DISCLAIMER: I do not own Love Live! School idol project.
優しい世界の作り方 —a softer Love Live!—
(How to Make a Gentle World —a softer Love Live!—)
Fräulein: ECILA
Run.
The young woman dressed in blue could only think about running. And run she did. As fast as she could. She ran as if her life depended on it.
It really did.
Turning left. Rolling right and ducking. The young woman grunted as she crashed into the wall. Having narrowly escaped death, the young woman quickly shouted out, "[Freezing Grave]."
A spiral of ice sprouted forth from the grounds beneath her, encasing her "assailant." But her attack could only do so much before her "assailant" broke free from their ice prison with great ease.
"Damn," cursed the young woman before she flew a few feets back into a safe distance.
Her "assailant" was a humanoid mechanized unit. Approximately 10 meters in height, this giant was a magic tool known as a golem, later known as Golem Knights in today's time. Crafted through the use of alchemy and fuel by demonic cores. Golem-Knights are operated by skilled magicians known as Golem Meisters.
It just so happens, the young woman in blue's mission involved a golem and their meister. It was a mission she couldn't afford to fail.
As the bronze-colored golem rained its giant fists towards the young woman for a good pounding, the young woman shouted out once more, "[Freezing Grave]." Spiral of ice encased the golem's fist for a few short moments. But this moment was all the young woman needed as she scaled upwards on the Golem's arms.
Her destination was the cockpit located at the center of the chest.
Just as she was about to reach the final stretch, the Golem-Knight had broken free from its ice encasement. The enemy meister controlled their golem to swing its arms wildly in the air; hoping to send the young woman in blue flying.
Their goal achieved.
Having been caught off guard, the young woman in blue went soaring. Gravity being as kind as it could, send her body crashing. The young woman maneuvered her body to cushion the fall.
—Snap!
Pain erupted throughout her whole body; clouding her five senses. She wasn't so sure until she was looked at by a doctor but the young woman had no doubt in her mind she had broken a few ribs. Maybe a leg or two. Perhaps an arm even. Her safety was the least of importance to her. The success of the mission was of the utmost importance to her. Failure means the safety of someone dear to her.
As the woman in blue struggle to get up, a looming shadow began to cast over her.
"—Umi!" a concerned voice yelled out.
The young woman in blue, Umi, looked up just in time to see a silver-colored quadrupedal Golem Knight crash into the bronze-colored one. The allied golem raised its lance to strike the enemy at its weak point only for the attack to be deflected. The enemy raised its back weapon in retaliation. Firing a barrel of fireballs spells towards the silver-colored golem.
Before Umi could move her body to help, a friendly voice beside her spoke, "Sorry for the long wait but we are here now."
"Eli…"
"I've got you. You can take it easy now that we are here."
Seeing her blond companion next to her, Umi managed to whisper, "I'm sorry…"
"It's fine," Eli answered back with a smile as she draped one of Umi's good arm over her shoulder, helping her up. "Nozomi have things under control here. Let's get you to Nico so she can patch you up. Everything will be fine, I promise."
"Thanks..." Umi whispered before her consciousness faded away.
"What are friends for?"
"..."
Eli safely hauled Umi's tattered body away to the entrance, away from the battlefield.
Unbeknownst to the both of them, the mission had failed the moment they left Nozomi to take care of the enemy. At the last moment, in a last-ditch effort, the enemy blasted the ceiling of the cave. Having created an opening, the enemy ejected themselves from their cockpit and set their Golem Knight for detonation.
As the timer countdown, Nozomi yelled out, "Elichi!"
The silver-colored Golem Knight sped down towards Eli and the unconscious Umi. It towers over the duo in an attempt to shield the two from the large explosion.
—Beep.
Caught in the shockwave, Nozomi was sent knocking into the ground. Nearly avoiding crushing Umi and Eli beneath her frame. Her consciousness slowly slipping away. The trio, buried beneath the mountain of debris.
Not far from the explosion, an obsidian-colored Golem Knight could be seen in the far distance. It's meister waiting patiently for their companion's arrival.
"You're late. Our lord won't be happy about losing one of our Golem Knights." The meister in black spoke out.
"Well, you would be too if you were up against the Kingdom's best 1st-Class SOLDIERS. I barely made it out alive." His companion fired back with sarcasm.
"Ex-SOLDIERS." The meister in black corrected.
"Whatever. Let's bolt, we got what we came here for. This shitty kingdom should say farewell to their Saint Princess soon," said the bronzed-colored golem's meister as the two venture off to their lord.
Otonokizaka Academy.
Residing in the capital of the Kingdom of Otonokizaka, it was a magic academy tailored to aspiring young magicians. Many of the kingdom's upper and middle class send their children off to their alma mater for their studies. Afterall, it was a magic academy known throughout the kingdom for producing high-level mages and in rare cases, top-notch golem meisters and 1st-Class SOLDIERS to serve the kingdom.
And, it just so happens today marked the first day of the first semester.
At the hustle and bustling academy's entrance, a 6th Year girl could be seen yelling at the duo before her. Bystanders walking to their first class of the day ignored the scene before them as if it was an everyday occurrence.
"Watch where you're going next time will you? Some people are in a hurry and don't have time for sightseers. If you're lost, just follow this road down here and make a right. There you'll reach the main office in 15 minutes. Just state your name at the front and they will give you your class schedule as well as direct you to your first class. Bye now, little first year." A young teen with crimson hair huffed. Without a second glance to the other person she had bumped into, the young teen stormed off to her destination in a quick hurry. Towing her school bag along with her.
The duo the young teen had bumped into, silently watched her retreating form disappear from the school entrance. One bearing a calm look. The other narrowing their only one good eye in contempt.
"Don't." A stern voice warned.
"It will be fine." The other voice counter back.
"Just don't. I'm begging you."
"I'm just going to play a small trick on her. To show her who's in charge."
"We had only just arrived and you are already starting trouble!?" The stern voice explained.
"She deserves it! What with her rich girl attitude and bumping into me without an apology of sorts. Real mature of her!" The second voice fired back, aggressively.
"She's only a student and you're the adult here. So act like one…"
"Hmph. I'll have you know, Tsubasa-san must have a screw loose to send the great me as a teacher here, of all places. This is torture, I say! Torture! "
"...Tsubasa-sama was merely making the correct decisions. It's won't be so bad. I'm here with you."
"You say that now but don't come crying back to me when you encounter your little bird. Face it, the reason we are truly here is that we screwed up."
"Nico!" The stern voice chided.
"What? I'm only just saying. That mission… It shouldn't have failed but it did. And now we are here to deal with the repercussion of that failure."
"Kotori... will be in more danger than ever and you know it."
"So what are you going to do about your little bird?"
"What do you mean? We will protect her. That's why Tsubasa-sama sends us here."
"You know what I mean, Umi. You lasted a good three years or so because of your missions but now you can't avoid her. Especially here of all places. Because of our bodyguard mission, you're bound to run into her at some point in time!"
Umi clenched her jaws at the impending reality. What Nico had said thus far was in theory, correct. With great luck, she had managed to evade Kotori for the last 3 years. What with Kotori commuting from the castle to the academy during the school year and Umi being dismissed as a royal executioner, only to be sent away on a week to month long missions concerning reconnaissance on a group of terrorist; the two's schedule just so happens to clash with one another. Forcing the two "destined" friends to miss seeing one another.
But now that Tsubasa had dismissed Umi from her special duties to ensure Kotori's safety (as well as making sure Nico doesn't cause any trouble during their stay at the academy), Umi has but no choice but to confront her conflicted feelings for her young friend and her young friend's "feelings" for her.
Like how Nico had explained, it was only a matter of time till Umi was bound to run into her young charge. And so Umi had decided secretly in her heart. She would avoid her till they meet. And when they do, she will deal with it then. Her feelings. And Kotori's.
"I'll deal with it then," Umi replied with great resolve.
Nico looked at Umi from the corner of her eyes and let her answer slide. From Umi's posture, confidence and determination in her eyes, Nico had concluded Umi wouldn't run away anymore. At least from Kotori, she wouldn't.
"Tell me, where are we even going?" Nico asked out of mere curiosity, having no idea where she was being led.
"You don't remember the way to our alchemy class? I thought you of all people would remember." Umi asked with bewilderment.
"I didn't stay at the academy for long. If anything most of my research was done in the academy's library and then in the Infinity Library after I drop out in my 3rd year."
"Is that so..." Umi frowned, unaware of her friend's reason for her abrupt departure.
"Eli and Nozomi were the only annoying ones who kept pestering me to keep in contact with them. Well, I can only guess it was all Nozomi's idea and Eli just tagged along for the ride."
"I can imagine that. So, are you ready, Professor Yazawa?"
"...Tsubasa-san seriously must have a few screw loose."
"Actually it was the Headmistress' idea, Yazawa-san. To employ you that is." A cheerful voice spoke up from behind.
Turning around to face the new speaker, Umi and Nico were surprised to see Anju here.
"Yuuki-san what are you doing here?" asked Umi.
"I'm here to deliver a letter to the Headmistress and also to see if the two of you made it here in one piece~"
"As you can see we have..." Nico huffed.
"True as it may but don't be so upset over this turn of events. The Headmistress also requested for Ayase and Toudou. The two of them will join you shortly after their current assignment"
"Eli and Nozomi?"
"Yup~ Recent reports show our scouts have finally managed to track down the rebels. The two are en route to meet up and regroup with our scouts. It's only a matter of time before we take the initiative."
"Have we figured out what they call themselves? Or their motives as of yet?"
"They are a sneaky and cautious bunch. From what have gathered they refer to themselves as Knights of Honor."
"Some knights they are…. Attacking the innocence."
"The only thing we could gather so far from their devious raids is that they are planning for something. Magic artifacts and books they have stolen thus far suggest at the center of their grand scheme involve a being with the Saint class."
"I won't let that happen," Umi whispered to herself from behind the two.
Yet, Anju and Nico had indeed overheard Umi's small statement but made no comments about it.
"Seeing as how Kotori is the only living Saint in 40 years, you guys better be careful. They will stop at nothing to get to Kotori."
"Got it," Nico replied as Umi simply nodded to the two.
"Great! Well, this is where we part. I'll catch you two later, kay~" Anju waved goodbye, leaving Nico and Umi in front of the door leading to the morning alchemy class.
"Ready?" Umi asked Nico as she watches Anju's retreating form.
"No." Nico grudging replied as she pushed the doors open to her doom.
An 6th Year girl with angelic features laid sprawled out across her desk in a disheveled manner, waiting for her first-morning class to begin. Her mood had turned sour from her recent summer vacation.
The person the young girl had looked forward to seeing after a year apart (despite living with them) was nowhere to be seen upon her arrival. Only to be informed they were on a mission and would be back a few days. Before she knew it those few days had passed and turned into weeks. Those weeks flew in a blink of an eye and turned into months. By the end of the summer vacation, it was already time for the young angel to pack her school bag.
This fact had upset the girl greatly. Her mother and relatives only gave words of encouragement, "Maybe next year" or "She will see you as soon as she comes back." But the girl frowned at the mere thought of waiting for another year just to spend an entire season with them. Her feelings and need to see this person, who had occupied both her mind and heart were unbearable. Simple exchanges of "Good Morning," "Have a safe trip," "Welcome back," and "Goodnight" were erratic and tolerable at best. To the young girl, she was fed up with this game of cat and mouse.
'Maybe I should go seek her out...' the young girl thought.
Before the young girl could make up her mind, a figure plopped in a seat next to her's.
"Morning Maki-chan… What's wrong?" asked the young girl as she saw her friend's grumpy expression.
"...Nothing's wrong, Kotori. Just thought I would be late." Maki replied.
"But you're not. As you can see everyone else including me are bored and tirelessly waiting for our new alchemy professor."
"Our new professor? What happened to Professor Ono?" Maki asked with a puzzled looked.
"Resigned. Mother said something along the lines of his well being in jeopardy if he continues to teach here…"
"Well, I don't blame him. I can say for a fact, being your best friend is no easy feat. I can only imagine what the professors here have to deal with."
Kotori frowned at the thought. What Maki was saying was true. Ever since her encounter with the visiting Oracle and the Holy Knights from the Holy Church, her school life has been anything but peaceful.
In the beginning, the mere lie of her being an abandoned child from the Black Crow clan due to her white wings was passable. Everyone knew the Black Crow clan view those born with white wings as a sign of bad omen. With the Grand Duchess taking pity on her, she had adopted Kotori into the family with succession rights to the crown. Her extra merits to the crown drew in those who tried to befriend her for their own family's greed.
But now that her status as a Saint was revealed she drew in more unwanted attention. From the worse kind of people. Her once peaceful school life was shattered in a matter of seconds due to the Oracle's loose tongue.
"Hopefully this year will be a peaceful one." Kotori prayed.
"You say that every year and every year it's not. When we first met in our 3rd Year, the male students were trying to court you while their family was pressuring your mother, the Headmistress into an engagement with them. The females were trying to get on your good grace to meet with your cousins, his highness the Crowned Prince and the aloof Second Prince.
In our 4th Year when they see the Headmistress wouldn't relent, false evidence of illegal activity and blackmail were produced. Our school year was a miserable one no thanks to the Touma family replacing your mother with the snob they called their son. He was practical twice your age…"
"And Tsubasa-chan swoop into my rescue like the best cousin she was. She, who wasn't bound by royal duties like Tenka-niisama and Sora-chan was, mobilize her personal army in a flash. Although it did take a good three months or so to save us. Academy life could have been far worse than what it really was."
"The Toumas send kidnappers after their loss of nobility and exile. You were kidnapped twice…" Maki deadpanned.
"And, Umi-chan came to my rescue~ Twice, in fact, ~" sang Kotori.
"I only met her on a few occasions but Umi-san was nice. Distant but nice. Are you two really friends like you say you are? The way she acts around you is so...different from how we act as friends."
"Yes… That's the type of person Umi-chan is. She's a kind person…" Kotori smiled sadly.
"Is something the matter, Kotori?"
Unsure of whether to tell her friend or not, Kotori looked at Maki with moistening eyes. Her lips trembling from her overwhelming sadness.
"...You see Maki-chan. My summer vacation was an unpleasant one."
"Umi-san was away again?"
"...Yes."
"I see…"
"Do you think it was something I said or did that could have upset her?"
"Isn't she just busy with work? From how you had explained before, doesn't she work under her highness, the Crowned Princess?
"Tsubasa-chan would often give Umi-chan some days off. It's just by her choice that Umi-chan would avoid me."
"Aren't you just imagining it? You're too gentle of a person for anyone to get upset at."
Kotori shook her head in sadness.
"Maybe-" Before Maki could finish her train of thoughts, the classroom door swung open. In walked two females. One a small stature twin-tail girl who looked no older than a 1st or 2nd Year. The other a young woman with cobalt locks.
Kotori ignored the whispers and murmurs around her. All of her attention laid slowly on the young woman who had walked in. Slowly whispering just barely enough for Maki to hear, "Umi-chan."
"Kotori, I don't think— IT'S YOU!" Maki suddenly screamed. Standing up and pointing towards the young girl at the front.
Everyone in the classroom was startled by Maki's sudden outburst. Kotori even.
"Hmmm…? AH! The snobby 6th Year from earlier!" The young girl mirrored back.
"Nico!" The young woman chided. Before the young woman could go on and lecture her small friend, a clear, "Umi-chan…?" could be heard.
Startled to hear her name, Umi turned to face the speaker only to be met with clear amber eyes.
"...Kotori." Umi managed to say before the classroom erupted into a noise of chaos.
Facts:
• Golem, later known to be called Golem-Knights are humanoid automata controlled by magicians known as Golem Meisters.
• Knights of Honor is a new group gathering power in the shadows, but the exact details are unknown.