Celestial Students
By: Tsubasa Caligrapher
Chapter 21
Thanks to my dear reviewers !
" Wow. " Anne and Tina commented as they saw the slightly crumbling inn.
" Yeah, realized we were shorter on money than we thought. " Ms. Lopez apologized. Then, Daisuke pulled a free flyer out of a nearby stand and quickly skimmed through it.
" But hey, it was only two minutes from the station and it features large open-air baths on the roof with two meals for just about ¥7000 ! " Daisuke read as the others sighed in relief.
" Are the baths mixed ? " Gilbert asked with a sly smile as the girls gasped. Daisuke ignored their reactions and just flipped through the flyer. He stopped on the part that told more of the baths and read it slowly.
" Uhhh … I think they're separated … " he read slowly as he couldn't exactly remember the kanji lessons he took with Ericel. Gilbert sighed disappointedly as the girls cheered.
" But before we get to all of this, let's go to the shops ! " Tina suggested as Anne nodded happily.
" Why do I get a bad feeling about this ? " Gilbert asked.
" Because they're going to make us carry their bags. " Daisuke sighed sadly.
--
" Well, that was long and trecherous. " Ericel commented as they finally made it to the Great Boiling Valley. Instead of taking the cablecar like normal people, Misato suggested they hike up under the springs. But he had to admit, it was nice to see all the views as they hiked.
" I so need a rest. " Ashant'e sighed as she sat on her suitcase.
" Maybe you shouldn't have brought such a large suitcase. " Ericel chuckled while she just glared at him.
" Hey, I'm still a princess and I need these things ! " she argued back while Misato just decided to stay out of it.
" So, these hotels are a bit more expensive around the weekends but they're still pretty grand. " Misato said as she pulled out her guide book. Ericel and Ashant'e double-checked their money to make sure that they had enough but when they pulled open their packs, they gasped as their money was gone !
" Where's out money ! " they gasped as Misato sweat dropped.
" Don't you guys remember that you gave your money to me ? " she asked as the other two stopped. They put their fingers to their chin as they looked up, remembering that they did indeed give it to her to keep. Though they sighed in relief, they gasoed in horror again when they saw Misato frantically searching through her pockets …
" Oops, I think I lost it … hehehe … " she smiled sheepishly as the other two gaped. Suddenly, Ashant'e mind flashed back to that moment, when they were walking up the steps …
As the group was continuing their way up the steps, Misato yelped as a teenager ran right into her.
" Oops, I'm so sorry. Are you ok ? " he asked as Misato quickly got up.
" No, it's ok. Just watched where you are going next time ok ? " Misato said as she wiped the dust off her pants.
Ashant'e gasped as she realized what happened. She frantically thought why she mised this … and remembered.
" It was you ! " she yelled at Ericel.
" What do you mean it was me !? " he asked in confusion.
" It was your fault that I let that little thief escape ! You started that whole argument about hot springs ! " she yelled.
" Nuh-uh ! You started it ! You were the one who said it was an undecent place because we had to go in there nude ! " he yelled.
" Hey ! I think we shoud try and recover the stolen money before we start arguing again." Misato said as the other two calmed down … kind of …
" Fine, let's g- " Ashant'e froze as she felt something. Misato looked at both of the teenagers in confusion as they both just seemed to freeze.
" What's wrong ? " she asked.
" N-nothing. " Ericel quickly said, stuttering in the process. Misato quirked their eyebrow at them but she knew that if she questioned them now they wouldn't tell her the truth.
" Yeah, it's nothing. Why don't you retrace the path and we'll check in the town. " Ashant'e said quickly as Ericel shot her a look. Misato stared at them as she contemplated leaving them alone.
" Fine, be back here soon. " she said as she walked back down the steps. As Ashant'e and Ericel looked around to make sure nobody was there, he looked over to her and nodded.
" Shikuchi. " Ashant'e whispered as they disappeared in a poof.
--
" I can't believe you guys had this much money. " Daisuke mumbled under the mlutiple bags he was carrying.
" Wow, I thought I escaped this by not going with Bianca. I guess it's the same with all girls. " Gilbert sighed under the pile of bags.
" Why are you in a relationship with her anyway ? Isn't she like … a bitch to everyone, including you ? " he asked, really wondering why he did.
" I guess so huh ? But I feel kinbda obliged to ya know. I'm Mr. Popular so people just expect me to get with the prettiest girl in school, no matter how bitchy she is. " he explained nonchalantly.
" Wow, I guess being popular is harder than it looks. " he sighed, making him double-think his aspirations for high school.
" Yeah, but it beats neing a loser … or dork … or loner … no offense. " he said.
" What that supposed to be directed at me ? " he asked.
" No, no. Of course not. " Gilbert looked away quickly, making Daisuke quirk his eyebrows.
" Hey, what about this ? " Anne asked as she put on a funny hat, making both Tina and Ms. Lopez laugh.
" Hey, Anne, I wanna talk to you about something. " Tina said as they moved to the back of the group, behind Daisuke and Gilbert.
" What's up ? " Anne asked as she looked towards her best friend.
" I'm wondering, why'd you break up with the two boys in the first place just to get back with them now when you're at the peak of high school ? I mean, you're like the most popular freshman in GoldenVale history ! " Tina asked, though she regretted it immediately when she remembered the reason why she stopped seeing them … mostly because of Ericel …
" Well, some things just happened to bring us all together again. And the more time I spend with them, I realize how much I miss it … even though that time with Eric and my brother … " she trailed off.
" Ah. Ok then, anyways, what's up with the new girl Ashant'e ? She's really pretty ! And she's almost got high dialed in already since the first week ! … Well … most of the high school boys dialed in … I think we need to watch her back around the girls … anyways, ask her to sit with us at lunch sometimes ! She's starting to hang around with the other two as much as you are and rumors are starting to fly. " Tina said in a warning tone.
" Well, who cares what those rumors say, you've got to admit, it feels nice to hang around those two again. " Anne said, seeing Tina have a reminiscent smile.
" Yeah, I guess so, Davis could always make me laugh. Anyway, now that we're friends again and we could talk about stuff behind their back, who do you think has the nicer butt, including Gilbert ? " Tina asked, making Anne gape at her.
" Tina ! " she yelled.
" You're right, it's definetly Eric. "
" Tina ! " she yelled again, making the boys ahead of them look back at her.
" What are you girls talking about ? " Daisuke asked.
" Nothing ! " she yelled quickly, making them quirk their eyebrows.
--
" Ashant'e, what was that ? " he said in a tired voice as they ran htrough the streets.
" I have no idea. But we should be careful, that being is more powerful than we've faced so far. " Ashant'e said in slightly worried tone as they turned the corner into a dark alley …
" What the … " Ericel gasped as he heard the song.
Everyday I play,
Outside in the day,
Though I play in the shadows.
The blood of humans I seek …
" Eric, stay back- Eric ? " Ashant'e wondered as she looked over, and saw his eyes were blank.
" Eric ? Come on, snap out of it ! " she yelled as she shook his shoulders.
" Whoa, what happened ? " he asked as she looked worried.
" Run, we have to get away from here now. " Ashant'e said hastily as she turned away and started running.
" But- " he started protesting.
" No arguing. " she said in a tone that actually made him quiet as she grabbed his wrist and started running out of the shadows. Suddenly, out from the shadows emerged three figures, the man with the iron arm, the kimono-wearing woman, and the little girl with the white ball.
" Smarter than we thought. " the woman said.
" You're right. She might interfere with our chances of winning the battle … Miyu, why don't you do something ? " the girl said.
" At once, Alyssa-sama. " the woman bowed before she took the needle out of her hair.
" Gomuzaku. " she whispered as the needle shown a dim light before it stopped and the woman fainted into the man's arms.
" Take her back Chad. " she said as the man nodded and disappeared into the shadows. Meanwhile, Ashant'e was trying to take Ericel as far away as possible when she felt something hit her neck, and she fainted.
" Ashant'e ! What happened ? Get up ! " he called as he shook her shoulders, wondering what happened.
" Help ! Help me please ! " Ericel's ears picked up. Suddenly, he realized that they were no longer in the city and were by a small creek in an empty field. He wondered if he imagined it but then he raised his head when he heard it again. Ericel looked over and saw a teenager boy just around his age running away from a large demon !
" Come on Ashant'e, Akuma alert ! " Ericel tried to wake her up but it was futile.
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Yes, another chapter done ! Hope you review and I'll update soon ! See ya all on school tomorrow !