Jesús: "Sorry for the wait. I got busy about a couple weeks ago with a job, which I didn't end up keeping. But hey experience is experience. In any case, back in action and I'll try to get this done is the usual time frame. So, disclaimer time and I'll get everything started..." [Disclaimer] "...I don't own the RF series nor any of the Anime/Manga/Videogames referenced in this story. All credit for them goes to their respective owners."
Ch. 33
Raguna POV
After Uzuki left Cinnamon and I started working on the work packages and night time came in a flash. We had Dinner and after eating we took turns taking a shower and after that it was off to sleep. Next morning came quickly and this time Cinnamon didn't have a nightmare of any sort.
"Good Morning." I said as I slowly opened the door to Cinnamon's room.
"Morning." she replied from the bed.
"You ok? No nightmares last night huh?" I asked.
"None, thanks for the concern." she replied.
"Well, What do you think we go visit your family today?" I asked
"I think that'd be fine. I'd like to show my mother that I'm ok." Cinnamon said and got out of the bed.
"Alright then. do you want to go now and we get some food on the way or do you want to get something to eat first?" I asked
"Let's just get something to eat here. I mean, we're here already." Cinnamon said and just smiled at me.
I left the room so she could dressed and I went into my room to do the same. after about five minutes I stepped out of my room fully dressed and walked into the kitchen to get something ready.
'Alright then, what should I make?' I said walking to the fridge and opening it to see what I could make quickly. 'I can always make some sandwiches...' I said looking at the basic ingredients for sandwiches; Ham, Mayonnaise, cheese, etc. '...but I got the feeling I can make something that would be better...what could it be...'
"What are you doing?" Cinnamon asked walking into the kitchen.
"Thinking what should I make..." I replied.
"We could just have cereal like we usually do." Cinnamon said
"I don't know...I don't really feel up for cereal today...something light, but tasty..." I replied and and found some eggs, bacon, and oranges... 'That's it.'
I started grabbing the things and taking them to the cooking counter.
"What are you gonna make?" Cinnamon asked
"Some eggs and bacon." I replied
"And what are the oranges for?" she asked confused.
"What else? Some natural freshly squeezed Juice." I said and threw a couple eggs on a frying pan as well as the bacon on another pan. While those cooked I started making the Juice.
"You're good in the kitchen." Cinnamon said making a bit of a sad expression.
"What's the matter?" I asked noticing said expression and wanting to know what was bothering her.
"Well...Mom...She tried to teach me how to cook and..." Cinnamon said and ended her sentence in a really quiet whisper.
"What was that?" I asked out of curiosity and concern.
"I ended up burning a pot full of water where we were making soup." Cinnamon said while blushing
"...Really?" I asked
"Yeah..." She replied and covered her face. "it's so embarrassing, i'm a so called Genius and I can't even swim nor cook."
"Don't let it get to you. you just have to practice with something simpler first. I mean, soup is simple but you can still mess it up easily. Besides, I also messed up a few things in my past...in fact you should have heard my mom when she got home and saw I had burnt just about every cooking utensil. The interesting part is all I was trying to make was a toasted Sandwich..." I confessed.
"I think it would have been easier for you to just make a grilled cheese sandwich." We heard a voice and my mom walked into the kitchen.
"Morning." we both said
"So you have troubles with cooking huh? How about I teach you?" Mom said to Cinnamon.
"Thank you, but I don't know how well that would work." Cinnamon said
"Really...I was able to teach Mist, it doesn't get any tougher than that." Mom said while making an 'I'm serious about that.' face.
"Then I'll be in your care." Cinnamon said and respectfully bowed her head.
"Well, breakfast is ready." I said and placed some eggs and bacon on a plate and handed it to Cinnamon then served myself the same and poured some juice for the two of us as well as my Mom.
After Cinnamon and I finished eating we left my house to go to her house. On the way we met with Mist, who was on her way to school. Mist and Cinnamon had some idle chit-chat while they walked and soon enough we reached the point where we had to go our different ways. Cinnamon and I talked as we walked on a street leading away from school and we came across the purple haired girl, Bianca if I remember. Cinnamon saw her and immediately cowered behind me like last time.
"G-good morning." Bianca said.
"Yeah." I replied wanting to take Cinnamon away from here and any further damage from this girl.
We walked by her but soon after we passed by her she called for us and we stopped
"About what I said in school the other day...I'm Sorry, I apologized back then but because I was told to. After giving it some serious thought I did overdid it so again...I'm Sorry." Bianca said and bowed her head.
Cinnamon stayed quiet and then slowly turned her face towards Bianca.
"Is ok. I forgive you." Cinnamon said and then turned to hiding her face on my back.
"I thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go on to school." Bianca said and walked on.
Once Bianca was out of sight we started walking again and we stopped at a small park that was one the roadside. Cinnamon and I sat at the swings and took a few minutes to calm down.
"Are you ok?" I asked Cinnamon.
"Yeah, this time I was just shocked to come across her." Cinnamon replied
"You don't have to lie to me. I notice how you were afraid of her. Is ok." I said back to her and she looked at me with clear shock in her eyes.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to react to her. She apologized to me, twice now, but I'm afraid of what could happen." Cinnamon said and stared at the ground.
"Well, no matter what happens just know that I'll be right next to you so you won't have to face it alone." I said and Cinnamon raised her face.
"Thank you Raguna. That means a lot to me." Cinnamon said and smiled at me.
"Well then, should we get going? You haven;t seen your Mother or Candy for a few days now." I said and Cinnamon stood back up.
We walked for a while and we made it to her house. We walked right in and as soon as we entered the house.
"Welcome back honey." Mrs. Cari's Voice was heard.
"Hi Mother." Cinnamon said and the two hugged.
"I'm glad you're ok. When we received Ragz's call about what happened we immediately started freaking out. But knowing you were with Raguna we right away knew you'd be fine." Mrs. Cari said
"Thank you for the trust." I said a little flustered.
"Not at all. Thank you. it is thanks to you that Cinnamon is ok. Also she recuperated quicker than ever." Mrs. Cari once again said and this time she hugged me and said 'Thank you.' again. "Well then, Have the two of you had breakfast?"
"We ate something before coming here." Cinnamon said
"Really? then we can talk for a while." Mrs. Cari said and we walked into the Living room and sat down.
The whole time here we spent it talking about random topic, Mrs. Cari even started bring out some Picture albums of Cinnamon and one of her High School Years.
"Wow. Mom, Dad, Mr. Kain and You seem to have been just about the best of friends." I said seeing how in every single picture my Dad seemed to have the biggest smile I have ever seen in his face as well as my Mom, Mr. Kain and Mrs. Cari also had expressions that clearly showed they were happy.
"Yeah, we were an interesting bunch. In fact it all began in a really weird turn of events..." Mrs. Cari started
-Flashback-
Normal POV
Early afternoon and all students are returning home...that is everyone who doesn't gets caught by them...
"Now if I ever see you Around here I swear to god You will feel what real fear is like!" A girl with brown hair just bellow her shoulder blades yelled. She was wearing the same uniform but had a blue ribbon indicating second year in High School.
After said girl said this two first years ran out from from the alley and didn't even mind the fact they dropped they backpacks.
"Damn. They dropped their bags and there's nothing valuable in here." a second girl with long Silver hair and holding a Baseball bat said.
"What nothing? Can't believe this. Hey Luna, I'm Hungry." the first girl said
"Yeah, but without any spoils we have to use our own money." The second girl, called Luna, replied "Besides Cari. I told we should have spent all that money on the arcade. Now we're screwed if our Parents find out about what we do with the money."
"Really? we'd be screwed if they found out we're not the "Angles" they make us out to be. Besides screw those geezers who think we have to be "Nice and Proper." I'll do with my life whatever I want." The first girl, called Cari, replied
"Well, the way things are right now maybe one or two more people, that have some money, and we get our money back. Want to hold in place to see if we bump into someone?" Luna said looking at the money they had collected from underclassmen.
Right before Cari replied Someone bumped on Luna and she fell to the ground.
"Watch where you're going Idiot." Luna yelled and got back up.
"Why should I watch it. Besides who's stupid enough to stand in the middle of a narrow alleyway." the person said. it was a Male student from their High School, he wasn't wearing his ribbon so there was no way to tell what year this guy was.
"You little punk. Want me to kick your ass?" Luna yelled at him and started swinging her bat over her head.
"Look pretty, I haven't had the best of days, so if you'd be kind enough to leave me alone and let me go about my business I'd appreciate it." the guy replied and tried to keep walking.
"Now you asked for it." Luna yelled one last time and swung the bat at him.
The guy snatched the lid from a trash bin right next to him and blocked her swing with it. One would think that he would be stunned and not be able to do much, but he grabbed on to the bat and stared into her eyes and emanated an aura that was completely different that what he had previously. At first he seemed like a guy that was really nice and in fact a bit of an Idiot, but now he seemed like he would kill someone in a matter of seconds without a second thought.
"So we got a feisty one huh?" the guy said and quickly pulled on the bat taking it from Luna and swung it down at her.
"Alright Stop that." another male voice said and grabbed on to the first guys wrist stopping his attack.
"Whatever." the first guy said and dropped the bat as he walked away.
"Sorry about him he seemed to have some problem with his parents in the morning about him suddenly hitting someone. Then he went and talked back to our teachers and I guess you can figure the rest." the second guy said once the first guy left.
"Now who the hell do you think you are, talking to us as equals. Imma kick yer ass." Luna said and got her baseball bat again and pointed it at the guy.
"I'm sorry I don't like resorting to violence. Now if you'll excuse me." the guy said, bowed his head, and started to walk.
Cari got in his way and blocked his path.
"You think you can just walked off?" She said
"Yeah, hand over the dough." Luna said
"Is that so? Then how much is it you need?" the guy said and just pulled a couple bills out from his wallet and handed them over to Cari. "Now if you'll excuse me."
Cari and Luna were both in shock. First some guy almost kills Luna and now some guy that stopped the first just hand over a few bills without any struggle.
"What's with those guy?" Luna said as she saw the second guy just go off into the distance.
"L-Luna..." Cari started
"What?" Luna replied and looked at Cari.
Cari stretched out the bills handed over by the guy and just that alone added up to 50 Gold.
"Are you kidding me? Now we have too much. we have to spend at least half of that or else our parents will really be on our asses." Luna said and the two just went to get something to eat and then back to the arcade.
"One last game." Luna said and approached a fighting game that she was really experienced in.
"Really? We're fighting against both time and budget here. it takes you at least an hour to pass that game since you always try to get a high score. We only have about half an hour until our curfew." Cari said and just looked as Luna popped a few tokens into the machine to start playing
"Don't worry about it. I'll just make it a quick one." Luna said and hit the start button on the machine to start playing.
[Here comes new challenger! Choose your character!] the machine said and she moved the cursor over to an all-rounder type character. [Round One, Fight!]
Luna moved her character quickly toward her opponent and attacked right away but the enemy blocked every attack and then the opponent activated a counter attack skill at the last second and Luna's character got knocked back. The opponent rushed and started a combo that ended in a 16th hit and Luna's HP was barely under the 1/4 mark. Luna activated her character's Special Ability in an attempt to turn the tables, she hit the opponent but he was not taken out, you could say that her opponent was alive only by a breath. A single attack, even if blocked, would take him out. Luna used a rush skill for her character and when she was about to strike her opponent activated his character's Special Ability and took out the rest of Luna's HP.
[Round One, Finish! Winner!] The machine said and gave a victory point to the opponent.
"What?" Cari said as she saw that Luna was beaten in a game she was regarded as "The Best"
[Round two, Fight!] the Machine announced and Luna rushed in again.
This time the opponent rushed in as well and both hit each other in a cross-counter hit. Luna activated skill after skill trying to hit her opponent, but he just kept dodging said attacks. Soon enough Luna let her character's guard down for a second and her opponent took the chance and used the Combo again. This time the combo didn't end with the 16th hit because he activated the Character's Special Ability and turned it from a normal 16-hit combo to a K.O. Combo.
[Fight Over! Winner!] the Machine called and then moved to the opponent's Victory screen.
"Who the Hell do you think you are?" Luna said enraged she didn't really managed to land a single hit on her opponent.
"Well, Look at who we have here? If it isn't Feisty Alley girl." the person in the other machine said, it was the guy who took Luna's Baseball bat in the Alley.
"Why the hell are you here?" Luna asked
"This is an Arcade isn't it?" the guy asked making his reason to be there obvious.
"Well don't think you can just pick a fight and walk away" Luna yelled and was about to jump him.
"Whatever. the game was boring already, you can take my game if you want." the guy said and left the arcade.
"Who the hell is that guy anyway?" Cari said
"I don't know, but I have a feeling I do know..." Luna said and the two girls left the Arcade to go back home.
Luna and Cari had to go their separate ways about halfway. Luna got home and as soon as she walked in...
"Luna honey. Could you come here for a second?" her mother called out
"What's the matter." Luna said in the Facade she kept at home.
"I'd like you to meet someone. it has been a while, but I'm sure you'll remember him." her mother said and lead her to the living room.
"Long time no see Lu...na?" a guy said
"What the hell are you doing in my house?" she yelled, it was the guy that almost killed her and also beat her in that arcade. "And how the hell do you know my name?"
"Luna, your Language." her mother said
"S-sorry mother." Luna said and calmed down immediately.
"So you're Luna. You've really changed a lot. though I have to admit I thought I recognized you earlier." the guy said
"And who are you?" Luna said barely holding her anger in.
"Figures you don't remember me. I have changed a bit too..." the guy said "...Maybe you'll remember this?" the guy added and pulled his left hand out of his pocket. in said hand he had a black glove with a large red stone, but not a ruby.
"R-Rag-na?" Luna said remembering that when they were younger she gave him a pair of gloves with a similar the left glove.
"That's my name." the guy replied
"Wait...you're...R-r-r..." Luna started stuttering.
"What's the Matter?" Ragna said
"Ragna!" Luna said and hugged him as she cried. "I missed you so much."
"Please tell me that's not why you turned into a Yankee?" Ragna whispered into her ear knowing she wouldn't want her mom to know.
"You idiot." Luna said and didn't let go of him.
The next day Luna and Ragna were walking to school together and they came across Cari.
"What the hell's with that guy?" Cari yelled seeing as he and Luna were acting very friendly.
"Oh, Cari I'd like you to meet..." Luna started
"Ragna Strife, I'm an old friend of Luna's." Ragna said and stretched his hand out in front of her.
"Name's Cari." Cari replied but didn't stretched her hand out in return.
"Well nice to meet you anyway." Ragna said
Luna asked Ragna to go on to school so he went on and Luna and Cari went on about their "Yankee" Business.
Soon enough Luna's and Cari's fun ended...a few days after Luna's re-encounter with Ragna both girls parent's received a letter from their schools.
"Could you tell me what this is young Lady?" Luna's father asked showing her the letter from school. "Is bad enough we received this letter, but is even worse that Principal Stella herself came to deliver it."
"F-father I'm sorry." Luna said
"What have you been doing the whole time you've been skipping school?" he asked
"I was hanging out with a friend." Luna replied very Ashamed of herself and Scared.
"Well you're not allowed to meet with that friend again. If you talk to this friend of your again I'll transfer you to an all girl school I know of in Central Norad." her father yelled at her.
"No Father. Anything but that. Cari is my only friend. and I also just recently got to meet with Ragna Again." Luna begged her father for forgiveness.
"I have spoken." her father said and Luna couldn't help but run out of home crying.
On her way out she bumped on Ragna who was on his way to visit.
"What's got you in a hurry?" Ragna said and Noticed she was crying.
Ragna took Luna to a nearby park and she explained everything to him.
"Well that sucks." Ragna said
"If I don't get my grades up again and place among the top five of the class I'll be sent to an All girls school." Luna finished
"Then how about I help you study?" Ragna said
"You? I'm not meaning to sound like a jerk, but you're just like me, I don't think you helping me study would help." Luna said
"Really? You do know you're talking to the "Eternal Second" of school huh?" Ragna said
"What do you mean?" Cinnamon said
"I've always ranked second when it comes to Academics in school. I always get 100% on everything. I'm sure I can help you study." Ragna said
"Thank you Ragna!" Luna said and hugged him again. "Wait, if you're second and get 100% on everything, who is the "First" in school?"
"Is a friend of mine, the reason he keeps getting a place higher than me is because he corrects work sheets. in fact he's help a few first year teachers arrange the student assignments." Ragna said
"Then would it be ok if you helped Cari too? I'm sure she's in a similar situation." Luna asked
"Sure in fact, I'll ask Kain to help, I'm sure it would be better and easier if he helped." Ragna said and the two started walking back.
"By the way, You shouldn't have skipped every day. you should have gone to school at least twice a week to keep your attendance and grades up." Ragna said
"How do you know that?" Luna asked
"Years of experience." Ragna said and Luna just widened her eyes in shock.
The next day Luna, Cari and Ragna met at the Trampoli Public Library.
"I asked for one of the Silent rooms so we can study in peace. And is also secluded of people so we can all be alone." Ragna said
"Wait, what? A guy and two girls alone in a secluded room, no interruption..." Cari started going on and on with a really wrong mindset.
"Wouldn't do that." Luna and Ragna both said at the same time while waving their hands left to right.
The group walked into the library and they went to the front desk.
"Hi, may I help you with something?" the lady at the front desk said
"Hi, I called yesterday to make a reservation for the Dark room for the whole day." Ragna said
"Oh yes. Mr. Ragna Strife right?" the lady said and after showing his school ID she handed him the key tot he "Dark room".
"By the way, has Kain Shown up yet?" Ragna asked to make sure his friend had arrived.
"Yes, young Mr. Weiss is in the room Already." the Lady said
"Thank you." Ragna replied
The three walked into the room and in was the second guy the two girls encountered back at the Alley.
"What the Hell are you doing here?" both girls asked
"Oh, time for introductions. This guy is the schools 1st ranked in academics and my best friend. Kain Weiss. Kain this is Luna, a childhood friend of mine and her friend Cari." Ragna Introduced everyone.
"The pleasure is all mine again." Kain said and took each of the girls hands and kissed them in a gentlemanly way.
Luna didn't have much of a reaction since being part of the family she was in she had to deal with that all the time. But Cari? even if she was part of the "High-Class" type of family she never attended any of the parties so this was something new to her. Cari slowly but surely turned red and soon enough she was far more red that Kains hair.
The two girls started Listening to Kain's "Lesson" and started trying filling in their worksheets and book problems. the two girls enjoyed the time with the two guys. they laughed, and even joked around with each other. A week passed since the girls started studying with the guys and Luna and Cari were at the school's Rooftop during lunch break.
"Hey Luna..." Cari started
"What's up?" Luna asked back
"I like Kain." Cari said
"I like him too. He's a pretty cool guy. A good friend indeed." Luna said
"I don't mean it like that..." Cari started "...I mean, I "Like" like him."
"Oh...wait...WHAT!?" Luna said
"I don't know...when I'm with him I feel happy, and when I'm at home or just alone, I can't help but think about him..." Cari said
"C-C-Cari...y-y-you're serious?" Luna started getting fidgety. This was the first time she had heard of something like this.
"Yeah. What do you think I should do?" Cari asked getting desperate all of a sudden.
"What should you do? How should I know?" Luna asked
"Well, aren't you and Ragna, you know, dating?" Cari asked
"Me and...Me and Ragna...?" Luna started and also started getting red.
"Yeah, I've noticed how you smile and calm down around him, is like you're someone else when he's around." Cari said
The two girls became silent and then midterms came and so did the Moment of Truth. The two girls were anxiously waiting for the results and the day they were put up...
[Midterms results. 1st: Kain Weiss. 2nd: Ragna Strife 3rd: Sean Duren. 4th: Cari Stream. 5th: Luna Phase. 6th...]
The two girls stared at their names being on the top 5 of the midterm rankings. suddenly
"Yeah!" Both girls cheered in complete excitement as tears started flowing out their eyes out of happiness.
"Congratulations to the bo..." both Ragna and Kain were about to say but both got cut off by the girls, Ragna by Luna and Kain by Cari, kissing them. as soon as they broke the kiss...
"Thank you Ragna, thank you Kain..." the two girls said as they let their emotions take over.
-Flashback end-
Raguna POV
"...Soon after that I started officially dating Kain and Luna with Ragna and before we knew it we were graduating from High School at the top of our class." Mrs. Cari said
"You know, there are many questions I still have about all this..." I started
"What is it?" Cinnamon asked
"Well first off, How did Mom and Mrs. Cari turn from that to this? How did you two make it to the top of the class so quickly? and Why did you say that whole story Focusing on My Mom? I mean seriously it was like my mom was telling the story instead." I said
"Because of Plot." Mrs. Cari said
{Jesús: What Plot? That has nothing to do with the Plot.
Cari: Shhh! The readers don't have to know that.}
"What?" Cinnamon and I said at the same time.
"Nothing." Mrs. Cari said
The afternoon passed calmly as we kept looking at the pictures and hearing stories by Mrs. Cari. Candy showed up from school and she also hugged Cinnamon happy she was ok and she also joined the story listening as she did her homework. After a few hours night time came and I walked to the front door. To go back home.
"Alright then I'll see you tommo-" I started and noticed Cinnamon was sanding right next to me. "...You're not staying?"
"Is it ok?" Cinnamon asked
"Is fine. as long as their ok with it." I said
"Is fine. How about the day after tomorrow you come back. I'm sure you'll be back at 100% by then." Mr. Kain said
"Thank you Father." Cinnamon said and went over o hug her parents and little sister 'Good bye'
Jesús: "Well that took longer than anticipated. Well, as I said back in business so I'll get you all the next chapter in the scheduled time. Please leave a review telling me what you all think and I'll see you all next time. See ya!"
-Off Set-
Jesús : "Alright Cari, no more "fourth-wall" breaking if it isn't in the script ok?"
Cari: "Fiiiine."