AN: Finally finished the chapter!
Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 51: Black Crow Unit
"Arisa we love you!"
"I'm your biggest fan!"
"Have my babies!"
I groaned as all of these Arisa fanatics try to get past the barrier. Ichiroku simply glared at the rowdy crowd and they quickly conceded.
"Having fun?" I asked,
My brother took a deep breath and sighed.
"Morning concert wasn't as bad." he told me,
"To be fair, people are still kinda waking up." I said,
"Yes, waking up with these songs blasting loudly." he rolled his eyes,
He seemed more annoyed than usual.
"What's wrong?" I asked,
"This concert has the rowdiest crowd." he observed, "The afternoon concert wasn't this bad. I mean do you hear what these guys are saying?"
"Yes, I heard them." I chuckled,
Ichiroku simply shook his head.
"No decorum at all." he commented,
"I mean, these are Arisa's fans." I pointed out, "Plus I bet some parts of the crowd came to all three concerts."
"Noticed some faces, I'd rather not see again." he sighed, "Had to kick them out backstage once every concert."
"Stubborn and determined." I added, "Gotta give them credit."
"Sounds like a certain nee-san I have." he smiled at me,
The current situation was simple. Most of the day, the three of us played bodyguard and security team for Arisa during her concerts. Ichiroku and Proto were the security while I was the bodyguard.
The songs Arisa sang were lovely and I could see why people went to go to these events. It's filled with so many people with the same interest. Plus, seeing their idol or favorite singer meant a lot for these fans.
"Anyways, Arisa has to be on stage in an hour." Ichiroku told me, "See if she's ready."
I nodded and went to her trailer.
"Arisa?" I knocked at her door,
I opened the door and noticed the shower was running.
"This can only end well." I sighed at the possible scenarios,
I've watched enough shows to see where this was going.
In a manner of seconds, Arisa emerged from the bathroom with no clothes. She beamed up and dragged me into the bathroom.
"I need some help." she told me,
Her face was close.
I can smell her scented soap.
My mind was going down the gutter.
I blame Ruiko.
"Yes?" was the only word I formed,
Arisa wanted to bathe with me. I obliged for some appealing reason.
I was surprised by it.
"Bathe with me." she requested,
!
If I was a fan of her, then I would be in total bliss.
Arisa and I stared at each other.
There was nothing wrong with friends taking a bath together, is there?
I mean I did bathe with Ruiko, Mikoto, Kuroko and Uiharu before.
"So, what's the problem?" I asked,
"Just need some company." she simply answered,
This silence felt strange. It was peaceful, but uncomfortable.
I felt Arisa's eyes over my scars.
Oh.
"Wondering about these?" I gestured to scarred body,
"Sorry, it just stands out." Arisa apologized, "Like it's the first thing I would've noticed."
"It's fine." I replied, "A lot of people do tend to stare at them."
She approached my and pointed at the one on my stomach.
"How'd you get it?" she wondered with curiosity,
My fight with Worst came into my mind. I felt outmatched, but I was able to beat her. Using her own knife, I killed her with it. Meanwhile she used my knife to give me that scar.
It was her final act.
"A fight." was my answer, "I was reckless and stupid. I thought I could shoulder a lot of problems, but it made me realize how friends can help you."
I felt her hand over it.
I winced at the sensation.
"Does it hurt?" she asked with her eyes looking at mine,
"Sometimes." I stared back,
This was some tension.
We both had dazed out expressions. Arisa's face was getting closer to mine.
This was getting intense.
I can't narrate anymore of this, since it I had to keep it appropriate.
"Nee-san!"
I mentally sighed as Ichiroku barged in.
I don't want to know what would've happened if this got too far.
"W-What?" was my brother's reaction.
Arisa and I looked at Ichiroku in total shock. Then Arisa turned to me and realized our compromising position. She was leaning on me.
"Sorry!" she blushed and rushed back to her side,
"Just in time. If not, a lot of fans would be sadden by their idol's relationship status." Ichiroku commented and glanced at me, "Nee-san, you are more responsible than this."
"Just got caught up in the moment." I replied with a straight face,
"Otomi, I don't know what came over me." a red faced Arisa squeaked out,
"Nothing serious happened." I shrugged,
Ichiroku simply groaned at me.
"You are so complicated, nee-san." he said, "You know what love is, but you can be so dense."
What?
Then Arisa had a sudden realization.
"I-Ichi-kun, what are you doing here?!" Arisa stuttered,
"You just noticed that?" I raised my eyebrow,
Oh.
A boy was practically looking at two girls naked. One of those girls is his sister.
I'm getting those forbidden moment vibes.
Like guilty pleasure.
Not that I ever watched those shows or read those manga!
Honest!
I may have took a few peaks when Ruiko was watching or reading those.
"Hey bro, wanna bathe with us?" I asked bluntly,
The response was simple.
He closed the door.
Arisa sighed and pouted at me.
"Otomi!" she whined,
"It's a joke." I chuckled,
Once we finished bathing, we saw a flustered Ichiroku staring at the television.
We were wearing towels, so it wasn't as bad as earlier.
"Just get dressed." he sighed,
We quickly dressed into our usual outfit.
Ichiroku finally turned to us.
"I was wondering what took you girls so long." he stated,
I gave him a blank look.
"I was curious." he added,
That's not helping.
"Yes, because hearing girls conversing in the bathroom meant we're not naked or anything." I rolled my eyes,
"I was not expecting you to be bathing, especially with Arisa." he countered,
"Alright enough you two" Arisa got in between us with a pout, "You're siblings, siblings shouldn't fight!"
Arisa meant well, but we're not fighting.
"Siblings are meant to annoy each other to no end." Ichiroku told her, "As the younger brother, it is an inherent purpose to be a nuisance."
"Sibling things." I simply stated,
Arisa gave us a hesitant nod and looked at Ichiroku.
"Concert is coming up soon and we got your outfit ready at the dressing room." Ichiroku informed her, "Nee-san, there's an odd request for you."
He gave me a napkin.
There was instruction.
?
What the-
"You're kidding me right?" I wondered,
No way.
"I'm afraid it's from Tanglelord herself." Ichiroku gave me a sympathetic smile, "Can't exactly say no to our indirect boss."
Since we're not officially Arisa's bodyguards or her security team. We dubbed ourselves as her indirect bodyguards.
"What's it say?" Arisa looked over my shoulder,
She gave out a gasp.
"No way!" was her reaction,
My eye twitched.
"I can't." I frowned,
"You don't want to?" my brother raised his eyebrow, "Proto showed me some footage when you were at one of those stores."
My face simply heated up.
"C'mon Otomi it'll be fun!" Arisa held my hands with a smile,
My face got redder, if possible.
...
"Hello everyone!"
The crowd was cheering just from seeing Arisa.
"Today we have something special for this concert!" she announced,
Looking at her, I knew Arisa was meant for this. She's so social compared to me.
I don't detest crowds, but I prefer to have a small group.
"I'm going to do a duet with my good friend Otomi!" she gestured to me, "Let's give her a nice welcome!"
I was dressed just like Arisa. It was a skimpier admiral outfit to put it lightly. I had a cap and some fancy looking cuffs. The shorts, barely covering my thighs, had ranking insignias on it. My shoulders had those fancy trimmings. Arisa's outfit color was on the reddish side, while mine was on the bluish side.
The make up team applied some scar hiding cream around me. It felt strange to know I can feel the scars, but they're not there.
There's a lot of lights and flashes around us. I was awed by how loud the place was.
I simply waved at them.
The audience got louder.
"She's so cute!"
"Can I keep her?!"
"We love you!"
Were those comments were directed towards me?
"I-I..." I trembled at the sight,
Stage fright.
"I hope you enjoy this song!" I yelled in a whim,
Everyone's cheer became deafening.
Throughout the crowd, I spotted so many familiar faces.
If I can die from embarrassment, I would drop dead now.
I can see Touma and Index smiling at us. Mikoto looked surprised, but it was replaced by a smile as well. Maya, Mio and Kayo were holding glow sticks with grins on their faces.
W-Was Mio holding a recorder?
She's recording it.
The song was simple. It's about sing and wishing for events to unfold. If a dream and wish coincide, it'd be a miracle.
A song about miracles was nice. It gave people hope.
Hope's a powerful feeling to have.
Phase one for this miracle was a simple brand, new, bright step.
That's what the lyrics said, not me.
Once they song was over, I took a few deep breaths. Looking over the crowd, I waved at everyone with smiles.
The cheers got louder and louder.
"See told you it's fun!" Arisa hugged my arm, "You were great! Your voice sounded lovely!"
With all of these compliments, my heart began to swell.
Despite all of the bravado and intelligence I constantly show, my self-esteem was nonexistent.
Living like a dispensable tool could do that to people. My self worth was always on the lower end, despite what my friends say to cheer me up.
I simply hid the insecurity quiet well.
I am like a shattered mirror. That mirror was slowly, but surely, getting shards back.
"T-Thanks." I nodded,
I felt a smile forming.
"Look everyone, do you see Otomi's smile?!" Arisa pointed at me excitedly,
She gave me the biggest smile towards me.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked the crowd,
Everyone cheered.
That meant a yes.
Looking at the people I know, all of them were nodding.
My vision was blurring.
"Thank you!" I thanked the audience,
...
After the concert, Arisa invited Index to eat at a diner with her. Proto and Ichiroku were outside, while I was with the two.
"Otomi, you didn't tell me you can sing?" my magical nun friend pointed at me,
"You didn't ask." I simply answered,
Like I would tell people that!
"Touma did say your smile will be nice and it is!" Index beamed up,
"Shouldn't you be praising the actual star here?" I pointed towards Arisa,
She was busy looking at the menu this place had to offer.
"But you're both stars in my eyes!" Index proclaimed,
I simply sighed at the praise I'm getting.
A small smile formed.
"See there's that smile!" beamed up Index,
My face heated up.
"S-Stop." I looked away,
At the corner of my eye, our supposed server approached us with a smile. She looked familiar and it wasn't a friendly face.
!
The water witch!
I stood up.
"Excuse me." I told my two friends as I walked towards the magician's direction,
I could tell she was attempting to look incognito. It almost looked perfect, yet I easily identified her.
Time for some scare tactics.
The moment we touched shoulders, I turned my bracelet on.
I recalled Proto's technique on how she controlled my body when I was paralyzed.
My electricity quickly entered her body. Like a puppet, I forced her to follow me.
"We're gonna have a talk." I gave her a dark smile,
She looked frantic and scared at her current situation. I would be too, if I can't control my body.
I went outside and at the back of the diner.
I mentally told my siblings about the situation.
"Nee-san." Ichiroku approached me with a nod,
"Good you're here." I nodded back,
"Proto is keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious." my brother told me, "Do what you need to do, I'll keep an eye out."
He left as fast as he arrived.
Turning to the frightened witch, I decided to get to the point.
"I don't care about your self-righteous motives or do I care who you work for." I stated, "What I care is you threatening my friend."
She was shivering.
"Remember our fight?" I smirked, "If I added a bit more electricity, I wonder what would happen?"
I decided to let her mouth run.
"I'd rather die than let you have your way." she glared,
I simply smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that." I told her,
My finger was already on her forehead. Her glare got even more intense.
Than I observed her memories.
A Saint.
War between science and magic.
An assignment.
That fire magician.
Their plan.
Arisa is that Saint.
"What the?" I wondered,
"Do your worst!" Marie declared,
Her name is Marie Spearhead.
"I got all what I need to know, Marie." I chuckled,
"How'd you-no!" she realized what I did, "Then you know why we must to eliminate Arisa Meigo!"
"Meigo Arisa." I corrected her, "It's surname first."
She knew I checked her memories.
"Because keeping a girl with the grimoires in her head here is fine." I rolled my eyes, "Why not let this supposed saint live? Did she kill anyone?"
"Not yet." she glared,
So this magic faction or organization was convinced Arisa can cause a war.
With her singing?
Do these guys have a strict policy or something when it came to musical entertainment.
A petty reason or was it more?
A Saint, just like Kanzaki.
"I'll make sure you won't hurt her." I glared back,
I didn't have any weapons, but a simple braindead magician would be coming up.
"No!"
Wind blew around me and the concrete started to form around me.
"Get her!" Marie ordered her companions,
From her memories, the one who controlled the ground is Mallybath Blackball. The wind magician is Jane Elves.
These names sounded so weird, plus it was first name then last name. Their families had very odd surnames.
The concrete encased me.
"She knows too much." Marie told the two,
The other two nodded.
One of the concrete started to form into a spike and it was aiming right at me.
"Not on my watch!"
Ichiroku threw a few knives at the witches, who fell back.
"Distraction, complete." Marie smirked,
What?
We heard an explosion within the building!
Ichiroku and I turned around to see smoke coming out of the diner.
"No way, they wouldn't." I muttered,
There were others there!
Innocent lives!
The three witches vanished out of our sights.
"Nee-san, you got some explaining to do with this magic." Ichiroku gave me a curious look,
"Or just look into my memories." I retorted,
"True, but I'd rather hear it from you along with Proto." he gave me a smile,
I simply sighed and nodded.
"Listen, it's between us three." I told Ichiroku, "No one in BAD is aware of magic, alright?"
"Understood."
When we got to the front, there was so much black smoke coming out of the building. People were already outside looking frightened.
Looks like nobody was hurt.
Another miracle?
Proto approached me with a worried posture. She was wearing her helmet.
She pointed towards a frowning Index.
"Stiyl was here." Index explained, "He took Arisa!"
"We'll get her back." I patted her head,
Before I could go, some unexpected friends came over.
"Otomi!" Kon-Mitsuko approached me along with Awatsuki and Wannai, "Are you alright?!"
When I nodded, she quickly enveloped me into a hug.
"Thank goodness." she smiled and blushed, "A-And who is this?"
She was smitten by my brother.
It was the looks.
Ichiroku did have a pretty boy look.
Appearances aside, we had more important matters to do.
"Sorry Mitsuko, but we're kinda in a hurry." I chuckled,
I ignored my friend's cry.
They took Arisa!
We have to save her!
...
We made it to the highway.
"So these guys got a really old car as their getaway vehicle." Proto finally spoke, "Like we can see it right away old. Can't miss it."
"To think you'd have a motorcycle." Ichiroku commented,
"Oh, is my little brother trying to cop a feel on her sister?" teased Proto,
"You and your merciless teasing." he grumbled,
A while back, during the Poltergeist incident, Maya gave us a bike. Proto and I used it to take down a giant mech.
Wait.
Technically it's a scooter, but we call it a bike.
Ichiroku was behind Proto, while I was on the sidecar.
"So what's the plan?" Ichiroku wondered,
"Get me close enough and I'll jump." I simple stated,
Ichiroku sighed while Proto nodded.
Both agreed to my plan.
"You make it sound so simple." my brother commented,
"Easier said than done." giggled Proto,
I rolled my eyes.
We noticed an antic car on the middle lane.
"There they are!" Proto pointed out,
"How is this thing possibly fast?!" Ichiroku wondered with a growl,
We're catching up to the target.
As we get closer, I noticed a lack of cars ahead of us.
"Did Anti-Skill create a blockade?" Proto asked us,
"I'm getting nothing on the radio." Ichiroku shook his head, "It must be-"
!
They were invisible, but we could feel it.
The Black Crow was here.
"Oh man, they got stealth tech!" Proto whined, "Why can't we have that?"
"Maybe we should ask them nicely?" I suggested with a deadpan tone,
"Perhaps personal cloaking devices rather than vehicles would be more suffice." added Ichiroku,
My simply shook my head from our interaction.
Then Shutaura's spider bike passed us.
I felt frustration.
It was the Black Crow's duty to protect Arisa. Where were they when she got kidnapped? I thought they would be around the corner or something to prevent any incident involving her.
"Dammit!" I jumped on top the spider bike,
I focused electricity towards my soles, wouldn't want to fall down now.
Black Crow bikes were in an organized formation.
Their formation allowed me to traverse easily towards Arisa.
I was already on top of the car.
That fire magician was on top of the car as well.
"You?!" a confused Stiyl pointed at me,
In the car, I noticed Arisa at the back and Marie was driving it.
Big mistake.
I smirked at their circumstances.
Cards flew past me.
"Marie, time to give my friend back!" I mocked the witch,
My bracelet was on connect mode.
It's been a while.
Touching the hood, specifically above the driver seat, I felt Marie's nervous system.
I'm in control of her.
I forced her to keep going.
"Why you!" Stiyl formed a fire sword,
Or was it a flame sword?
Flame sword sounded more intimidating, in my opinion.
I had to avoid fire and steer the car.
Plus the Black Crow was attempting to ram the car.
This was a bit difficult.
"Are you trying to save her or kill her?!" I yelled in frustration,
One of them collided with the car and I was forced to jump on that bike.
"Master, here!" one of the witches at the back yelled,
It was more of those damn cards.
Quickly, I force Marie to shoot off water projectiles at the cards.
It's like using two bodies at the same time, concentration had to be on point.
How did I force Marie to use magic?
It's like instinct.
"No fire monster for you!" I taunted them,
Stiyl glared at me while the witches, except Marie, looked at me in terror.
Marie had to keep an eye on the road.
Black Crow was getting more aggressive with their pursuit.
I released my control over Marie, who shook her head from the daze.
I believe Maya wanted one of these as well.
Looking down at the hatch, I could kill two birds with one stone.
That was the saying, right?
I opened the hatch to reveal a Black Crow member.
"What the?!" he wondered and drew out a gun,
I quickly snatched the gun and used it to knock him out.
Looking at the schematics in front of me, it's like a bike.
Looks like I got lucky.
I pushed the member aside and started to chase the car.
"Guys, I got one of these stealth bikes!" I declared to my siblings,
Both were still behind, but they acknowledged my situation.
To make things easier, I decided to ram the other Black Crow vehicles.
"Crow 9 what are you doing?!" Shutaura's voice came from a nearby radio,
"Nice bike." I taunted the girl,
"What? How?!" she demanded, "Leave that vehicle immediately or I will apprehend you!"
Now she sounded like someone who enforced the law.
"Guess you don't want your fellow crow back, huh?" I asked, "Simple really, just give me the bike and I'll let him go."
There was a quick silence over the radio.
"Fine." was her answer,
That felt too simple.
This thing must have a tracking device somewhere.
If I were an elite private security unit, I would have trackers on my expensive equipment.
Quickly checking the memories of the unconscious Black Crow member, I discovered it's location.
Interesting note, these guys were absolutely loyal to Shutaura. Mostly to her ideology of keeping order in Academy City.
The irony was not lost to me.
"It's always beneath there." I muttered,
I fried the tracking device, which was below the chair.
"Guys, I'll get Black Crow out of your way." I informed my siblings, "Just get Arisa."
"Got it!" both responded,
I turned the bike around and hoped the group would chase me.
"What should we do, ma'am?" one of the members wondered,
"Let my group handle Arisa." I said over the radio, "We can agree to one thing, at least."
"Fine." was the answer,
The rest of the vehicles started to chase me, I passed my siblings along the way.
They both looked surprised by my most recent action.
I noted Ichiroku's solemn nod towards me and gave me a smile.
It felt reassuring.
Once I got through the tunnel, the Black Crow surrounded me.
"Release him!" Shutaura ordered me,
Looking at the unconscious crow, I displayed my doubts.
"How would I know, you'll let me go?" I asked them,
"You have no room to negotiate." the leader stated sternly, "You're surrounded and outmatched."
I simply sighed.
"It'd be a shame if your comrade died right now." I warned,
I drew the stolen gun and aimed it at the original owner of this bike.
All weapons were aimed at me.
"Shutaura, please let this kind girl go."
We both stared at the radio within my stolen bike.
Was that Ladylee?
"What?" was the Black Crow Leader's response,
"She was merely doing her job as a bodyguard for our star, Arisa." she explained, "She let the rest of her security team handle the kidnappers, while you and your unit disrupted their attempts to a rescue."
"If these armatures weren't in the way, then we'd rescue the target by now!" Shutaura proclaimed,
I wasn't hurt by the term. I'm not exactly a professional when it came to bodyguarding someone.
Bodyguarding is a word, right?
"Still if you two had the same objective, why hinder each other?" Ladylee asked,
It felt like it was directed mostly to the girl next to me.
"Especially with your recent tactics, ramming the car off the road." she went on, "That would potentially hurt or possibly kill the target you're meant to protect."
I was sick of how these two were treating Arisa.
"Arisa is a person, dammit!" I yelled,
Shutaura looked at me in total shock while the radio became silent.
"Tell you what Otomi, whatever damages my Black Crow Unit did you can ask for compensation." Ladylee offered suddenly, "Anything you want from me?"
That was suspiciously generous.
"What's the catch?" I asked,
"Why can't I repay a volunteer who wanted to help a friend?" she rhetorically asked, "Especially if that friend helped promote the grand opening of my space elevator."
I rolled my eyes at the explanation.
Anything, huh?
"Then some of your Black Crow equipment would suffice." I smiled towards Shutaura, "Especially these mobile weapons."
The leader just glared at me.
"Deal." was the immediate response from the radio, "I would assume you want this mobile weapon as your personal vehicle?"
That sounded very tempting.
"Sure."
I gave into it.
"I will have them delivered to wherever you need it." Ladylee told me,
"Thanks." was my immediate answer,
I decided the mobile weapons would be sent to one of Maya's warehouses. She's gonna have such a big surprise once she sees what I've gotten for her.
Shutaura and her unit were glaring at me.
Oh.
"Here." I gestured to the unconscious man,
They simply left the scene without another word.
I went back to where my siblings were and noticed the scene.
A car was on the side of the road, while my sister's bike was next to it.
"I don't want to know how you got it, but good job." Ichiroku stared at my gifted bike,
Stiyl and the witches looked defiant, while Proto kept an eye on them.
"Otomi!"
Arisa ran up to hug me.
"Your brother and sister are amazing!" she awed towards me, "You guys are so cool!"
I gestured to the car.
"Our sister made me jump above that relic to immobilize it." Ichiroku explained, "Such a risk for me that can possibly blow the vehicle up."
I immediately glared at Proto, who was ignoring the conversation.
Looking at the scene, I noticed a lack of destruction.
"So did they do anything drastic?" I asked Arisa,
"No, it's like they changed their minds." she answered,
The magicians changed their minds?
It's not like they would defy whoever their leader is. That meant they had new orders. It didn't involve Arisa.
"Keep an eye on her." I requested Ichiroku,
He gave me a small smile and nod.
The wearied magicians glared at me.
"So you guys done chasing Arisa?" I asked them, "Pretty sure she's not a saint, if you think the girl is a threat."
"How'd you-" Stiyl wondered,
"Me." Marie whispered ashamed,
Everyone looked at her bewildered.
"I checked her memories." I simply stated,
Stiyl quickly shook his head.
Seemed like he realized what I could do.
"Do you know that?" he pointed at the space elevator,
Endymion?
"Not really, just it's almost open to the public." I stated,
"Do you know the Tower of Babel?" he asked another question,
What's with him?
"Something about humans thinking they can reach the heavens or something." I replied,
It's what I look up.
"Well, it's almost true." he told me with a straight face,
He was serious.
All myths are true now?
"Structures of that magnitude gain magical significance." he began his explanation, "If a Saint is involved then the structure becomes a magical instrument."
What?
"So like a weapon or something?" I asked,'
He gave me a nod.
So these guys who tried to take Arisa away, wanted to prevent a magical weapon that can be fired from space?
Sacrificing the few to save the many.
I hate that saying.
"So what are you going to do now?" I asked,
"Take that tower down, by any means." he took a cigarette out,
Smoking kills.
With this new piece of information, I believe our little conspiracy theory became much more than a theory.
It is now a possibility.
"She's using the power of a saint to get herself killed." my eyes widened at the realization, "That's why she wants Arisa in that space elevator soon! Whatever spell she's planning will be finish by the time the concert happens!"
"So you figured it out, eh?" Stiyl raised an eyebrow, "Not bad."
Was that tone slightly respectful?
Did I just get a magician's respect?
"I'm not going to wonder how you found out, but pretty good for an esper." he acknowledged,
I gave him a smirk.
"So I guess we're mutual allies now?" I asked, "Whatever spell Ladylee wants to do can possibly destroy more than just this city."
"Perhaps the entire world." Stiyl nodded and answered my question, "Then yes."
Strange to be working with people I'd fought a few minutes ago. Then again, putting all emotional reasons aside, our squabble was nothing compared to something world ending.
"Unfortunately, I'm sure Arisa will still love to do her concert up there." I told the magician, "I'm her unofficial bodyguard during the event."
"I see." he closed his eyes,
Looks like he was forming a plan-
No.
Alternating the plan to adjust for new allies.
"Alright, I'll meet up with you tomorrow." he said,
With that he and the witches left the scene.
Taking a deep breath, I looked back at the mess on the highway.
"Yeah, we're gonna need more cleaning bots." I joked,
Arisa looked relieved and gave me a grateful smile.
"Just glad nobody's hurt throughout this entire incident." the singer told me, "Sorry for all of this."
"Don't apologize." I shook my head and smiled back, "It was out of your control."
Apologizing for something like that wasn't needed at all. Then again, this was the second attempt to kidnap Arisa.
Arisa's arms were suddenly around me.
"Thanks again." she said,
Proto's arms were waving around frantically, while Ichiroku simply sighed.
Our faces were close.
Damn you
"Anything for you milady." were the words that came out of my mouth,
What?
The?
Hell?!
"E-Excuse me?" blushed Arisa,
Stupid girl love anime.
Especially the ones with knights and royalty.
I gave Arisa a quick peck on her cheek.
My smile became gentler.
"O-Otomi?!" a confused Arisa whispered my name,
Suddenly I was spun around around.
I was being shaken, again.
Proto looked so baffled by my sudden actions.
I could tell from her actions she was asking the biggest question.
Why?
"I-I got caught up in the moment." I just realized what I did,
I turned around to see a blushing Arisa who was twiddling her fingers.
"Arisa." I said,
"Y-Yes?!" she squeaked out,
It sounded adorable for some reason.
"If you still want to do your concert at Endymoin then go ahead." I told her, "We're here to support your decisions, not sway you from what you want to do."
"That's so selfless of you." she told me, "Yet it makes me feel so selfish."
"Knowing you're selfish doesn't make you a terrible person." I retorted, "It's fine to be selfish every one in a while, especially this time."
I gestured to a screen.
It was showing tonight's concert.
"You're the star of this show." I grinned, "Make sure you shine as bright as you possibly can!"
Then Arisa started to laugh.
"Otomi, that's such a bad pun!" Arisa said through her laughs,
What?
"Star?! Shine bright?!" she went on,
Oh.
"Nee-san." Ichiroku groaned,
My face heated up.
...
Tonight was very eventful to say the least.
I was in my dorm. Ruiko was fast asleep. I came home very late and I had to take a bath due to the unexpected fight.
I stared at my mirror with a solemn look.
"What's with me today?" I asked myself,
My actions were questionable tonight, especially towards Arisa.
It's not like the same affection I had towards Touma. Then again that affection became admiration and inspiration towards him.
Arisa gave out an inspiring aura around her, like becoming a better person.
I felt a smile forming.
"Guess I'm just affectionate." I told myself with a grin,
Why though?
These thoughts were interrupted by the dreaded voice.
"Look how much you've changed!"
It was distorted showing how angry it was.
Images and scenes emerged.
It was Touma who confronted Stiyl at the bridge.
!
"No way." I whispered in disbelief,
Arisa was unconscious due to the Black Crow's recklessness.
They kidnapped her!
I felt rage.
Then I took a deep breathe.
That didn't happen.
I saved Arisa and she's fine back at her house-
!
I quickly called Proto.
"Onee-sama?" a drowsy Proto answered her phone,
"Arisa's in trouble." I left the room to not wake Ruiko up,
"Again?" she whined,
"The Black Crows could kidnap her." I told her the possibility,
It was quiet on her end.
"That's why you're worried." realized Proto, "Another possibility we prevented."
She checked my recent memories. Proto saw the vision.
"Or delay." I retorted,
I heard shuffling from Proto's end.
"Get off me!"
Was that Ichiroku?
"Arisa's in trouble and onee-sama wants us to check on her." Proto yelled at the phone,
"Of course." my brother groaned, "We'll check on her, right away."
I sighed in relief.
"While we get ready, call Arisa." Proto told me,
Our line ended and I immediately called Arisa.
My call was answered.
"Arisa!" I yelled,
It was quiet.
My heartbeat intensified.
"Otomi?" a sleepy Arisa answered, "What's wrong?"
She was fine.
"Ah, just checking if you made it home." I said,
I heard shuffling on her end.
"Otomi, Ladylee called me today." she told me,
"Go on." was my response,
"She said she wants to meet us at Endymion before my concert." Arisa told me,
So Ladylee wants to die tomorrow.
Whatever her plan was, I refused to let it happen. She could die by her lonesome, but not with so many innocents at stake.
I won't let it happen.
"Alright." I nodded,
"Thanks, night Otomi." Arisa yawned,
"Night." replied back,
I can see the space elevator from my dorm.
A part of me believed this could be the last time I would see such a sight.
"It's gonna be a long day tomorrow."
END AN: Well what is else is there to say?
Obviously Space Elevator/Endymion Arc is almost over!
Gotta admit, this is a fun arc to write! Why? Just because. :P
Enjoy your day/night!
