James03037997: Nice chapter. I wonder if Relon has other surprises since he held back. But I guess I'll have to wait and see. But good work!
Thank you so much time to find out what else, mwahaha!
Exiting the tent, Relon staggers back from the sight of dozens of police officers, cars, fire trucks, and more littering the campus grounds. The wreckage having almost been cleaned up as the sight of the infamous yellow caution tape takes up nearly the entire yard and then some.
Glancing to the sounds of numerous voices, his eyes widen slightly at the sight of reporters and other news groups speaking on most likely the sudden event.
"Would you care to answer a few questions? Many would like to know your insight as for what happened."
Gripping his bandaged arm, a small scowl graces his face before he departs towards the dormitories in the distance. Opening the door to his home, he's met by the eyes of numerous students all locked on him. Glancing past the reception desk to the television in the lounge room, it shows video coverage of the school. A random cameraman having recorded Relon's panic attack compares the video to another story from an earlier time.
The headline: THE SURVIVOR SURVIVES!
Stupid media…
"Relon!"
Turning to the sight of Eina hurrying his way, his gaze lingers on the approaching female.
"Eina… you okay?" He murmurs as she comes to a halt slightly taken aback.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine. But-"
"I'm glad. Sorry. I'm not feeling so good." He averts his gaze walking to the staircase.
Lingering on the duelist, Eina can only raise a hand to her chest in worry as he goes out of sight. Her own gaze shifting to the television.
"Relon…"
Reaching his floor, he withdraws a key to open one of the many doors down a semi-bland corridor composed of mirrors and paintings along the walls. Entering, he closes the door behind him slinking to the floor as a hand goes to his forehead before a sigh escapes his lips.
The last thing I needed was more attention.
Looking to a coat rack, he tosses his school bag into the corner as he rocks himself to his feet going over to fall face-first onto the couch in his small living room. An image of a plane comes to mind making the teen groan as he buries further into the safety of the pillow. After minute of silence, he looks to the tv adjacent of him. His eyes lowering to the remote in front of it.
If I turn that on, I already know the channel will be on the news. My head can't take more talk about the school or me.
With that thought settled, he's about to turn back over pulling the blanket from the top of the couch finally ready to allow the fatigue and its ally, the darkness, to take him only for the sole entrance to his dorm to crash open.
"RELON!" An oh so familiar voice belonging to a female bellows out, his eyes snapping open already missing the darkness he's long since familiarize himself with.
"Keep it down Anna." He calmly calls checking his ears as the sound of pattering footsteps nears him in mere seconds.
Sitting up, he's sent right back down as the full weight of the girl crashes into him.
"Are you alright mentally and physically? How's your arm? What happened with Gaven?"
As he's being shaken while also interrogated, Relon can only mentally sigh as he looks to his childhood friend. A smile gracing his lips at the genuine care she's continuously shown even now. A side only he has the privilege of bearing witness when he's the center of attention from her. Otherwise, hot-headed, tomboyish Anna is all anyone will ever see.
Anna Kaboom. Age: 17. A plump of hair, the top red and the bottom orange with a single bang at both sides of her face, she has golden eyes wearing the girl's academy uniform consisting of a black unbuttoned blazer, skirt, and shoes much like Eina. She too a sophomore as indicated by her red tie. Behind her on the floor mixed with her other dropped belongings; a pink and white shirt, which reaches below her waist when worn, black compression shorts, and a pair of boots in the same colors as her shirt.
Originally living with her parents, she decided to stay by Relon's side after the incident regarding his past. Obviously when it came to enrolling at the academy in the city, she personally made certain they roomed together. Sadly, she couldn't get their classes lined up but she digressed.
Mainly an Xyz-user unlike Relon being a Fusion, Anna's deck has been more along the line of "hit them fast and hard" with the assistance of her Railway deck. Something Relon and her have refined over the years to allow for more optimal plays instead of dumping everything out on the first turn. Though for reasons Relon still doesn't understand, she refuses to touch her once prized Madolche deck. Anna spends most of her time either working on her "flying blaster", shopping for parts, or relaxing with Relon.
Looking back as he continues to be shaken while reminiscing, how could he forget; his dorm was co-ed.
"Ah, Relon!" She gasps finally realizing her actions as she lets go. "Sorry!"
"It's fine. Now at least." He reassures.
"You're not hurt anywhere?" She asks not bothering to await a response as she checks over him.
"No."
"You're not lying are you? Cause I won't hesitate to start blasting!" She says looking back as she picks up her belongings before taking a seat next to him on the couch.
"Seriously, Anna, I'm fine. Just had another panic attack is all." He reveals truthfully, her expression becoming saddened as both gaze at the floor. "Heh, the school's in worse shape than I am."
"When I saw what happened, I came rushing back. You weren't answering your phone, everyone was talking about you, and-"
Cut off by the sudden weight atop her lap, Anna widens slightly at Relon's head atop said lap.
"Sorry. I'm just a little tired is all…"
Seeing his eyes close, Anna releases a silent breath.
"I should be the one saying sorry. Get some sleep, Relon…"
"This is your first time flying on a plane, right big bro?"
"Yeah."
"You're awfully quiet."
"Well it's my first time so I'm just nervous."
"Heh, wish Anna could be here to comfort her boyfriend I bet ahahaha!"
"T-That's not true at all! We're just friends, Quark!"
"Relon and Anna sitting in a tree!"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence! Hey, get back here!"
"Aha, you can't catch me!"
"Boys, stop playing in the terminal!"
"He started it, mom!"
"Now, now, let them have their fun Mé."
"But, Kalos…"
"WE'RE GONNA CRASH!"
"RELON, I'M SCARED!"
"BRACE YOURSELVES!"
"MOM, DAD, QUARK!"
An arm reaching in sight is all he sees as everything goes dark.
"AH!" Relon shouts wide-eyed as he pants looking around finding himself still in the safety of his dorm.
Slowing down his breathing, he raises his bandaged arm to wipe away the sweat off his forehead as he falls back hitting the moist pillow.
"Wait, a pillow?"
Blinking a few times finally allowing his eyes to adjust to the morning sun's rays, he looks over at a clock on the wall. 8:00 AM it reads.
"Relon! I heard yelling!" The voice of Anna comes running over.
"I'm fine." He eases with a breath, the sight of Anna in an apron telling she was most likely cooking breakfast as indicated by that and the nice smell in the air.
"You had another nightmare about that, didn't you?" She bends down whipping the unnoticed tears out the corner of his eyes.
"Yeah, sorry to scare you. Again." He apologizes while running his hands through his face.
"Don't worry about it. How are you feeling?"
"Meh, the sleep helped. Thanks again, Anna. I owe you one."
"Nope!" A pluck to his forehead makes Relon wince.
"Ouch!"
"How many times do I have to tell you, you don't owe me anything!" She barks for Relon to lean back feeling the huffs of air exit her mouth.
"R-Right, my bad."
"Hmpf, that's better." She raises up, placing hands at her hips in triumph. "Now get ready, breakfast will be done soon!"
Watching her head back into the kitchen to hurry at the sight of smoke, Relon can only chuckle at the girl before raising up and heading for the bathroom.
Anna seriously doesn't deserve to have to deal with my problems. I need to do something for her again. Even if it risks me getting shot.
Hoping in the shower prepping for his day, his phone buzzes as with a quick quadruple tap of his password, a clicking sound indicates the device unlocking itself. A thick text meeting his eyes as he takes a seat on his bed with his toothbrush in his other hand as he begins to read the email sent by Banner.
Dear Students,
As many of you know in recent events, our school, your home, has taken severe damage as well as become the final destination for those aboard the recent airline that unfortunately lost control. To the victims, our hearts go out to each and every one of you. To our students, we are thankful none were severely injured with only a handful obtaining minor scratches. As our principal stated yesterday during an interview with the press, "we are in difficult times. Both as a student body and as civilians in this city. It is during this time that we must come together. Lean on each other. Support one another. Be there for one another during what may be our darkest time yet."
Until further notice, classes shall be put on halt though the school grounds itself shall remain open for use.
Prof. Banner
"Now what do I do?" Relon muses plugging his phone in before going to his balcony at the campus with student body walking about.
From his view, he can barely make out the damaged corner of the school but the caution tape and police crew are easy to spot amongst the wreckage. His bandaged arm unconsciously flinching at the sight. Flexing it in response, he grabs his phone now fully charged.
"Hey Anna?"
"Yeah?" She answers from the kitchen.
"What are your plans for today?"
"Mmm, most likely finish my shopping from yesterday. What about you?"
"Don't know. May look around at some of the duels. Possibly go to the dueling circuit and watch some duels there. Most likely the Fusion or Xyz circuit."
"My deck is fine the way it is though."
"Yeah, but it's not always about making it better. There could be a generic combination that could make your deck more optimal." He explains coming back inside.
"Well, considering we're both in the top 10, I don't think we have much to worry about."
"Aside from those above us." He chuckles.
"I don't wanna hear it from Mr. I only use my best deck against worthy opponents."
"We both know I have my reasons for holding back."
"Yeah, but only we know. Everyone else in school doesn't. And with your duel against Gaven yesterday, people may start looking at you differently."
"That's fine with me."
"Relon…"
"I know, I know. I won't make friends this way. Besides, now that people know I hold back, I have no reason to go easy on anyone."
"You're just saying what I want to hear."
"Partially, but I'm also just stating facts."
"Mhmm, regardless, we won't get anything done without breakfast so dig in."
Looking past her at the table for four now holding to plates worth of a normal breakfast, Relon can only bless the young woman for all the years of training they spent cooking together. From random cakes and sausages exploding to vaporizing grits and brewed tea, he's just thankful for not having to always cook anymore. Digging in, he only gives a hum in delight, one which Anna noticeably likes as she wears her triumphant grin before helping herself.
"Alright, I'm heading out." Anna bids now in her casual attire that Relon has seen her wear numerous times.
Being honest, Relon can say that aside from her quirky attitude, Anna has become a real beauty, the realization dawning on him each time she positioned herself in the most precarious positions in front of the growing boy. Unless her goal was to fish a reaction from him, she remained none the wiser. Anna is a lot, but never set to poke a reaction unless he really screwed the pooch. Something he's only done a couple times since they began spending more time together. Thinking Anna? Normal to do, yes. But as a woman, still yes, but it was Anna. She was the only person he felt close too, he had no intention of stepping over that boundary and run the risk of ruining what they have.
"Take care. Try not to spend all of your money this time."
"Hmpf, I have no need since I still got your card." She flashes said item with a grin for Relon to widen as he immediately reaches into his back pocket fishing out his wallet. "You gave it to me to do last week's grocery shopping, remember? Tata~." She waves before closing the door behind her.
"Anna! Damn it, she got me good." He chuckles looking over to the balcony at the girl flying away on her rocket. "Oh well, she won't spend it but now I have no way of buying food. Guess that's her way of telling me I'm doing dinner tonight." He releases another chuckle before with one last check over himself ensuring his belongings are where they need to be, he departs. Attached to his arm, the school's duel disk.
Key Characters
Prof Banner - from GX
Anna Kaboom - from Zexal