Episode 12: Blues Drive Monster!
Naota: Hey! What do you think...?! STOP THAT!
Haruko: (teasingly) Aww... Is Takkun still shy?
Naota: Give that back!
Haruko: Nope.
Naota: I said, "Give it back!"
Haruko: And what if I don't?
Naota stood, partially hidden in his doorway, groping desperately through from behind his door. Haruko stood in the hallway, one hand resting on her hip, the other dangling Naota's last pair of underwear, just out of his reach.
Haruko: Come and get 'em, Takkun...
Naota: I'm not kidding! Give them back, NOW!
Haruko: Oh, come on... Its not like you've got anything I haven't seen...
Naota scowled and blushed violently. He pulled the door closer and mad another quick grab for the blue boxers. Haruko snatched them back and stuck out her tongue.
Haruko: Aww, come on, Takkun! You almost had it that time!
Naota: Stop it! I have to go to school!
Haruko: Since when are you so interested in going to school, huh?
Naota: Believe it or not, not everyone is as irresponsible and immature as you...
Haruko: (pretending to look hurt) Ow, Takkun! (grinning) That's really something coming from a kid who still wears... (examining the boxers, closely) ... What are those? ... Horses ... polar bears...?
Naota took full advantage of her diverted attention and flung his arm at the underwear. Haruko saw the assault coming and jumped back. Having lost his target, Naota crashed down on the hallway. Naota pulled himself up on his hands and knees, a bit dazed.
Haruko: Hmmm... Not bad...
Naota blushed again as he bolted up, snatched his underpants away from the alien and stormed back to his room.
Haruko: Aww, don't be mad, Takkun! Nothing to be ashamed of!
Naota slammed his door and began to dress. His face burned with a mix of anger and humiliation. It had been like this for the last few days now. It was almost like she'd never left. She was still up to her same antics, constantly teasing him, trying to get under his skin.
Naota: (thinking) I wished just grow up. She acts like a little kid ... so immature... (shaking his head) She's playing with my head...
After he was dressed, Naota headed downstairs and grabbed his bookbag. Without a word to anyone (not that anyone was there) Naota left the house. He'd only made it half a block before Canti came running up behind him. Naota turned to the robot and raise his eyebrow, curiously. Canti waved a brown paper lunch bag at the boy. Naota took it, nodded and went about his way.
Naota: (thinking) at least SOMEBODY has their head on their shoulders, these days. Ever since Haruko came back, everything's been so crazy ... chaotic ... just like before...
Naota tried to force away a small smile as he continued on his way to school.
School was much the same as it had been everyday before, boring. The highlight of his day was when Gaku and Masashi asked him if he wanted to come to the arcade with them after school. Naota was a bit taken aback by the offer (since he hadn't actually spoken to them in two and a half months). Despite his surprise, Naota hid his shock and quietly declined. He really didn't feel like it.
It had been three days since he'd heard from Kitsurubami, not since Haruko came back. He figured she was probably busy with her work or something. But, that didn't really make him feel any better. He couldn't help but flash back to the night he rolled over to find her in his bed. Besides the shock, it was actually pretty nice. Not like when Mamimi was cuddling him down by the river or when Haruko was straddling him in nothing but a bath towel. It was centered somehow. Balanced. He couldn't really describe it.
After the last bell, Naota slowly made his way out to the parking lot. Most of the kids had already left, but there were still enough left to make it hard to get out. Out of the corner of his eye, Naota caught a familiar face among the crowd. Hiding the grin spreading over his face, Naota walked over and stopped a few yards away.
Naota: Hey.
Kitsurubami: Hey, stranger.
Naota: You're the one who hasn't been around...
Kitsurubami: I've been working, a lot.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Want to go get something to eat?
Despite the fact that it had rained earlier that day, it was actually nice out. Naota watched as the world outside his car window passed by. Naota sighed and glanced over at Kitsurubami. She must have sensed his gaze, because she turned and smiled.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: So, where do you want to eat?
Naota: I don't care...
Kitsurubami: I'm in the mood for ... ramen.
Naota: Whatever.
Kitsurubami: Ramen it is then.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: So, how have you been?
Naota: Okay, I guess.
Kitsurubami: Must be pretty crazy at your house with Haruko there...
Naota: Its no big deal...
Kitsurubami: She's... quite the character, isn't she?
Naota: I guess.
Kitsurubami: You must clash, a lot, huh?
Naota: Huh?
Kitsurubami: I mean, she's such a free spirit, so chaotic and wild... And you're so ... practical ... reserved, even...
Naota: (shrugs) ...
Kitsurubami: Its pretty interesting, actually...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: There are very few people like her ... people who are so free at heart ... completely groundless...
Naota: She's childish.
Naota was now looking out of the window again.
Kitsurubami: Huh...?
Naota: And reckless. She has no regard for anything or anyone. She just does what she wants without think about the consequences. She thinks everything is a game, or something. She never grows up...
Kitsurubami: Isn't that why you like her?
Naota eyes widened and he turned to look at her. She smiled softly, but didn't return his gaze.
After they'd eaten, Kitsurubami suggested they go down to the park and hang out. He complained that it was still wet outside, but eventually gave in and went along with her.
Naota: Its wet.
Kitsurubami: (sitting down on a dampened swing) Its not that bad.
Naota: You can't even sit down anywhere...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: So ... at your work... What do you do anyway...?
Kitsurubami: Our bureau is in charge of all extraterrestrial contact in this galaxy, regulating all planetary interaction and movement...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: In other words; no one can go anywhere without our permission... Sort of like a galactic hall monitor.
Naota: Hmm...
Kitsurubami: Yeah ... its a rough job ... every year, the immigration rates double, and they'll only get worse with time.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Its ... tedious...
Naota: You work with that Amarao guy, right...?
Kitsurubami: He's my C.O.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: You don't like him much ... do you?
Naota: I don't care... S'not like I know him or anything...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: What's the deal with him, anyway?
Kitsurubami: What do you mean?
Naota: I mean... Does he really know Haruko...?
Kitsurubami: I guess neither one of them told you the whole story, huh?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: From what I understand, Amarao met Haruko when he was about your age... In pretty much the same way you did ... and under the same circumstances.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: After the ordeal was over, he never really got over her...
Naota: So, that's why he's always trying to catch her?
Kitsurubami: Something like that...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: (scoffing) What kind of motive is that?
Kitsurubami: My guess is that he's still in love with her.
Naota: (thinking, distantly) Am I still in love with her? (aloud) Adults don't make any sense.
Kitsurubami: I hear ya, there...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Off the record... What are you and her ... in terms of relationships...?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: I don't know... I mean, she's hard to read... I never really know how she's feeling, or what she's feeling... Or if she feels anything for that matter...
Kitsurubami: Everyone feels something...
Naota: I guess I don't know how she feels about me or anything...
Kitsurubami: But, how do you feel about HER?
Naota: I... I don't know... She's okay, I guess.
Kitsurubami: Do you ... love her?
Naota: ... No...
Kitsurubami: You sound kind of unsure...
Naota: I don't know...
Kitsurubami: Mixed emotions?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: I understand.
Naota: ... You do...?
Kitsurubami: Sure. You don't know how to feel about her. You want to love her, but you're afraid to get close at the risk of getting hurt. Like the story "The Hedgehog's Dilemma..." The closer they get, the more they hurt each other... You think its best to keep distance, when in actuality, distance doesn't prevent pain, its just prevents that kind of pain... So you tether yourself between being close enough to touch, but far enough away to avoid being held...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: (late) What do you mean "love her?!"
Kitsurubami: (chuckling) ...
Naota: I never said I was in love with anyone!
Kitsurubami: I never said "in love."
Naota, realizing his blunder, blushed and turned away. Why did it always seem that every girl in his life could read him like a newspaper?
Kitsurubami: But, that's okay.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Its a nice feeling ... being in love...
Naota: I'm not in love!
Kitsurubami: Okay.
Naota: I'm not!
Kitsurubami: I believe you.
Naota: How I can I be in love with someone who's insane?! I mean, have you seen the way she drives? She's so reckless. And she's irresponsible, too. She's like a kid or something. she can't even pick up after herself... (thinking) and she SUPPOSED to be our HOUSEKEEPER!
Kitsurubami: (quietly) You're blushing...
Naota: What?
Kitsurubami: (snickering) Nothing.
Naota: Stop that! Its not funny!
Kitsurubami: (laughing) I'm sorry, you're just so easy to make fun of! You should really learn to lighten up...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami's laughter is cut short by sudden ringing of her cellphone.
Kitsurubami: Hello?
Pause.
Kitsurubami: Yes.
Pause.
Kitsurubami: Yes.
Pause.
Kitsurubami: No.
Pause.
Kitsurubami: What...?!
Pause.
Kitsurubami: Yes, he's right here... I could bring him if...!
Pause.
Kitsurubami: WHAT...!?
Before she could say anything else, the ground beneath them erupted into a geyser of dirt and stone. Naota managed to jump up and catch her in time to avoid being crushed under falling rocks. From the hole in the ground, a shadowy figure rose up. As the light hit it, it reflected the sun's rays with its shiny metal armor. It had a large body connected to a thick trunk, which ended in a mass of cable-like tentacles that squirmed and thrashed around beneath it. Its head was enormous, ridiculously disproportional with rest of its body. Two giant arms emerged out of either side of the thing, wiggling their fingers idly.
Kitsurubami: Eww...
Naota: I'll take care of this...
Naota landed softly and put Kitsurubami on a picnic table a ways away. Then, turning to the monster, he drew his guitar and got ready to attack.
Naota: (thinking) Is it just me, or does it seem like every time I leave the house, I end up fighting another one of these things...?
The metallic creature hissed through the "vent" over its "mouth." If Naota didn't know any better, he'd think it was being impatient. He smiled inwardly and dashed in for the first attack. As he expected, the robot sent out a barrage of tentacle attacks, but Naota saw each one in time to make a clean dodge. Just as he neared the trunk, something struck him from behind. The force knocked him off balance. He reeled forward and bounced over the wet park grass. When he stopped rolling, Naota sat up and rubbed the back of his head.
Naota: (thinking) That REALLY hurt. Where'd it come from anyway?
He raised his eyes to the robot, scanning its body for the newfound threat. Suddenly a voice from behind made him look up.
Haruko: LAUNCH TIME!!!
Like the mad woman she always proved to be, the pink-haired alien came flying through the air, guitar in hand. The spun in mid air and landed a rough kick to the monster's fat head. The impact made his body quiver and fall back. Haruko bounced back and landed a few yards in front of Naota.
Haruko: Hey, Takkun!
Naota: Haruko...?! What are you doing here?!
Haruko: I was in the neighborhood (grinning) Happy to see me?
Naota: Whatever... I don't need your help.
Haruko: Yeah, I'd say you were getting yourself clobbered quite nicely all by yourself!
Naota: Oh, shut up.
Haruko: That thing on its head, I think its some sort of hidden laser prism. If you can divert its attention for a few seconds, I can probably take it out before he can use it again... So what do you say... Help me out...?
Naota: (thinking) Huh...? This isn't Haruko ... since when does Haruko ever need help with anything? She's always been so selfish, its only normal to assume that she doesn't need to depend on anyone... And yet here she is, including me in her plans ... asking me for my opinion ... needing my help...
Haruko: Yo! Takkun! That robots not going to stay down forever! Are you gonna help or what?
Naota: Right.
Haruko: Okay! On your mark, get ready... LAUNCH!
Naota scrambled to his feet and veered hard to the left, while Haruko came in from the right. By this time, the robot had recovered enough of its senses to begin standing, slowly. It saw Naota first and immediately shot a mass of tentacles his way. Naota dodged some and batted the rest away with his guitar as he advanced. He zigged and zagged, ducked and dodged.
Naota: (thinking) Almost there!
Naota glanced up above the monster just in time to see her about to deal him a blow on the head. The robot turned, seemingly following his gaze. With a free tentacle, the robot reached out and batted her away like a house fly. The hit sent Haruko falling back to the ground.
Naota: (quietly) Haruko!
Naota turned off course and made a mad dash to catch her before she crashed, painfully to Earth. With his free arm, Naota grabbed her around the waist. She went limp in his arm, apparently unconscious.
Naota: Haruko!
Kitsurubami looked away from him to see the monster charging up for another laser attack. She barely managed to choke out a warning in her excitement.
Kitsurubami: NAOTA, LOOK OUT!
Naota turned his head and spotted the attacking monster. Naota's eyes were locked in a cold, menacing glare. With a muffled grunt, Naota cocked his upper body back and swung forward, sending his guitar at the thing like a missile. The body of the blue Rickenbacker wedged into the center of the robot's fat head, and stuck soundly. Everything went silent. no one moved an inch.
Kitsurubami: (hesitantly) Is... it... over...?
Suddenly, the hulking metal mutant began to convulse, violently. It quaked away in a furious seizure.
Kitsurubami: WHAAAA! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Haruko: (coming to) Huh...?
Naota: ...
Haruko: What the...? Is it...? Is it self-destructing?
Naota: !!!
Kitsurubami: !!!
Then came the flash of light. The robot lit up in a soundless orb of white. The orb engulfed it completely, then expanded out, engulfing everything. Seconds after, came the roar of the explosion. Debris and smoke filled the air. Rumble and flames covered the ground. Floating just above the forming mushroom cloud was Naota with Haruko under one arm, and Kitsurubami under the other.
Kitsurubami: (shocked) Wow...
Haruko: You can say that again...
Kitsurubami: (again) Wow...
---------------------
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: Directors can be so annoying, sometimes. They're just like children! When they don't get their way, they just cry about it... Isn't that right, Tsuru-kun?
Tsurumaki: Shut up! I'm working!
Haruko: Point proven... Next on Fooly Cooly: Episode 13: Cat Scratch Fever!
Naota: Hey! What do you think...?! STOP THAT!
Haruko: (teasingly) Aww... Is Takkun still shy?
Naota: Give that back!
Haruko: Nope.
Naota: I said, "Give it back!"
Haruko: And what if I don't?
Naota stood, partially hidden in his doorway, groping desperately through from behind his door. Haruko stood in the hallway, one hand resting on her hip, the other dangling Naota's last pair of underwear, just out of his reach.
Haruko: Come and get 'em, Takkun...
Naota: I'm not kidding! Give them back, NOW!
Haruko: Oh, come on... Its not like you've got anything I haven't seen...
Naota scowled and blushed violently. He pulled the door closer and mad another quick grab for the blue boxers. Haruko snatched them back and stuck out her tongue.
Haruko: Aww, come on, Takkun! You almost had it that time!
Naota: Stop it! I have to go to school!
Haruko: Since when are you so interested in going to school, huh?
Naota: Believe it or not, not everyone is as irresponsible and immature as you...
Haruko: (pretending to look hurt) Ow, Takkun! (grinning) That's really something coming from a kid who still wears... (examining the boxers, closely) ... What are those? ... Horses ... polar bears...?
Naota took full advantage of her diverted attention and flung his arm at the underwear. Haruko saw the assault coming and jumped back. Having lost his target, Naota crashed down on the hallway. Naota pulled himself up on his hands and knees, a bit dazed.
Haruko: Hmmm... Not bad...
Naota blushed again as he bolted up, snatched his underpants away from the alien and stormed back to his room.
Haruko: Aww, don't be mad, Takkun! Nothing to be ashamed of!
Naota slammed his door and began to dress. His face burned with a mix of anger and humiliation. It had been like this for the last few days now. It was almost like she'd never left. She was still up to her same antics, constantly teasing him, trying to get under his skin.
Naota: (thinking) I wished just grow up. She acts like a little kid ... so immature... (shaking his head) She's playing with my head...
After he was dressed, Naota headed downstairs and grabbed his bookbag. Without a word to anyone (not that anyone was there) Naota left the house. He'd only made it half a block before Canti came running up behind him. Naota turned to the robot and raise his eyebrow, curiously. Canti waved a brown paper lunch bag at the boy. Naota took it, nodded and went about his way.
Naota: (thinking) at least SOMEBODY has their head on their shoulders, these days. Ever since Haruko came back, everything's been so crazy ... chaotic ... just like before...
Naota tried to force away a small smile as he continued on his way to school.
School was much the same as it had been everyday before, boring. The highlight of his day was when Gaku and Masashi asked him if he wanted to come to the arcade with them after school. Naota was a bit taken aback by the offer (since he hadn't actually spoken to them in two and a half months). Despite his surprise, Naota hid his shock and quietly declined. He really didn't feel like it.
It had been three days since he'd heard from Kitsurubami, not since Haruko came back. He figured she was probably busy with her work or something. But, that didn't really make him feel any better. He couldn't help but flash back to the night he rolled over to find her in his bed. Besides the shock, it was actually pretty nice. Not like when Mamimi was cuddling him down by the river or when Haruko was straddling him in nothing but a bath towel. It was centered somehow. Balanced. He couldn't really describe it.
After the last bell, Naota slowly made his way out to the parking lot. Most of the kids had already left, but there were still enough left to make it hard to get out. Out of the corner of his eye, Naota caught a familiar face among the crowd. Hiding the grin spreading over his face, Naota walked over and stopped a few yards away.
Naota: Hey.
Kitsurubami: Hey, stranger.
Naota: You're the one who hasn't been around...
Kitsurubami: I've been working, a lot.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Want to go get something to eat?
Despite the fact that it had rained earlier that day, it was actually nice out. Naota watched as the world outside his car window passed by. Naota sighed and glanced over at Kitsurubami. She must have sensed his gaze, because she turned and smiled.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: So, where do you want to eat?
Naota: I don't care...
Kitsurubami: I'm in the mood for ... ramen.
Naota: Whatever.
Kitsurubami: Ramen it is then.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: So, how have you been?
Naota: Okay, I guess.
Kitsurubami: Must be pretty crazy at your house with Haruko there...
Naota: Its no big deal...
Kitsurubami: She's... quite the character, isn't she?
Naota: I guess.
Kitsurubami: You must clash, a lot, huh?
Naota: Huh?
Kitsurubami: I mean, she's such a free spirit, so chaotic and wild... And you're so ... practical ... reserved, even...
Naota: (shrugs) ...
Kitsurubami: Its pretty interesting, actually...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: There are very few people like her ... people who are so free at heart ... completely groundless...
Naota: She's childish.
Naota was now looking out of the window again.
Kitsurubami: Huh...?
Naota: And reckless. She has no regard for anything or anyone. She just does what she wants without think about the consequences. She thinks everything is a game, or something. She never grows up...
Kitsurubami: Isn't that why you like her?
Naota eyes widened and he turned to look at her. She smiled softly, but didn't return his gaze.
After they'd eaten, Kitsurubami suggested they go down to the park and hang out. He complained that it was still wet outside, but eventually gave in and went along with her.
Naota: Its wet.
Kitsurubami: (sitting down on a dampened swing) Its not that bad.
Naota: You can't even sit down anywhere...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: So ... at your work... What do you do anyway...?
Kitsurubami: Our bureau is in charge of all extraterrestrial contact in this galaxy, regulating all planetary interaction and movement...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: In other words; no one can go anywhere without our permission... Sort of like a galactic hall monitor.
Naota: Hmm...
Kitsurubami: Yeah ... its a rough job ... every year, the immigration rates double, and they'll only get worse with time.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Its ... tedious...
Naota: You work with that Amarao guy, right...?
Kitsurubami: He's my C.O.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: You don't like him much ... do you?
Naota: I don't care... S'not like I know him or anything...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: What's the deal with him, anyway?
Kitsurubami: What do you mean?
Naota: I mean... Does he really know Haruko...?
Kitsurubami: I guess neither one of them told you the whole story, huh?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: From what I understand, Amarao met Haruko when he was about your age... In pretty much the same way you did ... and under the same circumstances.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: After the ordeal was over, he never really got over her...
Naota: So, that's why he's always trying to catch her?
Kitsurubami: Something like that...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: (scoffing) What kind of motive is that?
Kitsurubami: My guess is that he's still in love with her.
Naota: (thinking, distantly) Am I still in love with her? (aloud) Adults don't make any sense.
Kitsurubami: I hear ya, there...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Off the record... What are you and her ... in terms of relationships...?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: I don't know... I mean, she's hard to read... I never really know how she's feeling, or what she's feeling... Or if she feels anything for that matter...
Kitsurubami: Everyone feels something...
Naota: I guess I don't know how she feels about me or anything...
Kitsurubami: But, how do you feel about HER?
Naota: I... I don't know... She's okay, I guess.
Kitsurubami: Do you ... love her?
Naota: ... No...
Kitsurubami: You sound kind of unsure...
Naota: I don't know...
Kitsurubami: Mixed emotions?
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: I understand.
Naota: ... You do...?
Kitsurubami: Sure. You don't know how to feel about her. You want to love her, but you're afraid to get close at the risk of getting hurt. Like the story "The Hedgehog's Dilemma..." The closer they get, the more they hurt each other... You think its best to keep distance, when in actuality, distance doesn't prevent pain, its just prevents that kind of pain... So you tether yourself between being close enough to touch, but far enough away to avoid being held...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: ...
Naota: (late) What do you mean "love her?!"
Kitsurubami: (chuckling) ...
Naota: I never said I was in love with anyone!
Kitsurubami: I never said "in love."
Naota, realizing his blunder, blushed and turned away. Why did it always seem that every girl in his life could read him like a newspaper?
Kitsurubami: But, that's okay.
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami: Its a nice feeling ... being in love...
Naota: I'm not in love!
Kitsurubami: Okay.
Naota: I'm not!
Kitsurubami: I believe you.
Naota: How I can I be in love with someone who's insane?! I mean, have you seen the way she drives? She's so reckless. And she's irresponsible, too. She's like a kid or something. she can't even pick up after herself... (thinking) and she SUPPOSED to be our HOUSEKEEPER!
Kitsurubami: (quietly) You're blushing...
Naota: What?
Kitsurubami: (snickering) Nothing.
Naota: Stop that! Its not funny!
Kitsurubami: (laughing) I'm sorry, you're just so easy to make fun of! You should really learn to lighten up...
Naota: ...
Kitsurubami's laughter is cut short by sudden ringing of her cellphone.
Kitsurubami: Hello?
Pause.
Kitsurubami: Yes.
Pause.
Kitsurubami: Yes.
Pause.
Kitsurubami: No.
Pause.
Kitsurubami: What...?!
Pause.
Kitsurubami: Yes, he's right here... I could bring him if...!
Pause.
Kitsurubami: WHAT...!?
Before she could say anything else, the ground beneath them erupted into a geyser of dirt and stone. Naota managed to jump up and catch her in time to avoid being crushed under falling rocks. From the hole in the ground, a shadowy figure rose up. As the light hit it, it reflected the sun's rays with its shiny metal armor. It had a large body connected to a thick trunk, which ended in a mass of cable-like tentacles that squirmed and thrashed around beneath it. Its head was enormous, ridiculously disproportional with rest of its body. Two giant arms emerged out of either side of the thing, wiggling their fingers idly.
Kitsurubami: Eww...
Naota: I'll take care of this...
Naota landed softly and put Kitsurubami on a picnic table a ways away. Then, turning to the monster, he drew his guitar and got ready to attack.
Naota: (thinking) Is it just me, or does it seem like every time I leave the house, I end up fighting another one of these things...?
The metallic creature hissed through the "vent" over its "mouth." If Naota didn't know any better, he'd think it was being impatient. He smiled inwardly and dashed in for the first attack. As he expected, the robot sent out a barrage of tentacle attacks, but Naota saw each one in time to make a clean dodge. Just as he neared the trunk, something struck him from behind. The force knocked him off balance. He reeled forward and bounced over the wet park grass. When he stopped rolling, Naota sat up and rubbed the back of his head.
Naota: (thinking) That REALLY hurt. Where'd it come from anyway?
He raised his eyes to the robot, scanning its body for the newfound threat. Suddenly a voice from behind made him look up.
Haruko: LAUNCH TIME!!!
Like the mad woman she always proved to be, the pink-haired alien came flying through the air, guitar in hand. The spun in mid air and landed a rough kick to the monster's fat head. The impact made his body quiver and fall back. Haruko bounced back and landed a few yards in front of Naota.
Haruko: Hey, Takkun!
Naota: Haruko...?! What are you doing here?!
Haruko: I was in the neighborhood (grinning) Happy to see me?
Naota: Whatever... I don't need your help.
Haruko: Yeah, I'd say you were getting yourself clobbered quite nicely all by yourself!
Naota: Oh, shut up.
Haruko: That thing on its head, I think its some sort of hidden laser prism. If you can divert its attention for a few seconds, I can probably take it out before he can use it again... So what do you say... Help me out...?
Naota: (thinking) Huh...? This isn't Haruko ... since when does Haruko ever need help with anything? She's always been so selfish, its only normal to assume that she doesn't need to depend on anyone... And yet here she is, including me in her plans ... asking me for my opinion ... needing my help...
Haruko: Yo! Takkun! That robots not going to stay down forever! Are you gonna help or what?
Naota: Right.
Haruko: Okay! On your mark, get ready... LAUNCH!
Naota scrambled to his feet and veered hard to the left, while Haruko came in from the right. By this time, the robot had recovered enough of its senses to begin standing, slowly. It saw Naota first and immediately shot a mass of tentacles his way. Naota dodged some and batted the rest away with his guitar as he advanced. He zigged and zagged, ducked and dodged.
Naota: (thinking) Almost there!
Naota glanced up above the monster just in time to see her about to deal him a blow on the head. The robot turned, seemingly following his gaze. With a free tentacle, the robot reached out and batted her away like a house fly. The hit sent Haruko falling back to the ground.
Naota: (quietly) Haruko!
Naota turned off course and made a mad dash to catch her before she crashed, painfully to Earth. With his free arm, Naota grabbed her around the waist. She went limp in his arm, apparently unconscious.
Naota: Haruko!
Kitsurubami looked away from him to see the monster charging up for another laser attack. She barely managed to choke out a warning in her excitement.
Kitsurubami: NAOTA, LOOK OUT!
Naota turned his head and spotted the attacking monster. Naota's eyes were locked in a cold, menacing glare. With a muffled grunt, Naota cocked his upper body back and swung forward, sending his guitar at the thing like a missile. The body of the blue Rickenbacker wedged into the center of the robot's fat head, and stuck soundly. Everything went silent. no one moved an inch.
Kitsurubami: (hesitantly) Is... it... over...?
Suddenly, the hulking metal mutant began to convulse, violently. It quaked away in a furious seizure.
Kitsurubami: WHAAAA! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Haruko: (coming to) Huh...?
Naota: ...
Haruko: What the...? Is it...? Is it self-destructing?
Naota: !!!
Kitsurubami: !!!
Then came the flash of light. The robot lit up in a soundless orb of white. The orb engulfed it completely, then expanded out, engulfing everything. Seconds after, came the roar of the explosion. Debris and smoke filled the air. Rumble and flames covered the ground. Floating just above the forming mushroom cloud was Naota with Haruko under one arm, and Kitsurubami under the other.
Kitsurubami: (shocked) Wow...
Haruko: You can say that again...
Kitsurubami: (again) Wow...
---------------------
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: Directors can be so annoying, sometimes. They're just like children! When they don't get their way, they just cry about it... Isn't that right, Tsuru-kun?
Tsurumaki: Shut up! I'm working!
Haruko: Point proven... Next on Fooly Cooly: Episode 13: Cat Scratch Fever!