Disclaimer: I do not own Megami Kohousei. If I did, I'd turn my story into another OVA. (Just kidding!)
Warnings: Hints of shounen-ai. Bittersweet angst. References to chapter 5.
Notes: I felt like Tune deserved a chapter of her own – I mean, who didn't feel for her when Ernest died in the anime? I can't believe there's a love rectangle developing in my story o.O
Special Note: I thank those that reviewed chapter 5 thru 7: GoldenWings, =^ - ^= MEOW, devilgurl1098, silvermyth, Skydancer1, Odyssey, Maria Wong, animechick13, lil_angel and Lalita. I also thank Yele for being my beta reader!
To GoldenWings: I feel humbled by your words, but we both can become better writers. Let's wish each other good luck!
To animechick13: You're making me blush! I'm glad to get a review from you after such a long time.
To lil_angel: Hmm…is Gareas oblivious? We'll just have to see. ::evil grin::
To Lalita: I realize my fic may not be very smooth, but that is the very reason why I like writing one-shots and not chapters. It's a weakness I'm working on. Also, any strange indentations are a result of Word formatting my work into html. I'm glad you like my story : )
Chapter 8 - Behind the Smile
If you asked Ernest what he saw when he looked at Gareas, he would say Gareas was a good friend. If you asked Ernest what type of person Gareas was, he would say Gareas was a defender of the weak. Gareas always took it upon himself to help the less fortunate candidates; the ones scared of battle, the ones being picked on. If Ernest was in a good mood, he might even smile at you and say Gareas was a stubborn idiot in that soft affectionate tone that was uniquely his. And if you looked Ernest in the eye and said, "You haven't told me everything." Ernest would just look dumfounded. But if instead, you said, "What is he to you?" Ernest would just look away, and reply, "I don't know. Does it matter? Because he does not see me at all." And if you dared to keep questioning him, you would be the most horrible type of person. Because you would have made Ernest cry.
That was something Tune would never forgive.
Tune Youg was the youngest of three siblings. As the baby of the family, she had been carefully sheltered from the harsher realities of life. Her upbringing had only fostered her natural personality - that of the most kind, helpful, and bashfully shy person in the universe. If you looked at Tune, perhaps you would have only seen her fragility, and not her strength. You would have made a grave mistake.
"Re-routing section 6-34Z. Sensors cut off from point of injury." Tune wiped her brow. Ernest was in a practice battle, and his opponent, 34, was being unusually aggressive toward 39's pro-ing.
"Come on, Ernest!" Gareas was cheering his friend on behind the glass. Pair duels were over; it was time for the more serious one-on-one battles.
"Re-routing 672-A." Tune's fingers flew across the board. 34 was attacking very fast, if she failed in cutting off parts of the pro-ing and re-routing points of injury on the mecha, Ernest would feel the pain for real. Ernest stifled a cry when a cut appeared almost simultaneously on the pro-ing, and on his cheek. Tune tried to keep her panicking thoughts at bay.
//Ernest-san, what are you doing?! Fight back!//
39's pro-ing was sluggish in its moves. Unlike many of the previous battles, Ernest seemed lost on the battlefield - unable to anticipate any of his opponent's future moves. A repairer could only do so much.
"Energy withdrawn from weapons, and increased to boosters." That would give Ernest enough power to withdraw momentarily from 34's attack range. Ernest's pro-ing moved a few steps back, but he did not engage his boosters.
"Ernest-san, please, the option for now would be to withdraw!" Tune cringed. The piece of advice was so blatantly obvious; Ernest should have known already. It was an insult for the repairer to have to say it out loud. But Ernest wasn't following the strategy even a newbie should know. Tune didn't understand it. Besides her, Gareas had gone quiet.
"Ernest-san!" Tune quickly re-routed another minor circuit when 34's pro-ing punched 39's midsection.
//Listen to me. Why aren't you listening to me?!//
"Repairer 39, are your communications line functioning?" Professor Azuma looked perplexed at Ernest's lack of response, and continued taking of beatings. 39's performance was way below par of his normal matches.
"Yes sir!" Still, just to make sure, Tune did a re-check of the line. 39's pro-ing stumbled. Tune's fingers paused momentarily when she found the horrific sight of 34's above her fallen pilot.
"Initiating emergency counters, fifty percent of energy re-routed to shock absorbers." It was all she could do to soften the imminent blow when it landed. She left some energy in the boosters hoping Ernest might instead get up and block somehow.
"ERNEST! YOU COWARD! Get up and FIGHT!"
Tune turned in surprise at the boy who had elbowed his way into the repairer's station besides her. Gareas looked furious.
"ERNEST!"
They could hear the heavy breathing on the other side of the line as they watched 34 shift.
"BE SELFISH! OR I WON'T FORGIVE YOU!!"
39's boosters ignited suddenly, and Ernest's pro-ing smashed into 34, knocking the other down. Tune held her breath as Ernest drew his gun to 34's head. The voice coming from the line was harsh and unreal as it spoke to 34.
"Game over."
"Match is declared over. 39 is the victor. Next pair, prepare to duel." Azuma took the cigarette out of his mouth, and looked over to Tune. "37, get out of the repairer station!" Gareas jerked at the unexpected shout, and rubbed his head in chagrin as he stepped out of Tune's way.
"Sorry, Tune."
Tune made her way toward the back hangar, where Ernest would be sure to arrive once he left the simulation. 39 lowered his gun, and withdrew from the battlefield. 34's repairer was shouting at her partner to get up and withdraw also.
"Ernest-san."
"I didn't want to cheat. Why did he have to…?" The blond figure looked dejected.
"Hey, Ernest, I was almost worried about you back there," Gareas had followed quickly after Tune, and he now burst into the solemn scene with his cheerfulness. The mismatch of emotions was somehow…ugly.
"You," Ernest looked angrily at Gareas. Gareas was taken back, so was Tune. Suddenly, Ernest fled the scene. Gareas blinked, then followed. Tune took a few seconds longer before she also followed. By the time she made it to the hall, both boys were gone. She racked her brains and began to think of all the possible places they could have gone.
Tune had been to the cafeteria, the library, and the relaxation room before she made it to the observation deck, a large dome-shaped room, with a false twilight sky for its ceiling. Ernest and Gareas were already in a heated discussion.
" -re you! Why did you do that?!"
"What are you talking about Ernest?"
"I didn't want to fight…I didn't."
"What do you mean, he would have hurt you! How could you be so unself-"
"I was being selfish! You wouldn't let me be!"
"How could you want to get beat up by such a bastard?!"
"Stop it! I can feel your anger everywhere! It's driving me insane!" Ernest clutched his head.
"Ernest?"
"When I was on the battlefield I felt your urgency for me. But I also felt your malice toward 34. I don't want it! Wherever I go, why can't I escape you?!" Ernest looked like he was about to breakdown. "Why? Why? No matter what, I always have to feel you. Anything. And Everything."
"Ernest?"
"Shut up! I don't want you using me anymore!"
"Nani?" Gareas looked taken back.
"I wanted to right a wrong between 34 and me. I took his place away…" Ernest paused, lost in a memory.
"There's no way you can win…not when he cheats the way he does!""By using my EX…it wasn't fair, and I also helped you with my EX. You don't need me Gareas. You're strong enough on your own. Leave me alone."
"Ernest. I have no idea what you're talking about. But- "
"You're late for your date."
"What?"
"You better go. You have a date with Leena-san, remember?" Ernest turned away, completely calm again. Only Tune could hear the bitterness in his voice. "You've been raving about it for days. She won't forgive you if you're late."
"…likes your blond hair and blue eyes."
The room was silent. Then Ernest heard it. Gareas had moved in his spot. Somehow, without looking, Ernest knew Garu's back was now turned towards him. Ernest's head was beginning to ache. He was recalling old words exchanged from the fight in the hall with 34. Remembering 34's words. His own words.
"No…no…it's only you who would laugh at me…Garu…would never…abandon me…"
He couldn't see, but Ernest could hear the sounds of Gareas' footsteps as he left without further argument. When Ernest could no longer hear Gareas' movements, Ernest gathered the broken pieces that were left of himself, and sat by the window. Neither he, nor Gareas, as the green-haired boy brushed by the door, noticed Tune standing there - the only witness to Ernest's watery eyes.
Silence.
"Ernest."
Ernest did not acknowledge the soft voice.
"I do not understand what happened. I wouldn't pretend to - it's not my place. But even though I'm not that person…" Tune gathered the taller boy in her arms, and moved Ernest's head so that it rested on her shoulder. Ernest's eyes widened.
"Ernest-san." Carefully, she enfolded him, making sure her skin did not trespass on his. As Tune held her partner, she knew she would never forgive the person that made Ernest cry. But somehow, she knew she would forgive Ernest if he ever made her cry. Every time…
"It'll be okay."
…Always…
"I promise."
…Even if he never saw her tears. Even if he never saw her at all.
Tune smiled into the blond hair, knowing as Ernest closed his eyes, he was not thinking of her.
TBC…
Next chapter – Ernest meets a strange young boy with gray eyes named Yu Hikura who teaches him appearances can be deceiving. What grave mistake has 39 committed?
Please remember to review!
Thanks to all readers and reviewers.
Ps. Tune's smile is an intentional parallel to Ernest's smile in chapter 7. I hope everyone saw the irony of it…haha…or maybe I'm just grasping at straws here.