Episode 7: Ouka Raba
The Commander was on the phone with a very excited and ultimately exasperated Kitsurubami.
Amarao: And you're sure that this was a Medical Mechanica robot?
Kitsurubami: Yes Commander!
Amarao: All right. I'm on my way. Just sit tight until I get there.
Kitsurubami: Yes, sir!
Amarao: Right.
Kitsurubami sighed heavily and turned off her cell phone. Running a small hand through her slightly messed blonde hair, she leaned back against a dented sheet of metal (more than likely part of the destroyed robot). After some deep breathing, she calmed down and relaxed. She let her head roll back and closed her eyes.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) I need a vacation...
Naota was a little further down the beach, sitting back against a pile of debris. His two guitars were propped up beside him. Naota was gently rubbing the palm of his right hand.
Naota: (wincing a bit) Still stings...
After about fifteen minutes, Amarao showed up with a team of agents. They took notes on the site and asked a bunch of questions. Amarao was the most talkative of them all. After they had finished up, Kitsurubami took Naota home. When she pulled up to his house, he had already fallen asleep in the seat beside her. She studied his restful features and smiled to herself.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) When he's just lying there, sleeping like that, he looks like any other ordinary boy... It's hard to believe what he's capable of when he's awake.
She chuckled to herself. It was actually a pretty funny thought. Gently, she reached over and placed a hand on his cheek. The warmth from her touch woke him (as she knew it would). He groaned and sat up a bit, blinking to get the sleep out of his eyes. She smiled again.
Kitsurubami: Wake up, sleepy head. You're home.
Naota: Huh?
Naota took a moment to look around and saw the lights of his house glowing brightly in the darkness.
Naota: Oh, yeah... Right...
Naota moved to get out, but stopped for some reason. It was as if his brain what caught in between thoughts and shut down all together.
Kitsurubami: Something wrong?
Naota: Huh? Oh, no... It's nothing...
Kitsurubami: Hey, what you did today... That was pretty cool...
Naota: It was nothing, really...
Kitsurubami: Maybe I was wrong...
Naota: What...?
Kitsurubami: Maybe you really were born to play baseball.
Naota: Doubt it.
Kitsurubami: I don't. I don't think you give yourself enough credit...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Well, anyway ... you'd better go. You've got school tomorrow.
Naota: Right...
But before Naota could turn to open the door, Kitsurubami leaned over and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. One, gentle, innocent kiss. At first, Naota was took shocked to move. After she pulled back, Kitsurubami's gaze swept up and down his features, seemingly expecting a reaction. Naota waited another moment, then turned to open his door. He yanked roughly at the door handle, but it didn't even budge. He tried again. And again. Was it locked or something?
Kitsurubami leaned over and flipped the lock on his door. A little red tab came up, indicating that door was unlocked. Naota murmured a hurried "thank you" and climbed out. against his better judgment, Naota turned to look back at her once more. She extended her arm over the passenger seat and grasped the door handle.
Kitsurubami: Goodnight, Slugger.
Naota: (to himself) "Slugger...?
Before he could say anything more, she flashed him one more smile, closed the door and was gone.
Naota was greeted at the door by Canti. He mumbled a quick "hello" and hurried up the stairs to his room. Closing the door behind him, Naota dropped down onto his bed and remained completely still.
Naota: (thinking) Did that... did that just happen...? Did she really ... kiss me...?
He rolled over onto his back. His expression of confusion was soon melded over with a small smile.
Naota: It felt ... nice...
As he slowly drifted back into a restful sleep, his smile didn't fade.
*(A/N: This is not the same night. It's the night after)
Naota woke up later that night, his skin chilly from the night air. He walked over to his open window and looked out. Sighing, he surveyed the town around him. Mabase. Naota scoffed softly and closed the window. As he turned around, he got the sinking feeling that someone was watching him. when his eyes adjusted to the lack of light, Naota was able to glance around the room. He didn't see anything unusual.
???: (chuckling) Heh.
Naota: What...?
Naota followed the sound to the bunk above his. Through the darkness, he could barely make out the familiar female form.
Naota: Haruko...?
Haruko: That's right.
Naota: Wha... what are you doing here...?
Haruko: Aw, you didn't think I'd forget that easily, did you, Takkun?
Naota: (thinking) "Takkun..." No one calls me that anymore... (aloud) What do you want?
Haruko: What else...? You're head is the only one that works, Takkun.
In the dark, Naota could have sworn that a red gleam crossed her golden eyes.
Naota: Wha...?
Before he could finish, Haruko launched off the top bed and flew into the air above him. In one swift move, she readied her two-necked guitar and brought it roughly down on his head. The force sent Naota reeling backward out of the window. He felt the glass give way behind him and he began rolling down the roof. The last thing he saw was the pavement before his body splattered against it.
Again, Naota woke up in a cold sweat. His eyes jerked from side to side, urgently searching his room. He climbed out of bed and checked the top bunk. No, he was safe. It was all just a dream.
Naota: (thinking) But it was so... real...
Naota slowly brought his hand up to his face and pressed an index finger on his forehead.
Naota: (thinking) So... real...
Naota, unable to get back to sleep, stayed up for the rest of the night. The next morning, he got dressed and went downstairs. Canti, being the only one around, greeted Naota before he grabbed his bookbag at the door and left the house.
The day drove on slowly, even slower because Naota forgot to bring his lunch, again. After school, Naota wasn't exactly surprised to see Kitsurubami was again waiting for him in the parking lot. She greeted him with a gentle smile.
Kitsurubami: Hi there.
Naota: Uh ... hi.
Since she had "doughnut duty" again, they ended up stopping off at the doughnut shop before they got to the Immigrations Office. Naota was less than enthusiastic about being there, but decided to keep quiet about it.
Kitsurubami: We won't be here long... I just have to drop these off, pick up a few things and then we'll get outta here, okay?
Naota: Uh ... sure.
As promised, they left after she picked up a brown box at her office. She didn't offer any explanations, and Naota wasn't willing to ask. She put in the back seat and after a few minutes, it was forgotten. They drove downtown and stopped at a ramen place. Naota was inwardly relieved having had nothing to eat all day. As they took their seats at the counter, Kitsurubami ordered them both a bowl of pork-flavored ramen. She then turned back to him.
Kitsurubami: So, how was school?
Naota: Uh ... yeah...
Kitsurubami: (raising an eyebrow) "Yeah?"
Naota: Huh...?
Kitsurubami: (chuckling) Not exactly on point today, are you? Not sleeping well?
Naota stared thoughtfully at the service bell on the counter, seemingly off in his own little world.
Naota: Not really.
Kitsurubami: Yeah... With all this Medical Mechanica mess, I don't get much time to sleep... It's all paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork...
Naota: (thinking) Yeah...
Kitsurubami: It's weird. In some ways, all this excitement is sort of nice ... but, then again, "with the sweet comes the sour," I guess...
Naota: (mumbling) I don't like sour...
Kitsurubami: Well, you don't have to LIKE it, but in order to advance, you're going to eventually have to try it. Life isn't something that you can close your eyes and coast your way through, you know?
Naota: ...Yeah...
Kitsurubami: But, hey. It's not so bad. I mean, it has it's moments, right?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Like, now.
Naota's eyebrow twitched as his face was touched with surprise and panic. He turned to a smiling Kitsurubami. Quickly, Naota tried to think of some sort of escape. Anything.
Naota: (quietly) What's taking that guy so long...? Isn't the food done, yet?
Kitsurubami: Oh, we've got time.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Oh, yeah... You left your guitars in my back seat, the other night.
Naota: Oh ... yeah.
Kitsurubami: You seem to do that pretty frequently ... leaving stuff in my car.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: You know, if you want to see more of me, all you have to do is ask. No reason to resort to subtle little ploys.
Naota: !!!
Naota's face contorted into a look of complete humiliation and horror. His cheeks burned under the blushing sensation. He could feel his heart beginning to pick up speed. That was the face Kitsurubami was looking for. Immediately, she broke out into a fit of laughter, barely able to continue breathing. Naota's shock faded into an acute scowl as he turned to face forward.
Naota: (mumbling in sarcasm) Glad you thought it was funny...
Kitsurubami: (calming down) I'm... I'm sorry....! I couldn't help it! You ... you should have seen the look ... on your face!
Naota: Ha ... ha ... ha...
Kitsurubami: (whipping her eyes)You just seem to be so easy to embarrass, that's all. I don't know ... it's sorta ... cute.
The last word rang out in Naota's head and echoed. The lingering syllables hummed in his ears, almost teasingly.
Naota: (thinking) Cute...?
Five bowls later, they left the restaurant, and headed back to the car. Kitsurubami teased Naota the entire way about the fact that he had not only eaten three bowls himself, but finished off her second. Despite being the butt of the jokes, Naota couldn't help but smile.
---------------------
RIDE ON SHOOTING STAR
ORANGE no SLIDE utsusu sora
SPONGE no PRIDE burasakete
SPIDER
kike totta sono yokan wa
kakusanakuta tte ii n da
iro no tsuita yume mitai na
Ride on Shooting Star
kokoro no koe de sandanjû no yô ni
utai tsutzuketa
GRUNGE no HAMSTER otona bite
REVENGE no LOBSTER hiki tsurete
SNIPER
fuchi totta sono sekai ni
nani ga mieru tte iu n da
nerau mae ni sawaritai na
Ride on Shooting Star
kimi o sagashite kindanshôjô chû
uso o tsuita
Ride on Shooting Star
kokoro no koe de sandanjû no yô ni
utai tsutzuketa
---------------------
Haruko: Things are heating up in the second series! To think that Tsurumaki could pull if off one more time! Who knew he had it in him? In the next exciting chapter of Fooly Cooly; Episode 8: Accelerando!
The Commander was on the phone with a very excited and ultimately exasperated Kitsurubami.
Amarao: And you're sure that this was a Medical Mechanica robot?
Kitsurubami: Yes Commander!
Amarao: All right. I'm on my way. Just sit tight until I get there.
Kitsurubami: Yes, sir!
Amarao: Right.
Kitsurubami sighed heavily and turned off her cell phone. Running a small hand through her slightly messed blonde hair, she leaned back against a dented sheet of metal (more than likely part of the destroyed robot). After some deep breathing, she calmed down and relaxed. She let her head roll back and closed her eyes.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) I need a vacation...
Naota was a little further down the beach, sitting back against a pile of debris. His two guitars were propped up beside him. Naota was gently rubbing the palm of his right hand.
Naota: (wincing a bit) Still stings...
After about fifteen minutes, Amarao showed up with a team of agents. They took notes on the site and asked a bunch of questions. Amarao was the most talkative of them all. After they had finished up, Kitsurubami took Naota home. When she pulled up to his house, he had already fallen asleep in the seat beside her. She studied his restful features and smiled to herself.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) When he's just lying there, sleeping like that, he looks like any other ordinary boy... It's hard to believe what he's capable of when he's awake.
She chuckled to herself. It was actually a pretty funny thought. Gently, she reached over and placed a hand on his cheek. The warmth from her touch woke him (as she knew it would). He groaned and sat up a bit, blinking to get the sleep out of his eyes. She smiled again.
Kitsurubami: Wake up, sleepy head. You're home.
Naota: Huh?
Naota took a moment to look around and saw the lights of his house glowing brightly in the darkness.
Naota: Oh, yeah... Right...
Naota moved to get out, but stopped for some reason. It was as if his brain what caught in between thoughts and shut down all together.
Kitsurubami: Something wrong?
Naota: Huh? Oh, no... It's nothing...
Kitsurubami: Hey, what you did today... That was pretty cool...
Naota: It was nothing, really...
Kitsurubami: Maybe I was wrong...
Naota: What...?
Kitsurubami: Maybe you really were born to play baseball.
Naota: Doubt it.
Kitsurubami: I don't. I don't think you give yourself enough credit...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Well, anyway ... you'd better go. You've got school tomorrow.
Naota: Right...
But before Naota could turn to open the door, Kitsurubami leaned over and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. One, gentle, innocent kiss. At first, Naota was took shocked to move. After she pulled back, Kitsurubami's gaze swept up and down his features, seemingly expecting a reaction. Naota waited another moment, then turned to open his door. He yanked roughly at the door handle, but it didn't even budge. He tried again. And again. Was it locked or something?
Kitsurubami leaned over and flipped the lock on his door. A little red tab came up, indicating that door was unlocked. Naota murmured a hurried "thank you" and climbed out. against his better judgment, Naota turned to look back at her once more. She extended her arm over the passenger seat and grasped the door handle.
Kitsurubami: Goodnight, Slugger.
Naota: (to himself) "Slugger...?
Before he could say anything more, she flashed him one more smile, closed the door and was gone.
Naota was greeted at the door by Canti. He mumbled a quick "hello" and hurried up the stairs to his room. Closing the door behind him, Naota dropped down onto his bed and remained completely still.
Naota: (thinking) Did that... did that just happen...? Did she really ... kiss me...?
He rolled over onto his back. His expression of confusion was soon melded over with a small smile.
Naota: It felt ... nice...
As he slowly drifted back into a restful sleep, his smile didn't fade.
*(A/N: This is not the same night. It's the night after)
Naota woke up later that night, his skin chilly from the night air. He walked over to his open window and looked out. Sighing, he surveyed the town around him. Mabase. Naota scoffed softly and closed the window. As he turned around, he got the sinking feeling that someone was watching him. when his eyes adjusted to the lack of light, Naota was able to glance around the room. He didn't see anything unusual.
???: (chuckling) Heh.
Naota: What...?
Naota followed the sound to the bunk above his. Through the darkness, he could barely make out the familiar female form.
Naota: Haruko...?
Haruko: That's right.
Naota: Wha... what are you doing here...?
Haruko: Aw, you didn't think I'd forget that easily, did you, Takkun?
Naota: (thinking) "Takkun..." No one calls me that anymore... (aloud) What do you want?
Haruko: What else...? You're head is the only one that works, Takkun.
In the dark, Naota could have sworn that a red gleam crossed her golden eyes.
Naota: Wha...?
Before he could finish, Haruko launched off the top bed and flew into the air above him. In one swift move, she readied her two-necked guitar and brought it roughly down on his head. The force sent Naota reeling backward out of the window. He felt the glass give way behind him and he began rolling down the roof. The last thing he saw was the pavement before his body splattered against it.
Again, Naota woke up in a cold sweat. His eyes jerked from side to side, urgently searching his room. He climbed out of bed and checked the top bunk. No, he was safe. It was all just a dream.
Naota: (thinking) But it was so... real...
Naota slowly brought his hand up to his face and pressed an index finger on his forehead.
Naota: (thinking) So... real...
Naota, unable to get back to sleep, stayed up for the rest of the night. The next morning, he got dressed and went downstairs. Canti, being the only one around, greeted Naota before he grabbed his bookbag at the door and left the house.
The day drove on slowly, even slower because Naota forgot to bring his lunch, again. After school, Naota wasn't exactly surprised to see Kitsurubami was again waiting for him in the parking lot. She greeted him with a gentle smile.
Kitsurubami: Hi there.
Naota: Uh ... hi.
Since she had "doughnut duty" again, they ended up stopping off at the doughnut shop before they got to the Immigrations Office. Naota was less than enthusiastic about being there, but decided to keep quiet about it.
Kitsurubami: We won't be here long... I just have to drop these off, pick up a few things and then we'll get outta here, okay?
Naota: Uh ... sure.
As promised, they left after she picked up a brown box at her office. She didn't offer any explanations, and Naota wasn't willing to ask. She put in the back seat and after a few minutes, it was forgotten. They drove downtown and stopped at a ramen place. Naota was inwardly relieved having had nothing to eat all day. As they took their seats at the counter, Kitsurubami ordered them both a bowl of pork-flavored ramen. She then turned back to him.
Kitsurubami: So, how was school?
Naota: Uh ... yeah...
Kitsurubami: (raising an eyebrow) "Yeah?"
Naota: Huh...?
Kitsurubami: (chuckling) Not exactly on point today, are you? Not sleeping well?
Naota stared thoughtfully at the service bell on the counter, seemingly off in his own little world.
Naota: Not really.
Kitsurubami: Yeah... With all this Medical Mechanica mess, I don't get much time to sleep... It's all paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork...
Naota: (thinking) Yeah...
Kitsurubami: It's weird. In some ways, all this excitement is sort of nice ... but, then again, "with the sweet comes the sour," I guess...
Naota: (mumbling) I don't like sour...
Kitsurubami: Well, you don't have to LIKE it, but in order to advance, you're going to eventually have to try it. Life isn't something that you can close your eyes and coast your way through, you know?
Naota: ...Yeah...
Kitsurubami: But, hey. It's not so bad. I mean, it has it's moments, right?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Like, now.
Naota's eyebrow twitched as his face was touched with surprise and panic. He turned to a smiling Kitsurubami. Quickly, Naota tried to think of some sort of escape. Anything.
Naota: (quietly) What's taking that guy so long...? Isn't the food done, yet?
Kitsurubami: Oh, we've got time.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Oh, yeah... You left your guitars in my back seat, the other night.
Naota: Oh ... yeah.
Kitsurubami: You seem to do that pretty frequently ... leaving stuff in my car.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: You know, if you want to see more of me, all you have to do is ask. No reason to resort to subtle little ploys.
Naota: !!!
Naota's face contorted into a look of complete humiliation and horror. His cheeks burned under the blushing sensation. He could feel his heart beginning to pick up speed. That was the face Kitsurubami was looking for. Immediately, she broke out into a fit of laughter, barely able to continue breathing. Naota's shock faded into an acute scowl as he turned to face forward.
Naota: (mumbling in sarcasm) Glad you thought it was funny...
Kitsurubami: (calming down) I'm... I'm sorry....! I couldn't help it! You ... you should have seen the look ... on your face!
Naota: Ha ... ha ... ha...
Kitsurubami: (whipping her eyes)You just seem to be so easy to embarrass, that's all. I don't know ... it's sorta ... cute.
The last word rang out in Naota's head and echoed. The lingering syllables hummed in his ears, almost teasingly.
Naota: (thinking) Cute...?
Five bowls later, they left the restaurant, and headed back to the car. Kitsurubami teased Naota the entire way about the fact that he had not only eaten three bowls himself, but finished off her second. Despite being the butt of the jokes, Naota couldn't help but smile.
---------------------
RIDE ON SHOOTING STAR
ORANGE no SLIDE utsusu sora
SPONGE no PRIDE burasakete
SPIDER
kike totta sono yokan wa
kakusanakuta tte ii n da
iro no tsuita yume mitai na
Ride on Shooting Star
kokoro no koe de sandanjû no yô ni
utai tsutzuketa
GRUNGE no HAMSTER otona bite
REVENGE no LOBSTER hiki tsurete
SNIPER
fuchi totta sono sekai ni
nani ga mieru tte iu n da
nerau mae ni sawaritai na
Ride on Shooting Star
kimi o sagashite kindanshôjô chû
uso o tsuita
Ride on Shooting Star
kokoro no koe de sandanjû no yô ni
utai tsutzuketa
---------------------
Haruko: Things are heating up in the second series! To think that Tsurumaki could pull if off one more time! Who knew he had it in him? In the next exciting chapter of Fooly Cooly; Episode 8: Accelerando!