A/N: After writing it out, I feel this arc needs a small introduction. Basically, it will be delving deeper into the issues and backstories of ICE FIRE. So there will be a big focus on the girls. However, not everything about them will be made clear. What I'm trying to say is, the reasons behind their flaws will be revealed over time.
I'm a little nervous about opening these characters up, but I hope you enjoy them!
Chapter Ten
The Way Things Are
Three years ago...
Two girls walked along the garden path. A white mansion loomed in the distance, sparkling brightly beneath the clear blue sky. The first girl, with sleek raven hair and sharp gray eyes, walked straightly in her dress, gloved hands clasped at her front. The second girl, a petite brunette, chased after a dragonfly, laughing as the slender insect hovered and darted just beyond her fingertips. She ran down the path, turning when she noticed her friend lagging behind. "Emiko-chan!" she called. "Hurry up!"
The raven haired girl hitched up her summer dress and jogged up to her friend. "You have too much energy, Isae-san," she scolded.
Isae grinned in response. "And you're too slow!" she shot back. "Now come on already! I have the best news ever!"
"News?" Emiko echoed thoughtfully. "What have you gotten into this time, Isae-san?"
Isae threw her an annoyed look. "Oh come on. Why is that always your reaction when I tell you I have news?" she pouted.
"Because news for you always means trouble," Emiko explained matter-of-factly.
Isae thought about it, then a large smile broke free. "True!" she agreed. "But hey, this time it's really good! I promise!"
"Well, are you going to tell me?" Emiko asked impatiently.
Isae glanced around, then leaned forward. Just as her lips parted, however, a shrill voice broke the clear air, "Arata-san! Arata-san, come quickly!"
Emiko froze and Isae glumly deflated and rolled her eyes. "Great... It's Benio..." the small girl muttered.
As if summoned, the bustling maid appeared down the path. "Arata-san!" she clamored. Loose strands of hair, usually tightly wound, sprung free. The plump woman's face shone red from the effort of running. "Return home at once! You're keeping your father waiting!"
"Well, I'm not sticking around for this!" Isae said. She darted away, throwing one last wave towards Emiko. "Meet me here tomorrow! The usual time! You'd better show!"
Emiko merely nodded in confirmation as her friend whisked away, just like the elusive dragonfly riding the breeze. She straightened her back and faced the maid. "Thank you for telling me, Benio-san. I'll leave at once," she said. She started off before the maid could catch her breath and lecture her.
"Y-You'd better hurry!" Benio managed to gasp as Emiko fled down the path.
...
Emiko ran down the mansion hall, shoes clacking and echoing through the empty hall. As she neared the dining hall, she still to a walk and smoothed out her hair and dress. Taking a deep, calming breath, she entered through the tall oak doors.
A man dressed in slacks, a white shirt, and an embroidered vest turned at her entry. His groomed black mustache tightened as he pursed his lips. Steel eyes narrowed. "You're late," he boomed.
Emiko inclined her head. "I apologize, Father," she said, hands tightening against the front of her dress.
"Raise your head," Arata-san ordered. "Sit down."
Emiko did as she was told, walking fluidly just as she was taught. She took her usual place at the table, hands placed atop her lap. She stared straight ahead, face politely and elegantly tipped down. A young lady must always sit quiet and elegantly. And when she must speak, once spoken to, she must do so with confidence and clarity.
Arata-san did not join her. "You'll be attending the academy at the end of summer," he said.
"Yes, Father," Emiko answered.
"From here on out, more will be expected of you. Not only as my daughter, but as a member of the Arata family. Do you understand what that means?" Arata-san asked, staring at her carefully.
"Yes, Father," Emiko answered.
"Hmph. Good." Arata-san sniffed in approval. He turned his back. "Your lessons will intensify. You'll have less time to spend... dilly dallying with that friend of yours."
Emiko clenched her hands. She fought the urge to bite her lip. Noticing she wasn't answering, Arata-san glanced back over his shoulder. Emiko quickly regained her composure. "Yes, Father," she answered.
Arata-san nodded and resumed his posture, feet apart, hands clasped behind his back. "I've already spoken with Uncle. Because you are to focus on your studies, you will no longer be permitted to spend your time with singing lessons."
Emiko snapped her head up. "But-!"
Arata-san glared over his shoulder. "Is that clear?" he tested, voice low.
Emiko worried her bottom lip. "Please, Father... I can balance both my studies and my singing!"
Arata-san's expression turned terrible as he swung to face. He leered down at her. "I allowed Uncle to teach you because he promised it was only for relaxation. Now that you'll be attending the academy, you have no time for relaxing," he said. "Is that clear?" he repeated.
Emiko hung her head. Her eyes burned, so she shut them tightly. Crying would solve nothing.
"Emiko," Arata-san said icily. "Everything I do is for you. Your own good. Because, Emiko, are you listening to me? There is only so much someone as delicate as you can manage on your own. And now it's time to grow up and take your place in society. Do you understand me?"
Emiko's shoulders trembled. She took a deep breath, and opened her eyes, dulled to a tired gray, like the late season sky. "Yes, Father..."
...
"So, what did your dad want?" Isae asked as they walked along the garden path. The clouds had set in, though they were light with promise not to rain.
"Nothing, really," Emiko sighed. "Just the usual."
"Yeah." Isae sniffed. "Trust me. I know how it is," she said bitterly.
Emiko inspected her friend. She didn't doubt it... Both her and Isae came from esteemed families. A great deal was expected out of the both of them. She felt her heart calm a little at the thought. At least they were in this together...
"But enough about that!" Isae suddenly turned to her, brown eyes glittering with excitement. "I've got big news, remember?"
"Err... Yes, you mentioned something like that," Emiko said, thinking back on yesterday. "What was it you wanted to tell me?"
"This!" Isae pulled up the back of her hand and wiggled her fingers.
Emiko tilted her head, blinking helplessly. "Your... hand?" she said confusedly.
"No, stupid!" Isae rolled her eyes. "This! Look at what's on my hand!"
Emiko looked her hand over. A small, delicate ring banded around her finger. Her eyes widened. "Isae-san! I-Is that?"
"Yep!" Isae pulled her hand back and grinned. "It's a promise ring!" She grabbed Emiko's hand and pulled it out between them. "Do you understand what this means? When I finish school, I'm going to get married!"
Emiko's heart sank in her gut. Doubt swam in her eyes. "But, Isae-san... Surely your parents... Do they approve?"
"What? Who cares?" Isae asked. "Don't you get it, Emiko-chan? I'm in love!"
"In love?" Emiko echoed. No. That wasn't right. They weren't allowed to be with who they loved, to do what they loved. What was expected of them always came first. "But to be allowed to marry him... Is he the son of a businessman? Or a doctor?" she asked.
"Eh?" Isae tilted her head. She frowned and released Emiko's hand. It slowly dropped to her side. "No. He's just a public school student... I met him through, uh, Yuki-chan I think..."
This wasn't good. This wasn't allowed. Emiko frowned, staring at Isae carefully. "This won't work, Isae-san," she said. "You know that, right? Who we are... Who are parents are. Too much is expected of us. We can't just get married to someone we bump into on the street."
Hurt flashed in Isae's eyes. She took a step back, lips twisted. "Emiko-chan... You're talking like he's just some bum I found in the back of the alley... He's someone I care about, alright! Why can't you see that?"
Emiko's shoulder tightened defensively. "I'm just saying, Isae-san. There are things we're not allowed to do. It's better you realize this before you get hurt." She shut her eyes, speaking with a note of finality.
"Hey. Why do you have to be like that?" Isae asked icily. Surprised, Emiko opened her eyes. Isae glared at her, fists clenched and shaking at her sides. "You're always so damn logical about everything!" she snapped, taking an angry step forward. "Why can't you just be happy for me!? It's like you don't feel anything at all!"
"I-Isae-san-" Emiko raised a hand.
"No! I'm done taking this from you!" Isae cried, turning violently on her heels. "You're just like our parents! You're heartless!" She ran off down the path, covering her eyes with an arm.
Emiko watched her go, lips parted. She lowered her hand and ducked her head to the ground.
...
Present day...
The boys of STARISH had grown paranoid of each other. Whenever Haruka entered the room, they would glance or glare at one another, making sure nobody tried anything. Haruka was on the cusp of realizing her true feelings. This was the opportune moment to strike.
"I'm worried," Otoya said whilst in the practice room. Emiko half listened as she practiced a particularly complex dance routine. "What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if I miss my chance? What if I hesitate, and someone else takes her away? What if we start kicking people out of the group!" He rubbed madly at his red hair, sending it into a scuffle. "I don't want that to happen!"
Emiko paused the music and evened her quickened breathing. "How'd I do?" she asked.
Otoya froze, blank faced. "…Eh?"
Emiko frowned. This lesson wasn't going to work if he was this distracted. "Okay… Listen closely. Your feelings for Nanami have nothing to do with your friends. So if they start kicking people out, that's just them being petty." She grabbed the towel and dabbed at the sweat on her face and neck.
Otoya frowned, his shoulders slumping. "But…"
"Stop over thinking it, Ittoki," Emiko said firmly. "You should work things out with your group, but don't let that get in the way of what's important."
"But aren't my friends important?" Otoya asked with large eyes.
'Not as important as you might think…'
"Sure they are," Emiko said, pushing her frustration down. "But right now, their focus is on getting the girl. If you spend the contest thinking about the competition's feelings, you're never going to win."
Otoya looked up, thoughtful, applying the situation to soccer. "I see," he said. He smiled loosely. "You're so logical, Arata-chan!"
Emiko bristled, eyes wide and lips slack. "What'd you mean? Are you trying to say something?" she demanded sharply, hands clenched at her sides.
"Eh?" Otoya took a step back, blinking helplessly. "Um I meant... Like you're really smart?"
Emiko narrowed her eyes. Her breath had quickened in step with her panicked pulse. Otoya started at her, baffled. "Are... are you alright, Arata-chan?"
Realizing how foolish and frazzled she must look, Emiko evened her breath. Heat rushed up her face. How embarrassing, to loose control like that... She crossed her arms and straightened her back. "Sorry. I misunderstood," she said simply.
"Okay..." Otoya rubbed the back of his head. He examined her carefully, as though she would suddenly lash out again. "I don't really get it..."
"It's fine," Emiko said shortly, her brow twitching. "You have more important things to worry about. What're you planning to do about Nanami?"
"Well..." Otoya furrowed his brows in thought. After a moment, he puffed out in defeat and slumped his shoulders. "I have no idea... What do you think I should do?" he asked a little sheepishly.
Emiko sighed. "I don't really know either… I need to observe the situation," she mused. Her mind still buzzed, barring her from clear thinking. "Nanami's confused, so pushing a confession might only stress her out."
"So... You're saying I'll trouble Nanami?" Otoya frowned at the thought. "That's the last thing I want to do…" He pursed his lips. "Lets just focus on practice for now, okay? We'll think about what to do later."
Emiko let out a relieved breath. "Fine by me," she said, turning the music back on.
…
The air was cooling down as summer faded away, but the sun still brushed warmly against Saki's cheek. She stood by Natsuki, each of them wearing yellow Piyo-chan hats. While Natsuki was decked out in a Piyo-chan themed outfit, from his scarf, to his gloves, shirt, and shoes, Saki kept it simple with shorts and a lacy shirt. The only thing Piyo-chan she wore was a bracelet her dad had sent her.
A convention for Piyo-chan and Friends, the show based off the merchandise, had rolled in. Natsuki had invited her. Saki, thinking it wise to take a break from work, eagerly agreed. Two little girls walked by with similar outfits as Natsuki's, giggling excitedly as they entered the stage area. "Hey, hey, what're we waiting for?" Saki asked impatiently, bouncing on her feet.
"Don't worry, Saki-chan! He'll be here any minute!" Natsuki said brightly. "He owes me one, so he knows what'll happen if he doesn't show," he added somewhat darkly.
"Eh? H-He?" Saki gawped. She didn't understand. Who was it? Who were they waiting for?
"Ah! There he is!" Natsuki grinned and waved an arm through the air. "Syo-chan! Over here!"
Syo, head ducked and arms jammed in his pockets, glumly made his way over. He glanced around, eyes fiercely on edge. He was dressed more casually than usual, in one of his fedoras, a white shirt decaled with black cursive writing, Capri jeans, and boots. Despite not wanting to be recognized here, he couldn't resist at least a little style. "Quiet down, would you?" he said with hushed sharpness. He lowered his head and looked around, lips pressed in a thin line.
"Aw. Syo-chan. You forgot your Piyo-chan hat," Natsuki said disappointedly. "I left it on your dresser…"
"I didn't forget anything!" Syo snapped.
Saki flinched. "A-Ah. Should we go, Natsuki-san?" she said with a forced smile.
"Hm?" Natsuki blinked, then smiled eagerly. "Yes, yes! Let's go!" He led the way, humming the Piyo-chan theme song to himself. They entered the pit where a crowd, mostly children and their parents, had already started to gather in anticipation.
Syo glanced over at Saki, who nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "I can understand someone like Natsuki liking something this weird, but why you?" he asked.
"E-Eh?" Saki glanced up at him, then quickly looked away. "W-Well it's nostalgic…"
"Really? Why's that?" Syo asked.
"Um…" Saki managed to glance at him for a moment, seeing he was genuinely curious, before loosing courage. She swallowed tightly. "Well… I sorta grew up with it. My dad collected everything Piyo-chan, you know…" She laughed awkwardly. "Guess neither of us grew out of it."
Natsuki glanced at them curiously. He smiled to himself. Good. They were finally getting along.
"Wow! So your dad's like Natsuki, huh?" Syo grinned. "That must've been a tough childhood!" he teased, lightly slapping her on the shoulder.
Saki stiffened, hiding her eyes under her pink hair. She pressed her lips tightly together, turning pale, fingers clenching. Syo hesitated, sensing he had done something wrong. He waved his hands. "Sorry, sorry. It was a joke," he promised. "I'm sure your dad's great."
"Syo-chan. Why don't you get us some snacks?" Natsuki asked.
"Eh?" Syo whirled on him. "Why do I gotta do it?"
Natsuki frowned, giving him puppy dog eyes. "Becaaause, Syo-chan! I don't wanna loose my spot!" he whined.
Syo stared at him with bunched lips. Seeing he couldn't win an argument against this kind of tantrum, he conceded. "Fine," he grumbled, marching away. "Jeez…"
Natsuki watched him walk away. He leaned over to Saki. "Saki-chan," he said gently.
Saki looked up at him, eyes wide.
"You don't need to be nervous around Syo-chan," Natsuki said. "He barks a lot, but he's perfectly harmless. Plus... He's just so cute!" he gushed.
Saki hastily stepped forward. "I-I'm not!" she protested. Natsuki gave her a knowing look. She frowned and crossed her arms. "Really! I'm fine!" she insisted. She puffed up her cheeks like a cranky toddler.
A child and his father grabbed hands and started spinning nearby, laughing as they danced. Saki watched them with a small smile, reminded of her dad. Maybe she should call him tonight…
"If you say so, Saki-chan," Natsuki said, standing to full height. "Ah. So how're your lyrics coming along?"
"M-My?" Saki stiffened. "Ahaha…" She laughed into her knuckle. "To be honest…"
Natsuki whirled on her. "What? Really? Saki-chan, are you struggling?" he asked.
"Well…" Saki trailed off. She bowed her head, ashamed. "I've never written my own song before! It's harder than I thought it would be!"
Natsuki laughed and patted her head. "Oh, Saki-chan. You should've come to me earlier. I'll help!"
"Huh?" Saki looked up, mouth agape. "R-Really?" Natsuki nodded. Saki let out a large smile. "Ah! Thank you so much!"
"Anytime," Natsuki assured. "I'd be happy to-"
The spinning father stumbled back, bumping into Natsuki. Natsuki gasped slightly, jerking forward. The glasses flew from his eyes to the ground. "Ah… S-Sorry!" the father said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck before turning back to his kid. Natsuki hung his head, wavy hair streaming down, silent as the grave.
"Your glasses!" Saki said worriedly, dropping to her knees to grab them before they got crushed beneath the many running children. She wiped the dirt from the lenses against her shirt and stood to full height. "Here. Good as new!" she said, handing them over.
Natsuki lunged forward, grabbing her wrist and yanking her up. Saki stumbled forward, wincing in pain. "N-Natsuki-san!" she squeaked. "Y-You're crushing my…" She looked up, blue eyes widening in terror.
The face that stared back at her, sneering, sharp, dark, and cruel, was not the face of her friend.
…
"Stop, stop, stop," Otoya said, turning off the music. Emiko halted mid spin. She straightened herself and threw him a curious look. "Something's off…" Otoya twisted his lips and tapped his chin.
"Which part am I doing wrong?" Emiko asked with a huff of breath. She wiped the sweat from her brow. She'd been at this for quite awhile…
"Well… You're doing the moves right. And your timings gotten a lot better," Otoya said. "But it's like… Like I'm not feeling anything from you. Like you're not enjoying it!"
"Enjoying it?" Emiko echoed with a frown. He wasn't feeling anything? What did that mean? Was there nothing to be felt? Insecurity nipped as her heart sank into her gut. "What does it matter so long as the dance is technically accurate?" she demanded crossly.
"Eh?" Otoya gave her a funny look. "Do I have to teach you how to enjoy music too?" he asked wryly.
Emiko lowered her head, gray eyes shadowed. "I enjoy music," she said icily. "Don't ever suggest otherwise."
Otoya drew back. "Okay, okay," he said with a weak smile. "Scary…"
Emiko turned her head, attempting to gather back her composure. "It's dancing I have a problem with," she muttered.
"But… Dancing is enjoying music," Otoya insisted, puzzled over how she couldn't understand. "That's why people dance to begin with. Enjoying it is what makes you want to. I mean, you can see that even in people who aren't very good."
"Those people look like morons," Emiko pointed out.
Otoya laughed, giving her a helpless look. "Maybe... But they're still having fun! Right?" He held out a hand. "Come on! Let's forget the lesson!"
Emiko eyed the outstretched hand. "…What?" she asked.
"Let's just enjoy the music!" Otoya said brightly.
Emiko stared at him pointedly. "…Maybe I should ask Ichinose instead-" she started. Ignoring her remark, Otoya grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. "Wha- Hey!" she gasped, eyes wide and hair flying back as she stumbled into the dance.
…
Natsuki stared down at Saki with a wolfish grin. His eyes wandered up her arm to the glasses. He plucked them from her trembling fingers. "How kind of you," he said icily.
"N-Natsuki-san?" Saki asked quietly.
The grin vanished from Natsuki's lips. "Shut up. You're pissing me off," he seethed. Saki winced, tightly shutting her eyes. Natsuki dragged her out of the pit.
"W-Wait! Stop!" Saki protested, her voice a mere whisper. She dug her heels into the ground, but Natsuki roughly yanked her forward. She looked back helplessly at the oblivious crowd of smiling families. "H-Help," she whispered.
…
Syo crossed the street carrying two plastic bags of snacks. He knew how many sweets Natsuki usually ate at one these things. A sigh escaped him. That always made him even more hyper. If he tried to force a stupid Piyo-chan hat on him again...
"W-Wait!" a familiar voice cried.
Syo looked up, seeing Natsuki drag a stumbling Saki around the back of the tall wooden fence. He titled his head, peering after them as though trying to get a better perspective. "Huh?" he mouthed. Blue eyes widened with realization. "Satsuki!" he exclaimed, dropping the bags with a rustle of plastic and running after them.
…
Saki cried out as she was slammed back against the fence, hanging by the arm Natsuki had pinned above her. The wooden planks clattered from the force of the blow. "N-Natsuki-san! I-I don't… underst-stand," Saki stammered.
"Shut up," Natsuki hissed, leering down at her. "I heard you talking. I won't let you hurt Natsuki."
Light blue eyes popped open. Saki looked up at him, momentarily forgetting her terror in the confusion. "You're not… Natsuki-san?" she asked.
The man before her chuckled lowly. "I won't let people like you walk all over him."
"P-People like me?" Saki echoed. At the angry gleam in his eyes, the fear once again enshrouded her heart. "I-I don't… P-Please don't…"
"Hm?" Natsuki tilted his head to the side. He hunched over so they met face to face. Saki whimpered and tightly shut her eyes. "You're afraid of men, aren't you?" Natsuki asked knowingly. "Ah... I don't get it. But... We should do something fun. Maybe I'll give you a taste of what'll happen if you don't leave Natsuki alone?"
Saki shook her head, squirming to escape his grip, breath ragged. "N-No… Natsuki-san wouldn't..."
"Oy! Satsuki!" Syo shouted, running towards them. "Knock if off!"
"S-Satsuki?" Saki glanced up at the man who was not Natsuki, now casting at irritated glare off towards Syo's direction. Satsuki jumped back, twirling Saki around so his arm squeezed against her neck in a firm hold. Saki grabbed vainly at his arm, struggling to pull free.
"Dammit…" Syo bit his lip. He looked around, but didn't see the glasses anywhere. "Chihiki! Where are his glasses?"
At that moment, Saki didn't care that he had shouted or know why he was asking for such a thing. She felt compelled to answer straight away, "H-He has them in- mmph!"
Satsuki pressed a hand to her mouth, silencing her. "Hints irritate me," he complained.
"Alright! We get it. Just let her go already!" Syo shouted, cutting an arm through the air.
Satsuki's lips twisted in a scowl. "Some friend you are. You should be looking out for Natsuki against people like her."
Syo threw him a confused look. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get any words out, Satsuki swore in pain. Saki had bitten down into his hand. Satsuki whipped around, turning to her furiously, clutching the collar of her shirt. Saki grabbed his arm and bit hard, indenting the skin with her teeth.
On reflex, Satsuki threw her to the ground and jumped back. He examined the teeth marks, then stared down at her with a ferocious glare. "Dammit! You'll pay for that," he growled.
Syo gawped at the scene, momentarily taken aback. 'Eh... She bit him!?'
Saki shook her dizzy head and pushed herself up from the ground. Suddenly, she was pulled up by the arm. She snapped up, eyes large with fear. Syo stared back with determined blue eyes. "C'mon! Get up!" he urged.
Saki rose to her feet, dazed from both the situation and the fall. A warm hand grabbed hers, and she was pulled along. She threw her head back to see Satsuki staring after them with a lowered head and narrowed eyes.
…
Saki set a hand against a tree, gasping for breath. Syo bent over his knees, as equally winded. They had sprinted blindly to the nearby park. "Hey…" Syo gasped and raised his head. "You alright?"
"Mm…" Saki stood to full height, letting out a huff of breath. "I-I think so…" In truth, her legs shook, her back hurt, and her wrist throbbed from Satsuki's bruising hold. Her head hurt as she tried to wrap around what'd just happened. Who was Satsuki? Why was he like that?
"Ah. I'm sorry about all that," Syo said. "Natsuki becomes a different person when he removes his glasses… Though I haven't seen him this bad in awhile…" He trailed off, eying her over. The small girl was trembling like a cold dog. "Uh. Hey…" Syo approached her, wondering what to do. Her wrist was bruised... Wanting to help, he grabbed the hand at her side and brought up her wrist. The skin was already blotched a faint black and purple.
Saki hitched and backed up into the tree. Her heart hammered against her chest and her blood ran cold. Syo stared at her, confused. "Eh? What's wrong?" he asked. "I'm just looking-"
Saki couldn't think. The only thing running through her mind was fear. She pulled her hand free and bolted.
"H-Hey!" Syo shouted, reaching out to her. "Wait!" But the girl was gone in a flash. "Augh. Dammit," Syo swore, taking after her.
…
The camera flashed as Rin posed before the backdrop. "Alright! Good work, everybody! Take five!" the director called. Rin plopped down on the bench, pulling her water from her bag. Her phone buzzed, sending vibrations through the leather.
"Hm?" She blinked her eyes and picked up the phone, flipping it open. Seeing who it was, she answered and put it to her ear. "Saki?" she asked. "Aren't you at that big dumb convention?"
…
Saki sat hugging her knees to her chest. She was in the dark of a shed, but at least it was safe. "Rin-sama," she whimpered into the phone. She tightly shut her eyes, fingers clutching the phone so hard the material creaked. "Please save me!"
The door flew open. Saki muffled a squeak and swiftly shut her cell. The shadow of a pair of legs stepped into the light slashed across the floor.