—Ayako POV—
"Ayako… hey Ayako...Ayako!" I jolt upright in my seat, looking around confused on where I am. "Finally, do you have your homework to turn in?"
I look up in a daze, staring blindly until my vision comes into focus and I see my only friend Shido waiting next to my desk with a stack of homework in his hands. I give a big yawn and blink a few times. "Oh morning Shido… why are you standing at my desk? It's kinda weird." I finally respond sleepily.
Shido lets out a heavy sigh. "Ayako we do this almost every day. Do you have your homework or not?" I rest my head on my desk and point to my backpack. "I'm not reaching into someone else's bag. Just sit up and get it out for me, class is gonna start soon anyway."
I groan loudly and pull the papers out of the bag and hold them out, head still down on the desk. "Why does it have to be Monday Shidoooo."
He grabs the papers and adds them to the stack. "Because the weekend is over, that's why you're turning in your homework."
"Ugh I hate that it's only the second week of school… also I did my homework because Onee-sama told me to do it, not because Monday was coming." I perk up when I mention my sister, sitting up at my desk. "Oh yea Shido, how is Kotori doing? I haven't seen her in awhile."
"Kotori is fine, she has been really busy with after school stuff so she hasn't been going out as much recently. What about Tsubasa-san? How's school been going for her?" He asks, hovering by my desk with the papers.
"Onee-sama is great of course. She is taking a large class load so I don't get to spend as much time with her. I'm soooo lonelyyyyyy." I complain, sniffing pathetically which causes Shido to chuckle awkwardly.
"Well get yourself together, Miss Tamae just showed up." Shido says walking up to the front of the class to hand in the homework.
"Good morning class! I hope you had a good weekend because it's Monday." Miss Tamae says in her usual upbeat tone drawing a groan from the class. I instantly tune her out as she begins talking about what we are going to do for the week.
Why should I care? This stuff is so easy, I wish Onee-sama would just let me drop out and stay at home… or better yet let me go to school with her, oooh being with her all day would be the best! I squirm happily in my seat as these thoughts dance through my head. I feel my phone buzz and I check it quickly, smiling as I see it's a message from Onee-sama.
I open the message and let out a silent sigh before clutching my stomach and making some pained noises. "T-Tama-chan my stomach is upset, I think I am going to go to the nurse's office and rest a little bit."
"Uh oh, Shido would you mind helping Ayako get to the nurse's?" She looks at me worriedly but I wave both her and Shido off.
"No no don't worry I can make it fine. Shido needs to stay here for the lesson and I already finished the work myself, don't worry I won't make any detours." I tell her before staggering out of the room and down the hallway. Once I turn the corner and make sure no one else is around, I make a beeline for the infirmary. I check to make sure the room is empty before I step into the middle of the room.
"Gosh, why does it have to be now of all times, even though I knew the material we were going over it's still something I enjoy, so why does one have to materialize now of all times? Zuriel!" I call out the name of my angel and my body is enveloped in a flash of light as my Astral Dress materializes.
My clothes shimmer and begin to change, replacing my school uniform with my Astral Dress. I don a large white coat that reaches down to the back of my knees and a tall collar around my neck, making it easy to cover up the lower portion of my face if I so desired. Sturdy metal bands run around the back of the coat to help it keep shape, and my sleeves at the elbow are cinched up with a band, making them poof a little before continuing down the length of my arm. I change into a short one piece white dress that, unfortunately, doesn't even make it down half the length of my thighs. Boots to match the white jacket reaches up almost the whole length of my calf and dark thigh high stockings reach up to cover most of my thighs, leaving just a small area of skin between the hem of my dress and stockings. Lastly my angel takes the shape of two cute metal clips in my hair, finishing off my Astral Dress.
"Alright Zuriel, pinpoint where the epicenter of the quake will be." I tap the clip on the right side of my head and a screen like visor covers my eyes. The visor acts as an interface with Zuriel allowing me to see any information that it gathers when requested rather than receive it directly.
It doesn't take me long to arrive at the epicenter of the up and coming quake thanks to Zuriel's directions. I check the predicted strength of the quake using Zuriel's calculations as the alarms begin to blare, sounding the warning that the quake was imminent and start generating lightning to create a type of lightning cage to forcefully restrict the growth of the singularity in hopes of limiting the damage to the surrounding area.
The area inside the cage expands rapidly as the new spirit begins to emerge. The quake crashes up against the cage and begins to force it out as the lightning flexes under the intense pressure of the space being distorted, and in the center of the distortion the figure of a woman appears.
Her Astral Dress has a black, cream, and pink color scheme and a set of purple-and-cream plated armor which adorned her shoulders and waist. Her purple hair is tied back using a butterfly-shaped hair accessory. She also had a pair of gauntlets which have petal-like cuffs, both sharing the same color scheme as her attire, as well as a pair of armored boots and clutched in her hand was a large broadsword.
I let out a sigh as I drop the containment field around the area, pleased that Onee-sama's and my work paid off with the spatial disrupter. Before I can even call out to her she launches herself at me with her sword raised. I instantly activate Zuriel's weapon ability and pray it generates something useful. Right as her attack is about to land I parry it with the battle axe that Zuriel conjured up. I hate that my weapon is a random chance roulette unlike every other Spirit, but it always keeps things interesting I suppose. Just wish I could change it if I don't like it. Stupid Zuriel, just pick a weapon and stick with it. I huck my axe at her which she easily deflects but I quickly yank it back with the help of the chain attached to the handle.
"Hold on, I'm not here to hurt you." I call out to the girl floating across from me
She watches me silently with sharp eyes. "You say that, but when I appeared you had me in a containment field. It seems to me you were trying to capture me like the Mecha Mecha squad." After a long pause she finally responds, pointing her sword at me.
"All I did was limit the damage your appearance did to the surrounding area, I'm here to help you not fight you." I try to explain to her.
"Yet you just attacked me, though I suppose that kind of retaliation is expected after I attacked you. How do I know I can trust you though? You look different from the Mecha Mecha squad, but that could all be a trap." She says logically much to my annoyance.
"I don't want to fight you. The AST, I mean, the Mecha Mecha squad will be here in just a few minutes and I want to get you somewhere safe." I tell her, while asking her to follow me.
"I don't need protection from them. They try every time I appear in this world and have never managed to hurt me before. So why should I follow you when I don't even know you." She counters and I grind my teeth in annoyance.
"I am a Spirit just like you that's all that matters. I make it a point to help other Spirits that appear in this world." I say this right as Zuriel sets off a proximity alert and I spin around to see the AST approaching quickly. "Damn it all, Zuriel!" I heft my axe and turn to face the approaching squad of wizards. "Please head out of the area, I will slow them down."
"Look alive there are two Spirits on sight! Princess and Roulette's appearances have been confirmed! Everyone fan out!" My eyes lock on the one giving commands, Tyouko Kusakabe. She and I have clashed several times over the course of summer break. She is a capable leader and a decent fighter, but nowhere near strong enough to deal with a Spirit, especially one of my level. "Roulette why must you always show up to get in our way?" She demands as she aims her gun at me.
I glance behind myself to see that Princess has already vanished before returning my attention back to the AST. "It's my job, just like your job is to attack them. Now unfortunately it seems Princess has escaped yet again, but allow me to entertain you!" I throw my axe at Tyouko, the force of the blow sends her flying back as it collides with her territory. The other wizards rush at me as I reel in my axe in time to clash with the nearest wizard.
Using my right hand I block their sword slash with my axe blade, staving off the attack while with my left hand I spin the chain around for a brief moment before swinging it at a wizard who is making a beeline for me. The attack catches her off guard and the heavyweight at the end of the chain slams into her stomach, the force of the blow creating a rush of wind behind her as the one attack knocks her out cold. I drive the wizard fighting me back with a heavy push and kick her in the stomach and then drop an elbow to the back of her neck, moving on before she is even fully unconscious.
I weave my way through the remaining wizards, bringing them down with heavy swings and quick attacks with my chain and axe. Zuriel goes off and I quickly duck as a blade flies over where my head had been seconds before as Origami slashes at me from behind. "Whew that was close! Not bad but not good enough!" I launch myself at her and send her into the ground with a heavy overhead swing. Dive bombing after her to clash with her again, the force of the attack cratering the ground under us. Before she can react I kick her hand, sending her blade flying so I can deliver a powerful punch to her face which sends her flying back into a nearby building.
"Roulette!" I look up in time to see Tyouko drop down with an axe kick that I block with the shaft of my weapon, the force of the blow staggering me a little. "You are done for this time!" I stagger backwards as she follows up with a flurry of CQC, several punches finding their mark, but to little effect. I growl in annoyance and launch her backwards with a wide swing and follow it up with a whip from my chain that strikes across her chest, causing her to cough up blood from the force of the impact.
"Withdraw now, the battle is over. None of your comrades were badly injured thanks to their territories but they are in no shape to fight anymore." I tell her, pointing my recently formed axe at her.
"Why must you always get in our way?!" She growls through gritted teeth. "Do you Spirits share some sort of comradery or do you just get a sick pleasure out of getting in our way?"
I ignore her question and strike out with the chain again, launching her into the wall of a building. "I get in your way because my Onee-sama asks me to that's all. Well that and it's fun to fight you guys even though you are so weak." I turn my back to her and race away, leaving the captain floating there seething with anger. I reach the school in no time and am about to undo my dress but pause for a moment as an idea forms in my head, and grin spreads across my face. I pull my phone out and quickly shoot Shido a message saying I'm going to go home and promptly launch myself out of the infirmary and head away from school, my excited smile still stuck on my face.
The desk phone rings once and the young woman sitting behind the desk sighs as the first ring ends, she brushes her long reddish pink hair back behind her ear and picks up the phone as the second ring begins. "Can I help you with something Sofie?" She asks in a soft but clear voice, her brilliant blue and pink eyes not leaving her computer screen as she scans the most recent email she had just opened.
"Sorry to disturb you Miss Tenshima but there is a visitor here to meet you, she insists on seeing you." The secretary answers apologetically.
"Really now? Who might this visitor be?" She asks with a sigh.
"It's a young girl ma'am, she hasn't given her name but she has long orange hair and golden eyes. Would you like me to turn her away?" The secretary inquires and another quiet voice of protest chirps over the phone in the background.
"Just let her up, I have a fairly good idea on who she is." Tenshima hangs up the call and starts tidying up her desk so she is ready to receive her guest.
"Onee-sama!" I nearly burst down the door as I excitedly make my way into the room, crying out happily as I see Tsubasa sitting behind her desk.
"Ayako what are you doing here? School isn't out yet." My older sister tells me sternly but I don't let it phase me one bit as I walk up to her desk smiling ear to ear.
"Well I had to get excused from class to go help Princess, so rather than sit in the infirmary for a few hours I decided to come visit you!" I beam at her as I come up and sit my cute little butt on the edge of her desk. "I missed you Onee-sama, did you miss me?" I say with a bright smile.
Tsubasa lets out a sigh but after a moment cracks a small smile herself. "Of course I missed you Ayako, seeing you is the favorite part of my day." Tsubasa says, pulling me into her lap and giving me a big hug. She peeks around me then locks her computer. "It's just about lunch time, wanna come get something with me and spend the rest of the day here? You will have to do your homework before you can relax though." She warns before I get too excited.
I bounce excitedly and throw my arms around her neck in a big hug. "Yay I get to spend the day with Onee-sama!" I cheer as I hop off her lap. I snag her hand as she walks past me, intertwine my fingers with hers and walk happily beside her.
"Ah Miss Tenshima going out to lunch?" The secretary asks as we walk into the lobby, her gaze quickly turns to me with a puzzled look as she sees our hands holding one another.
"Yes I'm going to an early lunch. Also for future reference this beautiful young girl is my little sister Ayako, she has a free pass to come in and visit me anytime she likes." I nearly jump for joy as she calls me beautiful and it takes all my willpower to not glomp her right there. "On that topic since I am going out to lunch with her, please don't forward any calls to my phone, I will catch up with all missed calls when I get back from lunch." She leads me out of the building as the secretary hurriedly acknowledges her instructions before the door closes behind us.
"Sounds like you really enjoyed telling her you didn't want to work on your lunch." I smirk a little as we start walking down the sidewalk.
"She's new and for some reason she feels she's my personal secretary and doesn't like it when I go out unexpectedly, and likes it even less when I tell her I don't want to take calls while I'm out." She answers in an exasperated tone.
"Did you see the look on her face when we came out holding hands? She looked like I slapped her in the face, I think she might have a crush on you Onee-sama." I giggle and explain in a sing song voice. "To bad for her Onee-sama belongs to me and me alone!"
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop joking like that in public you dolt?" She bops me on the head firmly, not enough to hurt but enough to get the point across, which I ignore and smile up at her cheekily.
"Awww don't be like that Onee-sama, I mean you DID just call me beautiful back there." I tease her as we keep walking.
"That's because you are beautiful Ayako, you are the most beautiful and you would be more so if you actually took care of your appearance, your clothes are all disheveled and did you even brush your hair this morning?" She reaches over and runs her fingers through my messy hair causing me to purr with satisfaction as her combing turns into a loving head scratch. "Though personally I think your style is cute, it gives off the "take care of me, I'm adorable" vibe, though don't push it." She adds the warning at the end, shutting down any kind of follow up comment I may have had.
I giggle happily and press myself against her side, hugging her arm happily. "Thanks Onee-sama, but I think you are the most beautiful person in the world. Compared to you I'm just a wallflower." There isn't a shred of bitterness in my voice as I say this while I nuzzle my cheek against her shoulder joyfully.
"Don't sell yourself short Ayako, or else I'm gonna have to punish you." She threatens as we turn into a small ramen restaurant. We sit down and pick up our menus. "See this is why I want you to go to school, to make more friends and to build up your self confidence." She adds while looking through the menu. "Now what are you gonna order? Once you decide we can order and talk about other things."
I peek over my menu at her, a sly smile on my face. "Other things Onee-sama? Don't tell me you have finally decided to accept me as your girlfriend-oww!" I let out a pained yelp as I receive a firm kick under the table from my still smiling sister.
"My my you and your jokes Ayako. You need to be careful or I might take your jokes seriously and have to punish you for being a naughty girl." I shiver a little at her dangerous tone and bury my nose in the menu as the server comes over and we both order. "Let's face it though Ayako, you couldn't handle someone like me, you would be down for the count." She flashes me a teasing grin that makes me squirm in my seat. Onee-sama don't say stuff like that it's so unfair.
"So how is that business deal going? The one I made that dating game for, "Fall in Love: My Little Seed." I ask her as our ramen arrives and I rub my hands in excitement.
"The business deal with Ratatoskr? It's going fine, the finished product has already been live for a month or so now, they asked about the unique version that they requested and I informed them the development team would be done with it shortly." She says as she blows on the soup before indulging in the delicious noodles.
"That one is almost done as well. It is weird they asked for a standard dating game as well as a more indepth version of the game but the second version isn't going to be for mass production. By the way, do we have the name of it yet?" I ask her as I cut open my egg, letting the soft yolk mix with the tasty broth, much to my sister's disapproval.
"I still don't get why you like to mix the yolk, it's much better having it as its own individual little treat rather then muddy the flavors by mixing it all together." Tsubasa says, a small frown on her face before she eats her own egg rather than letting it all mix together.
"Don't shame how I eat my food. If you don't wanna eat it like I do then don't, I never asked you to try it. In fact you are always the one to bring it up not me Onee-sama." I sip the rich tasty broth, locking eyes with her as I enjoy the ramen mixed with the egg.
"I know, but it just seems wrong is all." She grumbles in response and I just chuckle. Even my super cool and beautiful Onee-sama can be really cute at times. "To answer your question yes they have sent the name they want to make the unique version, they want the name to be changed to 'Fall in Love: My Little Shido', it seems that they are getting ready to start their plan."
I smirk at the name but quickly get serious again and stare at my sister across the table. "Do you think their plan will work?" I ask her.
"Well I saw him do it five years ago during the fire, so their plan definitely has the possibility of working, for now we will just watch them and see how it goes." Tsubasa answers and drains the last of her broth.
"Say, you didn't put me into this school so I could keep an eye on Shido did you?" I voice the thought that just crossed my mind only to get a snort back from her.
"No I didn't plan that. I had no idea what highschool he was going to, and it just so happened to be the one I selected for you. He chose to approach you of his own accord so it's not like I could manipulate him into wanting to be your friend or anything." She stands up as she finishes explaining that she wouldn't use me like that then goes and pays for the meal. "Now come on, I gotta get back and do more work and you have to finish your homework."
I get up and follow her out of the restaurant after thanking the server. "My homework for the week is already done, so could you get a spare workstation brought up to the room instead so I can work on some coding?" I ask as I catch up and wrap her arm in a hug.
"Of course, after I make sure your homework is done." She smiles down at my while I pout back at her.
"Hurtful! Onee-sama I wouldn't lie about my homework! It's so easy that I finished it in no time." I give her a reproachful look and she just chuckles and ruffles my long messy hair.
"Ah welcome back Miss Tenshima I hope you've had a good lunch, oh and your sister is still with you?" She frowns a little when we walk into the lobby.
"Yes, her school got out early so I decided to let her hang out here today instead of staying home alone all day, helps put me at ease knowing she is safe. Would you prepare a workstation to be brought up to my office for Ayako to use?" Tsubasa asks as I secretly roll my eyes at the "knowing I'm safe" comment.
"Miss Tenshima as you well know the workstations are only meant for employee use, your sister isn't allowed to use one. Not only that but they are attached to the company's internal network, she could accidentally delete something important, I highly advise against letting a child have access to it." The woman says and I narrow my eyes in a glare.
"I appreciate your concerns but I trust Ayako not to mess with anything she isn't supposed to." Tsubasa says, dismissing her worries without even considering it.
I smirk and tug on Tsubasa's sleeve, prompting her to bend down and I give her a kiss on the cheek. " Thanks Onee-sama, I promise to not mess with anything." I beam up at her and she smiles back before leading the way over to the stairs. "Oh can you order us some drinks please? Onee-sama will take tea and I would like some soda, thanks!" I add quickly before following Tsubasa up the stairs, giddy to spend the whole day with her working on different projects. Today is the best.
