4th State : Blues Drive Monster
Smoke hung around Mabase's street as though the whole city was up the Himalayas. This was nothing new to the coastal denizens of Mabase. 5 years ago, a factory built in their city often emanated this immense smoke. They didn't know if this was something hazardous to their health but they do know that the factory exploded and caused a lot of damage to the city. A lot of things happened and all hands were pointing towards the city hero… a young boy named Naota Nandaba. Nobody could explain why or how… but they have seen him there, with his hand on that heavy boulder, saving that high school girl.
"Good Morning, Naota-kun~! Want some cherry cola?" called a girl as he turned a corner. Naota politely refused and went on his way to school.
Everybody in Mabase knew him. A fact that Naota relishes. He hated how everyone used to place him under his brother's shadow. He was Naota. Ta-kun is for Naota… not Tasuku… not Taro-kun.
Today, despite everyone's gaiety, there was something bothering Naota greatly. Maybe it was the headache… or maybe it was…
-
"Ah! She's not here again! NAOTA!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO NINAMORI!?" Gaku lamented, as morning classes were about to end. Gaku violently whacked Naota, blaming him for Ninamori's absence. It was his English project on the line.
It's been three days since Ninamori was last seen in class. Everyone found it unusual, since Eri was known for being a hard worker, doing everything and anything she could, like an ant enslaving herself to education.
"Na, Naota, did you do something to Ninamori?" Masatsu asked just before the bell rang for recess. Much to Naota's chagrin, everyone pointed at him. He was known for being Ninamori's boyfriend, which wasn't really the case, but still… everyone thought it as so.
Naota tried recalling events for the past few days… He remembered having spoken rudely to her, but that wasn't it. Or was it? Naota looked at Ninamori's empty chair and felt a sudden guilt he couldn't understand. Maybe he did say quite a lot of things she didn't have to hear. But could someone as self-confident and highly charismatic as Eri Ninamori be troubled by some little argument?
"Hmm… she must be mad because you're playing house with your house maid! Do you understand that my English project is now in jeopardy because of your love troubles!" Gaku threw another piece of paper which irritated Naota greatly.
"She's got nothing to do with me and Haruko!"
"But Naota, she's your-"
"Eri's not my girlfriend!" Naota's voice echoed towards the room, casting glances and whispers around. Naota straightened his shirt and opened his bento. It's about time they knew what's really happening. Eri was not his girl and he is in no way related emotionally to Ninamori.
A group of girls passed by Naota's seat and slipped a paper on his desk. Naota grabbed it and read "IDIOT" boldly inscribed in the middle of the stationery. Naota crumpled the paper and cared less what they thought.
"AH!! NAOTA YOU IDIOT!! WHY DID YOU UPSET NINAMORI!?" Gaku grieved as his prospect of getting high on his English project crumbled. Naota sipped his juice and looked outside the window.
A dense cloud hung around Medical Mechanica, blowing heavier by the hour.
-
He didn't understand why he was there, but if Miyagi-sensei didn't threaten his high school baseball career, he wouldn't be here, holding a pack of folders and papers for somebody named Eri Ninamori.
"Good Evening. This Is Nandaba Naota. I have some papers from school for Ninamori-san." Naota spoke through the intercom by the gate. Naota heard a loud buzzing sound and slowly, the steel grates of the gate creaked open, and Naota entered the majestic Ninamori household, if that even justly describes this lovely mansion of Eri's.
The Ninamori estate was surrounded with large concrete walls and a humongous gate that seems to just draw visitors away from the house. It was intimidating, yet elegant. Every time he stood by these gates, he's always struck in awe by the magnificence of Ninamori's house. This was of course not the first time he had been here.
At the front door, Ninamori's mother greeted Naota. She politely welcomed him, offering him a cup of tea, which he respectfully refused. Couldn't stay long, he explained. He too had a load of things to do.
From upstairs, the tawny Ninamori watched as her mother spoke a bit longer to Naota.
"Go. Leave. LEAVE!" she whispered, looking at Naota through the pillars of their grand staircase.
"Oh, I see. Eri hasn't really been feeling good lately. She hasn't even touched her breakfast yet. Ah! I'm so worried, I wish I could help, but you know adolescence, adult intervention will only trigger greater trouble." Naota looked at Eri's mother, her face sunken and completely worrisome. Hit by a tremendous amount of guilt, he excused himself and grabbed a sheet of paper from his bag.
Ninamori sat in great fury with a slight bit of anticipation. She loathed seeing him, but her heart thumped in great longing to see, at least, his apathetic face gaze at her... and perhaps if she gets lucky, that vibrant smile she always loved. By the grand staircase she waited until she heard the door shut. Eri ran quickly downstairs, "Mom!"
"Ah, Eri. That was Naota-kun. He brought home some of your schoolwork." Ninamori's mom smiled reassuringly, handing notes and papers to Ninamori. "Are you sure you're still feeling bad? You look fine to me..."
"I'm sorry mom. But I can't go to school just yet." Ninamori ran back to her room, carrying her pile load of schoolwork.
"If it's emotional, you know you could come to me." Ninamori slammed the door shut and locked herself inside her room.
-
"You jerk!" Ninamori crumpled the paper and began weeping on her dresser. She had spent so many nights crying. Quite frankly, every night. It's not that she liked it. She swore to herself never to cry. Especially for a man. Especially for Naota.
I hope you're doing fine. Get well soon - Naota
"WELL HELL YEAH I'M DOING FINE!" Ninamori screamed, furiously loosening the scarf that was wrapped around her head.
"HELL YEAH! MY HEAD'S ALRIGHT!" Ninamori cringed in her seat as she felt excruciating pain inside her head. Damn that stupid woman.
Mist loomed out of her mouth, as her breath became heavier. Could it be Asthma? Maybe. Colds? A little. Fury? Definitely. She hated every circumstance that happened to her since that crazy woman returned. Haruko this. Haruko that. Haruko. Eri looked at the mirror and saw the reflection of a girl she saw before. A young girl with a dash of insecurity, a whole lot of jealousy, and… with great admiration for Naota.
"And I thought I was already yours."
Ninamori looked out her window and saw the calm current of Mabase's river move towards the sea. She paused to gaze at the lovely reflection of the stellar sky on the sleet black river. Beautiful, she thought. Nothing more beautiful.
Ninamori picked up the crumpled sheet on her bin. Maybe, he did care. Maybe, he just didn't know… he loves me. Ninamori smiled and hid the note inside her jacket. He's definitely dense.
With a sense of nostalgia, Ninamori grabbed her coat and scarf, leaving the cold wind blowing through her open window.
"Mom! I'm out for a walk."
-
Naota arrived home, completely tired and distressed, finding even a moronic Haruko lying on his bed in an entirely vexing position.
"Dear Naota," Haruko read.
"Oi, Haruko!"
"I went out drinking with Ichiro after the game last Sunday… it's fun here in America. How are you? How's that girl in the picture? Very pretty lady… naaaa TARO-KUN~~!!"
"Just shut it, Haruko. And return my letters in the box." Naruto snapped. He was too tired to get annoyed further. The whole visit to Ninamori's house and the continuing cold treatment of his classmates since his confession last recess was really getting through his skin. Tiring, he thought, was the perfect word to describe today. Wasting his energy on an annoying and persistent alien was a waste of time. A definite waste of time.
Naota sat in front of his study desk and buried himself in his books. Two tests and three papers due tomorrow. High School is no fun, he thought. School was never fun to begin with.
"Ta-kun." Haruko purred at the studious Naota.
"What?"
"Taro-kun!"
"I am not Taro-kun!"
"TAAAAAA-KUUUUUN~!"
"You better stop that Haruko! I've got to finish this paper!" Naota dug further into his books and searched answers necessary for his homework. In reality, Naota found himself staring at series of lines that were unmistakably a series of numbers and letters to the normal human eye. If it weren't for his intense worry about Ninamori, to which he was in denial of, everything wouldn't be a blur to him. Even Haruko was a blur.
"Ta-kun."
"WHAT?!" Naota raised his voice, rather infuriated by the pestering Haruko.
"Hmm… Ta-kun looks stressed." Haruko slovenly approached Naota, her arms slung lazily around his neck, her fingers running through Naota's hair. Haruko's amber stare paralyzed Naota. In that moment, the world changed.
Suddenly, everything was Haruko.
"Na, Ta-kun."
"Uhmm… yeah?"
"Do you hate Haruko?"
"Huh?"
Haruko's tongue wandered around Naota's ear, purring slightly as she ran her hands through his hair. It was tingling, with a tad bit of warmth as he could feel Haruko's breath getting heavier.
"Ta-kun," she whispered "do you like that glasses girl?"
"Ninamori?"
Haruko purred slightly and pushed herself closer to Naota's chest. Naota could feel the slow rising of her chest, the fullness of her breasts. "Ta-kun, does Haruko make you happy?"
"Eh?"
Naota's body stiffened as Haruko wrapped her legs around him. Now, Haruko's body wrapped his and the only thing he could see were the soft curls of Haruko's hair, dangling over his forehead; her lush red lips that moves to murmur; and lastly, her intense amber eyes that looked on his face…
"Ta-kun, does Haruko make you happy?"
"Uhmm… yeah… I guess."
"Is Haruko a good girl?"
"Uhmm… not all the time… but generally… yeah."
"Will you do anything for Haruko?"
"Uh… yes. I will. If I can."
"Will you-" Haruko's lips brushed his and closer, she whispered to his ear "give me the universe?"
Naota didn't understand what she meant. He pushed her little to see her face.
"What the hell are you talking about, Ha…ruko." Her once luminous eyes turned to dark slits. Her face darkened. Her lips, once red, were now of darker maroon. This wasn't the Haruko he remembered. Who was this person before him? Who was this… monster?
"… Haruko?"
Haruko lifted her face, and flashes of images ran through Naota's head. That smile, that evil conniving smile.
"Haruko?" Naota worriedly murmured as he pushed her off him. This, he thought… this was just the very thing he was afraid of. Those vengeful eyes. He thought he'd seen the last of it. But… here it was… again. Haruko stood and pushed Naota to the wall. That evil cackle.
"Atomsk…"
"Stop it, Haruko!"
"Atomsk, you promised! You'd give me the universe!"
"STOP IT! HARUKO!" Naota shoved Haruko away from him and rushed out of his room. What was it that he just saw? Was that Haruko? Why did she call him Atomsk? Was the pirate king here again? He left didn't he? WHY IS HARUKO HERE? WHAT DOES HARUKO WANT? WHY IS SHE-
"back in your life and wreak havoc to this good town once again?" Naota looked up to see that man with the seaweed eyebrows.
"Wha… what are you doing here?"
"Two curry buns for take-out. I want the extra-spicy ones." He spoke in great arrogance and confidence.
"If you want Haruko, she's upstairs." Naota grabbed his coat and walked out of the store. The man followed him out, grabbing his arm and spoke, "Nope. I'm here to talk to you. Man to man."
"I think I've heard what you're about to say."
"Don't let that woman manipulate you."
"I said, I already heard what you said!"
"Be a man and teach that monster who's boss."
"Let's see who's the better man between the two of us." Naota shot a glance, which frightened his agitator. He released Naota from his grip. Naota needs to hear what he has to say. If he didn't… the whole world could be in danger.
"I'm telling you now that you hold great power in you. Haruko sought for this power for years, only to find herself back here, where it all started… and where it all should've ended. To anything and everything, don't give that greedy alien what she wants. The fraternity seeks nothing but universal domination. She'll hold you as her pawn. Use you until you are of no use and then throw you away in an endless pit. Do you understand, boy? In any way, don't use or even release a single bit of this power. She has grown stronger over these 5 years. It will be easier for her to control you. It will be easier for her to dispose of you."
"I'm nobody's pawn!"
Naota walked away from the man with the nori eyebrows. To Amarao, he could only hope the boy listened to him. He looked at the Nandaba's bakery and saw the silhouette of an old comrade.
"You can never get him, Raharu. Never."
"Shut up."
Naota's window violently slammed shut. Amarao smirked and hopped on to his moped. This time, he won't fail. This time, he'll prove to her that he's a grown man. No more guitar slingshots, sexual manipulation, or anything of that sort. He'll show her that he's a man of conviction. A man who could stand on his own two feet.
"This time, it's my turn to say… game over."
-
"Ah. Ninamori-san."
"Naota-kun."
He didn't expect her to be there, in fact, he was just walking towards 'somewhere' when he had realized that Ninamori was right in front of him.
"Ah, Eri, How-"
"Good Night." Ninamori waved her hand and walked away from Naota. Though a part of her wanted to talk on with Naota, she really wasn't prepared to talk to him. If she stayed longer, she could lose her composure, tell everything to Naota, and most likely, throw her pride away. If she stayed longer, she could overflow.
"Ninamori. I'm sorry."
Eri turned around to see a gaunt Naota pass, quietly walking away from her. Maybe he was sorry… Maybe he didn't mean all those things he said. Maybe… he could help her… Maybe…
Hopeful, Ninamori shouted at Naota who was already at the other end of the road, "Naota-kun, I-" The wind blew stronger and the scarf around Ninamori's head got blown. Naota turned around and looked at Ninamori.
"Ninamori!"
"I love you, Naota!"
Naota winced, as he can't hear a single thing with the wind blowing stronger, the breeze whirring like as though a storm was passing. He walked towards Ninamori, only to see something odd on Ninamori's head.
"You have a cone on your head!"
"I really love you!" Ninamori shouted back. To heck with composure and pride. If she just said it, he would understand and he would reply with great directness. Tears clouded her eyes, as this has become the most relieving and happiest moment in her life. Yes, Naota, I love you. I would survive this piercing headache just to be with you. Just to be yours.
"Can you hear me?" he worriedly spoke, as the cone seems to grow bigger. His head began to throb madly. What's this? Is this…
"Why is there a cone in your head?" Naota shouted louder as he ran towards Ninamori, looking carefully at the cone that seems to just rise higher and higher.
"Naota-kun, I love you! I-"
"Ninamori, why do you have a cone in your head?"
"I have to tell you that I admire your strength, and how I wish I had this."
"Are you listening to me!? WHAT IS THAT CONE IN YOUR HEAD?"
"Naota… I do truly love you." Ninamori flung her arms towards the approaching Naota and kissed him passionately. Naota was taken aback by Ninamori's kisses as she pressed her entire weight on him causing them to plummet through the bridge and down the river. The cone atop Ninamori's head start to take into the shape of an enormous funnel, dark, fleshy… horrible. Ninamori withdrew her lips and screamed in pain. She couldn't take her headache any longer. As she screamed louder, the larger the funnel grew, shaping itself into a large heavy mobile cannon. Naota held Ninamori tightly as her body slumped over his.
Damn.
That darn alien did it again.
-
Station 15, do you copy, over?
"Agent Kiribami, speaking, over. Enemy has been sighted sir."
Will you describe the enemy? Is it Atomsk?
"No. It's something from the fraternity sir. A C-15 Mobile Cannon sir."
Roger that. We'll send reinforcements. Over and out.
-
Haruko tapped the strings of her bass as her bracelet started to clink.
"So, she finally overflowed."
Haruko stood and slung her guitar on her shoulders.
"Na, Miu Miu. Wish me luck ne?"
The cat purred as the loud whirring of a vespa engine was heard around Mabase.
-
