Chapter XIII: The Misunderstood Osorezan Wataru
However, things wouldn't be so easy now. A while later Tsubasa was sleeping, and since it was a cold night because of the storm that had fallen earlier, he closed the window. Natsuko was also asleep, so silence reigned in the Ozora house. Meanwhile Sanae was busy knitting the bracelet for Taro. In his house Ryou was snoring loudly, since he had arrived very tired, and to finish it off he had to help with the family business. Meantime, in Tokyo, Hyuga was finishing his duties while Ken and Takeshi discussed again because of the latter's terrible Spanish and Kazuki was in his house reading The Da Vinci Code ;). Meanwhile, in Paris, Taro and Azumi were in class, while they had Physics. However, lunchtime was approaching, and many a stomach was already grumbling.
-I'm bored to death... And I'm terribly hungry -Azumi grumbled.
-Calm down, Azumi-san. When you least expect it the bell will ring -Taro replied, trying to ignore the hole in his stomach.
-By the way, I couldn't find you in recess. Where were you?
Taro went pale; Azumi couldn't know he had been in Japan in the break.
-I just wanted to be alone, that's all. That's why you didn't find me, Azumi.
-oh, really? And you normally hate to be alone...
-We'll talk later, OK? I don't want to flunk this class.
Although the truth was that Taro had never lost a single assignment in spite of his constant travels.
Later, at lunchtime, Taro and Azumi talked as usual. However, something interrupted their conversation. A band of bullies was attacking a boy that used crutches.
-Again it's Etienne and his gang. This can't continue at all.
-I agree, but we'd be asking for trouble if we try to get involved, Azumi-san.
-I didn't say we will get involved, Misaki-kun. We should warn about this to the teachers.
Taro doubted for an instant, and remembered its powers. This was a good occasion to use them for other people's sake.
-let's wait and see -he said, sitting down. "May those bullies top attacking that guy and understand the mistake they're doing..."
Although he wasn't sure if it would work, the sweet lad pleaded for his powers to work, since well, fact is that he is the Archangel who developed his powers quicker than any other.
Seemingly, Taro's idea worked, since the bullies stopped attacking the handicapped teenager. Immediately Taro and Azumi came closer to the boy, who seemed injured
-Are you OK? -Azumi asked in French.
-Well... yeah. Arigato.
-How do you know we're Japanese?
-Your feature talk for you. I'm Japanese too. My name's Osorezan Wataru -the crutches-wielding boy answered, who apparently had contact lenses, black spiky hair and in that instant, a black eye.
-I'm Hayakawa Azumi.
-Misaki Taro.
Wataru's face darkened a bit when he heard the latter's name.
-Something's wrong, Osorezan-kun? -Azumi asked.
-No, not at all. It's just that well, I remembered that Misaki-san's part of the soccer team, and I envy him a little whenever I see him playing.
-Why?
-I have cerebral palsy; my legs can't almost move, so I have lots of trouble walking, let alone play any sport but chess.
Azumi felt compassion for that misunderstood guy, but Taro didn't know if to trust or to distrust. A part of him told him there wasn't any trouble at all; Wataru was only a misunderstood guy with a handicap. But another part of him, his instinct, told him that that boy was dangerous.
-And why do you use contact lenses? –Misaki asked.
-For two reasons, and this is the major reason for the people to reject me. One: I prefer to use contact lenses to glasses because I'm just lightly nearsighted. And two: if you notice it well, they're colored because... -the boy took out the lenses' case, took them off and kept them. –I pass thru the same as may Siberian huskies: My eyes don't have the same color.
Azumi was astonished. Taro was also amazed. That boy had a dark brown eye, and an eye as blue as the sky. He had never seen such a tone of blue in someone's eyes (I did, and that was years ago).
-And why did those bullies bother you?
-Why do hooligans bother? -Wataru asked, smiling. -Because they only know how to bother.
-Azumi-san, I'll be back in a sec. I need to go for something I left in the classroom.
-Misaki-kun...
-Don't worry. I'll return -and he left, leaving Azumi and Wataru alone. As soon as he was out of his friend's view, he ran to the living room and sat down on their place, undoubtedly guided by his instinct.
-I'm really sure I've seen those eyes before... Or that's what I believe. That boy gives me the creeps. I'm not worried about Azumi being friends with him, but personally, I prefer to give him a wide berth; my every instinct is telling me to stay away from him.
He was visibly terrified. He had never before felt so much distrust towards somebody. He had always been a boy with the gift of making friends, even with people as serious as Wakabayashi or as temperamental as Hyuga, but Osorezan Wataru, in spite of his handicap and friendly air, emitted an air of resentment, of hatred so deep it gave Misaki-kun the chills.
After calming down, he returned to where Azumi was, finishing her now cold lunch.
-And Osorezan?
-He left. He said he had to do something about his black eye.
-Azumi-san, didn't you feel it?
-What?
-Didn't you feel an air of resentment around him?
-Not at all. I think you're going nuts, Misaki-kun.
"Maybe she's right..." -Taro thought. –Well, let's finish lunch and go to class, Azumi-san. There's not much time left.
-Okay -and they finished eating lunch. -Misaki-kun, why did you go to the classroom?
-I wasn't feeling very well and being under the sun doesn't help.
-It looked as if you were running away from Wataru. First you say you felt an aura of hatred around him and now it looks as if you're afraid of him. What's wrong with you?
-If you want me to tell the truth, my instinct tells me I should stay away from him...
-Your instinct rarely fails. But it failed this time, I think. Wataru may not have many friends, but he's very nice.
-Anyway, I think it's better for me to stay away from him.
-Oh, Misaki-kun... -and the bell rang once again. They entered the classroom, took the last classes of the day and it was soccer training time. Azumi went to her house on her own. Misaki practiced peacefully with the team. However, he suddenly felt a chill running down his spine and missed the pass.
-Hey, Misaki, focus on the game, dude -his partner told him.
-Yes, sorry -he answered, but somehow he knew why he had had the chill, although he didn't see him: Wataru was near the field, observing them.
Finally they took a break, and one of the defense line players noticed the boy with the crutches.
-There goes the weird-eyed cripple -he said derisively.
-Yeah, that boy always observes us. What happened to him to always have crutches?
-He has cerebral palsy -Misaki answered unconsciously.
Immediately everyone looked at him.
-You talk to him? -a partner asked.
-Not really; today at lunchtime, Etienne de la Rue and his bunch of thugs attacked him and Azumi and I helped him later. Azumi began to ask him a bunch of things and he answered them. He is rather kind, although he doesn't have any friends.
-How strange... And why does he always observes us whenever we're practicing?
-He'd like to be able to play soccer, but as you know, he can't.
-Well, you say it with a tone of distrust –said the boy that had made fun of Wataru.
-To tell the truth, he gives me the creeps.
-And since you've got a bad feeling about him you have a bad hunch?
-Well...
-Whatever. Let's continue training -and everyone went back to the field. The training continued, and ended as usual. Taro changed clothes and went to its house. He still couldn't take off that uncomfortable sensation. But it became stronger when suddenly he saw a rock as sharp as a razor fall in front of him.
"And when things seem bad, they get worse..." -Taro made the barrier appear, raised flight seizing its trident and looked at the sky carefully. However, the Archangel of Hatred was under him, holding his mace. For a moment he thought that Wataru was really the Archangel of Hatred, but he discarded the idea when he noticed that the evil being's hair wasn't black but dark brown, was completely unharmed and stood up with ease. But the eyes were exactly the same ones, and the aura of hatred too.
-C'mon, give up once and for all! -the Black Archangel shouted, attacking the Archangel of Water with his mace.
-No -Taro answered, stopping the attack with his trident. Each of them retreated a step or two, panting because of the effort. Immediately Taro went down to the floor, visibly tired, but the Black Archangel flew directly to him.
"What is he trying to do?" –Misaki though in a nanosecond, detouring quickly, while his rival's mace made a crack on the floor. But the action didn't cease, since the Black Archangel was able to pull his weapon out of the hole and rushed like an arrow towards the boy, who couldn't do a lot to stop it.
-Heh, for being a wimp, you made me sweat, but at last I'll destroy you... And we'll finish this world next.
-No... we can't allow it. This world is too beautiful to be destroyed... Marine Undertow!
-You never learn. Hatred Blast!
The two attacks exploded, sending to the two enemies to the floor. However, Taro knew what to do in that instant. He took the blue pebble Tsubasa had given to him and liberated the whole energy of the Trident.
"I want to be one with the Trident, I want to be able to defeat this evil being with all my strength..." -and he attacked the Black Archangel that had just stood up. Finally the battle ended; the Black Archangel, more dead than alive disappeared, not without swearing he'd destroy the Archangel of Water.
-I thought it'd never end... -Taro whispered to himself, totally exhausted. He made everything disappear, took his handbag and went home. When he arrived, his father asked him why he was injured.
-Some hoodlums ambushed me -Taro lied.
-What? Why?
-Why do hoodlums bother? -and after a pause... -Because they only know how to bother.
However, Taro bit his lip when he realized what he had said; it had been the same thing that that boy, Osorezan Wataru, had told him and Azumi.
-Anyway, you're quite injured, son. Look at yourself -Ichiro said, pointing at the mirror that was in the living room.
Taro looked at his reflection, and understood the reason of its father's concern immediately; his face had some bruises, his clothes had some rips and looked exhausted.
-It was very difficult for me to escape from them; although you know how much I hate to do so, I had to fight my way out, dad.
-I hope this doesn't happen again.
-I don't know if I can promise it to you. It doesn't depend on me -Taro went up the stairs and entered his room. However, when he entered his room a terrible pain attacked him, just like Tsubasa. However, it was not a warning or the lack of control of his powers; it was the pain of the injuries he suffered and of something that would happen.
In the midst of that painful moment he could notice how his clothes were changing. From having his favorite jacket, almost white jeans and a white T-shirt, his clothes changed to what seemed a short sky-colored tunic, wide trousers in a darker color, a knotted belt, a breastplate of some metal the boy was not able to specify, some shoulder protectors of the same metal, a couple of metal plates covering the fore of his now bare feet, his bracelet, a protector of the back of his left hand, and a gold headband. The metal glittered, the cloths moved as if they were shaken by a slight breeze, and the boy finally stopped feeling that dreadful pain.
"At least now I know what Tsubasa-kun feels when he discovers us, but, will the other ones have passed by this too? If it's so, I hope they're better than me..." -truth was that the other Archangels and the Kami no Tsukai were fast asleep, but it had happened to them unconsciously. "May these robes disappear and I may be with the clothes I had on before..."
It worked, not without difficulty. Little by little that strange suit disappeared, opening the way to the clothes the boy had had on during the fight, and which had some small rips.
-Dad, I'll take a bath. I won't take a long time.
-All right.
Taro took his yukata and went into the tiny bathroom. Due to the high cost of water in Europe, they couldn't take very frequent or very long baths, but the Misakis had already become very skillful at taking quick showers, especially Taro. A while later, he stepped out of the shower with his hair soaking wet and with a fresh, clean scent. He went into his bedroom and since dinnertime was near, he simply decided to stay with his yukata on for the rest of the evening.
Meanwhile, in another house, but in the same city, Azumi was lying on her bed, writing in her diary. She still couldn't forget the kindness of the boy with crutches, although it bothered her that Taro didn't trust him.
"Wataru's very nice, and to say he admires Misaki-kun... His eyes are very strange too, but his blue eye has a shade I've never seen in my life..."
-Azumi, sweetie, dinner's ready.
-OK, give me a moment –skipping happily, the girl went to the dining room.
-You're unusually glad. What happened?
-I met a strange, but very kind boy.
-And that? What do you mean with strange?
-He uses crutches as he has cerebral palsy, people doesn't understand him because of his handicap, and has a blue eye and a brown eye. His name's Osorezan Wataru.
-Gee. And what about Misaki Taro?
-Oh, mom, he's another story... -although Azumi's face darkened a little. -He said that Wataru had an air of resentment around him, and he felt he was dangerous.
-I think it's strange for your friend to think like that.
-Yeah, I think the same. Wataru also said that he was a bit envious because of Misaki-kun's talent for soccer.
-Well, you can't force somebody to talk with another person.
-Yeah... -and it was then when Azumi realized that what had happened to her was love at first sight.
But on the other hand, back in Shizuoka, four of the Five Black Archangels were in their favorite place: A dark alley.
-And what in da world's Jin doin'? She's taken a long time in comin' and she's da one that lives here -the Archangel of the Thunder said.
-I insist that the one who hides something denies it all. She behaves in a odd way –said the proverb-loving Archangel.
-Let her, Rai. In the end, it's her way of being -the Archangel of Hatred said, stretching his arms.
-And what happened to you? You're unusually happy
-Let's say I was very near to giving an end to the Archangel of Water.
-Almost? Almost doesn't count, Wa.
-Well, besides that, I met a girl.
Two of the other three Black Archangels laughed till they could no more, but the pony-tailed Archangel didn't even react.
-Remember that we cannot involve ourselves with anyone. Since our fate is to destroy the world so a New Genesis under the cover of darkness happens, everybody will die.
-Except us, or am I wrong? But, we can't make even a friend before he or she dies? I don't think it's fair.
-Are you questioning the laws of fate, Wa?
-No... I only said -and in that moment the flutter of a pair of wings sounded. The Archangel of Darkness had arrived.
-I warned I'd go take a flight around the city. Somehow I have to take the frustration of not being able to beat the Kami no Tsukai and his henchmen out of me.
-You told so? To who? -the shorthaired, small-eyed, proverb-loving Archangel asked.
-I told Shi. Or am I wrong?
-You're right. Now we have to talk.
A while later, every Black Archangel left to his or her respective city. However, in Paris, the Archangel of Hatred located Azumi's house, and when he saw gleefully the open window, he turned into a fly and went in. He settled on the sleeping girl's pillow.
"Gee, Azumi... It's a shame that you'll die sooner or later... I don't think it's fair that I can't even be your friend, and you belong to the few people that have been kind with me. Although well, I'm sorry you can't know who I really am: a Black Archangel. After all, it's my secret, just like I have another one now: I believe in love at first sight, and that's because you showed me that."
He took off again, but unexpectedly, Azumi's hand fell on him.
"Oh, drat... it's too heavy and I can't go back to my real form 'cause that'd wake her up. What am I going to do...? Jeez, I'm so stupid…" -and he teleported to his house. Already safe in his house, he changed clothes with their powers, and went to bed with difficulty. When he took the identity of the Archangel of Hatred completely, he didn't have trouble walking, but now that he didn't, he had to take his time.
-Good night, my dear Azumi -and fell asleep.
It dawned in Japan, but not in a very normal way for our friends. Tsubasa was still drowsy when he got up and tried to take off his pajamas. However, his fingers collided with metal.
"How strange... Metal"? -and then he woke up completely. -WHAT IN THE...!
His pajamas weren't there. On the other hand, he had a suit just like his Junior High uniform, but white as snow, with some intricate golden details, a breastplate of a metal he didn't know, his bracelet had appeared, and like his best friend, some golden protectors on the fore of his feet and a shoulder plate.
-How could I even sleep with this on? I must've been very deeply asleep when it happened... Although now that I remember it, I dreamt that I had an attack, and it seemed so real I even felt the pain. Could it have been real?
With no more words, the Kami no Tsukai made that strange attire vanish, and put on his true Junior High uniform. He went downstairs and sat down to the table, thoughtful. Natsuko was just getting up, she was really surprised when she saw that her son was up and about so early.
-Good morning... why did you scream so hard?
-Er, something happened in the night... don't worry, mom -he answered, nervous.
-Well... Whatever -and Natsuko began to make breakfast for both and Tsubasa's lunch.
A while later, Tsubasa met with Ishizaki on his way to school and later with Sanae.
-... and when I realized, I had a weird attire on.
-Heh, you weren't the only one, Tsubasa-kun. When I woke up, I had some weird kind of tunic, a pair of wide pants, in short, I woke up with some armor on!
-Gee... -Sanae said, thinking. -I wonder if the other ones passed thru that too.
-You bet... But the only one that would have been awake when it happened would be Misaki-kun. After all, we were asleep when it happened –Ryou said.
-Anyway, it was really surprising.
They arrived at the Junior High and waited for the classes to begin. Kumi and Yukari arrived later.
-How are you, girls? -Sanae asked.
-Fine -answered both girls at the same time. -We wanted to ask you if you want to go with us to Vitalis tomorrow, since it's Friday.
-To be honest, I still drool when I think of that soda float, so count me in -Ishizaki said immediately.
-I can't; I promised to go with my mom to buy some groceries -Tsubasa said.
-And I have to take care of Atsushi -Sanae added.
-Well, you're the ones missing it. However, if you change your opinion, just tell us.
-Well, let's talk later; here comes the teacher -Tsubasa said, sitting down.