value-and then she sensed Kud's presence, which she was at Tartarus. Perhaps any persona-user would know if she was there, by simply being at school.
-As for how Kud ended up at Tartarus, it was said that she's been trapped there by some bullies. Since, as revealed by Kurugaya, she and Kud had met before, and gotten close to the point that Kurugaya acts as a onee-san figure for Kud. She helped her from time to time, which led to Kurugaya's teacher and classmates to bully Kud. Kud, however, ended up in Tartarus that night, and according to what the group gathered, she has been there… Though Kud couldn't really recall all of it, so not all of it has been lightened now.
"Well? Why did you all come here without permission? Especially since you are all of our dorm mates at the dorm?" Kanata asked, after she has stopped pacing forth in her pace, that she's been going on about for a while now. Like a mother disciplining her children,
"""…"""
All the boys became pale.
"Hm, no answer… Then…" She continued at her pace, back and forth… Then she suddenly turned to them-"YOU'RE ALREADY ABOVE ELEMENTAY STUDENTS-! YOU SHOULD KNOW THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT FALLS TO YOU, AND THAT YOU SHOULD ALL BEHAVE LIKE PROPER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN YOUR ADOLESCENT AGES-!" She shouted at them from the top of her lungs. She then grabbed the ears of each of them, with them yelling momentarily as she did so.
…
…Later…
…The boys are now cleaning this room… as punishment, and as a way to discipline them… Riki has just switched to "Yami Riki" earlier as they have started cleaning this place.
"Tch, this stinks…" Masato said dusting off the floor. They're all sweeping about, with brooms on their hands.
"Gr, this is ridiculous. Well, it could have been worse." Kyosuke said, with him continuing at his sweeping.
-This rose the blood veins of Masato and Kengo-
''This is all your fault, anyway. For Dragging us all the way here.''
-They both thought in unison.
"… … … … … … …" Riki continued sweeping, with him having an emotionless face. One may wonder if he's feeling burdened, or bothered by this annoying punishment, or that he simply doesn'tcare. "… … … … …Hm,"
"What's wrong, Riki? Feeling bored?" Kyosuke asked, continuing in his sweeping.
Riki shook his head, without saying anything. And continued sweeping. "We have more members now. Kurugaya-san and Kud-san joined as of just…"
"Ah… Well, with that, we got new members in our team. Hm, things are different from the way it's used to be. We're on a roll now-!" He said, hardening his sweeping, as if getting excited.
"Huh, most of them are women… Geh, and…" Masato groaned, recalling Kurugaya's face, who is the most invincible female member of the group… No, perhaps amongst them. Or at least, without Riki calling those special personas, the Gods, it seems that is the case. …Or not. Masato has turned to Riki, "But then again, Riki already helped us beat those badass Shadows now, with four of them, to boot.
"""Huh?"""
The other boys turned to him, as he has spoken his mind out loud. And they all stopped sweeping-
-Sliidde-! The door suddenly opened, with Kanata coming in.
"Are you all finished?" She asked, and she saw them looking at Masato, with them stopping temporarily at their tasks. "… …What are you all doing?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Riki, Kyosuke and Kengo all have stern faces, then-
"""-Nothing.-"""
-They all responded in unison, and continued sweeping the floor.
"… …Hurry up, and finish it soon. We have enough trouble-makers like you all in this school, that any disciplinary method would have to suffice like being able to contribute to that of school merit." She said, with her arms crossed, and her back facing the wall behind her.
-This earned her the glares of Masato, Kengo and Kyosuke. Though they didn't bother speaking out their minds, and just continued sweeping.
'It was all Kyosuke's idea. Not mine…' Masato said in his mind as he continued sweeping.
'Tch, note to myself, NEVER go through Kyosuke's antics, AGAIN.' Kengo continued sweeping, as well.
-Both guys seem to throw some accusing glares towards Kyosuke's direction from time to time, blaming him for their fates.
…
…Later, after school session…
…It's already afternoon, and almost evening… The boys have just finished cleaning the entire room. With each of them catching their breath, since they were standing about for three hours here, without rest. They could imagine the girls laughing at them back at the dorm…
"Tch, finally finish. Come on, let's submit the report, and get the hell out of here." Kyosuke said to the others, which they all agreed in unison, and submitted each of their apology letters, and exited the room with Masato closing the door, afterwards.
…
…Later, at the dorm…
-The boys returned at the same time, with them being together on the way home. Again, it's Masato who closed the door.
"Hm?" """Hm?"""
-The girls were already seated at the dining table for supper-
"""Ah, welcome back!"""
They, with the exception of Mio, Kurugaya and Kanata, greeted.
"""… … …"""
…They all have very stern faces, and they simply gives off a nod in return to the greeting, and they all sat to the empty seats for them. Then, they put their hands together in a praying pose-"""Itadakimasu.""" They all said, and began eating, non-stop.
"Oh? Ara, you all seem to be exhausted…" Kurugaya said in flirtatious tone, while it sounded like a mockery for them.
"""Shut up…"""
-The three, Kengo, Kyosuke and Masato, retorted back.
"Hm," Which simply made Kurugaya smirk in triumph, as she continued eating her food, which is soup noodles.
"… … …" Riki grabbed some spoon, and continued eating… He's been at his "Yami Riki" mode for a while now.
"Hm,~" Komari is eyeing him, perhaps worried. 'I can't tell what he's thinking. Hm~, is he angry at Kanata-san?'
"I hope you have all learned your lessons well." Kanata, who continues eating, told the boys, which made them twitched, with the least, being that of Riki.
"Hm~~, wafuu-! This is delicious~~!" Kud exclaimed in astonishment.
"Of course! It's Kanata who cooked this, after all!" A-chan said in excitement, with a raised hand with a spoon.
"A-chan. Don't yell something childish that it might hurt our sense of decency." Kanata scolded her, a bit, without stopping on her food.
"Thank you for the food, Futaki-san! Hm," Kud put on a praying pose to Kanata, as a sign of gratitude.
"… Hm," She smiled warmly at her, which, Riki was also watching that very beautiful smile…
'…She's always seem so far away… Yet, she is near us. One of us… One of our friends… One of our comrades… I can't think what she's thinking… One may say that I'm beyond her, in terms of status… Her intelligence, her capabilities… Hm,' As Riki thought that, he's continued eating his food.
…
…
…Later, at the lounge…
…Kyosuke is watching TV. With some noises coming from upstairs-at the third floor, the girls' dormitory-which suggest some sort of sleepover party or something… Come to think of it, ever since Kurugaya joined, it's been rowdy. For the girls…
-Riki comes in, having bought something from the convenience store. Suddenly, however, he is greeted by the same rowdiness that has been going on upstairs. …And he's still at his "Yami Riki" mode, even now… "…What's going on upstairs?" He asked Kyosuke, as he put the plastic bag by the counter.
"…Must be having a slumber party, or something." Kyosuke said, as he has grabbed a book and started reading. "Don't mind it. Hmph, though that idiot Masato is probably working out at his room, and-"
"Oi-! Keep it down, up there-!" …The one who is mentioned just shouted from his room, which made both Riki and Kyosuke sweat drop.
"…And even now." Kyosuke sarcastically noted, as he put the book down, as his brain cannot work with all of these noises, and just continued watching TV. "Well, don't mind it. Kengo went out to borrow a friend's note or something," He said, relaxing at the sofa. "You can do as you wish. Just don't get involved with them,I can assure you that." He said in a very serious, and a bit grimexpression, then his expression returned to normal.
Which made Riki sweat drop. "…Hai." He said, then-
-Swittcch-!
…Flaaaaaaasssshhh-!
The usual Riki is now in control…
"Then, I guess… I'll be studying." He said to Kyosuke, with a slight bow.
"Eh? But didn't we just had the test just as of last week? You're studying already?"
"Well… There's nothing much I can do with all of this noise…" He said, smiling meekly at Kyosuke's direction, as he would normally do to anyone he talks with.
"Hm… Well, you could watch this Mr. Bean movie. Hahahahahaha-! Oh man, this guy is retarded! Hahahahaha!"
Riki sweat dropped at Kyosuke's action for laughing hysterically at the movie he's watching on TV.
"Haha…" Though he only gave a warm smile, and warm laughter afterwards… "Then, if you will excuse me…" He said, pardoning himself, and went for his room upstairs.
With all the loud noises upstairs, must be the girls partying or something, still echoing about.
…
…At the 2nd floor hallway…
…Riki has climbed up the stairway, as per the path to get to his room. "Hm?"
-Right then, Kanata is also climbing down the stairway. "Hm?" Her eyes and Riki's met.
"… …" Riki felt nervous, but-
-Swittchh-!
…Flaaaaaasshh-!
…He switched to "Yam Riki".
"… … …" He decided to ignore her, and continue walking. …ignore… ignore… ignore…
"Are you going to retire for the night, Naoe?" She suddenly spoke to him.
"… … …Why do you ask? You wish to go to Tartarus?"
"No, not specifically that. But, you seem to be like you are troubled by all of the hysterical noises coming from above. Sigh, I, myself, is bothered by their childish screams-Gurgkh," Kanata's hearing is hurt a bit, by a sudden scream that echoed upstairs. "My God…" She said, with a hand placed on her forehead, "They're all adolescent now to maintain their own sense of decency, that they shouldn't do something what elementary kids would do!"
"…" 'Like what you did to us…?' Riki thought, recalling earlier punishment… …He then continued on his pace-
"Hm? Oh, are you really retiring for the night?" She asked again, noticing him advancing,
"…" He stopped mildly at his pace, he thought of using a reasonable response, but-He turned around, "Hey, do you want… to go to Tartarus?"
…
…Later, at midnight, Dark Hour... At Tartarus…
…At 57th floor…
-tap, tap, tap, tap-! Riki, at his "Yami Riki" mode, is running at full speed, with a rapier in hand, and then-!
"Hiyaa-!"
Sliicee-!
"Groooaaaarrr-!" He destroyed a lamp-like Shadow.
"Hiyaah!"
Slice-!
-Kanata, too, sliced off a Shadow. She, Riki and Kyosuke are the only ones present here, since the others weren't in the mood to go. Though Kyosuke thought of spending some time here, in order to also clear up more blocks-set of floors-here in Tartarus.
"Why did you suddenly ask of me to come here, Naoe?" Kanata asked as she had wiped off the sweat on her forehead-
Riki turned to her, "You seem busy. So I thought you might release some of the stress-" As he said that, he has noticed an approaching Shadow-
*Miss-!*
-He dodged its assault-!
Sliicee-!
"-That's all." He said as he has killed it.
"Hm, is that so…?" Kanata, while keeping a cool composure and said coolly, turned around to face two Shadows-
Slice, Slicee-!
-She sliced them up, killing them by passing through-dashing-them.
*-Ablaaaaazzzeee-!* *-Ablaaaaaaazzzzeeee-!*
Kyosuke had pulled the trigger of his evoker, and dispatched four Shadows with one attack that is flame element-that hailed from his own persona, Flame Swordsman.
"Oi, don't speak while fighting. It's a bad habit-"
BANG-!
-As he has said that, he fired his evoker, killing a Shadow that tried to sneak up on him, to no avail. It died, and dissipated.
Sliicee-!
"…Your words have turned around to jag themselves in your own belief, Natsume-san. Hiyaa-!"
Slicee-!
She sliced another one as she just pointed out the contradictory of what Kyosuke just said.
"Yeah?" Kyosuke, in a kneeling position, dared, "Hmph, then, let us see how much we can defeat for tonight? Hiyaaaaarrrgghh-!"
BANG-!
*-Ablaaaaaazzzeee-!* *Ablaaaaaaazzzeee-!* *Ablaaaaaaazzzeee-!*
-They continued fighting, and they went over to the 70th floor which is a new record…
…
…
…At the 70th floor…
"huff, huff, huff, ah…" Riki is catching his breath, the same goes for the other two.
Kyosuke wiped off the sweat from his forehead, "I think that's done it for tonight. Okay, we're done for tonight. Let's go home." He suggested, to which the other nodded in agreement.
…
…On the way back to the dorm, at the district on the way…
…Kyosuke already went on ahead, saying that he has to stop somewhere first…
So it's just Riki and Kanata walking side by side as they head straight to the dorm. Riki is still at his "Yami Riki" mode for now, perhaps as in the way to deal with Kanata.
"…" He's keeping a composed face, and a stead-fast composure, as he walks alongside the leader of the group.
"… … …" Who is keeping her usual seemingly stern face, but also quite very beautiful, too. "… …Ah. I have to stop somewhere."
"Hm? Where…? You mean in the same manner as Kyosuke?"
"No… It's regarding a mutual agreement with my own family."
"…? Family?"
"It's none of your concern." She said, quickening her pace, as if to get away from him…
"… …She is full of secrets." Riki stated, with him just standing there…
…
…
…Later, near a vending machine…
…Riki just ordered one can drink, then-
-Slap-!
"Hm?" As he was about to drink, he thought he heard someone being slapped to the cheek. And then, he heard a vehicle passing… "…" He turned to the left intersection, where he could swear he heard the noise… He's still at "Yami Riki" even at this moment, "… …" He ought to take a look, and the first thing he saw was Kanata… having been slapped to the cheek by someone who is inside a limousine that is black in color. And that vehicle has just sped off… "… …"
"Gr… …Hm?" Kanata noticed Riki's presence. "Nao…e… Hmrgh," She glared, "What are you doing here? DIDN't I TELL YOU TO GO AHEAD WITHOUT ME! ARE YOU DEAF!? THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU-!" She yelled at him, outraged…
"… …" Riki is taken aback, but kept his emotionless expression. "… … … … … …" He had a disappointed look then, and he crushed the can drink he's holding, not caring if it still has liquid inside. "…" And threw it to the garbage nearby… "… … …" He turned around, and left.
"Ah..." Kanata suddenly felt very guilty and remorseful at her action just now, and she felt that tears are rolling on her eyes. She wiped them off, quickly, but they won't stop falling. "W-Wait… I didn't mean to…"
"… …" Riki stopped for a moment, but then he continued on his pace-as if to get away from Kanata.
"W-Wait…!" She extended a hand, calling him out… …Riki didn't stop walking and left her alone… "… … …" Kanata slowly put her hand down, with her vision being obscured by her tears that are now falling… "… … …I didn't mean… … …I didn't mean that…" She said, with her perhaps who heard words only. "… …" She looked downcast, regretful of her words to Riki. "… … …I am sorry, Naoe-san…"
…
…
…The next day, at school, at Riki's class, after school…
"… …" It's already after noon, and it's about to become evening soon. "…" Riki is at his desk, with him looking downcast at it, and he's still at "Yami Riki"… Which is a new record, as he has been "Yami Riki" for the whole night, and the rest of the day today-perhaps until much later. "…" His eyes narrowed, 'What am I doing…? Am I shaken by Futaki-san's own words…? Hmph, well, she's incredibly one-tracked mind, always abiding by the rules, not caring one way another of someone else's consequences… Tch,' He gritted in annoyance. In his mind, he's still the usual Riki, though at his physical demeanor, and the demeanor he's demonstrating, he's "Yami Riki". "Hmgh… … … …" Clenching his fists that are on his knees level, he thought of not wanting to stay here any longer, and he CAN'T-!
-Sliidee-! He went out of his seat, and ran to the hallway.
-Sliideee-!
-He then exited through the door, and ran straight to the hallway, running non-stop-!
'What am I doing…? Why am I running…? Hm, it's not like I will bump into someone-' -As he thought that-
*BUMPP-!*
"Gah!" "Gwah!"
-He bumped into the last person he would want to bump into-Kanata Futaki. The head of the Student Council, and the leader of the group, Little Busters, that he's affiliated to.
"Gow, owh…" Kanata rubbed her waist to ease off the slight pain, then-turning to the one who bumped into her-
"Oh, Futaki… -san…" …Riki still has an emotionless face, but he acknowledged his mistake of bumping into her. And he has stood up slightly, but is very afraid of what just occurred, as-Uh oh.
She glared at him,
"Naoe. So, it is you…" She said, dusting herself as she has stood up. Then, she gave an even more piercing glare towards Riki's direction. "What do you think you're doing? Running around in the hallway, that's against the school code, no. 77! Are you blind or deaf!? Can't you see the foster at the hallway!" She said, pointing at the foster at the right-It says, "Run and get killed-!"
"… …" Riki eyed it emotionlessly, "…boring." He muttered, but Kanata heard it, and glared even more. She put a hand on her forehead, in annoyance. Then, she grabbed ahold of his arm. "Eh?" Which he questioned at,
"Follow me." She said, slightly dragging him now as she's intent of bringing him somewhere for disciplining…
-And his natural response is-"Eh?"
"I SAID FOLLOW ME-!" She made her grasp firm, and tight, to the point that Riki felt a slight pain, and he is dragged to the Disciplinary room.
"…Oh," Riki groaned as he got dragged inside the room.
…
…
…
…
…Later, before evening, at a certain classroom…
…Riki is all alone here, sweeping the floor. …He was tasked-forced to, in fact-to write a letter of apology, then he was taken to the principal office which is an ear-off place for those students who were taken there for undisciplined behavior, and then, Kanata made him clean up this room further, to discipline him further… …So all in all, this is plain torture. He groaned, "… … … … … … …Hm," Regardless, he kept an emotionless face. Wow, this is indeed a new record, he stayed at being "Yami Riki" for the almost the entire day time, and it's about to become night time, too, and he's still at it…
*Sweep-*
*Sweep-*
*Sweep-!*
-That last sweeping was a bit strong of force applied. Right then, the door opened-but it was not the discipliner herself, but it's her-
"Ah! It's Riki-kun! Hahahahaha-! Wow, you got punished, too, huh?" …It's Haruka. For some reason, she's here. She then grabbed a broom of her own, and started sweeping.
"… …" Riki eyed her emotionlessly, and then, not minding her own presence, he continued cleaning while having a groaning face.
"Oh, don't be so down, Riki-kun! This is fun, right?"
"…No." He said plainly, and devoid of emotion.
"Oh, come on! Just admit it's fun!" She said sweeping around, playfully.
"…No. And shut up." …He said the last straw that is of his patience.
"Huhh…? Whawt was…?" Haruka felt insulted, and has stopped cleaning, disbelieving that someone like Riki could say that… 'Come to think of it, at times, I notice that his face is full of broody expression, sometimes… And sometimes, he just had that too uptight expression… It's like… He has two personalities that coincides with one another…' Haruka eyed Riki, a comrade to the group of Little Busters, and wondered that aloud in her mind…
-Sliide-!
-Right then, Kanata entered the room to see how they are doing.
"Are you two finish yet? School will soon be at curfew hour. So finish it before then." She said with her arms crossed, and standing by the door.
"Hai… We're almost done." Haruka quietly obliged to her command… albeit, there's a bit of hostility.
"… … …" Riki, as if not hearing Kanata, kept at it. "… … … …" Suddenly, however-
-THUD-!
…He collapsed.
"Hm…!?" "Huh!?"
-The two pink-haired girls responded in unison at that sudden development that was shocking!
"Naoe!" "Riki-kun!"
"Gr… Damn it," Riki cursed, as he struggled to get up.
"Riki-kun!" Haruka obliged to help him out, but he was already up then,
"Gr, get off me." He said coldly. "I can take care of myself." He said grabbing back his broom, and continued at it.
"Hey, stop it! I don't think you can keep at it, at this rate! Stop this-!" As she attempted to take the broom away from him-
"… …" GLARE-! An heavy glare from those cold eyes that contradicts the usual eyes of the usual Riki-
"Ah…!" Haruka was taken aback, and was forced to take one step backward, from that impacting aura or glaring force that pushed her a bit. "… … …" She stepped away from him,
"… … …" And he continued sweeping after looking away from her,
"… …" After watching the development, and her arms are crossed once again, Kanata deemed that Riki has been punished enough. "…Naoe, that's enough. Your disciplinary session is over. You can-"
"No," He glared at her direction,
"Huh…?"
"I don't want to earn any favors from YOU," He kept cleaning, ignoring Kanata's sentences.
"… …. … …Hm," Kanata was silenced at that, but-"…What are you trying to prove? That you're superior…? That you don't owe me naught…?" She asked, watching him as he goes about the room, sweeping the floor.
"Hmph," Riki didn't respond, and just kept at it.
"… … …" Right then, Kanata stepped in, intending and eager to take the broom away from him. She does so, "That's enough. You may go home."
"… …" The glaring expression didn't leave Riki's face.
"… … …" Kanata has a bit of glaring expression herself, as they both eyed one another.
"Eh… …Uh…" Eyeing both people, Haruka feels out of place… That glaring competition seems to be not stopping any time soon…
"… …Go home, Naoe." Now, Kanata has started speaking in a soft tone. "… …Please."
"… … … …Hm," Riki obliged, he turned around, and is going to walk towards the door. "… … … …Hm,"
-Sliidee-!
…He opened it, then closed it, after getting to the hallway.
"… … …I can't understand what he's thinking… His face is devoid of emotion, other than cold superiority… And seems to have a pride that is just…" Kanata's stare is at the door as Riki just left…
"Hmgh…" This made Haruka glare at her, then-
-Slap-!
…Time is moving slowly. Kanata felt like that, in contradictory to the strength applied there, that felt like thousand words were just jagged into her skin.
"… …" She touched her cheek that was slapped, recalling that it happened before. "… …" She eyed Haruka, "… …"
"… …Would you stop this already…? It's annoying… IT's FRICKIN ANNOYING ALREADY!" She exclaimed real out loud, then ran out of the room-
-Sliiiiddeee-!
…Kanata is left alone here, and she touched the cheek that was slapped just now.
"… … …You're right. Maybe, despite my best efforts, I have already failed at my own goal…" Tears running down on her cheeks… "Despite my…" Frustration, sorrow, angst…
"-That's quite a sight for you." A voice said.
"Huh…!? Ah…!" Turning to where the voice came from, which is where Riki has exited the room-
"… …Quite out of character, isn't it?" …The latter is by the door, with his back resting upon it. And his hands are on his chin,
"N-Naoe…!?" She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, "Wha-What are you doing here at this hour!?"
"… …" Riki's eyes narrowed, as if glaring, then he turned around. "Nothing. Simply know that there's a limit to how much torment that a person may endure." He said, walking away…
"Ah, wait-!" She called out, as she has extended a hand towards him-
"What?" He stopped,
"… …" Kanata stood for a while, "To be honest with you, I can't understand what you're thinking. Sometimes, you just had the gentle, warm smile that tends to be kind in his treatment to others. But other times, you would be reckless, and sometimes cold, to the point that as if you're not the Riki we usually communicates to, and…"
"What are you talking about? Are you saying that I'm not Naoe Riki, right now…?" He asked, turning to face her-"Don't be stupid, President. One's a kind side, and one's an even privater side." He said, raising a finger to his left eye, as in to represent something… but who knows what it is? Then, he left…
"… … …" Kanata is left just standing there. "Hm," She decided to go home.
…
…
…Later, at the station that is just a walk from the dormitory for students…
…Both Riki and Kanata exited the train. With Kanata having have walked with Riki on the way to the station at the other side-
"…" She eyed him, as they stand together here, amidst the setting sun… "Naoe." She turned her gaze forward, "I don't know what's going in your mind, but take in mind that you're the field leader of Little Busters. You don't need to be burden by disciplinary actions that you'd just endured earlier. And, we don't need you experiencing that. It's bad enough that our field leader might get sick, and we'll be powerless. Take in mind, that you're still a student, and you have to abide by the rules. As President, I feel I must tell you this, no matter what."
"…What are you saying?" Riki asked, without even looking at her with his gaze forward,
"…" She turned her gaze forward, as well, "What I mean to say is, you don't need to get yourself in trouble that it might result in disciplinary actions. What you did earlier was unaccounted, and unwelcomed, for, and so," She turned to him, with him not changing the direction of his gaze, "you're still a student, thus, you still must abide by the rules. Otherwise, you'll only be adding burdens that we don't need, yet, it must be attended if you are reckless. So, what I am saying, is that you mustn't put yourself in such situations, that you don't need to be burdened by such things."
"…Hmph, you don't even know what I'm going through." He said, walking ahead.
"… …" She followed, "Then, how do you mean?"
"…You won't care." He said, not stopping in his pace.
-Kanata, however, stopped for a moment, and she looked downcast. "...I do care." She said, emphasizing her statement and declaration.
-And Riki stopped. "… …"
Kanata gazed at him as he doesn't turn around to face her, "Naoe, we all have responsibilities. You do know that you are not an exception to rules and regulations as you are the field leader, yes? So don't get yourself in such predicament, it's unaccounted and unruly for a leader like you to be on such position. So please, do not do that again."
"… …" Riki closed his eyes, "…" And he kept walking-
-Switch-!
...Flaaaaassshhh-!
…This is now the usual Riki in control.
"… … …" His expression returned to that of meek. "Hm," And he seems to be a bit sad, as he looked downcast with such expression. "Today has been… …The Worst Luck type day of… Sigh, for me…" He said, with him having a slow pace.
"… …Hm," Kanata herself looked at himself with pity, thinking that the disciplinary course of action was too much for someone very kind like him. "… … … …Naoe." She tried to catch up, but Riki has no intention of waiting. Regardless, Kanata caught up with him, and walked alongside him. "…" She eyed him, then, she turned her direction forward where they're heading. "Naoe, not only you excel at battle, but you're also capable of doing something that is we least predicted. Like… You defeated the Magician Shadow with ease, and you managed to save all of us from the Priestess Shadow that was intending to take us all to our deaths at that train-And, you indeed managed to save Noumi-san from Tartarus, and defeated those two special Shadows, once more. You are a very capable, leader." She commented, as she looked at his face, and with him still having a saddened expression, as they continued walking. "… … …" Seeing that his face wasn't brightening up… "…Hm," She looked downcast as they continued walking, then… Her face is darkened, a bit, as if intending to do something out of place. "Naoe, are you… angry with me?"
"… … …No. But… …Hm, no, never mind. You won't care, anyway." He said, quickening his pace a bit. Which he's now ahead, a bit, of Kanata.
"… …" She quickened her pace, enough to beat his, then, she goes to in front of him, and has held both of his shoulders with her hands that are cold, yet gentle-
"Eh? What are you-Huh?"
Chu.
"…!" He got kissed! A kiss! Gyaaaaahh-! "Hmngh…! Hmngh….! … … … …! … …" Soon, he has stopped resisting, as they kissed on this sunset that is reflected on them. "… … …Hmngh," Soon, Kanata let go.
"… …You have done much. You have far surpassed my expectation of you, and, you keep impressing me with your feats. Which were noble. You saved Kamikita-san, you saved Noumi-san, and not to mention Kurugaya-san… You keep doing your best… you are able to muster your strength… I envy you, and… …" She had looked downcast, then stared at his face, "Naoe, you are… … …I like you." She said, then she turned around, with her beautiful, pinkish hair swaying, as she left in a quite of good mood.
"Ah… Ah… …" Riki felt like he's losing his balance. He got kissed by a girl! "Ah… ah… …Ah, he… hehe… Hehehe…" He can't help but grin, he seems happy… "Hehe… Hehe… Hehehe… …. …. …. …Hehehehe…" He's grinning still as he went home…
End of Chapter 9
Note: Well, next Chapter is when both The Hierophant and The Lovers Shadows would show up. Which is, I think, an hilarious chapter, due to… well, if you readers know of the events that transpired around the Lovers Shadow, you might also think the same thing. Anyway, thank you for those who have read this, and I may need your support, but if you will not lend me, then I suppose I will have to abide by own motivations, not blaming you all, of course. Sigh, well, wish me luck, and bless you all!
