My Angel Story
Disclaimer: Sorry for not updating, a lot of things have come up. Anyways, this chapter is
an R&R chapter, but it's good. Kiyoko reflects on her past fights and gets
ready for her next match with a 'star Deus'. Who'll it be? I won't say...
yet. I don't own Angelic Layer or any of the original characters. I DO own
Kiyoko Yume, Angel Raishinshi, Kiyoko's friends and family, Saburo,
Angel Higure, and any other Angels and characters that may pop up. BTW,
you have my permission to use any of Kiyoko, Tamiko, or Saburo's
opponent Angels, but you have to let me know ahead of time so I know not
to sue.
And I'd also like to say that I don't own the music or the lyrics to the Image
Song, "BlackBird". I do, however, wanna get the translation (I've been dying
of curiosity for about a half a year). So if any of you can translate, don't
hesitate to e-mail me (only if you want to, I'm not forcing anyone). Now,
read away!
Battle 11: "I Want to Be Ready! Kiyoko's Training Day!"
The crowd was going nuts as the 11th match began. Up in the Video Room, five adults were watching the fight at hand. Two were Icchan and an exhausted Ogata. The other three were other assistants. One was a tanned man with dark hair and a brown business suit. The other two were girls: one was young with auburn hair, a yellow feminine suit, and a red skirt. The other was older with brown hair, a long, dark skirt, and a fancy purple shirt. The girls and Ogata were at the computers, Ogata cringing at the whoopy cushion under him, and Icchan and the other man were watching what was on the video screen.
The screen showed the current match, three minutes into the fight. The West Corner Angel was dressed in an emerald and sea green tie-dye bathing suit- like outfit with sleeves. She had gold rings around her wrists and brown sandals on her feet. A short white skirt was around her waist. Her eyes and hair were both sea green and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A white Angel Cord hung from the ponytail. This Angel was currently charging another Angel that was in the East Corner. This was the Angel Icchan had wanted to see.
The Angel was a boy and he had dark hair that gave off a navy blue sheen, it stopped past his shoulder blades and was straight. His outfit was purple and black with purple boots that reached his knees and violet Angel Cords on his upper arms. His skin was very tanned and his eyes were a bright brown-red-orange color. He was waiting for the approaching Angel in a boxing position. The girl Angel, when in range, started punching at the boy Angel. But the boy Angel dodged all of the hits and back flipped away.
"It's hard to believe she just started the game last week," the man in the brown suit, Inada Shuji, commented, "she handles her Angel very well."
The screen got a shot of both Deus'. The girl in the West Corner had curly dark hair and was in a green High School uniform. She looked tensely at the Layer. The girl in the East Corner had brown hair that went a short ways past her shoulders and a blue and white Eriol Academy Middle School uniform. She was looking at her Angel, watching him carefully. Icchan smiled at the site of her.
"She 'is' something, isn't she?" he said, "reminds me a bit of when I was coaching Misaki."
Ogata glanced up from his computer screen.
"Is that why you're coaching 'her' now?" he asked, "because she reminds you of the Layer Champ?"
Icchan grinned at his assistant.
"Wrong!" he announced, "another half hour on that whoopy cushion."
Ogata groaned as Icchan looked back at the screen. The green Angel charged again. This time, she leapt into a flying kick. The purple Angel sidestepped the kick and delivered a fast left jab to her back as she passed him. The girl Angel toppled over and her Damage went down. The curly haired Deus tensed even more while the brunette stayed steady. As the green Angel picked herself up, the auburn haired girl looked up.
"It's rare that you find beginners with that talent," Fujimori Hiromi stated, "most Deus' are either reckless, nervous, or just plain rush into battle. Suzuhara Misaki and her mother are two of those rare Deus' who are more in control during a match."
"As is Kobayashi, Saito, and Jounouchi," Shuji added.
Icchan nodded in agreement. He watched the purple Angel dodge the green Angels' fast jabs.
"Yes, even Seto and Fujisaki sisters have exceptional control over their Angels," he stated, watching as the purple Angel finally got around the opponents punches and gave her a right hook across the face.
The brown haired woman glanced at the data that she was receiving from the match.
"I can't believe all those victories they've had so far," Inada Yuko admitted, "it has to be luck."
"It could be," Icchan noted, "but the fact that she put effort into her matches and cares about her Angel proves she's worthy of being called a rare Deus. Especially with how she won against three regulars, tough regulars at that."
The green Angel recovered and delivered a spin kick that the purple Angel blocked. Shuji looked at him carefully.
"I'll agree with you there," he said, "Shadow Panther is a quick Angel and Colossus is a strong one. And her Angel managed to take them both out by using their strengths to his advantage."
"I was more impressed when she and her Angel beat Katalina," Yuko said, "that was a risky move. Her Angel could have been severely damaged."
Back on screen, the purple Angel had successfully executed a reverse left spin kick, and sent the opponent sprawling across the Layer.
"True, but she had complete faith in her Angel," Icchan commented, "she knew he could do it. Confidence and faith are two important things in an Angel Fight. It's a pity most Deus' take it for granted."
The green Angel had gotten up and was running for the boy Angel.
"By the way," Icchan said, "have any of you watched those DVD's I brought in?"
The purple Angel put up a block while the assistants hesitated. Only Hiromi spoke up.
"I did, Chief," she said, "I thought it was interesting. Confusing a bit, but still pretty interesting."
The girl Angel did a jump kick, but the boy Angel moved away at the last second.
"Glad you liked the show, but did you, unlike some 'other' people," Icchan hesitated, shooting the other assistants a look, "notice any similarities between character and Angel?"
The green Angel ran at the purple Angel again and punched with all her might, green eyes narrowed. But her opponent sidestepped, grabbed her wrist, and flung her over his shoulder. The screen zoomed in on the purple Angels' face. Hiromi smiled.
"If he had wings and pointed ears, he'd be just like his counterpart," she stated, then turned to the others, "didn't you see a bit of it? It was good in my opinion."
Ogata shrugged.
"I thought it was too," he admitted, but then made a face, "although the character he was based after overreacted and yelled a lot. How could 'she' like that guy?"
The green Angel got up again and glared at the boy Angel before charging.
"You're just looking at his negative side," Icchan said, turning to the screen, "his positive side is what she saw. And he really does have good qualities if you give him the chance."
Halfway to the boy Angel, the girl Angel leapt into the air, and sailed towards him.
"But Chief, what does the Anime character that this Angel was based after have to do with him and his Deus' skill?" Yuko asked, puzzled.
The girl Angel aimed one knee at the boy Angels' face as she descended. The boy Angel tensed.
"They say that when you create an Angel, you not only fill it with a part of yourself, but with your ideas and dreams as well. In this case, she based her Angel off of an Anime character she likes, one who's filled with a righteous spirit," Icchan explained, "combined with the Deus' skill and faith, that's a winning combination."
Just as the green Angel came down, the purple Angel jumped back, letting the green Angel crash her knees onto the Layer surface. She looked up to face her opponent...only to get a right spin kick in the face. She fell to the Layer, but was still functioning. That was when the buzzer sounded.
"Angels Time!"
The screen zoomed in on the stats of the Angels. The purple Angels' Damage Gauge was untouched, but the green Angels' Damage was at 45%. The crowd was quiet as the announcer talked.
"Since neither of the Angels were knocked out of the Layer and no Angels' Damage reached zero, the winner will be determined by judging which Angel inflicted the most Damage!" the announcer announced, indicating to the screens on the Box Screen above the Layer, "and as anyone can see, Raishinshi has been leading the fight from the start." The screen replayed the image of Raishinshi striking the green Angel. "Right down to that last powerhouse kick! So, the winner is....."
Everyone waited.
"Raishinshi!" the purple Angel's picture flashed across the screen as the crowd went nuts.
Back in the Video Room, Icchan smiled as the 12 year-old smiled at her Angel.
"I personally like her style," he admitted, "she may be a beginner, but she and her Angel are fierce fighters."
The five watched the event that happened next. Raishinshi walked over to the green Angel, whose head was lowered like her Deus. The boy Angel extended a hand to the girl Angel. The Deus looked up at the scene and blinked in confusion. But, aside from that, the beaten Angel took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. The audience cheered louder.
"Not to mention she has a love for the game and the Angels who play in it," Icchan added, watching the two Angels smile at one another, run towards their respective Deus', and leap out of the Layer into the two girls' arms.
"I'll agree there, Chief," Shuji said, watching the two girls leave their seats and shake hands, "they're something else."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko smiled down at Raishinshi as they headed back for the waiting room. The purple Angel was sleeping once again in his Deus' hands.
"That was a good match Raishinshi," she told him, "you were terrific."
"What did you expect?"
Kiyoko's eyes widened and her head shot up. Standing before her was Yukiwa Saburo, dark outfit and all. Higure was perched on his right forearm; arms crossed and head down. She swallowed as Saburo narrowed his navy eyes.
"You were fighting another newbie, one with hardly ANY experience," he said, "it's only natural that you'd win. You'd be really pathetic if you 'did' lose."
Kiyoko bit her lip and held Raishinshi close. This was the first time she had been around Saburo since the day she lost to him.
"Well, I didn't," she said in a low voice, "and I got this far didn't I? So I'm not pathetic." She said the last part more firmly.
Saburo shrugged.
"I didn't exactly say that you were, but you've still got a lot to learn if you want to make it any farther," he stated, walking past her.
Kiyoko stood still as he past her, feeling the memories of that one battle creeping up on her. She turned as he walked towards the Layer area.
"Where are you going?" she asked, quietly.
"I'm up next," he said, without turning around, "stick around if you want. You'll have a much better view than the one in the waiting room."
Kiyoko blinked and watched him head out.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Get ready Ladies and Gentlemen!" the announcer cried, "Battle 12 is here!"
The crowd cheered as Saburo entered the Layer area.
"In the East Corner, the Speed King, Deus Yukiwa Saburo and Angel Higure, the Flying Shadow!" the announcer announced as the boy in black took his seat.
Another Deus came from the West side. A girl wearing an Eriol Academy High School uniform walked into the Layer area. She had short dark hair and green eyes that were nervously starring at Saburo. She held her Angel close to her chest. The Angel had long, aqua hair that was tied in a braid. She wore a green tank top with a dark blue scarf trailing behind her, ending in a gold point. She wore a dark blue skirt that stopped above her knees and green, ankle-length boots. Her complexion was pale against her bright sea colors.
"And in the West Corner," the announcer continued, "Deus Monota Jun and Angel Marina!"
Jun took her seat and put her Angel Goggles on. Both she and Saburo turned their Goggles on and waited.
"Entry Angel!"
At the sound of the buzzer, the stats filled out on the Box Screen, and the force field shimmered into place. Both Angel Chairs were raised and Saburo went first without hesitation. He held out Higure and looked down at him.
"Run fast! Strike hard! Never quit, Higure!" he announced, and then hurled his Angel towards the Layer, "Angel, Fall in!"
The black and violet Angel passed through the force field, a gold glow surrounding him, and he instantly opened his violet eyes. He straightened up and silently floated to the Layer. He landed, hands in his pockets, face set in a bored gaze.
The audience cheered, especially the girls. It was Juns' turn now. She held Marina close to her chest.
"With the might of the sea, topple your foe, Marina!" she cried, and tossed her Angel towards the Layer, "Angel, Fall in!"
Marina slid through the force field and glowed. She lifted her head and opened her ocean blue eyes. The glow faded as she twirled down towards the Layer and landed perfectly on her feet. She stared at Higure.
"Ready?!" the announcer cried, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded. Marina ran forward, towards Higure. Higure did nothing but watch her approach. When she was within striking distance, Marina executed a flurry of punches aimed right at Higure. But the Flying Shadow, in an impressive display of speed, dodged every single punch. Marina grit her teeth and started punching faster, but Higure kept ducking and sidestepping at amazing speed. Jun grit her teeth and leaned forward. Saburo, on the other hand, remained calm and didn't move in his seat.
"Looks like Angel Marina is having trouble, but it comes as no surprise!" the announcer declared, a cheering audience behind him, "no one in this region has ever 'touched' Higure, much less strike him except for the Layer Champ! Will this match be any different?"
Saburo stifled a smirk.
(No, it won't,) he thought.
Then a memory came to him. It occurred a week ago. He and the newbie Deus Yume Kiyoko fought in a mini-Tournament at the local Piffle Princess. He disliked her attitude towards the Layer and challenged her to a fight. He won, of course, but not before her Angel grabbed a hold of Higure and nearly gave him a Layer Out.
(She and her Angel, aside from 'him' and the Champion, are the first ones to touch Higure in two years,) he thought, his lips forming a frown, (they have the same last name and the fighting style looks the same, but she's still nowhere near ready to face me.)
Back on the Layer, Marina was now adding kicks to her onslaught, but Higure continued to dodge. Finally, Higure leapt over the ocean Angels' head, and landed smoothly behind her.
(And I don't intend to lose again like before,) Saburo continued to think, (I've come here to prove myself. And I'll start by facing 'her' again.)
Higure, in one fast move, turned to his left side and spread his legs out. He bent his right leg, lowered his left arm, palm down, and pulled back his right arm, palm facing forward. Marina turned to face him, but it was too late. The air around Higure's drawn palm began to shimmer and ripple. Higure stepped forward with his right leg, leaned forward, drew his left arm in, and thrust his right palm at Marina's chest. An invisible wave of force shot from his palm and slammed into Marina. With a silent cry, Marina went flying out of the Layer, and landed with an audible click on the floor. The buzzer sounded and the timer stopped at 9 minutes.
No one said nothing for a while and all Jun could do was stare at her defeated Angel in disbelief. The crowd then erupted into cheers as Higure's picture flashed across the screen.
"WOW! That was Higure's special move, 'Gravity Blow'!" the announcer cried, "he's never used it this early in a Tournament! This is another special treat for us!"
Saburo took off his Angel Goggles and went over to Higure, who was still in the same pose he was in when he let loose the move. Saburo took him from the Layer and, ignoring the other Deus, headed for the East Side door.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko blinked in shock. It was so sudden! That other Angel didn't stand a chance! She watched Saburo approach. He noticed her starring and smiled.
"Didn't think you'd see that move again, eh?" he asked.
Kiyoko hugged her Angel close.
"How could you do that?" she asked, a little nervous, "you didn't even give that Angel much of a chance."
Saburo raised an eyebrow.
"Would 'you' give your opponent a chance to attack?" he asked, stopping directly in front of her.
Kiyoko blinked.
"I thought so, besides, the Tokyo Prelims don't concern me," he stated, glancing at Higure, "Higure and I would much rather save our full skills for the Kanto Prelims. This is just a warm-up to us."
Kiyoko didn't know what to say. He was being so casual, as if he did this all the time. Kiyoko swallowed and looked straight at him.
"For someone who doesn't like people acting over-confident in Angelic Layer, you sure seem laid-back about all this," she pointed out.
Saburo gave her a look.
"I've been playing this game for three years total and I've grown stronger each year," he told her, and walked past her again, "I'd be more worried about improving your own skills, newbie. Things are going to be difficult from here on out."
Kiyoko didn't look at him as he walked past her. She still felt uneasy around him, especially when he was this close. After a while, Kiyoko turned around. Saburo was gone and she was alone in the hall with her Angel.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"You ran into Yukiwa Saburo in the hall?!" Ken cried in surprise.
Kiyoko nodded, silently. The Tournament for today was over and everyone was leaving. Kiyoko and her friends were waiting for Mrs. Yume, who was in the Ladies Room. After her friends congratulated her on her win, Kiyoko had told them about her encounter with Saburo. As she had figured, Ken was the first to get upset.
"He didn't hurt you or anything, did he?" Ken questioned, moving closer to Kiyoko, "he didn't try to smash your Angel or anything?"
Upon hearing that, Kiyoko paled a bit at the thought while Tamiko bonked Ken on the head.
"Dummy, you didn't have to say that," she snapped, "who'd smash an Angel anyway?"
But that statement only made Kiyoko pale more. Takumi rolled his eyes and went up to Kiyoko.
"Don't listen to them," he assured, "but 'did' he do or say anything bad to you or to Raishinshi?"
Kiyoko shook her head.
"No," she stated, "you don't have to make such a big deal out of him. It's not like he's a criminal or anything."
Ken gaped at her.
"How can you say that?!" he asked, incredulously, "he nearly trashed Raishinshi and you don't want to call him a criminal for hurting your Angel that way?!"
Kiyoko's eyes widened and she looked away. This time, 'Takumi' bonked Ken on the head.
"Baka, ever think that Kiyoko 'doesn't want' to remember that fight?" he scolded, "besides, hating Yukiwa won't erase what he did."
Kiyoko looked away. It was just her, Tamiko, Takumi, and Ken who were waiting on her mother. Yuri and Aya were waiting outside and Junko's Mom had already picked her up and taken her home. Tamiko's father had to get back to work, so he had left early. Kiyoko didn't like speaking of the fight with Saburo: bad memories came with them.
"Yeah, I know that, but that doesn't mean I can't be mad at him," Ken countered, rubbing his head, "the guy's a jerk."
Tamiko made a face.
"I know and I agree," she said, but then looked back towards where they came from, the Layer area, "but what'll brooding over it do?"
"It makes me feel better," Ken stated, "I gotta blame somebody for that."
"Then blame me."
Everyone turned to Kiyoko. She was looking away, holding Raishinshi close to her.
"It was my fault that that happened," she said, slowly, "I'm the one you should be mad at."
The three friends blinked in surprise.
"Kiyoko, what do you-" Tamiko began, when...
"Okay, I'm ready."
Everyone looked up to see Mrs. Yume walk out of the hall that led to the Ladies Room. She smiled at everyone as she fixed her purse strap.
"Everyone ready to go?" she asked.
Before anyone could reply, Kiyoko stepped forward.
"Uh, Mom?" she asked, "can I go to the restroom?"
Mrs. Yume blinked, but nodded.
"Sure sweetie," she said, "we'll wait for you."
Kiyoko nodded and ran down the hall, wordlessly. Everyone watched her go. Ken gave her a strange look.
"What's up with Kiyoko?" he asked.
Tamiko frowned. She knew what was bugging Kiyoko.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko frowned as she stood in front of the Ladies Room door. Talking about Saburo made her feel uneasy. All she could think about when his name was mentioned was the event that happened at Piffle Princess last week: Higure had used the move he used only a while ago, the Gravity Blow, and had hurt Raishinshi badly with it. She could still see the expression on his face when he was hit.
"And it was all my fault," Kiyoko mumbled, hugging her Angel, "I shouldn't have been so careless."
Sighing, Kiyoko was just about to head back when a noise above stopped her. Looking up, Kiyoko saw that the air-vent had come unlatched, and was hanging open. She blinked.
"Huh?" was all she could say. It wasn't like when she last looked.
Suddenly, a man with glasses and a white lab coat fell feet first through the vent and landed before the young Deus, glasses shinning, and grin present.
"I'M WIGGLY ICCHAN!" he cried, wiggling his body around as he landed.
"EEEEEEP!" Kiyoko cried, jumping back.
Icchan straightened out, but then frowned, and toppled over.
"Gah! Mr. Icchan!" Kiyoko cried, switching being startled to being worried.
Icchan, now lying on the floor, groaned as he looked up at his student.
"You don't know what narrow air ducts can do to the back," he complained as he 'tried' to right himself up.
Kiyoko used her free hand to help her friend up.
"But what were you doing in the air ducts?" she inquired.
Icchan smiled, secretly.
"I was trying to surprise you," he commented, getting onto his knees.
"Well, you succeeded."
"Good."
Kiyoko gave Icchan an unsure look as straightened up and stretched. After a couple seconds, he whirled to face her with a big smile present.
"YOU, my girl, are doing a fantastic job!" he cheered, pointing to her, "you and Raishinshi are doing better than I expected."
Kiyoko smiled.
"Thanks," she said, hugging Raishinshi.
"But that's not the only reason I came," he stated, his facing growing serious, "I wanted to tell you something that you need to know."
Kiyoko blinked and looked up at him.
"It's about your first match tomorrow," Icchan continued, "your opponent is going to be more experienced than you. This won't be just a returning regular or another newbie, you're gonna be fighting a star Deus."
Kiyoko's eyes widened.
"A-A star Deus?" she stuttered, "y-you mean like Fujisaki-san and...and...."
Icchan knew what she was thinking and shook his head.
"Don't worry, it's not Saburo, that I know," he stated, quickly, "but it's going to be a tough opponent."
Kiyoko furrowed her brow and cocked her head to the side.
"How do you know who I'm going to fight next anyway?" she asked, curiously, "the new roster won't be up until tomorrow."
Icchan sweat-dropped and began to laugh, nervously.
"Well...er...um," he stammered, but then grinned, "er, see I have a friend who gets this info for me, but I can't reveal his name. Security reasons, y'know."
Kiyoko stared at him oddly, but nodded.
"Well, okay, but, who's the Deus I have to fight?" she asked, nervousness creeping into her voice.
Icchan opened his mouth to reply, when...
"Kiyoko?"
Startled, Kiyoko turned to see Mrs. Yume coming down the hall towards her.
"Oh, Mom," she said, "what are you doing here?"
Mrs. Yume stopped in front of her daughter and placed her hands on her hips.
"It's just that we're all waiting for you for nearly fifteen minutes," she stated, "I thought you fell in. And now I see that you're not even IN the restroom. Is something wrong? Ken said something about you not looking okay. You're not getting sick are you?"
Kiyoko shook her head and turned around.
"No, I'm fine, I was just talking to...." Kiyoko began, but then gasped when she looked towards Icchan. He was gone! "Huh?? M-Mr. Icchan?"
Mrs. Yume raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Icchan?" she repeated, "the man you met at Piffle Princess?"
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yes, he was here," she explained, "we were talking."
Mrs. Yume's eyebrow went up farther, but she quickly snapped out of it.
"Well, he isn't here now," she said, more calmly now, taking her daughter by the arm, "and your sister will kill me if we have to make her wait any longer."
Kiyoko nodded, glanced at the spot where Icchan had been standing, and let her mother drag her away. But the bit of information that Icchan had given her was still in her head.
("Your opponent is going to be more experienced than you. This won't be just a returning regular or another newbie, you're gonna be fighting a star Deus.")
Kiyoko frowned and held Raishinshi closer as her mother led her back towards the foyer.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As soon as she got home, Kiyoko went to her room. After placing Raishinshi gently on her dresser, she went over to her desk, and started rummaging through her CD holder. She finally found what she was looking for: Senkaiden Houshin Engi Kaen. She took the CD out of its case and headed for her bed. She had left her CD Player there from that morning. She hesitated when she was about to put her CD in.
(I have to fight a star Deus tomorrow,) she thought, lowering her eyelids, (who'll it be?)
CD still in hand, Kiyoko picked up Raishinshi, and headed out the door. She walked past the living room, where Aya was currently resting, and past the kitchen, where Mrs. Yume was starting to cook dinner. She walked down the hall that led to her mother and fathers' room and bathroom. Down the hall, past the two rooms, was another room. On the door, written on a plaque, it read 'Practice Layer'. Switching her CD to the hand with Raishinshi, Kiyoko reached for the knob, turned it, and opened the door. The minute she entered the room, she turned on the lights, and looked in.
Inside was a normal looking room with a gray carpet and pale walls, different from the rest of the house. On the left hand side, there was a medium-sized stereo and some CDs and DVDs scattered on the floor around it. On the right hand side, there was a medium-sized TV that could play both tapes and DVDs if set up. There were a few tapes that were stacked besides it. And in the middle of the room was a small Layer, a bit bigger than the Practice Layers at Piffle Princess. There was a seat on each side, both with Angel Goggles in the seats. Kiyoko walked over and turned the Layer on. The table lit up and the force field went into place.
(It won't hurt to practice,) she thought, setting her Angel and CD down on the seat that had its back to the door.
Putting on her Angel Goggles and turning them on, Kiyoko sat down in the seat, CD in her lap, and Raishinshi in her hand. She looked down at the purple Angel. He was sleeping so peacefully she didn't want to wake him. Kiyoko sighed and drew her arm back.
"Let's Go, Raishinshi!" she cried, tossing her Angel towards the Layer.
Raishinshi slid through the force field and opened his eyes. He front- flipped into a standing position and floated down to the Layer surface.
"Sorry to practice so soon after you got back from the stadium," Kiyoko apologized to her Angel, "I just want to be ready. You heard what Mr. Icchan said: we'll be fighting a star Deus."
Almost as if he heard her, Raishinshi turned, and stared at her. Kiyoko blinked and then looked down at her lap. She saw the CD, smiled, and picked it up.
"I thought that today we should practice while listening to music," Kiyoko said, getting up, and going over to the stereo, "Yuri says that music helps you think sometimes. I think you'll like this song."
Raishinshi said nothing, but watched her as she put in the CD, and turn the stereo on. After getting it to the right track, Kiyoko hit play. At first the sound of wind was heard, but then music started to play. Kiyoko quickly sat back down as the music took on a heavy metal beat.
"It's called 'BlackBird'," she told her Angel, "I hope this helps."
Kiyoko focused on Raishinshi and soon he was in a boxing stance, waiting for his Deus' mental direction. It was then that the words to the song came in.
*Arekuruu inazuma ni*
*Maioriru wa ore-sama no kage*
*Tatakai no moushi ko yo*
Raishinshi started to punch the air in front of him in a series of jabs and hooks. He then dropped his assault and began kicking. Spin kicks, high kicks, even low kicks.
*Hito no tame Yo no tame ni aku wo taosu Sore shika nai ze*
*Hito-tobitatsu ni deru*
As Kiyoko focused on Raishinshi's practice, she couldn't help but think about what Icchan had told her.
(This star Deus,) she wondered, (who is it? Is it Kobayashi-sama? Fujisaki- san? Or even...)
*Dare ka ga yobu!*
*Kuroku hikaru tsubasa wa sora tobu koumori ningen da to*
(...Tamiko?)
At that last thought, Kiyoko halted her focus, causing Raishinshi to stay still.
(No, it couldn't be, it just couldn't,) Kiyoko reasoned, (Mr. Icchan would have told me outright if it were Tamiko-chan.)
The music picked up and the refrain began.
*Mune de sawagitateru jounetsu-domo kuuru-sa buki ni tsukero*
*Tsumi ni nasake wa nai seigi no hero*
(It's not Tamiko,) Kiyoko concluded, (I know it's not. But who is it then?)
Kiyoko shook her head and re-focused.
(I can't worry about that now,) she thought, (we have to practice.)
*Choito machi na yo baby*
*Ore no me ni wa fukanou nante miecha 'nai ze*
Raishinshi came to life again, performing the combo Tamiko had shown Kiyoko. He punched out with his right fist, then his left. He kicked out with his right leg, came down from the kick, turned with his right foot, and kicked out again with his left. The purple Angel then came down from the kick, thrust his right fist forward, and finished the move with a forward left kick. He finished just as the last verse of the refrain took place.
*Kifuu hatsurai Arashi, okosu ze*
(That was perfect,) Kiyoko thought, happily, (we've gotta be ready for tomorrow, Raishinshi.)
Raishinshi came out of the stance of his last move and got into another position. Then the next set of verses in the song came in.
*Yokubou wo buchinomesu*
*Jaaku no wana yurusha shinai ze*
*Kegaru naki shugo-shin yo*
Raishinshi flattened out his hands, like what Shadow Panther had done, and began to swipe at the air. He karate chopped upwards, downwards, diagonally, and even jabbed. Kiyoko scrunched her nose. She wanted to try out the move, but, apparently, she didn't like it.
(That's one weird way to fight,) she thought to herself, then shifted her focus to another issue.
*Kakenukeru tsumujikaze maiagaru wa kuroi densetsu*
(In the fight against Katalina, I could have sworn Raishinshi sped up,) Kiyoko thought, (I think it happened in Colossus' battle too. He was going so fast, faster than usual. I wonder if I could have him do it again?)
*Kouun no BlackBird*
Shrugging, Kiyoko had Raishinshi go over to the other side of the Layer, across from her.
*Dare mo ga sakebu!*
*Heiwa egaku tsubasa wa sora tobu koumori ningen da to*
As soon as Raishinshi was only a few inches away from the Layers' edge on the other side, he broke out into a run. He was going fast, but not as fast as he was going in the Tournament.
(Try to go faster, Raishinshi,) Kiyoko said, mentally.
Raishinshi's brow furrowed and he leaned forward, but no real change in pace occurred.
Kiyoko frowned.
*Ai mo natsukashisa mo mune no oku no umi ni fukaku shizumeyou*
(Why isn't he going as fast as he was in the Tournament?) she thought, (I'm sure I saw him run fast, almost as fast as Suzuka it looked like. Am I doing something wrong?)
*Itsu ka tadoritsukeru seigi no hero*
Kiyoko looked up and gasped. Her thoughts were still on Raishinshi running, therefore Raishinshi was still running....and he was inches away from Layer edge.
"Raishinshi!" she cried, dropping her focus.
*Ore ni horeru na baby*
*Kurayami ni wa asu e tsuzuku jiyuu ga aru sa*
Raishinshi, only an inch away from falling out of the Layer, stopped suddenly, falling on his back in the process, wincing. Kiyoko gasped.
"Oh, Raishinshi, I'm so sorry!" she cried, standing up, "I should have stayed focus."
*Kifuu hatsurai Kiseki, okosu ze*
As the line finished up, the music took over, but Kiyoko hardly noticed as she focused on her Angel.
(Oh, please stand Raishinshi, I didn't mean it,) Kiyoko begged, (I won't forget about you like that again, okay?)
The purple Angel hoisted himself up on his elbows, then hands, then he got into a sitting position. He looked up at Kiyoko with brown-orange eyes. Kiyoko frowned.
"I'm sorry Raishinshi," she apologized, "I won't let you down again. I promise."
As the refrain got ready to begin, Raishinshi pushed himself up on his feet, and stood up. He was still looking up at her. Kiyoko smiled.
*Mune de sawagitateru jounetsu-dom kuuru-sa buki ni tsukero*
"Thanks Raishinshi," Kiyoko said, sitting back down, "let's make this practice count."
As if he had heard her, Raishinshi smiled.
*Tsumi ni nasake wa nai seigi no hero*
Kiyoko focused on some moves. Raishinshi once again began to throw random punches and kicks.
*Choito machi na yo baby*
*Ore no me ni wa fukanou nante miecha 'nai ze*
(Don't worry Raishinshi,) Kiyoko thought to her Angel, (I won't let you down again. You OR Dad.)
*Kifuu hatsurai Arashi, okosu ze*
As the song reached its last line, Raishinshi launched into a flurry of punches and kicks. As the song wrapped up, the sound of lightning echoed from the speakers. And Deus and Angel continued their practice.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An hour later, dinner was ready, and everyone was seated at the table. And everyone meant 'everyone'. Aya, who was sitting to her sisters' left, glanced at the spot on the table to Kiyoko's right. Raishinshi, sleeping once more, was sitting on the edge of the table. Aya made a face.
"Tell me again why you brought your doll to the dinner table?" she asked, sounding slightly annoyed.
Kiyoko didn't look up as she ate her fish.
"All of the family is supposed to come to dinner, right?" she asked, then continued without a reply, "well, Raishinshi is a part of the family now, so he comes to the table too."
Mrs. Yume, who was sitting across from the girls, nodded.
"That's right, Aya," she said, simply, "Raishinshi IS technically a member of the family now. It wouldn't hurt to bring him to the table."
Aya rolled her eyes and groaned.
"I sure hope you don't act like this when company's over," she muttered, stabbing a piece of fish with her fork.
Kiyoko made a face at her sister and went back to eating. After a while, she looked up at her Mom.
"Hey, Mom?" she spoke up, "which Angelic Layer Tournament did Dad enter?"
Mrs. Yume looked up, confused. Aya stared sourly at her food.
"Um, the 5th Official Tournament two years ago, I think," Mrs. Yume replied, after thinking a couple seconds, she then turned to her daughter, "why do you ask?"
Kiyoko herself was deep in thought. A couple of things that she had heard in the past echoed in her mind.
("This' the fist time in two years that anyone's ever even 'touched' Higure, let alone hit him." Saburo had said in Piffle Princess during their match.)
("No one in this region has ever 'touched' Higure, much less strike him except for the Layer Champ!" the announcer had said earlier today, during Saburo's match.)
Kiyoko furrowed her brow.
(Something about two years ago,) she mused, mentally, (I wonder....)
"Anything wrong Kiyoko?" Mrs. Yume asked.
Kiyoko looked up and blinked.
"Oh, um, nothing, I think," she mumbled, but then got up, "I have to use the phone for a minute. Be right back."
With that, Kiyoko ran over to the counter, where the phone was kept, and ran into the hallway. But she hesitated halfway and turned back to Aya.
"And Aya, don't you 'dare' mess with Raishinshi!" she called, running into her room.
Aya blinked and turned to Raishinshi. The purple Angel continued to sleep at the edge of the table. Aya raised an eyebrow.
(Who'd want to mess with a 'doll'?) she wondered, going back to her fish.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ri-
"Hello, Odayaka Residence?"
"Takumi-kun?"
"Huh? Kiyoko? Hey, what's up?"
Kiyoko thought a moment about what she was about to say. It might be nothing, but she had to check it out.
"Uh, Takumi, could you do me a favor?"
"Hmm?" came the waiting reply.
Kiyoko hesitated.
"You know where to go to find Angelic Layer info, right?" she asked.
There was a pause on the other end.
"Um, yeah. I'm the only one in school who knows how to access it," came Takumi's reply, "but what does-"
"Takumi, can you get info and the old roster for the 5th Official Tournament?" Kiyoko said, quickly.
"HUH?!"
"Takumi, please! It's important," Kiyoko begged.
A pause.
"I only go on for info on daily news on Angelic Layer," he said, sounding a little surprised, "not to hack into stuff."
Kiyoko rolled her eyes.
"I'm not asking you to 'hack', I just want you to find something out for me, please?" she begged.
A sigh came from the other end.
"Okay," Takumi said, sounding tired, "what exactly do you want me to find?"
Kiyoko told him.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After dinner and the phone call, Kiyoko went back to the Practice Layer room, but not to practice in the Layer. Tamiko had lent her a couple tapes on the Angelic Layer 3rd Official Tournament. They showed the Tokyo Prelims through the Kanto Semis. The rest of the tapes were at Tamiko's house.
After putting one of the tapes in the VCR, rewinding it to a certain part, and pressing play, Kiyoko sat down in front of the TV with Raishinshi in her lap. She had rewound it to Hikaru and Suzuka's first match together. She watched as both Deus' were introduced and leaned closer. She noticed how both Angels were perched on the Deus' forearms in a sitting styled sitting position. She had noticed that all the other Deus' were the same way: their Angels were perched on their arms. Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi as the match started.
(Everyone but me seems to have their Angels on their forearms,) she realized, as Hikaru made the first move on TV, (I've just been holding Raishinshi. Maybe I should try doing it the way the other Deus' do it.)
She looked up as Hikaru threw a punch at Suzuka, only to have the ninja dodge at a high speed, grab the red Angels' wrist, and flip her over on the Layer. Kiyoko winced.
(At least I know not to charge her,) she thought, (but, then again, how else can you fight if you don't charge?)
She continued to watch the fight, though half of the time, she was thinking more about tomorrows' match than the TV.
(Who's this star Deus? If Saburo and, hopefully, Tamiko aren't the ones, who does that leave?) she thought, as Hikaru and Suzuka continued to attack and dodge, (there's only Kobayashi-sama, Fujisaki-san, and that other Deus, the pop star, Seto Ringo. I think my sister has one of her albums.)
As the fight progressed, Kiyoko noticed something interesting. As Suzuka came at Hikaru, Hikaru quickly dodged. But the ninja cut her off and struck her. Kiyoko blinked. Hikaru got up and tried to dodge Suzuka again. But she was once again cut off and was hit.
(Huh? How did she know where Hikaru was dodging?) Kiyoko wondered, (she cut her off like she knew ahead of time where to go.)
As the action was repeated again, the camera shifted over to Hikaru's Deus. She looked confused. She leaned in a direction as Hikaru, a second later, went in that direction. Suzuka once again cut her off. Kiyoko was still a bit confused until the camera shifted over the Suzuka's Deus. To Kiyoko's surprise, the 5 year old wasn't looking at the Layer or her Angel, she was staring straight ahead, watching the other Deus. At first Kiyoko didn't get it, but then it snapped when she remembered the movement of Hikaru's Deus.
(She was watching where Suzuhara-sama was leaning,) she realized, (Suzuhara- sama leaned in the direction her Angel moved to only a second or so before her. That's why Suzuka cut her off at every turn: Kobayashi-sama was watching Suzuhara-sama!) Kiyoko smiled a bit. (Wow, I've gotta try that sometime.)
The fight continued the way it was going for a while, but then it seemed like Suzuhara-sama had figured out Kobayashi-sama's strategy, and successfully dodged. But, only a few moments later, Suzuka executed the 'Rolling Thunder', striking Hikaru in the front. Hikaru fell to the Layer, her Damage Gauge now empty. The audience cheered, but Kiyoko had stopped the tape before the announcer could come on.
(Okay, Fujisaki-san's match is next,) Kiyoko thought, getting the second tape.
However, the image of the Rolling Thunder remained in her mind.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After another hour on the TV, watching Suzuka, Mao, and Hikaru's fights, Kiyoko called it a night. It was one hour until her bedtime and she had one last reading assignment for school that was nearly finished. She and Raishinshi were heading for her room, when...
"Sis! Get over here!"
Kiyoko couldn't help but smile as she walked towards Aya's room, where her sister was on her computer. But she was glaring at the screen and turned her glare on Kiyoko when she came in.
"Did you mess with my computer?" Aya asked, hotly.
Kiyoko looked as innocent as she could.
"Maybe a little bit yesterday," she said, turning to her sister, "why do you ask?"
Aya pointed at the computer screens' wallpaper. She smiled. It was a 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi' wallpaper that she had put up the other day while her sister was busy shopping with her Mom, right after the Tournament. It was one of Kiyoko's favorite wallpapers: it was done in different shades of blue. All five guys were in it. In background was the flouting mountain in which the immortals resided in. Rock pillars were scattered around in front of it. Taikoubou and Youzen were sitting on opposite sides of the screen, sitting on two pillars. They were smiling at Kiyoko, who smiled back. Behind Youzen, a little to the left, was Kou Tenka. He was standing, not sitting, lightsaber in hand. Behind Taikoubou, floating in the air, was Nataku. He was simply floating, staring straight out at you. But Kiyoko's focus was in the middle of the picture.
Sitting on a pillar in the center of everyone, was Raishinshi. He was sitting with his left leg hanging off the pillar and his right leg propped up on his left knee. His left hand was behind him, propping him up on the pillar while his right hand was laid on his right knee. He was smiling at Kiyoko and she smiled back. This was her favorite wallpaper.
"Did you put this up?" Aya demanded.
Kiyoko shrugged.
"Maybe," she said, grinning.
Aya didn't look happy. She didn't like some of her sisters' shows, including 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi'. She liked Youzen, but she didn't like the rest of the series very much. And Kiyoko had no idea why. But she loved to tease her by putting up 'Houshin Engi' wallpapers on Aya's computer, which was the only computer in the house.
"Well, take it down," Aya snapped, "I don't wanna be looking at these people all night."
Kiyoko made a face.
"You don't want to see Youzen?" she asked, coyly.
Aya glared again.
"If I want to look at my favorite character, I'll get a wallpaper that only includes that one character," she stated, "not all the others. Now, take it off."
Kiyoko frowned. Aya didn't like the other four boys, not as much as Youzen anyway. She didn't mind Taikoubou and Tenka very much, but she thought Nataku's eyes looked freaky and that Raishinshi was like a bratty kid. Kiyoko, of course, hated that last statement the most.
"But this is my favorite," Kiyoko complained, staring at the wallpaper.
Aya glared, but then grinned, wickedly.
"Take it down, or I'll toss your doll into the washing machine," she threatened.
Kiyoko's eyes widened and she hugged Raishinshi close.
"You wouldn't dare," she gasped.
Aya grinned.
"I will if you don't take down that wallpaper," she blackmailed.
Sighing, Kiyoko went over to take it down, holding her Angel close to her just to be safe. She gave it one more glance and her eyes fell on the Anime Raishinshi and the way he was sitting. Kiyoko glanced down at her sleeping Angel and then back at the screen. She smiled.
She just had an idea.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After finishing her reading assignment, Kiyoko had gone to sleep, Raishinshi sitting on her dresser by her bed. The next morning, Kiyoko woke up early, and got dressed into her uniform at a higher speed than usual. After a quick breakfast, she ran out the door: schoolbag in one hand, Raishinshi in the other, although she held him closer to her. She was in a rush: Takumi told her that he'd get the information she asked him for to her in the morning, before school. Knowing Takumi, she'd have to get up early to catch him and Yuri.
She rounded the corner of the two flower shops and ran up the street. It was then that she spotted them.
"Takumi! Yuri!" she cried, running faster.
The dark-haired siblings turned to see the brunette run towards them at a very high speed.
"Kiyoko-chan?" Yuri said, surprised. Her friend usually wasn't up this early.
Takumi stared at her in surprise.
"Kiyoko! You didn't have to wake up this early," he stated as Kiyoko stopped in front of them and began to pant, "I would have told you later, around P.E. time, where you didn't have to make a mad dash to meet us."
Kiyoko, her pants subsiding, looked up at her friends with a smile.
"I didn't want to wait," she said, simply.
Takumi face-faulted on the road while Yuri sweat-dropped and gave a smile.
"But, did you get the info I asked for?" Kiyoko asked, straightening up, "about Yukiwa Saburo and my Dad?"
Takumi got up, nodded, and opened his school bag.
"Yeah, Yuri had to help me though," he stated, pulling some papers out of his bag.
Yuri turned and smiled at him.
"First time in a long while that you ever asked me for help in anything," she pointed out.
Takumi rolled his eyes while Kiyoko giggled.
"Anyway, I got the info on the 4th, 5th, and 6th Angelic Layer Official Tournaments," he said, looking around for a place to sit down.
Kiyoko blinked.
"But I only wanted info on the 5th," she said, as Takumi spotted a bench, "you didn't have to do all that."
The three friends sat down on the bench by the road. Takumi shrugged.
"I know," he said, "but I was also a little curious."
Takumi brought up the information on the 4th Tournament.
"According to the news, Yukiwa didn't even participate in the Kanto Region Tournament. He was in Yamanashi in the Chubu Region. They have their own Tournaments too," he stated.
Kiyoko said nothing, but gazed at the paper.
"Back then, he was still a rookie," Takumi continued, "he managed to make it to the Semis, but then lost. A short time later, he moved to Tokyo, in Kita City."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Northern Tokyo," she said to herself, "that's where my Dad is."
Yuri nodded.
"I hear they have their own Layer in that city, usually they put one in each state of Japan," she mused.
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi.
"Dad says that his company was working on a project and needed a Layer built," she explained, "people have Tournaments there now."
Takumi looked up, interested.
"What kind of project was it?" he asked.
Kiyoko shrugged.
"He didn't say," was her reply.
Takumi shrugged and went back to his 'report'.
"Anyway," he said, "Yukiwa entered the 5th Tournament over there and made it to the Kanto Prelims, he represented Kita City. He made it to the Finals where..." Takumi paused and turned to Kiyoko. "he and your Dad fought in the Kanto Finals. Yukiwa lost."
Kiyoko blinked in surprise.
"Huh?" she mumbled, almost falling off the seat.
Yuri looked at her, confused.
"Didn't you know?" she asked.
Kiyoko shook her head, still surprised.
"No, I got sick, and couldn't go," she stated, "I missed the Kanto Finals. I wanted to go so bad, but Dad and Mom wouldn't hear of it. They made me stay home and Aya had to look after me."
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"That means that Tamiko has their match somewhere on video," he said.
Kiyoko only nodded as Takumi continued.
"Since both Angels who enter the Finals get to go to the Nationals, both went," he read on, "only, when Yukiwa got to the National Semis-"
"He lost to Hikaru," Kiyoko finished, now knowing what everyone meant.
Takumi nodded.
"Yeah, after that, he played in Kita City," he said, taking out another couple pieces of paper, "he's been a major star Deus there ever since. Here too, even."
Yuri tapped her chin in thought.
"I thought your Dad was the Champ of Northern Tokyo, Kiyoko," she said, aloud.
Takumi replied instead of Kiyoko.
"He is," he stated, "Yukiwa has yet to beat him. It says in the Layer News that they're 'rivals'."
Kiyoko couldn't help but give a slight smile. She knew her Dad could handle any challenge, even a bully like Saburo.
(At least I know that Saburo isn't as perfect as I thought," she thought, then frowned, (but he's still strong. He beat his opponents so easily. And I didn't do so well the first time myself. So...)
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi again.
"What can I do?" she whispered, aloud.
Takumi heard her and turned in her direction.
"Pardon?" he asked, stuffing the papers back in his bag.
Kiyoko looked up and frowned.
"Yukiwa Saburo wants me to face him again, and I want to face him too, but- " Kiyoko hesitated. Should she tell them what Mr. Icchan had said?
"But you're worried that you won't be able to make it through the rest of your matches," Yuri said.
Kiyoko blinked in surprise. She should have known that Yuri would find the answer, one way of putting it or another. She was right though. She had to fight a star Deus later today and she had no idea who it was. She had watched the tapes that Tamiko gave her and watched the matches of Hikaru, Mao, and Suzuka, plus matches of some other tough Deus' and Angels. She probably wouldn't remember them all, but at least she remembered a few things.
"If you're so nervous about your next match," Takumi spoke up, "then you should reflect on your past fights."
Kiyoko stared at him.
"Reflect?" she repeated, dumbly.
Takumi nodded.
"Go over your past matches in your head and see what you did right and what you did wrong," he explained, "that way you won't make a past mistake. And that's the kind that can be fatal."
Kiyoko nodded, remembering Hikaru and Suzuka's match from the video. It wouldn't hurt to try.
"Okay," she agreed, "I'll try it. Anything to help Raishinshi."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When the three friends got to school, they met with Tamiko and Ken for a bit before English class started. Kiyoko was sitting at her desk, reading through a story that they had to finish in class. But her mind was on other things. She thought about what Mr. Icchan had said.
("Your opponent is going to be more experienced than you. This won't be just a returning regular or another newbie, you're gonna be fighting a star Deus.")
She furrowed her brow as she remembered what Saburo had told her.
("You've still got a lot to learn if you want to make it any farther.")
Kiyoko sighed and stared blankly down at her open textbook.
(Maybe I should do what Takumi suggested,) she thought, (maybe I should go over my matches and see what I need to improve and what I'm doing right.)
She thought about her first match: it was at Piffle Princess. It was the day after she had made Raishinshi. She couldn't help but smile every time she remembered how he smiled up at her for the first time.
They fought Vesta first. Kiyoko had been so eager to prove herself and Raishinshi to her friends, that she fought her first match without even practicing. She made a mistake before the match had even started. When the match 'did' start, Kiyoko thought that she had everything under control, but she was still a beginner, and her over-confidence nearly lost the match. It was only when her friends and family came and reminded her of her goals was she able to win her match.
(I can't get ahead of myself,) Kiyoko thought, (I've just got to remember my dream and-)
She heard a quiet groan to her left. Looking over to the next row, she giggled. Ken had once again forgotten to bring his English book and that meant he had to share with Takumi. Unfortunately, that meant Ken would be hogging the book while Takumi waited his turn. Kiyoko goggled again at the look on Takumi's face. Funny moments like this made school seem worthwhile.
At the thought of a funny moment, Kiyoko remembered when Icchan had Raishinshi dance to music: 'Icchan's Special Practice Menu.' Kiyoko didn't understand it at first, but then that mysterious girl and her Arabian- looking Angel came, and showed her how dancing could be fighting practice.
("Dancing really helps your Angel fight better. It's good for timing and maneuverability." she had told her while she was showing Kiyoko some moves.)
(It's true,) Kiyoko thought, looking back down at her book, (that dancing 'did' help.)
Another thought occurred to her then. The dancing Angel from Piffle Princess and the one she saw in the Tournament were the same Angel, she was sure of it. But Tamiko had said that that Angel, Ranga, belonged to Seto Ringo, a pop star and a star Deus. A thought occurred.
(She isn't the Deus I have to fight is she?) Kiyoko thought, feeling both nervous and sad.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3rd period, P.E., came fast. All five friends were together and were outside on the track. The girls and the boys were separated into two lines. Their gym teacher, Mr. Orikata, had set up some hurdles for the kids, and was standing off to the side with his clipboard. Ken, Yuri, and four other kids had already gone ahead. A boy went before Takumi, and Kiyoko and Tamiko were next after another girl.
"Excited about your next match?" Tamiko asked Kiyoko, who was standing behind her.
Kiyoko hesitated and looked down.
"Um, yeah, I guess so," she said, as the boy in front of Takumi had his turn.
Tamiko noticed her friends' pensive look.
"Still thinking about Yukiwa Saburo?" Tamiko asked.
Kiyoko looked up and nodded.
"Yeah," she admitted, "I want to do my best, but it's hard when he's always putting me down it seems."
The girl in front of Tamiko went next while Tamiko turned to her friend and gave her a smile of reassurance.
"Don't let that guy get to you," she said, "you're doing fine. Just five more matches and you'll be heading for the Kanto Preliminaries."
Kiyoko looked up at her friend. Tamiko was a great Angelic Layer Deus, but even she ran into trouble last week at Piffle Princess. Kya Suzu and her Angel, Venus, picked on her, and forced her to have a match. Venus was a Heavyweight with an emphasis on Power. She had injured Youzen badly. That was when Kiyoko and Raishinshi came to help.
Kiyoko was pulled out of thought for a moment when it was Takumi's turn. He started running for the first of the three, evenly spaced hurdles. He leaped over the first, second, and third with excellent precision. All the girls, Tamiko and Kiyoko included, started to clap: Takumi was very popular in gym.
Kiyoko's mind then flipped back to her match with Venus. Venus was stronger than Raishinshi, according to Suzu. But Kiyoko wanted to help her friend and had used the same move that she saw Hikaru use on one of Tamiko's videos, a move that sent Venus right out of the Layer. But at the same time, Kiyoko had become cocky because she thought that since her Angel beat a Heavyweight, he was invincible.
(I know better now,) she thought.
"Kotoko, you're up," the gym teacher called.
Tamiko smiled and ran towards the hurdles. She jumped gracefully over the first two. When she came to the last hurdle, she leapt over it, and did a mid-air split in the process, one arm out in front of her, the other off to her right. She landed, one leg first, gracefully. Everyone cheered and whooped: Tamiko was an ace in gymnastics. Kiyoko smiled as the next boy in the boys' line went next. But then her mind drifted to her next match.
The one she had with Saburo.
Kiyoko swallowed hard. That was the match where Raishinshi had been hurt badly by Higure's 'Gravity Blow'. Kiyoko had become over-confident and was starting to become one of the Deus' who only cared about winning and stopped believing in her Angel. Saburo didn't like that and challenged her to an Angel Fight. She had been careless, thinking she could easily defeat a bully, but she had let her guard down. She didn't have faith in Raishinshi and he was beaten, badly. It was only until Saburo pointed out her lack of faith did she believe in Raishinshi again. But by then, it was too late.
"Yume, you're next," Coach Orikata called.
Kiyoko looked up and ran for the first hurdle. She had used a move that she was sure would send Higure out of the Layer, but she had underestimated him. She jumped the first hurdle. She didn't want to quit and had Raishinshi charge Higure. But that was a mistake. She jumped the second hurdle, but as she reached the third, the memory struck. All she could see at that moment was when Higure used the 'Gravity Blow' and knocked Raishinshi out, hard. She could still see the look of surprise and pain on her Angels' face.
With her focus broken, Kiyoko's foot caught on the hurdle's bar, and she fell face first onto the ground below. Laughter was heard behind her while her friends sighed. Kiyoko, face now bright red with embarrassment, looked up. She was still thinking of that fight.
(I won't be reckless OR careless,) she thought to herself, (I'll believe in Raishinshi this time.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After P.E. was over, lunch time came, and all five friends sat together outside to eat and chat. And as always, Ken was chatting on and on about Kiyoko's winning streak.
"I still think you have nothing to worry about," he stated, sipping some of his juice, "you're nailing all your opponents so far. It's obvious that you're a natural in the Layer."
Kiyoko looked down at her sandwich, a little embarrassed.
"I'm not 'that' good," she stated, "I just got lucky-"
But Ken wouldn't hear any of it.
"Oh come ON, Kiyoko!" he interrupted, "you won against three Layer regulars, four including Venus. I mean, you said after the fight with Colossus that you weren't going to doubt yourself anymore. Think positive!"
Takumi rolled his eyes.
"She's nervous about her next match, can you blame her for worrying a bit?" he asked, biting into his riceball.
Ken shrugged.
"You can't worry about every single match you get," he pointed out, "you've gotta relax."
Kiyoko smiled a bit as she remembered what Tamiko had told her on the first day of her first Tournament match.
("As long as you have confidence in Raishinshi and yourself, and believe in the two of you, you can do anything.")
Kiyoko remembered her first match in the Official Tournament. It was against Shadow Panther. Even though Raishinshi struck first, Shadow Panther nearly took the win. She was quick-footed and attacked too fast to allow any type of counter. Raishinshi was losing until Kiyoko had used the strategy Mao had used in the last match to use Shadow Panthers' moves against her.
(Using the opponents strength to your advantage,) Kiyoko pondered, (that might just come in handy.)
"Well, I guess you're right Ken-kun," she said, looking up, "I guess I just need to relax."
Tamiko turned to her friend and gave her a thumbs-up.
"That's the spirit," she said, "you've got to look on the bright side."
"Yeah!" Ken cried, punching the air with his fist, "Kiyoko-chan'll win'em all!"
"Don't get so ahead of yourself."
The five kids turned to see a couple of girls from their last period sitting on the opposite side of the bench. Both were staring at Kiyoko.
"You only one four times," the taller girl of the group said, "you just got lucky."
Kiyoko bit her lip. Yuri glanced at the girls.
"Kiyoko isn't getting ahead of herself," she informed, "she's just calm about it."
The other girl scrunched her nose.
"Sounds more like you're celebrating early," she commented, "four wins is nothing. You're luck'll run out eventually, you know."
Kiyoko frowned.
"It's not luck."
Everyone turned to the new voice. It was a boy, somewhere around fifteen. He had on the High School uniform of Eriol Academy, dark hair, and bright gray eyes. He was looking at the two girls with a frown.
"Excuse me?" the tall girl asked.
The boy gave Kiyoko a smile before turning back to the other two girls.
"Anyone who knows anything about Angelic Layer will tell you that there's no such thing as lucky," he stated, "it all comes down to how much you love your Angel. Faith in your Angel is the key to win and she's proven her faith by getting this far."
The two girls looked slightly embarrassed. Kiyoko blinked in surprise. He knew so much about Angelic Layer. Did he play?
"Well, I still say it's just luck," the tall girl said before she and her friend got up and left.
Kiyoko watched them leave and was struck by the memory of Asuka and Colossus. Asuka had put her and Raishinshi down and also called their first win luck. During their match, Raishinshi was losing because Kiyoko doubted herself. She remembered how the Anime Raishinshi didn't give up in his fights and got the motivation to continue.
(I can't let these things get to me,) she thought, then turned to the boy.
"Thanks, you didn't really have to do that though," Kiyoko said.
The dark-haired boy smiled.
"It's no problem," he said, "my sister would have said the exact same thing."
"Oh, you have a sister?" Tamiko asked, curiously.
The boy nodded.
"Yeah, she's in 2nd grade," he replied, "she plays Angelic Layer too. By the way," He turned to Kiyoko. "I saw your matches. You were good."
Kiyoko smiled.
"Thanks," she said.
"You remind me of someone," he continued, staring at her closely.
All five friends blinked.
"Really?" Kiyoko asked, "who?"
Before the boy could reply.....
"KOTARO-CHAN!!"
Everyone looked behind the boy as the boy turned around. A girl, the same age and uniform as the boys' with shoulder length dirty blond hair, came running towards him at high speed. The boy had no time to react as the girl kicked his legs out from under him with her right leg, causing him to fall backwards with a yelp. But as he fell, the girl followed, and jabbed her elbow into his stomach. All five friends gasped.
"Kotaro-chan! You'd better not be hitting on anyone!" the girl warned, even though she was smiling.
The boy was too busy gasping for air to reply. The girl turned her bright magenta eyes on Kiyoko and her friends. She recognized Kiyoko immediately.
"Hey! You're that girl from the Tournament!" she cried, her elbow still in the boys' stomach.
Kiyoko blinked and nodded.
"Um, yes, I am," she said, hesitantly. Who was this girl?
Suddenly, the girl was off of the boys' stomach and sped up to where Kiyoko was sitting. Kiyoko gulped as the girl grinned at her.
"Oh BOY!" she cried, happily, "this is COOL! Another wonder Deus in our school! I think your Angel ROCKS!"
Kiyoko sweat-dropped. Takumi scratched the back of his head.
"She reminds me of Ken when 'he's' hyped up," he whispered to Yuri.
Yuri stifled a giggle, but Ken overheard the whole thing.
"Not funny," he grumbled, sipping his juice.
Meanwhile, the boy had recovered, and sat up. He gave the girl a look.
"Tamayo, stop getting in her face," he scolded, "it's rude."
The girl was on him in a flash, she had his head in a headlock.
"You can't keep me from congratulating a star!" she protested, "she's cool, just like-"
RING!
Takumi looked up.
"Well," he said, "that's the period bell." He turned to everyone. "We'd better get to History class."
Ken and Yuri followed him as he headed for the main building.
"We'd better hurry," Tamiko said, throwing her empty juice box away, "Mrs. Kisuka doesn't like it when we're late."
Kiyoko nodded and followed, when...
"Hey!"
Kiyoko froze and turned back to girl who had currently let go of the gasping boy. The girl, Tamayo, was waving at her.
"Good luck in your next fight!" she cried.
Kiyoko smiled, hesitantly, and shyly waved back.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
School was out and Kiyoko had stayed after for a bit. She let her friends go ahead of her, she needed time to think. The identity of the 'star Deus' she had to fight was still unknown to her and it was only fifteen minutes until the Tournament began again. As Kiyoko left school grounds and walked down the road, she thought of her two most recent matches.
Her third Tournament match had been with Katalina. The ice-skating Angel was difficult to fight: her 'Spin Kick' made it nearly impossible for Raishinshi to attack For a while, Kiyoko thought that there was no way to win. But then, Kiyoko saw a chance, and both she and Raishinshi worked together to defeat her. And her last match was with the newbie Angel, Felicity. Even though it looked like an easy win, but Kiyoko 'did' have a little bit of difficulty. Felicity punched fast and it took some effort for Kiyoko to help Raishinshi avoid them all. The strategy Mao had used came in handy once again.
(Raishinshi and I have to work together,) Kiyoko thought as she went across the sheltered bridge, (that way, we'll be able to fight better.)
A memory lingered in her mind. It was what she had told her Dad right before he left.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As her father headed out the door, suitcase in hand, a 10 ½ year old Kiyoko ran after him.
"Daddy!" she called.
Mr. Yume stopped a moment and turned back to her. Kiyoko, face sad, looked up at her father.
"I'm gonna become a star Deus too!" she cried, "I'm going to win all my matches, just like you Daddy! I promise!"
Mr. Yume was speechless for a few moments, but then smiled at his daughter.
"I'm sure you will, Kiyoko," he said, softly, "as a matter of fact, I almost know you will. And I'll be waiting for that day."
Kiyoko smiled, sadly, as her father headed for his van.
(I promise Daddy,) she thought, (I'll do it for you Daddy.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback End++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Halfway across the bridge, Kiyoko stopped, brought up her school bag, and took out Raishinshi.
(I won't let Raishinshi down again,) she thought, staring at her sleeping Angel, (I'll fight my hardest, for Daddy and for my Angel.)
"Let's do our best, Raishinshi," she whispered to him.
*Uh...konya mo mata...*
Raishinshi said nothing, but he seemed to smile. Kiyoko smiled back and continued on.
*....hakanai hoshi zora*
Kiyoko exited the sheltered bridge and continued down the road, unaware that a man in a white lab coat was hidden in a tree, watching her from a branch. He smiled at her.
*Uh...hikaru hoshi ni....*
"Don't worry, Kiyoko," Icchan murmured, "you'll do fine. I know it."
*....negai o kakeru kara*
Kiyoko didn't see or hear him. She continued towards the stadium: Angel in hand, smile on her face.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHEW! That took some time to write. Sorry for the delay, a slight case of writer's block, I suppose. Anyway, sorry if the ending sounded sappy, I'm trying to put in some drama. Next chapter, Kiyoko goes up against a star Deus. Who is it? Stay tuned to find out. Anyway, just to let everyone know, if I mimicked something from another fanfic, gomen nasai, I didn't intend to. I hope you all are enjoying my fic, I hope to please you all. Please read and review! No flames, please!
PS If I made any spelling errors, e-mail me.
Disclaimer: Sorry for not updating, a lot of things have come up. Anyways, this chapter is
an R&R chapter, but it's good. Kiyoko reflects on her past fights and gets
ready for her next match with a 'star Deus'. Who'll it be? I won't say...
yet. I don't own Angelic Layer or any of the original characters. I DO own
Kiyoko Yume, Angel Raishinshi, Kiyoko's friends and family, Saburo,
Angel Higure, and any other Angels and characters that may pop up. BTW,
you have my permission to use any of Kiyoko, Tamiko, or Saburo's
opponent Angels, but you have to let me know ahead of time so I know not
to sue.
And I'd also like to say that I don't own the music or the lyrics to the Image
Song, "BlackBird". I do, however, wanna get the translation (I've been dying
of curiosity for about a half a year). So if any of you can translate, don't
hesitate to e-mail me (only if you want to, I'm not forcing anyone). Now,
read away!
Battle 11: "I Want to Be Ready! Kiyoko's Training Day!"
The crowd was going nuts as the 11th match began. Up in the Video Room, five adults were watching the fight at hand. Two were Icchan and an exhausted Ogata. The other three were other assistants. One was a tanned man with dark hair and a brown business suit. The other two were girls: one was young with auburn hair, a yellow feminine suit, and a red skirt. The other was older with brown hair, a long, dark skirt, and a fancy purple shirt. The girls and Ogata were at the computers, Ogata cringing at the whoopy cushion under him, and Icchan and the other man were watching what was on the video screen.
The screen showed the current match, three minutes into the fight. The West Corner Angel was dressed in an emerald and sea green tie-dye bathing suit- like outfit with sleeves. She had gold rings around her wrists and brown sandals on her feet. A short white skirt was around her waist. Her eyes and hair were both sea green and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A white Angel Cord hung from the ponytail. This Angel was currently charging another Angel that was in the East Corner. This was the Angel Icchan had wanted to see.
The Angel was a boy and he had dark hair that gave off a navy blue sheen, it stopped past his shoulder blades and was straight. His outfit was purple and black with purple boots that reached his knees and violet Angel Cords on his upper arms. His skin was very tanned and his eyes were a bright brown-red-orange color. He was waiting for the approaching Angel in a boxing position. The girl Angel, when in range, started punching at the boy Angel. But the boy Angel dodged all of the hits and back flipped away.
"It's hard to believe she just started the game last week," the man in the brown suit, Inada Shuji, commented, "she handles her Angel very well."
The screen got a shot of both Deus'. The girl in the West Corner had curly dark hair and was in a green High School uniform. She looked tensely at the Layer. The girl in the East Corner had brown hair that went a short ways past her shoulders and a blue and white Eriol Academy Middle School uniform. She was looking at her Angel, watching him carefully. Icchan smiled at the site of her.
"She 'is' something, isn't she?" he said, "reminds me a bit of when I was coaching Misaki."
Ogata glanced up from his computer screen.
"Is that why you're coaching 'her' now?" he asked, "because she reminds you of the Layer Champ?"
Icchan grinned at his assistant.
"Wrong!" he announced, "another half hour on that whoopy cushion."
Ogata groaned as Icchan looked back at the screen. The green Angel charged again. This time, she leapt into a flying kick. The purple Angel sidestepped the kick and delivered a fast left jab to her back as she passed him. The girl Angel toppled over and her Damage went down. The curly haired Deus tensed even more while the brunette stayed steady. As the green Angel picked herself up, the auburn haired girl looked up.
"It's rare that you find beginners with that talent," Fujimori Hiromi stated, "most Deus' are either reckless, nervous, or just plain rush into battle. Suzuhara Misaki and her mother are two of those rare Deus' who are more in control during a match."
"As is Kobayashi, Saito, and Jounouchi," Shuji added.
Icchan nodded in agreement. He watched the purple Angel dodge the green Angels' fast jabs.
"Yes, even Seto and Fujisaki sisters have exceptional control over their Angels," he stated, watching as the purple Angel finally got around the opponents punches and gave her a right hook across the face.
The brown haired woman glanced at the data that she was receiving from the match.
"I can't believe all those victories they've had so far," Inada Yuko admitted, "it has to be luck."
"It could be," Icchan noted, "but the fact that she put effort into her matches and cares about her Angel proves she's worthy of being called a rare Deus. Especially with how she won against three regulars, tough regulars at that."
The green Angel recovered and delivered a spin kick that the purple Angel blocked. Shuji looked at him carefully.
"I'll agree with you there," he said, "Shadow Panther is a quick Angel and Colossus is a strong one. And her Angel managed to take them both out by using their strengths to his advantage."
"I was more impressed when she and her Angel beat Katalina," Yuko said, "that was a risky move. Her Angel could have been severely damaged."
Back on screen, the purple Angel had successfully executed a reverse left spin kick, and sent the opponent sprawling across the Layer.
"True, but she had complete faith in her Angel," Icchan commented, "she knew he could do it. Confidence and faith are two important things in an Angel Fight. It's a pity most Deus' take it for granted."
The green Angel had gotten up and was running for the boy Angel.
"By the way," Icchan said, "have any of you watched those DVD's I brought in?"
The purple Angel put up a block while the assistants hesitated. Only Hiromi spoke up.
"I did, Chief," she said, "I thought it was interesting. Confusing a bit, but still pretty interesting."
The girl Angel did a jump kick, but the boy Angel moved away at the last second.
"Glad you liked the show, but did you, unlike some 'other' people," Icchan hesitated, shooting the other assistants a look, "notice any similarities between character and Angel?"
The green Angel ran at the purple Angel again and punched with all her might, green eyes narrowed. But her opponent sidestepped, grabbed her wrist, and flung her over his shoulder. The screen zoomed in on the purple Angels' face. Hiromi smiled.
"If he had wings and pointed ears, he'd be just like his counterpart," she stated, then turned to the others, "didn't you see a bit of it? It was good in my opinion."
Ogata shrugged.
"I thought it was too," he admitted, but then made a face, "although the character he was based after overreacted and yelled a lot. How could 'she' like that guy?"
The green Angel got up again and glared at the boy Angel before charging.
"You're just looking at his negative side," Icchan said, turning to the screen, "his positive side is what she saw. And he really does have good qualities if you give him the chance."
Halfway to the boy Angel, the girl Angel leapt into the air, and sailed towards him.
"But Chief, what does the Anime character that this Angel was based after have to do with him and his Deus' skill?" Yuko asked, puzzled.
The girl Angel aimed one knee at the boy Angels' face as she descended. The boy Angel tensed.
"They say that when you create an Angel, you not only fill it with a part of yourself, but with your ideas and dreams as well. In this case, she based her Angel off of an Anime character she likes, one who's filled with a righteous spirit," Icchan explained, "combined with the Deus' skill and faith, that's a winning combination."
Just as the green Angel came down, the purple Angel jumped back, letting the green Angel crash her knees onto the Layer surface. She looked up to face her opponent...only to get a right spin kick in the face. She fell to the Layer, but was still functioning. That was when the buzzer sounded.
"Angels Time!"
The screen zoomed in on the stats of the Angels. The purple Angels' Damage Gauge was untouched, but the green Angels' Damage was at 45%. The crowd was quiet as the announcer talked.
"Since neither of the Angels were knocked out of the Layer and no Angels' Damage reached zero, the winner will be determined by judging which Angel inflicted the most Damage!" the announcer announced, indicating to the screens on the Box Screen above the Layer, "and as anyone can see, Raishinshi has been leading the fight from the start." The screen replayed the image of Raishinshi striking the green Angel. "Right down to that last powerhouse kick! So, the winner is....."
Everyone waited.
"Raishinshi!" the purple Angel's picture flashed across the screen as the crowd went nuts.
Back in the Video Room, Icchan smiled as the 12 year-old smiled at her Angel.
"I personally like her style," he admitted, "she may be a beginner, but she and her Angel are fierce fighters."
The five watched the event that happened next. Raishinshi walked over to the green Angel, whose head was lowered like her Deus. The boy Angel extended a hand to the girl Angel. The Deus looked up at the scene and blinked in confusion. But, aside from that, the beaten Angel took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. The audience cheered louder.
"Not to mention she has a love for the game and the Angels who play in it," Icchan added, watching the two Angels smile at one another, run towards their respective Deus', and leap out of the Layer into the two girls' arms.
"I'll agree there, Chief," Shuji said, watching the two girls leave their seats and shake hands, "they're something else."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko smiled down at Raishinshi as they headed back for the waiting room. The purple Angel was sleeping once again in his Deus' hands.
"That was a good match Raishinshi," she told him, "you were terrific."
"What did you expect?"
Kiyoko's eyes widened and her head shot up. Standing before her was Yukiwa Saburo, dark outfit and all. Higure was perched on his right forearm; arms crossed and head down. She swallowed as Saburo narrowed his navy eyes.
"You were fighting another newbie, one with hardly ANY experience," he said, "it's only natural that you'd win. You'd be really pathetic if you 'did' lose."
Kiyoko bit her lip and held Raishinshi close. This was the first time she had been around Saburo since the day she lost to him.
"Well, I didn't," she said in a low voice, "and I got this far didn't I? So I'm not pathetic." She said the last part more firmly.
Saburo shrugged.
"I didn't exactly say that you were, but you've still got a lot to learn if you want to make it any farther," he stated, walking past her.
Kiyoko stood still as he past her, feeling the memories of that one battle creeping up on her. She turned as he walked towards the Layer area.
"Where are you going?" she asked, quietly.
"I'm up next," he said, without turning around, "stick around if you want. You'll have a much better view than the one in the waiting room."
Kiyoko blinked and watched him head out.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Get ready Ladies and Gentlemen!" the announcer cried, "Battle 12 is here!"
The crowd cheered as Saburo entered the Layer area.
"In the East Corner, the Speed King, Deus Yukiwa Saburo and Angel Higure, the Flying Shadow!" the announcer announced as the boy in black took his seat.
Another Deus came from the West side. A girl wearing an Eriol Academy High School uniform walked into the Layer area. She had short dark hair and green eyes that were nervously starring at Saburo. She held her Angel close to her chest. The Angel had long, aqua hair that was tied in a braid. She wore a green tank top with a dark blue scarf trailing behind her, ending in a gold point. She wore a dark blue skirt that stopped above her knees and green, ankle-length boots. Her complexion was pale against her bright sea colors.
"And in the West Corner," the announcer continued, "Deus Monota Jun and Angel Marina!"
Jun took her seat and put her Angel Goggles on. Both she and Saburo turned their Goggles on and waited.
"Entry Angel!"
At the sound of the buzzer, the stats filled out on the Box Screen, and the force field shimmered into place. Both Angel Chairs were raised and Saburo went first without hesitation. He held out Higure and looked down at him.
"Run fast! Strike hard! Never quit, Higure!" he announced, and then hurled his Angel towards the Layer, "Angel, Fall in!"
The black and violet Angel passed through the force field, a gold glow surrounding him, and he instantly opened his violet eyes. He straightened up and silently floated to the Layer. He landed, hands in his pockets, face set in a bored gaze.
The audience cheered, especially the girls. It was Juns' turn now. She held Marina close to her chest.
"With the might of the sea, topple your foe, Marina!" she cried, and tossed her Angel towards the Layer, "Angel, Fall in!"
Marina slid through the force field and glowed. She lifted her head and opened her ocean blue eyes. The glow faded as she twirled down towards the Layer and landed perfectly on her feet. She stared at Higure.
"Ready?!" the announcer cried, "Angelic Fight!"
The buzzer sounded. Marina ran forward, towards Higure. Higure did nothing but watch her approach. When she was within striking distance, Marina executed a flurry of punches aimed right at Higure. But the Flying Shadow, in an impressive display of speed, dodged every single punch. Marina grit her teeth and started punching faster, but Higure kept ducking and sidestepping at amazing speed. Jun grit her teeth and leaned forward. Saburo, on the other hand, remained calm and didn't move in his seat.
"Looks like Angel Marina is having trouble, but it comes as no surprise!" the announcer declared, a cheering audience behind him, "no one in this region has ever 'touched' Higure, much less strike him except for the Layer Champ! Will this match be any different?"
Saburo stifled a smirk.
(No, it won't,) he thought.
Then a memory came to him. It occurred a week ago. He and the newbie Deus Yume Kiyoko fought in a mini-Tournament at the local Piffle Princess. He disliked her attitude towards the Layer and challenged her to a fight. He won, of course, but not before her Angel grabbed a hold of Higure and nearly gave him a Layer Out.
(She and her Angel, aside from 'him' and the Champion, are the first ones to touch Higure in two years,) he thought, his lips forming a frown, (they have the same last name and the fighting style looks the same, but she's still nowhere near ready to face me.)
Back on the Layer, Marina was now adding kicks to her onslaught, but Higure continued to dodge. Finally, Higure leapt over the ocean Angels' head, and landed smoothly behind her.
(And I don't intend to lose again like before,) Saburo continued to think, (I've come here to prove myself. And I'll start by facing 'her' again.)
Higure, in one fast move, turned to his left side and spread his legs out. He bent his right leg, lowered his left arm, palm down, and pulled back his right arm, palm facing forward. Marina turned to face him, but it was too late. The air around Higure's drawn palm began to shimmer and ripple. Higure stepped forward with his right leg, leaned forward, drew his left arm in, and thrust his right palm at Marina's chest. An invisible wave of force shot from his palm and slammed into Marina. With a silent cry, Marina went flying out of the Layer, and landed with an audible click on the floor. The buzzer sounded and the timer stopped at 9 minutes.
No one said nothing for a while and all Jun could do was stare at her defeated Angel in disbelief. The crowd then erupted into cheers as Higure's picture flashed across the screen.
"WOW! That was Higure's special move, 'Gravity Blow'!" the announcer cried, "he's never used it this early in a Tournament! This is another special treat for us!"
Saburo took off his Angel Goggles and went over to Higure, who was still in the same pose he was in when he let loose the move. Saburo took him from the Layer and, ignoring the other Deus, headed for the East Side door.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko blinked in shock. It was so sudden! That other Angel didn't stand a chance! She watched Saburo approach. He noticed her starring and smiled.
"Didn't think you'd see that move again, eh?" he asked.
Kiyoko hugged her Angel close.
"How could you do that?" she asked, a little nervous, "you didn't even give that Angel much of a chance."
Saburo raised an eyebrow.
"Would 'you' give your opponent a chance to attack?" he asked, stopping directly in front of her.
Kiyoko blinked.
"I thought so, besides, the Tokyo Prelims don't concern me," he stated, glancing at Higure, "Higure and I would much rather save our full skills for the Kanto Prelims. This is just a warm-up to us."
Kiyoko didn't know what to say. He was being so casual, as if he did this all the time. Kiyoko swallowed and looked straight at him.
"For someone who doesn't like people acting over-confident in Angelic Layer, you sure seem laid-back about all this," she pointed out.
Saburo gave her a look.
"I've been playing this game for three years total and I've grown stronger each year," he told her, and walked past her again, "I'd be more worried about improving your own skills, newbie. Things are going to be difficult from here on out."
Kiyoko didn't look at him as he walked past her. She still felt uneasy around him, especially when he was this close. After a while, Kiyoko turned around. Saburo was gone and she was alone in the hall with her Angel.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"You ran into Yukiwa Saburo in the hall?!" Ken cried in surprise.
Kiyoko nodded, silently. The Tournament for today was over and everyone was leaving. Kiyoko and her friends were waiting for Mrs. Yume, who was in the Ladies Room. After her friends congratulated her on her win, Kiyoko had told them about her encounter with Saburo. As she had figured, Ken was the first to get upset.
"He didn't hurt you or anything, did he?" Ken questioned, moving closer to Kiyoko, "he didn't try to smash your Angel or anything?"
Upon hearing that, Kiyoko paled a bit at the thought while Tamiko bonked Ken on the head.
"Dummy, you didn't have to say that," she snapped, "who'd smash an Angel anyway?"
But that statement only made Kiyoko pale more. Takumi rolled his eyes and went up to Kiyoko.
"Don't listen to them," he assured, "but 'did' he do or say anything bad to you or to Raishinshi?"
Kiyoko shook her head.
"No," she stated, "you don't have to make such a big deal out of him. It's not like he's a criminal or anything."
Ken gaped at her.
"How can you say that?!" he asked, incredulously, "he nearly trashed Raishinshi and you don't want to call him a criminal for hurting your Angel that way?!"
Kiyoko's eyes widened and she looked away. This time, 'Takumi' bonked Ken on the head.
"Baka, ever think that Kiyoko 'doesn't want' to remember that fight?" he scolded, "besides, hating Yukiwa won't erase what he did."
Kiyoko looked away. It was just her, Tamiko, Takumi, and Ken who were waiting on her mother. Yuri and Aya were waiting outside and Junko's Mom had already picked her up and taken her home. Tamiko's father had to get back to work, so he had left early. Kiyoko didn't like speaking of the fight with Saburo: bad memories came with them.
"Yeah, I know that, but that doesn't mean I can't be mad at him," Ken countered, rubbing his head, "the guy's a jerk."
Tamiko made a face.
"I know and I agree," she said, but then looked back towards where they came from, the Layer area, "but what'll brooding over it do?"
"It makes me feel better," Ken stated, "I gotta blame somebody for that."
"Then blame me."
Everyone turned to Kiyoko. She was looking away, holding Raishinshi close to her.
"It was my fault that that happened," she said, slowly, "I'm the one you should be mad at."
The three friends blinked in surprise.
"Kiyoko, what do you-" Tamiko began, when...
"Okay, I'm ready."
Everyone looked up to see Mrs. Yume walk out of the hall that led to the Ladies Room. She smiled at everyone as she fixed her purse strap.
"Everyone ready to go?" she asked.
Before anyone could reply, Kiyoko stepped forward.
"Uh, Mom?" she asked, "can I go to the restroom?"
Mrs. Yume blinked, but nodded.
"Sure sweetie," she said, "we'll wait for you."
Kiyoko nodded and ran down the hall, wordlessly. Everyone watched her go. Ken gave her a strange look.
"What's up with Kiyoko?" he asked.
Tamiko frowned. She knew what was bugging Kiyoko.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko frowned as she stood in front of the Ladies Room door. Talking about Saburo made her feel uneasy. All she could think about when his name was mentioned was the event that happened at Piffle Princess last week: Higure had used the move he used only a while ago, the Gravity Blow, and had hurt Raishinshi badly with it. She could still see the expression on his face when he was hit.
"And it was all my fault," Kiyoko mumbled, hugging her Angel, "I shouldn't have been so careless."
Sighing, Kiyoko was just about to head back when a noise above stopped her. Looking up, Kiyoko saw that the air-vent had come unlatched, and was hanging open. She blinked.
"Huh?" was all she could say. It wasn't like when she last looked.
Suddenly, a man with glasses and a white lab coat fell feet first through the vent and landed before the young Deus, glasses shinning, and grin present.
"I'M WIGGLY ICCHAN!" he cried, wiggling his body around as he landed.
"EEEEEEP!" Kiyoko cried, jumping back.
Icchan straightened out, but then frowned, and toppled over.
"Gah! Mr. Icchan!" Kiyoko cried, switching being startled to being worried.
Icchan, now lying on the floor, groaned as he looked up at his student.
"You don't know what narrow air ducts can do to the back," he complained as he 'tried' to right himself up.
Kiyoko used her free hand to help her friend up.
"But what were you doing in the air ducts?" she inquired.
Icchan smiled, secretly.
"I was trying to surprise you," he commented, getting onto his knees.
"Well, you succeeded."
"Good."
Kiyoko gave Icchan an unsure look as straightened up and stretched. After a couple seconds, he whirled to face her with a big smile present.
"YOU, my girl, are doing a fantastic job!" he cheered, pointing to her, "you and Raishinshi are doing better than I expected."
Kiyoko smiled.
"Thanks," she said, hugging Raishinshi.
"But that's not the only reason I came," he stated, his facing growing serious, "I wanted to tell you something that you need to know."
Kiyoko blinked and looked up at him.
"It's about your first match tomorrow," Icchan continued, "your opponent is going to be more experienced than you. This won't be just a returning regular or another newbie, you're gonna be fighting a star Deus."
Kiyoko's eyes widened.
"A-A star Deus?" she stuttered, "y-you mean like Fujisaki-san and...and...."
Icchan knew what she was thinking and shook his head.
"Don't worry, it's not Saburo, that I know," he stated, quickly, "but it's going to be a tough opponent."
Kiyoko furrowed her brow and cocked her head to the side.
"How do you know who I'm going to fight next anyway?" she asked, curiously, "the new roster won't be up until tomorrow."
Icchan sweat-dropped and began to laugh, nervously.
"Well...er...um," he stammered, but then grinned, "er, see I have a friend who gets this info for me, but I can't reveal his name. Security reasons, y'know."
Kiyoko stared at him oddly, but nodded.
"Well, okay, but, who's the Deus I have to fight?" she asked, nervousness creeping into her voice.
Icchan opened his mouth to reply, when...
"Kiyoko?"
Startled, Kiyoko turned to see Mrs. Yume coming down the hall towards her.
"Oh, Mom," she said, "what are you doing here?"
Mrs. Yume stopped in front of her daughter and placed her hands on her hips.
"It's just that we're all waiting for you for nearly fifteen minutes," she stated, "I thought you fell in. And now I see that you're not even IN the restroom. Is something wrong? Ken said something about you not looking okay. You're not getting sick are you?"
Kiyoko shook her head and turned around.
"No, I'm fine, I was just talking to...." Kiyoko began, but then gasped when she looked towards Icchan. He was gone! "Huh?? M-Mr. Icchan?"
Mrs. Yume raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Icchan?" she repeated, "the man you met at Piffle Princess?"
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yes, he was here," she explained, "we were talking."
Mrs. Yume's eyebrow went up farther, but she quickly snapped out of it.
"Well, he isn't here now," she said, more calmly now, taking her daughter by the arm, "and your sister will kill me if we have to make her wait any longer."
Kiyoko nodded, glanced at the spot where Icchan had been standing, and let her mother drag her away. But the bit of information that Icchan had given her was still in her head.
("Your opponent is going to be more experienced than you. This won't be just a returning regular or another newbie, you're gonna be fighting a star Deus.")
Kiyoko frowned and held Raishinshi closer as her mother led her back towards the foyer.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As soon as she got home, Kiyoko went to her room. After placing Raishinshi gently on her dresser, she went over to her desk, and started rummaging through her CD holder. She finally found what she was looking for: Senkaiden Houshin Engi Kaen. She took the CD out of its case and headed for her bed. She had left her CD Player there from that morning. She hesitated when she was about to put her CD in.
(I have to fight a star Deus tomorrow,) she thought, lowering her eyelids, (who'll it be?)
CD still in hand, Kiyoko picked up Raishinshi, and headed out the door. She walked past the living room, where Aya was currently resting, and past the kitchen, where Mrs. Yume was starting to cook dinner. She walked down the hall that led to her mother and fathers' room and bathroom. Down the hall, past the two rooms, was another room. On the door, written on a plaque, it read 'Practice Layer'. Switching her CD to the hand with Raishinshi, Kiyoko reached for the knob, turned it, and opened the door. The minute she entered the room, she turned on the lights, and looked in.
Inside was a normal looking room with a gray carpet and pale walls, different from the rest of the house. On the left hand side, there was a medium-sized stereo and some CDs and DVDs scattered on the floor around it. On the right hand side, there was a medium-sized TV that could play both tapes and DVDs if set up. There were a few tapes that were stacked besides it. And in the middle of the room was a small Layer, a bit bigger than the Practice Layers at Piffle Princess. There was a seat on each side, both with Angel Goggles in the seats. Kiyoko walked over and turned the Layer on. The table lit up and the force field went into place.
(It won't hurt to practice,) she thought, setting her Angel and CD down on the seat that had its back to the door.
Putting on her Angel Goggles and turning them on, Kiyoko sat down in the seat, CD in her lap, and Raishinshi in her hand. She looked down at the purple Angel. He was sleeping so peacefully she didn't want to wake him. Kiyoko sighed and drew her arm back.
"Let's Go, Raishinshi!" she cried, tossing her Angel towards the Layer.
Raishinshi slid through the force field and opened his eyes. He front- flipped into a standing position and floated down to the Layer surface.
"Sorry to practice so soon after you got back from the stadium," Kiyoko apologized to her Angel, "I just want to be ready. You heard what Mr. Icchan said: we'll be fighting a star Deus."
Almost as if he heard her, Raishinshi turned, and stared at her. Kiyoko blinked and then looked down at her lap. She saw the CD, smiled, and picked it up.
"I thought that today we should practice while listening to music," Kiyoko said, getting up, and going over to the stereo, "Yuri says that music helps you think sometimes. I think you'll like this song."
Raishinshi said nothing, but watched her as she put in the CD, and turn the stereo on. After getting it to the right track, Kiyoko hit play. At first the sound of wind was heard, but then music started to play. Kiyoko quickly sat back down as the music took on a heavy metal beat.
"It's called 'BlackBird'," she told her Angel, "I hope this helps."
Kiyoko focused on Raishinshi and soon he was in a boxing stance, waiting for his Deus' mental direction. It was then that the words to the song came in.
*Arekuruu inazuma ni*
*Maioriru wa ore-sama no kage*
*Tatakai no moushi ko yo*
Raishinshi started to punch the air in front of him in a series of jabs and hooks. He then dropped his assault and began kicking. Spin kicks, high kicks, even low kicks.
*Hito no tame Yo no tame ni aku wo taosu Sore shika nai ze*
*Hito-tobitatsu ni deru*
As Kiyoko focused on Raishinshi's practice, she couldn't help but think about what Icchan had told her.
(This star Deus,) she wondered, (who is it? Is it Kobayashi-sama? Fujisaki- san? Or even...)
*Dare ka ga yobu!*
*Kuroku hikaru tsubasa wa sora tobu koumori ningen da to*
(...Tamiko?)
At that last thought, Kiyoko halted her focus, causing Raishinshi to stay still.
(No, it couldn't be, it just couldn't,) Kiyoko reasoned, (Mr. Icchan would have told me outright if it were Tamiko-chan.)
The music picked up and the refrain began.
*Mune de sawagitateru jounetsu-domo kuuru-sa buki ni tsukero*
*Tsumi ni nasake wa nai seigi no hero*
(It's not Tamiko,) Kiyoko concluded, (I know it's not. But who is it then?)
Kiyoko shook her head and re-focused.
(I can't worry about that now,) she thought, (we have to practice.)
*Choito machi na yo baby*
*Ore no me ni wa fukanou nante miecha 'nai ze*
Raishinshi came to life again, performing the combo Tamiko had shown Kiyoko. He punched out with his right fist, then his left. He kicked out with his right leg, came down from the kick, turned with his right foot, and kicked out again with his left. The purple Angel then came down from the kick, thrust his right fist forward, and finished the move with a forward left kick. He finished just as the last verse of the refrain took place.
*Kifuu hatsurai Arashi, okosu ze*
(That was perfect,) Kiyoko thought, happily, (we've gotta be ready for tomorrow, Raishinshi.)
Raishinshi came out of the stance of his last move and got into another position. Then the next set of verses in the song came in.
*Yokubou wo buchinomesu*
*Jaaku no wana yurusha shinai ze*
*Kegaru naki shugo-shin yo*
Raishinshi flattened out his hands, like what Shadow Panther had done, and began to swipe at the air. He karate chopped upwards, downwards, diagonally, and even jabbed. Kiyoko scrunched her nose. She wanted to try out the move, but, apparently, she didn't like it.
(That's one weird way to fight,) she thought to herself, then shifted her focus to another issue.
*Kakenukeru tsumujikaze maiagaru wa kuroi densetsu*
(In the fight against Katalina, I could have sworn Raishinshi sped up,) Kiyoko thought, (I think it happened in Colossus' battle too. He was going so fast, faster than usual. I wonder if I could have him do it again?)
*Kouun no BlackBird*
Shrugging, Kiyoko had Raishinshi go over to the other side of the Layer, across from her.
*Dare mo ga sakebu!*
*Heiwa egaku tsubasa wa sora tobu koumori ningen da to*
As soon as Raishinshi was only a few inches away from the Layers' edge on the other side, he broke out into a run. He was going fast, but not as fast as he was going in the Tournament.
(Try to go faster, Raishinshi,) Kiyoko said, mentally.
Raishinshi's brow furrowed and he leaned forward, but no real change in pace occurred.
Kiyoko frowned.
*Ai mo natsukashisa mo mune no oku no umi ni fukaku shizumeyou*
(Why isn't he going as fast as he was in the Tournament?) she thought, (I'm sure I saw him run fast, almost as fast as Suzuka it looked like. Am I doing something wrong?)
*Itsu ka tadoritsukeru seigi no hero*
Kiyoko looked up and gasped. Her thoughts were still on Raishinshi running, therefore Raishinshi was still running....and he was inches away from Layer edge.
"Raishinshi!" she cried, dropping her focus.
*Ore ni horeru na baby*
*Kurayami ni wa asu e tsuzuku jiyuu ga aru sa*
Raishinshi, only an inch away from falling out of the Layer, stopped suddenly, falling on his back in the process, wincing. Kiyoko gasped.
"Oh, Raishinshi, I'm so sorry!" she cried, standing up, "I should have stayed focus."
*Kifuu hatsurai Kiseki, okosu ze*
As the line finished up, the music took over, but Kiyoko hardly noticed as she focused on her Angel.
(Oh, please stand Raishinshi, I didn't mean it,) Kiyoko begged, (I won't forget about you like that again, okay?)
The purple Angel hoisted himself up on his elbows, then hands, then he got into a sitting position. He looked up at Kiyoko with brown-orange eyes. Kiyoko frowned.
"I'm sorry Raishinshi," she apologized, "I won't let you down again. I promise."
As the refrain got ready to begin, Raishinshi pushed himself up on his feet, and stood up. He was still looking up at her. Kiyoko smiled.
*Mune de sawagitateru jounetsu-dom kuuru-sa buki ni tsukero*
"Thanks Raishinshi," Kiyoko said, sitting back down, "let's make this practice count."
As if he had heard her, Raishinshi smiled.
*Tsumi ni nasake wa nai seigi no hero*
Kiyoko focused on some moves. Raishinshi once again began to throw random punches and kicks.
*Choito machi na yo baby*
*Ore no me ni wa fukanou nante miecha 'nai ze*
(Don't worry Raishinshi,) Kiyoko thought to her Angel, (I won't let you down again. You OR Dad.)
*Kifuu hatsurai Arashi, okosu ze*
As the song reached its last line, Raishinshi launched into a flurry of punches and kicks. As the song wrapped up, the sound of lightning echoed from the speakers. And Deus and Angel continued their practice.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An hour later, dinner was ready, and everyone was seated at the table. And everyone meant 'everyone'. Aya, who was sitting to her sisters' left, glanced at the spot on the table to Kiyoko's right. Raishinshi, sleeping once more, was sitting on the edge of the table. Aya made a face.
"Tell me again why you brought your doll to the dinner table?" she asked, sounding slightly annoyed.
Kiyoko didn't look up as she ate her fish.
"All of the family is supposed to come to dinner, right?" she asked, then continued without a reply, "well, Raishinshi is a part of the family now, so he comes to the table too."
Mrs. Yume, who was sitting across from the girls, nodded.
"That's right, Aya," she said, simply, "Raishinshi IS technically a member of the family now. It wouldn't hurt to bring him to the table."
Aya rolled her eyes and groaned.
"I sure hope you don't act like this when company's over," she muttered, stabbing a piece of fish with her fork.
Kiyoko made a face at her sister and went back to eating. After a while, she looked up at her Mom.
"Hey, Mom?" she spoke up, "which Angelic Layer Tournament did Dad enter?"
Mrs. Yume looked up, confused. Aya stared sourly at her food.
"Um, the 5th Official Tournament two years ago, I think," Mrs. Yume replied, after thinking a couple seconds, she then turned to her daughter, "why do you ask?"
Kiyoko herself was deep in thought. A couple of things that she had heard in the past echoed in her mind.
("This' the fist time in two years that anyone's ever even 'touched' Higure, let alone hit him." Saburo had said in Piffle Princess during their match.)
("No one in this region has ever 'touched' Higure, much less strike him except for the Layer Champ!" the announcer had said earlier today, during Saburo's match.)
Kiyoko furrowed her brow.
(Something about two years ago,) she mused, mentally, (I wonder....)
"Anything wrong Kiyoko?" Mrs. Yume asked.
Kiyoko looked up and blinked.
"Oh, um, nothing, I think," she mumbled, but then got up, "I have to use the phone for a minute. Be right back."
With that, Kiyoko ran over to the counter, where the phone was kept, and ran into the hallway. But she hesitated halfway and turned back to Aya.
"And Aya, don't you 'dare' mess with Raishinshi!" she called, running into her room.
Aya blinked and turned to Raishinshi. The purple Angel continued to sleep at the edge of the table. Aya raised an eyebrow.
(Who'd want to mess with a 'doll'?) she wondered, going back to her fish.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ri-
"Hello, Odayaka Residence?"
"Takumi-kun?"
"Huh? Kiyoko? Hey, what's up?"
Kiyoko thought a moment about what she was about to say. It might be nothing, but she had to check it out.
"Uh, Takumi, could you do me a favor?"
"Hmm?" came the waiting reply.
Kiyoko hesitated.
"You know where to go to find Angelic Layer info, right?" she asked.
There was a pause on the other end.
"Um, yeah. I'm the only one in school who knows how to access it," came Takumi's reply, "but what does-"
"Takumi, can you get info and the old roster for the 5th Official Tournament?" Kiyoko said, quickly.
"HUH?!"
"Takumi, please! It's important," Kiyoko begged.
A pause.
"I only go on for info on daily news on Angelic Layer," he said, sounding a little surprised, "not to hack into stuff."
Kiyoko rolled her eyes.
"I'm not asking you to 'hack', I just want you to find something out for me, please?" she begged.
A sigh came from the other end.
"Okay," Takumi said, sounding tired, "what exactly do you want me to find?"
Kiyoko told him.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After dinner and the phone call, Kiyoko went back to the Practice Layer room, but not to practice in the Layer. Tamiko had lent her a couple tapes on the Angelic Layer 3rd Official Tournament. They showed the Tokyo Prelims through the Kanto Semis. The rest of the tapes were at Tamiko's house.
After putting one of the tapes in the VCR, rewinding it to a certain part, and pressing play, Kiyoko sat down in front of the TV with Raishinshi in her lap. She had rewound it to Hikaru and Suzuka's first match together. She watched as both Deus' were introduced and leaned closer. She noticed how both Angels were perched on the Deus' forearms in a sitting styled sitting position. She had noticed that all the other Deus' were the same way: their Angels were perched on their arms. Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi as the match started.
(Everyone but me seems to have their Angels on their forearms,) she realized, as Hikaru made the first move on TV, (I've just been holding Raishinshi. Maybe I should try doing it the way the other Deus' do it.)
She looked up as Hikaru threw a punch at Suzuka, only to have the ninja dodge at a high speed, grab the red Angels' wrist, and flip her over on the Layer. Kiyoko winced.
(At least I know not to charge her,) she thought, (but, then again, how else can you fight if you don't charge?)
She continued to watch the fight, though half of the time, she was thinking more about tomorrows' match than the TV.
(Who's this star Deus? If Saburo and, hopefully, Tamiko aren't the ones, who does that leave?) she thought, as Hikaru and Suzuka continued to attack and dodge, (there's only Kobayashi-sama, Fujisaki-san, and that other Deus, the pop star, Seto Ringo. I think my sister has one of her albums.)
As the fight progressed, Kiyoko noticed something interesting. As Suzuka came at Hikaru, Hikaru quickly dodged. But the ninja cut her off and struck her. Kiyoko blinked. Hikaru got up and tried to dodge Suzuka again. But she was once again cut off and was hit.
(Huh? How did she know where Hikaru was dodging?) Kiyoko wondered, (she cut her off like she knew ahead of time where to go.)
As the action was repeated again, the camera shifted over to Hikaru's Deus. She looked confused. She leaned in a direction as Hikaru, a second later, went in that direction. Suzuka once again cut her off. Kiyoko was still a bit confused until the camera shifted over the Suzuka's Deus. To Kiyoko's surprise, the 5 year old wasn't looking at the Layer or her Angel, she was staring straight ahead, watching the other Deus. At first Kiyoko didn't get it, but then it snapped when she remembered the movement of Hikaru's Deus.
(She was watching where Suzuhara-sama was leaning,) she realized, (Suzuhara- sama leaned in the direction her Angel moved to only a second or so before her. That's why Suzuka cut her off at every turn: Kobayashi-sama was watching Suzuhara-sama!) Kiyoko smiled a bit. (Wow, I've gotta try that sometime.)
The fight continued the way it was going for a while, but then it seemed like Suzuhara-sama had figured out Kobayashi-sama's strategy, and successfully dodged. But, only a few moments later, Suzuka executed the 'Rolling Thunder', striking Hikaru in the front. Hikaru fell to the Layer, her Damage Gauge now empty. The audience cheered, but Kiyoko had stopped the tape before the announcer could come on.
(Okay, Fujisaki-san's match is next,) Kiyoko thought, getting the second tape.
However, the image of the Rolling Thunder remained in her mind.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After another hour on the TV, watching Suzuka, Mao, and Hikaru's fights, Kiyoko called it a night. It was one hour until her bedtime and she had one last reading assignment for school that was nearly finished. She and Raishinshi were heading for her room, when...
"Sis! Get over here!"
Kiyoko couldn't help but smile as she walked towards Aya's room, where her sister was on her computer. But she was glaring at the screen and turned her glare on Kiyoko when she came in.
"Did you mess with my computer?" Aya asked, hotly.
Kiyoko looked as innocent as she could.
"Maybe a little bit yesterday," she said, turning to her sister, "why do you ask?"
Aya pointed at the computer screens' wallpaper. She smiled. It was a 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi' wallpaper that she had put up the other day while her sister was busy shopping with her Mom, right after the Tournament. It was one of Kiyoko's favorite wallpapers: it was done in different shades of blue. All five guys were in it. In background was the flouting mountain in which the immortals resided in. Rock pillars were scattered around in front of it. Taikoubou and Youzen were sitting on opposite sides of the screen, sitting on two pillars. They were smiling at Kiyoko, who smiled back. Behind Youzen, a little to the left, was Kou Tenka. He was standing, not sitting, lightsaber in hand. Behind Taikoubou, floating in the air, was Nataku. He was simply floating, staring straight out at you. But Kiyoko's focus was in the middle of the picture.
Sitting on a pillar in the center of everyone, was Raishinshi. He was sitting with his left leg hanging off the pillar and his right leg propped up on his left knee. His left hand was behind him, propping him up on the pillar while his right hand was laid on his right knee. He was smiling at Kiyoko and she smiled back. This was her favorite wallpaper.
"Did you put this up?" Aya demanded.
Kiyoko shrugged.
"Maybe," she said, grinning.
Aya didn't look happy. She didn't like some of her sisters' shows, including 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi'. She liked Youzen, but she didn't like the rest of the series very much. And Kiyoko had no idea why. But she loved to tease her by putting up 'Houshin Engi' wallpapers on Aya's computer, which was the only computer in the house.
"Well, take it down," Aya snapped, "I don't wanna be looking at these people all night."
Kiyoko made a face.
"You don't want to see Youzen?" she asked, coyly.
Aya glared again.
"If I want to look at my favorite character, I'll get a wallpaper that only includes that one character," she stated, "not all the others. Now, take it off."
Kiyoko frowned. Aya didn't like the other four boys, not as much as Youzen anyway. She didn't mind Taikoubou and Tenka very much, but she thought Nataku's eyes looked freaky and that Raishinshi was like a bratty kid. Kiyoko, of course, hated that last statement the most.
"But this is my favorite," Kiyoko complained, staring at the wallpaper.
Aya glared, but then grinned, wickedly.
"Take it down, or I'll toss your doll into the washing machine," she threatened.
Kiyoko's eyes widened and she hugged Raishinshi close.
"You wouldn't dare," she gasped.
Aya grinned.
"I will if you don't take down that wallpaper," she blackmailed.
Sighing, Kiyoko went over to take it down, holding her Angel close to her just to be safe. She gave it one more glance and her eyes fell on the Anime Raishinshi and the way he was sitting. Kiyoko glanced down at her sleeping Angel and then back at the screen. She smiled.
She just had an idea.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After finishing her reading assignment, Kiyoko had gone to sleep, Raishinshi sitting on her dresser by her bed. The next morning, Kiyoko woke up early, and got dressed into her uniform at a higher speed than usual. After a quick breakfast, she ran out the door: schoolbag in one hand, Raishinshi in the other, although she held him closer to her. She was in a rush: Takumi told her that he'd get the information she asked him for to her in the morning, before school. Knowing Takumi, she'd have to get up early to catch him and Yuri.
She rounded the corner of the two flower shops and ran up the street. It was then that she spotted them.
"Takumi! Yuri!" she cried, running faster.
The dark-haired siblings turned to see the brunette run towards them at a very high speed.
"Kiyoko-chan?" Yuri said, surprised. Her friend usually wasn't up this early.
Takumi stared at her in surprise.
"Kiyoko! You didn't have to wake up this early," he stated as Kiyoko stopped in front of them and began to pant, "I would have told you later, around P.E. time, where you didn't have to make a mad dash to meet us."
Kiyoko, her pants subsiding, looked up at her friends with a smile.
"I didn't want to wait," she said, simply.
Takumi face-faulted on the road while Yuri sweat-dropped and gave a smile.
"But, did you get the info I asked for?" Kiyoko asked, straightening up, "about Yukiwa Saburo and my Dad?"
Takumi got up, nodded, and opened his school bag.
"Yeah, Yuri had to help me though," he stated, pulling some papers out of his bag.
Yuri turned and smiled at him.
"First time in a long while that you ever asked me for help in anything," she pointed out.
Takumi rolled his eyes while Kiyoko giggled.
"Anyway, I got the info on the 4th, 5th, and 6th Angelic Layer Official Tournaments," he said, looking around for a place to sit down.
Kiyoko blinked.
"But I only wanted info on the 5th," she said, as Takumi spotted a bench, "you didn't have to do all that."
The three friends sat down on the bench by the road. Takumi shrugged.
"I know," he said, "but I was also a little curious."
Takumi brought up the information on the 4th Tournament.
"According to the news, Yukiwa didn't even participate in the Kanto Region Tournament. He was in Yamanashi in the Chubu Region. They have their own Tournaments too," he stated.
Kiyoko said nothing, but gazed at the paper.
"Back then, he was still a rookie," Takumi continued, "he managed to make it to the Semis, but then lost. A short time later, he moved to Tokyo, in Kita City."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Northern Tokyo," she said to herself, "that's where my Dad is."
Yuri nodded.
"I hear they have their own Layer in that city, usually they put one in each state of Japan," she mused.
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi.
"Dad says that his company was working on a project and needed a Layer built," she explained, "people have Tournaments there now."
Takumi looked up, interested.
"What kind of project was it?" he asked.
Kiyoko shrugged.
"He didn't say," was her reply.
Takumi shrugged and went back to his 'report'.
"Anyway," he said, "Yukiwa entered the 5th Tournament over there and made it to the Kanto Prelims, he represented Kita City. He made it to the Finals where..." Takumi paused and turned to Kiyoko. "he and your Dad fought in the Kanto Finals. Yukiwa lost."
Kiyoko blinked in surprise.
"Huh?" she mumbled, almost falling off the seat.
Yuri looked at her, confused.
"Didn't you know?" she asked.
Kiyoko shook her head, still surprised.
"No, I got sick, and couldn't go," she stated, "I missed the Kanto Finals. I wanted to go so bad, but Dad and Mom wouldn't hear of it. They made me stay home and Aya had to look after me."
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"That means that Tamiko has their match somewhere on video," he said.
Kiyoko only nodded as Takumi continued.
"Since both Angels who enter the Finals get to go to the Nationals, both went," he read on, "only, when Yukiwa got to the National Semis-"
"He lost to Hikaru," Kiyoko finished, now knowing what everyone meant.
Takumi nodded.
"Yeah, after that, he played in Kita City," he said, taking out another couple pieces of paper, "he's been a major star Deus there ever since. Here too, even."
Yuri tapped her chin in thought.
"I thought your Dad was the Champ of Northern Tokyo, Kiyoko," she said, aloud.
Takumi replied instead of Kiyoko.
"He is," he stated, "Yukiwa has yet to beat him. It says in the Layer News that they're 'rivals'."
Kiyoko couldn't help but give a slight smile. She knew her Dad could handle any challenge, even a bully like Saburo.
(At least I know that Saburo isn't as perfect as I thought," she thought, then frowned, (but he's still strong. He beat his opponents so easily. And I didn't do so well the first time myself. So...)
Kiyoko looked down at Raishinshi again.
"What can I do?" she whispered, aloud.
Takumi heard her and turned in her direction.
"Pardon?" he asked, stuffing the papers back in his bag.
Kiyoko looked up and frowned.
"Yukiwa Saburo wants me to face him again, and I want to face him too, but- " Kiyoko hesitated. Should she tell them what Mr. Icchan had said?
"But you're worried that you won't be able to make it through the rest of your matches," Yuri said.
Kiyoko blinked in surprise. She should have known that Yuri would find the answer, one way of putting it or another. She was right though. She had to fight a star Deus later today and she had no idea who it was. She had watched the tapes that Tamiko gave her and watched the matches of Hikaru, Mao, and Suzuka, plus matches of some other tough Deus' and Angels. She probably wouldn't remember them all, but at least she remembered a few things.
"If you're so nervous about your next match," Takumi spoke up, "then you should reflect on your past fights."
Kiyoko stared at him.
"Reflect?" she repeated, dumbly.
Takumi nodded.
"Go over your past matches in your head and see what you did right and what you did wrong," he explained, "that way you won't make a past mistake. And that's the kind that can be fatal."
Kiyoko nodded, remembering Hikaru and Suzuka's match from the video. It wouldn't hurt to try.
"Okay," she agreed, "I'll try it. Anything to help Raishinshi."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When the three friends got to school, they met with Tamiko and Ken for a bit before English class started. Kiyoko was sitting at her desk, reading through a story that they had to finish in class. But her mind was on other things. She thought about what Mr. Icchan had said.
("Your opponent is going to be more experienced than you. This won't be just a returning regular or another newbie, you're gonna be fighting a star Deus.")
She furrowed her brow as she remembered what Saburo had told her.
("You've still got a lot to learn if you want to make it any farther.")
Kiyoko sighed and stared blankly down at her open textbook.
(Maybe I should do what Takumi suggested,) she thought, (maybe I should go over my matches and see what I need to improve and what I'm doing right.)
She thought about her first match: it was at Piffle Princess. It was the day after she had made Raishinshi. She couldn't help but smile every time she remembered how he smiled up at her for the first time.
They fought Vesta first. Kiyoko had been so eager to prove herself and Raishinshi to her friends, that she fought her first match without even practicing. She made a mistake before the match had even started. When the match 'did' start, Kiyoko thought that she had everything under control, but she was still a beginner, and her over-confidence nearly lost the match. It was only when her friends and family came and reminded her of her goals was she able to win her match.
(I can't get ahead of myself,) Kiyoko thought, (I've just got to remember my dream and-)
She heard a quiet groan to her left. Looking over to the next row, she giggled. Ken had once again forgotten to bring his English book and that meant he had to share with Takumi. Unfortunately, that meant Ken would be hogging the book while Takumi waited his turn. Kiyoko goggled again at the look on Takumi's face. Funny moments like this made school seem worthwhile.
At the thought of a funny moment, Kiyoko remembered when Icchan had Raishinshi dance to music: 'Icchan's Special Practice Menu.' Kiyoko didn't understand it at first, but then that mysterious girl and her Arabian- looking Angel came, and showed her how dancing could be fighting practice.
("Dancing really helps your Angel fight better. It's good for timing and maneuverability." she had told her while she was showing Kiyoko some moves.)
(It's true,) Kiyoko thought, looking back down at her book, (that dancing 'did' help.)
Another thought occurred to her then. The dancing Angel from Piffle Princess and the one she saw in the Tournament were the same Angel, she was sure of it. But Tamiko had said that that Angel, Ranga, belonged to Seto Ringo, a pop star and a star Deus. A thought occurred.
(She isn't the Deus I have to fight is she?) Kiyoko thought, feeling both nervous and sad.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3rd period, P.E., came fast. All five friends were together and were outside on the track. The girls and the boys were separated into two lines. Their gym teacher, Mr. Orikata, had set up some hurdles for the kids, and was standing off to the side with his clipboard. Ken, Yuri, and four other kids had already gone ahead. A boy went before Takumi, and Kiyoko and Tamiko were next after another girl.
"Excited about your next match?" Tamiko asked Kiyoko, who was standing behind her.
Kiyoko hesitated and looked down.
"Um, yeah, I guess so," she said, as the boy in front of Takumi had his turn.
Tamiko noticed her friends' pensive look.
"Still thinking about Yukiwa Saburo?" Tamiko asked.
Kiyoko looked up and nodded.
"Yeah," she admitted, "I want to do my best, but it's hard when he's always putting me down it seems."
The girl in front of Tamiko went next while Tamiko turned to her friend and gave her a smile of reassurance.
"Don't let that guy get to you," she said, "you're doing fine. Just five more matches and you'll be heading for the Kanto Preliminaries."
Kiyoko looked up at her friend. Tamiko was a great Angelic Layer Deus, but even she ran into trouble last week at Piffle Princess. Kya Suzu and her Angel, Venus, picked on her, and forced her to have a match. Venus was a Heavyweight with an emphasis on Power. She had injured Youzen badly. That was when Kiyoko and Raishinshi came to help.
Kiyoko was pulled out of thought for a moment when it was Takumi's turn. He started running for the first of the three, evenly spaced hurdles. He leaped over the first, second, and third with excellent precision. All the girls, Tamiko and Kiyoko included, started to clap: Takumi was very popular in gym.
Kiyoko's mind then flipped back to her match with Venus. Venus was stronger than Raishinshi, according to Suzu. But Kiyoko wanted to help her friend and had used the same move that she saw Hikaru use on one of Tamiko's videos, a move that sent Venus right out of the Layer. But at the same time, Kiyoko had become cocky because she thought that since her Angel beat a Heavyweight, he was invincible.
(I know better now,) she thought.
"Kotoko, you're up," the gym teacher called.
Tamiko smiled and ran towards the hurdles. She jumped gracefully over the first two. When she came to the last hurdle, she leapt over it, and did a mid-air split in the process, one arm out in front of her, the other off to her right. She landed, one leg first, gracefully. Everyone cheered and whooped: Tamiko was an ace in gymnastics. Kiyoko smiled as the next boy in the boys' line went next. But then her mind drifted to her next match.
The one she had with Saburo.
Kiyoko swallowed hard. That was the match where Raishinshi had been hurt badly by Higure's 'Gravity Blow'. Kiyoko had become over-confident and was starting to become one of the Deus' who only cared about winning and stopped believing in her Angel. Saburo didn't like that and challenged her to an Angel Fight. She had been careless, thinking she could easily defeat a bully, but she had let her guard down. She didn't have faith in Raishinshi and he was beaten, badly. It was only until Saburo pointed out her lack of faith did she believe in Raishinshi again. But by then, it was too late.
"Yume, you're next," Coach Orikata called.
Kiyoko looked up and ran for the first hurdle. She had used a move that she was sure would send Higure out of the Layer, but she had underestimated him. She jumped the first hurdle. She didn't want to quit and had Raishinshi charge Higure. But that was a mistake. She jumped the second hurdle, but as she reached the third, the memory struck. All she could see at that moment was when Higure used the 'Gravity Blow' and knocked Raishinshi out, hard. She could still see the look of surprise and pain on her Angels' face.
With her focus broken, Kiyoko's foot caught on the hurdle's bar, and she fell face first onto the ground below. Laughter was heard behind her while her friends sighed. Kiyoko, face now bright red with embarrassment, looked up. She was still thinking of that fight.
(I won't be reckless OR careless,) she thought to herself, (I'll believe in Raishinshi this time.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After P.E. was over, lunch time came, and all five friends sat together outside to eat and chat. And as always, Ken was chatting on and on about Kiyoko's winning streak.
"I still think you have nothing to worry about," he stated, sipping some of his juice, "you're nailing all your opponents so far. It's obvious that you're a natural in the Layer."
Kiyoko looked down at her sandwich, a little embarrassed.
"I'm not 'that' good," she stated, "I just got lucky-"
But Ken wouldn't hear any of it.
"Oh come ON, Kiyoko!" he interrupted, "you won against three Layer regulars, four including Venus. I mean, you said after the fight with Colossus that you weren't going to doubt yourself anymore. Think positive!"
Takumi rolled his eyes.
"She's nervous about her next match, can you blame her for worrying a bit?" he asked, biting into his riceball.
Ken shrugged.
"You can't worry about every single match you get," he pointed out, "you've gotta relax."
Kiyoko smiled a bit as she remembered what Tamiko had told her on the first day of her first Tournament match.
("As long as you have confidence in Raishinshi and yourself, and believe in the two of you, you can do anything.")
Kiyoko remembered her first match in the Official Tournament. It was against Shadow Panther. Even though Raishinshi struck first, Shadow Panther nearly took the win. She was quick-footed and attacked too fast to allow any type of counter. Raishinshi was losing until Kiyoko had used the strategy Mao had used in the last match to use Shadow Panthers' moves against her.
(Using the opponents strength to your advantage,) Kiyoko pondered, (that might just come in handy.)
"Well, I guess you're right Ken-kun," she said, looking up, "I guess I just need to relax."
Tamiko turned to her friend and gave her a thumbs-up.
"That's the spirit," she said, "you've got to look on the bright side."
"Yeah!" Ken cried, punching the air with his fist, "Kiyoko-chan'll win'em all!"
"Don't get so ahead of yourself."
The five kids turned to see a couple of girls from their last period sitting on the opposite side of the bench. Both were staring at Kiyoko.
"You only one four times," the taller girl of the group said, "you just got lucky."
Kiyoko bit her lip. Yuri glanced at the girls.
"Kiyoko isn't getting ahead of herself," she informed, "she's just calm about it."
The other girl scrunched her nose.
"Sounds more like you're celebrating early," she commented, "four wins is nothing. You're luck'll run out eventually, you know."
Kiyoko frowned.
"It's not luck."
Everyone turned to the new voice. It was a boy, somewhere around fifteen. He had on the High School uniform of Eriol Academy, dark hair, and bright gray eyes. He was looking at the two girls with a frown.
"Excuse me?" the tall girl asked.
The boy gave Kiyoko a smile before turning back to the other two girls.
"Anyone who knows anything about Angelic Layer will tell you that there's no such thing as lucky," he stated, "it all comes down to how much you love your Angel. Faith in your Angel is the key to win and she's proven her faith by getting this far."
The two girls looked slightly embarrassed. Kiyoko blinked in surprise. He knew so much about Angelic Layer. Did he play?
"Well, I still say it's just luck," the tall girl said before she and her friend got up and left.
Kiyoko watched them leave and was struck by the memory of Asuka and Colossus. Asuka had put her and Raishinshi down and also called their first win luck. During their match, Raishinshi was losing because Kiyoko doubted herself. She remembered how the Anime Raishinshi didn't give up in his fights and got the motivation to continue.
(I can't let these things get to me,) she thought, then turned to the boy.
"Thanks, you didn't really have to do that though," Kiyoko said.
The dark-haired boy smiled.
"It's no problem," he said, "my sister would have said the exact same thing."
"Oh, you have a sister?" Tamiko asked, curiously.
The boy nodded.
"Yeah, she's in 2nd grade," he replied, "she plays Angelic Layer too. By the way," He turned to Kiyoko. "I saw your matches. You were good."
Kiyoko smiled.
"Thanks," she said.
"You remind me of someone," he continued, staring at her closely.
All five friends blinked.
"Really?" Kiyoko asked, "who?"
Before the boy could reply.....
"KOTARO-CHAN!!"
Everyone looked behind the boy as the boy turned around. A girl, the same age and uniform as the boys' with shoulder length dirty blond hair, came running towards him at high speed. The boy had no time to react as the girl kicked his legs out from under him with her right leg, causing him to fall backwards with a yelp. But as he fell, the girl followed, and jabbed her elbow into his stomach. All five friends gasped.
"Kotaro-chan! You'd better not be hitting on anyone!" the girl warned, even though she was smiling.
The boy was too busy gasping for air to reply. The girl turned her bright magenta eyes on Kiyoko and her friends. She recognized Kiyoko immediately.
"Hey! You're that girl from the Tournament!" she cried, her elbow still in the boys' stomach.
Kiyoko blinked and nodded.
"Um, yes, I am," she said, hesitantly. Who was this girl?
Suddenly, the girl was off of the boys' stomach and sped up to where Kiyoko was sitting. Kiyoko gulped as the girl grinned at her.
"Oh BOY!" she cried, happily, "this is COOL! Another wonder Deus in our school! I think your Angel ROCKS!"
Kiyoko sweat-dropped. Takumi scratched the back of his head.
"She reminds me of Ken when 'he's' hyped up," he whispered to Yuri.
Yuri stifled a giggle, but Ken overheard the whole thing.
"Not funny," he grumbled, sipping his juice.
Meanwhile, the boy had recovered, and sat up. He gave the girl a look.
"Tamayo, stop getting in her face," he scolded, "it's rude."
The girl was on him in a flash, she had his head in a headlock.
"You can't keep me from congratulating a star!" she protested, "she's cool, just like-"
RING!
Takumi looked up.
"Well," he said, "that's the period bell." He turned to everyone. "We'd better get to History class."
Ken and Yuri followed him as he headed for the main building.
"We'd better hurry," Tamiko said, throwing her empty juice box away, "Mrs. Kisuka doesn't like it when we're late."
Kiyoko nodded and followed, when...
"Hey!"
Kiyoko froze and turned back to girl who had currently let go of the gasping boy. The girl, Tamayo, was waving at her.
"Good luck in your next fight!" she cried.
Kiyoko smiled, hesitantly, and shyly waved back.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
School was out and Kiyoko had stayed after for a bit. She let her friends go ahead of her, she needed time to think. The identity of the 'star Deus' she had to fight was still unknown to her and it was only fifteen minutes until the Tournament began again. As Kiyoko left school grounds and walked down the road, she thought of her two most recent matches.
Her third Tournament match had been with Katalina. The ice-skating Angel was difficult to fight: her 'Spin Kick' made it nearly impossible for Raishinshi to attack For a while, Kiyoko thought that there was no way to win. But then, Kiyoko saw a chance, and both she and Raishinshi worked together to defeat her. And her last match was with the newbie Angel, Felicity. Even though it looked like an easy win, but Kiyoko 'did' have a little bit of difficulty. Felicity punched fast and it took some effort for Kiyoko to help Raishinshi avoid them all. The strategy Mao had used came in handy once again.
(Raishinshi and I have to work together,) Kiyoko thought as she went across the sheltered bridge, (that way, we'll be able to fight better.)
A memory lingered in her mind. It was what she had told her Dad right before he left.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As her father headed out the door, suitcase in hand, a 10 ½ year old Kiyoko ran after him.
"Daddy!" she called.
Mr. Yume stopped a moment and turned back to her. Kiyoko, face sad, looked up at her father.
"I'm gonna become a star Deus too!" she cried, "I'm going to win all my matches, just like you Daddy! I promise!"
Mr. Yume was speechless for a few moments, but then smiled at his daughter.
"I'm sure you will, Kiyoko," he said, softly, "as a matter of fact, I almost know you will. And I'll be waiting for that day."
Kiyoko smiled, sadly, as her father headed for his van.
(I promise Daddy,) she thought, (I'll do it for you Daddy.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++Flashback End++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Halfway across the bridge, Kiyoko stopped, brought up her school bag, and took out Raishinshi.
(I won't let Raishinshi down again,) she thought, staring at her sleeping Angel, (I'll fight my hardest, for Daddy and for my Angel.)
"Let's do our best, Raishinshi," she whispered to him.
*Uh...konya mo mata...*
Raishinshi said nothing, but he seemed to smile. Kiyoko smiled back and continued on.
*....hakanai hoshi zora*
Kiyoko exited the sheltered bridge and continued down the road, unaware that a man in a white lab coat was hidden in a tree, watching her from a branch. He smiled at her.
*Uh...hikaru hoshi ni....*
"Don't worry, Kiyoko," Icchan murmured, "you'll do fine. I know it."
*....negai o kakeru kara*
Kiyoko didn't see or hear him. She continued towards the stadium: Angel in hand, smile on her face.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHEW! That took some time to write. Sorry for the delay, a slight case of writer's block, I suppose. Anyway, sorry if the ending sounded sappy, I'm trying to put in some drama. Next chapter, Kiyoko goes up against a star Deus. Who is it? Stay tuned to find out. Anyway, just to let everyone know, if I mimicked something from another fanfic, gomen nasai, I didn't intend to. I hope you all are enjoying my fic, I hope to please you all. Please read and review! No flames, please!
PS If I made any spelling errors, e-mail me.