This is ahead of my schedule, but I got a bunch of reviews for this the other day, so I'm updating sooner. I'm in a humorous mood, since I worked on this after my Dragonball Z fanfic, so this chapter might seem a little different.
I keep forgeting to add this: I don't own Angelic Layer, not even any of the manga. I do own everybody else, though.
The Next Generation
By Keledrena
Chapter Three
Hikari came bursting in the house as Misaki was organizing the kitchen.
"How was your day, Ka-chan," Misaki said as she placed the good china in a cupboard.
"I made a friend. Her name's Aya," said Hikari
"Really? How nice," said Misaki distractedly. "Go do your homework, dear. Your father's at the lab, but he's going to be back in time for dinner. Shuu and Icchan will be here, too."
"Okay," said Hikari, going up to her room. She glad that she didn't have to talk about school anymore. She still had to think about how Yuu had changed.
'The Yuu I remember was so sweet, always with a smile. He tried to help everybody he saw, even if he couldn't do very much. And now, he's a cold jerk! A rich playboy who likes to mock people for fun.' Hikari flopped onto her bed and thought about lunch.
Yuu left after their last class, leaving Aya to show Hikari where the lunchroom is. Later, Hikari saw him sitting outside on a bench surrounded by his fan girls. A girl was sitting on either side of him and one on his lap. Another girl was crying because he had apparently replace her with the girl currently sitting on his lap. Yuu didn't seem to notice or care, since he was too busy talking about some party he was having that night.
Hikari turned over onto her back. 'He probably didn't even recognize me. I am a year younger than him, so he probably assumed that I'm in my second year [author note: eleventh grade in American terms] of high school. But I skipped a year because Mom's tutoring placed me so far ahead.' She scowled. 'Even if he did recognize me, he considers me as just another trophy, from what I've seen. After all, he started bragging about knowing my wardrobe at age THREE.'
She turned over and looked at the framed picture on her bedside table. It was her and Yuu right before he left on that tour. She was clutching Yuki with one arm and her other hand was in Yuu's hand. Knight sat on Yuu's shoulder.
'What am I going to do tomorrow?' She thought. 'How will I act around Yuu when he's so different now?'
A Month Later
Hikari barely managed to keep her mouth shut the next few weeks. Yuu seemed worse and worse everyday. She wondered why Ringo allowed him to act like this.
It was almost the end of the quarter, and it was the last class of the day, Angelic Layer classes.
Kasumi walked over to the front of the classroom. "Class, I have some news," she said.
The class immediately quieted down.
"In a few weeks, we will be starting Angelic duels, so as preparation for them, we will be going to the Angelic Convention." There were cheers. "The convention is three days long, and we will be staying overnight. Mrs. Ringo Mizawa has been kind enough to allow our class to stay at her home, as Yuu is in our class and will be playing an important part at the convention with the rest of the Royal Court." Kasumi paused. "Also, any younger siblings are invited to attend with us, as Angelic Layer as also a family sport, and this outing also encourages strong family relations."
Kasumi picked up a stack of paper and started to hand them out. Obviously they were permission slips. "These are due by the end of next week," she said.
Hikari wasn't surprised about the convention- Misaki and Oujirou had been talking about it for the past week. They were planning most of the Convention, as well as Shuuko, Icchan. and the Rest of the 'Royal Court.' 'But I didn't know that Godmother was letting the entire class stay at her house- well, mansion.'
Sudden movements around her made Hikari blinked. Class was starting, so she pulled out her books and prepared to take notes about her grandmother and uncle.
That Weekend
There was a meeting of the Royal Court. Everyone showed up- except Yuu. He hadn't attended any of the meetings, claiming he was too busy with school to go.
They were meeting to discuss the Angelic Convention. The Court was participating in a project that was going to be shown at the Convention. But because of the differences in their schedules, they were working on the projects separately, and Icchan, Shuuko, and Ringo were going to put the final touches on it.
At the same time, the whole court was discussing another, simpler project that they were going to show at the convention. It was rather a brilliant idea...
-
The doorbell rang. Hiromi squealed and ran to the door. He flung it open to reveal Shuuko and Shouko, both with presents in their hands.
"Grandma! Auntie Shouko!" he said, hugging them.
"Hi, Grandma," said Hikari, coming down the stairs. "Hi, Aunt Shouko." She took the presents and placed them on a nearby table.
"Why hello, birthday girl!" said Shouko, hugging her. "But I told you not to call me aunt! It makes me feel old."
Hikari sweatdropped. 'But technically, I'm suppose to call her Great Aunt.' She moved to hug her grandmother. "It's nice to see you again, Grandma."
"Ha-Ha-ppy B-Birth-d-day K-Ka-chan," said Shouko, starting to look faint. Luckily, Oujirou came over just then, and distracted her long enough for her to sit down.
"Hello, Shuu, Shouko," said Misaki, emerging from the kitchen. "Where's Icchan?" Akane and Kenji followed her, hugging their grandmother and grandaunt.
"H-He had an e-e-mergancy. A-A-Apparently Og-g-gata forgot to p-p-place an order of Ch-ch-chicken ramen."
Hikari giggled. "Poor Mr. Ogata."
"The party's almost ready," said Misaki, as she set a dish down. At that moment, the doorbell rang again.
Akane disappeared, only to return with Kotarou, Tamayo and their twins, Kagome and Matoko. They wished Hikari happy birthday, and handed her the presents they were carrying.
Hatoko, Sai, and Kaede appeared in a big group with their husbands and children. Akane, Hiromi, and even Kenji soon became distracted with all the "Second Generation."
More and more old friends trickled in. Eventually, all of the 'Royal Court' had come, even a cheerful looking Icchan and a sobbing Ogata, who was covered in frilly bow ties- and apparently with an eel in his pants, from his shouts. Hikari's birthday party was about to start. The only people who were missing were her godmother and her family- Ringo, Motoki and Yuu.
Ringo came rushing in just as they were about to start eating. "I'm sorry," she said. "Motoki and I just came from a trip, but the plane was arrived here late and then Motoki had an emergency business meeting, and Yuu said that he was busy so he couldn't make it, and so I came as fast as I could, and happy birthday, Hikari!" she said all in one breath.
"Uh, thanks, Aunt Ringo," Hikari said slowly, while trying to decipher the words that she said. She never did figure out how Ringo managed to say so much so fast without getting mixed up.
"You've grown so much," Ringo said, examining her. "I can't believe that you were the same three year old that tried to draw on the walls with lipstick! You must have to beat all the boys off with a stick! And Misaki told me that you go to the same school as Yuu! Why haven't you come over? It's already been a month, and Yuu didn't even mention you. I suppose he wanted it to be a surprise, but still! I'm so glad to see again, Ka-chan!"
Hikari blinked, still in the middle of deciphering Ringo's words.
By now, Ringo's moved onto Akane, Kenji, and Hiromi, squealing about how much Kenji grew and how cute Hiromi and Akane are. Leaving the rest of the Court in a daze.
"It's too bad that Motoki and Yuu can't make it," said Misaki finally. "But eat now, shall we?"
-
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Ka-chan, happy birthday to you!"
Hikari smiled as she closed her eyes to make a wish, flinching slightly as flashbulbs went off nearby. She never got use to getting her picture taken, even if by close friends and family.
After everyone ate the cake, it was time for opening presents. Thanks to the large amount of people gathered, it took a very long time. Hikari had picked up her mother's habit of blushing and stammering thanks to each person.
In general, the presents were related to Angelic Layer. The gift certificate for accessories at Piffle Princess from Sai for example, or the kit for creating all sorts of clothes for Yukiko, complete with the specialized needle, thread and clothe for an Angel's outfit, from her parents. Hikari even received a whole stationary kit with HER and Yukiko embossed on every page, from Kaede.
Ringo gave Hikari a copy of the Court's latest project. "This is the final edition, that will be viewed at the convention," she said, handing Hikari a disk. "I contacted all my friends, and they all said that it was wonderful." Hikari opened the card and read the different comments written by each performance artist- including her favorites. She blushed and thanked Ringo for the gift.
Ogata then stood up. "Kari-chan, this is the Chief's gift to you." He then gave Hikari a box. Opening it, she found- Yukiko.
Hikari was thrilled. "She's fixed," she whispered softly, hugging her.
The haze of her happiness was broken when Icchan let out a yell. "Ogata, this isn't her birthday present! A birthday present is supposed to be a surprise, and she already knew about this! For your mistake, I sentence you to run all the way across town and get me my favorite cookies! You have half an hour, now go!"
Ogata wailed. "But Chief, it's rush hour! You can barely move ten feet at this time, much less miles!"
"Your time is running out, and if you fail, then you'll die!"
"Yes sir!"
Icchan tend turned to Hikari and cleared his throat. "Ka-chan, for your birthday, I am giving you the newest version of the portable layers, complete with all abilities of the current layers, but it can shrink to compact size of a mere five inches wide and five inched long for carrying around!"
"Thank you, Icchan," she said, hugging him. It was an extremely generous and expensive gift (it was a prototype, not even out onto the market yet- in fact it was probably just invented and tested last week!) but she knew that the best present of all was getting Yukiko back.
Please review! Same bargain as last time: five constructive reviews and I'll hurry up my writing.