Chapter XVI: DJ Darkwing… Or Kurobane Shinobu
So the day passed by normally, and after the soccer training, Tsubasa got home. Natsuko asked him what happened.
-Er, mom, can I go to Vitalis tonight with the others? I know I promised I'd go with you to the market and everything, but…
-But Yukari and Kumi pressed you so you'd go.
-Exactly.
-Well, don't worry. You've helped me a lot lately, and it's not necessary for you t go. Go out with your friends if you want.
-Thanks mom. And next time, I'll go with you. Promise.
Tsubasa ran to his room, chose his clothes carefully and rushed to take a quick shower. He didn't take more than ten minutes to get ready, a record if you know what I mean. A little later he took some of his savings, said goodbye his mom and went to Ishizaki's house.
-I see that this time you got ready quicker and better than the usual –said Ryou, who once again used a sleeveless shirt, dark jeans and black sneakers.
-Yeah, I guess –answered Tsubasa, who had a white T-shirt, a denim vest, a dark blue bandanna on his head, jeans and dark tennis shoes on. He also had used some cologne.
-And what in the world has happened to Izawa? He's always right on the dot.
-Well, truth is I came earlier than the usual, so don't worry, Ishizaki-kun.
-Anyway, I don't think he'll take that much time.
Meanwhile, in Kumi's house, the girls were trying on several attire combinations, but they couldn't find the right clothes.
-I think red is Sanae's color. Yeah… That red shirt, the black trousers and some black shoes will do -Yukari said, judging her friend's attire like a fashion designer.
-Yeah. I think that you should go in blue without a doubt, Yukari. You should go with the same attire you used last time -Kumi answered, trying on a tight Chinese-style shirt.
-Well, I agree. And by the way, if you take that shirt to the disco, you'll be sweating all over.
-Yeah, I thought that.
-If you want my opinion, I don't feel okay with this shirt -Sanae said, talking about a thin-strapped red shirt which showed the girl's firm stomach.
-But you look great! I bet Tsubasa will fall at your feet when he sees you.
-Don't say those things! -the girl answered, redder than the shirt she had on.
-Oh, well. I already know what I'll put on for today -Kumi said, as she had on a white sleeveless turtleneck, black pants and black boots.
-Well, we're just missing the make-up. Last time you didn't need it because the clothes were light-colored, but today, you'll be the queen of the night, Sanae-chan.
-I, I… I can't use make-up; I'm allergic to it.
-Don't be silly. This make-up is hypoallergenic -and Kumi and Yukari put make-up on Sanae's face against her will, but at the end it was worthwhile.
Some time later, when the sun had hidden, the six teenagers were at the doors of Vitalis. If Tsubasa had been nervous when he saw Sanae the last time, this time he was entirely dazed; she had on some base, hardly a touch of eye shadow, her eyelashes had been curled lightly, and had some light pink lip gloss on. Yukari had blue eye shadows and a lipstick color like Sanae's, and Kumi had dark gray, almost black eye makeup and had some clear lip gloss.
-This time you did it, girls -Ryou said, while Izawa whistled as they saw the girls.
-You're not bad-looking either… Not bad at all -Yukari said, as she couldn't take her yes out of Ryou.
-Well. Shall we go it? –Sanae said shyly.
-What did we come for? -Izawa said, as he went into the disco with Yukari. Although she looked confused in the beginning, she shrugged and went in. Ishizaki came closer to Sanae, telling her to go in with him, leaving Kumi and Tsubasa as the last couple.
-Are we going in, Kumi?
-Sure, senpai -she said smiling. She felt on cloud nine. This time the place was fuller than ever, but apparently the DJ had not arrived.
-Geez, the DJ hasn't arrived. I've heard he's very handsome and talented -Yukari said.
-Well, we'll know how good he is once he begins to work –Izawa answered, lightly skeptical, while they looked for a table to leave their things.
-True -Ishizaki said. He wanted a soda float as soon as possible.
They found an empty table, but while the girls, Ishizaki and Izawa went to dance, Tsubasa sat down, observing. However, a little later somebody sat down next to him. The boy at the beginning didn't know who it was, but later he realized who it was.
-You…! –he said, concentrating on making his sword appear.
-Ozora-san? Don't you recognize me? It's me, Imawano Jinko.
She was totally different. She had on some tight black jeans, a black strapless shirt and a high ponytail, besides having some dark make-up on and no glasses.
-Imawano-san… you surprised me. I didn't recognize you… You look so different.
-I'm used to come here on Fridays. I know the DJ.
-But I thought you didn't have any friends…
-I said I know him, not that he's my friend -the youth explained, slightly miffed.
-Sorry -but immediately Tsubasa remembered what he had discussed with Kumi the previous day on the phone.
-Something the matter?
-No, nothing… I remembered something; that's all.
-I thought you had thought of something bad by the looks of it.
-Just forget it… -and he was looking for a quick excuse, but a girl's voice sounded on the speakers.
-Now the one all of you have been waiting for. The electronic music master in Vitalis… DJ Darkwing!
Immediately a reflector lit up and aimed a young man with a sleeveless black shirt, black pants, long ponytail and dark eyeglasses on who was beginning to mix music up. Yukari and Kumi were fascinated looking at the attractive DJ, but Sanae thought he was nothing really that special.
-Do you want to dance, Ozora-san?
-No, thank you, Imawano-san. I don't know how to dance.
-Truth is you don't know how to dance a lot, but at least you know two or three steps.
Tsubasa was amazed; how did she know it? Remembering what Kumi had told him, he supposed that one of Jinko's abilities was reading minds.
-Anyway, I don't really want to dance.
-Well. See you later -and Jinko left to dance. As soon as the youth went away, Tsubasa allowed a sigh of relief to escape. He was still sitting down, marking the rhythm with his foot and observing the other ones who danced (he could probably learn one or two steps like this…?) and little by little he was getting bored. Going to Vitalis probably hadn't been a smart idea. A little later, Kumi went to the table, with two soda floats.
-Do you want one, senpai?
-Thanks, Kumi.
-By the way, I noticed that a girl sat down next to you and talked to you.
-Then you should've noticed I was uncomfortable for a sec.
-Yes. Was it Imawano by any chance?
-Bulls-eye.
Yukari, Sanae, Ryou and Mamoru continued dancing, while Kumi and Tsubasa observed them, drinking their sodas.
-Senpai, I need to tell you something -Kumi said, after taking a sip of soda.
-What is it, Kumi?
-You see, you see… You see, I like you a lot…
Tsubasa was speechless in the beginning, his heart skipping one or two beats, but later he took it with a lot of coolness.
-And I, I only wanted you to know it.
-Kumi, I'm sorry… I'm sorry I can't answer to your feelings in the way you'd like. You are a good friend, an excellent assistant, but I only see you as that. Forgive me.
-You like another girl, right?
-Yeah. I don't only like her; I'm deeply in love with another girl.
-It's Sanae? -the answer Kumi obtained was Tsubasa's face going scarlet. Holding back tears she said she understood it.
-However, you have to hurry and tell Sanae what you feel. I don't know if you know it, but Sanae sometimes talks with that boy, Kanda Koushi, and it seems he's not totally indifferent to her.
-I get it… But I don't know if she thinks the same about me.
Kumi rolled her eyes, thinking how blind a man could be.
-I can assure you, Tsubasa-senpai, that Sanae loves you with all the strength of her heart from the first time she met you.
Tsubasa's face lit up with a smile only seen when someone mentioned the word 'soccer'.
-Thanks, Kumi. You don't know how much I thank you for telling me that -he said, taking the girl's hands.
-Well, I believe that's what friends are for… -the girl said, brokenhearted. A moment later the others went near.
-Hey, Tsubasa-kun, did you come to dance or just to sit down and do nothing? -Yukari said, hands on her hips.
-I wasn't feeling well, but once all of you go back to the dance floor, I'll go with you.
-You'd better do so -Ishizaki said, going behind Tsubasa and stretching his face as far as it could. –You can't be a soccer-obsessed boring dude, you know.
-Let me go! -Tsubasa said, trying to get rid of the Monkey Boy. The girls were between afraid, amusing and angered because of what Ishizaki was doing.
-Hey, let him go or his face will stay like that forever -Izawa said, making the girls laugh even more.
-You said it, Izawa -and let go of Tsubasa's hurting face. Two minutes later the six Nankatsu Junior High students were on the dance floor dancing what DJ Darkwing was mixing. At first the Nankatsu's soccer captain was quite uncomfortable, but little by little he let himself be taken by the rhythm and danced.
-Well, seems that somebody has learned how to dance -Kumi said, since she was at his side.
-Thanks -he responded, smiling half-heartedly. His face still hurt.
A while later, the DJ took a break, so some rock music was playing (Dame by You Izami) The DJ decided to be between the teenagers, and located himself just in front of the Nankatsu gakuseitachi. Kumi and Yukari almost fainted, excited, while Sanae didn't react.
-Are you having fun, guys? -the DJ asked, looking over his dark eyeglasses and dancing smoothly.
-Sure! -four of the six students exclaimed.
-You're brilliant, DJ Darkwing -Yukari said, excited.
-Hey, hey, that's only my nom-de-plume. The name's Kurobane Shinobu.
-Wow… No wonder your nickname.
-And who may you be?
-We're students from Nankatsu Junior High. I'm Nishimoto Yukari and these are Izawa Mamoru, Ishizaki Ryou, Sugimoto Kumi, Nakasawa Sanae… and Ozora Tsubasa.
When he heard the name, something twisted in the musician's stomach, but he didn't lose his gorgeous smile.
-The boys' names are kind of familiar for me. Weren't you the ones who won the National Soccer Tournament?
-How did you know? -Ryou said, since he seemed to get well with Shinobu.
-I usually read the newspapers, big guy. And by the way, why haven't your two friends said a thing? Cat got their tongue?
-No… it's not that. Dunno what's up with them -Izawa said.
What happened was that Tsubasa and Sanae had a bad hunch about this guy. They just waved 'hi' and continued dancing. However, Shinobu came closer to Sanae.
-Well, well, well… Here we have the queen of the night. I say that whoever gets to be your fiancée will be envied by all men.
-I don't have a boyfriend, but I have my dignity -Sanae said, going to the table. –Sumimasen.
While Shinobu talked to Sanae, Tsubasa felt something he had only felt once in the past days: jealousy. But good judgment made him go to the bathroom.
-Well, break's over -the DJ said, pushing up his glasses and dedicating a smile to the girls, who were just about to fall out cold. He began to mix several rhythms, creating a groovy, almost exotic rhythm. Sanae went for a soda, bothered by the DJ's Casanova attitude. When she went back, Tsubasa was sitting down, observing the dance floor vacantly, where not only his friends danced, but Jinko was too, dancing with a boy.
-Tsubasa-kun…
-Huh? Ah, it's you, Sanae-chan.
-You're distracted.
-Don't worry… by the way, last night Kumi told me something.
-What did she tell you? -the girl asked, concerned. Tsubasa explained to her what happened with Imawano, Kumi's fears and his own suspicions: Imawano Jinko and the Archangel of Darkness could be the same person.
-You know? I do think both are the same girl. They have that eerie air of solitude and resentment.
-But Kumi also said something crazy. According to her, Imawano-san told her that supposedly she is after… after me, and that she's presumably dangerous.
Sanae was shocked when hearing the first comment, but couldn't help but agree with her rival (better said, former rival) about Imawano being dangerous
-I always had the feeling she hid something. In fact I always suspected that she was the Archangel of Darkness.
-And I can't blame you, Sanae-chan –Tsubasa said unconsciously.
-What did you say?
-I can't accuse you, since you're usually very perceptive -Tsubasa answered, nervous.
-If you say so… -but suddenly the people in the disco panicked. Seemingly a drunken young man had evaded the security guards… and had Jinko as a hostage. He had a gun in his belt, and threatened with cutting the girl's neck if he didn't get what he wanted.
-What's happening? -Tsubasa asked Ishizaki, who had gone quietly to the table.
-A drunkard entered and has a dark-clothed, really attractive girl as hostage.
-She's dressed all in black? By any chance she has a high ponytail?
-How do you know?
-I'm afraid Sanae and I know her.
-But unfortunately we can't do anything. I bet the barrier wouldn't do anything at all with all this people inside and more if the hostage is who we think it is.
-What did you say?
-What Tsubasa said is that that girl is probably the Archangel of Darkness.
Ishizaki began to snicker.
-Oh, please, how can a girl like that be the Archangel of Darkness?
-Why don't you ask Kumi what happened to her yesterday with a girl called Imawano Jinko?
But the talk stopped. Tsubasa, Sanae and Ryou saw that Shinobu came closer to the drunkard very quietly. The drunkard turned and roared to the DJ not to go any closer. Jinko didn't move, terrified (or maybe she was making believe)
-I don't want to cause any damage. Let the girl go and let's talk face to face like men.
-No way! I want a bottle of sake and all the money there's here! And I'll kill this girl if you don't!
Jinko looked at Shinobu, pleading him in a way to save her. She could have gotten rid of the drunkard, but scared as she was, she couldn't use her powers.
-All right, calm down. This girl has nothing to do with this… If you let her loose, I'll get everything you need.
-Yeah, sure… This girl is my guarantee.
-No, really. Look, if you let her go, I'll get what you want personally -Shinobu said, with his hands to the front, coming closer to the drunkard who had Vitalis in a state of panic. Tsubasa, Sanae and Ishizaki didn't know what to do. Kumi was so terrified she began to cry, while Yukari tried her to calm down and Mamoru was looking after them. And suddenly, as quick as lightning, the DJ hit the drunkard in the head, leaving him unconscious. After making sure that the man's gun didn't have any bullets, the handsome DJ took a pale and shocked Jinko to a safe place. Meanwhile, the soda bar attendant called the police. Tsubasa, Sanae and Ryou ran to where their other friends were.
When they got there, Mamoru looked at them with blank eyes (it was his way of showing fear), while Yukari hugged her panicked friend.
-Everybody listen to me, please. I know that what has just happened was something horrible, but fortunately nobody was hurt. Right now the police are coming to take charge of all this mess. Please leave in order and calmly, avoiding jams. I repeat: Leave in order and calmly -Shinobu said using the sound system. The disco's security guards began to evacuate everybody. The teens left the place peacefully, somewhat disappointed because of the short time they passed there. However, Jinko didn't still react. She was still inside Vitalis.
-Jinko, are you OK?
-That drunken baboon almost killed me and you ask me if I'm okay –said the girl ironically, beginning to cry.
-Heh, I never thought you could cry. Since you're always so cold…
-It's not funny… In spite of everything, I'm still quite a human.
-I know it, Jinko. C'mon, let's get outta here. After all, the others must be concerned.
Both of them left the place, just when the police arrived. They put the drunken man under arrest, and asked Jinko and Shinobu to testify. Meanwhile, Tsubasa, Sanae and the others left to their respective houses. Sanae went to her house alone after passing by the Sugimoto's house, but she felt that someone was following her. She continued walking, and suddenly she stopped. She turned, just to see that the Archangel of Darkness was there.
-What do you want?
-I'm so sure you're the last White Archangel. I came here to destroy you.
The Black Archangel had her scythe in one hand, and her Black Fire burned in the other. At first the Nankatsu soccer team's manager didn't know what to do, but she remembered the talisman. Pleading for help, the girl took the talisman out of her pocket in the moment the evil being attacked her. Luckily the attack reverted and hit the Black Archangel.
-You're lucky. My attacks bounce on you.
And the will keep on doing so 'cause I don't want to die.
The Archangel of Darkness attacked with more fierceness, but the talisman protected Sanae from the attacks. However, the youth felt her strength abandoning her. She continued pleading for help, but she was beginning to lose hope.
-You're dead…
-Forget it… Hurricane Winds!
-Marine Undertow!
The two attacks hit the Archangel of Darkness, leaving her lightly stunned. Sanae saw with great astonishment that Misaki and Wakabayashi had gone to save her.
-Misaki-kun, Wakabayashi-kun…
-Long time no see, Anego. Luckily we heard your plea for help -Genzo said, looking at Sanae by the corner of his eye.
-Don't call me Anego, Wakabayashi-kun.
-There's no time to talk, Wakabayashi-kun. There's a life we have to save –Taro answered, seizing his trident.