A/N: Hello, I do hope you like this chapter and will continue reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vanguard G or its characters
Chapter Thirteen: Conclusion Jumping and Love
Chrono's POV
"Hey everyone" I greeted walking into the Card Shop. "Hey Chrono, what's up?!" Kamui returned.
The Trinity Dragons were trying to get Tokoha to enter a tournament apparently. "They don't appeal to me" she told them turning her back on them. I wasn't surprised she said that.
Tsuneto compared Tokoha with her brother making me sigh. When are they going to get that no one likes being compared to family?
She yelled at them to leave her alone making me frown. "I mean… I don't have the time. Sorry for yelling" Tokoha said turning to Kamui when she apologized.
"Don't worry about it" Kamui dismissed with a shake of his hand. "The ones who should apologize are over there" Kamui told her glaring at the group.
They all shrunk back before they bowed in apology apologizing to her. I was at the Quest Board when the whole thing occurred. "When are you guys going to realize that she doesn't like being compared to her brother?" I asked them.
"She didn't want to play Mamoru because she doesn't want to see the difference in skill level between them. It's not hard to see" I said going back to the task at hand.
Time Skip: Friday
I bit into the Croquet Bread Kamui had me buy. It was good. I'm glad the man who owns the bakery let me work there for small change.
"You see what I mean about these things? Can you believe we got the last two?" Kamui asked.
"Yes, the owner said I could have a pick of any item and how much after my shift. I was working there for a Quest" I told him. "Oh, I didn't know that" Kamui said.
I shrugged absently at that. I can probably remake the bread just from what I taste in it.
You learned from watching others after all. "I didn't get a chance to leave the shop so I'm glad I didn't inconvenience you" Kamui informed. "I wouldn't have minded either way.
I like trying new foods and seeing if I can remake and/or make it better" I smiled taking another bite. I saw Kamui's smile from the corner of my eye but didn't comment or question it.
Time Skip: Saturday*
I had to get one extra Croquette Bread for Shin because Kamui likes to talk. "So good, you were right about these" Shin said happily. "I knew you'd like them.
I had Chrono go out and get some after his shift there" Kamui informed. "You're working Chrono?" Shin asked, I nodded. "It was for a Quest, when I got there he offered me small change and points after the first day.
I made his store popular apparently" I said absently. Mamoru said he liked these.
Also mentioned that his sister has been more irritable for two days now. Maybe it's because I keep buying the last ones? I hope she doesn't think I'm hogging them for no reason.
Time Skip: Sunday
I bought the last four Croquettes that the owner made before the bag was ripped from my hands. Tokoha opened the bag before I could say one word.
I felt bad for the store owner because Tokoha glared at him for doing his job. "Please don't hurt me" he begged, hands folded and head bowed in apology. "You monster!" she yelled at me.
I was shocked before I got somewhat over it. "What?" I asked keeping my voice from stuttering.
"For the last three days I've been coming here, these have been sold out!" she yelled. "Why don't you get here earlier tomorrow. Or better yet, ask me to save you some" I reasoned.
"Easy for you to say. Buying the last for of them for yourself" she shouted.
"Maybe if you weren't so quick to judge you wouldn't be yelling at a man who was doing his job. And yelling at me for buying them for someone else" I said angry at more erroneous claims from her. Kumi ended up stopping our fight.
She suggested something that got our attention anyway. "Just have a Cardfight to see who gets them" she suggested timidly.
"Fine with me. Like I'd lose to a person who jumps to conclusions out of spite" I answered angry for the moment. She always does this around me and yelling at a man for doing his job crossed the line for me.
Scene Change: Park
When we set up the game I wondered what we were doing again. It's just food.
"If I beat you you have to hand over the bag of snacks" Tokoha stated. "You keep jumping to conclusions and yelling at people for no reason. I'm not losing to you" I told her.
"We'll go to a forest on the Green Continent, is that alright for our battle?" she asked. "Do what you wish" I sighed.
"I'm going to liberate that Croquette Bread" Tokoha declared. "Empty declarations now? How trivial" rolling my eyes at her attitude.
We stood the Vanguard when the battlefield was set. She stood Spring-Heralding Maiden, Ozu while I stood Gunnergear Dracokid.
She rode Budding Maiden, Diane before I rode Masergear Dragon. I called another Masergear to the front left asking the Vanguard to attack. She had Maiden of Dimorphotheca guard against him.
I asked the Rearguard Masergear to attack getting a hit this time. She rode Blossoming Maiden, Cela before she attacked.
Another unit attacked, a male this time, but I asked Steam Maiden, Uluru to guard. I rode Smokegear after the attacks were done. I called two Glimmer Breath Dragons to the front Rearguard.
I asked one of them to attack but Tokoha guarded. I checked for a Drive Trigger getting Heart Thump Worker, a Critical Unit.
I gave the Critical to Smokegear asking him to attack. She didn't, or couldn't, guard against Smokegear or Glimmer Breath. Kumi was cheering Tokoha on for a Heal Trigger.
She got one so I ended my turn. "Considering just how recently you started playing, you're pretty good" Tokoha praised cockily.
"Thank you" I said before she mentioned Jaime. Said she knew I had something when I beat him. She rode Ranunculus Flower Maiden, Ahsha.
She had all front row units attack. The front right first taking out my Glimmer Breath Dragon.
I asked Steam Battler, Dadasig to guard against the front left Rearguard. Tokoha had Ahsha attack checking the Drive Trigger. She drew a Critical giving me three damage now.
I rode Chronojet Dragon asking him to attack. She had Maiden of Dimorphotheca guard again. "You got your act together" I smiled.
"Glad you see that" she told me taking an offensive stance. "I guess Cardfighting runs in the family" I smiled ending my turn.
"Why… did you have to ruin it?" Tokoha asked. I looked up seeing her shaking in anger. I didn't compare her to her brother so why is she upset?
Misae Anjou was a popular Vanguard player, well sought after. Yoshiaki Anjou was the same way.
No matter who she was born to Vanguard should run in her blood. "This is my Cardfight, mine!" she said shaking even harder than before. "It has nothing to do with my brother!" she yelled.
I saw Kumi's face and she was just as confused as me. "You are nothing like him, at least he hears people out" I mumbled under my breath.
She activated the Generation Zone where she rode Flower Princess of Spring, Arborea. I wasn't surprised by her attack. She wasted Arborea's Skill in misplaced spite.
She put the Unit back where it was before I sighed. "You're nothing like him and I never said you were" I told her.
I liberated the Generation Zone seeing the moving space you normally see when you liberate. "Show me the future I'm heading towards, Generation Stride!" I called riding Chronoscommand Dragon. I activated his Skill removing all of her Rearguards.
I placed Chronoscommand back in the Generation Zone before explaining. "I said that Vanguard runs in your blood not that you play like Mamoru. I'm not oblivious to how you feel about being compared to him.
Mrs. Misae and Mr. Yoshiaki must be proud of both of you. I don't think you or Mamoru would be where you are without having grown up together.
Cherish the bonds you have Tokoha, otherwise… they'll be gone" I told her. She was likely remembering something before her gaze turned determined. She activated the Generation Zone riding Flower Princess of Spring's Beginning, Primavera.
She activated Maiden of Gladiolus's Generation Break allowing her to call Marehope from the deck. She put her in the back Rearguard behind the Vanguard.
She called the same Units she just used to the Rearguard thanks to Primavera's Skill. I asked Steam Maiden, Arlim to guard against the oncoming attack. Gladiolus attacked next with a boost from Marehope.
I asked Uluru and Glimmer Breath to guard against the Unit. I activated the Generation Zone having Faterider attack.
"I really wish you remembered or was told, I really did mess up" I sighed when the game ended. "Why are you giving this to me? I was the one who lost" Tokoha inquired when I gave the bag to her.
"I wasn't lying about not eating them by myself. Kamui asked me to get some when I got off work.
I just happen to get off work earlier than you get there" I told her. "Where do you work?" Kumi asked. "At the bakery, it was for a Quest but I got small change and points after the first day.
It's been selling out so quickly because I was baking the products" I told them. "Now I have to tell Misaki, Kamui, and Shin that I didn't get the Croquettes" I was not looking forward to it.
I know they heard me despite the fact I was mumbling it. "I was so mean to them" I heard Tokoha realize when I reached my bike. I got on it riding off to Card Capital 2.
Scene Change: Card Capital 2
"What do you mean sold out?!" Kamui yelled at me. "What am I gonna tell Misaki?" Shin worried.
He got a call from the mentioned leading the duo to freak out. I took the phone from him with a sigh of annoyance at their reactions. "Hey Misaki" I greeted answering the call for him.
"Hey Chrono, did you get the Croquettes?" she greeted and questioned. "No, Tokoha was mad at me for buying the last ones.
She's been upset the past three days so I gave them to her" I explained. I heard a smacking sound. I turned to see Kamui had his hand on his forehead.
Shin was shaking his head slowly pinching the bridge of his nose. I shook my head in disbelief at their actions.
"Did you get the recipe down at least?" she asked making me nod. "Yes I did, I figured it out yesterday but it won't taste the same" I smiled. "That's fine then, so long as I can try them?
How many more days are you working at the Bakery?" I smiled sadly at that. "Four more days.
The owner is happy to have more business now" I told her happily. "That's good, I look forward to trying the Croquette" she commented before hanging up. I looked up to see Tokoha and Kumi at the door with shocked expressions.
I so hope they didn't hear the whole conversation since I got here. Tokoha ran in bowing deeply as she apologized for jumping to conclusions again.
"It's fine" I told her annoyed that they arrived at the wrong time. She handed me money for the Croquettes. When I tried to refuse she wouldn't take no for an answer.
Why didn't she just eat them and go home?! That's what normal people do.
~Vanguard G~
I had agreed to help a young man named Ogawa find a girl he'd fallen for. He explained it in detail and he did the moves she made. I smiled covering it when he told me not to look at him like that.
"I'm sorry" I told him before we sat down at a table. "I haven't seen her since then" Ogawa explained.
"I've been coming back everyday since asking Kamui if he's seen anyone matching her description. No luck though" he told me. "It would help if you knew her name" Kamui shrugged dismissively.
"You didn't even ask her name?" I asked confused. How can someone fall for someone else then not ask their name?
"So I track her down and give it back to her?" I asked standing up. "Well… umm… yes" he said. "You are clueless Chrono" Tokoha said getting my attention.
"What?" I asked unsure what she means. "Allow me to explain" she told me.
"He met a beautiful girl when he was Cardfighting and fell in love. Now he wants to reunite with her" Tokoha said dreamily. "Don't tell the whole world about it" Ogawa said standing abruptly.
He sat back down after a moment his whole face going bright red. "Cardfighting made that chance possible.
It's like a Vanguard fairytale" Tokoha said. "I don't understand that" I told her. He can try looking himself or next time ask the name of the person he falls for.
"Put yourself in his shoes" Tokoha suggested. "No! I am not doing that again" I told her shaking my head.
"The one person I fell for doesn't even remember me. Lost all their memories of me one day. I see them every day and it's the same for them.
I can't even talk to them like I used because of it. I asked that wanting him to tell me the reason himself without me having to guess.
Do not tell me I'm clueless when it comes to falling for someone" I told her. That shocked all of them for some reason. I looked at the card hearing Nociel say her fighter's name, and more.
'Hinako, she's a cheerleader. She was participating in a cheerleading competition at one of the schools nearby' I smiled.
"You have to find the girl and get him to impress her when they meet. That's the true purpose of this Quest" Shion told me. He acted like he knows everything.
"Why are you even getting involved in this?" I asked annoyed now. "We're going to help you find this girl" Tokoha told me.
"No way, nu-uh, not happening" I told them crossing my arms to make an 'x' as I shook my head. "It'll be faster by myself" I told them. They walked past me with Tokoha taking the card as she passed.
"What? Are you dropping out?" she asked arms crossed as they turned to me.
"No, I'd find her easier without your guys's help" I told them stubbornly. I took the card from her quickly but carefully. I don't want to hurt Nociel.
"Who do you want to help you?" Shion asked Ogawa. "So long as I get to see her I don't care who helps.
Whoever is the first to give her the card gets the points" Ogawa informed. When did this turn into a Quest? "It's a girl around our age, plays Vanguard, and uses the Angel Feather Clan?
It's not a lot to go on" Shion listed asking if there was anything else. "Well she did have a purse charm of Olivier Gaillard from the Euro League" Ogawa answered.
"He's Aichi's friend, isn't he?" I asked taking my phone out. I went through my contacts finding him. "This is him, right?" I asked showing it to him.
"Yeah, nice shot of him to" Ogawa praised. I took the picture when I dropped Shion off at the Kiba Household.
It was taken in front of our school. "Thank you, took it myself" I smiled proudly. "Now, what event was there only on that day?" I asked.
"What will that do?" Tokoha asked. "She was only here that one day.
She must've been in town for something only on that date" Shion devised. "Nice job" I smiled turning my head to smile at him. I saw him doing something on his FICA making me frown.
Please no plan, his plan'll backfire. He sent out a Quest calling all Angel Feather users to the Card Shop.
Time Skip: One Hour Later
Yep, bad idea. "I hate crowds" I grumbled moving to a corner away from everyone. Kamui said I could come over to the other side of the counter which I took immediately.
"Who would've thought so many people would show up?" Tokoha said. "I did" I told her.
"His identity wasn't kept secret and it's the identity of a person who is popular with the female population. The ruling gender of the Angel Feather Clan, here and on Cray" I told her. Tokoha started chatting with the girls after a while.
"Is there a computer here I could use Kamui?" I asked when Tokoha said she was getting more done than me. "You can use the store's.
Are you even competing with them?" he asked. "No, it was originally just something I wanted to do for him. It wasn't a Quest until they showed up" I answered searching the events in town.
There were twenty Quests, two Vanguard events. A bunch of sports clubs for three schools in the area, and three cheerleading competitions.
One for elementary school kids, one for Junior High kids, and another for college kids. I clicked the Junior High one finding a picture of the winners. 'That's her' Nociel said in spirit form pointing to a light brunette with hazel eyes.
I asked Ogawa over turning the computer for him to look at her. "That's her!" Ogawa exclaimed.
That got Shion's attention. Tokoha was busy with a map. "Who's her?" he questioned before I pointed to the girl.
"This is Hinako" I told him. "So that's her name?
Hinako?" Ogawa asked, I nodded. "She's a cheerleader from another town. She was here for a Cheerleading Competition, which her team won" I smiled.
"She's at one of the Hospitals" Tokoha told us. "Are any of them cheerleaders?" I asked her.
"I don't know, why?" she asked leaning in. I had to lean back so she wouldn't be in my face. "She's a cheerleader.
I mentioned the events that were only in town for that day. I clicked the easiest one to find her and it was right" I told her.
"Where does she live?" Tokoha asked making me sigh. "Why would this site have a home address or a personal number of a cheerleader Tokoha?" I asked. Cheerleaders are popular and she looks to be 'a woman who appears sweet, approachable, and engaging' the one more likely to be stalked.
"There are seven schools that participated in the competition. Shion?" I asked getting his attention.
"Could you possibly find out which stores in these areas sell or sold Olivier purse charms?" I asked. "Sure but don't you want the points?" he asked. "No, I was never in it for points" I told him blandly.
I listed off the areas before he grabbed his laptop from his bag. I heard fast clicking before Tokoha asked what she could do.
"Find a way to get anything else about her from the girl you were talking to and from Ogawa. It should be easy for an Anjou, right?" I smiled. She nodded determined to do so.
"There is only one area that has sold Olivier Gaillard purse charms" Shion informed. "Are you able to find what's in walking distance of the store?
Make sure it's still in the walking distance of the school to if you can" I told him. "She said that it was 'Hospitality' not hospital" Tokoha told me. The store was empty so we weren't bothering anyone.
"You should be happy then. There are 110 to 115 girls in Junior High involved with hospitals" I told her.
"There's a Hair Salon, a condo, an apartment, and two housing blocks in both areas" Shion told me. "We should check the Hair Salon first" I told them. "Why?" Ogawa asked when Tokoha thanked the green-haired girl for her time.
"A cheerleader is bound to go to a Hair Salon at some point. What is the name and address of the Hair Salon?" I asked Shion.
"It's named… Omotenashi" he answered. "Didn't even think about that" I smiled shocked. Omotenashi is the Japanese spirit of hospitality and service.
I exited the tab thanking Kamui. "Lead the way Shion" I smiled asking Tokoha to hurry up.
Scene Change: Block Away From Omotenashi
*Rumble Rumble* The noise made us stop walking. Shion and I looked to Tokoha asking if she was hungry. "Of course I am! I haven't eaten all day" she blushed.
I sighed before speaking. "You have a coupon for a restaurant up ahead.
You can use that to pay for you and I can pay for Shion and me" I negotiated. She agreed to that but Shion told me that I didn't have to. "You didn't bring money did you?" I asked knowing he didn't.
"Well no…" "Then I'm paying for you" I smiled leaving no room for any version of refusal. We walked some ways before entering the restaurant.
"What size do you want Shion" I asked easily when we were seated. "A small one" was all he said. I told the waitress our order and Tokoha told her her's.
Tokoha got a small one with chicken and Shion got a small one with green onions. I got a large one with green onions.
I cooked them all just right doing mine last. I plated Shion and Tokoha's before I started cooking mine. "I don't get the chance to eat things like this at home" Shion said making me smile.
"It's a day for firsts then" I smiled. "How much did it cost you?
I should know how much I should pay you back for" Shion said. "Don't worry about it, it was only 23.9% of what I had in my pocket anyway" I smiled. "How much?" Shion pressed.
"1589.31 Yen"** I answered plating my food. "As I said not much" I told him finishing my food.
I looked back at them seeing shocked expressions. "How much did you have to start with?" they asked. "Just 6634.25 Yen" I answered seeing they were only half way finished.
When they were finished they voiced their approval. "That hit the spot.
I will pay you back for this" Shion said dabbing a napkin over his mouth. "I feel better now that I've eaten" Tokoha voiced leaning back with a content sigh. "Now that we've eaten we should go to Omotenashi" I told them.
"That's right!" "The Quest!" Tokoha exclaimed before Shion finished. We left the restaurant and headed to the Hair Salon.
Scene Change: Omotenashi
"Hello?" Tokoha greeted when she opened the door. "Hello, we'd like to speak to you about Hinako" I smiled when the owner greeted us. "Okay" the brunette man told us.
He motioned for us to wait in the back so we did. "What do you want to know about my daughter?
Did she do something wrong?" the man asked when he sat down across from me. "No, she forgot her Battle Cupid, Nociel at our local Card Shop. It was when she was in the area for a Cheerleading Competition" I told him dismissing the idea with a wave of my hand.
"I see, she normally helps me around the salon but she's at a competition right now. She's been cheerleading since she was young.
I think she could get a scholarship with it" he informed. He sounded proud of his daughter. "I see do you know where?" I asked.
"Of course!" he told us the name of the building so I texted it to Ogawa. "Thank you for your time" I smiled leaving with the other two.
"Come again anytime!" he called when he followed us to the door. I got a text from Ogawa not long after. "He'll meet us there" I informed the two.
Time Skip: Almost Sunset
"Hey Ogawa! Are you… hiding?" I asked when we reached him. "There she is!" he exclaimed pointing to a group of girls.
"She's prettier in person, he doesn't have a chance" you should not have said that. "I know she's too good for a loser like me! Just give her the card already!" Ogawa yelled. "You're not a loser Ogawa" I told him glaring at Shion.
"The whole point of this was to have you give her the card" Tokoha told him. "I'll give the points to anyone who gives it to her" he bargained.
"That still isn't the point" Shion told him. "Just give it here" I yanked the card carefully from his grasp. "That's mean of you Chrono" Tokoha told me.
"You were lying when you said you weren't in it for the points" Shion accused. They didn't even know what I was going to do with it.
I took my deck from my back pocket taking the top four from it. I held them up separating them to show them it was four. I shuffled Nociel in with whatever cards were there.
This surprised and confused all three of them. "Pick a card, if it's Battle Cupid, Nociel you give it to her" I told him.
"No" he declined feebly. "You like her right?" I asked getting his attention. "Yes" he answered making me smile.
"Then listen to this and don't make the same mistake I did" I told him smiling softly. I quoted Mark Zuckerberg after I told him that.
"'The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks'"
He told me three days ago he's a fan of quotes. Any quote he analyzes, if he deems them true, he takes to heart. "Okay!" he said determined after a few seconds.
He picked a card, eyes closed. When he opened them he was stuttering the card's name in shock.
"B-B-B-Battle Cupid, Nociel!" he stuttered making me smile. "Fate falls on you, this was meant to be. Whether you pass or fail from now on is based on your next choices" I smiled.
"Thank you so much Chrono! I'm glad I met you last week" Ogawa said before asking for my FICA. We had left our FICAs with him because we couldn't accept a Quest right away from another Card Shop.
"When you went to Omotenashi I made the Quest like you suggested Chrono. Turns out it was easier than you agreeing to it separately. You get:
'Nociel Quest: Taking Charge'
Chrono" he told me signing my FICA. He asked for Tokoha's and Shion's FICA to confusing them. I figured from the title he made more than one Quest.
Aichi told me that Kamui made him make three to make sure we worked together. If we didn't, and he saw we did, we wouldn't get any points.
"'Nociel Quest: Most Compliant to Work in a Group' goes to Shion" he said signing Shion's FICA.
"And 'Nociel Quest: Most Willing to Cooperate Against Initial Intentions' goes to Tokoha" he informed signing her FICA.
"What is this?" they both asked in confusion. "When you guys left Kamui taught me how to make Subquests for a specific group. All I had to do was make the initial Quest and add your names.
He said it was a good way to reward group work" Ogawa explained. "Thank you all" Ogawa said walking away after giving us our FICAs back.
"I increased the number of points and divided it because of the teamwork you showed" he informed before we looked at our FICAs. I got 600 points, Shion 575, and Tokoha 550. When we looked up he was already talking to her.
He was nervous of course, anyone gets nervous when talking to a crush. "You helped him believe in himself, what a surprise, and with a quote" Tokoha said.
"He takes quotes he believes to state the truth to heart" too bad I can't. We walked back to town when Shion asked more questions. "Why did you work with us when you were so against it?
Didn't you want the points?" he asked making me sigh. "No reason really" I answered dismissively.
"I figured since you weren't gonna give up I might as well take advantage of it. I don't know how helping a friend turned into a Quest so quickly though" I sighed. "What do you mean?
Wasn't it a Quest to begin with?" Tokoha asked making me shake my head. "No, I met Ogawa a week ago.
We became friends and I tried getting him to tell me why he was there every day. He told me today what was wrong and I told him I would help" I answered shrugging dismissively. "It was a pretty sneaky move you pulled with the cards" Shion accused with a smile.
I was confused before he explained. "Don't be shy! You had four other copies of that card in your pocket" Shion told me.
"You did that?" Tokoha asked making me frown. "Are you guys that much of an idiot?" I asked stopping when they did. "I took out my deck, picked four cards from the top, didn't even look.
What are the chances I would have a single Angel Feather Unit in a Gear Chronicle deck?" I asked. "Less than 1.3% chance" I told them continuing.
"With your logic how would he give her her Nociel card? They all look the same" I told them. "Well that's mean" Tokoha said walking ahead with Shion.
"Didn't you say that it was like a Vanguard fairy tale Tokoha?" I asked making her stop, and Shion to. If Vanguard let it happen twice it's bound to be right?
And as Mary Tyler Moore once said:
'Take Chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave'"
I quoted. They sighed simultaneously before I caught up with them. "You guys are the ones who kept jumping to conclusions today" I told them making them look away.
They gave a half-hearted apology annoying me. I got a text from Ogawa telling me that they exchanged numbers to talk.
It made me smile. I was happy for him, and for her. I hope Nociel is doing okay now, being back with her fighter after a month and all.
A/N: Hello, I finished writing this at 7:53 A.M. on October, 18, 2017. I wasn't planning on this being more than 5100 words but oh well. Long chapter to say farewell, for a while, not forever.
*The owner mentions Chrono by name because he's still working for him. And the shops more popular than ever with his recipes and cooking.
**Includes Tax and a 10% tip. Used my Tip Calculator and Currency Converter for this.
I do hope you like this chapter and story and will continue reading.