My Angel Story
Disclaimer: Gack! I'm sorry for not updating for a while, but not only have I been sick,
but my sister did something to the computer, and we lost all our files. We
had to re-install 'Microsoft Word' and that took some time seeing as sis
lost the downloading guide -_-. Anyway, in this chapter, as Kiyoko meets
new friends, a familiar face appears. I just want to let you know ahead that
the story that Hatoko tells Kiyoko, I made that up because I needed that
scene to be sweet. I'm sorry if I did anything offensive.
I don't own Angelic Layer or any of the original characters. I DO own
Kiyoko Yume, Angel Raishinshi, Kiyoko's family and friends, Saburo,
Angel Higure, and any other Deus' and Angels that haven't been mentioned
in the series. Enjoy!
Battle 13: "Time for Rest! Kiyoko Meets New Friends!"
"Kiyoko!"
"Where are you?"
Both Takumi and Ken wandered down the large, gold-tiled hallways of the Angelic Layer Stadium with looks of concern. They went to the Waiting Area to check on Kiyoko, but only to find out from Tamiko that she hadn't come back. She wanted to search with them, but since her match was coming up soon, Takumi made her stay. They had searched the food court, the other waiting area, and even the lobby, but still no Kiyoko.
"Do you think she's okay?" Ken asked, scanning the hallway.
Takumi frowned.
"After Raishinshi was hurt by Higure, Kiyoko's always been protective of him," he stated, recalling the bad match of last week, "and to have her Angel injured again, under somewhat similar circumstances, she must be taking it hard."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ogata was typing furiously into his computer, bringing up necessary Angel data that Icchan had asked him to upload, and compare them to another Angels' data. After he had brought up both files he turned to an impatiant Icchan, who was watching a replay of Raishinshi's match with Suzuka.
"Okay Chief," he announced, "I got the data you wanted."
Icchan hardly looked in his direction.
"Can't you see I'm busy?" he grumbled.
Ogata blinked.
"Huh? But Chief-" he began.
"There!" Icchan suddenly yelled, pointing at the Visual Screen, "freeze it there Yuko!"
The brunette woman who sat at a computer behind Ogata nodded and hit the 'Pause' command. Curious, Ogata went over to the Screen to see what the 'Chief' was so interested in. The image on screen showed Raishinshi in mid- leap, aiming a punch at Suzuka. The ninja Angel was in a handstand, about to perform her signature move, the 'Rolling Thunder'.
"Eh?" Ogata said, dumbly, "what's this?"
Icchan didn't answer him and turned to Yuko.
"Can you slow down the footage?" he asked.
Yuko nodded and typed in a command. The image started up again, only it was slower this time. Raishinshi continued towards Suzuka who looked up at him and smiled. A look of shock crossed the boy Angels' face as Suzuka started to execute the 'Rolling Thunder'. Then, something unexpected happened. As Suzuka's leg began to come forward, Raishinshi slightly reeled back, only a bit. His right leg bent upward so that his knee was near his chest as Suzuka struck him. Her foot hit his right leg and slid up across to his left shoulder. Ogata gaped as Icchan grinned.
"Huh?? What just happened??" Ogata gaped.
"I knew it," Icchan still grinning.
His assistants stared at him strangely.
"Huh? Knew what, Chief?" Ogata asked, "you knew that she dodged?"
Yuko stared at the screen as it slowly showed Raishinshi begin to fly upwards.
"How could she have made him dodge that fast, though?" she asked, "I mean, it was in the middle of execution."
"She didn't exactly tell him to dodge."
Both assistants gaped in their Chiefs' direction.
"W-what?" Yuko stuttered, "she didn't? But then-"
"She didn't 'consciously' tell him to dodge," Icchan continued, smiling, "it was sort of a 'subconscious' reaction."
Ogata blinked.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, if someone were about to hit you, what would your reaction be?" Icchan asked his assistant.
Ogata thought a moment.
"Well, I'd either duck, or cover my face, or........." he stopped as he realized what his Chief was saying.
"Or jump back," Icchan finished with a smile, "here, Kiyoko realized what Suzuka was planning at the last minute, and, as a subconscious reaction, had Raishinshi recoil. After all, some things that the Angels do are due to the subconscious. That's where the Angels' expressions come from."
Yuko and Ogata stared at the screen as it showed Raishinshi standing up.
"That girl, even when she does it subconsciously, she's good," Yuko stated.
Ogata nodded in agreement. Icchan walked over to the closest computer and typed in a certain command.
"Not to mention that last minute move was pretty amazing," Ogata brought up, "she got Suzuka off the ground, where she couldn't run or dodge, then attacked her in midair. That was one of the coolest moves I've seen her Angel do."
Icchan watched as the computer screen came up with Kiyoko and Raishinshi's stats. At the bottom, by the Tournament status, it said:
| Tournament Status: 5 Wins, 0 Loses |
Icchans' smile quickly turned into a frown as he remembered what had happened after the match was won.
"Yes, it was," he agreed, but then turned serious, "but the price was a little too much."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In a hallway, one far away from the East Waiting Room, a 12-year old girl with brown hair and an Eriol Acadamy Middle School uniform was sitting on a bench that was posted by the buildings' big windows that showed the outside. In her hands was a small, very tanned boy Angel with black-blue hair that stopped between his shoulder blades (or where they'd be considered) and a purple and black outfit. He looked bruised up and his right leg was slightly twisted to the right. The girl stared down at him, eyes holding unshed tears.
"I'm so sorry, Raishinshi," Kiyoko said, cradling her Angel, "this is all my fault. I didn't do something right and now you're hurt again. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I won't blame you if you're mad at me. I deserve it."
The purple Angel didn't answer, but he 'did' look sad. Kiyoko was about to hug him when.........
"Kiyoko?"
Startled, Kiyoko turned to her left, and saw someone she didn't expect to see. Hatoko, Suzuka in hand, was beside her. They looked at one another for awhile.
"K-Kobayashi-sama," Kiyoko stuttered, "what.........what are you doing here?"
The 2nd grader smiled, gently.
"I came to check on you and Raishinshi," she said, then turned serious and looked over at Raishinshi, "is he okay?"
Kiyoko's eyes filled with more tears as she shook her head.
"No, he isn't," she said, "and it's all my fault that he's hurt!"
It was then that Kiyoko couldn't hold back her tears any longer and she began to cry over her Angel. Hatoko's expression grew sympathetic as she walked closer to Kiyoko.
"Why is it your fault?" she asked, gently.
Kiyoko, tears running down her face, turned to the 'Invincible Venus'.
"I saw that Suzuka was going into the 'Rolling Thunder' stance, but I didn't make him stop," she said, sniffling, "and I pushed him into continuing after he got hurt. I shouldn't have forced him."
Kiyoko then broke down again, holding Raishinshi close. Hatoko looked at her former opponent with a look of understanding.
"You think that you forced Raishinshi into continuing?" she asked.
Kiyoko said nothing, but nodded.
"I don't think that's true."
Kiyoko stopped and turned to Hatoko in confusion.
"Why?" she asked, tears still running down her face.
Hatoko looked down at Raishinshi.
"If Raishinshi didn't want to continue, he wouldn't have stood up," she explained, "he hung in there and got up for you, didn't he?" Kiyoko nodded and Hatoko continued. "And as for not stopping him, a lot of Deus' mistake that stance for a fancy recovery. You're not the only one. And I really think that you did well in our match."
Kiyoko, still in tears, looked down at Raishinshi.
"But.........but that move I used," she said, "it's the reason why Raishinshi got hurt."
Hatoko smiled softly.
"Want to hear something interesting?" she asked.
Curious at her tone, Kiyoko nodded.
"When Suzuka and I first started out, we weren't very good at first," Hatoko admitted, "I was only four then, but I didn't listen to what everyone said about 'being too young'. I practiced with Suzuka everyday until we were as fast as we are now. By the time I was halfway into the Tokyo Prelims, she was the fastest Angel in the Layer." Hatoko looked down at Suzuka. "In our last match, I came up with a last minute move that I thought was perfect." Hatoko looked up at Kiyoko. "Want to guess what it was?"
Kiyoko blinked.
"The 'Rolling Thunder'?" she guessed.
Hatoko nodded and looked back down to Suzuka who was sleeping emotionlessly in her hands.
"Yes, the 'Rolling Thunder'," she continued, "but I did it too fast and Suzuka lost her balance. Her arm was damaged and I was upset with myself. But she didn't quit on me and we won many matches after that because we learned from our mistake." Hatoko looked up at Kiyoko. "Now, whenever we do any move that's tricky, especially the 'Rolling Thunder', we take our time in executing it."
Kiyoko's tears stopped as she gazed down at the young Deus.
"You mean, 'you' made a mistake?" she asked, "'you', the 'Invincible Venus'?"
Hatoko giggled.
"Yep, even stars goof up," she admitted, "it happens to everyone."
Kiyoko suddenly grew worried.
"But.........but.........I hurt your Angel," she stuttered, "I don't know why you'd be talking to me."
Hatoko patted the newbie Deus on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about it,"she said, "I've learned that losing is another way of learning. You learn from your mistakes after all."
Kiyoko blinked and looked down at Raishinshi again.
"Do you think Raishinshi hates me?" she asked.
Hatoko looked down at him and smiled.
"I don't think so," she said, "I think he understands."
Kiyoko stared at her Angel. He didn't look as sad as he did before.
(That's what Mr. Icchan said,) she thought, gazing into Raishinshi's closed eyes, (do you really forgive me Raishinshi?)
Raishinshi didn't say anything, of course, but Kiyoko got a feeling by looking at him. Kiyoko turned to Hatoko, a soft smile on her face.
"I think you're right, Kobayashi-sama," she said, "thank you. You made me feel better."
Hatoko smiled.
"I'm glad, I don't like seeing other Deus' upset," she said, looking down, "ever since I first lost, I finally understood how bad losing and seeing your Angel hurt was. And you can just call me Hatoko. I don't mind."
Kiyoko blinked in surprise.
"R-r-really?" she stuttered, "y-you don't mind?"
Hatoko shook her head.
"Nope, I don't mind," she said, "I don't like titles."
Kiyoko immediately turned red.
"Oh, uh, wow," she mumbled, "I've never made friends with a 'star Deus' before."
Hatoko giggled.
"We're not that different from other Deus'," she said, "we're just asked for autographs a lot."
Kiyoko giggled and stood up.
"If you want to, Hatoko-san, I can introduce you to my friends," she suggested, "Tamiko can fix Suzuka. She has an Angel Repair Kit."
Hatoko smiled and hopped off the bench.
"I'd like that," she agreed, "but first, I-"
A noise behind them got the girls' attention. Both girls looked behind them to see a trash bin in the middle of the hallway, only a few feet away from them. Kiyoko stared at the bin.
"Was that there before?" she asked out loud.
Hatoko shrugged.
"I don't think so," she said, staring closely at the trash bin.
Without warning, the top of the bin popped off and a man in a white lab coat shot up from it.
"I'M WIGGLY ICCHAN!!" he cried, wearing the top of the bin like a hat.
"EEEEP!" both girls cried, jumping back, hugging their Angels tightly.
"M-Mr. Icchan!" Kiyoko stuttered, surprised to see the older man so suddenly.
"Mr. Icchan?" Hatoko asked.
Kiyoko nodded as she watched Icchan climb out of the trash bin, suitcase in hand, bin cover still on his head.
"Yeah, he's a friend. He helped me a lot when I first started playing Angelic Layer," Kiyoko explained, "he even fixed Raishinshi once."
Icchan turned to both girls and smiled.
"Hello ladies," he greeted, "I see we're in the middle of girl talk, eh?"
Kiyoko smiled, shyly.
"Hatoko-san and I were just talking about our Angels," she explained.
Icchan came closer.
"That so?" he asked, and bowed to Hatoko, respectively, "hello there, Kobayashi-san. Nice to be near a celebrity."
Hatoko blushed.
"I'm not a celebrity," she said, shyly, "not like Seto Ringo, anyway."
Icchan smiled at that, but then turned to Kiyoko with a look of concern. He glanced down at Raishinshi.
"I saw your match," he said, looking the purple Angel over, "is Raishinshi okay?"
Kiyoko lowered her eyes and shook her head.
"No," she replied, "his leg's twisted weird. What did I do wrong?"
Icchan looked closely at Raishinshi before replying.
"That split kick you used, you did it too fast," he explained, "not to mention his leg was already damaged. But it's fixable."
Kiyoko smiled at Hatoko who smiled back. She then hugged her Angel.
"Don't worry," she said, "I won't rush like that again."
Icchan straightened up.
"That's good," he said, bringing his suitcase up, "I came here to fix up Raishinshi. No charge." He turned to Hatoko. "Would you like me to fix up Suzuka?"
Hatoko thought a moment and turned to Kiyoko, then back to Icchan.
"You're a friend of Kiyoko's, so," she began, smiling, "I trust you. I'll let you fix Suzuka."
Icchan nodded and set his suitcase on the floor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Hatoko!"
"Hatoko-chan!"
Three High School Kids walked down the hallway of the Angelic Layer stadium, looking for the little Deus. She wasn't in the waiting room and she wasn't in the food court, so they started to search every hallway for her. So far, they had no luck.
"Where do you think she went?" Tamayo asked, scanning the hallway.
Kotaro said nothing as he was deep in thought. Misaki was worried.
"You don't think she's upset about losing, do you?" she asked her friends.
Kotaro shook his head.
"I doubt it," he said, "she's accepted losing. I think........." he paused and rubbed his chin a bit. "I think she might be with that other Deus though. The one who won the match."
Tamayo turned to him.
"Why'd she hang out with the winner?" she asked, "that's a little odd."
Kotaro crossed his arms.
"Maybe because her Angel got 'hurt' and she's trying to cheer her up," he scolded, "y'know, it's not a crime to befriend an opponent."
Tamayo shrugged. Misaki, on the other hand, frowned as she remembered the match.
"That's right. Raishinshi got hurt," she murmmered, "I hope he's okay."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko and Hatoko watched Icchan in both curiosity and eagerness as he used his tools to fix their Angels. He was nearly done when Hatoko turned to Kiyoko.
"You've only started to play Angelic Layer, right?" she asked.
Kiyoko turned to the smaller girl and nodded.
"Yeah, I started a week ago," she replied.
Hatoko blinked, but smiled.
"Wow, you're really good at handling your Angel," she commented.
Kiyoko turned bright red.
"Everybody always says that," she murmered.
Hatoko shrugged.
"It's the truth," she said, "some of those moves, like the ones you used on Katalina and Suzuka, are high level moves. Not many beginners can fight like that. Well, other than a friend of mine."
"A friend?" Kiyoko asked, blinking in confusion.
Hatoko nodded.
"Yes, she started out just like you did," she explained, "she and her Angel were able to win many matches because she believed in her Angel. Just like how you believe in yours."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Just like I believe........." she repeated in a low voice.
"Finished!"
Both girls turned back to Icchan. He closed his suitcase and stood up. With a smile, he turned to the girls, and held out their Angels.
"Both your Angels are all ready to go," he announced.
Both girls smiled and took their respective Angels. Kiyoko looked Raishinshi over and examined his once injured leg. It was sound and straight. Icchan noticed her observation.
"Don't worry about it. And his leg wasn't as damaged as you thought," he assured her, "his knee joint just got bent a little, that's all."
Kiyoko looked up Icchan and smiled at him. Hatoko did the same, a repaired Suzuka in her hands.
"Thank you very much," both said in unison.
Before Icchan could reply, the sound of footsteps were heard, accompanied by voices.
"Kiyoko!"
"Hey Kiyoko! Where are you?!"
Kiyoko turned to where the voices were coming from, at the right side of the hall.
"That's Takumi and Ken," she stated.
"Are they your friends?" Hatoko asked, looking up at the girl.
Kiyoko nodded as the two boys rounded the corner. Takumi was first and smiled at the sight of Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko! Finally!" he cried, happy, "we though you left the building for a while."
Ken ran over to her, smiling with relief, Takumi following.
"Yeah, Takumi said you were probably bummed out since Raishinshi got-OW!" Ken wailed as Takumi wacked him.
"You always had a big mouth Ken-kun," he grumbled.
The two girls giggled at the sight. It was then that the boys noticed Hatoko.
"Holy Cow!" Ken cried, "y-you're Kobayashi Hatoko! The 'Invincible Venus'!"
The 2nd grader nodded and smiled up at the staring boys.
"Please to meet you, friends of Kiyoko," she said, politely.
Ken grinned like a mad boy while Takumi bowed respectively to the popular Deus.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kobayashi-san," he said, a little excited himself.
Hatoko nodded. Ken turned to Kiyoko.
"Man, you're getting pretty popular with the cool crowd it seems," he stated.
Kiyoko blushed.
"Oh, we were just talking," she said, "we're friends now, uh, right?"
Hatoko giggled at the older girl and nodded.
"Hai," she said, cheerfully.
Ken began digging into his pockets, frantically.
"Uh, Kobayashi-sama?" he asked, pulling out a small notepad and pen, "can I have an autograph?"
Takumi rolled his eyes while Hatoko looked up at Kiyoko with a mischievous smile.
"See?" she said.
Kiyoko began to laugh, when.........
"Hatoko!"
"Hatoko-chan!"
Everyone turned to see three kids in Eriol Acadamy High School uniforms run down the hall towards them. Two were girls, one with dirty blond hair and magenta eyes and one with short brown hair, two hair strands on the sides of her head, and sky blue eyes. The boy had short dark hair and gray eyes. Kiyoko recognized two of the kids instantly.
"Hey, you two are the kids from this afternoon," she stated.
The one with blond hair, Tamayo, stopped in front of them and nodded.
"Yeah, and you're the Deus who won this match," she replied and the other two kids joined her.
Kiyoko nodded as the boy, Kotaro, bent over to Hatoko.
"How many times have I told you not to disappear like that?" he scolded, "I thought you were going to meet us after the match was over."
Hatoko shrugged, indignantly.
"I had to see if my opponent was okay," she said, "it would be rude if I didn't."
Kotaro rolled his eyes.
"Just tell us first nexttime," he said, "Tamayo was having a fit."
Before Tamayo could respond to that.........
"HOLY COW!! YOU'RE SUZUHARA MISAKI!!" Ken cried, pointing at the brunette in total shock.
The small girl blinked nervously as Kiyoko and Takumi's startled eyes fell on her.
"Y-you ARE Suzuhara-sama!" Takumi stuttered, surprised to see the Champion of the Layer in person.
"Oh WOW!" Kiyoko cried with glee, "it's an honor to meet you!"
Misaki rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.
"Um, a-arigatou Yume-san," she mumbled, shyly.
Kiyoko beamed more.
"No, I mean it," she said, "you're the one who got me interested in Angelic Layer!"
Misaki blinked and looked up in surprise at the statement.
"Really?" she asked.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yes, really!" she replied, beaming.
"Suzuhara-sama?" Ken asked, holding out his pad and pen, "can I have your autograph too?"
Takumi and Kiyoko rolled their eyes while Hatoko giggled. Since Misaki and her friends were used to this, they merely smiled. That was when Takumi noticed the repaired Angels.
"Hey, Kiyoko?" he asked, "when did Raishinshi get fixed?"
Kiyoko looked down at her Angel while Misaki glanced at Suzuka.
"Suzuka looks better too," she mentioned, "who fixed her?"
Kiyoko blinked then gasped.
"Oh! I almost forgot, Mr. Icchan did it," she said, remembering.
Everyone looked confused. Except for Misaki, whose eyes widened.
"Who?" Ken asked.
Hatoko pointed behind her and Kiyoko.
"He fixed our Angels," she said, "he's really good at repairing Angels."
The friends of the two Deus' looked behind the two and grew more confused.
"Huh?" they all asked.
Kiyoko and Hatoko turned around to introduce their friends to Icchan, but to their surprise, he was gone!
"Huh?! Where'd he go?!" Kiyoko cried, looking around the hallway. But Icchan, and the trash bin, were nowhere in sight.
"He was here a minute ago," Hatoko mumbled, looking confused.
Ken put his hands on his hips.
"Kiyoko, who's this Mr. Icchan you keep talking about?" he asked, confused.
Kiyoko was too busy looking for her friend to reply, but Misaki was deep in thought over something.
(Icchan-san.........)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So she's okay?"
"Of course. You know she never quits."
Yukio smiled at the good news. He and Icchan were in one of the test rooms, talking about Kiyoko's present state. Yukio turned towards the Test Layer in the middle of the room, which his Angel stood on, waiting for his Deus to return.
"Do you think she can make it?" Yukio asked, still looking at his Angel, "this match 'was' a bit rough."
Icchan waved a hand, dismissing the doubt.
"You know what your problem is, Yuu?" he teased, "you worry too much."
Yukio turned back to his friend.
"But she nearly lost," he stated.
Icchan nodded, remembering.
"I know, but I believe she can pull through this," he stated, turning to Yukio, "don't you?"
Before Yulio could reply.........
"It'd be quite a shame if he didn't."
Both adults turned to the entrance to see that someone had entered the room. A boy with finely combed dark hair and bright navy eyes stood by the door, wearing a navy-black college uniform. Perched on his raised arm was an Angel, a boy Angel. He had pale blue hair and a light blue, futuristic visor over his closed eyes. His skin was pale against his long-sleeved, navy and bright blue trench coat with white clasps on the collar and upper arms. White pants and navy blue boots with bright blue feet were clad on his legs and white, fingerless gloves with blue knuckles were on his hands. To complete the futuristic outfit, a white antenna was stuck to one side of his visor and had a white Angel Cord coming out from behind it. The boy smiled at the two men as his Angel slept.
"Oujiro!" Icchan cried in surprise, "when did you pop in? You weren't scheduled for the test until another hour."
Mihara Oujiro, Icchans' younger brother, shrugged casually.
"I decided to surprise you, big brother," he answered, "I know how much you love surprises."
Icchan opened his mouth, then closed it, knowing by now not to give in to Oujiro's teasings. Yukio, on the other hand, smiled at him.
"Nice to see you again, Oujiro," he greeted as the boy approached them, "couldn't wait to battle me, eh?"
Oujiro shook his head.
"No, not exactly," he said, "came to see Kiyoko-san."
Yukio blinked in surprise while Icchans' head shot up.
"Eh?" was the only word that left his mouth.
Oujiro shrugged again.
"I wanted to see why everyone was so interested in her," he said, smiling, "I know now. Her last match was amazing."
Icchan regained himself and nodded.
"You betcha," he stated, "she reminds me of a couple people." He glanced back at Yukio, who looked embarrassed at the statement.
Oujiro turned to his brother.
"Is her Angel okay?" he asked.
Icchan nodded.
"Of course, I fixed him myself," he replied, "he should be fit to fight the rest of his matches. Don't you worry about Kiyoko and Raishinshi."
Oujiro giggled.
"An interesting name," he commented.
Icchan nodded.
"It translates to 'the boy of thunder and lightning'," Yukio said, suddenly, "she named him after her favorite character on TV."
Icchan smiled.
"I know," he said, "and the resemblance is unbelievable."
Oujiro nodded and headed for the Test Layer.
"I suppose we should get started now," he said, taking a seat at one end, "I want to finish before her next match."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Wow! These sandwiches are good!" Kiyoko cried, stuffing a salmon sandwich into her mouth.
Tamayo nodded, her mouth filled with sandwich.
"Yup, an 'Mifakeefi' med ham herfelf," she said, although her speech was slurred due to the food in her mouth.
Yuri, who sat beside the blond, stared at her in puzzlement.
"What did you say?" she asked.
Tamayo swallowed and repeated what she said.
"I said 'Yes, and 'Misakichi' made them herself'," she explained.
Yuri and Kiyoko nodded while Kotaro rolled his eyes.
"Y'know, you really shouldn't talk with your mouth full, Tamayo," he suggested.
Tamayo gave him a look. After Kiyoko was found, she and her new friends met up with everybody in the food court. Tamiko had joined them, having finished her match, and they were all chatting over Misaki's homemade 'Salmon Sandwiches'. While it 'was' amazing to have two star Deus' sitting with them all, they all mainly enjoyed having made new friends.
"I've never tasted food this good," Mrs. Yume commented, staring at her sandwich in amazement, then turning to Misaki, "you must tell me your secret."
Misaki blushed furiously at the compliment.
"I-I don't do anything special, Mrs. Yume," she stated, "really."
Tamayo grinned over at her friend as Ken shoved sandwiches into his mouth at record speed.
"Don't be so modest, Misakichi!" she insisted, "you're a terrific chef! Everything you make is delicious!"
Misaki blushed even more as Tamiko turned to her, Youzen seated in her lap.
"Why does Tamayo call you 'Misakichi'?" she asked.
Before Misaki could reply, Tamayo answered.
"It's her nickname," she declared, "and if you wanna be our friends, you gotta call her Misakichi too!"
Everyone giggled while Aya, who sat at the farthest end of the table, rolled her eyes.
"That sounds cute," Kiyoko stated, "it's better than mine."
Hatoko, who sat between Ken and Misaki, turned to her.
"You have a nickname?" she asked, a little surprised.
Kiyoko nodded, but Ken answered for her.
"Yep!" he declared, "it's 'Over-Confident Kiyoko'!"
Everyone giggled while Kiyoko blushed.
"I'm not over-confident anymore," she said, turning to Raishinshi, who sat on the table edge beside her, "I'm going to be more careful from now on."
Takumi looked up from his sandwich besides Yuri.
"That's good to hear," he said, "being careful in a match is best in critical moments."
Hatoko nodded in agreement.
"Right, it helps you think clearer," she said, taking a bite out of her sandwich.
Tamayo turned to Kiyoko with a grin present.
"In that case," she said, "you need a 'new' nickname."
Kiyoko turned to her.
"I do?" she asked.
Tamayo nodded.
"Yep, and Tamayo is here to give you one," the blond said and began to think.
"Wait a minute," Kotaro said, looking a little annoyed in Tamayo's direction.
But Tamayo had already thought of something.
"I got it!" she cried, and threw an arm in the air with a sandwich in her hand, "Kiyoko's new nickname is 'Kikiyoko'!"
Everyone stared while Kiyoko blinked wide-eyed at Tamayo.
"Ki-kiyoko?" she repeated.
Kotaro glared at Tamayo.
"You shouldn't give her a name she might not want," he said, turning to Kiyoko, "if you don't like it, you don't have to use it."
But Kiyoko shook her head.
"I don't mind, really," she assured.
Tamayo stuck her tongue out at Kotaro while Hatoko giggled at the sight.
"Kikiyoko," Tamiko tried out and smiled, "I like it."
"Me too," Yuri agreed.
Mrs. Yume smiled at her daughter.
"It sounds pretty," she said and turned to Aya, "don't you think?"
Aya simply shrugged and looked away. Misaki turned to Kiyoko.
"Who do you have to fight next?" she asked.
Kiyoko swallowed a piece of her sandwich and picked up the Roster sheet that Takumi had brought over. After skimming down a ways, she finally found her name.
"Um, we'll be fighting Umiko Mikage and Angel Serena," she reported, "they're regulars, I think, and they already lost to.........oh cool! She fought against Junko-chan!"
All of Kiyoko's friends turned to her in surprise.
"Really?" Tamiko asked.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yeah, in their 4th match," she said.
Yuri smiled.
"That's good," she commented, "Junko-chan is doing well."
Kotaro turned to Kiyoko in question.
"Is this Deus a friend of yours?" he asked, "because I think I've heard her name before."
Takumi nodded.
"She has some classes with us," he explained, "she's been playing Angelic Layer for a year. Some people have started to call her the 'Layer Ballerina'."
Hatoko looked up from her meal in recognition.
"I think I've seen her before," she said, thoughtfully, "she got to the Kanto Prelims last year. Didn't you make it there too, Tamiko?"
Tamiko nodded, looking down at Youzen.
"Yeah, but she lasted longer than I did," she admitted.
Before a reply could be made.........
"HOLY COW!" Ken cried, staring at the view screen that hung in front of the food court, "IT'S JUNKO!"
Everyone turned to see that, sure enough, Junko was fighting this match. The view screen showed the current matches that occurred in the stadium. Junko's Angel, Kara, was in the Layer, fighting with another Angel.
Kara was a ballet based Angel. She wore a blue ballet shirt with a pink, silk scarf attached to her upper arms from behind. She wore elbow length, pink gloves with pale blue ribbons around her wrists. On her chest was a pink heart and around her waist was a rosy pink tutu that drooped a bit to her knees. Pink nylons were on her legs pink ballet slippers tied with pale blue ribbons were on her feet. Around her neck was a pink choker with a cerulean Angel Cord coming out in back. She had long blue hair tied into ankle length pigtails and matching cerulean eyes. Her opponent was a familiar one; it was the clown Angel that had gone up against Mao in her first match.
Kara was running towards the clown Angel, her scarf and Angel Cord flailing behind her. The clown Angel put up a block as Kara launched a flurry of punches at her face. The clown Angel backed away, wearily, as Kara continued her assault. Then, Kara stood on her toes and performed a right spin kick that sent her opponent sliding across the Layer.
"Wow, you're friend can fight well," Mrs. Yume commented, watching Kara advance again.
Kiyoko nodded. Misaki looked at where Junko was sitting, in the West Corner.
"I saw her fights. She fought well in all of them," she said, "I especially liked her Angel. What kind is she?"
"She's a Lightweight model with emphasis on Balance," Yuri replied, promptly, "Balance types are mostly always tall and can keep their footing in fights. You can hardly knock a Balance type down."
As the clown Angel started to throw punches at Kara, Tamayo glanced at Yuri in wonder.
"Really?" she asked, "you can't knock one over?"
Yuri blinked and thought for a second, but Takumi answered first.
"Only if can't get them in the air, where any Angel would be vulnerable," he explained, "Balance types are low in Defense, that's why Kara moves around a lot. Junko's nearly made her untouchable."
Sure enough, back on the screen, Kara was avoiding all of her opponents' attacks. But as a result, she was being pushed back to the edge of the Layer. She was only a foot away when the clown Angel went in for the kill. But just as she executed her punch, Kara back-flipped over her opponents' head, and landed behind her. The clown Angel turned around with a look of shock as Kara raised her hands to her sides, leaned back her right leg, and kicked forward with all her might. Her foot hit her opponent under the chin, sending her out of the Layer. The buzzer rang and the crowd began to cheer.
"Layer Out! Kara, Win!" the announcer cried, "and the 'Layer Ballerina' does it again, nailing her opponent with a swift, ballet-styled kick! I hope our next match is as explosive as this one has been!"
A picture of Junko taking her Angel Goggles off appeared on screen. As the shy girl flashed a timid smile, Kiyoko began to jump up and down.
"Wow! Junko-chan is amazing!" she cried, excitedly, "that was a cool move she used!"
Aya turned away from the conversation as Misaki clapped her hands.
"She 'does' play good," she said, smiling, "I hope Hikaru and I can fight her one day."
As they continued to cheer for Junko, they didn't notice that they were being watched by someone. Misaki then turned to Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko? Can we watch your next match?" she asked, hopefully.
Kiyoko blinked as Kotaro, Tamayo, and Hatoko all turned to her as well. Glancing down at Raishinshi, the brunette smiled.
"Sure," she replied, nodding.
"YAY!" everyone yelled.
The figure who watched merely narrowed her eyes and left.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Elsewhere, about thirty minutes later in the Test Layer, two Angels were fighting one another in their 3rd round. Icchan was by a computer, taking data from the fight. The blue and white Angel, Wizard, stood ready as the silver Angel ran at him at a high speed. The silver Angel began throwing punches, which Wizard was able to dodge without much problem. When the silver Angel hesitated for a kick, Wizard leapt forward, and aimed a punch for his opponents' face. But, to his and his Deus' surprise, the silver Angel caught Wizard by the wrist, and flipped him onto his back.
Oujiro, who was on the left side of the Layer, frowned while Yukio, who was on the right side, smiled a bit. Wizard got up and launched into a flurry of punches. The silver Angel dodged most of them with amazing grace before back-flipping over his opponent. The silver Angel spun around, spin kicking Wizard across the waist in the process. Wizard fell on all fours, but before he could get up, the buzzer rang.
"Time's up boys," Icchan declared, typing in the last bit of information, "that's the last bit of data we needed."
Both Deus' took off their Angel Goggles. Oujiro let out a sigh as he picked up Wizard.
"And not a moment too soon," he commented, then smiled at Yukio, "you've improved greatly, Yuu-san."
Yukio picked up his Angel and shook his head.
"Nah, we've just been practicing a bit more," he said.
Neither heard Icchan's call phone ring. As he answered it, Yukio walked over to Oujiro.
"Wizard isn't damaged too much, is he?" he asked, staring at the futuristic Angel.
Oujiro smiled and shook his head.
"No, it's not as bad as you might think," he assured, "it takes more than a few hits like that to take out Wizard."
Yukio was about to speak some more when Icchan closed his cell phone and turned to the two boys.
"Hate to break up the chat boys, but," he began, smiling, "Kiyoko is fighting now."
Both turned to Icchan and smiled.
"Well then, what 'are' we waiting for?" Oujiro asked, cheerfully.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Back in the stadium, the 4th match had rolled back, and Kiyoko's turn with it. She sat in the East Side Angel Chair and was facing her opponent: another middle school girl in a red uniform with short blond hair. Both Deus' Angels were inside the Layer. Raishinshi was standing in the center of the Layer, all fixed and better than ever. His opponent was a girl Angel with purple hair and eyes. She wore a pink tank top with a powder blue jacket over it. She had close-fitting powder blue pants that went to her knees and pink sneakers. A pink Angel Cord was in back of her jacket. As Kiyoko focused on the Layer, her friends were in the stadium seats behind her, halfway up in the middle row.
"Go, Kiyoko!" Mrs. Yume cried.
"GO GET'EM, KIKIYOKO!!" Tamayo cried, standing in her seat.
Everyone else was watching with interest as the fight went on. All except Aya. She watched with not much interest as the match went on.
(I still don't know why she even 'likes' this game,) she thought, stretching her arms.
Back in the Layer Area, the timer was at 5 minutes. The opposing Angel, Serena, had 50% left in her Gauge while Raishinshi had 75%. Serena ran at Raishinshi as fast as she could. The purple Angel tensed until Serena lunged for him. Serena instantly launched into a flurry of punches. With Kiyoko's help, Raishinshi was able to maneuver around them. Finally, Serena lashed out with a left spin kick, but Raishinshi back-flipped away from it. Serena followed him as he landed, but the minute he did so, Raishinshi kicked out with a right forward kick. It caught Serena in the chin and caused her to fly back a foot.
"That's it, Kiyoko!" Ken cried, "show'er who's boss!"
Serena recovered, but Raishinshi was already heading her way. Serena quickly jumped up and executed a reverse spin kick, only to have Raishinshi catch it by the ankle. Turning towards the edge of the Layer, Raishinshi turned, and threw Serena towards the edge with all of his might. With a silent cry, Serena flew towards the edge of the Layer, bumping on the Layer itself as she did so. She slid out of the Layers' force field and landed on the floor with a small click. The buzzer went off and Raishinshi's picture flashed across the Box Screen.
"Layer Out! Raishinshi, Win!" the announcer cried, bringing forth cheers from the crowd, "a spectacular performance, and right after his match with Suzuka too! This newbie has won her 6th match, ladies and gentlemen, will she be going for all ten?!"
Kiyoko smiled.
(You bet we will,) she thought.
*Uh.........konya mo mata.........*
"Yay Kiyoko!" Misaki cheered while Hatoko clapped besides her.
"You rock, Kiyoko!" Ken chimed in.
*........hakanai hoshi zora*
Raishinshi ran towards the edge of the Layer and jumped out. Kiyoko reached out and caught him before he could fall.
*Uh.........hikaru hoshi ni..........*
She smiled down at Raishinshi.
"I promise I'll give you my best from now on, Raishinshi," she vowed.
*........negai o kakeru kara*
Raishinshi only smiled as they walked back towards the waiting room.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"sigh" I always seem to make these chapters so long, although this is a short one compared to last chapter. Hope I kept Oujiro, Misaki, and co. in character, I did the best I could. In the next chapter, expect Kiyoko to make a hard decision as she has to fight against one of her friends. Who'll it be? Stay tuned to find out! Please R&R, but no flames!
Disclaimer: Gack! I'm sorry for not updating for a while, but not only have I been sick,
but my sister did something to the computer, and we lost all our files. We
had to re-install 'Microsoft Word' and that took some time seeing as sis
lost the downloading guide -_-. Anyway, in this chapter, as Kiyoko meets
new friends, a familiar face appears. I just want to let you know ahead that
the story that Hatoko tells Kiyoko, I made that up because I needed that
scene to be sweet. I'm sorry if I did anything offensive.
I don't own Angelic Layer or any of the original characters. I DO own
Kiyoko Yume, Angel Raishinshi, Kiyoko's family and friends, Saburo,
Angel Higure, and any other Deus' and Angels that haven't been mentioned
in the series. Enjoy!
Battle 13: "Time for Rest! Kiyoko Meets New Friends!"
"Kiyoko!"
"Where are you?"
Both Takumi and Ken wandered down the large, gold-tiled hallways of the Angelic Layer Stadium with looks of concern. They went to the Waiting Area to check on Kiyoko, but only to find out from Tamiko that she hadn't come back. She wanted to search with them, but since her match was coming up soon, Takumi made her stay. They had searched the food court, the other waiting area, and even the lobby, but still no Kiyoko.
"Do you think she's okay?" Ken asked, scanning the hallway.
Takumi frowned.
"After Raishinshi was hurt by Higure, Kiyoko's always been protective of him," he stated, recalling the bad match of last week, "and to have her Angel injured again, under somewhat similar circumstances, she must be taking it hard."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ogata was typing furiously into his computer, bringing up necessary Angel data that Icchan had asked him to upload, and compare them to another Angels' data. After he had brought up both files he turned to an impatiant Icchan, who was watching a replay of Raishinshi's match with Suzuka.
"Okay Chief," he announced, "I got the data you wanted."
Icchan hardly looked in his direction.
"Can't you see I'm busy?" he grumbled.
Ogata blinked.
"Huh? But Chief-" he began.
"There!" Icchan suddenly yelled, pointing at the Visual Screen, "freeze it there Yuko!"
The brunette woman who sat at a computer behind Ogata nodded and hit the 'Pause' command. Curious, Ogata went over to the Screen to see what the 'Chief' was so interested in. The image on screen showed Raishinshi in mid- leap, aiming a punch at Suzuka. The ninja Angel was in a handstand, about to perform her signature move, the 'Rolling Thunder'.
"Eh?" Ogata said, dumbly, "what's this?"
Icchan didn't answer him and turned to Yuko.
"Can you slow down the footage?" he asked.
Yuko nodded and typed in a command. The image started up again, only it was slower this time. Raishinshi continued towards Suzuka who looked up at him and smiled. A look of shock crossed the boy Angels' face as Suzuka started to execute the 'Rolling Thunder'. Then, something unexpected happened. As Suzuka's leg began to come forward, Raishinshi slightly reeled back, only a bit. His right leg bent upward so that his knee was near his chest as Suzuka struck him. Her foot hit his right leg and slid up across to his left shoulder. Ogata gaped as Icchan grinned.
"Huh?? What just happened??" Ogata gaped.
"I knew it," Icchan still grinning.
His assistants stared at him strangely.
"Huh? Knew what, Chief?" Ogata asked, "you knew that she dodged?"
Yuko stared at the screen as it slowly showed Raishinshi begin to fly upwards.
"How could she have made him dodge that fast, though?" she asked, "I mean, it was in the middle of execution."
"She didn't exactly tell him to dodge."
Both assistants gaped in their Chiefs' direction.
"W-what?" Yuko stuttered, "she didn't? But then-"
"She didn't 'consciously' tell him to dodge," Icchan continued, smiling, "it was sort of a 'subconscious' reaction."
Ogata blinked.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, if someone were about to hit you, what would your reaction be?" Icchan asked his assistant.
Ogata thought a moment.
"Well, I'd either duck, or cover my face, or........." he stopped as he realized what his Chief was saying.
"Or jump back," Icchan finished with a smile, "here, Kiyoko realized what Suzuka was planning at the last minute, and, as a subconscious reaction, had Raishinshi recoil. After all, some things that the Angels do are due to the subconscious. That's where the Angels' expressions come from."
Yuko and Ogata stared at the screen as it showed Raishinshi standing up.
"That girl, even when she does it subconsciously, she's good," Yuko stated.
Ogata nodded in agreement. Icchan walked over to the closest computer and typed in a certain command.
"Not to mention that last minute move was pretty amazing," Ogata brought up, "she got Suzuka off the ground, where she couldn't run or dodge, then attacked her in midair. That was one of the coolest moves I've seen her Angel do."
Icchan watched as the computer screen came up with Kiyoko and Raishinshi's stats. At the bottom, by the Tournament status, it said:
| Tournament Status: 5 Wins, 0 Loses |
Icchans' smile quickly turned into a frown as he remembered what had happened after the match was won.
"Yes, it was," he agreed, but then turned serious, "but the price was a little too much."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In a hallway, one far away from the East Waiting Room, a 12-year old girl with brown hair and an Eriol Acadamy Middle School uniform was sitting on a bench that was posted by the buildings' big windows that showed the outside. In her hands was a small, very tanned boy Angel with black-blue hair that stopped between his shoulder blades (or where they'd be considered) and a purple and black outfit. He looked bruised up and his right leg was slightly twisted to the right. The girl stared down at him, eyes holding unshed tears.
"I'm so sorry, Raishinshi," Kiyoko said, cradling her Angel, "this is all my fault. I didn't do something right and now you're hurt again. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I won't blame you if you're mad at me. I deserve it."
The purple Angel didn't answer, but he 'did' look sad. Kiyoko was about to hug him when.........
"Kiyoko?"
Startled, Kiyoko turned to her left, and saw someone she didn't expect to see. Hatoko, Suzuka in hand, was beside her. They looked at one another for awhile.
"K-Kobayashi-sama," Kiyoko stuttered, "what.........what are you doing here?"
The 2nd grader smiled, gently.
"I came to check on you and Raishinshi," she said, then turned serious and looked over at Raishinshi, "is he okay?"
Kiyoko's eyes filled with more tears as she shook her head.
"No, he isn't," she said, "and it's all my fault that he's hurt!"
It was then that Kiyoko couldn't hold back her tears any longer and she began to cry over her Angel. Hatoko's expression grew sympathetic as she walked closer to Kiyoko.
"Why is it your fault?" she asked, gently.
Kiyoko, tears running down her face, turned to the 'Invincible Venus'.
"I saw that Suzuka was going into the 'Rolling Thunder' stance, but I didn't make him stop," she said, sniffling, "and I pushed him into continuing after he got hurt. I shouldn't have forced him."
Kiyoko then broke down again, holding Raishinshi close. Hatoko looked at her former opponent with a look of understanding.
"You think that you forced Raishinshi into continuing?" she asked.
Kiyoko said nothing, but nodded.
"I don't think that's true."
Kiyoko stopped and turned to Hatoko in confusion.
"Why?" she asked, tears still running down her face.
Hatoko looked down at Raishinshi.
"If Raishinshi didn't want to continue, he wouldn't have stood up," she explained, "he hung in there and got up for you, didn't he?" Kiyoko nodded and Hatoko continued. "And as for not stopping him, a lot of Deus' mistake that stance for a fancy recovery. You're not the only one. And I really think that you did well in our match."
Kiyoko, still in tears, looked down at Raishinshi.
"But.........but that move I used," she said, "it's the reason why Raishinshi got hurt."
Hatoko smiled softly.
"Want to hear something interesting?" she asked.
Curious at her tone, Kiyoko nodded.
"When Suzuka and I first started out, we weren't very good at first," Hatoko admitted, "I was only four then, but I didn't listen to what everyone said about 'being too young'. I practiced with Suzuka everyday until we were as fast as we are now. By the time I was halfway into the Tokyo Prelims, she was the fastest Angel in the Layer." Hatoko looked down at Suzuka. "In our last match, I came up with a last minute move that I thought was perfect." Hatoko looked up at Kiyoko. "Want to guess what it was?"
Kiyoko blinked.
"The 'Rolling Thunder'?" she guessed.
Hatoko nodded and looked back down to Suzuka who was sleeping emotionlessly in her hands.
"Yes, the 'Rolling Thunder'," she continued, "but I did it too fast and Suzuka lost her balance. Her arm was damaged and I was upset with myself. But she didn't quit on me and we won many matches after that because we learned from our mistake." Hatoko looked up at Kiyoko. "Now, whenever we do any move that's tricky, especially the 'Rolling Thunder', we take our time in executing it."
Kiyoko's tears stopped as she gazed down at the young Deus.
"You mean, 'you' made a mistake?" she asked, "'you', the 'Invincible Venus'?"
Hatoko giggled.
"Yep, even stars goof up," she admitted, "it happens to everyone."
Kiyoko suddenly grew worried.
"But.........but.........I hurt your Angel," she stuttered, "I don't know why you'd be talking to me."
Hatoko patted the newbie Deus on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about it,"she said, "I've learned that losing is another way of learning. You learn from your mistakes after all."
Kiyoko blinked and looked down at Raishinshi again.
"Do you think Raishinshi hates me?" she asked.
Hatoko looked down at him and smiled.
"I don't think so," she said, "I think he understands."
Kiyoko stared at her Angel. He didn't look as sad as he did before.
(That's what Mr. Icchan said,) she thought, gazing into Raishinshi's closed eyes, (do you really forgive me Raishinshi?)
Raishinshi didn't say anything, of course, but Kiyoko got a feeling by looking at him. Kiyoko turned to Hatoko, a soft smile on her face.
"I think you're right, Kobayashi-sama," she said, "thank you. You made me feel better."
Hatoko smiled.
"I'm glad, I don't like seeing other Deus' upset," she said, looking down, "ever since I first lost, I finally understood how bad losing and seeing your Angel hurt was. And you can just call me Hatoko. I don't mind."
Kiyoko blinked in surprise.
"R-r-really?" she stuttered, "y-you don't mind?"
Hatoko shook her head.
"Nope, I don't mind," she said, "I don't like titles."
Kiyoko immediately turned red.
"Oh, uh, wow," she mumbled, "I've never made friends with a 'star Deus' before."
Hatoko giggled.
"We're not that different from other Deus'," she said, "we're just asked for autographs a lot."
Kiyoko giggled and stood up.
"If you want to, Hatoko-san, I can introduce you to my friends," she suggested, "Tamiko can fix Suzuka. She has an Angel Repair Kit."
Hatoko smiled and hopped off the bench.
"I'd like that," she agreed, "but first, I-"
A noise behind them got the girls' attention. Both girls looked behind them to see a trash bin in the middle of the hallway, only a few feet away from them. Kiyoko stared at the bin.
"Was that there before?" she asked out loud.
Hatoko shrugged.
"I don't think so," she said, staring closely at the trash bin.
Without warning, the top of the bin popped off and a man in a white lab coat shot up from it.
"I'M WIGGLY ICCHAN!!" he cried, wearing the top of the bin like a hat.
"EEEEP!" both girls cried, jumping back, hugging their Angels tightly.
"M-Mr. Icchan!" Kiyoko stuttered, surprised to see the older man so suddenly.
"Mr. Icchan?" Hatoko asked.
Kiyoko nodded as she watched Icchan climb out of the trash bin, suitcase in hand, bin cover still on his head.
"Yeah, he's a friend. He helped me a lot when I first started playing Angelic Layer," Kiyoko explained, "he even fixed Raishinshi once."
Icchan turned to both girls and smiled.
"Hello ladies," he greeted, "I see we're in the middle of girl talk, eh?"
Kiyoko smiled, shyly.
"Hatoko-san and I were just talking about our Angels," she explained.
Icchan came closer.
"That so?" he asked, and bowed to Hatoko, respectively, "hello there, Kobayashi-san. Nice to be near a celebrity."
Hatoko blushed.
"I'm not a celebrity," she said, shyly, "not like Seto Ringo, anyway."
Icchan smiled at that, but then turned to Kiyoko with a look of concern. He glanced down at Raishinshi.
"I saw your match," he said, looking the purple Angel over, "is Raishinshi okay?"
Kiyoko lowered her eyes and shook her head.
"No," she replied, "his leg's twisted weird. What did I do wrong?"
Icchan looked closely at Raishinshi before replying.
"That split kick you used, you did it too fast," he explained, "not to mention his leg was already damaged. But it's fixable."
Kiyoko smiled at Hatoko who smiled back. She then hugged her Angel.
"Don't worry," she said, "I won't rush like that again."
Icchan straightened up.
"That's good," he said, bringing his suitcase up, "I came here to fix up Raishinshi. No charge." He turned to Hatoko. "Would you like me to fix up Suzuka?"
Hatoko thought a moment and turned to Kiyoko, then back to Icchan.
"You're a friend of Kiyoko's, so," she began, smiling, "I trust you. I'll let you fix Suzuka."
Icchan nodded and set his suitcase on the floor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Hatoko!"
"Hatoko-chan!"
Three High School Kids walked down the hallway of the Angelic Layer stadium, looking for the little Deus. She wasn't in the waiting room and she wasn't in the food court, so they started to search every hallway for her. So far, they had no luck.
"Where do you think she went?" Tamayo asked, scanning the hallway.
Kotaro said nothing as he was deep in thought. Misaki was worried.
"You don't think she's upset about losing, do you?" she asked her friends.
Kotaro shook his head.
"I doubt it," he said, "she's accepted losing. I think........." he paused and rubbed his chin a bit. "I think she might be with that other Deus though. The one who won the match."
Tamayo turned to him.
"Why'd she hang out with the winner?" she asked, "that's a little odd."
Kotaro crossed his arms.
"Maybe because her Angel got 'hurt' and she's trying to cheer her up," he scolded, "y'know, it's not a crime to befriend an opponent."
Tamayo shrugged. Misaki, on the other hand, frowned as she remembered the match.
"That's right. Raishinshi got hurt," she murmmered, "I hope he's okay."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kiyoko and Hatoko watched Icchan in both curiosity and eagerness as he used his tools to fix their Angels. He was nearly done when Hatoko turned to Kiyoko.
"You've only started to play Angelic Layer, right?" she asked.
Kiyoko turned to the smaller girl and nodded.
"Yeah, I started a week ago," she replied.
Hatoko blinked, but smiled.
"Wow, you're really good at handling your Angel," she commented.
Kiyoko turned bright red.
"Everybody always says that," she murmered.
Hatoko shrugged.
"It's the truth," she said, "some of those moves, like the ones you used on Katalina and Suzuka, are high level moves. Not many beginners can fight like that. Well, other than a friend of mine."
"A friend?" Kiyoko asked, blinking in confusion.
Hatoko nodded.
"Yes, she started out just like you did," she explained, "she and her Angel were able to win many matches because she believed in her Angel. Just like how you believe in yours."
Kiyoko blinked.
"Just like I believe........." she repeated in a low voice.
"Finished!"
Both girls turned back to Icchan. He closed his suitcase and stood up. With a smile, he turned to the girls, and held out their Angels.
"Both your Angels are all ready to go," he announced.
Both girls smiled and took their respective Angels. Kiyoko looked Raishinshi over and examined his once injured leg. It was sound and straight. Icchan noticed her observation.
"Don't worry about it. And his leg wasn't as damaged as you thought," he assured her, "his knee joint just got bent a little, that's all."
Kiyoko looked up Icchan and smiled at him. Hatoko did the same, a repaired Suzuka in her hands.
"Thank you very much," both said in unison.
Before Icchan could reply, the sound of footsteps were heard, accompanied by voices.
"Kiyoko!"
"Hey Kiyoko! Where are you?!"
Kiyoko turned to where the voices were coming from, at the right side of the hall.
"That's Takumi and Ken," she stated.
"Are they your friends?" Hatoko asked, looking up at the girl.
Kiyoko nodded as the two boys rounded the corner. Takumi was first and smiled at the sight of Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko! Finally!" he cried, happy, "we though you left the building for a while."
Ken ran over to her, smiling with relief, Takumi following.
"Yeah, Takumi said you were probably bummed out since Raishinshi got-OW!" Ken wailed as Takumi wacked him.
"You always had a big mouth Ken-kun," he grumbled.
The two girls giggled at the sight. It was then that the boys noticed Hatoko.
"Holy Cow!" Ken cried, "y-you're Kobayashi Hatoko! The 'Invincible Venus'!"
The 2nd grader nodded and smiled up at the staring boys.
"Please to meet you, friends of Kiyoko," she said, politely.
Ken grinned like a mad boy while Takumi bowed respectively to the popular Deus.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kobayashi-san," he said, a little excited himself.
Hatoko nodded. Ken turned to Kiyoko.
"Man, you're getting pretty popular with the cool crowd it seems," he stated.
Kiyoko blushed.
"Oh, we were just talking," she said, "we're friends now, uh, right?"
Hatoko giggled at the older girl and nodded.
"Hai," she said, cheerfully.
Ken began digging into his pockets, frantically.
"Uh, Kobayashi-sama?" he asked, pulling out a small notepad and pen, "can I have an autograph?"
Takumi rolled his eyes while Hatoko looked up at Kiyoko with a mischievous smile.
"See?" she said.
Kiyoko began to laugh, when.........
"Hatoko!"
"Hatoko-chan!"
Everyone turned to see three kids in Eriol Acadamy High School uniforms run down the hall towards them. Two were girls, one with dirty blond hair and magenta eyes and one with short brown hair, two hair strands on the sides of her head, and sky blue eyes. The boy had short dark hair and gray eyes. Kiyoko recognized two of the kids instantly.
"Hey, you two are the kids from this afternoon," she stated.
The one with blond hair, Tamayo, stopped in front of them and nodded.
"Yeah, and you're the Deus who won this match," she replied and the other two kids joined her.
Kiyoko nodded as the boy, Kotaro, bent over to Hatoko.
"How many times have I told you not to disappear like that?" he scolded, "I thought you were going to meet us after the match was over."
Hatoko shrugged, indignantly.
"I had to see if my opponent was okay," she said, "it would be rude if I didn't."
Kotaro rolled his eyes.
"Just tell us first nexttime," he said, "Tamayo was having a fit."
Before Tamayo could respond to that.........
"HOLY COW!! YOU'RE SUZUHARA MISAKI!!" Ken cried, pointing at the brunette in total shock.
The small girl blinked nervously as Kiyoko and Takumi's startled eyes fell on her.
"Y-you ARE Suzuhara-sama!" Takumi stuttered, surprised to see the Champion of the Layer in person.
"Oh WOW!" Kiyoko cried with glee, "it's an honor to meet you!"
Misaki rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.
"Um, a-arigatou Yume-san," she mumbled, shyly.
Kiyoko beamed more.
"No, I mean it," she said, "you're the one who got me interested in Angelic Layer!"
Misaki blinked and looked up in surprise at the statement.
"Really?" she asked.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yes, really!" she replied, beaming.
"Suzuhara-sama?" Ken asked, holding out his pad and pen, "can I have your autograph too?"
Takumi and Kiyoko rolled their eyes while Hatoko giggled. Since Misaki and her friends were used to this, they merely smiled. That was when Takumi noticed the repaired Angels.
"Hey, Kiyoko?" he asked, "when did Raishinshi get fixed?"
Kiyoko looked down at her Angel while Misaki glanced at Suzuka.
"Suzuka looks better too," she mentioned, "who fixed her?"
Kiyoko blinked then gasped.
"Oh! I almost forgot, Mr. Icchan did it," she said, remembering.
Everyone looked confused. Except for Misaki, whose eyes widened.
"Who?" Ken asked.
Hatoko pointed behind her and Kiyoko.
"He fixed our Angels," she said, "he's really good at repairing Angels."
The friends of the two Deus' looked behind the two and grew more confused.
"Huh?" they all asked.
Kiyoko and Hatoko turned around to introduce their friends to Icchan, but to their surprise, he was gone!
"Huh?! Where'd he go?!" Kiyoko cried, looking around the hallway. But Icchan, and the trash bin, were nowhere in sight.
"He was here a minute ago," Hatoko mumbled, looking confused.
Ken put his hands on his hips.
"Kiyoko, who's this Mr. Icchan you keep talking about?" he asked, confused.
Kiyoko was too busy looking for her friend to reply, but Misaki was deep in thought over something.
(Icchan-san.........)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So she's okay?"
"Of course. You know she never quits."
Yukio smiled at the good news. He and Icchan were in one of the test rooms, talking about Kiyoko's present state. Yukio turned towards the Test Layer in the middle of the room, which his Angel stood on, waiting for his Deus to return.
"Do you think she can make it?" Yukio asked, still looking at his Angel, "this match 'was' a bit rough."
Icchan waved a hand, dismissing the doubt.
"You know what your problem is, Yuu?" he teased, "you worry too much."
Yukio turned back to his friend.
"But she nearly lost," he stated.
Icchan nodded, remembering.
"I know, but I believe she can pull through this," he stated, turning to Yukio, "don't you?"
Before Yulio could reply.........
"It'd be quite a shame if he didn't."
Both adults turned to the entrance to see that someone had entered the room. A boy with finely combed dark hair and bright navy eyes stood by the door, wearing a navy-black college uniform. Perched on his raised arm was an Angel, a boy Angel. He had pale blue hair and a light blue, futuristic visor over his closed eyes. His skin was pale against his long-sleeved, navy and bright blue trench coat with white clasps on the collar and upper arms. White pants and navy blue boots with bright blue feet were clad on his legs and white, fingerless gloves with blue knuckles were on his hands. To complete the futuristic outfit, a white antenna was stuck to one side of his visor and had a white Angel Cord coming out from behind it. The boy smiled at the two men as his Angel slept.
"Oujiro!" Icchan cried in surprise, "when did you pop in? You weren't scheduled for the test until another hour."
Mihara Oujiro, Icchans' younger brother, shrugged casually.
"I decided to surprise you, big brother," he answered, "I know how much you love surprises."
Icchan opened his mouth, then closed it, knowing by now not to give in to Oujiro's teasings. Yukio, on the other hand, smiled at him.
"Nice to see you again, Oujiro," he greeted as the boy approached them, "couldn't wait to battle me, eh?"
Oujiro shook his head.
"No, not exactly," he said, "came to see Kiyoko-san."
Yukio blinked in surprise while Icchans' head shot up.
"Eh?" was the only word that left his mouth.
Oujiro shrugged again.
"I wanted to see why everyone was so interested in her," he said, smiling, "I know now. Her last match was amazing."
Icchan regained himself and nodded.
"You betcha," he stated, "she reminds me of a couple people." He glanced back at Yukio, who looked embarrassed at the statement.
Oujiro turned to his brother.
"Is her Angel okay?" he asked.
Icchan nodded.
"Of course, I fixed him myself," he replied, "he should be fit to fight the rest of his matches. Don't you worry about Kiyoko and Raishinshi."
Oujiro giggled.
"An interesting name," he commented.
Icchan nodded.
"It translates to 'the boy of thunder and lightning'," Yukio said, suddenly, "she named him after her favorite character on TV."
Icchan smiled.
"I know," he said, "and the resemblance is unbelievable."
Oujiro nodded and headed for the Test Layer.
"I suppose we should get started now," he said, taking a seat at one end, "I want to finish before her next match."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Wow! These sandwiches are good!" Kiyoko cried, stuffing a salmon sandwich into her mouth.
Tamayo nodded, her mouth filled with sandwich.
"Yup, an 'Mifakeefi' med ham herfelf," she said, although her speech was slurred due to the food in her mouth.
Yuri, who sat beside the blond, stared at her in puzzlement.
"What did you say?" she asked.
Tamayo swallowed and repeated what she said.
"I said 'Yes, and 'Misakichi' made them herself'," she explained.
Yuri and Kiyoko nodded while Kotaro rolled his eyes.
"Y'know, you really shouldn't talk with your mouth full, Tamayo," he suggested.
Tamayo gave him a look. After Kiyoko was found, she and her new friends met up with everybody in the food court. Tamiko had joined them, having finished her match, and they were all chatting over Misaki's homemade 'Salmon Sandwiches'. While it 'was' amazing to have two star Deus' sitting with them all, they all mainly enjoyed having made new friends.
"I've never tasted food this good," Mrs. Yume commented, staring at her sandwich in amazement, then turning to Misaki, "you must tell me your secret."
Misaki blushed furiously at the compliment.
"I-I don't do anything special, Mrs. Yume," she stated, "really."
Tamayo grinned over at her friend as Ken shoved sandwiches into his mouth at record speed.
"Don't be so modest, Misakichi!" she insisted, "you're a terrific chef! Everything you make is delicious!"
Misaki blushed even more as Tamiko turned to her, Youzen seated in her lap.
"Why does Tamayo call you 'Misakichi'?" she asked.
Before Misaki could reply, Tamayo answered.
"It's her nickname," she declared, "and if you wanna be our friends, you gotta call her Misakichi too!"
Everyone giggled while Aya, who sat at the farthest end of the table, rolled her eyes.
"That sounds cute," Kiyoko stated, "it's better than mine."
Hatoko, who sat between Ken and Misaki, turned to her.
"You have a nickname?" she asked, a little surprised.
Kiyoko nodded, but Ken answered for her.
"Yep!" he declared, "it's 'Over-Confident Kiyoko'!"
Everyone giggled while Kiyoko blushed.
"I'm not over-confident anymore," she said, turning to Raishinshi, who sat on the table edge beside her, "I'm going to be more careful from now on."
Takumi looked up from his sandwich besides Yuri.
"That's good to hear," he said, "being careful in a match is best in critical moments."
Hatoko nodded in agreement.
"Right, it helps you think clearer," she said, taking a bite out of her sandwich.
Tamayo turned to Kiyoko with a grin present.
"In that case," she said, "you need a 'new' nickname."
Kiyoko turned to her.
"I do?" she asked.
Tamayo nodded.
"Yep, and Tamayo is here to give you one," the blond said and began to think.
"Wait a minute," Kotaro said, looking a little annoyed in Tamayo's direction.
But Tamayo had already thought of something.
"I got it!" she cried, and threw an arm in the air with a sandwich in her hand, "Kiyoko's new nickname is 'Kikiyoko'!"
Everyone stared while Kiyoko blinked wide-eyed at Tamayo.
"Ki-kiyoko?" she repeated.
Kotaro glared at Tamayo.
"You shouldn't give her a name she might not want," he said, turning to Kiyoko, "if you don't like it, you don't have to use it."
But Kiyoko shook her head.
"I don't mind, really," she assured.
Tamayo stuck her tongue out at Kotaro while Hatoko giggled at the sight.
"Kikiyoko," Tamiko tried out and smiled, "I like it."
"Me too," Yuri agreed.
Mrs. Yume smiled at her daughter.
"It sounds pretty," she said and turned to Aya, "don't you think?"
Aya simply shrugged and looked away. Misaki turned to Kiyoko.
"Who do you have to fight next?" she asked.
Kiyoko swallowed a piece of her sandwich and picked up the Roster sheet that Takumi had brought over. After skimming down a ways, she finally found her name.
"Um, we'll be fighting Umiko Mikage and Angel Serena," she reported, "they're regulars, I think, and they already lost to.........oh cool! She fought against Junko-chan!"
All of Kiyoko's friends turned to her in surprise.
"Really?" Tamiko asked.
Kiyoko nodded.
"Yeah, in their 4th match," she said.
Yuri smiled.
"That's good," she commented, "Junko-chan is doing well."
Kotaro turned to Kiyoko in question.
"Is this Deus a friend of yours?" he asked, "because I think I've heard her name before."
Takumi nodded.
"She has some classes with us," he explained, "she's been playing Angelic Layer for a year. Some people have started to call her the 'Layer Ballerina'."
Hatoko looked up from her meal in recognition.
"I think I've seen her before," she said, thoughtfully, "she got to the Kanto Prelims last year. Didn't you make it there too, Tamiko?"
Tamiko nodded, looking down at Youzen.
"Yeah, but she lasted longer than I did," she admitted.
Before a reply could be made.........
"HOLY COW!" Ken cried, staring at the view screen that hung in front of the food court, "IT'S JUNKO!"
Everyone turned to see that, sure enough, Junko was fighting this match. The view screen showed the current matches that occurred in the stadium. Junko's Angel, Kara, was in the Layer, fighting with another Angel.
Kara was a ballet based Angel. She wore a blue ballet shirt with a pink, silk scarf attached to her upper arms from behind. She wore elbow length, pink gloves with pale blue ribbons around her wrists. On her chest was a pink heart and around her waist was a rosy pink tutu that drooped a bit to her knees. Pink nylons were on her legs pink ballet slippers tied with pale blue ribbons were on her feet. Around her neck was a pink choker with a cerulean Angel Cord coming out in back. She had long blue hair tied into ankle length pigtails and matching cerulean eyes. Her opponent was a familiar one; it was the clown Angel that had gone up against Mao in her first match.
Kara was running towards the clown Angel, her scarf and Angel Cord flailing behind her. The clown Angel put up a block as Kara launched a flurry of punches at her face. The clown Angel backed away, wearily, as Kara continued her assault. Then, Kara stood on her toes and performed a right spin kick that sent her opponent sliding across the Layer.
"Wow, you're friend can fight well," Mrs. Yume commented, watching Kara advance again.
Kiyoko nodded. Misaki looked at where Junko was sitting, in the West Corner.
"I saw her fights. She fought well in all of them," she said, "I especially liked her Angel. What kind is she?"
"She's a Lightweight model with emphasis on Balance," Yuri replied, promptly, "Balance types are mostly always tall and can keep their footing in fights. You can hardly knock a Balance type down."
As the clown Angel started to throw punches at Kara, Tamayo glanced at Yuri in wonder.
"Really?" she asked, "you can't knock one over?"
Yuri blinked and thought for a second, but Takumi answered first.
"Only if can't get them in the air, where any Angel would be vulnerable," he explained, "Balance types are low in Defense, that's why Kara moves around a lot. Junko's nearly made her untouchable."
Sure enough, back on the screen, Kara was avoiding all of her opponents' attacks. But as a result, she was being pushed back to the edge of the Layer. She was only a foot away when the clown Angel went in for the kill. But just as she executed her punch, Kara back-flipped over her opponents' head, and landed behind her. The clown Angel turned around with a look of shock as Kara raised her hands to her sides, leaned back her right leg, and kicked forward with all her might. Her foot hit her opponent under the chin, sending her out of the Layer. The buzzer rang and the crowd began to cheer.
"Layer Out! Kara, Win!" the announcer cried, "and the 'Layer Ballerina' does it again, nailing her opponent with a swift, ballet-styled kick! I hope our next match is as explosive as this one has been!"
A picture of Junko taking her Angel Goggles off appeared on screen. As the shy girl flashed a timid smile, Kiyoko began to jump up and down.
"Wow! Junko-chan is amazing!" she cried, excitedly, "that was a cool move she used!"
Aya turned away from the conversation as Misaki clapped her hands.
"She 'does' play good," she said, smiling, "I hope Hikaru and I can fight her one day."
As they continued to cheer for Junko, they didn't notice that they were being watched by someone. Misaki then turned to Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko? Can we watch your next match?" she asked, hopefully.
Kiyoko blinked as Kotaro, Tamayo, and Hatoko all turned to her as well. Glancing down at Raishinshi, the brunette smiled.
"Sure," she replied, nodding.
"YAY!" everyone yelled.
The figure who watched merely narrowed her eyes and left.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Elsewhere, about thirty minutes later in the Test Layer, two Angels were fighting one another in their 3rd round. Icchan was by a computer, taking data from the fight. The blue and white Angel, Wizard, stood ready as the silver Angel ran at him at a high speed. The silver Angel began throwing punches, which Wizard was able to dodge without much problem. When the silver Angel hesitated for a kick, Wizard leapt forward, and aimed a punch for his opponents' face. But, to his and his Deus' surprise, the silver Angel caught Wizard by the wrist, and flipped him onto his back.
Oujiro, who was on the left side of the Layer, frowned while Yukio, who was on the right side, smiled a bit. Wizard got up and launched into a flurry of punches. The silver Angel dodged most of them with amazing grace before back-flipping over his opponent. The silver Angel spun around, spin kicking Wizard across the waist in the process. Wizard fell on all fours, but before he could get up, the buzzer rang.
"Time's up boys," Icchan declared, typing in the last bit of information, "that's the last bit of data we needed."
Both Deus' took off their Angel Goggles. Oujiro let out a sigh as he picked up Wizard.
"And not a moment too soon," he commented, then smiled at Yukio, "you've improved greatly, Yuu-san."
Yukio picked up his Angel and shook his head.
"Nah, we've just been practicing a bit more," he said.
Neither heard Icchan's call phone ring. As he answered it, Yukio walked over to Oujiro.
"Wizard isn't damaged too much, is he?" he asked, staring at the futuristic Angel.
Oujiro smiled and shook his head.
"No, it's not as bad as you might think," he assured, "it takes more than a few hits like that to take out Wizard."
Yukio was about to speak some more when Icchan closed his cell phone and turned to the two boys.
"Hate to break up the chat boys, but," he began, smiling, "Kiyoko is fighting now."
Both turned to Icchan and smiled.
"Well then, what 'are' we waiting for?" Oujiro asked, cheerfully.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Back in the stadium, the 4th match had rolled back, and Kiyoko's turn with it. She sat in the East Side Angel Chair and was facing her opponent: another middle school girl in a red uniform with short blond hair. Both Deus' Angels were inside the Layer. Raishinshi was standing in the center of the Layer, all fixed and better than ever. His opponent was a girl Angel with purple hair and eyes. She wore a pink tank top with a powder blue jacket over it. She had close-fitting powder blue pants that went to her knees and pink sneakers. A pink Angel Cord was in back of her jacket. As Kiyoko focused on the Layer, her friends were in the stadium seats behind her, halfway up in the middle row.
"Go, Kiyoko!" Mrs. Yume cried.
"GO GET'EM, KIKIYOKO!!" Tamayo cried, standing in her seat.
Everyone else was watching with interest as the fight went on. All except Aya. She watched with not much interest as the match went on.
(I still don't know why she even 'likes' this game,) she thought, stretching her arms.
Back in the Layer Area, the timer was at 5 minutes. The opposing Angel, Serena, had 50% left in her Gauge while Raishinshi had 75%. Serena ran at Raishinshi as fast as she could. The purple Angel tensed until Serena lunged for him. Serena instantly launched into a flurry of punches. With Kiyoko's help, Raishinshi was able to maneuver around them. Finally, Serena lashed out with a left spin kick, but Raishinshi back-flipped away from it. Serena followed him as he landed, but the minute he did so, Raishinshi kicked out with a right forward kick. It caught Serena in the chin and caused her to fly back a foot.
"That's it, Kiyoko!" Ken cried, "show'er who's boss!"
Serena recovered, but Raishinshi was already heading her way. Serena quickly jumped up and executed a reverse spin kick, only to have Raishinshi catch it by the ankle. Turning towards the edge of the Layer, Raishinshi turned, and threw Serena towards the edge with all of his might. With a silent cry, Serena flew towards the edge of the Layer, bumping on the Layer itself as she did so. She slid out of the Layers' force field and landed on the floor with a small click. The buzzer went off and Raishinshi's picture flashed across the Box Screen.
"Layer Out! Raishinshi, Win!" the announcer cried, bringing forth cheers from the crowd, "a spectacular performance, and right after his match with Suzuka too! This newbie has won her 6th match, ladies and gentlemen, will she be going for all ten?!"
Kiyoko smiled.
(You bet we will,) she thought.
*Uh.........konya mo mata.........*
"Yay Kiyoko!" Misaki cheered while Hatoko clapped besides her.
"You rock, Kiyoko!" Ken chimed in.
*........hakanai hoshi zora*
Raishinshi ran towards the edge of the Layer and jumped out. Kiyoko reached out and caught him before he could fall.
*Uh.........hikaru hoshi ni..........*
She smiled down at Raishinshi.
"I promise I'll give you my best from now on, Raishinshi," she vowed.
*........negai o kakeru kara*
Raishinshi only smiled as they walked back towards the waiting room.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"sigh" I always seem to make these chapters so long, although this is a short one compared to last chapter. Hope I kept Oujiro, Misaki, and co. in character, I did the best I could. In the next chapter, expect Kiyoko to make a hard decision as she has to fight against one of her friends. Who'll it be? Stay tuned to find out! Please R&R, but no flames!