Chapter XIX: A Very Waited Confession
Weekend passed, and once again school called. The days weren't so cold already, and it felt better to not use the uniform's jacket, in the boys' case, or to use short sleeves, in the girls' case. Tsubasa woke up peacefully, thinking of the soccer training, and what would he do later. He changed clothes, got his book bag ready and went downstairs. However, Natsuko was still asleep.
-Oh, well, I'll make breakfast for a change -the boy told himself. He prepared some tea, and put some bread in a basket.
-Good morning, honey –said Natsuko, Still sleepy, going downstairs.
-Good morning, mom. Did you sleep well?
-I did, although last night I dreamt of your dad.
-And why do you say although?
-Because if I could remember the dream, it would have been better. I only remember I dreamt of him.
Tsubasa smiled with that comment. Something told him that that day wouldn't be a good or a bad day, but it would be a decisive day. He sat down to the table, and took a sip of his tea, but he had forgotten to add sugar to it.
-Oh, man… I forgot the sugar.
-Well, add it before it goes cold.
Breakfast passed in the Ozora house, and a while later Tsubasa went to the Junior High with the ball at his feet, whistling a song he liked and up to that moment, without a single worry in his mind.
Meanwhile, Sanae had woken up somewhat downcast. Although she had slept well, she felt depressed. She opened the curtains of her room, and although it was a beautiful, clear-skied morning, she didn't cheer up. She changed clothes and went to the kitchen to have breakfast. Her mother asked her what was wrong.
-It's nothing, mom. I just don't feel well.
-You're not sick, are you?
-No. I'm just down in the dumps.
-Oh, well. Here you have -Mrs. Nakasawa said, serving some scrambled eggs to her daughter. However, the girl wasn't hungry.
-Sanae, if you don't eat something, you'll faint.
-I am not hungry, mom. Believe me -and Sanae went to her room for her books. A little later she was walking towards the Junior High, when she met with Kanda.
-Hi, Sanae… What happened?
-Oh, nothing, Kanda. I simply got up on the wrong side of the bed.
-Then think everything with the right side of your mind.
That comment was able to make Sanae smile, and she needed it.
-I'll try to, Kanda. Thanks for cheering me up.
-What are friends for, huh?
-Yeah… I guess.
A while later, Tsubasa, Sanae and the others were in class, reading a book. However there was somebody that wasn't completely concentrated. Tsubasa was very distracted as he was thinking how he'd confess his feelings to Sanae, and he didn't realize he had read the same line three times.
-Hey, Tsubasa-kun… Tsubasa-kun -Ishizaki said, trying to take the lad out of his reverie without scaring him, but seemingly that was impossible.
"This guy didn't sleep well, or he's on cloud nine because of Sanae. He's completely lost…"
-Excuse me, sir, I need to go to the bathroom -Ishizaki said finally, aloud and standing up. Everyone turned to see Ishizaki, including Tsubasa, who blinked for an instant and went back to reality.
-Hurry then, Ishizaki -the teacher said without stooping to read his book. After the boy left, everyone returned to their readings, but this time Tsubasa did concentrate. Meanwhile, Ishizaki went to the bathroom, and splashed his face with water, since he had been getting drowsy.
-No doubt. I have to make my title of Tsubasa's first friend have some worth today, because this guy's a zombie today.
He was going back to the classroom, but immediately a strong chill ran thru his spine. He ran to the patio, where he felt that presence.
-C'mon, show yourself once and for all! -Ishizaki said, beginning to form the barrier.
-I already see I don't have more choice than fight with you… -said a voice Ishizaki didn't recognize in the beginning.
In front of him an Archangel he didn't know appeared. Unlike the Archangel of the Darkness, or any other Archangel, this one was more striking, more terrifying. He had a black whip in his hand, the other hand was casually on his hip, and had a dark and defiant look.
-I don't know you… -but immediately a chill ran down Ryou's spine again. –Wait a sec… If I don't know you, it means that…
-Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Archangel of Chaos.
Ishizaki was totally paralyzed when he heard that. His legs didn't react. He was truly terrified, and the worst was that he was alone against the most powerful Black Archangel.
-You can't move? Then allow me to make the first movement -and as quick as the wind the Archangel of Chaos attacked Ishizaki, sending him immediately to the floor. However, Ryou was able to get up and make his wings and his Axe appear.
-Much better… -and the Archangel attacked again but Ryou stopped the whip with his axe.
-Don't eve think I'll give up.
-Couldn't expect less from you -and the battle between both Archangels continued. Although for obvious reasons the Archangel of the Earth had a great disadvantage.
"If miracles exist, may one happen, please…" -Ryou thought, resisting as much as he could the Black Archangel's ferocious attack. However, miracles don't happen twice, and nobody appeared to help him.
Meantime, in the classroom, Tsubasa was worried, since Ryou hadn't come back. He waited longingly the recess bell, but time seemed to stretch out like a rubber band. However, rubber bands tend to break, and the bell rang. Immediately Tsubasa ran to the boy's bathrooms, but Ryou wasn't there.
"Where is he? He couldn't have taken so much time."
-Tsubasa-kun, over here! -Sanae exclaimed, running downstairs and going to the schoolyard. Tsubasa hesitated, but immediately went to the yard, where Ryou's barrier was beginning to vanish.
However, nobody noticed what happened. Tsubasa formed his own barrier and ran to help his friend, who was about to call it quits.
-Shout of the Gods! -and at least the attack was able to avoid the coup de grace.
-At last I meet you, Kami no Tsukai. You're the one I want to fight.
-What did you say? -Tsubasa said, as he helped his friend to stand up.
-Tsubasa-kun, be very careful… He's the Archangel of Chaos… -Ishizaki murmured, exhausted. His friend listened to him, his eyes fixed on the black-winged being
-Take a break, pal. You had a very long fight… -and without realizing, the white suit appeared on the young and furious soccer player.
-Now we're face to face -the Archangel of Chaos said, and another ferocious battle began.
If a battle against an Archangel like that of the Darkness was exhausting, this wasn't easier by any means. The Archangel of the Chaos was by far the most powerful of the Black Archangels, and didn't even sweat to prove it.
-Shout of the Gods!
-Beginning of the Ages!
In spite of his rival's power, Tsubasa wouldn't give up so easily. However, just as had happened with Taro and the Archangel of Darkness, the Archangel of Chaos sent his Beginning of the Ages toward Ishizaki. But the Messenger of the Gods thought quickly.
-Celestial Protection! –he pointed at his friend with his hand and immediately a screen of light protected him. At least his friend would be safe.
-Excellent move, Tsukai, but you should put more attention to what happens to you -the Archangel of Chaos said, as he had avoided the Shut of the Gods in the last moment and had caught Tsubasa by the neck with his whip. And the worst was that the guy hadn't realized it.
Tsubasa was choking, and he didn't know what to do. Everything was going black, and it couldn't finish this way. It couldn't! However…
-Fury of the Earth! –Ishizaki's attack hit the Archangel of Chaos, and at last Tsubasa was free from the whip. He liberated all the power of his sword, and attacked the Archangel of Chaos, at last injuring him.
-It's the first time someone is able to hurt me… Congratulations, Kami no Tsukai, but I assure you it won't happen again. See you in the next encounter, which I hope it's the last one -and the Archangel of Chaos disappeared.
-I hope it's not… -and Tsubasa flew towards Ryou. -You saved my life, pal.
-Heh, it was the least I could do. You saved me when I was about to die, and I couldn't stand owing it to you. By the way, make your uniform appear; you have the Messenger's suit on.
-Oh, I… I didn't realize when it happened.
-Well, do what I told you.
Tsubasa went back to normal, and after he and Ishizaki healed, he made the barrier disappear. As soon it happened, Sanae ran towards them.
-How are you? -she asked, quite worried.
-If it wasn't because we saved each other in the right moment, we'd be dead -Ishizaki said, smiling, but immediately Sanae hugged both boys.
-I was very worried. When I heard he was the Archangel of Chaos, I thought there was nothing left.
-Erm, Sanae… Let. You're embarrassing us and all the school's seeing it -Tsubasa said, extremely uncomfortable.
Immediately the girl let go, as the other students laughed. However, Tsubasa and Ishizaki, obviously smiling, used their powers to make everyone forget the embarrassing episode.
The day passed, and so did the soccer training. Tsubasa, already quite better from what happened in the morning, was walking home; he was thinking where could be Sanae, as she had left the training before anyone. The teenager walked with his 'friend' at his feet, thoughtful, until he saw the girl, selling her bracelets. Seemingly she was winning a lot of money, since her bracelets were about to run out.
-Sanae-chan…
-Ah, Tsubasa-kun. What are you doing here?
-Passed by.
-Ah, you passed by.
However, Tsubasa breathed deeply and joined up all the courage he could muster.
-I need to talk with you.
-Of what?
-It's personal.
-Later; I can't leave my customers waiting.
Tsubasa leaned back against the wall while Sanae sold the last bracelets. Finally, she counted the money she had won, and kept it in her book bag.
-Now we can speak. What's happening?
-You see, Kumi confessed her feelings to me last Friday, when we were in that disco, but I rejected her.
-And what's that got to do with me?
-Out of what I told you, Kumi told me to hurry up…
-About what? You're not making any sense.
-It does for me, Sanae. She told me to hurry up and tell the truth to the girl I have a monster-sized crush on, and that girl's you. I love you, Sanae.
Sanae thought she was dreaming. Although she already knew it, she couldn't help but feel how her heart exploded when she heard Tsubasa's confession.
-Tsubasa, I… I… Forgive me for being so cold with you in these days. I, I didn't believe you when you told me that the Archangel of Thunder had attacked you…
-That's ancient history.
Sanae's eyes brimmed with tears.
-Tsubasa, I always knew you only had eyes for soccer… But I always loved you, as much as you tell me that you love me… -and the girl rushed to the boy's arms, enjoying that moment.
-Sanae-chan… Sorry for not having been able to tell you this before. I was afraid of doing so, afraid of your rejection. Then… do you…?
However, he couldn't finish the sentence.
-Sanae, why?
Kanda was there, between terrified and furious.
-Kanda… What are you doing here?
-This creep made you cry again… Listen to me, Ozora. You don't deserve Sanae; she was behind you for too much time and you never paid any attention to her -the furious boxer exclaimed, punching Tsubasa's face.
The Kami no Tsukai fell to the floor.
-No, Kanda, don't do it! -Sanae exclaimed, running toward Tsubasa.
-Don't get in this, Sanae! –he answered, pushing Sanae. She fell to the floor, and Tsubasa when seeing that… was angry as he had never been before.
-Don't you dare hurt Sanae… -and hit Kanda on the stomach with a powerful kick. -Don't you dare hurt the girl that I love, Kanda!
Sanae was extremely impressed when seeing Tsubasa fight with Kanda. She couldn't believe that Tsubasa, fight-hating Tsubasa, was defending her.
-Tsubasa-kun…
Finally Kanda and Tsubasa stopped their fight. Cursing in an undertone, the boxer left.
-Are you OK, Sanae-chan?
-Yeah. I only have a scrape.
-Let me see -and Tsubasa took Sanae's arm gently, observing the ugly scrape there was because Kanda. A soft breeze blew in that instant, and a shower of sakura petals flew in that instant, surrounding the couple. And if you squinted and concentrated, you could have sworn you could see a couple of white wings on the boy's back.
Mostly by the moment, and by what they felt, they showed what they felt with the purest and simplest sample of their love: their true first kiss.
-Do you want to see the city from above? -Tsubasa asked, extending his wings.
-Isn't it dangerous?
-I won't let you fall. Promise.
Sanae agreed quietly, got hold of Tsubasa, and he flew upwards. The sunset bathed everything with a beautiful golden light, and the flowering cherry trees seemed golden clouds on the floor.
-It's so beautiful… Tsubasa-kun, is this what you see when you fly?
-Actually, no, Sanae-chan. You know that I use my wings to fight for this planet and for the ones I love.
-So you mean that…?
-Yeah; this sunset is breathtaking.
Sanae did feel on seventh heaven now. However, in that instant she didn't want to think that the man she loved would have to fight very soon to death with the Black Archangels.
-Well, back to Terra Firma we go -and the Kami no Tsukai went down softly. As soon as their feet were on the ground, Sanae let go of Tsubasa, smiling as sweetly as she could. They said goodbye normally and went home, full with happiness and with love flowing out of them like honey in a hive.
-Sanae, what happened to you? Your arms are scraped -the girl's father said.
-Don't worry, dad. I tripped and fell -the girl responded peacefully.
-Well, if you're so calm with that ugly scrape on your arms, then it doesn't hurt you, does it?
-No, it doesn't hurt. I'll go and clean my injuries -and the girl went to her room, cleaned the wounds, and she fell on her bed, happier than ever. She could not believe what she had lived that afternoon.
On the other hand, Tsubasa arrived at his house humming a melody.
-Someone's happier than the usual –Natsuko said, amused.
-Mom, tell me something.
-What?
-What did you feel when dad asked you to be his girlfriend?
Natsuko was surprised with that question, but she smiled.
-I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a dream.
-Well, how do you think I feel right now?
-For what I can see, I think that winning the National Soccer Tournament is nothing compared with what has happened to you.
-Bingo. I told Sanae about my feelings.
Tsubasa's mother was fixing dinner, and allowed the tablespoon she had in her hand to fall. No wonder son was so happy!
-Don't tell me… Omedeto, honey. But, are you officially a couple?
Tsubasa's face turned pale.
-Do you mean if I asked Sanae if she wanted to be…? -he asked, nervous. Natsuko agreed, and Tsubasa's face went whiter.
-I think… I… I forgot –was the only thing he managed to say before falling to the floor.
-Oh, son… -and Natsuko laughed.
On the other hand, in Tokyo, Hyuga, Ken and Takeshi were doing homework. Kojiro was visibly tired, and his friends believed he was sick, but in fact it was due to the frequent fights between him and the Archangel of Thunder, apart from the trainings and matches that played. They had won all the games, and that made the team have high spirits, but Hyuga was more and more somber.
-Hyuga-san, what's wrong?
-No, it's nothing, Takeshi. I'm just tired.
-You look so somber these days.
-I already told you; it's plain fatigue.
-How? The trainings have been a cinch, Kitadzume's not ill-treating you and the games have been easy as pie -Ken said, skeptical. That left Kojiro without knowing what to say.
-But keep in mind the big bunch of homework the teacher have given us. Don't even tell me you're not desperate with all that homework.
-Well, yeah but…
-Remembers how I am under pressure.
-Whatever -Ken said curtly, finishing the tense conversation. -Nonetheless, don't push yourself too much.
-Tell me something I don't know.
Later the three Saitama boys went to have dinner, visibly tired. Obviously they passed near Ikazuchi, who apparently had decided to ignore them… Or so it seemed.
-I wonder what's for dinner -Ken said, placing a hand on his flat stomach. In that moment his stomach roared, and of course, Hyuga and Takeshi tried very hard not to laugh while Ken was embarrassed.
-Well my sense of smell tells me it's… Pasta -said the youngest of the three.
-And Takeshi's nose rarely fails -Hyuga said, smiling O.O, while Ken was quiet and Takeshi thanked his friend and idol's compliment. They arrived at the cafeteria and got their portions. They began to eat peacefully, while they felt the looks of some girls that came also from other cities, although they didn't pay any attention to them.
A while later, they were in their room. Kojiro was doing abs, while Ken and Takeshi began their traditional argument about Takeshi's disastrous Spanish assignment.
-Oh, man, you're chaotic, Takeshi -Ken said, crossing out the mistakes with a quite chewed-up pencil.
-One hundred one, one hundred two, one hundred three…
-Well, sorry for not being as good as you in Spanish. I'm simply unable for it.
-One hundred seven, one hundred eight, one hundred nine…
-It's not that. You simply don't put any attention.
-One hundred thirteen, one hundred fourteen… -and because of the argument, Kojiro lost count. -Hey, why don't you argue in some other place? I lost count -he said, angry.
-Er, we're sorry, Hyuga-san… -said Takeshi.
-We? That sounds to me like a herd. You apologize, 'cause it's all your fault -Ken said, knocking Takeshi's head.