Chapter XV: Kumi vs. Jinko
The training began, and everything was very relaxed and calm, until Tsubasa's shoelace ripped. They were running around the court when it happened, and immediately Tsubasa left the group and stopped.
-What happened, Tsubasa-kun? -Yukari asked.
-Shoelace ripped. I'll go change them -and the boy went to the lockers. Sanae followed him, more out of curiousness that anything else, and besides, she was the one who knew where the spare shoelaces were.
-Here, Tsubasa-kun. Take them -the girl said, handing the shoelaces to the captain.
-Thanks, Sanae-chan.
Both sat down on the same bench, but on opposite ends and in silence, while the youth changed shoelaces. The locker room's door was closed, and behind it Kumi, Yukari, Ishizaki and the Shutetsu Trio were spying.
-Will they at last confess their feelings to each other? -Yukari said.
-I doubt it. Tsubasa can be an ace soccer player and an awesome friend, but in this case, he's an extreme chicken -Kisugi said, skeptic.
-Who knows, Kisugi. Probably they'll accept what they feel or something. They love each other, and both of them just being friends is stupid -Taki said.
-Shut up or they'll hear us -Ishizaki murmured in an undertone, while Kumi was quiet; she was totally willing to tell Tsubasa about her feelings. And although he didn't feel the same for her, at least she would've tried it.
The spies heard footsteps, thinking that maybe Tsubasa and Sanae were about to leave the lockers, but it was Furuoya, and he gave them an enormous scare. But as you know, Ishizaki was there, and the fright made the familiar energy wave fly, but luckily there wasn't anything prone to fall near, but it went thru the door and made Tsubasa stagger.
-Would you mind explaining what in the world is happening here? -the trainer asked, raising an eyebrow.
-Weeeeeeell... –Yukari began to say.
-We were waiting for Tsubasa to come out. But he hasn't come out and we're worried -Ishizaki answered, nervous.
-Well, then go to the field. Tsubasa is not an idiot, so stop worrying.
-Yes, sir -and the spies returned to the field. A moment later, Tsubasa and Sanae arrived at the field. Tsubasa had made a mistake while he placed the new shoelaces and had to begin all again. The training continued, and finally everyone went home. Sanae went to her house alone, just like the others. However, Tsubasa was going home, although Kumi followed him without him noticing.
-Tsubasa-senpai, wait! -she exclaimed, since the boy was too quick.
-Huh? Kumi!
-I, I need to talk with you, senpai.
-Of what?
-Well... It's kind of personal.
-I'm sorry, Kumi, but I have to get home as soon as I can. My mother needs help today.
-Oh, I see.
-But you can tell it to me tomorrow. See you -and Tsubasa left, leaving Kumi quite disheartened. Depressed, she went to her house, but unexpectedly a black blaze stopped her.
-What's happening here? -Kumi didn't remember anything about the black blazes for very obvious reasons, or at least what had happened before because of them.
-So you're after Ozora-san too -somebody said behind her; it was a long-haired girl with two locks of hair falling on her face, oval-shaped rimless eyeglasses, Otomo Junior High's uniform and an eerie air of solitude and resentment.
-What do you want? Who are you?
-Let's say that I am a rival.
-But, how? You're from Otomo... it's impossible that you know Tsubasa-senpai.
-I know him, and I can assure you he's the only person that has treated me with a kind word. However, you're not a rival for me. He deserves somebody better than you, who can appreciate him as he deserves.
-And do you believe he'll love you being such a smug nerd? Being very intelligent is okay by me, but nobody can control any other person's feelings. And tell me your name once and for all.
-My name is Imawano Jinko.
-That sounds familiar... -and Kumi realized she was the girl that had caused the argument between Tsubasa and Sanae. –You're the girl the senpai defended after the game versus Otomo!
-How did you know it?
-Because Sanae-chan told me she saw you, and she thought Tsubasa-senpai liked you. It's your fault my friends felt miserable.
That was a surprise for Jinko. And if what the girl said was true?
-What's wrong with him defending someone?
-Tell that to some other fool. Anyway, you're not the only one that has a crush on the senpai.
-Anyway, nobody deserves Ozora-san's attention… except someone superior.
-Somebody superior? You look too normal to me, if we remove you arrogance.
-I'm much more intelligent that the rest of the people, and besides... -she made appear a black flame in her left hand. -I possess powers nobody else has.
"Black fire... My grandmother told me that only people that have pure evil in her heart can make a black flame appear... this is serious!" -Kumi was frightened. Immediately she knew that she couldn't let Tsubasa fall in Imawano's trap.
"But, what can I do?" -and the only thing she could do was to run away. Jinko observed her, uncaring. The truth was that she only wanted to scare her, as she suspected that maybe Kumi was the last Archangel... besides of being one of the many girls who had a crush on the Kami no Tsukai.
Kumi arrived home and locked herself in her room, crying out of sheer fright. Her grandmother, concerned, entered the girl's room, and asked her what had made her go in panic.
-Grandmother, do you remember what you told me about the black fire?
-Yes, of course, Kumi, but... Perhaps...?
-I met a girl that was able to make a black flame appear, and I was terrified. That youth is also after Tsubasa-senpai, and I don't know what to do!
-Calm yourself in the first place. You'll only fall out cold if you keep on like this –Kumi's grandmother said, since she knew a lot about supernatural issues.
-OK...
-Now tell me what happened.
-I tried to talk with Tsubasa-senpai after soccer training, but he was in much of a hurry to arrive home, and told me that we'd talk tomorrow. He left, and I began to come here, but a flame as black as night stopped me. I turned and there she was. She had an air of resentment and solitude so strong, it gave me chills.
-She didn't attack you again, did she?
-Luckily, no. But the worst thing is that she's also in love with the senpai, and I worry for him.
-No wonder. After all, if a person that is pure wickedness wants something, it won't stop in its aim of obtaining it.
Meanwhile, Tsubasa was at home, helping his mother.
-And how was it today, son?
-Talking about what? -he asked, confused.
-You know what I mean, honey… Your fate.
-Ah, we found another Archangel today. The Wind one, and I'm bushed because of it. It was really hard.
-In class time?
-No. At lunchtime, although I was in class when that attack hit me, and what I remember is that Sanae made an enormous effort to take me to the infirmary.
-I won't deny I don't agree with this interfering with your life, but as you tell it, you don't have any choice. And who's the Archangel you saved?
-If you promise not to scream, I'll tell it to you.
-Promise.
-Wakabayashi-kun.
Natsuko let go the spoon she was holding and it fell in the dishwasher, splashing the woman.
-You mean, you mean you went to Germany in a wink?
-I'm afraid so.
Natsuko tried extremely hard not to scream, or acting wildly, but she couldn't avoid the desire to hug her son, crying.
-I'm very scared of the situation you're living, honey. Waking up every day knowing that in any moment you have to fight to save this world and yourself makes me want to shout.
As he heard that, Tsubasa couldn't help answering the hug, and to his dismay perhaps, some tears ran down his cheeks.
-I don't like this, at all, but I can't run away from my fate. I don't know if I'll fight today, or tomorrow, or against whom. Those are things out of my control. If it was on my account, I wouldn't be passing by this and I'd be the Ozora Tsubasa I was before, and not somebody living a double life.
-Honey...
-If we survive after the very last battle, I'll go back to normal, with no more fights, with no more days risking my hide, but no one knows who'll win the last battle. And believe me, I don't want to know when it will be. I only want to be able to be here with you, in school with my friends, and with my soccer ball at my side.
Natsuko was a little relieved as she heard that. She dried her tears and got ready to finish dinner. The phone rang and Tsubasa rushed to answer.
-Hello? Ozora Residence. Tsubasa speaking.
-Tsubasa-senpai, it's Kumi.
-Hi, Kumi. What happened? Were you crying?
-Why do you say that?
-Your voice cracks when you talk.
-It doesn't matter now. I called for something very important
-What is it? For you talking like that, it must be very serious.
-You know Imawano Jinko, right?
-Yeah. But, why do you ask?
-'Cause she's a very dangerous person. She can create black fire, and only people that have pure evil in their hearts can do it.
"Pure evil... Black Fire... Kumi, Kumi discovered the Archangel of Darkness!"
-I'll be careful, Kumi. But, how do you know all this?
-After I tried to talk to you today, I headed home and that girl stopped me.
Kumi explained Tsubasa what happened as quickly as she could. As he heard that, the teenage boy thought several things, as building a jigsaw.
-Well, I get the gist. Don't worry, Kumi. I can take care of myself. Thanks for the warning. See you tomorrow -and hung the telephone. Now everything was too clear for him. The Archangel of Darkness, and Imawano Jinko were not only similar and had that lonesome air -they were exactly the same person. However, he still couldn't believe that. Jinko, in spite of her solitude wasn't a bad girl, only misunderstood; she was really smart and even cute; the Archangel of Darkness was despicable, obstinate and smug, but whenever he defeated her, she disappeared with an air of hiding a secret. But both of them were enigmatic, physically identical, and now both had the Black Fire, so Tsubasa didn't know really what he had to do.
"Jinko... The Archangel of Darkness... can they be really the same person? A friend of mine is actually my enemy... What a mess. It'll be better to tell Sanae and Ishizaki-kun about this tomorrow."
He returned to the kitchen, where Natsuko already served dinner, and sat down to eat.
-Tsubasa, is there something wrong? You're pale.
-Kumi called, and told me something that solves a mystery... it seems she discovered the true identity of one of the Black Archangels.
Meanwhile, in her house, Jinko was doing homework, undoubtedly full with bitterness because of the way her classmates treated her. Nevertheless, it would have been exactly the same thing if she went to another Junior High.
"That girl was very easy to scare, but something gives me a bad hunch. When she saw my Black Fire, it seemed that she knew something about it. I bet she told Ozora-san about what she saw. But on the other hand, maybe she doesn't know that Ozora-san knows all this, so maybe she kept it to herself. Anyway, I made her believe something that is entirely false; although I may have a crush on Ozora-san, I know he'll never notice me, let alone getting involved in those matters. Geez, I'm being gaudy. The only thing I can do is keeping on with my fate: Keep on fighting, and seeing him secretly as he sleeps. I may be a being of darkness, but I am also human and I feel despite my nature."
But the youth began to feel a horrible burn in her stomach, making her bend out of the pain. Lately she had felt a lot of pain there, ever since she fought against the Archangels' ally, but she didn't believe that her Black Fire had hurt her that way. Nevertheless, Jinko fought against it fiercely. She couldn't stand that pain, and she didn't know why she had it, but she didn't want anyone to know it, let alone being beat by it.
-Whatever this pain is, I can't let it beat me... I can't let this burning feeling get the best of me, because who knows what it can happen... -she murmured, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists. Finally it ended, and exhausted, she sat up straight again and finished her homework, although her greatest wish was not to return to the place where everyone treated her worse than wood rot.
Meantime, Sanae was in her room, knitting another bracelet. After class, she bought more wool, and mainly aquamarine-colored wool, a color she had never used. Besides, she had knitted a big bunch of bracelets, and was selling them quicker than she could knit. She was listening to some music on the radio (No. 1 by BôA was playing in that moment)
-Sanae, sweetie, come here a moment, please –he mother said out of her door.
-Coming -the girl said, leaving her needles for a moment. She left her room and went to her parents' room. –Is there something I can do for you?
-Well, tomorrow we'll go to your aunt's house with Atsushi, so if you have some plan for tomorrow, you can go with your friends.
-Re, really?
-Yes. I know it's sudden, but so it is. In fact they told me that next time you'll go with us to see them, but I guess you'd prefer to go out with your friends.
-Thanks, mom -Sanae said, surprised and glad. However, the girl didn't really want to go out. She only wanted to stay peacefully at home. She returned to her room and continued knitting, until she grew sleepy. She put away the needles, the wools and the handcuffs she had ready not only to sell but for her friends, changed clothes and tucked herself in bed. A while later she fell deeply asleep, although she was still a long way away from dreaming.
Meanwhile, Tsubasa was already getting ready to sleep. It was hot, so he decided to leave the window open. He turned off his bedside light and fell asleep. Sleeping was paradise for Tsubasa, tired as he was. The other Archangels also fell asleep (except the ones living in Paris and Hamburg)
But soon after, a flutter of wings was heard and the same black tiny animal entered the bedroom. Again she took her original form and did what she was used to do: gaze at her crush. However, around midnight Tsubasa got up to go to the bathroom, and the girl, panicked, turned again into the tiny black animal, luckily avoiding being discovered. A little later the teen returned to bed, still without noticing he was alone.
"That was close" -the Archangel of Darkness thought. She returned to her human form, but it was then when Tsubasa, saw her between his dreams, or so she believed. She was motionless, without knowing what to do, and she couldn't understand what the boy murmured (he was probably murmuring in Portuguese... My mother told me once I had murmured something in English while I slept and mid you, I'm Colombian)
-No... don't leave... -he murmured finally in Japanese. The girl came closer, curious. She wasn't exactly a few inches near his face, but she was close indeed. She could see clearly each and every one of his features, the boy's expression while he dreamt. But suddenly, Tsubasa got up a little, and taking the Black Archangel entirely by surprised, he hugged her... and kissed her, probably dreaming with Sanae.
"What am I gonna do? I can't move..." -she thought, terrified, trying not to let herself go with the moment, although she would've wanted to. She didn't want to wake up the teen and cause a ruckus, but she couldn't do anything... except turning back into an animal and disappearing. So she did. The boy stayed hugging the air for a millisecond, and fell on his bed again. I think he was dreaming of Sanae.
On the following day, the boy woke up remembering that dream. It looked real... Maybe too much.
-Good morning, mom -he said as he went downstairs.
-Hi, honey. How are you?
-I'm OK, but I had a dream that seemed too real...
-And that? What did you dream?
-Don't laugh, but I dreamed I told Sanae my feelings for her.
-it maybe a sign of things to come -Natsuko said, smiling.
-I hope so, mom... I hope so. But I insist it was too real.
-OK. What do you want for breakfast?
-I think cereal will do.
-OK. One cereal coming up -and Natsuko served him a bowl of honey-flavored corn flakes, Tsubasa's favorite. He poured the milk on the cereal, waited for his mother to sit down and they had breakfast in silence.
Some time later, the boy went to the Junior High, thinking. He couldn't take out that dream out of his head, mostly because of the reality it seemed to have, although every time he remembered the dream, it melted. He went by the alley where Shiro used to appear, and once again the freak phenomenon happened.
-Shiro, what's up?
-Well, I only wanted to tell you that the end's near.
-Yeah, I know it. We only have to find the last Archangel and BAM! The Final Battle begins.
-Not completely; you forgot that they continue in search of the Kage no Tsukai. By the way, congratulations for finding the Archangel of the Wind thanks to your suspicions, but he almost died. What in the world WERE YOU THINKING? -Shiro said with its typical scolding voice.
-Let's see... Probably I was in class? -Tsubasa said, emphasizing the last words. -And you'll never understand it because you have never been in school.
-Well... you're right on that one -Shiro admitted, looking at the tip of its bony fingers.
-By the way, do you know if the Archangel we're looking for is also affected by the energy waves?
-I don't have the slightest idea. I only know that he, or she is the most powerful one of us, and that he or she will only appear when the other four Archangels are discovered.
-And do you know if the talisman Sanae has will be able to help us in this?
-Which talisman?
-You saw it. The glass sphere with the mist inside that only Sanae can understand.
-Oh, that... As far as I know, it's the key to find the Archangel of Love.
-And to finish it off, Wakabayashi-kun suspects she can be the one we're looking for.
However, the noise of the street and of the bell made Tsubasa return to reality and ran to the Junior High. Shiro shrugged and disappeared.
Tsubasa arrived on time, and arrived to see how Yukari and Kumi discussed with Sanae about going again to Vitalis.
-Well, my parents said I can go since they'll go with Atsushi to my aunt's house, but I dunno if I should go…
-Sanae-chan, you have to use this once-in-a-lifetime chance. Izawa already said he'll go, and I believe it'll be a piece of cake to convince Tsubasa. C'mon, there's nothing to lose -Yukari said.
-I do lose precious time I can use for my bracelets. They're selling like mad.
-We know, but you have to have a good time once in a while -Kumi said , as she hadn't still noticed Tsubasa seeing them. -Besides, I've heard that there'll be an awesome DJ today.
-Well...
-I'll go - said Tsubasa finally, intervening.
-Weren't you going to buy groceries with your mother today?
-In the end she said she could go alone. I refused, but well…
-Great. Well, it's done. We'll go to Vitalis today -Yukari said.
-I still haven't decided if I'll go! -Sanae alleged.
-And then, what do you decide?
-I… I'll go.