Episode 11: Karma Police
Naota sat up in his bed, regretting it a split second afterward. He had a splitting headache and bruises all over his body (some in places he didn't even know he had). With a groan, he eased himself out of bed and limped sorely to the bathroom. He turned the water on in he sink and rested his hands firmly on either side of it. As he waited for warm water, he looked up into the medicine cabinet mirror. He didn't look to bad, considering what he'd been through the night before. A small cut outlined the top of his left eyebrow, and a purple bruise marked his lower right jaw.
Naota sighed and let his head drop. Resting his chin on his chest, he closed his eyes.
Naota: (thinking) Everything has been... so crazy these past few weeks... (sighing) Will ... will it always be this way...?
Naota let out a long, drawn-out breath and glanced back up in the mirror. His eyes met those of his reflection. He stared back at himself, silently, waiting. Just waiting.
After Naota was all cleaned up, he made his way downstairs to get something to eat. He didn't have school today, so he decided he take his time. When he reached the kitchen, Canti, Kamon, Shigekuni and Eri were already there. They all said good morning and Naota responded with a grunt.
Eri: Wow ... what happened to you? (grinning) You look like you got run over by a school bus...
Naota: What's for breakfast?
Shigekuni: Canti and Ninamori mad some nice miso soup!
Naota: Do we have anything else...? (thinking) something SHE had nothing to do with...?
Eri: There's cold soba in the fridge.
Naota: (grumbling) There's never anything to eat in this house...
Eri: Quit whining and sit down. I'll get you a bowl.
Naota did as she told him, though not without plenty of glares and mumbles. Eri came back and placed a bowl of soup and a spoon in front of him.
Eri: There.
Naota: What did you put in it?
Eri: What do you think I put in it?
Naota: Did you put peppers and spices in it? I hate spicy stuff, you know...
Eri: (flatly) Poor baby.
Naota: I'm serious. I don't like it spicy.
Naota picks up the spoon and lightly samples the soup. Its okay. He eats it slowly and clears his dishes afterward.
Eri: So...?
Naota: It was ... okay... (grinning) You'll make a decent housewife one day...
Naota's remark was rewarded with a slap in the face. Naota walked off grumbling, his face burned red with the impact. Naota couldn't find anything to do around the house, so he decided to walk around town for a while. He wander idly, not particularly interested in anything.
After some time, he found himself down at the bridge. Mamimi's bridge. He could almost see her down below, her bare feet gently kicking in the water.
Naota: (thinking) Mamimi... I wonder what she's doing now...? I wonder... I wonder if she's happy... Does she ever think about me...? Probably not...
Naota leaned over and crossed his arms, resting them on the railing of the bridge. Slowly, he brought his head down on top of them and sighed.
Naota: (thinking) Its been so long since I've seen her... Maybe she doesn't want to see anymore... Yeah... I guess that must be it... She must not want...
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
Kitsurubami: Hey, there.
Naota turned his head and nodded, then returned to staring down at the passing river water. Kitsurubami quietly joined him at the bridge railing.
Kitsurubami: (softly) So... no school today, huh?
Naota: Its Saturday...
A moment of silence.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: What are you doing here...?
Kitsurubami: I was passing by and saw you standing here. Thought I'd join you.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: One of those days...
Naota's eyes widened in mild surprise as he glanced back over at her.
Kitsurubami: (continuing) You know, one of those days when you wake up, and for the life of you can't think of a single thing to do. You find yourself disinterested and out of touch. Like sour note in an orchestra ... you know something's wrong, but you can't place it...
Naota: ...!
Kitsurubami: So, you just waste your time away, all day. For you, the end of the day can't come quickly enough...
Naota gave Kitsurubami a questioning look. She smile softly and looked out over the flowing water.
Kitsurubami: I have plenty of those days... Its not uncommon for people like us to have them...
Naota: (thinking) "People like us...?"
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: So, want to do something today?
Naota: (shrugging) Whatever.
(In the car)
Naota: This is your new car?
Kitsurubami: Yeah. Thank God for insurance, right?
Naota shrugged and glanced out of the window. Outside, he saw other kids playing in their yards. Naota sighed.
Kitsurubami: So ... where to?
Naota: I don't care...
Back at Immigrations Headquarters, Amarao is watching footage of the last robot attack. He keeps rewinding back to the same frames, watching intently.
Amarao: (thinking) I don't understand it... These attacks... They all take place in the same general area ... what is Medical Mechanica's angel, this time...? Maybe I was wrong... Maybe they aren't out to take over? Earth... But, then... What else could they be looking to do? What are they looking for? Dammit, what is it?!
Kitsurubami and Naota are at an ice cream parlor, waiting for their milkshakes. They take a seat in the corner booth near the window and relax.
Kitsurubami: Crazy night, huh?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Are you okay?
Naota: Huh...? Oh, yeah. I'm fine.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) He must have a lot on his mind...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: (thinking) He really got hurt last night. When I see him out there fighting like that, its easy to forget that he's still a human kid. He can still get hurt, inside as well as out. He's not invincible...
Assistant Manager: Sorry to keep you waiting. That was one vanilla and one fruit punch, right?
Kitsurubami: Yeah, thanks.
The worker sits them down on the table, smiles and walks away. Kitsurubami takes a sip of hers, looking over at Naota. He shifts in his seat and takes his own milkshake in hand. They sit in silence for a few minutes, enjoying their semi-frozen snack.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Want to try?
Naota glances over to see Kitsurubami offering him a sip of her milkshake.
Naota: What kind...?
Kitsurubami: Fruit Punch.
Naota: (wrinkling his nose) "Fruit Punch?" How can you have a FRUIT PUNCH flavored MILKSHAKE? Is that even possible?
She smiled and shrugged.
Kitsurubami: Try it. Its actually pretty good.
Naota: ...
(Flashback)
Haruko: Think of it like this, eating ramen that taste really bad, can be kind of fun too.*
(End Flashback)
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: Whatever...
Naota takes the shake from her and stares at it suspiciously. Slowly, he puts the straw to his lips and takes a sip.
Kitsurubami: (intently) Well...?
Naota: "Well," what?
Kitsurubami: What do you think?
Naota: (handing it back) Its okay.
Kitsurubami: See...?
Naota smiles a little and finishes his own milkshake. After they are both done, they leave and take a walk around the block.
Kitsurubami: Its not a bad day to take a walk...
Naota: No.
Kitsurubami: Just a temperate, average, ho-hum day to take a peaceful walk...
Kitsurubami is quickly cut off by the sound of shattering concrete behind her. They both spin around to see where the attack came from.
Naota: What...?!
Kitsurubami: This is ridiculous!
Naota's eyes avert to the taller buildings, where he spots a figure standing, hunched over the ledge.
Kitsurubami: Where is it?
Naota: Up there.
Naota draws his guitar from his head and runs toward the building. Kitsurubami turns heads in the opposite direction, back to her car. Naota rushed into the buildings double doors and runs down the hall to the elevators. He frantically presses the buttons, but its still four floors up. With no other choice, Naota turns and heads for the stair. Meanwhile, outside, Kitsurubami's returns with her car and her trusty mobile rocket launcher. She heads into the building beside the one Naota went into.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) If I can set up on this roof, I can have a clears shot and back Naota up!
Naota reaches the roof of the building and stops at the door. His eyes dart from side to side. Slowly, he walks out onto the roof and waits. Listening. Suddenly, a force from above slams down into the concrete beside him, knocking him backwards. Naota regains his balance and turns to face the new foe.
It stands about ten feet tall, with short, stubby legs, and long, heavy ape-like arms. Its head is held below its shoulders, planted where a normal humanoid's chest would be. A set of dragonfly like wings are easily visible behind it.
Naota: ...
Robot: ...
In the building beside them, Kitsurubami reaches the roof and immediately seeks them out. She spots them on the roof to her left.
Kitsurubami: (to herself) There!
Naota leaps into the air and brings his guitar down, attempting to cleave the monster. It hops out of the way and takes to the air, hovering just above him. Its wings buzz as they flap rapidly behind it. Naota recovers and attempts another attack, making a half turn as he jumps up after the thing. Again and again Naota swings at the monster, but to no avail. With it so high in the air, he can't even reach it. Getting an idea, Naota, spins and heads back for the door. Without pausing, Naota springs into the air, planting one foot on the wall, then using it against the wall to vault himself high into the air.
Naota: (thinking) Gotcha!
The robot dodges the oncoming boy, then as he passes, hammers him in the back with a brutal punch. Naota, already injured from the night before hits the ground and bounces to a stop. Getting up slowly, he struggles to regain balance.
Kitsurubami: (screaming from the next roof) Pull you're socks up, kid!
In a moment of confusion, Naota drops to the ground as she fires off a barrage of explosive gunfire. The first two miss, but the remaining shots hit their mark squarely, engulfing it in a cloud of blazing flame and smoke. Naota stood and brushes himself off. Just as he looked up, a hulking metal fist smashes into his face and blew him back against the wall. He hits the wall with such force, he bounces off and lands a few yards away. This time he was really hurt. He can feel his energy draining quickly. The robot emerges from the blaze, almost without a scratch. Slowly it lands and looks at Naota.
Kitsurubami: Crap, I've got to reload! Hold on Naota!
Naota groaned as his body began to shut down. He was starting to lose consciousness. The robot watches the helpless Naota, as if picking his moment.
Naota: (thinking) I can't even move...
With a burst of force, the robot charges at the boy, ready to stop him into a greasy pulp. As the robot advances rapidly, everything slows down. Out of the corner of his eye, Naota sees some move. Swiftly, they jump between him and the oncoming robot. Naota is able to utter one last thing before he passes out.
Naota: Tasuke...!
Naota opens his eyes and blinks twice. His gaze focuses on the bottom of the bunk above him. His body is wrecked. a blanket of pain covers him from head to toe. He can't remember a time when he's been in more pain than this. After a few moments, Naota realizes a faint weight beside him on the bed. Reluctantly (and not to mention painfully), he turns his head to see. When the side of his face hits the pillow, Naota's nose is centimeter's away from another. It takes a while for his eyes to follow on something so close (and his brain to get over the total shock), but when he finally does get it together, he immediately loses it again. A deep blush covers his cheeks and nose bridge.
Naota: (thinking) KITSURUBAMI!
Naota silently flips over in his bed, facing the opposite direction.
Naota: (thinking) KITSURUBAMI IS BESIDE ME, SLEEPING, IN MY BED...! WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE!? Okay... Hold on, There's got to be reasonable explanation for this... NOW THINK...! What happened...?
Naota tries hard to remember the events of the day, but can't seem to recall anything.
Naota: (thinking) I can't remember anything at all...! This isn't good! This is BAD! (pausing) But... Its...
Naota slowly rolls over again, being careful not to wake her. He stares at her, deeply, studying her every feature. Her tanned face, her tiny freckles, her peaceful expression, the way a few strands of her blonde hair fell onto her face. she really was quite beautiful.
Naota: (thinking) Its kinda nice... I mean...
Naota cuts the thought and shakes his head inwardly. He turns his back to her again, his face burning with a bright red blush.
Naota: (thinking) NO! Get a grip, Naota!
Kitsurubami: (gently) Hey there, sleep head...
Naota's eyes double in diameter as his body tenses with complete shock. Cautiously, he rolls over to face a smiling Kitsurubami.
Kitsurubami: Finally awake, huh...
Naota: (stammering) Uh... uh... uh...
Kitsurubami: What's wrong?
Naota: (still stammering) Uh... uh... uh...
Kitsurubami: Oh, hope you don't mind me sleep with you and all...
That was it for Naota. Despite his aching body, he jumps out of the bed and drops to the floor, leaning his back on the wall behind him. Kitsurubami sits up in slight alarm, and then realizes what she said.
Kitsurubami: (blushing) No, no! I didn't mean it like that!
Naota doesn't seem comforted by her words at all. His chest heaves as he tries to get his breathing under control. When he's regained enough of his composure, he reluctantly looks up at her, still blushing.
Naota: How long have I been out...?
Kitsurubami: I guess about eight hours...
Naota's eyes widened at the idea.
Kitsurubami: How are you feeling?
Naota: I'll live...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: I was out for eight hours...?
Kitsurubami: You were pretty messed up.
Naota: What happened...?
No sooner had he asked the question, his bedroom door opened. Ninamori stands there, one hand on her hip, the other on the doorknob. She grins at Naota leaning up against the wall. It wasn't hard for her to figure out what had just happened.
Ninamori: Dinner's ready.
Kitsurubami: All right.
Naota: (blushing) Haven't you heard of knocking?
Ninamori: Why, do you have something to hide?
Naota: Do us a favor and get out of my room! And next time knock before you come in!
Ninamori grinned again and turned to leave, not even bothering to close the door.
Ninamori: Yeah, yeah...
Naota scowled harshly, though his cheeks were still reddish. Kitsurubami chuckle to herself and stood.
Kitsurubami: I'll tell you what happened after we eat, okay.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami stopped at the door and notice Naota hadn't moved.
Kitsurubami: Coming?
Naota: In a minute...
Kitsurubami: Okay.
With that, she disappeared from the doorway. Naota sat there for what seemed to him like an hour. He was completely lost in thought. None of this made since. What was she doing in his house? what was she doing in his room? What was she doing in his BED? Naota looked down at his left arm, wrapped in bandages. Slowly, he closes his hand into a fist.
Naota: (flatly) Ow...
Slowly, Naota makes his way down the stairs, gently rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He rounds the corner into the dining room and stops short. His eyes bug out of his head and his mouth drops open. Frantically he begins to point.
Naota: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
Haruko: Hey, Takkun!
Naota: WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
Kamon: Calm down, Naota-kun. I can explain everything.
Ninamori: ...?
Haruko: Yeah bro, calm down and take a breather...
Naota: AND YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SITTING THERE LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK HERE ALL OF SUDDEN?!
Kamon: Haruko-san said that she need some time off to deal with some family issues, so I let her go.
Naota: WHAT?! WHAT FAMILY?! SHE'S AN ALIEN! ALIENS DON'T JUST GO VISITING THEIR FAMILIES!
Haruko: How would you know? Are YOU an alien?
Naota: YOU'RE THE ONLY ALIEN, HERE!
Ninamori: You're both weird...
Kitsurubami: (whispering the Shigekuni) Is this an everyday thing...?
Shigekuni: Only when Haruko's here.
Naota: AFTER NEARLY TWO MONTHS, YOU SHOW UP OUT OF THE BLUE AND I'M SUPPOSED TO PRETEND THAT EVERYTHING'S NORMAL?!
Haruko: (looking cutsie) Aww, that's so sweet! Takkun missed me!
Naota: YEAH RIGHT! LIKE I'D MISS YOU!
Haruko: You're just a little shy... Its perfectly normal... You know, kids in love...
Kamon: LOVE?!
Naota: I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!
Haruko: (jumping over the table and knocking Naota senseless) YOU LITTLE BRAT!
Naota: GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?
Haruko: (crushing Naota's face into her chest) YOU MISSED ME! ADMIT IT!
Naota: (muffled) CANTI!
Kamon: What? More Furi Kuri!? WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAPPEN TO HIM?! WHY NOT ME?!
Haruko: (giving Naota a noogie) GIVE IN TO YOUR FEELINGS!
Naota: (squirming away) WHAT FEELINGS?! I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!
Haruko: (looking sad) SO, YOU'RE JUST ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO TAKES WHAT HE WANTS FROM A WOMAN AND THROWS HER AWAY?!
Naota: YOU'RE CRAZY!
Kamon: WHAT?! HOW DARE YOU HURT HARUKO-SAN! (...!)
Kamon rips of his shirt and jumps over the table, landing on Naota. Roughly, he begins to strangle the boy.
Naota: (choking) NOOO!!! GGGGAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! HELP ME!
Haruko: (innocently) Please don't fight over lil' ol' me...!
Naota: WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING JUST SITTING THERE?! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!
Kitsurubami: . .
o
Ninamori: ...
Shigekuni: What are you all making all this fuss about?!
Kamon: DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!
Haruko: TAKKUN, I'LL SAVE YOU!
Haruko pulls out her double necked guitar and attempts to hit Kamon over the head with it. Unfortunately, Naota sits up at the wrong time and ends up taking the hit himself. The blow sends him across the room into Ninamori's lap.
Naota: X X
o
Haruko: NOOOO! I KILLED HIM AGAIN! FORGIVE ME, FOR I HAVE SOILED THESE HANDS WITH THE BLOOD OF ANOTHER INNOCENT LAMB!
Naota's head rolls forward and rests gently on Ninamori's chest. She looks surprised and a little disgusted.
Haruko: WHAT?! BURYING YOURSELF IN THE BOSOM OF ANOTHER GIRL?! UNFORGIVABLE! YOU WILL DIE!
Naota wakes up just in time to scramble away from Ninamori. As he attempts to crawl away, Haruko catches him by the pants and shakes him roughly along the floor.
Naota: WHAT THE...?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP IT!!!
Kamon: LOOK, MORE FURI KURI!
Haruko: (stomping repeatedly on Naota's crotch) DIE!
Kitsurubami finally manages to snap out of her shock. Quickly, she runs over and snatches up Naota, holding him protectively.
Kitsurubami: Would stop that?! You'll kill him at this rate! Give him a break!
Haruko: I'll give a break... What first...? HIS ARMS?! HIS LEGS?
Kitsurubami: (looking down at him) are you okay?
Haruko: WHAT'S THIS?! ANOTHER HUSSY?! DIE!
Naota, again strives to outrun Haruko as she randomly swings her guitar around.
Naota: STOP WAVING THAT THING AROUND LIKE THAT! SOMEBODY'LL GET HURT!
Haruko: YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET DEAD!
Ninamori: Are you guys done yet...?
All: NO!
Haruko: BE STILL, YOU BRAT!
Kamon: FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI...!
Shigekuni: What I wouldn't give to have her guri guri me like that!
Kitsurubami: WAIT, DON'T HURT HIM!
Canti: (walking in) !
Ninamori: You're all acting like children...
Naota: (pointing to Haruko) SHE'S THE ONE WHO SHOULD GROW UP!
Haruko: YOU'RE THE KID!
Naota: EVIL ALIEN!
Haruko: PUNY BRAT!
Naota: PSYCHO!
Haruko: (grabbing him by the hair) SHRIMP!
Naota: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! GET AWAY!
Haruko: (tossing him up into the air) BOTTOM OF THE NINTH!
Naota: SOMEONE STOP HER!
Haruko: (holding her guitar baseball bat style) THE BASES ARE LOADED!
Naota: HELP!
Haruko: (pulverizing Naota with her guitar) TIME TO BRING IT HOME!
Naota: (as he collapses a wall of the house) WWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!
Naota is sitting on his bed, rubbing his bandaged forehead softly. In the background, the sounds of everyone else making noise downstairs floats up into his room.
Naota: They're in a good mood...
Later that night, after Kitsurubami left, Naota goes outside to sit beside the bakery. Sighing heavily, he plops down and rubs his throbbing head. Kitsurubami had said that she'd tell him what happened tomorrow, but at this point, he didn't really care anymore. He has just found a bit of peace when a voice from behind startled him.
Ninamori: Headache?
Naota: What do you think?
Ninamori: ...
Naota: (thinking) I'd almost forgotten just how much it hurt...
Ninamori: So, she's back...
Naota: Obviously...
Ninamori: Are you happy?
Naota: "Happy?"
Ninamori: To see her?
Naota: Look what she did to me! Do you think I'd be happy to see someone who thinks beating the living daylights out of me is fun?!
Ninamori: You tell me.
Naota: ...
Ninamori: I guess this means that we'll be sharing a bed, tonight...
Naota: What?! You're staying over, tonight?!
Ninamori: Of course. My parents are out of town and your dad didn't want me to stay at home, alone.
Naota: Whatever...
Ninamori: (grinning) Well... I'll see you inside then.
Naota: Right...
With that Ninamori went back inside and closed the door behind her. Naota sighs and leaned back against the house.
Naota: (thinking) She's back... but is that what I really want...?
Naota reaches up and touches the bandage on his head.
Naota: (sighing once more) Here we go again...
Haruko: Hey there.
Her voice made Naota jump. A look of slight terror passes over his face.
Naota: Don't scare me like that!
Haruko: (chuckling) Heh heh he...
Naota: (mumbling) Moving around here at night... its creepy...
Haruko: You missed me, didn't you?
Naota: (scoffing) Yeah right.
Haruko: You can't hide it, Takkun. I can see it all over your face... Face it, you haven't felt like this since the day I left.
Naota doesn't say anything, but his slumping shoulders are response enough. Haruko sits down beside him and puts an arm around his shoulders.
Naota: ...
Haruko: ...
Naota: Why'd you come back...?
Haruko: To see you, of course.
Naota: (sadly) Liar...
Haruko: ...
Naota: Why'd you really come back?
Haruko: Do I need a reason?
Naota: You're just going to leave again, anyway...
Haruko: What makes you so sure...?
Naota:...
Haruko: You're still a kid, Takkun...
Naota: ...
Haruko: ...
Swiftly, Naota gets up and briskly walks away from the house.
Haruko: Where are you going?
He doesn't bother to answer. Why should he? He doesn't owe her and explanation. He doesn't owe her anything. Nothing at all. Why would she care? He's seen it all before ... she only comes around when she wants something. This was what his brain had been trying to tell him. He didn't want her back. His brain was sure about hat now. But, what about his heart? What did it have to say about all this? Though he had already made up his mind that she was only back to suit herself, a tiny part of him still wondered if she actually did care.
Naota kept walking, trying to push the thoughts out of his head. What did he care? Its not like she cared about him. What was the point if he already knew what would happen in the end? He didn't even want to know what she was after this time. Things were so much more simple before she came. He had his whole life figured out, even though it was pretty ho-hum. He had his friends and his family. Everything was normal. Wait ... wasn't that why he hated it in the first place...?
Huffing, he kicked a rock from the street into the grass. Why did this have to be so complicated? He wished Mamimi was here. Things always seemed to go away when he was with her. Even though he never admitted it, he always felt comfortable with her. He felt safe. He knew she'd never leave him and she knew he'd never leave her. They thrived off each other's misery, plain and simple. It had been that way ever since his brother had left.
Suddenly, the ground before him erupted in a hail of dirt and stone. An enormous metal hand sprung up from the ground, looming forebodingly over his head.
Naota: Wha...!?
In his weaken condition, Naota barely dodged the hand as it slammed down on the spot where he had stood. He rolled over to look up. Following the first arm came what would appear to be a head. It was tiny compare to the hand, with two red lights resembling eyes. Naota scrambled to his feet and attempted to make a break for it. He was so frantic, he didn't look where he was going and slammed right into a person standing in his path. Naota fell back to the ground. As he sat up, he rubbed his sore head.
Naota: (angrily) LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GO... (realizing who it is) Haruko...!
Ignoring him, Haruko takes out her double necked guitar and charges toward the emerging robot. She jumps into the air and raises her guitar high above her head. The robot wriggles its fat body, desperately trying to get above ground.
Haruko: NO YA DON'T!
Before the robot can even process what's happening, Haruko smashes its face in. The emerged hand drops lifelessly to the ground and the robot shuts down. Haruko stands over the broken monster, grinning from ear to ear. As she walked away, the downed robot exploded into a massive fireball, burning up most of the remains.
Naota: (narrating) After the robot was destroyed, Haruko drove me home on her vespa. Even though I was tired on the way back, I couldn't fall asleep. Too much had happened. I tried to put the thoughts out my mind as we rounded the bend. All I knew for sure was that Haruko was back.
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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
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Haruko: * Author's Note- Not only could this be applied to the milkshake, but it can be used in a lot of situations (such as opening your heart to someone; with the sweet comes the sour and vic versa). Anyway, join us again for the next exciting episode of Fooly Cooly! Fooly Cooly: Episode 12: Blues Drive Monster!
Naota sat up in his bed, regretting it a split second afterward. He had a splitting headache and bruises all over his body (some in places he didn't even know he had). With a groan, he eased himself out of bed and limped sorely to the bathroom. He turned the water on in he sink and rested his hands firmly on either side of it. As he waited for warm water, he looked up into the medicine cabinet mirror. He didn't look to bad, considering what he'd been through the night before. A small cut outlined the top of his left eyebrow, and a purple bruise marked his lower right jaw.
Naota sighed and let his head drop. Resting his chin on his chest, he closed his eyes.
Naota: (thinking) Everything has been... so crazy these past few weeks... (sighing) Will ... will it always be this way...?
Naota let out a long, drawn-out breath and glanced back up in the mirror. His eyes met those of his reflection. He stared back at himself, silently, waiting. Just waiting.
After Naota was all cleaned up, he made his way downstairs to get something to eat. He didn't have school today, so he decided he take his time. When he reached the kitchen, Canti, Kamon, Shigekuni and Eri were already there. They all said good morning and Naota responded with a grunt.
Eri: Wow ... what happened to you? (grinning) You look like you got run over by a school bus...
Naota: What's for breakfast?
Shigekuni: Canti and Ninamori mad some nice miso soup!
Naota: Do we have anything else...? (thinking) something SHE had nothing to do with...?
Eri: There's cold soba in the fridge.
Naota: (grumbling) There's never anything to eat in this house...
Eri: Quit whining and sit down. I'll get you a bowl.
Naota did as she told him, though not without plenty of glares and mumbles. Eri came back and placed a bowl of soup and a spoon in front of him.
Eri: There.
Naota: What did you put in it?
Eri: What do you think I put in it?
Naota: Did you put peppers and spices in it? I hate spicy stuff, you know...
Eri: (flatly) Poor baby.
Naota: I'm serious. I don't like it spicy.
Naota picks up the spoon and lightly samples the soup. Its okay. He eats it slowly and clears his dishes afterward.
Eri: So...?
Naota: It was ... okay... (grinning) You'll make a decent housewife one day...
Naota's remark was rewarded with a slap in the face. Naota walked off grumbling, his face burned red with the impact. Naota couldn't find anything to do around the house, so he decided to walk around town for a while. He wander idly, not particularly interested in anything.
After some time, he found himself down at the bridge. Mamimi's bridge. He could almost see her down below, her bare feet gently kicking in the water.
Naota: (thinking) Mamimi... I wonder what she's doing now...? I wonder... I wonder if she's happy... Does she ever think about me...? Probably not...
Naota leaned over and crossed his arms, resting them on the railing of the bridge. Slowly, he brought his head down on top of them and sighed.
Naota: (thinking) Its been so long since I've seen her... Maybe she doesn't want to see anymore... Yeah... I guess that must be it... She must not want...
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
Kitsurubami: Hey, there.
Naota turned his head and nodded, then returned to staring down at the passing river water. Kitsurubami quietly joined him at the bridge railing.
Kitsurubami: (softly) So... no school today, huh?
Naota: Its Saturday...
A moment of silence.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: What are you doing here...?
Kitsurubami: I was passing by and saw you standing here. Thought I'd join you.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: One of those days...
Naota's eyes widened in mild surprise as he glanced back over at her.
Kitsurubami: (continuing) You know, one of those days when you wake up, and for the life of you can't think of a single thing to do. You find yourself disinterested and out of touch. Like sour note in an orchestra ... you know something's wrong, but you can't place it...
Naota: ...!
Kitsurubami: So, you just waste your time away, all day. For you, the end of the day can't come quickly enough...
Naota gave Kitsurubami a questioning look. She smile softly and looked out over the flowing water.
Kitsurubami: I have plenty of those days... Its not uncommon for people like us to have them...
Naota: (thinking) "People like us...?"
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: So, want to do something today?
Naota: (shrugging) Whatever.
(In the car)
Naota: This is your new car?
Kitsurubami: Yeah. Thank God for insurance, right?
Naota shrugged and glanced out of the window. Outside, he saw other kids playing in their yards. Naota sighed.
Kitsurubami: So ... where to?
Naota: I don't care...
Back at Immigrations Headquarters, Amarao is watching footage of the last robot attack. He keeps rewinding back to the same frames, watching intently.
Amarao: (thinking) I don't understand it... These attacks... They all take place in the same general area ... what is Medical Mechanica's angel, this time...? Maybe I was wrong... Maybe they aren't out to take over? Earth... But, then... What else could they be looking to do? What are they looking for? Dammit, what is it?!
Kitsurubami and Naota are at an ice cream parlor, waiting for their milkshakes. They take a seat in the corner booth near the window and relax.
Kitsurubami: Crazy night, huh?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Are you okay?
Naota: Huh...? Oh, yeah. I'm fine.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) He must have a lot on his mind...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: (thinking) He really got hurt last night. When I see him out there fighting like that, its easy to forget that he's still a human kid. He can still get hurt, inside as well as out. He's not invincible...
Assistant Manager: Sorry to keep you waiting. That was one vanilla and one fruit punch, right?
Kitsurubami: Yeah, thanks.
The worker sits them down on the table, smiles and walks away. Kitsurubami takes a sip of hers, looking over at Naota. He shifts in his seat and takes his own milkshake in hand. They sit in silence for a few minutes, enjoying their semi-frozen snack.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Want to try?
Naota glances over to see Kitsurubami offering him a sip of her milkshake.
Naota: What kind...?
Kitsurubami: Fruit Punch.
Naota: (wrinkling his nose) "Fruit Punch?" How can you have a FRUIT PUNCH flavored MILKSHAKE? Is that even possible?
She smiled and shrugged.
Kitsurubami: Try it. Its actually pretty good.
Naota: ...
(Flashback)
Haruko: Think of it like this, eating ramen that taste really bad, can be kind of fun too.*
(End Flashback)
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: Whatever...
Naota takes the shake from her and stares at it suspiciously. Slowly, he puts the straw to his lips and takes a sip.
Kitsurubami: (intently) Well...?
Naota: "Well," what?
Kitsurubami: What do you think?
Naota: (handing it back) Its okay.
Kitsurubami: See...?
Naota smiles a little and finishes his own milkshake. After they are both done, they leave and take a walk around the block.
Kitsurubami: Its not a bad day to take a walk...
Naota: No.
Kitsurubami: Just a temperate, average, ho-hum day to take a peaceful walk...
Kitsurubami is quickly cut off by the sound of shattering concrete behind her. They both spin around to see where the attack came from.
Naota: What...?!
Kitsurubami: This is ridiculous!
Naota's eyes avert to the taller buildings, where he spots a figure standing, hunched over the ledge.
Kitsurubami: Where is it?
Naota: Up there.
Naota draws his guitar from his head and runs toward the building. Kitsurubami turns heads in the opposite direction, back to her car. Naota rushed into the buildings double doors and runs down the hall to the elevators. He frantically presses the buttons, but its still four floors up. With no other choice, Naota turns and heads for the stair. Meanwhile, outside, Kitsurubami's returns with her car and her trusty mobile rocket launcher. She heads into the building beside the one Naota went into.
Kitsurubami: (thinking) If I can set up on this roof, I can have a clears shot and back Naota up!
Naota reaches the roof of the building and stops at the door. His eyes dart from side to side. Slowly, he walks out onto the roof and waits. Listening. Suddenly, a force from above slams down into the concrete beside him, knocking him backwards. Naota regains his balance and turns to face the new foe.
It stands about ten feet tall, with short, stubby legs, and long, heavy ape-like arms. Its head is held below its shoulders, planted where a normal humanoid's chest would be. A set of dragonfly like wings are easily visible behind it.
Naota: ...
Robot: ...
In the building beside them, Kitsurubami reaches the roof and immediately seeks them out. She spots them on the roof to her left.
Kitsurubami: (to herself) There!
Naota leaps into the air and brings his guitar down, attempting to cleave the monster. It hops out of the way and takes to the air, hovering just above him. Its wings buzz as they flap rapidly behind it. Naota recovers and attempts another attack, making a half turn as he jumps up after the thing. Again and again Naota swings at the monster, but to no avail. With it so high in the air, he can't even reach it. Getting an idea, Naota, spins and heads back for the door. Without pausing, Naota springs into the air, planting one foot on the wall, then using it against the wall to vault himself high into the air.
Naota: (thinking) Gotcha!
The robot dodges the oncoming boy, then as he passes, hammers him in the back with a brutal punch. Naota, already injured from the night before hits the ground and bounces to a stop. Getting up slowly, he struggles to regain balance.
Kitsurubami: (screaming from the next roof) Pull you're socks up, kid!
In a moment of confusion, Naota drops to the ground as she fires off a barrage of explosive gunfire. The first two miss, but the remaining shots hit their mark squarely, engulfing it in a cloud of blazing flame and smoke. Naota stood and brushes himself off. Just as he looked up, a hulking metal fist smashes into his face and blew him back against the wall. He hits the wall with such force, he bounces off and lands a few yards away. This time he was really hurt. He can feel his energy draining quickly. The robot emerges from the blaze, almost without a scratch. Slowly it lands and looks at Naota.
Kitsurubami: Crap, I've got to reload! Hold on Naota!
Naota groaned as his body began to shut down. He was starting to lose consciousness. The robot watches the helpless Naota, as if picking his moment.
Naota: (thinking) I can't even move...
With a burst of force, the robot charges at the boy, ready to stop him into a greasy pulp. As the robot advances rapidly, everything slows down. Out of the corner of his eye, Naota sees some move. Swiftly, they jump between him and the oncoming robot. Naota is able to utter one last thing before he passes out.
Naota: Tasuke...!
Naota opens his eyes and blinks twice. His gaze focuses on the bottom of the bunk above him. His body is wrecked. a blanket of pain covers him from head to toe. He can't remember a time when he's been in more pain than this. After a few moments, Naota realizes a faint weight beside him on the bed. Reluctantly (and not to mention painfully), he turns his head to see. When the side of his face hits the pillow, Naota's nose is centimeter's away from another. It takes a while for his eyes to follow on something so close (and his brain to get over the total shock), but when he finally does get it together, he immediately loses it again. A deep blush covers his cheeks and nose bridge.
Naota: (thinking) KITSURUBAMI!
Naota silently flips over in his bed, facing the opposite direction.
Naota: (thinking) KITSURUBAMI IS BESIDE ME, SLEEPING, IN MY BED...! WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE!? Okay... Hold on, There's got to be reasonable explanation for this... NOW THINK...! What happened...?
Naota tries hard to remember the events of the day, but can't seem to recall anything.
Naota: (thinking) I can't remember anything at all...! This isn't good! This is BAD! (pausing) But... Its...
Naota slowly rolls over again, being careful not to wake her. He stares at her, deeply, studying her every feature. Her tanned face, her tiny freckles, her peaceful expression, the way a few strands of her blonde hair fell onto her face. she really was quite beautiful.
Naota: (thinking) Its kinda nice... I mean...
Naota cuts the thought and shakes his head inwardly. He turns his back to her again, his face burning with a bright red blush.
Naota: (thinking) NO! Get a grip, Naota!
Kitsurubami: (gently) Hey there, sleep head...
Naota's eyes double in diameter as his body tenses with complete shock. Cautiously, he rolls over to face a smiling Kitsurubami.
Kitsurubami: Finally awake, huh...
Naota: (stammering) Uh... uh... uh...
Kitsurubami: What's wrong?
Naota: (still stammering) Uh... uh... uh...
Kitsurubami: Oh, hope you don't mind me sleep with you and all...
That was it for Naota. Despite his aching body, he jumps out of the bed and drops to the floor, leaning his back on the wall behind him. Kitsurubami sits up in slight alarm, and then realizes what she said.
Kitsurubami: (blushing) No, no! I didn't mean it like that!
Naota doesn't seem comforted by her words at all. His chest heaves as he tries to get his breathing under control. When he's regained enough of his composure, he reluctantly looks up at her, still blushing.
Naota: How long have I been out...?
Kitsurubami: I guess about eight hours...
Naota's eyes widened at the idea.
Kitsurubami: How are you feeling?
Naota: I'll live...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: I was out for eight hours...?
Kitsurubami: You were pretty messed up.
Naota: What happened...?
No sooner had he asked the question, his bedroom door opened. Ninamori stands there, one hand on her hip, the other on the doorknob. She grins at Naota leaning up against the wall. It wasn't hard for her to figure out what had just happened.
Ninamori: Dinner's ready.
Kitsurubami: All right.
Naota: (blushing) Haven't you heard of knocking?
Ninamori: Why, do you have something to hide?
Naota: Do us a favor and get out of my room! And next time knock before you come in!
Ninamori grinned again and turned to leave, not even bothering to close the door.
Ninamori: Yeah, yeah...
Naota scowled harshly, though his cheeks were still reddish. Kitsurubami chuckle to herself and stood.
Kitsurubami: I'll tell you what happened after we eat, okay.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami stopped at the door and notice Naota hadn't moved.
Kitsurubami: Coming?
Naota: In a minute...
Kitsurubami: Okay.
With that, she disappeared from the doorway. Naota sat there for what seemed to him like an hour. He was completely lost in thought. None of this made since. What was she doing in his house? what was she doing in his room? What was she doing in his BED? Naota looked down at his left arm, wrapped in bandages. Slowly, he closes his hand into a fist.
Naota: (flatly) Ow...
Slowly, Naota makes his way down the stairs, gently rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He rounds the corner into the dining room and stops short. His eyes bug out of his head and his mouth drops open. Frantically he begins to point.
Naota: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
Haruko: Hey, Takkun!
Naota: WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
Kamon: Calm down, Naota-kun. I can explain everything.
Ninamori: ...?
Haruko: Yeah bro, calm down and take a breather...
Naota: AND YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SITTING THERE LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK HERE ALL OF SUDDEN?!
Kamon: Haruko-san said that she need some time off to deal with some family issues, so I let her go.
Naota: WHAT?! WHAT FAMILY?! SHE'S AN ALIEN! ALIENS DON'T JUST GO VISITING THEIR FAMILIES!
Haruko: How would you know? Are YOU an alien?
Naota: YOU'RE THE ONLY ALIEN, HERE!
Ninamori: You're both weird...
Kitsurubami: (whispering the Shigekuni) Is this an everyday thing...?
Shigekuni: Only when Haruko's here.
Naota: AFTER NEARLY TWO MONTHS, YOU SHOW UP OUT OF THE BLUE AND I'M SUPPOSED TO PRETEND THAT EVERYTHING'S NORMAL?!
Haruko: (looking cutsie) Aww, that's so sweet! Takkun missed me!
Naota: YEAH RIGHT! LIKE I'D MISS YOU!
Haruko: You're just a little shy... Its perfectly normal... You know, kids in love...
Kamon: LOVE?!
Naota: I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!
Haruko: (jumping over the table and knocking Naota senseless) YOU LITTLE BRAT!
Naota: GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?
Haruko: (crushing Naota's face into her chest) YOU MISSED ME! ADMIT IT!
Naota: (muffled) CANTI!
Kamon: What? More Furi Kuri!? WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAPPEN TO HIM?! WHY NOT ME?!
Haruko: (giving Naota a noogie) GIVE IN TO YOUR FEELINGS!
Naota: (squirming away) WHAT FEELINGS?! I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!
Haruko: (looking sad) SO, YOU'RE JUST ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO TAKES WHAT HE WANTS FROM A WOMAN AND THROWS HER AWAY?!
Naota: YOU'RE CRAZY!
Kamon: WHAT?! HOW DARE YOU HURT HARUKO-SAN! (...!)
Kamon rips of his shirt and jumps over the table, landing on Naota. Roughly, he begins to strangle the boy.
Naota: (choking) NOOO!!! GGGGAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! HELP ME!
Haruko: (innocently) Please don't fight over lil' ol' me...!
Naota: WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING JUST SITTING THERE?! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!
Kitsurubami: . .
o
Ninamori: ...
Shigekuni: What are you all making all this fuss about?!
Kamon: DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!
Haruko: TAKKUN, I'LL SAVE YOU!
Haruko pulls out her double necked guitar and attempts to hit Kamon over the head with it. Unfortunately, Naota sits up at the wrong time and ends up taking the hit himself. The blow sends him across the room into Ninamori's lap.
Naota: X X
o
Haruko: NOOOO! I KILLED HIM AGAIN! FORGIVE ME, FOR I HAVE SOILED THESE HANDS WITH THE BLOOD OF ANOTHER INNOCENT LAMB!
Naota's head rolls forward and rests gently on Ninamori's chest. She looks surprised and a little disgusted.
Haruko: WHAT?! BURYING YOURSELF IN THE BOSOM OF ANOTHER GIRL?! UNFORGIVABLE! YOU WILL DIE!
Naota wakes up just in time to scramble away from Ninamori. As he attempts to crawl away, Haruko catches him by the pants and shakes him roughly along the floor.
Naota: WHAT THE...?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP IT!!!
Kamon: LOOK, MORE FURI KURI!
Haruko: (stomping repeatedly on Naota's crotch) DIE!
Kitsurubami finally manages to snap out of her shock. Quickly, she runs over and snatches up Naota, holding him protectively.
Kitsurubami: Would stop that?! You'll kill him at this rate! Give him a break!
Haruko: I'll give a break... What first...? HIS ARMS?! HIS LEGS?
Kitsurubami: (looking down at him) are you okay?
Haruko: WHAT'S THIS?! ANOTHER HUSSY?! DIE!
Naota, again strives to outrun Haruko as she randomly swings her guitar around.
Naota: STOP WAVING THAT THING AROUND LIKE THAT! SOMEBODY'LL GET HURT!
Haruko: YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET DEAD!
Ninamori: Are you guys done yet...?
All: NO!
Haruko: BE STILL, YOU BRAT!
Kamon: FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI FURI KURI...!
Shigekuni: What I wouldn't give to have her guri guri me like that!
Kitsurubami: WAIT, DON'T HURT HIM!
Canti: (walking in) !
Ninamori: You're all acting like children...
Naota: (pointing to Haruko) SHE'S THE ONE WHO SHOULD GROW UP!
Haruko: YOU'RE THE KID!
Naota: EVIL ALIEN!
Haruko: PUNY BRAT!
Naota: PSYCHO!
Haruko: (grabbing him by the hair) SHRIMP!
Naota: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! GET AWAY!
Haruko: (tossing him up into the air) BOTTOM OF THE NINTH!
Naota: SOMEONE STOP HER!
Haruko: (holding her guitar baseball bat style) THE BASES ARE LOADED!
Naota: HELP!
Haruko: (pulverizing Naota with her guitar) TIME TO BRING IT HOME!
Naota: (as he collapses a wall of the house) WWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!
Naota is sitting on his bed, rubbing his bandaged forehead softly. In the background, the sounds of everyone else making noise downstairs floats up into his room.
Naota: They're in a good mood...
Later that night, after Kitsurubami left, Naota goes outside to sit beside the bakery. Sighing heavily, he plops down and rubs his throbbing head. Kitsurubami had said that she'd tell him what happened tomorrow, but at this point, he didn't really care anymore. He has just found a bit of peace when a voice from behind startled him.
Ninamori: Headache?
Naota: What do you think?
Ninamori: ...
Naota: (thinking) I'd almost forgotten just how much it hurt...
Ninamori: So, she's back...
Naota: Obviously...
Ninamori: Are you happy?
Naota: "Happy?"
Ninamori: To see her?
Naota: Look what she did to me! Do you think I'd be happy to see someone who thinks beating the living daylights out of me is fun?!
Ninamori: You tell me.
Naota: ...
Ninamori: I guess this means that we'll be sharing a bed, tonight...
Naota: What?! You're staying over, tonight?!
Ninamori: Of course. My parents are out of town and your dad didn't want me to stay at home, alone.
Naota: Whatever...
Ninamori: (grinning) Well... I'll see you inside then.
Naota: Right...
With that Ninamori went back inside and closed the door behind her. Naota sighs and leaned back against the house.
Naota: (thinking) She's back... but is that what I really want...?
Naota reaches up and touches the bandage on his head.
Naota: (sighing once more) Here we go again...
Haruko: Hey there.
Her voice made Naota jump. A look of slight terror passes over his face.
Naota: Don't scare me like that!
Haruko: (chuckling) Heh heh he...
Naota: (mumbling) Moving around here at night... its creepy...
Haruko: You missed me, didn't you?
Naota: (scoffing) Yeah right.
Haruko: You can't hide it, Takkun. I can see it all over your face... Face it, you haven't felt like this since the day I left.
Naota doesn't say anything, but his slumping shoulders are response enough. Haruko sits down beside him and puts an arm around his shoulders.
Naota: ...
Haruko: ...
Naota: Why'd you come back...?
Haruko: To see you, of course.
Naota: (sadly) Liar...
Haruko: ...
Naota: Why'd you really come back?
Haruko: Do I need a reason?
Naota: You're just going to leave again, anyway...
Haruko: What makes you so sure...?
Naota:...
Haruko: You're still a kid, Takkun...
Naota: ...
Haruko: ...
Swiftly, Naota gets up and briskly walks away from the house.
Haruko: Where are you going?
He doesn't bother to answer. Why should he? He doesn't owe her and explanation. He doesn't owe her anything. Nothing at all. Why would she care? He's seen it all before ... she only comes around when she wants something. This was what his brain had been trying to tell him. He didn't want her back. His brain was sure about hat now. But, what about his heart? What did it have to say about all this? Though he had already made up his mind that she was only back to suit herself, a tiny part of him still wondered if she actually did care.
Naota kept walking, trying to push the thoughts out of his head. What did he care? Its not like she cared about him. What was the point if he already knew what would happen in the end? He didn't even want to know what she was after this time. Things were so much more simple before she came. He had his whole life figured out, even though it was pretty ho-hum. He had his friends and his family. Everything was normal. Wait ... wasn't that why he hated it in the first place...?
Huffing, he kicked a rock from the street into the grass. Why did this have to be so complicated? He wished Mamimi was here. Things always seemed to go away when he was with her. Even though he never admitted it, he always felt comfortable with her. He felt safe. He knew she'd never leave him and she knew he'd never leave her. They thrived off each other's misery, plain and simple. It had been that way ever since his brother had left.
Suddenly, the ground before him erupted in a hail of dirt and stone. An enormous metal hand sprung up from the ground, looming forebodingly over his head.
Naota: Wha...!?
In his weaken condition, Naota barely dodged the hand as it slammed down on the spot where he had stood. He rolled over to look up. Following the first arm came what would appear to be a head. It was tiny compare to the hand, with two red lights resembling eyes. Naota scrambled to his feet and attempted to make a break for it. He was so frantic, he didn't look where he was going and slammed right into a person standing in his path. Naota fell back to the ground. As he sat up, he rubbed his sore head.
Naota: (angrily) LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GO... (realizing who it is) Haruko...!
Ignoring him, Haruko takes out her double necked guitar and charges toward the emerging robot. She jumps into the air and raises her guitar high above her head. The robot wriggles its fat body, desperately trying to get above ground.
Haruko: NO YA DON'T!
Before the robot can even process what's happening, Haruko smashes its face in. The emerged hand drops lifelessly to the ground and the robot shuts down. Haruko stands over the broken monster, grinning from ear to ear. As she walked away, the downed robot exploded into a massive fireball, burning up most of the remains.
Naota: (narrating) After the robot was destroyed, Haruko drove me home on her vespa. Even though I was tired on the way back, I couldn't fall asleep. Too much had happened. I tried to put the thoughts out my mind as we rounded the bend. All I knew for sure was that Haruko was back.
---------------------
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: * Author's Note- Not only could this be applied to the milkshake, but it can be used in a lot of situations (such as opening your heart to someone; with the sweet comes the sour and vic versa). Anyway, join us again for the next exciting episode of Fooly Cooly! Fooly Cooly: Episode 12: Blues Drive Monster!