Chapter 9: A Much Needed Break
It has been about a month since the scandal involving Dioge Stanford. All has been quite for the time, but I felt like it was getting a little monotonous. I wanted change, one day (or a few) where I can say "This is something that can't ever be replicated". Luckily that came by when everything was too samey for my liking. In Accord's class, this very thing appeared before us. "Okay kiddies, we have something special planned for you. Ever since that criminal was put behind bars, we wanted to give you something in return as thanks." Accord pulled out what seemed to be a flyer for an island resort. "These islands here together make up what is known as the Puyo Isles. The biggest of these five islands has the resort that we'll being staying for a whole week starting tomorrow morning. We will meet up outside Primp Magic School, at the special vehicle station. Now, I should say this as well: We're not the only ones joining in this fun excursion. Several students of other classes will come with us, as well as a select few from Suzuran High and other places. And don't worry about missing in-class assignments and such in this period of time… You will be humbly excused from those until the first day that you're back in school." She smiled after saying all of that. Me and my friends were in wonder and loved the idea of going to a tropical paradise. "Can you believe it? Just think of what we can do there, like going to its beach!" Amitie dreamed. "It'll sure be a hell of a trip." Raffina added. "I can swim in salt water for the first time…!" Lidelle realized. "I really do like to hang back and relax whenever necessary." Tarutaru said.
Klug then turned to face me. "How do you feel about all of this, Dave? I enjoy getting some time off every now and again…" He asked me. I replied to him with a simple answer. "Well Klug, being able to spend more time with my friends is a huge plus. Besides, this could make an unforgettable experience that I want to cherish… not just for myself, but for everyone who's going." I told him. "Exactly, I know that this is going to be a nice change of pace for ourselves." He nodded. The class ended and I returned home to a surprise. "Hey you're back, I have something awesome to tell you, Dave! I'll be one of a few Suzuran High students going to a place known as the Puyo Isles for a week." She revealed to me. I was shocked that she was one of them going. "You too?" I asked. "Waaait, you are part of this too? That is too damn cool…" Ringo said. "I know, did you tell your family about this yet, Ringo?" She answered me quickly. "About myself going? Yes. But they don't know that you're coming with me." She goes to another room where her parents to tell them. Ms. Ando comes into my view. "Aw, this is so cute... Dave staying at the Puyo Isles with my precious daughter…" Ringo blushes in embarrassment "M-Mom! You're embarrassing me, stop it!" She exclaimed. This made Ms. Ando remind herself of something. "Oh yes, Dave… since the area around the Puyo Isles is tropical, you'll need clothes better suited for that climate." Once again, she preemptively bought me clothes for this kind of situation. It was almost like she can see the future in a way. Barring that, this was plenty for me for the next week. "Well uh… thanks again, Ms. Ando." I said. I eat, take a shower and then sleep in early.
Me and Ringo prepared our things first thing early in the morning and left for Primp. "Okay Dave, we have to get someone else first since they can't travel to Primp on their own." I was told. I found out this person was Risukuma. "Hey there Risukuma, fancy seeing you coming with us." I said. "You know, at first I skeptical that this was beneficial to me, but then I came to realize something. I could expand my scientific knowledge beyond chemistry… I could focus a little more on biology of all kinds, astrology… things like that. These islands should provide us with some interesting creatures that we do not normally encounter." We eventually got to the station outside the school and already saw some familiar faces. Amitie, Raffina, Klug, Lidelle, Lemres, Feli, Arle, Sig, Rulue and finally, Draco. "Hey guys, what's up?" I asked as they noticed us. "Hey there champ, we're doin' great." Lemres said. "Where's Tarutaru?" I wondered. Raffina filled me in on things concerning him. "Dave, Tarutaru couldn't make it, he had some... personal matters back home, he just texted me about that." Klug stepped in for a bit to address something. "Although, another issue has seemed to take shape…" Klug said. "What is it?" I questioned. "Well, it's been about thirty minutes since we've gotten here... and Ms. Accord is nowhere to be seen. If we don't have our chaperone, then we can't go to or stay at the resort." He explained. "Hmm… How about we go look for her before it's too late…?" I suggested. Then I hear a voice. "No need for that, I'm here now, my apologies." It was Ms. Accord. "As soon as I bring it up, she appears…" Klug sounding a little downtrodden. "What can I say Klug? This is how life messes with us…" I hear someone else call for my name, it was Arle. "Dave! Remember when you wanted to meet Schezo? Well… I brought him along with us and told him about you!" She said cheerfully.
Schezo had white hair and a headband, as well as a sword by his side. "A-Arle! I didn't want to go the Puyo Isles, remember the last time we were on an island?! I nearly died from heat stroke!" He yelled, but then takes a look at me. "Huh, so you are Dave… Hmph, you don't look so tough…" "I should say the same thing about you Schezo, but I do like your headband though." Schezo laughed halfheartedly at my comment. "That's just because I'm not wearing my cloak, as I should as a dark mage..." Arle cuts into our conversation. "Schezo, c'mon... be more happy about this. It's better than staying in a dark cave, alone. Besides, Satan is not around to be seen and ruining this…" I interrupt her. "W-wait, Satan? Who's that Arle?" She sighs and explains. "Satan is in every sense of the word, a villain. He's not heartlessly evil, but he's typically up to no good. Most of his actions revolve around trying to get me to be engaged with him." I took in the information. "I-I can see why you don't like him, he sounds like a pain in the ass to me…" She nods. "Ah, there's our ride!" Amitie yelled. "Ooooo, I'm so excited!" Ringo chimed. The special vehicle made the stop and the door opened. "Welp, let's go everybody, and start having some fun!" I announced. Everyone except Schezo, was just as pumped. "Yeah!" We all entered in a single file line. This vehicle was different from the usual bus-like one. It had one driver's seat and the body was very large and circular. Since this particular vehicle was more round, the passenger seats all wrapped around in a circle. I didn't think much of it at first, but I realized that it could facilitate conversations with the whole group. In other words, this was going to be fun before we would get to our destination. I couldn't count exactly how many seats there were. I just knew that the amount was over twenty. Each of these seats is for one person to sit on, they include a seat belt too. I ended up sitting by my closest friends obviously. I was in between Ringo and Feli, Lemres and Risukuma would be next to Feli and Ringo respectively. So to put it in simple terms I was in the middle, so I can talk to anyone that I chose. The others were scattered across the ring. Arle, Schezo, and Draco sat together, talking like they were old friends.
The flying circle started up and before we knew it, into crossing the dimensions we went. Then, we heard an automated, artificial voice speak through a digital word generator. "Welcome one and all, to the official Puyo Isles Transportation System. We are now on our way to the Puyo Isle Resort. This lovely getaway location is home to many different activities and privileges for anyone staying. Sunbathe, swim, and explore around the Puyo Isle Beach coast. Take a round or two at the Puyo Miniature Golf Course. Spar it out with other guests in the Puyo Isle Training Grounds. Our restaurant, Le Puyior, offers a wide array of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, you can't forget about the legendary dessert that made Le Puyior famous… Puyo Gelatin with whipped cream. This special gelatin, you cannot get it anyway else. Available in five flavors by default and coming soon to the public is the Rainbow Puyo Gelatin. This rainbow taste sensation will have all five of the normal flavors incorporated in equal sections. Hotel rooms are rich, spacious, and comfortable... in addition to being numerous. This transportation system will now display the time it will currently take to get the resort. Until then, we hope that you enjoy your journey, and the resort itself." The voice then fades out as the destination time remains. It read, an hour and fifteen minutes remaining, so we would be in there for a while. The best way to let time pass by is talking and coming up with random topics. Draco brought up one that caught all of our attention. "So uh… who do we think is the best looking guy and girl out of us who's here?" I responded to question. "Wait… You mean like who from each gender, is sexiest?!" Everyone else's jaws drop instantly as they yell. "WHAT?!" Draco laughs awkwardly. "Hehehe… yeah that, Dave…" As we recovered from surprise, we started taking this a little more seriously.
I decided to throw some shade at a certain someone. "Okay then, let's have the supposed pervert's thought about who's the sexiest girl here... Schezo?" I said. He immediately denied my request and his cheeks became bright red. "Oh, hell no! I'm not getting my meat beaten up over something like this!" He yelled. We all sat there in awkward silence after he said that. "What?" he asked. "Schezo, did you really have to put the word "meat" before "beaten"...? Arle pointed out. "Yeah dude, you've really made yourself out to be a pervert…" Sig said. "Sh-Shut up! Grrrr…" Schezo tried to calm down. "Look Schezo, you might as well go through it, we already think of you as one, so might as well take advantage of that. Say what's ever on your mind so that you don't have to bear it on yourself later." I say as Schezo sighs. "Very well, so who the sexiest girl is…" He starts scouting over all of the girls and finds his choice, pointing to Raffina. "Her, those legs are undeniably gorgeous, and I won't lie... that pink hair is definitely something to desire with those curls." Raffina's face brightened at the comment. "Ugh, what kind of sick fetishes do you have?" She said to him. "Hey, I'm just pointing out a fact, one that I can definitely see being true!" Raffina just continues to pout at him and I get asked a question from Draco. "So Dave, just curious, who... do you like?" My eyes widen in confusion. "Me? Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh….. I dunno, do I have to say who? If this was truth or dare, then I wouldn't have much choice. Besides, even if I wanted too, I'm...just not familiar enough with you girls. Kind of makes me anxious just thinking about it…" I felt more uneasy about this conversation as time went on.
I hear no voice create a single peep for a couple of minutes. Probably because everyone else was collecting their own thoughts about what I just said. I feel a hand grab my shoulder, it was Ringo's. "Dave, the last thing that we want to see is our hero feeling down during a time that we are supposed to be happy… So please, don't let anxiety get to you." Amitie comes in to my aid too. "Yeah, I gave you the power of optimism, being able to see things on the bright side… If I don't see you look at those in that way, then I feel sad with you." Finally, Arle tells me this… "Dave, I'm sure you'll get to know us girls better with this special trip. There'll be time to bond, I'm certain of it." I sit back up after I hear all of these words of support and see the nods of all the girls. "Th-thank you Ringo, Amitie, and Arle... I'm fine now." Schezo comes in. "I hate to be interrupting this comfort discussion… BUT DON'T I GET A SAY IN THIS?! You're letting him off scot-free and yet, you don't respect my words and opin-" Arle slapped him hard. "You idiot, don't you see?! Not only is Dave nicer about this stuff, but you have a rude attitude. This is why the girls don't like you, Schezo!" "I-I, Arle…" Schezo was overwhelmed by this, I needed to do something to calm him down. "Stop you two! It's okay, I forgive Schezo... as long as he swears by honor, that he improves his behavior." "What?! Never! I follow my own rules as a dark mage, dammit! I decide what I want to do, not you!" I decided to make him scared of what happens if he were to test me. "Okay Schezo you asked for it, you're looking at the guy who defeated Dioge Stanford, and placed him behind bars. I ask you this, what would happen if you were to pick a fight with me at my full strength? I'll be waiting for your answer when you are ready…" He was shocked. "D-Dioge...? You defeated a man that powerful, like him?" I nod my head, I thought that would make Schezo want to have better etiquette. Of course, it worked like a charm, he trembled slightly. As all of this went on Ms. Accord remained as the most quiet person. She hadn't said a single word since entering the flying circle, which I found to be strange.
We all waited around for the rest of the time just enjoying each other's company. The automated voice returned to say another pre-recorded set of lines. "We now approach the Puyo Isle Resort in a few short moments. Before trying to get off, wait until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Make sure to collect your belongings and have a fun time at the Puyo Isle Resort." The voice ends there and the vehicle stops. We collected our stuff and hopped off to see our paradise. "Wow, this is incredible…" I said, taking a look at the surroundings. Accord comes out last from the vehicle. "Kiddies, let's get over to the resort entrance now and get settled into rooms." The vehicle leaves after the driver checked for remaining passengers and we went inside, with our things behind us.
Author's Notes: And so for the next few or so chapters, the Puyo Isles will be the setting of the story. Just what could be lying around for our relatable characters to do? Next chapter, Chapter 10: Resort Exploration.