All characters/abilities/weapon/and others marked with '*' are under the ownership of Emerald Sonata.
All casts from Clannad and certain elements from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, belongs to the production company of Key and Gainax respectively.
天元突破クランナドー
「Tengen Toppa Clannad」
The Twentieth Lock:
'What? Here?'
VVV
Enkuudaidu woke up with an abrupt start. He bolted up in his seat, finding himself across a flat white bed and his legs covered in sheets. The Niel Geiza blinked, eyes stinging from the sudden awakening to all white around him. Was he…in Naia's infirmary? No…it lacked the 100% purewhite…as well, this place was not exactly 100% clean like Naia's room would be.
He was in the middle of something like an infirmary, a small room that was completely foreign to him. There were two beds, one occupied and the other empty; he was the occupied one. There were sheet-stands that stood on wheels, acting as curtains to grant patients a sense of privacy. However, it did not give that comfort one single bit. Finally, Enkuudaidu froze when he heard voices.
"U-um, Leito-sensei. Is my friend alright?" asked a young and timid female voice.
"Ah, he's fine. Just a minor concussion but that's all done and dealt with…" replied another female voice, only deeper and more mature, "He's one peculiar guy to have you land on him by accident when you fell out of the tree…What, does he have bad luck or something?"
That last remark made Enkuudaidu wince.
"I'm…not quite sure myself…But I'm really grateful for your help, Leito-sensei!"
"Ah, no problem. Just glad I could fix him up. He's a bit strange though…This kid doesn't look like a student here…how did he get past the gates, even without uniform?"
"Uh…I…ah…"
The younger voice was saved by the bell as a phone echoed. The Niel Geiza, whose vision was blocked by the curtains, could see a faint shadow move across it to pick up the said phone.
"Hello?" said the older voice, "Haa? A broken leg? Okay, I'll be there in a second…" The shadow rested the phone, before rising up to gather a few things, "Sorry, Ryou-chan, but duty calls. Since you're having a spare anyways, can you watch the kid until he wakes up or when I come back?"
"I-I can, Leito-sensei!"
"Okay." The shadow hefted up a bag, then Enkuudaidu saw a smaller shadow approach the other, "You two play nice, 'kay?" With that, she bolted out the door.
"W-W-W-Wait! What did you…mean by that…" The smaller shadow bowed her head in sheer embarrassment.
Eventually, the shadow approached the curtain by Enkuudaidu's bed. It wheeled to one side, revealing Ryou with a distraught look. She had tinged cheeks and her eyes half-open in a dazed manner. The school girl gingerly slide the rolling curtain back before taking a seat on the stool next to Enkuudaidu's bed. She turned to his direction, head down with a solemn look.
"I'm so sorry…,…,…,…,…,…Heh?"
Ryou perked her head up, eyes locked with an awakened Enkuudaidu. He simply stared back with a curious look.
"EEEEEEEEEEH?-!" Ryou slapped her screech shut, her face burning red. In her frantic rush, she slipped off her seat and fell off…But a hand shot out and gripped her steady. Helping her back to her seat, the girl turned to stare at the one who saved her. "Th-thank you…"
Enkuudaidu half-grimaced. Why in the world did he help her? The most troubling question was…why did he act on impulse more than reason? Not sure with himself, he cautiously released his hold on her and sat straight in his bed, pretending that nothing of the sort happened.
"Where am I?" he quietly demanded.
"Th-the school's medical room…A-are you alright?"
"I've had better days…"
"I'm…really, really sorry for what happened…"
"That's alright…" Enkuudaidu gagged. 'That'salright?'. Why did he answer it like that? Again, without even thinking! Was he losing his mind?-! This was a human before him, a being he detested so much that he was willing to split such lowly creature in half without even blinking. However, that feeling did not appear. He mentally scoffed. The Phantom Falhsgard reminded himself carefully that he was in unknown and foreign territory, as well as under human supervision…One wrong move and it could mean more trouble brought to the Niel Geiza and Lord Lazielghan. "What do you want?"
"Heh?" blinked Ryou, "Wh-what do you mean?"
"What do you want from me if you brought me here? Tell me and I'll repay for your gratitude immediately…"
"I…never thought of asking anything from you…"
"What?-!" Enkuudaidu snapped on this girl, who slightly shrivelled up under his cold stare. He saw truth in her eyes, as well as feeling that she had no intentions whatsoever, "Then why did you help me?"
"B-b-b-because, I…I couldn't leave you there like that…by yourself…" Slowly, the girl's face turned red and she lowered her head, "I…did fell on top of you…"
So…she was repaying the favour for the accident a moment ago…Was she? For once in his life, Enkuudaidu had absolutely no idea what to make of this situation. Then something clicked into his mind.
"That reminds me…" Ryou snapped out of her daze, looking up in time to see the Niel Geiza handing her something, "This belongs to…huh?" What Enkuudaidu had reached out to Ryou was her handkerchief that she had lent some time ago. He swore it was well cleaned, thanks to Naia, however it was sooty with dirt once more. "Why is it like this?-! When did this happen?-!"
"Oh! I'm sorry! I-I never realized it was mine…" Ryou fidgeted in her seat a bit, "After you fell unconscious, I brought you back here for Leito-sensei to take care of your. I noticed the handkerchief fell out of your pocket and I used it to wipe the dirt off your face, without even noticing it belonged to me. You…Did you wanted to give it back to me?"
Enkuudaidu mentally snarled. That was what he had hoped. He wanted to get over this debt of his for this girl's token from before. He even wished to finish it quickly. Now…that hope was shattered. The Niel Geiza Sentinel hated to be indebted to someone, especially if it was a human girl like this one.
Ryou wanted to take it back as it is, but Enkuudaidu stuffed it into his pocket, "I'll wash it out again and I will return it to you the next time we meet."
"H-heh? No, that's fine. I can clean it out myself!"
"Please let me do the honours…" huffed Enkuudaidu, surprising Ryou, "I always return my debts personally…No exceptions…"
Ryou fell silent as she stared at this young man. Soon, she grinned, "You feel…so much like a knight…"
Enkuudaidu was taken aback, "A knight? What's that?"
"Oh, you don't know? In the medieval age, a knight was a soldier of that time who lived under a code of chivalry; to protect the kingdom and its people, as well as to serve their king with honor and nobility…gentlemen riders of justice," Ryou clasped her hands to her reddening cheeks, "When I was little, I loved to hear stories about knights. I would even dream of being a princess where such a knight in shining armor will ride to my rescue…"
Enkuudaidu blinked, not quite grasping it. However, he had an inkling feeling that these knights…were a bit similar to Agyles. The thought made him scowl. But. He took a moment to glimpse at Ryou. She had cupped her warm cheeks, staring blankly off into space and had a dreamy smile as she was submerged in her childhood fantasy.
This knight she mentioned…seemed to have a strong effect on her, thought the Niel Geiza. He tried not to dwell too long on what a knight was…otherwise he would succumb to its effects as well.
"What's your name?"
Ryou snapped out of her daydreaming, staring up at Enkuudaidu.
He on the other hand urked. That…was entirely out of the blue for him. Before he could change the topic—
"Ryou…" Enkuudaidu went silent. Slowly, his eyes locked with the girl's violet ones, "Fujibayashi, Ryou. Nice to meet you. M-may I know yours?" The Niel Geiza had a lingering pause, his mind out of order. Acting on another's will, his answer was…
"En…ku…" And that was it, much to his incoming surprise.
"Enku?" blinked Ryou. The Niel Geiza realized his half-name. He wanted to add more…but thought it would be best to hide his true identity for the time being. He, reluctantly, nodded. "It's a real honor to meet you, Enku-san."
Enkuudaidu flipped back the covers, surprising the girl, and spun off the bed. He rose to his feet, checked his pockets and effects to see if they were still there, and started to walk away.
"W-Wait, Enku-san!" Ryou stumbled out of her seat, quickly following the young man as he kept on moving, "Wh-where are you going? You should rest more!"
"That won't be necessary…" returned Enkuudaidu. Ryou stopped, the same went with the Niel Geiza. Back turned, he glimpsed at her from over his shoulder, "Injuries like these mean nothing to me…Besides," He then started to stride off again, "I don't have the luxury to rest right now."
"But, Enku-san!" Ryou chased after the boy.
Enkuudaidu reached for the door and pushed it open with a…
THUMP!
"Hmm?" He paused, feeling the yawning door jolted after he forced it open. It felt like it struck something in the face. He looked into the empty halls; no one and nothing. Enkuudaidu took a moment to lightly swing the door back and forth, testing its hinges. It must have been his imagination. With a shrug, he left the infirmary and into the hallway.
"Please wait, Enku-san!" For some unknown reason, his feet froze. Surprised of himself, Enkuudaid willed himself to move. Instead of continuing however, his body turned him about. Ryou approached from behind, timidly staring at him, "I…I…"
"Yes?" wondered the Niel Geiza, controlling the sudden tremor in his throat.
"Even if you say that you're fine…I hope you get better…"
Enkuudaidu recoiled with a stunned expression, as Ryou blushed. Unable to comprehend all of this together, the Niel Geiza huffed a grin and turned about.
"I thank you for your concerns, Ryou. Now, I shall take my leave…" With that, he walked down the empty halls. Ryou watched him go before she retreated back into the nurse's office.
It was in this moment, however, when Enkuudaidu stopped. His body stiffened and his eyes narrowed.
"…What? Here?"
He took a moment to look at the halls, in front and behind. No one. A grimace stretched across his lips.
The strong and familiar presence felt close by…
[******]
In the office, Ryou was tidying up the bed that Enku had used not long ago. She hummed a light tune as she fluffed the pillow and whipped the sheets clean. It was when her foot bumped into something and that caught her attention.
Across the ground was a tiny teddy-bear the size of her palm. It looked centuries old, worn and slightly beat up, but nonetheless whole. There were specks of white-paint dotted over some parts of its body, but otherwise its once-soft-fur was ancient brown. She picked it up, inspecting it with curiosity. A thought snagged her attention and she quickly bolted back out the door.
"Enku-san! Does this…belong to you?" The girl blinked.
The halls were empty. He was fast to have vanished like that, thought Ryou. She fully stepped out of the room, standing in the middle of the hall. The girl stared at the spot where Enku was last seen, then down at the bear in her hand. Ryou gingerly held it within both palms, a quiet smile stretching.
Deep in her mind, she heard a soft voice echo caring words into her soul. Her reply to both the voice as well as the teddy bear was:
"Don't worry…I'll take care of you…"
"Uuuuuuuuuugh…"
"Heh?-!" Ryou spun about to the ghostly sound behind her, body shivering. She hugged the bear tight against her chest, as if protecting her own infant. To her horror, the open door of the nurse's office creaked back…as if a phantom wanted to close it. Lightning sparks of fear crackled up and down her spine, her entire body quivering. Finally, from behind the door revealed… "…Heh?" Her nerves calmed down as she stared at a peculiar sight.
It was another boy, one that she had never seen before, who was sagged across the ground and against the wall. He pushed away the door from his recently flattened body, grasping his head with a groan. The boy had spiky deep blue hair, with three lightning-bolt neon green strips of hair across the top of his forehead. This boy was clad in a myrtle-green jacket with red and white lines, plus a red and white bandanna around his neck. A pair of yellow-tinted sunglasses fell onto his eyes as he moaned in agony and rubbed his bruised face.
"Oooowww~…Why did that door open all of a sudden?"
Akeppa snapped awake, feeling a presence staring at him. Slowly, he turned with his shades still on. He blinked when he saw Ryou, who stared right back at him. The two were silent, for a really long time. The boy paled, but slowly got up to his feet. He started to pray to God that the girl did not see him – which was not an impossible feat for God to do, but Akeppa had missed his chance for it to fully take effect. Believing that he was invisible to the naked eye, he gingerly crept around the girl to continue forward.
All the while, he chanted under his breath, "You-don't-see-me-You-don't-see-me-You-don't-see-me-You-don't—"
Ryou turned her head to track down onto the boy, "U-um…"
"UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"EEK!" Ryou met a turbulence of gust that washed over her, forcing herself to shield herself and the teddy bear from its wrath – or fear. Coughing, the trailblazing dust cleared the halls to bring another surprise for her.
That strange boy too had vanished – two times faster than Enku.
Curiosity flooded her as she could not tell what to make of it. However, she did remember a peculiar aspect of this boy. Most notably this fierce sunglasses-clad fire-skull across his back.
"Just…who was he?" she breathed.
[******]
…You're kidding me…
"What is it do you want now, Sunohara-san?" I sighed.
Standing before me was none other than the delinquent Sunohara, Youhei, and his accomplice, Okazaki, Tomoya. Well, I wouldn't call Tomoya his accomplice, as he seemed reluctant to even be here. My guess he was dragged off by this challenger of mine.
"What else?-!" hollered Sunohara, seething, "I'm here to return the favour by ten folds! So you better prepare yourself!"
"I completely understand why I am here while class is in session, for I need to use the bathroom…However this does not explain why you and Okazaki are blocking my way at this very hour."
Okazaki sighed with a casual wave, "Just your average class-skipper. Nothing special…Sunohara on the other hand—"
"A class-skipper out for revenge to heal his scarred pride!" hollered Sunohara.
"Oi…when did you have the decency of holding any pride whatsoever?"
"Yo! Don't back-stab my determination here!" Sunohara brushed off Okazaki's remark, turning his burning eyes on me, "So, Tomoyo, are you ready to receive a beating of your life?"
"Humbly said, there is no way you can even touch me with the level of strength you have. Why don't we call it quits now, Sunohara-san?" I asked, demanded, and hopefully pleaded. I was already bogged down in worrying over Akeppa, but now I got this guy to add to my troubles. I wish I could be reborn to start all over again…
"Think again before looking down on me!" I jumped. Akeppa? No…I woke up from my imagination, seeing the same old Sunohara growling before me. That fire of his did somewhat reminded me of the young Agyle…only Akeppa was twice as better than this guy. "When there's too much time between taking the mound, even the best pitcher…" He then thrust a point at me with a blaze in his eyes, "CAN GET KNOCKED OFF!"
I blinked, "What sort of analogy was that?"
"A lame one expected from an even lamer theorist…" sighed Okazaki.
"QUIT THE BLABBERING AND BRING IT ON!" In a mad charge, Sunohara let out a fierce battle cry and barrelled straight for me.
I sighed, before turning to Tomoya, "Can you be my witness? As a testimony for self-defense?"
Without any hesitation, Tomoyo grinned and raised a thumbs-up, "No problem."
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
I instantly zipped under Sunohara before he could see a thing. Then…
"TAIGA – KNIGHT!" I splashed a flurry of 50 of my best kicks straight into Sunohara's guts. After the 50th, I spun about with a, "TAIGA KNIGHT—DOUBLE!" and flared off another 50 kicks into his body before he even had the chance to touch the ground.
"Oooooh, nice air-time…" Tomoyo whistled, impressed.
"Okazaki!" I called out within my 36th kick and counting, "The dust chute!"
Tomoyo jumped, soon getting the idea. He returned an, "You got it!" Nonchalantly, he strode over the said dust chute near by and opened it, "Help yourself."
I grinned a thanks to him.
On my second 50th kick I made Sunohara float within the air. I leapt straight up, spun about, and flashed a side-winding, "TAIGA – QUEEN!"
THWACK!
FIIIIIIIIII~ – FLOMP!
"UWAAAA-HA-HAA-HA-HA-HAA-HA-HA!" Sunohara held on for dear life, as his entire body – bottom first – was half-swallowed into the dust chute. His legs stuck out, but that didn't help, and the only thing that kept him from falling was his fingers latched onto the chute's side, "HELP! GET ME OUT OF THIS! QUICK!"
Okazaki shrugged, taking several steps back to make way for me to approach Sunohara. I crouched down to the trapped delinquent's height, eyes locked with his frightened ones.
"So, Sunohara, will you finally learn your lesson?" I asked, "Will you leave me alone now?"
"YES! YES! YES! I PROMISE I'LL NEVER BOTHER YOU EVER AGAIN! NOW QUICK, GET ME OUT!"
I sighed, "So…you're answer is no, huh?"
"I SAID YES!"
"Then that leaves me no choice…" I reached out, his eyes following my hand, and I pinched onto one of his gripping finger. He squeaked as I pulled his finger back, bit by bit—
"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?-! I SAID YES! YOU'RE TOO CRUEL!"
I stopped myself, soon laughing, "You're right…it is cruel." Merciful, I left his fingers alone and he sighed with relief. However…
I flicked his nose with a playful grin instead. Stunned, he grabbed his nose. A mistake he realized with eyes threatening to pop out of his sockets. With a tilt of my head, I answered…
"Then would this count as your fault?"
"IYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAA—"
THUMP~!
The dull ringing of a heavy object landing at the bottom of the chute echoed like a chorus. Then silence.
"Nice going," Tomoya added.
"Was I too far?" I wondered. Tomoya never answered with words, rather with action. He casually walked over to the empty chute and looked down into it.
"Oooooo~i! Sunohara! You dead?-!"
Then a raging voice echoed back with a…
"SCREW YOU! I'LL COME BACK TO GET MY REVENGE! YOU CAN COUNT ON IT YOU NO GOOD FOR NOTHING DAUGHTER OF A—"
And Tomoya shut the chute up. I could not help a light laugh as Tomoya said, "Yup. He's alive and kickin'"
"Well…at least there weren't any casualties…any major ones that is," I straightened myself, "Is there anything you want from me in particular?"
"Nah…I was dragged down here by him. All I wanted was a nap. Oh right, didn't you mention you were going to the bathroom?"
"Ah, yes. Ha-ha, I guess a bit of adrenaline got to my head during the moment…Thank you for the reminder."
Tomoyo turned about, soon walking off down into another direction of the hall. In a parting gesture, he waved a hand over his shoulder.
"No problem, no problem. I've got tons of time to kill any how…Hope Sunohara finally gets the point…"
I giggled to myself, "I really, really hope he does…"
Just as I took a step forward to continue on my path…A hand caught my shoulder from behind.
"Ah! I finally found you, Sa—"
THWACK!
On instincts, I had sent the assailant flying from a swift kick into his chin. In a blur, his body went flying and it slammed into an open locker nearby, automatically slamming it shut. I rested my kicking foot back down, brushing the dust from my ankle and straightening my skirt.
Wait a minute…this felt awkwardly familiar…No~…
Quickly, I pried open the locker and…Huh? I was expecting to see a head, but instead saw a pair of upside-down feet that faced away from me. I then looked down…gasping.
"T – T – T – T – Tengoku-san?-!"
Akeppa spilt across the floor like melted butter. He groaned as he sported a deep bruised across his chin, his sunglasses hanging off one ear. By the time I knelt by his body, the bruise vanished like magic.
"…Ow…"
"Wh-what are you doing here?-!" I could barely control my voice. He opened his mouth to speak…but instantly gagged when we heard heavy footsteps. I didn't need to ask about this as I instinctively yanked him back up to his feet, and wordlessly shoved him back into the locker with a hasty slam. My heart stung when I heard an 'OW'…but it was now or never.
Because just on cue, a hall monitor entered the halls within my sight. I knew clearly that this was none other than the school's notorious disciplinary adviser and student body enforcer; a counselor, bouncer, school security, tormentor, and riot control miraculously transmuted into one living entity with a fierce expression and wild blonde hair. I nonchalantly combed my hair and turned back to the locker, as if I was to get something from it.
"Oi!"
Without fear, I curiously and innocently turned, "Ah, Keitan-sensei. Good afternoon."
Keitan came up to me, a kendo stick resting across my shoulder as if to knight me. I highly doubted such intentions as he had a rather wicked snarl on his lips, "Name and class id!"
"Sakagami, Tomoyo. Class 2-C. How may I be of assistance, sensei?"
He withdrew his stick, resting it back across his own shoulders, "Have you seen a boy around here?" he wondered, scouring the halls with his deadly eyes.
I took the chance to gulp before blinking, "A boy?"
"Some kid broke into the school. If he was a student, he certainly wasn't wearing standard issue uniform and has been a nuisance…Running away through the halls was one of them…"
I felt the locker behind me shiver, make a close-to-audible rattling noise, so I pressed my back to steady it, "Really?"
"Well? Have you seen a kid like that? From what I remember, he had this against-regulations jacket with a fire-skull…strangely fitted with sunglasses." I heard an 'eep' behind me, but I covered that up with a light cough. "So?"
"No," I shook my head, "I was just on my way to the bathroom…However…"
Keitan raised an eyebrow, "However?"
"There was another student who's been causing a bit of trouble, even if it's during class hours…"
The hall monitor's eyes narrowed rather dangerously at the news, "Who?"
"Um, I'm not quite sure who he was…but I remember he had blonde hair and…I think his name sounded like Sumohama or so…"
"Sumohama? What kind of name is…Oh…Would this kid, by any chance, be called Sunohara, Youhei?"
"Y…Yes! That's the name!"
A new lethal fire flickered within Keitan's eyes and he huffed, "Can't expect less of that punk…Where is he? I want to invite him to a nice chat over some hot tea and my special batch of rock-candy; homemade edition." I knew he was sarcastic about the tea and sweets, as he was growling, sneering, scowling, and grimacing – all wrapped into one demonic force. As much as I disliked Sunohara, I prayed to God that he would survive the coming 'BaptismbyFire' I have set for him.
"I think he is at the base floor…" I answered. Instantly, Keitan spun about and stormed off.
"My highest priority now is to straighten out that renegade Sunohara – but if you see that kid I mentioned, notify me at once… Thanks for the tip, by the way…" With that, he disappeared down a corner. At that last second, I stole a glimpse of an evil grin on his face.
I instantly whipped about and opened the locker's door. My eyes locked with Akeppa.
"Thank you so much, Sakagami-san, I thought I was done for if he…Sakagami-san?"
The boy blinked as he blankly stared at the look I had in my eyes. I did everything I could to control me voice.
"Tengoku-san…We need to talk…"
[******]
I brought Akeppa to the school's rooftop. Thankfully, it was unlock and there was no one else present. Without a word to him, I approached to the fence that surveyed the entire school grounds below. Just as Akeppa came up behind me, his sunglasses still hanging awkwardly across his face, I held up a hand to grip the fence.
"What are you doing here, Tengoku-san?" I asked, my voice bland.
"Heh?"
"Why are you in my school at this time?"
"Uh…Ah!" Akeppa shyly chuckled as he rubbed the back of his hair, pushing his sunglasses over across his head, "I came here to get a chance to look at the school, as well as experience what school life is all about!" My hands gripped the fence, tightly. "You wouldn't believe of all the cool and scary things that happen here! First I was almost found by a lady, but I got that covered! Second, I almost got spotted by a teacher, but luckily she didn't see me! Oh-oh! I met a friend here while I was trying to run away from that scary person you saved me from. Ah! The most important thing that I came was to bring your—"
Akeppa was suddenly grabbed the by the collar and was slammed into the fence. His eyes widened with absolute terror as he stared at his assailant; me.
"TENGOKU-SAN!" I cried. Fury and frustration boiled within me and I could no longer hold back, "I told you to stay home! Why didn't you listen to me?-!" Akeppa was stunned into silence, and I continued my angry barrage, "You snuck into the school, broke the rules, and almost got found! Do you have any idea how much trouble you'll be in if the teachers and principal caught you?-!"
"Sa…Sakagami-san?"
"They'll force you to tell them who you are; you about being an Agyle! They'll never believe you like I do and they'll think you're some sort of sick psychopath that invaded the school!"
"But…I'm not a sick—"
"They could call the authorities to lock you up, or worse put you in a mental asylum! Do you know how frightening it is to face either of them? Do you?-!"
"Sakagami—"
"Do you realize that if they caught you, they could take you away?-!"
"…"
"They'll take you away somewhere! Possibly somewhere far! Then you'll never be able to see me again! Is that what you want?-!"
"…No…"
"Do you know that for one moment of excitement and curiosity, you could lose everything dear to you?-! You won't be free like any other Agyles! You won't be able to see Naiz, Violet, Sabelle, Ruby, or Esmeralda! You'll never talk to Feva and Zealot! You'll…never be able to live with me again…Did you want that?-!"
"…,…,…,…No…"
I felt Akeppa's body sag in my grip. I realize that I was panting wildly, seething with rage that I had no control over. Feeling that Akeppa understood my message, I let him go. The boy collapsed to his knees, shoulders limps and head drooped with a severe gloom. My hands were trembling like mad, but I silenced them by griping them into fists. I steadied my breath, loosening my now-tight collar.
"I'm sorry…" uttered Akeppa, his own fists gripping his pants, "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry. I never knew…I would make Sakagami-san this angry…I'm really, really sorry…"
I sighed as I looked down at him, "Please Tengoku-san…Go home…"
The boy rose to his feet, his shoulders lifeless and his head down. Wordless, he trudged right past me as I walked back to the fence again. However, I heard his footsteps halted and I turned with a small glare.
Akeppa half-turned to me, rummaging a hand through his pocket. I never uttered a sound as I watched whatever Akeppa was about to do. He then pulled something out…and I forgotten to breath.
"You…" uttered Akeppa, not daring to look at me, "you forgot your obento…again" With a gentle hand, he took my other one and rested the said wrapped obento into mine. I blankly stared at it, while Akeppa started to move away. "I understand now, Sakagami-san…I honestly never knew I would cause so much trouble…just so I can see what school life is like…I guess…I was a bit too much of myself. Until you think I'm ready to go to school…I'll always stay home…I promise…So please…Forgive me…"
Akeppa stopped in his tracks and perked his head up. He heard something, something that made him just as stunned as I was. Slowly, he turned to glance at the ground…seeing soft raindrops landing onto my feet. Looking up, he locked eyes with me.
I was crying. Without a whimper, thick tears stream down my cheeks and they limply dropped off my chin and onto my feet. I was now seeing the world like a semi-kaleidoscope; having absolute no idea whether to admire its spectacle or not. All I knew at that moment…was to let my tears fall.
Akeppa stepped up to me with a look of pure concern, "Sa…Sakagami-san?"
"Why?" I uttered, surprising him. My face was steady, as I fought with my ego to hide my weakness. However, my eyes were an exception, "Why…Tengoku-san?"
"Why…what?"
I couldn't hold back any longer.
"Heh?-! Sakagami-san?-!"
I had engulfed Akeppa in a tight hug. What shocked him more was that I lost strength in my legs and I brought him down to my knees. I tightly held onto him, this pure and innocent boy no older than one yet had incomprehensible intelligence to even understand what I was even doing or saying. He just stared at me, not knowing what was happening.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" This question shocked him and I felt his heart skipped a beat.
It was true…why didn't he tell me his true reason. I acted rashly, giving the boy a scolding for not listening to me. I was angry that he broke my trust, nearly getting himself into big trouble just being here. But…I totally failed to remember one important aspect about him.
He was a boy that can always be trusted. No matter what, his intentions were always good. Whether he was an Agyle that protected humanity, or a normal boy with a naïve personality…his honesty remains the sole truth of his existence. I should have realized instantly that Akeppa had a good reason to come. I knew he wouldn't follow me if it wasn't drastically important…but…but…
I'm the worst…no…I am the most pitiful creature among all things…I don't even deserve to be called a human being…
I truly, truly, hated myself…
"Why…" I asked again, "Why couldn't you tell me sooner…Tengoku-san…"
"…Because I know Sakagami-san was right…"
"No, I'm not!" I cried, hugging him tighter, "I'm never right! I can't be right! There's no possibility that whatever I do is right!" I sniffed back tears, but that proved to be futile, "I yelled at you because I thought you were wrong and I was right…I was angry because I thought you broke my trust for you. I…I didn't want you to get hurt…" I looked up at him, my eyes tear-glazed, "I don't want you to disappear from me!"
Akeppa gasped. I buried my head against his chest once more, softening my cries into weak whimpers. I have never felt this exhausted in my life. I've taken down a gang of delinquents; faced constant barrages of Sunohara's nuisance; fought off monsters that levelled with Akeppa's strength. But now…I felt weak…as weak as I realized what I really was when I was back in my old school.
"It's alright…Sakagami-san…" I opened my eyes with an abrupt awakening. I perked my whole body up to look at the boy, just as soft hands help me to wipe my tears away. Akeppa sheepishly grinned, "I know you're angry because I did something wrong…You wanted to teach me that I shouldn't do it again. You made me realize…that I always have to think things really thorough before I should do them. Otherwise…I would lose lots of things important to me…Please don't feel guilty…" My tears disappeared and Akeppa withdrew his hands. He grinned, as bright as the sun in the early morning rise, "It's really my fault…I never listened to you in the first place…You had every right to be mad at me."
Pain stung my heart, but somehow at the same time…the burden of guilt evaporated from me. It…felt all too good. In silence, I pulled Akeppa into a hug again. He didn't move, neither did he return it. That was just fine…I only wanted to hold onto him for a little while longer.
"Tengoku-san…please don't take all the blame…You're too pure to have such guilt for yourself…You're like an angel…"
Akeppa faintly smiled as he lightly chuckled, "I'm no angel…I never can be one. Their own sense of purity and perfection is the one impossibility I can never surpass…no matter how hard I try. I'm just an Agyle" I too laughed and I held him tighter, closing my eyes to savour his warmth.
At that moment, I didn't care if I was skipping class; I didn't care if I was wallowing in pain; I didn't care about the whole world around me.
I just wanted to hold Akeppa, my friend; no more…no less.
"Uh…" uttered Akeppa, "Sakagami-san…"
"Yes?"
"Can I…hug you too?"
I paused for while, before stretching a grin, "Of course…"
Gently, just ever so gently, the boy began to lift his arms to return my embrace.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~!"
It was until that scream shook our very souls.
つづく