"Love's not like that. It's not sugary sweet. It's not intimate moments in dark rooms."
He took a second to laugh as he continued to read the little lyrics sheet in his hands.
"You'd think you'd never had sex. But let me tell you one thing. There's no such thing as fate."
He looked up.
"Fuck."
***************************************
Broken Doll by Tenshi
Part 1 of 3
***************************************
/February 23,
Today was my 16th birthday! It's been so busy lately I almost forgot. Sensei says since I'm a high school aged student now, I'll have to study lots more so I can get into a good university. If I'm a hard worker, maybe I can even go to Tokyo University! I don't mind working hard cause then Sensei visits more often. He's so smart and gentle. I hope I can be like him someday.
Speaking of Sensei, he gave me this brand new laptop for my birthday present. It's a prototype for Sony called Vaio. I'm so lucky. It's very fast, types in both Japanese and English, and Sensei says if I take good care of it, it will last a long long time.
Tohma-san also got me a gift. There is a concert for a singer he thinks I'll like. Noriko something... I forget. I asked if Sensei could come with and Tohma-san got really mad. I wish they would get along better. Tohma-san said my package from Mika-neesan and Tatsuha would arrive soon. I wonder what it is and why they didn't just wait and bring it with them. They are coming to New York in about a week. It's been 3 years since I last saw them. I wonder if they look any different from how I remember them./
The cursor continued to blink at the end of the last paragraph. The writer seemed deep in thought. Then his face lit up and he began to type again.
/That's all for now diary. My first entry!
Uesugi Eiri/
The young blonde stared at the screen. "My name looks so weird in roman characters," he said to no one in particular.
"What did you say Eiri-kun?" Another short blonde peeked his head into the bedroom, a toothbrush dangling from his mouth.
"Eh? Oh, nothing Tohma-san. Just practicing my English on the laptop Sensei gave me."
Seguchi Tohma's eyes narrowed for a moment and he took the toothbrush out of his mouth, pointing it at Eiri. "Don't spend too long on that thing. It could hurt your eyes. Plus," his tone became happier and a bit mischievous, "there's a package waiting for you in the living room."
"A package?" Eiri quickly stood up. "From who?"
"Mika-chan and Tatsuha-kun. The post office made a special delivery since the package is so large." Tohma smiled and continued slowly down the hall to the bathroom. Eiri rushed past him down the hall into the living room.
A large cardboard box, roughly 2 and a half feet square, was in the middle of the room. Eiri sat down near the box to examine it. It had all sorts of stickers and tape and writing on the outside. American customs had cleared it and the Japanese post office had a large postage label on the top. "15000 yen just to ship? Wow!" Eiri stood up and got to the kitchen to find something to open the box with. The kitchen junk drawer was full of various utensils and knick-knacks. Mixed in with Tohma's keyboard cords and some playing cards was a box knife. Eiri returned to the living room where Tohma was standing over the box.
"Can you believe this? 15000 yen just to get it here. Must be something nice. Your sister is so thoughtful to get it here by your birthday." Tohma smiled slightly at the thought of Uesugi Mika. She was becoming quite an interesting woman last time he'd seen her...
"Tohma-san? Tohma-san? Is something wrong? You look a bit flushed."
"Huh? Oh! Just... nothing... here! Give me the box cutter and I'll open it for you."
Eiri put his hands on his hips and tried to look defiant. "I'm 16 now Tohma-san! I can open a box by myself."
"Fine, fine, your glasses are slipping."
Eiri pushed his glasses back up and muttered. Every time he tried to act grownup, Tohma would make some comment or change the subject. Why couldn't they just invent glasses that couldn't slip? Or maybe Tohma could just understand exactly how old Eiri was. He kneeled down near the box and carefully cut into the tape. Soon it was open and Eiri began taking out the contents.
Angelic Layer Beginner's Kit
Angelic Layer Angel's Egg
Angelic Layer Clothing: Rock Star Series
Angelic Layer Home Practice Kit
Angelic Layer Membership Package
Eiri stared somewhat puzzled at the various packages now laughing on the carpet beside him. Angelic Layer? He'd never heard of such a thing. The look on Tohma's face made it clear he'd never heard of it either. Eiri looked in the box and found two more small envelopes. It was addressed in the very neat handwriting belonging to his older sister Mika. One was addressed to him, the other to Tohma. Eiri handed Tohma the envelope addressed to him and then opened his own.
/Dear Eiri,
Hopefully this package reaches you without any problems. Angelic Layer is the latest rage among school kids in Japan. Everyone has one! Supposedly the company will be doing a big American debut in New York too! Tatsuha and I thought you should have your own before then. Go ahead and follow the instructions to make your own Angel! I picked out the clothes. They seemed like something Tohma should wear if he ever becomes a famous rock star. Hope you like them.
I'm sorry I can't come next week. We have some exams at school and Dad says a high school student like myself has no time for fun. Meanie. But Tatsuha will be there.
Happy Birthday Eiri! Enjoy!
Mika-neesan/
Angel? A doll? They got him a doll? (And his sister wasn't coming anymore...)
"I'm 16 and they get me a doll?" He didn't seem at all worried about his sister.
Tohma finished reading his note and seemed quite disappointed about Mika not coming. "I'm sure it's not just any doll. Look at all the stuff."
Eiri frowned and picked up the Angel Egg package. "It's so ugly! No hair or anything. You can't even tell if it's a girl or a guy."
"Does it matter?"
"No..." Eiri sighed. "Guess I might as well give it a try." He began to read the instructions. "Open in the bathtub? I'm not taking a bath with a doll! The kitchen sink with work just fine." He took the container and opened it up in the kitchen, washing off the doll like in the instruction booklet. It seemed so light in his hands.
Returning to the living room, he noticed Tohma had already set up what looked like a mini computer and a set of coasters. Tohma took the doll from Eiri and put a little pink wig on top.
"Pink? Is it a girl?"
"I just thought it would match the outfit." Tohma was beaming like a kid in a candy shop.
"You really like new and weird things don't you Tohma-san."
"A good musician experiences many things to make good songs." Tohma said in a matter-of-fact sort of tone. He put the doll between the two coasters and turned on a switch. The doll began to float and the computer screen flashed with a colorful Angelic Layer welcome screen.
Then it was time for business.
[Please choose your parameters.]
"Hmmm... well... how about..." Eiri looked at the pink haired doll. "lots of energy and fast. Not very strong though. Small... but nimble... Hmm.... there!"
The lights around the coasters began to flash and Eiri could watch the doll take shape. It was getting shorter, but more human like with some sort of skin covering. Then it opened its eyes.
Purple.
Such a beautiful shade of purple... like Sensei's when he wore those color contacts last year...
[Please choose a name.]
"A name?"
Tohma looked hard at the floating doll. "It's so small... it could live in a shoebox."
"Shoe..." Eiri repeated and he typed it into the computer. Then he quickly erased it. The doll came from Japan and deserved a proper sounding Japanese name.
"Shuuo... Shuutarou..." Eiri started sounding out various male sounding names. "Shuusuke... Shuuya... Shuuichi..." Eiri looked at the doll again. Somehow that last name fit.
[Shuuichi.]
The computer powered down and the doll closed its eyes again. It slumped to the tabletop and Eiri gently sat it upright. He pulled out the clothing and started to dress the doll. It really was like something a rock star would wear. 2 white elbow length gloves without fingers, 2 white knee high boots, white hot pants with a chunky black belt, a black stretchy tight fitting sleeveless skirt, and to top it off, a long white sleeveless coat that zippered at the top.
"Not bad Eiri, not bad." Tohma smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "Wish I had an outfit like that. Now get to bed. You can do the rest tomorrow after your lesson with Kitazawa-san." Mentioning the name seemed to bring up those fighting spirits in Tohma, so Eiri thought it best to just agree.
"Alright. Goodnight Tohma-san!" Eiri looked at his new doll. Somehow it seemed he should take the doll to bed with him. He shook his head and frowned. It could sleep on the couch for all he cared.
"I'm 16! I don't take dolls to bed!"
Eiri looked at the doll again. And sighed.
"Come on Shuuichi, let's go to bed."
~to be continued~
Author's Notes: I've always wanted to do a story about Eiri as a boy and the relationship between him and his teacher, Kitazawa Yuki. I was inspired by Ran Mouri's story, combining Angelic Layer and Gravitation. This story does a similar thing, combining the actual dolls and functions of Angelic Layer as found in the original manga with characters from Gravitation. However, rather than being a crossover, I'd like to consider it a Gravitation story retelling fanfic with Angelic Layer references. Angelic Layer is not the main point of the story, as it will become clear in the next part (heehee, I've already written everything so I don't flake out this time ^_^;;). My hope is that the story is enjoyable enough even for those who no nothing about Angelic Layer.
He took a second to laugh as he continued to read the little lyrics sheet in his hands.
"You'd think you'd never had sex. But let me tell you one thing. There's no such thing as fate."
He looked up.
"Fuck."
***************************************
Broken Doll by Tenshi
Part 1 of 3
***************************************
/February 23,
Today was my 16th birthday! It's been so busy lately I almost forgot. Sensei says since I'm a high school aged student now, I'll have to study lots more so I can get into a good university. If I'm a hard worker, maybe I can even go to Tokyo University! I don't mind working hard cause then Sensei visits more often. He's so smart and gentle. I hope I can be like him someday.
Speaking of Sensei, he gave me this brand new laptop for my birthday present. It's a prototype for Sony called Vaio. I'm so lucky. It's very fast, types in both Japanese and English, and Sensei says if I take good care of it, it will last a long long time.
Tohma-san also got me a gift. There is a concert for a singer he thinks I'll like. Noriko something... I forget. I asked if Sensei could come with and Tohma-san got really mad. I wish they would get along better. Tohma-san said my package from Mika-neesan and Tatsuha would arrive soon. I wonder what it is and why they didn't just wait and bring it with them. They are coming to New York in about a week. It's been 3 years since I last saw them. I wonder if they look any different from how I remember them./
The cursor continued to blink at the end of the last paragraph. The writer seemed deep in thought. Then his face lit up and he began to type again.
/That's all for now diary. My first entry!
Uesugi Eiri/
The young blonde stared at the screen. "My name looks so weird in roman characters," he said to no one in particular.
"What did you say Eiri-kun?" Another short blonde peeked his head into the bedroom, a toothbrush dangling from his mouth.
"Eh? Oh, nothing Tohma-san. Just practicing my English on the laptop Sensei gave me."
Seguchi Tohma's eyes narrowed for a moment and he took the toothbrush out of his mouth, pointing it at Eiri. "Don't spend too long on that thing. It could hurt your eyes. Plus," his tone became happier and a bit mischievous, "there's a package waiting for you in the living room."
"A package?" Eiri quickly stood up. "From who?"
"Mika-chan and Tatsuha-kun. The post office made a special delivery since the package is so large." Tohma smiled and continued slowly down the hall to the bathroom. Eiri rushed past him down the hall into the living room.
A large cardboard box, roughly 2 and a half feet square, was in the middle of the room. Eiri sat down near the box to examine it. It had all sorts of stickers and tape and writing on the outside. American customs had cleared it and the Japanese post office had a large postage label on the top. "15000 yen just to ship? Wow!" Eiri stood up and got to the kitchen to find something to open the box with. The kitchen junk drawer was full of various utensils and knick-knacks. Mixed in with Tohma's keyboard cords and some playing cards was a box knife. Eiri returned to the living room where Tohma was standing over the box.
"Can you believe this? 15000 yen just to get it here. Must be something nice. Your sister is so thoughtful to get it here by your birthday." Tohma smiled slightly at the thought of Uesugi Mika. She was becoming quite an interesting woman last time he'd seen her...
"Tohma-san? Tohma-san? Is something wrong? You look a bit flushed."
"Huh? Oh! Just... nothing... here! Give me the box cutter and I'll open it for you."
Eiri put his hands on his hips and tried to look defiant. "I'm 16 now Tohma-san! I can open a box by myself."
"Fine, fine, your glasses are slipping."
Eiri pushed his glasses back up and muttered. Every time he tried to act grownup, Tohma would make some comment or change the subject. Why couldn't they just invent glasses that couldn't slip? Or maybe Tohma could just understand exactly how old Eiri was. He kneeled down near the box and carefully cut into the tape. Soon it was open and Eiri began taking out the contents.
Angelic Layer Beginner's Kit
Angelic Layer Angel's Egg
Angelic Layer Clothing: Rock Star Series
Angelic Layer Home Practice Kit
Angelic Layer Membership Package
Eiri stared somewhat puzzled at the various packages now laughing on the carpet beside him. Angelic Layer? He'd never heard of such a thing. The look on Tohma's face made it clear he'd never heard of it either. Eiri looked in the box and found two more small envelopes. It was addressed in the very neat handwriting belonging to his older sister Mika. One was addressed to him, the other to Tohma. Eiri handed Tohma the envelope addressed to him and then opened his own.
/Dear Eiri,
Hopefully this package reaches you without any problems. Angelic Layer is the latest rage among school kids in Japan. Everyone has one! Supposedly the company will be doing a big American debut in New York too! Tatsuha and I thought you should have your own before then. Go ahead and follow the instructions to make your own Angel! I picked out the clothes. They seemed like something Tohma should wear if he ever becomes a famous rock star. Hope you like them.
I'm sorry I can't come next week. We have some exams at school and Dad says a high school student like myself has no time for fun. Meanie. But Tatsuha will be there.
Happy Birthday Eiri! Enjoy!
Mika-neesan/
Angel? A doll? They got him a doll? (And his sister wasn't coming anymore...)
"I'm 16 and they get me a doll?" He didn't seem at all worried about his sister.
Tohma finished reading his note and seemed quite disappointed about Mika not coming. "I'm sure it's not just any doll. Look at all the stuff."
Eiri frowned and picked up the Angel Egg package. "It's so ugly! No hair or anything. You can't even tell if it's a girl or a guy."
"Does it matter?"
"No..." Eiri sighed. "Guess I might as well give it a try." He began to read the instructions. "Open in the bathtub? I'm not taking a bath with a doll! The kitchen sink with work just fine." He took the container and opened it up in the kitchen, washing off the doll like in the instruction booklet. It seemed so light in his hands.
Returning to the living room, he noticed Tohma had already set up what looked like a mini computer and a set of coasters. Tohma took the doll from Eiri and put a little pink wig on top.
"Pink? Is it a girl?"
"I just thought it would match the outfit." Tohma was beaming like a kid in a candy shop.
"You really like new and weird things don't you Tohma-san."
"A good musician experiences many things to make good songs." Tohma said in a matter-of-fact sort of tone. He put the doll between the two coasters and turned on a switch. The doll began to float and the computer screen flashed with a colorful Angelic Layer welcome screen.
Then it was time for business.
[Please choose your parameters.]
"Hmmm... well... how about..." Eiri looked at the pink haired doll. "lots of energy and fast. Not very strong though. Small... but nimble... Hmm.... there!"
The lights around the coasters began to flash and Eiri could watch the doll take shape. It was getting shorter, but more human like with some sort of skin covering. Then it opened its eyes.
Purple.
Such a beautiful shade of purple... like Sensei's when he wore those color contacts last year...
[Please choose a name.]
"A name?"
Tohma looked hard at the floating doll. "It's so small... it could live in a shoebox."
"Shoe..." Eiri repeated and he typed it into the computer. Then he quickly erased it. The doll came from Japan and deserved a proper sounding Japanese name.
"Shuuo... Shuutarou..." Eiri started sounding out various male sounding names. "Shuusuke... Shuuya... Shuuichi..." Eiri looked at the doll again. Somehow that last name fit.
[Shuuichi.]
The computer powered down and the doll closed its eyes again. It slumped to the tabletop and Eiri gently sat it upright. He pulled out the clothing and started to dress the doll. It really was like something a rock star would wear. 2 white elbow length gloves without fingers, 2 white knee high boots, white hot pants with a chunky black belt, a black stretchy tight fitting sleeveless skirt, and to top it off, a long white sleeveless coat that zippered at the top.
"Not bad Eiri, not bad." Tohma smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "Wish I had an outfit like that. Now get to bed. You can do the rest tomorrow after your lesson with Kitazawa-san." Mentioning the name seemed to bring up those fighting spirits in Tohma, so Eiri thought it best to just agree.
"Alright. Goodnight Tohma-san!" Eiri looked at his new doll. Somehow it seemed he should take the doll to bed with him. He shook his head and frowned. It could sleep on the couch for all he cared.
"I'm 16! I don't take dolls to bed!"
Eiri looked at the doll again. And sighed.
"Come on Shuuichi, let's go to bed."
~to be continued~
Author's Notes: I've always wanted to do a story about Eiri as a boy and the relationship between him and his teacher, Kitazawa Yuki. I was inspired by Ran Mouri's story, combining Angelic Layer and Gravitation. This story does a similar thing, combining the actual dolls and functions of Angelic Layer as found in the original manga with characters from Gravitation. However, rather than being a crossover, I'd like to consider it a Gravitation story retelling fanfic with Angelic Layer references. Angelic Layer is not the main point of the story, as it will become clear in the next part (heehee, I've already written everything so I don't flake out this time ^_^;;). My hope is that the story is enjoyable enough even for those who no nothing about Angelic Layer.