Soul: Merry Christmas everybody! Christmas is by far my favorite season. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season~! I waited especially for this day to upload the next chapter. xD
KHR Burning Flames Cast: Everybody! Merry Christmas~! May great joy come to your families! We hope you will continue to support the story!
Yukino thought she was going great for the first day. She had already given away a couple of bells. There were some who did not complete her challenge and was forced to return their bells, but she could tell everybody was having a fun time with their event.
Since she wasn't required to stay in one place, Yukino wandered around the many stalls that were set up in the courtyard. The strong aroma of food caught her nose, and even she was tempted to go and get something. She couldn't do so, of course, because there was her job. But it was getting awfully close to noon which means lunch.
Deciding that staying in the food place will only increase her chances of abandoning her job, she started to walk away.
Just as she turned on her heel, she made an impact with another person. She lost her balance, and would have fallen had the stranger not catch her wrist in time. Gently, they pulled her up to her feet before letting go.
Yukino looked up, about to thank them with an apologetic smile, when she realized who it was.
A bright smile spread across the boy's lips. "Hey, it's the piano girl!"
"Minamoto…Shiro?" Yukino mouthed the words slowly, her voice barely making any sound. Since their first meeting in the forbidden area, she hadn't seen him there again. Not that she made regular trips there or anything. She almost convinced herself she was just imagining the boy to be real in the first place.
But here he was, flesh and all, standing right in front of her. The high tech camera was still dangling around his neck but he was the same as she remembered him.
"You remembered my name?" Shiro smiled. His eyes wandered down, glancing at her costume.
She suddenly felt embarrassed to be seen this way. It wasn't like the costume was revealing or anything, but it was embarrassing.
Shiro's eyes wandered back to her own. "Nice costume. It's cute."
Yukino knew she was turning red but cleared her throat. "Thanks. My class is doing a Genie Quest event and I'm on shift as one of the Genies now." She tried to keep her voice as casual as possible. Thank god she didn't have the squeaking like a chipmunk problem like Val when she was nervous.
"Ah, the one Izumi will be singing for?" Shiro said, referring to the screen posted by them. There were numerous screens set around the school to broadcast all of the concerts and announcements being shown on festival days.
Yukino had almost forgotten their class' concert was this afternoon, which, by the looks of the clock, was only a few minutes away. She hoped Izumi had gotten to school on time.
His casual tone surprised her though. "You know Izumi?" As soon as she said it, she realized what a dumb question it was. Of course he knew Izumi. Everybody who is anybody knows the idol.
Shiro nodded, holding up his camera. "I may not look like it, but I am a professional photographer. I took her pictures at photoshoots sometimes."
"You're in the entertainment world too?"
Again, he nodded. "Izumi and I became friends since our ages were close. I heard recently she was attending an academy so I decided to pay a visit. What luck that there's a festival going on. I was about to head to her concert."
"I see." The concert was about to start soon. Yukino knew she couldn't hold him back anymore. Hearing his soft words towards the pop idol was starting to hurt, although she knew they were just friends. She couldn't understand where the sudden feeling came from, but she knew she didn't want to dig deeper at the moment. "Well, I should get going then."
"Wait." He grabbed her wrist again as she was turning around, causing him to look back in surprise. "You should come with me. It is your class' concert."
"I'm on Genie duty." Yukino reasoned, waving her bag of bells in the air.
Shiro merely gave her a crooked grin. "Wouldn't you get more customers at the concert area than here? As soon as they see her concert, they will definitely want to try out the event right away. And who would be there to direct them to the class? A cute Genie."
Yukino didn't know if he was a smooth talker or what but she felt herself being persuaded. His logic did make sense. Plus, she loved hearing the pop idol sing.
"Alright."
Aoi grinned as he handed a bell to a small child who laughed gleefully as he showed his mother his prize. He waved as the two left.
It had only been a few hours since the festival started, and he was making great progress. Surprisingly, he hadn't met any of his friends this whole time. It wasn't as if the school grounds were large, but he guessed they were just spread out that much.
The black haired boy whistled as he took off with his jingling bag of bells. He had been running here and there throughout the campus. It helped keep his mind off of things, plus people noticed him and headed to their class to start the event.
Since obtaining his full power as Val's Rain Guardian, Aoi had been spending his time training every day. It wasn't as if it was tiring, in fact, he quite enjoyed it. There wasn't anything he liked more than physical activities. While the twins would rather stick to mental activities, and Val wasn't great in either category, he was the only one out of the four childhood friends who preferred physical activities.
It didn't bother him to be alone in that aspect. Despite being a member of the baseball club, he also helped out in any sports club that ask for his assistance. He had already participated in at least one match for every sports club in the school. It wasn't as if he was perfect in every sport, he just had enough athletic ability to play decently.
It was probably why he got along with Rei so well. The two liked to do athletics more than anything else. Unlike Rei who preferred dance out of all sports, Aoi didn't have a particular sport he liked.
His father loved baseball to the point where he and his younger brother, Kazuto, grew up playing baseball before they could walk. Aoi didn't particularly like baseball, but he didn't dislike it either. The only reason he was an official member of the baseball club was because of his father's strong encouragement. Aoi couldn't let his father down, so he grinned like he always did and went to practice every day.
The boy's pace slowed as he came across a purple haired Genie in the pathway. "Karen!"
The petite girl turned slightly as the boy ran up to her. As always, she was holding her glass ball. Her bag dangled on her other wrist. "Aoi, why are you running?"
"It helps me get noticed." Aoi shrugged easily. "Have people been coming to you for bells?"
Karen nodded. "Yes, I just gave away some. I was wondering where to go next for more customers."
"Hmm." One of the screens caught Aoi's eye and he grinned. "Why don't we go to the class concert? It's about to start and we can get more customers since there's going to be a lot of people."
Karen blinked. "You're right. There's going to be numerous fans."
"Then it's decided." Aoi said cheerfully, holding out his hand for her to take.
She could only smile as she placed her hand in his.
Izumi glanced out from behind the curtains. There was already a large crowd standing in front of the stage, but there were still people wandering in. People of different ages chattered together happily as they eagerly wait for the concert to begin.
The pink haired girl's face lit up when she spotted her favorite photographer, Shiro. He seemed to caught her eye and grinned. He gestured to the figure next to him, and Izumi's mouth fell open. How did Shiro and Yukino get acquainted?
"Who the hell is that next to my sister?" A low growl came from beside her, and the girl jumped in fright.
Yukine was standing right beside her, peeking out the curtains to see his sister conversing with an unknown boy. Granted, the boy seemed innocent enough but one could never tell with those smile types.
"That's Shiro. He's a photographer our age." Izumi informed him, straightening herself out as she smoothed her concert outfit.
"I can't say I like him." Yukine murmured, letting the curtains fall as he stepped back.
Izumi giggled. "You probably don't like any boy talking to your sister."
Yukine snorted. "Of course. She's my sister, after all. I can't just let a total bastard have his hands on her."
"Shiro's not like that. He's a great friend." Izumi defended the pinkish-red haired boy. In fact, he was the first friend she had in the entertainment world. She probably wouldn't have made it past her first photoshoot without his help. He was the only one beside Yukine and her manager who had seen her with her persona off.
"You seem to know each other well." Yukine's voice was innocent enough, but the girl felt there was something laced in that she couldn't hear.
"We're friends." Izumi shrugged.
A member of the stage crew called out to them, warning her there was five minutes left until curtains opened.
"Are you nervous?" He asked, seeing as she placed her hands together and her eyes closed.
Izumi gave him a small smile as she opened her eyes and placed her hands down. "I'm always nervous before a concert."
"What do you do to calm yourself?"
"Usually I have my lucky charm, but I seem to have lost it a while ago." Izumi sighed. "I'm hoping it turns up during work or school, but so far no luck."
Yukine tilted his head. "What does it look like?"
"It's a small, golden locket." Izumi used her thumb and finger to indicate the size. "It has my name on it."
Yukine's breath hitched. He must have flinched because Izumi glanced at him in worry. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." The silver haired boy was quick to say. "Anyway, I think it's almost time." He was right. The same crew member was warning them of the one-minute remaining. He flashed her a smile. "Good luck."
She returned it. "Thanks."
The crowd screamed when the curtains opened. Izumi walked onstage, adjusting her mike that was pressed to her ear as she waved. A few background dancers ran out on stage and took their places.
"Hello, everybody." Izumi smiled brightly. "Thank you all so much for coming. Today I'm here as the representative of Class 1-S. Please head over to our event after the song, okay?"
The music began and the crowd eagerly await the song. Izumi quickly took her position as the song began.
I feel like I've been locked in tight
For a century of lonely nights
Waiting for someone to release me
Thinking of rain blowing kisses my way
That don't mean I'm gonna hear what you say
Baby, baby
Oh, woah, woah (my mind is saying let's go)
Oh, woah, woah (but my heart is saying no)
The younger children in the crowd mimicked her movements. They placed their hands together and bobbed their head to the music cheerfully.
If you wanna be with me
Baby, there's a price to pay
I'm a genie in a bottle
You gotta ask me the right way
If you wanna be with me
I can make your wish come true
You gotta make a big impression
I've gotta like what you do
I'm a genie in a bottle, baby
Gotta catch me the right way, honey
I'm a genie in a bottle, baby
Come, come, come in and let me out
The music's fading and the light's down low
Just one more dance and then we're good to go
Waiting for someone who gets me
Heart is racing at the speed of light
Let's go and have a little fun tonight
Baby, baby
"Sing it with me everybody!" Izumi smiled as she waved her hand.
Oh, woah, woah (my mind is saying let's go)
Oh, woah, woah (but my heart is saying no)
If you wanna be with me
Baby, there's a price to pay
I'm a genie in a bottle
You gotta ask me the right way
If you wanna be with me
I can make your wish come true
Just come and set me free
Baby and I'll be with you
I'm a genie in a bottle, baby
The biggest cheer was heard from the audience that day. Izumi gave one final wave to the audience before she ran off stage.
As soon as she was out of sight did she allow herself to sigh with relief. She was panting hard, but that didn't stop the smile on her face. It had been quite some time since she was able to enjoy a performance.
Izumi gasped with surprise when a pair of hands placed themselves on her waist and lifted her up. She couldn't hold back her laugher as the silver haired boy spun her around. He set her back down a short moment later, grinning. "That was great."
"Thanks." Izumi said breathlessly, trying to regain her breath.
"It's my first time seeing you up on stage. I gotta say, it was amazing." Yukine murmured. His hand was still on her waist, and she only realized now how close they were. His other hand reached up and lifted her chin ever so lightly, his green eyes locked on her pink ones.
"Izumi-san!"
Jumping in surprise, the two broke apart as voices rounded from behind the large boom box in the set area. Yukine took a step back and Izumi hastily attempted to lower the temperature of her cheeks.
Val smiled as she made her way into the backstage area with Hiro behind her. Their signs were loosely at their side as they came up to the pair. "That was amazing! Our class is sure to win with your concert!"
"O-Oh, thank you very much." Izumi smiled softly. "You don't have to add 'san', Valentine. It's perfectly fine to drop the honofics."
Val beamed. "Really? Then please call me, Val, Izumi." She seemed to notice her Storm Guardian standing a few feet from them, causing her to raise an eyebrow in confusion. "Yukine, weren't you supposed to be in the classroom?"
"I was asked to make sure everything went okay by Aria." The silver haired shrugged. Hiro gave him a knowing smile, causing the boy to scowl at him.
"Onii-chan, Izumi!"
Yukino waved as she walked up to them. A boy with pinkish-red hair and bright red eyes followed her.
"Shiro!" Izumi piped, laughing as the boy ruffled her hair.
"I got some great pictures today." Shiro grinned. "Maybe we can use them for your next feature?"
Izumi nodded. "Definitely!"
"Great, I'll send them to the editor."
"Who is he…?" Val whispered to Yukino.
Yukino smiled. "He's a photographer. I met him once when you were still in your Chamber. Apparently he's a friend of Izumi's."
"Wait, he's the guy we talked about at dinner the other day?" Yukine hissed, joining the hush conversation. "You never said he was a photographer!"
"Why are you whispering?" Aoi suddenly appeared next to them, laughing as his three friends jumped back in fright.
Karen walked behind him, tilting her head. "Does Aria know most of you are ditching work?"
"Uh… no?"
The song is Genie in a Bottle by Dove Cameron. I hold no rights to it. Once again, Merry Merry Christmas~! Review! :)