Okay, so maybe another pointless chapter, but I have completely forgotten the total plot of this story, so bear with me until I recollect my thoughts. Actually, I have just realized: this has a very important theme that completely supports not only the title but the outcome. I think I¡¯m beginning to remember again. :) Enjoy the last, and this time I really do think I mean last when I say it, LAST chapter of any bits of sentimental, big character-depth stuff or fluff. :P You¡¯ll live off of what¡¯s all ready there.
Replies:
chloe-laroo - Well, here¡¯s the new chapter!
Tiffany - Somehow I¡¯m not offended since you didn¡¯t point out what you disliked so much. ^.^;
KarenSedai - Kibou no Tenshi - *laughs* I have to admit, it does sound funny with all the ¡®blue¡¯ in there.
Silver Warrior – thank you for your compliments, and here¡¯s a part to read.
miya wada - Hi you two, hope you¡¯re enjoying ¡®Nukegara¡¯ and thank you for taking your time to read my stories, and, um, yeh, I used the anime words to lighten the mood a bit. I¡¯m awful at humour, or at least I think I am. ^.^;;
K.B Aleo - I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t read your story yet. I¡¯ve been really busy in trying to catch up with my writing, but I¡¯ll do it next weekend when I actually *don¡¯t* have anything due. Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m on spring break and I have homework. -.-#
Thanks all for bearing with me so far and actually clicking on the button and reading and reviewing. Read on. :)
Believe in Magic
Frowning, thinking back upon the conversation they had had the other day, he clenched his fists. He wanted to know what was going on, but he would not push it. He was not the forceful kind of person; he was gentle and sensible, but unbearably naïve and gullible at times. Kicking the muddy pieces of ice with his shoe, he kept walking to school. His hands forced the way back into his pockets, looking for warmth and comfort. He could still remember the good times, but that was such a long way off. He could remember asking the girl a special question: Do you believe in magic? And she had replied, Yes, I do. It had been a dreary day when they had been trapped inside the house, with so much energy inside of them. It could have fuelled the whole world to keep spinning for an eternity. It had been raining on that day, harsh and bitter across the many people who were walking home alone with sad faces. Some did not have umbrellas, rushing to the local subway station. Yet somehow that day had been full of magic; when she answered Yes, the sun shone brightly across the Caribbean blue sky, lighting up people¡¯s faces with smiles. It had been magic.
She was the same exact girl. Dark brown hair sliced short in a bob and a few bangs. Dark muddied rose-coloured eyes. A pleasant, gentle voice. Small hands of a child. However she and he were still not adults; they were young adults; they were children. They could not be fully independent yet. Not yet.
His icy Atlantic eyes glimmered in the sunlight. He wanted to be a child, but also an adult. But Takeru could not be both at the same time. He was a child that acted like an adult. He was still small, but very tall for his age. He could be mistaken to be as old as Yamato, but in his face one could see his youth; in his eyes, there was an ancient wisdom present. Comforting himself as he walked up the school steps, he was startled to see Hikari with dark, disappointed, teary eyes. She stood there, like a ghost of the past, haunting him. ¡°Hikari?¡± he questioned; his jaw stiffening as he saw the state she was in, ¡°Who did this to you? Tell me -¡± He stopped. His eyes had played tricks on him again. Ever since this had all started, he had begun seeing things that he was not supposed to see, hearing things he was not supposed to hear, writing things he was not supposed to write. He was frozen there, feeling chilled.
¡°Takeru?¡± a familiar voice called out cheerily. Her ruby eyes sparkled in the wind. She walked towards a slightly hunched figure, looking to her like Takeru. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go in Takeru? It¡¯s our job to set up the class, or at least yours,¡± she mentioned to him with a bright smile of her slightly crooked teeth, ¡°but since I¡¯m such a nice person I¡¯ll help you! Come on.¡± She slipped her arm through his, feeling warm and safe and happy.
The boy stood there, trying to figure out things. A moment ago he had been so numbed, but now there was the light guiding him. Hikari . . . ¡°Thanks,¡± he whispered, tagging along slightly beside the girl. He opened the door in a gentlemanly way, smiling, ¡°Ladies first.¡± She laughed; Takeru loved it when she laughed, like the gentle tinkling of deep, mellow bells. It made the whole world feel so much better, just like when they had been younger and Takeru had clumsily tripped; Hikari had kissed his scrape, and at that moment, the pain disappeared like magic. She continued to walk down the hall with a slightly billowing, green, pleated skirt, her school shoes clapping against the tiled floor. Through the light it was like she was an angel; a slight halo edged at her hair from the reflection of the light. Silently smiling, he raced after her into the classroom. They took off their winter jackets, stuffing them into the lockers at the back of the classroom and softly beaming at each other.
Takeru wanted to reach out to her and draw her close into his arms and comfort her even though he did not completely understand her situation. He wanted to see her happy, most of all. She was his best friend after all, and he thought that she, of all the girls, deserved the best of everything. She had always been a strong person, even through the rough, rocky spots in her life like when she had had pneumonia. She had always wanted the best for others, and would sacrifice herself for that. She was always so kind, but only up to a point. She was smart in a social way as opposed to street smart, but she would always remain to be a strong figure. Nobody else had to deal with the Dark Ocean but her, and that made her stronger every time she came out. ¡°Hikari-chan . . .¡± he began, but stopped himself. She looked so happy; he did not want to disturb her happy spirit with such dark words.
Busily he picked up the grey papers, placing a sheet on every desk. Upon reaching Hikari¡¯s desk, the paper seemingly slipped, cutting Takeru¡¯s finger. Dark rose, metallic blood slightly oozed at the cut, staining the paper with an inky mark. He could still hear the raspy voice as if his pursuer were standing next to him: Those hands will kill . . . Shivering slightly at a handful of flashbacks of the past few weeks, he bit down, pressing against his finger. The stinging felt unbearable, like all paper cuts. Those hands will kill . . . The blond shuddered lightly at the recollection of the low, crackling voice. Guiltily looking down at his small, still childish hands, for a second he could have sworn they were covered in blood. He could even smell the metallic tinge it had, yet it was not there anymore. Quietly he muttered to himself, ¡°Takeru, you need to take a break. You¡¯re going to go paranoid.¡±
¡°Excuse me?¡± Hikari swiftly turned, raising an eyebrow.
Takeru just smiled back at her comfortably, and softly said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. But . . . hey, want to do something relaxing this weekend or something? You¡¯ve just seemed so stressed, and I could use a break myself - maybe all of us should go for a picnic or to the ice rink or something. It would be great to have a small break from school, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Looking into the reflection the window gave him, he studied himself. He looked so childish in his eyes. Watching the rain coming down heavily, pouring with large drops of acidic water, he sighed with a smile. ¡°I wish it would rain all the time. I love the rain - it¡¯s so bittersweet. It¡¯s refreshing and sweetly depressing, and it cleanses you. Also it¡¯s always so dark and cold on the other hand. Yet it¡¯s a balance. There¡¯s always a rainbow afterwards, shining with its brilliance to uplift souls to the stars,¡± he explained with deep thought. Pausing, he blushed, mumbling, ¡°Just like you.¡± In a clearer voice, he flushed darker, ¡°I¡¯m beginning to sound like Takeuchi-sensei, aren¡¯t I? Rambling on and on . . .¡±
A soft, pleasant laugh of tinkling deep bells was his reply. He smiled. He liked seeing Hikari happy and would do anything for her happiness. There were many times he felt sudden urges to reach out and embrace her tightly, yet he restrained himself. Hikari had always preferred being independent, though she thought very little of herself. She had always thought that she was a burden, and thence had little self-esteem. However she was growing up, becoming her own person and her confidence in her self was growing. She was running ahead of him in the game, though she was naturally older than him.
The girl smiled, closing in on Takeru. Taking his hand into hers and leaning on his shoulder lightly, she told him, ¡°Even though you ramble on, that¡¯s part of who you are and I like you for that. You really do have the poet¡¯s touch. All those words were really beautiful.¡± This made Takeru smile, for he knew that Hikari had the hardest time in their writing class, so she would not know very well about poetry. ¡°They were all beautiful to my ears, Takeru. I believe you can become a really great writer, and then you¡¯ll forget little me,¡± she laughed sorely, loosening her grip on his hand and edging away slowly and sadly. Her heart sank, thudding heavily and painfully against her chest.
Takeru was shocked that she would think that. Comforting her, ¡°Hey, Hika-chan, hey, I¡¯ll never forget you. We¡¯ll always be best friends, pinkie promise,¡± he informed her with a small hopeful smile. Their pinkies linked, locking. Yet, was it a promise that they could keep? Hikari was about to hug him, but as the classroom door slowly slid open, she decided to break the moment and turned back to slowly placing paper upon each desk. Takeru stared at her with hurt eyes, feeling great disappointment. He wondered if she just did not want to be seen with him. Brushing away the thoughts, he concentrated on the rain, a safer subject to think upon.
*
The bell rang loudly. Soft sighs were heard across the class as the teacher dismissed them all, she being thankful that the week was over as well. Though Saturday was slightly shorter than the rest of the week, for the students and teacher, it had seemed like the longest day of them all. Everybody was glad for the midwinter break that had been created quite recently, though they still had homework over vacation. There was bustling, people hurrying out the door, and others that were slower. Hikari took her time, quietly putting away her Hello Kitty! mechanical pencil into her Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon pencil case, and zipped up her book bag by the Gundam Wing keychain she had been given as a joke by a friend. Noticing Takeru waiting for her, she quickened her speed. Takeru still had the idea in his head about going ice skating or picnicking to relax. She let him convince her, though, because by his eyes she could easily read his every thought; also through her telepathy. She had quickly succumbed to its power, and slowly had learnt to somewhat control it.
¡°Shall I send you on your way home?¡± he asked, bowing slightly and opening the front school door for her in a gentlemanly way. She giggled, laughing at Takeru¡¯s gentlemanliness. He truly amused her heart to a lightness, sweetness - he could always see the silver lining to things and showed it to everybody else in a gentle, sweet, childish way. He still held the innocence he had had as a much younger child, but he was also now standing far taller than her. He led her out as Prince Charming had led his Princess, yet a small pain in her heart brought her down to earth. She chided herself and became realistic: We¡¯d never become lovers. Deep in thought, she didn¡¯t heart Takeru calling her name.
¡°Earth to Hikari, Earth to Hikari, are you in there?¡± the younger youth questioned, waving a hand in front of the distanced, daydreaming Hikari, ¡°Yoo-hoo, Hikari?¡± Taking on a firmer, teacher-like voice, he commanded, ¡°Yagami-kun, please translate the following into Japanese: This person is not a human; she is a monster.¡±
¡°Kono hito ningen ja nai yo; bakemono da - HEY!!!¡± With fury, she snapped at Takeru, ¡°What was that for? Are you talking about me? Hey, that was mean Takaishi! Where are you going? Hey, come back here you idiot! Wait until I get my hands on you!¡± Racing after the blond with all her might, she knew that her energy would go only so far. She had never been wonderful with endurance as to speed. She gave it her all, closing on Takeru. Yet she knew that he was purposely running slowly; he could run far faster than that if he really wanted to. He was only playing with her, making her even angrier. ¡°Takaishi, I know that you aren¡¯t doing your best! Fight for real!¡± she yelled at him viciously, catching up as her anger fuelled her up. Jumping swiftly and landing on Takeru with a small ¡°oof¡±, she smiled in pleasure. They had landed on the soft grass, with the soft spring light quietly rising across Takeru¡¯s face, showing a dark flush spreading across his face. Hikari soon realised they were in a very awkward position and the drivers and people passing by were giving them dark, strange looks. Hikari flushed, rose, hand reached out as to help her poor blond friend up, hissing, ¡°You still owe me Takaishi.¡±
Takaishi grinned, then grimaced as he rose with the held of the girl. ¡°But you can¡¯t resist my so adorable and handsome face, according to your classmates,¡± he retorted, smiling sweetly. She snorted, ¡°That¡¯s them! But me . . . you owe me.¡± With a sigh of defeat, he replied, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take you to dinner and a movie after ice skating. Fair enough?¡± Laughing, ¡°Because of your sweet face, you are one really lucky blond . . . . fine, fair enough.¡± Takeru was about to argue about his sweet face, yet seeing her amused and twisted look, he let it pass.
Together with Takeru leading them, holding hands as to not lose each other in the crowd, they pushed, shoved, made their way through finally to the ice rink. Though earlier in the week it had been terribly blustery and raining all day, the weather had lightened up into a more spring-like fashion with the bright sunlight touching the fields with its buttercup rays, lighting up the whole world in a romantic, beautiful way. The sun was in mid-sky, shattering into thousands of glittering dark pieces of dusk: orange, red, purple, pink, and blue, with few clouds hiding the beautiful sight. The sky was still light, with a dusty, sparkly feel to it, like the whole world had been thrown into a cosmic stream of stardust. The warmth of the day was not gone at all, but slowly warming the duo¡¯s hearts to a fine crystal sparkling like the wind. (1)
¡°So, hurry up, let¡¯s go skate,¡± Takeru smiled down at Hikari enthusiastically. ¡°I brought my skates,¡± he said sweetly, a pair of skates dangling at his shoulder, ¡°but did you? Last time from what I recall, you can be very forgetful.¡±
As Hikari turned to look at Takeru with a dark, sharp glare, she softened her voice and spoke clearly, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not forgetful; it¡¯s you who¡¯s forgetful, Takeru.¡± She forgot her light, fake anger towards the boy at the amused sparkle of his light Caribbean blue eyes and small childish smile on his face. He was still just like a child, small tufts of hair blowing at his forehead and the optimistic look that seemed to melt away her friends. Restraining her self from tapping into his thoughts, she retorted, ¡°They¡¯re right here, see?¡± Yet to her dismay, she saw he had nonchalantly put his skates on already and with a beckoning voice, he said, ¡°Put on your skates while I get us some hot chocolate - with marshmallows, right? It¡¯s tradition, after all,¡± with a cute, flirty wink. Batting Takeru away with her arm, she nodded with approval. Takeru could be impossible sometimes.
Shoving her feet into the skates and lacing the white strings up, she stared into the darkening, rosy sky. It was just like black ink spreading across a rose petal, slowly like a disease. A cup was shoved into her hand, hot and steaming puffs rising from it. Smiling down into the dark chocolate-coloured liquid, filled with big fluffy marshmallow, she contently sipped it slowly, burning her tongue at first. ¡°Thank you, you¡¯re always very kind to me Takeru,¡± she told to him kindly, ¡°and I want to thank you, also, for always being here for me. You definitely win the best friend award, so I¡¯ll treat to desert of ice cream.¡± Laughing, ¡°We¡¯re being spoilt this evening, but it might be the last of this kind, you know . . .¡± and trailed off, staring into her cup.
Takeru sensed Hikari¡¯s disposition and discomfort. Quickly he acted upon this, taking her hand and leading her to the ice rink. Softly he said, ¡°Let¡¯s skate.¡± Though Hikari was not the world¡¯s greatest skater, just for that night, they seemed to dance on the silver lining of the clouds, float and sparkle in the wind. Just for that night, they seemed perfectly calm. Together they skated into the sun, the red light lightly reflected by the shiny surface of the rink. Together it seemed they had flown across many galaxies for a quiet, peaceful time together, one last time.
Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars. Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars. In other words, hold my hand! In other words, darling, kiss me! Fill my heart with song, and let me sing forevermore. You are all I long for, all I worship and adore. In other words, please be true! In other words, I love you! (2)
Together under the beaming full moon, they skated. Somewhere between their friendship and love, they had flown to the moon, to the stars, to a whole other galaxy on their love.
*
"The Time has come, Master, and let us begin the process of the Awakening."
"The Time has come," a chant comes silently, blowing its way across the newly blooming sakura, "Awaken, Awaken . . ." They are moving again, their image and figure hidden behind a storm of sand, only their mere, vague shadows are apparent for certain. A wind swiftly turns around the other way; trouble is brewing. The sea¡¯s waves crash along the coast, loudly and unnaturally; trouble is coming soon. Nature¡¯s cycle is disturbed by this trouble. It is coming soon. The Time is coming. Awaken.
*
For a quick dinner before a movie, the two friends had gone quickly to the Sandwich Club for sandwiches and soda. They had then gone to see the new movie release Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (3), loving it like the rest of the audience. As Hikari promised, she took Takeru out for ice cream at the local Ice Cream Shoppe. Quietly entering the small, cozy shop, they ordered their specials. Takeru had always loved chocolate chip mint ice cream, while Hikari had always liked the simple, one-flavoured ice creams like vanilla or strawberry or chocolate. While people¡¯s stares gathered at the two kids, eating ice cream and only dressed in shirts and jeans. Yet neither Hikari nor Takeru minded for they were happily eating ice cream and for once in a long time things seemed relatively normal for the Chosen Children of Light and Hope.
¡°I¡¯ll take you home, I insist my Lady Light,¡± he said with a quick grin as Hikari in return swatted him playfully. Walking down the dark sidewalks, only slightly lit up by the streetlights, they made their way to Heighten View Terrace, where the Yagami apartment was located.
¡°I can take myself up, Takeru, and thank you . . . again,¡± Hikari quickly told him, tightening her grip on his shoulder. She had never realised she was holding him so close, and let him go. ¡°Have a good night and sweet dreams, Takeru,¡± she called off, ¡°oyasumi-nasai!¡± As she unlocked the front door with her keys and stopped at the door, looking straight into Takeru¡¯s eyes, she could see she had hurt him. She had an urge to go back to him and say sorry, but she was not sure for what she was sorry for. Yet it was he who came to the door, tugging at it with sparkling eyes. She opened the door and walked out to him, as if in a dream. It seemed like there were tears in his eyes that would never end but when Hikari¡¯s hands touched the edges of his eyes to wipe the tears, they were dry. Yet there were streaks of water at the edge of his cheeks.
¡°Hikari,¡± Takeru began solemnly, ¡°do you still believe in magic?¡±
If it would make Takeru any bit happier from the solemn, sad state he was in, she would say yes. Yet inside she was not sure if she believed in magic anymore. She felt too old to believe in magic, but she only nodded sadly to Takeru¡¯s brightening face.
¡°You had better go in,¡± Takeru whispered to her, only inches away from her.
The girl nodded, rushing in and taking a last glance at Takeru. His lips moved, but she could hear no words. Slipping to the eighth floor and unlocking the door, she sighed and leaned against the door as soon as she got inside. Closing her eyes, she could form an image of Takeru at the door. What had he said?
¡°Where were you?¡± asked Taichi nonchalantly, reaching for a can of soda.
¡°No where.¡±
¡°Really? Who did you go out with?¡±
¡°None of your business.¡±
¡°We were worried, because . . . well, you know, lately, strange events . . .¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry. I had a wonderful night.¡±
¡°With Takeru?¡±
¡°With Takeru. So? We went to the ice rink and it felt like he had flown me to the moon and I could really touch the stars. We had dinner and a movie, you know the new one, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. We went for ice cream. I had fun, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about,¡± she rambled, a rosy flush rising on her neck and cheeks. It had been like magic, just for the night, but was there really magic? Rushing to the balcony to see a glimpse of Takeru, she yelled, ¡°I believe in magic, Takeru!¡± She knew she was disturbing the neighbours with such a yell at the late hour, but he had to know. With his last acknowledgement of a small nod and hopeful smile, she returned inside.
¡°With Takeru.¡±
¡°I¡¯m tired, I¡¯m going to bed, good night Taichi. Don¡¯t be so suspicious.¡± She had had a wonderful night. There was magic that had sparked between the two.
¡°With Takeru,¡± Taichi softly whispered to himself. He went to the balcony. Sighing into the shimmering moon, its light beaming across the park, he nodded. ¡°She sounds like she¡¯s in love,¡± he gloomily told him self, ¡°so now she doesn¡¯t need me, a big brother. Well, at least she couldn¡¯t have picked a better person to trust.¡± Her words echoed in his mind: it felt like he had flown me to the moon and I could really touch the stars. ¡°But did she touch back onto earth?¡± he lightly chuckled. ¡°Yep, my little sister¡¯s all grown up. Just yesterday I was making her eggs and she was blowing her whistle at me . . .¡± The clouds darkened over him as he returned to the house, checking on a sweetly sleeping Hikari. ¡°My little sister¡¯s all grown up,¡± he repeated again.
(1) - I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯ve always seen wind as . . . ¡®sparkling¡¯ in some strange sorts though it really doesn¡¯t sparkle in exact reality.
(2) - ¡°Fly me to the Moon¡± is the version from Neon Genesis Evangelion, its ending song I believe, sung by Hayashibara Megumi. Though it sounds a bit weird at times, it gives me a very classy, Nordstrom feel because of its piano and background. ^.^;; Sorry, flashback there. So, I just thought it was a bit appropriate and . . . in other words, I was listening to it while writing this. :P Yes it was originally in English, not translated by anybody. And I don¡¯t own that song, did I mention that?
(3) - Also known as Spirited Away by Miyazaki Hayao (surname, name). It¡¯s supposed to be a really great movie - though it had released in Japan a year or two ago, I think, it was popularly watched - highest ranking as most watched, even more watched than Titanic. Proves something, eh? Also won the Grammy Award, I think, for the best animation movie. I¡¯m sure it deserved it, too.
Notes on Japanese school (revised):
--Primary school is between year 1-6, ¡°middle¡± or ¡°junior¡± school is years 7-9, and secondary/high school is years 10-12, but I think only the first nine years are required (which does not include kindergarten or pre-school).
--The thing about most Japanese schools is that the classes are divided into teams, often the year and a number or year and letter: 8-2, or 6-C. You have every class with your team, because *ding, ding* you stay in the same class room all day. :P It¡¯s the teachers that move around, not the students. And in between every class, there¡¯s a 10 minute break for socialization. Also you eat lunch in the classroom, often, and while many bring lunch, lunch can also be bought at school. There are vending machines around the school too, and the bread that isn¡¯t sold during the day from the cafeteria is given away (from what I¡¯ve heard) just like in Ranma 1/2. *laughs* And everyday, the schedule is different. Since Japan (and other Asian countries) has so many subjects to take, the schedule goes on a weekly basis as opposed to a daily basis. There will *always* be uniforms in public Japanese schools, and there are also codes on hair. O_o No perms, no dye . . . So, in the last two years of ¡°high¡± school, kids are split into two different groups: ones who study humanity and arts, and those who study in science and math. Also there¡¯s always entrance exams to get into high school since it isn¡¯t required.
--There are ahead-of-time-made dates to switch from winter clothing to summer clothing, and vice versa.
--Everybody has to clean in most schools as part of school. :P
--I¡¯m beginning to feel all written out, so if you want more information, either request it as part of the next chapter or ask me to email it. Please if you¡¯re tempted to email me, use the subject: Believe in Magic so I can sort my mail. :) And, lastly, please review. I enjoy reading all reviews! Make me feel spoilt. ^.~
--K. Kasai (see that cute little button down there?)