Disclaimer: Every time I do this, but ::grumbles:: I do not own Megami Kohousei.
Warnings: Shounen-ai hints.
Notes: Wow, I never got as many reviews before as I did for chapter 5. You all made me so happy! Where were you guys for my other chapters? Lol, just kidding. But really, I thank all of you, and also the readers still too shy to send me their comments yet. I know you're out there, please drop me a line!
Chapter 6- Dancing
When Ernest woke, he was back in his room, with a bloody bandage across his knee. The first thing he thought of was Garu. Surely, he'd be demoted for fighting 34. Ernest got up, and made his way carefully out the door. The knee didn't hurt much as he walked through the corridors of GOA. It was very strange, everyday he found himself walking down these halls. Everyday, he'd leave his room in the morning and return to it in the night. It seemed almost like a pointless routine, some strange circular journey. As Ernest made his way toward the Office of Candidate Conduct, he remembered an old saying. Life itself was supposed to be a winding road. That was true, Ernest thought. But you didn't walk along it.
You danced.
Down the path, sometimes taking steps back, so you could move forward again.
As he knocked on the office door, Ernest hoped Garu would forgive him for causing a setback in 37's sojourn down the road to pilothood. Somehow, Ernest did not think Garu would view being demoted as a positive incentive to work harder at getting to the top.
Garu really was too impatient and stubborn for his own good.
"Come in!"
The officer's voice was harsh and annoyed. Ernest steeled himself and entered. Two faces turned toward him in surprise.
"Ernest-san, you shouldn't be up," Tune fluttered before him, a worried mother bird. Garu continued looking at him mutely.
"Ah, number 39. You had the common sense to come here on your own. We were discussing the fight that broke out in corridor 34-A. Your repairer seems to know nothing."
"Tune didn't see anything, sir. We were going to the relaxation room, when she went back to her room for a forgotten sweater."
"All right then, repairer 39, you are free to go."
"B-but, sir," Tune glanced at Ernest.
"Repairer 39, you are dismissed!"
Tune left very reluctantly. When she was gone, the officer cleared his throat.
"So, I assume it was a fight between you and 37?" The officer's voice radiated authority. The man appeared to be in his late forties, with immaculately combed hair. He had been seeing candidates come and go at GOA before Ernest had even been born.
"No, sir. 37 was helping me defend myself from some bullies," Ernest's voice was just as confident.
"Are you sure? I've heard a lot about 37's past transgressions."
Garu snorted. Ernest elbowed his friend in the stomach.
"I'm sure sir."
"Well, although that was noble of 37, fighting is forbidden on GOA. I'm afraid I'll have demote the two of you by a full rank."
"That's not fair! At least you shouldn't do that to Ernest! He wasn't even fighting back," Gareas burst out. 37's eyes were full of anger when they looked at his friend.
"What?"
"Why didn't you fight back Ernest?! I cornered that bastard 34 after you fainted, and he told me they'd been beating up on you for months now. Why didn't you tell me?" The officer's voice was ignored. Gareas' eyes were a mixture of rage and hurt.
"Hmm…I see. You have the telepathic EX, 39?" The officer interjected, and looked over Ernest carefully. 39 was covered in much more bruises than 37. It seemed obvious upon closer inspection that the boy had not raised a hand against his attackers.
"Please sir, don't demote 37. It was all my fault. I'll take his demotion," despite the pleading words, Ernest's tone and face remained cool and impassive.
"What?! Ernest are you nuts?!"
Ernest glared at his friend.
"…But, you'll lose two ranks," The fire of Gareas' indignation was subdued. His voice had suddenly gone soft.
The officer leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
"In this case, I think demotion may be too severe. Both of you will retain your ranks, but I am still giving you demerits. Make sure you're not back here ever again. A few more, and 37 will lose his place. As for you, 39, I know that telepaths always have a hard time on GOA. Please overcome that hurdle and reach your full potential. 37, your repairer is waiting for you at training grounds. You are late. Dismissed."
The moment they left the room, Ernest's legs felt shaky with relief. Gareas had not been demoted. A hand was on his shoulder to steady him. Gareas was looking at Ernest as if he was just seeing him for the first time.
"Ernest."
The voice was harsh, all traces of softness and hesitancy gone. The hand on Ernest's shoulder tightened to bruising force. 37 looked at his friend in fiery scrutiny. Ernest stared neutrally back. Slowly, like raindrops sliding down a windowpane, the fierceness left Gareas' face. The green eyes cleared. For a brief moment, the proud head bowed in defeat.
"Thank you, but next time, fight back..."
37 jerked his head back up. Gareas let go. He gave Ernest a lingering stare, and began to walk away. The boy's voice drifted back, even as he danced away to the battlegrounds.
"…Next time, be selfish."
The saucy gait was totally unique to Gareas.
39's slow shuffle could never reach, nor match that swagger.
And yet.
For one shining moment, 39 had managed to prevent Gareas from tripping. Ernest gave his whisper-answer, although 37 was receding farther and farther away.
"But I was, Gareas. I was."
Only the metallic walls of GOA heard him.
TBC…
Next chapter – A smile can brighten its receiver's day, but it can also mask the shadow in its giver's heart.
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*Chapter 7 may take some time to upload since I'm updating with two chapters at the same time. If the chapter does not exist yet, please check back again later.