I'd like to thank all of you who have favorites, followed, reviewed, and taken the time to read my story, so thank you, all of you!
Flo463: Let's just say I've got a paring in mind for Haremto, but I'm keeping that a secret for now.
Failtasticbelt: Honestly I had considered getting a Beta Reader, the main reason I haven't is because of how odd my posting schedule tends to be.
This chapter is going to be a bit shorter than normal, as well as it's only going to have one end of chapter fact, but the next chapter is going to be quite a lot better.
With all that being said, Enjoy! Blazepanzer does not own Sword Art Online or Girls und Panzer.
Hanoashi glanced around as the door opened, smiling as her brother came in. "Tough day at training, oni-chan?" she asked, smiling albeit her face was red.
"Hi Suguha," Kazuto beamed.
Suguha...ah, he must be confused, Hanoashi thought, frowning for a brief second. Ah whatever, I've got to do this! Even if it's dirty...
Gulping nervously, she placed her hand on her hips. "Would you like your dinner...or perhaps a bath?"
As Kazuto began gazing at her, horrified, Hanoashi let out a small smirk.
"Or would...you...want...me?"
Her eyes opening quickly, Hanoashi felt her eyes winding, a deep shade of red flooding her checks. "I...what the hell was that from?!" She whispered harshly as she jerked out of bed.
Rushing over to the half bath, glad the door was open, she began to profusely wash her face in the sink, as if attempting to cleanse the dirty thoughts from her mind. It took her two whole minutes just to realize she was having no effect, that the only thing she was managing to do was make the half bath into a mess.
As she was cleaning up her mess, it suddenly hit her. Oh...right. There was this anime where a girl did that to her brother. I've never really seen it, but it somehow had become a meme on the internet that I came across way back when
Her face frowned for a moment.But...but why did I dream that? I mean, sure I love Kazuto as a sibling but I don't feel any romance toward him! She tossed the wet paper towel in the bin and exited the room, only to find herself face to face with Midori.
"You're up early," she prompted.
"Bad dream," Hanoashi admitted.
"I guess you tried to wash you're face?" Midori asked.
Nodding, she let out a small sigh. "Doesn't really work," she muttered.
"Hopefully, you can get back to sleep," Midori grunted, pointing to the clock. "You have a fresh year in school tomorrow and you don't want to be late," She added in reminder.
Gasping softly as she realized it was midnight, she quickly bowed slightly. "Sorry mother, I'll get to bed right away." As she turned to leave, Midori called her back.
"Do...you want to talk about it?" Midori asked softly.
Hanoashi quickly shook her head softly. "It...it's a bit too embarrassing...what I dreamed...so I'd rather not," she whispered.
Midori nodded. "Then at least allow me tuck you into bed," she offered.
Her eyes widened softly but the smiled. "I...I'd like that, thank you," she whispered softly.
Her mother slid the covers softly over her shoulders. "Goodnight, my little Blaze," Midori whispered.
"Goodnight mother," Hanoashi whispered back, smiling as she used her childhood nickname. She really liked it, even if it was in part due to her natural reddish-orange hair.
"Ah, so your brother has signed up for the SAO Beta?" Aacob asked, impressed as she sat down next to her.
Hanoashi nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'm a year too young to sign up, but with him being thirteen, it was no issue."
"I'm guessing you're getting a copy as well," Shino quipped, interested.
"If Kazuto gets chosen," Hanoashi reminded her. "Mother doesn't seem to have much of an issue with me playing so she's already signed off."
"Lucky, still, my mom doesn't seem to mind If I play, although she said no to Shino, which sucks," Aacob sighed.
"Don't forget, I'll be able to join you in a year, so it's not all that bad," Shino reminded her.
"Gramps still has to get to the pre-order on time, though." Aacob shot back.
"True. Either way, we'll know if Kauzto will get chosen for the beta later this afternoon," Hanoashi admitted.
"Welp, I'd better head back to my class, see you two soon," Aacob smiled, before leaving the classroom.
Just then the teacher came in. "Alright kids, settle down, I know you are excited to meet old friends and hopefully make some new ones, but it's time for class." As the students sat down, Hanoashi noticed two girls standing at the front.
"This is Ayano Kieko, and Tamika Samuja," the teacher introduced.
Hanoashi's eyes widened as she recognized Tamika.Oh no...not her! Doesn't this school remember what she did to me last year?
However, Tamika simply bowed apologetically. "My name is Tamika Samuja. Most of you may have heard, if not remembered me by my actions last year, and I do apologize to anyone I've hurt by my previous actions."
Ayano bowed slightly. "My name is Ayano Kieko. I'm new here, but I hope we can all be friends," she introduced, almost a bit too softly for Hanoashi to hear.
What Hanoashi did not miss was the timid glance that Ayano threw toward Tamika, sending a flash of satisfaction through Hasnoashi.Good! Keep your distance Anayo, Tamika isn't someone you want to associate with. Trust me, I know from experience!
Aynao ended up sitting close to her, albeit not within easy talking distances. Shifting her attention, Hanoashi gazed at the teacher, waiting for his introduction.
"As you know, only four more years await you until high school, and next year will be your last year at grade-intermediate school. It is important that you think carefully about four future and..."
English teacher all the way! Hanoashi thought excitedly when the subject of thinking about their future had been brought up. Back as a guy, Blaze had always wanted to become a teacher, but his back pain had left him unable to do so. Now, As Hanoashi, she could pursue that dream with all of her ability.
"Also, be aware that if you are the age of twelve, you can be held at the station for being out after curfew," Her teacher warned.
I'd hate to be arrested! Hanoashi thought, shuddering. Granted, most people are smart enough not to be arrested, but sometimes it did happen. People being dump, mistakes happening, or persecution in extreme cases.
Glancing at Tamika, she let out a small glare. Unlike some idiots!
She jerked as a hand tapped her back. Surprised, she turned around, seeing Shino shaking her head as if to say it's not worth starting something.
Turning back, she noticed the teacher had begun writing some problems on the board, prompting her to quickly begin writing and solving the problems.
The lunch bell rang, causing class to quietly rise and bow, before going their own way. While her school had a cafeteria, it was structured slightly more akin to an American high school, and as such students where forbidden from eating in class for lunch.
"Hey girl, wanna have lunch with us?"
Hanoashi glanced in surprise at Shino.First, you'll startle Ayano. Secondly, that sounds nothing like you, Shino. Third, that's not how you ask your girlfriend to lunch. And lastly, did you just pull a Saori Takabe?
"Wha?" Silica stared Shino, confused.
"See there Shino, you've startle Aynao, you'll make a bad first impression," Hanoashi scolded softly.
"Sorry, I was just trying to be funny."
For once. Also, you where really really out of character from what I've seen, Hanoashi grumbled inwardly. "To repeat the question, if you'd like to have lunch with us we'd be delighted," Hanoashi played along.
"Sure, "Anayo smiled, seemingly happy.
"We've managed to pick her up!" Shino smiled to Aacob as they where waiting in line.
Hanoashi lifted an eye brow. First...that sounds very creepy. Secondly, Who are you and what have you done with Shino!
"To be honest, we thought you might be interesting so we wanted to talk to you," Hanoashi admitted, trying not to be creepy.
"I...Interesting?" Anayo stammered.
Maus...I just made things awkward, Hanoashi silently cussed to herself.
"Here you go, one Teryaki salmon lunch!" The cafeteria lady called out to Anayo.
Huh, just like Miho Nishisumi, aside from her not doing that stupid spinning thing she did in episode one, Hanoashi thought as she got her lunch, a simple rice and egg omelet along with a side of green bean soup and glass of apple juice.
"Hey bro," Hanoashi smiled, sitting by her brother. "Seems like we've all got the same lunch period, huh?" she teased.
"Hey Hanoashi," Kirito smiled, as her friends sat down.
"So who's this" Asked a blacked haired boy, about one year younger than Kazuto.
"Oh, this is Anayo Kieko, a new transfer student," Hanoashi introduced, before turning to Anayo. "This is my old brother, Kazuto Kyrigyra, and this is his best friend, Nagata Shinichi."
He...hello Kazuto, Nagata, it's nice to meet you," Anayo smiled before bowing.
"The pleasure is ours," Nagata smiled. Kazuto waved a bit shyly.
"Don't mind my brother, he's a bit shy when it comes to first contact," Hanoashi admitted.
"And girls," Shino added teasingly, taking a bite of her rice meal.
"Whoa, hang on, I'm not that shy!" Kazuto stammered.
Aacob let out a small smile. "Oh come one Kazi, us girls don't bite. At least I don't" she teased.
"The hell you don't!" Kazuto protested. "I've never seen a girl so ready to fight," he added.
"I just believe in fighting for what you believe for," Aacob protested meekly.
"So do I," Shino added, pausing from her meal. "But I didn't leave both the one I was defending and the bullies in bitter tears, followed by a week of out of school suspension," She added.
"You where suspended?" Anayo asked, shocked.
"Hey, I was defending Hanoashi from some brutal xenophobes!" Aacob whispered fiercely.
"Scared the living hell out of me," Hanoashi muttered.
"You where crying like a baby," Kazuto teased.
"Hey, I was scared one of my best friends was going to get herself expelled, or worse, arrested." Hanoashi exclaimed.
Aacob rolled her eyes. "No one could possible arrest me," She protested stubbornly.
They ate their lunch quickly, then, waited for the class bell to ring. As they waited, Anayo inadvertently asked the forbidden question.
"I heard our class trip is a week stay at the beech, is it true?"
Hanoashi found herself shaking involuntarily, a small quiver escaping from her mouth. Kazuto quickly wrapped himself around her, rubbing her back to try and calm her down. Shino whispered, something to her, but Hanoashi couldn't tell what she was saying, as all she remembered was what happened last year.
Kazuto promised me that the beach would be clear of cone snails, she thought in fear.Cone snails...cone snails...cone snails...
She shut her eyes, before opening them widely. "I...I'm okay Brother, you can let go now," she whispered, calming down. Turning to Anayo, she let out a small smile.
"I'm okay...really. It's just that...well...last year I nearly stepped on a cone snail, and now every time I hear about the beach, I freeze up." she admitted.
"Coward," Aacob hissed, earning a small hit from Shino.
"Hey, you try not to get scared when you almost step on the world's most venomous snail," Hanoashi hissed in anger.
"No, you try and stop an armed bank robber, that's much worse...right Shino?" Aacob counter back, glancing at her sister.
Shino just sighed. "No comment."
"Wait...You nearly steeped on a cone snail and you two fought off an armed bank robber?" Anayo asked, stunned.
Hanoashi nodded. "If it weren't for Nagata here, I probably wouldn't be alive today," she added, causing said boy to blush a bit.
"Wow," Anayo whispered. As they where about to move on from the topic the class bell rang, causing the group to go there separate ways.
Classes went by quickly, as they normally do, and after being dismissed, Hanoashi rushed off to find her brother, exiting the office.
"I've got it!" He informed her. "We're going to SAO!"
End of chapter facts:
Because I'm deathly afraid of Cone Snails, (One of many reasons I don't go to the beach IRL), I decided it might be good drama for Hanoashi to have a fear of them as well.