Yahallo! Just a three-part episode this time around. Hope you enjoy!
Our Magic!
Episode 03: How Akko Got Her Yay Back
Part III
"SUPAIKU!" the shout rang out across the beach as the volleyball smashed into the ground, causing an explosion of sand to rocket up. Akko seemed to hang in the air for a moment at the apex of her jump, before coming down lightly on her feet. She ran to Lotte and tackle-hugged her. "We're in the finals!"
Their friends watched from benches along with many other beachgoers. "She knows she doesn't have to shout out 'spike' every time she spikes it, right?" Amanda asked.
Jasminka and Constanze shrugged. Amanda and Constanze had entered the contest, but were disqualified by Constanze's use of magitech. Croix sat with them, "Does anything seem strange to you about Akko's performance?"
Everyone reacted with surprise except for Sucy, who nodded. Everyone looked to her, "Akko's not falling on her face every other second."
"Ohhhh."
"Hmm," Croix murmured as she went to pull out her tablet. Flinching in disgust at remembering it missing, she instead reached for a small notepad and pen.
Constanze had a Stanbot ask, "Why are you so interested in Akko?"
"She completed the Grand Triskelion and it's possible she took all of the world's magic into herself, even if it was just for a moment. Who wouldn't be interested?"
Jasminka accidentally ripped a board from the bench in front of her, causing everyone to stare. She flashed them a smile as she forced the board down back into place and pushed an exposed nail back in with her thumb, "As long as you're not too interested, I suppose.
Sucy covered her chuckle with her hand, and Amanda didn't bother to cover hers. Croix blinked in surprise at the display of strength. "I'm on Akko's side. There's no need to worry."
Jasminka hmmed at her declaration. Amanda patted Croix roughly on the back, jolting the older witch with each slap, "Don't take it personally, just we haven't exactly forgiven you for everything you've done."
Croix nodded, "I would not expect you to."
Barbara finally spoke up, "But it's amazing how you have Professor Chariot wrapped around your finger!"
"Huh?" Croix stammered in surprise, sure she had acted normally in front of the kids that morning. "What do you mean? We were just sharing a room for convenience."
Hannah laughed, "We heard you two out in the hallway last night after Chariot checked on us!"
She blushed lightly and focused her attention back on her notes, "How long do you suppose Akko's been more athletic? Since she absorbed the excess magic of the Sorcerer's Stone or earlier?"
"Oh!" Jasminka said in surprise, "The night she did that, I fought her and she did a backwards somersault to avoid the tables I threw at her."
Hannah spit out her drink and Barbara began apologizing to the man in front of them. Hannah said, "You threw tables at her to try to stop her?! All we did is try to reason with her!"
Jasminka swallowed some food before continuing, "In light of how everything went down, reasoning probably stood the best chance of success, Hannah."
Constanze nodded, remembering her battle with the brunette witch too. Her Stanbot spoke for her, "A witch with magic against a witch without isn't much of a fair fight, even if it's Jasminka."
"Or even if it's Constanze," Jasminka returned with a smile.
"This next match should be interesting," Croix began.
"'Cuz your girlfriend is in it?" Hannah asked excitedly.
Croix coughed, not exactly comfortable with these teenagers that were no longer her students. This was too much like socializing with actual people, "Chari—Chariot I mean, is physically superb." Amanda snorted and the rest of the girls started chuckling, "N-not like that! I mean even without magic she is a force to be reckoned with."
"I bet you reckoned with her all night," Barbara spoke with a twinkle in her eye.
"SHE'S A GREAT FIGHTER I MEAN!" Croix shouted.
"Akko still whupped her," Amanda said derisively.
"I hardly believe—"
"It was completely one-sided," Barbara said.
"Like it wasn't even a challenge," Jasminka agreed.
"Less effective than a fungus."
"I think Barbara and I delayed her longer."
"bzt—Constanze thinks Hannah and Barbara delayed her longer."
"ENOUGH!" Croix finally shouted, throwing her hands up in the air. Everyone started laughing and Croix realized they were teasing her.
"Sheesh, can't even poke fun at the megalomaniacal sociopath," Sucy commented.
Croix gave her a look of consternation, "Ahem, I apologize for my outburst."
Everyone started laughing again. Jasminka took pity on her and offered her a donut. "A donut? On the beach?" Jasminka nodded and Croix took it. "Wow! This is actually really good. You don't happen to have any ramen candy—"
"Chariot gave us strict orders to not allow any ramen," Hannah stopped her.
"What!"
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Once Chariot took the field, there were cries of dismay claiming someone had brought in a professional athlete. Diana had an air of superiority that she used to crush the spirits of every team they came up against. No one was surprised that these two had won through to the finals.
Their opponents on the other hand . . . Akko and Lotte were not exactly the tallest witches in the world. The fact that the two of them had won through to the finals had many watchers frustrated (other than the few that took the long odds and had bet on them). Amanda cackled with glee as her impromptu bookie business was a smashing success.
But Akko and Lotte had won, and won, and won again.
"You're going down!" Akko shouted at her best friend and their favorite teacher.
Diana rolled her eyes and gave her an assured grin, "That remains to be seen, Akko, now are you going to serve or talk at us all day?"
"That's it! You're asking for it!"
"Akko! Think before—"
Akko did not wait, tossing the volleyball sky high before following after it with an impossible leap. Twisting her entire body into the serve she screamed, "Eisu!" as she made contact.
The ball rocketed in a straight line from Akko to the space between Chariot and Diana. Chariot blinked before jumping with her arm and hand outstretched to barely miss the ball. A sand geyser exploded up, showering Chariot with sand, adding insult to her missed save.
"1-0," the referee intoned as the crowd went wild.
"She's a monster!"
"There's that crazy serve again!"
"How long do you think she can keep that up?"
Akko ran around in a circle with her arms outstretched, "Yay!"
High-fiving Lotte during one of her passes, she caught the ball and ran back to the serve line. "Akko, like we planned, remember?"
"Hai!" Akko tossed the ball up into the air again and jumped through the air after it.
"It's like she's flying!" came from the crowd.
"Eisu!" Akko smashed into the ball with her entire weight, but this time Chariot was ready for it. She moved into position and bent her knees perfectly to receive the ball, gently fielding it to Diana.
Diana was in the perfect position next to the net and let the ball settle into her outstretched fingers before flicking them up, springing her body in perfect synchronicity to zoom the ball into the oncoming freight train that was Chariot in the air.
Chariot came down with all the force she could muster, sending it over to the other side with a spike, but the mad libero Akko managed to fling herself across the sand to graze the ball with her fingers, sending it flying back up and into the waiting arms of the "magic setter Lotte".
With wide-eyes unencumbered by glasses, the be-contacted blonde took in the respective positions of her teammate and their opponents. Diana looked on in awe at Akko's save, and Chariot was still recovering from her jump. She spared a glance at the absurd Akko, who had already sprung up to her feet and was running at the net. There!
Launching the ball above the net in front of Diana, Akko appeared and spiked it with a trajectory that would take it over Diana's head.
But it was not to be. The ball flattened in mid-air and went straight into the net, deflated from the power Akko—and Chariot before her—had hit it with.
"1-1," came the call from the ref.
"Akko, what happened to our strategy?" Lotte bemoaned.
Akko grinned in apology, "Haha, sorry Lotte. I thought it would work again."
"Just what sort of match is this?"
"I think I remember seeing that one in the summer Olympics!"
"Are those girls for real?"
"Did you see that? Tell me you saw that."
"Are they pros?"
"That ball must be defective."
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Five balls later and a warning for each team to not abuse the equipment and the score was 27-28 in favor of Diana and Chariot with Diana up to serve.
Each player was dripping sweat, but Akko alone seemed unbothered with a seemingly boundless amount of energy. Although Diana and Chariot had the advantage this time, the crowd still was on the fence about who would finally take home the prize.
Lotte wiped the sweat from her burning eyes, missing the comfort of her spectacles. Akko jumped up and shouted once more, "You're going down!"
Diana grinned and shook her head, thoroughly loving playing against Akko. "Take this!" she shouted before faking an overhead serve and aiming the ball with a pinpoint accurate underhand serve.
The amazing Akko still managed to find her way underneath for a successful dig with yet another full-body dive to the floor. Her shins, knees, elbows, and hands all bore the bruises and scrapes of the countless dives she had made, but somehow it was like she always knew where the ball was going to go. This time she only managed to rebound it directly at Lotte. Surprised, Lotte managed a receive that sent the ball far out of bounds behind them.
Akko had already recovered and was running in the direction of the ball. "Oh come on!" Chariot groaned in incredulity.
Akko dove, clearly not close enough to the ball to reach it with her dive however. In midair she spun so that her back was to the ground and the dive stretched out until she landed underneath and sent the ball back to the net.
Barely grazing the net, the ball redirected from the back end by Diana to an unsuspecting Chariot that could not recover in time.
"28-28," even the referee sounded fatigued from calling the game at this point.
It was Lotte's turn to serve. Akko ran back to her for a quick conference. Lotte greeted her with her hands on her thighs and bent over, "Akko, I'm not sure I have anything left in me."
"It's OK Lotte! I believe in you!" Akko responded confidently. "Listen, do you think you can whisper whisper whisper."
"Really Akko? What if I fault?"
"Yep, really! Believe in me!"
Lotte nodded, Well, coming all this way I'd like to win, but it's not like anything bad will happen if we lose. I can definitely do this the way Akko wants me to . . .
Lotte tossed the ball and jumped, making sure to hit the ball in the dead center without any spin. The ball flew up over the net and out of bounds towards the sea.
"Yes!" Diana celebrated prematurely.
A gust of air blew inland from the sea, catching the seemingly floating volleyball and pushing it just inbounds. Lotte's mouth dropped open in surprise, "What?"
Chariot and Diana echoed her, "What?"
The referee started, "Wha—" before catching himself and calling out, "29-28."
"Yatta!" Akko started running in circles before tackle-hugging Lotte.
"We still have one more point, Akko!"
From the crowd, a certain blunette shouted, "YAY LOTTE! That was amazing!"
"Akko, how on Earth did you know the wind would blow in like that?" Lotte asked in amazement. The referee blew his whistle and gave them a time warning, cutting off Akko's answer.
"OK Lotte! Just hit it normal this time, I've got your back! We can do this!"
Lotte shook her head and focused in on the court. Paying close attention to the space between Chariot and Diana as well as Akko's position in relation to them, she noted Chariot in the back directly across from her on the right with Diana up front on the left. Akko stayed squarely in the center of their side of the court.
Lotte breathed out, breathed in, and she tossed the ball up.
After hours of play, Lotte felt both exhausted and confident she knew what to do. As soon as the ball bounced from her hand, Akko shouted "Yay!" already guessing what was about to happen.
The ball careened to the right before curving back to the left with the spin Lotte had put on it, forcing Chariot out of position and distracting Diana. Chariot reached the ball in time, but could barely control its trajectory, forcing Diana to make the recovery. Diana jumped out of bounds after the ball and spun in midair to turn the save into a slap towards the net. She landed hard on the ground.
Chariot was there and roared with the power of her spike. Unfortunately, there was nowhere for her to go as the shorty brunette with the power of Yggdrasil had her covered. Akko's block sent the ball straight into the sand at Chariot's feet.
Lotte dropped to her knees, either thankful it was finally over or incredulous her serve turned out exactly the way she thought. Akko was doing her best impression of a merry-go-round running in circles shouting "yay".
If Chariot had glasses on, they would have fallen off her crestfallen face. Diana gathered herself and slowly got up, shaking her head at the antics of Akko.
This time, Akko was too late to tackle-hug Lotte, as Barbara had already taken that right. "I can't believe you did that! You were so hot!"
Lotte seemed to be having trouble processing what was going on, but managed to nod and mutter, "Huh? Yes, it's very warm," before fainting.
"Ah! You killed Lotte!" Akko shouted in dismay, finally coming to a stop from her mad sprint.
"No I didn't! Shut up, Akko!" Barbara shouted back, feeling Lotte's forehead. "She's burning up though! You guys shouldn't have been pushing yourself so hard!"
She was about to pour water on Lotte before she groggily came to, "Lotte!" Akko shouted.
From there, the medic on call took over, treating Lotte for heat exhaustion. They carried Lotte to the shade and began the cool-down process, shooing away Akko and Barbara. Akko walked away with Barbara, berating her for "killing" Lotte, not letting Barbara get a word in edgewise that the long day of playing volleyball in the sun probably had more to do with it than her.
Diana watched the two walk back to their friends pensively. Chariot laid her hand on Diana's shoulder. "You were very good, Diana."
"Thank you, Chariot." Chariot nodded, and seemed unsure of what to say next. "What do you think is going on with Akko?"
"You mean with how she's been acting with you?" Chariot offered unhelpfully.
Diana shook her head. "She is acting mostly normal with me, although she has been withdrawn since yesterday. I am speaking of her abilities during the match."
"Ah, so you noticed," Chariot said, "Do I seem normal to you?"
Diana started at the question, then realized the answer, "The Claiomh Solais?"
"It makes you . . . more of what you were. Stronger, faster. Even after losing it, the benefits of being its wielder remains to some extent."
"And Akko is for all intents and purposes, still its wielder," Diana mused. "But it is more than that. She flew—without wand, spell, or broom, she was flying across the sand today."
"That—is unexpected," Chariot conceded.
"Should we be concerned?"
"Let's wait and see. We are all here for Akko if she needs us, there's nothing that we can do simply by worrying."
Diana smiled as she thought of Akko, "I am sure even if it is impossible, Akko would still find a way to come out on top. She is incredible."
Chariot watched Diana's eyes, "Is that all she is?"
"I am not sure I follow you, Professor."
Chariot gave her a wistful smile, "Think about it, Diana. Please, for all our sakes."
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The award ceremony was a fun time and an unsteady Lotte even managed to go up and accept their prize with Akko. The only one not having fun was Barbara, trailing after a Hannah giving her the cold shoulder.
The next few days passed quickly: fireworks on the beach; gossiping and chatting during the night; days of laying on the beach, playing in the water, and eating amazing seafood.
Croix left the first night after the volleyball match, and none of the girls passed up a chance to tease Chariot. Their jests managed to help the lonely teacher from falling too deeply into regret and longing.
Akko continued to remain distant with Diana, and by the second-to-last day of their trip, Amanda had finally had enough.
"What's going on with you two?"
Akko looked up in surprise, "I thought we were going to make a sandcastle?"
"I want to talk about you and Diana."
"Well, I don't want to talk about that. I want to make a sandcastle. You're American, I thought you'd be good at building things."
"What the hell kind of stereotype is—no, no, no, you're not going to distract me. What's with you and Diana?"
"We're friends," Akko said simply.
Bluntly, Amanda said, "You're sure acting like a jilted lover."
Akko's smile did not reach her eyes, "We're just friends, but I've been thinking maybe Diana doesn't really want to do those things. Now, are you going to help me with this sandcastle?"
"I am not going to help you with your sandcastle. I am going to help you with your brain."
"My brain?"
"Yeah, it needs sorted out."
"My brain's fine, well, it's probably not perfectly fine after everything Sucy's given me, but I'm sure there's no permanent damage . . . nothing noticeable anyway." Akko laughed nervously.
"Stop being so evasive!"
"I'm sure if I can be so evasive there's nothing wrong with my brain then, right? I'm sure if there's anything wrong with anyone's brain, it's yours," Akko turned it back on Amanda.
"You don't think you're hurting Diana by being distant?"
Akko frowned in sympathy, "I know you like Diana a lot, but . . . "
"If you two are just friends then you should be able to do those things with me!"
"Eee?" Akko drawled out in surprise. How did it go from me not kissing Diana to me kissing Amanda?
"I'm saying you should be able to kiss me. I'm your friend!"
"What, no, it's different."
"What's different? Don't you love me? Aren't we close enough? What is so different?"
"It's just different with Diana, I can't explain it!"
"Then why aren't you kissing her more! If you can kiss her whenever you want, you should just kiss her! Tell her how you feel!"
"DO YOU REALLY THINK DIANA WANTS TO KISS ME?"
"EVERYONE THINKS DIANA WANTS TO KISS YOU! THAT'S WHY SHE KISSES YOU, YOU MORON!"
Akko shook her head in refusal, "You're wrong. Diana thinks it's normal to kiss."
"And you don't?!"
"Of course I do! She's my best friend! I want to kiss her all the time!"
"YOU'RE SO FRUSTRATING!"
"You're so . . . " Akko couldn't think of anything, and instead shoved Amanda backwards and ran away.
"Well, that could have went better," Amanda said from the ground.
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"If you two are just friends, then it shouldn't bother you to do the same things with me," Amanda began.
Diana returned calmly, "The difference is that you like me like a girlfriend."
"But aren't I your friend? Aren't we close?"
"We are close, but Akko is my best friend."
"That's bullshit. It's just an excuse! You're lying to yourself! Lying to Akko! And even if it was true, how do you know you couldn't be best friends with me? If you can be that close with one friend, you can be that close with another friend!"
Diana turned the logic over in her head, "I do not believe that is the case."
"Whatever!" Amanda was about to storm off, "Wait, you don't believe it? That means you're not sure!"
"It is impossible to be 100% certain, yes," Diana conceded.
"Then try it with me! Kiss me. Hug me. Hold me. Touch me." She gulped back her fears, "Please." Is this really going to work?
Diana reached up to the taller girl's face and gently brushed her hair back, "We will try this once as an experiment."
"Whatever, just get on with it." Amanda closed her eyes in anticipation. She's going to chicken out, I'm sure of it. There's no way she is going to kiss me. There's no way she is going to kiss me. Diana leaned closer and Amanda could feel her breath on her lips, but Diana stayed inches away. Oh my God, I can't take this anymore. Eventually, Amanda's eyes opened and regarded the troubled azure of Diana's orbs. "It's just an experiment, right?"
"That is so, but . . . "
Amanda grabbed her, squeezing her slight frame beneath her arms as she leaned down and captured Diana's lips for her own. Diana stopped struggling in her arms, and leaned back so that Amanda was dipping her. Amanda deepened the kiss, crying in joy and pain. She's letting me kiss her! I can't believe she's letting me kiss her! She began peppering kisses down Diana's jaw to her neck.
"Please," Diana's voice was breathless, but clear. Amanda took it as an invitation. Amanda moved back up and began kissing her lips again. She trailed her hand down Diana's back until she was caressing her butt. Diana groaned into the kiss and broke away, "No more."
Amanda stared into her eyes as she slowly brought her back to vertical. They were both crying.
"I am so sorry," Diana said. "I had no idea you loved me so much . . . That it would be so passionate . . . " She trailed off, the coming rejection obvious.
Amanda bit back a sob, "I know what you're going to say, so just say it. I did this so you'd wake up and know for yourself."
"Yes, I understand." Diana covered her mouth with her hand, trying to contain her tears enough to speak, "I am 100% certain. You are correct that I have been lying to myself. Lying to Akko. I had no idea."
Amanda smiled through her tears, "If I had to lose you to someone . . . "
Diana reached out and brushed Amanda's lips with her thumb, "I will always be grateful to you for showing me this."
"You should go to her now. Don't wait. Let her know your feelings as soon as possible."
"What if . . . "
Amanda cut her off, "You have to know she feels the same way. Everyone thinks you two are crazy for each other."
Diana smiled, "Very well! I will go. I will go find Akko right this very instant."
"Go get her!" Amanda smiled through her tears as she watched Diana return to their rooms.
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The letter came as a shock. Lotte found it, and she hadn't been able to stop crying long enough for anyone to understand her. Hannah found Lotte, and called everyone into their room. Eventually, Lotte managed to get someone else to notice the note on the desk. Chariot skimmed it and gasped. "It's from Akko," she began, reading the note aloud:
Hi Everyone!
I decided to leave for home a little early. The truth is, I'm actually way more of a coward than you might think, and I just don't think I can do this face-to-face after all.
I'm not coming back. Sorry.
Every one of you is so precious to me.
Ursula-sensei—just this once: Chariot-sensei! You've inspired me in countless ways and in many ways, because of you, I've already accomplished my dream of showing the entire world how wonderful magic can be. We made the entire world smile! Yay! I will be forever grateful to you. The fact that I got to be taught magic by you still amazes me.
Croix-sensei, I know you're not my sensei any more, but I really value everything you've taught me. More importantly, I value how happy Ursula-sensei looks when you are near (now that you're totally not evil and doing bad things anymore anyway).
Constanze, even though you don't say much (or anything really), your support means so much to me. I know I can always count on your heart as much as I can count on your tech! I'll miss cuddling you!
Jasminka, your cheerful attitude keeps me going more than you know! And I'll always cherish our midnight snacks together.
Hannah and Barbara, I know we did not start on the right foot and you always looked down on me, but now that we are friends I am only sorry that it took us so long to get started! Hannah, your caring heart helps Diana more than she'll ever admit. Thank you. Barbara, your affection and love is felt by all of us and if it wasn't for you, I would have never been able to become friends with Diana because her heart would have been closed. Never doubt that you two are her friend. I wish I could have a relationship like you two have with each other.
Amanda. You have shown me so much. I know your family puts a lot of pressure on you, but you are your own witch. I wish nothing but happiness for you.
Sucy, I think I will actually miss being your guinea pig! Whenever the going got tough, I knew I could rely on you, and when the going wasn't tough, dealing with you could be a lot of fun. Sometimes anyway—when I wasn't fearing for my own life. Because of you, I got to kiss Chariot! Yay!
Lotte, know that I will always be your friend. You support me even when I'm in the wrong, but you always stay true to yourself and let me know. I've grown so much because of you. I'm so happy you supported me even in my selfish desire to play volleyball and forget myself here.
Everyone, I love you so much.
Sayonara! I hope we meet again!
Lotte had started sobbing harder when Chariot read her part. Diana stood ashen-faced and looked to Amanda. Amanda shook her head in pain and ran out of the room. Everyone stood in a state of shock and despair.
Diana collapsed.
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Duhn duhn duh! I actually wrote this scene first in the entire episode, so it's been building to this throughout the beach-time "fun". Yes, yes, the title of the episode was ironic.
The end of this chapter feels a little choppy to me, so I apologize if you think so too!
Next chapter features Akko flying home . . . on a plane?! Don't tell me she lost her magic again?!