12-20-05

Can you feel? Can you feel that hybrid rainbow?

Naota slouched into his house, book bag slung over his shoulder. He heaved his burden onto a chair, which creaked in protest of the unexpected weight, and sighed. Another day wasted at school.

Kanti looked up from his work at the sink, and the expression on Naota's face motivated him to approach with a half-dried bowl in hand. Naota glared darkly at him, but he refused to go away.

"Kanti, go finish the dishes. I'm going up to my room. Homework."

The screen that was Kanti's head flashed a question mark, but Naota ignored it. Stupid robots. Always wanting you to tell them your problems. Naota pushed past him and went upstairs.

The first thing he saw when he opened his door was a giant poster of a baseball player. Naota sighed. He missed having his own room, and it had only been a week. His brother had showed up telling the family all about how he was only visiting for a month or two. Then came the suitcases, and Naota knew he wasn't leaving anytime soon.

The town, of course, received him like a hero. It wasn't every day that a baseball legend came to stay in Mabase. In fact, Tasku coming to Mabase was about the most interesting thing that had happened since...well, since the town could remember.

Naota really didn't think it was that great. Haruko's short stay seemed to have been a lot more interesting. But then again, nobody remembered Haruko anymore.

"Hey, bro, could you give me a minute?" called Tasku from behind the door, throwing a hand out to Keep Naota back.

Naota heard the giggling of a girl, and he turned around. One of Tasku's little fan club must have come over. And judging by the pair of panties on the doorknob, they must be having a good time. He threw the underwear back into the room and closed the door.

Kanti looked up when he heard Naota trudging back down the stairs. Another question mark flitted across the screen. Naota sat down at the table and grabbed a loaf of bread. Kanti sat down in the chair across from him, patiently watching him eat.

"Why'd you let my brother's fangirl in here, huh?" snapped Naota in a rush, and he threw the bread at Kanti. "Did you think he needs another little prostitute around?"

You are unhappy?

"Well what do YOU think?"

I thought you were happy that your brother came back.

Naota sneered at the robot, unaware that it was communicating via telepathy.

"Yeah. I'm so happy that my star brother came back to gloat in my face and have sex in my room with every underage girl in town."

We haven't merged in a long time. I miss fighting. Do you miss fighting?

Naota's mouth hung open, words of fury dying in his throat. Is that what was wrong with him? He missed the thrill of fighting? Did Naota crave the raw adrenaline that came with placing his life on the line in spectacular battle? That robot could sure come up with uncomfortable statements sometimes.

"Um."

Naota does miss fighting? Then let's merge. We'll go away and find something to fight against.

"Leave Mabase? Nobody can leave Mabase."

Except your brother. And Haruko.

"Shut up!"

Naota stood and made to stalk out of the house. Halfway there, he stopped and turned back to the table. Sniffling quietly, he slunk back to the table and sat down.

"Besides, my brother came back," he muttered, darkly glaring at the ceiling.

It's been three years. Three years since Haruhara Haruko showed up on her vespa with her bass guitar. Everything has changed. Everything is the same in Mabase. At least, that's what the residents will tell you. Nothing amazing ever happens in Mabase. Only the ordinary, mundane stuff. Even the medical Mechanica plant has stopped working, moved away. The people here will tell you it never existed. It's all a part of their programming. Forget anything interesting that happens. Nothing amazing ever happens in Mabase.

Kanti watched Naota's fingers skitter across the keyboard as it typed out the latest entry to his online journal. He was right. Kanti couldn't remember the last time something big happening that other people around him didn't forget about.

"Stop staring at me," muttered Naota, clicking the "update" button. "It's weird."

Gomen.

Tasku stumbled down the stairs into the kitchen, upsetting the cat who was perched on the bottom step. His latest girlfriend followed close behind, clad in what appeared to be a pair of naota's old pajamas.

"Yo, bro," Tasku called from the direction of the refrigerator. "Do we have any orange juice?"

"Look yourself."

"Oh, Tasku, your brother is so mean!" pouted the girl, tugging at Tasku's arm. "Let's get dressed and go out for breakfast."

"Yeah, whatever." Tasku shot his brother a look that clearly said Women. What are you gonna do with them?

Naota glared and went back to the laptop.